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themadauthorshatter · 3 years

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... I’ve already made a draft of this and deleted it, but I’m going back in.

This is an AU of what would happen if Mareven was healthy and the end game.

I apologize in advance for any and all MareCal shippers, including myself.

SO! What happens?

Simple.

Everything remains mostly the same in the story except we get more of a doubtful and uneasy Maven as the story progresses, as in he hugs Mare a little longer and is genuinely perturbed when he hears about the ‘bomb’ that went off and looks terrified of Cal when he returns and orders Farley to be tortured. He’s also more hesitant to listen to his mother.

He still offers Cal’s legion to the Guard, but is a little sadder to say it.

THEN WE GET TO THE PLOT TWIST OF THE STORY!!!!!!!!!

Maven plays along, but, as he stands by his mother’s side, he mouths, “sorry” to Mare and goes for a gun on Arven’s belt, shooting him in the leg and warning him not to try silencing him or he’ll aim for something more vital.

It catches EVERYONE off guard, especially Elara, who’s about to risk having Cal or Tibe out of her whispers to get Maven back in line.

Instead, Elara asks what he’s doing and why, as she thought this was what he’d always wanted.

“It’s what you want, Mother. Not me. None of this is right. You’re already the Queen. What else do you want!?”

Elara bares her teeth. “Are you saying you want to live your days with a Red rat?”

Maven pulls Mare to her feet and pushes her behind him, keeping the gun at them, nodding. “I’m saying I'm not following your plans or listening to anything you have to say. I'll die before I let you in my head again!”

Well, wish granted because Mare senses the cameras turning back on and Elara lets Tibe and Cal go.

Only to force Maven to shoot her and Tibe, though Maven actually misses him.

Mare breaks free and they make a run for it, Elara shouting that they are traitors and to arrest them, though she does force Tibe to play the part of concerned husband.

Cal isn't in the room because he races after Maven and Mare.

Speaking of which, Maven leads Mare through the castle and finds a hall that goes toward a servant's passage, so they can escape.

Too bad there are guards that round the corner and take aim at them, not only for staging a coup de ta, but also for attempted regicide.

Cal's there too, aiming a handgun at them and telling them to submit to arrest.

They do and are sent to the Silent Stone cells.

Mare is confused and livid and doesn't want to talk to Maven, who keeps pacing and clutching his head and telling someone to be quiet.

Mare mentally tells him to maybe practice what he’s preaching, but wonders what the hell all that was when they were captured.

Maven sighs and sits down, back-to-back with Mare, and asks her how good she is at picking locks.

Her hands are for picking pockets, not locks.

Maven lets out a semi-bitter chuckle and regards that he shouldn’t have bothered asking because of course she’s better at pockets. he then admits that he’d been so scared of the cells as a boy, his young mind tricking him into thinking that there were monsters or prisoners in the cells.

Speaking of the cells, Mare breaks her silence and asks why it’s so hard for her to use her powers, even asking if Arven is close by listening to them.

Maven admits it would be useful to do that, but no. The cells are made of Silent Stone, which is basically Arven being there without him really being there.

Although she already knows what’s going to happen, Mare wonders what will happen to them, in the Bowl of Bones.

Maven lists off a firing squad, some Silvers, maybe some animals, and the fact that no matter what, the show will not be short; the people want blood and Tibe is going to give them blood, even if it’s his own son’s.

“Not if he can’t find you.”

Both Mare and Maven stand as Cal walks in, dressed formally and holding a set of keys to the cells.

Maven asks what this is and what Cal’s doing as he opens both Maven’s and Mare’s cells.

Cal explains that he’s already had to give Julian a head start and hopes that Maven and mare can do the same, can vanish into thin air before their execution.

Mare asks why they should accept the help, seeing as Cal’s the one who arrested them, but Cal counters by asking who’s idea it was to get them arrested, glaring daggers at Maven.

Maven has his own question: How does Cal know they won’t be seen?

Cal looks away and admits that he hopes there aren’t any Red servants that know how to fix the security system.

Maven and Mare exchange a glance and start walking, but Cal gets between them, shackles them, and grabs their arms, telling them to play along and make it convincing so no one questions anything.

They both do their best reluctant prisoners act up until they pass by Sonya, who inquires as to where Cal’s taking them.

Cal states he’s just taking them to get some cardio before their execution, seeing as how they’ll need every ounce of strength they’ll need.

Sonya spits that they shouldn’t and should actually fight with nooses around their necks so they’re easier to grab and throw around, but drops it anyway, eying Cal before she leaves.

Time’s almost up, so it’s a good thing Maven leads Cal to a servant passage, where they stop and get free, Maven getting his flame-maker bracelets back.

Maven opens the passage, but Cal stops him and Mare, telling them to be careful now, because if they manage to escape, they’ll be fugitives and will get hunted like deer for treason, Maven for attempted regicide, from what narrative that now exists.

They nod and thank him for the help.

Before Mare can follow Maven, Cal grabs her arm again, which makes Mare turn to him.

The two stare at each other, realizing what’s happening and what’s going to happen.

The royals will figure out that Cal helped them escape and will probably have him killed for letting two traitors run free.

Cal is the one who helped her in the first place by getting her the job at the Summer Palace, and now he’s saving her life again, this time also saving his brother’s and risking his own.

Maven shouts for Mare to keep it moving and Mare pulls out of Cal’s grip, backs away, and races after Maven, Cal watching her leave before closing the passage.

His face contorts with sorrow, regret, anger, and pain and he clenches a fist as he hears a sentinel shout that Mare and Maven are missing.

Cal shouts, “They’re this way!” and races down the hallway and away from the bookshelf, trying to make it look like they outran him.

In the passage, Maven leads Mare by the hand as they soon find themselves underground and under the streets, overhearing an announcement to keep an eye out for the two of them because both are armed and dangerous, Mare especially.

Maven groans at his father’s words and muses that at least they’re out.

Mare isn’t as relieved and asks what he was planning with his mother.

Maven stops in his steps and states that she already knows.

Mare does know, she just wants to hear Maven say it.

Maven bites his tongue and clenches his fist at his side, not turning to face Mare as he asks what will happen if he doesn’t tell her.

She’ll make him tell her, make him talk or she’ll shock him until he dies.

Maven tightens his fist but then drops it, admitting he and Elara planned on killing Tibe and using Mare and Cal as scapegoats, sending them to the Bowl of Bones, and having them executed to wrap up the story and solidify Maven as the new King, with no Scarlet Guard and no loose ends to ensure the story of Mare being a Red would slip out.

Mare demands he define ‘loose ends.’

Lady Blonos. The servant girls who dressed Mare as a Silver. Lucas. Julian. Sara. Mare’s family. Kilorn. Cal. Mare herself. All the Reds on the list Julian gave her.

Mare gasps at that last one, sliding down a wall as Maven explains in increasing panic and with his eyes growing teary that he was along with the ride and all for getting the throne the way his mother planned, but then he began to feel genuine feelings for Mare and her plight and no matter how much Elara tried to take those feelings away, they always came back. She did the same with Tibe, making Maven lose his love for him, and had semi-success with Cal, but didn’t fully remove his love for his brother. It also changed when they killed Blonos and the servant girls, and when Tristan died. It opened Maven’s eyes and made him realize that he was going to kill someone he didn’t want to die. he’d already lost Thomas and it was his own fault, but if he was the reason he lost Mare, too, he’d lose his mind.

Maven stops his rambling and joins Mare against the wall, admitting that he knows he deserves whatever comes next, but whatever does happen, he just asks that mare know that he is sorry for all of this, for putting her in such danger that now they’re on the run and risk execution if they’re caught.

Mare turns to him and asks if Elara has the list, if he told her about the Newbloods.

Maven shakes his head; the raid was going to happen in a few hour hours, so there wouldn’t have been enough time for Elara to look through his mind, write down all the names, and the find them in the blood base, so they have a good head start there, too.

After a minute of collecting themselves, and a glare from Mare, the two stand up and keep walking until they reach a fork in the path and wonder which is safer.

The only answer they get is a gun pushed against the back of Maven's head and a certain blaonde telling him to go right or she's painting the tunnel Silver.

Mare turns and sees Kilorn and Farley, with the addition of a certain Barrow we all still mourn, don't lie.

"Shade!"

Mare and Shade reunite, though Maven voices confusion as he thought Shade had been executed.

Shade explains that they tried and failed, making an example by teleporting in front of and behind them, saying with pride that no one's faster than him.

Mare is a mix of happy and sad at the news, but Farley brings them back and reminds them they need to keep going or they'll get arrested and killed.

Maven also gets put back in shackles, but acts as a good sport and doesn't burn them off.

They continue throught the tunnel until they reach a train, climb aboard, and get to riding, merrily on their way to nowhere in particular.

Back in White Fire, Elara slaps Cal HARD in the face and demands to know what he was thinking and where Maven and Mare are.

Tibe gets between them, but Cal admits that he didn't fully know what he was thinking, just that he couldn't let his brother be forced to fight when he's still in training. It would be a bloodbath.

Elara asks if that's the same reason why he also let Mare go, or if there's something he's not telling them.

Tibe also wants to know. He understands letting Maven go, but why a Red rat like Mare? If the people see her lightning powers and Red blood, there will be Hell to pay.

Cal's silent, but Elara solves that with a quick look into his mind, seeing all the moments of Cal and Mare being close and friendly with each other.

Elara asks Cal if he's more interested in dirt than diamonds and Tibe gets the picture instantly, upon seeing Cal's reaction.

Change of plan: Cal is getting his legion back in action, and an additional two hundred soldiers to locate and either capture or kill Mare and Maven. No more catch and releases or else it's Cal who fights in the arena and he'll have nothing but his wits to defend himself.

Cal pales at this and gasps that they can't kill him, because then Norta has no heir.

Tibe only glares at him and tells him not to fail before leaving to let Cal get his army ready.

Cal watches his father leave and is broken by the fact that he legitimately screwed up and that his father, as King, needs Maven, his own son, executed with Mare, someone who never should have had her powers to begin with.

Elara glares at Cal for a moment longer and also walks out of the room, leaving Cal on his own.

#red queen #mare barrow #maven calore #tiberias calore vii #cal calore #tiberias calore vi #elara merandus #au #ua #mareven #healthy mareven #I'm making Cal the antagonist and I'm so sorry #sorry to marecal shippers everywhere

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bee-ships · 3 years

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Red Queen or MysMess for the send me a fandom ask game? :0

So hard to choose but I'll do Red Queen just bc it has more characters!!

The first character I first fell in love with:

Kilron kajfkdjf as you can probably tell I'm a very friends-to-lovers person and I just thought he was v sweet

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now:

Maven and Mare both :D Maven was the first villain I fell for and Mare just seemed a little bland in the first book

The character everyone else loves that I don't:

Cal, gosh I really don't get why everyone loves him???

The character I love that everyone else hates:

Maven, at least w my irl friends they all hate his guts rip

The character I used to love but don't any longer:

Kilron :( he was v sweet in the first book but he becomes almost bitter when Mare doesn't chose him and it just really bothers me

The character I would totally smooch:

[ chanting ] maven maven maven maven

The character I'd want to be like:

Julian, he deserves the world and the way he remains good despite being surrounded by silvers is so admirable

The character I'd slap:

Elara :3

A pairing that I love:

Julian x Sara Skonos 🥺 they deserve the world

A pairing that I despise:

Marecal, I think they are better seeing a therapist rather than eachother idk

#🐰 arwa 🐰#ask games #r: maven calore

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afaimsarrowverse · 4 years

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25 Favorite Polyam-Ships of the Arrowverse

The more the merrier. Who needs love triangles if they can be so easily resolved? Here is a list of my favorite Polyamory Ships of the Arrowverse-Shows. And no, sadly none of those was ever canon, except maybe one or two….

25. Legends8S1 (Rip Hunter/Sara Lance/Ray Palmer/Mick Rory/Leonard Snart/Kendra Saunders/Jefferson Jackson/Martin Stein)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1

I am not sure why but there are many fics for this insane ship even though later versions of the Legends had much more interteam-dating going on. Maybe it’s cause it has something.

24. Legion of Doom (Eobard Thawne/Damien Darhk/Malcolm Merlyn)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 2

In canon the mostly hated each other. Fans thinks differentyl.

23. Avalancegreen (Ava Sharpe/Sara Lance/Gary Green)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 3-5

This is Garys Dream Ship.

22. Vixensteelwave (Amaya Jiwe/Nate Heywood/Mick Rory)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 2-3

Many people shipped Mick with either Amaya or still ship him with Nate and Nate and Amaya were a canon couple so, why not?

21. Superflarrow (Kara Danvers/Barry Allen/Oliver Queen)

Arrow/Flash/Supergirl, Invasion!, Crisis on Earth-X, Elseworlds, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Arrow Season 8

The Trinity gets often shipped together for rather obvious reasons.

20. Hawkatomwave (Kendra Saunders/Ray Palmer/Mick Rory)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1

Kendra and Ray were a canon couple and Ray and Mick had a heavy canon bromance going on, so there is were this comes from.

19. Vixensteelatom (Amaya Jiwe/Nate Heywood/Ray Palmer)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 2-3

All three of them were great friends who would often hang out together, Amaya und Nate were actually dating, Nates and Rays bromance was the heart and soulf of the show for four seasons and the chemistry between Ray and Amaya was great, so why the hell not?

18. Kascholsen (Kara Danvers/Winn Schott/James Olsen)

Supergirl Season 1-3

The Originals Superfriends just had that dynamic about them. Also a way to resolve the Season 1 Love Triangle.

17. Steeldarhkatom (Nate Heywood/Nora Darhk/Ray Palmer)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 3-5

This might just be kind of canon in Season 5, when Ray is dating Nora but still kind of bro-dating Nate aswell. The went to prom together after all.

16. Winnia-5 (Winn Schott/Nia Nal/Brainiac-5)

Supergirl Season 3-5

The three adorable „Supergirl“-Nerds put together. Nia and Winn never really interacted much, but through this you get Braina und Winniac-5 all in one package, so yeah, maybe that’s just me, but I like it.

15. Karmimra (Kara Danvers/Mon-El/Imra Ardeen)

Supergirl Season 3

This is how they could have resolved the Season 3 Love Triangle in a more daring way.

14. Coldflashwave (Leonard Snart/Barry Allen/Mick Rory)

The Flash Season 1-3

Many fans love this one. Leonard would surly be up for it.

13. Hawkatomcanary (Kendra Saunders/Ray Palmer/Sara Lance)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1

In „Left Behind“ this was kind of canon in the beginning. Left behind in the past those three moved in together for a couple of months, so … who knows what happened?

12. Steelatomhacker (Nate Heywood/Ray Palmer/Zari Tomaz)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 3-4

The dynamic trio after the ending of Season 3 in Team Legends – the best of friends and Zari and Nate later ended up becoming an item, even though she previously seemd more interested in Ray.

11. Roguecanary (Leonard Snart/Mick Rory/Sara Lance)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1-2

Blame the barfight in the pilot for this one. Fans were very taken with this trio.

10. Rogueatom (Leonard Snart/Mick Rory/Ray Palmer)

Legends Season 1-2

Another trio spawned by the early episodes of the show, when Ray became an interim Rogue of sorts.

9. Karawel (Kara Danvers/Winn Schott/Mon-El)

Supergirl Season 2-3, 5

Winn needs love in his life, so why shouldn’t he find it with two of his best friends who are desperatly in love with each other?

8. OliverYamashiro (Oliver Queen/Tatsu Yamashiro/Maseo Yamashiro)

Arrow Season 3

This kind of was the point of Season 3s Flashback Arc. Oliver became an interim member of the Yamashiro family, so this would have been the next logical step if Akio hadn’t met his end like this.

7. Snowbertallen (Caitlin Snow/Julian Albert/Barry Allen)

The Flash Season 3

Snowberry-., Allenbert-, and Snowbert-Fans all come together through this ship.

6. Coldwestallen (Leonard Snart/Iris West/Barry Allen)

The Flash Season 2-3

The Season 2 Christmas Episode gave birth to this rather popular ship. Iris und Leonard did not interact much on the show, but still this is a ship on fire.

5. Tauriver (Tommy Merlyn/Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen)

Arrow Season 1

This would have been the preferable solution to the Season 1 Love Triangle.

4. Irivarry (Iris West/Oliver Queen/Barry Allen)

Arrow/The Flash, The Flash Season 1-2, Invasion!, Crisis on Earth-X, Elseworlds, Crisis on Infinite Earths

Oliver deserved better, why not with the man he is cleary crazy in love with and this mans loving wife, who has him on her cheating list?

3. Atomsteelwavevixen (Ray Palmer/Nate Heywood/Mick Rory/Amaya Jiwe)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 2-3

Those four were great friends and more among each other, often hung out in pairs or as trios or as a foursome, and they loved each other very much. This should have been canon.

2. Captains3 (Sara Lance/Rip Hunter/Leonard Snart)

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1-2

If Sara und Leonard and Sara and Rip and Leonard and Rip would not work out, maybe Sara, Leonard and Rip together would work. I know I am literally the only one who ships them, but I do. I really do.

1. Westhallen (Iris West/Eddie Thawne/Barry Allen)

The Flash Season 1-3

Love Triangle? What Love Triangle? This is my OTP don’t judge me.

#Arrowverse #FAVORITE SHIPS #polyam shipping #polyamarous #Favorite Polyam ships #Arrow #The Flash #Supergirl #legends of tomorrow

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mysticalhearth · 3 years

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A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - Broadway - November 24, 2013 (Lanelle's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jefferson Mays (The D'Ysquith Family), Bryce Pinkham (Monty Navarro), Lisa O'Hare (Sibella Hallward), Lauren Worsham (Phoebe D'Ysquith), Jane Carr (Miss Marietta Shingle), Joanna Glushak (Lady Eugenia D'Ysquith and others), Eddie Korbich (Magistrate/Actor/Mr. Gorby), Jeff Kready (Tom Copley/Newsboy/Actor/Guard), Jennifer Smith (Tour Guide/Newsboy), Catherine Walker (Miss Evangeline Barley and others), Price Waldman (Barber / Detective) A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - Broadway - January 18, 2015 (Matinee) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jefferson Mays (The D'Ysquith Family), Bryce Pinkham (Monty Navarro), Lisa O'Hare (Sibella Hallward), Catherine Walker (Phoebe D'Ysquith), Barbara Marineau (Miss Marietta Shingle), Joanna Glushak (Lady Eugenia D'Ysquith and others), Eddie Korbich (Magistrate/Actor/Mr. Gorby), Jeff Kready (Tom Copley/Newsboy/Actor/Guard), Jennifer Smith (Tour Guide/Newsboy), Price Waldman (Chief Inspector Pinckney/Newsboy/Actor) NOTES: Bryce's last show before his return in July. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - First National Tour - September 29, 2015 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: John Rapson (The D'Ysquith Family), Kevin Massey (Monty Navarro), Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella Hallward), Adrienne Eller (Phoebe D'Ysquith), Mary VanArsdel (Miss Marietta Shingle), Kristen Mengelkoch (Lady Eugenia D'Ysquith and others), Christopher Behmke (Magistrate/Actor/Mr. Gorby), Matt Leisy (Tom Copley/Newsboy/Actor/Guard), Megan Loomis (Tour Guide/Newsboy), Ben Roseberry (Chief Inspector Pinckney/Newsboy/Actor), Lesley McKinnell (Miss Evangeline Barley and others) NOTES: Beautiful capture of the tour which launched in Chicago. There's tiny bits of washout when the camera is in wideshot due to the spotlights of the stage. Terrific cast and a wonderful tour of this production! A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - First National Tour - April 24, 2016 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: John Rapson (The D'Ysquith Family), Kevin Massey (Monty Navarro), Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella Hallward), Adrienne Eller (Phoebe D'Ysquith), Mary VanArsdel (Miss Marietta Shingle), Megan Loomis (u/s Lady Eugenia D'Ysquith and others), Christopher Behmke (Magistrate/Actor/Mr. Gorby), Matt Leisy (Tom Copley/Newsboy/Actor/Guard), Ben Roseberry (Chief Inspector Pinckney/Newsboy/Actor), Lesley McKinnell (Miss Evangeline Barley and others) NOTES: A great capture of the tour. The cast is solid, and the audience is energetic. There are no blackouts, no obstruction, and no washout. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. The sound is excellent. Includes curtain call, John and Kevin’s BC/EFA speech, and playbill scans. A+ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Encores! - May 12, 2012 FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Megan Hilty (Lorelei Lee), Rachel York (Dorothy Shaw), Aaron Lazar (Henry Spofford), Steven Boyer (Pierre/Louis Lemanteur), Brennan Brown (Steward/Mr. Robert Lemanteur/Gus Esmond Sr.), Stephen Buntrock (Josephus Gage), Simon Jones (Sir Francis Beekman), Deborah Rush (Mrs. Ella Spofford), Sandra Shipley (Lady Phyllis Beekman), Megan Sikora (Gloria Stark), Clarke Thorell (Gus Esmond Jr.) NOTES: Filmed from the back of the balcony. Many heads appear in the frame to start, then when the filmer gets his bearings, the video improves greatly. There are a few times (mostly at the beginning) when the filmer replaces some poor video moments with still shots. These still shots are less than 2 or 3 minutes of the entire show. Overall, a great video, and Megan Hilty is amazing Ghost: The Musical - Berlin - June, 2018 (Rumpel's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Nikolas Heiber (u/s Sam Wheat), Willemijn Verkaik (Molly Jensen), Marion Campbell (Oda Mae Brown), Andreas Bongard (Carl Bruner), Mischa Kiek (Willie Lopez), Nicolas Christahl (Subway Ghost), Klaus Seiffert (Hospital Ghost), Chasity Crisp (Clara), Denise Lucie Aquino (Louise) NOTES: Very Limited trades 3:1 Ghost: The Musical - Broadway - July 28, 2012 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat), Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Oda Mae Brown), Bryce Pinkham (Carl Bruner), Michael Bladerrama (Willie Lopez), Tyler McGee (Subway Ghost) NOTES: Great HD capture of the show toward the end of the run. This is a great capture compared the previous one from March, with the changes that were made from the previews and with the original Oda Mae Brown. Despite what the reviews said, this is one show I thoroughly enjoyed and wish it had a better life on Broadway as it deserved! A- Recording with mostly zooms and a few wide shots. Great views of the effects. A Google Drive link is floating around that contains the wrong VOBs for Act 1-3 and Act 2-2; make sure you get everything! Ghost: The Musical - Hamburg - January 13, 2019 (Closing Night) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Riccardo Greco (Sam Wheat), Roberta Valentini (Molly Jensen), Marion Campbell (Oda Mae Brown), John Vooijs (Carl Bruner), Mischa Kiek (Willie Lopez), Marius Bingel (Subway Ghost), Alex Bellinkx (Hospital Ghost), Enny de Alba (Clara), Tamara Wörner (Louise) NOTES: Poor picture Quality, no zoom but captures all action and great sound Ghost: The Musical - Hamburg - January, 2019 FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Riccardo Greco (Sam Wheat), Roberta Valentini (Molly Jensen), Marion Campbell (Oda Mae Brown), John Vooijs (Carl Bruner), Mischa Kiek (Willie Lopez), Marius Bingel (Subway Ghost), Alex Bellinkx (Hospital Ghost), Enny de Alba (Clara), Tamara Wörner (Louise) NOTES: Filmed from first row. Great capture of the full show. Ghost: The Musical - London Workshop - February 13, 2010 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Oliver Tompsett (Sam Wheat), Natalie Mendoza (Molly Jensen), Sharon D Clarke (Oda Mae Brown) NOTES: Proshot, stand and sing performance. Ghost: The Musical - US First National Tour - January 12, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Steven Grant Douglas (Sam Wheat), Katie Postotnik (Molly Jensen), Carla R Stewart (Oda Mae Brown), Robby Haltiwanger (Carl Bruner) Ghost: The Musical - West End - October 4, 2012 FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Mark Evans (Sam Wheat), Siobhan Dillon (Molly Jensen), Sharon D Clarke (Oda Mae Brown), Andrew Langtree (Carl Bruner), Ivan de Freitas (Willie Lopez), Scott Maurice (Subway Ghost) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame - Berlin - 1999 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Drew Sarich (Quasimodo), Ruby Rosales (Esmeralda), Norbert Lamla (Frollo), André Bauer (Phoebus), Chris Murray (Clopin), Andreas Gergen (The Archdeacon) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame - Berlin - August 14, 1999 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Drew Sarich (Quasimodo), Ruby Rosales (u/s Esmeralda), Norbert Lamla (Frollo), André Bauer (u/s Phoebus), Chris Murray (Clopin) Godspell - Brazilian CEFTEM Production - September 4, 2015 (Papa Rose 2015's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Bruno Fraga (Jesus), Oscar Fabião (John/Judas), Bernardo Dugin, Carol Botelho, Gabi Porto, Giovana Rangel, João Telles, Laura Zennet, Lyv Ziese, Vinícius Teixeira NOTES: Excellent video of this marvelous production. Some heads at the bottom of the screen when it isn't zoomed in, but they only block the actors' feet. Gone With The Wind (Martin) - Palais Des Sports De Paris - 2003 FORMAT: MKV (HD) CAST: Laura Presgurvic, Vincent Niclo, Sandra Léane, Dominique Magloire, Cyril Niccolaï NOTES: ProShot Grease - 8th UK Tour - October, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT: MTS CAST: Will Haswell (u/s Danny Zuko), Martha Kirby (Sandy Dumbrowski), Louis Grant (Kenickie), Rhianne-Louise Mccaulsky (Betty Rizzo), Darren Bennett (Vince Fontaine), Peter Andre (Teen Angel), Jordan Abey (Doody), Ryan Anderson (Roger), Damian Buhagiar (Sonny Latierri), Eloise Davies (Frenchy), Natalie Woods (Jan), Tara Sweeting (Marty), Kevin O'Dwyer (u/s Johnny Casino) NOTES: Shot from the right mezzanine. Has some great closeups, mediums and wide shots. Some heads can obstruct at times, bu don't take away from the action. Audience is really loud and kinda badly behaved. Grease - Grease: Live (FOX Special) - January 31, 2016 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (SD) CAST: Aaron Tveit (Danny Zuko), Julianne Hough (Sandy Dumbrowski), Carlos PenaVega (Kenickie), Vanessa Hudgens (Betty Rizzo), Jordan Fisher (Doody), Carly Rae Jepsen (Frenchy), Kether Donohue (Jan), Noah Robbins (Eugene Florczyk), Elle McLemore (Patty Simcox) NOTES: TV Special aired on FOX on Jan 31 2016 Grease - Manila, Philippines - August 15, 1995 FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Lea Salonga (Sandy Dumbrowski) NOTES: Quality loss Grease - Second Broadway Revival - July 28, 2007 (Preview) FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Max Crumm (Danny Zuko), Laura Osnes (Sandy Dumbrowski), Matthew Saldivar (Kenickie), Jenny Powers (Betty Rizzo), Stephen Buntrock (Teen Angel), Ryan Patrick Binder (Doody), Daniel Everidge (Roger), Jose Restrepo (Sonny Latierri), Kirsten Wyatt (Frenchy), Lindsay Mendez (Jan), Robyn Hurder (Marty), Allison Fischer (Patty Simcox) NOTES: Good picture and great sound with nice closeups throughout with a head in the way only once or twice for a few moments. Grey Gardens - Off-Broadway - April 30, 2006 (Closing Night) FORMAT: MKV (SD) CAST: Christine Ebersole ("Little" Edie Beale / Young Edith Bouvier Beale), Mary Louise Wilson (Edith Bouvier Beale), Sara Gettelfinger (Young "Little" Edie Beale), Matt Cavenaugh (Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. / Jerry), John McMartin (J.V. Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Beale), Bob Stillman (George Gould Strong), Michael Potts (Brooks Sr. / Brooks Jr.), Sarah Hyland (Jacqueline Bouvier), Audrey Twitchell (Young Lee Bouvier) The Grinning Man - West End - March 12, 2018 (Highlights) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Louis Maskell (Grinpayne), Julian Bleach (Barkilphedro), Sean Kingsley (Ursus), Sanne Den Besten (Dea), Amanda Wilkin (Josiana), Ewan Black (Trelaw/Osric), Mark Anderson (Dirry-Moir), James Alexander-Taylor (Mojo), Julie Atherton (Queen Angelica), Sophia Mackay (Mother/Quake), Jim Kitson (King Clarence) NOTES: 1920x1080 YouTube rip. Highlights, filmed at an angle from the second row with some obstructions throughout. Highlights consist of: Act 1, Labyrinth, A World Of Feeling, Only A Clown, Curtain Call. Groundhog Day - Broadway - March 16, 2017 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Andy Karl (Phil Connors), Barrett Doss (Rita Hanson), Rebecca Faulkenberry (Nancy), John Sanders (Ned Ryerson), Raymond J Lee (Ralph), Andrew Call (Gus), Josh Lamon (Buster), Gerard Canonico (Fred), Heather Ayers (Mrs. Lancaster), William Parry (Jenson), Michael Fatica (Chubby Man), Travis Waldschmidt (Jeff), Joseph Medeiros (Deputy), Taylor Iman Jones (Lady Storm Chaser), Rheaume Crenshaw (Doris), Sean Montgomery (Sheriff), Jenna Rubaii (Joelle), Tari Kelly (Piano Teacher), Vishal Vaidya (Larry), Katy Geraghty (Debbie) NOTES: This is the first preview where the set broke down after about 15 minutes and the rest of the show was performed "concert style". All announcements (both over the speakers and onstage with the director/cast) are included in the video. In Act 2 Overture, The music stops for a second and then restarts. During the mid finale scene which is before when Phil runs around town doing “errands”, Matthew Warchus comes out and informs everyone that they will skip scenes due to the tech issue and just go to the scene of the song where Phil and Rita have their dance and from there.

Groundhog Day - Broadway - March 20, 2017 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Andy Karl (Phil Connors), Barrett Doss (Rita Hanson), Rebecca Faulkenberry (Nancy), John Sanders (Ned Ryerson), Raymond J Lee (Ralph), Andrew Call (Gus), Josh Lamon (Buster), Gerard Canonico (Fred), Heather Ayers (Mrs. Lancaster), William Parry (Jenson), Michael Fatica (Chubby Man), Travis Waldschmidt (Jeff), Joseph Medeiros (Deputy), Taylor Iman Jones (Lady Storm Chaser), Rheaume Crenshaw (Doris), Sean Montgomery (Sheriff), Jenna Rubaii (Joelle), Tari Kelly (Piano Teacher), Vishal Vaidya (Larry), Katy Geraghty (Debbie) NOTES: Better capture of the fully working performance than from the first preview vid. Nicely filmed in HD with clear picture and sound; complete show; great video

Groundhog Day - Broadway - April 1, 2017 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Andy Karl (Phil Connors), Barrett Doss (Rita Hanson), Rebecca Faulkenberry (Nancy), John Sanders (Ned Ryerson), Raymond J Lee (Ralph), Andrew Call (Gus), Josh Lamon (Buster), Gerard Canonico (Fred), Heather Ayers (Mrs. Lancaster), William Parry (Jenson), Michael Fatica (Chubby Man), Travis Waldschmidt (Jeff), Joseph Medeiros (Deputy), Taylor Iman Jones (Lady Storm Chaser), Rheaume Crenshaw (Doris), Sean Montgomery (Sheriff), Jenna Rubaii (Joelle), Tari Kelly (Piano Teacher), Vishal Vaidya (Larry), Katy Geraghty (Debbie) NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the new musical based on the movie. Such an amazing set and Andy gives a terrific performance. The set malfunctioned once and they had to pause and restart the song. Guys and Dolls - Fourth Broadway Revival - March 18, 1992 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Nathan Lane (Nathan Detroit), Faith Prince (Miss Adelaide), Peter Gallagher (Sky Masterson), Josie de Guzman (Sarah Brown) Guys and Dolls - North Shore Music Theatre - October-November, 2012 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Jonathan Hammond (Nathan Detroit), Mylinda Hull (Miss Adelaide), Kevin Vortmann (Sky Masterson), Kelly McCormick (Sarah Brown), Wayne W Pretlow (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Jamie Ross (Arvide Abernathy), Ben Roseberry (Benny Southstreet), Jessica Sheridan (General Matilda B. Cartwright) Gypsy - West End Revival - 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Imelda Staunton (Rose), Peter Davison (Herbie), Lara Pulver (Louise), Gemma Sutton (June), Dan Burton (Tulsa), Julie Legrand (Electra), Anita Louise Combe (Tessie Tura), Louise Gold (Mazeppa), Billy Hartman (Uncle Jocko), Scarlet Roche (Baby June), Lara Wollington (Baby Louise), Patrick Romer (Pop) NOTES: Note from Blvd-on-Sunset: Two versions exist. One is broadcast by the BBC, has the logo watermark at the top left corner and is being traded at 540p. The other is released by Universal Studios in 1080p on BluRay and can be found on Amazon Prime Video (UK only) Check with traders which version they own.

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fangirlingnonstop · 4 years

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My Ships (Part 1)

1. A ship I miss (Guzmán and Nadia - Élite)

I just won’t ever get enough of them.

2. A healthy ship (Nathan and Haley - One Tree Hill)

Always and forever.

3. A toxic ship (Chuck and Blair - Gossip Girl)

Three words, eight letters. No matter how toxic it is.

4. A problematic ship (Justin and Jessica - 13 Reasons Why)

There’s so much trauma here that brings these two together.

5. A ship that deserved better (Brandon and Kelly - Beverly Hills 90210)

When a show goes on for so long, there’s gotta be drama and that’s the reason why they destroyed them. Plus, why couldn’t Brandon actually be present in the series finale? Whyyy?

6. An uproblematic ship (Ron and Hermione - Harry Potter)

I could fight with J.K. Rowling herself for them.

7. A ship I didn’t love at first, but now I do (Molly and Sherlock - Sherlock)

These two had no serious scenes at first but I can’t count the times I’ve rewatched the clip with this gif and the combination of every possible song.

8. A ship I loved at first but now I don’t (Hardin and Tessa - After)

The older I get, the more I grow apart from them.

9.A relationship I could envision myself having (Noel and Felicity - Felicity)

They were amazing. Funny. Supportive. There was chemistry. There was something so real about them. I would be thankful to have a Noel Crane in my life. Felicity obviously wasn’t.

10.A ship that everyone hates, but I love (Frank and Claire - Outlander)

We all know that Jamie was Claire’s destiny but Frank was her first love. And honestly Frank Randall should be more appreciated.

11.A ship everyone loves, but I hate (Michael and Sara - Prison Break)

Prison Break is not about the ships and I wasn’t feeling the chemistry.

12.A ship that I don’t really talk about, but I love (Pablo and Marizza - Rebelde Way)

The amount of hours my teenage self has dedicated to these two is certainly beyond your expectations.

13.A ship with a sad ending (Jaime and Brienne - Game of Thrones)

You know the feeling when you don’t even dream about your ship becoming canon and then it does and then they completely crash your poor shipping heart? That’s the case.

14.A ship with a happy ending (Kwon Shi-hyun and Eun Tae-hee - Tempted/The Great Seducer)

These two hold such a special place in my heart! It was the first kdrama I watched and even if it’s not that popular, I love them so much and I loved the ending!

15.A dorky ship (Seth and Summer - The OC)

These two absolute dorks speak for themselves!

16. A badass ship (Nancy and Jonathan - Stranger Things)

They can easily switch from cute to badass and kill monsters in the meantime.

17.A ship I have a love/hate relationship with (Oliver and Felicity - Arrow)

They were the most adorable thing ever until the writers completely ruined Felicity.

18.A ship that isn’t canon yet (Bellamy and Clarke - The 100)

Can you actually believe this ship is canon in real life, yet we still have to wait for it to happen on the show.

19.A new ship (Marianne and Connell - Normal People)

This show is a precious little gem.

20.A ship I used to stan (Brooke and Lucas - One Tree Hill)

Brooke was too good for Lucas. She deserved better. And that was Julian.

Part 2

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beckyalbertalli · 5 years

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Interview with William C. Morris Award finalist Adib Khorram: the Bitmoji edition.

It’s that time of year again! I love my William C. Morris Award family, and I’m so overjoyed to welcome finalist Adib Khorram into the fold. I am head over heels for Adib’s debut, DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY. It’s about the most endearing tea-drinking, soccer-playing, half-white, half-Persian, fictional nerd you’ve ever met. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of my favorite books of all time - and outlets like TIME, Buzzfeed, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, the New York Times (and more) totally agree with me.

But the number one DARIUS fan? My Bitmoji. She’s actually kind of embarrassing about it. When I told her she’d be interviewing Adib’s bitmoji, she screamed. It was loud. I tried to talk her out of wearing her Adib fandom t-shirt to the interview, but.

Yeah.

So without further ado, let’s turn it over to the bitmojis!

Beckmoji: Huge congrats on being a finalist for the Morris Award! I’m ridiculously happy for you, and I can’t emphasize enough how well-deserved this is. Can you tell me about the moment you found out you were a finalist?

Adibmoji: I was actually doing the dishes when I got the phone call. I could tell it was [editor] Dana from my watch, so I dried off my hands and answered. And I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it but I kept washing dishes as we talked because I’m one of those people that doesn’t like to leave the dishes half-done; plus I had a school visit that afternoon so I wanted to finish them before I left. But we had a great chat and screamed together and it was awesome and wonderful and totally surprising.

Beckmoji: Darius has touched so many people’s hearts – I legit get DMs from people gushing about it, just because they know I’m a fan. I imagine it’s been the kind of year that can only truly be described in gifs. If you had to pick three that best capture your debut experience, what would they be?

Adibmoji: Debut year has been a whirlwind and amazing and I’ve been incredibly humbled by the response to Darius.

Adibmoji: Honestly a lot of the time it’s felt kind of surreal.

Adibmoji: But also it’s been an incredible amount of fun. I could not have predicted or asked for a better debut experience.

Beckmoji: Darius’s experience with depression hit so close to home for me, and I know I speak for many readers when I say that. What advice would you give to readers, especially teens like Darius, who may be living with depression?

Adibmoji: I always feel like advice is great when it works and terrible when it doesn’t. So instead I’d rather let readers know that even though it feels like depression can be this big, life-defining thing, it’s not. Depression is just one small part of their life, and not even the most interesting part.

Beckmoji: Darius’s friendship with Sohrab cuts so deep – their love for each other is palpable, and the rough moments between them are painfully real. I loved the exploration of all the ruptures and repairs that come with true friendship. What were your favorite moments to write about that friendship? What moments challenged you the most?

Adibmoji: I loved whenever I got the two of them on that rooftop and it felt like they were in their own little world. Those scenes were incredibly fulfilling to write. Probably the most challenging moment was the fight they have toward the end. I’ve never been great at writing fights, because I like it best when all my characters get along. So I had to dig really deep.

I feel like it’s human nature to lash out at the people we love most because we know (or at least hope) that they’re going to forgive us, and that’s what I was trying to get across. I hope I succeeded.

Beckmoji: I loved seeing Iran through the eyes of a biracial American kid with Persian/white roots. Were there any particular details that felt particularly important to include, either about Iran or about Darius's experience of being Persian?

Adibmoji: I really wanted to show that life is just life in Iran. So often other cultures get exoticized in media, and I wanted to push back against that. And, rather selfishly, I wanted to show Yazd, which is my dad’s hometown.

Beckmoji: I am a notorious exaggerator about crying during books - I actually rarely do – but I legit sobbed my eyes out near the end of Darius (it was during a conversation with his dad). Were there any parts of the book that made you emotional as you wrote them?

Adibmoji: The main ones were the scene where Darius says goodbye to his grandparents at the end, and the one with Darius and his dad on the rooftop. I came to the sobering realization during the writing process that I was closer in age to Darius’s parents than I was to Darius, and that really informed a lot of the scenes with his parents in general: I was thinking about what they were feeling, and what Darius was feeling, and what Darius thought they were feeling.

I once read that one of the characteristics of the teenage psyche is a tendency to react to the perceived motivations of the behavior, rather than the behavior itself, and that really stuck with me and informed Darius’s relationship with his dad.

Beckmoji: Are there any books that you would recommend for fans of Darius?

Adibmoji: The entire Simon-verse for starters! For readers seeking more Iranian-American stories, Arvin Ahmadi’s DOWN AND ACROSS, Abdi Nazemian’s THE AUTHENTICS, and literally anything by Sara Farizan (her latest is the stellar HERE TO STAY). Julian Winters’ RUNNING WITH LIONS for readers wanting a story about sports and inclusion and friends and love. For readers like Darius who love sci-fi and fantasy, Natalie C. Parker’s SEAFIRE, L. L. McKinney’s A BLADE SO BLACK, and Alex London’s BLACK WINGS BEATING. For cinnamon rolls dealing with family issues, it’s hard to beat Jandy Nelson’s I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN or Benjamin Aliré Saenz’s ARISTOTLE & DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE. And for all the nerds out there, keep your eyes peeled for Lana Wood Johnson’s 2019 debut, TECHNICALLY, YOU STARTED IT, a mistaken-identity romcom starring a pair of nerds who slowly fall in love over text messages.

And, because I can’t go five minutes without mentioning it, I am absolutely obsessed with Martha Wells’s THE MURDERBOT DIARIES, a series of adult sci-fi novellas that I’ve recommended to everyone in my life. They’re about a misanthropic cyborg who would rather watch soap operas but keeps getting forced into being a hero.

Beckmoji: What are three of your favorite moments from your whirlwind debut year?

Adibmoji: I’m kind of a weirdo and I love conventions, so going to BEA and being surrounded by ALL THE BOOKS was a real highlight. I also got to meet my agent and editor in real life for the first time; and you and I got to say hi again before we both got pulled in different directions; and I got to see New York City for the first time, which filled my theater-kid heart so full.

One time when we were in Austin for Texas Teen Book Festival, Heidi Heilig (author of FOR A MUSE OF FIRE, THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE, and THE SHIP BEYOND TIME, and an all-around amazing human being) led a group of us to the bat bridge to try and see the bats. But apparently we were too late in the season so we didn’t get to see the bat swarm. But we had a great adventure nonetheless.

After ALA, I had a late flight out, and Natalie C. Parker’s flight out got cancelled, so we ended up at the hotel bar after ALA, just talking about writing and family and our love of Star Trek.

One of the most amazing things about this whole journey has been all the friends I’ve made, especially with authors I admire. It’s kind of weird to go from being a fan to being a colleague, but it’s wonderful, too.

Beckmoji: And finally, please summarize Darius using only emojis.

Adibmoji:

In conclusion: should you buy this beautiful book and read it while drinking tea? Answer:

Huge thanks to Adib AND Adibmoji for giving such beautiful answers to these (fangirl ravings disguised as) questions.

#adib khorram #darius the great is not okay #morris award #interview

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perseus-huntress · 6 years

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Fandoms tag

RULES: Choose any three fandoms (in random order) and answer the questions, then tag 10 people you want to know better.

Tagged by the fabulous @theravenofwynter (sorry it took so damn long!)

Three Fandoms:

Mass Effect

Mystic Messenger

Arcana

The First Character You Loved:

Garrus, swan dived at that one.

Seven had me at “I MADE THIS MESSENGER!” in the prologue.

I suppose Julian? I was super unsure to start with, he did NOT look like my type and then... well...

The Character You Never Expected To Love So Much:

Reyes... that... that was a curveball right there.

Jumin. HATED HIM to start with, now though I will end them all for the Cat mum.

Julian actually, the PROLOGUE LIES! He was so hilariously cold and weird, and then it all collapsed like a house of cards into the wonderful mess that is the adorkable Devorak.

The Character You Relate To The Most:

Sara Ryder. Same though girl, same.

Saeran. Not the whole, broken beyond repair thing, but I dunno I just get his anxiety, insecurity and lashing out.

Portia. The EYE ROLL AND THE SARC. Sign me the fuck up.

The Character You’d Slap:

Zaeed, if I had the energy and didn’t constantly forget that he exists. Sorry boo.

It’s a tie between Jaehee and Zen. I dislike some of the others way more, so take this as a friendly “Cut your bullshit out love, you are better than that!”

I don’t actually dislike any of them? At all?

Three Favorite Characters (in order of preference):

Garrus, Tali, Aria

Seven, Jumin, Saeran

Julian, Nadia, Asra

A Character You Liked At First, But Don’t Anymore:

Jaal, not like violently dislike or anything, but I had high hopes, and then Reyes walked in and all plans and earthly possessions were thrown out of the airlock. Also not huge on the whole family thing.

Please don’t hurt me but Jaehee. As above I do not hate her, but I aggressively disliked her route, she did not come off in the best of lights in my eyes. She deserved better.

God, I am going to sound boring here but I love them all? Animorph Goat including?

A Character You Didn’t Like At First But Do Now:

Liara. I think because the Devs pushed her so hard, I kicked back but then I really got to like her, cannot even tell you why but I made my peace with her.

Yoosung grew on me like a weed, used to find him annoying as hell, but as the routes progressed he became my safe, sane harbor.

Nadia. She was so high and mighty and suspicious, I did not get on. But then when I did her actual route, the girl slays!

Three OTPs:

(I am going to do each because I am violently monogamous)

Garrus x Shepard

Seven x MC

Julian x MC

Tagging: @joz-stankovich @commiemood @puppypopcornpizza @ladyinthebluebox @dartheames @the-emerald-halla

and anyone else who wants to do it! <3

#tagging meme #fandoms

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kalinara · 7 years

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Full disclosure, I am not and have never been much of a Caitlin Snow fan.

But I really have to side-eye those fans who insist that Caitlin's role in Iris's endangerment and HR's death is unforgivable, while at the same time, bending over backward to excuse Mick Rory for his role in causing both a year of imprisonment and subjugation for his entire team and Amaya's death.

Caitlin is Killer Frost. There's no question about that. This isn't a matter of an alternate personality. But at the same time, the show has made it clear that, for better or worse, Caitlin's morality appears to be linked to her powers.

Caitlin has spent a good chunk of the season trying desperately to NOT become Killer Frost. She sought measure after measure to try to contain or neutralize her powers. She wanted them gone. She reached out to Cisco and Julian for help. Hell, that's the only reason Julian's relevant at all. She went behind the team's back to save a piece of the philosopher's stone, an admittedly selfish and dangerous act, because she hoped she'd be able to use it to avoid turning into a monster. In the end, the best she could do was beg her friends to let her die instead of activating her powers to save her.

Ultimately, Caitlin chose death over becoming a monster. Julian just ignored that choice, and well, we know what happened next.

Mick Rory is a different story. He has recognizable symptoms of mental illness, while also clearly demonstrating on many occasions his capacity for clear and reasoned decisions. He betrays the team in Fellowship after he reunited with his best friend and is subjected to an admittedly ugly scene where his teammates demonstrate distrust for him. Then, on the battlefield, he makes the decision to give the reality warping McGuffin to the villains.

There is nothing to indicate that Mick did not make this decision of his own free will and in full capacity. While he has impulse control issues in general, this is not presented as an impulsive or rageful decision. He even goes so far as to extend an invitation to Amaya, while sending a half-hearted apology Sara's way. And this is a decision that a good chunk of the fanbase seems to feel is justified.

Mick Rory then spends a year hanging out with his friend, while his former team is imprisoned and/or mindwiped into becoming at best losers and at worst killers and abusers. And he saw it all and chose to do nothing about it until Snart was about to kill Nate. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he did finally decide to act, but that doesn't change the fact that he saw what Sara and Amaya and Jax had become and did nothing for a year.

And then, when Sara has the nerve to not immediately trust Mick or welcome him back into the fold after she got her memory back from a year of being Damien Darhk's pet assassin, he goes straight back to Leonard Snart and betrays the team AGAIN. Which plays directly into Amaya's death. And a good chunk of this fanbase will STILL argue that Sara deserved this second betrayal because she didn't learn her lesson from the first time he betrayed them.

This is not meant to be an attack on Mick Rory. While I may be less sympathetic than many fans to Mick's original reasons for betrayal, I do believe that the Doomworld version of Mick did ultimately make up for it, by helping the team in WWI and sacrificing his life in the process.

But I wonder at fans who are so quick to sympathize and defend a man who made his own decisions, while they condemn a woman who chose to die over becoming a monster, only to have that choice ripped away from her.

#legends of tomorrow #the flash #caitlin snow #anti mick rory #(l don't really consider it anti but I'll use the label just in case)

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coldtomyflash · 7 years

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Any thoughts/theories on who Savitar might be, in light of the "Once and Future Flash" episode? I'm hearing people suspect it might be Eddie, which could be cool. And that fits in with the whole "Barry ruined my life" thing and also 2024 Killer Frost's comments that Barry would be "so surprised" when he found out. But I also feel like if that was the case Caitlin would have been more confused/suspicious towards him instead of just immediately giving in like she did at the end of the episode?

I’ve talked a lot about my theories and the various ones I’ve heard, weighing the possibilities, but maybe I should have it all in one place, so here we go.

Who Savitar might be (in descending order of likelihood).

1. Barry Allen

This is my favorite theory.

Maybe it’s a Barry who becomes so twisted by the death of Iris that he makes a time remnant who becomes Savitar somehow. Maybe it’s the version of Barry that was destroyed by Barry changing the timeline so many times, and he’s been caught in the speedforce going mad all this time, re-witnessing his mother’s death.

Who knows? Not me. But I can see it from how this season has gone, with it being about consequences to Barry’s time travel. And Caitlin knows enough about time travel and time remnants to put that together quick, upon seeing Savitar’s identity. Like I mentioned somewhere else, her reaction could’ve been a “this version of you is as twisted as I am as Killer Frost” - a mutual understanding of what they’ve both become.

This theory also makes the most sense from Savitar’s “it’s me or you” thing with Iris. Maybe Barry needs to become so twisted and broken to become Savitar, and Iris has to die in order for that to happen.

2. Eddie Thawne

This would warrant some surprise from Killer Frost, given that Eddie was pretty dead last we checked. She wasn’t quite confused enough for this, maybe?

But note that Eddie died within a time loop, right? The only reason he killed himself is because Eobard time travelled. No Eddie procreating, no Eobard to travel back in time and cause Eddie to ultimately kill himself. The speedforce shelters that timeline (Eobard’s original timeline) to prevent a world-collapsing paradoxical time loop, but we don’t really know if that means Eddie just stays dead, or if he’s maybe been stuck in the speedforce or caught in a time loop going mad?

It also plays into the “you’ll never guess” thing they’ve got going, but fit with it being someone who knows the team / has been watching them, has a personal connection to Iris. Idk, this gifset had some interesting points/parallels for it.

3. Cobalt Blue / Malcolm Thawne / Barry’s evil twin

This one is out of the comics but I’m a fan of this theory. Separated twins at birth, a twin who thinks Barry took “everything” from him by having the life that he was supposed to have but never got to, raised by the Thawnes and not the Allens. It seems unlikely to me that they’d actually play it out this way, but some Cobalt Blue reference or tie-in wouldn’t really surprise me.

Anyway, @ladyofpride and @prouvairablehulk have made an interesting case for this.

4. Ronnie Raymond

So people are suggesting this one I think because of the Killer Frost tie-in? And maybe because it’s sort of unclear what the heck happened to Ronnie’s body when he was sucked into the singularity. Maybe he wasn’t crushed by gravity and maybe he didn’t get chucked out as a corpse onto Earth 2. Maybe he just got lost in the speedforce, sucked in like Roscoe (Turbine) in the New 52.

I kind of dig this theory on a few fronts, including that it would be a genuine twist, fit with the comics in that weird way, and sort of have a strange tie-in with how Julian was Savitar’s avatar and was falling for Caitlin all season. But, I do believe if this were true, Killer Frost’s reaction to seeing him would’ve included more shock and awe and joy?

5. Iris West

This is a new theory I’ve seen floating around. It’s neat, placing the “it’s you or me, Iris” thing in an entirely new light. Iris doesn’t die, she becomes Savitar. Or I mean, she does die, and thus becomes Savitar.

I feel that Killer Frost’s reaction at the end of 3x19 would actually fit with it being Iris, to be totally honest, but I still think it’s ultimately a little unlikely. That being said, the seasonal big bad being a woman? Into it. And it would be an unexpected twist. What better to ruin Barry than the woman he loves becoming the one who ruins him?

6. Another speedster: Jay Garrick, Wally West, Jesse Quick, Eliza Harmon

Mostly Wally and Jay, but I think these are all at least a little plausible, right? Jay is stuck in the speedforce right now though, so it would have to be a Jay from a different time. Wally is an interesting theory to me… Savitar took a shining to Wally and used him, got close to him, imprisoned him and the speedforce didn’t want to let Wally go.

Also, it would but a neat spin on 2024!Wally. Wally goes after Savitar, Savitar breaks his back and does something to him, and Wally becomes permanently catatonic? Maybe he’s catatonic due to becoming Savitar? I know it’s convoluted and silly and unlikely, but hell, this show handwaves a lot.

Jesse seems unlikely but she’s a speedster so? Same with Trajectory – she was destroyed by the speedforce after all. Maybe Velocity made her one with the speedforce. It’s silly and I doubt it, but hey, I’m being thorough.

7. Leonard Snart

I don’t think this is likely, but some people think Occulus!Len might’ve become the God of Speed. @literallyflashtrash suggested it as a crack theory but it’s taken off since then, and others have thought it up independently as well. I think we all just miss Snart. It’s okay guys, I miss him too.

8. Humanized!Grodd

“I am the future, Flash…” - Grodd, New 52. Enough Said.

9. Patty Spivot

@terrie01‘s joke but hell, at this point, I won’t even be surprised. Throw us all for a loop, writers.

10. A random hot dude because KF is thirsty

Someone joked about this and I 100% approve. “you’re gonna be sooo suprised… that Savitar is someone you haven’t even met!”

11. Edward Clarriss / The Rival

The dude had a big enough ego, right? Was created by Flashpoint. Maybe Savitar is somehow a remnant of him, and that’s part of why he killed Clarriss when he was done with him? It’s not like Zoom didn’t pull the same move with killing his remnant, and this show loves its parallels.

12. (Grown up) Sara Diggle

Barry erased her existence from the timeline. If I were her, I would want revenge too. Obviously not likely, but damn does he deserve this coming back to bite him.

#in case it's not clear #it's crack theories toward the end #the top 5 are the only *genuine* theories i'm holding #savitar #fan theories #speculation #the flash 3x19 #long post #long post for ts #pedestrianfootbridge #replies

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animarosa · 7 years

Text

Title: Heartlines

Chapters: 3/? [<PREVIOUS | NEXT> ] (cross-posted on AO3)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: None.

Pairing: Jaal Ama Darav/Sara Ryder (custom)

Notes: Thanks once more to @goodbibarbarella for beta-reading! <3

Chapter 3

Numb. She was simply numb, her mind burying her self-inflicted problem to the back of her priorities just so she could make it through a meeting with Nexus leadership. Her father’s death, becoming Pathfinder, trying to live up to everyone’s impossible expectations (while competing with her father’s shadow), and now the lies she told Julian when she spoke to him through his SAM implant. How she hadn’t simply broken down into uselessness was beyond her.

The moment the meeting was over and she began rushing back to the Tempest, SAM finally spoke through their private channel.

‘Sara...Your mood has been noticeably affected since your talk with Julian. Do you wish to speak of what’s bothering you?’

Outwardly she sighed in exasperation while she answered SAM in her mind. ‘I think you know, SAM. Please, don’t ask me again.’

There was a moment of silence, as if the AI was hesitating on how to respond. ‘I apologize, Sara. I thought it would be best to ask you directly.’

If she didn’t know better, she would say SAM sounded almost hurt by her dismissive attitude. Great, she thought, now she felt worse. Here was her AI, learning about emotions and seemingly developing his own, and she was no doubt making him feel like a nuisance. ‘Alright, fair. But no, SAM, I don’t want to talk about it so just...don’t...I’m sorry, I don’t mean to hurt you, I promise. I just...want to be alone to my thoughts right now...Please.’

‘Understood, Sara.’

At least SAM complied with her wishes. However, she couldn’t say the same of her crew. Perhaps they hadn’t boarded the Tempest yetl. All she had to do was sneak in, run to the stairs and lock herself in her room. Easy. All she needed was a bit of time alone, she pondered. Her crew needed their Pathfinder, not a weepy mess of a woman whining about how much of a liar she is—she just needed a few hours to get her emotional shit back together before she broke under the pressure.

However, as luck would have it, the moment she was about to slide down the stairs to her room, she noticed Jaal on the other side of the hallway, walking towards her, smiling warmly. She cursed him in her mind, not out of spite, no, but because his very presence welcomed her, made her want to speak with him and vent to him but...she couldn’t. She wouldn’t place that burden on him...Besides, angara were honest people; what would he think of her found out she lied to her own flesh and blood, out of selfishness no less.

“Sara Ariadne, my dearest friend,” he announced, the smile on his face slowly fading, instead glancing curiously at her, “I did not expect you to be back so soon. Did something happen?”

“Jaal, hey,” she tried her best to smile, to fake it and act as she normally did with him. Instead, she was sure the expression looked forced and her face strained. “Yeah, just, got a lot to catch up on and...I should ask you the same, why are you back so soon?”

His lips twitched, as if trying to contain himself from smiling, glancing away from her momentarily. “Working on a bit of a...project, if you would call it that,” he chuckled. “By the way...how’s your brother? You rushed off earlier saying something about being allowed to speak to him through...SAM?”

There it was, the question she dreaded. She must have flinched and barely realized it, for Jaal frowned, looking to her with worry. So much for hiding her inner turmoil. “Oh...yeah. Yeah, through his SAM implant,” hurriedly she explained, nearly tripping over her words, fidgeting mindlessly with her fingers. “Umm...he’s doing alright. You know, he’s antsy to recover already...So eager to join me…”

“That is good to hear,” Jaal replied with a small smile, though his eyes were ever watchful of her body language. Watchfully his gaze shifted quickly between her face and hands, a knowing look in his eyes. “It would be a delight to have another Ryder in the crew.”

“Yeah, of course,” she laughed nervously, scratching at the back of her neck, glancing away from his inspecting eyes.

“Ariadne?” He caught her attention again by using her middle name, as he usually did when they were alone and sharing their thoughts. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he asked, “Are you...well? Your face is...happy but your eyes are not. Not as they usually are...You’re also more quiet my dearest friend.”

“Ah, just tired,” she reasoned, trying to reassure him and surely failing. This man knew her so well already, down to her body language, so much so that it amazed her. She thought he’d had to learn to read her better as she wasn’t so out there with her emotions as angara were (though by Jaal’s own admission, she was much more expressive than other humans). “Just finished meeting with Nexus directives, ah...got a lot to report on...Been lazy,” she laughed loudly, snorting. Slowly she began inching towards the stairwell. “I should probably get to that, Jaal. I’ll...leave you to your project.”

“Of course,” Jaal smiled, almost sadly, following her with his gaze as she slid down the stairs. Clearly he wouldn’t push her, he knew this already, but he needed to let her know she could speak out if she so desired. “Ariadne?” he called for her once she was downstairs, looking up at him with a quirked brow.

“Yeah?”

“I’m...here for you. Anything you need,” he promised in earnest, his tone unwavering, his electric blue eyes warm but filled with worry.

“...Thank you, Jaal,” she replied quietly, almost a whisper, barely unable to hide the sadness in her tone. With a nod up at him she finally slid into her quarters. Loudly sighing, she slumped against the wall next to her door, hugging her knees to her chest once she was on the floor. God, how she hated herself for that awfully short conversation. Of course he would notice something amiss, he wasn’t a fool. She was usually loud, eager to speak with him and share their hobbies together. Resigned, she told herself repeatedly he was too good for her–she didn’t even deserve him as a friend. She wouldn’t burden him, she refused to, despite her heart yearning to be listened by him, to be comforted by his soothing words.

They were back on Eos to finally deal with the kett stronghold there. On the way to the marked nav point, Jaal and Liam both noted the ride on the Nomad was too quiet. No music blaring from the speakers, and Sara wasn’t singing for them.

Jaal grew more concerned, at this point thinking he might be the problem. Initially he’d thought that maybe she was having second thoughts about their friendship, maybe she’d gotten tired of expressing herself and he’d exhausted her. He didn’t want this to be true, he yearned for the root of her problem to be something else–anything but him. After they’d grown so close, the thought of rejection distressed him. It was...difficult, not bringing his concerns forward to her, simply thinking to give her some space.

Then again, he reasoned in an attempt to comfort himself, she had been keeping to herself since their last visit to the Nexus. Everyone had been commenting on it while she was out of earshot. No. It wasn’t him then, it couldn’t be. Something happened that day at the Nexus and she was refusing to speak of it to anyone, always insisting that she was fine.

Regardless of the uncomfortable silence, they still went over the attack plan again and soon found themselves raiding the weakened kett fortress. Ryder was more aggressive than usual in her combat, Jaal noted. Though she wasn’t afraid of charging into battle, this time around she seemed to almost relish in getting up close and personal with the kett. Rage was written all over her battle cries, biotic blasts and shotgun shots. Any other day he would say she was a sight to behold, a goddess of the battlefield. Today was not one of those days. There was an erratic and almost reckless pattern to her attacks, and Jaal found himself hyper vigilant of her, fearful she might seriously get hurt.

Soon enough they found themselves deep inside the stronghold, so close to the Invictor’s lair.

“Alright, we’re cornering that asshole. Let's keep the others from doing the same to us–” Liam had begun reviewing their strategy when Sara began crackling with unreleased biotic energy. “Ryder? What are you–”

Before Liam could finish or Jaal could protest, Sara gave a loud, raging scream and surged forward quickly in a powerful Charge, disappearing in an electric blue blur. She slammed into an Anointed kett, the blast from her attack throwing it and all others in the periphery flying through the air, slamming against walls and some not even getting back up.

“What is she doing?!” Liam yelled, going after Ryder with Jaal closely flanking him.

“I suspect Ryder isn’t in the best mental state to battle,” Jaal commented loudly, carefully aiming his shots while also making haste after Ryder before she hurt herself. “Something is wrong with her.”

“Yeah no kidding, she’s been weird for a while now,” Liam huffed, running alongside Jaal, the next hallway cleared of enemies thanks to Ryder’s violent outburst. “Man she’s fast!”

The Pathfinder left a trail of destruction behind her, booms of biotic explosions heard in the distance. Both Jaal and Liam knew that abusing her biotics could overload her implant and exhaust her. From the looks of how fast she was blasting through the kett, she was bound to fatigue herself quickly.

“Jaal, Liam, please help her,” SAM was the one to speak over their comms now. “She is refusing to listen to me. I fear her erratic behavior could result in serious injury. Ryder is abusing her biotics. Please.”

There was almost a plea to SAM’s tone, one could even say it sounded like fear. Jaal could only imagine that for SAM it must feel like he was trapped in Ryder’s body and only being able to watch helplessly if she got hurt.

Jaal nodded, realizing then that SAM wouldn’t see that and quickly added, “We’re on our way, SAM. Liam, quickly!” he rushed his friend, running faster still while remaining cautious of any kett still alive.

“She has found the Invictor,” SAM announced over the comms.

“Almost there!” Liam announced, quickly checking the nav point SAM had set up for Sara’s location.

Soon enough they found her facing off by herself against the Invictor. Both of them quickly set to helping her, SAM reminding them that she was starting to exhaust herself. Jaal tried to keep close to her but she made it difficult, constantly moving from cover to cover and charging against the Invictor whenever she had the chance, getting up close and personal when their shields broke down.

Thankfully, the Pathfinder team soon gained the upper hand, Liam and Jaal laying heavy fire against the Invictor’s shield and Ryder getting up close with her biotics flaring and shotgun ablaze.

Just when it seemed they were about to win, Sara’s shields broke down and she took a hit, crashing into the ground. She heaved, biotics briefly crackling around her before she let out a pained yelp, a hand coming up to the back of her head. Wincing, she tried to crawl out of the way and into cover. Jaal panicked, having been hidden in his tactical cloak and firing from a safe distance. Without thinking, almost as if it was second nature to him, he sprinted towards her just as the Invictor was about to discharge its massive area attack. He lunged for her just as his tactical cloak expired, easily scooping her up by the waist and jumping out of the way just in time, the Invictor’s attack crackling on his heels. Landing on his back, he held Sara close to him as they rolled on the floor and came to a stop when they crashed against a wall.

Sara shook her head, trying to find her bearings just as Jaal was giving her a quick once over, checking for injuries. There was no time for questions, Jaal found himself on his feet once more, taking the chance that Liam had just taken a good shot at the Invictor’s shield and disabled it once more. With his careful and deadly precise aim, he fixed his scope on the Invictor’s head and took a shot, green splattering up through the air, the kett’s lifeless body dropping to its knees.

“Holy shit…” Liam jogged up to Jaal and Sara, trying to catch his breath. “That was a close one…”

Meanwhile, Jaal had promptly holstered his rifle and turned to Sara, helping her to her feet. Now, with no danger to their lives, he inspected her more carefully before she waved him away, an annoyed glint in her green eyes.

“Sara?” he asked, concern heavy in his tone. Wide, light blue eyes followed her as she walked around him and Liam. “Are you well? Did you injure yourself?”

“I’m fine,” she replied, the same response she constantly gave lately whenever someone asked how she was holding up. Sara refused to look at him or Liam in the eye, instead beginning to walk away. “Just overcharged my implant a tad, nothing serious.”

“Yeah, what the hell, Ryder?” Liam bounded after her as they began tracing their steps out of the stronghold. “I mean, cool, you really laid it on them but that was really risky, even for me. You left us in the dust–”

“Okay, sorry, sorry!” she huffed in annoyance, frowning and holding her hands up defensively. Letting out a frustrated breath and removing her helmet, she went on, “I just...wanted to be over with this as fast as possible. I won’t do it again. Now let’s drop it and go back to the ship, alright?”

Jaal and Liam looked at each other with concern, neither trusting what she said. Clearly she was still hiding something and whatever it was, it was bothering her to the point that it was affecting her performance and endangering her life. Jaal inwardly sighed, trying to think on how he would attempt to get her to finally speak on what was going on with her, or at least stop denying that she was fine. He missed his dear friend and he would only be consumed by guilt if he did nothing while she so obviously suffered.

As expected, Lexi heavily questioned her and chastised her for putting her life in danger like she did. Her implant was fine but she had overcharged it, so for now it was best to rest. Good, she could easily sleep for a week if only her mind let her.

“I’m fine…” Sara said when Lexi asked again once she finished the examination and gave her some meds.

“You keep saying that but no one is actually believing it anymore, you know?” Lexi shook her head, taking a step back and leaning against the free cot. Staring at Ryder, she tried to relax her posture, trying to seem more welcoming. “Sara, you know we all care about you, right? But we can’t help you if you close on yourself like you’re doing.”

Sara sighed and rolled her shoulders, forcing herself to meet Lexi’s gaze. “I know...I guess, I’ve just been more tired lately, I–”

“Sara,” Lexi interrupted her, giving her a look that clearly stated she didn’t believe her. “You’ve been acting differently since...Well, since you spoke with Julian Scott through his SAM implant.”

Sara fell quiet for a moment, gaze falling to the floor. So, people were starting to connect the dots? Great, she thought, fearful of truly speaking of what had transpired. “I already told you, we just...talked a bit about what had happened,” she retorted, avoiding her gaze and biting down on her lower lip anxiously. “It was just stressful, okay? I just...I just want him back with me. I miss him…”

Lexi nodded and pushed herself away from the cot. She’d heard that before and she knew that wasn’t the entirety of it. “Would you like to talk more about it? Between having your twin still in a coma and all the responsibilities you have...I know it can’t be easy, Sara. It can be extremely overwhelming.”

Sara tensed at the invitation to talk more. A part of her screamed at her to just get it over it and let someone, anyone, know the cruel lies she had told her brother, to expose herself as a selfish liar. Yet, that other part of her held fast to her, cowered in fear in a corner, trembled at the thought of exposing herself as a liar, as a weakling, as someone who was barely holding it together since her father died.

“Sara?”

Lexi’s voice brought her back out of her thoughts and she realized she’d stared off. Worse than that, her heart was hammering fast against her chest, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

“Not today, Lexi, honestly–” she hurriedly said and jumped down from the cot, making a beeline for the med bay’s door. “–I’m just really, really tired today after that whole...mess. Tomorrow...I promise, tomorrow we can talk.”

Though she sighed, Lexi nodded. That was truly the most progress they’d made in talking in the last two weeks. At least now she was admitting there was more to speak of instead of denying it. “Alright, Sara. Tomorrow.”

With that, Sara walked the short distance to her room, closing the door behind her. Plopping face down on her bed, she let out a frustrated groan. She had really messed up today. Not only had she endangered herself, she’d highly distressed SAM and put Jaal and Liam in danger as well. Reaching for her pillow, she screamed into it, hoping to spit out all the self-loathing that was eating at her psyche since she lied to Julian. Hoping to stop worrying whether she was living up to the Pathfinder title, to stop the hurt in her heart over her father’s death, still so fresh in her mind despite being months old by now.

With a huff she flipped over, glaring up at the ceiling, refusing to cry. She would be strong, she had to be. There was no choice, she pondered, her crew needed a leader not a weeping baby.

‘Sara...I believe Lexi may be right, talking about your feelings and concerns can help,’ SAM spoke through their private channel.

Closing her eyes, she let out a deep breath. ‘No offense, SAM, but you’re learning about emotions through your experience with me, right?’ she replied in her mind. ‘How do you know it would help?’

For a moment he was silent and Sara had to admit, she was mildly impressed by how SAM seemed to be slowly developing his personality, even taking the time to process his thoughts. ‘When you thought Jaal might stay in Aya, your physical manifestations of your worry, namely your vital signs, markedly stabilized when Jaal admitted he would like to remain with your crew.’

‘Okay but I wasn’t exactly talking about my feelings was I?’

‘I wasn’t done, Sara,’ SAM interrupted her. ‘Similarly, in your time getting to know Jaal and sharing thoughts and concerns with him, your vital signs and your mood respond accordingly, in a positive manner. Though it mildly distressed you, you responded positively when Jaal comforted you when you admitted you are currently alone, without family present.’

Oh Jaal...Even she had to admit, SAM had a point, she just didn’t want to admit he did. She’d neglected her dear friend lately, her...crush. One would think she had stopped liking him by how distant she’d become in the last two weeks. It broke her heart and it only added another worry to her growing list–she wasn’t sure he would forgive her if she tried talking to him again like they did. Perhaps she could–

‘No,’ she fought against her own thought. ‘Jaal doesn’t need me bothering him with this...SAM, I don’t deserve him, I’ve...I’m not a good friend, I’ve neglected him…’

‘I have to disagree. Jaal has constantly asked about your well-being,’ SAM replied. ‘He might be the best person to speak with, he would not judge your feelings, Sara. I believe he would understand.’

Sara was about to respond when her door chime resonated in her room. Sitting up, she glanced at SAM’s orb over on the desk.

‘It is Jaal,’ SAM announced in their channel. ‘Shall I let him in?’

Sara simply gaped at the door for a moment before she nodded, clearing her throat and coming to a stand. ‘Sure...let him in.’

The door swooshed open and Sara was beginning to regret it–she wasn’t sure she wanted to face Jaal right now. She hadn’t finished considering what she wanted to do and anxiety was starting to claw at her.

“Hey,” she greeted him, forcing a smile. “What’s up?”

“Sara,” Jaal replied in turn, brow pulled close with concern. The door closed behind him and he fidgeted with a small package held in his hand, opting to hide it under his rofjinn. He was used to some of her common expressions by now so he knew she didn’t mean what was literally ‘up’. Instead, he offered a concerned gaze, eyes soft and welcoming. For a moment he hesitated but pressed on, “I...don’t know how else to ask it but...I’m concerned about you. Are you...sure you’re alright? I was really worried about you today, at the stronghold–”

“Jaal, please stop,” Sara interrupted him, groaning but inwardly screaming, regretting everything she would say. Yet, she was terrified of opening up about what was eating at her, truly paralyzed, thus she reacted defensively. The frustration built up, dared to break the dam that was holding all of her emotions and concerns in the back of her mind. In not deciding what she wanted to do, she instead began lashing out. There was an anger that seemed directed at Jaal and her crew but only she knew it was truly aimed at herself. Lexi almost got her to talk, now Jaal was threatening to have her spill her feelings forth. “God, everyone keeps asking, it’s...starting to get annoying. Yeah, I rushed into the stronghold like crazy–”

Jaal interceded, tone deep and unwavering, unknowingly repeating what Lexi had said, “You’ve been acting differently since the last time we were at the Nexus.”

Sara gave him an incredulous look. No, not incredulity, shock. Shocked that he was just as observant as her physician. He was worried, so worried but she couldn’t put this baggage on him, wouldn’t let him see her be weak...could she? “What? No! I haven’t–Just, stop alright. Lexi’s already all up in arms about it. I’m fine, Jaal, just–”

“Sara, we haven’t actually spoken, not truly since that day. I’m worried–” Jaal insisted, taking a step closer to her, frowning with concern now. True to his word, angara did speak their minds when something was bothering them.

“Just stop, Jaal, stop already!” Sara cut him off roughly and his eyes widened in shock. “How many times do I have to say I’m fine? Stop badgering me! I’m so fuckin’ tired of everyone asking me the same shit!” she regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. Slowly, her face contorted in anger, softened into one of shock and regret, slapping a hand over her mouth and avoiding Jaal’s eyes. It was a mistake to dare herself to look up at him, the hurt in those beautiful electric blue eyes sunk her heart to her stomach, made her sick of herself.

He opened and closed his mouth several times, stammering on how to respond. Pulling his gaze from hers, he turned away. “I...I apologize, Ryder, I’ll...I’m sorry, truly. I’ll leave you be…” his tone was wavering, lips quivering as his eyes threatened to spill tears forth.

Jaal was walking towards her door, when something inside her just broke through, unable to hold back any longer. Having seen the deep hurt in Jaal’s gaze had been the final hit it took to break the dam holding back all the feelings she’d been holding back since Habitat 7’s disaster. The use of her last name instead of her name or nickname had stung more than she thought it would. A sob suddenly wracked through her and Jaal instantly turned, eyes wide in alarm. Quickly he ran back towards her when she shakily fell down to her knees, heaving in desperate breaths as she wept her heart out.

“Ari! Should I–” he gasped out her nickname and dropped to his knees before her, holding her by her upper arms.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m–I’m so sorry, I didn’t–didn’t mean to hurt you!” her shoulders shook as she managed to speak in between her violent sobbing. “I’m not fine! I haven’t...Jaal...I...I…”

“I’m here, Ariadne…Come here.” he pulled her into his arms, a hand soothingly running up and down her back. “Let it out…Don’t talk right now, just let it out…”

“Please don’t leave…! Please...I’m...you’re my friend...please…” she wept, hiccuping in between and buried her face in his shoulder, gripping tightly onto his rofjinn. It was like she feared that if she let him go he would be gone forever. Yet, he was here, he was holding her, comforting her...

“I’m staying, Ariadne,” he reassured her, continuing his soothing motions, bringing a hand up to her head, patting her hair lightly.

For a while she continued crying freely, eventually allowing Jaal to walk her to the couch. There he sat her and continued holding her close, pulling her legs across his lap.

“My dearest, my dear Ariadne, you will be alright,” Jaal spoke against her hair, a hand soothingly rubbing up and down her forearm. After a few moments, he pulled back just slightly to place a finger under her chin, tipping it up to meet her red and puffy eyes, tears streaking down her cheeks. “This pain will pass, and I am here to aid you through this my dearest…” he reassured her, a soft and soothing tone to his deep baritone voice. Softly, he cupped her cheek, thumb softly wiping away tears as they fell.

“Jaal...You’re too...good to me…” she began taking measured breaths, her sobbing more controlled now. Only silent tears continued to fall as she leaned into his touch.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he replied, tone free of judgement despite her earlier outburst.

“I...neglected you these last two weeks…” she sniffed, leaning into his shoulder, a hand idly fixing the collar of his rofjinn. “And...I yelled at you...I shouldn’t have, I’m so sorry...I just...reacted badly, I think my mind was begging me to talk but another part of me was afraid of talking it out...Still, that doesn’t excuse my...actions...I apologize…”

“Apology accepted,” he said, holding her gaze. “But I’m not angry...I knew something was wrong...If you don’t feel like telling me yet, however–

“Jaal...I lied to Julian...I lied to my twin…” she hurriedly admitted just to get it out of the way now that he’d seen her break down. Gulping hard, afraid to be judged for it, she went on, “I told him...told him dad’s alive...and that Habitat 7...was being colonized...Fuck’s sake, I’m the worst sister...God, I thought...Thought it would...be best...to keep him calm...I thought it would aid his recovery but...Jaal, when he wakes up…”

“Oh Ariadne…” he breathed out, understanding written all over his gaze. Now it all made sense to him. Though angara valued honesty, he could see why she lied, even if it was clearly a mistake, one she had to face when her brother awoke. “Ari, he’s your twin...If your brother is anything like you, I’m sure he will understand. Even if it will surely hurt to know the truth...I can also imagine how terrible it must be, knowing something so heart wrenching while being unable to move or wake or...” he sighed, shaking his head at the thought, his heart heavy for Julian. “You couldn’t know how he would have reacted either…”

“That’s...That’s what I thought,” her shoulders shook and she sniffed, trying to keep herself calm. She wiped at her face and rubbed at her nose, breathing through her mouth by how stuffy her nose had gotten. SAM was right; there was an awful reality she had to face still, but she did feel better talking about this. “I still regret it though...I regretted it the moment I said it but...it was too late...The connection was done before I could say anything else.”

“My dearest Ariadne, if I had known sooner…” he let out a swift breath through his nose, softly stroking her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. “From now on, I want you to know I am here for you, anything you need...You can tell me anything you wish to, I will not judge you…Not when you care so much about how you might have hurt your brother.”

Her lower lip quivered while she looked up at him with teary eyes, threatening to keep crying. Wiping at her eyes, she leaned against his shoulder. “Oh Jaal...I’m so foolish, I should have told you sooner…”

“Don’t say that, you are not foolish,” a light rumble reverberated through his chest, lightly chastising her for insulting herself. He grew quiet once more, allowing her the space to talk her mind at her own pace if she so wished it. Jaal seemed simply glad she was once more freely expressing herself again–even if it had involved crying. At least, he thought, she was comfortable enough around him that she expressed such strong emotions before him, and allowed him to comfort her.

Sara let out a shaky breath, suddenly feeling tired from their earlier battle and now having bawled her eyes out. Still, she found herself willing to speak more, feeling like she hadn’t talked–actually talked–with Jaal in ages. Eating, bathing and sleeping could wait for now. “I guess everything just suddenly felt...overwhelming. Too many things have been happening too fast, I...I just don’t think I’ve even processed dad’s death properly...And then there’s the role I’m trying to fill…” she paused, looking down at her hands, fidgeting with the hem Jaal’s rofjinn. “There’s so many things, Jaal...I think...I think lying to Julian just...it was my breaking point so I just...closed off…I wanted to seem strong...For you, for the whole crew...”

“But you were strong before this and you still are,” Jaal reassured her, taking one of her hands in his and giving it a light squeeze, catching her gaze once more. “You have learned from your mistakes and acknowledged when you’ve made them…” A sympathetic smile grazed his lips, adoration in his starry blue eyes. “You are doing great things, Sara Ariadne Ryder, and I admire you for it.”

Sara had looked up at him, feeling her cheeks burn when he took hold of her hand. Her mind tried to reason that it meant nothing, that angara were just very expressive and unafraid of showing those expressions in a physical manner. Still, she found herself endeared by the action and his words, seemingly always knowing what to say. “I am not my dad though…” A sigh parted her lips and she gazed towards the N7 helmet on her desk, a reminder of what she’d lost, a motivation to keep fighting. “I can’t live up to how great he was at...everything…I know things would be flowing much better if he was still here…” she lamented.

“Perhaps,” Jaal pondered quietly, following her gaze before turning his full attention back to her. “But...perhaps not...We have no way of knowing how things would have turned out instead. What I do know it that you have held your ground against people who did not believe you could succeed. And you have succeeded against all odds...I think you are doing a fine job...And I don’t pretend to know your father but...I believe he would be proud of what you have achieved against all odds…”

“Gods…Are you real?” she finally let out a small, nasal laugh, rubbing her nose as she did so. “How did I end up with such a good friend like you, Jaal Ama Darav?”

“I should be asking you the same thing,” he grinned widely, visibly pleased with her small laugh. Rubbing small circles on the back of her hand, he asked in earnest, “How are you feeling?”

“Tired but...better. Relieved I finally just...let that out,” she admitted. Sara then curled into him, wrapping her arms around his thick neck and hugging him in earnest, feeling him return the gesture. “Thank you, Jaal...You’re the best…”

Jaal smiled, pleased with the softness of her hair against his cheek and cowl. “Oh! I nearly forgot,” he pulled away and gently removed her legs from across his lap, coming to a stand. Striding towards the door, he bent down to pick the small package he had been holding earlier. Looking almost bashfully, he walked back over to her and presented it to her. “I made something for you.”

“Jaal, come on,” Sara stared up at him, mouth agape. A pang of guilt pulled at her heart, feeling awful for her earlier outburst when this man had come to visit her bearing a gift for her. “Jaal, I’ve done nothing to deserve it...especially not after these last two weeks...Especially after how I snapped at you earlier...” she pouted, glancing away, rubbing at her upper arms anxiously.

“My dear Sara Ariadne, I knew something was wrong with you, I just...didn’t know how to get you to speak of it. I thought you might appreciate this small gesture, even if you didn’t talk to me about what bothered you,” he said in earnest, sitting next to her and placing the neatly wrapped package in her lap.

Sara couldn’t hold back from smiling warmly at him, she only regretted having been so distant lately with him but she was eternally grateful for his patience with her. Silently she promised herself she would be more forthcoming with him, even if it was something negative bothering her, even if she thought he might judge her...Maybe the angara way of being honest and expressive of their true feelings was truly better, allowing less room for misunderstandings.

Setting her thoughts aside, Sara finally set to opening the package, undoing the bow carefully and unwrapping what was inside. A gasp left her breathless, her face lighting up like it hadn’t in awhile, holding up a beautiful scarf. It was a deep purple color, interspersed with delicate flowery patterns (some from Earth, others she recognized from Aya), and its edge adorned with small tassels. And soft, oh so soft and warm, so much so that she pressed it eagerly to her face, only her excited but puffy eyes staring lovingly at Jaal.

“Jaal! It’s beautiful! I…I love it…” Still sensitive about her emotional breakdown, she almost couldn’t take the beautiful gesture this wonderful man had bestowed upon her. If she didn’t like him before, she was entirely sure she was truly falling for him now. Yet, it didn’t prevent the tears from escaping her eyes once more.

“Ariadne!” Jaal gasped, tone full with worry as he turned towards her, a hand on her back, soothing. “I can change it, I’m sorry, I–”

“They’re happy tears, Jaal…” she was quick to reassure him, laughing lightly and glancing up at him, smiling. “Thank you...Come here you…” she pulled him tight into another hug then.

“Oh...I’m glad then...I’m really glad,” Jaal chuckled, returning her hug and patting her back lightly. On her suggestion, he helped her put on the scarf. Deft hands adjusted it until her neck was completely covered, draping the fabric across her shoulders and framing her oval face beautifully. Warmly he smiled at her. “It suits you.”

Sara blushed at that, pulling the scarf closer to her face. With lighthearted laugh, she said in jest, “Now I’ll whine less when we’re in Voeld.”

They spent the rest of the evening idly talking, almost as if they were catching up after time apart, despite having been on the same ship the whole time. Truly, they were both glad they were on good terms again, with promises made of not being afraid to rely on one another, to be forthcoming and honest, even when things could seem to be set against them. For Sara there were still difficult matters she had to face head on, but for now she truly knew Jaal would be there for her despite all odds, just as she would for him.

#mass effect #jaal ama darav #jaal #ryder #sara ryder #jaal x ryder #rydaal #me:a fanfiction #my writing;#fic: heartlines;#otp: heartlines;

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