#trying to keep her from charging after Coda

[spotaus]

Coda and Ichor! (Catacombtale Style!)

These two don't have a *ton* of interaction in the Main story, but since Ichor and Balance are the only two characters I've fully designed, Coda gets stuck next to him, haha!

BONUS art jumpscare:

These two actually exist in another project I'm working on too called Codex, which is basically just removing the UT aspects of Catacombtale and doing a lot more worldbuilding and character design!

Coda is older in Codex and is marked by an old God (which should get him jailed or killed, as it means for everyone else) but he hides it for years and years before he finally flees the complex he's living in to go confront the gods and stop their destructive path. Meanwhile Ichor is much the same, only he's much more ready and willing to help Coda without much prompting. Here he's also sort of a Koi Fish! (His brother is a Betta Fish)

[sebastianswallows]

The Little Death — 6. Those we oppose

— PAIRING: Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen x Bene Gesserit!Reader

— SYNOPSIS: A Bene Gesserit gets left behind in the Arrakeen palace. When Feyd becomes the Planetary Governor, he finds her there in hiding. The Harkonnens don't traditionally keep them as truthsayers or concubines like other Houses do, but Feyd might have a use for her. After all, he's never had a Bene Gesserit of his own before.

— WARNINGS: smut, noncon, dom/sub, dom!Feyd, bondage, spanking, the beginning of a little cockwarming

— WORDCOUNT: 2.5k

— TAGLIST: @elf-punk @lowlyloved @pomtherine @slytherins-heir @babyofneptune @localravenclaw @missbingu

We tend to become like the worst in those we oppose.

— Bene Gesserit Coda

Feyd didn’t wait for them to return to what had become their shared bedroom. With their meal half-done and cooling he got up and strode to her, his long legs reaching her in two steps and a half and grabbed her by the scruff. She yelped and reached for his wrist, but he was already pulling away at her veil. He threw it somewhere behind him.

“Not here,” she hissed.

“Why? Are you afraid?” he grinned. “Afraid of the servants hearing you?”

His white hand grabbed her by the throat and pulled her up while with the other he reached for the knife set beside her plate. He licked it clean and as he pulled her flush against his chest he set it at her throat.

“What they see doesn’t matter,” he whispered to her. “What they hear doesn’t matter… So, my dear Bene Gesserit, be as loud as you like.”

She wasn’t, of course. She was quite stoic while he pulled her to the head of the table. Her head moved back, leaning almost over his shoulder to avoid the knife. Feyd pretended to hold it quite carelessly but he knew very well where it was aimed and how close it was to her skin. He reached for his cup and drank the rest of the wine then threw it away and pushed his plates aside. Then both his hands moved just as quickly to shove forth against the table.

She cut off her own scream, exercising a control he almost could admire if his mind wasn’t on other things. He remembered in fragments his meeting with Lady Fenring. How his self-control was paused right after she spoke. How she took charge of his body with only her eyes. He didn’t want to admit to himself that he feared these witches, but —

“Measures have to be taken,” he rasped.

She clearly didn’t understand what he meant but she clenched her hands anyway, bracing for something. Feyd caressed her chest. Slowly his body came to loom above her and then she felt his knife right at her lips. He slotted it between her teeth, right on her tongue. Oddly enough, it made her calmer. At least she knew what he feared now… Losing control.

His other hand roamed across her body, pulling and tugging at the strange constraints of her clothes. The Harkonnen slaves were dressed quite plainly, he wasn’t familiar with this sort of thing at all… But he didn’t need to be.

“Let’s just see what’s inside you then,” he whispered as he started tugging up her skirts.

She stiffened, her legs tensing, shifting, breath fogging on the knife. She closed her eyes when he laid the layers of material across her waist. Feyd didn’t move at all and without being able to look at him it was impossible for her to try to read his thoughts, but she knew what he was seeing.

“Very modest,” he chuckled. “For a witch.”

He laid himself more heavily against her, pressing her into the table, making her breaths catch within her throat, and delighted in the sense of fear that grew inside her. He closed his eyes and nuzzled the back of her head, burying his nose in the rich crown of her hair, brushing his lips against it. It smelled warm from being so close to her body all day, and faintly sweet and salty, but more than anything it felt soft in a way quite different from skin. He could fall asleep with his face buried in it.

She’d relaxed beneath him, he could feel it. Even her legs were sapless and now her stomach pressed more tightly against the table as she let her feet rest upon the floor. Feyd held her waist tightly as if testing the frailty of her body, moving his hard caress from her soft stomach to the hard bone of her hip. She winced uncomfortably, but then he moved his hand away and before she could guess what he intended —

“Aaah!” she yelped through the blade, barely holding herself from moving forward and cutting herself on the edge.

He’d spanked her. Her thighs tightened protectively but she knew it wouldn’t help. Feyd chuckled as he felt her squirm beneath him and moved slightly to the side, not to get his weight off her but to make room for more.

“Sit still now,” he whispered in her ear. “I like those lips of yours.”

His hand came down on her again. She could feel her body shifting from the impact and her hips were already bruised. The sound burst like a thunderclap in the vast room followed by the whisper of her sighing. She closed her eyes and blinked the tears away. She hadn’t been punished like this since she was a little girl…

“These should get out of the way,” he muttered. “I don’t like them.”

He tugged on the undergarments that enclosed her from waist to feet and managed to do it while keeping the knife quite still between her teeth. When she started shivering he could hear the clatter of them. He chuckled.

“You’re not scared of me, are you?” he rasped against her ear. “What could I possibly do to you… that you haven’t done to me already?”

And as he spoke he slid his pale hand up her thigh and curled it inward. She groaned mutely, trying to hide her fears behind protestations, but Feyd merely smiled at her. She could feel the gentle swelling of his cheeks against her neck.

Then like a bolt of lightning, and just as unexpected, he struck her once again. She yelped, her body trying to curl inward, away from the blows, but the table was fixed into the floor and the blade pulled at the edges of her mouth and all she could do was breathe and try to calm herself. She thought back to her training, to the things the Sisters told themselves to drive their fears away, but Feyd’s hand was ever at her back in turn petting her skin and spanking it to blushing.

“That’s it,” he hissed between hard slaps, nuzzling the soft back of her throat. “Take it quietly… like you’re supposed to…”

He focused on one cheek and hit her again and again on the same spot until her eyes were leaking and her teeth clenched on the blade. She could no longer tell the difference between his fingers and his palm, the whole area incensed and tender, both sensitive and dull.

She nearly sobbed when he stopped and finally, with the echoes of the spanking faded, she could hear just how loudly he was breathing. There was a taste of iron in her mouth, but she knew it wasn’t blood. His chest within its leather armour moved against her back and he rested his palm on her. She winced and nearly jumped but his touch was gentle, for the moment.

“Oh…” he gasped then giggled. “You’ve made my hand all hot.”

It was, she could tell, just as warm as her skin right now. He’d hurt himself almost as much as her…

Feyd pulled the blade away from her mouth but she could hardly catch her breath before he brought the other palm to quiet her. His hand, hot from spanking her ass, was clasped tightly over her mouth and the other moved behind her. She knew what he wanted to do before he did it… He cut her clothes off from her back. However much she struggled, he pressed down against her. It was impossible to buck him off, she would only bruise herself more. He giggled when he felt her tears wet his fingers, but his hand stayed firm over her mouth.

When he tore enough of her dress away and threw its tatters to the side he finally paused and ran his free hand across her back. He caressed her in a straight straight line from the nape of her neck down her spine and to her heated buttocks.

“You’re shivering,” he rasped. “Are you cold, or is it me?”

She couldn’t speak, of course, but even if she could — what would she say to him?

“I take it you’re just cold, then. Not to worry. I’ll warm my girl up.”

His touch left her for a moment and she heard a shifting of leather behind her. Then he brought the other hand over to her mouth and with it something new. A belt.

“Hold still now,” he murmured as he gagged her, tying it behind her head. “That’s it, good witch…”

She bit at it and growled but all it got out of Feyd was giggles. With a softer belt, one of her own, he tied her wrists at her back. He enjoyed the result by caressing her body with both hands, from her fragile neck to her tense back, down toward her waist, and lower. She pressed her forehead to the table and tried to close her legs but he noticed none of it. His hands explored her like a long sought-after gift, savouring the feeling of her skin, the hint of fragile bones beneath, and the shivers he could feel that ran through her.

“You’re not enjoying it?” he asked. “Can’t have that… After all, I enjoyed you so much.”

She grumbled but he’d already distanced himself from her. Looking over her shoulder she couldn’t see him. She realised he’d kneeled behind her when she felt him bite her thigh.

“Mmmh!”

“That’s more like it,” he giggled, nuzzling her soft flesh.

He held her legs bruisingly tight as he brushed the cushion of his folds up and down, up and down, then kissed upwards until he reached her ass. She jumped when he bit into her cheek but Feyd only laughed, delighted.

“So sweet,” he muttered. “Sweeter than it has any right to be. Oh, if my darlings got their hands on you…”

She wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but she knew she didn’t want to find out.

His hands scraped upwards and he hooked his thumbs into her cheeks, easing them apart. She muttered from behind the gag but her voice was already weak, unconvincing even to her ears. She blushed fiercely when he paused and did nothing because she knew he was simply looking at her. His breath fanned across her heated skin, tickling her almost, and however tightly she pressed her legs together she knew it was no use.

“Oh, would you look at that,” he cooed, which sounded frightening in his rough voice. “Two tight little holes and a little button to play with. How sweet…”

She bit at the belt between her teeth and moved her head every which way, trying to get it out of her mouth so she could use the Voice, but he’d tied it behind her head in such a way that it wouldn’t budge.

His thumb moved from her cheek to press against one plush lip and to her embarrassment she felt herself begin to drip right down her slit. He watched it, traced the sleek slow path with his gaze, and before the watery droplet could reach her clit he picked it up and took it to his mouth.

“Like honey,” he muttered with his lips around his thumb.

Holding her still harshly open with one hand, he started spanking her again with the other. This time it was on the cheek he had earlier ignored. He worked hard to get them both an equal shade. She yelped at the impact and started a breathing exercise to calm down, but she could not put out of her mind what was happening to her. With each slap of his hand, she clenched and he saw it, and when more wetness was pressed out of her with each clenching of her intimate muscles, he saw that too. He spanked her again and again and again until his arm grew tired.

“That’s it, take it like that,” he growled behind her, his voice breathless and distracted. “Yeah, you’ll be good now, won’t you? Be a good girl for me…”

Then he stopped quite suddenly and held her cheeks apart. He leaned in and, so quickly she almost didn’t feel it, dragged his tongue from her clit up to her throbbing hole. She yelped and tried to kick her feet, but he had already moved away. It wasn’t even an attempt to clean her up — if anything, she was only wetter from his mouth now. He’d just wanted a taste.

While she caught her breath, she could hear him fumbling behind her, moving quickly — he was taking off his armour. She struggled, expecting him to be atop her any moment, but the looming presence of his body moved away and, instead, he grabbed her.

Feyd sat back on the chair and pulled her into his lap. With a warm hand still stinging from the hits he’d given her, he held her jaw up, and with the other, he arranged her just the way he liked.

“I’m going to fuck you now,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s going to hurt, but you’ll cum anyway, won’t you?”

She shivered as he nuzzled the back of her head, enjoying the softness of her hair and the warmth and the human scent of her. He moved her over his lap and spread her legs with his, bringing her to a position where she could hardly stand or fight him back or try to get away, but she still tried, struggling in his grasp that was slippery with sweat.

Feyd grabbed her tightly by the waist and caught the back of the belt between his teeth, pulling her in every way down onto him. His cock was hard and pointing toward her, leaking down its length so much it pooled beneath his balls, soiling the chair. She could only bring herself a little higher before he brought her down again and nudged his tip between her lips. She yelped and nearly slid out of his grasp, but each attempt to get away only worked her lower, lower down his shaft.

Feyd groaned with pleasure when he nudged his head inside and quickly let go of her waist to grip her breasts with both hands. He squeezed them gently as he started thrusting, steadily bullying himself into her tight and throbbing hole, and in a sudden inspiration of cruelty, he pinched both of her nipples. She gasped and cried wordlessly but his teeth tightened on the belt and pulled her lower while his fingers remorselessly squeezed at her buds.

She slid down with some difficulty. Although she was leaking all over him, her hole was tense and clenching against the intrusion. Feyd didn’t stop. She fell atop him more out of exhaustion than anything else and winced in pain. The fingers around her nipples relaxed only enough for him to slap them, punishing them for every bit of pleasure that she felt. She felt tears stream down her cheeks while Feyd purred with pleasure, his teeth now nibbling at her neck.

“That’s it, good girl, stay there,” he muttered, sounding almost drunk. “I just want to stay in you a while…”

[chicgeekgirl89]

Shiner

Fandom: 911 Lone Star

Characters: T.K. Strand, Carlos Reyes, Nancy Gillian

Summary: T.K. should have known Carlos would find out about his black eye sooner rather than later. Coda for s04e15 "Donors.”

Read on AO3

“No, but seriously though. How does a guy who looked like a vegetable at the accident scene just get up and hit you with a right cross?” Mateo asks.

T.K. shakes his head and then immediately regrets it when his right cheekbone starts to throb in time with his heartbeat. “I don’t know dude, one second he was unconscious, the next his fist was in my face.” He sighs. “How am I going to explain this to Carlos?”

“Um, I don’t know,” Marjan says, her eyes trained on something over his shoulder. “But you’d better figure it out pretty fast, because here he comes.”

T.K. whips around (another wince as pain shoots through his face) to see his fiancé walking toward him. And he does not look happy.

“Hey babe,” T.K. says faintly.

“Hey,” Carlos says, that sort of blandly pleasant look on his face that means he’s trying to hide what he’s really feeling. “Anything interesting happen at work so far today?”

“We’re just gonna go be…not here,” Nancy says as the crew all gets up and makes a hasty exit from the kitchen.

“I was going to call you,” T.K. tells him.

“Mhm,” Carlos says, stepping closer and catching T.K.’s chin in his hand, eyes searching the already purpling bruise on his face. 

“I was,” T.K. says. “I just hadn’t had the chance yet. How did you even find out?”

“You filed an assault charge,” Carlos tells him. “Word spreads fast. Especially when it’s you.”

T.K.’s eyebrows pinch together. “What does that mean?”

“It means my colleagues are good people who keep me in the loop on what happens around here,” Carlos says. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Guy was unconscious in the back of the rig,” T.K. says. “Looked like a botched organ transplant.”

Carlos wrinkles his nose. “Botched?”

“Like not done in a hospital,” T.K. clarifies and the disgusted look on Carlos’ face intensifies. “One second he was out, the next I was on the floor.”

“Did you black out?”

“Like five seconds. Barely counts.” T.K. adds the second part quickly, keeping his eyes carefully on Carlos’, searching for his thoughts.

Carlos huffs out a frustrated laugh, brushing his fingers gently over the puffiness under T.K.’s eye. “What am I going to do with you? How did I end up marrying someone who thinks five seconds of unconsciousness barely counts? And worse, how have we gotten to a place where I kind of agree with you?”

“Sorry?” T.K. offers up weakly.

Carlos pats the edge of the counter. “Sit.”

T.K. obediently hops up onto the edge as Carlos turns and opens the freezer, searching for an ice pack. “Tommy checked you out?” he asks.

“Tommy. Nancy. A nurse at the hospital.” T.K. sucks in a sharp breath as Carlos gently presses the frozen ice pack to his face.

“Sorry,” he murmurs. “No concussion? No fractures?”

“No,” T.K. tells him. “It’s just superficial bruising.”

“You look worse than you did after the bar brawl. And that was two against one.”

“Nooo, don’t say that,” T.K. whines. “My uncle’s going to think I’m some kind of ruffian delinquent.”

“No he won’t,” Carlos assures him. “Two seconds with you and he’s going to know you’re a marshmallow, not the brawler you were pretending to be when we met.”

“That wasn’t pretend,” T.K. says defensively. “I can hold my own.”

“Mhm, sure you can,” Carlos says fondly, running his free hand through T.K.’s hair.

“Seriously though, do you think he’s going to think my dad raised a bad kid? I don’t want him to think that. My dad wants a relationship with him so badly, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. Maybe we should cancel.”

“Tyler,” Carlos says, squeezing his shoulder. “You’re freaking out. Stop. He’s going to love you. We’ll just tell him the truth.”

“That I got sucker punched by a patient? Great, that makes me sound incompetent at my job.”

“Okay,” Carlos says. “We’ll get you a patch and tell him you’re trying out piracy.”

T.K. pushes away the hand that’s holding the ice pack so he can scowl at his fiancé with two eyes. “Why are you like this?”

Carlos puts the ice pack back on. “Because I truly don’t think it’s going to phase your uncle one bit. He’s got the same genes as your dad. He grew up with your grandfather. I’m sure he understands the Strand family penchant for mayhem.”

T.K. mulls this over for a moment and finds the sense in it. He’s stressed about making a good impression on the only extended family he’s ever gotten the chance to meet. But there’s no fixing this now, and he’s not going to give up the opportunity to learn more about his father’s brother.

He thinks back to how Carlos looked when he walked in. “Are you mad at me?” he asks.

“No, of course not,” Carlos says. “Concerned, yes. I wish I’d heard it from you rather than from Ruiz back at the station, but all that matters is that you’re okay.”

“It might not be fully gone by the wedding,” T.K. says, pulling a face.

“Oh, well then wedding’s off,” Carlos teases.

T.K. snaps his fingers. “Rats. I knew you were only with me because of my charming good looks.”

Carlos pulls the ice pack back again and winces in sympathy. “God this guy really did a number on you. If I ever find him…” 

“You’ll what?” T.K. asks, a smirk sliding into place. He knows full well that Carlos is all talk, he would never willingly commit violence against another human being, especially not in uniform. “Go on babe. Finish that sentence. Tell me what you’re going to do to my assailant.”

“I’m going to…bring him to justice like he deserves,” Carlos says a little primly.

T.K. rolls his good eye. “Wow. Thank you for avenging me like that. So sexy.”

“I think justice is incredibly sexy,” Carlos says flashing him that cocky smile he uses when he thinks he’s being funny.

It’s adorable. T.K. toys with a button on the front of his uniform. “I really like that I’m marrying someone who will come hold ice on my black eye in the middle of his shift.”

Carlos’ whole body softens in that way it does when T.K.’s words strike the part deep inside of him that never thought he could be desired or cherished or loved. He sets down the ice pack and gently cups T.K.’s face in both of his hands. “The middle of a shift, the middle of the night, the middle of anything. I’m always here for you. I promise.”

T.K. swallows, overwhelmed by the love radiating from those words. “Did you pull that from your vows?”

“No. It’s just the truth,” Carlos says simply. Then he frowns. “Although maybe it should be. That was pretty good, right?”

T.K. snorts. “Yes. It was.”

“Is it safe to come in here?” Nancy asks, poking her head around the corner. “I need girl scout cookies like…bad.”

“Yes, everyone is alive and well,” T.K. tells her as she steps into the room and opens up one of the cabinets.

Carlos’ radio crackles to life, assistance needed at a convenience store. He looks at T.K. who waves toward the door. “Go. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at home later.”

Carlos’ eyes swing to Nancy’s. “You’ll take care of him for me?”

She gives him a mock salute, mouth full of Thin Mints. “Procuring bubble wrap as we speak officer.”

He looks back at T.K. and presses a gentle kiss to his lips, then transfers ownership of the ice pack over to him. “Be safe.”

“I always try to be safe.”

Carlos gives him a wry look. “Be safer. Try not to get a matching set, okay?”

“Love you,” T.K. says in response.

“Love you too.”

He watches as Carlos jogs out of the bay, radio in hand as he responds to the dispatcher. “You got a good one T.K.,” Nancy says.

T.K. smiles softly. “I got the best one.”

[popculturebuffet]

The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Part 6: Terror of the Transvaal!  “But You...  You Just Made Me Mean.”

Hello you happy people. And welcome back to my look at The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck! And with this one i’ve reached the halfway point of this epic and couldn’t be prouder and have no plans to slow down. In fact while June and July will have one chapter each as is my usual for storylines I do on my own time, August and September will have DOUBLE the chapters to help me reach the finsih line. This dosen’t mean i’m done mind, i’ll probably get into the side chapters next year, possibly sooner. But my main goal when setting out to do this was to cover the main story, one of my favorite comics of all time and easily the best scrooge comic ever. But the point is it’s been a helluva ride so far and i’m not even to the second half yet. 

This chapter is also one of my favorites along with “The Last of Clan McDuck”, “THe Raider of the Copper HIll” and “The Invader of Fort Duckburg”. It’s a compelling and tragic turning point in our heroes life and has THE most badass moment in Scrooge’s history, only rivaled by another moment in this very series, which if you’ve read it you know EXACTLY what i’m talking about for both. This is also a lucky one for me as I scheduled this a while back before me and Kev had settled on doing the season 2 arcs, so I ended up scheduling this one the same week as my coverage of Glomgold’s other origin story in “The Ballad of Duke Baloney!”, a story that take some small cues from this one. So if all of that has peaked your interest, please join me under the cut as Scrooge becomes “The Terror of the Transvaal!”

As for why Rosa set the chapter here there’s two simple reasons: it was one of two gold rushes mentioned in Barks work, meaning Scrooge could get in some more experience before making his fourtune in the Klondike, and Rosa understandably couldn’t resist having Scrooge and his greatest rival meet in their youth. He WAS careful to not have Scrooge learn Flinty’s name, as Scrooge dosen’t recognize him in Flintheart’s first apperance in “The Second Richest Duck”.. but Rosa noticed Flinty seemed familiar with SCROOGE, and simply ran with it, still having his first encounter with the bastard deeply effect Scrooge but leaving Scrooge unaware that the thief and betrayer he met in the Transavaal was the same heartless Scoundrel he’s fated to keep fighting till one or both of them keels over. 

So starting the chapter proper Scrooge has come to the Transvaal to prospect for gold, following his hunch from last chapter, trying to make his way to the rand, a large natural area in south Africa. The Transvaal itself was a large expanse that was cut up in the 90′s after the fall of apartheid. 

Scrooge passes a massive Diamond Mine, large with tons of miners on small claims, but wisely passes it up: there’s too many people, too much fuss and likely too much risk of getting stolen or finding nothing.

And to prove that point we meet Flinty who is trying to steal a guy’s diamonds for the second time today. Now the other miners reaction IS FAIR: they send him up in a bucket thing their using to transport the diamonds as a thief and announce him as such and the people on the surface’s reaction makes it very clear this isn’t new behavior. Him being punished is fine... their punishment though....

Seriously, theft is not worth doing a murder.. and yes he COULD escape and their trying to frame it like that’s not what htier doing.. but their sending someone with clearly low self preservation skills into the desert, with no suplies, tightlyt ied to an angry and clearly wild animal. While Flinty DOES deserve jail for his shit, he doesn’t deserve to DIE for attempted theft. He didn’t ruin anyone’s lives or actually succeed and he’s clearly harmless if eveyrone in the mine knows he’s a criminal. You can’t just murder all your problems away... I mean the blood alone is just not worth the clean up. 

Naturally Scrooge crosses paths with Glomgold and assumes he’s simply gotten himself trapped somehow and being an openly kind soul at this point in his life, gladly helps the guy free. Scrooge mentions he’s headed to Johannesburg and GLomgold offers to come along and do all the work as his guide. Scrooge being Scrooge refuses the “do all the work part” but gladly accepts a guide and a new friend and introduces himself as from Scotland. And as a result we get... something resembling a joke...

Look I’m not against a good pun... but that was not a good pun. It wasn’t even a passable pun. It also feels like a bit of a stretch given Scrooge is well traveled by now. you’d THINK he’d get that he was probably talking about something local and not insulting himself. 

So Scrooge talks about all he’s learned with Flintheart bored and kind of a dick.. and offering a lesson of his own despite being the same age as Scrooge.. specifically he takes first watch and gives a smug speech. 

Scrooge wonders around the wilderness and finds a lion.. then an elephant and soon has the entire savannah after him as he bemoans the betrayal, having never felt like this. We’ll get more into the why in a bit. The point is he’s backed against a wall..but as we all know a cornered animal, human , duck , humanoid duck no matter the species is often at it’s most dangerous. 

Especially if that animal is a McDuck. So here we get that badassery I mentioned: faced with an angry horde of some of the most dangerous and awe inspiring critters in Africa Scrooge uses EVERYTHING he’s learned roping cattle and what not to best them. He uses tricks from besting Long Horns to get the Elephants tangled up in a tree, then uses a log to beat a Rhino, before lassoing himself a motherfucking giraffe:

And if THAT weren’t already cool as all hell he tops himself: Since he dosen’t consider a Zebra a proper mount.. he decides to go for something bigger. 

So to recap just so it all sinks in for you: Scrooge, abandoned with no suplies, defeats two elephants and a rhino, rides a Giraffe, then TAMES a fucking lion with nothing more than an improvised lasso and PURE RAGE. Then RIDES that majestic creature across the planes like a GODDAMN HORSE, before riding iti into town casual as all hell. I MEANT IT and he’s STILL not done. I mean it doesn’t’t top riding a motherfucking lion, what could, but what he does for an encore is still utterly badass and is a nice coda to riding a motherfucking lion. 

So at the local abr Glomgold lies about everything and makes himself the hero of the story, Yes Flintheart Big Dick Glomgold. Purest soul there ever was.  This lasts all of a minute as while Flinty brushes off the fact a cowboy is looking for him, he doesn’t even know what that is... he’s soon rightfully shitting himself when Scrooge comes for his vengeance. 

The art here is as always impeccable. The shading alone. But seriously I’m terrified and I know he can’t harm me... in theory. In practice if ANYONE could reach out of the page and throttle me, it’d be the guy who rode a motherfucking lion. And no i’m never letting that go. Fucker rode a lion. That’s the kind of thing you never forget about a character for damn good reason. We also get one of my favorite lines in the story, and it has tons of greats.. but this is an easy contender for my favorite:

It’s a chilling line and panel, with it made clear Scrooge’s cynsim, his biggest weakness and often what makes him the most unlikable came from this.. the moment where a villain with no scruples, no care and no code or morals of any kind utterly betrayed him and tried to leave him for dead that took any scrap of hope in mankind he had and destroyed it. From now on he likes nobody and nobody likes him. Other mentors helped Scrooge grow as a person, taught him skills and taught him to survive, to enjoy the road getting to fortune as much as the fortune himself, and to make his way square. Flinty. just made him mean. 

But Scrooge isn’t going to kill him.. for one thing he doesn’t’t like shooting people or animals. For another.. he has something far more satisfying in mind: Old West Justice, Tar and Feathearing style, covering the guy and humiliating him by making him do a bullet dance Marty McFly style. 

Flinty TRIES to simply escape and steal Scrooge’s shotgun.. but it fails as he runs into the lion and Scrooge takes the beaten flinty over to the jail to press charges. Flinty is jailed.. and makes his own vow. 

So with that Scrooge has made a foe for life, and this is another thing the 2017 Cartoon took.. it’s just where as this  Flinty was merely angry at his rightful compuance and humilation, the cartoon one was a small child who swore vengance for an honest mistake. But either way you slice it he won’t make Scrooge’s life any easier. 

So with that we get our epilogue: Scrooge never made his forutune her, naturally, as the ore was too low quality for him to process alone so only the already rich could afford to set up shop here. Scrooge packs it in determined to still make his fortune and we get an awesome closing panel. 

Final Thoughts: As you could probably tell, I fucking love this one. It’s utterly amazing. Barks himself has said he felt the best chapters took place over a short time span and it shows: by having to cover less time, only having a time passing bit at the very end, it allows this vital story to take place over less than a day and allows it to move at a hell of a pace. It’s got action, great character work as we see Scrooge’s last bit of trust in his fellow man shatter, and THE best climax of the series. And the others have some whoppers. This one is just so damn awesome, taking most of the issue but using EVERY page of it to tell one epic finale, from Scrooge’s easy mastery of the beasts, to his taming a motherfucking lion, to Flinty’s UTTERLY satstifying humilation conga...this is just a masterpiece and a huge reminder why I love this comic

Next Time: Scrooge sadly dosen’t keep the lion but does head to Australia where he faces what he is in the dark, meets a new mentor, and gets pointed to his destiny. See you next month for that. 

If you liked this review share it, and if you’d like to help me make more join my patreon at patreon.com/popculturebuffet. WIth only 10 days left till the new pay period nows the time to jump in so you can pick a short for my Donald Duck birthday specail next month or help me reach a stretch goal so I can get it on the board. Time’s a wastin. And if you can’t, tha’ts fine, thanks for reading. 

[thetorchwoodarchive]

Gwen Focused Stories as Submitted by the Mods and Users of the Torchwood Archive

Everyone! Thank you so much for your submissions! Recs are under the cut!

As always, please mind the warnings and ratings listed on each individual story. 

Feel free to reblog with additions!

Something Beautiful by Cyus (Gen | complete | 4,500 | PG)

After Torchwood, after Jack, Gwen lives her life, even as Jack comes back.

Domestic Disharmony by thirteeninafez (JackIanto, GwenRhys, Gwen&Ianto, Gwen&Jack | complete | 3163 | G)

In which Jack and Gwen get stuck in the Archives and discuss green milk, thermostats and Ianto Jones.

Side Note by Aliciajazmin (Gwen&Ianto | complete | 1027 | T)

A few months after her best friend's funeral, Gwen runs into Rhiannon while grocery shopping. Ianto's sister has some questions and Gwen has some things she needs to say to her.

Inevitability (and other hard truths) by violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto | complete | 1236 | T)

There's a clock ticking down at Torchwood, and Gwen realizes she's the only one who hears it.

All Around Me are Familiar Faces by gwendolyncooper (Gwen&Ianto, JackIanto, GwenRhys | complete | 2602 | G)

Gwen Cooper wakes up in Jack Harkness' bed. Ianto Jones wakes up in Rhys Williams'. And they find themselves in each other's bodies. As close as they are, this might be a level too deep in their friendship.

Blueberry Knees by Violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto, JackIanto, GwenRhys | complete | 3878 | T)

If Ianto thought about it, the way Gwen’s illness progressed was rather like falling asleep. Slowly and surely, but then all at once.

He hadn’t noticed it at first - he still loathed himself for not recognizing that something might be wrong. But he hadn’t, no one had, so it slipped through, like little crumbs falling between the crack of their ancient sofa.

And there was nothing to be done about it.

Power Struggle by Prochytes (GwenTosh, Gen | complete | 1416 | T)

How Gwen ended up in charge by the start of Season Two, based on the premise that one should never assume Jack Harkness is joking.

Bad at Communication by engagemythrusters (JackIanto | complete | 1740 | G)

In which Gwen visits a hospital, where Jack and Ianto, respectively tired and high, are complete idiots.

The Hands on the Clock Keep on Ticking by Violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto | complete | 10235 | M)

They all knew it could happen to anyone. They’d all seen the proof. Even if it happened to a miniscule amount of the population, it was still a possibility.

But they had grown complacent. They had forgotten that they too were also at the mercy of the Rift, that the Rift did not make an exception for those who knew its existence.

They had forgotten until they were faced with it themselves.

In which Gwen and Ianto get sent back to 1969 by the Rift.

Pastries, Avoidance Tactics, and a Bottle of Scotch by pocky_slash (Gwen&Ianto, GwenRhys, JackIanto | 6220 | G)

In which Gwen said something she regrets, Ianto makes a poor dinner choice, Rhys offers sound advice, and Jack has a key. A different sort of "Meat" post-ep.

Children, Daleks and Mopeds: How Gwen Cooper Got Her Groove Back by paycheckgurl (Gwen&Jack, GwenRhys | complete |  9603 | T)

Following a disastrous shopping trip that put her at the center of an explosion, Gwen finds a little alien boy.

Or: The series of events in which Gwen acquired another child, had a much needed conversation with Jack, bought a moped, defeated a Dalek with a boxing glove, and learned that loving yourself and saving the world don’t need to be mutually exclusive.

A coda to Revolution of the Daleks where I explain why Gwen has a son all of a sudden.

I Don’t Know What to Think by  aliciajazmin (GwenTosh | complete | 2637 | T)

Gwen and Tosh travel with the Doctor through time and space, taking a break from Torchwood. Gwen decides to bring along her pet rat Owen (not to be confused with Human Owen). Also, Gwen and Tosh are desperately in love with each other.

Lost Inside by Xennon (Gen | complete |  36,642 | T)

The team go in search of some smugglers.

A Vision Too Removed to Mention by Pocky_Slash (Gwen&Ianto | complete |  13920 | T)

In which Ianto is stuck in a time loop that feels more like hell.

Club Wales by Pocky_Slash (Gwen&Ianto | Series |  69,530 | G-T)

 In the wake of Jack's disappearance, Gwen finds comfort in a new friendship with Ianto. Gossip, bonding, and other hijinks of understanding ensue.

To the Waters and the Wilds by Violetmessages (GwenTosh, JackIanto | complete | 13190 | T)

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Tosh whirled around. She’d thought she was alone, she’d expected it.

Then she locked eyes with the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen, a woman who seemed to radiate an ethereal glow, a woman that emanated an otherworldly light.

Cold Pizza by  Eberesche (GwenRhys, Gwen&Ianto | complete | 4767 | T)

With Jack missing and the Rift running the team ragged, Gwen's plans for a single night in are foiled.

Safe by DinoDina (GwenToshRhys, GwenRhys | complete |  1191 | G)

After the cannibals, Gwen doesn't go home with Owen. She rides back to Cardiff — back to Rhys — in an ambulance with Tosh.

Dead on Arrival by violetmessages (JackIanto, GwenRhys | complete | 13582 | M)

Ianto Jones wakes up. The only problem is, he's certain he was dead.

You Won’t Be Seeing Us Today (You Won’t Be Seeing Us in Hell) by Beleriandings (GwenRhys, JackIanto, Gwen&Ianto | complete | 11141 | T)

One day, Syriath took Gwen's voice. She should have realised Gwen wouldn't stand for that.

Girly Night In by Mathemagician (GwenTosh | complete | 1088 | T)

The girls and Ianto have a night in. Gwen figures something out about herself.

For the Torchwood Femslash Fest prompt "Sexual Identity"

This Earth is Empty Without You (But the Grave is Not) by violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto, GwenRhys, JackIanto | complete | 1036 | G)

Ianto Jones' funeral happens on a perfectly sunny day. Gwen hates every minute of it.

In a Polaroid Picture by innocent_until_proven_geeky (GwenTosh, GwenRhys, Gwen&Jack | complete | 2176 | G)

Gwen finds a photo of her and Tosh, and remembers.

Exit Protocol by Beleriandings (GwenTosh | complete | 6139 | G)

Not long after the deaths of Tosh and Owen, Gwen gets a message from an unnamed user on the Hub system. That really shouldn't happen. And yet, there it is.

To the Sticking Place by zephyras (JackIanto, GwenRhys, OwenTosh, MarthaMickey | complete |  96433 | M)

The end justifies the means. Failure is not an option. There is always a choice, except when there isn't. These are the phrases Ianto Jones lives by and he refuses to allow anyone, even Captain Jack Harkness, to change that. Jack/Ianto, AU, Torchwood One Agent!Ianto.

These Happy Days by Violetmessages (GwenRhys, JackIanto, Gwen&Ianto, GwenJackIantoRhys | series |  16,777 | G-T)

A series of non-chronological stories in which Ianto miraculously survives CoE in some fashion and Torchwood Three (plus Rhys and Anwen) settle down near the seaside.

Piece it Together by Beleriandings (JackIato, Gwen&Ianto | complete |  3442 | T)

Gwen realises that for all they talk, she's never asked Ianto about how he and Jack got together before. The answer is a lot more complicated than she was expecting.

Respite by Beleriandings (Gwen&Ianto, JackIanto, GwenRhys | complete |  2590 | G)

Even by their usual standards, Gwen thought it was absolutely fair to say it had been a rough week.

Dancing in the Midnight Garden by Fionn_sgeul (Gen | complete |  17660 | G)

In which Gwyneth the Maid and Gwen Cooper are the same person, Jack meets someone else whose life was completely turned around by the Doctor, and Torchwood is invaded by garden gnomes

Don’t You Know For Years You’ve Haunted Me by Virtualsilver (GwenRhys, JackIanto | complete | 12083 | T)

Gwen has inherited a recessive trait that has lurked in her ancestors' blood for generations: she is prescient. She can see flashes of where the timeline is heading and can feel when something - or someone - changes it.

She tries to use her foreknowledge to change events for the better, but securing the outcome of her interventions proves to be a challenge.

He Really Loves That Coat by DracoPendragon (JackIanto | complete | 585 | G)

It was quiet when Gwen entered the Hub that Monday morning. And the sight that greeted her was not one she’d expected, but wasn't one she minded seeing.

Sink Your Feet into the Mud (and I’ll Return) by violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto, GwenRhys, JackIanto | complete | 3404 | G)

What if she could bring Ianto back?

It’s a dangerous idea. It’s got the potential to be catastrophic. But Gwen is all out of options. She’s surrounded by the graves of the people she loves, abandoned, save for her husband, and she refuses to let her best friend go without a fight.

Painted in the Sand (To be Washed Away) by moonlightrhosyn (Gwen&Ianto, GwenRhys | complete | 1992 | T)

Gwen could still see their bodies every time she closed her eyes.

This is Me Trying by gwendolyncooper (GwenRhys, Gwen&Tosh, GwenOwen | WIP | 2524 | T)

“Sometimes you do stupid things to try and cope, to get a sense of normalcy, to make all this chaos and the Rift and space and aliens and the things we see make sense. Stupid, horrible things that should never have happened, and they come back ‘round to bite you again, and--” “What happened, Gwen?” Tosh’s prodding is soft and careful, but it speaks the glaring truth they both know - Gwen is stalling, talking around the issue at hand. Verdant eyes flash upwards with a startling intensity now, wide and filling with unshed tears again, the special agent’s plush lips pressed into a trembling line as she attempts to retain a semblance of control over her emotions. “I told Rhys about Owen.”

Fourty-Eight Hour Stand-Down by pocky_slash (JackIanto, GwenRhys | complete | 2740 | G)

"You and Ianto had a domestic," Gwen guesses. Jack scowls at her. In which Jack is kicked out, Gwen just wants a night off, Rhys buys milk, and Ianto clears table space.

Ret-comp (Retroactive Compensation) by reiley (LisaIanto | complete | 499 | T)

The phone. The one that could call any place or any time in the whole universe. The one Jack had locked away and warned them all that it was never to be used.

Any Other Day by Amand_R (JackIanto, JackGwen, GwenRhys | complete | 84055 | complete| NR) 

Hey, this one time? At Torchwood? Gwen and Jack switched bodies and everything went pear-shaped.

Space Tripping (in spaaaaace!) by Princessoftheworlds (JackIanto, IantoOther, GwenRhys, Gwen&Ianto | complete |  5115 |T)

Gwen and Ianto road trip across space - space trip, get high, shop, have a light existential crisis, face grief, and get massages - not all necessarily in that order.

Empty Chairs by princessoftheworlds (Gwen&Ianto | complete | 412 | G)

Gwen tends to Ianto's wound.

Forever, And What Comes After by Violetmessages (JackIanto, GwenRhys | Complete | 10028 | T)

“Hm, imagine if they did,” Ianto said. “Torchwood would have to come out of retirement.”

In which Gwen and Ianto relax at a spa, Jack and Rhys attempt bad science, and Anwen is just along for the ride.

One In The Same by Violetmessages (Gwen&Ianto, GwenRhys | Complete | 1638 | T)

Ianto, Gwen thinks. Her best friend would never turn her away, and maybe she can sleep on his couch for the night. Perhaps by the morning she’ll be okay again.

Wastin’ Away In Margaritaville by Paycheckgurl (Gwen&Ianto, JackIanto, GwenRhys, Gwen&Jack | Complete | 1419 | T)

Jack’s bad coping mechanism is agreeing to be a surrogate for an alien spawn baby. Gwen’s is at the bottom of a bottle.

Big Finish: Expectant from Gwen’s POV

[duhragonball]

What are your favorite fights from each anime iteration of Dragon Ball? (DB/Z/GT/Super etc. Yknow lol) I’m curious!

This is a good ask, anon. Just wanted to point it out.

I'm not sure how long a list I want to make for this, because if I really go nuts with this I'll probably end up covering like 75% of the fights in the franchise. But I don't want to just pick one favorite fight from each series, because that feels too short. Tell you what, let's just play it by ear and see how this goes. I won't bother ranking these, because I'm not sure I can.

OG Dragon Ball

1) Goku vs. Jackie Chun, 21st World Tournament final

2) Goku vs. Tien Shinhan, 22nd World Tournament final

3) Goku vs. Piccolo Junior, 23rd World Tournament final.

We'll start with these, because they're tentpole moments for the series, and they define Goku's character arc so well. The Jackie Chun fight was pretty short, but it was really the first big fight in the franchise, and it set the tone for all the later battles to follow. What makes it work is how Chun is determined to keep Goku from winning, not for his own sake, but because he thinks Goku will lose interest in martial arts if he wins a big tournament on his first try. Chun entered as a ringer, but he finds Goku a lot harder to stop than he expected, and the match very nearly ends in a draw.

So you'd think Goku would be a shoo-in at the next tournament, but he has to get through Tien for that, and Tien turns out to be extremely tough and he wants to murder Goku to avenge his master's brother. It's an awesome fight, made more awesome by the way Tien's character arc begins to overtake the action itself. He starts out wanting Goku dead, then decides he'd rather fight fair because he enjoys the competition too much.

So by the time we get to the 23rd tournament, the contest itself feels like an afterthought. This is just the venue for the more important showdown between Goku and Piccolo. Except Goku still wants that World title. It means a lot to him, and no one else seems to get that. Through this whole arc, everyone is scared shitless of Piccolo, worrying that Goku might not be able to beat him. But Goku has a game plan, and he sticks to it and powers on through to victory. And yet it's still this insanely close match. I dare say this is the most even battle in the franchise, but Goku seems like an underdog to start out, and by the end of it, you see that he had things under control the whole time.

4) Goku vs. Red Ribbon Army HQ

5) Goku vs. King Piccolo

6) Goku vs. Grandpa Gohan

I guess you can call these #reference fights, because when I rewatched these episodes in 2019, I noticed how much they resembled battles I've written in to my big-ass OC fanfic. Goku just charging headlong into an army base is sort of the prototype for Saiyan mayhem, and when I started writing Luffa I quickly realized that this would have to be the sort of combat she'd be used to. There's no Vegeta or Perfect Cell to tackle a thousand years ago. She's got no rival, so her best bet is to fight large armies single-handedly, as Goku does here.

Likewise, I ended up inventing a lot of villains who think themselves invincible, only to get knocked on their ass when they find out how vincible they really are. King Piccolo's meltdown during this battle is a sight to behold, because once he starts losing, all he knows how to do is talk about his fearsome reputation, except it's completely hollow when the other guy is feeding you a can of whoop-ass. He just doesn't know how to process this beating, and that's always left an impression with me.

Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that you had this character who has some relation to another character, and gosh, wouldn't it be nice if they could meet and fight each other, and one of them could leap forward beyond their natural lifespan to make that happen? I dunno, maybe it'd be kind of emotional? I haven't actually written anything like that so far, but if I ever do, it'll probably resemble Goku vs. Grandpa Gohan quite a bit.

Dragon Ball Z

1) Goku vs. Vegeta

I mean, what else can you say here? This one's a classic.

2) Anybody vs. Cell, pretty much.

Obviously, the Goku and Gohan fights from the Cell Games are the best of the best, but Cell's entire run in DBZ is awesome, including the fights he has with Vegeta, Trunks, Android 16, Piccolo... you just can't lose. I could go on, but I don't want to get too far down this one category.

3) Pikkon vs. Goku.

This one gets dunked on a lot because it's filler, but it's excellent. Just a friendly competition where everyone's dead and there's nothing at stake but bragging rights and fighting spirit. Pikkon's a brilliant opponent and Goku has to find a way to beat him, and that's really all the story you need, sometimes.

4) Goku-Vegeta II

This one's a bit wonky because there's no clear-cut winner and the Buu crisis overshadows it, and it doesn't quite hold up compared to the original Goku/Vegeta fight, but it's still awesome, because of the buildup and also a lot of the intensity. It kind of functions as a coda to the Androids/Cell Saga, where both guys were Super Saiyans but they never got a chance to duke it out. As it turns out, they're so evenly matched that it kind of works against the fight. One of them does a big move, and the other one just shrugs it off like nothing happened. In a way it's kind of the opposite of the Goku/Piccolo fight. When it's a couple of Super Saiyan 2's, there's just no way for anybody to pull ahead, and ultimately their battle takes on a very tragic tone, which is awesome.

5) Majin Buu vs. Everybody in Season 9.

Okay, apparently Tumblr won't let me post any more images, but that's cool, you all know what Buu looks like. I remember flipping through an issue of Beckett DBZ Collector at the grocery in 2003 or 2004, and it did this top ten fights article, with this as #1. I just liked the sheer gall of counting the entire Fusion and Kid Buu Sagas as one big fight. But let's face it, it works. From the moment Evil Buu shows up to the Spirit Bomb finale, it's basically nonstop action for Majin Buu, as he takes on one opponent after another in a zany gauntlet. And sure, I'd probably say Vegito and SSJ3 Goku were my favorite portions of that larger battle, but it's tough to isolate any one section.

Dragon Ball GT: There were no good fights in GT.

Dragon Ball Super

1) The Tournament of Power.

I suppose this also counts as one big battle, although my absolute favorite part is when Caulifla and Kale battle Goku and he ends up using Ultra Instinct to beat them.

There's also a lot to be said for Vegeta vs. God of Destruction Toppo, and the whole endgame with Jiren against Goku, 17, and Frieza. Oh, and the part where Universe 9 gets wiped out in one episode.

For my money, Dragon Ball Super doesn't really get off the blocks until the Tournament of Power begins, which has always frustrated me about DBS. It's basically one really good run of episodes at the tail end of an otherwise lackluster series. The U6 tournament was pretty weak and the Zamasu/Goku Black saga was downright pathetic.

Movie-wise... let me see here. Mystical Adventure had some good action, Dead Zone, Cooler 1, Super Android 13, Broly 1, Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon were classics, and Battle of Gods and Super Broly had some excellent fights too.

And yeah, I think that about covers it.

[littlepotatowizard]

Dandelion Seeds

A/N: Oh, this is the first time that I’ll be posting a fanfic after a long time. Hope this turns out good ‘cause I’m running on angsty music and 3 cups of coffee right now (I’m going for a fourth cup, just watch me) lol.

Edit: Link for Part 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ah, sweet dandelions. Always waiting for the wind to take you with it aren’t you? 

A lone boy sat on the edge of a rock in Starsnatch Cliff. Lyre in hand, soft notes flow out of the instruments, singing of a melody in the days past. As the notes are plucked on the delicate strings of the lyre, the wind surrounding the figure gently picked up, seemingly trying to pass on the melody to a distant land. 

The melody, which brought peace on the area, slowly comes to a decrescendo, signaling the coda, was halted by a high-pitched squeal. The boy, startled by the noise, plucked the wrong string that caused him to wince. 

‘Well, so much for peace, I suppose?’ He thought as he tried to look for the source of the distraction. Looking down from his perch, he spotted a young girl running away from a group of Hillichurls. Seeing how terrified the girl was, he leapt from his place in an inhuman height. Observing the distance between the girl and the monsters, he landed with great force in their midst, startling both parties. 

“Hey, I don’t know what she did for you to chase her out, but will you stop it? She’s so young and she’s already scared enough.” He told the monsters as he stand in indignation. This was met with angered snarls and growls. Sighing in exasperation, he summoned his lyre. This action of his was perceived as a threat by the Hillichurls which caused them to charge at him. 

With an elegant strum on the strings, a small, but strong whirlwind was created and took the monsters in its swirling torrents, sweeping them away from the two. A sound of awe was heard in the forest and the boy faced the young girl. 

“That was awesome Mister! Thank you for saving me!” The young girl said as she bows in gratitude. The boy deduced that she must be an outsider from Mondstadt based on her gestures. 

“You’re welcome! But, you see, this area is dangerous to be alone in. Where are your parents?” He said in a friendly voice so as to lessen the girl’s fright. The young girl gently shook her head and faced him with a carefree smile. 

“I don’t have my parents right now, We are just visiting from Liyue! I have my Grandma right now.” She said, her smile brightening. “What is your name, Mister?” She asked with a tilt of her head. The boy laughed at the enthusiasm of the girl before him. “My name is Venti and I’m the best bard of Mondstadt! How about you? What’s your name?” 

“My name is Nozomi!” 

---

After rescuing Nozomi from the Hillichurls, Venti took it upon himself to bring her back to Mondstadt. While on their way to the walled city, he learned the reason as to why she was all alone in the forest. 

“We we’re on the way to the city when I asked my grandma about the glowing round flowers.” She started while happily picking a stray pinecone on the base of a tree. “She said that they are Dandelions. When you blow on them, the flowers are then scattered in the wind together with its seeds.” Venti hummed, urging her to continue. 

“Grandma picked one and showed me. When she gently blew on it, the flowers fly into the air and I asked her if we can get some more,” She then picked up a couple of carefully plucked dandelions to show him. “But Grandma said that there are more in Mondstadt. When we arrived, she asked me to wait in a restaurant called “Good Hunters” while she goes to meet someone...” Her voice grew slowly quieter and she started to fumble on her blue dress. 

“She promised that she’ll go with me but it was so long so...” She trailed off. Venti sighed shook his head. 

“-so you decided to go on your own?” He finished. Nozomi timidly nod her head. Venti noticed her crestfallen expression and felt a gentle smile work its way on his face. 

“Worry not now, young one! I, Venti. the greatest bard in Mondstadt and in all of Teyvat, will get you back with your beloved Grandma!” He said joyously, in hopes of making the young girl smile again. Nozomi looked up at him with happiness dancing in her eyes. 

“Thank you, Venti! You’re the greatest bard in all of Teyvat!” She declared as they both laughed and hurried to the city. 

---

It was already dusk when they entered the city’s gates. A frantic woman awaits on the stairs leading up to the plaza. Venti recognized the woman and called Nozomi to follow him. The woman, who noticed the bard, let out a sigh of relief. 

“Oh, lord Barbatos, thank goodness that you found her, Venti!” the woman said as she rushed to them. Venti, in return, smiled gently as he took Nozomi from behind him to bring her before the woman. 

“Do not worry, Sara. She is safe, although, it is in good graces that I found her. I found her in Starsnatch, being chased by Hillichurls.” At this, Sara’s face drains of color. She immediately kneeled to the girl and checked her for any injuries. 

“Miss Sara, I’m okay! Mister Venti saved me from the monsters with his powers!” Nozomi said with a toothy smile. Sara shook her head slowly at the statement. 

“Nozomi, please do not do that again. Your Grandma was worried when I told her that you snuck out.” Sara told her while leading them to a table and offers them Radish Veggie Soup and Sticky Honey Roast. Both Venti and Nozomi marveled at the delicious foods laid in front of them, the scent wafting through the air and enticed their hungry stomachs. Sara softly laughed at their antics. 

“Please eat up! I know that walking all the way from Starsnatch to Mondstadt must have been quite a trip!” She said as she turns to Venti. “Again, I am truly grateful to you, Venti. Thank you for bringing her back. Her Grandma will be delighted once she comes back.” Venti looked at her and saluted while his cheeks are stuffed akin to a squirrel. 

The night was then filled with laughter and perhaps a choking sound from a certain hungry bard. 

---

Alas, after eating their fill, Venti prepared to leave, as he needs to visit a place before the night gets too deep. Nozomi gently tugged on his green cape with a look of wonder and expectation in her eyes. 

“Mister Venti, will I see you again?” She asked with an eager smile on her face. Venti mirrored her expression and tapped his chin in a contemplative gesture. The anticipation of the girl for his answer was broken by his gleeful laugh as he messed her hair. 

“Perhaps! Maybe the winds will allow us to meet again!” He said and placed his hands on his hips. “But for now, I must go! You see, the greatest bard of Teyvat never rest!” Venti laughed as Nozomi repeats with a ‘Yes! The Greatest Bard indeed!’. Venti bid his farewell to his newly found friend and headed to the place he goes to when he needs to think. 

---

“Took you long enough.” 

A voice greeted him as he neared the enormous tree in Windriser. He gently laughed and held out his hand to the elderly woman waiting on the steps of the Anemo Archons’ statue beneath the tree. The elderly woman took his hand and allowed him to lead her up to the base of the tree. 

“I will lift us up, do not loosen your grip okay?” He asked, even with full knowledge that the woman trusts him fully with her life. 

“As if I will let go, you mischievous bard!” She quipped. Venti chuckled as he summoned a gentle gust of wind that lifted them up to one of the tree’s branches. When they reached it, Venti gently allowed the woman to settle down on it before doing so himself. 

They did not speak a single word for a while, allowing the breeze from falcon coast to sway the leaves and create its own natural tune. The peace and quiet washing over their being. 

“It seems life has been quite good on you huh, [Y/N]?” Venti started. He heard the woman beside him softly laugh at his words. He looked at her quizzically, puzzled as to why she is laughing. 

“Is that your idea of a heartfelt greetings to me, Barbatos?” Upon hearing his name and the jest she threw at him, he sputtered and looked at his side, rubbing the back of his head. 

“W-well, you see...we did not particularly end in good terms and um-” he frantically said, which caused more laughter from the woman. 

“You are still the same, huh?” [Y/N] nostalgically murmured as she closes her eyes to enjoy the gentle breeze passing the tree once more. This caught Venti’s attention as he focuses his sight on her. Her face radiates peace and the happiness of reminiscence. “All of the things that happened before are beyond me now. I understand you and-” she paused, looking at him with gentleness in her eyes. Gentleness that was brought by the wisdom and the years she lived through. 

“I am sorry, only thinking of how much it hurts me, but not how much it hurts you more...” [Y/N] said quietly. 

Ah yes, that day is still fresh in his mind, for it happened in this very place too. 

///

‘Forgive me, [Y/N]...’ A silent plea resonated, hoping to reach the crying woman’s ears. 

Her pained, choked sobs pierces his heart like a hot knife. He cannot bear to hear her be in pain. He badly wants to craddle her to his arms, kiss all her pain away, vanquish all her tears and sing to her all the songs that he can conjure for he loves her,  but he cannot. If he allowed himself to, then, he will not be able to keep her away. 

‘Venti... why? Am I not good enough? Please tell me the very reason...’ She quietly asked, her teary eyes persisting on focusing to his beautiful aqua ones. Once the color of her favorite clear skies, now riddled with storm and unsure. 

‘I cannot hold you back selfishly...” Venti kneeled in front of her touching her cheeks softly, caressing her tears. His eyes looked at her with gentleness, though she can see pain beneath it. “You have so much for you. I am an immortal. I can live for so long, but you cannot. I-I cannot just hold you back from all the things life can offer that I cannot give to you...’ He told her as new tears welled up in her eyes. 

‘I can experience it all with you. All I want in life is you. You are more than enough for me. You... you are my happiness. My light.... please do not push me away from you, my Love...’ [Y/N] reached to touch his cheeks, trying to hold her lover’s face again. Her actions are desperate. She does not want to lose him like this. 

‘I promised you, no matter what, I will always love you, even at the very last of my mortal breath.’ [Y/N] said firmly, reminding him of the vow she gave him years ago at Starsnatch. 

Her words seems to have reached him as his face briefly flashed in reminiscence, but it was quickly washed over by seriousness as he shakes his head. 

‘I also promised you that I will do everything that I can to give you the life you deserve...’ These words of his made [Y/N]’s heart clench in dread. She knows his next words. 

‘But this is not the life you deserve. You should be out in the world, experiencing things and not be stuck here with me. Your time is counted, therefore you should be able to do what you want and not be held back in here just because of me.’ He told her as he touch his forehead with hers, lovingly caressing her hair and silently engraving the scent of it in his memory for probably the very last time. 

‘Is-is that it? J-just because I am mortal?’ [Y/N]’s question startled him. He looked at her in shock. 

“No! I- you misunderstand-’ ‘I do!’ [Y/N] moved away from him, removing his hands from her cheek. 

‘I do, Barbatos.’ His name was uttered with so much venom, it may as well kill his heart. ‘What can a mere mortal, such as I, offer an Archon like you? Love? Ha! Mondstadt’s people already love you. What is one compared to a city?’ [Y/N] said bitterly as she stood up, jumping from the tree branch that they were previously perched on. 

‘If you just wanted me gone before I expire, you should have directly told me.’  Venti tried to reach out to her as she began walking. The wind picked up, perhaps a reflection of the bitter end of their love and romance. 

‘Farewell, lord Barbatos’ 

///

After the remembrance of their bitter past, Venti reached out to hold her hand and looked at her with gentle, loving eyes. 

“I know, and it is past me too... I’m glad that you found your happiness now. She’s an energetic child, like you before.” He said with a knowing look at his eyes. [Y/N] laughed, unsurprised that he immediately found out. 

“Yes, yes she is. A rambunctious little flower. She probably took after her Grandfather...” Venti’s grip on her hand slightly tightened. His heart clench a little, but hid all his pain with a smile. 

“He’s a good man. He thinks of others before himself. Loving and selfless...” Unspoken words are left to the wind as they both understand the meaning. Venti caressed her hand gently as he watched the cranes beneath the tree. 

“I am glad you gave love another chance. It is all I wished for you, after that day...” He said as he longingly looked at the distance. Pushing down all the feelings that wants to resurface. 

“Do not give me that look!” [Y/N] said as she pinched Venti’s cheeks, stretching it slightly that makes him look like a squirrel. “Come on, I’m old now. Find someone your age, Old man.” She quipped at him, poking fun of his actual age which caused him to chuckle. 

“Then I am still qualified then!” He said with laughter in his voice. [Y/N] narrowed her eyes on him and flicked his forehead.��

“Seriously, no. You don’t.” She said sternly, sighing inwardly at the bard’s quiet laughter. 

“Venti, I am close to my sunset days.” She started. Her words silenced him as he held her hands once again while looking at the distance. 

“I know.” He said in reverie. His grip on her hand slowly tightening. 

“I know, but my love stays the same.” He declared “Maybe in the next life, we will meet again.” Venti looked at her with a knowingly sad smile. 

“When that time comes, I will never let you go again.”

[Y/N] smiled at him gently, a friendly smile that wishes to see him again. 

“Well, then, when I pass on, may I request one thing so that I can find my way back to you again?” She requested. Venti’s eyes widened with wonder and a questioning look on his face, but urged her to continue, fully willing to do whatever it is. She gestured for him to come closer to whisper her request. 

---

A day like any other greeted most of Mondstadt’s inhabitants, well except for a girl in black. Her face was covered by a black veil, her hands holding onto a velvet pouch. The people of Mondstadt who passes by her gave her sympathetic looks to which she nods at in recognition. She was mourning, but glad that the people around her were there beside her. Helping her move on slowly, but surely. 

As she was about to pass the plaza, the guards near the main gate pointed at something approaching. The people become alerted and awaited whatever is going to rush through their city. But all of their apprehension and panic was washed over by amazement and wonder. 

A strong gust of wind led thousands of dandelion seeds through the city, filling it with its sweet aroma. 

The girl opened her velvet bag and took out its contents: an anemo vision and a dandelion necklace. She smiled at the contents and clutched them to her heart. 

---

Sat atop the hands of the statue of Barbatos, Venti looked over the scene with a loving, gentle smile on his face as he strums his lyre, playing a sweet love song. 

“Do not take long, okay?” 

///

‘What is your request and why do you want to whisper it?’ he playfully asked her. [Y/N] laughed and urged him close. 

‘Well, when I pass on, go back to the Cathedral and then...’ Venti hummed to let her continue. 

“Let the wind carry all the Dandelions to lead me back to you.” 

[georgefancys]

police violence and propaganda in ITV’s Endeavour

“That’s not what my dad says... he says you’re all bastards.” - Tommy Cork, Endeavour, ‘Neverland’.

- first of all, I’m white, so if any black people or other poc want to weigh in, please please do. this isn’t going to be a post about race specifically (mostly because there’s barely anything to talk about, Russell Lewis loves him some white characters) but obviously since a hugely disproportionate amount of police violence in real life is towards black people, that has to be a part of the conversation.

- second of all, all cops are bastards. yes, in the uk too.

- it’s not like i’ve seen anyone in the fandom defending fictional police officers or anything (unlike, say, some people in the brooklyn 99 fandom), so this isn’t a response to anything i’ve seen, but if we’re all going to be stanning a cop show i think this needs to be addressed.

- i’m not any kind of expert, i’m just taking information i’ve learnt elsewhere and applying it to Endeavour.

- i’m very willing to debate on stuff, but read the whole post before you do.

Police corruption

so, the overarching plot in Endeavour, from the pilot to the season 6 finale, is police corruption. However, the corrupting influence is not the police force itself. Instead, it’s the Freemasons, a “secret” society. All the corrupt police officers in Endeavour, from ACC Deare to DS Chard to DS Lott are either Masons themselves, have Masonic connections, or are being bribed/blackmailed by Masons. The point of the corruption plotline is that the police are not corrupt themselves, it’s an external influence that is causing the police force problems. Our main characters are the good police officers!! They hate corruption!!

Fred Thursday

Fred Thursday is a narrative foil for Morse. His family life is a reflection of what Morse doesn’t have. This is a large part of season 1, mostly in Fugue and Home. However, he also does morally ambiguous things that Morse doesn’t agree with. For example, in the season 1 episode Rocket, Thursday is xenophobic towards a German engineer, which Morse is vocal about disagreeing with. We the viewers aren’t supposed to agree with Thursday about this, but there’s never a point where Thursday goes ‘oh yeah I probably shouldn’t hate this German dude who obviously isn’t a nazi’. He keeps his views, and this is never addressed again.

In the season 5 episode Quartet, Thursday covers up for a woman who pushed her abusive husband down the stairs, saying that he must have tripped. Morse also vocally disagrees with this. However, I think the writer intended Thursday’s actions here to be more sympathetic. Which yeah, fair enough, right? The wife doesn’t deserve to go to jail for defending herself. But the problem here is Thursday’s interpretation of justice. At no point, even after seeing evidence of domestic abuse towards the wife twice (and it’s implied that there was more that occurred prior to the episode that he knew about) does he arrest or question the husband. He thinks that because the husband died, that’s justice done. He didn’t actually try to carry out justice using the legal system. And I know that legally domestic abuse can be a tricky thing, especially in the 60s, but Thursday essentially ignores his duty as a police officer to intervene in the obvious domestic abuse situation, and then covers up for the wife. And the line that genuinely bothers me so much, and is what makes me think we’re meant to interpret his actions as good:

Thursday: God was out, he left me in charge

Like, no, Thursday, you’re a police officer and it’s your job to carry out the law, not allow an abuse situation to escalate to the point where the wife is forced to kill her husband in self-defence and then lie about it. And i’m positive that this was a quote featured on the official Endeavour Twitter page when the episode aired, so I think we’re meant to be like ‘oh yeah, that’s reasonable’, not ‘uhhhhhh wtf’.

Another, more recent example: season 7. During episode 1, ‘Oracle’, Thursday believes that Carl Sturgis is guilty of the murder of Molly Andrews - his girlfriend - on the towpath. He is questioned. He says he is innocent, and also has an alibi for the murder. Morse believes that Sturgis is innocent; Thursday believes he is guilty.

[SEASON 7 SPOILERS]

Thursday then spends the rest of the season following Sturgis around, trying to find evidence that he’s the towpath killer. Morse finds out about this and tells him to stop. He doesn’t stop. A different man is caught in the act at the towpath, and after being chased by a group of young women, is hit by a car and dies. It’s decided that he was the towpath killer.

Then, Strange searches a house that turns out to be owned by Sturgis. During this search, Strange finds a kidnapped woman, Jenny Tate, in an upstairs room. It turns out that Sturgis did kill Molly Andrews, and all of the other young women at the towpath, and that the man who died at the towpath was a copycat killer. Thursday’s actions here - stalking Carl Sturgis - are justified by the narrative because Sturgis was guilty all along, despite there being evidence to the contrary, and lawfully Thursday should not have been pursuing Sturgis after he was released from police custody.

But the worst thing Thursday does is literal police violence - and on quite a few occasions.

The “Good” Police officers

Now, I’m going to talk about two instances within the show where Thursday uses unlawful violence, and people within the CID cover up for him.

1. Coda.

(disclaimer: i haven’t watched this episode in ages, so if i get a fact wrong i’m sorry but i know the general gist is right)

Thursday is interrogating Bernie Waters, a young man with connections to the Matthews gang. He wants information about... something, I think it might be regarding a possible power struggle within the gang, or a crime somewhere. Morse is waiting outside, unaware of what Thursday is doing. He goes into the warehouse where Thursday and Waters are, to find Thursday... it’s unclear what he’s doing, honestly, the scene is framed so we can’t see properly, but it’s enough to cause Waters pain, and when Thursday lets go, Waters is bending over and breathing heavily.

Now, Morse doesn’t agree with this, and tells Thursday so. Morse: ‘I don’t remember anything about that in the Sergeant’s training manual’. He knows that Thursday isn’t above iffy conduct (he punches Teddy Samuels in the face in the pilot, and pays a newspaper salesman for information in Home). But in the end, out of loyalty to Thursday, Morse doesn’t mention it to Bright. (Similarly, in the pilot, Morse is outright asked by the CS if Thursday punched Samuels, and Morse says no, he didn’t.) Thursday gets away with it.

So, Morse is the so called “good” police officer. Telling Thursday he doesn’t agree with his methods isn’t going to get him to stop. He’s the one who people say, oh, but he doesn’t commit acts of violence towards members of the public. He just turns a blind eye to the officers that do do that.

And I don’t care that Waters is a criminal, or has connections to this gang. Police officers don’t beat up people so they give up information. That isn’t lawful.

2. Prey.

I had a conversation with another member of the fandom about this recently, and we both agreed that it really bothered us. For a large portion of the episode, the CID has in custody Mr Hodges, a park warden who offered a lift to Ingrid Hjort, a missing young woman. He’s also implicated in a similar case from around a year ago, in which a woman was sexually assaulted and left in a coma. He’s in custody for much of the episode, constantly changing his story about Hjort, but maintaining that they can’t prove his guilt. In a search of his property, Strange finds underwear belonging to the woman from a year ago, which would prove his guilt in that case. However, before Strange can return and present this evidence, Morse and Thursday are questioning Hodges again. Hodges says ‘I didn’t do it, and you can’t prove that I did’, while leering at Thursday. Thursday says ‘Can’t prove it, he says’, stands up and starts beating Hodges.

Again, this isn’t presented as a good thing. Morse attempts to pull Thursday off Hodges, and afterwards CS Bright yells at him, saying they’d just received evidence from Strange.

However, a plotline in this season is a bullet in Thursday’s lung, left from when he was shot at the end of the previous season’s finale, Neverland. This causes him pain and frequent coughing fits. And, you know, he’s dealing with a lot at home, like his son saying he wants to join the army. Bright understands this. Thursday is under a lot of pressure.

Then, Bright tells Thursday that he will write in his report that Hodges fell down the stairs on the way back to his cell.

So this time, instead of having a junior officer showing loyalty by not reporting an incident, we have a senior officer lying to protect his subordinate. And again, it’s framed like Bright is proving his loyalty to Thursday, but... police officers should not beat up people they’re questioning. Like Bright said, they had just gathered enough evidence to charge Hodges, so this was unnecessary.

Other incidents of note

There’s a lot to talk about in Inspector Morse and Lewis too, but I’m not going to elaborate on them in this post. If you want me to, drop me a reply or DM and I will. These include:

- Morse lying about his identity in order to gain entry to a suspect’s college rooms (Inspector Morse, ‘The Dead of Jericho’)

- Morse and Lewis entering a possible suspect’s flat without a warrant (Inspector Morse, ‘Last Seen Wearing’)

- Lewis entering a member of the public’s house and threatening her child by shouting in his face and grabbing his arms (Lewis, ‘Expiation’. This is called out in the episode by CS Innocent, however she doesn’t actually punish him in any way, and it’s framed as if Lewis’s actions were perfectly reasonable because the child was withholding information. It’s also worth noting that this child is black.)

- Hathaway threatening a teenager after he possibly is lying during a murder investigation (Lewis, ‘Intelligent Design’. The teenager commits suicide soon after, and it’s strongly implied that while the threats weren’t the sole cause of him killing himself, they were the breaking point for him.)

- Lewis and Hathaway hounding a suspect for the entirety of an episode despite him not being guilty of anything (Lewis, ‘The Mind Has Mountains’)

- Edit: Morse lying about a woman's involvement in several murders in order to get her a lesser sentence (Inspector Morse, 'Service of All the Dead')

General points

Often in police shows, the police officers commit actions which, while illegal, are framed within the show as being necessary evils. For example, two detectives have strong reason to believe a suspect is guilty. Instead of obtaining a search warrant, they enter the suspect’s house without one and search the place for evidence. They end up finding evidence that the suspect is guilty. Despite the fact that the detectives broke the law by illegally searching the house, they are justified by the fact that they found enough evidence to prosecute the guilty person. We, the viewers, are meant to find these illegal actions reasonable because they ultimately lead to justice being served; the ends justify the means. Well, no. In the case of police officers breaking the law, they don’t.

Conclusion

Endeavour is hardly the worst example of ‘copaganda’, i.e. propaganda specifically designed to paint the police force in a positive, rosy light. It’s set in the 1960s, it isn’t relevant in the 21st century. Nevertheless, I believe that any show where the main characters are police officers is a form of copaganda, even if unintentionally. We are meant to side with the protagonist in any media (unless they’re an antihero, which is not the case in Endeavour). In Endeavour, the protagonist is Morse, who is a police officer. The majority of the main characters are also police officers. No matter how morally grey Thursday is painted as, he is still a protagonist.

I’m not saying we should stop watching Endeavour. It’s one of my favourite shows. But, when a show incorporates police officer characters and police violence, we need to think critically about it. We need to challenge the ideas put forwards in the show instead of just accepting them. Yes, there are more important things to be worrying about right now, but I wanted to make this post because the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing riots in Minneapolis made me consider the implications of television shows which paint the police force as the good guys, because we live in a world where the police force are not the good guys. And when our media is telling us that they are, we need to stop, take a step back, and think about why that is.

Resources:

Official George Floyd memorial fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Minnesota Freedom Fund (raising money to pay bail for those arrested in the Minnesota riots): https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

Change.org petitions to hold the police officer who murdered George Floyd accountable: https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_22414602_en-US%3Av4&recruited_by_id=2b2e5010-a181-11ea-8693-a9223455fd7b&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial

 https://www.change.org/p/minneapolis-police-dept-hold-minneapolis-police-accountable-for-killing-george-floyd-as-he-begs-don-t-kill-me

Black Lives Matter website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/

A report of the independent review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody. This is very long, and even so only a general overview, but I would recommend Trends in deaths in police custody and suicides following police custody and section 13, Police Misconduct: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655401/Report_of_Angiolini_Review_ISBN_Accessible.pdf

Some graphs showing deaths in police custody in England and Wales over the past decade: https://www.inquest.org.uk/deaths-in-police-custody

Article about increase in deaths in police custody in the UK: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-custody-deaths-uk-latest-increase-2017-a8462616.html

[prairiedust]

Gimme Shelter livewatch under the cut.... I was on my phone when I wrote it so apologies for the typos

“Patchwork Community Center: Care Given to All” with a huge, lurid heart. Hmmm.... patchwork having two meanings here.....

Pastor (?) has 2 Timothy 2:22 tattooed on his arm! “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (NIV) Are we looking at growth and found family in this episode?!?

Oh that’s the alleyway!

Hitting mythology themes— Connor is an Anglicized version of an Irish name— Conchobar mac Nessa is maybe the most famous bearer of the name, from Irish mythology— he’s the king who lusted after Deirdre and had her locked up until she came of age, which is probably neither here nor there as far as this poor Connor is concerned...

That thing has a big lurid heart on his overalls better run lol— Oh shit it’s an evil Teddy Ruxpin!!!! Thanks Davy Perez!!!!

That’s the thing animal control uses to manage aggressive animals??? Is this saying something about the Patchwork people?

And that’s it for the cold open.

——

The uh, the mcfuckin what, the Camelot Palace Casino? Is this a tour of the legends of Ireland and Britain all of a sudden? What’s with hitting this theme so hard so fast?

Uh-oh the whole Highway to Heaven reference has me side-eyeing Dean’s suggestion for Cas snd Jack to leave the bunker... Dabb even “spoiled” that line in a tweet lol... in that show the cop and the angel got their (vague) assignments from the big guy.......

Oh SHIT “we’re standing in what I call ‘the trap zone’” Perez is coming for my whole life with this episode!!!! And they’re doing highkey “season one totally-normal Winchester investigation questions script” I love it!!!!

“Slasher flick” Oh we’re revisiting Mint Condition. This is fine.

AND TOMBSTONE THIS IS NOT FINE DAVY! We’re running the good times backwards what did I say about this being the flipside of Last Holiday!

H2H again but this time it’s sus... plus I’m with Zack, I totally want the cozy murder spinoff I imagined Adam and Michael doing plz

Oh the Cas and Jack dynamic here is so sweet.

Pastor just leaving his door open like there’s no such thing as a thief bless his heart. They must be torn up about Connor but Pastor was the last one to talk to him so he’s sus I don’t make the rules.

Oh no Red’s a THIEF!!! Who ever would have guessed. Okay I did NOT expect that jumpscare because of the way Connor’s murder primed me, that was masterfully done.

That’s vaguely an Ohio Star quilt square on the sign behind her except um I forget what that tilted square in the center turns it into? It’s chiming with something... I’ll have to look that up later.

“Divide and conquer” no never split up in a slasher movie that’s how you get murders use the buddy system!

Gonna stop a sec because I just realized that Zack is two-faced. The British dandy was an act. The killer is wearing a Cinderella mask. Ok I’m gonna make a prediction that Zack is actually the killer, a la the demon in Repo Man...

Okay there was definitely a beat after Dean said “Glad soneone’s taking charge” [ofHell] and the focus shifted to Sam. Hm.

“We’ve got to set her up for her own death” so meta, these writers are gonna shred us.

I love being shown how much Castiel has changed throughe Jack not understanding the Kool-Aid reference. And the cats line lol. That’s both amazing and poignant.

That’s a log cabin pattern in the cafeteria. Home. Makes me think back on other quilts we’ve seen this season and if “weaving” is the right metaphor for writing lol. I mean, the action of “patching” is synonymous with “mending” or even healing, but patchwork is also a craft with a long, long history in America (idk if quiltmaking is called patchwork everywhere) of taking a few often mismatched fabrics and cutting and sewing into something beautiful. There are generally two kinds of quilt tops— patterns, like we’ve seen so far in this season, which are carefully planned and involve precise measurements, and “crazy quilts” which also require skill but are often more freeform and piecemeal. But both aspire to be beautiful. That’s an interesting way to conceptualize a serial text... as both creating and mending....

That prayer was sweet and not at all what I was expecting.

I get the finger-cutting for Valerie (stealing=sticky fingers) but not for Connor? Tenuous connection still betw lying and writing? It’s evocative of Se7en but the killer seems to have the same MO for all the killings (I attended CSI for a while.)

Snow White is making me uneasy. Oh she’s the preacher’s daughter... we’ve seen that in early days, too.... oh.... oh....

It’s not the AV guy despite having seen all the AV equipment around Valerie. That’s too easy.

“A saint is a sinner who keeps trying-“ no scroll back, the important part was “we all have to take care of each other.” That’s a theme in the series.

She’s all in pink....

dean and amara on the same wavelength about food lol

Ha ha inversion of “oh you’re a fan of religion? name all seven gods then.”

Castiel’s testimony just wrecked me.

“Members serve the gift of food” hmmm the signs in this episode are tip-top

Gonna just watch for a while.

Oh crap “each is a finger” oh it’s about the sins of the father— No Cas no, you’ve fallen for the misdirection!

Oh okay good, Chuck’s not done snuffing worlds. That had me REALLY WORKED UP ha ha because Amara has no reason to lie right?

That was a really good conversation.... and implying that Former Death bent the truth...

Oh fuck I’m gonna cry “I wanted younto see that your mother was just a person” YES! DISMANTLE THIS MYTHOLOGY AMARA!!! Name it!

THE MYTH THAT YOU’D HELD ON TO FOR SO LONG did they just— THEY DID

rigging the game— ftfoh with the casino metaphors already we know the house always wins except when it doesn’t

Lying, lying, lying,

Do we even know Snow White’s name yet? And why was Connor a liar? Because I think we can make a guess at this point.... ah ha ha her name is sylvia— “forest spirit” she’s Mrs Butters— and she’s after hypocrites— but the killing isn’t supernatural, just churchy?

Oh shit SHE IS A DEAN MIRROR IF SHE STABS JACK I’LL FLIP A DAMN TABLE

....

....

prairiedust.exe has encountered an error and must be restarted

....

....

Okay so “Dad” steps in and stops Sylvia’s attack on Jack...

Why is that Zack? What????

“I’ve been lying to you” oh here we go

Oh it would be death #3, remember what Dabb said about threes a long time ago, two attempts that are unsuccessful and one that satisfies the parameters— but no he’s a jack :((((

I have to stop watching for a while.

Okay I finished it. Holy cats do I have some Thoughts about this episode.

What I loved: Revisiting Dean’s anger, BUT the parental mirror here (in retrospect, at least for me) was a John mirror-- all the mothers (exc for Rowena) in this episode are dead. And Pastor Joe didn’t apparently embrace his wife’s faith until she had died, and then his vision was radically different than his wife’s was-- much like John’s reasons for becoming a hunter were vastly different from Mary’s... but much like “patching” this subtext was possibly even more “healing” than having John back in the 300th ep... This was... looking at a child’s anger when they’re in the middle of their own family mythology. Am I implying that Dean’s anger is immaturity? Eh, it’s... unripeness. I have an old meta in my drafts about the heroine’s journey and why Mary’s story conformed to it while feeling totally unfulfilling in her actual character arc and I’m so glad I sat down and examined that rather than finish it. I have a lot I want to say about Cas’ testimony too, but that has to sit a while. ALSO also, Cas has already thrown away his shot by making the Empty deal, right?....

LANGUAGE! Cas saying “I found myself lost” is a bonkers sentence, right? It’s like when people say someone “turned up missing”-- AND it does not have the same meaning as “I realized I was lost”-- you get a double whammy of the connotation “to search for.” I loved loved loved how language was such a big deal in Last Holiday and then again here, I need to rewatch while paying closer attention to Sylvia and things she says... but these two were sister episodes in so many ways, that when I said there was a “lack of narrative mirrors” in Last Holiday, that’s only because the lens for that kind of reading is Gimme Shelter. That is not the first time spn has played with a “coin” or paired structure-- I think the first time I noticed it was Fan Fiction/Ask Jeeves but I was a transfer student from another fandom at the time lol. But of course, we get a huge truth bomb at the end of the episode, and again that splashy cymbal all over lying...

What I got wrong-- Zack wasn’t the killer but he’s fishy as hell-- he stole Sylvia! Is this part of Rowena’s “people generally end up where they deserve to be” except she’s built in an express lane? “Do you need a driver” is that his actual job now? Taking unripe souls to Hell Orientation? What’s up with him being there... the other shoe did not drop. So there is a third episode out there somewhere where this might get wrapped up? The conversation between Dean and Cas can easily be something that happens offscreen, and I don’t think that it would be the first time we miss an “important” conversation, especially since we know roughly what will be said and how it will wrap up-- it’s an “open text” of a sort. Maybe a fanfiction gap lol, I can’t wait for the codas.

Also, the fingers thing being Sylvia’s father’s favorite analogy is where she got her MO, something that I definitely didn’t see, although it fits right in with her father’s slightly pithy character. I think it’s interesting again how we’re playing with threes and fours. Three fingers got cut off but it was apparent that Valerie (valorious one) wouldn’t die until finger #4.... Jack really seems to be our last hope.

[flowerfan2]

Affinity - Ch. 22 (10.22) - Complete

Well folks, here it is - the coda for Ep. 10.22, and the final chapter in Affinity.  Read from the beginning here.

McDanno, 40k total.  A03.

Chapter 22 (10.22)

Steve clears his throat and withdraws his hand from Catherine’s.

“I appreciate this, I do,” he says softly.  “But I’m with Danny.”

His phone pings with another text. He glances quickly at it, then shows it to Catherine.  It’s a photo of Danny stretched out on Steve’s bed, one arm folded up behind his head. Despite the fact that Danny is clothed, wearing his t-shirt and shorts, it’s incredibly sexy, and it fills Steve with a wave of longing.  

Catherine just stares for a moment. “If you’re with Danny, why are you leaving?”

“It’s not forever.”

*****

Steve texts Danny often, keeping in touch as he promised.  But it’s a few days before he sends this one.

Catherine was on the plane.

 Danny’s response comes quickly, and in retrospect, he should have known what he’d say.

 <i>I know, dumbass.</i>

 Steve snorts a little smile, and then types back.  <i>Care to fill me in?</i> He realizes his mistake just after he hits send – he didn’t exactly fill Danny in right away – but Danny doesn’t press him on it.

 <i>Lincoln put her in touch with me, to get your flight info.  She wanted to surprise you.</i>

 <i>Well, she definitely did.</i>

 Steve thinks back to that last morning with Danny, sitting on the beach behind his house.  Danny knew Steve was about to fly off into the sunset with Catherine, and didn’t say a word.

 <i>Danny, I’m sorry.</i>

 <i>Why?  Are you with her right now?</i>

 <i>No.</i>  Catherine had pushed pretty hard, before they landed in L.A., for them to spend at least a few days together.  She showed him photos of a house in Tahoe she could borrow from a friend, suggested a drive along the California coast.  But after six hours on the plane, they had done enough catching up as far as Steve was concerned.  He wasn’t on this trip to hang out with old friends, or old flames.  

 He breathes a sigh of relief when Danny replies.

 <i>I’m good if you’re good. Text me when you get to Joe’s.</i>

 *****

Steve does text Danny when he gets to Joe’s ranch in Montana.  Joe had left the place to him, and he figured he’d sell it sooner or later, but hadn’t quite gotten around to it yet.  He’d had a pretty busy year, he could be forgiven for not having time to consider real estate transactions.

 Joe’s ranch had seemed to Steve to be the perfect place to stay for a while and clear his head, and try to find the peace that he was looking for.

 He was wrong, wrong, wrong. Danny, on the other hand, was completely right – Joe’s place held far too many unhappy memories to be a place of refuge for him, even if it had been for Joe.  Danny had the good grace not to say “I told you so,” however, probably because Steve was on the edge of a panic attack by the time Danny gave up trying to interpret Steve’s increasingly vague texts and called him.

 “Babe, where are you, right now?”

 “Joe’s ranch,” Steve says.

 “I got that, but where, exactly? Describe it.”

 “Uh…”  Steve draws in a tight breath and looks around.  “Kitchen.”

 “Can you go outside?”

 “Sure…”

 “Go outside, and walk away from the house.  Find a tree.”

 “A tree?”

 “Yeah, just walk away from the house. Are you walking?”

 “Yeah, I’m walking.”

 “Tell me what you see.”

 Their conversation continues on like this, Steve wandering around the property, Danny directing him to places where he didn’t see anyone die.  Danny prompts Steve to describe his surroundings -  the mountains he can see, the breeze he can feel, the scent of pine trees he can smell.  There’s no blood, no fighting, no gunshots, not anymore.

 After a while Steve sags down to the ground and sighs out a long breath.  He closes his eyes and thinks back to how he felt here at the ranch after Joe died, how his anger consumed him.  He remembers, then, seeing Danny appear at the ranch unannounced, striding up to meet him, his strong arms coming around Steve and holding him tight. He’s got at least one good memory in this place.

  “Danny?”

 “Yeah?”

 “Thank you.”

 *****

Steve’s next destination was going to be a remote cabin on a lake in British Columbia, accessible only by seaplane. But his reservation isn’t for two more weeks, and he no longer wants to stay at Joe’s until then.  Besides, he’s not sure that he’s up for something quite that remote.

 He contacts the rental car company to tell them of his change in plans and starts driving.  He’s got a GPS, but he calls Danny so many times to ask him to check on cheap hotels, and restaurants, and sights to see, that Danny teases him about starting a side job as a travel agent.  

 Steve spends some time driving near Yellowstone, the scenery taking his breath away.  Hawaii has mountains, but it doesn’t have glaciers or grizzly bears. Not that he sees any bears, but he could.  It’s probably for the best.

 He makes a point of not just stopping and taking in his surroundings, but of trying to still his mind.  Steve’s never really gotten into meditation before, but he thinks that here in the empty wilderness, with this vast beauty all around him, he’s getting close.  He feels like he’s just going through the motions at first, making himself comfortable sitting on a rock, breathing deeply, closing his eyes and trying to experience what he’s feeling without resisting or trying to change it. He opens his eyes and lets himself become aware of the flowers swaying in the breeze, the feel of the sun on his skin, the noise of the insects and the wind in the trees.  He tries to hone in on a particular detail - the temperature of the air, cool even when the sun is out.  When his thoughts stray (to pain, to loss, to home, to <i>Danny</i>) he pulls them back to the sounds and sensations around him, or at least he tries.

 Steve camps out several nights in a row, forgetting that even with the spare battery his phone will eventually die. He hikes to an alpine lake and messes around trying to catch a fish, surprising himself when he succeeds.  The urge to call Danny and brag about it nearly overwhelms him, but he can’t even take a picture.

 The next day he hikes back to his car, drives to the nearest motel, and charges his phone while he showers.  He’s four hours ahead of Hawaii, and he waits until almost eleven to call Danny, hoping to catch him at home, maybe even done with dinner, settling down with a beer down by the beach.  Steve can imagine Danny so perfectly, sitting in his chair in his cut-off jean shorts and worn out t-shirt, the setting sun turning his skin golden, a half-drunk Longboard hanging from his fingertips. For a minute the longing to be there next to Danny hits Steve so hard it’s like a punch to the gut, but Steve takes a few deep breaths and reminds himself that he’s away for a reason, even if he can’t quite remember what it is at the moment.  Gathering his thoughts, Steve presses the button to call Danny. He nearly cheers with glee when Danny picks up and Steve discovers that he’s timed it perfectly, and they shoot the shit until Steve falls asleep to the sound of Danny’s voice in his ear.  

 *****

It occurs to Steve, in between stops at greasy roadside diners, nights alone on scratchy sheets, and more hiking than he’s done in years, that he’s supposed to be doing something besides touring national parks.  Or at least, that touring national parks is supposed to be a means to an end.  

 Steve doesn’t like to question his plan (and he sure isn’t going to question why he doesn’t want to question his plan).  He figures he just needs to keep moving.  He doesn’t know what else to do.  Or at least that’s what he keeps telling himself.

 *****

Steve turns in his rental car in Denver, and springs for a decent hotel with excellent internet.  He surfs the web for far too long, reading up on what’s been happening in the world.  Nothing good. He finds himself checking sites on news closer to home, too.  He reads about a new Hawaiian style farm–to-table restaurant opening in downtown Honolulu that Danny would love and finds himself clicking on the reservation button before he realizes that he probably can’t make it for this Friday at seven.  Someone else is going to enjoy that table for two, but it won’t be him.

 He considers making the reservation anyway, sending the information to Danny and suggesting that he go check out the place, on Steve.  But he can’t decide how exactly to word it, or what he even would mean by it – he obviously doesn’t want to Danny to bring a date, and although he’s not proud of the thought, he doesn’t really want to risk Danny asking someone as a friend but it turning into something romantic. Steve could ask Tani to take him, or Junior, but that’s kind of weird, too.  Is Steve ridiculous enough to want Danny to go by himself and sit alone with his drink, like a damsel waiting for her sailor to return from the sea?  Steve closes the website and moves on to looking at the hours for Denver’s natural history museum.  Presumably he can’t get himself into any trouble there.

 After a few days in Denver, more to amuse Danny than anything else, Steve books a flight to Newark.  Danny emails him an annotated list of restaurants and can’t miss tourist attractions, including a link to a Sopranos sites tour that makes Steve laugh.  At the bottom of the list is an address and phone number for Eddie and Clara Williams.

 Steve surprises himself with how much he wants to see Danny’s parents.  It wakes him up in the middle of the night, the pull he feels.  He imagines sitting down in their kitchen, eating Clara’s lasagna, shooting the shit with Eddie over a beer.  He’s half asleep, picturing the scene, how he’d tease Danny about eating too much garlic bread, how they’d argue about the last piece of tiramisu, when he realizes with a wave of physical pain that even if he goes to the Williams’ place in Jersey, Danny won’t be there.

 Steve texts Danny from the airport in Denver, but it’s barely four a.m. in Hawaii.  He doesn’t expect a response right away.  But just before his plane takes off, he gets one, and he smiles as he closes his eyes and leans against the window.

 *****

Danny’s in the break room at headquarters, fighting with the new coffee machine Lou swears will change his life, trying not to feel sorry for himself.  Steve has been away for almost two months, and Danny has missed the crap out of him.  He knows Steve misses him too – it’s obvious in his constant texting, how he carefully times phone calls for when he knows Danny will be home, how he consults Danny on ideas for each step of his trip.  

 The team has rallied around Danny, bringing over food and staying to hang out so often that Danny has to remind himself to make extra beer runs on his way home from work.  Junior’s spending about half his time at Steve’s house and half at Tani’s – Danny is sure he’d be at Tani’s full time, if not for some unnecessary but no less appreciated belief that Danny needs the company.  

 They’ve been rotating partners at work, no one wanting to presume to take Steve’s place as Danny’s partner. Danny’s most comfortable with Tani, and sometimes Adam, although for vastly different reasons (Tani prods at him until he talks about what’s bothering him; Adam doesn’t).  Lou tends to stay back at base, and Junior and Quinn go where they’re needed.  Danny finds himself missing Chin and Kono, wondering to himself how the hell he turned out to be the last man standing from their original squad.  It doesn’t help the strangeness to know that Danny is now in charge; although Danny insisted in his obligatory meeting with the governor that it was only temporary, he’s not sure anyone believes him.

 When Danny inevitably wakes up in the dark in Steve’s bed, heart beating fast with the echo of a nightmare, it always takes him a minute to remember why Steve’s not there. Sometimes he thinks Steve is in Mexico looking for Doris.  Back then Danny had spent every day trying not to imagine Steve dying, trying to understand why Steve felt that his life was worth so little that he would put it at risk over and over for a woman that didn’t want his help.

 Steve’s absence is different now, and Danny respects that.  This time Steve’s not in any unusual danger, and he’s on this mission for his own benefit, not anyone else’s.  It still sucks sleeping alone, but Danny can handle it.  Especially with Steve sending him daily pictures of every squirrel in the northwestern United States.

 “Danny – there you are.”  Tani bursts into the break room, startling Danny out of his thoughts.  “You’ve got a call.”  

 Danny’s hand goes to his pocket, and he realizes Tani is holding his phone, which he had left charging in his office.  “What’s up?” he asks, feeling a shiver run down his spine as he takes in the expression on her face.

 “They called me too.”  Lou joins them, his voice low as he puts a hand on Danny’s shoulder.  “It’s Steve. He’s been in an accident.”

 A blank calm washes over him and then Danny’s sprinting down the hall, his mind quickly providing the quickest route to the airport to avoid afternoon traffic.  “Tani, get me on the next flight to Jersey.  Then call my dad, have him go straight to the hospital.  Lou, you’re in charge, bring in Lincoln if you need to-”

 “Danny, wait,” Tani grabs his arm. “You’re not flying anywhere.”

 Danny jerks away from Tani. “What, are you crazy?”  Danny has to be with Steve, he’s hurt, oh god oh god he’s hurt, please don’t let him be --  

 “No, listen,” Lou says.  “Steve’s not in Newark.”

 “He didn’t get on the flight?”  Then he’s still in Denver, Denver is a few hours closer, that’s okay, that’s good.

 “Danny, he’s here, on Oahu.  He’s at Queen’s Medical.  He’s here.”

 *****

Steve sits on the hospital bed, gingerly touching the bandage covering the cut on his forehead.  He glances at his watch, frowning to see that another half hour has gone by while he waits to be discharged.  This is not how he planned his return to Hawaii, but at least Danny doesn’t know yet.  If he gets out of here soon, Steve still has time to get home and shower before Danny finds out.  

 “Where’s Steve, McGarrett, they said he was back here – I’m his partner-”

 Or maybe not.

 “Steve.”  Danny skids to a stop in the doorway.  His eyes look wild, and his hair is mussed.  He’s breathing hard, his chest heaving.  Danny is the best thing Steve has seen in months.

 He jumps up, quick to reassure him. “Danny, it’s okay, I’m fine-”

 “Steve.”  Danny takes a few steps closer, his eyes flickering up and down Steve’s body.  He reaches out, his hands trembling.  

 Steve steps towards him. “Really, I’m okay.  Cab driver got rear-ended, no big deal, just bumps and bruises.  I didn’t want them to call you.  I wanted to surprise you.”

 Danny blinks.  “Surprise me?”

 “Yeah, I figured I’d get some beers, hang out down on the beach until you got home.”

 Danny just stares at him for a long moment, then rocks back, the tension draining out of his body as a smile teases at his lips.  “You kind of blew it.”

 Steve shrugs mock apologetically. “Honolulu drivers.  What can you do.”  Steve steps forward, closing the space between them.  Then Danny’s shaking hands take hold of Steve’s waist, and Steve’s palms are on Danny’s face.  “I missed you,” Steve breathes out.  “Every goddamn day.  So much.”

 Danny presses a soft kiss to Steve’s lips, then another, and pulls back until Steve can see his eyes.  “I missed you too.”  Danny bites his lip, and Steve can feel him steel himself as he looks up at Steve.  “How long are you here for?”

 “No, that’s not – I’m not just here for a visit.  I’m done.”

 “Done?”  

 Steve hands fall to Danny’s shoulders, run up and down his arms, muscles still tense under his dress shirt. “Done traveling.  I’m back.”

 “But…”  Danny looks up at him, hope in his eyes.  “You said you needed to get space.  To find peace.”  

 Steve snorts a little, grin tugging at his cheeks.  “Apparently I’m a cliché.”

 Danny cocks his head, a matching grin spreading slowly across his face.  “Oh?  In what way, exactly, are you a cliché?”

 Steve grabs Danny and kisses him soundly, hampered only by the fact that they’re each on the edge of slightly hysterical laughter.  He wraps his arms around Danny’s shoulders and digs his face into his neck.  “I didn’t need to go anywhere.  Whatever I’ve got to do, whatever I’ve got to think through, it’s not gonna work if I’m away.  What I need is right here.”  He squeezes Danny harder.  “Right here.”

 “You came back for the pineapples?” Danny teases.

 “Yeah, for the pineapples,” Steve says, kissing Danny again full on the lips, then pulling back to look him in the eyes.  “And, you know, you.  The love of my life.”  

 Danny beams up at him, his cheeks pink with happiness.  “Yeah?”

 “Yeah.”  Steve knows what he wants now.  More importantly, he’s going to let himself have it.  “Come on, Danny.  It’s time to go home.”

[judgement-free-sideblog]

Dancing lessons

Hi!! I'm sorry, this one took forever, I had a Dengue Virus outbreak to deal with for the last three weeks and I even had the damn thing myself, not funny, wouldn't recommend it, it felt like shit and I had to skip work two days, thankfully no mortal victims, at least not on my watch, but the town is still recovering, anyway work is crazy and that's why I haven't update anything, I'm really sorry

Summary: Barry is finally cast in a feature, the problem? He said he could dance and now he can either disappoint Sally or found a way to learn some steps.

Part 1 ● Part 2 ● Part 3 ● Part 4 ● Part 5 ● Part 6 ● Part 7 ● Part 8 ● Epilogue

Warnings: Swearing, blood, violence, guns, cheating maybe.

Part 4

The lights on your studio were still on when you entered, and the dry blood on the floor made a horrible sight that almost made you faint again, thankfully a strong arm was holding you since you get out of the car, and he was looking at the floor too.

"I can clean that if you want" He said helping you sit down on a chair. "I'm not sure if you should climb your stairs yet"

"Thanks, that would be great. I would say leave it but I have class early tomorrow and is not a nice view for a bunch of 4 year olds" you said thinking about the wooden floor and how much damage the blood would cause, and Barry walk inside the storage closet looking for a mop.

"Then I will leave it there, you are insane if you think you are going to give any class tomorrow" He came back with the cleaning supplies and gave you a judging look, lacking any authority since he was holding a bottle of detergent in on hand and a bucket in the other.

"Fine mom, I'll cancel" you held your hands high in surrender "Actually I can use a day off, I have this terrible student in the afternoon, he is a pain in the ass" You said and he rolled his eyes at you while rolling up his sleeves and starting to clean the floor.

An hour later the floor was spotless, he had an odd talent cleaning up blood, and made a funny shocked face when you pointed it out, the clock announce it was merely 8:00 pm and you had to remain awake until 6:00 am at least.

"I feel well enough to go upstairs, you can leave now" you told him hoping he would listen since his presence made you feel uneasy at times.

"No way, the doctor gave me a list of things to check up every couple hours, and if I leave you would fall asleep, but let's go get you upstairs, you will be more comfortable on your couch" He said approaching with the clear intention of carrying you on his arms.

"I can walk, that won't be necessary" You said quickly, ignoring the idea of how wonderful would it be to be held in those arms.

Maybe that was the reason you had end up screaming in the first place, an elaborate defense mechanism your brain set up in motion to ignore the growing feelings you had every time he enter the studio, every time you held his hand and forced down your waist while you were dancing, and the longing in your skin asking for more.

Of course there was handsome men in your class every now and then, grooms, fathers of the bride, actors, etc. and you had always conduct yourself professionally regardless the clear intentions some of them may have. And you have always respected your marriage with Alan even in the worst of times. But Barry was different, there was just something about the way he looked at you that make you want to scream and run away because it terrifies you how easily you could fall for him.

"Are you feeling nauseous?" He asked once you were sitting on the couch, and you nodded no "Tired? Clouded vision? Having incoherent thoughts?" He continued reading the list the doctor gave him.

"I believe I'm a big green marshmallow queen of the north pole, but that's normal right?" You say dead serious and he hide a grin behind the white sheet of paper.

"Very funny, we should call the doctor and share the joke with her" he said seriously.

"Fine, I'm sorry. I have a minor pain in my head, but I can see and hear perfectly clear, I remember everything that had happened clearly and I don't feel like vomiting" you said and he put the list away satisfied with your answers. "I'm sorry I'm being an imposition to you, I'm sure you had plans" You continued and he opened his mouth to reply he was staying once again so you keep talking before he did "And since you are staying here at least let me fix you something to eat, is late and I don't think you have eaten". You stood up and he followed you to the kitchen.

"You really don't have to, I can make a sandwich if you tell me where things are, or we could order something, I don't think you should be near sharp objects" He plead alarmed when you took out a large knife from a drawer.

"Fine, but I'm paying, and once again I can assure you this is nothing I have had worst" you said putting down the cutting board and opening the fridge to offer him a beer "once I broke my leg in 3 pieces" you said confidently showing him a long thin scar on the side of your leg and suddenly feeling exposed since you haven't change from your dancing clothes, and you didn't feel the same confidence wearing them outside the studio.

"I've been shoot, a lot" he said lifting part of his shirt showing you a couple scars, not helping the situation in your mind.

"Ok war hero, you win, can you please order the food, I am going to change, feel yourself at home" You said patting his hand urging him to cover and hurrying to your room away from him.

***

Y/N took forever to come out and when she finally did she was wearing a comfortable pajama, and was drying her hair with a towel.

"You took a shower?" Barry asked upset "You could have fallen"

"But thankfully I didn't, I have to I was covered in blood and I need to find a way to cover this" She pointed at the place the doctor have shaved her hair and she tried to hide it with a lock of hair.

"I'm sure the parents would understand you had an accident" he said confused by her despair.

"Yeah, they will mostly, but Alan would make a big deal out of it and I'm sure he will use it as an excuse to keep pushing me into selling the studio" She said letting her hair alone and crawling onto the couch.

"Why would he do that?" He asked trying to be interested and ignoring the pinch of jealousy he felt once again when she mentioned his name "I mean you do charge a lot but you have many clients"

"Is not about the business, he just thinks I should sale the studio to Macy since she knows how to run it, and move with him to Dallas or Colorado or whenever his company wants him, that way he would be home every night to see our children" She said exasperated at the idea.

"Children?" He asked a bit shocked since she never had mentioned any children before.

"The hypothetical children we will have in case I actually leave this place behind" She said with a sad look on her face.

"So you don't want to have children?" He asked now genuinely interested. "I mean it's okay if you don't" he said quickly.

"Honestly?" She asked and he nodded "I really don't know, I mean when I was 22 and dancing in Moscow I have this crazy fantasy that I would retire in glory from ballet at 32 and meet a wonderful man and have a girl and she would be a great dancer by the age of 4." She had a sad smile on her face as if she could see herself in the moment she was describing.

"Moscow? As in Russia?" He asked.

"Yep, I was about to become a Prima Ballerina, then I broke my leg and every money I had went to surgery and recovery and suddenly I was no longer fitting to play Odette, or any major role and eventually like three years after I have to come back, I worked in Broadway for a while, that's when I met Alan"

"Sounds romantic" he said sarcastically making her laugh

"It was, at least at first, but then I had another lesion in my ankle so I was no longer able to work there either, and he was nice and sweet and he was with me, so we got married and end up here, five years later dealing with moms that feel their children would be next Maria Kowroski"

Barry's phone start ringing and he went downstairs to pick up the food, when he came back she was holding a big photo album in her lap.

"I haven't seen one of those in forever" He said entering the apartment holding the bag with Chinese food. "I thought everyone had digital albums these days"

"They do, but you can't do this to digital pictures" She said showing him burned hole in one of the photos. "Kids these days, what would they burn when they break up with a boyfriend? Anyway I'm starving" she pointed to the kitchen so they could eat.

They share an animated meal talking about how life and technology was passing by them, maybe a little lost resentful than usually since they both have the same opinions on the matter.

"Did you told him?" He asked after a while, he was leaning back in his chair looking at her finishing some noodles. "About not wanting kids I mean"

"Of course I did, since we were dating,but he had this idea that he would make me change my mind, and I was sure I would make him change his. Now we have civil dinners when he is home and pretend we are not angry at the way this marriage turned out, just waiting for one of us to give up and accept the other terms" She said and her bluntness took him by surprise again.

"I'm sorry" he said with a sad frown on his face "Earlier when I said this was your dream job and that your situation is perfect, I have no idea and I'm sorry"

"Don't be, I shouldn't have to try and prove you wrong forcing myself to do the Odile's Coda, since I'm clearly not in shape to do it" She smile at him and pointed the injury in her head.

"Well that only make it worse, why would you need to prove anything to me? I'm really sorry"

"Relax, you already making up for it being here, and is only 10:00 pm, do you want to play a board game? I would say we watch a movie but I would fall asleep quicker that way" She said and he agreed.

They played scrabble, bringing out some dark competitive instincts on both of them, only interrupted when Barry took a couple trips to the bathroom to call Sally who was not upset at all that he had canceled their dinner since she had this amazing party to go to.

By 3:00 am and feeling extremely tired and looking at her about to give up he call the hospital, the doctor kindly told him she was clear to sleep, news he took gratefully, but before he could tell her she was already curled in the couch, he sit next to her and let her rest her head on his chest, maybe when they woke up he could feel guilt and remorse about it, maybe he would have to stay away from her since he was obviously interested in her but at that moment he was very comfortable and lost in the smell of her hair to care about anything else.

@meraki--mei

[angelthefirst1]

Infinity and the world before. ♾️

Season 10 episode 8 had many Coda call backs just as I thought it would, but it also made me think of season 5 episode 9 ‘What happened and what’s going on’, season 5 episode 10 'Them’ and season 5.11 ‘The Distance’ which brought this infinity symbol to mind.

We are circling back around to the events of season 5 and they are about to collide in the middle but they are inverted just as if we are traveling along the infinity symbol.

The title of this episode even suggests it’s a repeat of “The world before” or past events and it’s no coincidence that Alpha’s belt has this symbol on it. The Whisperers story line is where the circling back began in a really obvious way.

I’ve done posts in the past about how season 5 was a half way mark in story, meaning 10 would be a major fulfillment.

Above is a very rough outline of the show so far…

Obviously Rick and Beth are equal opposites, he left the hospital and was reunited with his family very soon after, but Beth did not get that reunion after the hospital and its because her path is inverted so she will get the reunion at the end of her infinity loop (Possibly late season 10 sometime or early 11) but not straight after the hospital like Rick did (season 1)

We have a few other similarities along the way such as:

The Farm/Alexandria with the theme of coming across a safe place with good people and eventually becoming a part of that group (the Farm fell due to a herd but Alexandria didn’t because of its walls (Equal but opposite)

The Governor and Negan. Both wanted what Rick and his group had and tried to take it by force, Rick’s group fought back in both instances.The prison fell and the Governor died while Negan lived and Alexandria survived. (Equal but opposite)

Negan also seems to have eventually learnt that Rick’s way was right and they could all live together while the Governor couldn’t see it.

Grady and the Whisperers.

Both have a female in charge, both think their way of life is right, that they are doing the right thing. They also both can’t be seen to look weak in front of their people.

But they both prey on people’s weaknesses, trick and use people giving them no choice but to serve. The Grady cops had a home (Grady Hospital) while the Whisperers don’t but both these groups wear masks.

The Grady cops wear a uniform that is associated with upholding the law and what is right but in reality they kidnap and hold people against their will.

While the Whisperers wear the masks of the dead when they are very much alive (pretending to be something they are not).

With Grady, Beth was taken against her will but wanted to escape, she had her family come to trade for her where as Lydia was taken against her will and had her mother come to trade for her but eventually she chose to go back voluntarily. So all these groups are inverted or equal opposites of each other and that’s why so much of the Whisperers story so full of Beth symbolism because its repeating themes we saw around the time of Season 5 and Grady.

Let’s go through a few of the most notable things from this episode (10.08) that call back to past events from Beth’s time.

Firstly when Alpha is talking to Dante she mentioned that he had done well at the barn and that now he needed to infiltrate our group, she tells him to find some strangers and lead them to the gates of Alexandria.

This whole dialogue made me think of Aaron first coming across our group in 5.10 he had also found some strangers (at a barn) and not long after led them to the gates of Alexandria.

In 5.10 Aaron a good guy from a community is going out and looking for good people who had no home to bring them back with him.

Rick and group were very suspicious of him and it took a lot of convincing before they believed him. In 10.08 Dante is the bad guy going out looking for people so he can trick Alexandria into letting him in and trusting him.

It took almost no convincing for them to let him in.

Both Rick’s group and Dante had to do the video interview on arrival at Alexandria also.

After arriving at Alexandria we see Dante graffiti “Silence the Whisperers” all over Alexandria, we then we see him turn off the water filtration system making it look like it’s still working but it’s now providing the whole community with tainted water.  No one is suspicious of the water because it looks to be working as normal and all the levers are pointing up as they should be.

Funny… there is a sign on the filtration system from Eugene (sorry i don’t have a photo of it) but it basically says: This is a very complicated filtration device and to see him if something is wrong and not attempt to fix it without him. Eugene is the water quality assurance man.

Back in season 5 we see Aaron, just before he meets our group leaving untainted drinking water for them, but the group doesn’t want to drink it as they are suspicious someone has done something to it and it might make them sick. Again Eugene provides the role of water quality assurance man as he decides to grab a bottle and drink it, he even says he is “providing water quality assurance” to the group by being the one to test it.

Just before this in 5.09 we see the ‘Wolves not far’ graffiti

So it’s an inverted play on the themes running through 5.09, 5.10 and 5.11

In Season 5 the order was:

1. Wolves Graffiti

2. Leave untainted water

3. Meet group in Barn

4. Bring them back to Alexandria.

Season 10 it’s:

1. Barn

2. Meet strangers bring them to Alexandria

3. Silence the Whisperers Graffiti

4. Make the water tainted.

So Dante is inverted Aaron in some scenes.

Now Aaron wasn’t around yet to see the Wolves not far graffiti but that story led to him finding our group.

Lets look at Arron meeting with Mary

Aaron during this episode is still playing the role of looking for good people to a degree, in that he is meeting with Mary the Whisperer and trying to convince her to trust him, give them information, and that they can help each other.

This particular scene reminded me of the meeting point of Coda just before the exchange.

A little exciting extra i found when re watching Coda 5.08 was this scene below with Father Gabriel.

Another piece of fulfillment I just had to show you all, here he has found a bible and inside is the name MARY! Now it’s only in episode 10.08 that Gamma tells us her name and it just happens to be Mary wow! I will be interested to see what future interactions these two have.

In the Kitchen with Carol and Arron and Daryl

Once Arron gets back from talking with Mary and finds out about what Dante did we see him upset and angry and he says “how could I have not known, he’s been here 4 months”

At one point Daryl says “We gotta keep our heads straight, try to figure out WHAT’S GOING ON” (What happened and what’s going on or 5.09) springs straight to mind here and the main points they talk about in this kitchen scene seem to be mostly reminiscent of that past episode but also what may have happened to Beth that we the audience didn’t see.

Aaron tells Carol and Daryl where Mary says the herd is and Carol suggests they get a group, leave straight after the funeral to look for it.

Daryl also says “Lydia’s still gone we gotta figure out what that even means”

So this order of events is:

1. Funeral

2. Find the herd

3. Missing girl

Most of this scene I think alludes to the missing parts of Beth’s story where a possible herd separated her “body” from Daryl and the group after they leave Grady. When they come back after the herd has left, her body is gone.

Part of me thinks that in season 5 some of the group then go looking for this herd to try and see if Beth had turned and joined it, and that’s why her body is missing, it would also explain why the group was split up in 5.09

If this the case the timeline of events back in season 5 would be.

1 Missing Girl

2. Find the herd

3. Funeral (for Tyrese and never find Beth or in this episode Lydia)

The funeral mentioned is obviously Siddiq’s but could also be a reminder of the lack of Beth’s funeral and the time frame close to Tyrese’s funeral, They visually look extremely similar.

Speculation here yes, but as they are repeating the story from the time frame of Beth’s missing body I am not surprised to hear some discussion that would line up with what happened to her.

So finding the herd and the missing girl is the main point talked about just before coughs *Tyrese’s* I mean Siddiq’s funeral.

The next scene is also fascinating as it is Luke, Judith and Michonne in a car/horse and cart Luke and Judith stand out for reasons relating to Beth, Luke (the music)  and Judith (the new sheriff who is also writing the equivalent of a journal) are sitting in the car on the way to ocean side. Once again I see this as a missing link scene possibly a call back to Beth being left in a vehicle when the herd comes through.

They stop at the library and Luke is extremely lucky not once but twice in that he finds a very rare piece of music that he loves and as he is attacked by 2 walkers and a stranger saves him.

The fact that Mr music has a close call, is extremely lucky and doesn’t die in this… the episode that is lining up with Coda stands out to me in a major way because in this same episode we have Dante get killed, who I have talked about previously having many similarities to Beth in the last few episodes.

Such as being an outsider coming into a new community (Dante tricked his way into Alexandria while Beth was forced into Grady)

Both were the medical assistant’s, both used medicine to kill another person (With Beth she was tricked into it and falsely blamed by Dr Edwards while Dante did it deliberately and falsely blamed Siddiq)

Both think about (and in Dante’s case succeed in) killing the doctor.

So I feel like they have shown a repeat of events with two different characters, the medical assistant dies (Beth to the general audience) but the lucky music man doesn’t (we know that the music box kept playing)

This was just a different way of showing the two sides. I also think it shows that if Beth had actually succeeded in killing Dr Edwards she would definitely have died, for real.

So Dante has also played an inverted Beth.

Virgil saving Luck could also point to a stranger saving Beth after her being shot but that remains to be seen.

I don’t have too much to say about the stuff at Ocean side and Virgil except that I think they are showing some inverted themes to Beth. In this scene we see Luke trying to protect Virgil for saving his life Virgil says “I’m just trying to get home to my family” so possibly similar to what happened to Beth.

Next we see the good father Kill Dante, again as I mentioned above if Beth had of succeeded in killing Dr Edwards I believe this would have been her fate too. Locked up with someone coming in and talking it upon themselves to seek justice.

We also see the Good Father coming full circle in terms of what he was like in Coda where he was unwilling to even use a weapon to kill walkers and Carl tries to get him too but at that point he was a coward, he no longer is a coward though and says to Dante “I haven’t always been brave” just before he pulls out his knife and stabs him to death. Talk about change!

The next scene is the group going out to find Alpha’s herd, they cross the boarder and enter into her land, I mentioned earlier how the Whisperers are a repeated inversion of the Grady cops, well it’s now that we are back in their territory that we see very in your face Coda inversions. Like this scene with Carol and Daryl

Carol is about to step on a trap and Daryl comes running to stop her, yes it’s a complete callback to Beth’s trap in Alone where she did step in it and hurt her ankle. But Beth’s trap was pointing to Grady and the fact that she would fall into their trap. Beth’s animal trap scene has a walker with a police badge and gun.

So this scene with Daryl and Carol is inverted Coda, the trap represents Grady. Carol is only and completely focused on Killing their leader but this time Daryl runs forwards and stops her from “killing Dawn” falling in the trap he then says to her “You could have lost a foot“ (another reminder of Beth’s trap pointing to Grady) "Can we stop this shit please? You want her dead so bad you don’t even care what happens to you” exactly what happened in that hallway at Grady with Beth. I’m positive his reaction here to Carol is absolutely because of what happened with Beth in that hallway and he sure as hell will try to stop it this time!

Carol goes on to say “that’s not true”

There is talk of Carol being like a ghost (just like Beth really)

Daryl then hugs Carol and says about Alpha “she’s not worth it” and “she’s a dead woman anyway” this is a inverted way of repeating Daryl shooting Dawn.

I also think they are showing us the difference if Daryl had of stopped Beth before she tried to stab Dawn.

He then talks about them having a future and to not let her take that too.

To wrap up the scene Daryl disarms the trap and Carol walks away and kills a lone walker which made me again think of a complete inversion of this scene where Beth does set off the trap, and Daryl has to kill the walker, as opposed to Daryl disarming the trap and Carol Killing the walker. 

So next the next scene with Daryl and Carol’s group we see them reach the Valley where Alpha’s herd is supposed to be.

Remember this is just after the Grady trap scene.

Daryl is out front and keen to get to the herd.

Once he sees there is no herd, he gets really upset, curses and him and Aaron argue.

Aaron thinks the trap Daryl came across was set recently by the Whisperers and is a sign the Whisperers are protecting the area and that Gamma isn’t lying about the location of the herd, but that Alpha has moved it since.

Daryl thinks the trap was laid by a hunter a decade ago. So we have references to the same trap being set from around a decade ago (Beth would have been at Grady around 8-9 years ago) and then recently. Hmm 🤔 Interesting…

Daryl now focuses all his attention on finding Lydia (the missing girl) which to me is the same as season 5 looking for Beth and the herd.

As this scene comes to an end Aaron says to Carol “I know everything is upside down at the minute but I’m not wrong about this”

This line made me laugh because I feel exactly the same as Aaron… Everything IS upside down at the minute (story wise) and I’m not wrong about it 😂.

The group then starts looking for Lydia. (The Missing Girl)

Carol (the Ghost) had walked away from the trap in the previous scene unharmed, (AKA Beth didn’t die but her body is missing)

 Its not long before this happens:

We see Carol chase after Alpha ,which in turn leads to the group getting trapped in the cave with the herd of walkers.

So Carol is Ghost Beth and we are seeing the after math of Grady.

Grady 2.0

This hiatus is going to be very long… Just like this post.

[planetsam]

1x12 coda as told from the perspective of Alex Manes’ service beagle Perseus. Follow up is here.

Perseus is a good dog.

He’s young and fresh from training, ready to serve. He can do all sorts of things. Mostly he can wake people up when they get distressed and he can fetch things they need. It’s good because the newest member of his pack needs him to do both of these things. Perseus likes him. He’s nice and spoils him no matter what he does. He gives him a soft bed and also he lets him sleep with him. Perseus likes this because it’s easier to wake him up if he is close. And Perseus is a good dog.

When the new pack member comes back after a long trip he’s not alone. Perseus has been taught that he is to be ready, but he cannot go barreling at the door when his pack member comes home. His pack member falls over easily and Perseus is not going to hurt him. So he waits as  his pack member comes back finally. Immediately he goes to inspect his pack member’s metal paw. But the seal Is good so his pack member is not hurt. He’s not pleased either, no matter how he smiles and scratches behind his ears.

“Good boy,” he says, “I missed you,” he straightens up, “This is Michael.”

Something is wrong with Michael.

He smells bad. Wrong. Perseus knows a bad smell from a good one. But he also knows the upset smell, the one where he’s needed most and he can smell that on him. It’s very confusing and he cannot help but go behind his pack member. Packs protect each other. But even behind the strong metal paw, Perseus can smell the upset smell from the wrong smelling person. He doesn’t need to look up to see his pack member crouch down.

“I need you to go say hi to Michael, buddy,” he says, “I know he smells different, but that’s because he’s from a far away place.”

“Alex it’s fine,” Michael says, moving away, “you got any beer? Something stronger?”

Pack member looks at him and Perseus can smell the upset smell starting to come from him too. He needs to put a stop to this now. He bounds over to Michael and barks, like he should if pack member ever starts to walk around at night. Michael stops and Perseus drops onto his feet, rolling over and exposing his belly. Perseus is brave and knows that this makes people feel better. Michael hesitates for only a moment before scratching his belly. Three of his fingers are much stronger, but it’s a good belly rub.

“I have water,” pack member says. Michael does not want water but Perseus can smell that he needs it and barks to let pack member know, “Perseus thinks you need it too.”

“Your dog’s name is Perseus?” Michael asks, “where’d you come up with that?”

“I didn’t,” pack member says, “he came with it,” he comes over with the water, “but he’s a brave boy.”

Michael follows pack member to the couch, sitting down. Perseus jumps up. He makes sure pack member is okay and then goes back to Michael, settling his head in his lap. Michael takes the water with a frown and goes to put it down, but Perseus knows that water like that is never remembered and gets his head under his arm. Michael stares at him but Perseus has been taught to be insistent when water is not consumed. Especially around med time.

“You adopted a mom,” Michael says.

Something changes instantly in the room. Even Perseus can feel it. Something bad. He sees Michael’s eyes go wet and nudges him harder. He cannot loose more water without drinking first. Michael relents and drinks some before looking at him. Perseus flops on his belly with his head in Michael’s lap and lets him rub his tummy as a reward.

“When did you get him?” He asks, clearing his throat.

“A few weeks ago, it was a last minute thing with the VA,” he says, “he’s a service dog. He’s trained to help me. The guy he was supposed to go with—“ he clears his throat, “he didn’t make it long enough to take him.”

���Shit,” Michael says, “sorry,” he looks at him, “he’s good though.”

“Yeah, he’s great,” pack member says. Perseus looks up, “you’re a good boy,” pack member says and Perseus is pleased. He likes that. “I didn’t want a service dog but things lined up and—“ he shrugs, “it’s more helpful than I thought.”

“That’s good,” Michael mumbles, “I’m glad you’re getting the help—damn it,” he swipes messily at his cheeks, “this is fucking ridiculous. Maybe I’m allergic.”

Perseus looks at pack member but he shakes his head, signaling that the word which could be alarm causing is not the thing happening here. Pack member scoots closer and Michael swipes at his cheeks again.

“I mean it’s ridiculous right?” He says, “I spent my whole life on my own. I knew her for five minutes. What the hell do I have to be upset about?” Perseus whines to let pack member know this is getting worse, “I never had a mom so why should this—“ he shivers, “it doesn’t matter.”

He folds and pack member gets his arms around him, but his tears still drip. Perseus shoves closer to him as Michael starts heaving with sobs. Pack member keeps his arms around his chest as Michael weeps and grips his arms like he’s a harness. Perseus cannot get closer. He can feel Michael’s heaving diaphragm as he chokes on his tears. If he passes out, Perseus knows to get pack member’s attention. But Michael does not pass out. He just sobs harder and harder. So Perseus and pack member barricade him as best they can and try to keep him close as he makes the noises that are okay because they are making the bad smell start to go away.

Perseus lays for hours against him. He wonders if maybe the strange smell is why Michael sobs so hard for so long. Even pack member’s episodes of crying don’t last like this. Perseus thinks he will never get up from this couch and Michael and it makes him sad. He wines to let Michael know he is not alone and that the other pack members are with him. Michael’s tears don’t stop but eventually the gut wrenching sobs do. His position hasn’t changed so Perseus wiggles slightly forward and paws at his elbow. Michael looks down at him and Perseus whines to remind him to drink more water. Though tears are still going down his face, Michael knows Perseus is in charge and picks up the glass, consuming the rest of it. Pack member runs his hand through Michael’s hair and keeps his other on his chest.

“How?” Michael rasps. Pack members face falls, “it’s not fair.”

“No,” pack member says, “it’s not. Michael I’m so sorry.”

Michael chokes and Perseus knows he’s going to start crying again, but before he can he looks over at pack member almost desperately.

“Please don’t—“ he begins.

“I’m not going to leave,” pack member says, “here, look,” he undoes the mechanism on his metal paw, “Perseus, go put this away.”

Perseus whines because Michael still smells bad but pack member tightens his grip on him and draws him closer. If he has him then Perseus feels better about hopping down. He takes the leg by the strap and drags it to the corner. By the time he comes back, Michael is half on top of pack member who is rubbing up and down his back as he clings to him, saying things in a low and comforting voice. Perseus climbs in between them and curls up, just to make sure Michael is securely held from all angles. He’s not sobbing as loudly or painfully as before, but he’s still crying. In some ways this is better but not by much. Pack member is okay though. Even without his metal paw. Michael smells strange but pack member smells good and together they smell good-strange. Perseus thinks this is a good smell.

Pack member and Michael stay like that for another long while until Michael gets them both in bed. Perseus reminds him to get more water by bringing him the glass he finished. Pack member eventually falls asleep but Michael stays awake for a while longer, still crying but now silently and not loud. Perseus curls up on his front and pack member is at his back and that seems to help him feel a little better. Perseus decides it’s not too bad with another person in the bed. They all still fit quite well. In the morning he gets pack member his leg and when he turns, Michael has his leash and, of all things, a ball. His eyes are red and puffy but when he holds it up, Perseus almost wiggles across the floor with excitement.

“I’ll do breakfast,” pack member says.

“Come on, lets see how you fetch,” other pack member offers, and Perseus is very, very pleased.

He needs to show new pack member how well he fetches.

[seenashwrite]

The Fall ‘18/Winter ‘19 Edition of…

It’s a better-late-than-never situation, but it’s finally here!

*~* New to The Nail? *~*

The Nail isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about award-level contenders. It isn’t for highlighting certain genres of fics or specific ships. It’s about seeing real effort and hard work radiate off of the screen - the sole focus is quality. Character dimension. Writing with clever readers in mind. Well-built worlds. Killer starts and clutch endings. Crazy crisp dialogue. Incredibly tight plotting. More shows, less tells. Big emotion.

Find past editions HERE. Find what factors are considered when constructing this rec list, and learn how to get your recommendations to me HERE. Find info on the structure of these rec posts HERE, with answers to FAQs such as “Why did someone make up a title for my piece?”, and more.

>> The Basics On What’s Below <<

- All from the world of SPN (unless otherwise noted, i.e. cross-overs), across all genres; these are organized by length for the most part, so you’ll need to click thru to see if it is a theme of your preference; I aim to not have too much that’s of the same genre/length in a given edition, and limit the times a writer can appear on a given list (if they had more that fit the bill, I’ll chuck ‘em to next edition’s list); when applicable, unique projects, original stories, and any anecdotes/personal essays/family stories/etc. are near the end.

- You’ll see icons throughout…

If it has NSFW elements / walks an NSFW line - ⚠️

If it features / blatantly alludes to a specific ship - 🚢

If it has less than 100 notes (at time of this post) - 📌

And that last item is very important.

- A main priority of The Nail is to have at least 50% of these one-and-done SPN stories (so, drabbles and one-shots) be those which have less than 100 notes (give or take a few self-reblogs by the writer, and not counting mine) in each posting, and for this edition, out of 36, these comprise 26 so the goal was met!

Highly encourage you to at minimum hit the heart, ideally reblogging along with a note of feedback if you enjoyed. To do my part, I’ll be queuing these low-note fics one per day after this edition is published.

- Reblog of this rec list by “big blogs” (let’s say 1K followers and up) is especially appreciated, and not for my sake; it’s to get these wonderful writers with low note fics as much exposure as possible.

- Writers, make sure you scroll - you may be on here more than once!

- “Notes from Nash" at the very bottom of the post.

- For your mobile convenience, here’s The Nail Master Post of Editions

- And finally, shameless plugs....

 See Nash Write: Master List

You Totally Made That Up podcast - @youtotallymadethatup

Note: Just a line or two excerpt to paint a little picture - no specific feedback on these drabbles because each writer nailed it in the entirety - all are poignant, well-structured, thoughtful, and they did it all in a limited amount of words. Well done, all of you. 

181 words

The Wishes 📌  -  @sixtysevenandwhiskey 

It’s a lot of nothing, until nothing is all there is.

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182 words

Stars 📌  -  @covered-byroses

She loved looking at the stars.

.

223 words

Storytelling 📌  -  @always-keep-writing

He shouldn’t be surprised that it ends up being a story.

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230 words

A Long Forty Years  -  @babybluecas

Sometimes, he’d wish he was so much older.

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352 words

Control 📌 -  @idreamofhazel

If only Dean knew the other, more biting things he holds under his tongue.

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370 words

His Hair 📌 🚢  -  @gabrielfallstonight  

He often wondered if, by spending as much time on Earth as he did, he was growing almost human.

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427 words

Topper  -  @alleiradayne  

Coffee. He just needed a cup. Or four. Okay, maybe the whole pot.

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483 words

Tedium 📌  -  @smi727  

This situation was something Michael simply could not abide.

555 words

Kids These Days 📌  -  @revwinchester  

A little behind-the-scenes interlude wherein Dean has an interaction with some kids in town. In medias res, OCs developed in a short amount of space, thoughtful/nice message without being preachy.

.

560 words

Four Months Expired (But Still Good) 📌 🚢  -  @bendingsignpost

A delightful scene based on a premise that could've gone saccharine but stays the just right amount of sweet and humorous.

(I cannot tag this lovely, if someone would be so kind as to try to do so in the comments, it would be appreciated!)

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570 words

Black 📌 - @sculptorofbeginningslibrary  

An introspective look at Dean in the time between waking up with his demonized soul and when he left the bunker; doesn't merely recap what we know; nice take on the physical changes; excellent characterization.

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633 words

Smoked  -  @ameliacareful

A snicker-worthy tale of what should be an ordinary shopping trip, but as we know nothing can ever be simple for the brothers; well-structured, solid characterization, concise  descriptions that put you right there with them.

(I cannot tag this lovely, if someone would be so kind as to try to do so in the comments, it would be appreciated!)

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664 words

Last Night  -  @atwistoffate

A brief interaction between you and Dean that is a perfect balance of snarky and cute, and (thank Chuck) Dean is portrayed realistically, and I personally salute the writer for not uttering a single Y/N or sweetheart (it can be done, folks). I'd also be remiss not to highlight this beauty: “You know what? I don’t even care,” Dean says, caring deeply.

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714 words

Stay  -  @there-must-be-a-lock

Absolutely beautiful moment between you and Sam that doesn't get weighed down by over-dramatic pining, in part thanks to a sandwich. In medias res; descriptions that paint the picture without diving too deep; lovely from beginning to end.  

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812 words

Carolina 📌  -  @atc74

A first-person, introspective tale of an interaction Dean has with a stranger. In medias res; sets the stage from the opening paragraph, putting you right into Dean's shoes; well-developed OC in short amount of time; great closing lines.

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841 words

Strange Gifts 📌 -  @lastactiontricia  

Michael gives you the "gift" of knowing your potential fates. In medias res; great structure/descriptions that convey the mood without being belabored; clutch open-ended ending.  

1.1K words

Syruped and Feathered 📌 -  @mrswhozeewhatsis

A snicker-worthy on-the-hunt tale where you and the Winchesters get in a... well... a sticky situation. Ahem. Sorry, couldn't resist. Oh, and there's a surprise guest star that'll make you grin. In medias res, nice flow, creative use of prompts.

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1.2K words

Don't Panic 📌  -  @koedeza

Beautifully written, somber tale about what eventually happens in the lives of hunters. In medias res, excellent structure/flow, fantastic characterization, clutch ending. Keep an eye out for this writer - they are consistently solid and do not disappoint.

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1.3K words

'Til It All Falls Apart 📌  -  @lipstickandwhiskey

Angst done right in this story about what Dean might've gone through after Michael was cast out. Good flow, no laborious explanations of what we already know, reasonable actions/reactions from all.

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1.4K words

Bite Me, BitFit 📌  -  @shy-violet-soul

Exactly what you think from the title - a funny story about Dean's battle with healthy living. In medias res, nice structure, great characterization, several killer lines.

.

1.4K words

Eggshells 📌  -  @hunenka

A coda to Nightmare Logic, this tackles Dean's internal processing of life as he now knows it, Sam in charge and what feels like a million people in his home. Beautifully written, Dean is as accurate as it gets, excellent flow, plausible scenario.

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1.7K words

Told You So   -  @there-must-be-a-lock

How to do hot and sultry without smut - read and learn. This is a story about what should have been just an ordinary post-hunt night back at the bunker, when it turned to something more. Great opening paragraph, easy flow, trifecta of snarky-sweet-sexy.

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1.8K words

Brother 📌  -  @sixtysevenandwhiskey

An exquisite look - to use the writer's words - at Dean over the years, through Sam's eyes. Excellent structure/verbiage, no unneeded repetition of things we already know, good use of song inspo, plausible within canon, feels genuine throughout.

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1.8K words

The Lie 📌 -  @sophisticated-angel

Stunning tale (and add this to the pile of "Why the hell doesn't this have more notes?!" stories) about what happens to those who are left behind after a loved one dies - but as always in the Winchester world, nothing can ever be routine. In medias res, creative plotline, moving and heart-grabbing that leaves you with both a sense of rightness and a sense of unease.

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2.9K words

The Unexpected Guest  -  @crispychrissy 

Per the writer's summary - "A day of researching takes a turn when you see something from your past that leads to some interesting discoveries." But, wait - this is so much more. Pay attention as you read, because the writer has left you clues along the way (starting with the title), and it's done quite deftly. In addition - nice blending of humor and drama, time taken to research the creature featured clearly evident, clutch ending.

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3K words

Easier To Be Me 📌 -  @alleiradayne

A Sam + Reader story labelled "floof" by the writer, but it's sweet without bending saccharine; in medias res; great opening/closing lines.

[Nominated by @atc74 who said - “So I have read a couple things of hers, this I read a while ago, but it deserves some love, because it is just that good. Hope you like it This was so wonderful. Well written and beautiful."]

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3.1K words

Teeth 📌   -  @lastactiontricia

Do you want to read something spooky that’s based on a true story, with a fantastic plot that has roots in a true story, which features well-developed characterization/accuracy in characterization, and is - in case I didn’t mention it - based on a true story?!

Read this. Find you a cozy corner, grab the drink of your choice whether it’s bourbon or hot chocolate, wrap up in a blanket, and Read. The. Story. It is unique, it is well-written, quality top to bottom, and it’ll give you the feels, tips to toes. Stop wasting your time on the same ol’, same ol’.

READ THE STORY

(Part of a collection, all are fantastic, so see also: Halloween Horror SPN One Shots Masterlist)

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3.3K words

Lay Me Down 📌  -  @stusbunker

A solid case fic here that balances itself with some cheekiness thrown in amongst the drama (and a bonus for me, not a "Y/N" in sight - it can be done, folks). In medias res, moves at a quick clip, great line here: "The spell spread quickly, like spilled water on a tabletop..."

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4.9K words

Shadow's Edge 📌  -  @saenalife 

A story of what happened one night when a routine retrieval of an item goes sideways. In medias res, excellent opening line/paragraph that perfectly sets the scene/mood (I mean - "Dark seems like too shallow a word for this. It goes beyond the absence of light - more like the light has never existed here at all..." - hello), creative plot, great structure (specifically: flashback/forward done right), and bonus kudos for switching things up with a feature not seen with regularity, that of a gender neutral lead.

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5.6K words

The Wonders of Modern Technology ⚠️ -  @littlegreenplasticsoldier

If you aren’t familiar with Greenie, she’s another one of those rare writers ‘round these parts who gives us consistently solid stories with a unique style that’s all her own, and this one is no exception, a humorous tale of a piece of equipment that doesn’t exactly malfunction, but we’ll just say there’s, ah, user error [wink]. 

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5.7K words

Like Ocean in the Desert 📌⚠️  -  @saenalife

Borrowing the writer's summary - "Baby needs some work before Dean can get back on the road. He went to the salvage yard for parts, but what he found was a human connection." In medias res, well-developed OC, nice premise, great structure/flow.

[Nominated by @littlegreenplasticsoldier who said - "Here’s a prime example of notes misaligning with quality. Pfft. Criminal. This is the third time I’ve read this."]

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6.4K words

The First Bite 📌  -  @shy-violet-soul

A story from the way-back-when, and as for feedback, I’ll let the curator take it away....

[Nom'd by @mrswhozeewhatsis who said - "Confession: I love Weechesters. So, this fic was already up my alley from word one. Add in pie mentioned just in the author’s note, and I was already a happy camper! Imagine my surprise when I was sniffling halfway through because wee!Dean was just killing me! The OCs are very well fleshed out, without being distracting, and the whole story was just so well-written I finished it just wanting to hug everyone. The grammar and other technical stuff was at least flawless enough that I didn’t notice it, and the whole story just unfolded in front of me like a cootie-catcher. I think I’m in love, and I might go read it again, even though I should be writing. *swoon*"]

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6.8K words

Gutted  -  @idreamofhazel

A case fic with some Dean + Reader sweet-n'-sultry on top. Nice opening paragraph that sets the tone, solid characterization, very creative plot/creature featured, excellent structure.

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6.9K words

About Dean's Dreams   ⚠️ -  @fanforfanatic  

This writer has yet to disappoint - and this story is damn near pristine from start to finish. It’s an actual, on god, Dean-in-character dive into the woman of his dreams. Sound fluffy or angsty? Nope. You’re wrong. It isn’t either. What it is, is just right. I’m not telling you any more - when you next have time to sit and read and really absorb an introspective Dean piece, make this your first choice.

Say hello to a new (-ish!) writer, @salt-n-burn-em-all !

Doors 📌

You will not believe this is just her 2nd SPN fanfic - captivating and moving, and even if you're swiping a tear away, I think you'll find yourself with a smile at the last three words.

East of Nowhere ⚠️  -  @thecleverdame 

You and Sam are strangers trapped in a desolate mountain town where you live alone, isolated from the outside world, for five years.

Very creative scenario that takes you on an intimate journey and - most importantly - has quite the satisfying reveal.

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How You and I Will Be  -  @katehuntington  

When a hellhound case in the mountains goes sideways, Dean and you find yourselves trapped in a small cabin, miles from civilization. Rescue is on its way, but will it be in time?

Opening paragraph sets the scene perfectly, you'll find yourself there immediately, and it's a plausible scenario of a hunt gone wrong. (We do love our case fics here at The Nail!)

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If This Is A Dream  🚢 -  @wendibird 

Sam receives a tip about a restless spirit haunting a particular patch of woods in South Carolina - one who has asked for him by name. He must now deal with the thought of putting to rest someone he once cared for, but will things go that simply?

Phenomenal opening line/paragraph that puts you in Sam's headspace from the jump, and boy howdy can we all empathize with him, and it's a plausible scenario, one I personally haven't seen tackled til this.

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Men of Cold Cases  -  @smi727

Sam had uncovered hundreds upon hundreds of cases the Men of Letters had never closed, [and the] idea was to investigate what those stodgy old nerds never got around to. Given the cases were at least 60 years old, the chances that any were still active were slim to none. They should all be milk runs…

Fantastic concept, completely original, and well-written to boot. Bonus? The writer has based the plots on actual cold cases and mysteries, and provides you links to the stories behind the story so you can learn more.

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The Ellison Lane Legacy  -  @sixtysevenandwhiskey 

Sam finds a case. You’re reminded of a past you want to forget.

Cheers for a well-rounded original female character who is tough and vulnerable all at once. Interesting and creative story that's heavy, yes, but thanks to skilled writing the flow keeps it moving vs. getting mired down.

Wrath 📌  -  @waywardjoy

Shakespeare gets a run for his money here with a small fic inspired by some of his words. Beautifully composed, from the title to the usage of the lines, flows like a dream, evokes big emotion, and puts you right there in the action, breathtaking from start to finish.

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The Runaway Vessel 📌  -  @butiaintgonnaloveem 

A creepy re-working of a popular children's story that will stay with you after you read it. Killer first line, clutch ending, and a detailed, stunning piece of artwork to boot from @lostmymuseagain, what a match made in heaven. This one dug deep, and definitely read like a cautionary fairytale about fate and choices that grandparents would tell/read to the children on a dark night around the fire, give ‘em a bit of a chill in spite of it. 

Ring-A-Ling  -  @winchester-writes & @littlegreenplasticsoldier & @mrswhozeewhatsis

To think, it all started with an innocent post about a tiny bell - get ready to laugh.

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Ten Years Gone  -  @cinnamonanddean  

This is a short-and-sweet, most worthy exception to a The Nail rule that no RPF will be on the list, wherein Jensen reflects upon his time on the show.

Carriers  -  @violetwolfraven 

Daddy Loves To Be Murdered   -  @gabesnonnie 

Slay Ride  -  @bendingsignpost 

The Awakening  -  @rmeisel 

The Chosen One  -  @copperbadge 

The Night  -  @later0varies

Bedtime Stories & How Chad Got His Name  -  @lostmymuseagain (also see the artwork related to the Chad story here)

The Author  -  @thebibliosphere

Notes from Nash

The document with my little summaries and personalized feedback for each of these got eaten - basically, I had to re-do the list and time’s been scarce, so forgive me for the lateness.

Also, there was a good handful of stories that disappeared due to what I presume was the purge/people deleting or losing their blogs. I did make effort to check AO3 but I’m afraid some stellar work has been lost for good.

There were a lot of repeat writers and folks I’m friendly with in this edition, more than I typically feature - I strive to highlight mostly lesser known writers and, as noted, mostly fics with <100 notes - but they earned it (and I even chucked a few more from some of these peeps into the folder for the next edition, that’s how hard they’re rockin’ it). That’s why it’s so important y’all let me know about the unsung writers and their undiscovered jewels - submit the story links and your reviews to me (links to your reblogs with your comments is perfectly fine) any ol’ time. 

That’s it! What’re you waiting for??? Get to reading!

[pigeon-ker]

The Outstretched Hand

KH OC Week Day 5: The Dimmest Light

@khoc-week

Riku x Harmonia (During KHI soon after Sora defeats Riku-Ansem)

Harmonia’s legs burned as she ran down the darkened path before her. She was anything but used to her new form. Mages like her-- mages with a purple timbre weren’t suppose to have an unbound form. That harp she heard playing in the distance when she first woke up in this world, they knew something the rest of Northpointe didn’t. She had searched for hours now, and there was no sign of her harp-playing savior or anyone else. While the Realm of Darkness had its ominous atmosphere, Harmonia couldn’t help but admire some of the landscape. With its bare trees and glowing, blue stones, this world was truly enchanting in a unique way.

No other new abilities or spells came to her either. Maybe this is why we’re never taught to unlock these forms, she thought, pausing to catch her breath. Her eyes moved ahead to see if there was anything in front of her that she might not have noticed. The fourteen-year-old squinted at what looked like a figure collapsed on the ground. Harmonia started running again, eager to find out who this person might be. She hoped it was the person who saved her. She needed answers as to how this person knew about this form. 

As the mage drew closer, the figure on the ground became clearer. Harmonia could just make out his silver hair and dark blue bodysuit. She ran faster now.

“Riku!” she called, but the boy made no movement to show that he heard her. Once Harmonia was in front of him, she noticed dark tendrils holding him to the ground. Riku’s eyes were closed, and his face looked pale. Kneeling down, she lifted him up a little bit and asked, “Riku, hey, can you hear me? Riku?”

“Ni...?” she heard him whisper. Her expression lit up as his eyes cracked open. Riku moved to cup her cheek as best as he could with the tendrils holding him back. 

“Are you okay?” Harmonia asked. Riku still seemed disoriented. “Okay,” she said under a shaky breath. “I’m gonna get you out of here, alright?”

“Harmonia...” Riku whispered again. 

She ignored him and grabbed one of the tendrils holding him down. “Don’t worry.” As she held it, she could feel a freezing sensation run up her arm. 

“Harmonia, what happened to your eyes?” Immediately, the girl stopped what she was doing.

“My eyes?” she murmured. Harmonia looked at herself in Riku’s eyes, and she saw what he had been talking about. Her irises and pupils were gone, leaving her eyes nothing but blank orbs. She felt her stomach churn as she stared at her new appearance.

Shaking her head, she told him, “Never mind that,” before returning to free Riku from the tendrils. 

“I’d step away from my vessel if I were you,” a menacing voice demanded. Harmonia’s eyes widened, and she jumped back in shock. Turning to meet the origin of the voice, she saw a tall, dark-skinned man looming over her. Long, white hair fell behind his back. Yellow eyes glared back at her.

Straightening her posture, Harmonia asked, “Who are you?” as strongly as she could. The stranger’s lips curled into a smirk.

“I am Ansem, Seeker of Darkness. Now, are you going to leave?” he inquired. She said nothing and prepared to defend Riku from this man. Ansem grimaced at this, but he made no motion to attack. 

“I’m not afraid of you!” Harmonia declared, charging a lightning spell in her hands. Blue electricity crackled at her fingertips, catching her attention. It was never blue before.

Laughing, Ansem continued to speak, ”I’m aware, and I know exactly what you fear most.” His tone sent a chill down her spine, and her spell was dismissed. “I saw you on the cliff during that storm. If you leave now, this realm will protect you. You’ll never have to feel afraid again. Do we have a deal?” Harmonia stared back in shock. How did he know? As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Ansem’s offer was tempting. 

“I...” Her gaze fell down as she thought. To never worry about her anxieties again was an offer that would change the entire trajectory of her life. Then, she glanced over to Riku. He still seemed dazed. Both she and Riku had been wrong to put themselves so close to the darkness, but to be trapped and used by Ansem-- Riku didn’t deserve that at all. “No,” she stated firmly.

“What?” Ansem said incredulously.

“That’s dumb-- I’m not gonna waste away in this place for the rest of my life,” Harmonia retorted, clenching her right fist.

Angered now, Ansem shouted, “I’m trying to help you!”

“That’s the last thing you’re trying to do. I don’t know what you’re doing out there, but I know it isn’t anything good,” she pointed out. Something changed within her, and it wasn’t just her sudden boost in confidence. The mage could sense new powers beginning to emerge. “I’m getting Riku out of here, and you’re not gonna get in my way.” Ansem looked unconvinced by her words. Carefully, Harmonia extended two fingers on her left hand. The man didn’t seem to notice. 

“What makes you think you can defeat me?” he asked, getting even more agitated. “You couldn’t even keep your own darkness under control then, and you hardly have control over it now,” he argued. Harmonia shook her head.

“I am Harmonia Segno,” she began to say, raising her right hand. Ansem’s expression fell as his yellow gaze moved upward. “And I am in control.” Ansem seemed scared now as he stared at the enormous, shadowy hand that materialized behind the girl. Keeping her blank gaze ahead of her, she called, “Riku,” in a quiet voice so that only he could hear. With a flick of her fingers, the tendrils around the silver-haired boy disappeared. “Run.”

So, yeah, Harmonia is another character who exists between light and dark. I have two really nice ideas behind this choice though. First is the fact that music can be both. Songs in major keys need some minor harmonies the same way that some minor songs will use major chords at times (If anyone doesn’t know the difference between major and minor, it’s that major sounds happy with the right context and minor sounds sad with context). The other reason is that I wanted to write a character whose radiance shined brightest in the dark (hence the text on the picture). Also, unbound forms are nothing too overpowered at all and the strength of any unbound mage probably matches Limit or Master Form Sora. All four OCs have one that corresponds to a color. 

Also, the number 13 actually appears a lot in the Segno Family:

Harmonia Segno has 13 letters

Ni (Harmonia’s nickname), Coda, Andante has 13 letters

Harmonia + Coda S. has 13 letters

Dulce + Andante S. has 13 letters

w h o o p s

[sarsaparillia]

title: dreadfully unsolicited advice summary:  Leandra Hawke invites Grand Enchanter Fiona to join her for a cup of tea. — templar!au coda; Leandra, Fiona.

rating: t+ word count:3700+ genre: gen/family/angst sort of notes:   anyway i love leandra hawke and you all can just deal with that. here’s part... ix holy shit

AO3 | FFN

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The reports come in from Adamant nearly too fast for the Inquisition’s spymistress to keep up.

But only nearly.

Sister Nightingale burns oil ‘til midnight, and oftentimes much later. Thre news out of Adamant is grim; down near half the numbers they’d gone in with, which is still better than she had expected. Down to half is better than down to a quarter; she’ll have to send Charter on recruitment again.

(Wasteful, but necessary. Charter has a decent sense about people, and the Nightingale learned her lesson with Painter. Close, but not too close.)

She is halfway through skinning the next report when she almost spits out her wine for the laughter.

Oh, but the Maker has a very queer sense of humour.

Nightingale reads through the missive a second time, pleased when the letters don’t change. She cannot say she is not amused by the though, and she smiles an old killer’s smile.

She does owe Lady Leandra one back for that little stunt the Hawke matriarch pulled with the apprentices. While it had been a stunt that Nightingale agreed with in theory, it had still made her life markedly more difficult, and if anyone can appreciate how difficult Nightingale’s life already is, it is Lady Leandra Hawke.

Things used to be so simple, Nightingale reflects.

But maybe they had never really been simple, and had only seemed to be so, and the Maker has always been a cruel taskmaster. She thinks of her love, sequestered away in Denerim at the behest of another monarch, and does not have to reconsider.

Sister Nightingale yawns, stretches. Her spine pip-pop-pops, and the hour burns so late. Her eyelids droop.

But still: one last letter to write and send across the Waking Sea, and then she will rest.

—--------------------------------------------

Skyhold is much as Leandra Hawke had imagined it would be: a could draughty castle in the middle of the mountains, with a quickly-growing village sprung up at the bottom of the valley for trade, a truly impressive dearth of structural integrity and sense, and a very large number of Carta dwarves whom Leandra eyes shrewdly and thinks loudly in their direction, don’t make me write to your mothers, because I can and I will, do not test me.

(The Carta dwarves shuffle off. Leandra is appeased.)

But for all its drawbacks, Skyhold is big enough to house a proper mage tower, and has plenty of space for Leandra’s own charges. When they’d been riding up, the youngest of her templars had shuddered and shaken her head. Sommat’s not right here, m’um, she’d said, and Leandra had been inclined to agree.

However.

Her charges will be safe here, and there is no Divine to call the Exalted March that Leandra has spent more months than she can count dreading. Skyhold itself is walled in from all sides, which is both a blessing and a curse; they’ll see their enemy coming clear for leagues, but they’ll have nowhere to run if it comes down to it. And—

Well.

Leandra has missed her grandchildren.

“Liana, darling, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Leandra reminds the oldest of said grandchildren.

“S’rr’ee Gran,” Liana says, with a full mouth. All three of Leandra’s grandchildren eat as though they’ve never seen food in their lives before; if Leandra’s daughter was anything but what she is, Leandra would think that she were starving them. But the truth of the matter is that really, they’re simply all growing children, and they need energy to continue doing that.

Leandra reminds herself of the regular bill to feed fifty-odd mage children and six teenage templar-initiates, and tries to count her blessings.

Carina seems to have finished, because she’s started to push her food around her plate in a gesture very reminiscent of her mother. Leandra thinks that this is fitting: if Carina is Bethany in miniature, then Liana is Alistair, and Malcolm, for all that he is the youngest of the three, is Leandra’s own Marian exactly.

Her daughter’s children all each have their own mannerisms, but it’s rather amusing to see which one fits where, all the same.

And oh, but she does love them so dearly.

“What is it, Rina, sweet?” Leandra asks. “You look like you’re thinking about something.”

Liana looks at her twin, just as she always has done whenever anyone is addressing her twin. They exchange wordless glances, and then Liana opens her mouth.

Leandra holds up a hand.

“Lia,” she says, only a little stern. One day, they’ll learn. “Let your sister speak, please.”

Liana slumps backwards, put out. Leandra knows that she’s truly the one who forces them not to communicate in tandem as they prefer, but she also does think that Carina needs to learn to use her own words, and not always rely on Liana’s ability to interpret her ever thought.

They won’t always be able to do that, Leandra knows. She thinks of Revka only for a moment, and then she puts the thoughts away.

“…Are we going to keep staying with the Grand Enchanter?” Carina finally asks. She pushes the food around her plate some more, brows furrowing together with the concentrated effort of it. “Or are you going to look after us, Gran?”

The Grand Enchanter.

Ah, Leandra thinks.

The Grand Enchanter is the reason, no more and no less, that Leandra has made the whole long trek all this way, to this godforsaken, better-forgotten place. Her grandchildren are part and parcel to it, certainly, and the scolding that Marian and Carver are both going to get, as well, but—

Grand Enchanter Fiona is Alistair’s mother, and Leandra wants to know why on the Maker’s green earth she’s only learning about this now.

“I think we’ll share that, darling,” Leandra says, lightly. “There’s no reason to uproot, not when your mother and father will be back so soon. How does that sound?”

All three of them brighten. Leandra isn’t offended; they’ve been uprooted enough, her grandchildren, and there’s no reason to do it with exception for her pride.

Leandra has never put much stock in pride. It only ever makes a mess, does pride.

“Thanks, Gran,” Carina says, very softly. She wiggles a little in her chair, reaching over to throw her arms around Leandra’s side in a haphazard attempt at a hug.

Leandra smiles. They really are a very wonderful set of grandchildren, and they’ll grow up to be wonderful adults, too; they’re shaping up for it already, Liana and Carina, and Malcolm is going to put Marian to shame with the trouble he’s going to manage to stir up, in all likelihood.

If Leandra were a better person, she’d probably try to put a stop to the trouble bit.

But she is not a better person, and Leandra privately thinks that frankly, the world could use a little more trouble, so long as it’s the good kind. Malcolm isn’t likely to try to set Orlais on fire, overmuch. And really, the Orlesians could probably use some well-planned ruckus.

It would certainly shake up their little Game.

Never let it be said that Leandra Hawke is not a petty person. She is. She simply hides it better than most other petty people do. Orlais is Val Royeaux is the Divine, and despite the fact that Justinia is dead, Leandra still hasn’t forgiven her yet.

Perhaps it is unhealthy, to enjoy spiting a dead woman so.

But Leandra is perfectly aware that the Divine had had the power to have stopped Knight-Commander Meredith in her holy silverite-greaved tracks, and she did not.

There are many things that Leandra cannot, will not, forgive, and this is among them.

And so, for the issue at hand: if Malcolm starts another holy war, it won’t be anything that Leandra’s oldest hasn’t already done first. She supposes that really, it could be far worse; Malcolm is arguably less feral than Marian ever has been in her entire life.

Leandra can hold her peace.

Right now, she has bigger things on her mind.

For example: how in the Maker’s hallowed name to convince Alistair to even speak to the Grand Enchanter once he finds out, because he will find out, and Leandra knows her son-in-law; the boy balks the second anyone so much as brings up the breath of who his parents might have been. This only gets worse, when whoever it is brings up who Alistair might have been. It would be adorable if it weren’t so frustrating.

Other lives, Leandra thinks, bemused. Other worlds. Perhaps what it would like to be dead; she wonders, sometimes, about how that long, nightmarish stasis down in the dark of the foundries would have gone, had her youngest not been there.

Yes, dead and dying and drowning all the time.

But—

She banishes the thoughts. This is not the time for them. She is here with her grandchildren, her little monsters, and they are not anywhere else. There is no loss to them. There is no pain. There is only bright clean joy, and love, a thick smear of love.

Leandra returns her attention to the table.

She can think on the little deaths of her own life later.

—------------------------------------------------

When the Grand Enchanters knocks on Leandra’s chambers, she leaves the letter she’d been writing at the desk with the ink still wet, and pulls the door open with a flourish and a smile.

An accepted invitation to tea, albeit a strange, hesitant acceptance all the same; this is far more pleasant than the alternative.

Leandra had prepared herself, for the alternative.

“Lady Hawke,” Grand Enchanter Fiona says. She is a slim woman with a low, musical voice that would be very lovely to listen to read. Her skin is pale, and her eyes are very, very dark.

“Oh, Grand Enchanter, please, come in! I’ve made tea,” Leandra says, gestures inside gently enough to coax a recalcitrant cat. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would have the time, what with looking after the children.”

The Grand Enchanter relaxes minutely, and steps inside. “They have been no trouble.”

“No, I can’t image they would be,” Leandra pronounces, as she leads the Grand Enchanter to the parlour. “At least, not Liana and Carina. Malcolm—he’s very much like my eldest. Too much, perhaps. But I am glad they’ve not turned you off them entirely. They can be a bit of a handful, but I suppose you’d know that.”

The Grand Enchanter shrugs delicately. “Less than most.”

Leandra laughs, very softly. The tea set sits low on the trolley, laden with little teacakes and a large teapot that steams thinly. The cups are bone-china, brought from her Leandra’s own mother’s collection; Kirkwall’s dwarven artistry, again. “Give Malcolm a few years. I think he’ll give the Carta a run for their coin. Rina’s too shy for it, but Lia’s like her father.

“Is she?” the Grand Enchanter asks, perhaps a little too quickly, as they sit.

Leandra pours. Guests first, as she was taught. Pearlescent tendrils of steam drift through the air.

“Mmm,” Leandra hums into her tea, when they’ve both settled at last. “She is, yes. Less self-sacrificing, of course, but that’s not a bad thing. Alistair is liable to get himself killed, I don’t know how my daughter puts up with it.”

The Grand Enchanter’s knuckles are white as she sets her teacup down in lieu of an answer.

Leandra smiles into the brim of her cup, to hide.

Got you, she thinks.

“‘Ow so, may I ask?”

“Alistair? Oh, it’s simple, really. He loves my daughter more than life itself,” Leandra sighs. Truths. All truths. “It’s why I never objected, you know, even when he was still a templar.”

“I assume ‘e was not a very good templar?”

“My daughter is a mage,” Leandra says, a little wry. “He can’t have been that good at it, as they did end up married. Chantry law doesn’t mean much to either of them, I’m afraid.”

The Grand Enchanter makes a tiny noise, like a broken heart.

“I’ve been told he takes after his father,” Leandra continues, pretending blithe obliviousness to the Grand Enchanter’s growing melancholy. “But, you know, I don’t think that’s quite right. I met Maric, once, and they’re nothing alike. Frankly, I think Alistair takes after you.”

Leandra’s tea freezes in its cup.

(Oh, what a waste.)

“I am sorry, Lady Hawke, I do not follow,” says the Grand Enchanter, voice frosty.

“He has your eyes,” Leandra says, easily. “Liana and Carina do, as well. I’m sure you see the resemblance far more clearly than I, but it is there.”

“‘Ou told you?”

“A little bird,” Leandra tells her. “Oh, do sit down, Grand Enchanter, I didn’t invite you here to threaten you.”

The Grand Enchanter sits.

Slowly, jerkily, but she sits.

“I wasn’t lying when I said that Alistair loves my daughter more than life itself,” Leandra says, lightly, as she pours herself another cup of tea. She’d had the foresight to keep more than two cups on hand, and thank the Maker for that. It is a truly lovely Rivaini blend that Isabela ships out special from Llomeryn. That pirate of Marian’s is really the girl’s saving grave; Leandra doesn’t know what Marian would do without her. “I would never do anything to put them in harm’s way. Threatening you would be profoundly counterproductive! What would be the point?”

“Then why?”

Leandra sets her teacup down, very, very gently.

“You’re their grandmother, too,” she says. “I thought you might want to get to know them, as such.”

The Grand Enchanter slumps back into the striped salmon-and-cream silk of the pillows. “I do not have the right.”

“Of course, you do,” Leandra says, breezily. “They are your grandchildren.”

“I should not, then.”

“That’s a different thing,” Leandra says, delicately drinks her tea. “Please, Grand Enchanter, drink your tea. I only have so much, and it would be an atrocity to let it go cold and then have to get rid of it. It’s darling, I promise.”

The Grand Enchanter sips hesitantly from her cup.

Leandra smiles at her.

“There,” the Hawke matriarch says, all well-pleased when startled pleasure flashes across the Grand Enchanter’s face. It is very good tea, if Leandra does say so herself. “Now, tell me, why should you not?”

And, haltingly, the Grand Enchanter spills out the whole sorry tale. It’s a long one, and a sad one, and Leandra gasps and exclaims at all the appropriate parts. Even as her voice grows hoarse with use, the Grand Enchanter continues; she could give Varric a run for his money if she wanted to, Leandra thinks.

“But that—that is why,” the Grand Enchanter croaks the words, has to clear her throat. “He was better off without me.”

“But that’s untrue, isn’t it,” says Leandra, raising her eyebrows.

“Pardonez moi,” says the Grand Enchanter, and Leandra’s tea freezes over a second time.

(For burning Andraste’s sake, Leandra thinks. Orlesians.)

She pours herself yet another cup of tea; it pours still steaming. Thank the Maker for a good old-fashioned flame run. She’ll have to see if Sandal can’t do something about reinforcing this one, it has been such a delight.

“He’s not been better off without you, has he? It’s untrue to say he has,” Leandra says. “And rather silly, if you think about it.”

“I am an elf, Lady Hawke.”

“Yes, and he spent ten years in Redcliffe living with the mabari in the kennels and in the kitchens like a servant, and then he was sent to the Chantry to become a templar,” Leandra says, flatly. “Which was the worst thing for him, if I may say so. No child is better off without parents who want them.”

Grand Enchanter Fiona presses her lips together so hard that they turn white and bloodless. “You do not have any understanding of what it means to be a half-breed. He—non. You do not.”

“No,” Leandra readily agrees. “I don’t.”

“But?”

“No buts,” Leandra says, for this is true. She has no concept of what life would have been like for her daughter’s husband if he had grown up in his mother’s care, and she will not pretend that she does. “I have no idea what that would be like.”

The Grand Enchanter’s shoulders loosen infinitesimally. The acknowledgement seems to be enough. “I did not—I wanted to keep him. More than anything.”

“But?” Leandra echoes.

“But it would ‘ave been very selfish of me. Ferelden—” the Grand Enchanter closes her eyes, and her accent comes a little thicker than a moment ago with the pain, “—Ferelden gave ‘im a chance to be happy. And ‘e is ‘appy, is ‘e not? I cannot ask for more.”

Leandra looks steadily at the other woman for a long, heart-rending moment. There are so many things that Grand Enchanter Fiona missed; the twins, Kirkwall, Malcolm. They’re memories that Leandra wants for her to have, because they’re memories that she ought to have.

The question, as always, is about where to begin.

But—

Ah, Leandra thinks. There.

“Do you know how I knew that your son loved my daughter?”

Grand Enchanter Fiona lifts her head. Her eyes swallow all the light in the room, and Leandra adjusts her mental moniker: Fiona, now. Only Fiona.

“How?”

“I eloped when I was twenty-one,” Leandra says. “He was an escaped Gallows mage. Quite the healer, in fact, except when it came to healing himself. And do I promise, this is important—” Leandra breaks off to smile at the confusion on her companion’s face, “—because half the Hinterlands knew that my husband was the only healer worth a sovereign between Lothering and Kinloch Hold. They even had a special knock.”

Leandra pauses to exhale a dagger of pain. Think of Malcolm hurts, even after all these years. It might always hurt; she sees so much of him in Bethany. “Bless her heart, my daughter isn’t half so good as he was. but it happened sometimes after he died, even still.”

“And?”

Leandra laughs. “And one day, when Alistair came to walk Bethany to the Chantry for services—because they’d taken to doing that to have more time together, if you can believe it—we had one of those visitors. A dying little boy. Alistair walked in without knocking, and my daughter’s magic was everywhere. I thought my heart was going to stop. A templar in my house and my mage daughter, with her hands glowing on some boy’s chest!”

Fiona inhales like a knife-cut.

Leandra sips her tea, continues. “He looked at her, and all he said was, what can I do?’.”

The remembering doesn’t hurt so much, Leandra realizes. Somehow both the most transformative and the most terrifying moment of her daughter’s life, she’s sure, and now it only makes her smile. She shakes her head, the crows’ feet at her eyes creasing deeper. “But that’s when I knew. He’d have done anything for her.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because that little boy’s mother was an elf,” Leandra says. She wonders, idly, where they are now. “Perhaps it still matters to some people, but it doesn’t matter to my daughter, and I doubt even more it matters to your son.”

“What is your point, Lady Hawke?”

“My point is that you ought to give them the chance to decide for themselves, rather than just pretending that it all doesn’t exist. You don’t stare at Alistair, I would hazard, but you certainly do stare at the twins, and you’d let Mal get away with murder. It’s very telling, Grand Enchanter.”

Fiona manages a smile at the mention of Leandra’s grandson. “He is very solemn, for someone so small.”

“He’s going to drive them stark raving mad, I think,” Leandra says dryly. “He really is just like Marian was, when she was that age. Poor dears. They have no idea what’s coming.”

“Would it not be better to warn them?”

Leandra laughs again, eyes sparkling. “No, I don’t think so. Learning each other through it is half the fun!”

Fiona is very skeptical of this. “I truly do not think so, Lady Hawke.”

“Call me Leandra, please,” Leandra says, smiling out of the corner of her mouth. “But stories aside, we do have a practical matter on our hands, and it does need an answer.”

Fiona tilts her head in question.

“Do you want to tell him, or not?” Leandra asks. “It does change where we go from here, after all, and it’s no small decision.”

Grand Enchanter Fiona makes a noise like a wounded animal. A flicker of regret goes through Leandra; regret, and pity, and yet—resolve. They all deserve a denouement, and Fiona, in particular, deserves to call her grandchildren her own.

But—

“Not yet,” Fiona says, whispers, an endless maw of grief inside of her. “I cannot—not yet.”

“Yes,” Leandra agrees. She pulls herself back from the brink, because she is not Marian, and she understands that sometimes, people need time to come to terms with what they are. “Perhaps not yet.”

—----------------------------------------------

Leandra’s children return from the desert more or less in one piece, which is nothing less than she’d expected. Marian’s run off without even saying hello, and Carver is apparently the new Warden-Commander of Orlais—Leandra is going to have some words for the First Warden, when she gets around to penning the self-important twit a letter—but Bethany and Alistair seem to be alright.

This lasts all of a day, and then Leandra finds out that Sister Leliana has taken it upon herself to make Alistair aware that he is not, in fact, an orphan.

Leandra would applaud the Nightingale for her impeccable timing, except that Alistair is not, actually, an adversary!

That girl, Leandra sighs.

Knives before niceness. It never works the way a person expects it to. The Nightingale might be the Inquisition’s spymistress, but she still has so very much to learn. The only thing to do, now, is to find Fiona and to inform her of the coming ballistae. There is not much time; they need to decide how they’re going to go about this, and they must do it quickly, before the news hardens Alistair to the possibility of a reconciliation, entire.

They are all, Leandra thinks, so very, very young.

(Timing, Nightingale, Leandra thinks, wearily. Timing!)

And as such, Lady Leandra Hawke gets up from her desk, and makes her way outside.

—

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fin.