#LED Panel Comparison

[phantomskeep]

The Early Bird Gets The Worm - Chapter 2

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

Chapter 2 -  A Bird, a Babe, and a Butler All Walk Into a Cave

Written by @agent-sushi-fbi & myself uwu

Read it on AO3 here!

Masterpost | Chapter One | Chapter Three

When Danny had first ventured into the darkened alleyways of this dirty city, he didn’t expect to run into some weirdo in a skin-tight black and blue suit. Fellow dumpster divers? Yeah, sure. He figured that fighting off a family of possums was normal when scrounging around for any scrap of something to fill his stomach.

He didn’t even know where he ended up honestly. Danny got a headache anytime he thought too hard about the details of where he was or how he got there or even who he was. He knew his name was Danny. He knew he was small (he had looked in a mirror, thank you, but it felt wrong somehow, like a funhouse mirror upside down) and he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to be small. But thinking about stuff like that hurt a lot–kind of like a metal fist bashing into his skull.

Danny wasn’t really sure how he knows what that feels like, yet he was sure that was the best comparison.

What he certainly wasn’t expecting at tonight's garbage dump feast was being kidnapped by a vigilante. Was it really kidnapping though if he kind of went along willingly out of pure curiosity? 

Although, man, was he glad (not that he'd ever admit it out loud) that this random vigilante decided to kidnap him tonight. After Nightwing had bundled Danny up onto his motorcycle once their meet-up with Batman was done and peeled out of the inner city of Gotham, the bird-themed hero brought him to a hidden entrance in the hills that led to a literal cave. He had watched when they pulled up as a reinforced steel panel lifted into the rocks above their head, leaving a gaping maw that Nightwing just zoomed into. Lights activated with motion sensors as they sped into a huge room that was full to the brim with gadgets and computers that lit up at their arrival. Danny could only stare in awe of how awesome and improbable it all seemed.

Seriously, how crazy were these Fruit Loops?

The man had started explaining some boring stuff about the cave when they arrived, but the massive freaking T-rex had immediately caught Danny’s eye and he stopped paying attention to Nightwing. It was like a switch was flipped, his cautious suspicion he’d been holding onto was thrown out the window, and now all that he could think about was flying himself up to the giant dinosaur and touching it. Danny was sure if you looked at his face at that moment, there was no other thought behind his eyes beyond must touch right freaking now.

Nightwing must have sensed the gremlin energy pouring off of him because next thing Danny knew, the collar of his jacket was being grabbed before he could move from his spot at the entrance. He pouted up at the man, demanding with his eyes that Nightwing let go so he could play on the dinosaur like he was a kid. But wait, maybe he should say because he’s a kid? He is a kid right, being all small? But he still wasn’t sure if that was correct. He mentally shrugged and thought: Eh, who cares? All Danny could see was shiny scales glinting in the fluorescent lights lining the cave.

And Danny? Danny was but a simple man (boy…maybe a crow?). He sees a shiny thing and must have the shiny thing.

“Danny, don't even think about it,” Nightwing intoned. He gripped Danny's jacket a little tighter and pulled him closer to the man's side. He totally did not pout at being squished into the vigilante. One hundred percent, no siree. No pouting here.

“Think about what? What are you thinking that I'm thinking?” Danny shrugged, acting casual while his eyes flitted back and forth between the vigilante and dinosaur. “There's no thoughts going on up here, I can promise you that.” He knocked on the side of his head to prove his point, but Nightwing looked unimpressed.

“Master Nightwing, I presume you brought this child back to the cave for medical attention?” Danny's nose bunched in confusion as he heard another, older and British, voice enter the chat. He turned his head around, looking for the source and spotted an older guy in a butler outfit paired with a mask, much like Nightwing’s, appear around the corner.

“Agent A! Good timing!” Nightwing jovially responded, yanking Danny around like he weighed nothing (shut up, he was a BIG MAN!) and presented him like a scrungly, dumpster-infested gift to Agent A. Danny crossed his arms and attempted to sit criss-cross while hovering in the air in response. He hoped it showed both men how displeased he was being carried around like a kitten.

Agent A only raised a single eyebrow, humming as he set down the tray he had been holding on a nearby table. Danny felt a little awkward at the look, like the man was able to be disappointed in him for nearly trying to be a brat and was waiting for Danny himself to realize it. 

“Hmm, well Master Nightwing, would you be so kind as to introduce the young Mister to me?” Agent A's attention (thankfully) shifted to Nightwing and Danny huffed a near silent breath in relief. 

Danny shifted uneasily, eyeing the new person. “How do I know you’re not some sort of government spy trying to steal my spleen?”

Nightwing let out a tired sigh, patting Danny’s greasy hair with his free hand. “This is Danny, he’s in need of some medical attention like you said. Starting with an attitude adjustment, I think.”

The young boy spluttered, smacking away Nightwing’s gloved hands. His feet dropped to the ground as he glared up at the vigilante who had finally decided to let him go. “I am perfectly fine, thank you very much! You’re the one who kidnapped me, so what kind of attitude should I have in the first place?”

“You came with me willingly!” Nightwing cried out, throwing his arms over his head in exasperation.

“You bribed me with sandwiches! I see no sandwiches here!” Danny rebutted, tilting his chin up and moving around like he was towering over Nightwing (he decided it was best to ignore his current height).

“Danny, you’ll get your sandwiches after Agent A and I check you over--”

“You’re a dirty liar and I hope you know that I will haunt you in your nightmares.” He squinted his eyes at Nightwing and Danny made a mental promise to himself to follow through with the threat…whether he knew how to do it or not. He would figure it out though if he didn't get the food he was supposed to be shoving in his mouth right about now.

Nightwing just sighed, bringing a hand up to rub the bridge of his nose. “Okay, kiddo. Whatever you say, I'm too tired to argue.” Danny pumped a little fist in the air at his win.

A small cough caught the quarreling black-haired duo’s attention. They both shifted their gazes back to where Agent A was watching them bicker. Danny resolutely ignored how they acted in sync and shifted a few inches away.

“If it may please you, Mister Danny, while Nightwing gets you set up in the medical bay I can make you a few simple sandwiches.” The older man turned a pointed look towards the youngest present. “Are there any allergies or preferences that I should be aware of?” When Danny shook his head negatively, Agent A turned to leave for…wherever he had spawned from before.

“Thank you, A.” The vigilante called to his retreating back before starting to herd Danny over to a well-lit corner of the literal freaking cave with actual bats. He still couldn’t get over it.

Danny glared up at Nightwing, eyebrows scrunched in a face of pure childish pout. “I would like to state that I am doing this under heavy protest.”

“Duly noted.”

The medical bay was stocked full of random bits and bobs of probably important looking equipment. From IV lines to a full x-ray machine, Danny had to take a moment and question just how loaded these guys must be to have this stuff at the ready. None of this looked second-hand or even well-used to his untrained eyes, though he couldn't remember if he really had much of a reference for this stuff. As he was ushered onto a cot, Danny couldn’t help the shiver of fear involuntarily creeping up his spine as he sat down.

Watching Nightwing move around brought a thin feeling of panic racing through his veins. The sterile smell, brightly unadorned walls, and the constant hum of devices plugged into every outlet. There was a mayo cart near the end of the cot he sat on, not much on it but Danny couldn’t tear his eyes away from the larger-than-they-should be tweezers and the forceps peeking out from under the sheet covering it. 

“Alright, Danno, we’re just gonna check you over real quick,” Nightwing told him, bustling around the small space comfortably. Danny felt like he couldn't breathe at the nickname for some reason he couldn’t recall. But that wasn't right? Because he was pretty sure he didn't have to breathe, which is wrong because a human should be breathing, right? He raised a shaky hand to his chest and yep, it was definitely not moving. Danny had stopped breathing at some point without realizing and it wasn’t affecting him, which was weird. But he still hadn't stopped watching the gleaming silver taunting him as though the instruments would start moving on their own towards him. So, he couldn’t bring himself to care about his own unnaturalness. “Now, I'm not the one with a history of medical care and knowledge. I know more than most. but I’ve only got enough in this old noggin for some basic first aid. Agent A will be the one actually looking you over in a bit.”

Nightwing continued to chatter on, but Danny couldn't bring himself to focus on his words until the man stepped in front of the instruments, blocking them from Danny’s line of sight. He sucked in a sharp breath for the first time in minutes, but Nightwing didn’t act like he heard him as he reached over to remove Danny's jacket. 

“Now, real quick I'm just going to do a surface check,” Nightwing rubbed Danny’s hands between his own rapidly. “Jeez kid, you're like an ice cube! We'll get you some warm clothes after we make sure you don't have any injuries. I'm gonna look for any bruises or cuts or anything broken so I can bring it to A's attention. Okay?”

Danny didn't respond. His eyes had started scanning the room and landed on a tiny centrifuge on the counter a few feet away. It looked off, it wasn't spinning at least, but the sight of it caused questions to blur in his mind. Were they going to take his blood? Why would they do that? Lots of reasons he knew, but couldn't name a single one. Why couldn’t he think of them? Would anything happen if they did take his blood? Why was he worried? Was there something that Danny should know, should remember, that he just couldn't? It was important, it had to be important! They were important, they were terrifying, they were his everything, they were his end–!

He felt his mind screech to a sudden halt, narrowing in on the blinking red light of the power button. The centrifuge just taunted him innocently as his mind panicked. Danny felt his chest going up and down, but his lungs still felt empty while his heart beat so fast he could feel it in his throat. He could hear his own heart beating. 

What if he was some kind of monster behind his memories? What if Nightwing and Batman arrested him, handed him over to someone? No, no, no! He couldn't let them! He couldn't go back, not to that place or to them--they hurt him, there was no way he'd go back! Danny refused to be sent back to the—!

Suddenly his thoughts stopped. Danny felt light-headed, all of his questions still swimming in his mind, but not as loud. He felt…calmer, but not at the same time? Who was he thinking of? What was he about to remember?

“Danny? Danny, bud, you alright there? It's not normal for you to be so quiet.” A voice spoke next to him, low and anxious but Danny's mind didn't really register it was Nightwing. He just sat there, his limbs heavy and eyelids sinking in exhaustion. He's not sure why he's suddenly so tired, but he felt his mind drift to the thought of flying through the skies with a blue shape holding onto him tightly–laughter chasing them in the wind.

********************************

To say Dick was panicking would be an understatement…He was absolutely losing his shit. One minute, Danny was perfectly fine (if a little bit nervous) but the next he was dissociating and hyperventilating! But without the very important part where he breathes! His little chest was moving up and down rapidly, but there didn't seem to be any air coming in or out of the boy.

“Danny? Danny, bud, you alright there?” Dick smiled, hoping it was a bit comforting. “It's not like you to be so quiet.” He spoke in hushed tones, but hoped that his goading brought the boy back to his former spunk for even a moment and snap him out of his altered mental state. When he got no response out of it though, which worried Dick even more. 

When Danny’s eyes had rolled back into his head and he passed out, just as Dick was reaching out for him? He felt his heart stop. But when Dick barely managed to catch the small boy before he fell off the cot? That was the final straw. He quickly cradled Danny in his arms and faced the main portion of the cave.

“Agent A! I need your help, come quick!” 

A hurrying of footsteps alerted him to Alfred arriving, but after calling out for assistance, Dick's eyes never left Danny’s face. There was a clatter as Alfred hastily dropped the sandwich tray he had been carrying onto the counter, the older man stopping next to Dick with a distraught expression. “What has happened here?”

“I don’t know, one second he seemed fine and then he just stopped talking!” Dick reached a hand up to gently cradle Danny’s small face, turning his head up to look at his pseudo-grandfather. “I tried asking him a question and he just passed out all of a sudden.”

With a quick nod, Alfred took Danny from his arms and laid him down on his side. Dick couldn’t help but notice just how small the boy looked laying on the adult sized cot. His breathing was short and shallow–nothing like how it was supposed to be when someone was sleeping restfully.

“Get the oximeter set up on him, lad. We’ll need to take his temperature and get a baseline.” With a determined nod, the young man set off to do just that. As he clipped the small, child-sized plastic equipment Bruce kept in the med bay for whatever reason, Dick couldn’t help but run through what had happened prior to him absconding with Danny to the top of Wayne Tower. Did he notice anything wrong with the kid besides the obvious? Did Danny act like he was protecting a wound of any kind while they spoke? He had no idea, but he sure was some detective for not noticing. Dick scoffed at his own thoughts and rushed back to Alfred.

“Was there anything that might have happened to cause any kind of head injury to the young lad?” Alfred questioned as he slipped a thermometer under the unconscious boy’s tongue. He held it there, never looking away from his patient as he questioned Dick. “Any symptoms of a fever or cough that may indicate he is sick or suffering from an underlying issue?”

Dick shook his head, impatiently waiting for the oximeter to give him something. When it continued to show nothing, he felt his heart sink. “Not anything I was there for. The kid was dumpster diving when I found him…looking for food.” He closed his eyes, trying to recall what exactly had happened earlier that night. “He kept swaying around when I got close to him though, like he was exhausted or something but trying not to show it.”

Alfred hummed, pulling the thermometer from Danny’s mouth as it beeped a cheery tune. “His temperature is not where it should be, but not out of the question with the weather and how thinly he is dressed.” The butler gave a sharp nod, depositing the used thermometer off to the side and moving towards the blood draw station. “We’ll need to perform a blood panel on Mister Danny, it’s a very high possibility that his blood sugar is low, as well.”

Dick felt his shoulders deflate, glancing helplessly between the kid he knew he was getting attached way too fast to and his grandfather. “And what if his blood sugar isn't the problem we're having here? What if something else is going on?”

Alfred's eyes softened a little around the edges, his steps a little less hurried, though still confident nonetheless. “Then that is simply one diagnosis we will be able to remove from the realm of possibility. Now, please help me get Mister Danny cleaned up a bit. I daresay, we cannot have the child catching an infection from the street grime finding its way into an injection site.”

“Got it–okay.” Dick pushed his shaking hands to still as he hurried over to one of the cabinets alongside the walls. He opened the drawer housing the many rags they use in these types of situations, a box of alcohol wipes, and a small bucket he filled with water at the sink to take over to Danny’s bedside. Setting them all on the nearby mayo cart, he started gently scrubbing away the thick layer of filth coating the young boy’s arm until the skin turned near pink. Doing his best to not think about just what was happening, the vigilante cleaned up the young boy with Bat-trained efficiency.

“He’s ready,” Dick announced as he swiped an alcohol wipe repeatedly over the now-cleaned flesh. Alfred hummed as the older man wrapped a latex band around Danny’s upper arm, watching as the young boy’s veins slowly thickened with blood swelling. With a gentle precision, Alfred prodded around before reaching a hand out to press lightly above the tourniquet. Instinctively, Dick passed over a needle and syringe to him, keeping the empty tiger tubes in his palm until Alfred asked for them.

Just as the cool metal of the needle began to poke into Danny’s veins, the boy’s fist snapped out, almost knocking the empty tubes out of Dick’s hands. They were shocked enough by the response–both men startled more than they expected–that Dick found himself taking a half step back and Alfred was pulling the needle away from Danny's arm to ensure he didn't poke the boy in the wrong spot by accident. 

“Danny?” Dick called out, his surprise hurriedly making way for relief. “Oh my, Danny! You scared me–” Snarling greeted his approach and instantly stopped Dick in his tracks. His arms were held up in an aborted hug as he watched Danny inch upwards and lean forward so his weight was supported by his wrists. It couldn't have been comfortable, but Dick wasn't sure if Danny even realized as his eyes remained tightly shut–lines appearing around them that made him seem so much older than his young age was.

Danny’s noises intensified when Alfred began to move again, the needle still held tightly within his right hand. Although they didn't open during all of this, Danny's eyes were trained on the gleaming silver as though it personally offended him. Dick’s gaze flitted between the two others for a moment before he had an idea.

Lowering himself a little so he wasn't too tall in this moment, settling into a crouched position that put him eye level with Danny, Dick took a deep breath. “Alfie, I need you to take a step back for me.”

The old butler raised a brow and did not move, keeping his eyes on Danny with continuous aborted attempts to reach the child. “Master Dick, I do not know what you are planning–”

“Sorry Alf, I just need you to trust me,” he held a hand out, interrupting the butler and accepting his consequences for later. “I've got an idea, but I need you to step back a little first.”

Alfred tsked in disapproval, but did as Dick asked and the young man watched as a little bit of tension left Danny's face. “Okay okay, now I need you to slowly lower the hand that’s holding the needle.”

“Now, really Master Dick.” Alfred didn't complain, but he made his displeasure known. “This young man is now my patient, so I must treat him. Would you please allow me?”

Dick resisted the urge to sigh. He felt like right now was not the best time to be arguing, it could only lead to Danny running from them, from him. Dick didn't know how he knew that probability, but he felt it in his very bones. Every second they wasted, he knew that it would lead to Danny running as fast as his small legs would take him.

“Alfred, please, I'm asking you to trust me right now,” he begged. Waving a hand at Danny’s current state as though to prove his point. “There's something happening, and I think that we need to follow Danny's lead here. If I know grunts and growls from B, then this is an angry or scared one. We have to step back, ok?”

Alfred glanced away from Danny long enough to stare into Dick's eyes and sigh under his breath (Dick didn't actually hear the noise, but he knew it happened). But without argument, he moved his arm down slowly, never letting go of the needle–but rather just removing it from Danny's direct line of sight. The snarls didn't completely disappear, but they lowered enough in volume that he could almost say the kid sounded like an old fridge humming to life for the first time in years.

Turning to the (obviously freaked out) child in front of him, Dick put on his best showman's smile for him. “Danno, it's okay, no one will hurt you.” There was no response, not that Dick thought there would be. “No one will ever touch you again without your okay on it, is that alright?” 

A blank stare was the only reply Dick received, making his worry increase. He did his best to not show it, his smile steady and sure as he kept gently talking to the scared boy in front of him. “What’s got you all worked up? Must not like needles, huh, bud?” With the utmost caution, Dick slowly reached out a hand. When Danny’s snarling continued as before without raising in volume, the vigilante kept creeping closer and closer. “Needles are pretty scary. I used to hate getting shots, y’know? Batman would have to bribe me with ice cream to get me to do it.” Dick dropped his voice to a stage whisper as he gently touched Danny’s shaking arm. “He still has to bribe me, even if I’m not scared anymore. It gets me free ice cream, how could I say no to that?”

Alfred chuckled despite himself at Dick's words, no doubt remembering all the times he had to quell Dick's tantrums when he had to get all of his vaccinations after moving in. “It is true, Mister Danny. Master Nightwing was quite the rambunctious child and the main aggressor in Batman's multitude of gray hairs coming in early.”

Dick frowned at Alfred. He wasn't that bad growing up! But before he could protest his angelic childhood nature, he heard a quiet snort. Whipping his head back around from where he was about to defend himself to Alfred, Dick watched as the lines on Danny's face receded a bit and there was a tiny quirk to his lips.

Deciding sometimes it's better to join them than try and beat them, Dick moved forward. “Oh yeah, for sure, I was a total monster! There was this one time where Batman told me I couldn't go on patrol with him after I kept playing with Poison Ivy's plants,” Dick started in a hushed whisper, as though he were telling a secret. Danny leaned forward, his eyes still closed but not as tightly and he thought he could almost make out a sliver of color from them. “Well, I couldn't stand for that, of course! I was all of eight-years-old and totally knew better than Batman himself, so I went out anyway but in the opposite direction of his patrol. I figured if he didn't see me, he wouldn't know.” Dick shrugged casually, leaning back a bit with a faux-cocky smirk.

“How, pray tell, did that end up working out for you, Master Nightwing?” Alfred was smirking. That was never a good sign for any of them. 

Dick looked away from the old butler, keeping Danny in his peripheral as he muttered. “I slipped on some ice that Mr Freeze had left on the ground and slid into the middle of traffic. Batman got a call from Gordon about ‘an extra traffic light the city didn't authorize’ and told him to come get me.” Dick pouted remembering how Bab's’ Dad kept chuckling at him the whole time Bruce gave him a silent lecture on the police station roof. “I was grounded from everything, not just patrol, for a month. A whole month!”

A small huff of laughter caught Dick’s attention, and he could see Danny’s shoulders lower from their tense position. Dick gave a quick glance over him, checking for anything wrong, and just seeing that the little boy was much more relaxed. Within seconds his little head was lolling around like it weighed more than he could handle. Dick jumped up and grabbed hold of Danny's shoulders before he could slump over and fall off the cot. With the same amount of caution one would use to approach a rabid dog, Dick slowly laid the once again unconscious child back down. He stayed still for a few tense moments, waiting for Danny to react negatively at the change in position. When there was no aggressive movement, he breathed a sigh of relief. Turning his head to face Alfred, he spoke in a hushed tone. “Maybe we don’t draw the kid’s blood just yet.”

“Master Nightwing, we need to find out what’s wrong with the young lad.” The old butler set the needle down on a nearby table, locking covered eyes with Dick’s own. “It could be something that needs immediate treatment.”

“Is there any way we could get that information without drawing a panicked child’s blood?” Dick hissed.

Eyes narrowing in displeasure, Alfred spoke with a sharp tone. “Master Nightwing, it would do you well to remember the manners Batman and I taught you.”

Dick sheepishly looked at the ground, mumbling out an apology. “But, A, c’mon. He clearly doesn’t like needles for some reason. Why don’t we just wake him up, or do some tests that don’t involve drawing his blood?”

Alfred twisted his lips in a way only the man himself could, eyes trained on Dick who was anxiously rubbing his hands together, waiting for an answer. When Bruce wasn't here, Alfred was in charge. (Aw, who was he kidding? Alfred was always in charge, but when Bruce isn't here the arguments are a lot easier). 

“As you wish, I will view Mister Danny's current status without the transfer of biological tissue of any kind,” Alfred agreed easily, moving past Dick to properly dispose of the needle he had opened. “But I tell you this now sir, if there is an underlying health issue then I won't be able to do anything if his condition worsens in this situation. So I suggest coming up with an idea for when the young sir awakens.”

Dick nodded while feeling like groaning in misery. He barely knew the kid–how was he supposed to act as a health surrogate for this tiny child right now? The vigilante put his hands on his hips as he watched Alfred work, removing Danny's dirty outer clothing. Alfred’s facade broke for a second as he made a face at the two filthy, thin jackets covering the boy’s still covered arm and the ripped flannel around his waist. The old butler methodically cleaned every part of Danny's arms and face that were covered in dirt, and Dick watched in awe as the most adorable freckles appeared on his round baby cheeks. He needed to squish them and coo at the little boy right that second, having to use every ounce of Bat-trained restraint to not coddle the tiny human.

“Nightwing,” Dick took in a sharp breath, instinctually standing up straight. He hadn’t been expecting Bruce to be back to the Cave so soon, normally the man would stay out as late as possible on patrol. “Report, now.” Bruce's voice garnered no argument, a tone demanding answers. Dick knew that he probably had some kind of traumatic response reasoning or whatever for needing to know literally everything for a sense of control. But Dick had a traumatic response to fight at every turn when being spoken down to.

“Not now B, if you can’t tell there’s something going right now we’re a bit busy with,” Dick grit his teeth as he responded, unable to tear his eyes away from the laceration on the back of Danny’s left arm that Alfred had just uncovered. What could have made that? A kitchen knife perhaps? Dick wanted to get a closer look, but he knew he’d just be in Alfred’s way right now. “So if you could kindly fuck off until later, that would be great.”

“Language, young sir,” Alfred admonished him absently. 

Dick felt his cheeks heat up, but didn’t move from his position in the doorway where he was watching everything that happened. He didn’t want Bruce coming close to Danny. “Sorry A, my bad.”

“Nightwing,” Bruce–no, Batman–intoned. Dick wanted to ignore the man. God, did he want to just flat out pretend he wasn’t there and focus on this tiny bundle of cuteness that filled him with a strong urge to protect said bundle from any and all harm. 

But Batman was someone that couldn’t be easily ignored.

“What part of ‘not now’ do you not understand?” The younger vigilante quipped, trying to play the part of happy-go-lucky-Dick-Grayson everyone always seemed to expect from him. It was exhausting most of the time these days, but somehow easier to just fall into his assigned role than live with the anger brewing in his chest bit by bit.

“I don't have time for your remarks, Nightwing,” Batman scolded. At this point in his life, Dick can tell Bruce's frowns apart as well as he could the grunts. This was an ‘you are lucky you're my kid, otherwise I'd sock you in the jaw’ kind of frown. He didn't earn those too often, surprisingly. “You let an underaged civilian into the Cave without consulting me first. Explain your actions, now.”

Dick’s lips curled, snarling at Batman. “What I did was bring a scared, hurt little boy to a place that I knew would give him half-decent medical attention. It’s better than dropping him off at, I don’t know, Ma Gunn’s?” With an ugly type of satisfaction, he watched as the blow hit its mark. He could read Batman’s body language well enough by now to see the half-hidden wince, the slightest uptick of his shoulders. Hopefully it was enough to make Batman be Bruce for half a minute so they could have an actual conversation, rather than a screaming match.

“You're out of line, Nightwing,” Batman frowned, the creases in his mask deepening as he stalked towards Dick. A dark feeling wormed its way through Dick's chest. It was an awful thing that made him feel like a shit son for being cruel to the man who raised him, but also felt glad he could inflict just a little suffering back at Bruce for his emotionally constipated actions over the years. Dick felt sick at the words that just came out of him. “I suggest you stop now, and let me move past you.”

Dick jutted out his chin, shifting on his feet to broaden his stance and better block off the entry to the medical bay. “Absolutely not.”

The two stared each other down for a moment. Dick didn't move from his post, crossing his arms defiantly as Bruce tried to stand up to his annoyingly taller height in an act of intimidation. Too bad for him, it stopped working after the last time he betrayed Dick's trust, right before he abandoned the mantle of Robin that he had built.

“Nightwing, that was not a request but an order. Move now.” Bruce made to shoulder his way around Dick, but the younger’s lithe form moved to block him.

“I don’t care. I’m not letting you take a kid–who just fainted–out of this cave! He needs medical attention and Alfred’s the best of the best.” Dick argued defiantly. Maybe a little childishly too, if he had to admit it. Dick knew that Danny would do well to be treated properly in a hospital, but after what he witnessed in that room with hardly the basics in medical care? He wasn't letting that kid anywhere near a hospital without his consent right now.

“Alfred, while skilled, is not comparable to a trained doctor who can treat this child and get them the help he needs.” Bruce put his hand on Dick's shoulder and he roughly shoved it off, feeling the skin burn despite layers of kevlar and spandex separating them. “You are acting irrationally right now–”

“I don’t care, Bruce!” Dick shouted, shaking with a barely-contained rage. He felt his chest burning with it, unable to hold the words in and since there were no younger siblings or small children around (and awake), so he didn't stop them. “I don’t care that Alfred’s not a trained doctor. I don’t care that you’re so against this! What I care about is the fact that this little kid trusted me enough to bring him here, to get him help, when he very clearly does not trust anybody!” Dick moved, getting up in Bruce’s face as he went on his tangent. He was so fired up, he couldn't even notice Bruce's dominos widening in shock. “You should know better than anyone what it’s like to have a kid dropped right in front of you and know that you need to help! Hell, how many orphans have come through here, again?”

Dick huffed loudly, his breaths causing a slight mist in the damp cave as he watched Bruce process his words for a moment. The man barely moved the whole time Dick was ranting and he was honestly shocked he got out what he did without Bruce shutting him up. Or Alfred complaining about how they were disturbing his patient. 

“Exactly, Dick,” Bruce agreed. But his voice was low and dangerous, the tone he saved for when he was incredibly angry. Dick only ever heard it when the man was facing Joker or The Riddler after their antics affected large groups of people and led to deaths. “I have seen multiple orphans walk through this manor and through this cave. I have watched as you were consumed by rage and tried to avenge your family with your small hands, still growing as you filled these halls with so much sorrow it couldn't fit in a tiny body.” Bruce's fists clenched at his sides. “I watched as you followed in my footsteps, becoming Robin and channeling your anger before just leaving everything behind. I couldn't stop you.”

Bruce jutted his chin out, the vein in his neck popping as he remembered Dick's younger years. “I watched as…as Jason, so filled with hatred and rage entered the manor. He hid his food and tried to protect himself even when no one was coming after him, and then he took over Robin. He was the happiest I had seen him in those days,” Bruce's voice quieted some, but the steel in his tone grew sharper. “Then I watched as he died. He died because he was Robin, because I took him in.”

Bruce pointed at Dick suddenly, and the accusatory finger felt so strong he took a step back in surprise. “Tim was not one I expected, and I tried to push him away for his own good. He'd have been better off not being Robin for his own sake. Even a life lived like his could have become better than the one he has now, risking his life on the streets when he could be at home developing film or skateboarding with friends. A normal life, without the mission,” Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Dick, I know what it's like to see an orphan child and want to help them, of course I do. But sometimes, even with good intentions, there are people who want to help but in hindsight probably shouldn't. They could end up making the child's life even worse, completely without trying.”

The guilt that Dick had been feeling washed out in a seething tsunami of fury. All throughout Bruce’s speech, the acrobat felt regretful over what he said to Bruce. Maybe the man actually understood how fucked up his relationships with his kids were? He was mentally debating how to apologize to him for what was said and move forward, maybe turn this into an actual conversation for once. Yet, Bruce's words at the end gave him pause. He made some points Dick could find himself agreeing to in other circumstances, but to say that he shouldn’t be around Danny? Because he would make the kid’s life worse? That's just catastrophizing and projecting his own guilt onto Dick!

“I want you to think about how old you were when you took me in, Bruce.” Dick said, slowly and clearly as he stalked closer to his father-figure. “You were only twenty-two. Fresh out of traveling the world, leaving behind all your responsibilities to start out on your own quest to avenge your parents. To lead a one-man crusade against all the bad things this screwed up city has to offer.” The younger man glared up at Bruce, hoping that he was communicating just how royally pissed off he was. “I’m two years older than you were. I have a full-time job as well as having a normal life outside of the suit. I have decent relationships with my co-workers and I have not only successfully led teams, but I have been fighting towards The Mission for most of my life. I have friends inside and out of being a vigilante who would be more than happy to help me if I asked them to. And, unlike someone I know, I would actually ask.”

Dick shook his head bitterly. He felt the insane urge to laugh right now, but none of this was funny. He knew that.

“I know I can take Danny under my wing and raise him well. I have a great example of what not to do, after all. But, what happened to the one kid you ever bothered to actually adopt, Bruce? Where is he now? Would you say that being under your care made his life even worse?” They both knew he was talking about himself, but Dick wanted Bruce to say the words he was always afraid to admit out loud about their relationship.

Dick felt a sick sort of satisfaction still though at seeing Bruce's shoulders shake minutely. There was not a lot that could rattle the man, but bringing up the mistakes he made raising his kids would always do it--you just had to know what signs to look for. If Jason had been here for this, or even Tim, they probably would have tried to stop their fight before it got to this point. His brothers never enjoyed being around him and Bruce at times like these, but it still made him feel awful in a way to speak to Bruce like this. But he was so upset at the situation he couldn't bring himself to care.

He barely managed to dodge the swing Bruce tossed his way, ducking down to his haunches as the man pushed his weight forwards. Sliding around his legs, Dick hooked himself around Bruce's ankle to bring the bigger vigilante down, but Bruce only stumbled a bit. Dick tumbled a few feet away and popped back up, lowering himself into a half-crouched stance in case Bruce came towards him again. But he didn't, Bruce just stood in the entry of the doorway, huffing like an angry bull as he whipped his cowl off and turned burning blue eyes onto Dick.

He peeked around the man's wide shoulders at Alfred, who stood in the background like a sentinel over Danny's quiet form resting on the bed. Somehow the kid was still asleep through all of the noise. If he weren't facing Bruce, Dick would laugh at the sight of the kid’s slack jaw and an ever growing puddle of drool under his chin.

“You have no right to talk about situations you don't understand, Dick,” Bruce ground out, his voice gravelly with the emotions he never let out. “The choices I made were–”

“Really shitty?” Dick quipped as he rose from his crouch. “Because, yes. They were, I agree.”

“They were the best choices I could make at the time,” Bruce corrected, lines deepening on his face and aging the man even more. “I was young and I had a child dropped into my lap–”

“More like yoinked from the cops, but go on.” Dick shrugged at the man, body language loose but his nerves were shot now that he was further from Danny. “Keep digging that hole B, maybe soon it'll be big enough to fit you.”

“Nightwing, stop this now–” Bruce started to lecture. But the step backwards he made caused Dick to snap. He was too close to Danny and Dick was too far. He had to protect!

“No! This isn't Batman and Nightwing time B,” Dick began marching forward, fists trembling in front of him with each step. “This is Dick and Bruce, man and ward time. You and I are talking, it is not you giving me orders!”

Stopping in front of his father-figure, Dick looked him dead in the eyes. Blue met blue. Frown met frown. He stood up to Batman who was keeping him from the child his heart had already claimed.

“So how about we talk, old man?”

[ghostly-bat]

Jon & Lois comparisons cont.

I’m that anon :)

-Jon seemed quick to pick up on his parents lies of hiding who they really were when he was young; obv. reminds me of Lois’s suspicion of Clark being more than he led on

-I recall seeing panels where Jon seemed to have a rebellious phase in the rebirth Superman series with a dark aesthetic look (grunge/punk?) & I definitely saw someone post a panel with a teen!Lois flashback(?) possibly having her own rebellious stage w/ a similar aesthetic

-Lois & Jon hate bullies (eh I guess Clark could be thrown in this too); there could be obviously more examples but as of now, I saw a panel of Lois standing up for Jimmy when he’s put down by some asshole harassing him; Jon (& Damian) stood up for this kid named Sydney in the Supersons run who was bullied for being non-binary.

-Lois & Jon putting themselves in harms way to protect those they love; I swear I saw a panel before where there was a fire maybe their house(?) (idk if it’s Superman rebirth 2016?) and Jon is guiding him and his mom out of it (Clark wasn’t present idk why specifically)…basically non-powered Lois & young/still figuring out his powers!Jon putting themselves at risk

—This might no really be a Lois & Jon similarity as more so the pairings but and completely bias, however in my opinion Lois & Clark have their own set of ideologies that no doubt have clashed against other yet they can meet in the middle & be compatible; id argue the same with Jon & Damian during their partnership in Supersons different ideologies on how to go about/view things clashing/fighting…etc. yet still found a middle ground and became compatible

You’re free to correct me if I’m wrong or add in anything else :)

Anon, I don't believe you're wrong at all. I wholeheartedly agree with all of this it's amazing.

I especially love the last one because it also highlights how Jon views love, conflict and resolution. He sees the patience his parents have for each other even if they don't agree on everything they are still able to compromise and find a middle ground. And yeah it's a rocky start when Jon and Damian first meet so there's not a lot of that patience and understanding in the beginning (and even if Jon did intend to go in with patients and understanding we also have to remember he's a 10 year old kid who's gonna act like a 10 year old kid when pushed lol) but it definitely develops over time once the two learn to work together and become more comfortable around each other for sure.

👏👏👏 Applause all around for you anon!

[dronebiscuitbat]

Oil is Thicker Then Blood (Part 85)

Tera was riding on top of N's head, nibbling on the brim of his hat as Hal led both N and Uzi through the bunker towards his apartment, it had actually been a minute since they'd spent considerable time here, preferring to settle into the nest instead of heading to their apartment. Only stopping in for oil or a tool that Uzi left behind.

As they walked, Uzi lost in thought as per usual, and only following N out of instinct, brushed her hand across where her side panel was, the area had begun to feel uncomfortable and tingly, but nothing so far had changed.

She sighed, she wanted this to be over with already. She wanted her body to behave normally again, she wanted to be able to walk without shifting her weight or fly without feeling like she’d just run an entire marathon. But it wasn’t just that, she wanted to meet the little tyke that was pinging around on the inside of her core, it was a weird feeling to be so in love with someone you hadn’t even met yet, but even now, she could feel it, stirring her to smile gently while placing a hand over her core.

The body growing inside her had yet to move at all, which she could only assume was due to the fact the little AI was still developing in her core, what would happen when it was done was beyond anyone's guess, weather it would transfer down into the body, or weather those were going to be separate processes entirely. She was still nervous, but with all the stress lately it had been easy to push out the fact that this baby was going to have to come out of her, one way or another.

“We’re here! Come in! Come in!” Hal opened the door to his apartment, leading them inside, many photos of Hal and his wife lined the walls, she was a redhead, with long braided hair and sparkling white eyelights, handmade pottery lined the shelves and were used as decoration everywhere, soft humming and the sound of a motor filled the air. Hal called out; “Reida dear! we have guests!”

The humming stopped, as did the soft hum of the motor, and a soft, almost ethereal voice wafted back; “Coming!”

Reida came from an adjoining room, clay staining her hands and her hair. A beaming maternal smile on her face as she clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh! The Doorman Family! I almost expected you all not to show, I know you have to be busy.” She gave her husband a kiss on his whiskered cheek, pulling him down by the sleeve… N hadn’t realized how short she was in comparison.

She went up to N first, her gaze was almost piercing, like she was looking into his very soul. And then she smiled wide. “And you must be N, Hal has told me quite a bit about you dear. You look so handsome! Come er’” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a gigantic hug, she smelled like the earth, or the forest floor.

N stiffened in surprise, not used to anyone but Uzi hugging him at all, but he relaxed after a second tentatively hugging in reciprocation, her grip surprisingly strong. Comforting, in some strange way.

Tera peeked down at the new woman from his head, and Reida pulled back as her smile grew to three times it’s size. “Oh! This is your daughter! Look at her! She’s so lively!” N reached up to take Tera off his head, the toddler giving her normal greeting to strangers; a questioning, slightly aggressive glare…

“Oh dear-” She chuckled, a soft smile on her face. “-Looks just like Nori, that woman had the meanest look to her when she wanted.” Tera continued to glare for a moment, taking a few tentative sniffs before her face broke into a happy smile, giggling.

“She’s so cute! That laugh is so precious! May I-?” She asked, hand hovering slightly over Tera, asking for permission to hold her. N glanced at Uzi, who gave a soft nod before he slowly sat her in the woman’s arms. Tera cocked her head as they locked eyes, before showing off her fangs in a smile.

“OOooh! Look at those! You get those from your dad don’t you? Don’t you? Aww, yes you do!” Immediately, her voice went into baby talk, babbling nonsense as Tera made noises of her own, giggling at the weirdness of the lady holding her. Hal chuckled.

“Don’t get too distracted dear. You’ve got someone left to greet.” Hal hummed, his voice several octaves softer then it ever was at work. Reida suddenly froze, a blush on her face.

“Oh Yes! I’m so sorry! I see a baby and lose my mind!” She handed Tera back hesitantly before turning to Uzi, now looking slightly nervous, she was perfectly fine just watching them interact…

“Your Nori’s daughter… ah! look how pretty you are! You got your moms looks, that’s for sure!” Uzi blushed, compliments still being awkward to take when it wasn’t N. She was even more put off when she was crushed in a hug, not sure what to do.

“Oh uh… Thank you?” She replied, unsure and unsteady, the older woman’s eyelights fell to her core, something soft filling her face as she released the smaller worker.

“And another on the way… And you’re working your tuckus off to save us all! On your feet all day! Come darling, lets get you sat down, you ain’t working under my roof!” And suddenly Reida was leading her to the couch with a hand on her back, Uzi looking back at N with an alarmed and confused look when she was all but forced onto the couch. And Then she hurried away towards the kitchen, closer to where the men were standing.

Hal looked over at N “Aye, that’s my Reida… She’ll make ya take yer shoes off and before ya know it, you’re waking up the next morning pampered like royalty.” He laughed, his gaze falling down to Tera, now riled up and wanting to play.

“I wanted ta ask, Uzi is… looking different now. Is everything alright with her?” He asked quietly, and N gulped, he knew that people would start noticing soon. He just… didn’t know how to explain it without sounding completely deranged.

“She’s fine. It’s… Dissasembly Drone pregnancies work differently?” Eugh, that sounded unconvincing at best and like lies at worst. Why was he so bad at this…

Hal raised an eyebrow, asking him to elaborate. N didn't want to freak him out, but he didn't want to lie either…

“She's… building the body inside of her, we're both partially organic… you've seen the wings and tail. That's why she's… “looking different”.

Hal blinked.

“Like-Like a human?”

N nodded.

“Ow.” Was all Hal had to say, before his wife came sailing into their direction.

“What did you just say. It's a organic pregnancy?” She asked, eyelights blown out wide as she took a glance over at Uzi.

Yeah, she'd noticed, she just didn't want to be rude! She'd never think it was because of… that.

“Poor thing! It's a wonder she hasn't hurt herself!” But Reida shook it off quickly, heading over to the couch with a small cup of chilled oil in her hand.

“She's been wanting to meet Ya'll for awhile…’specially you. Kinda got on my ass after she heard you all on stage, and the announcement.

“Ugh… that was an accident. We didn't want everyone to know…”

Hal gave a bark of laughter and slapped his back.

“I figured! She don't seem like a sharing type…” Hal gestured over to Uzi, who was now being doted on by the older woman like a mother would dote on her daughter.

“Though, now that it's not so crazy…”

Hal gave a smirk.

“How soft is she really with ya? Ya always came to work with this goofy satisfied look on yer face.”

“Hal!” N blushed heavily. Not expecting the question and getting flustered put of his mind. Hal laughed again.

“Haha! Don't answer that! I'm just teasin’ but ya really weren't subtle about it. Everybody could tell the days ya got lucky.” Hal snickered, and N grumbled, before a far worse thought entered his mind.

“E-even Khan?”

“Especially Khan.”

N gulped.

Next ->

[bleachbleachbleach]

[Bleach 092]

This is one of the earliest examples of "Gotei organization" that we get! We know there's captains and VCs and numbered divisions, but here we have Iemura calling these guys the "Unohana Aid Team" in addition to being the 4th, lol. It makes me wonder:

Is this name some kind of Iemura-specific brownnosing situation?

Is it Iemura being old school, like, back in the day, were the divisions more overtly cults of personality? Which isn't to say they aren't now, because every one of these divisions is led by a total weirdo, but no one's running around declaring themselves part of TEAM MUGURUMA nowaways, now are they? Well, maybe the 11th does this. Iemura apparently subscribes to this, too. The SC certainly appears to want to (re?)cultivate that kind of idea, given that they ran a bunch of captain/VC profiles in this, the year 2001, despite the fact that most of these people have held their positions for decades. Maybe Matsumoto told Hisagi that Renji forgot who her captain was...

On this page, "company" corresponds to 隊 (tai), which I feel like fandom usually refers to as squad/division; "crew" is... also 隊 (tai), but with an additional descriptor for "relief/aid"; and "squad," here, corresponds to 班 (han). What English word these things correspond to basically just depends on what size of military group it's trying to draw comparison to, but because the Gotei is the Gotei, and is doing its own thing, imho you can kind of use whatever you want.

But one of the translations for 班 (han) is "fireteam," referring to small military units of four or fewer, who are then collected into a squad/section of two or three of those, so that tracks with what this panel looks like!

[mars-ipan]

Hi, it's me again. I decided to follow your advice and try to seek out your 'actually serious' analysis, which led me to your komahina bible, the most easy to find compilation of this supposed analysis. Here are my thoughts-

1) Overview

- Most of this 'analysis' isn't analysis but a summary/overview of the game. It's not so much a 'bible' as a children's book summary of the bible, which at that point it would be better to play the actual game itself. It's clear it was made for a presentation on the 'uninitiated' if you will, but if that's the case, you shouldn't be advertising it as the literal bible on the subject.

- When you are not regurgitating points from the game beat by beat, the screen is halfway filled with either manga panels or fanart. My gripes with manga panels are, that even though they do depict the events of the game, the way they can be depicted by the artist can be pretty subjective due to the freedom of the medium in comparison to sprites, and that the role of one character can differ depending on whose pov manga it is (chiaki vs nagito). Fan art therefore should be scrutinized even more since it fully depicts abstracted and even the fandomified version of events, leading to situations where it's either unclear what is actually happening or betrays your more shallow view of the characters (i talk abt this later.)

- When you do use pictures directly from the game it's either a possible screenshot from a memorable moment or dialog from the wiki, limited almost exclusively to the freetime events. This leads me to believe that you haven't actually played the game(there are other factors hinting towards this) or watched a Let's Play of it, but going off of merely information that's already widely known and circulating within the fandom, and easy to search on the wiki.

2) Incorrect/Questionable information

Here I'll compile a lot of information that's either plainly wrong or baffling to having come to that conclusion , leading more credence to the theory that you either haven't actually played the game or your memory of it isnt as good as you think.

-"if Nagito's plan went off of without a hitch, he would have killed anyone that was closes to him at the time" plainly wrong. Komaeda's goal from the start was to make himself the victim, so by dying this way his death could have meaning and help the others. For somebody that keeps talking about Komaeda's "Martyr complex" this is truly a weird take to have.

-"Nagito...got the nurse for sure sick" is there any proof that specifically points to Komaeda for this? I believe the takeaway should've been that Mikan got sick because she was around all of them AND she overworked herself trying to take care of them. Is this just an awkwardly phrased attempt to make more of a connection between Tsumiki and Komaeda? I don't think you needed more than the ones that already existed.

- "he helps Junko brainwash a bunch of students" Kamukura at neither point in the anime or Danganronpa 0 was ever specifically implicated in the brainwashing. He never 'helps' Junko, especially in that way. If you meant, participates in the student council killing game, you should've said that, but even then his agency and influence is limited.

-"they found the Remnants and captured them!"...no, they didn't. The Remnants presented themselves as survivors and the Foundation took them in. They handed themselves over willingly. It was a pretty big piece of the final part of the game...

3) Komaeda and Komahina

- "Nagito's habit of putting people on pedestals" Where. Sure, he certainly parrots the belief that the "Ultimates" as a unit are at the top of the food chain and should be prioritised, but its clear that doesn't exactly carry over to his classmates like teruteru, Kuzuryu and even Souda sometimes. Just because of a few positive comments refering to them as Ultimates and the trial which he literally breaks down in, this is a hard position to support.

-"Nagito manipulates Hajime into playing the game" How. He literally just told him to play it. How is that manipulation. Also, isn't it a bit unfair to put the blame on Koizumi's death to him as well? I think they were multiple factors playing into this, but sure, how else are you gonna convince people that Komaeda is a twisted fucking cyclepath that loves leading people to their deaths.

-The way that you say the Kuzuryu/Pekoyama relationship mirrors Komahina as 'I will give up my agency for you/ I just want you' is also confusing. Unless of course you mirror Peko's struggle with her agency and harmful beliefs the clan enforced on her with Komaeda's own belief system, in which case, idk man, i feel like you are giving a bit too much credit to the supposed severity of Komaeda's views and trying too hard to make Hinata the 'rational' and 'grounding' one in the relationship.

- Again, the amount of times you refer to Komaeda as a freak for doing something 'weird' or even being drawn weirdly doing it , mostly in the manga, makes me belief this isn't just an affectionate tongue in cheek joke as you claim, but an actual way in which your interpretation of Komaeda is colored.

-"it doesn't excuse his nonchalance towards tragedy and murder but explains it" what needs to be excused here exactly? Komaeda doesn't need to immediately bawl his eyes out when someone gets killed or else he's suspicious and...bad? I am confused with what you mean by this. If you mean that Komeada shouldn't be so nonchalant about murder because he's constantly trying to kill someone else, that is plainly incorrect and i explained above why.

-Posturing about Komaeda's 'black and white thinking' while in the next exact slide you show fanart of him smugly explaining he has Borderline. First, i want you to explain to me the black and white thinking in a way that isn't "oh, the friends and classmates i previously liked turned out to be fucking terrorists". I think that's a pretty justifiable situation for your thinking to go from white to black. Also, if that is enough credence to assign Komaeda BPD, you really don't know how BPD works, especially since you assigned it to the one character you constantly talk about being a freak (and also lust...pseudo lust? after).

- The insistence with Hinata not really understanding Komaeda and running away, even if he wants to understands him is pretty suspect, especially when compared to the game. Hinata is confused and overwhelmed yes, but it's not just that he wants to understand Komaeda but that he still feels fondness for him, he still follows his advice and puts his faith in him and the way he mourns him in Chapter 5 is also pretty indicative of this. It's just another part in the pattern in you making Hinata the confused, rational, 'morally pure' man that's 'tempted' by 'corrupted' manic pixie mentally ill demon Komaeda. Something tells me your priest AU isn't so much playing with dolls as much as...what you actually believe these characters dynamic is.

- The whole page where Servant is basically made into a joke about how hot and sexy and freaky he is doesn't help your point either.

-The most damning evidence of course is a drawing in the second to last slide, wherein Komaeda is supposed to be analogous to 'guy who has something wrong with him' (distorted, freak, mentally ill) and Hinata is analogous to the guy that 'is the only one that understands them' (the rational one, the relationship of understanding doesn't go both ways).

- Your slide with sources is pretty vague and unclear. Also the way that you credit "Your superior mind" before the game itself when all you've been doing is repeating and misinterpreting the plot of the game is ...ironic

So yeah, that's all I got. Feel free to 'debunk' my observations as much as you please, I just want to know if there's actual basis behind everything you just said or I should go digging for 'the actual serious analysis' yet again.

i think you forgot that fandom is meant to be fun

[do0zy-artz]

Wired - 1k Words

E-123 Omega was a fucking idiot. The stupid bucket of bolts had tried to do maintenance on himself, despite knowing how challenging it was. Despite knowing that, whenever he needed maintenance, all he had to do was call on Rouge and Shadow! That they would help with no questions asked! Yet here they were, Rouge and Shadow running around him; trying to do damage control and fix whatever he’d fucked up Day six of @teamdarkweek

only way the link will work yet again. sad! (read on ao3)

E-123 Omega was a fucking idiot. 

The stupid bucket of bolts had tried to do maintenance on himself, despite knowing how challenging it was. Despite knowing that, whenever he needed maintenance, all he had to do was call on Rouge and Shadow! That they would help with no questions asked! Yet here they were, Rouge and Shadow running around him; trying to do damage control and fix whatever he’d fucked up. He hadn;t fucked up anything too bad of course, only getting a few minutes into his self induced maintenance before needing to call them, but he’d still done something wrong. And now they had to work together to fix it.

Omega says nothing the entire time, giving off the air of a sulking child. Though the emotions swirling in his head are far more complex than that comparison makes it seem. Shadow would never dream of downplaying his feelings to that level. Because, despite what some people might say, Omega is a person. He’s got his own thoughts and feelings, his own opinions on things, and his own hang ups that sometimes get the better of him. The latter being what led them to where they are now.

There’s several wires hanging out of him, concerningly enough, and trying to find where they all go is a challenge. To say Rouge, who is currently trying to wire their teammate back together, is stressed is an understatement. She’s doing a pretty good job though, the bathaving needed to patch up Omega quite a few times over the years. It’s not something she likes doing, or is particularly skilled at, but she’ll do it when necessary. And right now, it unfortunately is.

Shadow sits next to her, working on shutting the other panel Omega had opened by himself. They told him not to do this, whenever he needed maintenance, that it was simpler to call one of them to help, because it always lead here. Omega knew, on a practical level, knew what maintenance needed to be done and how to do it. The problem was that all his big, maintenance related panels were on his back, an area that he couldn’t see or reach properly. But Omega was stubborn, and certain he could do the maintenance himself. Certain that the ultimate robot didn’t need help from any lowly meatbags.

And now here they were, patching up the third member of Team Dark at one fifteen in the morning. Shadow cannot wait to go back to bed. 

Rouge says something as she sets another wire back into place, one lame attempt to crack a joke despite her concern. Omega says nothing. Shadow frowns; the robot usually enjoys all of Rouge’s jokes, even the really bad ones that Shadow can’t stand. Him and Rouge share a glance, a silent agreement to cheer him up with something later. Something big and cool and extra violent. Something that will no doubt put him in a better mood.

It takes them forty minutes to an hour at least, of carefully threading wires back into place, and then going ahead and fixing the part of him that needed maintenance in the first place. The process feels more painstaking than it actually is, but it gets done; Shadow moving to help Rouge finish up when he gets done with his end. And, when everything’s put back into place again, they just sit there; waiting for Omega to speak. To make the next move

Silence falls across the bedroom for several minutes. Neither of them want to be the one to break it, so they let the quiet linger.

Finally, Omega speaks. “THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.” It’s all he says, the two of them even pausing, in case he needs to collect his thoughts. He does not. The robot is done speaking for the night, after that. Rouge furrows her brow as Omega returns to pure silence, but doesn’t say anything. Shadow can’t tell if the lack of speech is meant to be worrying or not. He decides it should be just in case.

“Any time.” Shadow says, resting a hand on his teammate's arm. Omega glances at it, but doesn’t say anything else. He also doesn’t pull away, a sign that the touch isn’t unwelcome. And a sign that he’s not as upset as he was before. Good, that’s good. Hopefully the action brings him some comfort. Hopefully he’ll be closer to his normal self in the morning. Hopefully he remembers to never do this alone again, for his sake as much as theirs. 

Shadow and Rouge bid Omega a reluctant goodnight, knowing he’ll need space to wind down, and return to their own bedrooms. They don't necessarily go back to bed, even if they really want to, but they at least shut their doors and try not to freak out too loudly. The hedgehog is personally too worried to fall back asleep, about Omega’s emotional state and if they actually did his repairs right. Rouge, who tends to feel her emotions just as (and sometimes more) strongly than he does, is probably freaking out a similar amount; if not more so. He makes a mental note to make her favorite breakfast foods in the morning, and to set out those mini pancakes Omega likes so much. Shadow will just eat whatever else he can find.

(That is until Rouge waltz in the kitchen, sees what he’s doing, and makes his own preferred breakfast foods. Shadow, knowing this is the most likely outcome, has no intentions of stopping her. It’s not like she would let him, anyways.)

Omega will most likely still be upset in the morning, and Shadow knows this. It’s a big part of the reason why he can’t get to sleep again. So, he stays up for an extra hour or two, looking for the most violent, action filled movies Omega hasn’t seen yet and sending them all to Rouge. She’s the one with all websites and video streaming services for these things. That part of cheering their friend up can be left to her.

When that’s done, Shadow lets out a sigh, and tries to sleep through what's left of the night. He falls asleep feeling wires in his hands and hearing Omega’s distressed sounds of a maintenance gone wrong. He hopes it’s all fine in the morning.

[genericpuff]

Hi! Maybe this is a difficult question with no answer, but as a fan of Rekindled who might want to start their own comic, what do you suggest to avoid burnout? Do you start wiht writting the script right away, you doodle a bit,..? Thanks for reading, I love how you draw big noses, makes me more comfy with mine!

no fr my dark secret is that i've been experiencing burnout with my main original project that I've spent the last decade working on for literally a year now. this isn't the first long hiatus i've taken, the longest one i've ever been on has lasted two years, and it's undoubtedly not the last i'll experience because the lump of salt and fat and tissue that is my brain often overworks itself into exhaustion like a big dummy

rekindled has been my reprieve from the burnout. it has been my vacation from years of working on the same project, meeting the same deadlines, drawing the same characters, over and over and over again since before i was in college.

if there's anything working on rekindled has made clear to me, it's that i'm still capable of drawing comics. the comic-making isn't the problem. it's just that when you work on the same project for years and trap yourself in an uphill battle, eventually your climbing gear is bound to break.

if there's another thing that rekindled has opened my eyes to, it's the insanity that i put myself through prior to rekindled that led to my burnout in the first place.

i get people telling me that they couldn't imagine doing what i do, that even before i had my assistant helping me out, i was still able to put out 30-40 panel updates every week.

but before that, i was putting out 70-90 panel episodes of my original work. every week. full color. full spread action scenes. no assistant. very little financial gain aside from a couple patrons on patreon and one dedicated viewer on twitch, which i was also streaming on 2-3 times a week.

and now that i've been working on rekindled and even finding myself often crunched for time with that, i have zero clue, no idea, a complete lack of comprehension of how i pulled off 70-90 panels a week for months on end. there's a reason it resulted in burnout and i know that now. this comparison is not for the sake of a flex - this comparison is to make it clear that much of what i do isn't the norm and isn't exactly a healthy standard. case in point, i sneezed while sweeping up yesterday morning and it caused a muscle strain in my lower back/hips and i've been working out of my bed since, i'm in a lot of pain and it might mean i don't make any money this week if it's not better by the time i have to do my appointments at my day job on thursday. my need to create my personal passion projects is often at odds with my bad habits of not taking care of myself 。゜゜(´Ｏ`) ゜゜。

when it comes to tackling burnout, your guess is as good as mine. really it just comes down to rest. when burnout - real, true burnout - hits, it's not just "man i'm bored of working on this", it's "i can't even think of looking at this thing let alone working on it", it's basically akin to depression and it's an awful thing that i wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy (even with Rachel, I don't want to psychoanalyze her mental health but it does seem like she's possibly been experiencing burnout with LO for years now and that really sucks for her if that's true). so the solution is just as complicated as the cause, it's not something that you can just rest from for a week and come back from, it takes real long-term healing.

when I found my way out of that 2 year hiatus, it was in spring of 2019 and I decided to just work on a random comic page that wasn't even in the comic I was working on. and then suddenly it was like a switch flicked back into the on position and i didn't even finish what i was working on, i just went back to my original project and i kept working on it until it was finally finished at the end of 2021. as suddenly and randomly as it had set in, it was gone. but i can't just do the same thing this time, it just doesn't work that way.

that said, through all this, i've learned that my need to create is not restricted to any one tangible thing, i'm not doomed or designed to stick with the same words, the same faces, the same ideas until the end of time. while i do try to keep up healthy routines for myself to ensure i'm looking out for my future self and their deadlines and their upload schedules, sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. and in my case, the heart wanted to take a break from the self-reflective psychological analysis dark fantasy weebo stuff and just draw some pink and blue characters a little less ugly. the self-reflective weebo shit will still be there when i'm done with the pink and blue stuff, and i'll surely have loads of new things to unpack through it once i return.

there are still times when i'm working on rekindled and i'm feeling the creeping hand of my routine destruction digging its claws into my back. the reality is that 30-40 panels is still a lot for someone like myself who's doing this entirely for free, but my definition of normal for a while was so insanely inhumane that even what's still considered a lot by most people's standards feels sane and normal to me after what i put myself through.

i've learned to be more gentle with myself, and to loosen my own expectations of what i'm capable of to ensure i don't do anything like that to myself, by myself, again. i give myself room to create without expectations or the pressure of eyes watching when i can, and i remind myself that even if burnout rears its head again, and again, and again, the will to create is not gone. it's just tired, and resting, and growing, and healing as i am.

anyways that turned into a self-reflective essay post, to answer your question about making stuff ahead of time, i find that's more helpful with just like, planning out a structured story (so you don't write yourself into a corner) but whether or not it helps with burnout kind of depends. because it can just as also easily be the cause of the problem because constantly seeing the stuff you wanna be drawing so far away can be just as much of a morale killer as a motivator. some of the stuff i'm super psyched to write and draw with time gate is years away and that timeline grows longer the more the burnout goes on which makes the struggle feel even more overwhelming and pointless and defeating. so plan ahead, but keep it all within your means if you can. i find what works for me is planning out just general beat-to-beat plot structures (to ensure i at least have a plot skeleton going on so i know where i'm going) then i leave the finer details to when the actual episode i've planned gets closer to fruition and i can get myself in the headspace to write it fully.

also remember that just because you're really excited and motivated to work on your comic doesn't mean you should work yourself into exhaustion - it's a good thing if you're going through the mundane of your daily routine and the whole time you're hyped af to work on your hobby/personal project/etc. because that's what will keep you moving forward, so don't spend all that hype in one place by working and working and working until you're exhausted, because that hype is REALLY hard to get back after you've spent it all.

long post over! hope that helps! best of luck in your projects! ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

[beargyufairy]

Just My Thoughts Pt. 23

Fairy Tail Manga Reread Version

“A wild beast who knows nothing of the real world.”

Wow. That’s a powerful statement Mr. Fullbuster. It’s such a good comparison to make honestly. Lyon is basically caged from the truth. He didn’t witness Ur’s last moments. He’s still unaware that the ice has her remaining life force. He’s stuck on his goal from when he was a child: to surpass Ur. He doesn’t see anything beyond that. And therefore, he’s unaware of the real world. The statement also shows how his ego caused his own powers to weaken. Lyon believes that using two hands to create ice maker magic is for the weaker and less capable mages. This stemmed from his desires to beat Ur. Of course this is wrong and only led to his magic being trapped in a cage made by Gray. And do note that Gray remained faithful to Ur’s methods. He continues to use two hands and was also the one who witnessed her last breath.

I think the comparison between having a glimpse of the truth and being without it is shown amazingly in these panels. I would also like to point out that mere minutes ago, Gray was willing to give up his life because he didn’t think there was any other way. However, there is clearly another way and he’s doing just that. He’s using their magic to demonstrate his point. Like I mentioned many times before, Gray likes to preach about life and all that but doesn’t follow suit himself. It really adds to his character.

Until my next thought!

[mitternacht]

UU Appreciation Week Day 2: A UMA you appreciate

It’s technically the 21st for me so posting this now. I may be in the minority here but I really do adore Soul! I like where his character is going and I'm obsessed with the potential he has. So here's me rambling a bit about why I want to put him in my pocket so bad. More under the cut for spoilers!

I've been immensely endeared to Soul since my first reading, specifically because of his unique place in the story as the sole UMA created by Luna.

Soul is an outsider to all other UMA's, an Other. He is their predecessor as the first UMA to exist on Earth, and simultaneously he does not truly have a place of belonging with them. While every other UMA was created by Sun to challenge humanity, Soul is the singular UMA created to gift humanity potential.

And how tragic he is. He doesn't understand his place or purpose as a UMA because of this. Soul is humanity's hope, their lifeblood, their dreams and ambitions. He's not meant to bring suffering to humanity like every other UMA has been instructed, but doesn't know anything else. He's also been shown to greatly enjoy seeing humans overcome challenges, even if he doesn't quite understand why that is.

Imagine you're Soul, and you're your parent's only child, and you never receive an answer as to why you exist, why they brought you into the world. As time goes on, you realize you're just amusement for them, just another piece in their game without any true purpose or reason for being. Whether this is true or not, this is all you've been led to believe. And so all you have to cling to is the directive given to those around you. And even then you're just not quite right, not quite the same as the other UMA's.

(Can we just talk about the sadness in his eyes in this last panel)

And I truly do think that the realization in 223 may have been Soul’s breaking point, realizing that Luna never really gave him any sort of purpose other than for their own amusement, for their game. I’m unsure if it may be an inking error, but I’m fairly certain this is the moment we see his pupils start to shift from white to black as well.

From this point forward, we’ve only seen Soul with his blown out black pupils, and his personality has quite changed in comparison to how he’s acted before. He seems more uncaring, and cold now.

At the end of the day, I truly do believe that a huge part of winning this final conflict is going to be Soul finding his place with humanity, and understanding his purpose. UU is all about connection and belonging, and I don't think Soul is going to be the exception to that. I genuinely don't see him as evil or irredeemable, he's just a little mixed up and was predisposed to be a little off. And I only hope he gets a happy ending, along with everyone else.

PS: Who wants to join me in my insane theory that Soul is going to either turn out to be the Artifact Heart or that it’s somewhere inside him and that’s why it hasn’t shown up yet? Because I’m nearly convinced about it at this point, please ask me about my theories-

[phlurrii]

I'm not too sure about all the lore but was as the mass extinction event a direct result of Qari not being present due to slipping through time?

This panel is in reference to Bucket being unable to perform their duty with the implication of the potential for mass loss of life. I imagine this is a flashback to the mass extinction event in question, since your flashbacks do often, but not always, use black silhouettes.

Also in reference to Bucket being inactive. If we believe that the potential repetition of history mentioned here was the mass extinction event as mew seems to be inherently connected to life, it implies that Palkia¹ was murdered as a result of whatever caused the mass execution event. Also, due to Palkia¹ dying not too long (in comparison to the rest of the timeline) after the Qari incident many have already speculated a connection.

Qari is also confirmed to be part fairy-type which is a type associated with cuteness, magic, trickery and most notably life with Pokémon such as Xerneas. So I wouldn't be surprised if Qari was Bucket's predecessor and their sudden lack of existence in the current time months after they were born and settling into existence led to the mass extinction event in question.

Ooooooooo~ Very interesting think thonks there, also really glad to see someone go back and catch that lil detail of it being a flashback to the mass Exstinction event!! And you are correct in that Palkia is killed by what caused the mass extinction event. Qari’s involvement is super intriguing and they are part fairy… however I can’t say if they linked to causes and what not for now uwu

[nepf-ufrj]

Geek Week – An Event at UFRJ that Achieved Significant Academic Recognition

After a year of meticulous planning, the research groups NEPF, NuPNE, and NUPLIJ — affiliated with the Laboratório da Palavra (Word Lab) and PACC (Advanced Program of Contemporary Culture) — collaborated to organize a week dedicated to geek studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The event, named Geek Week UFRJ, took place from October 21st to 25th, 2024, at the Faculty of Letters, located on the university’s Fundão campus, while also being made available online through Google Meet and Youtube.

The primary objective of Geek Week was to establish a safe and engaging space for intellectual discussions on topics related to pop culture, gaming, young adult and children's literature, and fanfiction. The event encouraged not only the academic research groups to share their perspectives but also provided an open forum for attendees to actively engage in discourse about widely consumed cultural phenomena.

Given that the subjects addressed during the event’s panels and discussion sessions are not traditionally explored within academic research, Geek Week served as a crucial platform to highlight the significance of both formal and informal studies on pop culture. The participating research groups assumed the responsibility of documenting and disseminating their insights, combining their academic investigations with their experiences as enthusiasts and fans to foster deeper academic interest in these emerging fields.

Event Structure and Highlights

Each day of the event focused on a distinct thematic approach:

Day 1 – Theoretical Frameworks in Popular Literature

The first day was dedicated to theoretical discussions surrounding popular literature. A key highlight was the lecture "There Are No Ostriches in Fairy Tales" by Professor Francisco Câmelo, which provided an in-depth analysis of children’s literature and fairy tales from their origins to contemporary adaptations. The discussion explored how specific animal symbolism is employed in storytelling, emphasizing the absence of ostriches in fairy tale traditions while examining the inclusion of other bird species in these narratives.

Day 2 – Fandom Culture and Community Interpretations

The second day revolved around fandom studies, encompassing diverse fan communities. One of the most notable sessions was a lecture on the Furry fandom, led by Letícia Pimenta, General Coordinator and Administrator of NEPF. This presentation delved into the origins of the Furry community, the various ways it is interpreted, and the stereotypes and prejudices associated with it. Additionally, the lecture provided an overview of different Furry subcultures, offering a nuanced perspective on their development and representation in mainstream media.

Day 3 – Gender, Sexuality, and Representation in Media

With a focus on gender and sexuality, the third day of the event explored their portrayal in literature, gaming, and K-pop. One of the most thought-provoking panels was "Chapter 21: Sex, Fantasy, and Young Readers", presented by NUPLIJ and NEPF. This session critically analyzed the representation of sexuality in young adult and children's literature, drawing comparisons between different age groups and assessing the societal impact of such narratives on young audiences.

Day 4 – Horror Narratives and Their Literary Evolution

The fourth day examined horror fiction and its narrative techniques across literature and media. Engaging discussions included the role of horror in children’s literature, the construction of suspense in storytelling, and the use of zombies as a narrative trope. This segment of the event provided valuable insights into how horror elements are adapted across different literary forms and how they resonate with audiences.

Day 5 – Creative Workshops: Comics, The Sims, and Fanzines

The final day was dedicated to hands-on creative workshops, offering three distinct sessions:

Comics Workshop, led by NUPLIJ, focusing on visual storytelling techniques.

The Sims Workshop, facilitated by NuPNE, demonstrating narrative-building through simulation games.

Fanzine Workshop, hosted by NEPF, guiding participants through fanzine creation and self-publishing techniques.

These workshops were well-received, allowing students to explore their creativity and apply artistic and narrative-building skills. The fanzines produced during the event can be accessed online through a dedicated NEPF publication platform.

Impact and Academic Recognition

Geek Week UFRJ garnered significant engagement from both in-person and online audiences. Throughout the virtual sessions, over 50 participants attended simultaneously, actively engaging in discussions. Additionally, the total number of lecture views, including both live and recorded sessions, surpassed 1,000 views, marking an important milestone in legitimizing pop culture studies in Brazil. The lectures can be accessed through NEPF's Youtube channel.

The event also received official recognition from UFRJ, with the university dispatching reporters to cover the first day of discussions. Their coverage, published through Conexão UFRJ, emphasized the event’s commitment to inclusivity, academic dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas.

A Commitment to Pop Culture Studies

NEPF firmly believes in the necessity of fostering spaces for knowledge exchange. Our mission is to bridge contemporary interests with academic and theoretical studies, ensuring that discussions on fandoms, literature, and digital culture receive the scholarly attention they deserve.

We sincerely hope that all participants felt welcomed and respected throughout the event, as our primary goal is to create an inclusive and enriching academic environment. This is only the beginning—more events will follow, as fandom culture continues to evolve, and pop culture remains in constant motion.

[lesbiansanemi]

Okay, I was going to at least read through the first volumes in their entirety before typing any of this up and analyzing it, but the parallels between these two series is so insane already. I have so much to say about just the first chapters of each work, so here's my first rambling about the Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach parallels (also sorry about the wonky ass angles and shadows, I'm just taking pics of my physical volumes for this)

The parallels between Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen are honestly fascinating, but for me, the most interesting one, is how Ichigo and Yuuji exist as protagonists. Despite having such similar circumstances, and such a similar world, they are developing in opposite directions, and have an almost inversed story line to one another, and these first two chapters of the series set all of that up brilliantly.

Initially, when I considered the similarities and parallels between both stories, I thought they might be superficial. But reading and comparing these two chapters side by side, all the connections were so interesting to me! Not just in the writing and storytelling itself, but even in the set up of the pages and manga panels!

The very first pages of both series are setting up such a similar concept, and even mirror each other visually

These first panels were what made me consider the parallels not just between Yuuji and Ichigo, but Megumi and Rukia as well, which I hadn't thought about until now. I have a lot of thoughts on them, but I want to do a separate post centric on them later (specifically, a lot of comparisons of the Kuchikis and Zenins). But in this first chapter, Megumi and Rukia both serve as the catalyst for our protagonists.

Of course, this is a very popular and standard shounen trope. Our MC will meet someone involved in a different world, and this character will, in one way or another, drag them into it.

However, I think the Megumi and Rukia parallels run far deeper than that, and it's partially due to the drastic similarities of Ichigo and Yuuji.

Both Yuuji and Ichigo make a decision to irreversibly change themselves because Megumi and Rukia save their lives at the expense of themselves, thus putting Yuuji and Ichigo in the position to save them (and the innocent bystanders that were the initial victims of the fight)

Both of them decided to sacrifice themselves to save a stranger, who ultimately would become their best friend.

However, this well meaning decision is what sets off the inciting incident of both series: Yuuji eating Sukuna's finger, and Ichigo becoming a Shinigami

But despite the similarities between these two events, this is where the tone of the series shifts. This is where the inverse between Ichigo and Yuuji becomes more clear, as well as the inverse between Megumi and Rukia

Rukia offers to bring Ichigo into her world by imbuing him with her powers.

Megumi begs Yuuji not to eat Sukuna's finger.

These first few pages of the series set up Yuuji and Ichigo's respective journeys. Ichigo meeting Rukia, and getting involved in her life ultimately led to him growing and developing as a person, and ending his story happy and surrounded by friends and family. Of course, we don't know how Jujutsu Kaisen will end, but given the current events of the manga, it seems very likely that Yuuji is going to end up broken and alone.

Which is a very interesting comparison to consider, even beyond the similarities of their origins! Ichigo began his story already fairly jaded, depressed, and angry (not that the series explored this with the depth it should have, but it was touched upon), while Yuuji began the series a happy, hopeful person. Even their introductory scenes are so starkly different, with Ichigo being involved in violence already (albeit for an admirable reason with defending a dead little girl's memorial) while Yuuji is laughing and having fun at school, a picture perfect example of the average teen.

Yuuji and Ichigo are developing in opposite directions, and their origins alluded to that in all their similarities.

This is further hammered in with the ways their transformations are framed in Megumi and Rukia's eyes.

Yuuji's is seen as something disgusting and horrifying, which makes sense, considering his body has been taken over by an entity like Sukuna (and though we don't know it just yet in Bleach, this is another parallel between them, but I'll get into the similarities between Sukuna and Ichigo's Hollow later). Regardless, his change is framed as something negative, and Sukuna hammers home quickly that this is not a positive development for Yuuji.

Whereas Ichigo....

Is framed in a heroic sense with his transformation into a Shinigami. Yes, Rukia is shocked and confused by the extent of his change and his power, but she's not scared. She's not horrified. If anything, she is in awe of what he's become.

This is once more just setting up and solidifying the eventual fates Yuuji and Ichigo will face. Both of our protagonists are born from such a similar event, but are careening towards something so fundamentally different from one another. It's something that's honestly fascinating to consider!

And both chapters end off with this, a declaration of Ichigo and Yuuji having left their humanity behind (something that is discussed quite a few times in both series later on! Whether they can be considered human or not anymore)

Idk! Like I said! I knew the series had a lot of similarities, just based on general plot, but I didn't realize just how they paralleled each other so much until I was literally reading them side by side. It's so neat to me! Especially as I've mentioned multiple times now, the series are working with such similar plot points and beginning from nearly the same place, they will end up somewhere so incredibly different.

And these were just things to analyze in this first chapter! I genuinely can't wait to continue reading the series together like this, and dig into so many other characters and plot points I want to compare, as well as continue comparing Ichigo and Yuuji's development and circumstances!

[royboyfanpage]

I’m starting to wonder if Roy would’ve been angry at Uncle Sam over what happened to Grant

Hi!! Sorry this took me so long to answer, I wanted to get some panels for this.

My immediate thought was "he'd absolutely be angry", but I wanted to elaborate a little more than that. I haven't been able to find many comics with Grant in the Freedom Fighters, and none that go into his run with them in-depth, so I'm mostly gonna be referencing the comic your ask's referring to, Infinite Crisis #1 and, as a comparison, The New Titans #116.

Before I get on to Uncle Sam, I'm gonna go on a tangent about Roy's leadership because, despite all his self-doubt, Roy was a genuinely good leader when he led the Titans, particularly in #116. He knew when to have his team fight-

-issuing understandable and consice commands as to what to do and when to do it. He assigned people specific orders based on their skillset, and was able to manoeuvre them into a singular fighting unit once it was time. At the same time, he knew when to recall them-

-and expressed concern whenever they attempted to overexert themselves or do something above their skillset (albeit in a very Roy way)

Roy actually understands his team, he knows what their strengths and weaknesses are, and he knows what they should and shouldn't be doing at any moment. And his team genuinely respects him for it!

(Plus, Bart respecting Roy more than Wally is one of the best things to come from this era)

Now, as for Uncle Sam in Infinite Crisis. As mentioned, I don't have much of a broader scope as to what his leadership pre-Crisis was like, ie when Grant was on the team. Additionally, the circumstances they were under were definitely a lot more extreme than New Titans #116. Whereas Roy and co were only up against Gar and Kyle, the Freedom Fighters were up against-

-significantly more, to say the least. However, a key factor in efficiently leading a superhero team is the ability to work well under pressure, so Mr. American Patriotism won't be entirely excused. In the issue, I could only find two instances where Sam actually issues commands, one-

-where all he's doing is telling them what the mission is, and two-

-where he's telling them to keep fighting no matter what. This is piss poor leadership. Not only does Sam give the absolute bare minimum of commands, but they're so incredibly vague and non-specific it's embarrassing. Sure, you could chalk it up to the surprise, the number of enemies, etc etc, but that is absolutely not an excuse. In a situation like that, he should be losing his voice by the end of it because of how many commands he should be issuing. Instead, he more or less treated it like a free-for-all. Additionally, his team had been awake for 48 hours prior to this. That is absolutely not prime condition, especially since before the ambush they had no idea it was a serious threat. Intel that a group had held a meeting somewhere two days ago is not at all justification for dragging your team around when they're all exhausted. Even if the Justice League were unavailable at that time, there are countless other teams who could've taken that! And when the ambush did happen, instead of calling for a retreat like the smart thing would've been when faced with that many enemies, he ordered them all to keep fighting a battle that was impossible to win.

So yeah, Roy would be pissed at Uncle Sam for what happened to Grant. You could argue that even if they were in prime condition, even if they'd tried to retreat, even if Sam had given orders, the team still would've been beaten. But Uncle Sam absolutely did not help. Grant's injuries were, at the very least partially, a result of poor central command and awful leadership. Roy did absolutely everything he could to lead his team, giving member-specific orders and doing all he could to ensure their safety. Uncle Sam basically said "I don't care what you do, just don't give up" which, while being a good sentiment for every day life, is absolutely shit when it comes to a life or death situation. And Roy would be pissed that the kid he worked so hard to train and protect sustained lifelong injuries because of some human American flag.

Anyway I think Roy should get to kick the shit out of the old man for funsies <3

[jortschronicles]

Dressing the Despencers, pt 2

Part 1

And so it continues. With the supportive underkirtle complete and worn at an event (under a different kirtle of mine) to make it relax the rest of the way, I got the measurements for our Edward and Thomas Despencer and started marking and cutting materials. While I originally believed I would have more than enough of the bronze patterned fabric, I was proven quite wrong and resorted to piecing together several gores and small extensions in the front of the body for Elizabeth and Edward Despencer. The planned change in the last post (bronze body with blue sleeves for Edward and green sleeves for Thomas) was shifted again, back to my ideal of particolor for the married couple and coordinating for the brother in law. I also realized halfway through marking that I was 2 gores and a sleeve shy of enough of the blue, which led to much wailing and gnashing of teeth. I found a similar-enough-at-a-distance blue satin at OKC fabric market, pictured on the right. Flash makes the differences obvious, but there will be very few flash photos taken of this. It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I'm so normal about this.

Because all 3 outfits have similarly sized pieces in similar fabrics, I've taken to organizing them in 3 individual cubes to keep everything straight. It has been a real game changer, and I would recommend it to everybody.

Having cut out and serged everybody's blue and bronze fabric, I dug through my stash of scrap linen to make the lining. I worry the bronze especially won't hang exactly right without lining. Additionally, I'm making the cotes for Edward and Thomas Despencer for a pair of high school seniors who, while I hope they wear an undertunic at the NMF, I plan and prepare for them not to do so. For reasons I cannot fathom, I chose not to serge the lining pieces for Edward Despencer's cote, seen below. Yay, hand finishing.

I usually bag line lined garments, but I also usually make garments in 2 layers of linen. I didn't want a bag lined garment to sag weirdly, so I sandwiched each seam, treating the lining and outer together as one piece of fabric each.

The picture below has two notable features: first, the blue of the body and the blue of the gore are the two different blues. This was proof of concept enough for me to accept the differences aren't terribly noticeable. Second, I did not bother pattern matching the various pieces of of any of the garments. Working from two extremely limited quantities of fabric, I found myself in the position I'd imagine many tailors in period would know well. Laying out pattern pieces over and over, I found the only way to effectively and efficiently use as much of my material as possible is to squeeze things in where I can (while still respecting the grain). I would like to find documentation on this speculation, but I would not be surprised if it is more period to not pattern match fabrics for anything less than a royal coronation garment. And the Despencers, while being played as nouveau riche landed nobility and close friends of the heir apparent, do not have pattern matching and wasting fabric money.

With Edward Despencer's cote largely assembled and waiting until I can do one more test fitting before I add button holes, I started assembling my/Elizabeth Despencer's outer gown. By this time, I decided for the remaining two Despencers to only line the 4 body panels, since that will help the drape enough in my humble opinion.

Don't worry, those gores get scooted up to a better height. I found myself working from Morgan Donner's example of a supportive kirtle, where her gores start where the flare of the bodice in the 4 body panels stops and turns into the straight lines to the floor. I still haven't quite figured out why mine looked so bad and noticeable in comparison to hers (seen below), but my best guess is the difference in drape of material, the fact that Mistress Donner is significantly smaller / less beefy in the hips than I, or that I just straight up placed them wrong.

I do love how much space the dress makes me take up though. It makes the transition from street to court feel a lot easier, I'm playing nobility and I take up space.

Tragedy struck and I realized I was short about an inch across the bust. Still not sure how I managed that, but it was time for a fix. Piecework is period, and I maybe panicked a little and overdid the width, but I added plackets to both sides of the front closure to give me more working room.

Then came the buttons, which I purchased from Bad Baroness buttons. I. Am. Obsessed. I wanted enough to do my front closure to the waist, both boys all the way to the hem, and sleeves for everybody. So I overdid it and bought 150. On my bodice, I spaced them about a button and a half apart to avoid gapping. Because the fabric doesn't play nice with chalk, I ran loose basting stitches to mark my button holes before I made them. Rather than using my wife's fancy new brother with an automatic buttonhole function, I learned how to use the button hole stitches on my old Janome (finally.) Overall, not a bad experience, and it means I don't need to borrow a machine to do buttonholes.

Then came what has been the most stressful point so far. Mistress Elizabeth Caton and Countess Amelot Lisette joined us for an unrelated sewing weekend extravaganza, and I took advantage of their expertise to help with fitting. Thus, the gores got moved up, and the sides taken in more. I really over did it with those front plackets RIP. But tragedy of tragedies, in moving the gores up, I left the dress 4 inches too short in places. Upon consultation with my trusted countesses and friends, we reverted to the original design with the red band and lions at the bottom. I was hesitant to do this because of the cast's restriction of true crimson to the royal family for readability reasons, and because it's not something I see much of in period depictions. However, the rest of the costuming committee reminded me of my own "10 foot squint rule", where if the costume isn't overwhelmingly crimson at 10 feet and squinting, it's fine. And this contemporary depiction of Mary of Waltham (Princess Mary) has a surcoat that appears to have a contrasting band at the bottom which may match gores going up the sides. The decision was made to cut myself some slack and get this workable ASAP.

Much appreciation to Halldora for loaning me her machine and helping me embroider these godforsaken Burghersh lions.

What comes next?

I need to finish the lions on Elizabeth's dress and hem the excess.

I need to add buttons and buttonholes to Elizabeth's sleeves

If the sleeves are too short, I may add contrast red cuffs of the same fabric as the hem, or gold cuffs and embroider them with the Glamorgan chevronelly in the Despencer arms

Buttons down the front of Edward Despencer, and close his sleeves. It's been fitted, and I had to add the button placket of despair to his garb as well.

Seam finishing for Edward :) since I didn't serge the lining for some reason :) I hate myself :) i've at least already started this.

Assemble and line Thomas's cote. I will definitely need a button placket on his too, I girlbossed too close to the sun and made the chests just a wee bit too tight for their comfort. For Thomas's, I'm going to embrace the pieced look and use some dark brown linen for the center closure.

Dye and attach the false sleeves for Thomas, they're going to be a lovely green :)

Hems and necklines for everyone!!

If i have time and spoons, I would LOVE to put some mammen scrollwork embroidery on at least one of the boys' cotes.

I am attending Ansteorra's Laurel's Prize Tournament this coming weekend and hope to have enough done on the Despencers' clothes to present them, so fingers crossed!

[le-trash-prince]

Do I know how perspective or rendering work no I fucking do not. Anyways here’s Perihelion’s student bunkroom.

I’ll be honest, I initially envisioned two-tier bunk beds because I assumed that’s just what all bunk beds were. But after reviewing the text, it didn’t seem to fit the description, and it turns out a bunk bed can just be a bed that’s attached to the wall. We learn something new every day. So here’s the foldout beds I came up with instead.

This is a room with four beds, intended for the students. We know there’s rooms with at least three beds, based on the scene with Amena/MB/Thiago in the bunkroom. It’s possible there could be more, in which case a door would be needed between every four beds. But I think it would be unlikely to have that many per room.

Anyways these activate via feed-switch. The platform at the bottom slides out from the wall. There’s drawer compartments built into the platform for storing clean bedding packs or whatever else ppl want to put in there. I wanted the platform to feel like a bed frame because the implication I got from the text is that these don’t get folded back up during the day—it’s just the unoccupied rooms that have all their furniture folded up. So I wanted it to feel like a space that people could settle into.

There’s little glass shelves that slide out from the wall once the bed is deployed, where students can keep personal items. And the shelf cubby is lined with a programmable LED strip, so students can still have some light when their privacy screen is engaged. Because of the way the mattress hinges up into the wall, the bottom shelf conceals a small space. I imagine that when some students realize this, they use it to stash certain personal items, even though ART can see them doing it anyways and has probably asked some embarrassing questions in the past.

To the right of the bed is a small, concealed wardrobe. The door of the wardrobe slides into the floor. Also the wall panels are steel plated, so students can hang personal items with magnets, like the fabric wall hanging below.

The text only mentions “furniture” aside from the beds, so I took liberties here. I considered putting a desk for each student, but bevause the university is anti-capitalist, I thought they might be opposed to all-nighter cram culture, so I went with this seating area instead. Students could use this for eating/tabletop games/whatever it is the kids are doing these days. Of course they could also study here if they wanted, but it’s optional rather than being built into the design that “your room is a place for exam prep.”

I don’t know that I’ll design the classrooms at this point as there’s been zero description of them, and I probably won’t design the lab module at all (because I have zero experience with labs lol), but I like to imagine there’s places in those areas of the ship where students can study if/when they need to.

The bench slides out from the wall, and there is again a storage compartment inside it, where the bench cushion goes along with maybe cushions for the stools as well. The table folds out from the wall, along with two legs that, when folded up, blend into the grooved panel design of the walls. The stools pull straight up from the floor. And the bronze pole light hanging over the table slides in and out of the wall when the furniture is deployed.

I designed the rooms to be darker than the rest of the ship so that they would feel cozy by comparison. But I wanted it to still feel like a university spaceship, so it is much more cold and minimal than my own idea of cozy lol. Please envision the dining area as being more brightly lit than the rest of the room. Also I did not draw them but the ceiling is lined with the same indirect lighting as the rest of the ship.

There’s also a concealed compartment on the left for laundry/recycler stuff.

I included the bathroom in the layout but I am going to spend a long time thinking about fixtures and space toilets before I do anything with that.

Anyways once again thank you if you have read this far. *meme voice* interior design is my passion.

(previous post in this series)