#OnS 136 spoilers

[rev3rb]

MY BOY HAS RETURNED!!

God, I have so many thoughts about this. The fact that they were playing a word game so they'd know how the other was doing without explicitly expressing how they were doing is driving me insane.

[add1rall]

guys the chapter that came out today (136) is the 39th chapter for part 2

guess what happened in part 1s 39th chapter

FUJIMOTO WHAT ARE YOU DOING

[dotty-literati]

Average Twitter discussion

[pockethep]

Fujimoto and his theatre scenes…

[ahrasliaayahanambar]

Just

W O O W

HOLY SHI...

[livefinn]

😱

[corvid-ae]

So you want to listen to Main Range?

Great! I know how intimidating it can be to try and start listening, so I’ve tried to compile a guide to the main story arcs. More under the cut (minor spoiler warning)!

Also known as the Monthly Adventures, it’s a great way to get into the DWEU and definitely one I would recommend. It is also accessible, with the first 50 stories available on Spotify, or available to buy from Big Finish or second-hand fairly easily (or, you know, via less-legitimate means).

Main Range involves stories from the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors, and various TV and original companions. If you are a fan of eighties and nineties Who, then Main Range might be for you! My general recommendations for people are to pick a specific doctor AND companion(s) to listen to and go from there. Although, if you’re looking for a first story to try, why not start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) with the Sirens of Time.

While many Main Range stories are stand-alone, there are also some overarching plots, which are actually very companion-focussed. Trying to understand these arcs and listen to them in order can be intimidating for people looking to get into listening, however its probably simpler than you’d think.

To help you out with all of this, I have done my best to write down the stories that are probably best listened to in order, with a bit of an explanation about how it fits into TV continuity if relevant. The order is pretty easy to follow as it is pretty much just in release order. No, Big Finish did not intentionally try to confuse their audience by releasing stories out of order (okay maybe they did just a little). However I have provided the story number in brackets [like so] for clarity.

Also, to be clear, all of the arcs are self-contained, so seperate arcs don't have to be listened to in the order I've written them down in, unless I've specified otherwise (like with the Evelyn and Hex storyline).

Again, it is not super important to listen to things in order. If you are getting bored with a story or with listening in order then feel free to skip things. Maybe you could just skim the Tardis Wiki page for the plot if you like. To help, I’ve also marked any of the super plot-heavy stories with an asterix. Most other stories, especially ones that I don’t mention here are standalone and can be listened to however you like.

Also feel free to let me know if I miss anything! Happy listening :)

Fifth Doctor:

The Erimem Arc

This takes place after Planet of Fire and before Caves of Androzani, and features the Fifth Doctor, Peri and an original character called Erimem - an ancient Egyptian princess. This is a pretty good arc and one I would definitely recommend. Please feel free to skip Nekromanteia though it’s genuinely terrible.

[24] The Eye of the Scorpion*

[38] The Church and the Crown

[41] Nekromanteia

[56] The Axis of Insanity

[59] The Roof of The World

[69] Three’s a Crowd

[71] The Council of Nicaea

[81] The Kingmaker

[99] Son of the Dragon

[102a] The Mind’s Eye

[104] The Bride of Peladon*

The Key 2 Time

A trilogy featuring the Fifth Doctor and an original companion called Amy which acts as a sequel to the Key to Time. It is set between Planet of Fire and Caves of Androzani. The Fifth Doctor meets Amy again in the boxset Wicked Sisters.

[117] The Judgement of Isskar

[118] The Destroyer of Delights

[119] The Chaos Pool

The Stockbridge trilogy

Featuring The Doctor and Nyssa and set in the fictional town of Stockbridge which was first introduced in the Fifth Doctor’s DWM comics. Knowledge of that is not at all essential however. Set between Time Flight and Arc of Infinity.

[127] Castle of Fear

[128] The Eternal Summer

[129] Plague of the Daleks

The Older Nyssa Arc

This is set between Enlightenment and the King’s Demons and features Tegan, Turlough and an older Nyssa - some years after the events of Terminus.

[136] Cobwebs*

[137] The Whispering Forest

[138] The Cradle of the Snake

[146] Heroes of Sontar

[147] Kiss of Death

[148] Rat Trap

[159] The Emerald Tiger

[160] The Jupiter Conjunction

[161] The Butcher of Brisbane

[172] Eldrad Must Die!

[173] The Lady of Mercia

[174] Prisoners of Fate

[195] Mistfall

[196] Equilibrium

[197] The Entropy Plague*

The Hannah Arc

A very short trilogy featuring the Doctor, Nyssa and another original companion - Hannah - an Edwardian woman. Set sometime between Time Flight and Arc of Infinity.

[185] Moonflesh

[186] Tomb Ship

[187] Masquerade

The Season 19 Gang Arc

Set during the events of Season 19, these stories feature the original gang of the Doctor, Adric, Tegan and Nyssa.

[221] The Star Men

[222] The Contingency Club

[223] Zaltys

[234] Kingdom of Lies

[235] Ghost Walk

[236] Serpent in the Silver Mask

The Kamelion Arc

There’s not much to say about this apart from that these three are probably best listened to in this order? Set between the King's Demons and the Five Doctors (i think) and featuring Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion.

[247] Devil in the Mist

[248] Black Thursday/Power Game

[249] The Kamelion Empire

The Marc Arc

These stories follow the Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa, and an original companion Marc - a man from ancient Greece. It is set sometime between the end of Arc of Infinity and Mawdryn Undead.

[256] Tartarus*

[257] Interstitial/Feast of Fear

[258] Warzone/Conversion*

[266]Ghost Station/The Bridge Master/What Lurks Down Under/The Dancing Plague

[267]Thin Time/Madquake*

Sixth Doctor:

The Evelyn Arc

One of my favourite arcs with some great stories, and maybe where things get a little confusing. This arc features the Sixth Doctor and an original companion, Evelyn - an historian from modern-day England. Set sometime before the Sixth Doctor meets Mel I think.

This arc set up some story aspects which are explored further with the Seventh Doctor’s stories - specifically, the Forge trilogy. There are a few ways you could listen to these but to keep it simple I would also recommend listening to the Seventh Doctor story the Harvest before you listen to Thicker Than Water, and then A Death in the Family once you’ve listened to all the Evelyn stories AND the Forty-Five anthology. This could also be listened to concurrently in release order with the Hex storyline which I’ll outline a bit later.

[6] The Marian Conspiracy*

[9] The Spectre of Lanyan Moor

[11] The Apocalypse Element

[22] Bloodtide

[23] Project: Twilight*

[37] The Sandman

[40] Jubilee

[43] Doctor Who and the Pirates

[45] Project: Lazarus*

[57] Arrangements for War*

[58] The Harvest (7th Doctor)*

[60] Medicinal Purposes

[73] Thicker Than Water*

[100] 100 BC/My Own Private Wolfgang/Bedtime Story/The 100 Days of the Doctor*

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster

[144] The Feast of Axos

[145] Industrial Evolution

[115] Forty-Five anthology (7th Doctor)*

[140] A Death in the Family (7th Doctor)*

You can theoretically listen to the following before or after Thicker Than Water if you want - they are sort of standalone stories with the Doctor and Evelyn:

[78] Pier Pressure

[84] The Nowhere Place

[108] Assassin in the Limelight

The Charley Arc 2.0

This is best listened to once you’ve listened to the Charley Arc with the Eighth Doctor. Featuring the Sixth Doctor and Charley.

[105] The Condemned*

[111] The Doomwood Curse

[114] Brotherhood of the Daleks

[116] The Raincloud Man

[124] Patient Zero

[125] Paper Cuts

[126] Blue Forgotten Planet*

The Flip and Constance Arc

Featuring the Sixth Doctor and two original companions, Flip - a girl from modern-day England - and Constance - a woman from World War II. Set sometime before the Doctor meets Mel.

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster*

[156] The Curse of Davros

[157] The Fourth Wall

[158] Wirrn Isle

[182] Antidote to Oblivion

[183] The Brood of Erys

[225] Vortex Ice/Cortex Fire

[184] Scavenger*

[204] Criss-Cross*

[205] Planet of the Rani

[206] Shield of the Jotunn

[218] Order of the Daleks

[219] Absolute Power

[273] Colony of Fear

[220] Quicksilver*

[231] The Behemoth

[232] The Middle

[233] Static

[263] Cry of the Vultriss

[264] Scorched Earth

[265] The Lovecraft Invasion

The Older Peri trilogy

Featuring the Doctor and Peri from after she marries King Yrcanos.

[192] The Widow’s Assassin*

[193] Masters of Earth

[194] The Rani Elite

Seventh Doctor:

The Hex Arc

A great arc that sort of starts with Evelyn’s arc. I would not recommend starting this until after you’ve listened to Project: Lazarus, but maybe at least listen to The Harvest before Thicker Than Water (no stress if you don’t want to juggle listening to arcs concurrently). Features the Seventh Doctor, Ace, and an original companion from 2020s London - Hex. Set after the end of Classic Who.

[58] The Harvest*

[67] Dreamtime

[74] LIVE 34

[79] Night Thoughts

[82] The Settling

[89] No Man’s Land

[92] Nocturne

[106] The Dark Husband

[115] False Gods/Order of Simplicity/Casualties of War/The Word Lord*

[120] The Magic Mousetrap

[121] Enemy of the Daleks

[122] The Angel of Scutari*

[139] Project: Destiny*

[140] A Death in the Family*

[141] Lurkers at Sunlight’s Edge

[149] Robophobia (side note: this is our introduction to Liv Chenka who is one of the Eighth Doctor’s main companions from Dark Eyes onwards).

[151] The Doomsday Quatrain

[152] House of Blue Fire*

[162] Protect and Survive*

[163] Black and White*

[164] Gods and Monsters*

[181] Afterlife*

[189] Revenge of the Swarm

[190] Mask of Tragedy

[191] Signs and Wonders

Also at some point before or after the Angel of Scutari you can listen to the following as they are standalone stories:

[226] Shadow Planet/World Apart

[245] Muse of Fire

[268] The Flying Dutchman/Displaced

The Klein Arc

An Arc featuring The Seventh Doctor and an original character, Klein - a woman from 1940s Germany. Set after the end of Classic Who.

[25] Colditz*

[130] A Thousand Tiny Wings

[131] Klein’s Story/Survival of the Fittest

[132] The Architects of History

[175] Persuasion

[176] Starlight Robbery

[177] Daleks Among Us

Klein is also involved in the final story of the Daniel trilogy which spans the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors.

Eighth Doctor:

The Charley Arc 1.0

The best Main Range arc in my opinion. If you listen to anything, listen to this. Featuring the Eighth Doctor and original companion Charley, with another original companion C’rizz in Part 2 of the arc.

Part 1:

[16] Storm Warning*

[17] Sword of Orion

[18] The Stones of Venice

[19] Minuet in Hell

[28] Invaders from Mars

[29] The Chimes of Midnight

[30] Seasons of Fear

[31] Embrace the Darkness

[32] The Time of the Daleks

[33] Neverland*

[50] Zagreus*

Part 2:

[52] Scherzo*

[53] The Creed of the Kromon* (TW for sexual assault in the Creed of the Kromon. Feel free to stop listening after episode one or just read the Tardis Wiki page for relevant plot info)

[54] The Natural History of Fear

[55] The Twilight Kingdom

[61] Faith Stealer

[62] The Last

[63] Caerdroia

[64] The Next Life*

[72] Terror Firma

[75] Scaredy Cat

[77] Other Lives

[80] Time Works

[83] Something Inside

[88] Memory Lane

[101] Absolution*

[103] The Girl Who Never Was*

The Mary Shelley arc

A short arc featuring the Eighth Doctor and Mary Shelley! Yes, that Mary Shelley.

[123d] Mary’s Story*

[153] The Silver Turk

[154] The Witch from the Well

[155] Army of Death

Multi-doctor arcs:

These are mostly trilogies featuring stories which Big Finish probably mostly intended to be listened to together.

The Forge trilogy

Relevant to the Evelyn and Hex arcs - best listened to in conjunction with the rest of their stories.

[23] Project: Twilight (Sixth Doctor)

[45] Project: Lazarus (Sixth Doctor/Seventh Doctor)

[139] Project: Destiny (Seventh Doctor)

The Villains Trilogy

[47] Omega (Fifth Doctor)

[48] Davros (Sixth Doctor)

[49] Master (Seventh Doctor)

The Harvest/TheReaping/The Gathering trilogy

^^^ I’m naming it that because the other name I’d give it would be a big spoiler lol (if you saw me forget the Harvest out of this no you didn’t)

[58] The Harvest (Seventh Doctor)

[86] The Reaping (Sixth Doctor)

[87] The Gathering (Fifth Doctor)

The Brewster Arc

Thomas Brewster is also vaguely relevant to the events of Stranded with the Eighth Doctor but it’s not really important.

[107] The Haunting of Thomas Brewster (Fifth Doctor)

[113] Time Reef/A Perfect World (Fifth Doctor)

[143] The Crimes of Thomas Brewster (Sixth Doctor)

[144] The Feast of Axos (Sixth Doctor)

[145] Industrial Evolution (Sixth Doctor)

The Sorsha trilogy

[165] The Burning Prince (Fifth Doctor)

[166] The Acheron Pulse (Sixth Doctor)

[167] The Shadow Heart (Seventh Doctor)

The 1963 trilogy

These don’t really have an overarching plot as far as I can remember, they were just released as part of the 50th anniversary.

[178] 1963: Fanfare for the Common Men (Fifth Doctor)

[179] 1963: The Space Race (Sixth Doctor)

[180] 1963: The Assassination Games (Seventh Doctor)

The Companions Trilogy

[198] The Defectors (Seventh Doctor)

[199] Last of the Cybermen (Sixth Doctor)

[200] The Secret History (Fifth Doctor)

The Master trilogy

[211] And You Will Obey Me (Fifth Doctor)

[212] Vampire of the Mind (Sixth Doctor)

[213] The Two Masters (Seventh Doctor)

The Daniel trilogy

[237] The Helliax Rift (Fifth Doctor)

[240] Hour of the Cybermen (Sixth Doctor)

[244] Warlock’s Cross (Seventh Doctor) (Klein is in this one if you want to listen to her arc beforehand)

[hello-vampire-kitty]

Servamp chapter 136 spoilers

I only read the chapter once so I haven't understood some parts because I haven't looked up the meaning of some words, that's what I'll do when I get to properly translate the chapter, but in the meantime, I'm just going over a few pages so you can get an idea of what's going on.

Oh my God, this chapter reveled so much!

I haven't talked about this, because I still have a few chapters to work on, but the previous one ended with Lily saying that everything was done in order to make the revived Count become the 9th Servamp with Mikuni as his Eve.

If that's the plan, could it mean that Mikuni will break his contract with Jeje or will it be possible to also keep him too?

Lily reveals to Misono that initially he wanted to put Kuro in Mikuni's path, but that would have been a great risk if Tsubaki went after Kuro, so instead he chose Mahiru.

"As someone from a family of magicians that could be easily monitored and who didn't posses the combat skills of a magician...And most of all, he was the son of a certain man"

Lily tells Misono about Touma being Mahiru's father, who was a hindrance because Touma was close to the realization of the Count's reincarnation. Lily thought that if Tsubaki would target Mahiru, Touma would be dealt with if he tried protecting Mahiru.

Lily didn't think that Touma would try shooting his son, but he was wrong.

"Love is the most difficult to read."

Lily tells Misono about his mother and what we knew about her was a lie. To start off her name was Tatsunami Hokaze which is so weird and perhaps it was a mistake because it happened before that some character's name were misspelled, like it happened with Pisca (it was even brought up by Tanaka on Twitter) and I recall one time where Tsurugi's name was written Rurugi xD

So, I looked up Hokaze (歩風) and it seems to be a boy's name and I have found the readings Ayuka or Honoka for girl names, so maybe one of those is actually her name?

Well, if it won't be mentioned by Tanaka if it was a misspelling, for now she will be called Hokaze.

Moving on, I noticed that in the first panel on the left, if you look closely at the book she's holding, it most likely "Jane Eyre" written on the cover, so we have a literary work that's associated with her.

Alright, so she was one of the orphans Lily brought to the Alicein house, like Dodo and Mitsuki.

Lily described her as ambitious woman and he encouraged her to get into Mikado's good graces. If she became his mistress, she could control him from the shadows.

The letters from his mother that Misono read were censored by Mikuni and crafted a beautiful story. In Japanese it specifically says検閲 which means censorship, so that seems to imply that he didn't fabricate the letters entirely, some things that were written in them might have been left unchanged.

Poor Misono :((

Man, the drama of this family...

So, we get to see Lily's past and I'm assuming (because it doesn't say) that he was selling his body? That's the impression I get from that image with the old guy who's giving him money...

Alright, moving on to Kuro's fight against Tsubaki!

It's awesome how Kuro made the candlestick into a sword! It looks cool!

Tsubaki says that demon Kuro was apparently sensei's "something", that he called things such as friend or brother and the demon was sort of like a familiar.

Kuro wants to hear from Tsubaki why is he obsessed with the Count, but Tsubaki isn't reluctant to tell him.

Kuro uses "Elpsis" to try looking into his memories and it's so cool that he can use Mahiru's ability, like he even changed the sword into a staff like Mahiru's!

Tsubaki had a little sister :(

So, apparently the reason he wanted to revive sensei isn't because he cared about him. He wants the ritual to be fulfilled because he awaits what comes after. Tsubaki made a promise with sensei, the latter telling him that he would make his little sister happy.

What could that mean? If she's dead, could it mean that he will bring her to life? It doesn't mention what happened to her...

Oh boy, so, I feel sorry for Misono because of how much he was deceived and we also find out that Tsubaki wasn't actually looking forward to be reunited with sensei because they had a deep bond or something, he even admits in this chapter that he's probably just a means to sensei's objective to be united with Kuro, because sensei was only interested in him.

So yeah, that's about it. I want to end the post by saying that I thank you for the patience with the scanlations, I still have three more chapters to finish until I start working on this one.

[mushroom-madness]

🍄 ROUND 6: THE FINALE 🍄

🍄 Which of our buggy bois will be crowned TUMBLRS MOST FAVORITE FUNGAL FUN GUY!! 🍄

🍄 Vote for your Favorite Fungi! 🍄

Descriptions Below ⬇️

Leif

"Leif is one of the protagonists of Bug Fables, they're a cordyceps fungus inside a moth host. They've been in some other tournaments (notably the graveyard gambit tourney, for zombie characters). There are other cordyceps in Bug Fables but since Leif is a protagonist they're the most qualified for polls in general. They're an ice wizard who uses plural pronouns (we/us/our), has Fungus Autism(m), and their favorite things are food, cute creatures, and card games. They had a wife and kids, they don't know what glasses are, and sometimes they speak in keysmashes. Not to be biased but they're the best character ever made” - Submission 46

“*slaps roof of moth* This mans is SO full of 'shroom (which is. A major spoiler for the game, but hey! He's a fungus (cordyceps) and I lobve himb)" - Submission 67

"He may not look like a fungus, but he's actually a moth zombie reanimated by Cordyceps fungus. He is both bug and mushroom:)” - Submission 104

"Lief sweep let's gooooo" - Submission 139

Caduceus

"He heals wounds with fungus and makes tea from dead people which is, like, basically what mushrooms do" - Submission 97

"my sweet son. my baby boy. love and cherish him" - Submission 136

[rockalillygirl]

Murderbot Holding Hands

(Minor spoilers alert for Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy pls check the tags)

First real post because I’m shy. Don’t know why it’s going to be a hyper-specific murderbot meta but here we go:

I’ve been rereading all the books after finishing System Collapse <3 and I want to talk about a small moment in Artificial Condition that I’d never noticed before. It’s near the end of the book when Tapan is in ART’s medsystem after nearly dying, and SecUnit says that when Tapan wakes up it’s holding her hand.

When Tapan woke, I was sitting on the MedSystem’s platform holding her hand. (Artificial Condition, p. 155 in my ebook)

I thought it was a really sweet moment, but it also kind of puzzled me because of SecUnit’s aversion to touch. Later when I was reading Exit Strategy, I noticed a similar moment when SecUnit holds hands with Mensah to help disguise them as they’re trying to escape TranRollinHyfa.

[Mensah] took a deep breath and looked up at me. “We can look calm. We’re good at that.” Yeah, we were. I did a quick review to make sure I was running all my not-a-SecUnit code, then I thought of one more thing I could do. As we stepped out of the pod, I took Mensah’s hand. (Exit Strategy, p. 87)

Reading these scenes felt different in a couple ways. In my opinion, SecUnit taking Mensah’s hand in Exit Strategy seemed like more of a big deal because it was a part of SecUnit’s reunion with Mensah, and we see its thoughts and emotions leading up to it. And it tracks that SecUnit might feel ok holding Mensah’s hand in that situation because of their close friendship. But the moment in Artificial Condition is more mysterious. We don’t get any of SecUnit’s internal monologue at the beginning because the scene opens when Tapan wakes up. And even though it’s clear in the book that SecUnit likes Tapan along with Rami and Maro, I wouldn’t say their relationship is anywhere near as close as its bond with Mensah. So why did it hold her hand?

I think it’s a neat moment that’s fun to ponder! And I have some vague ideas I’d like to share about it. (Some of this is based on the books and some is my speculation as an ace/aspec person dealing with touch aversion.) (Also none of these thoughts are mutually exclusive!)

Maybe SecUnit saw holding Tapan’s hand as a form of first aid after her traumatic experience and didn’t want her to panic waking up in a strange ship’s medsystem. This fits with SecUnit bracing itself to hug Mensah in Exit Strategy. (The memes of this moment are perfect lol)

But I was the only one here, so I braced myself and made the ultimate sacrifice. “Uh, you can hug me if you need to.” She started to laugh, then her face did something complicated and she hugged me. I upped the temperature in my chest and told myself it was like first aid. (Exit Strategy, pp. 82-3)

But I feel like SecUnit might not care as much about comforting Tapan in a similar way if it hadn’t already built up some kind of trust with her? Which brings me to Thought 2:

I think SecUnit might have felt safe holding Tapan’s hand because of the moment in Artificial Condition in the second transient hostel when Tapan laid down next to it. (Ofc I think rescuing Tapan from Tlacey’s ship was also a factor, trauma-bonding and all. But to me this moment in the hostel is more important.)

Thirty-two minutes later, I heard movement. I thought Tapan was getting up to go to the restroom facility, but then she settled on the pad behind me, not quite touching my back… I had never had a human touch me, or almost touch me, like this before and it was deeply, deeply weird. (Artificial Condition, pp. 136-7)

This is one of my favorite sequences in Artificial Condition (which is also my favorite book in the series because of ART! And because I find it quiet, reflective, and weirdly cozy even though objectively few cozy things happen now that I think about it). The scene is pretty mundane with a lot of fun bits like SecUnit pretending to need to use the restroom, be on a diet, etc. And we usually don’t get to see SecUnit hanging out with only one person. So it gives room for some small, but important feelings that I don’t think SecUnit has time to explore when it’s busy saving the day. Like how it feels about physical contact with humans.

(idk it reminds me of how like in ghibli films there’s usually at least one scene with the characters eating a meal or something because it sort of grounds everything else. I just like it!)

Tapan being close to SecUnit seems to throw if off-guard, but the context of the scene feels non-threatening and pretty mellow. So I think this gives SecUnit the opportunity to check-in with itself about this new experience. It still feels weird about it, but not in a scary or upsetting way. I think it’s almost this mutual vulnerability (Tapan feeling vulnerable and seeking comfort and SecUnit feeling vulnerable about her closeness and its own boundaries) that creates a bond between them, and that’s why SecUnit reaches out to Tapan to comfort her when she wakes up onboard ART.

That scene has become really special to me. And I would argue that it’s an important moment to SecUnit too because it brings it up again in Exit Strategy, along with a later moment in Rogue Protocol, thinking about times when it’s experienced physical contact with humans in a non-traumatizing way.

Except it wasn’t entirely awful. It was like when Tapan had slept next to me at the hostel, or when Abene had leaned on me after I saved her; strange, but not as horrific as I would have thought. (Exit Strategy, p. 83)

These moments seem to lead up to SecUnit offering to comfort Mensah later on because it’s reached a point where it feels willing to do so for her sake, even if it doesn’t want to seek out that kind of comfort for itself. And it’s really cool to see SecUnit navigate this throughout the books.

SecUnit starts the series with a strong innate sense that it doesn’t want to be touched by humans, but it’s allowed to refine those feelings in light of its new experiences. It’s boundaries are situational and personal, and even well-meaning humans sometimes struggle to understand them at first. Other times, SecUnit finds it difficult to understand it’s own feelings regarding touch and even changes its mind. But, importantly, the narrative always presents this as valid and worthy of respect.

This is a much more nuanced and realistic portrayal of defining boundaries than I’ve seen in a lot of media- one where it’s a constant and sometimes confusing process of self-discovery.

And these might seem like obvious concepts to some people, but they weren’t for me growing up. I really wish I’d read these books when I was younger, and maybe I would’ve given myself more grace to define my comfort level, grow, and change. But I’m glad that I’m in a place now where I can see and appreciate these things in what’s become one of my favorite series.

Anyway, I don’t want to say "thanks for coming to my TedTalk” lol. But very grateful to anyone who reads this and hope it was thought-provoking. Would be interested to hear other people’s thoughts on these scenes!

[rebeccasteventaylor]

Ooh, yes, here come my spoilers thoughts for Magnus Protocol 5!

So Colin is basically cracking, is he. Notice the hiss when Lena said he could request assistance? I don’t think Freddie wants Colin getting help.

Oh the response department responded! They want a lot of information…And Alice is very VERY eager that Sam not complete it.

It’s Chester! Oh boy, it sounds so strange for a fun blog about horror movies to be read in The Archivists voice.

Oh I’m already thinking about The Puppeteer - Neil Lagorio (TMA 136).

This one is a bit of a warning for us horror fans - but horror podcasts fans are fine, right? Right? (I had the same reaction to Babadook too…)

Really old guy? I wonder of it’s some we’ve seen before..

The clever thing about Protocol is the way it captures incidents means we can find out what happened as it happened - in Archives we only got statements (mostly) from survivors.

Oh, that is creepy….

Alice’s brother again…still asking for money and she’s still ‘wait until payday’…I wonder if she means payday in the same way I mean payday.

Ooh, Gwen Bouchard is investigating! Could this Bouchard be one of the good guys?

I liked that. Lots of hidden hints and undertones of horror

[rev3rb]

Since @nayruwu asked, I'll finally get into it! I'm SO SORRY for how late this is. This won't be that long and I might not point out much, but the Shinya and Kureto scene.

First off, I absolutely love how consistent this is with Shinya's character. Shinya is often a character whose behavior doesn't line up with how he actually feels about someone/something. He rarely lets negative emotions show at all, and if he's not putting on his cheerful persona, he's pretty outwardly emotionless. THAT is the Shinya we get here at first.

It makes sense. He's in a jail cell, alone (yet again). There's no one to put up a front for. However the second those walls come down it slides right back into place. Now yeah, this is likely also partially in excitement about no longer being stuck, but his dialogue continues to be about Kureto, so being seen again IS on his mind.

ANYWAYS! The actual dialogue. GOD THE DIALOGUE!!

What a fantastically subtle way for them to keep tabs on each other's condition without actually having to share how they're doing. Neither of them is one to really be honest about something like their condition, especially Kureto, but they're both wise enough to realize that this is what it is. Maybe it's a bit of boredom too, but by having it be right after Shinya's asking if Kureto is alive or not would imply that's not its only purpose, not to mention that Shinya immediately drops it and asks if he's alive yet again once he's freed. PLUS!! We have Shinya taunting Kureto here. He's trying to bait an answer out of him. If Kureto answers, even if it's to tell him to shut up, at least he'll know he's alive.

Now Kureto not answering and instead physically showing up to Shinya's cell too? I don't think it's a reach to say that's him showing rather than telling Shinya his condition. 'I'm fine, now it's time to get everyone else (which I wonder who that is. The rest of Guren squad?) and get out of here.' To some degree, it's a manga so it'd be a huge shame if Kureto only made a voiced appearance in the chapter, but just telling Shinya to get his ass in gear IS an option.

Anyways, longer than intended post short, they care about each other and it shows. We've seen it before, but it's always nice to have that reaffirmed. It's also nice to see how this little interaction stuck so true to their characters and what we know of them.

[nono-uwu]

Chapter 136 thoughts -w-

Spoilers duh

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- this chapter was certified meh. Mid, even. Not great, not horrible, just eh

- Mika looks so fucking ugly atp

- Urd in action!! Too bad he looks ugly as hell while at it

- Since when was there a curse that vampires can't kill Mikayuu?? This is the first time I'm hearing about it?? Huh

- wow, for once Mikayuu fail at a plan. That's a first

- Krul looks so good, adorable, beautiful. Truly a Queen <3

- No Ferid vs Krul brawl this chapter :(

- also Krul why are you doubting ur abilities against Ferid? Ur still way older than him, have some confidence >:/

- Shinya!! He's so ugly lmao what even

- so is Kureto. Lol. Lmao even.

- Their banter is nice tho. I liked it

- Shinya is so chill with having the wall of his fucking room burst open (not like it's the first time that happened...) bro is over this

- Guren squad soon??

- seems like a deliberate move on Shikama to not reveal that Shinoa is the one devouring him bc despite *gestures vaguely* everything, Yuu would probably still side with Shinoa. I hope.

- Shikama looks a little better art-style wise!

- Right, Yuu's goal now is to resurrect the angels... EVEN THOUGH THEIR REINCARNATIONS ARE LIKE, RIGHT THERE?? Except Asuramaru who he fucking ate

- no way Yuu got the cheatcodes to bypass god himself. Someone gotta smite this overzealous teenager bruh

- also dude, do NOT become Shikama's successor, what is wrong with you, you literally just saw how badly he fucked up bc of the love for his people

- FUCK YEAH SHINOA IDC ABOUT YUU'S GOALS BC HE MAKES ME SICK ATP GO FUCK SHIT UP- I mean whaaat Shinoa no don't destroy Shikama's and Mikayuu's plans noooo :(

- "But I'll take it all from you... So you can never hurt anyone with it again." Queen behavior. Also Shinoa looks v pretty,,,,

- ^ so from that I assume Shinoa isn't just doing allat out of her 'love' for Yuu but also out of love for anyone who got directly involved in Shikama's batshit insane plans (so Mahiru, Kimi and Yoi (they were test subjects too. btw.), probably even Mitsuba and also Yuu and Mika probably. But I also like to think she's doing it for her past self :) )

- anyways watch Kagami make Shinoa go full yandere bc god forbid there is a decently written woman in this series

- ends on Rigr and his squad maybe hopefully cornering Yuu. BEAT HIM UP PLEASE- I mean what noooo let the poor guy destory everything to revive your past angel incaranations :(

[flightfoot]

ML Fanfic recs for 2023: Under 2K Words

So I’ve been going through and adding particularly good fics I’ve read throughout the year. Only Complete fics, of course. Enjoy!

Markov wishes to get to know the Alliance AI better, and discovers an unusual chatroom as a result, one filled with some very surprised creatures who wish for him to convey messages to the class...

After Hawkmoth and his accomplice Chat Noir’s defeat, Marinette wants nothing to do with Adrien Agreste - until she watches him at school.

After Pollen’s capture, Chloe’s feeling some inexplicable sensations - hunger, pain, and fear without cause. For some reason her sister is as well.

Financial advisors have seen it all. Which includes planning for a billionaire supervillain.

The universe is homophobic. It is very bad at it.

All this and more below the break!

Trust by @bisexually-finger-guns

They thought that because they believed Lila’s lies, they would not be trustworthy to Ladybug anymore.

They thought wrong.

I just love how sweet and kind this is to Alya and Nino, and how understanding Marinette is here. Neither Marinette nor Adrien are going to blame their friends for falling victim to Lila’s lies. They just want to help their friends heal.

---

The Markov Alliance by CrochetJellybean

Slight spoilers for season 5!

Markov was excited to use Max's class time to learn more about the AI system within the Alliance rings. In his exploration, he accidentally discovers a chat room of 14 non-humans connected to the Alliance network, so he decides to join it.

This was hilarious and fun and heartwarming. Markov accidentally stumbling across the kwamis and them hinting as best they could about what to do and who to tell about them (as best they could without spewing out bubbles) was great, along with the Miracuclass’s reaction to finding out about them. 

Also their groupchat name is “plagg is oblivious” due to Plagg not figuring out that Nooroo was in the same house as him all this time, which is just perfect XD. I’ve reread this fic several times, it’s so good and bite-sized!

---

oh, look now, there you go with hope again by @ladyofthenoodle

After the defeat of Hawkmoth and his accomplice, Chat Noir, Marinette is ready to return to her normal life, but she can't escape Adrien Agreste, who was sentenced to a fate many consider worse than prison: public school. Specifically, her public school.

Still, that doesn't mean she has to interact with him, does it?

Except, if she doesn't... who will?

I love a good enemies au, and seeing the aftermath of an enemies au... that’s rare. She’s wary of Adrien, but with how he’s being bullied, and how he’s just taking it in the hopes of being accepted, she can’t help but reach out to him.

---

SCP-136: The Cheese Gremlin by Distraught_by_your_Love

The SCP Foundation was transporting a shipment of assorted cheeses for reasons relating to the study of an SCP.

Upon arrival at the European Facility, it was discovered that all of the cheese had disappeared somewhere along the journey.

A replacement shipment was requisitioned, this time with added security measures including closed-circuit security feeds.

This was when the Foundation became aware of SCP-136: The Cheese Gremlin.

Plagg has fun threatening the Foundation for cheese, and Ladybug is exasperated. And I have fun reading about it!

---

It Started With by imjustabirb

When a kwami and their holder become close enough, the holder starts to get the instincts of the animal their miraculous represents.

I adore fics where the holders get animal instincts! I especially liked the Alya and Zoe chapters, with Alya being comforted by still having animal instincts after Trixx was kidnapped, and Zoe getting Black Cat instincts because she bonded with Plagg even in just the few hours she was his Holder.

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She’s Cheating On You! by MsSkywalkerWeasleyParkerStark

Lila thinks she finally has it. The thing that's going to break up Adrienette once and for all and allow her to finally get Adrien for herself.

She just didn't count on the love square.

It’s the classic “people catch Adrien and Marinette making out as Marichat or Ladrien while they’re dating as Adrienette and/or Ladynoir”, and it’s as funny as ever XD. They actually decide to play it up a little before revealing that they’re fine with it.

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Can’t Sleep Either, Huh? by EmeraldButterfly

Chloe gets up late at night. Turns out she’s not the only one who’s worried about Pollen.

(AU where former Miraculous holders have an empathetic link with their kwamis)

This is a very interesting AU. Chloe and Zoe are both able to feel Pollen’s emotions and even things like her hunger, and end up taking solace in each other to try and cope. It’s just really sweet.

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Alya Cesaire Should Be Allowed To Swear by @stripesandblossoms

Akuma attacks don't stop just because Alya is no longer a Hero, but that's fine, because she can still help clear civilians from the danger zone. Even celebrity-friends like Adrien Agreste.

Hey guys this is an amazing one-shot, even with as short as it is. I love how it goes into Alya's thoughts and feelings about why she doesn't swear (because you can't do that on-air as a journalist and she has little sisters that she can't swear around anyway) and her coming up with ways to suppress her swears when she's tempted.

Then of course, she finds out a secret that makes all of that go out the window...

Seriously this is really funny, please read it!

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Gabriel Seeks Financial Planning Advice by @uptoolateart

As Gabriel accepts his imminent demise, he decides to make plans to protect Adrien's inheritance and livelihood. This is the letter his trusted financial adviser writes to him, summarising the key points of that meeting.

This is hilarious. The financial advisor just takes all of Gabriel’s statements and aspirations at face value and writes up a letter to help work out what to do, no matter how ludicrous it all sounds.

---

Tapestry by @hamsteriffic

Luka’s tattoos mark each milestone in his life, but none is more important than the one prepared for him by Grandmaster Su Han for completing his training.

I love the description of the various tattoos Luka has, it helps to develop him as a character, show what matters to him, and the fic even includes artwork of Luka and all his tattoos!

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The Universe is an Accidental Ally? by @lostinthe--stars

'As it turned out, the universe was very homophobic. Or very into overpopulation. Either way, this was bad news for Adrien'

<3

Adrien is dreading his soulmate, just hoping for the best that whoever it is, is down for being platonic soul mates. Luck, for once, is on his side.

<3

Just a short soul mate AU oneshot, with a bit of a different spin on things.

This was hilarious! The universe might be homophobic, but it’s terrible at it XD.

---

Back to Life (Back to Reality) by @2manyfandoms2count

Toxinelle and Griffe Noire return to their world after their night in the canon timeline.

I loved seeing these two talking a bit more amiably, especially with Toxinelle commenting on how silent Adrien is as a civilian. That doesn’t appear to be something he really wants to dwell on.

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Here’s Hopes For Moving Forward... by allthingsasian

Gabriel finds out his son is Claw Noir.

Set just after the Paris Special...

I loved seeing Gabriel’s perspective here, finding Claw Noir broken down, crying on his son’s bedroom floor, and realizing what that means. How badly Adrien must have been hurting, how he’d been lashing out and hurting everyone he could reach, including himself, with the self-cataclysm. 

But now, Adrien and Gabriel are ready to talk, with Adrien getting the hug he’s sorely needed for a long time.

---

Where We Go Now by @trishacollins

After going to the other world, after his life-changing meeting with his other self - Adrien comes back to his silent room, in his silent house.

Just because he changed doesn't mean the world has changed to keep up.

Where do you even start?

I love the “What Now?” energy of this work, and Adrien and Marinette talking through things after getting back to their world. They’ve changed, but the world hasn’t. I especially liked the attention paid to how silent Adrien was as a civilian, compared to how chatty he was as Claw Noir. That seemed purposeful.

---

oh, no, not again by @bittersweetresilience

Félix doesn't want to broach the subject, but he won't be able to after they leave.

So this is a glimpse into a time-travel fix-it story, with various wielders being sent back into their younger selves. But Felix doesn’t think he’ll be helpful, because well... his backstory. He would be unable to step out of line. It’s pretty angsty and I love Chat’s reaction to learning about how bad Felix had it.

[berrieswherewelie]

Beware of spoilers for chapter 136!

No explicit scenes, but nsfw-ish.

At first Misono thinks – it is wrong. 

Lily has been his for not quite a decade yet when it first comes up, one summer night when his Servamp steps out of the shower in nothing but a towel. It grows in the years that follow, and Misono watches closely as it blooms in ever richer colors, wondering when it’ll poison him. 

Lily is beautiful. Lily is tempting, tantalizing, and a thousand other synonyms for a word that feels quite vulgar to think. Misono has always known love. This is something else.  

It would be kinder to keep it a secret. But secrets have never worked well for them, and sometimes it grows too big in Misono’s throat and chokes him and maybe, saying it out loud will purge it from his flesh. When he tells Lily, he makes sure to apologize. 

Lily is silent for a moment. He’s sitting on his bed, fingers splayed against its fine silken sheets.  

“What are you so sorry for?” He asks. 

“It’s cruel. I don’t want to hurt you.” 

Lily nods. He does not deny his own pain anymore – what Misono has confessed to feel for him has hurt him badly a long time ago, has killed him once, and its lingering memory can reduce him to tears even today. 

“It’s different with you,” He says. 

Misono has seen the boy his Servamp was long before becoming “Lily”; sat by the side of bustling city squares, flecks of snow in his hair. He rarely offered himself, but he was a beautiful sight to behold and that was enough to assume him available to whoever wanted him. It makes Misono afraid, of being the same, of demanding too much, of twisting the love he holds for Lily into what the coins he was lured with back then represent – a token by which he can be bought. 

But Lily asks for him, begs for him, seeks out his gaze in crowded rooms, with hooded eyes and a smile that oozes desire. Calls his name in a voice that is husky and raw and desperate, pleads with him for more. Says he wants him. Misono was never good at denying his wishes, and even worse at denying his own. 

Beneath Lily’s fingers, those fine silken sheets tear and crumple. He smiles, trapped between Misono’s arms, his lips parted for quickened breaths, his naked shoulders painted silver by the moonlight from outside the bedroom window. 

“I love you,” He says – moans, really, a lewd, gorgeous sound that stokes a fire deep within Misono’s chest. Its burning heat is strange and new. Its gentle warmth familiar and safe. Misono kisses him, and tastes salt on his lips. 

“I love you too,” He whispers, with what little breath remains in his lungs. 

Misono is not quite sure what to think anymore. It should be wrong, and yet he just loves the way Lily comes undone at his hands.

The boy from back then was kept alive by his beauty, and even today he maintains it with unwavering discipline. It’s only in the space between his Eve’s touch and the break of dawn that he allows it to be ruined, and what’s left of it is only for Misono to see. 

Lily’s perfect hair is a mess, tousled and ruffled where they moved against the bedsheets in a feverish rhythm. His cheeks are painted cherry red, adorned by black streaks from mascara-stained tears of pleasure. His lipstick is smeared, its remnants dotting his neck and shoulders and collarbones and wherever else Misono’s lips could reach. 

He does not allow anyone else to see him like this. That’s just fine with Misono. He marvels at his handiwork from where he’s nestled into Lily’s side, and thinks his lover  is at his most beautiful like this. He thinks he’d quite like to keep the sight for himself. 

Then he gets up despite his tired body’s bitter protest, gets water and a hairbrush and the fancy lotions Lily likes to treat his face with in the evening. He wipes away the streaks of black and flecks of red and brushes out the tangles in Lily’s hair, and Lily holds still for him, and chuckles, and reaches for him once he’s done to ease the soreness in his muscles. They fall asleep like this, tightly curled into each other. 

Sometimes, when Lily speaks of how things used to be, he talks of waking up alone in the morning. That’s when he starts to shiver, when his voice cracks and breaks. He says those times were the worst of all. He says that's when he most wanted to die. 

When he wakes up with Misono’s arms wrapped around him, he smiles. He confesses, in a quiet moment, that when kissing his Eve is the first thing he does in the morning, it feels like everything was worth it. 

He confesses to a lot of things now. Once, when they fall into their sheets, spent and gasping for air, he pulls Misono against his chest, and hides his face in his hair. 

“I never knew it could feel like this,” He whispers. “Thank you, Misono.” 

Misono holds him as he cries into their fine silken sheets, and buries his ideas of right and wrong that night.

Thank you for reading! The idea of Lily being a hot mess post sex, and the sweetness that comes with it, were stolen from @mahi-does-some-art

[ivaspinoza]

I've never read anything quite like Fever Dream. I couldn't understand a lot of it as I read, although I do understand the characters and plot overall. In each moment, did you understand what was happening? What did you find profound? What did you like best artistically about it, and were there any big philosophical statements?

What a cool, exciting ask! I love this book, I wrote a 6-page essay about it for college at the time and I was never able to read it again because of how strong the experience was for me (I want to preserve the memory).

Latin America's magical realism is not about introducing some fantasy features into the ordinary, is more about the mystical experience of reality itself, the haunting mysteries or inexplicable events of life. They exaggerate the surreal, "magical" aspect to highlight the main issue. I will share more about that in the end.

What I like about Fever Dream the most is its originality. Once you start the book, you have to feel lost. That's the whole point. Schweblin is so bold, she actually doesn't want you to "understand what is going on", she invites you into the MC's feverish dream, and for that to happen you literally have to let go of any expectations and let the story unfold at its own pace. I honestly will recommend this book to any writer who is willing to take the (eco)horror path.

But it's not just about that. Personally, this book got to me because of the "rescue distance" concept — a better translation of the original title. As someone who lost a baby, the whole paranoia that comes from sensing danger, but being blind to it at the same time, drove me almost mad. I ate that book in one afternoon — and I'm a slow reader. Couldn't stop turning pages. It was too similar to my personal experience of foreseeing death, knowing that something was just about to happen, and not being able to avoid it at all. Very cathartic, per se.

But to talk more directly about the book, I will use my own words from a few years back, and if you don't want spoilers, don't read it:

"In the end, the loose thread remains. The feeling of loss is inevitable. All the danger and sense of paranoia culminated in a whirlwind of unstoppable events, engulfing the reader in a tachycardic, spiralling route; and he lands with the certainty that something very important was left behind: the essential and irreplaceable — perhaps, life itself. It's like returning from a trip without your luggage, empty-handed. Maybe this loose thread is the sensation of the entire humanity when confronted with its impotence in the face of a scenario of constant catastrophe, of destruction that disintegrates everything around: the web being woven as one lives, without being able to deviate from the tracks or turn back. The inevitability of evil — are we like Amanda, doing our best to protect those we love, and always losing what matters most? What similarity would we have with David, tying everything in his room (p.136), trying to connect the loose thread of this unreachable distance that can no longer be calculated? He may be trying to connect with what little remains, that which seems solid, in search of connecting then with something familiar; something that sustains a world that seems to be in free fall, heading nowhere. And this world — this same world of mutations, poisoned mist, dead ducks buried in the backyard, of silence that devoured all things, this world of Schweblin's magical realism — this is our own world."

I might upload my reviews and essays one day if I ever have enough energy and time to open a substack or something (they are too long). Latin American literature is fire! I'm glad you have this book a chance :) and thanks again for the ask!