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#also embarking on a new fandom is scary
artbean · 5 months
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31 days of drawing my favorite boy, exploring several facets of his personality, relationships, alternate universes, interests…
special thanks to @thefreakandthehair for embarking on this journey with me, and also amazingly writing something inspired by every single prompt we came up with together! having your companionship and encouragement really made it a joy to do and was definitely a huge factor in my ability to draw something for every single day :’)
here’s my eddie month tag, and there’s a masterlist of every piece under the cut in case you missed any, alongside a bit of a rambling message from me 🫶🏻
setting out, i didn’t think i could do all the prompts. on october 1st i had about 15 started, and less than half of that completed. but then i did day 5 in a couple hours out of the blue, and it had a really positive response from you guys that gave me the courage to aim to do every single prompt. some were more thought out than others, a couple i had been working on for months prior, but ultimately i got myself to share 31 pieces of art in the span of a single month, and that’s a huge accomplishment for me.
somehow, i don’t even feel burnt out at the end of this, only more inspired and fueled to keep creating for this fandom! i have multiple ideas and projects in the works already.
thank you all for your support, for your encouragement, for your likes and reblogs and comments—i see all of them, it all means the world to me. i gained new followers in such a short span of time, and i can’t wait to share my art with so many new faces! i’ve really come to find a home in this fandom with all the other little lost sheep that flocked to eddie’s character specifically, and i’ve found true companionship and fulfillment sharing my art with such a positive and loving community.
here’s to another month celebrating eddie, since just about every month ends up being eddie month for me ❣️
in case you missed some of these, here’s a masterlist of every eddie i made this month! i’d love to hear your favorites, if you’d like to share with me. there’s a star beside each one with <100 notes, in case you’d like to give those some love.
parents
friendship *
school
rejection *
role model
crush
wayne
rockstar
cowboy
college *
pirate *
soulmate
monster
roommates
ren faire *
library
tolkien *
journaling *
tech
folklore
hellfire
first concert
i did mixtape on my main (it’s a uquiz with playlists from eddie!) but on here it was costumes (part 1)
drama *
songwriting
corroded coffin
haunted house *
ghost hunting
trick or treat
costumes (part 2)
scary movie night *
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samhassanxo · 11 months
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Okay this is getting ridiculous now. It makes me sick knowing that these sesangs will try anything and it breaks my heart to see the members go through this because it’s making them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. 3 of the members have already complained about this and it hurts me to see that our community our fandom has changed, it’s honestly scary and something needs to change. The stupid “marry me” comments or “please speak English” like if your job is trying to play a joke well news flash it’s not funny and you should stop. As ARMY we should be supporting them in their journey as a group and as individuals. Remember they are still a group, they haven’t disbanded or gone on hiatus rather they are embarking on their journeys as individuals and also serving their country.
My point is, this is just absolutely disgusting and disrespectful to them. It went from lurking outside the gym to people sending food to his address. Are y’all out of your minds? Do you think this is okay? Is it okay to cross your limits and push boundaries? The simple answer is NO. This is not okay and you sesangs are pushing it, you have caused this man to feel unsafe in his own home the one place where he should feel secure but doesn’t. If this keeps happening he will never hop online again because you sesangs won’t stop your disgusting behaviour. THESE PEOPLE ARE HUMANS BEFORE CELEBRITIES. Honestly should they have to tell you 100 times before the message sinks in the brain? Honestly this makes me so angry because I genuinely care about them and their safety. Leave them alone and take care of yourself.
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hogwartsfirebolt · 3 years
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Hello everyone! I’m back for my (omg time flies) third yearly drarry rec list, in which I share with you my 30 favorite drarry fics I read in the year, divided in three parts. What a year 2020 was. It was challenging, scary and confusing, and it was also an amazing reading year for me, I read so, so much more than I ever had before, and I’m really excited to share these masterpieces with you! The banner art is by @dragontamerdame who is one of my favorite artists and was kind enough to let me use this beautiful piece, which you can (and totally should) reblog right here. Now, with nothing else to add and in no particular order, here’s my
FAVORITE FICS I READ IN 2020 PART ONE
1. Who we are in the shadows - @quicksilvermaid - 100k - E - What happens when you’re forced to become the very thing you despise? Ex-Auror Harry Potter, tossed out of the Ministry for something he had no control over, has been looking for a way back to his former life. When he comes across Draco Malfoy in the criminal underbelly of Wizarding London and in need of protection, Harry figures bringing him in to face the Ministry's justice is his ticket back to everything he's lost. But nothing is exactly as it seems. Not even Harry himself. And as he gets drawn further and further into Malfoy's world of honour and deception he finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew—about his childhood nemesis, the Ministry job he misses so much, and most of all, about himself. What happens when you’re forced to see that you were wrong?
THIS FIC!!! It was the first one I read in 2020, and it immediately became my favorite fic of the entire year, and one of my favorites of all time. I have since read it two more times, the entire 100k of it. There are absolutely no words to describe how amazing it is, how much it floored me to read their characterizations, their jobs and the roads life took them on to end up where they end up, the connection between them in a time when they don’t even know how to relate to anyone, their sorrow and struggles which, despite being so rooted in the magical world, are painfully human, just... wow. It’s a masterpiece. It changed the way I view their characters, forever, and I suspect I will read it many, many more times in the years to come. It’s that kind of story. If for whatever reason you haven’t read it, this is your sign to take that chance and embark on this amazing journey. 
2. Every Kingdom - @thistle-verse - 7k - E - Every kingdom needs a prince. Every prince needs a good and useful knight. Draco and Harry play their parts and renegotiate some borders while they’re at it.
So, so lovely. Even though I don’t read them very often, alternate universes fascinate me so much, and I am in awe of the author for being able to pack so, so much story, so neatly into 7k words. This features a princely, lonesome Draco, a charming, golden Harry, and a blossoming love that could change everything. It’s beautiful, and I recommend it deeply.
3. The Bucket List - GallaPlacidia - 32k - Draco will die in six months if he can't get Harry Potter to fall in love with him. Since that's not going to happen, he might as well spend his last days working through his Bucket List. Tap-dancing lessons? Rock climbing? Poetry-writing? Threesomes? Cocaine? Getting to know his adorable cousin, Teddy Lupin? Draco will try them all! Feat. Cheerily pessimistic Draco, devoted bitch queen Pansy Parkinson, and a Harry who can't help but notice that something seems DIFFERENT about Draco, these days.
I’m positive that many, many of us got acquainted with GallaPlacidia’s writing this year, and I, too, fell in love with it. This story aches in the most beautiful of ways, the humor happens to be somehow light in such a difficult circumstance that it ends up hurting when you laugh, it hurts when everything is right because it’s also wrong, it aches when it’s supposed to be a happy moment and feels tender and sweet when it’s not. I can’t even imagine the challenge of writing this kind of story, and they pulled it off beautifully. It’s a lovely story, one you will take with you long after you finish it, and, personally, I think it’s a great introduction to the author’s writing. 
4. halcyon days - @the-starryknight - 1.3k - T - Sleepy mornings caught while the sun rises are reserved for silly word games and soft touches and feelings.
Oh my god, the amount of tenderness in such a low wordcount made me weak in the knees. I almost couldn’t take it. Being able to convey such a deep emotional connection in a short story seems like such a daunting task, and the author makes it seem almost effortless. I guarantee that this will make you bring your hands to your chest and sigh with how lovely it is. Reading it will be the best ten minutes of your day. 
5. Clouds That Veil the Midnight Moon - @drarrytrash - 37k - E - According to Harry’s personal narrative regarding the incident, he’d hooked up with Draco Malfoy for purely self-destructive reasons, or out of convenience, or by some unlucky accident. Looking at him, sprawled in the moonlight, Harry is devastated to recall that he’d hooked up with Draco Malfoy because he’s hot. Draco is a secret werewolf and Harry is doing his best and they've got criminals to catch, darn it.
Reading this, I found myself laughing out loud, nodding profusely with how freaking spot on the characterizations are. The dialogue is amazing, so hilarious and real and Harry’s inner monologue is so, so him. I love everything about this story. I have a soft spot for werewolf fic, and this one hit everything I love about it, the case is interesting and engaging, the incidental characters, the OCs, Ron and Hermione, everyone and everything is absolutely perfect and I had an absolute blast reading it. You HAVE to read this and see for yourself what I’m talking about. 
6. Sex Ed for Aurors - curiouslyfic - 8k - M - Some things, you need to learn on the job.
Oh my god this is so freaking good. The premise is, basically, that Harry is accidentally doused with a lust potion while in the vicinity of Draco, and suddenly wants him more than anything. I loved this take on that trope, we’re in Harry’s head, and it’s absolutely hilarious and endearing to experience the near childish glee he feels whenever Draco looks his way, when he smiles, when he feels he’s made him happy, meanwhile Draco and Ron are horrified and doing whatever they can to correct it. This is so funny and such a good time, I can’t recommend it enough! While you’re at it, you should definitely read megyal’s remix of this, which is also a blast. 
7. plasticine porters with looking-glass ties - @bonesliketambourines - 15K - E - Lately, Harry thinks things don’t seem the same between him and Draco. His head is in the clouds when he thinks about what their relationship is now, and where it might be headed—he’s happy with their friendship, but he wants something else. A potions accident over a lunchtime visit to Draco’s lab (what does he get up to in there, anyway?) changes things, though, and accelerates their relationship faster than either of them had ever expected. How are they going to get through this new development together?
Atmospheric, beautifully-written and delicious. Their relationship is tender, just on the edge of something more, when they’re forced to quarantine together and face the effects of a potion that makes them see and feel things differently, which makes for the most intense, visual, gorgeous sex scene I think I’ve ever read. It’s just absolutely phenomenal. 
8. i wake up falling - warmfoothills - 9k - M - Draco’s always leaving, one way or another. Harry’s usually 240 thousand miles too late.
In trying to come up with a way to summarize this story, I’m feeling the overwhelming urge to cry again, just like I did when I read it. It’s just so, so, beautiful, every single word of it aches in the best way, the longing feels deeply authentic and just, the setting and the jobs and everything is so unique and gorgeous. Every single work by this author is beyond beautiful, but especially this one is incredibly close to my heart and I think everyone should read it. It’s a gem. 
9. In Every Universe - @skeptiquewrites - 27k - M - They sent Professor Harry Potter to search for Unspeakable Draco Malfoy. Draco has stolen a Firebird, an experimental magical device from the Department of Mysteries that lets you enter parallel universes as yourself. As Harry traverses from universe to universe, he begins to think Draco might be the one searching for him. A story about whether knowing what's possible makes it possible.
Stories where the characters find themselves somehow hopping from one reality to another are always so, so fascinating to me, and this one is incredibly creative and well-written, so entertaining all around. The mystery of it kept me on my toes, and every single reality was a joy to read. 10/10
10. Life goes not backward - @shealwaysreads - 8k - T - Harry still isn’t used to gifts, but this one is different. A story of coming home, finding safe ground, and the wild courage of putting down roots. Leaving one life behind isn’t always a sacrifice, and sometimes the greatest good comes from embracing the people you love.
My god, there are not enough words to describe how much this story means to me, how beautiful it is, how every single time I’ve read it, I’ve cried. Bella has undoubtedly become one of my absolute favorite writers in fandom. She has such a way with words, there is not one of her stories that hasn’t touched me, that doesn’t feel like an actual, full-length novel no matter the word count. I read so many of them this year, so many of the masterpieces she’s gifted us, but this one especially is so tender, so dear, that I ended up choosing it as my favorite of hers this year. Harry’s charactertization, the unbelievable warmth of their relationship, absolutely everything about this is gorgeous. Go read it, right now, and then binge all her other works!! You won’t regret it.
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Each of these fics is incredibly close to my heart and I enjoyed them immensely. In the midst of everything changing, I really found comfort and solace in the amazing works of the people of this fandom. I hope they give you the same amount of warmth and comfort they gave me, and I’m ALWAYS here to gush about any of them ❤️ Happy New Year! 
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nostalgiaruinedme · 3 years
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Prompt: Mistreated by Authorities Fandom: TMNT 2012 Ao3 link: here Summary: After the Kraang and the Triceratons and the Shredder, the world is finally safe, save for the scars left behind. But humanity is looking for a scapegoat to blame all the tragedies on, and their gaze lands on the mutants. Now, every government in the world is after any and all mutants, but first and foremost, they want the turtles. And then the EPF capture Donatello.
First I’d like to thank the amazing @morikothehalfangel​ for beta reading this for me <3
I put way too much effort into researching the effects of torture by asphyxiation for this oneshot wow. I now know more about asphyxiation than I ever wanted to know but ~accuracy is important~
I mean I think it's accurate. I DID MY BEST OK and also I've been in the hospital because I couldn't breathe (asthma not torture i promise <3) so I based some of it a little on my own experiences, just amped up a billion percent.
Also I know a lot of people are like "THEY'RE TURTLES THEY CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH FOR A WHILE" but like- that's a great headcanon that I love reading about but considering they nearly did suffocate in that one episode where that one triceraton released all the air from their cell, I don't think it's canon. And even if it was canon I wanna write this so I'm disregarding it pff 
PLEASE mind the warnings in the summary. Don't read anything that will trigger you, take your safety first ok? That's more important than reading a fic.
Okay, that's all. Please enjoy! and suffer. 
TRIGGER WARNINGS: - Self hatred - Depression - Asphyxiation - Torture - Briefly mentioned suicide attempt - 
Everyone is good at heart.
If you asked April 5 years ago what she thought about the inherent good or evilness of humanity, that would've been the answer she gave. A typical one, maybe, full of clichés and misplaced optimism, but it was also one she truly believed. Sure, sometimes that goodness had been shoved deep down and locked in a cage. Sometimes it was so long gone even its owner would forget it existed. Sometimes it was buried so deep not even god could tear it from its depths and bring it to the sunlight... but regardless, it was there, somewhere. To be good or not was just a matter of choice. Everyone was good at heart.
But that was then. And this was now. The time she believed in the goodness of all was before a time before a seething Casey Jones had marched into her apartment and shoved his phone into her face, a time before he said nothing as she read the article on the screen, her confusion slowly morphing into absolute horror.
"Mutant Responsible for Destruction of City Finally Apprehended", it read, and below that deceptive headline was a photo of someone she knew all too well. His mask was gone, one eye bruised shut, and a hand outstretched towards whoever was holding the camera in a last ditch effort to hide his face. It had been a fruitless endeavor, unfortunately; five more photos followed, and April had no doubt in her mind that there were plenty more in circulation elsewhere. Every news station in New York—no, scratch that; every news station in the country was rushing to cover this story, and probably a few hundred more channels across the world as well. It was big news after all. After years of trying to catch the so-called evil mutants the public had taken to blame for all of their problems, they finally got one of them. It didn't matter how wrong the stories were... the people who caught him were going to be praised as heroes. 
"They got Donnie."
Casey's words weren't necessary—April easily recognized who was in the photo—but hearing them still made her breath hitch, all hope of this being a dream or imagined crashing down around her. This was all too real. Humans capturing the four brothers had always been a danger, they knew that, but to actually have it happen to one of them...
April guessed that after Tokka returned to Earth three years ago, they should've seen it coming. Bishop had tried his hardest to repair the Utrom's relationship with humanity, specifically the Earth Protection Force in this case, and had very nearly succeeded too. But the officials he was working with were stubborn, and after seeing the turtles in action themselves, they were terrified. It didn't matter that they had been working to save them or that they weren't the bad guys; those damn officials only saw a powerful threat they couldn't control. 
They were evil men. And evil destroys what it can't control.
So they shattered what was left of the Utrom council's relations with humanity, and ensured the rest of the world did too. And then they used Earth's real saviors as scapegoats.
Aliens coming to Earth, capturing humanity countless times and mutating them into mindless slaves? The mutants' faults. The destroyed buildings and sounds of fighting and screaming all night long? The mutants' faults. The increase in robberies and kidnappings by inhumane creatures and robotic ninjas? The mutants' faults. Giant alien turtle lighting New York on fire? Mutants' fault. Dinosaurs invading? Mutants' fault. Ghosts rising? Mutants' fault. Cultish whispers? Mutants. It was all their fault.
And at the front of it all, they blamed the turtles specifically.
The four brothers pretended they didn't care. All of them. Mikey just joked about it, claiming those humans were clearly just jealous they couldn't save the Earth like they did. Raph got angry, obviously, but he pretended it was because of just 'humans in general', and that the accusations weren't hitting as hard as everyone knew they were. Leo used this to reason that they just needed to try harder and save more people... If they did more good, he said, people would speak up to defend them. He never quite managed to hide the hurt that came when no one did.
And Donnie... Donnie took all the allegations right to the heart.
He buried himself in inventions, the only one of his brothers who didn't seem to suffocate from the isolation, and never spoke of it. April tried to talk to him and Casey did too. Both were all too aware of the thoughts Donnie had about himself. While his brothers had their own insecurities, Donnie held the worst ones about just what he was. A Monster, he believed, despite their assurances he was anything but. This situation just made it all worse. 
And then Donnie left the lair by himself. He'd gotten himself captured.
"What about his brothers?" April whispered, eyes still locked on the article. Casey sighed.
"They're obviously panicking... Leo's planning a rescue mission tonight, and Raph massacred his punch dummy and Mikey's trying to keep both of them from going on a suicide solo mission right now, in the daylight. It's not looking too good, Red, this isn't like any other time..."
It wasn't. They'd all been captured by the enemy before, but that was by underground organizations and alien terrorists and chaotic mutants. This was more than that. Donnie had been arrested by the EPF, a military organization... if you could even call it an arrest. He sure as hell wasn't gonna get a lawyer, that was for sure, and he'd probably be turned over to scientists the second he refused to tell them anything useful. This wasn't something they could just sneak into, fix, and then be on their way.
This was the entire United States government they had to go up again.
"We gotta get him out of there," April said, pushing the phone away. She couldn't look at it for another second. "He's barely been gone a day and his face is plastered everywhere online, we don't have a lot of time. When are the guys planning on going?"
"Right before sundown, so in about an hour," Casey said, returning his phone to his pocket. "I don't know what Leo's got planned, but we have just enough time to get ready and I told them we'd meet them there."
April nodded firmly, without even a hint of hesitance. 
"Let's get going."
***
When Donatello was little, he liked to pretend there was a monster living under his bed.
A common nightmare among children, he knew what it was. Most children feared what lived under their bed, and when they did think there was one hiding there... it wasn't because they wanted it there; it was because they hated the idea. They would beg their parents to run into the room and shine a flashlight underneath, to hug them tightly and assure them that monsters weren't real, it's all in your head. Some braver children might even get up to check themselves, armed with a foam sword or a plastic spear, bravely embarking on a quest to kill the monster, for it was an enemy.
But to Donnie, the imagined monster under his bed wasn't hated. It was a friend. It was someone like him.
The fear of being a monster had started within the turtle when he was small, when he first started learning about the world above him. His brothers had found mankind interesting, sure, but it was he who wanted to know everything about them. What were their kids like? What did they eat? Why did they live so close to the sky? How did they look? How come they couldn't meet them? These were the questions that he'd sneak into Splinter's room for answers to long after his brothers had gone to sleep. 
Because Donnie wanted answers, and his curiosity would never be satisfied until he knew all there was to know.
But as Donatello's knowledge grew, so did his own insecurities. He now knew what human children were like (different from him). He now knew why they couldn't meet them (they would be terrified). Because Donnie was a mutant. He was the scary monster they imagined under their beds, the one they wanted their parents to protect them from... He was what they feared.
So he took comfort in imagining his own monster under his bed, one that was even scarier than him. But he never hated or feared this monster. No, he wouldn't be like the human children. It didn't matter how scary this monster was, he decided, he would befriend and love it no matter how it looked. Because he was a monster too, and monsters had to stick together, right?
It only took a few years longer for Donnie to stop pretending he had a monster hiding under his bed (though he still took comfort in the thought every once in a while), but it took him much, much longer to stop thinking of himself as one. So many nights of sitting beside Casey and April, both assuring him he was anything but, and so many long years of doubting his place in their lives. It took determination on all three's part but eventually, he even saw himself as something normal, someone who could actually fit in their tiny group of three instead of the monstrous invader they swore he wasn't.
"We want you in this too," April had sworn, and Casey confessed the same only moments later. Donnie had cried. A day later, he finally believed them, and the three started the happiest relationship of their lives. He finally found himself fitting in, and finally, finally... he thought he had defeated his thoughts.
But that was then, and this was now.
He stood still as dozens of curious, terrified, and disgusted eyes watched him, some trying to get the best look while others tried to distract themselves from his existence. Never before in his life did he feel more like a monster than he did now. All of his progress had been destroyed.
Donnie stared at the men surrounding him on all sides, cursing the glass prison they kept him in. They didn't even let him have enough dignity to keep him in a normal, dusty, dirty cell with corners, did they? No, they had to keep him in a round glass one like some animal, one they could keep a constant watch over from all sides. He couldn't hide anywhere. He had to stand there in the silence.
Donnie wanted nothing more than to hide in his shell just to get away from the prying eyes. But that wasn't normal, was it? He knew that'd only make them stare even harder.
He wished they'd say something. The EPF had taken him, fair enough—Donnie knew they had been after them for months now. But instead of the torture, lifelong prison sentence, scientific experiments, or questioning he had expected, there was... nothing. After the tranquilizer they had shot him wore off, he'd been shoved in this stupid cell and left there for at least 6 hours now. Guards and various EPF staff watched him, spoke in hushed whispers about him and made a few phone calls, and even took a few photos, but that was it. They hadn't spoken a word to him.
Donatello didn't know whether to be relieved or horrified about that. He just wanted to go home.
"Come on, guys..." Donnie muttered, eyes focused on the single window in the room. It was starting to get dark out; his brothers should be coming soon, right? They were at least ready to go by now, if they weren't already on their way. He just had to be patient. "Please hurry..."
"There you are." 
Donnie quickly turned around, cursing himself for not realizing that someone had snuck up behind him.  To be fair, he had felt watched from all directions since the moment he had woken up, and still did, so one more set of eyes hadn't been much different, but even so... He was a ninja, damn it! He should have realized that someone had approached his cage before they even said anything.
There stood one of the EPF officers, clearly one of their higher-ups, judging by the many many badges he wore on his chest. He had a grim look on his face, yet a hint of satisfaction was hidden in his eyes behind the frown on his lips. Though Donnie didn't know him, he could tell just by looking at him that this was not a good man; he was a man out for power and without sympathy. 
Donnie folded his arms across his plastron defensively and met his eyes. However, he was still upset about being given the silent treatment for three hours, so he didn't bother to reply. 
They hadn't answered him, so why should he answer them?
"Not a big talker, huh? That's alright." The man said, voice matter-of-fact and calm as could be. "As long as you answer my questions, we won't have a problem, mutant. You don't have to talk any more than that, I promise."
Donnie clenched his teeth. The man smiled.
"You and those other turtles have been on the run for quite some time, haven't you?" He continued, hands behind his back. "I understand you four may not have much experience with the law, as you have been completely disregarding it for years now... but that's not something that's allowed.
"You're wanted by every government and legal system in the world for your crimes against humanity. You've nearly caused the extinction of mankind a dozen times over, yet you refuse to face consequences for your actions. On one hand, I see why you'd be scared to get caught for that, but it's still quite dishonorable, avoiding justice like that. You're running from the law. What should one make of that, mutant?"
'That you're all ungrateful pieces of shit,' Donnie thought, but managed to keep to himself. They nearly sacrificed their very lives just to save this stupid planet, yet here they were blaming him for it. He couldn't keep the scowl off of his face as the man continued to stare, though, no matter how hard he fought to keep his expression blank.
"It's not safe to let you continue to wander the Earth on your own. You'll try and kill us all again, and that's an international threat we can't let slide. But," The man leaned forward slightly, placing a hand over his heart as a sign of trust that Donatello knew better than to believe, "I am a very powerful man. You tell me where we can find the rest of those responsible, and I'll make sure you and the other mutants live a decent life. In captivity, of course, I can't change that, but it will be relatively peaceful."
Donatello tried to calm his breathing, keeping his mouth firmly shut. He didn't give a damn what this man would say; he'd never give up his brothers' locations—who did he think he was? He wouldn't tell him where any of the other mutants he knew were either. The EPF could do whatever they wanted with him... He'd never speak a word.
"Of course, there's other ways to get information out of you," The man continued, voice overbearingly calm and carefree. "Maybe not on where those other freaks are hiding. But there's plenty to learn from mutants' very existence, isn't there?" He grinned. His teeth were white and clear, just perfect enough to hide the rotting soul inside.
"We released your photos to the press already. Can you believe how many labs have offered hundreds of millions, one or two even billions, for you? We're still getting calls and emails as we speak."
Donatello was no idiot, he could have guessed that had happened already. But hearing it... He tensed, hoping the man couldn't see the fear he knew was already apparent on his face. He just had to ignore him. His threats wouldn't mean anything; his brothers would be there soon to save him, way before they could even consider doing that for real.
Besides, the EPF had spent months searching for and trying to capture him. Surely, they wouldn't just sell him off to the highest bidder that easily...
Right?
"Still not talking?" The man's expression darkened, "You don't understand just how much trouble you're in, do you? You're going to pay for what you and the rest of the mutants have done to humanity; I don't care whether you actually feel guilty for it or not. You will be sorry, Mutant."
"Donatello."
"What?"
"My name's Donatello," Donnie hissed out, too angry to even care that he broke his attempt at silence. "Stop calling me that when I have a name."
"I can call you whatever I damn well please, freak," The man replied, pointing a finger at him as though he were lecturing him, "You're lucky I'm even speaking to you right now. Everyone else I spoke to figured said it'd be pointless, and we should just ship you off right now. Mutant, I don't think you realize just how lucky you've been because of me. In fact, you oughta be thanking me."
Even the damn Foot Clan called them by their names, Donnie realized bitterly. Even the Foot treated them with more dignity than these people.
"The decision hasn't been made yet, but the Earth Protection Force is still deciding what to do with you. We've recently built a new high-security prison for mutants specifically in mind, and that had been the plan all along. However, we could always use the money we'd get from your bidders to upgrade it and arrest more-"
"We didn't do any of it!" Donnie couldn't take it anymore. He knew arguing was pointless and he knew it was probably what the man wanted, but he didn't care. "We saved the world, you- my brothers and I were the ones who stopped all that shit from happening! We saved Earth when you and the entire Earth Protection Force couldn't!"
"That's not how I remember it."
"Bullshit! You know you're all lying!"
"Memories are subjective," The man said, "However, the general consensus among the government, public, and us has been that the Kraang backed off due to our brief but effective alliance with the Utrom. The Triceratons-"
"You just want a damn scapegoat because you kept failing!" Donnie exclaimed, slamming his fist onto the glass walls in anger, teeth barred in rage and desperation. He knew his words were falling on deaf ears, but he couldn't take these lies. "We beat them! Not the EPF! We brought all the humans back from Dimension X and saved you all from the Kraang's mind control while you guys did nothing! We stopped the Triceratons! Me and my family nearly died—no, actually some of us did die—just trying to save the planet! The humans who did help us had nothing to do with you guys and it's because of us that you're even breathing right now! We-"
Donnie choked.
While he was shouted, the man had pressed some button, and it turned out the cursed dome he was in had more uses than just keeping him in one place after all. It started with a hissing noise from above and seconds later, a burning in his lungs. He gasped as the air turned frigid, the oxygen escaping from his grasp before he even realized what was happening. His hands flew to his throat. He couldn't breathe.
He fell to his knees harshly, ignoring the pain that came with it—all of his gear, including his knee pads, had been taken before he'd woken up—and clawed at his neck. Out of the corner of Donnie's eyes, he could see the satisfied gleam in the man’s eyes as struggled, gasping for air that just wasn't there. The edges of his vision flashed black.
But just before he passed out, the hissing changed and the air came back. Donnie gasped and inhaled with relief, savoring the feeling he hated that he still took for granted after how many times it had been taken away from him. He could breathe. He didn't bother rising from where he knelt.
"Tell me, Mutant," The man's voice was cold, and Donnie felt a shiver run down his spine. "Why would a monster sacrifice all that for the human race?"
Donnie didn't know.
"Well?" The man said, "That wasn't a rhetorical question. Answer me!"
"Earth's... it's ours too," Donnie hissed out, clenching his fists, "It's... it's just as much ours as... as yours."
"Is that so?" Donnie wanted to nod, to say yes, but he was frozen. Or at least, it felt like that. Humiliated and weak and terrified, Donnie wondered if they had paralyzed him when he wasn't paying attention... But he knew the only thing keeping him from moving was his own damn mind.
"I think you know as well as I do the Earth wasn't built for freaks like you," The man said, "And we sure as hell aren't going to let you just steal it from us. Not while I'm here, and not anytime soon after, you hear me? Earth's ours. It always has been."
Donnie felt a wave of relief wash over him when he turned, preparing to leave. He was still trapped in hell, but at let no one would talk down to him more if the man wasn't here... no privacy or not, it was better than nothing.
But then, the man stopped, tilting his head in thought. He turned back around and addressed another person on the other side of the room.
"Lower the oxygen percentage. Keep it just high enough so it doesn't pass out, but I want it as low as possible without that happening."
He walked away just as the hissing began, and Donnie couldn't help the tears from forming.
***
Two weeks.
Casey couldn't believe it had already been two full weeks since they'd last seen Donnie. How could they have let this have gone on for so long? They should have gotten him back days ago! But no, the calendar didn't lie; it had been fourteen days.
Fourteen days since they'd seen his gap-toothed smile. Fourteen days since the EPF had so cruelly snatched him from his patrol. Fourteen days since they kidnapped him and did who knows what with him. Fourteen days since they'd locked him away.
Thirteen days since they had first tried to get him back.
Casey grimaced at the memories. The first mission had been a failure, as had the second and third ones. Each building had been a fake one, framed as the place where they imprisoned mutants but really only a distraction. Donnie had never stepped foot in any of them... and with each trap they landed in, the team grew more and more desperate. Angrier and angrier. More and more heartbroken.
Casey hated it. 
"What do we do, Red?" He asked April one night, sitting on the ledge of a roof and tossing a pebble off of it. It landed on a trashcan below with a satisfying clink, a sound that usually would've elicited a grin from Casey if it weren't for the circumstances. How could they have failed so much?
"I really don't know," April sighed, shaking her head, "We've searched everywhere in the city. I don't think they've sent him off somewhere, since I can still sense him in the city... but I have no idea where. I can't pinpoint him."
Casey looked out across the city, eyes sweeping over every building lining the distance. Though he knew it wasn't exactly true, it had felt like he'd searched every single one of them by now from top to bottom. Why couldn't they find Donnie? How many hideouts did the Earth Protection Force have anyways? So many in the city seemed excessive. Surely, they couldn't be hiding too many more.
Casey's gaze turned towards the water as the sun hovered over the horizon, casting beautiful crystals of light over everything it touched. It reflected off of the waves and met Casey's eyes, lighting them up gold.
And as they did, an idea lit up in his mind.
"April," He said, spinning around to face her, eyes wide and jaw slack, "What if we're looking in the wrong place?"
April frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "What do you mean?"
"They already know we know about all their buildings and hideouts in the city," Casey said, words tumbling from his mouth in a rush, "So why would they hide him somewhere we could find him? I'd guess they took him out of the city or even country, but you said you still sense him here. You know what that means?"
April shook her head. Casey rose to his feet, standing tall as he raised his arm and pointed towards the waters surrounding Manhattan.
"I bet they're hiding him out there, on a ship." 
***
Donnie lost track of the days.
He'd tried to keep count, he really did. But there were no windows and no visible clocks, and each second spent in that damned dome felt like years. The circumstances inside didn't make it any easier to keep his mind clear.
Yes, the man had been true to his word and kept the air as unbreathable as was possible. His limbs were weighted and every movement took so much effort; speaking wasn't even an option. Even something as simple as thinking seemed nearly impossible when one was suffocating, and Donnie had no idea how to escape, not with how thick the walls were and how guarded he was. It wasn't normal glass, it was something special, something he couldn't break. All he could do was choke on nothing.
But he wasn't stupid. As impossible as the situation was, he tried to make do.  He sat still and folded his legs, staying still and remembering the breathing techniques Splinter had taught him, just like they had when the Triceratons had tried to suffocate them.
At first, it had worked, but then the men caught on. They lowered the amount of oxygen he was getting even more and spoke loudly of their plans for him as a mutant, purposefully destroying his concentration with panic and anxiety. Meditation was impossible.
And even if it wasn't? Even breathing techniques couldn't save him from suffocation that lasted for hours on end.
So Donnie would gasp and claw at nothing, pleading internally for the air to return yet being met with no answer but amused chuckles. The sides of his vision would flash black and slowly grow until he was this close to passing out and ready to feel the sweet release of unconsciousness—Donnie started looking forward to that time when he could get a few short seconds of nothingness before he felt like he was dying again. Just take him away already!
But then, the second they noticed he was unconscious, the air would return all at once. Donnie would fling up from where he was laying and inhale the precious, beautifully crisp air with more appreciation than he'd known was possible. He knew it was just to keep him from dying on them and to keep him awake to suffer even longer, but he could never keep the relieved sigh from escaping his lips.
"So," The man would always approach him around this time, the same disgusting human every time. "Are you ready to tell me where the other mutants are?"
And every time, Donnie would only reply with an adamant shake of his head and narrowed eyes filled with false confidence. The man never stayed much longer after that. He would only shake his head in disapproval, mutter something along the lines of "those damn mutants..." or something about them being criminals, then he'd turn and walk away. The hissing would start not too long after that.
And the process would repeat.
On the fifth day, he really did pass out, and they were forced to give him a few hours to breathe properly, lest they gain a corpse replace their hostage. He didn't bother moving from the floor, feeling nothing yet too much all at once. He didn't think, only longed for his family's rescue.
On the tenth day, the man opened the cage long enough to walk inside and slap him once, twice, and scream in his face. 'Monster!' he screamed, 'Murderer!'
Donnie didn't react. The man was out of shape and old, someone Donnie knew he could normally take out without breaking a sweat. But after four days of struggling for a single breath, he didn't have the energy to do anything but stare.
At least he couldn't think enough to agree with his accusations.
On the thirteenth and fourteenth days, Donnie didn't bother moving once. Most of those 48 hours were spent zoned out and unaware of the passage of time. You could tell him it had only been an hour, or even that it had been three weeks; he'd have believed you either way.
On the eighteenth day, Donnie realized they weren't coming.
The men gagged him before he could bite his tongue hard enough.
***
It should have been obvious.
Staring at the ship now, April wondered how the hell no one on the team had thought of it before. Of course, the EPF would expect them to search their usual hideouts! Of course, they'd be ready for that! They wasted so much time searching the places they knew about that they had just... forgotten that this was more than just another gang or mafia or clan. This was a government agency with resources beyond imagination, they didn't have to reuse the same locations again and again and again.
April was just thankful they had stayed in New York. 
"We go in, but we're focusing on stealth," Leo instructed his team—Mikey, Raph, Karai, Shini, April, and Casey—and pointed towards the ship, "We're not trying to take them out. Getting Donnie out is our first priority."
"No objections there," April replied, holding onto her tessen tightly. Casey scoffed from behind her.
"Yeah, definitely agree," He said, "But the second he's out, I'm burning the whole ship down."
"And everyone aboard responsible," Raph added on, eyes dark. Karai nodded in agreement while Shini grinned with delight.
Neither Leo nor Mikey had anything to say against that. Neither did April. 
***
The air came back sooner than usual for Donnie this time.
He wasn't entirely sure why, usually it took a lot longer for them to give him a break. Or maybe it had been longer than he'd realized? Time was a strange thing, after all, and Donnie knew that he'd been out of it for a while. 
He should probably stop questioning it and just be thankful for the brief break.
But now hands were on him, shaking him by the shoulders and screaming in his ears. What were they even saying? Donnie didn't know; tuning them out was easier. He was just tired of hearing the threats against his brothers and his family and friends and accusations. They could do what he wanted with him—he didn't care anymore.
But then they screamed again, and Donnie tried to focus, because the word they were saying over and over again was so foreign, yet so familiar. It was something he hadn't heard in a long time... wait, were they-
"Donnie!"
The man never said his name.
Donnie blinked several times, looking up and trying so desperately to see who it was. He distantly felt them remove the gag, though he knew he wasn't going to talk anyways, not with how dry his mouth was. 
"He's alive," A voice cried out, shaking with relief. He wished he knew who it was, but try as he might, he couldn't make his vision come into focus. All there was was blurs of lights and colors, distant faces, and tears (though he wasn't sure if they were his or not). Green and black and red and orange and blue and more black and gray and yellow... He weakly reached out towards them.
Someone took his hand, squeezing it tightly. He wasn't sure who, but he was suddenly filled with an unbelievable wave of trust and peace.
For the first time in a long time, he felt okay.
Someone picked him up and suddenly, the lights and colors were changing, and he was moving. He blinked and he was outside and then he was sat down outside.
He blinked again, and finally, he could see the stars.
"Donnie?" A voice asked, and he finally recognized it. "Can you hear me?"
April.
He weakly nodded yes, and Casey was there too, grabbing his hand. Mikey sat right next to him. 
He tried to sit up, still savoring the beautiful night air, never before appreciating the air of New York City as much as he did at that moment. But something else was on his mind; where were the others? Where were Leo and Raph? Where were the others he knew he saw with them?
"Hey, calm down Love, they're okay," Casey quickly calmed him down, tightening his hold on his hand. Donnie shook his head.
"W-where?" 
"They're just finishing up something," Mikey promised, wrapping his arms around his brother in a tight hug. "They'll be out soon."
Donnie nodded, finally with someone he knew he could trust the words of. He breathed in deeply, and looked back forward, out to the ship he now realized he must have been on.
And just as he caught sight of it, a brilliant light erupted from the ship, a radiant explosion of reds and oranges and yellows, casting the same colors across the waves. Fire spread across the deck that was left. From the corner of his eye, he could see his brothers and Karai and Shini approaching, having finally finished their mission, but Donnie could only keep his eyes on the destruction behind them. Donnie imagined that he could hear the man's screams through the wreckage, though he knew individually, he couldn't; they must have been drowned out by the cries of everyone still aboard.
The fire raged on. It was a sight of pain and death and destruction, one that only a monster would take delight in to watch.
And Donnie smiled.
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liquorisce · 3 years
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‘lover’
written for kyoru week, day 4 prompt - lover
@kyoruweekofficial​ ‘s (tysm for organizing
pairing: kyoru, kyo x tohru
fandom: fruits basket
rating: M. this is smut, my loves, i know it starts off kinda pure, but beware. (well i think my otp having sex is pure so fight me.) 
summary: tohru is aggressive and vulnerable (and pregnant). and kyo is weak for it.
Kyo was 16 when he admitted to himself that he loved Tohru. It was simpler at the time because he loved her in a way that you only love someone when you know your love will not be returned, so you give and give and give till your heart was sore, but you still found it in you to give some more. 
But 8 years later, that same love is more complex, because she is by his side, and she returns his love, but tenfold, so much that his heart has forgotten the soreness that it once knew so well. It’s complex and it’s beautiful because the years have changed them, like seasons - shy, needy, bold… comfortable.
And he revels in this comfort, in watching her make her way to their bed, the same way she’s done countless times over the years, but now she’s in a sheer white nightgown, and her belly swells slightly. It’s a moment of wonder for him, everytime he sees her, sees her bump - their little bump - that he’s made it this far, with her by his side, and now they’re about to embark on a completely new journey. 
Tohru is restless tonight and she sits up a while longer, watching the night sky. 
Kyo watches her, quietly, embarrassingly, and feels a tingle as he notices the curves of her body, bathed in moonlight, stunning through her see-through nightgown. 
But he is mindful and restrained, as he ignores the heat from her body, dropping a chaste kiss on her bare thigh. 
When Tohru turns to look at him, her gaze is unreadable. 
It’s startlingly different, outside of his comfort zone, he likes when he can read her expressions, her moods, her touches. 
“… Kyo-kun?” she whispers, and he wonders if her eyes are just the slightest bit glassy, so he responds with touch, the way he knows best, sitting up and wrapping an arm around her, murmuring, “… yeah?” 
“… Do I look… weird… like this?”
He’s a bit stumped at this question, because in the 8 years that he’s had the privilege of loving her, he can testify that he has most certainly, never thought she looked… weird. “Erm, Tohru, I’m not really sure what you,” - 
She caresses the swell of her stomach softly.  “Oh,” he articulates intelligently, “… I,” - 
But he doesn’t get a chance to stumble through explanations because she kisses him, suddenly, aggressive in a way that’s not usual for her. But Kyo is eager to lap it up, flicking his tongue into her mouth. She slips her hands into his hair, pulling him closer, and as someone who truly believed he would never have this closeness, he cherishes it, presses himself against her, and lets his hands caress the sides of her belly. 
“Does Kyo-kun,” she mumbles, between kisses, “still… want me?”  
He pulls himself back, and watches her for a moment, her cheeks flushed. “… Tohru, why would you even ask something like that?” Because it’s been so obvious, he thinks, he’s always wanted her… even when he wasn’t supposed to. 
“Because,” he sees her hesitate, “… I want you, Kyo-kun, and of late it feels like… you don’t feel the same way.” 
And now he’s even more stupefied because he’s not that great with words, especially not in a pinch, so how is he supposed to explain to her that there will never be a day where he doesn’t want her anymore? 
“… God, Tohru,” he murmurs, peppering kisses along her jaw, “… seriously, I wish you could read my mind sometimes…” 
“… But you barely initiate it anymore, I thought,” -  
“You’re an idiot,” he mutters hoarsely, because how could he possibly explain just how much he wants her, how much he wants to touch her, to explore her changing body, to bury himself deep inside her, especially when she looks so beautifully vulnerable. He kisses her roughly, heat suffusing in his touch, as he gives into his curious desire. He’d done his best to hold back, because that’s what he’d been told… make sure she rests, be careful with her, they said… but, “I didn’t mean to make you feel like… like you weren’t…,” wanted. 
Tohru is emboldened by his awkwardly gentle validation, his hands on parts of her that had grown cold waiting for his touch, thrusting into him as she deepens her kisses, asking for more, greedy, wanting.
“… Wait,” he mumbles, powerless as she positions herself onto his lap, lips at his ear. “Are you sure… ah,” he’s cut off as she finds friction against him, his body reacting completely different to his cautionary advice. She’s taking charge today, and ordinarily he’d love it - and he does, his body reminds him, but this pregnancy, it’s new, and scary, and, “... Kyo-kun, you’re not touching me,” she complains, lips pouted and wet, and so alluring that he can’t help himself. How can he not give her what she wants when she asks so sweetly? 
And she is sweet, he reminds himself of that as he gives into her mouth, pure heat, and just a little bit of teeth, his hands sinking into her hips. It’s so new, knowing Tohru this way, her hips rounder and her chest softer, and it’s glorious. He’d always revelled in the feeling of her against him, and now it was just so much… more. He wonders if it’s the same for her, because it’s also the way she reacts, the sounds she makes, like she feels everything so much more intensely.  
He sees it in the little gasp she lets out as she sinks down on top of him, and she’s so wet, he isn’t prepared for just how warm she feels, so his fingers grab onto the curve of her bottoms harshly, steadying her, groaning her name. She pushes him down onto the mattress because she’s impatient today, but consciously so, her neck flushed, as she breathes, “… please, I need this,” and Kyo swears there’s no better sight in the world than this, her hair brushing against her breasts as they sway with the movement of her hips, her mouth parted in pleasure, so he lets her set her pace, needy, a little bit irregular, but incredibly hypnotic. 
“… Tohru,” he gasps, the word broken amidst his laboured breathing, because she’s really picking up the pace, and he can’t keep this up, and he tries to tell her with his hands, squeezing wantonly around her breasts but it only intensifies this feeling, especially with her sweet whispers of “ah, Kyo, you feel so good…”. 
He wants to watch her enjoy it, he really does, but the sight and feel of her is already too much, his head thrown back, panting. “Oh,” he whispers, “please,” slow down is what he desperately wants to say, but it’s too much, and it’s too incredible, and Kyo is only human. 
“Tohru, I’m gonna,” he whispers urgently, lifting himself up to steady her, but his words can’t catch up with his body, and he releases into her, shuddering, his lips feverish against her chest. 
This is an embarrassing moment he hasn’t had in years, and he feels guilty, but it’s amazing because Tohru’s still arching, grinding against him, and it’s so rare, he loves it, these precious moments when she selfishly seeks her own pleasure. “Hey,” he rasps, nipping down on the tips of her breasts, successfully returning her dazed gaze towards him, as he gently pushes her off of him. 
“… I… want to make you feel good too.” 
“Wha… I,” she colours, snapping out of her daze as she squeezes her thighs, shivering when she feels the extra wetness. “Kyo-kun it’s okay,” she mumbles, but he’s laying her down and there’s a small smile playing out on his lips, his hair disheveled beautifully, as he settles himself between her legs with purpose. 
She squeezes her eyes shut, because she knows what he’s going to do, and they’ve been together for so long but she still doesn’t know what to do with herself when - “ah, Kyo-kun,” - he goes to work with his tongue. 
And he’s really, really, good, because he knows her by now, knows that she’s pretty and polite, but she likes to be tortured slowly, lavishing gently, nipping sometimes just slightly, even if she struggles a little bit to let go of herself under him this way. 
She could be wrong, but she begins to suspect that Kyo doesn’t mind the taste of him (off her), because he doesn’t restrain himself, giving generously, unafraid of the wet noises her body makes, his grip firmly keeping her legs splayed for him. 
He lets up for air, and she chances a look at him, his tongue reaching out to lick at his lips, glistening because of her, and he catches her eyes, and his look smoulders. 
And it really does burn, in the pit of her belly, as Kyo reaches a thumb out to flick lazily where he knows she likes it best, but she lets him know anyway with her gasps, her incoherent begging that intensifies when he slips two fingers within her, setting a pace that really doesn’t fit with his requests for carefulness thirty minutes ago.  
He sees her quicken and knows she’s close, so instead of finishing her off like he knows she desperately wants, his cruel streak comes to play as he murmurs, “… in such a hurry today, huh,” as he languidly slips the same two fingers into her parted mouth. 
It’s unbelievably erotic. 
And she feels it through her body as she quivers, her tongue automatically swirling around his fingers, sucking lightly.  
He likes it, and it shows in his eyes, in the way they darken, and he brings his lips to hers hungrily. His kisses are intoxicating, a heady buzz spreading over her skin when his fingers are back on her clit, rough, exacting, and all she can do is keen against him, breath hot against his lips as she splinters, falling back onto the bed, her arms loosely pulling him down with her. 
He settles beside her, draping her in his arms, as he feels her breathing slow. He can feel himself get excited again, because he enjoys it, watching her come apart under his mouth, his fingers. But he can see her eyes drooping, blissfully sated and that satisfies him in a completely different, ridiculously cheesy, heart-full-of-love kind of way. 
He reaches over and places a soft kiss on her jaw as he sighs, muttering. “… You’re supposed to be resting, you crazy woman, not riding your husband dry.” 
She giggles, breathy, “… Well, I didn’t hear you complaining when it was happening.” 
- fin - 
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timeandspacelord · 3 years
Text
Fandom does not talk enough about how much shit Annabeth went through by the time she was 17.
Toxic family throughout her childhood led to her running away at age 7, fully intending to live on her own until she happened to meet Thalia and Luke, who she instantly bonded with. They go through their share of terrifying events until Grover finds them and as they're on their way to CHB at which point part of Annabeth's found family is ripped away from her and turns into a tree. And Annabeth is 7. She then spends the next 5 years working her ass off to prove herself to literally everyone around her. Then Percy shows up and she finally gets to go on a quest and nearly die only to find out that Luke, the other part of her found family, has betrayed her. So she's very broken up over that, but she still goes with Percy in SoM, she almost dies a lot, and it culminates with Thalia getting resurrected, which is a mixed bag because "yay found family" but also "this was a Plot by the bad guy who's also the last part of this found family". So you know, fun terrible times. And then she gets kidnapped and is forced to hold up the sky, and that ends with her kind of losing Thalia again, this time to the Hunters (and this all happens by the time she's 13). The Labyrinth happens and she thinks Percy died, but then he's okay, but then they're in the middle of an all-out, big scary war. At this point she's only 15 and still very conflicted over Luke. Then she spends a full year doing war strategizing and suchlike and the Summer To End All Summers kicks off with her thinking, yet again, that Percy died. Then all the war stuff happens, Percy becomes immortal, she almost dies for him, and she ultimately has to watch - and kind of implement - Luke's death. She's 16.
So she and Percy get together and hope they'll have time to have a relationship, but nope, they get about 2 months before Percy goes missing, which, considering all she's been through and the past 2 times she fully believed Percy was dead, is terrifying to her. So she spends months scouring the earth for him, but finds some randos instead, one of whom happens to be a sort of linchpin in a new Grand Scheme of the gods because there's a new Huge Danger, and he's also Thalia's brother. And so she helps them build a warship and come up with a plan to deal with this new Great Prophecy, and 8 months after Percy went missing, she can finally meet up with him again. Only to spend like, a couple weeks (?) with him before she has to embark, alone, on a highly dangerous, yet absolutely crucial sidequest that forces her to face her biggest fear ever and ends in both her and Percy falling into Tartarus. And then they go through Tartarus, which is literally hell and bundled with a bunch of trauma, and they've barely even gotten out when they have to hurry up and leave to go Boss Fight mother nature. So they do that, but it's pointless and they have to get yeeted all the way back to New York to fight Boss Fight 2: Electric Boogaloo against mother nature and some angry/mislead Romans. And finally that is done, and Annabeth has experienced loss and death and unimaginable pain and trauma, and she's still only 16 (maybe 17, I can't remember when exactly BoO ends).
But she's still not done, oh no! Some time after that (I think in the late fall?), she gets a call that her cousin on her father's side, from whom they'd been estranged due to Family Things, is dead. So she goes to attend his funeral or whatever only to find out that he's not actually dead. Well, he is, but only sort of, because it turns out he's a ghost (kinda) and his dad is also a god, just of the Norse variety, and he's living it up in the viking afterlife waiting for the end of the world. So now Annabeth knows she's blood related to two different pantheons of gods (and that there's a third one just chilling in Brooklyn), and her family is even more crazy and weird and messed up. And she's 17. And attending college.
I am 19 and if I'd experienced even a fraction of that in my lifetime, I would spontaneously combust due to the sheer damage to my psyche. Also, I'm struggling enough with uni with just my baggage and mental health stuff, I cannot imagine how she's juggling school work, really bad dyslexia, ADHD, training and/or likely monster attacks, and all the serious trauma she absolutely has to be dealing with after all of that.
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Save The Cat! Writes Fanfiction
All right, so some of you fanfic writers out there may not be ready to hear this, but the reason some of y’all never finish your stories is because you had no idea where they were going in the first place. Being a ‘pantser’ is totally fine, for a traditionally published or indie author, but for fanfiction, you need something other than Character A and Character B do the things and there’s a Happily Ever After. 
Since I am a screenwriter first, I am VERY familiar with the Save The Cat! formula, so I’m going to apply it to fanfiction below in hopes that we see more finished stories out there and less abandoned WIPs. 
P.S. You only really need a few sentences in each of these slots, but the more you have, the more helpful it’ll be later. 
P.P.S. Not having the emotional bandwidth to finish a project is NOT the same as not knowing where a character is going. Not having that bandwidth is (as far as I’m concerned) the only legitimate reason to pause or never finish a fanfiction. But don’t use that as an excuse for lazy plotting. It’s not a cute look. And readers everywhere don’t trust new authors because all the others they read just quit because ‘the muse wasn’t talking to them anymore’ or they abandoned a fandom entirely. Don’t do this! 
Story Starts
Opening Image: This is the before snapshot of your Main Character (MC) and their world. As this is fanfiction, this part is probably fairly short, but you could put something about where in canon you’re placing it, if you are at all, or if it’s going to be an AU. 
Theme Stated: This is what your MC must learn before the end of the story. It’s either hinted at or explicitly stated, but not by the MC themselves. It’s usually a friend, a sidekick, a mentor, etc. If they are self-aware enough to state it, they already learned it. 
Set-up: This is where we see the MC’s status quo (e.g. their life before they learn the lesson). It’s important here to show their reluctance to change. In romance, if it’s friends-to-lovers, for example, it’s the point in the narrative where your MC is saying things like, “Oh my God, they’re just a friend.” And even though the reader knows what’s up now, it doesn’t matter. If it’s exciting, scary, upsetting to the MC, it’ll be that way for the reader too IF you’ve done your job as the writer. 
Catalyst: This is what catapults them into a whole new way of thinking or sometimes a whole other world. It can happen in the first chapter, but whatever happens, make sure it is irrefutably the thing that makes it impossible for them to go back to their status quo. 
The Debate: This is when the MC literally debates what they’re going to do in response to the catalyst. Again, this needs to reinforce their reluctance to change before they eventually embark on their metaphorical (and sometimes literal) journey. 
ACT I ENDS
Break Into Two: This is when the MC finally agrees to leave their comfy status quo world for the upside down one. 
B Story: This is when we usually meet a new character who will help the MC learn the overall theme we stated back in Act I. For fanfiction, this is usually a mentor-type person, but it can be anyone. 
Fun and Games: This is your hook. This is what everyone came to your story to read. Also, at this point, the MC either loves or hates their new world, but they’re in it now and they can’t go back. 
Midpoint: THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE THE LITERAL MIDPOINT OF YOUR STORY! You don’t need to count out chapters or scenes or whatever and figure out what the middle is, but it is the point where your MC has a false victory (or false defeat) and it pushes them toward real and actual change. No more of that superficial crap! 
Bad Guys Close In: DUN DUN DUN! Now we’ve got the MC dealing with things getting worse (or better, depending on your story), but their flaws are starting to show. You’re literally setting them up to fail. And, as with everything, sometimes it can be super literal and involve a group of actual bad guys closing in. 
All Is Lost: This is rock bottom for the MC and my personal favorite part. It’s the section of the story where it looks like nothing is going to get better, they’ve said or done something horrible, and there’s no way out. But then... 
ACT II ENDS
Dark Night of the Soul: The MC is being forced in this scene to learn their lesson. Since it’s a fanfiction, they are going to learn it. You, as the author, decide whether it’s the easy way or the hard way. 
Finale: If they’ve decided to go catch their true love and confess their feelings at the airport (ps. I love this trope!), then this is where they do that. It doesn’t only apply to action-oriented stories. All stories have a finale. The MC is enacting their brilliant plan and the bad guys (or their stubbornness) are vanquished. 
Final Image: This is our fluffy epilogue section. It’s the ‘after’ snapshot of the MC, their world, and their new view on life now that they’ve learned their lesson. 
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kensboytoy · 5 years
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Your Own Private Idaho - Ch. 1
Title: Your Own Private Idaho Fandom: Undertale Pairings: Mettaton/Reader (Gender Neutral) Ratings: General (Explicit in coming chapters) Chapter: 1/? Summary: You're an inky monster getting ready to meet your idol. You've worked up the nerve to go to one of his book signings but you just might get more than you bargained for. 
Continue Reading or Read on AO3!
Down below, hidden away in Mt. Ebbot, held the world of monsters in the Underground. Away from the hustle and bustle of human city life was instead a peaceful world that existed without all the chatter of day to day life. Things were calm. From Snowdin to the Waterfall, things were relaxed
But that wasn’t to say that it was boring! Oh no, far from it. While humans drove around in cars and other nonsense machines, monsters strolled through the Underground and even caught the ferry if they were in a hurry. The only chatter was among themselves with bubbling excitement. Especially when it was about the only TV star showing his face on all of their television screens.
Mettaton.
The name radiated with a glow throughout the Underground. Everyone was enraptured with his charm - his charisma! There weren’t any monsters that didn’t know of him. His shows were the talk of the Underground!
Especially to an excited, inky monster that was glued to your TV every night to watch the best show: Cooking with Mettaton. You were a terrible chef and had found Mettaton’s cooking show to be quite informative for your novice skill set. He was very direct with instructions that made it easy to follow and it helped that you found yourself blushing and smiling while he was talking. Somehow, to you, that made it easier to process all the instructions.
Sure, you could admit to having a crush. You wouldn’t deny it. But those feelings were to be hidden away when you embarked on decidedly the craziest feat to get you out of your comfort zone: a book signing. Mettaton was touring! And you could meet him! Maybe. If you weren’t so scared.
This was your chance to meet the Underground’s first and only actual star! It was almost too much for a little fan like you to handle.
So, you stood in the humongous line that wrapped around the building three times over, Mettaton’s cookbook that was not so pristine anymore (the pages were falling apart from how often you used it) in your hands. You nervously looked around at all the pretty monsters that were also lined up with brand new books ready to be signed. They looked eager to just see to Mettaton. You had heard rumors that the staff that he would be far too busy to actually talk to anyone. Stars didn’t have time to talk to normal folk, you thought.
But they had to be wrong! Mettaton seemed so kind, so loving… would this whole thing ruin this for you? You didn’t want to skip out, but now had second doubts even as you approached the front of the line. Eagerly, you tried to peek when the next person went down the lined corridor into the room covered by a thick curtain. If he had been put in the middle of the store, there would have been chaos. However, the suspense of not seeing or hearing anything made it all the worse on your nerves.
When they finally ushered you into the room, you froze in place, eyes widened at the sight of the boxy robot. You were starstruck.
And while it was true that Mettaton was a bit of a diva, to be honest, it didn’t mean he didn’t care for his fans. Oh, no. That was the furthest thing from the truth. Mettaton knew he was nothing without fans to cheer him on! He was making sure to take his sweet time with every monster that came to his signing, despite the earlier rumors.
So, when the dear little monster scurried into the room, looking for all the world like you were about to keel over on the spot, he let the lights on the front of his current body shine a bit brighter. Show you that he was happy. It was the closest thing in this rectangle he currently had to giving you a wide, friendly smile.
“Hello, darling,” he called out, voice as pleasant and unexpectedly melodic from such a rigid shape as always. “Please, don’t be shy. Let me see your beautiful self, dear viewer!”
One gloved hand reached out, and he beckoned you forward, voice all warmth and earnest pleasure to see someone.
“Let me see what you’ve brought to be si- oh, my!”
His optical sensors fell to the ragged book, but where you had thought he would be disgusted, the robot was instead delighted! You clearly enjoyed his writing and instructions enough to read the book to the point of making the book lovingly used.
“Oh, darling, I’m so glad to see that my writing has been so well loved!”
Your hands trembled as you stepped forward but all the fear melted away with the voice you loved. It was loud and robotic- (a human would have called it the stereotypical movie robot voice) - and to you it felt like music. Mettaton, in all his boxy glory, was everything you dreamt of.
So, you found the courage to speak up finally.
“Your cookbook really helped me! I-I use it pretty much every night when there’s a re-run on TV.” You smiled at him, your hands fidgeting nervously. “I was a really terrible cook before your show. All I ate was instant noodles!”
The pages were lined with notes and doodles that you had made while cooking. Things like ‘added more cheese - yummy!!!’ and ‘stove needed longer to cook this’ on various recipes. And the doodles? Well… There were lots of hearts. Lots of hearts.
While you extended it out for him to sign, you were careful not to let the loose papers slip of all the drawings you had made specifically of him with even more hearts around. It was as bad as a school yard crush. Though, most every monster had a crush on him so it wasn’t unusual.
“I just wanted to say thank you - your program… it made me feel like when, even if I get frustrated with myself about cooking, that it’s okay. Just like with lotsa stuff in life! Mettaton… you really give me hope.” Your ink started to drip as you blushed. “Even extroverted monsters need the reminder that it’s okay to mess up. A-and that… that there’s someone out there who’s always proud of us, even if he’s on the other side of the screen.”
You noticed that Mettaton’s handlers were starting to get impatient. Oh no, you had taken too long talking! Suddenly filled with embarrassment, your body sagged down as you looked at one of the nearby handlers start to approach, a stern look on his face. Oh, you were gonna get kicked out! You shouldn’t have wasted his time…
With a stern-sounding cough from the powerful monster, the handlers paused where they were and shuffled awkwardly away. Technically, yes, there was supposed to be a time limit. Had Mettaton been paying attention, he would’ve known that the time limit was only about thirty seconds long. And you had far exceeded it.
But.
Mettaton was the star here, and, if the star wanted to spend a little bit more time with a particular fan? Well, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop that. He was, after all, a very strong monster. And the handlers were more there just because it was something that a lot of human stars had. Truthfully, Mettaton would have been more than capable of handling himself.
His attention shifted back to you, taking the book gently out of your hands before holding both of them in his own. He had no eyes to gaze into but there was a distinct feeling that he was gazing at you still.
“Beautiful, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that. Truthfully, I wasn't exactly the best at cooking before I started putting one hundred and ten percent of my effort into it! I could… well, I could make snail sandwiches and that was about it.”
He chuckled, patting your hands kindly.
“I'm so glad I could help someone else find that special spark that you only get when you cook something delicious and get to feel proud of yourself. I'm proud of you, darling.”
The ink on your cheeks dripped onto the floor as you beamed from ear to ear. He was everything you had hoped he would be. Not the egotistical robot people said he was. No, his heart was true.
As he held your hands, you squeezed him gently. Sure, he was metal and you were a dense ink, but you wanted him to know how much you adored him.
“You truly are the star we need down here, Mettaton,” you softly spoke. “You give us all courage, even when some of us are worried about being trapped in the Underground.”
Tears welled up in your eyes even as you continued to smile at him. You were so happy.
"You distract us from everything scary. Just by being so positive.” You bashfully looked away as soon as you realized tears were spilling out from the corners of your eyes. “Heh… I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d get all choked up. I just…” You squeezed his hands again. “I’m happy I got to meet you. You… you’re my hero, Mettaton.”
Wiping the tears from your eyes, Mettaton stood up and did what he hadn’t really done for any fan that entire day. He got out from around the table he sat behind, piled high with posters and CDs and books and-
And body pillows. Square body pillows, exactly in the shape of Mettaton.
He got up, wheeled himself around, and wrapped both of his noodly robot arms right around you. Mettaton pulled you close, softly rubbing your back and letting you cry against him. Letting you get it all out, so you would be beaming when he pulled back.
"You’re the one who makes it possible to do this, darling. I should be thanking you. I wouldn't be where I am without everyone supporting me.”
That truly floored you. Your heart was beating loudly in your chest as the robot hugged you tight. He was so huge compared to other monsters but being held by him was so… comforting.
After the last of the tears fell, you hugged him back. You hugged him and laughed. A happy, proud laugh.
"You’re really something else, Mettaton. You’re not just a star - you’re the whole universe!” Indeed, when you pulled back, you were smiling again. “Shining bright. Always there for us sappy monsters.”
You took one of Mettaton’s hands in both of yours and just let the feeling of touching him linger for a moment. It was as if you were gaining some of his energy just by being so close.
“I’m so glad for this moment. I… I never really thought I’d be here talking to you like this.”
Something was slipped into the palm of your hand as you held both of his cartoony, gloved hands. Something that felt entirely like a slip of paper.
Mettaton could have easily just written it into the book that he then pulled away to sign, insisting the entire time that he also send you back with a second copy just because of how well-loved the one you had brought was. He could have even just not given you his private phone number. It wasn’t something he wanted to be leaked, after all.
But Mettaton was impulsive.
And he knew that you wouldn’t hurt him, not after you spilled your heart out. Mettaton was, among several other things, one of the best judges of character in the whole of the Underground.
“Keep a hold of that, darling,” he ‘whispered’ as he gave you the book back. “And make sure to reach out soon.”
You looked at the paper and then to the two books now in your hands. There were stars in your eyes. Hell, you couldn’t stop smiling. Excitedly, you hugged Mettaton once more before you thanked him profusely.
“I-I promise! I…” You, too, were impulsive. Enough so to have the audacity to kiss the edge of his rectangular form. “Thank you. Thank you!”
The line moved once again with the final monsters trickling in. You left, waving goodbye to Mettaton. Then you went straight to the alleyway behind the hotel. Your body was buzzing with energy as you finally caught your breath and looked at the phone number again.
Oh, you should have given your number back to him! When would you know if he wasn’t too busy? He was always busy! He was a star! But he… he was so sweet.
Your heart still pounded as you took a seat on the ground, shakily saving the number into your phone so you wouldn’t forget to. You added a lot of heart emojis before you stared at the blank message screen.
No.
You’d wait. That was what you would do!
But you wanted to see him again soon. So soon…
And even at that moment, Mettaton was waiting to hear back from you. You had been so adorable. He had found himself so taken in with the smaller monster that he couldn’t wait for you to try to get in contact with him. Truthfully, the robot didn’t know what had happened, but at the gentle press of your inky lips against his hull, he had felt a spark.
One he hadn’t felt since seeing the prototype body that Alphys had made for him. Not since he had been a ghost, looking at the new form that was waiting for him to slip in like a glove that would fit perfectly.
So he waited for your call after the signing was done, eagerly staring at the phone screen inside his mechanical body. Wondering if you would do it that same day and wondering if he should have gotten your number as well. After all, he, well, he wanted to hear your voice again. That sweet little voice that made him feel important.
Like he had always wanted to be.
After a pep talk from Bratty and Catty about what you should do, you finally gathered up the courage as you were laying in your cozy little bed. You could hear the downstairs noise of the bar below - Grillby had been kind enough to let you stay in the small attic if you promised to catch any cats that came into the bar. The dogs hated them.
So, you lay in your bed and finally sent the message.
Hi, Mettaton! This is the ink monster from your signing earlier. I just wanted to thank you again for everything. I hope that you’re managing to get some rest after meeting all those people. You’re so awesome!!
You sent a little sticker emoji of a human holding up a sign with a heart, thinking it looked more casual than the silly message you wrote.
Nervously, you locked your phone and placed it on your stomach, your heart racing again.
You wished that he could feel what he did to you. Just the thought of him made your body tingle with anticipation. It was euphoric. He was so amazing…
There was a buzz of a reply almost immediately after you placed the device down. Mettaton was more than a double texter; if it was more dramatically appropriate to do so, he would text upwards of ten times in a row.
Thankfully, this wasn’t one of those times.
i was so happy to see you too, my dear! i do hope i didn't scare you too much by giving you my personal number ;P i would love to see you again one of these days! how would a get-together at my hotel sound? the restaurant there is wonderful!
Metal fingers didn’t need to tap a reply, as Mettaton was… well, being a robot as he was he was already part phone. He could do it just as himself. The emoji made him laugh, looking into the mirror and momentarily seeing his new body in his mind, beaming back at him and shaking with a laugh.
Maybe…
Maybe he’d debut it to you.
You didn’t scare me! I just didn’t know when would be the right time to reach out. You’re always so busy filming, I’m sure! I’m so glad you replied. I’m free most days, my job is very flexible. I’d love to finally eat at your restaurant! It’s always so booked far in advance that I’ve never gotten to go.
You squirmed in your bed, absolutely delighted. Your heart pounded louder.
I know it’ll be just as amazing as your hotel is! ...which has the comfiest beds ever, by the way!! I miss that place already! I heard you put in a new fountain - I’d love to see it when we’re there!
You couldn’t help but be excited as you typed your reply up quickly.
well, darling, i’d be more than happy to escort you myself! after all, you seemed so sweet when we spoke.
Oh, yeah, he was going to show you first. This sweet, shy monster would be the first to see his new body. Beaming internally, Mettaton added a few more sparkly hearts to his text before sending it off into the electronic cyberspace. He’d been waiting so long to finally get to show it off to someone and so the thought of someone who would absolutely be excited to see anything getting to see it first and praising him was…
It was a lot. He could barely contain himself.
I hope I can see you soon. I already miss you :(
You blushed. Was that too desperate? Maybe. But he was naturally flirty so maybe he would find it cute.
You paused.
I should go to sleep soon… It was a very long big line today! I hope to hear from you soon? Let me know when you wanna hang out!!
Then you took a quick snap under the glow of the fairy lights you had. It was a sweet picture of you tossing up a peace sign. You captioned it ‘Can’t stop smiling!!’
well, darling, i was wondering…
He paused, laying down in his own chassis and letting his ghost body float up and outwards with a phone to continue the text conversation. Now Mettaton could tap his chin in contemplation on what to say next.
After all, he didn’t want to come off too strong. But he had sincerely enjoyed spending time with you. Hell, he didn’t want to wait to see you again, he wasn’t exactly the most patient monster. Part of the consequences of being famous was that he was now accustomed to having things available whenever he wanted, but he realized that it wouldn’t be possible for it to always be that way with his new little friend.
Still, best to ask and be sure.
would tomorrow at dinner be alright?
Yes! If I wake up early and walk over there, I can be there by five. Is that okay?
You were hugging the phone to your chest, so happy that Mettaton wanted to see you so soon! You bit your lip and also the bullet. Time to get a bit cheesy.
There’s a Mettaton shaped hole in my heart that I gotta wait that long to see your wonderful face again, so you better see me in my dreams, ok?
You sent another emoji, this time of a sleeping creature with a heart next to it.
Oh - is there a dress code? I’ll try and pack something fancy that I can change into!
oh, nothing too fancy. i'm going to put on a bowtie, but that’s about it. and it’s a stick-on bowtie, so it doesn’t count as fancy. it’s basically just a sticker to make me look fancy.
Then he reread your texts and frowned slightly, pushing the fringe of hair out of his face as he wondered why you were thinking that you would have to walk all the way there. How you thought he wasn’t going to completely spoil you.
walk? oh, no.
Shaking his head fondly, the ghost tapped out a reply.
you’re not going to walk. I'll arrange transportation.
Pausing, he grinned privately and snickered at the followup text he sent, knowing that it would likely fluster you.
what sorts of drinks do you like, so i can know what they need to stock the limo with?
It did indeed fluster you. He was making a fuss so you didn’t have to walk? But you were used to it!
But the concern and the spoiling…You were kind of enjoying it.
Oh! Um. Seltzer water…? I’m not very picky!
You looked out your small window. The stars that somehow trickled in from above were shining.
Maybe after dinner tomorrow we could see these stars together? If you have more time, of course. The stars in Waterfall remind me so much of you. Almost like you fell from the cosmos and landed here with us. Maybe that’s your secret?
And something else happened that hadn’t in a long time. Something that physically couldn’t happen while Mettaton was in his boxy body. His ghost form and the new body? Those both could do it, but it was still rare.
He blushed.
flattery will get you everywhere, darling,
He teased, sending a winky emoji and adding a kissy-face one as well.
At the mention of looking at the stars, Mettaton could barely keep from jumping with joy. He loved gazing up at the heavens above! Well, heavens was a bit much. The glittering stones.
of course! if you’d like, we can even bring a few of the drinks i’ll have prepared for you with us to sip while we gaze up!
Sounds wonderful! I’ll see you in my dreams, Mettaton~!
You blushed once more before you sent her final text for the night:
Text me when the car’s almost here - I’m at Grillby’s in Snowdin! I can’t wait!!! Goodnight, Mettaton! Sweet dreams!
You sent a kissy face emoji and then promptly fell into dreamland.
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storytellerren · 6 years
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Reflections
A thorough examination of Rey and Kylo Ren and their scenes together in the Sequel Trilogy
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This whole meta came about as a way to understand why Kylo Ren’s hunger for honesty in The Last Jedi was so goddamn sexy to me. Apart from the pornography that is Ben Swolo, why did the way he demanded Rey be honest with him and with herself feel so tense and sexual? Pondering an answer has led me to insights about their characters that I’m sharing here. It won’t be brief--I’m afraid I’m in over my head--but it is what it is. So let’s go!
DISCLAIMER:
A lot of the ideas I will mention have already been discussed within the fandom, but I couldn’t even begin to remember where I heard some of it or know who to give the credit to. Dissecting these characters is a collaborative effort. So building on the brilliance of others, let me add some of my thoughts--from a background in literature, creative writing and film--to the conversation.
Also, I will only be using the movies as a foundation for my claims. I realize that there’s tons of other canon material, but I think I can make my points using just The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
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Before a writer even begins putting words on paper they must first do some foundational character work. Following those steps, I’m going to take Rey and Kylo and whittle them down to their cores, and I’m going to use the first half of The Force Awakens to do it. What follows that will be a detailed breakdown of every scene they’ve shared so far in the Sequel Trilogy. Oh man, my typing fingers are already trembling!
WHAT REY AND KYLO WANT
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I am a big fan of Lisa Cron and her books Story Genius and Wired for Story. Cron is known for her discussion of the storytelling elements that are hardwired into our brains. Among them is giving your characters the proper start. Cron says that a protagonist must begin the story with two things:
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In each movie Rey and Kylo have specific desires. In TFA Kylo wants to find Luke and Rey wants to get BB-8 back to the Resistance. In TLJ Kylo wants to get rid of Snoke and Rey wants to bring Luke back to the Resistance. (Is Rey the freaking errand girl for the Resistance?) But this is a trilogy which means that what they really want is much bigger and their specific goals are just steps towards achieving their ultimate desires. So here’s what I’ve decided are Rey and Kylo’s deep-seated desires the first time we see them in TFA.
REY WANTS A DESTINY
KYLO WANTS FREE WILL
Don’t worry, we’ll talk a lot more about their desires, but for now we must move on to misbeliefs. Cron compares the misbelief to the “fatal flaw” or “the wound the protagonist enters with.” She calls it a misbelief because the audience knows it is wrong, but the protagonist doesn’t. In fact, the protagonist must believe in it with all his heart. How he overcomes his misbelief is what the story is about.
Now for Rey and Kylo’s defining misbeliefs:
REY BELIEVES HER PARENTS WILL RETURN AND BESTOW HER WITH A DESTINY IF SHE IS PATIENT AND HOPEFUL
KYLO BELIEVES THAT HE MUST LET GO OF OR CONCEAL HIS PAST IN ORDER TO WRITE HIS OWN FUTURE
So let’s put it all together…
Rey believes that when her parents return for her, she will finally understand her place in the galaxy. They will give her a family name and a group to belong to--bequeathing her a destiny. Kylo believes that if he sheds the Skywalker/Solo name, then he can finally choose who he is and where he belongs--writing his own destiny. You’re starting to see where I’m going, aren’t you?
Since the Star Wars movies are always coming of age stories, Rey and Kylo are essentially seeking identity, but they’re going about it in opposite ways. It’s because these two characters are reflections of one another, created to strengthen the other’s arc. That’s what good writing strives to do, and you can bet that Disney knows this. He might not look it, but the Mouse is a master storyteller.
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The very first time we see Kylo Ren he is decked out from head to toe in the costume he created to conceal his true identity. He goes by a different name, a name that recognizes him as the leader of a new kind of family, and this time it is a family of his choosing: the Knights of Ren.
Kylo’s first interaction is with Lor San Tekka who, with almost every line of dialogue, attempts to remind Kylo of his origin. “You may try but you cannot deny the truth that is your family,” San Tekka says, to which Kylo replies, “You’re so right,” and cuts him down.
Kylo is obviously referring to Darth Vader being part of his bloodline too. After all, in an act of rebellion against his family, Ben Solo created Kylo Ren--with Snoke’s guidance--as a sort of second Vader. (Note: Vader, not Jedi Anakin Skywalker). And let’s not forget that “Kylo” comes from SKYwalker and SoLO. So you could argue that part of Kylo doesn’t want to let go of his past, and at the very beginning of the story I would probably agree. But I would also argue that Kylo only wants to hold onto the parts of his past that suit him. He wants to choose which parts of it will define him and hide the rest under the mask of Kylo Ren.
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The first time we see Rey she is alone in the hollow belly of a crashed Star Destroyer. The Destroyer is a literal remnant of the light’s triumph over darkness, as is the fallen AT-AT in which she lives. Even the Rebel helmet she puts on when she eats serves as evidence that good things happen if one remembers to keep hope alive. And that’s what Rey is busy doing from the very first moment we see her.
Rey’s life, as it’s presented to the audience, is built around the lie she created because the truth was too painful to face. Believing in the myth of her returning parents is easier than deciding who she wants to be in a whole galaxy of possibilities. Keeping her appearance the way her parents knew it and the wall of never-ending tally marks are just two of the visual representations of Rey’s misbelief. It’s almost as if Rey has put her life on hold waiting for their return. And perhaps this is why some fans infantilize her. She is a woman, but one that keeps everything as it was when she was a child.
As TFA goes on Kylo is continuously forced to confront his past. Characters like Hux and Snoke relish the opportunity to remind him of where he comes from like it’s a weakness Kylo must overcome. And he’s really trying. But the funny thing about Kylo is that the constant reminders keep him focused. Because he craves the truth. He needs it. As a child he listened in the shadows while his parents argued about his destiny. He was never told in brutal, stark honesty where he comes from. From Darth frickin’ Vader! Ben Solo believed that Snoke was honest with him when his family wasn’t--that’s why he sided with Snoke when everything fell apart. And that’s why Kylo invades people’s minds: because he doesn’t trust them to be honest with him. And why would he? Having a reliable route to the truth is a useful tool for a man who feels it was always kept from him. And while Kylo might not like the truth--which I think is made apparent by his frequent outbursts--he always demands it. It’s almost masochistic, but that’s our dark, beautiful space prince.
On the other side of things, we see Rey embark on a journey towards a destiny, but it’s not the one she imagined so she rejects it at every turn--from constantly telling Finn she has to get back to Jakku to turning down Han Solo’s job offer. She goes along with things for as long as she does because she is intrigued by the myth of the Jedi and Luke Skywalker. And we already know Rey prefers a good story to reality. It’s only when Rey becomes a part of this story, when she touches the legacy lightsaber, that problems arise. She experiences an incredible vision--one part troubling past and one part chilling future--but what it doesn’t show her is who she is or how she fits into everything. And that frightens her. So she runs.
Before I move on I want to point out how good of a foil Finn is for Rey and Kylo. Because Finn doesn’t want any kind of role. It’s no coincidence that all three are shown for the first time wearing masks. Finn’s is not a mask of his choosing, but Kylo’s is. And Rey’s is a mask of necessity. I could analyze Finn’s place in all of this, but that would probably tack on an extra thousand words, and I still haven’t gotten to The Last Jedi which, if you’re still with me, is where all of this is headed.
So there are our protagonists. True mirror opposites. Now let’s put them together, starting with the moment they meet. Or, actually, just before.
WHAT GIRL?
For many, the birth of Reylo occurred when Kylo laid into Lieutenant Mitaka. “What girl?” he growls. Kylo has felt an awakening in the Force and I think his curiosity has to do with that, but the question itself is meaningful. It’s as if he’s saying, “Who is this person? I’ve never heard of her before. She must not belong to a famous family.” This girl is already intriguing to him because she’s nobody. There’s no way he’s not exploring this further.
THE TAKODANA FOREST
The first time Rey sees Kylo for real, he is looming towards her--this scary creature from her vision. Oh no, the vision is coming true! She fires her blaster and he deflects, but he keeps coming, like the truth, persistent and undeniable. Kylo decides pretty quickly to take her with him and he even carries her in his arms. She is a curiosity, something to be handled with care.
THE INTERROGATION
When Rey awakens, she is restrained, but Kylo is kneeling before her, watching. Not looking inside her mind… just watching. Who is this girl? This scene has probably been analyzed more than any other, so I’ll try to keep my thoughts brief.
“You still want to kill me?” Kylo asks. “That’s what happens when you’re being hunted by a creature in a mask,” Rey responds. Kylo wants her to see what this creature she imagines really looks like--he wants her to see the truth--so he takes off his helmet. But he is not what Rey expects. Her perception doesn’t match what she’s seeing with her own eyes and it makes her uncomfortable. It’s no mistake that this is the first time the audience sees Kylo Ren unmasked too. Our reaction is supposed to mirror Rey’s. Mine sure as hell did.
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Kylo sizes her up as well, this scavenger, this nobody. Why is she important? He asks her to tell him about the droid, giving her the chance to avoid his mind probe. When she doesn’t play along, he peeks inside her head. But instead of finding the information he needs, he looks first for what her life is like. He looks for her pain. And, surprisingly, it’s something he recognizes. Why did he seek this information first? We all know it’s because, at this point, he is more interested in “the girl” than in finding Luke. And here’s why…
Kylo is envious of Rey
She comes from no great family. She has no baggage, nothing holding her back from her destiny--or so he thinks. And he soon discovers just how strong with the Force she really is. She is a blank slate. She could be anything, achieve anything. She is what he wants to be.
And Rey’s confidence grows as the Force inside her grows, and she is able to push back and see inside Kylo’s mind. When she does, she sees through the pretense of Kylo Ren to the scared young man beneath: Ben Solo. Kylo is shocked and chagrined. For all his respect for objective truth, he keeps his own personal, subjective truth closely guarded. But tit for tat, Kylo. Now two can play that game.
HAN AND BEN
This was the scene that caused me to leap with wild abandon onto the Kylo Ren pain train, and it catapulted Adam Driver to the top of my list of favorite actors. How layered this scene is. How tragic!
“Take off that mask. You don’t need it,” Han says. “And what do you think you’ll see if I do?” Ben asks, curious. “The face of my son,” Han replies. Like he did earlier with Rey, Kylo removes his mask, letting his father see what he has become. We all know how the rest of the scene goes. They squabble, Han implores him to see the truth: Snoke is using him for his power. Kylo knows his father is right and he’s a hair’s breadth from returning home with him… then he remembers his misbelief. Forget the past. But this time forgetting isn’t enough. Now he must kill the past.
As Rey watches this play out, she is seeing a parent return for his child and the child rejecting that love. It floors her. It goes against everything she has ever wanted for herself. Ben Solo had parents who loved him, he had a name, a destiny. And he threw it all away. Okay, it should be obvious by now what I’m going to say…
Rey is envious of Ben Solo
Rey and Kylo are reflections of one another, plain and simple. If you don’t believe me, perhaps Adam Driver will convince you.
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THE DARK FOREST
There’s one aspect of this scene that I absolutely love but never felt like I understood completely. Reexamining Kylo as I have for this meta, I think I get it now. And it makes so much sense. As Kylo faces off against Finn and Rey, he keeps hitting his wounded side, spattering the white snow with blood. Why would he do that? He’s showing the enemy his weakness and perhaps making the injury worse. Here’s my take…
Kylo hits his side in an effort to stay focused on reality, on truth. He’s fucking delirious right now. He just killed his father and it hurt, it messed him up bad. But that pain is a reminder of what he is capable of if he lets his misbelief guide him. Perhaps it is also a kind of flagellation or punishment for his deed. If I could ask Adam Driver one question it might be will you whisper something dirty in my ear why he chose to have Kylo repeatedly beat his wound. I feel the answer would reveal a lot.
Now let’s move on to “the look.” You know what I’m talking about. It’s the moment right after Rey summons the Skywalker lightsaber, the moment that many Reylos believe Kylo falls head over heels in love with her. Perhaps they’re right, but I think there’s more to it. In this moment the Force has chosen Rey. A nobody, a scavenger! And Kylo is in complete awe. He is shocked, he is enthralled, he is jealous. Who is this girl?
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But Kylo’s shock is Rey’s call to action. When she ignites that lightsaber, she is essentially accepting the destiny it showed her, whatever it may be. And as they fight, her new power becomes undeniable to them both. Kylo offers to be her teacher because she needs training, but also because he needs to know more about her. And as the Force awakens inside of her, Kylo stares in total wonderment. Something earth-shattering is happening here and I’m not talking about the ground splitting open.
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At the end of TFA, Rey and Kylo’s deep-seated desires are still the same, but their misbeliefs have changed a bit. Understanding why she has the Force becomes more important to Rey than going back to Jakku. She may no longer believe her parents will return for her, but what she believes now is that in order to accept her destiny, she must know exactly who she is and where she comes from. And it is no longer good enough to forget or conceal the past for Kylo. Now the past must be completely eradicated.
So with these things in mind, let’s dive into The Last Jedi and talk specifically about the ways in which Rey and Kylo react to truth. And maybe along the way we’ll figure out why the whole thing feels so unbearably sexy.
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As far as Rey and Kylo go, Rian Johnson wrote the perfect movie. The Last Jedi is perfection. Per-fec-tion! *kisses fingertips* Rian understood just from reading the TFA script that Kylo and Rey are reflections of one another and he built on that in an incredibly profound way. He is a brilliant human being and I love him.
At the beginning of TLJ we find Rey attempting to bring Luke Skywalker back to the Resistance. She says “we” when referring to the Rebels so in a way she has accepted them as her new family. But there’s another reason why she sought out Luke. We know that Rey’s deep-seated desire is to uncover her destiny, and she thinks Luke can help her. “I need someone to show me my place in all this,” she says, but Luke isn’t all that interested in the job. While he does eventually start training her, Rey becomes more attracted to what the Force itself--both light and dark--has to show her. Luke’s disapproval of her dark-side curiosity only compounds Rey’s loneliness. Cue the Force Bond! But not yet. First we have to talk about Kylo.
When we first see him, Kylo is trying to save face with Supreme Leader Snoke. But it’s not going well. Snoke berates Kylo and zaps him with his dark lightning all while, once again, bringing up Kylo’s past. “The mighty Kylo Ren,” Snoke says. “When I found you I saw … something truly special. The potential of your bloodline. A new Vader. Now I fear I was mistaken.” Even if Snoke was just trying to piss off Kylo because he’d connected his mind to Rey’s and blah blah blah… it worked a little too well. In this moment, Kylo digs his heels into his new misbelief. Kill the past. And guess who just became part of it? Kylo knows when he leaves that throne room that he will never be able to write his own destiny with a wrinkled old perv telling him what to do. Snoke is a goner and doesn’t even know it.
Now Kylo goes off and smashes his helmet. If he’s going to truly kill the past then the Vader costume has to go. The guise of Kylo Ren is already dissolving. And the great irony is that, like Rey, Ben Solo also concocted a lie to hide an uncomfortable truth. He created Kylo Ren to cover up his true identity and all the baggage that came with it. That’s why he must now destroy Kylo Ren. Not only does the dishonesty of it disgust him, but it’s no longer enough to simply conceal the past. Now he must completely obliterate it. He must become something new.
Even though it may not seem like it, Kylo’s outburst has left him laser-focused. “Prepare my ship,” he barks when the elevator opens. It’s time to blow up some Rebels! And he does blow up a few when he hits the hangar, but when it comes to killing his mother, unsurprisingly, he can’t seem to do it. Still, he is lost and in pain and lonely as hell. Now cue the Force Bond!
FORCE BOND #1
The first time they connect it is a surprise for both of them. Rey reacts with her gut, pulling a blaster on Kylo, but Kylo just stares in awe... again. He follows her when she runs and after an embarrassing attempt to control her with the Force he says, “You’re not doing this. The effort would kill you. Can you see my surroundings?” He is like a scientist, eager to discover how and why such a thing has happened. Rey interrupts him to scream, “You’re gonna pay for what you did!” Rey is less interested in the how-and-why and more interested in the way the story is going to play out. A bad man killed his father, so justice should be served. Kylo continues, “I can’t see yours [surroundings]… just you. No, this is something else.” While this strange new connection is a curiosity for Kylo, for Rey it is something to be wary of. Earlier, when the Uneti tree called to her, she fell to her knees, unable to deny the power of the Force. But what does the Force mean by this?
FORCE BOND #2
The second Bond starts with Kylo asking, “Why is the Force connecting us? You and I?” to which Rey replies, “Murderous snake! You’re too late. You lost. I found Skywalker.” Rey has already made up her mind about Kylo, so the Bond is a waste of her time. But Kylo wants her to have the truth, he needs her to see him as he really is. Because nobody else does. “Did he tell you what happened? The night I destroyed his temple, did he tell you why?” he asks. “I know everything I need to know about you,” Rey snaps and I think she says it out loud, to hear it, because she’s afraid she might be wrong. Right now things are pretty black and white. No need to visit the gray area between.
“You do?” Kylo says. Then comes the liquid sex, “Ahh, you do.” Can a voice induce an orgasm? Asking for a friend. Kylo studies her closely. “You have that look in your eyes… from the forest. When you called me a monster.” “You are a monster,” Rey affirms. Then Kylo does something that throws her way off. He looks into her eyes, into her soul, and says, “Yes, I am.” This is another moment like when Kylo removed his helmet for Rey back in TFA, only this time her perception doesn’t match what she’s hearing. He agrees? Why would he do that?
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After the second Force Bond, Rey is more curious about the truth. Myth is no longer enough to satisfy her. So she asks Luke about the night Ben Solo destroyed his temple and Luke gives his version of the story. What I might not have mentioned before, but you already know, is that Rey is a very trusting person. She believed Finn’s lie about being in the Resistance and now she believes Luke’s story. They’re the good guys, so that means they’re honest. By that logic, Kylo is a bad guy and also a liar. The truth, of course, is that Kylo is the only person who has ever been completely honest with her. But Rey isn’t ready to confront that yet.
I should also point out that Rey is beginning to think about the way that Luke became a legend: by believing there was still good in Darth Vader and refusing to give up on him. Luke tries to tell her that it’s not that simple, but Rey trusts in the power of myths. “The galaxy may need a legend,” she tells Luke. She still believes it’s that easy. That’s why it’s no surprise when she decides to run off and save Ben Solo just a few hours later. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
FORCE BOND #3
Here it is… the most candid exchange in the whole movie. It’s open, it’s naked, it’s raw and it’s vulnerable. And it spurs a series of monumentally important events. All because Rey saw Kylo shirtless. Of course I’m kidding about that last part, but I do think the nudity has something to do with it.
“I’d rather not do this now,” Rey says and we hear Kylo respond, softly, “Yeah, me too.” But they’re gonna do it. They’re gonna do it till it’s good and done. “Why did you hate your father,” Rey asks and turns to see that Kylo is shirtless. Immediately she wants him to put on a cowl, but she just asked him a very personal question and, symbolically, to put on a cowl would be to answer dishonestly. Kylo’s beautiful, broad, glistening chest is the embodiment of naked truth here.
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“Why did you hate your father? Give me an honest answer,” she says--as if he’s ever lied to her before. Kylo moves closer, ready to lay it on her. “You had a father who loved you, who gave a damn about you,” Rey says, speaking from a place of sadness and envy. Remember Ben Solo had a life she would have cherished. Why did he throw it away? “I didn’t hate him,” Kylo says, getting to the core of what she means. “Then why?” Rey demands. “Why what?” Kylo retorts. Even though he already knows what she means, he’s going to make her say it. It’s important to hear it out loud. “Why did you… why did you kill him? I don’t understand,” Rey says, sobbing. Kylo answers, “No? Your parents threw you away like garbage.” Kylo feels that his parents threw him away too, but Rey doesn’t quite understand that about him yet. “They didn’t!” she snaps, still clinging to the myth of parents that loved her. Justifiably, it’s difficult for her to let go of the lie that comforted her for more than a decade. “They did, but you can’t stop needing them. It’s your greatest weakness. Looking for them everywhere, in Han Solo, now in Skywalker,” Kylo says. Rey assumed that Kylo killed Han Solo because he hated him, but what Kylo is essentially admitting is that he killed his father because he loved him… loved him so much that it made him weak. It’s another contradiction, another clash between perception and reality.
“Did he tell you what happened that night?” Kylo asks. He’s still curious because he wants Rey to really see him, to understand him. “Yes,” she barks, teeth bared. But Kylo can tell by her vehemence that she doesn’t have all the information. “No,” he says and proceeds to tell her about that night, the way he experienced it. “He had sensed my power as he senses yours. And he feared it.” Luke admitted as much just a few scenes ago, but Rey likes to resist. “Liar,” she says in what comes across as the most unconvincing retort ever. Of course it was supposed to feel inauthentic. At this point Rey knows in her heart that Kylo is telling her the truth, has always told her the truth. But he’s a bad guy, so it doesn’t add up.
Kylo advances on Rey, going in for the kill. His eyes bore into hers as the light gleams against his hot, oily chest. Dear Jesus, help me! “Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It’s the only way to become what you’re meant to be,” he says. There it is: his mantra. It’s his deep-seated desire AND his misbelief all rolled into one. It’s the revelation that fuels him and he’s decided to share it with Rey--because he thinks she needs to hear it. He was envious of her “nobody” status before he understood that she was clinging to her past too. And now he wants to help her become something new, as he is becoming something new.
When the connection breaks, Rey is all stirred up. She finally sees him--not the façade of Kylo Ren or the abandoned Ben Solo, but Kylo as he is right damn now. The tension and intimacy of it is too much for me her, so she takes immediate action.
While this meta isn’t about story structure, I do want to point out that this scene occurs halfway through the movie. I know from years of screenwriting classes and dozens of books on the subject that all well-written films have a plot reversal midway through. Take a look at the halfway mark of any film you love and I can almost guarantee you’ll find that the story turns. Remarkably, around The Last Jedi’s halfway mark, not only does Rey’s story turn, but everyone else’s does too. This is no coincidence. It’s just good writing.
THE MIRROR CAVE
I love Rey for a lot of reasons, one of them being her passion-fueled bursts of fearlessness. After Kylo’s truth bomb, she could’ve gone back to Luke and demanded to know what really happened. She could’ve probed the gray area a little more. But that’s not how Rey works. Her life is changing and it’s changing fast. There’s no time for gray. The darkness offered her something she needs and, dammit, she’s going to take it. The only change I’d make to this sequence would be to have her swan dive into that dark mossy hole. I’m assuming Rian decided against this only because Rey probably doesn’t know how to dive. Anyway, Kylo’s advice--and his nakedness--has driven Rey to confront her misbelief, and now she must find out who her parents are.
There’s something I want to get out of the way before I jump into (heh) this scene. And it’s the notion of Rey’s parentage. Full disclosure, I was a Rey Kenobi stan after TFA. In fact, I took it a step further and believed she was the reincarnation of Obi-Wan, but I am so relieved to be wrong. One of the reasons I think people still cling to Rey’s parentage is because TFA set it up in such an exciting and mysterious way. Like Kylo, we all wanted to know, Who is this girl? But Rian is smarter than me and ReySkys and everyone else. Rian knew what Rey required in order to grow. Okay, moving on.
Ah, the mirror cave! How rife with symbolism this scene is. Water, for instance, almost always signifies rebirth, especially when a character is submerged in it. And of course when Rey emerges from this symbolic baptism, her hair is down for the first time. Like Kylo destroying his helmet, Rey lets her look morph into something different. It’s almost as if she’s allowing herself to finally become a woman. I don’t think I have to say it, but I will: every single shred of symbolism here is intentional. Remember this.
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The first thing the mirror shows Rey is a seemingly infinite line of Reys. And they copy her actions with a slight delay. What does it mean? Well, it seems to mean that Rey’s future is hers to write. She can be any one of these Reys, depending upon the decisions she makes. But there is more. A female voice speaks to her. Is it Mom? Rey approaches a mirror-like wall and says, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” No, that’s not it. “Show me the Beast.” Not right either. “Let me see them. My parents. Please.” That’s it!
It’s funny that the cave is supposed to be Ahch-To’s place of darkness because it gives Rey the truth. It doesn’t dance around her request, offering her a perplexing Jedi aphorism. It shows her the reality of her situation: she is alone. Rey wants to see her parents, but the mirror doesn’t show them because they don’t exist anymore. They’re dead. So in lieu of sending two hobbling skeletons, the Force presents Rey with two shadowy figures. Mom and Dad, right? Sure, they’re probably supposed to represent her parents, but even the notion that it could be Rey and Kylo is enough to give that idea merit. And the fact that the two figures merge together could represent the union of Rey’s parents to create Rey or it could be Rey and Kylo merging to balance the Force. It’s all there. No interpretation is wrong. Many fans think they see Kylo in the lone figure--I see him too!--and we know from the concept art that they toyed with the idea of Kylo being in her reflection. But I’m getting a little sidetracked. The point, of course, is that when the image clears and Rey sees herself, she understands that she doesn’t have parents anymore. The female voice she heard before wasn’t her mother’s, it was hers. I know she goes on to tell Kylo, “I thought I’d find answers here. I was wrong,” but it’s only because she can’t yet admit what she already knows. We’re talking about Rey’s misbelief. If it were easy for her to move past, then she would’ve done it a long time ago.
One final thought about the mirror cave. I wonder what Kylo would’ve seen if he had been there? Personally, I think he would’ve seen his parents clear as day.
FORCE BOND #4 / THE HUT
Now I want to present this scene to you a little differently than you’re probably used to thinking about it. I don’t want to talk about the romance and the beauty and the intimacy. I want to talk about the eeriness. Yep, I want to tell you why this scene has a creepy edge to it. Because it definitely does. Don’t be afraid… it’ll be fun.
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Okay, okay, I know I said earlier this meta wasn’t about story structure--and it isn’t--but I want to really break this scene down in order to study it more closely. Shawn Coyne’s book The Story Grid describes the scene as a “mini-story,” meaning it must have a beginning, middle and end, a protagonist and antagonist, but overall it must have conflict. Coyne says the easiest way to add conflict to a scene is to make sure the value state changes as the scene progresses. It can go from a positive value expression (like love) to a negative one (like hate) or vice versa, but it cannot stay static. If nothing changes, you don’t have a scene. So keeping the creepy angle and the scene components in mind, let’s talk through the hut scene, perhaps the most important scene in all three movies (yes, including Episode IX). Because I think that in two years’ time we’ll be able to say that this was the midpoint reversal of the whole trilogy. This was where everything started to change.
So the beginning of the hut scene is really the end of the mirror cave scene and it reveals that Rey has been talking to someone about her experience. “I’d never felt so alone,” she says, staring glassy-eyed at the fire. We wait with anticipation. Who’s going to answer her? Thunder sounds outside, the spatter of rain mingling with the crackling fire. The music here is quiet but creeps like a dark vine twisting around your ankle. Then we hear a voice, an oozing throaty whisper, “You’re not alone.” Rey looks up and finally we see who she’s talking to. Kylo sits in the shadows of his room on the Supremacy, untouched by the fire’s orange glow. He stares at Rey, intent and focused. So here’s the conflict… Rey is vulnerable and lonely, needing someone to lean on. Kylo is there, but he’s the villain, right? Now the scene becomes all about answering one very important question… What will happen when the good guy and the bad guy connect? What, indeed.
The middle of the scene has Rey making the decision to (literally) reach out to Kylo rather than pushing him away as she has always done before. “Neither are you,” she says, committing to her decision. The eeriness builds as we go out into the storm, to Luke. Lightning illuminates the dark clouds. Perhaps evil is coming for our heroes. Back inside the hut Rey says, “It isn’t too late.” The music is hesitant and unsure, uncommitted to a melody, just as we are unsure of what will happen. But Rey extends her hand to Kylo anyway. She doesn’t know if she can actually touch him through the Force Bond, but she knows that she must try. Kylo looks at her hand, curious, but moved by the honesty of her gesture. The only way that he can match her honesty is to remove his glove, but he is also dying to know if they can touch each other across light-years. Why is the Force connecting us? What does it all mean? A scene is a mini-story, remember? And this is the climax. Kylo’s hand slides into frame, moving towards Rey’s. The music swells, finding that note of tension and lingering on it. As their hands come together the firelight brightens Kylo’s face. Close on their fingers…
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BOOOOOOOM! The whole universe explodes. Rey inhales sharply, stunned by the Force’s revelation. The scene’s question has been answered. What will happen when the good guy and the bad guy connect? I’ll tell you what will happen, the fucking Force Theme will play is what will happen. If the TLJ script is ever released, I bet my life savings the action line here will say “FORCE THEME BEGINS” because the song’s presence is more important than just about anything else. The Force Theme is the music of the good guys, of larger than life power, of destiny and goodness and love. I don’t think Rian would’ve left such a vital story point up to John Williams. Anyway, trembling and crying, Rey and Kylo both understand what they are experiencing: a genuine connection to another person. Have either of them ever lived a moment like this one? I highly doubt it. So, like Kylo, you might be wondering, What does it all mean? It means the Force connected them for a reason. Even when we find out later that Snoke bridged their minds, it was still the Force that brought their fingers together and it was the Force that showed them each a vision. This is where everything turns.
The hut scene ends with Luke (the scene’s antagonist) barging in and losing his mind. But he doesn’t understand--he can’t hear the Force Theme! Personally, I’m glad that Luke spoiled the fun because if he hadn’t, then Rey or Kylo would’ve had to. Luke being the scene’s antagonist means that Rey and Kylo both got to remain the protagonists. And honestly, we all know that if there’d been more time, Kylo probably would’ve said something kinda tone-deaf that would’ve made Rey second guess going after him. Breaking up their union leaves it unfinished, leaves more questions to be answered. It keeps the story moving. And for the record, the value state of this scene went from loneliness (-) to unity (+) to confusion (-)… or something like that.
After the connection is broken, Rey chases after Luke. “Did you do it? Did you create Kylo Ren? Tell me the truth!” she says. Girl is all about the truth now. She’s visited the light side and the dark side, but more importantly, she’s been to the area in between. She sees now that things are rarely black and white and the only way to understand what’s really going on is to demand the truth. She’s becoming more like Kylo. After Luke tells her the Jedi temple story again, she says, “You failed him by thinking his choice was made. It wasn’t.” She realizes that Ben Solo was never allowed to choose the person he wanted to become and that is the reason he turned into Kylo Ren. It’s funny that she seems to grasp this now because in just a few more lines she confidently explains to Luke that Kylo will choose to come back to the light. The Force showed her a vision (what the fuck did she see seriously I can’t get over this why couldn’t we see it we needed to see it Rian) and she believes in it. She believes in it so much that Kylo’s own free will is overshadowed. “If I go to him, Ben Solo will turn,” she says. As if it will be as easy as calling him “Ben” again. Han Solo tried that and it didn’t work out real great for him. But besides being all high on Force power, Rey is beginning to understand what she thinks is her destiny. Like Luke, she will turn the villain and end the war. It’s a good story, and this time it is Force-certified.
REY’S ARRIVAL
The first time I saw TLJ this was one of my favorite moments. It’s like Snow White being awakened by Prince Charming with true love’s kiss. Admittedly, I am a sucker for stories like that. But this one is better.
Clutching the legacy lightsaber--a kind of peace offering--Rey climbs inside the escape pod and launches toward the Supremacy. Luke didn’t want the saber or the hero’s title so Rey’s bringing them both to Ben Solo. She looks so pretty inside the coffin-like pod, her lips pink and full and her chest heaving. Fog clouds the air as the pod opens. Will Kylo be there? And then he is there and he looks just as beautiful as Rey. Her eyes widen. For all she knows he’s going to reach down and scoop her out, carry her like he did once before to a shuttle he has prepared for their departure. But stormtroopers stand behind him, and one opens a pair of binders, binders meant for her. “This is not going to go the way you think,” Luke said, but she hadn’t believed him. If you were afraid Kylo wouldn’t return to the Resistance with Rey, this was red flag number one.
THE ELEVATOR
I’m not going to say much about this scene because I already have in my first meta titled LET’S TALK ABOUT THE ELEVATOR SCENE. In it I analyze every line of dialogue and explain how they foreshadow what happens in the throne room. I wrote it sometime in January and shortly thereafter Rian answered a fan question that actually confirmed one of my points. If you want to read it, you can get to it by clicking on the link above.
But I do want to point out a few new revelations I’ve had about this scene. Rey calls Kylo “Ben” here because she thinks she’s appealing to his true nature, but remember that Kylo is changing. His misbelief is that he must kill the past. And Ben Solo is past. Also she says, “You will not bow before Snoke. You’ll turn. I’ll help you. I saw it.” When Rey saw Kylo’s future, did she see him standing up to Snoke? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that she did because it would make sense as to why she would think they could end the war. Then Kylo tells Rey that he saw something too and what he saw means that she will be the one to switch sides. We all know that he saw her parents when they touched hands and he believes that knowing their identity will free her up to follow her destiny. It’s ironic that the Force showed them what the other wants. Why didn’t the Force show Rey the identity of her parents or show Kylo Snoke’s bisected corpse? It’s because the Force wants to bring them together. Their union is kinda the whole point. Rey has something Kylo wants and Kylo has something Rey wants. Make them work together to get it. And oh boy, do they ever work together!
THE THRONE ROOM
I don’t really want to talk much about Snoke because, well, he’s unimportant. Rian was right: Snoke was an obstacle in the path of Kylo’s transformation. He had to go. But we have to start at the beginning of the scene, so I’d better get going.
Kylo brings Rey to Snoke, playing the dutiful servant, but all along he’s looking for a way to overthrow the old man. Make no mistake, Kylo has already chosen Rey. She is precious to him because she is his reflection. There was never a question of allegiance. Kylo does let Snoke torture her a bit, but he doesn’t have much choice because he hasn’t figured out how he’s going to defeat Snoke yet. When Snoke confesses that he bridged their minds, Kylo’s head shoots up and his expression wilts. The question he’s been asking himself since the first Force Bond has just been answered. It was Snoke? But we touched across spacetime, the Force showed us visions. It was real! You know anger is building in Kylo to the point of exploding, but he does a remarkable job of staying calm. Our boy is growing up!
One bit of symbolism in this scene worth drawing attention to is the magnifying glass apparatus that Snoke uses to show Rey the Resistance fleet. Like a mirror, a magnifying glass is a tool to better help one see the truth. Rey doesn’t care much for this particular truth, so she Force grabs Kylo’s lightsaber to attack Snoke. Her attack is easily thwarted, but when Kylo’s lightsaber returns to him spinning at his feet he figures out exactly how to kill Snoke. The look in his eyes here is so hot resolved. The rest of the trio’s interaction just serves to pile on the suspense and, goddamn, it does a good job. When Kylo finally kills Snoke and brings the legacy saber to Rey, the Force Theme starts up again. Why does the Force Theme always play when these two join together? It’s amazing how many self-professed fans can’t even answer this question. Anyway, we all know what happens next… I lose my fucking mind when that red glow hits Kylo’s face and his lightsaber purrrrrrrrs
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The fight that follows is a thing of beauty. It’s a painting in passionate reds and harsh shadows; it’s a dance; it’s lovemaking… it’s actually a whole lot of murder which, if you think about it, makes the sexiness of it feel a little wrong. But let’s not kid ourselves. When the fight was over, we all wanted them to tear off each other’s clothes and raw dog it in the middle of all those dead bodies, their sweat streaking the hard black floor, their moans echoing in the hot air as fire whirled down around them. Jesus… time out.
Okay, I’m back. Let’s move on. As much as we might like to fantasize about things going differently, the conclusion of the throne room scene is exactly what the story and characters demanded. Kylo is finally free. He has followed his misbelief and killed his past--well, not quite, but close enough. Now he has the freedom he’s always desired. Now he can decide who he wants to be. His transformation is almost complete. “It’s time to let old things die,” he says to Rey and to his credit he thinks it’s good advice, he thinks it will work for her because it has worked for him. Kylo goes on, listing all of the things they should let die, “Snoke, Skywalker, the Sith, the Jedi, the Rebels… Let it all die.” All of this is in keeping with his desire to become something new, something the galaxy has never seen before. And, of course, Rey is part of his new vision. Why wouldn’t she be? They are bound now and to tear apart that bond would only cause them both pain. “Rey, I want you to join me,” he says. “We can rule together and bring a new order to the galaxy.” You can almost see the boner in his pants as he considers this new life. And it’s so close to happening… so close! If Rey says yes, then he will have everything he wants.
But Rey knows that it’s not that simple. The past can never be erased. It will always be there. It will always matter. Even though she understands that her own parents are never returning, it’s okay because she has a new family now: the Resistance. And Kylo wants to let them blow up. “Don’t do this, Ben. Please don’t go this way,” Rey says. But, again, she’s not talking to Ben. I’m sorry, folks, but Ben Solo is gone. Even if he eventually reclaims the name--and I think he will--he’s been through too much to ever be that hopeful young man again. And if he’s to learn his lesson, then he won’t be able to conceal or kill his past anymore and that will include his past as Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader of the First Order. He’ll have to transform again. Perhaps into Ben Solo, but a new Ben Solo.
Kylo understands what’s going on with Rey and seeks to remedy the problem. “No, no. You’re still holding on. Let go!” he shouts. You’ve gotta admit, it’s a sexy idea. To forget everything that has ever caused you pain, to fly off into the stars with a person who has looked into your soul and accepted that it is broken. To heal together. It’s all still possible because Kylo has one last card to play. “Do you want to know the truth about your parents? Or have you always known? And you’ve just hidden it away. You know the truth. Say it. Say it.” Kylo isn’t being manipulative or dishonest. He’s seen inside her head. He knows about her misbelief. And Rey does say it because she does know the truth. She’s always known the truth. “They were nobody,” she says. Yes, this is the hardest thing for Rey to hear; yes, it will help her character grow; yes, it means that anyone can be a Force user. But do you know the number one reason Rey’s parents had to be nobodies? Because Rey would not have been Kylo’s reflection otherwise. She would not have been his mirror opposite. If she were a Kenobi or a Skywalker, then the yin-yang wouldn’t balance. And if this trilogy isn’t about balance then just kill me now because I won’t survive Episode IX.
Anyway, Kylo lays it on thick. “You have no place in this story. You come from nothing. You’re nothing. But not to me.” He’s not the most suave conversationalist, but that’s because he speaks the truth. He doesn’t sugar coat it--that’s dishonest. The truth is the truth is the truth and now it’s time to move on. “Join me,” Kylo says, offering Rey his gloved hand. “Please.” If only he’d taken off his glove! It was a genuine appeal, so whipping off that glove should’ve occurred to him. But perhaps Rey would’ve seen that as a small manipulation. The real manipulation, of course, is when Rey reaches out to Kylo to throw him off. Look at his face here. The life he wants is so close to happening… it’s just within his grasp! But then Rey goes for the saber instead. It’s heart wrenching.
We all know that the lightsaber hovering between them means that they are equals now. There’s really no denying it. But the way it’s all shot is also quite enlightening. Remember in TFA when Kylo calls the legacy saber, but it flies past him to Rey. We didn’t see her reaching for the saber, we only saw her as its destination. It’s filmed in such a way that the audience shares Kylo’s surprise. In TLJ we have something similar. Rey reaches for the saber and it moves to her hand… but then it stops. The camera pans around and we learn why: Kylo has equal pull now. Like Kylo and Rey, these scenes are reflections of one another. Filmmaking is cool, huh? Of course, the riven Kyber crystal is significant too. Kylo and Rey (but mainly Rey) are bending the will of the Force, pulling against gravity, until the lightsaber splits in half. It’s considerate of the Force to separate them before the explosion. They definitely wouldn’t be “uniting” in the future if they were both missing half of their skin.
SUPREME LEADER
Here it is, friends: the big transformation scene. When Kylo wakes up in the throne room with Hux, he is no longer Kylo Ren or Ben Solo. He is Supreme Leader. He wanted Rey, but he didn’t get her, so whatever he might’ve transformed into before (Partner, Husband, Co-Supreme Leader) is lost. What’s left is Supreme Leader of the First Order and he accepts the title with breathless (heh) enthusiasm. He has followed his misbelief and achieved his deep-seated desire. His future is his to write. And, likewise, Rey has followed her own misbelief, discovered her origin and accepted her destiny. Her destiny, she thinks, is to help the Resistance (her new family) defeat the tyrannical First Order. Rey and Kylo have both gotten what they wanted and the only real sacrifice required was a potential future together. So what now? If the movie ended here, I might be worried.
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THE BATTLE OF CRAIT
Lucky for us, TLJ has a final chapter, but it almost feels like the first chapter of a new movie. That’s because our two protagonists have achieved their goals and accepted their new roles. Now let’s see them in action!
The new Supreme Leader is a hot mess, but this is his chance to prove himself and end the Resistance once and for all. He’s set on doing just that until his uncle struts onto the battlefield. Of course Kylo takes the bait and uses an inordinate amount of firepower to finally end Luke’s life. Hmmm… he’s gotten what he wanted, so why does his past still bother him? When it turns out that Luke is alive, Kylo goes down to see what’s really going on, but also to face him. We all know how that goes. Lucky for Kylo, he doesn’t even have to kill Luke, but Luke’s presence as a Force projection really shakes Kylo’s foundation. For once the truth is more complicated than what his eyes can see or his hands can touch. Even though Kylo is free now to be the person he wants to be, something isn’t quite right.
And wouldn’t you know, even their transformations mirror each other. Rey’s transformation scene comes when she lifts the rocks to save the Resistance heroes. She is no longer Rey of Jakku, now she is Jedi Rey of the Resistance--the last Jedi. She has a destiny and a family. It’s time to fly off into the stars… but not so fast.
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FORCE BOND #5
Aw shucks, the Resistance lived to see another day! But there’s only like twenty Rebels left. The new Supreme Leader really shouldn’t be all that worried. Why then, as he kneels down and scoops up his father’s golden dice, does he look so unsettled? Not a great time to connect with your ex-girlfriend. Rey stares down at Kylo with crushing disappointment, as if he has betrayed her. But she never really understood his misbelief. And he never fully understood hers. When Rey shuts the door of the Millennium Falcon on Kylo, she is essentially committing to her new role. She thinks that the Force will choose her path now. She did a better job than Kylo in the heat of the battle, so it seems like Rey is going to be okay. But, like Kylo, she’s arrived at her goal through her misbelief. Rey thought that she needed to know herself before she could act instead of acting first and letting those actions make her into the person she’s meant to be. If the end of a scene is supposed to answer a question, then the disappearing dice does a hell of a job at it. For both Kylo and Rey, there are still illusions left to conquer.
LOOKING AHEAD TO EPISODE IX
Kylo and Rey got what they wanted through a mistake in thinking. This is why they won’t be happy at the beginning of Episode IX. Their new lives will feel inauthentic and fruitless. And all they’ve really done is traded one set of misbeliefs for another.
Rey’s new desire is to fulfill her destiny and her new misbelief is that in order to do it she has to fill the role of Jedi Rey for the Resistance.
Kylo’s new desire is to fulfill his destiny and his new misbelief is that in order to do it he has to fill the role of Supreme Leader for the First Order.
They’ve got a lot to overcome. But it had to happen this way. If Rey had stayed with Kylo she would’ve always regretted not saving her friends. She would’ve resented Kylo for allowing this to happen and ultimately rejected him in favor of their untainted memory. If Kylo had gone back to the Resistance with Rey he would’ve become Ben Solo again, reverting back to a persona he had grown beyond. He would’ve always wondered what he could’ve been on his own two feet and eventually he would’ve resented Rey for luring him away from his destiny. Let’s all be glad it didn’t happen this way. The story that is left to tell will be much better.
I really hate to say it, guys, but Baldo Ren is a real possibility. It makes more sense than the Kylo Ren mask returning. Or any mask for that matter. Kylo has transformed and his look should reflect that. Personally, I think a leather, form-fitting Supreme Leader’s outfit will check this box just fine--no need to chop those lush black locks--but make no mistake, a new look won’t bolster Kylo’s mood for long. He’s going to discover that even with all the power in the galaxy, he can’t create the life he really wants. There has to be another way. Looking for another way, he’ll see the folly of his misbelief and move beyond it. To atone for trying to kill his past I think he’ll decide to safeguard the future and work with Rey to end the war. But if I’m not being clear enough, I’ll go ahead and spell it out: R-E-D-E-M-P-T-I-O-N. It’s going to happen, but it has to happen a certain way. If Kylo is redeemed but dies, then he isn’t Rey’s reflection. If Kylo lives but isn’t redeemed (which wouldn’t happen) then he isn’t Rey’s reflection. Their fate must be exactly the same. So the only two options I see are: Rey and Kylo achieve self-actualization and live, saving the galaxy in the process, or they achieve self-actualization and die, saving the galaxy in the process. Those are the only two ways to achieve true balance. Otherwise, the audience won’t feel right. We’ll leave the theater feeling that something was off. But I wouldn’t worry too much because, as I said before, the Mouse is a master storyteller. And if you’re wondering which of the two above options I think the Mouse will choose, just remember that Star Wars is about hope. (psst... they’re gonna live).
Like Kylo, Rey is also going to acquire something that indicates her new position. We all know what I’m talking about: she’s going to construct a lightsaber. Yep, she’s going to play the role of Jedi Rey even though it won’t feel right. I have a hunch that the Jedi texts she stole from Ahch-To will really emphasize balance, forcing her to make a few decisions that seem unconventional or against the will of the Force. She’ll meet resistance from the Resistance, but she will overcome her misbelief and choose right this time, even though her choices will be hard. And one of those choices will be saving what she loves instead of fighting what she hates. This is why Rey will be the one to initiate “the big kiss.” It has to be her. It’s her destiny because it’s this impossible union with Kylo that will redefine the Force forever. It’s the way they will achieve self-actualization and save the galaxy. I just hope Rey doesn’t mind Kylo’s bald head. ;)
WHY’S IT ALL SO SEXY?
Oh, Jesus… after 10,000 words I don’t really want to start psychoanalyzing myself. You don’t want it either. So let’s just say all the honest-talk is sexy because it’s basically seeing things as they really are and then admitting that you just don’t care… you still want to fuck the bad guy. I’ll add a picture to help you see my point.
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IN CONCLUSION
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Doesn’t that sound like something one of the old Jedi texts would say? Some ancient, fundamental law that must be obeyed in order for the fabric of the universe to hold. Perhaps this is the missing piece, the key to finally balancing the Force. The battle between good and evil will never end so long as both sides keep fighting. If only they could cast aside their differences and accept that life is a quagmire of opposing forces. It is possible to feel love and hate at the very same time--and it happens often! How could this be? Sounds impossible, right? But to balance the Force, this impossible truth must be faced. And accepted.
Thanks for sticking with me for more than 10,000 words! If by some fluke you want to read more, you can check out my fanfic THE MIDDLE PLACE. It’s essentially my headcanon for Episode IX, but it also correlates with a lot of what I’ve discussed here. (And there’s some universe-altering sex, if that’s what you’re into). I’ve also written a companion meta to my fanfiction titled REY AND KYLO’S UNION WILL REDEFINE THE FORCE. And, of course, I’m always down to answer questions or chat with anyone about this stuff. It’s the air I breathe right now. But you guys know how it feels.
Peace!
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supersleepygoat · 5 years
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Hi! I'm 16, turning 17 in June. I'm going to be graduating high school early. My family wants me to go to college, but I'm really scared of going off into the world on my own. I'm also scared of becoming an adult. I don't even know what I want to major in, or how college even works. I also kinda want to wait until a new president is elected and fixes college tuition. Anyway, I know me being 16 may be concerning but I am a big girl when it comes down to fics. Anyway, sorry to bother! Xoxo
So, I was debating when/if/how I would respond to this. The idea of minors on 18+ blogs is a major issue lately so I was hesitant to respond. But, you seem to be in a state of distress so I feel like I need to respond. 
Firstly however, there is something I should say. I never liked the idea of yelling at minors for wanting to read smutty fanfic. I was a horny teenager not too long ago, so I get it, I really do. Plus, I take responsibility for not putting “18+” in my blog bio, I just thought it was implied due to the content of my fics (just as I didn’t put “hate-free” in there either because I thought it was implied) But I do put “18+” in all of my NSFW fic warnings as an indication that that line should not be crossed.  
So, I get there is an urge to read smut. HOWEVER, as a writer, I do NOT like the idea of minors reading my smut. 
I am sorry if that sounds harsh but I would please ask you (and every other minor who has found their way onto my blog) to respect to the warnings on each of my NSFW fics that each state “18+” in bold. 
I encourage you to read all of the angst, fluff, and crack you wish but please respect an author’s wish to stay away from the smut. Thanks to Tumblr’s inability to confront the real issues on this site, we are stuck with the honour system. So, please honour the warnings and realize that the onus is on us... the everyday users of Tumblr... to make Tumblr a safe and happy place for all (because Tumblr isn’t going to help us). Please respect that the limits set by authors. 
I know you say you are a big girl... and I won’t dispute that. I don't know you, and it’s not fair for me to assume otherwise. I just know that some of my fics delve into dark and harmful territory. The LAST thing I would ever want is for one of my fics to cause you any harm or discomfort. When I was 16, I did things that were harmful toward myself that I didn’t realize until later. And I get it... this is just fanfic... but at the same time we may not know what will trigger us until after the deed is done. 
But, you are here, and you are anonymous. I have no way of knowing who you are. There is nothing I can do to stop you from reading my smut, except to ask for the curtesy that you respect my wishes. 
That said, you came here for a reason. You are embarking on a major life change and I understand how scary that must be for you. I know it scared the hell out of me when I was that age. Hell, I am 22 and I still don’t consider myself a full-fledged adult. I still struggle with my adult responsibilities... so trust me hun... NO ONE is going to judge you or criticize you for being scared about this new step in your life. Growing up is scary. Becoming financially independent is scary. Deciding your major, your future, is scary as hell. And even though it may feel as though it is all happening at once... it is not a daunting as it feels in this moment. It may actually be fun. 
I didn’t pick my major or decide what I wanted to do with my life until halfway through uni. And, that was okay. You are young. You can change your mind. You can fuck up. You can make a mistake or try different paths. You can test the waters and try on different ways of being. And that is OKAY! 
One thing people never told me when I was moving out and running off to uni when I was 17 was that you have TIME. You can breathe. You can stop and figure out what you want. You can take weird classes that interest you because you never know what you may like and want to pursue. 
I had to take an English elective in my first year of uni and that is the class that changed my life. Every college may be different but on the whole, the important thing is just to try. You are there to learn and expand your horizons so just go with it and find what works for you. 
When I went away to uni, I felt overwhelmed, terrified, and alone. And it took me a while to realize I wasn't the only one. The important thing to remember is to try. you will slip up on the way but if you continue to try, heal your fears by taking small and manageable steps, and remember to breathe and have a little fun, you will be just fine. 
Adulthood is scary. I am not going to lie... but I think the alternative is scarier. Being stagnant and stuck at the kids table is a far worse fate. You will find that the freedom of learning how to grow into your own person is more rewarding and powerful than any fear you feel in this moment. 
Unfortunately, I can’t help you with the whole “waiting for the next president to be elected” thing... that is a whole other can of worms that I cannot even begin to unpack. All I can say is... I am so sorry you have to deal with that asshat. 
So basically to sum up.... since you are on anon I can only ask you with honest and true sincerity to stay away from the smut I have written. I respect your ability and your choice to expose yourself to any content you wish to see but I must please ask you to refrain from reading my (or any other authors’) smut. I always say that I want this blog to be a safe place for all and that can only happen if we respect each other’s wishes and limits. We are here to honour this fandom and I ask that minors also honour writers’ wishes (and the law) and stick to reading SFW fics. Secondly, I know you are scared about your future and you have every right to be. But I also encourage you to look at the exciting good things that could come out of this change. Growing up means not only gaining responsibilities but also growing as a person... and that will always be something to look forward to. 
Thank you for being so honest. Rant over. xo
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diefortumbrl · 6 years
Text
My Newest Serious OK KO theory.....
I have been a fan of the show for quite a while now and i’ve been constantly thinking of new possible theories..... Involving Laserblast, Venomous and Shadowy figure as U all know that it is quite a topic on the fandom discussion....
I finally came up with a possible theory that could be it.... WARNING this contains spoilers and shocking suggestions of my new theory..... U have been warned.....
I used to think that Shadowy figure, Laserblast and Venomous were all brothers...(Before something happened to Shadowy figure that made who he is today..)  That theory could still stand if the big truth is revealed eventually on OK KO....
Now this one involves that suspicion of Laserblast and Venomous being brothers... I used to think that couldn’t be possible until now.....
A long time ago....
(I KNOW THAT’S NOT THERE REAL NAMES!!! But lets just call them that for just now....)
Laserblast and Venomous were young boys who dreamed to be heros.... Laserblast was the eldest and most gifted one out of the family... Having extremely good control and aim with his laser power....
He always trained with his friends who also wanted to become heros...
Venomous wanted to train with him too and become a great hero but Laserblast never lets him.... He tells his brother that it is too dangerous and he doesn’t want him to get hurt.....
Laserblast told him if he is ever in danger, he will always come to his rescue! Just like a hero....
Venomous never dared to question his brother.... He was the oldest... He know’s whats best.... Doesn’t he?
Weeks bye and months bye, Venomous has growned up watching his brother constantly train with his friends.... Venomous didn’t really mind... He just loved examining the animals that scatter about....
He loved to look after them if they where hurt.... Venomous just seemed to have a very special bond with animals... 
Through the years, Venomous continued to examine the wildlife around him.. He studied different types of animals and unique human/animal species that are extremely rare.....
While his brother Laserblast has proven to be strong enough to complete the first official test into becoming a real hero....
He and his friends must go to the Shadowy caves which is told to be an extremely dangerous place where mysterious dark evil larks.... Horrible creatures that hide behind the shadows.... Larking to feast apon its next target....
But that was just an old rumour that they used for making up scary stories to scare little kiddies.... Laserblast was well old enough to know better.... Laserblast was going to show everyone how powerful he really is......
Laserblast took his brother with him, Venomous didn’t really want to come along.... But... Laserblast kept on begging him to tag along....
Laserblast needed someone to capture his heroic moment when he completes his test... Venomous always knew his brother was a show off.....
When they came to the entrance of Shadowy Caves, Venomous asked can't he join them...  Venomous promised he wouldn't get in the way... But his brother forbid him...
He tells Venomous its too dangerous and he will be a lot safer out here. As Laserblast and his fellow friends embark to there final test... What they have all been waiting for all there entire life....
Venomous is left alone with his thoughts....He really hated it when his brother doesn't listen to him.... Venomous suddenly then spots a little cute mouse beside him.
It was nice to have company that wants him...
Venomous caresses his little furry friend.... He just seem to connect more with animals rather than some people that he knows.... Perhaps when he is ready, he can study to be a pro-
His eyes widen....  Venomous is face to face with a huge monster.... It was dark and filled with pure evil.....
Venomous threw the animal out of the way and tried to summon his powers before it was too late!!! He tried and TRIED!! He was never trained to ever use them....
Laserblast was on his final stage! His friends cheered him on! This was a proud moment for him.... Suddenly he hears his brother scream in pure pain!!
Laserblast froze... He turned back and ran as fast as he could!! Not caring about his last stage!! He just wanted to get to his brother on time!!
His friends went with Laserblast to help him find Venomous, running through the way they came. Laserblast screams out his brothers name multiple times!! But there was no answer.....
They make it out of the cave, Laserblast pants and tries to spot his brother!.. To his horror, Laserblast found his brother shaking on the ground....
There where bits of boulder and rock everywhere, it looked like if he was slammed into a wall....
Laserblast ran to Venomous and picked him up in his arms.... He saw nothing but darkness in his brothers eyes.... Venomous tried to spit his words out but there was nothing but gasps....
Laserblast felt tears in his eyes.... He yells at his friends to get help!!!!
Part 2......
(Sorry its cut short... A lot of distractions around me, like my irritating uncle and college life... If it wasn't for those 2 things, I would have had part 1 released days ago... But im gonna work on Part 2 tomorrow and hopefully to have it out before Villains night out.. Peace~)
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rp-sephiroth · 7 years
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Is the FF7 remake now making the Compilation non-canon?? My friend gave me these news and I don't know if it's genuine information.
(continues:) My friend hates this possibility. She loves Crisis Core, and having that become non-canon brings several concerns.
Thank you for your question! 
A quick google search earned me no confirmation of this statement. But as a writer of FF7 fanfic writer/Sephiroth-roleplayer/Leiden university student of literature, I shall do my best to give you and educated and conclusive answer instead.
TL;DR: It’s unavoidable, and will have far-reaching implications for fandom community, but it will be OK and below’s why.
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What is canon?This definition of canon from here is what I will be using in this post: 
Canon - a term borrowed from the Catholic Church, meaning ‘established truth’.  The definition of ‘canon’ is a bit vague, but is usually understood to mean the body of works upon which a fandom is based, and any information contained therein.  This is sometimes extended to include information in guidebooks, interviews, and other such sources.  Also used to refer to information from different versions of a story: for example, the school uniforms in Harry Potter ‘book-canon’ are different from those in ‘movie-canon’. 
It is a way for the creators to indicate “this is the set of in-game truths and rules we are working with.” It’s a way to keep the rules that govern the world consistent. In Final Fantasy VII, one can either regard just the OG (original game) as canon, or the entire compilation as canon.
What happens if canon is made invalid?   This happened to the StarWars fandom. Around the first 6 films were novels, lego, books, fanarts, and fanfictions. This franchise is incredibly interesting because it does not make canon top-down (from the creators to the plebs), but also accepts work from fans (bottom-up). 
An example: anyone could write a StarWars book, as long as they stuck so guidelines set by the official creators and had it checked for approval. Anyone could be a stormtrooper, as long as you used the exact right plastic moulds and sent pictures of the finished product to the official people who approved it. (My first boyfriend did this for his cosplay.)
Anyway, the novels continued the storyline after film six (I believe all the main characters had children). But when LucasFilms and Disney embarked on making the 7th film, they decided to throw all that worldbuilding (universe-building) away. Why did they throw it away? Because for legal reasons authors cannot read fan-fictions and this post explains why (link).     In short: if the script writers of film 7 were to base film 7 on an any canon work, a fan could claim “I wrote a fanfic about exactly this” and face huge legal charges. Even/Especially a franchise that has a very agreeable bottom-up treatment of canon and fandom culture, has to watch out. Rey from film 7 is a completely new character, with her own timeline.
THUS THERE IS A BIG CHANCE THE CANON OF THE COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASY 7 WILL BE DECLARED INVALID.
In the past, how has FF7 fandom dealt with canon vs new canon? A long time ago, the Original Game (OG) was the 'mothership’. Sephiroth was portrayed as evil. To give him any sign of niceness in fanfiction was considered out-of-character and greatly discouraged.Then FFVII Cisis Core came out, and certain fans rioted against the game’s portrayal of a kind, awkward Sephiroth.
For the Final Fantasy VII Remake to be identical to the Original Game with updated graphics would be impossible. Such a game would not sell. There will be changes in the game mechanics, dynamics, aesthetics, and narrative to make the game contemporary. I feel two ways about those changes: frightened and joyous.
How does it relate to online FF7 fandom communities?Now our 'canon’ 'mothership’ is the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. Our current fandom community is built around what we have learnt of the compilation. Because FF7 is so big, it’s impossible to know everything about the story and characters and mechanics. People specialise, and draw on each other’s experience. 
My area of specialisation is Sephiroth, with in-depth knowledge of his scenes in Advent Children Complete, Crisis Core, Before Crisis, Kingdom Hearts, and Original Game. I’m still learning about his Dissidia, Ehrgeitz, and other versions. This knowledge of this character and interpretation of this character gives me social merit in roleplay communities. It’s said if you put 1000 hours of work into learning something, you are an expert. I’ve been writing Sephiroth on and off since I was 14. I’m 26 now. In my niche, I am an expert. Fans ask me questions about Sephiroth because they trust me to provide a plausible answer that conflicts least with canon.
But if/when the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII will be declared invalid, social status based on the no-longer-canon Compilation will be rendered useless. This means that when I make a statement on Remake-Sephiroth, all my arguments based on experience of (years!) of development of my Sephiroth will be useless. Scary.
This will upset the social structures of the communities. Experts are no longer expert. With the release of the first episode/chapter of the Remake, new fans and old fans start learning at the same time about the 'new’ canon. They will have the same chance to become expert. The one fan who will put in enough hours, will get most social status, will be crowned expert. 
Old groups of friends may stick together. New groups will form. New sub-communities rise. Some fans will riot against new information, as they did insisting that Crisis Core Sephiroth couldn’t be kind/awkward/friendly. More about attitudes and a ‘desired attitude’ later.
How can FF7 fans and roleplayers negotiate with old canon and new canon to find a position which they are comfortable with?The use of the word headcanon will go through a shift. 'Headcanon’ will no longer be a combination of traits/habits one puts on the character like a sticker (my trademark headcanon is that my Sephiroth puts his hair in a braid/my belief that Sephiroth follows the Jenova Omega Theory). Instead, the word 'headcanon’ will return to its old meaning: “In my head, this set of rules is canon.” The word 'headcanon’ will then refer to a set of metaphysical choices on how the FF7 world and characters function as a framework.
My friend @askcrv2 solved this question ingeniously. I’m taking a detour into the Vocaloid fandom: she writes a singing android robot. With robots, there are new versions every few years. The voice bank is updated. New songs. New merchandise… - and thus new canons. Nowadays version 4 is common. She writes version 2. She had her robot hide in a warehouse to avoid the garbage pile. This way, she can both stick to her old canons, but also in the new versions, her old version is still valid. Her robot complements new canon. Compliments to the writer!
The Compilation of Final Fantasy VII is fun, and I love it.It is not perfect. There are glaring inconsistencies. These plot holes could be changed in the Remake. But it’s not wrong to love the Final Fantasy VII from 1997 and style your preferences to that version.
IF/WHEN it’s made invalid… How do we as fans continue?When the Original Game and/or the Compilation as a whole be declared invalid, it will hurt. I will have to renegotiate my attitude towards Sephiroth as a character, and to the story as a whole, and find back my position in a new community. 
This game has kept me captivated for many years, so I have high hopes for the future product. I expect that the managers/teams/designers of the company have improved with 20 years more of experience. The Remake is being re-made from scratch. I have respect for the game team’s hard work and sacrifices. I imagine that every change in the  ’new canon’ will be a thoroughly-debated decision. The promotional video (link) of the Remake reveals the attitude the game-makers would like to see in the fans:
The reunion at hand may bring joy, it may bring fear, but let us embrace whatever it brings. For they are coming back. 
And that’s best of all. After 20 years, FF7 will be coming back. It’s not the fandom’s job anymore to re-create the world. The original creators will tell our favourite story back to us, and we can sit back… until we start making new fanworks!
Let’s embrace whatever it brings. 
Let’s make fantastic fanworks, and build warm communities.
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The canon of the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 will never be a forgotten memory. The Compilation will live on, inside us. I hope this post sufficiently answers your question. Tell your friend not to worry.
– rp-Sephiroth.
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chriscolfernews · 7 years
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There's a powerful connection between characters and the fans who love them.
Anyone who scribbled Harry Potter fanfiction or dissected the latest teen drama with their friends knows. And the line between actor and character is often completely muddled for viewers that live far beyond the realities of Hollywood.
But what if those same fans were stuck on a road trip with the object of their obsessions? That's the idea behind the most recent book from Glee star and bestselling author Chris Colfer, Stranger than Fanfiction.
Colfer is best known in the literary world for his popular middle grade series The Land of Stories. In his latest novel, Colfer explores the world of television fandom and the trials and tribulations of teenagers on the brink of major life changes.
Stranger than Fanfiction follows four best friends who've bonded over nearly a decade of watching their favorite sci-fi show. As the group embarks on an end-of-high-school road trip, they impulsively invite the star of said show. When he actually shows up to join them, all five begin a journey full of misadventures, mayhem, and secrets revealed.
In a special episode of the MashReads Podcast, MashReads spoke to Colfer about his return to YA and the inspirations behind the story, from both sides of passionate fandoms.
Then, as always, we close the show with recommendations. Colfer recommends:
The Demonologist by Gerald Bittle, which explores the career of the famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a documentary fashion. "The facts are scary enough by themselves," said Colfer.
Intimacy Idiot by Isaac Oliver, a collections of essays and stories about finding love and intimacy in New York. To Colfer, "It's the gay man's manifesto, in a way."
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher, the first memoir by the late actress, based on her one-woman show. It's also one of Colfer's all-time favorite books. "Parts of that book I felt she wrote just for me"
Sage-ing While Age-ing by Shirley MacLaine, a book that is part memoir and part life advice from the actress. "It's just fantastic."
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syrupwit · 6 years
Text
Dear Yuletide Writer Letter 2017
Dear Yuletide Writer,
Thank you very much for writing for me! This is my first-ever year signing up for Yuletide, and -- while I’m not up on all the etiquette and may make mistakes -- I am quite excited. I’m sure I will love whatever you write.  
Although some of the sections below are longer than others, please note that I don’t have a preference between requested fandoms and would be super happy to receive work for any of them. I just write a lot sometimes. (But usually not when I need to, of course.)
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General Likes: Many things. In convenient list format...
Gen, femslash, slash, and het
Genres: humor, horror, slice-of-life, ghost stories, romantic comedy, casefic, action/adventure, angst, crack treated seriously
Atmospheric stuff where nothing really happens but you sure get an image or a mood
Intense relationships between women, whether they’re romantic or not
Surreality and silliness
Appetizing descriptions of food
Loyalty kink, especially where a more powerful or physically stronger character is loyal to a weaker character
Characters standing up for each other
Characters who are socially disliked, awkward, or shunned but secretly really good at something
Cats
General DNW: Permanent major character death; graphic depictions of violence, torture, or gore; rape/noncon; onscreen child abuse; onscreen harm to animals. I’m also generally not a fan of stories that focus heavily on characters’ experiences with social issues or identity. 
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Fandom: Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Characters: Justine Florbelle, Daniel of Mayfair
Likes/Prompts: Amnesia became my favorite new canon this year. I’m currently on my third playthrough of The Dark Descent and have completed the Justine DLC too many times to count -- though I still haven’t managed to save the last guy, darn it. Things about these canons that I adore include the morally conflicted protagonists, atmosphere of imminent doom and lingering anxiety, Lovecraft-influenced but not strictly Lovecraftian horror themes, mechanics that balance the player character’s essential helplessness with rewards for ingenuity, and the fact that you can throw stuff. And stack stuff! I LOVE throwing and stacking stuff. I... haven’t played a lot of first-person video games.
While I am interested in stories that include both Daniel and Justine, I’d be happy with a story that only focuses on one of them.
Justine fascinates me -- the contrast between her cruelty and caprice on the one hand, and her physical (and, to an extent, social/legal and emotional) vulnerability on the other. She’s also really creepy and into some weird shit. I’m not usually interested in sociopathic villains, but something about her character just hits my buttons. 
For solo Justine scenarios, I’d enjoy anything about her escapades in polite society (the ball! the irony! Justine loves irony), interactions with Clarice (how much does she suspect?), or initial meetings with the prisoners. Also, how is her poetry received among her peers? Delving more into the history and development of the Cabinet of Perturbation would be cool too.
Daniel is likewise a fascinating character. During my second playthrough, I was impressed with the slow reveal of his descent into metaphorical and literal darkness. Fear makes people scary, or something. I was also pretty into his relationship with Alexander, all the layers of manipulation and betrayal mixed with genuine connection. (For the record, I totally ship them.)
For solo Daniel scenarios, I’d like to see more about his early days at Brennenburg, interactions with the outside world post-game, and a reunion with his sister Hazel. If you want to pair him with Alexander either romantically or platonically, that’s great. Agrippa, too. I’m honestly interested in Daniel interacting with any character, if you have an idea. 
For the combination of Daniel and Justine, I’m interested in either gen or het, set around the time of either game. I feel like they’d make a great pair, for certain values of great. The Unopened Letter found in the water dungeon in Justine also seems to hint at the possibility of a meeting between Daniel and Justine. 
As an adult, Justine is experienced at manipulating people, would easily ferret out Daniel’s fears and how to play on them, and could be intrigued by his experiences with the supernatural. Perhaps, in an AU where Monsieur Florbelle answers Daniel’s letter, a child Justine would see a kindred soul in one who’s also been in contact with the artifacts. In a universe where the letter stays unopened until Justine’s day of subterranean exercise, maybe adult Justine invites Daniel to visit with the intention of adding him to her Cabinet, or tries to court him as a momentary amusement and finds it more challenging that she expected.  
For his part, Daniel has already spent a lot of time escaping dungeons and being manipulated by Alexander -- adult Justine’s flavor of betrayal would not be that shocking. There’s also his relationship with his sister Hazel and guilt over the girl he murdered, which could soften him towards a young or orphaned Justine. If it’s after the events of The Dark Descent, what choices did Daniel make? Did he favor taking revenge on Alexander over helping Agrippa? Is he guilty, guilt-free, still racked with nightmares, sound of mind? If Weyer rewarded him for saving Agrippa, has he spent time in the other world? The age difference could even be handwaved if Weyer sort of miscalculated when he was sending Daniel back to our world by 19 years. 
Fandom-Specific DNW: Please, no romance between Daniel/Justine when she is underage.
Notes: While it is my understanding that some regard the relationship between Justine and her father to have been one where she attempted to seduce him, I do not agree with that interpretation and would prefer not to receive stories that subscribe to it. It seems much more likely to me that her father abused or at least behaved inappropriately towards her.
Fandom: Pocket Mirror (Video Game)
Characters: Lisette (Pocket Mirror)
Likes/Prompts: What distinguished this game to me, made it stick in my mind, and kept me playing was the atmosphere. Fleta’s bright and well-ordered domain with hints of lurid nastiness underneath, Harpae’s drafty wooden corridors with their creaking floors and distant lights, Lisette’s total abandonment of any reasonable organization whatsoever: I love it. Which brings me to...
Lisette! Poor Lisette. She gets blamed for everything, doesn’t she? She’s mean and destructive because no one else will let themselves be, and hates herself for it. (Or...? I’m also interested in alternate character interpretations, if you have different ideas.) I would like to see her have a nice time.
I’m not super attached to any of the canon endings, so if you want to go an AU route, please feel free. That includes canon divergence AUs as well as AUs where they’re all sort of... I don’t know, neighbors in the real world? Except one of them lives in a mirror maze populated by her evil shadow selves, and maybe they’re all witches.
Femslash, gen, or unusually clingy/possessive/intense friendship with romantic undertones are all of interest to me for this canon. I’m particularly interested by Goldia/Lisette, Fleta/Goldia, and Harpae/Lisette.
Prompts:
Lisette receives a new dress. Who made it?
Lisette expects to be alone on Christmas, but is proven wrong.
Harpae has had enough of Lisette’s tormenting Fleta.
Goldia is in trouble in the real world and only Lisette can save her.
The girls pay visits to each others’ domains.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica AU
DNW: No explicit sexual content for this fandom, please.
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Fandom: Shoujo Kakumei Utena | Revolutionary Girl Utena
Characters: Kiryuu Nanami, Arisugawa Juri, Shinohara Wakaba, Himemiya Anthy
Likes/Prompts: I’ve been told that RGU is considered “the Evangelion of shoujo anime,” and I feel like that’s... accurate? Anyway, I love it to bits -- stock footage, surfing elephants, and all. I also love the movie and have a bunch of theories about its relation to the series, which I will spare you at this time.
For this exchange, I’ve requested fic about Nanami, Juri, Wakaba, and Anthy. I’d be happy to read about these characters all together, on their own, or in any combination. Gen, femslash, het, and slash are all welcome, as are stories set before, during, or after the series.
While there’s much to be said about the grand sweeping themes in Revolutionary Girl Utena, what won the series my heart is how goddamn weird it is. The Nanami filler episodes, for example, were among my favorite parts of the show. I’m interested in exploring more of that weirdness.
Possibly in this spirit, I’ve come up with a long and eclectic mix of prompts. These are just here in hopes they might give you an idea, if you’d like one.
Prompts:
Nanami goes to space to try to replace one of the stars with herself.
“A Christmas Carol,” starring Nanami.
Touga’s kitten survived... and now it’s back for revenge! Nanami is being blackmailed by a cat.
Nanami spends the night in a strange house, trying to convince herself it isn’t haunted. Anthy orchestrates small events to make her think that it is.
Anthy and Nanami are rivals at magic school.
Juri becomes a world-champion bowler.
Among the incoming freshman class, rumors spread that Juri is a vampire. In attempting to dispel them, she encounters some obstacles.
Juri and Wakaba have a super-torrid romance as adults.
Wakaba dreams of life as a Jeep.
Wakaba has an identity crisis and joins many different student clubs.
Wakaba and Anthy share a rare moment of understanding over their mutual difficulties with cooking.
Anthy embarks on a side career as a barista.
Anthy arranges for Utena to fight a dragon.
Between dueling cycles, Anthy is permitted one day off from being the Rose Bride. How does she choose to spend it? 
Fandom-Specific DNW:  No onscreen incest, please.
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