#[bless you for asking about my gl kids ^^]

[unlockthestars]

Learn about my muses' physical features! // Accepting

@hopeandharmonizing asked: [legs] Ghira and Yang, [face] Weller, [eyes] Ironwood

[legs]: are they solidly built, short and stubby, or long and graceful, do they have knobbly knees or rounded knees, what’s their gait, etc.

Ghira has very powerful legs, like the rest of him. He can use them, in addition to his claws, to climb surfaces he otherwise wouldn't be capable of. His long legs help contribute to his massive size, both height-wise and just overall presense.

Because he's so tall and very aware of the space he takes up, Ghira is usually pretty careful when he walks. He does his best not to walk into anything, and he naturally walks very quietly.

For such a big man, he's very light on his feet, and that does have to do with the fact that he's a panther faunus. And also the shoes he wears help with the walking softly part.

[legs]: are they solidly built, short and stubby, or long and graceful, do they have knobbly knees or rounded knees, what’s their gait, etc.

Yang has very nice legs, and she's very aware of that fact. They're muscular and toned, and she frequently shows them off in short-shorts or skirts. The skin on her legs is smooth, as well, and she always takes care of them after shaving by making sure to moisturize.

Her knees aren't anything too special; just normal knees. She carries herself with confidence, and her stride is long and proud; she walks into clubs as if she owns the place (especially Junior's), despite being too young to drink.

Even though she fights with her fists most of the time, Yang does not skip leg day, and she could absolutely crush a person with her thighs.

[face]: what is the shape of their face, do they have pronounced cheekbones or a strong jaw, what’s the size and shape of their nose, what’s the size and shape of their ears, do they stick out, are they pointed, etc.

Dr. Weller doesn't quite have a heart-shaped face; he doesn't have the widow's peak for it, but he does have the pointed chin. His cheekbones are very pronounced, and if it wasn't covered with a beard, his jaw would be considered pretty chiseled.

His nose is pretty straight and small, and it has never been broken, as he prefers to talk his way out of any and all situations instead of fighting.

Dr. Weller's ears are nothing out of the ordinary, and if they did stick out, they're covered by his hair. Still, the help hold up his glasses, and that's the point of ears, if you ask him. They are a tiny bit pointed at the top, though again, you can't see that unless he moves his hair.

[eyes]: not just the colour, but the shape, the length of their eyelashes, whether they’re alert or usually half-closed, large or small, sunken into the face, ringed by bags, etc.

James' eyes are narrow and a deep dark blue. He has dark lashes that unfortunately don't distract from the almost perpetual bags under his eyes, though those are definitely more pronounced after the fall of Beacon.

Despite that fact, he is almost always alert, looking out for any threat, the way a good soldier should.

Additionally, whenever Mettle activates, his eyes appear to almost lose some of their colour, going more grey than blue, which is a good way to tell if his Semblance might be part of the reason he's pushing through something that might otherwise not necessarily seem like the best idea to someone else.

[wonderjanga]

Spontaneous Pregnancy

Marvel came into the Watchtower holding a baby in his hands. As a result, they have questions.

Flash: “…Marvel, why do you have a whole ass baby in your hands?”

Marvel: “Ah… This is Baby Marvel.” *holds the baby out for him*

Baby Marvel: *gurgles and reaches its little baby hands out to all of them*

Supes: *reaches out and lets Baby Marvel grab one of his fingers* “Where’d you get him from?”

Marvel: “He’s my baby.”

Batman: “Your baby?” *wasn’t aware Marvel had the personal life to even have a kid*

Wondy: “Who’s the mother?”

Marvel: “Me.”

*silence*

JL: “Huh?

Marvel: “Me. He came out of me.”

*more silence*

Batman: “I wasn’t aware of species granted males, the ability to give birth.”

Marvel: “They don’t?”

Wondy: “Then how were you pregnant?”

Marvel: “Oh, you know. I just cast a pregnancy spell!”

JL: “…What?”

Marvel: “Yeah! A pregnancy spell! All I have to do is say a little incantation and boom you’re pregnant regardless of your gender.”

Flash: “What???” *takes several steps back*

Batman: “Is that why the baby’s blonde? The spell randomize his features?”

Marvel: “Yep! Don’t get me wrong. I could’ve made him look like me by doing a little something extra with the spell but I just decided to go random.”

Supes: “Okay… so what brought this on?” *lets Baby Marvel shake his finger*

Marvel: “What do you mean?”

Wondy: “Brother, you just had a spontaneous pregnancy. Why?”

Flash: “Was it baby fever?”

Marvel: “I guess. I just wanted a baby so I made one. I actually considered going the Amazonian route and making Baby Marvel out of clay, but I would’ve needed to be blessed by Athena and I’d rather not go to trouble- actually now that I say that she might get mad at me so I might have to have another baby.”

GL: “Another one?!”

Wondy: “I’m sure you can work something out with her.”

Marvel: “Maybe but Zeus also wants grandchildren so I might as well give him some?”

Wondy: “How do you know what my father wants?”

Marvel: “He talks to me in my head.”

They completely forgot about the baby in Marvel’s arms and instead decided to ask about the potential mental illness Marvel had if he was hearing voices in his head.

Later…

Flash: *eating some fries with Marvel in the cafeteria* “Hey, was making a clay person and doing the spell the only way you could’ve become pregnant Marvel?”

Marvel: “Well, no. I could’ve done what my technical great grandfather, Uranus, did, which was get one of my nuts cut off and thrown into the ocean so it could marinate for a couple years into a child.”

Flash: “Huh…?”

Marvel: “Or I could’ve done like Zeus and ate the mother of my child and had a kid sprout out of my forehead. I don’t think I would’ve gone that route though cause it would’ve killed the mom and I don’t really want there to be a Mom in the first place.”

Flash: “Zeus ate the mother of his child at some point-”

Marvel: “So yeah, I went all in with Hera’s route of just getting myself pregnant. Which was the best route, and that isn’t too surprising since she is the is Goddess of childbirth.”

Batman: *appears from nowhere* “Are you saying that you could do all of those things if you wanted?”

Marvel: “Yes.”

Flash: “You’re saying, that if one of your testes got cut off you could have a child appear from those testes?”

Marvel: “Probably!”

Batman: “I see… I see…”

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Do you mind if I ask your top 5 (or top 7) favorite BL and your top 3 (or top 5) favorite GL? And why do you love them? It can be from any media : books, manga, anime, manhwa, tv series or movies.....

Hard question again! I'm going to do 7 for GL and 7 for BL, again under the cut!

In no particular order:

GL:

Revolutionary Girl Utena - is including it on this list cheating since it's not primarily GL? I don't care, it's too good to not recommend. A teenage tomboy fencer gets 'engaged' to a mysterious girl by winning a duel, many more duels happen alongside symbolism, feminist messages and a really mature handling of topics like depression and abuse. REALLY dark though, but worth it! Deserves its place as one of the classic anime.

Bloom into you - incredible handling of internalised homophobia, first love, high school relationships both in the platonic and romantic sense and golden child syndrome. A heartwarming but occasionally heartwrenching story that felt very real. Bonus points for the author actually being a sapphic woman.

The Handmaiden - sapphic thriller from Korea set in the early 1900's! Dark but incredibly engaging, surprisingly happy and hopeful despite how much the girls have to suffer to get their happily ever after. The book it's based on, The Fingersmith, was also great!

GAP - Thailand's first GL series and got so popular there are now multiple other projects coming this & next year! The protagonist is a uni graduate hired in her idol's company only to discover the lady is both meaner and hotter than she thought. Lesbian crisis and full-on romcom shenanigans follow, though the series also comments on traditional family values in Thailand acting as an excuse for homophobia (the idol, Sam, is in an arranged engagement to a man as ordered by her grandma). Don't worry though, the show is mostly very fun and light & ends very very happily for the ladies.

Whisper Me a Love Song - look, as a former band kid I can't not mention the band lesbians manga. It's a highschool romance full of miscommunication and funny/cute shenanigans with occasional sadness to balance it all out. Very relaxing. It's getting an anime adaptation next year so looking forward to that!

Riddle Story of Devil - as an action series fan this was pretty incredible. A school full of assasins, everyone is sapphic and they're all badasses? High school me was obsessed and I still am. The manga is much better though, the anime is both way less gay and develops the characters much less due to the story being compressed into 12 episodes.

Legend of Yunqian - short fantasy drama from a small Chinese studio, it's about a regular young lady going back in time via a magic fan and falling for a magical warrior woman. Lovely and available on Youtube for free!

Honorary mentions: Flip Flappers (anime), Clear and muddy loss of love (novel), She likes to cook and she likes to eat (manga & TV series)

BL:

Heaven Official's Blessing - come on, it's incredible. Dark fantasy with immortal love that breaks even the most powerful curses, a complex and deeply human protagonist, a lot of emotional moments and incredible use of flashbacks to slowly reveal his backstory to the readers- what's not to love? Just a warning, when I say it's dark fantasy I'm not kidding. The series has funny and light moments but when shit gets real, it gets REAL.

No.6 - just like RGU isn't technically GL, this isn't technically BL but I am gonna talk about anyway, it's incredible. It's a dystopian sci-fi story about Shion, a teenager who discovers a government conspiracy and works to stop it alongside his new friend/love interest Nezumi. It treats the gay relationship super casually, there's no sexuality angst or anything, it was super refreshing! Read the novels though, the anime compressed the story a lot.

The Untamed/Mo Dao Zu Shi - love the intrigue, love the main romance, love the fantasy elements! My first Chinese series and one I hold dear for introducing me to the wuxia (Chinese fantasy) genre. Any version of the story is great but I'd recommend to start with the series and then read the books.

Kinnporsche - it's deeply insane and I love it for that. Everyone is gay, everyone commits crimes (they're in the mafia, so. Yeah) and it makes for a really entertaining show even if its darker elements aren't always super well handled.

Not me the series - Motorcycle gang of young anarchists against corruption! Very radical and critical of capitalism and the police system, engaging and fast paced. The director/showrunner is a trans activist/filmmaker so it's not like she doesn't know what she's talking about. It's very universal so I'd recommend it even to people who normally don't watch BL. One minus point for minor queerbaiting with 2 side characters, nothing major but it did bother me a bit + felt unnecessary in a series full of queer characters.

Cherry magic - queer office romance + mind reading! If that combination sounds interesting please do check it out, it was super cute. Bonus for very realistically human protags and an explicitly aroace side character.

Semantic error - opposites attract-type romance between an introverted, collected STEM prodigy and an extroverted art student partnered together for a project. The protagonist is autistic and written pretty well so I latched onto the show immediately, bonus points for side queer representation (bi character who's a super cool and pretty lady, love her).

Honorary mentions: Word of Honor (series), Yuri on ice (anime, only homoerotic sports anime to make the gay explicit, iconic), Nobleman Ryu's wedding (series, short but v heartwarming!)

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Season 2- Victor and MC- Chapter 4 & 5 (Eng Translation)- Part 3

⌚Warning:⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a chapter that is yet to release in the global server. Don't continue under the cut if you don't wish to be spoiled!(◍•ᴗ•◍)

✧✧ PART 1 || PART 2

-

✧ [CH 4-12] ✧

At BS office: With the help of her subordinates, MC is working on gathering information on Lu Kang, and the mysterious man in black. But the tracker she left on him lost its signal after some time, so the investigation has reached an dead-end for now.

It's also the day Victor will be released from the hospital. So, MC goes to pick him up.

He has changed out of his hospital gown, and returned to his suit and leather shoes.

I sigh inwardly, though Victor has always been very busy, but recently he seems to have become even busier.

MC: You've just been discharged from hospital, don't you want to go home and rest?

Victor: It's not like I was really hospitalized. Besides, I remember that you still have something to report to me.

MC: Now I understand that being a CEO is really not easy.

Victor: If you really want to be considerate of others, improve the quality of your work.

I tilt my face up, and pat my bag while looking at him.

MC: So where does CEO Victor want to test the quality of my work?

Victor: Go to LFG.

-

MC notes that Victor gets in his work mode™ as soon as he enters LFG LOL

MC reports Victor about her findings that Lu Kang once lost a lawsuit against LFG and seemed to hold LFG responsible for the bankruptcy.

Victor explains that the deal with Lu Kang's company didn't proceed because they were found secretly making false accounts and such doings will eventually lead to plummeting. LFG never did or neither do they need to persecute anyone for business competition, and it'll bring more trouble than benefits anyway.

I scrutinize the sharp air exuding from his eyebrows, and can't help but mutter under my breath.

MC: Victor, you've always been so decisive and swift in action. Haven't you made more or less some enemies?

[Note: MC uses the idiom "雷厉风行" which literally translates to- passing like thunder and moving like wind.]

Victor: When there are interests involved, even if you do nothing, there will be enemies. The rules of the game are inherently cruel, and to have people who want to put some tricks to use, is quite ordinary.

MC gives Victor another report which she compiled based on Lu Kang's memory.

MC points out- the lawsuit incident was a while ago and it shouldn't be the reason he attacked Victor. She assumes-- it has something to do with the "game" that was mentioned in his memory many times. Lu Kang and the young man who partnered in the game probably tried to escape halfway, and they were killed because of the "no escapee rule."

Victor takes MC's reasoning under consideration, and specifically points out that all the victims of the murders are Evolvers. MC expresses her assumption that it could be because the authority of the game has some hidden agenda.

We glance at each other, and once again each sink into reflecting on the matter.

After a while, Victor picks up the last page of the report, and flips through it.

Victor: The trail for that killer is broken?

MC: Yes, should be. We suspect that he threw away the tracker.

Victor looks at the contents of the report repeatedly, then presses it on the table, and taps his fingertips on the last spot tracked by the tracker.

Victor: This place, you've only checked the public webpage. So the trail is not completely broken yet. Let them use the internal channels to investigate again. Don't waste the first-level authority I gave you.

Victor raises his eyes and looks at me, then puts the report back in my hand.

MC: Do I need to investigate that game altogether?

Victor: No need. I will send someone specialized to investigate. Remember, everything you just said is only a conjecture.

Victor: Without my permission, do not voluntarily investigate in private.

MC: Yes, BOSS.

The worries that have been clogging up in my chest for days, finally dissipates in several degrees. Even if I sympathized with Lu Kang, this action to get back at someone is never the right thing to do.

MC: Fortunately, this car accident is not related to the Evolver assassination. Just as I said, who would be so courageous, that he dares to pick a fight with CEO Victor?

Victor: The "bodyguard" is finally relieved?

MC: Relieved!

Victor: Go back when you feel relieved. Start concentrating on your task next week.

I grab the report, preparing to leave, just then Victor calls me again. I look back, and see that he seems to have sent a message to someone.

He halts for a moment, then stands up with one hand propped on the tabletop, his deep gaze falling on my face.

Victor: Thank you for these few days.

I stare blankly at him for a while, and quickly perk up with an even bigger smile.

MC: No need to be polite, Mr. Victor. Just let me book a free pudding from Souvenir!

I turn around at Victor's momentary expression of helplessness, running out of the office like a wisp of smoke.

Ever since confirming his safety, I feel that every time we see each other, it all becomes much more relaxed.

Behind the current life, there are still bubbling up unsettling factors in motion.

But precisely because things being as such, is what makes me want to cherish the rare tranquility all the more.

-

✧ [4-13] ✧

Just a moment after walking out of the LFG building, I suddenly remember that I've forgotten one thing, and rush back to the lobby.

After talking to the administrative staff at the front desk, I dial Victor's number.

Victor: Hello?

MC: Victor, I forgot one thing just now. To congratulate you on your 'discharge', I've prepared a small gift for you. The staff will deliver it for me later.

Victor: ....I've said I wasn't really hospitalized. What are you up to again?

MC: Just treat it as a blessing. You must accept it! That's all.

Victor: Hold on.

MC: Is there anything else?

Victor: Help me think of a name.

MC: What kind of name? A kitten, a puppy or a relative's child?

Victor: ....Common name, male.

MC: Why are you asking this all of a sudden?

Victor: Because your imagination is comperatively rich.

What kind of answer is this...

I complain inwardly, but still give it a serious thought.

MC: Let me think. How about this one!

(Players get to choose a name from the three options)

Victor: What kind of strange name is that...

Victor's helpless sigh comes from the other end of the phone.

Victor: Never mind. I shouldn't have had any expectations. I'll accept your gift. That's all.

After hanging up the call, I'm still a little baffled by the request.

He abruptly asked me to help think of a name, and also a male's name. Could it be that he is going to use it himself?

Could it be that there is something that requires a disguised identity?

But does he even need to disguise.... aren't the six letters "Victor" the best pass in itself.

Anyway, the name I gave him off the top of my head, he definitely won't use it.

I shake my head, my train of thoughts returning to the gift I've left behind just a moment ago, and can't help but look forward to it.

I wonder when the Victor of now receives this gift, what will the expression on his face be like?

-

✧[POV back to Victor's office]✧

Closing the last document, Victor leans into his chair, gently pinching his brows.

Opening his eyes, the pink-colored gift box on the corner of the table enters his line of sight again. The lofty color seems to be urging him to open it as soon as possible.

Victor unwraps the box, and inside lies a round Shiba Inu doll, appearing a little old.

He wrinkles his eyebrows, takes it out, and sees a small folded note also being pressed onto the bottom of the box.

He patiently unfolds the note again, the carefully and neatly written calligraphy greets his eyes.

Victor: (reading the note) "Congratulations on your 'recovery,' and here's a small gift for you. This is the doll that has accompanied me for many years. I wish you well and hope you're happy." - MC

Victor: ....Childish.

Victor subconsciously says a word, and falls silent again.

Unknowingly why, but he always feels that he's somewhat familiar with this scene, but he also can't amalgamate the impression any further.

Even just the silly Shiba-Inu doll on the table, brings him a trace of intimacy.

[Note: This is the same Shiba-Inu doll MC's dad gifted her as a kid, and she gave it to Victor in S1 "Rooftop Date," when she wanted to comfort him realizing how much he misses his departed mom.]

It seems as if, ever since meeting her and getting acquainted with each other, this strange feeling often arises.

Is it because she has an Evol associated with memories?

But again, Victor is also very clear that her Evol doesn't have effect on himself.

Or is that, it's simply owing to her?

Victor blankly stares at the doll for a while, and by the time he circles back to his senses, it's already somewhat late.

He pulls open a locked drawer next to his desk, puts the doll inside, and catches a glimpse of the document marked with a sharp " S " symbol underneath.

"Illegal psychoactive drugs", " CORE", "has the potential to stimulate Evol"...

Several eye-catching keywords are marked in red, even in the twilight, which are still clearly identifiable.

The information the girl has reported to him once again surfaces in Victor's mind.

She has organized it very meticulously, but after reading it all thoroughly, the dense fog before his eyes hasn't dispersed.

Those layers of crisscrossing threads seems to have already involved all the parties, standing in different positions, making the situation chaotic.

And all these disputes still ultimately point to the same source--

BLACK SWAN CORE.

When it's all said and done, is this situation because everyone is eager to obtain it, or is there an unknown force hiding in the depository, pulling the strings?

There are still numerous issues that needs to be resolved, and one can not always watch the fire burning across the river.

Victor locks the drawer, and glances at the clock on the wall.

The phone rings at the right time, it's an encrypted email from BS.

Mail: "BOSS, as per your requirements, the relevant information has been sent to the other party."

Victor simply knocks down a reply, gets up and puts on his jacket, preparing to leave.

A pile of events is connected into a ring, and each angler, too, is bait for another.

He is looking forward to what kind of prey can be hooked this time.

-

✧ [CH 4-15] ✧

Victor meets Lucien at the research center, who hands him the report of a research.

Victor says the results are clear but Lucien says they only confirmed their guesses, and that CORE has been the focus of everyone after Evol was publicized, but there are perhaps other things affecting the world. Lucien asks if Victor feels that the world is not quite right and that every civilization circulates within a box, the time they have is likely more limited than expected.

Victor says it depends on how an individual views the matter, there's no need to pre-determine an outcome.

Lucien asks Victor if he believes he'll be able to get out of the box. Victor replies, "Not believe, it's a must."

After Victor gets in the car, he receives an email: "Dear Mr. [the name MC chose for him earlier], thank you for your support towards Hunter Games."

The rest of the email is basically explaining the rules of the game.‶

-

✧ [Victor scene in CH 5] ✧

Victor is returning from a business trip. After giving Goldman some instructions, he glances out of the window of the helicopter. Even though everything is peaceful, to him something always seems amiss.

He receives an email containing only one word, "Advanced." His expression doesn't change much since he already expected this outcome. The mail disappears, and he taps on another anonymous email with the instructions- He'll be entering the betting venue in 15 minutes and he should get prepared.

When the helicopter is about to land on the LFG rooftop, he glances out of the window once again and observes the people of the city living their day to day peaceful lives.

The noise-reduction headset cuts out the sound of the outside world, but the mere information sent back to him by his vision, is sufficient to prove the tranquility of the world before his eyes.

The helicopter lands. He settles some works with the staff.

Victor raises his hand to look at his watch, the gray clouds being reflected on the dial, slightly blurs the trajectory of the clock hands.

In a split second, along with lowering his arm, an inconspicuous red light suddenly streaks across the dial.

There's still ten minutes to enter the "betting venue".

The staff turns around, walking towards the elevator, cold wind blows on Victor's face, fluttering the hem of his coat.

Somewhere directly opposite, a small cross hair has always been aiming at the position of his heart.

??: "Code L" elimination plan in progress, target locked.

A second before the trigger is squeezed tightly, the person behind the lens suddenly lifts up, raises his head, looking straight into the set of deep eyes in the distance.

The clamors of the city conceals much of the noise, the discharge of bullet muffles in the silencer, so much so that in this shattering rain, it doesn't even make a crisp sound of snapping a branch.

A dispute between the light and the dark, seemingly has arrived to its conclusion.

[Trivia: The call that comes with the Chapter karma card-- is actually Victor nagging with MC on her report over phone inside the helicopter-- before it lands on the LFG rooftop!]

[just-call-me-the-intrusive-thot]

Soulmate September - Day 4

Day 4 - There is a trail of color only you can see that marks out where your soulmate has been.

Pairing(s): Platonic Patmile, Aro Patton, Aro Emile

TWs: None I can think of rn, possibly a warning for Pat questioning his aromantic-ness? If I need to tag anything that I’ve missed, please lemme know!

--

Patton wasn’t sure what to feel even as his own two traitorous feet carried him along the sidewalk in the direction of the sparkling baby pink soulmate trail; he knew he would have one, everyone did. At least, that’s what he was always raised to believe. 

“One day, Pat, one day you’ll meet your soulmate and everything will be wonderful. You’ll fall in love and be happy for the rest of your days!”

Patton loved his nana, bless her, but just remembering her words made his stomach churn more than the nerves he felt watching the trail. He already felt so happy with his best friends;  sure, perhaps a part of him felt a little like the odd one out considering they were all in relationships with their soulmates now, but he didn’t feel like he needed a romantic partner to feel fulfilled. But maybe that just meant he wasn’t truly happy. Maybe.

After all, he had a trail. Heck, he was following it right now! That meant he’d have to face his soulmate. Someone who would be looking for a loving partner who’d shower them with romance. Affection, Patton could do. Heck, platonic kisses and cuddles were practically his second job. Romance, however…. That he just couldn’t seem to grasp. Not that he didn’t know what to do, just the thought made him feel uneasy. The bad kind of uneasy, the kind of uneasy you get when you’re about to hear awful news for the first time, not the excited uneasy when trying something new. 

With an exhausted sigh, Patton tried to remain positive as the trail led to the local high school. Was his soulmate a teacher? A janitor? Maybe a parent stopping by to pick up their kid early? Or were they giving a talk to the students? Either way, Patton checked the time and was thankful that he didn’t have to try and explain to someone that he had to go wandering around the school to find his soulmate. Fifteen minutes wasn’t such a long wait anyway..

… Okay maybe it’s a long wait when your mind is positively racing with anxiety. Patton had been so lost in his own mind, it took a woman - probably a member of staff going by her attire -  talking to him to pull him out of his daze, 

“Sir? The last of the students are leaving, are you still waiting on your child?”

He shook his head, ��Ah, no, that’s not it, see, I’m looking for-”

Pat wasn’t able to finish. Just as he looked over her shoulder, he spotted his soulmate, the pink trail glowing behind and around him. Gentle looking, perhaps only a couple of years Patton’s senior, wearing a light brown cardigan over a pink tie and white button up shirt. His pressed black pants would have clashed with his adorable pink sneakers if they didn’t suit him so well. Not to mention the pink streak in his dark hair or the numerous cute badges adorning the cardigan. Oh God this was too soon. Far too soon. As his soulmate pushed up his glasses, Patton became aware of the woman still waiting on an answer.

…… Nope, he can’t do this-

Patton made a small whining noise as he turned and took off down the street. He can’t do this. He can’t face his soulmate. Not like this! Not while he was still a mess!! Not while he wasn’t able to be the partner his soulmate surely deserved. Patton hadn’t even met him formally, but already he knew he didn’t want to let him down, not someone who was so clearly a wonderful person. 

For a moment, Patton began to wonder what was wrong with him. He liked him. His soulmate. That much was clear. One glance and he couldn’t get the sweet expression on his face out of his head, yet he didn’t feel an ounce of any romantic feelings for him. Not one. 

He stopped to catch his breath once he’d hit the nearest bench - he narrowly avoided ramming straight into the damn thing - and tried to work out what to do. Pat knew he couldn’t avoid him forever, of course, after all the trail-

Oh no, the trail-!!

Patton looked behind him just in time to lock eyes with his soulmate while he was tripping over the curb and falling flat on his face in his pursuit. 

“Great, now’s my chance to run.”, Patton thought, but upon noting that the man seemed to be hurt, his conscience wouldn’t let him retreat. Damnit. Swallowing the pit in his stomach, Patton rushed to his aid, 

“Are you alright!?”, Patton asked, offering a hand to help him up.

His soulmate beamed up at him, smiling brightly despite the fact his nose was bleeding from the impact with the ground as he took said hand,

“Yeah! I’m a little banged up but don’t worry about me, are you alright um..?”

“Patton.”

“Patton!”, his soulmate beamed, unaware of how it was breaking Pat’s heart, “I’m Emile Picani, do you how do?”

Patton was surprised to find himself chuckling at Emile’s antics despite his growing anxiety. “Oh jeez, he IS my soulmate..”, Patton caught himself thinking, unsuccessfully hiding his disappointment with himself in his expression. Emile noted the crack in Patton’s happy facade and decided to try and be light-hearted in his approach, “Hm, lemme rephrase my question; eeeeeh what’s up, Pat?”.

It was a terrible Bugs Bunny impression, but it did get a smile out of Patton. Oh boy, he still didn’t want to have this conversation…

“.... How about I bandage you up a little, then we talk?”

Emile agreed and the two sat down on the bench while Patton opened up his satchel and took out his cartoon network print plasters, a sight that had Emile excitedly bouncing his leg. Of all the people to be his soulmate, Patton couldn’t have asked for a better match, if only…

“Are you a father?”, Emile queried, catching Patton off guard.

“Wh-What?”, he stammered in surprise.

“Your bandaids, I thought perhaps you-”

“Oh, no, no!! I don’t have kids, but I work at the local daycare. It’s my day off today.”, he explained. Emile nodded, “I see! I work at the high school-  well, you know that you, found me there, I mean I’m the school’s student councillor. I’m sorry if my assumption upset you, Pat.”

Patton shook his head, “No, no, it’s fine!”, he waved off the concern as he silently got to work with the bandaids. The assumption hadn’t upset him, well, not in the way Emile probably thought; he hadn’t known Emile for a day and yet Patton knew he wanted Emile in his life forever, but… surely his soulmate would be looking for a husband. A lover. Someone to have romantic nights out with and someone who would love him back. But Patton couldn’t do that. He felt a form of love for the man but the idea of them getting married or anything like that just-

He was pulled from his simultaneous daydream and bandaging work as he listened to Emile hum something familiar. At first, Patton couldn’t pin down where he knew it from, however, as Emile hummed more, Patton recognised the faint singing he was doing under his breath;

“When you trip on your face and your teeth are misplaced..”

“Friends are there to help you.”, Patton sang in continuation, returning the excited grin Emile bore, “Ed, Edd, ‘n’ Eddy, right? I haven’t watched the show in years.”, he admitted.

Emile beamed brightly, “Oh my goodness, really?! Well I have the entire series on DVD! If you want, we can go back to my place and-”

The churning feeling was back. Patton had heard about this song and dance before. What was it his friend Virgil had called it? Netflix and chill? No, that’s the more R-rated song and dance, isn’t it? Either way, Patton’s displeasure must’ve shown on his face as Emile gently placed a hand over Patton’s, 

“What’s got you feeling blue there, my diamond?”

Patton couldn’t help but give an exhausted smile at that. Steven Universe references now. Lord help him, he’s about to break this poor man’s heart. Gathering what little courage he could muster, Patton tried as best he could to explain,

“Emile, you’re wonderful. I just want to make it really crystal clear, ah ha, that it’s not you, it’s me...”, Patton began, noting the way Emile appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood, “But I can’t return your feelings. Not um, not in the love-dovey way, I mean! I really like you, but as a friend?? Gee, I’m sorry, I wish I could love-love you back, but I-! Romance just, I can’t do it and I don’t want to hurt you because you’re so nice, but- ! Ugh! This is so confusing-”

“Oh thank God.”

What. Patton locked eyes with Emile to see genuine relief wash over him, a couple of tears welling up in his eyes as he explained, “I thought I was gonna have to explain me being aromantic to you and hope you weren’t against it-”

“Wait, wait, aro-what?”, Patton asked, perplexed.

Emile took a second, realising what was happening, “Oh, Pat. Um, right, let me explain; I’m aromantic - and genderfluid by the way, I use all pronouns and such but don’t you worry about that right now.”, Emile assured him, continuing, “Being aromantic means you don’t feel any, or very few, romantic feelings for anyone. You might like some things generally considered romantic but enjoy them platonically! Take me for example! I, much like Olaf, like warm hugs! And platonic kisses are a-okay with me too! But if you’re not into that stuff, of course-”

“Oh, no I am!!”, Patton beamed, feeling like a weight had been torn from his shoulders, “I really like physical affection, but I like it from everyone really! I’m just so happy I’m not breaking your heart here..”

“Aw Pat..”, Emile opened his arms wide, giving Patton a look of genuine adoration, “Awkward Soulmate Hug?”

Appreciating the Gravity Falls reference, Patton chuckled, “Awkward Soulmate Hug.”

The hug was far from awkward. If anything it was the best hug Patton had been given all year.

------------ I hope you all enjoy this one!  I wanted to give a little love to platonic soulmates too so here we go!! @tsshipmonth2020

Taglist [just message me to be added!]: @somehow-i-got-an-account  @cateye-glasses

[thornsickle]

The Force or the Skywalkers? Love or Power? What is this really all about? (a final case on Ben Solo’s fate and the future of Star Wars)

So, you know, the final few weeks, oh it’s all fine, going in open-minded….

It’s all coming out now, isn’t it? (my smug subconscious is smiling rather annoyingly right now)

I’m getting this all down now because it’s the last opportunity to do so, to speculate about what this means for me, what Star Wars is, and how that determines how I think, if done properly and adhering to this story as a whole, this saga should end. I also preface this by warning that I still believe, if executed well, other endings are well-deserved alternatives too. But look, I’m a fan and as fans we all have our owns feelings towards this work, and it would be hypocritical of me to say I don’t have nagging questions. This doesn’t mean I won’t accept or like the film if it isn’t something along the lines of what I am about to discuss. But I think it is important to be honest with yourself about your own true expectations and at the same time being able to appreciate what has been mulled over and worked over to death by creatives far more experienced than yourself.

Okay…. So now that’s out of the way…

I watched an interview JJ did somewhere recently and The Chosen One featurette, from way back during The Revenge of the Sith.

JJ talked in this interview for TROS, if I remember correctly, about how this story was a nine film saga, and therefore had to conclude the story as a whole and make sense if seen as the final part of this nine part story. He also talked about going back and really seeing what the story was ultimately about, in order to understand how to conclude the story.

And so here I am, questioning myself about what indeed Star Wars is really all about and how that determines the fate of our final Skywalker, Ben Solo.

Of course, on one hand, we can look at this all rather cynically. Disney wants to produce more Star Wars, of course it does, and the idea of concluding the Skywalker saga so they can move on and make their own content is blatantly clear. A passing on of the torch if you like. Skywalker = George Lucas’ material and they want to make their own stuff, make it their own. Makes sense, right?

But then I thought, well, what is Star Wars without the Skywalkers? It seems pretty obvious to me that, for George Lucas, when you talk about Star Wars, you talk about the story of the Skywalkers. When you watch the Chosen One featurette, it’s clear Star Wars = a family soap opera, the center of which consists of the most powerful force family in the galaxy, both victors and victims, whose actions determine the fate of the galaxy. For GL, it’s even more condensed. It is about Darth Vader and his redemption.

What makes Star Wars what it is? Is it the Force? The idea that GL created, a galaxy far, far away with Jedi (good guys) and Sith (bad guys) fighting over a power source which in itself wishes for balance? A little, one might say, like ‘a cinematic universe’, where multiple storylines can be total within this one galaxy? Disney, I feel, does look at it a little like this, and sees the opportunity of telling other stories (like the Mandalorian) where the central themes are still there, moral issues, corruption, power etc. But I feel that doesn’t really explain what makes Star Wars special, what makes it so ‘personal’ to so many people.

Ultimately….. I don’t think this is what Star Wars is. George Lucas is not Tolkien, he’s more like JK Rowling. What I mean to say, is what makes Star Wars George Lucas’ Star Wars, is it’s characters and the conflicts that ensue between them. It is a story about the Skywalkers ultimately, not the Force. The characters are the soul of the story, not the bigger themes at hand.

But is it as simple as that?

If you asked me what I thought, if this was a story about Skywalkers or the Force, which is it that makes Star Wars the iconic phenomenon it is, I would say….. Well, actually both.

Why? Because the Skywalkers, their whole deal, is about the conflict between power and love. The Force and their bonds. Each being powerful in their own ways, not just with the Force but within the galaxy. Each has had a profound affect within this galaxy, and ultimately their bonds have been destroyed time and again because of a corruption within, because of power getting between their connections with one another. The Force/Power is both their blessing and their curse. And of course, this is no more true than for Kylo Ren/Ben Solo.

And for me, that is what makes Star Wars special. It is this conflict between a family and a greater power, the Force. It is this conflict which makes the story have it’s sense of gravitas and meaning, enveloping so many other major key themes and elements, but distilled this is what it is about. This is what makes Kylo Ren such a great character and therefore one half of the major focus in this trilogy. His connection with Rey is what makes her involuntarily part of this story, despite what Ben said himself in TLJ, she is, ironically, part of all this because of his initial connection with her. And the Skywalkers are all about their connections with their loved ones, despite everything.

We have to return for a minute back to this issue with Disney and the transition made between them and George Lucas. So, I made my case that for GL this is a story about the Skywalkers and how Disney wants to step away from that to make their own path, taking the main ingredients with the galaxy and the Force. It’s funny how this is reflected in the story, because in many ways, Rey represents their future, a Star Wars filled with the unfamiliar, not connected to any already established figures. Kylo Ren is the past, he represents Skywalkers past, the ghost of Darth Vader looming behind him. He wishes to look to the future but is stuck in the past, while Rey wishes to look to the past but is pushed into the future against her will.

This isn’t a question of whether Disney will do this. They will, eventually. I know some remain pessimistic over whether they would have the guts to truly say goodbye to the Skywalker family, but I believe if done properly, this is achievable. As long as they understand what made the Skywalkers so special, I believe they will be able to create similar personal stories exploring the same universal themes in a way that keeps to the same spirit that made the original trilogy so special. And in a way, they have already started this, with the central relationship in this sequel trilogy, between Rey and Kylo Ren. I don’t need to write any more on these two for now, since if you’ve read this far, I’m sure you already have read enough metas to know what makes their dynamic the central story of this particular trilogy and therefore legitimises the existence of this trilogy. 

Speaking of Kylo Ren then, if this is a saga about the conflict between love and power, how does that determine his fate? I thought long and hard about this, about what makes sense when you look at episodes one through eight, at what George Lucas thinks the story is, and what Disney wants out of this too.

It’s my opinion that you need to first of all make a clear distinction here between Kylo Ren and Darth Vader. For GL at least, one to six is about redemption, the chosen one’s redemption through the love for his son.

Will Ben Solo’s story also be about redemption? In a way, yes, I do believe so, because this is a fairytale and needs a happy ending after all. But that is not all. It is not simply because this is a kid’s film and therefore needs a happy conclusion for the Skywalkers. For Ben Solo, it is much more.

Does that mean I think it’s a rehash of Vader’s arc? Absolutely not. Redemption, yes, but that is actually as far as it goes. The distinction between the two, is that Kylo Ren is far more aware of the changes going on within himself compared to Darth Vader. Vader never admitted to an inner conflict within, Kylo Ren can’t shut up about it.

Vader’s choices, or should I say Anakin’s choices, including those he takes in the prequels, are all done with a certain naivety which GL talks about in the Chosen One featurette, as if he is unaware that he is indeed making choices, choices that are coming as a result to the dark side of the Force taking a hold of him. GL makes it clear that Anakin is unaware of this change within himself, his own tragic self-destructive path towards becoming Darth Vader. It is only his final act, when he chooses to save Luke, where GL makes it incredibly clear that this is a choice, a choice he consciously makes. There is a self-awareness that had remained dormant for over six films which finally reawakens.

In comparison, Ben Solo is aware of his choices, even if he is still tragically unaware of his own mistakes and misunderstandings concerning both himself and those around him, a similarity he does share with Anakin. Rey talks of Ben’s choice not being made in TLJ, but by the end of that film, it is clear Kylo Ren made the choice to create a new order and not join Rey. Luke may have set him on his path to becoming Kylo Ren, with Snoke seducing him in the process, but I still see this is a transformation self-imposed to a certain extent, with Ben knowing it is a struggle, a choice he is making, because he feels his family had rejected him, and therefore he cannot remain as Ben Solo, because Ben Solo was rejected by the world. This is a very different story, and despite their similarities, I think it is key to understand these are two very different people, though I know many would disagree. I feel however there is a lot more self-awareness going on with Adam Driver’s performance as Kylo Ren, and I do not believe it is without reason.

So how is this relevant you may say to the conclusion of his story?

Because, Ben has made conscious choices. Darth Vader had not. And what Darth Vader did, was only possible, because he was put in a dire situation, pushed to the edge, forced to make a choice, just as we all must do, when put in life-threatening situations. And to repeat this again, I believe, would be redundant and go against Ben Solo’s arc and the point of his story. What I believe therefore ought to be the final arc to his story, is his realisation of his past mistakes. His choices, his terrible choices, which, despite what happened to him, he made himself. A chance to realise this, is something Darth Vader never had the chance to do because he had gone too far down. I think it’s clear from The Last Jedi that this is not the case for Ben Solo and Rey, quite rightly, recognises this. The final shot between them, and the longing and regret I’d say we see from Kylo Ren, more than proves this.

Ben must realise the terrible mistakes he has made, to learn of his failures, yes, failure most of all, for the greatest teacher, failure is. And who better to help him realise this, than the one who has just learnt this himself, the most important lesson of all in the previous film, a film which is in fact all about failure? Luke’s purpose in TROS would then fit in perfectly, showing true growth in his character and also how TLJ connects with TROS.

Darth Vader’s arc was about finding himself again, realising he had a choice and making it, redeeming himself in the process. We know from TLJ that the same does not apply for Kylo Ren, we were set up to expect it but it did not happen, so why would it work here, with simply Palpatine replacing Snoke as the bad guy? It doesn’t work in my book.

Having Ben Solo, with the help of Luke Skywalker, realise his failures and come to terms with regret for the past, is part of his journey. Not killing the past, but reconciling with it, just as Luke did in the previous film. And that kind of transformative epiphany does not take place when the love of your life is in danger of being electrocuted by some old creepy dude. It is a redemption of sorts, but one which would make sense for Ben Solo’s character as a self-reflective moment outside of his connection to Rey, rather his connection to his his past, family’s past, their legacy.

And now we come to the million dollar question. Honestly, I will be happy either way come December 18th and either scenario is understandable, but I will tell you why thematically Ben Solo ultimately should live.

We come back to what I think is the theme of Star Wars. The conflict between love and power, right? This conflict is what makes the story interesting, and therefore feeds the necessity I suppose to have nine films revolving around the Skywalkers. So how can it end? This family, if written into the history books of the galaxy, would ultimately be seen as powerful figures who shaped the fate of the galaxy. That is what makes them relevant. Plenty of people in the galaxy I’m sure have problems with sons, daughters, partners just like the Skywalker family do, but we don’t see them on the silver screen because their actions don’t have galactic sized consequences. A minor squabble doesn’t result in a planet exploding or the corruption of a galactic republic. Without the element of the Force or theme of power, it really would just be a regular sized soap opera like GL quite rightly says SW is, an episode of Gary the stormtrooper from Robot Chicken having an tiff with his wife over ‘take your child to work’ day and yelling at his daughter for not resisting Obi Wan’s Mind Probe or whatever but anyway I’m getting wildly off topic and it’s besides the point-

What I’m getting at is that where there is conflict, must come resolution. The Skywalkers’ conflict between love and power must be resolved. And some resolution it would be, to simply say, well, love and power can never be resolved so inevitably the only thing that can resolve it is death and that puts an end to their conflict and therefore unfortunate influence on the galaxy.

A bit of a bummer… right?

And we can sit here and talk all we like about Rey, but she is not a Skywalker, and although I know she will represent the future of the Force and what I see as a sort of Age of Enlightenment/Renaissance for the force sensitives within the galaxy after this Dark Age which is how I see the Star Wars Saga, that does not mean she can wholly represent the conclusion of the Skywalker story. Ben Solo must be part of that.

So what to do?

Kylo Ren will be Ben Solo again, we all know it. I also believe it should be done in a fashion where it is a conscious decision which he makes, not under any pressures to do so. In doing so, he will resolve the conflict between love and power for his family, because he realises what is truly important and can finally grow beyond his family (we are what they grow beyond) and therefore no longer suffer from what has plagued his family for all these years. He achieves what he had, in fact, always wanted to achieve, to go beyond his family and finally finds balance between the power that resides within himself and his bond with those around him, but most importantly with Rey.

Ben also comes to terms with how destructive and seductive power truly is and how it has destroyed his family and the bonds between them. He symbolically, or if I was writing this, literally, lets go of this, lets go of the Force and steps down, thereby ending the story of how his family had dictated the path of the galaxy, returning to anonymity. With this, the Skywalker story ends, no longer a part of history as they once were, returning to who they initially were, as Kylo Ren says rather arrogantly in TLJ, willingly no longer having a part in this story. They can no longer be taken advantage of by anyone. They have grown beyond.

One final point I would like to say, is Ben Solo of course could be killed after all this. He could turn back as Ben Solo and then be killed, and this would still honour the basic points I have made above, but at the same time, this would be the easy way out. Less nuanced, because again, it suggests death is still the only option because of past mistakes. But that is the only reason, at least that I can think of, to have Ben Solo be killed off at this point. It would not be in service to his redemptive arc, which would already be completed by this point in time (I suggest after an epiphany with a conversation with Luke Skywalker over failure). So what would his death serve, as a purpose to his story? Not much, in my opinion, unlike with Vader where his death was an integral part of his redemption.

And as I have suggested, it is possible to never explore the Skywalkers again, if Disney so chose, by ending it this way, with Ben Solo disappearing into the mists of time. Yet the option of course is always still there for Disney, if they wish it. Best of both worlds. Though in this case, I would wish them not to and simply move on to other stories and new, unexplored places and characters.

Characters that are hopefully just as compelling as the Skywalkers were, with us as listeners still being compelled by stories about good versus evil, the conflict between power and love, with the Force a constant overseeing it all.

Please comment or reblog, as I would love to know what you all think! I had been meaning to say no more, but I felt like there were things here I felt like sharing, a final note on this fantastic saga, before we go see this final installment. Again, I am going in open-minded, these are more musings and what I would want the story to be, but not necessarily expectations. I have no expectations, aside from a cracking good film with a story that is finely executed, whatever that may turn out to be.

[wcsted-blog1]

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For every @ I get, I have to tag someone I love/look up to! * // currently not accepting .

@pcrscphonie / i could defo write a full on essay about u , for reals. i’m so glad n blessed to be able to speak to u on a daily !! legit tho you’re nice af , pretty af , talented af , kind af , funny af .  .  . like uhm can i ask u somethin’ ?? are u the definition of perfection ?? nvm , i’m pretty sure i know the answer to this already. YES YOU ARE. also mega thankful that you deal w my silly ass both sober AND drunk ;) ( lowkey - highkey ?¿ , yikes to that btw ) but really you’re honestly so great like ?? i appreciate u sm em like .  .  . wow i’m just shook really. your cute ass is leavin’ me SHOOK. but seriously you make me laugh sm , like i’m constantly lookin’ forward to texting, talking and writing with you and everything in general like .  .  . dunno man , i’m just SUPER thankful to have meet you. i’m like shook tm seriously. EMILY you’re just so fuckin’ GREAT and i think everyone should know that bebé !! know that you’re THE BEST. on a side note if anyone tries to do somethin’ to u , they best get ready bc imma fuck em up :) and i’m fucking serious HA. they’ll be met w the spanish rage >:) AKA ME ;) hehe. other than that i wish you GL w the exam i know you’re takin’ rn bebé !! smash that shit ;)

@thefineartofbitchcraft / okay ivy like srsly ?? you’re one of the people i’ve written with the LONGEST on this site. first of your portrayal of madison is PERFECT. i swear , like .  .  . it’s just so fucking good ?? i mean your writing in general is perfect as fuck i’m not even kidding. like i love the threads we’ve got goin’ on right now i mean it. BASICALLY i’m SERIOUSLY so glad that i came back to indie n shit , since i genuinely really did writing with you and your charas. like .  .   . A LOT i ain’t even gonna lie. i’m thankful as fuck dude srsly. for reals tho if anyone ain’t following u i really don’t know what they’re doing cause .  .  . you’re legit a MUST FOLLOW , like you’re seriously the definition of QUALITY. anyways i hope you’re havin’ a good day n shit. hope things are good !!

@chrysalvsm / okay one of my all time favourite people on this site , and i’m 100% that ain’t EVER gonna change. your writing blows my fucking mind tbh , like ?? it is so good on every level , it’s seriously mind blowing dude. like i can’t remember who followed who back in the day , but whatever it is i know for a FACT that i hit the jackpot and i am SERIOUS. but i swear other than the fact that you’re talented af , you’re seriously one of the nicest peeps on this site , and i mean this !! like knowing u’ve come back to indie makes me so happy dude i swear. I’M GLAD AF i didn’t quit too ‘cause .  .  . means we get to fuckin’ write together again and WHAT CAN I SAY i’m HAPPY AF about that !! definitely lookin’ forward to writing more things w u erin !!

[merelygifted]

We had a blackout Wed night from 8.14pm until 11.14pm

Once 3 mins had passed, I grabbed one of the battery-powered wax 'candles' our pal Ms V gave us, lit it, n Mom got it. I headed up to the bathroom, n lit the other battery-powered one. A pr of wax-encrusted beer bottles (from th' last blackout) who live in my room were my next goal, which was easily achieved. One still had 1/2 hr's worth of stub in it, so I immediately lit that n easily renegotiated the stairs. The lit one got set down on the dining room table while I grabbed the candles. The actual candles.

Let me tell you about our actual candles.

They are godly. This is appropriate, as you shall see.

They come from Japan, in a fancy window'd box with lotus flowers on; I think there were 12. They were purchased at a Buddhist temple. They are fluted, very pretty, plain white, and dripless - seriously dripless. You hafta tilt/tip hell outta them before they'll drip.

They are not cheap. They are well worth the cost.

I dug up some chipped plates on which I set the bottles, thus avoiding the uber-rare drip.

I stuck a candle in the un-stubb'd bottle, n lit that one. It stayed in the kitchen, so the back of the house had a little light. I carried the stub back to the front door, and stuck a finger into the beer bottles ready for return, "looking" for one with a wider opening. When I located one, I looked at the label n earnestly n gratefully said, "God bless the Belgians." I took it out to the kitchen n easily en-candled it. That one n the stub wound up out in the living room, and the stub was replaced immediately after its demise. Mom got an actual candle too, one went on the table near me, and another on the table near the living room doors.

She actually had enuff light that she was able to continue doing the bills, and balanced our account.

The lights were on at the gas station on the next block, and the nearby main drag had light, but N of us it was dark, dark, dark.

Mom asked me whether I knew any ghost stories, while we sat in the candlelit living room, so I recounted one I'd recently told my BF. I found it in a Scholastic Book of ghost stories I'd had when I was a little kid. It is an old Russian tale.

    A man [let's call him Illya] had returned to his home town, and while walking past a cemetery he realized not only that an old friend [we'll call him Alexei] was buried there, but this day was the anniversary of his passing. I cannot recall how long it had been since Alexei had died. Illya decided he would visit his friend's grave, and opened the intricate wrought iron gates, rather quickly locating Alexei's resting place.

Illya stood there, speaking quietly at the foot of the grave, as one does: a rather sweet monologue regarding their friendship, pleasant times spent together, and how much he missed him.

Much to his surprise, a door opened where once had been snow and the lawn at the foot of the tombstone. Alexei came up the stairs, looking quite well, and most pleasantly greeting Illya, calling him old nicknames. Our hero was in shock, but agreed to join Alexei when he was invited to pay him a brief visit, um, downstairs.

Alexei led the way down, and it seemed to Illya that a long time passed. They chatted cheerily enough during their descent, and the way was well- if invisibly lit, but Illya began having misgivings. They discussed matters of the living, Illya avoiding querying hs old friend about any current occupations.

Alexei gestured for Illya to take a chair when they at last reached the bottom, a brightly- and again invisibly lit, sparsely furnished room. Alexei went to a cupboard and produced an exotic-looking bottle, pottered around elsewhere in the cupboard, then produced a pair of ornate glasses. These he set on the table with a grin and a flourish before the thoroughly-freaked-out Illya.

"Let us have a drink, my dear old friend. You said earlier that you have missed me; I have missed you more than you can know! Join me!" he gently admonished Illya, and poured a generous amount of curious ruby-red liquor into the glasses before Illya could reply. His host then took the chair opposite him, and grinning more broadly, rasied his glass, drinking his friend's health. Alexei took a deep draught of the red liquid, and Illya sipped his. It was certainly quite warming; he'd been getting cold while the wind tugged his clothes....above ground. Illya felt himself shiver, though not because he was cold. He took a longer sip at his glass, and wanly smiled - Alexei was rather closely watching him.

"This is a very rare and ancient liquor," Alexei informed him, lifting and admiring the fancy crystal and electrum decanter. It might have had an even more ancient and occult use: it looked like it had once housed a Genie. "It is not easily come by; having an entire bottle of it is most fortunate. It is even more fortunate that I can share it with you! Here, finish that so that we may have another, my old friend!"

Illya shuddered as he gulped the remaining contents of his glass, and Alexei chuckled. "It is very strong!" he said, laughing, and filled Illya's glass. Alexei had entirely misinterpreted Illya's shudder, but our hero bravely raised his glass, and toasted their long friendship with a smile he did not feel. Alexei all but drained his glass, and Illya gulped two-thirds of his. A strange warming sensation rapidly spread through him, unlike that caused by any liquor he'd ever tried. He looked over at Alexei, who had begun to look vaguely sinister....or was it just an effect of the strange red liquor? His arms and legs felt warmer, then his hands, his feet, his face. He shrugged inside his coat and jacket, so they sat more loosely on him, and he tugged the knot of his tie. His high collar felt like it was choking him, and his head felt hot. He finished his drink with a gulp.

Alexei roared with laughter. "That's the way, dear old Illya!" He drained his own glass, and reached for the weird bottle. "Let's have another, shall we? We will never meet again, so let's continue enjoying our brief time together!"

Illya drew his glass back towards himself, shaking his overheated head. "I really should go - my family's been expecting me," but Alexei saw him waver, and pressed him.

"Oh, you'll see them soon enough!" Alexei smiled right into his face - and it seemed that an odd expression briefly shadowed the smile. "Was his face demonic for a moment?" wondered the bewildered, hot, and now supremely uncomfortable Illya. "Stay with me a short while longer and have another. This liquor really is too good, and too rare to pass up when a friend offers it!"

"I really must go," Illya rather unsteadily announced. "They are waiting for me - I am to be engaged - there is a dinner...." Alexei again pounced, and refilled his own glass.

"Ah! I offer you my sincerest congratulations! We must drink to your engagement! I would not hear of your leaving without a toast!" He took Illya's glass right out of his hand and filled it to the brim, almost spilling a few drops as he handed it back. "To the bride and groom!" Alexei thundered, raising his glass.

Illya wanted to scream, to shout, to dash the glass to the floor, to get up and rush up those endless stairs - to get back above ground! This was an accursed place, unfit for good, living people, instead made for the dead and the damned. He knew this now, he knew it in his very heart and soul. He realised the longer he remained, the more sullied he would be, so he shook himself back into his coat, though he felt as if he was on fire, and made sure his tie was straight.

He managed to smile as he lifted his glass to his host, seeing Alexei's now-burning eyes over the rim of his glass while the ruby liquid plunged, flaming, into his body.

Illya stood up, steadying himself with the back of the chair, as Alexei set down his own empty glass. "I really must go," he told Alexei, as firmly as he could. "It has been splendid seeing you, Alexei, and I wish I could stay, but..." He expected he'd have another argument on his hands, but this time Alexei allowed his departure, and bid his friend a fond farewell.

"I'm afraid I am unable to see you out, but go with my blessings, dear Illya." They shook hands, and Illya cast a last furtive glance at Alexei before he began the interminable climb back up, back up to the surface, the surface! and good, clean, living things!

Alexei sat at the table, pouring out more of that abominable ruby liquor. He sat facing away from him, but Illya saw his shadow.

It was not the shadow of Alexei, or of anything good, or clean, or living. Whatever it was, it deeply drank, and it chuckled to itself.

Illya's mad flight up those stairs to the surface! the surface! was the fastest he had ever travelled, he was convinced. He was certain no badly spooked nor brave horse had ever carried him so speedily as his legs now did.

He awoke to find himself covered with mould and damp and dust, lying on Alexei's grave, the chipped gravestone his headboard. It was barely dawn, his mouth and throat were parched, and his head and chest ached and throbbed. This was no ordinary hangover, and he was horrified by the thought of having missed his own engagement dinner. He rushed out of the unkempt graveyard, shivering as the ran through the open, sagging gates. He sped to the home of his future in-laws, but did not recognise the building. Confused, he spun around, realising he recognised none of the houses. He ran back to the corner and looked at the signs. This was the right street, but where was their home?

A strangely-dressed man came around the corner, and Illya asked after the family whom he sought. The man looked at Illya's clothes, and seemed almost equally confused. He did not know them. Illya asked him the date, and the man seemed put off by this. Illya somehow managed to reassure him, and asked again. The man told him, and it was indeed the next day. Then the man looked at Illya's clothes again, and told him the year.

Fully fifty years had passed with each drink he'd shared with the creature whom he'd thought his dear Alexei. One hundred and fifty years had come and gone while they drank.

    Exactly three hours after the blackout began, the lights came back on: 11.14pm. Our candles had burned only halfway! I popped 'em back outta their bottles, wrapped 'em in kleenex to protect their wicks, n back into their box they went.

Never turn down an opportunity to own expensive-ass Japanese dripless candles. They may save your life.