#sofia rambles and sends kisses

[indestinatus]

happy new year, lovely people ✨️

[gegengestalt]

131 useless or often forgotten facts in The Brothers Karamazov!

This 27 of April is the second anniversary of the day I finished this book for the first time. To do something special, I reread it over the last 20 days and as I did it, I compiled little things that are easy to forget in these 1000 pages filled with food for thought. Let's go!

1. Mitya fought in a duel, though it's most likely that nobody died in it.

2. Ivan's journalist pseudonym is "Eyewitness".

3. Alyosha, in his own words, came back to Skotoprigonyevsk to visit his mother's grave.

4. Fyodor Pavlovich owns several taverns in the district.

5. Grigory was the one who gave Sofia Ivanovna a proper gravestone.

6. Alyosha is one deduction away from becoming a communist.

7. The Brothers Karamazov begins in late August.

8. Kalganov is supposedly Alyosha's friend. This is never mentioned ever again.

9. Kalganov gave one coin to some beggars and told them to divide it among themselves.

10. There is a rumour that the previous elder beat people with sticks. This is false.

11. Alyosha is the only person in the monastery who knows that Rakitin is an atheist, and keeps his secret.

12. Four years ago, Pyotr Miusov divulged a fake story about a saint making out with his own decapitated head. Fyodor never forgot.

13. Madame Khokhlakov is only 33 years old. She has been a widow for 5 years, meaning Lise lost her father at age 9.

14. Zosima's serenity in front of the woman who confesses to a murder may foreshadow his later recollection of having a murder confessed to before.

15. Zosima likes to make jokes.

16. Lise and Alyosha last saw each other two years before.

17. Reminder that Grushenka met Mitya because Fyodor wanted her help to throw Mitya into a debtors' prison.

18. Kuzma Samsonov is the mayor of Skotoprigonyevsk.

19. Ivan rambled to Dmitri and Katerina about how he thinks Rakitin will be a failed journalist turned landlord.

20. Fyodor Pavlovich's house is filled with rats.

21. The Miusov family had their own private theatre.

22. Lizaveta Smerdyashchaya was a bit over 142cm/4'7 tall.

23. In 1842 there was a runaway convict called Karp commiting crimes in Skotoprigonyevsk.

24. Marya Kondratievna's mother is missing a leg.

25. Mitya ghosted a girl in real life.

26. Katerina's mother died when she was young.

27. Mitya had a fever for two weeks once because of a spider bite.

28.Mitya thought Grushenka was "nothing striking" the first time he saw her.

29. Mitya was squatting in his neighbour's rented room.

30. Fyodor Pavlovich has a portrait of the former provincial governor in his house.

31. Fyodor Pavlovich goes to sleep at 3- 4AM, like Dostoyevsky himself.

32. Sofia Ivanovna was being courted by a rich man called Beliavsky while she was married.

33. Who was the woman coming from the alley that Mitya mistook for Grushenka? I still wonder.

34. A cheap glass jar was destroyed during Mitya's frenzied break- in.

35. Katerina sends two detailed reports a week to her surrogate mother figure who lives in Moscow.

36. Katerina has an aquarium.

37. Alyosha sleeps using his monk habit as a blanket.

38. Father Ferapont survives eating nothing more than 1,6kg of bread a week.

39. Ivan had told his father about his feelings for Katerina, for some reason.

40. When Alyosha kissed his father, he had the impression that Alyosha was thinking that it was their last conversation.

41. Madame Khokhlakova owns three houses as property.

42. Madame Khokhlakova and Katerina Ivanovna are supposedly great friends.

43. Ivan reads Schiller when nobody is looking.

44. One of Snegiryov's daughters, Varvara, is invested in feminism.

45. Captain Snegiryov's childhood friend is a lawyer.

46. Mitya spilled cognac over the table of the summerhouse.

47. Smerdyakov sings in falsetto.

48. Marya Kondratievna is the only one who ever calls Smerdyakov 'Pavel Fyodorovich'.

49. Ivan uses Smerdyakov as a messenger.

50. Dmitri and Katerina had been engaged for around six months.

51. Ivan's right shoulder looks lower than the left one when he walks.

52. Smerdyakov often moves the tip of his right foot from side to side when he stands (adorable).

53. Dmitri's favourite death threats are "pounding in a mortar" and "breaking legs".

54. Grigory suffers from paralysis three times a year.

55. The real name of 'Lyagavy' is Gorstkin.

56. Zosima's real name is "Zinovy".

57. There was actually another old German doctor before Herzenstube and he was named Eisenschmidt.

58. Zosima has known Brother Anfim for forty years.

59. The Bible is thrown once.

60. Madame Khokhlakova asked Rakitin to go to the funeral as her eye.

61. Alyosha was hiding behind the grave of starets Iov, who lived 105 years.

62. Zosima was harshly criticized for telling a monk hallucinating to take his meds if praying doesn't work.

63. Both Grushenka and Rakitin are children of deacons.

64. Samsonov is the only person that Grushenka seems to be completely and clearly sincere with.

65. Likewise, Samsonov only trusts her when it comes to counting money.

66. Samsonov has the entire first floor of his house for himself.

67. Mitya tells many of his secrets to his landlords, who are fond of him.

68. Alongside eggs and bread, Mitya grabbed and ate a piece of sausage that he "found".

69. Mitya and Perkhotin first met at the Metropolis tavern.

70. Mitya's dueling pistols are his "most prized possessions".

71. Madame Khokhlakova apparently borrows money from Miusov.

72. The brass pestle was 17 centimetres long.

73. Mitya spent exactly 300 rubles in food and alcohol in Mokroye, and it would have been 400 if Perkhotin didn't help.

74. Mitya gave a glass of champagne to a kid.

75. The owner of Plotnikov's shop is called Varvara Alexeievna.

76. Two thousand villagers live in Mokroye.

77. Trifon Borissovich makes his younger daughters clean up the messes of every guest of the inn.

78. Pan Wroblewski is 190cm / 6'2 tall.

79. Madame Khokhlakova gets a migraine whenever she has to talk to Mitya.

80. The ispravnik's elder granddaughter is called Olga, and the night of the murder was her birthday.

81. The prosecutor's wife seems very interested in sending for Mitya often, for reasons he doesn't know.

82. Mitya does not know that the epidermis is the outer layer of the skin.

83. Nikolay Parfenovich is the only person in the world who trusts Ippolit Kirillovich.

84. Mitya often dreams that a person that he fears is chasing him and searching for him.

85. Nikolay Parfenovich wears a smoky topaz ring on his middle finger.

86. Pan Wroblewski is a dentist without a license.

87. Kalganov had visited Grushenka once before, but she seemed to dislike him for some reason.

88. Kolya's father died when he was a little baby.

89. There was a plot going on in the background about the doctor's maid having a child out of wedlock.

90. Rakitin often talks with Kolya. Seems like the only person who takes his ideas seriously is a literal child.

91. Smerdyakov and Ilyusha met and talked to each other.

92. Alyosha rarely gets colds.

93. Katerina befriended Snegiryov's sick wife.

94. Kolya was taken to a judge for teaching a guy how to efficiently crack the neck of a goose.

95. Kolya is against women's rights.

96. Mitya and Grushenka spent five weeks secluded and away from each other after the arrest.

97. Grushenka went to see Grigory to try to convince him that the door wasn't open.

98. Rakitin made up in an article that Madame Khokhlakova offered Mitya 3k rubles to run away with her.

99. Madame Khokhlakova doesn't remember Rakitin's patronymic, and calls him "Ivanovich" instead of "Osipovich".

100. Madame Khokhlakova didn't know of the judicial system reform until two days before the trial.

101. Lise sent chocolates to Mitya in jail, even though there's no reference to them ever interacting before.

102. Alyosha has had the same dream about the devils that Lise has.

103. Alyosha is friends with the jail inspector, who often discusses the gospels with him.

104. Mitya spent two entire nights awake since he discovered ethics.

105. Ivan cleans his own room.

106. Smerdyakov shared a hospital room with an agonizing dropsy patient.

107. Mitya's letter had the bill on the other side.

108. Smerdyakov uses garters with his stockings.

109. There is an apple tree in Fyodor's garden.

110. One of Ivan's "most stupid" thoughts is being the fat wife of a merchant.

111. Ivan had a friend named Korovkin when he was 17, the one he told the story of the quadrillion kilometres to.

112. Ivan has another poem named Geological Cataclysm.

113. Alyosha was the first person the distraught Marya Kondratievna ran to.

114. Ivan is mistaken for "the eldest son" twice in the trial.

115. Grigory did not remember he was in 1866.

116. Rakitin knows "every detail" of the biography of Fyodor Pavlovich and all the Karamazovs.

117. Grushenka's surname, Svetlova, means "light".

118. Mitya once dropped 100 rubles while he was drunk.

119. Ivan saw not just the Devil, but people who had died while he walked in the street.

120. Ippolit Kirillovich died nine months after the trial, the first and last day he received applauses.

121. Marfa is dismissed as a suspect simply because they can't imagine her killing.

122. There is a partition wall in Mitya's lodgings.

123. Mitya mostly stopped staring at the floor during the prosecutor's speech whenever Grushenka was mentioned.

124. Fetyukovich bends forward in an unnerving manner when he speaks.

125. An 18 year old street vendor committed axe murder earlier that year.

126. The verdict was given past 1AM, making the trial last almost 16 hours.

127. Katerina kept the sick Ivan in her house knowing it could possibly be harmful to her reputation.

128. Rakitin tried to sneak in to see Mitya in the hospital twice.

129. Lise sent the flowers that adorn Ilyusha's coffin, and Katerina paid for the grave.

130. Snegiryov cries seeing his late son's little boots the same way one of the women at the monastery in the beginning of the book did.

131. At the end, Alyosha mentions "leaving the city for a long time" soon. Where to? We don't know.

If you read this far down, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing all of these down.

[youbloodymadgenius]

Yours (Vampire!Ivar x reader)

A/N: This is my entry to @geekandbooknerd​‘s Birthday Challenge. Happy Birthday, Hayley 💝

The prompt We are all someone’s monster (Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows) is in bold.

@bluearchersstuff​ - Thank you for beta reading this for me 💖 It was the first time, it won’t be the last 😉

Let me know if you want to be tagged 😊

Moodboard made by the talented @gearhead66 ♥️

Summary: You hate Halloween and of course you hate Halloween parties. But who’s this handsome guy who’s looking at you?

Warnings: not my best work, I’m sorry.

Words: 1821

You roll your eyes, sighing at your own stupidity. For the umpteenth time tonight, you're wondering what you were thinking about when you agreed to come. Of course, Sofia is your best friend, and she is the one who asked you to go with her.

 Yet, you should have known better.

 You dislike Halloween. Scratch that. You hate Halloween and everything about it with a passion. You hate dressing up. You hate cobwebs, fangs, zombies and skeletons. You even hate squash soup, and that's saying a lot!

 But yeah, your friend can be convincing when she has a mind to be. And that's why you're here – almost against your will, so to speak – at Ben's house. Ben with whom Sofia slipped away over an hour ago. Probably upstairs. You don't even want to think about what they're doing right now.

 Anyway, you're here, and that's all that matters…

 The pounding music is too loud, the people too drunk, the place too crowded. If it wasn't for the handsome stranger who hasn't stopped looking at you since you showed up, you wouldn't be here anymore.

Nervously pulling and tugging on the little black dress borrowed from Sofia – oh no, not a simple black dress, a black dress with fucking skeleton print – you make up your mind and head toward the makeshift bar. You need a drink if you intend to stay. Something strong, possibly.

 A 'Vampire Cocktail' in hand, you slowly cross the room. With every step, you can feel the stranger's gaze upon you; and you know with unsettling certainty that if you look back at him, he wouldn’t lower his eyes.

 He was apparently alone, does not talk to anyone, or dance, and didn't look at anyone but you.

 You should feel embarrassed, or even upset, but you aren’t. Knowing that his eyes are staring at you like that is surprisingly pleasant. And you can't help but feel hopelessly drawn to him, almost magnetically, or magically. Because strangely, wherever you are in the room, the man is there, never more than a few steps away from you.

 The room may be dark, but you still can see the otherworldly blue of his eyes. You're entranced, fascinated, mesmerized.

 Giving him a shy smile, you quickly avert your gaze, blushing. As you raise back your head, the man is gone, but when a gloved hand brushes against yours, you know it's his, without a doubt.

 "Shall we go out?" He asks with a sultry voice that sends shivers down your spine. Even if he gives you a questioning look, his hand gesturing toward the large patio door, you know it's a rhetorical question. You don't have a choice and you don't mind it. The stranger wraps a strong arm around your waist, leading you toward the backyard.

 You follow him willingly, almost obediently, a small smile playing on your lips. He leads you without saying a word, and as soon as the patio door closes behind you, the only sound you can hear is the thud of his cane on the gravel.

 "Better here, right?" He takes a seat on a porch swing, inviting you to do the same.

 "I have been dreaming of this moment for so long." His voice is hoarse as he slightly leans toward you, boldly resting a hand on your knee.

 Confused, you want to ask him what he means. After all, you met for the first time less than two hours ago. But you don't get the chance, since he speaks again. "Very nice dress, by the way."

 Scrutinizing you in the bright moonlight, he looks at you shamelessly, his gaze stopping first on your neck, then your cleavage, your breast and finally your fishnet stocking-clad thighs.

 Intimidated, you blush and say the first thing that pops into your head. "Your… your Halloween costume is a piece of art. It's so… real…"

 "My… what?" Quirking a brow, the man looks at you in disbelief.

 "Your…," your shaky voice gives away your nervousness, "Your Dracula costume is… magnificent."

 You're not lying. His clothing is stunning. From his three-piece suit – obviously made of luxury fabrics – to his silk cape of extremely high quality, everything suggests that his complete outfit is undoubtedly very expensive.  As for his cane, you're willing to bet that its snake-shaped handle is made of… gold, no less. In any case, it's impressive and the handsome stranger makes a vampire truer than nature.

 Visibly taken aback by your last assertion, the man just stares at you with wide eyes. It's as if what you just said didn't make sense to him. When an icy wind swirls suddenly around you and makes you shiver, he eventually speaks sternly, almost as he were scolding you, his jaw tight. "This is not a costume."

 You're baffled, puzzled, confused. 'This is not a costume?' What does he mean?  

 "What… I don't… Wha–" You sputter, unable to gather your thoughts. Your heart hammering in your chest, you feel a knot growing in your stomach. Something feels wrong. Something feels very wrong.

 His piercing blue eyes staring into yours, you want to avert your gaze, overwhelmed and slightly scared. But when he speaks again, it's with a velvet like voice that soothes you immediately, erasing your discomfort. "Shh… It's okay…"  You wonder for a brief moment how someone can change their mood so quickly. You don't dwell on it though, because when he gives you a closed-lips smile, gentle and sweet, it melts your heart and you realize that, as if by magic, your fear is gone, replaced by desire and attraction.

 What strange power does this man have over you?

 Slowly, one finger at a time, the stranger takes off his gloves and places them on the swing next to him, while staring at you the whole time.

 As he reaches out, his hand just inches from your face, you can't resist, and you don't want to. The pull is too powerful, the longing too strong. You want him to touch you. You need him to and so you lean forward, craving for his skin against yours.

 But as soon as his fingers graze your cheek, you freeze, bemused and appalled.

 They are cold. Abnormally cold. Ice-cold. Colder than… death. You swallow loudly and then get up hastily. "I… I sh… should… go…" You stammer, panic flooding your body. You want to run away but the man doesn't give you the chance as he grabs your wrist, squeezing it tight. " That would be extremely rude when we've only just met, don't you think?" His voice is a whisper, his tone soft but you know you don't really have a say, nor a choice.

 Slowly getting up, he leans on his cane, wraps his free arm around your waist and draws you closer. He's so unnaturally strong, you can't even move as a cold wave washes over you. "I'll be gentle if you do as I say." He mumbles, his mouth against your ear.

 Questions plague your mind suddenly. Why is he so pale? Why can't you feel his breath on your face? Why are his eyes bloodshot? Why didn't you notice anything earlier? You're terrified now, aware of the danger with absolute certainty.

 "Who… Who are you?" You don't even know how you manage to babble those words. You feel weak and unsteady on your shaky legs. If it wasn't for his firm grip, you would certainly have fallen down by now.

 "It's okay, Y/N…" He says once again, and you want to believe him, despite your fear, despite the… cold. A little voice in your head whispers that you never told him your name, but it doesn't matter, not when he's looking at you with so much tenderness.

 What is he doing to you?

 "I'm Ivar." His reassuring voice is gentle, as is his smile. "Ivar Ragnarsson." He doesn't say anything else but it's enough. That's all you need to know. You're relieved. He's Ivar. Of course. Who else – what else – could he be? You've been so silly. All those strange things… The cold, his eyes, his breathing – or his lack of – there is necessarily a pragmatic explanation for each of them. The truth is you don't care. He's Ivar. A handsome and very considerate stranger that you want to get to know better, and that's enough. Everything is fine. It's okay, he's right.

 "Ivar…", you eventually repeat softly, and you love the way his name rolls off your tongue. Chuckling, you can feel yourself relaxing in his embrace. "You're going to think I'm dumb, you know? I wondered for a moment if you weren't a…", you gasp, feeling shy and embarrassed, but Ivar just looks at you, patiently waiting for you to carry on, and that's what you do. "… A vampire, you know. But obviously you're not. You're just a guy my age, with a fantastic Halloween costume, and it seems that I can't think properly, because who would think you're some kind of monster? That's insane, and I'm so sorry, and now I'm going to shut up because I'm pathetically rambling and if I continue I'm sure you won't want anything to do with me and that would be a shame because I– Oh my god, sorry!!" Covering your mouth with your hand, you blush as you realize what you were going to say. 'Because I'd love to kiss you, touch you, feel you…'

 What is he doing to you?

 Ivar keeps quiet, a semi-amused smile on his face. Eventually, he closes his eyes and then tilts his head back. "So, you thought I was a… how did you say?... a monster…" You can almost hear his grin.

 "I know," you say shamefully, "that's stupid! You're allowed to laugh at me, you know? I won't get mad, really. I don't know what went through my head. A monster! What a ridiculous thought!!"

 Ivar giggles while keeping his eyes shut. "Maybe not. You know what they say… We are all someone's monster…"

 And then, he opens his eyes. And everything goes faster.

 His eyes turn black. A feral growl escapes his lips. His smile is a predatory one.

 You can clearly see his pointy fangs.

 And you feel weirdly calm. You're not surprised, and you're ready. You need him, all of him.

 "I don't know if it's true…", you don't recognize his voice, hoarse and raspy, but you don't mind, as you don't mind when he pushes your hair away, his teeth already grazing the delicate skin of your neck.

 "However,” He mutters as you arch against him unwittingly, "there is one thing that I can say for certain. I'm definitely yours."

 And right after that, sharp fangs piercing down into the flesh of your neck, a burning pain lances through you, fading soon into an aching pleasure. You release a gasp, bucking your hips.

 "Please, unravel me, Ivar."

 What did he do to you?

🛡⚔️🛡

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[dreamlanddoll]

So... upon writing this I realized that I’ll have to play around with the ages and the timeline a bit since Roland and Cedric technically grew up together and if Roland had a child when they were both adults that means that Cedric would’ve seen you grow up so... yeah that’s a big uncomfy thing for me so I’m gonna go ahead and stretch Roland and Cedric’s age gap to 10 years instead of 3 so that would mean Roland has you in his very young adult years (21 or 22, which was very common back then, especially for royalty) and Cedric would be like 11 or 12 when you’re born.

Cedric x Eldest Daughter of King Roland!Reader

you two knew each other briefly in your childhood, but in all honesty, Cedric had little to no interest in getting acquainted with you, seeing as how you were only 3 years old, and he was a teenager.

in fact, he did everything within his power to avoid you, as he wasn’t all too fond of small children. This trait would continue to proceed in him into his adult years as well (cause he’s a grump)

when you grow up to be of an age old enough for school, around 5 or 6, you begin showing signs of remarkable talent in your academics classes, especially astronomy

this was also around the time that your younger brother and sister, Amber and James, were born. And upon your mother, the Queen, dying from childbirth, your father decided to send you to a boarding school for young, gifted royals.

so you never really got to grow up with your baby twin siblings, or even with your own dad. Which is a big regret of Rolands, believe me.

years pass and so much has happened without you, so upon arriving home in your mid-twenties, you’re buzzing to get filled in on everything

Neither Amber nor James remember you, but Amber is ecstatic to discover she’s had a big sister this whole time

“Oooh, I’ve always wanted a big sister! We can do each others hair and you can give me boy- or girl- advice and I can steal your dresses to borrow and-!”

“Ahem.”

“Oh, right, sorry, this is my little sister, Sofia. Well, I guess your little sister too!”

Sofia’s really happy to meet you, and asks you what boarding school was like. When you tell her that you majored in astronomy, Amber is jazzed.

She’s so excited that you both like the same things, and may or may not take up most of your time, but you two get along well

James was honestly hoping for a brother, because for the last 5 years it’s been mostly him and his dad with three other girls, but he decides to ask if you’ll sword fight with him anyway

when you say that you actually learnt how to in your fencing classes during your time at school, and that you’d be happy to practice sword fighting with him, James is suddenly sold on this whole second big sister thing.

Things between you and Miranda are kind of awkward at first, you’re this new girl- well, woman arriving at the castle that she’s only ever heard Rollie talk about, and now she was your mom too all of a sudden. Though she’s kind of relived to have another adult woman around the castle to talk about certain things with. You guys act more like wine-drinking buddies than mother and daughter.

Baileywick is delighted to see you again, and you him. You were always his favourite little princess, giving you head pats and sneaking you sweets before dinner to this very day. Since you were little he swears you’ve been more cordial than most of the castle staff. And he never, ever skipped on joining you for a tea party. You guys even hug, which is odd because Baileywick always had a strict ‘no-hugging’ rule between him and the royal family. But not you. You were like his friend.

you decide since you’re going to be sisters, and since Amber and James have taken up your time plenty that day, to get to know Sofia more.

“(Y/n), I don’t suppose you remember Mr. Cedric, do you?”

“...Who?”

it takes you a minute, but it clicks when Sofia describes the purple robe and the “weird, two-toned hair”

“Oohhh, I remember him! He didn’t seem to like me all that much though. I wouldn’t want to bother him.”

well too bad, Sofia’s yanking you up there to meet her favourite sorcerer. She talks your ear off about how great of a teacher, mentor and wizard he is while you haul yourselves up two flights of stairs.

upon Cedric opening the door, something seems different about him. He looks less tired, and more bright in the face. He smiled immediately when he saw that Sofia was at the door, and greets her in the most friendly way that you’ve never heard him speak in. Was this even the same boy you knew all those years ago?

Well, it was, and he’s quite surprised to see you... since he doesn’t know who you are

“Mr. Cedric, this is Princess (y/n), don’t you remember her?”

Cedric immediately recognizes your name, just not your face. He feels a little embarrassed for not knowing it was you at first, you’ve really quite grown since he last saw you. Though, Cedric still had a good few inches of height on you. 

“M-my deepest apologies your Highness, I-I didn’t recognize you.” He bows, to your surprise. 

“You don’t have to do that. Sofia was just telling me about how comfortable you two are with each other, so I don’t see why we can’t be the same.”

from then on, you spent a lot of time catching up with each other, which eventually grows into a good companionship between you, Cedric, and Sofia as they fill you in on all the adventures they’ve been on together. It’s all very exciting! You tell them that they’d have to take you sometime

though Sofia and Cedric leave out some stories, just to spare any bad opinions of either of them you may develop.

Cedric has to admit, it’s a bit nice to start fresh with someone of the royal family that didn’t know about all his past crimes

one day when you, Sofia and Cedric were all paling around in his tower, you decided to stay a little extra longer after Sofia leaves

you just wanted to talk with Cedric alone for a little bit, just to see what he’s like

Cedric’s a little nervous about being in a space all alone with you, you being a princess and all..

but you end up getting along really well, and so it started a routine of you staying just an extra hour or two after curfew, once Sofia had gone off to bed, to spend time alone with the royal sorcerer, 

a lot of your friendly banter turns into sly quips, and eventually into flirting

this starts a series of events neither of you could’ve ever seen coming; developing feelings for one another

Cedric tells him self to get over you, to snap out of it millions of times. He doesn’t know why he needs to spell it out for himself that you are a princess, not only that, but King Roland’s daughter. So by that logic you should be 100% off limits, right?

tell that to his heart rapidly beating out of his chest when you touched his hand for the first time

you wondered if your feelings for him were even ethical. What would your father say? What would the Kingdom think if you two were together? It simply wouldn’t work out.

however, when you two are hanging out in his workshop one night, you both had been chatting and shyly flirting as he works, per usual. Cedric starts explaining spell-theory to you (which you found adorable), and you decided that you couldn’t take it anymore, so you defy all the rules and when he turns his head to you, you kiss him 

no warning, no subtle hints that you like him, you just dive in forward with red cheeks and a racing heart and kiss him

and Cedric is just in complete shock

he doesn’t have any time to react or kiss you back, he sits there in complete awe. 

he can’t believe that just happened. his mouth is completely agape and he can’t think straight for the life of him. You had kissed him, right on the lips- your soft, sweet lips, you, the princess, kissed him.

it takes a second before he gets off cloud nine when he realizes that oh no- you, the PRINCESS, just kissed him

he would no doubt be blamed for this. He panics. This is incredibly unethical. Is it even legal? He’s not sure, but he’s gonna stutter and ramble and lecture you about it. Of course he’s flattered and overjoyed you feel the same way that he feels about you. But you two? Together? It could never happen. It shouldn’t happen. It’s-

oops, you kissed him again to hopefully calm him down, and upon pulling apart you apologize 

he takes a minute to think, absorbing everything. You’re worried you’ve upset him, but he looks at you with a frazzled expression and says,

“Promise to never let what just happened leave this room?”

you nod. “Agreed.”

“And also what’s about to happen?”

“Wha-?”

he kisses you that time.

from that day on you two are.... ??? with a bit of <333 but mostly ???!?????????????????

he doesn’t know what, and neither do you

all you both know is that you kissed, you both liked it, and you both haven’t spoken in 3 days

until you approach him about it

it’s very awkward, you two keep trying to talk at the same time, stopping yourselves and laughing, insisting that the other go first

you conclude that perhaps... if you both really tried, you could make something work between the two of you

Cedric concurs, trying to hide how wide his smile wants to reach across his face 

you both go to bed extremely happy and giddy that night, thinking about each other until the second you each fall asleep

aside from the new relationship, hiding this from Roland is a whole other effort on it’s own

you two have to keep things very lowkey, you might secretly brush your hand against Cedric’s when with your family, making his heart jump in his chest the first dozen times

he gradually gets acquainted with your micro-affections in public, and gives you a tender, secret smile each time you do them, making a blush rise in your cheeks that you try to hide behind your fan

 of course Sofia catches on to this, and of course Cedric can’t hide anything from her

she promises that she won’t tell their dad, much to Cedric’s relief

you two have lots of secret dates in his workshop, mostly at night when everybody else is asleep

you favourite thing to do together even now as a couple is play rainy indoor games like checkers, chess, cards, stuff like that

you’re both equally good at those things, so it’s always a fun competition 

(winner always gets a kiss on the cheek <3)

when things start to get more... intimate in your relationship, it’s a very tricky procedure

the first time you slept over at Cedric’s, you woke up late and Baileywick had knocked on the door to ask Cedric if he’s seen Princess (Y/n)

oh he’s seen you alright 

you ended up having to hide in his closet dressed in your nightgown as Baileywick proceeded to talk (more like order around) Cedric’s ear off for an hour. 

now you know to get up 5 am, haul your clothes, quickly kiss Cedric goodbye and book it to the other side of the castle so that nothing would suspect a thing

Cedric still feels weird, and even kind of guilty for courting the King’s daughter, especially since their such close friends again

it’s all just a really weird situation for him

but it is for you too so he knows he’s not alone

the first time you tell him that you love him is when you’re explaining to him that no matter if your father finds out, you’ll still stay with him, even if it means you won’t become queen, even if Cedric is thrown out of the Kingdom, you’ll go with him

that means more to him than you could ever know, but he wouldn’t want to giving up the family you just got back for him, because he loves you too and wants you to be happy

[sxtanshepherd]

Future Promises

This night had been planned for months, they had agreed to watch Sofia to give Callie and Arizona one night for themselves. Then Teddy had been attacked and they learned about unspeakable things, but Teddy had been adamant that they weren’t cancelling. Their friends deserved a break and she would be okay. As much as Addison was hesitant about it, she’d been learning to let Teddy tell her when she would be okay again. Learning to stop controlling everything again, even though it was hard. Not being in control meant that someone could get hurt again and Addison wasn’t sure she could go through that again. Teddy was sure though, so she continued to tell Callie that one night with Sofia wouldn’t be a problem. 

She’d spent the early evening organizing space in the guest room for the pack and play and made sure that the floors were clean of anything Sofia might find. Addison was a baby doctor, she knew everything there was to know about babies and wanted her own almost more than anything. She didn’t think she’d ever say that she wanted anything more than a baby, but then she met Teddy. 

Addison’s phone pinged quietly and she looked at it to see that it was Callie saying she was outside the door with Sofia. She opened the door and let them into the entry of their apartment. Callie was rambling of last time fed, last time Sofia was changed, and all of that pertinent information in a quick ramble. Addison couldn’t help but laugh as she took the pack and play and diaper bag from her and set them down by the couch, everything could be set up later. She spent a good amount of time listening to Callie tell her to call them if they had any questions which made Addison raise an eyebrow at her. It wasn’t like they’d never helped out with Sofia before, this was just the first overnight. “Callie, stop. We’re going to be fine, give me the baby.” Callie pressed another kiss to Sofia’s head before frowning lightly, “I know, I know. I just haven’t left her since...everything.” Addison nodded, “I know, but she’s safe, and she’s in good hands and she’s going to have the best sleep over ever with her favorite aunties; so, pass me the baby and go enjoy the night with your wife.”

Callie handed Sofia over and Addison couldn’t help but smile when she had a baby in her arms. “Say bye bye, mommy, see you tomorrow!” Addison held up Sofia’s hand to wave. “I would say we’ll send you pictures, but you’ll see her in the morning. Go, have fun. Breathe a little.” Addison practically pushed Callie out the door, but at the end of it, Callie was excited to have a night with Arizona without interruptions. Once the door was shut, Addison flicked it locked, a very strong habit she had these days, and glanced at Sofia. “Let’s go find Aunt Teddy.” She walked through their apartment to hear Teddy just turning off the blow dryer in their bathroom. “Look who’s here,” she called before walking in. 

@teddyaltman-cardiogoddess

[robinskalechip]

home - chapter seven

robin buckley x reader

a/n: we getting spicy but soft tonight boiiss

warnings: drug use, language

masterlist

not my gif!

chapter seven - i dare you to love me

sofia and robin had continued the week getting to know one another more and more. sofia would take robin to school and to work and home every day for three reasons.

one, robin had a habit of hurting herself on her bike so she was trying to avoid anymore injuries

two, she didn’t like robin riding at night especially, but that’s mainly because she had been in the city for the last few years and she knew how dangerous it got there at night but hawkins is hawkins

three, she loved spending time with robin, and robin loved spending time with her

it was friday night and robin was in the store all alone. she was stuck with the overnight shift and sofia and steve were planning to go to sam anderson’s party to catch up with old friends.

it was already midnight and robin had popped in the apartment on the tv in the store

she was about half way through when she heard the front door swing open and then entered steve in full mom mode with a giggling sofia in his arms, full bridal style

it wasn’t until sofia gained her focus onto robin that she paused her giggling to greet her, “oh hey freckles”

steve walked to the couch that was located only within a few feet of him and plopped her down, which caused him to receive a very ugly look from the girl until she returned to her own little world

robin was very very confused, “what”

steve walked up to her, taking a breather, “I DONT KNOW.” he turned around to keep an eye on sofia as she had her legs up in the air she’s high as shit “she said she had a brownie and some beer and then i caught her trying to put the goldfish in the overflowing sink because he apparently wanted to go on vacation”

robin laughed but quickly tried to contain herself and return to a serious face of concern before steve could see her

sofia had on a pair of tight khakis with red converse and a light grey knit sweater. on her wrist she had the watch that robin had seen her wear on most days she was with her and a ring on her right middle finger that also made an appearance almost every time robin had seen her

robin poked steve on the shoulder and he turned around slowly, “look, i know you were looking foward to this party so i will be your knight in shining armor and look after sofia”

steve sighed in relief as he began to make his way out of the door before he was stopped once again by robin’s voice, “BUT” he turned, with a slightly irritable look on his face “go get us food?”

steve sarcastically nodded and made his way out of the door before giving sofia a good ole furred brow which she returned in the cute way that makes robin laugh

once steve left sofia adjusted her position to where she was looking at robin upside down, her feet hanging over the edge of the couch, “you know what, robin?”

“what”

“steve? he’s a good nut” robin started to ramble on in the most serious of tones “like the best of nuts, he is a high class god damn almond my freckled beauty. like sure he was a real pain in high school but NOW god and they say evolution isnt a thing”

robin looked sofia in the eye, trying to contain herself before they both bursted into laughter

robin made her way to sofia on the couch and motioned her to sit up

robin was sitting on one send of the sofa while sofia was laying on the other end, her knees bent so she wouldn’t get into robin’s way and they talked amongst themselves and by talk i mean sofia asked robin a bunch of hypotheticals that robin entertained while they waited for steve to return with the grub

“have you.....ever been in love?”

“nope not yet”

“you will soon, i can feel it. i have a sixth sense. just wait in the near future you’re gonna be head over heels for some lucky gal”

robin had a damn near heart attack

sofia popped her head up, confused “what”

“how did you-“

“how did i know? ppffttt. please. don’t insult me”

sofia was now sitting crisscrossed, oddly closer to robin, “one, i live in god damn new york aka the san fran of the east coast. two, you have no interest in steve or literally any other man i’ve ever seen you interact with but i see you eyeing girls all the time because im eyeing them too”

robin had another heart attack

confirming both sexualities, two birds one cross faded rant

“third, you wear an ungodly yet hot amount of jewelry. you listen to the smiths like it’s your religion. the first day i met you i knew you were into women”

robin now had furred brows, “how so?”

“who’s the dingus now? you were reading the price of salt, robin.”

robin was stunned, and somehow she got even more stunned when sofia put a hand on her thigh and got close to her ear and began to whisper, sending a chill down robin’s spine, “you were also practically eating me with your eyes buckley”

as sofia leaned back to her original state she arched her brows at a still very still robin

sofia was on her seventh question, “what is...your favorite flower?”

robin thought to herself, “i don’t really know”

“oh come on, pick one, i know a god awful amount of information about plants and what they mean, hit me”

robin took a deep breath, “i guess i’d say the lily is my favorite” she laughed to herself as she saw sofia giggle “what does the lily mean?”

sofia was looking at the ceiling, playing with a baseball she had found under the couch, tossing it up in the air and catching it continuously, as she spoke her words in a soft voice with a soft smile, robin still staring at her, waiting for a response.

“i dare you to love me”

robin’s smile had now dropped as she looked at sofia for a few more seconds to be interrupted by the door once again, but this time with steve holding a bag with larry’s logo on it, causing sofia to jump off the couch in excitement and grabbing to bag

“thank GOD i’m starving”

steve cleared his throat, causing the girl to turn around to see her friend holding up a to-go cup with a straw in it

“my special shake?”

steve nodded

“and a vanilla shake for you” robin took the beverage “and a crap load of fries in the bag”

aka the fries that sofia was already munching on

“ok have fun, bye robin”

“bye dingus”

“bye sofia” which was answered by a simple wave from a distracted sofia whose only concern was those fries and shake

after about twenty minutes of robin and sofia eating fries and drinking shakes and talking about nonsense, the found themselves messing with absolutely anything and everything they could find in the store. they found a couple of flower crowns in one of the shelves of the counter that steve had received from max when she made them with el last time she visited her

sofia grabbed the crown with blue flowers and hopped onto the countertop to face robin who was behind the counter looked at an old magazine she found

“robin, come here” she said laughing but still in a soft tone

robin put the magazine down and stepped towards sofia

sofia smiled and gently placed the crown on top of robin, fixing her hair immediately after

robin grabbed the other crown right next to her that had yellow flowers and placed it onto sofia’s head in the small gentle fashion as sofia

the smiled at each other before sofia once again bursted into laughter and took off her crown “i could never rock these, definitely not like max could”

she took robin’s off but in the process messed up her hair way more than intended and began to fix it, calmly brush it down and to the sides of her face

the both paused, just staring at each other, enjoying the calm, their smiles now gone and their eyes now below each other’s noses

sofia leaned forward, her hands now cupped robin’s face that was meeting her halfway to capture each other in the most gentle of kisses and pulled away immediately after to look each other in the eye before continuing a few seconds longer

sofia hopped off of the counter the pressed her body closer to robin’s, kissing her more passionately this time

sofia will never forget how robin made her feel in that moment

she’ll never forget how she tasted like vanilla because of her shake

or how her hands rested on her thighs

or the words she said to robin once they pulled away

sofia giggled once she backed away, “i’m so shit faced jesus christ”

robin laughed back, her heart hearting. did sofia mean that kiss or is she just so out of her mind from the booze and weed that she’d kiss anyone at this point?

“let’s get you some water”

next chapter

[sugarkanemontgomery]

Snapshot 10 pt.6:The Separation of Spouses

Been awhile ha. I’m trying to devote myself to finishing this before the summer is over, and I start pharmacy school. I’ve only posted two updates on fanfiction.net, but I realize this story started here, so it should finish here as well. Happy reading!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Hey, I just wanted to call to say goodnight!

Penny bites the inside of her cheek, trying to tamp down on the forced cheerfulness. I know it's late, but I was hoping you were still up, she explains. Missed hearing your voice.

The last statement exits with a cringe as Penny taps the phone annoyedly at her cheek. Clingy much? She thinks.

Oh, hey! I'm sorry I forgot to call. The reply is breathy and ragged but devoid of Callie's patented sleepy rasp. I'm um…I lost track of time with Sofia and packing and everythin—

Penny interrupts forgivingly. Oh no, no Calliope, I-It's okay. You don't have to explain. I just wanted to say how much I can't wait for you both to be home. Penny pauses, tugging at the loose threads of the comforters and humming.

The apartment is so empty without you two. She settles on the statement with a laugh, hoping it doesn't sound as awkward as she feels. In response, Callie mutters an abrupt hold on. There are a few seconds of shuffling, muffled voices, and footsteps before Penny finally hears the tell-tale creak of a door closing shut.

We've missed you too. The words are clear, but Penny can't help but note the sound of cars in the background. Is Callie outside? At 12 in the morning?

I think New York is really starting to take its hold on us. Callie's laugh is too quick. Panicky. Sofia can't stop talking about seeing Maggie again either. And I never thought I'd actually miss Mcreary's annoying sex jokes, but I don't know, he's grown on me. Actually, now that I think about it, he's like an older, blonder version of Mark—

Are you outside? Penny can't help but ask, disrupting Callie's rambled reply.

Ah, yeah, I wanted some air. It gets stuffy in Arizona's apartment.

Penny furrowed her brow at the response but didn't know exactly what was wrong with it. Oh okay. So is Sofia asleep or are both of you still late night packing?

There was a delay before Callie answered. Sofia's having a playdate at Meredith's, so it's just me right now.

Really? Where's Arizona? Penny purses her lips trying to recall the muffled voices she'd heard earlier. She wasn't sure if it was a man or a woman, but it sounded like Callie was talking to someone. Maybe it was just the TV. Maybe it was Deluca.

Oh um, well yeah, Arizona's up, so I guess she counts. The laugh Callie releases is weird and strained. Penny's stomach clenches. But she's not helping me pack so I just, you know, excluded her.

What's she doing then?

Looking over some case files.

Hm…

Penny doesn't know what else to say, but she doesn't feel assuaged by the conversation. If anything, she feels slightly more on edge. Callie's being strange. Or maybe she's projecting because Penny herself is being strange. Maybe her jealousy is making her suspicious of things that aren't suspicious. So what Callie went outside to speak to her privately. There's nothing weird about that.

Hey babe, I was actually going to bed soon…

Penny takes the hint reluctantly. Well…okay. Call me when you make it to the airport! I love you!

I love you too.

-/-/-/-/-/

When Callie walks back into the apartment, she finds Arizona sitting on the living room couch, an unlit cigarette between her fingers.

As soon as the door shuts, the blonde jars, shoulders tensing as her wide eyes meet Callie's.

Those things kill you, you know… Callie says it because there's nothing else she can think to say.

I-I-I know you're mad. Arizona slurs, stumbling up from the couch in an uncoordinated heave. And I know you want to yell at me, but I-I really— I can't handle it right now. I'll cry. She sways unsteady on her feet as she moves toward Callie. The orthosurgeon focuses her gaze, noticing for the first time the shininess of Arizona's eyes and the wetness of her cheeks.

I know we kissed. I mean, I kissed you? The blonde's face contorts in thought. Or… you kissed me? She bites her lip, fiddling with the Marlboro like she's trying hard to concentrate on the previous events but just can't. After a moment, she shakes her head as if doing away with the confusing train of thought completely. What am I saying!? Who cares who kissed who! Arizona flings her arms out in exasperation which immediately disrupts her balance and sends her toppling forward. Fortunately, she's able to right herself before she tips completely over. Callie watches with reluctant amusement as the petite woman folds her arms across her chest in a flaccid attempt at seeming composed.

The orthosurgeon exhales, examining the other woman before settling on a response.

Where'd you even get a cigarette from?

Arizona reddens. I-I keep a pack just in case, and I know what you're going to say, she raises her voice as if to override any impending chide from Callie, But this is the first one I've had in a longgg, long time…Scout's honor.

She flashes Callie a three-fingered salute and a nervous smile. Besides…can't even find the damn lighter.

At this, Callie guffaws, walking into the living room and plopping onto the couch. She keeps laughing until she feels a weight settle beside her. When she turns she finds Arizona staring at her. Pale hands reach up to wipe at her cheeks, and Callie can't restrain the flinch. Is she crying?

I'm sorry the blonde says, continuing to wipe the tears. Her countenance is sad yet contemplative. I don't know why I'm like this. I'm happy you're with Penny. She states like she's trying the words out, seeing how they fit. After a moment, she smacks her lips distastefully. No, that feels like a lie…

Callie's body tenses beside her, but Arizona can feel the words bubbling up. Severe and unstoppable.

I think maybe I am the complete opposite of happy that you're with Penny. I think I feel Arizona pauses grasping for the right word for a minute before finally finding it angry…at you. I think I'm angry at you. And I know that's not fair and you have every right to live your life. But I'm just so mad. I'm mad that you found someone new and fell in love and flew to New York an-and moved on because I haven't. And I'm not. Arizona is no longer wiping tears. She's just cupping Callie's face and staring, and the taller woman gets the distinct feeling that the blonde is admitting something to herself for the first time.

I thought I was. I thought I was getting over it and learning to be myself again…without you…but I'm not. The only reason I'm even functioning is because of our phone calls. Before then, I was a wreck, you know. I didn't even want to get out of bed.

Callie doesn't say anything; she doesn't know what to say. So Arizona just keeps going, her gaze zipping around the room nervously.

And it makes sense that I threw myself at you and ruined the one thing keeping me sane. This is what I do. I self-destruct. Of course, I kissed you. I can't even stop thinking about you. I can't ever leave well enough alone!

She covers her face with her hands and folds into herself, and Callie can see the first waves of a sob rippling through her shoulders. Callie begins to reach out but thinks better of it. Her hands fold in her lap. She turns away.

I don't…feel that way anymore. I love you, and I've missed you. But I don't want…

She doesn't finish. There's a long empty silence where Arizona is looking at Callie, and Callie is looking away.

I'm not asking you to.

Good, don't. Tomorrow I'm going home, an-and I'm going to be happy with the woman I love.

Arizona just breathes, feeling suddenly sober. Okay.

And we shouldn't talk as much anymore.

Okay.

But that doesn't mean I'm…We're still friends, so don't worry. I'm not kicking you out of my life. We just need time apart right now

Okay.

So you can move on from me.

Okay.

Callie glances over her shoulder at her ex and finds a watery pair of blue eyes dull and staring. Okay? That's all?

What do you want me to say? I wish you would have yelled at me, so at least…at least I could argue. At least I could talk about how…I can't remember exactly who kissed who first, but at some point, we were both kissing each other—

Arizon—

But maybe I just found an opening. I don't know. She laughs a wet, sad laugh. Maybe I'm just desperate and manipulative. And you're just horny and lonely, and I imagined that this was even a possibility.

Callie just runs her fingers through her hair and remains silent.

Okay, then. I'm going to bed. Arizona finally says, standing up and sparing one last glance at her ex. Goodnight, I guess.

Night.

-----

Day 104.

Arizona wakes up to an energetic Sofia flopped out on top of her like a child-sized starfish.

Mama! Mama! Wake up! A tiny finger “softly” jabs into her ear.

Fia… Callie’s warning come from just outside the doorway.

Arizona cracks open her eyes and groans at the sudden light and sounds. Off, Sofia she wiggles side to side, and the little girl tumbles over onto the bed beside her.  

Mommy says we gotta go to the airport, and we can’t leave without you. I told her we should just stay, but she won’t listen.

Arizona doesn’t even have to look to know Sofia is pouting.

I—I thought about letting you sleep in, but I know you’d want to take us, so…

Arizona turns over to see her ex-wife standing just outside of the room like there’s a forcefield keeping her out. It’s a small thing, but it’s enough to remind her that last night really did happen. She groans again, but this time for a different reason.

You’re right. Thanks, Calliope. Can you give me a few minutes to get dressed?

Callie nods relievedly before mincing away to the living room. Sofia stays lying on the bed watching her mom hustle to get dressed.

Don’t you want us to stay, Mama? she asks after a moment.

Arizona pauses in her search for a clean tee-shirt before looking at her daughter. The girl is propped up on her elbows, a deep frown contorting her mouth. Arizona pushes all the emotions she’s feeling into the best words she can think of on such short notice.

Of course, I do, Baby. Always! I’d sew you both to my hip if I could.

-/-/-/

Callie, Sofia, and Arizona arrive at the airport at exactly 10:35 AM. Sofia has one small suitcase and a bookbag while her mother has one large suitcase and a carry-on. Her other mother has no luggage at all, so instead chooses to hold Sofia’s hand as they walk—well, jog actually—to their boarding gate. The flight boards at 10:45 AM, and the morning had gone faster than anticipated. Arizona does her best to keep up with Callie’s long strides despite the hangover headache pulling at her temples. She moves her shades up momentarily, so she can see her ex-wife in full color. Her dark hair pulled into a loose pony. Her slender neck sweaty from rushing across the moving walkway. Her tan skin glistening in the yellow light streaming from the tall airport windows.

She hasn’t more than glanced at Arizona this morning, probably thankful for the distraction of traveling. Probably thankful that they won’t see each other for awhile.

Even so, Arizona can’t stop looking at her.

When they arrive at the gate at 10:50 AM, Sofia cries. Sniffles at first and then full-blown sobs.

Mommy, we can’t leave Mama. We can’t leave. She drops her suitcase in a mild sort of tantrum, and Callie looks at Arizona, surprised. Lost.

Baby, you know we have to go back. Don’t y—don’t you want to see Maggie? Don’t you want to tell Penny about your trip?

Sofia glares at her mother, shocking both women, before running hard into Arizona’s arms.

No, she defies

Arizona strokes her little girl’s head, pushing back tears of her own. Please don’t cry, Sweetie. Please don’t.

Callie stays away, fiddling with the seams of her pockets and feeling incredibly useless. Arizona throws her a consoling look.

You know I will see you again as soon as I can, right? She leans down and whispers into her daughter’s hair.

When Sofia doesn’t answer, she asks again. Right?

All she gets is a slight nod.

And you know Mama and I love you, and we only try to do what’s best for you, right?

Another nod.

Then, you should know we’re just trying to do what’s best for you right now. You’ll be back here before you know it, and you’ll have so many more stories to tell me and Zola and all your friends.

Sofia doesn’t respond, but Arizona can tell by the way her grip loosens that her fight is waning. Arizona looks up to see Callie watching on, miserably. They meet eyes and hold what can only be described as a quiet conversation. After a moment, it must become too much because Callie turns away to face the boarding gate. Arizona sighs, swallowing a budding resentment.

Calliope. She calls out softly.

Callie looks over her shoulder to see Arizona’s arms stretched out wide. I think there’s room for one more.

Almost as if pulled by a magnet, Callie glides over into her ex’s embrace. It’s warm and strong and as familiar as always. There’s a simultaneous hiccup in both of their chests when Arizona turns her head and presses her mouth lightly against Callie’s ear.

I love you, and I want you to be happy. That hasn’t changed.

A sob muffles in Callie’s throat as she snuggles deeper into the solace of her wife—her ex-wife. The guilt is so heavy she feels like she’s sinking, and Arizona is the only raft willing to keep her afloat.

After a few lingering moments by the gate, a voice comes on the speakers, calling all remaining passengers to board. The calm is gone. Arizona detangles herself from her family, smiling wearily before waving them off.

Don’t forget to text me when you land.

 -------

Day 105.

I hope your day back was good!

As soon as Arizona sends the text she locks her phone and shoves it into her back pocket.

Okay, done! Are you happy now? April gapes at her friend.

Wow, you really…wow.

W—What do you mean “wow”? Why are you “wow”ing? You told me to text her!

Well, I…didn’t think you would actually do it. April takes a swig from her wine cooler. Technically, they’re celebrating her move into a new apartment with Jackson. But at some point, it also became a pity party for Arizona’s “break-up” with Callie if you could even call it that.

Then why would you tell me—Oh my god. Now, I’m going to look desperate. Am I going to look desperate?

Well, aren’t you?

Jeez, April!

What did you even send her?

Arizona repeats her message to April. Shrugging even though her anxiety is building. The message is innocuous enough, right? …Right? The redhead’s grimace says otherwise.

That’s a…good text. Casual.

Then why are you looking like that? April schools her features into forced indifference.

Looking like what?

Arizona throws up her hands in exasperation before pouring herself a glass of wine. You know what? Forget it. Forget Callie. I’m hot. I’m...I’m sexy. People like me. Tons of people.

April raises her wine cooler in agreement. Damn straight. They’re lining up—

And anyway, I’m happy for Callie. I’m happy for her new job and her new friends and her new relationship with a freakin’ resident who can’t even give her an orga—

Her phone interrupts her with a buzz, and Arizona whips it out so quickly she almost spills her wine. April looks on in anticipation.

Thanks. I hope you’re doing well.

She reads the message outloud, squinting at it like maybe there’s some hidden meaning between the letters.

Thanks, I hope you’re doing well? April repeats slowly, trying out the words. That’s all?

Arizona reads it again. Yeah, that’s all.

 -------

Day 109.

It takes Callie five days to realize she’s probably not going to tell Penny about the kiss. She thinks about it though…she really does.

Every night when Penny curls into her arms, she remembers Arizona’s hands palming the back of her neck.

Every day when they’re in the car scoping out better apartments, she remembers Arizona’s tongue stroking the top of her mouth.

Every time they kiss or make love or even look at each other, it’s on Callie’s mind.  (And what’s worse is that the sex is better, better than it’s been in awhile not that Callie would ever allow herself to make the obvious correlation).

Today, it’s a rare weekend when they’re both off at the same time, and Callie thinks this may be the perfect window to tell her.

Penny, can we talk? She pulls the woman out of the living room (where she’s playing some card game with Sofia) and into the bedroom.

What’s up? Penny bites the skin at the tip of her thumb, a nervous habit.

Nothing…I mean… And in that moment, Callie considers saying so many things.

I kissed my ex-wife a few days ago.

I knew what was happening, and I didn’t stop it.  

I’m so, so sorry.

But instead, the only thing that comes out is You look beautiful today and We should take Sof to the beach.

-/-/-/

They spend the day on Coney Island. The inevitable fallout hovering like a tidal wave.

 --------

Day 114.

Penny is on cloud nine or maybe even somewhere above it. Callie’s been more present than she’s ever been, and the non-Sofia related phone calls have all but ceased. She doesn’t know what happened during Callie’s visit to Seattle, and the brunette never seems that eager to go into it.

They must have fought, she thinks, and is strangely delighted by that. Sure, there are times when Callie looks miserable. When Sofia mentions Arizona and Callie just sort of stalls like an old car, but they are few and far in between. And Penny is sure they will go away eventually.

She’s just really happy with the way things are, and she knows Callie is, too. Callie will be, too.

-------

Day 116.

Somewhere in a Seattle operating room, Arizona watches the light drain from a newborn’s eyes. She presses two fingers against his chest and pushes for what feels like thirty minutes. The dull hum of the heart monitor mocks her from the corner. And she isn’t looking, but she can almost feel the sad gazes of the surgical nurses bearing down. She pulls herself away finally, sweat sticking to her neck and her forehead. She doesn’t want to stop, but it’s helpless.

Time of death 9:24 PM.

-/-/-/

A few hours later, Arizona thinks about calling April or Alex or Richard. She even considers having a heart to heart with Deluca (though he was passed out on the couch when she got home, his left hand wedged into a bag of Doritos so maybe he isn’t the best choice). She scrolls through her contacts, searching, but after surveying her options, she realizes there is only one person she really wants talk to. Her thumb hovers precariously over the contact.

-/-/-/

I watched a baby die today which considering my job, I should be used to. But I’m not. I’m scared I never will be.

His parents are so young. They look like us when we were that young. So afraid and out of their depth.

They brought me the most precious little boy and begged me to save his life, trusted me to save his life. And I failed them.

I know we aren’t really talking anymore because of everything that happened, but…I miss you. Like crazy. All the time. And I’m going to go out on a limb and say that maybe you miss me too. And what we have is too precious to throw away over one night. Over one stupid, drunk mistake. I meant what I said at the airport. I know you said you wanted to it time, but it’s been long enough for me. l really just want my friend back.

-/-/-/

Somewhere in New York, Callie coming out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her hair and another wrapped around her chest. She sees Penny lying up in bed, highlighting certain passages in a medical journal. Callie’s cell is lying on the bed beside her.

Hey, did my phone ding? Thought I heard something.

No. Penny glances up from her notes. Are you coming to bed soon, Babe? I’m getting tired.

Yeah, Callie comes over to pick up her phone, only to see a few article alerts. Let me comb through my hair and change. Shouldn’t take long.

-/-/-/

Hey Arizona, I’m sorry that happened, but I think it’s for the best we don’t talk anymore unless Sofia is involved. Please don’t respond to this message; I don’t feel like arguing, and at this point, the back-and-forth is just getting sad. I want to move on with my life. Please let me.

Arizona reads the message again and again. She feels the air being vacuumed from her lungs. Her stomach floating up and plummeting down all at once. She covers her eyes with her arm and tries to suppress the feeling that’s threatening to overwhelm her.

[otomates-a]

🌹/🌺 with Selphy? if we wanna indulge the game or maybe with Sofia if we wanna do the crossover times 👀

LET ME KNOW YOUR SHIP IDEAS, I’LL RAMBLE ABOUT THEM.

↪ accepting / @rcguna.

🌺 — platonic ship &  🌹 — romantic ship inputs !

ah rune factory my one tru love & bias… if anything strikes ur fancy feel free to let me know… time to rant for 983475983475 years ok,

SELPHY & RAGUNA

RAGUNA’S RELATIONSHIP AND INTERACTIONS WITH SELPHY ARE SO PURE AND GOOD. selphy has really low self esteem and sort of (unintentionally) has a super low opinion of herself in general bc she knows she’s really ditzy and spacey… raguna really helps lift her up because he’s such a good person. i can imagine if she’s ever putting herself down too much, he’d be the type of person to either gently call her out on it and remind her she has a lot of good character traits or jokingly meet her in the middle and be like “well ur spacey sure but have u seen how ____ i am.” raguna softly helping her raise her confidence… bless

raguna would probably get stood up a lot by her… i’m sobbing… not in the “she intentionally did not meet me when we planned to meet way” but rather in the “oh my god selphy hasn’t eaten or slept in 3 days and she’s literally passed out in the middle of a forest under a tree again time to go scour the area and make sure she’s okay” way KJNHKJHNM i can imagine she’d actually spook him a lot because she takes such … bad care of herself … can’t even take her on adventures because halfway through the cave she’ll keel over and it’s like “SELPHY WTF” “i’m sorry raguna i just realized i have not had a sip of water in 2 days haha it be like that”

honestly tfw the local librarian’s life is in more danger from herself than urs is from monsters, i can see her probably pushing raguna to the point of having to be quite stern sometimes over her putting reading before taking care of herself

selphy thinks about other people more than herself tho so she’d absolutely be a worry-wart over raguna even from the moment they’ve just newly become friends. catch her occasionally sending him care kits full of herbs or materials he needs, medicine, etc, so he can take care of himself if he gets hurt.

she’d also try to give him a good luck protection charm at some point and it’d probably be handmade and also the ugliest thing he’s ever seen in his life but raguna is a good boy so u know he’d take it anyways jknmKJNM

despite everything selphy is extremely intelligent because of all her reading, though. there are times she reads very serious books & gathers info from them, so any time he needs ??? help ??? learning something new about the area or monsters or whatever he doesn’t even need to ask he can just barge into the library like “HEY,,”

selphy being a runaway princess tho i’m sobbing …. she wouldn’t really… ever bring that up until the two of them are extremely close, about how her country is in an uproar because she YEETED out of there and how she doesn’t trust knights or people who “treat her like a princess” …. and that’s why she likes raguna bc… he always just treated her like a person

selphy is??? super extra??? and loves communicating serious things via very fancy handwritten letters? any time she has something of major importance to tell raguna she’d totally send him a letter… and want him to respond back via letter… her literally just stopping anette each morning like “haha take this to raguna thanks!” game mechanics aside on an expressly #romantic note if feelings were ever confessed, it would mean more to her written on paper and u could bet the moment one of them sent that letter the other would probably come running and bust down their door to then Verbally Discuss It KJHNMKHJNM

she’s tol at 5′9″ she can look u directly in the eyes raguna … if she wears heels that day she’ll end up slightly taller than him so u better be ready to stand on some stairs buddy

the real danger to their relationship would be her passing out while reading in the bath and drowning. inb4 raguna begs melody to keep an eye on her any time she’s at the bathhouse 😂

bonus romance exclusive concept : selphy kissing raguna’s palm and saying it’s a spell to keep him safe during his daily adventures. she knows, she’s an expert.

SOFIA & RAGUNA

OH GOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH SOFIA ARE ALWAYS…. they’re special. i feel like raguna would probably catch on a lot quicker than most, though. he seems like one of the few people who wouldn’t need it explained to him, he’d just pick up on it early on?? bc sofia’s expressions and actions never match how cruel her words are and raguna generally sees the best in people, so he’d likely be perceptive enough to notice that and be like “????????? are you speaking in opposites wtf weird but okay!”

that being said WOW SOFIA WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO REACT TO RAGUNA AT FIRST because people “getting her” and being kind towards her (or, at least, accepting her as she is without making it weird, rather) is something she’s never really experienced. she would think he’s super weird and just messing with her… which would foster the doubt in the back of her mind that he actually hates her and is just being nice bc he’s nice to everyone, which is something he’d have to convince her she’s wrong about

after she adjusts to him though she’d love tagging along with him on adventures and would always be up for helping him out any time he leaves town, whether it be to just gather materials or battle monsters.

sofia doesn’t have many friends in the sense that she feels she annoys most people, so raguna being as sweet & outgoing as he is would catch her off guard most times … even small gestures of friendship fluster her because she doesn’t know what to make of it. hanging out with her would definitely feel special even if they’re doing something stupid, because just seeing him ??? would brighten her day ??? like she can’t believe someone as great as him would want to spend time with a liar like her

she will gift him garbage. it will be the worst gifts he ever gets, but she will hope he likes it… if he actually keeps any of it and she visits his house or anything and sees it, she will absolutely get teary eyed.

she will also absolutely keep anything he gifts her and display it in her room bc “raguna is (not special at all) and she (will always immediately throw away any useless give he gives her)”

she would have some insecurities ofc… she already thinks that the way she speaks causes people to dislike her, so even after convincing her that he doesn’t hate her, whether it be a strong friendship or romance that blossomed between them, he’d have to let her know that he’s okay with who she is. she’d undoubtedly go through a period of time where she tries to change herself to speak normally, then psyche herself out doing it. that scene where she says “i love you!” normally and the protag thinks she’s saying she hates him is canon no matter the relationship, #growingpains KJNHMKHJNM

but also eventually if raguna ever told her he loves her (either platonically or romantically, she’s struck through the kokoro by both) she’ll cry. a lot. but like happy cry. bonus points she’d cling to him if he threw in a point that he likes her BECAUSE of who she is

she’s literally never even held a hand before tbh so if their hands even accidentally brushed against each other she’d get so flustered raguna might have to worry she’s going to die

she’s only 5′0″, if raguna wants to kiss or hug or whatever, he’s either got to lean all the way hecking down or lift her up and that’s aesthetic

bonus romance exclusive concept : raguna having to slowly work his way up to showing his affection bc she’s so shy. first he has to just link pinkies with her. then eventually he can hold her hand. then lace their fingers. then link their arms. then he can kiss her knuckles. then her hand, then her cheek, etc, etc… he has to take Smol Steps and it’s cute.

WILL SMITH POSES. THERE U GO I #TRIEDMYBEST.

[entrenous88]

for the au meme: pinto summer of love

So Chris is a very studious upstanding young man, mostly focused on getting ready for college and trying not to think too hard about the fact that he just had to register for the draft.  He’s had a couple of girlfriends, one of whom was the pony-tailed president of their high school’s Young Republicans’ Club, but nothing too serious.

But then!  At the start of the summer, he finds out his childhood pal Sofia has gone missing, and her parents think she ran away!  

Based on Sofia’s letters (that talk about some weird bands and Chris is pretty sure she might have written while she was smoking reefers), he acts on a hunch and heads to San Francisco and Haight-Ashbury to see if maybe he can find his friend in the counterculture scene.  

He’s such a square, though, that he gets nowhere with the bohemians and hippie kids…until he ends up at a gathering with a gang of other kids lounging around on pillows and wearing flowers in their hair, and someone asks him if he wants to trip on mushrooms.  “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you,” some guy named Zach wearing an orange caftan shirt promises, and so Chris shrugs and goes along with it, hoping that some people’s tongues will loosen and he can find out about Sofia’s whereabouts.

Soon enough Chris is waving his hand slow motion in front of his face, and telling Zach that the patterns on his shirt are swirling into the air.  The party gets really mellow, and Chris ends up stretched out leaning back on Zach’s stomach, rambling on about how Zach has prettier eyes than any girl he’s met, and that he digs how he smells (let’s face it, probably of patchouli).

When Chris starts to come down, he’s embarrassed as hell, and worried Zach might sock him for being so weird.  But instead Zach offers him a place to crash while Chris looks for Sofia, and is a real stand-up guy for not mentioning how Chris possibly got a boner while they were cuddling on the floor.  

Zach helps Chris with his search for his friend, because aside from some experimental theater performances, his days are pretty much open.  Along the way they end up going to a bunch of impromptu concerts to hand out flyers asking if people have seen Sofia, happening upon a couple of be-in’s, and getting closer to one another every day.  Chris knows he has to leave sooner or later to start college in the fall, but even though he’s supposed to be there only for Sofia, he can tell he’s getting attached to the scene in San Francisco.  He starts borrowing Zach’s medallions and linen shirts and even growing out his hair when Zach mentions he likes how it looks longer. 

At last one night, when there’s too many people grooving at Zach’s pad, they have to share a bed (a mattress on the floor in a room with only strings of wooden beads in lieu of a door, obviously).  Chris starts out on the edge of the mattress, but somewhere during the night, Zach turns over and curls around him, and Chris pretends he’s still asleep so he won’t have to move away.  He’d only ever meant to be here to help out a friend, but it scares him that he can’t see himself anywhere else, and that he can’t picture going somewhere without Zach.

Early the next morning, Chris is beginning to freak out a little about what might be happening with him and Zach.  Some guy named Simon who’s gotten in really late after a sit-in demonstration mentions he thinks he spotted the girl Chris is looking for in a park that morning, but he’ll have to hurry if he wants to catch her.  

Chris runs off wearing Zach’s prized water buffalo sandals to try and find Sofia.  He’s so worried she’s in trouble with nowhere to turn, but when he arrives he finds out she’s doing great.  She’s been helping to run community efforts to get everyone there for the summer clothed and fed, and now she’s organizing a few vans of people to head cross-country, bound for a commune that’s starting up somewhere in New Hampshire.  So can Chris let her folks know she’s fine and will send them a postcard when she’s settled planting blueberries for peace?

Chris finds a pay phone and calls his parents first to ask them to pass along the message that Sofia is okay.  They take turns telling him he really has to come home so he can start school like he’s supposed to, and insist on wiring him the money for a bus that’s due to leave in less than an hour.

At the bus station, Chris is about to board when he realizes that being in San Francisco and staying with Zach is the best thing that’s ever happened to him in his life, and he’s not about to give that up. He’s about to turn around and tear up the ticket when Zach runs in!  He somehow found out that Chris was going to leave town and tells Chris that if he won’t stay, Zach will come with him!

They kiss in the middle of the bus station, and everyone surrounding them is either too groovy or too high to be a jerk about it.

Eventually they move up to Sofia’s commune so they can make almond butter and weave baskets and stay together forever.  They become conscientious objectors and lead protests and at some point start up an experimental theater to promote peace, love, and understanding.

[sunlitroom]

Gotham – s4e11 – Queen Takes Knight

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham:

The Pyg fiasco, and the unceremonious ditching of Harvey.  Sofia says Jim wanted a gangster,and that’s what he got.  I have to hear Pyg fucking oink again.   We learn his real name is Lazlo Valentine. Lee likes Ed now.  Bruce is not the hero Gotham needs.  Sofia used Martin as a pawn, so Oswald faked his death.  You wanted a war - you got one!

As always, long post will be long.  There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot might appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)).  There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism.  There will likely be inchoate screeching over the angst truck hitting my favourite again. Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

 At the Iceberg Lounge, the loyal Mr Penn bustles in with some men, waiting for Oswald’s instructions. Stupid music announces this week’s instalment of Girl Gang Badassery, with Sofia joining them.  She stares down her nose at Mr Penn

Where is Penguin, little man?

(An aside, Sofia has evidently inherited her father’s disdain for anyone who doesn’t match her particular pattern of acceptable.  No doubt Oswald is also that freakish little man in her mind, too)

 Jim and other officers are hunting for the escaped Valentine.  They run up some stairs to find an almost dead black market doctor, choking on his own blood.  Jim follows his gaze to the wall behind him, where Valentine has left another of his whimsical messages

Toodles Gotham, it was a gas

Jim is wearing an awful beige coat that doesn’t suit him.  Given his actions later, he deserves this sartorial punishment.

 At the Iceberg Lounge. Tabitha is torturing someone who is wailing in agony, presumably - although I hope not – Mr Penn.  Barbara, meantime is complaining that while they’re here, Oswald is out calling on his support amongst the gangs.  Don’t worry, Barbara.  It doesn’t matter how much ingenuity we know Oswald must have demonstrated on building himself back up after every downfall, the political alliances he created, all the legal trickery – he’ll wind up fucked over when the storyline demands it.

Sofia’s face barely flickers at this.  She says that if they kill Oswald, then the gangs will support her.  She’s still a Falcone

Barbara rolls her eyes

Yeah – you mentioned that

Tabitha saunters out. Whoever she was torturing doesn’t know where Oswald is. Sofia’s phone rings.  Her face shifts on taking the call, and she says she’ll be right there.

 Back at GCPD, Harper tells Jim about what happened on the train, and the subsequent meeting under the bridge.

(An aside – this is the first example in this episode of something which became outrageously annoying during the Galavan plotline – communication failure -  to create rifts between characters.  It’s not a bad thing when it’s sparing and plausible – but Gotham tends to employ it scattergun when they want to shove a plotline in a certain direction by lobbing idiot balls in all directions.  Jim literally spoke to Oswald hours ago.  He managed to get an agreement from him.  Here, he doesn’t even evince puzzlement at why Oswald might immediately break that agreement – he knows that Oswald operates on favours and promises, or wonder if Sofia engineered it somehow.  He just rushes headlong in the direction the plot demands)

They decide that Oswald has to be found.  Jim says he’ll find Sofia.  Valentine’s new face can wait.  

We’ve got a war to stop people

(An aside – Jesus fucking Christ Jim – your war.  Your war that you specifically requested.  Am I supposed to have forgotten this?  Or is Jim the biggest hypocrite in the city.  If it’s the latter – how can you sustain him as a heroic figure?  He doesn’t have the self-awareness or self-doubt to be an antihero.  So what is he?)

Sofia, Barbara, Tabitha and Selina are at the Falcone Mansion.  Falcone enters, and Babs and Tabs look anxious.  Falcone kisses Sofia, and tells her she looks tired.  He also tells Ms Kean it’s good to see her again – Barbara having gone to him way back when to plead for Jim’s safety – probably something else that Jim’s conveniently forgotten.

The writers, having seemingly given up on emotional depth for Barbara, don’t really do much with this, just giving her a lame and shallow

So this is weird

Sofia asks why he’s here. Falcone asks her to remind him of what he told her about not being ready, and then angrily remarks that she came back anyway.  He said he should have acted then, but he was indulgent, curious

Who is this daughter I raised?

Sofia protests. Oswald is weak, they can take the city from him – Falcone loves this city.

Carmine shakes his head. He used to love it – but he’s dying now. He cares about his family.

Sofia lapses into the entitled princessy behaviour we’ve seen glimpses of before

I want this.  I deserve this.  Gotham belongs to me!

In a unpleasant scene, Carmine backhands her, and Sofia falls to the floor.  

Your actions have disgraced the family.

He remarks on her sleeping with Jim, the man who killed her brother.  Sofia is now tearful and sullen.  Barbara is wide-eyed at this news.

Sorry, what?

Falcone says he always knew the meaning of honour, but she has proven that she does not.

Children - they can be such disappointments

Oswald enters the room. Sofia is furious, protesting that she was winning.  Falcone cuts her off

I came when Oswald called because you were going to lose.  Anyone but my daughter would be dead right now.

(An aside.  This is true.  Sofia is manipulative and clever, but virtually everything she’s achieved has been down to the Falcone name – something she repeatedly comments on herself)

At Wayne manor, we see the aftermath of a wild party which the police have been called to after a noise complaint.  As Alfred strolls the room, we see Bruce passed out next to two girls.  Alfred throws the melted ice from the champagne bucket over him.  As he splutters awake, Alfred tells him that the party is well and truly over.

Bruce apparently did the whole wild party in a black woollen jumper.

 Jim arrives at the Falcone mansion.  He begins to tell the driver by the car outside that he’s looking for Sofia, but Carmine cuts him off

my daughter

Jim says he didn’t expect to see him.  Carmine tells him he arrived this morning and made a deal with Oswald – take her away, and she lives.  Jim curls his lip – commenting that he made the same deal with Oswald but he didn’t keep it.  Carmine comments that he’ll keep it with him.

(An aside – this right here should also have made Jim stop and think.  Why would Oswald make the same deal twice?  Why risk bringing Carmine to town at all, given that Oswald is intimidated by his legacy?  If he’d wanted to kill Sofia, he could have done it by now.  There’s no reason for Oswald to want to lure Carmine back to kill him, either – it would only create more trouble for him from Falcone loyalists. However, Jim is holding armfuls of idiot balls right now, so on we go).

Falcone regards Jim, stone-faced, and says he glad he never killed him.  Jim responds with a sarcastic thanks, but Falcone is unimpressed.

Don't thank me.   Killing you would be a kindness.  You’ve no idea what you’ve brought to your city.  When you find out the truth, it will destroy you. And that’s a comfort.

Sofia strolls out, face sullen

Another day, another man sending me out of Gotham

(An aside – those satin coats are very trying, to be honest.  The theory is good – but beyond a catwalk, they tend to look unfortunate)

Falcone says that he’s trying to keep her alive

Sofia’s not interested in this

Neither of you believed in me.  It could have been so different

(An aside – Sofia will do this again later, excuse herself of responsibility of her actions by saying that she was forced to do A,B or C because she wasn’t adequately appreciated, or respected, or loved enough.  There’s something chilling about it.  Look what you made me do is a classic abuser’s line.)

As she walks past Jim, she stops to kiss him.  This is likely partly to spite her father, but also – as we’ll discover later – because she wants this to look convincingly like a final farewell.

Carmine turns to Jim

I doubt we'll see each other again.  

He looks balefully at his old home

The sun never shines here

Sofia talks to him before getting into the car

Everything I did - I did for your love – but it doesn't matter, does it?

Carmine regards her grimly

I still consider you my daughter - that's enough

Sofia decides she wants to take one of the roses her mother planted with her.  She pricks her finger on one of the thorns.  Jim sees a van approaching in the distance.  He yells get down – but it’s too late.   Sofia is shot in the hip – and Carmine is killed outright.  She screams and sobs when she realises her father has been killed, and Jim hugs her, because he’s a gigantic blond dope.

In the kitchen, Alfred watches the TV news reporting on Falcone’s death while enjoying a cup of tea. A hungover/still drunk Bruce lurches in, and tells him to clean up vomit from the car.

Oswald watches the news, mouth pursed.  Victor, standing in the doorway, asks if Oswald would have told him if he was going to kill Falcone.  Oswald tells him that of course he would have.

Victor tells him everyone on the street thinks he did it. An exasperated Oswald exclaims

Let them!  My hands are clean.  You have my word.

(An aside.  This is all a bit mystifying to be honest.  Yes – Victor seemed to be especially loyal to Falcone way back when.  But if he was that loyal, why work for Oswald at all?  Why not follow Falcone out of the city, or work to undermine Oswald’s organisation, or just flat out refuse to have anything to do with him.  None of Victor’s previous actions make sense if I’m to believe what follows

On top of that – Victor seems most concerned here about whether he’s been lied to.  But he has no reason to think that’s the case.  He knows Oswald sees him as his most trustworthy employee.  Why is he suddenly doubtful?  Cynically – Victor also knows where Martin is.  Why would he risk pissing him off by killing Falcone and lying about it if Victor could take revenge by delivering Martin right back to Sofia?)

Falcone’s funeral, which is a very grand affair.  Actually, is this the funeral or the vigil?  I didn’t see a priest.

Oswald and Victor sit in a pew.  Oswald looks anxiously at Victor.  Sofia is wheeled into the church in a wheelchair, wearing hilariously obvious scarlet gloves of guilt.  She might as well be wearing a t-shirt with ‘#1 dad killer’ on it.

Jim makes sorry noises and accuses Oswald of having carried out the murder based on, well – nothing. The same level of conjecture as that on the streets.  Truly, he’s worth whatever GCPD pays him.

Sofia’s crocodile tears in response are neatly highlighted by costuming choices: a veil is lip service when combined with bare shoulders.

Oswald fumes at the sight of Sofia.  As he does so, a tearful Victor stands and walks to Falcone’s coffin, putting a bullet in his pocket.  Sofia watches this, and watches as Victor strides past Oswald, who is left hissing his name from the pew.  It’s a clear message, Victor is offering allegiance to Sofia and quitting Oswald. It makes no fucking sense, but it’s a clear message.

Jim broods in another pew, but notices Harvey.  He comments that his leave is almost up, and it’ll be good to have him back.  

(This is a really disorganised funeral – why are people just chatting and changing seat?)

Harvey is infuriated, asking why Jim hasn’t arrested the little weasel.  Oswald apparently still owns the judges.  This detail will fly out the window later, but anyway.

Harvey is still incredulous. Jim – not able to look him fully in the eye, tells him that it was Sofia who paid off the mayor to make him captain, but he didn’t ask for it.  Hmmm. Let’s not be disingenuous here, Jim. You wanted the Pax gone by any means, and didn’t rule anything out.  You also repeatedly remarked that you deserved the captaincy.

Harvey is triumphant about the fact that Jim did have to do something to get the captaincy – but also comments that it’s a hell of a debt to owe.

Jim acknowledges this – saying that she’s pressing him to act on Oswald, even before the recent mess, but he can’t allow her to make GCPD her personal army.  Harvey says Jim needs to incite Oswald to do something and convict him for it.  Jim starts to make protesting noises – but Harvey clarifies.  He doesn’t give a tinker’s damn about Oswald – but as far as he sees it, everything that’s happened here – right up to Falcone’s death is on Jim’s initial decision to go after Oswald.  He should finish what he started.

(An aside – Harvey’s not wrong in remarking that this is all on Jim.  Everything here goes back to Jim’s decision to go to Falcone to fix his problem.  What doesn’t really make sense is his advice to see his plan through… just because. There’s nothing rational about continuing with a terrible plan just because you started it.  It takes more backbone to admit you fucked up, accept blame, and work to remedy it.)

Oswald views Falcone.

Goodbye old friend.  I will not forget all that you taught me

Stepping back, he approaches Sofia.  He tells her he had great respect for her father, but she….

Jim yanks him away as he threatens Sofia, and then pushes her back down the aisle.

Sofia asks what he’s doing.

Finishing what I started

 Oswald storms into GCPD. Tapping the microphone, he calls Jim out.  He wants him to hand over Sofia, but Jim refuses.  Oswald, wide-eyed, asks if he’s seriously going to go to war for her. Jim – without a blush – says he’s upholding the law, no-ne gets to decide who lives and who dies.

Oswald is irate – he protests that Sofia has manipulated Jim, lied to him.  Jim smugly tells him the law is the law – get over it or face the consequences.

Oswald just about reels at this.

(An aside – I am, I always admit, nakedly biased.  Oswald is my favourite by a country mile.  Here though – I think just about anyone could empathise with his frustration. We know that Jim is bullshit, just going through with this to see his own shitty choice through to the end.  We know that Sofia has lied and manipulated him. Oswald is just about seething with confused frustration at Jim’s refusal to acknowledge this, and it’s easy to empathise with him)

Oswald changes tack and offers a bribe, telling the officers that Jim is risking all their lives to protect a gangster.  GCPD has turned virtuous within weeks, apparently, turning their noses up at Oswald’s bribe.  Two officers ask if they can throw Oswald out.  Jim nods assent, and Oswald is dragged from the station – screaming to Jim that blood will run, and it will be on his hands.

The cops all turn to look at him.  Jim puffs up for a grand speech.

From the first day I put on the badge, I was told things could never change - Gotham and GCPD are corrupt.  Criminals ran things.  You just showed me different.  

He tells everyone to suit up – which I think means ‘grab lots of guns’

(An aside – so Oswald is apparently the convenient scapegoat for everyone’s sins?  The corruption Jim found when he arrived, Falcone’s reign, Sofia’s deceit – we decide Oswald can be the representative of all that?  Not only is this horribly unfair, but given part of Oswald believes, albeit in a very twisted way, that he is good for the city, and given – also -  that he genuinely cares about it: this is just ugly.  Fuck and off.)

 Gotham’s favourite pastime: shooting in random warehouses.  There follows a tedious scene whereby the Sirens, tied up, manage to escape.  I am bored by everything to do with this plotline. Does Selina utter more than two words this episode?  She doesn’t have to, I suppose.  Her character has been diminished now to an eyeroll in a catsuit.

 Sofia and Jim in the Captain’s office after his big speech about how GCPD is all shiny and clean now.   Sofia is complaining that the gangs all owe Oswald allegiance, and tells Jim to arrest him. Jim says that Oswald is using proxies, and he can’t.  Sofia sits back and regards him coldly, and then observes that Jim is baiting Oswald into committing a public atrocity.  Jim visibly flinches a little, blinking, because – as I commented elsewhere – he doesn’t like people to notice and voice the grubby things he does.

Sofia is still in those murder gloves.  She asks Jim what if Oswald has already committed an atrocity, and tells him about Martin. Jim has apparently forgotten Oswald flinging himself between Jim and Valentine to protect a child – and only asks why Sofia didn’t tell him this sooner.  She said she had no proof, but smiles – saying that Oswald never understood how people cared for her father, and one of those people just called her.

 At the Iceberg Lounge, a frustrated Oswald is ranting to Victor about how Jim has every cop in Gotham behind him.  Victor comments that he must have good leadership skills, at which Oswald says – after all this – they need to have a chat about the chain of command, and screeches at him to go do something horrific.

Jim arrives.  Oswald asks if he’s lost his mind, and reminds Jim that the armed men here work for him.  Jim says he’s here to arrest him.  Oswald asks on what charge?  He didn’t kill Falcone.  Jim says it’s for Martin – which makes Oswald laugh.  Jim asks what’s so funny – but Oswald says it’s that Martin’s death was only faked to stop Sofia using him

(An aside – this still doesn’t give Jim pause.  Fine.  Fine, Jim.)

Oswald evades giving an answer on Martin’s location, but says Victor can confirm his story.  Jim looks smugly to Victor – who equally smugly lies through his teeth, calling Oswald a kid killer.

Oswald has to be held back and then dragged away, calling Victor a lying traitor.

Jim walks up to Victor and tells him that this doesn’t give him a free pass.  Possibly just a couple of free murders in Jim’s stainless new GCPD.

Victor looks down at him

Jim - not now

 Oswald is taken to the cells in GCPD.

Harper looks proudly at Jim

You did it, cap.  You won

The assembled cops applaud Jim

(An aside - I hate everything and everyone la la la la la)

 At Sofia’s home, Victor says Gordon doesn’t know the kid is alive.  Sofia tells Victor he played his part, and that Oswald showed he was weak.  Victor shrugs.

At the end of the day - he's a Cobblepot, you’re a Falcone

He gets down on his knee and kisses her hand

Sofia smirks at the Sirens.

Smile ladies.  It’s a new day

(An aside – the question could be asked here: does Victor know, and plan to get close to Sofia for revenge for Falcone’s death, seeing Oswald’s incarceration as acceptable collateral damage?  Does it matter – given whichever writer deals with episodes later might totally forget what was in this one, as happens in Gotham?)

 At the Iceberg Lounge, Babs is pleased to have the club back.  Tabitha is less enthused, and leaves to go do something on her own.

 At Wayne Manor, Bruce is looking through some documents.  Alfred enters, and tries to be jovial.  He’s packed cases – Operation Save Bruce Wayne.  He jokingly says he’ll kidnap Bruce if he won’t come willingly, but then says he’ll appeal to his better angels.  He’ll beg.

Please - do it for me

Bruce – with his back to him – says that he’s not thought about Ra’s or his parents these last weeks. Alfred tries to sell him on no life without pain – no love, no joy, and tells Bruce he’s miserable.

Bruce tells him to stop what he’s doing.  Bruce isn’t what anyone thought he was.  He tries to leave, saying he’s going to see Tommy.

The situation deteriorates, and a physical fight breaks out.  In the course of this, Bruce headbutts Alfred, and Alfred punches him in retaliation. He’s aghast the moment he does it, and apologises, but Bruce leaves the room quickly.

 In the Narrows, Ed is engaged in a familiar battle in the mirror, trying to gain the upper hand over his reflection.  He repeats that he is in control, but RiddlerEd asks why he would want that – they had fun when they were him.  RiddlerEd’s face falls.

Oh no - tell me it’s not that

He gives Ed a riddle – the answer to which is love

You're in love with Lee Thompkins - you pathetic loser

Ed yells in rage at his own reflection.

A confused Butch approaches.

Ed angry at mirror?

Ed says that he isn’t

Ed angry at Ed?

That is… surprisingly perceptive

Ed leaves to go get some air.

(An aside.  I don’t find this implausible.  Ed had a little crush on Lee way back when – the new medical examiner who was kind to him, and who smelled nice.  Now the good part of him has been admiring her altruism for the last few weeks, while the bad part has been impressed by her newfound power and attitude. He regards her intellect highly enough to think that she would be able to cure him. He’s gratified by her trust in him, and touched by her friendship.  It’s more explicable than his ‘love’ for Kristin, which was more fixation and projection)

Butch hears the Solomon Grundy nursery rhyme playing and follows the sound to a gramophone.  When he gets there, Tabitha quickly approaches, and knocks him out.

When Butch awakes, he’s tied to a chair.  Tabitha is essentially going to beat him around the head until he remembers her. She’s frustrated by his frightened plea to return to ‘friend Ed’ – reminding him that Ed electrocuted him, and cut off her hand.

She kisses him before resorting to the clubs –

Remember me, Butch.  I’m Tabby.  Your Tabby.

He can’t though – and apologises.  

He pleads with her

Pretty lady

As she approaches with a club.

 In her home, Sofia sits before the fire, malignancy dripping from her.

(An aside – CR has done an excellent job with Sofia, particularly evident in this episode when you compare her to the Sirens, who are – bluntly – woeful.  She’s very beautiful, but there’s a frightening stillness to her quite frequently in this episode.  She’s like encountering one of those big fat black spiders – the terrifying ones that don’t scuttle away)

Jim enters the room, and says that they need to talk.  She agrees. He asks her not to do what she’s about to do – unify the gangs, put Falcones back in charge

(An aside – Jim, what the actual fuck?  You are the definition of wanting to have your cake and eat it.  If you wanted a gangster who would just do you random favours, you had that in Oswald)

Sofia looks askance at him.

That was the deal.  You law, me order

Jim says if she takes over, then he will come after her.  Jim believes his own hype, and Sofia laughs at how predictable he is.  She asks if he’ll hear her proposal.  He says he’s not interested, until another voice cuts in.

I think you are

Valentine is here. Jim is slack-jawed.

Valentine asks if he can tell Jim, but Sofia has probably been looking forward to this for weeks.

You came to me because you had a problem.  I’d heard of a contract killer impersonating serial killers.  I thought, what if he could be a cop killer? You needed the police to turn on Penguin – so I sent a monster to the city and let him improvise

Valentine cuts in and says he got carried away with cooking folks

The only hiccup was the mess with her daddy.

(An aside – that means that Oswald did temporarily outsmart her with that move, and force her to think on the spot.  Crucially, though, the notion that Sofia could kill her own father is likely one that Oswald, who put parental love on a particular pedestal, couldn’t even fathom, and thus did not factor into his plan.)

Jim turns, horror written across his face.

It was you

Sofia’s justification for killing her father is pretty chilling.  She gave him a chance – if he’d only appreciated her, then he would be alive.  We saw her react similarly when Oswald wasn’t sufficiently impressed by her advice, or Jim appropriately grateful for her favours.  It produces an almost immediate fit of temper.

Jim slowly muddles through the details.  Gawd help the GCPD, at this rate.  He saw her shot, but there must have been another shooter.  

Valentine cuts in boastfully – he took care of that shot, couldn’t leave it to random thugs.

Jim does what he often does when he feels out of control of a situation, and decides to start punching. He tells a reeling Valentine that he will go to Blackgate this time, and he will rot there.

There’s another shot, and Valentine drops.  Jim turns, open-mouthed, to see Sofia – now pointing the gun at him.

Jim is still open-mouthed. Sofia turns on him.

That was his moment of truth, this is yours.  How many cops died under Pax Penguina?  None.  It was you who couldn't stomach it.  You who came to the Falcones for help.  There’s direct line from your decision to a dozen murdered cops.

Jim hits out with a truly bewildering

You're insane

(An aside – that would maybe have been a bit more convincing after she said she murdered her father, not after she’s detailed exactly how Jim is as guilty as sin.  But then, Jim is quick to ascribe insanity to anyone he can’t bear to understand.  Arkham is his personal oubliette.)

Jim asks why she doesn’t just kill him, and then realises she needs him at the top of GCPD.

You’ve been planning this since the first day we met.  This is revenge for me killing Mario

Sofia puts her gun down

You want to arrest me, then arrest me - but I will talk and the cops who died and the friend you betrayed will have been for nothing

She goes on to tell him that GCPD will crumble and that

Penguin or someone worse will take over

(A bitter aside – gosh, can there be anyone worse than Penguin, repository for everyone in town’s contempt?)

Or you can keep GCPD - let them think you’re a hero, but live knowing who you are and what you’ve done.  That is my revenge.

Sofia has tears in her eyes – presumably from the emotional catharsis of revenging her brother.  She calls GCPD and hands Jim the phone.  He takes it.  She angles her body away from him in the chair, signalling both her lack of interest and confidence in what he will do next.  He only pauses for a moment before doing exactly what she expects.

This is Gordon.  I'm at Sofia Falcone's.  I just shot and killed Pyg.

Sofia smiles into the fire.

 Wayne Manor.  Alfred’s relief at Bruce’s return is short-lived. He’s drawn up emancipation papers, and fired him, telling him to get the hell out of his house.

 An exhausted Tabitha is still beating Butch.  We see a vision blur like it did back when he recognised her.  Tabitha, though, is about to give up.  She asks Butch to say something.  When he can’t, she apologises, kisses him, and then leaves

I’m sorry.  I tried.

 Alfred is leaving Wayne Manor.  He turns the lights out, but leaves that one window with the billowy Total Eclipse of the Heart curtain open.  This is spliced with images of Bruce at the club, finishing with a long unhappy stare out at the audience.

 Jim arrives back at GCPD, just as Harvey exits his office.  Jim is clearly pleased to see him, hopeful that he’s returning, but Harvey tells him he’s just dropping something off.  Before leaving, he tells Jim that he heard he got Oswald and Pyg – so everything turned out well.  

You didn’t even need me.

Jim asks, with a little desperation at the edges, if he’s got a second to stop and talk.  Harvey’s not stopping, though, only telling Jim

They believe in you - don't let them down

He walks away. Glancing into the darkened office, Jim sees Harvey's badge and gun on his desk.

 Back at the warehouse, Butch is coming round.  Slumped forward, he sees his reflection in a puddle and frowns.  He looks up, and looks around, confused.

What the hell happened to me?

 Arkham, where vaguely circus-like music while Oswald is ranting, voice cracked with rage.  He’s going to kill Sofia – flay her alive, Gordon and Zsasz too.  He’s interrupted, and spins, ordering the random voice not to talk to him

I get it, pal.  This place is full of looneys.  We could help each other out

Oswald is disbelieving, and asks how they could possibly help him.

Not to toot my own horn – but I’m very resourceful.  Toot toot!  

Laughter follows and a wide-eyed Oswald clicks

I know that laugh!

What do you say, pal?  I’ll be your best friend.  Gimme a smile!

Hi, Jerome.

 General Observations

I’m not who anyone thought I was

Bruce can’t deal with the Ra’s murder – neither the act itself or the fact that it did nothing to salve his grief for his parents.  He’s anaesthetising himself now with excess.  

He’s also trying to be another Bruce Wayne, a Bruce Wayne of whom no-one has high expectations, because he can’t bear to have fallen so far from who he thought he was, from who his father, mother, Alfred all expected him to be.

Jim isn’t who anyone thinks he is, either.  GCPD see him now as their bright, shining new captain – but it’s all a lie.  He’s a walking farce, a mockery of everything he thought he stood for.  He’s betrayed anyone and anything that mattered.

Oswald might be many things – but he’s not what others would paint him as: a child murderer, Falcone’s killer, the source of all Gotham’s woes.

Sofia wasn’t who anyone thought she was – ingenue, or dutiful daughter, or ally.  She’s in it for herself entirely – Jim only a dupe in a bigger game.  She has Oswald’s old problem, now, though.  She’s shown her hand.   The most ominous plot point for her right now is Victor’s loyalty.  I think if he suspects she killed Carmine, then she’s toast.

Ed’s struggling with his old problem.  Who is he? The man in the mirror?  The man in love with Lee Thompkins?

Butch has just awakened, having regained some sense of himself – ironically enough, in his reflection, where Ed’s sense of self tends to fracture.

 Sofia is being set up for a huge fall of Galavan proportions.  She murdered her father, stitched Oswald up (using a child the audience knows Oswald acted to protect), duped Victor, effectively got rid of Harvey, and has Jim as a puppet. The audience is actively being encouraged to hate her and eagerly await her downfall. If I have to guess at this point, I think Lee will be the architect of her destruction – the ‘good woman’ punishing the ‘bad woman’.

Thoughts?

[indestinatus]

my 2023 tumblr top 10

My Tumblr Year in Review 2023 (homebrew edition)! Per this post, I guess they aren't doing the personal Tumblr Year in Review this year, which made me very sad. So I decided to DIY it using JetBlackCode's Tumblr statistics tools.

I made 127 original posts with 33,853 notes this year!

My Top 10 Posts of 2023:

1. 9,762 notes - Mar 30 2023

2. 5,388 notes - Mar 22 2023

3. 2,523 notes - Mar 26 2023

4. 2,335 notes - Dec 26 2023

5. 1,918 notes - Mar 19 2023

6. 1,915 notes - Apr 9 2023

7. 1,671 notes - Dec 28 2023

8. 1,526 notes - Dec 22 2023

9. 1,411 notes - Mar 20 2023

10. 955 notes - Dec 29 2023

Created by TumblrTop10

[decembers-sunshine-dancer]

A Werepenguin Romance Novel

Sofia never thought she would fall in love. Or, more accurately, she never thought she would fall in requited love. Especially not with the handsome Sir Percival Arthur James Charles Eustace Brougtham-Langton. When she first saw him, in front of her favorite exhibit at the local zoo, she'd been convinced he was Not a Real Person. No Real Person wore a tuxedo to the zoo. No Real Person had that sharp a jawline, or such a fine figure, or (as she learned when he turned his head and caught her staring) such deep, dark eyes. She was so caught up in his eyes that she didn't even notice he'd moved until he was right next to her.

“You are also a fan of the penguins?” he asked, tilting his head endearingly to one side. Sofia was only able to nod. “Wonderful little birds,” he continued. “Did you know they mate for life? When a male penguin finds a female he likes, he gives her a pebble as a form of proposal.”

“Oh,” Sofia managed faintly, still a little lost staring at his broad shoulders, imagining his arms around her.

“But he doesn't, as commonly believed, search the beach for the perfect pebble. Any old pebble will do. It's for their nest, you see. Some species of penguins build nests out of stones –” he seemed quite content to prattle on about penguins forever.

“Forgive me for interrupting, sir, but I do not even know your name!” Sofia exclaimed, as much to stop his rambling as to learn more about him.

He blinked, seeming almost confused by the polite request. “I am Sir Percival Arthur James Charles Eustace Brougtham-Langton ,” he admitted after a moment.

“I'm Sofia Lareine,” Sofia answered, holding out her hand. Instead of the handshake she had expected, Sir Percival brought her hand up and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sofia,” he smiled. His eyes crinkled nicely at the corners.

Then an overexcited child bumped into Sofia from behind, knocking her into Sir Percival's arms. They were just as warm and solid as she had imagined them being. And he smelled nice, too. With all the dignity she could muster, Sofia straightened, reluctantly puling herself out of his accidental embrace.

Sir Percival looked at the ground, then back at her. “May I ask you something, Sofia?” he inquired shyly. At he nod, he looked up, thought he didn't quite meet her gaze. “I was wondering if... perhaps... you would like to… That is, I would like to… I wish to see you again. If you wish to see me again.”

“That would be lovely.” Sofia pulled a pencil and pad of paper from her purse, jotted down her phone number, and handed it to him.

He looked at the paper like he couldn't believe it was real. “You mean it?” he asked, eyes wide and incredulous. “No one has ever agreed to that before. Not that I've ever asked anyone before, I guess...” he trailed off, staring at the paper for a while. “I'll call you!” he declared, looking Sofia in the eyes and nodding firmly before turning on his heel and marching away.

It was two days before Sir Percival called. Sofia began to suspect he was not as interested as he had appeared at the zoo, when her phone lit up with an unknown number. Sir Percival invited her to dinner at his Manor, oddly named “The Rookery,” which Sofia had happily accepted.

One the day of The Date, Sofia found herself quite nervous. She had never been to a proper Manor before, let alone dined with the Lord of the place. She put on her best dress, black and elegant, and accessorized with a strand of fake pearls, hoping Sir Percival wouldn't know the difference.

When she arrived at the Manor, a young man in a tuxedo opened her door and offered to park her car. Sofia handed over her keys and walked up the steps to the grand front entrance of the house. The doors opened before her, no doubt thanks to some unseen servants behind them. Immediately to her left was a large, empty formal dining room. To her right was a blank wall. Sofia waited a minute, to see if someone would come show her where she was supposed to be. When no one appeared to help her, Sofia took a couple hesitant steps further into the house.

“Hello?” she called. “Sir Percival?” Getting no response, she took a few more steps. “Sir Percival?” she repeated. This time, there was a clatter from somewhere in front of her.

“Sofia!” Sir Percival appeared from a side room a little ways down the hall. “I didn't send anyone to meet you! I'm so sorry, I'll make it up to you, I promise!”

“It's okay,” Sofia assured him. “I'm sure the food will still be delicious.” He brightened.

“Yes!” he exclaimed. “My cook is the best there is! She keeps the freezer full of all sorts of food!”

“It must be a big freezer,” Sofia commented.

Sir Percival paused. “Yes, I suppose it is,” he murmured. He turned away without another word. After a moment of hesitation, Sofia followed him to a cozy room with a small table and two chairs in the middle.

Sir Percival pulled out a chair and motioned for Sofia to sit down, then settled himself across from her. As if on some unseen cue, a hidden set of doors opened and a middle aged woman pushed a large metal cart into the room. She set a plate down in front of Sofia and whisked the cover off with a flourish, revealing a fancy looking meal.

“I hope salmon is okay?” Sir Percival seemed genuinely nervous that she would reject the meal.

“Salmon is wonderful,” Sofia answered. As each course was finished, the cook removed their plats and presented them with new ones, until Sofia thought she couldn't possibly eat another bite.

“It is late,” Sir Percival began, “but perhaps you could stay a little longer? I don't want you to go yet.” Sofia acquiesced, herself not willing to leave the awkward but charming Lord. He showed her around his house, from the kitchen, with the promised walk in freezer, to the gardens, with their prettily arranged paths.

Finally, Sofia deemed it to be Too Late, and declared that she must return home. When Sir Percival opened the front door to let her out, the same young man who had greeted her was waiting to give her back her car keys. But as Sofia started down the steps, Sir Percival put a hand on her arm, stopping her.

“Sofia.” She turned to look at him. He was closer than she'd thought, so close she could feel the heat of his body. He leaned in, eyes closing. Then he jerked away. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rush things. I'd like to – I'd like to kiss you,” he admitted, “but I don't want to make you uncomfortable.”

Sofia put her hands on his shoulders. Using them as leverage, she pushed herself up to kiss Sir Percival.

“Oh,” was all he managed to say when she ended the kiss.

“Thank you for dinner, Percival,” she said.

“Oh, uh. Percy's fine,” he stammered.

“Thank you for dinner, Percy,” Sofia amended. “I hope I'll see you again soon?”

“I'm always at the penguin exhibit at the zoo,” he informed her. “Did you know that sometimes penguins will steal eggs from each other?”

“I didn't,” Sofia said. “I look forward to learning many more fascinating penguin facts on future dates.” She left him at his front door, apparently reeling at the fact that she had considered their night a date.

So it continued. Sofia visited Percy at his Manor and listened to him ramble about penguins. She didn't mind, really. He was quite endearing when she started talking about his favorite animal. He became very animated with his hands, once knocking over a lamp because he hadn't realized it was so close.

He also asked Sofia about her life, encouraging her to elaborate on her job (secretary for a reasonably good boss), her hobbies (gardening and sewing, as stereotypical as it was), and her family (mom, dad, an older brother, and an older sister). He listened intently to everything she had to say and remembered the littlest details about her. It wasn't long before Sofia realized she was falling in love with the handsome nobleman.

Sofia called Percy, intending to set up a date where she could admit how she was feeling. But the phone rang and rang and rang. She figured he was busy and set herself a reminder to call later. But he still didn't answer. After a day of not being able to reach him, Sofia decided to try his favorite haunt. But he wasn't watching the penguins at the zoo, either. Now worried, Sofia drove out to The Rookery.

The valet met her as she drove up, but this time he refused to take her keys. “Sir Percival is not here,” he informed her.

“Well, where is he?” Sofia demanded.

“I am not at liberty to say,” the man replied.

“When will he be back?”

“Try tomorrow,” the valet advised. “Sir Percival will probably be back by then.” Defeated, Sofia drove back to her house and tried not to imagine what Percy could be doing for three days that he wouldn't tell her about.

The next day after work, she drove back out to Percy's house. The valet took her keys without comment and the doors opened seemingly on their own, as they always did. Sofia walked through the now-familiar Manor to the sitting room where they spent most of their time.

“Percy?” she asked, knocking gently on the door.

“Sofia?” Percy's voice was muffled, his “S” a little slurred. “What are you doing here?”

“I've been trying to get in contact with you for three days,” she explained through the door. “I called you, I checked the zoo, I even drove all the way out here to see you but your valet wouldn't let me in Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” he answered. Sofia waited for elaboration, but none came.

“Where were you?” she asked. The door handle didn't turn under her hand.

“Nowhere,” he replied.

“Nowhere?” Sofia demanded, anger rising. “You disappeared for three days and now you're locked in a room slurring your words and you expect me to believe you were nowhere?”

“Fine. I was here.”

“Here? In The Rookery? Then why didn't your valet let me in?”

“I told him not to. He knows the drill.”

“Listen here, Sir Percival-Has-Too-Many-Names!” Sofia stopped for a moment to wallow her anger and continued in a slightly calmer tone. “I was really worried about you. The least you could do is tell me where you've been these last three days.”

“I can't,” he answered. Something in his voice made her pause. He sounded pained and miserable. “I can't tell anyone. You wouldn't believe me, anyway,” he added.

“Try me.”

“I can't, Sofia.”

Sofia blinked back tears and tried to keep her voice from shaking. “Well, if you can't trust me, then I guess I'll just leave. I hope you enjoy your penguin-filled life.”

There was a sound like a sob from the other side of the door, but Percy didn't say anything.

The valet was waiting for her, as always. “Sir Percival really likes you,” he said.

“He can tell me himself, along with where he was for three days,” Sofia answered, snatching her keys.

“It was a full moon,” the valet called as she shut the door.

“It was a full moon...” Sofia mused, back at her apartment. She remembered the way Percy hadn't even tried to keep her. “Well who cares if it was a full moon? That's no excuse to be mean to a lady!”

She crawled into bed and tried to lose herself in the depths of the internet. Hoping to forget the awkward man she loved, she clicked on an article about mythological creatures from around the world.

Vampires. Next. Fairies. Next. Unicorns. Next. Werewolves. Next. Wait – go back. Something on the werewolf page had caught her eye, but she wasn't sure what it was.

Right at the top was the sentence she'd been looking for: “Werewolves are men who transform into wolves during the full moon.”

“It was a full moon!” she exclaimed. Without giving herself time to reconsider, Sofia grabbed her keys and drove back out to The Rookery. She blew past the valet, barely stopping long enough to give him her keys. She rushed back to the sitting room, only to find the door open and the room empty.

“Percy?” she called. “Percy! I know your secret and I don't care!”

“How can you not care?” he demanded morosely. She followed his voice to his bedroom, where he was laying face down on his bed.

“You've never hurt me,” She answered. “You hide yourself away during the full moons, presumably so you don't hurt anyone else. You're a good person, and being a werewolf doesn't change that, Percy. I love you anyway.”

Sofia could feel her heart beating in her throat.

Percy groaned. “A werewolf. Of course you would think that. I'm not a werewolf, Sofia.” he mumbled into his covers.

“Then where do you go during the full moons?” she inquired. The silence was deafening. Percy mumbled something. Sofia thought she caught the word penguin.

“Percy, now's not the time for another random penguin fact,” she admonished gently.

Percy lifted his head from the pillow. “I said I'm a werePENGUIN,” he repeated, then dropped his head back down.

“Even better,” Sofia replied immediately.

“I love penguins.”

“You mean that?” Percy asked, looking at her for the first time since she'd arrived.

“Yes. I love penguins and I love you, Sir Percival Arthur James Charles Eustace Brougtham-Langton.”

“I love you too, Sofia Lareine.”

[5hfanfiction]

R is for Revenge - Chapter 13

A/N: A few more and the chapter in Wattpad will align here! Check it out at https://www.wattpad.com/story/88012466-r-is-for-revenge-camren . Enjoy!

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CAMILA

Cold sweat.

That’s all I can feel while sitting on one of the chairs of the wooden dining table positioned in the middle of the kitchen area of the Jauregui household.

Sure I have eaten at this place before, even had moments of goofing around with Lauren, but the only difference is that, I have four other pairs of eyes looking at me momentarily if they’re to devour me wholly.

I have been antsy about going back to my casa in order to settle things with Top, but it seems like fate wants to extend Lauren and I’s little getaway.

That’s a little ironic, because based on my awkward position beside the green eyed Latina, there’s no getaway happening. They are all discussing what you presume is discussed during a family dinner, and to my surprise, the Jaureguis even let me engage in their conversation.

“So,” Michael Jauregui, who asked me to call him Papa J or Mike, started. “How long have you two known each other?” He asked with his polite tone but still managed to narrow his eyes at me while raising one of his eyebrow.

I took a glance towards Lauren who smiled at me encouragingly. If she wasn’t here beside me, I would’ve been found dead on the floor. “We met at the beginning of the school year, sir,” I replied, offering a small smile towards her father. “I was a mutual friend.”

“Camila, it’s Mike,” he chuckled. “I was just messing with you. Relax. I won’t threaten you yet.”

“Mike!” Clara Jauregui, Lauren’s mom gasped and playfully slapped her husband. “No wonder the poor girl is so tensed!”

The whole table chuckled wholeheartedly and I found myself suppressing a small smile. Lauren and I’s hands are tangled under the table.

“What? I was just messing with Camz,” Mike replied haughtily, sending me a subtle wink. I grinned towards Lauren as the nickname rolled out of the patriarch’s lips. My girl blushed and resembled a tomato, and I fought the urge to kiss her cheeks in front of her parents and siblings.

“Lauren has told us amazing things about you, Camila,” Clara smiled at me softly. “She won’t shut up about you. It was always ‘Camila is this’ or ‘Camila is that’ and we’re so glad we finally got to meet you.”

“Mom!” Lauren protested against her mother’s direct statement. “Stop embarrassing me.”

“Honey, we’re your parents. Our role is to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend,” Mike chimed in, causing a fit of snickers between Chris and Taylor. I felt the both of us tense at the label, but I quickly relaxed when the older Cuban rubbed small circles on my knuckles.

The dinner finished longer than I expected, or I guess it was just me. I offered help to Clara in washing the dishes, but she kindly replied no, insisting that I’m a guest and I should not engage in household chores.

I was about to argue when Lauren pulled my hand. “Mom, we’re going upstairs in my room.”

“Okay honey,” Clara smiled and continued her work.

We both passed the living room, and was about to go up the stairs when Mike ushered the both of us to sit down.

“Lauren, can I talk to Camila for a moment?” he asked.

Lauren’s green eyes widened and raised her eyebrow at her dad. “Uhm, am I allowed to be here? What are you asking her anyway? I mean, If I’m not allowed to stay, I’ll know it eventually,” she rambles.

Mike chuckled and patted his daughter’s shoulder. “Relax honey. I just need Camila to clarify some of my questions,” he explains. “You can stay if you want.”

I exhaled a sigh to ease my tension. I might look like I’m about to pass out though.

“So, Camila,” Mike started. “You never mentioned anything about your old life before Australia. I just know that you’re a Cuban descent as well, but nothing further. Do you at least want to talk about your life in America?”

Lauren shot me a look of horror. She must be a little worried that I’m going to spill details above threshold. I returned a warm smile to let her know it’s okay.

“I live in Los Angeles, sir. I have an older half-brother, Jason and a younger sister named Sofia,” Mike nodded at me.

“Why Australia then? I mean, there are other universities in America such as Stanford, NYU, Yale, and the like.”

“I like to go out of my comfort zone, sir. In that way I can learn how to be independent on my own,” I politely answered. He seemed to be satisfied with my hollow answers and did not press further. I guess Mike sensed my discomfort at answering his questions because let’s be real. It took me a lot of courage trying to open up to Lauren and right now, I’m trying to evade the real insinuation behind the asks.

“Last one Camz,” Mike laughed. “I know it must be hard for you, but I just want to know if my baby girl’s taken care of.”

“Of course sir.”

“What are your intentions?”

My eyes softened and landed on the green-eyed girl beside me. She radiated so much warmth that even the tips of my being are on fire.

“To learn how to love and be loved by her in return. To break the limits of the dictionary in finding words to describe how wonderful she is. And to be able to make her happy for the rest of my life,” I glanced at Mike and saw him grinning at me. “My intentions are all pure sir and I have nothing less than adoration when it comes to your daughter. I’ll do my hardest not to hurt her intentionally, and be the most patient person when it comes to understanding her.”

The Jauregui patriarch’s smile broadened and I relaxed, because I was really worried I might say something that will automatically banish me from the house.

“Thank you for that, Camila,” Mike said softly. “You two, do your thing.”

He stood up and kissed Lauren’s head and went upstairs, probably to their room.

Lauren turned and kissed me. “You have a way with words, Cabello. I’m very lucky, did you know?”

I chuckled at the green eyed Latina and kissed her cheeks. “I was close to fainting and you still compliment me? Shut up, Lo.”

“Let’s go somewhere,” Lauren stood up and reached her hand out for me to hold. I raised my eyebrow at her.

“Lo, we just got back from a four-hour flight from Melbourne and you want to go out again?”

Lauren looked at me innocently.

“Aren’t you exhausted, babe?” I grumbled but still took her outstretched hand.

“Mom! We’re going out for a ride!” Lauren shouted to let her parents know about our spontaneous trip. She signaled me to wait for her while she run up to her room for her keys. Lauren finally came down the stairs. She put on her black leather jacket while holding a complete replica of it on her left hand.

She tossed me the material. “Put it on. It’s freezing outside.”

I shrugged nonchalantly and put it on. Lauren is leaning on one of the porch’s pillars when I was done and wiggled her eyebrows at me when I stepped out of the house.

“You look hot, babe,” she bit her bottom lip and smiled. “I mean, I know it’s cold outside but, you just look really hot.”

I averted my eyes because Lauren just made me blush for the nth time again. I walked up to her and looped my arm with hers.

“Maybe it’s because I love it when you’re in my clothes,” she whispered closely in my ear and I almost jumped. “Come this way. We’re taking my bike.”

My eyes widened. “You have a bike? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“You didn’t exactly ask me so not my fault,” she laughed and we made our way to the back of the house. Lauren opened their garage housing the matte black Harley Davidson with accents of soft gold streaks.

I gasped with my mouth hanging open. I love bikes, but I don’t exactly own one back in LA. My parents allowed me of any vehicle I want: cars, jets, floatplanes, and helicopters but never a motorcycle.

I was snapped back to reality when I felt my girl’s teeth grazing my bottom lip in a kiss. “Why are you so damn amazed by my bike? You have a helicopter baby,” Lauren laughed and handed me one of the helmets.

“I don’t have a bike back at Los Angeles,” I explained, crouching in front of Lauren’s Harley to observe the chassis. “I bet you look hot maneuvering this thing.”

 “Well I don’t have a helicopter and you can always buy one of these,” she rolled her eyes and placed her helmet on. “Come on, babe.”

We rode along the streets of Australia and even stopped at one of the gas stations to buy ice cream although we’re both shuddering because of the temperature.

Lauren sat on her Harley, facing one side, and I’m standing between her legs.

“Lo,” I hummed softly. “When are you and Lucy going to talk by the way?”

She stopped eating her strawberry flavored ice cream and looked at me expectantly. “I don’t really know, Camz. I didn’t talk to her when we were out this weekend. Besides, if she wants to have a proper conversation with me, she’ll have to ask me properly.”

“What- like a date?” I smirked playfully.

“No!” Lauren gave me an ‘are-you-out-of-your-mind’ kind of look and kissed me on my forehead. “Of course not. I mean, approach me first and then we can work it from there.”

“I see,” I nodded and shoved my vanilla ice cream onto her lips.

“Camz!” Lauren shrieked, earning a glorious laugh from me.

“I’m so sorry baby. Here let me help,” I grinned mischievously at her and started leaning in. Lauren’s green eyes hid themselves from the world, and she smiled at the anticipated kiss.

I dotted kisses around her lips where the cream was spread completely. Her smirk made me suck her bottom lip and guided my tongue inside her mouth. Lauren pulled me impossibly closer to her as our tongues danced to the rhythm.

We both slowed down, and I felt my ice cream dripping on my hand.

“Dang it,” I cursed and licked the cone clean before another mess even starts. “Lo, it’s your fault.”

“What’s my fault?” Lauren laughed and finished her ice cream. “You were the one doing the thing that made your ice cream melt.”

“Well, it’s because you distracted me.”

“It’s not my fault that I’m super hot,” the green eyed beauty grinned and hugged my waist. She kissed my cheeks sloppily and proceeded to lean her head against my shoulder.

“Lo,” I giggled. “You’re going to get ice cream on your hair.”

“I don’t care. I want you close,” she mumbled hazily against my hair.

I finished my ice cream and we both scurried our way back to their house since it’s getting late.

We carefully parked the Harley back to their garage and I walked her up to their door.

I peeped inside their poorly lit living room, and turned to face a smiling Latina.

“Your parents are probably asleep by now,” I said, holding both her hands and kissing each knuckles. “I should go. Get some rest okay? I’ll see you tomorrow at school, yeah?”

“Okay, Camz,” Lauren replied. She leaned forward to kiss me and I met her halfway; as if we’re already aware of what’s going to happen every time.

Her kisses still have the same effect as the one we both shared for the first time. It still sends me barreling towards happiness, and it still gives me butterflies and fireworks every time I close my eyes.

Lauren is still as intoxicating as before and I am truly, madly, deeply, enamored by her.

“Lauren,” I shakily mumbled when we pulled away. “I-Uh, I don’t have anything to ask from you but one thing. I know we have been moving too fast for either yours or mine’s liking, but I want to know how much I feel about you.”

“You are the entire universe and more, Lo,” my eyes landed on her soft green ones. “You are my universe and more, Lauren Michelle. I told you, I cannot ever imagine a life without you anymore. My life has been better since you tagged along, and I am grateful. We have been blessed by each other’s presence baby, and I would like to ask you a question if you don’t mind,” I added.

Lauren furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, since she might not have gotten the implication I noted. “What is it Camz?”

“These past days with you, have been the best days of my life so far. And like you said, it’s not the places that matter, it’s you. It was because I’m with you, that I’m super happy, like, I couldn’t be any happier, Lo,” I confessed. Lauren kissed my forehead and prompted me to continue.

“You are worth bragging Lauren. You are worth more than anything that ever existed, and I would like to ask you if you want to give me the honor of calling you my official girlfriend?”

The unshed tears on Lauren’s vibrant green eyes broke from her waterline.

I pulled her in, alarmed, that I might have overstepped our boundaries. “Hey, baby why are you crying? Have I said something wrong? You don’t have to answer the question. Oh my gosh, Lauren stop crying please baby.”

I rubbed small circles on her back while she tries to calm her breathing.

I heard her breathe out a small laugh, and slowly pull back from me. I watched her with concerned eyes, while she rubbed her tear stained face. I reached for her hand, and proceeded to kiss where her tears were.

“Why did you cry, baby?” I frowned. “I’m so sorry. I – you don’t have to answer it. I’m sorry, Lo.”

“No,” Lauren quietly replied. “They- They’re happy tears, Camz.”

“They are?”

“Yes,” she replied, connecting our foreheads. “There’s no one in this world who I’d rather be with. Just you Camz.”

“So it means- “

“Yes, Camila.”

“Holy shit,” I almost jumped in ecstasy because for one, after her little waterworks, the hope bubble inside me might have popped for good. But hearing her saying yes, to be my official girlfriend, I’m one excited human being.

Okay I’m not making sense again.

Lauren’s infectious laugh rang loudly and repeatedly in my ears. I laughed alongside her, while both of our bodies are pressed with each other. When all excitement died down, I locked my eyes with hers.

“I can’t believe this, Lo,” I breathed against her lips. “You are now mine. I- that’s just- wow. Holy shit.”

“I have always been yours, Camz,” she mumbled back, making my heart flutter. “It’s just more formal now. We’re officially exclusive.”

“Yes! You’re my girlfriend now!”

“I love the sound of that,” Lauren kissed my nose which made my face scrunch up. “Girlfriend.”

“Baby, as much as I want to stay and talk about all wonderful things I feel right now about being called your girlfriend, it’s really getting late and you should be resting now,” I cringed at the thought of leaving, but we have classes tomorrow and we’ll see each other eventually.

“As much as I hate you leaving, you’re right,” Lauren sighed. “Good night Camz. Drive safely.”

I pulled her in for a longing kiss; a kiss to seal the deal tonight. Our first kiss as girlfriends.

“Good night, baby,” I replied but not moving an inch from where I stand.

“Go, or I won’t be able to stop myself from pulling you inside and forcing you to sleep at my house.”

“Okay, girlfriend,” I giggled and stepped back, but not too far to kiss her again.

I walked back towards the Audi and casted her another glance before opening the door and stepping inside. I backed from the driveway, and rolled my windows down.

“I miss you already!” I half shouted, to which Lauren chuckled.

“Go now, you dork!” she shouted back, and raised her hand in a wave.

I blew a kiss towards her direction, and went my way.

/

Back in Los Angeles, I would’ve freaked out if my phone’s battery is drained up to 20% or my phone’s service is below three, because if that happens I wont be able to answer calls from important people in the company.

But being with Lauren taught me to shut the world down, and focus on the universe with me. She has been my constant reminder that happiness is essential; that she is essential in my life, because she’s my happiness.

I shook my head as I smiled at these thoughts which infiltrated my mind.

But it was as if the universe is trying to contradict my mood.

My iPhone vibrated on it’s phone holder.

“Who dares to interrupt my thoughts?” I impersonated Zeus loudly and checked to see my notifications.

All Dinah.

That’s good then. No Jason.

I called Dinah back and hummed while waiting for her to pick up her phone.

“Sup Cheechee,” I greeted. “Guess who has- “

“Camila!” I heard a loud shriek from the other line. My best friend used my name this time, plus she’s a little bit frightening so something must have happened. “Where were you?”

“Oh, sorry Dinah. I was at Lauren’s for a while. I met her family, it would be rude if I decline their offer for dinner. Is there something wrong?”

“Thank God! You scared us. I was worried sick,” Dinah mumbled with a sigh. “Just go straight home. Something happened.”

“What happened?” I asked, alarmed, and stepped on the gas pedal. “I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“Okay. Drive safely, Camila.”

“Okay, see you in a few,” I hung up and focused on driving.

I arrived at the casa a few minutes later and bolted straight to the living room. I didn’t even bother parking Canola in the garage. I just need to know everything’s going to be okay.

“Dinah?” I called as I stepped in. I saw Dinah patting Top’s back while they both sit on the sofa. My childhood friend’s large hands cover his whole face. It seems like he was crying before I arrived home.

“Hey, Christopher,” I walked towards them and sat beside him. “What’s up? What happened?”

“Jason called me,” he croaked out.

I frowned and glanced at Dinah, who shared the exact expression I held.

“What did he say?” I prompted him to talk. “Tell me Top.”

“He fired me.”

The moment I heard those three words, I instantly exploded.

“Fired?!” I shouted. “Fired as in, took your job away?”

Top looked up from his position, his expression turning from sad to terrified. “I- Yes.”

“Damn it!” I cursed and bolted towards to main door to search for my phone in Canola. I quickly dialed my brother’s cellphone number and headed back inside the house. I paced quickly around the living room because I cannot just stay still and let this happen. Christopher is my employee, and Jason has not right to tell me otherwise.

I dialed almost twice now, and he’s still not answering. “Top, what did Ally tell you?”

“Ally haven’t spoken to me yet,” he replied sadly. “Miya, I don’t want to be the cause of you and your brother’s argument. It’s okay. I’ll just find a new job.”

“No Christopher. I won’t let you out of this company without any valid reason,” I looked at him sternly to indicate that I’m not okay with the play my brother has put us in.

I dialed for the fifth time already, but still no answer from my half brother. “Shit, he’s not answering his phone.”

“Mila, it’s early morning in Los Angeles,” Dinah chimed in, bringing me back to my senses. “Everyone is asleep by this time; no one’s working.”

I slumped on the sofa and grumbled. “Fuck, I know this would happen.” I tilted my head to rest on Christopher’s shoulder. “I’m sorry Top. I’m so sorry,” I apologized genuinely.

“It’s not your fault, Miya,” He added. “It’s mine. I volunteered, and I didn’t – “

“Christopher Vince Vargas, don’t you dare take the blame here because it’s not your fault,” I emphasized the use of his full name and he instantly froze on the spot. Dinah did too, because she slowly looked at me in a completely horrified expression.

Probably shocked because of my outburst.

I sighed and stood up. “Get some rest, both of you. There’s nothing we can do right now. We’ll deal with this tomorrow, Top. Cheechee, thanks for being here.”

“No problem Walz,” Dinah smiled at me and stood up as well, patting Top’s shoulder gently. “You’ll be fine, Christopher. Good night.”

/

Bringing Christopher in Queensland University was probably the worst idea I had in mind.

When we arrived at the parking lot, everyone was staring at him. Some even threw nasty glances towards me. Maybe they think I’m his girlfriend and that’s because his arms are draped around my shoulder.

I saw the familiar looking Harley Davidson making its way towards Top and I’s parking spot. The rider is sporting an all too familiar black leather jacket with a white V-neck shirt inside, an all too familiar ripped skinny jeans, and an all familiar Doc Martens as well.

Who could this be?

Lauren removed her helmet and flipped her mess of a hair. She grabbed her bag from the Harley and walked towards me.

“Dang girl, really good. Why are you on this super cool thing?” I chastised and brought my lips against her cheek. I moved to snake my arms around her waist, so my mouth is close to her ear and I whispered softly against her skin. “My girlfriend looks really hot right now. I’m getting bothered.”

Lauren flushed scarlet and I smiled proudly at myself for eliciting a reaction like that. “You said I looked hot last night so I just…” she trailed off and I smirked. Lauren turned beet red instantly and I laughed at her adorable flustered state. “Stop it Camz! There are people looking at us.”

“Let them look. I want to show everyone my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?!” Mani, who I haven’t noticed getting out of her Lambo, Dinah, and Christopher all chorused.

“Damn right you are,” I grinned proudly, not taking my eyes off Lauren.

Dinah grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward. I stared at her blankly while she and Normani pointed a dangerously close forefinger in front of my face.

“What, when, why, where, how. You have five minutes to save your life, Chancho,” Dinah threatened me and I casted Lauren a ‘help’ look to which she happily obliged.

But not before looking at me smugly for a few seconds and shooting me a ‘you’re-screwed’ look in response to my first one.

“Hey you two,” Lauren authoritatively spoke, placing her body between mine and Norminah’s (cause it’s really inconvenient for me to mention those two’s names separately and because they insisted Lauren and I’s ship name) bodies. “Stop grilling my girl. Let’s all head to class.”

Lauren turned towards me and interlaced our fingers together while heading to our rooms. “I’ll walk you to your room baby.”

“Chivalrous, huh?” I teased.

“I try,” Lauren chuckled. “Is it working? How am I doing so far, Camz?”

We finally stopped in front of my classroom so I turned so I can give her a proper kiss in goodbye. “You’re perfect, baby. Thank you so much.”

“No need for that,” the green-eyed beauty kissed my nose. “Anything for you baby.”

“Still,” I insisted, bringing our intertwined hands up to kiss her knuckles. “Thank you, Lauren. For everything.”

“You’re welcome,” she giggled in response. “Go inside now. You’ll be late.”

“Go your way too or you’ll be late as well,” I smugly replied.

“Oh I don’t have a class ‘til the next thirty minutes so I’m all good.”

“Why were you here early then?” I asked, raising my eyebrow at her incredulously.

The green eyed beauty shrugged. “I just want to see you early. It’s worth more than another thirty minutes of sleep.”

“Smooth Jauregui, I’ll get you back for that,” I laughed and Lauren pulled me in for a hug.

“Meet me at the cafeteria after this?” she inhaled.

I nodded. “Of course. See you later, babe.”

I stood on my tiptoes to kiss her on the lips.

When we pulled back, we’re still lost in each other’s orbs but it was cut off short when I felt a pair of eyes staring at us.

I broke eye contact with Lauren, but locked eyes with another pair of brown orbs.

“Baby?” Lauren called. “Something wrong?”

I bit my lip and kept quiet. I saw Lauren frown via peripheral, and she immediately followed my line of sight.

My girlfriend tenses, but still managed to pull me closer as an indication that nothing’s wrong. But I know it’s bothering her.

Damn, It’s even bothering me.

From what seems to be eternity of a staring contest, Lauren broke the silence.

“Lucy.”

[sunlitroom]

Gotham s4e04 -  The Demon’s Head

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham.

Jim took some stupid pills, and decided that going to Falcone for help in dethroning Oswald was a good idea.  His visit was seized on by Falcone’s daughter – Sofia – who just might have something to prove to her father, and ideas of revenge for Mario.  She manic-pixie-dream-girled Jim, then showed up at GCPD.  Ra’s al Ghul wants his magic knife back.  Bruce wins it at auction.  Ed is defrosted, but seems to have dropped several IQ points.  Barbara and Ra’s kissed.

As always, long post will be long - reaaally long.  There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot may appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)).  There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism.  Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

At a museum, the magical knife is being examined by a Dr Winthrop.  Bruce says he wants to know as much about it as possible, and Alfred says he should have considered that before spending quite so much money on it. A boy around the same age as Bruce enters the room.  He’s much more childish than Bruce (not in a bad way, in an age-appropriate way), and very knowledgeable – given his analysis of the knife.

Alfred draws Bruce away and points out involving an ‘old geezer’ is one thing, but he’d also be endangering a young boy.  Bruce doesn’t care, though, and simply asks them both to keep this business secret.

(An aside – old people, apparently OK as collateral damage)

We move now to  a room in some abandoned warehouse  - upside down – which is reflective of the mental state of its inhabitant, Ed, who is labouring painfully over some riddles.  He’s frustrated and dishevelled.  He’s also constructed a revenge wall for Oswald. There’s a seeming lightbulb moment – and he pulls out a knife, stabbing a picture of Oswald.  

Tomorrow night is the night you die

(An aside – that’s a great picture of Oswald.  No wonder the citizens are all a bit taken with the dapper gangster who says that he alone can clean up the city).

 Back at the museum, Dr Winthrop has decoded some important information

He who rises from the waters, death shall not touch. With this sacred blade, final savage destiny earth quake, bloods flow, demons head, all tremble,  dogs and cats living together, etc etc.

Dr Winthrop and Alex talk about the knife, and the legend of a man who couldn't die: Ra's al Ghul. Apparently he was a warlord.  Winthrop says that the stories might just be stories, but that people are willing to kill for them, and that Bruce stumbled on something more dangerous than he imagined.

As they talk – we see R’as approaching the room

There’s a knock at the door and Winthrop sends Alex into the office with the knife and tells him to stay quiet.

Ra’s enters the room and smoothly introduces himself.  

(Just an aside at the point – his dialogue and manner of delivery are both so much better in this episode, I think.  It’s much lighter and more casual but – if anything – it makes him seem more dangerous. I think the slightly more overblown ‘fantasy’ style just seems daft.  Plus Ra’s has been a man of the world for a long time.  He knows how to adapt.)

Winthrop is suspicious. Ra's is making no effort to conceal himself, and shows off his age and knowledge. He says he's looking for a knife.  Winthrop claims that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  Ra’s smiles.

You know, the best liar I ever met ran a brothel in Shanghai. You knew she was lying but, you didn't care – you so badly wanted to believe her.

Glancing over Winthrop’s desk he sees a picture of Alex – and lifts his school hat.

The fire alarm rings suddenly – which also means the police will arrive.  Ra’s asks again about the knife – but getting no further, breaks Winthrop’s neck.  As he leaves the room, we pull away too – and see Alex hiding behind the doorframe, crying.

Back at the museum, we open on Winthrop’s corpse – cold and blue.  Jim is there.  Harper arrives.  Jim asks brusquely where Bullock is, and is told he’s taking a sabbatical.

(An aside – that’s odd that Jim didn’t know that – no?)

Jim’s assiness intensifies and he asks Harper if she’s babysitting him.  She asks him if he needs babysitting.  Apparently so – given that snit he just threw.

Glancing over the visitor logbook – Harper is about to tell us the last visitor was Bruce Wayne, when Jim beats her to it, spotting Bruce approaching over her shoulder.  

Bruce asks what happened, staring wide-eyed at the corpse.  Hayfever, Bruce.  A fatal attack.  What do you think happened?

Jim stops him approaching further and asks if they’d met.  Bruce seems a little discombobulated – but can still answer. He asks when he was killed, and also mentions Alex.  Harper says no-one mentioned a boy being here.  

Bruce quickly starts obsessing over the knife again.  Jim asks him what the knife is.  Bruce doesn’t answer, but says that he’ll come to GCPD as soon as possible.  Jim tells him that a man is dead, a child potentially missing, and this is no time to play detective. What does he know?

Bruce lies and says it’s a very old knife that he paid a lot of money for and wanted to know about, and mentions Barbara bidding on it.  Jim looks troubled.  He tells Harper to find Alex and tells Bruce to go home – he’ll deal with Barbara.

 Barbara's house.  She is looking at something we can’t see – apparently less than happy.  As Ra’s arrives, she needles him for being late.  He apologises, but smiles – pleased to see that his guests have arrived. Barbara doesn’t like them – but Ra’s points out they wouldn’t have been necessary if she’d got the knife.

He approaches the raised platform where Barbara displays guns, and we see a small Sandor Clegane lookalike, and someone Ra’s refers to as a dog – Anubis – but who actually turns out to be a man on a leash.  Ra’s tells him that he’ll let him kill the boy, and pets him like a dog.  That’s quite a lot of nope right there.

At the Iceberg Lounge, Oswald sits at his desk and stares at Ed’s bowler hat. It’s looking in good nick for being stored in ice.

Victor strolls in

Boss

Oswald shuts his eyes in irritation, and reminds him about the conversation they had about knocking. I’d happily trade any other storyline this season to see domestic life at the Iceberg Lounge.

Victor is completely unbothered by this.

Uh huh

It’s essentially like scolding a cat.  

He tells Oswald that ‘she’ is here.

Sofia enters the room. She’s not wearing the gangster get-up she wore to GCPD.  Instead, she’d gone for a much more demure and traditionally feminine outfit – a long-ish dress with a flared skirt.  The long gloves are just weird, though.  

Oswald smilingly welcomes her to Gotham – but he’s just about buzzing with repressed energy in that way that lets us know he’s on the edge of being very, very angry.

Sofia smiles innocently, and says that she learned from her father that when the King of Gotham summons you, then you go as requested.

Oswald asks after Carmine – but Sofia says they should address the elephant in the room.  She claims she’s here to administer to Falcone charities.  Oswald, however, is sceptical and hostile – and says he doesn’t see why these have to be handled in person.

Sofia says his concern is unfounded.  Oswald rises from his chair.  He tells her that her father taught him many things – one of which was a healthy paranoia. Some of Falcone’s old capos went underground.  They may have vanished, or may want a Falcone back.  He laughs

Who knows, but I hear your father’s voice whispering

He leans in close

Be careful now

He tells Sofia that is he finds this is a fool’s errand to reinstate her father then – he nods over to Victor, who quietly says

I'll stab you

Sofia rises and takes a few steps away.  She tells Oswald exactly what she told Jim about being sent away because Gotham was too dangerous, but feeling that it is her true home.  Her eyes have filled with tears.

Is that enough?

Oswald blinks and walks towards her.

Gotham -  mother to us all

He stands close behind her and looks at her side-on.  She can’t see him without turning round, and we see her eyes flickering – wondering if he’s convinced.

Oswald’s face clears

I think we have nothing to worry about.  Give my father your best

He does look after her as she leaves, though.

(Hmmm – ambiguity everywhere.  Oswald seemed reasonably convinced, but the look after her as she left would suggest that he’s not actually settled in his mind.  Sofia recycles the story she told Jim – which might just mean it’s the truth, much better to use the truth when possible if trying to deceive - but hearing it twice, worded identically, does mean the story now seems suspicious, too rehearsed, part of an act. Was she telling Jim the truth in the first place?)

Jim is at Barbara’s house. When he enters, there are lots of punk rockers hanging about, and White Rabbit is playing. 

Seated at her desk, Barbara is calmly playing patience.  She greets him in cool, measured tones.

Jim – what a lovely surprise

Jim gives his usual wary look of suspicion where Barbara is concerned, and comments that she seems to have landed on her feet as usual.

(An aside.  The only time I can think of Barbara seeming to have landed on her feet – would be when she opened Sirens with Tabitha.  Even then, I’m assuming that took work.  The rest of the time, she’s lurched from one disaster and one captor to the next.  Does Jim just try not to think about her attempted suicide or something?)

She smiles, and tells him that a woman has to stay busy.  Jim frowns, and says she seems different.

Do you like this me better?

Jim moves to safer territory and asks about the knife.  Barbara raises a wry brow – but says she was here with witnesses, and asks if they’re done. Jim bristles a little, and says they aren’t.  He wants to know who's bankrolling her.  She’s says it’s a client – but that, while tempting, she can’t give a name.

Bruce appears from nowhere, and mentions Ra’s name.  Barbara has her back to Bruce and Jim, but we see her eyes widen, and there’s a slightly wobble in her composure.  

Jim looks generally unsettled and hauls Bruce out

(An aside – there’s much more in this episode of Jim treating Bruce like a child. I think it works well.  Bruce is a child.  Alfred is way too acquiescent with him. Jim being willing to actually step up and tell him off adds something to their relationship.  It reminds us, too, that Bruce is a child – and lets Jim do something other than just being angry all the time).

Meanwhile, the music plays out, and Barbara turns over the King of Hearts.

(Another aside – I like Barbara’s newfound calmness.  I know some of it comes from Ra’s training/brainwashing/whatever – but I’d guess that Barbara’s upbringing and education must sure have drilled some of that cool composure into her?  The icy Betty Draper thing suits her well.  I know that type of demeanour is often represented as restrictive and repressed – but there’s a power in being able to embody it).

In the alley outside – Jim tells Bruce off for following him.  Bruce insists that he should have let him come with him.  Again, his tone and wording reminds us of his age.  Jim is angry – and asks Bruce who Ra’s is. Bruce starts a lie – but Jim sees through it and tells him to stop.  Bruce spills the beans.  

Jim asks why the knife is so important.  His phone rings – and Harper tells him that they can’t find the boy.  He tells her, meantime, to search for Ra’s.  Jim tells Bruce no-one saw Alex – he must be hiding and scared.  He tells Bruce if he wanted to play detective so bad – then he can help.  What was he wearing, what did he say – there must be something Bruce can give him?

(An aside – and again, much, much better characterisation for Jim here – reminding us that he is an actual detective.  He likes puzzles, he wants to solve things, he thinks.  Can we please have more of this Jim?)

Bruce remembers the room Alex said he was using at the library.  Jim says if he’s hiding, then he may not trust the police.  He takes Bruce with him to put Alex at ease. (Again – actual thought from Jim instead of just barrelling in.  I’m begging – please – more of this)

Oswald is seated at his desk, scowling at two men – sent by Ed – who are about to rap a riddle at him. Everyone saw this clip repeatedly – so I can spare my wrists.  Long story short: Ed’s riddle is dreadful, and Oswald resolves to go meet him and have him frozen again.  Victor is hot throughout.

Jim and Bruce are at the library looking for Alex.  Bruce convinces him to open the door to the private room – but he panics when he spots Jim. Bruce tells him that he can trust Jim, though.  

When we enter the room, we can see that Alex is pale and shaky and still plainly in shock.  He looks at Bruce.

It was the knife - did you know it was dangerous?

Bruce lies – and said that he didn’t.  Jim glances at him – plainly not very pleased – but doesn’t say anything.  

Jim promises he’ll protect Alex, but he says that the man (Ra’s) won't stop until he gets the knife. Bruce asks if he has the knife, but Alex says he hid it.

There’s sound of a commotion.  Jim tells Bruce to take Alex to the station.  As they run off, Jim walks through the library slowly, gun drawn. He’s pounced on suddenly by Anubis and Clegane.  He manages to fight the dog off.  He asks who sent them.  Clegane delivers a very long name.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Meantime, Anubis grabs and bites Alex – but is recused by Bruce.  Bruce – however – is nearly killed by Clegane – but Jim topples the bookcases and flattens him – at least temporarily, and yells at Bruce to run.

When Jim gets back to GCPD, though there’s no Bruce – and Harper can find no trace of Ra’s.  Just as she’s saying that, Ra’s himself shows up looking damn fine.  He claims to be the cultural attache to a small country (missed the name).  Jim has heard of this country, much to Ra’s surprise – and he invites him politely to speak in the Captain’s office, all discreet and smooth.

(Again – a broken record, but so much better.  I feel like any other week, Jim would have just growled at him and maybe swung a punch.  He’s not supposed to be a stupid man.  Please let him be smart more often)

When Ra’s enters the office, Jim quietly tells Harper that Barbara must have talked to Ra’s, and Ra’s now presumably thinking Alex gave Jim the knife.  He tells her to call Alfred to try and find Bruce and Alex.

In an abandoned something or other, Bruce is trying to treat Alex’s wound.  Alex is ashamed of being afraid, and of freezing when he was attacked. He wants to know how Bruce stops being scared.  Bruce says fear is normal, and that he froze when he saw his parents killed.  There’s nothing wrong with being afraid, and once you recognise it’s normal you can put it in its place – and then act and fight back.

Alex sits on a step and Bruce sits beside him.  He tells Bruce that he felt bad for Bruce when his parents died – and that all the kids talked about him.  Bruce asked what they said.  Alex said that he lives alone in a big mansion and doesn’t go to school, and flies around in a jet.  They made him sound weird.

Bruce looks sad and tired.

Maybe I am

Alex disagrees and tells him that he’s cool – and says that he (Alex) is weird.  He pauses, and then comments that Bruce is maybe a little weird too, he guesses.

Bruce smiles

Alex smiles too, and adds weirdly cool

They sit quiet for a moment, and then Alex says he’ll take Bruce to the knife.

 GCPD, where Jim offers Ra’s coffee.  Ra’s comments that they both know why he’s here.  He spins a nice story about how the knife is part of his country’s cultural heritage, but is politically loaded and sought-after – hence the discreet bidding. Unfortunately, Barbara failed to obtain it.

Jim listens.

Ra’s says that he understands there’s been a murder.  Jim, still watchful, tells him that it was the museum’s curator

That's awful

Ra’s says he will press a claim to the knife on behalf of his government.  Jim asks why the knife is so important.  Ra’s recounts the tale of the man who could not die, who committed terrible acts and raised a kingdom – but then vanished, promising to return when he had this knife.  He says it’s justa story – but meaningful to his people.

Jim frowns.  Ra’s smiles -and says he hopes this satisfies his curiosity.

Jim looks at him carefully and begins to speak.  He doesn’t bother hiding that he knows who Ra’s is -he’s trying to make a discreet deal/test Ra’s:

My chief concern is that the grandson of curator being hunted – maybe for the knife, or because the killer thinks he saw something

Ra’s smiles slightly

Did he?

Jim says no.  Ra’s sighs in mock relief

Well then - he's safe

Jim plays clever. He’d want assurance before releasing the knife.  Ra’s plays back – he wants to see the knife first.

Uh oh - here comes Alfred. He barges in yelling about Bruce and punches Ra’s as soon as he spots him.  Jim hauls him out of the room.  Alfred tells him that he doesn’t know what he has there.  Jim tells him he’s beginning to – but he needs time, and he needs time. Unfortunately, though, Harper calls his attention to the fact that Ra’s has already searched the bag and left. Jim tells Alfred they need to find Bruce.

The Falcone mansion, where three men – presumably the capos Oswald mentioned – are greeting Donna Falcone. She tells them she doesn’t want to be called that or hear from them.  They persist.  They want Falcone’s return, which they assume is coming now that she’s back.  They want to ‘put Penguin in his place’.  She tells them ‘this is Penguin’s city’ – just as Oswald arrives with Victor in tow.  He smiles – and asks Victor how many graves he dug

Two…but they’re roomy.

 Oswald and Sofia are alone in the room.  We see her flinch and tear up at the gunshots – presumably for show – as Oswald is watching her.  He smiles

There we are - paranoia put to rest

Sofia puts on a little act about being used – but if she’s as smart as she seems – then it’s likely she suspected Oswald would do this.  She says she was the worm on his hook

With one difference, my dear – the worm is usually eaten

She asks if he trusts her now, and he observes that she’s alive, isn’t she?  He advises she plant roses to cover the smell.  As he leaves, she makes an attempt to reel him back in. She says her father wouldn’t have killed those men.  If he’d been in Oswald’s shoes – then he’d have taken her to dinner, had them seen in public – show that he had old order support and then those men would have pledged loyalty – but now…they’re fertiliser.  Her father built on a strength of others.

Oswald watches her. It’s hard to say how much he’s just digesting this information, and how much he is also reassessing her.

Oswald smiles brightly

New city, new methods

And leaves

Sofia smiles slightly, seemingly satisfied, a tear rolling down her face.

Bruce and Alex back at the museum, where Alex hid the knife in plain sight.  He tells Bruce about the legend, and says that terrible things happen because of this knife – and says the man that killed him can’t have it. Bruce promises he won’t let him take it. They hear breaking glass and run.

It’s Clegane-lite and Anubis, hunting them down.

You know, Anubis is actually pretty slow – on account of the fact that we’re not designed to run about on all fours.  I can’t help but feel that an actual Doberman (which looks pretty Anubis-y) would have been better.

Back at GCPD, Jim can’t get through to the consulate and there’s still nothing from Bruce.  Alfred asks why Bruce was tagging along anyway. It’s a fair question – but a bit rich, given what Alfred has been allowing to go on lately.

Jim says Alfred doesn't get to lecture him on honesty.  Alfred weakly says it’s Bruce’s decision to tell – but Jim, rightly, points out that Alfred is Bruce’s guardian – he can violate privacy for safety. Alfred blusters about sticking to the point and asking what he’s doing to find Bruce.

They argue a bit more before somehow searching Alex’s bag again and figuring out where he likely is. Alfred is going to come, but Jim refuses:

The access I gave you depended on trust – you’ve not been honest with me.

He tells Harper that if Alfred tries to leave she should arrest him.  Alfred asks on what ground – and Jim says she’ll think of something.

 At the museum, Bruce and Alex are still hiding.  Bruce is sweating

Oswald is sitting in a booth at the club.  Ed didn’t show at the pier, and has sent another rap riddle.  It’s dreadful again

Honestly, that could be anything

Victor asks if they can’t just please torture them for information

Why not?

Oswald knocks back a stiff drink.

 Back at the museum, where dropping the knife alerts Anubis and Clegane-lite to Bruce and Alex’s location. They run – but Anubis has Bruce. Alex stops and looks back.  Jim arrives in the nick of time, though, and shoots – telling Bruce and Alex to run.

Jim takes on Clegane and Anubis and beats both, tossing a bone out the window for Anubis, and stabbing Clegane with a tusk, I think.

Bruce is still on the ground, coughing and rubbing his throat.  Jim looks at him

It’s time to tell me what going on

Excellent question, Detective

Ra’s approaches – and he has Alex, with a knife to his throat.

He tells Bruce to give him the knife and he’ll release Alex.  He grins mockingly down at him

You'd like that

Alex cries silently. Jim reaches out a hand to Bruce

Bruce - hand me the knife

Bruce doesn’t move. Jim repeats it.

Bruce - hand me the knife

Bruce still doesn’t do it – and Jim stares incredulously.  Bruce blurts out about Ra’s killing Alfred and bringing him back to life – and says that he can’t give it to him.  Jim tells him to hand it over now so Alex will be safe – that’s all that matters.

I can’t

Ra’s smiles – well-pleased by his refusal.

Well done, Bruce. You’re finally beginning to see things clearly.  The question is – are you strong enough?

He slits Alex’s throat. Bruce screams and rushes towards him, sobbing no.  (Not sure what you expected here, Bruce – the terms were pretty clear).

Ra’s lets his knife (the non-magical one) fall and drops to his knees.

Arrest me.

At GCPD, Bruce is seated by a table, crying.  Jim sits down alongside him and gently tells him Ra’s is at Blackgate.  He adds that he is a psychopath, and Bruce is not responsible for his actions.  Jim says he wants to help – but he needs something he can believe, not all the stuff with people coming back from the dead.

(An aside – has Jim forgotten Theo?)

Alfred snidely says perhaps Jim now understands why they held back.  Bruce doesn’t care, though.  He says it doesn't matter what they say – it’s all his fault.  Alex is dead because of him.

I killed him

Ed barges into a seemingly empty Iceberg Lounge, yelling that he waited again, but Oswald didn’t show. He must be a coward.  

Oswald walks into the room

I’m here.  I may be many things, but I’m not a coward.

(An aside – I do love Oswald.  He fucks up, and he does terrible things – but he’s more reflective than most, and open about who he is.)

He tells Ed his riddles suck – quoting one for good measure and telling him it simply describes a range of human behaviour.

(A random aside – Oswald’s limp looks particularly pronounced here.  But then, it seems he’s been particularly busy – so presumably it’s worse when he’s tired)

Ed flails – but Oswald says that he can't make riddles to save his ass anymore.  Myrtle was clearly right-  there’s something wrong with him.  He’s not smart anymore.

Ed says he is too smart: he’s the Riddler.  Oswald rolls his eyes, and asks how long it took him to come up with those riddles – which turns out to be an embarrassing 6 hours.  Oswald is incredulous – and asks if that sounds anything like the old him. Ed points out the damage might be due to being frozen in a block of ice.  Does he want an apology, or something?  He can whistle for that.

He aims a gun at Oswald as he walks away, and tells him he’s going to shoot him.  Oswald tells him he can never truly have revenge on him – because he’s not the man he froze at the pier anymore, only some diminished version. That Ed would have killed himself before writing those riddles.  In fact – he’s barely even Ed Nygma, because he’d have noticed something....

Ed frowns, confused

Doesn't it feel kind of chilly?

Victor Fries shoots the gun from Ed’s hand.  Oswald asks if he’d forgotten

My other Victor

(Hoarding all the hot Victors is greedy, Oswald)

Oswald says he’s going to put him on ice again.  Victor asks if he wants the same pose.  Ed puts his hands up defensively.

Got it  - same pose.

Ed hangs his head.

OK - Oswald.  I'm not the Riddler.  Just do it.

Oswald looks at him, considering.

I've changed my mind. I'm not going to freeze you.  I’d only be freezing Ed Nygma, who cares about that? Better revenge is having you live knowing you’re not him -  and never will be again.  

He smiles, settled.  

Goodbye Ed.

He walks away without a backward glance.

Ed’s been spared – but is still in turmoil – back to the question that continually gnaws at him, but worse now, with the loss of a crucial part of his identity.

Who am I?

Sofia is standing in front of the fireplace in an evening gown.  She’s recounting another tale about her father.  There’s a deliberate parallel here with how she played Oswald earlier that introduces a note of doubt into her interactions with Jim.  Is Oswald the only one she’s fooling?

She was 7 or 8 when she saw her father stab a man in the neck in this room who had been on his knees before him, begging for forgiveness.  The next morning, all the blood was gone, and they had breakfast at this table as though nothing had happened.

(An aside – I don’t know how they’ll develop the character, but given that she must have seen more than one terrible thing, there’s scope to make her an awful lot more unstable than she appears right now.)

She smiles.

You'd think I want to stay far away

But no – this house and the city are both in her veins.  This is her home.  

Jim comments that three of her father’s former associates have gone missing.  She says that Oswald used her as bait (although if Sofia is as smart as she claims, then she presumably knew this was what he was up to from the outset).

Jim is still keen to dish out more blame, though

And you let him

Sofia doesn’t let Jim away with his usual bullshit projecting, though.

Don't act the innocent, Jim.  You came to Carmine Falcone for help: you knew it was never going to be bloodless

Jim frowns.  He says she’s presumably going to get close to Oswald, gain his confidence, but….

What then?  I need to know what you're going to do

(An aside – This is the first time we see Jim seem uncertain about his scheme – seemingly squeamish about what Sofia’s eventual plans might be for Oswald.  He’s been rash and thoughtless, and the lesson Bruce learned earlier might just be scratching at the back of his head.  Oswald’s not an innocent by any stretch of the imagination – but Jim seemingly can’t actually bring himself to voice or accept the next logical step in Sofia’s plan – obvious as it might be: Oswald’s death.)

Sofia tells him that he doesn’t need to know.  If he wants the city back from Oswald, then she can give him that – but he has to trust her.

(An aside – and exactly how dumb is Jim if he thinks that Sofia’s going to meekly hand Gotham back to him and trot off back home after this?  This is just asinine).

For some reason, this motivates Jim to smash a glass and then push Sofia down onto the couch.  

(An aside – I’m… kind of mystified by that bit.  Was he just tense and angry and looking for a release?  Was it an assertion of control?  Was it a ploy to keep her unsure as to what he’ll do next – try and retain some power?  The reason I’m asking is because there just wasn’t really enough heat or chemistry there to justify the sudden sex.  If they’d been eyeing each other, and a definite indication of tension, then fair enough – but even Sofia looked startled by the sudden move.

 Ra's is being led into Blackgate.  He looks disgruntled until he gets close, and then we see him smile.

General Observations

 A strong episode – especially after last week’s mish-mash of storylines.

Bruce has been arrogant of late, rushing headfirst into dangerous situations, and not really caring too much who got hurt in the process. He hasn’t seemed to mind about worrying Alfred, and he glibly implicated Selina in his rooftop escapades.

That all came screeching to a halt this week, though.  He knowingly endangered both Alex and his grandfather in his need to learn more about the knife.  Even seeing the Dr Winthrop cold and blue on the museum floor wasn’t enough to deter him. Jim can try to make him feel better by saying that Ra’s is responsible for what happened – but that’s cold comfort to Bruce, because he knows he made the conscious choice that the knife was more important than Alex’s life.

Hard to say where he’ll go from this point.  He’ll presumably carry on – now feeling a sense of mission, that he owes it to Alex and his grandfather – but probably a bit more chastened and conscious of repercussions.

Jim is due a similar chastening.  When he and Sofia talk at the end of the episode, the blame for the death of Falcone’s three associates might be variously assigned to Oswald or Sofia – but it’s really Jim who has blood on his hands.  Sofia essentially says as much: Jim knew what he was going to get when he went to see Falcone, and he doesn’t get to act the innocent here.  

Jim assumes that Sofia is going to win Oswald’s confidence, but wants to know what will happen next. The logical answer, of course, is that she would kill Oswald and take power.  The fact that Jim is asking at all – I think – points to his first real misgivings.  His confrontations with Oswald so far have been noticeably childish, squabbling over who is seen as the protector of the city.  I don’t think that quite translates to wanting him dead, and I think that might prove to be a sticking point later on.

Or maybe I’m just a hopeless shipper….. :D

Sofia’s hard to read.  We’re in on the fact that she’s playing Oswald.  We’re not quite so clear as to what extent she’s playing Jim.  She told them both exactly the same thing: she belongs in Gotham, it’s her home, in her blood.  She gave them both little anecdotes about her father.  Both ended up letting her off the hook – albeit temporarily.

It’s interesting to wonder what shape her revenge might take – if that’s what she wants.  I’d say that getting Jim to do what Falcone couldn’t – put a bullet in Oswald’s head and become her GCPD stooge - might be a fair shout, but we’ll see.

I’m also interested to see exactly how stable she is.  Who knows exactly what she witnessed growing up.  

Oswald’s most important storyline this week was really his first interaction with Sofia.  His interactions with Ed were more about drawing a line under that aspect of their storyline. It was mostly played for laughs, and was drained of a lot of the angst and noise of s3.  

Not putting Ed back on ice really served two purposes.  First, yes – it is a much more perfect revenge.  Ed’s sense of who he is is something that troubles him at the best of times.  Now that he’s lost his defining characteristic – his distress and confusion is acute.  Secondly – it provides closure.  Keeping him on ice was metaphorical as well as literal: a state of endless limbo.  Oswald doesn’t need that anymore, and it was interesting that he walked away without even a backward glance.

As for his conversations with Sofia – it’s hard to tell how successful her many ruses are.  There are a few moments where he looks at her very hard. I suspect she’ll gain the upper hand, mostly because ‘Oswald fails due to hubris’ basically seems to be a pattern now – but hopefully they’ll try to keep it even-handed and ambiguous up until that point.  Partly because it’s entertaining, but also because – come on – Oswald worked for Fish Mooney.  I’m not buying that he’d fall hook, line and sinker for this. He’s smarter than that.

Thoughts?