#signals character growth

[mayasaura]

To be clear, I do ship Marcille and Falin!! I just ship them as.... complicated, you know? They have dyke drama. Marcille is deluding herself that Falin hasn't grown up and she's not going to age, and she's not going to die no matter what Marcille does, and Marcille isn't going to have to live most of her life having lost her. Meanwhile poor Falin would like a step by step written explanation of how to convince her very good elf friend that she is an adult, and has some potentially adult feelings about getting wet and naked and crawling into bed together

[everyday-is-uncle-day]

Jamie and the tongue.

season 1 Season 3

the smugness becomes endearing

*bonus Jamie with Sam

(Puts his tongue out so Sam knows he’s okay)

[antennas-to-heaven]

any possible last guest oomfs wanna discuss possible interpretations of daisy's past before she was sent to the orphanage and how it affected her as a person? perhaps even discuss possible interpretations of molly's past and her decision to enroll in the military? 👀

[professorcalculusstanaccount]

Tintin Tarot, part 2 - the Fool's Journey Continues. Part 1 can be found here! Me and @josephscoat came up with a list of Tintin characters assigned to the major arcana cards in a tarot deck after she realised how well Tintin mapped onto the Fool.

The Hanged Man - Sacrifice, martydom and hesitation. Frank Wolff's death in Explorers on the Moon really stuck with me. I watched the 90s cartoon adaptation of it with a friend recently and even though I knew what was going to happen, it still hit very hard. I replaced the living tree, which represents the potential for growth and knowledge on the original card, with the planet Earth.

Death - New beginnings, metamorphosis, fear of change and decay. Even just for the imagery I had to use Rascar Capac. His use in the narrative seems to demonstrate a fear of the unknown. As the Hierophant and the child from the Sun card appear on the original Death card, I opted to use Rascar Capac as he's in the same story as the Prince of the Sun and Zorrino, who we assigned to the Hierophant and the Sun respectively! Professor Tarragon replaces the dying person on the ground in the original card, and Inti the Incan sun god watches over the scene.

Temperance - Middle path, patience, finding meaning, but also could mean excess and a lack of balance when reversed. Haddock is famous for his tendency to fly off the handle at a moment's notice. But Haddock also has endless patience for Tintin's bullshit. His character arc is one of finding meaning in his life after hitting rock bottom. He is pouring bottles of Loch Lomond, as seen in the Magician card.

The Devil - Addiction, lust, materialism, playfulness. Who else is more devillish than Tintin's arch nemesis, Rastapopoulos? His schemes grow wilder and larger as he pursues wealth and revenge. While sexuality is famously absent from the Tintin series, Rastapopoulos and his associates certainly lust over money and control. Tom and Allan are held in chains, though they are clearly removeable. The choice is theirs if they wish to walk away.

The Tower - Sudden upheaval, disaster, but also an avoidance of disaster in reverse. Calculus' reusable nuclear powered moon rocket was literally ahead of its time, representing a huge shake up in technological advancement in the Tintin universe. However, the moon mission attracted a lot of sabotage and disaster which was narrowly avoided. While the characters had to rely on the rocket for safety, it's not necessarily predictable.

The Star - Hope and rejuvenation, but also discouragement and insecurity in reverse. The phostile meteorite ushered a global wave of panic and speculation initially, but once it landed it became a beacon for competing factions to get to in time. It has a property that allows living things to grow quickly and abnormally large, representing the abundance the Star card is supposed to signal. The Star is supposed to follow the trauma of the Tower. Picking the rocket and meteorite felt thematically appropriate as both have associations with space, a relatively new frontier.

The Moon - Illusions, intuition, fear, confusion, misinterpretation. Professor Phostle jumps to conclusions and makes wild predictions from shaky calculations. He's also conveniently moon shaped.

The Sun - Inner child, joy, truth and liberation from struggle, or sadness and self doubt in reverse. Zorrino escapes the torment and bullying in his village and joins the Inca. Haddock and Tintin are immediately protective over him, with Zorrino being a little younger than Tintin.

Judgement - Releasing baggage, call to action, renewal, moving forward. Ramo Nash breaks free from Rastapopoulos' grasp and saves Tintin's life. I decided to depict the final confrontation scene from Alph Art where he pushes Rastapopoulos off a cliff, to his end.

The World - Culmination, success, completion, but stagnation in reverse. The Fool has seemingly completed his journey - Tintin has it all, a successful fulfilling career, friends who care about him and a manion to live in. But he is, by design, stagnant. Forever a cherub faced boy, stuck in an episodic serial by nature, Hergé wanted to kill him off by sealing him inside a resin statue, freezing him in place for eternity. He will forever be the Boy Reporter.

I dressed him as a Morris dancer because I thought it would be funny

[xyywrites]

Structuring Complex Plots Made Simple

Complex plots can feel overwhelming at first—so many moving parts, characters, and events to juggle! But the good news? You don’t need to get tangled up in a web of confusion. Breaking down your story into digestible steps makes all the difference. 

1. Start with a Simple Foundation

Every complex plot needs a solid starting point. Simplifying your central conflict can help anchor your plot.

Central Conflict: A young woman must navigate an oppressive society to save her brother. Plot Twist: The brother is actually the villain, manipulating her into becoming a pawn.

You don’t need to know every twist and turn from the beginning—just ensure the core conflict is clear and compelling.

2. Break Your Plot into Acts

Traditional three-act structure (beginning, middle, end) is a proven way to keep things focused.

Act 1: Establish the protagonist's goal (saving her brother) and introduce the villain. Act 2: The protagonist starts making moves to save her brother, but obstacles arise, leading to the revelation that he’s manipulating her. Act 3: The protagonist must choose between loyalty to family and standing up against the manipulative villain.

Breaking your plot into acts gives a roadmap—without it, things can get messy.

3. Use Subplots to Build Depth

Subplots enhance the main plot, offer character development, and increase tension. The key is to make sure they tie back to your central theme.

Main Plot: Saving her brother from an oppressive regime. Subplot: A growing romance between the protagonist and a rebellion leader. The relationship challenges her loyalties and forces her to question her motivations.

4. Create Stakes—And Raise Them

Keeping the stakes clear makes it easier to craft plot twists and dramatic moments. And don’t forget to escalate the stakes as the plot moves forward!

Initial Stakes: If she fails, her brother will be executed. Escalating Stakes: If she succeeds, she’ll be forced to take over her brother’s corrupt position in the regime, forever compromising her values.

5. Use Character Arcs to Drive the Plot

The plot shouldn’t just happen to the character—it should be shaped by their decisions, growth, and challenges.

Character Arc: The protagonist starts out loyal to her brother but slowly grows to question the values she was raised with. Plot Impact: Her arc causes her to defy her brother and ultimately join the rebellion.

Your character's internal journey should influence how the plot unfolds—this gives your story emotional weight.

6. Keep Track of Timeline & Pacing

Complex plots can involve jumping between timelines or multiple locations. Keeping a timeline or outline ensures you don’t confuse yourself or your readers.

Timeline: The story starts in one city, but the protagonist must travel to another to join the rebellion. They leave in winter, and by the time they arrive, it’s spring, signaling a shift in both setting and mood.

7. Use Foreshadowing Without Overloading

Foreshadowing hints at key plot points, creating anticipation without giving everything away. The trick is to keep it subtle.

Foreshadowing: Early on, the protagonist notices her brother’s growing coldness, which seems like a small detail but becomes significant when his manipulation is revealed. Subtle Clue: An offhand comment from a friend: “I wonder how much your brother has really changed?”

8. Allow for Setbacks & Surprises

Things shouldn’t always go according to plan. Introducing setbacks makes your plot feel more dynamic, realistic, and unpredictable.

Setback: The protagonist makes a bold move to save her brother, but it backfires—she’s caught and imprisoned by the regime. Surprise: The rebellion leader, whom she trusted, turns out to have been working with the enemy all along.

9. Tie Loose Ends Together in the Climax

Why It Works: The climax is where everything you've been building finally comes together. Tie in multiple storylines or character arcs in this moment to create a powerful payoff.

Climax: The protagonist must confront both her brother (the villain) and the rebellion leader in a final battle. Tied Elements: Her love for her brother, her trust in the rebellion leader, and her loyalty to her values all collide in this moment.

The climax should feel like a natural culmination of everything that’s happened, providing resolution and emotional payoff.

10. Keep the Ending Open to Interpretation

Complex plots often leave some questions unanswered, but in a way that feels satisfying. Open-ended conclusions can make your plot linger in readers’ minds.

Ending: The protagonist defeats the villain, but the regime is still in power. The rebellion is fractured, and her brother’s fate is uncertain. Interpretation: Did she really win? What will she do next?

Building a complex plot doesn’t have to be a headache. By breaking it down into manageable steps, you can craft a story that’s rich in layers, full of twists, and grounded in character development. Keep your focus on the core conflict, build in obstacles, and don’t forget to let your characters drive the plot. You’ve got this!

[tealvenetianmask]

THIS was the biggest character growth moment for Blitz in the episode.

Early on, Stolas asks about the horses, and Blitz makes a joke of the idea that he has a traumatic past. Now, in the fandom, there's been a bunch of speculation that his love of horses has to do with growing up around them in the circus... and I think that's a pretty good bet. But regardless, I think the fact that he makes this joke is supposed to signal to the audience he's not ready to really open up about his past and/or doesn't think that Stolas needs him to.

Why would he anyway? His idea of caring for Stolas involves smiling a lot, being silly, being encouraging, making food, buying/stealing/ killing things for him- keeping him in the moment, and letting the really difficult emotional stuff just exist in the background for the time being.

It's not a bad strategy.

But when Stolas goes through being rejected by his daughter and responds with utter despair and hopelessness, I think Blitz realizes that he has something to offer on a deeper level. Because of his painful life experiences, and not in spite of them.

His particular brand of resilience has a core of defiant determination in the face of staggering emotional pain. And Stolas needs that from him, so he's going to be really fucking brave and share it.

[madlori]

On Tommy and narrative threads

So some fans who are vehemently anti-Tommy frequently use the talking point that they need to have Buck confront Tommy about his past behavior while under Gerrard, or have him find out about it if he doesn't already know, and that he should break up with him about it. Or they need some kind of reckoning to happen with Hen and Chim in order to move forward.

I'm 95% sure neither of those things are going to happen, and here is why: the show considers that narrative thread to be closed.

It has run its course. It's done. It's been resolved. As fans and viewers - and as many of us are fic readers and writers - we always want to see things hashed out onscreen in exhaustive detail but that's not practically possible. The narrative sometimes has to signal that threads are resolved in other ways, in the way characters act towards each other and speak about each other.

Throughout the course of the three Begins episodes in which he appears, the writers clearly selected Tommy to represent the "firefighter who acted kinda jerky but got better through personal growth and friendship with new people" narrative. By the end of Bobby Begins Again, this narrative is more or less complete, as we've now seen Tommy act to support Hen and also be accepted into a friendly relationship with both her and Chim, not to mention Bobby. When he reappears in season 7, nobody acts like he's anything other than a friend, and Chim outright admires him.

This is the conclusion of this thread, as far as the show is concerned. Did he ever sit down with Hen and Chim and make some big speech or have some big discussion about how he's learned and changed? Probably not. Those kinds of direct conversations sometimes do happen in reality, but more often than not, you just spend years working with someone and your opinion of them shifts as all of you change. And remember, Hen and Chim worked with Tommy for years before Bobby even showed up.

And ask yourself this question: if Hen and Chim have both moved on, and have accepted whatever direct or implicit apology Tommy offered, how is it Buck's business to decide that no, that's not good enough, HE'S going to demand some kind of restitution on their behalf? That's patronizing as fuck. These are people with their own agency who don't need Buck to advocate for them and exact some kind of retroactive revenge for something they're not even mad about anymore. Would he be upset that Tommy ever made off-color remarks, or was less than welcoming to people who are now his friends? Maybe. Is he upset that Eddie nearly killed a man? Is he filled with moral outrage and disappointment that Hen cheated on her wife? Chim physically assaulted him, and so did Bobby. Is he still holding that against them? Is he upset NOW that nobody's speaking up on HIS behalf when Gerrard targets him? Buck's an adult. He knows that people frequently look back on their past behavior and cringe at what jerks they were, himself included.

Tommy has several times alluded to being ashamed of his past actions. He knows the score. The message we're meant to take from those comments is that he's taken steps to not be that guy anymore. Need he flagellate himself forever? Does this need to cost him and Buck a relationship they both value? It can't have been easy to come from a terrible father, go into the army, then into the LAFD with a terrible captain, and then to meet people who challenged your behavior and made you want to be a better person. The fact that he became a better person is something he should be admired for, not punished.

[thirstkanaphan]

Yeosang and Wooyoung's Recent Features & Subverting the Idol Persona

I have so many thoughts about Yeosang and Wooyoung's most recent editorial features for fashion magazine and how each of them sends a message about their growth over the years.

These two former BigHit trainees each dealt with image issues early in their careers: Yeosang's beauty dominated the external perception of him as an idol who was nothing more than a pretty face, while Wooyoung internally struggled with his physical appearance, recently exacerbated by his diagnosis of a skin condition that flares up in the heat.

In response to these pressures, Yeosang and Wooyoung took on different personas when they debuted as Ateez.

In Yeosang's case, he was "a Maltese who insists he's a Doberman." Yeosang's characterization as pure, innocent, and hapless was (and still is) reinforced by the members as part of their fan service. KQ also allegedly overruled Yeosang on his choice of a Doberman as a representative animal for their Aniteez characters and discouraged him from going to the gym, so as to preserve his slim physique.

Yeosang himself has said that he's not too bothered by the Maltese/Doberman bit; yet, at the same time, Yeosang shows his true self in his performance. He is the kind of dancer that takes up space; his movements are filled with unexpected swagger and ferocity. I noticed this during his MMA solo; again during his Sticky dance challenge, and most recently during the concert film. It was his attitude that entranced me, not (only) his visuals. Around this time, he began to bulk up, seemingly in control of his body's appearance for the first time in a while. He has solo music on the horizon and more schedules coming his way.

Whether or not you want to use the Doberman metaphor, the Esquire Korea feature feels like Yeosang reshaping his image.

Yeosang's poses draw attention to his bulging biceps, his large hands, veiny forearms, and exposed forehead. These attributes all signal traditional masculinity and almost aggressively sends the message: this is a man, not a "good boy."

My quote comes from the clip below of Yeosang, San, and Wooyoung on Jaejoong's variety show. It should be noted that Jaejoong is considered the platonic ideal of a center visual. Jaejoong was allegedly blacklisted from entertainment after his lawsuit with SM led to the national elimination of the so-called idol "slave contracts" with entertainment companies, yet SM continues to use him as the visual blueprint with selecting idols. Jaejoong's compliments to Yeosang therefore feelsalmost double-edged: Yeosang fits the Jaejoong type, but there are certain expectations and pressures that come with this role, and consequences for stepping out of line.

Yeosang's Esquire photoshoot therefore feels transgressive and affirming, given how much he's tried to show the fandom how we've continually underestimated him. See his quote in GQ:

I am intrigued by the sudden (or perhaps not-so-sudden) rebranding of Yeosang and I greatly anticipate his collaboration with Hongjoong for the next Ateez: Present installment. The Sangaissance is upon us!

If Yeosang's idol persona served to reinforce our opinion of him as pure and untainted by earthly desires, than Wooyoung's aimed for the opposite. Welcomed last to KQ on the strength of his dancing skills, and who shared the role of main dancer with Mingi and Yunho, I think Wooyoung found a way to stand out through his "sexy performer" concept.

While his loudmouth antics and aggressive aegyo were also his signature characteristics, Wooyoung used his sexy concept as a kind of shield and battering ram. For many years, Wooyoung spoke negatively about his own body and faced unkind comments from the fandom. There was so much scrutiny over his appearance that it makes sense that the sexy concept became his way of seizing control of his own narrative - and good for him. "Sexy Pefrormer" became how he identified himself and how his members referred to him (although you can imagine their tone).

These days, the nickname "sexy performer" is mostly used to affectionately tease Wooyoung. Wooyoung has himself admitted that he's matured beyond his adolescent understanding of "sexy"

I also notice the kpop industry trended away from "sexy" around the same time Wooyoung did, about two years ago. He's too savvy to be unaware.

These days, you'll find him in head-to-toe Chrome Hearts or styled more androgynously, especially with long hair.

And yet, like Yeosang, and perhaps due to watching Seonghwa and San dramatically transform their bodies and gain opportunities in the high fashion world, Wooyoung recently modified his physique and debuted an unprecedented amount of skin at the Couurages show:

Wooyoung's efforts at exercise were downplayed by the man himself, who was a combination of shy, dismissive, and smug in his messages to ATINY.

With his Courreges appearance going viral, Wooyoung's sexiness was once again part of his packaging as an idol, but with this recent feature + digital cover for ARENA Magazine, it's clear Wooyoung is not sticking to the same old rule book.

These photos of Wooyoung are sexy, yes, but they are also bold, weird, loud, unsettling, strange, erotic, camp, and even unflattering (meant as a compliment). His face forms exaggerated grimaces and pouts; his body bends and hunches; his clothes are either too small and tight or overly large and baggy on his form.

It's not at all what we were expecting from Wooyoung. Compare this photoshoot to cover model Hyunjin who is there to serve Blue Steel-"i'm a handsome idol" face (and it's a beautiful face, good for him!) and apparently also sell watches and jewelry.

They are doing very different things, not one better than the other, but I am delighted that Wooyoung took a real risk and embraced the vulnerability and liberation of not trying to look like a picture-perfect idol. According to Wooyoung, the results were due to him doing what felt natural and not studied:

Wooyoung was so impressive that the Editor-in-Chief made a comment on instagram about how they decided to give Wooyoung a digital cover, something that normally only happens with a brand collaboration (like Seonghwa with John Varvatos perfume).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arena Homme+ Korea (@arenakorea)

Yeosang and Wooyoung are not the only members who have altered their appearance to meet new visual concepts. Yet these two recent magazine features suggest that they are making a concerted effort to change/affect our perceptions of them as artists. By embracing different yet not necessarily oppositional modes of sexiness (one rooted in traditional masculinity; the other engaging with queer aesthetics) Yeosang and Wooyoung make clear they intend to move beyond the idol structures and strictures and challenge our perception of kpop visuals through the fearless, transformative, and radical embrace of their own. Bravo!!

I can't wait to see what they do next!

[fernwehreader]

ACOSF Bonus Chapter: Lit Analysis

This will be long, and I apologize in advance. But I continue to see the most mind-boggling interpretations of Azriel's ACOSF bonus chapter, that it’s impossible for me to keep quiet. If I see one more take that this chapter is unimportant, an indication of Elain's book being next, or how it's setting up an Elain and Azriel relationship, I fear I may lose my mind.

In my opinion, Azriel’s ACOSF bonus chapter is a crucial piece in the bridge to ACOTAR 5 (which will be Azriel's book). When I teach my high school students to analyze literature, I stress the importance of asking the question, "SO WHAT?" This helps to understand the purpose of the text and potential authorial intent.

So, I'd like to go through that exercise a bit with the bonus chapter (primarily for my own benefit) to underscore the critical elements of its structure and what SJM may be trying to do with it.

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"SO WHAT?" #1: The bonus chapter is meant to introduce Azriel's POV and set up his arc for the next full-length ACOTAR novel. This chapter is the first time we get Azriel's perspective -- a deliberate choice that signals something important to the reader. He is stepping out of the shadows (ha!) literally and figuratively to make the transition away from being a side character.

For the first time, SJM is deliberately shining a spotlight on Azriel to show that he, too, is fractured and facing his own crossroads. The bonus chapter offers a glimpse into Azriel's internal conflict to communicate that he has a story to tell.

I see comments within the fandom that are critical of Azriel in this chapter regarding his re-gifting of the necklace, how he views Elain as an object he is owed, or in his attitude during his argument with Rhys. Friends, THAT IS THE POINT. We are meant to see Azriel at an incredibly stark low-point. It not only contrasts what's to come later in the chapter, but it is further establishing that this character is fractured and must now prepare to embark on his own healing journey. And, as part of this, SJM begins to deconstruct the idealized version of Azriel that readers have gotten to know. The brooding and stoic warrior has been "humanized" in a sense -- in the bonus chapter, a confused male in need of personal growth emerges.

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"SO WHAT?" #2: This chapter relies on purposeful authorial intent to present a symbolic shift away from Elain which then foreshadows a future relationship with Gwyn. I know this has been discussed at length within the fandom, so I won't dwell too much on it here. But I will stress that SJM is hitting the reader over the head with the truth that there is nothing sustainable to explore between Azriel and Elain romantically. It is a surface-level, lust-filled, infatuation on Azriel's part, fueled only by the delusion that the "thirds" must be paired up. Azriel is so desperate for a mating bond that his recklessness is in overdrive at this moment. This first half of the chapter is so important because once Azriel leaves Rhys, the reader gets swept away on a pendulum that carries Azriel to a stark tonal shift (and to the House of Wind!).

What I love most about the chapter is what SJM is doing with this pendulum swing between Elain/Rhys and Gwyn/Clotho. The entire bonus chapter is honestly such a rich and interesting example of thematic juxtaposition (if I could, I’d use it in the high school English classes I teach).

EVERYTHING included within this bonus chapter is intentional by SJM when it comes to juxtaposition: the shadows disappearing vs the shadows darting/watching/singing; surface-level lust vs thoughtful emotion and genuine connection; self-loathing vs contentment; selfish taking (“the third”) vs reflective giving (the necklace).

But perhaps most interesting is how Rhys and Clotho are intentional narrative brackets, each following a key emotional beat in Azriel’s internal conflict. Azriel's moment with Rhys could be labelled "rage and responsibility" vs Clotho's scene being about "destiny and discovery." Azriel is confronted by truth (Rhys) and guided by fate (Clotho) . . . Plus, Azriel’s final interaction of this chapter is with the character who literally shares a name with one of the Moirai known specifically for spinning fate. Perhaps Clotho is spinning a new thread for Azriel in this moment -- not commanding his future, but initiating it. And, I can't help but think of all the thread/ribbon/string imagery and metaphors that continue to pile up: Clotho spins the thread of life + the mating bond string that Azriel desperately wants + Gwyn's ribbon cutting (and comment about Azriel being her new ribbon). SJM is juxtaposing Rhys and Clotho as lenses through which Azriel’s internal conflict is reflected and redirected.

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"SO WHAT?" #3: We learn a great deal about Azriel himself in this chapter that makes us invested in what comes next for him. While this could fall under my first point above, I decided to include it separately here because I would certainly want to draw my students' attention to this if we were analyzing the chapter in the classroom. An author can set up a character arc all they want — but if the reader doesn’t care about the character, then it’s pointless.

Many readers love to focus on the necklace and how much drama it will cause for Azriel in the next book. But I argue that it's one of the least important elements of the entire bonus chapter once it's all said and done. I truthfully am inclined to think we may not even see it at all in the next book (except maybe a brief Easter Egg). There is no need for it. The necklace is symbolic, not literal. It doesn't need to appear again to matter -- its entire purpose is fulfilled within the bonus chapter: to reveal Azriel's internal shift. And, as readers, we are meant to feel the signifcant weight of that shift. What does this mean for Azriel? He clearly has many issues to work through still, but he is different at the end of this chapter compared to how we find him at the start.

That shift also acts like a tug on the reader -- almost saying, "Hey! Did you see this? What do you think this means? He's different here, right?!" Because even though it isn't about the necklace, the necklace is reason for the final scene of this chapter, which really drives home this last "SO WHAT?" analysis.

In my opinion, Clotho's scene is the most important moment in the entire bonus chapter -- not necessarily because of what is said, but because of what's realized. It's where the story stops telling us that Azriel is lost, confused, angry, etc. Instead, the story starts showing us that he's capable of change. How exciting is that?! Azriel is moving from REACTING to CHOOSING. I find it interesting that in the first half of the chapter, Azriel is trying to GET something (approval, validation, what his brother's have). But, in the final scene with Clotho, he is simply faced with a CHOICE. That shift is everything and leaves the reader with a longing to know where that choice will lead him.

The fact that Azriel imagines Gwyn's eyes lighting up (no other person evokes this from him) is the emotional pivot of the chapter. Elain is never described beyond the surface by Azriel. In contrast, Gwyn -- who isn't even physically present in the scene with Clotho -- has the most vivid and emotionally rich moment of the chapter: "He wondered how Gwyn's eyes might light up at the sight of it." This is centered on Gwyn's joy, not his own gratification (a clear and deliberate contrast to his selfish encounter with Elain).

So, essentially, it's not about the necklace anymore. It's about who Azriel is when he thinks about Gwyn. I don't know about you, but when I consider this, I want to know more about where this is going. If this shift occurs after just a brief encounter with Gwyn, what happens if they spend more time together?

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The entire bonus chapter is, in my opinion, meant to serve as a pivot point for Azriel's characterization as we prepare to spend a great deal of time with him in ACOTAR 5. Azriel is meant to be at his lowest in the beginning of the chapter so the reader can feel the shift by the end . . .

And, although I will save it for another post at another time, I think we can begin to see how Azriel might be working through his issues based on his behavior in CC3. Without getting too in depth, he comes across more open and less guarded, humming, not shying away from physical touch, etc. Everyone will have their own takes on this at this point, but we only have what we have to base our analysis on. Azriel is certainly different in CC3 compared to ACOSF. And this is where I believe his bonus chapter can clue us in a bit. Assuming that ACOTAR 5 will at least partially take place before CC3, we can infer that Azriel is well into his healing journey by that point. That journey also seems likely to include Gwyn and her ability to connect with Azriel in a unique way we haven't seen from other characters. But, who can really say?! We will have to wait and see on this one . . . but my money is that there will be important clues from the bonus chapter and after Solstice in ACOSF that will help bridge us to ACOTAR 5 and how Azriel acts in CC3.

[bhaalble]

Back on my Wyll script doctor because I was talking about it with a friend. Specifically imagining a version of Wyll's big Character Choice that felt like it had some actual teeth.

Imagine a world where instead of a cartoon evil hot lady Mizora and Wyll's relationship actually had some complexity to it and like. some genuine push and pull which gives him temptation to stay. I just keep thinking about this 17 year old who his whole life wanted more than anything to be a hero, who got his chance to do something heroic and selfless and save the city from certain doom, and his reward is getting kicked out because he did it the "wrong way".

Imagine if instead of forcing his silence, Mizora instead comforted him. How unbelievably cruel of your father! Well...since you've nowhere else to go, why not stick with me? We make a pretty good team, as it turns out, and I can get you a whole list of monsters who need killing. Plenty of devils and demons loose in your world targetting all sorts of innocents. Our interests can keep aligning, and you get a place to sleep when you need it.

Wyll makes his peace with it, because he has nothing and no one. And Mizora's not GOOD maybe, not by Ulder Ravengard's definition. But she's fun. She delights in his growth. And she does certainly keep direct him at greater evils, devils who really do need killing. And if she spies on his every waking moment, well, she worries. If she sends him after the occasional innocent, well, she had people who she has to answer to as well. She's a devil, how much can he fault her for her nature? She's always seemed like she knew where the line was...

Karlach (and the player) express their doubts, of course, but for act one at least he's defensive. Yes, she punished him and he hates it and its miserable but....he was in breach of contract! She's NEVER gone outside its bounds, she's always stuck very closely to their agreement. Wyll, who wants so badly to trust others and believe everyone has the chance for good, can't find it in him to believe the worst even of a devil.

And Mizora is FOND of Wyll, loves him even in her way. As a cherished pet, as a trusted tool, as a best-laid plan. Never enough to choose his own well-being over her own agenda, never enough to see him as his own person. He's her little project, the long shot noble brat she gambled on when Tiamat decided to get too big for her britches. And it paid off! Wyll always pays off, currying her all the favor from Zariel she so desperately craves. And who are you, or anyone, to come between them? She's treated him well. As she's quick to remind him, she wanted him when no one else did, aided him while the rest of his city slept snug in their beds. And if Ulder Ravengard didn't want a son with a whiff of infernal, then do you REALLY think he'd want you with lovely horns and Avernus in your blood?

You discover his father's been taken. Beyond igniting a lot of old feelings, it brings up a question of succession. Of course, Florrick isnt giving up on him, but if not...there aren't currently any likely candidates to take over the Flaming Fists. Not trustworthy ones. Florrick will take the position, but everyone knows in the back of his mind Ulder never really stopped planning for it to be Wyll. With the city in chaos and a cult army on the rise, they may need an answer sooner rather than later. Wyll feels the call of the Gate, but knows just as well that Mizora wouldn't want him to return in such an official capacity.

For the first time ever the leash starts to chafe in a way he can't keep pushing through.

Act 2 rolls around. Mizora sends up the Warlock signal. After potentially some encouragement from the player, Wyll (NOT THE PLAYER. I DONT KNOW WHY ITS THE PLAYER IN THE GAME ITS WEIRD) hesitantly proposes that maybe, if he does this....they can do a renegotiation of his contract. Not break it, he assures her quickly! Just....reopen the terms, take a looks at the agreement. Maybe discuss an exit ramp? After all....I mean, neither of us truly thought I'd be doing this forever, did we?

Based on Mizora's reaction. Yeah she did.

But fine. She agrees. And Wyll's not mad that it turns out you're rescuing her, not a nameless "operative" for Zariel. He would've done that on his own had she asked. Its the fact that she apparently didn't feel like being honest, that she let him fret and worry about potentially handing Zariel back some runaway for basically no reason. Its the fact that she came here to check in on the cult that abducted his FATHER just to see if Zariel could make any use of them. And its the fact that she seems surprised and annoyed that ANY of this bothers him.

All this builds, of course, to the final confrontation. The basic elements are the same. Mizora outside the coronation (this time needling at Wyll, "I'll be at camp if you're not too high and mighty to consort with the likes of me anymore"), Ulder tadpoled and fighting it. Mizora makes her offer. I can end the contract now, and you're free to go running after daddy (who won't want you btw! not like I do!). You'll lose all your powers, all my aid, all those juicy quests to chase down the greatest monsters in the hells. Take on your father's job and settle in for a life of misery and compromise and only doing as much good as the nobles will let you. Or: pledge yourself to me, eternally. I'll give you a boatload of new powers and eternal life to boot, so long as you serve as my sword and shield.

From there I think three endings branch out, and with it three classes for Wyll. If he stays with Mizora, accepts a relationship where he will never be an equal or a free agent in exchange for the affirmation he wants so badly from his father, he remains a Warlock, with some juiced stats and extra spell slots, along with shiny new gear. If he pledges to follow in his father's footsteps, he instead becomes an Oath of Devotion paladin, pledging himself in service to Tyr, if with a sense of doomed finality. The Blade of Frontiers is officially retired, and along with it any identity he has outside of being his father's son. Or the third path, break the contract without taking his father's role. He will look for his father, yes, but whether or not you find him he's going back to his roots, travelling around to do some good in the world (as the Blade of Frontiers) or kicking ass in the Hells with Karlach (as the Blade of Avernus). In this timeline he becomes a fighter, with a default preference for Eldritch Knight.

What's important: if he breaks his contract then Mizora is NOT hanging around camp. She will leave in a fury, accidentally bound by her own word to withdraw her influence completely if he breaks his contract. She may still approach the player some night to sleep with the player, framed for high approval/romanced players and her trying to take something back from Wyll. But Wyll will have to learn how to define himself without her breathing down his neck, without keeping her happy dominating his every thought. Its nervewracking, and even lonesome at times...but its freedom. And, perhaps, that's worth a little bit of lonesomeness.

[bekolxeram]

I'm usually very block happy, but sometimes a couple of hot takes from the opposite side of the fandom manage to slip through. I'm no saint, I admit I do get quite worked up at first, but after some time, I realize they give me new perspectives to scenes I've watched countless times and discover things I didn't pick up before. So this one is for all of you, staunch Tommy haters, thank you for enriching my viewing experience.

In 7x04, when Tommy goes to Buck's loft to talk things out, this line gives some people the ick, because it echoes what Taylor said in 5x05. In that episode, Buck thought his team was off because they blamed him for Chimney leaving. He talked to Taylor about it, she shared her own experience with her boss being sulky around her, and it turned out her boss was just in a lot of physical pain, she ended the conversation with "maybe not everything is about you". While what she said was absolutely right, and she made an effort to make Buck feel appreciated at the end of the episode, but I can also see Buck not feeling supported emotionally at the time the conversation occurred. In a fashion true to her profession, Taylor delivered it in a very blunt, direct and advisory way. Her being right did not cancel out Buck feeling insecure about everyone acting weird around him and him not knowing why.

What Tommy says here though, is in a a completely different context.

Before all of this, Tommy has already reassured Buck that he's not trying to replace him, that his place in Eddie and Christopher's life is irreplaceable.

Look at Buck's smile, he's apparently in a better mood than before. It's like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

So going in this next part, Buck is more receptive to what he frankly needs to hear: Eddie isn't hanging out with Tommy because Buck did something wrong, he just enjoys Tommy's company.

We've witnessed Buck's growth over 7 seasons, now he can recognize that getting jealous easily is one of his character flaws, he tends to overthink and make other's action personal when he's feeling insecure in a relationship. He's telling Tommy this probably to signal that he understands he messed up and he understands what he did wrong. He never expected Tommy to validate his feelings.

But Tommy does empathize with his predicament.

Buck doesn't understand what Tommy, the cool, confident (and hot) pilot would be jealous over. And he almost can't believe Tommy gets what he's been feeling.

Tommy tells Buck that he's envious of the ride-or-die familial bonds within the 118 nowadays, as if he didn't also put his career and life in danger just to save Athena and Bobby (probably Hen's career as well), after one phone call from Chimney.

Now it's Buck's turn to reassure Tommy.

Another hot take I've seen from the other side goes like "if Tommy was nicer to Hen and Chimney back in the days, he wouldn't have to be jealous over what the 118 has now". You know what? Judging by Tommy's face here, he probably would agree. This is not the face of a man who is proud of what he did. This is the face of a man who is burdened by guilt and regret, this is a man haunted by his past, this is a man who doesn't think he deserves the praise.

Buck even cites fake mouth static as an example of Tommy's effort in aiding the 118's clandestine rescue mission, and they naturally fall into a flirty dynamic. I have no explanation for that, except, your honor, this is exhibit A against the "no chemistry" allegation.

Buck then spells it all out for Tommy that he also put everything on the line just for the 118, without hesitation. Tommy looks like he still has a hard time accepting it as an act worthy of redemption for his past behavior.

We've all made mistakes, and we all know we can't go back to the past and change what we did, so the best way forward is to change ourselves and be better. Judging by Tommy's "and [Gerrard] didn't make me a better person" line in 7x10, he quite possibly reflected on this a lot. Yet, sometimes you still can't help but doubt yourself over if you've learned enough from your past, if you're a good enough person now. I can't imagine how good it feels hearing Buck say out loud that he actually likes the person Tommy is now.

Apparently Buck likes Tommy so much that he came up with excuses just to hang out with him and get to know him.

Tommy is pleasantly surprised, because he did tell Buck to call him when he wants to go up. In fact, Buck can call him for whatever reason, Tommy accepted the Harbor tour request, there's nothing indicating that he would feel weird just hanging out with Buck. Tommy just doesn't know how much of a overthinker and bi disaster Buck truly is yet, but that's the story for another time.

Buck and Tommy really don't know much, if anything, about each other at this stage, as you can see in 7x05, but they're already validating each other's feelings. We've seen Buck get his feelings ignored, hurt, dismissed and kind of fetishized for 6 seasons, now this is something he's been looking for the whole time, for someone to understand what he's going through. At the same time, this interaction must also be quite freeing for Tommy, who's been haunted by demons from his own past.

[dr-spectre]

Before we enter the final day of the Grand Fest, I need to gush about Blushing Tide because I can't stop thinking about it and it's significance for the Squid Sisters.

Blushing Tide feels like this signal that the Squid Sisters have grown up since Splatoon 1. They no longer talk shit towards each other, Callie is no longer riddled with darkness and Marie allows herself to be happy.

Tidal Rush and Blushing Tide contrast each other so fucking perfectly its genuinely insane. Tidal Rush is this emotional battle between two cousins who's relationship has fallen apart. Marie is on the brink of tears, trying to reason with her cousin and repair their broken relationship. Callie, having enough of Marie, fights back against her words in this tired and drained voice. She doesn't wanna do anything with Marie after being left alone in her terrible busy life. Marie is not trying to "reverse Octavio's brainwashing" or whatever kind of bullshit you wanna throw out. No. She's just trying to reach out to Callie and give her that reminder that she's a Squid Sister and that she wants to fix things with her.

Tidal Rush was never this song where Marie is "trying to save Callie from Octavio's evilll b-b-b-bRainWaShinggggggg!!!" Looking at that song and the finale of Splatoon 2 in that lense is so fucking boring/lame and fails to mention the emotions at play here. And it treats Callie less of a character with actual agency and choice, and more of an object that the player must get because video game.

Anyways, Blushing Tide in comparison is this upbeat celebration of the two. Marie's singing is now so joyful, which matches Callie's usual attitude. They are on each other's wavelengths perfectly now. They are healed. They are... happy.... Blushing Tide is a reminder that these two girls have fulfilled their 3 game long character growth and have been through a lot to get to where they are today.

[typewritingyip]

The Arcturus Missions

Part Thirty Nine - Dazed

Part Thirty Eight

———

It is estimated that the Second World War’s financial cost for the world was at least a billion dollars in roughly present day dollars, though there is no specific statistical data. There were however other estimates.

Between twenty and forty percent of dwellings, agricultural property, and general structures in Europe were destroyed. Leaving another unknown cost for repairs and rebuilding.

Then the standing death toll.

Wars came after, with their different costs and horrors.

Korea cost another estimated 687 billion with direct, indirect, and mixed costs in todays dollars. 

Vietnam cost roughly 828 billion just on the United States military with another estimated 111 billion in other ventures.

Both wars created endless destruction of rural and suburban areas, leaving an unknown cost for structure and infrastructure. 

For all war it is near impossible if not entirely impossible to estimate the total loss, both financial and physical loss. There is never a perfect number to point out and say that is how much it cost to create weapons of destruction, then use them. An imperfect number of casualties. Estimates.

It is estimated that the cost of the war against the Quintesson costs three times the combined cost of the last three major conflicts. 

—

The paint on his hands had come away from digging. Shifting rubble and clawing at the remains of what had been their bar.

It was strange how quickly the place had become theirs, how they made reference to it, but it played music from home from a far simpler time. That made it theirs. It was likely the bartender was somewhere under this mess too and that tore at his heart while the paint came away across chunks of metal and concrete.

Pausing, he breathed heavily, looking up at the twins who were still digging as well. Bits of red and yellow paint being flung from the hole each time they could get a hold of a piece of scrap. Watching for a moment, Hound turns back and goes back to digging.

No pings were going through the remains of the structure, all the boosters were destroyed and made it impossible to get a signal through it. Some buildings nearby were designed specifically for that, but most weren’t. His hands ached with each pull of metal, he winced for a second when a sharp piece gouged his hand.

Stopping, Hound stares at his hand for a moment before slightly slowly. His hands were shaking again, but he looked back at the hole, there was some metal that wasn’t the same tone or shape as the rest but still grey, “Wait!” The twins stopped, both heaving.

It shifted slightly and the three of them shared a look before going back to digging, scooping aside what they could as quickly as they could.

—

This was not the first time he had been trapped under a collapsed building with Megatron pinning him to the surface, it was however the first time it had happened with Megatron trying to protect him and not kill him. So there is a sense of character growth in that he supposed. 

The last time had been on an organic planet with overly large fauna that they hadn’t been able to understand, but they had rudimentary construction. Energon had been prevalent on the planet, surprisingly, and it had brought both starving forces together. 

When Megatron had slammed him into the building, there had been only a slight hope that it wouldn’t fall on them. That hope had not lasted long. Heavy stones and poles of metal had them pinned for cycles, spending most of it bickering at each other, as Ironhide would say ‘like the old married couple you would become.’ He still did not find that funny. 

It always brought a laugh out of Megatron though. 

If he wasn’t still so mad, he’d be very happy to hear his protectors laugh. 

Over the last seven months, Optimus had chosen work over repairing his relationships but so had Megatron, focused on protecting New Kaon. The Quintessons had been consistently attacking their nearby settlements and protected planets. His best commanders were spread out among the stars and it tore at his spark. This war was reminding everyone of why they worked so hard and long for peace, a thousand years of peace negotiations had only led them to a vorn or so to enjoy it before the attacks started again.

Now he was under a collapsed building with people who were so willing to risk their lives for his own, their selflessness in the face of the unknown bewildered him. He saw how it left his own kin stunned, no one wanted to fight the Quintessons of course but these humans, their pilots, understood that the end of their species was likely if they didn’t finish the fight quickly.

Just because he didn’t agree with their methods doesn’t mean he couldn’t understand the misplaced judgement calls. Leaders, when faced with desperate circumstances, would make drastic and dire measures. He knew he had during the last war and was trying desperately to not have to this time. Then again, there were five pilots who were taking those orders without having to give them. 

Optimus wasn’t sure if he felt grateful or guilty about knowing that, sometimes it was one or the other, and other times it was both. Back when it had just been Jazz, it was more grateful than he’d like to admit. Now that it’s five pilots it was more often than not guilt that ate him alive.  

He knew Megatron and him felt similarly on the subject, but Megatron was already ready to wage war against a people he knew so few of. It was frustrating, even he wouldn't let his anger go and instead let it blind himself. 

They hadn’t been as close as they had stood in that bar in more than a quartex. Also two of his timing was running right, but that hadn’t been the top of his priority list of late. His medic had been mostly off-world after all, not venting down his neck.

Anger had clearly gotten the better of both of them, he leaned his head back against the stone under him for a moment, he still deserved an apology. He’d return one once he had his, of course, but he wouldn’t give without one.

Some fights honestly would last forever, same with stubbornness.

Then he’d make sure they both apologized to the humans, clearly they weren’t understanding something about where they came from. 

Venting slowly, his hand pinned to Megatron’s back with a metal beam across it, he onlined his optics again and tried not to panic. Tight spaces weren’t his friend and hadn’t been in eons, this was no exception. Clutching at the back kibble of Megatron’s platting, he tried to vent slowly.

Trying to remain calm.

While there was a building on top of him and his love, with Quintessons above Iacon, yeah he was calm.  Completely comm with every ping bouncing back at himself except those to try and rouse Megatron, which was going nowhere.

Clutching at his back, Optimus vented slowly before starting to finally move.

—

The metal was grey and Hound’s heart was racing. They all had seen what a dying or dead frame looked like, it wasn’t a pretty picture. They’d seen human bodies in a million states, it was as if they could be numb to that now. This was different, watching the vibrant colors of their unit, their friends, drain and the subtle glow you didn’t notice till it faded from their chest just disappear was horrifying. Energon, the way it continued to almost glow after, made it worse.

In a way, he was thankful his suit wouldn’t lose all of its color upon his death but then again there was a peace to it. If any of them were still with the Cybertronian’s when they died, what would they think? It’s not like they get to see the spark fade like they do with their friends and family. His crew was human. When they died it would be a miracle if all the blood stayed in the cockpit instead of spilling out the seams.

He kept digging, the metal of his palms cracking and bending under the stress. Grey left behind instead of green.

Whoever was under this mess thought, was moving and Hound couldn’t help but think it was Megatron and kept digging. If it was Megatron, the Prime would be nearby, even if they were fighting like the old married couple they were. Everyone knew they’d thrown themselves in front of bullets for each other, it was almost sickening.

Mirage, the bartender, and maybe Optimus were still missing under this rubble somewhere. 

Not hyperventilating was a good idea, that sounded like a good idea. Staying focused, he kept pulling chunks of concrete away, trying to be what rescue class is supposed to be. 

He couldn’t stay solely focused on this or he’d lose his mind.

None of them had been trained in it, which now Hound found endlessly stupid because he was sure there was some training of how to rescue a trapped pilot from a collapsed building or something at least. It was something they could have been trained on easily, or literally anything a rescue did, it might have been useful in space.

But, they were sent to die, for whatever reason, they just happened to live. 

Whoever they were digging out started to move again, using their almost free hand to shove at a sheet of metal, “Hold up.” Holding up a hand, Hound looks to the twins and watches his fingers shake while whoever was in the hole they were digging shifted the sheet of metal away from their face.

”Holy shit.” His heart stopped before racing again, moving forward quickly to go back to digging. Blue optics shone at him as Mirage tried to smile, most of the blue in his paint was gone, but it was clear to him now that he was seeing through Mirage more than anything else. Being able to tell he was there even when he was using his outlier.

Tearing at the ground, Hound went back to it with a fever, more desperate, “Hound, who's been found?” Mirage’s voice cracked and broke, there was energon leaking from the side of his mouth as he came into view again, “I, I don’t know. Just let me get you out.” Sunstreaker pressed a hand to Sideswipe’s chest, holding his brother back as Hound kept digging. 

They would crush Mirage if they got in Hound’s way right now. All they had to do was share a look before getting out of Hound’s way, Sunstreaker more gawking then Sideswipes light smirk.

“Hound, is everyone okay?” Mirage tried to shove at more of the rubble while Hound kept digging, “I don’t know, just hold still.” His heart skipped with fear as Mirage sat up, wincing and holding his side, “Primus,” and he reached out to steady him, “Easy, Mirage, easy.” Moving to his knees, Hound held him up and looked to Sunny, “Go get Knockout, or a medic, someone.” Looking back to Mirage, he didn’t even bother to see if the twins left. Just going straight back to freeing him.

The hole was a horrible mix of green flaked paint, blue paint, and energon slowly seeping into the ground.

Mirage’s hands grasped his head, even as he dug his legs out, lines punctured and dripping slowly, his plating dented. Glancing up only briefly, Hound frowned and looks back down to keep moving the building off of Mirage, “Are you feeling okay?” Mirage’s grasp on his head tightened slightly, “I could have died.” Closing his eyes for a second, Hound sighed slowly, “I know, I’m sorry.” He tugs on Hound’s head and his hands slide over the rubble, falling into Mirage, “Damnit, I’m trying to get you out!” 

Looking up, Hound freezes, Mirage was staring at him very intensely, “I could have died Hound, you’re the only one who saw this coming.” Slowly, carefully, Mirage leaned his forehead against Hound’s visor. His face burned, “Mirage, I’m going to get you out of this and you’ll be fine.” But he shook his head, fingers brushing against the back of Hound’s suit and causing him to shiver, “God.” Pulling away sharply, Hound goes back to trying to get his legs clear.

—

The twins were just getting out of the hole when Bluestreak came running over, taking Sunstreaker’s remaining arm, “We think we found Optimus.” He pulled sharply at Sunny’s arm and they went sliding over the metal and rubble. 

Sideswipe stared after then, still numb from it all, but he was trying his hardest to not hyperventilate. 

A ping startled him out of his stupor, blinking as the pings light up one of his screens, he reaches over and answers with a strangled voice, “Hello?” His voice broke, “What happened? Where are you?” He could almost cry, “Elita,” The anger in her voice almost shook him to his core.

”What happened, Sideswipe?” He sighed shakily, “The Quintessons blew up the bar, we were all inside, we don’t know where Joan or Megatron is. I, It fell on us.” He dragged a hand down his face, turning slowly, “We’re still in the rubble.” Her breath was audible over the comm, “Sideswipe, focus for me, okay?”

Humming a bit, he started walking over towards where Jazz, Prowl, Bluestreak, and Sunstreaker were pulling away chunks of metal, “Sideswipe?” Getting down on his knees, he started to help next to Sunny, “Yeah, I’m here. Just trying to get them out from under the building.” There was a moment of pause, “Sideswipe, are you alright?” His hands were shaking again, pulling at the metal and rubble, and he really couldn’t answer. 

She was quiet for another moment, “Damnit,” and the line clicked dead. 

He kept digging, trying to help as a blue hand attempted to shove aside metal and concrete, Prowl’s face turned down towards the hole and clearly listening intently to his comms. Shoving a beam aside, Sideswipe stared at the carnage for a moment. 

Grey metal which was cracked and dented had covered the Prime, the grey metal of Megatron, his stomach turned and he had to sit back.

It was too much, too much like his apartment building, concrete and metal holding his family hostage, how it took his mom and then after ages took his dad. How his parents had made sure Sonny would be okay, not ensuring their own safety. 

Sunstreaker’s hand landed on his shoulder and shook it, hard, “Simon, you there?” Looking over, he took a shaky breath, “I can’t breathe.” Nodding a bit, Sunny moved over and grasped his shoulders, “We’re not in Florida, this isn’t our apartment. You need to talk to Elita-One.” With a lightly shove, Sideswipe climbed away from where they were digging.

His comm only had to ping once before he was picking it up, “Sideswipe, we can’t get to you quickly so you need to focus.” Nodding slowly, he sits back down and straps his oxygen mask on after a moment of struggling, “You’re going to be okay, just breathe for a minute.” Dragging a hand down his face, he leans back against a metal chunk.

Breathing in slowly and out, Sideswipe looked anywhere but at the sky and tried not to look where his friends were digging each other out of the rubble, “Sunny is okay.” He couldn’t think to say anything else, “I know, I was on comms with him, I’m not asking about him I’m asking about you.” He sighed shakily, “Sunny is okay, that’s what matters. He’s digging out the Prime right now, I should help him.” He was shaking, “No, you should breathe. Take a moment.” 

Tucking his head down to his knees, he tried to breathe, and then started to sob, “They took down our building! It was ours goddamnit!” With a flick, he turns off his external speakers, so he could focus on Elita.

Her voice came in clear, “I know, I’ve heard about this bar, I’m sorry. I know it was your closest connection to your home.” And he shook his head angrily, “They tried to bury us, they took our home and tried to bury us in it. I wasn’t even there.” There was a long pause, “Sideswipe, you’re there.” With a nearly growl he stands up and starts to pace.

”No, no mom, I wasn't there when you died. I was in the hospital with dad when we unplugged him, he couldn’t thrive, couldn’t even breathe on his own. God, I can’t breathe. But I wasn’t there, Sunny was there. Sunny is fine, he’s right there. Missing his arm but there.” 

Elita didn’t know what to say, “Alright, you need to focus, pull yourself out of this. Your brother needs you right now,” He shakes his head, “No, he has Blue, no matter how much I hate him Blue right there.” And she could almost smile, “He needs you, told me that he needs you. This is too much like your home, but it’s not and you need to focus.” He took a shaky breath.

Letting it out slowly, he adjusted his helmet and checked over his monitors, “You’ve got a job to do Sideswipe, I’m relying on you to help the Prime and Lord High Protector,” She bit off the last bit, always distrusting Megatron, “I’m not there right now and you need to fill my position, same as Sunstreaker is filling Ironhide’s till he can get there. Can you do that?” Slowly, the shaking stopped.

With another breath, finally out of tunnel vision, he nods slowly, “Yes ma’am.” She sighed, “Alright, now. You’ve have to go back to that hole and dig out the prime, can you do that?” He shook his hands off, “Yeah.” 

“Alright, I’m going to stay on comms with you, you keep me updated. Primus knows Optimus won’t.” He gulped before going back to the hole, “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got you.” He slid down and looked at his brother. Sunstreaker lightened his visor slightly and together, they went back to shifting the building off the leaders of Cybertron. 

—

Hound had his arm around Mirage, helping him up and out as Knockout ran towards where the Prime and Protector had been found. For now, Mirage was stable, even if Hound wasn’t. His mind was racing and he was still trying not to hyperventilate or throw up. The shaking had yet to subside. 

They stood together, Mirage looking at Hound’s battered suit, his hand falling right over the spot where his platting had been torn away by Knockout months ago. On instinct, “Does it hurt?” Hound shrugged lightly, “Not any more than normal, my ears are ringing though, my head hurts, back hurts, ass hurts. It doesn’t feel good to have the build dropped on you.” Mirage chuckled weakly, “No, no it does not.” 

With a shaky breath, Hound looked over, “Are you hurting?” Mirage had a nasty gash across his face, but still smiled, “I’ll live, it’s not the first building dropped on me.” Hound blinks slowly, “What?” Mirage chuckled, wincing and holding his side, “It’s a long story, Dear-Spark.” If Hound was actually made of metal and wires, he would have probably short circuited, “What?” After a moment, Mirage rested his head on Hound’s shoulder. 

Keeping his arm around Mirage, his mouth had gone dry, “Alright now, let’s go over and check on the Prime.” Humming, Mirage kept his hold on Hound as well, and they shuffled forward. It was slow going.

Hound couldn’t help but keep wracking his brain, maybe it had just been a poor translation, that was always possible. Yeah, poor translation. He tightened his hold on Mirage carefully. Mirage’s cheek shifts on his shoulder, his heart rate didn’t come down.

They came over a small section of mounded rubble, it was roughly where the bar top had been and came back down towards where the Prime and Protector had been found. Only one still unaccounted for was the bartender, either somewhere under this mess or long gone, it pulled at Hound’s heart to know they just didn’t have the time to look. 

Distance gunfire was the only thing keeping him sane for the moment, knowing there were people in Iacon protecting the city. 

Breakdown was sat down with Sideswipe, his arm over the younger mans shoulders, who still seemed to be dealing with shock or worse. Sunstreaker was standing with Bluestreak, who was holding his hand and had Sunny’s fallen arm tucked under his, even with his eye put out he was gazing at the significantly more grey, yellow pilot. Prowl and Jazz were standing together, Jazz keeping a hand on Prowl’s back and keeping his voice down while Prowl’s door-wing hung awkwardly still.

Honestly, it looked like a scene from a war movie, never in his life did he think that his life would be straight out of a movie scene. He’d been very determined to not think that in all the years he’d been a pilot, even when his suits’ likeness was used in a cheesy propaganda movie. 

It left a lump in his throat, holding up Mirage. Taking a shaky breath, he needed to focus. But everyone was giving Optimus Prime space. It was hard to watch, as Optimus pulled himself up from the rubble, dragging an unconscious Megatron, the erie calm that was over his face even as Knockout moved in was one that felt all to familiar. 

They all looked like hell. Missing paint, missing parts, missing confidence behind their eyes. They sure as hell weren’t ready for what came next, but they had to be.

With hardly a glance around, Optimus straightened, a brief flicker of pain hit his face as his battle mask slapped shut, “Whose well enough to fight?” Every hand went up, even if it was a lie, even if Sunstreaker had to lift both his and Blue’s hands up, none of them were going to let this stand as it was.

“Good. Prowl, do you have comms with command?” Shifting forward a bit, he nodded, “Yes sir.” Nodding slowly, Optimus, even with dented plating and missing paint, gave off a determined confidence that everyone else lacked, “Well then, Hound, what would you suggest we do?” The lump was still lodged in his throat, but he shifted slightly.

Letting out a slow breath, Hound nodded, “Well, I’ve got a plan and you ain’t going to like it.” 

———

A/N

This chapter was like pulling teeth, I swear. Partially because I’m like, sorta sick. I don’t feel like 100% crap but I also don’t feel great. Go figure.

So, yeah, part 39 is crazy. 131k words is nuts. And I feel like I’m losing my mind a bit. This chapter is a bit of a short one for that reason, it was hard to write and just the bits that probably should have been a part of last chapter but it wasn’t finished. Sorry.

The action starts again next part with Arcturus 3 coming again soon.

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@lunarlei68 @whirlywhirlygig @loop-hole-319 @pixillandjester @alek-the-witch @not-a-moose-in-disguise @goddessofwind8water @neurologicalglitch @dersereblogger @pixel-transformers @mrcrayonofdoom @wireplaces @twilightfreefaller @original-blog-name-2 @devilangel657 @robbin-u @miniartistme @starwold @tea-enthusiasm @valeexpris606 @celticdoggo @bird599 @agentsquirrelsgotrobots @aquaioart @thatwandercat @artdagz @seisha974 @halenhusky309 @leethepiper @cat-cassette @sirassban @cosmique-oddity @garbageenthusiast @xervias @azulabutterfly @fryseem @spring-mc @echo-circuit @aghostsnail @wooblewooble @ask-glory-haddock-and-others @nonsscrapheap @magichats @iminahole247 @omgflyingderpywhale @thetrexartist @naaaafam @elegantmantaray @emichusai @waterlilykitty @diabolichare @ham4ponyo @osqindaxend @sunnyvibesanddoodles @ratatatata248 @ijustneedausernaneplease4444444 @sprook-children @fooolisher 

And once again thank you to @Keferon for this AU!

[bluiela]

"Elain shrinks around Lucien, so they’re not compatible."

The claim that Elain “shrinks” around Lucien and therefore they are incompatible oversimplifies trauma responses and ignores the developmental arc potential for both characters.

Shrinking or withdrawing in someone's presence doesn't inherently signal incompatibility—it can reflect inner turmoil, unresolved emotions, or the need for healing before growth.

Elain is a character who has experienced extreme trauma (being Made, losing control over her future, watching her sister suffer, etc.), and Lucien, being her mate—a bond that intensifies everything—is understandably overwhelming for her.

It’s crucial to remember that Lucien has never pushed Elain. He gives her space, respects her silence, and consistently chooses her well-being over his own desires. That isn’t a sign of incompatibility; it’s a sign of emotional maturity and restraint. Compare that to how Elain initially behaved after her transformation: withdrawn and disoriented with everyone, not just Lucien. The fact that she shows discomfort around him could signify that his presence forces her to confront truths she isn't ready for yet—not that she never will be.

Furthermore, romantic compatibility in SJM's world is rarely about instant comfort. Feyre was terrified of Rhys when they first met in ACOTAR, Nesta was hostile to Cassian, and yet both developed into deep, powerful relationships. Growth and discomfort often walk hand-in-hand in SJM romances.

Lastly, the argument that Elain shrinks “around Lucien” ignores moments of agency she does show—like defending him, his name and taking a step towards him when he goes to dangerous situations. That suggests there’s a quiet awareness of his worth, even if she hasn’t allowed herself to fully engage with it yet.

Elain shrinking around Lucien doesn’t mean they’re not compatible. It means there’s a story still unfolding.

[lemotmo]

Oh hey I like this. Yes let it be This

Q. I'm sorry but what would be the point of faking the entire thing resulting in massively pissing off your audience twice?

A. I do think there's a purpose to what they're doing. I also think the execution of it could have been much better. But regardless of flaws, we're here now so here's what I think the point of the entire thing will end up being. I think Bobby will return, but I think what they've done is signal that he won't return in the same capacity or role he originally occupied. Peter himself has said, more than once, that he's no longer up for doing the rigorous stunt stuff, and he has mentioned the long hours taking a toll. I think this whole thing is a changing of the guards of sorts for the show. Bobby will return, but not as captain. Peter will return, but not as the main focus. I think it's the beginning of shifting the spotlight to the other characters. It's kay to let the other characters take center stage now. And allowing the other characters to believe Bobby is dead is also a good way to get some movement in their individual storylines before he returns to the land of the living. Storylines that have been neglected or ignored all together so the show can focus on disaster episodes which neglect much needed character driven episodes. All of these characters have value in their own right but most of the time they get relegated to the sidelines in favor of focusing on the same things over and over again.

Bobby's 'death' would be a devastating reminder that life is short and people aren't promised tomorrow, a regular theme on this show. Grief is a strong motivational tool for life changes. And an excellent way to move storylines forward. Hen is ready and more than capable of being captain. It's probably something she should have been seeking for a while, but it was Bobby's rightful place. Gerard being in the captain chair is not something that the 118, or the audience for that matter, will allow to become permanent. It's the perfect opportunity for Hen to go for something she has more than earned and proved she can handle. Chimney has come such a long way since season one. He is a husband and father and has become a really good firefighter and paramedic. it's time to let him assume a stronger presence and leadership role within the 118. He's more than comic relief and Maddie's husband. That brings us to tweedle dee and tweedle dumb (you can decide for yourself which one is which 😉). But losing Bobby is the perfect catalyst to jolt that storyline into motion. Eddie needs a reason to examine things. Buck is primed and ready but the show has to get Eddie to the same place before Buck can be allowed to acknowledge what he's avoided since episode 11. Eddie has already lost Shannon. Adding the loss of Bobby would be a major 'the universe is screaming at you' reason for Eddie to finally allow himself to listen to and acknowledge what he really wants for himself in this life.

Bobby's 'death' allows all of that to happen. It allows major character movement and growth for everyone, That's what I think the point of this whole thing is. Moving Bobby's kids into the next phases of their lives. It's fitting. It makes sense and it allows the show to enter into its next phase. Bobby will still be present and important, but the spotlight will shift to his kids.

Thank you Nonny!

Yep, I reblogged a post earlier that had the same sentiment. I fully agree and I honestly couldn't have said it better than this.

Heads up! For anyone who is giving me the shifty eyes for reposting Ali's updates instead of reblogging. Read this.

Remember, no hate in comments, reblogs or inboxes. Let's keep it civil and respectful. Thank you.

If you are interested in more of Ali’s posts, you can find all of her posts so far under the tag: anonymous blog I love.

[casscainmainly]

POC Batfam Members Reading Guides + Starter Comics

The Batfamily has a lot of excellent POC characters, but I know comics can be hard to navigate. This list compiles the main POC Batfam members, their reading guides, and recommended runs to start out with. Not including Dick, but if you want a reading guide for him check out this one from @fantastic-nonsense (it actually covers all the Batfam members, it's a great one-stop resource!). This is not an exhaustive list by any means, so feel free to comment/add on with any additions!

Damian Wayne / Robin

The biological son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, Damian Wayne's character growth, complex relationships with his family, and general adorableness has endeared him to the hearts of many.

Reading list from @dailydamianwayne

Recommended starter run: Batman and Robin (2009)

Cassandra Cain / Batgirl

Raised to be an assassin, chose to become a hero. Cassandra Cain's unique abilities, stubborn personality, and amazing character journey make her one of the Batfam's most lovable characters.

Reading list from @dailycass-cain Recommended starter run: Batgirl (2000)

Duke Thomas / Signal

After his parents succumb to Joker gas and disappear, Duke Thomas throws himself into the world of vigilantism. He is beloved for his dedication to his family, unique connection to Gotham, and headstrong personality.

Reading list from @duketectivecomics

Recommended starter run: We Are Robin

Helena Bertinelli / Huntress

A child of Gotham's most powerful mafia family, Helena Bertinelli seeks vengeance after an assassin murders them. Her passion for the people she cares about, her Catholic background, and her sometimes volatile personality make her an interesting and unique beloved character.

Note: Helena was originally portrayed as White, but was retconned in Tim Seeley and Tom King's N52 Grayson run to be mixed race and/or Black. She also has an extremely messy publication history, and it's debatable whether N52/Rebirth is even the same character. She is not to be confused with Helena Wayne.

Reading list from @purpleladyofthenight

Recommended starter run: not a comic, but Justice League Unlimited's episodes "Double Date," "Grudge Match," and "Question Authority" are a great introduction. Then Huntress (1989).

Luke Fox / Batwing

The son of Wayne Enterprises CEO Lucius Fox, Luke Fox inherits the mantle of Batwing from David Zavimbe. Inducted into the Batfam during Rebirth, Luke is known and loved for his genius-level intellect, his complicated relationship with his father, and his unwavering dedication to the cause.

Reading list from @lornahs (includes David Zavimbe)

Recommended starter run: Batwing (Luke shows up in #19 onwards, but the rest is worth it too!)

Maps Mizoguchi / Robin

A student at Gotham Academy, Mia "Maps" Mizoguchi is the newest Robin on the scene! Energetic, ever-curious, and a huge Batman and Robin fan, she's a fan-favourite for a very good reason.

Reading list from @emilyarmadillo

Recommended starter run: Gotham Academy

Other characters who are Batfam adjacent include Talia Al Ghul, who I would recommend using fantastic-nonsense's reading list again, and Jace Fox, for whom you should read The Next Batman: Second Son.

POC characters are still few and far between in comics, and it's important to support the characters we already have to show DC that there is a demand for diversity. All of these characters have truly interesting stories, personalities, and character arcs, and deserve our love and support!