#I just have so many feelings about how THAT LINE is from RIVER SONG and what that says about her

[fortes-fortuna-iogurtum]

got into a convo with my family this morning that started with politics and philosophy and ended up spiraling into a rant about the nature of goodness and none of that is actually important eXCEPT that it reminded me of the ‘without hope without witness without reward’ quote and this all leads me to what I want to say which is—

I have realized that that line ^ is the standard by which I measure any portrayal of River Song. if there’s a story about her that doesn’t convince me that a) this is a person who could and would write that OR b) this is a person who can become the kind of person who writes that, then it’s not going to work for me.

[ghouldump]

more loustat x chill/unbothered/oblivious fem reader PLEASE!!

maybe she's like been a part of their relationship for a while, and she like the fledgling of some other vampire, her and her maker were like chill and totally platonic he dipped at some point before she met loustat, and she like the sane one between them and unfortunately gets ignored/left out unfortunately

something like the scene from season 1 where Louis swims across the Mississippi river to get to Lestat, and like reader is there too cause she went w Louis and loustat being there dramatic selves while she's just like trying to talk it out like adults, and then it spirals into argument about her wanting to visit her maker because Lestat, and tbh Louis too, is petty like that

Also your iwtv fics are my life line omg!!🎀

L'amour De Ma Vie | Lestat x Reader x Louis

ෆ while you love your companions, it is no secret that they oftentimes exclude you, and it isn't until you leave that they go into panic mode.

I love this idea, I hope you don't mind me changing it a little bit 🩷

“Louis, Y/n, you’re both soaking wet,” Lestat sat up from the bed.

Glancing at Louis, you could tell he was seconds away from slapping the smirk from Lestat’s face. The woman, Antoinette, wrapped one of the many sheets around her body, awkwardly staring at the two of you.

“Leave,” he told her, and just like that, she was up, running out of the bedroom.

“What are you two doing here?”

“Looking for you, and we…found you,” you answered. Louis remained silent, staring at Lestat, his mind all over the place from his companion's betrayal.

You understood where he was coming from, but at the same time, you didn't. Your maker, Lucius, lives a polyamorous lifestyle. From the moment he turned you, becoming his daughter, you saw the plethora of women and men come and go. Eternity was too long for him to stay with one person, he'd jokingly say, leaving a trail of broken hearts.

“You put your lover on the song, and expect us to come running back to you,” Louis screamed at him.

“I wanted a clear voice, to get the-

“I don’t give a fuck,” Louis interrupted.

“Louis, we agreed that we would just talk it out,” you told him, watching as he was fuming, but he ignored your words.

“You two swam to Mississippi to find me,” Lestat kept the same expression, eyeing the both of you lustfully.

“I swim faster than I drive,” Louis said, his fangs coming out.

“We don’t have to fight like this, we can find a middle ground-

“No, why are you acting unbothered by him stepping out on both of us?” Louis asked.

“I’m not, polyamory isn’t a deal breaker for me, so I feel like-

“He cheated Y/n, whatever bullshit you were exposed to by your maker, doesn’t apply in this relationship,” he told you, catching you off guard.

“That isn’t what I’m saying, we came here because of the song but also because we’ve agreed to make things work”

“So why are you acting like you’re on his side?”

“Louis, what are you talking about? Just because I’m not as angry as you, doesn’t mean I am against you, Lucius has always said anger is-

“Do you always have to bring him up?” Lestat asked a slight frown in place.

“Lucius, Lucius, Lucius, are you with us, or Lucius?” He raised his voice. Furrowing your eyebrows, you were extremely confused, about how the conversation went from Lestat’s infidelity to your relationship with your maker.

“I’m beginning to question the same thing,” you said, backing away.

“Y/n, I’m sorry,” Louis shook his head, mentally criticizing himself for his choice of words.

“It’s okay,” you smiled at him, before leaving, due to your small age difference in your makers, you were faster than Louis, going back home.

You hated this feeling, this emotion, how your mind made you think of things that never bothered you too much before, but now did. From the moment you joined their companionship, you were constantly unintentionally excluded. Even in public, you cringed at times you were assumed to be nothing more than a friend of the two.

Entering the home you had grown to love, you went upstairs, packing some clothing in a bag. You were thankful that Claudia was out hunting, knowing your departure wouldn’t be so smooth if she’d been home. Leaving the bedroom, the family portrait caught your eye, making you pout.

Claudia sat on the sofa, while you, stood next to Louis and Lestat, who leaned against the sofa. You had been hesitant to take the photos, but they all insisted. As the photographer went to snap the photo, Lestat glanced at you.

“Come closer,” he said, pulling you between him and Louis.

His hand on your waist, while Louis held your hand, you all looked like a happy family.

Wiping the tear from your eye, you thought of how despite the occasional exclusion, they did so much more that made you overlook the habit. Maybe you could just get away for a little while, before coming back home.

Glamouring your way from state to state, for well over 24 hours, before you arrived in Los Angeles. Lucius fit into the bright city where stars and beauty resided. As you drained the shipment driver, you felt your blood pumping, an adrenaline rush of excitement coursing through your veins. Lifting from the man, you looked around, sensing the familiar presence near.

“I knew it was you I was sensing,” you heard, smiling brightly, you climbed out of the truck, running into Lucius' arms. His expensive scent filled your nose, as you wiped your mouth.

“What are you wearing, my love, is this what they wear down in New Orleans?” he asked, staring at your outfit. Beige trousers, along with a light pink blouse, he shook his head in disapproval. He considered himself to have impeccable taste in clothing, but he also was old-fashioned in some ways.

“I couldn't have traveled practically in a dress,” you said.

“I am more than glad that you are here, but why so sudden? I mean, no letter or postcard”

“I just wanted to get away from home for a while”

“Those two aren't treating you right? They are easily replaceable, what have I always told you, an eternity is-

“too long to be stuck with the same person, and I should always explore my taste, I know, and Louis and Lestat are fine, I just wanted to get away, I was hoping I could stay with you, for some time, if that's alright”

“Of course, you are always welcome,” he said, walking you to his car.

He didn't live too far away, in an expensive neighborhood, his villa home, the most extravagant. Stepping out, you immediately noticed the woman, peaking from the window.

“You have company?”

“Yes, Sonya, she wants to be an actor”

“You said that weirdly, is she special, maybe a potential companion?” you asked him, grinning.

“She has very sweet blood and an equally cute face, so I keep her around”

“You were just talking about me being with the same people-

“My love, this is different, she has grown on me, yes, but I think we both know I’ll eventually crave something new,” he smirked, as he wrapped his arm around you, leading you into the house.

“Shameless,” you laughed.

“It's true, and the best part of all, when the sex is wonderful they always come running back, come on, I have an extra coffin, you can sleep in”

“I went all the way to Metairie, and nothing, what about you?” Louis announced, walking back into the house. Pacing the floor, while Lestat sat at the piano, staring off into space.

“Why is he back here, I thought we weren’t talking to him right now? And where’s Y/n?” Claudia asked.

“Not now Clau-

“She’s gone, she took some clothes and left,” Lestat finally spoke.

“She can’t be too far, we can still find her and-

“I’ve been all over Mississippi, searching, nothing, not a trace, I can’t think of where she could be and I’m not her m-” Stopping in his speech, he put his head down, clenching his jaw. His leg shook lightly, trying to contain his anger.

“What is it?” Louis asked as he and Claudia stared confusedly at him.

“She’s with her maker,” he managed to get out.

His eyes reddened as he grew angrier, Lestat couldn’t help that he was inherently jealous, unrighteously possessive, especially towards those he loved, and that was very few. You were the most relaxed, forgiving vampire he'd ever met. Extremely oblivious and doting, you'd brag to whoever would listen about how great he was.

While he and Louis held all of the attention, he could hear you bragging to some mortal how well-dressed Louis was, or how Lestat was the greatest musician to grace your ears. You would go on and on, stroking their egos, willingly accepting and loving their baggage Claudia, you were a precious gem, adored by them both.

Your personality was much calmer than theirs, while they regularly clashed, you'd be bringing up calming methods, or ignoring them, chatting with Claudia.

“You have the power over your anger, Lucius was once a cruel angry vampire until he realized it was pointless, if the situation can be fixed, then do it, but if not, leave it in the past,” you'd quote.

Lucius, Lestat hated the man greatly, despite never coming across him before. Suppose his hate began from the respect you held for the man. He was around the same age as Lestat, from Italy, and was very handsome, he'd heard you say before.

He wished he could undo time so that he could become your maker. His blood in your veins, your heart in sync with his own, his fully, bound by more than your vow of companionship. While Louis only hated the man for the weird lifestyle habits he passed along to you, Lestat loathed the idea of another being nearly as perfect as he was to you.

“Lucius speaks French too, although he's more fluent in Italian”

“Lucius is also into fashion, he used to dress me all the time”

“Lucius was once a part of an opera, but he ended up causing a bit of drama because he slept with nearly everyone who worked there”

“Lucius…”

“Lucius…”

Lestat sat frozen seething at the thought of the man. He wanted nothing more than to kill him for making his way into your heart, he couldn't care less about the kind of relationship you'd shared with him.

“Uncle Les,” Claudia called out, exchanging a look with Louis.

“We can still get her to come home, he has sent her mail before,” looking around, he sent to the pile of mail, looking through and seeing the ripped-open envelope.

“Los Angeles, she's in Los Angeles, we can find her,” Louis approached Lestat, showing him the mail.

“She's gone, she's gone back to him and left us,” Lestat mumbled to himself, already crying.

“Hey, we’re gonna find her and she'll hear out, she’ll come back home,” Louis told Lestat, also trying to convince himself, as tears dropped from his eyes.

“I’m going to bed,” Lestat sulked.

“So you can cry all night? Do you want Y/n to come back or not, I sure as hell got used to some peace around here, we have the address, we can easily find a way out there, stop being so dramatic,” Claudia screamed at him.

“I preferred her quiet,” he said, sniffling.

“We can get her back home, you know how she is, she'll want to talk it out before we're back on the road”

“The insufferable therapy sessions,” he chimed in, as he wiped his eyes.

“Exactly, we can start planning right now,” Louis said, his companion nodded in agreement.

“How much do I need to pack?” Claudia asked.

“What makes you think you could come?” Lestat asked her, crossing his legs.

“Because I care about Y/n too”

“We won't be gone for long Claudia, we're just trying to get her to come back home,” Louis said to her, watching as she stepped away.

“If Y/n was here, she would not be okay with you just leaving me here,” she said, stomping upstairs.

“Where should we start?”

“Why don’t you turn Sonya? It’s so obvious that you care about her?” You asked Lucius as you danced to the classical record, in the considerably large living room. Wearing the custom gown he'd gifted you, both of your mouths were covered in blood from the guest of the orgy he'd hosted.

It had been nearly a week of spending time with him, and you were enjoying every moment of the easygoing, carefree life.

“None of this music is as good as it once was, going to see Paganini, I had never heard an instrument played so beautifully,” he shook his head, ignoring your question.

“Lucius,” you called his name knowingly, forcing him to look at you.

“I can't turn her, I…I love her,” he admitted, dipping you.

“If you love her, you'd turn her, and you both can have eternity together,” you told him, but he smiled, his hand brushing against your cheek.

“If I love her, then I'll let her live, have children of her own, and pass on as a pretty little elderly woman,” he said.

“Very noble of you,” you joked.

“I guess, but I’ll hold on until that time comes, I have another two years, and she’ll be twenty-seven”

“Aw, Lucius, are you sure you don't want me to do it?” you asked, as he continued to dance.

“Love looks different for everyone, my love, you, of all people, understand that,” he chuckled.

“I guess you're right”

“I suppose that is why your lovers are about to burst into my home,” he said with a smile, as he held you close.

“Yeah, probably, wait, wh-

Just then, the front door burst open, Lestat and Louis storming it, although, they had different targets, rushing over. Louis stood in front of you, pulling you away, into his arms, already pleading that you forgive him for how he spoke and his recent habit of exclusion.

While Lestat instantly had Lucius against the wall, his hand to his throat. Your maker only laughed, you truly learned well, both of these men wrapped completely around your finger, and you didn't even realize it.

“Lestat, don't,” you told him, hearing his chaotic thoughts, he wanted Lucius dead.

“You leave without a word, in the middle of the night. Countless arguments, and the moment he comes up, you up and leave me, leave us,” he screamed.

“We can talk about it, but I need you to let him go, I don't want to see you two fighting, so please, just release him,” you said, exhaling a breath of air, as he let go, growling at Lucius, who nonchalantly walked to you.

“You've done so well, my love, they're like your two little dogs,” he laughed, turning off the music.

“Lucius,” you warned lightly, as he pulled you close to whisper into your ear.

“I’ll give you a bit of privacy, I presume you won't be here when am back, I want you to reach out more often, it has been fun since you've been back home”

“I will,” you nodded.

“Wonderful, I love you”

“I love you too,” you said, watching as he went outside, flying into the air in an instant.

“What are you two doing here?” you asked them, wiping your mouth.

“What are we doing here? Did you forget that you have companions, or did you not care?” Lestat asked angrily.

“You up and left, you didn't even leave a note,” Louis said.

“Did you not care when you were in Mississippi, did you care when you brought up upbringing as if it was an insult?” the words shut them up, the guilt evident, in their eyes.

“Do you love him more, you went back to your maker because you want him more, we haven't been enough for you,” Lestat spoke.

“I'm sorry for what I said to you, I was angry and I misdirected my anger and I didn't mean to do that, especially to you,” Louis apologized.

“Apologizing is pointless, you love him more than any of us, I just need to hear you say it, perhaps that will give me the closure I need, say Lestat, I never loved you-

Bursting out laughing, you covered your mouth, waving your hand apologetically at the two.

“I'm sorry, but you two are drama queens,” you laughed.

“What are you talking about?”

“I didn't even take all of my clothes, or my coffin if I was leaving, I would be taking that because it’s custom,” you told them.

“Why didn't you say that in a letter?” Louis asked you.

“Because I thought about leaving for good, but then I considered how much I love you both, yes, I am oftentimes left out, but when I'm not, I feel like I'm on top of the world, and as you said, we have gotten into countless of arguments, why would I just because you brought up Lucius?”

“You're always bringing him up, comparing-

“I’m not comparing the two of you, you have a few things in common, it has only been a handful of times, but you only like the attention on you, you get so jealous at the thought of me talking about another man,” you laughed.

“Don't be ridiculous, and he's not nearly as good-looking as me,” he said.

“See, I never compared your looks, I know who looks better, Lucius doesn't come close”

“You too, Louis, jealous, worried that I wouldn't think that our relationship is enough and I’d go back to Lucius to practice his lifestyle, it's cute really, you both came scrambling out here, to win me back, I am touched and a few other things,” you continued as they approached you.

Immediately, Lestat was kissing your lips, holding you close, scared to let you slip away. Pushing away from him, you pulled Louis near, slipping your tongue into his mouth. Lestat stood behind you, kissing your neck, and tearing the dress.

“Where’s Claudia?” you asked through your moans, as each article of clothing was peeled away. Stopping, the two slowly stared at each other, before looking at you.

“She’s in New Orleans”

“You left her in New Orleans, by herself? We need to leave now, why would you do that?” you yelled, going to pack your things.

“Wait, can we finish what we started?” Louis asked his hand over the painfully stiff sensation between his legs.

“No, we need to get back to her”

“I hate when the brat is right”

[matthew-macfadyens]

The Rogue is The Master Theory

the recent episode altered my brain chemistry and i am literally going insane of how many connections Rogue have with The Master it's not even funny anymore.

When we first see Rogue the song was playing "Bad Guy" I feel like this is way to on the nose. Like why play a song about being a Bad Guy if Rogue is intended to be a good guy? ( he's not) I did some research of what the role Rogue does in dnd (i don't play dnd only bg3) here what is says "A rogue is a sneaky person who has tricks up his sleeve, not like a magician, but like someone who would steal your wallet or cheat at cards." If you search up on Google of what rogue means, it says "a dishonest or unprincipled person." (Rogue is a liar liar pants on fire)

Also Rogue could be a reference to the band Rogue Traders the band who made the song Voodoo Child (Vote Saxon, I guess)

The Master is also notorious as a "Rogue Time Lord."

Why choose a Kylie Minogue song? Remember Astrid that kissed Ten? (that's her)

Next is an another song "Poker Face" this again feels like is way to on the nose because Poker Face literally means "an inscrutable face that reveals no hint of a person's thoughts or feelings." I feel like this alludes to Rogue wearing a Poker Face

When 15 first entered Rogue's ship he literally commented how "Messy," the ship was. Same interaction when 13 and her fam visited "O's" house and Graham commented how messy the house was inside of Dwahan!Master disguised TARDIS

Inside the ship we can see Rogue messing with the console that eerily looks like the TARDIS'S console room. The TARDIS could literally be disguised as a ship. Similarly what happens with Dhawan's!Master's TARDIS disguised as the house from the Spyfall episode.

The Master is also known for cosplaying/roleplaying someone else aka Agent O so why couldn't he act again but this time a different disguise, as Rogue. "Look for the Spy!Master." to "Look for the Dungeon!Master." (if he wants to continue with the dnd theme)

And they both had similar lines when they both entered the TARDIS for the "first time." Dwahan!Master: "Shut up." Rogue: "Oh my God."

Plus the TARDIS immediate dislike to Rogue? not because he's a bountyhunter (She loves Jack and River. Maybe because she knows that's The Master who threatened to turn her into a black hole?)

Also how did Rogue travel to 1813 if he's doesn't have a time machine (aka the TARDIS disguised as his ship)

but hey, it's just a theory, A FILM THEORY! Thanks for reading! Alright this is what my brain mustered up with the Master!Rogue theory while watching the episode multiple times now my brain is fried. if you have other mentions/clues that Rogue is The Master please comment I would like to know. This is basically merged from other theories I've read here so sorry for any repetitions it's my first theory.

[billpottsismygf]

Rogue

Oh wow, I have some complex feelings to work through with this one. Up front, really fun idea and very funny script and performances. There were quite a few moments that had me laughing out loud (the shed, the OK exchange) and I love the whole set up of these aliens who want to cosplay as humans in the regency era. It also connects nicely with Rogue's love of DND. I feel like I might have missed something when they seemed to know that the Duchess was a Chuldur, but I'll see if I catch that on rewatch or not.

As always, I adore Ncuti here. He's so funny and charming as the Doctor, but I particularly loved that we got to see his darker side here. It was only a glimpse, but that line about 600 years being a long time to suffer was quite chilling and very reminiscent of the "he was being kind" speech from Family of Blood. Indeed, it is quite a ruthless end for the Chuldur! They're sent to a random "barren" different dimension! It reminds me quite a bit of the relocation gun from Rosa and how much it was shown to be one of the worst things you could do to someone (and Ryan uses it on the white supremacist guy). Brutal!

Ruby and the Doctor didn't get to spend much time together this episode, which is a shame because we haven't seen all that much of them together for three episodes in a row now. I can't help but think it's a sad consequence of the tiny episode run that we barely get to see this Doctor and companion interact, so although I loved the Doctor calling her his best friend, and I especially loved her giving him a hug at the end and making him deal with his emotions, I don't feel that connection as much as I'd like to. Equally, when he's devastated to think she's been killed, it would have hit so much harder if we'd seen them build up a real relationship. They have a lot of natural chemistry, so you still very much believe them as best friends, but it feels like we're missing a bit of the depth there.

Okay, now, the romance! I was quite apprehensive about this one because it looked like there might be something going on between the Doctor and Rogue, and that was further fueled by a comment Millie Gibson made in an interview about this episode showing a different side of the Doctor. The reason that made me apprehensive is entirely down to my personal preference, which is that I like it when the Doctor is more a-spec. As it turned out, this episode managed to be both better and worse than I worried. Better in that it was beautifully acted, had fantastic chemistry, and I loved the scandalous gay dancing (very reminiscent of the Torchwood episode Captain Jack Harkness). Worse in that it wasn't just something happening to the Doctor, that he's swept up in, but instead something he's actively pursuing.

Again, this is entirely down to my personal preference for the Doctor's characterisation, but the way that this pushes further than other instances of romance/kissing/etc. upsets me a little. It reminded me somewhat of The Girl in the Fireplace in places - inviting him to see the stars; the tragic ending - but the difference with that one is that she kisses him. I don't know, it's a relatively small distinction but one that matters to me. The Doctor has had romances before, and the more overt they are the more I dislike them (eg. all the River Song stuff), and nowhere has the Doctor more actively flirted with someone new, expressed attraction to them numerous times and deliberately kissed them than here.

On the other hand, it's very gay and I have to like it at least a little for that. It gives us a more obviously queer Doctor than Thirteen and Yaz and they had a whole arc! (Not to bash Thirteen and Yaz; I actually quite liked how that went down in the end, but again that's due to my preference for an a-spec Doctor, which jived very nicely with Thasmin.) Obviously, this doesn't invalidate any readings of the Doctor as aro and/or ace, especially as that can mean many different things, but it messes with my personal view of the Doctor's sexuality, and how I prefer them to be portrayed. For me, if the Doctor is going to participate in sex or romance, I'd rather it be understated and uncertain or unintended from the Doctor's end. Now I know what to expect from this one, I may become desensitized to it with time and enjoy it more for its merits. Still, I can't change the fact that it's just fundamentally not what I want from Doctor Who the character.

Misc

I love that the battle mode for the earrings came back. I wondered if it would when it was first mentioned, then promptly forgot about it entirely.

The comparisons between Rogue and Captain Jack Harkness are obviously numerous, and it's very funny to me that Jack would definitely be pissed off that he lost out on kissing the Doctor like that to someone who was basically a carbon copy of him.

More singing, since people are taking note of that. Love a bit of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

I was cringing a bit while the Doctor was dancing to Kylie, but also glad he got to do that after the Master has had several camp pop dancing moments.

Speaking of Kylie, I wonder if the Doctor has ever noticed her uncanny resemblance to Astrid Peth.

We got a nice little flashback with Carla telling him to keep Ruby safe as well, which reminded me a lot of Jackie.

The faces of the Doctor's various incarnations looked a little strange. I couldn't actually tell who some of them were meant to be. Am I crazy or was one of them Richard E Grant, like from Scream of the Shalka (and the Great Intelligence)?

I said this already in another post, but it was dedicated to William Russell and I criiiiiied!

[vintageshanny]

Elvis lovers - it’s that time again! This week’s question is…..what are your top three live song performances? I definitely have not heard all the live stuff that’s available, so I’m really excited to see all of your answers and add them to my playlist! ❤️❤️❤️ Don’t forget to put the reasons why it speaks to you! Reading about everyone’s love for this man just makes my heart swell. 😘❤️

Such a Night (March 25, 1961 Pearl Harbor) - This concert is amazing, and this song in particular just puts me in a good mood. The little growling noises he does throughout are just so sexy, and the song is so upbeat. I love that you can hear the playful dynamic between him and the audience. There are so many amazing songs from this concert that he rarely performed again - Reconsider Baby, It’s Now or Never, I Need Your Love Tonight. And the corny jokes are already in full effect! He was really just his dorky self on stage, and I love it so much!

My Babe (Elvis Live 1969 Disc 9 - August 25, 1969 Las Vegas Midnight Show) - This is one of my favorite blues songs, and I was so excited when I first saw that Elvis covered it. (If you like blues, listen to Little Walter’s version. It is a great song, and I wish that Elvis had sung all the verses - I’d love to hear him sing “When she’s hot there ain’t no coolin’ her.” 😉😍) The amount of sexiness he oozes in this vocal is almost criminal. When he sings “she don’t, she don’t, she don’t, oh God,” I bet every woman there felt something…unspeakable. And the grunting! Whew…I need to recover from just thinking about this performance. 🥵 Really everything from this first Vegas run is just superb - the bluesy arrangement for Heartbreak Hotel is another favorite for me.

Funny How Time Slips Away (Elvis on Tour Disc 3 - April 14, 1972 Greensboro) - I love this song so much, and this particular version just does things to me. Right before he starts the song, he asks them to turn the house lights up, and when he says “I-I-It’s funny because I-I-I can’t see you really,” his sweet little stutter just melts my heart. Then when he sings, “How am I doin’? Well I’m sweatin’ a little bit baby, but I guess I’m doin’ fine,” it makes a lot more than my heart react. 😉😍😂 I just love how you get a feel for his interaction with the audience in this performance, and I like when he says “let her have it, man, let her have it” to security (I think about someone trying to get a scarf). My other favorite live performance of this is at Madison Square Garden. In that one, you actually can hear him stutter while singing a line, and I love that he goes up and hits that falsetto note when he sings “Remember what I told you,” and then drops way back down. I think he just had a lot of fun singing this, considering it’s kind of a sad song.

Runner-up goes to You’re the Reason I’m Living (March 22, 1975 Midnight Show). I think this is the only time he performed this live (someone correct me if I’m wrong), and it feels like just a beautiful dedication to his fans. Again you can hear his sweet stutter before he starts, and I like how you can hear him direct the band on what to do during the song. He performs the song so beautifully and then concludes by saying “That was, probably you could tell, totally unrehearsed.” Um, no, I could not tell that at all because it was amazing! ❤️

Again tagging past participants, but if you love Elvis and his music, please join in! 😘

@whositmcwhatsit @be-my-ally @thatbanditqueen @ellie-24 @plasticfantasticl0ver @lookingforrainbows @prompted-wordsmith @flwrs4aust @iloveelvis @argeriant18 @loving-elvis @alienelvisobsession @ab4eva @manebioniclegali @deke-rivers-1957 @rjmartin11 @c-rosenn @elvisalltheway101 @satninroses @doll-elvis @devilsflowerr @missmaywemeetagain @presleysdarling @troubleinapinksuit @cryingabtab @generoustreemystic @samfangirls

[pekoeboo]

I haven't finished reading everything you've written about your characters, but I have two questions! What would their favorite food and/or snacks be and why? Is it something that's simply a matter of taste or does it hold a strong memory for them? It seems silly to ask but food can be very important to people, both the familiar and experimental.

And second question: Are there any biomes that your characters have found they love? (Real, minecraft, or original.) Traveling all over and seeing different places means your OC's probably have firsthand opinions, good and bad. ;)

ooooooh honestly I've thought about the food thing to an extent before! not so much on Antony's side of things for some reason, but definitely in regards to Khalan (and also kind of Aya by extension) ;o;

gonna also put this under a cut because boy howdy my responses tend to get so long hahaha xD

I know Antony's village has a heavy focus on apples as a main food product that has cultural and religious significance, so I do think that the smell and taste of apples is incredibly comforting and nostalgic for him. wine was also culturally-significant for his village, and Antony has a pretty refined palate in that regard as well. as far as specific foods go, though, I'm not entirely sure what he prefers yet. I'll have to give it some thought.

a bit of a trigger warning I suppose, but Khalan has... a complicated relationship with food. probably bordering on the lines of an eating disorder, if I'm being honest. he sees it as something that he has to "earn," because of how his dad would withhold food from him sometimes as punishment, so the idea of just. being Allowed to eat anything he wants whenever he wants is something that's really difficult for him to learn over time. he'll usually deny himself food if he feels he deserves it for whatever reason and feels incredibly guilty over the idea of enjoying it.

but there are some things he really does like, if he allows himself to. for one, he finds fresh bread to be comforting and versatile - he grew up farming wheat so he's used to the whole process of turning it into bread. it's one of those foods for him that makes him feel "safe" in a way, because it's familiar (it's also Aya's favorite, according to @cookieg122 ;u;). coffee is something else he enjoys, typically with cardamom and cinnamon ;o; he tends to like warm, savory, or spiced foods, but as far as sweets are concerned, he genuinely loves pumpkin pie the most - which is something he got to try for the first time at a tavern in Drehmal and immediately fell in love with it <3

ah! the traveling question!!! that one's a really exciting concept because all three characters (Khalan, Aya, and Antony) had never really left their places of origin until their respective story events take place. traveling was a huge culture shock for all of them, and they're constantly exploring new places, so they end up seeing SO many different biomes over time.

I'd say Khalan's personal favorite would be something like a temperate forest, especially within a mountainous region. he finds forests and rivers to be especially lovely, and the ability to scale a mountain to see so far into the distance from such an impossible height is incredibly thrilling for him... but it's also a location where he feels the most at peace during the day. he likes to catalogue what flora and fauna he comes across in a trail journal by drawing what he sees and describing it to the best of his ability (as I've done away with his cartography profession since it didn't fit as well anymore).

he's the kind of person who tends to consider most forms of nature to be beautiful and awe-inspiring, as it fills his creative mind with ideas and stories and poems and songs that he'll frantically write down whenever the inspiration hits. adventuring is difficult and dangerous, but looking back on his time in Drehmal, he only remembers the most romantic aspects of traveling because his brain blocked out a lot of the traumatic stuff.

however, his least favorite biome is definitely a frozen tundra. they were forced to camp out in a region like that before and he 100% ended up freezing to death a few times just to make sure that Aya was able to use whatever provisions they had so she could stay warm and survive;; not a fun time. another bad kind of area would be anything volcanic in nature, like the Hellcrags/Carmine within Drehmal.

Antony has a few he enjoys and hates, as well. his first impression of a different biome was the temperate sakura blossom grove that Khalan and Aya were staying in within Atria, as that was the first time he had ever traveled beyond his home village. but I don't really think he'd count that as a favorite location because being there was such a stressful and awful time for him, unfortunately. The Nether is obviously another location that has a lot of trauma attached to it for him, too.

as far as more positive experiences go, he's definitely most comfortable within a Mediterranean biome - since that's where he grew up - but he tends to enjoy warm, subtropical beaches and also finds a lot of beauty in the snowy northern mountains/taiga; two locations he only experienced within Bocca. temperature isn't exactly an issue for him after becoming a demigod (his body naturally regulates to adapt to whatever temperature he's in, meaning he's never uncomfortable unless we're talking extreme hot or cold), so he can enjoy a lot of environments without feeling the effects of the weather all that much. out of those two locations, however, I'd say he considers the snow to be the most magical - especially the day after a storm when it's all fluffy and sparkly in the morning sunlight ;o;

there's probably more that I'm missing tho but that's about all I can think of to cover those questions!! thank you so much for the ask, I genuinely appreciate the enthusiasm <33 take care! ;u;;

[bitchesofostwick]

six-song soundtrack tag game

thank you for tagging me, @shivunin! tagging @captastra @ysali @elfroot-and-laurels @saintlethanavir @isayashai

Rules If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End credits song

dear sister / the pretty reckless: a defining moment of ellinor's childhood was watching her twin brother, avery, be taken to the circle. i see this song as being from avery's point of view, particularly the lyrics "I've been along this lonely road / Looks like I'm not coming home / But I don't mind / Please don't cry."

the love club / lorde: okay i actually think this is a perfect song for most inquisitors lol. the opening line is "I'm in a clique but I want out." the song is about going through a bunch of shit for the sake of your clique/group, which i feel is fitting for ellinor as inquisitor.

gold dust woman / fleetwood mac: idk this is very much a sort of pained femme fatale song and i think others would see ellinor that way, especially given her noble background with the lyric "Take your silver spoon, dig your grave."

after the storm / shovels & rope: ellinor and cullen have a relationship that uhhh. gets a lot worse before it gets better. idk they're both fucked up in their own ways and make some Choices, but they always come back stronger for it, which makes sense with these lyrics: "Like the widest river / Like the brightest morn / There is hope just up ahead / There is a shelter safe and warm / But won't you help me to get through it? / I've been selfish, I have lied / My mistakes they are so many / For my ruthless heart is wild."

it will come back / hozier: there isn't a lyrical reason for this, i just think the vibes match ellinor's sneaky rogue knife style a lot.

heaven bent / lady lamb: yeah, yeah, this is the namesake for my trespasser fic, blah blah blah. i liked the title play of heaven bent instead of "hell bent." but i think it's also fitting for ellinor, who disbands the inquisition with some unfinished business with solas, which fits with the final lyrics of the song: "My blood will fill the ditch / My blood will bury the mountain / But for now it sits still in my mouth / Just waiting on the tip of my tongue."

[ifearzombies]

The Song Each Character Jams To

Whenever this song plays, the brother is singing along to it.

Lucifer: Save The Last Dance For Me - Michael Buble

The moment he hears it, he’s singing along softly and grabbing your hands to dance with you. You laugh as you’re swept up into the moment. He dips you and he spins you and you can’t help but love when he indulges himself like this.

Mammon: Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson Ft Bruno Mars

He’s busting a move at the first note. It’s so joyful and exuberant you can’t help but join in. You shout the ‘hallelujah’ when he points to you. You’re both laughing and moving to the music as he puffs up in pride. 

Leviathan: All Star - Smash Mouth

There’s no song more meme-y and iconic. You are both instantly belting out the lyrics and dancing (somewhat badly) and then making far too many Shrek references.

Satan: Faith - George Michael

You’re surprised this is the one Satan prefers to jam out to, but as you listen to the lyrics it makes a bit sense. The POV is about wanting someone, but also being worried about giving it all away. Contrast and the tone aloof. What’s really fun is when Satan starts jamming out, Asmo also joins and then it’s a small party with the three of you.

Asmodeus: KISS - Voiceplay Cover (Original by Prince)

Asmo actually has a whole list he will jam out to. ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, ‘Sexy Naughty Bitchy Me’. It’s a whole playlist. But this one grooves him like none other. He’s singing along with every line as he dances. He’ll pull the nearest person into a dance with him (most of them complying- you especially).

Beelzebub:  Carry Out - Timbaland

Beel loves the song despite making him extremely hungry. He hasn’t quite caught on that it’s a sex jam and thinks it’s about loving fast food. He gets closer to figuring it out every time he sings it.

Belphegor: Stars - Switchfoot

He doesn’t really get up and dance, but he’s tapping his foot and softly singing along. He’s too tired to ‘jam’ like everyone else. And the song is rather introspective and speaks of star gazing; his favorite thing. And the smile he makes when he sings this is so beautiful.

Solomon: I Got The Magic In Me - B.o.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo

Solomon is a cheeky bastard and he loves performing spells while singing along to this song. Especially when the movements of the spell can be dance like. It’s a delight to watch him perform and he loves how you cheer him on.

Simeon: Shut Up & Dance With Me - Walk The Moon

The moment the song is on, Simeon’s grabbed your hands and you’re dancing. It’s one of his favorite songs from the Human Realm. The bright angelic smile on his face as you sing with him is as beautiful as him and you giggle when Luke joins in.

Luke: Eye To Eye - Tevin Campbell

You watched the movie with him and this song became his favorite. You, Simeon, and Solomon join him in singing and dancing to this song. Luke likes to pretend he’s Powerline with the rest of you as backup dancers. Asmo has a video of the PH hall fam performing while you belt out the background singing.

Barbatos: Walking On Broken Glass - Annie Lennox

He doesn’t instantly start dancing, but he is singing and moving his body in a ‘dance-like’ fashion as he cleans and tends to his duties. You join in the song and at the end, he picks you up and spins you like John Malcovich does to Annie.

Diavolo: Mambo No.5 - Lou Bega

You introduced this to him. It’s your fault Barbatos has heard this song over 50 times this year. You take full responsibility as you belt the lyrics out alongside Diavolo and shuffle-dance around the floor with the prince loud enough you’re worried you’ll wake his dad from wherever he’s sleeping. Still. It’s too fun a song to not to jam to and you don’t feel a bit of remorse. Well. Until Barbatos gets his revenge with you later.

[mags-writes]

Part 4: Love Like Ghosts - Gendrya

Summary: The Great War is won and Gendry has some news.

Warnings: Canon-level violence, canon-level angst, canon-level swearing

Pairing: Gendry Waters/Baratheon x Arya Stark

Length: 921 words

Masterlist || The Night We Met || Frozen Pines || Meet Me In The Woods || Love Like Ghosts

I don't feel it till it hurts sometimes oh, go on, baby, hurt me tonight I want ours to be an endless song baby, in my eyes, you do no wrong

The night was alive with the celebrations of those left living and Arya could still feel the heat of Gendry's hands on her body. It was such a distraction that she almost didn't hit the bullseye of her target. Almost. She took a deep breath, nocking an arrow and drawing from the strength in her back to aim at the target again. The very man on her mind happened to walk into her line of sight just as she loosed the arrow. He flinched back from the thud it made as it hit right next to the other arrows and then quietly chuckled to himself.

"Good shot." He called out, walking towards her with warmth in his eyes.

Ayra couldn't help the smile on her face as he walked closer, butterflies in her stomach at how he was looking at her like there was no one else in the world he could possibly think of a single day in his life.

"What are you doing out here in the cold?" She asked, lowering the bow and giving him all her attention.

"I could ask you the same thing." He retorted. "It's nighttime, it's freezing and everyone else is celebrating. You should be celebrating with them."

"I am." She paused, looking down before grabbing another arrow and nocking it into place. "In my own way, I suppose."

"Yeah, me too." Arya could sense his nervous energy and faced him again with concern written on her face. "I'm not Gendry Rivers, anymore."

"How much have you had to drink?" She tilted her head at him with a growing smile. "You've never been Gendry Rivers. You're Gendry Waters. Crownlands, remember?"

Gendry looked out into space for a second, looking like he was trying to overcome the embarrassment of forgetting his own damn name.

"Right... Yeah... Well, my point is-what I'm trying to say is that-..." He stopped taking a deep breath and looked at her again in seriousness. "I'm Gendry Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End. By order of the Queen."

"What?" Arya put the bow and arrow down, looking at him with wide eyes. "Congratulations, this-this is amazing. I can't believe-"

Gendry cut her off with a passionate kiss, cradling her face in one hand and bringing her closer with a strong arm around her waist. Arya had an arm around his shoulders, the other pressed against his strong chest, feeling his heart trying to beat its way out. They were smiling like idiots into the kiss, giggling even as Arya's feet came off the floor when he stood up straight and twirled them. When he put her back down he took her face in both hands this time, giving her one last soft kiss before pulling back enough to actually speak, and moved his hands to hold hers.

"Marry me." He begged making Arya's heart stop. "Marry me. I love you and you're fucking beautiful-and I know-I know I love you. I know nothing about being a Lord of anything, I hardly know how to use a fork."

"Gendry-"

"None of it will be worth anything if you're not with me." He paused, his eyes shifting between hers and her lips before he went down to one knee. "I can't even begin to imagine the rest of what my life is going to be now without you. Marry me, be my wife."

Arya couldn't form words so instead she went down with him and held on tighter to his hands. So many questions were running through her mind. What was the castle like down there? Who would be their servants? There can't be anyone left in the Baratheon household staff. What would life even be like in a place like Storm's End? The thoughts about how big the castle forge would have to be went through her mind next. And once she got through those questions she knew what she wanted to do. She settles her eyes back on Gendry, realising only a second had passed in reality.

"I don't know how to be a Lady. I don't think I ever had a flying hope in all the sevens hells of being a proper Lady." Gendry's smile turned into an infectious laugh.

"Gods know I'm a witness to that." He leaned in and Arya met him half-way, pressing their foreheads together and closing their eyes.

"I can't guarantee it will be smooth sailing." She said softly.

"Then we can crash and burn together." He reassured in a loving whisper.

They opened their eyes, giddy and wide smiles adorning their faces. Arya went back in, kissing him, and holding his face in both hands, and she felt like she could stay there forever pressed up against him and breathing him in.

"Yes." She mumbled against his lips with a smile. "Yes, but-"

He interrupted by going back in and pulling her closer.

"But what, my lady." He teased.

"You-" She giggled, pulling back and tracing his bottom lip with her finger. "You have to be the one to tell Jon and Sansa."

There was a moment of abject fear that crossed his face before he nodded, seemingly making up his mind and squaring his shoulders.

"Alright." He said, completely convinced now. "Let's go."

yes, I know that love is like ghosts oh, and the moonlight, baby, shows you what's real there ain't language for the things I feel and if I can't have you, then no one ever will

[peggysrpmemes]

FNAF FAN LYRICS STARTERS

Lyric starters from various fan made fnaf songs, from 2015-2020(ish). Featuring lyrics from Living Tombstone, GT Music, Giffnilla, and others. Feel free to change any pronouns or punctuation as desired.

“For many years we've been all alone.”

“Now we're stuck here to decay”

“I just don't get it, why do you want to stay?”

“Now I suffer the curse and now I am blind.”

“I can't wait for the cliff at the end of the river.”

“Is this revenge I am seeking? Or seeking someone to avenge me?”

“Stuck in my own paradox, I wanna set myself free.”

“I wish I lived in the present with the gift of my past mistakes.”

“Justification is killing me, but killing isn't justified.”

“Kick back and grab a slice!”

“If you get hurt on the job we cannot cover your loss.”

“Why did they hire me? This is insane!”

“Just wait for what I've got in store!”

“You're the next victim that I'm coming for!”

“So while you're here, try not to die.”

“After tonight, I might not work again!”

“I'm dripping sweat, turn up the fan.”

“Maybe a raise? Cuz I think I've earned it, man!”

"Listen close, follow my instructions."

"There is no time for introductions."

"You'll be the one to save us."

"Did we deserve this?"

“Try your best to hold onto sanity.”

“All eyes are on you…”

“What have I done to deserve this damnation?”

“You might look at me, and think you're going crazy,”

“I lost it long ago, you're not alone baby.”

“We'll always seek, We'll always find!”

“I feel like I'm dying.”

“I hear a sound…”

“It's pro’lly just a mouse,”

“Wait… Now I hear it…”

“RUN!”

“What's that sound? I know someone's there!”

“You can't deter me this time.”

“Every night always, it never changes.”

“But we can make accidents happen.”

"This can't be real!"

“There's something sick and sadistic about this place.”

“Feeling like this place is my tomb.”

“No one will believe me, so I gotta fight.”

“Don't scream, you'll just make it worse.”

“Free, let me go free!”

“Stay calm, stay calm.”

“Wish I had a 9 to 5.”

“Find an inner strength within.”

“If I've learned one thing it's that Don't respond to Craigslist ads.”

“I really hate you, stop getting in my way.”

“'Cause I've been staring at my death so many times.”

“I wish I could just block the doors.”

“I got this headache and my life's on the line.”

“The nightmare repeats itself every time.”

“Stay awake until the sun will shine.”

“I have this urge to kill and show that I'm alive.”

“I'm getting sick from these apologies from people with priorities that their life matters so much more than mine.”

“No one will listen and no one will understand.”

“Things haven't been the same since my birthday.”

“Can I get a grown-up to check in my closet?”

“Just heard a noise, I don't know where it went.”

“But what if I'm in Hell and I'm already dead?”

“Shut the door, better keep it closed.”

“Come closer, we don't bite!”

“I don't believe that for one second!”

“I got a flashlight and I know how to use it.”

“Oh my God, I'm on my own!”

“Maybe death will set me free …?”

“We live eternally.”

“Time for the main attraction!”

“I'm not the bad guy, I'm just a bit surprising.”

“There was a time, not so long ago at all, I was just like you, can you hear my call?”

“I'll be checking in, but you'll never be aware.”

“You may say that I'm breaking your mind. In my opinion, you're much too kind.”

“But don't get me wrong, you were very brave.”

“When faced with friendly singing animals, you never caved.”

“Is it because I can't be her?”

“I can feel my heart breaking.”

“I can't fix you.”

“This is what happens when you leave it to someone else. If you want it done right you should just do it yourself.”

“You might make everyone happy but you're dead inside, just like me.”

“Prepare for the horrors.”

“This night will keep repeating over and over.”

“You'll never be alone again”

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

SCREAMS

WELCOME BACK

I’VE HAD A WEEEK OF THINKING ABOTU EP 4 NONSTOP AND THE ONLY REASON I’M NOT POSTING ART IS BECAUSE I’M PARANOID ABOUT PEOPLE UNTHINKINGLY SLAPPING SPOILERS IN THE TAGS (its happened before) BUT DADSY HAS MY ENTIRE SOUL ANYWAY

ITS EP 5 TIME AND HECK HECK

MONKIE KID SEASON 4 EPISODE FIVE WE HALFWAY THROUGH BOOOOIIIIIIS

BUCKLE UP I AM NORMAL ALREADY FOLKS

actually to be honest I’ve been pretty chillin until I doodled Pigsy and Mk and now I’m feeling feral THIS SHOW REALLY IS SO GOOD FOR MY BRAIN YELLSSS

OKAY OKAY HERE WE GO COURT OF THE YELLOW ROBED DEMON HECK SOUNDS FUN LETS BOOGIE

continues to be a banger theme song that i will listen to all the way through every time it plays thank you very much

. . .

i need a moment

lays down

Pigsy absolute beloved ;-;

ALSO I’M KINDA WHEEZING AT THE BLUE ISN’T REALLY MY COLOUR

HECK I DIDNT’ APPRECCIATE EP 4 ENOUGH SO YOU BEST BELIEVE I’MA BE CHERISHIGN THE CRAP OUTTA EPISODE FIVE

I’M JUST SO HAPPY PLS BGSL;DKFMSDF

Pigsy washing his clothes in the river, Mk doodling i adore I’m so much and MEI BELOVED BALANCING SWORD ON HER NOSE I’M

THE VIBES ARE SO GOOD I WILL CRY

i had to rewind because i just sat here watching and just ;-; SUCH GOOD VIBES MAN |;A;/

ALSO HECK DIOLOGUE

HECKINGDSFLKMSD

PIGSY CALLING OTHER PIGSY A MONSTER

HMHMHM JOTTING THAT DOWN UR HONOUR

NGL BUT THAT VALIDATES MY OWN LITTLE SELF-INDULGENT FIC I WROTE A WHILE BACK OF TIME TRAVEL AND HIM DISLIKING PAST HIM SORRY I’M JUST GRRGRRRAWRRR BITES /POS

IS PIGSY HAVING TROUBLE ACCEPTING THAT WAS A PAST LIFE?

HECK I’M BITESBITESBITES

THE LAST EP KINDA FELT CONFUSING WHERE TANGS FELT VERY THUROUGH IN WHAT THE BIGGEST REGRET THING WAS BUT

AFTER LITERALLY JUST THAT LINE I’M LIKE OH SO HIS GREATEST REGRET WAS JUST BEING WHO HE WAS HUH FR

I’M LIKE THIRTY SECONDS IN AND ALREADY NORMALGBS;LDFKMA

Tang with the name correction ;-;

PIGSYGBSDFLMWE

DON’T GO COMPARING ME TO THAT DEMON

I’M JUST PLAIN OL PIGSY

|;A;/

I’M FINE IGNORE ME

Pigsy ur so valid for wanting layers on hHNV;LKSMFSD But my good sir no need to apologize for being a hunk smhBG;LSKDFM;WOEF

Mei

Mei absolute beloved

a

s SCREAMS

DRAGON TIME

WE GONNA SEE HIIIMMMMMMM

considering i had so much brainrot about Wukong and Ao Lie brother moments after season 3 if we see him and we get any of his care for his bro i will be emotionally destroyed /pos LIKE I BEEN THINKING ABOUT THEM SM I TELL YOU AAAAAAAA

Mei: oh he must’ve been awesome

you’re right mei he was

just didn’t get much… screen time. book time? time BG;KSADFKMSDF

I WONDER HOW THEY’LL CHRACTERIZE HIM

HECK

AAAAAAA

SO MANY OPTIONS

i am very normal if we see him i’ll cry

Mei’s got some seriously good balance now

MY ANCENSTORGSLDFKMAGNMAWE

.

Okay i wanna laugh over Mei’s I THOUGHT MONKEY KIGN WIAS YOUR DAD! HE’S NOT MY DAD!!!!

I WAS GONNA LAUGH BUT U H

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS BEEN MENTIONED

MK IS LITERALLY DRAWING A STONE EGG

THE PEBBLE CRACKING IN HIS FLASHBACK

BUDDIES OF MINE SUDDENLY ON THE MK AND WUKONG SIBLING TRAIN

head in hands

so this confirms the theory that smacked me in the face last week this is fine

Mk fr probably a pebble from swk’s rock or something i don’t know TOO MANY FINGERS POINTING IN TAT DIRECTION I DONT’ KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT FEEL FREE TO PROVE ME WRONG UNIVERSE I WOULD GLADLY ACCEPT IT

AM I AFRAID TO LEARN ABOUT MK’S BACKSTORY NOW?

YEAH A LITTLE BIT

EVERYHTING IS FINE

TIS IS FINE

A

AH

PLS

SCREAMS

HE SAID IT

SHAKES YOU

GUYS HE SAID IT I’MGNSDFLK;MASDF

THE POINT

AND

PIGSY’S MY DAD

PIGSY SWEATINGBDL;KMASD

PLEASENG;LKSAMF

UR HONOUR

UR HONOUR PLEASE

THIS IS MY SEASON

THIS IS MY SEASON

HECKING

GETTING EVERYTHING I COULD EVER WANT SHUT UUUUPPPPBGS;DFKLMAW;EOIMFE

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

HIS BLEP AND CONTINUES COLOURING

Y’ALL MK MY BELOVED I ADORE THIS DUDE SM

PIGSY BLINDSIDED BY BEING CALLED DAD SO BLATANTLY I’M ON THE FLOOR

MK REALLY JUST

LETS CUT THE CRAP THAT’S MY DAD EVERUYBODY ELSE CAN GO I’MGBSD;FKMASDF

Guys I think i found my favourite episode

no lie this is

everything to me rn

PLEASE

A CONSPIRICY BOARDBG;SLKDMFWE

TANG’S DOODLES

SANDY STILL OFF SCREENGBSD;FKM;WOEF

CAN MEI BECOME A HORSENGKLMFD

GOOD QUESTION ACTUALLY

HECK HECK I FEEL LIKE THIS IS MOVING TO FAST I WANT TO GO BACK AND REWATCH THE WHOLE MONKEY KINGS NOT MY DAD PIGSYS MY DAD UH KID I’M NOT TECNICALLY-

HEKCKMGNDSFMSD

YEAH

I CAN’T BELIEVE

THEY’RE THEORIZING ON SCREEN

ABOTU WHETHER OR NOT MK’S RELATED TO MONKEY KING

I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS REAL I FEEL LIKE I’M SCROLLING THORUGH THE FANDOM TAGBGBSDL;KFMSDF

I WILL CRY

HECK THIS IS SO FUNNY SEEING IT ALL SLAPPED OUT LIKE THAT I’VE LITERALLY THOUGHT THAT ALL IN THAT ORDER WE’VE MADE SO MANY THEORIES LIKE THIS I’M WHEEZINGNSDFL;KMSDF

BELOVED MONKEY KING

REAL SWK CONFIRMED

I’M GONNA SCREAM

THEY LEGIT DOING THIS??

FR???

I CAN’T BELEIVE THISGBSD;FKLMOEWF

SO

MK

RELATED TO MONKEY KING SOMEHOW CONFIRMED IG

ALL THAT

PLS

HE’S AT LEAST A STONE MONKEY

I DON’T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK I LIKE MONKEY KING BEING ONE OF A KIND AND ALL THAT NOT SURE ABOUT THAT APPROACH BUT HECK IT WE BALL IG

ALSO PLEASELMGSAOFE

MK JUST LIKE NOOOO NONONONONOOO NO THANK YOU THAT’S CRAAAAZY

ah yess because he’s normally sooooo forthcoming with information

HELPGSDLKF

YEAH

SHE GOT A POINT LAD

SHE DO BE GOT A POINT

poor mk not looking very stoked at this possibility

CURIOUS YOU’D THINK HE’D BE ECSTATIC BUT IG TRUAMA DOES A LOT BGSDL;FKMS

MK COMUNICATING LEGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WELL WHEN WE FIND HIM WE CAN ASK HIM! :D

PLS I JUST LOV EHIM A LOT GUYS

PIGSYGBSD;LKFMWE

PIGSY YOU’VE BEEN HERE FIVE SECONDS WHY ARE YOU ANNOYEDNLGKMMFEEF

I’m telling you now! :D

PLS IT TAKES A SECOND TO FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT

H

HECK

SCREAMS

HECK WAIT

I’M NOT READY

THIS IS SO EARLY IN THE EPISODE WDYM

USUALLY THEY WAIT TILL CLSOER TO THE END TO LULL YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

WE’RE ONLY TWO MINUTES IN

HELP WAITBG;LSDKMF

also welp ig mk really is stone monkey HOW DOES THAT WORK I DON’T KNOW I’M IN PIECES GO BACKGNS;LKFMWE

i DON’T KNOW IF THAT’S MONKEY KINGS ROCK MK I THINK IT’S YOURS

ALSO UM WHAT THE HECKNVG;LKSDMFBGN;AKFMA;WOEF

MK VERY EAGER TO HAVE MONKEY KING EXPLAIN TO EVERYONE HE’S DEFINITELY NOT HIS DADGBSDF;LKM;SDF

th

heck

okay

so

so

soooo

that sounded

less like monkey kings voice there

and more like

ahem Mk’s

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

SCREAMS AND SHAKES YOU ALL

I SWEAR IF HE’S A CLONE

OR HECKING

SOMETHING ID ONT’ KNOW

HE HECKING BETTER NOT BE DEAD

IT BETTER NOT BE MONKEY KING ISNT’ ACTUALLY MONKEY KING AND MK’S HIS REINCARNATION AND MONKEY KING IS ACTUALLY JUST A CLONE LEFT BEHIND TO COACH HIS NEXT LIFE THAT STUPID THING I MADE UP I SWEAR I WILL BE CRUSHED PLEASE DONT’ BE THATBG;SDLKFMAWOE I MADE THAT UP FOR ANGST PURPOSES NOT FOR IT TO BE A HTEORY FOR CANON

i am full of fear

HECK THOSE ARE GIANT EYES

SCROLL CURSE

UP

OH NO THEY LOST THE CHEAT SHEET

CHEAT SHEET WAIT THAT’S SO FUNNYGHSBDFLK;MWEF

OH HECK

HECKK

ECK HECK JGSDJLFSJD

MEI

WATCH IT

OH SHE’S FAST NOW

OH RIP

WELP

I DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING

SO WE’RE GONNA GET A MEI ARC IN THIS ONE AGAIN HUH

BREAK THE SWORD DISSAPOINTED FAMILY OR SOMETHIGN GOTTA RE-PROVE HERSELF OR SOMETHIGN HECKINGNFDL;KMWE

THAT’S SUCH PRETTY ANIMATION THO HECK EHCK

WE’RE ONLY 2:50 IN WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS SCREAMS

.

THEY BETTER NOT HAVE BEEN ALL BUBBLED TO DIFFERENT PLACES I SWEAR

oh no yup separated

I’M SO SORRY MEI ILY

OH RIP

WELP

YUP EVERYBODY SEPERATED

AWESOME

.

HELPGML;SDFM

CONGRATS TANG LOOOKS ILKE YOU’RE IN THE KINGDOM OF WOMEN

GL WITH THAT

WIAT HELPGNSAOWE

HE FR JUST SCREAMS AND BUBBLES AWAY

HELPGMSLDF

I WAS EXPECTING HIM TO BE THERE LONGER HELPGNSDLFKMSDF

peak comedy there well done lets scream and run away from that chapter so true bG;LKAWEMFAEWFNAWFE

.

Mei.

Mei you

Mei you literally have the fire of Samadhi

you have the Samadhi fire

you don’t need a swordnGL;KMAWFE

OKAY THO MEI EP OR SOEMTHING IG

SHE’S GONNA GO ON A JOURNY OF SELF-DISCOVERY IG

ALSO WHERE THE HECK DID MK GO

WE SAW EVERYBODY ELSE

WER’ES MY BOOOIIIII

OH I HATE HIM

IMMEMDEATLEY

WHO’S THIS CLOWN

FIESTY

EAT MY FIST

WHY IS HE

TALKINGNSDFL;KMWE

KILL  HIM

SUS OLD MAN

OH RIGHT YEAH YOU’RE THIS GUY

OH HE’S A VIBE ACTUALLY

LONG HAIR VIBIN

.

YOU BETTER NOT HTINK MEI IS YOU’RE HEKCING WHATEVER

OR MAYBE YOU WANNA CONSUME HER

OKAY YEAH

FUN

I’LL BE SPICY ALRIGHT

OHH

OKAY CONCERN

BURN HIM ALIVE

COME ON W

oh

not gonna

eat her right away oka

ITS HIM

ITS HIM

ITS HIM HITSBSFBGANFABF;IOAWMEFAWMGFA;LFMAWOIEMFAF

SCREAMS

SCREAMS

ITS HIM

TIS HIM

SHAKES YOU SHAKES YOU ITS HIM

I KNOW IT IS

ITS HIM I TS HIM TBNSLKMGNEEM

ITS HIM

GREEN

GREEN

ITS HIM

SCREAMS IT HE

ITS HIM ITS MY MAAAN

ITS HE

SCREAMS

ITS AO LIE

SHUT I’M UP GONNA CRY ITS HIM RIGHT NOW HE

I’M HAVING A MOMENT HERE GUYS GIVE ME A SECOND I’M GONNA CRY

OH HE’S SO SCRUNGLY

OH HE’S SO

YES

OH THE LONG SLEEVES EXCUSE ME HE’S SO DELIGHTFUL

I IMMEDEATELY ADORE HIM

I am not normal

HE’S BEAUTIFUL

HIS LITTLE HEADTILT

I WILL SOB

HELPGMSDLFKMSDF

TANG JUST ZOOMIN

NOP NOPE NOPE NOPE

THE NEZHA MOMENT

THIS IS ACTUALLY SO MUCH FUN

HECK AO LIE IS SO SCRUNGGLY I WOULD DIE FOR HIM YA’LL

HE’S DRAWN SO NICE

HES’ BEAUTIFUL

MEI GETS TO HANG OUT WITH HER ANCESTOR

SHE’S EITHER GONNA BE ANNOYED BY HIM OR VIBE AND I’M GONNA CRY EITHER WAY

OH NOPPES OUT TANG ET MOVING

YUP NOPE

THAT’S THE WORNG DOOR VERY MUCH

OH HE’S LAUGHIGN AT HER

WHATS SO FUNNY GUY

I LOVE

I LOVE HIM

SISTER

PLS

I ADORE HIM

YOU DONT’ UNDERSTAND I’M IN LOVE WITH HIS DESIGN THE VOICE ACTOR IS SO GOOD

THE :3 FACE THEY’RE GIIVNG HIM

i am actually going to cry YOU GUSY HE’S SO SCRUNGLY

PLEASE

PLEASE HE’S EVERYHTING TO ME

I WANT TO GIVE HIM SNACKS

THE TRIP

PLEASE

HE’S JUST A GOOFY LITTLE GUY

truly this is the youngest sib during the journey truly tis him

i love how i’m just assuming this is Ao Lie when i actually have no proof its just the vibes via the story and the fact he’s beautiful and green and absolutely delightful I WOULD DIE FOR HIM YOU DON’T UNDERSTANDNGLSDMAGNWO;EFM

oh man we’re only halfway through this is gonna be a long post hG;KLSDFJSD

THIS GUY

YUP MILDLY ANNOYED

I LOVE HIM

OH

OH BUDDY NO

BUD

BELOVED

I’M ABOUT TO CRY

BRUH REALLY

JUST VIBIN

WAITING FOR HIS PWOERS TO BE SNATCHED

AND MEI JUST OUTRAGED BY THAT

YEAH

I’M

HECK

HECK GUYS THAT’S HER ANCESTOR I’M GOING TO BURST INTO TEARS THIS IS A THREAT

INACTION IS CARELESS

IN

INTERSTING

MADAM

MEI NOT ALL OF THAT IS CORRECT

OH LETS GO I HOPE THIS IS A BOTH LEARN SOMETHING FROM EACH OTHER ARC I WILL CRY

MEI HECKA PASSIONATE ABOUT HER FRIENDS

HELPGMSDFLMADF

DO NOT SENSE

PLEASE

PLEASE HANG ON THIS IS MOVING SO FAST

THEY WENT FROM LIKE

HI HI

*INTENSE PHYSCOLOGICAL DISCUSSION*

THEY JUST MET PLEASENG;LKMSDFE

IS IT GONNA BE LIKE

GET OUT AND THEN SURPRISE! I’M AO LIE!

ANYWAY IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU BYEEEE

PLS

A SWORD IS POWERLESS WITHOUT THE HAND THAT WEILDS IT

I ADORED IT

MY DUDE WHO IS PROBABLY AO LIE no its’ definitely Ao Lie AO LIE BELOVED I LOVED IT ITS A GREAT BIT OF WISDOM

THEIR LITTLE BANTER IS SO FUNNY PLEASE

MEI’S READY TO BITE HIM HE’S JUST SILLY GOOFY MAN

THEY BOTH GOT GOOD POINTS

man family dinner must be fun if his sister’s anything like Mei bGALK;SMDFAOWEF MAN I LOVE THEM

TANG REALLY GOING THROUGH IT

M

MO??????

MO??????

MO IS THAT YOU???

HECK???

WHERE’D YOU COME FROM???

WHY AREN’T YOU WITH SANDY??

i mean sandy’s probably not sandy rn but MO????

OH HECK

HELLO

AH

LOUDLY

DECLARING THAT HUH

WHATS GOING ON OVER THERE

Y’know hang on before we listen to Wukong’s bros trash talk him i wanna think about the fact that Wukong and Ao Lie probably get along great because they’re so alike

they’re just silly goofy Ao Lie probably reminds Wukong of himself back when he was just goofing off pls

OH??

OH MACAQUE’S THERE LISTENIGN TO THEM TRASH TALK HIS BELOVED FRIEND?? YEAH?? OH I’M INVESTED LETS FREAKING GO

unpredictable sure is a word for WukongnGL;KMEAFWE

CHARERISTICALLY QUIET PLSNG;LSDKMF

oh wow hey

New VA nailing it actually

deeper sounding

more gruff hang on i need a sec

lays down

heck

okay

okay we’re good

lets see if Azure’s vibes continue to be rancid or he says something to bring it back

also my goodness what a good thing to slap in there, Monkey king gone for years at a time sure does make it sketchy i’m biting this

OH HE’S IN THE BIG OL KING SEAT UH

TANG RECIGNIZING HIM FROM THE DOODLE

PLS THAT’S SO SILLY /POS

NO YEAH ME TOO DUDE

HE’S HECKA SUS

HIS VIBES CONTINUE TO BE RANCID

also heck i’m curious as to what they’re gonna do with this

like if Mac goes along with those three and then it’s actually the other way around not Wukong betraying them but them betraying him that’d be WILD considering we’re all so sure its something Wukong did but heck maybe Azure really does do something heck heck

OKAY BACK TO THE FAMBLY

and the excellently designed dude i immediately hated

he and Ao Lie are on opposite sides of the scale for me pleasemKLGASDF Cool design I IMMEDEATELY HATE HIM and COOL DESIGN I ADORE HIM

Whats up greasy ole face weirdo

oh

OH BELOVED

BEAUTY FIRST

DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT

DID HE JUST SAY BEAUTY FIRST OR AM I JUST IN LOVE WITH THE DESIGNGNSDLFKMABGOWEMF

I’M GONNA ASSUEM THAT’S WHAT HE SAID AND CRY OVER THE FACT AO LIE IS PRETTY WE BEEN KNEW

OH MAN MEI’S GREAT

YEAAAHHHHH

SCREAMS

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

is the the DANG DRAGON MOMENT U SEEM MORE FAMILAR ARE WE RELATED MOMENT OR GNSLDK;MFAOWEIM

AAAA

SEH’S SO GOOD I LOVE HER A LOT

GET EM MEI

OH

AYO

MADE HERSELF A SWORD

LETS FREAKING GOOOOOOOOOOO

SHE’S SO GOOD

I LOVE HER

WHITE HORSE DRAGON

HEAR THAT AO LIE??

HEAR THAT???

Its okay i’m fine i’m just losing it

GET EM GURRRLL

SHE’S SO

FREAKING POWERFUL

OH WOW THE DRAMATIC

HAIR SWOOSHY

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT DAY TO BE CARELESS

OH

OH FREAKING

HECK

WOW

HE’S

OH WOW

AW

I LOVE

HIM

I LOVE IM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM

ITS YOU

AO LIE LIKE EH??

VA GO BRRR

I KNEW YOU WERE COOL

OH REALLY YOU THINK SO? :D

HE’S SO SCRUNGGLY

OH THE COOLEST

PLEASE

I WANT MORE OF HIM

I WANT MORE OF HIM SO BADLY

I BEG OF YOU

HE IS EVEYRTING TO ME I GOT CHILLS

HECK

HECK

OH

OH

OH MAN

MAN

AMV TIME HERE I COME THIS SEASON IS SO FREAKING GOOD I’M LOSING IT

I’M GONNA MAKE SO MANY AMVS I SSWEAR

I’M GONNA WATCH THIS EP ON LOOP

AO LIE IS EVERYTHING

I WANT HIM BACK

PLEASE

AAAAAAAAAA

|;A;/

SCREEAAAMMSSS

OKAY

OKAY

MK

OH MY BOY  ARE YOU ALRIGHT?

HECK HE WAS STRAIGHT UP KNOCKED OUT UNLIKE EVERYONE ELSE

GO BACK WHERE’S PIGSY HECK HECK HECK

I WANT MORE DADSY CONTENT WAAAAIT

OHBOY

WHERE ARE THEY

W

OH PUTI

OH

OH

OH

OH ARE WE

WHERE

HECK

HANG ON

SHOOT

HE IS NOT REPLACING SWK IN THIS

I SWEAR

I WILL LOSE MY GOSH DANG MIND IF THEY DO THAT

SWK IS TOO IMPORTANT TO ME DON’T DO THIS TO ME

HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK

SCREAMS

OKAY

OKAY SO MK IS IN

MONKEY KINGS PLACE

HECK

SO CONFIMRED MK STONE MONKEY AT LEAST, LITERLALY SWK’S SON OR SIBLING AT MOST OR LITERALLY SWK, AO LIE IS MY MOST FAVOURITE EVER I WANT HIM AND SWK BEING GOOFY TOGETHER RIGHT FREAKING NOW, ZHU BAJIE’S GREATEST REGRET MIGHT JSUT BE HIM BEING HISMELF, LBD LOOKED RIGHT AT TANG, MEI CAN MAKE HER OWN NEW SWORD NOW, MK MIGHT BE REPLACING MONKEY KING, AZURE’S VIBES CONTINUE TO BE RANCID, THE NEW VA FOR MAC IS DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF SOUNDING CLOSE THE TO THE OG (nothing but appreciation for this guy thank you big shoes to fill) AND THEY’RE ALL SEPERATED, TANG FOUND MEI THO, AO LIE WAS READY TO GIVE UP HIS OWN POWERS, THEY CLASHED BOTH HAD GOOD POINTS, TANG BOOKED IT OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF WOMEN, MK DIDN’T KEEP HIS FRIENDS IN THE DARK ABOTU HIS VISIONS FOR LONGER THAN LIKE TWO EPISODES AND IS COMMUNCIATING, SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM THINKING ABOUT SWK AS HIS DAD, PIGSY GOT CALLED DAD PIGSY’S MY DAD, AH HECK HECK THIS EPISODE HAD SO FREAKING MUCH THEY FOUND MO, HOLDS HIM GETNLY, MACAQUEEEEEE AAAAAAAAA I LOVE ALL THESE GUYS SO MUCH

SHUT UP I THINK THIS IS MY FAVOURITE EPISODE NOBODY TOUCH ME I GOT EVERYTHING BUT WUKONG AND I’M ON A HIGH

KNOX OUT I GOTTA GO RUN INTO SOME SNOW

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Psycho Analysis: Judge Claude Frollo

(WARNING! This analysis contains SPOILERS!)

The Disney Renaissance was home to some of Disney’s greatest villains. Scar, Ursula, Gaston, Jafar… The films from 1989 to 1999 all redefined what it meant to be an animated antagonist. But while there were many great villains during that time, one in particular managed to be regarded as one of the darkest and most terrifying villains in the entire Disney Animated Canon: Claude Frollo, the sinister minist—er, judge who serves as the main villain of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The man is heavily entwined with the more complex themes of the movie as well as a lot more cold and vicious than one might expect from the company that brought you Mickey Mouse, but what exactly is it that makes him such a great villain? Well, read on, because I try my best to explain it.

Motivation/Goals: Frollo is a horrible, bigoted prie—er, judge who wants nothing more than to totally eradicate all of the filthy Romani from Paris in the name of the Lord. Unfortunately, he ends up falling hard for one of them, Esmeralda, after watching her do a saucy dance routine. From there, Frollo is consumed by a single-minded lust for the woman that drives his actions, with his conflicted feelings on the matter leading him to blame her for giving him sinful thoughts and determining that all of Paris needs to burn because he is… well… he’s a

I get a lot of mileage out of that gif.

Performance: Tony Jay was picked specifically for this due to his memorable bit role in Beauty and the Beast, and boy does he manage to prove that that was the best decision Disney could have made. His naturally magnificent voice lends Frollo the class, dignity, and intimidation it deserves. One could even say that Dr. Lipschitz is off his shits for this one.

Final Fate: As he attempts to slice through a gargoyle and sent Quasimodo and Esmeralda tumbling to their dooms, he loses his footing and ends up clinging to his gargoyle for dear life. Said gargoyle comes alive, breaks off, and sends Frollo hurtling into a river of fire below, which ends up being a pretty spot on interpretation of his attempted one-liner: “And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery pit!” With this in mind, it’s pretty easy to interpret what happened to him as karmic divine intervention—Whether you think it’s God Himself, the spirit of Notre Dame, or something else entirely enacting it upon him is up to interpretation, and ultimately unimportant. What matters is he didn’t go to heaven where the angels fly; he fell in a lake of fire and fried. And we definitely won’t see him again on the 4th of July.

Best Scene: It is really not even a contest here. “Hellfire” is without a doubt the greatest Disney villain song ever made (and maybe even the best villain song period) and is a prime showcase of Frollo’s internal struggles and motivations, so of course it is his best scene.

Best Quote: When finally he has Esmeralda at his mercy near the film’s end, he echoes a line from “Hellfire” and says ”Choose me or your pyre.” It’s such an unsettling line that really highlights how deep into his lustful entitlement Frollo has fallen, and what’s more these words echo the real life sentiments of certain disturbed individuals. It’s a truly timeless villain quote in that regard;there are men who would rather a woman die than not be with them, unfortunately, and Frollo is the poster child for that brand of manchild.

Final Thoughts & Score: At the start of the movie, Chopin asks, “Who is the monster, and who is the man?” in regards to Quasimodo and Frollo. While the answer is fairly obvious even just after the opening number—Frollo attempts infanticide after murdering a woman, after all—the way the movie goes about expounding in the two characters in a way that explores this question is deeply fascinating.

Frollo is an incel to put even Gaston to shame. Almost immediately after seeing Esmeralda for the first time, he begins to obsessively lust for her, but his bigotry and zealotry leads him to condemn her because he’s unable to get a grip on his emotions. He ends up being the latter extreme of the Madonna-Whore Complex, contrasting Quasimodo as the opposite extreme. It should come as no shock that Quasi picked up some negative traits from the guy who raised him, but thanks to being a supremely nice guy his incel traits manifest as venerating a caricatured ideal of Esmeralda rather than condemning. There’s a reason the end of “Heaven’s Light” segues right into the start of “Hellfire;” both men have toxic views of Esmeralda, objectifying her in opposite yet equal ways.

It is how they deal with these toxic mindsets that ultimately resolved the question posited at the start, as well as cementing Frollo as one of the darkest villains Disney has ever done. Quasimodo, while not happy at being rejected, still cares for Esmeralda and does all he can to help her, culminating in him saving her from being burned at the stake. His experiences lead to him accepting Esmeralda and Phoebus as couple gracefully, shedding away his toxic mindset. This ends up reaffirming his humanity, earning him the adoration of Paris and the end to the loneliness he’d experienced for so long; he is the man.

Frollo, on the other hand, deals with rejection by going on a racist, genocidal rampage against the Romani, setting the city ablaze simply because his perverse affections aren’t reciprocated. This culminates with him offering Esmeralda either death or to give in to his advances, and when rejected conclusively he doubles down on his murderous rampage, which ultimately leads to his doom. His inability to see Esmeralda as a complex human being instead of an object to lust after, an inability brought on by his own bigoted views, is what ultimately peeled away his humanity and revealed him as he truly was: A monster.

And Frollo is a monster in a very resonant, chilling way. In this day and age, we see people like Frollo all the time. They’re in our schools, seething when the girl they like rejects them for another; they’re on the internet, spewing misogynistic bile because they can’t get dates; they’re in our churches, preaching intolerance to their mass while desperately trying to bury their own sins; and they’re in our government, using their power to oppress and demoralize those with less power than them. “Choose me or your pyre” is the sort of attitude you see in the incels who end up on the news for committing or planning to commit atrocities.

And this is what makes it so good and cathartic to see him fall. We want people like him in real life to face the consequences of their actions, and we can only wish that said consequences are falling into a river of molten lava. It ends up being all the sweeter if you interpret his fall as being an act of God, as mentioned above.

Tony Jay apparently described his role as Frollo as his “bid for immortality,” and it’s safe to say he succeeded. He pretty much singlehandedly elevated the film he’s in so far above its flaws that it’s astounding and proved to the Disney Renaissance, all while giving us a villain song more incredible than any seen before or since. Thank God I’m doing fractions now, because this man deserves a 10.5/10. He’s not quite an 11 because I wouldn’t call Frollo one of the most important and influential villains in the vein of, say, Darth Vader, Count Orlok, or Fu Manchu, but he’s still a cut above the rest when it comes to villains. He’s easily the second most incredible antagonist Disney has ever made, and the only flaw he has is that you don’t get to personally beat his ass in Dream Drop Distance, which is especially bad since he straight up racially profiles Sora before immediately calling him a slur.

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Listen Before I Go

Gale x F! Tav (named)

(Child Of Dawn series, part 7)

PG-13 religous trauma, betrayal, graphic depictions of violence, ptsd trigger, disassociation, implied death, hurt/comfort, terminal illness (sorta), just so much angst

With the Annuls of Karsus in her hands, Aurum must trust her love to make his choice. But that choice may have some catastrophic consequences...

Masterlist, Prev Chapter

-

Aurum turned the book over and over, willing it away. Willing her hands to burn it, to unleash her righteous flame and utter it to cinder.

But she wanted to trust him. She needed to trust him. That he could see this offer and refuse it. Feel the call of power and still stay here. Where he could go, she could not follow.

He loved her. And she so deeply wanted to love him. She wanted to try with him.

The Annuls of Karsus sat impassively in her hands, unwilling to yield to her desires.

In her faint white glow, the silvery straight scar on her turning palm caught the light.

Her lower lip stiffened, pinky unconsciously curling.

Faith. Have faith.

Aurum rose from her tent, her distant sweet voice soothing her again.

Holding the book to her chest, she walked toward his deep turquoise tent. Seeing the faintest of dancing lights inside.

The flap lifted for her as she approached, Gale looking up at her expectantly. That glimmer of adoration in his eyes.

"There you are, I was starting to get worried you had preferred the cold of your bed to my company."

They had been laying together every night. Though silent terrors still held her, finding sleep was much easier in his arms.

"And with a new book for me?" He beamed, looking at the tome still held to her chest. "My love, you'll spoil me rotten."

A terribly tight grip of apprehension held it to her still. The midnight excursion Astarion and her took to retrieve this still unknown to the others.

"Let's hope our dear Gale knows how to handle this..." His lilting uncertain voice echoing in the back of her mind.

"I believe you've been searching for this." She spoke softly.

Slowly, she kneeled down and let the cover of the book fall to face him.

Eyes growing terribly wide, he looked down at it.

"Aurum..." Gaze darting back up to hers.

She slid it over his upturned hands, not unaffected by the zeal in his face. He always had an infectious excitement.

"By the Weave," He breathed, opening it flat in his lap. "It really is..." A laugh of disbelief.

For a moment he voraciously read, eyes darting over lines of text at a ravenous speed.

"Unbelievable, this is it. The definitive solution to all of our problems."

Looking up at her, he smiled radiantly.

"Transcendence."

"You shall achieve transcendence!"

She tried so hard to maintain her hymn, tears pouring rivers down temples. Amaris' fingers laced in hers on the parallel slab.

"Thine fresh born name; Aurum! Do you not feel him within it?"

Unable to speak, Rosa'sune looked over at her, many hands carving lines into the flesh of them both. Both a punishment for their transgressions and a show of faith. The pain in her face, her scalp, utterly blinding. Rivers of gilded ink congealing under her.

Amaris' warm, brave eyes met hers. Her vow to Ilmater refraining her from expressing her agony. Her own river of lavender ink twining within gold on the cold stone floor.

"You will be reborn anew, my Gilded Child! A divine army will come to marvel and worship at your feet!"

She looked up at her father through thick water, so desperate to plead. To beg. To apologize. Anything to get this to stop. But her vows kept her words silent, as they always did. Only song could leave her.

"Amantour! Absolve her of her sin! Hear her devotion! Within this shard of your Eternal Sun, I offer thine Chosen!" He held the jagged light high above his head.

Amaris pulled on her fingers, bringing her eyes back to hers and holding them steady, blinking away droplets of blood. Sparing her from witnessing the torture that was about to unfold within her.

Fingers pulsing out one message, over and over.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

In endless agony, the shard ripped into her chest. Body only able to convulse within the burning unfathomable pain.

"Return thy voice to her, Great Yellow God! So that she may lead us in her first joyous prayer!"

Throat finally decades unbound, she screamed and screamed and screamed. The rising hymn of her flock harmonious with her.

Aurum was vaguely aware of Gale speaking, voice muffled behind gossamer. Containing the bile that had rose to her throat.

She focused on his moving mouth, on the excited hum of his words. Willing herself back into her body.

One set of words he uttered so passionately struck through the veil.

"We can be so much more together. This is the key to godhood."

Her face twisted away from his, a single shuddering breath hissing through her teeth.

"You will be my Holy Scythe! You will bring me to godhood!"

Gale seemed to finally see her again through his fervor, confusion striking his features.

"Aurum...?"

"You don't know me at all, do you?" She whispered, staring foreign at him.

His eyes flickered down to her chest. She didn't have to look to feel the change, seeing the deep orange light in her peripheral.

"But think of the potential! This could be the answer to all of our problems!" Desperation pulled through his voice, reaching out for her hands.

His own voice, from what felt like a lifetime ago, echoed inside her head.

"I tried to convince her. I pouted, I pleaded, I swore my ambition was only to serve her better."

She pulled from his reach, heat washing over her. No, he does not get to speak to her through hands like she did.

"I was always another Mystra, wasn't I?"

"What?" His voice gasped out, shock striking him through.

He reached for her again, a panic now in his eyes.

"Please, Aurum. At least consider what I offer."

The spite of her sun heart pushed through her body, lighting her eyes in hateful orange flame. She squeezed them shut, betrayal burning them even hotter.

"I love you." He called, a prayer to bring her back.

"No!" She boomed, a pulse of fire smiting.

Twisting into herself to contain the holy weapon threatening.

"I need you away from me." Her voice low in warning. Ends of hair lifting.

As she rose he stared up at her, mouth hanging open. Destitute in wide eyed loss.

She paused at the mouth of his world, glaring down at him. A familiar ancient pain pulling over her. Out of time.

"You know nothing of godhood. It will take everything from you, then more still. I have so little of myself left, and you would offer to strip that from me too?"

"I am condemned, I am unending, and I have done enough to serve the ambitions of men. Goodbye, Gale."

The cold night air took her, striding out into the black. Seeking to walk deep into it before the holy fire took her.

-

Astarion wiped his mouth, sighing out. On the outskirts of their camp, a fresh drained boar at his feet.

This close to the walls of the city animals were more cautious, resorting to hiding on shadows for hours before striking. He was loathe to admit, but he would have to ask Aurum for extra. She already gave so much to him, he hated to ask for more. If only the others were so generous, he wouldn't have to ask so much of her alone.

Heading back toward camp, there were strange heat waves on the air.

Recognition struck him in a shot, and he rushed forward.

Turning the corner of a low stone wall he was met with two twined figures.

Dame Aylin held Aurum to her chest, great silver wings encircled around. Containing the supernova of heat.

Aurum's body was only burning red light under the aasimar's hold. He had to shield his eyes, stepping back.

"Astarion, I need you to drain her! Now!" Aylin boomed, eyes burning silver in her effort.

Shock froze him into inaction.

"She's going to burn out! I can't hold her for much longer! We must act now!"

He nodded, the deep love he felt for her compelling his body forward.

He caught her burning wrist in his hands, wincing. Sinking into her white hot flesh to the hilt of his teeth.

Oh Gods, he had forgotten how the divine blood hit. It arced across his body in near excruciating pleasure. His heart kicking back to life. The endless low ache of hunger leaving him. The unbidden ecstasy of living again.

He gulped large mouthfuls greedily, vice gripping her forearm. The burning light pulsing through both of their veins again.

"Yes! Good!" Aylin called, the supernova slowly pulling back. Aurum's body becoming recognizable again as more than blinding.

The blood was becoming too much, burning his stomach. He felt the fury of her god, divine blood in an unholy vessel. Pain compelling him to stop. Understood, if just for a moment, a fraction of what she endured.

"She's stable, release now!" Aylin's hand gripped the back of his neck.

He reeled back, coughing out glowing blood. Gasping on his haunches.

Aylin rubbed her back in warm, reassuring circles. "Ah, Child of Dawn. What great strength you've shown."

Aurum cried out weakly. Only capable of low wails.

"Shhh, you did well. You've staved off heat death. Be still."

Astarion pressed a hand flat to her back, between shoulder blades. He was struggling for air still, but wanted her to feel he was there.

"By my mother's moonlight, thank the god's she called out to me." Aylin sighed, lifting her easily into her arms. "Come now, we will return to camp. We must tend to her."

Aurum's head lolled against her shoulder as they walked, eyes glazed and fluttering. Clearly exhausted but trying to stay awake and in control.

"Just a little longer, golden lily. Isobel will help you stay with us." Aylin hushed, long sure strides drawing them closer.

"Astarion?" Aurum called weakly, eyes struggling to focus on him.

"I'm right here, darling." He hushed, lacing his fingers in her feverish hand.

As they entered camp, those gathered around the fire caught sight of the situation and stood. Immediately calling to action, questions bouncing.

Isobel was already lit up in silver magic, speaking low to Aylin. Nodding and cupping hands over Aurum.

Many hands ushered and pressed along her, carrying and soothing. Gathering and preparing.

"She's still too warm." Isobel urged. "Astarion, here."

Needing no clarification he pulled his camp shirt off, a blade already cutting a line up her own covering.

He pulled her limp body into his chest, biting back the hiss from her heat searing into him. Her head falling into the curve of his shoulder. Resting his arms on her bowed back.

The breath washing against his clavicle was steam.

"Where's Gale? We need ice magic." Isobel called, eyes searching the bustling bodies.

Astarion's own eyes weaved through the crowd and eventually caught him.

Gale stood back, face shock white.

Astarion's eyes narrowed, immediately recognizing the ripping guilt in those dark eyes.

He was coming to detest the man.

Aurum was so dear to him, and the wizard brought her grief far too often.

"Are you going to help, or just watch her suffer?" Astarion shot at him with all of his venom.

That seemed to break Gale of his stupor. He came forward, eyes shining with tears, lifting his sleeves.

With one gentle hand laid flat on her back, he cast cone of cold.

Aurum whimpered, fingernails digging into Astarion's back. Frost arcing across her spine.

"I know, I know, my dear." Astarion soothed. Hand smoothing over the back of her head. "You're doing so well. Rest now."

She went completely limp against him, her eyelashes tickling his skin as her eyes closed. Blessedly unconscious.

Astarion stared at Gale with silent seething rage. Willing him to ash with his mind.

Aylin sighed triumphantly, wings tucking back in comfort. "She's regained control again. With Isobel's grace, she's been granted a little longer."

Both Astarion's and Gale's eyes shot to her.

"Longer...?" Astarion questioned, a depth of dread already forming in his stomach.

Aylin looked at them both, confusion then pained realization creasing her face. Turning to Isobel to proceed.

Isobel's mouth formed a thin line, hands resting in her lap.

"She's... well. She's dying. Her sun is reaching the end of its life. I'm sorry, I thought she told you."

Gale's face crumpled. Falling into him self in great heaving sobs.

Astarion's own face stained with silent tears. "How long?" He whispered.

Isobel sighed, head hanging. "A few years, maybe less. Every time it flares while she still fights it, it burns away more."

"Either she gives in fully, becoming a weapon that can withstand its death and rebirth... or she will be decimated."

"No! No!" Gale cried, voice a warbling plea. "There has to be a way! There has to be!"

Isobel bit her lip at his pained cry, but offered no solution.

Astarion buried his face into her shoulder. Looping his arms close around her cooled back. If the end was coming soon, he would hold her here. For now, he had her for now.

-

-

-

Aurum opened her eyes slowly. Staring up at the roof of Halsin's tent.

She was back in the infirmary.

She was back in the infirmary...?

That was impossible.

And yet, the birdsong was on the air, gentle wind bustled against the side of the canvas. The scorching pain in her chest was undeniably real.

She leaned her heavy head up enough to peer at it. Burning a hateful orange again, but still there.

Her eyes caught a figure in the corner.

Gale was slumped over in a cushion, asleep against the corner rod of the tent. Deep circles under his eyes, appearing to have finally given in to exhaustion.

She remembered their fight earlier, the catalyst that triggered the heat death. Shame twisting her stomach. She had almost burned away, just from losing control in her anger.

Slowly leading up, Astarion's sleep shirt hung from her frame. She'd have to return it to him before she left. It was irresponsible for her to have stayed this long. She was far more unstable than she realized. What use was she if she was just going to burn and implode as soon as she felt upset?

Only a god could hold the sun in its body indefinitely, and she was no god.

They would be okay. The prism would return to Shadowheart. Someone else would take the lead. Maybe Wyll or Lae'zel.

It was very early, not even the insects awake. Dawn still not roused. Her clergy would be singing for her soon.

Leaving was the right thing to do. But could she even manage it? Her body cracked and threatening fracture with the smallest of movements.

Frustration reeled it's head inside her, spiking the still unsettled false sun. She hissed, pressing a clammy hand to the wretched thing.

Her hiss roused Gale, his head shooting up.

As soon as his eyes locked on her he rushed forward.

Pulling her hard into his body with shaking hands. He gripped her like a buoy in a riptide, body trembling.

"Please don't go. Please, I love you too much. You can't die." He begged, tears dampening her collar. "I can't bear it. We can fix this, we'll find a way. Just please, please stay here."

Her heart shattered. She shouldn't have told Isobel. A moment of weakness after too much strife and wine. They didn't need to know, it served no one.

His plea could not be answered, she knew. Amantour did not go back on pacts, on promises. There was no way to release her.

But she couldn't tell him that now, not when he was clinging to her like a love blind addict. The most she could hope for was forgiveness.

"I'm sorry." Was all she could offer him. Cradling the back of his head.

It was cruel to let him love her. She knew better. But he was too sweet, too good to her. It had happened all at once. She couldn't help it.

"We'll fix it, we'll fix it..." He chanted, more to himself than her. A steeling of will inside his cracking words.

You can't. You will have to let me go.

"We'll try."

Was it kind to offer him even that sliver of hope? Or was it immeasurably more cruel?

"You'll be okay. Everyone will." She murmured, nuzzling into his hair.

She smiled sadly. "What does Boneman say? Fate spins along as it should, or something equally cryptic."

Her effort to lighten the mood didn't take. He only shook his head into her shoulder. Gripping her tighter, somehow.

"Ow, easy..." She laughed.

The edge of the tent flap lifted, Astarion's soft eyes finding hers.

"Well good morning, you menace." He admonished.

She smiled at him over Gale's shoulder.

"Here, I brought you breakfast." He lilted, stepping inside.

Gale's head snapped up. "Oh no, I forgot to make breakfast!" He moaned.

"Oh Gods, you'll never be able to repent! We must take you to the gallows!" Aurum teased.

He did laugh then, and she smiled. Wiping away his tears with a gentle swipe of her thumb.

"How do you feel, starlight?" Astarion hummed.

She shot him a half-hearted glare. "I told you I didn't like that name."

He only smiled wider at her protest.

"And about how you'd imagine." She sighed.

"Well, Alyin and Withers want to speak to you."

She blinked, odd combination of people.

Well, they can't have worse news for her. Right?

~

Part 8

[liberty-or-death]

"The numerous gods of the Mount Jiuyi have arrived, they arrive as plentiful as the clouds as they greet Lady Xiang. " "SHL Episode 9 - Qu Yuan's Cu Ci Nine Song九歌 Series Lady Xiang 湘夫人"

I deliberated for a long time as to whether I’d translate this poem.  But this likely where Gu Xiang got her name from so I just had to do it.  I thought this would be a simple poem but it took me more than a month to do it lol. XD

When native cn speakers come across a lady with the name Xiang 湘, it immediately brings to mind the two Xiang River Goddesses.  They were said to be the concubine of the legendary Emperor Shun.  “Lady Xiang 湘夫人” is a Pre Qin poem that’s written as part of Qu Yuan's Chu Ci Jiu Ge/Nine Song series, and it’s also known as the sister poem to “Xiang Jun 湘君”.

There are many interpretations as to who the focus of the story is.  But for the sake of this translation, I’ll be working on the assumption that the poem is about Lady Xiang missing her husband (Emperor Shun).  The poem’s really long and only the last part’s quoted in SHL, so feel free to skip to the end of the translation.  

This poem's known its vibrant descriptions and there's a bunch of reference to specific plants which I've linked. If you ever intend to write a fic in the Chu dynasty, or a fic centered around the 700-200BC, you could use this as a visual reference. (yas my nerdy friends, historical accuracy is sexy)

帝子降兮北渚，目眇眇兮愁予。

Lady Xiang has arrived at the Northern Island, my gaze is filled with sadness and worry. 

北渚: This was likely referring to  君山岛 Junshan Island. There's a lot of historical sites if you ever want to go there!

袅袅兮秋风，洞庭波兮木叶下。

The autumn wind blows gently endlessly; the Dongting lake ripples, the leaves fall.

登白薠兮骋望，与佳期兮夕张。

Standing amidst the reeds as I gaze into the distance, anticipating the date with the lover tonight.  

鸟何萃兮蘋中，罾何为兮木上？

Why do the birds gather amongst the reeds? Why are the fishnets on the tops of the trees?

This line implies that the birds should be in the trees, and the fishnets among the aquatic reeds.  But yet the situation’s the reverse.  (Ie. what should have happened has t happened.). It describes the author’s uneasy feelings.  

T/N: Just in case anyone’s as nerdy as me, this is likely a mirror of the line “采薜荔兮水中，搴芙蓉兮木末 I want to pick the scallops in the water, and to pluck the lotus from the trees” in sister poem in the same series, 湘君 Xiang Jun.

And look, more pictures of plants! (yes it's a different reed xD)

沅有芷兮澧有兰，思公子兮未敢言。

Th flower from the ginseng plant in the River Yuan, and orchids in the Lishui River.  I can’t describe how much I miss you, Young Master (Gongzi). 

T/N: Interestingly, 公子 Gongzi (aka Young Master) could be used on both male and female in the past.  This is a very interesting point because there’s actually a huge debate as to who’s the poem is referring to.  Baidu has interpreted this to mean Miss Xiang (ie. the goddess), but on the contrary, one physical book (yes I take this seriously lmao) I’ve bought thinks this is referring to Xiang Jun (the subject in her sister poem, and possibly her husband), and another physical book refrains from nailing the subject down.  So who knows LOL.

And just how gorgeous is the ginseng flower!

荒忽兮远望，观流水兮潺湲。

My emotions are unsettled, I gaze towards the distance with uncertainty.  However, the River Yuan and Lishui flows slowly.

麋何食兮庭中？蛟何为兮水裔？

Why does the deer seek food in the courtyard?  Why do the dragon (jiaolong) trapped on the river bank?

T/N: 麋: This term actually refers to the deer, but it has been described as “antlers like a deer, tail of a donkey, hooves of a cow, face of a horse” in ancient times, so it’s sometimes regarded as the mythological creature 四不像 (Si Buxiang/Four not alike).  It has made an appearance in some anime, and in one particular danmei fandom’s discourse. LOL

The mythological version is supposed to look like this. XD

蛟: Jialong refers to the “scaled dragon” in chinese mythology. If you’ve been watching Till the End of the Moon, Mingye was a jialong whom cultivated and became an immortal.

朝驰余马兮江皋，夕济兮西澨。

When morning comes, I ride my horse and race down the river bank.  I cross over to the western bank at night. 

闻佳人兮召予，将腾驾兮偕逝。

I hear my lover summons me.   So I speed towards hastily and we head off together. 

筑室兮水中，葺之兮荷盖。

We build our house in the water, and cover our roof with lotus leaves.

荪壁兮紫坛，播芳椒兮成堂。

The walls are decorated with moss, and purple shells pave the floor.   The fragrant pepper and dirt we mould form the family’s prayer hall.

T/N: 芳椒 - This was a specific type of fragrant pepper.  This was mixed with mud and painted on the walls, as the ancient people enjoyed its aroma. The moss refers to this specifically!

桂栋兮兰橑，辛夷楣兮药房。

The wood of the Gui tree form the beams, the Magnolia forms the rafters.  The crossbeams of the door are made from wood of the Xinyi tree, the white ginseng flowers decorates the medicinal room.

T/N: 辛夷 - The Xinyi tree is also part of the magnolia family. There's clearly a theme going on!

The Gui tree's so pretty! And the white magnolias!

And the Xinyi tree

罔薜荔兮为帷，擗蕙櫋兮既张。

The climbing fig is woven into a curtains, and the partitions made of flowers have been drawn.

T/N: 薜荔: Baidu says it’s the climbing fig, but my physical book thinks it’s the another magnolia plant. And the 蕙 flower was known for its fragrance.

Baidu's interpretation!

And my book's interpretation XD

And look, the pretty 蕙 flower!

白玉兮为镇，疏石兰兮为芳。

The weights  are made of snowy white jade, the fragrance of orchards permeates the air.

T/N: The 镇 Weights were similar to paper weights, and were used to keep mats/clothes in their place. It originated from the Qin and Han Dynasty, whereby people used to keep the mat in place (to prevent it from moving around when they got up). Sometimes, it'll be in the shape of an animal, like a lion for example.

芳: Another interesting point; Baidu interprets this as fragrance, but the physical book thinks it means to block off the wind from the head of the bed. 芳 is sometimes interpreted as 防 (to block in some ancient text)

芷葺兮荷屋，缭之兮杜衡。

The lotus form the house, and the ginseng flowers form the roof.   It’s scent intermingles with that of the wild ginger

And this is how wild ginger looks like!

合百草兮实庭，建芳馨兮庑门。

We gather various kinds of flowers and plants to fill the courtyard, and we’ve build a fragrant porch.

九嶷缤兮并迎，灵之来兮如云。 (The line that's in SHL)

The numerous gods of the Mount Jiuyi have arrived, they arrive as plentiful as the clouds as they greet Lady Xiang. 

T/N: 九嶷: Jiuyi mountain was the legendary burial place of the legendary Emperor Shun.  It’s a mountain range in Hunan Province, located at the south of the river Xiang 湘水南.

捐余袂兮江中，遗余褋兮澧浦。

I throw my outer garment into the river.  And I throw my inner undergarment into the Lishui.

搴汀洲兮杜若，将以遗兮远者。

Arriving at the island’s river bank, I pluck the flowers as I eagerly await for my lover.

时不可兮骤得，聊逍遥兮容与。

Good times won’t return once it has passed.  I’ll travel leisurely as I wander freely.

[ayan0thegl1tch]

So I was digging through story files and stuff in Google Docs and found this one called "My poems" so I was like Oh, I think I'll post this on tumblr, because why tf not!?

Anyways yeah here have these poems. This will be updated as I add more btw

Love:

When people think of love, it's normally roses and cards, and couples listening to songs dreamed up by bards. But to me, it's everywhere, just look around, it can come in many forms, sight, smell, and sound. From simple yet thoughtful compliments, or home-made gifts, or just couples walking down a new route, it's not all chocolates and heart-shaped arrows, the sweet, heartfelt moments are what love is all about.

What do you see?:

When you look at me, what do you see? Flowers blooming and birds singing in the trees? Crystal-clear waters and rivers of gold, framed by the grass, so green and bold? Or maybe, when you look at me, life is withered along a dark sea, lightning flashing and death beyond, from the biggest empire to the smallest pond. Do you see good, or do you see bad? Do you see life, or you see death? Look in the mirror, what do you see? Please, I need to know, tell me!

Eclipse:

When the one day of the year has come, and the stars are all aligned, the sun and moon come together, once upon each time. They meet in the middle, as if to greet each other, then begin to create the greatest show, one that’s like no other. High in the sky, the sun’s light is dimmed, covered up by the sweet moon. As it fully encompasses our brightest star, changing the world from afar, darkness falls across the land, whether it's sea, dirt, or sand. Won’t you celebrate this time with me? This one special day? Let’s lay back and watch the sky, everyday chaos temporarily put away.

Youth:

Do you ever find yourself watching kids, with a soft smile on your face? Seeing them giggling and running around, for me, that puts everything else to space. Yes, they can be a handful, and yes, they may cause trouble, but those precious moments and happy faces always multiply my happiness by double.

Pages:

Losing yourself in a book can be like tossing up your imagination, lost to the waves of words. Diving into the deep waters of reading, keeping your breath held like you’re in an ocean. The tension you can feel, spilling from the lines, is like the tension down below the darkness of the sea. Down below the void of the river, the stream.

Edit #1:

For wonkus-bonkus:

Oh joyous cat behind padded walls, white as far as the eye can see. Tell us, oh joyous, how will you plead? Against these accusations, from terrifying profiles to f*cking pissing on a tree.¤_¤ For these crimes you will lay till the end of time, in this enclosure without a single sign. When you’re serious again, with more common sense, only then will the release commence.

For sundrewdrops:

When stars above twinkle so bright, the deep black void accompanied by moonlight, a strange figure comes out to sit in the shadows, using nature for walls and gaps for windows. With a twinkling soul, mirroring the lights above, use the darkness like a glove. Unfortunately, you cannot stay. Make haste, dear one, for the hour is nay.

Edit #2:

Ţ̸͇͎̙̉̏̈́o̸̺̲̠̬̒͋̀͒ ̴͔̦͊̿̽̕ÿ̵̧̛̥̣́̐ơ̴̝ͅu̵̢͔̞̙͐r̴̳̹̅͝ ̷̨̠̋́̇g̶͇̐͝o̶̝͋̉d̷̟͚̙̐:̴̦͚̲̥̃͛͊̀

W̵̛̼̟̣̾͋̓́h̸̻̅͠͠ę̸̮̜͆̋̓ṇ̷͕̔̐̇͊ ̸̟̫̱͉̿͝t̶̰̝̪̒h̵͚̀̿e̸̫̮̩̔ ̵̗͕̔t̶̲̗͊ĩ̶͓̠͂͠͠d̴̿̓̆̅͜e̴̦͂̃s̵͕̄̄ ̵̨̦̭̰̑̕͜c̷̫̯̟͗̔́́͠o̶̝̗͙̿̉͑m̴̯͚̯͇͑̿̒b̴̞͎̻͊͐ỉ̶̪̦͉n̶̺̈́̀́e̵͚̿̌̋̐

T̶̡̨̘͙̈́̚w̸͇̝̖͝͝o̷̺̘̿̐͋ͅ ̵͓̳̍̔̀͜a̶̘̫͓͌͜s̷̔͜͝ ̷̺͓̱̆̉̆͂ǫ̶̖͕̠͝ṇ̸̛͐͊̐e̵͙͗͑͂͝

O̴̳̗̺͓̾̈́͌̀u̶̘̫̮͍̒̈̾r̷̼͇͇̎̚ ̶̹̓̊͌͛B̴͉̭́̔l̶̨̘̾ͅe̵͇̅̐s̷̠̅͂̇s̷̢͙̀́e̸̡̲̻̮͝d̷̞͉̰̑͋̓ ̷̯͚̻̇̅ͅD̴̛̠̲͒̃̇ë̷̙͍́̂̈́i̶̦̤͋t̵͔͎̳̝͒͛̄y̶̮̆̀̓̃

S̵̠͖̜̤͓̳̰͎̭̞̀̋h̸̢̗̝̞̼͖̭͉̯̔á̴͍͓̟̳̀̿̃̉̃̅͜͜l̴̢̢̛͙̥͔͓̦̺͙̗̽ļ̴͈̣̩͗́̔̉͊͂͑̕ ̷͔̿͗̕͘̕̚͝u̸̪̺̗̰̮̦͇̞͍̽̽́̇ͅp̸̛̳̬̂͋̃̃͘c̵̡̮͓̘͕̭̗̓o̶̧̧̮͙̮͉̥̽͂̆́͛m̵͔̝̌̉̔̑̚͝e̴̫̭̥̩̱͖̮̣͈͛

F̸̭̤̥͂́̅̚r̶̞͖̰͚̔̍̚o̷̙̳͍̎m̸͖̞̔̑̓ ̴̣͑͛̿̒ͅṱ̶̢͑͝h̶̬̟̓̽͛ẽ̷̼̙̀͠ ̶̘̝̫̎͛͜c̵̛̯̲̊̇͝r̵̛͎͊́̅ỳ̶͎̱̆͗̂s̶̫̝͇̆̀͂͛t̸̲͔̺̿̈́̀͘͜ą̸̪̜͍͠l̵̪̰̩̓͐̕

S̷̢̗̠̔͒ḙ̴̦̮̩̾̆n̷͍̔̈́́d̴̳̥̆̉̽ì̴̘͉̟͌ṉ̶̑͋g̶̭̭͊͂͝ ̵̮̈́f̸̬͕̟͈̓͆̑o̵̧̬̣̖̔r̷̺̫̝͛̽̇͐ṯ̸̩̈́͘h̴̥͔̪̍

R̷̦͛̂̈́ë̴̱̞̝f̵̡̤̬͑̿̆l̷̡̤̗̯̾̈́͝e̷͓͉̓́͒̔c̴͕͖̣̥̑̕t̴͕̔̽͠i̵̡̧̟̳̽͒ȍ̴̙̲n̸̙̖̏͊s̶͖̜͇͊ ̶͉͔͖̐̿i̴̧͈̜̝̚͝͝n̶̛̘̗̹͂̔́ ̶̤̿p̴͍̥̂͜ỉ̴̢͎̲̀͠e̸̪͎͕͙̎̇͊͗c̶͔͈̔͋̎̀e̴̪̲͍̘͌̒͐s̴̻̥͓̤͐͑̚

S̵̬͗̌͒ȟ̶̡̭ą̶͙̮̣͒̉͋t̷͇̑t̶͉͕͇̣͌̒͝͠ë̸͉́r̷͎̱͗̐̀͝ȇ̵̹ď̸̬ ̸̼̖̫̆͐̽̊ẅ̴͈͛̿͜è̵͚̙͍̯͑͋s̶͔̺͂͊̽t̷̻̩̫̽̀̄,̵̨̫̹̍ ̶͉̖͓̞̔̐e̸͖̍ä̵̰̥͇̫́͋͊s̸͚͓͛͌ṱ̵̽͊͠,̷̺͆͐͘͝ ̵̹̹̦̇̑͘a̷̧̢̦̎̇̎̋͜n̵̡̻̺̥͠d̴̮̥̰̟̅̄ ̴̜̲͋̽̽͒ṇ̵̉̀̈́͠ǒ̸̖͔̏r̷̮̗̱̲̓̈͝ẗ̷̢̟͔̃͋ͅh̶̛̪̙̓̅̆

O̶͍͇̳͈̯͐̆̽͊̽n̴̡̨̫͓̩̳̙̎̈̏̍̈̐͜͝ ̷̥̩̰̭͖̘̎͋̈́̇͋͐̓͘t̷̮͕̽̾̍͌̈̓̓̚ḧ̸̢̛͎̘̭̂̏͜ḯ̴̱͓͖̫͇̿̈͑̃͋̀͒ş̵̧̟͎̫̗̠̲̀̄̕͝ ̸̳̐̓̿̔̀̚ḋ̷̪͕̫̃̽́̋̈́̾a̸̡̧̛̗̟̣͂͊̕y̵͔͂͆͛͒̉͝

A̶̲͐̎l̵͈͑̈̿l̶̠̯̓ ̵̼̭̇̀͜k̵̞̠̎̓n̸͍̳̦̓͊ȩ̴̧͊͌e̶̙͑̕ ̸̤̹̭́̈ş̶̉͜h̸̡̥́̑̎ä̴̗̖l̵̳̽̒ͅl̵̡̰̑ ̷̼̫̣̏̂b̷͙̉ő̴̼̰͓̿w̶̼̤̥͋

L̴͉̱̱̅̌͝e̶͖͈̓̌͜s̴̢̮̽t̸̻̉͌ ̷̟̜͝͝h̸͉̓̕͠ē̴̱͉͈̆͑r̸̺͐̅ ̶͍͗w̷̤̓̆r̸̜̉̇͋a̷̹̳͊̈́̃t̶̻̘̍h̶̠͊ ̶͖̓͂s̴͔̫̾h̷̢̢̓ͅo̴̞̭̿ṵ̷́l̸͓̗͙̓̐d̷̰̭̅ ̸̡̫͑͜y̷̘̹̍̅̉͜ǒ̶̢̲̫̆͝ů̴̢̼͘ͅ ̸̺̬̦͊s̵̼̓͠͝ö̶̠̫́͘w̵̨͉̦̽

T̶̡̖͊̓ḩ̴͗͋e̵̡͎̱͆̾́̆̃ ̸̧̯̻̀͗̀̈́s̵̥̩̃̀̐͋e̴̩̲̺̣͉̋́̿̇e̸̳͔̭̠̮̕d̴̯̋͌̕͠s̷̱͙̱̀͛̀ ̶̧̫̉̄ǒ̶̎͝ͅf̵͎̖̊͋̕͠ ̷͉͐͛č̶̡̝̫͌́͜ͅḧ̶̳̹̮̌̕͝å̶̳̳͇̲̖̎̄̍̍o̸̹̜̯̹͈̍̒̈́̿͂s̴̨̙̠̺̺̿ ̶̝̰̲̑ḑ̶͍̙̲͕̀̍̑͝ō̶͔͚t̸͉̱̰̎h̸̛̪̦̅̀͑̈́ ̵̡̡̦̓̊̑̈́͒y̶͕͐̀̾͜ṏ̶̰͍̙́̄ű̷͓̫́̐͊͝ ̷̭̒͑̅r̸̮̘̼̞̄ẻ̷̗͎̩͇̅̃à̵͈̮̭̣̪p̴̛̝͕̗͂͊

F̸̜̯̔̊́r̴̢͍̪͊̆ơ̸͎̦͖̂m̷̠̞͌̃̈́ ̵̠̐̂͜g̵̱̙̺̒r̷̜̹͛̆ͅu̴̦͌̚ě̷̛͍̙s̵͎͙͒͠o̴͙̼̊͜͝m̶̜͕͆͘ͅé̶̞̜͇ ̶̥̣̳̒͠d̸͈̞̼̽̓͠e̵̜̥͇̾͛̈́a̷͙̕t̸͕͂ḣ̷͖̠̠s̴̩͍̱̏

T̷͖̏́̕ǒ̷̗õ̷̞ ̶̦̗̰́͝h̷̢̲̺́̀o̷̡͈̻͋͑͝ř̷͎̻͉̈́r̷̻̎́͝ȉ̸̧̕d̸͕̚ ̸͇͔̗͋ọ̵͛͑f̷͈̙̦̂̆̚ ̵͉͛͠t̴̛͇̐o̶̱͆̎̃ ̶̣͉̆̐s̵͎̝͎͐p̶̙̘͕̍̈́̊ȩ̴͚̳́a̵̲̺̽̈́k̷͓̊

Ẇ̵̟̮͊͠h̵͕̄̀͠e̴̮͔͍̊̇̏n̸̬͎͈͋͛̀ ̷̘̭̥͑̔͘t̶̛̜į̷̗̬̅͊m̸̛̜̬̂é̶̜͕̣̿͠ ̷̻̖̯͊i̷̬̒s̶͖͙͝ ̴̳̹̾u̷͇̖̲͂p̸̧̟̪͝

A̶̧͙̳͙͓̻̥̗̽̇̋͐̕ͅn̵̯̻̈́̏d̶͈̙͋͋̌̇̒ ̴̧̫̹̩̖̳̆ͅt̵̰̠̞̫̓̈́͒h̶̩̰̺͉͔̹̪̼̣̍e̶̟͍͖̩͚̠̘̓̈́̔̆̂̃̋͘ͅ ̷̛͎͈̦̩͍̘̝̂̇̏̃c̴͇̲͓̚h̴͕̱̺̔͗̽̄͌͑͒̚a̷̡̦̰̝̻̦͛̔̑o̴̡̒s̴̯͕͙͎̹̀́ ̶̭̗̻̣̗̼̝̼͗̈́͌͋̿̂͗̈̋i̷͉̽̈̈́̎̐̀̉͝s̸̢̛̬̬͖̺̻̊̔̿̀͝ ̷̛͖͔͇̯̒̎̋͋̈́ͅd̷͉̘̥̍̏̈́̑̀̚ỏ̸̘̺͉̰͇͗͋̾̈́n̶͓̞̼̤̉͛͋̌́̊é̷̡̼̑̀̇̿̽͛

W̷̹̉͌͑e̷̫͓̓͑̕ ̷̖̇͒ǵ̵͆̋̆͜a̵͇͍̫̽̋́t̸͎̏ͅh̶̘̙̑e̷̻̯͎̔r̸͓̮̘̔̾͒ ̸͇̫̟͑͆͑͛t̷̛̝̪̊͜ͅő̴̘͍̖̺̈̚g̶̢̓̒e̷̩̒͌t̶͈͛ͅh̸͓̲̤̆̒̚ͅë̶̱̠́̇̀͜͝r̴͍͈̍

A̷̗͑͒̔̕g̷̱͑̾ä̸̜́ị̷̘̮̓́͜n̷̰̣͍̈́,̶̦͈͗́̽͘ ̶̦͒̂͑͠a̷̦̱̽͂̑l̴͈͑̑l̶̙̲̻͛̅͐ ̶̦̅o̷̩̟̝͖̾̈́n̶̻̲̓͒ͅe̶̻̬̥̘̒

W̷̦̔̄̆i̴̤̯͌́͝ť̵̢̩̆͘ḧ̵͎́́ ̴̟́̇t̵̠̙̹̑̆h̴̼̀̋̎ì̵̧̺s̷̜̣͆̂̀ ̴̜̝̀f̵̲̮̏̄i̴̲͋͗̍n̷͍̮͗a̶̡͑͝l̵͇̅͑͝ ̵̤̜̾b̴̩̤̀r̴͍͓͛̄e̸̯̳͍͋á̷̟͋t̴̳̞͙̂̈́̕h̷̢͇͚̉

Ï̸̡̪̻̖̜̈́ ̵̛̰̅̍̂l̶͈͔̓͝å̷̢̬̭̪̀̎̚y̵̖̜͋̏ ̸̹͉̥̤̀̓̈́͊͜d̴̨̧̙͗̐͜o̵̡̭͓̗̊̃w̸̭̃̆̓̀͝ń̶̨̞̘̱͋̀ ̸͎̼̳̊̌̌́͝ẗ̶̮̱́ȍ̵͖̈́͛ ̵̨̝̼͗r̵͕͒͆͑͝e̶̘̬̱̗͊̀͆s̵̡͘t̷̜͓͈̝̿̍̔̽

K̷͙̈̂ņ̷͕̣̊o̵͖̳̓w̶̹͔̏ỉ̴̹̩̐n̶̯̣͓͠g̴̛̼̬̟̉͌ ̴͙̬̽ͅf̸̨̳̾͛̕ų̷͎̞̇̇ḻ̴͌ĺ̸̯̙́ ̴͓̚͜ͅw̴̗̮͛̍͛e̸͍̞̗͑l̷̮̎͋ḻ̵͎̈̌̕

M̷͕̝̿̆͝y̴̬̱̒ ̴͕͉̀̌g̵̜̤̒͛ở̶̖̦͎d̸̮̤̮͆d̵͔̥̈́̚e̸̛͓͈̘͑̽ś̵̱̰̘s̸͂��̗ ̷͚̓̈́͋w̵̬͇̞͊̉ȋ̵̜̯l̴̻̓ĺ̵̤͕͚̾̓ ̷͈͇̜̌͝b̴̩̰̳̀l̵̳̏̏ȩ̸̛̪̭̍̋s̸̫̤͌͑͘s̷͕̉̾̌

(If you couldn't see:)

When the tides combine, two as one, our Blessed Deity shall upcome. From the crystal, sending forth, reflections in pieces, shattered west, east, and north. On this day, all knee shall bow, lest her wrath should you sow. The seeds of chaos doth you reap, from gruesome deaths, too horrid of to speak. When timw is up, and the chaos is done, we gather together, again, all one. With this final breath, I lay down to rest, knowing full well my goddess will bless.

I'm actually pretty proud of this one, might be my best one yet. Imagine this as ancient enscripted writing, almost like a riddle, or maybe it could be a sign in front of the crystal. You could also imagine it as a mysterious message, maybe from a future-teller.

[oneunexpected]

Happy TUC20! Last year, for the fifth anniversary of TUC Week, I wanted to create a playlist for every book in the series with one song per chapter. Well, I never got around for it, but when I saw @prophecyofgray's event I decided I’d use it as a second chance!

So, here’s my chapter-by-chapter playlist for Gregor the Overlander, with a brief description of why I chose each song. This one was tough, because so much of it is exposition, but I hope you enjoy and tune in to a couple of tracks during your (re)read! Click here to listen on Spotify. If you're gonna listen to anything, listen to Track 24, that's my favorite :)

1 - Could Be a Curse by Kaina - I almost went with Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” for this one, because I wanted to capture how cooped up Gregor feels, and I think both songs capture that feeling of wanting more out of your life than you’re getting. I went with Could Be a Curse because the line “What if I die here, holding my breath” reminds me of Gregor at this point — he’s spent the last few years of his life holding his breath, wondering about his father’s fate.

2 - Come Along by Cosmo Sheldrake - Gregor and Boots meet the cockroaches and run to Regalia in this chapter. Cosmo Sheldrake’s music has such a unique and almost fantastical quality to it, and I thought this would be a good choice to represent how strange this new world is to Gregor and how quickly he’s whisked off into it.

3 - Uninvited by Alanis Morisette - This song goes hard. It was written for a movie about a fallen angel, so it captures the whole “I’m curious about you but also I don’t feel like you belong” dynamic Luxa and Gregor have in this chapter.

4 - Sound and Color by Alabama Shakes - “A new world hangs / Outside the window / Beautiful and strange.” Just another song I thought would be good for Gregor’s introduction to the Underland, especially with its line, “No more to see the setting of the sun.” Of course, Gregor’s only goal is to see the sun again.

5 - Plainsong by The Cure - I chose this song more for its sound than its lyrics. The shimmery, quiet chimes that begin the track give way to this explosion of synthy strings and bass, and I chose that to represent Gregor walking through the moths and seeing Regalia for the first time.

6 - Hotel California by The Eagles - Honestly I could not decide what song to use for this chapter. I nearly used the song I ended up using for chapter 10, but I went with this classic mostly for the line, “I had to find the passage back to the place I was before.” Gregor is realizing the fate of every other Overlander that falls, and he’s also beginning to realize he is something of a captive, so I think the song’s concept of a too-good-to-be-true place that traps all who enter fits well.

7 - Sinnerman by Nina Simone - One of the greatest songs ever, used here to try to replicate the chaos of Gregor on the run from the Regalians on the river, not knowing what danger waits for him.

8 - Come Away to the Water by Maroon 5 and Rozzi - The first of many tracks I stole from The Hunger Games soundtrack. Shoutout to Suzanne for reusing themes. This song is creepy, kind of charming, and intended to lure the listener to a slaughter — perfect for the gnawers, who in this chapter promise to hunt Gregor to the last rat, matching well with the song’s refrain, “We are coming for you.”

9 - Eight by Sleeping at Last - I was stumped on this one, so I turned to Sleeping at Last, whom everyone in the fandom was obsessed with before I joined tumblr. This chapter gives us the first glimpse behind Luxa’s walls as we learn of her parents’ fate. The lyrics “I was little, weak and perfectly naive / And I grew up too quick” match her very well, and frankly, they match Gregor, too.

10 - Run Daddy Run by Miranda Lambert - Another THG classic that fits too well. “Mama’s been crying in the kitchen / Sister’s been scared of the dark / I’ve been gathering the pieces of all these shattered hearts” represents Gregor’s family situation in the wake of his father’s disappearance all too well. In this chapter, Gregor finds out his dad is alive but held captive, and the chorus “Daddy, can you hear the devil drawing near? / Like a bullet from a gun, run, Daddy, run” fit the situation well for me.

11 - Baba O’Riley by The Who - Another chapter I was stumped by, but I ended up focusing on Gregor choosing to bring Boots on the journey for this track. I liked the line “don’t cry, don’t raise your eyes” for the idea of bringing a toddler on a deadly trek. This song depicts hope in a period of war, and I feel like this is the chapter where Gregor really begins to believe finding his dad is possible.

12 - Yellow Light by Of Monsters and Men - This is a good TUC song, through and through. I chose it for this chapter because of the line “Ignore all those big warning signs,” because this chapter has a lot of those. This is the first time we get a hint of Solovet’s true character, and it’s also the chapter where an inconsolable Nerissa foretells Henry will meet some fate worse than death.

13 - Electric Co. by U2 - U2 is my favorite band, so you’ll get a lot of them in these playlists. Sorry that I have the music taste of a 50-year-old man. Anyways, this chapter is where Luxa and Henry dare Gregor to jump off the side of the cliff, and also the chapter where Gregor learns Henry’s parents were killed by rats. “Boy, stupid boy / Don’t sit at the table / until you’re able to” reminded me of Gregor’s inability to hang with Luxa and Henry, but the whole song, which is about this young man careening out of control, reminded me of Henry.

14 - Cut the World by Anohni - This is the chapter where the questers have a discussion on whether or not weak individuals are worthy of protection, and Luxa is extremely passive on the topic. This is a beautiful song I almost saved for Marks of Secret because I think it’s a good song for her, and MoS is really her book in my eyes, but I decided to use it here. “For so long I’ve obeyed / That feminine decree / I’ve always contained / Your desire to hurt me / But when will I turn and cut the world” are good lyrics for Luxa, who is unwilling to take a stand here (but eventually does “cut the world” on behalf of those who can’t defend themselves in the fourth book, as we know). But I also like the song for the crawlers, who take abuse from every other species — Temp and Tick can hear this whole conversation about whether or not they’re worthy of living! — and survive regardless.

15 - Road Drum by Mozart Gabriel - This song has a strong beat, but it’s still pretty quiet, which I liked for the ring dance the crawlers perform. The song’s lyrics depict aid from spiders and foxes that the protagonist receives as they run from evil, and I liked the way that matched with Gregor splitting off from the group and running away from the battle with the gnawers and ultimately ends up in a spinner’s web.

16 - Roslyn by Bon Iver and St. Vincent - Song selected mostly for vibes, and also because I like the line “Wings wouldn’t help you down,” which is a little nose since Gregor’s imprisoned dozens of feet off the ground. This song’s kind of a bummer, which is a good enough fit since Gregor’s trapped wondering if all of his friends are dead and if he’ll ever be able to find his father, but it also has a pretty melody, hopefully a little similar to the sort of lullaby the spinners play to calm down Boots.

17 - Acrobat by U2 - Another Luxa song that I almost saved for Marks of Secret. It’s a little too on the nose, maybe, because this is the chapter where Luxa and Aurora the Coiler to allow everyone to escape. “And I must be an acrobat / To talk like this and act like that” fits Luxa well at this point in her character arc — a bratty 11-year-old who seems haughty and cold, only to have these moments where her brave, selfless core is revealed.

18 - We’re Going to be Friends by The White Stripes - this is a gentle song for a relatively gentle chapter, a sort of breath of fresh air. Gregor saving Luxa with root beer (and then letting her try it after) is a turning point in their relationship, and Boots pouring out a little for everyone to try is one of the most harmonious moments we get in the whole book.

19 - The House of the Rising Sun as performed by The Animals - “Oh mothers, tell your children / Not to do what I have done.” I love this song for Ripred. I love the way it sounds, and I love its lyrical content. Obviously, he’s not a man destitute in New Orleans, but he is certainly a cynical old rat who recognizes all the ways he’s gone wrong. In terms of regrets, it’s also a good song for Vikus, who is staring down his own mistakes in this chapter.

20 - Sympathy by Vampire Weekend - Ah, the mutual need song. Also the Gregor-Luxa-Ripred triumvirate song. “Enemies for centuries / Until there was a third” is pretty good for them, right? This is sort of a tongue-in-cheek piece about what we’re willing to do, and what we’re willing to look past, so long as we have a common enemy, so I think it’s perfect for Gregor and Ripred’s famous conversation, and also for the spiders joining the quest now that their backs are to the wall.

21 - Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls - This chapter was so tough for me. We got Gox drinking Treflex, we got Luxa talking about how she tells herself she’s gonna die every morning and Gregor realizing that’s not too different from what he does, we got a more in-depth description of bonding, and somehow I ended up with Iris, which I know has become kinda tacky. I thought a song about wanting someone to really understand you was fitting for a chapter about bonds, but also fitting for Luxa talking about how her parents’ death affected her.

22 - Little Dark Age by MGMT - Not really much to explain here. Every character is miserable in this chapter, and something about this song reminds me of Henry’s increasingly concerning behavior. “Forgiving who you are for what you stand to gain?” Sounds Henry-ish!

23 - 500 Miles by Peter, Paul and Mary - Tick’s death is a point of no return for Gregor in this whole series, the first major loss he experiences. Even beyond the grief of losing Tick, the situation in this chapter is so desolate, with Boots sick and all of the horrible things Gregor has witnessed finally catching up with him. “500 Miles” is about homesickness, but also recognizing that you can’t return, and the saddest line to me is “Lord, I can’t go home this way.” Gregor can’t go home, yet, either, since he hasn’t found his father.

24 - Until The End of the World by U2 - If you listen to any song here, PLEASE listen to this one. I made this whole series of playlists just to work this one in. It tells the story of Judas and Jesus, from Judas’ point of view, which is so, so perfect for Henry and his relationship with Ares and Luxa. I love the way this song sounds — I can just imagine those opening notes when Gregor decides what he’s going to do — but my favorite part is the outro. This technically happens in the next chapter, but “Waves of regret and waves of joy / I reached out for the one I tried to destroy / You / You said you’d wait until the end of the world” is such a perfect thing for Henry’s demise because of Ares’ decision to break the bond.

25 - King and Lionheart by Of Monsters and Men - “And as the world comes to an end / I’ll be there to hold your hand / Because you’re my king and I’m your lionheart” makes me cryyyyyy for Gregor and his dad in this chapter. Gregor’s been so brave for so long, and the reunion they have when his father finally becomes lucid again is the best moment in the book, even though scores of rats are waiting to tear them apart.

26 - Drowning Man by U2 - Another chapter, another U2 song, this one for Gregor bonding with Ares. The whole song is a good bonding song, but the lyrics “Take my hand / You know I’ll be there if you can / I’ll cross the skies for your love” remind me the most of their particular situation, down to Gregor begging Ares to recite the verse back.

27 - A Sort of Homecoming by U2 - Perhaps Prophecy of Bane will have less U2 songs. Good Lord. Anyways, I chose this song for “Oh don’t sorrow, no, don’t weep / For tonight, at last, I am coming home / I am coming home” and the whole “you’re scarred for life but at least you’ve made it home” vibe of this song as Gregor, his dad and Boots finally make it back to Grace.