#BUT DAMN IF IT WASN'T CATHARTIC AS HELL

[bronx-bomber87]

Hello amazing fandom :) Ooh man this episode. I think it is my fav of the season so far. Which I know sounds insane considering what we got last week. But if you know me and been following me last couple years with my reviews, you know how much I LOVE me some Tim growth and depth. This is chock full of it so buckle in for the analysis and joy of that.

Other than our beautiful ship which I adore as you know. This is the other thing that makes my heart so happy. Plus it's pretty intertwined with their future as a couple this ep. Which excites me to no end. The episode as a whole was incredibly good too. The writers have really tapped back into the ensemble cast of it all. I adore it. I love this show as a whole and s7 is crushing it with that. Let us get started.

7x07 The Mickey

We hit the ground running with Tim at group therapy. Not only that but thinking about Lucy and their night together. Excuse me while I freak out 30 seconds into this episode. Oh my word the raw cut of his memory has me fanning myself. The look on her face and hearing his belt buckle being undone. Holy hell. A whole week later and this scene is still ruining me in the best way lol

Look at my boy in group therapy. Not only that but one for veterans. This is the perfect setting for him. I’m so proud I could cry. I damn near do this entire episode. We see Tim just jumping right in when prompted. Definitely has been going a long time because he looks very comfortable. ALSO they know about Lucy.

This is huge. I can’t get over this. In my heart of hearts I knew he would keep going to therapy. Keep working on himself. But seeing the results on screen.*happy sigh* It brings my soul a happiness I can't quite put into words. He’s taking care of his mental health. Bettering himself by putting the work in. I could have an entire impressions just on this cause it excites me so much. Other than Chenford, Tim growth is my show crack. It excites me like no other.

Tim sharing how far he’s come with Lucy. That he felt he had earned his way back in. Both professionally and personally. How hard he’s worked to get there. Now he's worried he's ruined it. I love his group leader nodding along and understanding him. It's so important to have that support. Just look at him so mad he gave in before he finished doing the work. Tim being so self aware is amazing to witness.

Saying he was being selfish. That he had't finished fixing what he broke with her yet. Is this a dream? This is what I’ve been WAITING for. Holy cow. Tim owning what he did to Lucy, knowing he had done it and most importantly knowing he broke them. What they had. That it's on him alone to fix it. I'm delirious with the continued growth shown in this scene.

What's that Lizzie McGuire song? ‘Hey now, hey now. This is what dreams are made of?’ My millennial is showing and I’m ok with it LOL How I feel about this opening sequence though. Encapsulates it perfectly. Cathartic and satisfying to watch after s6. After analyzing what he had done and what he needed to do in order to move forward. It's the best feeling to watch it unfold on screen.

‘I couldn’t help myself....’ Oh my Timothy. Neither could she. That inexplicable bond wasn't to be ignored last ep. It was too magnetic in that moment. He's being SO vulnerable with his group. It's making my head spin with happiness. Telling them his first shot at being with her again broke his own boundary; That he went for it anyways. This is so good. Well done writers. I’m giddy. Love the person running this and their reply. My god it’s good. So spot on. Stating Tim’s using a lot of ‘I’ language.

Saying Lucy was a willing participant. As she always is with you my love. No one ever forces her to make the decisions she does about you. It's all her. Telling him he’s taking away her agency when he does this. *mic drop* Hot damn this is fantastic. That they made the mistake together. Not just him. It's true. She wanted him as just as badly. She too couldn't help herself. Lucy is the one who grabbed his face for that kiss. She's the one who went for his belt asking him to take this further. They did this TOGETHER. No coercion.

Takes two to tango as they say. He needed to hear this. This wasn't something he did to her. They chose it together. I love how receptive he is to this advice. Just look at his face above. Eric killing it like he always does with his expressions. He is absorbing it and internalizing what he is learning. I mean he's clearly doing this meeting before work. To get his head right before he goes in. My god how he’s evolved and the strides he's taken. I can’t even you guys. I’m feeling high off this opening section in the best way.

Ooooh yes Lucy thinking about it too. Of course she is. Ooof love these raw shots and noises we’re getting in their thoughts. Reminds me of when Lucy was dreaming about kissing Tim in 5x01. She tries to shake it off and it comes right back to it like a boomerang. Can't keep her mind off the carnal delights she gave into with TIm. Gah I love this.

Saucy thoughts just keep rushing back to her. The first 90 seconds of this episode have me reeling in the best way. Sweet baby James. Also kudos to Melissa and her ability to convey so much with just her eyes. Her and Eric have this glorious ability to convey so much with so little.

Lucy is trapped in her thoughts and I'm here for it. I mean I can't say I wasn't in a loop watching that scene over and over the last week. heh. Celina scares the shit out of me and Lucy. Snapping Lucy out of her heated revere. God damn little lady lol She gave me a heart attack. Lucy messes up her lipstick and I’m cackling.

Celina pointing out she put on new lipstick….Dressing up more than usual. I wonder who that’s for? hehe. Girl you could wear a paper bag and you would have Tim panting after you. But I do love her wanting to put in extra effort post 7x06. Those actions proving it was more than just 'Ex-Sex.' for her.

I mean we all know why she put it in that box. She isn't ready to handle that and I don't blame her. As I've stated before. Tim is going to have to put the work in to get her there. Until then, it's going to remain complicated af for her as she muddles through her complicated feelings for Tim. Our girl is doing her best out here everyone.

I loved this scene with Nolan and Tim so much. Tim saying cops gossip more than middle schoolers. lmao accurate. Also ugh I remember this with post 6x06. I am LOVING post-therapy Tim helping Nolan out. Legit adoring it. Giving him some solid advice. "Feel like you don't believe yourself.' Nailed it.

Then of course turns back into being Cop Tim with how to handle it with some action. Not really John's style babe. Reminding me of s1 Tim looking for fights. With a biker gang…One the future love of your life had to wake you up from Timothy. But I do love them having a bonding moment over this.

It's cute how excited Tim is when Nolan agrees to his idea. I adored this scene so much more than I expected tbh. Pretty great watching them bond. I don’t always dislike Nolan lol I do tend to like him better when he’s with Tim LOL Or Lucy. But with Tim it’s extra good cause they don’t often share scenes. This one was gold.

Hot damn this episode has it all for me. We get to have some protective Tim with Seth as well. *grabs ice water.* Protective with hint of feral. Yum. Gimme gimme. Always happy to have a slice of that pie. Don’t put his girl in jeopardy with your stupidity Ridley. You will answer to him if you do anything to put her at risk.

Also If this cancer ends up being a lie and Tim finds out? Phew boy he will legit end you. You think he's scary now? There will be no safe place for you to hide if that happens. That is a guarantee good sir. He will destroy you. And I will sit there with popcorn enjoying it.

The tension inside the shop with Lucy and Seth is unreal. Palpable to say the least. It seems to only escalate and not cool off. Even with his time off for his 'treatments.' Lucy not so subtly rooting around to see if he’s lying about that. I love it. The timing was fishy af and he knows it. So he deserves this. His face when she says she might do that about his medical records. Oh my lord. Called her bluff and she rose to the occasion. I wonder if she will?

Yay Tamara is back! My girl. I missed her. I can't believe the flirty nature between her and Seth. Last thing Lucy needs with this kid....Don’t look at her that way Seth. Lucy will strangle you to death. That is not the way to get back into her good graces you turd. Blatantly flirting with her pseudo daughter.

Appears she's reached out due to drugs on campus. Not great…..But hey UC time. Lucy says she can look like a college student for the buyer. Tamara isn’t sure and Lucy is so offended lmao I’m dying. I’ve missed their banter.

Sadly Ridley has to be used instead of Lucy. Tamara suggesting that Seth be her fake BF..... Lucy's protective mama alarm bells are going off so hard. Lucy's face when Tamara wraps her arm around him. This is gold. Well done Melissa. I'm laughing so hard. This would be cute if Seth wasn't sus af.

Oooh teacher Tim always makes me happy to see. Ok that came out dirtier than I meant it to lol I just love to see him in his element. He observes Miles is riled up and asks why. Knowing it's more complicated than just not liking their suspect. You know Tim is far more emotionally intelligent than people give him credit for. This scene right here is proof of that.

The way he spots Miles having an issue. Handling it right then and there. Does a good dose of logic with empathy. It’s fantastic. He doesn’t eviscerate Texas for his outburst. But wants him to understand the consequences of his actions. I love watching him in T.O. mode for this reason. Man is so perfect for the job. This right here is exactly why he's such an exceptional T.O.

It's exciting that Lucy gets the go-ahead from Grey. The not so great part is she won't have stellar backup. Poor Lucy it’s Smitty or no one. LOL Already has to deal with the flirt fest and now she has the worst backup ever. Cool beans. Just what she wanted. The day continues to get better for her....

Lucy in UC mode is always a delight to see. Reeling Smitty in while prepping Seth. 'Tam? eww. ' Lmao Of course Smitty thinks it’s cute. Eating his damn licorice while he pops off lol Lucy's reply has me laughing so hard. 'No, it’s not.' haha Smitty is being the complete antithesis to everything she is feeling right now. She is SO unsettled and I don't blame her.

'You’re together we get is geez.' 'Mama bear Lucy is none too pleased with this scenario. Not holding her cards to her chest at all with this. But that's our girl. Said this many times before. She's a ten but terrible at hiding her feelings. I can’t believe Smitty giving Lucy parenting advice. I’m dying. 'Do you have kids? ‘Do I.? Oh I love him. Always the comic relief. Lucy's reaction has me laughing so much. I loved this scene of levity.

Of course Seth pushed it… He’s just lucky it worked out. Well For the the moment. Friggin Smitty praising him when Lucy is far from thrilled about all this. She is channeling Tim in this scene. The way she scolds him and asks for the product. Her gesture signaling how over his bravado she is.

Hot damn Tim in streets with his gun/badge on display with tight jeans? Excuse me while I drool a bit. This ep gonna kill me in the best way. I'll always take Tim in non field clothes anytime. Tim and Nolan standing side by side isn’t fair to John lmao

Tim is just exuding sex appeal and authority. While Nolan exudes midwestern dad scolding his kids. LOL I'm sorry John really I am. I actually like you in this episode. So my apologies sir. That is just my fav Tim pose and no one does it better than him. Forearm porn when he does that stance too. *phew lord.* Mmmm.

As I stated earlier I'm really enjoying Nolan in this episode. He is more human. More realistic in his failures. If they wrote him like this more I wouldn't be so hard on the guy. I used to love Nolan. Back in s1-2 he was written really well. I did start this show partly for Nathan. Eric being the other. They've been writing him better this season. With some humility and consequences for his mistakes. I'm digging it.

This scene was hilarious. John had no idea about the ring. That’s so funny. Also a friggin trip The Hammer is a softie for love. I didn't see that one coming at all. Just shows you the right person is worth fighting for or you live with the regret of it. That is the theme going forward for sure. Tim being so nonchalant about fighting The Hammer for the ring has me rolling. What makes Nolan's reaction so friggin funny.

I’m all for Tim leaning on stuff every episode looking like a damn snack. Feral Caitlin is here for it. Cause hot damn show me those forearms all day. I'll be a happy girl I'll tell you that. Tim suggests John actually sleep if he needs it. Since he looks like a damn wreck. Ugh Tim’s face when he says ‘Hard to sleep when she’s not there.’

Rip my heart right out there Eric. Tim understands far more than you can ever know John…. *sad sigh* The pain train continues to roll through this season. With a side helping of 'hurts so good' to go with it. I'm sure Tim has had many a night where he couldn't sleep without Lucy since they broke up.

I mean they scarcely had a night apart when they dated. Only times they did was 5x21 and the fight at the end of 6x01. Other than that he lived with Lucy at his side nightly. That man feels the loss of Lucy by his side in more ways than one. You can see how it haunts him as he agrees with his statement. Gah this episode is just so damn good. I can't get over it. This scene of theirs is my favorite of the episode.

John asking if he can ask a personal question? 'Usually I'd say no, but I've been working on being more emotionally available.' Be still my damn heart. Knowing pre-therapy Tim would've said no. But wanting to continue to put the work in he says yes to Nolan. This ep has me floating on cloud 9 you guys. Oh my Timothy, how you have grown so damn much. I'm misty and squeeing.

John eagerly pulls up a chair next to Tim. I do love Tim helping Nolan sort this mess out. I really do. It's creating a bond I never expected to love this much. The advice he is giving. Holy hell. Color me impressed. Look at how this man has emotionally evolved. How he can speak of his ex-wife with such emotional maturity and clarity.

That had he tried sooner he would've seen the broken mess of his marriage. Telling Nolan he can't just ignore this and hope it goes away. Because if he does he will end up same way his marriage did. That if he doesn't try now he's only going to fracture their relationship beyond repair. This is such SOLID advice he is giving John. It's insane.

I am blown away by his emotional depth in this scene. His clarity sharper than it's ever been. Tim continually sees and is reminded of what he did to Lucy. Using it as a cautionary tale for Nolan. Giving a piece of himself to drive home his point. Telling him not to make the same mistakes he did with Lucy. Side note, look at how soft his eyes are when he speaks about her btw. Eric killing the game as always. I love that Isabel is what is brought up but Tim ends with Lucy. This is where the growth is momental.

And if you can't get excited about this. About how huge this is for his character. For their future as a couple. Then I'm doing a bad job of explaining why. Because this is HUGE step in the right direction. Tim is telling John he gave up long before he should’ve. That he left mid-battle. Left Lucy holding the emotional bag of it all in that battlefield. Basically telling John he regrets how he handled it all. How he handled his treatment of Lucy and their relationship. The way he went about their breakup. Regretting the breakup all together really. That he gave up and retreated before he should've.

Fandom. I’ve had dreams about him saying this kind of stuff. To hear him acknowledge what he did to her. That he still has work to do. And why he still does. The next battle is getting him to relay those things to Lucy. It would un-muddy those waters so quickly if he did. Give her the clarity she’s been yearning for since he left her in that parking lot in 6x06. Clarity we’ve all been waiting for her to have. But as they say patience is a virtue. Tim even tells Nolan one step at a time. We gotta heed that same advice. This is no small fix Tim is undergoing here.

Tim is tormented by the decision he made in 6x06. It's written all over his face at the end of this scene. Telling John that he is gonna spend the rest of his life wondering if he could’ve done more. Been better. I adore the writers taking their time with this all. With Tim, their relationship, and Lucy. Because as forever grateful I am for s6. For getting a shortened season win on the heels of the writer strike reconciliation.

It didn’t have the time to flesh out everything and let it breathe the way this season is doing. Honestly I am grateful the heartbreak was in a shortened season. Or we would be dealing with that now instead of a s7 if we didn't get it. It would’ve hurt even more in a longer season. S7 is taking what couldn’t be fleshed out and delved into with s6 this season. I am personally loving the delayed gratification. It’s lending to wonderful scenes of growth like this.

Also like to say how proud I am of how far Tim and Nolan’s relationship has come. This a massive far cry from the s1 pair up they had watching a convict. Tim has grown so so much for this scene to take place. I keep saying how I could cry at how happy this makes me. But it's because this is what I hoped for with this season. This level of depth and growth before a reconciliation. It's going to make when they do that much sweeter. I guarantee you it will. The writers are crushing this season. It's a legit a joy to see come to life.

Oooh I love Lucy calling Tim needing his help. Her go to. Shows he's still her person. *le sigh* Tim was clearly was giving himself some time to decompress after that heavy convo, but he immediately picks up knowing it's his girl. Her reaching out will always make me happy. Tim tells her he will get himself replaced to go help her. God I love these two so much. Always have each others back when they need them. Never change you two.

I love Lucy Chen so much. BAMF level of bad assery in this scene. Doesn't turn around for most of this scene. Wants him to understand the gravity of this situation. To know he is VERY lucky this worked out the way that it did. That it had nothing to do with his skill in this case. She is cold as ice with his mentioning of Tamara. I love it. She has learned that hard edge from her man. Once again embodying Tim. Especially with telling him she had no keys LOL Classic.

The scene with Tamara and Lucy made me so bummed. Seth is infecting her world in more ways than one. I legit had zero idea the writers would go this route. I love that they've surprised me so much with this kid though. Lucy going into mama mode saying she can't date him. When teenager 101 says you do that they'll go running toward that choice. *sigh*

Tim coming in while Tamara shuts her down made me giddy. Asking right away what that was about? Going into protective dad mode himself when he hears why. Mmm. Asking ‘Want me to put the fear of Bradford in him?’ Heh I was all for it. Lucy too. She honestly considers it by saying 'Yeah.' I love the look he gives her following that. Knowing that isn't actually what she wants. Because the man knows her so damn well.

That it's just a gut reaction to knock some fear into this guy. Lucy responds to his knowing look saying no.... That it'll just make things worse....That it will. Sadly. This is not going to end well. But's Tamara's mistake to make. Look at them co-parenting Tamara like the good ole days though. my heart

Oh my word that episode was SOOO good. The growth alone had me buzzing. I an enjoying this season so very much. I can't wait to see what next week has in store for them. Thank you as always to those who support these. Without fail means so much to me. Every like, Comment ( come chat with me I love it) and reblog are noticed and appreciated by me. Shall see you all in 7x08 :)

Side notes

Of course Smitty has been divorced three times lmao

Damn look at James pulling one over on Nyla to talk. Loving the realness of this season. He just laid down the gauntlet with her whew lord.

Holy crap that shelter lady was a bad ass. She didn’t win but gave him a good fight. Run for his damn money that's for sure. Loving the empowered women in this season.

Celina you cannot flirt with the bad guy omg lol The hammer is back. Loving this call back.

‘Tough woman often come with dark stories.’ I felt that deep in my soul.

Nolan getting actual consequences this season. I’m digging it. Like a lot. Grey reminding him how many times his shop been stolen before. Yikes John...

What a bad ass Celina Juarez has turned out to be holy cow. I love her. Just sprayed his ass she closed the door lmao Don't got time for that macho fight.

Man never thought relate to Bailey on something. But that hospital scene I did. Her saying emotional isn't the same as physical. I hate that for her. Because I know what that is like. Some people do treat it like it’s not as bad when it is.

Emotional abuses is just as scarring as physical. If not more because it’s harder for people to see your scars. To see what you’ve lived through mentally and survived. Writers are doing a very good job this season. You got me to empathize and relate to a character never had a connection with. Well done.

'He cannot help you heal if he’s doesn’t know what’s still alive inside you.’ Damn if that isn’t true for Tim as well with Lucy.

The Hammer helping them oh my lord that was amazing. Because he wanted a clean slate and new chance at love.

Texas my word. What a man offering up his services to her shelter. Loving this kid more each week.

I love Harper’s new group this is awesome. Look at her listening to James. Also Wopez got her there. That was really good. Working together to making policing better. I love it sfm. Very them. They have the same common goal just had to tweak how they handled it. Yay they have good depth this season. Excited to see where they go.

[bitchslapblastoids]

thinking about the more cutting elements of the show... thinking about how they prod at the grotesquerie that is the youtube landscape now. something that was originally homespun and free and fun is now this soulless maw of manipulation and cynicism, and they're naming names.

thinking about the more cutting elements of their feedback for us; how the sweet homespun thing they birthed then morphed into something massive with its own acute levels of grotesquerie and horrors for the two of them. and how alongside all of the giddy love and joy and euphoria i've experienced these past couple of days, i have also been feeling some more complicated feelings. and i guess some of that may be shame, because for all the years i've loved them so, i was in the trenches participating in the retraumatization of dan (a word that kind of bowled me over to hear). and i sure as shit wasn't 12. i just fervidly wanted to know every damn thing i could. still do, i guess. tis my nature. but hearing dan describe him and phil as the internet's 'first true crime case' had me feeling quite specifically chastened. and sad.

because it is sad that their private world had all these porous slippery bits and all these intrusions and this panopticon around them and their every move, tracking every blush, every whisper of a mention of attraction to men, every possible slip-up, every morsel of their deeply personal love for one another. i imagine a feeling akin to a trapped animal. and you don't know where the predator is or even if there is a predator at all or if you're the one who has done something wrong, all you know is you're trapped. and there are helicopters and a searchlight too.

this isn't a mea culpa; i'm not looking for feedback or reassurances or anything. i really feel super duper okay about feeling this weirdness. i think it's probably good and healthy. i'm sure it's cathartic as hell for them to finally say all of this and point the finger at (some of) us. and we're moving on. they've moved on. i'm aware. and i don't think anyone else should feel any kind of way; i am not a proponent of shame. i hold a firm live and let live approach to fandom, so it feels weird to make this post when i've railed so much against the phandom's guilt complex.

but i did just want to dog-ear this somewhere. that among all of the sappy giddy fluttery feelings, i'm also feeling some weirdness and some reflection. and that amidst all of the joy and hilarity, there was some heavy fucking shit in that show. and so it is odd to feel like i was in some small way a participant in the construction and reinforcement of some of that shit. i know this may all feel like..yeah...duh...rudimentary....and yes of course i've considered this all before, i am self aware, yes. but it's different hearing it so explicitly from them in the flesh, you know?

[enbypotat53]

(TPOT 16 SPOILERS!)

HEY SO WHAT IF I CRIED.

WHAT IF I CRIED, HUH.

YOU CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS TO ME WE'RE NOT EVEN THREE MINUTES INTO THE EPISODE AND I'M ALREADY SOBBING??

Mother of god my HEART dude. LISTEN I LOVE PIN BUT MY BOY LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER FUCKING DAY AND DPYA ISN'T UP FOR ELIMINATION THIS TIME WE STAY WINNING 💙💙💙

Also this. Pin I didn't think I could love you any more but you proved me wrong 💙 LOOK AT HIS FACE HE'S SO HAPPY AKSJDJHDHD- HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE HIM??

We also have more Astrobiology and Markertree crumbs, always love to see it as a Polypact shipper :3c 💙

Okay me being a fanboy aside for a minute so we can get to the meat and bones of this episode, and.

Holy shit.

Pen was already a character I adored, but oh my god he might genuinely be one of my alltime favourites now. His development this episode felt so right, and seeing him take Liy's advice and let his anger out in a productive way was genuinely so cathartic to watch. My boy has put up with way too much shit for way too long. He's always been sort of a laughing stock character; being put through the wringer because "haha funny, look at this idiot 🅱️en lmfao", but seeing him finally snap about Eraser and just how much he's lost? God, he cares SO MUCH for his friends, he's genuinely such a sweetheart 💔

Not to mention - the integrity he has at the end of the episode? It's impossible to hate this man, he has the personality of a golden retriever and the fact that he recognised that Pencil wasn't acting entirely maliciously; that she was scared and had changed so much due to being trapped in the EXIT for years, is so fucking respectable. I'm a petty bitch and ABSOLUTELY would've let her be tagged if I was in his place, but. Damn. He's so kind?

I'm not saying Pencil is a saint, though. Seeing Golfball and Donut finally agree was super fun to watch I'm not gonna lie - both of them are favourites of mine for sure. But jeez, the EXIT really did bring out the worst in her, huh? I'm looking forward to seeing where JnJ take her character (at least, if she doesn't get eliminated). Her PTSD plotline is genuinely interesting to see, and as frustrating as it was to watch her actively sabotaging her teammates, I still felt for her, especially towards the beginning and end of the episode (which is more than I can say for Pillow, anyway). Liy also grew on me a lot - I didn't really care much for her before all of this, but she's honestly great. Looking forward to seeing more of her friendship with Pen, ngl :3

And now back to.. whatever the fuck these two were doing this episode. When I tell you I CACKLED seeing the Cake At Stake intro 😭 not to mention just how absolutely insane Four and X were during the whole episode, it was the PERFECT juxtaposition for all of the angst/heartwarming moments. Sure I cried at this episode, but I definitely laughed a lot, too. Especially at Four disintegrating the little alien dude (X's face had me in stitches HE WAS SO SAD 💔)

What I do find interesting is the fact that One seemed to take a backseat again this episode? I only saw her a few times - once in the bush, again when she moved time forward, and again in Roboty's pocket dimension. There could be more I'm missing, but it's fascinating to see her take a step back once Two is out of commission (although I think it was the perfect choice writing-wise. It allowed for a hell of a lot more character development and interaction whilst still occasionally reminding us of the looming threat of the world being a few cracks away from destruction. Fucking phenominal job, JacknJellify. Hats off to y'all.)

I definitely missed a few subplots/character interactions (not to mention the double elimination HELLO??), but this was a damn good episode, and I'm SO glad I was awake to watch it 💙

Finally, take a Tree for scrolling this far! He's awesome (and y'all are too!) :3 💙

[uninformedartist]

So just finished watching the ep so review. Spoils ahead:

So the episode was ok to me, solid 6/10 one of the better episodes which since this was supposed to be an "extravagant" ep why does it got better quality than the main eps, idk Viv has her moments like this ep and other eps its a train wreck in writing ect.

Mammon worked on my nerves, from design to his movements, personality ALL of him was annoying, which props for an annoying Villian but its Villian I never want to see back again and he's hinted for some sort of return.

Side tangent: Mammon is like the how many-ith Villian to get a return ep/hint at one. It was 1st cherubs, then dorks, then stella/ice twink, striker/crimson now Mammon & according to the leaked storyboards a ghost guy that tries to talk IMP into off-ing themselves... its a flipping lot and cherubs & dorks seem to be forgotten dispite dorks knowing & having hard evidence they exist, flip Viv chill it with your Villian of the week cos its way too many now.

Anyway, Blitz didn't need to be in this ep besides the flashback. Ozzie got him to talk Fizz out of being Mammon's puppet but ultimately Ozzie spoke him out of it & gave him courage to quit/confront Mammon. Even Blitz being a bodyguard/killing people for Fizz could've been any imp. Blitz is starting to feel like Steven from SU, in every ep even tho the ep doesn't need him/ the episode surrounds topics a wee child shouldn't be in (i.e Lapis trauma dumping on Steven & he a child isn't really equipped to handle that situation).

My fave part of this ep was Ozzie and Fizz. Ya'll I legit prayed Viv wouldn't mess these two up and my prayers were answered. Absolutely a joy these two were. Fizz especially what a darling. Loved that small scenes with him and the deaf imp child, l dont know sign language but it looked genuine animated and was just sweet moments.

From their interactions, Fizz's panic attacks/self doubt felt & were genuine... I felt that as someone that has panic attacks from high stress on my studies/life. It was just handled well. Fizz feeling less than and needing to prove himself from 1. his past 2. his appearance, that accident affected his self image/worth so much (why I felt him forgiving Blitz was too hastily done but I digress) & 3. him doing this Mammon contest still to gain/earn Ozzie's love for him cos Fizz believes Ozzie only sticks around because of this fame Mammon gave Fizz. Ozzie finally saying what he loves about Fizz was lovely, wanted that in the 1st ep but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Their song was... I didn't like it BUT the message in it was beautiful. Lastly Fizz saying fuck you to Mammon from the courage/strength Ozzie gave him was a nice send off... also Ozzie saying he loves Fizz ah ngl that made me smile agh I just love them. I want to see them more than the Stolitz show but thats only a wish. Props Viv, you get 1 brownie point not messing this up.

Last findings, the ep was bloated as hell my soul Viv please stop cramming so much in an ep, this one is 30 mins long & yet still felt bloated. Pacing was a motherfuka damn it was bad & the swearing was jarring (its a Viv written ep I don't expect any less but still gonna point it out) and the comedy wasn't so prominent in this ep, Blitz/Mammon gave some comic relief but in the best and worst ways:

The way the VA delivered this line "to be fucked" made me laugh, the line is cringy but the delivery lol gold

Aand Blitz, my soul shut the fuck up & get out this ep. Last ep & this one he said something so agonizingly cringe I pulled my face

The world of HB is legit American hell or earth just painted red since Fizz named all these places in America just "hellified" where his fans come from.

And very last, congratulations Salem glad you got the cathartic send off you deserve from working under Viv, truly fuck you "Mammon" indeed :) also glad they credited you this time.

[purefandomonium]

Alright now hold on a minute, not only has my hate-on-Shingo story grown into something much bigger than I meant it to, (over 8k words?!) but now I'm actually enjoying writing him? Ugh, no.

Anyway, here's a snippet of him and Takeshi that I'm actually quite proud of. Below a cut so I don't clutter people's dashes.

"Just say what you're gonna say and quit staring at me like that," Shingo groused. He watched Takeshi's blurry reflection shift back towards the road while the side of the mountain sped across the glass. "I didn't offer you shotgun to chew you out," he replied after maneuvering through a tight corner. "Tch. So you just wanna stare at me like a creep?" "Shingo…" he groaned. "Quit with your melodramatics and just get to the damn point of this already!" he snapped, tearing his eyes from the window to glare at the other man. "You got to watch me be made a laughing stock by some chick and now you wanna gloat, right?" "That's not it at all," he responded, surprised more by the words themselves than the volume. The only sound between them was the GT-R's whine as it pitched around a few curves before he hit the upcoming hairpin harsher than he intended. The tires shrieked as the brakes forcibly reigned the momentum in. Shingo ignored the way the car's movements seemed to convey Takeshi's own unsteadiness within the conversation in favor of scowling at the dashboard like it'd wronged him. "You always drive this slow?" He questioned as he caught sight of the speedometer. He scoffed, though it held no real venom. "No wonder I always dust your ass." The corner of his mouth twitched upwards. "Hmph. That's because I'm trying to go easy on you." He barked out a laugh. "Yeah right. What makes you think you have to go easy on me on the downhill?" "Well, I wouldn't wanna accidentally bump you. My car would be fine, this baby's seen far worse than the back end of a souped up go-kart." He shifted gears, nailed the next corner and slammed the accelerator, sending the GT-R rocketing along the short straightaway. Had there been someone in front of him, he would've bounced into their bumper. Shingo nearly howled at the audacity. "Well, you're right about one of those things: your stupid R32's kissed the guardrail enough times I'm surprised it's not pregnant. Too bad you couldn't catch up to me if your life depended on it." Takeshi wasn't sure what the hell was going on anymore. This… whatever it was wasn't what he meant to start when he offered Shingo a ride. He'd meant to have something like a heart-to-heart; make sure the asshole was OK so he could go back to being an asshole like normal. Instead, they were tossing lighthearted banter back and forth like they were friends or something. Part of him wondered if he'd crashed ages ago, and this was some crazy dream brought on by residual brain activity. He shook the thought from his mind before it became a reality, still having a quarter of the way left to go before they put Myogi behind them.

Oof not Takeshi throwing shade for Shingo being given a taste of his own medicine by bringing up the ramming his Civic just suffered barely 2 days ago.

I am so close to being done with this fic and I'm very excited! It's been super fun to write and oddly cathartic, because unlike usual, I'm not too concerned with matching characterization and it's already a bit of an AU as it is. Yet another crack treated seriously, I think. But honestly that's one of my favorite things to write.

[thelikesoffinn]

hello - hope you're doing great! I love your analysis, and I wanted to ask about something I've been thinking fanfic wise but also applicable to real life (I think).

So Astarion gets paired a lot with Tavs who also have tragic past experiences (hard to be at his level of tragedy, but some get close). Which is all well and good, cause I see how writing these characters and reading about them is cathartic to many, but I also see plot-wise, it makes it "easier" for him to connect with Tav in a way, kindred souls and all that.

My Tav's background is one of someone who either had a fairly good and regular life, and, if trauma occured, it's been healthily overcome. So at the beginning of the BG3 story she's actually at the end of her own initial "character" arc.

Now my issue is, can Astarion connect with someone who has no idea at all of what he went through? My idea is that's he'd infantilize her, or openly antagonise her (in his charming way) because she's got no right to understand (especially with how he thinks it's fine to be racist and hurt the weak in the first act).

And she'd be understanding and wanting to help and all, but how can people with no/little traumatic experiences connect with those who went through hell, even with the best intentions? It's a dynamic I'd like to explore, because I've seen it played in real life a few times.

Sorry for the poem!

Hello, flower! Thank you so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed the analysis ❤️

As for your question: Eh, I do see why that dynamic is a rather difficult one. People who've survived through a lot of traumata tend to be somewhat hesitant and guarded in front of those who had normal lives at the best of times, and we all know that Astarion rarely has a "best of times", especially early in the game.

Infantilising them is something I definitely see with him. He's the type to do that with anyone anyway, but especially so with those he considers "sheltered". And sheltered is likely something he inevitably will consider Tav, as that is often the case with those who experienced trauma.

Trauma tends to age and harden you, in a way, so oftentimes people who simply grew up normally, with normal ups and downs, are viewed as "sheltered" or "spoiled" by those who didn't, even if that wasn't necessarily the case. That label isn't used or assigned maliciously, and it's simply based on the fact that other people's "normal" seems like the very best to someone who had it worse.

I can also see a huge amount of antagonism, yes, but how it shows will depend on when your story is set.

Is it while he's still dependent on Tav? Then I think he'd try to refrain from being more antagonistic towards them than necessary, since he needs to stay on their good side. So, he'd likely stick with his base-line arseholeishness, if a bit more intense at times. You know, in a sense that you side eye him and wonder if he just actually insulted you or if he's still joking around.

But if he's not dependent on them? Oh boy. Yeah, very likely that he'd be extremely mean and Tav would definitely 100% know that he means everything he says, even when it's uttered with a smile. Think how he talks to the Gur hunter in act 1 because let's be honest…that was far from subtle.

Astarion as a whole doesn't take kindly to anyone prodding his weak spots, albeit he mellows a bit towards Tav over the course of the story, and if would be even worse with "sheltered" Tav. He would likely flip his shit really hard and become extremely cruel with them, staying on their good side be damned because how dare they prod where they have no business being?

It's something I've seen at work before, and let me tell you: It's never a pretty sight. Many people who experienced trauma usually don't want to hurt others - quite the contrary, a lot of them would rather sacrifice themselves before watching anyone else get hurt like they were - but that doesn't mean they're not good at it. Precisely because they're often so hypervigilant, they have a talent in picking out your weak spots and if you test them enough, oh boy. They'll hit them with such aim and grace, you'll find yourself reeling. And that's the super sweet and kind clients, not the Astarions.

Here it's important to mention that the things people say in those situations are rarely what they really believe. It's mostly is just a well aimed assassination of your soft spots to get you to back off and leave them be.

So "sheltered" Tav will have to be extremely careful regarding any sore spots if they don't want to be hit by the full force of protective-malice.

Does that mean Astarion and your Tav won't be able to bond? Aabsolutely not, but it will be a tad bit difficult because he'll likely take a lot longer to open up and their bond will have to be built entirely from scratch. The shared understanding of their trauma can’t function as a temporary foundation – temporary because a bond entirely based on [shared] trauma will eventually become instable, if not fortified by other things – so they’ll have to put in a lot of work to even get to having a solid foundation to build on.

I'll give you a bit of a general rundown on how I was taught to tackle clients like that, maybe any of that will be helpful for you!

So, firstly: "Sheltered" Tav will need to be careful and understanding and they'll have to be able to take a blow and live with it if they accidentally step to close too early.

Important to note: They'll have to be able to take a blow but they can't be too lenient either.

Astarion seems like a person who's attached to 'respect'. Not in the 'respect your elders' way, but in the sense that he treats those he respects a lot better than those he doesn't. It's the nobility’s definition of respect - some "deserve" it and some don't and who is who is entirely based on personal understanding - so it's very in line with his background.

So, while your Tav will need to be able to take a hit, they'll need to know when to call him out on his bullshit. If you let Astarion walk all over you, he will eventually lose all respect and then this is a lost cause. Don't let him push you around.

If he's being too cruel, don't be cruel back, but definitely call him out on it and let him know that he can always ask you to stop prodding but you will not stand around and let him insult you.

Be understanding, but don't be a doormat.

Then, in order to get someone to open up, you'll have to have a lot of patience. Don't demand anything, don't force anything. Every question you ask has to be careful and phrased in a way that won't corner them, which can be really difficult in casual conversation. So, mishaps can and will likely happen, which is great material for a story anyway, so that's great! (Not so great at work though, haha.)

In case of "sheltered" Tav, it's probably best if they wait for him to come to them. Listen when he rants, listen to the tiny things he mentions and if you ask questions, make sure they directly relate to what he's told you just then.

So, if he talks about Cazador essentially making him choose between eating putrid rats or getting beaten, a question like: "Did he do that a lot?" or "Was it always those two options?" could potentially be alright because the red string is easily visible for both parties. Astarion can tell why you would ask something like that and he can follow your line of thought easily.

But a question like: "What else did he do to you?" or "Did he do other things as well?" would probably have his defences going up. It's too broad, too unspecific, and how is that any of your business anyway? What is this, an interrogation? An interview so that you can ghost write his sad memoirs? Back off.

While a question like: "How exactly did those dinners go?" or "Beaten? How?" is too specific. You're practically asking him to relive a painful moment in great detail for your own "enjoyment". Why else would you want to know? Why else would you ask how exactly he'd been hurt and humiliated, if not for that? Maybe you were planning to do the same to him. He won't let you. The past is the past. Let. It. Rest.

So, as you can tell, it's basically playing question-hot-foot!

But even if your Tav should cross the lines in that regard every once in a while - it happens, every question is a gamble - it'll eventually be fine. The closer they get, the easier it will be to ask questions, because he'll realise that he can actually trust them.

The one word I would really really avoid - and I cannot stress this enough - is 'understand'. God never use it. Tav, omit it from your vocabulary, you'll never "understand" anything ever again!

"I understand what you went though was horrible, but/and/however…" - No, you really do not. You can't understand, can't even imagine what he's faced over the years so never pretend that you do.

"I won't pretend to understand what you went through, but I want to/you can trust me/I can still listen." - Always said with kindness, but that one really is nothing but an empty platitude, at best. Hearing someone say that they don't understand you so directly is never really encouraging either.

"I just want to understand you." - Great, but you don't need to know the barest parts of a person's soul to be able to understand them. If you can't do it without that, maybe you shouldn't. And, all in all, this phrasing of the last one feels really iffy anyway, personally speaking, because it has a very manipulative edge to it. 'Hey I'm just overstepping your boundaries because I want to know you and understand you better. It's all for you..." and blegh. I hate that one, but that might be totally personal so please feel entirely free to ignore this paragraph.

Anyway, as you can see…never "understand", even if it’s just meant to encourage him. Just don't. I've seen clients who asked to be transferred to a different social worker or ended up leaving completely because someone used one of those lines, so I'd really strongly advise against them.

Instead, opt for things like "I'll listen to whatever you want to say." or "Can you explain it to me?" because that way you're not lying to his face and you're leaving everything up to him. He gets to decide where this conversation goes and, more importantly, how far it goes. Not an interview, not an interrogation, but a conversation that he controls.

And well then, flower, that’s it! Of course, there’s a lot more to it, but we’d still be here by the time Baldur’s Gate 8 is released if I went over every tiny thing, but I hope this was enough of an overview to help you build your story 😊 If you end up sharing it, don’t be shy to let me know, I’d be excited to check it out because, as you said, it’s a really interesting dynamic that isn’t explored as much as it should be. It’s a difficult dynamic, but it is so rewarding to write, read and experience. I wish you all the best ♥

[emblemxeno]

I was talking with a close friend during a write-up on a badfic, and talking about Fates made me really think on something; honestly, I don't even hate the Deeprealms, but it needed way more time to explain itself for what's effectively an Excuse Plot to justify a sidequest for the second generation.

The core story it represents is still damn well excellent if you actually piece it together, it's just so that Fates's biggest sin (and only real sin as a story, IMHO) is that the core story is legitimately excellent with great ethos, logos and pathos… and that due to the limitations of the console it's on and time limitations during development, has an absolutely horrid way of conveying its core thesis much in the way my friend kind of went off the unintended path on his analysis; lots of plot devices that existed solely to string things together as well as leaving really fucking important story details baked within single-line dialogues despite it really being crucial to understanding the core story… and even then, that's not getting into the localization fuckery further muddling things. I'm of the opinion though that Treehouse probably saved Fates in the West and probably the greater series; I know Japanese and have translated the Japanese script version of the Prologue and Conquest's Chapter 27 for posterity, and... oh, dear lord, the sheer difference in quality and prose is fucking noticeable. The writing genuinely comes off as childish in the Japanese version, as well as a lot of the nuances that were present in Kibayashi's draft were straight-up lost in the Japanese version (and mind you, Conquest Chapter 27's one of my favorite chapters in the entire franchise from a story perspective, only really beaten out by FE4's Chapter 5 and Birthright's Chapter 26 IMHO)... I may be happy to link you the script sometimes, but by far the best thing Treehouse did was make Nohr seem less overtly unsympathetic and dial back the cultural posturing (which was bad enough even the Japanese hated it; Hoshido apparently provoked cultural uncanny valley due to how unlike Hoshido acted compared to the Japanese, to the point that to them, Birthright was regarded as the worst story of the three), and comparing the two, they did a fucking lot to add depth and context back from the original draft that was just… absent, and adapted fucking horribly from the Japanese version of the story, which reads as a first draft, frankly. Still, I'm adamant Fates is a great story told poorly; fix how the story is told, and a lot of the problems fall into place or fix itself. What people hated wasn't the story (contrary to what they think), they hated how it was presented.

But yeah, all of it's a shame, as Fates is legitimately just a victim of its development than anything actually bad; if anything, if you bother to analyze it, it's Fear & Hunger and Cruelty Squad-levels of deep analysis as a story to a degree that, in my opinion, utterly eclipses Three Houses or pretty much the majority of other FE games before and since; even the well-written ones don't have the same level of depth and implications Fates had. What kind of FE game seriously uses symbolism of Chinese geomancy and friggin' Taoism for its core points? Fates feels like a victim of its own genius, and to me, Treehouse is kind of misblamed for a lot of it; even if they've made a lot of questionable decisions, seeing how the Japanese version butchered one of the most cathartic realizations of ending an abusive cycle was just... ugh:

Japanese Version Garon: What…? Marx, are you going against me…? Marx: Shut the hell up.* [Lit: Damare/黙れ]. Don't call me by my name so casually…you strange person. Garon: What…? Marx: I realized that by looking at your behavior now. You are not the father I respect. I know my father best. My father used to be strong… However, he never imitated raising his hand to his own child. He did not try to dominate the enemy's country and do all he could to plunder it! Garon: What do you know about me, you fool… Marx: You aren't the one who knows what my father knows…! …I pretended not to see it the whole time. I did not disobey any order. I believed that someday you would get back to normal, and I fought for it. However, my father back then was…

English Version Garon: What is the meaning of this?! You dare point your blade at ME, Crown Prince? Xander: Silence! Do not speak as though you know me, foul beast. Garon: What?! Xander: You are no longer the father I once looked up to. All has become clear. I know…knew my father better than anyone. I always wondered what changed his heart, made it grow cold. Now I know. When I was a young boy, my father was strong and brave… Stern, but fair. But for all his power, he would never have used his strength against his own children. He would never have needlessly conquered or ruined another kingdom! Garon: Fool! You know nothing. Xander: It is you who knows nothing! Of my father, of me, or of my brother/sister here. All this time, I have strived to be a good son and a worthy heir. I have faithfully followed your orders, even when doing so

Japanese Version Takumi: I'm going to kill you… I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you… Kamui: Takumi! Stop the attack! King Garon is no more… The war is over! There's no need for any more pointless battles! Takumi: I'll kill you… I'll kill you… That's what I decided… Kamui: Damn…! Listen to me, Takumi! Aqua: Wait, Kamui! He's not someone you can persuade with! I don't want to believe it, but…* …Just like King Garon, he is also being held prisoner by someone. Kamui: What!? No way!! Aqua: It's a shame… but it's already too late for that appearance… Perhaps when Takumi threw himself off the Susanoo Wall, he already… Kamui: It can't be…! So, does that mean we have no choice but to defeat him? Just like my father?! Aqua: ………… …Yeah. Kamui: …No!! Takumi: It's your fault… Because of you, the Byakuya Kingdom… Our country… has become a mess… If only you weren't here, things would be easier… I wouldn't have to feel like this…! If only you were gone…!! Kamui: ! Are you crying…? Takumi… Aqua: Let's go… Kamui. That child's hatred has reached the point of no return. We have no choice but to stop it before the casualties increase. Kamui: No…wait. Aqua: Kamui…? Kamui: Takumi's anger is understandable. This White Sun Kingdom… has become like this because of me. I have to take responsibility for the path I chose. That's why… Aqua: No way, you… !? Wait, Kamui! It's dangerous! Go back!! Kamui: ………… Takumi: Kamui… I'll kill you… Kamui: Takumi… When I think about it, I couldn't do anything like an older brother to you. At that time…I couldn't even stop you at that Susanoo Wall. I'm not going to collapse here. But at least… Your anger… I'll take it all. Takumi: I'll kill you… I'll kill you!!!!! Kamui!!!!!! Kamui: That's right, Takumi. You're aiming for…me alone. Come on…come on!

English Version Takumi: Betrayal… Death… Murder… Betrayal… Death… Murder… Corrin: Takumi, stop this! The war is over! King Garon has been defeated!! Please, Brother! There's no reason to fight each other anymore! Takumi: War…betrayal…death…murder… That is all there is… I will not…be swayed… War…betrayal…death… Corrin: Dammit, Takumi! Please, stop this madness and listen to me for a change! Azura: Corrin, wait! I'm afraid he can't be reasoned with. You're not going to want to hear this, but… I believe he is possessed by something, just as King Garon was. Corrin: No! Please, it can't be so… Azura: I'm sorry, Corrin, but look at him! The way he's moving and speaking… Takumi is…no longer with us. I'm afraid it's too late to save him. I'm guessing when he threw himself off the Great Wall of Suzanoh he was already— Corrin: No! I can't accept that!! Are you saying I must now defeat my own brother? Killing my father wasn't enough?! Azura: sigh Yes, that is what I am saying. I'm so sorry… Corrin: This can't be happening… Takumi: It's all your fault… Hoshido is dead… All…your…fault!! You destroyed…my kingdom…my family… If you die…I can rest… If you die…the pain… The pain will stop…if I kill you!! Corrin: Takumi!! Please, my brother. Please don't cry… Azura: We have to fight him, Corrin. His mind is…not well. The monster has latched on to his regrets, to his resentment and bitterness. His heart and mind have been pushed past the point of no return. We have to stop him before more innocent lives are lost. Corrin: Wait! Don't move. Azura: Corrin? Corrin: Takumi has every right to be angry with me. I am to blame for much of the heartache in his life… I chose this path. I do not regret it…but I must take responsibility for it. There's only one way to do that… Azura: Y-you don't intend to— ?! Wait, Corrin! It's too dangerous! Please! Come back!! Corrin: … Takumi: Corrin… Betrayal… Death… Must…kill you… Corrin: Takumi… I know I've never been there for you like a brother/sister should… I've caused you much suffering, and I couldn't save you at the Great Wall… This all grieves me more than you will ever know, but I will not fall here on this day. I won't let you kill me, but the very least I can do…is accept all of your anger. Takumi: Death! Murder! BETRAYAL!! I will kill you, Corrin! I…WILL…KILL YOU!! Corrin: Takumi! If you're going to aim that thing at anyone, aim it at me. I'm the one you want! Go on then. Loose your arrow, brother!

Functionally, they're the same, but the way it reads is just completely devoid of the context and subtext that was so rich in the version I've played, almost as if that they were two completely separate versions altogether... especially Azura seeming so utterly detached from Takumi's suffering (even referring him to as an 'it' in the process), or none of the subtext that was present in Xander that confirmed he was in denial coming off in the English version... and for a language fundamentally built on context and subtext, this reads absolutely horridly in Japanese and comes off as completely bad writing. If the unabridged Japanese script was what we got translated literally... I most likely would've straight-up disliked it. So I'm pretty adamant when I say that Shin Kibayashi was an amazing writer, but Intelligent Systems lost the sauce on how to properly transcribe it's writing; much of the good writing we've gotten from Fates and even other FEs in the neo-FE era, it seems, was the localizers hard-carrying the script and even redrafting it in a way that was far more legible.

I'm not even talking out of my ass with this. There has been Japanese videos covering this dissonance "Fire Emblem Fates is a great game that has a very bad reputation for its story, but I will explain why the setting was surprisingly good":

https(colon)//www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=kLxMsVtZotQ https(colon)//www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=hCJ4vk9X958

It... pretty much confirms what I've noticed since Day One, and it's stuff that, simply put, I would have not been able to appreciate if Treehouses didn't do such miracle work conveying a lot of the lost context. Hell, if they didn't, they could have seriously damaged the reputation of FE even worse than it was originally thought to have been. The Japanese version straight-up reads so flatly, to the point I was baffled comparing the two, but yeah, I'm pretty adamant now that Treehouse probably did a lot to fix it, and likely a major reason you liked it to was because of those localization fixes. And it's such a goddamn shame, because Fates is amazing, and if only more people realized how good the setting was as good as it was.

Anyways, this is just an interesting discovery and I'm aware my post is a lot, so take what I've said with a grain of salt if it's too much. I'm only sharing this because I've had a lot to say.

Also, seems that I copypasted the transcript incomplete with the English version of Xander confronting Garon.

Garon: What is the meaning of this?! You dare point your blade at ME, Crown Prince? Xander: Silence! Do not speak as though you know me, foul beast. Garon: What?! Xander: You are no longer the father I once looked up to. All has become clear. I know…knew my father better than anyone. I always wondered what changed his heart, made it grow cold. Now I know. When I was a young boy, my father was strong and brave… Stern, but fair. But for all his power, he would never have used his strength against his own children. He would never have needlessly conquered or ruined another kingdom! Garon: Fool! You know nothing. Xander: It is you who know nothing! Of my father, of me, or of my brother/sister here. All this time, I have strived to be a good son and a worthy heir. I have faithfully followed your orders, even when doing so tortured my soul. I brushed aside my early memories of Father and accepted you as our king. I fought in your name, hoping one day you would reawaken as the man you once were. But that man is dead and has been for a long time now...

I know I've stated it before, but this is just strictly better than the Japanese writing. "I have faithfully followed your orders, even when doing so tortured my soul" basically confirms that Xander was always having cognitive dissonance in his actions and separated his self from the job (and it's this cognitive dissonance and persona vs. his true self, hilariously, that people thought were the "two faces of Xander", not realizing they are the same character), with stuff like "I know... knew my father better than anyone." and "But that man is dead and has been for a long time now..." showcasing Xander knew he was an impostor, he was just unable to believe it due to it being such an awful truth. It's extremely careful and masterful expansion of given text that, frankly, read extremely flat to me and came off as the equivalent of banging toys together and making up a story in your head kind of childishness, which is probably where a lot of the extra vitriol from Japanese fans come from. While all this subtlety and depth in the localization wasn't enough to save Fates for most people outside of Japan, it gave just enough that it seriously lessened the blow of what I'm now convinced could've tanked the series through word of mouth, and ensured enough people who were truly adept at reading (like you or I) could actually parse what it is at its brilliant core. It's a shame.

I have mixed feelings about this, because on one hand, I know and am aware of how the script in Japanese came across to a Japanese audience, as has been expressed to me. It wasn't received well.

But ultimately, my perspective is different when I criticize the English script. While the JP audience may criticize it for lack of detail and poor/childish prose and dialogue (from what I could tell from the videos you linked, thanks for those btw! I love new perspectives), I criticize the localization for outright changes that were never the intent in the first place.

What I mean is the constant removal of crucial lines and inserting of made up lines out of nowhere by the localizers. While you argue Xander's speech to Garon in chapter 27 is better written in English than in Japanese, I argue that the opposite, because Xander in the localization has been constantly badmouthing Garon both behind his back and too his face up to this point, including a time where he actively tries to strongarm Garon into killing him instead of Corrin, which is something that flat out does not make sense in the context of Xander's core character being a prince trying to keep up apperances and trying to do the right thing simultaneously. The JP versions of those lines either don't exist or are otherwise Xander just being silent.

This also includes the infamous line in his supports with Corrin where he says that he's "able to stand up to Garon now" when the entire game has shown that it isn't true. That sole line that was nowhere to be seen in the JP version, was the primary reason why Xander has been described as being two different characters within Fates' narrative.

Also, while I accept the argument that the JP version may have a juvenile script when it comes to JP fan reaction, the localized Birthright script at least matches it, as it comes off as try-hard, immature and victim blame-y.

I'm also skeptical of the reasoning behind the assertion that the English version better captures the essence of the story, because while translating/localizing a script with appropriate prose for a different audience can improve things, I doubt that the people at Treehouse knew better/understood more how to capture Kibayashi's themes and writing. Like, I would think if the JP writers couldn't do justice to a script/draft they had access to, I don't think the English localizers would have much better luck.

I'm open to being wrong though! Fellow Fates-heads, please chime in if you have opinions on this and if I'm a dumb-dumb.

[wssvshittymlpcomiclmao]

Humble Slice of Death Pie (Valenshy POV)- short story #1

The loud whirring of her laptop caused her eyes to flutter open.

what time was it?

She didn't even remember going to bed.

Valenshy opened her eyes to see her game still running, barely at least. The time? 1.15am. Better than last time, she figured. She felt almost pinned under her laptop, it wasn't that heavy, it realistically should just slide off of her. But she couldn't move it, or rather, she couldn't bring herself to move it. The game was still on, the computer still whirred, and yet, all those alarm bells were just lulling her back to sleep.

Whirring of the fans means it's hot, right? She thought as her eyes began to close. Right, having a device suffocated by the sheets wasn't a good idea. That could cause a fire, right? A fire that could ignite said sheets, right? A fire that could then burn through her, right? Through her skin, through her flesh, right? A fire that could burn down the house, right?

Would today be the day she died? Would she really be okay with that?...

No seriously, girl, would you really be okay with that? Seriously? For the love of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, are you really that selfish? HOLY FUCK!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU BITCH?? I MEAN SERIOUSLY?? THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU!! WHO CARE ABOUT YOU, BUT NOOOOO, LITTLE BITCH BOY VALENSHY GOT ART BLOCK AND SHE'S GONNA THROW HER SORRY LITTLE LIFE DOWN THE DRAIN. WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU PINK FUCK, THERE ARE PONIES OUT THERE WHO WOULD KILL TO HAVE THE MISERABLE LIFE THAT YOU HAVE, SO QUIT BEING SO FUCKING SELFISH AND MOVE YOUR DAMN LAPTOP.

Valenshy's eyes opened wide. She shut down her laptop and mustered the last of her energy to float the laptop over to her shelves on the other side of the room, vents up, so that it could sufficiently cool down.

No death for me today, she thought, or night rather.

She laid her head on her pillow properly, and yet sleep wouldn't take her. Her breath was too heavy, her eyelids not heavy enough. She felt a pricking sensation in her eyes, which turned into a choking feeling in her throat, which eventually lead to tears streaming down her face. Not even down her cheeks, like in the pretty movie kinda way, just into her mouth and onto her pillow. Her head became thick with sinuses. Why was she crying? Over what?

Like seriously, over what? Seriously, what the fuck girl, grow up, can't handle a couple of mean thoughts? Seriously? Oh! Boohoo!! My brain is being mean to me! Oh shut up!! Maybe you were right in wanting to die, lazy freak. Do us all a favour and KILL YOUSEL-

Before she knew it, she was being hit over the head with a pillow.

"Valieeeee," Comet Tail groaned, her voice muffled due to the pillow between her teeth.

Valenshy's alarm was going off, seemed like it was doing so for the past few minutes.

"You have work today right?" Comet Tail asked, slobbery pillow now on the floor, "Is Masquerade picking you up?" Valenshy was about to asked why, but Comet Tail was a few steps ahead of her, "I wanna go to the mall."

Valenshy just stared at Comet Tail, or rather, past her, right as that upside down laptop, hoping, praying, it would suddenly burst into flames.

OOC: SOOOOOO, HOW WAS IT?? :3 (if there's grammar errors, shhhhhh no there's not! /j)

It's actually super fun to write, i've been meaning to get back into it, but usually it just feels like too much pressure, so doing small stories like this is really cathartic!! If you have any other characters you would love to hear the pov of, imk!!

[circlejourney]

ok I'm 6 eps into TOH season 2 and I have had a WHOLE lot of stuff come up in my mind

That last episode I watched (where Raine was introduced) was incredibly efficient and also generally masterful on an artistic/directorial level. It's kind of hard to believe we've only had Raine for one episode; the show developed their personality, relationship/history with Eda, current beliefs, and shortcomings, and sold their heroic sacrifice...all alongside also portraying Eda's complex relationship with her two roommates, her fear of letting go, showing us a whole new type of magic, introducing the coven heads + two in depth, and fulfilling its plot requirements. All in 25 minutes! I feel like that entire fight/sacrifice sequence was the most emotionally complex one in the show so far...tied together with diegetic music and creative magic use. I think this one might be my favourite episode of the series so far!

I know Raine made it pretty far in the sexyenby contest and I Can See Why

So far, the curse has read as a chronic illness allegory, and if that's the case, I do kind of want to see Eda and Lilith learn to like...work with it and figure out what it needs so that its impacts are less wildly unpredictable. I think the show has made a pretty clear stance on it not giving it a simple cure, but I want to see it portrayed less as a chaotic, antagonistic force because the show clearly wants us to not hope for a cure.

Everything about summer camp is really suspect. The pickup point being coincidentally right outside the magic door, then the fake letters about summer camp, and the impersonator...did some magical being/group go through that door and set the whole thing up? I get the vibe that whoever last owned/used that door before Eda is still on the Earth side of the door and is related to all this, but for one reason or another (such as having no control over when the door opens) has never gone back

But damn, am I dying to find out what is up with that door, because it seems to be this wildcard factor that has existed well before Eda found it, is a centrepiece of Emperor Belos' plan, and appears to be completely unique in the world

So Belos does in fact want to assimilate human realm with magic realm; is Luz going to have to grapple with...actually potentially wanting this plan to succeed? Wouldn't she, on some level, like her realm to merge with theirs because it would solve her need to choose one side of the door at a time? She probably wouldn't accept it if this truly meant wiping out wild magic...but it would be thematically and emotionally very interesting to see her confront that

I want to see Amity fight her parents and break free from them. Like they have such a grip on her life and her choices and it would be so cathartic to watch her defy it all. She's already kind of on the path there...

This show really insists on putting Amity in Situations so that she isn't present in key episodes. She missed getting a palisman...the show needs to explain why she wasn't there like you can't just have one of your main characters skip this event that's played up as a key moment in every witch's life. Is she going to get her palisman some other way? Are they going to make her and Luz attain theirs in parallel?

Her siblings are being written in a lot more pleasant of a way this season, and at the least I'm glad they're on her side as far as her success is concerned. though if Amity continues along her current trajectory, her siblings may also eventually need to choose between their parents and their sister...

OK THE IMPLICATIONS OF ILLUSION MAGIC being able to create not just illusory objects but also entire scenes is making me want to see someone push that to its creative limits. Like on the scale of what the wizard did in episode 2 (wait, that wizard had to be powerful as hell? Gus was struggling with just the one graveyard scene?) but in a way that springs a twist. like I would really like there to be an illusion that isn't revealed to be one for a while because I Love those kinds of plot moments

Brings me to a more general thought I had: I really like that this show is so systematic in its introduction of magic that whenever a character figures out a new way to use it, it always feels earned because the audience had enough information about its rules and capabilities to see how it logically led from what had already been established.

Kikimora is my least favourite character. Wow I hate them what a piece of work

I also really like Hunter already, I like characters who are forced by circumstances to be a person whom they are not

Anyway this season is so far a lot tighter than the first, looking forward to seeing where it goes next.

[sp1resong]

accidental charlie's inferno event [lyrics under the cut]

"Here lies Art Fisher, not gone soon enough! At 43, dead by… hah, who gives a fuck?"

He was an asshole for the ages, A dickhead devil-sent, Held a thousand petty grudges and his neighbors in contempt; You'd find him yelling at cashiers or in the lot smokin' cigarettes; And, like, that was him at his best!

Yeah, that Art Fisher, he was horrid through and through A nasty piece of work to all-- Well, except those two.

His beloved twin children, Lights of his shit-stained life, Only folks he cared about through all the world's strife… …they died in a car crash When he was 35

Total devastation! Rainin' on the streets, are you sure That they can't be saved? Of course, the answer was 'yes', And so old Arty professed A promise that'd he'd take to the grave:

"That bastard in the van, I'll show him what he's done to me, you see, you'd understand if ever you loved someone!

I'll hunt him down, And then, once he's found, I'll burn his family tree To the motherfucking ground!"

He tore through every ledger, that Art Fisher, Single-minded tunnel vision, Till he found that face he recognized, A name written off to the side, A man who Art knew would have to die!

But not quite yet, of course, The punishment must fit the crime, And the crime is the grief That the murder incites; So on that cold night Arty set his sights Not on the man, but his sister's life.

She worked at a gas station Manned the shop (which no one went in), When Art found her she was all alone From there it was simple, A shot in the head, It took until closing for her to be found dead.

Now Art'd had a taste, but he wasn't done yet, His pain could not be matched by a mere single death; So he broke into the guy's house while he was in his room mourning, Took a knife to his aging father's throat and was gone by morning!

But he found no satisfaction the act brought him matched his sorrow So, he decided, he'd come again tomorrow!

"That bastard in the van, he'll yet see what he's done to me, you see, he'll understand when he's left with no one!

I'll hunt them all down, And then, once they're found, I'll put every last one In the motherfucking ground!"

Brothers, wives, uncles, and mothers Pruning the family orchard Even the ones he wouldn't miss were easy prey for Arty Fisher!

But everything comes to an end, Art one day realized, When the only one left to face Was the man that he despised

He'd make this one count, he swore, And in glory, end his war He was almost done, just one more

So Arty went and built a bomb (well, several, but who's countin', eh?) To all the hells and absent gods, He promised this would be the one, to rid him of the burden that he'd carried for so long

Now, Arty, ever the dramatic, climbed into his living room Through the window, no surprise, oh, he just turned and said, "…oh, it's you."

So Art, he drew his gun, but still got no reaction, "Fight back!" he demanded, Damn it, needed some cathartic action But the man just said "Nah, I don't want to give you the satisfaction."

This was going nowhere, So Art finally took his shot Got the man dead in the heart, In moments he was on the floor

And looking down, he realized, He was finally done, The sinful struggle was over, The war he'd fought was won,

But now that he had Rid the world of everyone else, He was left with no one he could blame but himself

These were the thoughts that then ran through his mind But only for a moment, for you see, those bombs he planted, well… …they were still live.

Yeah, distracted as he was, Art wasn't watchin' his step, And well, this is his funeral, You can guess how that went.

That bastard in the van, he had long since been outdone But Arty, hateful in his grief for that which could not be undone;

Had hunted them all down, Had shot his every round, But in the end, no differently In the motherfucking ground!

[beelzel-brat]

Trope Rating Game Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 - don't care either way

+10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it's a hard no and you'd never click on

a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag

blocked or you'd insta click out of the fic if it

wasn't tagged. Bonus points for explaining the

rating and whether it's conditional.

Age gap:+9

Uhhh. Yeah. My bad. I just think it's hot. I never had a father figure in my life, so old men don't deter me. I did have a step father and I find step-anything as disgusting. It's either daddy kink or nothing amigo. No step-shit anything. Professor and student? Hell yeah. Age gap is HOT.

Codependency: +4

Toxic, I love it.

Obsession/Possessiveness, jealousy:+10

Obsessed with it. Can't find enough of it tbh. I wish most fics had that shit. Its so UGHHHH IT MAKE ME GO BURRRRRRRR. Literally any fandom. Yanderes are the best.

Opposites (grumpy/sunshine etc): +1

Sure, its cute, but meh? It's not something that would bother me.

Enemies to lovers, Enemies with benefits: +7

YES SIR! Hero and badguy who fuck when they get home? They fuck in the middle of a fight? Please! Hate fucking is amazing added into this.

Friends with benefits: -6

Boring.

Sex to feelings: -6

Boring. Sorry.

Fake dating/relationship:+8

YO I DIE FOR THIS SHIT. BUT. It's gotta be like, for a case. Like Sherlock and John having to act like they married (🤨) or Gavin and RK900 having to act like they newlyweds or even um, two dudes who hate eachother or one that hates the other. And it's them having to be so close to the other that they fall in love!💖

Friends to lovers: -2

Sorry. No. Just no. That's boring af and again. All my ships are dreadful. I don't think any of them have been fully nice to eachother ever.

Found Family: +9

Sold. You got me. I'm gone. Depends on the fandom. But yes. I think its super nice

Hurt/Comfort:+9

Honestly love it. Write it a lot too. I hate if it's like, extreme torture. But other than that. Its cathartic to be for ny favorite characters to be suffering. Idk, makes me feel a bit better.

Love Triangle:+2

It's a meh on this one chat. Can't think of a good one at the top of my head bc why triangle if one can be poly.

Poly, open relationships: +10

Man, why can't there be more big ass poly ships? I RARELY find them, in fact, I think I am the first person to ship Wade Wilson/Peter Parker/Logan | Worst Wolverine/Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jake Lockley/Eddie Brock/Venom Symbiote/Frank Castle/Matt Murdock. Like THAT'S MY FAVORITE POLY SHIP. I WANT MORE OF THEM.

Mistaken/hidden identity:+5

This happens to be something I click on default for some reason. I just love identity porn. I've read some crapy (to my writing tastes) fics and have enjoyed em a bit. Especially if it's Batman identity, I can imagine around 7 scenarios that I'd find hilarious.

Monsterfucking: +6

Honestly can never find what I really wanna read. Idgaf what monster it is it just gotta be bigger than the bottom. Also, no slime or tentacles. I hate both. I run away from both. Just gimme big scary monster wanting to impregnate that human they found HAHAHAH.

Pregnancy:+8

When I say I live for this its an understatement. All my fics have pregnancy and will be kid fics. I am OBSESSED with pregnancy. Especially omegaverse where the omegas have vaginas and penis. That ass birth shit makes me run the fuck away. Like HELL NO. Sorry NO. What's the fear of giving men vaginas? (Female Alphas have penis and vagina too.) So to be honest, I won't read it if all omegas don't have a vagina or at least SOME of them. I just, can't– The damn ass babies sounds horrifying.

Second Chance: 0

Be honest with ya, this just goes over my head. I don't really ever find them in my fic hunts to begin with. Or I just didn't even realize it's there, haha. All my ships are toxic.

Slowburn: -8

Hell no, the plot has to be immaculate, like time travel and they literally can't be together because they are too young. Like I despise slowburn.

Soulmates: +8

I'm literally, SO desperate for them. Like, I can't find enough, especially in the fandoms I really like. Like, I'd have to write them myself. I need more drama in them, I need more angst. I want one afraid of the other or that they hate eachothers guts. I love all kinds of versions but my favorite is writing on your skin and they can see it. Also part of that one, is that if one gets a minor injury the other has it reflected on their skin.

(Ignore if u don't wanna💖 I'm following @canidaefello 's example. Tehe.) @hispanicin @eutz @ravangie @raventao @lizdiary (Also sorry 🤣)

[yamcha-thelonewolf]

How would you feel if Toriyama made Yamcha a fighter again and was actually stronger this time? I'll always be thinking how when he smacked Beerus in the back he made a face. What if he wasn't taken just by surprise that he did it but by the power behind it?

Like what if Toriyama did Yamcha dirty and decided he's not strong unless he does not want to fight?

Good question. Yamcha is still a fighter, for me. He never really gave up, even though what DBS showed us seems to say otherwise. I can't accept the fact that he threw in the towel, that was never like him. Yamcha always shows to us, in his own way, that he still has a passion for martial arts. Get it? Martial arts. That thing that long ago in Dragon Ball was the leitmotif of the whole story.

However, I don't think Yamcha has really stopped believing in his potential. It is virtually impossible to do so after reaching such a power level that makes him literally one of the strongest human beings in the world. Plus if we consider the fact that, between him, Tien and Kuririn, Yamcha's features are the most "normal" (he's got a nose and only two eyes) we can also safely say that Yamcha is the strongest human being in the world.

Okay, this is a bit of nonsense that I sometimes like to bring up.... But think about it, it might as well be so if we have to be really precise.

«JUST LOOK HOW SERIOUS HUMAN MY FACE IS!»

So, I would just be happy if his warrior attitude, that was never really buried, was put on display again. Even a little sentence, a hint, a tiny scene where he is seen fighting or training with one of his friends... That would be enough for me.

Yeah, something like that... Dragon Buddies.

For example, I am so glad that he made his return in Moro Arc as a Z-Fighter; I would like to see the animated version of his moment. Unfortunately, I think this is not the beginning of his rebirth. I have always thought that Yamcha's only enemy is Yamcha himself, and partly so, but the truth is that the real villain of his story is Akira Toriyama himself. It pains me to admit it, but it is so. I can't understand why he is pandering so much to the idiocy of the DB fandom making fun of Yamcha.

Yamcha laughing at memes about Yamcha knowing that he could destroy everyone with one finger.

The hell, even in Majin Buu Arc he was amazing. All right, I know, they're fillers, but you want me to be honest? The fillers took better care of him than the canon episodes and the manga. I mean, at the beginning he was presented to us as a 40-year-old man who had now given up martial arts for good, wearing a banana yellow suit, expensive and sadly unsuitable for battles. He just doesn't seem to want to hear about it. But then, after several episodes of him goofing off or being a fanboy in the stands, like everyone else Yamcha dies, and it is in the afterlife that his will to fight is reawakened after so long. As it was with King Kai before. For those who have followed him from the beginning of Dragon Ball, to be able to see Yamcha again happy, excited and strong, with his uniform on like the old days, is a joy to behold.

Relative joy.

Guys, I can't accept the fact that Yamcha has to be dead to feel even more alive, or even worse that his existence depends only on fillers. Yes, I know, it's still better than nothing, though...

Another good job was also done by the OVA Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends!, probably the last work that remembers that Yamcha also exists and especially treats him as a very valuable fighter. I'll talk about it.

This moment is still one of my favorite. It is one of the most badass things about Yamcha, plus it reminds me so much of a scene where Tarzan does the same...

Look! On one side we have the ape man (no, not a saiyan), on the other side the wolf man... Damn, I love it! Well, maybe I'm digressing, but it is curious to notice how the act of undressing is cathartic for both characters. They both strip off a garment that does not really belong to them and wildly bring out their true nature, their animal instincts, but most of all their desire to protect those they love. That's Yamcha. After all, who says Yamcha has to save the world to redeem himself as a character? He can also do so by protecting someone. That is something he can do very well, and I will prove it to you. Anyway, I sincerely hope that his role in the world of Dragon Ball will also be recognized in DBS. I also hope he can use again even his sword, but unfortunately he became a meme and, apart from the Moro Arc, we only saw him slaughtered and humiliated even by his own friends. This is the saddest thing that could have happened, also because in OG Dragon Ball it would NEVER have happened. There is no more demeaning thing than seeing Goku completely ignore one of his close friends, one of the first, and treat him as if he were worth less than zero. Seriously... WTF?! The Goku I love would never have done that.

Alright, that's the real Goku! Thank you!

I mean, maybe Goku wouldn't have invited him to the Tournament anyway, but at least he would have stopped in front of him to say a few comfortably words. As he once did.

Because, you know, that's what you do with friends and those who have been there for you in the good and in the worst of times. Let us remember that Yamcha took care of Goku together with Chichi when the virus struck him in the heart...

Well, I try hard to think that this is all a joke, though I doubt it. I strive to think that the whole attitude that the characters have had in DBS toward Yamcha is just the result of a studied plan to piss him off and spur him to undress again and howl like he used to. But... I know it's not.

Therefore, even though Moro Arc slightly brought our Z warrior back to the forefront and confirmed that Yamcha is still very strong, I still do not consider myself satisfied. What I would like more than anything else is just a confrontation between him and the protagonist, Goku, in which the saiyan helps him believe in himself again. And if it is not Goku, someone else is fine as long as Yamcha is reconsidered with dignity.

I don't think I'm asking for that much. Goku has helped so many people, dinosaurs, mice, monkeys, strangers he has met only once in his life, even bad guys... So why not help the first character who consciously believed in his abilities?

...Guess I have started a new topic. I will definitely talk about the relationship between Yamcha and Goku as soon as I can. Being the main character, a positive assessment of Yamcha by Goku could change the current idea of this character and make him much stronger as a result. I mean, Goku is the Mr. Satan of the real world. What he says is the truth, so it is only up to him to make sure that Yamcha can come back stronger than before.

Thanks for asking! 💕

[queen-scribbles]

how about close and/or tug, for the Wayhaven pair of your choosing (or anyone else you'd like 😉)

*shows up nine months later with Dunkin and fic*

Close fill for Mallory/Adam, post-book 3 (grab your popcorn) ---

Pulling Punches

Mallory had thought she timed it right to be the only one in the training room.

She'd thought wrong.

"Agent," Adam greeted her, only half turning from the dummy he was practicing against.

"Only when I'm on duty," Mallory muttered as she shrugged off her jacket and started to wrap her hands. The annoyance was more at herself for guessing wrong--and the odd leap her heart did seeing him here--than him for the greeting.

"Which is, in a sense, all times," Adam countered, completing his turn toward her and clasping his hands behind his back. "Would you care for a partner, Mallory?"

She crossed her arms at the deliberate pause before he said her name. "For sparring, or did you have something else in mind?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched, the only reaction to her verbal jab. "Sparring, of course. That is why we're both here, is it not?"

"I wouldn't want to keep you, if you were finishing."

"I'm hardly worn out," Adam said, glint of amusement in his eyes. And it was true; however long he'd been at this, there was only a slight sheen of sweat on his skin, faint stains dampening the back of his t-shirt. He wasn't even out of breath. "And I would do what I can to assist you."

She did prefer sparring with an opponent to hitting a punching bag. More fun if she had to strategize and react. And she'd never gotten to hit Bobby after he broke her heart.

Of course, given how their last few training sessions had gone, she wouldn't get to really hit Adam, either. But maybe just trying would be cathartic. Wasn't like she'd hurt him even if she did land a punch.

It annoyed her how much that last point mattered.

"Yeah, alright," Mallory nodded, reaching up to check the hairband around her bun was secure. "Ready?"

"When you are," Adam said, inclining his head.

She sized him up and lunged forward, already swinging. It wasn't surprising when he knocked away both the punch and its follow-up. But he also dodged the sweep at his ankles she'd been trying to distract him from.

"Very good." A genuine smile curved his lips. "So long as you don't overextend yourself, such a combination is a smart choice. Keep your opponent's attention divided."

Something prickled in her chest at him talking like an instructor, detached, when he was--and should be--so much more to her. "Creating weaknesses to exploit?"

She kicked at the back of his knee, pivoted and felt her elbow strike glance off his ribs as he twisted out of the way.

"Or take advantage of exisiting ones." He raised an arm to deflect a punch, swept her feet using the momentum.

Mallory hit the mats, growled as she rolled back to her feet, immediately ducking under a kick. "And that's why you try not to have- any-." She punctuated the words with two more swings. Adam was silent, but Mallory was pretty damn sure it wasn't through any luck or skill of her own that both hits connected with his abdomen. "Trying to avoid getting hurt?"

Like you hurt me. She only just kept from saying it.

"To protect myself and others, yes," Adam said, blocking her next strike easily. "I have a responsibility to the team." He twisted to pin her arm behind her. "I cannot--"

"Show weakness?" Mallory bit out, swiveling in the heartbeat his grip loosened to pull free. She slammed the heel of her hand up into his shoulder joint, hoping to unbalance him.

She didn't. "Have them," Adam corrected.

Mallory snorted and huffed loose tendril of hair out of her face. "Well, that's bull. I know you care about the team, or protecting us wouldn't mean so much." She swung, he dodged. "Are you you trying to tell me Mason and Felix aren't weaknesses, by that metric?" Another swing, deflected this time, and she gave a breathless, sardonic laugh. "Hell, you've been best friends with Nate for three bloody centuries, Adam. D'you really expect me to believe it wouldn't hurt you if something happened to him?!" She kicked at his hip and almost fell when he braced to take it rather than avoid as she'd anticipated.

Adam caught her ankle. "That is not the same," he bit out, tugging on her leg just enough to unbalance her.

She hit the mats with a curse, tasted blood from biting her lip as she sprang back to her feet. "How?"

She knew, and if he said it, God help her, she was going to punch him in the face.

A strange vulnerability flickered in Adam's eyes, chest heaving with a breath. "He is not mortal, Mallory. None of them are."

"And I'm not fragile!!" she spat, launching herself at him again.

He caught the punch, easily keeping her at arms' length as he swiveled. "Yes, you are." The words were steady, implacable, and just a hint pained. "Compared to us, you are."

"And yet I'm still bloody here!" She tugged on the trapped wrist, swung with the other hand when he didn't let go. "Despite the danger, despite the fact you can be the most arrogant, condescending, stubborn--"

"Stubborn?" Adam interjected, giving her a significant look as he caught her other wrist in the same hand as well.

"Guess we're made for each other," Mallory retorted, yanking her hands free. He let her. "Except in that case, you're being stubborn in the wrong direction. I thought fear made us fighters, so why are you giving up so easily?!"

Rather than swing at him, she crowded into his space, breathing hard, as she made the demand. It hung in the air as Adam ran a gaze over her, as a muscle in his jaw twitched when that gaze lingered on her lips before returning to her eyes. As he held her gaze for several long seconds.

"Because I have already lost everything once," he finally said, level, quiet. Hollow. "I would not care do it again."

She swallowed hard, Tu omnia burning bright in her thoughts.

'You are everything'.

But she was not letting it go. He didn't get to break both their hearts and pretend it was the right thing, the noble thing, to do.

"So you're going to lose it to surrendering instead?" Mallory said bluntly, rolling her shoulders as she stepped back to resume sparring.

Adam's jaw tightened. "I am not-"

"You are!" She brought her hands up, fingers curling. "You're giving up even if I haven't!"

He frowned, emotion gleaming in his eyes. "You don't know what it feels like, Mallory, I cannot allow--"

"Don't tell me what to do!!" she yelled, frustration boiling over in a wild punch. "Just b'cause you don't want to fight f--" Another punch.

Adam caught both, one wrist in each hand, grip gentle but unyielding "I have seen the cost of fighting to follow my emotions. I would spare you that." He swept her feet from under her, following down to pin her to the mat, one knee by her hip and a hand still around each wrist. "My parents, my brothers, my sister, my friends, everything." He held her gaze, both breathing hard. "I have borne that for nine hundred years. But if I allow... us and something happened to you..." His gaze wandered her face, unfathomably sad when it met hers once again. "That I could not bear for nine minutes, let alone nine hundred years."

Mallory was silent as the words washed over her, as she caught the spark of pain and fear in his eyes. "I understand what you lost. That it hurts." She pushed herself up on her elbows, wrists still pinned, until mere centimeters separated them. "But I love you, Adam du Mortain. I am not going to stop because you're afraid..." A deep breath, the words shaking as they whisked against his skin. "...and I don't think you will, either."

He stared at her for so long she half-expected him to kiss her. Was more than half tempted to kiss him. But he pushed away, releasing her.

"It is too great a risk," he said softly, fingers tracing through the air a whisper from the edge of her jaw. This is... just for show...

"Have you forgotten how much I like risk?" Mallory challenged with a snort as she pushed to her feet. For once taller than him as he remained sitting cross-legged on the mat. "However much there is, it's worth it to me. I'm in love with you and you can't stop me. Denying that only hurts both of us." She moved to pick up her jacket and take a drink of water, swallowing hard around the lump in her throat. "Just keep that in mind."

And she strode from the room without looking back.

[mach-speed-spin]

in case this is still open

bakuten shoot: mystel

mfb: reiji

beywheelz: jake

burst: ben

you don't have to do all of them ofc !!

Mystel

How I feel about them: He's alright. There's nothing about him I dislike, but the things I like are all very superficial (cool design and bey). He feels like a filler character added in just because BEGA needed an extra blader

Something I find interesting: his 4-eyed mask design. Someone had to make the deliberate decision to give it extra eyes and I love purposeful impracticality in character designs

Something I think could've been done better: He's just there and doesn't really have a dynamic with the rest of his team nor with his opponents. Giving him a meaningful rivalry with Ray or friendship with Garland would've gone a long way

Headcanon: He likes to hang out on rooftops. No one knows or questions how he gets to them

Thoughts on his bit-beast: I like it. Personally I think later beys would pull off the Poseidon/Neptune theme better but Mystel's was pretty solid

Miscellaneous thoughts: I don't really have any. He's almost a recurring extra with how little we get to see of him. At least his battle with Max was fun

Reiji

How I feel about them: Short-lived secondary antagonists can be hard to pull off, but Reiji does it really well. He had 4 battles in total but every single one of them is memorable. If he was around for longer, I'm sure he'd be universally considered one of mfb's greatest villains

Something I find interesting: Reiji apparently feels physical pain when his opponent resists his fear tactics. This raises some really interesting questions that, like a lot of things in Beyblade, can only be explained via headcanon

Something I think could've been done better: His breakdown was really cathartic but it also didn't answer any of the questions I had. I wish we could've seen his breakdown more in-depth to better understand what's going on in his mind

Headcanon: Since he has a dark move, Reiji has some of the dark power (albeit less than Ryuga and Tsubasa), which causes him pain when he has to use more of it

Thoughts on his bit-beast: A snake that is revealed to be a single strand of Medusa's hair. I love it. Hell, the first time he uses his dark move and we see that his bey has multiple snakes was a massive "oh shit" moment

Miscellaneous thoughts: His VA was clearly having a lot of fun recording but I can only imagine the sore throat that resulted from it. Poison Serpent being one of the worst beys irl is kinda funny considering he's easily one of the top bladers in Fusion

Jake

How I feel about them: I'm not a huge fan of Beywheelz but I love Jake. I wish more villains were like him in that he's simultaneously comedic and threatening

Something I find interesting: The shots that imply he sends his bey at the opponent's eyes, combined with the fact that one of his eyes is always covered, seems to imply something that wasn't explicitly shown, but was purposely implied

Something I think could've been done better: He was underused. Beywheelz in general suffered from cramming too much story in too little time. If Beywheelz was longer we could've gotten more of Jake

Headcanon: About the eye thing, my headcanon is that it was injured in some form (probably from a bey). I'm undecided if he wears an eyepatch or if it's "merely" a Shu-style scar

Thoughts on his bit-beast: A less cool version of Reiji's Serpent. Still not bad, just overshadowed

Miscellaneous thoughts: His personality is the opposite of Reiji's while still being very similar. I prefer Reiji as a serious villain, but Jake is so fun to watch

Ben

How I feel about them: He doesn't do much in the story besides being a tournament opponent, but damn is he good at it. In season 1, I found that I looked forward to Ben's battles more than anyone else's (including Lui) just for the energy he brings

Something I find interesting: He seems like a feral child but his hair says otherwise. There's a level of metafiction that goes on, where nothing about Ben's character indicates he wouldn't take care of his hair other than audience assumptions, and I love it

Something I think could've been done better: Like many characters, he was underused. He fought Lui, clearly that affected him, but we never delve into the details

Headcanon: He and Ranzo buy sorts from the same brand. Just look at them

Thoughts on his bit-beast: It's cool, but most pre-Turbo avatars are overshadowed by the later ones. It's one of my favorite s1 avatars, but not really remarkable in the grand scheme of Burst

Miscellaneous thoughts: Before Blindt, Ben's Beast Hold was probably the weirdest looking special move in Burst. I wish Ben vs Lui was shown in full in the flashback

[infernalapparatus]

no one's ever stood up for me like that before.

【 PROMPTS FROM FEELING SAFE AND EXPRESSING COMFORT 】 - @chasingtitans

KARLACH DIDN ' T CARE MUCH FOR RACIST ARSEHOLES . She had experienced her fair share of discrimination, spending her early life being treated like some lower class citizen. She didn't have her parents to defend her from an early age, since they had passed when she was just a wee tot. She has to spend her time fighting her way up, and she was damn lucky she grew up to be one helluva giant woman. People didn't want to pick on the bodyguard built like a Goliath.

She could handle the insults slung her way now, hearing them again damn near every day in the Hells from devils. Treated like she was lower than the soul soil littering the ground, than the deepest pits of brine and shite. She could handle those. BUT SHE DIDN ' T TAKE SLIGHTS AGAINST HER COMPANY .

All it took was an ignorant comment about Keiko being a Drow, followed by some infuriating slurs and a refusal to give any information for Karlach to burst. The Flaming Fist standing outside of the rubble of Waukeen's Rest had it coming. Karlach was all too happy to knock several of his teeth out, sending him careening to the ground, and watching him scamper away with a crumpled pride and a scorch mark on his face. IT WAS CATHARTIC . Keiko hadn't said anything at the time, so they just kept going - but Karlach wasn't expecting thanks.

Color her surprised, when that night at camp, these words were the first thing spoken to her as she lays beneath her tent, arms tucked under her head. she gazes up at the smaller woman standing over her, and offers a crooked grin at the Drow. SHE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT SHE WAS REFERRING TO .

" Well... That's a damn shame, that. " The massive woman exhales, slipping her bulky arms out from beneath her head to push up on the ground, shifting into a seated position. " I wasn't, uh... Trying to fight your battle for you. Didn't want to overstep. I just - that punch was for both of us. Fuckin' hate the bastards. Flaming Fist are all corrupt anyway. And I've heard enough shite in my life about being a hellspawn that I just... Yeah. " Karlach breathes out, glancing down, before she grins a little wider and gazes back up, her eyes like boiling gold twinkling with delight. " BUT THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WAS PRICELESS , RIGHT ? "

[kiefbowl]

Finally another person that hates HIMYM as much as I do. There isn't a show that I hate more tbh, like there are shows I dislike, but that damn show is something else. Just like you I hate what they did to Robin(and she's the only character I kind of liked; I liked Ted when he wasn't trying to be like Barney and when he would actually call Barney out, which sadly wasn't too often)...and I hate how more often than not the show treated Barney's treatment of women as a joke, or rather the show rarely called him out, and i especially hate the way they ended his character arc, I was like "oh now he'll see women as humans" *eye roll*-- I hate that trope so damn much. The show had potential, and the premise was interesting, it's just that the show was filled with the worst tropes and some of the worst characters on today's tv(or ever, really). I just cannot for the life of me understand its popuplarity.

Also, oh my god yes, I totally agree with you on that final season. What the hell were the writers thinking?!

>"I liked Ted when he wasn't trying to be like Barney and when he would actually call Barney out, which sadly wasn't too often"

one of the most unaware things the show does is pretend Barney is a foil to Ted when Ted and Barney are extremely similar in their views of women. The difference is that Barney is always on, and it's always a goofy heightened reality, while Ted will be written fairly straight wrt wanting to sleep with women.

>"I hate that trope so damn much."

a baby daughter fixed me is definitely one of the worst tropes and also is sooooo fucking lazy. they didn't build a story around Barney in which him having a baby girl in the 11th hour would feel cathartic, that's why it feels so cheap. If he had conflicted feelings about his life and about fatherhood at all, it would still be a lazy and misogynistic choice, but it would at least follow some story logic. it's like a big ass trifecta of shit: Robin and Ted endgame, mother dead, Barney has a fucking baby.

Writing that reminds me that they have Robin "fail" both of her love interests by not being able to have children since children are obviously the one true ultimate goal in this story. A child fixes Barney, and Robin wouldn't have ever been able to do that for him. Truly ridiculous. But anyway I haven't gotten that far yet.

>"I just cannot for the life of me understand its popuplarity"

I have thoughts on this, looking back on old subreddits I think a lot of people hand waved unpleasant parts of HIMYM because they wanted to believe the set-up they were seeing was intentional. Most of it was not as intentional as believed and it ended up being poorly done for the actual planned ending. Case in point: the internal life of Robin is clearly not something the writers cared about. But because the story is focused on who she loves and wants to be in a relationship with, fans thought 'well the internal life of Robin is being treated seriously, so I will read into the subtext'. I think this also comes off because Cobie cares about Robin's internal life. I don't think the writers ultimately know why Robin loves Barney, but I think Cobie knows. I wonder if the writers ever really cared what the actors believed was true about their characters. There needs to be some give and take on this even if writers ultimately gets to decide how the story plays out.

Additionally, I think the five leads are very charming and elevate a lot of material, they all have exceptional physical comedy chops. People liked the characters when they were good, tried to close their eyes when they were bad, and hoped the good parts were leading somewhere satisfying.