Tumgik
#of course there's also monty and the cat king
padfoot-lupin77 · 3 days
Text
Watching Dead Boy Detectives and, well, thoughts while watching:
The cat king is so much worse than I imagined.
“You know you can think things without saying them. Edwin’s obviously jealous” jkfjxdkdkfkhfkd Crystal out here solving the real mysteries
Charles Rowland you are a fucking genius (episode 4, after kicking the bitch lady in the fish)
Why the FUCK are Charles and Crystal making out
Do I want Monty to get out of the way? Absolutely. Do I want him to have a character development and call Esther out on her shit? Of course. Do I still hate him a little? Yeah just a little
Crystal don’t drink that, Maren is about to drug you. (CALLED IT!)
Psychopath lesbians weren’t what I was expecting out of this
Clutching your heart after hugging your best friend isn’t usual platonic behavior. Just saying, Edwin.
David is my mortal enemy. Well. He’s not mortal. But he’s my enemy so still.
“I have feelings for you too” GOOD FOR YOU MONTY! BUT: the feelings he has, are NOT for you so 🤷‍♀️
Tragic Mick’s is Magic Tricks with the first letters swapped
Monty DON’T make me change my mind I don’t quite hate you yet DON’T waste your chance of being on my good books LEAVE my boys alone pls and ty
Can people PLEASE start respecting Jenny’s boundaries
EDWIN DESERVES THE WORLD
Jenny has had enough near-death experiences by now she should be able to see the ghosts (update:🙃)
Can someone murder Esther or send her to hell or smth
Go kiss somewhere else not in front of Edwin you motherfuckers (affectionately)(but also pls stop hurting my boy Edwin)
If Esther isn’t dead and my boys aren’t free by the end of the season I’m suing Netflix
Monty be useful FOR ONCE and turn back to human to save your ex crush and his crush
If the snake starts speaking I’ll lose it
I love Charles so much
Jfkhfdkdkjfdgjdgsgfshfs
73 notes · View notes
kwadlayns · 12 days
Text
Tumblr media
Good detectives do what they need to in order to solve a case. 💀🔎✨
6K notes · View notes
Text
Edwin: *monologuing about confusing feelings*
Monty: *kisses him*
Edwin: "That was unexpected"
Monty: "I have feelings for you too"
Edwin: "I wasn't talking about you"
Very funny but oh so awkward
81 notes · View notes
skayafair · 6 days
Text
No but it's so mind-blowing how transparent everyone in this show is relationship-wise.
It doesn't take half a brain to clock Edwin as glaringly and gloriously gay. Idk how Charles didn't reply with "oh don't you worry mate, I knew all along" in ep.6 because again, OBVIOUS.
No one said anything about Charles but basically anyone who takes a single look at him instantly knows he's bi. Like, it doesn't even need confirmation at this point although his behavior is it on its own. It's funny even how so many people watched the trailer and went "I thought he was the fruity one".
Idk about Crystal but she's giving bi vibes too, especially with her first reaction to Niko sprites be damned and purple color theme. And I know purple most likely represents her psychic abilities but idc.
We don't know about Niko but several people in the fandom (including myself) felt her experience really reflects our own - aroace spectrum one, and also she's giving lesbian/sapphic vibes. And again, from what I've seen the fandom is pretty united in this.
Niko doesn't think twice making a date with a woman for Jenny because of course she's a lesbian, no questions asked.
Also is it just me or is the Cat King pan? I refuse to believe he'd limit himself in anything when it comes to this.
And that's just for starters!
Because everyone knows there's something going on between the boys™ and it ain't straight.
Crystal knows Edwin's jealous and the show is trying to sell it as "jealous as a friend who doesn't get all the attention anymore" but it's fooling no one (and I believe not Crystal either).
Edwin does gets jealous immediately when Crystal comes into the picture because Charles has a crush on her from the first sight and it's obvious.
Crystal and Charles are very clear with their feelings and intentions towards each other.
Charles immediately smells something fishy with the Cat King and Monty and turns his jealousy full volume, like even Edwin wasn't THIS persistent with prodding despite being more vocal about it.
Despite the fact that Edwin's coming out technically happens in ep.6, NO ONE bats an eye when he's starting to hang out with Niko A LOT. Charles, who - see above - was immediately alarmed by the Cat King and Monty, has absolutely no problem seeing how close his dearest friend grew with the new girl on the team. Partly it's because Niko is a member of their group and is friendly with everyone, including Charles, but STILL. Niko is the only one besides Charles who's allowed the physical contact to the point of pretty tight hugs and handholding. Yet it doesn't even cross anyone's mind that there might be anything but friendship between these two. BEAUTIFUL *sheds a tear*
So like. I'm ND so human relationship is usually even more confusing to me than to a neurotypical person, and I know it's very complicated as is, to everyone. That's why seeing a show where everything is so EASY and crystal clear without simplifying things to a cardboard state was such a relief and a comforting experience. It's just nice to have it easy for once.
87 notes · View notes
Text
I came to terms with the fact I am actively anti cat king/edwin and I have to talk about it I'm sorry
Like, you ship whatever you want fr!! I just have a lot of thoughts about this
The Cat King is a very interesting character. Really, I like him and I find him consistent in his actions. That is precisely why I don't see what he feels for Edwin as anything close to being in love, and I don't think he even means to be.
He cares, sure, and he's kinda obsessed with getting his prey (affectionately), but that's it. He wouldn't go too far for Edwin and he doesn't. "I'll be waiting for him when he gets out of hell" while someone else is getting him out of hell. Also, knowing that Esther is going to literally torture Edwin forever and not risking his lives to give a warning — which of course, why would he? He just got killed for trying to help, he's not about to do it again. And I don't think it's wrong of him! Because you don't risk your life for a crush!!
(well, except if you're Monty. He actually was about to risk his life for Edwin, trying to get him out of the forest. Just putting this out there)
So I mean, I get the appeal. The sexual tension, the power balance. Man, I actually love how that changes during the season and how Edwin has the upper hand in the end and knows it. It's a very nice dynamic that they have and I get having fun exploring it.
But I was flabbergasted to see people wishing it was endgame, wow. Not trying to be shady, I genuinely did not EXPECT THAT from so many people.
And I wasn't even going to talk about the problematic parts of their relationship (the coersion, the mind tricks, etc), because I've had my share of problematic ships, this is pretty tamed in comparison, lol. But I think it's important that people understand that it's problematic, and then if they decide to keep shipping it anyway, that's cool.
There's a final major point, which everyone already knows, but I'm gonna say it: you can't fall in love with someone like Charles and expect anyone else to beat that. No one will.
42 notes · View notes
samsayswhatever · 18 days
Text
On Shipping Catwin
Here is a big ol' rant essay that is very meaningful to me.
The cat king did bad things
I want to make it clear that I know the Cat King is a villain, and is not "consensual" as he says. He made sketchy demands for sex from a place of power, he forced Edwin to stay in town against his will, he secretly watched Edwin via his cats, and he kissed Monty without consent.
So the Cat King is just another example of "bullies" being "proper villains". They talk about how the witch is a "proper villain" because she kills children. But Simon killed Edwin. He was a bully who killed a kid. Charles's bullies also killed him, so they are kid killers. But the cat king kept the detectives in town so they couldn't escape the witch, who then killed the poor nobody ghost and Niko. It's not directly his fault that those things happened, but he still was a major factor in endangering their lives.
Bullies can sometimes grow and be redeemed
So the Cat King is a villain, but he did have character growth. He went into the woods himself to try to save Edwin. He was killed by the witch in attempts to protect Edwin. He gave Crystal and Niko info on the Witch even after she killed him. He gave Edwin a flower in the end, knowing that Edwin was leaving and he would get nothing in return.
HOWEVER. This is also tumblr. And I ship catwin. Why? Because I believe that the cat king will continue to have character growth if he spends time with Edwin. And I love writing redemption arcs. I love reminding my readers that even people who've done horrible can be loved, so of course the readers can be loved too. It's a hugely important lesson to me, and I think people need to hear it. You are lovable. Period.
I ship their redeemed selves
But, because what I'm seeking is a redemption arc, I don't ship the episode 2 cat king with episode 2 Edwin. I ship a theoretically redeemed cat king with a theoretically unrepressed Edwin. I'm interested in what would happen if they got closer, became friends, stayed up all night talking about their trauma, forgave each other, and then fell for each other.
I'm interested in analyzing Dead Boy Detectives as if it's a literary piece of work, and writing meaningful fanfiction. But to be clear, I'm not above looking back at the cat king in episode 2 and saying he's hot. Because he is.
And I think it's very important that we can simultaneously say "he is hot and he has done bad things" because we need to have the ability to see that hot people can hurt us too. Being hot doesn't mean you are a good guy. A show making a character hot doesn't mean the show runners believe he is a good guy. Thinking a person is hot is not the same as condoning their actions. And shipping a character does not mean you condone their actions.
49 notes · View notes
reallifetangent · 10 days
Text
Just saw someone on TikTok saying the "You could live a thousand lives and never deserve that boy" saying that Cat King, Monty and Charles don't deserve Edwin and I've never seen so much bullshit in my life (as far as I can remember)
How come you throw down 3 character arcs and ignoring at least Charles' temper and context to put above on a pillar one character who has bad things as well.
Post was in Spanish, I'm translating what it said with the colors.
Sorry for the random rambling/texts, I had to get it out of my system and sorry if I had wrong stuff
Obviously spoilers about the whole series
Cat King: he started wrong and pressured Edwin on things he didn't know
There's an analysis post here that explains why the punishment made sense. Edwin was warned of not messing around with the cats. Cat King of course had moments where he made Edwin obvious and clearly uncomfortable, and either stopped there or stepped back. Even between all his flirty aura and wanting to play and be loved by this Twink Ghost, he still respected Edwin and was pretty much consensual (the bracelet not because again, it's just the punishment because of what Edwin did to the cats), like proposing counting cats instead of pleasing him physically as soon as he realized Edwin wasn't in that lane.
By the end of the season, he's the one that changes the less respecting from where they started (I think). He's still a flirty, charming, iconic, still respecting and asking for the hug, this time only calling him from the distance because he knows the context, they're mourning Niko, he can't be that flirty or attention seeker, he knows how much she meant for Ed. The flowers scene where it's both flowers for him but also for her (the flower's meanings about rebirth, purity, innocence. I think it's how Niko was for this world, but also huge kudos to this Reddit when I was looking for the flower scene)
Tumblr media
Monty: tricked Edwin so the witch could have her revenge.
Monty is a Crow Familiar. He ofc owes loyalty to his witch. He was turned into a human with the condition of helping his master. And he catches feelings. He's been a human since what? Less than a week? He gets hooked by Edwin. He loves Edwin. When they kiss and Edwin says he doesn't love him back, he's hurt. And he's Esther's familiar. What did she do once she didn't get what she wanted? Plan on revenge. He's still hurt, he thinks Edwin didn't care about his feelings. He even said they shouldn't be friends anymore.
Damn, he even went along deeper even thinking that they wouldn't get the case since they were Ace Detectives, until he heard that the fungus ate ghosts/spectrals so this wasn't an easy revenge. He tried to lead them/him away from it. Then Cat King interrupted and well, shit went down. More hurt feelings, more disgraces. He gets back to Esther who dislikes that her dear crow familiar was on the side of Edwin and caught feelings. He didn't want to feel like that, he didn't ask to be hurt, didn't want to be human and have feelings. Ofc he couldn't be with Edwin as long as Esther is his witch, she still has control over him. And yet he tried to go against her orders. He even helped Charles getting away on last ep.
Charles: said cruel words, wishing he never died and throwing in his face that Ed would never be able to keep the group together because he can't and he lacks Char's charisma.
Charles was fresh from living on a loop that caught him because his reaction to trauma was too strong. He had to live(?) and watch over and over again a family suffering for the exact same thing that reminded him his living life. Even worse, he had to experience on bucle him trying to stop it just to be interrupted and made him watch it until the father was done, looking at the corpses and then the gunshot. Tell me about feeling helpless and useless when you are stuck on a loop where your attempt of trying to help it's not working and you are seeing it over and over again. Ofc he was more than upset for not being able to help, to stop Crystal from getting hurt, from Edwin lying to him because Ed was troubled in his mind, and Night Nurse reminding him the physical violence he lived, how he died.
Charles and Edwin died at 16. Sixteen. How many things they could've experienced but never happened? They'll never get to grow up. He died and he never had a chance to stand up against his dad and protect his mom. He lost the chance to keep the bullies away from others. He lost all the sensations, he lost most of his senses. Not being able to enjoy things because he can't feel them. He misses spaghetti, he said he might miss kissing (he and Crystal kissed, he said he didn't feel anything but well, as long as she does, he's okay with it). He misses being able to have people his age to hang around. And everything was taken away from him.
Ofc he tries to be positive about it, he tries to be useful to make up for not helping when he was alive. He didn't want to be like Brad and Hunter, but he wanted to be that cool guy loved by everyone and was an actual good person. You can't hold on a smile for too long without it turning into a fake one after having all of that. All those years he shoved away the familiar violence, until he had to live it again, two times, and see that he couldn't stop it. He's hurt by everyone (Edwin lying to him, the whole Crystal's case still unsolved, etc), and he reached the limit. Are you telling me he would just smile again and pretend it was nothing? He'd been doing that for so long, and now he was unable to hide it again.
And last but not least, Edwin.
Edwin Payne, sassy Edwardian Era Teenager who has an ego so big you can see it from space, plays hard to get on the cases, thinks he's better/smarter than anyone (one thing is being it, other is claiming it), thinking everyone is on his same level or page (the whole Does that look blue to you? We have the same left! Implying that what he says and knows are too obvious that forgets not everyone thinks like him. I relate to that soooo bad) Shoved away more than once Crystal, has more salt than the Dead Sea, calls out more than once Charles for trying to keep Crystal around, when Jenny was calling Crystal out for running or whatever he was shocked that Crystal wasn't paying attention to him like how dares she ignore me. And don't get me started with invalidating everyone's feelings when they said they were hurt or living a nightmare... We got it. Hell was a literal hell. But you're dealing right now with a girl who's around 16-18 and you're trying to solve her case, not a competition about "Who suffered the most".
Ofc at the end of the season he's finally fond of Crystal, he was finally accepting her as part of the team even without her powers, he's now able to express better his feelings, better at setting and saying things and stop assuming everyone is on his same level, he starts caring about people like Monty (even after breaking his crow heart, he apologizes and tries to explain that he was new to that as well and things could've been with them staying as friends until Cat King made his entrance and the reveal, Cat King with the whole Cat Mouse Game he was able to again, start accepting he has feelings and being the way they are is not bad, able to set boundaries, even allow himself to play silly things like actually counting the cats.
Edwin had to go through a lot of things to be able to actually be open and grow as a character. I feel everyone likes Edwin at the end of the season or praise his Salty Sassy Edwardian Teenager phase, and it's not bad, but please do not throw down other characters to get him higher. Or at least, don't throw them down like that. Do not treat him like it's flawless, just because you like his flaws.
I mean, I feel like I'm not writing nothing we haven't seen, like stating the obvious. Maybe a rewatch to see better the character arcs?
34 notes · View notes
Text
for @tacoreib hey there, thanks!
prompt: thoughts on why supernatural creatures are in love with him
that's not written in prose, it's just me pretending to be literate and clever enough to analyse these characters in a meaningful way. it makes sense in my head, yeah? yeah
trigger warning for talking about the cat king and his dynamic (and its issues) with edwin
word count: 779 words
Well, the supernatural creatures in question are Monty and the Cat King. Let’s divide that cause I feel like their views of Edwin differ significantly but also unite in one aspect: they find Edwin exciting. And that’s wild, right? This Edwardian boy who reads tons and only rarely gifts anyone - who isn’t Charles or Niko - an honest smile.
Well, in general, we know that Edwin never got really along with other humans, up until he met Charles. And while Edwin seems to not be the biggest fan of cats – especially after the Cat King Drama –, I can picture Edwin finding solace in animals in his childhood. Nature and magic are deeply intertwined and Edwin also is quite handy when it comes to spells and such. Yeah, he argues a fair lot with Crystal and he’s incredibly close to Charles and finds a kindred soul in Niko, but in conversations with clients he’s cool and collected. He knows his way around the supernatural world and seems to fit right in, not like back in his school days. He is gentle and calm most of the time, no sudden movements and quiet competence. Those sound like good reasons for supernatural creatures to fall in love with Edwin.
Let’s start with the Cat King. For him, his attraction to Edwin is probably a form of asserting dominance. Sure, he calls himself a “consensual king” and gives Edwin an out with the whole counting-cats thing, but in the end he likely counts on Edwin tiring of his little game and caving. He has a following of loyal subjects, he has a throne, so he most definitely is used to a mix of admiration and worship towards himself. The Cat King has this aura of someone who knows that others desire him. Others, who know why he is so appealing.
But then, along comes this cute posh ghost with his little bowtie who seems utterly confused by his feelings and that’s what’s so exciting for the Cat King. It’s power over him. Later, it becomes apparent that that’s not all, that the Cat King really does feel something beyond attraction for Edwin and that most likely stems from him slowly growing attached to Edwin and his remarks during their little meet-ups, but especially Edwin’s flustered appearance. For the Cat King, this is what really attracts him to Edwin. This put-together detective who gets red in the face whenever the Cat King steps too close.
He does get better at their final meeting and seems much more genuinely fascinated by Edwin, that’s likely to do with the Cat King knowing and hearing about what went down – Edwin in hell, Niko’s death, the torture – and Edwin coming out of all of this… well, not alive, but with his head still upon his shoulders and still this kindness in his heart. To be kind in the face of all of this, that’d do it.
Now, Monty. Monty Monty Monty. Monty was never meant to become supernatural in any sense of the word. He was crow. Then, he’s suddenly a boy with real feelings and real impact on others, being able to communicate with them in a meaningful way. At first, Edwin was Monty’s mission. Make him trust you, lure him and Charles in – cause you realise Charles follows wherever Edwin goes – and leave him in his betrayal.
And that backfires spectacularly cause Monty never counted on Edwin being – again, kind. He does not openly show it but he’s by no means cold when he meets Monty. Honestly, his behaviour reminds me of myself being shy and anxious in social interactions. That might be read as disinterested but it’s not. Of course, when they meet, Monty is obviously just over the moon because wow, that boy’s pretty, right? That’s new to him, being attracted to someone, and that’s probably why Monty feels it so strongly. The astrology books are a way to get close to Edwin but then Monty wants to step closer and closer as he realises that Edwin genuinely invests his time into his conversations with Monty and becomes more approachable. Monty can see their progress. Someone is aware of Monty and deems him important, a small centre of the universe for a small amount of time.
Also, Monty is entirely new to this “being human” thing (aren’t we all?) and Edwin always seems incredibly confident. And he has every reason to be confident. He is a Dead Boy Detective, after all – he’s competent in his profession. For Monty, Edwin is the one who has it figured out while Monty basks in his attention. That’s why Monty seems to rotate around Edwin and finds him so exciting.
So there's that, I guess? additional thoughts are sooo appreciated, i love this fandom and id love talking with y'all about all this
26 notes · View notes
lesbiannieism · 14 days
Text
i lowkey want evil montey in season 2. like maybe not full-fledged monstrous evil or gets-possessed-by-the-spirit-of-esther evil or anything. but like what if he somehow inherited some of esther’s power and her belongings and he kind of becomes her successor? and all that power doesn’t turn him wicked, necessarily, but for the first time in his life he has actual autonomy, actual power, and he decides to embrace that and stop pandering to what everyone else wants. maybe the gang needs his help with something and he doesn’t help them at first because why should he? what does he owe them? or maybe he and the cat king get in to some sort of turf war over port townsend and the cat king is completely blindsided because while monty isn’t as powerful as esther used to be, he also isn’t the pathetic little guy he used to be and he’s getting bolder by the day and for once, the cat king may have met his match (and so of course the gang has to step in to stop their little bitch fight from harming the people of port townsend). idk, im not married to the idea (i’m kinda obsessed with the idea of monty and charles becoming friends/frenemies somehow) but i also think it would be cool if monty sort of got to grow up and come into his own
38 notes · View notes
shobolanya · 14 days
Text
dead boy detectives is a special show to me because all the characters are so amazing and i actually fell in love with so many of them (and it's hard for me to get attached to almost everyone in a show) here's why!
of course i first thought i was going to love Charles the most, because Jayden is one of the most beautiful human beings i have ever seen in my whole life and actually i do love his character. he's such a ray of sunshine and he's actually so sensitive and sad but masks it with a smile and i ahshhshdhdjd and the way he handled Edwin's confession oh my God.
but after i started watching the show i started loving Edwin. his pathetic little meow meow attitude but also the smartass side have taken a strong hold of me and will not let go
the female characters! at first i was okay with crystal, but after the first episodes i started liking her as well and i especially love how much she cares about the boys and what a badass she is. niko is my moat beloved. an anime and manga lover? YES PLEASE and she's actually so smart and the fact that she keeps the sprites is the best. jenny is genuinely the ideal woman for me, i don't know about them, but if i were in the show i would have asked for her hand in marriage the second i saw her. maybe unpopular opinion but i love the night nurse (maybe because loved rowena in spn and ruth connell is amazing) and i really want her and the agency to be friends
the Cat King became my favorite from the first scene he appeared on because
1.he's a cat
2.he wears a skirt ( men in skirts >>>>>
3.everything he did in the show bewitched me (the last scene with Edwin bshshdgshs)
Esther served so much, what am evil queen
Monty is just a tiny child, must be protected, but also he's a crow and a twink who caught feelings for the guy he was supposed to trap for Esther (anyway i want him back he was a lil astronomy lover)
Tragic Mick aand his story was just so 😭🥺🤲, dw i would have listened to his story, he looks like he tells really wonderful tales
and all the other characters were so cool too, Kashi, the Sprites and even Simon,the cats, the ghosts.
Please Netflix give us another season!
49 notes · View notes
taschamonnii · 7 months
Text
Take My Breath Away
Clextober23 Day 3 Annual Fall Festival
Here is the title song: Take My Breath Away (WLW)
SMUT 18+
Just a lil Meet-Cute that gets a little Spicy and ends in…
Clexa X Harlivy 
Clarke is dressed up as Harley Quinn 
Lexa is dressed up as Poison Ivy
(If you haven’t watched Harley Quinn the Animated 2019 Series you MUST! It’s sooo good the gays win in it! Harlivy stan!)
Read On Ao3
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Word Count: 6,363
It's October Clarke Griffin's favorite month not only because it's her birthday month but because it's Halloween! Clarke has always loved Halloween. Her friends Raven and Octavia know that October is peak Party Griffin season and know she won't turn down a chance to dress up. Luckily there are tons of festivals and parties and clubs to attend. Clarke is full of excitement there is something in the air she just knows this will be a great October and she can’t wait to wear her Harley Quinn costume. She is an artist for the cartoon series and absolutely loves Harlivy and the show really favors them as well. Kaley Cuoco and Lake Bell play Harley and Ivy perfectly and she just loves how much they also love the relationship. She truly loves her job as an artist on the show and for the series-related comics. She has always loved the characters since 1993 when they first interacted on Batman the Animated Series. She loved comic books and animation as a kid and drawing those characters was her favorite thing to do as a kid and now she gets paid to do it.
>>
Lexa Woods is not a people person in fact she kind of hates most people. She thinks holidays are the worst because they all encourage wasteful consumerism. Her sister Anya, however, loves to party and refuses to let Lexa be a grump at home. The persuasion was difficult but Anya is a pro and told Lexa she could even dress up as one of her favorite nerdy comic book characters. Little did Anya know Lexa would pick a character that is basically just a green version of Lexa’s nerdy self. Lexa chose her career because of Poison Ivy. She got into Environmental Biology solely because of the 1993 animated series. Watching Poison Ivy be brilliant while being this untouchable goddess well it was everything Lexa wanted to be as a kid. Not to mention the Harley Ivy episode which made her realize she was so incredibly gay. Now as an adult, her inner child is happier than ever. There is a GAY animated series dedicated to Harlivy and comic series and she is actually helping the environment the way she always dreamed. Obviously, she had to dress up as Poison Ivy. 
>>>>
The Spooktacular Arkadia Festival is always fun but always crowded even on off days. The gang is navigating the crowd with ease though since this is their favorite event they know all the tricks to have the best time and experience everything the festival has to offer. The gang's all dressed up in DC characters to support Clarke's work and because they actually love the show! Raven is dressed as Bane which is no surprise to anyone since she “Loves Sploshions!” Of course, she has adjusted his costume slightly instead of a mask she painted her face. Octavia convinced her boyfriend that they are alternate reality Cat Woman and Bruce Wane/Batman where their races are reversed. Jasper and Monty are the Riddler and Clock King. Murphy is Clayface. Nathan is King Shark. As a group, they look amazingly nerdy and have been receiving compliments all night. Some people even recognized Clarke as an artist for the show and asked for her signature. They have gone through all the haunted houses and played all the games. Ate and drank everything pumpkin flavored and is currently headed for the haunted corn maze since the sun has finally set. 
>>
The maze is huge and full of creepy surprises around every corner. As the group gets farther into the dark maze the sounds of the festival become distanced and muted. The eerie sound of the wind through the corn stalks and distant screams surround the group. The calm before the storm.
“BOOM!” 
A loud crash of metal trash cans falling in their path has the groups scrambling and running from the “monsters”. It’s all fun and games until Raven sets off a smoke bomb making it impossible to see. The group gets separated as they cough and attempt to escape the chaos. Raven ends up with Octavia and Lincoln while Monty, Jasper, Nathan, and Murphy flee back the way they came in leaving Clarke alone in the dark maze. She doesn’t scare easily but it's definitely not as fun alone. She curses Raven under her breath; she should have known to check the Latina’s pockets before leaving Octavia’s house. 
Clarke decides she will outsmart all of the scare traps and sneak around rustling the corn to scare other groups. She is lurking around when she sees a woman standing alone looking down at her phone.
Bright red hair is illuminated by the blue light of her phone screen. Clarke can’t help but soak in every detail of the woman in front of her. Well as best as she can in the dim lighting. Green tights with elaborate vines stitched up the sides making long legs seem like they go on forever. Black Doc Marines give the woman some height making her taller than Clarke by just the right amount that Clarke's thoughts drift to how perfectly her head could rest on the woman's shoulder. She shakes her head trying not to lose herself but it has just been forever since she’s felt any kind of way about anyone let alone a stranger, a beautiful stranger. The black jacket the woman wears hugs her thin but toned frame perfectly and Clarke doesn’t miss the tiny details of stitched green stripes. This woman is perfectly dressed as her Ivy. Clarke can’t help herself and takes a few steps forward, the hay on the ground crunching beneath her makes the other woman fully turn to face her. 
Wow is all Clarke can think of as she takes in the jawline of the woman and her delicate features. Her eyes she thinks may be a gray color but it’s too dark to tell. All Clarke knows is this woman is absolutely stunning and she can’t stop staring. Luckily it seems the woman is also awe-struck by Clarke.
>>
Lexa is shocked and stunned beyond belief. When she heard footsteps she had been hoping it was Anya. Never in her life was she so grateful that it wasn’t her sister. It took her maybe a second to recognize the woman in front of her. Lexa thought she must be dreaming. There was no way Clarke Griffin, one of her favorite illustrators, was standing in front of her in the middle of a corn maze. Not only standing there but staring at Lexa like she was a work of art or something. All while dressed up as her favorite version of Harley Quinn. The red and black Converse and knee-high socks. The incredibly short black and red shorts hugged thick muscular thighs. The cropped tight red and black top presented ample cleavage in the most incredible way. Her makeup was done with the classic blue eyeshadow on one lid and pink on the other to match the dyed ends of her pigtails one pink and one blue. She looked incredible. It truly didn’t help that Lexa already had a deep appreciation for Clarke Griffin the artist and Harley Quinn the character. The combination in front of her was everything and if she wanted to believe in love at first sight this would be it for her. 
Somehow Lexa seemed to pull herself out of her head and use her words. Unfortunately, her words were just as embarrassing as her staring. “Wow, you’re Clarke Griffin! You’re even prettier in real life-oh my god-not that you are not pretty in photos and videos! Not in a creepy way, I'm a fan of your art! Oh my god LEXA shut up!” 
Lexa managed to stop rambling for a second just long enough for an amused Clarke to smile at her. “Lexa, was it?”
Lexa nodded. Clarke smiled wider “Lexa, take a deep breath you are as red as your hair.”
Lexa nodded once more and gave Clarke a shy smile that made it hard for Clarke to focus on anything other than the other woman's plump lips. Lexa took a deep breath and decided to attempt to salvage the situation. “I’m sorry. Gawd I just talked at you. I am so sorry.”
Clarke smirked “I thought it was kind of cute, actually. The costume suits your body and your personality it seems.”
Lexa could feel the heat rise on her cheeks all the way to her ears. DID CLARKE GRIFFIN JUST FLIRT WITH HER! Pull it together!
Lexa bit her bottom lip as she let her gaze travel Clarke’s body down and then back up to meet intense blue eyes. “Your costume seems to fit you perfectly as well.”
Clarke tilted her head with a grin. “Is Poison Ivy flirtin’ with lil old me, Harley Quinn?”
Clarke teased trying her best to mimic the character's voice. Lexa swallowed hard this woman might be the death of her. Lexa took a step closer now standing toe to toe. Only a few inches between them “Maybe I am.” Lexa Husked. 
Clarke’s knees buckled but before she could trip Lexa reached out grabbing both her hands in hers.
Something was in the air, a sort of magical feeling like this was destiny or fate that they just happened to meet here and now like this. There was a magnetic pull between them that they could both feel. There was no denying the attraction it was written all over their faces. It filled the air around them with an eclectic buzz. 
Clarke leaned up and Lexa leaned down. Their lips brushed with a tingling spark in a soft kiss. Lexa moved her hands to wrap around Clarke’s waist to pull her flush against her as she sucked on Clarke’s bottom lip lightly. Clarke tangled her hands in thick red hair as she matched Lexa’s lips and melted into their bodies being flush against each other. 
The feel of Lexa's warm soft hands caressing the skin of her lower back made her dizzy. Clarke forgot where they were and that this woman was basically a stranger. But this felt too right to care. Clarke licked at Lexa’s bottom lip and Lexa met her with her own tongue making Clarke let out a soft hum of a moan. She tugged harder on red hair. She needed more of this woman. 
They both needed so much more. 
"BOOM!"
They both jumped at the sound and looked around while holding each other. Lights flashed in the row over and screams followed. 
The moment seemed to bring them back to reality. "We should probably get out of this maze," Lexa said.
Clarke nodded in agreement "I lost my friends because my idiot best friend set off a smoke bomb."
"That was your friend? I lost my sister because of the smoke."
"Yeah, Raven is really into explosions. She's actually dressed as Bane and my friends are all dressed as DC characters."
"That is amazing! I'd love to meet them. I'm a huge fan of the show. I've loved Harley and Ivy since I was a kid."
"They will love your costume. Me too, was it the 1993 animated series for you too?" 
"Of course! It was so gay without being gay!" Lexa said happily. 
"Ugh, I know right? I'm so happy Harlivy is a real thing now!" 
“Right it has taken ages of teasing the couple for it to actually fully happen and your show does it so well! For once the problem in the queer relationship isn’t homophobia it’s that they are both troubled and complex characters. I love the way they are not perfect but constantly strive to be the best versions of themselves for the other and how much love they have for each other. I’m sorry I’m rambling. I just love the show, and your art is incredible!”
Clarke couldn’t contain her smile, the conversation was light and natural and she honestly didn’t want to stop talking to this woman. Lexa seemed to feel the same if her excitement for the conversation was any indication. 
Fuck Lexa was adorable when she rambled and it took everything in Clarke not to pull at the collar of the woman's jacket and crash their lips together once more. “Don’t apologize. I love seeing people love the show as much as I do. Plus, you are really cute when you ramble.”
The blush that crept up Lexa’s neck was priceless. Clarke really couldn’t help herself now. She grabbed the collar of Lexa’s jacket and quickly pulled her down into a kiss. Their lips fit so damn perfectly. Clarke didn't let it last; she couldn't start something here. "Let's get out of here."
Lexa blinked as Clarke straightened her jacket and released it. Lexa was in awe of this woman. She quickly took Clarke’s hand making the blonde glance at their joined hands. Her blue eyes were light when her gaze traveled back to meet Lexa’s. The smiles that took over both of their faces as Clarke squeezed Lexa’s hand and interlaced their fingers could have lit the entire cornfield if this was a cartoon. 
Lexa reached into her pocket for her phone and pulled up Google Maps again. Clarke took Lexa’s phone in her free hand. “This is cheating, Lexa.” She teased. 
“No. Hey! What are you-” Clarke interrupted her “I’m texting myself so I don’t lose you if we get separated.”
Clarke closed Google Maps and observed the background with a smile finding Harlivy art. She recognized the picture, the two characters were lying in some greenery holding hands and lovingly gazing at each other. Lexa could not get any more adorable. She quickly opened the text app and typed in her number and typed a message to herself. She hit send and pulled maps back up then handed the phone back. 
Lexa looked at the map and then around “This way looks fastest.”
“Lead the way, Red.”
Lexa laughed, “This is not my natural color.”
“No! You’re telling me you don’t have fire truck red hair, naturally?”
Lexa bumped her shoulder against Clarke’s laughing lightly as she said, “fuck you.”
“Buy me a drink first.”
“Okay, what are you drinking?” Lexa said, tugging Clarke faster towards the exit of the maze. 
Clarke couldn’t stop her laughter if she tried. They made it out of the maze faster than Clarke thought was possible and wow was it attractive to watch a determined Lexa lead the way. Lexa led them to one of the drink stands and Clarke smiled. “What would you like to drink?” 
“I was joking, Lexa. You don’t have to buy me a drink.”
Lexa smiled dorkily. “I know but I want to even if it’s just a drink and conversation.” 
“You are something else. Seriously, how are you so cute and sexy at the same time?”
“I’m a woman of many talents.”
“I bet you are.” Clarke bit her bottom lip, unable to stop her mind from wandering to naughty places. 
“What can I get you ladies?” The cashier interrupted their silent eye contact.
Lexa broke eye contact first smiling at the guy behind the counter. “Oh hi, um can I get the Pumpkin Spooktacular dark brew, please? And whatever this beautiful woman-” Clarke interrupted Lexa softly, “I’ll have the same thing.”
Lexa smiled at Clarke then looked back at the guy as he asked “Anything else?”
She looked back to Clake who shook her head. “That’s it, thanks.” 
Lexa paid and they got their adorable pumpkin-flavored coffees and found an empty table under one of the trees that was decorated with sparking lights. Lexa is quick to pull out Clarke’s chair and then sit next to her. Clarke can’t handle how Lexa is treating her. It has been far too long since she's even just had a one-night stand let alone been on a date and this feels like a date. No, it felt like more than just a date. It felt like they were already girlfriends and this was just a cute Saturday date night. It all just felt so comfy, familiar, and right. She felt like she could get used to this. She sipped her coffee and sighed at the warmth and tasted happy she got something warm. The cool night air was starting to get to her exposed skin. 
Lexa watched Clarke trying to soak in the comfortable feelings of ease the blonde gave her. She honestly felt like she must be dreaming. There was no way this was her life. Clarke Griffin is sitting across from her happily sipping on a pumpkin-flavored coffee. Face illuminated by the twinkling lights that seemed to make blue eyes sparkle. She was in awe of the woman before her. 
Clarke held her drink in both hands and had been glancing around but she felt eyes on her and smiled when her gaze met intense green orbs. Wow was all she could think. She had never seen green eyes like Lexa’s before. They are the kind of green that changes hues in different lighting and, gawd the twinkle lights made them shine like the sun on a lake the reflection of lush green trees surrounding the water. Clarke couldn't stop the shiver that ran up her spine. 
“Are you cold?”
Clarke cleared her thoughts as she returned to earth. “Oh, uhm, a little but this is helping. Thank you.”
“It’s colder than I thought it was going to be and I’m wearing more clothes than you here.”
Lexa got up removed her jacket and draped it over Clarke’’s shoulders.
Clarke despite herself sunk into the warmth the jacket offered and the sweet woodsy scent that was so very Lexa. She couldn’t help her smile even as she said. “I can’t take your jacket.”
Lexa could almost melt seeing the beautiful woman melt into her jacket and smile at her. “It looks good on you.”
“Not as good as you.” 
Clarke flushed as Lexa peered down at her from her standing position. She knows the angle gives Lexa a perfect view of her boobs. Lexa doesn’t even try to hide the fact that she’s staring. Clarke is definitely warm now. 
Lexa forces her gaze back up to meet those mesmerizing blue orbs. “You are so beautiful, Clarke.” 
Clarke is a fairly confident woman who has grown to love her curves and womanly figure but Lexa is all lean fit muscle with delicate yet sharp facial features. Clarke is pretty sure Lexa is the most gorgeous woman she has ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on. Hearing Lexa so genuinely compliment her is too much. She grabs the hand that still lingers on her shoulder and pulls lightly. Luckily Lexa gets the hint and leans down to kiss Clarke. It feels far too intimate but also so natural. They keep it short and Lexa returns to her seat. Clarke grabs the chair and scoots Lexa to be tucked in closer to her and leans into the warmth and comfort. They observe the crowd in a comfortable silence watching teenagers scream and laugh. Observing awkward first dates and seeing families smile for pictures. The atmosphere is something out of a Hallmark movie. It’s the cheesy annual Halloween Festival regardless of how cheesy it all is Clarke and Lexa soak up every last bit of it. They have some casual conversation and sip their delicious drinks before a loud group is heard calling their names. Clarke looks around to see her friends wandering about looking for her. Clarke looks back to Lexa “I take it that is your sister walking with her arm over my friend Raven's shoulder.” 
Lexa glances over to the group and smiles “Wow, you weren’t kidding all your friends are dressed as DC characters! They look awesome!”
“I don’t joke about my friends' enthusiasm.” Clarke Laughed. 
“That’s my sister alright, it seems Anya has her sight set on your friend. Wait, that's my cousin Lincoln with the short brunette.”
“Raven looks like a smitten kitten! Damn, how are all the people in your family so attractive?”
Lexa snorts out a laugh that is downright adorable. It makes Clarke want to keep her forever. 
The group hasn’t noticed them yet and Raven keeps yelling both their names. “Should we run and hide or?” Clarke teased.
“You can have me all to yourself later, Clarke.” 
Fucking hell Clarke really loves the way Lexa says her name. Clarke licks and then bites her bottom lips softly. Dropping her voice an octave to whisper huskily, “You promise?”
Lexa swallows the lump in her suddenly dry throat. “If you want. I will follow you anywhere.”
Lexa has never been more confident in her feelings towards another. She thinks maybe she was always meant to find and love this woman. Clarke seems to be feeling something similar with the way she’s visibly swooning. Clarke leans in close to Lexa and softly presses their foreheads together, their lips are almost touching. “Damn, you’re going to be the death of me.” Clarke husked. 
Before Clarke could say or do anything else Lexa closed the space between them softly capturing a top lip right where that adorable beauty mark is. Clarke automatically melted into the kiss sucking lightly on Lexa’s plump bottom lip. Hands tangled into thick red hair. While slender fingers rested on pale thighs. 
To anyone who didn’t know they would assume the two were a long-time couple. Unfortunately, the people who noticed were all too aware that the two were not dating. Raven whistled at them as the rest of the group cheered. The loud group made them part from their kiss but Clarke tugged lightly at the curls on the back of Lexa’s neck. “You better keep your promise.”
Lexa squeezed Clarke’s thigh “I never break a promise.”
The two detangled from each other just in time for the group to get to them. Anya is the first to say something “You ditched me in the maze to make out with a girl?”
“I didn’t ditch you. I lost you in the smoke.” Lexa turned to Raven “Thanks for that by the way, Raven.”
Raven smirked, “I see Clarke has told you about her awesome step-sister/mom!”
“Oh my god Raven shut up you can’t be my step-sister and stepmom!”
“I can’t help the fact your mom is hot Griffin.”
“Oh you have a thing for older women do you?” Anya lifted her brow at Raven. 
“Uh yeah, have you seen yourself!” Raven smirked. 
“Raven cut it out, we haven't even properly met Lexa yet.” Octavia tried.
Raven rolled her eyes at her friend. “Your boyfriend's cousins are going to have to learn how to deal with this madness if they want to be part of the group.” 
Lexa and Lincoln waved to each other silently observing the friends. Octavia rolled her eyes right back “Just because Anya seems to like you doesn’t mean you get to act insane.”
“Oh, you like me, cheekbones?”
“I never said that.”
“But you didn’t not say it either.”
Nathan spoke up “Can we be introduced so we can continue the fun?”
Clarke smiled at Nathan and grabbed Lexa’s hand. She stood up leading Lexa to stand next to her “Everyone this is Lexa!”
Lexa waved “Hi!”
“You know Raven now and your cousin's girlfriend is Octavia.”
Both girls waved at Lexa. “You can call me O. Everyone does.” 
“Nice to finally meet you O. I have heard a lot about you. My cousin is mad about you.”
Clarke pointed at the two guys holding hands, “That's Jasper and Monty.” She pointed to the other two, “That's Nathan and that's Murphy.” 
“It’s nice to meet you all. I love the costumes!”
The group all greeted Lexa with open arms appreciating her costume and nerding out with her about the show and characters. It made Clarke dizzy with what she could only call affection for the woman. She fit in so perfectly! Honestly Lincoln and Anya seemed to fit in as well and something about it all just seemed like it was written in the stars. The whole group seemed to feel it too. 
The night air was crisp, the company was perfect, and the place was everything. The last activity was always the group's favorite. They reserved a private firepit and always got the s'mores package deal. This year they reserved early enough to get a lake-side pit and it was worth every cent. 
The firepit was lit for them by an employee and they gathered around the cozy fire. The light illuminated the shore. Clarke pulled Lexa over to one of the benches and gave her back her jacket. “It looks so much better on you and really completes your outfit.”
“I will only take this back if you let me keep you warm.”
“Oh, that was the plan, Lex.”
Clarke snuggles into Lexa grabbing her arm to drape around her. They shared s’mores and laughs and the best conversations. The group took a bunch of pictures and before they knew it the night was coming to an end. The witching hour had come and it was time to go but Lexa and Clarke didn’t want the night to end here. The group split off into their different cars. No one was surprised to see Anya and Raven leave together and so no one even questioned when Clarke left with Lexa.
The drive to Lexa’s was filled with an electric anticipation in the air. They both felt it. Lexa drove faster than usual but was still careful. Lexa placed a hand lightly on Clarke's thigh. It was too much and not enough for Clarke so she slid her hands around Lexa’s and held it in her lap. It’s comfy, familiar even but more than that it’s electric. 
They arrived at Lexa’s apartment complex and only disconnected long enough for Lexa to get out and walk around to Clarke’s door. She opened it and offered Clarke her hand which Clarke happily took.
They walked close, fingers interlaced and locked. The elevator ride up was silent but again so comfortable and normal. Lexa led the way unlocking her door and ushering them both inside. She shut and locked the door behind them, never letting go of Clarke’s hand. Clarke stayed basically attached to Lexa’s side as she took in the spacious open apartment. Lexa squeezed her hand “Well this is basically it. Would you like some water?”
“It’s beautiful. Yes, please.”
Lexa guided them into the open kitchen. She turned to face Clarke fully. She was going to ask her something else but was distracted by those eyes and then by the slightest movement just a few inches lower. She watched helplessly as Clarke licked her lips and then she snapped her gaze back up to meet dilated pupils. Lexa couldn't help but lick her own lips and Clarke noticed right away. 
Clarke is quick to pull Lexa in and kiss those ridiculously soft lips. Her hands tangle into Lexa’s hair and Lexa finds her balance by holding Clarke’s hips. She presses the blonde into the counter of the island and it makes them both groan. Lexa moves her hands lower and hooks them around soft thighs. She lifts the blonde with ease and sets her on the countertop. A sound escapes Clarke that is delicious and Lexa is desperate to hear more. The cool stone under Clarke does nothing to ease the heat surging through her entire body. 
Clarke wraps her legs around Lexa and pulls her flush against her. She pulls strong shoulders to get those lips back on hers. They moan into the kiss as their bodies are tightly fitted together. Lexa’s hands are on silky thighs massaging the firm muscles there. Clarke can’t help but move her hips in a sad attempt to get friction but they are so tightly pressed she can barely move. It fills her with need and she pulls off Lexa’s jacket then her shirt then her bra. Lexa quickly catches up unclasping the tight top that somehow supports Clarke’s ample breasts. She pulls the straps down slowly and moves her kisses to follow as more silky smooth skin gets revealed. Clarke throws her head back in a moan when lips ghost down her neck and collar bones and teeth scrape the soft sensitive skin. “You smell so good, can I taste you?”
“Please!”
“I like that word on your lips.”
“Fuck please, Lexa!”
“Oh, that’s even better. Fuck Clarke say my name again.”
“Lexa!”
Clarke didn’t expect the brunette to be so talkative but fuck if it wasn’t making her so much wetter than she’d ever been before from someone just talking. Lexa trails her tongue down Clarke’s neck stopping at the crook and sucking lightly. “You taste so good.”
“Fuck Lexa!”
“Can I kiss your breasts?”
“Gawd yes!” 
Clarke arches her back pushing her exposed chest out. Lexa kisses down the center and palms both full breasts in her hands. They fit perfectly and feel gloriously heavy in her slender hands. 
She runs her thumbs over stiff nipples making them stiffer. She kisses around each one and then finally wraps her lips around a stiff bud and lightly runs her tongue over it. She pinches the other as she begins to suck and bite the nipple in her mouth. She moans at the taste and Clarke moans at the feeling. Images of that mouth and tongue lower make her clit throb. Lexa is lost devouring Clarke’s beautiful breasts. Until she feels Clarke leaning back. She reluctantly detached herself from Clarke’s chest to look at her worried she did something wrong. “Are you okay?”
Clarke stops and grabs Lexa’s face “More than okay. I just need these off.”
She moved her hands to her shorts. Lexa bit her bottom lip “I need those off too, here lay back.”
Lexa guided Clarke to lie on the cool stone; it made Clarke shiver and that caused her breasts to bounce. Lexa is so thankful for gravity. Green eyes are intense as her gaze rolls down. Lexa hooks her fingers into the waistband of tight shorts and pulls them down. She takes a deep shuddered breath when she discovers nothing underneath but slick wet skin. “Oh wow, Clarke!”
“It’s all because of you.”
“Mmm in that case is it all mine to taste?”
Clarke whimpers at the thought of the deep raspy neediness of Lexa’s voice. “Fuck, Lexa yes.”
Lexa quickly lowers herself and wastes no time. Her lips press against Clarke’s clit and she is instantly addicted to the taste and rushes to get more enthusiastically licking and sucking. She can’t get enough; she explores and makes some of the most vulgar sounds as she fully loses herself in the taste and feel. 
“Fuck! Lexa OH! Slow down. You’re going to make me cum AH!”
Lexa doesn’t ease up, Clarke's words encourage her. 
Lexa hums and then whispers hotly “You taste so good, Clarke.”   
The combination of heated breath and vibrations has Clarke trembling. “Mmm So, Fucking, Good.”
Lexa latches on with more pressure sucking and it sends Clarke barreling over the edge. “IM CU UH AH AH FUCK Oh FUCK LEXA!”
Lexa doesn’t let up as Clarke’s legs tremble forcing Clarke to pull her up by her hair. “Jesus Lexa!”
“I can’t help it, Clarke. I could do that all day. I love your pussy.”
“I love your tongue but fuck I need to feel and taste you too.”
Clarke sits up and wraps her arms around Lexa and Lexa follows along wrapping her arms around Clarke. She picks her up, almost losing her mind at how wet pussy presses against her abs as her legs wrap around her tightly. She takes them to her bedroom. She lays Clarke down but the blonde keeps her locked in her embrace pulling Lexa down on top of her. She flips them over and straddles Lexa’s hips. “You are far too dressed.”
Clarke moves to stand and pulls Lexa’s Leggings off. She licks and bites her lip when her gaze falls to the little green lace that is soaked through. She takes a shaky breath “Ffuuck, Lex.”
She is quick to remove the lace and even quicker to kiss up long smooth legs. “Gawd your legs!” 
Clarke bites and sucks at inner thighs coaxing whimpers from the woman below her. “I love the little sounds you're making. Be louder for me.”
She moved her kisses up and sank into the taste of Lexa. She had never tasted anyone so divine. Lexa moaned louder as Clarke explored. “Fuck! Clarke!”
Clarke hummed against her and repeated the actions that had Lexa unraveling underneath her. She quickly found the right pressure to make long legs tremble and relentlessly repeated it until Lexa arched off the bed “Oh Fuck! Oh MY FuCkInG CLARKE! YES!” 
Clarke couldn’t get enough and Lexa had to tug her up by the hair just like she had done earlier to her. Clarke happily laid over Lexa pressing their bodies together. They both moved in for a kiss and moaned at the combined taste. Their bodies were far from sated; they needed more. More of each other. More of this moment. More. 
Clarke moved her legs to slot with Lexa's. Lexa adjusted and pressed her thigh up between Clarke's legs. She moaned at the feel of just how wet Clarke was. "You like this? Do you feel how wet I am? I'm dripping down your thigh." 
"I love it! Gawd Clarke, it's so hot."
Clarke moved her thigh to press against Lexa and sighed out a shaky breath. "Fuck Lex." 
Clarke held herself up slightly to look down between them. "You're so fucking wet! Can I?"
She adjusted her position and hovered her own pussy just above Lexa's. Lexa looked down and swallowed hard. "Please!"
Lexa grabbed Clarke's hips and pulled her down. They both moaned at the contact. Their hips moved slowly. Slick filthy wet noise filled the room. "Fuck Lexa! Can you cum like this?" 
"I could cum just watching you, Clarke."
Clarke smirked as she pressed into Lexa. "It's my boobs, isn't it? I knew you were a boob girl."
"I mean you have gorgeous breasts but Clarke it's all of you."
Lexa's gaze traveled over every inch of Clarke's body. Green landed on deep blue and they stayed locked. Lexa bucked her hips up slowly. Clarke matched her movements. "It's all of you too, Lexa. Gawd I think you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!"
Their hips bucked harder. "Fuck, Clarke!"
"Yes faster!"
Hips bucked, breasts bounced, skin glistened. It was just enough to have them both unraveling quickly. It wasn't enough. Clarke groaned as she came. Contracting around nothing. "Please Lex, I need more!"
Lexa quickly flipped Clarke over and hovered over her. "What do you need, Clarke?" 
She trailed her fingers down down down. "I need those fingers inside me. I need my fingers inside of you."
Clarke snaked her hand between them and didn't wait for Lexa. Her fingers slid into Lexa with ease. 
"Fuck! Clarke!"
Lexa's arm buckled and she lost her balance. She fell beside Clarke. "Shit sorry! Fuck!"
Clarke let out a soft laugh and moved to lie on her side facing Lexa. "Come here." 
Clarke scooted closer leaning in for a kiss. Lexa happily met her lips. Clarke took Lexa's hand and guided it to her hip and then between them. Lexa bit Clarke's bottom lip and sucked on it as she took control of her hand sliding her fingers through slick folds. She circled Clarke's clit softly and it made her shiver. "Don't tease me please, I need you inside." 
Lexa couldn't help but obey. She pressed her fingertips softly to her tight entrance and could feel Clarke pull her in. "Fuck, Lex!"
Lexa leaned in for another kiss and swallowed Clarke's moans as she curled her fingers and pressed her palm against Clarke's clit. Clarke snaked her own hand between them and slid her fingers into Lexa curling them the same as Lexa's and pressing her palm against her clit. She kept her palm in place and curled her fingers staying mostly inside timing the spongy front wall. Lexa mirrored the movements of Clarke as Clarke captured plump lips once again. The kisses got messier as moans escaped them. Teeth scraped against lips until all they could do was moan against each other's lips hot breath filling the space between them. 
The sound of their movements was porn worthy. They were both so wet so close to cuming. Each press of fingers just made more wet squelches. 
"Fuck Lex I'm gonna cum! Cum with me?"
"Yes fuck yes! Oh Clarke!"
"Ah, Lex! Lex! Yes ah ah!"
Walls contracted and gushes of slick heat spilled over palms and thighs. Finally sated at least for the moment exhaustion settled between them. They lazily kissed slow and sweet. They pressed their foreheads together and sighed contently. “We should rinse off.”
“We should but I can’t move.” Big blue eyes pouted.
Lexa got up and quickly picked up the blonde and carried her to the shower. They rinsed off and languidly kissed. They took turns washing each other softly and did the same as they dried off. Lexa removed the comforter that was soaked and grabbed a clean one. “Do you want a shirt and shorts?”
“No. I need you to feel you. Have you close.”
“Same.”
Lexa helped Clarke into bed and snuggled into her. They both felt the exhaustion settle in their bones tired yawns and slow breaths were lulling them to sleep. 
It was the most blissful sleep either of them had ever experienced. It would become the only way they could sleep. Wrapped up in each other. That’s the thing about soulmates once you find your person everything changes. Fall would have a whole new special place in Clarke’s heart. Another reason to love it. Lexa too. The Spooktacular Arkadia Festival would remain a tradition for them, their children, and their grandchildren. Soulmates in this little life and in so many others. Forever Clexa lives on. <3
65 notes · View notes
larsnicklas · 2 months
Text
anyway i guess the main takeaways from that game are:
sasha just looks soooo big on ice man. he’s not even that big really like he’s 6-3 that’s pretty big but he looks bigger on the ice he just ranges around out there with his long ass stick winning board battles, getting to the front of the net, and pretending he hasn’t scored when he clearly has. he’s simply so responsible defensively he plays with absolutely zero ego!!! he’s so good in all game states…. i kiss him on his rosy cheek
very funny bit for sasha to steal another swaggy goal btw
uh some !! adjustment time needed with aaron out and playing with another lhd for sure. (i missed him and so did they lol.) they settled in as they went but the first 30 minutes or so were wobbly!!
reino automatic on the man advantage 😤 auston he’s coming for you!!!
monty has great offensive instincts and he’s just really smooth. smooth skater, smooth stick handler. several times tonight had me leaning forward to see what he could do.
gus just steady as anyone i’ve ever seen, seriously. has to be one of the waiver claims of all time. he’s just so smart; not flashy but so efficient. extremely trustworthy. i loved watching him live to see how many little things he does right
vladi is BACKCHECKING man. with love and reverence, i would not say this is something he has been known for over the course of his career. great great sign to see that buy in already + he looks good on that top line
sam b.ennett i just have a soft spot a mile wide for you. he’s a hard worker and an explosive skater and yeah actually he and matthew are in fact perfect for each other lol. and he’s so competitive. i know he sometimes commits war crimes but who amongst us does not….. i will defend his rights but most of all i will defend his wrongs! happy 600 games king may there be many many more!!!
bob incredible. in his postgame matthew said it could have been 8-0 through the first half of the game or so and that is correct. he was the best panther on the ice tonight easily
wait i want you guys to know that lundy very patiently played the world’s slowest game of rock paper scissors and he kept accidentally winning so he stood there and played until he lost and could honorably throw the child on the other side of the glass the puck
sasha was also a puck fairy during warmups i was charmed
matthew is just a terrible little man just slashing guys on the shinpads behind the play getting into guys’ faces and generally being a nuisance. and of course he backed that up with his play — not in the first two. but in the third. lol. he’s wonderful. funnily enough the only penalty he did actually draw was the one that resulted in the 4-3 goal and that one was just because he can’t skate. guys sitting behind me were hopping mad they were like HEY STAY ON YOUR FEET and i wanted to turn and say listen this is NOT his forte that was NOT a dive he’s just not a very good skater!!!
btw many s.tars fans will say the officiating favored the cats. what they will NOT bring up is a missed penalty on one end and then a soft call on the the panthers that led to the 2-0 lead and then the missed icing that resulted in a 3-0 lead. and it’s not like the cats had more power plays they just happened to go 3-4 instead of 1-5 like the s.tars did. so like. it’s not the panthers’ fault your team can’t kill a penalty idk!!
cardiac cats i LOVE you thank u for shutting up s.tars fans 💕💕💕
4 notes · View notes
fitz-higgins · 2 years
Text
The Sophisticated Tabby
Tumblr media
An excerpt from Monty's diary, dated June 15th, 1913
It will be one year since we've got 'Enery, so I think it is time to talk about him more.
'Enery is, undoubtedly, an exceptional cat – but then, what cat isn't? He appeared by our house on the same day we moved in, last June, and settled with us immediately. Being born on the streets, he isn't afraid of going outside, and we just cannot go without him, so we take him out for walks on a leash or carry him in a basket when we ride bicycles. And whenever we are out in public, 'Enery always captures a few hearts, the charmer that he is. Maybe it's not very wise for us, two lovers who try to hide their love, to draw attention, but people usually pay no mind to us, enamoured of our handsome cat.
'Enery got his name after a character from A Room with a View (I was reading it at that time) who was mentioned just once, but of course I remembered it and used to tease Henry with it. There are many names to tease Henry with. I offered this name as a joke, but we both got to love it quickly.
From his first day in our household, 'Enery showed fondness of music, especially Strauss, and likes to spend his time around the gramophone or Henry's phonograph. He is also fond of sausages, but his favourite is, no doubt, seafood which he grew to love in Maine in '12. Henry is an exceptional fisherman, so that helps, too.
Thing is, we sometimes need to appease him, because he is a bit prudish and doesn't like it when Henry and I get, well, shall we say, too close. So we always keep a treat or two at hand, although it doesn't always help for 'Enery is prone to knocking down things in the library while we are busy. But other than that, he is the best companion that we could ever have, and we can't imagine going anywhere without him.
Equally enjoying our readings or piano playing, 'Enery is truly a sophisticated cat. And this is why I titled my columns for the New York Herald – published under an alias Monteen Fitzgerald – The Tales of the Sophisticated Tabby. Anyone who has read them and was lucky to meet 'Enery will know immediately that he is the cat behind that Tabby. And vise versa: our dear friend Lucy loves 'Enery very much and she is perhaps my most loyal reader. I incorporated many incidents that happened with him into those stories for he often does something surprising, funny or even frightening – for instance, brings his prey to our picnic blanket. But that is one weakness we are ready to forgive him.
We call him our guardian, a guardian to the fairy king and his prince, but 'Enery certainly considers himself a king, too, especially when he lies on the cushion we bought him for his first Christmas and observes the room. He is an important member of our household, the Fitz-Higgins household as we call it, so I believe he has a right to think he is a king of this cosy kingdom in the middle of New York.
[Art by New House]
18 notes · View notes
skayafair · 10 days
Text
Episode 6 Rewatch
Well the past impression didn't lie, ep 6 is pretty heart-wrenching.
The highlights:
Want to hug Crystal, Monty and Edwin one by one and altogether 😖
Crystal because of how desperate she sounded when saying "yes I'm nothing special so LEAVE ME ALONE" - I'm not sure if she meant it or not, but the will to admit anything, no matter how humiliating it is if it means relief, that her stalker would finally fuck off, - was enough to feel for her so much. Crystal is so cool and this was such a raw scene 😭
Also her safe place that will be with her i matter what, no matter any mistakes - you just CAN'T go wrong with it, it's THIS unconditional - and is at the same time has been within her all along still makes me tear up. I lack this - confidence, acceptance, just some inner grounds to stand on. Of course I create it by the power of will and mind, but gods I wish I could have smth like this. So that final understanding - it's been inside you all along - is what does it for me. I know this scene is supposed to show the power of Crystal's ancestry, that she always has her roots and they are good and strong, and this is very important. But I come from a different background and am not really attached to both my family lines, so to me this scene was about finding the inner grounds within oneself, self-acceptance and learning to be compassionate towards oneself unconditionally. No one will give it to you (in adult life there's no such thing as an unconditional love if the relationship is healthy), you have to do it yourself first and foremost. So it was very... therapeutic.
Akso I kinda envy Charles because he got to protect Crystal and kick that demon's ass. The scene was so well-built that I really wanted to do that myself. This doesn't happen often. You go Charles! <3
Now, Monty - because of what I was talking about in my previous rewatch post, mostly him coping with rejection (badly, which is normal for a teenager even if he's a magical one and especially when he's been a crow just a few days ago and all this feelings stuff is new), finding a new light when Edwin said he still cares a great deal, the quarrel (Edwin I know why you went into a defensive mode and don't judge you for that but I'm still JUDGING ON AVERAGE who's older between you two?!) and then just... spilling all the beans to Esther while KNOWING she won't take it well. Did he feel suicidal or something? 🥹
I also want to talk about this:
Tumblr media
But that's a topic for another post and not just about DBD.
And, finally, Edwin. Save for his immature "you're still a crow" (again, completely understandable but I'm still judging) he's been coping like a king. Having a talk with Monty (also I guess it's a parallel with how he will feel in ep 7 after his confession to Charles 🥹), telling the Cat King off (MORE angry Edwin who doesn't hold back, pls, that was A SIGHT ❤️‍🔥 I generally like it A LOT how he's gradually unwinding as the series goes, letting out his emotions one by one - fear, anger, swearing - it's a very good and not that easy to learn thing), apologizing to Crystal (and their dynamic in general, pls I like it so much), and finally gathering his courage to talk to Charles and confess his feelings, not letting any of Charles' assumptions sway him from this decision. The last one is the most raw, I was just clenching my fists and tensing all over. I know how hard and terrifying it is to admit something to your partner, your best and closest friend, to the person you treasure the most in the world - something that may make you lose them. But also Edwin was absolutely right - once you recognize these feelings, it's nearly impossible to keep them in. I did so for months and they were eating me inside out, so I can't help admiring his courage. Yes this whole situation hits very close to home for me in more ways than one, why
Another highlight is Niko's reconciliation with Jenny. I really like the way it was handled because yes, Niko was wrong to meddle and she should learn to respect others' boundaries, no, Jenny wasn't obliged to have a talk with her. But Niko is a teenager who's not that great socially-wise (and autistic-coded), she's just learning how to navigate all this, and I understand her drive to help people, to do good very well. She made a mistake with a terrible aftermath and has to learn her lesson AND to take the responsibility. And Jenny CHOSE to give her this opportunity - probably because she recognized the situation as something similar that happened to her some time in the past, onky by the looks of it there was no one there for her, so she didn't want Niko to suffer the same. This plot line is beautiful no matter what side you look at it from. It's kind, and gods know we could all use as much kindness as possible now.
The forest elemental my dear <3
Also, what does PLV 4s mean?
Tumblr media
P.S. During this episode I started noticing Charles positively staring at Edwin. The whole Monty's entrance sequence on the roof? Charles didn't take his eyes off Edwin, it was A LONG stare. Like. Sorry bro there was nothing straight about it, and I'm not even crazy about the ship in the first place because I've been on either side of their povs and both aren't great. So I'd say I have as little bias as possible in this case and it was still NOTHING STRAIGHT. Bro. Your bi awakening is obviously waiting for you in s2 if it happens.
12 notes · View notes
Text
AFK Arena Chaos Part III
Every noble in Ranhorn dreads one guest, well two of them: Merlin and King Arthur. Having criticized Queen Karen's taste in the decorative arts one time too many, this dubious honor has fallen to the noble houses of Ranhorn.
Unfortunately, it's Count Alexander Vedan's turn to do the hosting. Thanks to the clergy, the Megamouth Sharks, and a few mortal cousins who like to tell tales, utterly insane rumors, far too wild to believe, fly all over Esperia.
"Fuck it, let them see it all " Honestly, Vedan wants to see some fireworks.
Even Ferael looks nervous. "You've got to be kidding me"
Vedan just smiles. Being a rising Lord of Shadow has its benefits. One of them is his contact with Dracula and his.... unusual descendants. (For the love of Dura, do not mention Bram Stoker or that pulp novel of his to this man!)
One of those perks is Dracula's snarky, thoroughly-21st-century balance keeper, doctorate of history, and smartass granddaughter Lisette. As starstruck as she is to meet the *real* King Arthur (not one of many nutbars that claim to be him), there's a perfect opportunity to gauge the man's reaction to the least reverent movie on the subject.
Down in the main basement of the manor, the "screening room" (digital projectors, half a dozen couches, snacks, booze, "the red stuff", etc) is prepared.
Of course, King Arthur is quite fascinated by this strange not quite Graveborn but not quite human princess with unnaturally red hair, odd golden eyes, and ... huge "tracts of land" and eagerly awaits her cinematic offering.
Unfortunately, Lisette is the only one who has previously watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Merlin is most certainly not prepared for ....this! Arthur does not take it well. Monty Python is considered a bit odd and an acquired taste in comedy.
Fortunately, Vedan Manor requires a weapons check. Lisette's marriage prospects take a bit of damage (Not that she cares. Girlfriend has her career, fostering cats, and scorching case of bisexuality to keep her warm) that proper society believes a lady of her "advanced" age (-le gasp!- 34) can ill afford. However, there are many phone cameras and a GoPro to record the results.
Arthur losing his damn mind goes viral throughout Esperia and a few other worlds. Lisette's father Alucard doesn't find the situation amusing and lets Vedan know he's an asshat.
"Well, *I* thought the movie was funny " Kelthur cracks
"It was absolutely worth it." Vedan may be a bit smaller, a bit greener, and distinctly froggy, but he was cracking ribs laughing well before Arthur got hold of Merlin's staff.
"I am dreadfully sorry about him. He's got his father's temper and Uther could be a right royal arsehole." Poor Merlin is mortified. "Least the movie was funny "
It should be noted that perhaps part of why the count isn't as upset as he should be is where he's hanging out. It should also be noted that it appears he may be a bit "straighter" than he lets on.
"I'm really sorry!" Lisette didn't intended to be an asshole. "I'll fix this, I swear." Due to no fault of her own, social skills tend to elude her and being aware of it only seems to magnify her ineptitude.
"At least this curse is enjoyable." The frog count is completely at home hanging out in the valley between her "sizeable holdings".
Later, when Arthur has cooled off, he admits to his own failings and accepts Lisette's heartfelt apology.
13 notes · View notes
zachscarroll · 4 years
Text
Final Thoughts on Paper Mario the Origami King with some major spoilers
Tumblr media
I thought this game overall was incredibly charming and worth your time if you are a fan of the classic games like the original Paper Mario 64 or Thousand Year Door. It was leaps and bounds ahead of Sticker Star, and overall I thought it was better paper Mario game than Color Splash ever hoped to be.
Even though I'm pleased with playing it through it does have some glaring issues. Right out of the gate, this game is being held back by some sort of executive decisions from Nintendo and it shows tremendously especially within the first few hours of the game. I know nothing about the development of the game, but there are defiantly some things that seem either out of place or rushed which is strange.
Practically the first 3-4 hours of the game is nothing but tutorials, which they do need to explain stuff but not this much oh my goodness. They truly took a lot of the challenge out of the game and made it "very, very young kid oriented" and I'm not looking for the most challenging game out there--I usually play most games on easier difficulties so I can enjoy the adventure instead of having to be annoyed with redoing things. Olivia pops up way too much. I liked her character for the most part. Between Huey, and Kersti, Olivia was a very good one. Huey was a little bit more funny, but Olivia had a lot of charm and multiple emotional arcs. I know saying that sounds silly for a Mario game but she does grow as a character showing that she's still worried about whether or not she can really stop her brother. However, she pops up every time something happens. It's too much. I can see something has appeared Olivia. It's okay--but I'm getting off topic that's exactly what Huey did too in Color Splash. I hate to say it but when she leaves your party by being crushed by a boulder it felt like a classic paper mario game then. You had Bobby with you and he would add his own flair as the helper character.
Bobby truly was a great partner, and even if he's only with you for like maybe 2 or so hours I enjoyed having him around. I'm extremely glad they had partners return even if they felt more like story related. I liked having more than just Olivia with me. All of the partners except Professor Toad were really cool. It kinda sucks that Professor Toad is so forgettable because he is the only partner who has an over world ability. I think it would have been cooler if he was like a Monty mole or something instead of just a Toad with a shovel, there's just so many Toads in the game that an archaeologist Toad could have been cool, but I don't really know where they were trying to go with the character. He was like a scaredy-cat kind of character but also made weird like college references like about his thesis. At the very least he had an unique outfit? I don't know I'm reaching for Professor Toad. Why not just have Captain Toad who's an already established character and an explorer? Anyway, I found it kinda weird that no one else had an over world ability, and they could have done some more interesting puzzles if they had given Kamek or Boswer some. I loved having Kamek join and how he talked about being self conscious and lacking self esteem because Bowser never listened to him. Bowser Jr. was cool too, he wasn't as bratty as I thought he'd be. He was written like a tough kid. Both Kamek and Jr. have satisfying reasons for leaving your party. I liked how they put Mario first in order to save the whole kingdom. It made me as the player feel like "these bad guys know that Mario can save them." I know it's silly but again just a nice touch to the story. Of course you get Bowser to join you right at the very end which is just so great. He even talks about his parenting practices. Luigi also have a shockingly hilarious and "key" role to the story. I'm so glad to see these classic characters have great writing behind them, and really show off that these partners are pretty vital to paper Mario. Especially Luigi and Bowser when in the previous two titles had maybe like 8 lines between the two of them. Yes they don't do much in battle, but they are vital to the story. If my paper Mario games have a fun and unique story then that's all I really want.
Bobby was my favorite. If you haven't seen the one big twist involving Bobby, I'd skip this section and pick back up at the next paragraph. Anyway, Bobby sacrifices himself to save Olivia. While you can kinda piece things together and see it coming after a while you don't expect Bobby to just like straight up die. I remember when it happened I was like, "they really did this in a Mario game?". They even have a cute moment later on in Bowser's castle where Olivia thinks she see Bobby again. Overall he was amazing. That whole area of Shogun Studios felt the most reminiscent of classic Paper Mario games. I had a grin on my face pretty much the whole way through.
The one big gripe I had with the partners is other than Bobby any time you wanna go back to Toad Town or other areas they're just like "yeah okay i'm gonna stay here see ya later". Why? Why not let them come with you? The writers don't have to write any additional dialogue and if they did that would have been cool. Why wouldn't Professor TOAD wanna go back to TOAD town? There's an extra area where you can take Bobby at one point to get photos taken with him in Shogun Studios. Why not do that with other characters as a cool little Easter egg? Truly I didn't understand why they couldn't travel with you. I know in that infamous interview floating around with the directors and producers saying they only wanted one partner at a time so it didn't cause any confusion for swapping them out but that's so stupid.
Back to the game being held back--there were times I could see the designers desperately wanted to make a unique character better, or give something else a personality but they weren't allowed to. It hurts a lot when the original paper Mario games could give toads fun little names like  "Zess T." or "Fice T." and now we have "Professor Toad" or "Battle Lab Toad". There are two toads in Toad Town that both say something like "where's Purple Toad?" or "Where's Blue Toad?". Stuff like that takes me out of the enjoyment of the game. It's only when you go and look on the around on other sites that you find out that the Origami Craftsman man is actually Theofold. Yes, we did have captain T. ode, but like. That's just "Toad". Back to that interview from the producers of the game where they say they can't really alter Mario characters anymore like give them age, gender, etc. But come on. I'm not really sure why they can't give the toads proper names. I know that's an extreme nitpick, but that's definitely something that takes me out of the game and reminds me "oh yeah we can't do this anymore". Even Bobby, will constantly remind Olivia to call him "Bob-omb" It just feels like a slap in the face. Bring back Toadsworth? An established character who has been MIA for like years now. Just please. Please make the Toads different they did a very good job here with a handful like, the sea captain, captain T.ode, Professor Toad, and the Shangri-spa Toads. I remember those toads because they were dressed up differently than the other ones. I even remember the Toad who told you where the heart ups were because he was in a completely unique pose then the other ones. Please Nintendo I'm begging you just make them look more unique or don't rely on them as a pillar of a character. They are all the same. Just do more colors of Toads! There's red, blue, yellow, green, and purple.Make an orange Toad or something please. I liked finding the Toads in the different areas and they would unfold from origami, it gave me some korok seed vibes. Do more stuff like that!
Concerning the game's overall story, I liked it, but it could have been so much more. There were multiple key moments where I was like "why wouldn't they have a cut scene for this as like a flashback?". The first one was right at the beginning of the game. They instead of showing you in the actual game like a cut scene, they show a small slideshow of Toads setting up for the Origami festival with Princess Peach on the logo screen which I guess is okay, but I'm not a fan. Personally, I would have liked there to be a sort of storybook intro that the previous games had being like "every 100 years the toads in toad town set up a festival to honor the proud technique of origami" and then cut to Mario and Luigi getting a mail call from Parakarry (like the previous games) and then being like "the festival is today we hope to see you there." and then bam they're driving to the festival. I know that seems kinda dumb but why not show that in your game instead of Luigi being like "can't wait to get there" while he's driving his cart from Mario Kart. It's a little weird to me. The biggest moment like this happened when you first meet the origami craftsman (who yes is just a Toad) he explains these unique origami techniques he used to fold King Olly to make him come to life, but like brushes past it real quick. And then at the very very end (skip ahead if you don't want spoilers) Olly talks about this 1000 crane origami wish thing that was never brought up before by anyone. If he had mentioned it when he dropped the boulder on Olivia that would have been acceptable but it just kinda comes out of nowhere. If you're going to bring these things up then like at least mention them once before or have some type of set up and pay off for it. It just felt kinda rushed. The ending was cute though, and I remember liking Color Splash's ending a bit more but this one was surprisingly beautiful with how it ends with floating lanterns it reminded me a little of Tangled.
The other big thing people are complaining about is no experience. This has pros and cons. pros: the battle in this game a lot of them are scripted or can be ran past no problem. However if you want to buy better weapons or accessories (this game's subtle nod to the badge system) you need a lot of coins. A lot of them. You use the coins in battle to let the Toad audience help you or use coins to buy more time to line up your foes properly. I like this system. While I could have gone for a little more incentive to battle I found myself using my coins even if I had thousands of them. I thought it was a pretty good balance. I don't see why they couldn't have thrown in a little more to make the battles worthwhile though. Why not after ever 10 battles let you pick a stat? Mario's running speed in the over world could be faster, Mario's first strike can be stronger, It doesn't cost as many coins when using them in battle? These are just thoughts I've had if they don't want to use a traditional style stat system. They had max up hearts that raised power and health it's just kinda strange why they don't want to have stats improve or give you another reward for battling other than money.
I will say while backtracking to get missing collectibles I avoided battles outright. If I got into a battle while backtracking I would sigh. I knew there was nothing left for me to spend my coins on so I would try to run from the battle but nine times out of ten I would fail running from the battle. At least the battles go by quickly, but it would use up durability on your consumable weapons. I'm very glad that they brought back permanent weapons and no stickers or cards. This weapon system is a littler underutilized though. I feel like if the designers went in they could have come up with three or four more weapon types. Why not use more Mario related power ups? Why just the fire or ice flowers, tail, and pow block? Why not have a jump move that hits in a 4x4 area like the hammer? They have a hammer item that works like the jump move! Why not have the frog suit back from sticker star or color splash that you can use to dodge unavoidable damage if you don't line up the monsters in time? I loved the battle system a lot more than Sticker Star and Color Splash but it seems like they only scratched the surface of the attacks Mario could do. If you're going to have different weapons that break why not have 10 or 20 unique different weapons as opposed to just more powerful versions of the same 5 weapons? Same with the healing items. Why only mushrooms, when in Toad Town you can get coffee that speeds you up or slows you down? Especially when you find a handful of coffee shops in the game, why can't I buy those coffees there? Why not bring back the cooking in the game from the first two? I know it'll never happen, but near the end of the game you get a spot to cook one item and I really got my hopes up.  I know I'm presenting a lot of questions, but this is all I thought about when doing the battles. If they do an "origami king 2" or something that reuses this battle system I feel like there is a lot of room for improvement and a lot more unique encounters. I also feel like they did this because they didn't want to over complicate things. They wanted the battles to be simple after you did a puzzle section. Also the battles are super snappy. Lasting two turns if you get the right line up and can be more if you don't. I think that's a really good way to make the player really learn the right way to move the board. That being said there were many times I didn't see the solution and would brute force my way through making some of the battles a bit of a slog.
They do flip the script a lot with the boss battles. First off "The Legion of Stationary" is great. While it took me a while to get used to them, they were some of the best fights in the whole game. The Tape boss was extremely cool and used an element that I wished more games could use. They let you get comfortable with the battle system then the tape is like "no you can't move stuff around, or you have to move the 2 rings around at once." This was such a cool battle and it really did make you think. I will say it was a little weird that the bosses were real life objects like colored pencils or a bunch of rubber bands, but I thought it was more comical. I know a lot of folks did not like them at all. They were set up and referenced though because all of the tools were mentioned in a bookshelf in the origami craftsman's library. This is how set up and pay off is done correctly because Olly would have seen him using them and so he'd use them against the toads and Mario just a nice little touch really. If you missed the book in the library scene they really hammer it home by showing you the legion of stationary was on the origami craftman's desk. I've looked around online and apparently a lot of the bosses can be beaten differently, they don't all end in 1000 fold arms finishers which is super cool.
Also the two other big mechanics for this game were the 1000 fold arms and the paper macho bad guys. The 1000 fold arm thing was fine, it felt right at home in a game like this which focused on origami. That being said the paper macho characters felt tacked on. They did not belong in this game, They were the other side of the battles being in real time and defeated by Mario using his hammer on them. The reason why they had to have these were if Olivia was not with you like on the cruise ship you had a way to take down a boss without her help, because she's needed for the 1000 fold arm technique. Cool idea, but felt wrong for this game which focused on origami it's like they really really wanted to make this a Zelda game and have action style battles to contrast to the puzzle ones. Again, I could see them being used in another game.  
If they do make another Paper Mario game, and I hope they do, I hope they keep pushing the needle forward.Every game since Sticker Star has been a HUGE improvement, and if we're not going back to the original games I hope each game makes an effort to address all of the glaring issues that all of us Paper Mario fans have.
11 notes · View notes