#Jinx being the typical interpreter

[frenchublog]

[alessabriel]

hi, can I maybe request how the arcane women treat a reader w/ a disability? specifically a cane? thanks :)

- @sadismismybestquality

Arcane Fem x Reader uses cane. PT1

Reader who uses a cane ft. Jinx (Powder), Vi (Violet), Caitlyn Kiramman, Mel Medarda, Sevika, Margot.

Cw. Use of [Name] or just allusion to the character without gender only neutral although it tends to feminine but by the translator sometimes changes, mention of disability and use of cane (if there is any discordance please let me know by dm or in comments), violence and blood typical of the canon.

I know it took a long time but between life and other things, I hope you like it, if not, let me know. @sadismismybestquality (I am sorry if there is an inaccuracy according to the use of the cane.)

Jinx / Powder

𖹭 Jinx really didn't care much whether or not her partner had a disability and the need to use a cane, in Zaun it's completely normal and in a way since childhood she had a certain admiration; actually it's admiration for you, for her partner Why, you might ask? Because even with a cane held tightly in your hand, some sidelong glances not at all kindly there was a kindness and gentleness in you that was undeniable, but not to be confused with naivety at all.

𖹭 Jinx loves you, from head to toe, from top to bottom, from the inside out, if you kill someone she will be there to hide the corpse with you, if you want to kill someone she will be there even next to you immediately and this becomes worse if she detects someone, even an entity or being that dares to see you bad because why the fuck would they see you bad if you are the most divine, kind, precious and so fucking beautiful being that came down from heaven?

𖹭 [Actually the appointments were not usual, but Jinx had days off since she had focused on her 'duties' and 'errands', even Silco had shown well hidden astonishment that he didn't know how to interpret, insulted or flattered? But regardless, he had the opportunity to go for lunch out there, and maybe be able to stop by his workshop and not just for jobs.

He was always hypervigilant. Trauma? Habit? Who knows, but he had the gun at arm's length from one hand.

They just walked through the crowd, something normal after enjoying a good zaunite meal and he was always careful to keep some distance from the range of the cane you always carried with you, not to get in the way and help in any case, because Jinx only wanted one thing in his life nowadays; to make your life easier and more bearable, if he could he would have you worshipping you as an angel. And everything was going great, a chatter here and there, plus Jinx chatting about everything and anything, about what he saw and was interested in until modifications to his pumps, until he sees it; an imbecile passes you so close that he manages to push you and almost fall, except that he stopped you just in time and when he sees that expression of pain, he just knows what he should do. After putting you properly in some random and trustworthy store he goes out with the pretext of bringing something for the pain, it's not quite pretext but aha, if the street is dyed red good details. ] 𖹭

𖹭 Jinx always creates little random doodles on your cane, it's a way to show his love just like on all your reachable belongings, and it's kind of romantic in his sight because you're the one who leaves him little notes on the meals you sometimes make him and make him eat, it's his love language. Or even if by some chance your cane suffers some damage she fixes it herself, adding her spark because why not? She is surprised that it is easier for you to use it now and she loves it, it fills her with pride to be able to help you.

𖹭 Jinx loves you totally, there is not a single thing that would make her stop loving you.

Vi / Violet

𖹭 Vi really has an even greater protective instinct towards you, not because she thinks you are weak because not at all, for her on the contrary you are stronger than anyone else and she has to be very aware of you, when you go for a walk because it helps a little with the pain due to your injury and to stretch you, which are quiet moments that she values very much compared to her time in prison.

𖹭 Vi loves you totally, she did it since she was a child when she was curious why you used a cane to walk but she always had that habit impossible to remove because she did not remember where or when but she heard someone say that the handle of the cane left marks or bruises due to daily use, support weight or actions like that, so she made an effort to make it ergonomic, and in fact she was so interested because doing it relaxed her and as a teenager she had a lot of energy.

𖹭 [Vi had completed a solo job Legal? I didn't know but it didn't stand out much, so it wasn't entirely dangerous and with it she had managed to buy enough materials to make your cane more comfortable which she could see was giving its last breaths of life and your family was trying hard to buy you good and quality canes or make them, but with all the hustle and bustle of Zaun well it wasn't entirely possible for your parents, so she had been making a new one with wood and metal, it cost her to learn from Benzo because as an uncle he was great but as a teacher fuck it was hell but she made it; a cane made of a sturdy wood with metal alloys that could be adjusted for height as you got older because she thought long term.

If Vander laughed at her for the detail, it was something no one knew.

It took hours but she completed it, even testing it on Vander because she needed to know it was sturdy. From what she saw, the cane could withstand even Vander's weight which was like all muscle and stuff, and it didn't feel weak or anything close to breaking so she smiled before taking the little pink ribbon (only she knew that ribbon was exactly the shade of her hair, a little mark that she made it for you).

"You like it a lot, don't you girl?" Vander questions with a smile.

Vi just blushes but doesn't get defensive "Thanks Vander, I'll be back later."

(Vander was proud of his little girl, I mean he had never seen her be interested in anything besides family and boxing, but now he saw her genuinely smile, blush and stop having that horrible tension on her shoulders).

And Vi when she delivers it I expect a lot, but not that you would throw yourself into her arms with such force.

"Do you like me?" she asks you, cushioning the blow with her body.

"Like it Vi? I loved it, thank you so much!"

Vi could only feel her heart melt when she didn't see you stumble a little because of the old cane, but now your gait was more confident and if she liked seeing the pink ribbon in your hair, well yet another reason why she liked you]. 𖹭

𖹭 Vi really was very used to leave some space between her body and walking with you, so you would not stumble and almost by instinct her steps were synchronized with yours because she would never leave you behind.

𖹭 But no one could tell Vi that they would end up separated sooner rather than later, and that when she left that prison with weathered knuckles, tattoos and a sense of emptiness accompanied by Caitlyn Kiramman, with a fixed objective; it was when she looked at you for the first time in years and recognized you by the pink ribbon that still held your hair, it was in passing but her heart beat again, maybe later they could meet when her hands were not so busy and her destiny uncertain.

𖹭 Because Vi was like that, she protected you and loved you in a sincere, pure way and that love would last for millennia, she only hoped she herself could hold on a little longer.

Caitlyn Kiramman.

𖹭 Caitlyn would know you since she was young, she never approached you perhaps out of fear because you belonged to the Ferros family; Name Ferros, and she had seen you the first years of training using an elegant and functional cane, you tired her an eternal curiosity.

𖹭 But Caitlyn feeling somewhat insecure and self-conscious did not approach, she only saw you in the distance always walking beside your father Stevan Ferros; of whom she remembers his confident, fast pace and above all did not wait for anyone. I saw that at the festivities in elegant halls and galas, always, but when you were next to your father he synchronized his steps with yours, left space for your cane and above all did not allow any comments about you and your disability, he never allowed it he had even silenced his own mother Cassandra Kiramman with a scathing comment akin to "have no future and flattering suitors" which was countered by Stevan's even more scathing comment "the worth of none of my heirs is governed by archaic stereotypes befitting the ignorant" and to this day he does not forget his mother's embarrassed face.

𖹭 Then one day Caitlyn no longer sees you at galas, at council meetings or anything else, until she is about to graduate from training and sees you; now without the cane but the Ferros technology shines in one of your legs an elegant circuit of rigid and flexible parts that allows you to walk safely, you work alongside Camille Ferros and it is noticeable that you climbed quickly passing to the Enforcers and being in a totally different league.

𖹭 | Caitlyn was anxious, maybe a little nervous but she hadn't seen you in months so when she got to see you again it was still at Camille Ferros' side; your figure was no longer leaning to one side but more upright, straight and your cane was no longer there but an intricate, delicate but sturdy circuit that created firmness in your leg, you seemed more sure of yourself.

You shone in an unobtrusive way, like a star in the firmament.

So, when you walk past him near where he is with his patrol (people who throw out biting comments of being born in a cradle of gold).

"The uniform you sit in looks great Miss Kiramman" you say, softly as you pass by her walking quickly past.

Caitlyn didn't get a chance to return the compliment, but fuck her heart might just pound out of her chest altogether. | 𖹭

𖹭 She fell so hard, in love and heavy, fell first and very heavy, and experienced everything.

𖹭 Caitlyn had a hard time overcoming that limitation that stopped her from approaching, but she did and the first conversations were superficial, soft and cordial until little by little from wearing the Enforcer uniform and talking in short lapses of time she could see you lying on her bed, both with your legs intertwined and just chatting.

𖹭 For Caitlyn to start a relationship was to take a step in the long walk, step by step, and she always worried about you and your occasional use of the cane, nothing changes for her she simply loves you.

𖹭 Caitlyn believes and knows that you are the most beautiful, strong, resilient, hardworking, intelligent and gorgeous woman ever, and will be with her for a lifetime.

𖹭 Caitlyn tends to leave little bracelets or tiny details on the cane that was always waiting at the side of their bed.

Mel Medarda.

𖹭 Mel really isn't surprised to see someone use a cane, he's seen that before and his interest in you came from how much art he saw in your cane, intricate carved lines on dark wood and what was a work of art with metal on wood, paint. It was a fucking work of art that was functional, sturdy and helped in your life.

𖹭 | Mel could no longer contain the question in her mouth, in the huge room full of superficial conversations, she waited delicately until she managed to detect a space of solitude in your agenda; an artist calmed by the opulence of Piltover but she detected how there was a difference in the art offered to the opulence and to the people who really approach, the essence.

You were able to endow your essence to your art or delicately snatch emdich essence to your art, both beautiful.

So, armed with a glass of Noxian wine she approached with light, measured steps until she reached your side where you only appreciated the huge window- "it's a pleasure to see you again, and your art the same".

"a pleasure Mel" you conceded in a soft voice without much intention or commitment, without really seeing her.

Mel knew you were elusive, like golden water slipping through her fingers.

"I can't help but appreciate the artistry in your cane, allow me to praise it and if not it is impertinent of me may I question something?" finished Mel questioning, making the Noxian wine dance in her glass.

"Go ahead, honesty is part of me" you reply with a serene calm, charming the Noxian further.

"Does your art expand to your staff?"

Mel presence as you think about it, calmly and seem to weigh your answer but wait.

"My disability will not limit my art, if it already encompasses my skin why not my cane the same?"

Mel definitely fell when I detect your sidelong glance, playful, flirtatious and so sweet. | 𖹭

𖹭 Mel is really informed about the disability you have, an injury as a child that left after-effects and you needed the support of the cane. Start respecting it, now with meaning and not just out of mere politeness.

𖹭 Mel is aware of your personal space and respects it, he also makes the rest respect it.

𖹭 Mel fell in love with the art you carried in your soul and reflected in your cane.

Sevika.

𖹭 Sevika saw how the cane became part of your life after the war, which should not hurt as much as it did but she went from seeing you happy, running and jumping because you were like a little sun bouncing everywhere to someone still, she saw how much pain you suffered in your leg for a wound that healed perfectly (thanks to the fucking union between Piltover and Zaun that could provide you a proper treatment) but left sequelae; chronic pain, use of cane and a half rehabilitation because it was considered that you could continue with your life.

𖹭 Sevika never neglected you, in fact she became hyper-aware of her surroundings and yours because of your use of the cane, therefore she protected you but sometimes it was impossible to protect you from your own frustration.

𖹭 | Sevika had spent an afternoon full of paperwork, information and so on at the council, she hated the council and those sidelong glances that no Piltovian knew how to camouflage, she hated even more taking a seat on the council from the one fucking woman; Cassandra Kiramman who had a shred of concern for Zaun. It was bittersweet. So when she came home, and saw you on the floor alone staring at your cane in front of you and sat down next to you.

Sometimes you just needed to sit next to each other to take strength.

"When I lost my arm, it was frustrating dealing with the loss of balance, the pain of the prosthetic and the healing" Sevika found herself saying, not much commitment to her most painful period of her life as even with a prosthetic, support and a higher salary; Silco was grateful despite it all but that took away the chagrin, the slight depression of losing the arm and Sevika continues "I mean, you never think about that you might lose a limb you know? Let alone an arm, hell there were days where the phantom pain made me want to rip my skin to shreds."

"...You never told me that" you whisper, in a soft, hushed voice, never looking up from the cane as if it offended you personally.

"That wasn't attractive you know, I wanted to win you over, you know have you look at me and say 'hell, I want to eat her' or you know, be wife material Too delusional on my part?" Sevika questions at last, leaning against the furniture just looking at the cane with a neutral gaze.

"Well, I liked you a lot from the start if that's any consolation" you say with a somewhat broken chuckle, shaking your leg feeling the painful tug on your nerves.

"What I mean is, well, I understand your process not entirely but love, don't give up, I know you can."

Sevika just felt you lean against her side and cry, a silent, painful but releasing cry and she wrapped an arm around you. | 𖹭

𖹭 Sevika is a loyal, loving and caring companion, accepting of change, advancement and so on, she loves you and will love every new facet in you, even the cane (she got a retractable one for you and your comfort, it cost hell but it was totally worth it because you didn't hate it).

Margot.

𖹭 Margot is a woman who loves, she really loves, she doesn't give half or crumbs, no, she gives all her love and hopes not to be hurt (because frankly she can hurt but in Zaun, being a quimobarona she didn't allow that) until you arrived, you took her love in excess, her dramatism, fights with those two old men who called themselves quimobaronas and her childish attitude sometimes and still you loved her.

𖹭 Margot before you didn't know what a sincere love was, but with you she got to know it and got used to it, therefore every part of you was accepted, valued and consequently loved. She spared no expense, if she obtained money in not so legal and moral ways, why spend it on something totally worthwhile? Apart from her makeup, piercings and a home in the highest part of Zaun where the sun shone perfectly into the common room.

𖹭 And what Margot loved, was your nagging, although those specific ones she didn't really pay attention to.

𖹭 | Margot was attentive to cleaning the new piercings, cleaning and disinfecting them for later use, so she almost dropped one when you walked into the room and recognized the soft touch of wood on the floor.

"Because you bought more than five new canes, Margot!" you question with rosy cheeks, standing in front of the huge bed where Margot saw her box of piercings.

Margot shrugged, playing it down "that old geezer owed me some favors and those canes are really good, I couldn't pass up the opportunity you know?"

"Love."

"Don't scold me, I like to spend my money on you and that cane is already taking its last breaths, what's more we can decorate it together What do you think?"

Margot admires how that anger deflates and they both end up seeing how to decorate the cane, if she entertained herself kissing your neck and leaving marks of her lipstick on your skin, good details. | 𖹭

𖹭 Margot definitely adores you completely, with more canes than you actually occupy in the closet and with your soft nagging, which sounded more like hard candy.

pt 2

[homuraakemis]

Vi was never abusive towards Powder

Occasionally, I see people use the “Enemy” music video to claim that Vi was abusive to Powder, because in that video there's one scene where it seems that Vi pushed Powder. And I very much disagree with that interpretation, for a few reasons:

1) The Enemy video is not canon. The video shows Vi hanging out with Silco's thugs, (including Deckard) that she never met before in the actual show canon (after they fight Deckard and his friends, Vi even complains to Mylo that he was “telling strangers on the street that we got a nice haul”, confirming that she never met Deckard before, unlike what the Enemy video would have you believe). The Enemy video is supposed to be symbolic of what happens in act 1 of season 1, and Vi pushing Powder in the video is meant to symbolize Vi slapping Powder at the end of episode 3. The scenes in the video are not to be taken literally. 

2) Even if you accept the Enemy video as 100% canon, what we are shown in the video does not show any strong evidence that Vi was abusive. We are only shown Vi pushing Powder in the video. And the thing is: one push is not abuse. Abuse is a pattern of violence, and we have no reason to believe that Vi was regularly pushing or hitting Powder. The reasons why it doesn't make sense for Vi to have been regularly violent with Powder are:

In the “Enemy” video itself, we are shown that Vi pushing Powder didn't happen in a normal situation, it happened after Powder provoked the enforcers and they get searched by them. Vi was upset, especially because she would have been worried sick about Powder herself in that situation. This is not a typical or regular situation, so it's not a sign that Vi would have been hitting Powder all the time.

Vi being abusive to Powder would have been a very important plot point that would change how we interpret Vi and Jinx's whole dynamic. This kind of thing can't be shown only in a music video that 90% of the audience (especially casual watchers) won't see. If we were meant to believe that Vi was being regularly violent towards Powder, this would have been shown in the actual show, it would not be relegated to some supplementary material like a music video. But in the actual show, we only see Vi slapping Powder ONCE, after Powder kills their family, in a moment of extreme grief and desperation. And in fact, all the evidence we see in the show points to Vi NOT being abusive, and being instead very tender and caring towards Powder: she defends Powder against Mylo's bullying; she brings Powder to less dangerous missions despite Mylo's protests that she's a liability because she knows how much Powder wants to feel included; she encourages Powder's talents, saying that she doesn't have to be a fighter to be strong; and is nothing but gentle and affectionate with Powder.

When Vi slaps Powder in episode 3, she acts completely shocked by her own actions. She looks down at her hands and is completely ashamed of herself (which is why she decides to walk away, because she needs a moment to calm down so that she won't hurt Powder again). If hitting Powder was a regular thing that she always did, she would not have been so shocked and ashamed of herself after slapping Powder.

So no, Vi was never abusive towards Powder. Slapping Powder was a completely uncharacteristic behavior for Vi.

[hollowporcelain]

some “basic” oc world info. nothing about the story/plot is here, just worldbuilding~

In the universe that my characters belong in, it is somewhat of an afterlife situation.

There are three sections known as 'Sides'; The Living Side, The Concept Side, and The Blank Side. 

If someone has not died before, they will be found in the Living Side. If someone dies a "natural death" or dies a second time after becoming a Concept, their souls will be held in the Blank Side, left to wander aimlessley until a Reaper* helps them to pass on, and cease to exist. If someone dies what The Divine Sins* deem an "unnatural death", they will become something known as a "Concept", and be sent to The Concept Side.

The Divine Sins have a different interpretation of natural & unnatural death due to never being from the Living Side. They consider things such as Heart Attacks or Strokes to be natural, and things like Plagues, Suicide, Murder, etc. to be unnatural.

* Any Concept centered around death (eg. Concept of Necromancy) is considered a Reaper, however very few actually work as one.

* The Divine Sins are the Overseers of each side, however they reside in The Concept Side.They themselves are not considered Concepts, however they are highly respected, (and somewhat feared,) as they are at the top of the heirarchy.

The Heirarchy of the Concept Side goes as follows; The Divine Sins Wayguides* The Horsemen Concepts

* Wayguides are people who directly work for The Divine Sins, specifically Envy and Sloth. Their main job is to guide new concepts through Mirrorways*, and explain both their situation and what Concept they are. Wayguides do not have reflections in mirrors, and can only see themselves reflected in water.   * Upon dying an "unnatural death", a new Concept will be greeted by something known as a Mirrorway. It typically takes the form of a long white corridor with a thin layer of water covering the floor,with walls of mirrors that reflect that Concept's living memory.   The memories then get turned into a book (known as a Memorial), and are stored in a private library owned by The Divine Sin of Envy, known as The Archive of Conceptual Memory. Memorials of normal Concepts aren't particularly noteworthy, however the Memorials of The Horsemen are extremely important to keep in tact. Should someone damage, lose, remove, or destroy a Horseman's Memorial, they will face strong punishment for damaging History and Memory.

My main four characters (Caelus, Vesper, Paige & Jinx,) are the current four Horsemen. Caelus & V have an interesting relationship with The Divine Sin of Envy, buuuut i think that’s getting more into the plot lol.

[robin-writes-and-such]

A silly man! Pony OC!!!

So this guy was made for a oneshot rp im doing with my friends, in which our party are the new replacements for the elements of harmony and the one rule is “interpret the element totally differently from the mane 6”

Lore below 👇

AMANITE AND DOUGHBOY DONT READ THIS!!!

Persiflage

MLP ONESHOT CHARACTER

Alias: Void

Former aliases: Percy, Scourge, Curse, Jinx, Hex, Karma

He/him

Aroacespec

The ultimate edgy pony

26hy

Void is a unicorn with an almost entirely black mane and pelt, (minus a few gray and white flecks here and there) and astonishingly pale blue eyes. The colour of his magic is a yellowish orange, which is a stark and jarring contrast to his depressing gothic colour scheme. He is silent and stoic, frankly quite intimidating, and seemingly judgemental. His cutie mark is a clock with a smiley face on it, which feels incredibly ominous and threatening. While unicorns are by nature somewhat tall, at least in comparison to their winged counterparts, Void towers over most ponies, being the size of a larger earth pony (earth ponies are typically the size of draft horses). He rarely speaks apart from the odd snarky or sarcastic comment.

Special talent

Of course after reading this description you probably have many questions, but one big one. Why the hell is this guy the element of laughter??? Well, first of all, with him being so stoic and serious, anything he does that isn’t serious is inherently funny because it’s unexpected. But that alone shouldn’t be enough to qualify him, right? You’re correct. You see, like every other pony, he has a special talent. And his special talent happens to be comedic timing. He has a magical sense that allows him to sense when there’s an opportunity for something funny or ironic to happen, and through magic and fate he makes it happen. He doesn’t even have to intentionally try, any time there is an opportunity for something funny around him he somehow inadvertently causes a butterfly effect that makes it happen.

Namesake

The word Persiflage can refer to a type of tongue in cheek humour that is easily misinterpreted as mean spirited when it is only meant to be humorous- similar to how Void himself is misinterpreted as mean and intimidating, when in reality his sole purpose is comedy. This poor man is just a misunderstood comedic chaos magnet.

Tragic backstory

Of course our man’s gotta have a backstory!!

Persiflage (nicknamed Percy) grew up in a very small community, a rowdy and excitable young colt. Despite his affinity for attracting chaos, He had a loving family, friends, and a comfortable life. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. One day, a travelling comedy act came to town- featuring famous comedian John Mullmaney! Percy became obsessed with comedy, wanting nothing more than to make others laugh. Unfortunately, he bombed over and over. Every one of his jokes fell flat. Until one day, after telling a horrendous joke… “why did the banana call in sick? Because he wasn’t PEELING well!!!” To which nobody laughed, he began to sadly walk away when he slipped on a discarded banana peel, flying into the air. Everyone laughed at the irony and comedic timing of this situation, and in that moment Percy discovered his special talent- comedic timing! Maybe he wasn’t bringing disaster everywhere he went, but comedy! For a while he delighted in making ponies laugh, but like most comedians, he took a joke too far. Only in the MLP universe you don’t get cancelled, you get exiled and/or ostracized. A small filly ended up losing a leg in an incredibly comedic incident. The thing is, Percy can’t control his own power and inclination towards comedy. He just inadvertently makes it happen. Even if it means catching a young pony in a rockslide by accident. He became synonymous with disaster, a jinx, and ostracized. He decided it would be best if he moved away from home, to where he couldn’t hurt the people he cared about. He knew the only way he could exist on peace was to live near ponies that had the legendary plot armour, and couldn’t be harmed by flawless comedic timing. Luckily protagonists aren’t difficult to find, especially when princess celestia and the elements of harmony spend a suspicious and unnecessary amount of time in one place, and so he moved to ponyville.

[deltadex]

Arcane's symbolism: Meaning of Vi

Of all the Arcane characters, I feel that Vi's name carries the most meaning in relation to her character.

Besides being associated with love in general, violets are also linked with lesbian love (thanks to Greek poet Sappho, who's poems centered around the relationships between women, who often wore the flowers). It's clear how this ties in with Vi and her relationship with a certain Pilty...

As for the shortened version of her name, Vi can be interpreted as the Roman numeral for the number six (which her stylised cheek Tattoo alludes to).

In Numerology, the number six is "the embodiment of the heart". It represents unconditional love and is a powerful force of compassion and empathy. The number six's strengths include:

Supportive - will be the first to provide a shoulder to lean on, truly try to understand, and give heartfelt advice. ("You wanna talk about today?", "We've all had bad days, but we learn, and we stick together")

Protective - its unconditional love extends to all people which allows it to speak up for those that don't have a voice. Especially fierce when it comes to family. (e.g. Vi standing up for Powder when Milo complains about her, her willingness to fight for the people of the Undercity)

Romantic - works hard to create peaceful relationships and is fluent in all love languages. Only happy when its other half is happy. (Romance we are yet to see...)

Its weaknesses include:

Passive - in order to keep the peace, six may allow itself to get taken advantage of. Would rather go along with an undesirable option than make waves. (We only really see this part of Vi when it comes to Powder/Jinx. "It's alright Powder, at least you're okay", "We can just go. We can leave and never come back")

Self-sacrificing - so willing to sacrifice itself for others that it neglects its own needs and well-being. Often overlooks the the self-care that would make it feel balanced. (e.g Vi willing to turn herself in to the enforcers. She has little regard for her own safety, putting herself in danger several times throughout the series in order to find her sister.)

Idealistic - expects everyone to treat others the way it does, which it believes would lead to a perfect world. When it realises its ideals are unattainable, it may face extreme upset. ("I grew up knowing I'm less than them, that my place is down there. I want Powder to have more than that and I'm willing to fight for it". Another moment that comes to mind is the council scene, where Vi becomes frustrated with the council for not sharing Jayce's view on stopping Silco. "This is how things are, how they've always been. I was so stupid to think it could change.")

(Going off point here: I noticed that Caitlyn has many of these qualities as well, in some cases exhibiting them even stronger than Vi. In this way, they are more similar than they realise. They both lead with their hearts.)

Let's move on to the third and final meaning, which lies in the realm of Tarot Cards. The sixth card in what is called the "Major Arcana" is, very fittingly, The Lovers.

This card has two different meanings, depending on its orientation in a reading:

1. The Lovers Upright

Represents conscious connections and meaningful relationships. The appearance of this card shows that you have a strong, beautiful connection with a loved one. You may believe you have found a soul mate or life partner. The chemistry between you goes beyond just physical attraction to something that is almost spiritual (AKA CaitVi).

While it typically represents a romantic tie, The Lovers card can also refer to a close friendship or family relationship where "love, respect and compassion flow" (AKA Vi and Jinx's sisterly bond)

The Lovers card is one of open communication and raw honesty. Its appearance is a sign that by "communicating openly and honestly with those you care about, you will create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship built on trust and respect". It's an invitation to open your heart and be vulnerable around someone (the scene that comes to mind is the one where Caitlyn and Vi are lying on the bed, and Vi talks about the childhood game her and Powder used to play. She shows a surprisingly amount of vulnerability, which leads to an intimate moment between her and Caitlyn. By being vulnerable, Vi instigated progression of their relationship. )

On a more personal level, the card is about defining your beliefs and values and staying true to them. You are figuring out what your philosophy is and what you stand for. (This is something we see Vi struggle with throughout the series. Vi's ideologies are constantly challenged and therefore evolving. In Act 1, it's through Vander's teachings, and the rest of the series, it's Caitlyn challenging everything she thought she knew about enforcers and Topsiders in general. Even so, the biggest threat to her value system is in the finale, where she is faced with whether or not she should choose to put some of her own values aside to maintain her relationship with Jinx. I think we will see a continuation of this personal journey in season 2: Is she going to follow Vander's example or forge her own path? Will she choose to believe the Piltover and the Undercity's relations can improve, or will they forever be "oil and water"? Who is she when she isn't constantly striving to reconnect with her sister? Will she ever be able to forgive her for everything she's done? Will she ever be able to forgive herself?

At its heart, The Lovers is about choice. Who you want to be. How you want to connect with others. This card is often a sign that you are facing a moral dilemma and must consider all the consequences before acting. It is advised not to make a decision out of fear, guilt or shame. Your values system is being challenged, and "you are being called to take the higher path, even if it is difficult."

Finally, The Lovers card encourages you to unify dual forces and bring together two parts, one that are seemingly in opposition, to form a harmonious "whole" (very fitting for a show whose central theme focuses on duality). This is where I see Vi and Caitlyn working together to forge peace between the two sides of the city, which is the reason she eventually becomes an enforcer. And, naturally, acceptance of this unified duality may also lead to the initiation of a relationship with Caitlyn.

2. The Lovers Reversed

Reversed, The Lovers can signal a time when you're out of sync with those around you, especially your loved ones (and it's no secret that Vi and Jinx have become "out of sync"). You're relationship is strained and communication is difficult. Depending on the case, you can either try to bring love and compassion to the situation, or you can accept that you've grown apart and move on (this is the harrowing decision that Vi is facing).

The Reversed card may reflect that there are feelings in a relationship that aren't mutual. One person may be more emotionally involved than the other which, down the line, can lead to disappointment and insecurity. You may also be reluctant to open your heart for fear of getting hurt. (This is basically the "oil and water" scene beat for beat. Vi is afraid of opening up to a relationship with Caitlyn and shatters the prospect of "mutuality" by stating that it "wasn't meant to be". And then there's Vi's relationship with Jinx, which also has a lack of mutuality, at least from Jinx's point of view: "I thought, maybe you could love me like you used to, even though I'm...different". i.e Why can't you love the new me like you loved Powder? It hurts because it's not that Vi doesn't love her, it's that she doesn't love her in the way that she wants her to, thereby leading to her choosing Jinx over Powder. She can't go back to being Powder. After all, "she fell down a well".)

Not only does the card refer to relationships with others, it also speaks to self-love and respect. To what extent do accept your identity and the value you offer the world? (I doubt Vi has any self-love and respect left, which is really sad. Her self-worth was already damaged in childhood; "I grew up knowing that I'm less than them. That my place is down there." This feeling of worthlessness was only exacerbated by her time in prison, where she was beaten senseless by the gaurds on a regular basis. You can tell by the way she carelessly throws herself into danger that she doesn't believe she's of any value except for being her sister's protector.)

The card encourages you to be mindful of when you look at other people and wish you were more like them. "Understand that if you can recognize these traits in others, it is because you have them within you." (In other words, what you perceive in others is a way for you to recognize your own strengths. Vi looks at Caitlyn and sees this amazingly kind, good-hearted and empathetic person. But what she doesn't realise is that she has these qualities as well. Caitlyn even points it out: "Despite it all, I can tell. You have a good heart ". Despite her constant cynicism towards Caitlyn, this quality still managed to shine through, enough for Caitlyn to notice it. My hope for next season is to see Vi get in touch with her tender side again after having to be tough for so long.)

If the Lovers Reversed shows up in a reading, you might face a tough choice with significant consequences (Vi faces the ultimate choice in the now infamous "tea party" scene, where Jinx presents her with the question: "Where should I sit? That's your choice, really." But what Vi doesn't expect is the way she has to answer that question: by choosing whether or not to kill Caitlyn.)

Instead of making a decision based on your values, you feel tempted to cut corners. (Vi tries to evade the dilemma by suggesting that they leave together. Nevertheless, this only makes the situation worse by riling up Silco.) The Lovers Reversed encourages you to reconsider and choose the path most in alignment with your values - no matter how difficult it might be (this might be a hint to Vi letting go of any prospect of a having a normal relationship with her sister again)

Lastly, this card can also suggest inner conflicts and being at war with oneself, rather than with external forces. You may be punishing yourself for something you have done or consider yourself responsible for. (Vi clearly has an extreme sense of guilt. She was the big sister that was in charge of taking care of her siblings, and when it came to it, save Vander. Even though there are several factors at blame, she feels responsible for the death of her family and her sister's poor mental health. Not only that, she also feels guilty for not being able to support Ekko and Powder in the time following that fateful night. It must eat her from the inside out: If I just hadn't gone through with the heist, none of this would have happened. Why did I have to hit Powder? Why did I have to call her a jinx? I have no one left, and it's all my fault. I'm the real jinx.

Now, let's take a step back and see what the running theme is here. Considering each of the three meanings her name represents, it's easy to see: Vi is the human embodiment of the heart. And love is the force that drives her. Nevertheless, sooner or later she's going to flatline. A heart must both give and receive blood for it to continue beating.

From what we've seen, there is NO DOUBT that Vi is able to give immense amounts of love; it's literally permanently tatooed onto her. But the question remains; will she be able to let herself receive it?

Sources:

fnp.com

numerology.com

biddytarot.com

[thefloatingstone]

In 2012 I did not think I’d be able to make this list as I was convinced anime was on a permanent decline towards nothing but trash, but I am so happy that has changed! And so I give you a quick list of;

Favourite Anime made in the last 4 years!

Mob Psycho 100 (2016)

A no brainer, really. With a 2nd Season having JUST premiered earlier this week, MP100 is easily one of not only best LOOKING animes in a very very long time, but also one with an extremely strong empathetic message that’s completely opposite to most shounen anime. The theme of “having outrageous powers doesn’t make you any more or less special and important than any other human being” and how all the villains in the show are people, either super powered or not, who believe themselves “more important” than others is at the heart of its story. And our protagonist who is a person with horrifically strong powers, but who is trying to develop as a human being, and finds himself to be a rather emotionally brittle person who relies very heavily on others for emotional support. As well as focusing on the people willing to grant him that. It’s got some strong influential roots in the Earthbound and Mother 3 games and despite never saying anything along those lines, I can bet you anything the original Mangaka, ONE, drew heavy inspiration from their tone and presentation, as well as emotional core despite the oftentimes wacky setting.

The anime should also not be overlooked for its incredible Sakuga sequences, as well as using mixed media in its animation from pencil drawings, to paint of glass, to charcoal to sand, cementing it as easily one of the most visually interesting and ambitious shows in the last decade or so

Made in Abyss (2017)

An anime that understands concepts of Scope and Scale and manages to bring what is normally reserved for feature films to an episodic storyline. Made in Abyss’ entire theme and story is that of exploration of the unknown and everything in this anime’s power is honed to bring across that feeling. Its art direction headed by Osamu Masuyama whose previous work include working on the background art for both Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, is painstakingly rendered to bring as much gravitas to the setting as possible, aided by the soundtrack written by Kevin Penkin which is just as much atmospheric as it is musical in nature. Every ounce of talent is focused on making Made in Abyss’ world, culture and characters feel solid and real. And unlike other anime with cutesy art styles but dark subject matter, Made in Abyss’ darker tone is established right in the first episode and gradually builds to its first season’s climax, rather than blindside its audience out of nowhere.

I sincerely cannot sing this show’s praises enough.

It also doesn’t hurt that the animation itself is fluid and lively.

Re:Creators (2017)

When I gave this to an animator friend of mine, one who is NOT as big a weeb as I am, he referred to it as “if Ready Player One actually knew what it was doing.” Re:Creators is one of a trend of some anime where the narrative is extremely meta in nature, but rather than use this as a form of parody, Re:Creators instead focuses itself on using its meta storytelling to shine a light on Japanese popular media as a whole, both from the side of the creators who MAKE such things, as well as the side of the fans and not only their response to media, but their interpretation and addition to popular media. And unlike the more critical approach several horror anime have taken in the past, Re:Creators also shows the positive effect stories in the form of anime, video games, manga etc both on those who read it as well as those who create it. And show how fan creations and their responses and reaction to media are just as important and enriching to works like this as the very people who create them.

It’s also one of the first shows from any country that correctly portrays what online fan culture is like. Both good AND bad.

Erased (2016)

HOO BOY. The Big Guns. Most mainstream anime set in a modern setting inevitably seem to involve high school or at least characters who are high school aged. Erased, however, deals with a protagonist who is 28 years old. Due to time travel shenanigans, he is transported back to 1989 when he was 11 years old growing up in Hokaido. So already, this anime is complete skewing the generic setting for stories of its type, further hammered in by the fact that the show has no romantic subplot in it. There might be a smidge of something like “preteen romantic feelings” among the children but as far as “female hero the protag is going to fall in love with at the end” goes? Yeah there’s none of that.

Erased is an extremely dark anime, but not in the way Made in Abyss is dark. Whereas Abyss’ dark tone comes from things like getting eaten by monsters and body horror caused by the Abyss’ curse, the dark theme of Erased on the other hand is much more horrifying as it comes from “reality”. And it’s because of this I WILL have to warn people about its plot points because it WILL and DOES get uncomfortable.

The plot of Erased is our 28 year old protagonist gets hurled back in time to when he was 11 years old in Hokaido, as I said. In the winter of 1989 there were a string of child abductions and murders, and it’s up to our main character, again in his 11 year old body, to solve these crimes to prevent a tragedy in modern day. Not only does the show deal with the very uncomfortable topic of child abduction and murder, but a MASSIVE part of the plot revolves around the would be murder victim, Hinazaki Kayo, who is living with her physically abusive mother. And unlike shows like “Magical Girl SITE”, the abuse is not shown as “suffer porn” and blown up to be so over the top in how bad it is, ut is instead extremely grounded and feels waaaay to real to the point of being very upsetting. However, the abuse is not there to make the audience sad. The abuse is in the plot to further press upon the audience the borderline helpless state our main character is in. As a child, he has to rely on his experience and ability to think like an adult to try and prevent the serial murders, as WELL as try and get Hanazaki out of her abusive situation. It also serves as a learning experience for our main character, and him figuring out how he hasn’t changed at all since he really was a child, and how his own stagnation in life itself needs to change and be redirected. The show is bursting with tension and every episode exists to turn the stakes up just a little bit higher.

I’ve heard some people are extreme disappointed by the show’s ending which I will not spoil, but personally going into it completely blind, I didn’t find any of it to be a let down and its very quickly become one of my favourite anime of all time.

The Ancient Magus Bride (2017)

(I actually don’t like the intro to Ancient Magus Bride so it only gets a link since I can only embed 5 videos)

https://youtu.be/KuZbmLLv1vM

Based on a manga by Kore Yamazaki, who has stated that her reason for writing the story was out of frustration that in “Beauty and the Beast” type stories, the beast always turns back into a human at the end. However this anime is far more than just a monsterfucker’s romance novel (although it... DOES follow a LOT of those tropes but hear me out.)

Set in the English countryside (although our female MC, Rise, is herself Japanese) the show makes heavy use of english folklore. Faeries are a constant presence throughout the show, and these are not the “nice” kind of faeries you’d see in Disney. Despite theyr good nature and honest want to help, these are the kinds of faeries that will kidnap you to their realm if you so much as let your guard down. We also have excellent portrayals of Titania, the queen of the faeries, and her heated relationship with her husband Oberon. Several other creatures from folklore make an appearance too, as well as old traditions such as faerie rings, seeing stones and the magical properties of herbs and flowers.

But beyond all of that, and even beyond the romance tropes or monster protector who is also a threat and powerful lead female who also needs protecting, the core theme of the show is on life. Or more specifically, death. Rise is a girl who is suicidal. And despite her not making any kind of suicide attempt in the show, this is a fact. The majority of the show is focused on Rise learning to “be alive” again, as well as process what life is, as well as what death is in its many forms. The show is a slow build of Rise reclaiming her will to live, not because of a romantic partner, but for herself. Reclaiming her own importance as a person removed from who she could be useful towards, and a slow coming to terms with a truly terrible event in her past and letting go of a traumatic past.

The show has some pacing issues here and there, but I still qualify it as one of the better modern anime shows to have come out in years, and can only praise its life-affirming message it’s trying to tell.

Osomatsu-San (2015)

I am.... not entirely sure how to explain Osomatsu-San.

Based on a manga published in the 1960s by Doraemon Creator Fujio Fujiko about 6 identical sextuplet brothers and their friends... the current and newest anime adaptation has borderline nothing to do with its original incarnation which was more your typical Showa era “hi-jinx” type gag manga. I think the very first episode of Osomatsu-San (which is not available for official purchase last I checked due to copyright issues) sets up the entire show perfectly, as the 6 boys and their friends learn they have a new anime adaptation coming up and realise that nobody in the modern age will want or even understand Showa era manga. So, instead, in an effort to be like “a real anime” they go about parodying literally every popular trope and show that’s out at the time. From yaoi-incest baiting to Jpop boy band to Attack on Titan to Sailor Moon, they keep cranking up the “modern anime” aesthetic until it literally explodes and collapses in on itself. And after realising they don’t have what it takes to compete in a modern anime word, the characters resign themselves to being losers who will never achieve anything in life.... and that’s where the show starts.

I can only refer to the show as “Millennial humour: the anime.”. 90% of it is just comedy with our 6 main characters who are, at their core, pretty terrible people. However, their issues and struggles of trying to be adults make them some of the most relateable anime characters out there. The show bounces from parodying popular culture both in anime as well as in movies to outlining the problems of trying to be a late 20-something year old in modern society to actual hard hitting drama that actually makes you angry because how DARE this stupid show actually make you FEEL things???

It’s borderline impossible to try and explain this show because, just like its 6 protagonists, it doesn’t seem to have any direction in its life. Which is exactly the point.

[eurosong]

Undo my ESC - semi-final 2

Hey there, folks. Last week, I published the first part of “Undo my ESC”, a look at semi-final 1 where I took the entrants and made óne change, either minor or drastic, to make the competition better in my eyes. I didn’t need to take out my time-travelling tippex too much for the generally stellar first semi-final, but semi-final 2 is a different kettle of fish altogether. There are a few songs I don’t want to change at all but must, but a lot of songs could do with changing. As always, this is just mý take on things and written light-heartedly. (Some people always unfollow the few times I publish entries relating to my opinion - to those folks, I say, skip the read.)

Norway – We could scarcely get off to a worse start for my tastes, as this unwelcome return is a composite of so many elements that make me cringe – the music, which sounds like a jingle for a new version of Supermarket Sweep; the painfully ironic title “That’s how you write a song”; the lyrics which are nigh beyond parody for their triteness; the cheesier-than-feta visuals and choreögraphy. Nothing really lit up my world in this year’s MGP, but I would have preferred the runner-up, the new Wallmann song or even (for the sake of a guaranteed belly laugh in the final) Scandilove over this abomination.

Romania – From a song being hotly tipped to one, in the death spot, which many people assume will lead to the end of Romania’s qualification streak. Personally, I increasingly enjoy this unloved song quite a lot. It has a personal poignancy and resonance with me, reminding me of conversations with friends lost to suicide or prolonged self-destruction, trying to reach out and help them see the beautiful things in this world. There’s not much I’d change – but since Voltaj were able to do well with a bilingual version, inserting some Romanian would be my little alteration.

Serbia – I was so excited to see the return of Beovizija, and it didn’t disappoint, with a very varied show including wild dances, poignant ballads and the funkiest jazz-rap I’ve heard since Digable Planets, and áll in Serbian. As is often my jinx, most of my support went to the eventual runner up, Pesma za tebe, a gorgeous bit of Balkan blues which I prefer a lot more than the Zajdi zajdi ripoff colliding with a dance mix that ended up besting it. I would send the flawless Saška Janks instead.

San Marino – Trust San Marino to veer into the world of national finals for a bit of credibility, only to make the selection process as risible as possible. I see some value in Who we are, because the combination of its rip-off of Heroes’ chorus, the robots, the dramatic with a capital D hand gestures and the rap make me laugh hysterically. But there were far better songs – Out of the twilight being very reasonably the fans’ favourite, but a bit by the numbers for me. I actually would give the nod to IROL. People say that San Marino doesn’t have enough performers to be competitive but 8 Sammarinese artists signed up to 1in360 and they eliminated all but him. Rap turns off a lot of Eurofans almost automatically, but it would have been heart-warming for a local artist to win such a mercenary NF system.

Denmark – I suppose, if for nothing else, Denmark deserve some props for consistency. How can a country that brought us such mould-busting entries as Disco-Tango, Fra Mols til Skagen and Dansevise be so consistently bland for several years? I don’t dislike Higher Ground, but it feels like an empty attempt to create a tune for a soundtrack for a hokey straight-to-video movie. I’d improve it by translating it into Old Norse.

Russia – On the one hand, I’m glad Russia stuck to their promise to Julia to bring her back for 2018. On the other hand, I disliked Flame is burning, and hate I won’t break even more (except for the hilarious “becoming a mountain” scene at the end of the music video) and so, if I had the liberty, would go back to 2017 and avoid the provocative gambit that led to her having been selected. If not, I would simply give her a song to sing in Russian as she seems rather more confident with her mother tongue.

Moldova – My word, talk about picking one of the worst songs out of a generally terrible selection. Moldova’s song this year is an infernal throwback to the darkest days of the contest. Its dirty trumpet riff pulsates like a bad headache as the most awkward ménage-à-trois partners this side of the Volga plough their way through some bizarre lyrics. I don’t want to subject myself to listening to the Melodie pentru Europa finalists again, but I’m sure I remember there being something better…

Netherlands – It says something about both this year and the artistry of Waylon that even one of my lesser favoured tracks amongst those he presented for consideration is amongst my top anyway. I’ve come to love Outlaw in ‘em as one of the few upbeat tracks that make me want to dance rather than make me deeply irritated, and I love the lyrical message of everyone finding the strength to be their own person and stand up for themselves. However, I lóve the melancholy and yet equally rousing Thanks but no thanks even more and would have picked it for ESC.

Australia – Four years after their supposedly one-off participation in the contest, and a year after they were sent into the final by the juries despite rightfully getting slated by the public vote, Australia are still here, somehow. There was word of them organising a national final, which could indeed have been an interesting show. Instead, they’ve gone with something so bland that it is nigh offensive, crowned by lyrics that are merely a string of platitudes. When Australia have such a rich musical scene, it’s a crying shame to send something so generic.

Georgia – I’m delighted that Georgia is sending its first song fully in their language, thus overshadowing the couple of lines in Georgian at the start of the hideous I’m a joker several years ago. It’s very authentic and showcases both beautiful vocals and great musicianship. My one worry is that it may seem a bit one-note to some people and fail to qualify – I might try to make a bit more contrast between the verses and chorus.

Poland – A cut-price Alexander Wallman with his cringey uncle behind him throwing shapes whilst pretending to mix, to the musical backdrop that sounds like a knockout coke advert jingle. Not really a recipe for success in my eyes, but somehow this won the Polish national contest. This is background music at best, like much of the songs in Krajowe Eliminacje this year. The only one that didn’t just bleed into those surrounding it for me was Ifi Ude’s Love is stronger; not typically my cup of tea, but a very striking composition and, in my eyes, the most likely of the entire selection to stand out.

Malta – Whilst Denmark provide a heady dose of beigeness from the north, Malta compete with them in the generic national selections stakes from the south. And how can a country where English is spoken natively alongside Maltese consistently come to the contest with criminally, almost laughably bad lyrics, like that of the winner, Taboo? I’d pick Song for dad over it – at least its lyrics were simple but earnest.

Hungary – I’ve come to really enjoy Viszlát nyár, the raw and emotional lyrics and performance and the big personalities of the lads in AWS, especially Aron and Soma trolling Wiwibloggs a few days ago! I do think there were potentially better picks, though – notably Azt mondtad and, for something also on the heavier side, Nem szól harang.

Latvia – This is a hard one. I really do love the sultry yet pensive Funny Girl and can see why Latvia were wowed by Laura’s convincing performance. It is one of my favourites this year – but I must admit to loving Madara’s Esamība even more for its delightfully ethereal feeling that never fails to send shivers down my spine.

Sweden – It’s long become a tradition for me to see a song or songs in Melodifestivalen that I wóúld have considered in my top 10 had it won, but instead it loses to something completely odious for me. Even in this pretty poor year, there were a few songs I think were a lot more interesting, like Dotter’s “Cry”, the woefully undervalued veteran Kikki’s “Osby Tennessee”, but I think my change would be for the runner up to take the winner’s place. Felix Sandman’s poignant Every single day has outperformed the ungodly Bieber-Timberlake hybrid that spawned Dance you off in the Swedish music charts, and I truly do thing it was a case of the better song being bested by the flashier show.

Montenegro – Inje was by far the best of Crna Gora’s short but sweet national selection, and I am over the moon that the country is returning to what has best served it at Eurovision and bringing back the Balkan ballad style that recent years have been sadly bereft of. There is really little I would change, but I’d want to ensure an eye-catching presentation that brings the story of the song to life as well as the music video did.

Slovenia – My initial reaction to Slovenia’s song was “hvala ne” (no thanks.) I found it really obnoxious on first (and second, third, etc) listen – I am really no fan of songs that have no real chorus. Over time, I’ve come to enjoy it as something rather different to the field, but I still would send the stirring V nebo instead.

Ukraine – I know Mélovin has many fans, but his song does little for me. It’s a low-key attempt at an anthemic song that doesn’t really get off the ground for me. That is not helped by the fact that you can (and we have!) asked a few dozen people to listen to it and because of his alien pronunciation, get a few dozen different “interpretations” of the original Mélovinese lyrics. The funky, soulful, playful, melancholy and yet still upbeat Lelja getting pipped to the selection was one of the biggest robberies of the entire year for me!

And the automatic qualifiers in this round:

France – I really do like “Mercy”. Great storytelling, musically very well produced and “Madame” has a lovely voice. The quality of France’s return to national finals, though, was such that it was not my favourite. I think the even more French flavoured efforts that were the heartbreaking, spellbinding, classic Tu me manques and Lisboa, Jerusalem were even better picks. I also loved the almost psychedelic feel of Ciao. Keep this standard up next year, mes amis !

Germany – Well done to Germany for jettisoning the absolutely torturous national final procedure they had last year, where they eliminated two people off the basis off completely unrelated covers and then we heard the same two songs performed over and over again for the rest of the night by 3 people. However, there was not a great leap in terms of quality to match. I preferred “You and I”, but Michael Schulte’s was probably the best song on the night. I fear could be easily forgettable amongst 25 other songs. My change would be to try to make the choruses a little more dynamic.

Italy – Italy hardly ever put a foot out of step at this contest, and that’s in part thanks to the grand tradition that is San Remo, which has even more prestige than ESC itself in the country. There were dozens of great songs in San Remo, but Non mi avete fatto niente, an effecting song with a very strong message, was one of the best for me. My only worry is that the frenetic, breathless pace seems to alienate some listeners – if I had to make a change (as is the premise with this conceit), I may cut one or two repetitions of the chorus and slow down the thunderous, impactful but perhaps sometimes alienating delivery of words just a tad. So those were my thoughts on how I’d change this year’s ESC if I had to make one change. I’m intrigued at what other folks would come up with in this scenario, too!

[arcane-ish]

I don't think that any of what he says is ill meant or that unreasonable within the world they live in. However Vander strikes me as a typical example of somebody accidentally saying things that are too broad and that have a chance of really sticking with a child.

Most notably:

whatever happens, it's on you.

and

Protect the family.

Again, when Vander said this it's not like he predicted that Jinx would become a violent murderer or that he was going to "die" shortly after as far as Vi is concerned and so he is accidentally giving her a deathbed mission.

The thing about Vander and Vi is:

1.) We know how Vi has internalized and understood what he taught her because she has a dream sequence where he talks to her and tells her "She still needs you. They all do."

2.) Even within the relatively tight real estate of Arcane's season 1, they find time for two different characters pointing out that Vi is blaming herself too much. First Ekko:

Vi: I should have been there. For you. For everyone. Ekko: That's a good way to drive yourself crazy.

Then Caitlyn:

Caitlyn: What happened to her, it's not your fault.

So even within this short timeframe two different characters are picking up on Vi taking on too much guilt and feeling too responsible for others. Kind of suggesting that the way Vi is acting is kind of unhealthy, that she is putting the needs of others too much ahead of her own needs and not looking out for herself enough.

Basically, think of a world where Vander's last words to Vi had been not "Protect the family" but "Try to be happy/choose happiness". Or rather than "whatever happens, it's on you. " if he had said to her "I know you are under a lot of pressure, but if you don't want this kind of responsibility, I will talk to the other kids and try to alleviate the situation/I will try to put you maybe a bit more separate for them so you have more of a chance to develop a bit on your own, by yourself without the responsibility of others on your shoulder".

3.) Vander is kind of wrong? Or rather: Vander is talking to her from a "leader to leader" point of view. And it's interesting that because of this many show only fans assume that Vi is destined to become a community leader like Vander. Except, looking at League canon, there is a very high chance that that is not going to happen.

That at least for a considerable period of time Vi will choose that she would rather be a follower. She is not the boss. Caitlyn is the boss. Caitlyn is the future sheriff of Piltover. Meanwhile Vi is just the Piltover Enforcer, she per definition enforces other people's will.

Now it's possible that maybe in a different world Vi would have become a leader and it's just the fact that her only two leader missions went catastrophically wrong and got most of her family killed that maybe traumatized her away from ever wanting to take a leadership and role of responsibility on again. (personally: I think Vi taking her child brothers along for a "monsters tore apart a group of enforcers" mission kind of doesn't show the best leadership instincts, but that is besides the point)

But regardless of what could have been, at least for a considerable portion of Vi's life this will not be the path she chooses. For the foreseeable future she seems to either opt for being a lone wolf (ie attacking Sevika alone) or a follower.

Again, nothing of that translates to Vander being a horrible parent, a lot of things he couldn't possibly have foreseen and we happen to have the benefit of hindsight.

In the end it's really hard to predict what effect one's words will have with others and what words will stick with somebody else forever and which ones will be immediately be forgotten. And Vander probably got unlucky with saying some words that we can interpret as being tied into behavior that the show potentially casts as kind of unhealthy (via the words of Ekko and Caitlyn).

Twitter making me seethe so I'm comin' in hot with the mini-Vander rant. (Putting it beneath a readmore so homies that don't wanna read the seethe don't have to lmao)

Is Vi traumatized? Yes, absolutely.

Does Vi deserve to be ridiculed for the way she behaved? No, absolutely not.

Did Vander put some unnecessary pressure on her? No.

The only times we EVER see him put pressure on her (as the Older Sibling, something all older siblings face no matter class or creed) are as follows;

1. When she comes back home from blowing up a fucking apartment building in Piltover, getting chased by Enforcers, and setting the entire city into a frenzy that VERY VERY well could have gotten all four of them killed.

2. When she talks about wanting to incite another civil war between Piltover and Zaun because she's a sixteen year old and all sixteen year old's feel invincible, especially when that angry.

and 3. When he's literally saying goodbye to her.

NONE of this is unwarranted on Vander's end. Does Vi deserve sympathy? Yes. Are all of her actions entirely understandable? Yes!

But that doesn't make Anything Vander said wrong, or unfair. At sixteen you're hyper emotional, you can be irrational at times, but you're not stupid, you know better. Going to rob an apartment in a place you know PERSONALLY has a history of completely disregarding life in the undercity? Stupid.

Trying to incite a war with them with no experience in something of that scale? With no frame of reference for the degree of carnage that would follow that? Stupid.

And honestly? I don't think Vi herself would take too kindly not only to being so blatantly infantilized but also to having Vander's role as her father slandered.

Yes, it was harsh, yes, it's a lot of pressure. But she wasn't doing something silly like egging someone's house, she was risking their lives. Sometimes it takes a heavier hand to get a point across, especially to someone as passionate and driven as Vi.

[seriouslyhooked]

Wedded Bliss and Asterisks (A Modern CS AU) Part 3/?

Emma Swan is an enemy of love who just happens to be an up and coming wedding dress designer. She’s convinced that a fairytale kind of romance is nowhere in her future but when she meets Killian Jones, whose magazine is covering the opening of her new boutique, things change. Suddenly Emma finds herself drawing up new plans for her life, ones that seem to all be leading towards her own form of wedded bliss. Rated M.

Part One Here, Part Two Here.  Also on FF Here.

A/N: Alright all, good news on two fronts. Number one we have both POVs this week. I know, crazy! But more than that this is the chapter where circumstances align and Emma and Killian finally introduce themselves so take that, slow-burn! Just kidding the slow-burn is still real, nevertheless, expect cute awkwardness and my usual overwhelming fluff. Thank you all for reading and let me know what you think!

While Emma would never wish for less success in her work, she had to admit after a few days of off-hours that she was beginning to feel the strain of launching a new business. The past few days had been so busy that she’d not only had to stay late every evening, but go in early as well. It was exhausting for obvious reasons, but Emma knew she might have been able to bear the work load better if she didn’t have a sense of missing out.

Three days away from her normal routine meant three days of not seeing the man on the train, and as sad as it was to admit, that lack of his presence actually affected her mood. Emma would never confess that out loud (because it was embarrassing to say the least), but her largest grievance wasn’t the constant things needing her attention or the inability to walk away from the store at a decent hour, it was that she was being denied her chance to see him.

Today, however, Emma successfully managed to fend off early meetings and she was riding her usual train. All morning she’d been bubbling with excitement despite how foolish that was, but it couldn’t be helped. It felt like this big wonderful thing and Emma decided to let herself have this. If hot guy was going to relieve some of the tension she’d found at work, so be it. Everyone had their vices, right?

There was only one problem: the train this morning was absolutely packed with very little standing room. Worst of all, Emma was surrounded by abnormally tall people. This made it impossible to see much of anything and made the already existent stuffiness of the car that much worse. Emma barely breathed the entire length of her trip (thanks to the stale odor of must, cologne, and cigarette smoke that hung about), but her real moment of ‘are you freaking kidding me right now?’ came when her stop for work finally arrived and the callous businessman beside her knocked her portfolio to the ground, sending her sketches flying everywhere.

Emma cursed as she hustled to grab everything, barely evading the other entering and exiting passengers, but she grabbed all her sketches just in time to get out before the doors closed. As she did she caught sight of someone out of the corner of her eye. Her heart picked up in that moment, but she wasn’t entirely certain it was him, and before she could see one way or the other the doors closed and the train moved on leaving a flustered and now disappointed Emma staring after it.

But unfortunately New York waited for no one, and Emma was forced thanks to the less than stellar ambiance that clung to the subway platform and the other people who were now staring at her to ascend the steps and head to work. She wove through the bustling crowds of people a little slower than usual, feeling that lingering bit of regret for having missed him, but eventually Emma resolved to get over it. She had too much going for her and too much on the line to be in this kind of funk. Besides, there was always tonight, at least if she could use this emotion for good and be productive enough to leave on time.

“There you are, and at such a more reasonable hour. How did it feel not to wake up before the sun today?” Ruby’s words were pitched Emma’s way before the door had even closed behind her but Emma couldn’t fend off her smile.

“Let’s just say I can enjoy my coffee the old fashioned way instead of injecting it like I have all week.”

Ruby grinned and waved Emma with her towards Elsa’s bakery citing the need for a team meeting, but Emma knew ‘team meeting’ was likely code for gossip and breakfast. Not that Emma minded. Both sounded like pretty good remedies to the lackluster start of her morning, and as soon as she caught sight of Elsa’s famous chocolate chip muffins Emma knew at the very least she’d get a necessary chocolate fix.  

“Okay, so as you all know we have had a fantastic first week -,” Ruby’s words were quickly interrupted by Mary Margaret.

“But we’re not jinxing anything!” Ruby smirked and clarified.

“Right. For the superstitious ones among us we are happy for this turn of events but still working hard. There’s a lot to do, but I think I’ve found a way to keep the momentum going for a bit.”

“Oh let me guess! Skywriting?” Emma asked as Elsa giggled from behind the bakery counter and posed a ridiculous idea of her own.

“A blimp?” Ruby shook her head and countered with her own lunacy.

“No, I actually found a dozen people to get the store logo tattooed on their chests and then do an interpretive dance through Times Square.” A beat past before all four friends laughed at the excessive silliness. This was typical for them; trying to out-weird the other with crazy situations that would never come to pass.

“But on the off chance those dancers fall through…” Mary Margaret prompted and Ruby regained her composure.

“In that marginal slice of possibility, my friend Belle who works at Citizen NY reached out. She’s thinking of doing a feature piece on us.”

“Citizen NY?” Emma asked, more excited than she probably should be and all her friends looked her way.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” Ruby asked.

Emma schooled her features even though she was actually really excited. Who knew? Maybe her stranger on the train would see the article and recognize her. The idea was intriguing and too exciting given the situation. She should not be subjecting herself to interviews for the sake of a man she’d never even spoken to. No, any decisions like this needed to be about the business. Hot guy couldn’t factor in.

“No problem. I just read it.”

“You – Emma Swan – read a non-fashion oriented magazine?” Ruby posed the question as if this were the single most unbelievable thing she had ever heard, but Emma merely rolled her eyes making Ruby laugh. “Anyway, yes, Belle works for them and I guess some stories didn’t pan out last minute so they’re hoping to get us in for the issue on stands the week after next.”

“Wow, that quickly?” Mary Margaret asked and Ruby nodded as Elsa jumped in with her thoughts.

“Sounds great! Any idea what kind of cake she likes? We probably want to butter up the reporters right? I made the most to die for hazelnut cream at home last night when I couldn’t sleep. I mean seriously no one could turn it down. Unless she’s allergic. Is she allergic?” Ruby and Elsa had some animated back and forth about menu planning as Emma let her more cynical tendencies rise to the surface.

“So what is she going to write about? I mean what’s the angle, other than the boutique?”

Emma knew there had to be an angle. There was no way Citizen NY was going to just come here and do a fluff piece. Everything that they wrote and published told a story, and as much as Emma loved the shop and was proud of what they were doing, outlining the basics of their vision wasn’t as captivating as the other pieces she’d read in that magazine. There needed to be something more enticing and more applicable to more people.

“We are.”

“Us?” Emma, Elsa, and Mary Margaret all parroted back.

“Yup. Picture this -,” Ruby used her hands as if she was framing the shot of a movie and let her dramatic flair take over. “We pan in on Columbia University freshman orientation. Four girls from four corners of the country, all scared and feigning otherwise, meet on the first day of move-in and realize they have three soul-sisters they never even knew about.”

Everyone laughed at that and Emma waved away the continued narrative. They all knew the story of how they’d found each other after all. It had been one of the best days of her life. She arrived at school on a scholarship she’d worked her ass off for completely ready for four more years of people not actually caring about her one way or another. Instead she found lifelong friends on the very first day and now ten years later they were all of them closer than ever. This was truly Emma’s family and she knew all of her friends felt the same way.

“So how intimate are we talking here?” Elsa asked and Emma knew that she had reasons to be somewhat wary in spite of her earlier enthusiasm.

Elsa had a high profile family, all of whom were fantastically lovely and supportive (despite the fact that Elsa, who was essentially an heiress) decided to bake cakes for a living. Even with their support, however, Elsa never wanted to reflect badly and if this was the kind of piece that would get too personal Elsa would never feel comfortable and neither would Emma though for very different reasons. Emma didn’t have a family home (okay, more like palace) in Newport to visit on holidays. She wanted nothing to do with any of the foster families she’d ever been a part of or even any of the group homes, but she also had no desire to dredge up past pains for the sake of a story.

“Belle’s cool guys. She won’t push. We have a lot of control here, control we wouldn’t have in another situation.”

Ruby looked to Emma and silently promised that this would be okay, and there was no one Emma trusted more to give her the truth than Ruby and no one who would fight harder to keep their good names protected than her friend. Emma nodded her agreement, knowing the others would follow as soon as she did. When they were all on the same page Ruby clapped excitedly and told them that interviews would happen early next week before getting called away on some store business. Mary Margaret followed close behind, but Emma lingered, wanting to savor the last of her coffee and her final five minutes of freedom before her day got hectic.

“So…?” Emma glanced up at an expectant Elsa and furrowed her brow.

“So what?”

“Did you see him this morning?” Emma willed herself not to blush and since Elsa’s smile didn’t get any wider she had to believe she was successful.

“No I didn’t.” It was impossible to miss the remorse in her voice and Elsa frowned, her hand finding her hip and a look that said she was trying to solve this problem appearing on her face.

“Well I’m sure he was just busy. There’s always tonight right?”

Emma sighed. Was there always tonight, though? Or was she coasting through her life assuming this guy would always be there? He wasn’t a sure thing, and the thought that he wasn’t permanent left this subtle ache in Emma’s chest even if it was totally mental. But for right now, Emma needed to vent her bit of regret without facing any judgment and Elsa always knew exactly how to handle those moments.

“I should have invited him to Graham’s.” Elsa looked surprised and Emma continued on. “Ruby suggested it on Monday night. She was joking, but all week I’ve been wishing that I did or that I at least said something.”

“So why haven’t you?” Emma waved her hand around in an anxious gesture.

“I don’t know, I guess I’m just…” She trailed off, hating how weak it made her sound to admit that she was terrified of putting herself out there.

“Scared?” Emma nodded.

“What if I’ve built this all up in my head, Els? What if to him I’m just some crazy woman riding the same train as him who let her imagination run away with her?”

Elsa considered that for a moment and Emma appreciated the genuine thought Elsa put into this little conference. There was no instinctive reaction. If she asked Mary Margaret, her friend would cite the need for hope and belief in love. It was a reflex for their pixie-haired friend, just like how Ruby’s reflex was to be assertive and go for it all the time. Emma didn’t work that way though. Having walls around herself purposely installed to keep people away made the idea of putting herself out there so much worse. She’d been rejected her whole childhood. The last thing she wanted was to face that again. But she couldn’t stop the little voice in her head saying she was wrong to keep away. This guy was important – this guy mattered.

“You know what I think? I think you’re never going to know unless you try, and I think life only waits so long for us to make our move. If you let fear guide you, if you hide away because the risk is too great, you could miss out on everything.”

“You’re right. Besides, it’s New York and if he ends up being terrible I never have to see him again.” Elsa laughed and agreed. Sure, Emma would have to change her train habits, but that was so doable and the past few days were the proof.

“He won’t be terrible, though.” Emma tilted her head curiously.

“How do you know that?” Elsa shrugged.

“Because I trust your gut and your gut has been talking up a storm about this guy.”

That comment helped more than Emma could say because she too had long believed in the power of her instincts. She thanked Elsa and managed to get out of there with only three muffins in hand (which when it came to Elsa and her constant need to feed people, was a rousing success). As she moved back to her showroom and into her office though, Emma realized that something was missing. Her sketch – the one of the fairytale dress. It was gone.

“Ah, crap!” Tiana looked up at Emma with concern. “Sorry I just think I lost one of my sketches on the train. You know the one I made our first day?”

“The one that would bring the coldest heart to tears?” Tiana asked and Emma gave a half smile and then nodded, prompting a sigh from Tiana. “Was it a douchebag banker or an angsty teen?”

Emma’s attempt at a smile grew to an all out grin. She loved that despite the unfortunate nature of the situation, Tiana knew the struggles of train commutes well enough to guess what had happened. She also appreciated how her friend was always able to rein things back in when other people might consider the situation a crisis.

“Banker. Definitely banker.” Tiana sighed and linked their arms.

“Well boss there’s only one thing to do.”

“Cry?” Emma offered sarcastically.

“Nope. Keep on hustling until you make another dress just as magical.” Emma laughed, knowing it would never be that easy but that Tiana was right. There were so many more things on their plate left to do. She didn’t have time to be sad, just keep moving and hoping that somehow that dress would come back to her in some form or other.

…………….

E. Swan.

Killian traced the same signature scrawled in the corner of her sketch for what was likely the hundredth time today. It was all of five letters written in script that spoke to the same artistry of the dress above it, but these ones in particular had yet to leave his mind in the span of his whole day. Hours past and it felt like every minute was filled with musings on what the E could stand for, or if a woman as graceful and beautiful as her could truly bear a last name as fitting and as perfect.

This was of course unfortunate from a strictly professional standpoint. There were a million things to do, deadlines to be met for next week’s issue to go to print, but more and more the woman on the train moved back to the forefront of his mind. Killian should have been focused on the hiring process for his necessary new writers or the upcoming party to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the magazine in a month, but just as he would make headway in any area thoughts of her returned and he found himself opening his drawer to pull out the sketch once more.

This morning had been rough, the commute was less than optimal, and it wasn’t until the very last second when his stranger was about to move off the car that he caught a glimpse of her. It was a bittersweet situation, for one second she’d been looking lovely if a little disappointed as she glanced around the train, and the next she was jostled by a careless passerby, sending her sketches into disarray. She gathered them all quickly, too soon for him to make his way across the car to help as he’d attempted to do, but as she slipped out he noticed one last drawing left behind.

Before any less-enthusiastically invested riders could trample or pick up the sketch for themselves, Killian retrieved it, finding himself amazed by the sheer volume of talent that jumped off the page. The lines were delicate but decided and Killian wasn’t exceptionally well versed in fashion, but he knew the way these sketches looked was out of the ordinary. It wasn’t dramatized like a bit of animation, but detailed. The figure and the dress itself were more true-to-life and it spoke not only to an amazing mind for dress creation, but for art as well.

So she’s beautiful and brilliant, Killian had thought to himself on first inspection and the sentiment remained all through the day anytime he let himself indulge in looking at her work.

Clearly the lady was entirely out of his league, but this circumstance of fate made Killian feel like the stars were aligning. Finally he had his in, a way to interact with her without seeming like an insane person, and he’d been anxiously awaiting the moment when the work day ended and he could rush back to the train and see her. It wouldn’t be long now but Killian was a mess to say the least. He was a bundle of nerves parading as a functioning human being, but Killian couldn’t recall ever feeling more alive than he did with this newfound hope.

After their last encounter Killian had been ready to make his move and introduce himself. Thanks to the insistence of that couple on the train and the continued outcry from his heart, he was truly determined to push past his reservations and go for it. But then she’d been missing. Three days past and Killian didn’t catch a glimpse of her. It felt like the cruelest trick of fate. Finally he was man enough to say something but the chance had slipped away. Never again. The Universe had made itself clear enough to him – there were only so many moments that could possibly be seized and he was claiming one and claiming it soon.

“Oi, Boss Man!” Killian glanced up to his doorway and found Will leaning against the door jam with his arms crossed, an amused look on his face.

“What do you want, Scarlet?” Will’s grin widened as he sauntered into the room, coming in to take a seat.

“Well aren’t you just a ray of bloody sunshine?” Killian mumbled something about his friend being a smug bastard as Will chuckled. “I’ve just come to see if you’re all right.”

“I’m fine,” Killian replied too quickly. He almost groaned aloud at the mistake. His lack of cool was going to elongate this conversation, which was the last thing he needed.

“Really? Because you’ve been – and remember as your best mate I can say this to you – a bit of a downer all week. Then this morning you’re up in the clouds. Is it a plane? A blimp? No, it’s Killian Jones, walking into interns and forgetting basic rules of shipping things to print!”

“I didn’t run into any…”

The words died on his lips as Killian recalled that he actually had. When he was walking in this morning elated from finding the picture from his mystery woman, he’d nearly trampled one of the young lads here through school. He apologized of course but as a man who prided himself on always being aware and alert, it was a dead giveaway that something was up. If that weren’t bad enough he’d also gotten mixed up on the most basic of scheduling items for the printers and Will and Tink had born witness to it. Killian’s jaw ticked as he tried to brainstorm a way to get himself out of this situation but nothing came to him.

“So are you going to tell me what’s happening or am I going to be left to assume?  You know I love a good story. Here let’s think of one right now -,”

“All right, all right. Mercy.” Killian looked up to the doorway confirming that the door was closed and then looked back to Will.

“I met someone.” Well technically that wasn’t true. He’d seen someone rather a lot and tonight he was going to meet her, or at least he hoped.

“One of Liam’s girls?” Killian immediately glanced up at his friend who seemed truly curious.

“No! And how did you know about that?” Will shrugged. “Liam told you. Of course he did. He’s bloody insane.”

“He’s uh… involved.”

Killian looked at Will and the two of them both chuckled after a moment at the understatement. Since they were boys Liam had been asserting his role as elder brother firmly, and when they lost their mother too soon that inclination only grew. He moved from brother almost to father in many ways, and that meant meddling, an awful lot of meddling.

“Well no. Despite Liam’s original wishes I’ve no need for matchmaking.”

“Because you’ve met someone,” Will countered easily.

“Aye.” Will considered for a second in silence and then understanding seemed to dawn on him.

“Is this why you’ve been riding the bloody train all the time? For a woman?!” Killian kept his face as neutral as he could though his instinct was to wince.

“I told you it’s about -,”

“Your carbon footprint. Yeah, yeah I heard you. I just didn’t believe you, mate. But a woman… well that makes so much more sense, doesn’t it?”

“You would know.” Instead of trying to deny Will sighed.

“That I would, mate.” Killian felt sorry for his friend in that moment. There was a level of defeat in his usually happy appearance that made Killian uneasy. He wished he had a way to fix this for Will.

“You realize we don’t have a rule against fraternizing, right? Technically you could see Belle and there wouldn’t be any repercussions.” Will barked out a pained laugh.

“Right, until the moment I ask and she’s mortified because I’m her boss and she’s not interested.”

“What makes you think she’s not interested?” Killian couldn’t claim that Belle was helplessly and irrevocably in love with Will, but there was certainly something there, a bond of some sort that he wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be more than mere friendship.

“What makes you think she is?”

“Tink would know. Tink knows everything. All I have to do is -,” Killian was raising his hand to press the intercom button as Will jumped from his chair.

“No!” Killian grinned. “I mean not now. There’s a lot going on. Too much to be starting something.”

Killian might have agreed with Will on that before. He’d often felt the same way, but recently it had been made clear to him that waiting wasn’t the answer. Sometimes a man just had to bite the bullet and go for it, even if the prospect of rejection was a bloody nightmare.

“We only have so many tomorrows, Will. Remember that.” Will stood up and nodded, clearly ready to take his leave.

“Thanks for that, mate. You’re a regular fortune cookie. Oh and you better hurry or you’ll miss the girl.”

Killian looked up and realized Will was right. He was later than expected thanks to this little visit and he had to get a move on. He didn’t delay anymore, wishing the people he saw on his way out a goodnight, but not tarrying any longer to discuss weekend plans or last minute details for the printers. Instead he made record time to the station and hopped on the train, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.

This is it. This is the moment. Killian thought to himself as her stop arrived but when she boarded the train he was struck a little speechless. He’d been denied the chance to truly see her in all her glory this morning, congested as the commute had been, but now he was left mesmerized, caught in the rapture of his own thoughts when he could be actually talking to her. When he realized that, Killian’s feet took a step closer and then another until he was just beside her.

“Excuse me, miss?”

The woman jumped at his words and her hand immediately flew to her chest. He could see the strain in her neck that came from being surprised, her heart rate jumping as he’d made himself known. Killian hated to think he scared her, but when her eyes caught his and he was able to see the real intricacy in those jade-colored pools those thoughts flew from his mind. All that was left was this feeling like he’d seen light for the first time in forever.

“Oh sorry. You just – I mean – uh, hi.”

The stammering from anyone else might have caused Killian to wonder what was wrong, but he could see the mirrored emotions playing across her face that he felt in his chest. Perhaps it was merely wishful thinking, but Killian swore he saw the faintest trance of a blush on her cheeks and a look like she was just as frazzled with sensation as he was. When he realized he’d been staring at her full lips and the way she got those words out for a beat too long, Killian cleared his throat and glanced back up at her eyes once more. Their impact hadn’t lessened, and it felt like a miracle he was able to get any words out at all.

“I believe you dropped this earlier.”

Killian handed her the drawing but it took her a second to tear her gaze away from him. In that moment he knew for a fact that this connection wasn’t simply one sided and his chest filled with pride. This woman saw something in him, something attractive, something worthwhile. She was guarded, a bit cool on the surface when he’d seen her from afar, but he could feel the tension between them. It promised something too delicious to describe and he was remiss when her eyes looked away until he caught on to how happy his returning the sketch would make her. Never in his life had something felt as powerful as her smile. He was consumed by it and wanted nothing more than to see her always just as joyous.

“You found it! Oh my god you are my hero, you don’t even know.”

Her fingers grazed against his as she took the picture and it was lightening to the touch. But as the car swayed a little harsher than normal around a bend, she moved forward, her hand resting on his arm to steady herself and he was done for. She blushed again and after a moment of holding onto him she apologized. Why she would ever do that, though, he couldn’t be sure. Unless of course he wasn’t as transparent as he felt and she couldn’t tell that this was the highlight of… well very possibly his entire life.

Killian knew without a doubt that the world lacked words to describe this feeling. He knew it was merely a turn of phrase, her calling him her hero, but the look of sheer relief and the happy smile on her face that lingered even after her slight embarrassment about falling into him sealed something inside of Killian. He’d long known that she was different, that there was something out of the ordinary about this beautiful stranger, but it went so far past everything he’d thought it could ever be. He was lost already, and they’d hardly said a word.

“Forgive me, love. A real hero wouldn’t solicit a favor after a good deed but I was hoping you might repay me with your name.”

The woman blinked up at him, clearly a little dazed until a humorous smirk played at her full lips. He’d never felt the urge to kiss somebody so profoundly in his life, but she was temptation in its most elevated form. Still he held back, needing her reply more than the chance to steal the press of her lips on his. No, when a kiss came, Killian decided, she would be the one to instigate it. Then, and only then, would he let his heart move as it pleased.

“Anyone ever tell you that you might be just a touch too charming?” Killian laughed at that and noticed the way her features softened when he did. She extended her hand as a means of greeting. “I’m Emma.”

“Emma Swan?” Emma looked surprised and then Killian countered. “I may have glanced at the signature there once or twice.”

“Oh, right.”  She smiled again and Killian stood there like a fool, falling into the way it illuminated her whole person. She was already arguably too gorgeous for him to handle, but like this, and with her attentions aimed at him, Emma was a force of nature.

“So are you going to tell me your name or…”

“Oh shit – right, yeah – it’s Killian. Killian Jones.”

“So not Chad?” Killian felt his brow rise at the peculiar question.

“Not to my knowledge, no. I’m relatively certain this has always been my name.” Emma laughed and the sound filled the whole car and his whole world in the process.

“Sorry. That was a weird thing to ask. It’s kind of a long story.”

Killian couldn’t help himself from raising his hand in that moment and tucking back a strand of blonde hair that had fallen from her hair tie. He watched as her eyes widened as he did it, but she never pulled away. Actually Emma inched a bit closer when his hand eventually moved away back to his side. It made retreating that much harder, but he had to be a gentleman. The last thing he wanted was to come on too strong and scare her away.

“I’ve a feeling any story of yours is worth the wait, Emma.”

Her eyes filled with something in that moment, something Killian couldn’t exactly read but there was a force behind it. Whatever Emma was feeling, it was intense, maybe even as strong as the pull that he felt to her right now. Killian wanted nothing more than to ask her what she was thinking or even to lay out all of his thoughts for her, to show her that whatever was on her mind was safe with him, but at that moment he caught the tail end of the automated voice announcing the next station.

“Maybe another time. This is kind of my stop, which means…”

“That I missed mine. Bloody hell!”

Emma laughed again as she stepped out of the train and Killian followed her. He wasn’t actually frustrated though, and he couldn’t regret that he’d messed up his usual commute, not when he’d had this chance to get to know Emma, to get to finally see her and talk to her, and to confirm what he already knew – that she was someone worth knowing and worth letting in.

“Well, thank you again for finding this,” Emma offered as she slipped the sketch inside her portfolio and Killian assumed it was her way of putting distance between them. She was ready to say goodbye even if he never would be.

“My pleasure, Swan.”

Her eyes sparkled at his use of her last name and she smiled before waving and turning away. He watched her go, wondering what a woman as intriguing as Emma might be doing for the weekend, when she turned around and offered him a final question.

“See you Monday?” Killian felt his heart skip at the prospect and the idea that Emma would be looking forward to seeing him again.

“Aye, love. I’ll be here.”

“Good.”

With that Emma turned up the steps and headed out into the world, leaving Killian standing there with a grin on his face he didn’t bother trying to conceal. The truth was he couldn’t pinpoint a happier moment in the whole of his life (even if he hadn’t asked her to dinner as he originally intended), and though it might feel like an eternity between now and Monday he was hopeful, knowing that in just a few days time he’d get the chance at seeing more of Emma and maybe getting to convince her that they might be more than strangers on a train.

That thought alone was enough to fill him with a boundless sort of energy, and Killian decided not to wait for another train but to walk the three blocks back to his apartment. And all the while his world was filled with Emma Swan and the belief that he’d finally found the person he’d been unknowingly searching for for years, a person who made his heart feel whole and the whole world seem new.

Post-Note: So there we have it. The scene has been set, the first words have been spoken, and I am surrounded by feels. It’s becoming clear to me that I needed a new story because this early phase of sketching out where to go from here and reaching all the first milestones is fantastic. I really hope that you guys enjoyed and that you can all bear with me on this slow-burn. Let me know what you think, and as always thanks so much for reading!