#Twas fun while they lasted at least

[chaoticallyfuckingstressed]

RIP to my phone's aux, I had to pry a headphone jack out of it and now it makes every song sound like it's being played underwater. I don't know the exact damage it has, but it lived a surprisingly long and musical life until now.

O7 RIP aux port. 2022-2024

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Monday evening all :) Ewww an Ashley episode. Such a bummer after the last episode haha Not a ton of Chenford content but what we do get is good. There is a case involved but they're not in it enough to analyze anything. Oh also this ep is the intro of Chris so double eww. This episode is just one giant display of why Ashley and Chris aren't meant for either of them. But we knew that already didn't we? Let’s get started eh?

4x10 Heart Beat

Start our episode off with why Ashley isn’t right for Tim. Hit the ground running and the reasons are plentiful. First off Tim doesn’t even think to make Ashley anything. This is all for Kojo. Which I friggin love btw. The animal lover in me adores how spoiled Kojo is. Also imma need some more of this pup in S6. You hear me writers? I need this dog back. Ashley says she’s not a breakfast person but still the least romantic morning ever. They are very early in their dating period and its pretty tame. The way he moves around her. No intimacy at all. Avoiding her as he makes his way over to Kojo’s bowl.

Shows more affection towards his dog than her haha It’s the complete opposite of Tim and Lucy in 5x20. Where there is zero space, lots of touching, flirting and food to be had. Can't keep their hands off each other. The blahness that is Ashley is prominent in this opening scene. Also her judgy tone when she mentions that’s what he gets? If I was dating a man who took that good of care of his dog? I would be a goner. But this is Ashley so….

She is far too vapid for Tim. I looked up the definition of that word to reinforce my point. “Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging.” If that isn’t the definition of their relationship and her as a character idk what is. Tim has found the very opposite from Lucy in Ashley. She is blah, doesn’t challenge him in any way and definitely doesn’t stimulate him whatsoever. All things he gets from Lucy. Interesting...Almost like he shouldn't be dating her....

She continues down her ‘Why she is wrong for Tim path' When she is afraid/doesn’t like Kojo. I already didn’t like her but this didn’t help her case. If I was dating someone and they didn’t like my dog?Goodbye sir. Twas fun while it lasted LOL Maybe it’s the protective dog person in me but I can not stand her first thought being ‘dangerous’ with Kojo. Just because he didn’t like her at first. Tim telling her he took him in cause Lucy couldn’t keep him.

He tries to help her adjust to him but she isn't about it. Just wants to leave. To me if my dog doesn’t like you that is far more telling than anything else IMO. Dogs have a good sense of people so this would’ve been telling to me as a dog owner. Ashley was already on my 'I don’t like you list.' But the not liking Kojo part plummets her to the very bottom…Also watching Tim with Kojo is ovary explosion for me. Way he pets him and loves on him. My heart. That's his kid.

We join our couple in their shop. Lucy asks how it’s going with Ashley? Tim says good but there was some weirdness this morning. Tim mentions he thinks she doesn’t like Kojo. Lucy’s reaction cracks me up. She could not be more telling when she says 'So you broke up with her? Thats too bad….I liked her…’ 'Lying liar. You know she was hoping he did. We all want that.

The way he loves that dog it actually would make sense. To Lucy as well her not liking Kojo is another strike against her anyways. It’s a valid response to anyone who is a pet owner really. Unfortunately we are stuck with her for a long while. Bleh. My dislike for her is very strong. Because she is everything he doesn’t need or want.

Tim says since when? Knowing she has never liked her. That Lucy had been giving him crap cause she’s a lifeguard ha I mean I can't say I blame her. I would too. Her sarcasm continuing with her reply. Fairly certain none of us considered it a career until Ashley came into the picture. Tim defends the training she had to go through. That it was rigorous training at the fire academy. Trying to make her job sound more prestigious than it is in just the name alone. Lucy doesn’t press it further and says my bad with a smile even though I think she is still secretly judging her LOL

Lucy has such a dog-mom moment here. I love it so very much. As she states his full name above LOL I bet you she has supplied that boy with many chew toys he’s destroyed. Makes me happy to think of Lucy going over to Tim's just to deliver treats and toys for their shared fur-child. Seriously going to need some couple moments with him in S6. It's a crime we haven't gotten them yet.

Lucy's transparency continues when she tells Tim 'Clearly Ashley has to go.' If only it was that easy. Saying it’s a moot point if she doesn’t like Kojo. Now anyone can see she isn’t right for him. The person who knows him the best? Can see it from a mile away the multiple reasons Ashley isn’t right for Tim. So might as well cut this off right now in her opinion. The look they share haha Even when talking about his relationship they are flirty af. So married in their disposition with one another. I love it. Also he's not really disagreeing with her...

Lucy ends up getting a phone call and it’s Ashley… She is confused but intrigued by this phone call. Idk how the hell she got her number. LOL Now you know Lucy is in love with Tim when she gives such solid advice to Ashley. It’s the way she talks about Kojo being like Tim. Girl is so gone for him. Something she continually tries to suppress this entire season. Like she is warding it off really.

Ashley tells her she likes Tim but she’s scared of his dog. Asking why she gave him away? Asking if he was too aggressive? Ugh I hate her animal ignorance so much. Maybe it’s because been I've been in dog world for over a decade but I cannot stand her going right to ‘aggressive.’ Lucy defends her boy says 'No! Not at all. He just wasn’t meant for her living situation.'

Lucy asks if she doesn’t like dogs? Secretly hoping she says yes heh Ashley tells she had a bad experience once. Lucy empathizes and says she gets it. Goes on to say Kojo is the sweetest guy. It’s here we see her switch over to gushing about Tim. It’s the way she’s looking at Tim in Grey’s office that gets me. As she explains how Kojo is just like Tim. Careful Lucy your feelings are showing.

He’s big, gruff, and a whole lot of bark but underneath is a sweetheart. I mean Tim is for HER. Let’s get that clear first. Tim is only soft for Lucy. I adore her helping out in this situation though. She didn't have to but it's Lucy. If Ashley could see how she was looking at Tim. She might feel a little threatened. Not only that but her deep knowledge of Tim. Might catch on she’s just the littlest bit in love with him lol But then 4x12 happens later on so.... How she didn’t break up with Tim after that display idk. So maybe she wouldn’t put 2 and 2 together.

I'm giving her too much credit haha Lucy speaks from a place of love about him. She probably has no idea how she is coming off but it's so obvious. Clearly not talking about Kojo in that tone. She loves that good boy but loves his owner more. Lucy tells her to talk to Tim about it. Ashley replies no that she’s not going to make him pick between her or his dog. That there is a whole genre of country songs about that. Before Lucy can defend Tim more or why she should Ashley cuts the convo off and says good night. Awkward…

It’s then we meet friggin Chris Sanford. *glares* The epitome of meh. Earlier in the ep they arrested young boy dealing drugs. He is one of James’s newest mentees. Lucy being the empathetic soul she is cites him out on a lower charge. That way he gets a fighting chance with James to turn his life around. Just has to attend his court date and such. Very kind thing of her to do for this young man.

He comes in like a mega douche. Instant dislike for his character for how he comes at Lucy. Trying to shame her for citing him out like she did. Calling her naive and basically being an absolute asshat. Lucy CRUSHES him in her reply above. I dislike Chris so very much so this was glorious to watch. Tim Bradford doesn’t stand a chance most days against her. You think your puny ass with 4 months of experience had a chance of winning that argument? What a putz…

Lucy catches Tim in the parking garage before he leaves. Ah this glorious place where all our wonderful moments occur. Lucy tells him it was Ashley who called her earlier. Gotta love how open she is with Tim always. As usual Lucy is toeing the line of personal boundaries with him. Possibly overstepping by bringing this up. But that’s kind of their thing.

Also like to note how telling it is that Ashley felt more comfortable coming to Lucy and not her BF about this. That she didn’t think he would listen to her but Lucy would. Because well she did. Lucy does get the other side of the story with Kojo. That is not a dislike but bad experience on her end. Which to be fair is valid when you’ve had a bad experience with a dog. Now that being said I still dislike so very much.

What I’m trying to get at here is Lucy interpreted this as Tim not fulling listening to Ashley’s concern. It’s not surprising Tim gets a little hard headed about things. Especially things he loves. So he’s instantly defensive about said things. I’m the same way. Lucy knows this about him. Which is why they’re having this conversation. So she can bring his attention to it in way only she can. Because Tim actually listens to Lucy. This scene really is more about their bond than his issue with Ashley. How Lucy is the only one who can ever get through to Tim. Her super power really.

He doesn’t listen to anyone the way he listens to Lucy. Especially when she is doling out advice for him. This is a kindness she is doing for him. Letting him know one his GF called her and two the reason behind it. That she is scared and he needs to listen to her about it. Tim shrugs it off like it’s nothing. Which you can see Lucy is a little taken aback with. How instantly shut off he is to this conversation. But like i said earlier he is defensive about things he loves. He LOVES that dog.

This is their dance with advice he is defensive or dismissive at first. Then it sinks in and he truly listens to what she is telling him. She may not like Ashley. (None of us do..) But she would be remiss not to share her opinion on this with him. Tim instead of thanking her for the advice deflects. Because well Tim. Asking why she is so invested in his love life? Asking with a little smile some sass in that question of his. Also gauging what her reaction will be. He is truly curious.

It is interesting how his love life is the only one she intercedes in. Not Nolan or any of his. She didn’t with Jackson for either of his love interests. Just Tim. Because that shows the level of importance this man has gained in her life. Saw some parallels to this moment and 2x03. When she was trying to pair Tim up with Rachel. How Lucy once again is involved in his love life. It’s true that she just wants him to be happy.

Also Tim’s interest in why she is interested in his love life is far different than 2x03. He didn’t question it then. Just thought it was apart of their bet. In S4 he is a lot more aware. Like I said in the last review their bond and their awareness of each other is far stronger than it was in S2. He is so genuinely curious why she is so invested in it?

They’ve had a lot of intimate moments and work flirts since 4x01. Tim can feel the shift that has happened between them. So it makes him curious why she is helping him like she is? Lucy does some deflecting of her own for his question. Saying she doesn’t want to drive around on patrol while he is moping around about this girl. He is so offended by her saying this it's so funny. That if he likes this girl he should listen to her. It’s funny all the things she’s telling him to do with Ashley he naturally does with her. Funny old world lol

Tim’s reply back cracks me up. Saying when has he ever moped? That he doesn’t even know how to. Oh but you do my love. You perfect it in S5. While you pine for her while she is still with Chris the putz. But ok sure you don’t know how. His eye roll is so damn funny Eric always crushes it when he does this. Her little Mmhmm as she walks away smirking. Has this man wrapped around her finger. She drives him insane and Tim absolutely loves it.

Tim follows through on Lucy’s advice and listens to Ashley’s fears. Really Lucy extended this relationship when it was destined to fail. But she cares so much about Tim and his happiness she gave him solid advice. This bit made me chuckle. Saying Kojo needs to be bossed around a little to listen. heh. Just like daddy. There's a reason he only listen's to Lucy.

Kojo being just like Tim of course he needs a strong woman to boss him around to listen. I wouldn't call Ashley strong but she got the idea. I mean that scene in the parking garage kinda a parallel to this one in that regard. Doesn’t listen at first then eventually comes around when they're bossed around ha. Not a ton in this ep for them. Solid moments nonetheless. Sadly we are saddled with a Chris and Ashley for a little while. But we get tons of goodies between all that so it helps.

~~~

Side notes- non Chenford

I do love James and Wes starting up their bromance. They cute.

Thank you to all who continually support these reviews. Your likes, comments and reblogs make it all worth it. See you Wednesday with 4x11 :)

[lazodiac]

Once more we return to Outlaws of Thunder Junction. We've got some more critters to identify so lets get to doin' that! Last time we dealt with Black, with the other parts being here and here. For now though, it is time to tackle...

RED

As with the Black cards, Hellspurs like this have mutated themselves beyond all belief so they're now functionally native to Thunder Junction. Love those magmatic skeleton horses though.

Speaking of magmatic skeleton horses; look at this baby! Calamity is an incredible creature and is a (supremely fucked up) legendary of the plane.

Get caught up in it! This is once more the Hellspurs running rampant with their chaos mutations. Look at'em go!

I saw a weird amount of hate for this card, but I have no understanding as to why. Anyway, this little doggy is endemic to Thunder Junction.

I have no real justification for this but the vibe this lady gives me is Tarkir. Maybe it is the weaving through the lightning bolts?

Rakdos having a hell of a time here on the party plane. This is from Ravnica, and a good reminder of why one of the laws on that plane is "The Rakdos Cult can do what they want to keep their boss from getting uppity".

One of the funnest cards in terms of like, flavorfully showcasing the way Thunder Junction works as a plane. I kinda wish we had more of these to be honest.

I'm marking this one down as Amonkhet because that's the first thing she brought up, and it makes the most sense to me that a native of the plane would be best suited to selling that stuff. I likely shouldn't go shopping in a bazaar.

While this isn't a direct story spotlight (the bomb Breeches made explicitly DID NOT touch the train, as was the intent) I think it is safe to say this is still another one of his more deadly explosive endeavors, so this is from Ixalan.

Who trusts a monkey with explosives anyway?

I forget where I heard this, but this is the thunder of the plane mutating the creatures to become even stronger- this used to be a gopher! Now it's a getter instead. Endemic to Thunder Junction.

A courser is the term used for stronger, swifter horses typically used as war-horses. Sturdy bastards. This is a lizard that is a 4/2 so it really shouldn't be a courser I think? Either way, native to Thunder Junction.

Train heists can happen on like two other planes from Thunder Junction, but this particular style of train heist belongs to it and it alone. Also I love the tomahawk thunder-pistol in this art, that's some good shit right there.

Another Hellspur, another card that sources itself from Thunder Junction itself. I fucking love this art though, look at it!

The greatest tragedy of Thunder Junction being the plane it is is that we didn't get to se Angrath and his daughters. While you could prooobably place this minotaur to Dominaria, it's a Hellspur so it's a Hellspur. You know the drill.

Do you think it hurts replacing your eyes with a heated vent-grill?

I don't think I saw this card in my initial run-through of the set. I love that he has a gold fang tooth replacement, that's fun. One of the least mutated Hellspurs so probably from New Capenna, but my rules are my rules. Thunder Junction!

Technically not highway robbery as there is no highways on this plane. Native to Thunder Junction.

TWAS I WHAT SET THE BLAZE! Endemic life of Thunder Junction, and quite a lovely little critter at that.

This one took a bit of thinkinng, but after looking at the giants of various planes, I think this is from Dominaria. He's just got the vibe.

This his friend above, this minotaur is a trickier one to place... but I think he's from Ravnica. Ex Boros turned gunslinger, you know how it is.

Magda! This lovely lady is from Kaldheim! Ironically her previous card was "Brazen Outlaw" but in neither instance is she ACTUALLY an outlaw mechanically. Her tokens are the non-endemic Scorpion Dragons of Gastal, but I won't be counting tokens till the end so leave me be.

This toasty little critter is endemic to the plane- and probably used to have a diet of thunder before any wizards came about with some much easier prey to snatch up.

I like to believe the little jet of flame is its tongue.

This pair of soon to be very dead friends are Hellspurs- and I just wanna say, they look like they're having the times of their lives. Here for a good one, not a long one and all that.

More Hellspurs doing Hellspur stuff. God these mutations are freaky- I'm shocked none of the people who are horny for being a Phyrexian jumped at these.

Our first actual carded appearance of the Cacti Folk of the plane! A white card had one being picked up by a faerie but this is their first actual like, real card! They're endemic to Thunder Junction, and by rights are the actual honest to god native population of the plane.

The corn-cob guns are an inspired choice, tbh.

I personally call bullshit that the Thunder was created by the Omenpaths. Even if it was, none of the people coming here would fucking know that.

Really love the "animation" in this card. I'm gonna say she's from Innistrad because this weapon looks like it'd fit there.

This massive porcupine is, as you'd expect, native to Thunder Junction. So many of those in Red...

This master of Santoryu is categorically just explicitly a monkey-goblin from Ixalan. What a perfect little creature, look at him go.

The second half of that kaiyote up above. Put'em together and you get a fun little image. This is of course native to Thunder Junction.

Have enough people chased roadrunners for this saying to catch on in the yearish they've had to live here? That's one hell of a meme infection...

This art was a little hard to parse, but it's something huckin' a molten knife through some kind of storm of Thunder. I like it, but it's impossible to tell where it is from.

It's not got as much bondage as you'd expect for them, but I think these two are from the Rakdos Cult and are doing their best to branch out. Ravnica, then!

The dinosaur tokens and the dinosaurs in his art are all Ixalani, so this wonderful old man is from there as well. Like I said we'll counter the tokens later.

And that's it for now, tune in soon for Part 2 of the Red cards of OTJ!

[erikahammerschmidt]

It would be sacrilegious to post this on Christmas, as that is a holy day to Christians, and Dr. Seuss fans, and Doctor Who fans.

and while I have VERY much experience in all three of those fandoms...

I am poking some... slightly bitter fun at them all, here.

So, instead, I am posting it on Amok Time Day.

Hope this resolves the problem.

...

'Twas the night before Christmas And nobody knew. It was pre-Christian times In the Kingdom of Who.

The Whos down in Who-ville Liked singing and feasts But the plains still stampeded With not-yet-Roast Beasts.

No mission had reached them  To try and convert So, like Adam in Eden, Just formed from the dirt,

They lived on their dust-speck And kept to themselves No thoughts about Santa No thoughts about elves

The world out beyond They had not tried to find... They as yet had no reason To name their own kind,

So they were not yet Whos And the dust-speck they claimed  Was not yet called Who-ville; It had not been named.

But, that night before Christmas It fell, from on high Like a giant blue present, Wrapped up in the sky...

And from out of the wreckage A man struggled free! He was bleeding and raving As all rushed to see,

And he cried "Merry Christmas!" None knew what he meant. And they asked him, instead, Just from where he'd been sent?

And what sort of a fellow  Could fall from so high? And what sort of a box Could be able to fly?

So he told them his story  Of warping through space When, through desperate measures  He'd come to this place,

For his Box had been seeking A safe place to hide... And like it, this dust-speck Was Bigger Inside.

But size doesn't matter, The Box could recall, For a person's a person, No matter how small!

But it crashed, and it wounded  The Person inside... Who informed them it wouldn't Be long til he died.

So he told them his stories Of Stars that had shined, And the War that had left him The Last of his Kind,

And he told them of Christmas, As hours rolled by. He said, "Christmas is Special!" Of course, they asked why.

So he told them of England, Of puddings and feasts And the Star in the West, and the Kings from the East

And of old "Father Christmas" Or "Santa," who came To bring Presents of honor And Coal-lumps of shame 

And he told his adventures From year after year: The tales of each Christmas! Of Danger, and Fear!

Of Daleks and Plastics, Of Cybermen too, Who would come to your world To steal Christmas from you!

"Do they come from Above?" Asked the people in fear. "And what is Above, And how could it get here?"

"For here on this Dust-speck We sing and we feast, But we never see stars, In our West or our East."

"And sometimes, up North There's some dusty white snow But there's no danger there... At least not that we know!"

"Well, I wouldn't look there," he assured them. "You see, Your danger won't come From the north, probably.

...But you never can tell," He abruptly put forth. "Because... plenty of worlds Have a South and a North."

But, with internal bleeding His life couldn't last, And his hearts, in edema Grew three sizes, fast.

And as he was dying His followers came, And begged, "Oh great prophet! Please tell us your name...

So our world from now on Can be named after you!" He replied, "I'm the Doctor." They cried: "Doctor who?"

But, alas, with no answer His life slipped away, And everyone mourned him That first Christmas Day.

But then, three days later, They found, at the dawn That his grave had been emptied! The Box, too, was gone!

All marveled in wonder, And wondered for years Who the stranger had been Who'd brought bright Christmas fears.

And what was his name? Was it "Strange"? Was it "Seuss"? The name was the Doctor's. They still don't know Whose.

So their world was named Who-ville, All countries the same, Except for Up North... Which was given no name.

For the North was Above, From which Danger could fall And this Danger was taught  To all Whos, big and small.

And, just north of Who-ville, The people died out For the rest of their world  Did not want them about.

And many years hence There was One left behind. The Grinch, North of Who-ville: The Last of his Kind.

[kabutoraiger]

all in all even if he’s still technically “on the villain side” i’m a bit sad that fucked up and evil keiwa is over so soon, i was hoping for at least two more eps of him going full sicko mode & trying to murder people. twas good stupid fun while it lasted

[volcanicsleep]

Ok last 2k3 questions

1. Which arc was your and ahs favorites? (Mine was Turtles in Space, idk why but the floor wax and SPOONS! just gets me)

2. Favorite one off filler episode (Mine is the Golden Puck because Casey is the himbo-iest of himbos)

3. Thoughts on Same as it never was (aka all the bros get to go have fun in alternate worlds while Donnie experiences the horrors)

Also I was thinking about how grim Residuum is but since you reminded me of 2k3, like honestly 2k3 Bishop wanted to do pretty much the exact same thing. The turtles end up on operating tables a lot.

Not to mention everything with Baxter Stockman. I know every time he gets cut in half it's off screen but damn.

Plus the underground city mutants.

Plus the Rat King experiment. And that poor military man that was friends with Bishop.

2k3 really does have a lot of what Residuum has going on.

Also if you ever want to check out more tmnt the idw comics are fantastic!

Sorry if that's too many questions you don't have to answer if you don't want to!

i don't think we have a favorite arc? full discloser we kinda consumed the all of the things on the ranking in a day in a half. zero breaks baby, only turlte. so we skipped a lot to get a feel of series as a whole. we were more interested in how the turtles were characterized and their dynamics with each other, than anything else (twas a research binge, we learned a lot!)

again no favorite but the most memorable one-off episode for me was Nano. you know, the episode with a child nano robot consciousness- have a meme i made about it lmao

(if it's not biological, it's fine!)

3. don't have much thoughts about it- i barely have thoughts about anything- thats ahs department ahaha. i'll have them respond, for this one (they'll probably respond after work but- poor donnie... he won... but at what cost? everything. at least april wasn't mad about it)

i'm gonna watch the rest of it myself a bit more comprehensively as we skipped a lot of stuff. mostly because of the time crunch we had, but it was the one we watched the most of. the episode titles are extremely convenient

[p-artsypants]

Blurb #6

I'm going to try to share 70 blurbs from my WIPs and unfinished fics to celebrate reaching 70 posted fics! To help with this endeavor, please feel free to send me a word or a fandom you know I write for, and I'll share the blurb. IDK if I'll get 70 prompts, but let's try it! Send as many as you want!

Mabel loved her brother, but sometimes, Dipper could be such a Debbie-downer. Such as right now. Wendy sat at the counter of the shop, reading a magazine, while Mabel braided her hair. Dipper sat in the corner, his nose in the journal, like some sort of hermit. “Dude, don’t you need to like, take a break from reading a little bit?” Soos asked, momentarily pausing in his work on repairing the ceiling light. “Yeah bro bro, you’ve read that thing like eight times now!” Mabel tied off the end of the braid. “At least today.” He slammed the book shut. “Yeah, I know, I’m just…frustrated. I know the answers I’m looking for are in here somewhere.” “Well,” stated Wendy, as she took her muddy boots of the counter. “I’m bored. Mabel’s bored. Soos is working, but I’m sure he’s bored, and you’re bored. So let’s do something.” “W-w-what do you have in mind?” Dipper stuttered. “Let’s go and investigate something!” “Oh no no no. Grunkle Stan doesn’t want us to go out looking for trouble…” Then he muttered. “I may already do that…” “Oh come on!” She stood up and walked over to him, “There has to be something in here that’ll be fun.” “And you never know Dipper!” Mabel chirped. “Maybe well find some Author-y clues on the way.” Dipper sighed. “Alright, fine. Do your damage.” Wendy thumbed through the pages. “Stairs that count different going down then going up. Lame. Waterfall that has a perfect reflection. Boring. Tree made of faces. Creepy, but not interesting. Melonheads—…” “DUDE! Not the Melonheads!” Soos almost fell off his ladder in his panic. Wendy smiled. “I know what we’re doing tonight.” Dipper took the journal back. “This rumor dates back to the 1950’s, when the nuclear reaction on the mountain had an acute meltdown.” He looked at Soos. “There’s a nuclear reactor here? That— That actually explains quite a few things.” He continued to read, “A group of people in the West that were poisoned by the radiation and grew abnormally sized heads. The only way to get to them in through a tunnel under the highway.” Mabel scrunched up her nose. “A group of people with big heads? Sounds like Dipper’s tribe.” The male twin gave her a blank look. “Dudes, I know it doesn't sound that that scary, but this is something you don’t want to mess with.” The three looked in interest, beckoning him to finish his story. Soos sighed, and then stood tall, and then began in his story telling voice. “Twas the summer before I entered high school. My cousin Reggie had just gotten his drivers license. He told me about the Melonheads, and we thought it would be fun to…you know, check it out. There are three levels to the Melonhead challenge. First, is to sit in front of the tunnel for five minutes in your car. Second is to drive into the tunnel, lights on, keys on top of the roof and last ten minutes. We didn’t even make it to five before we heard chainsaws.” He shivered. “I didn’t sleep for a month after that.” “What’s level three?” Asked Dipper. “Oh dude, you don’t want to know!” “Level three! Level three! Level three!” The trio shouted. “You have to drive through the valley…but rumor is, if you go in the tunnel…you don’t come back out…” “Oooooo…” “I’m in.” Wendy declared. “I’m in, like jelly in a doughnut!” “And I suppose I’m in too.” Dipper declared. “The guys will totally flip over this, it’s going to be awesome!” Wendy already had her phone out and was texting her friends. “Now, we just need a driver that knows where the tunnel is.” Dipper stated, looking at Soos. “No way dude, there is no way you’re talking me into this. — “I can’t believe you talked me into this.” Soos frowned, cleaning out the back of his truck.

[kenobster]

6 and 13 for the unhinged star wars meme pls

Your Pal’s Star Wars Ask Game

Thank you for the ask friend!!!

6. What is your favorite Star Wars meme?

Lmao, I spent an unhealthy amount of time scrolling google images the other night to refresh my memory on the memes available. ‘Twas worth it because I remembered my absolute two favorites!!!

The I Could Fix Him meme applied to Anakin. Apparently I never reblogged this, but it’s been the subject of many of my conversations lmao.

Anything involving the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise. Pretty much any of them slay me dead, but here’s some notable examples:

The one about "Kids These Days"

The one where Anakin flunked a Jedi course

The one about proper theater performance etiquette 

And then of course the totally off-topic ones, like the heirloom seeds one

Honorable shoutouts go to any meme about Obi-Wan being a slut (example); this specific “unwell about this man” variant; ILU vs IDLSICARAIAIGE; the Jedi Council Chamber Master Tantrum memes (first example, second example); and the classic Anakin & Padme Four-Panel.

13. What is your earliest Star Wars memory?

Star Wars was pretty much my first hyperfixation (not sure which came first, that or LOTR). I had a very active imagination as a kid. So I was reading the Jedi Apprentice series by Jude Watson, and I, like any kid, played pretend that the Force was real. I got super into Jedi philosophy. In fact, I prided myself on being able to not cry out whenever I stubbed my toe or some such because I would acknowledge the pain and “let it wash over me” like in those books. My pain tolerance skyrocketed and lasts even to this day, haha. 

Sound kinda weird but generally like the typical fun kid stuff, right? Well, funny you should say that (at least, funny to me XD). Because believing in the Force (you know, the way kids do) meant that I also believed it was possible to sense when things go wrong. Which, when combined with my active imagination, meant that if kid!me got, say, a Bad Feeling, then kid!me would believe that something bad was actually happening (or that something bad was about to happen). And I’m pretty sure some of y’all are already whipping out your DSM-V copies and crossing off the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). And you would be absolutely correct. 

One particular afternoon, while at swimming lessons, I (an 8-10 year old) got the Worst Bad Feeling Ever (which I now understand was a panic attack but really had no idea that's what it was and didn't know to tell anyone). Something felt seriously wrong to me. I actually had to stop swimming that day because I was terrified I was going to drown—which was freakishly unusual for me. Like, I can’t even begin to explain how much I do not have a fear of water. I not only love to swim... I was actually an incredibly good swimmer. At that point, my next step would have been to start competing! But that afternoon, I was terrified like I'd never been. 

Coincidentally, it turns out that my grandmother (who had been planning to surprise us by showing up at our swimming lessons that day) had gotten in a really bad car accident and needed to be taken to the ER by ambulance. She ended up fine, but… suffice to say, this experience did not help to slow down my growing belief in Force powers… nor my rapidly developing GAD. :’) 

I actually quit swimming not long after this experience, partly because I continued to have what kid!me didn’t know were breathing-related panic attacks while I swam. After a few weeks, the panic attacks stopped (for twenty years anyway), but by then, I had become interested in other things. Plus, I was going through a depressive episode at the time (again, kid!me was completely unaware of this and did not know to explain to anyone what was going on). Funnily enough, this depressive episode was also jumpstarted by a Jude Watson book. I literally remember sitting alone under a tree on the playground, crying to myself, and wondering what "the point of life" was... as an 8-10 year old. All because I’d just finished reading the book where Siri Tachi dies. Can’t make this shit up, hahaha.

Anyway, so those are my first memories of Star Wars. XD And I guess you can feel bad for me if u want, but personally I find it hilarious lol. In some way or another, I’ve always been fucked up about these men.

[redolentgrove]

Twas the Night Before

"Thanks again for all your help with the ocarina solos, Celeste."

About half an hour had passed since Bijoux's conversation with Blackjack. She was back on her laptop, putting the last touches together on the musical track to finish it. Knowing the gala was almost here, she was somewhat anxious to have it ready in time, but her earlier bouts of focus had helped immensely. From here, it was just little changes to give it a refined feel.

"Hey, no worries," Celeste trilled, the Sylveontaur peeking over her half-sister's shoulder. "Wow, this looks incredibly complicated, like you've actually got a lot of music stored on here… this is all stuff you've recorded?"

"I wish." Bijoux's response was casual, but also somewhat jealous, as she finished putting the last touches on the final track, saving her work. Fingers crossed that the export would be clean. "No, pretty much everything is either from the friends I made in band and choir at Undella High, though some of it is also Mom's piano playing. I do have some harp samples on here, but they're not in this particular track. I'm going to be playing that portion live along with the backing track I'm making here, and singing the words."

"And Mom's okay with this? I mean, you remember what happened the last time you performed a song in public like this…" Celeste's thought was cut off by a pinging sound coming from the phone next to Bijoux's laptop.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'm not performing that song again. I learned my - oh?" Bijoux picked up the phone, turning on the screen. A text was displayed on it, from Loki.

I got a message from the tailors - our dresses are fixed and ready for us to wear to the gala I told you about. If you can, send Celeste to get them. Also, get the guest bed and tent ready

"Huh. So the dresses are ready already? That sure was quick; Mom and I just went in for re-measurements yesterday." Bijoux chuckled softly. "Mom wants to know if you can go pick them up for her."

"Oh, of course!" Celeste trilled, her tails wagging lazily. "I'd better get moving before they close up shop. Did she say anything else?"

"Yeah… something about getting the guest bed ready… I think she's going to be having Millie over here for a while." Bijoux tilted her head. "She was here earlier; you just missed her before you came in to record your ocarina samples."

"Millie?" The Sylveontaur looked slightly confused. The name wasn't familiar to her at all.

"She's going to be my college roommate. Something must have happened while Mom went to deliver her family's floral order." Bijoux turned back to the computer screen - 'Exported successfully!' displayed, much to the chinchilla Pokemon's relief. "Thank goodness… I'll have to listen later and make sure it's all stitched together right, but at least it's done."

"Oh, that's nice," the fairy-type hummed. "You're going to be roommates here too, then! That's kind of fun. Well, I'm going to the tailor's then; you can work on the guest bed in the meantime. The Sylveontaur stood up fully and walked away, leaving Bijoux by herself.

"Yeah… kinda. Bye, Celeste!" the Cinccino-taur chimed, shutting down the laptop and tucking it beneath her left armpit. She headed to the storage shed and put it down on one of the shelves, thumbing through - ah, there it was! The guest tent, neatly packed into a box. She grabbed the box, and a box above it containing a sleeping bag. She took them back outside, getting them ready for her mom's arrival.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The process of setting up the tent and sleeping bag together took about two hours. Loki and Millie arrived at the clearing just as Bijoux emerged from inside the tent, the Dachsbun on Loki's back groggily humming and leaning into the taur's upper body. The colourful sunset swirled above the tree lines, giving an indicator that it had been a long, eventful day. Loki began un-hitching herself from her cart, nodding toward Bijoux in greetings.

"Hey Mom," Bijoux trilled casually, striding gently over to the taller taur's side and gently nudging a hand against Millie's cheek. "Hey, Millie."

"Huh… wh?" The Dachsbun's eyes fluttered open. She recoiled slightly at the Cinccino-taur's touch at first, but calmed down when she realised who was standing there. "Bijoux, hey… wow, Loki, are we here already?" The fairy-dog fidgeted slightly to re-orient herself on Loki's back, then hopped off, her feet hitting the ground beneath her. "Wait, Loki, let me help-"

"It's okay, Millie," Loki replied, already mostly through the unharnessing process. "I've done this hundreds, if not thousands, of times. It's basically an exact science at this point. I appreciate the thought, but right now I'd like you to just focus on making yourself at home. Bijoux just finished setting up the tent, it looks like. It's not much, I know…"

Millie shook her head, leaning lightly on Bijoux's side before walking over to the tent and smiling softly. "It's fine, Loki… honestly, I like the thought that I'm just camping out here with you two." She stepped inside the tent with a casual shrug, admiring the handiwork. Bijoux had sturdied it impeccably; it would have taken a gale-force wind to remove the stakes and unsettle it from the earth. The sleeping bag was comfortable, yet humble; it was a far cry from her normally plush bed, but she kind of liked it better this way.

"Everything okay in there?" Bijoux questioned, as Loki finished unattaching herself from the cart, taking it toward the storage shed. "It's kind of funny that you and I are sort of roommates out here, too…"

Millie nodded gently, stretching herself out lazily and letting out a soft sigh. "Yeah… hey, Bijoux? Listen, Loki invited me to this 'gala' thing that the two of you are going off to tomorrow… but I feel bad for turning down the offer."

"Why?" The taur tilted her head. "I would think the last place you want to be is somewhere fancy like that…"

"Yeah, but she offered so nicely and I just, you know…" Millie's head drooped as she slid into the sleeping bag. "After everything she did to help me get away from my Mom. I wonder if I owe it to her to go there. I'm not sure anyone would even be around to watch me at that point…"

"Nah," Bijoux hummed quietly. "You don't owe anyone a thing, Millie. Not me, not Mom, not your mom, not anyone. We'll find a way to make things work somehow; we always do. You worry about getting some rest and feeling safe, okay? I don't know what happened over in Undella Town, but it's over now."

"Is this your friend, Bijoux?"

The Cinccino-taur's head whipped back. Celeste had returned, complete with a pair of neatly-folded and arranged bags settled in a basket hitched upon the Sylveontaur's lower half. The fairy-type peered over Bijoux's shoulder, waving at the Dachsbun gently.

"Hi, there!" Celeste purred out lovingly, her twin tails wagging fiercely. "I'm Bijoux's half-sister, Celeste. You must be Millie! I'll help watch you while Mom and Bijoux are at the gala! I know they'd appreciate that peace of mind…"

The Dachsbun stared at Celeste with a fierce blush. "Y-yeah… gosh, you're pretty…" she murmured, a mixed hint of jealousy and admiration emanating in her voice. "What's in that basket on your back? That looks heavy…"

Celeste shook her head. "It's just Mom and Bijoux's dresses for the gala event." The Sylveontaur patted the wicker basket gently, as she felt the loosening of the ropes holding it on her back. Purple-socked hands then undid the knots and ties keeping things together, taking the basket as well. The hand then ruffled Celeste's head, and Loki's muzzle finally peered over her daughter's shoulder to look at the Dachsbun within the tent.

"Girls, back up a bit; Millie needs her rest." Loki gently tapped Bijoux and Celeste's legs with a forepaw, and the three of them all padded off to different parts of the grove. Loki took the dresses to the storage shed, Celeste went to the lakeside, and Bijoux headed to her favourite resting spot near her mother's gardens. Meanwhile, Millie yawned and lay her head down, eyes closing. The day's events clearly got to her, and it would take a nice night's rest for things to truly sink in.

I can't help feeling like the odd one out, and that it's somehow my fault... she thought, drifting slowly off to sleep.

[minarcana]

@herosluminis asked:

Thancred’s putting Urianger’s tomes on the lowest shelf so they’re out of his sight

He's searching for his most recent book of study for quite a while. Neither he nor Y'shtola keep their books in any immediately discernible state of arrangement-- it's all a mutually intuited web of 'leaving some tomes on a given table if they're used recently for this arm of work' or 'middle shelves for magecraft study, sorted by timeliness' or something else equally obtuse and definitely messy-looking.

As such, obviously, when one book isn't where it's supposed to be on the shelf and it's not on the ground next to his desk and it's not left on the last counter he used, something is amiss. Terribly awry, even.

He's left with no other option but to search. Not particularly helping him is the fact he owns many tomes, and simply because one isn't where it should be, that leaves no clues as to where it is. It could well be in the rafters for all he knows. Eventually, though, he comes to find it. On a very bottom rack, sandwiched between two completely unrelated tomes! No one uses the bottom shelf for anything other than the least-used references.

...Sabotage is the only and inevitable conclusion. And there is but one who would do such a thing to him....

Urianger tracks down Thancred, book still in hand so he can bonk the other's crown with it. "Thou hath betrayed me." His tone is flat, trying intentionally to keep any hint of bemusement from voice. "Thou rogue, brigand, scallywag, fiend of indescribable proportion," he could go on. He might. "'Twas thee who hid my studies with the maps, was it not? Sower of chaos, menace 'pon my home." He's having fun now, audibly.

[egokillr]

Decided to change my birthday to valentines day. Imma miss being a Leo tho twas fun while it lasted but at least when Imma get extra gifts that dayv

oooo thats fun!!! love that for you :p it would b cute to have a bday on valentines day

[measuringbliss]

Spider-Man Read-Through 033: 'Twas the Season (ASM 165-166, What If 1)

MASTERPOST

In this issue...

*sigh*

A dinosaur. And the Lizard! Brittany S. Pierce would be... very gleeful.

However, we also get great development for Peter, MJ and Flash and THAT's at least worth something.

And also...

Spidey accidentally runs into a secret SHIELD building and chases a dinosaur, but misses him.

Gorgeous panels. Meanwhile, at the Connors's...

Stegron! How I missed you, my dear Stegron! (Said no one ever.)

MEANWHILE! In the street!

I think they should kiss. They should kiss to make MJ jealous. THEY SHOULD SOOOO DO THAT. And I should write it. Should I? I should!

At E.S.U., we get more development concerning Jameson and his mysterious scientist. Turns out Dr Madison doesn't hold much against Spidey, but she doesn't like how he's above law. So she's kinda me when I was playing Persona 5.

Gorgeous page! Once again with the wind and the leaves, like just before the Gwen clone plot kickstarted!

I like that they finally discuss what they are, it's been a long time coming. They think about doing a break...

That's a fun way to break the scene!

Peak comedy.

Meanwhile, Stegron's having the time of his life.

SEE, THAT'S WHAT COMMUNICATION DOES! MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER!

Anyway, stuff happens, and...

Just because I love the purple pants doesn't mean I have to enjoy this plot.

Given that the two issues mention preparing for Christmas several times, I can only assume Peter's birthday is in December.

Anyway, Spidey reassures Mrs Connors, and Dr Madison meets up with Jameson.

Slay. I also really love her outfit.

Anyway, she uncovers a Spider-Slayer... Oh, Jameson, how many times have you tried, now? He never learns his lessons!

Do I sense a Gloria/Randy romance? Why not, especially if that means we get to see more of them!

So anyway, we're on full Christmas mode, right there. How soul crushing it must be for Peter to say he won't be able to spend Christmas with his friends! I was going to say family, but Aunt May hasn't been mentioned in a while (thankfully, let her be in lesbians with Anna). You can just feel how bitter Peter is.

And Harry and Liz announce they're going to marry! Oh, uh. Okay. I guess it was very quick in these times, and publication-wise, it has been a while, but dear Lord, they're quick! I guess it makes sense, with how romantic they were, last batch. MJ's surely gonna feel more stressed about that, now...

...

Anyway. One really cool thing in the battle is that the Lizard takes the time to save Connors' child. I love those moments!

Spidey gets there, makes Connors human again, then goes off to fight Stegron.

We do get great shots, but I'm really not into all of this.

Connors successfully reverses the Dinosaur Revival Beam, and they return to bones. It's nice to see Connors actively help Spidey!

What a dumbass.

At least, this is a great page! It's actually excellent. It's a saving grace, we shall say.

This is nice, but WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS, PETE? NO EPILOGUE FOR THEM?

THIS IS SAD.

Time for the first What If issue! What if Spidey joined the Fantastic Four?

The issue starts with The Watcher introducing the idea, just like he introduced the last issue of the Phoenix Saga.

Hm!

He's supposed to be, like, 15.

It's fun to see this remade. This issue's obviously partly an excuse to redraw their fateful meeting, but with a different artist, given that it replays a lot of the same beats.

That's nice to see!

The Fantastic Four raise issues, but one is given more weight--the fact that Spidey keeps his identity secret.

Oh!

...He doesn't look like a wallflower with this artstyle, hahaha. Next, Peter recounts his history and retcons himself as a beautiful hunk and not as the nerd he most definitely was.

Anyway, the FF present their newest member at a press conference and...

That's actually very interesting! The Chameleon ends up not doing anything. Instead, the Vulture takes his place!

That's sad.

Later, the Invisible Girl gets jealous of Spidey, who's on an adventure with their teammates while she stays behind and watches over them. And while they're on a dangerous mission, she gets seduced by Namor (the Submariner). This is to retell an early adventure of the FF.

This is nice, but not that interesting to me once it really goes into the FF retelling.

Next time: More of Spectacular Spider-Man! I'm curious to see that.

[frootyrooties]

oh so about the LZ tribute band i saw last night. they were pretty decent, i might share some clips from last night’s show later on. anyways, having seen at least four LZ tribute bands in my lifetime, the group Get The Led Out is still by far my favourite. in my opinion, they are probably the closest to sounding like the guys but still, i thought Mothership gave the crowd a pretty fun show last night.

one of my favourite parts about last night’s show was when the band’s photographer came up to me and was like “ma’am, you are one hot lookin’ led zeppelin fan! mind if i take your photo for the fan page?” so of course i responded with “honey, me and everyone else in this room including yourself are lookin’ very hot tonight. but if you insist, you may take my photo.” i want to apologise to that lovely man if i looked rather intoxicated in that photo. the alcohol got to the best of me last night, yet i did very well at maintaining my composure. all i could manage to do was smile like an idiot the entire night.

my other favourite part was when this one woman standing next to me leaned in closer to me and said “honey, you seem a bit too young for this kind of crowd but you blend in so perfectly. don’t worry, we’re all family here.” i smiled at her and said “thank you, and music has no age limit. to be quite honest, this is the kind of stuff that turns me on. they don’t make music like this anymore.” we clinked our beers to that while singing to our heart’s content.

‘twas one of the most beautiful nights of my life 💕

[nulltune]

⠀⠀⠀❝⠀ ‎things like cooking or cleaning can be learned ‎ ‎ ‎. ‎‎. ‎. ‎ ‎ i'm not ‎ ‎ —- ‎ ‎ ‎ i wouldn't be ‎ ‎.. ‎ ‎ that hopeless of a wife ‎ ‎ . ‎. ‎. ⠀ ‎❞

[dodigests]

doyoungstiddies → godoyoung

[lovely-maryj]

𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒. kageyama, hq!!

synopsis: ❝ In a field of dandelions was when I first held you. ❞ pairing: kageyama tobio x reader warnings: one-time use of the word ‘bastard’, no third person pronouns used for mc, mc is called ‘shortie’ once word count: ~1.4k note: Hello! Hopefully, you guys enjoy this! This is just a one-shot I had to write for my English class last year. Of course, I changed the names up. No way am I gonna submit this unfiltered. It would've been so obvious if I kept the names just like this, lol. I checked and apparently, I wrote this on October 27 last year. I forgot I had this on my drive somewhere. This is also the first story I posted that I'm never going to delete. (I wrote a Harry Potter fanfic a few years ago on Wattpad, and it was doing quite well for my first story, but I got writer's block and was kind of exiting the fandom so I didn't have motivation for it. It's gone now, lol. 'Twas a shame. I gained quite a few followers from that.) Anyways, this is crossposted on my Quotev and Wattpad accounts, too. Click on the links to read it over there. I'll update this again if I ever decide to post it on Ao3. If it's on there or any other site without me updating this, that is plagiarism. If it ever happens, please inform me and I'll have a nice little chat with whoever posted my story :) The same goes for the poem I wrote. I’m still quite proud of it so don’t use it without my explicit permission. likes, reblogs and comments are very much appreciated! ^^ Edit (8 Aug 2022, 12:35 PM, GMT+8): I have now posted this one-shot on AO3!

Just a few minutes ago, I found a small dandelion on a crack on a sidewalk—that I definitely did not almost trip on—and now I was just cradling it in my hands while I skipped home. Okay, maybe I wasn’t skipping. That's just childish and I am by no means a child.

... was that even the least bit believable?

Maybe this is why Kei always likes to make fun of me.

Not looking at where I was going—what a huge mistake that was—I accidentally bumped into a person that I definitely could've mistaken for a wall.

Grunting, I tried to steady myself but the person's hands were already on my shoulders.

"Oh~? No wonder I didn't see you. It’s you, shortie."

Ignoring the comment on my (admittedly) short stature, my eyes widened in surprise at the very familiar voice, and I quickly looked up and shrugged off the person's hands off my shoulders.

Great. Just great. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

“Kei!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

He just raised an eyebrow at me. “Isn’t it obvious?” He sarcastically said. “I’m walking home.”

Now, it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. “Uh ... don’t you live on the other side of town?”

A sheen of sweat dripped down from his forehead. “I—uh—Kageyama needed me for something.”

“Tobio needed you,” I said in disbelief while pointing at him.

A vein on his temple started bulging. He smacked my hand away and he said, “Why is that so hard to believe?”

Simply because it’s Tobio and you? I didn’t want to get into another argument with him so I simply changed the subject. Arguments with him usually lasted for at least an hour and I’m too mentally tired to care.

“Whatever,” I said while crossing my arms. “What did he need you for?”

A smug grin suddenly appeared on his face. Oh, what I would pay to smack it off him—

“Why don’t you go home and find out? He’s waiting for you outside of your front door.” Not even waiting for me to reply, he went past me and started trekking his way home. Or maybe to Tadashi’s house. I never know with him.

Scoffing at his audacity to just walk away, I turned away from him to continue my way home. Of course, with the information that Tobio was waiting for me at my front doorstep, my pace quickened with the small dandelion still in my hand.

There is nobody here. Oh, my god—did Kei really just dupe me?! I screamed angrily inside my head.

Huffing angrily, I stomped towards my front door to get inside when I felt something crinkle under my shoes. Looking down, I saw a lavender envelope. Picking it up and turning it over, I saw ‘Open me~♡’ written on the back of it in Tobio’s cute handwriting. With my eyebrows furrowed in confusion, I opened the envelope and found two letters. One written on a plain piece of paper, and the other written in my favorite stationery. Tilting my head, I just decided to read the one on plain paper since it was the one on top.

“Hello, love. If you found this, that means that that bastard—” Okay, that’s got to be Kei. “—actually managed to get you home without you getting distracted.” I nodded my head at that. ‘Twas a valid concern. God knows how many times I got sidetracked and distracted whenever I was on my own. “In the other letter, I wrote a short ... something. Don’t make fun of me, please. With love, Tobio.”

A short something? Wondering what that something was, I hurriedly took out the other letter.

“In a field of dandelions was when I first held you In my arms, with feelings so true In that meadow with the sky so blue You had me wrapped around your finger while you had no clue

From the wide piece of land, I plucked a single dandelion into my hand I made a thousand wishes that day That you might somehow feel the same way.”

I stopped reading after that last line. My mouth was wide open for I was in extreme disbelief. I couldn’t believe that Tobio—my Tobio—would write something as sweet as that. He was usually the awkward one in the relationship and I was the one that initiates all the affection. Connecting with people was definitely not one of his strong suits, so seeing him put so much effort into writing a short, sweet poem definitely almost made my heart burst out of my chest. Smiling softly, I turned the paper around and found one last stanza.

“Find me in the first line and you’ll never regret That day you agreed to become mine, you had our destinies set So with hope in my heart, you’ll find your way To where it all began with that sweet smile on your face.”

I blinked slowly in confusion. ‘Find me in the first line?’ Did he mean the first line of the poem? Is he asking me to find him in a field of dandelions? But there are tons of them here. I tilted my head to the side. That day I agreed to become his … He asked me to be his lover after one of his volleyball games, though, so it couldn’t be that. ‘To where it all began.’ Did he mean when he confessed his feelings for me? 

My eyes widened in realization. If it was possible, a lit lightbulb definitely would’ve been seen over my head right now. Grinning madly, I hurried over to the garage to get my bicycle.

“Hopefully I didn’t make him wait too long.”

“What ... is all this?” I gestured to my surroundings.

Tobio smiled, albeit nervously, “A picnic.”

Tobio was sitting on a picnic blanket with a basket and a cooler next to him. With the gorgeous backdrop of the meadow behind him, the dandelions all around us, and the almost clear blue sky with cirrus clouds and the sun shining, I almost thought I never woke up that morning and was dreaming all of this up.

I laughed heartedly, “Yeah, I get that,” I sat next to him and stared into his dark blue eyes, “but what’s all this for?”

He blushed a bit and looked away, “Don’t you remember what day it is?”

I tensed. What?! I’m pretty sure our first anniversary still isn’t until next month! I freaked out internally.

“I—uh,” I stammered. What do I say?!

Tobio must’ve been amused at my stuttering because he smiled and chuckled softly. “It’s the day I confessed to you. Remember? ‘To where it all began?’”

I gasped and put my hand in front of my mouth in shock, “You’re right!”

Tobio threw his head back laughing, and I smacked him on the shoulder for that. “Don’t make fun of me, Tobio!” I whined.

He calmed down. “Oh, and here,” He turned around to get something from behind his back. When he turned back around, he gave me a bouquet.

“Oh, Tobio!” I gushed and blushed, “You shouldn’t have!” I smiled giddily and took the bouquet.

The bouquet included red roses, purple lilacs, and dandelions.

I didn’t know at the time but seeing me staring admirably at the bouquet he put together himself touched his heart.

“Aha! Which reminds me!” I reached into my jacket pocket and took out the small lonesome dandelion I plucked from a random crack on a sidewalk. “It’s not as grand as your bouquet, but I saw this earlier and I remembered how you told me you came to this exact same field before we confessed to each other.”

Not even looking at it, he took it from my hands while staring fondly at me. “Do you know why I came here?”

Pursing my lips in thought, I asked why.

“People say that when you make a crane origami a thousand times and make a wish, it’ll come true. When I first heard it, I found this field and thought that if it worked on folding cranes, it’ll probably work if I blow a thousand dandelions.” He took a rose from the bouquet and put it behind my ear.

“Well, did your wish come true?”

“Do you remember the poem I wrote?” He caressed my cheek. “If you do, you’ll know.”