#and don’t say that voting isn’t all you do cause then this wouldn’t even be a conversation!

[cock-holliday]

Hi if you still believe that russia sent covert operatives into the trenches of tumblr dot com to sow discord by *checks notes* saying “incrementalism is sometimes wildly dangerous because of how it convinces people the fight is over” or “being told I should feel grateful for meaningless change because it could be worse makes me angry as hell” and think this is actually a masterclass in subliminal messaging to convince you, our lone hero, to not Vote Blue No Matter Who and save the world…then like…you’re stupid as fuck

[star-girl69]

Ember in Your Hands

Jake Sully x Neytiri x Fem!Reader

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a/n: thank you all so much for voting on my previous post!! as you can tell, “Ember in Your Hands” was the winner. i hope you all enjoy!!

warnings: nightmares, grief, mentions of death, mentions of kissing, tell me if i missed anything!!

Chapter Two- Restless

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When you died, switched bodies, born again — the first and last thing you felt was touch.

The last thing you felt when you were dying was Neytiri’s lips pressing against your eyes, and the first thing you felt was her hand over your chest, waiting for a heartbeat or a heartbreak.

Touch has been important to you since then, feeling, knowing. You can’t dispute touch. It is either there or it isn’t, and you have already either lost too much touch or never known it.

Maybe Jake and Neytiri hate sleeping like this, with your head over Jake’s chest, your hand over Neytiri’s heart. Or maybe they like it too. But they never complain, they only climb into bed and make sure you can still reach them.

Your ear to his chest, your hand to her heart.

It’s the only way you can fall asleep now, ever since everything that happened.

You remember, after Neytiri and before Jake, you remember sleepless nights. Too old to crawl into Grace’s bed, too young to simply push it aside. You were just a teenager then, missing your best friend and replaying every embarrassing moment of your life over and over again.

You remember insomnia, counting sheep, wishing to fall asleep so deeply you wouldn’t even dream.

The sleepless nights after taking a life is nothing compared to that. Glass shattering haunts your dreams, screams and shouts but this time you don’t have to be alone. You can restless with them.

The first few months after were hard, and with Neytiri being such a light sleeper, you caused your mates’ with just as many sleepless nights as you.

But, it got easier. Now, you fall asleep and fall asleep good — to the point where you never dream, or when you do, it’s only about them.

You dream about the life you want to live with them, the life you do live.

When you awake on this night, it’s because something is wrong. You fell asleep with your head on Jake’s chest, heartbeat thrumming in your ears, arm across his chest to press at Neytiri’s heartbeat.

When you wake, Jake isn’t there. You shoot up in bed, look around your kelku — but there is only Neytiri stirring at all of your movement, the hammock beneath you, there is not Jake.

“Y/N?” Neytiri asks, voice raspy, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What is wrong, yawne?”

Waking up without him makes you think too much of when you knew nothing but restlessness, and the early months when death hung around you like cobwebs.

“Jake is gone,” you gasp, and Neytiri blinks as she looks around the room. She puts her arm around your neck.

“It’s alright,” she murmurs, pulling herself up to press a kiss to your cheek.

“What-?” you say, pulling away from her. She seems a little more awake now, but still confused. “He’s gone, Neytiri. We-”

“He is probably just getting some water, Y/N.” She brushes your hair behind your ear. “Why do you always think the worst?”

You want to speak, but you love her so much, so you don’t.

She presses a kiss to the corner of your mouth.

“There is no more bad, my love,” she whispers. “There is only our family.”

You want to scream. She doesn’t deal with it like you do, she doesn’t rely so much on touch and heartbeats. She doesn’t need that crutch to lean on, to live on. She doesn’t heal like you do.

Footsteps echo on the woven rug covering the floor. You crane your head, and Jake stands in the open flap of our kelku, light from the moon and starts pouring around him and making him look like some god.

“Jake,” you say, but it is a sigh of relief, barely his name.

He frowns and steps closer, the flap closing behind him, darkness taking up the kelku again.

Neytiri runs a hand down your arm.

“She was scared,” she explains, and you feel young and stupid. “Tell her she doesn’t have to, not anymore.”

Some sort of physical tension in his shoulders fades, the fear from seeing the two of you wide awake so late falling away. It must be a human thing to assume the worst.

“Oh, sweetheart,” her murmurs, crossing the room, but you keep your eyes fixed on a barely visible spot on the floor. He sits on the other side of you, so they both cage you in. You don’t feel trapped.

He’s silent, for another second.

“‘M sorry for leaving. I just wanted some water.”

“It’s fine,” you whisper, shaking your head, tearing your eyes away from the spot you were staring at. “Sorry for being stupid.” You stare at his chest, next, not ready to meet his eyes.

“You’re not stupid for healing,” Neytiri whispers, hooking her head over your shoulder. “You’re not stupid.”

Jake doesn’t try to get you to look at him. He just places his forehead against yours.

“I love you,” he whispers, with some lilt to his voice that lets you know he’s smiling. “I died with you, and choose to live with you.”

Your eyes meet his, because you love him so much is breaks you and builds you up again and again, day by day. The cycle isn’t tiring. It’s just how you live.

Loving him and loving her is like breathing. It’s so hard on you, sometimes makes you sick, but it keeps you alive.

“If you are restless,” Neytiri hums, tracing a pattern on your arm with her finger, “then we are restless too.”

Touch has always been the most important sense in your life, ever since you died. It’s easy to forget that you are so different from that girl before, from that human girl and that human body born to die.

If you are restless, then they are restless. If they are restless, then you are restless.

“We are mates,” Jake whispers, and it’s so true that you kiss him.

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taglist:

@eywas-heir @mjesecevo-dijete @ok-boke @tsukicores @neteyamforlife @itsyoboysparkel @tejas-kris @noname2246 @skxawngsworld @itsemy01 @littlexscarletxwitch @ara-a-bird @ghoulbli @ssc7514 @kitkat1690 @hai-kbai @disaster-in-waiting @milf-lover-23 @hot15936

everything taglist:

@monsterwasstolen @fanboyluvr @artologia-blog1 @tulipatheticee @elvyshiarieko @fluffisalliwant @fluffi19 @jeizllz @myheartfollower @fy-fy-world @minkyungseokie @ivy-plays @blueberryfailureclinic @cryingwhilereading @thatratprincessforever @dumb-fawkin-bitch @sillyblues @buttercup-beeee @smollangrycat @n7cje @eternallyvenus @iwanttogohomeandtakeanap

[moonlessdusk]

Hello! I love your mkulia analysis..is!..sises..? Analysees? ..Whats the plural of analysis? Anyways - if you've seen the episode already (and want to of course) could you do an analysis on the ending to episode 9? With the elimination and all that, even if it's something obvious. Anyways, good work! They're always a pleasure to read :)

Aww thank you ❤️ I actually did initially think this was just going to be a surface level read of these two for the episode but I watched it again and I noticed two things at the elimination that I haven’t seen anyone else point out and no joke, one of them might actually have some major implications.

First off, I just want to take note of the beginning of the episode where MK and Julia are about to try and fail to fake sympathy. Because why is Julia holding on to MK’s shoulders while they walk over? Like the hand holding I got because it was a reference to The Shining but this is just unnecessary. So hmm… I guess they’re at a casual touching phase?

They then have a confessional where they both agree that relationships shouldn’t be put over the competition. I don’t know how intentional this is but friendship is brought up a few times through this episode between this, the scene where Chris remarks that friendship can be a good thing, which is immediately followed by MK showing up, and the direct comparison he makes at the end of the episode. That is to say, MK and Julia were always on the same page and unlike everyone else here, knew the competition would come first, it’s why they’re here.

Skipping to the end of the challenge, they know the predicament they’re in because everyone else here for some reason votes based on emotions and who isn’t their friend as opposed to who’s realistically a threat to their chances of winning (*cough cough* Priya). MK is certain that Julia will go back on her word to let it play but she doesn’t seem particularly mad? She looks exhilarated at the idea of trying to outdo each other, more than anything.

On the walk to the ceremony, Julia looks incredibly anxious and MK is glaring almost the entire time. I think Julia knew from the start she’s already betrayed MK, she’s just kinda waiting for the shoe to drop. And when it does, she lets out a sigh but unlike the last time she caused MK’s elimination, she’s not at all happy about it. She’s still hunched over like she’s worried about MK’s reaction.

She’s smiling when she explains how she did it but the turn of her eyebrows reads as a nervous smile and Julia doesn’t actually relax until MK praises of she outplayed her by working smarter instead of harder.

Skipping briefly to MK’s exit confessional, it’s worth noting that she said if she did have to play this season again, she wouldn’t change a thing. That to me sounds like she’s saying she wouldn’t change how she’s made an alliance with and trusted Julia. She doesn’t regret the relationship they made while being here.

Okay now first thing I’ve noticed that I haven’t seen anyone else pick up on is that MK was clearly walking down to the dock unaccompanied by Julia. Also she’s scowling as she does so. Probably at Chris or the general situation, who knows. Julia can still be seen in the background at the bonfire. I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that maybe she didn’t feel good about how the last thing she said to MK was a gloat about herself. The last time Julia betrayed MK, she avoided her because she was afraid she’d be mad. Maybe MK’s reassurance from that time gave Julia the confidence to take the initiative this time and run down to the dock to be sure if their relationship was still okay.

It’s just sweet that Julia has never cared about what anyone here thought of her before and she explicitly said last season she didn’t want friends but she’s so worried about if her relationship with MK would still be intact.

MK’s words and opinions do cut deep for Julia, even if she does try to play it off. This is the most timid her body language has been and even if she tries to downplay it, she still recoils when it looks MK is actually mad at her.

And here is the part where I was saying could have some major implications. Right when MK begins to say she’s not mad at Julia, listen to the leitmotif playing in the background. For people that don’t know, a leitmotif in media is a short, reoccurring piece of music in that’s meant to invoke the idea of a person, thing, memory, event, emotion, etc. For example, with the original run of the show, when something with positive, big, emotional, and usually (but not always) romantic payoff happened, they would play that music that started with the soft piano and strings and build up to the drums and viola. You know the one.

I’m explaining this so you know how significant it is that the leitmotif playing when MK is reassuring Julia almost sounds like it could be the same one as Bowie and Raj’s romantic one from last season. I’m not kidding, it’s sounds like it could just be a toned down and segmented version of it. Go back to season 1 and listen to the background of these two scenes of their relationship starting and solidifying. You can hear it when Bowie starts talking, then briefly again right before Emma starts shouting.

This isn’t just some generic feel good music they have because the show has a completely different leitmotif for friendship moments. You can hear it when Millie apologizes to Priya in the season 1 finale and you can hear it again at the beginning of Raj’s goodbye in his elimination.

I need someone to check me on this, I don’t know if I’m coping. Leitmotifs don’t necessarily have to be the same key, pace, etc. and total drama frequently segments its music, like the bonfire music is constantly cut down. I’m just not sure if I’m hearing what I want to hear and hoping it indicates this is the serious start of something romantic between them.

ANYWAY, the hug.

I think it’s cute and pretty big for Julia’s character that she initiates it. She finally let herself be vulnerable and invites someone else’s affection purely for the sake of affection. And MK accepts with no eyebrow raise, remark, or any hint of her usual sarcasm and dry humor. With MK’s elimination, their relationship has become no strings attached and they still value it regardless.

[maxybabyy]

Sequel to this maxiel ‘too hot to handle’ au (soft cw for COVID mention and implied unsafe travelling)

Daniel has been living in Max’s London apartment for four months when Max signs on as a Red Bull affiliate sim racer. And Daniel is so happy for him, of course he is. With his newfound celebrity status back in the Netherlands and now this, Max is free to do whatever the hell he wants. But Daniel. Daniel hasn’t really been doing much since ‘too hot to handle’ wrapped up. He does the the odd appearance at events, started up a cameo account, but with Max’s recent breakout, he starts to feel a bit lost, envious that he isn’t getting the same opportunities.

So when he’s offered a spot on the newest season of ‘The Circle’, he accepts.

Max freaks out when he tells him. They’re in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and if Daniel leaves now, he won’t get back into the country, won’t come back. It causes the biggest fight they’ve ever had.

Max doesn’t yell, but it’s a hard conversation to have, and when Max leaves in frustration, Daniel doesn’t know what to do with himself. Because he has to leave, he can’t not go. He’s in his fucking thirties, and for an influencer like him, that’s pretty much ancient.

Max drives him to the airport, kisses him too wet and tearful. He tells Daniel that he loves him, begs him not to go, and when Daniel doesn’t, turns on his heels and leaves.

Quarantining for the show is tough.

Before Max, Daniel lived on his own in LA, but somehow, the last year has made him unable to be alone. Max still texts him, pictures of the cats, his set-up at the Red Bull facilities, his latest attempt at culinary disaster, but they don’t call.

To make matters worse, Daniel doesn’t win the show. His alliances are quick to get picked apart, and while Jesse – a gorgeous model from Austin, Texas – keeps flirting with him, it doesn’t feel right to flirt back even though he and Max aren’t together anymore. In the end, they call him a catfish and vote him out – a shitty end to an even shittier situation.

He’s offered some gigs around LA, nothing huge but enough to get him on the right lists. And then Netflix approaches him again, this time with their latest dating show – ‘Perfect match’.

He doesn’t say yes right away, knows the implications it will have for his and Max’s relationship, how obvious it will become that they’ve broken up. But like, Daniel isn’t looking for love – already knows where it is, where it was – this is just something that he has to do if he wants to stay relevant.

When you've been on one dating show, you’ve been on them all, Daniel reckons. The cast reminds him too much of the people they met on ‘Too Hot to Handle’ with the added bonus of inflated egos. Even the villa looks the same too, nice but bland with all cultural influence stripped away.

At the end of the first night, he matches with Gabby, a marketing lead from Seattle who has three brothers and loves to surf. She’s sweet and very pretty, touches his arm with her tiny hand when he makes her laugh, and Daniel thinks he wouldn’t mind spending the rest of the weeks getting to know her.

They’re hanging out by the pool, day drinking and chatting. It’s freeing in a way Daniel hasn’t felt since ‘too hot to handle’, since before COVID hit. He loved hanging with Max, with the cats in their apartment and late-night Zoom sessions with Blake and Scotty. But it’s different like this, being around people. 

He’s only loosely paying attention when the conversation picks up, “Gabby, you were on ‘Love is blind’, right?” Amy, from a season of ‘The Circle’ before Daniel’s, asks. “So you’re like ready for the real deal, huh? Marriage and all.”

“I mean, that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it?” Gabby says and laughs. “To find our perfect match of course.” Her hand has found its way to Daniel’s leg, slim fingers loose around his ankle, and Daniel doesn’t think, he can’t –

He forces himself to breathe, to laugh along with the crowd and not jerk his leg out of her grip. He waits another few minutes – at least one, it has to be – before he gets up to get another drink. If he lets himself be pulled into a game of beer pong inside, then no one has to know.

With his mind back in the game, Daniel and Gabby win the second challenge of the show and have to send two people off on dates. Daniel is still stuck on the hot peppers he had to eat when Gabby says, “Oh, this guy is cute, in like. An odd sort of way.”

Her nose crinkles when Daniel looks over, laughs at the way it transforms her entire face. “I don’t think that’s a –“ he starts to say when his mouth suddenly slams shut. Because the guy that she’s pointing to, this odd but beautiful creature is Max. His Max. Max Verstappen who is supposed to be back in the UK, test driving fucking Formula One cars.

They don’t pick Max, settles on some guy from a show Daniel hasn’t watched. But it doesn’t matter in the end; Max checks in two challenges later, on the heels of a date with another ‘too hot to handle’ contestant.

They don’t talk.

Max doesn’t approach him, doesn’t even look at him as his date introduces him to the rest of the house. Daniel wouldn’t even know where to start, so he doesn’t. Their season is still new enough that a lot of the people haven’t watched it, don’t know how big of a deal it is that Max isn’t glued to his side.

Gabby kisses his cheek, says, “I’m going to bed, don’t be too late, okay?” and Daniel nods, smiles and takes another sip of his beer, “I’ll be right up, yeah?”

Max isn’t around, but Daniel cannot imagine he’s matched with anyone here, and maybe that’s for the best too. He’ll be sent home, and maybe – maybe then when they’re both back in London, they can talk.

He’s halfway up the stairs when there’s a shout from one of the rooms, the one he’s been living in with Gabby, so he speeds up, takes the stairs two steps of the time until he’s out of breath and leaning against the door frame.

Max is staring at him from the corner of the room, and he looks fucking pissed. Pissed that he had to come all the way over here to get Daniel home, pissed that Daniel agreed to yet another dating show to find his fucking ‘perfect match’ when Max is right here waiting for him.

Daniel doesn’t know what to say. Max still hasn’t said a word to him, staring at him like he’s livid, but a producer is hovering awkwardly around in case it gets violet.

The producer is about to pull Max away when Daniel turns to Gabby and tells her that he chooses Max.

Everyone but Max is stunned. The poor woman, who just wanted to go to sleep, reaches for his hand, tells him softly: “That’s not how this works, Dan. It’s the girls choosing tonight. This is my room, you know this.” Gabby actually genuinely likes him, knows if she doesn’t choose him tonight, they will have to send him home.

But Daniel can’t not choose Max, so he lets himself be pulled from the room, Max’s hand firm on his wrist as they make it down the stairs. The producer doesn’t know what to do with them either, so they point them in the direction of the couch and tell them they’ll figure it out in the morning.

They aren’t sent home.

Max is still pissed, but he is of course Daniel’s perfect match, knows him better than most of these people even know themselves, so they crush all the compatibility challenges. (“This is of course Daniel’s tweet.” “’Tripping balls.’ Always Daniel will say this.” “These emojis are Daniel’s also.”)

They still don’t talk. Daniel is getting increasingly skittish because he doesn’t know where they stand, or how to act around Max.

Then they lose a challenge.

The host tells them they’re playing a version of Seven Minutes in Heaven, that they all have to kiss each other and rate each other’s kisses and the couple with the highest aggregated score will win. Daniel is too distracted to kiss anyone, barely shakes through it when it’s finally his and Max’s turn – their eyes are covered, but Daniel would know him blind, by the way he tastes and the shape of his lips – the worst kiss they’ve ever shared, and it’s still better than any of the other people Daniel’s kissed. Max’s score was equally terrible, reflected only by the fact that he had to be judged by straight guys.

With Maxiel’s streak of winning everything they touch, the couple sees it as their opportunity to split them up, so they send Max off on a date with someone new.

And Daniel’s not. He isn’t worried. Max has made it clear that he is Daniel’s match. He doesn’t watch reality television, and this human centipede of washed-up influencers won’t affect him. Except when Max gets back, it isn’t some ‘Ultimatum’ reject or a celebrity realtor on his arm.

As seen on some Monaco-based dating show, but intimately more known by the two for his presence on ‘Drive to Survive’ because of his brother, Charles looks absolutely enamoured with Max as they walk through the house together.

Max, who’s been starved for any conversation that wasn’t about who could name-drop the biggest celebrity, glues himself to Charles’ side and doesn’t let go.

He still comes back to Daniel’s bed at night, and suddenly Daniel cannot wait any longer. “What are you even doing, Maxy?” He asks, head held in frustrated hands. “Why are you here? Why are you – what are you doing flirting with Charles Leclerc? This has to be the pettiest – “

“This is of course what you want, no?” Max says, too calm for the fucking mood in the room. “Always you want to win, and this I can do.”

“Max, what?” Daniel says, “I don’t just want to win. That’s not –“

“Because if you’re here to find your perfect match, but did not tell me, there is of course no reason I’m here also.”

Daniel is not about to have an emotional breakdown on television (his mum and sister watch everything he does, and they don’t need to see him cry), so he drags Max to a dead spot one of the other matches had found looking for hook-up spots.

Max is still pissed but he listens to Daniel explain how he’d felt back then, lost in their relationship and envious of the offers Max had gotten, how: “I’m getting old, Maxy.”

“You’re not old,” Max says, quick and indignant, natural in his defence of Daniel.

“I am, Maxy.” He says, laughs in a way that’s supposed to be fun and cute, but must drip of self-deprecation. “I’m the oldest one here, and soon they won’t want me anymore. Then what am I supposed to do?”

Max has given little thought to Daniel’s crippling fear of getting older because he of course wants Daniel always, will always think he is handsome. He also doesn’t understand Daniel’s obsession with being famous – an influencer, as the fucking Netflix producer had called him when he contacted him to say Daniel was coming on the show, and would he like to come too? –  but he knows Daniel loves what he does, and feeling like he’s failing at that must be terrible.

“Always you should tell me this,” Max says softly, reaches for him until Daniel falls into him. “If it was this important to you, then of course I will support you.”

Daniel breathes out, lets the last of his tension bleed from his body. “I know, Maxy. I was just, I don’t know. Maybe I was embarrassed? You had all this going for you, and I was just at home playing with the cats.”

“Never you should feel like this, Daniel.” Max says and hugs him tighter. “I am so proud of you, and if this is what you want, then you should have it always.”

“While I was in LA, after I did ‘the circle’, someone told me they might have a job for me. Like a pilot season or some shit,” Daniel tells him softly, rests his head on Max’s chest to listen to his heart beating. “It would be out in Austin, but like, it should only be a month, maybe two. But I thought like, maybe if it made sense with Red Bull, you could come with me?”

“Of course, Daniel.” Max is quick to say. “This long-distance thing, I think, is not for us. Always I want to be with you.”

“Yeah, me too,” Daniel says and kisses Max, long and deep just like that first time. “Love you, Maxy.”

“I love you too, Daniel.” Max says, kisses him again before he stands up. “Now, let’s go so we can win this show also.”

[in-a-bucket]

Whit character analysis because this dude makes my brain go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Uh spoilers for all of drdt i guess? Idk better safe then sorry

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Ok, so it probably wouldn’t take much scrolling through my tumblr blog to figure out who my favorite despair time character is, can you blame me tho? I’ve always had a lot of thoughts about Whit floating around in my brain ever since I’ve gotten into drdt, but the amount of thoughts has exponentially increased since ch 2 part 1 finished a few days ago. I think we can all agree there’s something odd about Whit, The first time I really noticed it was right after Min’s execution. It was super gresome, probably one of the hardest to watch I’ve ever seen both in canon dr and fangans. This execution had Veronika of all people shook to their core, but Whit...

Uh, you are aware she literally got torn apart by wolves, right Whit? Hu even kinda calls him out on his comment immediately after this. Most people when they see a person die in front of them, they usually react with horror, fear, anger, sadness, you get the gist, but here Whit seems, mildly annoyed? I don’t really think that’s the best way to describe his reaction but either way, it’s too underwhelming for watching someone die right in front of you, especially in such a horrible way as Min’s execution was.

Ok then, does this mean Whit is some unfeeling asshole or something, well no, because earlier in this same trial he says this,

I mean this whole entire section shows that Whit isn’t some heartless monster, if he was just doing this for the sake of making sure they didn’t vote for the wrong person he didn’t have to add in stuff like this.

Ok so what’s his deal then, well remember how I said although chapter one got the brainworms started, but chapter 2 increased them exponentially. Well in chapter 2 it starts to become a lot more prevalent how odd Whit acts when it comes to death and the killing game as a whole.

He does this...

Making a joke about Min’s horrific death, having that kind of reaction to seeing Arei’s dead body, it’s not normal, at all if we take into consideration everything we’ve discussed so far, it just doesn’t make sense, especially cause he has moments like this,

Like the way I see this, he just seems to be really understanding of other people, and their feelings and circumstances, so it just seems super odd that he doesn’t really take death or the killing game itself for the matter all that seriously.

So basically, Whit’s a walking contradiction, why exactly is he like this? Well I believe it has to do with his secret.

His secret is worded exactly like this: “Your mother is dead, you always omit that truth”

I always found the way his secret was worded to be interesting, it’s extremely vague. Arturo’s secret also involves a dead family member, but that one specifies that the cause of death was suicide and that Arturo himself was involved somehow, now it’s highly likely this was worded in a way to make Arturo look as bad as possible, so what does this have to do with Whit’s secret? Well it’s a bit odd, his secret doesn’t make any mention of how or when his mom died, and the only way Whit is brought up is that he hides that truth, but it doesn’t imply that he was responsible in any way. It’s interesting that some secrets are more vague than others.

There’s also some other stuff you could analyze from it. Take the first part of Charles’s secret, “your older brother died” vs. “your mother is dead”, when you look at those two statements, don’t they mean the same thing? Why word them differently if they basically mean they same thing. Well Charles’s is worded in the past tense whereas Whit’s is worded in the present tense, why is that? Although this is more my personal opinion, Whit’s feels more like and intense statement, a fact that can not be ignored, this is what’s real here and now, which ties in to the latter part of Whit’s secret. He omits the truth, he denies it, but he can’t run away from it now that’s there written on paper, there for everyone to see.

So what does this all have to do with Whit’s contradictory behavior. Well I think it’s highly likely that Whit witnessed his mom’s death, whether it was an accident, a suicide, a murder or something else, he saw it all and, to put it bluntly, it broke him. He simply couldn’t handle the idea that his mom, someone he clearly loved a lot and cared about, as evidenced by what he said in chapter 1 with Teruko and Charles, was suddenly not there anymore. This was probably the absolute worse case scenario in Whit’s mind, and what do you do with a bad situation, you make it better of course! And that’s exactly what Whit did, even though his mom was dead he convinced himself that everything was completely fine in order to cope. If he remembers all of the good things about her, then she’s basically still here, and that means everything is fine, right? 

Now I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and guess that Whit’s mom probably died around time Whit was in middle school (so like 13 or 14 yrs old), I don’t really think she died when he was like elementary school age, and based on the way Whit acts in the prologue it wasn’t like super recent either. Considering he is able to identify his own secret during the ch 2 trial, his mom didn’t die with in the years that got erased from the students. Now middle school up till freshman year of college is plenty of time to develop a terrible coping mechanism, especially because it seems to be implied that was a pretty lonely guy, his dad worked overseas a lot and according to his character page, he doesn’t have any luck with love either, it’s possible he did have friends growing up but maybe his relationship with them fell apart after his mom died. Either way, it’s inevitable something like that would fester without a good support system.

Now several years later, Whit is thrust into this killing game and he is faced with people dying in front of him again, so he does what he knows best, pretends that everything is completely fine and that they’re all gonna get out of this somehow. so he tries to focus on the positives and tries to make a generally more positive atmosphere by cracking jokes every chance he gets, since dealing with the positives is way easier than dealing with the negatives. Thus stuff like this happens,

No it’s not alright Whit there is a dead body in front of you.

His hidden quote fits with this idea too, “We tend to idolize the dead”. It’s an accurate statement in real life, when people die we try to remember the good things about them from when they were alive. This is what Whit does, just to an unhealthy extreme.

There’s even this line from the FTEs which technically aren’t canon, but it still gives you a pretty good idea of Whit’s thinking process

Ya know shove all of your negative emotions down and away and only focus on the positive ones, this will totally not backfire in any way.

It also makes sense why he has the talent he has, to enjoy making other people happy with fulfilling relationships as a way to distract himself from his own pain.

So, where exactly does Whit go from here as a character? Well first of all I’m like 99% sure he’ll survive chapter 2, there’s evidence that shows he’s unlikely to be the killer and from a writing standpoint, if Whit were to be killed off now, then the only purposes he would’ve served in the story was comic relief and to give Charles some character development, so basically it’d be a waste to kill him off in chapter 2. I will say this though, if both Charles and Whit are still alive by chapter 6 that is a huge red flag and that probably means Whit’s the MM, I think the most likely out come is one or the other dies. I used to be super confident on Charles living and Whit dying but honestly, Charles is developing faster than I thought he would, so it could go either way. But I get the feeling the the peak of their arc will happen in chapter 4 (maybe 3, but I feel more confident about 4).

Under the assumption I made previously, chapter 3 happens as normal (whatever that is lol), but once ch 3 ends and ch 4 starts a certain someone has noticed that Whit is the only person who has yet to crack in any way, shape or form. So motive or no, Veronika starts to craft a plan, in order to make this killing game as fun as possible and to finally break her stubborn classmate. I could see this going one of two ways. Either Veronika kills Charles and pins the crime on Whit or she creates an elaborate trap for Whit to accidentally set off killing her or one of the other students. Personally I prefer option (and not just because Whit get’s to live), but because it allows for his character development to be explored in later chapters. Basically once the body is discovered, you can tell Whit is barely holding it together and then like midway through the trial he finally starts to crack. Then in like the aftermath of the trial it asl comes crashing down for him, everything that he forced himself to believe to make life easier he can no longer believe and its just ajkldlkjdljdalkfhlkfahafkkdhfsklfslkhfsakhj.

Anyway I’m probably gonna post this, go to bed, and wake up tomorrow and realize there’s more I want to add but that’s life I guess. I’ll probably end up making more whit posts anyways once the people I talk to discord start get my brain going.

This probably sucks but idc I have so much Whit brainrot you people have no idea.

[junietuesday]

NOT EXPECTING THAT BUT SURE ILL REQ A ZELDA FIC

Can a req fic where link does something stupid(cause it’s link) getting himself hurt and the rest of the champions + Zelda just worrying about him

Im a huge sucker for there dynamic and who better to bring them together than the danger king himself, link

vote glenn close and receive a drabble!!

Link still hasn’t woken up.

Daruk doesn’t know what to do. Mipha had to be dragged out of the room, after an entire day spent pouring her Grace into him without rest. Zelda’s been alternately pacing furiously in front of Link’s door and devouring every medical book in the library, as if her knowing more about his injuries will magically make them disappear. Revali hasn’t even shown his face—instead, once he’d watched them safely transport Link into this healing pool in Zora’s Domain, he fled to who-knows-where. Urbosa has been trying to comfort the kids alongside Daruk, but he can tell how frightened she is that Link won’t pull through.

(Link will be fine. Daruk has to believe it.)

It’s evening, now, after another long day of the Zora healers trying any and every possible remedy. Link’s body seems like it should be fine. The bloody wounds from Calamity Ganon’s Sheikah-tech blades are gone. The burns from Guardian lasers were erased by Mipha’s magic. Even that horrible slash across Link’s chest from Dark Beast Ganon’s horn has sealed over. But Link still isn’t waking up.

“I just don’t understand why my Grace won’t save him,” Mipha tells Daruk helplessly. He insisted they go outside for some fresh air, but from their crystal table overlooking her statue, she keeps glancing back inside toward the infirmary anyway. “When…when I was dead, or in stasis or—anyway, I could bring him back from the brink of death.”

“And it knocked you out for hours,” Daruk reminds her. “Plus, you didn’t have to take care of your own physical body while you were at it. It’s not… You can’t…” Daruk wishes he were more eloquent. Urbosa always seems to know exactly what to say. “Link wouldn’t want you to tear yourself to pieces for his sake.”

“I know…” Mipha murmurs.

A click of heels against luminous stone, just slightly sharper than the sound of Zora claws. Daruk recognizes those footsteps; he turns—

Not just a pair of heels. Talons, too. Urbosa walks up to them with Revali in tow.

“Found him,” Urbosa says. She sits down at the table. “Honestly, Revali, you didn’t have to choose a hiding spot up so many flights of stairs.”

Daruk can tell she’s playing up her exhaustion for humor—but her real exhaustion isn’t from the stairs. Revali must be able to tell too, by the way his eyes dart guiltily over her face. But all he retorts is, “I wasn’t hiding.”

He crosses his wings. Doesn’t sit down. Daruk and Urbosa glance sideways at each other. Mipha rests her chin in her hand, staring listlessly down at the table.

“He’s so stupid,” Revali says suddenly. “He didn’t have to just…”

He cuts off again just as abruptly. He drops down onto the seat next to Daruk, shoulders hunched. Normally, between the six—or, right now, only four—of them, they could keep a conversation going for hours. Now the quiet stretches on, unbearable. For a little guy who never talked, Daruk thinks humorlessly, in his absence Link seems to have infected them all with his same silence.

But that’s not even true anymore. One hundred years ago, after Link pulled the sword, he’d gone from a happy, playful, silly little kid to a stoic, silent statue. Daruk’s best efforts weren’t enough to crack that stony mask. It took death and resurrection for Link to finally escape that pressure, to find joy and humor again, and Daruk will be damned if Link loses his second chance. If they all lose their second chance to—

Daruk is startled from his darkening thoughts by a shout from the direction of the library. Then Zelda is rushing outside, waving a book in her hand.  

“Everyone!” she yells, skidding up to their table. “I found it! It’s like some kind of Malice infection! I’d never imagined my light powers would matter when its purpose is to destroy, but apparently if I’m very very careful I can—oh, the point is I can fix this!”

Daruk stands, and crushes her in an embrace. Mipha joins in an instant, and then Urbosa, and after only a slight hesitation, even Revali. Right now, there’s one person missing—but finally, Daruk is certain they’ll be able to make it up to Link soon.

[sunshine-overload]

[BSTS] Rindou Christmas 2019 4* Card Story

note: this show was based on ‘A Christmas Carol’, the members of this event were decided by a popularity vote

chapter 1 -starless break room-

rindou: …….

saki: (Looks like Rindou-san is reading something, a letter maybe?)

-rindou notices saki-

rindou: Oh, Saki-san, sorry for not noticing you right away.

saki: Oh no it’s fine, I’m not bothering you am I?

rindou: Not at all, I’m on break right now, what made you think that?

saki: It’s just you were reading with such a serious expression on your face…

rindou: Ah, so that’s what it was. This is a summary of all the guest’s opinions. I had Unei-kun put it together for me.

saki: The guest’s opinions…?

rindou: Concerning the Christmas show, I especially wanted to read opinions on the opening shows. Since then I can use them as reference for the remaining performances.

saki: (He’s so eager and diligent.)

rindou: I am already well aware of where I lack experience, so I’d like to work on my image first… Because a lot of the feedback has been that ‘Compared to the greedy Scrooge of the original work, my Scrooge is different’. If my image is getting in the way of the guest’s being able to fully immerse themselves in the show, then I must reconsider my acting.

The character that I’m playing, Scrooge, lives a life in which he believes in nothing but money, rejecting all of those around him. To the point that when he is informed of his friend’s death, he doesn’t even attend his funeral… Rather, he’s the kind of person that would shoo away the friend’s brother who had come to inform him about it.

The only thing Scrooge cares about is his fortune… That’s why there is significance to him travelling within the dreams. If my ‘Rindou’ image is getting in the way of the role then, it can’t be good for the show.

saki: Rindou-san…

rindou: Also I’m… not that perfect of a person to begin with.

saki: …Rindou-san?

rindou: *shock* Ah, nevermind. While talking with you it appears my break is just about up.

saki: Do you have rehearsals now?

rindou: Yes. If I don’t show up on time Mokuren and Menou will start arguing. Thank you for listening to me.

-rindou leaves-

saki: (He’s not that perfect of a person? I wonder what he meant by that…)

-

chapter 2 -restaurant area-

saki: Ah, Rindou-san.

rindou: You’ve come to see the show, have you? Please enjoy yourself.

saki: You too, please do your best.

rindou: Thank you. I’m going to be changing up my acting a bit today, so I’d like to ask your thoughts on it later. I have done some updating to my version of ‘Scrooge’. I want to live up to the expectations of the guests, since they chose me as the centre of this performance. Plus, I’d like to make up for the fact you had to listen to my whining.

saki: You’re always giving it your all, Rindou-san.

rindou: Hearing you say that gives me courage. If you’d be so kind, could we do a toast with these wine glasses?

saki: Of course.

-screen shakes-

saki: Ah!

rindou: Are you alright? Your wine spilt a little. Ah that’s good, it doesn’t seem to have gotten on your clothes.

saki: What about you?

rindou: I’m fine, a little bit got on my finger that’s all.

saki: But your gloves… I’ll go and ask Unei-san for advice!

rindou: Please wait.

-he steps close-

rindou: Don’t go. For just a little longer, stay here with me.

saki: Rindou-san…?

rindou: It’s fine. Isn’t wine and blood said to be one and the same?

saki: Rindou-san…!?

rindou: In that case, wouldn’t this wine that you spilt be akin to your blood? I’m able to understand Scrooge’s feelings right away.

-cg

rindou: I too, have desires. However, I should probably keep what this greed of mine is to myself…

—end

*I thiiink he’s comparing wine to blood cause of how wine is used to represent Jesus’ blood during eucharist, that or his yan side jumped out

requested by @scarletbluedarkpegasus !

[flowersarefreetherapy]

You Are My Sunshine: drabble

CW: Flirting, innuendos, really just pure, tooth-rotting fluff!

“The twenties were awesome.”

Robin puts down their fork, staring at Thad for several very long seconds. Until now, their dinner has been boring, just discussing their days and what the kids have been up to. The Dempseys made it to dinner, and their phone rests next to their plate so they can continue texting their sister. 

“The twenties?” Ezra asks. “Like the nineteen twenties?”

“Yeah! The clothes, the food, the parties, all of it!”

“Thad,” Robin says very slowly. “Us? In the twenties?”

Thad nods. “I think we’d do splendidly.”

Robin slowly looks around the table, at the each of the Dempseys and then back at their husband. Their Japanese-American husband. Married to a non-binary lawyer. And their kids. Who wouldn’t be allowed to sit in the same restaurant together, let alone hold hands when they walk down the street. 

“Thad. The twenties were not a good time.”

“I, I, I like them,” Star shrugs. “I like the, the fashion.”

“Yes, see, the fashion!” Thad watches them, a large smile on his face. 

Robin sighs. Their phone buzzes with a new text. “The fashion may have been good, but the laws were anything but that. And I wouldn’t have been able to practice.”

Thad’s smile falls. He mutters something about how Robin is right and is always right and he just thought it would be fun. They feel a pinch of guilt, but it fades when Ezra says, “I don’t know, I think the twenties would be fun too.”

Robin groans, running a hand down their face. “The twenties would not have been fun.”

“I could sell newspapers, make some coins, chill on rooftops all day.”

“Newsies isn’t real,” Daniel mutters. “Ow! Robin, Ezra kicked me!”

“Stop kicking each other,” Robin sighs. “And you’re wrong. Sort of. Newsies is based on actual events, so yes, you could have joined a strike during that time.”

“I, I want to join a, a strike.”

“No one is joining strikes. Please. If we lived back then, I wouldn’t want to bail you out of jail.”

“I really just want to see you in a flapper dress,” Thad mutters. 

Robin freezes, staring at him. They struggle to breathe for several seconds, their mind going blank with the suggested idea. Because that would mean Thad would be wearing suspenders and a fancy jacket—

Absolutely no need to go down that rabbit trail while you’re eating. 

Daniel pretends to gag. “Ew!”

“Thad,” Ezra groans. “Why would you say that in front of us?”

“I, I, I wouldn’t mind seeing Daniel in, in one,” Star says. 

Ezra instantly perks up. “Oh, now that is an idea. I think he would look good on a sparkly one, preferably with those thin straps and a very short—“

“Okay, thank you, that’s enough, please,” Robin interrupts. “I vote we move the topic elsewhere.”

“Why?” Ezra asks. “We’re just discussing fashion with Daniel.”

“Ezra.”

“Besides, it’s not like we started it.” Ezra turns to Thad with a far-too innocent grin on his face. “What style are you picturing for Robin?”

A rich blush creeps up Thad’s neck. Robin stares him down, daring him to say something he’ll regret. He coughs and shifts his weight. Star softly chuckles. 

“I, I don’t think he, he wants to, um, answer that.”

“I’d rather not,” Thad whispers. 

“Probably all for the best,” Ezra agrees. “It would be even skimpier than we were describing, I’m sure.”

Thad chokes on his drink. Robin very purposefully picks up their phone and responds to Maria. She’s asking how the night is going, and they’re tempted to beg for rescue. Instead, they tell her everything is fine and that Thad is causing chaos. 

“I don’t know.” Daniel leans back in his seat. “Ezra in a newsboy cap and long coat?”

“Please save the rest of this conversation for when you are home,” Robin says. “I really don’t want to know.”

“Not even if, if, if Thad was wearing, um, wearing one too?”

Star’s smile is far too innocent. Robin buries their face in their hands and mutters several choice words in Spanish. Ezra laughs and says he’ll wear those clothes if Daniel agrees to wearing a dress. Robin dares to glance at their husband, expecting him to stop the conversation. Instead, Thad winks at them. As if their children aren’t at the table. 

They don’t care and you know this. 

“Okay,” Robin says. “Are we ready for dessert?”

“I’m good,” Ezra says. They register his grin far too late as he takes Daniel’s hand. “Star and I have our dessert right here.”

“Ezra!”

“Well, we should be going. Thank you guys so much for dinner.”

Daniel laughs and pulls Ezra back into his seat. “We’re staying.“

“Aren’t you awfully bossy all of a sudden.”

Star coughs and they both look at him. He raises an eyebrow and Robin swallows back a laugh at how quiet the two become. They glance at Thad, who could win the Olympics of no eye contact at this point. He isn’t going to help them put out this fire. Instead, they go and get the cookies they baked that afternoon. Maria’s recipe and she’ll be thrilled to know they actually baked them this time. 

“Here you go.” They set the cookies in front of Thad. “Do you want dessert?”

Thad smirks. “I think I want to eat something else instead.” 

Of course you were going to say that. Robin leans close and whispers, “If I were you, I would take the cookies. What if I am the one eating tonight?”

Thad’s face returns to its lovely shade of red. Robin offers the cookies to the others, who have thankfully finished their bickering. They manage to get through the rest of dessert without having to wrangle their husband or their children, but still can’t get the mental picture of Thad wearing a suit out of their mind. 

I guess it’s time to go shopping then. 

Tagging: @pigeonwhumps @blood-is-compulsory (please let me know if you want to be added/removed!)

[anxiously-kk]

ok so i’m about to be reflective and rambly about some of my thoughts on the season so im putting it under a read more incase you want to skip because it is soooo long omg

ok so a lot of criticism on this season has been about The Flip™️ and how it ruined both corys game and the season. but i don’t think it’s that simple. to me there are many moments and choices that get made that helped build into the situation we are in now. flipping the vote on reilly week two which gave matt a huge chip on his shoulder and a wild vendetta against those who wronged her leading him to base so many moves on what she would want. was it good for cirie and izzy at the time i think it was but it did have long term consequences. you could also say that hisam telling his alliance they had to get matt out next but them flipping on hisam instead plus cirie green lighting matt saving jag(this isn’t all on her but she said she regrets not trying to stop him harder so i added it) lead to them forming a super tight bond that has helped them run the back half of the game. you could say leaving cameron (and bowie to an extent) out of the red blindside turning cams focus onto the ladies was unnecessary and it would have been better to include them. maybe that was the smarter play cause cam would have tried to stop it or maybe it made an unnecessary enemy. Maybe if meme hadn’t also been left out of that blindside till the last second cory wouldn’t have been able to get her to go along with the flip.

now in regards to the flip in question by this point that early core group had flipped (and blindsided) their alliance members more than once and cirie told matt she played path to power but not cory which eventually got back to him gave cory a reasonable opinion that they didn’t trust him and could cut him easily just like hisam and red. when you add that info to the fact that jared was acting like a total fool and on some extreme anti-cory shit that week plus izzy saying point blank america needs to go asap i wouldnt have felt secure with them either. now let’s be honest should have flipped that vote at that time even with all that info most likely not in my opinion because izzy at least liked him and was working with him while felicia could never let go of the belief that he was untrustworthy and that hurt him down the road. but would that have got him much further in the game? and would it have stopped the matt nag show? that’s hard to say because you can’t change one variable and assume every other event stays the same you know? like if izzy stayed but cory grew closer to america would they have gotten sketched and cut him earlier, or if he decided to ditch america would she have felt like she couldn’t trust cory and tried to turn people against him, if the blow up didn’t happen that week jared probably wouldn’t have been evicted that same night, so who would have gone in his place and how would that impact the game, if two people who were evicted didn’t have a whole week to chill in the house and put the game on pause would it not have given jatt time to set themselves up as the power structure or would cory have been able to keep momentum going and put together a solid group? instead? so i do think they should have taken out felicia that week probably but i don’t think doing so guarantees better results. i think its physics that’s like every action has an equal and opposite reaction and that’s true here too. this is a living game where people react to what is happening around them. every choice someone makes builds on each other any of those moments that i mentioned could have the right move or they could have backfired but they don’t exist in a vacuum you can’t isolate them from each other because one scenario only exists because of a choice someone else made

[real-total-drama-takes]

🦐🎩 is back y’all and I’ve got opinions 😋😋

1: Owen gets hated on way too much “all he does is eat and fart” that’s all people THINK he does. In reality his character just hadn’t been fleshed out more and everytime they were going to actually do something with him they backtracked because he wasn’t important enough. Tbh in RR when him and Noah were teammates we got to see more of Owen being himself. He’s a simple man who genuinely cares about others and I don’t think his character is supposed to be as complex as others. Cause at the end of the day he’s a good guy who just wants the people he likes to be happy. Is that really such a crime??

Sorry I just ranted about Owen omg

2: nobody talks about how all stars ruined so many characters. For example, Lindsay used to be as smart as like a kid who didn’t know what big words meant. She had a bad memory and often wasn’t as in tune as everyone else. In her own world yk? In all stars SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PUSH A CARTT. She built a bikkkkeee in season 1. And I do like the theory of “oh she just wanted to be voted out first she was tired of being on the show” but I don’t like that as an excuse. That isn’t a valid excuse for the shitty writing (also using the context the show gave us we can assume she genuinely wanted to come back and that everyone in all stars came back by their own choice so her wanting to be voted out wouldn’t make sense anyways) and it’s not just her everyone is even more stereotypical than they already were in season 1. We’re stereotyping characters who are already stereotypes. HOW DID WE GET HERE??

3: ok last one promise. My god this fandom is so annoying sometimes. I see literally any post about a character and people in the comments talk about a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CHARACTER which wasn’t even in the damn video. I saw a clip that was supposed to be a Noah and Owen thing and there was literally a comment talking about Cody. What. (THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY BTW) like why are you going on edits of like Gwen and then saying “Courtney’s better!” Like ok sure I like Courtney but this isn’t about Courtney show other characters some love!!

Ok that’s it I just like ranting about my favourite interests so ty for making this page :3 I love seeing your guy’s takes aswell!!

-🦐🎩

.

[thenationaltreasuregazette]

To the editor,

@emmi-kat said it first, but i humbly submit a second vote for a post-Book of Secrets injuries post? The post-Cibola angst possibilities are unmatched.

As always, love your work!

Injuries in Book of Secrets

By popular demand, injuries in National Treasure: Book of Secrets!

@emmi-kat @arsenicalbronze Thank you for the request and your patience!

I’ll be honest, I’ve been avoiding some of the BoS questions you lovely folks have sent because it’s just…not my favorite. Certainly not in the way that the first National Treasure is.

Like it’s fine. I almost always watch BoS after I watch National Treasure and I have a good time watching it. It’s an okay movie. There are a lot of individual sequences that I like. I like the Buckingham Palace nonsense. I like kidnapping the President. I actually like most of them!

But as a whole, it just doesn’t do it for me. Every time I watch National Treasure I get a little more enchanted by the whole thing. Every time I watch Book of Secrets I get more disillusioned.

Imo, Book of Secrets works as a movie, but it fails as a sequel.

But that is not this! Let’s talk about injuries.

Hypothermia, falling rocks, danger vs peril and more under the cut!

Something that stands out to me about Book of Secrets is that the characters are in danger a lot, but they aren’t really in peril as much as in the first movie.

As I'll be using them here:

Danger - bodily harm is possible, but not inevitable. The threat is one step away. Peril — bodily harm is basically inevitable; the treat is here.

Robbing the Archives is dangerous. Ben could get caught, shot, tased, or arrested at any point.

Rescuing Abigail from the catering truck is perilous. Injury is all but inevitable.

Since everyone is on more-or-less the same trajectory in this film, I’ll go by sequence rather than by character.

ACT 1

Setup: Reveal of the Page

No injuries here except hurt pride and maybe a paper cut.

Likewise with breaking into Abigail’s house and looking at the page under infrared at the Archives.

Danger: 0/5 Peril: 0/5

Debate: Cracking the Cypher

The first whiff of danger, I would argue, is when Abigail meets Mitch for a drink. We know he’s the bad guy, but she doesn’t. She can sense there’s something shady about him, but I don’t think she guesses that he’s willing to use violence to get what he wants, otherwise I don’t think she’d meet him alone. She did experience Ian, after all.

Danger: 2/5 Peril: 0/5

ACT 2

Paris

Ben and Riley do get stopped by the police here, but they’re in danger of a ticket (or, I supposed I should say, they’re in peril of a ticket, because Riley does get one lol). Nobody’s physical safety or ability to complete the treasure hunt is compromised.

But then Patrick is attacked! He receives a nasty blow to the head—hard enough to knock him out in one hit. That’s going to leave a bump, and more than likely a concussion, though he doesn’t seem to be exhibiting the symptoms of such in rest of the movie.

And though we see later in the cave sequence that Patrick is pretty spry for his age, I have to imagine that the resulting fall is also a problem for him. He’s unconscious, so he wouldn’t be bracing against the fall, which can also cause injuries, but he also isn’t in control of how he lands at all.

He could have bruises, scrapes, or potentially even a broken bone, but given that he tells Ben he’s okay, and he seems to be, these injuries appear to be mild.

Danger: 0/5 Peril: 3/5

Buckingham Palace

Things start to get a little bit more interesting for the trio in London.

During the Buckingham Palace sequence, Ben is in danger for the first time in the film.

At first the danger is minor. He’s at risk of making a scene (check!), maybe getting banister burn on his legs, and of getting handled roughly by security.

Since it’s England, I believe they’d only be carrying nightsticks, so Ben isn’t at risk of being shot, but those guys all have military badges on. They can absolutely do some damage if they want to. At this point though, they don’t want or need to cause a scene like that, they just want to get Ben out of the public area.

Once Ben and Abigail escape the containment unit and ride up the dumbwaiter to the Queen’s study, the danger increases considerably. They’re now trespassing in Buckingham Palace, and in the Queen’s private study no less. If they get caught here, they’re going to be in considerably more physical and legal danger.

But that’s if.

Since they don’t, the main injury they’re at risk for is, like, carpet burns. (And if Ben or Abigail has any allergies to flowers, an allergy attack in the dumbwaiter, but since that doesn’t happen, I have to assume they do not.)

Danger: 4/5 Peril: 0/5

Beer Truck Chase

All right, some peril!

When Mitch and Co pursue them for the plank, Team Treasure is in danger and in peril for the first time in the film.

First off, Mitch’s henchman—whose name I know even less than I know the name of Ian’s guys—is shooting at them.

In addition to the obvious risk of actually being shot, because they’re being shot at in a car, there’s glass flying everywhere. It would be safety glass, the kind that breaks into little chunks rather than dangerous shards, but the gang could still receive scratches or abrasions from the pieces. That goes for the initial breaking of the widows and being tossed around with the glass pieces during the car chase.

The car chase itself poses a lot of danger of being hit, captured, or shot, but also of being hurt more minority while in the car.

They could get bruises or whiplash while being thrown back and forth in the car. If anyone is bracing a hand or foot on instinct to stop themselves from sliding around, they could sprain or strain those muscles.

At one point, the back of the car swings rather violently into the side of a double-decker tour bus and the remaining windows shatter. This seems to affect Abigail the most, as she’s the one shown getting flung toward the door.

She’s also sitting in the middle of the back seat, which I understand 100% from a blocking/cinematography standpoint so she’s in between Ben and Riley when they’re shown from the front. But from an in-universe standpoint? Girl. You are in a car chase. Get your ass into a proper seatbelt.

Then there are beer kegs flying everywhere, which makes the driving harder, but doesn’t seem to immediately affect any of our trio in the car.

Lastly, Ben runs a red light, which puts them in danger but ends up working out okay.

I would also be getting car stick by that point, but maybe that’s just me.

Danger: 4/5 Peril: 4/5

I have to say though, I feel bad every time I watch the DVD featurette about how this car chase—which they had to get special permission to shoot in downtown London—was the most ambitious sequence in the franchise.

Because it is also my least favorite sequence in the franchise, hands down.

The effects are nice, but character-wise it’s boring. Nothing character-wise is at stake.

Article idea! Catering truck chase vs beer truck chase. TBD

Emily

Then they try to decode the panel and go to Emily for help. I’m gonna mark this as “some danger” because sure, nobody’s got a gun, but it just feels wrong to mark “bickering divorcees” as a 0.

Danger: 2/5 Peril: 0/5

The Oval Office

The danger here is immense. If they get caught breaking into the Oval Office, Ben and Abigail will at best, be violently detained for an indefinite period of time, and at worst, shot on sight.

But it’s not that kind of movie though, so we don’t even see Secret Service agents nearby. The threat the movie is using to build tension is much more “What if Connor catches us?” than “What is the Secret Service catches/kills us?”

Again, the main injury they actually come away with is probably carpet burns. (And some serious interpersonal awkwardness.)

Danger: 12/5 Peril: 1/5

MIDPOINT — “I’m gonna kidnap him. I’m gonna kidnap the President of the United States”

Mount Vernon

So. We check out Riley’s book, consult with Agent Sadusky, and then it’s off to kidnap the president.

At this point we do see the Secret Service, both in boats patrolling the water, and in and around the party. They are the threat this time. And frankly I think it was smart of the movie to save them for this sequence, rather than use that tension twice in a row.

The threats here are that Patrick could be detained for 48 hours without cause.

Ben could:

Be shot in the water

Be shot on land

Have a scuba accident

Be shot on land some more

Be caught and detained and convicted of conspiring to kidnap the President of the United States

Once Ben is with the President, he isn’t in peril again—only in danger—until he goes through with his plan to shut the door. Now both the danger and the peril are high, because any “detained and questioned” options have been taken off the table.

However, he doesn’t actually seem to sustain any injuries during the kidnap. Maybe a few rock scrapes, wet shoes, or spiderwebs in the hair.

Danger: 15/5 Peril: 3/5

Library of Congress

Here, Ben is in IMMEDIATE DANGER…

…of forgetting those goddamn numbers. Every time I watch this movie, I try to remember them, and every time I fail.

Danger comes charging into the Library of Congress in the form of the FBI, who are much hotter on Ben’s trail then he thought they’d be. (Go Agent Sadusky, you funky little conspiracy theorist.)

Again, a lot of danger, not a lot of peril. That is until we get to the car escape.

First of all, there’s a deleted scene where Ben in standing on the glass roof and it’s cracking under his feet. That is peril, and it's my favorite deleted scene because he calls Agent Sadusky “Pete.” Excuse me are you buddies now? Do you play poker together? Tell me everything.

Ben has to climb down from the roof and jump into a moving vehicle. He’s at risk of scrapes from the metal and brick he’s climbing on, and of landing wrong either on the ground or in the car.

Then when Abigail drives toward the rising security barrier, they all probably receive quite a jolt when the back end of the car flies up. Ben likely takes it worst since he’s unbuckled in the wayback rather than belted into one of the seats.

Danger: 4/5 Peril: 4/5

Bad Guys Close In - Holding Dr. Appleton Hostage

What it says on the tin. Emily and Patrick are both at risk of being shot.

Danger: 5/5 Peril: 0/5

Mount Rushmore

And finally, the Mount Rushmore sequence.

Everyone is at risk of being shot until Mitch leaves behind his guns and henchmen.

ACT 3

Then I hate to say “the usual” but…yeah. The Team Treasure special.

Splinters

Rope burns

Abrasions from climbing over rocks

Falling rocks

Dust inhalation

Almost falling to your death from an ancient wooden contraption.

The usual.

There are also a few additional dangers I’d like to call attention to.

→ Falls

The trio and Mitch take a pretty significant tumble down the ramp that leads to the balance platform. Like, head over heel, ass over teakettle tumble, and then they land hard on the stone-and-wood platform.

They immediately have to scramble up to balance it out, so there isn’t much time for anyone to assess if they’re injured. At this point though, I’d guess the scraps and bruises are pretty significant, if not a concussion, sprained ankle or other more serious injury.

→ Cave-ins

There’s also the risk of cave-ins. In National Treasure, the wooden stair system under Trinity Church may be unstable, but the cavern itself does not seem to be in danger of collapse. A few bits of rock and debris fall when the subway train passes, but overall the stability of the tunnels and chambers does not seem to be an immediate concern.

That is less true here in Book of Secrets. Patrick and Emily especially are in danger of a cave-in since they’re crawling through previously-collapsed passages and moving rocks to get there.

That said, their actual injuries are probably more likes scrapes and bruises. Patrick also could have strained his arms, back, or knees moving the heavier rocks (as Emily directs him to do.)

They also probably again land pretty hard from their swing across the chasm. For Patrick that’s two falls in the last few days, and Emily also gets flung backwards while avoiding the trapdoor. Given their age, they have to have some significant bruising, if not fractures, sprains, or more.

They're the members of the party who are most likely to be feeling the repercussion of this adventure weeks down the road.

→ Water, water everywhere

Obviously, the most pressing obstacle in the second movie finale sequence is water.

In the famous words of my friend while watching the Gerard Butler Phantom of the Opera movie in the eighth grade:

“I would chafe.”

This may be the least of their worries, but still, let's put "significant discomfort" on the list. And if you headcanon any of them to have sensory difficulties, they're probably having an extra bad time.

The water poses plenty of health hazards from the immediate—i.e. drowning—to the slightly less immediate, like hypothermia.

We know thanks to the White House Easter Egg Roll that the film is taking place around Easter weekend. In 2007 that was April 8th.

The average weather for April in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a high in the high 40s (48°) and a low in the low 20s (21°). The actual weather in the first weeks of April in 2007 were significantly cooler than average, with “many parts of the state reporting temperatures 20 to 25 degrees below average.”

The gang is dressed for cool weather (or cold weather with lots of physical activity, depending on how far ahead you think they thought to pack and dress.) Most of them are wearing several layers, including a sweater and medium-weight jacket. Riley is wearing a parka. (Open, but still.)

P.S. I adore the idea that Riley is the constantly-cold one in the group.

Whether or not the air is below freezing, that water is cold.

The wet rocks scene was filmed at Sylvan Lake, whose temperature ranges from the low 30s to high 40s in April.

40° is bad news. Even if the lake was at its April maximum of around 50°, the kids are still at serious risk of hypothermia. At water between 32 and 40°, death can occur in in 30-90 minutes. Between 40 to 50°, in 1-3 hours.

They weren’t in the water that long, but hypothermia symptoms can set in much faster than that.

They’d experience cold shock for the first 3-5 minutes after entering the water. Symptoms include panic, hyperventilation, and increased heart rate.

Between 3-30 minutes after entering the water, they’re at risk of swimming failure. A loss of muscle coordination makes it hard to make forward movement in any water, let alone the aggressive current the team is facing.

And after 30 minutes, true hypothermia sets in, where the body temperature drops dangerously low.

I don’t know if Team Treasure was in the water for long enough for that to happen, but they could absolutely face the effects of stages 1 and 2.

Danger: 6/5 Peril: 14/5

Denouement - The President/Page 47

If the gang’s body temperature only dropped to between 90 and 95°, they’d be given blankets, changed into warm clothes, and given warm (not hot) liquids with sugar to help slowly increase their body temperature.

Not sure if you also have weirdly vivid memories of The Day After Tomorrow, but heating a hypothermic person up too quickly, or heating their extremities before their core can cause cardiac arrest.

If their body temperature was below 95°, they may also be give a warm IV.

Since the trio seem basically okay when they’re taken to see the President—Only Abigail has a blanket?? I guess real men don’t need hypothermia treatment?—I have to assume they only needed minor care.

Emily and Patrick are absent in this scene, primarily for story reasons, but we can also infer that they may have needed more treatment. Their age would have put them at higher risk, particularly if either of them have underlying medical conditions like diabetes or are taking certain medications.

Danger: 1/5 Peril: 3/5

→ Other Finale Injuries

• Abigail gets held at knife point. She seems fine, but could have a small scratch on her neck.

• Ben’s leg(s?) get stuck under the stone door. He seems to be walking okay when they’re taken to the President, but idk man. I’d think he’d have some serious bruising, if not a more significant injury.

• And finally, brain freeze! I don’t know what Ben and Abigail are drinking out of soda cups with straws in South Dakota at night in April after almost freezing to death, but they should definitely stop and switch to hot beverages!

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. Injuries in National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

I still can’t say I love the movie, but I’m always here for some hypothermia hurt/comfort so…

What did I miss? What other injuries does Team Treasure have to look forward to?

[thinkin-bout-milgram]

high key voting haruka guilty

Hullo hullo! It’s Mercury! Haruka’s album dropped and I was finally able to listen to his VD and Android Girl! Many thoughts are occuring.

like a lot of Haruka stuff TW for mentions of suicide

First off,, Android Girl!!!! It sounds so crunchy??? /pos I def think I like it more than the original. I high-key was just listening to the original imagining Haruka’s cover lol.

now for the VD,,,, it’s not looking good

Mini summary if yall haven’t listened to it:

Haruka is more confident when talking to Es, only ocassionally going back to his weaker, nervous tendencies. Haruka first explains how Shidou and Kazui negotiated a ceasefire with Kotoko, for now.

He moves on to state how he has two saviors: one is Es and the other is later revealed to be Muu. He says Es is one of his saviors bc we voted him innocent. He’s taken it to the extreme thinking we have completely forgiven him for killing. Es states how the innocent vote is a temporary verdict and how what he did is still morally wrong. This causes Haruka to start throwing a tantrum, throwing things and screaming that what he did wasn’t wrong. He eventually charges at Es intending to choke them, but ofc the magic barrier prevents him from harming them. It even rebounds onto him so he starts choking a bit?

Haruka calms down a little bit, enough for Es to try to explain how we voted on him. This really only confuses Haruka and makes him start screaming again, saying a good-for-nothing like him could only get noticed by killing (yeesh) and asking if it was good his mom gave up on him (double yeesh).

Then out of no where Haruka says that Es isn’t his mom. Es is like “girl yea I’ve never been your mom.” Haruka then says Muu is his mom bc she pays attention to him and praises him unlike his actual mom (who he now doesn’t view as his mom anymore).

Last and most important bit: Haruka’s ultimatum

Haruka says Muu is scared of Milgram and we have to stop scaring her and vote her innocent or else he’d kill Es. Es then scoffs saying “you literally can’t kill me.” Then Haruka says “Fine, if you don’t vote her innocent, I’ll kill myself. That’s not against the rules right?”

In conclusion, if we want to vote Muu guilty, we’d have to vote Haruka guilty as well, but there really is no winning here.

Haruka innocent & Muu innocent

continuing to affirm their actions and maybe make them more likely to kill again if released back into society

Haruka innocent & Muu guilty

..... bye Haruka

Haruka guilty & Muu innocent

theres honestly a lot of things that could happen with this one. Muu would prob get super pissed, Haruka might get jealous and violent, or Muu might not even care and move on from him (not very likely tho imo)

Haruka guilty & Muu guilty

Haruka can’t do anything... yet but would def break his trust in Milgram, Muu would likely reject the verdict and continue to deny fault

How it’s looking right now is the fandom will want to vote Muu guilty, and the safer way to do that would then be to vote Haruka guilty. Even on the off chance we vote Muu innocent, I really don’t want to run the risk of Haruka committing suicide. He’s definitely not making false claims here, knowing his personality, I don’t doubt that he's serious ab this.

We don’t know how a suicide would impact the rest of the prisoners either, but it def wouldn’t be good. Likely, it would cause a widespread panic amongst the prisoners and overall make everyone more afraid of Milgram. I also have no idea what it would do to Muu either. I really doubt she asked Haruka to do this, it's likely just his way of showing how much she means to him. But he kinda didn't think this through??? How is commiting suicide going to help not scare her????

These are just my thoughts,, feel free to vote however you want lol im not your mom 🤡 (unless secretly im Muu and youre Haruka then ig i am your mom) BUT BY ALL MEANS PLEASE DONT KEEP HIM ON 50/50

genuinely it is a VERY bad idea. Mr. “Please Notice Me and Give Me Affirmation” getting no verdict? I cant see that turning out well for a n y o n e

[courtney-deserved-better]

my fair lady: part eight - a gwourtney choose your own adventure!

(part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six | part seven) (read on ao3)

“…I think Alejandro and Noah should strip him,” Courtney says.

“Uh, no,” Noah immediately responds.

Alejandro looks offended. “Why us?”

“Because you’re both guys. It’s less weird if guys strip a guy.”

“I don’t think that makes it any less weird,” Noah says. “I just think it makes it gayer. You ladies should strip him. For feminism or something.”

“Telling women what to do isn’t very feminist, Noah,” Heather says.

Before Noah can offer any defense, a familiar ding ding! rings out.

Everyone groans, and music starts to play.

“You’re on Team Amazon, so,” Courtney walks over to Alejandro and Noah, “start pulling your weight! Unclothe him and prove yourself a useful teammate!”

“Or maybe we can draw straws to strip his clothes off?” Noah suggests.

“No way, boys, just get to it!” Heather sings.

“I’d much rather scoff.”

Gwen sighs and glances over at Team Chris to see if they’ve had any luck so far.

“No way, I can’t strip him,” Owen sings, “he freaks me out!”

“Yeah, and I only like girls, not guys!” Tyler practically yells.

Cody shoots him a quizzical look. “You don’t have to shout.”

“I made a vow that Cody's the only man for me!” Sierra sings.

“Okay, so then who’s gonna do it? Come on, team! ...Nobody?”

“If we’re gonna find that clue…” Courtney nudges Gwen and Heather, and points to the boys.

Heather glares. “There’s only one thing to do-oo!”

“Force someone to strip him down,” Gwen chimes in.

“And sorry, guys, that’s you!”

“Oh, come on!” Noah says.

Alejandro places a resigned hand on his shoulder. “If we’re gonna find that clue…”

“There’s only one thing to do,” Noah melodically grumbles.

“Suck it up and strip him down!”

“I’ll do it if you do!” they chorus, resolutely marching toward the British guard.

Gwen elbows Courtney. “Nice one.”

“Wait! Here! I’ve got it!” Cody pulls a candy bar out from his pocket. “Chocolate I saved from first class!”

Owen gasps. “Hey Cody! How ‘bout I strip this guy and you can give me that?”

“Yeah we’re gonna find that clue,” Heather sings as Alejandro and Noah strip the guard down.

“‘Cause Courtney knew what to do,” Gwen sings.

Courtney beams at her. “Get the boys to strip him down!”

“‘Cause if we don’t, we’re through!”

“Totally thro-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-ough!” Courtney belts out.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still hate singing, but you have the best voice I’ve ever heard,” Gwen says.

“Thank you!”

A smirk creeps across Heather’s face. “Better than Trent’s?”

“Oh, definitely,” Gwen says, before giving the camera an awkward wave. “Sorry if you’re watching this, Trent.”

“Are you still into guys who like guitar? I’m pretty sure I read that in your diary.”

“You mean read aloud in front of the whole camp? And what do guitars have to do with anything?”

“Oh, nothing,” Heather says, trotting off toward the boys. “Found any clues yet?”

Noah throws a frilly collar at her.

“What was that all about?” Gwen asks, staring after Heather.

“I don’t know,” Courtney says. “That guitar thing was weird.”

“Totally unrelated, but do you play any instruments?”

“Violin.”

“Oh, cool.”

“And the guitar.”

“…Oh.”

“I’ve got a clue,” Alejandro calls, then gags. “And a very smelly shoe—sir, please wash your socks!”

“What does it say?” Courtney says, jogging over. After definitely not taking a moment to process the fact that Courtney plays the guitar and Gwen very much enjoys people who can play guitar, Gwen follows her.

“Full tot atop a southern spire,” Alejandro reads.

Courtney gasps. “Follow me!”

She takes off like a shot, Alejandro and a glowering Noah at her heels.

Heather jogs alongside Gwen. “So.”

“So.”

“Are you still mad about the diary thing?”

“Uh, even if I was, you wouldn’t care.”

“Fair enough.”

“Is this about our,” Gwen lowers her voice to a whisper, “alliance to vote out a certain person who is very hot and Spanish?”

“Ew, don’t call him hot.”

“Objectively, he’s hot. He’s not even my type, but I have to acknowledge it.”

“No, he’s not your type… but someone else is.”

“What are you talking about?”

"Oh, please, you’re not subtle. I know you’re crushing on Courtney."

Heather snickers. “Oh, please, you’re not subtle. I know you’re crushing on Courtney.”

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

So Sweden has a winner!

It was the most predictable winner. And it makes me a bit bummed.

I do like Loreen a lot! In fact, I am very happy we for the second year in a row send a girl to esc instead of a generic boy that we sent for like 7 years in a row. Also, she has a bit of a ”weird girl” vibe, which I appreciate. Though, Cornelia last year was more in my taste. Also Loreen’s song, I am sorry, was not as good as Euphoria.

But what makes me bummed is that she’s already won before. She has already gotten her glory. So for her to win again now is like. Hm, I want the others to have a chance.

But you know, this is not the first or last person who has won mello more than once. I mean, Carola won the whole esc in 1991 and then won mello again 2006. Not to mention a lot of other countries also have done ”previous representants returning”. It’s nothing new in esc and tbh it happens with one country or another every year.

I just wish that we dared to send a little more funky, corny, not so serious song. I thought last year we started to break out of our shells with Cornelia. But we always seem to go with the ”safe choice”. We haven’t always done that though, it really started like… after 2015 really, I think. In 2007, we had this, which was like. Mm ❤️ Why are we so boring now? Not to mention in the 80s, when we had a song that had a bald man without a shirt doing an electric guitar solo, and also won the entire esc with a song about GOLDEN SHOES

And in Mello, we HAVE some corny, funny, ”just here to have fun” songs. But they get no points?? Neither from us Swedes ourselves, and if they do, then the international jury in the finale (aka our mortal enemy) will NOT give them points.

I gotta say, Sverige, du gamla du fria du smällfeta ko, VARFÖR HAR NI SÅ DÅLIG MUSIKSMAK??!! I’m not talking about Loreen, but like, the other good songs in the finale? WHY DID NORDMAN GET SUCH FEW VOTES? I understand the jury didn’t give them much because the jury has the most basic of music taste, but swedes?? THAT SONG IS THE ONE I HAVE BEEN BLASTING THE MOST?? And John Henrik Fjällgren?? ESC WOULD HAVE LOVED JOIK. THEY WOULD HAVE LOVED BALD MEN PLAYING A KEYHARP WITH 3D CROWS. THEY WOULD HAVE LOVED THE HARD ROCK BAND SMASH INTO PIECES.

AND ALL THE SONGS THAT DIDN’T GET TO THE FINALE. EDELWEISS?? SOBER?? HECK I KNOW UJE HAD A SOAR THROAT BUT HAVING GRYTAN IN THE FINALE WOULD HAVE SPICED IT UP SO MUCH - HONESTLY THESE THREE SONGS SPECIFICALLY, IF THEY WERE IN THE FINALE THERE WOULD BE SUCH A CONTRAST. SURE MAYBE THEY WOULDN’T WIN BUT THERE WOULD BE SUCH A VARIETY.

How tf did Marcus and Martinus place so high? Imagine if they would have won. Imagine. The norwegians would be so pissed. The irony.

Also how did Tone get 5 points? What is going on?

But there were highlights of this night

I really loved the hosts this year. Their dynamic ❤️

The fact that Paul Rey got loved by the jury and then got ONE point from the swedish people. I don’t understand how he even got to the finale. Did he rig the show??

The way Farah is ready to kiss any woman she speaks to in green room like fr 🫶 #giveFarahamellogf2023 /j

When Jesper interviewed random people on the street and one person walked away and said ”kiss in the butt” and I LOST IT. WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN-

Friends (the group) performing in Friends Arena

DANNY SAUCEDO (in the most ???? outfit like sweetie didn’t you do a whole middle act about your clothing style in 2013)

Either way. Wish we could have gotten some less predictable winner, cause it wasn’t much excitement I felt. I don’t hate the song tho and Loreen is a very good performer.

It was very fun to liveblog with my fellow swedes tho. I guess mello isn’t about the winner, it’s about the fun we had on the way.

See y’all in May.

[beanieman]

YTTD Fic: The Hope Route

The main game has dragged on for hours. Every second taunts their lives, two of them to soon be gone. They've done this once before, but Shin could endure it when Kai was on the chopping block. But now, his life is on the line. Along with Keiji's, and worst of all, Kanna's.

He can't help but blame Keiji. If not for him, Kanna would still hold the keymaster role. Not that the blonde man cared when he stole it away as a gift to the strong. He ended up as the sage, but Miss Sara is safe, and that's this game's only goal.

Now the time has come to choose where they stand on that thin line of death and life. Despite the looks of unease etched on the faces of those they call allies, it's clear each vote has been decided.

"Kanna will...vote for herself. Sou and Keiji don't deserve to die! Kanna is the least necessary, so please vote for her!" A spark burns behind her eyes. It doesn't falter as she stares down death. Unlike him, she doesn't shake. She only accepts.

But he's not ready to let go. Of his life or hers,

"Don't be stupid, Kanna! Self-sacrifice is worthless! We all saw Keiji on that video! He killed that woman! What more proof do you need that "Mr.Policeman" isn't so dependable? I'm voting for Keiji!"

Even the strong ones come apart when faced with doom. For the first time, the former cop looks rattled. Slowly, he casts his judgment. "Mr. Policeman... wouldn't like to die. Just voted for Kanna."

More Undercut

Shin's heart stops as they throw the young girl under the bus. It's cruel but a truth he knows. The strong will abandon the weak to get ahead. It's a simple fact, but he wished to be wrong. For once, he would do anything to be off base.

His ears can hardly register sound when Q-Taro steps up to vote. They ring in fear for the moment the word "Kanna" comes from him. Yet, it doesn't. "I'm ashamed of you, Keiji! Sou is the only choice here! He traded the sacrifice card to Sara and put Kanna in danger. I'm sorry, but we can't let him get someone hurt!"

With that, there were three. Alice, Gin, and Sara, each hoping their ally will step up first. There is no way to read what their hearts guide them to decide.

Alice steps out next. He meets Shin's eyes, nodding to him as if they were allies. In a way, he's a friend to them all, making him play the wildcard role. "...I can't kill anyone's sibling. Keiji Shinogi, you're my only option."

Two votes for Kanna, two votes for Keiji, one for him. The twinge of hope blooming is stomped out by the fear of what could come next. Nausea rises to his throat, and tears burn in the back of his eyes. Too much depends on Gin, who steps up to vote wearing the same expression as a deer in headlights. "...I don't want Mr.Policeman or the bucket girl to die."

The hesitation calls the angel of death to her place as savior. Miss Sara steps up last. The light's coming from above, making the appearance of a halo shine above. "You don't have to take this burden, Gin. If you vote for Shin, it'll be tied three to three. Your vote won't cause anyone to die. I'll...take responsibility!"

With her words, things click into place, as a does a vote for him. Of course, she wants the say. It's her last chance to make him squirm with the fear of death. Or worse, it's a taunt. After what he did to Joe, of course, she would want to be the one who played Kanna's executioner.

There's a harsh truth he knows. Only his and Kanna's life is at risk. Sara wouldn't give up her strongest ally for two weak people. Shin hates how a tear slips down his face. Once again, it feels as if he were climbing the stairs. A slim sliver of hope was shown to him, only to be taken away. It's him or Kanna. And that leaves only one card left to play.

"Sara, vote for me!! Kanna's just a kid! You hate me deep down, right? You won't get another chance like this! I'll never forgive you if you vote for her! Sara!" Pleading is all he has left. That, and the hope Sara's hatred is enough.

Shin meets Keiji's dark eyes. They hold a calmness with his fate in Sara's hand. He knows how strong he is, how helpful. No one could steal a laptop from him. No one could make him grieve so violently he gave up on living. He never had to fear gaining allies for what they could do.

It's no wonder why he teamed up with Sara so quickly. It was all to save his skin. But who is Shin to judge at this point? Maybe if he had swallowed his pride and believed in the others more... they'd be willing to save him and his sister. Yet, it's too late now.

Shin screws his eyes closed as Sara touches the tablet. He can't bear to face what the results will bring. He hears Q-Taro yell, and Kanna gasps in shock. It doesn't matter how much he wishes the world would go away. It won't in the end.

He pries his eyes open and looks at the screen, and his knees give out from under him.

"Majority Vote For Keiji Shinogi"

The words read in bold letters. They should be a lie...and yet...they stay. Shin's body trembles, and so does Keiji's. It's official. He has no idea what game Miss Sara is playing. It doesn't make sense to give up the strong for the weak. His mind can't wrap around her actions. As it seems, neither can Keiji, who stays silent, staring in disbelief and betrayal.

Keiji has last words. Shin couldn't say what they were as he came down from the high. Did he go into a rage? Repent his sins? Words in between? He's glad not to know. Despite their feud, he can't bear to watch another person die. It seems neither can Sara as she holds onto Gin for dear life.

His entire body feels numb. It's over, and Kanna's still alive. He can still feel the beat of his heart drumming away so aggressively living. He can still feel it as Alice grabs his arm to pull him to his feet. And the sensation of walking as he exits the trial grounds.

Kanna walks in front of him, holding Sara's hand as they walk. For once, he doesn't try to break them apart.

The choice Sara made wasn't by logic. But it wasn't from hatred either. It was a vote from hope that the weak could survive among the strong. Hope is something he can embrace again and a feeling his teenage foe clings to with an iron grasp.

It's hard to admit, but he's thankful. It's all he can think about as he stumbles along, stopping in front of the room of rubble. After the gift of life Sara's given, it seems only fair to give her one back.

[cinderfeather]

Yellowjackets Season 1 Episode 3 LiveReact

Okay, so @pebblish encouraged me to try livereacting to a Yellowjackets episode, so I thought I'd give it a try (hopefully I'm doing it right):

I don’t know you either Rachel, if we saw you before I don’t remember you

Is that grown up Taiessa’s actor playing her granny?

Why doesn’t misty even want to let Nat out of here site even to grab food at the gas station? Ohhh because Natalie can search her car… but I thought that was obvious even to Nat from the last episode that misty sabotaged her car anyway? Okay I supposed she wouldn’t have tried to search the car if she didn’t suspect.

Three days? What have they been eating? Surely they would have used up all their snacks by then?

Oh they have a food stash?

Oh no last pill

Betrayal!! Shauna voted against her friend!

Is that message on the plane gonna wash off?

Hmm, so if Taiessa is a politician (a leader) in the future, is she gonna come to heads with Jackie really strong?

I don’t understand why Shauna is stalking her husband

Oh a pack of wolves might show up?

Ah clever, Taiessa paid the reporter to just check to see if anyone was talking?

Eeee scary whispers heard from the woods!

Okay cool at least they have water now. But isn’t it freezing? Yes, exactly Jackie.

Oooh Shauna is jealous of that random girl talking to Jackie

Oh hahahahaha the other dude who she’s been tempted to cheat on shows up and plays along to help her OTT lie she was trying to pull to see if her husband was cheating

So does car mechanic guy know she’s married? It’s very confusing.

For a moment I was worried Misty was about to kill the coach

Oooh ‘the man with no eyes’, I’ll need to check screenshots more closely once I’m finished to get another look. We also had Travis appearing for a second in the mirror when Nat was snooping, and she was clean too.

Ooh ‘a bad feeling’ what’s gunna happen?

How did Shauna get the hotel room key?

Okay! Why did her nanas eyes go like that when she died? I can’t think of a illness that would cause that to happen on death so quickly? And why the juxtaposition of the broken doll on the ground with the dead cabin owner?

What did the message Nat have say?

So did Taiessa get Travis killed because Nat mentioned she was trying to contact him?

After the show:

Ahh, Shauna and Matt were getting their own hotel room to have their own affair

Okay, the message Nat found in Travis' place was 'Tell Nat she was Right'. So his killer was probably planning to kill him for longer than the time between Nat's phone call to Taiessa and finding him dead?

Hmm, so someone on Reddit pointed out that the empty forest that Taiessa looked out into actually had the man with no eyes standing there in the same shot in the intro. Interesting.