#So much uncertainty and fear but also hope and rebellion!

[master-of-the-opera-house]

Me to a class of theatre kids w 0 historical literacy: yeah anyway. big fan of the cold war. Massive

[sleepfiles]

So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.

An essay written in 2022, immediately following the results of the 2022 Philippine presidential elections.

There is no better line that captures the absolute dystopian fear of reality— the new era of another Marcos presidency, than the aforementioned line from George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of The Sith. Perhaps dystopia is no longer a mere reach in popular young adult fiction novels, it is now here, in actuality. The Philippines has entered a state of dystopia; with the added timing of the pandemic, everything does feel a bit post-apocalyptic dystopian. Hope is fleeting, everything is in a state of chaos. I have abandoned my absurdist optimism in surrender to the hopelessness of a nihilist community. Excuse my language, but honestly, what the fuck are we doing?

I have long since accepted that corruption will feed its way into politics no matter what. It's a given. There are money-hungry and power-grabbing individuals who will always fight their way to the top. It has gone on since time immemorial, corruption is a sin as old as Eden. But I had liked to think that we, the human race, have since evolved from that primitive greed and have since then become alert in driving out the corrupt in our very authority. History proves this thought, with countless rebellions and revolutions that have occurred in fighting for freedom, independence, justice, and equality. We are a nation constantly building towards change. And with the Philippines being considered a democratic country, the majority has the ruling power to decide for themselves what is just and truly fit to be placed in a position of power. We have the power to elect competent public servants and drive away the corrupt; what do we do? We severely misuse our democracy. Famous philosopher Plato heavily dismays democracy. While I do not agree with his advocacy for aristocracy, and I very much prefer democracy myself, I do understand his grievances with the political system. It is unstable, and there is a very large chance that the democratic man only has concerns for himself rather than the entire state. The vital flaw in Philippine democracy is that the majority possess collective ignorance. That is how tyranny wins, with the support of the ignorant.

The entire campaign period, the elections, and the succeeding week after that passed by like the aftermath of a dystopian society. There was unending uncertainty, which is still carried on today. I think my biggest complaint regarding the entire fiasco was that how did we, as a society, ever allow another Marcos to run for the presidency? Let alone a Marcos who has repeatedly uplifted the atrocities done by his father and has done nothing to compensate for the injustices. Other than that, this Marcos— this man, was nowhere near possessing the charm nor the intelligence possessed by the well-known fascists or dictators he seemingly tries to emulate. This man has barely any impressive credentials, no clear platform, no promising or concrete plans for the country. So, how did he win?

The ignorant majority might be the easiest people to blame. Those who do not know better than to believe fake news, with jagged morals, and pride higher than the mountains. But who's at fault for the ignorance basked onto the majority? There is a reason the corrupt have managed to stay in power in this country because they know what to target: education. Slipping lies into history, repeatedly allowing and even disseminating fake news, and turning deaf ears to the pleas for bettering the awful Philippine education system. They do everything and anything to make sure that the majority stays ignorant. Because when they are, they are easier to manipulate. And I'm sick of it.

I am tired of bad governance. Exiting Vice President Leni Robredo was there. The first Presidential candidate in decades that harbors the quality of not only a competent but also a compassionate leader. My observation of previous elections was that people always seem to be cornered into voting for the lesser evil. Not because they were genuinely a promising candidate, but simply because they seemed the most harmless out of the roster. But not VP Leni. She was the light at the end of the tunnel. A beaming ray of hope in the dark alleyways of the country. That's the most frustrating part, I suppose. That we were so close to attaining good governance and we just threw it away for the worst-case scenario: the son of a dictator. It felt crushing. It was as if all light was bricked up, and suddenly it was no longer a tunnel. We're in an impossible labyrinth of injustice and disinformation. No real progress was to be ever grasped again.

But of course, that's just the pessimist in me. It may feel like my entire future was robbed entirely because of the election results, but the rational part of my brain knows that the fight is not over. I have to constantly assure myself that the fight is not over. We, the people, the country, aking minamahal na Pilipinas, are always worth the fight. It is not hopeless because whenever there are people, there is hope. As a citizen of the nation, I must take it upon myself to do whatever I can. For now, all I can do is remain educated. Pursue my education, no matter how long it takes, because it will provide me with opportunities to do something meaningful. It doesn't have to change the world or the country even, but one small step in helping to better the lives of the people will always go a long way. We have to channel this disappointment into organized thought, into a drive towards working for a better tomorrow. We fight in whatever way we can: in the classroom, in the streets, in correcting that disinformation posted on social media, in informing our outdated relatives. Liberty has died with thunderous applause by the goons seated comfortably in their towers, now it is our duty to reclaim it.

[electricbluebutterflies]

kissing the top of their head as you hold them

Late-era Jessica/Leto, PG-ish, also on ao3.

She’s everything.

It has been… a good portion of his life since he first had that thought, and it has not happened enough in the time since. How easy it is to normalize what should be extraordinary, how effortless she makes it all look even though he knows better, how-

Even now, so many years in, Leto is not entirely sure how much of his affections are genuinely reciprocated. Even now, he still tries.

He’s not good at this – always thought respectful coldness would make an ideal relationship, never hoped for more, and then she happened and lit up his world in vibrant colors and oh he’s at least figured out that no one planned on that part. There are questions he has accepted are well beyond his potential understanding, but he is sure enough that whatever purpose she was once given did not include…

There is always the risk that this may all be some grand manipulation, but he’d like to think he knows her better than that. And if it is, if the past sixteen years have all been more structured than he thinks…

This is no time for such useless fear, not in a stolen quiet moment. She’d slipped into his spaces to give an opinion he hadn’t quite asked for on a minor administrative issue – it is obvious enough that his partner does not like people in general, but her tolerance levels do vary and she does have her petty biases – and she’s still here minutes later, still claiming space and aware that no one else will enter this room while she is in it, still-

“Did you need something else?”

“I’m giving you time,” she replies, and of course she is, of course she’s… if he ever pointed out how thoughtful and almost affectionate she is, she’d probably glare at him in a way that would mortally wound anyone else, but she does have her moments of almost being likable. A small rose hidden by countless thorns, he thinks sometimes, the ominous quiet of a winter storm, the beautiful dresses she wears without being asked anymore and the sharp objects in their seams and-

“Is that a concern?”

“There is no catastrophe waiting in these walls. I’m making sure no one tries to convince you otherwise.”

Protective, he’ll say that much out loud at times. Always damningly self-motivated, and he can never quite figure out what she’s up to or what she wants at any given moment and… somewhere along the line he accepted that uncertainty. If he needs to know, on the rare occasions he does need to know, she has been impeccable with communication. Otherwise… plausible deniability is a strange thing to build so much of a life on, but they’ve made it work, they’ve-

“Am I supposed to believe you actually want a moment’s quiet?”

She gives him one of those looks, her composure slipping long enough that someone less familiar with her default behavior might think there’s an actual person under today’s cocoon dress, like there are not words she’s ever heard to cover how pettily frustrated she is right now, like she’d pick a fight for the pleasure of it but it’s just slightly too early in the day, like-

“Would that be too much for you?”

“For me, no. For you…”

Neither of them knows how to stand still for more than a few heartbeats. He’s adapted to circumstances undesired but fated; in a similar way, he supposes she’s done the same. Their dynamic may be the only rebellion either of them ever finds, otherwise perfectly cooperative, otherwise-

“I am infinite,” she replies after a few heartbeats, confident as ever. “And I want what I want.”

That may be a distinct understatement, he thinks, but-

“If it makes you happy,” he replies, the practiced response of a man who has given up.

At least the volatility of her moods is rarely his problem anymore; he is not suicidal enough to say that time has softened her, but that has been a mercy granted to both of them, his own idealism slowly muted in a similar tempo to her fury, both of them still stubborn nightmares and sometimes he thinks he may have chosen her as he has because it would not do for either of them to be inflicted on some more innocent heart and-

She moves closer as she has not been for the past few minutes – when she does not want touch, she makes herself very clear – and reaches for his hands, and they are nothing if not the same, and-

He kisses her forehead, the slight height difference between them just enough for it to work if she tilts her  head down at the right moment, just slightly awkward even now and he can’t see her face from this angle but he knows she’s… maybe not smiling, she’s only allowed to do that once a year he’s pretty sure and she won’t waste it on him, but-

Warm. Eyes as soft as they ever are. She’s killed for him, she’s never admitted it but he knows, and she’ll die for him too if given half a chance, and somewhere deep in their past he did something he can’t remember to shift her loyalty completely and-

One and the same. Unsure where one ends and the other begins, even at their worst. Nothing without each other. Not what he ever planned for, not any concept of love he ever heard, but better for it.

“You’re avoiding something,” he murmurs, almost against her skin as she puts some of her weight on him.

“It might be in my favor if people think I spent most of the afternoon here,” she replies. “Memories can be blurred, but I do need some time to work with…”

Always, always up to something. Always running circles around him. Whatever he’s not asking about today, he trusts she’ll handle it before he even needs to know what she did.

“Of course.”

She lingers longer than she usually would, and eventually their arms end up around each other and… when she is soft, when she makes herself soft, there is so much beauty in her. Different than her sharpness, different-

“It’ll be alright,” she breathes. “Just a minor-“

“Don’t say. I know how good you are. It’ll be alright.”

[glenrocklibraryteens]

BOOK PLAYLIST: THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

Playlist compiled by OT

The Catcher in the Rye: A Book Playlist

“Under Pressure” by David Bowie The beat of this song reminds me of the annoying stiffness of Pencey Prep. Holden has had enough, and he knows that he must get out of there (“watching some good friends screaming, ‘let me out’”). “Wishing Well” by The Oh Hellos This song seems to symbolize Holden’s feelings of exhaustion and depression as he runs away from Pencey Prep. The slow, lilting tune sounds lonely and tired, and the lyrics are full of regret and hopelessness.

“Undone (The Sweater Song)” by Weezer This song represents how cynical Holden is of everyone around him. It is so incredibly frustrating to him that it’s driving him crazy and muddling his thoughts (hence the incomplete-sounding lyrics, aggressive tune, and frustrated singing style). “Everything I Wanted” by Billie Eilish Another song representing how cynical Holden is of everyone. The people around him constantly let him down throughout his journey (“I saw them standing right there… kinda thought they might care”), leaving him depressed and isolated. “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult This song is reminiscent of the way that Holden starts to become reckless as his journey wears on. He visits many bars, stays in shady hotels, and gets mixed up with the wrong kinds of people. This song seems to embody that shadiness and recklessness.  “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2 This song is indicative of Holden’s intentions to remain in hiding until Wednesday (“I want to run, I want to hide”). It symbolizes his rebellion (“I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside”), as well as the uncertainty of where his journey will take him (“where the streets have no name”). “Particles” by Olafur Arnalds This song clearly symbolizes the phases of hopeless and depressed emotions that Holden experiences throughout his journey (“and I fight, but it feels like wasted time”). “Wolves Without Teeth” by Of Monsters and Men This song symbolizes the fact that Holden is haunted and traumatized by the death of his younger brother, Allie (“you hover like a hummingbird, haunt me in my sleep…”), which leads to him becoming driven by his emotions to run away (“and we run from wolves, tearing into me without teeth”). It is almost as though he is trying to run from his feelings, but they just won’t leave him. “Honeybee” by Steam Powered Giraffe This song could represent how Holden feels about Phoebe. He feels as though she is the only one who understands him, and they are very close. This song is full of hope, which Phoebe supplies him with. “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush This song is reminiscent of the way that Holden still strives to keep a good relationship with his siblings, despite being extremely cynical of everyone else (“is there so much hate for the ones we love?”). He feels a lot of empathy for his siblings, such as in the last scene where he gets joy out of seeing his sister have fun on the carousel. The song also has an air of desperation, which reminds me of how desperately sad Holden is about his brother’s death. “Fix You” by Coldplay This song seems to sum up the story’s ending. When Holden sees Phoebe having fun on the carousel and begins to feel happy again, it seems as though he gets a sense of hope for the first time since Allie’s death. The story ends with hints of Holden’s life slowly but surely improving, as if the story will keep going on after the book is done. This song, like the book, leaves you with a sad yet hopeful feeling. 

[yandere-toons]

since it’s almost spooky season could you please write some headcanons for oogie boogie from nightmare before christmas?

Oogie Boogie (Platonic & Romantic Headcanons)

WARNING: yandere, references to abduction, death, stalking, psychological manipulation, toxic mindset.

A.N. - I memorized every line of his song. Also, I was just thinking of doing headcanons for Jack a few days ago to welcome October.

PLATONIC:

Oogie is a fan of all things dramatic. The other people in his friend's life are no more of a threat than a loose stitch, but his refusal to stay out of the spotlight for long drives him to order his henchmen to abduct these perceived interlopers and dump them into his torture chamber. Once there, he regurgitates their every flaw and laughable quality, tearing them down emotionally before tossing them into his vat of stew.

No matter how much terror is caused or how many nightmares are induced, Oogie scarcely views the situation as more than a delightful game of roulette to toy with and indulge in whenever he gets the urge to destabilize his friend's life.

The incentive for these mean-spirited attacks is often as simple as rolling a more favourable dice value than him. He assures them that the games are merely for recreation, but his persistence in achieving a winning streak implies that the stakes are much higher than a lost afternoon.

The fear that his behaviour inflicts is a source of pride for Oogie. He jokes about cooking the kinder inhabitants of Halloween Town into his stew to pressure his friend to end relationships abruptly and without an obvious motive, which gradually strains their reputation until they are as despised as he is.

Acts of rebellion are met with taunts, for Oogie is confident in Lock, Shock and Barrel's ability to retrieve them if they were to escape from him.

ROMANTIC:

Oogie is an avid cheater who has little to no integrity when it comes to his gambling practices, hopelessly rigging every game and machine in his lair. The Boogie Man challenges his partner to rounds of poker where the reward for beating him is freedom, a promise on which he would never deliver unless Jack was present and melting his bugs until he capitulated.

In the unlikely event they win, Oogie denies it by either inventing rules that nullify their victory or, if they show an insistence on leaving, threatening them with his Snake and Spider Stew.

The residents of Halloween Town live in fear of the name Oogie Boogie, limiting his partner's options for help to a lucky rescue by Sally and personal intervention from Jack. Word of their captivity reaches the Pumpkin King via gossip, and Lock, Shock and Barrel are ordered to act as spies who track and torment anyone suspected of scheming to free them.

While Oogie recognizes that Jack is a genuine threat, he will feign uncertainty and cowardice at the mention of the skeleton to lull his partner into a false sense of hope.

Due to his banishment and a healthy fear of Jack's wrath, Oogie spends most of his time in his underground casino. He relies on his henchmen to supply information about his partner's daily activities, adding the names of those who bully or are too comfortable with them for his liking to his hit list.

All his deception and time spent fretting over his status as an outcast has shortened his temper and eroded his patience, so Oogie devises a plan to trap them in his lair.

Do anything you want with my work, but never make me boring!

[youryanderedaddy]

♡100 followers special♡

Guys, I would like to thank all of you for all the support since I started this blog, you are the best <3 Btw this is the fic Elon Musk doesn’t want you to see lol, jk jk 

Title: Humanity

Words: 3.6k 

Summary: When you get sold to an odd looking robot after the last failure of a rebellion, things go better than you had expected. Until they don’t. 

tw: robot/AI apocalypse au, dystopia au, slavery, slight non - sexual public nudity, discrimination, vulgar language, mention of death and child abuse (in the past), obsessive behavior, non - consensual touching, angst 

              AD 3061y., 14 September

 Your hometown was in ruins, shattered by the Forces and left without any source of food, clean water or reliable manpower. The rebellion had failed just like the first ten attempts and as much as you had wanted to believe this time would be different, your dreams stayed nothing more than a way to cope with the harsh reality. Any intelligent individual had either managed to flee before the prosecution or died in agony while trying. You could still hear their pained screams ringing in your ear, the desperate look in their pupils sealed forever in your mind along with the sound of heavy breathing slowly fading into the background like your own hopes for a better future.

 The ones who decided to play meek and close their eyes to the inhuman torture happening in the area were spared, but what awaited them could potentially be worse than death itself. You were part of the flock of pitiful weak humans who had surrendered to the heartless machines wanting nothing more than to see mankind squirm and kneel underneath their mechanic heel like a bug. And now you would face the hour of judgment – tired and exhausted, heavy rusty chains around your bruised ankles making every next step a little harder than the last one. But you were certain that the most painful humiliating event hadn’t taken place yet and the thought made your blood run cold. You could recall the countless stories you used to hear on the streets from your friends about androids stealing kids and selling them like cattle to the most powerful leaders of society. Back then you would laugh at them, finding the ideas ridiculous, better fit for a conspiracy theory or a legend rather than an actual threat. But during that time life was easier – the robots were still your friends, just your average citizens, equal to the humans in every manner. It wasn’t until ten years later that some of them realized just how much better, stronger and smarter than the people they really were. That’s how the apocalypse started and that’s how it was going to end. These days the mortals were becoming extinct with the population cut down to one million. You didn’t have names or rights to any possession. Your mere survival had one purpose only – to entertain the machines so they could feel human again. And right now you were being dragged to Soraq, also known as the biggest slave market in the country.

----

 It was just as terrifying as you had imagined it to be. The Capital was supposed to express wealth, luxury and maybe even happiness but your old human views were easily opposed when faced with the mud  covering what was left of the pavement and the pale exhausted bodies of the mortals wandering the streets searching for a hot meal and a little bit of kindness it was clear no one wanted to provide. You reached out to help a young girl sobbing all by herself on the ground but the Officer roughly yanked your shoulder back and ordered you to keep going – his cold hard touch was enough to bruise your skin.

 After a few long minutes of uncertainty your keeper finally stopped, pulling you up some black stairs leading to a small stage and if you weren’t too busy looking around for the others who were captured, you might have noticed the crowd gathered inches away from you. Soon enough you were forced to redirect your attention as you heard the approving screams and cheering below. There were hundreds of robots staring at you, smirking maliciously, pinning you with their cold calculating gazes. You finally realized that this wasn’t just a bad dream or a nightmare, something unreal you could easily run away from by opening your eyes. You were about to become property and the worst part was the way the cruel machines perfectly resembled people – they looked the same except for the dark red pupils each possessed which glowed when going into a fight mode. But unlike humans the androids had gotten rid of their most intimate emotions and fears, turning themselves into empty shells, shiny and murderous with no way to experience anything properly, be it pleasure or pain.

 “Ladies and gentlemen!” The Officers started off with a low chuckle, his heavy hand wrapped tightly around your arm. His voice should have been programmed to be monotone but now it had a playful edge to it. “Today our dear subjects have decided to be feisty yet again. They still haven’t learned their lesson it seems.” He grinned eerily, quickly followed by the mocking laugher of the crowd. Some even shouted slurs and insults but you tried to focus on controlling your feelings. You needed to stay calm if you wanted to survive. “We really can’t expect more from the mankind. They are primal after all, they just can’t learn from their mistakes.” The male robot paused for a second to fix his microphone. “It’s in their DNA code to be foolish and pathetic. That’s why we need to take better care of them.” He whispered the last line down your neck and despite knowing that the machines didn’t have actual lungs, you could swear you felt his cold breath on your sensitive skin.

 “The woman is in her early twenties. Her background is unknown, but she certainly looks like someone you would want in your collection.” The android continued talking as if you weren’t there, his hands all over your tinier frame. The mass was yelling, but you only made out the words „down”, „strip” and „human”. Your eyes watered involuntarily and you let the tears stream down your cheeks in spite of the weakness they showed. It didn’t matter – it couldn’t get any worse so you could at least let yourself experience such little bits of comfort. In the next moment the Officer ripped your old ragged t-shirt, exposing your breasts to the cold autumn air. The hot red humiliation washed over you as the degrading whistles pierced trough your heart. It was such a cruel unfair punishment and you couldn’t even keep your composure long enough to not break down ugly – crying right there.

 “The bidding starts at one thousand eros!” The robot’s evil voice echoed through the area, reaching the market borders. Suddenly all the attention was on your scared vulnerable half-naked self. More than ten androids raised their hands, making your stomach turn in terror. Most of them had unpleasant appearances, resembling old people, usually men. “Do we have two thousand eros?” The officer added quickly afterwards having seen the shown interest. This time there were only five bots willing to buy you for so much money – but the show was far from over. “Am I seeing three thousand eros?” Your keeper kept going, determined to drain your bidders off their wealth, but to his utmost surprise now there were only two robots with their hands in the air – one seemingly younger and the other looking all wrinkled and bitter at the world. You silently prayed that fate would work in your favor only this time and hand you over to the man who would treat you more like a living being and less like an object.

 “Ten thousand eros.” Suddenly the android with a kinder appearance declared out loud, his cold stern gaze fixed onto you. The other male hesitated for a moment, probably wondering whether or not you were worth so much money, but at the end he cursed under his breath and slowly put his hand down with a sour expression. “Sold to K-010 for ten thousand eros!” The automatic voice of the Officer was ringing in your ear like an alarm while the crowd was shouting and cussing, some going as far as to criticize your new owner for giving up his monthly salary for a “cheap human whore”. Next he was invited on the stage to sign off all the needed documents leading to your freedom being ripped away forever and you were injected with a tiny chip which would make your location visible to your buyer at any given time. The android looked at you soon after and in one swift move he managed to place his leather coat on your shoulders, muttering at you to cover up. You obeyed, embarrassed by the reminder that your upper half was still fully exposed to all the hungry prying immortals. When the chains were finally removed, the robot took you by the hand and led you to a small white flying car with a yellow lily drawn on top – the brand was popular among the most powerful members of the Forces.

 “Don’t even think about running away.” K-010 growled when he noticed the way your attention drifted to the nearby road before finally taking your seat. You knew it was pointless now that the tracking device was deep into your skin but deep down you still couldn’t kill the last bit of hope screaming at you to do something before you were too far away to find home again, wherever it was. “If you so much as look outside while we drive, I will use my lasers to turn you into ash. Okay?” You nodded meekly and sank into the soft comfortable seat, wishing that your body would stop shaking in fear but to no avail.

---

 The journey was long and silent but it made you remember the days when music was still allowed and you used to turn the radio all the way up in your mother’s car. You would sing loudly until your throat hurt and your friends would ask you to just shut up and focus on the road. Everything was so normal and happy back then. The stinging nostalgia threatened to overcome so you tried to focus on something else. You finally faced your owner in an attempt to study his appearance. He was probably in his late twenties, his hair white with some black locks here and there, a fashion trend you usually didn’t care much for. You couldn’t afford to bother with your hairstyle when you were constantly running for your life after all. The robotic male had sun-kissed brown skin, he was taller than most human men and his lips seemed softer than most robots’. But the biggest mystery laid in his deep dark eyes, they looked scarlet at first but the more you stared, the easier it was to realize the color was actually brown.

 “Are you a cyborg, K-010?” You asked in a small voice out of the blue, breaking the peace and quiet in the air. The android didn’t spare you much attention with his gaze fixed onto the open sky serving as a road, still he opened his mouth slightly to respond. “My name is Kyle, the numbers are just a formality.” He inhaled sharply as if he was reminiscing a bad memory. “And yes, I am biologically human – just with a few practical upgrades.” You had heard of such people before, the ones willing to become an experiment so they could join the high society oppressing their own neighbors, friends and relatives, setting the lands on fire and destroying the dying environment but you had never met one until today. Honestly, you felt betrayed. It was one thing to be some unfeeling machine’s plaything and entirely another to be owned by someone with a functioning heart even though they weren’t too keen on using it properly.

 “Why would you do that?” You couldn’t stop the question from leaving your lips in the next moment. “You should know what humans have to go through just to stay alive. Today hundreds of us were crushed and sold like some animals! Yet you changed yourself to appeal to their disgusting standards.” You raised your voice, the hot tears already spilling down your cheeks yet again, your fists clenched in pure anger at the foolish greedy man. He simply shook his head and leaned back. “I had my reasons, sweetheart. You don’t know anything.” With that the conversation had ended, you could try and argue or even blame him for being a selfish bastard but it wouldn’t have done you any good so you decided against it. It didn’t matter much anymore.

----

 A few months went by slowly even though time meant little to someone in your position. Living with Kyle wasn’t as terrible as you thought it would be – his mansion was big and spacious, luxurious even. You had your own room and you were allowed to explore the house in your free time. You didn’t have many duties to attend to, your work mostly revolved around cooking, cleaning and keeping company with your owner when he was too tired to keep the robotic mask on and just wanted something sweet, something weak, something more human around. He didn’t want much out of you so you tried to do your best and stay on his good side – there was always a warm meal waiting at the table at night, every window was carefully wiped from the previous dust and the glass was now shining brightly, and you would listen for hours on end to the cyborg’s ramblings no matter how dreadful it could be sometimes.

 But it couldn’t be denied that the man had some odd habits, even if you were to overlook him buying a living being instead of simply hiring a maid. For example, you knew how thin the walls actually were because you could hear him cry almost every night. The half-robot would hold you close any time the news were too loud or a bottle of beer had fallen and shattered on the ground. Still you weren’t allowed to leave his home so all the doors leading to the outside world were locked while he was away or at work. And there were these weird long cuts on his shoulders you had managed to take notice of the first time your master had asked you to bathe him. You hadn’t meant to prey upon his naked form, but the task had been so awkward you needed something to focus on to drive the unpleasant thoughts away. The injuries looked deep and the man would close his eyes any time the soap made contact with them. Finally one day you gathered the courage to ask him what had caused the raw scratches. You were messaging his scalp gently, applying jasmine in his roots, trying to soothe his nerves and get to the information.

 “ ’S not important. ” K-010 answered lazily while arching his back into your touch. More often than not the male would melt under your care and you couldn’t help but wonder just how lonely it was to be neither a human nor a machine. “She is dead now.” He whispered darkly, secretly hoping it wouldn’t reach your ear, yet it did. “Who is dead?” You questioned him after a while, stroking his wet locks until you heard him moan. You were getting better and better at provoking a reaction from the cyborg and despite knowing it was manipulative and a little devious, he was still the ruthless owner who held your one and only life in his palms. You needed to be sneaky if you wanted a safe, comfortable life.

 “My mother.” Kyle added quickly before looking at the blue ceiling, the glossy material copying both of your reflections. The mention of the woman made the sensitive skin of his nape crawl but he kept talking. “The crazy bitch used to beat me every. She even tried to kill me a couple of times.” A slight smile appeared on his full red lips. “It didn’t work out in the end, unfortunately.” So that’s where the cuts were from – he had been violated in his childhood by no other than the person supposed to look after him. You had always hated abusive parents taking advantage of their authority and even now your own imagination made your heart ache at the picture it painted. A small boy being hit over and over until there his whole body was bruised and bloodied. A child with no one to turn to. It didn’t excuse your master’s evil doing but it certainly explained a lot. “Don’t make such a sad face, darling.” He cooed at you, reaching out to pinch your cheek. “I will always be grateful to the Forces since they gave me the power I needed to finally free myself from her grasp. I even buried her myself after everything was said and done.” Kyle grinned from side to side like a little kid waiting to be praised for the picture they had drawn, except now the man was speaking of the way he had murdered his mother. You were at a total loss of words, suddenly too frightened to respond.

 “What’s so special about being a human anyways?” The cyborg grumbled, sounding almost offended of the words you still haven’t said but were definitely thinking deep down. You were staring forward unable to draw away from that one crack in the wall, his words flying above your head. Your confusion was interrupted by the man quickly raising to his knees and catching both of your hands with his strong robotized ones. The cold touch of the metal combined with the camouflage of a soft skin was enough to mess your mind even further into the maze that was his dark gaze. Next thing you knew the male had you pinned on the hard ground, spotlessly clean and reeking of abstergent. You tried to squirm away but the hold of your wrists was too tight and strong to even make your struggling worth the trouble. “Just look at how weak you humans are.” K-010 taunted you, smirking teasingly, cruelly, yet there was something desperate in his eyes, something hidden. “You are so fragile I could probably break you if I were to press harder on your flesh.” He whispered into your ear, breathing down your neck as he dug his icy fingers into your collarbone and made you whimper pathetically at the dull pain. “People are foolish creatures, illogical by nature. They try to fight authority yet the moment they are left with a free choice, they find a way to run from their responsibilities.” The cyborg chuckled maliciously while digging his nails further into your skin.

 “We might be doomed forever because of our emotions but there is something you fail to consider.” You finally spoke out despite your rapid heartbeat and fear so great it could defeat death herself. The predator already had you in his sharp claws and there was no pointing in playing coy anymore. The worst had come to worst. Your words caught the attention of the half-robot and he licked his lips in anticipation to hear what you had to say. “Unlike the androids we can still experience love. And at the end a life without love is a life wasted in the big picture. We might be mortal but you are the ones waiting to die instead of living.” You spat at the man fiercely, ready to face any punishment he would bestow upon your weak tired body for the sheer honesty. Instead he started laughed maniacally, the sound so loud it hit the ceiling and echoed through the house like a pained scream and so violent his shoulders shook to the sides. For the first time his eyes were glowing in a bright red color so saturated and vivid you couldn’t stand to look at them.

 “This is really funny, my little human.” Kyle pronounced carefully, having calmed down. He lowered his head so that his lips were ghosting over yours, just brushing against them. “I belong with neither humans nor robots so why does my chest ache every time I look at you? Tell me, darling, am I in love?” His voice was harsh, husky – as if he was purposely trying to sound evil but the tears in his eyes pointed at another feeling. A raw painful feeling.

 You couldn’t reply not only because you had no idea what to say after the confession but also because you couldn’t breathe properly with his pretty, wicked face so close to yours. Your silence only managed to stir the cyborg up further into his madness and he kissed you roughly, hungrily lapping and biting at your lips until they were sore and bruised, the robotic man more than happy to lick the small drops of blood off. For a moment you considered kicking or shouting for help but there wasn’t anyone willing to in the radius of kilometers. No one of significance cared much about the few remaining mortals. “I could never love you.” You uttered weakly, half – heartedly pushing the man away. You were all alone in this and there wasn’t really a point in fighting someone so much bigger and stronger, yet a sad little part of you hoped that Kyle would leave you alone if you made it clear enough just how much his actions were hurting you.

  “It’s fine if you don’t love me by choice.” Your master replied calmly in a cold piercing voice. His hands were wandering through your form stopping at your hips to draw them into his. The pretty dress you used to like so much was now crumpled and reeking of him, torn apart from your shivering body and thrown away. You wished you could cry but all the adrenaline had left you too uneasy to process the pain and fear. Kyle whispered in your ear while stroking your hair gently and it made you feel like a trembling sheep before a starved butcher. “I own you, little human.” He placed a small kiss on your hot sensitive neck. “And I have enough love for both of us.”

[nelwen-e]

The end and beginning of a story - James Norrington x OC (1) - English version

I am sorry for my english, it is not my nattive language. If you read french, there is a french version from which I translated.

_____________________________________________________________

The Caribbean air blew warmly through her brown locks that hung gracefully from her elegant bun. They fell in soft waves on her skin, flushed with excitement, anxiety and joy, and guarded from the burning gaze of the sun on this particular day. Her footsteps slid down the stone path like petals, nonchalantly emerging from the bouquets that adorned the bench path where familiar figures, both known and only encountered, stared at her in delight, jealousy and excitement. She tried to keep her posture confident and steady despite the lack of physical and moral support to her right, she had no one to accompany her on this day. Her dark eyes darted around the faces, still hoping to meet her brother’s mischievous gaze, or her father’s wise look. Only the azure eyes of her childhood friend and the hazel gaze of the one who had become a close friend, waited for her further on, and gave her confidence and the feeling that she was not alone.

Alone, she would not be in a few moments. The upright figure at the end of the aisle stood out by the rigidity of his posture, not only by his tendency to shoulder his duty and his sense of morality, but by the anxiety that was certainly consuming him at that moment, blind to the one who was moving forward. She had never expected to experience such a moment, especially not after all they had been through, the moments of uncertainty, terror, anguish and yet joy and hope. She took a last look around at the assembly, which was staggering with serene emotion, fearing that the threatening figure of the one who had caused them so much harm would appear. She closed her eyes for a moment, ignoring the ghost and his hot breath on her neck; he was gone, back to England, empty-handed and ridiculed. It would take a great deal of effort for him to be able to return to his business in the Caribbean seas. She focused on the man waiting for her at the end of the driveway and smiled.

She decided to fix her gaze on the older man holding his open bible in his hand, exchanging glances between her and the man waiting for her. She could make out the rigid shoulders heaving with his slow, controlled breathing under his blue cloak that displayed his rank. She let her vision float to the two men who accompanied her, also dressed in their uniforms. She found it strange to see them dressed like that for this occasion, but she did not try to understand the customs of the English anymore, although she was English too.

At last, she reached him and staring at the priest with a keen eye, she turned slowly to stare at the man who was waiting for her and whom she was expecting too. The man’s green eyes lit up with a smile and his face match the eyes. His adoration showed on his elegant face, usually so restrained under his powdered wig and officer’s hat. He stared at her as a child would stare at the sea for the first time: amazed and anxious.

She exhaled softly, blowing like the breeze in a sail, his name.

‘James…’

His face lit up even more, and the woman concentrated on that, listening with a deaf ear to the words of the priest as he recited his service. It was only a whisper that tickled her ears while in James’s green eyes she saw their adventures, their battles, their laughter, their fears and joys. She remembered their chance meeting on the Dauntless during a family incident in which she had taken part only against her will. She remembered his discreet courtship and his delicate marriage proposal, then the time of fear and uncertainty: the madness and obsession of a man. The time of rebellion and battles, then the time of peace that remained until that precise moment when she said:

‘Yes, I do.’

James’s arms wrapped around her and so did the cheers of the crowd. She laughed with joy and stole a kiss from her husband, who chastely returned it, for the moment. He grasped her hand as one would grasp porcelain and pressed his fingers into her with affection. He had never been so happy in the last few years of debacles and problems. They walked down the aisle. The grains of rice fell thickly on their heads, and she glanced with joy at Elizabeth, who looked at her fondly. The bride gave her a jovial smile, knowing that Elizabeth’s early marriage had not given rise to such celebrations. She then shifted her gaze to Jeanne, the only family presence in her eyes. She smiled at Gillette and Groves who were exultant, the former with a restrained and fraternal joy for his admiral and friend and the latter with an almost childlike joy.

The couple rushed into the carriage that was waiting to take them to the reception held at the new governor’s mansion in honour of the admiral’s wedding. On the seat in front of them was a large box with two letters on top.

What is this?’ asked James, looking around for the coachman.

— A man dropped this off, sir, he said it’s a very special and private gift for your wedding, he said before disappearing to his post.

— I believe there’s a letter for each of us, James.

The admiral took the letter in his white-gloved hand and read it silently. The bride did the same.

My dear Alice,

I’m sorry I can’t be here today, I know I’ve missed most of your life, and I’ll miss this part too. I’m sorry for that, I want you to know that I did this for your own good, these words may seem empty, but they are true. You can hate me for this, as I hated myself when I left you with this family. I wish you a better life than mine than your mother’s, your brother’s, uncles’, aunts’ and cousins’. I have not had the opportunity to see this famous Admiral Norrington, and I hope he will make you happy.

I am leaving you a memento of your childhood in this box, which I should have given you a long time ago.

I am proud of you,

Your father,

E.T.S.

Alice stared at the box with a questioning eye and opened it carefully. She immediately recognised the linen doll staring at her with its odd button eyes and smiling with a loose red thread. Her body was covered in brown trousers topped with high buckled boots, her white shirt outlined her brown woollen arms, all of it roughly stitched. She pressed the little doll in her hand and let a tear slip down her cheek, she had missed it so much when her father had left her with the French in the West Indies. It had been with her every night and had disappeared with the memories of her family. Perhaps it was for the best, at twelve years old she might not have been allowed to keep it with her.

Alice wiped away a tear and James’s hand pressed hers in a reassuring gesture.

’Your father is as intimidating in his reputation as he is in his correspondence,’ he laughed.

— I’m rather surprised he writes so well, I must admit, she said, looking into James Norrington’s loving green eyes. Besides, I think this is for you.

She gestured to the ceremonial pistol in the case, and then wondered.

“I wonder what the gun is for.

— He writes to me that he’ll shoot me with it if I treat you badly,” James laughed, waving his letter. Maybe I shouldn’t laugh at him because I think he’s capable of it.

—You’ve been warned,’ she laughed, winking at him.

— I don’t intend to do otherwise.’

Certain of his words and his happiness, James captured her lips in a languorous kiss.

_____________________________________________________________

Here is the first part of my story about Alice and James, I hope to write more soon !

The sequel of this story, which takes place during the first movie:

I'll probably write headcanons at some point.

This is also my first "love story", I write a lot (in french), but never did a love story. But I love so much James Norrington character and he deserved better.

Hope you enjoyed !

[forgttencapt]

L O A D I N G    I N T R O D U C T I O N     :  / /  …                          “ I’m beginning to think the Force and I have different priorities “

DIEGO LUNA // have you met CASSIAN ANDOR yet? HE is a TWENTY-SIX year old CIS MALE HUMAN. they’re originally from FEST and now show loyalty to THE REBELLION. they are best known for being an INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, and i hear they’re pretty PRAGMATIC yet also ALOOF at times; i hope they survive the galactic civil war.

THE PAST

CASSIAN JERON ANDOR, born 26 BBY on the planet fest of the outer rim, had accepted death long before it was truly his time. even as a six year old child, too young to understand or have ever formed his own thoughts or opinions on the war, he was recruited by the “confederacy of independent systems” to fight against the republic. it taught him the price of life, but at the same time it removed from him the fear of death, and in it’s place, only acceptance -- acceptance, and the capability to suppress his own moral compass in order to enact even the most unethical atrocities in the name of the rebellion.

when the rebellion becomes your entire life, it is easy to abandon yourself in order to achieve its goals. he became a spy, an officer, a captain, a murderer, the recruiter fulcrum, all without hesitation or fear -- all because he knew nothing in life but war.

things changed when cassian found K-2SO. not drastically at first, but over time the constant companionship of another being -- even if that being was merely a reprogrammed imperial droid -- subtly changed his own view on the world compared to that of when he had been constantly alone. it unearthed a compassion for others within him that had always been there, but started to show itself more and more with each passing mission.

the missions to jehda, eadu, and scarif were some of the most important in his life, where he would accomplish some of the most galaxy altering feats, and meet the people who would become those he cared about most -- jyn erso, bohdi rook, chirrut imwe, and baze malbus became almost like a family to him, despite the short time in this world they had together. time cut short by the blinding light of the death star’s weapon over the horizon of scarif, leaving the warm and loving embrace of jyn as the last memory cassian had before the world went dark for what he assumed was the last time.

THE PRESENT

what happens post-death is something he had never given much thought to, nonetheless care. cassian’s beliefs almost always fell within the physical world, what he could personally see, feel, and experience, no life beyond through the force had ever been in the cards for him as far as he could figure.

and yet, as his eyes opened once again to the familiar cabin of a rebellion u-wing, a moment of doubt and uncertainty washed over him. surely his time of death had come and gone, so what was this? the hereafter? his spirit preserved by the force? and the hollow metallic voice coming from the ship’s passenger seat did nothing but ignite further questioning within his mind. "good. you’re awake. I was beginning to think you never would,” called his droid companion, who apparently also was inexplicably risen from the ashes of scarif, “I’m not sure the people would have put up with our ship in their village much longer.” 

without a word, cassian rose to look out of the front windows of the ship. sure enough, they were very near a village: not one he had ever seen before, but with nothing but a quick glance of the surroundings he could easily tell it was yavin 4 just outside the rebel base he had been in what felt like just days before -- though it was clearly changed from how he remembered it.

there were too many unanswered questions buzzing in cassian’s skull. he had to take a deep breath, center himself, and figure out what the priorities were. first, the rebel alliance, he needed to make contact. surely someone, anyone, there would be able to help him make sense of everything happening. and second, jyn erso. if he was still alive there was no saying she couldn’t be as well, and he had to know.

PERSONALITY

throughout his life, cassian has grown more and more reserved, learning it’s best to keep his thoughts and opinions to himself unless otherwise asked to share. occasionally, when tensions are high, his emotions will come out all at once in an outburst of anger, grief, etc. but for the most part he is a very composed and guarded person.

truly, he is a much gentler soul than people might think upon first meeting; he puts up a cold and uncaring front, but in reality he cares very much about other people, about the rebellion, and about his friends.

most of his actions and choices are made very logically, sensibly, with consideration of what different outcomes might be, but he also isn’t afraid to make split second decisions if need be.

he likes to think of himself as trustworthy, earning the trust and respect of high ranking officers within the rebel alliance. not that he would never do anything to break that trust, but he does tend to value it.

[unfunny-quips]

Of all the many people in the world who wanted him dead, All For One had to admit that he was rather surprised by the person who actually managed to both track him down and get past his impressive security.

He knew someone was there the moment he opened the door. Could sense the presence of another person in his high rise apartment that shouldn’t have been there. A steady heartbeat, unflinching and unafraid. Brave or stupid, he wasn’t sure, but they’d be dead either way once he wrung out of them how they’d gotten in and which of his security detail he was going to have to kill.

He shrugged off his coat - it was new and fit him well, he’d rather not get blood on it - and hung it up carefully by the front door. Slipped off his shoes and rolled his shoulders with a sigh. Though that particular apartment was not homey per se, there was something oddly comforting about returning to a living space that was entirely his own at the end of a day. Though centuries ago, a childhood fraught with uncertain living situations and inconsistent care had left marks on him that time and power had not fully been able to shake.

All the more reason to make the intruder’s death slow, as insignificant a threat as they were, they’d at least been able to find him. Which meant finding a new luxury apartment, perhaps even in a new city. And he despised moving.

He kept his steps light on the polished wooden floors, stopping by the oversized and little used kitchen for some water before he meandered his way towards the living room where his uninvited guest waited. Perhaps he’d throw them out the window, eighty stories up would make for a rather long time to think about their impending death. Or maybe tear them apart inch by literal inch so they had to languish in their suffering.

Setting his glass down on the kitchen counter he stepped into his spacious living room and paused at what sat waiting for him.

All For One, Emperor of Darkness, King of all Villains, Boogeyman of the Boogeymen found himself...uncertain.

There was a woman seated on his couch. Casually dressed and relaxed looking, knees drawn up and tucked beneath her, an open book bag on the floor beside where she sat and a law textbook in hand. She finished highlighting a section carefully before capping the marker and turning her gaze on to him, letting him see her face properly for the first time.

Green eyes were the first thing that struck him. Clear and bright and intelligent, set in a kind face. Her hair, also green, was swept down a little past her shoulders with half of it pulled up in a fluttering little bun at the back of her head. He was struck by two thoughts as he took her in.

The woman sitting before him was entirely unintimidated by him.

And...

She looked a bit like Nana Shimura. 

The woman tilted her head, seeming to take him in while he’d been observing her. She shifted on the couch a little, shutting the book softly and setting it down. Her heartbeat was steady, her gaze unflinching but not combative. Purpose seemed to flow off of her, as resolute as her steady gaze. He understood that she knew exactly who he was and felt no need for fear nor sense of unease in his presence. A strong will, he knew the aura he carried around him well and it was someone interesting indeed who could face the overwhelming killing intent that drifted off him in waves without so much as a flicker of uncertainty. 

“Hello.” She said with a soft, clear voice. The kind of ease one has with an acquaintance or a friend not often seen, not a stranger whose house she had invaded. “I’m sorry to have broken in like this.” She started, with the appropriate level of apology one would save for knocking over a stranger’s drink. “But I was hoping you’d be able to help me.”

He should be irritated, he should just kill her and get on with his evening, he should make her an example for anyone else stupid enough to think they could waltz into his home without consquence. 

He wasn’t irritated though. And he didn’t kill her. Instead he found himself oddly...charmed by the stranger that sat before him.

“Indeed?” He asked blandly, slipping his hands into his pockets before leaning against the wall casually. “I’m afraid you’re rather lost if you think this is a police station.”

The woman broke into a small smile, a soft huffing chuckle leaving her. Shaking her head she dropped her gaze for a moment and he saw the faint pink of a blush on her cheeks. He was, he realized. He was absolutely charmed by her. And it wasn’t even her Quirk doing it, hers had the feel of a gravitational telekinesis, not a mood altering ability. The woman that sat before him, who had broken into his home and casually asked him for help as if searching for her stray cat, was oddly endearing. And it had been a long time since he had found himself endeared by anything, let alone a person.

“Sorry,” She said, shifting on the couch. “I’ve probably done this all wrong. But I wanted you to know I was serious.” Green eyes met his own and he was struck again by the intelligence he saw in her gaze. “I don’t know why I thought this would be the way to do it but…” She gave a shrug, then slowly got to her feet. Careful not to topple her bag or trip as she untangled from her comfortable position on the couch. “Here, let me try again.” 

He watched as she gave a short, polite bow, hands clasped before her. A neat and polite introduction, complete with a soft smile as she rose to meet his gaze again. “My name is Midoriya Inko. I’m a graduate law student at Kyushu University, and I was hoping you could take my Sensei’s Quirk.”

Well. 

How on earth was he supposed to kill such a charming, polite young woman when she came to him with such an interesting request such as that?

He couldn’t, of course, was the answer.

---

Inko always had trouble with authority.

Even when she was very young she’d been prone to doing what she was told she shouldn’t just because an adult told her not too. Her father - in what faint and blurring memories she had of him before his death - used to call her his little revolutionary and would laugh over the hijinks her stubborn nature would produce. Then again, her father had his reasons to support the wholesale refusal to bend to the whims of authority. 

Trying to take down the corrupt system the government had put in place had been the cause of his death, after all.

Her mother had been far less amused by Inko’s acts of rebellion for rebellion’s sake. Always begging Inko to please just follow the rules just once honey with a perpetually exhausted look on her face. Inko’s only picture of her mother - a snapshot of the entire family at a park, her small frame held in her father’s arms a month before he would be killed - showed Nana Shimura with a wide, infectious smile in place. It felt odd looking at it in years to come, as Inko could only recall her mother looking mournful and sad in those last days.

It had been Kotaro that was the well behaved one of the two of them. Thirteen minutes older than her, he took the responsibilities of the eldest sibling with a seriousness that was almost frightening at times when they’d been children.

He’d been the one to tell her not to get into trouble, the one to reprimand her when she misbehaved. The one to tell her not to sneak out when they were teenagers in one of their many foster homes after their mother had given them up. Rule abiding, strict and, as they’d grown, more and more obsessed with control. Of her, of their situation, of whatever he could. A strangling, grasping bid at a control that had only led their already rocky relationship to splinter even further.

Her last conversation with him before she’d stopped speaking to him completely he’d told her that she should be a quiet housewife. She’d gone and applied to law school the very next day.

She still found herself wondering if that had been Kotaro being clever. Using her own contrary impulses to make her commit to something she’d always wanted to do but been too uncertain about to try and follow. It would have been the kindest he’d been to her in years if it was true, and she’d been too afraid to reach out to him to find out for fear that it wasn’t.

Instead she focused on her studies, focused on being the person she wanted to be instead of the person she’d been forced to become over the years. Not the abandoned daughter of a hero that had to retire too soon, but someone who was able to take the rules she’d been so long rebelling against and reshape them. Twist them under her hands until they settled into something she could believe in. Something she could follow.

At nineteen, after careful consideration and one less-than-helpful conversation with her friend Mitsuki she changed her name to Midoriya. On her twentieth birthday enjoying the fact that she could - legally - drink herself into oblivion, she cut her waist long hair off in a single ugly cut with the kitchen scissors. The next hour was spent in laughter as Mitsuki’s shy fashion student boyfriend Masaru fixed the mess as best he could. At twenty-one she clutched her best friend’s hand and gritted her teeth as a tattoo artist brought to life a stylized kitsune on her shoulder. A mark of the trickster she wished to become. And in between all of that, she proved herself to the academic world at large and earned herself a full ride to Kyushu University’s much lauded law program.

The work was challenging, equal parts exhilarating and mind-numbingly boring. She spent her days working hard to get top marks in every class, to ace every test, and impress every teacher with her sharp wit and unbending will. Her nights were filled with studying and working whatever jobs she could pick up to cover what her scholarships didn’t cover. Mitsuki teased her that she would get wrinkles from squinting at so many books, but her friend was always supportive. 

Years passed, semesters flying by in almost a dream at times, whisking her closer and closer to graduation and her dream of reshaping the system into something she could believe in. Despite her exhaustion, she’d found herself happier than she’d ever been in her life.

Which of course was the exact moment that it all started crashing down.

It started with one of the girl’s in the same program as Inko suddenly dropping the ball on her studies, the other woman’s grades began plummeting at an alarming rate. The girl -  Shibata Aiko - looked ragged and exhausted, unable to focus and eventually being dropped from the program entirely due to the issues with her academic performance. 

A few weeks later it was another female student shutting herself away in her dorm room for an entire week. The girl finally left her dorm looking haggard and sick, refusing to speak to anyone as she walked barefoot out into the wider world and immediately attempted to throw herself in front of a bus. 

Then one of Inko’s senpai’s - kind and serious Hanako who had mentored Inko briefly when she’d first joined the school - had what could only be called a breakdown in the school library. Screaming and crying as she began tearing up law books and flinging chairs.

Each incident was quickly handled and waved away as young women not suited for the high expectations and difficulties of such a high ranking university. Most of Inko’s classmates had been, if not content to accept that information, at least too exhausted by their own heavy workloads to question further.

But Inko never was good at accepting the will of authority.

[woulddieforgabriel]

You know what would have been interesting? If Sam was given a drop of demon blood when he was a baby and Dean was given a drop of angel blood. It could have added layers in a couple different ways.

It would be interesting to see how it affected Sam. I think at first he'd be relieved tbh. When all he knew about his powers was that he had visions, finding out that his brother has powers of some kind would probably make him feel like less of a freak. He could talk about his powers more freely because they wouldn't feel so wrong.

Obviously that would change when they found out that Sam has the demon blood and Dean has the angel blood. That might create a little rift in their comfy cozy two-person family, whether they realize it or not. Sam would be hell-bent (no pun intended) on proving his worth and that the demon blood doesn't define him, but I think he'd also be a little bitter that Dean was chosen by the angels when he's in no way better than Sam is.

I think Dean would hate it, too, arguably even more than Sam does. He didn't believe in angels — hell, maybe he still doesn't — and he sure as hell doesn't believe he should have to take care of all their shit. It would really strengthen his resolve about this whole "free will" thing. He may not have had a choice when he was being force-fed blood as a baby, but he has a choice now and he's not letting these winged dicks tell him what to do.

It honestly might fuck up his relationship with Cas, at least in season four. As the show stands now, it was meaningful that Cas chose to confide in this specific tiny human about his hopes and fears and his uncertainty under Heaven's rule because there truly was no reason for him to. Dean was just an ordinary human entrusted with the improbable task of stopping the devil, and Cas was willing to overlook Dean's distrust and disinterest and speak to him, an ordinary human, as an equal. That would kind of lose its charm if Dean had angel blood coursing through his veins because it would serve as a connection to Heaven, and, consequently, a connection to Cas. It would make Cas's rebellion at the end of season four a much bigger deal, though, because in Dean's eyes, there was nothing leading up to it. Until then, their every interaction seemed to be a consequence of the angel blood; when Cas dealt with him, he was dealing with Heaven. This would be the first time Dean would know for sure that Cas isn't blindly loyal to Heaven and everything it stands for. It would be the first time Dean saw that Cas was loyal to him.

[colemacgrathtkz]

My contribution to the Broken! Luz AU

Empress' coven leader, Amity. Never directly aiding the rebellion, she let everyone believe her loyalty to the empress.

Luz, filled with corrupting magic, wanted to proceed with Belos' portal. She wanted to travel between realms and rule with Amity at her side.

Her coven leader was well aware of how close that was coming to completion.

She brought Luz a plan to increase her power. A way to never be separated from it. The empress channeled the remaining power of the titan through Belos' former staff. Losing her staff  meant she couldn't use her overwhelming magic.

Amity proposed a way to harness all the power from the Boiling isles.

Upon discovering Amity's proposal, the owl house made their move to stop Luz from being forever lost.

The enchantment prevented the caster from receiving the power. It would require two people to make it work. Amity had Luz's complete trust.

While the empress' coven fended off an attack from interlopers, the empress and her coven leader brought their plan into motion.

The portal was complete. It seemed poetic to make this spot historic. Just above their heads is where Belos was overthrown. While lurking below, two feats of great magic were about to occur.

Even after making it past the guards, the rebellion was too late. Once again- Eda, Lilith, Willow, and Gus- found themselves losing any hope of saving their Luz. King had been kept as a "pet". Still in a cage, he sat watching from above.

The enchantment complete, Luz didn't know you could feel this charged. Every cell in her body was packed with an unknown height of power.

Not realizing she hadn't picked up her staff, she turned towards the intruders.

Empress Luz: " That's twice I've won."

Pride began to rise. She hadn't projected much of any other emotion, other than rage.

Raising her hand, she casted a fire attack. A simple spell became super charged. The wall may have been blown away, but the others survived long enough to gawk.

For a moment, Luz appeared remorseful.

Empress Luz: " That was supposed be for Lilith. Let's try again."

Fist in the air, she prepared for a second attempt.

But she found herself frozen, magic paralyzed.

Almost everyone was dumbfounded at the empress just standing there, motionless.

Empress Luz: “I don't understand. Why can't I..."

Amity: "Because I can't watch this anymore!"

Finally, all eyes were on Amity, holding the staff.

Amity: “The reason no ones heard of this spell before is simple. The cost is too great. You've become the conduit for all the titan's magic on the isles. It's bound to your soul. No one can take it away from you, as long as you live. But you're not really free anymore. The staff used to be a tool for you to summon magic. Now, you're its weapon! And anyone who wields the staff; has complete say over you."

The leader of a once powerful coven moved her fingers and started up the portal. A bright light manifested no more than 10 feet away.

Amity: “Do you even remember what you used be like before Belos? Before all of this? You were the light that everyone here looked forward to, every day. Now, you're just snuffing out any light we could have."

She had been fighting back tears throughout her mutiny.

Empress Luz knew if she didn't do something; her reign would come to an end. Permitting their Luz to rise to the surface, this might get Amity to put down the staff.

Luz realizes she has once again control of her own body.

Luz: "Amity, it's me!"

Amity created a barrier for them. Keeping anyone who might fall for that out.

Amity: "I know. But I also know that monster...is still in you."

She couldn't help but cry now.

Amity: " I'm so sorry, Luz! I couldn't get it out of you."

Luz almost heard her whisper for forgiveness. She tried to step closer. After being trapped for so long, she just wanted to reach out to her.

Luz: "Amity..."

Amity steadied herself.

Amity: "No!"

She raised the staff in the portal's direction.

Amity: “I need to send you back. You have to go back to your realm. It's the only way you can go back to being that girl I love."

Panicking, the former empress looked for any objection. King shrugged away in a corner of his cage. On the other side of the barrier, only fear and pain could be read on those faces.

Amity didn't want the portal to stay open for long. Coven reinforcements could be on their way, by now.

Amity: "I'm going to destroy this door after you go through it. I won't let the other coven members try to bring back their empress. You should be cut off from the isles reach over there. No more magic turning you into a monster. You'll just be who you used to be. Our Luz."

Luz felt tears rising.

Luz: " Amity, please, don't do this."

Remembering everything just before they charged Belos' castle, she knew this was to keep their Luz. This meant sending her away, forever.

Amity: "Luz Noceda, I order you to leave the Boiling isles!"

Luz couldn't stop her legs from walking. Reaching out for her green haired friend, she couldn't notice a whisper trying to keep her here.

Luz: “Amity, you have the staff! You can keep me here, without any worries!"

Amity: “That’s the power talking."

Luz: “No! Remember? If there's anyone who can do it, it's you! It's always you!"

Amity almost lowered her arm.

Amity: "Yeah, I have to do this, for you."

Luz: " Is this really what you want?! To never see each other again?"

Amity: “Stop trying to make this harder than it is."

Only a couple more steps to go. This feeling of loss was reaching its breaking point.

Luz: “But I heard you. I love you, too."

The last thing she would see, just before stepping over; was Amity turning away.

Standing in that room, this was it, where she first chased Owlbert to. Seeing the light from the other side, Luz tried to rush back in. But she felt her strength leave her in an instant. She tumbled onto the floor and watched the room become dark. In that moment, she felt truly disconnected from the Boiling isles.

All alone, she cried out a single name. Over and over, she played out her time with her other family. Defeating Belos was supposed to save them, not cheat them.

[Some time later]

Red beanie and green jacket, Luz made her way through New York.  Indeed, her mother thought she had died. The camp was under investigation. But rather than return, she spent her time on a new path. The wandering girl grew out her hair so she'd be harder to recognize. Even with no access to magic, Empress Luz was bound to her soul. Appearing as a hallucination at times, she was her only companion now.

If Luz went to her mother, there'd be no way to explain anything. Worse yet, her mother might have her institutionalized with talk of magic and demons.

The only way to get back to her is with proof. She needed to find a way back to the isles. And there's only one clue on this side; on how to do that.

Pretending to deliver a package, she set up a trap for the red head in her apartment. Tasing her as she opened the door, Luz quietly sat her down.

Luz: "I saw this book back when it was a draft. Imagine my surprise when the author of the ‘Good witch Azura’ released it."

Stepping deeper into the apartment, she saw her prize, gazing at her with uncertainty.

Luz: “I knew you were a fighter, not a hider."

This small guest had expected for the intruder to run upon seeing her.

Luz: "Hey, Tiny nose! It's been a while."

Finally, a solid lead to being reunited with what was lost.

Author’s note:

If you happen to have figured out where I took “heavy inspiration” from, I hope you still like what I came up with.

This is for @johnnysfire . It was inspired by an “evil prompt” I read on their page.

I hope others enjoy my unofficial continuation to their work.

[sepublic]

Now What?

           Seriously. For Lilith, this is an obvious question… She rejected Belos and the Coven System, although it was mostly on Belos’ side that this happened; Her original intention was to keep working for him, because clearly executing Eda was just a one-time lapse in judgment, especially when one sees all of the OTHER good things he did?

           She’s at the Owl House. She’s a Wanted Criminal, and her magic is now weaker. Eda knows the truth, but at the same time it feels like they’re closer than they’ve been beforehand? Closer to that bond from childhood, even if they’ll never get it back? So what does Lilith do, does she… Does she try to rekindle? Does she respect Eda’s boundaries? Will she still stay at the Owl House regardless because where else can she go, or does she go off to do some of her own soul-searching?

           For Luz and Eda, this question is a bit more obvious, even if not fully-answered; That it’s time for Luz to be the teacher again, to help her surrogate mother get around her disability, to teach her glyphs… For Eda, there’s also the question of how she’ll continue to live life, now that she’s so much weaker and struggling with a new method of magic!

           Not to mention, the revolution… Willow and Gus helped spark one, a proper form of backlash against Belos’ reign… That they helped bring about rebellion before Belos could truly solidify and legitimize his rule. That no, it’s not over, it was NEVER over, there was always a fighting chance- And it’s a refreshing take for the rebellion to take place when the dictatorship is still in that infancy stage, where it DID take over, but there’s still bold memories of what it was like beforehand and so people can operate on that! To have explored how the cultural memory of the past was always still there and intact, that people could be swayed either way at this crucial juncture, and now they are!

           But where to go, for those who rebelled? Do they start actively fighting back against the Emperor’s Coven? Do protests, spread awareness… Work on legislation to keep Belos from increasing his power? Do some outright abandon the Coven System and go into hiding? Do they go to Eda the Owl Lady for guidance, and how will they react to see that she hasn’t gotten her magic back; Assuming anybody even thought she did, given the last they saw was of her mostly-cursed!

           What does Amity do now? Her mentor, no doubt the most positive influence when it came towards the Emperor’s Coven and any support and belief in it, someone so CLEARLY enamored by its ideals to the point where she was entrusted as a literal posterchild (er, adult) for the EC? Amity may have called Lilith ‘Mom’ in the past, but she could’ve also had mixed feelings regarding the Covention Incident, and rightfully so. What does it say that this person she probably felt safer around than her own parents (not that this was hard) has so blatantly rejected the Emperor’s Coven?

           Will she try to rationalize it (no doubt with influence from her own parents) that it was Lilithwho was rejected, for being of morally-weak fiber… And that this TECHNICALLY isn’t entirely wrong, that indeed Belos cast her out and that Lilith hadn’t made the active choice to defy him completely, just his particular decision on Eda. For Lilith, she has to deal with the fact that she’s no longer welcome there. For Amity, how does she feel?

           She saw what Belos and Kikimora planned to do to Eda. She knows that Luz loves the Owl Lady, that she’s felt more safe and welcomed in this stranger’s home than in her own house… And Amity loves Luz more than she fears anything else, Grometheus taught her that much at least! Luz is no doubt going to defy the Coven System, so now what? What does Amity do, will she simply stand by and anxiously wait to see what Luz does, crossing her fingers that it’s nothing too drastic or confrontational, that there’s still room for negotiation?

Or will she have to accept, from a precarious position as an abused and indoctrinated child, that the Coven System is seen as wholly negative by Luz… Especially since if Bump is any indication, there HAS been formalized education prior to Belos; So even the benefits of formalized education aren’t necessarily intertwined with the Coven System, either! What will her parents have to say, seeing that the person they trusted to tutor their own daughter threw it all away for Eda, who they saw as kids transform into a monster as if by some cruel karmic fate for defying Belos’ order?

Will the Blight Parents focus on making sure Amity is EXTRA obedient, (rightfully) afraid that Lilith has had her influence on Amity? What do Emira and Edric do, do they consider outright leaving Blight Manor as abuse worsens? Taking their little sister with them? Because there’s also doubt left, now that Eda is so much weaker in terms of magical ability, about whether or not the rebellion can succeed(regardless of whether or not it has moral standing).

What of Gus and his father, Perry? What does Perry do, does he try to be a neutral party and bystander? Or does his kid’s act of defiance enable Perry to do the right thing, to actively start working on exposing Belos’ corruption, to truly embrace the freedom of the press! Not to mention, Principal Bump… OBVIOUSLY he’s going to be supporting the revolution in his own way, I wouldn’t be shocked if he was flipping off Belos while the dude wasn’t looking; But at the same time, he’s got a student body to take care of!

Luckily for Bump at least, Belos’ power hadn’t been totally solidified; That it was still technically legal for him to allow stuff like multi-track learning, even if supposedly students would still graduate within only one coven! But after seeing some of his own students make a stand, after seeing how he failed people like Eda in the past… How is Bump going to approach things? Will he actively work with people like The Librarian, to educate students more on the ACTUAL history of the Boiling Isles? Because if those kids get hurt then Bump WILL feel liable, especially if he helped encourage their rebellion, or simply didn’t do much to quell it…

This episode had… SO many ripple-effects! Such a powerful chain-reaction, its own legacy that’s touched just about everyone in the Boiling Isles! There’s no avoiding this, it’s like everyone’s infected, there’s no ignoring what went on in the Conformatorium! Especially with the knowledge that Belos can be wounded, and likely by a mere human no less…! It wasn’t just the main cast’s status quo that changed here, it was the status quo for EVERYTHING and everyone…

Where to go? What direction or path to take? So many potential options and destinies to go from here. It’s an uneasy decision, all right. There was a victory, but it’s also a bit bittersweet, tinged with an undertone of uncertainty, because- Now what?

(At least BELOS seems to know what do… At least I thinkhe does, maybe he’s also confused too!)

And from a meta perspective, this is a question I’m asking myself! I barely handled the Mid-Season hiatus… Coupled with complications of the epidemic, and the wait between Seasons 1 and 2 will no doubt be PAINFUL and arduous! So, now what? What do I, do I just keep doing as I always do, until I likely run out of steam, and wait for new content to invigorate me? Do I just keep acting like I always have, as if there’s just a REALLY long wait for a new episode, but otherwise it’s just the same?

What does the fandom do? How do we speculate, how do we produce content? Where do we go from here? It’s all so infectiously melancholic, like there’s confusion and uncertainty but a glimmer of hope at the very end, that SOMETHING will be figured out in the end, right? So…

Now what?

[hungrywhovianjedi]

Twin Moons

read also on my AO3 and my FF.net read the rest here prologue chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Premise of the story:  Obi-Wan never took Luke to Tatooine in fact they overshot the force forsaken dustball completely and instead Luke grew up on the planet Lothal being trained to become a Jedi like his father before him. Ezra Bridger is an orphan loner who only makes an exception to his solitude for one boy. The boy who helped him out when he was seven, and that Ezra always seems to get into trouble.

NOW FOR THE BIG REVEAL The cover of Twin Moons art is by the amazingly talented @sunflova​ 

He took it all back, when he said Luke was more like his mother he took it back, as he looked through the wreckage that was a speeder bike and tie fighter he admitted it. He raised another Anakin. Yet another Skywalker with a reckless streak that caused chaos wherever he went. This level of Reckless he hadn't seen in fifteen years!

He knew Luke was alive, despite his initial panic, he could still feel the steady if dull connection between them, and had felt the fear when Luke noticed he was starting to lose his sense of his mentor in the force.

More concerning was still the cold weight that had settled over Lothal, only that coldness made him glad Luke was not on this planet right now, a shadow had come to land on this planet, and it was better that Luke not encounter it. 

Feeling this darkness was like being pushed back in time, the worst night of his life. He was suddenly facing Anakin on Mustafar. He didn't know what brought him here, but Vader was on Lothal, and Ben was prepared for the worst. 

Although preferably he would avoid his former apprentice completely, and find a ship to follow Luke off the planet.  He knew the boy was frightened, could feel it in their bond. He sent a wordless reassurance through the force, and only hoped Luke would receive it. 

~~~~~~~

Anger burned through him, a red hot flame cutting through everything. The first thing he gets told upon landing is of incompetence. An entire shipment of arms lost to, as the reports and security footage said, two smugglers and children. He watched again the footage showed two young boys jumping a median on a stolen speeder. His eyes were drawn again to the boy driving a halo of golden hair, and a stern set to his mouth. There was something deeply familiar about the boy, but he couldn't place it. 

"Get me agent Kallus" He ordered, then after a moment of thought, "and bring me the sorry excuse of a commander that claims to be in charge of this battalion"

"Yes sir!" The trooper by the door saluted, and marched through the door. 

Stormtroopers, he sneered at the thought, he missed the Clones, he never had mishaps like this when he commanded the 501st. The Clones would have deftly handled the thieves, and he wouldn't have to get ISB involved. However the Clones were made dispensable, their advanced aging process taking its toll, and they were all but broken down shells now. They kept a few on to train legions of troopers, but otherwise they were dead or AWOL. One of these was his once Captain and Friend CT7567 Rex. He was disappointed when he heard that Rex's ship went down. 

To this day he still got the pang in his chest about the reality of that day. Ahsoka… Rex wasn't the only friend he lost then. 

"Good luck" the last words spoken between them,  he would never forget the pain of finding her saber in the wreckage of that venator, knowing that he inadvertently caused her demise. 

He clenched his fist, what was wrong with him? Why was he being haunted by the past of Anakin Skywalker after all these years, it was like something on this planet was pulling all of the things that he had buried to the surface. It all began with that presence, like a light in the darkness so much like Padmè it hurt. 

"My lord" the voice pulled the sith lord from his thoughts.

He turned to face the men who entered,  "Agent Kallus, Commander Arescko. It has been brought to my attention that the afternoon's fiasco, was in fact not the first of such disturbances to happen under your watchful eye, and yet these thieves, remain unapprehended" 

Arescko swallowed, visibly uncomfortable with facing Vader. "My Lord, these brigands knew our protocol, and were waiting in position" 

Vader folded his arms, "so it was your protocol to have a secured imperial comm unit stolen? Or was it your protocol that caused several casualties, and the loss of thousands of credits worth of stolen firepower? The fact is Commander, if you had been diligent in your duties these brigands would not have had the chance to ambush your troops. Reports across Lothal have spoken of this crew, and yet you did nothing to prepare your men for the inevitable attack"

The commander shook, trying to remain calm. He knew of Vader's reputation, and what usually happened to those who dissatisfied him. "I assure you my lord-"his words cut off sharply into choking gasps.

"I will not abide incompetence commander"

Kallus shifted uncomfortably as the commander's choked breathing faded, and Vader dropped the man to the ground. Kallus did not check if the man was still alive, he was certain that Vader would not have released him if that was the case. 

"Agent Kallus, do you know what these attacks suggest?"

"Yes My Lord. The Imperial security bureau pays attention to patterns, and this is shaping to form a spark of rebellion" he stood at attention, not wavering under the gaze of Darth Vader, "I assure you, since being deployed here, I have made preparations for the next strike these would be rebels make. I have set up a trap for them. We will crush this spark of rebellion"

"See that you do" Vader replied tersely, "and when you do, the boy on those tapes, bring him to me alive. There is something familiar about him"

Kallus saluted and walked out.

 ~~~~~~~

Space… they were in space, force knows how far away from Lothal, Luke could barely sense Ben in his mind, and it unnerved him. Ben was the constant in his life. Since as long as he remembered it was him and Ben. Going to the market, meditation training together, exploring the mountains of Lothal, training with his saber, each time Ben was there. His absence was like a cold dark spot in his mind. After watching the hyperspace jump, the man, who finally introduced himself as Kanan, had taken him to the cockpit where he met the pilot, Hera. 

He had to admit, he admired Hera's courage, facing down the Empire in an old freighter, and he was set slightly at ease when the Twilek told him they would be returning to Lothal as soon as she could calculate the next jump. 

"Let me go! You can't keep me here, take us back to Lothal!" Ezra bellowed as Zeb hauled him into the cockpit. 

Luke looked back to his friend and saw the noted relief the other boy showed. 

"Relax, that's exactly what we're doing" Hera's voice held an edge of humor.

Ezra looked panicked, "wait, now? With the Empire chasing us?"

Luke spoke up then, "it's okay Ez, she lost the fighters" he looked up at Hera, "she's an amazing pilot"

The woman seemed pleased with his praise, "like the kid said, we lost the fighters when we jumped and the ghost can scramble its signature so they can't track us when we return"

"Oh, that's pretty cool" Ezra looked stunned, but like always shook it off, and smirked, "alright, so just drop me, Luke and our blasters off outside of capital city"

The door slid open, Kanan and Sabine walking in

"They're not your blasters" Sabine stated, brushing past Ezra, shooting Luke a quick smile.

"And we're not going back to Capital City, jobs not done." Kanan finished. 

Luke bit his lip, Hera hadn't mentioned that they weren't being taken back home, "We're not?"

Hera shook her head, "we have a deadline to meet, then we'll get both of you back where you belong if that's still what you want"

Luke nodded, he really did, he missed his uncle, and he only hoped where they landed was close enough for him to reach Ben again. 

~~~~~~ 

Ezra was fuming, how dare these people refuse to bring them home! He didn't care about their job, he wanted his blasters so he could sell them on the black market and have a little cash to live off of, then there was the fact that Luke was acting weird. 

The blonde was usually so happy and talkative, he had barely said a word since they jumped onto this ship seeming almost fearful of the crew. 

Then there were these people they treated Luke like some lost little kid, and him? They treated him like a common Loth-rat he hated it. Ezra wanted to go home, wanted his best friend back, and never wanted to see this ship again!

He sat in one of the bucket seats in the cockpit, Luke in the other, legs pulled to his chest, head bowed and eyes closed. Ezra wondered if he was sleeping. 

"We're coming for a landing, you boys want to stretch your legs? We'll be here for a while" 

Ezra glanced again at Luke who hadn't even stirred, but he saw a smile on the other boy's face  that hadn't been there before. He always marveled at the way Luke could do that, just drop into total relaxation at the drop of a hat, he had seen the boy do it many times, at times it was almost like he was seeing nothing and everything at the same time. Ezra envied the ease with which Luke found peace, and sometimes wished he could be more like him. He knew he was brash and abrasive, but he couldn’t help it. Being the way he was, it was the only thing that allowed him to live on his own. It gave him the aura that kept people from messing with him. Be abrasive and they left you alone. It worked on everyone.

Everyone except Luke it seemed. 

~~~~~~

The force surrounded him, he gathered his fear and uncertainty and released it to the force. It took longer this time than usual to find his center and drop into a meditative trance, the alien sounds of the ship invading his thoughts. In the end, he latched onto the familiar. He reached out in the force and found Ezra, the other boys presence, a soothing balm. 

Luke breathed in, and out steadily, looking to lose himself in the force. Take his anger release it, his fear release it, his uncertainty release it. He took in a deep breath, and silently repeated the words Ben would tell him as the older man taught Luke to find his place in the force. 

Emotion, yet peace

He took the emotions that had been at war in him and pushed them away, they belonged to the force.

Ignorance, yet knowledge 

He released the questions that had been hounding him, force willing someday they would be answered, they also belonged to the force. 

Passion, yet serenity 

He pulled on the peace he found in the force, allowing it to swallow him whole, his passion now belonged to the force.

Chaos, yet harmony 

Chaos surrounded him, burning through Zeb and Ezra, Chopper the droid was certainly a character of chaos, but he wouldn't allow it to touch him, his chaos belonged to the force.

Death, yet the force 

Like many times he felt the caress of a woman's hand on his cheek, people didn't keep themselves in the force Ben said, but Luke knew he was wrong, in his meditation, he felt his mother, her hand on his skin, her voice in his ear. When he realized what it was, he sought also the touch of his father, but the force had stopped him, a black vortex before him, that threatened to swallow him. He turned from the vortex and released his mothers touch to the force. His life belonged to the force. 

Emotion, yet peace

Ignorance, yet knowledge 

Passion, yet serenity 

Chaos, yet harmony 

Death, yet the force 

This time like many as he moved through the force, he found a dormant tether, one that neither held taught nor hung loosely, it was formed much like his and Ben's, yet somehow deeper, he tried to follow it once when he was younger, but had only been shown a vision of a young girl looking around in a panic. He tried to speak through the tether once, like he did with Ben, only to be cut off from the bond completely with the force of a psychic scream. 

He once asked Ben, who told him it was a connection in the force that he was not yet meant to learn. Luke always wondered who the girl at the other end was, and why she never reached back, but after being cast out, he left it alone. 

Finally he reached for the bond that was always there and pulled lightly, almost crying with joy, when he was answered almost instantly. 

Luke! Where are you, what happened, are you safe?

I'm safe Ben, I'm in a ship heading back to Lothal, Ezra had a bad plan, we ended up getting chased by Stormtroopers the only way out was to jump on a ship with some smugglers, but I think they're okay…

We will talk about all of that soon, but for now I need you to promise me something Luke, stay where you are. If you are safe with these people, stay with them. Someone has come to Lothal, and it is safer for you to stay away from Capital City.

Ben, I don't understand, why wouldn't you want me to come home?

Luke. I promise, I will explain everything soon. For right now however, I need you to stay there. I will find you it is no longer safe here. 

Luke froze, and could feel a stab of ice into his heart, making him lose part of his grasp on the force. It almost felt like somehow someone was probing the bond. No not probing the bond almost consuming it a cold force that reminded him of the swirling darkness that surrounded the spot in the force his father should have been. It was terrifying he had never felt anything like it. The cold threatening to swallow him whole. It blanketed the force around them, and Luke almost pulled away, being calmed only when Ben once more spoke through their bond.

Calm down Luke, remember your training, the force will be with you, and no matter what or however far you stray I will be with you always

Ben I'm frightened 

The force has a plan for us Luke, and something tells me it doesn't end here. Remember Luke. I love you as though you are my own son, and I will see you soon, this I promise.

Luke was pulled from his meditation then, a rough hand on his shoulder

"Wake up kid, time to move, grab a crate, pull your weight" Zeb instructed, before he stomped out of the room. Luke looked outside and saw Lothal's twin moons shining through the front window of the ship.

[a-shape-changer-in-winter]

The minor fall, the major lift [on surrender]

In “Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured,” Kathryn Harrison remarks:

[Before Joan of Arc was given command of the French army, she was to be judged by 18 bishops of France to discern whether she really was on a holy mission sent by God, or a fraud. Pierre Séguin de Séguin, Dean of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Poitiers, recalls excerpts of the interrogation:]‘I asked her whether she believed in God,’ Seguin reported of the girl who spoke to angels. ‘She replied, “Yes, more than you do.”’The Dominican Professor of Theology Master Guillaume Aymeri’s challenge to Joan: ‘You said the voice told you that God wishes to deliver the people of France from their present calamities. If He wishes to deliver them,’ Aymeri said, ‘there is no need of soldiers.’The response Seguin described […] was exasperated, indignant, and hardly the words of a girl overawed by her interrogators. ‘In God’s name!’ Joan said. ‘The soldiers will fight, and God will give them victory.’ It was an application of what Joan’s comrades-in-arms remembered as her favorite aphorism: ‘God helps those who help themselves.’

‘What language do your voices speak?’ Seguin asked.

‘ A better tongue than you,’ Joan answered.

So much of my life and writing involves a balance of defiance and surrender. I never feel truly bold or brave in those first moments when I sit down to write. I have to yield to that fear and the unknown (soon to be revealed possibilities and interior voices that reside inside me) to write anything. That dynamic vulnerability is imperative if I’m ever going to surprise anyone. I don’t know if that’s the only hope for magic in nonfiction or poetry, but I believe that’s the only way the unnamed thing can be revealed through language. Even if I’m not sure where I’m headed in an essay or poem, that surrender to uncertainty/possibility becomes a kind of momentum; it pushes me towards something that looks and feels like an answer.

My mother loves to tell this story that when I was first learning how to crawl, I realized that I could move much faster if I turned myself around and pushed myself in reverse towards my target. Terribly efficient. I never broke that habit, despite the havoc it wrought, until I learned how to walk. I’m still a rebel at heart, but I approach it differently now. I don’t always have to lock eyes with God and walk backward into hell. I know the real enemies of this world are hatred and apathy. Responding with empathy, understanding, and compassion will always, always be acts of defiance and rebellion - especially in the faces of chaos and cruelty. My default (Aries/Scorpio) state is to kick down doors, but grief has taught me that gentleness can also be fierce. I want to take the shoes off of my voice and enter these conversations with care.

For months following Melissa’s passing, I would wake every morning drenched in sweat. I didn’t know how to move forward through such complex and shameful grief. It was impossible to imagine a future without the possibilities of transformative justice, restitution, and reconciliation. I had to realize it was impossible to move forward, not because I was denied those opportunities, but because I had particular expectations of what healing, justice, and the future looked like.

I had to get down on the floor, on my fucking knees every morning, and through my torrent of tears, through my inexplicable, harrowing, shameful, and tremendous grief [ come back to me! even as a shadow, even as a dream! ] — plead: “Am I still worthy of all the lives I’ve been given? Am I worthy of this life? Of every mysterium tremendum? Am I willing to remain open to the possibilities in her life that I will never be privileged to? Am I still worthy? Am I still willing?”

So often, my own (boxed) expectations are the very thing hindering me from crossing that threshold into that wild and beautiful unknown. Lori Gotlieb notes this in “Maybe You Should Talk To Someone,” where her therapist, Wendall, tells her:

“I’m reminded,” he begins, “of a famous cartoon. It’s of a prisoner, shaking the bars, desperately trying to get out—but to his right and left, it’s open, no bars.”

He pauses, allowing the image to sink in.

“All the prisoner has to do is walk around. But still, he frantically shakes the bars. That’s most of us. We feel completely stuck, trapped in our emotional cells, but there’s a way out—as long as we’re willing to see it.”

He lets that last part linger between us. As long as we’re willing to see it.

When I feel stuck, I try to picture myself in that ridiculous framing. Even if there’s an obvious way out, surrender is still messy. It’s not flattering. When I first got sober, I would still emotionally self-harm on a regular basis. I constantly exacerbated feelings of shame, disgust, anxiety, panic, and body dysmorphia. I would run until I blacked out multiple times a month. Starve my body to get to what I felt was an attractive weight. I would drink coffee until it made me vibrate. I didn’t know how to live in the world without hurting myself.

My second sponsor told me, “You know, surrender doesn’t mean just waving a white flag. It means laying down your weapons, and you come here every night - you lay down your weapons, and you go back home to your arms factory, and you make new ones”. It took me years to learn how not to be a pain or grief factory, mostly because I had built an identity around that pain. I didn’t know how to surrender because I didn’t believe that I could be restored. That’s the inherent problem with a broken identity, you tell yourself you’re broken, and you perpetually act of that brokenness. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. The only hope comes when we say, “I can’t live like this any longer,” and realize “There is empirical evidence that my way of doing things hasn’t panned out. Maybe I should try another way.”

I needed life to smash those brittle and rigid parts of me into tiny pieces. I don’t know if that’s true for everyone. I don’t know if every major threshold is make-or-break. But, like Leonard Cohen - I don’t think it matters which one we’ve heard, the holy, or the broken hallelujah [surrender].

All that matters is that we’re willing.

It’s the most we can be.

PS: My therapist and I were recently talking on the topic of surrender, and I noted that “It was impossible to see while I was in it, but in active addiction, I was also practicing complete surrender. I was just surrendering to the wrong things (nihilism, hopelessness, and a broken identity). I thought it was a form of control, but it was the exact opposite.“

She replied: “Everyone practices surrender, whether they realize or not”.

Rilke said: This is how we grow: by being defeated, decisively, by constantly greater things.

[sparrowsabre7]

Say Something Nice About Every Star War part 4 Revenge of the Sith

The opening crawl starts with a fun single exclamation. “War!”

The silent shot of the Venator class Star Destroyer over Coruscant*, followed by drums and then the interceptors flying over its bow and spiralling into chaos remains I think my favourite opening of any Star Wars film. Yes, A New Hope’s is more iconic and is still great, but ROTS’ is the perfect synergy of all of that.

I love the design of the interceptors, I like that they are almost like the bastard children of A-wings and TIE fighters. The ARC-170 is cool too, making that classic warplane noise with its engines.

The duel with Dooku parallels Luke vs Vader in Return of the Jedi very nicely. Anakin and Luke are both faced with the same decision, being goaded by Palpatine, but while Anakin gives in to his anger, Luke ultimately rejects it. 

“His fate will be the same as ours” is such a great foreshadowing line. Like sure, it’s weird Lucas dialogue, but it works here. 

General Grievous is a great design, though I wish he had been a bit more like his Clone Wars (Tartakovsky) counterpart. 

Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen are finally allowed to sell the friendship in this one. No more chiding master and unruly student, they work together well, they bounce off each other, we get the sense they are seasoned veterans now. 

We have another moment in Padme’s apartment where Anakin lays his feelings bare. It’s interesting that the two times he’s most honest about his emotions is when he’s in Padme’s bedroom. 

“Hello there!” 

Obi-wan’s pose in the Grievous duel.

Shorter than it should have been but the duel is still fun to watch

Anakin’s conversation with Palpatine in the squid lake opera is moody and atmospheric and Ian McDiarmid sells this moment really well. Yes, he’s being very blatant about his Sith knowledge, but I feel like that’s deliberate. He wants Anakin to figure it out, he wants him to come to him of his own accord. 

The Battle of Kashyyyk is very nicely laid out with the trenches and the droids emerging from the water. Just visually very interesting, a lot of stuff going on. 

The silent (or it was silent until the blu-ray release) scene of Anakin and Padme staring across Coruscant to each other is probably the most soulful and thoughtful scene Lucas has filmed since Binary Sunset. This notion of the separation between them and how this moment is not centred on love but uncertainty. I feel this would probably have hit better on Padme’s end if the Rebellion senators subplot was left in as that also contributes to their division.

I like the little flickshot hidden lightsaber reveal from Palpatine. Something about it just satisfies me. 

Mace Windu finally gets a duel, even if it is a little leisurely paced

Though it sort of stumbles in the final moment, all the steps to get to Anakin’s turn worked for me: it came from a place of good intentions, but those intentions were clouded by jealousy and fear. With the puzzle pieces put in place from Attack of the Clones it’s reasonable to me that Anakin would want to save his wife from death.

Circling back, I like that when Anakin says Padme will die, her first reaction is “and the baby?”. And Anakin doesn’t seem to care at this point, he’s so focused on keeping Padme, he doesn’t want to lose the thing he has, not what he might have. That right there points out this drive to save Padme is not driven so much by love, but by selfishness.

Order 66 montage is crushing and John Williams does not let up. 

Yoda riding Chewbacca’s back is funny. 

Ewan McGregor trying hard not to laugh at “killing younglings.”

The dual duels are both really fun to watch. No they don’t always make sense from a choreography point of view, but they are entertaining. 

Yoda vs Palpatine still makes the 7 year old in me go crazy.

Yoda’s “failed I have” sounds so broken. 

Though it’s cheesy as hell the whole lead up dialogue to Obi-wan vs Vader still hypes me up each time. 

“YoUr nEw EMpIRe!?”

Ewan sells the “your were my brother” dialogue, even though some of it is a little Lucasian.

Intercutting Padme’s death with Vader’s birth/Anakin’s death with the twins’ birth is a nice parallel. 

That *wheeze* THUNK noise when the helmet goes on. 

Padme’s funeral with the japor snippet is nicely framed

The Harry Potter scene at the end apes Binary Sunset in a satisfying way to end the Lucas saga that brings it full circle. 

*Does this actually make Coruscant the only planet to be featured in the opening crawl pan twice? I - Naboo, II - Coruscant, III - Coruscant, IV - Tatooine, V - I think nothing at first before getting to Hoth, VI - Forest moon of Endor, VII - Jakku, VIII - D’Qar, IX - Mustafar

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 17

Then Perish (in which the Plot is Happening No Matter How Many Nat 20’s you Roll Ally Beardsley)

Strap in my dudes. It’s a wild one. 

Last ep, we’d just entered the forest of the nightmare king and things went sideways pretty quickly. All of the non-familiar NPCs have been poofed away and Kalina is currently fully killing Kristen. Riz, recently cured by Kristen (something that seemed to genuinely distress Kalina), can hear Tracker getting further and further away from them in wolf form. He gives Kristen his flare gun, tells her to run, and looks for the pollen they need to make the Kalina vaccine. Kalina disappears and in comes Sandra-Lynn with a weird mandrake-y plant for Kristen to bite. But, with a nat 20, she realizes that she’s seeing an illusion and Kalina is trying to get her to bite and reinfect Riz.  

All of the Bad Kids try to find each other, using all the tricks at their disposal to move faster (Fly, Jump, Dashing, etc). Fabian gets the Hangman to meet them at the edge of the forest with Gilear. Kristen shoots up the flare (presumably to alert Gilear of her position?) and cures herself as she runs, trying to buy time.  Kalina tries to make a deal with her so she and her friends will destroy the photo of her and their crystals but Kristen is not about that at all. She just tells everyone to run. Once Fig catches up with her, she does her one better and Dimension Doors with her almost all of the way out of the forest (after Fabian hits her with some Heroism which gives her regening temp HP to help combat the constant damage Kalina is doing). This cuts down the rounds needed to escape from 44 to a much more manageable 12. She manages to just get out alive after 24d6 of damage and Kalina is stuck at the edge of the forest with a threatening, “Get you next time.” The rest of the Bad Kids also make it out without too much trouble due to all their speed buffs.  

After everyone takes a tight five to be like, “Welp, that sucked,” they head to the Tinkerer’s Hall to enlist help with making tinctures. Overnight (together with Riz--since Kristen has quarantined herself) they’re able to make six doses of the tincture. Meanwhile, Fig learns more about her bass and Gorgug gets a new Ax from the very grateful tinkerers. Fig’s bass does a lot to help her be effective while she’s being attacked by all sides but--most importantly (imo)--gives her a +5 to performance checks, something I think Brennan is gonna live to regret. Speaking of regret, Fig is beset by whispers of guilt for her “fault” in the disappearance of their friends. Let’s put a pin in that. Gorgug gets a choice between a sick lightning ax and a dope gravity ax. He picks the latter, which, among other things, gives him auto-crits on objects (which seems like a plot tease for sure). While this is going on, Adaine makes two days worth of progress on a spell for Ayda. Kristen, who is being understandably sad in the van, prays to “not knowing” and gets her spells back, clearly (to us at least) missing something as she rolls a Nat 1 perception check. 

The gang cures Kristen with a dose of tincture then they upload the video of Kalina Riz took with his tie cam (which, btw, can scan for good and evil while recording and only pings Celestial magic from Tracker and Kristen, Kalina doesn’t ping as either). To my immediate delight, they post the video (respectfully clipped to not include Tracker) as sort of a fantasy version of The Dress, and it very quickly goes viral as people try to figure out why some people can see the tabaxi in it and some can’t. 

Back to Fig for a bit, Fig realizes the whispers in her head berating her aren’t external. They’re internal. She says she’s better than being loud than quiet and attempts to drown them out rather than ignore them. Fig realizes that, now that she’s out of the forest, Ayda’s feather is glowing again. Using that connection, Adaine tries to Scry on Ayda and sees that she (along with Zathriel) are caught in a horrifying web with web going into all of their face holes. Ayda’s eyes are clear because the fire of her eyes burn out the webs but she's full on weeping. She’s also trying to use the bloody earring Fig gave her to teleport back to her (knew that was gonna come back, at least for flavor) but her restraints won’t allow it. This absolutely lights a fire under Fig’s ass and she is ready to go back into the forest immediately. Before they do, Gorgug gives his Van to the gnomes (since it was bought with KVX money) and Riz makes one of the potions into a tranq dart for Tracker.

The journey to the temple Adaine saw in her Scry is two days away which means a bunch of sleep and navigation checks (without the Van or Tracker there to cast a Moon Haven). They sleep in shifts with Kristen, Fabian, and Fig sleeping first. Kristen rolls and 19 and Fig gets a 17 with Adaine’s Portent. Fabian is the low man with a 10. Even though Fig seemingly made the check, we still get dream narration for her as she is met by a pre-horned, 13 y/o version of herself who berates her. But Fig (who has made the check and can leave the nightare at any time) says she’s so much happier now than she’s ever been and boom! She loses her College of Whispers subclass and becomes a College of Lore Bard (gaining the Cutting Words feature). Whispers banished, she finds she’s able to communicate with Gorthalax who tells her being a devil doesn’t just have to be about being “evil”. At its core, being a devil is about rebellion. It’s about flipping off the universe, something Fig can very much vibe with. 

When Fabian wakes up, not having had a dream, he sees a familiar, tri-cornered hat a little ways away. As soon as he steps away from the group, he is possessed and starts attacking his friends--brutally as per DM’s orders. Luckily, Adaine has a low portent roll to give him, Riz has a net gun, and Gorgug now has a super heavy axe which he simply lays on Fabian, restraining him. They snap Fabian out of it and Adaine can tell it wasn’t an ambient effect of the forest. It’s something that was actively cast on Fabian (the same thing that was cast on Fig when she gem’d Gorthalax). However, it’s probably stronger in the forest. They also realize that when the Baron thing happened, Riz was attacked but not possessed and he also didn’t go to sleep. So, if they go through the forest not sleeping, they’ll be safe from possession at least. The next three are able to sleep without problem (even Riz who rolled a 7) but, in the morning, they don’t do so hot on their navigation checks. Instead of losing time, they decide to push through to the temple.

When they get there, they see that it’s basically surrounded by skeletons, like people just showed up to lay down and die. Something above the entrance has been moved and they also see (from much more recently) three sets of footsteps joined by a fourth set halfway (boots, not talons or paws). Adaine casts Locate Creature on her mom but doesn’t sense her within 1000 ft. Riz takes point and decides to scout the temple and report back. On a Nat 20 for a total of 30 Investigation, he fully cases the joint in less than ten minutes. He sees a brick of Dusk Moss and a bunch of spooky books which he realizes means a ritual happened to take the casters almost further into the forest in some kind of non-euclidean direction. He sees a skeleton of a unicorn filled with webs and egg sacs which died looking at a portrait of a woman in a black robe with black hair but the face is destroyed. 

Riz reports back all of this to his friends and Adaine decides that she’ll shoulder full responsibility for looking at the potentially evil books, trusting her friends to snap her out of it if she gets possessed or something. Equally supportive in their own ways, Fig plays a countercharm for her off to the side and Riz points a gun at her. From reading the book, Adaine is able to piece together a lot about the mechanics of what’s going on. There is a tree in the center of the forest (the broom that was turned into a tree) which helps to boost all the illusions in the forest. Because of this, illusions are all more real. For example, illusory wings created with Disguise Self would actually grant you flight. The Dusk Moss used in the ritual was probably to give them some measure of control over the insane nightmares (as in, “I know this is a dream sorta, therefore I can’t be hurt”). Brennan says Adaine would probably be able to do the ritual with some time and study. Siobhan Galaxy Brains and scours her spell list for spells involving illusions for what she calls, “some fuckery” (“Give me the fuckery,” Brennan says, even the game DM). Adaine wants to use Illusory Script to write a spell that will allow her to do the ritual with the hope that it will become real. Brennan looks directly into the camera like it’s The Office and asks for a DC 30 Arcana check. She doesn’t get it but she does get the sense that the principle behind the idea is solid.  Anyway, back to the other transubstantiations. The Familiar to a Plague is, as we all already knew, Kalina who is controlling the illusions in the forest. The Spellbook is the KVX coin and is (1) aligned with the Enchantment school of magic and (2) responsible for the possessions that have been happening (ie: Fig, Ragh, and Fabian this ep). The Sanctum to Cottage is aligned with the Abjuration school of magic and basically a trap for Celestials coming into the forest and also will prevent certain levels of spellcasting as they get progressively deeper. And now back to the tree (he doesn’t say the school of magic it is and also he says there are four when there are actually 8 so I’m not sure which school it’s supposed to represent--Divination maybe since that’s Adaine’s school?). The forest becomes alive the further in they go. The more safe they feel, the more the paths will move around. The only way to get they can get to the center is by feeling fear and uncertainty--which has got to be simultaneously great and terrible news for someone with major anxiety to get. 

All of that is all going on in the main chamber. Meanwhile, Gorgug is in the hallway and Fabian is in the chapel with Kristen who is checking out the picture of the goddess. Kristen, on international DM’s day, rolls a nat 20 religion check because of course she does. She hears the goddesses’s voice in her head. “Why do you search for me?” Kristen says she’s really into the praise through doubt thing. Brennan makes her roll a Con check with disadvantage--13.  

He says, “I’m gonna describe what Kristen sees and then I’m going to describe what Fabian saw,” instantly activating my Fight or Flight. 

Kristen feels a wave of spite, rage, and betrayal from the goddess and then she feels blinding pain as the unicorn skeleton runs over and gores her through the heart from the back. 

“What praise will you have in death?” the voice in her head says, as she collapses, fully lifeless. 

The unicorn turns to a panicked Fabian (who is only not driven mad by his immunity to Fear) and says, “You should not have come here.” 

In conclusion, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Detention

Brennan for Killing Kristen on a Nat 20

Using a Nat 20 to kill a player is such a power move and please do not let this placement make you think I don’t respect the unmitigated gall. 

Honor Roll

Adaine for An Incredible Piece of Fuckery

The fact that it didn’t work doesn’t change the fact that this was a Galaxy Brain connection that she made instantly and will almost certainly end up saving their asses. Mark my words: Before the end of the season, some Looney Tunes-ass painting a black circle to make a real hole type nonsense is gonna happen.

Random Thoughts

Emily’s constant awe at Ally’s dice rolls is so funny to me. She’s like head parishioner at the church of Ally’s dice. 

“Don’t bite the baby your mom gives you.”

Adaine taking pics of Fabian on Gorgug’s back while running out of the forest.

The teamwork shown during Kristen’s rescue? *chef’s kiss*

“It doesn’t protect you from losing all your friends in a forest.” Ow. 

Emily going, “Thank you Brennan,” like a little kid when she got her new bass’s stats.

“All of our girlfriends are in there!”

Brennan, upon being denied a wisdom save from Emily: You have to! I asked. 

Ice feast?????? Ally, what????

There is very much a world where the Bad Kids immediately leveraged Fig’s social media presence to get a better sample size on what was going on with Kalina. I wonder what would have happened if they’d gone viral with it much earlier.  

Ayda was drawn to the cottage with Zathriel because she’s part Celestial apparently. Are Phoenixes Celestial? That’s news to me. 

Also, on the topic, very Concerned about where the remaining NPCs are. 

The fact that Ayda had Fig’s earring in her hand while bound and unable to move much or do a spell that would allow her to get it into her hand implies that her split second reaction when captured was to reach for it and that was the one thing she could do before she was incapacitated which is A Lot.

Kristen keeps asking Riz to hold the tranq gun because she wants to look out for Tracker, which is sweet but you have -3 Dex girl. The kindest thing you can do is never touch that gun and toss Riz some Bless. 

The break they took between leaving the forest and going back Concerned me as it was happening. I was like, y’all literally anything could be happening right now. I had no sense on the amount of tie they realistically had to spare before something unreversable happened. 

Lol at Brennan clearly trying to throw some levels of exhaustion at the party and them just rolling out of it, no problem.  

I feel like Brennan knew Kristen was dying this episode no matter what and I gotta say: (1) I think it’s a great skill as a DM to keep our story on the tracks while also having the players actions matter and have meaningful consequences and (2) I wonder if she hadn’t gotten a Nat 1 when she got her spells back, if we’d get some information that could potentially contextualize what happened. 

I do not remember what the unicorn’s deal is but I remember it was mentioned specifically at the top of the season and I don’t trust anything about it--separately from the fact that it gored our girl. Was it speaking independently or was the goddess speaking through it? Or was it just the unicorn the whole time and Brennan was lying--not for the first time that episode? 

Fig being asked by her younger nightmare self what all the people in her life who had bad stuff happen to them have in common: Aguefort Advenuring Academy?

The image of an angel falling out of heaven and then rising up to flip off God and go, “F You,” is so cinematic that it makes me upset there aren’t animatics for this show. 

I am dying to know whether Brennan thought about the implications of making a setting where illusions are hyper-real in a game where Emily Axford is lousy with illusion magic. Did he consider it? Is there a mechanic to limit this? Or, next week, is Emily gonna say, “I cast disguise self on myself and I disguise myself as a super buff version of me with sick devil wings and I also create a minor illusion of a tiny, fairy, cleric.” What could stop her? Minor Illusion is a cantrip, guys. It’s a CANTRIP. I feel like either Brennan wildly miscalculated and made himself a double edged sword which Emily and Siobhan are gonna use to make him eat his dice OR he’s about to throw some absolutely unfair nonsense at them that even he doesn’t know the way out of and he’s trusting them to harness the power of the fuckery to figure it out. Either way, there are only 3 episodes left so I guess there’s only so much they can break the game in 3 episodes (she said, fully expecting to be proved wrong). 

“Crunch it up bro.”

When Brennan was talking about the ritual, he said, “Your parents and stuff” with regard to who did it, which makes me think Anguin was the fourth figure. But the “and stuff” is vague hedging language which makes me think we’re still being played. Brennan, tell me what’s going on in Abernant-Land, I’m begging you bro. 

One thing I didn’t mention in the main recap because it was getting long is the 4 transubstantiations were done on 4 gifts from the 4 tribes who worshiped the goddess The cat was from the wood elves. The sanctum was holy to the centaurs. I think the sprite was the spellbook which would make the broom from the treents.

Partial credit to @camwritery for this: Brennan gave Gorgug a weapon that, among other effects, insta-crits on inanimate objects. Which is a random ability unless a future plot point involves destroying some items--a la the pylons they destroyed earlier in what feels like a tutorial level in retrospect. And camwritery is the one who pointed out, hey, isn’t there a super important tree in the middle of the forest? Magic axe? Magic tree? Feels connected y’all. 

Everyone getting new gear and spells the past two eps has felt like that scene in Lion/Witch/Wardrobe where Santa shows up and is like, “Here are some weapons kids. Shit’s about to hit the fan!”

The fact that Riz escaped possession on a 7 seems to be explained by the fact that the cursed money is linked to possession and he gave all of his away. Which means Fabian and Adaine are still in danger, along with I think Fig since she kept her tour money which is likely infected. 

Anyone else get Wrinkle in Time/The Boy Who Reversed Himself vibes from all the dream travel talk this ep?

OK, I guess we gotta talk about Kristen dying for the third time in her life. Poor girl. She’s just trying her best to be a good person and earnestly trying to find meaning in the world. And what has it gotten her? Killed three times. And yet she keeps trying! The fact that it’s her makes me kinda more and less worried at the same time, you know? Because she is currently the sole healer on the team which is BAD--if Fabian went down, it wouldn’t be as big of a deal because Kristen would presumably just need to make her fright check and then cast Revivify. K-girl doesn’t have anyone to heal her (barring some illusion shenanigans from Fig or Adaine). However, Kristen’s motto might as well, “Whatever does kill you makes you stronger.” She basically has an at least 1 death per season clause written into her contract. If anyone can face death with grit and come out singing (and prob with some sick new powers) it’d be her. What an absolutely brutal way to end the episode.

She was mentioned in this episode for a hot sec I think--that racist ranger from earlier in the season--I don’t trust her. She could just be a one off NPC but I feel like there’s more to her. 

So I guessed correctly that the photos of Kalina would end up being a bargain chip potentially but somehow it didn’t occur to me that they could just...leave. Lol, I was like, “I guess they’re in it,” and they were like, “Yeah, bye.”

Kalina didn’t come after the gang in the forest the second time except maybe to possess Fabian if she did that directly. I wonder why that was. She had plenty of time.

I don’t like this spider motif. I don’t trust this spider motif. My spidey sense is going off re: this spider motif. I just want that on the record. 

This episode, Adaine rolled 1 Nat 20, Riz got 2, and Kristen rolled 3 but one was cancelled out by disadvantage. Meanwhile, Fig, Kristen, and Gorgug each rolled one Nat 20 each.