#Mycki Rambles

[myckicade]

Sooo... I see that Loki has been moved to an October 5th premier date.

That's a lot to take in. As in, it will be taking a backseat to OFMD, but I'll still be watching it.

I'm just going to have to take the day off. That's all there is to it.

[the-mickster]

I march to the beat of a different freaking instrument.

Being that I work with women, and just one guy, we sometimes pass a few minutes discussing our favourites of this or that. I'm one of the youngest women in the office, and I just don't match up with what they're saying, at all. Not that this really differs from, say, high school, BUUUT...

When it comes to music, well, that's the first place I'm out of the loop. This is Vermont, so, half of them listen to country, and the rest listen to pop and club music. I walk in, in an Alice Cooper t-shirt, and they're all discussing some Luke Bryan character that I've never heard of. Whoops.

Then, we move on to movies. Great, so, they all want to go see the latest chick flick, and I end up discussing Guardians of the Galaxy and Marvel, in general, with the (male) second-in-command for nearly fifteen minutes. (He also happens to be the only other person in the entire fucking facility, I swear, who listens to Dethklok). So, yeah. I get looked at like I'm some sort of a nut, there, too. I think I'm the only chick in-fandom, in that office, so, whatever.

Which leads me to the third conversation I don't match-up with. They'll start talking about the men (celebrities, generally)they think are sexy. And, everyone has their own taste, here, but, they all seem to agree on one dude... Channing Tatum. Good actor? Yeah, I like him. But, does he do anything for me? No, not really. Seriously, he looks like my brother, so, hey. I voice as much, and they all want to know, "Who do you like, then?" Oh, where to begin? Gary Oldman. Tom Hiddleston. I have a big ol' crush on Danny Koker. Christina Hendricks and Holland Roden are two of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen. (And, oh, hell forbid, I bring up a woman). Half of them don't know who I'm talking about. The others just think I'm insane.

Thank God, I think it's amusing. (Except for the part about them not understanding that, yes, I go for women, too. I'd let them know more, but, hard as it is to get them to understand that, trying to explain pansexuality to them is a task I don't even want to take on, just yet).

[myckicade]

So. Erm.

October 5th, my birthday, we get OFMD: S2.

October 6th, we get Loki: S2.

I may not make it to thirty-five a sane woman. Just as a warning.

[myckicade]

Mayans M.C. - 05x01 and 05x02

Thoughts, spoilers, and predictions behind the cut.

Please note, these are mostly just the ramblings of a lunatic. *waves* That'd be me.

Well. For fuck's fucking sakes. I had no idea about the premier until yesterday morning, because that is just how little I paid attention to the announcement. (I saw it posted, but if I checked for a date... Psssh... I certainly didn't remember it!).

Anyhow. Two-episode premiers kill me, and not in a good way. I'm exhausted, but that means the episodes held my attention well enough to keep me awake, so. That said, let me try and recall everything that I had wanted to say.

Okay, right off the bat:

The coffin in the previews. I haven't gone back to pause and take a head count, but I'd bet money that that's going to Alvarez in there, when the time comes. If not Alvarez, then Angel, but that's a sleek-looking casket. I just have a bad feeling for the both of them, because, as of right now, they are the only two who seem to be seeing reason. There are logical reasons why it wouldn't be Alvarez (mostly that I can't see his Mrs. just letting the Club have his body for that, unless he gets pulled back in). It's just a sinking feeling I have.

Alvarez. Since I've already brought him up... NEW BABY! YAY! But, it's clear that The World is weighing on him. I was quite surprised when he yelled at Santi, because he's been shown as such a good father. Then... Well. We all remember what happened with Esai. ANYHOW. Alvarez is one of the few characters I still stand behind. I want him to be able to retire in TRUE peace. My fear is that, if he goes down, his family will go with him, and I just don't want that.

Angel. I got A Bad Feeling while he was talking with Felipe, because that's usually the way. A man tries to do better for his family, and for himself, and he gets taken out. (Still a little sore over Coco). I fear that Angel will have this big redemption arc, only to have his heart broken, and then shot to shreds. It always takes something serious for the Main Dude to come around to reason, and become complete unhinged, at the same time. Much as I want to strangle the little bitch... I don't want Angel to be EZ's awakening.

EZ. I've been done with that motherfucker for at least two seasons. Not much has changed there.

Bishop. He's right. EZ will get them all killed. If not, then at least a few steps closer to the grave, each. Bishop can be the last man standing. I also hope he chokes on a cunt hair, stepping out on a nice lady like that. Shame on him.

Miguel. I like this man, and I think that's because I'm entirely partial to Danny Pino. He has a Good Boy face, and plays a Bad Dude so well. (I first saw him on The Shield, back in the early 2000's, playing Armadillo Quintero, and it was all uphill from there). ANYWAY. I wouldn't mind him getting a happy-ish ending. The fact that he's quietly trying to protect Little Brothers in the middle of a war just tickles me. When Soledad told him to cut his sentimental ties (or however she phrased that one), I snickered. The mess with his wife, on the other hand... I have to admit, I don't much care. His trip to the urinal, though... That scene brought me great joy.

Emily. This broad. She hasn't been a worthwhile character in so long? She could have disappeared from the show, and I wouldn't have given a damn. Pretty clear where this is going to go, now that she is - once again - down and desperate for help. I just never understood the point of her character. She's so far removed from EZ now, the road to getting them back into the same orbit is just going to suck.

Creeper. CAN THIS MAN PLEASE CATCH A FUCKING BREAK?! The poor bastard is the MC piñata, both physically and emotionally taking beatings left and right. CRIPES, y'all. Give the dude a break! I hope his little backstabbing bitch gets what's coming to her, one way or another.

Hank. My heart went out to him, last night. Doing what's best for our parents can sometimes suck. Hard. Aging is a gift denied to many, but the process can sometimes be ugly as sin. I felt Hank's pain on a personal level, as my own parents aren't in the best of health, and one of my greatest fears as a future caregiver is that I will have to make one of those Tough Calls. All the same, I saw some negative reactions toward him 'just leaving her there', and that made me mad. We all know how much Hank adores his mother. He's not in the best of shape himself, what with the cane, and picking up someone who takes a fall? Not as easy as it sounds. Ugh. It had to have been tearing him up inside, so I hope some folks can wake up to see that he isn't a bad guy for doing what he had to do for his mother. Shitty situation. Shitty choice to make. Shitty outcome.

Letty. Girlfriend. SO HAPPY to see she's still around. I thought that they might write her out, to be perfectly honest. While her new career choice is... interesting, to say the least, I am glad to see that she and Hope have worked themselves out. I don't care much for Hope's character. (She's a bit flat for me, personality-wise). But, I don't hate her. So. There is that.

Whew. That was a lot. But, that brings me to my final point:

HOW MANY STORYLINES DO WE REALLY NEED?! I feel that certain threads of this series could have been so much better if they had eased off on branching off in so many places. We don't get to spend much time on anything (except that thrice-be-damned pipeline), and the story really does suffer for it. I understand the concept of wide, wild visions for telling a tale. Believe me, I do. But this series lacks focus, unable to find a balanced manner of storytelling. It's fragmented, and rushed, and I know I complained about it last season, as well. I'm still watching. I'm going to finish it, God willing. But there was definite room for improvement on this one.

Bonus Thoughts:

"Put them back on the truck", and the resulting groans. Angel's reaction, especially. PERFECTION.

Angel's pooch encounter was also hysterical. 10/10.

I MAY HAVE MOMENTARILY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE BROTHER THING. I was enjoying the delicious tension between Miguel and EZ for a hot minute, before it all came back to me. (I did that in the first season of Supernatural, too. Came in toward the end of the season, and thought Dean and John had some sexy friction between them, until my husband finally said, "HE'S THEIR FATHER!!!!"... Whoopsies...).

Unpopular Opinion: This Guero dude is already on my nerves. Sorry. Obnoxious as hell, he is.

I'm glad Felipe is getting to spend time with Maverick. (Oh, gag, that name...).

P.S. Hats off to Clayton Cardenas for the scene with the intruders. Angel isn't one to shrink back in fear, bullheaded as he is, but I could taste the terror on him when he found his son in danger. Mm. Delicious work, there.

[myckicade]

Ever listen to a song that catches your ear, and the words you hear strike something in you? Like, "Yeah. I like this. I can work with this." Then, you figure out that the lyrics are entirely different from what you thought, and the whole meaning changes until it becomes, "Well, that's disappointing. Can I take that knowledge back?"

[myckicade]

As I previously stated, I loved 01x05. It was fantastic. It was real. It brought my emotions to the forefront, and I don't get to experience that with much of anything, these days. But, this little misfit family... I feel for all three of these characters, in my own way. (They're fictional, so, yes, I can do that, thanks). Possibly because I have been in each of their positions, in one form or another, throughout my life.

I'm going to get mighty personal with this one, so be warned.

01x05 hit home for me, in a big way. This is a legitimate breakdown of a forced family unit, and that's something I personally feel for. Children have been the Bad Marriage Band-Aid for generations, and I am grateful to the writers for acknowledging it. (Some of us get a little tired of seeing cookie-cutter families, when ours look more like the aftermath of an oven fire, y'know what I mean?). We're getting to see it from all three sides, too, which I find absolutely refreshing. One parent thinks the child will settle the relationship. The other goes along with it, and ends up so blinded by jealousy, there is no middle ground left.

Claudia, though. This girl... She has my heart. Claudia is not to blame for what she was brought into, the absolutely fucked-up relationship that her guardians share. Is she a little shit? Yes. Is she hard-headed? Yes. Unstable, in terms of coming into her own? Yes. But, she is not the cause of her parents' issues. That's a hard thing to overcome as a child brought up under such circumstances, especially when the household arguments are about you. Because, sure, they may be about you, but you did not cause them. Claudia isn't the origin of Louis and Lestat's tensions. She is the excuse to pick a semi-fresh fight. She is the mirror held up in front of the two of them to show them that, "Hey, this isn't right." The product of their unstable union. The best and worst of one another in one person. (Speaking of her vampiric years, not her humanity). That isn't to say that there isn't genuine concern for her, particularly on the part of Louis. Claudia just got caught up in a toxic situation, and it's no wonder she took the hell off. I'm not surprised which parent's side she took, either. (Then again, are any of us?).

Louis and Lestat are... Well, I feel less for the two of them. Some years ago, I was in a relationship with similar features, so I think what I am experiencing is that mirror (minus the children). I will first say that nothing - nothing - excuses abuse. I've seen it. I've experienced it. Hell, I'm guilty of it. I also acknowledge that abuse takes many forms. I see it in Lestat's constant manipulations. I see it in Louis' repeated threats to leave. Louis withholding intimacies (not just sexual). Lestat playing his little one-sided What's Good for the Goose game, in terms of monogamy. They both know what they are doing to one another, they know the reactions they will trigger, yet they keep doing it. It's an ugly, ugly cycle, and it won't end until one of them cuts the damned cord. Breaks the chain. (I don't exactly advocate that they do so through violence, but). Walking away isn't easy, fuck knows it isn't. There's truth to the notion that things need to hit rock bottom before they can get better.

No one is asking to be abused. That isn't what I'm getting at. My point is that these two are so completely caught up in trying to hurt one another, blame one another, and sabotage the other from the inside out, they ignore what it is doing to their charge. They know she can hear them fighting, and they carry on. Falling victim to The Pattern is part of the cycle, and it is likely to be passed on to Claudia. This whole situation is toxic. This is abuse. This is co-dependent. Everybody sucks, here. (Sorry, I had to). And, by golly, I will be here for it until the bitter end.

Y'know. God-willing.

P.S. I'll happily clarify anything that sounds shitty, if need be. I'm rattling this off at work, between what I should be doing, so. Y'know.

[myckicade]

Best Birthday Present EVER!!!!

*totally being dramatic, BUT*

I have yet to watch the trailer, but I see that Season 2 is premiering on MY BIRTHDAY?!?!?

*rolls around in joy*

P.S. My co-workers now think I'm even nuttier than usual. The screech I just let out wasn't human.

[myckicade]

Co-Worker: Why is there a Milk-Bone in your bag? Me: Because I've lost control of my life, Helen. Leave it alone.

[myckicade]

Thoughts on the Finale Double-Header

Because I have so many, I want to corral them into one post, instead of the fifty or sixty I could make.

I'm genuinely surprised by all of the posts concerning dislike - and even hatred - for the finale. Not calling anyone out! Everyone gets their own opinion, and I stick by that, 100%! While I feel that it could have benefitted from another episode or two, or even another week for the final episode (which was surely impossible due to the Season Opener of the NFL next Thursday night), I loved this season. I think it contains some of their best stuff yet. The inter-character growth has felt fantastic, everyone getting closer, even without openly admitting it in audible words. Every episode made me feel something positive, which was nice. (See my notes on Mayans M.C. for how I react to negative feelings... Heh...).

I'll dive into the Nandermo first, because why not? This entire season has been about hiding betrayal, which has been just delicious. Like a group of friends who uncover infidelity amongst a long-married couple, unsure of what to do, but not wanting either party to get hurt. (They knew the guilty one had it coming, but they still tried to keep things hush-hush). I loved that Nandor knew not only what would draw Guillermo out of hiding, but he knew where to find Mama de la Cruz. (Because, let's face it, he was never going to hurt the woman. Fucker nearly got staked because he was so distracted). The intensity of Nandor's forgiveness, for lack of a better term, the whole time they had that stake between them? MM. It was better than makeup sex, because it was heartfelt, and genuine, if a little raw and drowning in hurt. Nandor getting everyone together for his turning-back ceremony? Happily staking the fucking guy who turned his familiar? Knowing Guillermo wasn't ready. The glasses. The effort. The love. That is the kind of Nandermo I enjoy seeing. Would I be upset if they (eventually) got to something romantic? Of course not. But now is just... not the right time. There is so much healing to be done now. Regaining of trust. Rebuilding of bonds. A romantic relationship right now would be the equivalent of a divided couple having a baby to save their union. It wouldn't look good, and it would be a set up for utter failure.

Speaking of that damned ceremony. The fact that everyone came together to save that boy's bacon? Come on. Come on. That even Baron Afanas and Goëjlrm turned up? Even if that part was just for sake of realism, they could have easily said no. They all give a damn about Guillermo, and that was wonderful to finally see. Words are a dime a dozen. Actions are where the proof hides.

FURTHERMORE, everyone checking in on Guillermo made me so happy. The kids coming to see him. Nadja scolding him for speaking to Derek in a manner ill-befitting his station. Even if they were mostly shit at it, aside from the Guide and the Kids, they kept a close eye on him, and that warmed my heart.

"We have a babysitter at home." That made me simultaneously AWWW!!!!, and wonder whether the poor sitter was going to be alive by the time they returned. Y'all know I'm all for their domesticity, so that little snippet was just perfect for me.

While Derek got the short end of the stake, he now has what he has always wanted. Friends. Community. Somewhere to belong. It's just a terrible, ugly way to have to get it.

I want so much more for the Guide. I do. I do agree that they all collectively suck nut at being good to anyone, more than 90% of the time, but that chick was well within her mind to pull her stunts at the Manor. I really do wish we could have had a twelve-episode season, at the very least. Both of last night's episodes deserved to be two-parters. Mm.

Good on Nadja, too, turning the noisy neighbors into an opportunity. She's an enterprising, resourceful broad, that one. Just love her. <3.

I'm still fucking floored, by the way. If someone had asked Nandor from the fucking beginning, this whole season could have been avoided. Granted, yes, that was the point, but it deserves the spotlight for a moment or two. He's such a dumbass, but he knows his vampiric shit. And really, so much good came out of everyone else being dopey as shit for a change. Guillermo learned a valuable lesson. New little lives were created. (R.I.P. to the one those that were ended). The secret surely broke up the monotony for the household for a little while. And, of course, my personal favourite... There are new parents in New Jersey! I'm so giddy for that one!

Liked it or hated it, one thing is for sure. Season Six is going to bring so much inner conflict for Guillermo, and a change of dynamic amongst the household, that I just can't wait!

[myckicade]

I just talked myself out of an anxiety attack.

No, seriously. This is huge for me. I don't get like this often, but I've always spiraled down with it. Let it win, and let it pass. Today, I guess I just decided I'd had enough of my own shit. Took me less than a minute to pull myself back off the ledge. I'm a little embarrassed with myself, but this is the clearest I have felt in weeks.

Fucking weeks.

Warn me if this is unhealthy. And forgive me if this is an eye-roller, but I'm thirty-five years old, and I feel like I just unlocked a new super power.

P.S. Still don't wanna' be at work. Guess that part wasn't anxiety related, after all.

[myckicade]

I didn't take any pictures, but... Damn. That Eclipse was gorgeous. Right over Lake Champlain, just... *deep sigh*. Absolutely beautiful.

[myckicade]

When your day devolves from...

to...

[myckicade]

'The Terror' Reactions

Two of my girlfriends have finally sat down and started watching The Terror. They've made it to the middle of episode six, and they seem to be getting the Full Terror Experience. So far, I've received mixed, and amusing reactions. They've been so good, I've kept a list.

Warning: Some spoilers ahead!

Disclaimer: We've been best friends for more than twenty years, so some of this may make me sound like a terrible friend, but... I am. So.

One is taking my dislike of Hickey as a personal offense. (To which I tell her, "Hey! More for you!"). But she's bound and determined that the sun shines out his ass, and that I have no taste in men. What my visual assessments have to do with characterization and plot, I have yet to uncover.

The other wants to dig a hole and bury Goodsir on God's back forty. I might be offended by this one, primarily because her only reasoning is, "I don't like his face."

Neither like Crozier. Mr. Doom & Gloom isn't going to be voted Miss Congeniality, any time soon. I think the whiskey has something to do with it. Call me Sherlock.

Both - and this is possibly my favorite - believe that Jopson is up to something. "Nobody that pretty is innocent." The running theory right now is that playing nursemaid is a front, and Jopson is going to use the Powers of Pretty to manipulate Crozier into doing something dreadful. (Jopzier is my flagship. This is killing me).

They've gone Switzerland on the subject of James Fitzjames. This will not stand.

Tuunbaq is a collective hysteria brought on by scurvy. Who knew?

Got a little turned around with the flashes back and forth to England. John Bridgens and Sir John Ross believed to be the same person. Questioned extensively over how one man could be on the counsel, and also serving aboard Erebus. "Old grey men, they all look alike!" Momentary hilarity ensued (but only for me).

^ I explained this with visual aides, in the form of a picture of John Lynch, side-by-side with a picture of Clive Russell. It took fifteen fucking minutes. It was a real, "Fruit... Fruit! Tits... Tits!" Moment. (If you don't get that, please go watch Black Sails).

I couldn't figure out who the fuck they meant when they mentioned Captain Morgan to me, this morning. "I've watched this series fifteen times. Who the shit are you looking at?" It was Le Vesconte, y'all. During his announcement of the Carnivale. I had to hang up the phone.

"The surgeon and the grumpy doctor eyefucking is speaking to me." <- Left on my FB page.

"Why didn't they grow a garden below deck?" is possibly the dopey-est thing I've ever heard either of them say. Love them.

"I didn't know tin cans caused scurvy!" I amend my previous statements.

I can't wait for them to get off the ships. While entirely entertaining, my sanity can't take much more of this.

[myckicade]

I have the feeling that The Wedding Planner (and the nod to The Wedding Singer) aren't the first potential hints of what Nandor is up to? What he has been up to for the last years?

I'm now imagining that every stupid, selfish, childish stunt that Nandor has ever pulled has been, in some way or another, a means to get Guillermo's attention. Why? Fucking movies.

Running away to join that cult? Total cry for his Familiar's attention. He didn't exactly fight Guillermo, all that hard, about 'escaping'. I can't think of a specific movie, but I know that plot has been used, before.

Super Slumber? 'Interruptions', my ass. He was just waiting around for Guillermo to come wake his ass up, like Sleeping Beauty.

Gail? C'mon. C'mon. He saw Twilight. While I haven't seen or read it, isn't a part of that series about one vampire dude trying to keep a werewolf's paws off of his woman? Perfect scenario for his Prince Charming (Guillermo) to come swooping in with a love confession.

And, Meg. Trying to get Guillermo to help him win over a chick, in the hopes that his Familiar will step up and confess his love? Mmmm, a delicious (if overused) plot in romcoms.

Thinking back over the seasons... I may have to go on a serious re-watch, because I am sure that there are more instances than just these. It's like, every season, he tries harder and harder to come up with the most ridiculous - but, still surprisingly subtle - ways to get Guillermo to be his. The wedding is just... extreme.

Like he needs to know that Guillermo loves him, free of any verbal or physical influence (words of love from Nandor, hugs, etcetera), before he turns him. He wants to know that Guillermo loves him, free and clear.

*melts*

P.S. Guess who ought to be doing her work, right now, and not on Tumblr? This chick.

Belated Disclaimer: This is all told through a shipping lens. This has been on my mind since I was writing, last night, and I am working off of three written chapters, and very little sleep.

[myckicade]

Daily Rambles: A Commentary on Nandermo, and Shipping In General

I know I've been on a bit of a thing with this whole Nandermo deal. And, y'know something? I don't do this. I don't. Shipping is usually just a fun little game for me (which is why I tend to gravitate toward rarepairs). Unofficial mainstream pairings? They don't usually get to me.

Please Note: The following isn't meant as hate toward any ship. I'm not tagging said ships, for that very reason. This is purely one broad's experience.

Destiel? Tried it. Enjoyed a smidge of it. But... I didn't really get attached to it, because it didn't seem like it was going to land.

Sterek? I flat-out never felt it. I tried. I did. (I ended up a Steter shipper, instead).

JohnLock? Okay, to be fair, I was a believer in this ship before the show aired, so I guess I was fairly biased. Still, y'all know.

With Nandermo, it just feels... I dunno'. Different, I guess? I genuinely didn't think I would go for them, given my history. I think OFMD and BlackBonnet (GentleBeard, BlackStede, whatever you choose to call it) have given me hope in WWDitS and Nandermo. I have faith in the creators, the writers, and the fact that the actors seem to be embracing the shipping corner of the fandom. Even if we never get canon Nandermo, the journey is still delightful. No one (of importance) seems to be throwing it in the fans' faces that we're making it all up.

It's nice. It's refreshing. As someone who has been in fandom, in general, for more than two decades... I can say that shipping has never felt so enjoyable.

And, y'know, it also helps that the show is superb, even without shipping. Just like OFMD, it's there, it's evident, but it's not the primary focus.

Now, I will continue to lose my mind over this. Thank you for entertaining another Mycki Approved My-Ass-Should-Be-Working Ramble.

[myckicade]

Binge Report: In Nandermo Hell. Will send postcards.

WARNING: My ramblings will likely include spoilers.

Yes, I did it. I sat my ass down and binged What We Do in the Shadows. I was so afraid I wouldn't like it, these last few years. I've loved the movie, so dearly... I just couldn't imagine enjoying the series.

I was so, so wrong.

I love pretty much everything about this series. I really do. I do see a smidge of a shift happening with Season Four that I'm hoping will work itself out. Other than that, I'm quite in love with it! (Like the new fragrance line at Howlet & Fawn didn't give me away...).

Laszlo wins out as my favourite character. He's so witty, and perverted, and opinionated. I love his love for Nadja (their love together, really). Someone who tries to come off as detached and dismissive, but has all the heart in the world. And, seriously, who wouldn't love Jackie Daytona?! (That whole episode killed me). Mm. I could go on (and on, and on), but I'll leave it at that.

Colin Robinson is a close second. No joke. The fucker is hysterical. He reminds me of a half-empty plastic water bottle, but he's so funny, and his delivery is just... outstanding. When he said, "I don't want them to think I'm not down to clown", I fucking lost it. He's exceptional, and, as I think about it, I think that is what's missing for me, right now. Don't get me wrong, the child that crawled out of the corpse of Colin Robinson is an absolute riot, but I miss that slice of dry toast in a tie.

Nandor was the character I thought I would dislike, the most. Don't ask me why. He just seemed so... dippy. And, he so fucking is, but I love him this way, and I don't ever want him to change. (He's still a dick, but I like to think he's a loveable, confused dick). His character progression is actually quite fabulous to me.

Guillermo. My dude. I so want him to be happy. HAPPY, DAMN IT ALL. Am I drowning in Nandermo, and wanting him to be happy with Nandor? Fuck, yeah. Am I also aware that Nandor is a total twat, and that Guillermo deserves better? FUCK, yeah. Now, I've never been a Familiar, but I've worked as a downtrodden, bedraggled assistant to a complete cunt muffin, a time or two in my life, and I can relate to this man, so much. Come Hell or high blood pressure, I am in this one's corner.

Nadja is... Well, she's something else. I admit that I was also hesitant about her character. I thought they'd just... Y'know... Ruin her, all together, before I got the chance to enjoy her? I don't know how to describe it, but it's all leftover bull from other series that just swims around in my brain. Anywho. This bitch kicks ass, and I'm very happy she got the chance to at least try the damned Council! I was worried she'd decline the offer because of Laszlo, and while he did pull a dick move, it didn't stop Nadja from following her dreams on the opportunity. I want more for her. I want THE WORLD for her, in a VERY literal form.

And, the side characters... Getting to see Vladislav and Viago and Deacon was a treat for my heart. :3. Omigosh. The Baron and the Sire popping in for the portrait was a bit like calling in Grandma and Grandpa for the Christmas card photo. >XD.

Oh, right! Nandermo! I'm on-board. I've been rooting for them, and for their fans, from the sidelines since I first learned of them, but to experience them for myself? Hell. YES. I live for a slow burn, and their story gives me happy tingles. <3 . I want them together, but I don't want them together. I want the deliciousness to last until The. Perfect. Moment.

The. Perfect. Moment.

I'm a multi-shipper, though, so these little glimpses of Laszlo/Nandor make me incredibly happy, as well. <3.