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#I’m so glad this is where the series ends and there’s no more episodes after this!

freudyou · 2 days

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"Make it look like a freak lighting accident"

It’s been years since I’ve revisited Due South, but the @ds30below event sparked my interest again, and I decided to watch a few episodes with my bud @flownwrong to celebrate. We watched three episodes that stuck in my mind the most over the years after being absent from the show for so long: Bird in the Hand, Eclipse, and The Ladies’ Man, and I found all three to be a very rewarding rewatch, even though my memory of the rest of the series is a bit hazy.

Bird in the Hand:

When we started our mini marathon, I didn’t realize that this was the only ep of the three where Fraser’s dad plays a role, and I forgot how solid Pinsent was at pulling comic relief duty. The scene where he popped up demanding that Fraser murder Gerard immediately after Gerard was droning on about how Robert’s dogged nobility was his ultimate downfall had me rolling, as did the bit where he—probably correctly— asserted that Ray would shoot Gerard for him if Fraser really asked him to (aww). One thing in particular about his character that struck me while watching this episode were the moments where he actually interacted with the environment around him in a way that impacted people other than Fraser by implanting the idea to retreat in McFadden’s mind and having Gerard attempt to grab his hand while dangling in the air. In my memory, it was a lot more ambiguous whether Robert was actually a spirit or a figment of Fraser’s imagination, so that ended up being kind of a fun twist for me.

Since the other two episodes we watched were very Ray K centric, I’m glad we did one that had a focus on Fraser’s emotional state. The scene where he confronted Robert about stubbornly refusing help in life and said “I never loved anyone as much as I love you” while Robert was still trying to find ways to derail the conversation is a fan favorite for a reason; it’s a rare, intensely vulnerable moment for Fraser and I really enjoyed the way that Paul Gross pulled back from it a little. In another show with another character, it’s easy to imagine a scene like this being a more blatant, emotional showstopper, with the neglected son saying this in a fit of tearful anger that’s meant to make his father rear back in surprise. Instead, Paul Gross delivers the line in an understated way that’s almost more like puzzled frustration, as if Fraser is trying to piece something together about himself instead, which I thought was a really nice touch to the scene that made it feel very Fraser. I also love the cunning way that Fraser brought it back around just a few minutes later by weaponizing male emotional repression in order to freak out everyone else in the room and gain the upper hand (as well as have an opportunity to annoy Ghost Dad by calling him short) while also delivering some genuine truths: Gerard really did break his heart.

Last but certainly not least, I adore how Ray kept trying to take care of Fraser throughout the episode in his own grumpy, special way. Sure, trying to orchestrate some Fraser-on-Gerard police brutality didn’t end up being the most well received suggestion, but it’s sweet that he acted extra vengeful to make up for Fraser’s dutiful restraint. I also forgot that the “Mentally Deficient” sticker gag and the tape recorder conversation were both in this episode. The Bickering Married Couple vibes between them were always such a classic part of the show, so it was nice to see that on display.

Bird in the Hand really held up strongly against my fond memories of it, and I was a little surprised at how easy it was to slide back into this world and be immersed in it after being away for so long. Sometimes I guess you actually can go back home again.

#due south #ds30below #i will post my observations about Eclipse and The Ladies’ Man separately hopefully either tonight or tomorrow #but i had a blast watching all three #thanks alina!

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glorious-sunset · 2 months

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LBFAD is the most inspiring series I have ever watched and here is why…

Although Love Between Fairy and Devil (LBFAD) only caught my eye on Netflix in December 2023, I’m so glad it did and that I didn’t miss out on this stunning and thought-provoking masterpiece. It is the most inspiring series I have ever watched for many reasons. Aesthetically, I found the beautiful 4K production quality as enjoyable as high-budget productions such as Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. I frequently felt the need to pause and admire the well-designed sets, and exquisitely detailed costumes of even minor characters. The acting is superb across the board, and the leads act and respond very naturally to each other. The long hair of male characters is especially well-done, falling naturally with subtle highlights and looks real. All these details breathe life into this fantasy world and make it very realistic.

Every line of each song from the phenomenal OST is brimming with hidden meanings related to the series, adding lots of additional context! The artwork created for the opening and ending themes is also full of meaning (minor spoilers ahead). Take, for example, the last picture where the OTP are sitting on a boat in the Oblivion River, the junction between their two tribes, the male lead has removed his crown and hence his responsibilities at least for the moment, and they are watching the sunrise together for the rest of eternity after the close of the series (sigh!)

Every single character of note in the series goes through profound character growth, the only exception being the abstract ultimate villain Taisui. Even the secondary villains and dictator of Shuiyuntian have grown and changed their perceptions by the end. It made me believe that anyone is capable of opening their minds and bettering themselves. Both lead and side characters are repeatedly faced with overwhelmingly bleak choices and heartbreaking challenges, especially in the last ten episodes. Yet every time, they show courage, sacrifice and selfless love that is amazing and very inspiring.

It is rare to find this kind of poignance in any production. I used to find Game of Thrones inspiring due to Daenerys freeing the world of slavery…until Season 8 happened. LBFAD tops Game of Thrones in this regard by freeing two distinct realms from conflict. The actions of the OTP break through a hundred millenia of mutual hatred and relentless conflict between their people with no end in sight, to create a new dawn of lasting peace. LBFAD reminds me of Lord of the Rings in terms of its cinematographic beauty and themes of never losing hope and prevailing over overwhelming odds. However, the stronger focus of LBFAD on the lead couple’s development and on creating multidimensional villains and side characters made it, for me, more engaging to watch.

The world-building and depth of characters has many layers in LBFAD, to the extent that much of the context was clear to me only in retrospect on rewatching the series and on deep reflection. The fast pace of the series also means that a lot of action occurs off-screen in between scenes. There are no filler scenes, there is no room for them. Every scene adds new plot twists and depth to characters, making the series highly addictive.

I am not a native mandarin speaker, and came to realise how beautiful the language is only on encountering LBFAD and its OST. It inspired me to learn mandarin, which makes rewatching the series highly enjoyable as I am able to pick up new nuances. I’m embarrassed to be so late to watch LBFAD after its release in 2022, but have thoroughly enjoyed the posts on Tumblr from fellow fans, including episode analyses, enthralling artwork and links to fanfiction. It has encouraged me to post on Tumblr myself. I have started to post my reflections on each episode while rewatching them, translations and overviews. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful community!

Links to some of my other LBFAD articles:

Character Names in LBFAD - Meaning and Significance

Location Names in LBFAD - Meaning and Significance

Here is a link to my episode 1 review (contains spoilers). All of my LBFAD articles and episode reviews can be viewed with the tag #lbfad reflections (hyperlinked) and the table of contents to these is here.

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fernsnailz · 3 months

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January 2024 Review Roundup

hello everypony‼️ something i want to do through 2024 is a mini review series where i recap some of the media i watched/played/read at the end of every month. this was inspired by tumblr user ponett’s 2023 media wrap-up, it's a great collection of quick reviews so go check it out!

i’m doing this partially as writing/analysis practice, but mostly because my memory is really bad and i want to keep track of what i've seen this year. with that said, my thoughts on everything i finished in january 2024 is under the cut :]

Portal 1 + 2

yyyup i beat Portal and it only took me (checks watch) 13 years

the first time i played Portal 2 was at a friend’s house when i was in middle school, and i had a fuckin blast. but after all that time... it still holds up! i don’t think anything i have to say about Portal will be particularly new since people have been praising this series since it came out. the writing, the level design, even the controls feel tight and engaging the whole way through. i played on switch and expected a bit of jank, but i was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it felt to play. the only part that dragged for me were the levels through the old aperture labs, but i think i would like them a lot more on a second replay. Portal 2 is fantastic and one of my new favorite games, the artistry behind it is truly incredible and i’m really glad i finally finished it. while i was playing Portal 2, i described Glados and Wheatly to a friend and said “they’re like if a ceiling fan could be passive aggressive and if Fozzie Bear was an evil golf ball”

I Think You Should Leave

finally. i can truly understand and appreciate Subspace Dubbed Over

i think one of my favorite things about I Think You Should Leave is how it utilizes horror. beyond sitting slack-jawed in disbelief at the crazy events unfolding before my eyes, a number of the sketches dipped into bits that genuinely kinda scared me. like the one sketch that circulates on here where the guy (pig?) in a mask crawls through a dog door, which is. genuinely terrifying. but so many of the other sketches have slow, nerve-racking pacing leading to crazy shit that would be perfect in a horror film were the context different. idk i like dissecting how horror and comedy are essentially the same thing and I Think You Should Leave was very good at enabling that <3 favorite sketches are probably “then let my wife eat the damn receipt” and “55 BURGERS 55 HOTDOGS 100 FRIES 100 TATER TOTS”

Sonic Prime Season 3

man. ohhhh man. i didn’t go into this with high expectations and i still feel let down. Sonic Prime Season 3 was definitely my least favorite “season” of the batch - abysmal pacing, very few character moments i actually enjoyed, and the things i praised about the show felt very underutilized through these episodes. Nine is the shining star of Sonic Prime and i was looking forward to seeing his more villainous side, but his character took such a sharp turn into pure evil and it felt like he spent the entire season repeating the same three lines. and as much as i praise Shadow’s writing in Prime, it doesn’t really matter when he spends half of the season trapped in a hole that he just… runs out of later.

lastly, i cannot stop thinking about how bad the pacing of this season is. three episodes for a repetitive final battle feels like such a waste of time when you see just how much they rush the emotional resolutions in the last episode. however, there is one thing i truly love about Sonic Prime Season 3 - i love the Sails and Mangey fakeout death. it's so fucking funny. like you really expect me to believe that two cartoon animals in this Y-7 rated show EXPLODED?????? absolute comedy gold.

overall, i just… don’t really know what to think of Sonic Prime. anything i enjoyed in the show was often fleeting, and much of it felt like its only purpose was to waste my time. also Rouge i can’t believe they did you so dirty oh my god

Ghost Trick

i was so proud that i figured out the secret behind Sissel’s memory loss like halfway through the game. however i also kept getting caught during the prison escape sequence like an idiot

Ghost Trick is in a similar situation as Portal where 1. it’s incredible and one of my new favorite games, and 2. there’s nothing i can really say about it that hasn’t already been said or just. shouldn’t be said. Ghost Trick is a fantastic mystery game, and because of that i think it’s best to go into its story as blind as possible. the narrative unfolds in such fascinating ways - even though the actual object manipulation gameplay isn’t directly about solving the mystery (like in Ace Attorney or other mystery games), it still ties wonderfully into the story in some incredibly unique ways.

i also really love the artstyle of Ghost Trick - i love 2D character artwork with that sharp lineweight, it reminded me a lot of Sonic Battle (another game with an artstyle i love). i was also really impressed by the 3D character models and animation - despite the limitations of the camera, you get a wonderful sense of everyone’s personality from the limited body language expressed in the overworld (even though the models lack much facial expression which. i guess they don’t really need? idk that was the only thing that threw me off). anyways yeah everyone should play Ghost Trick so Ghost Trick fans can be freed from their curse and talk about it without having to tag like 10 different spoiler tags. and for Missile

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

ok bear with me. i went into Scott Pilgrim Takes Off without reading the comics first. and i fuckin loved it

my understanding of Scott Pilgrim before SPTO was mostly from the movie (I KNOW I’M SORRY), but even with my base understanding of the series i really enjoyed this show for what it was. i found myself appreciating the time they dedicated to further develop every single character in the show - especially Ramona. she’s fantastic as the lead, i really loved watching her reconcile with her exes and seeing all of them grow instead of exploding into coins. my favorite episode was probably the one with her and Roxie - not only did i adore the movie-jumping set pieces, but you really understand the weight of Ramona’s mistakes in their past relationship and how much it hurt Roxie. despite the big climactic fight, the flashbacks are quiet, subtle, heartbreaking. Ramona’s apology is genuine, and it feels so wonderful to watch her confront her past throughout the show. also i think it’s really funny that for all these characters to become the best versions of themselves, they had to kill off Scott for most of the story

and holy shit the artstyle and animation. oh my god. i love watching something that makes me immediately go “i need to see the storyboards for this RIGHT NOW.” SPTO is such a visual delight to watch, it elevates the artstyle of the comics while also keeping what makes that style so appealing - i love the line weight on the characters, i love how much forward energy the animation has, i love the fucking. virtual boy section. as soon as i found out Science Saru was also behind Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, everything made immediate sense. i was destined to love this show.

another worry i had going into SPTO (besides the fact that i hadn’t read the comics lol) is that the original cast from the movie was returning. i think the movie cast is fine, but i wasn’t sure how some of them would fare with voice acting for animation. however, i thought they all did a good job - i think the whole cast loves these characters and would be able to fit into them fairly easily no matter what form their performance takes, and they definitely had a good voice director in the studio with them. the only thing that felt off about the voice performances to me was that sometimes it sounded like some of their mics kept peaking?? idk some of these episodes i watched high as balls and i felt like i could hear and see every single sound and frame of the show. so that might have just been me.

god i did not. expect to have this much to say about Scott Pilgrim. i really loved this show and i’m currently reading the comics to fully catch up on the general Scott Pilgrim experience - i think reading the comics AFTER Takes Off is making me appreciate even more of the character work that went into the show. like they do so much with Mathew Patel in SPTO, a character that was. not originally around for a long time from what i’ve gathered? also i like the funny little robot. oh my GOD i cannot talk about this show anymore whatever it’s good get me out of here

Sword AF Season 1

i put on the Smosh cast’s D&D series to play in the background while i was drawing. i did not expect to think much of it. instead, i had one of the most enjoyable D&D podcast experiences since i listened to The Adventure Zone Balance???

i haven’t really enjoyed other D&D podcasts since i dropped off of The Adventure Zone, and i wasn’t expecting much from Sword AF of all things. then i saw that Shayne was playing as a druid warforged made of plants and his name was fucking Fernie and i sat my ass down and LISTENED. while i think Sword AF is currently lacking in its world and larger story, those things just. aren’t really what Sword AF is really trying to provide at the moment. it’s main focus is comedy, and the players are genuinely such a delight to watch play together and build off of each other. they mostly focus on bits and goofs for the sake of she show's comedic tone, but i still found it thoroughly enjoyable because every player embodies and performs their characters really well. idk Sword AF was an unexpected hit for me this month, i thought it was fun. and i love Fernie so much

Plastic Death - Glass Beach

so originally i wasn’t going to include music reviews in these roundups at all, but then i was entirely surprised by a new Glass Beach album and oh my god. holy shit. oh my fucking god jesus christ. holy shit. its preddy good

Plastic Death gets the low point of the album out of the way immediately. it starts with the “phone call/conversation audio” trope that i don’t particularly enjoy - HOWEVER despite me disliking this opening, 1. it sets up the overall themes of Plastic Death very quickly, and 2. the rest of the album blows this 40 second opening completely out of the water. from there, the album grows into something beautiful and uncontained, and i just. i really like it

Plastic Death captures the beauty of the temporary, asks what it means to be created for a cause you can’t fulfill, questions if you can reclaim yourself from cycles and constraints designed to destroy you. and is also about being transgender. the lyrics are abstract in a way that requires a conversation with the listener, many of the vocals obscured and smooth like waves - this album is definitely one that needs to be listened to a few times. i wasn’t sure how i felt about the vocal style at first before realizing the vocals were the main reason i was relistening to this album, allowing myself to find even more that i loved about it. the instrumentation is also incredible, i love the use of marimba in a number of songs - distant, eerie, almost skeletal. and the fucking. 8-bit section?? which kinda rules???? and that’s the only point in the album it ever shows up??????? incredible. a fleeting, somewhat silly moment that i love every time.

this album left my heart aching, in part from my connection to it and in part from the pure love and joy emanating from this music. i can feel just how much fun this music was to perform and create, a cohesion of time and sound that just clicked for me. Plastic Death made me miss playing music, which is something i haven’t felt in years. all from an album that starts with a conversation about CrankGameplay’s dead youtube channel. good lord

i like this album a normal amount. go listen to it a few times. my favorite tracks are cul-de-sac and commatose

Wish

i watched Wish with a couple of friends and knew i probably wasn't going to like it. with that in mind, i gave myself a challenge: i wanted to find one thing about this movie that i genuinely really loved. it could be anything, and loving it for ironic reasons was allowed.

here's the complete list of things i loved about Disney's Wish (2023):

i love the one shot where King Magnifico stirs an evil caldron evily. i thought it was hilarious. what was he cooking

i loved that the end credits included a reference to Dinosaur 2001 at all, and i loved that they paid homage to Big Hero 6 by showing the forgettable villain of that movie instead of their Baymax cashcow for some reason. my friends and i saw him show up in the credits and were like "who's the trenchcoat guy??"

you may notice that this list is very short and 50% of it is about the movie's credits. so yeah this movie is not very good

Wish is an empty husk of a movie. everything about it feels so, so hollow - lifeless town squares, uninspired character designs (to quote a friend: "i have all of these characters' hairstyles in The Sims"), characters whose existence is only justified to fill empty space or an overused archetype, and an "evil" villain who lacks charisma and spine in a futile effort to remind the audience of previous disney villains with actual character. even the artstyle lacks any sort of sauce, the watercolor effect they were trying to go for only makes the backgrounds and character textures run together, and the dull lighting makes things look even more faded. it's like disney was scared of making a movie that made its audience feel... anything. all to celebrate 100 years of Disney slop, baby!!!

Some YouTube videos I liked in January: 💥 An Exhaustive Look at Pokemon Brilliant Diamond 💥 TomSka's Guide to Plagiarism 💥 Paradise Bombed (this video is a great piece of journalism and i’m definitely not doing it justice by throwing it into the youtube vid list) 💥 Surprising Our Friends with Zoo Animals 💥 Did FNAF Ever Have a Good Story?

thanks for reading! next month’s roundup will be wild because i’ll likely be reviewing House of Leaves and Hazbin Hotel. can you guess which cursed house gives me a worse headache? WHO KNOWS! (hint: it's Hazbin Hotel)

#under the readmore is pretty long! oh boy i love having opinions about media #most stuff in january i liked a lot though :] good month of stuff!!#review roundup #<- oh boy new tag for this series #long post

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spnexploration · 8 months

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Collared part 40

The final one!

Pairing: Dean x Reader eventually finally

Series summary: Sam and Dean save a woman from where she has been held as a slave by a witch. But things turn dark whenever they try to take her magic collar off, leaving them with a slave to look after and a curse to break.

Episode summary: You try sitting

Warnings: None

A/N: You guys!! I can't believe we're at the end! This is my first series and it took me 40 chapters to get there, but we're finally there!

Word count: 1.5k

Series masterlist | Supernatural writing masterlist

Part 39 <-

Sam watched you staring at the dining table chairs. He’d come up behind you and you hadn’t seemed to notice him yet. He didn’t want to interrupt your moment, but he was worried if he tried to back away you’d hear and it’d make it even more awkward.

You sighed and then started to head to the collection of cushions on the floor.

“You know,” he said gently, trying not to startle you, “you don’t have to start with the hardest thing first.”

“Huh?”

“Chairs seem like they have a lot of baggage. You were literally tortured by the collar when Dean tried to get you to sit on one, and I’m sure there was worse. But what if you start with something that doesn’t have that association?”

“Like what?”

“I dunno, the kitchen bench, the table itself, the top of the step ladder?”

You turned to look at the bench. You seemed to contemplate it for a few moments before heading over to over to it. You ran your hands along it.

“This could work,” you murmured. You turned around, putting the heels of your hand on the edge of the bench. You looked like you were testing your weight on your wrists, deciding whether to lift up. He would offer to lift you, but he had a feeling this was something you’d want to do by yourself.

He turned to the pantry, busying himself so you didn’t feel like he was staring. He heard a noise behind him and had to force himself not to turn around. You didn’t sound hurt, you didn’t need him. You needed privacy.

He gave it a minute or so before he turned back to you. There you were, sitting on the bench. You looked a little apprehensive but not too bad. He smiled at you then continued busying himself getting breakfast ready.

He heard Dean’s footsteps enter the kitchen. “Wa-hey Bambi! You’re airborne again!”

Sam watched your whole face light up at Dean’s joke. It was adorable how you two acted with each other when you weren’t freaking out about the other one’s reactions.

Dean headed over to you, leaning against the bench next to you. Sam took that cue to busy himself again, although he was running out of things to do to get breakfast given he was just getting out cereal. He could still hear the conversation, but at least he didn’t look like he was intruding.

“How you feeling?” Dean asked.

“I mean, it’s not quite comfortable, you know? But it’s not that bad. It’s kinda nice being up high too.”

“Yeah, you almost made it to a sensible height.” Sam could hear Dean’s voice turn to teasing you.

“Oh? Is only your height sensible, is it?”

“Of course!”

“Sam, you got an opinion on that?” you called to him.

Sam turned around, glad he didn’t have to keep pretending he was getting out cutlery. “Hey, hey, I support people of all statures. I’ve never been to jail for a hate crime against little people.”

You looked at Dean, shocked but still smiling.

“Oi! That was not a hate crime!” Dean replied indignantly. “I was trying to tell you that the problem was fairies.”

You giggled. “You fought fairies?”

“Yeah, look, just because things have a cute name doesn’t mean they’re not problematic.”

“And you solved that by going to jail?”

“What? No. Look, whose side are you on?”

“Anyone who’s against you, obviously!” You stuck your tongue out at Dean. The flirting was really reaching fever pitch now, Sam thought.

“Sassy Bambi has come out today, I see.”

“Aww, did Sassy Bambi hurt Ickle Dean’s feelings?”

Sam was very torn. On the one hand, he wanted you two to get together, if that’s what you both wanted. On the other, he didn’t really want to be incredibly awkwardly third-wheeling your first hook-up while holding cereal.

“So, uh, breakfast?” Sam said, holding up the cereal and spoons. You two could recreate the moment. Alone.

---

“You ok?” Sam asked Dean quietly when they were alone.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You literally woke me up because you were terrified you’d scared Y/N.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. All good.”

“So we’re not going to have any more ‘Missing woman found in own bedroom’ moments?”

“Shut up, bitch.”

“Just checking...”

---

Dean walked in to the library to find you sitting on the table, looking at the phone Sam had gotten you yesterday. “Heya Bambi,” he said.

“Hi Squirrel.”

He raised his eyebrow, fixing you with a glare.

You laughed.

“What you up to?” you asked after a moment, turning the conversation.

“I was thinking of looking for a case. One we, umm, could take you to, but only if you promise to stay in the motel. Or you can stay here, if you want.”

You turned your head on the side, looking quizzically at him. “You have changed, haven’t you?”

“Huh?”

“Maybe I mean ‘you listened’, rather than changed.”

“Sweetheart, you gotta be less pensive if you want the rest of the class to follow you.”

“I just- I’m happy. I said I didn’t want to be treated like I was fragile, and you’re finally not. Well, in your own overprotective way.”

He scratched his neck, awkward. “Umm, yeah. Ok. So, do you wanna help look...?”

“Can we go practice some moves first?”

“If you’re not ready, we can wait.”

“No, I’m ready. I just want to remind myself that I can do this before we do.”

“And getting to hit me reminds you of that, does it?” he said with a smirk.

“Oh, I mean, that’s absolutely a side benefit. Hell, that’s the whole goal some days.”

He put on his best bitch face. You playfully clapped your hand on his chest as you jumped off the table.

---

“Is it easier?” Dean asked you.

“Is what easier?”

“Sitting on the bench.” He gestured to where you were perched, watching him cook.

“Umm, I think so. The chair is just...” You trailed off.

“Too much?”

“Yeah.”

“Fair enough.”

Dean kept cooking, not noticing you staring at your fingers.

“Sometimes I worry I won’t ever be normal,” you said quietly.

He turned to you. “Sweetheart, you’ve been sitting on furniture for one day. You’ve been healing and making huge progress.” He reached forward and cupped your cheek. “And yeah, maybe you won’t. Sammy and I have been through some shit and we’re not the same, we’re not normal. But we’re ok.”

“If I’m not normal, how am I going to leave?”

He froze, “Do you- do you want to leave?” He dropped his hand.

“Don’t you want your freedom back? I appreciate you’re willing to take me to a case to stay in a motel, but I’m sure eventually that’ll be annoying or unsuitable.”

“Logistics is not a reason to leave,” he said in a choked voice.

A small smile appeared on your face. He breathed again, a small glimmer of hope igniting within. “Do you... Do you want me to stay?” you asked in a very small voice.

“If you wa-” he started, then noticed your face falling. He steeled himself, if he didn’t take this moment you would be gone forever. “I mean- yes, Bambi, I want you to stay.”

“You’re not just saying that to be nice?”

“I was telling you it was your choice to be nice. What I want...” he moved closer again. “What I want is-”

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Dean span. Fuck, the smoke alarm was going off, he’d burnt dinner. He quickly crossed to the pan, turning off the burner and trying to deal with the mess. He could see you’d jumped off the bench behind him and we’re trying to fan the smoke away, and Sam came running in to help.

Later, when it was over, Sam turned to Dean. “What were you doing? Not like you to be so distracted.”

“I, uh-” Dean started.

“It’s my fault, I was distracting him,” you answered.

Sam smirked. “Well, maybe I’ll leave you two to the clean up then.”

“Yeah, sure, Sammy, we’ll clean it all up. Might be eggs on toast for dinner though.”

Sam nodded and headed out, a grin on his face. Dean didn’t have time to wonder about that as he turned back to find you biting your lip and looking up at him.

“Where were we?” he asked you playfully.

“Well, I was over here,” you said moving towards the bench. Dean reached forward and lifted you up, sitting you on top of the bench. You giggled.

“And I think I was here,” he said, moving closer.

You spread your legs a little and pulled him to stand between them. “I think this is a better place, don’t you?”

“Certainly has some advantages. And as I’ve said before, I like what your newfound bench sitting does for your height.” He reached his hand to cup your face again.

“Oh? Does that present some advantages too?”

“Can certainly think of some uses.” He leaned forward, watching your reactions. You were smiling and leaning forward.

He bent down slightly and kissed you.

Finally.

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indieyuugure · 10 months

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Hi indie!

First I wanna tell a good news to you！Your comics have received many praises in my country！Fans here just like,super crazy，keep screaming,can't wait for the updates LoL.Thank you again for authorizing me to translate them!

Next, It's my own question,the treatment effect that Leo gave Mikey exceeded my expectations,which cured his burns and enabled him to carry 2012!Leo.I mean,In original series the treatment magic(I forget its name）was not as good as that...Is it because Leo's ninpo enhances its power？

Omg! I’m so glad people are liking it! *^v^* thank you again so much for translating it for me and making it available to people in your country! You’re awesome! :D

So Healing Hands(that’s the name of the healing magic) is…not exactly explained very well in the the 2012 tv show. It only shows up in one episode, “The Deadly Venom” (ep18 s3) and it’s power varies a lot in intensity.

The first time it’s seen, Splinter uses it on his broken leg, although it would seem all it does is numb the pain. He teaches Healing Hands to Leo and that’s the one he uses throughout the episode. However there are two known mantras. “Healing Hands” and “The Venom Mantra” Leo only learns Healing Hands until the last 5 minutes of the episode where he has to help Splinter heal Casey and his brothers who got hit with Karai’s venom.

So it’s never explained why exactly when Splinter uses Healing Hands, it barely does anything, whereas when Leo uses it, it’s able to counter an extremely toxic venom and heal snake bite wounds in seconds. Now the obvious reason is because plot, but that’s not very helpful for making a concrete canon logic. So I decided it was linked to how much energy you give it! Splinter didn’t want to feel exhausted after cause he wanted to keep sparingly with his son, so he gave it just enough to make it stop hurting, Leo was fine giving up every last bit of energy, cause I mean if it didn’t work he, his brother and Casey were gonna die, so he gave it everything.

In my comic I show it exactly that way. I imagine it works by condensing energy into the palms of your hands and directing it onto wounds to heal them. I never really thought to connect it to ninpo, but one thing I have had in mind with the Rise universe is that magic is easier to access and wield; The laws of the universe aren’t fighting against you so it’s much easier to use magic there. Though I guess you could throw a wrench in that and say that “well when Leo used healing hands on Mikey, they were in the 2012 universe.” Yes that is true, but it also took everything he had to heal him and almost immediately passed out afterwards. I suppose you could also say that learning to use his ninpo has taught him how to use magic easier, essentially making Healing hands more efficient/effective.

But in the end I really don’t know. TMNT 2012, while it has it’s shining moments, it’s also riddled with plot holes, canon inconsistencies and random details that are only relevant for one episode. Again, idk I’m just trying to make sense of this stuff here lol XD

Good question! :]

PS. I’m realizing now that the way I depicted “Healing Hands” is suspiciously similar to Healing Water in ATLA :\ whoops. Lol

#tmnt #rise of the parallel #ninja turtles #q&a

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nerdfandumb · 8 months

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I don’t know how I feel after watching the Ahsoka premiere.

There were some parts I really like but other things just aren’t quite working for me. Specifically Sabine and Hera felt a bit off.

I feel like at the end of rebels Sabine had grown and become way more mature and it seems like this show is sort of going back on that??? Idk but she feels very teen coded despite being in her mid to late twenties at this point.

Hera also feels very different like they took away the fiery and stubborn parts of her character and are just focusing on like the supportive mom aspect which like could maybe work if they mentioned Jacen at all but idk. I don’t think I’m vibing with this version of her. Especially the bit where she’s like “oh these people they have the same powers as you” as if she’s never seen a Jedi before??? Like girl you and Kanan were basically married??? And you helped raise Ezra??? Like you know what a Jedi is!!!

Still I think the Sabine padawan stuff could be cool depending on how they handle it and I’m really digging all of the Thrawn mystery stuff so far. I do hope they explain how he’s connected to the Knight sisters but like I’m always up for witches in Star Wars so whatever. Also thank fucking god they had that line about Sabine being Ezra’s sister cause going in I was really scared they were gonna go the shipping route and I’m glad they aren’t. Hopefully.

To finish this off I shall list the things I am hoping will happen at some point in this series:

1. Kalazeb confirmation (or at least for them both to show up together on screen. I’ll take what I can get lol)

2. Helicopter lightsabers (there was a second in episode 2 where I thought this was about to happen but sadly it did not. I know everyone clowns on this as being stupid (and it is!) but it’s good stupid and just like imagine how much stupider it would look in live action. That’s the dream.)

3. Chopper kills a man.

Anyway those are my thoughts

#ahsoka series #ahsoka spoilers #Ahsoka #sabine wren #hera syndulla #ahsoka tano #kallazeb #chopper’s kill count #star wars

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kyberblade · 1 year

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Back To You (Din x Reader) - Part 15

A/N: It’s finally here! This was so much fun to write, and I’m gonna miss Ahsoka after this part. These two idiots are just so smitten for one another, everyone can see it, and for the love of everything, they need to just…. AHHHHHHH!!!! Moving on. There is more show dialogue in this one. Also, once again, there is some lore in this that @writerlyhabits wrote in a fantastic short, and I loved it so much, I asked if I could use it.

(This takes place right where the other one left off and goes to the end of episode 2x5/13, The Jedi.)

I do not own Star Wars or it’s characters. Sadly. But I carry them in my heart. Does that count for something? My soul says yes.

Warnings: Tooth rotting fluff, Grogu being the cutest thing you ever did see, and Din is once again a warning in and of himself in this one. Typical show violence. Swearing. Space swearing. The reader being a badass. Mando’a.

Word count: 11,084

As always, thanks to @grippingbeskar for encouraging me, looking over this for me, and being the one to introduce me to Din fanfiction in the first place, getting me hooked. You are fantastic and I always love our chats.

Thank you to @what-the-heckin-heck for coming up with the brilliant idea that morphed into Peli’s shop scene, @fordo-kixed-rex for your endless hours helping me over goodness knows how long since I started this, and @dontletyourchildrenwatchthis, @lloweryourstandardss, and @kurlyfrasier for reading this over for me and letting me know I’m not crazy. And @deceiver-of-gods for helping with the Mando’a.

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Xxx

Walking up the ramp of the Crest, you let the bundle of armor fall to the floor with a thud once you reached the top.

“Ugh!” You huffed. “I am so glad I don’t have to lug that around every day.”

“Hey, it’s not that bad,” Din protested softly as he tucked the kid into his hammock bunk.

“Yeah, well, you’re used to it,” you grumbled, hands on your hips as you looked around for anything you might need in a few hours when you met back up with Ahsoka near the village. “You all but grew up with that armor, you developed the muscles. You don’t see me asking you to do stuff with your mind, do I?” You lowered your voice to mock his playfully as you quoted his most recent assessment of the Force.

He only grunted.

“No. Exactly.” You had begun gesturing with your hands as you strode over toward your satchel where it sat on a crate. “So leave me and my puny non-Mandalorian muscles out of this, thank you very much.”

The bunk door slid closed with a hiss before you heard Din’s heavy sigh as he turned to face you. “Mesh’la….”

“No, no. It’s fine, Din. We all have our strengths. Yours are being physically strong, brave, and smart…. While mine are,” you looked up to face him with a sarcastic grin, “a laser sword, moving things with my mind, oh! And I’m great at exploding things.”

He sighed again, walking over to you and gripping your upper arm firmly. “Hey.” He tilted his visor to the side when you finally looked up at him, eyebrows raised expectantly. “You’re also amazingly sarcastic, don’t forget that.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “I know you are being sarcastic….” You smiled. “But I’ll take it.”

Din just shook his head at you with a soft snort of laughter, turning toward the weapons cabinet to choose a few options for later.

With a wave of your hand over the panel, the bunk door hissed open, revealing the sleeping child to you. With a quick trace of your finger along the length of one of his ears, you quickly closed the space back up after whispering, “Sleep well, ad’ika.” (“Little one.”)

“Do you need me to carry your saber again?” Din’s voice was muffled as his top half was buried in the weapons locker rifling through various contents.

“Nah. I’m not gonna bother concealing myself again this time.” He looked at you over his shoulder, pausing his search for a moment. “I’ll wear a cape, but that’s it. It’ll keep it concealed enough, I’m not worried about it.”

“Are you sure?” He stood up straight, turning to face you. “I don’t doubt you, but if anyone recognizes you, it’s going to complicate things.”

“When are they not complicated?” You sighed, pulling the satchel over your shoulder, shifting through its contents as you continued. “If anyone had my puck, they’d already be making moves, wouldn’t you think?” You lifted your gaze up to hold his.

“If they were smart,” Din agreed. “But not many of them are.”

Chuckling softly, you continued to pull items out of the bag, setting them to the side. “Well, if they aren’t, we’ve got that going for us, as well.” Pulling one of Din’s blasters out of the bag, ignoring his double take between the weapon and his locker behind him before his head tilted at you, you went on, gesturing with it in your hand. “I’m glad you’re keeping an eye out, really Din, I am. I…. I honestly keep trying to forget about that stupid bounty.”

He closed the few feet between you, gently taking the blaster from your hand before returning it to the cabinet.

“But I’ve lived my whole life in fear - especially growing up - because of what I am, what I can do. You…. You’re the first person outside my family I told about it.” He looked over his shoulder again, tilting his visor at you. “And after these last few months with you and the kid, strengthening my abilities and using them for something actually worthwhile, something that is altering the course of the kid’s life, of my life, I….” You brought your eyes up from where they had been studying the floor to hold his gaze. “I don’t want to hide anymore.”

Din closed the distance between you again, making you lean your head back to keep looking at him in the T of his visor. “That’s something I can understand more than you think.”

Darting your eyes back and forth where you thought his to be, you felt a small smile climb your face. How in the stars you had ended up friends with a soul so like your own was a mystery to you. For so long you’d felt alone, drifting through life from moment to moment, pouring drink after drink for person after person, then he walked in, and everything changed.

He caught your eye, not just because of his shiny armor, though you’ll admit that played a part, but because of the way he carried himself. Sitting alone in the back of the bar, watching, waiting, as the world moved all around him. Not lonely, not searching for another to share in the day with, but searching for something all the same.

And he found whatever that was in you.

He walked up to intervene between you and the Twi’lek, and your souls both said this one. I like this one.

Once he’d scared the lowlife off, you had worried he would disappear as quietly as he’d come, like a shadow slipping into the night, lost to the dingy streets of that lower level hell. But something made him linger, just long enough for you to say something stupid, something that made him laugh, and you’d never liked a sound more. He stood there just long enough for you to listen to the small voice at the back of your mind trying to whisper to his; stay.

Those next moments melted into hours, into days, into years. Though he would leave in between, he was never far from your mind, making you smile with just a thought his direction.

Your apartment started to look like a museum, artifacts of a well traveled life spread on every surface, yet you’d never left the planet. Things that made him think of you decorated your life, filling in the dull, lifeless spots you’d come to accept as part of the furniture. Parts of your life you’d accepted as a boring blank wall now dripped with art and tapestries, flashes of color filling in the void.

You’d smile whenever you walked through your door, greeted by trinkets left by someone who cared. He was everywhere you looked, never out of sight, and absolutely not out of mind. You’d wonder where he was now. Was he okay? Did he need help? Surely not, he was good at what he did, but there was that time he came in with a slight limp…. He’d brushed you off, mesh’la, I’m fine, but with one look he sighed and accepted the ice you were trying to rest on his knee wrapped in a small towel.

And this will make you better.

He’d snorted at your response, adjusting in his seat slightly as you brought a small stool around for him to prop up his leg.

A thousand and one memories are rushing through your mind as you study every line of his helmet.

“What are you thinking about?” Din asked softly, his hand coming up to cradle your cheek.

“You know me. A little bit of everything,” you hummed quietly, smiling as you leaned into his touch, your eyes fluttering closed for a moment before they returned to his visor. “But mostly you.” He let out a soft huff, gently shaking his head before you brought your hand up to his cheek in a mirror of his own. “It always comes back to you.”

Xxx

A few hours later, as it was getting dark, you met Ahsoka on the edge of the forest, just out of view of the city walls.

The plan was simple. She would go in, claiming that Din had failed in his attempt on her, at which point they would probably open fire and pursue her. Once you heard blaster fire start up, Din would fly both of you into the town square by the prisoners, where you would set them free before splitting up.

At a quick glance, the pale purple of your saber looked close enough to her white, so the goal was to be a decoy through the city streets, drawing focus away from her and distracting them to give her an opening to strike. Not that she needed it, but it would make things go faster.

Din would hold the gate to the Magistrate’s inner area, keeping it clear of guards and pedestrians.

“Here, take this,” he spoke in a low voice, removing his pauldron with the mudhorn on it. “Use it as proof.”

Unclipping your knife from your belt, you handed it to her. “This, too. It was on my belt earlier and has the signet. Everyone knows about Mandalorian clans. They won’t think twice.”

You could feel Din’s eyes on you, his armor clinking slightly as he turned his visor down your way.

“That knife has saved our skin multiple times, are you sure?”

“So you admit it’s a decent weapon?” You smirked up at him.

He grunted. “No. Just…. Don’t disarm yourself before a fight.”

Your smile faded to something softer. “I’ll pick it up on our way in.”

Ahsoka looked between the two of you with an amused grin. “If that’s all settled, let’s begin.”

Xxx

You and Din watched from the tree line as Ahsoka ran through the shadows, drawing the attention of the guards on the wall. She ran straight for them as they began ringing an alarm, slipping through the low rolling fog along the city walls then scaling them as if it was nothing, before igniting one of her sabers. The commotion that followed made you start to smile.

“You’re enjoying this,” Din said in low amusement behind you, his modulator buzzing right in your ear.

The faint screams of the guards as they fell under her saber, the soft buzz of the blade whooshing through the air…. Ahsoka turned to the last guard standing, and they cowered away from her, turning to run after a few backwards steps.

“I am. Seeing someone wielding their ability so effortlessly…. It gives me hope.” You turned your head just slightly to catch a glimpse of him before turning back to the city in chaos. “Someday I’ll be able to do that, too.”

“Cause havoc?” He chuckled.

“No. Well, yes. Not just that.” You smiled. “Be in control. No voices, no bad feelings, no shaking crates or….” You darted your eyes over to him quickly before looking back forward. “Or pushing people I care about away. Literally.” Your eyes fell to the ground as you tightened your arms over your chest, rocking on your feet as you continued quietly. “I’m sorry about that. Again.”

“It’s already forgotten,” he said in a low voice, stepping closer to you, his chest pressing along your back. Slowly his right arm came around your waist, holding you tightly to him. “You ready?”

“What do you mean, there’s no-” The city lit up as the sound of heavy fire erupted. “Blaster fire….” You finished quietly.

He chuckled softly, his arm cinching tighter. “Hold on.” Once you were in the air he yelled to be heard over the wind. “Don’t forget your knife.”

“I knew it. You love that thing,” you teased.

“Don’t start,” Din groaned, hitting the accelerator to cover the last little bit before crossing the city wall.

Din flew the two of you low over the city streets, dodging blaster fire as it criss crossed the lanes, moaning softly as bolts pinged off his armor now and again.

You caught a glimmer in the middle of the street up ahead, blaster bolts catching the signet on your knife and Din’s pauldron in little bursts. Narrowing your eyes, you honed your focus, feeling time slow down around you, the world streaking by in long blurs of movement. As Din flew over them you reached out and effortlessly pulled them the few feet to you, the handle of the knife landing firmly in your palm while his armor hit the other.

Time sped back up as you turned in Din’s grip, attaching the beskar back at his shoulder, knife still in your hand.

“You’re getting that awfully close to my face, mesh’la,” Din grumbled, glancing at the knife blade inches from his helmet.

You scoffed, finishing with the armor before tapping the blade to his beskar. “And you are one hundred percent safe.”

“Doesn’t feel like it.”

Letting out a huff, you smirked as he turned a sharp corner, coming up in front of the gates leading to the Magistrate’s inner area.

Guards stood with rifles drawn, aimed at the prisoners.

“Get ready for a bumpy landing,” Din mumbled.

“Isn’t it always?”

Din pinched your hip once in retribution before he dropped you the few feet down to land on the edge of the area as he kept moving through the air, planting both feet on the chest of one of the guards.

Touching down on the ground, taking a quick few steps forward from the momentum, you hurriedly looked around at the prisoners, making a move to let the nearest one down. You immediately drew your blaster and shot one of the remaining guards without a second glance as Din shot the one he knocked over.

Hurried footsteps shuffled in behind both of you, and he rounded with his blaster drawn, but you were quick to intervene. Dashing over to lightly rest your hand on his chest, drawing his attention over to you. “It’s just him.” You glanced over your shoulder to offer a small smile to the old man from earlier in the alley as he held his hands up in surrender, letting out a heavy breath of relief as he returned the grin.

Din nodded at the man, who returned the gesture still wearing a small smile, before you all went about letting the prisoners down.

“Thank you,” the man mumbled at your back.

“You're welcome.” You unfastened the restraints around the feet of the nearest captive. “He wouldn’t have shot you, though. He’s on top of it all. It was just an…. Instinct, I guess.”

He chuckled softly as he helped the man down. “Well, keep trusting your instincts. They’re on to something, I think.”

Letting out a soft huff with a gentle shake of your head, you turned to face Din as he let a prisoner down across the way. “Mando.” Once the woman was firmly on the ground, his hand going to the middle of her back to help stabilize her as she wobbled slightly, he turned his visor toward you. “I need to go.” You gestured over your shoulder with a jerk of your head.

Helping the woman lean against the pole she had been up on, holding her hand as she lowered herself slowly to sit on the ground, he quickly made his way over to you once she was stable. “Are you sure?”

“You ask this every time, when are you going to tru-”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” he growled. “You know I trust you.” He shifted his weight before continuing in a quieter voice. “I’m just asking if you have everything…. Your blaster, your saber….”

“Go on….” A smirk was climbing up your face.

“Don’t make me say it.”

“Oh, I am absolutely going to make you say it.”

He grunted before taking a deep breath. “Your knife.” He grumbled it so fast and low it was almost unintelligible.

“Nice try.” He grunted again, making you shake your head as you pulled your cloak back to show him your belt. “Yes. Got everything I need right here.”

“Jedi,” the woman he’d helped whispered, drawing both of your gazes her way, finding her staring at your belt with wide eyes full of hope.

Looking down you realized she had seen your saber.

Before you could say anything to dissuade them, all of the prisoners began murmuring quiet words about the Jedi, how they were saved, thank the stars, thank the Force, we’re safe, and finally. The words swam around you in a quiet din, painting a soft picture of hope in the otherwise dismal city, lights behind their eyes igniting for the first time in you didn’t know how long.

Looking around, you couldn’t find it in you to tell them no, but you didn’t want to prove them wrong.

Din’s hand on your arm pulled your attention back to his visor as it peered down at you, tilting to the right just slightly. “They know what they see. They see you.” He gave your arm a gentle squeeze. “Ne shab’rud’jetiise,” he said quietly, making you smile. “Slanar.” He gestured behind you with a jut of his chin, giving your arm one more firm squeeze before letting go. (“Don’t fuck with Jedi.”) (“Go.”)

“Ib’tuur jatne tuur ash’ad kyr’amur,” you said with a grin as you stepped away from him, walking backwards. (“Today is a good day for someone else to die.”)

“Jate,” he called, also walking backwards, before turning to walk towards the older man who had helped, holding one hand up in a wave. “K’oyacyi!” (“Good.”) (“Stay alive!”)

“I will if you will.” When you heard Din’s snort of laughter you turned to continue on to the next part of the plan. Darting down an alley, you reached out, trying to sense where Ahsoka was. Making a few quick turns in the darkness, you pulled up abruptly as you came around a corner to see a slew of guards trying to tiptoe through the streets.

Pressing your back against the structure behind you, you tried to even your breathing. Somewhere in the night, several buildings over, you heard more guards screaming, and the whirring of lightsabers. Peeking around the corner, you saw the group of guards standing frozen in fear, faces turned toward the sound.

Smirking, you lifted one finger at your side, and with a flick sent some debris on the side of the street skittering, drawing their attention away from where Ahsoka was. As they investigated, you flicked your finger again, sending a push to one of the guard’s shoulders, making him stumble back a few steps.

“Don’t touch me,” he hissed to the one next to him.

“I didn’t,” the other responded, agitated.

“What do you mean you didn’t? What else could it have been?”

They were getting in each other’s faces now, so you gave them a little nudge, sending them colliding into one another, their heads smacking the other unceremoniously. As they collected themselves, cradling their helmets where they had hit, moaning, they swore all manner of curses and colorful language at one another, getting to their feet and drawing in the few other members of their troop to try and break up the squabble.

“It’s her,” one of them hissed to the two, making them stop short. “She’s getting in your heads. Stop-”

“No, he pushed me.”

“I didn’t-”

“Your friend is right.” You slowly stepped away from the wall, coming where they could see you, saber tightly gripped in your hand at your side. They raised their weapons at you, scrambling to get into some sort of formation. “Well, partly. It wasn’t her. It was me.”

Silence curled around you like your cape as it slowly billowed in the breeze.

“It wasn’t you. You’re no Jedi. You can’t-”

With a flick of your wrist, the soldier went flying backwards, thumping against a wall and sliding down with a moan.

“You caught me. I’m no Jedi,” you held your hands up by your head in surrender, smirking when you saw them become uneasy at the sight of the saber in your hand. They didn’t even notice the soldier you’d sent against the wall suddenly being jerked into an adjacent alley by an unseen force, and they seemingly missed the sound of a saber igniting briefly before the muffled sounds of struggling stopped. “But I’m me. And I can still do this.”

Turning your upheld hand just slightly, all of their weapons clicked as you disengaged them wordlessly. They all held their weapons up to inspect them before trading worried glances. One of them went flying up before slamming back down into the ground, moaning.

“That was me,” Ahsoka said, stepping out of the shadows behind them.

In just a beat of silence, you exchanged a glance with her, reaching out to help distract and divide them with more forceful nudges and pushes as she took them down easily with her sabers. Once they were all still on the ground, she closed the distance between you, disengaging her blades.

“There’s more across town. It’ll be faster to go over the roofs.”

Clipping your saber to your belt, you couldn’t help the small smile starting up your face. “I think I know just how to get up there.”

Taking a deep breath in, you closed your eyes and felt the ground fall away as you leapt backwards onto the roof of the building you had been leaning against. Stumbling a bit once you opened your eyes, you looked around with a grin. “That will never not be amazing.”

Ahsoka laughed softly as she walked to the edge of the roof, peering down into the street below. “To make it across the gaps, you have to do the same thing, focus, but keep your eyes open.” She turned to look at you. “You have to keep your guard up. Yes, this is a relatively easy fight, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get caught off guard.”

You nodded, taking a few steps back to get a running start to follow after her as she leapt across the space. Watching the ground fall away beneath you again, your robe rippling in the wind as the other rooftop grew closer by the second, you decided to keep your eyes open every time from now on. Landing on the tiles, you took an extra few steps from the momentum before you came to a stop next to Ahsoka who looked at you expectantly, eyebrows raised.

“How was that?”

You grinned. “Wizard.”

Her face melted into a matching grin before the two of you took off in a sprint, dashing across the rooftops like they were stepping stones. She’d drop down every now and again, taking out a straggling guard here and there. You rolled your eyes at how dramatic she was being, sneaking up behind them and igniting her sabers just inches away before striking. It still made you smile, though.

Holding up her hand to stop you on a rooftop near the edge of the city, she looked down into the lane below. Looking at you, she pointed to the opposite end, speaking into your mind to not alert the troops down below. “Go to that end. After I run across this opening, you run across that one. Rattle a few things to get them turned around. Run fast. With speed and our capes for cover, they won’t be able to tell the difference between us. When they are looking your way, I’ll take care of them.”

Nodding, you silently made your way to the edge and dropped down out of sight of the soldiers. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself as you thought about telling Din how good you were getting at being stealthy.

Something rattled in the alley behind you, making you jump. Hand going over your heart as you glared at the rattling lid of a trash container, you narrowed your eyes. “Ahsoka,” you bit out, feeling something like amusement floating your way through the Force.

Once all the guards were looking your way, Ahsoka sped across the opening, making them spin on their heels, rifles raised. You dashed across your opening, pulling their attention back, and out of nowhere a creature screeched and skittered away down the alley the opposite direction. As they stared after the creature, Ahsoka snuck up behind them, smirking as she held up her sabers in front of her, making them look like one magnificent blade she was pulling apart by sheer will.

After it was done, and it was just the two of you left in the alley, you slowly walked up to her as she clipped them back to her belt. “Am I ever going to get to ignite my saber today?”

“Any day that you don’t have to is a day well spent.”

“True. But you’ve barely seen my saber. It’s magnificent.”

“Are you sure that kyber has been quiet since you picked it up? Because it sounds awfully loud right now.” She smirked at you.

You scoffed teasingly. “This coming from the woman who has waved her’s around with as much flourish and flash as the top levels on Coruscant.”

The smile still on her face, she leapt onto the roof to head to the next area. “The next ones, you can show them your blade. See what happens. You’ve made me curious, now I need to see it, too.”

Landing next to her before following across the rooftops, you sighed playfully. “That's all I ask.”

After about three roofs, she signaled you to stop, holding a finger to her lips in a cue for silence. Looking down you saw the head of the guard who had let you into the city, and the two assassin droids. Ahsoka motioned you to a roof adjacent from where she stood, and you leapt soundlessly. “I’ll get their attention. You draw the droids away if you can. Use your saber like we talked about, the droids won’t know the difference.”

She ignited her sabers and was quickly under fire from the head of the guard. She leapt down into the alley, cutting his rifle in two and blocking fire from the droids. Running up a wall, she leapt and cut one of the droids in half before jumping up on the roof again, instantly disappearing into the shadows.

“Get up there!” The man ordered the droid, who promptly pulled itself up onto the roof.

Igniting your saber from the roof across the way, you began to run like you had been, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, sending bolts back towards the droid as it turned to follow you, thinking you were her.

“Wait a minute,” the man said softly, looking between where you were and Ahsoka had disappeared. “Leave her!” He ordered the droid harshly. “It’s a decoy. Follow me.”

The droid obediently began hopping back across the rooftops, following after Ahsoka as the man disappeared into the shadows.

“Kriff,” you muttered, disengaging your saber, keeping it in your hand as you followed at a safe distance.

You were quickly back in the center of town, the man and droid nowhere to be found.

Din was ushering the last of the prisoners into a nearby house. “Get inside,” he said softly.

Movement out of the corner of your eye caught your attention, and you turned to find a lone guard sneaking closer, rifle raised as he closed in on the Mandalorian.

“Hey! You!” Yelling to get his attention, you sprung into action as soon as the guard turned to look up at you.

Leaping off the roof, you wrapped your legs around the shoulders of the soldier, pinning his arms down as you brought him to the ground. He tried to squirm out of your grip, but you were quick to get to your knees, grabbing his shoulders to pull him up before slamming him back down as hard as you could, knocking him unconscious.

Looking up toward Din as you caught your breath, he stood exactly where he had been. His hand on his blaster but otherwise relaxed, looking at you as his head tilted slowly to the right.

Shrugging, you got to your feet, brushing your hands off before turning to the guard and dragging him off to the side by his shoulders. Once you were back in front of Din, you let out a heavy breath. “I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t look at me like that.”

His head tilted the other way. “How would you know, mesh’la?”

“I have had to learn how to read you for years, Din. I speak fluent helmet.”

Din scoffed.

“I do! That’s how I knew our friend back there,” you pointed to the soldier still unconscious in a side alley, “had bad intentions for you.”

“Really?” His voice was dripping with amusement, his visor straightened out to look down at you fully.

“Mmm-hmm.” You raised your eyebrows. “I don’t need to see a face to know these things. Comes with the Tin Can territory.”

Before Din could respond, movement behind you drew his attention away, and he looked over your shoulder, making you turn and look, too, finding the head of the guard standing in the middle of the street. Din slowly stepped in front of you, standing between you and the man.

He glanced down at the saber still in your hand, eyes flying up to meet yours before they went over your shoulder, and you found yourself turning yet again to look, finding Ahsoka standing on the edge of the wall dividing the Magistrate’s area from the rest of the city. The wind whipped her cloak around her viciously as she held the man’s gaze before she turned and dropped down on the other side of the wall.

Looking back to the man, a rifle held ready in his arms, you noticed Din had quietly drawn his blaster. Clipping the saber back to your belt and crossing your arms over your chest, your gaze bounced between the two of them in the loaded silence until finally the man spoke.

“So, you threw in with the Jedi.”

Din glanced over his shoulder at you, his head tilting just slightly in amusement before he turned back to the man. “Looks that way.” You couldn’t help but snort softly in laughter. “Two of them, in fact.” The man scoffed. “Come to think of it, three. My son was gonna be one a few decades ago….”

“Decades?”

“Yeah. He’s older than me.” He began motioning with his hands in reference. “He’s about this big, huge ears, green…. Doesn’t like you at all.” Din’s blaster rattled with his movements, still gripped firmly in his hand. “I keep him around for a lot more than luck.”

“That…. Thing?!”

“His son,” you corrected the man in a bored tone, shifting your weight to one leg.

“Our son,” Din amended firmly.

You stared at the back of his helmet, fighting the urge to smile.

The man scoffed. “Oh. So you did more than just throw in with them.”

“Hey. Buddy,” you started, lowering your arms to rest at your sides easily. “He’s got the upper hand here. I wouldn’t press his buttons if I were you.”

“You’d know a thing or two about that, wouldn’t you?” He practically sneered.

You nodded. “I would. But I don’t have to actually press anything.” When the man narrowed his eyebrows in question and Din groaned knowingly, holstering his blaster with a shake of his head, you lifted one hand, letting your fingers tickle the air teasingly. “I just have to….” With a flick of your wrist, a piece of fruit from the nearby vendor’s table flew through the air, smacking into the back of the man’s head.

He lifted a hand to cradle the impact, turning and looking, only to do a double take when the table was empty of anyone to blame. When he turned back to face you, his eyes went wide, finding several pieces of the fruit floating in front of him where you had floated them over his head out of his line of sight. He looked at you briefly, eyes going wider still as you smirked before flicking your wrist again, his eyes turning back to the projectiles as you sent the fruit forward to pummel him in rapid succession.

“Do you think he gets it?” You asked, looking at Din.

“No, I don’t think he does,” he mused, his voice tight with held back laughter.

“He does, he does! I mean I do, I do! Stop!”

On the other side of the wall you heard the sound of Ahosoka’s sabers powering up, quickly followed by the sounds of kyber striking beskar. The spear. A buzz hummed through the air as the two met and held, resisting the other firmly. Then silence. Quickly, a pattern formed with their grunts and the clashing of weapons echoed faintly off of the walls of the inner area.

The man held his ground across from both of you, eyeing you more skeptically now after the fruit. “You seem familiar.”

Smirking, you signed to him in Tusken. “Do I?”

He let out an aggravated huff, rolling his eyes. “Of course.” Turning his attention back to Din, he changed the subject. “Who do you think’s gonna win?”

Din held his ground, not moving an inch as his arms hung easily at his sides, his weight on one leg like this was a casual conversation. As subtly as you could, you angled yourself more towards him, moving in closer just a bit.

“Could be your side….” The man continued, beginning to move forward slowly. “Could be my side.” The fight continued in the background.

Din inclined his head ever so slightly as the man got closer.

“I got no quarrel with you, Mandalorian.” He finally looked your way again, something like annoyance in his expression. “Or with your…. Friend.”

“That’s far enough,” Din said calmly, one hand coming up to gesture the man to stop, his other moving to hover over his blaster, teasing the air as it itched to grab the weapon.

You heard the fight surge briefly, the sound of one saber disengaging before a faint plop of water. It took all you had not to jump over the wall and try to help, but you knew Ahsoka knew what she was doing. You’d probably just get in the way. You were needed here.

“You and I, we’re a lot alike.”

You narrowed your eyes at the man. “You are nothing like him.”

He ignored you. “Willing to lay our lives down for the right cause.” He eyed Din’s hand as it flexed over his blaster, his gloves creaking with the movement. “Which this is not.”

The sound of beskar thudding to the ground and all sounds of fighting coming to a stop filled the area.

“Sounds like you win,” the man admitted, going to lower his rifle to the ground. He watched Din closely, too closely. As soon as Din moved his hand further away from his blaster, the man released his rifle and pulled a blaster out of the back of his belt.

Without thinking, you drew your own blaster and shot, an explosion of sparks coming off his armor at the impact. The man flew back several feet, landing on the street, motionless.

“I had it!”

You turned at Din’s exasperated voice to find him with his blaster also drawn, smoke curling from the end.

“Well, now we’ll never know,” you mused, smiling slightly as you holstered your weapon.

Din spun his blaster quickly around his finger in a flourish before slipping it back in his belt without a glance.

“Show off,” you mumbled, turning to find the old man who helped earlier opening the door you’d seen Din ushering everyone into earlier.

He gave both of you a nod with a small smile, which you returned. His eyes suddenly went wide as he looked over your shoulder. “Behind you!” Why was everything behind you today?

Without a thought, both you and Din drew your blasters, turned, and fired up at the roof, dropping the last assassin droid in a sparking, smoking pile of scrap.

“I had it!” You grumbled to Din, trying to do what he did earlier by spinning the blaster but it didn’t work, so you just shoved it into your belt.

“If I agree with you, will you never try to do that again?” He pointed to your blaster with his own before showing off once again, finally holstering it at his side.

“What do you think?” You hissed at him, rolling your eyes.

“I think it was painful to watch,” he mumbled, looking around to make sure the area was clear.

You huffed at the slight, turning away just a bit in annoyance, seeing the man lying in the street, and getting an idea. Smirking, you walked over to him. “Fine.” Stooping down, you picked up his rifle. “But if that’s the case, I’m just gonna need a bigger weapon. More function, less painful for you to watch.”

Din groaned. “Not this again. It’s like your knife all over again. Put it back.”

“Hey, you admitted that knife has come in handy.”

“Not in so many words.”

Slinging the rifle over your back by the strap, you smirked at him. “I’m keeping it.”

Before Din could rebut, the people began to file out of the house, their eyes all wide on you. “Jedi,” they all whispered.

Soon you were surrounded by people, all of them looking at you with grateful eyes. Their hands reached out tentatively at first to grip your own, then gradually became more and more confident as they offered reassuring squeezes to your arms, hands, shoulders - anywhere they could touch.

One older woman you recognized as the fruit vendor, cradled your face between her hands. Her face held a slight tremble as a tight smile formed on her lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

You wanted to explain. Tell them it was Ahsoka. It was Din. You weren’t a Jedi.

But as her eyes crinkled in joy, her brow unfurrowed in relief, you just smiled, nodded once, and swallowed your tears before saying, “You're welcome,” as strongly as you could.

Looking over the mass of people surrounding you, you saw Din looking on from the sidelines, his head tilted fondly. “I told you,” he signed. “They see you.”

You are yourself, and that is all you could ever hope to be.

Ahsoka’s words ring in your head, making you smile.

Looking up and to the left, you saw Ahsoka with the Magistrate in her grasp as she exited the middle area. Ahsoka smiled at you mischievously as her voice floated into your head. “I see my words didn’t go to waste, little one.”

You’re not sure how, but you know your voice floats back into her mind, her smile widening as it does.

That’s all I need to be.

Xxx

You leaned against the inside of the city gate, ankles crossed leisurely, arms comfortably across your chest as you watched the people celebrate their newfound freedom. The air was clearer, the skies bluer, like nature itself was taking a long needed breath. Looking down at the satchel on your hip filled with fruit from the vendor, you smiled. She had insisted you take it, stuffing more into the bag until it was overflowing. She wouldn’t accept any payment, so you made sure to slip some to the man who had helped you, telling him to get it to her somehow.

You smirked at Din as he walked past you with Ahsoka. This was the same spot he’d grabbed you by the back of the neck when you were in the armor. “I’m having some deja vu…. But a much less violent version.”

He scoffed. “Violent. I pulled you off the wall.”

“Compared to my relaxing before you did, it was violent.”

You followed them out of the gate, your heart full as you watched the celebration over your shoulder where the older man who had helped you was being anointed their new leader. He looked up and met your eyes, smiling kindly. You smiled back, tilting your head forward in a small bow of respect before lifting it again to find him waving you off bashfully.

“I believe this was your payment,” Ahsoka said, holding the beskar spear out for Din, smiling that mischievous grin she’d had since you’d taken the city.

“No,” Din said after a minute, and you turned your full attention back to the two of them, looking up at his visor with knit brows. “I can’t accept.”

Ahsoka shifted the spear to the other hand, tapping it on the ground in the process, making it ring out softly.

“I didn’t finish the job.”

Understanding crossed her face and she gave a gentle shake of her head. “No. But this belongs with a Mandalorian.”

Hesitantly, Din reached out and lightly gripped the spear, taking it from her, looking it up and down.

“Where is your little friend?” Ahsoka’s voice had softened, her features more serious for the first time in a while.

Your stomach sank. You’d forgotten why you were here for a while, expecting to jump on the ship after this and go back to life as normal. But…. That wasn’t going to happen. There would be one less member on the Crest. Little Grogu had to go and get training, it was what was best for him. That didn’t make it any easier.

Din looked into the distance toward the Crest, his voice strong, but you knew him well enough, he was hurting, too. “Back at the ship. Wait here, I’ll go get him.”

As Din started toward the ship, Ahsoka’s eyes followed him before landing on you. Something passed between you, you didn’t know quite what, but inside you knew it was right. The unease of Grogu leaving abated slightly, but the sadness still ran deep in your veins.

Following after Din, you hurried to catch up with him, resting a hand on his shoulder when you were close enough. “I know,” you offered softly. “I feel it, too.”

“It’s what’s right,” he said lowly, his voice breaking. “It’s what’s best for him.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier,” you voiced your earlier thoughts.

“Would anything?”

“I don’t think so,” you said after a moment, your hand sliding down to grip his elbow, one of the few unarmored spots on him. “This is what you set out to do, Din. You’ve found the Jedi, you’ve returned him to his kind. It’s where he’ll be safest, you know that.”

“I want him safe. I do. But I also want him happy, and when he was floating that rock, he seemed anything but happy.” He looked down at you as you both paused at the bottom of the ramp of the Crest. “Is that selfish?”

You offered him a gentle smile, rubbing your hand back and forth where it still rested on his arm. “To want joy for a being you care about? No. No I don’t think that is.”

He looked at the ground, his voice going quieter still. “But what if I want to be a part of that joy?”

Studying his visor for a long moment, you finally looked at his chest as you spoke. “I think…. I think you will always be a part of his joy. Whether you're with him, or not.” Looking back up into his visor, you swallowed before continuing. “You saved his life, Din. Multiple times. And you’re saving it again by letting him go with the Jedi. He needs this. It’s just another step on his journey. But you…. You’re the reason he has a journey to go on. And he knows that.”

“He’s just a kid, how would he-”

“When we sit and meditate, when I’m trying to calm him in hyperspace so he doesn’t bounce off the walls? We…. talk. Kind of like he and Ahsoka did, I guess. I couldn’t read his thoughts like she could, but I got…. Images. Feelings.”

He shifted his weight, tilting his head as he looked down at you.

You smiled as you recalled some of the conversations with the kid. “Remember when I told you you were the world to him?” Din straightened a bit before nodding quickly. “I wasn’t far off. When we talk I try and get his attention by sending him images of things he knows, foods, frogs, his ball, and he sends back his, er…. I guess you could say feelings is the best word for it.” He nodded for you to go on.

“When I send him a mental image of food, it’s joy. Frogs, elation,” you chuckled. “His ball, love.” You paused, looking back up at him. “You? With you, he sends me an overwhelming feeling of everything.” Din didn’t move. “Safety, joy, annoyance, protectiveness, fiercely protective in fact, elation, and overwhelming love.”

“Annoyance?”

You huffed. “After all of that, you focus on that?” Your hands went to your hips. “Yes. You’re proving his point right now,” you grumbled, going to make your way up the ramp.

He reached out, lightly grabbing your arm to stop you. “I’m sorry. I…. I don’t do this…. well.”

“Don’t do what?”

“This.” He gestured between the two of you then up onto the ship toward Grogu. “Us.” He sighed. “Family.”

You smiled, stepping back down, closer to him, resting your hand on his chest plate. “You’re doing just fine.” Your smile faltered. “Now come on. We have something we need to do.” Reaching down, you grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze as you started up the ramp. “And I’ll be right here the whole time.”

Din took off his jet pack once he was inside the ship, setting it off to the side as you waved your hand over the panel to open the door to the little cot area. With slow but purposeful steps, he walked up and put his hand on the small hammock as Grogu still slept heavily, wiped out from all the work with Ahsoka. “Wake up, buddy.”

Taking one step away to give them some space, you put your right arm across your chest, your left hand resting on Din’s back softly before bracing on your chin to help keep your lip from trembling.

“It’s time to say goodbye.”

Grogu blinked his eyes open blearily for just a moment, letting out a soft coo before he fell back asleep.

Din pulled him gently from the hammock, sitting on the edge of the cot as he cradled Grogu in front of him, just staring down at his little ward as he slept.

You sat on a nearby crate, giving them the space they needed, but staying nearby for support. You loved Grogu, and you’d get to say goodbye, but their relationship was something special. They deserved their time alone.

Din said your name a while later, motioning you over with a jerk of his head when you looked up.

Rising slowly, you made your way soundlessly over, finding Grogu’s eyes open and watching sagely.

Reaching out and tracing the line of his ear with your finger, pinching the end lightly when you got there, you brought your finger to his small clawed hand, smiling and letting out a breath when he grasped it tightly. “I would run for my life a thousand times over if it meant I got to know you again.”

Xxx

A while later, Din took the time to adjust the kid’s robes as Grogu babbled happily, sitting atop a large crate near the ramp of the Crest.

His large eyes looked up at you as he squealed once, making grabby hands for another mouthful from the ration pack you were feeding him. Laughing softly, you reached in, grabbing a portion. “This is it, adika.” You handed it to him and he immediately began munching happily. “That’s the last piece.” (“Little one.”)

He looked up at you with wide, sad eyes, slowing his eating just slightly, making you laugh again.

“I’m not saying that, the packet is!” Turning it upside down to show it was empty, Grogu glared at it with vehemence, making Din chuckle.

He picked him up, starting down the ramp as you followed, both of you stopping at the sound of Ahsoka’s voice.

“You’re like a father to him.” She looked to you. “You’re a family.”

Din continued down the ramp again after a moment.

“I cannot train him.”

Din slowed, finally stopping at the bottom of the ramp. “You made me a promise, and I held up my end.” He’d finally come to some sort of terms about the whole thing, and now he was being made to march in the opposite direction. He may wear beskar, but he wasn’t made of it. You weren’t sure how much more he could take before he’d start to take damage.

Ahsoka sighed before closing the distance between her and the Mandalorian, the child cooing at her happily. She reached out and he grabbed her finger. “There is one possibility. Go to the planet Tython. There you will find the ancient ruins of a temple that has a strong connection to the Force.” She looked at you. “Place Grogu on the seeing stone at the top of the mountain.”

Din’s voice was slightly relieved, but tired, and you couldn’t blame him. “Then what?”

She looked at the child. “Then Grogu may choose his path.” His ears perked up at this. He let go of her finger, looking up at her expectantly. “If he reaches out through the Force, there’s a chance a Jedi may sense his presence and come searching for him.” Her expression fell, and her arms came to cross over her chest. “Then again, there aren’t many Jedi left.”

Grogu’s ears fell, and he babbled softly.

“Thank you.” You did a double take at Din’s thanks, eyebrow raising skeptically.

“May the Force be with you.”

Din nodded once, before turning to head back up the ramp.

“May the Force be with you.” You offered in return, lingering near the bottom of the ramp, arms crossed over your chest.

She smiled at you, glancing behind you as Grogu cooed happily, making her smile grow for a moment before she bowed her head to him in farewell. Then she met your eyes again. “So, little one, what will you do?”

“What do you mean?” Your arms fell to your sides to rest easily.

She smiled mischievously, like always. “You know.”

Looking over your shoulder as the ship started up, you turned back to her. “I will do what I need to.” She nodded, accepting your answer. “Thank you,” You said after a moment. “For everything. I finally feel a shred of control, and a hell of a lot more hope.”

“Hold on to that. Let it carry you when things get dark. There is always a light to go towards, even if that light is in fact, yourself. Follow your instincts, and you will not often find yourself lost.”

“You speak in riddles,” you moaned, massaging your temples and scrunching your eyes shut tight.

She laughed softly. “I learned from the best.”

“I’m beginning to see that,” you mused with a grin, letting your hands fall back to your sides.

She gestured you up the ramp, a fond expression on her face as you turned and made your way into the ship. Just as the ramp began to close, you heard her voice in your head, turning to find her winking at you just before she was out of sight.

“May the Force be with you.”

Xxx

“Where are we headed?” You asked, slipping into the copilot seat as the Crest pulled away from the surface of Corvus.

“I was thinking back to Tatooine for a quick pit stop. Stock back up on some rations, top off a few leaks in the Crest before we make the trek all the way to Tython.” He pushed a few buttons as the ship broke through the atmosphere, the dark sky fading into the brilliant void of space in front of you.

“Okay, sounds good,” you nodded, fastening your seatbelt right before he pushed a lever forward and the vibrant streaks of hyperspace surrounded the viewport. “Remind me to….”

When you didn’t continue, Din hit the autopilot button and turned in his chair to see what was going on, the question dying on his tongue when he found you staring with narrowed brows at several pieces of floating fruit coming up through the hatch from the level below.

“I think the gremlin named Grogu is hungry,” you grumbled, though your voice was heavily amused, one eyebrow raising skeptically as you turned to look at Din.

Sure enough, when he looked at the kid, Grogu was reaching out for the nearest fruit as it floated straight into his hands. “Patu!” He cried happily before biting into it ravenously, the remaining floating pieces all dropping to the floor with a thud.

With a heavy sigh you shook your head, a bemused smile tugging up your cheeks as you looked back at Din, his head leaning back against his chair with a gentle thump.

Xxx

Din hammered on the hull of the Crest. “When we got to Corvus, we found the Jedi. She told us the kid's name is Grogu,” he said the name affectionately, pausing his thudding against the durasteel to stare at the hull absently as he continued. “Then she tried to say my wife needed her help too, not just the kid, but-”

Peli fumbled at his words, her tool clanging against the outside of the ship as she attempted to catch it before she dropped her large wrench directly on top of his helmet where he stood below her fixing the Crest.

Din’s hand rose to rub the spot as he twisted his gaze up toward her. “Ow! What was that for?!”

Peli blinked her wide eyes owlishly. “I’m…. I’m sorry. Did…. Did you just….” Her eyelids fluttered as she searched for the right words, her hand resting on her hip as it jutted out to the side. “Did you just call her….” She leaned forward on the scaffolding, bracing on her forearms as she leaned closer to Din. “Your wife?!”

Din took a deep breath in but was stopped when R5 bleeped into the hangar, leading you across the space with animated sounds as you just grinned at it, the little BD droid hopping around your feet excitedly, chirping as it went. Looking up in amusement, you cocked your head to the side as you peered up at your Mandalorian. “What about a wife?” You turned to Peli. “I’m still learning Binary, but I’m pretty sure R5 said ‘wife’.”

Reaching out and lightly kicking the droid with the tip of his boot, Din muttered, “Tattletale.”

It blew a raspberry at him. BD continued to chirp happily as it looked between all three of you.

Peli protested when he nudged the droid, making a face at him before turning to look at you yet again. “Mando said his ‘wife’!” She pointed at him exaggeratedly. Looking back at him with narrowed eyes, her voice lowered. “Explain!”

“You’re worse than the droid,” Din muttered, shaking his head as he peered up at her. Lowering his gaze back down to yours, and finding your brows raised expectantly, he froze. “Uh….” There was a moment of silence before he swerved the conversation into a new line altogether. “I want to train with the spear a bit. Get your saber out.”

Your eyebrows went from raised curiosity to narrowed confusion. “My saber? Din, is that a good idea?”

“I’m in full beskar, and the spear is beskar. If I can fight off a dual blade wielding Jedi like Ahsoka, I can handle you.” His voice turned smug near the end, his weight shifting to one side as his hand rested on his belt.

“Yeah, okay. But I was helping you with her. In this scenario, I’m against you.”

“If you’re scared, mesh’la, just say so.”

Peli’s head had been snapping back and forth between you during the exchange, but she let out a low whistle as she looked forward at Din’s taunt, her droids all bleeping and booping commentary.

Oh, that was low. He knew how to press all your buttons.

“I’m not scared, just…. Concerned. This hangar is like a giant echo chamber. Is it the best idea to have the sound of a saber meeting beskar over and over?”

Din chuckled. “Oh, you think you’re going to land that many hits, do you?” You narrowed your eyes at him. “The droids working on the ship will cover the sound, we’ll be fine.”

“I just need to say,” Peli interjected loudly, still up on the platform, hand held up with one finger extended as if scolding the both of you, “that if you so much as touch my droids with your nonsense,” her eyes narrowed to vicious slits, “you will pay. And I’m not talkin’ credits.”

Both of you stayed silent, looked up at your friend and nodded in understanding.

She grinned broadly, clapping her hands together once and rubbing them together in anticipation. “Then let’s get this show on the road!”

“Some ground rules,” you began, unclipping your saber from your belt before removing the belt altogether as Din tilted his head slightly at you. “No other weapons. No vambraces except to use to block. Hand to hand is okay, but that’s it. Deal?”

“Just the saber and the spear, got it.” He nodded, following your lead and removing his belt, too. When he picked up the spear, he spun it with a flourish, making you roll your eyes. “Ready?”

Igniting your blade, you lowered into a fighting stance and smirked. “Ready.”

Shooting a glance to Peli, you nodded once before turning your eyes back to Din, watching his every move as she signaled her droids to begin some louder repairs. As soon as the excessive banging and whirring began, both you and Din moved toward one another with intent.

Sparks flew as purple kyber met raw beskar, the prolonged contact singing as you both tried to get the upper hand.

You pulled back, circling him.

“Does the Force count as another weapon?”

He scoffed. “Don’t start.”

“What? It’s technically my hand.”

“What do you think?” He never let his back be to you, following you in your circle as he stood in place.

“I think you just don’t like the possibility of this.” With a small swipe of your hand, he was flat on his back, and you launched his way, but when you got there, he was gone.

Blinking a few times, disoriented, you looked around, suddenly lurching forward when a boot on your lower back pushed your forward. Stumbling, you barely avoided face planting in the sand. Rounding on him, you let out an annoyed huff.

“Oh, that’s gotta hurt,” Peli sucked in a breath through her teeth, wincing.

He chuckled. “If you’re going to play dirty, you shouldn’t be afraid of a little sand.”

You groaned, walking back over to him, saber humming at your side. “You have the worst jokes.”

“He really does,” Peli agreed, watching with an arm braced on the railing of the platform, her head resting on her fist. Her droids all chirped a reply.

It continued like this for hours, the dual suns of Tatooine rising and falling in the sky as you clashed and collided, the hum of kyber and beskar meeting a constant low drone in the hangar, the surge of sparks illuminating the growing shadows.

He got the upper hand, like he always seemed to do, and you ended up flat on your back after he used his spear to knock your feet out from under you, sand sticking to the line of sweat down your spine.

Panting, you disengaged your saber, letting your arms collapse and flop into the gritty earth beneath you. As he took the few steps to close the distance left between you, you smirked, staring up at him as he towered over you. “So your wife?”

Din, still panting like you, let out a heavier breath in annoyance, looking away from you and across the hangar. “Don’t.”

“No, I’m not!” You couldn’t help the grin. “Just…. What brought this on?” Your breathing finally started to calm, and you let out a much needed sigh.

It took him a moment to answer, but when he did, he finally looked back down at you. “To be honest…. A bunch of things. But more specifically when you tackled that guard from the roof on Corvus.”

“Oh really?” Your grin turned into a mischievous smirk. “That’s what does it for you?”

He groaned, holding a hand out to you. “Get back up and fight me already.”

“I will if you stay on your feet this time.” You tried to pull him off balance as you took his hand, getting to your feet, but it backfired and he pulled you off balance instead, making you stumble forward.

“Cuyi ulyc,” he teased, turning to face you as he shook his head. “Bid werdla.” (“Be careful.”) (“So stealthy.”)

“Ori’jagyc. Ori’buyce, kih’kovid.” You circled him one more time, looking for an opening. (“Bully. (Lit. “Big man.”) All helmet, no head.”)

He froze. “I’m not a bully. Atin'la gar besbe'trayc.” (“Tenacity/Toughness is your weapon (to success).”)

You groaned. “Don’t you start speaking in riddles like Ahsoka.”

As you mirrored one another once again, forming a large circle in front of the ramp of the Crest, you launched at Din just as the suns set below the lip of the hangar. Your saber met his spear, sparks shooting in all directions, sending the pit droids scattering as the two weapons sang on impact.

“Atiniir,” Din grunted out as he held his ground, trying to push you back any amount he could manage. (“Endure.”)

“Oh, because you’re always a ramikadyc, right?” (A determined, focused person.)

“I do my best,” he pushed you back on the last word, making you spin to keep from stumbling again, your back to him for only an instant, but apparently long enough for him to disappear into thin air.

Turning in circles, searching the hangar, he was nowhere to be found. “This isn’t funny!”

“It wasn’t supposed to be,” you hear right in your ear, making you whirl around with your saber, colliding with his spear once again before he swipes it with a flourish and sends your saber off to the side, the blade disengaging as it clattered to the ground.

Calling it back to you with the Force, it just has time to land in your hand and ignite before the tip of the spear is pointed at your neck, inches away, and you go a little cross eyed looking down at it as you try not to move. Hoping your labored breathing calms down enough that you don’t accidentally take too deep a one and catch the end of the blade from the motion. Your eyes lifted up to his visor.

“Gar parjir,” you whispered. (“You win.”)

“The goal isn’t to win. It’s to cuyanir.” (“Survive.”)

“Can I cuyanir without your spear at my throat, please?” You swallowed roughly, eyeing the beskar as it glinted under the work lights Peli had set up when the suns had disappeared. You disengaged the saber, holding it loosely at your side.

With a simple spin end over end he had the spear back at his side, standing proudly in his hand.

“Ni ceta.” (“Sorry.” (Lit. “I kneel.”))

You blinked and he was down on one knee with his head bowed in either respect or shame, you couldn’t tell which. Dropping to your knees in front of him, your saber forgotten where it fell, you cradled his cheeks, lifting his head up so you could look at him straight on.

“What? No, no, no.” Glancing over to find Peli buried in some repair, you lowered your voice still, looking back at his visor. “Din, I was teasing-”

“No, mesh’la, I took it too far. I got…. Wrapped up in the moment and forgot….” He looked off to the side.

“Hey, hey….” You cooed, slowly turning his focus your way. “Come back to me.” Closing your eyes, you leaned your forehead against his, taking a deep breath before letting it out on a sigh.

“I always come back to you.”

Xxx

Later that night, you stood in Peli’s kitchen, looking for a late night snack before bed when Din came in.

“Mesh’la? What’re you doing?” His voice was low and rough, ready for sleep several hours ago but only just now making his way there.

“Scavenging,” you mumbled, looking through a small pile of miscellaneous foods in a cabinet. “But nothing looks quite right.” Closing the cabinet softly, you turned to face him, finding him leaning against the doorframe. “I think I’ll just have some water.” After you filled a small glass, you leaned against the counter facing him, smirking into your cup as you went to take a sip. “So, your wife, huh?”

Din sighed, his body deflating as he hung his head. “Don't.”

Swallowing, you lowered your glass and gave a small nod, fighting the grin trying to tug up your face. "I'd love to meet her.”

He sighed again, resting his head back against the wall with a soft thud.

Silence hung in the air before you added on a chuckle, "Is she nice?"

Din said nothing, only feeding the silence.

You had a full on grin now. "At least tell me she's pretty."

He still said nothing, but then, lowly, "Nayc. Mesh'la." (“No. Beautiful.”)

Oh, he was good. But you weren’t done teasing. “I know you are but what am I?”

Din turned and walked off after a moment, done with this whole day, waving to you as you laughed.

“Aw, Din, come back! I was only playing!” He turned a corner, out of your sight. “Good night,” you added softly, smiling down at the glass in your hand.

“Good night, mesh’la.”

Snapping your head up, you saw Din peeking his head back around the corner, dipping it once to you when your eyes met his visor, then he was gone again. “Good night, Tin Can.”

Xxx

Tags: @ren-ni, @hoodedbirdie, @rennalouise, @kurlyfrasier, @what-the-heckin-heck, @deceiverofgodss, @Littleshadow17, @nghtwngs, @yourcoolauntie, @queenmalhinewahine, @lam-ila, @jesseeka, @come-hell-or-eldren-fire, @creativeautistic, @lemonsandraspberries, @heyitsaloy, @987coley, @marvel-sw-lover, @just-shut-up-kid, @1800-get-alife, @multifandomsw, @oliviajdjarin, @eeopxlt, @tomskookie, @venusacrossthestars, @sanscas, @veralii, @a-rose-of-amber, @i-own-loki, @lil-writer-523, @starry-supernova, @qweenrogerina, @darkenwolfie, @mischiefnevermanaged94, @tragerlover, @pxl8ed, @peonyophelia, @fullmoonshadowwrites, @Itsavicf, @professionalfangrrl, @immortalbloodhuntress, @scentedthingtidalwave, @reiya-djarin, @canvasandclay333, @fordo-kixed-rex, @jxvipike, @anidiotwhoreads, @sgt-morgan, @krussyfed, @lupinpetersclearwaterodairparker, @local-mr-frog, @itzagothamcitysiren, @jellybeanstacey0519, @piratequeen-impact, @cheoriemoawa, @crazyworldofsiani, @luvmeijii, @magic-without-bloop, @warmdragonfly, @ponyboys-sunsets, @dilfsaremyfavourite, @hello-th3r3, @thereaperisabitch, @seventhomen, @clichedream, @momc95, @zanzann, @witch-of-the-teapot, @h-owlpost What’s This?

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vickysaurus · 2 years

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If you’ve finished watching Prehistoric Planet, caught the dino bug, and want to watch more, well, I’ve got recommendations for some fantastic older Mesozoic documentaries and shows! I’m only gonna list my faves, but if you have good ones to add, feel free to do so!

Walking With Dinosaurs (1999)

The classic, the one I grew up with. A six episode miniseries that spans the entire Mesozoic, from the Triassic to the Cretaceous. Each episode focuses on a specific location and usually has one specific animal that’s more or less the main character, while also showing off others as they are encountered. The science and effects are 23 years old by now, so don’t expect much fluff or great CGI, but they used what they had very well. It helps a lot that the close-up shots are done using incredibly charming animatronics rather than CGI. The gorgeous music and Kenneth Branagh’s narration add a ton more personality to everything. You will cry about an Ornithocheirus at the end of his journey. There were three special bonus episodes released over the next few years that have Nigel Marven (more on him later) time travelling to see the dinosaurs in person. There are also two sequel series: Walking With Beasts and Walking With Monsters. WWM explores the Paleozoic but went through it too fast and suffers from some ‘Awesomebro-yness’ in my opinion but there’s not much else to turn to if you wanna see the Paleozoic unfortunately. WWB explores the Cenozoic and is every bit as good as WWD. When I had my recovery day after my third covid vaccine I put on all three in chronological order and just marathoned them and the various little aches didn’t bother me all day as I watched the history of the Earth from the Cambrian to the Quaternary.

Prehistoric Park (2006)

Time-travelling Nigel Marven returns from the Walking With Dinosaurs specials to bring back extinct animals to the present. As you might guess, it’s a bit more on the fictional side, but all the animals are really well done and scientific, as are the ecosystems they travel back to. The modern day parts are much more about actually properly running a zoo, including things like enrichment, proper animal care, and cranky zookeepers with a heart of gold becoming Ornithomimus parents than Jurassic Park type scenarios. Nigel doesn’t just get dinosaurs; he goes to the Cenozoic several times and even takes a trip to the Carboniferous for its giant arthropods. Recent enough that feathers are starting to appear on some dinosaurs, particularly the adorable Microraptors. Nigel is an absolute menace and I don’t know who gave him access to a time portal but i’m glad they did. The recent game Prehistoric Kingdom was strongly inspired by this one, to the point of having Nigel voice the tutorials and trailers. Features a friendly herd of Titanosaurs with a disregard for fences causing more havoc than any carnivores ever could.

When Dinosaurs Roamed America (2001)

America’s answer to Walking With Dinosaurs. A single two-hour long documentary spanning the whole of Mesozoic America and really focussing on how the dinosaurs developed between its segments. The only time I ever remember seeing the Early Jurassic depicted, and the only one on this list to treat the end-Permian and end-Triassic extinctions and how important they were for dinosaur evolution. Though it does blame asteroids for them. Very good stuff, aside from a scene where Velociraptors continue eating their prey even as a forest fire sets them on fire. It’s very America-centric, but that’s no weakness. John Goodman makes for a surprisingly good narrator and throws in a sneaky Flintstones joke or two.

Dinosaur Revolution (2011)

This is a bit of an odd one, and it might or might not be your jam, but it certainly is mine. It is essentially a mashup between a dinosaur documentary and dinosaur Looney Tunes. Very silly slapstick segments focussing on specific dinosaurs with somewhat anthropomorphic behaviours get intercut with scientists explaining the latest of 2011 paleontology. The animation is a bit naff but the designs are really good and there’s a lot of feathers. It highlights behavioural traits like intelligence and parental care a lot. Two of its episodes cover pretty much the whole Mesozoic in no particular order, two episodes do Walking With Dinosaurs style covering of a single animal’s story in a single ecosystem. Shunosaurus eats mushrooms and has a bad trip. Lots of mammals go flying after getting thrown about. In a true Blackadder Goes Forth type pivot, the final episode of this very silly slapsticky show has the most haunting and tragic depiction of the K-Pg extinction I’ve ever seen.

#prehistoric planet #walking with dinosaurs #prehistoric park #when dinosaurs roamed america #dinosaur revolution #dinosaur documentaries #feel free to add more

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insanityclause · 6 months

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Now that Loki season two has closed the TVA Handbook on Loki’s story, the question remains as to whether Tom Hiddleston has bid adieu to the MCU. It’s hard to imagine a better ending for the former God of Mischief, and since Loki‘s potential series finale aired last week, Hiddleston even referred to the episode as the “conclusion” of his 14-year journey with Loki. However, when pressed further on the subject this week, he then created a little bit of wiggle room for himself to return someday.

For Loki executive producer Kevin R. Wright, Hiddleston’s finale performance felt like a goodbye of sorts.

“I think his approach to that performance certainly was [a send-off], and I think we all felt that on set,” Wright tells The Hollywood Reporter.

But similar to his lead actor, Wright is quick to issue his own caveats.

“We wanted this to feel like a proper ending for our show, but that does not mean that there won’t be more Loki or stories within this world,” Wright adds. “We just wanted to give this a proper ending in a way that we often don’t get to do in the MCU.”

Wright, who originated much of the series’ foundational elements through his own pitch years ago, says that he’s still making the case for more TVA stories in the MCU.

“I would love to keep telling TVA stories. Internally, people pitch everything, and I’m actively like, ‘I want to do more TVA!’” Wright shares. “It will just end up being about where it makes sense for them to come in, in the future, but we all look at that corner of the MCU and go, ‘God, we’re just scratching the surface.’”

Below, during a recent spoiler conversation with THR, Wright also addresses a couple Mobius fan theories and how he’s looking forward to developing future TV series in a more traditional fashion.

So, in the end, instead of killing Sylvie to save time itself, Loki makes the ultimate sacrifice for the good of everyone else, and in doing so, he tasks himself with literally holding the fabric of existence together. And to me, that’s both a tragic and triumphant end. Why was this the right note to end the series on?

I’m glad those are the two feelings, because that’s what we were going for. (Laughs.) I don’t know if I can answer that beyond what you just said; it’s just the right ending to the story. We always knew the show was going to end with Loki on a throne, even in season one, and it was never about where he was going. It was always about the feeling we wanted audiences to feel when he got there, and it was about building the story that led to that feeling. Ultimately, because I don’t want to get too into the weeds on the last ten minutes of the show, we all feel like the answers and the intentions are there on screen.

But what I can say, generally, is that we are all really bored by the binary of hero-villain, good guy-bad guy, good choice-bad choice. In the real world, choices are really complicated. Real heroism often goes completely unrewarded. It often involves people who are making really tough decisions and will never benefit from the sacrifices that they’re having to make. And if you can build a superhero comic-book story that dives into the weeds of a more complicated heroism, then that was a challenge that was worth it to us to try. And Loki is the best character to do that with in many ways.

Technically, did Loki become the God of Stories, or a personified version of Yggdrasil, the Norse Tree of Life?

Are those mutually exclusive? It all comes back to questions of free will. Is he writing stories, or is he allowing stories to continue to be told? Is he weaving them together? It’s an interpretation of what exactly he did there at the end, but I think both can potentially be true.

Of course, anything is possible within the comic book genre, but this finale feels like a send-off for Tom Hiddleston as this character. Do you think we’ve seen the last of Tom’s Loki for at least a long while?

I think his approach to that performance certainly was [a send-off], and I think we all felt that on set. We wanted this to feel like a proper ending for our show, but that does not mean that there won’t be more Loki or stories within this world. We just wanted to give this a proper ending in a way that we often don’t get to do in the MCU. But also, in Marvel comics and the history of comics, the end of a comic run doesn’t mean the end of that character or those stories. And if there’s another story to be told or further stories to be told with what we’re doing here — and it’s with the right filmmakers and the right writers and the right team — then we would love to continue to see Tom. I also said this in season one, but I honestly think Tom will play Loki until he’s Richard E. Grant’s Classic Loki. It’s about the right thing and when we’re doing it, and being really careful about how we build those stories.

The TVA still has some unfinished business, as they have to track Kang variants. So will the TVA appear in the MCU again at some point?

I would love to keep telling TVA stories. Internally, people pitch everything, and I’m actively like, “I want to do more TVA!” It will just end up being about where it makes sense for them to come in, in the future, but we all look at that corner of the MCU and go, “God, we’re just scratching the surface.”

360 sets. You begged and pleaded for them, and they were worth their weight in gold. Kasra Farahani also sounded optimistic that this approach might become more common on other MCU projects. So do you think you’ve successfully made your case to the crested blazers of the Marvel Studios Parliament?

We’ll see. It comes down to the speed at which we make streaming shows, and that’s natural for TV. That’s not a Marvel speed. You’re shooting a lot in small schedules, and it’s benefited by having sets and not having to do a ton of VFX in every shot. It makes good practical sense, and there’s a reason why people did it for a hundred years of moviemaking. It’s about when it makes sense for our stories, certainly, but we’re also telling comic book stories, and sometimes, things have to be more fantastical than what you can build. So it’s about being smart and how you do it. I love it, and I know our team loves it. When we were shooting Loki, we had a number of filmmakers who visited set, and their reactions were like, “They let you build all this?” And it’s like, “Yeah! Wait, you’re not? You should be doing this, too.” (Laughs.) So, long answer short, yeah, I think people have seen what we did and they see that it’s an option now, and will hopefully embrace it.

Fan theories can be both a blessing and a curse, as your friends on WandaVision know, but have you lost any sleep over not making the McDonald’s kid a young Mobius (Owen Wilson)?

No, but I love that theory. I also saw that maybe Mobius is an Odin variant, and that was really imaginative and cool, too. So it was never discussed and I never lost sleep over it, although I read all that stuff and I love it. Partially why Loki feels more densely layered than some other projects is we know that people are looking at it in that way and are digging into everything. So everybody on the team really embraces that and goes, “If it’s in frame, it has to hold up the scrutiny.” We’re either subliminally hiding things in there, or we’re putting things in there to misdirect so that we can better impact people with something more surprising. But I love that people engage with it that way, and I hope that they see that we are engaging back with them in how we build the show.

And what about a medium shot of Loki and Mobius on the tandem bicycle? Do you regret that you won’t see that meme for the rest of your life?

No, because I can go online and I can see it in all of the amazing fan art. It’s out there. We knew you just had to handle that with a very light touch, and the audience will fill in the blanks. And they beautifully have.

Marvel made a bunch of release date moves recently, and we’re not going to see much of you in 2024. Are you a bit relieved since Marvel Studios’ own temporal loom won’t be overloaded?

What’s exciting to me — and this is something [head of streaming at Marvel] Brad Winderbaum has talked about — is what I personally will get to be making next. We’ll really be able to have the time to slowly build it, find the right team for it, find the right people to develop it, build a pilot and build things on a more traditional schedule. It’s a little bit like the sets. It’s good, it’s practical, it’s smart, and when things are done right with the right team, these projects can be really, really good. And I think Loki is really, really good. So, if we give the development and production cycle the right amount of attention and build a calendar in a way that allows us to really do this correctly, you will get to see more projects that are of this caliber. It’s just about giving the creatives the space and the resources to do things properly. So, ultimately, this is a really good thing. I know people want more, but I also know that if we take time with it, they will appreciate what they get.

Well, the ultimate compliment I can pay all of you is that I didn’t care much for Loki prior to this series, and not because he was a bad guy or anything like that. This show fulfilled the original promise of these Marvel Disney+ series by deepening this character in a way that the movies don’t have time for, and I have nothing but fondness for Loki now. So Loki should be the case study for how valuable Disney+ can be for Marvel.

One, thank you. Two, I agree. I know that our writers, Justin [Benson], Aaron [Moorhead], Kate [Herron] and everybody would also agree, and that was the most appealing part of this. You can slowly take your time and build a really fulfilling story. We have very little action this season. (Laughs.) There’s a lot of thrills and there’s a lot of big stuff, but it was about really taking our time to build a character story that can feel truly fulfilling. So I look forward to being able to do more stories this way.

#kevin r wright #interview #tom hiddleston #loki

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waitmyturtles · 1 year

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Well — I can’t believe it’s over. Moonlight Chicken was… I’ll get the words for it. Satisfying is the first one that comes to mind. And MC was my first beginning-to-end fandom on Tumblr. The big brains, the META, the psychological and cultural analyses! I’m a peon in a sea of passionate geniuses here. I love this community so much.

Where do we start. Moonlight Chicken, episode 8/finale thoughts and impressions. As usual, quick hits first, then the big thinks.

1) So much wonderful fan service. And I know that fan service can often take a show out, and when fan service is included in a script, I’m sure that at times, it makes directors and screenwriters grit their teeth. But I’m REALLY THANKFUL for all the fan service with all the couples, and yes, I’m including First and Khao here, because — come awn, the way these two almost OVERACTED their relaxedness at the bank and the food truck at the end, I was giggle-crying. Had we seen Alan smile any bigger at any other point in the show than at the food truck? THE SWAPPING OF THE CHAT IDs? THOSE CUTE LOOKS? KHAO’S little head shakes? THE TURN AFTER RECEIVING THAT MYSTERY CHAT? THANK YOU, AOFFFFF, thank yoooouuuu! Thank you for knowing exactly what you were doing for us and our ships, ha.

A dear anon recommended My School President to me, and I’m gonna definitely watch it, because I’m officially a GemFourth stan. More on this later, but I absolutely adored that their storyline took up a huge chunk of screentime. Besides the storyline interweaving beautifully with the major theme arcs of this last episode, their chemistry just could not be better. It’s been well documented how Fourth has been EATING his role, but Gemini, too! The TEXTS! The knowing looks! How much Gemini is able to communicate just by looking at Fourth. SO SATISFYING AND FULFILLING, GAAAHH.

And, and, and — forgive me for being sentimental. Because I’m still so new to this wonderful world of Aof’s work and Thai BLs, I didn’t have to wait as long as so many of y’all in the family for Earth and Mix to reunite in such a good script. But I was still feeling the nostalgia early in the series at seeing these two together, and I felt it so strongly in this episode. Jim FINALLY breaking out of his shell. Calling Wen his boyfriend. Leaning in to make a move (on the wonderful couch). Holding Wen’s hand and squeezing it in response to Wen. Gah. Too great.

Just, like….. how are these GMMTV couples SO GOOD? HOW ARE THEY SO GOOD TOGETHER? (Yes, not quite accurate to call AlanGaipa a couple, but shhhhh.) Anyway, sighs of happiness.

2) LENG. Gossipy. Luv u. Sneaky b.

3) I know we kinda despise her (and by “we,” I mean all of my inner children who want to grab these guilt-stricken, “what do I do nowwwww” whine-whine parents by the throat), but umm, Jam’s a 10! She cute! I liked her mall outfit, I cannot lie.

Jam came full circle. She admits to her shit. She figures out how to come thru in the most sensible way she can. I’ll offer more thoughts in a bit, but I’m actually a little glad that we didn’t get the rage scene that I so WANTED to see in episode 7. She’s ready to pony up for school. That’s the best way she can help, and I’m glad she was written as figuring that out.

What did I see happen to Jam? She leaned into the kind of parenting and family building that she could manage at this point in her life. What she was CAPABLE of, she did. She created a family table for ALL her family. To show that kind of blended family, eating all together, at peace, with a small child in their presence…. to have created a warm environment where Jim could finally, comfortably come out without judgement. She replicated the same table that Jim himself had created at his diner. She’s paying her dues back to BOTH her brother AND her son, both of whom she rejected and abandoned.

I have to hand it to Aof. My inner child’s heart is wrecked at this, but I have to hand it to him. He treats bad parents with compassion. ATOTS, Bad Buddy, and now here. He doesn’t blame bad parents for who they ARE — he instead skewers WHERE THEY CAME FROM, the culture from which these styles of parenting are borne. God, Aof. That’s not necessarily emotionally purging for Asian kids traumatized by the unexplored impact of filial piety. But it’s much more of a realistic artistic meditation, a FAIR one. I see what he did with Jam, and I ultimately have to appreciate it, even if I was dying for a rage episode. I appreciate that Aof, as an artist, will not succumb to base emotion simply because it’s the surface feeling. He will always dig and layer what ends up truly working as an emotionally balanced meditation.

4) Big themes. Once again — a return to the balance between old and new cultures and perspectives, and how us oldies get pulled along into the new age. But also, in this episode, we were reminded of what youngsters bring with THEM, from THEIR pasts, into their future.

This episode focused on Jim’s movement and Li Ming’s movement. Oh, my heart. I’ll start with Li Ming.

Li Ming is really a hero of mine — I think what he demonstrates for me is that youthful FEARLESSNESS towards change that we admire youngsters for so much — while us oldie parents are also worried about them, we fear for them, because we know that there are potholes and pitfalls when change can happen quickly and blindingly.

I think that's what Jim was referring to when he says to Jam that Li Ming helped him (Jim) find his maturity. That was at the core of the night talk that took place in episode 7. I think Jim saw, in Li Ming, what Jim *needed* to see in Li Ming to trust Li Ming with Li Ming's own growth. Jim needed to see that Li Ming could consider his options, and be more emotionally sophisticated and aware than Jim ever has been.

And, I think -- that helped Jim TRUST Li Ming. That wonderful short conversation between Li Ming and Jim, where Jim confirms with Li Ming that Jim is just *worried* about Li Ming, like a parent.

When Li Ming says, "love isn't that big of a deal." When Li Ming talks about other ways that life needs to be sustainable.

Li Ming KNOWS Jim, and knows HOW TO TALK TO JIM.

How brilliant is that, to see that in someone so young, just dominate you, an older person, by way of emotional knowledge and sophistication? Jim had no choice, in my read, but to trust Li Ming -- and, maybe, take some inspiration and take that sophistication, and internalize it, so that he (Jim) could begin to relax and find happiness as well.

5) The other story about Li Ming's movement is between him and Heart, and as I said before, I'm just totally sold on GeminiFourth as a pairing, because their dynamic was really perfect for the growth that needed to be demonstrated between the two of them.

HEART! We saw Heart shoot his shot, dang it! HEART! With his wanting a boyfriend, with his parents learning sign language, with PEOPLE AROUND HIM LEARNING HOW TO TALK TO HIM. On multiple levels, even if we didn't see all of it actively (like with Heart's parents), Heart made demands and shot his shots, just like Li Ming did with his own family.

GOOD GOD -- could Aof have used this motif more wonderfully, so EFFICIENTLY? Young people get shit done! No holds barred, they can bolt through their own obstacles, their own barriers, to get shit done. Young people aren't held down by the past, like some old uncles we know.

And yet. Young people CAN ALSO RESPECT THE PAST, AND BRING LONG-STANDING CULTURE WITH THEM -- as Heart and Li Ming showed at the temple, as Li Ming danced as a lion, bringing in the Lunar New Year (FULL CIRCLE from when the series premiered, y'all!) AND THAT'S GROWTH. That's how the world spins, that's how Pattaya spins -- a place caught in the middle between the old and the new, the historic and the modern. Just like Li Ming and Heart, they are always growing, always maturing, and fast, like young people do, before they get stagnant-ish and older-ish, like Uncle Jim.

6) And then we see the growth paradigm with Jim, as reflected in the mirror of Li Ming. We see Jim -- finally -- loosening up. We see Jim come out as paired up with Wen to his sister. We see them on a date, a romantic date on the beach. (Sure, Jim is still an old dad, complaining about the food or whatever, geez, Jim.)

We see him close the old place, and open a new place. We see that new place as a new and modern way to hold over the old culture -- khao man gai, outside, under the stars, the way it's supposed to be eaten in an equatorial country.

I'm borrowing the following screencap from @hummingbirdsinjune:

We see Jim, finally, reflecting. We see him reflecting on how people were able to move forward, people like Jam and Gaipa, while he reflected on how he was held back. We see him figuring out how he won't hold himself back, and won't LET HIMSELF BE HELD BACK, anymore. He cancels the lease to let go. He, finally, wants to be in control. He sells the car, one of his last links to Beam. And commits to moving forward in so many ways.

And he stays in Pattaya. So we know -- he's still going to be connected to the old ways, the historic culture, of Pattaya.

And when Wen choose to decline the job. When Wen -- AND JIM -- decide to build a home together. Home isn't anything modern. Home is HOME. Home is history. Home is building history together. Jim is both leaving things behind.... and leaving nothing behind. Because he's building all he needs in his life once more.

The building of home with Wen. That's what ultimately took me out about this episode.

7) I believe I finally got the khao man gai analogy to the show that I long wanted before the show premiered. As with Jam's table at her husband's house, when the guys were sitting and eating at the diner before the diner closed. Jim's family, Jim's community. How food brings everyone together. That was a presage, I think, for the home he was going to eventually build with Wen. Y'all know I wanted this, and I'm so glad I got it. Yay, chicken rice.

I'm totally going to have more thoughts over the next few days, but this is what I got for now. I'm so in debt to Aof as an Asian fan of his dramas for giving us such unbelievable commentary on culture and family. We are INCREDIBLY LUCKY to have this artist making these shows. They are so important to me as an Asian, as a lover of my culture and Asian cultures, as an Asian child and mother also struggling with the balance of old and new values and cultural rituals. Aof's shows teach me so much, about extra- and introspection, and Moonlight Chicken was absolutely no exception.

#moonlight chicken #moonlight chicken meta #earthmix #firstkhao #earth pirapat #mix sahaphap #first kanaphan #khaotung thanawat #geminifourth #fourth nattawat #gemini norawit #jim x wen #wen x jim #alan x gaipa #gaipa x alan #li ming x heart #heart x li ming #moonlight chicken episode 8

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liauditore · 8 months

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Pssst if you’re still doing the shipping bingo, how would team rancher/solidaritek fill your bingo board?

OFC. RANCHERSSS ALWAYS AND FOREVER 😭😭

ok but.. real talk i think ranchers is like. my number two "I actually ship this no strings or footnotes attached" ship right after ethubs.

I am usually not one to be moved by ships that are just "they are fun and healthy together and love eachother" but oh GOD the ranchers. See I think the thing is they just.. make sense for eachother even if you don't expect it until the point they realise they're soulmates.

Jimmy's situation has been talked about to hell and back at this point but Tango is also very out of his element in the life series. He says himself that pvp is not his specialty and he doesn't have the time or resources to make his skill set shine. So he ends up either somewhat ignored or outcasted for most of the games. (<-- fyi fun fact this is where the whole 'mech pilot tango' idea came from lol. i feel like he'd have a dva-style mech outside of the life series)

In particular i LOVE his relationship with team BEST and I NEED desperately to talk abt it more. the way he's constantly talked over by his own teammates, intimidated, asked to sacrifice his own lives for their sake, "tango's Easy", etc. etc.

‘Cause inside, nothing’s fine It should be clear to prying eyes But I won’t let the feelings See the light So tell me, why should I even try? I’m frozen away in time

(Koala, Will Stetson)

They both have this habit of hiding their own insecurities behind a facade of boisterousness, but no matter how much either of them puff out their chests and raise their voices, their message of "please take me seriously" never seems to get through.

The Ranchers are just.. two losers against the world. and they inspire confidence within the other that they can't find in themselves. and yes the world forces them apart but you can Feel that influence they've had on one another in the background.

Guess I went and caved I wonder, is there another way? Because I want to believe That one day I’ll be okay So now, I’ll give it another try I can finally see with a clearer mind Even if the bumps in the road Might try to stop me, Still it’ll be alright Keeping it inside Isn’t clearing up the sky So you tighten your hand in mine Following the light like a cute Koala Laughing in stride

Plus I, uh... Unhinged but I have this thing with the life smp where there's this running theme throughout the story about how it doesn't really matter who wins or who dies first.

Because for every epic battle and every tear-jerking death there was fun and laughter and stupid, trivial drama before and in between and those little moments may not be as memorable or written down in history but they're what makes the series enjoyable. Yes, we're all gonna die, but isn't it cool that we laughed with eachother and made dumb jokes and adopted a frog and said "I love you" on the way there?

j-just like real life. life smp. evangelion moment im sorry

Though both of us will die one day Though this life is useless anyway When you’re here by my side, you make me feel like it’ll be okay And yet we laughed despite it all At this life which has no meaning at all Two lonely and broken souls leaning on each other’s sides I’m glad that you’re you, that I’m me, and for us two I’m kinda glad that you’re evil too When the day starts anew, hope I spend it with you I’m glad that I fell in love with you

(I'm Glad You're Evil Too, Rachie/Anthong translyrics)

The Ranchers epitomize that.

They are doomed. They both know this, I think. Neither of them can fight, they're left begging for scraps by session 2, no one on the server takes either of them seriously and they lost a life literally like 10 minutes into the first episode.

But they built a home together, raised livestock, stood up for eachother. and they were happy together.

and isn't that what really matters?

and neither of them are even aware of how much they really meant to the other one. the game ends. tango tells jimmy to go home. go. they certainly don't break up to the extent of Some Other Pairings In This Series but i like to think tango distances himself, thinking jimmy would be happier with his friends and not stuck with him. jimmy thinks the same. but they still wave hi and call eachother rancher and now they're running a salad restaurant together or something i guess.

It's just.. everything that gets the two of them condemned and made fun of in their other relationships is what's Celebrated in theirs. They can just be themselves, mistakes and silliness and imperfections at all, with no pressure to perform amazing feats and make amazing stuff and I think that's great.

um yeah i like ranchers.

#asks #ask games #team rancher #solidaritek #trafficshipping #RANCHIESSSSSSSS #i think theres alot of fics of tango 'rescuing' jimmy which are. amazing. mwah #but i think it bears saying that jimmy rlly did rescue tango too #and both of them did it completely on accident #the way everyone was egging tango on to get revenge on scar after the ranch burnt down #and jimmy was the ONLY voice in there telling him to calm down #and jimmy's voice was the one he heard.#soz im unwell #gn ranchers *tucks them into bed*

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prettyshon10 · 2 months

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Good for everyone finding enjoyment in the new alive action show.

Personally, as it stands right now, I have no drive the finish the season. It’s not bad; I can say that much. There’s quite a bit that I like about it.

However, I really wish this show (and many other media pieces nowadays) would trust its audience and pace itself with an actual story and character development. Apparently the writing feels like it has to constantly tells us things instead of showing us. Not to mention the story is pushing ahead to aspects and events without any proper build up. Why did we have to see a vision of the fire nation invading the water tribe in the second episode? Can we get there first?

It feels like when your English teacher assigns a project and emphasizes that instead of just regurgitating information to prove that you know the unit just taught, you need to integrate that information into the work. Telling me things about the lore doesn’t impress me; show me you understand the core of the show by the expression of the story.

It’s the same with the characters. I wouldn’t necessarily say that they’re flat, but they don’t evoke too much emotion from me, and it’s because the writing is allergic to depth.

Which brings me to my next issue: the changes.

Look, I’m not the kind of fan who whines and complains about an adaptation changing things from the original source. I completely understand why that is, and there are quite a few instances where I love it (Shadowhunters and Percy Jackson tv series, for example). But in those instances, the changes were able to bring something to the table. They did well by the characters and the overall story. The changes I’ve seen so far with this show do nothing but make me ask “Why?” Why remove Aang running away from home, which serves as his guilt and shame? Why rework his skills and talents in airbending to be something he’s afraid of? Why make the driving force to get to the North Pole to prevent more bloodshed from an incoming attack when there was already a driving force to get there (learning water bending)? Why Kiyoshi in place of Roku? How does any of these changes add something to the characters? How does any of these changes elevate the story being told? Because I don’t feel like I gained anything new as a viewer.

Take away the fact that this is an adaptation. As its own show, I just don’t feel like it’s done a good enough job validating its existence and inciting me to want to watch more of it. Even for wanting to “appeal to Game of Thrones fans”, it misses the mark. Game of Thrones (up until the last couple of seasons) had incredible build up and depth of the story and characters at play. There was trust in the audience and in the journey. That’s why fans were so pissed with how it ended.

Also, I understand that this adaptation is “geared towards adults, not kids”. While I would argue that the original animation lands great with adults even 19 years after its debut, I’ll just say that the new show left this particular adult viewer underwhelmed.

Again, I’m glad there are people finding enjoyment in it. This is just my personal opinion. I don’t hate it—it’s MILES better than the film—but I don’t find it engaging.

I’m good off this. Y’all have fun, though.

#atla #netflix #avatar: the last airbender #love action #netflix avatar #aang #katara #sokka #zuko #iroh #suki #azula #fire lord ozai

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atla-suki · 5 months

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sokka’s treatment in lok was astonishing tbh but i’m actually glad he was dead by the time the series started bc toph being a cop??? aang being an awful dad???? they would’ve ruined him and suki’s characters lbr.

as far as any possible kids go idk we didn’t meet suyin till book 4 we barely saw izumi i think they just didn’t want to make the new series be a atla reunion plus lok was only meant to be one season so they were making that shit up as they went along lmao. and back in 2012-14?? they didn’t know themselves what happened to sukka lmao.

sokka and suki are definitely the type to break up bc of long distance but then find their way back to each other a few years later especially as they settle into their roles in life.

while bryke definitely neglect suki and sokka to some capacity also they do have a soft spot for suki after bringing her back. many don’t consider her to be team avatar but they’ve stated they do so idk ! she shows up a lot in the comics which have obv been created post-lok and it’s been said that they’ll utilise it’s plots and characters in shall see in future projects (crane fish town becoming republic city maybe??? where suki currently is working?? and sokka later lives!!)

i’m p sure suki will be in it at some capacity anyway and that there’ll stick with jennie as she’s one of the few asian og va’s. she’s doing a lot of work atm for avatar studios.

also random but i literally found out today that it’s not bryke-confirmed that mai and zuko end up together. it was a comment on a panel by the old comic writer. it’s not technically canon. izumi is the spit of mai anyway but hmm! interesting!!

btw btw suyin’s father was def a sandbending outlaw who toph had a secret relationship with that couldn’t be public bc of her role as police chief x

oo big ask ok let me break this up into different paragraphs …

fist point - one thing i will admit about lok is that it fell short in incorporating the original characters into the new series in an interesting way with enough verisimilitude (realistic-ness) that it didn’t feel like they were just throwing a popular character into an episode for the sake of it. such as the whole ‘aang is a bad dad’ thing because they under-utilised him as a mentor figure to korra and instead focused on his supposed favourite son (i have thoughts on this re. aang NOT being a ‘Bad’ dad but i will make another post on it if u are interested (or have i alr made one? i’ll make another one.))

i have to agree that they would’ve probably done something shitty to sokka or suki if they were included. especially with the entire first season of lok being about bender/non-bender equality… i can just imagine they’d make sokka say something dumb about the equalist movement being 100% Bad instead of him actually supporting some of their completely valid arguments. idk. i’m sad there’s no sukka but at the same time…. quit while ur ahead yk.

second point - sukka long distance relationship is so real ESPECIALLY during their first few years together. i can see them just kinda calling it off because of commitment issues due to their work, etc. but not ever really losing feelings. they’d be endgame tho🥰

i can absolutely see suki being in upcoming projects! especially since she and the other kyoshi warriors expanded their reach across the nations - it would be hard to ignore them completely if we’re assuming they’re including comic canon into the universe. i hope jenny returns!!

third point - yeah! how crazy that maiko as izumi’s parents isn’t canon confirmed… though she’s so clearly mai’s daughter. i wonder if mai’s role will be expanded in upcoming projects / if she’ll be featured more. hmmm.

fourth - would honestly prefer this to the theory sokka is her father lol. it kinda baffles me that TOPH became a cop.. not bc she opposes authority - there’s something different about enforcing it than there is having to follow it. i can see toph in authoritative positions, and she fits them well. but i think it baffles me moreso because why would toph even work as a COP? isn’t that boring as hell for her?? go do something awesome like probending or professional underground fighting (adult blind bandit anyone?? this would make a good fic) or literally just construction idk i feel like toph isn’t a Hard Worker type that would want to be stuck in such a rigid career.

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mantequillabooks · 2 months

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Sooooo I recently watched Alchemy of Souls Season 1 and first off, I GET THE HYPE.

All I have to say though is after Jang Uk said ‘Marry Me, Mu deok,’ I shut my laptop and said ‘And they lived happily ever after. THE END.’

That’s where the show ended, that’s where it stops, episode 19. It was an amazing 19 episodes. I’m glad they wrapped it all up in that 1 season. Peace, love and happiness.

side note; I went into this series knowing that there was gonna be 3 love interests for the female lead and as someone who normally despises love triangles or anything more I seriously wondered how I would like this particular aspect of the show. But she had chemistry with EVERYONE! I can’t pick a side (Jang Uk all the way), every time she had time alone with one of them I couldn’t hate or be biased cause the chemistry was just chemistrying, it was THERE!

Anywayssss 20 19 episodes really drained me emotionally in a way I was not prepared for, so no I will not be watching season 2 (or 3?).

#in my mind it is a fact that the show ends on episode 19 #the two of them got married #lived happily ever after #the end #this is my trying to cope #alchemy of souls #alchemy of souls season 1 #kdrama #tv shows #tv show #tv show thoughts #jung somin #lee jae wook #jang uk #mu deok #jang uk x naksu #Jang uk x Mudeok #Ukiedokie

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egot1stical · 7 months

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okay been a few days: finale thoughts.

first: i liked it. it wasn’t BAD. it was mid but it wasn’t Bad. I think my ranking of 6.7/10 is still pretty accurate lol. I enjoyed it. But now I complain

Pacing was crazy. I don’t know why we spent like, half of Simon’s runtime 1000 years in the future. And then the other half of Fionna’s world (which I cared a lot less about) was focused on like. 3 separate scarab fight scenes LOL.

Casper and Nova are fun concepts, but they’re not really. Accurate? They’re so heavy handed with their message of “petrigrof is unhealthy” that they kind of just. Get the dynamic wrong on how. Which is weird. Especially after we just had a whole Simon and Betty episode. It kind of paints Simon as some pushy guy responsible for all the hardships in the relationship. Like, uh, Simon wasn’t making all the choices in the relationship, guys? His problem was pretty much the opposite; he didn’t *make* any solid choices. Betty was the one that did whatever. Jerry literally establishes that Betty was incredibly impulsive about love and such. They’re still unhealthy; there’s still the thing where Betty ended up living her life around Simon because of the curse. But like. I don’t know why they portrayed Simon like that.

Also, they don’t even acknowledge in their heavy handedness that they’re literally like, doomed in every universe. That’s what this series has been building up to right? Simon doesn’t find the crown? They die in the mushroom war. The star universe plays out. Ooo is wiped out at the hands of vampires and they eventually starve too. But then they show Simon getting on the bus with Betty as The Right Thing To Do which is kind of crazy.

Missed opportunities for the whole show: Having F&C cast and AT cast interact aside from Simon. Simon and Ice King interaction. More Simon and Betty interaction. Crying Simon. Using the decade long animation error of Simon having white eyes before the crown as a plot device rather than just pretending it was on purpose (like what they did with the second crown in Crossover.) SIMON. AND. MARCY. INTERACTION. WHY SET IT UP IF YOURE NOT GONNA KNOCK IT DOWN. IT WASNT EVEN IN THE FUCKING MONTA

I did like the rest of it though.

The Simon and Betty moments were good, just wish they were more substantial. And just. More. The no regrets scene was really good. Also, seeing Fionna and Simon's friendship. They're really cute.

I'm a little mixed on Fionna's world becoming magical, but I feel like it works because it's just Slightly. She still learned to appreciate her life as is, but Cake gets to be herself - Especially important when you see the connections between Cake and Simon. (Cake robbed of her mind due to the lack of magic, desperately trying to find a way to get it back or communicate.)

I feel that it should've been way more emotional though. The closest we got was the "too much" scene, which I REALLY liked, but I kind of find it hard to believe Simon "I don't want to move on" Petrikov just Got Better after seeing his fiancée die and then being told that everything was his fault. But yeah, I wish we had More closure on like, his Panic Attacks or depression. He also just kind of. Learns his life matters out of nowhere. Like, good for him, but boy where did you get that from. Tell me in words. Also he should’ve thrown up upon seeing Golbetty (half joke, but more reaction please.)

I’m glad he's moving house though. I’m alright with this as an ending. (And even better with it as a season ending.) But also, get that man away from the bar.

#sorry I just woke up this might mean nothing #fionna and cake #fionna and cake spoilers

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