#four episodes in and only two teams i care about so far

[difeisheng]

im so sorry 我们的歌 but you will never be season 1 again 😔

[aettuddae]

business matter — chapter 70.

↳ synopsis: two of the most important kpop companies covet a partnership with a huge global brand, only to be surprised when the deal is extended to both labels. fearing potential sabotage and cynical strategies to secure exclusivity for just one of them, both CEOs resort to desperate measures. in a bid to maintain trust and prevent betrayal before the signing, they come up with a pact: forcing a fake relationship between the leaders of their star girlgroups. if one side attempted to fail the other, they threaten to expose it all to the conservative south korea.

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[written chapter]

[a/n: the reactions of the fans are not happening at the same time as the events written.]

a large team with cameras and employees of different categories were in a field not far from the city. from the makeup area where they also got their microphones to that piece of land where there used to be nothing, but now there was a recreational structure for the recording, it was about twenty minutes by car. the filming crew surrounded the cast of azza time!, which was meeting for another week to produce a new episode.

the celebrities were casually chatting about everyday topics and also conspiring about what today's maze could be, already accustomed after three years to the dynamics of the program in which the production devised confusingly ordered circuits in which there were different games as obstacles that required general knowledge, intelligence, and also physical skill.

serim often asked herself how she had ended up being part of this kind of program and not one where she could merely sit, eat and talk, as she knew there were many.

after waiting a moment, the director was heard throughout the set announcing that they would begin recording, so the regulars stood next to each other looking at the camera to start the program.

“so…” sejeong, who was standing next to serim, leaned even closer to her friend so that she could talk to her without anyone else hearing. “is she your girlfriend today or not?” she asked as she watched the guests approaching from a distance.

serim returned an annoyed look, causing sejeong to laugh with accomplishment. “they asked us to act friendly in front of the camera.”

“in that case, i hope she doesn't go into acting.” she commented, looking at karina, who showed irritation on her face.

they received the indication that they were already being filmed and then jaesuk, the main host of the program, began the presentation of the episode and gave way to a short exchange of words between the arranged cast, to finally introduce the guests.

“…they finally returned to azza time with their first full album, ‘armageddon’, aespa!” the four members entered the camera vision and were welcomed with applause from the mcs.

the group introduced themselves, as well as one by one, and then their new project, courtesy questions that are asked at the beginning of any variety show took some time, in which the leader of aespa did not deign to place her eyes even close to the position in which the leader of heaven was, as if they did not partially live together.

“serim-ah." jaesuk called, catching her attention. “you are an idol, are you close to the members of aespa?”

“well…” she turned to look at them, noticing that winter and ningning were holding back the urge to laugh, while giselle looked terrified at the possible answer to that question, and karina had her eyes on the ground. “we have recently promoted together, as you know,” she recalled. “we are co-workers, we can still become closer." she replied, careful with her words.

“didn't you exchange contacts after the episode they appeared in before?” another member, jukjae, chimed in, surprised that they weren't close.

“to be honest, i don't really remember that episode.” serim's answer caused her mates to laugh.

“that sounds like serim.” sejeong accepted.

“from among them,” the star of the conversation pointed to the guests with her hand. “karina and i…” the aforementioned raised her head quickly to look at her seriously, causing serim to smile sideways, smug. “we are the closest.” she adverted, turning her gaze from the girl to her work friends.

the others started talking over each other asking questions, after all, they were quite close since they recorded together every week and even met after when they could, but it wasn't enough to know who was in their inner circles, so they were fascinated by the new information of a possible friendship between their beloved serim and another of the most popular idols in the country.

“karina and i,” this time she spoke to the camera, possibly because she was disturbed by the furious gaze of the blackhaired woman who was staring at her. “we met through what she describes as…” she gave a sigh and thought for a second. “a business matter.” she nodded her head, affirming the memory of jimin using that term. “we've spent a lot of time together” she added. "at work." she commented, creating even more tension than there already was between her and the guest, but seeming like an ordinary anecdote to those who had no idea of ​​the context behind it.

“i can't believe we're on the same team again." sejeong complained to serim as both of them, part of the red team, entered the maze prepared for that day.

the azza time labyrinths were artificially assembled sets that were easy to dismantle, but they needed large spaces to be settled up in, which is why the episodes were always recorded in open fields or large spaces such as baseball stadiums or sports courts. they were generally themed based on what the guests were promoting, and in this case, the topic was an alien invasion.

the dynamics of the program is that the participants are divided into two randomly chosen groups that have to explore the map until they find the exit, completing missions, playing games or passing obstacles along the way, and once reached the end they cannot win without a certain number of these carried out.

“it's destiny trying to tell us something.” she brought her hand to her chest acting in love with her.

“serim, could you behave?” the oldest punched her shoulder in frustration. “karina is right there." she joked, without having the latest news on the relationship between these two.

ningning turned to look horrified at the brunette, then at her leader to capture her reaction, but she just, very poorly, pretended she didn't hear, while serim swallowed hard and opened her eyes wide as if she were trying to tell her friend to shut up with them, although she didn't see it since with her competitive spirit she had taken the lead in the team. even so, the atmosphere did not become uncomfortable since the other two members of the cast did laugh at the joke, although they may not have understood it very well.

without giving time for there to be any type of interaction between the two leaders because of that comment, a sharp shout from sejeong was heard, and as a result, the two members of aespa who were on the team reacted the same out of inertia. when they turned a corner they ran into an actor in an alien costume, and once everyone saw what it was that had scared the woman, they simply burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation. once they grew normal with it, serim approached the boy and took a letter that he had in his hand to open it so she could read what it said.

unconsciously, due to her restless, game-loving and impatient nature, jimin pressed her body against the older girl's, trying to grasp the instructions to start the mission as quickly as possible, wrapping her touch around the other's upper arm and leaving her cheek only a tilt of her head from jang's skin. but serim loves being right, in addition to being in control of every scenario, and considering the grudge and annoyance she held against jimin at that moment for the attitude she had adopted that they were complete strangers, she couldn't help but notice the girl's closeness, nor contain the victorious smile that appeared on her face, creating a pedantic and arrogant aura, which only unfolded with karina abruptly breaking apart from her side in madness.

“let's see if i understood." dongyeon spoke after hearing the explanation. “he" pointed to the alien. “is going to sing in an extraterrestrial language and we have to guess what song it is?”

"exactly." assured ningning funnily before the mini-game.

they prepared to carry out the activity, sitting on some stools that the production prepared for them and paying attention to the man when he began his part, failing in some, but eventually getting four of the five songs right that they needed to complete that point of the race.

everyone was waiting for the next melody, leaning on the edge of their seats, ready to shout the answer. the boy awkwardly started humming something after receiving the name and the show's stars took a moment to guess what it was.

“ah!” serim exclaimed after identifying the sound, feeling a tap on her shoulder from one, very passionate about the game, jimin, who seemed to have also deciphered it and wanted to communicate it to someone in some way. “snsd!” she shouted, upset.

“party!” yu finished.

for just a second everything was silent, but the moment it was confirmed that it was the correct answer, they both squealed happily. the song began to play through the speakers so they could complete the next part, which was to dance and sing it, to which they both got up running. serim got to the center faster, but she has always been terrible at remembering choreographies, so she stayed static, although not for long because as soon as karina caught up with her, she pushed her out of the shot and started performing impeccably.

upon seeing the youngest, the vocalist remembered the steps and returned to her position, covering her work mate in front of the camera lens and continuing with the dance. however, this one approached quickly and she used the full weight of her body to rush at the girl who had interrupted her, quickly returning to the middle to continue from where she had left off. jang stopped to look at her in disbelief, but quickly regained her determination and approached with wide steps to wrap her arms around her waist and lift her off the ground, carrying her back through the air to leave her behind, going back to the center to finish the challenge by herself.

“girls, remember that you can dance together, we are all one team.” tried to intervene jaesuk from his seat, although in any case, all the spectators found the leaders' tom and jerry act entertaining and funny.

but no one listened to the man and the main dancer once again gained the spotlight by pulling the older's shirt until she was off camera, ending in serim running back towards her and grabbing her by the torso again, but this time maintaining her grip, no longer trying to dance, but to prevent the girl from achieving what she wanted.

"let go!" perhaps because of the distraction of wanting to win, she didn't give that order with bitterness, but rather charged with the emotion of a child who wants to continue playing.

“no! it's my favorite group, i have to answer!" she refused, still having her captured in her embrace.

“it's my favorite group too, nam…” she realized. “serim." she retracted herself, trying to get free.

“it can't be because you and i would never have anything in common.” she contradicted.

“i liked snsd before you did!” seeing that she couldn't get out of the woman's arms, she changed her strategy and began to try to throw her to the ground.

“how would you know when i started liking snsd?” she struggled to maintain balance.

"intuition!" she responded simply as she finally managed, after kicking serim's foot and causing her to lose balance when it lifted suddenly, to get her to fall off. although perhaps she didn't expect the vocalist to take her down too.

“they both got the point for the team.” someone from the staff announced. they hadn't even noticed that the song was no longer playing.

"that's not fair!" from the ground, jimin pointed accusingly her index at the person who said that, with her back against serim's front and still in her hold, still too blinded by her desire for victory to notice what position she found herself in.

"i don't believe you!" serim continued.

“it is possible, we are playing as a team.” interrupted sejeong, appearing in their field of vision above them. "get up please."

after several hours of recording, the red team was on the fifth mission, and this was one of those that required physical dexterity. before them stood a platform that swayed, decorated as if it were a spaceship. in the middle of it, there was nothing more than a tube that connected from the floor under the machine to the ceiling of the place, which had various steps that wrapped around it, and a little higher hung a series of figures in moons, stars, hearts, and butterflies of different colors. on the sides of the wobbly stage were two baskets.

the game consisted of reaching the required figures and placing them in the containers without anyone falling off that surface that kept rotating and moving up and down. those in charge of climbing to reach the emblems were ningning and dongyeon, while jaesuk and sejeong were the ones who had to throw them into the barrels trying to fill them, and karina together with serim worked as hinges, holding the previous two so that they do not fall, but also ensuring that those who climbed didn't either.

the figures were very high, so the hosts really had to work hard to reach them, but dongyeon managed to get a pink star, as requested in the game instructions, and went down to pass it to serim who would get it to sejeong. but as soon as the last one stretched out to try to throw the object where it had to enter, as it was her first attempt, she lost her balance and also the support she had in serim's hand, almost falling into the water that was under them. fortunately, her friend, with speed and agility, released her grip on the tube, taking advantage of the fleeting moment in which the platform was tilted on the opposite side, but elevated on hers, she approached kim, hugged her against her body, and returned to hold on just in time so they wouldn't be propelled out of the game.

on the other side, ningning already had a green moon in her hand, but she was still on the iron bars that functioned as steps. it was difficult for her to go down because of the movement, leaning on her leader so that she could tell her when it would be appropriate to step. but the blackhaired woman had her eyes distracted by serim and how she was hugging sejeong, which is why she was not paying attention to her maknae when she tried to get down just at the moment when the ground rose on their side, causing the girl's foot to suddenly rose and with it the rest of her body that was still over the metals that formed a staircase, leaving her hand trapped in the one it was wrapped and causing her thumb to bend unnaturally as she did not adapt to the abrupt change in position. the youngest girl's scream echoed throughout the place, accompanied by her body falling on top of her bandmate as she released her grip because of the pain.

upon hearing her, the game stopped and the production, as well as the group's staff, came to help her without delay. taking her off the set to the car they had arrived in so she could be checked by a doctor, followed by karina, while the others were notified. everyone gathered outside to deliberate about what had happened and wait for answers about whether they could continue recording, while the members of aespa gathered around the car with their manager and others to see how serious the maknae's injury had been.

after a moment, when she saw the emergency staff leaving, serim decided to approach the girls.

“hey, ning, how are you?” she gave her a kind smile.

"fine." she assured her, she didn't look distressed. “it's a sprain, but it's not serious, in a few days it will heal.” she raised her hand to show it. “they only gave me this.” a splint held the injured finger in place, wrapped with some bandages to support it.

"i'm happy to hear you're well." she walked over to lie against the truck next to the opening where ningning was. "but what happened?" she put her palm on the girl's leg, which made her nervous and so begin to mix up her words when trying to explain, without getting her to understand.

"it was my fault." karina interrupted, gaining the attention. “i should have been attentive to help her get down, but i wasn't.” she explained.

“no, it wasn't anyone's fault.” ningning denied. “my finger got caught in the tube, no one would have imagined that would happen.” she clarified.

“either way, it was my role to prevent something like that from happening.” yu repeated.

“you seem to have a tendency to lose control of things.” serim observed, her tone slightly hostile to her.

"what do you mean by that?" she furrowed her eyebrows and looked at her with annoyance.

“whatever you want to understand.” she shrugged her shoulders. “ning, have they already told you if you will be able to continue recording? maybe you should rest.” she turned to see the named one.

“serim, i think i already told you more than once, but you don't know me enough to make assumptions about me.” she warned irritably.

“don't you get tired of repeating the same things over and over again?” jang turned her gaze to her in distaste. “even jesus rested.”

“i wouldn't have to keep repeating the same thing if you would just stop acting so immature.” karina defended herself.

“i'm done talking to you.” serim cut off her words.

“how can you be so unbearable?” she took a few steps to get closer to her.

“that question is too personal, i'm sorry, i thought you didn't want to know anything about me.” she pushed herself from the vehicle and faced her.

“can you two not fight? ningning almost ripped off her finger…” giselle tried to stop them.

“is all the resentful attitude you've had today is because i rejected you?” she crossed her arms. “poor little serim, finally a woman says no to her.” she hummed mockingly.

“what resentful attitude are you even talking about?” she inquired unperturbed.

“your constant laughing, looks and comments with double meanings.” she recounted. “that speech of yours about how we met that you gave at the beginning, was it necessary?” jimin was furious.

“i was just repeating what you told me.” she argued with an innocent tone. “and for someone who doesn't want to know anything about me, i noticed that you were very aware of what i do all day.” she tilted her head, looking at her expectantly.

“how can i not notice the stuff you do if you are over me all the time hoping that i do something you can hold against me?” she exclaimed, raising her voice.

“did i force you to do those things that i ended up rubbing to your face?” she responded, turning up the volume of her sentences.

“i didn't do anything to you all day!”

“aside from letting your groupmate get injured because you were too focused on what i was up to?” she exclaimed exasperatedly. “or did you really think i didn't catch you staring?” she spoke normally again, but still with anger.

“fuck you, serim.” she said angrily and turned around to leave.

“fuck me yourself!” she shouted loudly for karina to hear as she walked away from her.

[lolli-popples]

The Missing Link in Scott's Characterization

(Wrote this in a random document and I think it's good so I'm loosely transcribing it here)

These are some of my thoughts on a crucial facet of Scott's character in the Life Series that I think is overlooked by the fandom.

From my personal viewpoint, people put a lot of emphasis on Scott's caring about his allies over everything else. I think this is an important characteristic. However, I think this being shown as the most central trait is a detriment to how people read his involvement with the overarching narrative. It might be less of a problem if he wasn't directly involved with the final fight of nearly every Life Series.

Because of this combination of things, his main interaction with fans' reading of the final fight is being willing to do anything to make sure his friends win. It gives people the tendency to attribute some victories partially to him, which upsets people who want main read of the story to focus entirely on the winner. But this also has meant that one of Scott's main traits is overlooked.

Just as much, and often, more than Scott values his allies, he values fairness. To showcase this, let's look at Limited and Last Life, where he had the most control on how the final fight took place.

In Last Life, when it's down to the final four, Scott *could* have teamed up with Pearl, his ally all season, to kill Martyn and Ren. That aligns with wanting either your or your allies to win, no? But he doesn't. He suggests they split to the 4 corners of the map and have a fair fight on equal footing. Very fair.

With Limited Life it's even more apparent. Scott and Martyn have an impressive amount of time. They could both still die multiple times. Impulse is running out, and there's a numbers advantage. They could have killed Impulse and Scott could have let Martyn win, or Scott could have given Martyn his time to fight Impulse alone. But instead, he suggests they all go down to the same amount and have a fair fight.

In both situations, Scott puts fairness *over* an alliance victory. Even though Limited Life didn't end up ending fairly, that had nothing to do with Scott.

Double Life certainly has the strongest claim on Scott "letting someone win". That his death is an apology for abandoning Pearl.

But if you listen to what Scott says in the finale, he never apologizes. He says he didn't think they'd get this far, he says she deserves this more than him, and then he says the iconic "Tilly death do us part."

Scott didn't fight Pearl. But I don't think it came out of remorse. I think that too, came from a sense of fairness. Which is that Pearl, by all accounts, DOES deserve this win. If they fought it would basically be up to a draw. To chance. Scott has every chance of winning. But if you go over the events of Scott's final episode, he mostly runs. He survives. While Pearl 1v2'd two separate pairs and won! The only reason Pearl hasn't killed Scott already, who has been her enemy all season, is because they were randomly assigned to be soul-linked. A concept Scott has fought since the very beginning. He knows that while he never hurt their chances, Pearl is the reason they are here, and Pearl is the reason he is here. It wouldn't be fair for Pearl to lose to what is basically a coin flip. So, he doesn't leave it up to random chance.

So yes, Scott is loyal and does care about his allies, he proves that again and again. But the way he is involved in how the series end shows that his sense of order and fairness are equally important. Also, I think viewing his contributions from this angle help remedy some of the reasons people don't like his usual characterization because of how it effects the agency of other characters.

[robyese3]

K. I'm writing this into the void but I have nobody to talk bridgerton to. I blow the dust off my Tumblr to rant. Season 3. Here we go

PT. 1

Trash. All four episodes could have honestly been condensed to one, maaaaybe two to compensate for all the side plots. It did nothing to redeem Penelope.

It did however make me love Cressida, and further convinced me Eloise is queer. That said - Claudia Jessie so far has had chemistry with every single person (Benedict, Penelope, Cressida, Theo). Maybe it's just her. Philip was cardboard though so... We'll see if she can rescue that.

Why would the wig department do my boy Colin like that? Dirtyyy.

Francesca is GORGEOUS. She does look older than Daphne and Eloise, but I don't even care. Stunning. And John is a button.

Where did Luke and Nicola's chemistry go?!

KANTHONY. Only redeeming factor, and not enough of them.

What happened to Debling? Why wouldn't they just have HIM marry Cressida???? Like...?? It would have been perfect.

I love the Mondrich's story line - why is everyone hating? I do agree that it would have been a great way to reintroduce the Duke into the story though. Kinda mentor them through it. I get Rege-Jean wanted out but like... Recast it?

PT 2

Ahhh there is their chemistry. Found it.

I am HERE for mama Featherignton's redemption arc. Only works because she seems genuinely remorseful.

Incredibly disappointed with the Cressida storyline. Just wrecked a really dynamic story. Ruined Eloise's character growth (which she desperately needs) and just undid the awesome set up from pt 1. Felt so wasteful, unnecessary, and sad.

Most of the sex scenes were hot as hell but there was one (I don't remember which) was kinda awkward getting off the ground. They were like... Talking too much? Haha

Daphne not being there for Colin NOR Francesca's wedding? Yeah right. Get your casting contracts figured out bridgerton! This family can't be this close and just be missing major events. Would never happen. Lock them actors in from day 1.

I felt like Colin's arc from finding out to supporting her was really vulnerable, realistic, and well done. He was hurt and angry, but never stopped loving her. Just needed to process and he defended her tooth and nail despite knowing she didn't want to quit it. Good job kiddo.

Ok does Benedict do ANYTHING else but fvck? So grateful they finally admitted he's queer. And I wish they would have gotten to that part of his development in pt 1 so we could see him navigating it more.

When Colin said he had to talk to Benedict about getting the money, and implying that Benedict has some responsibility in the family with Anthony's absence - that was the biggest character development for him outside of his sexuality.

Philippa has NOT gotten enough screentime during this series. How are we just seeing how delightful she is now?!

Part 2 did such a better job at redeeming Penelope. I drank the Kool aid, back on team Penelope. Wrecked Eloise though. Sorry girl. Be better.

Michaela Sterling. Was kinda digging the "soft" love, and autistic thing that was circling the Internet so I was a little disappointed to see that all it was is that she's actually not attracted to him (knew the second they kissed haha). BUT the actress is stunning and I'm intrigued on how they'll develop Francesca's yearning for children with the queer storyline.

I would have loved for another King George cameo. Or just an update on his health, idk. Anything.

All in all, this show could do with adding another episode or two to it's roster and figuring out their pacing earlier on ESPECIALLY if you're going to be splitting the season. And even more so, if you're going to be juggling 82 different storylines.

If we're slowly shifting back to traditional tv practices (weekly releases episodes, commercials, etc), let the next thing be a full episode count. Done with this single digit amount episode. Order at least 10-12 episodes!

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

Wakamiya, Yukiya and the lady ravens

So far, I’d like to commend the series composition writer Yukiko Yamamuro for reinterpreting Chisato Abe’s novel and patching up the first two volumes of the book series (and the others maybe) into one cohesive narrative while altering some things to make it more comprehensible.

If you haven’t seen the 12th episode, beware of spoilers from here on:

Yukiya

In the manga, he only showed up when Wakamiya asked him to assist him on how to demonstrate the utility of the Ue, their raven suit, concerning Samomo’s death. (Of course, it is given that he might just be in the background the whole time.) While in the anime, he’s become the stand-in for Hamayu. The writer altered the dialogue and scenes to fit to Yukiya, a sort of Jiminy Cricket to Wakamiya. His assistant through and through.

The barriers

Instead of setting up a screen between the Prince and the princesses, Anime*Wakamiya has once again broken the protocol that he can see them and talk to them without the bamboo curtains. (He is allowed to break the rules, but the candidates cannot.)

Shiratama

Honestly, this is the most heartwarming scene in the 12th episode. It is not a big smile, but Wakamiya has done so, perhaps relieved, seeing that Shiratama has finally listened to her heart, while Yukiya is beaming watching his cousin reunited with her lover Kazumi. The bluffing has worked, even though Yukiya thinks it is an overkill while Wakamiya insists they haven’t done the deed yet. Anyway, he has done the scrutiny with so much care and respect. He was not as brutal as in the manga where calling her out was actually a push for her to think of her own mind.

He is exercising his right to be a just ruler here, which he at first was not so sure of how would it turn out.

Yukiya: What are you trying to get out of this choice?

Wakamiya: I wonder. Heaven knows how this will go.

But in the end, he’s begun to weigh both sides, give advices, tell it what it is, and encourage Shiratama and Masuho no Susuki to see what are their other opportunities other than marrying him.

It is true that he also doesn’t have a good opinion on Sakura Blossom Palace due to what transpired and/or is transpiring there. For him it stands for prison, of human follies, a snake pit, of the way humans drag each other down to the point of wishing the other harm, powerful men using young women as mere tools to advance power and influence. He knows it because his own mother had been one.

From the novel:

The wind was fluttering the young master's black hair. His face was white in the moonlight. A handsome, unpleasant person. But affectionate. Yukiya looked at the prince for a long time and spoke cautiously a little later.

“I know that my words will sound cowardly now. But Shiratama from the North House is my cousin... When I found out that Your Highness cares about the hearts of the daughters of the four houses, I felt lighter in my heart. After all, you don't consider them as tools in the political struggle.”

He's wilful, no doubt. Sharp, often misunderstood. But being with him turned out to be not bad at all.

(Note: this isn’t an official EN translation)

Masuho no Susuki

Because they changed so much from the manga, I guess we have to wait what will happen in the upcoming episodes concerning Masuho no Susuki.

(In the novel, she wrote to Wakamiya to personally come to the Sakura Blossom Palace, asked Sumio to find Hamayū and when he did Masuho kept her in her entourage secretly.)

The way Wakamiya asks the candidates if they can foresee a future with him as his empress is devoid of romanticism. He doesn’t mince words nor let them expect heaven when it is not.

One gets the impression that he really doesn’t want to get married. It is just a stupid rule that he must have a consort when he ascends the throne.

Did I say that I love Masuho’s hairstyle? Yes, I do!

Asebi

It is amusing to read the shocked comments from the Team Asebi fans. (Sorry!) The Girl has fooled many with her demure and innocent, yet naive, face.

From Asebi’s VA, Rina Honnizumi:

Asebi is very lovely, and it makes you think, “This kind of child is called a princess,” and has a charm that makes you want to protect her. But when I auditioned, I read the original work and said, “I see, this kind of girl!” The way she looks is quite different at the beginning and at the end.

Many people still don’t want to believe that she is not what everyone thinks she is. Behind this face is a wily young woman ready to crush everyone who is on her way. And we all thought it was Shiratama.

On the other hand, her half sister, Futaba, has entered the list of characters officially. Poor girl, who suffered in the hands of her own sister.

The way Asebi answers Wakamiya, “no matter what the cost,” her cunningness, and her clear discrimination between the court ravens and hill ravens, you cannot simply excuse her ignorance. Neither Wakamiya. He hates her from the bottom of his heart. We will find out more next week the reasons he does. And it seems that it is ominous as the sound director posted on X that they “deliberately left out the music for the preview of the next episode.”

Hamayu

I am curious how will they reintroduce her to the story. Are they preparing for her mini-arc? Will they follow the novel/manga but with a different twist?

The fluttering cherry blossoms

They symbolise two different things and always in tune with the music. They can be flying softly, dancing around the characters (a positive realisation) or hitting them harshly when the wind blows (signals danger, distress).

What a nice touch.

[ananke-xiii]

Although I mainly see the first six episodes of s13 as an engaging portrayal of two giref-stricken people lacking the tools to deal with what has happened to them, I can also totally see them as the so-called "widower arc". Two things can be true at the same time because yes, Dean was totally grieving Cas' death. But I'll make it worse for you.

Maybe I'm biased by the many times I've read the term "widower arc" but Dean was 100% looking for a consort in Cas in s12 (yes, "consort", I'm tired of "partner" or "boy/girlfriend", they're weak terms, give me "sharing destiny" type of old words) so I think this interpretation is not so far-fetched.

We have a grieving widow(er), a desired consort who's dead and then resurrects and a son who's been defined as "the rising son". As I've already said these are some of the elements of one of the most ancient myths in Western culture, that is the myth of Isis and Osiris.

Now, of course it was not a retelling of that myth, I don't even think it was a conscious effort to shape the story that way but sometimes symbols will be symbols, what can you do?

First of all, two brothers: Set and Osiris and Lucifer and Cas. We know how it goes, one brother kills the other (As an aside in one version Set built a wooden chest and tricked Osiris to enter into it just to seal it and drown it in the Nile. We have totally NEVER seen this image in Supernatural. Not even ONCE).

Things get very interesting from here on because in the myth there's a lot of focus on the body of the deceased brother, Osiris/Cas. The most famous way Set disposed of his brother's corpse was to cut it into pieces, to... tear him apart if you will. It is then kinda WILD that AU!Michael kills "his" Lucifer the same way:

MIchael: I killed my Lucifer. Tore him apart in the skies over Abilene. But hey, can’t get enough of a good thing.

Apparently, the body must be somehow intact for resurrection to happen. In the myth Isis has to find his husband's bodyparts scattered all over Egypt in order to resurrect him. So we need to pay extra close attention to Cas' body which we are actually shown in that tragic scene where Dean prepares him for the pyre. So it's Dean who takes care of Cas' body, who "collects" it, just like Isis. Interesting.

In SPN "What gets burned stays dead", therefore Cas cannot resurrect, or so they think. The mantra is repeated by Jack in "Tombstone" when he first sees his father. To be honest, we don't really know how Cas resurrects. For the first time we see what happens to him between death and rebirth but we miss the technicalities. We can only assume that Cas' ashes were enough. Or maybe, just maybe, that's just a rule that applies in Chuck's story. Just saying.

I'm not sure if they try to discover how Jack managed to do that but the point remains: it was Jack who woke Cas up in the Empty.

And why did he do that? Well, because he can. The very first thing that Jack does is resurrecting Kelly in an episode aptly named "The Future", where Jack is sort of introduced via his mother's resurrection. He doesn't know how to use this power but he unconsciously does it again with his father. And I ask again: why?

Jack wakes Cas up in "The Big Empty", four episodes into the season. He could've done it sooner? No. Because what prompts him to unconsciously act is Dean's grief. And Dean reaches his boiling point when Sam finally provokes him. Osiris/Cas dies and his consort Isis/Dean is inconsolable. Other people like Sam can forget about it, but Dean can't in every sense of the verb.

In the myth it's Isis who resurrects Osiris and has a child, Horus, with him. But she got help. Dean's only human but there is a demi-god running around in his bunker so I think that helped. And Cas must be credited for the effort and the pushing.

Let's just say that resurrecting Castiel took three, actually four people okay? It required a team effort. Because none of them is a fully-fledged god like God or Amara or some Archangel who can just snap their fingers and boom welcome back to Life. Coaxing someone into resurrection (a resurrection with consent) takes a lot of willpower... and a lot of love.

I said four people because the last character in this little story is The Shadow. And we see this in the myth as well!

Isis doesn't "just" resurrect Osiris, she has to convince the motherfucker. Cause, you see, Osiris's heart was tired. A tired heart! Oh so beautiful! He didn't see the reason to go back to life. He was sooo tired. Isis has to literally seduce him back to life. And... this is kind of what The Shadow does, but in reverse? It tells Castiel to go back to sleep, to find peace, it's been in his mind and he wants to sleep, it knows!

The Shadow is Cas' tiredness, all his failures and regrets. But, as I said, it takes a lot of willpower and a lot of love to resurrect the dead, this is what Isis teaches us actually. To love more and then some more. And Cas loves back and he loves hard.

Castiel: You can prance and you can preen and you can scream and yell and remind me of my failings but somehow, I’m awake. And I will stay awake and I will keep you awake until we both go insane. I will fight you. Fight you and fight you for…ever. For eternity.

He didn't come back because he annoyed an ancient cosmic being. He came back because he loved.

So Osiris/Cas are back to life and that's good, right? Well... yeahhh. The thing is that Osiris will then live in the world of the dead so he kinda doesn't really really stay alive for long. And Isis will follow him. Things will likely go bad for Cas.

But the story continues!

Set/Lucifer and Horus/Jack engage in a rather disturbing (in the myth) struggle for power. The myth has different endings: in one they reconcile, in another they divide the realm, in yet another one Horus is the one true winner. So we don't really know (from this point in the narrative) how things will actually turn out for the two of them.

Isn't it interesting? Well, it's not surprising because there is a connection between christian stories and greek and egyptian ones but still? Kinda cool to see how myths keep repeating and repeating. As if we're still trying to understand them.

Anyway: yes to the widower arc, yes to love piercing through the veil of death. Both ways! It takes the love of two to resurrect.

[plague-of-insomnia]

I'm sorry if this is a silly question but I'm just curious. Do you know how much time Ciel and Sebastian spend in Weston? I haven't read the manga in a while but while watching the anime I just feel like everything is happening too fast??? Luke the whole are was done in 2 weeks max

Hi, anon, I am not someone who pays super close attention to the chronology of canon (as in, exactly what day/date things happen) partly bc I care more about the overall story and themes and the characters than minutiae like that. Not bc I think people who do are dumb but bc I’m more of an AU creator than canon so knowing the details like that to extreme doesn’t really benefit me much so it doesn’t interest me to spend the time doing it. (Though I know at least one person did come up with a timeline through a certain point in the manga years ago, which you may find if you do a google search.)

But what I can tell you is Ciel comes home from the Campania before Easter and arrives at Weston presumably after that holiday, so likely in March or April. (I could probably find out exactly when Easter happened in 1889 but I honestly could care less lol.) We also know from McMillian that he is joining mid-term. It’s actually a clever way for Yana to have the school “begin” in Spring (which is familiar/nostalgic for Japanese audiences, where school years begin in April, usually) while still reconciling with the Western tradition of beginning in the fall.

We also know the cricket tournament takes place on the 4th of June—probably a day Yana picked since it plays with the theme of four (four houses, four prefects) in the arc but also because the number has an association with death in Japanese.

This means that Ciel is not a student at Weston for very long at all—only 2-3 months at most—since the midnight tea party happens after the cricket completes and presumably marks the end (or close to it) of the school year/term.

Honestly, until the last episode I think the anime has been perfectly paced with the manga. They’ve really made only minor shifts and mostly expanded things, so they’re following Yana’s vision fairly closely.

The one major thing is that this episode shoves most of two chapters into one, when it really could have been done in two. But that would mean 12 episodes. and I suspect the team was worried if they didn’t get the cricket part over fast, they might risk losing/boring their core audience.

One huge change they did was take out the explanation of the game itself and its basic rules, which Bard explains in the manga. This was likely done for time/space reasons but also because they may have figured most viewers don’t care and they can communicate enough for people to understand and follow along even if they don’t understand the rules of the game itself.

This is partly perhaps because the cricket part of the arc was not well received in Japan and was one of the least popular chapters, supposedly. It’s why I was shocked they turned it into a musical a couple years ago.

I was a bit disappointed to lose all that not only bc we lost a nice scene with Bard and the servants (they cut a scene with them where they have lunch, though it’s possible that could make it into next episode, but I won’t hold my breath), but also bc I’m like the ONE person who genuinely enjoyed the cricket part of the arc, and it’s one reason this arc is my second favorite in many ways.

I LOVE seeing Ciel and Seb working together in devious ways to get their mission accomplished, and how far Ciel is willing to go to win. Ofc we can still appreciate it anyway, but the fact that he so carefully works within the limits of the rules— and in fact, I learned in commentary on the arc that some of the rules Ciel takes advantage of were actually changed not long after this period of time, which is a fun detail.

So it could be things feel like they’re moving fast because in a sense they are, but it also could be you’re sensing that urgency from how rushed this last episode was. But I suspect when all is said and done, and you watch the entire thing, it probably won’t feel as off. Book of Murder took place over only 3 days, and Seb and Ciel were not at the circus long at all. I can’t be sure but maybe only a week or two? And ofc the campania adventure was also only a few days. In fact, this may actually be the longest mission in the series to this point. So it seems like most missions don’t take too long.

Hope that answers your question! I’ve been looking through the chapters in this arc before every episode to get a sense for the pacing and they’ve generally fallen exactly where I expect. This episode being one exception since they really did condense a lot.

[mayabishopgold]

Top 5 Station 19 episodes

I got a couple of asks about this, so I decided to cheat a bit and make two lists: a top 5 of what I objectively consider to be the best episodes of the show, and then my personal favorites.

To the people who sent the asks: I'm sorry for taking so long! This was HARD. And also thank you! I love lists. This was so much fun.

Here we go!

Best episodes:

5. 7x05 "My Way" The 100th episode of the show highlights Andy's long journey to becoming Captain. Considering how underwhelming the scene where Ross promotes her in 6x18 was (seriously, what does she have against official conversations in an office?), the pinning ceremony provided a satisfying full-circle moment.

The Best: I know I'm biased but Maya really was the MVP of the episode. Was there for Andy, patched things up with Beckett, supported Carina... I'm just so proud of her. The Worst: I really felt Carina's storyline with the car accident added nothing. I would have preferred to see her at her doctor's appointment.

4. 3x10 "Something About What Happens When We Talk" / 4x12 "Get up, stand up" Always considered these to be sister episodes. Both use therapy with Diane to deepen character development as the team deals with the aftermath of traumatic events.

The Best: Maya's session in 3x10 and Dean fighting back tears in Diane's presence in 4x12. Really powerful moments. The Worst: On a very shallow note, I wish we could have seen more of Carina's outfit in 4x12.

3. 4x05 "Out Of Control" The team rallies to help a mother whose daughter has been kidnapped, leading to a confrontation with police officers.

The Best: The tension that builds during the last 20 mins. The Worst: No Carina.

2. 2x15 "Always Ready" I'll never understand why Ripley had to die, it felt sudden and completely unnecessary. Why would you throw away such insane chemistry? but OMG what an episode.

The Best: the team coming together on top of the rig. The Worst: did I mention Ripley? still in mourning.

1. 7x09 "How am I supposed to live without you" A big wildfire incident serves as the backdrop for high-stakes character drama. Add all the callbacks to previous moments, plus the added emotion of the show ending, and you have the most impactful episode of the series. It left us with intriguing possibilities that the finale, unfortunately, failed to deliver on.

The Best: That cliffhanger and the fact it actually focused on the characters and dynamics people care about—Marina, Travic, and Andy/Maya. The Worst: Did we need another Ross/Sullivan bed scene? no we didn't.

Bonus: 7x04 "Trouble Man" Although, based on execution alone, this would be in the Top 5, all of the previous episodes on the list are considerably more important in the context of the show. This one is more of a transition episode.

The Best: Very inspired directing choices. The Worst: Marina's new house was really a downgrade, although I ended up kind of liking it by the end of the season.

My favorites:

5. 1x04 "Reignited" The first Maya-centric episode of the series. And wow, she really became the most compelling character of the show just four episodes in. What a difference right from the start in how much care the development of Maya's character received compared to Andy's.

The Best: Maya being an amazing paramedic and saving the life of someone everyone else had already given up on. The Worst: Anything involving Jack and Andy. Sorry, but they had zero chemistry at the beginning of the series.

4. 6x08 "I know a place" You know an episode will be good when Dr. Diane Lewis shows up—only exception being 5x04. It's painful but so worth it. Maya begins healing, Jack gets back to work at the station, and we learn a bit of Ruiz's background. All in all, a very solid hour of the show.

The Best: Maya & her 3 year old self The Worst: No Carina and too much Eli & Andy...

3. 2x10 "Crazy Train" This is by far my favorite incident/ call in the series. I don't particularly love the ending, but everything else? perfection.

The Best: Maya in charge AND looking fine as hell The Worst: Gibshop.

2. 6x14 "Get it all Out". This is 100% my comfort episode. There is something so playful about Maya and Carina as they were still finding their way back to each other. All of these Season 6 episodes are a treat. Also, "How's your arm, PAM?" will forever be etched in my brain.

The Best: Jealous!Maya The Worst: The directing choices are particularly poor.

1. 4x14 "Comfortably Numb" Carina has to return to Italy due to her visa expiring. Maya is understandably freaking out and considering if they should get married. They fight, have sex, fight again, and ultimately end up getting engaged. Other stuff happens... but honestly, who cares?

The Best: The Marina scenes are allowed time to play out. It's obvious when actors enjoy the material they are working with. Every beat of those scenes feels authentic. The Worst: For some reason I always find the Ben OR scene to be super cringey.

[hypocriticaltypwriter]

what's Talaney-Anne's relationship/dynamic with the rest of the cast, other than Billy?? (Nancy, Steve, Max, Joyce, etc.)

OoooO! Gonna write put as much as I can and how much I read on the characters with how much of the series of watched so far! [NOTE: at this point I've only seen clips of later seasons and only watched Season 1 episodes 1-3 FULLY through, so Talaney and her relationships with characters might change once I've finished enough of the series!] This is a long one so WOOP

I'll just say with characters like Karen, Claudia, Sue, are on good terms with Talaney since she's been babysitting Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, when they were quite little and she was in junior high/late elementary. She does of course get a bit more familiar and closer to Joyce considering Talaney gets involved with the whole Upside-Down shenanigans- and fun fact! She never really babysat Will often when she was younger due to the Byers house being very hostile during Joyce and Lonnie's relationship. Who she babysits the most and sometimes still does is Dustin! Of course he isn't much of a fan.

Talaney knew Steve in Junior High vaguely- and it's what comes up when she talks to him after her bike had gotten a flat on her way back home from Cheer practice and Steve offered her a ride. They talk a bit and catch up as he takes her back home, and from then on its when their friendship starts to grow and she is added to the team!

That's when I feel Talaney would start becoming a bigger character in the series as season two starts - and also begin her love triangle with Billy and Steve. [Im thinking maybe Billy watches as she gets into Steve's car at school and the challenge is on..👀] They're relationship starts off pretty strong, both very protective and looking out for the kids and the danger they all get themselves into, and she's always helping him out with girls or advice, and it's vice versa as some confusing feelings start to bubble up in between their relationship. I'm thinking around late season three or four, the feelings between the two fizzle back into a strong friendship, knowing Talaney is still recovering from Billy's breakup/death and Steve still hung up on Nance, Talaney-Anne knew that the two of them together when they were still so vulnerable and still trying to pick up their broken pieces was a recipe for disaster, even if she truly did care for and love Steve.

Nancy and her relationship started of sort of awkward- they never hated each other for a while there, but I wouldn't say that they didn't dislike one another either. After confrontations and such at Tina's Halloween party, Nancy and Talaney sort of... Kept their distance, respected boundaries and stuff in the group, but of course, when you got to fight off a bunch of crazy alien dogs and tentacles, the universe sort of... Forces you to bond. There on much better terms, and the two can be a total kickass team blowing up demogorgan faces with shotguns.

The same goes for Johnothan! Again, knew him very vaguely due to Will, but Talaney also knows him cause she use to take some cookies and such that her grandmother made to the Byers and Johnathan would answer the door. They'd share some small awkward talk for a minute before she'd head back home. He also noticed how he'd come home to a few wrapped up slices of cake or tray of cookies on the doorstep after Will had gone missing, with that same signature pink bow wrapped up on top. He remembered there'd always be enough to split it evenly into three servings..

Robin and Talaney bond just how Talaney did with Steve- girl advice. Talaney was very subtle and did her best to sound as if she was dropping simple conversation or gossip, when she was really more giving some hints or offering a little something something for Robin to take note of. She was less secretive about the information and gossip when Robin will happily trade her for it with some free ice cream and scoops ahoy when Talaney comes by for her cravings. She'd die for the strawberry cheesecake and chocolate fudge flavors okay?

Hopper knows Talaney mostly for the expense of her brothers and there trouble. Smashing mailboxes, vandalism... Accidentally chasing their cow and goats into mainstreet.... Yea. But she's grown to know him well because of it! And since her older sister is a Forest Ranger, she's acquainted very well. He's a good older figure to look up to, given Talaney doesn't have her father around in her life. Talaney has to give up/quit babysitting due to some events later on planned for her in the seasons, and Hopper offers her a job as a receptionist for the department- knowing she needs the money and support.

And since this is getting pretty long already, I'm going to make a second post soon with Talaney and her relationship to the kids of the series! [Max, Dustin, El, Mike, Lucas, Will, Erica.]

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

Damn, with your track record of unpopular opinions and hot takes, I was sort of hoping you'd be TG. Ah well lol. Have you seen the S2 trailer?

I'm not really anything.

I've certainly made a number of posts supporting Team Liquorice over Team Broccoli (I prefer to use those names as I am uncomfortable calling any faction that House Velaryon associates with "The Blacks.") and I stand by pretty much everything I said in them, but if you want to see some Pro-Broccoli posts, I can make those too. I know it's cliche to call myself "Team Smallfolk" but I really am first and foremost on their side. I've always said that this war did not need to happen and it was within the Highborns' power to stop it, to prevent the common people from having to go through The Dance. All that needed to happen was for someone to concede. That's it. Literally all it would have taken, and to her credit, Rhaenyra considers doing this.

Team Broccoli have it tricky, because the show is framed around Rhaenyra, it centralizes her as the protagonist. It puts Alicent and her faction in the role of antagonists of Rhaenyra's story. Additionally...it' would be difficult to identify as a Green, because right out of the gate, you'd have to defend yourself and clarify that of course you're NOT a misogynist. The Broccoli faction is heavily associated with misogyny as they are trying to prevent a woman from taking the throne. Naturally, this doesn't mean that people who support Aegon over Rhaenyra are sexist - and if you're one of the people saying that...um, stop it. They are fictional characters in a fictional war. We really shouldn't be taking it that seriously, and it's disingenuous to act like misogyny is the only reason a fan might choose Aegon. Even the Hightowers don't really care that Rhaenyra is a woman. That's the basis they're using to seize the throne, but that's nothing more than a means to an end. If Rhaenyra were a man, they'd still want to seat Aegon, they'd just have to think of something else to justify it.

I have seen the trailers, and I love just about everything about them. I especially love how they gave us one for each team, that is genius. The only thing I don't love is how we're already getting a reduced count of episodes, from ten to eight. Particularly since this show is apparently only going to be four seasons or so, this hurts. Like, did you guys learn nothing from the last two seasons of Game of Thrones? All the negative reception they got for how rushed they felt? Even if they wanted to say, push certain battles back to Season 3 for the sake of budget, they could have stretched things out a little more, given the episodes, characters, and plots time to breathe. I don't know, it also just depends on how much content is available to be adapted.

Hey, here's a nice thing I can say about Team Broccoli. Your trailer slaps. Team Liquorice's trailer is just kind of average. Then again, the main reason the green trailer is better is because of the Aegon content. He's everywhere in this trailer and he is killing it, so I really hope this is a sign that they'll make him more important. Also, he now has the funniest line in the entire show so far. "To war then!" Like. Oh god. You absolute idiot, you slay me. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra's trailer is...fine. There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just glad they fixed Jace's hair. (And ruined Criston's, it's a tradeoff.) I love everything to do with Alicent and Rhaenys in these trailers, they really are setting up to be the voices of reason. How bout that scene of Alicent in the dress she wore back in episode one? I'm thinking dream sequence, because why would she still have that dress after all this time? There's also poor Helaena with a knife to her throat. That kills me, because I've read the books and I know what scene that is...

[itsprjc]

Well, Season 2 of TDI Reloaded (TDI Rematch) has had its first four episodes out for about a week. I figured I’d share my thoughts about what we’ve gotten so far:

-The challenges are a little more fun than in Season 1. They have a good amount of variety and the often led to really fun moments between the characters. From the Skunks clogging the toilet slide, to basically all the Rat Faces being carried by Caleb, and of course the AB questions challenge. My girlfriend and I straight up paused the episode each question to try and guess the answers. (We got over half of them right.) As for my personal ranks on the challenges:

-Taking it to the Rim Reaper (Ep. 2): Memorable concept, without going too overboard with it. Also, I’m a bit of a simpleton sucker for the pratfalls.

-Choosin’ for a Bruisin’ (Ep. 4): Great challenge for both character insights and just playing along with it during a first-time viewing.

-You Poor Saps (Ep. 3): I technically prefer Ep.1’s challenge, but this one led to so many gold character moments.

-The Pink Painter Strikes Again (Ep.1): Solid start. Simple challenge, nothing too crazy.

-Animation is pretty much on the same level as Season 1. The facial expressions are GOLD! I’d argue some parts feel more dynamic than Season 1, like the slide moments in Episode 2, but overall, no complaints.

-The characters feel like they never left:

-Priya: I kinda get why she’d fall hard for Caleb, as keep in mind, she’s been stuck with this training with hardly any friends. This also explaining why she instantly jumped to befriending Millie when it seemed they got along. It’s clear that she does value the friendship as she was the only one to give Millie a chance after Episode 2. She also did work as an effective leader in the same episode, instantly taking advantage of the challenge’s slide order rule. Overall, I’m okay with Priya.

-Bowie: I dig his plot. Bowie made it clear at the end of Season 1 that he’s willing to bend the rules…and it’s clear that he probably cares about Raj more. Since people are more weary of him after the finale, it makes sense to have his conflict be more about whether he’d play dirty again. Also, this joker in Episode 4! As a captain (assuming those roles are official) I feel Priya’s more effective, though.

Millie: It’s clear she had alot more learning to do about being a good friend. (I still say both her and Damien could have taken the two-point slide together if they were both weary on the third.) Though her elimination was pretty anticlimactic, unfortunately. I do prefer her in Season 1, but I’m not against the plot they gave her.

Julia & MK: I’m putting them both together because they’re basically a package deal this time around. Overall, live their dynamic. It was a sudden jump from animosity to friendship, but that’s just because they know game when they see it. They have so much fun just being underhanded together, and it’s honestly a refreshing take on villain alliances. While I’d say MK is the breakout of the two, since she’s the brains of the whole alliance, Julia’s dialogue is so on point that it hurts. My hopes is that MK does succeed in backstabbing Julia, but she doesn’t even get mad. She just respects a player and roots for her to win…underhandedly, of course.

Emma: Compared to Millie…honestly not that mixed. I’m glad she cut the chord with Chase early and she got him booted in a clever way. The one thing that’s kinda backwards is how she ends up being a poor judge of character in Episode 4 when she basically red Chase like a book in Episode 2. But then again, I guess that’s just chalked down to being used to his sorry butt the most?

Chase: Everybody (including me) called that he’d be an early boot…and he was. I’m perfectly content with that, as it’s clear that character development was never the end-goal with Chase. And the moment he left, the Skunk Butts became the de facto best team. Props on his ballsy attempt to outrun the balloons in challenge 1, though.

Zee: All I wanted from Zee in Season 2 is for him to still be Zee…Good news, Zee is still Zee. I honestly got worried the “soda influencer” plot would be a cheap and easy way to make him an early boot…and they make him Papa Zee instead. I love this lanky boy.

Ripper: My one complaint on Ripper is that he feels like he’s really not there that much. In Episode 2, he disappears for a good while until the mid-end. And he doesn’t really get to interact with his new team that much. The only real time he interacts with the other skunks is when he asks about how to approach Axel. Let’s talk about Ripaxel…I honestly really wanna see what they do with it! It is a little sudden how it starts, but in its defense, so was Rajbow. Their interactions in Episode 3 were fun to watch, and that POEM. Hey, fanfic writers…Raj and Ripper having a poetry battle…think about it. Despite him disappearing sometimes, what we do get from him is enjoyable. Here’s to more!

Wayne and Raj: My boys are untouched! The one blessing is that they NEVER went for some stupid jealousy plot! (Wayne cares too much for Raj for petty stuff like that.) And they are arguably goofier than in Season 1. (Shoutouts to them wanting burgers after seeing the slides and the “Cyclone-Spin Cycle”) It is funny how many people (again, including me) wanted to see their mischievous side more, but instead the boys are even bigger boy scouts with their understandable disgust at cheating. While I still think one leaving earlier is more likely, I really, REALLY hope that they stick for a little. Imagine them against Julia and MK for at least an episode or two! And while I still would love a Damien VS. MK finale, Wayne or Raj VS. MK works great! Fair and honest player against a crafty cheater. It would be gold!

Damien: I’m really holding out for him since he’s pretty much jogging in place a bit. Sure, he wants to take more risks, but it’s not to a great extent. Then again, the season’s only gotten started. I just hope his crafty side comes out more later. He’s not too afraid anymore, so now he needs to push his brains to the forefront.

Scary Girl: I dig the “Lauren” design. Unfortunately, the “normal” bit wasn’t really used all that much, as she barely had a presence in Episode 1. She had some small scenes, but nothing outstanding until she got herself eliminated. Though given how she was enjoyable, but pretty one-note last season, I feel she works well as a first-boot. Will she return to stalk everyone? Who knows. Probably.

Nichelle: I dig her more confident attitude. Part of me wishes we saw her gaining that confidence DURING the season, rather than all that development being off-screen, though. It makes sense for her to train beforehand, but I would have just as easily liked her having a bit of fire in her and then training throughout the season. As she is, I like how she’s so done with her old Hollywood life. Hopefully she does interact with Damien more, as they seem to have a friendship growing.

Axel: Besides MK, Axel was the biggest relief of the S1 pre-mergers. She’s still hostile and hardcore, but I find her showings of care towards the team being well-needed additions. Examples being her helping Damien back to camp after the four-point slide, and her warning her team to be cautious about getting stuck with the sap. I already said my piece on Ripaxel, so my personal hope is that there is a survival or stealth challenge where the two have to work together. (Ala Hide and Be Sneaky, Eat, Puke, and be Wary, or Hurl and Go Seek if you wanna count the “zombie” thing.)

Caleb: Caleb was simple, and he still kinda is. I like how paranoid he was in Episode 1, but overall he’s just a more effective Justin. I do prefer him over Justin, as he can be a massive asset to the team, as shown in Episode 3. Like Zee, I’m fine with him as is, and can only wait and see what he does in later episodes. Will his alliance become genuine romance or just a tool for Caleb to outlast Priya? Probably the ladder, as he doesn’t seem to show any romantic interest in her that feels genuine.

And that’s Total Drama Island Rematch so far. Tomorrow should be the debuts of Episodes 5 and 6, so here’s to a great season. I was honestly shocked at how much I loved this cast, and how refreshing it felt seeing the show after a seven (eight if you ignore Ridonculous) year hiatus. I will be making sure to watch the series again when it comes to MAX in seventy years. As for whether or not I wanna see the Gen 4 cast again…I’ll probably be content with them stopping their run after Season 2. Reloaded and Rematch work as just two halves of a nice little package, and I really don’t want them to risk having this lovable cast go through what Gen 1 did. If we do get a new season, I’d be fine with them having a new cast. Fans will probably like them as much as they do with Gen 4.

[precuredaily]

Precure Day 238

Episode: Yes! Precure 5 Go Go! 39 - “Save King Montblanc!" Date watched: 1 January 2024 Original air date: 16 November 2008 Screenshots Precure Metamorphose Gallery | Sky Rose Translate Gallery Project info and master list of posts

The final monarch of the four kingdoms is found, and Bunbee is looking for a bargaining chip back into Eternal. What happens when these two circumstances collide? Let’s dive in!

The Plot

Karen and Komachi capture an extremely ill-looking Palmin in the school library, and it turns out to be the final monarch, King Montblanc. They regroup with the team and try to figure out what to do, even summoning Queen Bavarois for guidance. She explains that he’s actually the eldest of the monarchs despite his young appearance, and suggests that he has lost too much energy from being in Palmin form for so long. She proposes bedrest, and Milk pleads with Karen to tend to him the same way she was cared for when she was sick previously.

Everyone contributes tools to help warm him up while Karen tries to nurse the sickly king, feeding him watered down honey for the nutrients, but he starts coughing aggressively. Everyone, including all the fairies, becomes hysterical and asks Karen what to do. Karen  is scared that she's doing more harm than good and becomes overwhelmed by everyone’s nagging and steps away to collect herself. Komachi manages to calm and reassure her friend, reminding her that Nozomi always gives her best effort and so should they. Karen returns to his side, and though weak he seems to be doing better, even grabbing Karen’s finger.

While all this is happening, Bunbee winds up at Natts House. He’s been wandering aimlessly since episode 35, when he tried to become the Precures’ new leader, and he’s too afraid to show himself at Eternal after his attempted defection. He demands to be let in from the cold, but for plainly obvious reasons nobody trusts him, so he forces his way in. He doesn’t seem to have any particularly ill intentions until he sees King Montblanc and realizes that could be his ticket back to Eternal. Nozomi won’t let him kidnap the King, so Bunbee conjures a Hoshiina out of the frozen pond, and everyone transforms into Precure and Milky Rose.

While Milky Rose and the other Precures deal with the Hoshiina’s ice attacks, Aqua returns King Montblanc to the Rose Pact and tries to retreat with him. Bunbee sees this, but Rose keeps him from following her. When she is dispelled, the rest of the cures join her assault, but the Hoshiina knocks them all back. Bunbee decides to take out the threat of the four cures and Milky Rose first, instead of Cure Aqua, and prepares his super missile attack. Aqua is once again overwhelmed and torn about what to do, but Montblanc emerges and encourages her to go to her friends, because he’s seen the strength of their bond. She manages to send Bunbee flying far enough away, and then Coco helps the Precures perform Rainbow Rose Explosion, purifying the Hoshiina. Milky Rose tries to perform Metal Blizzard on Bunbee, but he makes a hasty retreat.

Back in Natts House when the dust has settled, King Montblanc explains that he only drinks grape juice, which is why he couldn’t handle the honey mixture she gave him. When he sees Syrup he starts to say that his presence means the Cure Rose Garden is in great danger, but falls asleep before he can elaborate and Karen says to let him rest before they question him further.

Bunbee returns to Eternal to tell Anacondy that the last king has been found, but she destroys his report. She knows he was trying to betray Eternal, and casts him into the underworld before she disappears. However, after she leaves, the door opens again and Bunbee is seen clinging to it, wondering what he should do next.

The power of comic relief reigns supreme

The Analysis

What I Liked

It’s a deliberate parallel and callback to one of the best episodes of the last season, without feeling like a complete rehash. It shows Karen’s development, and her vulnerability. It challenges her in a somewhat different way and she shines all the brighter for it. She has ideas about how to treat the sickly king, but she’s still only a middle school student and is easily overwhelmed by the pressure of her situation, especially when her peers and even some near adults turn to her for guidance. But she also pulls through, earning the trust of the king.

The battle scene has some nice moments, with the whole team punching away icicles like Wonder Woman deflecting bullets. They show why they’re a great team, as Dream, Rouge, Lemonade, Mint, and Rose work together to divert attention from Aqua while she protects the king, and Rose has another solo fight with Bunbee (calling back to her debut appearance in episode 10), followed by Aqua turning around and getting a few good hits on him in retaliation. It’s fun stuff.

I might rag on Bunbee… a lot, but he’s fun, and at this juncture in the series he seems genuinely unsure about what he wants. He doesn’t seem to relish in evil, but it’s all that he knows. However, he’s also not sympathetic. He has an inflated sense of self-importance and performs evil acts to bolster his position. I know that ultimately he sort of redeems himself, and he shows up occasionally in anniversary projects in a comic relief role, so it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here now that he’s officially banished from Eternal. Also, I love that he managed to basically save himself from eternal damnation by just clinging to a door.

What I DIdn’t Like

Nothing sticks out to me about this episode as a negative.

Miscellaneous

In the midst of the drama, we get some subtle advertisement for the functions of the CureMo and the Rose Pact, to appease Bandai.

King Montblanc’s affinity for grape juice is similar to Karen’s own, and Rin makes a quip about this as well.

King Montblanc is played by Sakiko Tamagawa, a veteran voice actress with a career spanning 4 decades. She will appear in Heartcatch Precure as a minor character named Shiku Rumi, and in All Stars New Stage 2 and 3 as the fairy Enen. Outside of Precure, she is probably most known for providing the voice of the Tachikoma robots in the Ghost in the Shell franchise.

King Montblanc is modeled after a turtle, completing the motif of the mythical four cardinal beasts with the other monarchs. Also, continuing the dessert motif of the series, mont blanc is a French dish consisting of chestnut puree cut into vermicelli (a pasta similar to spaghetti) and served with whipped cream. Japan has their own version, which is a sponge cake topped with the chestnut pasta , or more generally, any cake topped with vermicelli cream. The dish itself is named after the real Mont Blanc (literally Mount White), which is the tallest mountain in the Alps, on the border of France and Italy.

Rainbow Rose Explosion has become the defacto finisher, replacing the individual attacks. This is in contrast to the last season where Five Explosion was only used to defeat generals. This does become the norm in successive series.

Conclusion

It’s a nice transition into the last quarter of the show that recalls familiar territory while setting the stage for new developments. It’s a strong Karen focus episode and exemplifies her best qualities. I’m looking forward to learning more about King Montblanc and Bunbee’s future.

Next time on Precure Daily, Urara loses her voice. Look forward to it!

Pink Precure Catchphrase Count: 0 kettei!

[billhader]

Here You Come Again

Chapter Three: Other People

A Cobra Kai fanfiction

Read Chapter Three on AO3 || Chapter Two || Chapter One

Chapter Three Summary:

Anoush is sick and tired of Tom Cole. Louie is sick and tired of going to work when there's nobody to bully. Cole's scheme to buy out LaRusso may help them both get over themselves.

Rating: Teen (canon-typical profanity)

Word count (chapter): 3.9k

Relationships: Louie LaRusso/Anoush Norouzi

Characters: Louie LaRusso, Anoush Norouzi, Amanda LaRusso, Daniel LaRusso, Samantha LaRusso, Anthony LaRusso, Tom Cole

Tags: Canon Compliant, Star-crossed, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, more like co-workers to friends to strangers to coworkers again to lovers, Lovable Himbo Louie LaRusso, Angst with a Happy Ending, poor communication skills, Family Bonding, Missing Scene, Slow burn

This chapter covers the events during and surrounding season 3 episode 3, "Now You're Gonna Pay". Some of the plot and dialogue in this chapter comes directly from the episode itself, because I want to make sure there's enough context to understand what's going on without y'all having to go back and rewatch the episode...and their chemistry in this episode is off the charts lmao.

Let me know what you think!! <3

(Full chapter text below the break)

“Earth to Faroush. You have the contract, yeah?”

Without a word, Anoush held up the black binder, and Tom Cole flashed his surgical smile. He hung behind his current boss as they walked up to the front of Larusso’s Encino branch. The sleek building façade loomed overhead, and a gurgle from Anoush’s stomach made him question whether he was really over the odious twenty-four hour bug that had ruined his weekend plans. His digestive system did not perform at its best in stressful conditions - these days, nearly all of his conditions were stressful. A battle-fortified demeanor of professionalism could only mask so much of his innate social terror. 

Had Anoush known what he was giving up when he walked away from Daniel and Amanda, he may have walked a tad slower. The slightly larger paycheck - and it was slight - did not make up for what the Valley’s other self-proclaimed auto king was putting him through now. When he’d accepted Tom Cole’s invitation to lunch at Mistral in Sherman Oaks after a week of stewing it over, the matter-of-fact conversation they had left Anoush feeling like his feet were on solid ground for the first time all summer. Cole made the choice to jump ship seem exceedingly simple. It wasn’t that Anoush was witless enough to trust the guy, but the facts were the facts.  He could compare commission rates, promotional incentives and 401k contribution matching; or, he could compare how gratified he was by his work at LaRusso for over ten years to how despondent he’d become in the three months since Daniel moved him to the North Hollywood branch. When Daniel stood him up on that final day, Anoush was already detached. He was just another LaRusso who’d claimed to care, then left him high and dry. 

While Anoush held no guilt walking away from his old boss, he did wish the hazing from the new boss would end soon. Roping him into this slipshod attempt at humiliating the competition was all too typical of Cole and his small army of filler-ridden white boys at the Van Nuys location. Anoush had faced down far worse insults, pranks and plain old beatings in middle and high school. That didn’t mean that the racist and antisemitic nicknames, or the gauntlet of repetitive trainings designed to keep his window of time for actual sales as low as possible, were fun to endure day after day. But if he could hang in long enough, the rest of the sales team would forget about him and find someone else to harass. Anoush was looking forward to invisibility. On the airy, tranquil LaRusso show floor, he was completely exposed. He sucked in a breath and held it as they marched towards Daniel and Amanda, who were huddled together by reception with stony expressions. Only one customer was on the floor, being coaxed into a mid-size SUV by--

Oh.

Of course.

“LaRussos!” Cole proclaimed, sweeping his arms wide like a televangelist ready to burst into song. Anoush stared at the iridescent flecks in the smooth marble underfoot. Whatever Cole was rambling about, he couldn’t hear properly. He felt like he was encased in a glass water tank. Shapes blurred, colors muddled, sounds didn’t travel quite far enough for him to decipher. In the corner of his vision, a navy blue form in the general outline of Louie LaRusso tucked its amorphous arm behind the customer’s back. The two figures floated down the corridor and out of sight. Louie hadn’t seen Anoush standing there. He must not have, otherwise he would have dropped everything to butt into the awkward bunch and pepper Anoush with dozens of invasive and embarrassing questions. Louie would have come over for one of his notorious bone-crushing hugs if he’d seen Anoush. But perhaps not. Anoush only knew Louie in a context that no longer existed, and that was no accident. In current reality, there was no evidence to suggest Louie would do any of those things. Maybe he had seen Anoush from across the floor and left in the opposite direction on purpose. That seemed most likely.

“Really, Anoush? You walk in here with this guy and let him talk to me like that, huh?”

He heard Daniel loud and clear, crashing back through plate glass to land face-first in the burgeoning hostilities. Meeting the indignant glare of his ex-boss - his ex-friend - only confirmed his suspicions, and there was no way he could look at Amanda. The couple regarded him as the interloper he’d chosen to be. If one LaRusso had beef, it transferred vicariously throughout the family. 

“It’s just how he talks,” Anoush said in a monotone, with no idea what smarmy insult had been leveled at the LaRussos. “You get used to it.” His three-piece suit was far too hot for the glass-enclosed floor space, but his hands were growing clammy. “Uh, excuse me. Restroom.” He rushed away from the others, stomach churning with a vengeance. 

***

In his big shiny office, Louie was grooving on his new sale paperwork. Dean Martin played on the Bluetooth speaker, and he whistled along to “Volare” as he kicked his feet up on the desk. His customer had just left with the promise of a brand-new Audi and a vibrant flush overtaking her face - just how Louie liked to leave ‘em. Amanda could gripe about numbers all day long, but he was doing pretty fucking peachy considering he’d only been back for a week. If Amanda was so concerned about how many cars they were selling, why was Louie the only one out there selling cars? Yeah, he supposed there needed to be actual people present in the building to sell cars to, but that was a technicality. Louie’s strategy was to sell to anyone who walked through the door - and if no one came in, he’d make them come in. He had his ways. 

His cousins were too freaked out about the school fight, but when Louie questioned if they really wanted the business of folks who were idiotic enough to blame the LaRusso family for what happened, he was met with withering glares and grumbling. “Of course we want to sell to those people,” Amanda had snapped. “We’re trying to sell cars, Louie. Ve-hi-cles. As many as possible, to as many people as possible. The manufacturers don’t care how stupid a customer is, do they? You see a box for that on the form, Louie? Let’s see, How stupid is the buyer on a scale of one to a hundred? Who did the buyer vote for in the presidential election? Did the buyer have any pets growing up?-” Louie had backed out of Amanda’s office at that point. He wasn’t there to piss her off, although it was pretty funny to watch her slow descent into an automobile-induced nervous breakdown. It was way more fun to prove his worth by single-handedly saving the family business, if that’s what it came down to. And when they’d weathered the storm thanks to Louie’s powers of persuasion, he would rub it in Amanda’s face for years. That idea alone kept him in great spirits. 

“Hey, man, look alive.” Daniel didn’t bother to knock on the open door, and Louie almost fell out of his chair. “You busy? Don’t seem busy.”

“I just sold you a fucking car,” Louie retorted, holding up his paperwork by the stapled corner of the packet. “You’re welcome.”

Daniel didn’t acknowledge the attempt at banter. He was looking over his shoulder. “Will you just come out and watch the floor for a sec? I don’t know where the hell Marcus wandered off to…”

“Yeah, fuck Marcus.” Louie tucked the paperwork into its proper folder like the stellar employee he was before getting up. “You and the missus headed out for the day?”

Daniel shook his head. “No, Tom Cole just showed up with Anoush. Cole’s completely insane. He actually has the nerve to walk in here and try to buy the place out from under us. I swear, if it weren’t for the school fight, he’d be laid out on the show floor right now.”

“Huh.” Louie was trying to button his suit jacket, but suddenly he couldn’t find the button-hole. He fumbled, dropped the button, and tried again. Then he quit trying and just stood there, staring out the door into the hall. Daniel was looking at him funny.

“You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Uh, that’s crazy. I’ll go watch.” Louie cleared his throat, took a glance at his reflection in the mirror above his desk, and brushed non-existent lint off his lapels. He brushed past his frazzled cousin without another word on the way out. As a kid, Louie spent more time in detention than in the classroom. Walking out to the floor now as a grown man was scarier than any death march toward the principal’s office ever had been - and for once, Louie hadn't done a damn thing wrong. It was just Anoush, for crying out loud. The little fucker was about as intimidating as a basket of laundry. And yet, when he turned the corner and saw Anoush standing next to Tom Cole, arms folded tight in front of his chest, Louie’s control of his limbs evaporated. He stopped dead next to the intake desk and looked for a pen, a brochure, anything to look busy.

“Louie.”

Fuck. Amanda’s quiet, ferocious voice was a force Louie didn't feel like reckoning with.

“What's happening?” He pointed at Tom Cole and grinned like his life depended on it. “Hey, how you doin’, Mr. Cole? Ready to give up on that racket you got going down the street and join the cool kids?” He was cringing at the sound of his own words, but he had no clue how to handle the people in front of him. Amanda just shook her head, Cole’s silicone face didn’t budge, and Anoush’s cheeks puffed out like a hamster's. Louie knew he was doing that stuck-up little fake sigh he always did when he objected to something Louie said, or the way he said it, which was all the damn time. It meant Anoush was still judging him from afar - a tiny quirk that used to drive Louie up the fucking wall. Now, recognizing Anoush’s expression was a relief. 

“If the cool kids are cool with violence,” said Cole, clasping his hands together, “then call me a square.”

“What?” Louie scoffed. He glanced at Anoush, gesturing towards Cole like get a load of this guy. He thought, or imagined, that the corners of his mouth twitched. Then Anoush turned his head away to stare at the wall.

“Don’t you get it, Louie?” Amanda said brightly. “He’s saying we’re all thugs. Tom, why don’t we get settled in the conference room, okay? Daniel’s on his way.”

“Now, now. No need to be dramatic.” Cole followed Amanda, oblivious to the daggers she’d been glaring at him the entire time. Daniel passed a moment later to join them in the conference room, mouthing something at Louie that he didn’t quite catch. That left him alone on the show floor with Anoush. Louie shoved his hands in his pockets, following Anoush’s stony gaze towards the front entrance. He wasn’t used to the air between them being so quiet. Then again, Louie wasn’t used to being near Anoush at all anymore, and he didn’t get why he had to make this weird. Wasn’t he gonna say hello? At the very least, he thought Anoush might show some sign of being happy to see him. Damn, Louie thought. If that’s how it is…

“I can’t believe you’d go work for that mamaluke.”

Louie got exactly what he was after - Anoush’s attention. The wrinkle that appeared between his brows told Louie all he needed to know. Anoush had a lot of tells when Louie got under his skin. 

“That is the most goombah thing you’ve ever said,” he retorted. Louie’s frustration flared hot in his chest. 

“Hey! Take it easy, okay? That’s not your word, that’s our word.”

“Is it, though?” Anoush always did this. He pushed on every point Louie made, searching for weakness. He’d never let Louie relax. Every conversation was a battle to determine who had to play the most defense, and who could withstand the barrage of personal barbs the longest. It got Louie’s blood pumping.

“I don’t know. Still, I didn’t like your tone, the way you said it.” A picture-perfect volley, designed to goad Anoush into his favorite subject of argument - semantics. But where Louie expected him to step up and snap back, Anoush just deflated.

“Okay.”

With the flow of energy cut off, Louie was unmoored. He hated the lurch in his stomach, hated Anoush for making him stand there like a dick with nothing to say. Louie refused to allow this bullshit to continue. He was bull-headed, obstinate, and proud of it -  he’d keep pushing and pushing until Anoush either decided to chill out or to murder Louie with his bare hands.

“You still over on Lankershim?” he asked. Anoush shifted on his feet, rewarding Louie’s effort at small talk with perfunctory eye contact.

“No. Upgraded to a small two-bedroom over on Outpost.”

It took Louie a second to recall where Outpost was. “Oh, good for you, man.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“I’m tryin’ to move right now, I’m still over at the 99 Cent Store. That place sucks, man.” There was no denying Anoush’s smile now, though Louie wasn’t completely sure whether it was friendly or mocking. When it came to him and Anoush together, there wasn’t much of a difference. “You gotta see the degenerates that come in and outta there. But I'm gonna get my own spot now that I got a little job stability.” For a brief giddy moment, Louie thought they were over the hump. But Anoush frowned, his lower lip jutting out slightly, and Louie had seen that face before. It was never good.

“...Don’t be so sure of that.”

Louie felt blindsided. Why did Anoush have to speak in fucking riddles? “What you talking about?” 

Anoush opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He scratched his temple and fidgeted. Louie was beyond done with fucking around. 

“Anoush. I know you know something. What do you know?”

Their eyes connected steadfastly for the first time. Louie had no idea what to think. All he knew for certain was that Anoush looked exhausted. He’d forgotten how it made him feel to see Anoush genuinely downtrodden because it was so rare. Watching Anoush look over his shoulder at Cole made him furious on his behalf. In a brain ruled by impulse, reaching out to grab Anoush by the arm and tell him everything would be alright seemed like a great idea - but he didn’t. What was most important to him now was keeping Anoush right here. If he scared him off now, he’d never forgive himself. Not to mention, he didn’t know if everything would be alright.

“Okay,” Anoush said, “you didn't hear this from me.”

***  

Only a few hours had gone by since Anoush had re-entered the LaRussos’ lives under extreme duress, but several months worth of fatigue set in as soon as he sat down in the solitude of his own car. He shucked off his suit jacket and scrambled to unbutton his waistcoat. When he pulled a lever on the bottom of the driver’s seat, it reclined all the way into the back. Anoush laid flat in the seat, crossed his arms over his face to shield his eyes from the afternoon sun, and let out a long groan. “Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.”

He never imagined that he would grow weary of being treated to lunch at the most delicious restaurants in the Valley, but the dragon roll Daniel bought him wasn't sitting right in his stomach. The conversation itself had gone well, Anoush thought; it was lovely to catch up with Daniel now that he had a foot back in the real world. But he couldn’t bring himself to make any promises, and the disappointment was plain in Daniel’s expression as he toasted Anoush with lychee strawberry soju. Anoush knew Daniel understood that he was in a difficult position and had a lot of factors to consider, but he was so tired of letting people down.

Anoush was startled out of feeling sorry for himself by a brash ringtone playing over his car’s Bluetooth speaker. “For fuck’s sake, harām zādeh,” he grumbled, digging in his pocket for the phone. A solid five minutes of peace and quiet was too much to ask of the universe. He answered without looking at the screen. “You’ve got Anoush.”

“What the fuck, dude? “You’ve got Anoush”? When you start answering the phone like a corpo douchebag?”

Anoush sat up straight so fast that he tweaked something in his lower back. “Ow. Louie?”

Louie was openly laughing at him over the speakers. It reminded Anoush of a weird dream he’d had last year. “What happened at lunch, you fucking nerd?”

“How do you even know I’m done with lunch?”

“I dunno. Call it a fifth sense or whatever.”

“Or Daniel told you.”

“Maybe.”

“So you already know what happened at lunch.”

“Not really. You think I just called to hear you talk?”

The interior of the car was way too hot. Anoush turned on the engine and cranked the air conditioning as low as it would go. “Kind of seems like you did.”

Louie laughed again, but started coughing in the middle. He didn’t say anything for a moment.

“You still there?” Anoush asked. He wanted to kick himself for daring to skirt around the elephant in the room, but the elephant was throwing a tantrum and spraying water everywhere. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m here,” Louie finally replied. “Sorry if the sound’s weird. I’m out in my car.”

“Me too.”

“So what’d you tell him? He wouldn’t give me shit. I asked real nicely, too.”

Anoush figured their conversation wouldn’t be quick. He sank back down on the flattened driver’s seat, and reached for the knot in his tie. “I didn’t really tell him much besides what I told you. His contract with Doyona’s void at the end of the month. Cole made him out to be a maniac.”

“So what’s he gonna do?”

“I don’t know for sure. He mentioned flying out to meet with Doyona.”

“All the way in Japan? Jesus.” Louie’s frustrated exhale created a burst of static on his end of the line. “This shit is so crazy. Hey, did he say he wants to take me to Japan with him?”

“...You know what? Oddly, that didn’t come up.”

“Man, I just want one of those sick-ass Japanese swords. Bring it back with me.” Louie made a few swish, swish noises, and Anoush could picture him swinging the air katana in his driver’s seat. “If that blond asshole comes around the dealership again, he’s gonna be sushi.”

“Fuck that guy. He never paid me for the shoes he ruined.”

“Amanda said he hurt you,” Louie remarked. Anoush waited for a joke or a childish, vulgar nickname that never came. 

“Johnny? Yeah. Punched me in the stomach.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”   “I shoulda been there.”

Anoush closed his eyes and made himself to inhale and exhale, deep and long, ignoring how his breathing wavered. He loosened his tie completely and pulled it off. On that day, he’d thought the same thing.

“What would you have done?” he said, forcing the levity in his tone. “You couldn’t beat the guy when you had a baseball bat.”

“Hey, hey, that was a dirty-ass fight. You weren’t there. Don’t talk about shit you don’t know, Anoush.” He could hear the smart-alec energy return to Louie’s voice. “But then I guess you’d never have shit to talk about.”

“I don’t know what I’m talking about? Six months ago, you told me with a straight face that you thought Elton John was a woman until you were twenty-five.”

“I fucking told you, I misheard it my whole life! Not my fault I never saw his fucking name written down. Thought his name was Ellen John.”

“Ellen fucking John.” Anoush was laughing so hard he curled up in a half-hearted fetal position on the seat. 

“Well, what kind of fucking name is Elton?”

Their laughter eventually trailed off and left dead air in Anoush’s car, with only the drone of the fan filling his ears. This silence didn’t carry expectation or dread; they’d gotten something out of their systems together. Anoush thought about what must have led Louie to finally look down at Anoush’s contact card in his phone and tap it. He wondered if Louie had considered hanging up before he got an answer.

“I don’t know what to do now,” he admitted to Louie.

“I mean, you just tell Cole to go fuck himself. Right?”

“Ideally, yeah.”

“And then you come back over here.”

Anoush sighed. “I don’t know if it’s that simple.”

“What the fuck is un-simple about it? They want you back, man.”

“...I just know things won’t be the same as before.” There was no way to tell if Louie understood what Anoush meant by that. He wasn’t entirely sure what he meant, himself.

“Fuck no. It’s gonna be way better. They’re gonna be so glad to have us both back, we can have whatever the fuck we want. You gotta see the office they gave me, it’s fucking ridiculous. What, do you not wanna come back because you’re scared I’m gonna beat the shit out of you this quarter?”

“Not really much competition when the quarter’s half over.”

“Yeah, you better stay over there at Tom Cole’s daycare then.”

“Fuck you, Louie.”

Anoush had missed saying that so much. 

“Just come back,” Louie said softly. “Don’t…don’t be an idiot. Just come back.”

“...Fine.”

“Oh. Okay then.”

“Yeah.” Anoush didn’t need to look in a mirror to know his face was burning bright pink.

“I thought you were gonna be way more of a pain in the ass about it. I had a whole speech ready,” Louie fake-complained. 

“No, no. I wanted to leave on day one. Just waiting for a good enough excuse.” Anoush really didn’t want to hang up - they had months worth of bullshit stories and heated arguments to catch up on. “Can you leave me alone so I can call your cousin?”

“Fuck, finally. I thought you’d never shut up.”

“I want to hear that persuasion speech on Monday morning, by the way.”

“Oh, yeah. I made that shit up.”

“I still want to hear it.”

“Okay. Damn. Bossy bitch.”

Once he brought himself to end the call, Anoush didn’t rush to get Daniel on the line. He stared up through the sunroof of his Porsche at the cloudless sky and wondered if he’d just hallucinated the entire conversation - or maybe he’d hallucinated the entire summer. On Monday, Anoush would wake up and stop for coffee or donuts or both on the way to work. He would arrive before Louie, and set a Boston cream long john on his desk for when he inevitably rolled in fifteen minutes behind schedule. Everything would be the same - or almost the same. The morning Louie never showed up would become a distant nightmare rather than a catalyst of chaos in Anoush’s life.  And one day soon, they might laugh about it together. Unable to stop smiling, he sat up and dialed Daniel’s number.

“Hey. Yeah, let’s do it. I can have Cole back there in an hour if you really want to rub it in his face…just promise not to punch him, okay? I don’t feel like being named in a lawsuit. And Louie has to promise, too.”

[secretswiftymarvelfan]

MacGyver - Jake Jensen x Reader

A/N: This is part of @the-slumberparty​ Writer warm up: Genres, Old and New. I got the genre Action and the character archetype Innovator! 

Summary: You and Jake find yourself in a predicament that needs outside of the box thinking to get out of

Word Count: 858

Warnings: Lanuage! Fluff!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics​

Masterlist

“You know there’s something quite romantic about all this” Max says as he paces back and forth in front of you and Jake “tied up with your lover… about to meet your end together”

“The team are on their way now, you won’t get away with this” you warn him, straining against the rope that bound you to your chair.

“Oh I know, I’ve sent my goons to slow them down” Max hums as he stops turning to face you, picking at his nails “but they still won’t get here in time,” he says clapping his hands.

A few guards walk into the room carrying a large heavy box “where’d you want it boss?” They ask.

“Right in front of them, I don’t want any mistakes as to what it is” Max orders nodding to you and Jake, the guards nod walking over to you and Jake placing the box down with a heavy thud “careful idiots” Max chastises before waving for them to leave.

You and Jake exchanged a glance before looking back over at Max, watching as he walked over to the box and opened it to reveal a bomb “shit” you mutter under your breath.

Max smirks looking over at you “shit indeed, this is one of my newest toys and you guys are going to be my lab rats” he explains before chuckling as he shakes his head “there won’t even be anything left of you to scrape up”

You bit your lip to stop yourself from screaming profanities at him, doing so would only make this worse.

“I’ll leave you to say your goodbyes” Max grins before walking out of the room.

“Shit, shit, shit” you mutter screwing your eyes shut.

“It's okay we’ll get out of here, we’ll be fine, just try and shuffle closer to me,” Jake says as he begins to try and scoot his chair closer to yours.

You take a shaky breath as you try and shuffle closer to Jake, the backs of your chairs finally meeting. Jake grabs your shaking hands to calm you down.

“Hey, hey, hey it’s gonna be okay, we’ll get out of here, I promise” he reassures you “I’m gonna untie you and then I need you to untie me”

You take another shaky breath nodding your head, breathing out a sigh of relief when you felt the rope around your wrist fall to the floor. You quickly untie the rope around your ankles before standing up and untying Jake.

“See? Now let's get out of here” Jake reassures you as he stands up.

Just as he says that you hear a loud beep, turning in its direction you see the bomb had been activated and you only had five minutes before it detonated.

“Fuck” Jake cursed under his breath.

“Can you disarm it?” You ask him.

“Not without my gear, we’re just gonna have to run for it,” Jake says shaking his head.

“Jake we’re in a tower a hundred meters tall, with thousands of steps, we aren’t gonna get far enough away in time,” you tell him.

Jake curses looking around the room before a smirk grows on his face “you’re right we’re gonna have to jump”

“What!” You screech staring at him bewildered as he picked up all the rope and a large piece of tarpaulin that was in the corner of the room “are you insane?”

“Maybe, but it’s all we got, I saw this in a spy movie so it should work,” he says as he starts tying the rope to the four corners of the tarpaulin.

“There isn’t a MythBusters episode on this is there?” You ask sceptically.

“Not that I’m aware of now c’mon we need to hurry,” Jake says gesturing for you to follow him “right I’m gonna tie this through our belt loops but hold on tight to me as well” he says threading a spare piece of rope around your waist.

“There’s no way I’m gonna let you go” you mutter as you wrap your arms around his shoulders “god I hope this works” you plead as Jake moves to two of you towards the window ready to jump.

“Trust me” Jake grins.

“Alright MacGyver, let's go” you sigh kissing him quickly just in case.

Jake smiles back at you before counting down from 3, the two of you jumping from the window. You free fall for a couple of seconds, long enough that you accept that you were about to die before finally the makeshift parachute begins to work and the two of you safely glide to freedom.

You landed with a heavy thud a hundred or so meters away from the towers just as the bomb goes off. Jake covering you just in case.

“Well shit… I didn’t expect that to work” you admit once it was all over.

“Me neither” he admits, chuckling when he saw the glare you gave him “but if there was a chance to save the woman I love, I was damn well gonna take it”

Your face softens as you smile warmly up at him “I love you too Jake, thank you for saving us”

Sharing is caring so please reblog if you enjoyed this and maybe even leave a comment to make my day!

Masterlist

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[jakowskis]

s2 time! i'm not gonna be as thorough with it as i was w s1 bc i'm not a huge fan of season 2 ff but here goes

(this post's gonna be tosh/owen + some fragments talk, then i'm gonna reblog with a day in the death stuff, and then ill make a separate post for adam bc. woo nelly. that one warrants it.)

so lets start with the tosh/owen differences. a lot of their little scenes in s2 are markedly different - mostly as far as body language. there's a surprising amount of physical affection between them.

four separate occasions (eps 3, 4, 8, and 9) where there's physical affection between them in the script that didn't make it into the episode. i find this intriguing. tosh and owen are both very... non-affectionate people. both of them could be, with someone they loved romantically, but they don't strike me as the type of people who like to cuddle with their friends. they're both naturally very aloof and non-touchy, which makes that casual physical touch very ooc. i imagine that's why it didn't end up on screen. i figure the writers here knew the show was meant to push the tosh/owen angle in s2, but it's interesting to me that it ended up being a lot more subtle and... awkward in the show itself. i've already said i'm not a towen fan, for many reasons, but one is that there's just... zero chemistry between them (in s2, anyway). every interaction is forced and uncomfortable. it's weird enough that i was thrown off by it for a long time and couldn't figure out what the show was trying to do with them, lmao. i know that their awkwardness probably appeals to some people, and is cute or smth, but i dislike it personally. mostly i'm just petty the show reduced tosh down to that relationship tbh but whatever.

i can't help but wonder if they had this casual physical affection with each other, and if it fit in and didn't feel ooc for them, if i would like them as a couple more. but honestly i have thought about what the show could've done to make tosh/owen endear me, and i don't think uncharacteristic physical affection would be it. i do like that first scene, the way their communication styles clash a bit and they don't know quite how to talk to each other. i like owen awkwardly trying to comfort her, i love when he does that, how it's like a baby deer walking for the first time fhsdjfkds. im very endeared by the way owen's empathy is either out of nowhere and all-consuming, or something he has to force and is awkward about wielding. whenever he tries to be kind it's very tentative, because it doesn't come natural to him (anymore, at least), but he does care enough to try. i'm so fond of it. also hes sooo nd ehehe. tosh too.

will say this: i do appreciate owen getting hugs. he does need it. tosh needs it too. if the team WAS physically affectionate with each other they'd be better off, i think.

two more tosh/owen things...

see, this is what i mean when i say i couldn't tell what the show was doing with them. the SHOW can't even tell. this whole scene is written very vaguely, with little insight into owen's head, like the damn writer doesn't even know why he finally agreed. this is probably my, like, fourth favorite tosh/owen scene, which isn't saying much, 'cause i still don't really like it. it's cute in like, three spots, but mostly it just feels... weird. i don't understand what burn was intending with his acting choices, because owen comes across as insincere and slightly snide. it's weird and gross, and it rubs me wrong. i don't know if he's trying to be casual and play it cool or something, but the way he laughs at her makes me wanna punch him. the way owen treats tosh is just about the only place i legitimately can't stand him.

one last bit about it. see, 'fondly'. in the actual scene, i would describe the way owen looks at her in this moment as.... amused (at her expense) and slightly condescending. like he thinks she's laughable. it fucking bothers me. which sucks because i wanna like them, i do. i think they could be compatible. but the way he treats her in canon is nauseating and i can't get behind it.

right, and then two fragments moments i wanna discuss

all i really wanna say here is again (as mentioned in my end of days talk), chibnall didn't specify owen crying or anything, but he spends his whole segment of this ep in tears. point is i wanna thank burn gorman for the way owen constantly is teary eyed and miserable, with those big pretty brown doe eyes of his. it means the world to me. thats all

actually it's not all cuz i also wanna point out jack grabbing owen to stop him instead of owen collapsing into tears and sobbing into jacks chest while jack holds him. the dead man walking script similarly didn't specify the physical touch between jack and owen in the three places it appears, so i imagine that was largely something decided by the actors... i'm very compelled by the three separate instances where we see owen attack jack one minute / at one point in the ep and then sob in his arms the next. their relationship is sooo unhealthy fff

[foxxydevil]

Ch 3 - Prison Break

Chapter 1 - Master List

A mw2 self insert fanfic. Ghostxreader

AFAB no gendered pronouns used self insert

Hope you guys don’t hate this but I adored this mission so here’s a big fat classy guns blazing mission, with zero sauce. I’ll be making it up to you all with an EXTRA saucy high warning fetish triggering bonus episode next.

Word Count: 7370

⚠ Warning: Guns, blood, knives

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

You hop out of the raised armored Humvee, landing squarely on rocky inhospitable earth. 

It had been a tense walk back to the barn with Ghost following not far behind you. The back of your head had felt ablaze due to his burning eyes boring into your skull. Someone sure knew how to brood. Rudy and Soap had already made themselves comfortable and knocked out in their cots so you followed their lead, looking over to the Lt only once to see him sitting on his cot, fiddling with one of his knives.

Having thought back you couldn’t remember ever seeing Ghost sleep. Later that night you were the last to wake, stirred by the sound of Soap and Ghost disagreeing over which guns they should back. The four of you didn’t have much to talk about on the drive to the prison. Of course that never stopped Soap, who had gotten in next to you, from running his mouth. 

But now it was game time, the lights from the prison could be seen on the other side of a rocky bluff. Ghost got out of the passenger seat and looked down at you, fuck he was tall, but didn’t say anything to you as he brushed past, rudely bumping into you.

“Graves’ll have this place locked down” Rudolpho warned as you joined the team at the back of the humvee. Rudy had already climbed into the bed of the armored vehicle and was handing down supplies.

“Expect patrols on the outside,” Ghost said.

“No doubt,” Soap agreed.

Rudolpho handed you a large bag full of weapons that you slung onto your back.

“We geared up?” you asked the three.

“Guns, ammo, and charges in the packs,” Soap answered.

“I got the plummet-gun, Ascenders?” Rudy checked off.

“Check”

“Check”

“Check” You chime in after Ghost and Soap.

“Let's hope Alejandro’s alive” Soap worried under his breath.

“Count on it” Rudolpho answered without even a grain of doubt.

“On me-” Ghost ordered, taking the lead.

The three of you filed in in a slightly spread pattern with you near the back, Soap taking the tail end of the group.

“Go left,” Rudolpho said.

“Trail,” Ghost confirmed.

“Let's follow it,” Rudolpho agreed.

It felt good to focus your mind back on the mission. It always felt like the rest of the world was a confused mess while your objective here was clear. Saving Alejandro and the rest of the team didn’t require you to read Ghost’s tired eyes or worse, sort out your own thoughts.

Despite being surrounded by three large men the shuffle of your team's boots over the sand was near silent, the four of you were drilled for silent approaches since your early days in boot camp.

“Rudy, how long’ve ya known Alejandro?” you heard Soaps' voice crackle over the radio, his voice near a whisper.

“20 years. Signed up together. Toughest dude in the regiment,” he answered.

“I wouldn’t want to mess with him-” you agreed with the sentiment to the two.

“We used to say “el unico que puede matar a Alejandro es Alejandro””

“What’s it mean?” Ghost asked, ever curious about the language.

“The only thing that can kill Alejandro, is Alejandro,” Rudy translated.

“Glad he’s on our side” Soap chuckled under his breath.

“A huevo,” Rudy agreed.

The trail Ghost was leading you down could hardly be considered a real trail. It was littered in large boulders and you had to jump down a drop off, your teeth rattling with the extra weight of your pack. So far your gunshot had only been a dull ache but you were careful not to tense or flex too much and risk ripping the stitches. 

“Hold up” Ghost ordered, coming to a stop around the corner. His voice was low and no longer over the radio “Eyes on the prison.”

You could see the spotlights shining down as you came up next to him, those were some tall walls. Through the outlet of the trail you could see a large tower with a few men patrolling the metal catwalk.

“Patrols on the outside” Ghost said, his earlier suppositions confirmed.

“We’ll have to take them out to get in,” Rudy said as your eyes landed on the handful of men surrounding an armored vehicle in front of the prison.

“Two snipers, first tower. Soap- you take one, I’ll get the other,” Ghost ordered and Soap followed to a t, stepping up beside you to line up his shot.

As soon as Soap squeezed off the trigger, taking down one man, Ghost shot a second and two bodies hit the ground.

“Shadow down,” Soap said, lowering his rifle.

“Good shot, hermanos,” Rudy said.

“I’ll flank around and we’ll clear the field-” Ghost answered, getting right back to business. “Glass give us a hand” he added, addressing you finally. At least he could get his head on straight when it came to dropping Shadows. 

The three of you moved forward while Rudy hung back.

“Hold fire, Soap” Ghost warned the younger man, already knowing he would be the one to rush through. Rude looked up the side of a rock overhang you had been skirting and grabbed an old root, scaling the rocky ledge. “Got a heli coming. Looks like a supply drop.” He warned and you heard the blades chopping through the night sky.

“Copy” Rudy answered over the radio.

Soap and you hung back watching the Shadows through your sights. 

“Eyes on six Shadows,” Rudy said from atop the ledge.

“Affirm, three at the vehicle, two behind the rocks, one solo on the right,” Ghost added..

“Take the two at the vehicle first and the others won’t see,” you suggested over the radio with your lover vantage point.

“Good call,” Ghost answered, sparking a bit of pride in you. “Glass, on my mark, drop the one with the cap.”

You looked through your sights, the two Shadows a dim green outline for you. You lined the point right over the head of the man on the right, the one with a soft cap instead of a helmet.

“Set,” you breathed into your radio.

“Check, 3, 2-” Ghost counted off before finishing “1” 

A heartbeat after one your rifles went off in tandem and the butt of your gun popped into your shoulder from the recoil. 

“Solid, two down. On the move,” Ghost said and all three of you started moving forward with him in the lead. Before you could even slide to a crouch behind a sage bush Ghost had snuck up behind a Shadow. “Take the two right off the vehicle. I’ll hit the one on the side.”

If only he was this good at communicating about anything else.

Soap and you snuck forward keeping low and silent to not alert the Shadow Ghost was on. Once the two other Shadows were in sight you lifted your rifle back up. 

Squeeze, one down.

The other man looked around shocked as his comrade crumbled in a dark mist and it was all too easy to move the crosshairs to his head and squeeze off again.

“Hey-” Soap complained next to you.

“Too slow,” you shot back, it was hard not to have a little fun, even when you were dropping bodies.

You heard another soft thump as Ghost laid his Shadow out on the ground.

“Clear,” Rudy confirmed over the radio.

“Push up to the base of the tower, that's our entry point,” Ghost said from behind you. “And stay quiet.”

You could hear that order fly right over Soap’s head.

Rudy came jogging up from the edge of the clearing already pulling the plummet-gun off his shoulder to set it up. It was a risk using it as it tended to be loud but fortunately the other watchtowers were a couple hundred yards out.

There was a loud thump and a whine as the grapple hook shot out of the gun and sliced through the air dragging a thick rope into the sky.

“Good hook” Ghost said, tugging at the end of the rope once the grapple had swung around the metal railing.

“Take point Lieutenant,” Rudy said as you gathered around him, pulling your Ascender from where it was hooked on your pack. “Soap, cover him.”

Ghost enabled the motorized handle and shot up into the sky, it was much easier than having to climb up one tedious grip after the other. You stepped forward and hooked in your own Ascender while Rudy and Soap kept watch.

Your shoulder, and more pressingly your stitches, pulled as the Ascender dragged you and your gear up the rope with surprising speed. It was a lucky thing that heights didn’t bother you. 

Once to the top you felt a pull at the back of your vest and Ghost was dragging you over the railing, you had to act fast to press the unlock on your Ascender to not leave it hanging.

“Thanks,” you grunted, a little frustrated at how he was getting into the habit of grabbing you and moving you as he pleased. All you got in return was a nod.

“Up,” you heard from behind you and Soap was climbing over the railing from the rope.

“Copy, behind you,” the radio cracked with Rudy’s voice this time.

“Let’s get to the security room,” you said as the rope tightened with Rudy’s ascent.

“Stay close,” Ghost agreed and started moving forward again.

“Look for a hatch with a ladder,” Rudy said as he made it up.

Ghost wasted no time moving inside the tower as his gun swung around to clear the space, fortunately for you the two bodies on the deck were the only ones who had been guarding the tower. Before you could even get inside Ghost had started climbing down the hatch with Soap close on his heels. Rudy and you made up the back and and to catch up you hooked your feet around the outside of the ladder and let your gloved hands slide down the railing to slow you drop.

“Above you” Rudy said as you pushed off the ladder at the bottom to give him room. 

“All in, let's move” Ghost nodded once all of you were at the base of the ladder. It seemed he had cast off his role of ‘lone wolf’ after his little speech in the safehouse and was becoming a real leader, with special skills like waiting.

He didn't wait long however before jogging to the next building.

“Security building straight ahead. CCTV’s inside,” Rudy guided them in a hushed voice.

“Move fast and stay low,” Ghost ordered them.

You slid up against the side of the building and found a dust crusted dim window. It was hard to make out the details but against the light of a screen you could see the basics.

“Two inside. Let’s take them out before they call their friends,” you informed the team, taking Ghost’s rear.

“You’ll want to use a close-range weapon for interior,” Ghost advised and taking it you hook your rifle on your pack, switching to the pistol you had holstered to your leg. 

“Good call, Lt” Soap agreed and you went around Ghost, lining your pistol with the door.

“Let’s get in there” was Ghost’s response.

“On you, Glass” Rudy said, confirming they were all ready for breach.

You put your hand on the door, it wasn't latched so ever so slowly you pushed it open and with your luck it stayed silent as it revealed the interior. You aimed your pistol to one Shadows head and shot, dropping him. The other Shadow swung around and shot, an pullet clipping the side of your face before Soap was able to take him down with a shot, you grit your teeth.

“We’re clear” Rudy said and you straightened up turning to the three others pouring into the room. “We’ll use the closed-circuit to locate my men.”

You were surprised when Ghost walked right up to you and grabbed your face, by the chin, to roughly turn your head from side to side, checking the fresh wound.

“And find Alejandro,” Soap responded to Rudy, the two of them not concerned with either of you.

“I’m fine,” you bit out, again annoyed at the Lt’s overstepping and batted off his hand. 

“We’ll need diversions when we move,” Ghost said, satisfied with your health after the snappy response. “We’ll plant charges on the outside. Soap your eyes’ll guide us.”

“Aye”

“Get on those cameras,” Ghost ordered the two men as he started out the building, expecting you to follow.

“On it.”

“Same,” they both answered now over the radio while the two of you rounded the building, guns up again. You’d have to be fast but silent if you wanted to get to the charges planted before anyone noticed the bodies dropping around the facility. 

Ghost reached back to you and you saw the hilt of one of his knives that he was offering to you. He didn’t seem like the type to share but you were grateful all the same.

“What I always wanted, how’d you know,” you chuckled under your breath as you gripped the knife.

“M’a charmer like that,” Ghost played along in his typical flat voice, but at least you were getting as good of a response as Soap did. “Soap, let me know when we’re clear to move in past the gate.”

There was a pause as you and Ghost waitied next to the rusted gate for Soap's response. He was likely getting used to the camera's controls.

“Clear, go” he finally ordered with a clipped voice, letting you know there was a small window to move.

Ghost pushed open the gate with a creak and you both slipped through it scanning for your next available cover.

“Access the cameras ahead and check for threats,” Ghost ordered over the radio.

“One Shadow, easy kill,” the response came when Ghost settled behind a wood crate. You could see the man just after Soap pointed him out. “Take a stab at him.”

Ghost nodded forward and you headed in his direction at a low crouch with your new knife tight in your hand. You grabbed up, your free hand coming around the Shadow’s mouth to silence him before slitting his throat. It wasn’t an easy kill as you had a lot more reaching to do than someone as tall as Ghost and the dead weight threatened to crush you while you did your best to lower him quietly.

“Nighty-night, fuck-head,” Soap chuckled over the radio enjoying to show.

While you were busy getting the dead man off you, Ghost was already on the move.

“Shadow on the balcony,” Soap pointed out.

“Little far off for that, Johnny,” Ghost grunted with some humor, nice to see even he had limits in his ability. 

There was another pause from the radio and you crouched next to Ghost.

“How’r you holdin up, Glass” Ghost asked you without looking over to you.

“Fresh as rain” you answered, failing to mention the burning ache from the bullet wound. It wasn’t much worse than it had been that morning.

“Multiple Shadows.” Soap said over the radio, they must be on the other side of the truck that was parked in front of you. “They’re armored. Stay low”

“Good copy” you answered into the radio this time and slowly made your way around the truck to not draw the Shadow on the balconies attention. 

“The balcony, take a shot at him,” Soap insisted this time and since Ghost had refused the first time you lifted your pistol and took aim, landing a clean shot. You had a smug grin knowing you hit it when Ghost had been unsure of himself.

“A little help’s not so bad, eh, Lt?” Soap laughed over your earpiece. 

“Stay focused, Johnny,” Ghost warned.

“Just sayin’-”

“Keep it tactical, Sergeant” the Lt drew the line, his voice tense. You rolled your eyes, hurt pride then. It couldn’t be very often that the infamous Ghost got showed up.

“Move” Soap clipped over the radio.

There was a mess of pallets and crates around the truck which gave the two of you great cover to spread out a bit and cover more space, as long as Soap could keep up.

“One around the corner,” Soap said, then “Go up” referring to a ladder. Ghost was on it and scaling the ladder while you waited around the corner. “Go down”

You were left in the dark to Ghost’s movements as there was a pause in the radio but could hear the bored Shadow shuffling around the corner.

Then a muffled grunt with a few juicy stabs.

“Trash bin on your right. Time to take out the trash” Soap was back to his usual jokes, sharp words forgotten.

You came around the corner just as Ghost was hauling the dead man's body into a large bin. 

“Shut up, Soap- Fucking hell” Ghost groaned. You could just imagine Soap chuckling about his joke with Rudy and couldn't help a smile of your own.

“Relax, Ghost” you huffed, still grinning. “He’ll blow a vessel if you don’t let him at it.” you bumped his elbow with your own to get him out of his head. He just looked down at you, his eyes seeming confused if not a little startled. 

“One on either side” Soap broke in over the radio, not privy to your attempt to sooth the Lt.

“Take the right,” Ghost ordered you, quick to take the opportunity out of an unfamiliar encounter. 

You let him and headed around a squat square building to find another Shadow’s back, you pulled Ghost’s knife and slid up kicking in his knees to give you an easier reach and stabbing into the side of his throat. You didn’t spend long with the body before continuing on until you reached the corner of a low wall.

“Go to the crate, Glass” Soap ordered over the radio and you moved on, not sure where Ghost ended up.

You straightened up to see over the wood box when suddenly you heard fast footsteps. Before you could move out of the way your legs got tangled under you and you hit the ground, your vest keeping you from hitting your head as a shot sounded but not from either of you. A second hot rang and finally you were able to collect that Ghost had dropped you, and now the Shadow that had shot at you, and was standing over you with his hand gripping the front of your vest to keep your head clear.

“Fuck Ghost-” Soap started over the radio.

“Get your head in the mission,” Ghost cut him off, his voice low and dangerous. He clearly didn’t like the idea of Soap getting sloppy.

“Copy, Lt,” the scott answered, all business.

Ghost looked down at you and again you saw it, confusion, in those usually steady dark eyes. That confusion also carried worry with it.

“I’m fine, Lt” you assured him, matching Soap in his effort to get back to business. If Ghost was getting sentimental someone had to keep him from getting distracted.

“You could have-” he started to disagree with you.

“Move to the truck,” Soap said over the radio reminding Ghost that they had a time limit before things would get hairy again. You reached out a hand so Ghost could help you off the ground, you needed to keep a move on too before you could think about how close he was to you. 

He pulled you back on your feet, thankfully by your offered hand and not by your vest, affording you some dignity, and the two of you spotted the truck.

“Good place to plant a charge. How’s it look?” you asked Soap.

“Three Shadows ahead, one at the truck, two around the bend.” Soap said. 

There was another pause while Soap considered the path forward.

“Go for it, Lt”

“Good copy,” Ghost responded and pulled one of the charges out of his pack, attaching it under the vehicle and pushing a button to arm it. “Bomb planted. On the move.”

“On your left, go now.”

You saw the collapsing wall that Soap was referring to and led the way, keeping low to the ground with your pistol ready. There was another pause on Soap's end.

“You’re good.”

The two of you started moving immediately, getting past the part of the wall that wouldn’t hide their movement. 

“Head right.”

There was a crate large enough for both of you to hide behind as Soap planned out the next move.

“Time for a distraction.”

You looked back and saw a large power box on the ground. The thick wires likely lead to the lights shining down on the Shadow’s ahead. 

“The power box,” you said to the Lt and backed up to it, flipping the large switch.

“Your bread ‘n butter.” Soap said.

“Lights out,” Ghost confirmed your guess.

“He’s headed towards the electrical,” Soap warned but Ghost was ready and grabbed the Shadow just as he was out of sight of the other men, dispatching him.

“I’m pretty good at this, eh Lt?” Soap asked, sounding pretty damn smug.

“I’ve seen better,” Ghost put him down, his mind still stuck on the near miss to your skull.

“Who?”

“Me,” Ghost grunted.

“How humble,” you chimed in.

“Oh left, recommend your blade,” Soap ordered, determined to prove himself.

Ghost was already on it giving you a clear to continue on.

“Shadow, left” Soap pointed out the next. “Cut him down, Glass.”

You saw him and moved, making quick work of him. You were getting pretty good at this silent infiltration business. 

“Goodnight,” Soap was back to his commentary. “Seeing a pickup you can sabotage.”

“Good call, Soap,” you answer as you both move up on another Shadow.

“Dump him,” Ghost orders you and you grab the man from behind, stabbing into the back of his neck with a quick jab. Ghost was already on the vehicle, relying on you to get it done clean as he set up the second charge. 

“Good kill,” Soap said.

“Two down, moving,” Ghost said as he got up and moved on.

“There's another up ahead, one Shadow,” Soap again.

This time you threw the knife Ghost had handed you, a risky move given that you hadn't had a chance to practice but the knife was balanced perfectly, it connected with the Shadow’s throat so he didn’t have a chance to call out. Ghost planted the third bomb on the vehicle, itching to finish up.

“Go now,” Soap ordered and you both retraced your steps, avoiding a group of Shadow’s under a light. “There's another electrical-”

“Good copy,” Ghost was already flipping the switch to shut off more lights. Two voices sounded in confusion. 

“Go left- cut’n run, Glass,” Soap said and you spotted a Shadow rounding the corner giving you just enough time to slit his throat before he really registered you were there.

Ghost rushed up on the other man and cut him down.

“Sleep well, asshole.” joked Soap. “You’re clear, go up.”

At his order you both made it up the stairs of a two story building. There was another Shadow on top but he didn’t last much longer.

“Another under you-”

“Gonna do this one my way, watch,” Ghost called and almost sounded excited to show off. He dropped off the building and you watched as he used the Shadow to cushion his fall, thanking him with a stab to the neck.

“Fucking beautiful, sir,” Soap cheered him on and you jumped off the building after him, using both the dead Shadow and Ghost to break the fall. 

“Watch it, Glass,” Ghost complained but his voice was lighter, he was in a better mood as you finished up.

“Another APC with your name on it, Lt” Soap pushed them forward. This time there was no resistance as they found a supply truck to hook the last charge to.

“We’re all set here, Soap.” you reported as Ghost finished up. “Have we located Alejandro?”

“Perfect timing,” Rudy chimed over the radio. “I found him.”

“Where?” Soap asked.

“Stand by.”

The both of you were left blind as your teammates discussed the video footage. The prison was half a maize but you had spent enough time studying it to know roughly where you had ended up.

“Let’s head back-” you suggested but Ghost was distracted again, by you.

He grabbed your face again.

“You’re still bleeding,” he complained “How’s your other-” before he could even finish his question he was taking liberties with your vest.

“I’m fine,” you protest, who thought Ghost could fuss like a mother hen.

“I need you to get out of here alive,” he said, sounding near desperate but more than that, angry. Who pissed him off this time?

He pulled up your shirt once your vest wasn’t holding it down and grabbed your hip, right above your waistline, so he could angle you to better light.

“See, I’m fine,” you insist again.

He paused a second and his thumb ran a circle around your bare skin, the pad of his finger rough and cool. 

“Ghost, we got him. He’s alone. Two Shadows on guard.” Soap reported, not seeing what the Lt was up to or knowing better than to comment on it.

“Not for long. RV outside the cellblock, we’ll pry him loose,” Ghost responded, taking his time before he let your shirt back down and grabbed the sides of your vest, roughly pulling them together to clip it back in place. You couldn’t help but notice that every gentle action he made towards you was followed by a gruff one.

“Roger that, on the move,” Soap responded for him and Rudy.

The two of you didn’t move. Instead you looked up at him and he seemed caught in your gaze, wanting to say something but you couldn’t fathom what. It was an interesting feeling to have caught someone so much more imposing with a single look and make them almost, small, or at the very least unsure. 

“Don’t die on me, Glass. You got that?” he said and you could almost see the boy he had been once, before whatever broke him, and you knew that this time he was asking for your reassurance. It was vulnerable and you couldn't let him down.

“You won't get rid of me that easily, Simon” you answered with a smile pulling at your lip.

With that the man was satisfied and gave a nod, turning towards the cellblock. It was getting easier and easier to see right through that mask of his.

“Ghost, what’s your status?” Soap called through the radio.

“Comin’ your way,” he answered and you picked up your pace to follow slightly behind and to his right.

“Copy.” 

“Heads up on the heli,” Rudy warned.

“Looks like we’re out of his line of sight,” you answered before you saw Soap and Rudy round a corner with their rifles up. 

“Cell block. Entry’s ahead. Shadows blocking the way,” Rudy said and it was nice to hear them in person rather than over the radio even if the tension was rising as your team prepared to breach the center of the facility. 

“Let’s send ‘em to hell and get inside,” Soap said and you could hear that fired up grin in his voice as he came up from behind you, taking the lead. You could tell things were about to get hairy when Soap started rushing but the poor guy had been cooped up in the CCTV room all night and was keen on stretching his legs. He took out the two guards in quick succession with a clean triple shot to each of their heads. 

“All clear,” Rudy said, sounding impressed.

“‘s where I get my name,” Soap answered, earning him a groan from Ghost, apparently he had heard this story a few times. “Cleanin’ house.”

He then pushed at the front door not waiting for the rest of you.

“It’s locked,” he complained.

“We’ll need to breach it,” you pointed out the obvious reading yourself at the side of the entrance. 

“No, Glass- Knock,” Ghost said with a nod and you almost thought he was making a joke, but he stanced up in front of the door.

So you knocked, twice, and waited. 

After only a few seconds the door opened to an unarmed guard and you shot him in the head, without hesitation. The four of you rushed the room, and with the ease of a team who had worked together for decades, you had dropped 6 Shadow’s in a matter of seconds.

You kept pushing forward to keep your momentum and found a dank two story hallway with cell blocks lining either side, greeted with enemy fire.

“Enemies on the second deck,” Rudy called and was quickly corrected as they fell one by one. The four of you spread without having to exchange a word to spread out oncoming fire and clear the area. 

“More comin’ down the stairs,” -Ghost this time and your crosshair found two more heads. 

“Soap, we’ll keep ‘em busy up top, press forward!” you called over and found shelter behind a concrete wall to pick off man after man, rushing towards the sound of gunfire. 

The whole world shook as large munitions started exploding around you, luckily coming from Rudy. 

One more shot and the hall was cleared, for now. 

The four of you pressed on, your knees bent and your bodies swiveling to scan for more Shadow’s or better yet, signs of Alejandro's men. You reload your rifle once you start heading up a slick set of stairs. 

“Alejandro’s up here, let’s go” Rudy urged over the radio having rushed on. “Right side.”

“Expect contact-” Ghost had barely enough time before you saw a Shadow behind a desk and squeezed off another round to drop him. 

“Come on, you Shaow Fucks-!” Rudy shouted letting off a spray of fire followed by a tossed grenade from Soap, you ducked around the doorway to shield from the blast. The room was cleared.

“There’s Alejandro’s cell- Open it up, I’ll cover you,” Rudy said as the three of you joined Ghost around a locked cell door.

He had pulled out a large set of lock cutters and readied them around the steel lock.

“Johnny, when I pop this lock, you push in,” Ghost ordered and Soap followed suit, holstering his gun so the first thing Alejandro would see wouldn’t be the barrel of his gun. 

The lock gave way and Soap opened the door, pulled into the cell and out of sight before any of them could react. Rudy rushed in after.

“Al- It’s me hermano,” Soap protested and you followed in after Rudy to see him pulling Alejandro off of Soap.

“Colonel, relax, it’s us!” He shouted and Alejandro looked at him, confused before looking back. 

“Soap!” he finally recognized him and slowly lowered his fist. “Rudy, Ghost!” his eyes fell on you briefly but there was no recognition there, reminding you that you were a fresh member of this team if at all.

“Didn’t think we’d leave you did you?” Soap said with a laugh, not taking the attack personally

“What the fuck took you so long, pendejos?” the man still complained and gripped Soap’s hand. 

“Place is crawling with Shadows,” Ghost broke up the reunion “There’ll be hell ahead.”

Not being part of the greeting you stayed on track and pulled a shotgun from your pack handing it over to the addition to your team.

“Let’s fight fire with fire,” Alejandro said, more than ready to get some revenge for his capture. 

“There’s more Vaqueros in the cells upstairs,” Rudy said using the info he had gathered from the cameras. 

“Time to get ‘em out,” Soap said, already headed for the door.

“Orale, on you, Rudolfo,” Alejandro agreed and followed him out, with you and Ghost taking the back.

“You’ve seen Graves here?” Ghost asked from next to you once they hit the stairway again.

“No, but I plan to pay that cabron a special visit,” Alejandro answered dangerously.

“Me too,” Ghost agreed.

“They have guards on all the floors, be ready.”

You made it to the top of the stairs and followed Alejandro through the open doorway. 

By the time Ghost made it up, Soap was already skirting past Rudy to round the corner of the narrow hallway, only to be met with gunfire.

“Riot shields!” Alejandro called and Soap chucked a grande, clearing the men with one blow.

“Think we’re clear,” Soap grinned at the groaning of a half dead Shadow and you landed a shot to shut him up.

“Los Vaqueros are locked in these cells,” Alejandro said as the five of you came up on the locked steel doors that lined the right side of the hall. 

“Aquí estamos Vaqueros, hora de ir a casa,” Rudy shouted to their men as a warning as Ghost cut through lock after lock and you tossed down your pack, happy to be 40lbs lighter. 

You started handing out the small armory you had dragged into the prison as Alejandro directed them over in a string of Spanish that you couldn’t quite follow.

“Rest of you with me,” Alejandro shouted to the three of you and you all jogged down the hall ready to meet hell with some firepower of your own once you made it outside. 

You looked back as you followed close behind Ghost.

“Right with ya,” Soap confirmed.

“This was the mess hall,” Alejandro nodded forward, directing you to the wider space that opened up under you. It was a mess with long tables scattered around.

“Let’s make a mess,” Soap laughed, the only one able to make such a lame joke and still laugh at himself, as you followed Alejandro in jumping down the broken down overlook. 

The lights flickered on with a buzz.

“Shadows know we’re here,” you warned just as the first one came through the door and you dropped him with a triple shot, so the next man tripped over his friend's body and quickly followed.

Fire exploded all around you as the Vaqueros assisted in mowing through the unsuspecting team of Shadows. It was quick work to get to the two doors at the end of the mess hall when you had at least a dozen men at your back. You noticed Ghost stuck to you, not an unwelcome sight, and then Soap was right behind you. The feeling of being out of place when you had reunited with Alejandro was a quickly faded memory when the five of you, including Rudy and Alejandro, moved as a united front. 

Voices called out shots and your bullets found them, the Shadows having no chance in this battle. The spray of gunfire slowly faded as it became harder and harder to find new targets.

“Big room, make sure we’re clear!” Alejandro called.

“Parece claro, coronel,” Rudy answered from the other side of the hall.

“No threats,” you agreed, doing a final sweep before turning towards the busted open double doors.

“Re-group at the door,” Alejandro ordered, seeming satisfied with your answers.

“On you, Colonel,” Ghost said as your group collected, reloading weapons in preparation for what was on the other side.

“Weapons hot, hermanos,” Alejandro led despite his lack of armor, no one was about to stop a raging bull when he had been cooped up in a cell for more than a day. “Stairwell leads down and out- We’ll link up with the other and exfil the fuck out of here.”

“Exfil vehicles are set. Ghost planted charges to help us get out,” Rudy filled in his commander.

“With Glass and Johnny’s help,” Ghost added.

“Eh- I can’t call Soap “Johnny”” Alejandro complained and he was right, it sounded awkward on his tongue.

“Don’t. Only Ghost can pull that off,” Soap agreed and you didn’t miss the pointed look from Ghost to you, even over your sight. You rolled your eyes. 

So he was still going to act possessive.

“We’ll have to cross the yard to get everyone out,” Rudy said, bringing you back to the mission and out of the morning's trist by the barn.

“Lead the way, Soap- Let’s give these Sombres hell,” Alejandro nodded him forward as your group filed out from inside the building.

Soap ran forward as the rest of you spread out behind cover, covering Soap while Shadows rushed him. 

“The roof, right side!” you warned and Soaps barrel pivoted to the Shadow you pointed out and shot him down.

Ghost chucked a grenade and men screamed when the blow set shrapnel shredding through them, either killing them outright of leaving them incapacitated on the ground for your team to finish off. 

Your team's movement had a rhythm to it. Shots were fired in a piercing treble as you called warning to each other, each followed by more shots and the group pressed on, step by hard earned step.

A truck came to life, headed in your direction.

“Johnny- That trucks got one of our charges on it. Detonate it,” Ghost ordered and with only a heartbeat's hesitation it blew into a ball of fire, bodies flying as they opened their doors. 

“Ka-freaking-boom, baby!” Soap cheered at his handiwork. 

“Good effect,” Ghost agreed.

“Let’s move up,” you urged, the fever or war taking you hold like a hurricane. The rush was near addictive. Soap was met with rushed gunfire as he rounded another bend.

“Turret gun in our way!” you shouted to him. “Use the detonator to take it out, Soap!”

“Johnny, that turret’s near our truck bomb, hit it!” Ghost chimed in with you. 

An explosion followed.

“That's a thing of beauty,” Alejandro laughed, enjoying the fresh air and sharp tang of gunpowder burning. 

“We clear?” Soap asked.

“For now,” you answered, finding only dead Shadows.

“Rudolfo, where to?” Anlejandro asked. 

“Cut through the building, left side,” he answered almost immediately. 

Your team followed that direction and just as you came into the building, a Shadow burst through the door, only to be met by a spray.

“These Shadows are crazy,” you huff.

“Mercenaries, Glass. Bloody wannabes,” Ghost corrected.

Alejandro started up a ladder to get some higher ground. “I’ll get an OP up top and cover by fire. Rest of you, wait for my signal.” 

“Copy,” Soap answered as you gathered around the door, trigger fingers hot. And you didn’t have to wait long before there was a spray of gunshots and Alejandro's voice called for you. 

“Rog. Moving out,” Ghost answered and you advanced as one, taking out Shadows with deadly efficiency. 

“We got grenades!” Soap shouted and his words were followed by explosions and the sting of tiny bits of shrapnel shredding whatever exposed skin they could find. Lucky for you, you were far off enough that it was only an inconvenience. You threw your own grenade in response with a furious shout.

It cleared whatever opposition was left in the courtyard.

“Break through!” Alejandro shouter running along the second story of a building.

“We need to get up and over that wall,” Ghost ordered as he stuck to your side.

Suddenly there was a helicopter flying over the wall filling the air with the chopping and crushing wind.

“Helicopter- Searching for us!” you shouted as gunfire sprayed down on you. You slid for cover and Ghost came in behind, grabbing the back of your vest to drag you in tighter behind a barrier. 

“We’ll need more than this to take it out,” he shouted as you did your best to aim and take out the Shadows inside the heli.

“All stations, this is Bravo-6. Get down!” a voice rang from the radio.

A fat round flew through the air and collided with the helicopter turning it into a crashing ball of flame that warmed your face.

“It’s Price!” Soap shouted triumphantly.

“Hell fucking yeah!” you grinned, your team would make it out alive without a doubt.

“All Bravo and Vaqueros- Top o’ the wall. Get here and I’ll get you out. How copy?” Price called over the radio and a green flare sparked on the wall drawing your team to where Price was standing. 

“Loud and clear, Price. Comin’ to ya!” Ghost answered and you ducked back out from your cover, rushing to the flare that Price dropped to the base of the wall.

“Who is he?!” Rudy asked.

“A friend,” Soap answered simply as your team gathered.

“I like him already,” Alejandro said.

“Be advised. Ropes deployed. Find ‘em and climb,” Price ordered and Ghost pulled his Ascender with you close on his heels, mirroring his action.

“We’re clear for now but Shadows are on the way, count on it,” he warned you once you were clipped in and you nodded, activating the motor to zip you up the rope. 

You were climbing over the metal walk as Price pulled Soap up and they greeted each other. 

“Ghost-” Gaz was there as well standing next to Price.

“Garrick, Price,” Ghost acknowledged the two of them with relief.

“How’d you know-?” Soap started to ask.

“Laswell,” Gaz answered simply but Price was more ready to clarify.

“Soon as Shepard went dark, she called us.”

“Laswell, still solid as a rock,” Ghost said. 

There was a scrape and Soap turned around, pulling Alejandro up.

“Coronel Vargas, meet Captain Price and Sergeant Garrick,” Soap introduced them.

“Thanks for the assist- my men need cover fire,” he said with a nod, all business.

“Gaz, Soap, Ghost- overwatch- now!” Price ordered and the group spread out, lifting their guns to start taking out what was left of the Shadows. While you didn’t need to be introduced to Price, having already known him, you did hope you’d get a good word in after the last couple of days' performance. 

You could use a raise. 

“Vehicles, incoming, right side” you called out between fire.

“Soap- that vehicle is rigged- detonate it!” Ghost ordered and Soap lifted his hand to the detonator pressing down to be rewarded with another explosion.

“Vehicle destroyed,” you confirmed picking off a straggler crawling out. 

“We’re good to go, Colonel,” Rudy reported as the last of their men made it over the wall.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here, hermanos,” Alejandro shouted.

“Down the wall- We are leaving!” Price ordered and you ran along the wall to find one of the ropes going off the side.

“Glass, get on the rope. We’re going,” Ghost ordered, putting a hand on your back to push you forward as he covered with one hand firing off whatever rounds he had left. 

“Copy” you answered and grabbed a rope, vaulting over the wall to repel down with Ghost close behind.

Two more pairs of boots hit the ground and you looked over to see Soap and Price bringing in the rear.

“Those two are ours,” Price pointed to two vans parked and you moved forward. 

“Rudolfo- You take the truck we came with!” Soap directed.

“Roger that,” he agreed.

“Vaqueros, en mi!” Alejandro shouted out. “Rudy, encuéntrame en la casa!”

“Lo haré, coronel, buena suerte,” Rudy answered.

“Gaz, drive,” Price tossed the other man a ring of keys as you came up behind the van, splitting around it as Price threw open the back doors so you could file in, squeezing in tight in the rows of seats.

Ghost slid in tight beside you with Soap to your opposite, you felt a hand come up behind you and grip your back before lowering again. You looked over to Ghost but he was looking straight forward.

The van came to life and lurched forward over the rough terrain.

“Shepard burned us,” Ghost stated, anger lining his voice as he turned his head forward to Price.

“He sent Graves and his Shadows to kill us and round up Los Vaqueros,” Soap added without much theater.

“We know why,” Price concluded “Laswell did a bit of digging.

“What did she find?” you asked and though you had never been part of this “inner circle” Price didn’t look surprised.

“The truth,” Price answered, looking over what was left of his team.