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mobagehelllocal · 3 years

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“lucky ending” extra notes i & iii

Hi, I said I would do it but then I released ver i so long ago that I felt I shouldn't do this unless I had another version out at least so yay! finally! ... I'll add ver ii here when I get around to writing it... *shifty eyes* So as usual, this is just my thought process and ideas while writing lol.

*please do not read if you haven’t read “lucky ending” ver i (dorm leaders) & ver iii (rook & lilia).

It was inspired by an anon ask and the button tradition from Japanese schools.

The anon ask went like this: First at all, I like do much your writing and I hope you are doing well. Second, I was wondering what would happen if the MC (Fem!s/o I guess) decided to not go back to her world, like she decide stay with her villain? Can you do make headcanons of this for the dorm leaders? Thank you very much. – from Anonymous

The button tradition, as narrated by the first years, is done when one person confesses and the other responds by giving them the button closest to their heart. In most Japanese uniforms it’s the second uniform, but in Twisted Wonderland--I looked at the ceremonial robes and the closest button should be the fifth. Maybe. I could be wrong.

The songs I listened to while writing this!

The original dorm leaders (and Rook) was written while listening to “Lucky Ending”, the ending theme of Fruits Basket. The English lyrics (translated by otenkiame!) are:

“Change is important. I want to do it well,/ but I wanna cry. It's still bad. I wanna cry”

“The word "goodbye" has disappeared completely from this world/ All that remains is me fooling around next to you/A day you don't laugh won't come anymore”

“I've understood it since being here/ These feelings of wanting to protect you aren't a misunderstanding/ If we can call what connects us bonds,/ everything changes/ everybody changes/ Even if in a different world, it'll never be different/ everything changes/ everybody changes/ Don't change, ever/ Stay here, stay here”

I think it’s obvious why I chose to use this as the title of the series. It’s a story about change but it’s also a story about the things you don’t want to change... And I think it’s not wrong to want to hold onto things.

I also listened to the same playlist that I listened to while writing “wendy?” “hello peter pan”:

“Can’t help falling in love” cover by Annapantsu, “If you’re not the one” by David Beddingfield, “Who Knew” by P!nk and “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift.

For Lilia in particular, I was listening to three Beauty and the Beast songs on loop. “Evermore” by Josh Groban, “Days in the Sun” by the live action cast and, of course--”How does a moment last forever” by Celine Dion.

“How does a moment last forever?/ How can a story never die?/ It is love we must hold onto/ Never easy, but we try/ Sometimes our happiness is captured/ Somehow, our time and place stand still/ Love lives on inside our hearts and always will”

Also for Lilia, Tolerate It by Taylor Swift.

“You're so much older and wiser and I/ I wait by the door like I'm just a kid”

“I made you my temple, my mural, my sky/Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life”

Malleus was definitely the first piece finished. Closely followed by Vil’s. I believe there was a gap inbetween them before I did the others? I wrote bits and pieces of Leona, Idia, Kalim and Azul’s. I think I finished Leona, Idia, Kalim then Riddle because I distinctly remember saving Azul for last.

One of the most important things for me, is that each story stands distinct of each other. So I gave myself a really hard time trying to figure out how each one uniquely belonged to each of the characters.

For the Prologue... I think because it’s set at the graduation of certain characters, I used that to my advantage and implied the stronger bonds between the Yuu!Reader and the entirety of the cast. Because a lot of time has passed and I feel like--regardless of what other people believe, bonds will be made and relationships will have strengthened enough for it to happen.

Riddle is honestly another really difficult character for me to write. I generally do love him and I enjoy his story, but something about him is difficult and I’m not sure why.

I think a part of me is also really miffed because from Heartslabyul-Savanaclaw, you could feel that Riddle really cared for Yuu on some level but then he just straight up disappears come Octavinelle chapter. I feel like there was potential to develop their relationship even more.

He WENT UP AND TIED YOUR RIBBON I REMEMBER I WENT DOKI DOKI OVER THAT.

I feel like because I’ve established that it’s a Yuu!Reader, it’s impossible for this story to not include both Ace and Deuce. So of course they featured in really big roles for this one, being responsible for telling Riddle the story.

I have to thank my friend, Mes, for bouncing ideas with me. They were the one who suggested what I could do with Riddle’s story by having ADeuce play such a big part!

I also tried my hardest to include Trey and Cater, and I’m pretty happy with their cameo. In a way, they definitely helped Riddle figure out his own feelings for you.

My favourite lines are: “I think you earned that much. I don’t believe anyone’s ever been in your situation before so—there’s no right or wrong about what you’re doing. It’s all about what you want to do.”

I wish someone would tell this to Yuu in general though. They’re the only one who has ever been in their situation (to our knowledge at least) and like... they’re definitely allowed to be even more selfish.

Leona is someone who I used to dislike a lot. I never hid that. It’s primarily because of how disappointed I am in the story of Savanaclaw probably. But like, I was always concerned about writing him properly because I thought that it was only right that I did right by him, because there would be people reading these stories who loved him. And I felt like I had to do right by that love.

I think... it’s wrong to believe that characters... villains... cannot fall in love or “won’t fall in love.” I think it’s wrong also to think that “people don’t change for love.”

In fact, people do change. You definitely shouldn’t change yourself to be loved, but... people change all the time to be their “better” selves. So whose to say that a good person, who you love, will not make you want to improve yourself? Isn’t that what we want when we meet people? To fall in love with someone who will ultimately make you better and never worse.

Or so that’s how I try to write the Twisted characters when they fall in love... With an understanding that “morally” the person they are falling for is “kind” and “good” and how a part of them might just want to be better just for that person. (Especially Leona and Azul). They don’t necessarily have to be nice to everyone, but if they can be better for one person... We stan healthy character growth.

But yeah, Leona is driven by understanding that he’s a very selfish person. But that he’s also very unfortunate and he doesn’t want tie you with someone who, he thinks, is actually worthless. He probably, deeply, thinks you deserve more.

Though his selfishness eventually wins out and well... Won’t you forgive him for it? :) For tying you down to this worthless second prince?

I think his own self-awareness does make him try harder. Not for everyone or everything... but for you. Just for you. I think that would be Leona’s love language--spending time with you, trying for you.

He’d appreciate if you didn’t call him out on it though, that would be very embarrassing.

Looking back, I’m surprised that it was the only version where none of the other boys from his dorm showed up lol. Which means Ruggie is the sole character who has yet to appear in the “lucky ending” series, huh.

My favourite lines from his story that still leaves me breathless and patting my past self in the back: ““I’m home—” you said—even if a part of you felt that home should have been two green eyes, a cocky smirk, and a warm patch of sunlight on the grassy ground.”

Like honestly, what was I on? Who was she?

Azul is, like Leona, someone who is so keenly aware of the things he’s lacking. In fact, he’s someone who thinks he’s lacking when he’s probably perfect in some aspects. He might act proud but a part of him--I think--thinks its not enough. It’s never enough. He can certainly do better still.

In that light, it’s why he thinks he’s undeserving of a partner. Especially one who is “kind” and “understanding.” While ultimately, Azul deserves people in his life who are that and “accepting” of him--I think he still thinks he doesn’t.

And thats why he lets go of the Yuu!Reader. It’s why he doesn’t “chase” after her like Leona did.

It’s because he’s selfish, because he wants her--that he forces himself to let go.

Azul needs someone who’ll tell him that he is worth something and that he’s definitely worth the effort. So please praise him a lot until he’s crying in happiness. I’m sure it’s the one thing he’s always wanted to hear from people around him.

Also my Poly!Octavinelle Agenda has never died and I am pleased Past!Ai got away with so much Poly!Octa hints in this story lol. But honestly, regardless of wht Octavinelle says... god, you can tell they genuinely care about each other.

I recently rewatched Octavinelle’s chapter and... by god, the amount of things I missed out on first watch. Jade’s concern when he realized Azul wanted to get rid of that photo... The fact Floyd was so willing to drop the fight to return to Azul too... Anyways, Poly!Octa Agenda for life.

Favourite lines: “Azul’s pathetic whimpers turned into guttural sobs. His fingers spread to cover his eyes—and his glasses slid off his face, down to his lap and then to the ground—at his actions. His whole body shook as he cried his heart out.”

It’s not as poetic as a lot of my other favourites, but for some reason these lines always get me when I reread them. There’s something so visceral about it.

Azul’s piece is probably the least visually stimulating out of all these stories? His was so emotionally driven compared to the others and I worried a lot about that.

I think I remember I was crying so badly as I was writing this.

Kalim is really hard for me because I feel like I struggle a lot with finding conflict in his character? He’s such a genuinely nice person, I find it hard to believe that the Yuu!Reader would feel alienated from him or something. So I brought in “environment” to get in the way.

My use of celestial imagery for Kalim is because of the Scarabia trailer! I really loved how it put Kalim as the sun and Jamil as the moon. I definitely will take advantage of that when I get around to writing for Jamil.

So because I wanted to use the sun, I chose to use the idea of comets for Kalim? I think I remember something about how meteors are drawn to the gravitation pull of the sun and can “escape” it or “be destroyed” by it. Haha, hot.

Jamil is someone who ultimately cares about Kalim too and I had fun writing his banter with the Yuu!Reader. I think I wanted to decribe the shadows licking his face reminscent to the marks from his Overblot but... I felt like doing that would give Jamil too much focus so I ultimately decided against it.

It would’ve been hot though.

Oh yes, one thing I wanted to talk about is Kalim’s rushed proposal. I remember people talking about it in the tags, comments... even in asks at that time. The reason he does it is because he’s someone who didn’t realize his feelings until you spelled out your own. It was a sort of: “Oh. Right. That is the word I’d use to describe my feelings.”

My favourite lines from his story is: “How does one bid goodbye to the sun?” and “No one ever willingly bids goodbye to the sun.They spend the rest of their lives trying to find the right way back to it.”

My god, who was this genius.

Vil is probably the most visually stunning out of all these stories. I feel like my stories go from super vivid imagery and setting to just complete emotional disasters lol. (Vil being the former and Azul’s being the latter... not that it’s bad, it actually suits the characters).

Oh man, I remember thinking that Vil is such a hard character to write because we don’t know what his motivation for perfection is. All we knows is that he wants to be the best but, why?

It’s like, for example, Idia. His motivations could be otaku-related. He doesn’t want to go to class because he’d rather go play or something. That sounds in character--but Vil was so hard because he wanted perfection.

But we already see him as such a perfect character, so what else did he need to be even more perfect? In that light, Chapter 5 did a really good job on presenting Vil’s motivations.

But honestly, I think I can comfortably say that the Vil I’ve written so far is pretty accurate? To his character. I’m really grateful I read his chat lines because his comment about intelligence really got me thinking about his possible motivations. It made it really easy to understand that Vil wasn’t like majority of the real world’s influencers.

One other thing that I was really happy about with his story is the use of the flower language. It’s something I hope I can use more because it’s so beautiful.

Oh! And the roses the Yuu!Reader talks about are double delight roses. They are specifically bred to have two colors--yellow in the center and pink on the outside. I thought it fitting that the Yuu!Reader breed special roses for Vil.

They can be called... err... Vil Roses?

My favourite lines from his story is: ““My happiness will not be dictated by others—no, Vil Schoenheit is a person who will grasp happiness with his own hands.” [...] “I’m giving you this button because I’ve already found happiness by your side.””

This line was actually inspired by Zelda C.W.’s MYth series. Specifically Hera’s story, Will.

Idia ...for him, I somehow had a very hard time imagining him trying to tell the reader to stay. Like that didn’t compute for me? I felt like his version was better approached in a more comedic light somehow.

I also felt that it would be cuter if the Yuu!Reader had already chosen to stay and Idia would need to hastily retrack his confession... Unfortunately, Yuu!Reader won’t let him.

Honestly looking back on it, I wonder how much of Chapter 6 is going to make me scream and want to rewrite Idia’s part?

My favourite lines from his story is: “He was never particularly good at lying—nor was he good at keeping secrets from you. You were a person he considered a dear friend—and he was always the type of person who ended up spilling everything to you. He liked being able to talk about the things he enjoyed—he liked that he had found someone who wanted to hear him out.”

A lot of my interpretation for Idia is closely linked to personal experience as an anime, manga and gaming fan. It was just a couple of years ago where people would actually be bullied for liking these things--but nowadays its become a norm. It’s... stunning actually but it makes me happy to know that maybe nobody will be judged for loving anime.

That being said, Idia’s longing to find someone he can talk to is something I really relate too--back then, it was so difficult to find someone to talk to about my interests... So I interpreted Idia as much the same. That what he enjoys about the Yuu!Reader is their ability to simply sit and listen to him talk.

Malleus... man, recently I’ve been starting to fall in love with him all over again. He was my first oshi ever... Anyways, moving on. You think I’ve talked enough about immortal x mortal but nope, we are not done. I love this theme in general, romantic or platonic.

I will never shut up about it you can’t make me.

Sebek having a good enough friendship with Yuu!Reader is such a delicious concept. Like mutual respect and Sebek understanding that Yuu!Reader gives Malleus a different type of companionship that Sebek, Silver or Lilia couldn’t...

And also, ultimately, Sebek and Yuu!Reader do love Malleus. In different ways, but I like the thought of Sebek respecting that and respecting the Yuu!Reader.

Me realizing just now that Silver joins Ruggie in the: “has never appeared in a lucky ending fic club.”... Sorry Silver, I swear soon. Once we get more content on you.

Celestial themes for Malleus are primarily, again, because he only ever seemed to meet you at night. And I thought it would be wonderful, if you were a bright spark to him.

Favourite lines are definitely: “Oh, bright light… I would prefer to live the rest of your life by your side… rather than spend centuries contemplating what it could have felt… to hold you in my arms.”

I am, always, going to be such a big sucker for the idea of immortals constantly remembering and loving mortals. Always holding them close in their memories, because in that way--their lovers have become immortal with them.

I also like to imagine that he eventually figures out a way to connect your worlds together so you can still talk to your friends and family from that world. He is one of the most powerful magicians around, I’m sure its possible.

Rook was honestly the most difficult piece for me to write because he’s so hard(?) for me to understand. He’s a mess of contradictions honestly and I... guess I’m excited to see what he’ll do come Chapter 6.

I actually rewrote his story so much. I got about 500 words with a different idea/plot in mind before deleting that completely and restarting from scratch.

I feel like Rook is someone who talks big and talks about love without actually knowing what it truly might feel like. He’s someone who doesn’t understand it and ends up mistaking it for his fascination.

Aside from me enjoying inserting other characters from the same dorm as much as possible, I felt that Vil was the perfect person to snap some sense into Rook.

Epel’s appearance there is basically to reflect how much I really hope the first year kids get really close to one another.

Rook is also someone who I think, doesn’t try to explain himself too much. He’s someone who I think talks a lot, but if people don’t understand him then he doesn’t need to be understood? That’s my impression. Lol, when “lucky ending” became a character study.

I also really loved the idea that Rook was fine with people running from him--to him that makes it all the more thrilling. But then you start running away from him and that just ends up making dread pool in his stomach.

My favourite lines from his story: “‘When something ends, it must be sad. So, tell me then, how an ending could be so beautiful?’ [...] .‘But there was one ending that was beautiful, non?’ [...] ‘That’s right. ‘They lived happily ever after’—are those not the words that define a beautiful ending?’”

I used the dusk metaphor for Rook. My idea is that he starts seeing dusk as an ending and how he can’t fathom how any “ending” is beautiful. When a story ends, it’s not beautiful to him, humu. But when that ending is the happily ever after then... That makes all the difference.

Lilia was actually easier than Rook’s but also fairly difficult. I had written the middle of Lilia’s piece while stumped on Rook’s actually. Lilia’s was probably easier because I love the idea of immortals and mortals.

I don’t really like the idea of mortals becoming immortals. Like, yes, it’s certainly sweet and spending eternity with a one true love is definitely the best possible ending but... I think there’s so much weight in an immortal choosing to love a mortal while knowing that they will ultimately lose them.

The biggest theme for Lilia is definitely time.

Thinking about it now... There’s been a lot of things in real life that’s just... Made me think about how we have less time than we actually think we have. And I think I ended up channeling that through Lilia... Though I feel like it is ultimately things Lilia would think about though.

The most important imagery would probably be the stars.

I honestly wanted to avoid it because I used celestial imagery for both Kalim and Malleus but the words just flowed out in a way that I felt that I couldn’t replace. So I went with it.

Lilia is no stranger to loneliness. One of the reasons he feels less alone is because he has family now and he doesn’t want to rob you of that. Family is so important to him because they are people who are meant to be with you--they are people who will make you less lonely--or so thats how I think? he thinks.

My favourite lines from his story: “He would relish in the way—You made the world pause. You made a moment extend into an eternity. You made an immortal crave just a little more time.”

I’m so immensely proud of this one? I don’t really have much else to say. There’s something so raw about it that I love. Also the part where it continues on to say that “Because there is never enough time.”

Me realizing my extra notes is just half me simping over these characters, half sharing headcanons, have actually giving good advice? perspective?, half song lyrics, half character study/analysis?

“lucky ending” is about change. Whether we want them to happen or not it’s... the human condition to change. For better or worse, we change--day by day. I think we all operate under a small panic about how everyday things are changing...

But “lucky ending” is also about the things that don’t change. Won’t change. Will never change. The things worth holding onto, the thing worth fighting for... or so I’d like to think.

#aimuses #ainotes #ai lucky series #twst #twisted wonderland #its 6 AM HEEHOOO

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thegoodgayshit · 4 years

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Luz’s mother really doesn’t want to send Luz to camp. She knows once she leaves, there is no going back. But Luz has a knack for getting into trouble, and one day she stumbles into the same type of people her mother would have preferred she avoided. After helping Luz dissolve her high school bully into dust, Eda and Lilith know right away that this kid is just like them - a child of the gods. So Luz hops on a Pegasus and heads to Camp Half-blood, where she embarks on a dangerous quest that makes her both friends and enemies... and she might even save Olympus along the way.

Chapter Eleven: I Get Threatened by the King of Athens

There was a tense and uncomfortable silence. Luz had a sinking feeling in her gut, like pieces of a puzzle were coming together in a game she hadn’t agreed to play.

“What do you mean Amity isn’t with him?” She said quietly, not moving her eyes away from Theseus. If she had thought he was cute before, now the sight of him made her blood run cold. She should have listened to Gus. “Achilles captured her in Boulder. Where is she?”

Theseus pursed his lips. “Achilles isn’t always the most tactful. He has his own agenda too. He was supposed to bring Amity to my boss in Colorado, but he went off the rails, literally, and took her to his new place in Kansas City. Fled from our boss because of some disagreement between them.” Theo scoffed, rolling his eyes. “As if we could even refuse to begin with.”

Luz was stunned. “I have… so many follow up questions.”

“Kansas City? Like… our next stop?” Gus asked with a frown. “That’s one coincidence.”

Theseus hummed in annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’ll soon figure out that few things in our world are a coincidence. The gods are pawning you even as we speak. You met the flower crown lady in Cincinnati, who gave you a job to prove to the love lady she made the right choice in favoring you.” He gestures to Luz with a roll of his eye. “Then, your daddy gives you a hand in the train station to make sure you’re on the exact right path they need you to be on, so you can’t mess this one up. So sure, coincidence.”

“My dad?” Luz asks, not sure what Theseus meant.

“The map,” Gus hissed in realization. “As the god of travelers, some kids of Hermes must have special abilities with map reading.”

“Then there was the way she could haggle the price down without even trying,” Willow added with wide eyes. “He’s also the god of merchants.”

“See, what did I tell you?” Theseus said with a smile. “You kids are quick.”

Luz didn’t like feeling like an idiot. But that’s what was happening right now. All the time she and her friends thought they were doing something good, all that time Luz felt guilty thinking this was her fault and the gods had been manipulating their quest from the beginning.

Her anger must have shown on her face because Theseus shot her a sympathetic smile.

“Don’t feel too bad, Luz. It happens to literally every great demigod.” His face hardened. “In Athens, my quest in the Labyrinth was half a test of skill and half a test of wit. My father promised me glory and honor by coming home a hero, and when I got back on my boat I didn’t even have to touch my ship the whole way home. It was like the sea guided my boat home on its own, and I knew my father had blessed me. Do you know what happened after that?”

There was silence between the three of them. Luz remembered the story, but with the look on Theseus’ face, she knew she couldn’t say it.

“Poseidon didn’t raise the white sails when I arrived,” Theseus said bitterly. “My beloved stepfather had asked me to when I arrived so he knew I was home safe. When I arrived, I was the new King of Athens, because he had thrown himself off the roof thinking I was dead. Poseidon killed him.”

Theseus sat back in his chair, a look of complete misery on his face. “I blamed myself too, you know. Then, when I died, the gods couldn’t even spare me then. The judges wanted to send me to Tartarus. But Minos argued that because I slew the Minotaur, I deserved Elysium. In the end, I was punished to roam the Fields of Asphodel forever.”

Willow and Gus were looking at one another, but Luz was so enamored by the story she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She had always been a sucker for a dramatic tale.

“I forgot everything. Who I was, what I stood for. And then my boss came to me and pulled me from my torment. I was alive again, and a new man. I would never serve the gods as long as I served him.”

“The man in the mountain,” Luz whispered, looking at Theseus unable to disguise her fear. “Who is he?”

“The reason I’m here is so you never find out,” Theseus said slowly, and the three of them flinched. Theseus chuckled under his breath.

“Sorry, not like that. I’ve come as his messenger to offer you a deal.”

“A deal?” Willow said with a frown. Luz shared the sentiment. Why would the man who had been tormenting Luz’s dreams for weeks want to spare them?

“Look, you kids have a good heart.” Theseus continued, eyeing each of them carefully. “My boss knows that. I’ve now seen it myself. We’re all pawns in the game, we always have been. You didn’t ask for this quest, so my boss is giving you a chance you won’t get if you continue forward to Colorado. Go to Kansas City, take Amity from Achilles, and go straight home. Leave this whole thing alone and spare yourselves the pain and heartache.”

“But all of Olympus will fall without Hestia,” Gus protested, “we have to save her!”

“But why?” Theseus asked, and Gus fell silent. “Why can’t an old age of pain and suffering just end? My boss will allow a new era to rise, and demigods can live peacefully with the other mortals. I can see my father again. You can all go home without needing to fear a monster will hunt you down. Luz, you can have a normal life with your mom where she doesn’t have to worry.”

Luz flinched, and Theseus smiled slightly. She didn’t know how he knew about her Mami, but she didn’t like the way it rolled off his tongue.

“Stop that!” Gus demanded to Theseus, and he looked over at him innocently. Willow reached over and put a hand over Luz’s.

“I am just being truthful,” Theseus said, and Gus’s eyes hardened.

“No, you’re not. You’re deceiving her. You went to Tartarus because of how you treated Ariadne. You abandoned her on an island and she would have died there if Dionysus didn’t save her and make her his wife.”

Theseus froze, and for a moment his expression changed, going from sympathetic to cold.

Willow nodded along to Gus, pointing an accusing finger at Theseus.

“You were a war criminal too. You kidnapped the Amazons and the Spartans and caused a war for the Athenians between them. You were exiled because you treated others so terribly. The gods didn’t force you to be awful.”

Theseus’ eyes flashed furiously. “I am offering you demigods a way out! A chance to escape the prophecy.”

“Why would we want to do that?” Luz butts in, narrowing her eyes. “The prophecy told us we would bring Olympus peace.”

“The prophecy says nothing of the sort,” Theseus growled. “Don’t trust the words that can be so easily twisted. It also says you will dawn a new age. That is exactly what my boss is trying to do. And unlike you, I’ve heard it in its entirety. One of you is doomed to die, and that is why Amity would not tell the camp what she heard. She assumed it was her, and that is why she told her companions to run. But I know better. It will be one of you three.”

There was silence again, and Luz felt her mouth open and close fearfully. She didn’t know what she was going to say. Theseus got up from his chair, adjusting his notebook and pen to tuck it under his arms. Luz realized he was leaving.

“You don’t need to decide now,” Theseus said carefully, though he was clearly still angry. “My boss just asked me to pitch the offer to you. You’re still heroes, and now that you know where Amity is I imagine you’re going to go find her. Last we heard, Achilles was planning on hiding in the musician's manor in Sunset Hill on the west end. Look for the gold lyre outside.”

He pushed his way into the aisle, turning his head one more time.

“If you chose to continue, my boss will not hold back. We will do everything we can to finish our mission, and that includes stopping you if you get in our way. And I can promise you this, you are no match for my boss.”

Luz’s chest flared with anger as the entire conversation hit her at once. She hated Theseus. He was a huge bully, who was so mad at the world he blamed everybody else for it but himself. Luz knew better, and if his boss was anything like Theseus, then she hated him even more than she already did. Standing up, she balled her fists at him and stared him right in the eye.

“You’re no hero. We’re going to finish this quest and free Hestia, and we’re going to do it right. You can tell your boss we’re on our way.”

Theseus paused, but he didn’t say a single thing. He just looked at Luz sadly, like he was trying to decide what color coffin would go best with her skin tone. He walked to the front of the bus and whispered something to the driver. The bus screeched to a stop, and Luz had to grip Willow’s hand to keep herself steady. Theseus got off, and the bus started moving again. Luz collapsed into the seat, and Willow leaned into her shoulder comfortingly.

“That was really brave, Luz,” she said, and Luz shook her head.“No, it wasn’t. It was stupid. My Mami was right, I have a terrible habit of making enemies.”

“Theseus is an enemy,” Gus assured her, “but now we at least have some information.”

“Yeah, like how Amity is in Kansas City,” Willow said. “We can go get her tomorrow morning.”

“That, and that the man in the mountain is more scared of Luz than we originally thought.”

“What?” Luz sat up and looked at Gus like he had three heads. Gus shrugged his shoulders. “Theseus was trying really hard to cover it up, but their plan is dangerous. He is trying to keep us away from the plan, not protect us from it.”

“That’s a bold assumption, Gus,” Willow said with a smile. “But it’s also optimistic! I like it.”

“What about the little detail that one of us is going to die?” Luz said with a frown. “I don’t like those odds at all.”

“We won’t know what’s happening with the prophecy until we find Amity,” Willow reassured her. “For all we know, he could have been lying to us to try and scare us into submission. We can’t think like that. Trying to change a prophecy never works.”

Luz groaned, covering her head with her hands. “This is so confusing. I’m sorry I dragged you guys into this mess.”

“We want to be here, Luz,” Gus said with a smile. “Besides, I always knew Theseus was not the greatest, but today my theory was actually proven!”

“Yeah, what a jerk.” Willow agreed. “Sorry we didn’t believe you, Gus.”

Gus rolled his eyes and nudged Luz playfully. “Don’t. I saw the way you guys looked at him. We can’t trust every attractive demigod we run into anymore.”

Willow blushed, but Luz laughed, nudging Gus back affectively. “He has a point.” Luz reached down to her lap and picked up the Tupperware Theseus had given her. “Do we think this is safe to eat? Because I’m starving and I don’t want to go find Amity on an empty stomach.”

Gus snatched it out of her hands. “Don't eat that! For all we know it could be poisoned. It's enemy food.”

Willow had completely ignored both Luz and Gus and was busy eating half of the sandwich. “I had some when he gave it to us. It’s safe.”

“Great!” Luz snatched the container out of Gus’s hands and popped it open, her mouth watering at the sight. It was a fresh PB&J on white bread and an assortment of crackers grapes and cheese. She dug in, finishing the contents in what must have been a record time.

Gus grumbled something about how we were risky and totally stupid, but he ate along with them. By the time they had finished, the three of them were sitting together comfortably, and Luz’s eyes were getting heavy. Willow nudged her with her shoulder.

“If you and Gus want to sleep, you can go ahead. I’ll take first watch.”

“Are you sure?” Luz definitely wanted to sleep, but she didn’t want to leave Willow watching by herself.

Willow chuckled, putting her backpack between her and Luz, so she could rest her head on it. Gus settled in next to Luz, resting his head on his own pack against Luz’s side.

“I’m sure. Try and catch some sleep. We don’t know when we’ll get another chance.”

On that happy note, Luz wasn’t sure how she would be able to get to bed with her mind whirling. But as soon as she rested the pack against her head, she found that she was so exhausted from the day’s events she fell right asleep.

The dreams came again, and Luz found herself standing in the mountain, hiding behind a huge metal shipping container. She poked her head out and saw the man in the mountain, his back turned to her, staring straight forward at a huge metal cage. Inside was a girl, no older than fifteen, dressed in white rags and sitting with her hands bunched up to her knees. Luz thought she might have been very pretty if she wasn’t looking so haggled, her copper-haired pulled back messily and her eyes sunken and tired. Despite her half hazard appearance, she was staring at the mountain man with disdain, like he wasn’t worth her time at all. Luz liked her instantly.

“Why won’t you just give in?” The man said angrily, slamming the base of his bronze staff into the ground. Luz had never seen him with the staff before, he usually had a sword. He was cloaked in dark robes, and Luz could see parts of a dark mask sticking out from the front of his head. “You’ve been here for weeks now. Your fire should have died long ago.”

“The fires of Olympus are not so easily extinguished,” the girl said softly, frowning at him. “As long as there is hope, I will remain here.”

“I will crush your hope beneath my feet!” the man roared, and Luz flinched at the volume. The girl in the cage did not seem so easily frightened, and instead, her eyes flickered beyond the man and towards Luz. The two of them made eye contact, and Luz was shocked to her core by the warmth that flooded through her. Her eyes were the color of dying embers, and Luz couldn’t help but smile.

“Hope remains,” the girl said, but not to the man. She was looking directly at Luz. “And so I remain.”

Luz didn’t realize the dream had shifted until she was somewhere else. She was standing in a huge room reminiscent of an old ballroom. The tiles were white and smooth, and the walls had a golden wallpaper draping them. Everything inside was expensive, but the furniture was pushed against the wall like it wasn’t needed. Outside the polished white windows, Luz saw a massive garden and a long driveway, and then towards the street, she saw a stone plaque that read “1200 West, 55th Street”.

As Luz turned her attention back to the center of the room, she did a double-take. There was Amity, chained to the middle post with her eyes closed, looking worse for wear. She was still in the clothes she had worn when she left camp two weeks before, and she was grubby, with cuts and bruises all over her body. Luz lunged forward to help her, but the sound of laughing from another room startled her so badly she diverted and slide behind one of the expensive sofas hiding from view.

Two men emerged, talking amicably with each other.

“I don’t know how you managed to get away, you’re bound by eternal oath.” The first said, and Luz peaked over to get a closer look. He was a tall and skinny man dressed in simple white cotton pants and a blue shirt, with long black curly hair that sat messily on his head.

“I haven’t technically broken any oath yet,” the second said, grinning deviously. He was much larger than the first man, with muscles on muscles. He wore a sleeveless white shirt that was so tight Luz could see the outline of his stomach, jeans, and white sneakers. His dark hair was close-cropped to his head, and he had two swords hanging loosely on his belt. “Belos can wait a little longer. Besides, this is in his best interest. The prophecy says so.”

He reached down towards Amity, cupping her chin with his index finger and thumb, and Luz felt a snarl pulling itself angrily from her lips. She tried to rush forward but her limbs felt like lead, and she was frozen in place.

“She doesn’t look good. Keep her alive until the other kids get here. I put a bottle of nectar in the fridge.”

“Belos better come through with his promise.” The first said lowly, crossing his arms. “Taking out three demigods on my own is not how I planned to enjoy my new life.”

“You will be compensated for your work,” the second said with a shrug. “If there is one thing he is, it’s practical. He appreciates your time and effort on our joined mission.”

The first sniffed disdainfully, “very well.” He looked over at Amity, and his eyebrows pinched in concern. “Are we sure she’s breathing? You know I don’t do well with pets…”

Luz was interrupted by something shaking her violently, and she woke up with a yelp, her head smacking into something. She groaned in pain, rubbing her forehead.

“Ow!” Both she and Gus said at the same time.

Luz looked around and realized she was back on the bus, and that it was now almost dawn. The hard thing she’d collided with was Gus’ own head, and the boy was now standing up and leaning against the seat for support.

“That’s the last time I wake you up,” Gus moaned, shaking his head like it would get rid of the pain.

“We’re here,” Willow said, doing her best to stifle the laugh. “We just arrived at the Kansas City bus terminal. We have to get off and look for Amity.”

“No need,” Luz said certainly, standing up and throwing her backpack over her shoulder. “I know exactly where she is.”

#the owl house #lumity #luz x amity #Percy Jackson AU #shelby speaks

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thebestoftimes · 6 years

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50 QUESTION BOOK TAG FOR WORLD BOOK DAY

By me, Jess. I made this for world book day but then got depressed and didn’t post it on time lmao but here ya go kids be warned though it’s a long one. Also the numbers thing got fucked up and I couldn’t fix it. I got a lot of these questions from other tags I’ve seen and google so if something sounds familiar... that’s why.

Who or what sparked your love of literature?

Aw my parents fueled my book habit when I was a kid and took me to the bookstore all the time and since then all my teachers have always encouraged me and made me love books even more than I thought possible.

Do you have an ‘odd’ book habit? (page sniffing/never leaving the house with a book)

It’s true that I never go anywhere without a book. I got one in my backpack or purse or reading on my phone but it’s always there.

Do you have a book that you think has changed your life? How?

A lot of books and series have made significant impacts on my life (like I can’t picture elementary school without Percy Jackson being in my life) but like as a person I can’t think of any one book that has changed who I am. It’s been a team effort.

Which book have you reread most frequently?

I think I reread Hush Hush every year lmao idk why

You can meet any author and ask one question. What author would you chose and what question would you ask?

I’d want to meet Shakespeare and ask him if all his characters really were just that gay or if we’re all reading too much into it.

Best book published this year so far?

It’s only March but The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Imagine you’ve started a book and don’t like it. Do you see the experience through to the bitter end, or are you able to talk away from it mid story?

I used to always finish what I started but now that I’m in college and have a mountain of a TBR I’ll just stop.

What book is top of your wish list/TBR pile?

Uhh A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos is on top rn

Favourite place to read?

My bed. Boring but a classic.

If you buy books, do you lend them out? Ever had a bad experience?

Of course. No all my friends respect my stuff and return them promptly.

What fictional character do you ship yourself with?

So many but I think Gansey and I from The Raven Cycle would make the best couple.

Weirdest thing you’ve used as a bookmark

I use whatever near me so I might have done something weirder but lately I’ve been using tissues because I have a tissue box by my bed and never real bookmarks. But I’ve used graded homework, a toy car, a crayon, earbuds, etc.

Favorite quality/qualities in a protagonist and antagonist

Wow this is s hard okay for protag I am a sucker for like stubborn, smartass with a martyr complex. Sad but true. Antags I love a good morally grey character or anti-villain. Tragic backstory but smart as hell. The worst (the best). Characters like the Darkling from The Grisha Trilogy, and Warner from the first Shatter Me book (I know he’s a good guy NOW but back then we all thought he was a sadistic and sexy villain).

Favorite genre and favorite book from that genre.

YA Urban Fantasy babyyy and that’d be City of Bones by Cassandra Clare or Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare:)

Best/worst movie adaptation in your eyes

Best: Harry Potter and The Hunger Games | Worst: Percy Jackson

Do you prefer reading your own books, or library books?

My own.

How do you choose your next book to read?

Literally whatever I’m feeling like at the moment.

Your favorite word.

I love many words but I have a soft spot for “lively” and “lilt”.

Book that got you hooked on reading/how you got hooked.

I’ve always been obsessed with reading but The Peter and the Starcatchers Series was like my shift from nicotine to heroine.

Opinion on dog-earing, margin writing, ect.

I only write in the margins of books I have to read for class/textbooks. And that’s for studying and active reading purposes. For any other situation: no.

Top 5 immediate to read in no order

A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab

Most underrated book you’ve read

Definitely The Foxhole Court/ All for the Game series. Fairly small fanbase for some of THE most amazing books I’ve ever read. And the memes will have you in stitches.

What is the first book that catches your eye when you look at your bookshelf?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell because of the exceedingly bright cover/spine haha

How do you arrange your books on your shelves?

LOL I do not have a system at all. I keep series and authors together and that’s it. Everything is placed where there is room.

You have the power to change a book’s ending. Which ending would you change and what would you make happen instead?

I’d change the end to Allegiant and SPOILERS SPOILERS not make Tris fucking die over her shitty ass brother. I know why she did it but like Veronica girl wyd with that. And I’d want the entirety of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins to be rewritten into a book that just focused on the domestic life of Finnick and Annie and no one dies.

Favourite book cover?

This is SO HARD. Either The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin or Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Which book from your childhood has had the most impact on you?

My entire personality was shaped by the Maxmimum Ride series by James Patterson. For better and worse.

When reading, what do you value most: writing style, characters, plot, world building, pacing, etc?

Characters. I think all of those things are essential and as I read more and more, the pickier I get, but I find myself leaning towards being a fan of a book when I become obsessed with the characters. Like hey!! New friends!!! For my brain!!!

Do you prefer buying books or borrowing them from a library/friend?

Buying them even though I shouldn’t. It’s a real problem.

What books/sequels that are being published this year are you most excited for?

SO MANY OH MY GOD

Okay some of these already came out because it’s March right now but I’ll include them anyways.

SEQUELS/ SPIN-OFFS AND SHIT

The Wicked King by Holly Black; King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo; Dream by Natalia Jaster; Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare; The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare; Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco, Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater; Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi; The Shaw Confessions #3 by Michelle Hodkin

FIRST BOOKS

The Binding by Bridget Collins; Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan; The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi; A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer; Romanov by Nadine Brandes; The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen; The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Which fictional character would you want as a sidekick?

Percy Jackson because he’s my firstborn son and one of my favourite characters of all time. He is talented, smart, hilarious, an amazing friend, and the sweetest of boys (when he isn’t the sassiest of boys).

How many books have you read so far this year?

Only 15 I am so behind :(

What’s been your favourite read so far this year?

Oh man. Gotta be Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo :)

You’re stuck on an island with a suitcase big enough to hold five books. What books are they?

I probably shouldn’t cheat and say How to Build a Boat huh

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The King’s Men by Nora Sakovic

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

If you had to go out to dinner with any character who would it be and why? What would you talk about?

Will Herondale and we’d talk about books

Is there a book you have such a hatred for that you would throw it off of the highest tower knowing that the last copy of it will be destroyed so that not another living soul can read it or would you rather keep it and give it to someone else who might actually enjoy it?

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne or After by Anna Todd

Do you believe books make nice decoration?

I mean. I think they should be read before used as decor but I love showing off my books so I guess both. But I don’t believe in buying books for the purpose of decoration instead of reference or reading lol

Do you listen to music when you read? Or do you need complete silence?

I need silence or low amount of white noise. I used to read and listen to Taylor Swift when I was a kid but I can’t do it anymore.

Do you have a favorite book? If not are you in the group that believes there are too many great books out there to just choose one?

I tell people it’s City of Bones by Cassandra Clare but in all honesty no I don’t have a favourite.

Do you sleep with books under your pillow.

Nope

Do you go to the library or do you have a book buying addiction or are you one of those lucky people who is able to do both?

I do both. Mostly bookstore though.

Own any book inspired clothing?

Yes. Several items :)

Have you ever read a book in another language?

I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Tristan and Isolde, and Beauty and the Beast in French. And parts of Les Mis.

Strangest book you’ve ever read?

John Dies at the End by David Wong. Still not sure exactly what was going on.

Favourite type of non-fiction?

Memoirs babey

Favourite non-fiction?

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Favourite subject to read about?

History

Favourite book you’ve read in school?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Favourite work of Shakespeare?

Hamlet

Character you’d love as a mom or dad or guardian?

Hmm Sally Jackson, The Women of 300 Fox Way, or Tessa and Will (they totally count because The Last Hours Series)

I tag literally whoever wants to do this and @fangirl-daydreamer97 @acleeds12 @iviisastrawberry @221bdoom @bicycles-bees-bisexuals @betterthanapit @dippindots126 @vlctorvale

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perfectackeracy · 6 years

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“When the story stops sucking...”

Ok so you’ve probably noticed my lack of reviews and activity in general. Even the anime didn’t make me raise my voice more than usual lately.

I’m gonna make it short: my lack of activity on meta and theories is mostly due to a lack of passion and interest regarding the manga events. It’s been since April that I haven’t written anything globally consistent, and it was mostly because the chapters were devoid of an interesting topic to elaborate upon. Everything I wanted to say was scattered in my asks and I had no motivation to sum everything up.

When I first started this blog, I mostly held theories about what was going outside the walls, what were the enemy’s true motivations and how the story could end. Even after the dull battle that was RtS, there was still something to elaborate upon: who was Zeke? What’s going to happen to Reiner and Bertolt from now on? What’s located inside the basement? What is the truth behind the world? Back in the day, I was more passionate on character analysis and what lies behind their motives.

The first major ragequit I’ve experienced was two years ago: two of my favorite characters died for some cheap, unnecessary drama (that wasn’t that unnecessary when you analyze Isayama’s words). At that time, when the basement’s secrets were revealed, I was more interested in how things can turn dark on Paradis than attachment to what’s left of the characters, since my favorites were on the other side of the ocean, dead or dead inside. Still, the prospect of a dark Eren following the wrong path because he can ws interesting enough to keep me interested.

Then we’ve got the Marley arc. An arc I was more than happy to follow, with an exclusive point of view from the fighters located on the other side, a team which has my favorite and a bunch of kids I came to appreciate. Naturally I would deliver as I’ve always delivered up until a certain point. You had Reiner dealing with the pain and the guilt accumulated through these years, the interactions between the group of warriors, an empire on decline, Zeke’s questionable motives, Eren’s presence that will ultimately cast doom, not only on Marley but also on the rest of the world, including Paradis.

Then the SC came and things weren’t as interesting anymore…

It’s almost as if the SC’s reintroduction brought anything I didn’t want out of the series: we’ve got the same dull fights since RtS, the same plot-armored cast, the same sob comedy we had an arc ago and Zeke’s character who currently looks like an expy of Light Yagami and his 456138D chess consisting in anticipating everybody to accomplish his goals. The entirety of Vol. 26 was more a deception than a satisfactory volume.

We’ve transitioned from a geopolitical festival to a full-fledged battle with a twist at the end, as well as some flashbacks, and the whole thing was either dull or laughable. Let’s review this point by point to show you how disappointing this whole mess was.

The action sequence

To summarize the whole battle: Eren transforms into the Attack Titan, the Warhammer had him cornered, Mikasa saves him at the last minute, Jean and co. barge in and defeat the Marleyan troops, Warhammer has more resources but Eren can put two and two, Porco comes to Sister Tybur’s rescue but overestimated Paradis, Porco was saved by Pieck, Zeke comes in, Zeke has to act, Armin nukes the harbor, Porco gets distracted and fucks up, which leads to Zeke being captured and Pieck fucking up, as Pieck was about to be finished, Falco and Magath interfere, the kids hide Pieck, Porco fights against Eren but panics in front of the zeppelin, screw up and allowed Eren to use him as a nutcracker, Porco almost dies but is rescued by a suicidal Reiner, everybody boards up safely and fuck off from Liberio with Zeke, another titan power, and the last remaining cadets, one of them successfully killing a soldier who had death flags on her for a long time.

To be frank, I’m not sure how people can think it’s a good battle overall. On one hand, you have a bunch of soldiers in gear with titanium plot armor and on the other hand you have a team of warriors who need to be ridiculed through and through and pass for incompetents as Eren does his job without suffering any consequences during the battle. The most active, Pieck and Porco went from careful to suddenly disoriented, being put down by their enemies just like that, not making this fight even equal. It’s not even close to RtS’ sense of battle, where the SC was backed against the wall before returning the situation with crappy tactics. Here, we’re witnessing an emergency plan working rather well. Too well even. 6 deaths in total? Really? On the other hands, you’ve got Marley depleted from two more titan powers, Pieck’s panzer unit and a couple of soldiers.

Concerning titan fights, Porco and Lady Tybur held their own against Eren but were wrecked not so long after they gave their best. Porco in particular is a huge contradiction, who went from prideful (vs. Levi) to careful (to Pieck) to outright rushing everything (seeing the Colossus and seeing the blimp). It was a bit embarrassing on his behalf.

The battle also recycles some common elements that are quite tiresome to watch: Mikasa saving Eren when he’s getting backed in a corner, Armin’s basic plans -that nobody could ever guess-, always working while everybody acts like a clueless moron around him, Jean being contradictory… For an arc supposed to illustrate the divergence of the main trio, there wasn’t much to show except both Mikasa and Armin being disappointed in Eren’s actions.

Even the major deaths of this arc were neither shocking nor impactful. The most shocking deaths I can recall were Udo and Zofia’s because they were kids, but they weren’t painted as prominent characters in the cadet batch unlike Falco and Gabi. Next we had Willy Tybur, whose death was expected in the same chapter he died in, his sister, who had a fair chance to only serve as a placeholder to be eaten, and Sasha, who not only had red flags being painted all over her (killing the guards in front of Gabi, being the only one not wearing a breast plate), but was the subject of Isayama’s planned death (from Oita’s Q&A, March 2018). Sasha was already a non-character at this point, and him spending a whole funeral (when no other character got this privilege) was just plain obnoxious.

The characters

I’m still amazed -and not in a good way- by how bland the main staff became. Supposing it was remotely entertaining to make me root for them, my thoughts would’ve been something other than “Jesus fucking christ when will someone die already Gabi please shoot these fuckers”.

In simpler terms, Eren is by far the most entertaining character of the SC so far. While I understand the need to oppose Eren to his comrades in terms of ideology, his opponents are either uncaptivating or uninteresting to watch.

Armin is, of course and by far, the biggest offender. From the victim of Eren’s actions, he’s the one who opposes Eren’s individualistic views, but his character -or rather, his lack of- makes it hard to sympathize with. Simply speaking, a simpleton like him would’ve been better if he didn’t enjoy himself like an idiot after not only inheriting the CT, but also living at the price of Erwin. His unexplainable mastery of the CT at the same level than a natural like Bertolt, as well as a poor copypaste of the sad giant who never wanted this feels at the same time forced, redundant and bent over for the character’s convenience. The way a gary-stu would. To add more on the injury, Hange, the commander, passes as a complete buffoon in front of him, going as far as to praise his basic plans and compare him to Erwin. When you combine Isayama’s interviews and his position in the story, the way he comes off as a special snowflake feels unwanted. Even more when he got to live at the expense of two -potentially- more interesting and more popular characters.

In the end, we’ve got an amalgamate trying to narrate the story to Annie, who wasn’t seen for six years, but who was used as a confidence pillow. Considering Armin is a grown man who, in the end, chose to go with Eren and used gary stu nukes against Marley, am I supposed to sympathize with this? You know, it’s a good thing Armin tanked in popularity. His character was borderline insufferable in the former arc, and in this one, you just wish someone would mercy crunch him.

Fortunately Armin is by far the worst, but other members have their characters suffering post-timeskip. Special mentions to Hange and Levi. Hange either switched between the eccentric clown and the serious commander. While I’m ok with them being less competent than Erwin due to the pressure, they’re also a vet losing all their team members and yet displaying the personality they always did before timeskip. It’s no longer the squad leader specializing in research, but the commander, sometimes incapable to maintain a serious side, like when Yelena introduced the anti-Marley soldiers. While there’s a certain pressure coming from Zeke’s directives but also Eren’s decisions, their whole character is somewhat lackluster. Going from almost leaving the strategies to Armin to outright try and be friendly with Eren while he’s, once again, jailed, right after scolding him.

Moving on to Levi, while he held his promise for later I’m under the impression he became a meme without convictions more than anything. All he does in these chapters is threatening Zeke, which can be fun the first time but quickly becomes annoying, since we’re getting back in the old ways where Levi lacked development and was simply the clean freak, who also happened to be Paradis’ strongest soldier. He doesn’t have much usefulness in the story except being the sharp razor cutter of the group. Considering what Isayama said in the character directory it had to be expected, but it’s still annoying.

The character I’m feeling sad for so far are Historia and Reiner: Historia because she still doesn’t know what she really wants and bends again to someone else’s demands, even giving her body to fill the conditions of a potential savior, all at the expense of her freedom, pride and happiness. I’m surprised she agreed with Kiyomi’s conditions so quickly, however. Meanwhile Reiner was feeling suicidal up to the point of letting himself die. Had it not been for Gabi and Falco calling him, Porco would be dead. Still disappointed the volume didn’t end on his point of view. Besides, I was expecting him thinking about Bertolt during his coma, since Eren picking him up was similar to how Bertolt picked him up as they were kids. Yet another blueballing moment for Bertolt’s closure… Oh well.

Jean is more or less okay. His character is consistent, but he feels to much like an underdog in comparison of other characters who have been put in front. He’s still the same guy who acts tough but still has a moment of hesitation. I still don’t get why he’s used for convenient survivals, especially when he decided to not toss Gabi and Falco away from the blimp. Gabi, a trained soldier, killed Sasha, who was one of your besties for a long time? Ok let’s not throw them out and blame Eren on this whole fiasco!

I’ve said my mind about Floch, but him becoming a fanboy of Eren was unexpected and I’m curious to see what role he’s going to play in the future. Connie’s reactions to him teaming up with the man who was responsible for his village being devastated is too lackluster. Still, him describing Sasha’s loss as a part of him dying was touching.

Sasha was practically a non-character whose death would’ve been more impactful if it was set on for earlier. Isayama let her not only for the sidelines for way too long, but she ended up being the only “major” death on Paradis, with a couple of death flags on her. The result was not only predictable, but quite obnoxious with the over-extended funeral. Her character never got past the food jokes and Isayama is adding another layer of grief and mourning. Layer that could be shortened and used for something else. If there was another one I’d say ok, but this extra mourning is just really unnecessary. No character, not even Erwin, had this treatment before. Is it happening because Sasha doesn’t require much plot significance like Marco?

Gabi deserves my appreciation however. Her motivations to become a warrior were touching and understandable if you’re a member of a minority who strives to be accepted among other folks who sees you and your upbringing as inferior.

Zeke is a complete enigma. His actions are the ones impacting the plot the most and I really don’t know what to make of this. His movies are clear and at the same time they aren’t. Clear in the sense that he plays everybody like a fiddle to reach some goal. Unclear in the sense we don’t understand precisely what this goal is and what pushes Zeke to do this. Whether it’s for the common good or his own safety. The keikaku master exposition is becoming old if we keep exploring yet again what’s happening on Paradis on the third year. It’s cool Zeke is at the origin of both solutions and conflicts, but nothing is really explained.

The current plot

Or more accurately, monkey shenanigans 2.0. They’re not really the most compelling but they’re interesting enough to follow the series monthly. Despite that, we’re getting more questions than answers with all these chapters. If Zeke sides with neither camp, what is he fighting for exactly?

Since vol. 26 was mostly battles, not much questions have been answered to, and in the end, we’re spending more time with Paradis’ cast, getting more and more unlikeable with each chapter, falling into their own ways, rather than finishing with Marley, a cast we’re accustomed to since vol. 23. It would’ve been much better to end the battle of Liberio on Marley’s point of view first, then explain the flashbacks after. Engaging on an exposition dump was a clumsy move, and ending the battle to see a bunch of soldiers attacking another nation like terrorists acting like a bunch of clowns feels off compared to the settled tone.

Plus, so many scenes could’ve been shortened or skipped to insert other character moments instead. Sasha’s funeral comes to mind. You could’ve cut it half and have Historia thinking about Ymir when Kiyomi made her a proposition. The food jokes are outdated anyway and they make the story feel more embarrassing to read than comical. Same thing as Levi threatening to make a sopa de macaco. Still a tier better than food jokes, but still annoying.

The sudden transition to Paradis really makes me wonder, overall, why I should care about these fucks while the Marley arc started with another perspective? You just can’t let things unfinished and have an exposition dump in the meantime.

#snk spoilers #snk 107 #snk vol 23 #snk #attack on titan #snk meta #meta #on a positive note #pixis is the best character on paradis so far

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nicolehampton · 3 years

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NICOLE AND ZEKE PARA 001.

TAGGED: @zekehq & @nicolehampton TRIGGERS: n/a

NIKKI.

looking down at her the time on her phone nicole could almost feel her rolling eyes meet the back of her head. dating wasn’t her thing anymore, she’d done the whole ‘meet the love of your life, fall in love, have a kid, get married (or almost get married... twice)’ thing, the rebound turned toxic - broke her down to almost nothing, and the guy who was too nice and she probably would’ve destroyed a year down the road. it just… didn’t work, over time nicole had accepted that. she sat there with half a mind to text jordyn something offensive about making her get out of bed, get dressed up, just to meet some random person who she wasn’t going to have any interest in but instead, she locked and tossed her phone back into her purse & polished off the wine in her glass. if she was dressed up, sitting at a table for two, she wasn’t gonna let zeus’ sitter go to waste. the blonde chose to wine & dine herself (more wine than dine), go back home, crawl into bed, & pretend this ever happened. stopping a waiter, the femme asked kindly to be brought the bottle she’d been sipping on and fought the urge to call someone to fill the seat. that would’ve been pointless because madi was at home with her newborn, as was olivia, and she couldn’t think of a friendly way to text her ex to save her because she got stood up. though fate itself seemed to have other plans. after the bottle of wine had been brought to the table, and nicole filled her glass just enough to get through another twenty minutes of acting like she willfully went out to dinner by herself, her green eyes flickered up towards the door, zeke immediately commanding full attention - until the gut wrenching idea of him being there on a date too struck some sort of cord. did that stop her from smiling like an idiot? absolutely not. she did however wait a minute or two to see if some undeserving, all too beautiful (for her own liking) creature walked in to join him. that felt like the longest 120 seconds of her life, but she lost no time in grabbing her phone and sending an almost all too obvious, “you look too good to be sitting at that bar alone” text message.

ZEKE.

after dropping hades off to hang out with kinsley and katia, even with the reluctance over who was in charge of things, zeke didn't waste time in making his way to moonshadows. grabbing drinks wasn't enough of a reason for the blond to go above and beyond with an outfit that tethered on the side of dressing to the nines, but looking exactly the royalty he viewed himself was was non-negotiable. there was an easy mood, and a reserved amount of relief over the reality that he was going to be drinking. perhaps it was a bad habit, how often and how thoroughly that isaac found himself with a drink in his hand but he couldn't admit to it being a problem. his kids came first always, and distorting the world for a couple of hours seemed reasonable. even more so with the added benefit of having his best friend to drink alongside him. he almost cocked his head back towards the door as he settled into a set at the bar, but the vibration of his phone in his pocket caught his attention before he could further wonder over the whereabouts of the femme who had setup the whole hangout. his features furrowing slightly as he slipped the phone from his pocket to lay it atop the bar, looking to the bartender and ordering a glass of whiskey for his first drink of the night as he scanned the one line text from nicole. just the realization that she could see him, brought isaac's attention to sift over the expanse of the bar he was seated at before he turned to get a full gaze of the place. when amber hues come into contact with the visual of the love of his life, a faint sting of the history that lay bare between them tugged at his being. if it wasn't enough that the king twin was often kicking himself mentally for his first fumble in their would-be love story, he was further given more ammunition on how idiotic he could be with the view before him. still, in true king fashion, a smirk lifted over his lips as he typed out his reply. "me? niks, have you gotten a good look at yourself? any day you're on fire. tonight is no exception." a bitter, unwanted idea festers up with a vengeance as he presses the send button, forcing himself to swallow the lump that followed his realization. the blond felt minimal relief when his drink was placed in front of him, barely pulling his gaze from niks to grasp the glass. he almost downs half of it, but watching nicole on a date? that wasn't something his sanity nor his impulse control could handle, so he disregarded the faint idea that he might not be allowed to take the glass away from the bar and made his way over to the table that nicole was seated at. a forced smile pushed as he took the free seat across from her, curious on it's empty state but not at all concerned over whether or not she was waiting on someone to return. "so, what's this? you, on a date?" subtle had slipped out the window at the first indication that she was on a date with someone new.

NIKKI.

she froze mid-motion with her wine glass in hand when he saw her. unless she wanted to ruin the dress she’d gotten, surrendering the glass in hand was her only option due to the torturous tick of a tremble. it felt like it had been months since the last time she’d had an excuse to see him, when in all reality it had only been days at most. still much too long to go without feasting her eyes on the only real object of desire she’d ever had. the only real sense of home she’d ever known and one person she’d come to understand she’d always belong to. it was somewhere between his wedding and that ending, that she came to terms with things had really finished between them. but that damn look he gave her, the way his gaze washed over her felt like a little piece of heaven and she’d find a way to make that enough. a little bit of zeke was better than nothing, a part of her knew she’d never be able to handle them crumbling to nothing. there was only one person who’d had any kind of true hold on nicole’s heart and that was isaac king. she’d tried to fight it - but it was pointless. he’d stolen the entirety of her, which was all the more reason dating was mundane. she had nothing left to give, the man who’d captured everything she was, her heart and soul, was sitting only feet away. the soft exhalation that left her lips the second his response popped back up on her phone felt almost like treachery. with a shake of her head she texted her two responses “hmm, briefly to do my make up.” nicole paused to extend a smirk in his direction, “charm truly never fails you? not that i’m surprised… gotta say still think you’ve got me beat tonight, king.” it wasn’t a lie, per usual, she’d caught sight of him and her heart did somersaults, pulse picked up in pace, the brief escape of getting to type out her reply gave her a moment to remind herself of their current situation and her need for composure. but control was in impossible when she looked up only to see zeke sitting at her table. his question stung slightly, knowing had she not ran away from him the last time she had, she probably could’ve been… with him, and they probably would’ve been happy. “more like i was ambushed into meeting up with someone, who according to jordyn i had to meet, but mr. perfect didn’t show.” her heart screamed ‘oh but he did! and he’s sitting right there, don’t fuck it up!’ the second she relaxed into her chair finally feeling at ease for the first time since leaving bed. she could almost feel her eyes light up and glimmer as a smile tipped her lips upwards, “how about you? who’s heart are you stealing tonight?” god the question damn near provoked a physical reaction, but cringing would’ve been rude, so she had to bring her own glass up to her lips to wash down the idea and ease the bitter aftertaste of the thought.

ZEKE.

catching the momentary halt in her movement only served to arch the blond's brow, but his features relax a millisecond later. resigning himself to the reality that he would always find some amount of difficulty in being wrapped up in even the brief company that was nicole hampton didn't make it remotely easier to absorb the physical reality of it. even with some distance between them, she took his breath away and the concept of her dating, a bitter memento to the fracturing of their relationship. it was bittersweet, to be surrounding by the person who owned him in ways many before had only wished to achieve and knowing that he couldn't have more than her friendship. in favor of the emptiness that surfaced in her absence, the blond was determined in all his obstinance that he would indulge in the pieces of friendship he was given. if anything, the femme was being generous and as much as his entirety abhorred the mere illusion of niks out on a date with someone else, he could begrudgingly suspend his own annoyance. the brief slip up in the back of his mind that seemed to surface of his drunken marriage, even with how quickly it had fallen apart, reinforced the idea that he could at least pretend to be supportive of her dating endeavors. still, even as the experienced actor he was, the blond couldn't seem to relinquish the idea that nicole was supposed to be his. letting that ideology slip was going to be a work in progress, worse than forcing himself to tolerate his sister and best friend's husbands. (and he hadn't yet mastered the tolerate part of that.) finally seated across from nicole, his features were alight with humor and arrogance as his gaze shifted across the screen of his phone that he placed atop the table now. his brow quirked up at her words, and it wasn't the first time he found himself disagreeing with nicole's compliments. "as flawless as you are with or without it, surprised you don't get caught up in your reflection more." he verbalized their text conversation. while anyone else could say or text him those exact words and zeke would agree, that he had them beat in the looks category, this was nicole. his ego was enormous in it's own right, but when it came to the femme across from him, he had never been disillusioned on the reality that she was the definition of stunning, ethereal in her existence even if she couldn't seem to agree. "i've been known to be charming, but i couldn't read a single bit of that last part cause your phone didn't send it right. all i can see is you looking immaculate, drinking wine and... alone? that's criminal." he decided, a small smile found it's way to his lips. his features fell flat as he awaited her answer to his question, a sinking emotion slipping to the pit of his stomach until he caught onto her words. specifically a singular name that wreaked with far too much familiarity, his thoughts trailing back to his own intended meet up with his best friend. "jordyn, huh?" he should've felt a twinge of betrayal, but as he was piecing it together he could only feel a bubble of amusement trickling in. a low chuckle resounding verbally as he cocked his head. "not sure i believe there was ever a mr. perfect intended to show up," he paused, offering a smirk as he winked. "besides me." he attempted to tease, a play of his usual superiority complex. her question brought another bought of amusement, a genuine smile slipping out at bother the realization and jordyn's attempt. "well, i was supposed to be meeting jordyn so we could do what we do best: get wasted." he offered, leaning back against the chair he was in and taking a sip of the whiskey in his glass before he placed it on the table, suddenly feeling less tense after piecing the small puzzle together in his head. "but i think we were set up."

NIKKI.

a better woman would’ve known after two failed attempts, it was time to move on. to keep the memories, the lessons, the good and the bad and get on with her life. a better woman would want the person they loved, truly, purely, almost tortuously too much to have the world and be happy. but looking at isaac, smiling & sitting across from her in his painfully gorgeous glory all she could think of was how he could see at her without comprehending that without faltering she’d give him everything she could. herself entirely, past, present, future, her world, her last breath, the entire world moon, sun, and stars included. they were bonded, their soul ties were undoubtedly indisputable. whatever happened in the past didn’t matter, because the love she held from the very beginning ran deeper than most people knew in a lifetime. yet they sat, only a table width apart and it felt like light years from where she wanted and needed to be. what she needed was to be thoroughly immersed by everything that was isaac king, brought back home, the reformation that she was his and he was hers. the awareness didn’t stop her from reveling in his proximity and presence soaking in the way he sat down and like some sort of divination everyone else in the room faded away. so rather than stare like he was the last thing she’d ever look at, nikki folded her arms on the table - green eyes rolling at his compliment, corrupted by the heat that rushed to her cheeks and the grin the accompanied it. “it’s the glow you get from a king sitting next to you, flawless is reaching but sweet. thank you. there are better things to look at, though.” in all reality as much as she enjoyed catching a good glimpse of herself, she’d lose hours getting lost in the perfection sitting across from her. even now with their history, she was sure she wasn’t transparent with stealing glances of him, smiling like an fool because together or not, home was wherever he was, getting lost in everything that made up isaac king. offering a small laugh the blonde tipped her head to the side, “well, when you put it like that… thank goodness you ended up coming along because that does sound criminal.” entertaining him while he pieced together everything she’d failed to until it was laid out in front of her, nodding slightly when jordyn’s name slipped from his lips, nikki caught her lower lip between her teeth to keep from beaming. “that’s even better cause i was gonna end up texting you to pick me up after i found a window to sneak out of later anyways.” sitting there in what seemed like a fever dream, she couldn’t deny that he was most certainly mr. perfect, mr. right, mr. one who got away especially when he relaxed into his seat forcing her to use every ounce of self-control to simply walk across and fold herself peacefully against him. “i’ve been set up with worse… and since we’re here, we might as well indulge your little hellspawn. i’ve got a sitter until 2 which means there’s time to kill. but unless you plan on keeping me tonight and keeping me outta trouble, i can’t get zeke and jordyn wasted. it’d be a sin in and of itself to let the table and jordyn’s effort go to waste though.”

ZEKE.

moving on was supposed to be a feasible, reachable option for most people in the world— but zeke king didn't have the option of retracting his heart from the beauty across from him. nobody in the world could scratch a hand at enticing the actor's attention, definitely not in a similar manner as to the way that the blonde across from him had managed to wrap him around her finger. if felt surreal to be seated across from the femme, and to know what it felt like to have all of her only to let her slip away from him. twice over. three times if his drunken mishap counted and the regret that surfaced was only another thing he found himself searching to drown out in the background noise. despite his own resolution on the fact that he was undeserving of the presence that she retained in his life ( a friend, not solely the mother of his child. ), it was impossible for the male to deny that he was solely for nicole. giving up on finding his way through strangers beds when he realized the emptiness would always linger with anyone who wasn't the blonde across from him, if she wanted him: isaac king was hers for the taking. the depth at which he felt connected to her was incomparable and there was a part of him that wished he could regret meeting her this early in his life, but he wouldn't ever find himself capable of regretting even a moment of his time spent with nicole. the male might dislike the feelings that circled in her absence, but everything about the femme brought a smile to his features. she entertained his ever wandering attention without much effort. nicole hampton was home, she was the one woman who zeke had soberly agreed to walk down the aisle with and the one woman he would risk everything for. it was a bittersweet fact, being completely and irrevocably in love with someone and not being able to have them. " trust me, i'm an expert at this and flawless is... the exactly right term. and it has zero to do with my presence, your glow is all yours. " he informed, leaving no room for debate in the words as his head very momentarily tipped to the right before he straightened up again. a rare moment of humility if only to showcase the blonde across from him and allow her to see his honest view of her. part of him wasn't certain she even believed the words he spoke when complimenting her, but they still shoved to the tip of his tongue as if he was obligated to speak them. he felt an easy smile, a relaxing sensation flood through him at the simple laugh coming from her. "that was exactly my thoughts. i really saved somebody's ass 'cause the punishment for not showing to a date with you?" he made a show of making a face and scoffing. "would hate to be that person on the universe's bad side." he added. as he came to the conclusion of the setup, jordyn's text about a surprise seemed to make sense and she had been nothing besides correct. the blond couldn't be even a little bit upset at the idea of jordyn setting him up to hangout with nicole. he didn't bother to hide the small laugh that came at her admittance. "well, considering i was the intended date, it's a good thing i didn't show up late and i didn't get on the universe's bad side by showing you up unintentionally." zeke offered, features taking in the beauty across from him as effectively as he could manage. the description of mr. perfect replayed in the back of his mind and for once, he couldn't fit the title to himself in comparison. either way, he wouldn't look a gift horse in it's mouth. "ouch, a stinging review..." he playfully pouted before he nodded. "i've got no qualms about keeping you company, and if you think i've got qualms about adult-nicole-knapping you and keeping you tonight? now you're bein' extra silly. not sure i wanna get wasted as bad as i did before, but stealing your time and profitting from jordyn's efforts, i can do that."

NIKKI.

nicole had been so busy trying to figure out what was going on in his mind, trying to hide the sheer maybe too conspicuous giddiness that she’d almost made a mistake. reaching for her wine glass she’d gone too far, almost going in for his drink. not that something stronger wouldn’t have been appreciated, wine was definitely not going to cut it. she found herself in the middle of a messy game, one drink too many and she’d probably spill every damn word she’d been choking down since his wedding. all it’d take was one maybe two bottles of wine or one too many shots for her to ask why the hell he’d gotten married - why he decided to marry someone else when all he had to do was say the word. she would’ve come back, no questions asked, no hesitation. at worst, she’d probably drunkenly apologize for running when she finally had him back again, apologies for not just taking the leap because… as much as she valued him still being a vital and essential part of her life being as a friend it was annihilating her inside. zeke’s compliments forced her gaze downward, it suddenly seemed far more dangerous to look at him and that smile that made her even more grateful she was sitting. her heart was racing like a frightened rabbit fleeing a predator, but to her surprise… the last thing she wanted to do was flee. it was a new accomplishment - another thing to add to the list of personal development. the blonde arched a brow when he’d all but left her no chance to debate, smirking as she looked back up and met isaac’s gaze trained on her own. “well i can’t argue with an expert - i mean i could… but i surprisingly don’t feel like arguing so, thank you. it means a lot coming from the king of flawless, the demon himself.” senseless instinct took over and nicole’s hand reached over and brushed the fingers encasing his cup, the small gesture would be insignificant even obscure to some, but the jolt of electricity reverberated from head to toe from a touch that lasted just a second. nikki was playing with fire but if it came down to getting burned by zeke, she didn’t mind. all too quickly changed direction and grabbed the wine glass and took another swig, “zeke king, knight in shining armor, keeping the cosmic balance by eating dinner with me. very admirable. is there anything you can’t do?” for a moment she was struck speechless, nicole hampton, the queen of talking, speechless. it was a power only he possessed, the ability to make her lose senses and words. she pondered over the words that had filled the space between them created by the sanity of the table. her ‘intended date’ - friends didn’t do dates. friends also didn’t almost get married twice, have a son together, have a handful of moments, think about the taste they left from a kiss, and sleep with each other when one of them got engaged. suddenly, she wasn’t hungry - she was lightheaded by promise. in fact, the idea of getting adult-nicole-napped seemed dangerously promising. "i said i've had worse, not that i had better, so is it really a sting?" she inquired coyly, hiding her smile by finishing off the remainder of her drink and setting the empty glass on the table, sights locked on the blond across from her. “if you don’t feel like drinking, whatever will we do? if it’s promising enough, you might just have to keep me. for the universe’s sake and jordyn’s effort - we might just have to give the people what they want.”

ZEKE.

his thoughts weren't often a place the blond preferred to drown himself, least of all when in the presence of his current company. when his attention zoned back into the nicole, he barely caught sight of the misstep for her own drink. there wasn't a single part of him that minded if she took over on his drink, but he wasn't going for the wine. impulse control was a lost treasure, but keeping a lock on his feelings and everything in his heart was easy— except when he sat across from nicole, who looked every bit of flawless he remembered. a battle between pride and the missing impulse control somehow barely restraining him from telling her all that was on his mind. mainly, that she was supposed to be his. did he have the right to get lost in the woman who held his heart captive after he threw himself drunkenly into another marriage? probably not, but refraining from spilling everything on his mind was enough of a strain on his test of control. tongue sliding over his lower lip, an uncharacteristic bought of nervous energy suddenly brought to the male, he raised his glass to his mouth and took a deliberately slow gulp before he rested it back to the table. for someone who had just said he didn't want to be drunk, the stirring blend of emotions was serving to call him a liar. if he was drunk in nicole's presence, he might attempt to adult-nicole-nap her to a wedding or something else unreasonably impulsive. the primal part of isaac king could only see 'mine' when he looked over at nicole, feeling completely irked every time he was reminded that she had almost walked down the aisle to another. feeling like the space between them was frivolous when all he wanted was to hold her in his arms, every night. amber hues roaming her features the minute she looked down, the smile that found it's way to his lips faltering as curiosity of whether he'd said or done the wrong thing swelled. her gaze returning flipped the smile to another smirk. "you could, but i'd have to say, it wouldn't do anything to change my perception. please, don't thank me for a simply honest thought. " he shrugged, only to be momentarily struck with both surprise and a small jolt of electricity from her simple gesture. that one interaction made it marginally more difficult for the blond to keep himself in check, to refrain from closing the table's length of distance that lingered between them. behind the smirk, his teeth sank into the flesh of his lesser lip and gripped his glass just a little tighter as he reined himself back. "i refuse to lose the favor of the universe and not only would it be universally catastrophic, i'd be personally offended. what can i say? the only thing i can't do is sing, so i hope that's no problem for you." he raised a brow. only a second later, he's second guessing the wording he'd used a moment ago, if only because it felt all too quiet. anyone else in the world could look at zeke with silence and he wouldn't feel half as awkward if he made the rest of the room uncomfortable, but the idea of verbally tripping up with nicole felt unnaturally embarrassing. though his words were true, considering it was clear that jordyn had intended him to be nicole's date, and attempted to go about that inconspicuously. his head cocked to the side at nicole's question, and he pretended to debate. "it was the lack of overwhelming excitement, so yes it stung." he offered dramatically as he playfully pointed towards his heart. "we could drink, if you'd prefer." he arched a brow once more, righting his head as he shrugged. "but as for what else we could do, anything you wanted to do. the possibilities are endless, and i'm a generous royal. it would be devastating if we didn't give the people what they wanted." his smirk widened. "besides, have to keep you? as if you think i'm not a willing participant."

NIKKI.

nicole watched zeke's thoughts stir behind his eyes with bated curiosity and intrigue. they were back to their unrelenting game of catch me, i’m here, i’m waiting, i’m yours. make your move. it had turned into a ritualistic heart wrenching game of cat and mouse. only if she caught him this time, letting go wasn’t an option. the way that his smile withered into that of a cocky smirk made her heart tighten a little bitterly. she knew too well that he’d always possessed more of her love and devotion than she wanted to allot for him. absently she wondered as her eyes wandered on their on accord driving in the very sight of him; how could her man - her man that had the gall to marry another woman when she was so clearly and hopelessly in love with him be even remotely, minutely, offended that she didn't greet him with the same excitement a child would have for meeting santa for the first time. if she granted him that, she’d melt… but that wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. nodding her head, picking at a loose thread on the end of her dress, "sorry that i wasn't at the level of enthusiasm that you were hoping for. my sincerest apologies, demon. i forgot, you like reactive." she caught that her tone had an air of malice or maybe a taunt to bait him into something that she shouldn't have invoked. he’d far too recently gotten divorced. with a little force, she contorted her face into a warm smile, suppressing the smirk begging to twist the corners of her lips. she wanted this encounter to be pleasant, despite everything, this was a chance - a flicker of hope. "i don’t think i can remember the last time i let you get me drunk, king. which is unfair. we might just have to see if i can keep up with you yet? i'll just - pay attention because i may or may not be a cheap drunk?" she chuckled narrowing her eyes at him playfully before listening to his comment about what else they could do, she couldn't pick whether she wanted to laugh or roll her eyes at him. anything was a big word, but he wasn’t wrong on the possibilities being endless. though if he flashed another damn smirk in her direction, the red flags screaming: stop, he moved on. you said friends. would without a single doubt in her mind turn pink and open the door to another realm of endless possibilities. "a generous royal?" nikki queried tilting her head and a lift to the corner of her lips, obviously entertained. "i think it’s safe to say you’re just assuming i’m not excited?" the humor was evident in her tone. "i don't want to be the decision-maker tonight. i’m here for a date with mr. perfect… so mr. perfect, show me the time of my life. i'm curious as to what i've been missing." that was a lie she knew exactly what she was missing. and it was him. the femme crossed her arms under her chest to keep herself contained on her side of the table a safe distance away from doing what she wanted to do and toss herself at him. "why don't you g'head and surprise me, king. since you're so generous. be generous in your ideas." a waiter waltzed by, carrying an empty tray and she raised a perfectly manicured hand to get his attention. with ease, she pulled a card from her purse, sitting upright to slide it onto the tray. "my bottle and his drink. whenever you can please? there’s no rush." the waiter nodded and smiled at her, and she returned it out of kindness. somehow, nicole knew that her little gesture would somehow irk zeke and she subtly got off on that. maybe it’d coax the ‘what the fuck is this? your mine’ she needed to hear. when it was the two of them alone again, the blonde perked up, a coy smirk on her features. "and you can’t even be mad… i’m too cute. be faster next time.” nikki spoke, batting her lashes feeling the need to cover her bases for paying, keeping her wits together in case she was pushing the limit on their line of friends and the date they’d been set up on tonight. “so we going for illegal, morbid, or possibly even... risque?"

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eenefangirlanalysis · 7 years

Text

Kevin and Nazz enter the factory well after Ed and Eddy have left.

See, if Kevin didn’t have that bent tire they would have gotten to the factory in a heartbeat and captured the Eds.

Okay, I just realized that Kevin and Nazz came through the door that the Eds didn’t batter through. Was it really unlocked the whole time? The Eds were quite excited so they may have automatically believed that it was locked. If this is true then it add to my theory that this factory was abandoned.

Kevin has to take his bike inside. Well, maybe I would too considering they’re in an area which is unknown to them. You never know what could be out there, Like the possible killer who Eddy may have inadvertently killed in the woods.

Upon Nazz questioning the rubber snakes Kevin shushes her. Or rather he says, ‘shup’.He practically told his girl friend to shut up!

And Nazz is completely head over heels by this.

She likes being talked down to? Or she thought it made Kevin look really cute.

What does Nazz find so attractive in Kevin? They’ve been close friends for a while. I think it’s because they’re able to tell one another about anything as they’re able to relate to having divorced parents.

Kevin has always seen Nazz for herself. Once he learns that he has feelings towards her Kevin thinks he should act differently. They were never meant to be in a relationship. They were better friends. A relationship may work out later on once they understand love and themselves.

Nazz points out the lit up office.

Edd left the door open when he emerged from the office. Maybe he closed it offscreen. The only reason it magically closed itself is for Kevin’s cop routine we’ll see in a moment.

“You are so on fire today, Nazz!” Kevin remarks as he playfully and roughly punches Nazz on the arm.

These are my favorite screenshots which really describes how the true Nazz feels.

What did Kevin mean by that?

Nazz has always had a hard time trying to understand who she is. She has experimented on different personalities seeing which persona the cul-de-sac reacts to most.

Nazz is considered to be a flat character. The writers didn’t know how to expand her character or make her stand out. She’s basically the girl next down. She’as ultimately forgotten by fans since she adds nothing to the series.

Not for me. Minor characters intrigue me. They’re in a scene for a minute to talk to the main character. And then they leave. Upon seeing this character you want to learn more about who they are and the relationship they have with the main character.

Nazz has a different relationship with each character. She has interacted with each cul-de-sac kid. Nazz’s wish is for everyone to get along and live in harmony. That’s why she always has parties. She doesn’t see the reason why the Eds have to be exiled. I know there are times where Nazz has taken the kids side in making fun of the Eds but its only because she wants to fit in with the kids.

The cul-de-sac kids are not the best people to look up to. All the Eds ever wanted was their friendship. And they could never tell, They didn’t bring Nazz any good either. Since they, and fans, responded more to her dumb blonde personality she chose to stick with it making a fool of herself.

Kevin’s line hurts Nazz. It makes her worry that she’s been taking on the act of air head too seriously. Does that affect her relationship with Kevin? Aside from Kevin, what does it do for her? Nazz is slowly losing herself.

I love what the movie was doing with Nazz’s character. It’s a shame that we didn’t get to see more. Viewers witnessed Nazz in a much different light. A light that revealed what she has been repressing.

Kevin decides to do a good cop-bad cop routine and kicks upon the office door.

I take it Kevin must watch a lot of action movies.

Do you think Kevin would be a police officer some day? He always comes to the kids rescue.

And he must be strong seeing how the door crumbles into dust.

This is where I want to know more about Kevin other then how he loves sports and constantly harrasses the Eds. There is more to him. He’s hiding how he truly feels about himself along with others. He cares. It’s hard for him to show that.

Edd hasn’t read too many mystery novels. He never turned the light off.

I remember pointing out how Edd was coming out from the office about to lecture Ed and Eddy. He wasn’t done with the office yet. Under the impression that his friends disappeared he forgot about the light being on.

Kevin knows that the Eds have been here. He can feel it.

Here’s another example of Kevin’s paranoia. He couldn’t sit still throughout the entirety of See No Ed. There are theories which state that Kevin has anxiety. Much like Eddy he also does a good job of masking it. He doesn’t want his friends to feel sorry for him. That ruins his tough guy jock appearance. And he also doesn’t want to look unhappy.

My head canon is that Kevin’s parents are divorced. Kevin lives with his Dad who have hard time connecting emotionally, and his mom lives in the city. He rarely ever gets to see her because his mom refuses to see his dad on account of how many arguments they’ve had.

Nazz is the only person in the cul-de-sac who knows about Kevin’s divorced parents.

Although Kevin and Rolf are close friends he doesn’t feel that emotional bond. Rolf has different customs. He may not understand the meaning of divorce.

My favorite Kevin episode was Pick an Ed. He acted so nicely around ‘Carl’. If this is how he acts around people outside his cul-de-sac friend group then he must be a different person who also puts on different masks when he has to face the world. Kevin grew a bond with ‘Carl’. If he gave their friendship some time maybe he would have opened up.

Kevin and Eddy would make great friends seeing how they are similar.

Instead of finding all these gags funny it only makes Kevin more riled up.

Nazz freaks out over a fake rat.

Kevin rather violently pushes Nazz out of the way.

He’s not as gentle like how we saw in the beginning of the movie.

I love Kevin’s little foot dance. He’s ready to fight this rat.

These gags only make Kevin angrier by the second.

Head Canon: Before his mom left, Kevin was close with her. She was the clown of the family. I think she always used to play magic tricks and play gags. Seeing these make Kevin angry longing for the old days.

His mother’s leaving messed him up as person. He struggles with anxiety and who he is. That’s the reason why he bullies Eddy. He’s jealous of him. Kevin thinks that Eddy knows who he is upon witnessing how good he is at talking in front of crowds, and even his little talents.

He’s not angry over the missing Eds. He wants to understand why his mom left leaving him confused.

Nazz was painfully shoved into the file cabinet.

Essentially it’s Kevin’s bike that angers Nazz, but what if it’s Kevin himself? He avoids feelings, belittles the community, ad never thinks about Nazz.

Nazz only wanted to be in a relationship because she wanted to follow along with society.

Be your own person.

Nazz slams the cabinet back into place where she comes across a helpful clue.

Uh... you okay, Kevin?

He literally destroys the toy rat out of anger that they can’t find the Eds.

Say, what happened to his wounds anyway?

Rolf’s stomach stays stitched up throughout the rest of the movie. Nazz doesn’t grow her back. And Jonny’s head is under that melon so we can’t tell if he still has an indentation from the bear trap. The artists should have kept his burn marks on his face. He’s out to get revenge.

Nazz shows her artifact to Kevin.

Kevin has no idea what these three words refer to.

Okay, KevEdd shippers if KevEdd really existed wouldn’t Kevin know Edd like the back of his hand?

EddEddy is practically canon. Edd’s trademark is repeating one word three times. And Eddy knows that as he spends his days with Edd trying to understand his person. Kevin and Edd do get along but he’s never made an effort to get to know him.

Nazz has to point out that this is something Edd would say.

And also decides that this is a perfect time to make a move.

I love Kevin’s reaction. He still doesn’t know how to act around Nazz. They’ve been close friends for some time. They weren’t ready to have a relationship. Maybe they’re only to be friends.

#ed edd n eddy #eene #ed edd n eddy big picture show #Kevin #Nazz #character analysis #eene analysis #KevEdd #EddEddy #Ed #Edd #Eddy #cul de sac kids #Rolf #jonny #eene head canons #See No Ed #Pick an Ed #KevEddy

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lialox · 7 years

Text

Gifted Blight AU

Episode Prompto Spoilers. Full story below. :D

Rating: Teen, but with trigger warnings

Pairings: None. Maybe Promptis or Noctis/Luna if you look hard enough.

An AU where the complications of Prompto’s birth actually causes him to be very sensitive to the sun. (You know why.) The sensitivity doesn’t just show itself in freckles and sun-burnt skin.

It shows itself as cancer.

The doctors say it’s caused by the UV light from the sun. There’s no cure. His body rapidly heals what the light seems to decay, forcing his cells to grow unnaturally.

Growing up, it was hard for him to make friends. He knew he was going to die, so what was the point? People always acted different and weird when they found out and he hated that.

But Noctis was different. After telling him of his doomed fate, Noctis only gave him a sad, understanding sort of smile and said:

“Some things are just out of our control. Decided before anyone could have a chance to say otherwise. Everyone’s gonna die at some point--only difference is that, some people know when. Might as well live life to the fullest.”

Then he takes the fourth nap he’s had in a day because they’re going fishing early tomorrow morning. Typical Noct, “living life to the fullest”.

Fast forward to the day they leave Insomnia. Despite Prompto’s failing health, the bros think it’s a good idea to have Prompto see as much as he can before... before he can’t anymore.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to come with?” Prompto asks. He’s playing with his fingers again. “I mean, with my sickness and all.”

“Of course it is,” Noctis replies. “I’ll take you around everywhere I go. It’s good to get out.”

So they take him around Lucis. Through the deserts of Duscae and the rolling hills of Leide. The peaks of Ravatough and the depths of ancient ruins. Prompto records it all in his camera, because he’s not sure if he’ll ever have a chance to see it again. They let him stay, even when Insomnia falls and the Empire is hot on their tail.

Noctis, Ignis and Gladio all do their part in taking care of their friend.

Until they reach Altissia.

In summary, there are two types of MTs: "Imperials” (Niffs who have been powered by Magitek like cyborgs, or use Magiteknology) and those androids who have “Magitek” in their names and have glowing red eyes. People are not commonly aware of it, but those androids have no organic parts to them.

Not anymore, at least. The process goes like this: A human is infected with the Starscourge at a young age. Starscourge is a parasite that develops this thing called miasma (the thing that blocks out the sun later in the game) within its host. Miasma is then harvested from the people as an energy source, at the expense of their life. This energy is then stored as what we know as a Magitek Core. **Reference**

Verstael has spent his entire life studying this process. His most recent project is focused on being able to transfer the will of a human being into these cores--a process that should be completely feasible. After all, the entirety of a person’s being converts into miasma before it’s placed into a core.

By the time the events of Episode Prompto occurs, he’s on the brink of death. It’s been weeks since he’s had his medication as he’s got all of the signs--all of the worst ones anyways. His vision is blurring, he’s got massive headaches that escalate into seizures and the halls he’s wandering all blend into one. He’s coughing up blood the entire Episode, leaned on the walls for support. It’s a wonder he made it through so far, but he had to.

His friends are waiting.

Aranea tries to save him, at the part where she’s supposed to. But it’s not the same, because Prompto... Prompto can’t go on anymore. He’s too sick, and no matter how good of a fighter Aranea is, she can’t escape the facility while dragging a near-unconscious body along with her.

So she makes a call, and damn is it one of the hardest things she’s ever done.

She leaves. Not without leaving some sort of hope though--no, Aranea isn’t that type of person. She hooks him up to some whatever medical equipment she knew how to operate, and disguises him as an MT. A part of her wondered if she even needed to do that in this particular side of the facility. As she turned away she promised him:

“Listen kid. Hey. Hang on tight, you hear? I’ll be back with back-up, it’s just... things are gonna get ugly from here on out. ...Hey, are you even up? I’m coming back, and I’m counting on you to be here so I’ll have something to come back to.”

Prompto doesn’t--can’t respond. He lies there, on an unsettling operation table trying to contain his pained noises. Then a patrol passes by. The magitek unit doesn’t seem to see him as an enemy. It’s as docile as they come, and Prompto gets one of his brilliantly stupid ideas.

He takes it down. Rips out its core. And gods, does he show his mechanical ingenuity when he hooks up the offline MT into the initializing machinery with an empty core.

Then, ever so slowly, crashing into various instruments along the way, he makes his way to where the tanks were. Where the “series” he was from were.

It feels like he’s on several levels of inebriated when he steps into one of the tanks. There’s blood dribbling down his chin and, and gods, he can’t stop coughing.

And the gears start to whir. A pale, viscous fluid begins to pool at his feet.

For a moment, Prompto thought he was going to drown in the fluids that began to fill the tank, but the fear was overwritten by pain as it shot up from his legs first, burning up through his thighs and eating away at his gut like he’d stepped into a pool of acid. He looks down and--oh god, his legs are gone. They’re gone, they’re gone, they’re gone, and all that’s left was a wisp of particles making their way higher, and higher and then there’s ringing in his ears, and he really is choking on that fluid now, and he’s trying to grasp, claw at at his throat but there’s nothing, where are his fingers, and--

Darkness.

It feels like a million years have passed when Prompto’s vision flickers back, and the first thing he sees is himself. Or what looks like him. Then he realizes that it’s impossible for that to be him. He’s looking at a clone. His actual body should’ve faded into miasma.

He takes a deep breath--finds that he can’t... and looks down on to his hands.

They’re made of steel and circuitry. All hard casing and neutral paint.

Prompto almost found humour in the way that a part of him thought he couldn’t do it. Of course he could. He’s the clone of the damned genius who invented all this in the first place.

He’s traded his dying body for an MT’s and he’s never felt better. Now that he can really fight back. Now that he feels nothing at all.

The first thing thinks of is Noctis. He can finally help him now. He’ll stop being dead weight, and they can stop taking care of him all the time. Finally, he can stop being useless.

Prompto has to find out if Noctis is okay. But now that there’s so much that’s changed, he’s not sure if he can face them anymore.

The next time he sees Aranea, it’s at a cave just outside the facility and the meeting came with a spear pointed at his throat.

“Aranea?” Prompto blurts out, his voice a mess of static from a damaged voice box. He’s sitting by the fire, back turned to the water’s edge. He hasn’t had the guts to look at his reflection.

She gives him a similar pep talk to the one they had in game. Of all the tough love Aranea throws at him, one thing in particular struck him right at his heart:

“This is what you wanted, kid. You wanted to help your friends, and for you to do that you gotta live. There’s no shame in wanting to live.”

These words almost carry him to the pinnacle of the Keep, searching for Noctis. He was so intent on helping him from a distance, if he ever saw them. Even with Aranea’s words, he can’t just walk up to Noct as a bucket of bolts. He just can’t.

But it doesn’t go according to plan. Ardyn captures him; binds him in that metal frame.

Prompto’s screaming at Ardyn to let him go the whole time because the only thing scarier than pain and death, was the thought of Noctis rejecting his existence. His existence, which was now truly nothing but Magitek.

Ardyn finds it hilarious. So he guides the whole gang to Prompto.

When Noctis walks into his cell, he’s furious. There’s fire burning on the ring on his hand and magic flaring within his eyes.

“Don’t you get fucking tired of the same joke, Ardyn!?” Noctis spits, turning around and looking for cameras. “Where the hell is Prompto?” Silence. The MT on the frame chose not to stir. “WHERE IS HE?”

“Oh, how awful,” the voice on the intercom coed. “You’ve come all this way, only to fail to recognize the very thing you’re looking for. It must hurt your dear friend Prompto’s feelings.” The voice paused, letting the words sink into the frantic mind of Noctis Lucis Caelum. “Isn’t that right? Prompto?”

And when Noctis speaks, he doesn’t sound angry anymore. He sounds broken. “What the hell did you do him?”

They could almost hear the shrug in his voice. “Hm, nothing at all.” And the voice cuts out.

Noctis extends a hand towards the steel mask. Pries it loose. There’s nothing but metal and wiring on this inside. Of course. They’re called “MT” for a reason.

“Prompto?” Noctis whispers.

Prompto hesitates. It’s only after he realizes that he’s got nothing left to lose that he finally replies: “...Noct.” It sounds like a mechanical whimper. If machines could even do that.

Ignis and Gladio gasp behind him as Noctis pries him free from the metal frame.

Even after all is said and done, his friends still accept him. Prompto wishes he still had the ability to cry.

When he sees the last trace of Noctis disappear into the Crystal, and fires bullet after bullet into the Chancellor’s back, he felt something deep within wrench and twist. His mind clouded with an emotion he couldn’t release and he understood that even a soul on its own could cry.

As it turns out, being an MT was great in the eternal night that followed. Daemons don’t attack him. He could wander around the world with the same--no, even more freedom than he had before, now that he was’t sick. He took on the most dangerous of missions, taking him to the dens of monsters or from one side of Lucis and back. The missions he went on were impossible for a human. The ability to last for days in a world of daemons without food or water became the most valuable thing on Eos.

He’s never done so much in his life, and he’s never been so lonely.

A decade passes before he finds his best friend again, only to find out that he has to say good bye.

“What will happen to you?” Noctis asks, curled up under a blanket on the caravan’s bed while Prompto is sitting at the floor. The steel of his back scrapes against the wooden structure of the bed. There’s poorly drawn cactuars all over his steel plates. “Once the sun comes back?”

“I’ll be with you every step of the way,” Prompto replies quietly. “Ever at your side. Remember?”

Noctis does remember. The guilt that’s settled deep within him, surfaces once again when he remembers why Prompto chose to do what he did. He remembers that he was the reason why his best friend’s soul was trapped in an empty shell. He remembers that Prompto should’ve died a decade ago, but only stuck around this long to fulfill a promise made in the name of friendship.

He remembers that, despite this world needing so many more people like Prompto, he has to let him go. So he chocks down any final requests he would have, because the only thing he could think of to ask was for Prompto to live.

But, that thought isn’t quite right. It’s not Noctis who has to let go. Prompto’s already gone ahead, but he won’t move on to the next life without Noctis. He’s waiting for him.

When they reach the throne room, Prompto’s shot with a violet orb he couldn’t dodge--and when he wakes up the battle’s just about over. The only thing left to do is for Noctis to deal the final blow.

“Do you still want to take me with you, Noct?” Prompto asks, fiddling with his thumb.

“My mind hasn’t changed.” Noctis holds out his hand.

Prompto reaches up, hand wavering just above his heart. He unclasps a metal lock just under his left shoulder to reveal a glowing, red orb. Carefully, he unscrews it, and it’s released with the hiss of an engine and a satisfying pop. He’s able to place it in Noctis’ palm just before the red of his eyes dim.

He collapses, one knee first in front of his King. Then his entire body slumps down at the steps outside the Citadel.

“Thank you,” Noctis whispers into the core. Every shade of crimson shifted ethereally. This was Prompto. He treated the core with more reverence than the crown treasures of Lucis.

And it was Prompto he held onto when Kings of Lucis raised their blades. It took thirteen to strike him down, but only one gem in his hands to keep him together. Once Noctis stepped into a realm of void, he saw that his friends and family were with him--but only for a moment.

It was a fleeting image that didn’t dare to stay. Maybe he wanted to see them one last time that he hallucinated them.

But the ones to stay were Prompto and Lunafreya. The two whose bodies have long since gone, but have found ways to stay by his side. They were both eternally in their early twenty’s, young and baby-faced. They make short work of what’s left of Ardyn, shattering him into oblivion where immortals can’t return.

The battle leaves their ethereal forms in shambles; barely pieced together by each other’s light.

“Okay,” Noctis breathes, when all is done. “Okay.” He repeats again, then looks to Luna, then to Prompto. “Let’s go.”

“Uh. Me too?” Prompts’s eyes flickered to Lunafreya. “I don’t wanna third wheel or anything--”

“C’mon,” Noctis rolled his eyes. “I told you I’d take you everywhere I go.”

The astral plane is long and expansive. There’s no end to the possibilities the three of them can do. Now Prompto isn’t the only one waiting, and there’s a feeling of weightlessness within him now that he hasn’t imprisoned himself into a core.

Dawn rises in Eos.

And their souls are freed.

#I forgot what Verstael called his giant robot worm #ffxv au #noctis lucis caelum #prompto argentum #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #prompto #ffxv #aranea highwind #if only I fleshed out my stories huh #look at the multiple cliff hangers this story could've had #i can imagine it as a multi chapter fic #no time though so enjoy #this one definitely came out of nowhere #i didn't expect to write it

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more--than--music · 5 years

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Albums Of The Decade

Once again, I’m limiting myself to just one sentence about each of these. I have picked 25 albums that I feel were the best of the past decade; I have limited myself to one per artist, and I haven’t ranked them. They appear here in alphabetical order by artist name.

The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

An album for the times if there ever were one, the 1975 here plumb the depths of the millennial consciousness, with awe-inspiring ambition; one can’t help but feel that the 2020s will see them ascend to the stratosphere.

Against All Logic – 2012-2017

What could easily be dismissed as a side-project from Nicholas Jaar, electronic wunderkind and avant-garde darling, 2012-2017 is a gorgeous exploration of house as a genre, replete with flickering samples and breakbeats; you only need listen once, and these tracks will capture you immediately.

Alt-J – This Is All Yours

Each of the 3 albums released by Alt-J this decade could have been here, but I’ve chosen their understated sophomore effort which, despite its ostensible subtleties compared with the rest of their catalogue, is unparalled for moments of sheer beauty; listen to ‘Pusher’ for a perfect example of this kind of subtle beauty.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Although perhaps best known for the emotive rock grandeur of Funeral, for me The Suburbs is Win Butler & co. at their narrative height; essentially a concept album, it ties together so many themes of coming of age, Americana, and what it is to be teenage, that it transcends genre; put simply, it makes me nostalgic for a past I never had.

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkeys had many directions facing them after the worldbeating rock of 2013’s AM; they chose the path less travelled, in the form of sumptuous lounge rock, and found themselves in possession of the most interesting effort in an already distinguished career, and in Alex Turner, a frontman of prodigial talent.

Blood Orange – Negro Swan

Dev Hynes is one of those artists who exists on a different, rarefied creative plane to their contemporaries; Negro Swan demonstrates this with 49 minutes of astoundingly accomplished R&B, interlocked with a narrative addressing race, gender, sexuality and so much more with an admirably light touch.

Drake – Nothing Was The Same

Many may be surprised to see Drake in the company of others on this list, but although I think he has lost his way for several years now, his earlier output is quite masterful in its blend of pop and R&B; I believe Nothing Was The Same is this at its finest, with genuinely masterful production, delivery and direction- ‘Tuscan Leather’ alone is a statement of intent that belied the stratospheric bearing his career was to take.

Father John Misty – Pure Comedy

I’ve been a fan of Father John Misty for a number of years, but Pure Comedy was my introduction to the singer-songwriter, and I was lost for words; the frankly cosmic scale of his ambitions, elevating the inspection of the minutiae of romance he had undergone for 2015’s I Love You Honeybear to examining the entirety of human existence- many other artists would falter, Tillman rises to the task.

Frank Ocean – Blonde

A genuine innovator, an artist of almost no comparison, Frank Ocean released two albums this decade that could beat out most of the competition on this list without breaking a sweat; however, 2016’s Blonde is a truly remarkable feat, an album I could write essays upon essays about, but we don’t have the time, so I will simply say that if you haven’t heard it, what on Earth are you doing, listen!

IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance

I can’t quite believe I only discovered IDLES last year, their presence in my life seems like it’s been for decades; a more vital album than Joy you won’t find, bursting with love, loss and beautiful, beautiful rage.

Kanye West – Yeezus

It really wouldn’t be a complete list without at least some Kanye on here; the man revolutionised hip-hop time and again over the course of the decade, and although for many My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is his opus, nothing hits me quite as much as this abrasive LP does, he really rewrote the book here.

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly

It feels cruel to limit myself to just one Lamar project, but limit I must; little needs to be said about this album, other than that, for me, it is the absolute peak of hip-hop as a genre thus far, and Kendrick does it better than anyone.

King Krule – The OOZ

Patron saint of cooler-than-thou art kids everywhere, Krule crafts a grimy, grey world here, that nonetheless is populated by brief moments of aching beauty (a notable favourite for me is the slow collapse of Slush Puppy); Archy Marshall does that most captivating thing, creating an album that feels like a world unto itself, quite unlike anything else around.

Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell!

Up until this past summer, a Lana album would’ve made this list, but it would’ve been Ultraviolence, or perhaps Honeymoon; NFR! blew any of her past work clean out of the water with understated ease, a supreme album from a songwriter in her prime.

Leonard Cohen – Thanks For The Dance

It comes as no surprise that Cohen, and this album in particular, should make this list; the man was a master of his craft, and the idea of an album finished after his death by his son, with the help of some of the best musicians working today, was irresistible- and, thank god, it was a beautiful, beautiful record.

Mac DeMarco – This Old Dog

Mac has been a favourite of mine for the best part of the decade, but I can’t help but feel that This Old Dog is him operating at his creative peak- mature, airy songwriting, with real emotional heft.

Metronomy – The English Riviera

Put together a frankly immaculate album of pristine synths and guitar leads, centred on a tranquil concept of the British seaside, all held together by Joe Mount’s Midas touch for pop, and you have on your hands an instant classic.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree

For many, Ghosteen is the best album of the trio of Nick’s most recent output, but I find Skeleton Tree, in its barren landscape of harsh electronica and shocking grief, the most fascinating project he’s embarked on this decade.

Parquet Courts – Human Performance

An album of some of the most cerebral art-rock around, it reminds me why I fell in love with guitar music to begin with; smart, funny and often moving tracks with real guitar chops and lyrical chutzpah, there’s an overriding feeling that this could be some dusty old 12” found in a record shop, and it’s remarkable to think that it was recorded post-1980 (and that’s a compliment!)

Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger In The Alps

A supremely melancholy record from a singer-songwriter who is spiritual successor to the likes of Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley, Bridgers delivers a set of songs that will make you weep, laugh, and weep again, even without knowledge of the infuriating tale of abuse of power that surrounds this album- an essential listen.

Queens Of The Stone Age – …Like Clockwork

Josh Homme and co. are a band that know their sound, and choose here to refine it and refine it until ‘Desert Rock’ feels like a far too meagre label for the pristine sonics here; the guitars roar when necessary, pianos make an appearance, and Homme remains the platonic ideal of the rock frontman, all too-cool lyrics and Californian drawl, holding the whole affair together with barely a sweat, just masterful.

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Radiohead are getting on a bit, but 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool shows that not only do they still have it (as if anyone was ever in doubt), but they have no issue continuing to explore new depths, seeming to approach their music from yet another angle again; the record is coloured by grief, age and modernity, and yet has moments of flooring beauty (all of Daydreaming, the seemingly underwater piano on Glass Eyes, ridiculously pretty guitar on Present Tense), they’re truly aging well indeed.

Tame Impala – Currents

A slice of psychedelia from one of Australia’s most popular exports, Currents is an album from a man who has already proved himself adept at recreating the sounds of other bands, and now turns his gaze toward creating an entirely new sonic palette- the album feels cohesive, and whole, and a statement of intent from one of the brightest talents in alt-rock working today; but also, in a very real way, it has Let It Happen on it, and so immediately earns its spot on this list.

Thom Yorke – ANIMA

Thom Yorke has already earnt his place in the pantheon of alternative with his work with Radiohead, but it’s been delightful this decade to see him flex his creative muscles a little more with his solo work, exploring avenues slightly less suited to the group, and boy, has he explored, with film soundtracks, collaborations, films; but ultimately, ANIMA feels his most accomplished work, and contains some really workable electronica, and incredibly subtle songwriting too- just listen to Dawn Chorus, it’s beautiful.\

Tyler, The Creator – IGOR

Our last entry, Tyler Okonma has also had quite the decade, going from outsider oddball, through provocateur and now all the way to the vanguard of pop culture, pulling together influences unlike anyone else, and really maturing his sound with his most recent works; IGOR is a prime example of this, with a wholly unique sound, and incredibly introspective and personal songwriting, it tops Tyler’s catalogue for me.

Well, that’s it for the decade then. It’s been a very good one indeed for music, and thank god I didn’t make myself rank these, I wouldn’t have known where to start. Here’s to the 2020s bringing more, as ever, thanks for reading.

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