#and was doing pretty good for himself before he got crazy axe murdered at 25 by his husbandfiance (never figured it out) for money

[saltedsolenoid]

kin assign me a together in hell character please i am looking at you blinking rapidly please pleaase please

(elaboration in tags)

[imagine-loki]

Irked

Title: Irked Author: lokilover9 Chapter: #25 Rating: Mature Warnings: Mention of violence and death Initially, Thor’s late night call regarding Iris’s father Freyr, had made Loki happy. Then it unexpectedly resurfaced daunting memories of the evil he was capable of, which hadn’t dissipated by morning. Of course Loki no longer loved Iris, she was deceased. Still, how could he look at Shandi with all these tumultuous thoughts in his head? Added guilt of a deceivingly in depth glimpse into her past through Nat, gives Shandi one into Loki’s, when a second call from Thor flares his temper. The following day after Shandis ‘coco’ shenanigans, the team were all sharing a late lunch when her phone rang. Excitedly, she hushed everyone and answered. “Hello Alice… Good, thanks and you?” Her mouth fell agape amidst listening. “He’s here. Would you like to ask him?”

She handed the phone to Loki and following the usual pleasantries, he too was surprised. “Certainly, I’d be delighted… Very well, see you at noon tomorrow.” Turned out the ladies assemblers for the fair were in a rock climbing accident. With everyone else in town accounted for, they were desperate for aid and Loki was now it. When Tony heard, he was again elated with their progress, then revealed he was about to call them. Phil found an assault charge on Tanya’s juvie record dated when she was twelve. Whilst spending the summer at a camp for gifted kids, her crush on a counselor, earned his counselor girlfriend a broken knee from a baseball bat. Based on a mental assessment administered following the attack, Tony was almost certain she murdered young Candace. “That is pretty brutal, but why?” Asked Shandi. “Your previous assumption was correct, Doll. The psychiatrist concluded Tanya’s a sociopath with a high IQ, narcissistic tendencies and is devoid of empathy. She scored a disconcerting 140.” “Fuck.” Said Nat, grasping this made Tanya more dangerous than they thought. “Is that high?” Asked Loki. “Very, amongst us Midgardians Cactus. Since then, no other record of her being treated for mental illness exists. Anyone curious of who ordered that enlightening assessment?”   The answer instantly struck Shandi. “Oh my God. No one else could have, but Scott. He’s known all along what his daughter’s capable of and never gotten her help.” “Correct again, Doll. A police chief who’s undoubtedly seen murders committed at the hands of others just like her. Ain’t he a peach?” Tony couldn’t resist an opportunity to raz Loki a bit. “And leave it up to Cactus. Days into an important mission and he brings crazy into the mix.” “Apparently so, Tin Man.” “Wow. No sarcastic retort? Maybe you need more coffee.” “Perhaps.” Loki replied. Tony curiously eyed his phone. “Seriously though people, stay on alert out there. I don’t trust this bitch. Pepper has a doctors appointment, so I gotta run.” Once he was gone, Loki suggested Clint and Nat  visit Judy’s bakery while he meets with Alice there. “It’s an opportunity to make them aware we’re friends before the fair. Should the ladies require more than only my help…” Everyone understood. “Perfect. Now please excuse me. As the resident groundskeeper, I’ve a cluttered and dirty shed that requires further tending.” “Need a hand?” Asked Clint. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine.” He abruptly left and Shandi proceeded to load the dishwasher. “Feel free to go for a swim if you like, Clint. Nat will help clean up.” “Well if that isn’t a hint you two want some chick time. What could you possibly talk about so much?” “Hey, don’t be buggin’ my woman.” Said Nat. “She’s trying to be nice, but if you would rather clear the table, scrape bacon grease from a pan, sweep the floor…” Clint stopped her there. “Alright, I’m going.” They stayed silent until he was outside. “Something’s off with Loki, Nat.” “He does seem a little distant, but we all have those days. I wouldn’t fret it.” “Since this morning, he’s avoided me at every turn and has barely made eye contact. Compared to last nights cuddling, that’s more than a little.” Nat sighed. “Honestly. I have never met two people more neurotic over each other.” “I am not neurotic over him.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Then why did you just put dirty dishes in the fridge?” Shandi frowned. “Because, that’s why.” “Okay Beautiful, time to kick you out of the kitchen too.”   “But…” “Stop worrying and go de-stress in the jacuzzi. I’ll finish up here.” Nat worked fast, sent Loki a text, removed her shorts and headed out to Clint. He was baking in the sun when they landed on his chest. “Baby Cakes, I’m horny. Why don’t we go back to our little cottage and fuck?” He looked to see her lowering her panties. “Natasha!” “Hurry or I’ll pack up the truck like this.”      Shandi was boob deep in bubbles when Nat entered her ensuite. “I have never seen tits float better than yours. No wonder you consider them great buoys. We’re outta here, woman.” “Why?” “Thought you might want a chance to pick Loki’s brain.” “What am I supposed to say?” Nat winked on her way out. “You’ll think of something.” Almost two hours passed before Loki noticed Nats text. 'Our secret please Cactus? Whatever might be troubling you, Shandi thinks it’s her. We’ve left so you can change her perspective. ;)’ After killing another large spider that pounced on his person, Loki was grumbling curses when Thor rang him. Meanwhile, Shandi had started for the shed and caught the end of a heated conversation between them. “That’s fucking absurd!” Loki snapped. “Why the hell would I attack innocent Midgardians over it? You have misjudged me yet again brother, but know this. Should anything befal Leah and I were granted an opportunity, Freya will beg for a death so merciful as a slice to her scrawny throat…. Then I am forced to trust mothers word, yes? Yours remains questionable.” Loki hung up, angrily whipped a small axe at a nearby tree, then turned to see Shandi darting back towards the house. 'Fuck.’ “Shandi wait!” She stopped and immediately locked eyes with him. “Why does Thor think you wish to attack innocent Midgardians, Loki?” He calmed himself and continued. “Thor is mistaken. How much of our conversation did you overhear?” “From that onward.” “And I sounded so malicious. Shandi, contrary to popular belief my brother can often be a fool. The only reason I would ever hurt another Midgardian was if absolutely necessary. To protect the good from the bad.” “Protecting us is one thing, but you spoke of torturing someone.” “I know, but Freya is not Midgardian. If you knew the story behind our conversation, you would understand my outburst. Will you give me a chance to explain? Please?” His words seemed to put her at ease and she nodded in agreement. “Then I’ll close up the shed and be right in. Actually, would you mind if I cleaned up first? I smell like the back end of a Bilgesnipe.” Shandi smirked. “Sure, whatever that is.” When done, Loki found her in the library. “See anything of interest?” He asked. “Some. I haven’t inspected the titles until now. Only dusted in here quickly.” Atop a plush beige carpet in the room, two chesterfield chairs sat perpendicular to each other, before a fireplace. Shandi got comfortable in one and when Loki sat stiff in the other, running his palms over his thighs, it dawned on her he might be nervous. “Loki?” “Hm?” “We don’t have to talk about this if you really don’t want to.” He rubbed his brow. “Tell me, Shandi. Have you ever been grateful for the death of an enemy, then had memories of their actions unexpectedly clog your mind?” “For the sake of knowing they couldn’t hurt others anymore, yes. The sudden memories are common if the person profoundly affected you. Especially if they’ve been repressed for some time.” “They did and would nearly two centuries count?” 'What???’ “I’ll say. Have you ever spoken to anyone about them at all?” “Briefly, but not since.”   “It’s no wonder then, Loki. Maybe getting it off your chest again will help.” “You may be right, although that isn’t my main concern. Before I continue, are you aware I’m adopted?” 'Dammit. Of all the times to ask me this.’ Darting her eyes towards an ottoman nearby, she leaned forward, clumsily luring it closer. “Mm hm.” Loki helped and after settling her legs onto it, sat back in his chair. “That was a rather nervous response. Please tell me what you know, Shandi?” There was no way she couldn’t with those emerald orbs boring straight into her. “I assumed you were already aware of the Allfathers advice to Tony.” “Which was?” “To inform all Avengers that you’re actually..a 'Frost Giant?’“   “I see. Do you know exactly what a Frost Giant looks like? With ruby eyes and blue skin?” “Yes. Tony showed me a drawing.” Loki did well to conceal his astonishment. All along, Shandi had known of his true heritage and it hadn’t deterred her interest. “Perhaps that makes sense. A safety precaution, should I alter into my Jotun form. I was aware Tony knew, yet not the others.” “Please don’t reveal I told you?” “I won’t.” “So, you’re from a place called ‘Jotunheim?’” She asked. Loki intently lead any further discussion on this subject, astray. “That’s correct. A dismal, icy realm, where winter reins and the sun never shines. I’m grateful I wasn’t raised there.” “Sounds depressing. I’ve never been a fan of winter either.” “Good thing as it takes you forever to make a snowman.” Shandi smiled. “Very funny. Why were you curious if I knew you were adopted?” “Then you wouldn’t find it odd I once intended to marry a cousin. Here, royal marriages between them is mostly frowned upon. Shandi, what I’m about to reveal is very personal. May I ask that you keep it between us?” “I promise, Loki.” “Good. Understand I don’t wish to gain your sympathy through it either. I want you to know me better. So if you’re privy to my anger, you will comprehend there’s a valid reason behind it and ‘never’ fear me.” The more Shandi realized how much her opinion of Loki mattered to him, the more it warmed her heart in all the right places. “I’m not afraid of you, Loki. Honest. I was just..confused is all.” He restrained an incredible urge to lay her down on that plush carpet and express how much it meant to hear her say that. Instead, he smiled in a way that unknowingly made her heart flutter. “Good to know.” 'Geez woman, stop blushing!’ “I’m still willing to listen to whatever you want to say.” “Then I’ll begin. Vanaheim is a sister realm of Asgard. Until recently, it was ruled by a King named Freyr. Thor informed me of his murder last night and neglected to mention, it’s new queen, his sister Freya, is offering a steep reward for the whereabouts of its previous queen, Leah. Our mother felt I should know, yet Thor nearly took it upon himself to decide I shouldn’t. He stupidly assumed I would lash out at Midgardians from anger over it. That’s why I was so angry with ‘him.’ The reason I’m so angry with Freya, is because she blames Leah for her brothers murder and is seeking revenge.” “But how was Leah responsible?” “She wasn’t. Freyrs favorite mistress was and believe me, the scoundrel had it coming. Leah managed to escape his wrath long ago. Unfortunately, not before it brought upon their daughters death.” “That’s terrible. This king 'Freyr’ must have been a monster.” “He was and their daughter, princess Iris, was the cousin I referenced. The one I intended to marry.” “I’m sorry, Loki.”   “I appreciate that, but no sympathy remember?” He went on to explain that Freyr was Odin’s first cousin. A malicious and greedy King who ruled Vanaheim with an iron fist, showed little regard for his people, nor his family. Odin had been Allfather long before Freyr gained power. Upon doing so, he suggested combining their various powers to gain control over other realms and their resources. Odin refused and their perpetual dislike began, yet Freyr wisely kept Asgard as an Ally. This required occasional visits regarding political matters, when Iris and Leah would accompany him. Over the years, Frigga developed a friendship with Leah. As Iris and Loki became young adults, the pair began visiting more frequently, allowing him to watch her blossom into a beautiful princess. One afternoon while she read in the palace garden, he humbly approached and learned they shared numerous interests. Their relationship quickly flourished, yet from the beginning, Iris had insisted upon keeping it secret. When Loki finally demanded an explanation, she surprisingly expressed bitterness towards her father’s rule and revealed she and Leah, victims of his abusive tendencies. Knowing Frigga would convince Odin to grant them refuge, he suggested telling her everything, but Iris pleaded he didn’t. She not only feared Freyrs retaliation thinking them traitors for humiliating him, but revealing their desire to court and marry, could result in her and Leah’s visits becoming forbidden. To prevent this, Loki agreed and magic helped conceal their relationship for over a year. Then leaders of another realm called Alfheim, secretly contacted Odin. Freyr had tried insisting Vanaheim post a military station near Alfheims capital city, claiming it would aid in defending them against attacks from vital enemies. They refused, believing it a scam to overtake them and feared Freyr might seek other means. Lacking knowledge of it, Odin was outraged suspecting Freyrs true intentions. Shandi couldn’t help, but comment. “By establishing a military station there, he could infiltrate the populace, gain a stronghold over Alfheims military and render them no longer an ally to Asgard.” Loki’s brows rose. “Well, well, darling. Someone would make a wise queen.” “Pfft, me? One who stumbles backwards off counter tops, falls ‘up’ stairs, shoots onions across rooms with butcher knives and runs naked and inebriated into a pool? Not quite the epitome of regal, in my opinion.” He smirked. “You’d be surprised the shenanigans Royals indulge in behind closed doors.” “I’ll bet. Go on.” “Very well. Odin demanded Freyr appear to explain himself and when word escaped of the encounter, Iris became more adamant we keep things secret. Freyr was infuriated Alfheim had snitched and glared at their leaders so threateningly, Odin stood between them. He warned that if Freyr attempted anything similar again, brought harm to Alfheims leaders or people in retaliation, Asgard would discontinue being ‘his’ ally. It was a risk Freyr couldn’t afford with his kingdom frequently on the verge of rebellion. They returned to Vanaheim the following day and I never saw Iris again.” “Why?” “Odin and Alfheims leaders would create legal documents Freyr was to return and sign in one week. Iris wanted to ensure laws against him bullying other realms were firmly enforced and we’d intended to speak with mother that same day. Then he apologetically rescheduled, claiming Leah had fallen ill. Out of respect for her, Odin let it slide. The following week he cancelled again, claiming the same illness had befallen Iris. Another two passed without word and I grew concerned, sensing something amiss. When Odin travelled to Vanaheim and confronted Freyr, he requested forgiveness. Claimed he’d been consumed, arranging Iris’s marriage. She had wed the prior day and was off on her honeymoon. Odin politely accepted his explanation, whilst detecting several oddities. One, how our family hadn’t been informed of, or invited to the wedding. How quickly Freyr signed the documents, that Leah was visiting a sister she’d long despised, but mostly, Freyrs superficial surprise with Odin’s unplanned arrival.” “Spies.” Said Shandi. 'That’s so sad.’ “Exactly. Odin always suspected their presence and centuries prior, had planted his own in Vanaheim. Yet not until then, did he grasp how deeply infiltrated Freyrs were. I’d spent that day on my mother’s tail so consistently, it raised her suspicion. Once I revealed everything, she promised we would address it when Odin returned. By the time he did however, I knew it was too late. Divorce isn’t permitted on Vanaheim once a marriage is consummated.” ‘How backwards could a society be?’ “Are you also familiar with Asgards Gatekeeper and his gifts?” “Yes, another astounding soul.” Said Shandi. “Tony explained him too in case..well…” “In case I escaped and you were all pining to have me flogged?” “What? Loki.” “I’m teasing. It makes sense everyone was educated of Heimdall as well. Upon Odin’s return, Mother immediately requested Heimdall seek Iris’s whereabouts and both were appalled by their discovery. Iris’s 'husband’ was older than her father. Odin deduced Freyr must have sent secret military personnel to intimidate Alfheim, as our spies were unaware of his attempt. Then two months after the wedding, one of Odin’s most highly skilled, gained employment as the second chef in Freyr’s palace. He learned the truth of what happened to Iris, after seducing Leah’s head handmaiden. Days after returning to Vanaheim following the warning, Freyr had introduced Iris and Leah, to his daughter’s new betrothed. Assuming a flee attempt, he’d kept his intentions secret even from Leah. Both women were informed from that day forward, of being forbidden to leave the palace until after the ceremony. Iris would only be permitted for courting purposes, always escorted by guards and was to marry in three months time. When the betrothed left, Iris and Leah pleaded with Freyr to reconsider, but he refused. Iris then panicked, revealed our relationship and Freyr became enraged. He struck her, called her a traitor and whore, for sacrificing her purity to the son of his arch enemy and swore we would never be together. He’d lied about Leah and Iris being ill, while hastening the ceremony. Then two days prior to it, Leah was caught attempting to assist Iris in escaping. Subsequently, they were imprisoned in separate rooms within his chambers. That evening, Leah received a beating so severe, she couldn’t attend the ceremony and lost all permission to leave the palace unescorted, indefinitely. Her father was Iris’s only family member present when she married. An ancient nobleman, with a reputation for violence, blackmail and notorious womanizing. Freyr apparently owed him a political debt and he’d come to collect. Following the honeymoon, Iris was further imprisoned in his home and forbidden any visitors. Especially Leah, who cleverly began feigning approval of Freyr’s decision, with the goal of returning Iris to the palace. She convinced him with Iris’s beauty, charm and intelligence, she could easily bypass the husbands minimal security. A possibility, Freyr hadn’t considered.” “Loki, why would Leah do that if believing Iris capable of escape?” “She had learned the husband would kill Iris if she tried. Leah also suspected the husband had some heavy shit on Freyr she wasn’t aware of, to worry of his own daughter escaping. Were it bad enough to bring down their monarchy, Leah wanted Iris close, to keep her spirits up until she could help her try and escape again. With that and the husbands love for the good life, he was easily convinced to move into the palace. Upon returning however, Iris had dramatically changed. She was withdrawn, notably depressed and hardly spoke or ate. Leah spent every possible moment with her and weeks passed before Iris perked up. Then she began eating, talking, even laughing again. Leah later concluded it was all an act. Iris was found dead in her chambers, six weeks to the day of her wedding….” Shandi swallowed the rising lump in her throat. ‘Oh my god.’ ….“I couldn’t attend her funeral and refrain from attacking Freyr or the husband, but mother, Odin and Thor did. Leah was so distraught, she hardly spoke, yet discreetly slipped mother a small envelope. Inside was Iris’s suicide note. She became pregnant and couldn’t bare raising a child with an abusive spouse who regarded her as only an object, nor amidst Freyrs absurd rule. She then asked my forgiveness. Declared she would love me for all eternity and had taken that love with her to Valhalla. It’s equivalent to your heaven….” Shandi bit down on her tongue, fighting hard to keep that lump at bay.   ….”Almost a year passed with Freyr so absorbed in his favorite hobbies of blaming Leah, drink and mistresses, he slacked being overly watchful of her. Odin’s spy who had come to greatly respect his Queen, aided her escape into Asgard and we willingly concealed her presence. Through her, we learned Freyr’s classified military tactics, secret weapons locations, how he infiltrated spies..she was immensely generous in her betrayal. Mother aided her in attaining cosmetic surgery and she promised Iris’s death wouldn’t remain in vain. To this day, she lives peacefully amongst our people, devoted to aiding abused women and children with beginning new lives.” Loki nodded reflectively, then concluded. “Iris would be very proud of her.” “I’m sure she would.” “I hope this has given you a better insight into my outburst and bitterness towards Freyr and Freya, Shandi.” 'And into you.’ "Very much so. I would feel exactly the same. And it’s always good when something positive comes out of something so..negative.” . “I agree. Leah is an inspiring example of that.”   “She certainly is. I think I could use some coco.” Shandi suddenly announced. She rose, as did Loki. “Then allow me. After listening to my harrowing story, you’ve definitely earned it.” Shandi held a smile until he left, then walked to the window inwardly chastising herself, as tears welled in her eyes. 'Stop it. You are ‘not’ going to cry.’ She quickly wiped away two that fell and gathered her composure. Loki returned and was steps away when she unexpectedly walked right past him. “Let’s cook dinner together. Do you like stir fry?” He watched her vanish into the hall. 'A marvelous idea, darling.’ Shandi was rummaging through the freezer drawer as he placed her drink on the counter. “Do we have any chicken?” When he knelt and reached into it, she walked around the island. “It’s probably best you cut the onions. I’ll help with the rest.” Loki smirked until getting a better look at her. “Why have you mascara smeared on your cheek and droplets in your lashes?” 'Dammit. How can he see those from over there?’ She quickly tried wiping it away. “Listen Loki. You said no sympathy, but I can still be sorry for your loss. And Leah’s. You can't…. Loki began sauntering towards her. ….reveal a story like that and not expect it on some level.” “Yes I can.” He kissed her until she softened against him and ended it, stroking her hair. “Now you listen, hm? I’m grateful to you for lending an ear, but have moved beyond Iris’s passing thanks to Leah.” “Was she whom you spoke to so long ago?” “Yes. Leah convinced me if Iris knew we were incessantly unhappy, she would be the same in Valhalla. Therefore to honour her, we had to try harder at changing that. It wasn’t easy, but in time we succeeded. Come to think of it, I’d be receiving a scolding were Leah present. ‘Clever prince of impishness, saddening this lovely maiden. For shame.’” She would say. Shandi chuckled at his high pitched voice attempt. “She called you that?”   “Only teasingly.” He held up her wounded hand. “You’ll need a bandage before cooking.” Magic applied one with a glove and he returned to the fridge for more ingredients. Their steamy kiss left Shandi with moist panties and she inhaled half of her drink. “This day went fast. It’s nearly dark already.” “Right, before I forget.” Loki retrieved a small remote from a drawer. “Stand near the windows?” The kitchen light went out, a blind rose and a display of multicolored lights come into view, beneath the peony bushes. They lit up half the path and a stone bench, amidst two planters with impatiens and Shandi beamed. "They’re perfect. You did an amazing job, Loki. Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Despite having detected her scent, Loki carried on, hoping she would make a move. 'Come on, Pet. I know what that kiss did you. Unleash my burning desire.’ Shandi kept longingly watching him until he said something. "Norns darling. What has you so pensive?” 'Stop torturing yourself, Shandi. Go get what you want!’ She went to him, stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips, Loki was surprised she had in her. When stopping to catch a breath, he smirked at her lusty gaze. “Oh my. You keep kissing me like that and dinner will be delayed.”   Shandi then stepped back, pulled off her shirt and tossed it asunder. “The hell with dinner. I can’t take this anymore.” She sprung back into his arms and gasped when Loki hoisted her onto the island. Her drink smashing to the floor, went ignored as he exposed her neck, nipped along her shoulder and sensually kissed his way to her lobe. “Neither can I Shandi and tonight, when you’re crying out my name in pleasure? I’ll be wallowing in every..fucking..second of it.”

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Agony

Crazy - Chapter 25 (Previous Chapters)

Fandom: TMNT 2014/16

Pairing: Raphael x April (Raphril)

Rated: T

Chapter Summary: April finally returns back to the apartment as the sun falls from the sky. The excuses she has for Raphael only make things that much worse…

Fanfiction.net

A03

Raphael's heart rose and lodged firmly in his throat as the sound of the egregious squeaking doorknob filling his sensitive eardrums. The anxiety and fear that had wedged itself deep inside of his chest had only slightly alleviated in hearing the turning metal and the unlocking of the latch before revealing to him who was behind it.

April.

The form he'd studied and known so well was indeed right in front of him; her eyes lowered as she hauled herself into the door, not taking notice of him whatsoever as she turned her back to him to lock it behind her. A quick scan over her body told him immediately that she was not bleeding or in dire need of medical attention and that alone had his anxiety wane if only slightly. It made it all the better seeing her enter her apartment without the asshole Casey Jones following behind like a damn poodle.

Yet there was a tenseness to her shoulders, the gait of her walk that was the very definition of exhaustion as she slowly locked her door and the safety latch with lazy precision. Raph didn't focus on that though; only savored the sight of bouncy brunette hair, pale skin, and beauty that for the past day, he worried he'd never see again.

Anxiety and panic that had been his constant (if only) companion for the past twenty four hours vacated as quickly as it arrived by the mere sight of her; the sensation akin to the rays of a summer sun breaking through a blizzard - relishing the comfort that indeed meant that April was indeed, finally home.

"April!" the word was out before he had a chance to stop his exclamation, gigantic body launching itself more gracefully than should have been possible over the couch. Escaping the location he'd paced for hours before landing in front of the pretty brunette who did not have the reaction he hoped for.

April screamed.

Sudden, shrill screech assaulting his ear drums and her hands shook, dropping her purse and keys to the floor in the process.

Once her screams stopped, when she realized he was not some murderous intruder, her cornflower blue eyes were covered in a sheet of ice when they met his. "Aw, dammit, Raph!" April admonished with a huff, picking up her purse and slamming it onto the small table nearby as she gasped to regain her lost breath. "You scared the hell out of me!" she screamed and as happy as he was to hear her voice and see her indeed breathing and alive in front of him, the words cut deeper than he cared to admit.

April stood there for long minutes just staring at him, chest heaving with frantic breaths and for the first time since she arrived, Raph finally got a good look at her and realized not all seemed to be perfectly fine like he initially thought.

First off, she didn't look exactly like the April he knew. Still wearing day old make-up, eyeliner and mascara smudged at the corners of her eyes and under her lower lids where it only brought out the purple bags in high contrast compared to the milkiness of her skin. Clothes that normally were crisp and clean were impossibly rumpled, hair that was usually so nicely combed or put in a high ponytail was in disarray around her tense shoulders.

It wasn't until long moments later when he realized he'd been staring and he still never responded to her rather aggressive words.

"I was fuckin' worried, April!" he growled out, hands tense at his sides. Anger. It was always so easy to turn to anger - no matter how much April changed him, that was a part of him that would never change.

The brunette let out a rather undignified sigh before turning away from him and walking in a beeline toward the bathroom.

Not sure what else to do, he followed.

April sighed, "...Why, Raphael?" seemingly shrugging off his concern as she grabbed a few Tylenol out of the vanity; completely ignoring the look of horror Raphael didn't even bother hiding.

"Ya told me ya were comin' back after the game so I waited all night and fuckin' day for ya!" Raphael explained, using the vast recesses of his self-control to keep himself from lashing out in pure rage that lay just beneath the surface but damn, was it getting hard to keep it at bay. "I-I was worried…" he growled out to reiterate the fact she scared the fuck out of him but he kept his words short.

This was not how he expected their reunion to go…

April swallowed a few chugs of water, chest heaving when she finally placed the glass back down to the bathroom sink with a light clink. He patiently allowed her a moment to lean against the porcelain, dainty fingers pinching at the bridge of her nose. As much as he felt sympathy to her plight; despising seeing her in any kind of pain, even a headache, he needed answers. Something to abolish the sensation of his gut coiling and acid eating through the abdominal lining.

"W-Well, why didn't you just call me?"

"I DID!" Raphael bellowed out, surprised at himself by how he immediately took a step back from her after doing do. His heart ached and hammered in his chest as he took another deep breath of the air around her and instantly regretted it…

Casey.

The distinct scent of the human male wafted unwarranted into his nostrils; the distinct, male scent permeated April's even worst than the awful reek of alcohol leeching from her being. Scents often combine innocently but this was no friendly mixing of aromas; no quick hug or flinging his arm over her shoulder or even sitting for hours together. As much as he hated to admit it, this was something more and the connotations of it all hit him like a runaway train. Completely blindsided by where exactly April was last night and most of today…

A sharp pain exploded deep in his chest as the truth hit him hard…

"...you did?" April asked as almost an afterthought, not even noticing Raphael's sudden inner turmoil. The brunette merely reaching into her skinny jeans pocket and pulling out her small cell phone. She turned on the device and her eyes alighted and widened when she noticed more missed calls and texts than she probably ever received in her life.

"What the? B-But - why the hell is it on silent? Ugh, Casey…" She muttered under her breath as she turned back on her ringer and shoved the device back into her pocket.

April lifted her eyes and finally met Raph's, but this time he was looking away.

Regret hit her fast; instantly hating herself for how she lashed out at him. It didn't matter if it felt like she'd taken an ax to the center of her skull, she never reacted to Raph in that way and she instantly regretted the harsh words and reaction to his presence.

"Raph…I'm so sorry." she stated honestly knowing he needed an explanation so she provided one, "Things just got a little crazy last night, I guess I just lost track of time and alcohol didn't help. Hey! The game was a blowout - you'll be happy to know Casey's team got pummeled into the dirt." she laughed softly but there wasn't much mirth there when she saw the terrapin's attention was somewhere off to her left.

Crestfallen, quiet and amber eyes awash with an emotion she wasn't familiar with and it fucking broke her heart to see Raphael like that.

Wracking her brain for what had she said to make him react in such a way...

Raphael remained completely silent.

The things he cared little to think about that occurred between April and Casey last night filtering through his mind and shattering whatever was left of his blackened heart in his chest. The detective's scent permeating her aroma to where her normal beautiful fresh scent was masked with the detective's musk and the boozy scent of alcohol.

Raph could not deny that he had his suspicions, the rampant and excessive doubts, and yet the pain of knowing the harsh truth was nothing he was prepared for...yet, here it was. All rumpled clothes, messy hair, tired blue eyes and the scent of Casey Jones clinging to it all.

Anger fading like sand between his fingers, Raphael finally accepted the truth he never wanted to.

Who the actual fuck was he kidding?

…A freak like him never stood a fucking chance at winning April's heart...

Said heart instantly shattering, splintering like broken glass in the confines of his shaking chest, Raphael kept his face as stoic and neutral as possible even if the back of his eyes were nothing but searing fire. If Splinter taught him anything it was this - and as per usual, Raphael pushed through the pain; meeting her blue eyes and pretending like he wasn't actually dying on the inside…

"Oh - uh, that's good." Raph muttered with a grimace disguised as a lazy smirk.

April, thankfully, seemed to buy it regardless.

"He's a crummy detective so why wouldn't he be nothin' but a shitty hockey-player?" he continued even if it was just a husk of words. Raphael was merely grateful he was able to speak above the sob that threatened to choke him.

April smiled at him then and for the first time he could ever recall, it fucking hurt.

It was the moment all the precious instances of their time together seemed like a big fluke. All the nights they spent hanging out, watching movies, and her languid touches, long hugs, kind words, and even her going as far as kissing him upon the cheek, that one accidental brush on the corner of his mouth as she fingered his scar - it made him feel absolutely sick.

Those moments he treasured so close to his heart really meant fucking nothing to her this whole time.

April's complete nonchalance at the entire situation made Raphael's stomach turn rapidly. The following moments where he pretended to be okay were the most heart-wrenching experience in his life as he acted as if nothing was amiss as she continued with her story.

"Yeah, it was an awful game, but anyway, we ended up meeting some of his cop buddies there and went to a few bars afterward, and…" April's words turned to nothing but garbled noise in his mind.

The red-banded terrapin didn't want to hear any excuse she may have - her scent didn't lie even if she may want to protect or deter him from the truth. As much as he wanted to bolt, his feet were frozen to the ground and Raphael merely found himself nodding at the appropriate times as the brunette continued on with her story, the words not even registering due to the pounding of his pulse in his ears and the shattering of his heart.

Raphael was not sure how long he stood there pretending he wasn't falling apart even if everything inside of him was raw and festering; the only one mercy he was provided was a beep, an alarm he forgot he set, coming from his cell phone. Large green, scarred hands immediately reached for solace in that small device - knew instantly he needed to pretend it was from Leo. It was enough to give him an escape, an excuse to leave before his rage completely exploded outside the confines of his chest.

"...Raph? Who's th -" April began and Raph didn't dare look at her before he lied through his teeth.

"I gotta go. It's Leo - patrol is on me tonight." he said rapidly, cutting her off and ignoring any former or future statement she had may have made given.

One abrupt glance at her face showcased her shock and confusion. Raphael wasn't never one to interrupt (especially her) and by his quick words and her reaction, he could tell instantly that she knew he was lying. For since when did he ever listen to ol' Fearless?

"Oh... Um...b-but I just got here." April chuckled, trying desperately to lighten the mood it seemed. "You waited forever for me to get home and I need to make it up to you, so c'mon! Stay! I'll order your favorite pizza and we can catch the game. Besides, what's the rush? It's still early and you've made Leo wait plenty of times before. It's one of your favorite hobbies, remember?"

Hands trembling (hopefully unnoticed) at his side, he shoved the cell phone into his belt before uttering, "Yeah…Sorry. Duty calls. I'll uh, see ya later, April." with those few words uttered, he was running. Approaching, opening and gone out the kitchen window within a mere blink of an eye, leaving April hardly any time to make it to the open pane before he was already nearing the rooftop.

Raphael didn't even stop or frankly even care upon hearing the brunette yell, "Raphael! Wait! Where are you going?!" before he'd already made it across to the other side of the rooftop and jumping to the next one. No destination in mind, he ran anywhere that wasn't her apartment.

The harsh cold wind stung his face, leaving tracks of frigid ice on his cheeks was when he realized he was crying.

Raphael choked it down, continuing to sprint - the freedom he once felt from such an act felt deliberately mocking. The same wind he'd appreciated against his scales was just making his tears of hurt and betrayal more apparent.

In a fit of unbelievable rage at the utter agony wedged deep inside of him, he'd jumped blindly upon the edge of a roof.

Even before he jumped, he knew the trajectory was off but found he could care less when he found himself falling, barreling down between the buildings, his leg hitting the side of one and scraping along the skin til he crashed into a pile of trash bins and bags at the bottom of a cold (thankfully destitute) alley.

The pain etching into his skin from the burn of the stone was just enough let up to keep his tears at bay for a moment. Focusing on the physical pain rather than his heart imploding in his chest was all he had at this moment. In a blind fury, he hauled himself to his unsteady feet, smashing his fists over and over again into the bricks, not caring how his knuckles bled and body screamed at him to just STOP.

It was only when he heard a tumultuous crack through the deafening sound of blood rushing in his ears that Raphael finally stilled; grasping at the freshly blood-stained bricks in a vain attempt to hold himself up. Chest heaving and lungs burning fiercely, his legs gave out from underneath him and he fell onto his ass with a muted thud.

Tears began dripping down his face in a torrent - his chest nothing more than a smoldering crater as he allowed himself to fall apart in a dark dank alleyway.

[readingraebow]

Dark Places Section Three

Libby Day (Now) - Libby Day (Now) (approx pages 246-345)

1. What kind of place does Runner live in? What does he tell Libby happened the night of the murders? He lives in an industrial sized mixing vat on the edge of an abandoned government project. It's a toxic waste dump that's basically filled with aresenic. So, yeah, now he lives there. And he tells Libby that he thinks Trey helped Ben murder his family. He says that Trey was a bookie looking for his money and since Ben was with Trey that day, he thinks they went to the Day house looking for money and, when they couldn't get it, murdered the whole family. And Runner also tells Libby about Diondra's pregnancy and that he thinks they might've killed her as well.

2. When Patty goes in Ben’s room, what does she find under his bed? What does she do with it? She finds all the little girl underclothes that Ben bought for the baby. And since they are in such varying sizes, Patty just assumes these are the underwear from all of his "victims" that he kept. At this point, she just assumes everything she heard at the Cates house is true. And because she doesn't want the police to find everything, if it is true, she burns all of the underthings in the fireplace.

3. What did Trey and Diondra take Ben to do? Why was he afraid to take the first swing? They took him out to kill a cow. But first they did some prayer thing to the devil and then Diondra went first and started stabbing the cow. Then Trey started in with his axe. But Ben just stood there, watching. He didn't want to join in because he didn't know what it would feel like. Because, he figured, it would be like all the other things he'd tried: weed, alcohol. He knew if he got a taste for killing, he wouldn't be able to stop. So he didn't want to start. But he did. Eventually, he did join in and help.

4. What did Lyle tell Libby about his past that he hadn’t told anyone else? The fires in California in 1999 were started by him. He was a kid, out playing in the woods behind his house. And he was playing with a lighter, just trying to see how close he had to get to light the foxtails on fire. And then he looked back and everything behind him was burning. And it was so windy that it was blowing the fire to other parts of the forest until, suddenly everything was on fire. And he tells Libby because that's what drew him to her story. He thought she might've been like him. Just a kid who made a mistake but whose actions had big consequences.

5. Who is Polly Palm? Who is Crystal? Polly Palm is Diondra. Back when the murders occurred, she used to use her "stripper" name (the name of her childhood pet + the street she grew up on) whenever she ran away from her parents and needed a different name. Well, she was reported missing shortly after the murders and she's been using that name since, living in hiding. So that's the name she's using when Libby tracks her down. And Crystal is the baby she was pregnant with when the murders happened/when she disappeared. Crystal is Ben's daughter, Libby's niece.

6. Why did Ben and Diondra come back to Ben’s house to get money? Who was in the doorway of Ben’s room listening, and what did this person hear? There were a bunch of messages on Diondra's answering machine about Ben molesting little girls and when Diondra heard them, she assumed Ben was going to be arrested and didn't want him to wait around for that to happen. So she decided they were going to run away. She said she still has $200 but they'll need more if they're going to disappear. So Ben says he has some money he's been saving and he says his mom always has a couple hundred hidden somewhere around the house. So they go back to the house to look for money and while they're looking, Michelle is waiting outside the door. She overhears that Diondra is pregnant and says she's going to tell their mom. Diondra chases her down and strangles her. And Ben literally just stands there watching??? He halfheartedly tries to stop her but then he just ends up standing there, with his hand on her shoulder, while she murders his sister. WHAT????

7. What do we learn Patty did to help with finances for Ben? So to help save her family and her farm, Patty hired the Angel of Debt to murder her so he kids could collect the insurance money and, if Ben was arrested for the molestation, legal costs. But it all went horribly wrong. When Diondra was strangling Michelle, Debby went looking for her mom to get help but instead found her mom being murdered. And the Angel of Debt had made it clear that no one else could see his face so he picked up an axe and started hacking at Michelle. Then he found the already loaded shotgun because he thought that would be easier and came back and shot Patty. After he left, Diondra decided to "help" (or something? I still have no idea what she thought she was accomplishing) and she drew all the Satanic stuff on the walls and threw food around and it was her footprint they found (she had giant feet and wore men's shoes) and her blood on Michelle's sheets (finally the DNA evidence everyone wanted!). And she told Ben to go look for Libby (so it was Ben's voice she heard) and bring her inside so they coULD KILL HER TOO so then Ben would be a victim and everyone would forget the molestation thing and he could collect the insurance money all by himself and he could take care of his family. Instead he went out, saw Libby and yelled for her to stay where she was (great plan since it was FREEZING) and went back to help Diondra and also erase any evidence of her being there (he went around and wiped up footprints and her fingerprints). So, basically not what Patty had planned to help her family out AT ALL.

8. What did you think of the ending of this book? Did you see it coming? How do you like this book in comparison to one of our previous reads, Gone Girl? I honestly absolutely hated the ending of this book. I thought it was stupid. Hiring a hit man to kill you so your family can collect the insurance money and then leaving your sister to pay to raise your four children is a stupid, cowardly way out. And Ben standing by and watching his crazy girlfriend murder his sister, DOING NOTHING TO STOP HER, and then going to prison for her and protecting her for 25 years is equally stupid. So I hated the ending and it honestly made me hate the rest of the book as well (though I was getting there on my own with how poorly paced the middle was). And compared to Gone Girl, I liked this one a sliver more. I don't flat out hate it, the way I do with Gone Girl. This book had exactly one redeeming quality for me that puts it a notch above Gone Girl: I didn't guess the ending in exactly five minutes so that was, at least, better. But, honestly, Gillian Flynn mysteries are just not for me. I still kind of want to read Sharp Objects just to be absolutely sure (and because I really want to watch the show) but if that one also falls flat, then I'm done. I just can't do popular mysteries. I really can't. They're all so, so unbelievably bad. *curls up with an Agatha Christie to set the world right again*

  Section Three Reading Journal

*sigh* So as you can see, I hated this book. And I’m honestly really annoyed that that ended up being the case because I really was liking it at the beginning. But then the horrible pacing happened. And then, the worst ending OF ALL TIME. (That’s not true. Please see my review of Little Disasters on Goodreads for that gem.)

Anyway, I can’t begin to even tell you all the ways this book made me mad. Because there are so. many. A few of them I’ve already detailed but that might take more explanation.

So. The one thing I did actually like about this book is that I didn’t flat out guess the ending from the beginning. I thought it was weird that Michelle was strangled and the other two were more ~connected. But I didn’t immediately guess that there were multiple killers. I did catch the Angel of Debt at the beginning though and put that together with Patty when the foreclosure happened. And I guessed Diondra killed Michelle pretty early on. (Though for quite a while, I honestly thought she killed them all.) But Debby was the one I could never make fit. So, for that tiny little mystery, I do give this book some credit.

Not that I liked any of it. I honestly don’t know how a book could take characters that I didn’t really ~like but, at least, didn’t mind (though Patty I did actually like until the end) and make me flat out hate every single one of them in the span of about 30 pages. Because all of their motives were absolute crap and they were all so fantastically weak. And I literally wanted to just Silver Linings Playbook style chuck this book right out the window.

But let’s break this down. Patty is about to lost everything and instead of sticking around and figuring it out (she had a sister who loved her and would’ve helped her get back on her feet, I guarantee it), she decided to just die and leave her kids to be raised by someone else. As any good mother should. Ben hated his little sister but also seemed to hate his girlfriend (he said himself that if he would’ve run away with her, he probably would’ve killed her when she got on his nerves) and his future child, who he never even wanted, but stands by and allows his crazy girlfriend to kill his sister and then protects her in prison. Because that seems normal. (And even though he wasn’t a molester, he definitely was a pedophile and I hated how the book pretty much glossed over that???? Straight up making out with an 11 year old and getting off on it is not normal. That’s Cement Garden territory.)

Then that brings us to Libby. Because I could’ve almost forgiven all of her quirks and how she just allowed herself to be the victim for her entire life and never even try to move on or care about anything more than money. But then she forgave her niece. I’m sorry. SHE TRIED TO KILL YOU. And you knew her, what, ten minutes before that? And had a family bond with her already? Crystal was raised by an actual psychopath. That messes a kid up. But, instead, she’s just going to let her go. I’m not saying Crystal needs to be in jail (that’s more Diondra, not as much Crystal) but I’m saying she could probably use a lot of therapy to undo all the damage done by her mother and by letting her off the hook, Libby is basically saying that her behavior and her mother’s teachings are alright. And they’re not. So what’s going to stop Crystal from becoming her mother in the future? And possibly also becoming a murderer.

So. Short story about how I flat out hated every character when I finished this book all because of the ending. And toward the end of section two/the beginning of this section this book honestly got pretty hard to read. Because I was bored. The pacing in this book was absolutely terrible and so much of it was unnecessary. A good mystery is short and to the point with the mystery buried in the details, not under a pile of crap that you hope distracts the reader (or bores them) enough to not catch on. And Gillian Flynn has never really learned how to do that. But, then again, the people who have made popular mysteries bestsellers seem to not have noticed that. Probably because the best written mysteries are not popular. And that’s honestly sad to me.

Anyway, if this movie is still streaming somewhere I’ll probably watch it. Because I really do like the cast. (Hi, I watched the first season of Good Girls and I love Christina Hendricks and I watch to watch all the things she’s in now so THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR.) And I’m kind of hoping the movie cleans up this mess of a story. Though, honestly, there’s no fixing that ending. *sigh* So, if I do end up watching it, I’ll be sure to write a review here.

But, now, I’m going to read something I actually like. And I’m so, so glad this book is finally over so I can be on to other things. It’s been a rough few days.

[tialovestelevision]

Goodbye Iowa

There’s a disturbing amount of Luddism to this whole storyline. And of anti-government survivalism as well. It’s like this was written by a militia-style survivalist out in the mountains of Wyoming who suddenly became Feminist and had a wealth of 90s pop culture knowledge beamed into his head by the NSA. I don’t approve of that, really, but I do approve of how the last episode advanced the story. It did a good job of telling a possibly ill-advised story. Let’s see if this one can keep up the “good job” while reducing the unfortunate implications of the overall narrative. 1. Buffy is briefing her team on what happened to her in the sewers. She doesn’t know about what happened to Maggie yet. Spike is pointing out uncomfortable things, like he does. 2. Giles does not think Riley had something to do with the attempt on Buffy’s life. But he’s also not dismissing the hypothesis. 3. Um… Xander. They’re called the Special Forces. There’s also the Secret Service, which in America defends the Treasury and the President and in the rest of the world refers to spies. But the Secret Service is never commandos. 4. Anya knows why Maggie tried to kill Buffy. And Giles concurs. 5. And here’s Adam. He’s leaving the Initiative complex, and he’s wearing an ankle brace. Has his ankle not fully formed yet? 6. They are going to hide. Buffy is terrifying, but the rest of them are people with axes and hook-stick-things against trained commandos with lightning guns. 7. Riley just showed up at Giles’s house. He saw Spike there. Xander has a point, Riley, about who should be asking questions now. 8. Giles is pointing out Anya’s hypothesis. Riley left, and isn’t happy. Adam found a kid playing with a toy cyborg, and is walking over to him. The kid is happy to see him, but told him he’s a monster. Adam thought he was a monster. The kid is a boy, and doesn’t know how he works. And asked what Adam’s spike is for. Adam got a really creepy grin. Pretty sure Adam killed a kid offscreen. 9. Maggie’s favorite researcher just went into room 314. The light didn’t work, and Adam’s gone, and he just found a dead Maggie and a lot of blood. He’s terrified. 10. Giles is in Xander’s basement. So are Buffy and Anya and Willow, watching the Road Runner. Giles is cranky and arguing with Anya. 11. Anya thinks Buffy should have a boring boyfriend, like Xander, but not Xander. Adam killed the kid. Buffy thinks it was the Polgara demon, and is going off to kill it. 12. Forrest is taking Maggie’s side in an argument about her attempted murder of Buffy. They just found out that Maggie is dead. 13. Huh. Riley’s in room 314 now. Forrest thinks Buffy staked Maggie. Scientist guy is defusing things. Washington is sending a team to do an internal investigation. Scientist guy says the Polgara escaped through tunnel 72, but the Initiative is locked down. 14. The Initiative is going after the Polgara anyway, though, with full gear and ready to kill. 15. They’re storming the cemetary. And are in Spike’s crypt. Found his TV. And a corpse in a coffin. They broke Spike’s TV. Spike was hiding under the corpse. He’s not going to be happy they broke his TV, but he’s also terrified. 16. Buffy’s at the crime scene, and Riley just showed up. Buffy knows Maggie is dead. Riley asked if she’s happy. She got confirmation from him that it was the Polgara, but is angry because of the “are you happy?” jibe. 17. Willow is visiting Tara. Tara gets the best smile when Willow shows up. Willow is clarifying that she doesn’t come see Tara just for spells, but they’re going to do a spell to find the Polgara. They say it’s beneath them. 18. Buffy’s here to see Willy the Snitch. Willy isn’t happy to see her. He doesn’t want to talk without Buffy hitting him visibly. She did, and he told her he only knows about the Polgara she caught with the Initiative. She was aking about 314 when Riley showed up. And Riley’s threatening an old woman with his gun because he’s having a crisis of faith. He’s also shaking like mad… that’s withdrawal from his “vitamins,” isn’t it? Cold sweats. Nerves. Kinda crazy-like. Shaking. Yeah. He’s scratched wounds into his hands. Buffy is taking care of him. 19. Crisis of faith and withdrawal from a drug you didn’t even know you were taking, at the same time. This sucks. For at least one brief, fleeting moment, I care about Riley. 20. Anya is very worried for Xander, because Buffy is taking him undercover into the Initiative. 21. So Willow and Tara are doing a spell to find demons. It’ll even do different colors for different kinds of demons. But Tara didn’t do her part of the spell. She hid her dust. 22. Xander and Buffy are at the Initiative dorm, and Buffy is trying to get them in through the elevator. It worked, and Buffy and Xander are on their way to the Initiative. 23. “I totally get it now. Can I have sex with Riley too?” 24. Agent Owens is being called to Interrogation. 25. Polgaras don’t mutilate people, and have to eat every two hours. And they’re dumb. So they carve paths in blood, and there’s no bloody paths happening. 26. Riley is leaving to go to the Initiative, and just hit willow and ran off. 27. Buffy and Xander just heard the scientist guys talking. The drugs have been in the food, not the vitamins. Spike is at Willy’s, but Buffy is having a nice, friendly, violent talk with scientist guy. 28. Riley just showed up. He took the security monitors down. Maggie tried to kill Buffy on her own, and scientist guy just told them that 314 escaped. Riley doesn’t like Maggie being made to sound like a psychopath. And… Adam just showed up. Killed a scientist. Is apparently announcing himself. 29. Adam mutilated the kid’s body to find out how the kid works. But it didn’t tell him about the world. He has a 3.5” floppy drive. Zip disks were a thing by the time this was made… shouldn’t he have a Zip drive, at least? Or a magneto-optical drive? Or a CD-RW? 30. He can insert multiple disks at a time. And says Maggie created Riley too. Maggie trained Riley and gave him the drugs. Adam thinks of Riley as a brother. Adam just KOed Buffy in a blow. And threw Riley and Xander across the room. Buffy tried to fight him more, but he knocked her down and stabbed the doctor fatally and Riley non-fatally. He’s tossing Buffy around again, He thinks all of this was interesting, and is leaving before the rest of the Initiative comes in. The Initiative is taking Riley to a military hospital and chasing Buffy away with a lot of guns. 31. Spike’s getting beaten up by demons. They don’t like that he fights demons. He’s pretty much out of friends. 32. Buffy’s back on campus. Adam got away, and Riley is at the military hospital. Riley still has the bandage she made him when he was scratching his hand, though. Overall: That was good. Again, workman-like plot advancement, but it resonated, and I actually cared about Riley - quite a feat, given that the show has spent more than half a season deliberately making him as uninteresting as possible to contrast him against Angel. I don’t expect it’ll last, but it worked while it worked. Dropping a crisis of faith and withdrawal from a drug he didn’t know he was taking on him at the same time does wonders for generating empathy. Adam… eh? They sold him as a physical threat by jobbing Buffy and Riley out to him and having him kill Engleman and Walsh, but I still only really care because he might hurt Buffy or Willow or Giles or Tara. Not because he’s worth caring about on his own. The Master, Spike, Dru, Angel, Faith, and the Mayor were effective in ways other than the physical threat they posed. Adam… really isn’t. Still, good episode on the whole. My viewing order page is sending me back to Angel next. Guess I’ll go along with it.