#THIS WILL FOREVER BE THE SHOW'S BIGGEST FLAW

[biboybuckley]

the first episode of teen wolf is immaculate actually

stiles introduction, swinging down from god knows where while scott holds a bat to tell him that hey dude there’s a dead body in the woods let’s go find it

lydia’s character introduction and subsequent claiming of allison as her new best friend

coach. that’s it.

stiles’ lycanthropy joke and scott being completely clueless

derek’s introduction. that’s all i need to say.

“where are you getting your juice?” *confusion* “my mom does all the grocery shopping”

our first stiles research montage <333

derek’s “the bite is a gift” speech

the!! soundtrack!!!

and of course the inherent homoeroticism of it all

[sapphothetic]

forgot how fun marvel movies are

[sunny44]

Never the first choice

Pairing: Lando Norris x bf!reader

Warnings: angst, crying, fighting

Summary: Y/n is never Lando’s first choice.

I sat at the restaurant table, trying to focus on the conversation. The guy in front of me was kind, funny, and interesting—everything someone could want on a date. But my mind was elsewhere. Every time he smiled, I imagined someone else's smile. When he spoke, it was as if I was waiting for someone else's voice to fill the silence.

"Are you okay?" he asked, noticing my distraction.

I forced a smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I'm just a little tired."

He nodded, accepting my excuse without question. But the truth was much more complicated. Lando was always somewhere in the back of my mind, whether he was at a McLaren practice, at a Grand Prix, or even when I was on dates like this. I hated myself for it. I hated myself for not being able to move on, for still being stuck on someone who didn’t have the courage to choose me.

I was about to ask for the check, determined to end the date before my heart got even more tangled, when I saw him. Lando walked into the restaurant, his eyes immediately finding mine, as if he had some kind of radar that always guided him to me.

"Y/n?" my date called my attention, realizing that I was staring at something—or someone—behind him.

"Sorry, I just need a minute," I murmured, already standing up. I didn’t know what he was doing here, but I knew nothing good could come of it.

I walked over to Lando, meeting him near the entrance, with an expression I knew all too well—determination mixed with possessiveness.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, trying to stay calm.

"I... I needed to talk to you," he replied, his voice tense.

"Now? In the middle of my date?" I could already feel my patience running thin. Lando always showed up at the most inconvenient times, as if he knew exactly when I was about to move on.

"Yes, now," he insisted, stepping closer to me. "This guy isn’t right for you."

That was the last straw. "You cannot be serious. You crash my date to tell me this guy isn’t right for me? And who are you to decide that, Lando?"

Before he could respond, my date approached, a look of confusion on his face. "Is everything okay here?"

I wanted to scream, to apologize to him, but all I could do was shake my head.

"I... I’m leaving." Lando stepped closer to me, but I raised my hand, signaling him to stop. "No. Don’t touch me."

The other guy—who didn’t matter much to me anymore, since my heart was focused on Lando—shook his head in resignation. "I guess I’ll leave you two to talk."

I watched him walk away, a mix of anger and disappointment washing over me. Lando just stood there, and I didn’t know if I wanted to hug him or push him away. In the end, I chose the latter.

"You’re unbelievable," I began, my voice trembling with anger. "If you really wanted to be with me, you wouldn’t have gone on a date two weeks ago. Remember that date, Lando? The one you thought I didn’t know about?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but I wasn’t willing to listen.

"So you have no right to ruin my date, just because you’re not man enough to ask me out."

I could see the surprise in his eyes, as if he didn’t expect me to know. But the truth is, ever since I met Lando, I’ve always known when he was getting close to other people. He was unpredictable, and that was one of his charms—and one of his biggest flaws.

"Y/n, it’s not like that..." he started, but I raised my hands, refusing to hear.

"No, Lando, it’s exactly like that. It always has been. And it always will be, right? I’m only your first choice when no one better comes along." I felt the tears start to fall, but I continued, the pain turning into an unexpected strength. "I won’t be your second choice, Lando. I won’t be the person you always turn to when you need to get your dick wet.”

He tried to grab my arm, but I pulled away.

"Don’t touch me. That’s enough, im not gonna deal with this forever."

I turned, grabbed my bag, and walked away from him. The sound of my heels echoed in the restaurant, and the feeling of relief mixed with a deep sadness. The sound of laughter and conversations around us seemed so distant, as if I was in a completely different universe, where all that mattered was the pain in my chest.

When I reached the door, I stopped for a second, hoping he would come after me, say something that would change everything. But all I heard was silence.

I stepped out into the street, the cool night air hitting my face. Finally, the tears I had been holding back fell, and I allowed myself to cry. Cry for me, cry for Lando, cry for the love I never managed to have.

But as the tears fell, a firm decision began to form within me. I was tired of waiting, tired of being the second choice. Lando might not know what he wanted, but I did. I knew I deserved more, deserved someone who would choose me without hesitation, without doubts.

And above all, I knew that no matter how much I loved him, it wasn’t worth it if I always ended up feeling like this—alone, broken, and in second place. I deserved more. And in that moment, I decided I was going to find it, even if it meant leaving Lando behind.

Bonus scene!

Yourusername instagram stories

“Getting used to be sad and alone all the time”

[peachyfnaf]

Nexus: I am going to kill the people that hurt my family :)

The Family: 👿👹👺NOOOOO THATS EVIL!!!!!👿👺YOU'RE EVIL!!!!👿👹DON'T DO THAT!!!!!👹👺

Old Moon: I am going to kill the people that hurt my family :)

The Family: 🎉Yippie!!!💯✨Promise???✨💯That's so cool!!!!✨🎉We love an overprotective king!!!!✨🎉💯

This ask was sent to me with so much salt, but it's okay, I agree and support you KJDFSHDSF

There's a lot of nuance to the situation, but that doesn't stop me from believing the story would've been objectively better if Old Moon just.. stayed dead? he's a very funny character with an interesting story, but his revival makes his sacrifice for KC, which was (in my opinion) the most impactful thing of the entire show, completely void. Him coming back, plus KC dying, plus O.M only having been stuck in his own head for a few hours, in his eyes? I just. Find that so uninteresting and dull.

I also still hold many grudges for him for how he treated Sun, and I don't think that's ever changing. I love Old Moon as a character, but he was an abusive brother. He repeatedly beat Sun with a metal pipe, insulted and demeaned Sun's intelligence until he 'died', and ofc the whole show started from him leaving the killcode in Sun's head.

And I know that Old Moon is regretful for pretty much all of that. Doesn't mean I have to forgive him for it, though.

Nexus never did any of that. His biggest mistake was lashing out-insulting Earth and Sun, and calling Earth collateral. He tried to kill Bloodmoon and Ruin, not caring if Earth got hurt in the process, and that was wrong of him, yes, I can admit that. I love Nexus, adore him, but I'm not blind to his flaws.

But he never repeatedly beat Sun with a metal pipe. He never demeaned Sun's intelligence to the point where Sun thought he was forever going to be 'the dumb one'. He never put a killcode in Sun's head.

People are 100% allowed to prefer Old Moon over Nexus when it comes to who they like better as a character, and i won't stop them lmao. But even with all the good Old Moon's been doing recently, which is a lot, and I'm genuinely proud of him for, I just can't see him as a better person than Nexus.

But that's just my opinion so. Shrugs jkhsfdd

[synergysilhouette]

Things I'd want for an an "Ever After High" reboot

As much love as "Monster High" has gotten--and as much attention as it's gotten, thanks to 2 reboots--I think it's time for a reboot of Ever After High, for the lore/show if nothing else (and yes, I know it was all for the dolls). And note: I say "reboot" instead of "revival" because the show had a gaping flaw with it, and I'll include it in one of the things I'd like to see in a Gen 2 of EAH:

More nuance--The BIGGEST issue with the show was how biased it was when it was trying to see itself as a complex story. The Royals were written as selfish, hypocritical, and vain when discussing the future and their legacies, and it made being a Royal unlikable, which was probably done by the writers to make us sympathize with the Rebels more, not to mention the fact that Raven was always kind and level-headed, making Apple come off much more disingenuous. It wasn't even a "the Rebels are slightly more right"; the Rebels were written as 100% right and the Royals weren't "good" people until they came around to the way the Royals thought. I'd enjoy them embracing the Royals' positive side (which have been shown when not involving the RvR debate), as well as highlighting the fact that following tradition isn't always a bad thing, and that those who followed their destiny didn't have to follow it to the letter, but were allowed to make changes here and there (ie Apple marrying a prince; it didn't have to be Daring). As such, destinies are vague, giving you a beginning and end while omitting the in-between parts. And given this change to what is considered a Royal, there are no in-between groups like Roybels.

2. Don't forget the guys--Part of what made EAH an engaging "girly" show for me was the fact that they still had significant male characters (usually it's like a 10-1 ratio; here it feels like 5-1), all of whom have unique designs and appearances. I'm pretty sure this wouldn't be an issue, but I still wanna point it out.

3. Headmaster Grimm is more altruistic and wise--I swear, "Wish" has ruined me forever. I'm on a Magnifico kick. Headmaster Grimm, while still lying to the students and kinda misleading them, doesn't do so just because of the flimsy "This is how things are done"; he's more of a lawful neutral/true neutral character, where he understood after years of seeing people try to change their destinies it either comes true anyway or ends up getting their own Happily Ever After, but it does more damage than good for everyone else. As such, he understands the fact that good cannot exist without evil, and vice-versa, explaining his own motivations for manipulating events at EAH, with the proposed destinies being what he believes to be the worst-possible scenarios. (Plus the evil headmaster at school is so cliche to me at this point. It feels very juvenile.)

4. More lore in the show--Albeit, less confusing. I don't remember the show exactly, and I didn't get into the novelizations, but I do recall that the books fleshed out the Legacy Day ceremony a bit more, citing that the current students at EAH were descendants (rather than children) of fairy tale characters, and embracing your destiny was something done for generations--with one disturbing detail being that Ashlynn's mother would eventually die and her father would marry one of her stepsisters, making the new stepmother's daughters Ashlynn's new stepsisters who would make her enslaved. AND EVERYONE KNEW THIS. This circles back to #1 by making being a Royal less terrible. Put emphasis on following your destiny and the history of the world, but I'd prefer to avoid the "we do this every generation" thing; the characters are still descendants of fairy tale characters, but it hasn't been a wash, dry, repeat cycle; it only happens when the descendants' circumstances start to match up precisely with their ancestor's, and it's believing that by following their destiny, they preserve the balance of good and evil. Not to mention, most of the other students don't get to accept or deny their destiny; they're just regular people in that respect, while the special descendants (let's say that Maddie, Raven, and Apple are only a small handful of people who have Legacy Day this school year) get to see what their futures hold. Not to mention it'd be fun to see more of the characters' lives outside of the school, ie Briar's relationship with her younger brothers and the fact that her mom is always tired and her dad (who needs a name; can we avoid nameless characters here?) is always slaying monsters.

5. More emphasis on fairy godparents (and magical characters in general)--I'll always question why Cupid coming to EAH didn't reinvent her as a fairy godmother or something similar. In any case, I like the idea of fairy godparents and their children being one the only major characters in fairy tales who's destiny was flexible and no one had any qualms about it; they were above good or evil (though they typically chose good), and had a business where people would pay for their services, powered by their wish and conviction. Grimm being a fairy godfather would also make sense for his grey mentality in the series. Plus I feel like we don't have enough magical characters, with Cerise, Farrah, and Raven being the few that come to mind.

6. It's not just about Raven--Something I liked about "Monster High" was that while Frankie started off as the main character (before she sadly became underrated), many other characters got the spotlight outside of her. Given that the EAH webseries was story-driven, they gave Raven the spotlight. But I'd like to focus on other characters who may be dealing wit the consequences of following/rejecting their destiny, as well as more people fighting with their "inborn" morality issues, similar to Raven fighting her evil urges.

[miguel-owhora]

miguel has zero game. he is one of the most dense, awkward, ??? man ever. you flirt with him and it'll go over his head, or he'll point out the flaws in someone's shitty pickup line and completely miss the memo. i imagine jess n peter have tried to set him up, keyword try, as in, them pushing people to flirt with miguel. but miguel either 1. doesnt care at all, 2. he misses the memo, or 3. he's too scary.

and then the biggest plot twist comes when someone, idk who, is all like you're gonna be single forever or whatever, n miguel just goes ...? he gives them the flattest look ever, eyebrow raised, and quite literally says 'i have a husband'

and miguel has zero rizz, zero flirting skills, he's fucking dense when it comes to people crushing on him - but he managed to pull you. usually it's the other way around, with people pulling miguel, but nah, not with you. miguel's the one that bagged you and goes so warm when he sees the matching wedding band on your finger.

you probably met miguel during college in one of your classes, and he probably was crushing on you big time. and he won't flirt... not, normally at least. you get paired together and you realize he's hot and nerdy, and it makes your heart swell affectionately.

you notice a poster in his dormroom and ask him about it, and he'll infodump on it. probably tries to quote flirt unquote w you by showing off his intelligence.... and it works.

that and he's also a complete sweetie to you. a little sarcastic, a little sassy, a little snarky, but he's sweet n lets you inside his walls.

homeboy gets so flustered when you decide to flirt w him... which by now you have to be blunt with it. so whenever he rolls out of bed, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, you'll watch him n be like 'whete you goin' handsome?' or some variation of the pet name, and he'll fold

kiss him on his neck and he'll start sweating n smiling, rub his shoulders or give him a massage and he'll melt. scratch his scalp n he'll literally wiggle onto your lap so you're forced to keeping scratching it

point is, he's downbad for you n utterly in love, n soon the entire spider society knows this n make fun of him for it. but just bc he's sweet w you does not mean he's sweet w everyone else n quickly reminds them of this, which quickly shuts them up

[coxxxmo]

A GUIDE TO ASSASSINATING THE CHIEF JUSTICE

⤷ taglist - @lemeowade @sako-mii @moonlybxbe @oni-girx

⤷ word count - 6k

STEP 1 : GATHERING INFORMATION AND PRE-BALL PREPARATIONS

Discussions about the annual ball were raging in the Fontainian streets this time of the year just like the year before it and all the other years before it. It was no surprise since The yearly “Opulent Dreams” masquerade ball was an event to be celebrated in Fontaine.

Once, every year lavish preparations were made in Fontaine, the meticulous planning would start months in advance as the finest event coordinators from all over Teyvat worked tirelessly to create this dazzling event that was talked about throughout the nation. 

Elaborate decorations were carefully chosen, adorning every corner of the venue with cascading floral arrangements, crystal chandeliers, and extravagant draperies. The ballroom itself was transformed into a fairy tale setting, with an enchanting ambiance which transported guests to a realm of unmatched beauty. Intricate table settings were meticulously crafted, showcasing the finest porcelain, silverware, and crystal glassware. Every citizen of Fontaine was to be invited so invitation wasn’t a problem. 

However, the most important part of the plan was to get close to the Iudex. Any person who was close to you would simply just assume that the reason you were so obsessed with the Chief Justice was because you were one of his many admirers but they couldn’t be more far away from the truth.

Yes, you might’ve been a bit obsessed but it wasn’t because you were oh so hopelessly in love with him, oh no no. You wanted revenge. Cold, Ruthless, and Bitter Revenge. And you were going to get it, on the night of the ball. After all, it was a perfect opportunity. You spent a complete year researching and analyzing every little bit of information about the Chief Justice so when the time came you could’ve struck without a flaw and made sure he wouldn’t live to see the light of the next day.

You made sure to remember his every day routine, the day he stayed in his office working, how long he stayed in and all the days he had his court duties to handle. You even knew when he would go to meet the Melusines and about his favorite things and things he hated.

Honestly speaking, You weren’t the type of person who knew anything about killing someone - of course you weren’t, you could barely hurt a fly without getting sad over the life you took but last year things changed…Things changed drastically for you when your own brother was put on a fake trial and falsely accused for treason, the biggest crime that can be committed by someone. Accusations were made that he sold important information to the Fatui since he worked in the Maison Gestion. Hence, his only suitable punishment according to the Oratrice Mecanique D'analyse Cardinale was a death penalty.

You tried to do everything to prove his innocence, to prove that your brother was just another working class citizen who loved his nation more than anything but alas, the people who were actually behind the leaking of information staged him being guilty too well to the point that no matter what you did, what evidence you could presented, it was no use. At last, your brother was executed publicly, as to provide a spectacle of what could happen to those who dare betray their nation - forever tarnishing his own reputation and your family name. 

You were well aware that the final decision was made by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, and it heavily relied on the evidence provided. However, you were also aware that Neuvillette could’ve stopped the execution if he wanted to. You knew that he was aware that your brother was not the real criminal behind this, yet he didn’t utter a word. On the day of his execution, he didn’t even bother showing up. Was this how little someone’s life was worth to him? Was this how insignificant it was to him? It seemed that way and this….this enraged you.

Sure, there were many other things that were even worse than this. You had no family left, no proper house to live in and people hated you and your dead family. They refused to even sell you food or give you jobs. Simply put, your life was a huge mess, and yes, things were terrible. But the one and only person responsible for this was the reputable Chief Justice of Fontaine, Neuvillette. And sure, if, let’s say, you did get caught (chances of which were higher than you would have liked them to be) then your life would be over. It wouldn't be a big deal though right? Considering how it was already down in the depths of hell. So despite every last bit of your better judgment that was telling you not to do this, you did what you had to. You started getting ready for the ball. 

STEP 2 : SUCCESSFULLY ENTER THE BALL AND BLEND IN

You were finally at the venue as you saw the entire venue filled with a kaleidoscope of colors, chandeliers cascaded their radiant light across the big hall. The setting was nothing short of magical. People were coming in and the air was filled with an electrifying excitement as guests clad in exquisite gowns, dashing suits and their elegant and glamorous masks were making their way through the hallway, down the stairs to the enchanting ballroom.

The ballroom, with its high arched ceilings and intricately carved marble pillars, was a sight to behold. Golden accents adorned every corner, exuding an aura of royalty and grandeur. A magnificent crystal chandelier, dazzling with countless glass prisms, took center stage, casting shimmering reflections on the marble floors below. 

It was easy to lose yourself in the midst of this dazzling party yet you knew…you knew how all this worked better than anyone else, you knew how all these people and their beliefs in this hollow system of justice were like. You knew what you had to do tonight, you were aware what was at stake and maybe if you can’t do it tonight then you won’t get a chance like this anyways. 

So you made a grand entrance, donning a breathtaking dress that perfectly matched the appeal of your captivating mask. Your mask, The central focus of your overall appearance was silver in color, with delicate filigree patterns that cascade along the edges and pearls adorned the surface making it even prettier. You made sure that your face wasn’t recognizable with the mask, an important detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. As soon as you tried to blend in with other masked figures, you began the next step of your plan.

STEP 3 : LOCATE THE CHIEF JUSTICE

You moved across the ballroom swiftly with only one motive in your mind. So what if everyone was wearing masks, makeup or completely different outfits - surely it can’t be that difficult to find him right?....right??? Wrong. You spent about an hour looking like a lost child going through the swaying bodies just to find him but somehow, it seemed like luck just wasn’t on your side tonight. Surely how hard would it be to find the most notable man in the entire nation in an important event such as this one? You knew the answer now, very hard. Yet another half an hour passed  and your luck was just as terrible as it was before. It felt as if you were in a maze of people - each turn making you feel as if you were back at the same masks.

Just as you admitted defeat, finally taking a seat near the bar lowering your head in defeat - you smelled a strong scent of fresh rain mixed with….lumidouce bells??? You can’t help but look up as you look at the snow-white hair with ocean blue highlights passing by you. It felt as if you couldn’t breathe anymore, your vision going dizzy, the room was closing in on you - there was no mistaking it. It was him. The man who single-handedly destroyed your entire life.

STEP 4 : K͚͍̯ͯͩͨͧ̉̈̑͛͂͜͜I̧̫͚̗̯͈̮̿ͤͣͦḼ̲̀L̶̶̷̡̛͇͎̪̠̙͖̦̖͈̠̻͚̺͈̋̆͛̽ͯ̔̒ͣ̈͒͋̆̊̌̾̂ͤ͘͠ H̟̏͢I̥̣͗̆̾ͥ͢M̴̸̢̢̛̦̹̲̲̭̝̭̰̲̘͈̲͔̂ͫ̀ͧ̈́͌ͯ͌ͤͮ͊͛ͨ͛͒̌ͮ̌́ͨ̉̃͟͜͢͠͡͝ͅ  APPROACH HIM calmly…

You took deep breaths and calmed yourself down, it wasn’t the time to lose yourself like this. You were just about to go and stop the man but he somehow came and stood beside you, asking the bartender for water. Huh… It had been a year, a year since you saw him like this. You couldn’t help but notice his mask that seemed to fit his face way too perfectly - The soft blue frame of the mask highlighted his mysterious eyes, and its intricate design added an elegant touch to his presence. Silver accents caught the light, while delicate crystals and sequins glistened, mirroring the sparkle in his eyes. 

“Apologies but you seemed to be staring at me. Is something the matter?” His voice caught you completely off guard. It seemed softer than the harsh and cold voice you’ve heard him use and it startled you for sure. Your mouth dried up and the words seemed to just die down in your throat, not coming out. Seeing him this close to you made you want to reach out for your dagger and-

“Excuse me?” 

You looked up to him, his eyes scanning your demeanor. Shit, you let yourself slip- 

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but notice your mask. It looks quite exquisite and the design and colors compliment you very well Monsieur Neuvillette.” You put on your best facade, your sincerest smile and talked to him.

“Ah, it seems this mask isn’t doing a very good job at concealing my identity.”

“It seems not.” You give him a small smile. He turned to walk away after the small talk. But you HAD TO STOP HIM, YOU COULDN’T AFFORD LOSING A GOLDEN CHANCE LIKE THIS.

“Wait!” You called out to him amidst your internal conflict, still not sure what to do. “Hm?” He turned back to look at you. You had to think of something quick, you had to make him stay, you had to- “Do you have a partner?” You blabbered out…without thinking. 

“Pardon?” He tilted his head in confusion, not sure what you meant exactly.

“I mean as in, someone to dance with at the midnight ball. I don’t see a partner by your side-” You said peeking over his shoulder now, to look for his imaginary partner. He seemed to take a moment to look at you again and replied “I do not.” 

“Seems like a coincidence really, I don’t have a partner as well.” You sighed dramatically. 

“Is that so?” He enquired.

“Yes, indeed. And I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind obviously, would you like to be my partner for the night?” As soon as those words left your mouth, you saw the look on his face trying to register what you just said. Part of you knew what you asked was stupid, there was no way whatsoever that he would agree to this whole ordeal.

He didn’t have any friends or any people close to him, you knew that by now and he seemed to avoid forming such relations and connections with people at all times so if you really had to make him stay with you till after midnight to find the perfect chance you had no other option but to convince him.

“I appreciate your kind offer but I don’t think I need a partner.” Just as you expected.

“Aw but monsieur neuvillette, don’t you think it’ll be quite awkward and out of place for someone as important as you to not partake in such a significant event for all of fontaine? Look, even the hydro archon has a partner.” You point towards the raised seating in the ballroom where the hydro archon was sitting and talking enthusiastically with some blonde traveler. 

You watch as Neuvillette's expressions seem to change a bit as he takes time to scan across the ballroom, seeing almost everyone in pairs. “I’ll have to apologize in advance however for my rusty dance expertise, it’s been quite long since I’ve had the chance to do this.” He gave you a soft and sweet smile as he extended his hand for you to take. Without realizing your mouth unconsciously twitched up into a small smile as you took up his hand. You couldn’t help but smile even widely realizing you were only hours away from seeing his lifeless body. 

STEP 5 : S̹̤̣͂T̴̰̲͈̀̔͐̇̈́̽Ḁ̵̡̲̤̪͖̾͊̓̋̊͘͢B̨̛̺̘̮̘̓̋ͩ̅ͥ̇͑ͤ͒͟ Ḥ̡̨̜͈̥͎̦̙̱̞̒͌ͨ͌ͯ̅̈ͪ̔̇̾͗ͦ̂͘͞Ị̵̧̨̨̛̗͈͈̝̘͇̼̟̭̣̮͉ͧͦ̽̌͐͒͛ͣ͊ͨ̀ͮ̑͛̑̕͢͞͞ͅM̛̰̹̩̎̾̅̔͘͞͡  MAKE HIM TRUST YOU

It felt as if the more and more time you spent beside him only fueled the growth of a festering node of hatred within you. It seemed to take root deep inside you, which only made you think of how good it would feel when you’ll finally be done with it. 

“Excuse me???” his voice seemed to break you out of your little psychopath circle. “You seemed to be in deep thought.” 

“I’m sorry I was just a little distracted.” You flashed him your very best smile. It was now time to get the final plan in motion…it was going to be hard, to make him trust you. After all he wasn’t the type of person to even engage in small talk as to what you observed so you had to take a different route. “Monsieur Neuvillette, I think we should get something to drink first. I was feeling parched already.” You sighed, making him reconsider. 

“You’re right. I forgot you were sitting at the bar. It was hasty of me to take you away like that.” He spoke leading you back to the bar. Such an exhibitionist.

As you reached the bar, you looked at him waiting for you to order whatever beverage you were going to. This was the first make or break.

“Good evening, Can I get some fresh spring water?” You inquired with the bartender who looked at you like you just asked him for something so baffling, he had to take a moment to take it in. “You are aware this is a bar right?”

“Uh…Yes-”

“The Lady simply asked for some spring water.” He came and stood beside you, looking directly at the bartender. “I-Iudex..” It was as if the words got stuck in the bartender’s throat. “Yes? Is there a problem?” 

“Absolutely not, Spring water coming right up.”

“Very well and make it two.”

“Right away sir.” the bartender said as he shuffled back nervously through the backdoor. 

Neuvillette turned to look at you, his eyes now carrying this new kind of glimmer in them. “You…enjoy spring water?”

“I do! But obviously, It’s a shame I can’t have Mondstat’s water right now.”

“Mondstat’s water?” You knew it now, it felt as clear as day. He was testing the grounds with you. Merely trying his luck as to if what he thought about you was actually true or just a wrong hunch.

"Yes!" It was your time to shine now, to show off all the knowledge you could've gathered. "You see, water from different places has completely flavors to the discerning palate. Mondstadt's water is crisp and pure, while water from Liyue has an enduring aftertaste. In Inazuma, the water possesses a depth of flavor unlike any other. Sumeru's water, meanwhile, has a rich and complex flavor profile, but it must be savored patiently to fully appreciate it."

You saw the look in his face after you were done talking. It seemed similar to a child's face when first stepped into a candy shop. Full of wonder and amusement, not exactly sure of its next move.

"You're aware of water's flavors..."

"Why, of course." You give him a knowing smile "Water is important to life, one can survive without food but never without water. There's nothing as pure and refreshing as water." You were proud of yourself to say the least, you were pretty sure you had his interest in completely now and there was absolutely nothing that could sto-

You looked at him in the middle of mentally applauding yourself only to see him carefully examining you. The astonishment and wonder were long gone, leaving a third emotion which you were having a hard time figuring out. What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? What's with his face...

"I see.." was all he managed to say. What was with that dry response? I thought I gave a perfect answer to that.

You couldn't help but be intimidated by the way he looked at you. It felt as if his whole 'Chief Justice' demeanor was back and he was no longer the sweet Neuvillette you were talking to just a few moments ago.

As you were in the middle of retracing back everything you said to him, the life in his eyes seemed to return. He went from having a serious and stoic face to a look of amusement once again, but...there was definitely something completely different and something completely wrong.

"What I meant to say was, It's truly remarkable how you can distinguish between the different flavors of water like that based on their place of origin. I don't think I come across individuals such as yourself this easily." Weird. "If I may inquire, how exactly can you differentiate those flavors like that?"

You were done. You prepared everything yet you didn't know what or how to reply to this. You had no response that could make you sound sane enough because let's be honest, which sane person can tell apart different flavors of water? IT'S WATER. But it's okay, you just had to come up with something. Maybe you could've just told him 'Oh, you know. I stalked you RELIGIOUSLY for the past year. Nothing out of the ordinary.' Just a plain and honest reply. After all, what could've gone wro-

"Y/N?" his voice was heavy like anchors tied to your feet, dragging you down to the depths of hell where you belonged for all this deranged behavior. "I-"

"Hear ye, Hear ye. My beloved citizens." The Hydro Archon's voice rang through the entire ballroom as everything came to halt and everyone quieted down. Thank the archons.

"It is now time to begin The Midnight Masquerade Waltz." She threw her hands open in a way to invite everyone to participate as the entire ballroom burst into a fit of loud cheer and applaud. The lights dimmed down to match the atmosphere as the music started playing indicating the official beginning of the dance.

For now, you were thankful to have avoided the conversation. You figured your answer was too specific and too close to what Neuvillette himself has said in the past and there really was no explaining how you managed to say the exact words as he did.

Your attention was shifted from the people around you to Neuvillette as he held out his hand in front of you while bowing a bit and keeping his other hand on his chest as a gesture of courtesy.

You really shouldn't be surprised after all you have awaited this moment for weeks without end, perfecting your waltzing skills for when the time comes yet when here is the moment in front of you - The Chief Justice of Fontaine BOWING in front of YOU. Somehow it was more nerve wrecking than anything you've ever done.

You couldn't really tell if it was because of the shift in his demeanor after possibly suspecting you of stalking him or was it the weird thing in the atmosphere or was it because of something else but you suddenly felt dizzy, and now that you were here steps away from executing your plan your nervous system wasn't really helping you.

Not taking another moment of his, you gently placed your hand in his as the notes of a coherent ballroom music started playing and both of you got instinctively close to each.

As you exchanged a glance, your left hand reached out to his shoulder while his right hand slid down gently to your back. You wouldn't say you don't have the experience of such close proximity but something about being so close to him, something about his scent that reminded you of the sea on a moonlit night, it was distracting you. But this was a plan and you needed to stay focused. Either way, let the waltzing commence.

STEP 6 : DISTRACT HIM not the other way around

Despite your outfit, you could feel the warmth of his hands seeping in through your clothes and directly to the sensitive skin of your back. It almost made you jolt, but you couldn't afford any distractions. Of course not.

You saw the look in his eyes and you weren't sure if it was the lightning but it got a shade darker, was this even humanly possible? All of this was ridiculous, the way he kept his hands on you and his fingers intertwined with yours. All of this was sending little electric sparks straight to your spine and to be honest, you. hated. every. second. of. it.

How dare this man you hated so passionately make you feel something other than hatred? How absolutely dare he guide YOU so easily across the ballroom floor. You didn't even notice but while you were busy justifying your hatred for this man, your feet glided across the floor and both of your bodies were so perfectly synchronized with each other that a lot of people around you stopped to look at you two.

'Monsieur Neuvillette has a partner?'

'Are you looking at both of them dancing together? Of course he had a partner, that's why he ignored everyone else.'

'Who's that person he's dancing with?'

'You can tell by the way they danced together that there is something between them'

'They look so in love with each other. It feels so refreshing seeing him like this.'

'Quick! Take a picture!'

What the hell was wrong with everyone and their baseless assumptions. Your eyes darted to every person who commented, glaring at them.

"Y/N" his voice went low as he whispered in your ear. "You need to focus on the dance dear." His voice so low and sultry sent shivers to your entire body, what even....There's no way HE gets to tell you what to do, there's no way you'll listen to what this man tells you and there's absolutely no way he gets away with calling you that...vile and disgusting thing he just said.

You will make him pay, killing him wasn't enough anymore you wanted him to-

"What did I say about focusing?" his hands from your back dropped to your waist. You were trying to maintain a safe distance from him, sure you were planning to get close to him as a way for your revenge but this-

"Y/N." His voice ringed bringing your attention back to him as His hands slid around from your waist, his fingers digging deeper in your skin pulling you closer to him. It was as if being this close, your senses stopped working. His scent was overwhelming you to the point where it made you sick. Was it that bad? No, definitely not because it was bad it was just because it was just so….

NO! Now’s not the time or place to think about this. You slapped yourself mentally, if you had to carry out your plan you had to stop behaving like this teenager who hadn’t been flirted with before and step up your game. So what if he was the all knowing and scary chief justice? You took your sweet time preparing for this exact moment and you’re gonna let yourself be swayed by him. 

“Iudex.” It was said in the same tone as he said your name in. A sweet smile adorned your face, concealing the strategic thoughts within. This was your moment to make him regret.

As the sound progressed through the ballroom, you looked around to see the ballroom filling up - almost everyone dancing. Great, no prying eyes and a perfect cover for you to carry forward.

His smirk was replaced with a rather amusing expression seeing your actions, as if deciphering your moves.

As both of your feet glided gracefully across the ballroom floor, you finally looked at him - your eyes meeting his gaze, fixated solely on you, delivering a self-assured grin. ‘What a show-off’ you huffed internally. 

While locking eyes with him, both of your feet moving on their own as if acquiring a mind of their own - The surroundings blurring into insignificance, leaving only his eyes and his presence. The tension became so thick, it felt as if you might just choke on it. Your breaths became deeper and deeper unintentionally as you felt his gaze traced an intimate path from your eyes to your lips, then leisurely down to your neck and collarbone, before sensually returning to your eyes.

This…can’t be happening. You were sure you were imaging this and let’s say even if you were, you had to take advantage of this. If he wanted to get a piece of you, you had the perfect idea. 

All logic abandoned you as your focus narrowed to the singular goal of captivating him and guiding him toward the balcony. If he wanted you then you shall simply get what he desired. 

Your tongue slid gently over your bottom lip, still maintaining eye contact with Neuvillette as you saw his eyes flicker down to your lips once again and seizing the opportunity, you bit it with your bottom teeth, a slow, deliberate gulp accentuating the act. Moving your hand on from his shoulder you dragged your finger gently and sensually to his neck, placing your hands on the exposed skin of his neck. As you looked back at his eyes, you could see the slight amusement in his eyes following your bold actions. 

Just as you felt like you finally gave him a taste of his own medicine, his fingers which were intertwined with yours let it go to hold your wrists - his index finger delicately slid across the soft skin of your inner wrist, gently drawing little circles that made you almost lose your balance. 

It was clear that in this ballroom where everyone was celebrating amongst each other in one corner, in the other corner the dance of conflicting emotions was unfolding between both of you. Your eyes were flashing with a mixture of disdain and frustration, reluctantly following along to the dance as Neuvillette led you on. 

Rusted skills, my foot.

As the melody of the waltz further enveloped the room, Neuvillette led you into an intricate sequence. With a commanding yet graceful movement, he sent you spinning away. In that moment, as you rolled back toward him, the distance closing to a mere inch, a fusion of breaths made it seem as if you shared a single heartbeat. Your eyes locking in once again in a silent battle.

Hatred sparking beneath the surface of your sweet facade, but the undeniable tension crackled in the charged air. The dance became not only a regular waltz but a dance of contradictions—of push and pull, of disdain and desire. Every step and turn spoke volumes about this complicated connection between the two of you, as the music seemed to amplify the intensity of the moment.  

Sensing the undeniable and unbelievably thick tension, Neuvillette took one last deep breath, his eyes closing momentarily as if coming up with a decision. When he reopened them, a determined glint shimmered in the depths of his eyes. 

Without a word, he extended his hand towards you, a silent invitation that spoke volumes. You hesitated for a moment but as your fingers met his in a gentle but firm clasp, an unspoken agreement passed between you two. 

Neuvillette, still holding your hand, led you through the ballroom. The swirl of the dance floor gradually faded as you both navigated through the crowd, his touch kindly leading you out and away from the eyes of anyone.

The doors to the balcony awaited, a gateway to a private moment away from the watchful eyes of the ballroom. As you stepped onto the balcony, the beauty of Fontaine's seas unfolded before you, the moonlight casting a silver glow on the waves.

The air outside was a mix of salty sea breeze and the lingering tension that had accompanied you from the dance floor. Neuvillette's gaze, now looking at the vast expanse of water, seemed to carry the weight of numerous unspoken thoughts. The balcony, overlooking Fontaine's majestic waters, became a stage for a different kind of dance – a dance guided by the rhythmic movement of the sea under the moonlit night.

STEP 7 - KILL HIM...or not

“Monsieur Neuvillette-” 

“I apologize for being hasty like this. This isn't something I usually do but..” His eyes shifted from the sea to meet your eyes. The moonlit night charging the air with something unexplainable. 

In that pause, a soft breeze swept across the balcony, ruffling both of your hair.  Neuvillette seemed captivated by the subtle change in the atmosphere, and before either of you could fully comprehend, you found yourselves in a collision course.

A playful glint danced in Neuvillette's eyes as he grinned at you subtly. In a surprising twist, he spun you around, you figures moving in a dance that defied the orchestrated rhythm of the ballroom. The balcony, which was now a stage for your impromptu performance, witnessed a moment filled with conflicting emotions and uninhibited impulsiveness.

Being in the flow of the dance, Neuvillette subtly guided you towards the balcony railing. The sea breeze whispered conspiracies, and in an unexpected turn, he gently trapped you between his frame and the sturdy brick railing.

 A charged silence hung in the air as your heart almost beat out of your chest when he leaned down towards you, using his one hand to tilt your face - he gently placed a kiss on your neck, shortly trailing a sensual path along it.

For a moment, you had the luxury of forgetting about everything - your brother, your family, the pain, the suffering, the revenge. For that moment, all you could think of was the velvety sensation of his lips on you, delicately tracing and savoring the skin of your neck, then moving down to your collarbone. His hand on your cheek, relishing in it's softness. 

But how could fate ever be that kind to you? How could you ever have the pleasure of savoring something like this before the weight of the situation would finally crash down on you like a ton of bricks? Fate was cruel. And you had no choice but to obey.

With complicated emotions swirling inside you and your hands shaky, you took out the concealed dagger and positioned it - hovering over his back. 

You closed your eyes for a second and took a shaky breath, building up the courage to do what you had to. What if you just spare his life? What if none of which you had planned has to happen? What if you could just stay here, enjoying this and see where it leads?

Allowing yourself to dwell in these thoughts, the faces of you brother and your parents loomed all around you reminding you of the direness of your actions.

It's okay, this would be over in a second. Just a second. So you swing the blade down in full force when- 

It stops mid air. Opening your eyes, you no longer feel his touch on you as he's simply standing towering in front of you. 

It was as if with a swift and almost uncanny awareness, he halts your motion, catching you completely off guard. 

Neuvillette, turning to face you with an intensity in his gaze, conveys a silent message that he's not as oblivious as you thought of him to be. Of course, he wasn't. You were simply too distracted to notice this the entire night.

You were frozen in place, overcome with a sense of being caught in the act, feeling like a deer who has run right in front of its predator - your heart was pounding in terror. His eyes pierce through the mask of your intentions, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable which you despised.

“Well, well. What do we have here?" His eyes held a glint of mockery as he continued. "Were you attempting to add a touch of drama to our little soirée? Trying to stab me in the back? I thought we were saving the drama for the masquerade. Or is this your unique way of expressing affection for me?” His voice was filled with a mocking tone that danced on the edge of amusement.

His gaze lingered on you, the glint in his eyes both challenging and taunting. "Color me intrigued," he added, his voice now a low murmur of amusement. It was as if he found the entire affair not only unexpected but also oddly entertaining.

In the heartbeat following your failed attempt and Neuvillette’s words of mockery, adrenaline surged through your veins, a pulsating rhythm of fear and determination. 

Seizing the unexpected surge of strength, you swiftly maneuvered Neuvillette, turning him around until his back was pressed against the balcony railing. 

With a quick motion, you grabbed the knife tightly in position again, the blade glinting ominously in the dim light. 

Rage filling your veins once again, you swung the blade full force at him - landing a slash on his arm. Neuvillette, momentarily stunned by you, registered your attack, his eyes narrowing in a mixture of surprise and realization.

Before he could react, driven by a surge of desperate resolve, you exerted force against him - propelling him over the balcony railing. 

His eyes widened in sudden realization as events unfolded. In a final, desperate attempt to steady himself, his hand shot out towards you, aiming for support. However, all it managed to catch was your mask, causing it to slip away from your face.

The raging waters below awaited him, a fitting abyss for the chief justice who harbored no sympathy whatsoever for any human. 

You witnessed a final glance in his eyes, a moment of recognition as he looked at the person behind the mask and a sense of peace washing over him, accepting his inevitable fate.

The night swallowed his form as he descended into the water, leaving you alone on the balcony, the sound of the turbulent sea below, you stood in the haunting aftermath of your desperate act. 

As the adrenaline subsided, the weight of what you had just done began to settle on your shoulders like a heavy cloak. The reality of your actions bore down on you, and a profound sense of guilt crept into the corners of your conscience as you stared into the raging sea beneath where the last traces of the Chief Justice was gone as well.

The moon, a silent witness to your choices, cast an eerie glow on the scene. The sea, once a backdrop to your vendetta, now mirrored the  turmoil of emotions within you. Your trembling hands, once fueled by determination, now betrayed the uncertainty that gripped you.

The weight of guilt anchored you to the balcony, and as the waves crashed against the rocks below, each echo seemed to amplify the consequences of your irreversible decision.

 The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant sounds of the sea, a haunting reminder of the depths into which you had cast the chief justice.

Despite accomplishing the culmination of your year-long vendetta, ending his life, there was no comfort to be found. Instead of the anticipated relief, a heavy burden settled deep within you, intensifying the weight of remorse. Far from feeling better, you found yourself engulfed in a sense of emptiness, as if the act had only added to the darkness that now resided within. The hollowness of your victory became painfully apparent, leaving you with an indescribable ache that overshadowed any satisfaction you had hoped to gain.

You couldn't help but entertain a wistful wish. Perhaps, in a different time and under alternate circumstances, your paths might have crossed with a different script. Under different stars and in a gentler dance of fate, the unexplainable thing between you two might have unfolded in a way that didn't demand such drastic choices.

A reality where you didn't have the blood of the Chief Justice on your hands.

Maybe you would've liked him then.

Ṁ̰a̝̒ͥ͞y̭̝̳̰̘̞͇͙͚ͯ͒͌ͧ͑̒́͐̓ͪͩ̀̉̕͜͝b̵͚̗̮͖̞̱̖͙̮͔̩͍̓ͬͮ̃̒̎ͧͥ̄̏̂ͪ̍̓̑͠͝͡e̴̡̘͖̘̟̦͙̪̹͖͇ͣ͋̀ͫ̊̃̍ͦͣ͗ͩͧ̈ͯ..

[themaidenofwords]

An Essay on Why Canon Batman sucks

I was reminded today of the many reasons why I say I'm part of the batfamily fandom and not actually into canon Batman stories.

To put it simply, I love all of Bruce's children, but the man himself (especially in his canon characterization) can fuck all of the way off.

"But TheMaiden, you can't just ignore canon! You can't really be a fan if you do." I can and I am so sit still a min and let me talk.

My main issue with Batman comics is the fact that they try to make him a morally grey character who's sole rule is basically that he doesn't literally murder people.

Everyone clap and cheer for the guy who isn't actively a murderer! He's so good for that!

Anyway, the problem with focusing on what would make Bruce "snap" or the fact that he's a dark traumatized little boy ok? is the fact that the city of Gotham and all of its Rogues is already so dark. You can't put black paint on a black canvas and expect me to notice the difference. When the "heroic" character is painted in just a slightly different shade of "charcoal #7" I will be hard pressed to see why I should be rooting for him over the villains he fights.

My biggest problem with Bruce is the fact that he is canonically an abusive piece of shit towards his kids. I will readily admit that this part is deeply seated in my own personal traumas, but that's a hard line in the sand that I won't allow to be crossed. I can't support a "hero" who doesn't have the bare fucking decency to not hit/ emotionally abuse his children.

"Oh, but you are ignoring the fact that Bruce adopted those kids in order to train them as vigilantes! He never intended to be a father figure!"

Well too fucking bad. If you adopt a child, that's your kid. period. There's no take-backsies just because you like dressing up in a fursuit and leaping off buildings as a hobby. the moment Bruce adopted those kids he established himself as their father, and that should take precedence to whatever his feelings may be as Batman.

"TheMaiden, you're being too harsh. Bruce saw his parents die! He was manipulated by Ra's when he was training with the Al Ghuls! He's traumatized and he can't help how he is!"

Again, I will readily admit that this part is rooted in my own life and beliefs, but I will not stand for the idea that people can't grow past their trauma and that you're destined to continue the cycle of pain. Yes, the trauma and pain you go through can make it extremely difficult to move on and can (and will) leave an impact on your life forever, But you still have a choice. Bruce chose to become Batman. He chose to be trained by Ra's Al Ghul. He chose to adopt six children, and he fucking chose to abuse those children for the sake of his crusade.

He doesn't get a free pass because of his past. He doesn't get a free pass because "overall he's doing good." He is to be held in contempt not even because of the bad things he's done in the past, but because he refuses to grow. He refuses to change and to be better.

"But he loves his children! He's just bad at showing it."

Intent does not redeem you. Bruce has had eighteen years to learn and grow. He has been through a lot of shit, but it is his responsibility to make certain that he doesn't put his own children through that pain. It is his responsibility to show his children that he loves them and to work to grow despite his flaws because of the love he has for them.

Call me harsh, but I refuse to support a "hero" who would nearly murder his own child and call it love.

[marvel-starwarsfangirl]

TBB Mini Retrospective

After my first official rewatch of the entire show, TBB is still one of the best things Star Wars has ever created imo. I LOVE TBB and it's easily one of my favorite piece of media. Alongside CW and Rebels, it's my favorite thing from SW. Tbf, I've always loved the animated shows more than the live-action stuff. I still love the movies, but the animated shows always seem to hit me just right in the feels.

When I look back, there are so many episodes I have a deeper appreciation for and there is literally no filler. Every episode serves a purpose. While the content might not be as exciting as any episode where Cross shows up, there is still a reason for its existence. "Metamorphosis" is definitely one of my personal favorites on rewatch. I honestly think looking at the first two seasons now vs back then makes them more enjoyable for me. It's nice to catch the little references, musical leitmotifs, and rest assured knowing that Crosshair will be ok.

Speaking of the characters, this rewatch has made me love them even more. I love the Batch so so much and I will never stop saying that. Crosshair is singlehandedly (no pun intended) one of the greatest SW characters ever in recent years. He has a beautifully realized redemption arc and I'm forever thankful for it. Seeing Omega grow up from a tiny munchkin to a lovely young woman also hits my feels. And Tech. I miss him so much. I had much deeper appreciation for Echo's journey as well and I wish we got more of it. Wrecker is ever the gentle giant and I admit I've gotten along better with Hunter than in previous rewatches of the first two seasons (this was prior to S3's release).

Overall, TBB still stands strong. Compared to Rebels and CW, it's much more serialized but I don't think that's a bad thing. There is a lot of story being told and I wish we got more time to delve into it. I loved exploring how the galaxy changed post Order 66. I loved seeing old and new faces. I loved learning more about the clones' story. I loved the music and animation. Most importantly, I just loved being CF99. They have a fun dynamic and they will always be my fave SW family.

The one major, glaring flaw with this show, however, is how Tech's death was handled. I still have no words, only tears, and I hope the Domestic Batch held a memorial for him off-screen after the finale. This show has other flaws, but this one stands out to me the most and has the biggest impact on my viewing.

[grifonecoronato]

Mae-ho Aniseya: Film Noir Protagonist

(Spoilers for The Acolyte)

As I've said in another post, Mae and Osha are binary opposites in their personalities and motivations.

Mae has a kind of "first child syndrome": a desire to exhibit perfection in the eyes of her mothers, so that they can shower her with praise. She loves being in her community of witches, learning and using the Thread, and indulging in the daily activities of life on Brendok.

She thrives when she is surrounded by her people, but Osha doesn't want the same things, which is something that confuses Mae deeply.

In this scene from Episode 3: Destiny, the two sisters as children talk about what they want:

MAE: "It isn't fair. I share everything with you, and you hide things from me or run off alone." OSHA: "I want to have my own things." MAE: "Why?" OSHA: "Because I don't want to do everything together all the time." MAE: "But why?" OSHA: "Because we're not the same." [...] OSHA: "Don't you wonder what else could be out there? Besides Brendok?" MAE: "No. Everything I need is here."

For Osha, her arc in The Acolyte has all the trappings of a dark romance. But from Mae's perspective, she's the heroine of her own Film Noir.

Film Noir Themes in The Acolyte

Beyond its aesthetics, Film Noir has three (3) major thematic characteristics with regard to its protagonists:

Its protagonist has an idyllic past where they were happy and life was good;

Their idyllic past is ripped away from them, often violently, in a single moment that they relive again and again in the present;

The inciting incident is an opportunity to reclaim their idyllic past, or if that's impossible, to get justice for what was lost... because to do nothing is to be haunted by it forever.

For example, we can look at the seasonal arc of Veronica Mars (2004): she's a happy high schooler and best friends with Lily Kane, then Lily is murdered and Veronica is ostracised from her former friends, and now she is seeking opportunities to solve her friend's murder, while being haunted by the memories of her.

Or consider the video game Max Payne (1998): he's a cop with a happy wife and daughter, then his wife and daughter are murdered by drug addicts high on Compound V, now he joins the DEA in an effort to find and destroy the source of Compound V, and finally stop feeling haunted by the memories of his family.

Mae's story is very similar: she was a happy kid living with a family and community that gave her everything she wanted, then the Jedi came and massacred everyone she loved, and now she's joined up with a powerful ally who will teach her to get bloody justice.

Mae's Fatal Flaw

Mae's biggest problem is that she's impulsive and frequently enters situations without a clear plan. However, this bullheadedness shows that she trusts herself to get out of any situation she finds herself in.

(Qimir once said to Osha "you should learn to trust yourself", but I doubt this is a lesson he had to teach Mae.)

Detractors often say that Mae's motivations don't make sense, or that she's "flip flopping" all the time. But this criticism -- like most criticisms from the fandom menace -- is unfair. Mae's motivations are very clear, and her shifting tactics are done as a response to new information that comes her way.

In Episodes 1 and 2, her goal is two-fold:

Hunt down the four guilty Jedi

Keep The Stranger satisfied in her progress as his apprentice

But in Episode 4 and 5, after she learns that her sister lives, her goal changes to "reunite with Osha." But when Osha refuses to listen to her, Mae's slightly modifies her goal, to "find a way to de-program Osha from her Jedi brainwashing, by exposing Sol."

Viewers that understand what drives Mae see that not flaky; she's adaptive.

The Fatal Lesson of Film Noir

The thing about Film Noir protagonists is that most of the time (not always, but most of the time), their quest for reclaiming their idyllic past is a fool's errand: they either sacrifice a big part of themselves in the attempt, or they learn to heal form the past, let go, and move on.

Mae opts for the former. When she finally succeeds in revealing that Sol has been lying for sixteen years, Osha murders him. Afterward, Osha bargains for Mae's life, which the Stranger accepts but only if he be permitted to erase her memories.

So Mae recaptures her idyllic past by being able to reconnect with her sister... only to lose her sense of self in the process. The quest consumed her.

But was it worth it?

[cuntry-r0ckst4r]

"Oh and You!" ~ Ethan Morgan x Reader

sum! Glue song by beabadoobee, also just cutesy moments with your boyfriend Ethan. (different moments/days)

tw! super fluff in gonna cry

this is so cute, also did yall know i do these a/n's before the fic lolzzz

"I've never known someone like you, ooh. Tangled in love, stuck by you, from the glue."

You and Ethan recently started dating and oh my goodness is this boy the most perfect amazing person boyfriend ever, and my golly he is whipped. He is so so sweet and treats you so so good. Not only that but he just loves you so much. Probably more than you love him.

Nonetheless, even though its been less than 6 months it is still the most perfect relationship and perfect boyfriend ever!

You were walking up to him and his friends at lunch. You sat next to him and he looked at you with those sweet eyes full of adoration and love. God, he loved you so much.

But much like every relationship there were flaws. He would forget to do some things that you had gotten used to, seeing as how this is his first relationship. He doesn't do it on purpose he's just not used to having say 'love you bye!' whenever one specific person is in the same room as him and he's leaving. He mostly gets in trouble over the phone for that though.

The bell rang, signalling that they're lunch was over and they were to head back to class. Leaving you alone.

Ethan was about to just leave. No kiss, no hug, no 'love you bye'.

"Uh, Ethan!" you grab his attention with your somewhat snarky yell.

He looks confused, scanning where he was sitting to see if he had dropped something, "hm?"

"Don't forget to kiss me!" you couldn't hold back your smile as his face came to the realisation.

You then changed to a more smug look when continuing on, "or else you'll have to miss me..."

He smiled and gave you a small but sweet peck on the lips before leaving the cafeteria.

"I guess I'm stuck forever by the glue, oh and you!"

Later that day you were in class together and there was a... pretty girl sitting next to him. She was new to school and needed a tour. She was asking Ethan, before you could interrupt he responded with, "Yeah, me and my girlfriend can show you around."

She immediately shut down the offer and he refused to take her without you. 20 minutes later while the teacher was in the middle of a lecture there was a paper ball wadded up that had hit your shoulder and was now on the floor. You open it up to see in green ink, 'Im stuck by you'

"Finding the right words to use for this song. I have you in mind, so it won't take so long!"

Ethan met you outside of your English class, one of the classes you don't have together. The assignment was, write a poem. About anything, horses, eggs, boyfriend, mom, dad, cat- wait boyfriend?

So you wrote a poem for him, you grabbed the paper out of your bag and read it to him. (im not good with poems you cant make me write one.)

"Never thought I'd find you, but you're here, and so I love you! I'm not wrong when I say,"

It wasn't unknown that Ethan was unpopular. It also was common knowledge that he got bullied. Usually it didn't bug him, but today it did. He walked home by himself. Shut himself out all day. Was consistently zoning out.

You went to the store, bought his favorite stuff and went to his house. You even got him some chocolate and flowers, because how often do guys get those when they feel bad. He immediately let you in when he found out who it was, he just wanted cuddles and you to rub his head. Then he saw you with matching star wars pajamas, chocolate, his favorite food, and flowers. As well as a scarf from his hogwarts house.

He gave you the biggest hug. He didn't ever think he would date you, or even end up knowing you! But you are. And you show up when he's upset, and so he loves you.

"hey, I've been stuck onto you. Like glue." He said peacefully. And while he was acting like you and him were stuck together, you knew he meant metaphorically. And he knew you would understood that.

"I've been stuck by glue. Right onto you!"

"I've been stuck by glue."

"I've never known..."

"I've never known someone like you"

"I've never known..."

Ethan whispered, "I've never known someone like you."

[the-badger-mole]

Okay, so I have been seeing many posts saying that Aang is the most well-written and complex character. And how Zutara and Zuko stans need to be humbled (I think what Bryke did was enough (and it was wrong and cruel)) . You have your canon, I don't see the need to humble us when you have Aang being the creator's best boy and having his "forever girl". If a difference of opinion is triggering you, then it's time to click off and look inward. Basically, they say how he breathes life into the show, and how nobody should be dissing him. I understand if your favorite character is Aang because I understand why you like him. To me, the reason we love our favorite characters is that they are flawed, and we get to see how flaws make them human (hence why I love Katara). Aang...... Aang has a lot of flaws and deserves to be analyzed like every other character. We see mass amounts of criticism (border lining hate) for other (female) characters such as Korra and Katara. However Aang....... is very flawed and he should be because that makes him a well-rounded character. But there are some things such as that unconsented kiss, being a bad father etc. That should have been widely discussed in the amount that people had to say about Katara in TSR. Putting him on a pedestal because he's the avatar and the main character, actually deems for us to be more critical since he is the centerpiece of the show.

You've come to the right place. If you want Aang salt, I've got Aang salt. My biggest gripe isn't so much that Aang is flawed. It's that his flaws are treated as virtues, or not as bad as they are, or not addressed at all (looking at Aang's blatant disrespect of the SWT culture...). The fact that Bryke had the absolute gall to come out of their own mouths and say that what Aang did to his children was not that bad and that Kya and Bumi were blowing it out of proportion is infuriating on its own. The fact that Aang's defenders have grown up in a time when going low or no contact with your parents is...I won't say common, but a well known thing that adult children do for their own mental health. That they know what the Golden Child/Scapegoat dynamic is by name. That within the show, people who borderline worship Aang as a deity don't know that he had two other children... and yet they still want to argue that Aang wasn't a bad parent???? It's wild to me that in this day and age, people young enough to have been in the target audience when the show aired go so hard to defend the blatantly problematic aspects of Aang, or argue them away completely if they can't defend them.

[bluejeanstrash]

Can you do a headcanons of woozi and his s/o working on good communication in the relationship because woozi is little bit hesitant of showing his emotions, flaws and traits ??? <3333

- this man feels emotions very deeply - both good or bad. he’s got the biggest heart and feels so much but has a really hard time expressing it.

- especially the bad. doesn’t want to burden you with anything because he can just “deal with it”.

- naturally, it leads to a few arguments and you tell him you both need to work on this.

- spends many days stubbornly holding onto the idea that if he’s not bothering you with his problems you should be happy right?

- right?

- eventually realises maybe he’s not right.

- jihoon is 100% the guy who would turn to the internet for advice.

- spends hours on hours on community sites and reads up on how to communicate well with his s/o. and finds out there’s a thing called love language.

- casually drops it in conversation one day and asks you yours.

- feels like he understands you better. and himself.

- would try his hardest to do better. genuinely wants to be more expressive but you also get that it’s not going to happen overnight.

- makes small changes. initially just lets you know something’s bothering him but not what it is. over time, he tells you what’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk about it.

- thinks if he reveals too much you won’t like him as much.

- what if you see a side of him you don’t like? what if you leave?

- with jihoon, i feel like there would one incident which would change everything. like a before and after moment. one time where he opens up to you and he’s just vulnerable and raw. maybe a few tears are shed, worries shared.

- that’s when he realises you’re his safe space.

- feels more comfortable showing you his emotions and the not-so-pretty parts of himself after that.

- outside of music, he feels awkward expressing himself romantically. he’s written you beautiful songs, composed many a melody after you, but when it comes to saying the words? he’s tongue tied.

- shows his emotions more through actions. like spending time with you, engaging with your interests, and finding shared interests.

- you’ve realised over time that that’s his love language and you adore it.

- once in a while will get very emotional about you. and it’ll be triggered by something very random and mundane. like the simplest thing.

- like when you heated up an extra bowl of rice because you knew he’d want another one.

- it truly moves him. you know him. will send you a huge huge huge message like 20 pages long talking about how grateful he is for you and that he loves you.

- they’re very rare but he thinks too many words all the time cheapen his feelings.

- with jihoon it’s a slow climb but once he’s in, he’s there forever.

- just a beautiful, gentle, honest man.

[ayeliiss]

My two cents on MHA430 and Izuku's character

Disclaimer: this is NOT a hate post against Horikoshi and his manga. Simply, I need to lash my disappointment out somewhere and write my feelings down before I implode. I'm not trying to sound like 'ugh, I know better than them' at all, although I am aware some of my claims may give the 'why does the author think he knows so much?!' vibes, but keep in mind this is just my irrelevant opinion and it won't change anything anyway. So, please, don't come at me with 'lacking reading comprehension' or 'you're coping' (yes, I am) because I feel like fans are allowed to be upset at this ending even if you think differently! To each their own opinion, as long as it's respectful! Also, this might be unnecessarily long so, I apologize in advance.

Discussion about Izuku's character

First of all, if you're satisfied with the ending and what Izuku did/became, I'm genuinely happy for you. Truthfully, I envy you so damn much because I personally couldn't stop feeling empty and crying at night for him, and before you come at me with 'girl, he's fictional, it's okay you'll move on', yes, I know I'm a drama queen and I shouldn't be in one hell of a state for a fictional character, but I can't help it. I've grown as attached to him as I've ever grown to any character before, and there's no turning back. MHA is the first manga that ever moved me this hard and it'll forever remain a masterpiece for me, but it doesn't mean it's not flawed and should be free of criticism (always with respect for Horikoshi's work).

Funny thing is, I didn't even like Izuku when I first met him. He was the typical crybaby and too-optimistic MC I tend to dislike when I read a manga. Yet, the more I read, the more I started to understand him, the more I sympathized with him, and the more I loved him. I realized I related to him to such an outlandish extent, though I know we remain different in the way we act or think. But Izuku, even before Katsuki (and my friends know how obsessed I am with this blond lmao), became my first and greatest over-fixation and my main reason to continue reading/watching MHA. This manga changed my life; Izuku did too, and this isn't an understatement.

Just like him—and probably just like many of us—, I've endured bullying, been made fun of for being different, felt unwanted and hated, been belittled, and treated like shit for most of my teenage years. I think that's what really endeared him to me. I wanted to watch him grow, to watch him make real friends, to watch him receive the apologies and respect he deserved, to see him succeed. I wanted him to realize he was worth it and loved and, oh God, I wish he could know just how much his fans do love him.

And for 200+ chapters, I got what I wanted. Izuku got to live his dream, be around his idol who recognized him, and made new friends who admired him and wanted nothing but to be by his side. Then, the Vigilante arc happened, and everything changed. I won't dwell on the fact that, for me, this arc was the beginning of the decline of his character. It's worth noting though that it's at this precise moment that we've lost track of all his thoughts, but I'll focus on the ending, and how the way Horikoshi handled Izuku's character remains my biggest disappointment.

I sometimes joked with a friend of mine, saying, "Hori's favorite character is Katsuki and it shows so much, he even forgets he isn't his MC!" but I don't think it's much of a joke anymore.

Again, I'm very happy for those who are pleased with Izuku's closure. But, honestly, I can't grasp their process of thinking (I wish I could) because there's no way I can understand how it makes sense. It's not about him being quirkless—actually, I think this choice was cool—, it's about his obvious fucking depression.

After his initial withdrawal, there is never any resolution. He has never talked about his feelings to anyone, never opened up about all the things that bugged him, never taken it out on anyone. He just stopped having development, and never learned how to 'control his heart' (one of the biggest plots of the story, remember???). So, he continues to take everything up on his shoulders by the end of the story, and eight years later, he is feeling lonely, as he says himself:

Yes, I can read, and I know he's also saying he's happy with helping/encouraging other people. But it's literally denial. Izuku is in denial and it hurts me so much. He's alone (I'm not talking about how he's barely seen his friends, I know they didn't abandon him or anything, I'm talking about how he is feeling in general), deprived of his dream, and never got to talk about it to anyone (at least, on-screen. And if it's not shown, then it didn't happen). Even the adults around him don't see he's in pain—or, at least, don't think it's worth addressing. Aizawa can't even simply answer 'yes, you're cool' when Izuku obviously seeks praise and needs nice words after everything he's been through. He doesn't even get fans (except for two, waouh!) after saving the fucking world. He doesn't get a statue, no recognition. Katsuki leads a project for him to get a suit, but not the government? After everything he did? Why isn't he more recognized and acknowledged for his hard work? Killing him would've almost felt like a better choice lol (#it's a joke).

Even if, in the end, he gets to join his friends again and be a hero with them, he's still not opening up. How is it sane/healthy for him???? How will he even be able to maintain good relationships of any kind if there are already so many and huge miscommunication issues?

I hate this—I dislike how it's basically saying 'his feelings weren't that important!'. Izuku deserved better, a better closure. So much is missing from him; from this bitter ending, and I can't find any way to make myself feel better or to cope with it.

I am devastated, I feel empty for him, I just want someone to take him to therapy, to help him.

Some rumors have started to spread, about how 'Horikoshi has been forced to shorten his manga' but I don't believe this—MHA has been SJ's money-maker for a while. And even if it were to be true, the epilogue could've been handled differently. Hori could've focused on the most important parts (that he hasn't even shown/resolved at all) and left the irrelevant ones out (why introduce a new character if not to make us feel hopeful to see Tenko again, lol). He chose to not address the most important aspects of his story (including his MC's resolution and growth) and left us with huge plot holes. And now, we're stuck with our imagination, as usual.

I just can't with 'open endings' and 'it's left to interpretation' stuff. It's too easy to do that. I'm tired of mangakas not taking risks, rushing their own plots, and not digging deeper into their own MCs' traumas. I don't know what happened, but among the many issues left regarding this last chapter, Izuku's conclusion remains my greatest ick. I'm so sorry to say this, but Izuku didn't grow. He never learned from his mistakes and just didn't change—oh wait. Yes, he did change on one crucial aspect—his biggest trait, being obsessed with his childhood friend, totally disappeared! Maybe he started to stop caring about 'Kacchan and the others' and put himself first, to the point of forgetting the said childhood friend died twice for him, who knows? :))) (yeah, I'm especially pissed off at this lol don't mind me).

In my imagination, I see him being a pro-hero who continues to suppress his feelings and continues to act recklessly, to risk his life in the face of any danger that shows up. This is what happens when you leave it to fans' imagination, after all.

I know fanfictions exist, and I'm very happy this unclear ending motivated some writers to challenge their creativity. For me, it had the opposite effect. I'm disgusted, I am angry at Izuku and I know I'll struggle to finish my fics where he's involved because I don't want to deal with his character anymore. I'm too attached to canonical representation.

Man, I'm just devastated. I have no other words. And I'll have to live with this for the rest of my life. I feel betrayed. Shitted on. I'm dying inside and there's nothing I can do because it's over. Just like this long-ass essay, btw lol. Thank you if you're still here, thank you if you've read this! I'm pretty much open to discussion so if anyone wants to try and reassure me over some aspects or respectfully explain why I am wrong (I know I probably am, yet again those are my own feelings), please don't hesitate to do so. Also, I definitely need friends with whom I could talk about this deeper... so, my DMs are open too if you'd like to!

Much love to Izuku though; one of the best MCs I've encountered in my life, despite how he turned.

[funkylilworm]

Why I think that killing off Adam was the biggest mistake Viv could make

TW: ranting and spoilers

This entire blog is just gonna be me going on a rant about my opinion on why I think Adam shouldn't of been killed off and why he shouldn't be killed off so early and shit , not only did I not see it as unnecessary for the plot, but there's so much Vivienne could of done for his character other than just throwing the whole character away in just one season , I'll be listing things for what they could of done for Adam's character

1. Plotholes

I'm just gonna say it right here and right now, Adam was killed off waaay too early and not only would we be left with many many plot holes like, where is both of his sons (Caine and Abel), the potential they could of used for his character, and ect.

2. Character potential

^^this fucking scene^^ , because the thought of when Adam first pulling up and being like "Hello, Adam here!!" Is just so fucking funny to me (just less plagiarized, and more unique)

and maybe his arrival leads to his words "Hell is forever" ,his own song gets used against him sense not only did he have the audacity to go to the hotel to get back into heaven but he has said it himself, how redemption isn't possible

But references aside ,Adam can have some potential for his character, like maybe he not only comes to the hotel not only for the intention of going back to Heaven because he hates being down in hell but also for the intention of plotting some revenge for what the hotel residents all did to him

,but the longer he stays there the less and less he tries to plot his revenge , the more and more he realized how flawed heaven and heaven's people are most of the time, and ect.

And ect. and he's so indenial of it at first and doesn't want to believe it but no matter how much he tries there's no denying it , deep down he knows it's true but he doesn't want to believe it

3. Character potential (again)

Like maybe Adam has become fallen in the first place because not only did him sinning in Heaven eventually catch up to him, but maybe also because after finding out the exterminations were unnecessary after Sir Pentious entered the heavens gates, it was finally time for Adam to take his fall

They can also actually start touching on Adam's trauma and how it affects him, his trauma being : being forced into a relationship the moment he was created (Lilith and Eve) , having to be the father and/or decendant of all of the human race , having been kicked out of the garden after Lucifer has second handedly invented evil into the world , and said evil causing his son to kill his other son(which is his and God's fault also)

Like maybe sense Vivziepop is putting a slight different spin to things to Hazbin hotel, she doesn't really having to follow the entire list (sense it's her show) , she can still do something with some of it and still find a way to bring it up and with that it could be the reason behind how he behaves , his personality as a whole, and why he wears that narcissistic mask (while it doesn't necessarily excuse his actions)

4. Character design

If Adam was to somehow end up coming back as a fallen angel, as a sinner. Viv can find a way to go crazy with his fallen design, like any other cartoonist in this world, I know that those cartoonist has seen fanart and fan creations of their shows, movies, and characters

I've seen my fair share of seeing really really good fallen designs for Adam and I'm fucking here for it , they're all so good

,it just needs to happen

5. Character development & redemption arc

Like mentioned in Character potential 2 , Adam can have some potential for his character, like maybe he not only comes to the hotel not only for the intention of going back to Heaven because he hates being down in hell but also for the intention of plotting some revenge for what the hotel residents all did to him

but the longer he stays there the less and less he tries to plot his revenge , the more and more he realized how flawed heaven and heaven's people are most of the time, and ect.

And ect. and he's so indenial of it at first and doesn't want to believe it but no matter how much he tries there's no denying it , deep down he knows it's true but he doesn't want to believe it . Like maybe Adam just still acts the same but without him realizing it or acknowledging it he's just becoming a better person and maybe even comedically he just thinks that the misfits gave him a disease /illness when that's not the case

Maybe in the next seasons he could even become a better father to his sons, Caine and Abel but similar to Lucifer, let them do their own thing sense those two are basically adults now and hey, Adam could be more like a cool dad

I feel like Adam has more cool dad energy

6. The relationships he'll end up making

Just imagine the relationships Adam slowly but gradually builds during his redemption arc, like maybe him and Charlie ending having like an fun uncle and niece kind of relationship or something, maybe slowly but gradually he becomes like another friend of Angel Dust's, and ect.

As he processes through his redemption arc he can end up making friends and building relationships down in hell , possibly in the near future Charlie, Vaggie, Angeldust, Alastor, Cherri bomb, Husk, Nifty, Razzle, and Lucifer doesn't fight against him but with him if another threat were to come

7. There could be another antagonists that's worse or maybe even a bigger threat than Adam

Maybe another antagonists could be made that's more of a mystery and even a bigger threat than Adam , that's just like Adam (or not) but amp up the bad traits he has, maybe this time Adam could be the one helping the others fight and rebel against this guy in his own way

8. Another musical number

Another musical number with them singing badly about heaven in song in the near future but this time with Charlie ,Vaggie, Angeldust, Alastor, Cherri bomb, Husk, Nifty, Razzle, Lucifer, and most of all Adam but the reprise has a metal spin to it and this time Adam joins in and does it with his guitar

9. Another reason she shouldn't of killed off Adam is because she'd be killing off fat /plus size representation

Another reason I feel like Viv shouldn't of killed off Adam is because she'd be killing of fat character representation and I wouldn't want a chubby character like Adam to be killed off

,of course we have Mimzy now but she doesn't count sense she's just one character and only just one character and as much as I love Mimzy I feel like the show needs more than just one or two fat characters

And for the people that think "He isn't chubby" , try again and look at him again , how he sits , lays down (like how he was laying after her got shanked in his arm by Charlie), and ect.

10. I just want some vulnerable moments with Adam

Whether that be Adam bawling his eyes out, having a panic attack, having a mental/emotional breakdown, or ect. I just want to see a vulnerable side of Adam, Adam angst if you will

Okay I'm done ranting, bye <3 <3

[mari-lair]

Do you think Aoi will ever be able to show nene her “ugly” side and open up to her? Perhaps with the help of Akane? Or will she keep up her “popular girl” act with Nene to avoid the risk of losing her as a friend?

If we put the responsibility 100% on Aoi she will stay stuck in her popular persona forever. Aoi opening up is very important for change to be made, it is fundamental, but this friendship was built by two, and Aoi didn't get stuck in this superficial 'bubbly bff popular girl' image alone, Nene had just as much of a role keeping her in this box.

Nene lives in a fantasy and blinds herself to reality. Aoi is a big part of the idealistic high school life she desperately clings to, so even if Aoi tries to open up, Nene will either blind herself to Aoi's problems or go out of her way to shut Aoi down before the illusion is broken.

Even with the help of Akane I find it unlikely, cause 1- Akane knows this isn't his business, he let Aoi reunite with Nene alone and currently believes the two made up.

And number 2, even when people call Nene out directly, Nene does not change her behavior. If she doesn't want to think about something that distresses her, she will cover her eyes and not think about it. There is A LOT to talk about when it comes to this problem of hers, but I'll keep it brief, no need to go over the whole manga for this point.

Think about her dilemma with Hanako: She is always surprised when someone calls him a murderer, either making excuses for him or unable to reply, still not making a hint of progress untangling how she personally feels regarding his murder despite this being an internal conflict that was introduced at the very start of the manga.

Why does she not have an answer? Because she doesn't want to think about it. The idea of him murdering someone is troubling and scary and not a nice fantasy at all, she doesn't want to think about it. So she doesn't think about it. Is that simple.

Nene is no longer a normal girl. But she is in denial. She still wants to believe she is a normal girl.

We can say "A lot of 15 year olds girls live in a fantasy world and are boy crazy :D" but we can't say "A lot of 15 year old girls know they'll die in 1 year, have seen ghosts being broken and doomed, nearly lost their friend cause their crush got extreme in their attempts to help, had seen the eaten remains of a possible friend (sumire), but their priority is to confess to their crush." That's not normal. That's a Nene thing.

She is determined to stay the same even when the world around her begs her to change. Begs her to sit down and think about the reality she is facing.

She is shocked when she sees bad things but she doesn't allow herself to process it. The manga itself calls her out for not learning from her mistakes.

She treats high-stakes scenarios as a normal high school life scenario. Fantasy may be one of Nene's charms but it is also her biggest flaw.

Nene has many moments where her reality is challenged, moments that feel like it will lead to introspection, but she never thinks about what she is told. what she sees. She doesn't want to stay mad at Hanako. She doesn't want to think about the situation. So she focuses on the no priority of "omg I need to make my crush confess!" as best she can.

Anything that is too serious or dark to fit her high school fantasy adventure will not be thought about. She is a kind person, there is no denial, but this incapability to face reality, to take off her bubbly fantasy glasses, makes her very insensitive at times.

She is so far up la la land that she hasn't properly processed that Hanako is dead yet.

She non ironically says "l'll live a happy life as a dead person" at the idea of being with Hanako. Aoi's rescue is a run away narrative in her mind, a forbidden romance. She is not in reality.

It is understandable to go in denial, to reject reality when reality is something you don't want to face, especially at 15, but just because it is understandable doesn't make her devoid of responsability. Nene is being a coward, her fantasies are far more charming than Aoi's brand of cowardness but she is, in her own way, still running away from her problems.

Even Hanako, who is madly in love with her, acknowledges she is self-centered and childish.

Aoi being a popular queen is the embodiment of her fantasy that "being popular is amazing! Is a dream come true"

So if Aoi works on the courage to speak up, if Akane calls Nene out, but Nene doesn't work on her bad habit of ignoring reality for the sake of her high school dream life, she will keep turning a blind eye to every hint she had witnessed that being popular is not a sea of roses and Aoi have problems and flaws like everyone.

Aoi had tried to talk about her ugly sides before after all.

But Nene covered her eyes, dismissed the drugged Aoi she had seen as a complete fake and embracing her cute bubbly bff without asking any questions about her feelings, her behavior, etc.

She does not want Aoi to have flaws, so she won't see those flaws.

She won't change.

I talk in detail about how her fantasy problem affects her relationship with Aoi here