#well i want him to have story growth that matters. hope this helps

[rocketturtle4]

Last Twilight, Growth, Change, Hope and most of all, Trust 

because I adored this show, without reservation.

(I wrote this before realising quite how many people were unhappy with the ending but my thoughts stand)

My friend, @plantsarepeopletoo wrote in their post about ep 12 that

The story is saying hope is something worth chasing after.

This is something I emphatically agree with, and I want to add one more core premise that the show felt like it built on throughout

No matter how big change is, growth comes from the little moments when we trust.

This was a show *full* of big, the accident, the lost dreams of national competition, a year in jail, a sister’s death, a parent’s death, a parent’s divorce, an unplanned pregnancy and of course, blindness.

And yet,

This was a show full of tiny moments of growth, hard earned and barely celebrated, of what it was like to see clearly for just 10 seconds of a day. Of how to eat a plate of food without sight, of what it feels like to hold out your hand and trust someone to take it. What forgiveness feels like, voiced in small certain words.

We climbed mountains, and bought slippers, We ran away from home and we learnt to eat cake.

Big Moments

Small Moments

But most of all

Trust

And that was what we lost in episode 11 and that is what episode 12 had to rebuild.

Day thought that Mhok was the one person who trusted him to be okay by himself, even if just for a little while, Day saw him as an equal, a faen. That’s what he chose when he stepped over the marathon finish line. But Mhok wasn’t there with him, not completely. He wanted to carry all of Day’s needs as well as his own.

He didn’t share the nightmare

He didn’t share the job offer

He didn’t share his fear over the car accident

He didn’t trust Day.

And so Day ended things, firmly and with false certainty because he never wanted to be anyone’s burden. He wanted to be Mhok’s equal, and as things stood, Mhok couldn’t give him that.

Episode 12 (again as @plantsarepeopletoo points out) shows that even though the two have grown so much over the past 3 years, they still lack the trust because they’ve done the work separately and not together.

You see it in the way Mhok doesn’t speak until Day is already in the car.

Doesn’t speak until Day recognises his scent.

But once Day recognises him by scent alone, Mhok gives in and trusts enough to lean in and flirt, to show up and cook him food, to take him for suit fittings and cake tastings, to ask him to dance and then finally, to ask for a second chance.

Day’s trust is a more fragile thing. How can he know Mhok sees him as a whole person, trusts him, when Mhok picks up right where they left off, when he continues to pull out his chair and catch his arm to walk him, when he helps him with his jacket, and his food.

What if nothing has changed?

How can he know?

And he needs a push here, more than Mhok does, because of how his trust was broken, but Mum tells Day.

To be uncertain in love is the most normal thing of all, to step forward we must take a risk

To love, is to trust, and so, Day chooses to trust.

And for me, this was the most beautiful moment of all, and the most fulfilling ending I could have gotten.

For me this show held up, from start to finish.

It’s a show about learning to trust your family, your friends and most importantly yourself, no matter what life throws your way.

For those of you who feel that this doesn’t address what you perceive as the biggest flaws in the show, maybe it was Day’s Mum, or Day getting his Vision back, or the show choosing not to explicitly address Mhok’s trauma and abandonment issues, I am not saying you are wrong at all. For me, an explicit unpacking of those things wasn’t needed. They weren’t the threads I was holding onto.

Day’s mum learnt to see him as a whole person.

Mhok learnt to live independently, without someone relying on him.

Day’s vision was returned, an afterthought of the show, after he was already a whole, happy person.

None of these things were less for me.

Because every moment of this show was filled with so much more.

[ectoodle]

Hello! I wanted to ask what made you fall in love with bingqiu?

Hey there!

Ah hmm that's an interesting question, I've never thought about it actually. I like bingqiu a lot, but I never considered it as falling in love with the ship? They're a fun ship to play with and they have a wide range that's pretty flexible so I'm always in my comfort zone drawing them.

I suppose most of the art I draw for bingqiu are a love letter to them, though. And I think that's pretty telling of my brain rot for them 😂

I think the food the fandom cooked up really helped a lot. SV fic writers are on a whole other plane of existence when it comes to analyzing binghe's character and filling in on his journey of healing with sqq by his side. I'm the annoying type of audience that gets bored when the main couple gets together at the end...so when scum villain ended the way it did, mxtx may as well have german suplexed me on the concrete. scum villain is a story that subverts its tropes left and right and the ending was no exception! I love that bingqiu getting together at the end was not an automatic happily ever after, but rather, they still are putting in the work and effort to understand and stay in each other's lives. The glimpse of that path we get in the extras really did solidify my desire to see how bingqiu will continue to stay together--bingmei vs bingge extra was probably the finishing blow for me tho lmao. I couldn't stop thinking about what the heck happened to bingge after he left the sv world that I read a bunch of fics about him and needed to soothe the angst with sv bingqiu

on a side tangent, bingqiu parallels another of my all time ship, nozomizo from liz and the blue bird. mild spoilers if you haven't seen liz, but nozomizo had a similar codependent relationship that needed them both to grow apart as individuals in order to stay together. bingqiu separated unwillingly and binghe's growth as an individual was fueled by betrayal, despair, and that dying glimmer of hope that maybe, maybe shizun could accept him now that they're equals. but they don't. because binghe still hasn't emotionally grown to get past his temper tantrums (thanks xin mo) and sqq is still failing binghe by constantly misunderstanding him. but bingqiu still choose each other, choose to love and support each other, and they refuse to be separated again. whereas nozomizo was a healthy separation with a promise of reunion, bingqiu was fighting through the muddy trenches with a vague hope that the other is reaching out their hands too. i thought it was neat how differently both ships handled their codependency that still guarantees a happy ending, no matter how dirty and bruised they got along the way.

I also think sqq's compassionate narration in regards to binghe's suffering got to me lmao. He truly does care for binghe, and even if naysayers argue it's not romantic, it's undeniable that binghe is special to sqq. although not the best choices, most if not all of his choices were for binghe's best interest (thanks system). sqq had so much heart for binghe that it affected me through the screen too. binghe's abandonment issues and fake wet tears have captivated me. his gap moe as a chuuni emo demonic overlord and wife with a maidenly glass heart has bewitched me body and soul. i want luo binghe to be happy so badly!!

i think that's why bingqiu fascinates me. most of the bingqiu arts i draw are like slice of life vignettes, so without the meat and bones of fanfic diving into bingqiu's messiness, i would not have ascended to this level of brain rot for them...

[lucem-stellarum]

Spoilers for the Summit pt 3, and under the cut for length

Damn, and I was so convinced it was actually Alexis too.

William, this was not the time or method to let Vincent learn about the murkier parts of your morality. You could have explained it when you told him he had to run the Summit alone. You were just worried that Vincent wouldn't play along if he knew, and you know what? You'd have been right. Everyone makes mistakes when parenting, but I love-hate to see it here. I love the repeated emphasis that William does love Vincent, because that makes it hurt even worse. There's a specific kind of pain with the growth and realization that your parents are people, with real flaws and that make real mistakes.

I'm not saying that Vincent is perfect, either. Porter was right that he was sheltered about it, but Vincent let himself be sheltered as well. Sam, Fred, and Bright Eyes (yes their storyline was scrubbed from the official canon, but then why does Sam get to make it personal about Quinn's actions on Halloween in their little extrajudicial confrontation? I'm getting off topic. Anyway) all had terrible experiences with other vamps, Adam was in the same clan and we all know how messed up he was. Vincent himself experienced how easy it is to push humans to a sort of second class citizen where it didn't matter if he hurt them or overrode their boundaries since he could just wipe memories and it was for his own survival. Why wouldn't other vamps develop that same sort of moral numbness to other people's pain and suffering? It only takes one remorseless vampire monarch for every single one of them to have to resort to those tactics to protect their own regardless of their own personal feelings about violence. Sort of the "carry a bigger stick" mentality that's ridiculously difficult to deescalate (and that's with the benefit of having human generational divides. with immortal vampires everything is personal).

I do wish that Lovely got to interject a little bit more about all of this. The Bennetts were mainly killed for their part in the Inversion. The Inversion which, just so it's stated for the official record, had a pretty big impact on our vampire listener character. Porter says to ask the Shaw pack if the Bennetts deserved to die, but Lovely was right there. I'm hoping there's a follow up with them and Vincent afterwards where they get to say their piece to him, and maybe it will help Vincent understand why William decided that they had to die. They might have better luck once the shock has worn off a bit, had time to settle in. In universe it's only been, what, 2-3 hours since the start of the Summit? I'm giving Vincent a lot of grief, but as a character he's a lot closer to the stress of it all both physically and temporally. The Summit is his duty, therefore (if William has taught him anything about taking responsibility) the Bennett's deaths are also his fault because it happened under his supervision when (in his mind) he was supposed to make everyone "play nicely together" for the evening. He didn't stop it, therefore it's his fault, and he's made it very clear how he feels about causing violence/death.

Speaking of Lovely being oddly quiet, there wasn't a whole lot about Sam being mentioned either. Alexis got brought up, because obviously she would when talking about the amoral and bloodthirsty side of the clan. I think Sam's going to be more pragmatic than Vincent is with all of this, but I can't decide how far he's willing to go about it. Thoughts?

Was anyone else inspired or intrigued by Porter saying that "William always does the right thing"? I was listening (with headphones) out in public before driving home, so the exact wording might be different, but that sounds like there's an interesting story there.

I don't want to have the reputation of someone who just hates on Porter, because damn it I ought to like him more. His character hits so many notes that I like to see. Vincent calling him William's weapon and attack dog? I love watching that kind of relationship and devotion. I've shipped it before, and I will again (though I have to say, that would make Porter's relationship with Vincent so much worse. I kinda want to see the trainwreck of the evil step father). His gray morality, his intelligence, his quick wit, his deft manipulation of people? I can enjoy and envy all of it. But damn his hypocrisy, inconsistency, and that fight is just infuriating. "I can't hold it against you that you act sheltered because you've been sheltered your whole afterlife". Bullshit, Porter, you absolutely did blame Vincent for being sheltered and that's one of the reasons you got in that fight with Vincent in the first place. Porter might not be actively lying to us here, but he's certainly not being truthful. I've already gone through and found quotes to prove it before here. Adding on to the linked post, the way Vincent and Porter are talking to discuss Porter's joining of the clan and how William treated him sounds a whole heck of a lot like Porter joined the Solaires before Vincent did, which only further supports my points there. Ughhh I was in the middle of researching for a different analysis post for other characters; I don't want to be distracted by writing up what I think their fight should have been about. It's almost worse that I don't like him because I keep thinking about how much I should like him and what it would take for me to support him wholeheartedly, flaws and all.

To cap it all off, this subplot has been wonderful so far. I'm happy that someone spelled out all the dirty little secrets for Vincent/Lovely/Us, because my head was starting to spin keeping everything straight and digging up the tiniest insinuations and turning into the Pepe Silvia meme. I know it's not over yet, but I think the evening is starting to wind down for the characters and I'm so glad that it is because the stress and intensity of it all is killing me. I know that this is probably the starting point for more developments later (what is Sweetheart gonna do after all of this in their official department capacity? is any of this going to put David in a rough spot politically? though Sam and Darlin ran into Alexis they didn't really get the chance to weigh in on the whole, y'know, state-sanctioned double murder? where are we going with that little teaser about Quinn having friends in high places? where's Treasure in all of this? Porter's ominous words about Close Knit planning another Inversion-level event??) I'm hoping there's gonna be a bit of a breather. Kudos Mr. Redacted, and thank you.

[albentelisa]

Hi! Here's an interesting ask! What if Kanjigar had found a half troll five year old amnesiac Jim Lake and had him raised in TrollMarket but Barabra became the Trollhunter?

As for why Jim is a half troll so early, blame Area 49-B for kidnapping and experimenting on him before he escaped with help from Draal.

Oh, that's quite a curious scenario (and angsty for poor Barbara, I guess).

No one at the Trollmarket realizes that Jim is a half-troll and a former human. They think he is a kidnapped troll whelp and humans experimented on him to create a creature they can control (and Jim's amnesia doesn't help with clearing that misconception). All the irregularities (like red blood or faster growth rate) is chalked to the side effects of those experiments.

Despite the amnesia, Jim has some glimpses of his past. He insists on being called Jim (as he subconsciously feels that it connects him to his previous life). He is against getting a troll name, so the Trollmarket residents give up and drop the matter altogether.

Blinky and Aaarrrgghh are Jim's primary caretakers (even though Blinky was slightly reluctant at first as he had no experience dealing with small trolls). Blinky also teaches Jim troll language and history. Jim is curious and enjoys listening to the stories, so Blinky starts to think that Jim may become his successor as a keeper of the troll lore. Unfortunately for Blinky, he soon realizes that his adopted son is actually more interested in heroic deeds side of the troll history and hopes to become a troll hero as well one day.

In this AU, Jim admires Kanjigar a lot and hopes to become like him one day. He even tries to learn swordplay in secret at the Heroes' Forge. Kanjigar catches him and Jim is scolded for being reckless, however, the Trollhunter agrees to train him sometimes, so that Jim will not injure himself during his solo trainings.

Draal is Jim's big bro and a bad influence here - Jim uses 'bushigal' too often for Blinky's, Kanjigar's and Vendel's liking. When Jim is small, Draal often takes him exploring, but as he grows older, they become sparring partners and ocassionally go smashing goblins together (which is the secret between two).

Vendel is a grandpa figure for Jim as he likes the kid a lot (Jim is more polite and well-behaving than most of whelps). Vendel also teaches Jim about cleaving stones.

However, the opinions about Jim at the Trollmarket are divided. Sure thing, some trolls absolutely adore him, but others are suspicious. Some call him a freak because of his red blood, mismatched hands and fast growth (some even throw the term 'impure' ocassionally). Jim also fails to connect with troll whelps - while some of those want to be friends, Jim outgrow them too fast to have any lasting connection.

That is why Jim starts to sneak out of the Trollmarket rather early. His caretakers know but let it slip. When Jim is nine, he saves Toby from goblin during one of his outings. Two of them befriend each other fast enough.

Jim meets Claire when he is nearly fifteen. She was sneaking out from her house to go to the concert of her favorite band and Jim was having one of his regular strolls, and they bumped into each other. Claire freaks out at first, but realizes that despite the appearance, Jim is friendly and a nice guy overall. And Jim falls in love from the first side though he is slightly ashamed for his feelings (as troll culture is extremely strict about interspecies romance and he thinks his love is bad).

Barbara in this AU has it rough. Jim disappears right after James abandoned her, so Barbara makes some wrong conclusions and believes that James kidnapped their son to be his sole parent. She tries begging, threats and even attacks James in the moment of despair. The police which leads the investigation finds no clues and it only gives more fuel to Barbara's despair. She has a mental breakdown at some point and even starts to cope with alcohol.

She gets into therapy at some point, so before she finds the amulet, she is better (even though she has never moved on about Jim and hopes to find him one day). Barbara has a job and currently dates Strickler who she met at Benoit's. Strickler knows about Jim's disappearance (as Barbara confide on him about it once they are close enough), but he thinks that Bular is the reason for the 'disappearance' and Barbara's son has been dead for years. So Walter tries to help Barbara to make peace with the idea that Jim might never return.

Fast forward a bit, Kanjigar is dead and Barbara finds the amulet. Jim joins Blinky and Aaarrrgghh during their first visit to Barbara even though he's sad about Kanjigar's death (it's like losing the really close uncle for him).

Jim feels some unexplained familiarity once he sees Barbara. It's an instant familial attachment he cannot even explain. Anyway, Jim becomes Barbara's most loyal supporter at the Trollmarket at once and he's rather hurt because of Vendel's skepticism and especially Draal's initial aggression.

As for Barbara, she is confused and lost, not knowing what to think about Jim. Obviously, his name brings up some unpleasant memories, but his eyes are too familiar. However, Barbara tries to be realistic as she cannot even imagine the young troll being her son. Only after staying at the Trollmarket for a while and learning about Jim more (especially about how he got into the Trollmarket), she connects the dots and realizes that Jim is her son.

Barbara is reluctant to tell him the truth though. She is scared that Jim will reject her as she couldn't save him and was absent in his life. Besides, she isn't even sure if he needs her anymore.

In the end, she makes the decision to tell everything (after the encouragement from Strickler, who is reformed by this point). And obviously, Jim is happy to have her as his mom (he already sees her as one, even without knowing about their connection).

[lilyweii]

a look into aladdin and hamelin bond

It is a look at the connection of Aladdin and Hamelin. My English is sloppy. So I had a guidance to help me write it.It is possible, in the future, I can update it. Hopefully. So sorry,this is not in the best english,so i hope you can enjoy it regardless. while i like the pairing,it is more or less to take a look at their friendship. it is on the viewer to read at this point. Sorry for my mumbling because i typed alot. credit to sinoalice database people, jyong and @bad-blood-animal Thank you for your work (pls tell me to remove the tag if needed)

Back round for Aladdin: Nice guy. He says, "money can buy and fix everything. No need to fight. I have a ton of wealth. Even a new princess, family, it can be bought with money (Act of Hatred and class story= remember for later). He was a poor boy who cheated to survive the streets. Tend to have laid back attitude. Aladdin spends his infinite wealth to show his love. But the fading memory of his dead princess haunts him. In Act of Elimination hard mode, I realize my true love for her, and accept she is gone. Note: Aladdin my favorite.

Back round for Hamelin: More difficult guy. He presents himself as cold and detachment. "I want what's beautiful for myself. For a more beautiful world. Only beautiful around me". I travel to play my pipe for money, with no home. I was cheated by the mayor. So I took my revenge. I show in several events I do not like wealthy people and capitlism (vday and other event). I want specific beautiful points from people for myself (remember for later) Every once in awhile, I present my true self in acts of maturity and kindess.

No evidence suggest the alters of these characters know each other. In fact, it seems even their deaths were very far apart. But both alters understand the pain of blaming themselves and their short comings of losing their important one (Was it my fault the piano student died? or if I made money, sis could be here still). But, their alters do not know each other, so there is no point here.

Also note: Aladdin says mainly in magic school event (characters can remember event in main story and switch) that the gender of his partner does not matter so much if they are happy. I think he might have a female preference overall, however Hamelin has been attracted to men and women. I do not believe these characters have a defined orientation. Even Rapunzel herself wants to make friends with women but fear, and fallen for rrh (zombie staff weapon) and recently even cinderella (act of sinoalice). Hamelin also have openly had men fall for him (paladin story,furisode police battle)

Butler event: We first met each other here. Seeing Hamelin distracted by a sound, I got curious. Here I get frustrated. Could you please help me?" or "Why did you not tell us sooner it was a scream?" Hamelin, "These people don't understand beauty at all." It was a rough start for first impressions. Aladdin is kind. Pinocchio tells Hamelin is too strange a guy. Aladdin defends it anyway, and says that everyone here is sort of strange. It seems, the two of each other do not understand each other at all. But in time, it will become a beautiful friendship strengthened by understanding. It is nice,because you see the growth in each other together over time.

(Note: In same event, the game was feautred in a Boy's Love magazine and had out of context Pixiv ads, and we got very strange stamps released together. Although it is not in the same scene, and won't count for anything here. But it seems, even Pokelabo was wanting it to sell… ) In same event, Aladdin insist to go hunting with Hamelin, who seems more annoyed by Aladdin than anything. Hamelin calls him, golden nueasance (GL: richie rich) and says he doesn't need help from others (remember for later) Aladdin decided to tell Hamelin what he thinks is going on. I ask Hamelin, "Do you want to kill that girl?" Hamelin reacts in pure shock at the assumption. It seems they work well together. They grin at each other and take off. They lose focus and track of the time competing with each other. Because of what Aladdin says, I think deep down they had fun. I think this is where they started opening up to each other and understanding.

No more meaningful interactions in this event. This event became busy trying to protect the girl.

It does not count for anything but the collab character Hinaka is rotten. And this is mentioned in the hammer story. Well, it's funny. Me and my friend just wanted to point it out and laugh.

It seems Ibarahime informs Kaguya Aladdin warned her of business talk and Hamelin is picky. Maybe they spent some time off screen? Well, who knows. In 2021 tanning event, Aladdin is checking himself out in the mirror, and understands why Hamelin is so fascinated with himself. These two are slowly opening and understanding. It's starting to feel like we became friends.

In Black Butler side story, Hamelin speaks fondly of Aladdin and Snow White. It seems like Hamelin and Snow White are not very friends though (shark and the winery model side story), but it shown many time at this point Hamelin is coming around to Aladdin. (cute Hamelin who is scared of Seb) Lost my phone I had during this time weeeeh, so no screenshot for this part.

In Summerfes event, Pinocchio is scared of the main course, and Dorothy points out to Aladdin the flaws in Hamelin's operations. Aladdin thinks Hamelin could be a good business partner. Aladdin hears it is Hamelin doing the DJing, and wants VIP seats right away. I believe in him, even if others around me do not. What a beautiful friendship, despite not understanding and trusting the other at first!

VR event: We are always together in this event. Despite Hamelin's beliefs about money, I help Aladdin with his N** project. I help make a beautiful photo and me, Aladdin and Dorothy do a photoshoot and have fun. Later, we go our own way from the girls and go to an endless art musuem. We talk for hours about everything including art and money and get lost. "Let's explore it all anyway!" A passerby sees the two having fun. "Go to the metaverse main event together!"

In weapon story, Hamelin sees the art is ugly AI generated artworks and looks down on it. Was he just having fun anyway?

The two are very much best friends by this point, and the atmosphere between them changes drastically. By the way, Aladdin is wearing Hamelin's color on his costume…it is not a color he wears, ever. It seems the two share matching accessories here,like violet ties to their costume. it is likely a reach. but what a cute detail! it was an event that mirrors many moments in their first halloween event together. it shows the process the two made with each other.

Act of sinoalice: it is so much material. to think this could be a main story between the two! were they building a friendship for this act? i do not know,but the friendship between them continues to build. we came to this world two years earlier than everyone else (there is currently not an explanation…. ) in this time we lived together. we smiled constantly at each other,and we agreed with each other despite our conflicting opinions right away. we became aids to the prime minister who dies. why did they think making him a zombie was a good idea?!!! they are so opposite,but bring the better out in each other. Aladdin: "For people as capable as us…" "Hamelin's magical flute is truly amazing!" "Hamelin really is dependable after all" "Oh goodness, it looks like I've picked up Hamelin's catchphrase." "Having such a capable partner is really invaluable!" Just some quotes.

chapter two. every verse has a compliment about each other. hamelin says aladdin is a beautiful partner. aladdin says his partner is invaluable. We call each other partners! They see each other as capable, trusting and equals, among other things. Aladdin reassures a confused Hamelin at the Pokelabo office. Both picked up on each others' speech and mannerisms

Hamelin: "Impressive, Aladdin." "Oops, it looks as though I've adopted the way Aladdin speaks." "Ahh… this has been all so enjoyable. Truly, having such a beautiful partner is something to be treasured." "But, I really am amazed by his sense of leadership." "Truly, having such a beautiful partner is something to be treasured." More quotes that were said.

Ch 3; we met up with Dorothy and Piggies. We became game producers. Everyone at our office seems to love us,and even pick up on how close we are with fantasizing and pointing it out. Hamelin compliments Aladdin yet again, saying he's impressive. His tone here is very soft. Very cute.

ch 4; Aladdin and Hamelin make a plan to save the world. the two live together in an abandoned apartment now. We had a small disagreement in wave conversation. But remain respectful and see through the other. Both of them point out everything they achieved in this world, they did together, and decide they will save the world together. We want to be partners to the end. "Both believed in the capabilities of their partner with their whole heart… " Both make good ideas and say "As I expected of you…" and both say they are both exceptionally talented perfectly in harmony.

We set our scheme in motion. Hamelin: Aah, it's nice to be able to talk to you so quickly, Aladdin. You're so efficient and beautiful. I'm so glad you came here with me. Aladdin: I'm glad I came here with you too, Hameln. The relationship I have built with you is something money can't buy!

Hamelin does not point out what he sees beautiful on Aladdin specifically,which is unusual. Does he just believe Aladdin is beautiful as a person? Aladdin who says money can solve and buy anything. Wow. He sees his bond with Hamelin differently.

Sadly the plans do not work out. They are looking over a devastated Tokyo on Christmas Eve. It is pointed out by alot of the fandom,but Christmas Eve is our romantic holiday. The set up feels very close connected. Because the two got exposed to desire working with Pokelabo, they succumb to turning to nightmares eventually, but seemed to fight it off longer than most. During this time they hold each other by the shoulders and pat each other to acknowledge their efforts comforting.

But sadly we were holding onto each other, so we lost our minds and did not realize it as we turn to nightmares. We wind up turning and accidentally kill each other by stabbing laying in the snow together. We did not realize what had happened, probably. Christmas's first snow falls on their bodies, creating a more beautiful and tragic and personal atmosphere.

Poor Aladdin and Hamelin. I hope the story can give them both a conclusion and they can continue to rule the world together. they are very important to each other. it is set in the official writing. I wonder how this arc will conclude? The end…. for now.

[matan4il]

I hated the finale. Yes, I’m disappointed about the complete lack of Buddie, but mostly I’m just mad at how they sort of did Buck dirty. Almost all of his character growth over this past season just went out the window the instant he asked Natalia to help him pick out a couch. He said all of his couches came with past girlfriends and he wants to find one he likes and spent ALL SEASON with this mindset and then all of a sudden just decides that this new girlfriend is gonna pick out a couch as well?

They also very abruptly ended the sperm donor plot line. So he’s just like perfectly fine now with being a donor not a dad? He went from worrying about the whole situation to acting like he almost couldn’t care less if he saw this kid again or not.

Idk, maybe it’s just me but the whole episode was extremely rushed and, in my opinion, completely rid of any character development that Buck had throughout the season.

Hi lovely!

Trust me, I very much feel you. Like I wrote in my 618 meta, I agree this ep felt very rushed. I'm also with you on how, at the end of the day, the point was supposed to be for Buck to find a couch that HE is happy with. That he doesn't need a gf's approval and say when it comes to the couch that's meant to serve him. That it's supposed to be HIS choice. Then he turns around and asks a new gf that he barely knows to be a part of this choice. IDK why, because this really does go against the things they explicit set up in 601, and is presented as if it's progress. As if the whole point is to get to have a couch again, not to have a couch that HE CHOSE.

When I take this together with Eddie's barely there story with Marisol, I guess it feels like someone decided that if this might be the last ep, then everyone MUST end up in a r/s, no matter how underdeveloped, no matter how much it goes against previous plot points, and preferably the r/s should be an opposite sex one. It just felt very heavy handed in how heteronormative it all was. And maybe for the sake of shoving Natalia in, they resolved the whole sperm donor thing in a very clunky way, too. I guess my main reason for my sense of not knowing to explain the finale is that I have no idea when they found out 618 might be the show's finale, so IDK to what a degree the ep was shaped by last minute decisions that derailed the original ideas they had for these story arcs, or did they go into s6 believing it might be the last season, and this was sincerely how they envisioned the end of the show, what they were building towards.

Either way, I'm just grateful that it's not the last season. That we do get more time with our favorite firefighters. That ABC will have the chance to give them more chaos and more love together, and hopefully, when the time comes, a better show finale than this.

I hope this helped and you have a great day! As always, here is my ask tag. xoxox

[mtdthoughts]

Proof of Growth (Migi & Dali Thought)

I wanted to unpack this scene that I really liked from Episode 10 of the Migi & Dali anime.

As always, *spoiler* warning!

To give some context, the twins plus Maruta attempt to infiltrate the Ichijo house by crossing a rope bridge from a tree branch. The branch is not sturdy as they hoped, and it snapped before Dali was able to get across. As Dali was frozen in panic, Migi instinctively saved his brother using the rope-counterweight method from their past experiences. Dali was astonished at this, but then quickly turns away and quips that Migi got fat. Migi is peeved by this as Dali hides a warm expression, and then the two climb up, with Migi teasing that his growth spurt came first, to which Dali brushes away with a "whatever".

First, I wonder if Dali was actually right about Migi getting fat/heavier, or if he was just lying or making something up, which is definitely in character for Dali. I might not be the best at physics, but perhaps the difference in the positions is not due to a difference in their weights, but rather something else (maybe where they grabbed the rope?). Besides, if Migi is actually heavier, then I think a more likely cause is that Dali may have lost weight recently. After all, I can't imagine that he'd maintain his weight due to his recent unhealthy habits (e.g. eating and throwing up, being bedridden for several days).

Anyway, the specifics aren't important. What's important is that Migi has come a long way from the child he was before that could do nothing but rely on Dali. He's come to realize Dali's pain, and in order to truly help Dali and lift his suffering, he needs to be able to stand by Dali's side as an equal rather than be below him, and to become "strong" enough so that Dali can rely on and put his trust in him. His promise to bring Dali back home weren't just empty words, he truly has grown from the baby he was at the start of the story to a proper younger twin that can provide the help that Dali needs, shown by how he is literally supporting Dali. I'm sure Dali knows this too, given his surprised reaction as well as his warm expression that he hid, which shows that he was definitely touched by Migi's act of courage and love and was proud of his younger brother.

That being said, Dali still has his pride as the older brother, so he can't just admit that he got saved, otherwise he'll seem weak. That's why he had to hide his face and quickly come up with some quip or insult to catch Migi off-guard. Since Migi isn't exactly the brightest bulb, he easily falls into Dali's verbal trap and gets distracted by the "fat" comment. He even tries to make a comeback with the "growth spurt" comment, which barely gets a reaction from Dali. Had he said something like, "Looks like your little bro saved your butt this time!" I'm sure Dali would have really been humbled and would have lost this exchange. I guess this goes to show that Migi will always remain the little brother in this relationship.

Perhaps Migi didn't have an actual growth spurt, but he has certainly grown where it really matters, and Dali couldn't be happier to see this. Because now, Dali no longer stood alone, as he now had a brother that can stand by his side as an equal, and one that he can rely on just as Migi relied on him.

[kanansdume]

I am honestly just so happy that Cassian appears to be remaining the lead character of Andor. After the absolute clusterfuck that was Book of Boba Fett, with what happened to Temuera Morrison and Ming-na Wen being sidelined on their own show for a more popular character and 50 million cameos, I didn't have high hopes for Andor and Cassian. I was worried when they insisted this show was going to be an ensemble show even if it was named Andor, that Cassian and Mon Mothma were going on parallel journeys and it wasn't just Cassian's story.

And in some ways, that remains true. Obviously Cassian's story and Mon Mothma's story aren't overlapping all that much aside from both being connected to Luthen Rael. The same is true for Dedra, that her story doesn't overlap much with Cassian's except for through that one piece of technology Cassian stole.

But the guiding light here, the one thing that seems to connect everybody in the show, is still Cassian.

Mon Mothma's connected through Luthen to CASSIAN. Dedra is connected to Cassian's stolen item. And literally everyone else is directly connected to him somehow.

There are sub stories and parallel stories in this show, but it still comes back to CASSIAN. Cassian's story and Cassian's growth and development and choices and emotions drive every aspect of this show in some ways.

Mon Mothma's in there because she parallels Cassian. Saw Gerrera will be in here because he parallels Cassian or helps to allow Cassian to grow. Luthen is Cassian's catalyst. Dedra and Syril are antagonists. The Aldhani characters are his first introduction to what a Rebellion looks like. The Ferrix characters help tell us who he is in this time of his life, what his origin is.

And even just in terms of screentime so far, Cassian still seems to far outweigh anyone else. The focus and the most interesting and dynamic pieces of story right now are given to Cassian. Mon Mothma's scenes are just about showing her family dynamic. Dedra will get like a scene or two about chasing her lead on the rebels. Syril is moping. But Cassian is on a heist, he's actually DOING things and we get to SEE HIM DO THEM. With Mon Mothma, we actually skipped right over her big event and just saw the aftermath of the dinner party that was discussed last episode.

Which just comes back to how they refused to use the Volume because they felt like it wouldn't help tell the story they wanted to tell. The characters they chose are all in here because they help tell the story they want to tell. And that story is Cassian's. It's about the little people in Star Wars, still. The ones with seemingly the least power rising up and showing how much they actually do have. The marginalized, the forgotten. That was part of the big draw of Rogue One was that none of these characters would be remembered in history. The final few scenes in the film are all about Darth Vader and Leia, the people who do get remembered. But what lets those scenes really sing, what makes them WORK SO WELL is not really Darth Vader OR Leia in my opinion, but the fact that we just spent two hours watching a bunch of people work their asses off and then die for those plans. To thwart Vader, to allow Leia to do what she does. Vader and Leia wouldn't be doing anything without those characters and no one will ever remember their importance to the story.

And that's kind-of the point of Cassian to me in some ways. He isn't going to be remembered, that's not the point. What he does still matters, whether he's remembered or not. His choices matter, his motivations matter, his love and rage matter.

And this show gives that to us, so well. And I do hope it keeps it up. It has time to disappoint me still, I suppose, but for now I don't think it will.

[the-chubby-berry]

(This is a little story that I created with one of @encouraging-growth's characters. More specifically his tailor character, Adam Pose. Hope y'all enjoy) It was near closing time at the Berry Bean and Missy Berry was starting to do her usual closing routine when she heard someone enter the cafe. “What a pleasant and quaint place you have here Missy. A shame I haven’t visited sooner.” Missy perked up hearing that familiar voice. “Mr.Adam Pose! Fancy seeing you here on the outskirts of town. Much less here in my store.  It is near closing time but for someone like you whom I can not thank enough times, I can stay open a little longer. Please go have a seat, I can only imagine how long and tiresome your day was. The place over by the fireplace is open. Don’t worry I should have big enough chairs over there. Don’t be afraid if any of the cats jump on you. They are all friendly.”

 As Adam sat down, a large orange cat pounced right into his lap. He was startled at the sudden intrusion by the furry friend but it was a welcome one. The cat curled up on his lap right next to his hefty belly and purred loudly. “Oh my, it seems like you have a bad case of purr-aylsis. Sam is quite notorious for giving my patrons the unforgiving condition” she teased as she started to make the dear tailor some tea and treats.

As she brought over what she made, they noticed that Adam seemed… distant. Missy cared about her regulars and while this was Adam Pose's first time at her cafe, she still felt a sort of bond between them due to the sessions she had at his shop to help with clothing. “Here you go. Some spiced cherry tea and a few treats.” “Thank you, dear.” He said reaching for his wallet to pay for the food. She stopped him. “It's on me tonight.” 

A lengthy period of silence happened between them. The crackling of the fire and the gentle purrs of the numerous felines of the café echoed in the mostly empty store.

Missy was the first to break the silence betwixt them. “You seem a bit blue hon. I should know a thing or two about people being blue considering I'm infamous for it” she quipped, in an attempt to get a laugh. Adam let out a weary chuckle, keeping his hands busy with the cat in his lap. “It's nothing Missy. Just a little tired”. 

Missy scowled and crossed her arms. Speaking with an underlying tone of concerned mother “Sir Adam Pose I know “Just Tired”. You aren't just tired. Something is going on.” She sighed, taking a seat across from him. “Look we don't need to push the issue but I can tell something is up. I have heard through the grapevine about some of your past. I am not sure if any of it's true but if it is, it's clearly weighing you down. Not just that by the look of your hands, it might be affecting your work. You haven't exactly been known to mess up your work easily yet I see many bandages on your hands today.” 

He sat there silently, his hands no longer busy with Sam, who was nudging his hand. He hid his hands in his pockets not wanting anyone else to see. Sam sadly meowed. He stayed in Adam’s lap just to be a comforting presence.

“I'm performing just… fine… Not a lot of new clients but who needs them anyway. Who cares if I'm losing clients? I am not the only tailor in town so they probably found someone who hasn't had as many damned screw-ups.” 

Missy sat there and listened as he talked. Sam was nuzzling up against him as well. After Adam was done expressing himself, Missy stood up and gave him a big hug. Taking her seat once more, she sternly spoke to him “Listen here you lovely bastard, I do not care what is spread about you. You are a good man Adam. No matter what your past was, that's what it is, the past. The clients that leave, they do not care about you. They care about the flashy outfitter who gets flirty with them. Not the man who is human and has a deep passion for his work. Even if there are other tailors out there, I would not trust any of them with my garments except you. You're the only one that has such ambition and care. Especially for us bigger folk. I can't think of people who do your kind of work. You're not just another tailor. You are Adam Pose, the Tailor of Supple Row.” 

Adam blushed and smiled a little hearing that. “Aww, there's that smile I know you for and is that a blush? Here I was thinking you were the master of cherries. But you're blushing just about the same shade as a maraschino. I didn't even put anything in your tea to turn you into one. Though I will say, you would make quite the handsome and delectable one. Though perhaps a black cherry may be more your style don't you think?” she teased. He laughed a little. “Perhaps you're right darling. But not today. I still got many commissions to do.” Missy playfully pouted. “Aww, that's no fair. Can't you just take tomorrow off? The cats could always use someone to warm up against.” “Yes, I'm sure” She laughed “Okay, okay, I’ll let you go, Adam.” Sam leaped off of his lap and disappeared into the back with the other cats. Missy gave Adam one last embrace before allowing him to leave the coffee shop.

When he got back he noticed he had a card in his pocket when he went to go reach for the key to his store. “Hmm? When did this get here?” He opened it. Attached to the card were two buttons shaped like fruits. One was a blueberry and the other a black cherry. He grinned as he read the card. “You're welcome to be at the Berry Bean anytime Adam. Don't be a stranger!”

[monotonecomplainyguy]

For the send a fandom: Tsushima.

Left field. Bitch.

Mofo making me add yet another game onto this blog, spoiler alert I loved ghost of tsushima and think everyone should play it. ps. spoilers ahead cause I cant for the life of me figure out how to hide text till you click it.

The first character I fell in love with: tbh Yuna, her blatant disregard for the rules and expectations in favor of doing good is great, even if that good is selfish from time to time. Her growth throughout the story just reaffirms this even more too.

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: That'll have to go to Masako, her introduction led me to believe that her as a character would be nothing more than a cheap revenge ploy, and while her questline kinda leaned into that hard her as a character grew on me. The duel with her had me literally yelling that I better not have to kill her.

The character everyone else loves that I dont: Shoot me, but Ryuzo. As a character hes as good as every other major character but thats why I dont like him, his betrayal hits hard especially after listening to the banter between him and Jin about their childhoods. As they spoke about parting ways after their initial duel I seriously hoped they could reconnect over the course of saving their home.

The character I love that everyone else hates: I dont know if hes necessarily a hated character but Ive heard several people say they really didnt like Norio. A lot of people say his quest is two dimensional and bland but looking past that Norio feels like the only character that really understands Jin's struggle with what needs to be done and his expectations as a samurai. Through the second and third act he feels like a reassurance at Jin's back, that his decision is a difficult one but one that needs to be made.

The character I used to love but dont any longer: Ishikawa, Initially I thought he would be the basis for a growing understanding that what Jin and Yuna did was necessary, especially with what he did with Tomoe. But he remained just as stubborn and while I can understand why it doesn't mean I have to like it. Hes a good character but not my cup of tea.

The character I would totally smooch: Probably no one in the way you would expect, but Yuriko needed a kiss on the forehead and praise for doing such a good job even in her old age and told not to worry about Jin. At least she was one of the few that got to pass peacefully.

The character I'd want to be like: Taka hands down, he tries so hard to be something hes not, and when he found a way he could help he put his heart into it. Then even in the face of the Khan he put on a brave face and knowing full well he stood no chance tried to do what he thought was right. In many ways hes a reflection of Jin yet not so gifted that he can fight for his home, yet he still raised a sword when it mattered the most. His death by far killed me the most.

The character I'd slap: Lord Shimura, this man infuriates me so much yet I cant hate him because of how sad he is. The ending killed me, seeing his pain in having to face Jin, losing the person he considered his Son, and even more so after sparing him. He could've helped change everything and even if he disowned Jin officially he could've still let him go after everything that happened. But now he continued to be shackled by his idealology of honor and it forced him to push away his son all the more. I get its not easy to change what someone is raised to believe in whole heartedly but you would expect the loss of the last of your family to help with that, but no.

A pairing that I love: Jin and Tomoe, I feel like they are two very different edges of the same coin. Jin choosing a path that leads to a great many regrets that become overshadowed by the good that followed, and Tomoe falling down a selfish path filled with many more regrets and struggling to correct it. Is this generic? maybe, is it cliché enough that I like it still? of course. What do you want from me cliché is my middle name. Also yes Im aware she hardly had any screen time and her and Jin hardly interacted, I like thinking about unlikely things, its called headcannon for a reason.

A pairing that I despise: I dont despise it but I dont really like it either, Jin and Yuna feels kinda wrong. The two of them went through so much together and it feels like one of those dynamics thats very rooted in a deep friendship and nothing more. Plus after spending so much time together in so many stressful scenarios changing how they see each other would be a monumental challenge, especially after Yuna lost Taka and would most likely be hesitant about getting close to someone else. Losing a family member often causes people to push away the thought of relationships for awhile.

[infuschia]

idk

hi guys i am so sorry for totally ghosting :/ i know that's the worst feeling with a fic you love and i'm so so sorry. i'm gonna be so straight up, i have had a WILD life from even before i started this fic up until right now - and although things are finally starting to take shape and calm down to say the least, i lost a lot of myself during that time. i grew in many ways as well, but i think there's just been a lot that happened to me over the past year or so that held me back from goals i have or the type of person i wanna become or whatever, and without going into detail, i cannot lie alot of it has been really really hard. i definitely used writing as an escape/coping mechanism of some sort for the negative feelings i was experiencing - and that can be super helpful for real plus i've BEEN in therapy lol, but i also still found myself retreating away from parts of my life that would have been good for me and my growth to pursue, and i can't be doing that anymore. as much as i fell in love with writing all this for you guys, it ended up taking up a lot of space in my mind as more of a distraction from my own setbacks and issues instead of being something wholly good for me, if that makes sense. unfortunately - THE MOST PAINFUL MIC DROP iamsosososorry - that distraction has had to end. some lowkey rock bottom moments forced me to take a better look at my life for what it really is AND for what i want it to be, and at this time i do need to step back from the false life i created in this story and step back into my real one. not that i was like living in my bedroom on my laptop or nothin LMAO i'm just sayin there have been some things i know now i can't continue with in the same way that i did before, in terms of what i spend my time and energy on. i can't say for sure that i'll never be back but i don't wanna be making any promises i can't keep. I LOVE AND APPRECIATE ALL OF THE LOVE SO MUCH OVER THE YEAR I SPENT WORKING ON THIS FOR YOU ALL i NEVER EXPECTED like anyone to read it so just every split second you even spent CONSIDERING this fic was just music to my soul and i again can't begin to describe how wonderful it's been hearing from you all and knowing that at least in some small way i was able to add a bit of joy to your lives. it's not goodbye, it's see you down the road - LMAO IGNORE MY MELODRAMATIC ASS SO SILLY but fr. over the summer i fell in and out of love and back again (MAYBE I SHOULD NOT SAY LOVE LMAO maybe lust and some feels LOLOL BUT MAN IDEK AIFSHJABJHD) with an old potential guy of sorts (have talked on and off for the last three years bruh hometown crush), and after all this time of never actually being upfront about what we thought of each other we were FINALLY honest with each other about how we felt on things, just before having to go back to school in different parts of the country - with a hope to see each other again down the road #romantic? #idek. i hope it works out with him, maybe my romantic ass is just bein delusional asf but i also just have that feeling that we'll find each other again when the time is right. and maybe just maybe i'll be back at this when the time is right - but all i know for sure is that, just like with this man-whos-not-my-man-but-may-just-be-one-day, right now i gotta focus on loving myself above all. THIS IS CRAZY SO MUCH WRITING I KNOW but i know how it feels to have a fic you like just drop off the earth so i guess better something than nothing, better late than never. SO so so much love forever and always. you guys all have my heart no matter who you are, where you are, or whenever you're reading this. LOVE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH YOURE AMAZING AND KEEP ON BEING YOU CUZ THATS INCREDIBLE ON ITS OWN <3 <3 <3 see you down the road my friends xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[biggs-regretti]

Harrow and Val thoughts

Harrow and Valentine are so... I need to flesh out more of their lore. Val's lore is more or less written out but I need to write out Harrow's story. and I for sure need to write out the impact Valentine had on Harrow and vise versa because it's so imperative to their growth Rambles below! (this is touching on lore I've very much already thought out pretty well but its not ALL of it)

Val being so love-core he comes off very open and loving & as much as that is true, he's also careful not to give away too much of himself. It's not to say he refuses love or that he's never bothered with love, 'cause Val is so painfully full of love. He just has a lot of guilt related to his past with love and that holds him back on truly allowing himself to be known. It makes how he acts seem like a façade and while I'll label it as such here, he very much means what he says and cares with his whole being. He just doesn't give that same compassion to himself- due to his past, he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people he cares for and while most see it as heroism and in a way it still is an act of bravery and heroism because he does a good job of it, he also feels he has to do it- because a life lost or hurt because of his inability to protect them is a loss for him, no matter how many people he saves. like for Valentine, If the only person wounded by the end of a fight is him and the opposing force then that is a win in his book. and this kind of mentality is where Harrow comes in-

Harrow on the other end of the spectrum entirely has never found any reason to think about love let alone deal with something like that as a marine. He comes off very cut throat and abrasive and mean and while he is a serious guy & takes his work seriously, he's pretty observant when it comes to others and dare I say rather empathetic even if he doesn't verbally acknowledge it a lot of the time. That being said, he isn't afraid to call someone out on it and it's never been difficult for him but with someone like Valentine. it's so baffling to him that someone who is so overwhelming loving and caring and compassionate wouldn't show themself the same kindness. and this fact seemingly isn't even noticed by the people closest to val. He can't stand to see someone with so much, risk EVERYTHING. because even in not knowing everything about Val, he's been pursuing Captain Valentine for a long time and he also knows that a truly good man like Val doesn't deserve to feel like an afterthought to others, even if its his own doing I think that infuriates him as much as it confuses him. I mean it's Val's kind gesture (the one that ended in Val getting a harpoon to the chest) that makes Harrow question his future as a Marine, not that he was ever Loyal %100 but he was good at what he did and it's all he knew- then comes in Valentine, slowly but surely.

Sort of a "two sides of the same coin" or maybe just a case of opposites attract? Val with his façade and Harrow's tough exterior needing some tlc. Both seeing right through the other so clearly and wanting so badly to help. that's really all it is in the beginning

Opposing forces having what the other needs so desperately + wanting to give it. Neither expecting anything in return let alone any feelings but more than willing to push the other in the right direction in the mean time. They're technically slow burn but.. gosh i love them..

ofc I can't get into the nitty gritty of their stories here but I hope u see a lil bit of what I'm cookin- they're very much in love and meant to be together. (this was pasted from twitter and I just ended up adding a bit more, maybe I'll write something more & a bit better/ more organized here or on ToyHouse or something later on)

[lire-casander]

i hear your name in every word i say

surprise! i bet you didn't expect me to post today, did you? well, @wtfuckevenknows @moviegeek03 and @laelipoo did (because you're such enablers and you know it!), but i wanted to keep this as much a secret and a surprise as i could because i didn't know whether or not i could be able to post this in time.

special thanks go to @morganaspendragonss and @de-ligts for the fastest beta-reading in the whole world. you guys rock!

if you're reading on a computer, please roll over the spanish texts to find the translation. if you aren't and need translation, please let me know and i will do my best to come back to you with it asap!

the title and quote from last part of this story come from hanson's song every word i say. but there are more songs by them that have inspired me to write this story, especially underneath, a song to sing, save me, never let go, and with you in your dreams. if you've been around long enough, you probably know by now that they're my comfort band, and they've got a song for every single emotion out there. name one emotion, i can easily quote a hanson song back at you.

you will also find quotes from ronen and rafael's exclusive interview with entertainment weekly.

i hope you enjoy reading this fic as much as i've enjoyed (and cried) writing it. i started this without having watched the finale, so at some point it might be a bit off, but no matter what, this is what i would have liked the wedding and the vows to go. just like i did a couple of years back, this story is written for me. i've tried to convey all i felt while watching this season, discovering new sides of my favorite characters and facing some things, such as grief and pain and self-growth alongside them. sometimes a person needs to do something that's deeply and intrinsically for themselves.

this is one of those times.

i love you all. thanks for being here with me this time around, and here's for another revolution around the sun!

i hear your name in every word i say

masterlist of fics here

sitting all alone in this place

even though we're here face to face

there is nothing gone

but there's something wrong

can't you see that i'm stuck here underneath

TK never thought he’d be in this situation on his wedding day. If he’s being honest with himself, four years ago he wouldn’t have even believed he was worthy of love, much less worthy of being loved so much that someone might want to tie the knot with him. But it’s not the wedding he’s worried about. They’ve postponed everything on Carlos’ request, and they will find another venue and another date that’s not so close to Gabriel’s passing, so it doesn’t hold bad memories for Carlos and his family. He knows Carlos asking for a bit of time and space doesn’t mean he doesn’t love TK anymore; he’s grown confident enough in the love they share to be aware of that. But there’s more to it than just Carlos dealing with his feelings, and TK can’t help it.

He’s worried about Carlos. That’s what true love, soulmate-level love, does to a person.

When there’s an illness, the family has some time to get used to the idea. Not to accept it, because nobody’s wired to accept death without fighting it. But the little time the illness grants gives a little perspective, precious minutes to say goodbye, to honor that person. But when death falls upon people like a stone thrown into a river, there’s no time for anything but crying, no space for anything but anger.

TK knows it well.

Carlos hasn’t been sleeping at all. TK gets it — when his mother passed, he’d fallen into unhealthier patterns than not sleeping. But it’s one thing not to sleep a wink at night and then fall asleep briefly on the couch, and a completely different thing to not want to sleep. Gabriel’s loss is still recent, merely hours, not even a full day; it’s expected that his family won’t be able to function properly yet. But Carlos’ attitude is different. Carlos isn’t just angry.

Carlos is plotting vengeance.

And it’s not that TK doesn’t get it. He does; oh, boy, does he. It’s that he knows the toll it will take on Carlos’ soul — Carlos, who has never intentionally harmed anyone, is now planning an intervention, thinking about going full Rambo on some suspect they’re not even sure is the one behind the shooting. TK doesn’t know how to help his fiancé without causing more damage that could probably be permanent. He’s aware of the stubbornness of grief and the insanity of mourning.

Neither suits Carlos, but TK can’t do anything about it without breaking the trust that he’s promised to keep.

keep reading on ao3

[dorothygale123]

Today's subject: footbinding! Or more specifically, the myth about the dumbass that started it!

For those who don't know, footbinding is the old Chinese practice of taking young girls and physically restraining their feet in their growth period to keep them small and 'delicate.' It is a very painful process that causes severe complications with mobility that only get worse as you get older. Thankfully, footbinding has been banned in China since 1912, but centuries of girls and women had to suffer through it.

So what kind of psychotic bastard would go out and create it?

Our story begins with the goddess Lu O, cited as having helped keep the world up when it was still forming and becoming a patron of women with shrines to her being built by ladies seeking her aid. This is where Chow-sin, the last king of the Yin dynasty and a real piece of work. You see, he takes one look at Lu O's statue and decides that this ancient and powerful goddess obviously has nothing better to do than become one of his wives. Lu O takes offense to this, obviously, and starts thinking about how to punish him.

One of her attendants, a fox, steps up and says "No worries boss, I got this!"

He does not got this.

Back on earth, the king's officials are trying really hard to convince him that trying to marry a goddess maybe isn't such a good idea, when one of them steps up and volunteers the daughter of a viceroy he doesn't like, saying she's the most beautiful woman ever. The king takes the bait and sends his 'proposal' over.

The viceroy, Su-nan, is understandably reluctant to send his sweet baby girl to this asshat. So reluctant, in fact that they go to war over it for several years. Eventually his daughter, Ta-ki, says she can't stand the suffering for her sake to go on any longer and begs her father to surrender. He eventually does, and Ta-ki is sent to marry Chow-sin.

Now, remember that fox I talked about 2 paragraphs ago? He decides NOW is the best time to show up. Not any time in the past 5 years where there was war and suffering, but now.

😑

Anyways, just before Ta-ki is sent off to marry the king, the fox comes into her room and is all like

"Hey, can I borrow your body? I promise to screw over Chow-sin with it!"

"Will you be responsible with it?"

" ..... yes?"

"........... Then I guess so?"

So he possesses her and because he sucks at his job, his feet turn into itty bitty fox feet. Deciding no one would care and nothing he did would impact generations of women to come, he decides to leave them.

(ノ｀Д´)ノ彡┻━┻

So he marries Chow-sin and not only becomes his favorite wife and convinces him to do all kinds of horrible, tyrannical things, he also wows the entire court with Ta-ki's beauty. However, no matter what they did they could never be as pretty as her. The only thing they could hope to imitate was her tiny feet by mutilating themselves and their daughters for the next few centuries.

I swear to God I'm gonna skin him.

Eventually the people have it with the evil king nonsense, rebel and execute Chow-sin. The fox leaves Ta-ki's body and goes back to Lu O for praise ona job well done.

Lu O, the protector of women.

I like to think their conversation went something like this:

Lu O: So, you waited around for five years.

Fox: Yep.

Lu O: Let a war wage on that cost hundreds of men their lives and just as many women their brothers, fathers, or husbands.

Fox: Correct.

Lu O: Possessed an innocent young girl.

Fox: Uh-huh.

Lu O: Used her body to convince the king to commit atrocities- which almost got her executed with him-

Fox: Keyword being 'almost!'

Lu O: Started a painful and debilitating practice that has already caused untold pain for countless girls and women-

Fox: I did? When?

Lu O: And you want to know if you did a good job.

Fox: .... Yes?

I feel like he needed new employment after that.

Sh*tpost Masterlist

[shelbbswrites]

Tell us your DK rambles!! I fear we may need them to get through the upcoming hiatus…

Okay, DickKory Nation, I just rewatched the scene (as if I really needed to, as if I don't have it memorized already) to give my proper thoughts without forgetting anything. And prepare yourself; this is going to be a long post. I can't help it!

So, for context, the birthday scene/dream comes on the heels of Kory learning -- or remembering, I should say -- that her order must rise to stop the chaos. Zadira tests Kory to show that Kory will use her powers as a defense but not an offense, and maybe she should change that since Zadira has seen the destruction that Sebastian will bring, presumably, as Brother Blood.

"He will bring the end of days. I've seen it, and you must, too," is Zadira's line that leads us -- and Kory -- into the dreamscape.

The direction of this sequence is breathtaking. The light flares, the whispy, whimsical energy of it all, the saturated colors, the echoing voices, the hopeful score -- the execution is SO WELL DONE.

And Kory looking onto the scene with such joy in her eyes only to find the Kory in the scene looking back at her. The acknowledgment of what can be -- what will be. The family being together, too? It's not only about Kory, Dick, and Mar'i being a family. Because they are. It's about Dick, Kory, Mar'i, Gar, Rachel, and Tim being a family. Because they are. They're all there together for Mar'i's 4th birthday, and that matters. The implications of that occasion matter, which is why Zadira shows Kory this specific vision -- prophecy if you will.

It's such an intimate scene, and the script and the direction lend themselves to that beautifully. The way Dick looks at Kory while he holds Mar'i. Their Mar'i. It breaks my heart wide open because I want this for them. I need this for them. And so does Kory.

That's why it's so crushing when reality sets in and Kory is left alone at that birthday party. That red balloon floats up to the sky as Kory reels from that whiplash of going from that unbridled joy and overwhelming love to deep anxiety and sadness when she's left alone. Just like that, Kory loses what could be and what should be.

And, still, when she comes to in the Elko diner, she doesn't turn on Sebastian. She doesn't decimate him or blame him. Instead, Kory protects him and fights for him. Even though doing so could mean she loses everything and everyone.

"Your destiny was sealed in the stars long ago. You were never meant to save Sebastian. You were born to kill him."

And yet, Kory cannot rationalize killing someone who has done nothing wrong. Zadira expresses the need to do so before Sebastian brings the end of everything, but Kory can't. She won't. It's a stark difference from where Kory starts the show, as in Titans Season 1. She came to Earth to kill Trigon and Rachel. Now, Rachel is the one who stands by Kory's side, holding her up as Kory vows to stand in defiance of a destiny that means killing an innocent person.

This entire sequence exemplifies Kory's growth, her love for Rachel, her trust in Rachel's belief in Sebastian, Kory's evolving opinion of worth and free will, and Kory's complicated relationship with her Tamaranean duty. It's so much, and it comes up against a scene of tranquility and family and love, and they clash in a kaleidoscope of internal and external conflict. It's a great story.

Titans frequently struggles to find balance in plot-driven and character-driven stories, but this combines them in such an intriguing way that I cannot wait to see what comes next.

[tzigone]

Rewatched Dirty Dancing for the first time in at least a decade

Rewatched Havana Nights, too. I've seen the original mores time, but it's been at least a decade since I've seen either.

Of course, the story is a moment in time and ends there. But people like "what happened next" and I totally went to look for fanfic on it, I admit. Way too many "she's pregnant" stories - hell no. Johnny should not have trouble getting condoms at that time in history and given Penny's recent trauma, I just don't really buy them not using birth control.

But what do I think would happen? Well, I want my couples together. But what do they do, besides be in love? I will say Baby and Johnny are part of the formation and growth of each other and each other and the the events influenced their world views in ways that would linger forever, even if they didn't stay a couple. But I'd keep 'em together, because I'm a sucker for happy ending.

I admit to not watching all that closely this time around, so may have missed details telling us what they might want.

Did Johnny really truly love dance in the sense of wanting it as a career? I know Penny said it was all she ever wanted to do - not sure if she was being honest about it. If I made one really have success at it, it'd be her, I think.

I remember how Johnny felt about about Baby's father helping Penny. Now, yes, saying he's nothing is part of his own skewed view of his own worth. But would he like to be able to do something "important" because it's what he wants, instead of just for the regard it would grant him? That ability to help, and the willingness that Baby had to do so, are something he so admires, and doe he want to emulate it?

I do think Johnny has both desire and disdain for that upper middle class lifestyle (indeed, some of the disdain at, least, is envy-driven, though some deserved, as well). The security, the comfort, the women who take care of themselves and smell nice and all the "softness" and ease are have their appeals. I don't know if he could accomplish it - college isn't expensive then (well, depending on where you are), but affording to live while you are at school is an entirely different thing. And I'm not sure his pride or sense of "rightness" would allow for college-graduate wife Baby paying his way through later (and, of course, he'd be older). College is by no means a necessity, though. But what flavor of meaningful work would suit and please him?

Anyone else think his uncle might be better off than his own folks - union painter/plasterer would not be bad pay (though it depends on how many weeks work there are each year, and, of course, is blue collar).

Baby. Frances. She grew up so much. She went from viewing her father as almost perfect to realizing he was a (still good) man with his own flaws and biases. She learned you can't always change the unjust things, but trying matters anyway. But she's not as naive anymore. It's obviously important that she not give up wanting to help - to make the world a better place. But it's the method of it, I'm curious to. Will she be a lawyer or economist or something else? Certainly, I don't expect her to live in the same sort of "bubble" she grew up in - with the idea that "those people" are "other" - that it's good to help, but that they occupy different social spheres. So I do think she'd want a more mixed (economically, socially, racially) environment and social circle in her adulthood. Does she still go for the Peace Corps or for more mundane help at home? The world and youth culture change so much in the next few years (though we have to be mindful that the actual sixties had a whole lot boring, non-activist, traditional life-style young people), and how is she affected by those changes? Don't want her the cynic.

Then for Havana Nights, there's a whole other pickle with the political elements and consequences. Javier is hopeful for a brighter future. And Castro was quite popular for a quite a while, and there really were significant improvements in life for many. But he not a proponent of violence, and the executions, imprisonments, and setting folks up to spy on each other will not endear him. So how long until he leaves, and what does he do when he does? He's devoted to his family and is the major financial provider for his mother and nephew. Having dependents makes so much more difficult. Will he get leave for the US? Will he get his family there, too or just send remittances? And his brother is a whole 'nother can of worms. Even if he does come to the US, he absolutely not going to mesh well with the earliest/first-wave emigrants, who favor Batista like US influence over Cuba.

Katey is very much the typical teen in that she no idea what she wants to do with her life. She doesn't have a "direction" or dream job or anything like that. Still very much finding her way. Just with broader horizons after her experiences. And far more cognizant of of the impact of politics. Don't know what I'd have her do.