#but like. at least ATTEMPT to claim it’s a generic winter holiday celebration

[shoutsindwarvish]

what if i brought my magen david rainbow flag into work but also buy a desk-sized palestinian flag to put next to it so that people know to stop wishing me merry christmas but also don’t make any other assumptions

i’m almost definitely not going to because it’ll be striking a hornet’s nest but getting so fucking tired of how much my team is openly assuming everyone is christian (complete with multiple explicit mentions of the church and jesus himself in our last meeting of things/people that coworkers were grateful for)

like yeah it would be inappropriate for me to bring politics to work and will probably make people uncomfortable but THEY STARTED IT

[promptrose]

Maybe something festive with LoZ: RR? Like Link and Hunter explain Hylian/Sheikah traditions to Neesha or something equally as lighthearted? Have an amazing day! c:

Squeaking in under the wire, with an hour left to spare on Christmas day!

So I actually started this short back in 2005.  That’s not a typo.  I have tried almost every year to sit down and finish it, and it’s just never worked out, but here we go!  2020 has been a Hell of a year so far, but at least I finally finished this Very Merry Interlude and can share it! Merry Solstice, Happy Holidays, and whatever you may celebrate, may it have been / be with those you loved best, in spirit if not in person! _________________

It started innocently enough.

In retrospect, that should have been more than enough to tip us off that things were going to get dramatically less innocent as they progressed, since almost nothing that starts with us ends innocently.  But, as they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty, and foresight is not our forte, if you catch my meaning.

“Merry Solstice!” said Hunter.

“Merry Solstice!” said I.

“What’s Solstice?” said Neesha.

And the innocence pretty much ended there.  It’s hard to remember our exact reactions in the face of the grand horror that is Gerudo ignorance to our winter holiday.  I think I might have shouted something about Blasphemy.  I suspect Hunter might have stopped breathing.  I think Neesha might have seen reflected in our horrified expressions the magnitude of the mistake she’d just made and attempted to make a break for it.  The rest is a jumble of chasing her down the stairs until we each had one, flailing arm and had pinned her in a seat.

“Merry Solstice!” said Dad.

“Merry Solstice!” chimed Hunter and I.

“What are you doing to her?” said Bruiser as Neesha tried to kick us both in the head simultaneously and came pretty damn close to doing it.

Now, the thing to understand here is, that for the young and the young at heart, Solstice is only the biggest, most important holiday of the year.  It’s bigger than birthdays, and that’s saying something.  And Hunter and I were both young and young at heart (eighteen going on eight, forever and ever amen).  And we both go a little insane at the holidays.  We get it from Bruiser I think.  He’s a big tough guy for most of the year, but once we start getting close to the Solstice…

As a matter of fact, right at the moment when he was demanding to know what we were doing to Neesha (because somehow, it’s always our fault), Neesha was making a face at the armloads of glittery, sparkly, gloriously tacky stuff both he and Dad carried and evidently trying to figure out what the Hell it was.  Bruiser’s always the first one in the Market to decorate. Claims it’s good for business.  We all know what it’s actually for, but none of us says anything because, as with most softies, Bruiser never reacts well to someone pointing out just how soft he is.

At any rate, the whole point of this is just to say that for my family (and at the time, I was still pretty new to the concept of family) Solstice is the biggest holiday of the year, and the fact that Neesha, who even then was becoming more and more hopelessly embroiled in our little reassembled clan, didn’t know what it was simply couldn’t be allowed.

“She doesn’t know Solstice?!” gasped Bruiser.

“She doesn’t know Solstice,” Hunter confirmed gravely.

“You’re all insane!” said Neesha.

Thus began the introduction of the Gerudo to Solstice – or at least, this Gerudo in particular.  The only Gerudo with the unfortunate luck to have accidentally endeared herself to a family of Solstice-crazy Sheikah.  Unless you count me, but I’m really only half Gerudo.

Solstice Lesson Number One: what is Solstice?  Obviously, Solstice is the one day out of the whole year when everyone is happy and pleasant and generally acting out of positive, community-oriented motives instead of selfish or negative ones.  It’s the day when we all come together to welcome back the sun and say a fond farewell to the winter, in the company of our loved ones and liked ones and sometimes even deeply hated ones.  Solstice is when you give everyone who matters presents, and even a few who don’t. Solstice is when no matter where you go people are singing songs, and throwing snow, and for a brief, shining, wonderful day everyone gets to be eighteen-going-on-eight-forever-and-ever-amen.

Neesha seemed to be under the mistaken assumption that Solstice is merely the shortest day of the year.

“Blasphemy!” said Dad with a wide grin, obviously not taking this seriously enough.

“Can’t…breathe!” gasped Bruiser.

“You are what is wrong with this Kingdom,” Neesha snapped.

We held a family meeting right there to discuss the situation.  It was pointed out that we still had a month to go until the actual Solstice, and that was plenty of time to initiate Neesha into the tradition, Gerudo or no.

“Never happen,” said Dad with a wisdom that can only have come from having married a Gerudo.

“Never say never,” said Hunter and Bruiser.

“Can I go now?” Neesha demanded.

Solstice Lesson One had not gone so well.  Neesha now knew what Solstice was, but somehow our vivid, detailed descriptions had not melted her Gerudo heart and she was torn between laughing in our faces and running very, very far away.  She settled for laughing in our faces, then running to the Palace where the Elite that still insisted on following me everywhere at that time were staying, likely hoping to find some semblance of sanity in the form of ten desert hardened warriors huddled in a pile of thick blankets and clutching hot chocolate mugs like their lives depend on it (all the while cursing the name of the only King in their history to ever drag them into Hyrule in the dead of winter).

And so began Solstice Lesson Two: the decorations.  Anything spangly and sparkly, we told her.  Greens and reds and icy blues and white.  Anything with a snow theme, or a light theme, or a sparkly theme.  It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s mostly tactless – things you’d never get away with displaying any other time of year are considered beautiful at Solstice, we told her.  Cover the banisters and doorframes with them.  String them from the roof and along the windows.  Decorate the walls and the cupboards and the stove. Get out the Solstice placemats and cutlery, iron the Solstice curtains, dust off the Solstice ornaments.  Cover every possible inch of space with symbols of merriment and cheer until you’re covered in glitter that won’t come off until spring.

“It’s beautiful,” said Hunter.

“Wonderful,” agreed Dad.

“Why this?” demanded Neesha sourly, staring with deep dismay at her stubbornly sparkling hands.

So Solstice Lesson Two had not had the desired effect.  Apparently, the magic of Solstice, which turns a gaudy, horrible ornament into something beautiful and worthy of envy did not affect Neesha, who looked at our horrible, gaudy ornaments and saw horrible, gaudy ornaments and no amount of protest was going to convince her otherwise.

But there are two traits that run in my family, and the youngest generation (i.e. me and Hunter) have them in spades: stubbornness, and a refusal to accept the Gerudo’s continued insistence that they don’t want to be friends.  And so, the Archery Shop having been glittered and sparkled up (triggering a sudden panic of decorating all over the market, since, after all, Bruiser is the official harbinger of the Solstice season), we moved on to Solstice Lesson Three: the good deeds.

If Solstice is a paragraph, we told Neesha, then the good deeds are the parentheses around it. Perhaps not the most grammatically astute of arguments, but it made sense to us at the time.  There are a variety of reasons for doing good deeds. One of them is to make sure people think of you when they’re making up their presents list, of course, but if this is your only, or even your main reason then perhaps you need to sit back and revaluate your priorities as you’re missing the point of Solstice. The more important reasons include, because it’s nice and it makes you feel good, because it’s part of helping people through the longest night, and because it’s Solstice and that’s just what you do.

So we woke up bright and early (for once in our lives) and dragged Neesha out into the early morning cold.  There are sidewalks that need to be shovelled, we told her.  There are kittens in trees that need to be rescued!  Groceries to be carried!  Horses to be brushed!  Roofs to be cleared!  Wood to be cut!  And little old ladies with an excess of hot chocolate to be shared!

“6 sidewalks, 2 kittens, 14 bags of groceries, 3 horses, 5 roofs, 8 piles of wood, and 15 cups of hot chocolate,” counted Hunter.

“Mmmm…hot chocolate,” I said.

“It seems to me that we are not, in fact, doing good deeds, but other people’s chores,” noted Neesha, hugging her mug instead of drinking it as all Gerudo do.  “Also, I can’t feel my nose.”

And so, Solstice Lesson Number Three met with about as much success as Lessons One and Two, and a good deal more frostbite.  What next, we asked each other?  The answer was obvious.  Solstice Lesson Four: the buying of gifts.

Step one, we told Neesha, you need a list.  Write down everyone you like and everyone you think should receive a present from you. Then you have a friend proof-read it and make sure you haven’t missed anyone (deliberately or otherwise), or added someone you probably shouldn’t have, and also to make sure your list isn’t so long you will be bankrupt by the time all the presents are bought.  So we sat down to write up our lists.

“Zelda, Malon, the Sages, the Generals, Dad, Uncle Bray, Bel, Mel, Thomas,” said Hunter, ticking them off on his fingers.

“Mido, the Know-it-all Brothers, the twins, the Deku Tree Sprout, the Elite, Talon, Ingo, Anju…” I added.

“Well I know who I’m not putting on the list,” said Neesha nastily, and proceeded to write down all those names but leave out mine and Hunter’s.

We exchanged our lists and started proofreading.  We told Neesha that the great thing about Solstice is that you don’t have to get someone a present just because they got you a present.  You only do it if you want to, so it was perfectly fine if she didn’t want to get Hunter and I a present, which took some of the wind out of her sails.  Then Hunter and I argued about whether I was politically obligated to buy presents for the nobles I’d left off my list.

“But Eldrick’s a bastard,” I protested.

“Eldrick is a bastard,” Neesha agreed.

“Eldrick’s a bastard – but you still need to get him a present,” Hunter insisted.

Stage two of the buying of gifts, is, of course, the quest for the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Neesha seemed to brighten considerably at this part, which was cause for tentatively happy suspicion.  Why, we wondered, after being so sullen and cranky about the whole thing up to this point, would Neesha spontaneously decide that perhaps it wasn’t so bad after all?  And then it hit us.

“Did we say ‘acquire’?” Hunter asked dully.

“We meant ‘purchase or otherwise earn through completely legitimate, above board, will-not-get-you-thrown-in-jail means’,” I clarified.

“Well what the Hell’s the point then?!”  Neesha cried, more frustrated than ever.

Undaunted, we dragged her out into the cold once more and we spent the next three days crawling all over the markets and shops of Hyrule, taking the Ocarina if required.  We managed to find the perfect gift for everyone, excluding ourselves of course, that would have to be done in private. We even found the perfect gift for Eldrick: an authentic, gourmet Gerudo snack: dried leevers.

“You think he’ll like ‘em?” I asked with a wicked grin.

“I think if he doesn’t, we can accuse him of being unappreciative of a gift from a foreign dignitary and of offending the Gerudo race on the whole.  Zelda might even have to issue a reprimand and demand a public apology,” Hunter answered, flashing his teeth.

“I thought you wanted to get him something bad,” Neesha pointed out, chewing on one of the leevers and missing the point entirely, which is a thing she does from time to time.

Lessons Number Five through Eight, covering everything from traditional (and less traditional) foods, to traditional (and less traditional) games, to traditional (and less traditional) songs, which turned into an argument that would have turned into a fist fight if it hadn’t been Solstice, over what turned out to be a rather crucial difference in the lyrics of the third verse of a particular song between the Sheikah and the Hylian versions, went roughly as well as you’d expect, based on the success rates of the previous lessons.

I have to admit, that even we, in our indefatigable determination were beginning to think maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.  Maybe the Gerudo were immune to Solstice.  Maybe it was the fact that they didn’t have snow, or their nights tended to be much kinder to them than their days, or they had their own entire culture that had nothing to do with our own and to expect them to place the same value on cultural touchstones from nations they had long been actively excluded from and opposed to and ostracized by was actually rather insensitive of us all around and not entirely within the Solstice spirit.

I mean, if even Hunter and I, the second- and third-most dedicated Solstice adherents (after Bruiser) couldn’t agree on the lyrics to the third verse of an ancient Solstice hymn, what were we doing, really, thinking we had any business pushing it as some kind of universal truth to be inherently understood, even by people who had never once in their lives been part of it?

I’m not gonna lie, this was a depressing line of thought.

“Is it possible we have been engaging in un-Solstice-like behaviour?” wondered Hunter, mournfully.

“To see the end of the longest night one must first survive its darkness,” mourned I, wonderingly.

“Can I go now?” said Neesha, without adverb.

We let her go, because what else could we do at that point.  Then we took ourselves to the pub, because that seemed an appropriate place to attempt to drown our shame, and we did our best, I want that on the record, to stay morose and defeated.  That felt like it would be appropriate.  It’s just between the Solstice food, and the Solstice singing, and the traditional dances, and managing to con one table of rowdies to buy us a drink before the innkeeper caught on and cut us off for being too young for that nonsense (“They’d let us in Kakariko!” Hunter protested.

“They’d let you keep a cow in your house in Kakariko, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea,” came the response, and neither of us had an answer to that) it was a little difficult to remain sombre.

Still, we thought, as we eventually sang our way back out of the inn and into the snow of the Marketplace, we had done our friend wrong, at Solstice of all times, and that was unacceptable.  We had not approached this the right way at all.  The goal, we agreed, should have been inclusion, not conversion, with the consent of the included.  We just loved her so much, you see, and this celebration is all about loving people enough to share a candle with them through a very long night, and Neesha, more than anybody else in the world, deserved that light from us.  We just focused on the wrong part of it.

And so, contrite, and righted in spirit, and perhaps just a little tipsy, as the shortest day ended and the longest night began, we headed back toward the Archery Shop and its precious, precious candles.  And as we rounded the corner onto our street, we came upon a sight that made us stop and gasp.

The snow-coated street was lit as fiercely as an aurora, and at its epicentre, blazing with all the sparkling, glittering, gaudy beauty of a tacky, tasteless thing that is loved so fiercely it can’t help but shine, was the Archery Shop.  There were people everywhere, candles in their hands, or lanterns, or small, magical flames, that danced and leapt and were passed from hand to hand, wick to wick, like something precious.  Because of course, it was.  The whole town must have been there.  Everyone we had done chores for, a few who had done chores for us.  People I recognized from the palace and the tavern and even the Ranch – I could see Malon and Talon and Ingo, who had made the trip all the way in from Lon Lon.

And more, there were the Sages.  All of them. None of their usual retinue, this was not an official trip, then.  Just a quick visit.  And scattered among the crowd were the Elite.  Amplissa and Aliza, making out in a way that caused me deep concern one of them was about to light the other’s scarf end on fire with her distracted handling of her candle.  Indiga chatting with somebody I didn’t recognize like they were old friends, holding out her own candle to him when a stray snowball caught him in the shoulder and the wet shrapnel put his out.  Bruiser and dad, moving through the crowd with trays full of hot chocolate and cookies and burn salve, Bruiser with a grin as wide as his shoulders, stopping often, chatting and laughing with a voice that filled whatever empty space the noisy crowd had left, knitting it all together tighter.  Dad, shyer, still not used to crowds, still thinking of himself as a stranger here, but smiling kindly at folk and offering them a light from his lantern where one was needed.

And this was supposed to have been a relatively quiet Solstice for us, everyone had been busy with their own celebrations or a general sensible thought that maybe our little reassembled family needed quiet time to just exist for a while on its own, even I had maybe thought that and quiet was not my default mode, but somehow this was better, or not better, really, this was the same thing, just an extension of it, because they were here, these people I loved so much, and these people I liked so much, and these people I didn’t know that well but was already planning to be half in love with before the night was over.  They were all here, and we were all together, and the longest night of the year had nothing at all on that.

“What--?!” managed Hunter.

“I don’t--!” gasped I.

“You guys look so ridiculous right now,” said Neesha, with deep self-satisfaction.

She had done this. After we let her go.  She had gone to the palace and talked to the Gerudo and explained that the holiday was very strange, and had a lot of useless bits around it that she didn’t see the point of, but it mattered a lot to us, and so she thought maybe it would be good for them to come to the Shop and be part of it, because the candle part didn’t sound so bad, and Bruiser had promised food and he was a good cook.  And then Indiga had suggested that maybe they should invite Zelda, since I was determined to be attached to her despite their misgivings.  And Zelda had thought it was a grand idea, even though she still won’t tell me how it was presented to her, and Nayru, Farore and Din would I like to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation, and suggested that she might do some jumping around and collect the Sages if they were free, even just to pop in for a little bit before returning to their own celebrations at home.  And at some point someone must have filled Dad and Bruiser in, because then they figured, well, if we’re having all those folk over, might as well go get the rest and make it A Proper Thing.

A Proper Solstice.

“You said Solstice is about family, so I went and got the rest of the family,” said Neesha.

“Guh,” said I, because I don’t really know how to spell the sound of me bursting into tears.

“Neesha of the Gerudo, you are hereby relieved of any duties relating to anyone’s emotions for the next three weeks for this incredible, amazing, perfect thing that you have done,” said Hunter, patting me gently on the back.

Pleased with this, and herself, Neesha turned to vanish into the crowd.  But then she paused and hesitated, turning back to us briefly: “You’re still gonna give me real presents, though, right?” she asked.  “Like material objects?  Because I wasn’t opposed to that part.  And I don’t even like most of these people, I just made them come for you.”

“Yes.  We do presents at sunrise,” said Hunter gravely.

“Guuuuuuuh,” said I.

“Then Merry Solstice!” said Neesha.

And so, her light, metaphorical and all the more real for that, shared with those she loved best, Neesha’s first Solstice turned out to be my favourite of them all.

[themousefromfantasyland]

Creatures of Yuletide: Krampus, the Christmas Demon

He sees you when you're sleeping

And he knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good FOR YOUR OWN GODDAMNIT SAKE!!!

Christmas season is full of magical beings and creatures that travel through our world. Jolly old men from the north, elves that sleep in our homes, goats that give presents, the holiday season is full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. However, Santa Claus tends to me the most famous among them, and the most remembered in popular culture. This was, until some years ago, when a forgotten Christmas character rose in popularity in pop culture as an antithesis of good old St. Nick. I’m talking about Krampus, the Christmas Demon from German and Alpine lore.

One of the reasons why I believe Krampus became so popular recently is because he’s a scarier and less commercial alternative to Santa. In older posts I talked about how people used to tell scary ghost stories during Christmas and how Christmas once had this spooky side to it. Then one day it hit me that, in a way, Krampus is exactly a call back to these traditions. While not a ghost, Krampus brings back the scary atmosphere to the holiday. People tell stories about Krampus, they dress like him, they fright their neighbors in these costumes. People in general like to be scared, and in particular, even though they won’t admit it now, children too. Krampus is celebrated because he brings back the fun that overly commercialized Santa took out from Christmas.

Jeremy Seghers, organizer of the first Krampusnacht festival held in Orlando, said this in an interview to the Smithsonian Magazine:

"The Krampus is the yin to St. Nick's yang. You have the saint, you have the devil. It taps into a subconscious macabre desire that a lot of people have that is the opposite of the saccharine Christmas a lot of us grew up with."

Krampus is mainly a holiday tradition from the Alpine region and Central Europe in general. His name is derives from the German word krampen, meaning claw. On the night of December 5th, the eve of Saint Nicholas Feast, Krampus, and Saint Nicholas himself go out in the streets to punish or reward kids. This makes him one of the Companions of Saint Nicholas, a group of holiday figures that would help him in punishing kids. While they do the punishment, jolly old Nick brings the kids gifts, in a sort of Good Cop, Bad Cop dynamic.

Our friend St. Nick fills the shoes of good children with fruits and sweets. Krampus carries birch branches for senseless beating the misbehaving ones. On his back he is often depicted carrying a sack or a basket. This is to carry the naughty kids to his layer for more torture later. He can also eat them, threw them out in the river to drown, or bring them straight to the depths of Hell. In some parts of Austria, Krampus presents the families with gold-painted twigs that are to be displayed year-round in the house, constantly reminding the kids of his ever-watching presence.

What lovable fellow!

It was common in the 19th century to exchange Gruß vom Krampus, “Greetings from Krampus” cards that contained humorous rhymes and poems. In these Krampus is depicted looming menacingly over children. In others the creature receives sexual undertones, pursuing scantily dressed women.

There is also the Krampuslauf, or, Krampus Run, where people dress up as him and parade through the street dressed in fur suits and carved wooden masks and carrying cowbells. This one is very important for understanding Krampus origins.

Now, no one really know where Krampus comes from. The most popular theory is that he was a fertility god from the Alpine Region before Christianity retconned him as demon. Scholars often link him, Pan, and the satyrs to the archetype of the Horned God. Some claim he’s the son of Hel, but I didn’t find any real or credible source to this.

What we do know is that Krampus has some connections to a goddess in the Alpine region called Frau Perchta.

Now Frau Perchta is a very mysterious figure from the German folklore. She had many different names depending on the era and region. We don’t know a lot about her before Christianization, but what we do know is that in the folklore of Bavaria and Austria, she was a witch said to roam the countryside at midwinter, and to enter homes during the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany. Good children would find a silver coin in their shoes. Bad children would have their bellies sliced open, their stomach and guts removed, and she would stuff the straw and pebbles in the hole left behind. She had two forms in which she could be encountered, beautiful and white as snow, or elderly and haggard.

Perchten is plural for Perchta. Originally, the word referred to female masks representing her, but the name come to refer to the animal masks worn in parades and festivals in the mountainous regions of Austria.

A Perchten mask

In the 16th century, the Perchten took two main forms: Schönperchten, "beautiful Perchten", or the Schiachperchten, "ugly Perchten”. The beautiful Perchten came during the twelve nights of Christmas and festivals to bring luck and wealth to the people. The ugly Perchten, who had fangs, tusks and horse tails which were used to drive out demons and ghosts. Men dressed as the ugly Perchten during this time and went from house to house driving out bad spirits.

From the Smithsonian Magazine: A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Kappl, November 13, 2015. Each year in November and January, people in the western Austria regions dress up in Perchten (also known in some regions as Krampus or Tuifl) costumes and parade through the streets to perform a 1,500 year-old pagan ritual to disperse the ghosts of winter. (DOMINIC EBENBICHLER/Reuters/Corbis)

People would masquerade as these devilish figures and march in processions known as Perchtenlaufs. The Church didn’t like these creatures and tried many times to ban these practices, but due to the sparse population and the rugged environments within the region, the ban was useless.

In Catholicism, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. His saint day falls in early December, which helped strengthen his association with the Yuletide season. A seasonal play that spread throughout the Alpine regions was known as the Nikolausspiel, "Nicholas play". In these plays St. Nick would make questions about morality and reward children for their scholarly efforts. Eventually the Perchtenlauf, in an attempt to pacify the Church, introduced Saint Nicholas and his set of good morals. Krampus, the in-chains helper of Saint Nicholas, was then born.

In 1975, anthropologist John J. Honigmann wrote that:

"The Saint Nicholas festival we are describing incorporates cultural elements widely distributed in Europe, in some cases going back to pre-Christian times. Nicholas himself became popular in Germany around the eleventh century. The feast dedicated to this patron of children is only one winter occasion in which children are the objects of special attention, others being Martinmas, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, and New Year's Day. Masked devils acting boisterously and making nuisances of themselves are known in Germany since at least the sixteenth century while animal masked devils combining dreadful-comic (schauriglustig) antics appeared in Medieval church plays. A large literature, much of it by European folklorists, bears on these subjects. ... Austrians in the community we studied are quite aware of "heathen" elements being blended with Christian elements in the Saint Nicholas customs and in other traditional winter ceremonies. They believe Krampus derives from a pagan supernatural who was assimilated to the Christian devil"

Is worth noting that this is exactly what happened to the Yule Goat. He was a pagan symbol, people dressed like him to keep winter spirits at bay, but the Christians demonized him. There are illustrations of Saint Nicholas or of Father Christmas riding the Yule Goat during Christmas and these were meant to represent the power of God over the power of the Devil. Krampus is represented in chains by the same reason. However, the Yule Goat came to become a gift-giver and a more positive force in holiday lore, with people dressing as goats to deliver gifts to their families in the 19th century. Krampus didn’t have the same luck. I really wonder if the Yule Goat and Krampus came from variants from the same or similar cultural traditions, but that took drastically different routes.

I must say that, although I'm more in the team Santa, I learned to love Krampus over the years. It’s undeniable the amount of fun he brought to those who wanted something a little more darker and creepier in the holidays, and as someone who identifies itself as 90% lover of cheesy, cutesy and sappy stuff and 10% lover of everything earie and macabre, the idea of a monstrous boogeyman in the shadows of good old Santa Claus is fun. I personally think there’s enough space for both, the terrifyingly scary and the joyful jolliness.

Fun fact: Krampus, the one people rescued from German obscurity to combat the overly commercialized Christmas, is now being criticized as being too commercialized. C'est la vie

Story time: In my country I once heard the tale of a guy that went as Santa to deliver Christmas presents to children in a poor community. He brought many gifts and toys with him. The children loved them, until there were no more gifts to be delivered. The remaining children and their parents became so angry that they chased away the guy, throwing rocks at him. The guy came to them with free stuff, helped as much as he could, and people still threw rocks at him and chased him away, almost seriously hurting him.

I admit, there are cases where Krampus is truly needed 🤣🤣🤣

Art by Helen Mask

[jhl1031973]

Unpublished Work - Doctor Who: Advent Of Terror

This is my fourth entry in Big Finish Productions' Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity. None of my work has been chosen, but there will be other chances. This one features the Seventh Doctor and Ace. Enjoy andSubmitted For Your Approval.

- James Heath Lantz November 2, 2020

Advent Of Terror

A Short Trip Starring The Seventh Doctor And Ace

By

James Heath Lantz

The Snow came down slowly. The multitude of colours from the numerous Christmas lights and decorations reflected upon the white landscape. The village of Ortonshire looked picturesque, like a greeting card a friend or relative would send. The small hamlet was known worldwide for its Christmas celebration from late November until early January. The local candy factory made Advent Calendars that were shipped everywhere from London, England and Paris, France to Alberta, Canada and Tuscany, Italy. People of all walks of life came from everywhere to experience what newspapers and magazines over the years named “The Most Magical Christmas Village In The Entire World”. Celebrities, especially writers, would visit on their vacations. Rumours had circulated about  Amelia Earhart, Winston Churchill, Shirley Jackson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ernest Hemingway, Anne Rice, Stephen King and Clive Barker walking the streets to take in the magnificence of Ortonshire. One innkeeper's grandmother even claims that Mary Shelley wrote the final chapter of Frankenstein in the room that belonged to her Great Aunt Sadie on Boxing Day.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary in Ortonshire when the TARDIS had materialized in front of the largest Christmas tree to be placed in the town square in perhaps half a decade. The doors creaked open. The Doctor, in his seventh incarnation, placed his hat upon his head as he walked out of the time machine. He took a deep breath to take in the crisp winter air. There was a twinkle in his eye when he saw the lavishly decorated village.

“Come along, Ace,” The Doctor called to his companion with hint of impish glee in his Scottish burr. “The Most Magical Christmas Village In The Entire World awaits us.”

Ace buttoned up her coat before the Doctor closed the TARDIS doors. The Doctor looked at the Christmas tree. “Perhaps we should move the TARDIS a bit. It could ruin the view of the tree,” The Doctor pondered out loud.

The Doctor and Ace returned to the TARDIS. The ship disappeared some seconds later. After five or six attempts, it reformed just outside of the village's city limits. The Doctor and Ace were greeted by the words “Happy Christmas from” written in red and green Christmas lights over the Ortonshire sign. The Doctor silently noted that the population number was covered by snow. However, he thought nothing of it after seeing Ace smile. With everything she and the Doctor had been through, they both deserved a little holiday cheer.

“I must say,” The Doctor said as he and Ace walked through the snow covered thoroughfare and looked at the beautiful ornaments and lights of various brilliant hues, “The human capacity for celebration and decoration surpasses that of destruction at this time of year.”

Ace and the Doctor continued their stroll. The Doctor was particularly enchanted by a group of snowmen dressed like Father Christmas. He and Ace had a long, hearty laugh at the sight of them. They then resumed walking until they saw three rows of ice sculptures. The Doctor took time to admire the beauty and craftsmanship. The attention to detail on an angel astounded him. Something also look frighteningly familiar about it. Yet, he could not put his finger on what that was.

"Professor," Ace said inquiringly, interrupting the Doctor's reverie, "Where are all the people?”

"I'm sorry, Ace. What?"

“The people. There should be at least one crowd of people if this is The Most Magical Christmas Village In The Entire World like you said. Even the shops we passed along the way were empty, and it's barely seven o'clock.”

“My goodness, Ace. You're right,” The Doctor observed. “I was so taken by the splendour and wonder of Ortonshire, I failed to notice the most important thing you had just pointed out. What happened to all the people?”

Before the Doctor could even think to investigate his inquiry, a pair of hands belonging to someone behind him had grabbed his arms. Another had done the same to Ace. They had not heard the sound of footfalls running toward them. A tall woman in a yellow hazmat suit moved in front of the Doctor and Ace. Her facial features were obscured by her protective mask. She pointed her gloved left index finger at them as she spoke sternly in a Northern English accent.

“What the devil are you two doing here?” She asked.

*

The Doctor and Ace were brought to the Leverton Military Base just a few miles east of Ortonshire, which had recently been used as a headquarters for pandemic responses in the past decade or so. Blood samples were taken from the Doctor and Ace before they were led to a decontamination room. The Doctor told Ace that they must go through the procedure for everyone's protection. They were cleansed with chemicals, soap and water before putting on grey jumpsuits to while their clothing was being sterilized. They were dressed normally some hours later.

A guard brought the Doctor and Ace to an interrogation room. On the way there, the Doctor noted that the TARDIS was being rather unsuccessfully examined an adjacent laboratory. He began to chuckle upon seeing a scientist in a hazmat suit fall when the ship gave him an electrical shock. The Time Lord then thought it best to move on. He and Ace entered the medium sized, sparsely furnished room. They were ordered to wait for a Doctor Henderson to question them.

The Doctor, umbrella under his arm, paced. Ace sat in a folding chair. She followed the Time Lord's movements with her eyes. “Do they think we did something wrong, Professor?” She asked with hint of preoccupation in her voice.

“I'm not sure, Ace,” The Doctor replied. “I wonder if our being here is connected to the missing people of Ortonshire.”

The Doctor continued pacing the room. This time he did so while playing the spoons. This went on for roughly fifteen minutes. Ace wanted to protest this action, but The Doctor's expression told her that he was concentrating on the situation. He checked his fob watch when a tall, pale woman with long, dark, curly hair and horn rimmed glasses entered. On the left breast of her long white coat was a badge identifying as Doctor Carol Henderson, Head of Project PANVAC.

Project PANVAC is a team of scientists and military personnel created to study viruses and pandemics to prevent their spread and create vaccines should they be needed. They banded together with funds from various governments worldwide after so many lives were lost in the past couple years to new strains of illnesses that had mutated considerably.

The Doctor closed his fob watch and lamented, “You took your own sweet time getting here.”

“Sorry if my needing to decontaminate myself and my security officers is an inconvenience,” Doctor Henderson responded sarcastically. “Now, would you mind telling me who you are and what you two were doing in a quarantined area?”

“Quarantined area?” The Doctor asked in surprise. “We knew nothing of a quarantine. We'd only just arrived. We're not even from around here.”

“By your accent, I'd guess you're from Scotland,” Henderson responded.

“You'd be quite surprised, I'm sure. Anyhow, I am the Doctor, and she is my friend and associate Ace.”

“Doctor is a title, not a name. For example, I'm Doctor Carol Henderson.”

“For you, dear Doctor Henderson, it's a title. For me, it's a name.”

"Very well, Doctor," Henderson said with a hint of irritation. "Now, tell me what you were doing in a quarantined area.”

“We didn't know about any quarantine,” Ace said impatiently.

“Stay calm, Ace,” The Doctor said, raising his right hand slightly. He turned to Doctor Henderson. “She is quite correct. We came to Ortonshire because of its reputation for Christmas celebration. We had no idea any quarantine had been put into place.”

Before Doctor Henderson could respond, someone had knocked on the interrogation room door. She opened it and stuck her head out the other side. Someone had told her the secretary-general of the United Nations wanted to speak with her. She left and returned some twenty minutes later. The Doctor looked at Henderson in an attempt to anticipate what she will do and say next.

Henderson took a deep breath. “Apparently,” She said to the Doctor, “I'm supposed to trust you. After I mentioned 'The Doctor' to the secretary-general of the United Nations, he ordered me to allow you assist Project PANVAC if you wish to do so.”

“Yes. Of course, I'd be happy to help if I can.”

“The U.N. has quite a detailed file on you.”

“Yes,” The Doctor said, “You can thank those busy bodies at U.N.I.T. for that.” He walked toward Doctor Henderson. “Now, what exactly are we dealing with here, Doctor Henderson?”

“It started three days ago with some children who were building a snowman near the forest at Ortonshire's southern border. A boy named Charlie Wright was the first to exhibit symptoms. He complained of a headache after returning home. The local doctor found he had a very high fever before the lad lost consciousness. His three friends – another boy and two girls had similar symptoms as the evening had progressed.”

“Let's see,” The Doctor pondered, “Three days ago was December 1st. Go on, Doctor.”

“My team and were called when infection spread to the adults and other children. The local physician told us  that all the patients exhibited something odd on the skin about an hour before we arrived in Ortonshire.”

“Odd in what way, Doctor?”

Doctor Henderson paused for a moment. She seemed to searching for an appropriate description. Swallowing her pride and perhaps realizing the Doctor was no threat, she spoke.

“Perhaps it's better to show you, Doctor.”

*

Doctor Henderson's gloved hand punched a numeric code on a security keypad to the right of a metallic door. The Doctor put on a surgical mask and latex gloves while following her. The door slid open. They briskly walked down an empty, bright white corridor. The doctors were greeted by a burly security guard upon Henderson's explanation of the Doctor's presence. She had told him the Time Lord was there on orders from the United Nations. The Doctor tipped his hat before entering the patient's quarters.

Charlie Wright was a sandy haired, frail boy who looked to be no more than ten years of age. He lay dormant in the hospital bed. The Doctor looked at a copy of Charlie's file. With Doctor Henderson to his right, the Doctor examined the boy closely. His skin was chalk white with blue, green and grey vine-like tendrils all over his body. His pupils, irises and the whites of his eyes were clouded over in the same green/blue/grey hue.

“The vines are attached well,” Doctor Henderson said. “Scissors and knives were unable to cut them. Fire only activates the sprinkler system.”

The Doctor took a closer look at the vines. The Doctor said, “We may not need to do that if we can get a blood sample.”

“I'd like to get a sample of them as well to study this more thoroughly.”

“Understandable. A low level laser might be able burn off a piece without harming young Charlie here. Now, tell me. Is Ortonshire the only area infected, Doctor Henderson?”

“According to our facilities in other parts of the world, the illness is contained within the vicinity of Ortonshire. No other village, city, country or continent has had any reports of symptoms like these for now,” Henderson replied while indicating the tendrils.

“Then it's not too late,” The Doctor said hopefully, “We may be able find a cure before this spreads worldwide. Now, somebody get me that laser.”

*

Ace was in the laboratory where the TARDIS was being examined. She had been ordered to where a hazmat suit for her protection. The scientists who were studying the ship were amazed. They had no idea what they were dealing with. One man even approached the TARDIS doors with a large drill in hand. Ace laughed.

“You'll never open the TARDIS with that,” Ace observed.

“What?” The scientist with the drill asked.

“I'm afraid she is quite correct, sir. Your drill won't open my TARDIS,” The Doctor said. “Now, put that thing away. The TARDIS is perfectly safe. Stop wasting time, and point us in the direction of Doctor Henderson's office.”

The scientist indicated a corridor to his left. “You can't miss it. Her name's on the door,” He said sheepishly.

The Doctor turned his head in the direction of the TARDIS. He was clearly irritated. He muttered something under his breath. Ace couldn't quite make out what he said, but she giggled. There was something amusing and sweet about the Doctor when his dander was up. Ace told the Doctor that they arrived at Doctor Henderson's office, Now all they had to do was wait for her to arrive with the laser needed to take the sample of the virus vine. Hours had passed. The Doctor used this time to read Doctor Henderson's extensive research on viruses, pandemics and cures. He had finished reading her most recent paper when the head of project PANVAC entered the room with the surgical laser in hand.

Doctor Henderson and the Doctor went to Charlie's bedside. The Time Lord prepared the laser. He double checked its parameters to make certain it was set at minimum intensity. He didn't want to unnecessarily injure the boy in his efforts to save him. The narrow red beam hit a vine on the boy's wrist. A small chunk of about the size of a newborn kitten's toenail fell on to the white bed sheet. The Doctor placed it in a vial with a pair of tweezers. The Doctor and Doctor Henderson took the sample in thee latter's office. The head of Project PANVAC looked at it through a microscope. She was stymied and shocked by her findings.

“Doctor,” Henderson said, “Have a look at this.”

The Doctor looked into the microscope. “Very interesting indeed,” He commented.

“You don't seem as surprised as I am,” Henderson observed. “It has characteristics of a virus. However, I've never seen anything like it.”

“There is nothing like it,” The Doctor said, “At least on Earth.”

“Are you saying this virus is alien?”

“Doctor Henderson,” The Doctor began, “You're a brilliant virologist. I finished reading your papers while waiting for the laser.”

“Those are roughly thirty years of work consisting of thousands of pages,” Henderson said in a surprised tone. “It would take me at least three years to read them again.”

“I'm a fast reader,” The Doctor commented, “As I was saying, you're a brilliant virologist, doctor. Yet, you have a habit of doing what most scientists tend to do. You limit the scope of your search for answers.”

Ace had been sitting in a chair across from Doctor Henderson's desk. She was positively amused by the exchange between the doctors. She did nothing to repress her smile and laughter.

“So you are saying it's alien,” Henderson said, ignoring Ace.

“Not all alien life forms are little green men, doctor,” The Doctor responded.

“Some are Daleks or Cybermen,” Ace interjected.

“Not now, Ace,” The Doctor said gently.

“How do you know it's alien, Doctor?” Henderson asked.

“That isn't the important question, Doctor Henderson. How did the virus get to Ortonshire, and how do we cure it? Those are the inquiries you must ask if we are help the infected and prevent the spread to the rest of the world.”

The Doctor snapped his fingers and ran toward the nearest exit. Doctor Henderson followed him.

“Where are you going, Doctor?” She asked, pursuing him.

“I need to get to the TARDIS!” He called as he ran further away. “There's no time to lose!”

*

Ace, still in the hazmat suit, entered the TARDIS. The Doctor ran to the controls, pressed buttons and flipped switches. The doors closed.

“You won't be needing that, Ace,” The Doctor said, indicating her hazmat suit. “We're perfectly safe in the TARDIS.”

Removing the protective head piece and mask, Ace asked, “Shouldn't we be saving the people in Ortonshire, Professor?

The Doctor hadn't taken his eyes and hands away from the TARDIS controls. “That's exactly why we've returned to the TARDIS, Ace. If I'm right, the illness is not of Earthly origin.”

“So we're going find who created it?”

“Not exactly,” The Doctor answered. “We are, however, going to see how it began.”

“Couldn't we prevent the infection from coming to Ortonshire?”

“As much as it pains me, Ace, I'm afraid not. We're merely going back in time to see how the virus got to Ortonshire.”

Ace looked disappointed. “Don't look so glum, Ace,” The Doctor said. “We'll find a way to cure every sick person in Ortonshire. I just need to confirm a theory first.”

Ace was reassured by this by the time the TARDIS returned to Ortonshire's city limits near the village sign some days before their initial arrival. Christmas lights shined their rainbow of hues upon the box, perhaps as a signal of hope for things to come. The Doctor and Ace heard the town square's clock tower's bells toll. It was midnight. The Doctor checked his fob watch to be sure. He clicked it shut and sat down on the ground in front of the TARDIS doors. Ace sat next to him, her arms wrapped around her knees.

“What are we doing now, Doctor?” Ace asked.

“Waiting, Ace. We're waiting.”

Twenty minutes later, the Doctor looked at his watch again. He then turned his gaze to the sky.

“It should be arriving,” He said, “Now.”

The Doctor and Ace looked up. A shooting star streaked across the night sky, its fiery tail blazing through the starry backdrop. A meteor was clearly burning upon entering Earth's atmosphere. Small, flaming bits of the space rock crash landed. One had come close to striking the Doctor had Ace not pushed him out of the the way.

Ace helped the Doctor to his feet. He thanked her and dusted himself off. He returned to the TARDIS to get a long pair of tongs and a cylindrical lead container. The Doctor placed the meteorite inside the canister before walking into Ortonshire. Ace followed closely.

“Where are we going, Doctor?” Ace asked.

“We need to make sure no other meteorites in the area, Ace.”

“Shouldn't we get more of those lead cylinders from the TARDIS?”

“There's no need,” The Doctor answered with a twinkle of pride in his eye. “Much like the TARDIS, this receptacle is bigger on the inside. Now, come along, Ace. We have lives to save.”

*

Doctor Henderson made her rounds to check the infected somewhere around midnight. She entered Charlie Wright's room. She looked briefly at his file. As she looked up from the folder, the pale boy covered in vines did something that startled her. He sat up. She called his name, but there was no response. His face was cold and without expression. This brought a shiver of terror to Doctor Henderson.

Charlie got out of bed. Doctor Henderson overcame her apprehension and called the young man's name. The only responses were a chillingly vacant look in her direction accompanied by an eerie silence. Charlie marched out of the room. Doctor Henderson, her curiosity outweighing her fear, followed the boy. He didn't seem to notice her behind him. Perhaps in his current state, he didn't even perceive her presence as a threat.

Charlie had joined another group of the infected. Others followed suit. The crowd became overwhelming. Doctor Henderson had lost her balance. She placed her hands in front of her person to break her fall. Her moving forward did nothing to distract the patients from getting to their destination. Henderson saw that the rest of the Project PANVAC team was following the entranced people with tendrils all over their bodies.

The marching had stopped outdoors. Henderson noted they were in the Ortonshire village square. The colours of the Christmas tree's lights, especially the red and green, made the infected look more menacing and frightening. Doctor Henderson gulped saliva to moisten her previously dry throat. She looked around  The faces of Project PANVAC's personnel mirrored the question that was on mind.

What do these people want?

*

The Doctor and Ace had been collecting meteorites for the better part of two hours when they returned to the TARDIS. They had a dozen of the space rocks inside the container. The Doctor worked the ship's controls allowing it to materialize in front of an elaborately decorated wooden cottage. He checked the date. It was December 1st.

The house was surrounded by a white picket fence. Gold garland and small red and green lights trimmed the structure. Brightly lit statues of a snowman and Father Christmas were placed on the left and right sides of the gate behind the TARDIS. The snowman's left hand touched a red postal box with an address written on the side. The Doctor read it aloud.

“17 Miller Road,” He said, “If I recall correctly, young Charlie Wright lives here. We should investigate here for clues to how he became ill.”

The front door was unlocked, and the light within were still turned on, meaning the family left in a hurry. The Doctor and Ace moved quietly. They entered the front room to find an Advent Calender on the coffee table adjacent to the Christmas tree and television. It had an image of two children, a dark haired boy and a blonde girl, in Christmas pyjamas looking in amazement at the numerous presents under the tree. The square for December  1st had been opened.

“Doctor,” Ace said holding the Advent Calender. She indicated the empty square. “Look.”

“Yes, Ace, it's an Advent Calender. They're quite common at Christmas time.”

“No, look closer,” Ace insisted.

“Goodness, Ace, you're right,” The Doctor said upon further examination of the empty square. He saw bits of green dust inside. He put on latex gloves to take a sample of it. He and Ace returned to the TARDIS to study the weird powder. The Doctor looked worried after about fifteen minutes.

“I think, Ace,” He said, “We may have missed a meteorite somewhere.”

*

The Ortonshire Candy Factory was on the east end of the village. The TARDIS had arrived not long before the meteor shower had begun. The Doctor started a countdown. A meteorite crashed through one of the factory's windows the moment after the Doctor had finished. It had landed in a vat of chocolate unbeknownst to anyone working there. The mixing process had turned the rock to dust. The chocolate was then used in the sweets for the Advent Calenders.

The Doctor snapped his fingers and looked at Ace. “There's a slim chance,” He said, “But we going to have go with your plan, Ace.”

“My plan?”

“I'll explain later. We need to return to the TARDIS.”

The time machine vanished. It reappeared inside the factory this time. It hovered over the vat of chocolate. The Doctor stood in the ships opened doorway with a long mechanical arm device in his hands, He used a joystick to move it left and right, up and down until its two prongs grabbed the meteorite in the moment before it landed in the chocolate. The Time Lord returned inside to calculate his next move. He configured the TARDIS controls.

“Now,” He said to Ace, “If this is timed correctly, we can place this rock we caught somewhere our previous rock hunting selves will find it, thereby preventing it from contaminating the candy factory's chocolate and any infection in Ortonshire.”

“There's one thing I don't get, Professor,” Ace said. “How was this my plan?”

“It was you, dear Ace, who asked if we could prevent the infection from coming to Ortonshire. Now, put that hazmat suit back on, and prepare your throwing arm. We're almost where we need to be.”

The TARDIS whirled and twirled in the air. The Doctor opened door after checking the ship's location.

“When I say go, Ace,” The Doctor said as he opened the door, “ Throw the meteorite.”

“I hope this works, Professor.”

“I've seen you launch explosives at Daleks, Ace. You'll do brilliantly.”

He looked down at the street a few steps in front of the candy factory. “Now, Ace! Now!”

Ace's gloved hand hurled the meteorite with the might and determination of David against Goliath. IT landed near a tree less than an inch away from Ace's previous self. The Doctor closed the door, scanned Ace for infection and radiation and smiled.

“Excellent throwing, Ace. If all went well, Our next trip to Ortonshire will be a happier one.”

The TARDIS was now on the moon, time was catching up with itself as The Doctor and Ace's previous selves disappeared with all of Ortonshire's meteorites. The Doctor looked inside the container. There were thirteen plus five they had missed before.

“Ah yes,” The Doctor said, “We did another survey of Ortonshire after taking the rock you threw.”

The Doctor and Ace returned to Ortonshire's sign. The Time Lord opened the TARDIS doors. He exited to admire how beautifully lit the words Happy Christmas were. The Doctor took a deep breath with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

“Come along, Ace,” The Doctor called. “The Most Magical Christmas Village In The Entire World awaits us once more.”

Ace came out of the TARDIS just as a portly man with a white beard dressed as Father Christmas approached the Doctor. He grinned broadly as he spoke to them.

“Happy Christmas, folks. Welcome to Ortonshire,” The man said jovially.

“Happy Christmas to you as well, my good man,” The Doctor responded with a tip of his hat. This is Ace, and I'm the Doctor.

“Pleased to meet both of you,” The man replied, shaking hands with Ace and the Doctor. “I'm Chris. You here for the Christmas Festival?”

“Yes,” The Doctor replied, “I also wonder if you could tell where I may find an Advent Calendar.”

The End

[ambitionsource]

AMBITION Season 2 ♫ “Valerie De La Cruz” [ 2.04 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (daphnegolshiri) || S2 Tag || Official Page

MOTHER KNOWS BEST – A guest appearance by Isadora’s starlet mother throws AAA into disarray. As Jack attempts to maintain control with a full plate, Valerie encourages the students to channel their current woes into more authentic performances. But lighting a match in dry woods might just set the whole forest ablaze.

72 Minutes (21K words) || No warnings apply.

[ ← Are We Out of the Woods ] [ S2 Synopsis ] [ Cold Comfort → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

EXT. AIRPLANE - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “The Bitch Is Back / Dress You Up” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Zay Babineaux & Maya Hart (feat. AAA Juniors)

As the opening guitar riffs launch us headfirst into another episode of AMBITION, a commercial airliner makes its way into a safe and timely descent at John F. Kennedy airport.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

But it’s ZAY BABINEAUX and MAYA HART who are leading the number, the A class goofing around before the school day officially begins. The two reigning divas don’t pull any punches with the rendition, delivering it with impressive runs, infectious energy, and undeniable talent.

The two of them interact with the rest of their classmates as the performance unfolds, grooving around and spreading the energy. Maya leans back against ISADORA DE LA CRUZ during one particular run, giving her a wink. Zay spins RILEY MATTHEWS. Amidst the spectacle and during a fun dance sequence between the two divas, CHARLIE GARDNER watches with his jaw hanging open and looking especially captivated.

EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY

Intercut with the loose performance, a series of shots convey a new guest making their way into the world of AAA. A pair of glossy stilettos step their way out of an expensive town car. A generous tip drops through the window into the passenger seat.

Those stilettos march their way down the streets, heads turning as the figure passes. People whisper excitedly. Is that…?

We follow those heels as they cross a busy intersection, not bothering to wait for the signal. Jaywalking is New York tradition, and traffic will wait. Especially for them.

As the song comes to an end and Zay and Maya belt out their best ending note, those heels strut their way up the vast steps of Adams and push through the doors with a flourish.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The class rounds out the number with enthusiasm, Zay and Maya standing front and center back to back as they soak in the theatrics of a spectacular performance. Here we go again!

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Well, for those in the know, anyway. FARKLE MINKUS is seated alone in the black box, glancing at the clock and all the empty seats around him. It’s clear he missed a memo, but he has no idea what he’s supposed to be doing instead.

The silence of the room is stark compared to the bombastic opening number we just saw. He slouches further in his seat, lightly tugging at his hair absentmindedly.

He’s saved from isolation when JACK HUNTER pokes his head in. He asks what Farkle is doing in there, considering they’re supposed to be meeting in the auditorium this morning. Embarrassed, Farkle quickly gets to his feet.

Farkle: Well, uh… nobody told me.

Jack waves him off, stating they can walk there together seeing as that’s also where he’s headed. Not the most ideal social cred, to be walking around with your principal, but suppose it’s better than being alone.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The two of them arrive right on time, HARPER BURGESS showing up as well and gearing up to start the day. She quiets the upbeat chatter of the class, Farkle feeling the sting of being left out simply based on the good mood they’re all carrying that he didn’t experience. As Harper gets them to settle in the front and center section, LUCAS FRIAR descends from the booth and comes to join the other techies.

Harper explains that they’ll be having a special guest lecturer this week, and instantly the class grows excited once again. This launches into a series of guesses as to who it could possibly be, none of them even close to the mark.

Darby: Is it my mom? They just made a huge breakthrough on her cancer research. She should’ve told me she was coming!

Haley: Again, Darbs, someone we care about.

Yogi: It has to be Dick Cheney. If Sean Spicer can be on Dancing With the Stars --

Other names are thrown around. Barack Obama. The kid who invented flossing. DYLAN ORLANDO offers another idea, sitting up in his seat next to ASHER GARCIA.

Dylan: Jesus H. Christ. It’s Jesus, isn’t it?

[ He leans forward in his seat, tapping Charlie’s shoulder to get his attention. ]

Dylan: Charlie, you’re friends with Jesus, right?

Charlie clearly has no idea how to respond to that, mildly horrified, but SARAH CARLSON beats him to it anyway.

Sarah: Why would Jesus come to Triple A?

Nate: Someone has to save us from our sins.

Dylan: If he can do Queer Eye, I think he could make an appearance.

Of course, no one can top DAVE WILLIAMS when it comes to ideas.

Dave: Is it Ice T? He’s my godfather.

Before that little bombshell can be unpacked, the mystery is solved. ERIC MATTHEWS eagerly makes his way onto the stages through the wings, followed closely behind by the glamorous VALERIE DE LA CRUZ. Tall, tan, gorgeous, wearing those stiletto heels and looking absolutely fabulous. Her smile is brighter than the stage lights as she gives a wave to them all.

As expected, the class erupts into chaos. Maya can’t believe this is happening, claiming she’s going to pass out. Isadora looks torn between excitement and dread. Lucas looks disgusted, glaring at the adults assembled on stage with his mouth hanging open.

When Valerie is ON, it should be noted that everything that comes out of her mouth is at peak theatrical.

Valerie: And let me just say -- what an honor it is to be here with all of you. This week, we’re going to reach your highest heights… but also dig deep. Do you all want this insufferable beauty of a lifestyle badly enough? Can you be the beast necessary to live it? What are you willing to share -- or sacrifice -- to have it? And, of course, do you have the talent? [ a beat ] Suffice to say, my dear, dear dreamers in training, I bet this week will change your lives.

Oh, there’s no doubt about that, Madame De La Cruz. Off her charismatic wink --

Cue title sequence.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Maya is sitting with Isadora at lunch, DARBY WINTERS arguing about something with NIGEL CHEY and YINDRA AMINO a couple seats down. Maya is brimming with excitement, unable to contain it as the two of them talk about Valerie’s visit.

Maya: I can’t believe it. Did you know?

Isadora: [ mirroring her enthusiasm ] It was so hard not to tell you.

Maya pretends to swat at her, shaking her head but still grinning wide. They immediately launch into eager discussion.

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

From the usual techie table, Lucas watches Maya and Isadora through the window to the cafeteria with evident disdain. Dylan and Asher are seated across from him, trying to distract him and talk him down from the turbulent emotions Valerie’s presence might have brought.

The subject of the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving comes up, Lucas explaining his and Isadora’s usual tradition of ditching their respective familial obligations (in his case, none) and just going to eat somewhere together. Nothing remotely holiday-inspired, but more fun than either of their other plans and distinctly theirs. Considering Valerie’s presence, however, he figures that will likely not be happening this year.

Dylan states that if he doesn’t have better plans, then he should come have Thanksgiving with their families. Asher smiles, taking his hand on the tabletop and agreeing. The soft moment lingers between the two of them. Dylan goes on to explain that there’s nothing better than a Garcia-Orlando holiday gathering, especially Thanksgiving.

Asher: Well, my dad did set the oven on fire last year.

Dylan: And you know, I think that was exactly what we needed. I think every holiday needs a little bit of character.

Asher: I would not call “a degree of separation away from bodily injury” character.

Dylan: And that is what you have me for.

Asher rolls his eyes, Dylan giving him one of his sunshine smiles. Lucas watches them in mild amusement, effectively distracted enough to concede and state he’ll join them for the holiday.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

At the opposite end of the cafeteria, Zay and Riley are eating lunch with CLARISSA CRUZ and HALEY FISHER. As Haley arrives and settles into the seat next to her best friend, she breathlessly declares that she’s figured it out. She has finally figured out why Charlie isn’t giving her -- or anyone else, for that matter -- the time of day.

They prompt her to continue, Zay subtly more intrigued than Riley or Clarissa. Haley boldly announces her revelation, convinced of its truth.

Haley: Charlie is so into Maya!

She goes on to explain how she can’t believe she didn’t see it before, but the way he was so obviously thirsting this morning before class while she and Zay were riffing off made it painfully clear. Not to mention Maya is so unattainable, so it makes sense why he’s been harboring this for so long. Zay listens and nods along, no longer the least bit concerned and fully amused.

As Clarissa pulls Haley into the holes in that theory, Zay and Riley focus on their own conversation. They get into discussing their current celebrity lecturer, Riley admitting that it’s an exciting prospect, but considering she hardly knew about Valerie before she got here it’s not quite as major for her as it seems to be for the rest of them.

Zay: I know you had a whole other life before Triple A and all that, but were you like, Amish or what?

Riley nudges him playfully. She says she can’t even think much about it anyway, as she’s totally preoccupied with the upcoming holiday. Considering the mess her family is at the moment, she has very little faith that this is going to go well. She can’t stomach the idea of having to watch her parents pretend to get along and then having Auggie ask her every five minutes if they seem like they like one another again and having to find ways to tell him they’re not getting back together.

Riley: Not to mention everyone here is still all over the place and I -- sorry for complaining, but could one thing in my life not be falling apart?

Zay waves off her unnecessary apology. He points out that if she’s frustrated with how things are going with their class, then maybe this week is the time to say something about it. With Valerie here people are going to be paying way more attention than usual, so maybe she can take the chance to actually make a statement and have people listen. Make everyone stop being so stupid, if nothing else.

A nice idea, but easier said than done. Especially when you can’t even let go of your own grievances. This is true as ever as Charlie approaches to join them, exchanging an awkward smile with Riley. She still doesn’t know how to deal with him and excuses herself, vacating the seat for Charlie to occupy.

The dismissal clearly stings for Charlie. He watches her go before plopping into the seat next to Zay, engaging in conversation about Valerie. Charlie questions if Zay is excited about her presence, which he admits to but also clarifies that he’s nowhere near as fanatic as Maya. Valerie is great, but she’s no Rihanna or Queen Bey.

More than that, Zay is intrigued by what chaos she’s going to bring to the table. Seems like it’ll be a week for bold choices -- to which he jokingly makes a quip about how maybe Charlie can admit his feelings for Maya. Charlie is confused, asking him what he’s talking about, but Zay just waves him off playfully.

Charlie: Zay, what? [ with a laugh, but also indignant ] What are you talking about?

Zay shrugs like he doesn’t know what Charlie is bothering him about, but he can’t hold back his grin. He pops a French fry into his mouth, raising his eyebrows.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack is seated at his desk, obviously already exhausted as he discusses the plan for the week with Eric and Harper. As he sees it, he’s already doing everything he can to keep the junior class from imploding, and bringing in such a high-profile figure with the means to cause chaos is just throwing a wrench into things. Eric and Harper defend their belief that perhaps her presence will actually prime the students to work together more effectively, but Jack is skeptical.

Jack: I’m just saying, I’m not breaking my back like Atlas holding up the sky only for it all to come crashing down for some Hollywood bim --

His less-than-complimentary description of Valerie is interrupted by her arrival, Jack quickly changing tracks and offering her a polite smile as he rises to his feet. She jokingly states he doesn’t need to get up on her account, accepting his hand to shake.

Jack: We were just discussing the current… fragile status of the junior class. It’s imperative that we don’t do anything to upset that precarious balance or do anything that might… aggravate rather than mediate.

Valerie: Oh, say no more, Jackson. I know all about conflict mediation. When my mentor JLo got into a tiff with my other mentor Mariah, it was basically up to me to single-handedly snuff out that inferno --

Jack looks like he is not going to survive the week. Harper swoops in to change the subject, stating that she and Valerie should go set up the classroom. She agrees happily, giving one more thanks to Jack and Eric -- especially Eric, given how wonderful he is with Isadora and for arranging this week -- before fluttering off.

Once they’re alone, Eric and Jack take the opportunity to reiterate their plans for Thanksgiving. Presently, Eric is planning to join the Hunters for the holiday in an effort to avoid the Cory & Topanga drama for the year. It’s clear they’re both looking forward to it, as they haven’t had much time to actually enjoy one another’s company outside of school-related business.

Jack also makes a point of reminding Eric that his and Shawn’s +1s will be there as well, so Eric is more than welcome to bring along a friend or… whomever. Eric nervously laughs off the notion, fumbling through an excuse for why he likely won’t have one but appreciating the sentiment either way.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Farkle is still sitting in the same spot as when they dismissed for lunch, flipping through Death of a Salesman half-heartedly. It’s unclear, but it seems like he didn’t bother to go for break at all.

As his classmates begin returning and settling back in around him, none of them pay him any attention. It’s like they don’t even notice him. Farkle has basically become furniture at this point -- just incidentally iced out of the picture rather than intentionally ostracized.

Somehow, this is worse than being villainized. He’s being forgotten, and it evidently hurts Farkle to realize it as he watches the rest of the class meander in. He thinks about saying something to Nigel who has sat down nearby and is discussing something avidly with NICK YOGI, but Shawn takes the stage before he can speak.

As Shawn informs them, they will not be meeting in here for class, but actually, in the black box. Although the techies point out that they always meet in here first, Shawn flatly claims that their current guest lecturer had other plans. So away we go…

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Valerie greets the junior A class with a flourish, surrounded by a completely rearranged black box theater. Most objects have been pushed to the sides, and the desks are now organized in a circular socratic style -- with Miss De La Cruz in the very center. She opens her arms wide and welcomes them to the classroom.

Valerie: Come in, come in, and take a seat. Sit wherever your instincts draw you to go.

While most of the class is excited by this introduction, not everyone is so starstruck.

Lucas: I’m being drawn out of this building...

Shawn: [ spinning him back around by the shoulders ] Sit down, Friar.

As everyone settles in, Valerie explains what her approach for the week is going to be (and yes, her delivery does feel a little bit like Cooper Anderson on Glee). She greatly looks forward to getting to know each of them, and notes that she is endeavoring to sit down with each of them one-on-one through the course of the week to discuss their aspirations, their hesitations… and sign autographs if they so desire, ha ha ha!

In the midst of this lecture, she begins randomly picking students from the class to try and get them to speak about who they are. She picks the worst example to start with, turning to Charlie and asking him to tell her who he is in front of the entire class.

Charlie: … who, me?

Valerie: Well, you and me are locking eyes, aren’t we? We’re forming a connection. You sense that?

Charlie: Um --

Valerie: So, tell me then…

Haley, amused: Charlie.

Valerie: Charlie! Tell me, Charlie. Who are you?

Charlie is speechless, the rest of the class snickering or reacting accordingly. From where he’s sitting next to Riley, Zay grimaces. Being put on the spot doesn’t help, and Valerie catches onto this. She assures Charlie that it’s fine, and that they’ll have plenty of time to chat later. She manages to spin it into something positive, claiming his uncertainty highlights exactly what she thinks is the key to the week for them.

Valerie: You saw, there, how Charlie hesitated? That’s not a bad thing. What that is showcasing, my dears, is the internal search for authenticity. He did not merely throw out some practiced answer -- he took the time to contemplate the question, to dig deep and consider what such an answer might be.

Sarah: [ under her breath ] Like there’s any depth to dig.

Emotional authenticity, Valerie elaborates, is the core of any talented star in the making. Audiences don’t connect to glitz and glamour -- although we love some glam! -- they connect to the emotion a performer is conveying through their work.

All in all, it’s clear that Valerie really does intend to make progress with these students and wants to help them in any way she can. But the A class is far from ready for emotional vulnerability, which she quickly realizes, so they’ll have to start a little smaller first. Thusly, Valerie decides they could do with a warm up.

Maya: This is the best day of my life.

Lucas: This is insane.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “When I Grow Up” as performed by The Pussycat Dolls || Performed by Valerie De La Cruz (feat. AAA Juniors)

Yes, this is an insane choice to sing while mentoring at a high school. Yes, it’s also a direct homage to Valerie’s actress’ PCD roots. But the good aspect to the choice is how it energizes the students, just shocking and upbeat enough to create a compelling combination to break through the uncertainty and tension.

While most of the class gets pulled into the fun and starts grooving with their celebrity teacher -- Maya the first to jump at the chance -- not all of the junior A class is participating. Farkle stays slouched in his seat and doodles apathetically in his notebook, this out-of-character nonchalance catching the eye of Eric amidst the chaos. Isadora is somewhere between embarrassed and overwhelmed, covering her eyes and peeking out between her fingers to watch. Lucas looks disgusted, glancing around him as if he cannot believe this is happening.

Even still, the song actually does speak pretty pointedly to the situation. Valerie is coming from where they all believe they desperately want to be, and perhaps that’s not as rosy and desirable as it seems on the surface. “Be careful what you wish for, cause you just might get it…”

It’s also a nice change of pace to see most of our main cast enjoying a performance. Maya, Riley, Zay, and Charlie take the brunt of backing up Valerie, and it’s fun to watch. When they break into duos, Riley pairs with Zay while Maya ironically pairs with Charlie (which Haley definitely reacts to).

Valerie finishes off the number with a flourish, back in the center of the circle with the junior class surrounding her. What a way to kick off her week!

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

On the other hand, maybe not. Jack’s expression is dismayed as Lucas sits across from him, fiercely complaining about what he just witnessed in theatre lab.

Lucas: That was the most disturbing display I have ever been forced to bear witness to in my short, lamentable existence. And I was there for when Maya attempted to get our only relatively diverse school to perform The Lion King and casted Yogi as baby Simba because he was “the right size” for the part.

Jack: Good memory you’ve got there.

Lucas, flatly: I will never be free of that.

Yes, great thanks to Zay Babineaux for shutting down that concept. Subdued theatrics aside, it’s evident Jack isn’t going to argue with Lucas. He leans forward and lowers his voice, speaking conspiratorially.

Jack: Look, to be honest, I’m with you. I don’t think Miss De La Cruz’s presence is going to bring anything but trouble… [ wringing his hands ] and a strange amount of glitter that I cannot seem to wash my hands of no matter how hard I try.

Although Lucas does crack a small smile at Jack’s commentary, he’s not so easily distracted from the issue. He asks what Jack is going to do about it, then. Valerie being here is disgusting and wrong. Can’t he evict her from the premises? Ban her from the building?

While he might daydream about such things, Jack points out that the rest of the class is very enthused about her guest appearance, so it would be more of a hassle to try and remove her than just let her stay run its course. She can’t cause irreversible damage in a week, and who knows, perhaps someone will really get something out of the mentoring.

Lucas: So you’re doing nothing.

Jack: There is a difference between doing nothing and strategically maintaining the peace…

Lucas rolls his eyes, getting up to head back to class. As he’s heading out, Jack grabs his attention once again and makes a point of tapping lightly at his temple. A subtle reminder within a dynamic that only continues to grow more interesting. Think.

Lucas makes a face, indicating that he got the message. Then he pushes out the door, Jack smiling lightly as he goes back to his work.

The smile falters when he takes another look at the messages from the secretaries in the main office. There are one or two pointed reminders regarding the “Bradfords,” which seems to put him on edge. He immediately goes to check his email.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric is in the midst of work as well, although he seems in a much better mood about their guest. He’s humming to himself when there’s a light knock at his door. He beckons Harper in without looking up -- only it’s not Harper waiting in his doorway.

Eric, in surprise: Miss Hart?

Yes, indeed. KATY HART is peering into his office, timid as usual in the imposing presence of AAA. Eric leaps from his seat, coming to greet her and assuring her that it’s wonderful to see her again, albeit unexpectedly. He guides her inside, questioning what she might be doing there.

Eric: Hoping to catch a glimpse of our celebrity guest lecturer this week?

Katy: Oh, no. Maya definitely has already texted me about it, but… I couldn’t. That’s not what I came by for, in any case.

Eric is intrigued, settling back into his seat. Katy apologizes for stealing a moment from him, but she claims she needs some guidance. Urgent guidance. Eric’s expression grows more solemn, nodding for her to go on…

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Maya and Isadora are chatting outside the black box, a gaggle of other students heading out from the classroom behind them. They’re not speaking softly when they discuss the new shake up for the week.

Haley: We are going to learn so much from Valerie. I can feel my star shining brighter already.

Darby: Can you really? How do I know if I’m growing brighter?

Nigel: Lost cause there, Darbs.

Sarah: She might be loony, but she’s got a fun way of teaching. She’s gonna be a better teacher than Burgess.

Focus shifts to Isadora and Maya just as Valerie flutters her way over to them. Isadora makes a point of formally introducing them, Maya more than a little starstruck as she shakes Valerie’s hand. She eagerly compliments her on her great first lecture and emphasizes how she cannot wait for the rest of the week. So Maya holds it together, but it is more than obvious how much she admires Isadora’s starlet mother.

Valerie is tickled, stating that their class is great and she can’t wait to see what Maya whips up for her performance. After a couple more stammered thank yous Maya gets going, leaving Isadora and Valerie in content but uncertain silence as they’re thrown back into figuring out what their dynamic is again.

Searching for a conversation starter, Valerie questions if that was the same girl who threw such a fit over Les Miserables. Isadora confirms it is.

Valerie: Well, she certainly seems to have screwed her head back onto her shoulders a little more securely. Wouldn’t you say?

Isadora: Yeah, well… people can change in a pretty short amount of time.

As the two of them start to head down the hall, Eric comes breezing by at a brisk pace. He slides through the black box doors, poking his head in to make sure all the students have departed.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Harper greets him as he enters, lightly adjusting the layout of the room without incidentally messing with Valerie’s newly preferred set up. She enthusiastically states she feels good about their guest appearance for the week, as the students seem more energized than she’s seen them this semester.

Harper: That was a good start, wasn’t it? Or am I just suffering from wishful thinking and a dose of starry eyes?

Eric: Oh, no, I’m right on your page. That’s actually what I wanted to discuss.

Eric touches base with Harper, checking to see how she’s feeling about their new lecturer stepping on her teaching time. It’s unclear whether Harper overheard the commentary from Sarah earlier, but if she did she’s doing an excellent job of concealing it. She explains that Valerie’s presence is hardly a problem for her, in fact it’s a welcome change of pace. It gives her the chance to redirect her energies towards identifying problem areas in the class dynamic.

She does admit that the day has been a draining one, however, so she’s ready to get out of there for the afternoon. She questions if Eric is planning on heading home any time soon -- workaholic -- and he claims he is, he simply has a couple last minute tasks to complete…

INT. AAA - MAIN OFFICE - DAY

One of which seems to involve Jack. He breezes past the secretaries at the front desk with an upbeat greeting, jogging back towards Jack’s office before either of them can stop him. He returns moments later in confusion, wondering where their principal is.

As the secretaries tried to tell him as he rushed past them, Jack’s already left the office. He was gone a few minutes after final bell. Some personal engagements planned, it seems.

Eric’s usual cheery demeanor deflates somewhat. The secretaries offer to pass on a message for him as he glances back towards Jack’s office, but he shakes it off.

Eric: I, um… suppose I’ll just catch him tomorrow.

INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Katy and Maya are seated in their cramped living room, spending the evening together after a long day for them both. Dinner is leftovers from the diner, sitting open on the small coffee table in front of them on the couch.

The ladies are chatting lightly, having an impromptu girls night. Katy braids Maya’s hair, the latter pointing out that she still hasn’t figured out how she manages to do this one style so perfectly. She hasn’t managed to recreate it on her own yet.

Katy accepts the compliment, but she admittedly is still wrapping her head around how Maya really got to spend the whole day with a bona fide celebrity. Exciting, isn’t it? Maya grows excited and disrupts the braiding to whip around, gushing about the situation and how amazing the rest of the week is going to be. She’s going to get real feedback from one of her absolute diva heroes.

She also lights up with an idea, stating that Katy should 100% meet Valerie. Katy humbly claims they already met at the diner, but Maya means more officially. As parents of their daughters’ new best friends, if nothing else. She’s sure Isadora wouldn’t mind. Katy tentatively agrees that might be fun.

It’s evident there’s something else on her mind, but she’s struggling to find a way to discuss it. Maya thinks nothing of it, jumping to her feet to go and prep a soothing tea before bed. Only one problem -- the stove isn’t working. It won’t light. When Maya points this out, Katy fumbles before laughing and stating she must’ve forgotten to pay the gas bill.

Maya: You? Forgetting to pay a bill? It is a week for the unimaginable, huh?

Katy laughs along, Maya settling for warm milk instead. So long as she can take care of her voice and get all ready for bed. The moment to say whatever she wanted to say passes, Katy twisting her fingers together before beginning to clean up their dinner.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

As the school bell rings, we’re thrown into Valerie week truly beginning. This, as it were, seems to involve yoga of a certain variety -- Valerie takes a deep, theatrical inhale as she sits at the center of the classroom. The desks have been pushed along the walls and the performers are seated in a messy circle around her, emulating her breathing exercises with varying levels of commitment. Maya is following to a tee, breathing impassioned and declarative; Nigel, on the other hand, is lowkey checking his phone while everyone else’s eyes are closed.

The techies are even less convincing. They’re seated cross-legged on top of the desks rather than on the floor. Dave is seeing how long he can hold his breath as Valerie goes on to explain the importance of an even inhale and exhale, Jade and Nate timing him.

All the calm breathing puts Dylan to sleep. His head falls on Asher’s shoulder, who opens one eye to peek at him and fails to hold back a fond smile.

Lucas listens expressionlessly, watching everyone else but clearly not impressed himself. He breaks his stony facade only once, when Isadora opens her eyes to glance around and they make eye contact. For a moment, neither of them do anything -- then Lucas makes a face, almost causing her to laugh and disrupt her mother’s elaborate speech on the diaphragm.

Thankfully, the meditation doesn’t last much longer. As Valerie rises to her feet and cheerfully repeats the benefits of a nice and supportive breathing technique in every day life, the class works to put their desks back in relative circular order.

Now, Valerie declares, it’s time for the real fun to begin. Who will be the first to kick off performances and set the tone for the week? A challenge certainly, but she’s more than confident someone in this talented class will have the chops to pull it off…

Although it seems like Maya is chomping at the bit… someone beats her to it. No, it’s not Maya -- nor Isadora, as Valerie eyeing her curiously seems to wish -- but Riley who raises her hand and volunteers to step up to the plate. This causes a ripple of surprise amongst the A class, but Valerie is going to encourage whoever is bold enough to do it. She gestures Riley up, swapping places with her at her desk as she takes center stage.

Riley clears her throat and gets ready to perform, only for Valerie to immediately stop her. It catches her off-guard, wondering what she could’ve already done wrong, but Valerie merely reminds her to introduce herself. Make an entrance into their attention spans, really take the room by storm!

So Riley nods along, squaring her shoulders and trying the moment again. Who she is, what she’s there to do, and what she’s singing about.

Riley: I’m Riley Matthews, Junior A class. I’m here because I love to perform and would love to see where it might take me… but to be honest, right now I kind of just wish everyone would stop being so stupid.

A bold statement. The class reacts in amusement, Zay raising his eyebrows and exchanging an intrigued grin with Yindra.

Tell ‘em what they need to hear, Riles.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Come to Mama” as performed by Lady Gaga || Performed by Riley Matthews (feat. Valerie De La Cruz)

Upbeat and fun but also more than to the point lyrically, Riley delivers on this Gaga bop with the enthusiasm and gusto of a girl who truly has nothing else to lose. It’s a rallying cry just as Zay suggested she try, an anthem about letting go and forgiving and forgetting lest everything fall apart. She relays the important message of coming together to work things out while playfully interacting with her classmates.

Halfway through, Valerie jumps up and joins in on the song with her. As she goes, the two of them stay at center stage and Valerie gives non-verbal tips on how to improve Riley’s performance and confidence in the midst of the song. Adjustments to her posture, reminding her to smile, lots of cute touches and little details like that. It’s a fascinating dynamic to watch, as well as to observe how Valerie coaches.

Well, to most people. Whereas Lucas was moderately engaged while Riley was performing, he checks out the moment Valerie steps in.

As they conclude the number, Valerie leads the class in uproarious applause. She congratulates Riley for a grand performance and for being brave enough to lead the charge. Definitely a job well done!

She explains that she’ll want to meet with Riley that afternoon for their one-on-one so she doesn’t forget her notes, but she’ll also be meeting with other students regardless of whether they’ve performed yet. She directs them all to the sign-up sheet that Harper has set up, where they will sign up for a one-on-one time as well as when they plan to perform.

Valerie claps to herself again as the room moves around her, bustling to sign up and regroup. The week is off to a swimming start!

INT. AAA - PRACTICE ROOM - DAY

Well... not for everyone, exactly. Farkle is alone in the practice room, flipping through a song book and lightly tapping out starting notes on the piano. Nothing is settling right with him. The quiet of the room doesn’t offer much help either.

As long as it lasts, that is. Farkle lifts his gaze as footsteps and voices approach, Zay and Charlie appearing outside the practice room and in the midst of conversation. It seems his status as invisible is still in effect, because the boys don’t even notice Farkle in the corner as they step just inside the doorway to have a more private discussion.

They’re chatting about Valerie’s assignment and worldly advice, all of it obviously giving Charlie a good amount of stress. Did Zay see him wipe out on the first day of her visit? He laments how he doesn’t know how the hell he’s supposed to give emotional authenticity to a performance when he can’t even do that in his normal life half the time. Zay empathizes, pointing out that very truth in reference to something from earlier in their conversation -- the holidays.

Charlie: It’s like, what does she want me to do? Go up to my good Catholic mother and say “hello, Eleanor! Just wanted to give you the quick timely heads up that I, your darling only son, am a dirty sinner” --

[ Farkle visibly reacts to this, eyes widening in surprise. It’s evidently news to him. ]

Charlie: -- “and oh, can we invite my heathen bi boyfriend that you don’t know about over for Thanksgiving dinner? Hold that thought though, gotta go give a really emotionally authentic performance for my classmate’s crazy superstar mother!”

Zay pulls Charlie back from the metaphorical ledge, taking his shoulders and (ironically) encouraging him to breathe. He reminds him that he holds no expectations about Thanksgiving, so he shouldn’t consider that a concern.

And when it comes to the performance, he doesn’t have to do anything but give a good rendition of whatever he chooses to sing. Just because Valerie is here doesn’t mean that everything suddenly changes, and she’s not gonna know whether what he shows her is authentic or not despite claiming she can know them all in the span of a week.

Zay: So give a damn good performance like you always do, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not it’s emotionally “authentic” --

Charlie, in a murmur: Or the fact that she has a point…

Charlie lifts his gaze, locking eyes with him. His inability to be authentic -- or know what that even means for him -- isn’t something he can run from forever, and both of them know it. Zay gives him a soft look, squeezing his shoulders before giving him another reassurance. It doesn’t have to be solved today.

All in all, sort of an intense and intimate conversation to accidentally overhear. Farkle watches as the two of them exit back into the hall, obviously internalizing this new information but having no clue what to do with it.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric finally manages to catch up with Jack, catching him during the lunch hour. He promises to make it quick, before throwing in some offhand commentary about Jack’s early disappearance yesterday afternoon.

Jack: I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you would be needing me. I had plans with Anne-Marie.

Eric: [ with a stiff nod ] Prior engagement.

Jack: But, in my defense, a typical work day is 9 to 5.

Eric: It was 3PM.

Jack: I put in a lot of overtime already.

Details aside, Eric explains that he wanted to touch base about how they think Valerie’s visit is going. He thinks it’s going rather well, whereas Jack is still firm on his stance that it may be fun but still feels unnecessary. He’s not convinced that she’s not going to cause more trouble than improvement. There’s an odd tension between the two of them because of it, although it’s not clear whether all of the animosity is coming from this specific disagreement.

Eric chooses to avoid it for now, changing the subject. He starts to note that he thinks they should pay some additional attention to Farkle Minkus -- he observed some odd behavior in class the other day, and given how things ended last year…

Jack is obviously on the same page, but a phone call startles them both and disrupts the train of thought. Jack asks for just a quick minute and answers the call, Eric holding up his hands in surrender and claiming they’ll discuss it later.

They exchange nods and suddenly the conversation is over, Eric looking a bit dissatisfied as he steps out of the office.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

In this particular case, Jack might be making the right call about Valerie. Trouble begins to brew right after lunch, as Lucas returns to the auditorium to find the rest of the techie crew grouped uncertainly on the stage. When he asks what’s going on and why they’re not at their usual stations, Asher explains that Shawn directed them here. Apparently, Valerie wants to chat with them about their “expectations” for the week.

Lucas: Oh, this better be fucking good…

With Valerie De La Cruz, it’s certainly guaranteed to be a spectacle. She greets them with a flourish as she struts over to join them and the performers filter in behind her, spreading out across the auditorium for individual rehearsal time. Jade timidly asks what they’ll be expected to do during this week of emotional authenticity, to which Val delivers what she clearly believes is a wonderful declaration.

Valerie: [ with gusto ] Nothing.

Dave: Nothing?

Valerie: Nothing! We won’t be needing your specific services this week.

It’s obvious none of them know how to react to this. Sure, the performers have been flippant about their contributions many a time, but never has the dismissal been so… blatant. Or stated as if it’s the nicest little treat. They’re stunned, they’re confused, Lucas is definitely miffed. Dylan is staring at Valerie with his jaw dropped open, totally lost.

Lucas: I’m sorry, you what?

Valerie: Well, given that this week is all about emotional authenticity, I don’t anticipate we’ll be needing many of your… elements. Well, except perhaps lighting --

Jeff: Oh, thank God.

Valerie: Besides, you all work so hard every single week. Consider this your reprieve, even if only for a short while.

Lucas: So what are we supposed to do instead?

Valerie: Take it easy! Enjoy the performances! [ Lighting up with excitement ] In fact, I would love to see the lot of you try your hands at a little performance art. I bet there’s lots of talent brewing in this flock of rare birds!

That sounds like the last thing any of them want to do. Jade blushes preemptively, already mortified. Asher instinctively turns away and half ducks behind Dylan, tucking his head against his shoulder to avoid eye contact.

More than anything, Lucas is pissed. He shakes his head wordlessly as Valerie flounces off to rally the rest of the class. Before class can get going again he gathers his things that he just set down, marching back the way he came.

Nate: Don’t wanna enjoy the performances?

Lucas: I’d rather die.

Dylan: Where are you going?

Lucas: Anywhere but here.

Hard to misunderstand that. The group of them watch him go, a bad mojo settling in the air. Asher lifts his head from hiding behind Dylan, exchanging a loaded look with him.

Back at front and center stage, Harper and Valerie are convening to discuss how the rest of the week will unfold. The students are in break-out sessions right now rehearsing, but Valerie is welcome to set up camp in her classroom for one-on-ones. She hands over the roster for sign ups, the starlet taking it with delight. Let the mentoring begin!

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

A quick cut montage ensues of Valerie sitting in the black box at a desk, chatting with each of the junior A class in bursts of personality. You know how we love those montages here at AMBITION. However, there’s a lot going on in this episode already, so you can fill in the blanks for the most part. Good luck, Valerie!

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - LATER

The montage wraps up as Riley timidly enters the black box, Valerie enthusiastically greeting her and guiding her over to sit in the desk across from where she’s set up camp. She starts by sharing congratulations again for being bold enough to kick off the week. It’s clear that Riley has a lot of talent, and Valerie is fully supportive of how brightly she can shine -- when she puts herself out there and steps up with confidence, that is.

Riley: Yeah, I… [ a beat, softer ] someone has told me that before, actually.

Valerie also commends the efforts she’s putting into quelling the dissent in their class. While she’s impressed by her initiative, she wonders if perhaps there might be some… inconsistencies muddying her overall effectiveness. When Riley asks for clarification, Valerie takes a moment to compose her thoughts before speaking again.

Valerie: I have no doubt that your endeavor to heal your broken class is motivated only by good intentions. But often times, a heroic mission can be… stilted, if the words seem to be coming from an untrustworthy source.

Riley: … so, you think I come off untrustworthy?

Valerie: Oh, no! Ha, ha, no, dear, not at all. And I’ve met Justin Bieber, okay, I know untrustworthy when I see it.  [ a beat ] I simply mean that… sometimes, what we preach isn’t what we practice, and that can make it more difficult for others to follow our example. You want your classmates to stop holding one another on trial for certain events, from what I understand. Forgive and forget, in a sense. [ beat ] I’m only wondering if perhaps there are places in your own life where… this logic has yet to be applied.

Although Valerie doesn’t know much of what she’s talking about, she’s doing a good job of swinging blindly. Riley absorbs this, Valerie going on to state that whatever she might be thinking about, it might be good to do it sooner rather than later -- if her fears about her class falling apart again are well founded.

Much to think about…

INT. AAA - DRESSING ROOM HALL - DAY

Charlie is heading out of the dressing room when Darby and Sarah catch his attention. They’re definitely giggly, which is already a warning sign.

Darby: Charlie, why didn’t you say anything?

Charlie: … about what?

Sarah: You know… [ knowingly ] about your little crush?

Charlie immediately tenses up, asking what the hell they’re talking about. But they’re just like hee hee hee, and generally unhelpful. He refutes having a crush on anyone -- poorly, since he’s so flustered -- which just makes them laugh harder. He rushes out of the dressing room hall, their laughter echoing behind him.

INT. AAA - COSTUME LOFT - DAY

Zay is chilling in the costume loft, jotting down some ideas for a performance for the week on his inner arm. He brightens when Charlie shows up, already out of breath as he finishes climbing the step ladder to the loft.

Before Zay can get a word in edgewise, Charlie launches into nervous musings about how people might be onto them. He paces, trying to figure out what could’ve given it away or where he went wrong while Zay just tries to keep up with how fast he’s talking. When he manages to ask what the hell prompted this and Charlie explains the moment with Darby and Sarah, Zay decides he might be reading into it.

Zay: I don’t think they’re talking about the same thing you think they are, Charlie.

Charlie: I mean, do I come off like I’m keeping a secret? Am I twitchy? Do I just radiate some kind of natural secret-y aura?

Zay, pointedly: Don’t think you want me to answer that, babe --

Charlie makes a face, taking a deep breath. When he’s pulled it back together, at least minimally, he states that he and Zay need to tread more cautiously. Clearly he’s not thinking enough, and if he’s not careful it’s going to come back to bite him.

Zay has no idea what that even means. They’re just… existing. What else does he want them to do? Charlie doesn’t know either, and Zay states that he thinks Charlie is thinking too much.

In search of ways to alleviate the imaginary problem, Charlie starts brainstorming ways to avoid any possible suspicion that they might be… involved. And lucky for him, there’s already a Broadway tune that can do just that…

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “People Will Say We’re In Love” as performed by Oklahoma! Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Charlie Gardner & Zay Babineaux

Continuing their pattern of taking romantic theater classics and making them iconically gay, Charlie takes the lead with the Laurey verses and gives Zay a list of ways for them to prove they’re not in love to the rest of the world. As he sings the line “Don’t sigh and gaze at me, your sighs are so like mine,” Zay realizes he is in fact gazing fondly and shakes it off, switching back into sarcastically amused.

When Charlie warns Zay not to start “collecting things,” and asks for his things back, Zay begrudgingly reaches into his pocket and places one of Charlie’s rosaries into his palm. Charlie uses the opportunity to take his hand, the two of them standing close as he finishes his verse.

Then Zay takes the reins, a little more playful in his delivery and somewhat mocking the intensity of all this secrecy. He jokingly points to the back wall of the costume loft when he claims he “carved our initials on that tree,” Charlie rushing to go check that he’s lying when Zay takes his arm and spins him back around. He taps Charlie’s chin affectionately as he reminds him to take some of his own advice, grinning as Charlie pulls away from him in a huff.

Naturally, Zay is much like Curly in that he personally doesn’t care much if the world knows they’re in love. The line “Don’t praise my charm too much, don’t look so vain with me” is practically custom built for them, Charlie catching his own disdainful expression and turning away from Zay in embarrassment.

While the dancing of the number is really just skirting around one another, it’s a nice change of pace to get to highlight their vocal ability and charm for a spell. Zay ends up back-to-back with Charlie as he gets to the verse how holding his hand feels, both of them obviously gleaning comfort from the touch even though they can’t see each other’s expressions.

As Zay sings the last couple of lines, he gently spins Charlie by the arm so that they’re facing one another again. All of the nervous energy that started the number has fizzled to something softer, the romantic tension palpable as always as they stand inches apart.

Problem solved or not (or problem at all to begin with), it’s clear that this is the most “emotionally authentic” performance Charlie will be giving this week.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Valerie is at her highest pitch of enthusiastic as Isadora comes to join her for a one-on-one. They exchange some niceties, Valerie breaking the ice by commenting how silly it is for the two of them to have a structured meeting. She claims they can just have a real conversation -- they haven’t had much time to really catch up yet, as it were.

Isadora agrees that would be nice, but she expresses hesitancy about having an open dialogue. She doesn’t want to say something wrong. But Valerie points out she’s here all week, and nothing she could say will change that nor the excitement she has about getting to spend the upcoming holiday with her. From how earnest she is, Valerie clearly means it.

This means a lot to Isadora, but she isn’t completely sold yet. She offers a timid smile, and Valerie gets the picture that a deeper conversation might have to wait. She smartly shifts gears to the assignment at hand, prompting Isadora to tell her all about what sort of number she might want to pull off this week.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack is just in the midst of a phone conversation with one of the secretaries when Harper marches into his office, obviously on a mission. He glances at her, casually telling them to reschedule his 1PM call.

When he asks what he can do for her, she launches into a metered complaint about how Lucas has skipped class once again. This time, in fact, he just walked right out of the auditorium in plain view of the entire class. Jack takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as she continues her diatribe, stating that it’s not only going to impact his education, it’s also being blatantly disrespectful. She’s trying her best to remain calm and even-tempered about it, but the repeated offenses are clearly getting to her.

Jack claims he’ll have another chat with him, but Harper is quickly learning to associate that promise with doing nothing. Jack has had many chats with Lucas since she started at the school three months ago, and his behavior has hardly improved. She questions if he truly isn’t going to do anything about it, to which Jack evenly retorts that he just said he would handle it. Harper almost lets it be...

Harper: … doesn’t it seem a bit odd, though?

Jack: Odd?

Harper: You’re such an authoritarian -- which I respect, by the way. Lucas, it seems to me, is someone who seriously needs authority. Yet you don’t seem to be taking a -- I’m not attempting to criticize, sir, but don’t you think Lucas could do with a little bit of --

Jack: Lucas Friar is… [ a beat ] a special case.

Harper: So is the whole junior class, apparently. I’m only saying that --

Jack, firmly: I’ve got it under control, Harper. That’ll be all, then?

Jack’s shift in tone is subtle, but the message is clear. Leave it alone. Harper can identify a warning signal when she sees it, so she nods and apologizes for barging in. Jack thanks her for letting him know, nodding her out.

Still, Harper doesn’t seem convinced, even if she won’t continue to argue it to Jack’s face. She makes her way out without further comment.

Jack goes back to his work, releasing a sigh. His mood is not improved by the notations on more messages he’s gotten from the mysterious Bradfords. He picks up his phone, deciding to make a call and set the record straight.

EXT. CHUBBIE’S DINER - DAY

Farkle is making his way down the street, hands stuffed in his pockets and head ducked down from the wind as he shuffles into the diner.

INT. CHUBBIE’S DINER - DAY

Farkle pulls his scarf from around his neck and steps up to the counter, requesting a pick-up order for his family. The waitress informs him that it’ll be ready in just a minute, Farkle nodding and waiting restlessly by the counter. He taps his fingers on the countertop, glancing around him at the other patrons eating in good company at the booths and tables.

He’s startled when Katy says his name, gaining his attention. She’s obviously not 100% sure it’s him until he faces her, offering an uncertain smile and asking him how he’s doing. Although Katy is on Maya’s side in all things, it’s clear that she still maintains a friendliness towards Farkle even if her daughter is quite decidedly anti at this point.

Farkle is saved from more small talk by his order being ready. He wishes Katy well and heads over to gather utensils and condiments by the door, Katy looking after him with sympathy and a little bit of concern.

Maya doesn’t even notice him as she breezes through the doors with Valerie and Isadora in tow. She eagerly pulls Katy out from behind the counter and leads the more formal introduction of the single mothers, eyes sparkling with excitement as two of her role models really meet for the first time. Katy is flustered and gives her high compliments, not prepared to meet her again in such a humdrum setting. But Valerie thinks nothing of it, easing the tension with a joke or two about her own waitressing days. Ha ha ha!

As they’re chatting, the subject of Thanksgiving comes up. Maya gets the bright idea that since they’re both working with unconventional family dynamics, they should totally do the holiday together! Especially since she and Isadora are such good friends now.

Isadora enthusiastically agrees, perhaps a little too eagerly for someone who is supposed to be thrilled to be spending time with her starlet mother. Might be easier to stomach a holiday with her actual mother if she’s not facing it alone. Valerie asks Isadora if she’s sure she doesn’t have any other plans that might be conflicting with, and she only hesitates for a moment before confirming it’s all good.

Farkle, of course, hears all of this. It’s a bit surprising to hear Isadora dismiss any other plans so flippantly, considering even he knows about how she and Lucas would usually spend the holiday together because it was so sad and often the subject of performer dressing room gossip the week back from break. He also is doing a weak job of hiding his jealousy, finishing prepping his to-go bag and starting to head out before he hears anything else.

That’s when Valerie notices him, recognizing him from school.

Valerie: Oh, hey! [ waiting for him to stop and turn ] Aren’t you from AAA? In the A class with Isadora?

[ Awkward. While Valerie is all smiles, Maya and Isadora stare at Farkle as he gawks like a deer in headlights. ]

Farkle: … yes. Goodbye.

He doesn’t give them the chance to say anything else, pushing out the doors. Valerie raises her eyebrows, giving Katy a playful nudge.

Valerie: Little wiggly, that one, wouldn’t you say? Although, don’t I know the feeling! When I am away from the stage for too long, I’ll tell you, withdrawal jitters --

Maya and Isadora exchange a look, the former shaking her head dismissively and tuning back into the conversation with their moms. Isadora lingers on it a bit longer, glancing back over her shoulder where Farkle left.

EXT. CHUBBIE’S DINER - NIGHT

The sun has set by the time Valerie and Isadora head out from Chubbie’s, Valerie asking if she’d like to do something else. Catch a movie, perhaps? Something touristy? A trip to the salon -- she’s been contemplating some new looks that she thinks Isadora could totally rock. But Isadora is feeling a bit suffocated, so she claims she really needs to get back.

As they walk in the direction of the subway, Valerie holds up the conversation. She talks brightly about the A class, sharing her thoughts on who she’s chatted with so far and getting Isadora’s thoughts on it. When Farkle comes up, Valerie comments on his perceivable ostracism and how quickly he escaped their greeting.

Valerie: A bit strange, no?

Isadora: Not really. He kind of ruined everybody’s lives at the end of last year, so they’re all pissed at him. Sort of playing the villain… at least he was. No one is really paying him much attention anymore.

Valerie: What exactly did he do?

Isadora: Honestly, it’s not even worth talking about. It was just stupid and… whatever. He got what he deserved, so I guess people are just letting it die out.

Valerie: … is that really all there is to it, though?

Isadora: What do you mean?

Valerie: I just mean… is letting it go really letting it go? Forgetting is a far cry from forgiving, and believe me when I say I know all too well how important forgiveness can be. It’s more so for the other person than the one giving it, but… you know. Take you and me. You’re forgiving me -- for much worse than I presume Farkle Minkus could’ve done -- and that means all the world to me.

Isadora absorbs the sentiment, not sure how to handle the sudden vulnerability of the conversation despite how willingly Valerie offers it. She goes on to simply state perhaps letting the issue die down isn’t going to do anyone any favors… something to think about, in any case.

The subject slowly drifts to someone Valerie thought she would be interacting with much more…

Valerie: I haven’t seen much of Lucas. [ a beat ] You don’t seem to be hanging around with him much, at least.

Isadora: … yeah, well, it’s the focus change. You know, I’m in performing classes now more than I was before. So it’s just… scheduling things. Mostly.

Valerie: Oh, of course. Don’t I know about scheduling conflicts. [ tentatively ] But certainly, for best friends, you would find the time --

Isadora ends the conversation preemptively, claiming she can walk the rest of the way to the station from here on her own. She gives Valerie a smile, thanking her for the dinner and assuring her that she’ll see her again bright and early tomorrow.

Lucas is clearly something she’s not keen to discuss at the moment. However, you can practically see the little diva wheels start turning in Valerie’s head…

INT. LUCAS’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lucas is gearing up to head out somewhere, phone pressed to his ear as he tears from the hall to the entryway. He doesn’t seem to be in the best mood, given the circumstances of the week.

Lucas: What do you mean Asher isn’t coming? [ a beat ] No, I mean, it’s whatever, I’m not going to force him to hang out with me. [ beat ] No, no, I don’t think it’s that deep, I just -- no, I don’t care. I’ll see him tomorrow, it’s not like the end of the world. [ beat ] Whatever, Dyl, I’ll be down in two minutes. Bye.

He hangs up without waiting for a response, huffing as he focuses on jamming on his boots. GRACE FRIAR emerges from the kitchen to catch him before he goes, letting him know that there’s been a change of plans in the family schedule. She warns him that Kenneth is going to be home for the holiday week.

Lucas is obviously stunned by this. His reaction is indignant, although there’s a hint of something that goes just beyond commonplace discomfort.

Lucas: What? He wasn’t -- I thought he was gonna be in Texas. Gone for Thanksgiving, here for Christmas.

Grace: That’s what I thought too, but he called this morning from the school to let me know. They shifted around the dates. Here for Thanksgiving, gone for Christmas.

It’s evident neither of them are exactly thrilled. Lucas is suddenly tenser than before, pacing the confines of the entryway and rubbing his eyes. He tries to search for another explanation for his frustration to compartmentalize it.

Lucas: I already made plans. I’m going to Asher’s.

Grace: Oh? What about Isadora?

Lucas, bitterly: She’s got plans of her own.

Grace: [ after a moment ] Well, don’t change your plans. I’m sure the Garcias are going to host a lovely dinner. Just given how… neat Asher is. [ Lucas scoffs ] It’ll probably be good for you to be there. Better than here.

The resulting silence speaks volumes. Lucas looks at his mother, uncertain.

Lucas: I can ask Asher if you could come --

Grace: Oh, no. No, don’t worry about that. [ Crossing her arms ] Besides… someone has to share the holiday with your father.

The statement is nice, but the sweetness that goes with it isn’t genuine. It’s not a privilege, it’s likely a punishment, and they both know it.

Grace waves him off and tells him to go have fun, disappearing back into the apartment. Lucas looks after her, suddenly heavier with the weight of the conversation. With the knowledge that there’s nothing he can do about… well, anything, really.

He grabs his denim jacket off the rack, storming out the door in a flurry. Just as his apartment door swings closed --

INT. BLUE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Another opens, finding Isadora standing just outside. Rather than going home, she’s found herself outside the apartment of BLUE NGUYEN. Given that it’s been a hot minute since last season, it’s nice to see him again! He gives Isadora a light hug before gesturing her inside.

Isadora apologizes for texting so unexpectedly, but he reassures her it’s no biggie. He knows how sometimes going back to the Van Herschings is far from a sweet escape. She reiterates that point, before he prompts her to talk about what is really stressing her out -- the incomparable Valerie De La Cruz.

True enough. Isadora explains that she’s glad she’s here, and it’s clear she’s making a real effort to connect with her which she appreciates. But it’s just a lot to adjust to all at once, hence why she’s glad she’ll have the buffer of the Harts there for Thanksgiving dinner. She feels ungrateful too, since this should be exactly what she wants.

Blue points out that being a foster kid, relationships with your biological parents are guaranteed to be complicated. It’s never going to be a simple dynamic, and while Isadora should feel happy Valerie is there, she is allowed to feel confused and reluctant and even bitter too. Whatever she feels about it all, that’s valid, and she shouldn’t try to shut those feelings down because of what she “owes” anyone else.

It’s a relief to hear someone say it, even if Isadora logically knew it to be true. She thanks Blue, stating that it kind of feels like she can’t really talk to anyone else about this (Valerie, Maya, least of all Lucas...).

Blue: Any time. You know that. But are you sure you can’t talk to Maya about it? Seems like she’d know a thing or two about mixed up parents.

Isadora: Yeah, but… you have no idea how much she admires my mom.

Yeah, such a level of starstruck is difficult to encapsulate. And we’re about to get a full dose of it… as the bouncy bass line floats in…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Valerie” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Maya Hart

Maya delivers a banging rendition of the song, clearly not afraid of pulling some direct punches to get across how much she idolizes their current guest lecturer. It’s cheeky fun in some ways, a little too much in others -- not to mention a sort of weird song choice that her classmates definitely don’t miss.

Dave, whispering: Isn’t this song about like… trying to get with Valerie?

Dylan: Shhhh.

Weirdness aside, it’s an undeniably well-crafted performance. Maya sells it with gusto, and her vocals and dancing are as impressive as ever. Valerie certainly seems charmed, if nothing else.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Coming off of that interesting performance, Eric is checking in with Isadora to see how she’s handling the presence of her mom at school. The effort definitely means something to Isadora, considering how she was just expressing to Blue that she felt like there was no one she could talk to about the whole thing.

Although it’s not going badly all in all, suffice to say there are… awkward elements to it.

Isadora: Is there a good way to explain to your friend that she just sang a song that implies she wants to score with your mother?

Eric laughs, admitting that might be a tricky one. She goes on to say similar things to what she told Blue, lamenting the fact that while she’s glad Valerie is here, she feels as though there aren’t many people to talk to about how she feels. Eric reiterates his availability, but gently questions her perspective on it.

Eric: There’s… no hope with Lucas, you think?

Isadora: God, no way. He already hates her, and anything I say is only going to piss him off. Which I don’t want, even if it’s on my behalf. Not to mention he’s already so all over the place right now, skipping class and being careless, and then there’s the thing with the vandalism --

Eric: Wait, what? What are you talking about?

Isadora hesitates. Does he not know? Lucas was the one who vandalized the set piece during Into the Woods. Was she not supposed to say that? Eric is obviously shocked to learn this.

Isadora: … I told Principal Hunter about it. I assumed you guys just took care of it. Was I not supposed to...?

Eric: [ collecting himself ] No, no. It’s fine, you’re completely fine. It’s just… Jack told me…

A lie, apparently. He told him he couldn’t figure out who did it, but now Isadora is saying otherwise. Being hard to reach is one thing, but outright keeping him out of the loop...

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

The techies are congregated in the black box, an unfamiliar grouping place for them. But they’re not “needed” in the auditorium, so goofing off in the only place not riddled with starstruck performers is the move. Nate, Dylan, and Jeff are playing cards. Jade is doing hem work on a costume piece, Asher being her model and standing carefully on a desktop while she circles him and does her thing.

Lucas is at the whiteboard, erasing the notes Harper has written and haphazardly replacing it with his own nonsense. He continues to do so as the other techies get into making fun of Maya’s performance, discussing how weird it was. Jeff points out that Maya probably wasn’t thinking about it all that literally, but Asher counterpoints with the fact that that certainly doesn’t keep the rest of them from thinking about it.

Nate: It’s just such a kiss ass move. If she really wanted to win over Valerie, she probably already did it by getting in Isa’s good graces.

Jade: Suppose she hardly needs the song to boost her after that.

Although he doesn’t contribute to the conversation, Lucas clearly absorbs the notion about Maya using Isadora to get to Valerie. It’s nothing he hasn’t already thought about, but hearing someone else point it out sure does make the possibility seem uglier…

As if summoned, who should float into the room and disrupt their relative peace than Valerie herself. She gives all of them her usual level of charisma, asking if they’ll pardon her intrusion and how wonderful it is to see all of them enjoying their time en repose. Jade removes the needle from between her lips, hiding it behind her back.

Dave asks if there’s something they’re needed for, which Valerie waves off. She assures them that the performers are all hard at work rehearsing or debriefing, so she thought she’d take the quick reprieve of her own to stop by. In fact, she was hoping to have a spot of conversation with Lucas James.

The other techies hesitate, before immediately making excuses to get out of there. Nate pats Lucas on the shoulder as he goes. Dylan helps Asher down from the desktop, the two of them tossing a look of solidarity towards Lucas before they make their escape with Jade. It’s not long before it’s only Valerie and Lucas left in the space, the vast distance between them much more prominent than before.

Lucas clears his throat, turning back to the whiteboard and continuing his shenanigans. Valerie doesn’t seem perturbed, as she came into this meeting knowing full well it wouldn’t be easy. She keeps her smile intact, sauntering further into the room.

Valerie: I was wondering when we’d finally get the chance to chat. Must admit I’ve been looking forward to it. [ a beat ] I couldn’t help but notice you neglected to sign up for a one-on-one slot.

Lucas, deadpan: Oh, did I? My mistake.

Valerie doesn’t let the shortness deter her. She elaborates, stating that she knows what an impact he has on Isadora’s life. A true friend, certainly, and as her mother she could only hope she would have such true friends. It’s all nice chatter, but Lucas looks unimpressed as he uncaps all the markers on the whiteboard to let them dry out.

Stiffness, she can handle, but being rejected attention entirely is a tough pill to swallow for a woman who has only ever known the spotlight. She doesn’t take the hint to leave him alone and continues to fill the silence, explaining how nice it’s been to spend time with Isadora and see all the growth she’s exhibiting. It makes her happy, and really proud. It’s been spectacular, seeing her daughter make so many strides.

This gets a snort out of Lucas. Valerie pauses, asking if something she said was particularly humorous. She wasn’t going for comedic in that moment.

Lucas: I just find it funny. You know, that you’re acting like Isadora is so important to you when you only decided to show up six months ago.

Blunt and to the point. Valerie gently corrects him on exactly how many months it’s been since Les Mis, but Lucas clearly doesn’t care about that. His point has been made. And he has better things to do than talk with a Hollywood puppet, so he is going to have to cut their chat short.

Valerie searches for something to make him stay while he gathers his things, already heading towards the door.

Valerie: I know that adolescence can be a difficult time for young men. So I will begrudge you the harsh words. I’m not one for holding grudges, personally. Surely my feud with Sofia Vergara that was famously put to rest with my generosity and quick thinking is a credit to that.

Lucas, flatly: By all means, grudge away.

Valerie: But I think you could return the same courtesy in granting me my truth. I know it might be hard to believe with your biases, but I care about Isadora. She’s my daughter, and… and I love her dearly.

This manages to stop Lucas in his tracks. He hangs in the doorway, debating whether or not to say anything. His logical brain knows he should just walk away, but his temper…

Lucas: What are her favorite shoes?

Valerie: .... beg pardon?

Lucas whips around, locking eyes with her. She’s successfully kept him from slipping away, but perhaps that isn’t such a good thing.

Lucas: Dora’s shoes. What’s her favorite pair?

Valerie: I -- I apologize, but I don’t exactly see how a pair of shoes is relevant --

Lucas: They’re black converse. She’s had them since seventh grade. They don’t even really fit anymore and they’re falling apart, and she’s doodled all over the soles. But she can’t get rid of them, because they’re basically a part of her. But okay, strike one. How about her favorite color? No parent really knows their kid’s favorite color, but since you don’t know anything else maybe you’ll at least randomly know that.

Valerie: I… again, I --

Lucas: Not even a guess?

Valerie: … green!

Lucas: It’s red. Strike two. How about her favorite movie? You’ve talked about movies, right? Or what about dream vacation? What kind of food makes her nauseous? What do you do if you’re in an overwhelming social situation and she starts to shut down? What would you do, Miss De La Cruz, if you were there?

Valerie is stunned. She’s suddenly in an overwhelming social situation, and she has no idea how to respond. She shakes her head, stammering over her words.

Lucas: Strike three. You’re out.

Valerie: That’s not fair. You may be right about certain things, but… we’re making reparations. We’re trying now, and that’s just as good. And if I were there --

Lucas: But you weren’t. You weren’t, so you don’t know shit about anything.

Valerie: Now, Lucas James, I won’t be --

Lucas: No, don’t talk down to me like you know better. Don’t speak at me like you know me. Because you don’t. You don’t know me, because you don’t know her! Suddenly showing up now doesn’t erase that. You weren’t there when she got into Adams, or when she pulled off her first stage managing gig. Or how about when the secret of your mere existence blew up and Dora had to be talked down in the bathroom, huh?

Valerie: … I --

Lucas, fiercely: You weren’t there, but I was! So don’t talk to me about caring about Dora!

… whew. That’s a lot of emotion to absorb. Valerie dips her head, all of her bravado peeled away and a shaky version of her left in its place. She searches for something to say, but nothing comes out. The streetsmart starlet with a motormouth has nothing to say.

Lucas steps back a bit, collecting himself. He never intended to get so heated, let alone in front of one of his least favorite people -- not when he was doing so well at pushing it all away. He shakes his head, letting out a scoff of a laugh.

Lucas: But it’s fine. It doesn’t matter. Isadora’s following in your footsteps now, and… [ swallowing ] barely needs me anymore. So I guess it’s the perfect time for you to swoop back in and play the perfect idol mother. Role of a lifetime.

Valerie tentatively locks eyes with him, but he can’t look at her anymore.

Lucas, derisively: Break a leg.

He storms out, leaving her alone. Valerie takes a deep breath, pressing her hands over her mouth and closing her eyes. Forcing herself to be zen -- which it seems she’s done many times before. But her hands are still shaking, even as she plasters on a well-rehearsed smile.

As any actress worth her salt knows, the show must go on…

INT. AAA - SCRIPT LIBRARY - DAY

Farkle is tucked away in the script library, continuing to sort through the masses. It looks like he’s made decent progress in the time he’s been working through his punishment, but he’s listless as he alphabetizes the only shelf he’s gotten into actual shape.

He’s startled out of his funk by voices just outside the script library, causing him to jump when they pass by.

Dylan: He was really upset that you weren’t there.

Farkle frowns, recognizing Dylan’s voice but not having any clue what he could be talking about. He moves back towards the door and leans against it, eavesdropping.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Asher and Dylan have stopped just outside the script library, hanging back for a moment rather than continuing towards the auditorium. Asher crosses his arms.

Asher: Oh, did he say that?

Dylan: Well, no, obviously not. I think we both know that the day Lucas actually says what he’s feeling his head is going to explode. [ off Asher’s expression ] But you know how he is, you can tell when he’s not acting like himself --

Asher: Kinda feels like every day.

Oh. It’s clear Asher didn’t mean to say that, and Farkle’s expression from listening behind the door proves exactly why. Lucas, Dylan, and Asher come across as such an iron-clad united front, so any inkling of dissent from either of them seems like groundbreaking news.

Dylan states that he understands why Asher didn’t go last night, the two of them having talked about how overwhelming his shenanigans have gotten for Asher after all. But Lucas evidently has no idea, and maybe choosing not to say anything about it is doing more harm than good.

Asher: And what am I supposed to say, Dylan? That he’s being ridiculous? That I think he’s being stupid and making things worse for himself, not to mention that you and I almost got in trouble for it during Into the Woods.

[ Dylan makes a face and nods, acknowledging the point. ]

Asher: He’s being so boneheaded about Isa, and I can’t even get started on Riley --

Dylan: She’s still being nice to him.

Asher: Yeah, duh, because she likes him.

Another interesting tidbit. Farkle is certainly learning a lot while being certifiably invisible.

Asher: And I get why he’s being so… whatever about that, he’s got his thing about humiliation -- but is that supposed to last forever? Is Riley supposed to just take whatever and continue to be kind and forgiving until he decides to come around? Which he might never do? I don’t see how she could fathom doing that when I’ve been one of his best friends for two years and I feel like I’m losing my --

Asher cuts himself off, thwarting a potential anxiety attack before it starts. Dylan watches him breathe himself down, obviously wanting to help but having no great ideas about how to fix the situation either.

Dylan: I mean... do you think maybe you and Lucas aren’t…

Asher, quickly: No. No, of course I’m not saying that. I just --

He shrugs, letting out an exhale. He doesn’t know what he’s saying or thinking. Dylan searches for a way to turn things around, rubbing Asher’s shoulders comfortingly.

Dylan: Things always get weirder around the holidays. We know that. But we’ll have a great time on Thanksgiving with Lucas. And no one will set anything on fire, and everything will be okay. It always is eventually.

Whether or not he’s right, the earnest delivery Dylan has is impossible not to believe. Asher lets out another deep breath, managing a smile and a nod. Better, for now. Dylan slides his hands down to take his, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before leading the way back down the hall.

Farkle leans against the door, thoughtful. So much information he’s absorbed in the last few days, it’s like he knows his classmates better than he has in the last three years.

Yet, he’s still alone. He lets out a sigh and goes back to organizing.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack is currently focused on exactly that, going over notes on Farkle’s behavior from Harper and Eric and gearing up to set a meeting with him. But before he can make any definitive moves, who should march in a huff?

Eric: So were you just never going to tell me?

Jack blinks, holding up a hand in surrender.

Jack: Sorry, I just… I didn’t realize we had jumped back in time. When was the last time you stormed into my office like this, Eric? Early sophomore year?

The playful tone quickly evaporates when it’s clear Eric is not being theatrical. He’s genuinely upset, wondering why Jack decided not to tell him about Lucas being the vandal. As far as he was aware, they were tackling things as a team. As far as he was aware, that meant keeping one another in the loop and not withholding information that they deem the other unable to handle. Are they just not telling each other anything anymore? Is that what it’s come to?

Jack goes on the defensive, attempting to maintain his calm as he claims he made a call in the moment that felt right. But Eric calls bullshit, considering how pro-poetic justice he was acting for their entire investigation. Did Lucas end up getting that swift punishment? Or did he make a “call in the moment” about that too?

The situation escalates, the disagreement over communication quickly devolving into the other frustrations they have with one another but have been stifling for quite some time. Jack harps on how Eric has always acted like he just knows better than him, even though Jack was here before he was and has worked his ass off for years to keep AAA afloat. Eric fires back that he feels Jack is allowing his focus to be split, leaving work whenever and prioritizing his own personal fancies over who needs it most -- the students.

Jack is deeply offended by the insinuation, retorting that it’s not his fault Eric has no semblance of a work-life balance. It’s not his fault that Jack has a life outside the school, and that doesn’t make him any less serious about the school and the students in their care than Eric. It’s bullshit, and Eric knows it. The only reason he continues to dismiss him is because he’s not an “artist,” and so he’s never going to be good enough for him.

It’s a nasty argument, and shots are fired on both sides that they can’t take back. But the comment about having a life outside of work is a deep cut for Eric, enough to stop him cold and run out of things to say back. In terms of how Jack will never be good enough for him…

Eric: [ in a murmur ] Is that really what you think I think?

Jack shrugs, crossing his arms. Is he wrong? Eric thinks so, but then, he doesn’t have the words to explain the opposite. At present, he can hardly look at him without a lot of emotion he’s not prepared to deal with bubbling over.

Well, that’s that then. As Eric is heading out, he doubles back and states he doesn’t think he’ll be joining the Hunters for Thanksgiving anymore. He supposes he should be with his brother and niece, as they actually need him right now. After all...

Eric: I know where my priorities lie.

He flurries out without waiting for a response. Jack watches him go, obviously wounded by the confrontation and all worked up. He loosens his tie and attempts to pull himself back together, startled when one of the secretaries pokes her head in and explains that the Bradfords are on the line… again.

Jack has had about enough of this. He straightens up, expression growing determined as he tells her to put them through. He’s going to put an end to this irritation once and for all.

INT. AAA - PRACTICE ROOM - DAY

Farkle is alone at the piano, playing a few notes of a song but clearly not all that into it. He’s surprised when Valerie stumbles into the room, looking for a place to escape for a moment after her confrontation with Lucas. She’s not shaking it off as easily as she’s used to. She starts digging through her bag, obviously looking for something in particular.

Even more surprising, she actually seems to notice him. When she locks eyes with him she startles, letting out an airy laugh and apologizing for intruding. Farkle shrugs it off, claiming she’s not the first. Completely changing pace, Valerie saunters further into the space and pulls him into a conversation -- the first to do so all episode. She asks him what he’s planning on doing for Thanksgiving.

Farkle: Nothing. My family doesn’t really celebrate.

Valerie: Oh? Is Thanksgiving not a Jewish-approved holiday?

Farkle: Well, it’s kind of a dumb holiday to begin with that has its roots in colonization and the eradication and displacement of indigenous peoples, so you’d think less people would celebrate... but no. Nothing like that. [ playing a few notes ] Family is just busy this time of year, that’s all. We put a lot more stake into the December gatherings, I suppose.

Valerie: Oh… yes. Of course.

Valerie notes that the two of them have yet to have their one-on-one, which is a shame considering he seems like someone greatly worth talking to. Farkle scoffs, stating she’s the only one who thinks that… but also it’s whatever. He doesn’t have much to say. Given that he just gave a mini-diatribe about Thanksgiving unprompted she highly doubts that’s true, and instead prompts him on another subject that she thinks might set him off. Or at least, get him talking… then maybe the rest will follow.

So she asks him about music.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “I Miss the Music” as performed by Curtains Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Farkle Minkus (starting at 00:15)

Valerie takes on the role of prompting Farkle to discuss the creation of a song, which then launches him into singing about his feelings much in the same way it unfolds in the original. He expresses wanting to avoid talking about feelings and yet ends up doing just that -- only in this case, it’s ex-friends rather than an ex-wife that he’s aching for.

Still, the message of the piece is clear. Farkle lost his team and so he lost his voice, and he has no idea how to get it back the way it was before. It’s the most vulnerable Farkle has been about the situation since it all went to hell, and in front of an unlikely party at that. Valerie doesn’t intrude much on the expression, sort of fading into the background.

At the 3:50 mark when the song is interrupted, it’s Maya accidentally stepping in and claiming she forgot her songbook. It is their usual studio, after all. Although Farkle says something snarky at first, before Maya heads out he tries again and congratulates her for a great performance. She accepts it, hesitantly, another small moment of warmth much like during Into the Woods that neither of them know what to do with now.

Then she leaves him again, pushing him into the final swell of the song. Just because no one is giving him the time of day, and he’s basically invisible, it doesn’t mean all of those emotions are invisible too.

As the song concludes, Valerie startles Farkle by applauding and immediately commending his abilities -- vocally and instrumentally. She also highlights how much raw emotion he’s able to translate into a performance, which he sort of shrugs off considering emotion has never been his strong suit.

Valerie leans against the piano, attempting to contextualize whatever happened last year that people keep talking about at length. Farkle isn’t interested in discussing it, but it’s clear he’d like to be able to actually move on from it. So Valerie gets her thinking cap on and gives him… well, it’s well-meant advice, that’s for sure, but as for whether it’s good…

Valerie: You know, I’ve had my fair share of scandal in the industry. Everyone does, if you hang around long enough. And you know what I’ve always found to be the quickest fix for a story that just won’t let you live?

Farkle, flatly: Expensive cover-up?

Valerie: [ with a laugh ] No, no. Only in grave emergencies. No, generally, I’ve always found that a new scandal always swiftly pushes out the old. Once people have latched onto the next thing, you’d be amazed how easily they forget the previous one.

This seems to inspire something in Farkle. He nods, thanking Valerie for the advice as well as the conversation. She brightens, absorbing the head-turn she managed after the horrible confrontation with Lucas.

As she flutters off, pleased with her work, Farkle goes back to the piano and ruminates on her advice. A new scandal… he plays a couple of discordant keys…

INT. JACK’S APARTMENT - DINING AREA - NIGHT

Jack is having dinner with ANNE MARIE WINTHROP, the latter in the midst of giving him a well-needed pep talk after the day he endured. While it’s evident that the dynamic that they have is good and solid, it’s worth noting that their mindsets are incredibly similar. Both authoritarian, both more logical thinkers rather than emotional. Not a lot of challenging their ways of thinking.

Anne Marie backs him up in his decisions that Eric criticized him for, pointing out that him blowing up demonstrates exactly why Jack kept the identity of the vandal under wraps. She thinks Eric is an incredibly thoughtful, sweet man from the times she’s met him, but being able to keep emotions in check is a pretty pivotal skill to have in an administrative role.

Anne Marie: Certainly wouldn’t fancy him a principal, you know?

She also backs his defense about having a work-life balance. He shouldn’t feel bad for separating his personal life from school, and getting more tangled up in the emotional in and outs wouldn’t help him be an effective leader anyway. No, she thinks he’s doing the right thing, and assures him as such with a comforting touch of the hand and logical reasoning.

Still, Jack doesn’t seem entirely placated. And when she points out that she’s positive he handled the behavioral issue with perfectly rational thought, he takes a long sip of his drink rather than choosing to comment. Interesting, how Jack can talk about most things work related with Anne Marie except for that one very special case...

INT. CHUBBIE’S DINER - NIGHT

Valerie steps into the diner, scanning the counter until she finds Katy cleaning up a spot a few seats down. She cheerfully greets the waitress, evidently surprising her with her presence.

Katy: I didn’t realize -- is there something I can do for you?

Valerie: Oh, just a little of your precious time would be lovely. Oh, and a slice of that peach cobbler? I will tell you, ever since we had some of that treasure the other night I have not been able to stop thinking about it. Like pure addiction, that is!

Katy laughs, obliging and bringing her a slice. She continues to clean the counter and wipe down other dishes as Valerie chats with her, enjoying the company of another woman her age that isn’t immured in the same celebrity sphere that she is.

Valerie states that Maya is an incredibly talented young woman, which Katy proudly echoes. When Valerie states it isn’t a wonder where she must’ve gotten it from, Katy sort of waves the compliment off. She then settles into something a little more somber, expressing gratitude towards Valerie for being so willing to humor them and spend time with Maya. It means the world to her, she knows, and it’ll really make the holiday special this year.

Katy: Given how things have been going lately, um… it’ll just be real nice to have an extra special Thanksgiving. One we’ll really remember.

Valerie claims she’s hardly worth such high praise, but she’s more than happy to oblige. Sensing some of the stress surrounding it, she also offers to handle all of the food and beverages for Thanksgiving. If Katy can provide the place, she’ll handle everything else. Katy is stunned and tries to argue, but Valerie won’t hear it.

Valerie: Please, not even a dent in my pocket. You just bring one of these fantastic peach cobblers, and I will arrange the rest.

An incredibly kind gesture. Valerie waits a moment before going on to express her admiration for Katy, how she raised Maya all on her own and is working so hard to give her all these opportunities. She could never do it -- in fact, she didn’t, and now she’s paying for it. She only wishes she could connect with her daughter as seamlessly as she does, and she has so much courage for doing what she couldn’t.

Katy bashfully accepts the compliment, stating that when it comes to Isadora, better late than never. In terms of how she manages to communicate so effectively, Katy gives one piece of advice that stands truer than anything else. Something that, perhaps, everyone could consider utilizing a bit more right now…

Katy: When it comes to nurturing that relationship, for how subtly and swiftly it changes as she grows up… I just think the most important thing I can do is listen. I can be there for her, and listening is always the first step.

Food for thought. Valerie is thoughtful, considering this as the opening tones of Isadora’s performance for the week float in…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Don’t Watch Me Cry” as performed by Jorja Smith || Performed by Isadora De La Cruz

Valerie’s expression is still thoughtful in the darkened auditorium, seated amongst the A class as Isadora gives her rendition of this hauntingly beautiful ode to being left behind. It’s a simple arrangement, Isadora silhouetted on the stage with a single spotlight highlighting her in some places but casting her in shadow in others. It’s the most she’s addressed the impact of Valerie in front of Valerie before, making for a shaky but quite emotionally authentic performance.

In fact, it might be too much for the preacher of authenticity herself. As the performance reaches its conclusion Valerie rises from her seat, overcome with emotion. Isadora sees her rush out, not hesitating to leave the stage and jog down the steps into the house after her.

The class watches them exit, definitely getting a taste of what a truly emotionally authentic moment feels like.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Isadora catches up to Valerie in the atrium, wondering why she left like that. Valerie is in tears, trying to wipe at her eyes and pull it back together with minimal luck. She didn’t mean to upset her, she was just doing her best to be “emotionally authentic” or whatever --

Valerie: Isadora, I am so, so sorry.

Valerie goes on to express how horrible she feels for all she put her through. Unintentionally or not, she had no idea how much her absence must’ve hurt her -- well, she had an idea, but not a true understanding of it. She knows she could never make up for that, as much as she now has decided she wants to. She is so deeply, deeply sorry.

It’s the first real apology Isadora has ever gotten from her mother. It’s the first real emotion she’s ever gotten from her even, and perhaps there’s a truth to emotional authenticity, because it’s more effective than any overt enthusiasm or compliment Valerie has ever given her. Suddenly, for the first time, Isadora actually feels connected to her biological mother.

She gently assures Valerie that it’s okay, and that she’s glad she finally heard her. Isadora means it when she claims she wants to try and have an actual relationship with her, but admittedly it’s not going to be easy. Valerie has done things in the past that make it hard to trust her, and so it’s going to take time. But if she’s okay with that, then Isadora is willing to put in the work if she is.

Valerie is somewhat placated by this, wiping her eyes again and nodding eagerly. She lets out a teary laugh and expresses embarrassment at how much of a puddle she’s become, before asking Isadora if it would be okay to hug her.

For once, Isadora allows it. It’s their first embrace as mother and daughter, whatever exactly that might come to mean for the both of them.

It’s more than evident, however, that it means a lot to them both.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Charlie is at his locker, scared out of his wits when he closes the door and Maya is standing there grinning at him. He yells, fumbling back a bit.

Charlie: OH MY… ah. Maya.

She gives him a winning smile, claiming that she just wanted to chat with him about the little “crush” she’s heard going around about him. His eyes widen, but before he can get a word in edgewise Maya is off on a tangent.

Maya: I’m flattered, truly, and to be honest you do have potential. You’re cute enough, and can keep up with me physically -- as a dancer, that is, the only physical activity that matters -- but I’m simply not interested in weighing down my star with a relationship right now. Or, ever, really.

Charlie is totally bewildered, barely keeping up with her explanation. Finally, it hits him.

Charlie: You think -- you think I like you.

Maya: Can’t fault you that. I hope you understand. I mean, not my problem if you don’t, but I’m wishing you the best either way.

She blows him a couple of kisses, patting his cheek and turning on her heel to walk away. Charlie stares after her, blinking and letting out a strained exhale. So that’s the crush people have been talking about this whole time.

He leans back against his locker, finally getting to relax for the first time all week.

Meanwhile, Farkle is making moves, chasing after Lucas as he attempts to break ground on launching a new scandal. Although Lucas has exactly zero interest in interacting with Farkle, he is refusing to let the issue drop as he’s the perfect catalyst for stirring up something new. That’s the price they pay, being the most unbearable people in the junior A class.

Lucas: And why on God’s green Earth and the forsaken halls of Triple A would I be at all interested in speaking to you anymore than I am legally obligated?

Farkle, confidently: Because I know something that you’ll want to know.

That’s enough to at least get his attention. Lucas pauses, turning to face him and give him a second of his time.

From the expression on his face, we can tell whatever Farkle is going to say isn’t going to be good. What piece of information is he going to choose as the match to set off this firecracker…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Class is reassembling on the stage when the fuse finally blows, Lucas storming through the wings and disrupting the chatter. He’s awfully worked up for someone who doesn’t care about anything because nothing matters.

Lucas: When were you planning on telling me?

For a second, we hang on each of our potential scandal victims. Charlie jumps, spooked by the sudden volume. Asher and Dylan stare at their best friend, looking like deer in headlights. Riley spins from where she’s speaking to Zay, eyes wide.

But focus lands on Isadora, in the midst of chatting with Maya and surprised that Lucas is approaching her like this. It’s obvious she has no clue what he’s so vexed about.

Isadora: Telling you what?

Lucas: About your little Thanksgiving plans? I mean, I figured you’d be spending it with your mom considering she deemed to be in your life for five seconds, but really, Maya too? Isn’t that just the picture of best friendship?

Isadora is stunned. Although she wasn’t intentionally keeping it a secret from him, she wasn’t ever planning on telling him about it either. Maya steps up and tells him to back off lest he get his toxic masculinity all over them. Farkle saunters up onto some of the half-built set pieces and gets comfortable, watching the scene unfold from above with a neutral expression.

Maya speaking may not be the best strategy, because it’s all too easy for Lucas to turn on her. He points out how transparent she is, obviously only using Isadora to get a chance to grovel more at the feet of her favorite spastic diva idol. The insinuation is like a slap to the face, not only to Maya but to Isadora. She knows Maya loves Valerie as an artist, but the simple conclusion so many people seemed to have drawn honestly didn’t occur to her.

Maya glances at her, shaking her head frantically and immediately trying to assure her that it isn’t true. But Lucas is there to easily refute it, and soon enough it’s just a shouting match between Friar and Hart that everyone else is too stunned or entertained by to interrupt.

That is, except for Harper Burgess. She enters with Eric just in time to catch the worst of it, having officially reached her patience threshold for one special lead technician. And if no one, even Jack, is going to do something about his terrible attitude, then she certainly will. She steps into the fray and chastises Maya for feeding into the drama before turning to Lucas, asking if this is really the time or place for such harsh accusations.

Lucas: Well this doesn’t really concern you, so --

Harper: I wasn’t. Done. Speaking.

All of the oxygen is zapped out of the room. No one is breathing. Lucas is caught off-guard by being talked back to enough to go speechless, giving Harper the full power to take to the soapbox and completely take him down. She laments his absolutely abhorrent attitude, criticizes his lack of respect, all in front of the rest of the class who are all reacting in varying states of shock. Farkle has gone pale, blank-faced as he watches his plan crash and burn more horrifically than he could’ve ever anticipated.

Harper: Do you want to know what I think, Mister Friar? I think that you’re scared. I don’t know why, and I don’t know where you got the idea that terrorizing everyone else would fix it. But let the record show that you are not in control here. From here on out, you will show your faculty their due respect. You will attend class, and you will participate, and you will do it without a snide remark or unwelcome comment. You will be, as you should have been this whole time, a student amongst the rest of your peers and if you feel you deserve differently, then I believe you’re well aware of the exits to this auditorium.

It’s a complete decimation. It’s humiliation in the most concentrated form it could be administered -- perhaps not unwarranted, but definitely not the most effective treatment in this case. The techies are dumbstruck, looking at their de facto leader in concern. Isadora is mortified. Eric seems to realize that perhaps Jack was right about how to handle Lucas. 

The whole class has their eyes on Lucas, waiting to see what he’ll do next, but he’s frozen. He can’t move. He can’t speak. It’s unlike anything they’ve ever seen from him.

As if she’s been gifted with the worst timing on Earth, Valerie enters right then, cheerful and unaware as she greets them all again. But she can sense the tension quickly enough.

Valerie, innocently: What did I miss?

Then Lucas is gone, marching off the stage and out of the spotlight. It turns into a run when he hits the dressing room hall, disappearing through the doors.

The rest of the class devolves into mild chaos, reacting to what they just witnessed or trying to do damage control. Riley takes off before anyone can notice, running into the wings and through the dressing room hall after Lucas. Maya turns to Isadora, frantically trying to assure her that what Lucas said wasn’t true. She has to know it wasn’t true. Doesn’t she?

Valerie realizes whatever happened can’t have been good, mostly due to the look on Isadora’s face. She tries to approach her and help console her, but Isadora backs away. She backs away from everyone, making a dash for the other exit.

Farkle doesn’t look lofty anymore from his perch above everyone else. He looks disturbed, and Maya catches sight of him so high above. She narrows her eyes, contemplating…

EXT. AAA - DAY

Isadora escapes onto the front steps, gulping down the fresh air and trying to keep her emotions in check. She collapses into sitting on the steps, digging for her phone and frantically dialing a number. They answer quickly enough, providing a much needed outlet.

Isadora: Blue? I -- everything just happened so fast. I don’t know -- [ cracking ] I don’t know what to do. I don’t know --

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

Riley passes by in the hall outside the courtyard, struck with realization and doubling back to step into the courtyard. Her memory serves her well, allowing her to find Lucas from experience where few other people might think to check.

He’s curled up on the bench closest to the back corner, most effectively out of sight. He’s got his knees pulled up onto the bench and is hiding his head in his hands, looking smaller than Riley has even seen before. She isn’t sure what to do, whether she should approach and try to say something or if being acknowledged would make everything worse.

But she can’t just leave him there. She tentatively approaches the table, staying on the opposite side of it but making her presence known by softly saying his name. He doesn’t look at her, but he regains his composure a bit and clears his throat.

Lucas: What are you doing?

Riley: … I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

That’s a new one. Lucas doesn’t know how to respond, especially in such a deconstructed state. He sort of brushes her off but doesn’t tell her to go either, simply stating that she doesn’t need to waste her time.

Riley obviously doesn’t consider it a waste of time. She comes around the table and sits on the opposite end of the bench, searching for something to say to make the scenario better. If there’s anything she could say at all, in the one moment where she finally has his attention.

Riley: I don’t think you deserved that.

The sentiment hangs in the air. Lucas is still turned away from her, so she doesn’t see the way his expression shifts in a dozen little ways before settling back into blank. There’s a moment where Riley moves her hand, debating whether or not to reach out to him… but ultimately deciding against it.

She quietly rambles instead, stating that she understands why Harper reacted the way she did after all the chaos she’s had to step into, but the way she went about it wasn’t warranted. And she doesn’t… she doesn’t know him. She doesn’t know him enough to say the things she did. Regardless, like everyone else in the A class, she figures Harper could’ve given him another chance before going full takedown.

Lucas: Yeah, well, some people don’t deserve second chances.

It’s unclear who the statement is directed towards. Harper? Valerie? Himself? Given how his expression twitches again and he climbs to his feet a second later to get away again, it sort of feels like the last one. Riley doesn’t try to stop him, glancing over her shoulder as he disappears back through the doors.

She sits in the chilly November air, absorbing the quiet and solitude for a long moment. A moment of still in a semester that has felt like a constant hurricane.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Valerie is finally having her sit down with Maya. In spite of the awkwardness that just unfolded, Maya insists that she’s incredibly grateful and excited for this opportunity. She also makes it clear that she isn’t friends with Isadora just to get to Valerie -- considering she was barely in her life when they became friends in the first place, that wouldn’t make much sense.

Well, what a nice little pointed reminder. Valerie gently waves her off and assures her that she believes her, and she’s grateful for her friendship with Isadora. And while she only has good things to say about the logistics of her performance (Lord knows she has talent), she ends up knocking her down a peg in the sense that… Maya’s performance wasn’t authentic. She didn’t get any sense of who Maya actually was.

Maya: … what?

Valerie: Darling, your performance was entirely about me. Which, certainly, consider me flattered! But that wasn’t the assignment, and that’s not what a true artist needs to do. It makes me wonder, you know… what pieces of your own story are you hiding from amidst all the glamour?

Maya is at a loss for words. It’s hard to get criticism -- it’s even harder to get it from someone you so deeply idolize. It’s humbling in a way Maya has never had to endure before. Valerie warns her against becoming so deeply invested in a stardom persona that she loses sight of who Maya actually is, those pieces of her that make her a unique star in the first place. And if there are pieces in her constellation that feel unresolved… it’s up to her to close those chapters in whatever way she sees fit.

More well-intentioned advice. Whether it’ll pay off as intended, well…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Eric wanders into the auditorium, on the hunt for Isadora. He finds her where he least expects to, but maybe where he should’ve known to look -- amidst the set pieces, building something constructive to distract herself. Defaulting back to the world that feels safe when everything else is imploding around her.

He settles onto an acting block next to her, not disrupting her process but also checking in to see how she’s feeling. He doesn’t expect her to talk about it, but his door is metaphorically open for her to say whatever she wants or needs to say. He states that it’s okay for her not to be okay after all the tension of this week, in its varied forms.

Isadora pauses in her work, pushing her safety goggles onto her head. After a moment of thought, she gives her answer.

Isadora: No, I’m not fine. But I’m not gonna die either. [ slipping her goggles back on ] Same old, same old.

Eric: Well, hard to argue with that. [ a beat ] Things will work themselves out, you know. People make mistakes, but eventually, things will return to homeostasis.

Isadora, genuinely: I know.

Eric: Good. And until then…

Isadora: Show must go on?

Eric lets out half a laugh, shrugging in acquiescence. Maybe so. He gives Isadora a light shoulder pat, starting to leave her alone when she suddenly touches his hand to keep him from going. She pauses, finding what she wants to say.

Isadora: Thanks… for being there.

After the week he’s had, this hits Eric harder than he expects. He manages a smile and a nod, allowing her to get back to her coping mechanism.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack is holding a meeting, speaking very calmly and professionally about the terms of enrollment when it comes to AAA. He’s explaining what it takes to maintain one’s enrollment, so it seems at first that he might be reprimanding Lucas after what Harper said to him, but it’s not our favorite snapback in the chair opposite his desk.

No, seated in the usual chair is MISSY BRADFORD (16). She’s gorgeous, well-groomed, a walking testament to old money in her designer outfit. She keeps a pleasant, patient smile on her face as Jack finishes his lecture, ultimately concluding that those reasons are the cause for them continually dismissing her parents’ requests to enroll her.

When she simply states that if money is the issue, he should simply name the price, Jack scoffs and states that it’s not about the money. He’s trying his best to be patient, but the Bradfords are clearly pushing him to his wits end. Missy asks why their strict enrollment procedures should be so adhered to anyway, considering other students have joined the ranks of AAA under special circumstances. She mentions Riley Matthews specifically, having clearly done her research.

Jack explains that was a special case, and she filled their remaining open slot. It’s a delicate numbers game, a game of personality balancing, of course the talent of the applicant is of significance…

Missy: Special case… hm. Fascinating, what constitutes a “special case.” Isn’t it?

Missy’s tone is innocent, but there’s the slightest of edges to her delivery that speaks volumes. Jack remains strong on his stance, apologizing again but explaining that there’s simply no room for her in the junior class at this time. Missy pauses, nods, and then rises to her feet.

As she’s almost out the door, she turns back to give him a sweet smile.

Missy: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Principal Hunter. I think we’re going to get along swimmingly.

Whatever that is, it doesn’t sound like a goodbye. Missy steps out, Jack slouching back in his seat the moment she’s out of sight. He rubs his face, starting to feel some of that familiar AAA exhaustion…

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Maya goes to find Farkle, ending up where they seem to have all of their confrontations. He’s gathering his things together for the break. When he realizes she’s there, he attempts to fill the silence by casually commenting how insane the afternoon went. Seems there’s never a dull moment in the junior A class…

Maya, simply: I know it was you. That you told Lucas about Thanksgiving.

Farkle freezes, doing a poor job of remaining impassive. Maya approaches him, surprisingly not explosive in her accusation but rather calm about the whole thing. She explains that she knows it was him given how he overheard them at Chubbie’s, although she’s not going to pretend to understand why he did it. She has no idea what makes him tick, and she isn’t sure she wants to know anymore. She doesn’t know who he is at this point.

While the maneuver succeeded in getting her attention, what she came to tell him is far from what Farkle wants to hear. She looks him in the eye, calm as ever, and makes a definitive declaration.

Maya: This chapter is closed, Farkle. You and me, we’re not friends. We’re not ever going to be what we were before. And presently, I would like nothing to do with you.

The plainness of the statement is what makes such a deep cut. Maya leaves without another word, considering the matter of her broken constellation settled.

Farkle’s expression is blank, only crumpling into something closer to hurt as the reality starts to sink in and his eyes gloss over.

INT. AAA - PRACTICE ROOM - DAY

Charlie is just finishing up in one of the practice rooms, Riley poking her head in to find him there. He spots her and assures her that he was wrapping up, so she should be all set to take over if that’s what she needs. She steps inside and admits she was actually looking for him, and Zay said that this is where she’d find him at the moment. When she asks if he has a second to chat, he seems more than happy to give her the time of day.

She approaches the piano, keeping it as a safe barrier between them yet still coming to the table for negotiations. It’s more than she’s given him so far.

Riley: I’ve been talking a lot of talk about our class coming back together in spite of everything… but I haven’t really been walking the walk. It’s much easier to preach forgiveness than to give it out in your own... complex situations.

[ Charlie waits patiently, listening intently and holding his breath. ]

Riley: I still don’t know… why you did what you did. And I guess I never will. [ off Charlie’s guilty expression ] And I’m still not exactly happy with you, but… I don’t wanna be upset anymore. I’m tired of so much negative emotion, and I guess I should start with my own.

Charlie isn’t sure what to say. Riley states that things aren’t going to be the way they were -- although what exactly they were, she doesn’t even know -- but she’s ready to wipe the slate clean. She’s ready to start over, and let things simply be.

This is a huge relief for Charlie. He’s already smiling, but when Riley holds out her hand for a “truce” sort of hand shake he can’t help but smile wider. The two of them shake hands, a timid new start for whatever their dynamic is actually meant to be.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The class has gathered together for the end of the week, once again in an uncertain state. Jack and Eric are also present, although they stand at opposite ends of the stage. Lucas is pointedly absent, Harper making the observation but not looking thrilled about it.

Things feel fragile, but still Valerie’s bombastic personality adds some lightness to the situation. She applauds them all for being brave enough to confront their authentic selves this week, in spite of how difficult that can be. She would know, as they all saw her try to run from them.

The class chuckles a bit, before Valerie definitively states that emotionally authenticity is challenging, but the rewards of it -- the depth of your relationships, the ability to connect with others, the improved understanding of yourself -- far outweigh its fearsome nature. Hopefully, in her brief time with them, they at least got a taste of that.

When it seems the week has come to an end, Dave of all people claims that that can’t just be it. The class questions what the hell he’s talking about, and Dave states that they haven’t done their big group number yet. They haven’t used music to magically fix everything or make things feel light again.

Although this is sort of a silly way of putting it, Dave might actually have a point. They’ve been so wrapped up in the authenticity, they sort of lost sight of the other way music connects them -- the moments where it’s fun.

Riley picks up the slack, claiming she can kick them off. Emotional authenticity, energized fun… who says you can’t have both?

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “You Can’t Stop the Beat” as performed by Hairspray Original Movie Cast || Performed by AAA Juniors (feat. Valerie De La Cruz)

What a change of pace from the heaviness of the episode, but somehow exactly what everybody needs. It sort of feels like the presence of Valerie herself -- upbeat, a tribute of the artistic spirit, but also covering for something deeper underneath.

More than that, the number serves to give us a swift reminder of everything that unfolded this episode. As Riley launches us into the number, she pulls Charlie in to be her Link Larkin -- a duo that we haven’t witnessed in action in months. Maya and Zay take the start of the next verse, pulling Isadora into it with them for the chorus.

Eric kicks up the energy by stepping in to sing as well -- something he hasn’t done in ages. It feels timely and clearly delights the class, inspiring other uncommon performers to jump in with him -- Asher, Dylan, and Jeff hopping in alongside Yindra, Nigel, and Clarissa. Eric’s “So if you don’t like the way I am, well I just don’t give a damn!” is uncomfortably pointed towards Jack, who averts his gaze and crosses his arms.

Valerie naturally takes the Motormouth solo after the silly dance break, bringing the whole class back together behind her as a united front. The most impressive thing about the performance is how the whole class seems to be having fun in the moment -- even Farkle, who is putting all his energy into the singing and dancing.

As we launch into the last verse, we flash forward to glimpse Thanksgiving coming to fruition…

INT. GARDNER HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY

The Gardner family is assembled, extended family present as they engage in Thanksgiving traditions while ELEANOR GARDNER and her sister set up for dinner. One of these seems to be filling out “I’m thankful for” paper slips and hanging them on the wall, DAISY GARDNER and ROSIE GARDNER helping their little cousins stick them to the wall.

Charlie has already put a couple up, but he’s hesitating on this last one. Then it seems to strike him exactly what he wants to say, settling into writing.

INT. BABINEAUX HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

The Babineauxs are enjoying a comfortable and cozy Thanksgiving dinner. Zay receives a text, checking it under the table while his family laughs and debates something over their meal.

It’s from Charlie, the phrase nothing more than a happy Thanksgiving. But the picture he’s attached says far, far more. It’s the paper slip, obviously not one he plans to hang up on the wall but the most authentic one he wrote.

“I’m thankful for… Dizzy.”

Zay smiles.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - DAY

Thanksgiving dinner with the fractured Matthews clan is going about as well as it could, TOPANGA LAWRENCE and CORY MATTHEWS being quite cordial and AUGGIE MATTHEWS being cute as always. Riley smiles at something he says and then glances across the table, locking eyes with Eric and giving him a grateful look.

Eric returns the smile, obviously happy to be there. Somewhere where he’s truly appreciated, regardless of how hard or easy it is.

INT. JACK’S APARTMENT - DAY

The Hunters gathering is going well, ANGELA MOORE laughing hard in conversation with Anne Marie and Shawn helping Jack finish setting the table.

Jack almost puts another place setting than they need, but then remembers. He swallows his emotions, pulling it back and moving on from the moment.

INT. MINKUS HOME - FARKLE’S BEDROOM - DAY

As promised, Farkle’s family isn’t celebrating. He’s alone eating takeout in his room, reading The Great Gatsby as he consumes his lonely meal for the holiday.

INT. GARCIA HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY

In sharp contrast, the Garcia-Orlando Thanksgiving gathering is far more lively. They all cheer as LILY GARCIA and GRANT ORLANDO break the wishbone, the former successfully getting the larger half and dangling it in front of his face.

While the mood is upbeat, something isn’t quite right. Asher makes this clear when he looks over his shoulder towards the table and it becomes clear that Lucas is nowhere in sight in spite of the place set up for him. Asher’s smile dims somewhat, obviously concerned.

EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY

Lucas is wandering the streets of Manhattan on his own, hands stuffed in his pockets and mood unstable. He gets distracted when he passes by a store window, spotting a pair of pretty nice and comfortable looking black boots. Considering how beat up his current ones are, suffice to say they catch his attention.

He glances over his shoulder, clearly contemplating. Then we see him step inside the store, disappearing from frame…

INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT - DAY

Even with all the uncertainty, it seems Isadora chose to believe Maya when she stated she wasn’t using her. Because the Harts and De La Cruz women are together for the holiday as promised, clearly enjoying a quaint but warm dinner that Valerie pulled together (aside from the peach cobbler, of course).

Valerie makes a speech, raising her glass and evidently saying something very sincere and sweet about Isadora. There’s real potential in their dynamic now, and its shining on this holiday afternoon. After they knock their glasses together, Maya shifts gears and gets them all to take a selfie. A cute photograph of some badass women, that’s for certain.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The class brings the number home, the faculty stepping back and Valerie spinning to stand with them again. She gives a proud little shrug, even Jack having to nod a compliment to how she brought the class together even if only for a moment. We end the episode on an energized high note, officially launching us into the next third of the season.

And boy, where could things go from here…

END OF EPISODE.

[seeselfblack]

Decolonizing the History of Thanksgiving 

It’s Thanksgiving once again: that day, every year, when we are all gluttonous to celebrate the fact that ‘Pilgrims and Indians’ had a harmonious meal — at least that is how it has been framed historically. Let’s be honest. On the last Thursday of November, every year, we celebrate the beginning of an European invasion that ends with the death or relocation of millions of native people. While many have tried to redefine the meaning of Thanksgiving into a time wherein we cultivate a sense of gratitude, the undeniable truth is that the blood of native people stains the genesis of the holiday. The colonial origins of Thanksgiving – or what many natives often refer to as Thankskilling or Thankstaking – is not something to celebrate. While we cannot pinpoint one specific or original “Thanksgiving” celebration, President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863 and conceived it as a national day of thanksgiving. “Pilgrims and Indians” weren’t included in the tradition until 1890. The national mythos surrounding this holiday does not take into consideration the long and violent history of contact between European settlers (in this case English pilgrims – puritans) and indigenous populations that already inhabited the land. It is in these forgotten histories that we see the history of this holiday for what it truly is: English pilgrims, unprepared to survive on the land and unfamiliar with the vegetation, waterways, and others food sources, stranded on Turtle Island who survive those early winters and ultimately engage in a brutal campaign of colonialism and genocidal activity. It is important that we think clearly and honestly about how the beatified pilgrims saw the natives. Five time Plymouth County Governor William Bradford said the natives were “savage people, who are cruel, barbarous, and most treacherous.” Clearly not the people you would like to feast with, yet our national narrative surrounding this holiday celebrates the first Thanksgiving as a moment of harmonious bridge building. This is clearly not the case. Especially when we learn about the Pequot Massacre of 1637. This is just one in a multitude of genocidal tactics employed against the indigenous peoples of this land since white Europeans arrived in 1492. Of this event, Governor Bradford said, "Those that escaped the fire were slain with the sword; some hewed to pieces, others run through with their rapiers, so that they were quickly dispatched and very few escaped. It was conceived they thus destroyed about 400 at this time. It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire…horrible was the stink and scent thereof, but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gave the prayers thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for them." The occupiers celebrated the genocide — and thanked God for the victory. Immediately following the Pequot Massacre of 1637, the occupiers worked diligently to whitewash history. The name of the tribe was erased from the map. The Pequot River became the Thames, and the geographic space the Pequot inhabited became known as New London. It is as if they never existed. The whitewashing and erasure of indigenous histories is not unique to this holiday, but it is, perhaps, one of the most ironic instances of indigenous mass murder in service of white European colonial expansion. The idea that we celebrate the notion that indigenous peoples and the white European occupiers who literally sought their extinction were able to put their differences to the side long enough to sit down and feast upon food, in relative peace and harmony, is deeply problematic. Even more so is the idea that it was the white European occupiers who had to teach and demonstrate “civility” to these “barbarous savages.” With the Pequot massacre in mind, it is clear which group in the Thanksgiving picture were the real “barbarous savages” and who were the ones practicing civility. The language and the rhetoric surrounding the holiday erase the true history of settler-colonialism. The Pequot Massacre is just one mere instance in the long history of evil acts that began with the white European occupation of Turtle Island. This is also not the first time we have seen the descendants of the occupiers attempt to create a new civic identity by whitewashing history and silencing indigenous voices while erasing indigenous bodies. We see this unfolding in Oklahoma (Okla-humma, Choctaw for “Red People”), where non-native occupiers see no shame in calling themselves “Sooners” (those who stole land prior to the Oklahoma Land Runs — a territory that was, by treaty, set aside specifically and solely for tribal communities “so long as the rivers run and the sun shines…”). However, indigenous peoples and our co-conspirators cannot stand idly by as those who continue to employ colonial and, ultimately, genocidal tactics against our communities, rewrite, and revise history to justify both their actions and the actions of their ancestors. We must thoughtfully and intentionally intervene because while “Boomer Sooner,” “R*dsk*ns,” and “Thanksgiving” may seem inconsequential to some, the historical context that gave rise to these terms and celebrations contribute to real life consequences that still impact native people in this country. Native women are the group most likely to be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, with low estimates suggesting 1-in-3 in her lifetime. Upwards of 80% or more of these cases are perpetrated by non-native males. There are 2,000 reports of missing and murdered Indigenous Women from Turtle Island, and suicide in native communities far surpasses the national average for every age group. Natives have the shortest lifespan of any group living in the United States, and this rate is even lower for those living on reservations. Historical or intergenerational trauma is literally embedded in native DNA, and many of our parents and grandparents were stolen from their families and forced into boarding schools that had the expressed mission to “civilize the savage” and “kill the Indian but save the man.” Physical torture, sexual assault, murder, public shaming, and stealing the culture of native children accomplished this. Psychological studies have demonstrated that native mascots negatively affect the psyche and wellbeing of native youth and many of these children have a difficult time making it through K-12, never mind college. Further, native people are virtually helpless when a non-native perpetrates a crime on native land. The victims have no jurisdiction over non-natives and the only way they could ever achieve justice is if the already overloaded federal government decides the case is worth pursuing. The silencing of native voices not only happened historically, but also continues today. Whitewashing history, revising history, and developing rhetoric that celebrates the creation of a new civic identity for European occupiers—these all contribute to the oppression of indigenous peoples and tribal communities. The stories like those told about the Indians and Pilgrims at Thanksgiving ingrain a false sense of truth into the mind of the general public. These stories tell the populace that “everything is okay,” and, in fact, the “Indians owe a lot to the Pilgrims.” A closer examination and orientation with actual history, however, will negate these ideas and will enable the public to see how and, more importantly, why these stories – Columbus, Thanksgiving, Boomer Sooner – are told the way they are. These stories are extensions of colonialism and are in fact genocidal tactics. By erasing and replacing the true stories with those of “Thanksgiving,” the occupier continues to remain complicit in genocide. So enjoy that turkey…but remember that you are doing so in a land that was stolen. Honor the dead by remembering their stories and their sacrifice. This revisionist history is greeted with bemusement by professional historians. But Limbaugh is not alone in using Thanksgiving to score some political points. While Thanksgiving’s enthusiasts view it as a celebration of the boldness, piety and sacrifices of the first European migrants to American shores, the holiday’s critics  claim that it whitewashes the genocide and ethnic cleansing of indigenous people...

...

[the-tv-ninja]

Trick or Treat - Pt 2

Summary: Sanji and Zoro take Chopper trick-or-treating for their first Halloween together. Luffy gets to be a pirate for one day and Law makes use of his scrubs. Better yet – this happens to be their first date. (Modern AU, ZoroSanji and LawLuffy)

Link to Ao3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12568336/chapters/28626704

Trick or Treat - Part 2

"Let me get this straight…you want us to go trick or treating?" He demanded, crossing his long, tattooed arms over his chest in indignation.

He was met by an enthusiastic nod from Chopper and Luffy and found it hard to judge which of the two was more excited about the whole deal,

"You do realize we're in our early thirties, right?" the Spaniard grunted, sending Sanji, whom till that day he'd seen as sane, a bewildered look.

"Thirties doesn't mean eighties, Law" the chef reasoned, a smirk over his face.

Trafalgar eyed him suspiciously, the gears in his head turning. He knew it! Of course the damn ero-cook had fallen for that Zoro guy! And now apparently, out of nowhere he was ready to play dress up and act as a parent.

The realization almost made him laugh – a mere month ago the French wouldn't shut up about how straight he was and yet here he was, acting like a damn mother to the kid of another man. It suited him though.

He'd never seen Sanji quite so relaxed, so happy. That on its own made the dark thoughts in Law's mind hush and it nudged him to give a chance to Luffy and his best friend.

"Quit being such a prude," the green haired man reasoned, leaning in against the doorframe.

Trafalgar shot him a surprise look, ready to respond but then he felt a warm hand over his own. The contact alone sent something like electricity through him and he stared at Luffy's tan fingers, the way they contrasted against the black ink of his tattoos.

"Come on, Torao, I know deep down you're not boring!"

The surgeon flinched at the word, the way Luffy had said it…it sounded as though being boring was the worst thing in the world.

He glared at the younger man, their eyes colliding. Luffy's eye colour was an endearing dark brown, full of kindness and optimism. Law couldn't help the tiny smile that spread to his lips – the other seemed to have some weird effect over people, as though spilling his own happiness onto them.

"I don't have a costume," he reasoned to which he was met by a smirk on Sanji's part.

"How about you use your scrubs?"

Law was mortified for one long moment, he was pretty sure it was kind of illegal or at least morally wrong to wear his scrubs outside the premises of a hospital.

And yet…he knew the four wouldn't let him go until he was out, celebrating that damn holiday with them and probably looking like a moron while at it.

In the end he sighed, sending Luffy a bemused glare,

"You win this round, Mugiwara,"

 xxx

They went on to explore the town, in search of treats.

Chopper roamed ahead happily, ringing on doorbells and collecting candy. Acting like a normal six year old as Trafalgar mused. Truth to be told, the kid was growing on him, he was fascinated with his innate talent for medicine and the childish curiosity behind those grey eyes.

Sanji and Zoro appeared to argue about one thing or another but their voices were light and carefree and it made him smirk – he could tell his best friend was starting to fall for the guy and-

"So…Torao,"

It was Luffy's voice that cut him away from his thoughts,

"Don't call me that," Law argued, sending the shorter man a poignant glare to which he remained oblivious.

Luffy plastered on a big smile which he struggled not to call cute,

"But your name is just too long," he complained,

Trafalgar huffed,

"That or you're just not the brightest bloke around,"

The brunette grinned at him, completely unfazed by the remark. It made a smirk make its way onto Law's lips – he could appreciate someone having thicker skin. People got offended too easily these days. Luffy's sense of humour, how easygoing he was different, something surprising but fresh – like dipping your toes in the pool the first time after a harsh winter.

"So…this is our first date, right?"

The Spaniard stopped in his tracks, taken aback by how straightforward the other could be. He searched for traces of ill intentions on his face, the task proving to be a little difficult in the dim street lighting.

He found none, Luffy appeared to be the epitome of honesty and optimism, all garnered with the desire to have a good time and take others along for the ride.

It was something rare, almost precious which Law had hardly seen during his lifetime. It made something awaken deep inside him, something he'd thought long dead.

 Hope.

"Hell, why not," he replied, words flying out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The result was imminent, Luffy's lips stretched into the brightest smile he's ever encounter.

"Great!" he declared, dark eyes now sparkling with joy.

Law was taken aback as he felt a warm hand wrap around his own, this time it was legit handholding. Skinny fingers locked against the space between his own tattooed ones.

He stared at their intertwines fingers, bewildered. Luffy, as per usual didn't seem to notice.

Who held hands on a first date in the 21st century anyway?

"We'll have such a great time!" the brunette urged, voice high and enthusiastic as it soared towards the night sky.

Trafalgar grunted, caught between the joy that seemed to pour out of Luffy and his own rigid nature, his unwillingness to let people in. Generally when he did they got hurt. Or worse.

"Come on, let's go trick or treating in that house!" the brunette shouted, dragging him along in the direction of some poor stranger's house.

Law attempted to protest but all words died on his lips, something told him once Luffy set his mind on something there was no running away from it.

 xxx

"Your son appears to be very smart," a woman with long, slick black hair claimed, stretching out a hand to ruffle Chopper's hair.

The boy blushed madly but smiled at her,

"Thank you, Miss."

She mirrored his smile, her turquoise eyes full of kindness as she put various colourful candy into his basket. Then she turned to Sanji and Zoro,

"You've raised such a good boy,"

The cook felt his cheeks burn, now they were being mistaken not only for a couple but actual parents. The idea made something nice and warm tingle deep inside his chest as he wished to experience it. And yet, he realized it wasn't his place to do it. Chopper was, after all Zoro and Tashigi's son and he had nothing to do with making him the wonderful, smart and kind child he was today. Sanji opened his mouth to correct the beautiful lady before him, when-

"Thank you," Zoro said, lips stretching into a trademark smirk as he leaned in against the door.

Sanji nearly gaped at him, sensing the blush stretch onto his damn neck and even his chest.

"Some time he should come play with our boys, Franky and I would love that," the woman went on, stretching out a tan hand and offering them a little card that read her name, Nico Robin and her phone number, all written in neat cursive.

"Too bad they're out trick or treating now…I might join them in a little while." She added while Sanji smiled warmly at her, already picturing her as someone he'd like to chat with over coffee.

And Chopper too, he needed to find friends, no child deserved to grow up alone. After all, he'd learnt that the hard way.

"We'll call you sometime," he assured as Robin bid them goodbye and they went on with the trick or treating.

The chef hesitated as he stepped in closer to Zoro,

"Oi, moss for brains…you sure it wasn't a problem that she mistook us for parents?"

The man hesitated, the expression over his tan face hard to read,

"Already told you - I've never cared about people's opinions, don't tell me you do, blondie,"

Sanji couldn't stop the smile at his response, even if he wanted to, feeling as though a weight was being lifted off his shoulders,

"Plus Chopper likes you," Roronoa added, voice quieter, "Maybe we should, uh, try going on dates more often." The cook's heart slammed against his chest, damn the bastard for saying something like that so casually, as though he was reading off his damn grocery list,

"As long as it's without costumes," the swordsman went on, the joke melting away whatever trace of tension there was.

Sanji grinned at him, soaking in the warmth their newfound relationship promised.

He leaned in, so close to Zoro he felt his hot breath dance over his own thin lips,

"We might keep the costumes for some other time," he teased, the look of shock on Roronoa's face priceless.

xxx

"You've ever been on a Halloween first date before?" Law asked, voice slightly annoyed as he struggled to find common ground with Luffy.

Truth to be told he wasn't the best when it came to that frustrating small talk dates called for. He much preferred to talk about science and medicine, about things that actually mattered, rather than to come with twenty different ways of complaining about the weather.

To make it worse, he'd never actually been in a relationship. He was no blush virgin by any means, if anything he had plenty of experience when it came to sex.

It was just that usually things began and ended with sex when it came to him. He's pick up some good looking dude in a bar, take him home, fuck and then by morning the bastard would be out of his bed and by extension out of his head.

Law didn't do dates. And yet, here he was on one, dressed up as the doctor he actually was,

"Nope!" Luffy admitted, sunny grin on his face, "I don't really know much about love and what not."

He had a sheepish look on his face, as though he was a flustered teen. He even proceeded to rub the back of his head, like a kid being scorned by his parents.

Trafalgar licked his lips, something about the innocent look on Luffy's space sparked interested in him. Perhaps there was more to what met the eye when it came to the brunette.

"Neither do I," he replied, honest.

The younger man shot him a surprised look,

"But you look…so hot! I thought everyone would want to be your boyfriend."

Law chuckled at his words, unable to neglect the nice feeling his praise offered. For whatever reason he enjoyed hearing Luffy say nice things about him, even when he usually cared little about people's opinion.

"Must be your bad personality then, I mean all you do is smirk and snicker," Luffy went on to joke, sending him a mischievous look. Trafalgar shook his head, way to ruin the good impression.

He sent him a glare, raising a hand for a playful smack on the shoulder. Before he could touch him though Luffy let out an overdramatic (and perhaps girly) scream and ran towards the nearest house.

 xxx

"A doctor and a…pirate?" the owner of the house asked, leaning in against the doorframe.

Before them stood a tall, skinny looking old man with the wildest afro they'd seen a while. He was dressed as a skeleton, going as far as making his face ridiculously pale and bony.

For a second there Law considered that perhaps it wasn't even a costume but then dismissed it – no way in hell was he starting to believe in the supernatural.

"Every pirate needs a doctor!" Luffy declared, as though he knew everything about life in the sea.

Trafalgar shot him a bemused look, feeling a little offended he was being reduced to the captain's doctor,

"Now, come on, grandpa, give us some candy!" the brunette went on to urge,"

It made Law roll his eyes,

"Hey! I'm not your grandpa, don't you see, I'm a skeleton!" the old man roared with laughter, "And don't you think you're a little too old to go trick or treating?"

Luffy shrugged nonchantly,

"Meh, age is just a number, it's the adventure that counts!"

The stranger's thick lips stretched into a smile, a tint of nostalgia evident in his dark eyes,

"That's the spirit!" he encouraged, stretching out a hand and pouring some candy into Luffy's basket, "Mmm, you know you'd make a really good pirate, I should know, I was one once."

Luffy's eyes went wide and round in childish amazement,

"Really!" he gasped, as though that was the most fascinating bit of information, "You should tell me all about it! Here, Torao, take his number, I'll call him!"

Law sent him a glare, as if to convey, are you kidding me, but still did as told, saving Brook's number on his phone.

"And you, the grumpy looking doctor," the skeleton dressed man turned to him, "You'd better appreciate your boyfriend, he seems really nice!"

Trafalgar opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by Luffy's warm laughter,

"Shishishi, you hear, that Torao!"

Law's lips betrayed him, curling into a nice smile, against himself.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get going, plenty of houses left for you to terrorize."

 xxx

A few hours later and many calories added to their day, they all set contently in the park, enjoying the surprisingly warm October night.

Sanji, Zoro and Chopper looked a lot like a real family, sitting close to one another as they laughed together and took lazy pictures in dim lighting.

The chef would occasionally raise the question of Chopper being way past bedtime but Zoro would brush it away, earning himself a glare. The scene made Law smirk, he could definitely see Sanji filling in the mum role, ever the worrier.

He let out a sigh, allowing himself to enjoy the moment.

Trafalgar looked up towards the sky, mesmerized at the way stars contrasted against the black sky – tiny dots of white. The autumn leaves rustled against one another, creating a soft, pleasant sound.

He closed his eyes, feeling something strangely akin to peace.

Luffy was standing right beside him, munching on the various candies contently. Law sensed his arm brushing against his own and let himself soak in the warmth the shorter man exuded. Literally and otherwise.

There was a pause, a soft silence between them which reeked of familiarity. It was strange, such a rare sight to see Luffy quiet. But it was nice, it felt good and right – as though they had known each other for years and not mere weeks.

Perhaps it was just the way Luffy worked – he was one of those rare people who felt like you knew them all along, who felt a little like home.

"Torao?" the other nudged him in the ribs, taking away from the serene moment,

"What?" Law asked, voice perhaps a little harsher than intended.

"You should let yourself be happy, you know," Luffy said, his tone nonchalant and carefree as ever.

And yet there was something more to his words, some hidden depth Trafalgar hadn't bother to notice. He raised an eyebrow, an unspoken challenge to go on,

"Life's too short for it to be boring," the brunette added, lips curved into a small, slightly melancholic smile.

The Spaniard was surprised his sudden change of mood, suspicious of how mismatched it seemed with Luffy's sunny, carefree personality.

Was there perhaps more to him than he'd let himself see?

The brunette appeared to stare at the darkness right before them but Trafalgar had the strangest feeling he was looking at something else, perhaps reliving times long gone.

"It should be lived without regrets."

The words resonated with him, they sounded like something a man – a father figure, he knew long ago would say. He leaned in against the tree behind him and turned to face Luffy.

His eyes were closed, his posture completely relaxed. The surgeon mused – he could be wrong, but the other seemed as though he was remembering something.

"Sounds like good advice," Law caved in the end, which earned him a broader smile,

"You really came up with those words on your own?" he investigated, raising an eyebrow.

Luffy broke into a laugh, the sound soft and melodic, dissipating into the darkness of the night sky.

It did something funny to Law, melting a piece of the ice he surrounded himself with. He was starting to think, he'd like to hear that laugh more often.

"My brother told me this," he responded after a while.

Law caught something was off in his voice, there was a slight shift in the atmosphere. Blink and you miss it but he still noticed it. He opened his mouth to question him but then –

Luffy shifted, coming closer to him.

He was so close, Trafalgar could sense his hot breath, which smelled of candy, over himself.

They stood like that for a while, staring at each other. Law caught Luffy's eyes, they appeared black in the cheap fluorescent lighting of the street lamps.

The expression behind them was a mix of curiosity and happiness, garnered with tiny flecks of lust.

Law hesitated for a moment too long, caught up between his desire to kiss the man and his own demons who wouldn't let him get close.

In the end Luffy seemed to decide for them both, leaning in and taking his lips.

Trafalgar stiffened at first, unaccustomed to having anyone in close proximity. But as Luffy's lips were on his own, the touch surprisingly warm and inexperienced, he leaned in, melting into the moment.

He bit down on the other's bottom lip, an invitation to let him in which he did.

It was evident the younger man was inexperienced and he even toyed with the idea of this being his first kiss. The thought of it sparked a trace of possessiveness in Law, he took pleasure in the sense of innocence which seemed to surround Luffy.

Law deepened the kiss, pleasantly surprised as the brunette appeared to be learning what to do, how to respond to the contact.

His hands were over his shoulders, then one travelled up, finding its way into his hear. He tugged a little at his shiny black strands and Trafalgar was caught off guard by the sensation, moaning into the kiss.

That seemed to excite the other more than anything so far but in the end they broke apart, taking a deep breath of the fresh, cool night air.

Law smirked as he saw the faint blush over the brunette's cheeks, he truly looked so much younger.

Luffy licked his lips, dark eyes shining with excitement as he scooped even closer. This time Trafalgar didn't shoo him away, his skin craving for more contact.

"See, I told you we would have so much fun!" he exclaimed, taking his hand once more.

"Mm, you might have been right, for once." Law teased, taking strange pleasure in the casualness between them after the kiss.

Luffy treated it as though it was the most natural thing in the world, as though they'd done it a hundred times and more.

"Just wait till you see our next date, Torao,"

                                                    xxx

Author’s Note: Thoughts on Law and Luffy's first kiss? Sanji slowly slipping into the role of a mum? And of course cameo by Brook and Robin?Did you enjoy the Strawhats as they celebrated Halloween (and went on dated at the same time xD)P.S: Did you celebrate? What did you go as? Please comment and share your impressions, I love any feedback!

[travelnortheastindia]

12 Tips to Remember Before Holidaying in the Northeast Indian States

Northeast India is another expansion to the most sultry location for odd excursions; and everything from what to do, where to go, and what to eat are evident inquiries. The whole Northeast resembles an alternate land in view of their new way of life. This uniqueness makes the spot considerably more captivating. Indeed it is consistently astute to know some things about the Northeast's way of life, food, language, and in particular culture by taking North East Tour Packages since it positively is unique. In this way, investigate these 12 hints to recollect prior to arranging an occasion in the Northeast Indian states:

1. Exploration – A Lot of Research

Hornbill celebration

So it turns out to lie far away from the focal conditions of India towards Myanmar. At the point when we talk about Northeast, West Bengal isn't a piece of it, truth be told, Northeast is a path on the northeastern piece of India. By a simple limited 18 to 20 kilometers distance sandwiched between Bangladesh and Nepal, different conditions of India are connected with North East India Tour. The whole Northeast Indian states are flanked by Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan making it an entryway to these nations. The states were once called the seven sisters and were before long joined by Sikkim in 2002. Upper east has assorted culture, clan, celebrations, so prior to wandering out, it is in every case great to know at any rate the nuts and bolts of the state. The entrancing thing about this area is that you will discover diverse cultures and languages as you venture to start with one spot then onto the next. At times because of social distinction, you may accidentally cause a complaint so it is consistently ideal to get familiar with some things about their territory.

2. Recognize Inner Line Permit of Northeast India

ILP Doc

Not as muddled as it appears, Inner Line Permits are just to make your reality in the new objective and to effectively find you in the event of incidents. Fortunately, the public authority has facilitated the cycle to get ILP to elevate the travel industry toward the North East Package. Visiting the lovely and abundant sister states sure to require an additional exertion yet it is justified, despite all the trouble. Outsiders presently don't need ILP for states like Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur. Likewise, neither outsiders nor Indians are needed for ILP for Assam or Tripura. Nonetheless, every outsider is needed to enroll with the Foreign Registration Office (District Superintendent of Police) within 24 hours of the section to each state.

Arunachal Pradesh: Indian nationals need an ILP to enter the territory of Arunachal Pradesh, and outsiders are needed for a Protected Area Permit (PAP). You can click here to apply for ILP or PAP.

Sikkim: Indians needn't bother with the Inner Line Permit yet outsiders do to enter Sikkim.

Times are hard while voyaging, we never know when uneven occasion strikes, in this way, regardless of whether grants are not needed to enter certain states, my recommendation is to apply for one and you can reestablish occasionally relying upon the days you will remain.

3. Oversee Time to Explore More

Dzukou Valley

Eight expresses, different locale, and various milestones can't be shrouded in a flicker of an eye – Only in the event that you are a Djinn. Anyway, on the off chance that you are searching for a flawless hideaway in the midst of delightful miracles of Northeast, at that point simply seven days won't be adequate. From a dozen races, various identities, different societies, and numerous tourist spots you won't realize how time zooms. To put it plainly, on the off chance that you need your vacation to be defended, at that point ensure you have adequate time with you to investigate. Efficient is, obviously, a commitment in North East India Tour Packages in light of the fact that for its high tough landscapes and exciting bends in the road. However, on the off chance that you are searching for a fast visit through a portion of the urban communities in Northeast you can decide on Assam for this is probably the least demanding state to fly on off whenever.

4. Continuously a Good Idea to Book Tickets in Advance

Being one of the most visited states presently, the tickets can take off high, and once in a while may even need to trust that days will get a ticket. To be completely forthright, it doesn't occur in every case except this demonstration can be experienced during the Christmas season particularly during winters. Since the understudies concentrating in various conditions of India get back for Christmas, the admissions can score up leaving restricted seats accessible. What should be possible at that point? All things considered, you plan ahead of time. To be accurate, a base development time, an ideal time really would be before 3 or 5 months to withdraw. The toll would be sensible in addition to you get a reasonable view to choose the ideal seat you need.

5. Get Updates on the Constant Weather Change

Meghalaya climate

Climate change is unremitting in the upper east locale and it is consistently fitting to convey a slim coat in any event, during summers. The downpour that pours perpetually in certain pieces of Northeast are inviting and lovely with no uncertainty, however, they can bring cold also. It is prudent to convey waterproof coats since an umbrella is very badly arranged while voyaging. Also, in particular mosquito repellent, consider it an untamed life experience Trip To North East India. The most favored chance to visit the Northeast conditions of India is among September and April when the bubbly party is lively so will be the daylight.

6. Highway or a No way

The streets to Northeast states are very agreeable in many parts however in the event that you are searching for an unconventional objective, at that point support yourself to hop alongside the vehicle following some rubble streets. The interstates in and around Assam fields are as smooth as silk (from my involvement in) little puddles to a great extent (which city in India doesn't claim them right?). Yet, as you climb tough towards states for example, in Nagaland the streets are a little uneven in certain parts and it will give an adrenaline surge disregarding the precarious incline from a limited street. It is an unequivocal 'no' going during storms (you can previously on the off chance that you like a downpour) in light of the fact that being a bumpy territory, avalanches are normal and it would take hours to clear the space. Additionally, it causes sloppy streets making each bend elusive. Maybe, not an extremely glad excursion for the individuals who fall casualty of movement disorder.

7. Something about the Locals of Northeast

The individuals in the Northeast will in general be somewhat bashful and tentative, is there motivation to be threatened by them? Ok No! Individuals in the Northeast are modest with sightseers and once you cooperate with them at that point will be well disposed before long. This unquestionably is an or more point for voyagers, the same number of nearby companions you make the more you will gain proficiency with their way of life and propensities. You can go top to bottom about their set of experiences, supper propensities, and their neighborhood treats, wine, and mix. Moreover, they are useful and will try to take care of your best remain in Northeast.

8. Will there be Internet Access?

Tragically, not wherever you will get excessively quick internet providers to disregard Wi-Fi sources, however, this doesn't mean the web is restricted. In any case, in urban communities and significant areas of Nagaland, you will get great internet providers and numerous digital bistros around. Particularly with a dispatch of the net network from Agartala, Tripura as the entryway, the speed is noted to be smooth (we should go get out).

9. Find out about Northeastern Cuisines

Manipuri cooking

The diverse food in the Northeast is eminent; attempt all you will be a food expert. From all its 8 states and a few areas, there isn't one dish that looks unappetizing. Northeastern has confidence in eating everything from different bubbled vegetables to loaded with protein silkworm snacks and most amiable meat pork. Upper east has different dishes to enjoy like Nagaland's smoked pork, Meghalaya's Jadoh – a sharp pork Pulau, Sikkim's Thukpa to Manipur's Tromba. Make a point to tidy up your excursion with tasty cooking of Northeast.

10. Speak the Language of Northeast

Northeast is maybe the main spot on the planet to have various dialects, for example, Nagaland has 16 significant clans every one of a kind to its own and they have their own style. Additionally, being packaged with 8 sister expresses, every objective has a one of a kind culture and various territories. I can't differ with the way that a couple of conditions of Northeast are very comparable regarding climate and living propensities however they are largely charming and amazing. Thus, knowing some things about their language, maybe even welcome will help you and will satisfy local people significantly.

11. Know their Festivals

As I had referenced before, the best ideal opportunity to visit the upper east is during the months of September and April. This is on the grounds that you not exclusively will get an opportunity to see its delightful scenes yet additionally witness and be a piece of its lively celebrations. Before you endeavor to go to such an event party better get a few realities close by, far superior you can get a closer perspective on the celebrations to concentrate more.

12. Travel Guide to the Rescue

Dawki stream

All things considered, in the event that you face trouble in finding these states completely all alone, that is the thing that travel services are for. You can look for the direction of a travel planner while you unwind and sit tight for your ideal dream objective to show up. Think of us as Tour My India to spoil you with the most ideal guide towards your extraordinary northeastern path.

Fishing and Angling Tour to North East India

One reward guidance! Continuously look out for Border Roads Organization (BRO) along the edges of Northeastern streets. You will locate some shrewd and fun jokes and security tips. It is continually entertaining to discover these while scaling up the foggy piles of Northeast other than its lovely blue mountains (Unless you are driving). On the off chance that you like this blog please offer and re-offer and re-share once more. Furthermore, to look at my different online journals take a sneak look here to get information about Northeast's kin, convention, and celebrations.

[meditationadvise]

How 9 Yogis Detox After Serious Holiday Indulgence

Many people are still really feeling a bit sluggish after Thanksgiving.

As much enjoyable as it is to eat turkey, padding, as well as pumpkin pie for four days directly while investing hrs on the couch bonding with good friends and household, it certainly doesn't do our energy levels or digestive tract health and wellness any type of supports.

If you're desire a detoxification and also don't intend to take place a juice cleanse, we've obtained you covered. Here's how 9 of our preferred yogis detoxification after a week of hefty eating.

1. Krissy Jones

' I always start my day with warm lemon water, but particularly around the holidays when I'm feeling slow-moving,' SKY TING founder Krissy Jones tells mbg. 'It's so basic, and extremely efficient in obtaining the digestion system going. I likewise bump up my yoga regular post Thanksgiving, and also include more heat-building stances, inversions, and spins to remove the system. I go to the spa anytime I'm feeling slow. I love going from the warm steam bath to the chilly swimming pool to the sauna and after that doing it over and also over till I've sweat a lot!'

2. Kathryn Budig

' Begin straightforward (and kindly): See to it you consume something environment-friendly (eco-friendly juice, salad, veggies) everyday, as well as if you're still feeling evaluated down, choose lengthy strolls,' yogi and mbg course teacher Kathryn Budig tells mbg. 'Relieve your back into your normal exercise routine. It is necessary to be type to on your own during the holiday as well as keep in mind that it's OK to accept the celebration.'

3. Ava Pendl

' My household is massive on flavor and whole lots of rich meals-- especially this year, as I had 2 different Thanksgiving suppers-- so I want to spend the week after a huge holiday like Thanksgiving or Xmas easing back into yoga as well as consuming healthy,' yoga teacher and also author Ava Pendl tells mbg. 'I drink a triggered charcoal lemonade every various other day 2 hrs after lunch and also do back-to-back yoga exercise classes every other day. This generally appears like a hatha or hot-style course followed by yin or restorative to awaken my muscular tissues and also fascia so I do not wound myself after taking a week off. I locate this to be the most gentle method to get back right into a routine without going also severe.'

4. Caley Alyssa

' Consume lots of water. Make certain to do some motion, everyday, even simply for 30 minutes,' L.A.-based yoga exercise instructor as well as mbg class teacher Caley Alyssa states. 'Take a warm bath with epsom salts. I also integrate loads of environment-friendlies right into my diet regimen and see to it to obtain a great night's remainder. In general, whatever in moderation. Don't be hard on yourself. Take everything as an experiment, if you feel excellent as well as healthy and balanced, do it. If you do not feel great, do not do it!'

5. Heather Lilleston

' I consume alcohol lemon water with apple cider vinegar very first thing in the morning,' Yoga for Bad People founder Heather Lilleston informs mbg. 'I likewise suggest probiotics-- especially, proviotics from Juice press. Attempt sweating while relaxing: Go to a health club or take a truly warm bathroom with a whole carton of Epsom salt, as well as remain there for 10 mins. Take a cool shower to adhere to. Drink heaps of water.'

' Have three days throughout the workweek of soup, juice, and one salad a day to maintain some chewing moving,' she includes. 'Chewing activates the gastrointestinal enzymes in the body, as well as consuming primarily liquids for a few days could help your digestion system catch up. It is very important to include soup so you aren't just eating cold foods like juice, salad, or smoothie mixes throughout cold months.'

' Furthermore, do something physical daily-- I advise a great equilibrium between yoga and The Class. Cardio is so vital in the winter, however it should be adhered to by something yin as well as recovering. As well as skin brush before early morning shower to assist the skin detoxification. It really feels specifically amazing throughout winter when we don't obtain sunshine on the skin. It is extremely invigorating.'

6. Sara Quiriconi

' There are times when I fall off my normal regimen of healthy and balanced, organized consuming and yoga exercise and workout, especially throughout the holidays or due to the fact that I travel frequently for job. I come back on the right track by going back to normal breakfasts and also starting sluggish as well as small with my exercise regimens,' Miami-based yoga instructor Sara Quiriconi informs mbg. 'I also make certain to have a good start to my day with food as fuel kick-starts a health state of mind for the remainder of the day ahead-- have you ever wanted doughnuts for lunch after having lots of fruits, yogurt, and granola for breakfast? I don't assume so. As well as for workout, just start! It does not have to be a full 60-minute yoga exercise method or half-hour of cardio and also weights. Just begin, and also gradually construct. And also have a lot of persistence as well as self-love for YOU, because that's the fastest means to obtain back on the right track.'

7. Shauna Harrison

' Having gotten on both ends of the cleanse/YOLO range, I have directly concentrated less on remarkable detoxifications in a continual initiative to adopt a continuous state of balance as high as humanly feasible,' yogi as well as mbg course trainer Shauna Harrison tells claims. 'That being stated, as we are all human, occasionally I eat something that throws off my sensitive system, therefore in these instances I have a few things I do to reboot.'

' I relocate my body, whether that suggests yoga exercise, walks or hikes, dance, or leaping around to get my blood moving,' she discusses. 'If I really feel tight or worried, I will hold some restorative positions, like kid's position with a rolled up covering in the belly, or straightforward twists on my back. I visit my alternative healers year-round for acupuncture and used kinesiology, which constantly assist me target exactly what I have to carry out in order to bring my body as well as mind back right into equilibrium. If my digestion or nerves really feels off, I restrict whatever I feel could be a wrongdoer, whether it is gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine, technology, late going to beds, or get-togethers and affairs.'

8. Lauren Imparato

"Given my book, Retox, I do not think in detoxing,' yogi and also mbg class trainer Lauren Imparato states. 'Yet I do count on recalibrating the system, or Retoxing, which is about adding things IN to your life to be healthy and balanced opposed to taking them out. Post-Thanksgiving I double my water consumption-- room temperature level and also flat-- and also double the greens, particularly lettuce, zucchini, as well as spinach.'

9. Chloe Kernaghan

' I detox with a good scrub. Scrub! Whether its from traveling, resting on a sofa all weekend, consuming lavish dishes, or all of the above, I find it incredibly recovery to scrub stagnation off from the surface area,' SKIES TING founder Chloe Kernaghan informs mbg. 'Recently I have actually been making use of Beldi soap from Kahina Granting Charm as well as a bath mitt. I likewise arrange time for something physical: I have actually included in my schedule when I'm mosting likely to do yoga exercise and also take a dance class today. For me, it helps to outline my strategy for the week of when I'll utilize my body, to stay determined as well as have something to look towards.'

' I likewise eat tidy, or at the very least attempt! Today I'm aiming to consume a very clean, vegetarian diet regimen, and I'm making a lot of my meals at residence,' she includes. 'I'm never one to decline a mid-day reward, yet I'll try and replace polished sugars with fruits if I'm crashing, and also chef warming foods that are grounding for the period.'

[ber39james]

3 Things Introverts Feel on Valentine’s Day

Oh, Valentine’s Day—the holiday of love and romance! Or, at least, it’s supposed to be. For me, as a strong introvert with generalized anxiety, holidays are pretty much like those “Mystery Gifts” you bought at dollar stores as a kid. Expectations for awesomeness bloom in your head, only to wither away under a hodgepodge of mediocrity. It’s not all bad, though. Here are a few things that introverts feel on Valentine’s Day and some thoughts on what to do about it.

This is overwhelming.

Too much heart-shaped stuff, a coma-inducing amount of sugar (as if I needed more excitement), and an obscene number of public declarations of love on Facebook.

For a holiday that 36 percent of adults don’t even celebrate, it’s surprisingly ubiquitous. There is advertising everywhere. Pink and red packaging everywhere. Heart-shaped everything everywhere. And, that’s only the marketing pressure. There’s social pressure too. Even well-meaning friends or coworkers discussing their grand romantic plans can induce paralysis. There is a weird feeling that if you don’t do anything or, maybe worse, you don’t do much for your partner on Valentine’s, that it is somehow indicative of your feelings. It’s not. It’s indicative of how claustrophobic it felt when you attempted to plan that elaborate expression of love that one time.

This is inauthentic.

This is basically the only time of year when I am expected to associate true love with glitter, red and pink, and hyper-romantic professions of love.

With the exception of when The Bachelorette starts running, love every other day of the year happens in the context of day-to-day life. It’s less a pair of star-cross’d lovers moving toward happily ever after and more a couple of people appreciating imperfection and working hard in spite of it—and it’s definitely not covered in pink sparkles. Valentine’s Day as it is marketed is an exaggerated, narrow conception of love.

To make matters worse, it’s not even artistically or aesthetically exaggerated. At least if we were all spewing lines from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, swooning over the enduring commitment of Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, or exalting the quiet passion in Rodin’s The Kiss, we could claim Valentine’s Day as a cultural boon. But we don’t. Valentine’s Day makes love seem like both a simple, perfect fate and a commodity.

This is awkward.

Do I congratulate friends? What is my date expecting? How do I remain polite without making anyone uncomfortable?

Valentine’s Day, unlike many other holidays, sits in a gray area. With other winter holidays, it’s a safe bet your friends are celebrating something—even if it’s just all the holiday pay. But Valentine’s Day is beloved by many, hated by more, and tolerated by some. It’s a pretty exclusive holiday in practice, celebrated mostly by those coupled among us, which leaves a lot of people out.

So, how do you know what is expected from your new partner, your friends, or—jeez—your coworkers? Hypothetically, if I were to bake heart-shaped cookies and share a romantic quote on Twitter, would I make a fool of myself at the office or inspire my love-skeptic friends to tease me for the next two weeks? Or, what if I do nothing, but everyone around me gets really into it? It’s awkward because it’s vulnerability, and it’s public, and there aren’t clear expectations for how to behave with everyone.

What to do about it.

Valentine’s Day can be a source of sensory and emotional overload because it is built around oversimplified or exaggerated romance and doesn’t include obvious standards to help navigate various social relationships. That doesn’t mean the day can’t be enjoyable for introverts, however.

As an introvert, it’s important to focus on your needs and on communicating expectations. If going through the candy aisle to stock up on treats for the office party gives you anxiety, ask if you can help with something else, like planning the music. And, if you’re not sure how your partner feels about the holiday, make a point to discuss your ideal Valentine’s Day ahead of time.

If you are dating an introvert, keep things simple and personal by avoiding elaborate and flashy professions of love. Opt instead for gestures that reflect intimate knowledge of your partner and deep appreciation for them.

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? What do you think about it and what are your preferences?

The post 3 Things Introverts Feel on Valentine’s Day appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

from Grammarly Blog https://www.grammarly.com/blog/things-introverts-feel-on-valentines-day/

[arthur36domingo]

3 Things Introverts Feel on Valentine’s Day

Oh, Valentine’s Day—the holiday of love and romance! Or, at least, it’s supposed to be. For me, as a strong introvert with generalized anxiety, holidays are pretty much like those “Mystery Gifts” you bought at dollar stores as a kid. Expectations for awesomeness bloom in your head, only to wither away under a hodgepodge of mediocrity. It’s not all bad, though. Here are a few things that introverts feel on Valentine’s Day and some thoughts on what to do about it.

This is overwhelming.

Too much heart-shaped stuff, a coma-inducing amount of sugar (as if I needed more excitement), and an obscene number of public declarations of love on Facebook.

For a holiday that 36 percent of adults don’t even celebrate, it’s surprisingly ubiquitous. There is advertising everywhere. Pink and red packaging everywhere. Heart-shaped everything everywhere. And, that’s only the marketing pressure. There’s social pressure too. Even well-meaning friends or coworkers discussing their grand romantic plans can induce paralysis. There is a weird feeling that if you don’t do anything or, maybe worse, you don’t do much for your partner on Valentine’s, that it is somehow indicative of your feelings. It’s not. It’s indicative of how claustrophobic it felt when you attempted to plan that elaborate expression of love that one time.

This is inauthentic.

This is basically the only time of year when I am expected to associate true love with glitter, red and pink, and hyper-romantic professions of love.

With the exception of when The Bachelorette starts running, love every other day of the year happens in the context of day-to-day life. It’s less a pair of star-cross’d lovers moving toward happily ever after and more a couple of people appreciating imperfection and working hard in spite of it—and it’s definitely not covered in pink sparkles. Valentine’s Day as it is marketed is an exaggerated, narrow conception of love.

To make matters worse, it’s not even artistically or aesthetically exaggerated. At least if we were all spewing lines from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, swooning over the enduring commitment of Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, or exalting the quiet passion in Rodin’s The Kiss, we could claim Valentine’s Day as a cultural boon. But we don’t. Valentine’s Day makes love seem like both a simple, perfect fate and a commodity.

This is awkward.

Do I congratulate friends? What is my date expecting? How do I remain polite without making anyone uncomfortable?

Valentine’s Day, unlike many other holidays, sits in a gray area. With other winter holidays, it’s a safe bet your friends are celebrating something—even if it’s just all the holiday pay. But Valentine’s Day is beloved by many, hated by more, and tolerated by some. It’s a pretty exclusive holiday in practice, celebrated mostly by those coupled among us, which leaves a lot of people out.

So, how do you know what is expected from your new partner, your friends, or—jeez—your coworkers? Hypothetically, if I were to bake heart-shaped cookies and share a romantic quote on Twitter, would I make a fool of myself at the office or inspire my love-skeptic friends to tease me for the next two weeks? Or, what if I do nothing, but everyone around me gets really into it? It’s awkward because it’s vulnerability, and it’s public, and there aren’t clear expectations for how to behave with everyone.

What to do about it.

Valentine’s Day can be a source of sensory and emotional overload because it is built around oversimplified or exaggerated romance and doesn’t include obvious standards to help navigate various social relationships. That doesn’t mean the day can’t be enjoyable for introverts, however.

As an introvert, it’s important to focus on your needs and on communicating expectations. If going through the candy aisle to stock up on treats for the office party gives you anxiety, ask if you can help with something else, like planning the music. And, if you’re not sure how your partner feels about the holiday, make a point to discuss your ideal Valentine’s Day ahead of time.

If you are dating an introvert, keep things simple and personal by avoiding elaborate and flashy professions of love. Opt instead for gestures that reflect intimate knowledge of your partner and deep appreciation for them.

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? What do you think about it and what are your preferences?

The post 3 Things Introverts Feel on Valentine’s Day appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

from Grammarly Blog https://www.grammarly.com/blog/things-introverts-feel-on-valentines-day/