#puts them under my microscope to observe and study

[phin-and-frob]

"Wait I didn't hear anything of Heidi Klum's Halloween costume this year, lemme just google tha-"

you know what? nevermind.

[goldentigerfestival]

Yuri's dialogue (JP) is so fascinating to study, like... the repetitive use of certain words/phrases that others use sparingly but he uses constantly. the way it feels like his vocabulary is more expansive than what he uses, but he defaults to a "comfort" level of speech. the way it mixes in with his sort of "street talk" words and the sheer level of informality. the way his "street talk" phrasing is contrasted by the tone of his voice (on that note, people I know who also know JP are also very endeared by these aspects of him so I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST ME!!!).

'cause the thing is, he uses phrases that yeah, other people do use, but he uses a handful over and over and over (contrast to other characters' sparing use of repetition). it's actually... really refreshing? it sounds more relatable and less "video game/anime/JRPG/RPG" writing or something, idk. like closer to how a real person would speak.

I do my best in my translations not to make things sound too stiff across the board, but Yuri makes it so easy. it's why I'm so interested in translating all his lines in Vesperia, like... the actual, original tone for him with his original wording because it's smth Eng only players don't get to experience ('cause even if you listen with JP audio, if you don't know the language, ofc you're gonna miss out on context. it's nobody's fault for not knowing, just... they unfortunately miss out). the thing is, there are a lot of times when the lines in and of themselves are not contextually incorrect in the English ver (usually the situation for smaller scenes, because they altered the text outright for more important stuff which was the stuff that originally set me off, but there were also plenty of cases of just vocal tone shifting with the correct context that still gave off the wrong impression), but Yuri's tone is shifted away from the original in Eng even though it's completely and perfectly translatable.

I am by no means about to translate the entire game because let's face it, I really don't care that much for Vesperia on the whole. I'm kinda stuck with it because Yuri's there lo and behold I actually am WAY more engaged in his stories in Rays, Link and Asteria because it's an amazing character put into circumstances where he actually gets to shine and feels more alive, which Vesperia did not provide nearly as well with its very disjointed story. also, Tales gachas have banger stories that are arguably better than the mainline games, and they regularly make Yuri a very central character to the gachas. Crestoria was also about to do it until they pulled the plug on that game and I'm pretty confident something interesting has been lost to the world. also I just generally don't have the energy or motivation to do that, so... I'll only be focusing on Yuri's lines, especially because his stuff is where the bulk of the messing around was. he's just insanely fun to translate for and I love burying myself head first into his speech.

will I actually finish this project? dunno. will I get around to posting it? whatever I get done (so all of it if I complete it), and if I decide to call it quits then I'll post what I have at the time I decide that. will it take a long time? probably, but I can always mention stuff along the way...

[alllgator-blood]

I need to put the bishops under a microscope and study them like a disease they’ve wormed into my brain 😓

I've prepared a petri dish of samples for your viewing pleasure, just be careful to wear the appropriate PPE because they can get a little feisty under observation. They aren't afraid to breach the blood-brain barrier :')

[grabs mold spore shamura with my bare fingers and eats them]

[deaddreamweaver]

lil short and sweet drabble i wrote in the car coming home from a ren fair. lowkey was super overwhelmed and overstimulated so mund the typos. no beta we die like men. valen looks like this for those who are curious for a visual. the harley i used for this belongs to @ajoure because they're au lives in my brain 5ever. is harley ooc? probably. is my own oc ooc? highly likely but idc its like 1am rn

no real content warning, have fun with the yapper meeting the yapper

Harley couldn't help but feel like he was being held under a microscope. The man before him was talking his ear off about the mechanisms of this body, marveling at every little detail. A thousand questions being thrown out before Harley had time to answer the first. It was almost dizzying with how many rapid fire inquiries Valen spewd out. Only really had time to mention he hadn't been the one to make this body he housed. The man before him was lucky Harley was being at least somewhat compliant with the invasive touch.

Valen’s hands carefully bend joints, utterly fascinated by the smoothness of the motions Harley's body gave to the demand Valen placed. It was foreign to be in this position. He's used to doing the observing. It's oddly vulnerable in a way Harley wasn't sure he was keen on. “Your body moves so smoothly, little to no resistance at all. They hydraulics working to keep everything together. Servos firing signals whenever you demand of it. This technology is beautiful to witness up close.”

The almost reverent way Valen touched his arm wildly contrasted with the way Valen's eyes seemed to dissect him where Harley stood. Hands mapping out everywhere he'd been allowed to observe, almost trying to study him really. Harley knows that look in Valen's eyes, making mental notes of everything he can.

“Synthetic skin with give, soft to the touch. Seams are barely noticeable unless you look for them. Goodness, you're gorgeous.” Valen murmurs, and it's hard to tell if he's actually addressing Harley or not. His fingers trailing up the material of his arm. “And you have freckles on it too? Whoever built this for you must have loved you.”

The thought makes heat rise in Harley's face. And Valen noticed almost immediately and gasps. His hands coming to cup Harley's cheeks, gentle hands tilting his head side to side to observe the way his skin darkens. “You can blush? That's incredible! Is this somehow connected to your brain and when that particular emotion is triggered it causes a pigment to be released to tint your cheeks? How is that even possible?” That was too much, Harley swats Valen's hands away but doesn't miss the sheepish apology thrown his way.

“Aren't you a psychologist? How do you know all of this?” Harley finally gets a word in and it makes Valen freeze up. The frazzled man looked like he'd been caught in a lie.

After a beat of silence, he speaks again. “Psychiatrist, actually. There is a difference.”

“That still doesn't answer my question.”

Another pause, like he was looking for an excuse. Harley's eyes narrow at him. “Used to be a mechanic.” A short, sweet answer. Harley doesn't buy it. “Ah, my break is over. Please, do tell whoever put the time into this it's amazing work.” Valen grabs the cup of coffee he's originally had been here for that had long since been abandoned before walking off before Harley can say anything further.

[helloiamthatlilwitch]

uh oh

new hyperfixation

Octonauts my beloved you guys got me into biology

I now have a love hate relationship with that subject

anyways I’ve never drawn them before so have an art dump while I crash out

Yes I drew them yes I’m too lazy to add watermark no please do not steal (or I will find you it only takes a matter of time) yes I know I have been inactive for the past few months yes I’m aware that I did not draw Barnacles (pls I’m so mentally tired) yes I uh forgot what else to say

Shellington my pookie my boy my baby I want to put you under a peridish and observe you under the microscope :affectionate:

mm I should be studying mmmm

[veilsofroses]

How you meet for mayuri ? Maybe for him love at first sight so he has to let her know?

Mayuri Kurotsuchi x f!reader part 1

warnings: dissection discussed, suggestive, mayuri being mayuri author’s note: thank you for the request! i actually got SO into this, it had ME giggling by the end 😭😭😭 word count: 826

part 2

︶︶꒷꒦︶꒦︶꒷︶︶

“Master Mayuri,” calls a small voice from behind. 

“What is it, Nemu?” Captain Mayuri responds, too busy with the hollow body he just cut open before him to turn around. He puts down the black-bloodied scalpel and pins the open, loose skin onto the table. He picks up his forceps next, practically jumping to start picking and pulling. 

“Third Seat Akon has requested that you come down to meet the newly appointed Fourth Seat for the 12th Division,” Nemu states in her usual, steady tone. 

Mayuri rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh. “Anyone below Third Seat is none of my concern, you and Akon can handle them,” he reaches once more into the hollow. 

Nemu doesn’t say anything else but also doesn’t move to leave which earns a scowl of Mayuri. 

Finally, he sets the tools down. “What could be so important about a new Fourth Seat,” he mumbles to himself. He folds his arms, putting his hands in the opposite sleeves, and walks to Nemu, “Very well, this better be good.”

Nemu leads Mayuri out of his personal lab down the hall to the main 12th Division lab. When they enter, they see Akon smiling and speaking with you, giving you a rundown of the place. 

Akon notices Mayuri and Nemu approach, “There he is,” he says turning. 

“Yes I’m here to meet the oh-so-important Fourth Seat,” Mayuri says, his voice thick with sarcasm, waving his long-nailed hand. “I would like to return to the body I was-“

You finally turn to look at Mayuri and it makes him stop mid complaint. His face doesn’t show much but his eyes widen ever-so-slightly. 

“Captain Mayuri, a pleasure,” you say softly, a confident smile on your lips as you bow. 

He only returns a half nod as he never bows to anymore, not even the Head Captain, but the thought of kneeling almost flashed through his mind. 

This woman, he thought. He didn’t speak, only stared at you like he was stripping you down—clothes, skin, muscle, ligaments. 

“She has an extraordinary background in her research in Mod-Souls. Her papers from when she was in the academy helped us in our development of them,” Akon explains. 

Your cheeks warm slightly at being praised but you look at Mayuri and his expression hasn’t changed, causing a shiver to run through you. 

Mayuri couldn’t rip his eyes off you. Everything about you was something he wanted to study so deeply. He wanted to see your hair strands under a microscope and poke at your skin. But at the same time, he couldn’t dare cut open something so perfect, and it confused him all the same. 

He shook himself out of his thoughts, his heart was beating rapidly. What the hell is this, maybe he should put himself under the knife to see what’s going on with him. 

“I was never told it was someone from the academy. That makes you quite commendable, I suppose,” he speaks finally.  

You hold his gaze steadily, “I suppose,” you challenge. His eyes narrow at your response. 

Akon lifts his hands up, “Well, I was just finishing up giving her a tour so I could-”

“No need. Akon, Nemu, leave us. I will finish showing her around myself,” he smiles blankly. 

Both Akon and Nemu say nothing as they bow and walk away to their respective areas leaving just you and the Captain. Despite being around the man notorious for cutting apart anything he pleases, you feel relaxed. 

“Hm,” Mayuri hums thoughtfully as he starts to circle you slowly, observing, “Based on your current breathing and heart rate, you feel no fear around me.”

You stand still, holding your relaxed pose as he moves, “I see no reason to. You already know my knowledge will be of use to your research institute so I know you won’t kill me.”

“Death should be the last of your worries,” as he circles, his eyes gorge on your figure once again. He’s fascinated with himself for being so fascinated with you. 

“Are you saying you’re going to cut me open?” you ask casually. Experimentation on yourself was nothing new to you. 

“Precisely,” he stops before you once again, “You’ve… captivated my attention in a way I can’t seem to explain, myself.” 

“And knowing you, you must find out how to explain it,” you answer, smirking. 

“Precisely..” he says slowly, taking a few steps closer to you, close enough to feel your body heat. You don’t move, firmly holding his gaze. He can’t decide if he despises your bravery or if he finds it admirable. 

With his face close to yours, he smiles, squinting his eyes, “Well, I must finish giving you a tour, mustn’t I? Would you follow me to my personal lab?” 

“Certainly,” you return the exaggerated smile. He leans back and turns, expecting you to follow. You do, truly unsure whether this tour will finish with him inside you… one way or another.

- - - - - - - tag: @stygianoir

[aetherscore]

i just finally obtained and listened to all of caleb’s current Old Days/Tender Moments cards and even BEFORE the explosion he was just so interesting… like i wanna put him under a microscope and study him.

cause he CONSTANTLY in almost EVERY MEMORY emphasizes the fact that he’s not hiding anything/keeps no secrets from mc, while he simultaneously barely explains himself and avoids answering questions beyond surface level. and ESPECIALLY he never confesses to mc even when it was obvious that she most likely returned his feelings (specifically in Stage Observer where she kissed his cheek and was like “you can’t get a girlfriend now!!!” and it’s obvious that his brain literally just. shut down. for a couple seconds and did a full system reboot)

like he doesn’t keep any secrets, but even if mc asks the exact right question, he will still find a way to beat around the bush or choose his words in a way where his answer doesn’t feel satisfactory at least 50% of the time. it’s so wild.

their childhood best friend dynamic has them both in a CHOKEHOLD since at least high school, they trust each other so much but clearly are NEVER completely upfront with their feelings, and serious topics are inherently shoved under a layer of teasing remarks and head pats (like caleb’s only wish literally being mc, as shown in Summer’s Echo).

and their whole will they-won’t they thing makes it SO HARD TO WRITE HIM LIKE HOW ARE YOU A LIAR AND A TRUTHER AT THE SAME TIME. if anyone has other takes on him please lmk!! he makes my brain fly in circles trying to understand him in the past, him in the present is a whooole different story.

[harpskae]

I finally feel at ease with the fact that I am going to shift

the first part is an intro, for the actual shifting rant skip to below the cut.

hello it has been a while since I posted here. I created this blog on a whim and I forgot about it. A year has passed, I am officially an adult now, my main DRs have changed, my views on shifting as well, I have grown up a lot in every way but my passion for shifting has stayed the same. in fact, since you don´t know anything about me as a person —after all I am just another blog in here— let me tell you something about myself. I am now studying a degree and my underlying motive to study this specific degree is shifting, or quantum jumping or whatever you want to call it (I usually refer to it as shifting because it is the most widely spread term for it on social media, unfortunately). which sounds absolutely nuts I know. but, it is because the human mind is by far my greatest passion in life and as I am becoming a medical doctor, I will be able to learn everything about it during my career. anyways, returning to the main topic of this entry, yesterday I got again one of these familiar surges of shifting motivation. let me tell you about it.

you see, lately I had been very inconsistent with the frequency of my shifting attempts, but for the past weeks I have gotten serious with it again. which I always have been serious, but yk, I simply started "putting effort" once again.

yesterday I downloaded tiktok again and looked through my saved videos of shifting tips/ insight and motivation which I saved ages ago but didn't even reflect on. I just know I saved those videos for a reason a while ago and thought they would get me feeling motivated now.

one of them was by a creator called voldyateme on tiktok rn I believe. in the video I watched she was basically making a compilation of diverse theories and proven experiments which appear to prove shifting in some way or another. and although I don't wholeheartedly agree with everything she says and I will do my own personal research on those experiments before talking about them myself, I did feel heavily inspired by a few things so I am here to talk about it.

"Particles will not move unless we observe them under a microscope"

okay so, again, I will delve into this theory, the experiment and everything before I personally talk about it in my own words but today I am here to talk about the abstract way in which this statement —regardless of its veracity— has shaped my insight in shifting.

in the video, the creator mentioned this quote in significance to a sentence you might have heard before: "out of sight, out of mind". in which way does this apply practically to the process of shifting our consciousness to become aware of a different reality or environment? well, when we are shifting we often close our eyes and affirm or visualize we are in another reality, we convince ourselves that we are physically feeling a different physical context that we are through our imagination.

although this method has proven effective to many, including myself in the past, I have always felt inevitably a tiny bit discouraged by it since I am affirming something while physically feeling something that stated otherwise. but this quote made me view this from a different perspective.

yesterday, as I got into bed I made the decision that I would shift tonight, so I got comfortable and closed my eyes. during yesterday´s evening I spent some time thinking about the "out of sight, out of mind", and I also started reading and analyzing the famous CIA documents on topic of the Gateway experience. needless to say I found it incredibly fun, I am only 10 pages in out of 29 but I love the way in which they present and explain everything. for some reason, both of these things I did, made me feel this sort of mental clarity towards the imminence of me actually become aware of my current DR (and not a random one like it has happened to me in the past). it is not the first time I have experienced this stillness in my mind, it is how you feel after a good meditation session and how I have felt after my previous shifting experiences.

the thing is I went to bed and as I started at the ceiling in the dark before I closed my eyes I genuinely felt this sense of knowingness that I would shift. my mind was quiet, I only had that thought in my head and the certainty that it is true, that it is a matter of fact. I felt content with it. this moment wasn't really anything out of the ordinary btw, I just find it interesting how empty my mind was without having meditated beforehand and how I felt like I had finally really engraved the fact that I really am going to shift successfully. and for once this wasn't an urgent thought. it wasn't like when shifttok in 2021 would tell you that since we were getting our of mercury retrograde or something like that you were 100% gonna shift that night and you felt like shit on the next morning when you hadn't shifted and you felt like you were doing something wrong. truth is, you are not doing anything wrong. there is literally no wrong way of shifting. but back to what I was saying, I am really happy with the acknowledgment I came to terms with last night.

you may be thinking what anything of what I just said has to do with the "out of sight, out of mind". well bc I used that mentality to try and shift yesterday. did I shift last night to my DR? no. but in no way I think the attempt last night was failed, so in case it remotely helps anyone in their journey, this is what I did and what I will be doing for a while because I think suits me. once I closed my eyes I affirmed and believed how my left brain hemisphere was asleep. anyone who has read the CIA docs knows this is the hemisphere which categorizes stimuli, info, the more rational one, to put it simply. and so simultaneously I visualized all of my thought pouring directly into my right hemisphere, which according to the CIA docs only acts on what its told, to summarize it somehow. i don't want this to come off as complex nor difficult because it is not, but I chose to affirm in these terms because they helped me visualize based on the scientific evidence which backs the whole process of quantum jumping. and so as I did that, I affirmed and visualized I was in my DR, diminishing the thought that I am in my CR room and truly believing that I am in my DR despite physically feeling my CR bed, which is something I did with ease answering my doubts with the principle "out of sight, out of mind". bc if I can´t see it, the room is dark, the bed feels the same, I can't hear anything in specific, what´s telling me I'm in my CR and not my DR? shifting truly is about gaslighting yourself. hope I made sense to you, I appreciate reblogs,

love, luxhiz

[shunin-gumis]

Designs of Happiness - Track A17

L4mps Main Story Translation

Title: The Hakodate Chase

Characters: Netaro, Toi, Yodaka, Nagi, Ryui

Summary: At the burger joint, Toi displays his divination prowess to the group to decide on their next destination.

Thank you aca @463ce6, myun @/myuntachis and Niri @/Niri_riri for helping me with proofing!

Location: Hakodate - Lucky Pierrot

Momiji: You ordered a crazy number of burgers there, Netaro-kun. Are you sure you can eat them all?

Netaro: *mouth full* Not to worry, these will be gone in a jiffy.

Toi: Ah~ That sure was delicious! My stomach’s close to bursting now!

Nagi: (Dipping the last of the fries into the sauce for that delicious last bite—)

Netaro: Gii, aah~

Nagi: (Huh? Is “Gii” supposed to be me…?)

Netaro: Aaah~

Nagi: …Here.

Netaro: Nom! Mm, scrumptious~!

Momiji: (Netaro-kun had a lot of fries left on his plate, and yet…)

Nagi: This kind of interaction makes it feel like we’re a family… 

Momiji: (Nagi-kun seems to be happy about it, so I guess it’s fine…)

Momiji: Alright then, let’s decide where we should head next.

Netaro: Toi, it’s time to use that divination of yours! I want to see your secret power with my own two eyes.

Toi: I left my divination tools back at the inn, so I can only show you something simple… 

Netaro: Nooooo… That’s not the same…

Momiji: I’m surprised that you can do it without your tools though. I thought crystal balls or tarot cards were absolutely necessary for fortune-telling… 

Nagi: Me too.

Toi: In my case, I’m able to do a reading as long as I can receive an answer in whatever shape or form. I don’t really need any kind of official method for it.

Toi: There’s no one right way to do a reading in the first place. It’s just that there’s a lot of people who need to borrow power from a crystal ball or tarot cards. 

Nagi: So you can do a reading regardless of the method… You sure have an amazing power, Toi. 

Toi: Hehe! It’s just something that’s been passed down, so I have my ancestors to thank…!

Toi: Then, I’ll try asking the water this time.

Netaro: The water~?

Toi: Let’s see, first I do this… 

Momiji: (Oh, he’s collecting a bit of water from the cup onto the straw…)

Toi: Forgive me for being a little messy… There!

Momiji: (Now he’s splashed the droplets onto the tray…)

Toi: …… 

Nagi: (Is he… observing the shape of the water?)

Nagi: (It seems unbelievable, but if it really works…)

Netaro: Aw phooey, I wanted to study Toi’s secret power! I would like to take him apart piece by piece and put him under a microscope!

Momiji: Netaro-kun, he’s trying to focus so let’s stay quiet, okay?

Netaro: Then, in exchange for my silence, is it alright if I request Toi for a divination at his full power when we return to HAMA?

Nagi: Ah… M-Me too— 

Momiji: This isn’t something you should treat lightly.

Nagi: Oh……… 

Netaro: Hmph~

Location: Hakodate - Near the Kanemori Brick Warehouse

Yodaka: I’ll take the shot now, say cheese! 

Tourist A: Thank you so much~ Sorry for springing that on you all of a sudden.

Tourist B: You even carried all our bags for us… You’re such a lifesaver! 

Yodaka: If I made your trip even a little more pleasant, that is all I could ask for. I hope you enjoy your time at Hakodate.

Tourist B: …! U-Um… 

Tourist B: If it’s alright with you, would you like to join us for—

??: …Tch, that hurt. Watch where you’re walking, old man!

Yodaka: My apologies. I was far too absorbed in my conversation with these lovely ladies. Are you hurt anywhere, young boy?

??: What? I better have heard that wrong, because you did NOT just call me a kid.  

Tourist A: What’s your problem? You’re the one who bumped into him! There’s no reason for you to apologize to this brat.

Tourist B: That’s right! Just ignore him.

Yodaka: Oh dear, you needn’t be so forceful with me. Please don’t worry, I wouldn’t even dream of leaving your side.

??: Oi. 

Tourist A: What now!

??: You dropped something there. Looks like a scrap of paper.

Yodaka: Ah, pardon me. Thank you for pointing that out, this is an important flier you see… 

Yodaka: …… 

Yodaka: Would you mind sharing your name?

??: You don’t need to thank me— 

Toi: Ani-sama!?

??: —Wha!?

Momiji: Huh, that’s Yodaka-san and…? 

Yodaka: Hello there. I see you’ve all just had your lunch.

Nagi: Crazy. We found him the moment we left the restaurant. 

Netaro: So this is the power of divination! 

Toi: So this is where you were, Ani-sama! I’ve been searching for you all this time…!

Ryui: Toi…!

Yodaka: As I thought… The portrait may not have been an exact match, but it’s clear as day that you’re twins. 

Ryui: Dammit, we’re not supposed to meet yet, not like this…!

*Ryui runs off*

Toi: W-Why are you running!?

Momiji: So that’s Ryui-kun… He has a completely different vibe from Toi-kun, but it’s true their faces are quite similar… Wait, now’s not the time for that! Please, wait…! 

Netaro: Eureka! I just had a brilliant idea: It would be far more fun if I made clones of them!

Nagi: Do we chase after them?

Momiji: Yes! …Huh?

Tourist C: What the heck! Why’re there no taxis around? My feet huuuurt!

Tourist D: Kazuo! Where are you! Oh, where could he have gone off to now…!

Tourist E: How are we supposed to get to Mount Hakodate from here? We’ve been, like, walking in circles for ages now! 

Momiji: Ugh…!

Momiji: (There seems to be a lot of troubled tourists around here…!)

Momiji: Now’s not really the time, but I just can’t pretend I don’t see them… Everyone, please give me a moment of your time!

~~~(Hospitality Battle)

Momiji: *panting* Ok, that’s dealt with…!

Momiji: Yodaka-san, please chase after him! 

Yodaka: Alright, leave it to me. I could never say no to your request.

Yodaka: And that’s how it is. Forgive me, but looks like this is where we part ways.

Tourist A: Whaat, no way…!

Yodaka: Please, don’t look so down. You should always smile while traveling. I’m sure that this moment, too, will one day be a memory you look back on fondly. 

Yodaka: I should return your precious belongings now. Who does this paper bag belong to?

Tourist B: That one’s mine! Thank you so much for carrying it for me!

Yodaka: Oh my, looks like you’ve got some pastries in here. This must be handled delicately… Here you go. 

Tourist A: Thank you so much! You were a huge help.

Yodaka: You’re welcome. See, a smile suits you much better after all.

Momiji: So damn slow! 

Nagi: As expected of the man who never lets anything fluster him. But he’s useless now. Let’s leave him behind. 

*Nagi runs off*

Toi: Oh no! Ani-sama is getting away!! Someone, please stop that handsome punk!

*Toi follows*

Momiji: Ah, Manager!

Daniel: Ugh, what now? You guys playing tourism tag or somethin’?

Momiji: We found Ryui-kun! Please help us catch him!

Netaro: There is no time better than now to show off what those muscles of yours are worth!

Daniel: These muscles aren’t made for a marathon, geez… 

~~~

Netaro: Woa-hoh!

Nagi: !

Toi: Netaro-san tripped and fell!

Netaro: I’ve yet to familiarize myself with the length of these limbs… 

Momiji: Toi-kun, we can’t stop now, keep running! Sorry Netaro-kun, we’ll come find you later!

Toi: I’m so sorryyyyyyyy~!

<- Previous | Next ->

Masterlist

[spacemanxephos]

potential thoughts for Fun,

along the lines of the gray hair stuff, lalnable being actually slightly concerned that xephos hadn’t fixed - or can’t fix - what should be an easy thing for his clones, with what the hairs really mean

there is not a chance in hell that lalnable will allow himself or five to be hooked into the cloning processes of yoglabs/there is interference between their clones due to proximity with yoglabs etc.

Lalnable studies at Xephos intently. Something is… different. It’s been different since the moment he came back to the lab, of course, but as he stares at Xephos there’s just something he can’t put his finger on. Something that’s changed.

After a few minutes, Xephos, feeling the other’s eyes on him, sighs heavily and looks up at him. “Can I help you?”

“You’re graying,” Lalnable remarks bluntly.

“What an astute observation,” Xephos replies flatly before looking back down at his computer.

Lalnable ignores him. “You’re graying,” he repeats with more emphasis, hoping Xephos will catch what he’s saying this time.

The other man sighs and glances up again, gently massaging his temple with one hand. “People gray. I really don’t see why that’s such a big deal,” he shrugs noncommitally.

“We have clones. We don’t age. But you’re graying,” Lalnable strains the word again.

Xephos raises an eyebrow as if to say ‘And?’

“You really don’t see how those two concepts conflict, at all?” Lalnable deadpans. “I know you’re a bit dull, but clearly-“

Xephos is rubbing both his temples with irritation now. “Lalnable, unless you have something useful to add to this conversation, I really need to finish this report,” he grumbles with a note of finality. The conversation is over.

Lalnable’s eyes narrow.

It’s not that hard to obtain some of Xephos’ hair. Lalnable stalks from a doorway in a hall he knows is on Xephos’ daily route. Xephos is nothing if not a man of habit and Lalnable knows he hasn’t changed his patterns. Lalnable still knows the paths he takes each day very well.

It’s not too soon after Lalnable picks his perch that Xephos appears. His face is buried in a stack of papers, but he still dodges the chaos of the hallways with practiced ease.

Once Xephos rounds the corner, Lalnable smoothly falls into step behind him.

Xephos yelps sharply as Lalnable yanks his ponytail from behind, targeting a strand with a larger streak of gray. He feels several hairs snagged in his fist.

“Oops,” Lalnable shrugs with a crocodile grin, folding his arms behind his back. “Couldn’t resist.”

Xephos glares at him as he fixes his hair. “Really? What are you, six?”

“Just had an urge to torment my favorite alien bastard,” Lalnable bats his eyes and leans just a tad closer. Just close enough to distract the alien as he pockets the strands of hair.

Xephos purses his lips. The light blue blush on his cheeks and his averted eyes are all Lalnable needs to know that he’s gotten away with the deed.

“Just… just get back to whatever you’re supposed to be doing,” Xephos huffs and shuffles away quickly.

Still got it, Lalnable thinks with a smirk.

Lalnable observes the strands under a microscope he steals borrows from the chemistry lab. The cells appear to be the right age to match how old Xephos body should be. There’s no signs of abnormalities; they seem perfectly healthy.

Except for the gray ones.

Lalnable inspects them further and scribbles down several notes. It was going to be a long night.

Hours later, Lalnable struts into Xephos’ office. It’s 2 a.m., but he knows the man will still be up working- and he is, hunched over his desk in the dim light of his table lamp. Lalnable shoves a manilla folder into his face. Self-satisfaction and irritation blend on his face.

Xephos’ eyes flicker from the folder to Lalnable. He quirks a questioning brow.

“There’s a chemical called norepinephrine in your hair follicles,” Lalnable explains. “It’s what’s causing the pigment cells in your hair to stop working- why your hair is turning gray.”

Xephos’ face twists with exasperation and he rolls his eyes. “Really, this again-“

“If there’s something wrong with the clones I need to know about it!” Lalnable growls. “You’re putting Five and I and everyone else in danger by ignoring a fault-“

Xephos throws his hands up with frustration. “It’s not a problem with the cloning, Lalnable! It’s me, the inside me, that’s the problem. It’s stress, that’s why the chemical is there! The doctor’s say it’s just stress!” Xephos exclaims.

Lalnable scoffs. “Please, Princess, we all know you don’t actually do enough around here to actually be that stressed-“

“Yes, I do, actually!” Xephos snaps, shooting up from his chair. The glow on his cheeks is blindingly bright now. “I do a lot, in fact!

“You think I’m not worried? I’m constantly worried! No one can manage a day here without me without something catching on fire or exploding or someone dying! I can’t stop being vigilant for a second or else something goes wrong! I can never fucking stop!” Xephos is shouting by the time the tangent ends.

Just as quick as the fury erupts, it fades. Xephos’ anger was always like that- fiery and sharp, but never long lasting. He pants heavily as the flames ebb and he calms down. Defeat and exhaustion is evident on his face as he slumps back in his chair.

Lalnable leans back against the wall and crosses his arms. He stares at Xephos.

“Holding that back for a while now, huh?” Lalnable murmurs.

Xephos swallows and moistens his lips. His eyes are focused intently on a pen on his desk. “Yes, I suppose so.”

He falls quiet. Lalnable can see Xephos’ hands are still trembling slightly. There was blue blood on his fingers from where he had picked and chewed the flesh around his nailbeds too much. Lalnable fleetingly wonders how it tastes.

Lalnable should have been laughing. He should have been reveling in his enemy’s misery and taunting him for his hubris finally catching up to him. If someone had asked him afterwards, that’s certainly what he would claim he did.

But, he doesn’t. Instead, he stands there leaning against that blasted sterile, white wall in that blasted sterile, white office with Xephos, in silence. It feels disturbingly familiar, reminding him of when Xephos used to come and sit in his cell in a similar manner, or he would sneak out and go to his office. Be silent in each other’s presence, without any pressure to speak.

They stay there for a long time.

[kairos-polaris]

my interest in fucked up and/or evil men is purely scientific; I want to study them like a bug under a microscope. maybe put him in a terrarium and observe him

women however....

[whentherewerebicycles]

"Consider this handful of fascinating characters. nothing much will happen to them or between them but you will observe their development with great interest" sounds EXACTLY like what I like to read. Any other recommendations for this kind of lit?

ooh let me think. well this one (the razor’s edge) is very engaging so far. I actually picked it up while looking for another one that has a similar vibe—john williams’s stoner, which I think is so insanely good although just know that its depiction of disability reflects its midcentury context. fitzgerald’s this side of paradise also comes to mind… haven’t read it since college but I read it many times in college because I liked it so much lol. all of elizabeth bowen’s novels are like this, very novel of manners-y, like woolf but a bit weirder and darker. oh oh and I was so obsessed with mary renault’s the friendly young ladies I wrote two of five chapters of my dissertation about it lol… if you like historical fiction her Alexander the Great trilogy is also exceptional. I mean a lot happens in those books historically speaking haha but they’ve got that slow burn character study feel. mmm let’s see for more recent stuff I think sally rooney does quite a good “let’s put these characters under the microscope” contemporary novel of manners and they’re somehow always devastating even though nothing much happens. I also loved Anna burns’s milkman although no one I’ve made read it except my diss advisor liked it as much as I did lol. hmm and then veering abruptly into fantasy, katherine addison’s the goblin emperor is famously like, a wonderful book about people and relationships in which nothing much happens at all. I can absolutely rec more midcentury lit if you like, too—very little happens but the characters are so rich.

[walking-loather]

I dont know how to explain this without being insane. Ive been getting gifs of these hockey boys blazed and whenever they appear on my dash i immediately must inflict them on my girlfriend

I... I know this is tumblr. Far be it for me to criticise someone elses fandom. But. Genuinely. I want to put you under a microscope and study you. I want to put you in a terrarium with editing software and the sports channel and just observe.

"applying scentblockers midway through the game"???? Bestie???? HuH????

Please. Please never stop being attracted to these weird men and please never stop putting deeply strange deeply horny blazed omegaverse hockey boys on my dash i have to keep sending them to my girlfriend

when you gotta apply scentblockers midway through the game

bonus: never beating the bleeding saint sebastian allegations

[verycoolsnails]

whoever comes to mind first

like i see u rb stuff with oc emojis... can u explain them and their lore :3 🧸🫧🎭

I'd love to! Ig I'll start with Inter1/2ssion since they're on my mind 24/7 lmao.

Inter1/2ssion are my ocs from a game called 18trip! I think all you rly need to know abt 18trip in terms of my ocs is that 1) It's set in Japan (I believe they specify where but I do NOT remember) 2) It's also set in 2055 (so like. lots of futuristic tech such as androids.) Y'know on second thoughts my ocs are pretty standalone from the game... probably have to work on that .. Anyways Inter1/2ssion is an acting troupe consisting of:

🐚: Ryouta, (names may vary. and also I don't have last/family names for most of my ocs lol) the leader of Inter1/2ssion. Just a totally normal and chill guy 👍Ignore the totally-not-cursed amulet he carries around with him it's soooooo not relevant. Especially not to the mysterious memory loss that he has prior to joining Inter1/2ssion...

ok but in all seriousness. Ryouta is ... lax and nonchalant to put it nicely. And also surprisingly charming, despite his unkempt apperence. He's like the type of guy to dump all of his work on you bc hes "totallyyyy swamped" and doesnt have enough time to do it all .. and then he just hangs out in his room all day doing literally nothing. He's literally only the leader of Inter1/2ssion bc his boss literally forced him into it (bc he absolutely would've left otherwise .. but the title is a good enough ego boost for him to stay.) He's a natural at any hobby he tries to pick up, so he never really bothers to practice anything for more than like. a month. but he's especially good at sleight of hand tricks, if only because he was a pickpocket for a while. He also has two fish that he DEEPLY cares for (not that he'll ever admit it. or admit to caring for any of his friends in Inter1/2ssion.) Loves teasing people for fun ... he lovesss pushing other's buttons He's such an asshole sometimes I need 2 study him under a microscope. He has not one but TWO one-sided rivalries in Inter1/2ssion (as in he doesn't particularly care abt "competing" against anyone.) I'd say he's also pretty observant, but he mostly uses it for teasing people.

🔧: Katsumi, part moral support and part props gal. She's both an android (made to look like a ball-jointed doll rather than a realistic android) and part of a system (with 🧸and🖊️, I'll get to them later.) She's just kind of a chill guy. But unlike Ryouta she's Actually chill lmao. She's a self-taught engineer who specializes in robotics! She used to be human but built herself an android body (do Not ask how she will have an existential crisis. and also I dont know.) (also when the robot character is trans >>>>) She's also childhood friends with Ryouta, and she feels super guilty for mayyyyyybe being the cause of his memory loss. Or maybe not! Neither of them for sure know ... especially if she never brings it up... yeah she avoids confrontation like the plague lmao.

🧸: Momo, the super cute and totally not useless other moral support!! 💖 Yeah she doesn't really have much of a role in Inter1/2ssion, she'd totally outshine everyone if she did anything! At least according to her... But despite doing absolutely nothing she gets along well with most of the people in Inter1/2ssion, which is actually kinda saying something.

She's a little guy crazy and LOVES anything cute (which does include herself) Loves cooking + baking but is absolutely awful at it ... especially since she can't taste anything on account of Katsumi never figuring out how to include tastebuds into the whole android thing. Momo is very confident in pretty much everything she ever does, and she's also pretty stubborn too. Actually coming back to the gets along with most people in Inter1/2ssion, it takes A LOT to piss her off. You ignore her? It's ok, she knows you're just busy! Spend every moment with her intentionally trying to piss her off? She thinks it's cute how obsessed you are with her! Trap her in long one-sided conversations about a topic she doesn't care about? Just a good chance to show off how polite she is! Attempt to date her solely bc she looks like your ex? The only reason why you're not missing is because her friends would be sad if you did ^^!!

(she takes romantic relationships VERY seriously. maybe a little too seriously. Also I am using specific examples from the other Inter1/2ssion members if that wasn't obvious enough.) (also I'm not exaggerating if Momo could kill 🎭 she would. dont ever underestimate her!!)

🖋️: Haruka, the scriptwriter! They're a very like ... head in the clouds type of person? Aloof because they're not paying attention to anything around them Ever. Loves writing stories (hobby turned) but is awful at naming characters .. or just things in general. They'd prefer to write novels but they enjoy scripts too. Definitely has a problem with perfectionism tho. I think they'd have an affinity with animals, maybe cats in particular?

Which is kinda funny considering they're the only member of Inter1/2ssion that actually enjoys listening to 📜's history rambles, who's a hologram that takes the form of a cat. They also take notes of 📜's rambles just in case anything comes in handy for writing. (Though even in the case that the info does become useful they still double check it's validity, so it's kinda superfluous.)

🪡: Takahiro, the tailor/costumes guy/I forgot the word! Guy who's pissed at everyone forever! Well minus Momo and his little sister, he has a very obvious soft spot for both. Also kind of snobbish abt any of his interests. Often wears sunglasses (including indoors) in an attempt to hide his eyebags 😔 Part of the reason why he's so grumpy all the time is because he's super bothered by most noises and is unable to mask his frustration abt it (aka I gave him my misophonia swag lmao. If I have to suffer he has to suffer with me💖) Has a total of 0 social skills! Which definitely makes him more pissed at everything when in/trying to be in a conversation.

Loves to play touys with his little sister and as a result lovessss to reference like. childish stuff(?) more than the average person. (its more obvious what i mean if u look in his tag lmao. i kinda forgot how to describe it.) He's also like. Actually kinda rich. I haven't decided how much money he has but like .... if it's not somewhere in the millions its close. Both of his parents as well as himself are pretty famous in the fashion industry. He also has a pretty solid social media presence? Like he's very good at it for some reason (perfectionism) but also horrible at talking to people in person (perfectionism. and also autism probably idk.)

Has a VERY codependent relationship with Momo. Like .... literally the only reason why he's in Inter1/2ssion (for the first few months at least) is because Momo wants him to be there. Genuinely sees her as like... an angel instead of a person. And all bc she looks pretty :) and is nice also but it's mostly the pretty part. Yeah he does put her on a very high pedestal and doesn't rly like.... bother to get to know her better?In fear that she'll say something that ruins his entire perception of her (same goes for vice versa tbh. but they do work on this. eventually.) and ofc Momo LOVEESSS that level of obsession for her coming from someone else for once. Haruka picks up on these vibes and tries to sabotage their relationship(? it takes a while for them to like... actaully establish anything) Which now that I think abt it gives Haruka and Momo the fun dynamic of "Trying to ruin my friend's love life bc I'm deeply concerned abt whatever the hell is going on over there." (Since Momo also tries to sabotage the Haruka/🎭 situationship. Only Momo actually succeeds lmao) Anyways believe it or not I did briefly forget I was talking about Takahiro so ig i'll end this paragraph here lmao.

📜: 000129, the director! (Though he often goes by 9 for short) He is an EXTREMELY old hologram (like literally 100+ years old. I feel like I should mention the rest of Inter1/2ssion are in their early to late 20's) who also chooses to appear as various types of cats.

Also due to being an older hologram, he can't really move that much on his own. Like. The device he's attached to has to be moved around for him (Does that make sense? Hope that makes sense.) He actually has a lot of cat-like tendencies too, I know he goes crazyyy over those red laser dots ... I'd say he's pretty carefree, especially at the beginning, as he mostly only (seems to) care about the aforementioned cat tendencies. Though he does become .... more aware(?I dunno what to call it) throughout his time with Inter1/2ssion. He has an impressive amount of historical knowledge and will not hesitate to ramble for hours on end if you give him even a slight chance. Despite him being the oldest member you should NOT listen to his advice. He would tell you to jump off a bridge for the experience.

He was literally found in an antique store* for like 20$ and he's still pissed off about it (only abt being listed at 20$ though. He is worth WAY more than that, according to him.) He sees Takahiro as being similar to him (passionate about their interests, good with children, loud) Takahiro hates being compared to 9 and refuses to acknowledge they have anything in common. Anyways if 9 seems inconsisent in any way it's bc I still haven't got him down as much as I have with some of the other characters lmao.

*This is pretty off topic so I'm putting it down here lol. Inter1/2ssion were originally based off different types of items in an antique store bc I got rly rly bored one day lmao. Ryouta and Momo (since it was just Momo at the time) were based off of jewelry and dolls, but those are pretty obvious. Takahiro was based off this one anteater plush I found that I loved but didn't end up getting. 9 was based off of those old single color books that were always dictionaries for some reason? Jun was supposed to be based off a bunch off stained glass pieces I saw but I couldn't rly come up with anything so I just made her based off an employee. Though by the time I got everyone's personalities and designs down it ended up being less and less about antique stores, so I decided there wouldn't be as much as a focus on it like I was originally planning.

^ anteater plush ... I miss it dearly .. Takahiro doesn't resemble it at all anymore since his character has changed so much, but he's still an anteater to me <3

🎭: Jun, aspiring actress! So. mm. Ohhhhh boy. Where do I even start with Jun … I feel like I need to say I lovvve to put Jun through absolute hell and back. Anyways. Jun is your typical friendly coworker with absolutely no issues at all don’t even worry about it 👍 She’s very willing (maybe a little Too Willing) to lend a hand with anything you need or listen to any of your troubles. Don’t worry about how you know almost nothing about her, despite how much you hang out with her. Don’t worry about how much she hangs out on the edges of your group, with that distant look in her eyes, she’s just such an airhead! You can totally trust her to be in charge of things she definitely will not sabotage anything on purpose. Don’t even worry about it. Don’t even worry about her. Ever. She’s so ok trust her 💖 Anyways onto actual fun facts! There’s not a whole ton actually lol. Very devoted to acting and has spent pretty much her entire life trying to be like literally the best at it or lamenting over what else she could've done in that time. So, according to her, she hasn’t had much time for any kind of hobbies. Ignore the amount of doomscrolling she does. That’s not relevant … not even a little bit. Jun would love embroidery. I can’t explain this one she just would.

I need everyone to know the Ryouta and Jun parallels drive me crazzzy. As if I’m not the one who made them lmao. Being forced into roles vs forcing yourself into the role, attempting to sabotage [if just by inaction] but eventually caring vs caring for everything so much that you end up sabotaging it before it turns into a bad memory for you. Natural talent vs talent gained by actual hard work (sometimes. it gets a little messy during toxic yuri arc......) How both of them prefer the familiarity of misery…. I need them to fistfight in an abandoned parking lot and talk about their real feelings for once. And then the rivalry is returned but more in a they both wanna push each other to be better kind of way. ZWZAIT THEY’RE LITERALLY. ough . Ryouta has water symbolism and Jun has fire symbolism making them also water vs. fire. My genius astounds even me..

❤️‍🔥: Ayumi, famous actress and mentor(?) to Inter1/2ssion! She's reserved/mysterious/ has this very elegant air to her. Although she doesn't let it show she's extremely paranoid of pretty much everything and everyone ever. She has the strange ability to disappear from pretty much anywhere, so much so that there's rumors of her being a ghost or some other supernatural being. Ayumi heavily denies being a ghost, but she just like. Shrugs off any other rumors. Like ok girl .... totally not suspious at all .....

Ayumi enjoys being around most of Inter1/2ssion, (she finds them all cute in one way or another. Even if she doesn't really trust any of them.) except for Momo and Jun. Ayumi can just kinda sense the sinister vibes from Momo (Momo has mixed feelings on Ayumi. She hates that Ayumi can easily be considered more "cute" than her, since they look very very similar, but she also admires the talent that Ayumi has for acting. So Momo at least doesn't actively threaten Ayumi.) Ayumi and Jun .............. Have a very toxic yuri backstory. Idk how else to describe it but it messes them both up really bad.

Ayumi is also engaged! To a man she literally could not give less of a shit abt. She totally has her life together and isn't thinking abt Jun every single waking moment! Uhhhh. She also likes magigirl shows :]

Anddddd I think thats it? They're all very dramatic. I love and hate them all dearly <3333

[cowes]

Ok, finally home from hell (8 and 1/2 hour shift no breaks) let's get back to it, love your thoughts, love the graphic!

Oh holy shit Kirsten as the first adopted child, you're so smart for that. I do agree on oldest, most traditional - strict I would maybe argue falls on Mary - when they're all running through the woods playing, Mary is the one with the sour face the one not participating. Like I think Kirsten is someone who has to bottle so much up and I think it's so interesting that she has them run freely and scream at the top of their lungs because she probably feels like doing that 90% of the time.

Very true Mickey and Tina's arrival is so hilarious it caught me off guard. Just "hi hello here are two new children have fun?" And his sort of like "I guess?!". When I watched it I most certainly thought the first three were biological kids and then Mickey and Tina were the only adopted ones. And yeah it's difficult to explain how she uses the children in relation to Leo. Like after what happened with Kirsten, I would think that's the last straw. He assaults a 15 year old, my instinct would be to leave, definitely not bring more children around. Like why was Gwenda the last straw for her you know? How much did he cheat and why would more children be her revenge move? I need to rewatch many more times to put stuff together now retroactively with all the pieces but, who knows.

Very true she does love her children very much, but unfortunately I think her love (and to an extent all love, let's be honest) comes from fear - fear of her image, fear of them leaving her - and a lot of her love then expresses itself as possession and control, which is...not great - the panic attack in the bunker exactly. And her having that built is the ultimate expression of that fear/possession/control/love cycle. If the whole world burns down, you will survive here with me whether you like it or not.

And yes, yes ah Hester. Need to study that girl under a microscope. I think honestly it might be like denial? Or like hopefulness to the point of denial? If I ignore this thing it isn't real. If no one knows about my drinking or if I treat it with nonchalance then it's not real and I'm fine, everything's fine. I don't know. I've only seen it once, and like any time I watch something and am compelled by the acting choices I'll rewind it a couple times to watch it again, but I need a couple full rewatches to really put everything together in context with the whole show.

Thank you! that's a very high compliment, that one was an original, probably definitely inspired by something somewhere, but I loved the graphic you made of it, That's so flattering! And also that scene! How casually cruel Rachel is and how Hester leaves nearly immediately after! Ahhhhh!

Yeah exactly these are my guys, sorry to you Agatha fans, I simply do not care about all that in this instance. (And sorry for this damn essay geez)

i hope u can rest well after that shift 😟 no breaks??

yeah dunno why i said strict then. my bad. i think i was thinking 'parental' - because she's not quite a sibling with the others, there is a motherly aspect. yes, she has really kept so much repressed over the years. the scene in the kitchen with her and jack is just heartbreaking. its actually painful to think about, the way he just comes to talk to her and gets slightly rejected (not really!!! not really jack !! don't leave, she just got nervous!)

And her having [the bunker] built is the ultimate expression of that fear/possession/control/love cycle. If the whole world burns down, you will survive here with me whether you like it or not.

another banger observation.

i always understood the bunker as her way of staying in control, but i never really extended that to her kids. its probably why she took tina wanting to leave home so hard, losing that love/control over them.

hmmm. i never really understood if leo cheating was a regular thing or if it was only with kirsten and that was what rachel meant that gwenda was not the first staff member. it's probably meant to be vague. perhaps the gwenda thing was the last straw because everything else was falling apart with her kids, so she decided fuck it. she was seriously busy that night, wrecking her relationships with everrrryone.

ella said in this interview: "she has the family persona where she plays the princess and she has her real character, which is how she behaves with her siblings where she acts much older."

very sweet idea that how she acts with her siblings is the real her, but i often feel that she also hides parts of herself from them too (though that's not a 'persona' - just keeping secrets), probably for the reasons u mentioned.

actually that whole interview is very good. some of her thoughts on hester and rachel's relationship: "a lot of their relationship is based on what Hester looks like and Rachel is always selecting her clothes and making sure Hester always looks perfect which is why Hester develops an obsession with her appearance, maintaining this expectation even after Rachel is murdered [...] I do however think she loves her mother, they all do in some way, but it’s a weird kind of love when you love someone who doesn’t give you anything back."

we should invite ella to chat with us, i think she's on the same page.

im glad u liked the graphic 😅 i still have the urge to delete it. but tumblr is anonymous so i guess i cant be too embarrassed.

[cdyssey]

Abbott 2.14 Thoughts:

Finally have time to watch the new ep!! The conference has been great so far, but I’m glad I can just decompress for the rest of the evening.

“Don’t listen to what the eighth graders say about the way you dress. You are making a fashion statement.” AKDNSNS, I love the way that Jacob is always there for Janine. Their friendship has subtly but so genuinely evolved from from S1 to now.

JANINE’S SISTER!!!!!! AW, Ayesha is so cute. Oh, my God, Janine’s very erroneous and self-revealing side-comments about her. (Girl, I want to study you under a microscope.)

Jacob explaining his and Zach’s happiness and LISA clearly breaking.

The idea of Mel taking herself out to a steakhouse all alone. Oh, my God.

Barb and Ger!!!! I think it’s very charming that they’ve both been too preoccupied to really plan anything? That’s the sort of detail that feels true to some long-established couples?? My parents, who are in their seventies, don’t really plan anything either. They just sort of remember it’s Valentine’s Day and then go grab a steak, lol.

QKQJSNSSN, BARBARA ASKING ABOUT AMBER LIKE THAT. I love when the work wives are work moms.

Melissa having her glasses in her mouth for the rest of that scene.

“He looks like men do before they have kids.” OOQJWNWJDDJAJISDJS.

“… because if you think about it, underpaying a white teacher to teach Black history is almost reparation.” GHEEJDID. They give Ava the goddamn best one-liners.

Donnie: “I need a woman.” THAT KID’S LOOK AT THE CAMERA WIWNDNE.

Ava looking invested/putting down her phone as she listens to Jacob… 🥺

Barb being so excited about the airplane date is very cute. Also, Cibo Bistro is an Italian place, so that’s a tiny Work Wives win if you really think about it and put ur clown nose on.

Mel’s mind jumping straight to cheating. God. That’s the suspicion of someone who has been cheated on before and utterly hurt by it.

WAH, BARB NOT KNOWING SHE HAS TO BUY A PLANE TICKET. SEA BARBARA!! CRUISES ONLY.

Janine going to Mel for advice. 😭 I love work mom moments.

“That’s puppy love, Dolittle. It’ll pass.” This is a very cute line, but if I really wanted to, I could write the angstiest gd fic about “It’ll pass.” <3 *Twirls hair. owo*

JACOB SPILLING THE SECRET EEJFNEN. Janine’s expression as she digests this information—dear god, the utter vulnerability and confusion of it.

“Only a handful of them do. Say, like, 30% to 60%.” ajwjweAhqsjs.

Ava still observing Jacob. LISTEN, pls tell me the plot line is that she’s actually enjoying learning. I will start sobbing.

“Like an anti-racist Icarus.” QIQJWNSENS.

QNWSNSN, EVERYONE IN THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE KNOWING ABOUT GREGORY.

“Although I think that workplace romances are a terrible idea” and Melissa nodding in agreement. I could also write terribly angsty fanfic abou—

Barb: “But you do like him, right?” Everyone being a Teddie shipper is so good and so right.

“Sweetheart, it is possible to like two people at the same time.” ON GOD, DID THAT JUST COME OUT OF BARBARA HOWARD’S MOUTH?!!

Janine tenderly and sadly imagining domestic intimacy with Gregory. I want to cry.

ZACH!! I love his fit. I love a good bomber jacket.

“Sounds like you’re actually enjoying learning.” YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

“I will kick your Jacob-loving Saint Valentine ass right out of this school.” AAkqjwwidj

“I never liked school. It got in the way of college.” QOQKQNS.

“No offense.” / “None taken.” Goddamn, this show is so funny.

I love that Ava is sharing this vulnerable moment with Zach, tho, and I love the fact that he immediately is able to intuit what the difference is. Ava has grown and matured since her younger days, and she’s continuing this journey every day. The same principal who misappropriated school funds to buy a sign of herself isn’t the one who’s sitting across Zach admitting to being invested in learning about Black history.

Janine thinking Gregory is talking about them. 😭😭😭 GOD.

LEGO flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right pairing, wrong timing ships always get to me. Jesus.

“Well, people can like more than one person.” I love that this is the second time this has been said in the episode. The Abbott writers know relationships and people are messy and complicated. It’s never about neatly partitioned feelings when you really love someone.

AVA MAKING THEM TURN AROUND. AVA GOING BACK TO SCHOOL. SOBBBBBBINN G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SOBBINNG!

Ava standing up for Jacob!!!!!!!! I fucking love that!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m very not fashion-aware because I had to go look up the value of a Telfar bag ANSDNS.

JANINE NOT KNOWING EITHER WIWNDSNNW. Solidarity. I love you, ma’am.

LMAO, Mo and Amber are gonna end up together.

Not Gregory looking baaaaack.

BARBARA INVITINT MEL TO THE AIRPORT DATE. THIS IS ALL I’VE EVER WANTED.

“Oh, we don’t mind.” THIS IS MY WIFE, BARBARA, AND THIS IS MY WIFE’S WIFE MELISSA.

Barbara so tenderly worrying about Melissa, and Melissa gently shrugging the effort off because she wants Barbara to have a nice night. I love this ship that we have all collectively made up in our heads. <33

WRAP IT UP, FOLKS. WE GOT AN I LOVE YOU AND AN I LOVE YOU TOO, BARB. THAT’S ALL I NEED TO BE HAPPY AND CONTENT WITH MY LIFE. OH, MY GOD. MELISSA SAID IT SO CASUALLY.

And then the episode ended. <3 The end.