#i had to post it before friday happy season 2 everyone!!!

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: March 29/24

Happy Friday Everyone, and Happy Easter Long Weekend! Here are some great fics to get you through the weekend!! And please be sure to give the boosted fic some extra love! Enjoy!

SIGNAL BOOSTING

Pocketful of sunshine by good_vibes_mostly (G, 2,618 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, Kissing, Developing Relationship, One Shot, POV Sherlock, Five and One, Hand Holding, Sherlock and Kids) – 5+1 times John used Sherlock's pockets.

RECENT MFLs

A Minor Exorcism by sgam76 (G, 2,319+ w., 1/? Ch. || Post-S4, Parentlock with Rosie, Implied / Referenced Child Abuse, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Homophobia, PTSD Sherlock) – They're a real family, these days. Rosie's growing, and Sherlock and John are settling into the people they want to be, a little at a time. But an unexpected, violent incident uncovers some remaining unresolved issues that threaten their peace. Part 15 of Scheherezade 'vers Series

The Rescuing by BakerTumblings (M, 5,296+ w., 2/12 Ch. || WiP || Canon Compliant Until S3, Medical Realism, Military Background, Peril, Medical Trauma, Rescue Missions, Trauma Recovery, BAMF Mycroft, BAMF John, Healing, Hurt/Comfort, Sherlock Whump) – Captain Watson to the rescue! Series compliant until beginning of Season 3 - then all bets are off. Sherlock, off in Serbia, has been captured and severely injured. Mycroft recruits John to aid with freeing him and then overseeing his recovery. The story begins in London but will explode in Serbia, slide into a European hospital and then tiptoe through a safe-house before returning to Baker Street.

Nightjet by khorazir (M, 22,051 w., 2 Ch. || Post-TRF Hiatus, Grief/Mourning, Pining, Friends to Lovers, Past Drug Use, Night Train, Germany, Bed Sharing, First Kiss / Time, Angst, Reunion) – Officially deceased for eighteen months and still looking for the last remainders of Moriarty’s criminal empire, an exhausted Sherlock boards a night train in Germany to bring him to his next hunting ground. Due to a mishap with the sleeper cars, he is forced to share a compartment with a stranger – who turns out to be not quite as strange as Sherlock thought. The universe isn’t lazy, after all ...

RECENTLY BOOKMARKED LOKIUS FICS

The Green Means I Love You by VeggieHarumaki (T, 3,576 w. 1 Ch. || LOKI SERIES || Soul Mates AU || Colourblindness, Pining, Caring Mobius, First Kiss, Pining Mobius, POV Mobius, Forehead Touching, Angst with Happy Ending) – Green. It's the first color Mobius sees. His world fills with new colors, sensory levels overwhelmed as his gaze scatters across the courtroom. Browns, yellows, colors he'd only heard of before he finally sees with his own eyes. But the green. The cold, emerald green. L1130 stares back at Mobius, eyes full of suspicion, and Mobius can't help but let his breath hitch. Oh no. Mobius' heart sinks as fast as it had risen. This variant, L1130, Loki, is his soulmate. But Mobius had read Loki's files one too many times to forget. Mobius is not Loki's. 

[icantlivewithoutdreaming]

Hello there!

I’m here cause I’ve just woken up and I need to talk to y’all about the dream I’ve had about the series finale.

On Tuesday (before ep 14 aired) I dreamed that everyone died on Tantiss and I was a mess (the Kiner’s cryptic tweet messed with my psyche).

Some things are slipping away from me, but I swear it was SO GOOD.

.

The dream starts with CX-2. He is at Tantiss and there is a clone rebellion going on. I don’t know if Rex got there with some of the boys, but the place is a mess.

He realises that there is something he needs to do, so he grabs Scorch and Wolffe and takes them to the top of the mountain.

There, he is having an identity crisis and he is trying to explain to them that they are working with the bad guys. Wolffe and Scorch don’t understand so CX-2 removes his helmet…

It’s Tech.

At that moment, in the middle of a panic attack, Omega and Hunter reach the top and they see him. I don’t know why, but I think that’s the only way they can escape Tantiss.

Omega starts crying and Hunter is frozen.

No one moves.

Wrecker arrives.

Then Echo.

And finally Cross.

No one moves.

When Cross sees him he starts crying, apologising. If he had known that Tech had been on Tantiss all this time, he would have never left him behind.

Everyone is too shocked to do something, but at that moment Hemlock (I don’t know how but he is on an Imperial Cruiser, same as Rampart in season 1) starts bombarding Tantiss.

Hunter reacts first. He can feel it coming. He grabs Omega and Tech and hugs them.

Wrecker moves next. He embraces the three of them.

Echo gets to them as well. Then Cross.

They all hug while Tantiss shakes, explosions all around them…

And I “wake up”.

(I know this may seem like an awful ending… but wait because there is more. I’m still dreaming, though at the moment I thought that I wasn’t.)

I “wake up” and I’m extremely happy because I realise 3 things:

1. We were not Delulu. Tech’s alive and we got him back.

2. The episode was 89 minutes long.

3. That can’t possibly be the ending. That’s a cliffhanger and they are about to announce season 4.

I get up, prepare breakfast and my sister comes home. I start crying and telling her about the finale (she is not a star wars fan, hasn’t even watched the movies, but I’m a mess and I need to tell her how the season ended).

She starts recording me while I sob and talk about the season finale and I think: this is nice cause then I can post my reaction online so that I interact with all of you, cause it’s impossible that I’m the only one having meltdown.

That’s when I wake up, for real.

And I realise that:

It’s Friday.

The episode hasn’t aired.

My sister hasn’t recorded me.

And Tech’s gone.

(I won’t give up on him. There is one more episode to go).

I needed to write this down as soon as I woke up cause I was going to forget everything.

I hope that at least I entertained you.

4 days and 20 hours to go.

LET’S GO.

(That group hug cleansed my soul. I swear. You had to be there 😂😂😂😂).

Love y’all. Interacting with you is the best part of this journey. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[kyr-kun-chan]

8 Shows to Get to Know Me

The rules seem pretty simple, just to list 8 shows to get to know me. Some people have explanations and some don't so we'll see.

Thanks for the tag @bengiyo!

There are many shows I wanted to add on this list because I love them so much but this isn't a list of my favorite shows. This is supposed to tell something about me. So I tried to pick the shows that I relate to, was obsessed with, used to watch as a kid or just for the ✨ vibes ✨

1. Koisenu Futari

This is one show I relate to the most because I'm aroace. Both Sakuko and Takahashi are aroace and want to live together because they feel lonely by themselves. It's a really great show that just has 2 people figure out how to make their own version of a family in a world where everyone expects you to marry and have children. People like us can feel lost as to what the future might look like because there isn't a path we can follow. Nobody tells us what a happy life might look like if you don't have and don't want a partner so Sakuko and Takahashi are new to this form of family they're trying to create. They want to create something that works for them but nobody around the has similar lives so they have to figure it out all on their own.

2. Bad Buddy

I'm not gay or bi or pan, I'm aroace which means that while I love BL, I don't really relate to it so I didn't want to put many on this list. But Bad Buddy was such a great experience that it deserves a place on this list. This show aired episodes weekly and I love love love everything we did during the week we had to wait for a new episode. People were analyzing Everything from the colors to the dialogue to the music. And I read every single post. Every Friday I would mute the Clown Server on Discord until I could watch the episode. I love how we all talked about the new episode for hours. I would come home and watch the episode and we would still be talking about new points even when I went to bed. Even in the morning I would wake up to new messages. It was amazing.

3. Kieta Hatsukoi / My Love Mix-Up!

A BL that is not often on anyone's favorites list but it is on mine. The leads don't kiss but that doesn't really matter to me because it's a really cute show. It's the way Aoki and Hashimoto have the best friendship and support each other even when they thought they liked the same guy. It's how Ida doesn't understand love and is figuring that out very respectfully. He's really giving Aoki a real chance. He's trying to figure out if he likes Aoki without any moment of internalized homophobia. And also he's demiro in my book and I love him for that.

4. Heartstopper

I love love love the Heartstopper comic. I read it and reread it and rereread it even before the show was even announced. The show itself was everything I hoped for and it was amazing and perfect. I love Isaac of course who is our aroace icon. I'm so glad Alice decided to put him in the group since she had to erase Aled (love you). The second season has apparently big aroace plans for him so excited about that! I love the friendship in this show, they're all so sweet and lovely. I love Nick and Charlie who have such a good, healthy relationship. I love Nick's mom and how she supports her son.

5. Yuri On Ice

Yes we were born to make history! Another show I was obsessed with and I loved the experience of watching it just as much as the anime itself. Just like with Bad Buddy I would be on tumblr reading posts about those freaking rings and the kiss and everyone went crazy over all of that and it was amazing. I still remember watching the preview for episode 10 (I think?) and watching Everyone go crazy over the possibility that the something round and gold could be rings. Or! Would it be a gold medal? We didn't know but we sure as hell had a fun time freaking out about the possibilities.

6. Your Name / Kimi no Na Wa

This one has to be on the list even though it's a movie. I've watched this movie so many times, it's basically my personality. The art and animation is gorgeous, like wow it's so pretty and smooth, I love it. The way Taki and Mitsuha never met but they came to care for each other and care for the lives they lived in each other's bodies. Taki loves Mitsuha's family and wants to do everything in his power to save them. Also can I talk about the music? Radwimps is such a great choice for this movie, they make beautiful music for this kind of music.

7. Natsume Yuujinchou / Natsume's Book of Friends

Another anime I really love. This one has 6 seasons and it's still not enough. I love this show for it's slice of life feel with a supernatural twist. It's a very slow show where not much happens on the surface but every episode has a nice story. It's lovely to see that Natsume warms up to his new family. The first time he has a family that really, truly cares about him and doesn't tell him he's crazy. Only a few anime make me want to read the manga and this is one of them.

8. Avatar The Last Airbender

I used to watch this show as a kid with my dad. We both love it, it's a very beautiful show. It has a clear story overall but also great individual episodes. It has funny moments but also serious ones. It's a bunch of teenagers going on an adventure to save the world, what's not to love? And then there is Zuko with uncle Iroh who have the best redemption arc and some of the best lines in the show. Iconic duo. Anyways, when do I get my magic water powers?

Tagging @onstoryladders and @gilly-bean and @inazumaelle if you haven't done it yet. And anyone who wants to!

[thisuserdead]

The Minyard-Josten rivalry as seen through the media ~ part 1 of ???

----

*A Foxes vs Trojans game is playing on a wall screen in a TV studio. Two commentators are sat on bar stools in front of a desk. A buzzer signaling the end of the game echoes through the speakers*

Commentator 1: And there you have it people! The Foxes win the last game of the spring championship, yet again. This time with a 4 point margin against the USC Trojans.

Commentator 2: Very exciting, very exciting indeed! Palmetto has had a series of exceptional seasons these past few years. I think everyone has forgotten what they used to be like before the start of their winning streak.

Comm. 1: Indeed! People were a bit apprehensive at the start of this season however. As a reminder to our audience, this was the first season in the last five years that the Foxes have played with only one of the players from the "original" lineup from the Foxes' golden year.

Comm. 2: Fans weren't sure if the team was going to pull through. But, it seems like their captain - starting striker Neil Josten - was able to push the team to its full potential this season.

Comm. 1: It's also Josten's very last season with the Foxes. Rumor has it, he's already gotten several offers from pro teams all over the country. We'll have to wait and see who he decides to sign off with.

Comm. 2: It looks like the team is just as excited about the win as we are. Let's replay the moment right after the buzzer while the players shake hands.

*A split wall screen shows the players of both teams lining up for the final handshake on the right side while the left side shows the Foxes huddling around a very tired but happy looking Neil. It almost looks like he's being raised off the ground with the force of their joy.*

Comm. 2: Well, that's it for now folks! Stick around for the after game interviews. We'll be back in just a couple of minutes.

*Transmission is interrupted by clips and highlights from the game.*

-----

*Youtube video buffers before the noise of a crowded make-shift conference room starts. The camera is pointed at a long table with two orange clad athletes and their coach seated behind it.*

Wymack: Alright everyone, on with the questions!

Reporter 1: To Neil Josten, with you leaving there will be an open spot for captain, has it already been decided who is going to fill it?

Neil: Our current fourth-year-senior vice captain has already been selected to step up into the captain position.

Robin: As for the newly-opened vice captain position, that one will be filled by yours truly!

Neil: *nods, visibly proud*

Reporter 2: Neil, how did you manage to keep the team together now that there's a whole new generation of foxes?

Neil: Well, I have Dan to thank for lending me her infinite wisdom...and Kevin for his very public monday morning calls where he tells the team everything they did wrong during friday's game.

Robin: He is very motivational. Makes you want to do the exact opposite of what he says.

Wymack: *undefined grumbling*

*The reporters go through some more questions about the future of the Foxes. Most are answered by Robin or Wymack. For once Neil looks like he's content to just sit back and listen.

The last question of the night however is veered back to Neil.*

Reporter n: Neil, what was it like playing a whole season without Andrew Minyard? You two seemed close by all accounts.

Neil: *after a moment, a mischievious grin on his face* Who?

Robin: HAH

Reporter n: *caught off guard* uhh, your former teammate-

Neil: Hmm, does not ring any bells. Well- *cuts the reporters off from further prying* looks like out time is up.

*The three people sitting behind the table get up and walk towards their respective locker rooms and to the lounge in Wymack's case.

Video stops.*

Video Description: Neil Josten, Robin Cross and Coach David Wymack answer burning questions at the post-game conference

Date: XX/XX/XXXX

358 493 views

Comments:

@ exyneilno1fanxxx: great game! And even better interview. Can't wait to see who Neil signs with!!! xx <3

@ wildinwithdan: Always great to see my fave get mentioned!

@ kevsqueen22: is this the start of a minyard-josten rivalry? *thinking face on* See other 3k replies @ jostyard103: @ kevsqueen22 I'm calling it now, they're in a super secret relationship

-----

Note: Thanks for reading! TBC when I can, I'm thinking of possibly making this multimedial.

[becca-b]

Day 353: September 8th, 2022

🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️

This is what happens when someone other than Akihiko sneaks up from behind to hug Misaki ….

Poor Misaki, he was just trying to keep things low key and not bring attention to himself … but then there goes Sumi-San.

In general I’ve always wondered aside from his intentions to use Misaki and get closer to Akihiko; did he have any alterior motives towards Misaki as well.

In the anime, Season 2, episode 5: “Many A True Word is Spoken in Jest”Misaki is really tired after helping Sumi-San for the school festival haunted house, Misaki ends up falling asleep as soon as they get to Sumi-sans place.

Sumi-San gets a toothbrush for Misaki and repeats his name at least twice. Right before Akihiko calls Misaki’s phone again, Sumi strokes Misaki’s lips with his thumb, and starts leaning in towards him .. but then he answers Akihiko’s call.

I wonder — had Akihiko not called at that time, what would’ve ended up happening?

It’s the same scene as in the Manga, Volume 7, Chapter 4 - Act 10:

What are everyone else’s thoughts on this?

🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️🧸❤️

Happy Friday’s Eve Everyone!!

Only 12 more days to go!! Can’t believe it, also sorry for the really long post this time 🥺

[dollycas]

Sunday Salon / Sunday Post – A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! What a week! On Tuesday we had thunderstorms move through all day. About 8:30 p.m. we lost power, along with most of the city. Mr. Dollycas and I whipped out our Kindles and read while we listened to the wind, rain, and the tornado sirens. You see, we are the type of people that usually go outside to look at the sky rather than try to get our disabled selves to the basement. Before he went to bed he took a quick look outside, saw some leaves scattered in the driveway but that was all. Then at 2:11 a.m. (I looked at my phone) I was awakened by a strange noise. I made my way to the kitchen door to see flashing lights and 3 utility trucks in our driveway. The strange noise was chainsaws. Our neighbor had a huge tree that may have been struck by lightning because it split. Part went on their roof and the other half fell into a power pole in their backyard. When their power pole fell the wires pulled on our power pole breaking it off about 3/4 up and the piece got tangled in a tree right next to our driveway. The crews worked all night and the next day cutting trees and branches, pulling out our power pole, removing the neighbors, putting in new poles, and running new power lines. Water and Light employees from nearby towns, including our home town brought their trucks and equipment to help. I was surprised to see my nephew and his crew in our neighbor's yard. Our power was restored at about 3:30 on Wednesday afternoon. We were pleased to see that the city had Spectrum on standby to get those services back. About two hours later we thought we were good to go but the technician did a shoddy job. Instead of running new lines like everyone expected he just spliced the cut lines. Our internet and cable kept dropping all night making us reboot the system. Thursday it was more of the same and so frustrating. After our early morning call to Spectrum on Friday a wonderful tech arrived about 90 minutes later. He was not happy about what the previous tech had done at all. He quickly ran two new lines so that we are no longer sharing with our upstairs neighbors. (The issue we had been having for over a year.) He ran new wiring from the outside box to the box in the basement. Then he took the time to check out all our equipment, the modem, the router, each cable box and television, and even adding new wiring so that our computers run better, (taking out the splice which was done after we moved here). He even took time to set up my television remote to make it easier for me. So I lost quite a bit of computer time last week. I had to move the review I intended to post on Thursday, Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scones by Sarah Graves to this week Friday and I will be using today and the holiday tomorrow to catch up on several things. Remi's first baseball game of the season was canceled Wednesday night because the fields were flooded so we stayed in town to watch Thomas play again. He does so well and can really hit that ball and run those bases. His fielding improves every inning. All the boys do a great job being just 6 and 7. They only play 4 innings and usually, everyone gets to bat every inning. They are so much fun to watch and the time passes so fast. After two crazy days, sitting in the park with Son #2 and his family was just what we needed. This little peanut, granddaughter Athena, had fun at the game too. I forgot to share last week. Charlotte had her school field trip. My dad was a fire chief and Mr. Dollycas was a firefighter when our kids were small so this picture touched my heart. They had a ton of fun things for the kids to do at the children's museum and her mom took lots of great pictures. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - May 20 - 25, 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #21 – 2024 Tuesday - BOOK BLAST! Audio Book – Grounds for Murder: Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries by Lena Gregory – Read by Eleanor McCormick @lenagregory Plus - Black Crow Cabin (Logan Sisters Thrillers) by Peggy Webb #Review Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring A Pose Before Dying (A Cat Yoga Mystery) by Alex Erickson #Review / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @alexericksonbooks Thursday - No Post - Power Outage  Friday - #FlashbackFriday – And Then There’s Margaret: “A Laugh Out Loud Family Dramedy” by Carolyn Clarke #Review / #Giveaway Plus - Special Guest Carol Ann Collins – Author of The Seafarer’s Secret #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @authorcarolanncollins Saturday - Ghost Cat at the Mystery Hotel (A Tenth Life Cozy Mystery) by Mollie Hunt #Spotlight / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour @MollieHuntCats Enjoy the long weekend! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[indigo474]

December 2nd 2023

I was a bit emotional today. I went on face book and saw Michaels wife posted a photo and i am reminded of everything ive lost. it hurts. what can i do but let it hurt. it brings up so many emotions in me.. my kids will never know how much i had to fight for them. and thats ok. i think of Madison and the pain she carries. she lost a lot too... why?? i do think X is evil- to do what he has done not only to me but to Madison- she had nothing to offer him- no trust fund and how dare she cost him money.. so so sick.. but then.. they are adults so shame on them for not speaking to their sister. shame of meghan-- someday someday-- the truth- i don't know when, or how.. and i don't know how 1 man ..... i ran almost 5 miles today. I'm going to need a bigger park. I'm doing the 10 k program so it wasn't all at one but it was challenging.. running is mental. i noticed when i start to feel uncomfortable while running i'm able to tell myself that its ok because ive felt uncomfortable before and it will pass. i ruined my run on thursday because my music app wouldnt work.. i kept trying and trying to get it to work- stopping and starting and i got so mad myself -- it's not working why do you keep trying? i had it in my head i couldnt run without music. Friday i ran without music. today i had music until the last 10 minutes.. i'm excited to see how far i can run. i'm still not sure i am a runner.. i'm not built like one. BUT i like it. I lifted today. 170 dead lift- it felt heavy.. ohh an this week my back has been hurting me.. i'm pretty sure i am getting my period or due to get it and thats why 1 emotions and 2 my back hurts??? it was stiff all week.. sitting at a desk all day make my body sore.. i still lifted heavy although i told james on tues my back hurt so i didnt life as heavy.. today i went in tired from my run which i probably shouldnt be doing.. i guess i could have waited to run afterwards? i have no idea what i should or shouldnt be doing.. i think james said ideally i shouldnt be doing both on the same day.. benched 100-- i get it- i lose it.. split squats almost killed me today- he upped the weight. i played with Kika.. james did a chrome delete on his tesla and his dad was not happy about it- i think its his dads car.. i think it looks good but he needs to get new wheels.. i'm getting use to my commute- i knew i would. i was merging when i should have been yielding- i'm glad i figured that out.. work is kind of horrible. i know one of my reps is going to be in for a rude awakening soon.. its heating season so things are a bit crazy- i was a little bitchy on friday with 2 of my reps.. the one coming to my desk for me to help her after i told her i was busy.. the other is ghetto and i had enough..everyone is so use to me being me- happy helpful positive- they could tell i wasnt in the mood on friday.. it is what it is.. i'm human too.. i had a meeting with both reps separately.. I wore myself out today. Ive been thinking about turning 50- i hate to say this but i'm slightly scared.. a little bit. my mom told me menopause hit her at 50. she went on to tell me how horrible it was.. so i guess i have that in the back of my mind. i feel like i was starting to have symptoms but they have mostly gone away. i want to be and feel excited about aging- it's a privilege and i cant stop it- it's when i hear people say negative things about it- the good news it I am not my Mom.. My house is decorated. it looks good. I wish i had another Christmas tree to decorate.. Madison says 3 is too many.. i'm not convinced. ive had a pretty incredible year.. i don't know how 2024 can top it.....

Madison is going to be working 3rd shift- she is happy.. i'm not that thrilled for her to be out in the middle of the night.

James says i should join the dating apps again.. its the only way to meet someone.. I do want to meet someone- i just do not want to join any dating app..... not now anyway. I am enjoying being single- i thought to myself today that i should enjoy it because i wont always be single. I won't always be single. he's out there..

[theadowsource]

A Discovery of Witches + season 1 outfits

Costume design by Sarah Arthur and Nigel Egerton

[na-klar]

Hey! I'm sorry to bother you, but I have some questions about druck and I wanted to ask if you could help me with them. I'm new to druck (the new generation), but I know the overall lines of what happened in season 5&6, but I haven't watched them, but with Ismail being the main character, I'm interested to see what druck can. So, I was wondering if there's anything I need to know about Ismail from the previous seasons before going into their season? I've also seen a lot of discussion about Constantin, and I haven't been able to find out what he did since everyone seems to dislike him. I remember him being quite harsh towards Nora in season 5, but other than that I can't seem to find out why else people hate him. I hope it's okay I'm asking you these question 🌱🌿💚

hi anon!! please always feel free to ask me anything, i’m happy to answer if i can! <3

i think you can say the biggest problem people have with ismail and constantin is that they used to bully ava. and not just with some “jokes” at her expense. it was so bad ava had stomach aches every morning before school and went so far that she moved to alaska to escape their bullying. that really makes it hard to justify constantin and ismail's actions (plus kieu my’s who was a bystander and still hangs out with her girlfriend’s best friend’s bullies - i still don’t know how to feel about it but she apologized to ava offscreen).

that’s why many people are also upset we’re getting ismail’s season before an ava season: the bullying storyline will now most likely be portrayed from the bully’s point of view and not the victim's. i’m not good with words so idk how to explain how problematic that is but here’s a post by @sotorubio and @laslabass explaining it better than i ever could

in season 5 you can also see how bloody obnoxious and annoying constantin and ismail (and in extension the rest of the instas) are. not only are they being rude to nora and ava but the way they act like the biggest crybabies because they can’t have any parties while we’re in a global pandemic is just so... yeah i don’t even wanna say it

if you wanna catch up to get some kind of idea how insufferable they are/were i recommend you watch these clips:

season 5:

ep 1 friday clip: constantin calling nora “schizo” and a “psycho” in front of their friends

clip 8 - constantin pushing nora while she was running

clip 9 - instas making fun of ava for taking over the abiball committee + being crybabies about no parties

ep 2 friday clip - ava telling nora about the bullying

clip 33 - ismail and constantin watching the cashqueens do their livestream with the sole purpose of making fun of them

season 6:

clip 5 - ava talking to fatou about ismail and constantin bullying her

so all in all druck needs to do A LOT if they want to redeem these characters. i feel like a lot of people have forgotten how awful ismail was because they portrayed them somewhat nicer in season 6 but if you just watch the clips i mentioned you realize how they were also just so horrible (not to mention them doing a whole lot of borderline cyberbullying after the failed livestream like??? do y’all remember that?? it was awful)

[mggssocks]

Followed

Not My Gif!

Pairing: Fem!Reader x Spencer Reid

Content Warnings: None just fluff :)

Summary: Spencer makes an Instagram and stumbles across reader’s page.

Word Count: 1,899 words

A/N: This is Season 10 Spencer with Season 13 looks. Also, instead of it being Kate on the team, i put Emily instead because who doesn’t love the season 3-7 team? Also I might make a part 2 depending on how much this blows up. Honestly i’d be happy if i got one like. Anyways.. hope you enjoy!!!

masterlist // part 2 // part 3

It was 8:00 in the morning. Spencer walked in the doors of the bullpen to the bau. He sat his satchel down and began to settle in for a long day of work. It was pretty early so the team wasn’t in yet. Except for Aaron Hotchner who had gotten in an hour prior to Spencer and been in his office ever since. Apparently others had the same ‘get to work early’ mindset as Spencer. Spencer opened a case file but his attention was quickly whipped away due to the sound of the door opening. He sees Penelope Garcia with all her attention focused on her phone. Spencer quirked his eyebrows when she bumped into a fellow coworker and her attention remained on her phone while quickly mumbling a quick “sorry”. As she passed his desk, Spencer decided it would be the great time to speak. 

“Hey, Garcia.” Her feet came to a stop and her head snapped up at him. 

“Boy wonder! I’m so glad you’re here. I really need someone to talk to because if I don’t I’m going to explode!” She sits in the chair across from his desk. 

“Is everything alright?” He leaned back in his chair. 

“No… no everything is not alright. If anything.. everything is all wrong. Very very wrong. I-“ she takes in a deep breath “I was stalking Kevin’s page because the other day I seen him at the mall with another girl. And while I was 56 weeks down in his page, I accidentally liked a picture.” She explained, in a huff. 

“I’m afraid I don’t follow.” Spencer was even more confused now than before she started. 

“I liked a picture that he posted 56 weeks ago!” Her eyes were wide.

“How is that a bad thing?” His lips pouted as he’d never understand social media. 

“Ugh! Reid, you really need to get with the program and get you an Instagram. That means his picture was old and now he knows that I was looking at his page. You understand now?” She asked. 

“Oh. Yeah I understand. It’s bad that he knows you were looking at his page.” He asked as Prentiss, JJ, and Morgan had walked in. 

“Yes. And now I must go into the bat cave and wait for him to call or text me and ask what me lurking on his page was about.” She whined as she stomped her way to her office. 

“What was that about?” Prentiss asked, setting her bags down on her desk. 

“Uhh- rough morning” Spencer shrugged, still not really understanding the whole social media thing. 

“Hey do you guys have an Instagram?” He asked the three. 

“Yeah but I’m barely on it.” Prentiss answered.

“Same here” says Morgan as he takes a seat at his desk. 

“Yeah but I only get on to post the boys and myself sometimes” answers JJ. 

“What about Hotch and Rossi?” He asked.

“Yup! Rossi likes to post about his expensive wine and cigars. Hotch posts Jack every once in a while and a throwback Thursday.” JJ says. 

Spencer’s eyebrows furrowed for what seems to be the 100th time that day. 

“He doesn’t know what that is” Prentiss looks over to JJ.

“It’s something you post like an old picture of yourself every Thursday.” Morgan explains.

“Do you guys do that?” Spencer asked.

“I did last Thursday.” JJ pulls out her phone and opened the app. “This was right after Emily, Penelope, and I caught a guy who was trying to pick up Prentiss by pretending to be an FBI agent a few years ago.” She chuckled showing him a picture. 

Spencer takes her phone in his hand and examines the post. 142 likes. 57 comments. He clicks on her name which takes it to her page. 302 followers. As he scrolls, he sees a picture the team took a while ago and sees a little person profile thing the corner and clicks on it causing other names tagged to each individual team member. Except him. After he examined all of their profiles, he gives JJ back her phone and gets to work like the rest of them. He felt a little left out but he knew it was because of his own decisions and not his team. He liked that they didn’t press him about having a social media because they new he was more old school than anything. And it was ironic because he wastage youngest member of the team with the more old school habits. 

When Spencer got home he decided he wanted the social media app. The idea of being able to share with his friends and only his friends excited him. Being able to post about his favorite things for his friends to see without talking their ears off.

He opened his phone and went to the app store, typing “instagram” into the search bar. He followed the sites instructions as he made his account. Using a snapshot he took of his bookshelf as his profile picture. He sees the option to add the people in his contact list which was only his team, mom, and his mother’s caretaker. But everyone’s profile popped up and he quickly followed each and every one of them. Except for his mom and her caretaker of course. 

Soon enough, he got a follow back from Garcia, Hotch, Rossi, and JJ in that order. Morgan and Prentiss weren’t lying when they said they weren’t on often.

After two weeks, Spencer hasn’t posted anything yet, not knowing what should go on his profile. Morgan and Prentiss ended up following him back and the app ended up adjusting to his interests. Nothing but accounts about interesting facts, books, and doctor who. 

It was Friday night and the team had just got back from a case in Chicago. Spencer opened the door to his apartment and set his satchel down on the couch, exhausted. His mind wonders to get something to eat being that he wonders to get something to eat being that he hasn’t ate since before they caught the unsub. Which was about 5 hours and 7 minutes ago but he still needed to get something into his system. Spencer opened his fridge and sees 3 day old Chinese takeout. He shrugs and pops it into the microwave while looking for a book of his to reread while he eats. After he finishes dinner, he gets on his phone and subconsciously pulls up the app. He clicks onto his explore page to discover something else he likes. While scrolling, he sees a picture of someone reading and clicks on it.

765 likes

Yourfriend’sig whenever people ask me what to give you for your birthday or Christmas, I always tell them to get you a book or something green and it works every single time. Happy Birthday to my best buddy, @yourinstagram !

View all 84 comments

Spencer smiles and clicks the heart button and bookmarks it to look at later.  He liked the picture. Both the picture and caption reminded him a lot of his own love for books and the color green (hence his apartment). 

Once he got out of the shower, he brushed his teeth. He found himself subconsciously scrolling through his instagram bookmarks to find her post. He doesn’t know what it was but something about the picture brought comfort to him. As he brushed his teeth, he clicked on the post once again.This time, he actually clicked on your account. It was a private account with 186 followers. The bio read:

Y/N... bookworm.

Her profile picture consisted of a black cat surrounded by either a bunch of well taken care of plants or artificial ones. His finger hovered over the blue “follow” button. As he bent down to spit his toothpaste out, his thumb accidentally clicked the follow button. But he didn't realize so until he looked down again to see the “follow” button replaced with “requested”. His heart basically drops out of his ass. He quickly clicks the button again, taking back his follow. 

It was now one in the morning, Spencer laid in bed awake staring at his ceiling. Once again, he clicks onto the app. He scrolled down his timeline and saw a picture Penelope posted of one of her new desk animals with the caption “Got her at a thrift shop! Isn’t she cute??”. He saw that Hotch and JJ liked 45 other people. JJ also commented with two red hearts. Spencer likes the post and keeps scrolling. His thoughts wander to the post about the girl again. He’s never thought about a social media post this much since he’s created an account. He wonders what sparked his interest so much about this one. As he makes his way to the post, clicking on her account. Debating if he should follow her. She’s a total stranger. Do the others follow strangers? There’s no way JJ knows 302 people in real life. He mentally shrugs and presses the follow button. Requested. Again.

He swipes out of her account back onto the post now seeing that she commented on it.

yourinstagram thank you, bubs! ily to the moon n back <3333

It was commented thirty six seconds ago. Meaning she’s currently active. Again, Spencer’s heart sinks and he immediately regrets his decision. Going back and unfollowing her. He doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s a mess. Over a stranger. But he feels like an idiot. Reacting the way that he did just because he saw that she was online. So he goes and follows her.... again.

After clearing out all of his apps, he turns off his phone and lays down trying to get some sleep before work in a few hours. His thoughts wander to her. What she was like. if she was nice or mean. If she was socially awkward or very outgoing. Before his thoughts could get too far into what she was like, he receives a notification from instagram. He opens his phone and clicks on the notification. His heart began to pound when he saw it.

yourinstagram would like to send you a message! 

He clicks on it.

yourinstagram You’ve followed and unfollowed me about 5 times in the past 3 hours. Is there something I can help you with?

Spencer completely forgot that other people got notifications and now he felt like some kind of creep.

spencerreid I’m sorry. I came across your friend’s Instagram post wishing you a happy birthday and i guess i got curious and wanted to follow you if that makes any sense. 

He felt so dumb. 

yourinstagram and following me once wasn’t enough for some reason???

spencerreid Sorry about that. I’m new to this whole social media thing and don’t follow any strangers. You are the first person I’m following that I don’t know in real life. Again, my apologies for the disturbance. I’ll unfollow you’re account If you’re uncomfortable with me. 

yourinstagram i just hope that you’re not one of my raging exes, someone trying to catfish me, or a psychopath lol.

Spencer smiled.

spencerreid Nope. Just me.

She leaves him one read. Spencer’s smile fades when he doesn’t see any three loading dots. She wasn’t texting him back. As he’s about to exit the app, he sees two notifications. 

yourinstagram has accepted your follow request!

yourinstagram has requested to follow you.

********

I hoped you like this!!! If this blows up,i will do another chapter!

[wingsofanillyrian]

Lights Over Monaco: Chapter 1

ITS HERE! I plan on updating this weekly/biweekly, based on how busy I am. Let me know if you wanna be added to the tag list! 

Special thank you to my new F1 friend for inspiring this fic as well as being my beta reader, @acourtofcouture​ ! F1 fans out there, her fics are AMAZING

Chapter Masterlist

F1 Glossary

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

Nesta Archeron discovered Formula 1 when she was 9 years old. She woke before the sun one Sunday morning, quietly excited to have the television all to herself and watch whatever cartoons she wanted. But she couldn’t remember what channel they were on, instead flipping through the programs. She had almost given up when she stumbled across a race.

The moment she had seen the brightly colored open-wheeled cars flash across the screen, she paused. For whatever reason, the high pitched wasp-like scream of the twelve cylinder engines and the astonishing speed that the drivers were travelling enthralled young Nesta. She didn’t look away once for the rest of the race, or even for the post-race interviews and wrap up that most adults skipped. Something about it had her adrenaline pumping.

Nesta traded her dolls for matchbox cars, and when she grew older, picked up racing magazines instead of teen ones. Ever since that day, Formula 1 consumed her. No matter how the other kids or her two younger sisters teased her for it, her love for the sport never tarnished. 

She spent years getting up at 2 am to watch live races that were being held halfway around the world. Instead of going to her senior prom, Nesta stayed home and layed out her predictions for the season’s drivers and constructors championships. She didn’t know how to do anything half-ass. She poured her whole heart into the sport and devoted her life to it.

**********

Nesta spent her 24th birthday working. It wasn’t like she could request the day off, not that it mattered. The racetrack at Monaco was exactly where she would have been anyway, working or not.

A press pass got her through the first security checkpoint. The team tents loomed ahead as she waited for personnel to cross the unstriped asphalt, inching her car carefully through the throngs of people. She rolled her window down, soaking in the sound of air tools and snippets of conversations. 

Street tracks like Monaco were her favorite. They required drivers to push themselves with plenty of technical corners and dramatic incidents. There was less room for error, as the tracks themselves were not as wide. Drivers had to know their limits and follow the racing line closely.

Race tracks were Nesta’s comfort zone. She knew each track on the calendar like the back of her hand. Every turn was permanently etched in her mind like words on a tombstone. Race weekends followed a set schedule, something that she could appreciate. Friday: practice laps. Saturday: more practice, followed by qualifying, where each driver got the chance to set the fastest lap and secure a spot in the starting line up for the main event on Sunday.

Before she had graduated college, Nesta had managed to fully entrench herself in the world of Formula 1. Securing an internship at ESPN her sophomore year, she had made herself indispensable to the crusty old man that had been the senior track side reporter for decades. She studied everything he did and the questions he asked each driver, noting what changes she would have made. Somehow, he came to admire her spirit and taught her the tricks of the trade.

When he retired the year after Nesta graduated, he went to the board of directors and personally recommended her to fill his spot. She waited two agonizing days for their decision. 

Using whatever means necessary, Nesta had clawed her way to the top and cemented her reputation as the most cutthroat reporter in the industry. Her goal had been for everyone in motorsport to know her name, and in only two years, she had done so. Better yet, she had caught the eye of one of the fastest drivers on the grid.

Her phone rang just as she pulled into the press parking area. She answered, not bothering to check the caller ID. “Hello?”

Tomas’ velvety voice thundered through the speakers of her Civic. “Hey baby. You here yet?”

“Just pulled in,” She replied, touching up her makeup in the rearview. 

“Right on time for a quickie. Meet me at my trailer in five.”

Tomas had already hung up before she had the chance to protest. Both their reputations hinged on their relationship staying secret. If the press caught wind that she was fucking a driver, her credibility would go out the window, and Tomas would be the laughing stock of the grid. So sneaking into his trailer wasn’t exactly the type of discreet she was aiming for.

Tomas Mandray had been racing for Red Bull for two years when she had scored her first exclusive interview with him. He had just been awarded pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, and Nesta had sweet talked her way into the paddock. It had taken minutes for his charming blue eyes to enchant her. He had won that race, and taken her to bed straight after. 

The sex was great, but that’s all it ever was. Their relationship was purely based on the physical; nothing emotional on either end. They had agreed on that from the start. Just sex.

Unfortunately for Nesta, somewhere along the way it had become something more.

Sighing, she put on her oversized sunglasses and hid her tawny hair under a gauzy scarf. The fashion wouldn’t stand out at all amongst the celebrities that frequented the Monaco Grand Prix. Going over the top here was expected; Monaco was known for its money. Due to the lack of income tax, Monaco was a haven for white collar delinquents and royalty alike. Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s were commonplace, and women wore rings that could set a jewel thief up for life. 

No one bothered her as she strode towards the pit checkpoint, flashing her press badge to get by. She fell into her usual cadence, exuding an air of importance and invincibility. Seemingly without realizing, people moved out of her way when they saw her coming. The navy, red, and yellow of the Redbull tent came into view, and Nesta inserted herself into the crowd of mechanics and VIPs to get past security. Press wasn’t allowed in the area until after the race.

Nesta broke away once inside, heading down a back corridor. She knew the layout by heart, having walked the path many times. The door at the end of the hall led outside to Tomas’ private trailer. She didn’t bother to knock before entering. Tomas would already be waiting for her.

He set down his phone as she entered. “Finally,” He said with a savage grin. “We only have a few minutes.”

****************

Tomas left as soon as he finished, donning his jumpsuit without so much as a kiss goodbye. Utterly used to the behavior, Nesta straightened her clothes and again touched up her makeup before heading back out.

She was scheduled to conduct a pre-race interview with Cassian Valle in the Mercedes tent in twenty minutes. Redbull and Mercedes were at opposite ends of the pit, giving her plenty of time to think.

Truthfully, Nesta was dreading the interaction. Cassian was an arrogant ass. She couldn’t stand interviewing him; all he did was skirt around questions and try to flirt, which made it incredibly difficult to get any headline-worthy tidbits from him.

Azriel Sainz, Cassian’s teammate at Mercedes, was much more amiable. He was mostly forgettable and quiet, but always gave her something to work with and was sometimes downright pleasant to talk to. She could understand why the public loved him, but not why they were so enamored with Cassian. Sure, he was a three time world champion, and that earned him plenty of fans, but he was just so… dreadful.

She made it to the Mercedes pit just minutes before the scheduled time, immediately spotting her tense cameraman, Jacob. Slim built, he was average looking, nothing special. He was sweet though, if not a bit of a pushover.

“Where the hell have you been?” He hissed, chocolate brown eyes wide. “Valle is waiting.”

Nesta rolled her eyes, handing Jacob her sunglasses and the scarf. “I’m here now, aren’t I? Not my fault if he was early.” Nesta accepted her microphone and rolled her shoulders. “Let’s get this over with then.”

“Happy birthday by the way,” Jacob added. Yes, there was the pushover side shining through. 

Nesta threw a grin at him over her shoulder. “Thanks.”

Cassian’s back was to her as she approached, his white Mercedes jumpsuit half on, the arms of it cinched around his waist. The crisp gray shirt he wore left little to the imagination, hugging his sculpted form. Good; at least that would capture the attention of any women that might be watching. As would the deep brown curl that fell in his face when he turned to her.

“If it isn’t my very favorite reporter,” He crooned, a grin plastered on his face. “Took you long enough to get here. I also hear it’s your birthday.” Nesta glared at Jacob. He shrank under her steely look, an apology stumbling from his lips.

“I would give you a birthday kiss, but I think you’d knock me out if I offered.”

Nesta pointedly ignored him, “Let’s just get on with it,” She said, motioning to Jacob to start recording. Once he signaled he was ready, Nesta breathed deep, the sweet scent of high octane fuel assaulting her senses. It steadied her, and she slipped into her professional mask before turning to the camera.

“As we all know, the Monaco Grand Prix offers drivers a unique set of challenges. The two-mile street course has 19 technical corners with little room for error. It is in Monaco that we get to see who has what it takes to be a Formula 1 champion.” She turned to Cassian, gave him a professional smile and continued.

“Last year, you had a puncture at turn seven when you ran over some debris. Coupled with the fumble the pit crew had with not having your tires ready when you came into the pit, you finished a disappointing 12th place, winning you no points in the driver’s championship. Do you expect that this year will be better, or will you stick to your usual aggressive driving style?”

Cassian laughed, running a hand through his unbound curls. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be changing anything. You can expect to see me on the podium, sweetheart. Most likely in first.”

Nesta grit her teeth. She couldn’t air that, and he knew it. “How about you answer the question without trying to piss me off?”

“It’s too easy,” Cassian said, that devilish grin returning. Nesta cut him a glare that simmered with violence. “Alright fine,” He relented, putting his hands up. “Go again.”

She repeated her question, and this time he answered, “I don’t really see any need to change my driving style, what happened last year was a fluke. I went wide on the turn and didn’t notice Vanserra's front wing until the last second and wasn’t able to change course.” Nesta nodded, encouraging him to go on. “I don't see myself making any mistakes like that this year. You can expect to see me on the podium, most likely in first.”

“Thank you for that Cassian. Good luck on the track today.”

“Thank you,” He said, waving at the camera. He paused before adding, “Though I won’t need luck.”

Nesta rolled her eyes and signaled for Jacob to cut the recording. At least that last bit could be edited out. “You are absolutely insufferable, you know that?”

Cassian shrugged, undoing the arms of his fire suit and slipping into them. “I do my best.” He winked at her before zipping up his suit, opening his mouth to say something else when the Mercedes team principal, Rhysand, barked at him to get his ass in gear. He gave Nesta a wordless salute before jogging off.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Jacob said, packing up his camera. “That guy has balls.”

“He’s a Formula 1 driver,” Nesta said simply, putting her sunglasses back on. “Of course he does.”

**********

Nesta watched the 78 lap race from the press box, silently cheering Tomas on. Each time the pack of cars passed, the windows rattled, doing little to muffle the engine noise. She chatted with the others as necessary, keeping one eye on the tarmac below. Tomas had started from pole position, and held onto first place until the final 10 laps. He had attempted to lap an AlphaTauri driver when the driver had failed to yield, violating FIA regulations. The two had bumped tires in what was ruled a racing incident, but Nesta knew better. Tomas had lost his cool and nudged the other driver on purpose, nearly sending him into the wall. 

It was a bad call on Tomas’ part, as the comfortable four second lead he had held over second place shattered. Nesta swore under her breath as Cassian overtook Tomas, her heart dropping when the other Mercedes driver, Azriel, did the same. Tomas would not be happy about that. 

When the checkered flag waved, Cassian was first, Azriel second, and Tomas third.  The winners parked before the podium, anger radiating from Tomas as he tore his helmet off. Tamlin, the Redbull team principal, said something to Tomas that had his cheeks burning red. 

Nesta grabbed Jacob and headed for the press room. They had a half hour tops before the post-race interviews started, and Nesta had to make sure she was front row. Though it didn’t matter where she sat; she always made sure her questions were answered.

It was more so for Tomas. She wanted him to see her, to see the understanding on her face and know she supported him even when he didn't win.

They were first to the press room, and Nesta had ample time to prepare questions. She couldn’t question Tomas, or she risked uncapping his rage. Instead, she jotted down a question she knew would shift the focus from Tomas to the Mercedes drivers.

Reporters began filing in, vying for the perfect spot and debating the race results with one another. Nesta remained in her seat, determined to maintain her composure as her stomach churned. Tomas finally entered, jaw set as he took his place on the stage. Nesta tried to subtly catch his eye, but he pointedly avoided looking at her. 

Cassian and Azriel entered, laughing and congratulating each other. Nesta noted the slight change in Tomas’ posture, the only hint of the blood boiling beneath his skin. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted, but still Nesta remained seated. Cassian, at least, sought her out in the crowd, and flashed her an ‘I-told-you-so’ grin when he found her. Once the clamor had died down, Nesta stood. The room quieted further, the others having learned not to talk over her if they valued their jobs. Nesta had a knack for digging up dirt on anyone she pleased.

Her eyes were still locked on Cassian as the moderator indicated she could ask her question. 

“Azriel,” She started, turning to the dark haired man, “You were lucky you were able to take second in this race, after the incident in turn twelve on lap 27 when you sustained heavy damage to your front wing, thanks to the actions of your teammate. Does it ever get under your skin that Valle’s overly-aggressive driving threatens your own position in the championship?”

The room was silent. Tomas hid his grin behind a well-manicured hand. Cassian’s eyes narrowed, a muscle in his jaw fluttering. Good; she had hit a nerve. Azriel shrugged, crossing his arms. 

“It was a racing incident. Could have happened to anyone. I don’t think the blame lays entirely with Cassian; I could have given him more room on the corner.”

And that was that. Nesta didn’t ask any more questions, but she could feel Cassian glaring at her throughout. At the end of the interview, all three drivers thanked everyone before leaving.

As Nesta made her way back to her car, she texted Tomas.

You okay?

Her heart pounded as she waited for the reply. Her phone buzzed minutes later.

I’ll be home late. Party at the Redbull house.

Oh. Okay. See you later then.

“Happy birthday to me,” She muttered, stuffing the phone in her pocket.

Nesta wasn’t sure why his reply stung, but it cut deep. She had hoped that he would want to see her instead of going to another party and spend time with her on her birthday. Instead, he would probably stick his tongue down another woman’s throat like usual. She couldn’t really blame him. Their relationship had to remain secret and to do so, Tomas had to maintain his playboy aura. It wasn’t really cheating if she had agreed to it.

But if that were true, why did it hurt so fucking bad when he did?

Some of her tension eased when she finally spied her car in the lot. The Blue Bullet, she had nicknamed it, due to the strikingly bright paint. It was the first purchase she had made upon being promoted, and it had since become her pride and joy. She had chosen it because it set lap records left and right when it had hit the market a few years back, and she had craved speed her whole life. On city streets, this car was the closest she could get to experiencing Formula 1 without completely breaking the bank.

“How about you don’t ask stupid fucking questions next time your prettyboy loses?”

Nesta’s breath hitched. Your prettyboy. The accusation was clear. Her hand slipped from the door handle, turning towards the voice. If he knew… If he knew about her and Tomas, they were done for. She willed her voice into solid steel.

“Cassian. I would advise you to choose your next words wisely.”

He placed a hand on her Civic, getting in her face. “Racing means you have racing incidents. I don’t expect you to understand, seeing as you’ve never been behind the wheel of a real race car.” He sneered at her car, the insult striking home.

Fear faded, replaced by a rising wave of scarlett rage. Nesta’s gaze stuck to where his hand lay on the bright blue paint, utterly vexed by the infringement. She bared her teeth at him, rising to the challenge in Cassian’s flaming hazel eyes. 

“Get. Off.”

Cassian started at the command in her tone and obeyed. He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “Understanding the nuances of Formula 1 is my job description. I asked about that incident because I knew it would piss you off. Looks like I was right huh?” Her temper was getting the better of her. “And by the way, would it kill you to give me a decent quote once in a while, instead of always trying to get in my pants?”

“I do not-”

“Oh go fuck yourself,” Nesta scoffed, yanking the door open. 

The corners of his mouth twitched upward as she slammed the car door. “I was already planning on it.”

Those parting words haunted her drive home, even as she took the long way in hopes of blowing off steam. She shifted through the gears, throwing the Civic around corners much faster than was probably safe. Nesta didn’t care; her head was a mess. At least he hadn’t mentioned anything more about Tomas. Maybe Cassian had just thought she had a crush, based on the way she had been looking at him during the conference. Gods, she couldn’t get Cassian out of her head. 

His grin followed her up the stairs to her apartment, where she snapped the curtains shut. She couldn’t bear to look out over the track any longer today. 

Those words echoed in her head as she brushed her teeth and crawled into bed alone. Swam through her thoughts of Tomas, as she struggled to keep her eyes open when the clock showed 1 am. As she finally gave in, they were her last thought. 

I was already planning on it. 

@aphoeni @planet-faerie  @nina-zcnik @linsimin @that-little-red-head @teagoddess99 @enpointe10 @electronicstrawberrystrawberry @awesomelena555 @iptneus @weesablackbeak @wonderland--memories @nessian-trash-heap @magicalwaterfall @perfectlyimpxrfect @cassians-wings @valkyrie-archeron @acourtofcouture @nesemryn @chloepereyra @illyrianshadowhunter​ 

[absolutebl]

This Week In BL

Feb 2021 Part 3 

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. 

Ongoing Series Thai 

1000 Stars Ep 4 - so flipping lovely, I’ve come entirely around to this show. 

Manner of Death Ep 13 - the penultimate episode was as angsty & twisty as we could want, but it’s starting to feel a bit stretched. Although new tag #oakcake is the best thing ever. 

Brothers Ep 2 - still a mess but there’s a cute foodie side couple (young college student wants cute older baker). As the world’s foremost ChampDoc proponent I am obviously in it for them. The other couples though... eek. 

Ongoing Series Not Thai 

You Are Ma Boy Ep 6 (Vietnam) - second week running with no new episode and no indication as to why. If it ended at 5 then it ended on a cliffhanger. Grrr. 

Amore Ep 27 (Pinoy) - FINALLY finished its run at 27 episodes! TWENTY SEVEN. I stopped watching it ages ago but it’s done now so if you’re a binger and you need to see the “everyone wants Joey” show, it’s all on YouTube. We salute your bravery. 

Stand Alones 

Finally watched Korea’s Step For You from 2018 (in preparation for You Make Me Dance). OMG it’s SO CUTE. And who says Korea can’t do kisses? Oh wait, that was me. Anyway, no dead fish here. School newspaper journalist has to interview the next big thing senior dancer and falls in love with him. Short af but ADORABLE. 

I got my brains back and decided to FINALLY watch 2015 Japanese BL Seven Days. It comes in two parts: Seven Days: Monday - Thursday & Seven Days: Friday - Sunday. You can watch it eng subbed on YouTube. It’s one of the best Japanese BLs ever made (FIGHT ME) and that’s because it has a lot of the breezy style of something like 2gether (with, sadly the same heat level - low). The leads have a similar comfort level with each other which yields up fantastic on screen chemistry. It’s a charming af high school story with none of the usual stalker/obsession/rapey elements (nor the egregiously cartoonish humor) I’ve come to expect from Japanese BL. Despite the setting, it’s a lot more in the Cherry Magic vain than, say, Takumi-kun. GO WATCH IT. The hair is bonkers, but if that’s all I can think of bad to say, you know it must be good. 

The TharnType Wedding Special PPV dropped last week. Champ & Doc officially got together so I was happy. They hit a bunch of tropes, said I do, and that was that. I pronounce it... 

 Breaking News - So Many Teasers & They Dark AF 

More promos for HIStory 4 keep dropping so I think we can assume this is coming sooner rather than later. (Taiwan doesn’t raise funding the way Thailand does with test teasers, so we only see promo when the thing has started filming.) 

We Best Love 2 dropped its trailer. It’s a doozie. We’re all hoping for a happy ever after but frankly Taiwan means 50/50 chance at best. They love pathos and many of us will never recover from HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count. I’m terrified by the season 2 trailer. 

You Make Me Dance dropped a teaser, that’s our next one out of Korea. 

Lovely Writer showed its dark underbelly with a new angst-riddled teaser... what’s that? A wheaser? 

Secret Admirer the Series dropped its first teaser. I had this one on the rumors list but not actual, so I bumped it up in the upcoming 2021 BL master post. It’s only a taste, it could be gunning for 2022. The director can’t be trusted with happy endings - so I’m not sure about it. 

Gossip 

Wild rumors persist that there will be a new 2gether installment in which someone gets married. I wouldn’t be surprised to see GMMTV milk that cash cow especially if F4 is delayed. (With all these BLs featuring marriage, maybe the Thai government will legalize it on account of the boost destination weddings would give the tourist industry post covid?) 

Bad Roommate dropped a teaser for all you Gen Y Padlock lovers out there (waves at @heretherebedork​). Do we trust Star Hunter after the Gen Y debacle? Maybe? I don’t know. Who cares, it’s fresh content. 

More rumors of a We Best Love special episode before season 2. If they’re true my guess is it’s another behind the scenes thingy. 

Fish Upon the Sky is reported to drop ep 1 on Friday, April 9th, 2021! This is the rivals to lovers BL I’ve been waiting for! 

I am SO FLIPPING EXCITED. 

Initial murmurs about Close Friend - a 6 ep run featuring established BL ships from an unknown director: KimCop (2Moons & Gen Y), OhmFluke (Until We Meet Again), JimmyTommy & MaxNat (Why R U), JaFirst (TharnType 2), and YoonLay (YYY). Either each couple gets their own episode (like Our Skyy) or it will be more like You Never Eat Alone. Ships may or may not be playing the same characters as previous. 

A few more promo shots posted for Y-Destiny. It looks more serious than director Cheewin normally goes for (YYY & You Never Eat Alone). I don’t know if that means anything or if it’s just a mature styling we’re seeing in Thai BL as a result of the actors getting older and the influence of Manner of Death and KinnPorsche. 

Speaking of You Never Eat Alone is supposed to be finally dropping official Eng Subs somewhere, and ep 9 features Prem & Boun. I’m not bothering with this one so I don’t know where it’s posting. 

Next Week Looks Like This: 

Upcoming 2021 BL master post here. 

Links to watch are provided when possible, ask in a comment if I missed something. 

[dollycas]

Sunday Salon / Sunday Post - A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week in review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! Miss Natalie wrapped up her basketball season last Sunday at a 2-day tournament up north that was too far away for us to travel but her mom and Daughter #2 kept us well posted. They finished their 30-game season 26 - 4 with their first losses last weekend. They took the losses hard but agreed the tournament was a great experience, and gives them something to strive for next year. Remington also wrapped up his basketball season last Sunday and we were able to attend as it was only 45 minutes away. They ended the season with only one win, but the games last week were some of the best that they played. They lost each game by just a few points. Their passing has improved and they know the plays. The basket was unforgiving though. If half of those shots had fallen it would have been a totally different story.  The team is going to continue practicing together as they plan for next year. Baseball will be starting soon. Spring returned for a couple of days last week but the end of the week was chilly with some snow flurries. The forecast shows it should reach 65 degrees this Tuesday but 29 degrees and rainy on Wednesday. Gotta love this Wisconsin weather. Mr. Dollycas made a major purchase this week. He tried a trial membership at a local gym, but getting him to actually go there was a problem. So we decided to bring the gym to him. Now he can jump on before work and after work or any time he wants. He is starting slow but has a goal to be in better shape before the weddings start to take place in our family. We had a quick visit from Daughter #1, future son-in-law #1, and Kaden yesterday. Our days are always brightened when any of the kids come to visit. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - February 19 - 24, 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #8 – 2024 Tuesday - A Smoking Bun: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander #Review @StMartinsPress @BakeshopMystery Plus - Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid (A Salem B&B Mystery) by Traci Wilton #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @tracihallauthor Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @jenjchow Thursday - Crime and Cherry Pits: An Organic Cozy Mystery (Farm to Table Mysteries) by Amanda Flower #Review / #Giveaway @aflowerwriter @PPPress Friday - Murder Under A Honey Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail Keam #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @abigailkeamauthor Plus - #FlashbackFriday featuring Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook #Review / #Giveaway @AllisonBrookML Saturday - Sprites and Scuttlebutt: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley #GuestPost #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour Plus - Once Upon a Murder (A Lady Librarian Mystery) by Samantha Larsen #GuestPost / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @samanthahastingsauthor I need this shirt! HAPPY READING!!!  Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[bukunmiakintola20]

Exam season ‧⁺◟( ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ ·̫ ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀ ) Cya Freedom

Hey cuties💖

Firstly, I’d like to thank y’all for the reception on my first Gyaru Advice post! It’s the first time I’ve done a post like that so it meant a lot to me that y’all liked it ❤️‍🔥 Also, I got 50 of y’all following me, which is 50 more than I expected already! I started this blog to remember the highlights of my life, in medschool, style-wise, and just socially as well. Sorta like an online diary. I didn’t really have much expectations going into this but I am happy you all enjoy reading my blog posts! I hope that you all will stick with me for more posts in the future (๑ゝڡ◕๑)

Life Update: Exams are killing me!!

Once again, I didn’t quite start reviewing enough ahead of time and now I basically have to study for days straight. No hyperbole. As a result of this, I haven’t had much time to indulge in Gyaru, which is literally a comfort style for me at this point( p′︵‵。) I’ll make up for it by doing tons of stuff once exams are over б（＞ε＜）∂ One thing I’ve been dying to do is go to the George (a nightclub in Dublin) but it’s closed so maybe I’ll just go to the cinema with my friends or go to a party or just something.

I’ve already done 3 of my exams which is basically half (I still got 2 more) and I’m confident I passed at least 2 of them (◕ฺー≦)ノ The one I took yesterday, I’m just putting my hands together and praying I pass; in fact before all my exams so far, I pray at my desk before the exam starts (︶︹︺) I need all the luck I can get 🍀 I have two days to prep for my exam on Friday, and today for my exam tomorrow (shouldn’t be that difficult + it’s online and open book) so I’m feeling a bit hopefull atm. あげ↑↑

I should probably go study now instead of writing blog posts haha (ﾟｰﾟ;) That’s it for now, I’ll see y’all in the next one. Good luck on your exams everyone

がんばれ♥︎

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Fic and tag masterpost

(to be updated from time to time)

Last update: 24 Aug

I've decided to have a masterpost with both tags and links. Figured maybe there is merit in organizing them here in tumblr for ease of searching and navigation. Will be doing a lot of cross-posting from Ao3 in the next few days as well.

--

Lin/Tenzin pairing

Adversity

Multi-chapter, work in progress, AU, pre-LoK,

Latest status: up to Chapter 15 uploaded in A03

Blurb: Lin and Tenzin are both at the height of their respective careers – she with the Metalbending Police and he with the Air Nation. Questions about their future begin to arise and things come to a head when Lin responded to an emergency call. Would her job take them from each other forever? Eventual happy ending. Alternatively: The one where Lin and Tenzin had to go through adversity like Lin’s dangerous job, a near-death experience, temporary separation and memory loss, unplanned pregnancy and Tenzin’s responsibilities before they end up with a family.

Tumblr chapters 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Ao3 link |   Ff.net link

Contentment

One-shot, completed, AU, pre-LoK

Blurb: Ever since she made it to Chief of Police, she found that she was able to take more control of her schedule. Nonetheless, quiet Friday nights at home like these were rare. Alternatively:

The one where Chief Lin Beifong and her last airbender spend a typical night at home.

Tumblr post

Ao3 link  |   Ff.net link

The Airbender’s Wife

Multi-chapter after Contentment, work in progress, LoK AU

Latest status: up to Chapter 12 uploaded in A03

Blurb: Korra arrives in Republic City to reside at Air Temple Island to begin her Airbending training.

As excited as she was to leave the compound in the South Pole, she was wary of living with her Airbending Master and his mysterious wife. The airbender’s wife, who, Korra realized, she has never met before. Alternatively: The one where Tenzin throws caution to the wind and chooses Lin over repopulating the Air Nation.

Tumblr chapters:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Ao3 link | Ff.net link

The Right Beifong

One-shot, completed, post-LoK AU

Blurb: For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.

One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyin’s actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade. Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City. Lin Beifong was expected to mother an airbender. What if she did give birth to an airbending Beifong?

Tumblr post

Ao3 link | Ff.net link

Harmony Tower

One-shot, completed, pre-LoK

Prompt/headcanon: What if and why does Lin smoke?

Tumblr post

Grey Eyes

Two-shot, completed, pre-LoK AU

Prompt/headcanon: What if there was a secret airbending child and what if Tenzin learns about it after the break-up

Blurb: He broke up with her then she destroyed part of the island.

He regretted it but she had already left.

He tried to look for her but she managed to evade him.More than a year later, by chance, he was drawn to a baby picture in Chief Toph Beifong’s billfold.

Alternatively, Tenzin finds out about his airbending daughter in the Earth Kingdom.

Tumblr parts: 1 | 2

Ao3 link

Respite

One-shot, completed, end season 3 AU

Prompt/headcanon: Soft/protective Lin taking care of Tenzin after he’s hurt post-Red Lotus encounter (Married AU)

Blurb: Chief Beifong had seen a lot of blood and death in the years that she had been serving in the force. She was no stranger to injury as well (she’s a Beifong, no one would have expected any different).However, nothing could have prepared her to see her pacifist husband bruised, bloodied, battered and at the brink of death.

Tumblr post

Ao3 link

Blended

One-shot, completed, Modern AU, now a multi-chapter, WIP

Latest status: up to Chapter 3 uploaded in A03

Blurb: Republic City was known to be a melting pot of cultures.

This was where people go to for new beginnings and to search for happy endings.

People were relatively more open-minded here compared to other cities or nations.

However, not everyone’s road to happiness is straightforward - Lin Beifong in particular believes that, by now, true happiness for her is elusive.

A modern AU with no bending where Lin finds herself with three kids, where Tenzin is Mr Big Shot CEO, where Mako is an overprotective son, where Ikki endears herself to Lin, where Bumi is the cool meddling godfather/uncle and where Pema is out of the picture.

Tumblr post

Ao3 link

Parapraxis

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: Parapraxis: a lapse of memory or mental error, such as a slip of the tongue or misplacement of an object, which, in psychoanalytic theory, is due to unconscious associations and motives; commonly called a “freudian slip.” | Alternatively, the one where a wrong title and a wrong name were said in different occasions and Lin could not complain about the outcome in the end.

Tumblr post

Ao3 link

Untitled Thwarting Fate

WIP, pre-LOK AU

Overview: Linzin endgame AU

Latest status: up to Chapter 5 uploaded in A03

1 of 3 (or 4?) chapters (or more, if I decide to post them in chunks)

I really haven’t thought this out (shrugs and looks around shiftily)Pre-canon AU (prior to Book 1)

Blurb: All her life, Lin Beifong had been trying to go the path that she thought was right. All his life, Tenzin had been trying to go the path that he thought is expected of him. Trying being the operative word.  --- Alternatively, the one where it started pretty much the same but with Pema's illness, the Red Lotus being active, and Lin Beifong going a detour in her career - everything changes.

Tumblr parts: 1 | 2

Ao3 link

Homecoming

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: After travelling to the different Air Temples, Tenzin arrived back at Republic City to a surprise that he did not expect.

Ao3 link

Bubble Bath

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: Lin sank into the bathtub, sighing as the warm water relaxed her tired muscles.It had been a long week and it was only Wednesday

Lin Beifong had a long and busy week at work. At least, she is able to pride herself in not forgetting any important occasion at that time. ...Or did she?

Ao3 link

Pretense

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: As far as the Earth Kingdom is concerned, Lin Beifong is in a relationship with the son of the Avatar .No, not that one.

Alternatively, the one where Lin engages in a mutually benefitting arrangement with the son of Aang.

Ao3 link

—————————————————————-

Lin/Bumi pairing

Happenstance

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: Alternatively, the one where Lin Beifong’s happiness started on the night of what was supposed to be her wedding: an encounter with Bumi during his brother’s nuptials that turned into something more.

Tumblr post

Ao3 link

Arranged Legacy

One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU

Blurb: By some ill-conceived agreement, the eldest of Toph Beifong and the eldest of Aang were arranged to be married. Neither wanted to but they felt that they had to. Could they find companionship with each other? Could they rise above their circumstance and prove once an for all that they were worthy of their parents’ legacies? | Alternatively, see Lin and Bumi come together and make the best of their situation - and maybe create their own legacy.

Submitted as part of the 2021 Avatar Pro-Shipping Rare Pair Challenge

Ao3 link

Discretion

One-shot, completed, post-LOK AU

Blurb: Bumi watched the teenagers pair off during Varrick's wedding. Observers might think he was turning melancholic but he wasn't. After all, under the cloak of the night, he also had someone to pair off with.

Ao3 link

===

Tags

Generic

·       toccatina's fanfics: all fics, regardless of status or pairing

·       toccatina wip: fics which are not yet complete

·       toccatina completed: completed stories, includes one-shots

·       toccatina draft: just a draft, open-ended

·       writing prompts maybe: usually a post inspired by a prompt/message/another post

Specific

·       linzin fanfic: Lin/Tenzin stories

·       linumi fanfic: Lin/Bumi II stories

·       toccatina airbender: posts for Airbender’s wife

·       toccatina adversity: posts for Adversity

- #toccatina untitled: posts for that untitled Linzin story

======

On an unrelated note:

I’ve created a ko-fi acct, feel free to drop by if you would like to donate.

[talesofafangirlwithadvr]

Jan/Feb 2021 Picks

HELLO! It’s been a while, but I’M BACK!! Life has gotten a lot busier as I started Grad School this January. So, I feel it may be tough being on time with future Monthly Wraps like I’ve done in the past with working on my MFA, and my job. I’m going to probably do more seasonal wrap ups when I get the time. I also think I’ll be posting more individual posts as I watch an episode. Because even with a busier schedule, there is always time for TV and there’s so much I want to talk about!

You know the drill. Spoilers are coming.....

You’ve been warned :)

WANDAVISION

I want to start off by mentioning that I have not watched this week’s episode yet. So the last one I saw was EPISODE  6 with Halloween in the late 90s/early 2000s.

THIS SHOW! OMG.

I didn’t know what I was signing up for when I watched the first episode and I have been blown away. It is such a cool concept and I love the fact that everyone who watches it is confused. There have been so many interesting theories out there and I am so curious what is going to wind up being true. I love all the nods to old sitcoms and TV shows as well as all the MCU Easter Eggs. (I mean they got X-men’s Quicksilver-like WOW.) It feels really Black Mirror at times with the breaking of the fourth wall. I will never be able to shake the feeling I got in Episode 3, when Vision reversed. (And then I saw a bunch of videos with him looking at the camera as Wanda looks at the TV. Eww I don’t like it, but it’s such a good move on their point.) I love the outside plot as well and the characters who were previously side characters in other MARVEL movies. The love for Jimmy Woo is astounding and I’m here for it. I’m glad it’s Friday, so I can watch the next episode. I’m just upset that we’re so close to the show ending. The next Disney Plus Marvel shows better be just as good. Wandavision set the bar high.  

NANCY DREW

If you’ve visited this page recently, you know I have a very strong love for this show. It is the only one I am still watching religiously on the CW and I am tuning in the night it airs. (That is HUGE for me.) IT IS JUST SO GOOD AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START....

2x05 just aired, which would have been the season 1 finale before COVID and I have it saved on my DVR to watch again. There’s just so much I want to relive and catch that I missed the first watch through. It would have been SUCH A GOOD FINALE, but I’m happy that we can continue with new episodes starting next week. And with the way it ended...there’s so much I need to know!! I’m just curious how fast they’re going to develop certain plots. I love the Drew Crew and how they are a family. Each character is so well developed and their chemistry is great. I love learning more about each of them and watching them develop. My favorite character is definitely Ace. I love all his witty lines and how he is opening up more to the group as well as to us, the audience, as we get more of a look into his personal life. I enjoy all of his scenes with his dad and specifically liked when they were celebrating Shabbat. (I am also here for the Nancy and Ace content. I gush more about this on my other blog: lydia-whogowith-stiles. Check it out if you want to hear more.)

THE WATCH

When I watched the Christmas special (or was it New Years? and why does that feel so long ago) of Doctor Who, BBC America kept advertising a new show called the Watch. Due to the extensive amount of commercials, I decided to tape the first two episodes (which premiered back to back) to see what it was all about. I was unaware that this series is based on the book series created by Terry Pratchett. When I came to see if people were talking about it on Tumblr, I saw that a lot of people didn’t like it because of how drastically different it was. As I was unfamiliar with the original, I can’t compare. The TV show was eight episodes and I just watched the last one that aired this past Sunday. I definitely liked the first half of the season more (I noticed my mind start to drift as I watched later ones), but thought the finale was good. I really enjoyed how they incorporated the theme song. I didn’t realize the connection earlier and now can’t stop humming it. (I don’t know if there will be another season or not.) I enjoyed the characters and how it was like nothing I’ve seen on TV before. It got me thinking a lot about blending genres. I would still recommend checking it out.  

ZOEY’S EXTRORDINARY PLAYLIST

I was VERY excited for this show to come back. I loved the first season so much. It’s just such a heartfelt show and it helped me survive the early parts of quarantine. So far, this season I am noticing how detailed the musical performances are. Mandy Moore is doing an AMAZING job. The choreography is *chefs kiss* I also feel like the song choices have been great and not always the ones I think that would be picked. We are getting to learn more about each character and watch Zoey and her family as they continue life after losing Mitch. I am here for Mo and Max’s restaurant. I think the concept would be so cool in real life. Who knows maybe we’ll see one now. (Max’s rendition of ‘Numb’ was amazing. I’ve never heard the song like that and I think it might be one of my favorites of the season so far.) I hope Max and Zoey get back together by the end of the season. It did feel fast, so I do understand why they had to break up, but it still makes me sad that we watched them get together and then it was taken away from us. The last episode before the break was so powerful and I think the show did an amazing job applying real world issues into their plot. It did not feel forced at all and brought so much awareness. Upset we have to wait so long for a new episode. 

SECRETS OF SULPHUR SPRINGS

Are you looking for a good mystery, but don’t think Disney Channel can provide it? Think again. I have to say, when I started watching I was not expecting this show to be a part of my monthly picks. It pleasantly surprised me. The show involves the mystery of a young girl, Savannah, who went mysteriously missing at camp back in the 90s. Apparently, her ghost still haunts the hotel that was on the camp grounds to this day. Then Griffin and his family buy the hotel with intent of fixing it up and reopening it after all these years. The people in the town think they’re crazy because of its past. But there’s something more going on with Griffin’s dad as well as some of the other adults in the town. They know something about Savannah’s disappearance, but aren’t saying anything about it. While this is a kid’s show (and only half hour episodes) it has been interesting to see where the story will go. I’m sure I am imagining much more intense things for her disappearance than what actually happened. It’s also not super cheesy or have bad acting, which is refreshing. (I really feel Disney Channel has gone down.) Either way, I don’t know how many episodes are left to air, but I think we’re pretty close to the end. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining mystery I would highly recommend.  

MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE

And here come my period pieces (ironically both from Masterpiece/PBS this time). I know last year I felt like I watched a lot of historical watches at the beginning of the year. We’ll see if that continues to happen this year too. It does serve as a nice escape. Plus, these are some really good stories. 

Miss Scarlet and the Duke is a part of Masterpiece Mystery on PBS, although it aired on a different network in the UK. It is (another) mystery series (shocking I know with that title!) It follows Eliza Scarlet who has a nose for mystery, but as a woman living in the Victorian era does not have any rights except for being a wife and mother (two things she would rather not be). When her father dies (apparently from a heart attack...emphasis on apparently), she takes over his Private Investigator business. Much to the dismay of long time family friend William “The Duke” who is a Detective Inspector for Scotland Yard. Eliza is often in his office as she gets arrested for being places she shouldn’t or trying to get information out of him. This element of Eliza having to work in a very male dominated Victorian society is one that I feel I haven’t really seen on a TV show. I really like her dynamic with William. There’s always that feeling of “will they won’t they,” but I don’t feel the show just focuses on that. The mystery is the heart of it all. This last week’s episode was REALLY GOOD. As we got to find out more regarding her father’s death. I hear a lot of people want a season 2 and I am right there with them. This show deserves it. 

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

Another PBS Masterpiece watch. I love this show, so much more than I was anticipating. It is so heartfelt and makes me so happy and in a good mood after watching it. It follows James Herriot who has recently graduated from veterinary school, but is struggling finding a job. Then he gets a call from Siegfried Farnon’s veterinary practice in Yorkshire. Siegfried is known for having a harsh demeanor and temper, so the assistants he hires don’t often last long. Spoiler alert, that should be pretty obvious, James does. The cast of characters are so lovely and I like all their relationships with one another. The show takes places in the 1930s and I realized I don’t often watch things in this era, so that has been fun to explore. The sets and locations are BEAUTIFUL. In the episodes, we often get these amazing shots that sweep over the exterior and I want to travel to Yorkshire like tomorrow. (See more escapism, it’s great.) The main plot follows everyone interact in the town and watching James become a more confident and experienced veterinarian (which I decided I could never do after watching). I heard that it has been renewed for a second season so that is so fantastic. 

FATE: THE WINX SAGA

The first things I heard about this show was how disappointed everyone was in how they decided to adapt the Winx Club show from their childhood. On this I can agree, but I decided to watch the show anyway. I pretended that it was something new entirely and I have to say I enjoyed it. Of course, there were parts that bothered me and then I had to remember it was a teen show, so angst would be annoying. I think overall it was too short (and should have at least 8 or 10 episodes), but I’m happy that they were able to conclude the main plot well. (Although we did get that cliffhanger, but it is exciting that it was released the show just got renewed for a second season the other day.) I really liked Silva-mainly because it was great seeing Thomas from Downton Abbey in something else. I also enjoyed seeing Jacob Duchman in more things. It was a surprise to see him in Medici and I am just happy he is adding more to his IMDB. 

Quick and addicting watch. Add it to your queue. Just forget it’s supposed to be based on something else. 

BLOWN AWAY SEASON 2

Continuing with the Netflix picks, one of my FAVORITE picks from 2020 got a season 2 and it is already on Netflix! That’s right Blown Away season 2 is now available. I seriously loved the first season of this show SO MUCH! Glass blowing is such a magical process and I am mesmerized every time I watch it. It felt weird starting this show with all new contestants, but then Alex came back as a guest judge and I was so happy. It is just as addicting and I cannot wait to see who wins this season. I am just trying not to rush the episodes. 

VIOLETTA SEASON 3 UPDATE

I know you were all dying to know...

After taking a hiatus from watching during the holidays, I have gotten back into watching the Disney Channel telenovela on Disney Plus. I am now on episode 68. Things are really starting to happen and I am finding myself getting sucked in again, which makes me happy. Episode 60 (pictured above) had A LOT happen and really was a turning point for the second half of the show. Can’t wait to keep watching. Some really awesome songs from these last set of episodes. 

AND NOW FOR MY NOT LOVING IT PICK:

LEGACIES

This third season has really disappointed me so far. As I’ve previously discussed on this page, it feels like they are just reusing previous plots from the last two seasons when there is so much more they can do. There was so much promise for this show and I loved the Vampire Diaries and Originals so much, that it’s sad to see Legacies miss the mark. I wish they gave Hope more storylines that didn’t revolve around Landon. She is such a strong character and is SO POWERFUL. This is something we rarely see and it shouldn’t only be shown to save a guy (multiple times). Their couple plot is continually doing the same thing. I want to see a lot more development with this show over this season to keep me watching. I am actually happy that there isn’t a new episode until March 11th. (That’s saying something...)