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she-wolf09231982 · 4 months

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Chapter 3- The Business

Summary: On June 6, 1944, D-Day, C47’s with thousands of paratroopers cross the English Channel to France, where they come under heavy fire. None of you land where you’re expected to, and many lose their weapons and supplies in the drop. Even worse, you are separated from Liebgott. Fortunately, you do land near LT Winters, who links up with solitary soldiers, then set off to find other units.

A/N: Mature audience, Joe LiebgottxFem!Medic, post D-Day, She/Her Pronouns, Y/F/N, Y/L/N, Cursing/Swearing, Enemies to friends, Derogatory Slurs, Womanizing Comments, Aggression, Angst, Confrontation, Military Terminology, 1940’s slang, Inappropriate Nicknames, Band of Brothers References, Mentions of Weaponry, Wounds/Injuries, Smoking, Crying, Banter, Pining, FLUFF Chapter takes place 1x2 Day of Days & 1x3 very early Carentan

*These stories may not fall entirely in accordance with the TV series timeline. I do not know the real soldiers the actors portray in this series, so please understand I show no disrespect. Some or most of the historical events and character interactions in my fanfics are fabricated purely for the sake of the enjoyment of fiction*

~~~~~~~

“Y/L/N!” Winters shout whispers to you, waving you over to come to him.

You had landed in the middle of a field, tall grass quite overgrown, and dark as hell. You gather your chute to keep the wind from pulling you off, then hurry over to him.

“You ok, corporal?” Winters asked.

“Yes, sir.” You respond no louder than anyone but him to hear.

Although you say you’re physically ok, your internal activity is utter chaos. Your eyes were constantly on the move from left to right looking for German threats, your fellow jumpers...but most importantly for Liebgott.

During the flight, you were sitting directly across from him. You secretly wished to be next to him so you could land closer to eachother after the drop. Instead, you jumped right before LT Winters, whereas Liebgott jumped and probably landed long before you had left the plane.

Another soldier about ten feet away hustled over.

“Flash!” Winters called out.

“Shit!” The unknown soldier responded.

“I don't think that's the correct reply, trooper. I say 'flash,’ you say ‘thunder.’” Winters advised him.

“Yessir.” The soldier replied nervously.

The unfamiliar soldier was Private John Hall from Able Company. He was the radio man until he lost his radio in the jump. Nobody landed where they were supposed to, and it was clear that everyone was scattered.

You remained to the rear of Hall and Winters to secure behind you in case any Germans approached from behind. The three of you make it to a tree line and enter the woods to get some proper concealment.

“We'll locate some landmarks to get our bearings. Keep your eyes peeled for buildings, farmhouses, bridges, roads, trees.” Winter instructed.

You hear a rustle in the thicket across the stream from where you had been walking. Winters motioned for you all to camouflage yourselves against the brush of some bushes. Winters takes his clicker, then signals to who he deduced were American soldiers by clicking twice. Four clicks in response confirmed they were Easy Company members.

“Lieutenant Winters, is that you?” Lipton questioned.

Sergeant Lipton along with two paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne crossed the stream and you all kneeled in a circle to figure out the next course of action.

“Sir, I saw a sign back that aways, said, ‘Sainte-Mère-Église.’” Lipton declared.

Winters pulled out a map, flashlight and small compass, while an 82nd troop threw a raincoat over him for light control so not to give away your position.

Winters stated it was at least a four hour walk to the assembly point, so you all got walking. You run into Privates Malarkey and Rob “Popeye” Wynn, as well as Corporal Joe Toye.

Easy Company began greeting eachother, relieved to see that some of you made it safe to the ground. Toye gave you a few heavy pats on the back.

“Son of a bitch! You made it, doll!” Toye acknowledged, impressed by your gumption to survive such a vicious drop.

“Good to see you, L/N!” Malarkey was all smiles as he brought you in for a one-armed hug.

When you pulled away, his facial expression turned uneasy.

“Seen Joe?” He asked concerned.

You could only shake your head, too afraid to speak about it outloud so not to make the worst-case scenario a reality.

Malarkey put a hand on your shoulder giving you an encouraging squeeze.

“I’m sure he’s fine.” He whispered to you. You each exchange weak smiles.

You start the convoy following the train tracks to your next destination. As you’re walking you hear another rustle from behind.

“Flash!” Winters called.

“Thunder! LT Winters? Is that you? Malarkey?” A very familiar voice responded.

Fire and bile bubbled in the pit of your stomach...Guarnere. Just what you needed. You yearned for Liebgott to be here with you now that Guarnere had joined up with you guys.

“Hey, fellas!! Good to see ya, Lark! Toye!” Guarnere beamed.

As soon as he saw you, he grimaced, spit at the ground the turned around to face Winters.

“Guarnere, keep moving. You and Hall up front.” Winters directed.

After an unfortunate run in with a group of Germans, you push forward towards Sainte-Mère-Église.

It was the longest night ever but as daylight broke, you come upon what looks to be a small farm with several dead Germans lying under a dead paratrooper hanging by his parachute cords from a tree. The group scrounge any supplies left from the casualties, then continued the trek to the assembly point.

Finally, you see in the short distance where the rallying point is. A small town with bombed out buildings served as an assembly point for the Regiment to regroup. After you pass the cow carcasses made to be a makeshift check point at the entrance of the village, you inadvertently start trailing your team as you desperately scoured the main street for Liebgott.

Your heart began to sink into a whirlpool of despair. Your chest starts to tighten as tears begin to cloud your vision causing the world to close in on you. The voices of the men around you are muffled and distant. You wouldn’t even know or care if any of them were speaking directly to you because it felt like everything was crumbling around you. All because Joe was nowhere to be seen or heard.

Lost in your own underworld, ready to yield to what you thought was the inevitable, you clearly hear a single voice that heaves you from your sorrowful conviction.

“Easy Company!” You hear through the crowd.

Only Joe Liebgott’s voice could revive you from this morbid state.

“That has to be him!” You think to yourself.

Your breath hitched as you frantically searched for him. So many men wearing the same uniform made it almost impossible to tell one from the other. Your ability to speak was muted by distress, you couldn’t even bring yourself to call out to him. You almost thought you imagined hearing him at all, until at last, you look ahead up the road, and off to the side, you see him. A wave of relief rains onto you as you stand there stunned.

He shakes Guarnere’s hand.

“Bill! Good to see ya.” Liebgott gestured with a smile.

His expression shifted to concern when he didn’t see you right away. He started to push through the crowd in hopes of finding you. The guys parted a path for him to see you at the other end of the street, motionless as your eyes finally meet.

Joe, excitement spreading across his face, hurried to you. Your legs fail you, bringing you to the ground on your hands and knees.

“Y/F/N!” Liebgott wailed as he broke into a full-on sprint towards you.

When he reached you, he threw himself to his knees in front of you scooping you into his arms.

“Y/N?? Look at me! Are you hurt?”

He brought his face level with yours, trying to look at you. When you finally look up, he held your head between his strong hands to keep your face straight towards his. Tear streaks stained your filthy cheeks. Puzzled, he tilted his head studying you. He took the sleeve of his uniform and gently wiped your face and with his other hand cradled your head. You bring your hands up and hold his hand that supported your head, leaning into his touch.

He looks you over, trying to find any signs of injury. He looks upon you fervently, affectionately running his thumb across your cheekbone. He’s waiting for you say something, anything to reassure him that you’re ok.

Your tears continue to flow, but you’re smiling.

Liebgott chuckled from confusion.

“Y/N, why the hell are you crying?” He asked you.

After a long pause, and a much-needed exhale after holding your breath for so long, you say,

“I thought I’d never see you again...”

He was pleasantly shocked by your response, not to mention absolutely elated. His smug grin surfaced as he gently helped you to your feet.

His hands gripped your shoulders keeping you stable while your hands rested on his chest. He tenderly shifted your head side to side by your chin to examine your face for any scratches or abrasions...or he wanted an excuse to look at you which was likely the case.

“Don’t worry, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” He stated with that unmistakable confidence.

He smiled at you then winked, sending you into a flutter of euphoria.

“So, you missed me, huh?” He added.

You punch him in the shoulder then hug eachother like you’re not right in the middle of a gruesome invasion of Europe.

But you had missed him. You were afraid for him...terrified. Joe had an unshakable presence of rage that drove him straight to the center of danger with no regard for his own well-being. His love language was sarcasm and any form of banter, so if he ever did feel fear, it was never terribly noticeable.

It didn’t matter right now, though. You finally found Joe. Nothing or nobody else was more important.

~~~~~~~

Winters was told to select some men and lead an assault on a French estate called Brécourt, about 300 yards from where you all were rallied. The Germans have installed four 88mm antitank cannons that were firing directly on Utah Beach and inflicting heavy casualties. Easy Company’s objective was to flank the Germans from behind and demobilize them so American soldiers had safe passage onto the beachhead.

Only having 13 Easy Company members accounted for, this left them having to borrow men from other companies that they picked up on the way to the town after the drop.

Winters addressed the 13 troops that were selected to go on this next mission. This included Liebgott and yourself.

“The 88s we’ve been hearing have been spotted in a field down the road a ways. Major Strayer wants us to take them out.”

He had a sheet of blank paper with a map in the center of the circle of soldiers.

“There are two guns that we know of firing on Utah Beach.” Winters drew x’s on the paper signifying where they were located then continued.

“Plan on a third and fourth here and here.” He drew two more x’s before proceeding.

“The Germans are in the trenches with access to the entire battery. With machine gun covering the rear. We’ll establish a base of fire and move under it hard and fast with two squads of three.”

“How many Krauts they think we’re facing?” Guarnere interrupted.

Winters paused.

“No idea.” He responded.

“No idea?” Guarnere retorted while rolling his eyes.

Winters returned to the brief disregarding Guarnere’s passive attitude.

“We’ll take some TNT along with us. Despite the guns. Lipton, your responsibility.”

“Yes, sir.” Lipton replied.

“Liebgott, you’ll take the first machine gun, with Petty A-gunner.” Winters instructed. Liebgott only nodded.

“Plesha, Hendrix, you take over the other. Who does that leave?” Winters asked collectively.

You, Malarkey, Toye, Guarnere, and Compton raise your hands.

“Okay. We’ll be making the main assault. Understood?” Winter added.

You collectively replied “Yes, sir.”

“Alright, let’s pack it up.” Winter ordered.

You all gather outside to prepare your gear. Winters approached you as you crouched organizing your med supplies.

“Y/L/N.”

“Sir?” You say standing quickly, facing Winters.

“I’ll need you more towards the rear, so we have the best chance of maintaining our medical assist in case anyone gets hurt.” Winters ordered.

“But, sir-” You began.

“Remain to the rear.” Winters repeated sternly before you could finish.

You look at him wanting to protest his order, but only sigh reluctantly.

“To the rear.” You confirmed.

You return to prepacking your gear begrudgingly. Liebgott watched you and chuckled.

“What?” You ask him.

He looked over to you.

“You’re cute when you're upset.” He admitted.

Unamused, you decide not to dignify with comment and keep packing your stuff.

~~~~~~~

“MEDIC!!” You hear from a distance after heavy gunfire and explosions unleash relentlessly onto Easy.

You run and duck, racing in the direction of the yelling, weaving and bobbing trying to avoid getting hit by any oncoming enemy fire. You couldn’t hear anything except your own heartbeat as you ran, but managed to find the spot where you were needed.

You jump feet first into the trench, finding Guarnere, Compton, and Lorraine, with ‘Popeye’ Wynn lying on his side crying out in pain.

“I’m sorry, sir!!” Wynn kept yelling.

“Where you hit, Pop?” You shouted.

“Right in the ass!” He yelped.

Compton, Guarnere, and Lorraine laid suppressive fire while you worked on Wynn.

“Lay on your stomach, Pop, I need to see!” You direct him helping turn over onto his front.

You cut through the hole on the seat Wynn’s pants where the bullet made contact, exposing the wound.

“Goddam it, I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to fuck up!” Wynn called out to Compton.

“Pop, just stay still! You’re gonna be fine, buddy.” You tell him as you applied pressure to his wound reaching for your clot powder and bandages.

You project your voice to Wynn, but it’s calm and steady so not to alarm him. The slightest hint of terror in your voice only makes things worse for the wounded was something Doc Roe told you.

“You think you can make it back yourself?” Compton shouted out to you and Wynn.

You both look up at him.

“I think so, sir!” Wynn responded.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere, sir.” You declared.

Corporal Y/L/N, you’re going with Pop to make sure he gets back!” Compton ordered.

“With all due respect, sir, I’m needed here. I’m staying!” You argued as you helped Wynn to his feet to shove him out of the trench.

Compton grunted in frustration.

“He wasn’t asking ya, he was tellin’ ya.” Guarnere snapped at you.

“And I wasn’t talkin’ to you, Guarnere! You just hold the line while I do my job!” You returned with ice in your voice. You carefully crawl out of the trench to go find anyone else that might need your help.

Guarnere scoffed to himself amused by your response.

~~~~~~~

Easy Company along with Spiers’ Dog Company claimed victory at Brécourt, securing the beachhead.

As the two units walked back to the assembly point back at the town, Liebgott caught up with you.

“Hey, Y/N, you alright?” He asked right away. He looked you over and noticed blood stains on your uniform.

You sense his panic, “Don’t worry, it’s not mine. I’m fine, Joe.” You reassure.

He exhaled then gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze, smiling at you when you looked at him.

“Good.” He replied. “I’ll find you later, Gams.” He added with a wink, then rushed off ahead.

You laugh to yourself, a fuzzy feeling rising within you that only Joe could produce after such a horrific situation.

~~~~~~~

That night was spent recovering. The following day orders were given to maneuver to take Carentan where German soldiers were being sheltered. Carentan was the main crossroad between Cotentin and Calvados where the ally force’s tanks needed passage to attack the main objective, Cherbourg.

“Listen up!” LT Welsh shouted. “It'll be dark soon. I want light and noise discipline from here on. No talking, no smoking. And no playing grab-fanny with the man in front of you, Luz. We're taking Carentan. It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah Beach can link up and head inland. Until we take Carentan, they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor's sending the whole division.”

Some of the men begin to grumble under their breath. Everyone started to stir to gather their gear to begin the journey to Carentan.

Walking in a file formation on each side of the road to Carentan, Liebgott makes sure to keep you in his peripherals. You’re behind Toye, who’s talking to Guarnere in front of him.

“Heard Y/L/N gave you the business back at Brécourt, Bill.” Toye teased him.

“Ah shit, Toye, why?” You whispered to him, not thrilled about the instigation.

Guarnere was unusually quiet at first. Probably thinking of something snarky to say about you.

“She sure did, Joe.” He finally responded almost warmly.

Guarnere looked back at you giving you a small smirk before he added, “Ya did good out there, kid.” He complimented you.

You were surprised to say the least. You’ve earned Guarnere’s respect because you didn’t allow his indifference towards you to break you during combat. Not only did you not allow him to shake you, but you also dished some attitude in return, reminding him to keep his focus on the battle. Things were going to be different between you and ‘Wild Bill’ Guarnere. ~~~~~~~

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darkspellmaster · 4 months

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Have we been overlooking the Key to Snake's survival

Spoilers for Recent Chapters of Kuroshitsuji.

So for those who have been reading, I hope this makes sense as I think it's an important factor in this arc. While I know everyone is wondering what is going to happen to Snake, I've noticed that there isn't much discussion about a few players that usually show up when someone dies and the rules the manga has for telegraphing a death.

(I should note that this tends to pertain to important characters usually, and not one offs like Mina and her husband, as I don't recall seeing a Grim Reaper in that arc at all.

During the first arc of Black Butler we met Grelle, who was hanging out with Madam Red. As noted, she was dressed as a normal human butler rather than her usual amazing self.

It wasn't long after that we got her true reveal and Aunt Anne wasn't with us.

We then get the Reapers showing up, namely William, in the circus arc early on as Specs (If I recall correctly).

William hangs around as a hint that death will be coming since he practically tells Sebastian this. Thus we see him reviewing Joker's records at the top of the burning mansion. Signaling that he's collecting the other members as well at some point or did so already. (Since Reapers can be just about anywhere.)

During the Murder arc, we don't have any reaper (sans the former one in the form of Undertaker at the end) and since we know Sebastian is a demon, we can safely assume that the normal mortal way of killing him is out. So no reapers, no deaths for important or known characters.

In the Campania arc (Luxury Liner arc) Ronald runs up and we get him saying hello with his outfit given we're shown his eyes and his suit.

So, again, we know for sure that someone is going to die, or at least there's going to be deaths happening. We also get Grelle back, and Will at the end, it's important to note that the trio do play a big role in giving us lore in this case along with collecting the souls of the dead, more importantly one of the bigger players in the arc, Ryan Stoker. (As with Baron Kelvin, both men have ties to Ciel through their connections. Stoker via Undertaker, and Kelvin to his past within their circles.)

In the Public School arc (Weston) we don't have a reaper at all, (other than Undertaker) and, once again, no death of players occur (as with Mina, and the Banker, the Queen's nephew is a lesser character). So we see the pattern continuing.

Emerald witch sees William and Grelle in Germany with our two German Reapers (Ruger and Sasha), and we have the deaths of several important villains.

Following this we have the Blue Cult, and yet again, no Reaper to be found in the music hall aspect of the Arc. But Grelle and Othello show up following this portion of the arc, and what does Grelle say to Sebastian and Ciel when they meet after finding the dead nobles. She'll see them again soon.

Not long after, Agni dies.

There is no Reaper during the time Ciel is on the run and by Lau's, and there is none during Mei-Rin and Ran-Mao's arc. It's only when we get to Baldroy's arc that we get Ronald once again.

And that leaves us with a twist that Sebastian saves Baldroy's life, along with Lau giving him his blood to save him. Ronald and will then confine Layla/Al, and we're left to wonder what this means in regard to the other arcs.

What have we learned so far, that nearly every time a Reaper shows up some form of death happens. That when a death may occur for an important character a Reaper will show up. So far this has not been broken, save Baldroy's story.

Most are thinking, we'll she's going to twist it. Snake will die because even though we don't see a reaper, that's a really bad cut, and we're getting a flashback.

However I propose that Snake has more of a part to play in this story. He mentions that he and the snakes are from an unknown, far away place. We also have hints of him being in an orphanage. We know from Finny that there were children being experimented upon, and part of the whole arc seems to be showing how similar Snake and Finny are. So I don't believe he's going to die, and I suspect the reason why is due to how influenced this is by Promised Neverland.

In the story there is a character known as Sister Krone, who helps the children out, but for selfish reasons.

In the end, while she does somewhat help the children, she pretty much betrays them for her own safety, though it does her little good in the end.

However, I want to present a character that I think is a call back to Sister Krone, and she has no name as of yet for some reason.

Our Maid on the Right Lower corner has no name, yet is shown to be someone who plays a part in things. She's always around so we see her a lot even though, unlike Susan or (was it Jamie?) the other younger maid, she has no name. Why is that? Why be so prominent yet not have a name? It's an odd thing, and normally a character like her would have some name at this point, why is hers being kept secret it seems.

She's also been shown to be the most nervous about everything. Even in her first appearance she's being shown to be quiet and later when Doll insists, she has a more worried look about things.

She's the one that dropped the plate, and thus again given prominence above the other characters, and, to be blunt, she's one of the few POC characters shown in this place, and I think the only maid here.

What's got my suspicions up is that People keep saying "There's no Ada to save Snake" and yet, we see three maids go down to the lab. Three of them, meaning that all three know how that stuff works.

Susan, the one in the front, Jamie (the girl with the curly hair) and our last unknown maid, who, unlike the other two -who are all business, is looking upset, nervous, and other unknown emotions. She's clearly not a fan of this, and doesn't like this at all, as shown in their entry in Chapter 203.

Come Chapter 204 we get these two exchanges with her.

She questions things, and note her stance. While the other two are, again, all business like, she looks honestly unhappy and uneasy.

Body language reads as:

Upturned brows = can indicate anxiety or worry.

Down turned eyes = indicate feeling uncertain or Guilty.

Hands in the folded position = can indicate being less confident, unsure, insecure, and nervous.

All together it shows that this maid is questioning her role in this, and, as we see with her questions, her slight hesitation, it's clear that she's not sure about what they're doing, and, more than likely, feeling guilty over it.

We see the same reaction from her again when the other maid gives her the dress Ginny was wearing when she was fledged. So it becomes blatantly obvious that we're supposed to pay attention to this woman who is feeling guilty.

We don't see her leaving but we have to assume that she did due to the fact that she's not there during the confrontation.

Which brings us to the big point of who they're hearing.

The kids and Finny are running away from the sounds, but, more than likely the one that's going to run into them is going to be this maid.

So why do I think it's likely going to be this maid that the kids and Finny are hearing.

We Don't see her leaving, but we know she was there with Susan and the other dead maid.

We can assume since she went down with them that she knew about the tunnel and what was going on with Doll, since Susan mentioned bringing out the Radiance in front of her.

Since neither women came back, she's the most likely to go down to see what is going on.

Given that she knows what they are doing she knows how to work the machines, and would have to know how to help. It's also clear from earlier that she was close enough to Susan to go with her down to the area where they kept the children.

Which brings us back to the situation in promised Neverland. In the story Kone gave information to the children, but as I said, betrayed them. If Yana-sensei is using the idea, given all the implications with the story there's something there, from the early arc (Jailbreak I think?) of PN, then it's possible that, unlike the original story, this maid will actually help Snake and the kids.

Given her reactions and her expressions, she's harboring guilt. Finny wanted to stay and help but had to leave. More than likely it's not beyond belief that this maid will run into them on their way out, and, probably use Finnian's blood, or one of the kids blood to save Snake.

Now why would she do that over taking the kids away?

Simplest answer, Finny asks her too and her desire to save a life, over taking one, would probably lead her to do the right thing in this case.

Why Finny's blood?

According to Celtic Legends Finnian, the mythic character, was given the gift of healing from the salmon of Knowledge. When he gathered water into his hands, and one drank from this the person will be healed.

We know that Finny is an experiment, and, given that the scientist shot his siblings/fellow experiments in the head rather than the chest or other body parts to kill them, indicated that the experiments healed. We also see this in the fight with Jumbo that Finny survives Jumbo's hit, and it's good by the next day.

So my theory is that the maid will meet the kids, give aid to Snake, and then likely take the kids away.

To be honest, The one I think has the death mark on him is either Tanaka, or Real Ciel again. Yana did state that Ciel will not make it to his 14th birthday. But O!Ciel is NOT Ciel, and never was. So the Ciel she's probably talking about is R!Ciel.

I know this isn't perfect, but it seems the most likely over Snake being turned into a Bizarre Doll, or outright dying.

The other option is that there are some snakes that can heal their own wounds, or he could shed his skin and heal himself that way.

#kuroshitsuji spoilers #kuroshitsuji theory #kuroshitsuji #kuroshitsuji theories #black butler #disney #ciel phantomhive #snake #black butler finny #kuroshitsuji finny #black butler snake #kuroshitsuji snake #kuro spoilers #chapter 204 #Chapter 203

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clatterbane · 2 years

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Farewell, shitty Jason Voorhees cosplay!

And hello... particularly fucked up SFX sclera lens?

(Was actually putting off looking at it until after getting home. Already more than enough to process. They did warn me it was super bloodshot, but I still wasn't quite prepared for...that. It's basically bruised all to hell, as the nurse was saying today. She seemed half-surprised that I didn't have a shiner to go with it. Gruesome enough for the moment, as it is.)

Yeah, at that followup appointment this morning, basically the first thing the nurse did was take that thing off. And thankfully clean up around my eye safely!

Which I was definitely going to ask about, if they hadn't mentioned it straight off the bat. It was feeling really itchy and soggy under there, and finally getting the thing of my face was such a relief. Not to mention wiped off. I'm apparently good to go with a damp cotton pad as long as I don't press hard or, like, squirt shower water straight into Recovering Eyeball for a while. (And pretty obviously keep shampoo, etc. out of it.) Other than that, it should only need the extra-gentle treatment for about a week.

There is definitely more light getting in, for good or otherwise right now. I can make out larger shapes much better, and actually see if somebody is holding a hand up in front of me. The post-surgical blurriness is evidently from the gas, and should gradually start improving over the next few weeks as the gas gets absorbed. With some annoying visual effects developing from the bubble floating around as it shrinks. Doesn't sound like it could be worse to live with than what Haunted Eyeball has been pulling so far, but we'll see.

Don't want to get overly optimistic, but it did indeed sound like I should hopefully be able to get decent vision back in there. Again, we'll have to wait and...see? Pls?

That would be enough of a change with the lens implant and all, that I am definitely going to be needing new glasses ASAP regardless. Again, no idea how long that might take to stabilize enough. Will likely be going around severely lopsided (with the damned migraines! 💀) for at least a couple of months. Which also isn't really sounding like much change from the near-constant varying level migraine situation right now, but hey. Not looking forward to more of this shit--maybe especially after spending years like that for other reasons (celiac deficiencies screwing up my electrolytes), and finally getting that shit mostly stopped for nearly as many years before this started similar up again. 😬

(In other news, I finally got a brainstorm to try some hopefully appropriately tinted clip-on filters, and see if it helps. I know I do seem to be one of the migraine folks sensitive to cooler wavelengths. Rather than going around most of the time inside the house wearing the polarized likewise convertible shades to block some glare. May need to mess with ordering some from Brexit Island and risk Customs hangups, because I could find several suitable-looking FL-41 options there. Where those were apparently developed and the tinted lenses first used for migraine prevention. 🙄 Not much luck from Germany with clip-ons to use with existing glasses specifically, though that's frequently my first choice now. Much bigger country with more stuff available than here in Sweden, inside the Customs union--and, I can still get by well enough in German to even figure out what magic words might work for searches!)

Anyway, that eye was even more nearsighted, etc. going into this whole mess, and however it stabilizes with the new aftermarket lens? That is liable to make me pretty sick and headachy,cgoing around with a pretty strong absolutely wrong prescription in the meantime. Worst case, I guess I can pop that lens out of my existing glasses and see if uncorrected is less awful? But, we'll have to burn that particular bridge when we come to it.

I'm just pretty relieved to even be able to see someone waving their hand on that side now, tbqh.

The less good news: I get to go back tomorrow! 🙃 Not in the already planned like week and a half.

I also got two more kinds of eyedrops to use more temporarily! For a total of five (5)!

The guy who ended up prescribing the new additions actually scribbled down a full list for me to take home, with the dosing schedules laid out.

Yep, including one that's conveniently called for 5 times a day! 😬 The first horribly frequent one is a steroid with a tapering dosing schedule. Guessing that may be why he missed another one of the initial three prescribed yesterday. I'll figure it out from the labels, and alarms will no doubt be set up. Hadn't been needing to use that pill scheduling app since before we moved here, but I guess it's time to reinstall the sucker!

The issue? The pressure in that eye was registering at 32 mmHg, when it should apparently normally be 10-21. Not totally unexpected with the swelling and all--to the point that they wanted me back the next day after surgery mainly to check pressure. Doesn't sound like this is panic-level high, but enough to try and get it down ASAP to recheck tomorrow.

Thus the extra double header of glaucoma drops, to hopefully bring that shit down. And they had me take a couple of diuretic tablets before I even left the office. Which I then proceeded to MacGyver into a swallowable form, using one end of my pocketknife as a pill crusher and a handy Ziploc with some hypoglycemia backup candy hastily evicted to contain the shrapnel! It kinda worked, even if the doctor was looking on rather apologetically with nearly equal parts fascination and surprise. (After shuffling around to find some hopefully suitable bludgeon, not very successfully.)

The occasional benefits of hauling a bunch of miscellaneous shit around in inventory, I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Pocket knives come in handy again. No wheels of cheese or bees required today, at least. Fresh out of those, sadly.

The pressure was less than alarming enough that this guy and the surgeon decided not to give me a longer term prescription of the Piss Yourself Potion. But, I did get sent home with another single-tablet dose in a little envelope, just in case. Not supposed to take it unless I start having some noticeable symptoms before I come back tomorrow. And instructions to urgently call 1177 if that doesn't fix any problems that might arise.

(Yeah, no symptoms at all so far, that I can tell. I think they got extra hyper over what does seem to be "just" the same-old migraine shit, though. Not lessened by the extra disruption and stress of that appointment. 😑)

Better to play it safe, and all that. And I was somewhat impressed again that they have been very specific about informing me what I should do if I do start experiencing any worrying complications or other symptoms. Especially as compared to experiences dealing with the NHS "Don't call us...no really, just don't" approach over the years.

(Very much including opthalmology, which actually dropped me off their list twice. Besides, erm, just not wanting to hear about the hemorrhages and deliberately choosing not to treat it the only time I did get summoned for an appointment almost a year into Plague Time. 😩)

But, at any rate, I also suspect that this difference in base expectations has been contributing to my worry levels. I am just still not used to anything getting treated as that urgent anymore, though when I think about it? This has been closer to what I would have expected back home. Especially when we had "good" insurance, but also later when I was on Medicaid. Not just with this eye garbage, either. Standards of care in general.

Just because they're willing to work me in ASAP to be safe, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's high time to start freaking out. Or, so I keep telling myself. 🙄

#personal #long post #medical stuff #eye surgery #blood #gore #i guess #opthalmology #diabetic retinopathy #medical fuckery #though thankfully not here so far #medical ptsd #vitrectomy #lens implant #retina surgery

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yumeka-sxf · 6 months

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A chronological analysis on Twilight and Yor - Part 19

*This is part of an ongoing post series. If you missed the Introduction/Part 1, click here*

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The episode where Bond assists Twilight with his mission at the laboratory may not seem like a significant story, but it's actually the first time Twilight has spent a considerable amount of time alone with someone (Bond) with whom he doesn't have to put on any airs – not as Loid Forger, nor as an aloof spy. He has no reason to hide anything from Bond, someone who can't talk or judge. So who is the man revealed in such a rare situation? While at first he's annoyed that Bond's presence could hinder his mission, his annoyance soon turns to empathy. With an uncharacteristically concerned look on his face, he asks Bond if he came to get revenge on the scientists who hurt him and his friends.

We saw in the doggy crisis arc that Twilight has compassion for dogs when he refused to harm the German shepherd that attacked him, and when he gave sincere thanks to Bond for saving Anya. But this episode shows further proof that Twilight sees Bond as more than just "a dog." Not only does he show empathy for what Bond had to suffer through in the past, but he's projecting the very human notion of vengeance onto a dog. He also chooses to trust Bond's instincts rather than send him away…and as a result, his mission is a success! As we'll see in later episodes, his bond with Bond (no pun intended) will only continue to grow.

Unfortunately the same can't be said for Bond's bond with Yor (though it's a totally one-sided thing). We as the audience know that Yor would never act violently towards Bond, but thanks to his misinterpretation of his vision of blackness (which Endo confirms in the fanbook did not mean death), he thinks her food will indeed kill him.

As @piracytheorist pointed out, Bond may not understand that Yor's toxic food is completely unintentional. Since he was traumatized by his time at the lab, where they fed him rancid food, he may equate being fed bad food to some kind of punishment. Plus, being a dog, he may not understand that humans' actions don't necessarily reflect their true intent (misinterpreting the actions of others is such a common theme in Spy x Family, I can even tie it back to Bond!) Doesn't help that Anya put the idea in his head that Yor will kill him if he disobeys her.

It's unfortunate, but at least Yor is oblivious to the fact that Bond thinks this way about her. I know she would feel awful if she knew he was scared of her!

After the "Pastry of Knowledge" incident at Eden, Twilight is again faced with more failing test grades from Anya. But this time, he's more composed about it, even noting that she would have done well on the classical language part had she not made so many spelling mistakes.

@sophiamarieispinkbunny-chan brings up a good point in this post that it's unusual for the ever-suspicious Twilight to dismiss the fact that Anya is knowledgeable about an archaic language of all things. But as we've seen time and time again, he's more likely to turn a blind eye to anything suspicious about Yor, Anya, and Bond compared to anyone else.

This suggests that, though he won't admit it, he could possibly be afraid…afraid that if he digs too deep, he'll learn things about them that could lead to them having to separate. The only exception to this so far has been when he investigated Yor after Yuri's first visit, which is understandable since having an SSS officer so close to him could be disastrous (and of course, he felt guilty about it after).

But in Anya's case here, he not only decides that's it not worth thinking about, he even cooks her favorite dinner that night (hamburger steak) without any complaints. Compared to the very first time he was confronted with her poor school skills, he's definitely learning to be a more understanding father (and a less meticulous spy).

Some time later, Yor meets up with Franky to help him rescue a lost cat. This is probably the first time the two of them have been alone together without Loid present, so Yor feels a bit uneasy about this unexpected social interaction. In typical Yor fashion, she expresses concern for the cat and is eager to help, but also thinks she may be more of a bother to Franky. She also hesitates when referring to Loid as her husband. As I've mentioned in previous posts, at this point in the series, I believe she has a crush on Loid but is clueless about those feelings, so she gets flustered whenever their relationship is brought up.

I find it funny how Yor with all her crazy strength and assassin skills is totally powerless against cats clinging to her! Obviously her power is strictly reserved for the "bad guys" she's sent to eliminate on her jobs (or anyone who threatens her loved ones). Innocent animals are safe, even if they scratch her face a bit!

As Franky comes up with ways to catch Kopi, Yor gives him her full supportive side by continuously praising him for his inventions. However, she has no hesitation about sacrificing said inventions to prevent Kopi from running into traffic.

It not only makes sense that she'd be ignorant about how much work goes into building such a machine, but it also makes sense that she holds nothing back when trying to save someone who's in trouble, even if all notions of acting "normal" go out the window – whether it's this cat, the Eden cow, or confronting SSS officers that threatened her family.

As a side note, another example of Yor's wholesome, humbling personality that's only present in the Japanese version, is that she gives the honorific "-san," which denotes respect, usually translated as "Mister" or "Miss," to everyone (besides Yuri, but that's normal for an older sibling). Not just children like Anya, but even animals. She calls Bond "Bond-san," and in this episode, she calls Kopi "Kopi-san." She even called the terrorists from the doggy crisis arc "terrorist-san."

In fact, Yor uses keigo (the polite form of Japanese speech) excessively, almost to an abnormal amount. This could be a reflection of many things about her character, such as her low self-esteem, eagerness to put those around her at ease, and the possibility that Garden instilled the idea in her that she's just a "soldier" for her country, so she never gave a thought about fulfilling her own identity. However, as I'll discuss later, there are some rare and telling moments where she drops this filter and lets her raw feelings out.

When Yor returns to work later, we see that being "normal" is something she's still hung up about, since she gets very excited when Sharon suggests that she may have finally become "somewhat" so. This scene also shows how good she feels after helping someone out, which carries over to her meeting with Shopkeeper soon after.

Speaking of which, we once again see Yor's naivety about her assassin job that I discussed in Part 13: she thinks of it as just getting rid of "evildoers." But despite her strong desire for this, I never got the impression that she likes being an assassin, as in, she enjoys the act of killing people. Compared to a typical view one would have of someone who willingly kills for a living, she doesn't relish in her murders, taunt her opponents, or display any kind of pleasure from their pain. As we'll see throughout the cruise arc, she's very professional about it, being indiscriminate and earnest with her targets. She kills solely for the sake of others, whether it's to help her family or her country. What she desires is the result of the work – eliminating "bad guys," not the actual act of elimination.

The scene where Shopkeeper launches a surprise attack at Yor, only for her to easily dodge it, reminds me of the fact that Yor is sometimes described as "clumsy," but she's definitely not clumsy on the physical side.

Usually characters in anime/manga who are shown to have traits similar to Yor, like exaggerated naivety and a low sense of self-worth, are also shown to be clumsy in the typical sense of dropping things, tripping, and making messes. But, while Yor has tasks she's not good at, like cooking and sewing, and she occasionally has trouble controlling her incredible strength, she's definitely not clumsy. I'm really glad that Endo didn't give her the "clumsy" trait to go along with her social awkwardness, as it would make no sense for a highly skilled assassin to not be anything but perfectly coordinated with their body. We see many examples of this with Yor, not just in how she overpowers every opponent she encounters, but smaller things, like in her introduction episode where she catches the tray with her foot, and how she swiftly leaps and clings to the ceiling at the pet adoption fair without anyone noticing.

Continue to Part 20 ->

<- Return to Part 18

#spy family #spy x family #sxf #twiyor #spyxfamily #loid forger #yor forger #sxf analysis #sxf meta #loidyor #loid x yor

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squadron-goals · 9 months

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Valenciennes, 25 April 1917

Dear Miss Annamarie! So the cup has not passed me by. So now I live here in a castle near Valenciennes in the middle of an old park and draw from the well of my experience to train young fighter pilots. It's a lot of work, because we have about 80 apprentices here now. I take great comfort in the fact that my "headmaster", Hauptmann Zander, whom I already know as a brave comrade-in-arms from his Jagdstaffel 1, is a competent sportsman and also a great guy in other respects; in his civilian capacity, by the way, he is based in Düsseldorf. Soon Höhndorf will come here as a teacher - then we'll fly to the front every now and then. You see: I have come to terms with my situation to some extent. Only the sense of the whole enterprise is not yet quite clear to me. Back then, we just sat down in the single-seater and started shooting - and lo and behold: it worked. Today we have to retrain diligently. I mean: Either someone has what it takes to be a capable fighter pilot, in which case he can do it without "retraining" - or he doesn't have it, in which case the school can't teach him either. But this may be a view that was true at the time when only people of passion turned to the new fighter aviation; with the present mass influx, a sharp and ruthless selection must now take place, and this seems to me the most important part of my tasks. When I have finished my schoolmaster's work in the evening, I listen on the telephone to what Richthofen and his squires have done during the day, and platonically intoxicate myself with their successes. I fly over to Richthofen as often as I can - it is always a pleasure to be with Staffel 11; there is the same spirit and passion there as in the best times with Boelcke. It is great to see Richthofen with his Moritz. That is his intimate, but a four-legged one. He once bought him as a cute little lap dog somewhere in Belgium for 5 marks. Moritz then took part in the World War, inseparable from his master, was also with us in Russia, and in the meantime has become a giant beast that undoubtedly bears a certain resemblance to an Ulm Mastiff. His master, however, firmly claims that Moritz has a purebred pedigree. Richthofen loves his Moritz dearly, and lately he also loves my brother Gerhard because he recently cured him of something. Moritz is not really my cup of tea, but you mustn't let that be noticed if you don't want to offend the good Richthofen. My case is the German Pointer and even more so the Dachshund, this droll humourist and idiosyncratic character. The least I like the St. Bernard, whom I know well enough from Switzerland; when he is transplanted from his element, the mountains, to the lowlands, he becomes a boring, grumpy, asthmatic patron - he always seems to me like some fat, saturated, aloof banker in a club chair. By the way, Gerhard also massaged my arm back into shape. I've always said that a person with something wrong is an ass if he doesn't go straight to a competent vet. I was just interrupted, Richthofen came to me (he had quickly bagged No. 47 on the way) and asked me to take over as his replacement during his upcoming vacation. He is at a loss as to who he should give this to because the two best in his Staffel are currently away: Voss, who already has 24 victories and the Pour le mérite, is on vacation himself, and Schäfer, who shot down 23 opponents in barely two months, has just been taken away from him to lead another squadron. Richthofen can't wait for Voss's return because he needs to go on vacation as soon as possible - they want to get him to safety; It's similar to when Boelcke was sent to Turkey. You can imagine how tempting Richthofen's request is for me. What could be more wonderful than being able to lead this select squadron for a few weeks?! But nothing will probably come of it - they won't let me leave here. Brother Martin writes enthusiastically about his bombing missions in Russia. But I have to sit aside and this time I can only greet you as Your poor schoolmaster

#Erwin Böhme

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the-firebird69 · 2 years

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He was joking but then he went into some sort of minion skit and he said the minion are going and they get both food so they went in and they got a dolly and they wielding his big boxes and cylindrical things so tons of food in it we had a whole bunch of bananas and a bunch a little bit of the food cuz it's so much of it and we all fell asleep on the concrete floor and Trump walked in and he was not laughing like we were he was expressionless and said silently we did the right thing and then we pushed the plate to him on a big one full of cooked food and he smiled and ate it and felt better and we know it to do and he fell asleep on the floor with us and Chris rolled over with a big belly and the front was pushed out and it was huge and now everyone's smelling it and complaining and saying traitor and putting their fingers and you can't tell what they're saying so he's just laughing it happened all the time

No not the big belly farting thing and BG was cheating is just bringing air into his anus and pushing it out and everyone's saying TMI

Jenna

Are you sure that you shot the right one Mangler

Zues Hera

I'm pretty sure this is saying it's not really stupid maybe I should see if my gun works

Justin

Fake gun what she says that you didn't do anything to her when I say it's probably did something she doesn't remember it and the one flopping around back there was Lily and our friend knew it

Trump

Stop calling me that no not really stop calling me the other thing and stop acting like one that's fine good we'll be together in the end yeah I'll be questioning you along with John remillard and BJ on my side

Shut the f****** Uncle Chris

Lily

Good job Hit girl and not me you idiot like I have to get you more and more busy pretty soon you're not going to be able to do anything and stop doing this big fat ass black girl thing I guess it takes time up

Zues Hera

This is what we're dealing with the like family says a bunch of moisture rolling in it's probably time you have from the empire so I can get out and get that bastard give me a bunch of those Storm chasers

Mac

We're going to get you in mac daddy we need to get you one now those types the real truck and we may we build one and we build them he said he wants some real beefy so I put my six wheels on there now no I did not 14 Wheels and it's coming down now to your drop off site and you want to and we'll bring you two. It has stuff on it and you didn't want it and didn't ask for it but that's too bad you weren't listening. She was electable person and she painted and felt better.

We brought something too to help your men and put it in the back it's a new invention and the second one doesn't have it it does have one of bills and wheels Storm chaser devices and yeah be careful with it. And we meet up a new device it's in the back of Max truck and they're about 15 cases of them and their individual drinks because if you need a storm chaser you go grab one and their people in their profession and they're crazy a little bit like our son because if he had a truck and it was rated he'd be out there dodging and leaping about and turning on the cameras and the equipment red German wants one and we called Jason should be at your place shortly Brad. And our son says Viva la revolution. Well I'm going to celebrate tonight McDonald says and we're going to drink the storm tracer to drink and hits it's smack daddy who said that and it is an alcoholic drink no it's an alcohol drink okay my son put that there and it's me Thor with Freya know her you're not speaking now believe it or not but he hears you a little bit but you're always in stealth mode here's a pretty good she said she made the most of the ingredients and wants to announce it so she shall

Thor Freya

He asked me to I thought it was a good idea so I did it and he likes it he wants the Virgin version and was sending that out so people can add what liquor they want and it does take liquor or a hard alcohol yes in our version has whiskey whiskey sour two different types of whiskeys is what that is wrong vodka and triple sec and for ingredients it has iced tea raspberry and it's not flavoring it's real fruit strawberry and it's not flavoring it's real fruit and blueberry and a hint of banana and storms remind everybody of the tropics and tornadoes remind everybody of Toto and Toto is an African term it means storm. And we put one bottle up in front on the seat and it says drink me grandma no he said just drink me cuz we think it's about her in the movie that she made those movies and she just has to clicker heels and she comes out when she means is her voice come and save her

Hera and that was me yes above

Zues he adds to it but not the whole thing just a little piece in there but he's here and there

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misskamelie · 2 years

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On a nice side note, I'm still going well with my German streak on Duolingo and I think now I know how the accusative and dative work <3

#hallo jetzt Ich kann etwas Deutsch sprachen <3 #hopefully I got the sentence structure correctly #in the beginning I was worried about declinations and cases but I think I wrapped my head around it now #also like. it's 'just' four cases and they look like they make some sense so...??#I now do sentences 'analysis' at least for the cases I know so that's something #+ I get to learn which preposition supports which case so :)#next thing I'd like to get a bit more into is writing production :// I remember I enjoyed the 'write a letter' assignment in English so #that may be the case as well for German? we'll see #anyway this makes me hopeful for my language level in 2 years <3 #I think that if I manage to get confident enough with the grammar then I'm good to go with consuming texts and stuff to increase my vocab #taking my sweet time with it of course since I believe in drilling things into your head to get them right #my post

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surely-galena · 2 years

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Notes on Main Story 6.1

Excluding 6-01 and 6-15 because I didn't really have anything to say there

6-03

Neil left a month after Artem joined the NXX, which he says was Oct 2029

And oh I've only just realized this, but the dub I listen to has the voice actors pronounce NXX as "N-two-X" when I've been saying each letter (like DNA). I'm... probably still going to continue saying it as NXX though

At that point, he tells MC it was only Neil, Vyn, and Giann -- so we can assume the order of member accumulation goes Vyn -> Artem -> Marius -> MC -> Luke

Whoa Neil and Giann disappeared within two weeks of each other? Ouch

Oooh MC did know Neil 'personally' in the sense that she was in one of his classes! Nice to have that confirmed

Okay okay also I knew that Artem's father was a judge because spoilers but the highest title? *immediately adds Artem to the list of practically Stellis royalty*

Huh, Artem's parents' English names are Kimberly and Bryan? Okay, cool

"if we get into anything dangerous during the investigation," artem says. ha. foreshadowing (and then MC saying his identity makes him a target ohhh)

But also it kinda makes you think, if Artem hadn't been brought up as this kind, respectful person, he might have ended up as someone who'd have no issues using their parents' names to get what they want

North Stellis is a no-go area. Got it.

6-05, 6-07

MC getting mad over Jovi trying to guilt trip Artem (even if she didn't actually say anything due to the current situation) is so sweet

Also MC wanting to laugh over the idea of Baldr's involvement is so funny to me

6-09

Oh? cutting to Marius for a quick second, cool

Nooo not MC forgetting to eat again!! I love that she's dedicated to her work, but she needs to take care of herself or we'll get SR 'In Sickness or in Health: the Sequel'

MC: we need to do this now! and this! and this!! It's very urgent!!

Artem: no.

MC: ???

Artem: we need to eat 🤨

"regarding nutrition intake, you currently have a reputation of 0" OOF

Artem telling MC to prioritize self-care? I can respect that

Also him telling MC he'll take care of her work meals is tugging at a found family fic idea for me... I'll just throw that into the ToT fic google drive folder

6-11, 6-13

Artem? With Velcro sneakers? GOOD CHARACTER AMMUNITION, I'll find a way to sneak that into a Marius insult somehow (also Sam if you're reading this, I see what you mean by your light up shoes post and I nod enthusiastically in agreement)

Note for future reference: Artem's books consist of law, philosophy, filmography, sci-fi, and foreign books (not too sure what the latter means but he speaks German I think so they're probably just books in another language)

The Artem Swimming Thing (slightly later addition because I forgot I had thoughts on this) (is this 6-15? maybe I do have thoughts on 6-15 after all)

3 minutes 42 seconds? THAT'S VERY SPECIFIC FOR *cough* PLOT PURPOSES

Artem swimming a lot actually might explain the broad shoulders! I swam a lot when I was younger -- less so now because covid -- but you can tell because my shoulders broadened as I grew up (maybe possibly due to genetics but swimming was at least a partial factor as well). So that's interesting!

Other thoughts

Chapter 6 has a very clear focus on Artem. Nothing wrong with that, but it's interesting to me because the story so far has taken the time to make sure MC has at least one case with each boy so far (partially to introduce the reader to each of their characters)

We have ch1: Luke, ch2: Vyn, ch3: Artem, ch4: Marius, and ch5: Luke again. This led me to believe that it was a cycle and character focus would go in that order, but this chapter proves that is not true at all

Which means the character cycle is broken (perhaps slightly ironic, considering the chapter title is 'A Vicious Cycle')

I have my own theories as to which of the remaining two (Marius and Vyn; the order of the cycle may be broken but for equality reasons the story can't favor one character too much -- and thus all four must be covered before the cycle restarts) ch 7 and ch 8 will be focused on, but that's spoiler territory so nothing to say there

Also here is my Zak ToT bingo card so far (link to the plain template)

Overall 6.1 was fun! Looking forward to 6.2 in two weeks :D

#tot spoilers

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marleneoftheopera · 3 years

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You did read the book, didn't you? Christine is a blue-eyed, blonde Swede. Raoul is a French aristocrat. Erik is quite likely also French/German and white. Historically, it was highly unlikely any of the characters were black or POC, except for the Persian. I have no gripe against Lucy St. Louis. I truly hope she does well. She seems like a sweet woman with an okay voice and is thrilled to be portraying Christine. Her joy is reflected in her photos.

We'll see if Cammack chose her because she's black, not because she earned the role - meaning having a respectable theatrical resume like, say, Holly Anne Hull who was stepped over by ALW and Cammack. You know, those 2 guys who supposedly love her so much they will possibly have a photo spread for her, even though that is rare for alternates. Is this in case Lucy bombs? Is having 2 alternates and an understudy in case Lucy bombs? It isn't a matter of her being black overall - theater has been introducing black actors into roles traditionally portrayed by white actors, because the characters themselves would likely be white in the world they are living in. I agree with the anon who suggested writing roles for people of color that are about people of color - Miss Saigon comes to mind.

Ultimately, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, as they say. She will not doubt be praised as you have been doing for weeks now. But will she be praised because she is terrific in the role or because she's black? I hope it's the former.

Yes, I did read the book. And as I have said before, color of skin really does not matter in most cases. Unless a role specifically calls for a certain race, everyone should be given the chance to be in that role. What bothers me is that people have been saying all over social media that "Christine is not black in the book" or falling back on the historical excuse. Yes, historically there would not have been a black person in the lead. Frankly, there probably wouldn't have been a black person even in the Corps de Baller. Yes, Christine is blonde in the book. But the musical features her as a blonde, not all of the actresses cast have blue eyes, and a very small number of them have been Swedish. If these people were so concerned about being faithful to the book, they should have started complaining years ago. But no, they have waited until a black woman was cast. That shows me that they don't care a ton about the book itself, but more about finding an excuse to justify them being uncomfortable with a black woman as Christine.

Onto the next part. I do not think that there are 4 Christine's in case Lucy "bombs". While it isn't done a ton, I think it is actually smart. Many times they have needed an emergency cover Christine right after a cast change because someone got sick, the understudy wasn't rehearsed, and they need at least 2 people splitting the shows. Anouk most likely doesn't need as much Christine rehearsal as Beatrice will since Anouk has done the part already. And Holly reprising her role combined with Anouk gives them a good starting foundation. And once Beatrice is rehearsed, that means they will have 3 backups for Lucy. Broadway did the same thing for quite some time as well with Elizabeth Welch and Susan Owen. And they also have some 4 understudies for the Phantom and Raoul too. So I don't think it has anything to do with whether Lucy will need to be replaced or not. I think it's covering their bases and giving another woman of color the chance to go on as Christine. And when Lucy does decide to leave, yes Holly could take her spot.

I agree as well that writing roles for people of color is important. But casting people of color in roles predominantly played by white people is equally important. Plain and simple.

Finally, anyone with common sense (though that seems to be a rarer thing nowadays) will realize that praising Lucy is a two-part situation. She should and has been praised since the moment her casting was announced. And deservedly so since she is breaking a huge barrier. Even if she was the worst Christine singing or acting wise, she would still deserve that praise. But I, and I think many others, are not judging her Christine fully because she has not done a public show yet. So it's sort of impossible to form a complete opinion. We are sending encouragement, hoping she does well, and beginning to get a sense of her based on the clips we have seen. But I don't think anyone has room to say what her Christine is like until opening night. Or maybe even a month after once she settles in.

Bottom line, I hope that she is judged solely on her performance and praised for making history. I personally have a feeling that she is going to be a lovely Christine. Once she settles in, I think she is going to be one of those Christine's that does everything right. Some people will like that, some people may not.

Now do I think that the color of her skin was part of the reason why they cast her? Going by what we have seen of Cammack and ALW, yes. For good reasons along with a few selfish ones perhaps. But regardless, it is the audience's job to make sure that she knows her skin color is celebrated, but also that she as a performer is celebrated as well. Hopefully, others also see that too.

And finally, if Holly herself is not slighted in being the alternate, then I think people should stop insinuating that she was stepped over. A woman of color gets to be in the lead, Holly still gets to do the part, they are both employed in a Covid world, and there is a good chance that Holly could become principal when Lucy decides to leave. We don't know, Holly may have even wanted the alternate spot. At any rate, Holly seems like she is having a great time. We should all stop speculating and arguing over skin color and just enjoy the new cast and that Phantom is returning after an awful year.

I also want to note that not everything in this post is directed at you, anon. But it is some things that I want to get off my chest to certain people in general. I also find it funny that everyone who has mentioned anything about Lucy's skin color remains anonymous.

#she's white in the book #long post #can we all just enjoy the casting #and no more #the book isn't the musical #the phantom of the opera

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baekhvuns · 2 years

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Manifesting Canadian concerts for you! Skz only announced Seoul and US so we'll see how worldwide their tour will be... there's a kpop fest happening in Germany, I wanted to go, see Kai, Oneus, Enhypen, Idle etc. Dream is performing as well, but nah </3 Now they announced another one in London, but it already looks messy from the organisation point of view just like the German one.

As I'm writing this message Hwa posted bucket hat photos... why are they hiding ughhh, I'm tired, I can tell his hair is black anyway but I need to see how short it is. 😭 but his eyes! 🤩 Anyways, let me act normal for a second lol.

So, I'm glad you agree on Hongjoong especially! I may take criticism for the other choices but JOONG IS LONDON! I spent years of my life there and it just screams Hongjoong: eclectic, rebellious but also elegant, London is my fave city and I think Hongjoong fits there perfectly with his unique mind, fashion and creativity.

Seonghwa - Paris - I mean come on, yeah Seonghwa has typical British vibes, but he also IS Paris embodied; beautiful and a bit intimidating, Paris is called City of Light and Seonghwa is our star/torch, so it just makes sense

Yunho - Lisbon - I had to assign him a bright and colourful place, Lisbon is a bit underrated, but such a cool and laid back place!

Yeosang - Vienna - our statue, our prince, he fits the elegance of an Austrian city, but there's more to Vienna than sophisticated buildings it has many pretty green spaces that match Yeosang's fairy vibe, hahaha

San - Amsterdam - ngl we struggled with San, but decided to go with Amsterdam, since it's a very fun place, but also more lowkey and San seems like a loud introvert so I think it makes sense; Amsterdam feels both like big city and small town and Sannie is our small town boy living in a big city, uwu

Mingi - Berlin - Berlin is modern, but also traditional, entertaining and calm at the same time, I think Mingi's fashion sense fits Berlin as well

Wooyoung - Madrid - fun and wild, Woo just suits Spain imo, he's loud, warm and welcoming just like Madrid

Jongho - Rome - Jongho likes Vincenzo so of course I had to, he would definitely enjoy Italian operas as well, I think Rome is great for him since he's a bit of an old soul + loves football and Italy is really into football - DV 💖

HELLO

thank u!!! 😭😭😭 BFAMDS IM ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON THEIR TOURS IN CASE + nct too!! omg omf 😭😭😭 u wOULDVE SEEN KAI 😭😭😭😭😭 AHH I HEARD ITS MESSY BC THEY ANNOUNCED THE TICKETS FOR KAI LATE RIGHT??? jBDNWDB U SHOULD DEF GO DESPITE THE DISORGANIZATION maybe it’ll be fun dbb

i did not think of his hair colour change bestie YOU HAD ME ZOOMING IN ON ALL ANGLES TO SEE SOMETHING 😭😭 san’s bleached his hair???? blond sullet needs a comeback,, also is it just me or do koreans rly suit blond hair??? ive always wondered how natural they look in it its rly fascinating <3

HE IS ABSOLUTELY, 100% LONDON!!! omg it’s also my favourite city!!! i love the whole rebellious edge with regality from the royalty + history,, the art and the eccentricness,,, it rly fits him so well that i have a few fics for him that are solely based in london!! something about these two scream made for each other

THIS IS SO VALID HES LITERALLY PARIS W/ R&B SONGS WITH HEAVY BASSES,, HIM at fashion shows, the opulent vibes + penthouses + ofc the lights and the city of love 😭😭 + the sweets and everything it rly fits him so well, ironic bc everyone loves paris and it’s the same for hwa!! i think budapest can also suit him, it’s super elegant

Yunho - Lisbon - I had to assign him a bright and colourful place, Lisbon is a bit underrated, but such a cool and laid back place!

LISBON IS ABSOLUTELY SO SO STUNNING it gives me like travel dreams au’s where u find yourself lost in a city and yunho somehow happens to stumble upon u and u two backpack together >>>> the trams and the general warm vibe rly rly fits yunho !!!!

bESTIE ur hitting the mark with everything here, veinna’s architecture and yeosang combined PHEWW he’s like the, like u said, sophisticated prince aura,, it’s so stunning, the details on the buildings + yeosang royal au wHEN

omg omg that explanation makes me agree !!!! amsterdam does feel small but so huge and the food 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK SAN COULD BE GREECE OR VENICE AS WELL,,, like the beaches, the stunning sunsets and the ancient temples, the hot weather and the water !!! the padada for him 😭😭😭

Mingi - Berlin - Berlin is modern, but also traditional, entertaining and calm at the same time, I think Mingi's fashion sense fits Berlin as well

if we base it off fashion, i think mingi can def also be milan !!! it’s the fashion and design capital and he would really suit well to that!!

i don’t know mich abt berlin but with ur reasoning it does sound suited for him as well, the calmness and the modern yet still traditional roots

Wooyoung - Madrid - fun and wild, Woo just suits Spain imo, he's loud, warm and welcoming just like Madrid

100%%%% I KNEW THIS WAS COMING I COULD FEEL IT IN MY BONES it fits his aloofy side, the hot weather with fun and wild and since woo likes football he would def suit this!! so much colour and warm!! absolutely 10/10

FBMWDBWMDHWK YES PLEASE my mind just thought of a au- italian opera’s omg jongho would absolutely love that,,, u rly put all of them with such good cities that for their personalities so well, this jongho and the old soul wow this one i got chills bc it rly does correlate with rome and italy itself,, it’s the calmness of him and the quietness in a garden somewhere in tuscany mayhaps,, just peacefully FBWMDJSN VINCENZO YES

#✉️ : ask #dv 💖 anon

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dragon-kazansky · 4 years

Text

A rose in shadows - Chapter three

Chapter 3 - The other Holmes

"Will your beard be with us all night?" John asked his dear friend.

Sherlock and John got into the car, such a thing being very new to world at this given time. It ran smoothly, so there weren't any complications on the journey.

"I'll remove it once we're south of Trafalgar Square." Holmes replied.

"If you believe Moriarty has you under observation, isn't this a bit conspicuous?"

"It's so overt, it's covert."

The engine on the car backfires as it trudges down the road. Sherlock had full confidence in his disguise. As they pass by Trafalgar Square, John states that Sherlock MUST be safe now. Sherlock removes the beard and looks at his friend.

"Why are you looking at me with such concern?" Watson asks, having glanced at his friend in return.

"I'm so very worried. Your vitality's been drained from you. Marriage is the end, I tell you."

"I think of it as the beginning." John says fondly.

"Armageddon."

"Rebirth."

"Restriction."

"Structure."

"Answering to a woman."

"Being in a relationship." John glances at Sherlock. "You must understand that? Y/N and yourself are in one." He does his best to focus on the road, but the questions do flood his mind as he sits there with his best friend. "Do you not wish to marry her?"

Sherlock says nothing as he stares ahead.

"Holmes?"

"It's complicated."

"Did something happen?"

"No. Should it have?" Sherlock turns to John, his tone of voice as perky as ever. There didn't seem to be anything different about Holmes, but when you have known him as long as John has, you know what to look for in Sherlock.

"Something has."

"I told you. It's complicated."

"Sherlock-"

"So, we'll have a good old-fashioned romp tonight. You'l settle down, have a family, and I'll... die alone."

"Is it that bad?" John asks. "What did you do?"

"Me? What makes you say such a thing?" Sherlock wasn't at all offended. He just liked being dramatic sometimes.

"Isn't it always you." It wasn't a question.

Sherlock didn't say any more on the matter. He didn't feel like John needed to know. This was his problem. His alone. He could deal with it. He would fix it.... maybe.

"Perhaps it's better for one to die alone than to live life in eternal purgatory." Sherlock says, once the car has come to a stop. John looks at him, shakes his head and then climbs out. "Anyway..." Sherlock also hops out.

"Not bad, that." John says, nodding at the car. "So, where are we going?"

"In the future, there'll be one of those machines in every town in Europe." A third voice speaks up from the shadows, right beside where Sherlock stood. He steps out, placing a top hat on his head as he faces his brother.

"Loitering in the woodshed again, are we, Myccie?"

"Good evening, Sherly. Well. I see your boot-maker is ill, dear brother." Mycroft begins to walk away, the other two follow.

"As I detect that you've recently changed the brand of soap with which you shave." Sherlock points out.

"May I point out that the chimney in he front room at Baker Street is still in need of damn good sweeping up?" Mycroft mentions.

"Were you aware that the Hackney carriage by which you arrived had a damaged wheel?" Sherlock asks.

"Yes, the left. And it's plain to the meanest intelligence that you have recently acquired a new bow for you violin."

"Same bow, new strings." Sherlock corrects.

"I'm surprised she hasn't left you yet." Mycroft looks his brother in the eyes with an almost amused expression. Yet, Sherlock doesn't seem to react to that.

John looks mildly confused for a moment.

"Why would she?"

"Because you're doing a terrible job, brother."

"That's getting rather repetitive around here." Sherlock still didn't have a very outward reaction. John decided to step in before this could escalate. It was far obvious by now that they were talking about you and that Sherlock really didn't want to.

"And may I deduce, Mycroft- good evening, by the way." John goes to shake his hand, but Mycroft is quick to put a stop to that. John lowers his hand.

"He doesn't." Sherlock told him.

"May I deduce that you, who rarely strays from the path that runs from your home to the Diogenes Club, and never on a Monday when they serve your favourite potted shrimps, must be here for some far more important reason than my stag party?"

"You know, he's nothing like as slow-witted as you'd been leading me to believe, Sherly. No, you're quite right, Dr. Watson, but with all the conflict in Europe at the moment, the whole situation could... suddenly erupt. I am here to avoid a dire catastrophe. If the concerns of two nations- which shall remain nameless, but I can tell you they speak French and German- are not dealt with tonight, I shall be forced to go to Switzerland to attend the ghastly peace summit in Reichenbach. The worst thing about Switzerland us the altitude." Mycroft walked on.

John faced Sherlock.

"I'm so glad you invited your brother." Watson sighs.

Meanwhile, back at the flat, you were sitting with Mrs. Hudson at her kitchen table. You were busy reading silently. Mrs. Hudson was sitting opposite you, she glanced your way every moment or so, but you didn't say anything.

"You should be out enjoying yourself, dear."

"Me? It's John and Mary's wedding, not mine." You give her a tight lipped smile, but you knew it wouldn't fool her.

"You could do so much better." She sighs.

"I know." You mutter under your breath. "My problem is that I don't want better, I want him..."

You gaze down at your left hand. A few months ago there was a ring sitting there. Sherlock has asked you to marry him shortly after everything that happened last year, and things were great for a while.... but the more he dived into his case with Moriarty, the more neglected you began to feel. Soon enough Sherlock was pushing you away. He ate less, drank things no human should ever be drinking as if it were alcohol, muttering things to himself, ignoring your requests to assist him and then forgetting your presence entirely. You only stayed now.... because you were holding onto hope.

"Y/N..."

Mrs. Hudson couldn't really do anything to help, but you were glad she was there.

"Shall I make us another cup of tea?"

"That would be lovely."

She gets up to see to it. You stare at the pages of the book in front of you, no longer able to absorb it's contents. Your mind was too busy and loud to focus on anything else.

You still had hope.

Tags:

@hufflepuff-pide-honey-badger @theatricalbride @phantomofhogwarts @awyr @fandombeehive @charmed-asylum @sigynbandraoi-blog @procrastinatingmurder @madshelily @photography-to-all @sitkafay @melancholicsthings

#sherlock holmes x reader #sherlock x reader #rdj sherlock #a rose in shadows #chapter 3 #a game of shadows

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caranfindel · 6 years

Text

Recap/review 14.04: “Mint Condition “

THEN: Michael's gone. Supposedly. Dean feels bad. Ghosts are a thing. Salt circles. Monster Kaia's magic spear.

NOW: A comic book/collectibles store. The camera pans over a variety of figurines and memorabilia, including a poster for the movie Hell Hazers, which you may remember from Hollywood Babylon, (thank you, Continuity Fairy!) and briefly pauses on a poster for the movie All Saints' Day before showing a television. Someone's watching Shocker TV, showing scary movies "24 hours a day, all week long." We see clips from Route 666 and that movie they were filming in Hollywood Babylon, whose name escapes me, as well as from a movie we will eventually find out is All Saint's Day. Cut to a guy unpacking a box of collectibles under the watchful eye of a long-haired freak right out of All Saints' Day. I keep waiting for this guy to realize he's being watched, but I am the one who eventually comes to a realization - that's not a guy, it's a statue.

The guy unpacks a box and literally drops it in shock. Because it's haunted, right? No, it's just a Thundercats collectible figure Panthro, in its original box. (No one in my house knows anything about Thundercats, but I assume this is a real character.) He stuffs the box in a backpack, and then his phone rings. The incoming call is a video call, which is weird, because people this age don't even call each other, let alone via video, but it makes for better television, so we'll let it go.

The caller is a girl named Sam, who is apparently his boss. She immediately starts berating the guy for his bad customer service, which resulted in a negative Yelp review. He promises to do better and confirms that she's coming over for game night. Stewart picks up his bag and a set of keys on a Batman keyring and locks up the store, under the watchful eye of the creepy statue.

(Boy, this is a lot of recap before we even get to the title card...)

We see Stewart at his house, arguing with a pizza delivery place. Panthro is sitting on a table and he turns and looks at him. It's surprisingly well done, BTW. Stewart turns to see Panthro on the floor, gets closer, watches Panthro swing his mace, and then screams.

Title card!

Bunker. Dean's lying on his bed, eating pizza and watching Hatchet Man: All Saints' Day, which is a gloriously cheesy salute to the 80s. Well, I'm glad he finally got a TV in his room, but does this mean the Fortress of Deanitude is no more? Is it full of refugee hunters now? Aw, that's sad.

{Sidebar: I wonder if this movie is called All Saints' Day because they knew the episode would be shown on All Saints' Day, and were being meta/clever? Or is it just supposed to be a riff on the Halloween franchise?}

Sam comes in and asks what he's doing, and when Dean looks up, he's shocked to see the Beard of Despair is gone. "Why are you so surprised?" Sam says. "Obviously, judging from my glorious scruff, it's been a few days since I shaved. Have you really not seen me in a day or two?" (No, he doesn't really say that.) But Dean says "it's so smooth; it's like a dolphin's belly." And it's not. It's really not. And as much as I love the scruff - which is quite a bit - I'd also like to see Sam's pretty face smooth as a dolphin's belly sometime. Just sayin'.

Sam (still) wonders if Dean's okay, since he hasn't really come out of his room in a week, which I guess explains how he missed the Big Shave. Dean expositions that Cas is "showing Jack the ropes," because if Jack wants to learn how to be a hunter, there's no better teacher than Cas, right? Absolutely no one. And with Monster!Kaia and Michael "in the wind," and his home full of strangers, Dean apparently figures he's got nothing better to do than hole up in his room watching Hatchet Man movies. (Is Hatchet Man the franchise, and All Saints' Day just one of the titles? I'm having trouble getting a grip on this.)

He knows Sam doesn't get it, because Sam doesn't even like scary movies. "Our life is a scary movie," Sam points out. And speaking of which, he's found a case. He shows Dean a YouTube video of a bloodied Stewart describing his Panthro attack, and I wish I could take credit for this catch, but I saw it on Tumblr... look at the left side of the screen. The "Recommended for You" videos are about zombies, a conspiracy theory, and how to clean your sink, which are all very interesting, but look at the "Up Next" video.

IT'S A FUNNY CAT VIDEO. HAS SAM BEEN WATCHING FUNNY CAT VIDEOS?

Oh, Sammy knows just what he's doing, and I love him for it. He's all, we don't have to take this case involving KILLER THUNDERCAT TOYS if you're not interested, but he's got Dean exactly where he wants him.

His smug little face at the end of this scene gives me life.

Guys, I was so ready for this. A MotW, and Sam giving Dean a hunt he knows he'll enjoy just to help him kick his Michael blues... This is the show I'm here for!

The guys show up at the comic book store dressed like absolute dorks, in short-sleeved shirts and ties. Sam has a pocket protector. I don't know why. But it's single-layer Winchesters and I'm gonna embrace it. Looks like this episode is happening on Halloween and not on All Saints' Day, because they're accosted by costumed children outside the store. Dean comments that Sam still isn't a fan of Halloween (which we've known ever since the pilot; thanks again to the Continuity Fairy). Sam confirms.

Apparently this red mask is a character Jensen voiced in an animation? And of course Jared was in House of Wax. Pretty deep meta here, Show.

BossLady!Sam is there, wearing a red plaid shirt, and Dean comments that she's like Sam's twin. "I don't know what you're talking about," Sam says, as he and BossLady!Sam tuck their hair behind their ears in sync, and I die.

That’s me, in a puddle on the floor.

“Soft, delicate features," Dean points out. "Luxurious hair. She's like your Wonder Twin." All of this is true, Dean, and good on you for noticing that your brother has soft, delicate features and luxurious hair. Sam notices a guy stocking the shelves - black All Saints' Day t-shirt, shortish spiky hair, lollipop just like the one Dean snagged at the door - and says "if that's me, then that's you over there."

Dean's distracted (and delighted) by the Hatchet Man statue, giving him the name David Yaeger. {Sidebar: did you know the word jager means hunter in German?} His doppelganger encourages him to push a button that plays his catch phrases from the movie, including "we all do bad things sometimes." Which is, like Dean's motto. Dean's joy is infectious and adorable.

BossLady!Sam finishes her business with the police and asks what she can do to help the guys, offering "Funko Pops, Magic cards," and given the number of Supernatural Funko Pops decorating my office, I'm pleased with that shout-out. Sam asks about Stewart as Dean asks about vintage Hot Wheels, and Dean, I am very sad to inform you that Hot Wheels apparently never made a 1967 Chevy Impala.

The guys introduce themselves as Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, The Husband points out) from Campbell and Sons Insurance (hee!), wanting to speak to Stewart. Presumably not about Hot Wheels, unless he got run over by one. They'd gone to his place, but his roommate said he moved out. Or got kicked out. BossLady!Sam explains that Stewart is an "acquired taste" who makes a lot of online enemies, and he can be found at his mom's house.

I still don't understand why the guys are dressed like nerds. Is it a Halloween costume? Because we've seen them as insurance agents before, and they were wearing regular suits.

Mom's house. Mom puts a couple of mugs on the table - one is a superhero (Flash, maybe?) and one is decorated with cats - and announces that Stewie will be up in just a minute. Dean reaches for the superhero mug, even though it was placed in front of Sam, but the joke's on you, Dean, because we now know Sam likes cats! But more importantly, Dean has added a pair of black Clark Kent eyeglasses to his getup. WHY? I mean, it's hilarious, but WHY?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

We hear Stewart pitching a fit in the basement. He stomps upstairs and sees the Winchesters, and I know the guy in the store was supposed to be Dean's avatar, but this guy is wearing a RED SHIRT WITH A SQUIRREL ON IT. COME ON .

Truly a Red Shirt of Bad Decisions.

We learn that Sam is aware of Fortnight, and Dean notices the smell of burning sage. Stewart explains that he dated a goth chick who told him it would bring good luck, but he broke up before they could "merl." Dean's as confused as I am about "merl," but Sam explains it's MIRL - Meet In Real Life. Dean asks how he knows what that means, and Sam very quickly changes the subject. And this opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities, doesn't it, regarding Sam's online activities and his knowledge of MIRLing, and that would certainly be an entertaining rabbit hole to go down, and I hope some of y'all indulge in that, fic-wise or meta-wise or whatever. I look forward to reading it.

Anyway. Sam asks about the Panthro attack, and Stewart jumps in to say he made it up. When Dean presses, he gets mad and kicks them out of the house and then we cut to an exterior shot and WHAT THE FUCK? NOW DEAN HAS A TACKY CHECKERED BLAZER? It's like he's slowly turning into Matt Foley from SNL. At some point in this episode he's got to say something about living in a van down by the river.

Dean refers to Stewart as "Big Bang," which reminds me that I meant to ask, when we first learned his name, if he was a shout-out to Stewart the comic book store owner on Big Bang Theory. {Sidebar: Would this be a reciprocal shout-out, since that show has a character named Kripke? Is there a connection I don't know about?} Given Stewart's Wiccan girlfriend, they think the toy might have been under a spell, and they decide to check the house for hex bags later. Although I don't know how she would have left any in the house, since they never MIRLed.

Later. The guys are sitting in the car, still outside Stewart's house, when a little lumberjack and vampire walk by. Look, it’s Dean and Benny!

Sam’s instructing someone to use lamb's blood and "stay safe," because he's still Chief, Dean, whether you like it or not. Dean asks "seriously, what is your deal with Halloween," and "don't give me that 'every day is Halloween for us' crap." It's kind of odd that he doesn't already know. I mean, we already know. His life is Halloween. And his mother died two days after Halloween. {Sidebar: Is it just headcanon, fueled by fanfic, that John got blind stupid drunk every year around the anniversary of Mary's death? Or is that canon?} The conversation is interrupted when Stewart's mom leaves the house, and the guys have to duck - toward each other - to avoid being seen. It's ridiculous and hilarious and I love it.

Dean could have just taken off the Clark Kent glasses.

Sam suspects Stewart changed his story because he's being brutally mocked online. And he won't say the word bitch. Is this something we can't do now that we're airing at an earlier hour, Show? Then Stewart comes out of the house, bloody and screaming for help. Dean goes inside, gun drawn, and follows a trail of blood to Stewart's man cave (um, boy cave?). As he gazes at a Texas Chainsaw Massacre poster, he hears a chain saw, which hurtles into the room and barely misses his pretty head.

Hospital. Stewart's mom, still in costume, sits at his side and thanks the guys for saving his life. She wants to go home and get his favorite pillow, but they convince her to stay. "Everything's fine," Dean tells her. "Everything is not fine," he says to Sam, as they leave the room. He says he swept the room for hex bags and found nothing, but the EMF went crazy. So it's a ghost. Hey, guys, you should have watched the "Then." We already knew that. Dean is going to stay at the hospital and keep Mom from going back to the house, while Sam asks around to see if anybody "got dead lately."

At the house, Sam finds the light switch in the Den of Stewartitude doesn't work, even though a lamp and computer monitors are turned on in the room. He laughs at himself for being startled by the Panthro toy and says "nice, Sam, smooth," and for some reason this just almost makes my heart burst open. The toy isn't putting off EMF now, which he finds odd. Then he looks at one of the monitors and sees a group photo of Stewart, LadyBoss!Sam, Dean's doppelganger, and an older man.

Back at the hospital, Dean's doppelganger is standing outside Stewart's darkened room. He is wearing an army green canvas jacket and has acquired some scruff of his own and he's just such a precious little mini Dean; I can't stand it. He asks what Dean's doing there, and Dean says he's just keeping an eye on Stewart. "He must have awesome insurance," Doppelganger says. Which is very funny, and also very Dean, because he says "awesome" so much. I love it.

Dirk explains that Stewart is a jerk, but he's his best friend, and he's there when Dirk needs him. They eat pizza and watch movies and who else does that, my friends? You know who. Then the guys bond over their love of scary movies, and it looks like the franchise is actually called All Saints' Day. I'm sure you were really dying to know. Stewart comments that no hospital would ever be that empty, and Dean says he's been to a lot of hospitals at night, and "trust me, it gets pretty empty," and at first that's just heartbreaking because I figure he was at these hospitals because John or Sam were injured. But maybe he's just thinking about hunts in hospitals. (Again, I need to differentiate fic-fueled headcanon from actual canon.) And then Dean says he likes to watch movies "where I know the bad guy's gonna lose" and yep, my heart is definitely broken.

Sam shows up at the store and asks BossLady!Sam if anyone close to Stewart has died lately. She explains that Jordan, who used to own the store, was kind of a Willy Wonka to her, Stewart, and Dirk (Aha! His name is Dirk! Which is close to Dean, and hasn't Dean actually been called Dirk before?). He died and left the store to BossLady!Sam and Dirk. Not Stewart, because he fired him twice for stealing. But she hired him back because he's a friend. It seems like Stewart has better friends than he deserves. She tells Sam that Jordan was cremated, and then we see something frosting over behind her.

Sam is adorable, trying to look casual as he pulls out his EMF meter and it lights up like a Christmas tree. He tells her it's a carbon monoxide detector and she needs to leave. He starts to tell her she's in danger, and then the David Yeager statue smacks him into the comic book display and knocks him out cold. Even though he hits it with his back. (Handwave!)

When he wakes up, BossLady!Sam is terrified but unhurt. She gets a quick version of the "monsters are real" speech and finds that the door is locked, and Hatchet Man took the keys. He throws something at the door, but it's shatterproof glass. Apparently Jordan was serious about thieves, which explains why he's so keen on killing Stewart, that Panthro-stealing little asshole.

He calls Dean, who's fanboying with Dirk about horror movies, and tells him it's Jordan's ghost. And the David Yaeger figure is on its way. Dean can hardly believe his luck. He pours a ring of salt around Stewart's bed, having given him the speech, and orders him to stay in it. Boy, it's a good thing they reminded us what salt is for in the "Then," or else we'd be really confused right now.

Store. BossLady!Sam figured out what I did, that Jordan wants to kill Stewart because he's a thief. She says she's been taking money out of his check to pay for what he steals, but Jordan wouldn't know that. Sam breaks his lockpick, and then asks if they have any cleaning supplies.

Hospital. Ghost stuff starts happening in Stewart's room, and Dirk panics and flees. Dean takes a hatchet out of a fire emergency box, even though I think that would probably set off a fire alarm. (Handwave!) Dirk's mom is carrying a tray of food from the cafeteria and comes across the Yaeger figure. She drops her tray and screams, just like the woman in the movie. Dirk shows up and puts on a stern face and tells Jordan that if he's going to kill his friend, he has to go through him. Oh Dirk, you sweet little thing, you're channeling Dean so hard now and I adore you. Jordan does come for Dirk, who says "crap" and runs off. There's a funny sequence where we cut back and forth between Dirk and some hospital guards who are watching All Saints' Day and ignoring the actual mayhem happening on their monitors.

Meanwhile, Sam is mixing drain cleaner and something else in a Scooby Doo lunchbox. {Sidebar: I'm not a Scooby Doo fan, but I love the show's constant references to it and the way the Continuity Fairy always remembers Dean's a fan.} BossLady!Sam asks how he learned to do this, and he says "I had a messed up childhood." It's funny because it's true. He hangs the lunchbox bomb on the door and they hide behind the desk. After it blows the door open, they both slowly peek over the desk and simultaneously say "cool." I'm starting to love Sam and his little doppelganger too.

Hospital. Dirk hides in the morgue (no, Dirk, never in the morgue!) and gets a scary hand on his shoulder, but it's Dean. Then a body on one of the gurneys sits up. Yeah, it's Yaeger.

At this point there's a fake movie promo for All Saints' Day III: The Reckoning. It starts out "Three Years Ago," which reminds me very much of a certain scene that starts out "Twenty two years ago." Looks like David Yaeger was killed in a fire on October 31, 1983, which is two days before Mary Winchester dies in a fire. Oh, you clever, clever show.

Back to the show. Dean gleefully fights the Yaeger figure. At least he's gleeful until it seems he's not doing very well. Sam and BossLady!Sam show up, and she's wearing Jared's coat from the EW Halloween photoshoot last year.

Bless you, Show.

She figures out that Jordan must be attached to the Batman keychain. Meanwhile, Dean is cornered, and about to get axed, when precious little badass Dirk stabs Jordan in the back. It doesn't kill him, of course, but it gives Dean a chance to get up and start losing the fight again. The Sams run in and BossLady!Sam figures out that alcohol will help them burn the keychain faster. Whoosh! There goes Jordan, and the statue falls lifeless to the floor.

Aftermath. The guys tell Dirk and BossLady!Sam that everyone is safe now. The Impala scene starts with Dean thanking Sam for "giving me a win." Sam asks him to stop hiding out in his room. "What happened with Michael, you said yes for me, for Jack, for your family. You did the right thing." He says nothing Michael did afterward is Dean's fault, and he needs to stop blaming himself.

"I'm never gonna get over it, okay?" Dean says. "I'm just not." And once again, Sam could say "yes, I understand how you feel, because I've been there too," not to make this all about him, but just to commiserate and show Dean that he's not just blowing off his horrific experience, he knows how bad it was and he might have some good ideas about getting past it. And once again, he does not. But that's okay. What isn't okay is what happens next. Dean asks again why Sam hates Halloween, and Sam tells some ridiculous story about having a crush on a girl in sixth grade and throwing up on her at her Halloween party, and you know what? I just refuse to accept this. WE KNOW WHY SAM HATES HALLOWEEN. AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A GIRL IN SIXTH GRADE. I don't know why you're doing this to me, Davy Perez. You're usually so good about canon. I cannot accept that Sam Winchester, whose entire life has been Halloween, whose mother died two days after Halloween, is distressed because of something that happened in sixth grade. I'm going to pretend this part never happened. Who's with me?

Dean says that next year, he and Sam are going to wear couples costumes (and if you happened to be wearing your shipping goggles, I think I heard you squealing). Batman and Robin. Bert and Ernie. (!) Rocky and Bullwinkle. (!!) Shaggy and Scooby. Turner and Hooch. Ren and Stimpy. Thelma and Louise. "We just it in drive and go." {Sidebar: Who wants the show to end that way, Thelma and Louise style?}

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, one of those useless security guards finds the Yaeger figure in the morgue. The guys left it there? Oh well. It's a good horror movie ending.

So! For the most part, this was just what I needed after three episodes of mytharc. A good MOTW with lots of humor and nods to canon. On the other hand, there's that one thing. But since I'm ignoring that one thing, I guess this was a fantastic episode! What did you guys think?

Please help me stay unspoiled, thanks!

#spn #14.04 #spoilers #sam winchester #dean winchester #tv recaps #recap

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