#More Valerio flashbacks

[lieutenant-amuel]

Alright, I tried to make a new plan (that I’ll mess up right after writing the first chapter but it doesn’t matter) for the next chapters to make my life easier and calculate how long it will take me to finish the fic, and there’s ~30 more chapters.

[rei-ismyname]

X-MEN #17 Review

"I am Magneto and I do not give speeches."

The X-Men vs fake X-Men rodeo in the snow continues as Xorn searches for Quentin and the twin rampages on Merle. There stands Magneto, full of gumption and dexies, the only thing between a monster and a town full of ingrates. 3K yap on and reveal the identity of another member, a D-lister Mags knows well. Spoilers for all issues and solicits of adjectiveless X-Men.

RIP The Marauder, probably

Surprise! Quentin ain't dead. I don't think a single person thought he was, but a few minutes rest will be great for his health especially after falling out of the sky. I'm not sure how I feel about technobabble making its way into X-Men, as we get a flashback to Quentin writing 'code' to protect his body when he's unconscious. It's something Jitter in Uncanny does occasionally when her powers give her technical mastery - the mall fight was especially egregious for just shouting medical terms that few readers could understand, let alone The Outliers. I think it mostly achieves the intended effect here, highlighting Quentin's impressive capabilities and the 'levelling up' he's been doing since Cyclops gave him a talking to back in issue #9.

Kid Omega has been yapping about his mighty brain for decades, so I'm happy to call it payoff for all the 'supercomputer/10 million thoughts a second' stuff. As someone who coasted without effort on natural ability then hit a wall hard in high school, it's a bit of a power fantasy to see that potential as unlimited. 'Hey brain, make my body do exactly this at exactly this time' even more so.

X-Men are like communists - they spend too much time fighting each other. The 3K X-Men accusing the real ones of being fake sellouts just makes that hit harder. Honestly I'm over this fight with the amount of combatants standing still. I know it's meant to be a delaying action preventing the X-Men from backing up Magneto, but a team vs team fight lasting 3 issues is decompressed to the point of barely moving. Feels like AvX or similar stalling in an eternal second act.

I figured out what seems off about Magneto - his angles! He's usually chiselled and angular, even gaunt at times. Rounded features looks odd on him. I'm not even nitpicking there, I just needed to elucidate the nagging feeling I've had. In a word, he looks ugly. I enjoy Stegman's pencils in general but Diaz does a better Magneto. Just quietly I'm a little salty that Uncanny is getting Valerio Schiti - they do a stupid hot Magneto and I'd love to see it again. Anyway, Mags sounds like a fool here, as he makes a speech about not making speeches. I hope he's lying, because this motherfucker gives so many speeches. They're one of his best features.

Heard you the first time dude.

Another is that he's a mutant menace, a term that's been thrown around a bit lately. Mags and the twin go at it but he's not trying to kill her and it's unclear if he actually could. Either way, when they speak Mags responds with cutting regret and an implicit challenge. With Quentin still knocked out there's nobody to counteract Cassandra Nova's influence on the twin. Cassandra refers to the twin as a '13 year old girl' so add 'forcing gender binary on a non-corporeal entity' to the list of her crimes.

You used to be somebody, man

It's implied that Nova is laying it on thick here, or otherwise the twin has a really good grasp of race war concepts and rhetoric. If it's the former, I think something is lost by Cassandra Nova giving them a script to follow and basically puppeting them. Mags is trying to appeal to agency - the ability to choose, and they're actually having a back and forth.

The twin repeating Nova word for word raises questions about the degree of agency as they smash Magneto, who was just answering the question. The hope spot of his words staggering them is brief but suggests that this crisis will eventually be solved non-violently. I do have to laugh at Mags getting called out for betraying mutantkind by driving a sentinel to protect flatscans, especially as it's Cassandra Nova saying it. There's a real opportunity to show how this propaganda sits with the mutant on the street, so to speak. These X-Men are very mutant focused yet Graymalkin still stands. They have a history of being establishment lackeys and beating down/imprisoning mutants who step out of line. They failed the Morlocks and Xavier killed Krakoa. It's not that simple but propaganda is a powerful tool especially when life sucks. Cassandra Nova might be the worst spokesperson there though - Genosha was not an act of mutant solidarity.

I love Ben Liu and Beast cheerleading Magneto. Get these boys some popcorn! Ben's finger pointing is unfair but hilarious, 'hooptie-ass sentinel' is not a phrase I expected to hear in the year of our DOOM 2025. Ben running off to help Magneto is a beat that really works, especially if you take Magneto's mentoring allusion seriously. We haven't seen Ben use his powers since issue #2, so anything can happen. The flipside is any kind of success is going to feel a bit unearned, but fuck it - jab my boy with dexies too and get out of the way!

Wyre talks a huge game with not a lot to back it up. I kinda want someone to kill him for being cringe, a sentiment Cassandra Nova seems to agree with. There's a production joke here - Mackay wanted to use Sabertooth for his role but he was killed off in Sabertooth War. Creed is certainly more impressive than this dipshit and Quentin has nightmares about the guy. It's a beat that can work, giving Wyre something to prove, but we'll see how that plays out. Right now he's delivering exposition and stating his feelings plainly like it's 1975. He's not alone in that...

Me too, Astra, me too.

We get a better look at 3K, as the third member is revealed to be... Astra. *sad trombone noises* If you're not familiar she's an old Magneto worshipper and the one who created Joseph, thrice, I think. Bit of a one trick pony, though she does teleport. I can't say that she's particularly interesting or threatening, but I do like her 'clone an army of Magnetos, sorry Josephs, and flip the magnetic poles' idea purely for its unhingedness. The idea that she keeps bringing it up is pretty funny, these meetings must be so tense. Like I said, one trick pony even if it is a great trick. Her being an F lister with minimal development might actually work in her favour, as aside from being obsessed with Magneto she's a blank canvas. That she was last seen in House of X #5 suggests that 3K itself is fairly new. If that's their #1 reason for not inviting Sinister they're idiots. Like there's a very good chance he'll subvert your project for himself even if you don't invite him - MF does mutant science crimes for breakfast lunch and dinner. He blew up the universe with cloning!

More interesting is 3K's agenda - mutant supremacy taken to the extreme end point. It's very blatantly a great replacement conspiracy theory, which is a really uncomfortable idea to put to print. Turning humans into mutants has been done a lot, though the proposed scale is new. Another way to look at it is 'give everyone superpowers, kill the rest' though we don't know why they want to do that. 'Hating humans' is pretty dull but maybe more will be revealed next issue when we find out who the chairman is. I wish they'd just get it out now, this slowrolling is tedious. I'm almost positive it will be the cliffhanger next time, but like, just fucking spit it out! Let's get the plot moving, yo! We've been fighting in the snow for 70% of the run at this point, just tell us who you are and do your thing. Some C-list genetics bad guy from the 90s/00s? Thought so. It took 17 issues to reveal Astra, for fuck's sake, which doesn't exactly hype me for who's under the helmet. At that point, why bother? Just get on with the plot.

Magik's Soul Sword keeps getting wider, right?

In a lot of ways these 3K X-Men and their masters are The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with some ORCHIS scraps and a bigger budget. Extremists coming at the X-Men with accusations of failing mutants is one of the oldest X-Men tropes in existence. It can be interesting, but it needs to have something to say. I want to see a pamphlet on their beef or something, see if they've got anything fresh or if they're just another extremist mutant group. The thing is that a mutant who decided 'fuck humans. I'm done with these genocides' is a pretty reasonable position right now. Fighting the X-Men like every other group before? Not so much. Go destroy Graymalkin or something, you know? If you really want to show the X-Men how it's done, do that. Do their job better.

Ben spearheads Jen flying Piper to her mother, ideally to help convince the twin to cut it out. It's a solid plan, though there's a very high chance she gets reduced to a smear real quick. Mama Cobb is a mutant hater and is culpable for this mess, and she's terrified. We'll see how that wraps up next time, or maybe the issue after that with this fucking pacing. It's great to see Ben and Jen coming into their own, and Beast looks like he'll have to fight Wyre. The greasy weirdo has snuck into their base, and while it'd be great for Beast to fuck him up I kinda hope Glob bonks him with a frying pan or something. Why not both? Solicits have told us that agent fuckface comes to jail Scott in the wake of this second Iron Night, and something about Revelation/the artist formerly known as Doug Ramsey, I think. That sounds fun, I just wish it didn't take so long to get there. Not out of impatience, I just object to the padding and repetition plus slowrolled mysteries that don't land. Or impact the plot/characters even. That's probably not happening, so this book will remain fun but very frustrating.

Also... Why is Tom Brevoort answering all the letters for this book and Uncanny? That strikes me as really weird. Really fucking weird. Does that seem odd to anyone else? We're still seeing letters about Raid on Graymalkin and Chuck Hunt, all answered by TB. If I was writing anything and the editor was handling the forward-facing fan interaction in a book with my name on it I'd be like 'all due respect but what's the deal here? Maybe stay in your lane.' He is the 'conductor of x' but this feels like clearing the orchestra to be applauded solo. I admit I'm super biased against him but it really sticks out to me.

Thanks for reading and much love! 💓

[viatagrinner]

Silvio Ricci. Both Endings Bonus. The path to favoritism. Part 1

Our days.

I've always been longing. Never in my life have I been able to quench that longing/tryst.

Drinking large quantities of alcohol and one-night stands serve only as a temporary distraction. How could this be cured? I thought long and hard about this method. I couldn't find a way.

Until I met this sweet and sassy woman.

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Main Flashback. 3 years ago.

Prince Valerio is missing. Silvio looks at his other brother, Emidio.

(This guy... Did he set something up?)

Valerio has gotten involved with some dangerous business, and Emidio is acting suspiciously.

(Damn, I thought Emidio wouldn't catch him...)

King Alfio, their father, forms a search squad.

(Are you forming a search squad already?)

If Silvio or Emidio were missing, King Alfio would not even look for them.

The king asks his eldest sons about their involvement in Valerio's disappearance.

Emidio: I know nothing. What about you brother?

Silvio does not know either.

The King of Benitoite: ...There is no lie in these words, is there?

The King looked with a murderous gaze, like an enemy, not at the suspicious Emidio, but at his eldest son.

Silvio: Ha, you doubt me?

The King has already concluded.

(You're wrong, you old bastard.)

Emidio: But the one who is most pleased with Valerio's disappearance is my brother, right?

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Flashback in flashback:

It is a "celebration" of the death of Silvio and Emidio's mother, the queen, and a welcome to a new wife, Lydia.

Only Emidio, is sad about his mother.

Emidio: You are so good, Valerio.

Valerio: What do you mean?

Emidio: I don't even have to tell you, do I? It's just the way you wanted it to be.

Emidio: Aren't you happy, right?

Valerio: If I look happy, brother, you should have your eyes checked.

Silvio tells them to shut up. Emidio looks for support from his older brother, but finds none.

Emidio: You killed my mother, Valerio.

Silvio doesn't believe it. Their mother committed suicide. Realizing that Alfio might find out that she wanted to send him to Lydia, she chose death.

This is what Valerio, the man who learned the truth about the queen, said.

Silvio doesn't think this is a bad thing. Rather... if Valerio had not done it, he would have done it himself.

Emidio is outraged. Why protect their little brother?

Silvio: Valerio, you look sullen too. I get mad looking at you.

Valerio: So you wouldn't be sad if I smiled?

Silvio: ... Ah, still damn cheeky and refreshing.

Emidio: Brother, you are ridiculous. Valerio, I am not as kind as our brother.

Flashback in flashback is over.

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Main Flashback. 3 years ago.

From that day on, Emidio became gloomy/spooky with Valerio.

The king wants to "talk" with Silvio alone. He doesn't mind. However...

Silvio: If you don't have time, don't waste it, go find Valerio.

King: Don't worry.

When the king winked, the royal guards waiting in the throne room surrounded the elder prince.

( ....The incompetent old geezer.)

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Main Flashback. 3 years ago.

Castle Prison.

Carlo, the squire and the prince's assistant came to the prison.

Carlo: ...Are you all right?

Silvio: Is that what "all right" looks like to you?

Carlo: Sorry! I'll take care of you right away.

The prince's body hurts. There's blood in his mouth.

Instead of interrogation, there was torture.

(It's more like he was trying to nail me than get information out of me.)

Helping the prince to remove his clothes, Carlo frowns. There is not a living thing on Silvio.

There are wounds and bruises all over his body. His clothes are stained with blood.

Carlo: .... Terrible.

Silvio: Not really. ....Even when I was a kid, I was beaten very badly in secret.

The king beat him. For his "bullying" of Valerio. But just remembering his miserable childhood, when he had no money and could not even buy love, makes Silvio sick.

Carlo: ...Why does the King hate Prince Silvio? For there is no proof!

Having smeared his wounds with the already familiar motion, for he has often been wounded during his maritime adventures, Silvio answers his assistant's question.

Silvio: It's common, isn't it?

Carlo: I don't understand, because the prince is a good man.

Silvio: Ha, dumbass. I don't think so.

Silvio: You're the only one who treats me like a "good person".

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Carlo is the prince's assistant and squire. They met ten years ago, when Silvio came to inspect the shipyard. Carlo was given out by other workers, and the prince protected him. Carlo has a brilliant mind. He is a scientist, an informer, an agent, etc.

Silvio often bullied Rio. And their father remembers it.

Silvio: Because I took away everything that was important to him.

But Emidio was even angrier.

Carlo asks about the reason for Valerio's hatred.

As a child, Valerio was loved by everyone, his father loved him, he had a loving mother.

Valerio's birth was a blessing to the Benitoites.

No one liked Silvio because of his character and the fact that he had no free time. His mother forced him to study.

It was all for the sake of her son's ascension to the throne... The king hated such an ambitious wife. And Silvio did not understand how such an evil woman could give birth to him.

But the prince did not say all this to his squire.

"Hated it, and that's all," was the prince's answer.

Carlo: But you get along now, don't you?

Silvio: ....Get along?

Silvio: ...We don't get along. I just don't have anything else to take from him.

Silvio: If he can do/get something important, I'll take it from him again.

Perhaps in the past the prince has done bad things because of hatred. Until there was a turning point.

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

Flashback in flashback:

Little Silvio couldn't figure out where his mother sometimes went in the middle of the night. One day he followed.

She had a meeting with a mercenary. He gave her some poison from Jade.

This poison does not kill. In some countries it is used for torture.

It turned out that the queen was quite chatty.

1. She does not want to kill her husband's mistress. If Lydia suffers, so does the king.

2. The queen will frighten and torment the minion until she gets bored, and as soon as she gets bored of this "toy", she will break her. Faster the queen will kill the son of the king's mistress.

3. Zhe does not care about adultery. Silvio's mother hates her husband.

4. She already had a lover, but her engagement to the king ruined everything.

Silvio would listen no more and ran away.

For the first time he knew his mother's true face.

━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

A few days later.

Ch. 21. Romantic Route

Lydia, the king's favorite and Rio's mother, was poisoned.

Valerio: Why doesn't anyone try to help!

Silvio can't look his little brother in the eye.

Mother: It's not that they don't want to help, it's that they don't know how to help.

Silvio can hardly contain himself, watching Rio scream in panic, and seeing how calm his mother and brother are.

Valerio: ....You're not...

Valerio: You're not human... No.

That evening.

Silvio felt guilty, he decides to talk to his mother. He tells her that he saw her with the mercenary.

She laughed.

The prince did not know at the time that people would call it crazy.

Mother: Silvio, you better think about becoming king. ...I can imagine the man's face. Do you want me to tell you something nice?

She, usually stern, gives her son a gentle hug.

Mother: You may not be the king's son. But this is a secret between you and me, okay?

No one and nothing could confirm or deny it.

Fortunately, he inherited the blue eyes that are the hallmark of Benitoite royalty, so no one could say that Silvio was an illegitimate child.

The queen convinced herself of this.

"The mother is a beast. And... born from the womb of such a woman, I too am a beast, and even my royal status, where a rich life without love is guaranteed, may be in jeopardy. This fact made my young heart tremble and instilled fear. I hate Valerio."

He hates, the king who is attached to his youngest son.

But.... He doesn't want to be like his mother.

Some time later.

Valerio is crying. Silvio has taken something from his brother again. He tries to teach his brother through violence to be strong so that he can stand up for himself.

Silvio: I don't have the strength to protect you from those bastards.

Flashback in flashback is over.

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Main Flashback. 3 years ago.

Castle Prison

The ointment begins to work. Carlo wants to go to get the doctor, but the prince won't let him.

He needs clean clothes and a carriage. Silvio will look for Valerio. He hopes to find his brother before Emidio does.

If he is alive, of course.

Carlo: And if you don't find him?

Silvio: Then I will erase all traces of Valerio's life.

Carlo wonders, how can you do this? By bribery and changing documents, answers the prince.

Silvio does this so that Emidio does not find Valerio. It is good if he is found quickly, but if not...If he is injured. Silvio believes in his brother's strength, but wants to back him up.

Silvio: If there is money, a lot of things are possible.

The business he started with pocket money was a great success, and he put the money he earned into his next business.

Repeating this, he started making money as a child and before he knew it, he was the youngest millionaire ever.

With the money, he bribed a couple of people.

These people were looking out for Emidio, looking for Valerio, and trying to fix problems.

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Flashback in flashback.

The prince's money has attracted some women.

Woman 1: Silvio, is there anything I can do in your room tonight?

Woman 2: No, tonight I am Silvio's partner.

Woman 3: The third woman offered some good wine.

Silvio panics. People used to avoid him, try to mingle with friendly Emidio and Valerio.

Flashback in flashback is over.

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Main Flashback. 3 years ago.

Castle Prison

"I learned that a man no one loves can be loved by anyone if he has money".

"Money isn't everything,' is the nonsense of wimps who don't know how to make money."

The hatred for Valerio had subsided, but not longing. Rather, it was the money that made things worse.

Silvio and Carlo are about to leave prison.

Silvio: ...Take care, Valerio.

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

Three years passed

Silvio found Valerio in an unexpected place.

But along with relief came longing.

Main Flashback is over.

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Silvio's Masterlist

[caffedrine]

Rio Ortiz Romantic Chapter 23 Summary

This is mostly a summary for me - I make no promises on the accuracy of what’s happening. I’m not nearly fluent enough to get half the jokes/innuendo much less accurate plot points.  

As a heads up, the writers put the events in an order I would not have chosen. There’s a lot of flashbacks explaining scenes that have just happened.

Prince Valerio was a coward and an opportunist, and the most beautiful heart in the country should never have come into contact with him.

*Flashback*

~Before Valerio’s Carriage Accident~

One time, when Valerio was taking a break from a tea party hosted by the Imperial Court, a young noble lady from one of the most prestigious families in Benitoite found him. He had tried to mask his presence and let his brothers stand out, but there were times that people would still notice him.

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, so it was easy to put on a fake smile and change his bearing to that of a storybook prince. He kindly asked the young lady if she was lost, lamenting over how labyrinthine the castle was.

The young lady admits that she followed him on purpose and gives him a letter. It wasn’t a letter Valerio wanted to receive, but he maintained his genial façade. Even though he was in a bad mood, he reached out to accept it, promising to read it later.

The young lady catches his hands and cuddles up to him, professing her love. She explains that he is always smiling and kind, and always helps people regardless of their status. He has helped her many times, and now her heart is his.

This woman is actually a good lady. She’s not dazzled by Valerio’s status as prince, and her words are sincerely spoken from her heart. Which means that Valerio has to get through this situation carefully without hurting her too much. He needs the reputation of the smiling and gentle prince.

Valerio kindly thanks the young lady for her words. Unfortunately, he is a weak man with a weaker presence who would not suit the wonderful lady she is. She is someone whom anyone would love, and she deserves someone who would make her far happier than he could. He cannot steal her heart from her true love in good consciousness. However, he would be happy to be considered a friend who could help her out if she is ever in trouble.

The young lady remarks that even while rejecting her, Valerio was very kind. He is very kind and doesn’t hold himself above or below anyone. But while being only kind to people, he’s not going to fall in love with anyone. She expected this rejection, but she did want him to know how she felt.

She is not wrong. Valerio doesn’t hold anyone as superior or inferior to him. It’s not just her that he doesn’t love, he probably can’t fall in love with anyone. The only thing that mattered to him was friendships that provided some benefit to him. Beyond that, he honestly didn’t care one way or another about the people he encountered. He was kind in a calculated sense, as opposed to the young lady who was kind from her heart.

The young lady apologizes for her harsh words, and Valerio tells her not to worry. He understands that her warning was from a kind place of wanting him to improve through introspection.

Through a few more trivial words and phrases, Valerio was able to build up the young lady so that her original smile returned. However, there was no real emotion behind them, or from the emotionless shell that was Valerio. When the young lady finally left, Valerio was finally able to drop his act and smile.

He returned to his room, which only had the bare essential furniture. There was nothing important or precious in the room since there was nothing important or precious to Valerio. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, at the bottom of his chest was a dog collar.

Once when he was young, Valerio had a dog named Belle. It was something precious that his mother gave to him, but then Emidio gave her away, saying that his room was too small for the dog.

Belle wasn’t the only thing Valerio had lost. Cherished toys, things he found, gifts he received from friends, everything he loved had been stolen by his older brothers, probably under orders of the Queen. Even now, when they were old enough to stop stealing his things, Valerio hasn’t been able to forget. The trauma from his childhood remains and he has kept his room spartan.

Valerio was a coward who could only think about his own self-preservation, so he refused to have anything important to him. What was the point if it was just going to be stolen?

Putting away the dog collar, Valerio looks out his window overlooking the ocean. His reflection was gloomy, and it was hard to believe that he had been smiling just an hour ago.

There is a knock at his door, and in the next moment, the smiling, bright, storybook prince was back. He ushers in the servant to receive the letter he had been wanting for a long time. Valerio thanks the servant, who replies that he is honored to serve the prince. Despite the risk the servant went through to obtain it, he is smiling happily. It’s reasons like this why Prince Valerio is always friendly and smiling towards others, as opposed to Silvio who is antagonistic and arrogant. People are easier to use if they love him.

The servant points out that if the information contained in the letter is verifiably true, then it is a very big deal. Valerio agrees, if the Queen’s connections become public, it would be a stain on the Royal Family that would be recorded in the history books. Which is why they need to handle this privately. He tells the servant to leave the rest to him, with this Valerio would be able to handle the rest by himself.

There was a beast inside Valerio. Thanks to it, he was able to be cunning and survive in the Benitoite court. A few days earlier, his mother had been stabbed by an assassin’s knife. Luckily, she had survived, but the attacks against her life were increasing by the day.

Valerio had learned the hard way that if there was something important to him, he needed to take it for himself before it was taken away.

Time moves on

Emidio throws Valerio into the courtyard pool, shouting that the latter had killed his mother. It was night, so Valerio’s clothes were heavy and cold with wet, but he had expected this when he had received the summons.

Emidio’s accusation was harsh, and without merit. Yes, Valerio had presented the evidence of the Queen’s wrongdoings, but it had been her choice to take her own life. Maybe Valerio should have felt guilty that he was the one who set the events in motion, but he didn’t.

Valerio pointed out that the Queen had tried to murder his mother. She had been so blatant about it that her misdeeds were recorded in the official history books. He had no choice but to put a stop to them. In a way, she had deserved her fate, wouldn’t Emidio agree? Emidio, who rarely takes off his genial prince mask to the point of being eerie, finally dropped it to curse Valerio.

Even now, facing his brother’s real pain, Valerio feels no guilt over the Queen’s death. In fact, the only thing he is thinking is the regret that he didn’t do this sooner. Now, the Queen who had tormented both Valerio and his mother is gone, and his mother is now smiling happily as the new Queen.

Every day, Valerio has faced having everything precious to him taken away. But now, he can get rid of the people who take things away from him. For the first time, he could contemplate a future where he could learn to love someone.

After the former Queen, Valerio began to collect evidence of the second prince’s wrongdoings. It was for a selfish reason, to destroy Emidio before he could hurt Valerio anymore.

*Flashback End*

The dark memories awaken Valerio’s beast. Even as Rio wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth, his thoughts were in a frenzy Valerio.

However, he wasn’t completely overwhelmed by Valerio’s memories.

*Flashback Time*

~Before the fire~

Akatsuki’s expression becomes stern as he reads Emma’s letter and summarizes it. She was kidnapped by Silvio, she is uninjured, and it includes the name of a servant bought by Silvio. Nokto is surprised that she could just leave all that information with Silvio probably monitoring her. Rio explains that not only is Emma adorable, but she’s also talented and smart. Nokto lets that one go.

Emma also wrote that Silvio’s purpose was to get rid of ‘the asshole’. This catches Rio by surprise, as that part doesn’t sound like her. Nokto points out that she’s probably using Silvio’s terms. Now, would the asshole be Emidio or Rio in this context?

There is a final message specifically for Rio. Rio asks if it’s a love confession, but Akatsuki shoots him down. It’s a final reminder that she is okay, and to not forget his promise. After a long pause, Nokto asks what kind of promise did Rio make?

Rio recalls just a few nights ago when Emma made him promise not to kill Silvio, or anyone else. She wanted him to be able to face himself without the shadow of killing someone looming over him.

Rio also remembers one of his last personal conversations with Sariel, where he warned Rio not to let his lover go. That it was important to have someone who loved him and was loved by him.

*Flashback End*

Emma’s home was on fire. A home full of her memories and precious things was turning into ashes and sparks, dancing into the night sky. Rio could barely think of anything else.

When Emma came to the scene, she saw Rio lying on the ground, and ran over to him, calling out his name. Rio’s eyes burst open wide, and he shouts at her to stay back. Ignoring him, Emma rushes over and hugs him, only to have him hug her tightly and roughly pull her away.

To Emma’s surprise, there are arrows in the ground where she had been standing just moments before. Akatsuki, who is also nearby, pulls his sword out of its sheath. Rio also unsheathes his sword, and both knock away more arrows.

Looking up, Emma can see the archer on the roof, with an arrow already nocked. The moment she makes eye contact with him, the archer withdraws into the shadows. From nearby, Nokto directs soldiers to surround the building.

Due to the fire, people nearby are distracted and haven’t noticed the archers. But it is clear to Emma, and the others, that the arrows were aiming for her. This is just like what Silvio had said, Emidio was trying to kill her.

Not hesitating a moment, Rio pulls Emma into a secluded back alley. He looks around cautiously, and upon judging that they weren’t followed, asked Emma if she’s injured. Emma is fine, but she notices that it looks like Rio was punched in the face, and he has new scrapes from saving her just then. Rio tells her not to worry about him the important thing is that she’s safe. Emma insists that it’s not just her, he also needs to be safe too. Rio exclaims over how kind she is to worry about him in this situation.

Anyways, what is Emma doing here? Wasn’t she kidnapped by Silvio?

*Flashback*

~Before Emma arrived at the fire~

Upon receiving the report of the fire, Silvio immediately dragged Emma into the carriage and left for town. Emma asks if Silvio was planning on keeping her prisoner at the mansion, but Silvio explains that the fire changes a lot of his plans.

Silvio had hoped that if he removed Emma from Emidio’s influence, he would focus on killing Valerio. Instead, Emidio is setting the Rhodolite capitol on fire.

Emma: My home is on fire?

Silvio: So . . . you’re just going to let that comment about killing Valerio slide?

Emma: That’s a separate issue

Silvio explains that the fire is Emidio’s way of warning both Silvio and Emma; if Emma isn’t released, Emidio will start burning down important buildings. Silvio can handle paying for repairs for buildings easily, but Emidio is going to escalate from setting buildings on fire. Emma asks if Emidio would start hurting people next.

Maybe if it was the old Emidio from when they were children, but now? There have been rumors that Emidio has associates who are the kind of people whom Silvio could believe would start murdering people. The exact kind of things Emma and everyone else thought Silvio was capable of.

Additionally, Emidio is probably trying to sever diplomatic ties between Benitoite and Rhodolite. A Benitoite Prince attacking one of Rhodolite’s cities, and especially the one where the Rhodolite Court is located, would be considered a declaration of war, even if the prince had personal reasons.

Emma asks why Emidio would do this, wouldn’t there be a huge disadvantage to both sides, including Benitoite? Silvio tells her that there are a lot of things going on that he doesn’t have time to get into.

Silvio’s new plan is to have Emma meet up with Valerio, and Emidio would stop attacking the city to focus on killing her. Emma asks if this means that Silvio is sending her to Benitoite, but Silvio explains that Rio was spotted in the town. Perhaps he came back for some reason.

While Valerio and Emma play decoy, Silvio is going to find and stop Emidio.

*Flashback End*

Rio is not thrilled that Emma is being used as a decoy, but Emma insists that she wanted it this way too. She won’t be able to stay in a protected, safe place while she has the chance to resolve the situation. However, Emma can admit that she is way over her head. It was one thing to know that Emidio was trying to kill her, it was another to have archers openly try to kill her in the middle of the city. If Rio hadn’t protected her, Emma would have died back then.  

In the end, Silvio was right. Rather than be useful, even as a decoy, Emma was just a burden that Rio had to handle. Rio tells her not to apologize, everything that is happening is his fault. At Emma’s look, Rio promises to explain everything to her later. But for now-

Nokto catches up with them. He is almost always smiling, but now that smile is gone and replaced by a look of frustration. Rio thanks Nokto for his efforts, it’s understandable that the city guard is not used to handling assassin archers.

Akatsuki also takes refuge in the alley and reports that the area is surrounded by assassins. Nokto wonders if the assassins were planning on using the chaos of the fire to get away with killing them. It’s going to be hard for Rhodolite to not respond to this provocation. Rio points out that if they’re all dead, it’s going to be hard to bring Emidio to justice without concrete evidence. Besides, even if the assassins are captured, they’ll probably just all blame Silvio.

Akatsuki asks if Rio has regained most of his memories, which takes Emma by surprise.

If Rio can get out of the alley, he knows how to bring Emidio to justice with irrefutable evidence. There was a place he was headed to three years ago, and it should have everything they need.

There is a stable nearby owned by the Rhodolite Royal family, and Nokto would love to offer an escort, but most of the city soldiers are handling the fire. Rio is fine with that, he doesn’t want this to be an official diplomatic problem, which an official escort would make it. Family matters should be handled within the family, after all.

Emma wants to go with Rio. Emidio is targeting her specifically, so no matter where she goes his men will eventually find her. It’s better if she can go with Rio and join in on their discussion.

Until now, Rio had been looking at her steadily, but he quickly grows confused and surprised. Emma points out that Rio was going to Emidio to discuss things . . . right?

Rio points out that Emidio is trying to kill her, and just ruined all of her important things. He wouldn’t have thought that Emma would be all right with just a discussion.

From Emma’s point of view, nothing truly important has been destroyed. Everything in the fire can be replaced eventually. The things truly important things are right here with her and Rio. She reaches out to touch Rio, who has the expression of a puppy who has been kicked too many times. He trembles as she cups his cheek.

Silvio told Emma a little bit about the relationship between Rio and Emidio, so she understands Rio’s misgivings. The grudges between the two brothers may never go away, but to truly move on to the future, they will have to deal with them.

Rio asks if she hates him, now that Emma knows about his past. Emma doesn’t hate him and can’t see why she would. Rio marvels that Emma must be the exact opposite of him. She thinks of others over herself and is truly kind. Even though Rio loves her, he was going to . . . .

Emma notices that Rio has been acting strange for a while, and she misses what his last point was. She prompts Rio to repeat himself, but he refuses. At this point, Akatsuki steps in and explains that Rio isn’t going to have a chat with Emidio. Rio frantically cuts him off, right now he really does intend to speak with Emidio and resolve things peacefully between them.

Rio turns back to Emma and thanks her, clasping her hand and explaining that he’s not a beast rampaging out of control. Emma is confused, of course, Rio is not a beast. Rio laughs a little at this, slowly letting go of Emma’s hand.

Akatsuki pulls out his sword again and promises to make a distraction for the assassins while Rio and Emma make their way to Nokto’s stable. He warns Rio to protect Emma even if he dies from it. If she has even the tiniest scratch, he won’t let Rio near his daughter ever again.

Rio: Yes father, I promise

Akatsuki: I’m not your father

Nokto begins to guide them to the stables as the sound Akatsuki’s sword scraping against metal ring out behind them. Emma doesn’t look back, focusing on keeping up with Nokto and Rio.

This is the path she chose.

[marvel-ousnesss]

There for you (Valerio Montesinos x reader)

@nervousbailiffpicklecookie's request: 15, 16, 17 w/ Valerio from elite. from this promptlist. 

Warning: abusive parent, alcohol, angst

A/N: Thanks so much for reading. Love you all so, so much 

Wordcount: 3140

masterlist

You stirred the last sip of your drink in circles, blinking a few times before looking at it with a newfound interest. You were normally a gleeful drunk but at the moment you could only think of what awaited at home. All you wanted to do was enjoying the night but things had been going south ever since you had arrived. 

Samuel had shown up at the club, making Guzman more bitter than usual; hence, Lu was practically joint by his hip. Carla, her head had been spinning around Christian for a few months now and, even if you repetitively tried to drag her away from him and to the dance floor, she gravitated toward him every time. And Ander, well, you hadn’t seen him for like an hour… which left you out of options. 

“What the hell”, you mumbled while you emptied your drink and gracelessly made your way to Nadia and the new girl. They weren’t your usual crowd but you had worked with Nadia for a few projects and she had always been nice to you, so you went for it. 

"Nadia, hey! I can’t believe you're here, you look great." You plastered a smile on your face, determined to give having a good time one last try. You waved a barman and, with a gesture of your hand, ordered shots for the three of you. 

"Thanks, Y/N, you too". She smiled back at you. "Oh, this is Rebeka."

"Hey, nice to meet you."

She gave you a nod. "Won’t Guzmán kick you out of his little clique if he sees you with us?"

"I’ll take my chances", you shrugged. "But he's all bark, no bite."

At that moment, your drinks arrived. 

Rebeka took hold of one of the glasses and so did you. 

She raised one. "In that case, listen up.” She looked between the two of you, prompting you to pay attention. "I'd screw that guy after, maybe, four beers. That one, after two" your eyes followed her finger around the room. "And that one, she laughed, oh my god I would do him after a non-alcoholic beer, she pointed at a last one. Shit, I’d fuck him after drinking diet coke, what bout you." 

You scanned the club and, with a frown, pretended to consider all the different choices. After a few seconds, you drank your shot and smiled at them. 

"Okay, ladies, keep up." Your index finger jumped around the room while you chanted,  "Three, five, three, four, and," you paused, then pointed at a guy in the middle of the room. "Maybe seven," you giggled. "All of those being counted in tequila shots." 

Nadia rolled her eyes with a smile and Rebeka laughed. "What about you?" she asked Nadia. 

"Oh no, I don't drink so I wouldn't really know how to play."

"Your loss," you teased in a sing-song voice. 

"Yeah, you're really missing out," Rebeka lifted her glass.

Nadia's eyes drifted between the two of you and she gave in and took hold of Rebeka's drink. However, Valerio bumped into her when she was about to take a sip as he and Guzmán reentered the club animatedly chatting. 

"Sorry." He turned towards Nadia with a look of concern. "I'm so sorry about that."

She brushed him off and just laughed, "Now that's definitely a sign from above."

Rebeka snorted, "Well if you ask me, he doesn't really look like an envoy from heaven."

"I can be anything you want," his voice was smoky as he stalked behind her.  "A demon, an angel just-" he lifted his gaze and caught yours- "say the word."

He stepped past her and closer to you, then took a small leap and sat on the stool next to you. 

"That's a lie," you scoffed. "You're anything but an angel."

"True," his hand traveled to your waist. “But that has never bored you.”

Nadia gave you and Rebeka an awkward smile, "see you guys in a bit."

At least she knew how to read the mood. Rebeka, on the other hand, showed no intention of leaving. Just your luck, Lu appeared behind her with the plastic smile she had perfected over the years. 

"Hi, good evening, I believe we haven't been properly introduced." she beamed, "I'm Valerio's sister."

Rebeka forced a smile. 

"Half-sister," Valerio taunted, his hand stroking your side softly. 

You leaned into his touch, your body began to remind you how much you had missed him. 

"Anyway," Lu rolled her eyes, pretending not to notice. " Mind if I steal you off for a second? Later guys", she winked, leaving with Rebeka. 

Valerio mouthed a 'thank you' and hopped off the stool, bringing you closer to him. "You avoided me the whole day," he stated. "Why?"

You gulped, trying to find a proper answer. 

"My dad's in Valencia, and, well, my mom's been kind of in a mood lately,” you admitted. "But let's not talk about it now,” Your voice was velvety as you leaned toward him slowly.

Before he could argue, you pulled his golden chain for your lips to meet his in a tender kiss and your hands traveled around his neck. However, he saw right through you. Instead of urging to go deeper, like he usually would, he moved away from you and, when your gaze fell, used one of his hands to lift your chin. 

"I know it's technically not mine, but if you wanna crash at my place, just say the word." 

"Thanks," you smiled and took a deep breath. "But let’s not think about that now, we have some catching up to do.” 

Valerio knew exactly what you meant and, to say the least, was happy to oblige. He guided you to the dance floor, this time stepping behind you. Again, his hands found their way to your waist and began toying with the hem of your shirt, later moving to the sides of the waistline of your pants. Your arm snaked around his collar and tucked on his raven curls, prompting him to bury his face in the delicate spot where your shoulder met your neck. 

You had missed this deeply, even sometimes it troubled you to think of him. Most people didn’t get to see past the drug loving party boy facade, but he had been there for you in your darkest moments and had proven himself one of the most caring and loyal people anyone could ask for. 

That was exactly why you were afraid of losing him. It was one thing to have fun among friends, pretty much what you were doing right now; and a complete other to let any feelings into the mix. Feelings that, you knew, had been haunting you for a long time now. 

Although now was not the moment to think of that, so you let yourself enjoy the rest of the party. Having Valerio by your side gave you a significant boost of endorphins; you laughed, danced, and drank your ass off, momentarily forgetting what expected you once you arrived home. 

Huge mistake. 

A headache woke you up next morning, according to your phone, you still had half an hour before your alarm went off. But there was no use on trying to fall back asleep, your throat was too dry and, for some reason, your room had been invaded by some awfully fruity and cloying smell.

 With a groan, you stumbled to the kitchen and dove into the refrigerator. After grabbing a glass of cold water, you closed the door, coming face to face with your mother. 

She was in gym clothes, ready to head out for a run, so you prayed for your encounter to be as short-lived as possible. You weren’t in the mood to deal with her right now, and you had to get ready for school if you wanted to head to Ander’s before class. 

“Morning,” you greeted. 

“Glad you’re awake honey, I wanted to talk to you before you left.” 

She asked you to sit with her on the couch for a moment, giving you what she thought was a kind smile. 

You forced out a matching one, “what’s up, is everything okay, mom? 

She sighed. “Y/N, dear, you know I love you. But you can’t let loose like you did last night.” She grabbed one of your hands and you involuntary stiffened. “Our family has a carefully built name, and we all have to do our part to take care of it.” 

There was no point in arguing with her. “It was a mistake, mom, I’m sorry I went a bit over the top.” 

“A bit over the top?” She scoffed, “you arrived home at four in the morning, stumbling through the door. God knows where you even drank that much.”  

“I just went out with a few friends from school. Ander was there, and so was Nadia. Remember her?” 

 She let go of your hand and pinched her temples, exasperated. “It’s not about them. You are our daughter and need to begin acting like such.” 

“I'm sorry, it won't happen again.” 

"you better make sure of it," she foretold. 

Grateful it was over, you let yourself relax. Your hands tangled themselves in your hair and you put it into a messy bun. 

“Honey, I’m only gonna ask this once,” this time, she took hold of both of your hands and turned around to completely face you. “Where did you get those bruises?”

She sounded disgusted and defeated, but tried to evoke interest and concern. You looked at her, perplexed, and checked your hands and arms. "What bruises?" 

her cynical laugh made you gulp. 

Without warning, your mother's hand landed on your cheek, leaving a burning sensation behind. “I told you, I'm not gonna ask again.” 

You couldn’t bring yourself to speak, not knowing what was she talking about.

Grumbling something under her breath, she grabbed your arm and stood up, guiding you to the guest restroom. Once there, she pushed you toward the mirror. "These bruises, you little slag."

You mentally cursed, flashbacks of the party coming back to you at speed of light. Then you faced her once again, her arms were crossed over her chest as she looked at you with disgust. 

You released a breath, thinking of a plausible excuse. “I burnt myself with my flat iron.” Your tone showed no emotion, but your nose wrinkled, giving you away. 

“Like hell you did.” She breathed deeply, then looked at you in a much sympathetic way. "Please, don't lie to me."

“I’m not,” you insisted, "I burnt myself getting ready".

“Oh dear, why do you do this to us?” She sighed, pacing back to the living room. “Your father and I are just trying to do what's best for you, honey.” She sat back down burying her head in her hands. 

A lake of tears spouted in your eyes. "Do you even think of what's best for me, mom?

Sometimes I feel like you just see me as a vessel for all the label 'Y/L/N' is to you."

As soon as the words left your lips, you realized the mistake you had made. Again, your mother's eyes shot daggers at you. 

“You ungrateful brat, after all that your father and I have done, after what we've sacrificed to give you the life you have.” She stood up. “Of course, we see you as a Y/L/N 'cause that's you are. Without us, you're worthless.” 

As she advanced toward you, you stepped back.

"Please, don't hit me," your blurted, eyes invaded by fear. 

She closed her eyes and huffed, running a hand through her hair. "Just, go get dressed, you're gonna be late."

You quietly got ready for school and exited the house without saying goodbye. As you rode your bike to Ander’s house, which was a few blocks away, you found yourself stopping a minute to call your father, but didn’t say anything aside from the usual, awfully brief ‘good morning’ that was routine. 

You opened your front camera and relaxed a bit when you saw the slap hadn’t left any visible marks - yet. What you were going through was still a bit new to you, your mother had hit you for the first time a month after your uncle’s death, two years ago. No one at school knew about it, aside from Ander, and you intended to keep it that way.

You put your phone away and continued pedaling through the familiar streets. Once you arrived at your friend's house, you left your bike on the sidewalk and knocked on the front door. Azucena was the one to answer, making you unconsciously guide your hand to the spot on your arm where your mother's had been. 

She greeted you with a sense of warmth that put you at ease and invited you in while Ander finished getting ready. You almost spit your coffee when she nonchalantly asked about the red spots on your cheek but assured it was just an allergic reaction to a new powder. 

“Took you long enough,” you sneered. 

He rolled his eyes but greeted you with a hug. After kissing Azucena goodbye, the two of you left his house. You arrived at school with a few minutes to spare, even after the small detour to Nadia and Omar's shop. You fixed the folds of your skirt and stepped inside, parting ways with Ander and heading to your locker so you could fetch some books for the day. Staring at yourself through the small mirror hung on the small door, you sighed and used a small green stick concealer to get rid of the redness.

As if on cue, Valerio's frame appeared behind your shoulder as soon as you were done. You smiled at him through the mirror and closed your locker, turning around to face him. 

"Just who I wanted to see," he hummed, stretching a hand out for you. 

Once you took it he twirled you around, bringing you closer and landing his arm on your shoulder. Looking up at him, you quirked a brow

"Anything, in particular, that's got you this happy?"

"Nope."  He popped the 'p' sound. ''Guess it's your doing."

You dismissed him with a hum and a quick peck, then began walking to class. The rest of the day went by uneventful, until the classes ended. You headed straight to the locker room, changed into a tank top and a pair of gym shorts, and made your way to the school gym. That was one of the safest places you could think of, as none of your friends used it. 

Popping your earbuds in, you jumped on the treadmill and began warming up. The sweat ran down your forehead as you ran, panting and mouthing the lyrics to the song playing. Right after slowing the pace so you could cool off, you saw someone entering out the corner of your eye but gave it no mind. To get your attention, Valerio stepped onto the treadmill next to yours and began jogging. 

You took an earbud off.

"Hello, Jell-O,"

"Hey V," you snorted, patting your face dry. Once done, you placed the towel on your shoulder, covering the plum subtle marks that had began to appear on your arm.

"Wanna bother my sister? Guzman and I are headed to Cayetana's and-."

Your brows frowned as you took a sip of water. "Not really, no."

Any trace of excitement left his face as he turned the treadmill off and stepped behind yours, waiting for you to finish. "Come on, Y/N/N,"he whined. "Just gonna be like- two hours, and I'll personally escort you to the mass."

"I can't." You stepped down, facing him. "Besides, I have to shower and stuff. It's better if I head home."

"Why don't you shower here?" He strode next to you as you exited the gym. "That way, we can make a pits stop at your place and the three of us head over to Cayetana's."

"Sorry V, I can't, I-" 

You let your words die when you caught him staring at your face. The blush you got after running was already beginning to wear off, and the concealer you'd been wearing had worn off with all the sweat. Valerio's fingers caressed the crimson bruise that had appeared on your right cheek. 

"How long have you been hiding this?" His voice was barely above a whisper. 

"It's nothing, really," you tried to disregard the topic, "just an allergy I got from this new powder I'm using."

"Please don't lie to me."

Those words sent a chill down your spine, your eyes tried to widen but you forced yourself to kept a straight face, although it didn't last. Defeated, you looked at him with glassy eyes. You couldn't bring yourself to lie to him anymore, not when he was looking at you with concern and shock radiating from every feature of his face. 

"Two years," you disclosed, swallowing hard. 

It hurt him to know that you hadn't confided in him when you were at your worst, you could see it. But he knew that, now that he knew, he needed to place those feelings aside and be there for you, like he should have been from the beginning. 

"And, you've been dealing with this on your own?"

He moved closer to you and moved to bring you closer, knocking the towel off your shoulder. When he saw the rest of the bruises, he stepped back so he could properly study them. Your head fell to the side in shame. His hand trailed up your arm delicately and traced a feathery touch over the sore skin. When you gathered the courage to look at him, his eyes revealed a glimmer that match your own.  

He couldn't stop the question from rolling off his tongue. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I- I," "I'm sorry." Your throat tightened and, after a sharp intake of breath, you pleaded, "I- please, don't be mad."

Tears began to fall down your cheeks and Valerio's heart broke. As a harrowing whimper abandoned you he wrapped his body around yours and rested his head on top of yours, letting you bury yourself in the comforting scent of his Versace cologne and the warmth of his embrace. 

"Never," he mumbled against your hair. 

You immediately hugged him tighter. Hearing that soothed you, but your crying didn't stop, it had been a long time since you last let yourself go and, right now, this was just what you needed. You focused on the strong heartbeat pounding against your ear and relaxed, allowing yourself some much needed catharsis. 

"I love you," you breathed, tilting your head to look at him.

"I love you too." The smile he gave you took your breath away.

Requests open!

[thesimpanions]

⭐️ N E W  V I D E O ⭐️ The Sims 4 | MAKING OVER MY SUBSCRIBERS SIMS #8! | CAS & Lookbook + CC Links

Hey there! Today I'm making over two gorgeous sims created by my subscribers. Let me know what your favourite outfits are! ♥

▶️https://youtu.be/JSSN2n2gOj4

CC Links

SIM 1 (ROSE)

GENERAL Eyes: https://baieyu.tumblr.com/post/179216040640/still-feel-eyes-previews-heavily-insp-by Skinblend: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/190803151860/sunlitcrys-velvet-non-default-skinblend-part Hair: https://simandy.tumblr.com/post/613232844128583680/2nd-my-fav-this-one-was-supposed-to-be Face Shine: https://nesurii.tumblr.com/post/182508085171/amaryllis Blush: https://squeamishsims.tumblr.com/post/185846308452/booboo-blush-by-squeamishsims-so-ive-tried-so Eyebags: https://ratboysims.tumblr.com/post/188237560445/kiwi-eyebags-updated-1110-2019-by-ratboysims Freckles: https://bluemoonsim.tumblr.com/post/173634043298/aint-it-fun-freckle-set-because-its-fun-to-add Nosemask: https://pyxiidis.tumblr.com/post/129428280796/summer-skeletons-v2-a-skin-by-pyxis-hi

MAKE UP Lashes: http://kijiko-catfood.com/3d-lashes-version2/ Eyebrows: https://adiec.tumblr.com/post/185708180915/eyebrow-set-1-some-cute-lil-eyebrows-i-made-in Eyeliner: https://caelhinn.tumblr.com/post/190809835077/heart-shaped-wing-an-eyeliner-by-caelhinn Eyshadow: https://crypticsim.com/post/613974349191561216/the-blossom-collection-this-collection-is-a-collab Waterliner: https://crypticsim.com/post/180694444347/passionfruit-liner-the-passionfruit-liner-is-a Lipgloss: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/190573720495/sunlitcrys-a-lip-gloss-skinblend-bundle Lipgloss: https://alhajero.tumblr.com/post/185072913035/nice-gloss-ugly-gif-or-at-least-i-think Blush: https://simulationcowboy.tumblr.com/post/176286026547/a-while-ago-i-edited-on-a-blush-in-this-edit-and Highlighter: https://ridgeport.tumblr.com/post/611820044593381376/rosebud-dress-a-fun-little-dress-crafted-from

EVERYDAY Top: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/622054669204750336/flashback-cc-pack-bgc-all-lods-shadow-maps Bottom: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/185446636305/molly-nadine-molly-pants-bottom-female-20 Shoes: https://www.simsdom.com/downloads/176175/dr-martens-blaire-sandals-sims4 Earrings: https://www.christopher067.com/rina-earrings Rings: https://christopher067.tumblr.com/post/617650784711098368/g-l-i-m-m-e-r-r-i-n-g-s-hello-today-i-have Necklace: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-accessories-female-necklaces/title/toksik-say-it-necklace/id/1334943/

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SIMS 2 (LAYLA) CC

GENERAL Hair: https://savvysweet.tumblr.com/post/623867155096698880/louisa-locs-you-can-change-the-headscarf Hair: https://ridgeport.tumblr.com/post/622975183300558848/p%C3%A2tisserie-set-ive-been-wanting-to-make-these Eyes: https://baieyu.tumblr.com/post/179216040640/still-feel-eyes-previews-heavily-insp-by Skin Overlay: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/614398450851856384/sunlitcrys-i-couldnt-wait-any-longer-so-here Blush: https://squeamishsims.tumblr.com/post/185846308452/booboo-blush-by-squeamishsims-so-ive-tried-so Nose Overlay: http://sims4nexus.com/?p=4813 Moles: https://cruisinfdr.tumblr.com/post/180623186108/holy-mole-y-hi-finally-worked-up-the-courage-to Glasses: https://www.patreon.com/posts/remove-makeup-29396235

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[carladuquette]

Close your eyes, count to ten// chapter 18: New Year’s Eve

Lu-Valerio future fic. Angst, drama, tears. This time: A flashback to a happy NYE twelve or so years ago and a... less happy holiday in the present.

"Lu, please, I miss you." The need in Val’s voice made Lu's breath catch in her throat. "Let's ignore everything. Just for one night. I could pick you up in half an hour and we can drive somewhere and we won't think about anything that happened and it could just be you and me, like it used to be."

"Ok." It was a physical reaction more than a conscious decision... She could "ignore everything" and just let herself be happy for one night. No past, no consequences. This was what New Year's Eve was supposed to be, right?

[onstarsandiron]

Cannon Character Descriptions

Here’s a big master post of cannon character physical descriptions, for all your related needs. Let me know if there’s anything I missed/should add!

Ana

"She had warm bronze skin and wide golden-brown eyes, full lips, and a heart-shaped face. Her hair was as dark as space itself, but it always curled into tangles. She wore it atop her head in a long braid and shaved the sides. She was moderately tall, solidly built for a life of evading death at every turn, and wore hand-me-down coats like the red one she wore now and darned trousers that never fit right. She looked like a girl from any part of the Iron Kingdom—and nowhere all at once.” (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

“Tattered burgundy coat, a Metroid at her hip, long black hair in a renegade braid, and looking like she hadn’t bathed in a week—the girl must’ve been an outlaw.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Robb)

When Ana arrives at the palace and is shown to her new quarters she has a little break down in the bathroom -- and who hasn’t had one of those? -- and shaves her hair off. In SoS, 6-months have passed since the coronation day and her hair is describe merely as “short”.

Di

As D09: “His hood was pulled low to disguise the slats and plates that made up his face, without a nose or ears or eyebrows. He was more dented than other Metals, having fallen through mine shafts on Cerces and been shot at by mercenaries on Iliad. She felt bad for a particular ding on his forehead, but she had apologized a thousand times for accidentally running him over with a skysailer.” (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

As Di/Dimitri: “Redheaded and dark-eyed, a strong jaw, and broad shoulders that filled a slightly-too-small lavender evening coat. He smiled at her—lopsided, imperfect. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t place from where. ... So close, the individual strands of his hair looked woven with sunlight, his skin pale—but not like Jax’s, more like a boy who had never seen the sun." (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Ana)

“So she memorized how the light from the windows slanted across the sharp edges of his face, the way he leaned toward her like a shield, how there were a thousand stars in his eyes, which sometimes made them shine as silver as moonlight—as they did now.” (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Ana)

Di received a cut on his cheek during Coronation Day that is held with silver stitches during SoS to prevent the cut from revealing the metal underneath. He also has a little breakdown -- as one does -- in which he busts up the skin on his knuckles, which he hides then with gloves.

Throughout SoS, Di’s hair is often remarked very specifically as “Blood red”, and he wears quite a bit of black.

Jax

"A Solani. The one from the skysailer. He must’ve been close to Robb’s age, but his silver hair made him look old—ancient—and his skin shimmered as if starlight hid just beneath. He wore a ruffly purple evening coat, golden filigree decorating the collar to match the lining, and buttons so polished they gleamed. Underneath that insufferably garish jacket was a silk shirt, stained with what Robb figured was his blood. A pair of goggles sat around his neck.” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Robb)

Wears purple often; after the event with Koren Vey, his skin literally glows. “”It’s a long story, but yes, I’m a glowlight. It makes reading in the dark riveting.” (SoS, III: Starless, Jax) Also in SoS, Jax has to chop his own hair off during the final fight, resulting in him sporting a shoulder-length cut during Erik’s funeral; according to Robb, he looks no less dashing for it.

Robb

“He looked the most like their father, broad shouldered and stocky, with hair that curled like the lies that fell from his tongue.” (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Robb)

Like his mother and brother, Robb also has olive skin and signature Valerio-blue eyes, often compared to the Erosian sky. In HoI, Jax threatened to make a short joke (mind you, Jax is tall); in SoS, Robb notes that he was always shorter than his brother, but a recent growth spurt had now made them eye-to-eye.

In the conclusion of HoI, Di -- then HIVEd -- made his tracking chip go haywire and an impromptu amputation was needed, cutting his right arm off between his elbow and his shoulder. Robb got a cybernetic prosthetic about a month before the events of SoS.

Elara

“She was around Ana’s age -- eighteen, maybe -- with shoulder length silver hair that partially shadowed her sharp face, and wide violet eyes rimmed with kohl.  Her lips were painted black to match the rest of her wardrobe. She was short and curvy, with wide hips and thick legs that tapered into knee-high gravity boots. She was a Solani like Jax, but her skin was darker, reminding Ana of the cold deserts on Cerces. There was a wire that looped from her right ear down into her collar and disappeared. A hearing apparatus.” (SoS, I: Starship, Ana)

Xu

"Then -- like twin stars igniting -- moonlight-colored eyes flickered to life on a face made of metal slats, forming angular cheekbones and mouth and chin. There was a horrible, deep scrape across its temple that had been soldered closed. A Metal.” (SoS, I: Starship, Ana)

Malifare

“She walked with the grace of a dancer, floating without a sound. The pins in her flaxen hair matched her black dress. Floor-length, high collar, the insignia of the crown on her sleeve.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Di)

“Flaxen hair, narrow face, wearing the deep purple of a royal handmaiden." (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Di)

Siege

“The captain’s black hair framed her brown face in wild, electrifying curls, glowing with interwoven fiber optics, simmering orange like a stoked fire— Oh, Ana could tell by the color that she was mad.” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

Siege has green eyes. When she isn’t mad her hair is typically a golden yellow, though it grows dull when she’s drained or injured, and can be blue though it happened very rarely. As a teenager -- in a very hazy recollection by Di -- she’s described as someone who never smiles.

Talle

“Talle—short and thin, with black hair in a pixie cut and hands so steady she could slit a throat clean while navigating the skyways of Nevaeh...” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

In Jax’s flashback in Soul of Stars, Talle is described as tall with long black hair, but I’ll just assume that Talle is simply tall compared to an 8 or 9 year-old Jax. (SoS, II: Starless, Jax)

Also, her voice is often noted as sweet.

Lenda

““Seriously?” Lenda groaned, brushing back her floppy dishwater-blond hair. She was solid, with narrow brown eyes and tawny skin with rosy undertones. She displayed the scars on her arms like trophies—battles won in the fighting arenas of Iliad. Lenda was twenty and unafraid of everything— Except, maybe for Palavar.” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

Riggs

"Riggs, fiddling with a ball bearing in his mechanical leg, grumbled a reply and heaved it off the table, setting it on the bench beside him. He’d lost his right leg to the Plague twenty years ago—cut it off himself right above the knee. He lost his family to the disease on Eros, and kept a photo of his daughter in a silver locket around his neck. Sometimes at night, Ana heard him talking to her in his dreams." (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

Wick

““No one [likes Palavar],” rumbled Wick, who had a habit of being quiet. He listened, and that made him a talented communications specialist. He absorbed languages like a sponge, so many that Ana could only hope to wrap her tongue around a quarter of them. He was Cercian by birth, the markings under his eyes so faded Ana couldn’t tell which clan he hailed from, and he never told, having left that life years ago. His skIn was a shade darker than Siege’s, with a warm hue to it—like the dawn.” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

Barger

““Eh, don’t bother me. Three jacks,” said Barger, a stout man in his mid-twenties with a ginger mustache. His fingers were always grease stained, nails ripped short, the signs of a tireless weapons mechanic.” (HoI, II: Iron Ships, Ana)

Cynthia Valerio

“Lady Valerio looked wicked, from her bloodred lipstick to her bloodred dress, as she gave a gracious bow.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

“Tall and thin, with olive skin and graying brown hair swept into a bun, cheekbones so sharp they could cut ice. She wore a finely detailed coat and trousers, a Valerio crest pinned above her heart. She appraised the small crew with shrewd blue eyes—he knew that color. He knew it achingly well. The color of Erosian skies.” (HoI, III: Iron Blood, Jax)

Mercer Valerio

Robb is his spitting image, except that Mercer wore a thick beard.

Erik Valerio

“At nineteen, Erik Valerio was dashing, popular, and conniving in a way that granted him whatever he wanted. He looked like their mother—tall and olive skinned, a sharp face, with straight dark hair and a smile that made you want to trust him.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Robb)

“His brother stood blocking the doorway in a deep brown leather jacket with mink fur at the collar and dark trousers. His boots were well polished and decorated with the Valerio insignia—a snake eating its own tail. He filled the doorway just like he had in Robb’s nightmares, his hair short, the sides shaved with celestial designs, and he narrowed his eyes like their mother always did—disapproving, but not surprised, as if nothing Robb would ever do would be worthy of approval.” (SoS, IV: Star Crossed, Robb)

Erik and Cynthia often match, both wearing red at the celebration for Erik becoming the heir, both wearing black at the pre-coronation ball, and both -- this time including Robb -- wearing white at the coronation itself.

Nicholi

“The Emperor, clad in royal purple, had a hand on his wife’s shoulder. He looked like all the pictures she’d seen in the newsfeeds. Golden-brown eyes and rich brown skin, like the Grand Duchess, a full beard over a strong face.” (HoI, III: Iron Blood, Ana)

Selena

“Beside him, his wife, the Empress, smiled out of the portrait, brown curly hair and Valerio-blue eyes.” (HoI, III: Iron Blood, Ana)

Rhys, Wylan, and Tobias Armorov

Ana’s three older brothers are described as having dark curly hair, and the youngest, Tobias, has Valerio-blue eyes. They’re described further in short snippets Ana recalls in the palace, chasing the ghosts of their voices:

“Rhys— He let her taste the sweets from the kitchen. The scent of cinnamon. Warm brown eyes, a melting smile. He used to kiss her bruises when her middle brother, Wylan—a cocky smile and a mess of black curls—knocked her down when they pretended to be outlaws. All the horseplaying would scare her youngest brother—Tobias. Valerio blue eyes and a small smile and a love of violins and sweet candies and stories.” (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Ana)

Lord Rasovant

“An older man, graying beard braided down his chest, appeared at the far end of the hallway. Dark eyes and deep wrinkles and ghostly-pale skin. The clank of decorative medals on his breast accompanied his footsteps. He was dressed in a simple royal-purple evening coat with uneven tails, gilded buttons and filigree across the collar and sleeves.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Di)

The Grand Duchess

“Ana drank the woman in, from the delicate wrinkles across her face to her silvery-white hair pulled back into a simple bun, making her cheekbones look sharp enough to cut. Her skin was the color of soft earth and speckled with age, her hands bony knobs. She looked old, but in a terrifying and timeless way, the way mountains looked old but immovable.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

She also has “...stone-cut green eyes...” (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Robb), similar in description to Siege’s

Wynn Wysteria

Wynn has a freckled face and long, curly strawberry-red hair. (HoI, IV: Iron Will, Ana)

Viera

“She was tall, with white-blond hair and arrowhead-shaped markings under her eyes—heritage markings for certain Cercian clans.” (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Di)

Messiers

“A patrol of six Messiers appeared in the doorway. They were sharp, metallic. Made of planes and slats she knew well, because they looked like D09. Like Metals. Because once, they had been. Now HIVE’d, the Messiers’ blue eyes blazed like virtue incarnate. They moved in unison, their blue-and-black uniforms pristine, shined boots making solid thumps on the masonry floor as they marched into the shrine.”  (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

Mokuba

“A tall, burly gentleman in a stained long coat and trousers, the seams frayed and boots greasy.” (HoI, I: Iron Theif, Ana)

Redbeard

“He had been an imposing man, as thick as two men. He had a braided red beard that reached halfway down the front of his barrel chest, and it glowed with optics the way Siege’s did, although Ana much preferred the way they looped into her curls.” (SoS, III: Starlit, Ana)

Cullen

Ana spun around to the owner of the voice, a tall androgynous person with long black hair that reached well below their waist, and warm brown skin, decked in gold jewelry and a coat the color of a nebula. They grinned at her, and the neon implants in their cheeks glowed a brilliant teal. (SoS, IV: Star Crossed, Ana)

[leaderofthebadguys]

Elite 2 “spoilers”

So, this is a post made by @/EliteNetflixBR on Twitter, this is just a translation, all credits to them.

MARINA’S DEATH, A STARTING POINT.

Marina’s murder has become the engine of season 1 and will also be the engine of season 2, but with a slight twist. In these new episodes each character lives in their own way the death of the character, something that changed them forever.

“Nadia is going to start experiencing everything she needs, everything in her body. She wants to live because she knows that in a matter of seconds her life can pass and everything is over.” - Revealed Mina El Hammani.

In Ander’s case, Arón Piper says that “he tries to turn the page as quickly as possible and leave it behind because it’s important for health and well-being.” Even so, his character will do the opposite.

Not everyone can get around the problem, as is the case with Samuel. After betraying his brother and accusing him of being responsible for the crime, he seeks revenge and the real culprit. “My drama focuses on getting Nano out of jail and doing justice.” Says Escamilla. “Samu tries to get over himself and find the killer. He is in a kind of pit that he needs to get out of.” And to get over what happened, he has the unexpected help of Cayetana and Rebeca, the characters of Georgina Amorós and Claudia Salas.

MORE INTERACTION BETWEEN CHARACTERS.

Season 1 showed the end and revealed episode by episode how it got there. The new season maintains this same mechanism. “The main plot of Marina’s death remains, but we also have a new mystery.”

“Last season there was a limit of people interacting, but now all characters interact with almost everyone.” says El Hammani. “The characters that come together now haven’t met before because that wasn’t the case, but you’ll think, ‘They were made for each other.’”

LU AND NADIA REVOLUTIONIZE THEIR LIVES.

The characters will need to give their lives a real twist as they feel the death of someone close to their heart. Lu and Nadia are very close to Guzman; the love triangle goes on.

"It was a big surprise how Lu evolved this season after Marina’s death,” says Danna Paola. “Guzmán and her are very close and she tries to change a little, to be a little more understanding, a mature woman who supports her boyfriend.” This lack of affection, which has always been absent in Lu’s life, will be partially complemented by the arrival of Valerio, her brother. “What she needed at some point, because she’s always so far away from her family and her father is never home,” explains the actress.

Lu has a reason why she is the person she is and why she evolves the way she evolves. “However, not only Valerio’s arrival will transform Lu’s life;” There is a very good relationship between Cayetana and Lu that everyone will love. And with Rebeca, a lot of rivalry. “

How do they feel about Guzman?

"For Nadia, that’s exactly what she needs right now,” explains El Hammani. “It’s that love she doesn’t know, this desire she never had or experienced.” Nadia is in love with Guzman and wants to feel this youth with him.

Lu on the other hand feels that in a very different way. To her “Guzmán is a mirage, a certain ambition for the perfect couple,” Paola says. “In this love triangle, each one learns a lot from the others because they are life lessons … and they show what true love is.”

More Complications for OMANDER

The root of the problem is that they have for themselves only a few minutes a day hidden from Omar’s father. “There will be trouble between us, and it all affects Ander. In Season 1 he was going after Omar, trying to be together, and now the roles will be reversed.”

WHO IS REBECA?

“She’s a girl who comes from a humble neighborhood and revolutionizes everything with her arrival. She says what she thinks and it will make a fuss.” says the actress. She lives with her mother, played by Eva Llorach, in the house of Guzmán, whose family had to leave due to serious economic problems. There, specifically in the basement, she will build her private den, a meeting place that will give us glorious moments.

WHO IS VALERIO?

Another place that will have relevance is the new disco. The place has a great aesthetic of 'The Great Gatsby’. Sitting on one of his large green velvet couches is Valerio, who arrives to add conflict to the plot. “He’s a nice and playful character, although he has a lot of internal conflicts.” says Lopez. “His arrival will move Lu’s world. It will be an important part of her life. She will have to take off her mask and try to stop thinking that everything is perfect,” adds Danna Paola.

WHO IS CAYETANA?

“She likes fashion, has a lot of style and will connect, for obvious reasons, with Lu. She’s a character with many layers and, little by little, we’ll find out she’s not what she looks like,” says Georgina.

THE TRIO

Marina’s killer will live one of his worst moments, because “he’s tortured for what he has done. We don’t know if he will have to confess or get stronger and die with this secret. One of his main concerns will be Christian. He fears he will leave.” Says Alvaro. His relationship with Carla is over, but what will happen to the other piece of the puzzle?” Christian will be present, although he will consider whether to help his friend or stay with the girl he likes” adds Esther.

WILL WE SEE MARINA AGAIN?

When asked about the possibility of María Pedraza appearing in 'Flashbacks’, the cast did not give a clear answer, but it seems we will not see her again. What they assure us is that this season there will be a new mystery and it will be darker.

“In the first season they discover love, sex, party… Now the characters mature and fight in their own way. There will also be more thriller,” says Piper. “Yes and it’s wilder. The masks disappear.” Adds Ayuso.

HALLOWEEN EPISODE

Get ready for the costumes, with lots of monsters, witches, ghosts … We’ll have a big Halloween night party at Rebeca’s house.

[eddycurrents]

For the week of 21 October 2019

Quick Bits:

Action Comics #1016 continues brilliantly integrating Naomi into the broader DC Universe as she helps Superman with the Red Cloud and introduces Batman to her mom. Some very nice double-page spreads in this one from Szymon Kudranski and Brad Anderson, with a nice structure from Brian Michael Bendis in the form of a investigative journalist format.

| Published by DC Comics

The Amazing Mary Jane #1 is an interesting debut from Leah Williams, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Lopez, and Joe Caramagna. It plays upon MJ’s resumed career as an actress and a different turn for Mysterio (I need to go back and read some of his stuff with Kindred, because something seems off).

| Published by Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man #32 begins the next stage in Marvel’s seeming neverending onslaught of event after event with the prelude into the upcoming 2099 thing, including the Marvel debut of Patrick Gleason providing line art. The thing that gets you is that it’s good. Nick Spencer, Gleason, Matthew Wilson, and Joe Caramagna give us an interesting hook in a future and a present that have apparently gone wrong, but we’re really unsure what’s happened yet, just that a seemingly powerless Miguel, back in his original costume, needs to find Peter. It’s compelling.

| Published by Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man: Full Circle #1 is a rather fun and funny story that you really have to go into blind in terms of most content. It’s better to be surprised by the experience. It’s an all-star team of talent including Jonathan Hickman, Chris Bachalo, Gerry Duggan, Greg Smallwood, Nick Spencer, Mike Allred, Kelly Thompson, Valerio Schiti, Al Ewing, Chris Sprouse, Chip Zdarsky, Rachael Stott, Jason Aaron, Cameron Stewart, Mark Bagley, Tim Townsend, Al Vey, Karl Story, John Dell, Laura Allred, Mattia Iacono, Dave McCaig, Tríona Farrell, Nathan Fairbairn, Frank D’Armata, and Joe Caramagna playing a game of exquisite corpse, with each team coming up with a more outlandish cliffhanger for the next team to extricate Spider-Man from. It’s hilarious and incredibly well done.

| Published by Marvel

Angel #6 gives us another perspective on the “Hellmouth” crossover event, as a dejected Spike is tracked down by Fred and Gunn. I really like how Bryan Edward Hill, Gleb Melnikov, Roman Titov, and Ed Dukeshire are continuing the ongoing narrative of the series, while still dovetailing seamlessly into the event. It doesn’t miss a beat on either side of the equation, while still presenting an entertaining story in its own right regardless of whether you’ve read anything previously. All while introducing another player that’s already causing complications. Very nice layered storytelling here.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Aquaman Annual #2 seems to have been oddly scheduled, with a story taking place after the still ongoing “Amnesty” arc in the main series, but Kelly Sue DeConnick, Vita Ayala, Victor Ibáñez, Jay David Ramos, and Clayton Cowles still deliver an entertaining story that plays into the DOOM that’s been spread by the Legion of Doom and Perpetua. There’s an undercurrent of animosity, anger, and paranoia that seems to be fostered by the doom mark hanging in the sky, and this story nicely builds on it.

| Published by DC Comics

Ascender #6 begins the next arc, though it is much more a direct continuation from the story unfolding, with Andy captured and Mila on the run by boat. Jeff Lemire continues to inject humour into this story through the sheer ineptitude from the vampires. It’s a wonder that they can control anything.

| Published by Image

Avengers #25 is the finale to “Challenge of the Ghost Riders” from Jason Aaron, Stefano Caselli, Jason Keith, Erick Arciniega, and Cory Petit. It does a good job of building Robbie back up, while showing more of the cracks that we’re seeing in Johnny Blaze that were shored up in Ghost Rider. 

| Published by Marvel

Bad Reception #3 goes hard into more traditional themes around horror and, more specifically, slasher films and it’s absolutely wonderful. Juan Doe is giving us a very compelling mystery here, adding more layers as to why the killer is doing this and adding complications through the different characters. Great stuff.

| Published by AfterShock

Batgirl #40 escalates Oracle’s plans as she launches an offensive on Burnside in order to draw out Batgirl. The art this issue from Carmine Di Giandomenico and Jordie Bellaire gets taken to a completely new level. They layouts and colours are absolutely beautiful.

| Published by DC Comics

Batman/Superman #3 goes deeper into the Batman Who Laughs’ machinations for the Infected and what he’s trying to unleash on the DC Universe. Joshua Williamson, David Marquez, Alejandro Sanchez, and John J. Hill are very nicely executing this story, playing with the darker elements that have been bubbling since Metal, but presenting it in such a way that it’s not a dour, grim and gritty story. Also, though it doesn’t have the branding, this is still absolutely integral to the overall “Year of the Villain” event.

| Published by DC Comics

Black Adam: Year of the Villain #1 aims the infected Shazam at Khandaq at lets explosions ensue from Paul Jenkins, Inaki Miranda, Hi-Fi, and Tom Napolitano. This gives us an interesting look at leadership, humility, and responsibility, seemingly entrenching Black Adam again as a somewhat heroic figure.

| Published by DC Comics

Bloodborne #16 concludes “The Veil, Torn Asunder”, revelling in some of the madness that really grips the world. There’s a real unnerving sense of reality crumbling here, somewhat more horrific than what we’ve seen before. Great art from Piotr Kowalski and Brad Simpson.

| Published by Titan

Contagion #4 gets darker in this penultimate chapter from Ed Brisson, Damian Couceiro, Veronica Gandini, and Cory Petit. Things get even more grim as more and more of the heroes fall and we’re left with a rag tag band of street-level heroes and the z-list ring of magicians.

| Published by Marvel

Count Crowley: Reluctant Monster Hunter #1 is an entertaining debut from David Dastmalchian, Lukas Ketner, Lauren Affe, and Frank Cvetkovic. It revels beautifully in the low budget local network horror programming of the ‘70s and ‘80s, following an alcoholic reporter who gets fired for her behaviour, before taking the job as the host to a b-movie segment like Elvira. Great stuff here.

| Published by Dark Horse

Criminal #9 distances us a bit from Jane and that story in this chapter of “Cruel Summer”, instead giving us a look at what Leo is up to as his father plans a heist and Ricky’s recklessness. It’s a nice side track, giving us a different perspective again along with a seriously messed up robbery. Love the washes for the flashbacks from Jacob Phillips.

| Published by Image

Detective Comics #1014 brings Nora Fries back. And aside from just the extreme lengths that Victor has gone to in order to accomplish it, something about all of this feels very, very wrong and that some new horror is about to be unleashed on Gotham. Beautiful artwork from Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, Mark Irwin, and David Baron.

| Published by DC Comics

Dial H for HERO #8 gives us the origin stories for The Operator and Mister Thunderbolt from Sam Humphries, Paulina Ganucheau, Joe Quinones, Jordan Gibson, and Dave Sharpe. There’s a rather neat format for the storytelling here as we get parallel stories of The Operator and Mister Thunderbolt, told forwards for one and then backwards for the other.

| Published by DC Comics / Wonder Comics

Doctor Mirage #3 has some gorgeous and trippy art from Nick Robles and Jordie Bellaire. The oddity in the colours and the impressive layouts and double page spreads really adds to the overall feel and atmosphere of the story, immersing you into the surrealism and unsettling feel that even Doctor Mirage herself is feeling.

| Published by Valiant

The Flash #81 concludes “Death and the Speed Force” from Joshua Williamson, Scott Kolins, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands. There are some major ramifications here for the DC Universe as a whole and some interesting developments for Hunter Zolomon himself. Like last issue, it’s pretty fitting that this is being handled with Kolins’ art. Also, we see a bit of what might be happening because DOOM won.

| Published by DC Comics

Ghost Spider #3 keeps things interesting as we get a continued build for two different Miles Warren stories on both Earths-65 and -615, from Seanan McGuire, Takeshi Miyazawa, Rosi Kämpe, Ian Herring, and Clayton Cowles. There’s also a feeling that through school and superheroics across two realities, Gwen might be wearing herself out more than she already has been with a hungry costume, which is a compelling fact that might feed into to forthcoming stories.

| Published by Marvel

GI Joe #2 takes a bit of a step back from the explosions of the first issue, still following Tiger, but in a much more introspective and measured way as he keeps getting his ass handed to him by Scarlett. Paul Allor, Chris Evenhuis, Brittany Peer, and Neil Uyetake are giving this a very different feel from any previous GI Joe incarnation and it’s very interesting. Some neat twists and some very welcome humour.

| Published by IDW

Hellboy and the BPRD: Saturn Returns #3 concludes this excellent mini-series from Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Christopher Mitten, Brennan Wagner, and Clem Robins. I quite like this new approach to the historical series, giving a broader view of the previous years. Also, the development of Liz and Hellboy is wonderful, just great character building.

| Published by Dark Horse

Immortal Hulk #25 is very strange. Very, very strange. The lead story is set in the future where the Hulk has become the Breaker of Worlds and everything is slated for destruction. A pair of former lovers are trying to stop him. From Al Ewing, Germán García, Chris O’Halloran, and Cory Petit. There’s a lot of your usual dystopian future stuff, plus sending something back to save the future, but there’s more to this. The set up plays into some of the Kabbalistic themes and ideas that Al Ewing has been using through this series and we get an interesting interpretation of Binah and Chokhmah here. Though it might be more appropriate to consider them as their Qliphoth. Granted, you don’t need to get into any of this to enjoy the comic. Especially since it will appear much more straightforward in the present as the usual team of Ewing, Joe Bennett, Ruy José, Paul Mounts, and Petit reintroduce a familiar evil face.

| Published by Marvel

Josie and the Pussycats in Space #1 is a digital original from Alex de Campi, Devaki Neogi, Lee Loughridge, and Jack Morelli. It’s a pretty damn good reimagining of the characters, putting them on an intergalactic USO tour, and then eventually cranking up the weird and the horror.

| Published by Archie Comics

Justice League Dark #16 is incredible. “The Witching War” continues in this story from James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martínez Bueno, Fernando Blanco, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh as Wonder Woman confronts Circe and everything gets doomed. The stakes here feel real, especially as the team continues to fall apart.

| Published by DC Comics

King Thor #2 is as epic as the first issue with Jason Aaron, Esad Ribić, Ive Svorcina, and Joe Sabino seriously bringing the thunder here. The artwork is drop dead gorgeous and the magnitude of the confrontation between Thor, Loki, and Gorr is massive.

| Published by Marvel

Marauders #1 gives us our first look at an X-book in “Dawn of X” without Jonathan Hickman at the helm. It’s really good. Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Federico Blee, and Cory Petit give us a somewhat more lighthearted approach to some of the concepts, featuring a Kate Pryde who for some reason can’t go through the Krakoan gates, so is recruited by Emma to helm a vessel for the Hellfire Trading Company. It then sets up the more serious element of rescuing mutants who wish to accept Xavier’s offer, but are stuck in hostile regimes. Very nice humour here.

| Published by Marvel

Martian Manhunter #9 rounds the corner for the homestretch, with Steve Orlando, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia, and Deron Bennett plumbing the depths of one of Charnn’s victims and discovering a bit of a plan for what’s to come. The artwork from Rossmo and Plascencia remains some of the most inventive currently on the stands.

| Published by DC Comics

Middlewest #12 puts together the pieces of where Abel and Bobby have been taken and gives us an introductory glance at the horrible place that they’re being forced to work. Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos continue to work magic on this story.

| Published by Image

Money Shot #1 is definitely unique. Tim Seeley, Sarah Beattie, Rebekah Isaacs, Kurt Michael Russell, and Crank! give us a story of a group of scientists who turn to making alien porn in order to fund their science projects. There’s humour and a lot of oddity here. Also, alien sex.

| Published by Vault

Punisher Kill Krew #4 sees the Black Knight enlisted to the team as they continue to navigate the Ten Realms to get vengeance for the orphaned war children. The art from Juan Ferreyra is absolutely gorgeous.

| Published by Marvel

Resonant #4 dives into the two new regions of Honcho’s island and the Congregation. It’s interesting to see how other areas are dealing with the waves, even in horrifying ways. The art from Alejandro Aragon and Jason Wordie is incredible.

| Published by Vault

Second Coming #4 sees Sunstar enlist help to find Jesus, while Jesus laments Christians with his new friend Larry in jail, from Mark Russell, Richard Pace, Leonard Kirk, Andy Troy, and Rob Steen. Some very interesting ideas presented here about how a religion can get away from apparent foundational messages. This issue is rounded out by the usual text pieces and short stories.

| Published by Ahoy

Sera and the Royal Stars #4 has us still in the underworld, from Jon Tsuei, Audrey Mok, Raul Angulo, and Jim Campbell. It’s very interesting to see the zodiacals interacting with variations on various deities. Also, Mok and Angulo remind us that they’re an incredible art team. The visual shifts throughout this issue are beautiful.

| Published by Vault

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #4 gives us a central tale featuring Jabba the Hutt’s extended family and a bunch of disembodied brains, as illustrated by Nicoletta Baldari. We’re also getting to the end of the framing tale from Cavan Scott, Francesco Francavilla, and AndWorld Design and this issue gives us an interesting cliffhanger to take us home.

| Published by IDW

Strikeforce #2 maintains the high level of storytelling from the first issue, continuing to keep us on our toes about this oddball group, and deepens the threat of the Vridai as the team heads to Satana in Vegas. Tini Howard, Germán Peralta, Miroslav Mrva, and Joe Sabino have hit on a winning combination here and it just keeps getting better.

| Published by Marvel

Unbound #1 is kind of a cyberpunk/fantasy series with this first issue focusing on Lukas, a famous hunter who takes on a helper for his current hunt, from Ralph Tedesco, Oliver Borges, Leonardo Paciarotti, and Carlos M. Mangual. There’s some nice world-building here, but the real hook comes later in the story that’s really compelling. I won’t spoil it, but it definitely takes it above what you’d expect.

| Published by Zenescope

Valkyrie #4 unveils a lot more of the context of what happened in the first three issues in a rather interesting way, while bringing back a trio of really old Dr. Strange villains. One of whom will be familiar to moviegoers. Al Ewing, Jason Aaron, CAFU, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Sabino are telling a very interesting story here with some great twists and gorgeous art.

| Published by Marvel

Wonder Woman #81 concludes “Loveless” and with it G. Willow Wilson’s run on the title, here with Tom Derenick, Trevor Scott, Scott Hanna, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Pat Brosseau. It’s not bad, progressing with a few changes and setting up Steve Orlando’s incoming arc.

| Published by DC Comics

You Are Obsolete #2 gets creepier, playing up even more of the Midwich Cuckoos vibes and revealing that the kids are actively spying on people, with the implication that they’d use more salacious details to their benefit as potential blackmail. We’re still not entirely sure why anything is going on, but the series is definitely setting up a creepy atmosphere.

| Published by AfterShock

Other Highlights: Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors #3, Agents of Atlas #3, Archie vs. Predator 2 #3, Black Canary: Ignite, Books of Magic #13, Fearless #4, Freedom Fighters #10, Future Fight Firsts: Luna Snow #1, Immortal Hulk: Director’s Cut #6, Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance #3, Kaijumax - Season 5 #1, Lumberjanes #67, Marvel Action: Spider-Man #10, Rat Queens #19, Red Sonja & Vampirella meet Betty & Veronica #6, RWBY #5, Sharkey: The Bounty Hunter #6, Spider-Man: Velocity #3, Star Wars #73, Tony Stark: Iron Man #17

Recommended Collections: Amazing Spider-Man - Volume 5: Behind Scenes, American Carnage, Ascender - Volume 1, Evolution - Volume 3, GI Joe: A Real American Hero - Volume 23, Harrow County: Library Edition - Volume 4, Hex Wives, Infinity 8 - Volume 5: Apocalypse Day, Invisible Kingdom - Volume 1, The Long Con - Volume 2, Naomi: Season One, Spider-Man: Life Story, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Teen Titans - Volume 2: Turn It Up, Wonder Woman - Volume 1: The Just War

d. emerson eddy is not a pineapple.

[i-like-pink-flowers]

“Okay, let’s play a game”, Guzmán said, sitting down on the floor. They were at Ander’s house, him, Samuel, Valerio, Nadia, Lucrecia, Carla and, of course, Ander and Omar. Since it was summer and none of them had anything to do, they decided to have a small party, play games, eat and relax. 

“What kind of game do you have in mind?” Valerio asked and jumped down from Ander and Omar’s bed and sat next to Guzmán with Lucrecia on his other side. Ander and Omar sat down too and right after so did Samuel, Carla and Nadia. Together they formed a small circle in the middle of the bedroom. 

“There’s this couples game I’ve seen somewhere but I don’t remember the name of it. Two people, a couple, have their backs against each other and somebody’s supposed to ask them questions about their relationship and the answer of each question is the name of one of them”, Guzmán explained. 

“But we’re the only couple here?” Ander said gesturing to himself and Omar.

“Exactly. You never tell us anything about your relationship, so go on, sit in the middle with your backs towards the other”, he said and everybody started to laugh and clap. Ander hid his face with his hand while smiling and Omar started to laugh, they were both a little embarrassed about telling everybody about their very private relationship. They weren’t prepared at all so they had to say the truth ever time.

They shared glances, smiling and looking away like shy children in love. Both of them sat in the middle of the circle with their backs against each other, and Ander sneaked out his hand for Omar to grab. There they sat, hand in hand and waiting for the others to decide what they should ask.

“Okay, are you ready?” Samuel asked and Omar just shook his head asking himself what he had gotten himself into. Ander was laughing but it was obvious that he was a little nervous. They didn’t tell anybody anything about their relationship and anytime somebody asked why they just said that it was nobody’s business but theirs. But here they were, about to tell everybody every detail about their relationship, but they were all friends and this was completely harmless. Quickly Lucrecia took a piece of paper and cut it into four, two of them had a large “O” on them and the other two a large “A” and gave one of each to Ander and Omar.

“Question number one: who’s more romantic?” Nadia asked, reading the question of Guzmán’s phone. This was easy and Ander knew it.

“I bet it’s Omar!” Nadia said.

“Are you kidding? It’s Ander, I’m a 100% sure”, Guzmán said. Omar immediately took the piece of paper that had an “O” on it and showed the other his answer. Ander on the other hand was laughing and looking down. They were all cheering him on until he finally took the piece of paper that had an “O” on it and showed his answer too. Guzmán facepalmed and everybody laughed and kept on cheering.

“Both of you said Omar”, Valerio told the two boys while they were waiting for the next question.

“Ander, are you kidding me?” Guzmán said.

“I’m actually very romantic but not in the same way as Omar”, he said and squeezed his boyfriend’s hand.

“His way being burning the food and being late to the movies”, Omar answered.

“I would say something but that’s actually true.”

“Alright next question: who’s more dominant?” Samuel asked and everybody started to laugh loudly. The two boys, without hesitation, picked the paper that had an “A” on it.

“I knew it!” Carla exclaimed. By their screams they realized that the both of them had answered the same thing and Ander chuckled while Omar squeezed his hand, circling it with his thumb.

“But I’m not very submissive either if that’s what you all think”, Omar answered and Nadia pretended to gag.

“Stop!”

“Next question: who’s the most clingy?” Valerio asked. Omar picked the paper that had an “A” on it and Ander the one with the “O” on it.

“Your answers are different!” Carla informed the couple.

“What?!” Omar yelled. “Ander, why are you lying?”

“I’m not!”

“We both know that you are.”

“No, apparently only you do.”

“Okay, then I suppose you don’t mind me telling the others why I think you’re the clingy one.”

Flashback 1

“Ander, where are my pajamas?”

“Oh, don’t be such a prude, I’ve seen you in less than just your boxers. Get in here”, he said and patted on the bed. Omar gave in and climbed onto the bed and turned off the light.

After a couple of minutes, Omar felt something on his right shoulder and realized it was Ander’s head. Ander could sense him smiling.

“You’re more comfortable than my pillow”, he said and drifted off to sleep.

Now

“Oh, please. So just because of that I’m the clingy one?”

“There’s a lot more.”

“Well then I guess I’ll have to tell the others and you why I think you’re the clingy one.”

Flashback 2

“Hello?” Ander answered with a hoarse voice and looked at the clock. 3 am. Who calls somebody at 3 am?

“Ander?”

“Omar? What happened?”

“Nothing happened, I just wanted to ask you if you want to have lunch with me now.”

“Omar, it’s 3 am.”

“I’m at a club in the middle of the night making drinks for other people, get your ass over here.”

Now

“Only that one time.”

“Mhm, right.”

“This is getting interesting”, Guzmán whispered to Nadia and she giggled.

“I’ve got a good one”, Omar said and everybody listened intently.

Flashback 3

I’M UPDATING

[viatagrinner]

Rio Ortiz. Propose to you. Chapter 3.

Premium End. His POV

Part 3/1

Throne Room.

(I've been working hard lately on my engagement to MC.)

MC's position in Castle Benitoite is by no means solid.

MC: I'm glad to hear that, but I have Prince Valerio.

Aristocrat: I know that, but if you're just a "lover," chances are good that the prince is just having fun.

(Until we get engaged, this sort of thing will go on and on.)

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

Flashback:

There is no hesitation on Rio's part.

Rio needed to get royal approval for the engagement ceremony.

(The King is pretty nice to me, but when it comes to national business, it's a different story.)

King: You have to be aware of the current situation.

King: If you're in love, that's fine, but if you're engaged, it's a little complicated.

(.....Do we maintain an alliance with Rhodolite or turn to Obsidian?)

One of the powerful nobles is on Obsidian's side. King Alfio can't figure out if "a little spark will turn into a fire."

The King hints about the rumors associated with MC.

A marquise sent to Rio and a nobleman sent to MC.... behind this is one man.

The preparation for the "battle" came down to exposing the mastermind behind it and weakening the momentum of the opposing forces.

Rio: If I allay the king's fears, will he agree to be engaged?

King: .........

Rio: Father.

King: You don't usually call me father, no matter how much I'd like to.

King: Honestly, the strengthening of the alliance with Rhodolite has exceeded my expectations...

All the more reason for a king to refuse his beloved son.

Rio: I will not be a burden to you. I am going to secure the national interest.

Part 3/2

It takes ability to fulfill your own desires in a country with a commercial temperament.

In the past, Alfio, the King of Benitoite accumulated a fortune directly related to the national interest in order to bring his current wife, who was a commoner, to court.

(Most importantly, the engagement between me and MC is worth it.)

Rio wants MC's efforts to be appreciated.

The girl strangely hates being pampered. This is exactly the kind of gentle woman he fells in love with.

King: .....You found a good woman, didn't you?

Rio: Yes! She is the treasure of my life.

Flashback ended.

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

It was important to create a place where the heroine and Rio could connect with the inspiration and a place where MC could play an active role.

Rio enlists the surrounding aristocrats as his allies and tracks down the "inspirer" behind the scenes.

For this reason, the prince sets the stage by throwing a party that the old "Valerio" would never have thrown.

Viscount: Isn't this woman the daughter of a commoner?

Rio: What's wrong with that? If she is what she is, I have nothing against it.

The rumor that MC is a commoner was spread by none other than Rio himself.

The man in front of the girl is just an accomplice.

Rio is not pleased to embarrass MC. But it's like with a cornered beast...

The girl wants to talk to the viscount herself. The prince is pleased. He has been waiting for this. MC was getting ready for the meeting, so Rio just needs to push her.

The heroine was able to change the nobleman's mind.

Viscount: Well, I think Your Highness and Lady MC are a great couple! I wish you all the best for many years to come!

Rio: MC, perhaps I underestimated you.

Thanks to the viscount's approval of the heroine and the fact that the girl was able to "suppress suspicions" that she was a commoner, then many began to seek her company to talk to.

If MC is considered valuable, for example, because of her connections to the royal house of Rhodolite, she would be accepted.

Benitoite is that kind of country.

(I wonder if it's time.)

(MC has done enough. Now it's my turn.)

Rio gets down on one knee.... The audience immediately roared.

Part 3/3

MC: Prince V-Valerio?

Rio: MC, I was wondering when to give this to you...?

Rio: Now I want to make a statement to the guests.

The prince took out of his jacket a small velvet box that he prepared a long time ago.

When MC saw it, her face reflected not joy, but utter confusion.

Rio still regrets that MC has suffered for three years because of that box.

Rio: MC, I want to be officially engaged to you.

Rio: From now on, I want to tell you that I love you every day, and I love you to the fullest.

The ring was completely in line with MC's tastes.

MC: ....It's perfect.

Rio: I would never go wrong with your size.

(I'm glad you're happy with me.)

Rio: Whether as a lover or a fiancée, the most important thing to me is that you are you, so it makes little difference.

Rio: But if my engagement with you can be a shield for your protection, I want to do it properly.

MC: But Rio...will Prince Valerio gain anything from our engagement?

Rio: Of course.

(Even at a moment like this, you don't think of yourself.)

He still remembers how he vowed to make MC happy because she was always kind to others.

(I'm very glad I met you.)

MC: From now on, forever and ever... Thank you very much.

Rio: MC, I love you so much!

Rio got up from his knees and hugged the girl. Without hearing the voices of the guests, Rio was so overwhelmed with happiness.

But he noticed the shadow of a man leaving the hall.

(I'll do anything to keep this happiness, as long as I don't feel guilty about it, right?)

(You gave me your life, and I want to fulfill my responsibility.)

Part 3/4

It was decided that the engagement ceremony would take place in the afternoon when the skies were clear blue.

The throne room.

Rio stands waiting for his fiancèe.

The doors open.

(She is usually a pretty woman, but today she is more beautiful than pretty.)

(She is so beautiful that I got nervous.)

An engagement ceremony is a ceremony to formally acknowledge the bride to the royal family.

Kneeling with MC before the throne, Rio listens to the admonitions of his father, King Alfio. The queen beside him smiles graciously.

The king confesses that he had doubts about the engagement...

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

Rio recalls meeting with the man aka "The Inspirer" aka "The Man Behind the Scenes", who was against his relationship with MC.

(I also kept my promise to the King.)

Flashback:

The "Inspirer" left the party, Rio followed him.

Rio: No, I'm sorry. MC and I are too in love with each other, so I couldn't live up to your expectations.

The "inspirer" gets scared, and the prince wants to "give" him something.

Rio: Here is the original contract. Oh no, I had no idea that smuggling from Obsidian was taking place in our country.

Rio: The king was deeply saddened.

Rio: You can try to separate MC and me, but why don't you cleanse your own sins first?

Rio: However, by then MC and I will be husband and wife, won't we?

The "The Man Behind the Scenes", is exposed.

The flashback is over.

━━━━━━━༻❀✿❀༺━━━━━━━

Part 3/5

(It's a future we both hold in our hands.)

MC has shown her "worth" to the nobility, and the King has accepted the girl as Rio's fiancee.

At this point, the forces trying to keep the two lovers apart must slow down.

While he listens to his father, Rio thinks about the future.

(A future where MC and I can kiss and love forever in Benitoite...)

They signed the papers. Rio was delighted at the successful conclusion of the ceremony.

MC: Will you let me do the talking?

(...MC?)

King: You are now the prince's bride. You don't have to be so formal.

MC asks her to teach her how to behave in the Court.

MC: Prince Valerio always supports me...

MC: I also want to acquire the power to support Prince Valerio.

( ...It's my MC. How can my fiancée be so adorable?)

If his father and mother weren't there, he'd squeeze the girl.

MC: Could you teach me how to act like a royal fiancee?

The queen would be happy to help. She would also be happy to tell MC about Rio's childhood. There are so many cute and funny stories associated with him.

Rio: ..... I don't think that's necessary.

MC: I'm looking forward to it!

Rio is not excited. 🤣😅

Palace Corridor.

MC is surprised that the king recognized her so quickly.

Rio: It wasn't easy. You fulfilled the conditions of your power.

MC: Conditions?

(I don't dare talk about it. You're just being you.)

Rio: Now that we're officially engaged, I don't think anyone will try to break us up.

They were able to please people and prove that their love is real. And they only have one thing to think about right now...

Rio: Just think about getting happier and happier.

MC: I already have a lot of happiness...

(No. Not enough.)

(I'm sure I could make you happy and I'd still want more, more, more...)

Putting her hand in Rio's, MC smiled.

MC: Rio, thank you for loving me...

MC: It's Rio who needs to be much, much happier.

Rio: ........You're very sweet.

(Because you are.... I want to love you for life.)

Rio pressed his forehead against the girl's.

Rio: I love you, I love you so much I can't even come close to expressing how I feel.

Rio: So let's...

Rio: Let's be happy together.

MC: Yeah, I promise.

(Me and MC.)

(You're there for me, you love me... I couldn't be happier.)

[caffedrine]

Rio Ortiz Dramatic Chapter 24 Summary

This is mostly a summary for me - I make no promises on the accuracy of what’s happening. I’m not nearly fluent enough to get half the jokes/innuendo much less accurate plot points.

When Emma collapsed in front of Rio, what remained of his missing memories fall into place. What had once been Rio’s pure white heart becomes muddy and stained.

*Flashback*

~Before Valerio’s Carriage Accident~~

The Benitoite Kingdom is holding a festival to celebrate the ascension of the new queen. With the death of the previous queen, the king’s mistress was able to become the first and only wife of the king. Valerio had complicated feelings about this, but even he was unable to hide the joy he felt.

Silvio, who was usually arrogant and cruel didn’t say anything on this day. He watched the King and the new Queen celebrate calmly. While he didn’t join in the festivities, he didn’t seem to hate them either. Maybe in the end, he was the most mature of the brothers.

Emidio was different. He sarcastically congratulates Valerio, everything turned out the exact way he planned. He asks why Valerio isn’t happy. Valerio responds that Emidio should get his eyes checked, and Silvio shushes them. This is an important ceremony; they should squabble somewhere else. Silvio also tells Emidio to calm down.

Emidio asks Silvio if he feels anything at all about Valerio killing their mother. Silvio disagrees, all Valerio did was expose their mother’s sins. Everything else was her choice. Emidio asks why Silvio is suddenly protecting Valerio, and Silvio tells him that he’s protecting no one, no matter who did it, the truth would eventually be unveiled. Silvio scolds Valerio for looking so morose, and Valerio asks if he should smile and make Silvio look more depressed by comparison.

Silvio: Ah, there’s the cocky and innocent bastard.

Emidio warns Valerio that he is not nearly as kind as their older brother. Valerio asks if Emidio thinks Silvio is being particularly kind. Besides, its not like he killed the former Queen.

That is a lie. There is some truth to it, as Valerio didn’t directly murder her with his own hands. However, there was no doubt that if not for him, the former Queen would still be alive.

It had started when Valerio had found his mother with a bad wound in her side. She had assured him that she was okay, she had just gotten a little stabbed. Valerio remembers that his mother had spent most of the last year in bed, suffering from one poison attempt or another. In the entire court, his mother had been the one with the most attempts against her life.

Valerio notes that if someone had stabbed her, they meant for her to die. His mother assures him that she wont die from this. Valerio reminds her about how she was poisoned just a few days ago. His mother assures him that it was the normal poison, she’s mostly immune to it at this point.

Valerio thinks the Queen is seriously trying to kill his mother. His mother agrees but points out that it can’t be helped. After all, she has the favor of his father, the king. She came into this life knowing that she might die because of love, and it would be worth it.

Valerio doesn’t understand, what can be so important about love that it’s worth giving up your life for. They should do something about the increase in attacks, not wave it away.

Valerio’s mother tells him that the King knows about it, and he is pretending not to notice. The queen is clever in her attacks, and she has political backing that neither Valerio’s mother nor the King can go against.

But there is another method. The Benitoite throne goes to the person whom the king appoints, not the firstborn. And even the king has acknowledged Valerio’s skills and cleverness. If the king appoints Valerio as his successor, the queen will lose her status.

Valerio asks if that is when he can kill the Queen.

Valerio’s mother pinches his hand in reproach. Though Valerio is good at acting charming to those around him, in truth he was often impertinent and underhanded, and his mother often pinched him.

Valerio’s mother points out that the queen is most afraid of losing her political position. All she’s afraid of is not being able to see the King again. She tells Valerio not to worry about anything, this feud is between her and the queen. Valerio is politically savvy and is talented enough to lead the country into success. Focus on that and don’t think about the queen.

At his mother’s prompting, Valerio promises to leave it alone. But in reality, all he was thinking of was a way to banish the queen from the palace.

*End Flashback*

Emidio’s laughter rings through the forest. Next to him, Emma sinks to the ground in a puddle of her own blood. Her beautiful skin and hair are stained with blood and dirt, and now even her life is about to be cut off.

Rio’s vision grows dark, his heart sinks with the weight of a thousand stones, and he accepts that he has to kill Emidio. If he doesn’t kill Emidio, everything would have been for nothing. Once Emidio is dead, he can’t take anything important away from Rio ever again. Killing Emidio would solve everything.

Rio begins to forget those peaceful happy days in Rhodolite.

He has fragments of memories, of Emma telling him not to kill anyone no matter what. The hand holding his sword trembles. Emma had wanted him to live happily without the shadow of killing someone hovering over him. However, that promise of a happy future was already gone, so what would be the point in letting Emidio live?

Emidio is happy with Rio’s expression. He is just evening the scales of justice, years ago Valerio took something important away from him. Back then, nothing was important to Valerio, so Emidio tried the next best thing by taking Valerio’s life. Obviously, that had failed, but he’s now discovered something new – Valerio has finally found something important to him, something that Emidio can take away. Honestly, Valerio only has himself to blame.

Emidio’s voice comes from someplace far away from Rio. Murderous rage paints everything in a dim, far away light, and Rio can’t even see where Emma has fallen. He grips his sword and springs from the ground. He’s aware of Emidio’s men attacking him, but he mows them down with ease.

Emidio tries to pull his sword out of Emma, but Rio is there first and kicks Emidio in the stomach.

Once, Rio had assured Emma that he wouldn’t do anything that she would hate. He also wanted her to smile in the future too, even though he knew that when his memory came back, they wouldn’t be able to be together. Though, back then, he had been trying to come up with a way that they could be together in spite of everything around them.

Rio’s sword pierces the ground instead of Emidio. The men around him take this as an opportunity to attack.

A new voice calls Rio an idiot and blocks the attack.

Rio, half lost to madness, turns to the figure standing next to him, jewelry jingling and cloak fluttering in the wind. He awkwardly asks if it’s really his brother.

(Silvio just comes swooping in like an action hero)

Silvio asks if Rio is trying to get himself killed. If so, he’s sorry for interrupting Rio, and will happily let him continue. Contrary to his words, he cuts down the men who come after them, one after another.

Dumbfounded, Rio regains his senses enough to find and check on Emma, who is not doing very well. The sight of her collapsed in a pool of blood and mud is almost too much for Rio to accept, but he can see her chest rise and fall with breath. Rio asks Silvio to take care of the men while he handles Emma.

Silvio will just add this service to Rio’s bill. The one with a 10 billion gold coin debt. Silvio laughs as he kicks one of the men in the chest.

Rio strips off his jacket and uses the fabric to staunch Emma’s wounds. Her skin grows paler and paler, and her eyes close. Rio assures her that everything will be fine and Emma opens her eyes to look blankly in Rio’s direction. Weakly, she thanks him. Rio asks what about this situation does she think it’s appropriate to thank him.

Rio desperately recalls any memories dealing with first aid and remembers the many times he’s had to administer it.

Silvio breaks through Rio’s concentration to ask if all these men are with Emidio. He seems to be able to intuit that if left alone to his memories, Rio would sink into the darkness. Right now, Silvio is the only lifeline Rio has to keeping his sanity.

Rio suddenly remembers something important. Three years ago, he had been searching for Emidio’s ledger accounting for drug smuggling. Silvio recalls Emidio mentioning something about inheriting their mother’s connections and following her wishes. Apparently, it was taking over the illegal drug trade.

Silvio had also been investigating the royal family’s connections to the illegal drug trade, but he couldn’t get through Emidio’s tricks. There was no evidence of Emidio’s involvement, though it sounds like Rio fared differently.

With hands wet with Emma’s blood, Rio removes a small velvet ring box from his pocket and tosses it at Silvio. Silvio opens the box, and his eyes grow wide with surprise. This is one of his mother’s rings. Rio explains that it’s a key to a hidden safe in a certain merchant’s home in Rhodolite. Three years ago, Rio had thought there was a secret ledger in that safe and had left Benitoite to retrieve it. Unfortunately, those plans had gone awry with the carriage accident.

Silvio finishes off the last of Emidio’s thugs and the forest becomes silent again. Emidio, recovering from Rio’s attack, asks Silvio why he’s defending Valerio. Doesn’t Silvio hate Valerio as much as he does? Silvio responds that he does hate Valerio, but his hate is different from Emidio’s hate.  

Pieces have fallen into place for Rio. When Silvio realized that Emidio was coming to Rhodolite, both Rio and Emma would be in danger. So, Silvio had disappeared so that Emidio couldn’t read his movements, and when Rio left yesterday morning, he had moved to secure Emma.

Silvio tells Rio not to get too far ahead of himself. He only protected Emma because it would be difficult for him if one of Rhodolite’s women got involved in an international dispute. If she were to die as Emidio would want, it would lead to tension in their diplomatic relations. Yet, despite all that he did, Emma escaped his protection, Silvio had to go out to deal with weird rumors, so all that he put into motion was for nothing.

Silvio asks if Emma is still breathing, and Rio assures him that he wont let her die. Silvio is happy, after all if Emma were to die, the beasts of Rhodolite wouldn’t shut up about it. Silvio awkwardly pats Rio on the head and turns to confront Emidio, who is just getting up. He tells Emidio that hopefully prison will cool his temper.

Emidio doesn’t understand. Valerio drove their mother to suicide, why isn’t Silvio joining forces against him? If it wasn’t for Valerio, their mother would still be alive. Silvio doesn’t particularly care, it was their mother who did something wrong in the first place. Emidio asks if what she did was so bad that suicide was the only option.

Silvio asks Emidio if killing Valerio would be justice. He tells Emidio to leave him out of this nonsense, Emidio is the only one here who wants Valerio dead. Emidio is surprised and Silvio explains that he wants to defeat Valerio, but not in an underhanded way.

Rio pipes up, asking what kind of fight he’s supposed to be having with Silvio. Silvio explains that they’re fighting over the Benitoite throne. If Valerio dies, Silvio will never really know that he was the best candidate, as opposed to the only candidate.

Besides, doesn’t Rio have anything to say to Emidio? His woman has just been stabbed, and this isn’t like the old days where Rio can just cry cutely and have his problems solved.

Rio admits that he was relieved when the former Queen died. He didn’t feel any pain or regret for what he did, he was convinced he had done the right thing. But now he understands that it wasn’t the right thing at all. There had been several options Rio could have used to protect his mother. He deliberately chose the option that had the highest chance of the queen committing suicide in disgrace.

Back then, he had deliberately kept everyone at an arms distance, to afraid to think of them as important. And because he refused to make connections with anyone, he stopped thinking of them as ‘human’ and started thinking of them as ‘pawns’.

In the past three years, without his memories to hold him back, he fell in love with Emma and started seeing people as humans. It’s thanks to her that he regained his own humanity and sense of morality. Rio tells Emidio that he will never forgive him for what he’s done. But he’s not going to kill him either. He will make Emidio pay for his sins in a lawful manner. This is what Emma would want.

 Emidio looks like he’s trying to say something, but no words come out.

Smiling maliciously, Silvio turns to the forest and announces that the reinforcements have arrived. Out of the forest emerge Rio’s self-proclaimed best friend, and Carlo followed by a doctor. They are all horrified to see Emma grievously injured.

Silvio: Hey, what’s up with that new guy?

Rio: I couldn’t be certain that you weren’t going to be violent with Emma.

Silvio: Hurting women is uncool. And I’m going to be the cool king.

Rio: . . . did you seriously say that?

The doctor rushes over to Emma and starts treating her. Silvio roughly pats Rio on the head again.

Rio: . . . thanks

Silvio: What was that?

Rio: Your face is stupid.

Rio asks the doctor what he can do to help, joining him by Emma’s side. Under his breath, Silvio grumbles that he’s relieved Rio didn’t die.

Though she is badly injured, they are able to transport Emma to the court infirmary. Thankfully, her wound wasn’t fatal, and she managed to hold on, Emma hasn’t regained consciousness.

There is only one petal left on the rose.

Looking exhausted and pale, Rio exits the infirmary, only to find a large imposing figure in front of him. Rio asks Silvio what he wants, and Silvio tells him that if he thinks about it a little bit, he can easily guess. Rio sees that behind Silvio is a servant with a meal cart.

The cart is loaded with expensive and luxurious seafood dishes. Silvio drags Rio into a nearby room, followed by the servant who begins to arrange the dishes. They are familiar Benitoite dishes, though Rio hasn’t tasted them in over three years. Still, his expression doesn’t improve.

Silvio tells him to eat and Rio refuses. Silvio threatens to force-feed him instead. Rio tells him to mind his own business, and Silvio asks if Rio’s grand plan is to starve to death. He doesn’t particularly care, if Rio wants to die Silvio won’t stop him. With that said, Silvio spears some fish on a fork and stuffs it into Rio’s mouth.

Silvio asks Rio what he intends to do when Emma wakes up. Rio tells him that he will return to Benitoite then. Alone. Silvio asks about Emma and Rio tells him that he already answered. Rio curls up, hugging his knees and burying his face in them. This is a habit of his from before, whenever he would get depressed. Only Silvio would recognize it these days.

Rio mumbles that if he had really parted ways with Emma back then, this situation would never have happened. Silvio agrees, getting involved with Rio is probably the worst thing that could have happened to Emma. It’s because of him that she got stabbed with a sword. Then again, if he had regained his memory just a day earlier, Rio would have also been able to guess Emidio’s plans.

Silvio reminds Rio that he would know very well how commoner women are treated in the Benitoite court. It would be a kindness if he didn’t get Emma involved with them any more than she already is. Rio tells Silvio that he doesn’t have to just say it, Rio already understands.

Well, if Rio understands, then Silvio doesn’t need to say anything more. He pours them some rose wine, and then with his customary ill manners, props his feet up on the table. It’s great that Rio is giving up on Emma, especially since she’s already Silvio’s woman.

Rio lifts his head from his knees to stare blankly at Silvio.

Silvio elaborates; Rio has seen Emma’s neck by now. That custom collar shows that she now belongs to Silvio.

Rio realizes that with everything that happened, he forgot about the collar. Standing so abruptly that the table shakes, he asks Silvio what kind of asshole puts a collar on someone else’s lover. And right after he hurt her? Silvio argues that Emma got injured on her own without him. Besides, what he and Emma do has nothing to do with Rio, right?

Rio snaps that Emma doesn’t belong to Silvio. Silvio reminds him that he’s going to break things off with her, leaving her available. Rio yells that he never said that. Silvio asks what the hell he was talking about earlier then. Rio tells him that he was going to continue but Silvio interrupted him.

Rio explains that it might be his fault that Emma came so close to dying, but he still won’t let her go. This isn’t some light love that crumbles at the first sign of trouble.

Normal Story

While Rio yells at Silvio, Emma dreams.

~Some time, some place~

Emma can hear someone calling her name from very far away, but she is lost in darkness with no exit in sight. She remembers being stabbed and how painful it was. It was so painful that she couldn’t breathe, and she is afraid that if she leaves the darkness, she will go back to feeling nothing but pain. Naturally she refuses to look for a way out of the darkness and instead closes her eyes.

One day, Emma went to Rio’s house to deliver bread given to her by a neighbor. Her grandmother had hurt her back and had trouble walking, but thankfully Rio had noticed and helped her home. The bread was made as a thanks for Rio being so kind.

Rio agrees that those events did happen, but it wasn’t out of kindness. Emma asks if Rio hates being called kind.

Rio explains that it’s not kind if the person has an ulterior motive. It was a calculated kindness at best. It wasn’t about helping someone in trouble, it was more that he didn’t want people to think badly about him.

Emma points out that even if it’s calculated and underhanded, it was a kind result. Rio just laughs mockingly at himself being called kind.

This was a common occurrence with the old Rio Emma had met three years ago. He always saw the bitterness in everything.

Rio notes that Emma is different, kindness seems to be her default. She helps people without even considering the merits of it. He wonders if it’s possible to be at all like her before ultimately deciding it’s impossible.

Emma asks if the reason Rio has been treating her well is because he doesn’t want her to think badly of him. Rio thinks about it briefly before admitting that it’s different when it’s Emma. Granted, he doesn’t want her to have a bad impression of him, but he genuinely wants to be kind to her specifically.

Emma tells him that one day it won’t be only her that he’s genuinely kind to.

Time moves on

After showing Silvio the market, Rio and Emma ate sweets together while looking down on the city. Once Rio hated Rhodolite, but that hatred is now gone. With one of her favorite smiles on his face, Rio tells Emma that he loves this city.

Rio admits that three years ago, if an old woman had asked him for shelter from the rain, he probably would have driven her away unless he could have seen a benefit towards him. He hadn’t understood the meaning of helping others and was barely human back then. And now? Now Rio wouldn’t hesitate to help others. He smiles at Emma, as bright and dazzling as the sky.

Rio explains that he’s not some sort of philanthropist who particularly likes random old ladies. But he would still help because she would be in trouble without shelter. It’s thanks to him loving Emma, falling in love with Emma that he can feel kindness.

Rio tells Emma that he now understands why she saved him back then, when he was dying in the rain. Even though she had no idea who he was, she understood love and empathy to be kind to a stranger. Because Rio didn’t understand those emotions, he had always figured she had an ulterior motive behind the rescue. She is a wonderful woman who is just equally kind to everyone.

Emma doesn’t think that’s true. Yes, back then, she would have helped Rio whether or not she knew him, but now . . . Now the way she wants to be kind to Rio is different than the way she feels for everyone else.

Time moves on

It’s true that she can’t leave people in trouble to their own devices, but she also won’t sacrifice herself to go out of her way to save someone else. But if it’s Rio, even if her life is in danger, she would risk it to ensure Rio’s happiness. She’s happy that Rio has learned to be kind to others, but Emma wants to be especially kind to him. Only the future will tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  Rio is happy with this and resembles a dog wagging his tail happily. He hugs Emma with all of his might.

Rio is always Rio, whether he’s a commoner, a butler, or a prince.

Rio seemed to sense that she wanted to kiss him and effortlessly moved to intercept her. He whimpers that he is having trouble enduring her and seems to melt. This is as happy as Emma has ever seen him, and she wishes that she can always see this expression. If she could, Emma is positive she could endure anything.

Which is why she has to wake up. Outside of the darkness, a world of pain awaits.

But Rio is also waiting.

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1208

Monday, April 16, 2018

 Today is going to be challenging here in Ottawa. Freezing rain overnight has left thick ice on everything. It's going to take a lot of muscle and time to scrape off any cars parked outside overnight. Penny has been going at hers for half and hour and she still hasn't left for work. I would normally go out and help her but I caught a bad cold and I feel like poop. I probably got the bug on the flight home from Cuba last Tuesday. My immune system let me down this trip.

 Our week at the Brisas Guardalavaca resort in Cuba was near perfect. Beautiful sun every day. I took one of the resort bikes out for a ride on one of the only cloudy mornings, got rained on a little but made it back to the resort unscathed. I donned mask, snorkel and fins every afternoon but one to swim out to look for tropical fish on what remained of the reefs after last year's hurricanes. I'm happy to be home but I wish winter would finally leave the area. Just going to stay in today and try to get better.

 Domino #1 - Gail Simone (writer) David Baldeon (art) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Killer Instinct part 1. It's my lucky day. The merc with the facial tattoo is back on the racks and she's being take care of by a writer and artist team that I like a lot. This story starts off with Neena Thurman's birthday but may end in her death day. If I didn't like this whole issue and the many guest stars so much, that last page guarantees that I will be reading the next issue.

 Immortal Men #1 - Jim Lee, Ryan Benjamin & James Tynion IV (storytellers) Jim Lee & Ryan Benjamin (pencils) Scott Williams & Richard Friend (inks) Jeremiah Skipper & Alex Sinclair (colours) Carlos M. Mangual (letters). The End of Forever part 1. I used to get excited when I saw Jim Lee's name attached to a new project because his art was so fantastic. At least to me it was. His X-Men and Batman stuff made me go "wow". Now I look at his art and feel meh about it. This latest New Age of Heroes book introduces a team of immortals that are brand new to me. None of them made a positive impression. I didn't finish reading the Dark Nights Metal stories and this team ties in to that series so that's probably why I couldn't get into this debut. These Immortal Men will be short-lived.

 Xerxes #1 - Frank Miller (story & art) Alex Sinclair (colours). I really liked 300 when it hit the racks 20 years ago. This new 5-issue mini promises to be just as good. This time the Greeks and the Persians go at each others' throats in 490 BC. I have an interest in ancient history so I'm going to follow this story to see what happens.

 Exiles #1 - Saladin Ahmed (writer) Javier Rodriguez (pencils & colours page 4) Javier Rodriguez (pencils) Jordie Bellaire (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Here we go again with Blink leading a team of heroes to save the multiverse. This first issue introduces two team members and the big bad guy that they'll be facing. I liked this debut. It reminded me of the Unstoppable Wasp book with young Nadia. I really enjoyed Javier's art in Spider-Woman so I'm giving this new book a chance.

 Batman #44 - Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin & Joelle Jones (art) June Chung & Jordie Bellaire (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). I loved the silent scenes where Selina picks out her wedding dress. Those pages are interspersed with flashbacks showing different times in Batman and Catwoman's tumultuous relationship. The lead up to the wedding has been amazing. I'm starting to get a bad feeling about the blessed event however. The "'til death do us part" part may be a nasty surprise that the creative team are going to spring on us. I really hope not.

 Oblivion Song #2 - Robert Kirkman (writer) Lorenzo De Felici (art) Annalisa Leoni (colours) Russ Wooton (letters). Still liking this adventures in monster land series.

 Runaways #8 - Rainbow Rowell (writer) Kris Anka (art) Triona Tree Farrell (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Julie Power/Lightspeed is all grown up. I remember reading Louise Simonson and June Brigman's book when it first hit the racks in 1984 and loving the Power Pack kids. I never would have thought that Julie would mature into the woman she is now and would be dating Karolina. Julie's visit to her girlfriend's is interrupted by a surprise villain who wants Victor's head. I was surprised because I thought he was a good guy now.

 Superman #44 - Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi (writers) Doug Mahnke (pencils) Jaime Mendoza & Doug Mahnke (inks) Wil Quintana (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Bizarroverse part 3. Thank Darkseid this story is over. This climax had more Bizarro characters so the confusion I felt while reading this issue was increased exponentially. Even the sound effects were Bizarro. I hope we get back to normal next issue.

 American Gods: My Ainsel #2 - Neil Gaiman (writer) P. Craig Russell (script & layouts) Scott Hampton (art) Rick Parker (letters). Find out why this arc is called My Ainsel.

 Spider-Man #239 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Oscar Bazaldua (art) Brian Reber (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The Sinister Six deliver their stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier to the buyer. A special guest star team helps Miles to stop the handover. Somebody is going to die I bet.

 Detective Comics #978 - James Tynion IV (writer) Javier Fernandez (art) John Kalisz (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). The villain tips his hand this issue. I just noticed that all the ad pages were in the back of this book so that reading the story was a lot smoother. I wish every comic book was printed that way.

 Avengers #687 - Mark Waid, Al Ewing & Jim Zub (writers) Paco Medina (pencils) Juan Vlasco (inks) Jesus Aburtov & Frederico Blee (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). No Surrender part 13. The Avengers find out what they're involved in as Voyager confesses to her duplicitousness just in time for the bad guy to ratchet up his threat to destroy the planet. The scene between Jarvis and Bruce Banner bodes well for the return of the Hulk.

 Avengers #688 - Mark Waid, Al Ewing & Jim Zub (writers) Kim Jacinto  & Stefano Caselli (art) David Curiel (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). No Surrender part 14. The Avengers need every hero they can assemble to defeat the Challenger after he crowns himself the Grandmaster Prime. It's going to take a lot of sacrifice to save the doomed planet. Who will not survive is the question.

 Old Man Hawkeye #3 - Ethan Sacks (writer) Marco Checchetto (art) Andres Mossa (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Clint is hunting Thunderbolts and Bullseye is hunting Clint. We all know that Clint doesn't die in this story because he still has to go on a road trip with Old Man Logan. I'm curious to see how he survives Bullseye.

 New Mutants #2 - Matthew Rosenberg (writer) Adam Gorham (art) Michael Garland (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). The team gets sent to the Arctic to deal with a giant problem. Meanwhile a new New Mutant makes a surprise appearance on the last page. Maybe Doug Ramsey will show up too.

 Amazing Spider-Man #798 - Dan Slott (writer) Stuart Immonen (pencils) Wade von Grawbadger (inks) Marte Gracia (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Go Down Swinging part 2. I love the design of the new Red Goblin. The sacrifice that Peter has to make to keep himself and everyone he loves safe is huge. Now we'll see if he can come up with a way to beat the Red Goblin without his web shooters.

 Marvel 2 in One #5 - Chip Zdarsky (writer) Valerio Schiti (art) Frank Martin (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Ben and Johnny find themselves in a universe where GalacDoom has eaten everything except Earth. Now he's going to eat it too. Then what? There's nothing left to eat. Not very bright, GalacDoom. Seeing the Silver Surfer and Emma Frost doing the Smallville thing was cool though.

 All-New Wolverine #33 - Tom Taylor (writer) Ramon Rosanas (art) Nolan Woodard (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Old Woman Laura part 1. We jump into the future where Laura is queen of Madripoor after the good guys win Doom World War. Wait until you see who the POTUS is. Laura has only months to live due to a genetic glitch and one of the items on her bucket list is to kill Victor Von Doom. Someone shows up in the last panel and April 25, when the next issue hits the racks, can't come soon enough for me.

 Astonishing X-Men #10 - Charles Soule (writer) Aco (pencils) David Lorenzo (inks) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). A Man Called X part 4. As much as I liked Aco's art in the Nick Fury mini, I didn't think it suited that spy versus spy story. It's perfect for this reality warping story though. The team tries to save the villagers of Fetters Hill in the Scottish Highlands from the villain Proteus before he can spread his madness even further. I'm interested to see how they do that.

 X-Men Red #3 - Tom Taylor (writer) Mahmud Asrar (art) Ive Svorcina (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The Hate Machine part 3. I don't remember much about the villain Cassandra Nova but it's clear she's one very nasty person in the first three pages. I'm not usually a fan of super hero teams but Tom Taylor writes the All-New Wolverine and Gabby and Laura are on this team so this book stays on my "must read" list.

 Star Wars: Darth Vader #14 - Charles Soule (writer) Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) Daniele Orlandini (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Burning Seas part 3. Vader is sent to the oceanic planet of Mon Cala to hunt down some surviving Jedi that slipped through the Empire's clutches when Order 66 was executed. The defiant Mon Calamari are thwarting his efforts. Mmm…calamari is yummy.

 Captain America #700 - Mark Waid (writer) Chris Samnee (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). So disappointed that a time paradox was used to beat the bad guy. All that matters to Cap fans is that Steve is back in the "present" and the series continues.

[thesimpanions]

⭐️ N E W  V I D E O ⭐️ The Sims 4 | MAKING OVER MY SUBSCRIBERS SIMS #9! ⭐️ | CAS & Lookbook + CC Links

Hey there! Today I'm making over two adorable sims created by the community! Let me know what your favourite outfit is ♥ If you would like to submit a sim for this series you can do so by using #simpanionsmakeover on the gallery!

▶️https://youtu.be/a7Jmy5ZGaV4

CC Links

SIM 1 (ARIANA HOLDER)

GENERAL Eyes: https://baieyu.tumblr.com/post/179216040640/still-feel-eyes-previews-heavily-insp-by Eye Highlights: https://anessasims.tumblr.com/post/624308988515844096/hello-heres-a-new-collection-based-on-a-store Face Overlay: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/614398450851856384/sunlitcrys-i-couldnt-wait-any-longer-so-here Freckles: https://www.patreon.com/posts/demure-freckles-40216576# Face Shine: https://nesurii.tumblr.com/post/182508085171/amaryllis Baby Hair: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39830318 Eye Bags: https://tamosim.blogspot.com/2015/10/ts4-basic-10-eye-bags-set-for-all.html Nose Shader: https://simfileshare.net/download/977930/ Hair 1: https://simstrouble.tumblr.com/post/623716191378325504/simstrouble-summer-blues-set-by-simstrouble Hair 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/38638614 Bangs: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tekri-glumbut-40837974

MAKE UP Lashes: http://kijiko-catfood.com/3d-lashes-version2/ Eyebrows: https://www.patreon.com/posts/26737041 Eyeliner: https://caelhinn.tumblr.com/post/190809835077/heart-shaped-wing-an-eyeliner-by-caelhinn Eyeliner: https://crypticsim.com/post/190594545470/the-lotus-collection-inspired-by-the-lotus-flower Eyeshadow: https://crypticsim.com/post/626448747473289216/the-carli-bybel-palette-this-palette-is-inspired Eyeshadow: https://crypticsim.com/post/627085048354684928/the-sunset-palette-we-love-a-good-sunset-moment-do Lipgloss: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/611190364141944832/sunlitcrys-a-gift-bundle-just-for-you-my-1000 Lipgloss: https://alhajero.tumblr.com/post/185072913035/nice-gloss-ugly-gif-or-at-least-i-think Highlighter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/rosebud-dress-34636205 Blush: https://tragicsimblr.tumblr.com/post/161312222300/subtle-blush-i-love-using-nose-and-cheek-blushes Nails: https://simlaughlove.tumblr.com/post/163327412088/sll-rainbownails

EVERYDAY Top: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39594227 Bottom: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/622054669204750336/flashback-cc-pack-bgc-all-lods-shadow-maps Shoes: https://gloomfish.tumblr.com/post/187789866948/birkenstocks-for-all-your-sksksksks-and-i-oop Bracelet: https://veranka-s4cc.tumblr.com/post/142800259050/claire-necklace-bracelets-i-did-some-simple

FORMAL Dress: https://casteru.tumblr.com/post/190517758167/satin-dress-tou-reference-become-a Shoes: https://anessasims.tumblr.com/post/624308988515844096/hello-heres-a-new-collection-based-on-a-store Earrings: https://alexaarr.tumblr.com/post/184299948911/amandine-earrings Bracelet: https://veranka-s4cc.tumblr.com/post/142800259050/claire-necklace-bracelets-i-did-some-simple

ACTIVE Top: https://www.patreon.com/posts/savvy-x-grim-36916128 Bottom: https://pixelunivairse.tumblr.com/post/190603475073/one-of-many-other-cc-that-i-created-and-i-was Shoes: https://serenity-cc.tumblr.com/post/183102457388/serenity-cc-fitness-collection-part-1-custom

SLEEP Top: https://cubersims.tumblr.com/post/615923898638385152/167-download-born-this-way-underwear-set-my-sims Bottom: https://grimcookies.com/post/621067688626864128/softe-a-collection-of-intimates-ive-been Shoes: http://wildlyminiaturesandwich.blogspot.com/2017/10/sandwich-jammies-simblreen-2017-treat.html

PARTY Top: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-clothing-female-teenadultelder-everyday/title/trillyke-sassy-me-blazer/id/1488642/ Acc. Top: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-clothing-female-teenadultelder-everyday/title/trillyke-drip-accessory-top/id/1469251/ Bottoms: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39594227 Shoes: https://mmsims.tumblr.com/post/611005735890993152/s4cc-mmsims-cb-thunder-sneakers-download Socks: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-clothing-female-teenadultelder-everyday/title/trillyke-labyrinth-socks/id/1477630/ Earrings: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40144454

SWIM Top&Bottom: https://www.patreon.com/posts/pretty-little-cc-32297180 Shoes: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-shoes-female-teenadultelder/title/madlen-adriana-feet/id/1323619/

HOT WEATHER Top: https://anessasims.tumblr.com/post/624308988515844096/hello-heres-a-new-collection-based-on-a-store Bottom: https://okruee.tumblr.com/post/625359294156668929/a-set-of-cc-i-forgot-about-i-linked-part-of-this Shoes: https://dallasgirl79.tumblr.com/post/620416070533218304/pebbles-sandals-new-mesh-a-huge-thank-you

COLD WEATHER Top: https://www.patreon.com/posts/pretty-little-cc-32297180 Bottom: https://anessasims.tumblr.com/post/624308988515844096/hello-heres-a-new-collection-based-on-a-store Shoes: https://simtone.tumblr.com/post/179065116035/buckle-boots-10-swatches-more-cas-pictures

SIM 2 (JENNA)

GENERAL Skinblend: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/190573720495/sunlitcrys-a-lip-gloss-skinblend-bundle Eyes: https://baieyu.tumblr.com/post/179216040640/still-feel-eyes-previews-heavily-insp-by Eye Highlights: https://simulationcowboy.tumblr.com/post/176038369702/so-ridgeport-wanted-some-more-eye-highlights-so-i Face Shine: https://nesurii.tumblr.com/post/182508085171/amaryllis Eye Bags: https://ratboysims.tumblr.com/post/188237560445/kiwi-eyebags-updated-1110-2019-by-ratboysims Freckles: https://www.patreon.com/posts/updated-kissed-40293254 Hair 1: https://savvysweet.tumblr.com/post/188923203483/casey-curls-bgc-hat-compatible-ea-18-swatches Hair 2: https://greenllamas.tumblr.com/post/176986320671/pool-party-stuff-description-download-and-details Bangs: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tekri-glumbut-40837974 Glasses: https://www.patreon.com/posts/remove-makeup-29396235

MAKE UP Lashes: http://kijiko-catfood.com/3d-lashes-version2-for-skin-detail-experimental/ Eyebrows: https://lightdeficient.tumblr.com/post/187214742781/evergreen-eyebrow-pack-while-i-was-on-vacation Eyeliner: https://crypticsim.com/post/190594545470/the-lotus-collection-inspired-by-the-lotus-flower Eyeliner: https://caelhinn.tumblr.com/post/190809835077/heart-shaped-wing-an-eyeliner-by-caelhinn Eyeliner: https://simandy.tumblr.com/post/171605780781/made-an-eyeliner-actually-4-but-yea Eyeshadow: https://crypticsim.com/post/626448747473289216/the-carli-bybel-palette-this-palette-is-inspired Lipgloss: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/611190364141944832/sunlitcrys-a-gift-bundle-just-for-you-my-1000 Lipgloss: https://alhajero.tumblr.com/post/185072913035/nice-gloss-ugly-gif-or-at-least-i-think Blush: https://simulationcowboy.tumblr.com/post/176286026547/a-while-ago-i-edited-on-a-blush-in-this-edit-and Blush: https://www.patreon.com/posts/updated-pumpkin-40293470 Nails: https://simlaughlove.tumblr.com/post/163327412088/sll-rainbownails

EVERYDAY Top: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/614383291375796224/road-to-nowhere-cc-pack-bgc-all-lods-shadow-maps Acc. Top: http://wildlyminiaturesandwich.blogspot.com/2017/03/accessory-tops.html Bottom: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/614383291375796224/road-to-nowhere-cc-pack-bgc-all-lods-shadow-maps Earrings: https://callitheaccfinds.tumblr.com/post/189816372601/turquoiseesims-krista-earrings-by-turquoisee

FORMAL Dress: https://kumikya.tumblr.com/post/624035554782298112/jessica-dress-not-much-to-say-i-wanted-to-make-a Shoes: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-shoes-female-teenadultelder/title/madlen-jasmine-shoes/id/1376912/ Bracelet: https://veranka-s4cc.tumblr.com/post/142800259050/claire-necklace-bracelets-i-did-some-simple Earrings: https://alexaarr.tumblr.com/post/187123544736/squaretacular-earrings

ACTIVE Top: https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fridgeports.com%2Fpost%2F171281096172%2Fcalliope-i-asked-and-u-guys-wanted-it-so-i-threw&t=MjEzMjczOTE0MzJjNTFlODNiMWMzMmJkYTJmMTk4MTc5OWRmMTZjMCxsOGdoSVdYUA%3D%3D&b=t%3Arn7LawenkTyqJSxEQMF4Rw&p=https%3A%2F%2Fthesimpanions.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F187215287255%2Fthe-sims-4-maxis-match-tops-collection-custom&m=1&ts=1599054804 Bottom: https://phsims.tumblr.com/post/184748070045/gym-outfit-d-top-and-bottom-are-separated-but Shoes: https://mysteriousdane.tumblr.com/post/157369433768/adidas-gazelle-so-i-recently-got-a-pair-of-adidas

SLEEP Top: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tekri-glumbut-40837974 Bottom: https://cubersims.tumblr.com/post/615923898638385152/167-download-born-this-way-underwear-set-my-sims Socks: https://kumikya.tumblr.com/post/160196037178/i-made-some-mid-calf-socks-because-i-want-some

PARTY Top: http://sims4updates.net/clothing/blue-anemone-clothes-collection-at-anessa-sims/ Bottom: https://aharris00britney.tumblr.com/post/190968756593/axa-springset-2020 Shoes: https://tunayegit.tumblr.com/post/187577862556/better-than-mosc-boots-hoi-guyss-welcome-to-my Earrings: https://melichryses.tumblr.com/post/612407743181193216/leaves-earrings-im-so-happy-to-finally-share Bracelet: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-accessories-female-bracelets/title/s-club-ll-ts4-bracelet-201902/id/1442286/

SWIM Top: https://kumikya.tumblr.com/post/187408460326/heatwave-bikini-this-is-my-third-and-final-bikini Bottom: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-clothing-female-teenadultelder-swimwear/title/trillyke-wave-bikini/id/1453620/ Sunglasses: https://tukete.tumblr.com/post/176193075233/valerio-round-glasses-ea-mesh-edit-bgc-for-all

HOT WEATHER Top: https://clumsyalienn.tumblr.com/post/622054669204750336/flashback-cc-pack-bgc-all-lods-shadow-maps Bottom: https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/187353486400/thealienships-corduroy-collection-1000 Shoes: https://sims4nexus.tumblr.com/post/184857327879/caroline-sandals-for-ladies-of-all-ages-go-to

COLD WEATHER Top: https://blushchat.tumblr.com/post/175571054134/begonia-jacket-the-raincoat-from-seasons-cropped Bottom: https://tajsiwel.tumblr.com/post/168013107850/erin-28-swatches-custom-thumbnail-disallowed-for Shoes: https://sondescent.tumblr.com/post/181715407975/s-ugg-boots-perfect-for-the-autumn-winter Beanie: https://love4sims4.tumblr.com/post/173955662143/buckgrunt-simlish-beanie-gtw-required-download

[inkantation18]

Searching for Love in the Midst of Grief - Rainbirds Review

Photo by Ian Valerio on Unsplash (edited by me)

Clarissa Goenawan submitted her debut novel, Rainbirds, for the 2015 Bath Novel Award, which it ultimately won. Fast forward two years later and it's a published novel that can add a BOTM March selection to its resume. In the rainy fictional town of Akakawa, Ren Ishida's older sister, Keiko, is stabbed to death. As he travels the same roads she once did, he pieces together not only the life she omitted from their conversations, but descends down his own path of self-reflection. 

Goenwan's writing is bewitching. Her words enchanted me from the first page. My first night reading I had to tell myself that was enough for the night. The same thing happened again the following night. I started on a Sunday and by Tuesday afternoon, the book was done. Rainbirds was no fast-paced whodunit, yet even the most mundane -- Ishida's constant morning jogs or his first encounter with Seven Stars -- became enticing. Each review I saw for the book before receiving it complimented her writing and I will be another to add to that growing list. 

The true abnormality lay in his dreams. Trying to piece together your sister's secret life is exhausting, so like anyone else, Ren finds time for sleep. In these dreams Ishida witnesses many things: white spaces that seem to stretch on for eternity. Schools of goldfish suspended above. Bubbles that burst into a million smaller ones. A seat at a bench that looks directly into the lake below, and Pigtails herself. Goenawan's writing held the perfect balance of direction and description of these dreams that still allowed for me to let my own imagination fly. Just as quickly as Ishida would dream, he would wake back up. 

My favorite component of the book is Ren's flashbacks to his growing up in Tokyo with his sister. Though the memories are over a decade old, they provide a glimpse into the person he loves dearly. Goenawan expertly weaves these memories in and out of the present. So well, they could have started their own stand alone chapters. In his struggle to find out more about his sister, I didn't exactly find it to be the heavy read that was mentioned. Death is no lighthearted subject and Ren isn't always as composed as he leads on as the story progresses, but I did not find it to be as emotionally driving as my last read. To also add, his determining who most likely killed his sister and what another member of that person's life held close ties to Keiko threw me for some confusion. The hints for the man she had loved somewhat pointed to the man Ishida confronted, but there wasn't much progression on his part that made the choice ultimately believable. 

To say I completed a BOTM read in two days makes me feel like the bookstagrams I envy; you know, the ones who read 8 books in a month. I had fallen for the same writing that bewitched countless others. I went in expecting something more mystery than lit, but got the exact opposite. It worked well for Goenawan, though. Exploring the psyche of a man left behind was more fascinating. To follow an everyday man around in an even more mundane town with a glimmer of fantasy truly made me question if sleep was absolutely necessary. And no, it was not.