#I'm considering an epilogue as well but we'll see

[tonyspank]

CHAPTER FOUR | RECKLESS

Tara Carpenter x G!P Reader x Female OC

Warnings: a lot of violence, some death, zombies, angst, smut, just a field of emotions tbh + this is almost 10k words

A/N: i hope this chapter makes sense i tried to do different points of view but it kinda sounds silly (and i used grammarly to edit this) also! after this is the epilogue

series masterlist | main masterlist | previous chapter | next chapter

You point at a certain mark on the map, triggering Chad to sigh, and shake his head. "Chad, we have to go past here, or we're going to go back home empty-handed. Chad sighs again, his expression filled with frustration. "I know, but what if we keep looking here? We could've missed something."

You clench your jaw, "We've been searching here for the past three weeks, Chad." Chad looks down at the map, contemplating your words. After a moment, Wes speaks up, joining in the conversation. "Maybe it's time to consider exploring other areas. There's a chance that we might find what we're looking for elsewhere."

Chad looks up, contemplating Wes's suggestion, before finally nodding in agreement. "Alright, let's broaden our search and see if we have better luck in a different location." Finally agreeing on another area to search, you all get back into the truck, hoping to find enough to feed your community.

There's been a shortage in the community's inventory. It seems like food is just not as plentiful as it used to be. Despite their best efforts, the current location hasn't yielded enough resources to sustain everyone.

People are getting frustrated due to their hunger, and tensions are starting to rise. It's crucial to find a new location with abundant resources soon, as the community's well-being depends on it.

The thought of returning empty-handed fills you with dread, knowing that it would only fuel the growing unrest among your fellow community members. You silently pray for a stroke of luck and that this new location can provide the nourishment your people desperately seek.

When you arrive, you notice Chad's uneasiness. "You okay?" you ask, concerned. Chad hesitates before answering, "I'm just worried about what we'll find here. We've been disappointed before, and I don't know if we can handle another setback." You understand his fears and reassure him that together, you will face whatever challenges lie ahead.

You grip your pistol tighter, ready to defend yourself and your group if necessary. Chad hops out of the car, with you and Wes following behind him. "Walker to our left," you announce, keeping your voice low.

Wes nods at you, silently jogging over to kill the flesh-eating creature before it becomes a threat. Chad scans the area, his eyes darting between the abandoned buildings and overgrown vegetation, searching for any other signs of danger.

You take a deep breath, the weight of the situation settling in as you prepare for the unknown lurking in the shadows. The tension in the air is obvious, but you trust in your group's abilities to navigate this risky panorama.

"Let's check out that building ahead." You suggest, pointing towards the best-looking structure that appears to be relatively intact. Chad nods in agreement, and together you cautiously make your way toward it, keeping a watchful eye for any potential dangers that may arise along the way.

You reach for your flashlight, illuminating the room with a beam of light that reveals the remnants of a once vibrant space. Dust-covered furniture and torn wallpaper hint at the life that once thrived here, but now only silence and emptiness remain. Chad scans the room, his eyes darting from corner to corner, searching for any signs of danger.

A sudden creaking noise echoes through the stillness, causing your hearts to skip a beat. Chad instinctively grabs your arm, his grip tightening as you both freeze in anticipation. Slowly, you turn towards the source of the sound, ready to face whatever awaits you in this mysterious place.

You relax, it was only a walker. Its decaying body lurches towards you, its hollow eyes staring blankly ahead. Chad raises his knife, ready to defend both of you from the threat. With ease, he kills it, sending it collapsing to the ground.

"Guys," you both turn your heads to Wes, who stares at a map nailed to the wall. "Look at this," Wes says, pointing to a marked location on the map. "It's marked food." You and Chad approach Wes, inspecting the map closely. "Yeah, but what if it's a trap?" Chad says, eyeing the map suspiciously.

"We can't afford to take any chances," you respond, considering the possibility. "But if it's true, finding a source of food could be a game-changer for us." Wes nods at your words.

"I agree," Wes says, his voice filled with hope. "We've been scavenging for weeks, and our supplies are running dangerously low. Plus, if it were a trap, whose would it be? It's a dead zone out here." Chad's skepticism wavers slightly as he contemplates the potential benefits.

He looks at the map again, tracing his finger over the marked location. "If there's even a small chance that we could find a reliable source of food, it might be worth the risk," Chad admits reluctantly.

You can see the weariness in his eyes, the exhaustion from weeks of uncertainty and constant danger. But there's also a glimmer of hope, a flicker of desperation that makes him willing to entertain the possibility.

"Okay, fine. But in and out, we'll park the car outside the warehouse, load it up, and then leave." Chad's voice trembles slightly as he lays out the plan, his determination masking his underlying fear.

He knows that every decision they make now carries immense consequences, and the thought of being caught in a vulnerable position gnaws at him. However, the prospect of securing a stable food supply for the community pushes him to take this calculated risk.

"Alright." You smile and say, "Let's do this." Wes smiles, checking to see if his AR is fully loaded and ready to go. Chad can't help but smile as well, holding up his hand. "High five!"

You playfully roll your eyes before meeting Wes and Chad in a three-way high five.

"In and out," Chad repeats, you nod, kicking in the warehouse door. The door swings open, and the three of you step inside, ready to execute the plan with precision and efficiency. The dimly lit warehouse stretches out before you, filled with crates and shelves that hold the promise of a stable food supply for your community.

As you make your way deeper into the warehouse, the musty smell of old cardboard fills the air. Dust particles dance in the beams of sunlight that filter through the small windows. The silence is broken only by the occasional creaking of the floorboards beneath your feet.

The three of you move in sync, navigating through the maze of crates and shelves with practiced ease. Each step brings you closer to your goal, the anticipation building with every passing moment. The success of this mission could mean the difference between survival and starvation for your community.

As you reach the end of the dimly lit storage room, you spot the crate you've been searching for. With bated breath, you carefully pry it open to reveal its precious contents - a stash of much-needed food supplies.

Relief washes over you as you realize that your community will have enough to eat for the foreseeable future. "Fuck yeah," Wes mumbles, sending you a smile.

You return Wes's smile, knowing that this small victory will provide hope and nourishment for everyone. Wes quickly picks up the container, and loading it into the truck. You pick up your own container, with Chad doing the same before heading towards the truck as well.

Chad shuts the truck, "Let's go." You shake your head, "We have like two more containers." Chad raises an eyebrow, his expression turning serious. "Are you sure? We've already loaded a lot."

You nod confidently, pointing towards the remaining containers. "I'll--" You're interrupted by the sound of gunshots, echoing through the air. Wes jumps in the car, panic evident on his face. "We need to go, now!" he shouts.

Chad quickly jumps into the driver's seat, trying to start the engine as you scramble to get inside. The urgency in Wes's voice sends a shiver down your spine as you realize the situation has taken a dangerous turn.

"Fuck! The car isn't starting!" You frantically glance around, searching for an alternative escape route. Gunshots ring out again, hitting your car. You duck down instinctively, feeling the bullets whiz past you.

"Oh, shit." The car's engine finally roars, and Chad slams his foot on the gas pedal, propelling the car forward with a screech.

"Watch out!" You shout at Chad, a figure in black stands in the middle of the road, a shotgun in their hand. Adrenaline courses through your veins as you brace yourself for impact, but Chad skillfully swerves to avoid the figure. The car narrowly misses them, and you both let out a sigh of relief as you speed away, leaving the dangerous turn behind.

"Who the hell was that?" Wes asks from the back seat, leaning up to look between you and Chad. You exchange a puzzled glance with Chad before responding, "I'm not sure, but whoever they were, they definitely meant trouble. We should report this to Gale and Dewey."

"No!" Chad yells, his voice filled with urgency. "We can't tell them we went past the safe zone." Chad's eyes widen with fear as he continues, "If they find out, we'll be in serious trouble."

You and Wes exchange worried looks, realizing the seriousness of Chad's words. The consequences of venturing beyond the safe zone without authorization could be severe, but you also understand the importance of reporting the encounter to Gale and Dewey for everyone's safety.

Like every other mission, you're greeted by the police force, who loads everything back up, including Gale, Iris, and Tara. "I'll tell her," Chad says, walking past you and to Gale. You watch as Chad approaches Gale, his look serious.

Tara runs to you, bringing you into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," she whispers, her voice filled with relief. You hug her back, smiling. "Like every time. I told you, I'm not going anywhere."

Tara pulls away from the hug slightly, grinning up at you. "I know, but I still worry," she says, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You mean a lot to me." You feel comfort in your heart as Tara's words sink in. "You mean a lot to me too, Tara," you reply wholeheartedly.

Her smile expands before she brings you into a long kiss. The kiss is filled with love and reassurance, a silent promise that you'll always be there for each other. She pulls away, her eyes shining with happiness.

You don't notice Iris watching the whole scene from across the room, jealousy and longing evident in her eyes. She quickly turns away, pretending not to have seen anything, but you can't help but wonder what she's thinking.

"I have to talk to Gale." You tell Tara, and Tara holds your hand, shaking your hand. "Chad has all that handled, relax, babe. You don't need to worry about anything," Tara assures you, her voice soothing and comforting.

You take a deep breath, trying to trust in Chad's abilities and let go of your concerns. Tara walks you home, staying by your side as you navigate through the empty streets. "You wanna come in? I can tell you have something on your mind." You ask Tara, opening your front door.

Tara hesitates for a moment before nodding, grateful for the offer. "Sure," she says, stepping inside your home. "I'll shower, and I'll be right back." You tell Tara, who sits on the couch, making herself comfortable. When you return from the shower, you find Tara engrossed in a book she found on your coffee table. The sight warms your heart, knowing that she feels at ease in your home.

You join her on the couch and ask, "So, what's on your mind?" She closes the book and looks at you, a hint of vulnerability flashes in her eyes. "I've been thinking a lot about me and you," she confesses. "I...want you to be my girlfriend."

Your heart skips a beat as you process Tara's words, and you can't help but smile. "I've been thinking about us too," you reply, gently taking her hand in yours. "And I would love nothing more than to be your girlfriend."

Tara smiles, moves to sit closer to you, and rests her head on your shoulder. "I'm so glad you feel the same way," she whispers softly. "I've never felt this way about anyone before." You wrap your arm around her and say, "Me either."

"Now we can both relax, huh?" Tara says, letting out a relieved sigh. "No more uncertainty or wondering where we stand." You nod in agreement, "I could make you relax even more if you'd like."

Tara raises an eyebrow, "I just poured my heart out to you, and you wanna get dirty?" You chuckle and shake your head, "No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that I'll always be here for you, to support and comfort you whenever you need it."

Tara blushes slightly and smiles, "Oh...but I wasn't opposed to the other idea either."

Your eyes widen, surprised by Tara's response. You laugh nervously, unsure of how to respond. "Well, uh...we can definitely explore that idea too if you're open to it," you say, fiddling with the end of the couch. Tara's smile widens, and she leans in closer. "I think I am," she whispers, her voice filled with anticipation.

You lean in closer as well, connecting your lips. The kiss is soft and gentle, igniting a spark between the two of you. Tara smiles against your lips, her hands finding their way to your face.

You deepen the kiss, moving Tara to straddle you. Tara pulls away, panting slightly. "Do you wanna take this to the bedroom?" she asks, her eyes filled with desire.

You nod, scooping up your girlfriend in your arms. Carrying her effortlessly, you make your way toward the bedroom, feeling the electricity between you intensify with every step. Tara's breath quickens as you lay her down gently on the bed, trailing kisses along her neck and collarbone.

Her body arches in response, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Y/N..." she gasps.

You pause, looking into Tara's eyes, seeing the hunger and longing mirrored in them. "Yes, Tara?" you whisper, your voice filled with anticipation. Her fingers tangle in your hair, pulling you closer. "I want you," she breathes, her voice laced with need.

You can feel your heart racing as her words echo in your ears. Without a word, you crash your lips against hers, your tongue eagerly exploring the depths of her mouth. The taste of her lips and the urgency in her kiss consume you.

Her hands leave your hair, dragging from your chest to the end of your shirt before sliding underneath, her touch sending goosebumps rippling across your skin. "Take it off," she mumbles against your lips.

You oblige, quickly removing your shirt and tossing it aside. Her hand trails down your bare torso, tracing the contours of your muscles, igniting a fiery desire within you. You then reach for the hem of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head, revealing her smooth skin and the curve of her waist.

You press a kiss on her stomach, feeling her muscles tense under your lips. Her breath hitches, "Fuck, Y/N, just fuck me." The intensity of her words sends a shiver down your spine, fueling your desire even further. You kiss her hungrily, and your hands wander to the button of her pants, eagerly undoing it.

Tara reaches for your hands, intertwining her fingers with yours, as she guides them to the clasp of her bra. With practiced ease, you unhook the clasp, freeing her breasts from their confinement. They spill out, full and inviting, and you can't help but lean in to capture one of her nipples in your mouth, teasing it with your tongue.

Tara's moan fills the room, sending a jolt of electricity through your body. Her hands move to your hair, pulling you closer as she arches her back in pleasure. "Baby, please. I want you inside me."

You let go of her nipple, savoring the taste on your lips and meet her gaze filled with lust. With a knowing smile, you whisper in her ear, "Patience, my love. I wanna take my time with you."

Your hands eagerly explore her body, tracing the curves that have captivated you for so long. You marvel at how smooth her skin feels under your fingertips, the way her muscles tense and relax as you caress her. Her soft moans of anticipation only fuel your desire, as you continue to worship every inch of her with your touch.

Your finger lifts the hem of her underwear, revealing a glimpse of the hidden treasures that lie beneath. With a teasing smile, you slowly slide her underwear down her legs, exposing her to your hungry gaze.

The sight before you takes your breath away—her delicate folds glistening with arousal, begging to be explored. You lean in, your warm breath grazing her skin, as you whisper, "Are you ready for me, my love?"

She responds with a soft whimper, her body trembling in anticipation. With a gentle nod, she whispers back, "Yes, please...fuck."

Without hesitancy, you position yourself between her parted thighs, ready to fulfill her deepest desires. Your hands, now guided by a primal instinct, caress her soft skin, tracing the contours of her body, heightening her senses.

The room fills with the intoxicating scent of her arousal, as you lean in closer, feeling the heat radiating from her core.

You can hear her breath hitch as you brush your lips against hers, teasingly. A soft moan escapes her parted lips, her need for you growing with every passing moment. Your tongue gently teases her, licking against her clit. Her body arches in response, aching for more of your touch.

"Shit!" You hear her whisper, her hands gripping the sheets, craving the release that only you can provide. You continue to explore her, your fingers sliding inside her wetness, matching the rhythm of your tongue. Her hips buck against your hand, desperate for deeper penetration.

She gasps, her eyes locking with yours, silently begging for the connection to intensify. You oblige, increasing the pressure and speed of your movements, driving her closer to the edge of ecstasy.

Her breath hitches as you skillfully curl your fingers inside her, hitting just the right spot. The intensity of her pleasure builds, and she gasps for air, her eyes locked with yours, silently begging for that final release. "I...I'm so close, Y/N..."

You can feel her body tense, her muscles quivering with anticipation. As she reaches the peak of her pleasure, her body convulses in ecstasy, a guttural moan escaping her lips. "Yes, yes, fuck!"

Your hand never falters, continuing its rhythmic motion, prolonging her orgasm, and ensuring her ultimate satisfaction. Finally, her body relaxes, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she catches her breath, a grateful smile spreading across her face.

You smile back at her and say, "You still think elevator horror beats Jason?" She playfully rolls her eyes, "Shut the hell up." Before you could make another comment, she brings you into a heated kiss, her lips eagerly meeting yours.

"Lay down, baby." You hear her whisper in a seductive tone, and you comply, not wasting a second. Tara's hands fly to your pants, pulling them down along with your boxers with urgency.

Your hard-on immediately springs free, throbbing with anticipation. Tara's touch sends shivers down your spine as she takes you in her hand, her grip firm and confident. "Mmm, fuck."

You moan in pleasure, unable to contain the intense sensation that courses through your body. Tara's lips trail down your neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses, as her hand continues to stroke you with expert precision. The room fills with the sound of your heavy breathing, mixing with the soft moans escaping your lips.

You whine when Tara pulls away, leaving you craving more of her touch. She locks eyes with you, a cheeky smile playing on her lips. She lowers herself on your cock, taking you deep inside her with a satisfied sigh. "Shit, Tara. You're so tight."

Tara's hips begin to move in a rhythmic motion, matching the intensity of your breathless moans. Your hand grips her waist, guiding her movements as you both find a steady rhythm. Tara moans, closing her eyes in blissful surrender to the pleasure coursing through her body.

You wrap a hand around her throat, forcing her to look up at you. Her eyes widen in astonishment and excitement as you assert your dominance.

The added pressure intensifies the pleasure for both of you, heightening the connection between your bodies. Tara's moans grow louder, fueling your desire to take her to new heights of ecstasy.

"Look at me, love." You command, your voice laced with desire and authority. Tara's eyes lock with yours, a mix of vulnerability and passion shining through. "Y/N..." she whispers, her voice dripping with adoration. "I'm all yours," she breathes, surrendering herself completely to your dominance.

You can feel the trust she has in you, as her body responds eagerly to your every touch and command. You place your feet flat on the bed, meeting her hips with a powerful thrust, causing her to gasp and arch her back in pleasure. "Ahh, fuck, yes...!"

You lose yourself in the rhythm of your bodies colliding. The sounds of skin slapping against skin mixed with heavy breathing makes the moment feel incredibly intense and raw. Tara's eyes roll back in her head as she moans uncontrollably, her nails digging into your chest.

"I'm so close, baby." She whines, biting down on her lower lip. You nod, feeling yourself getting closer as well, the pleasure building to an almost unbearable level. "Cum with me, love."

You whisper, tangled in the ecstasy of the moment, urging each other on, desperate to reach the peak together. Your thumb begins teasing her sensitive spot, eliciting a sharp gasp from Tara. As her grip tightens on your chest, her breathing becomes more erratic.

The room fills with the sounds of your mutual pleasure, each moan and gasp pushing you both closer to the edge.

The intensity of the moment builds and builds, until finally, with one final thrust, you both shatter into a blissful release. The world around you fades away as you cling to each other, basking in the aftershocks of your intense connection.

As the waves of pleasure subside, Tara's body relaxes against yours, her breath slowly returning to a steady rhythm. You run your fingers through her hair, savoring the intimate closeness and the lingering warmth between you.

In the silence that follows, you exchange a knowing smile, an unspoken acknowledgment of the deep bond you share. Tara raises her head from your chest, pressing a kiss on your nose. You chuckle, hugging her tighter until she falls asleep.

You barge into Gale's living room, surprising her and Sidney. Gale and Sidney jump up from the couch, startled by your sudden entrance. You apologize for the intrusion, explaining that you have urgent news to share. "We were shot at...during the mission earlier."

Sidney's jaw drops, and Gale's eyes widen in shock. They exchange a worried glance before Gale asks, "Are you both okay? What happened?"

You take a deep breath and recount the harrowing details of the ambush, Gale's eyes widen even more as she listens intently. Sidney's face grows pale, her hands trembling slightly.

The room falls silent as you finish describing the close call and the narrow escape. Both Gale and Sidney are visibly shaken, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Gale...you should tell her," Sidney says, her voice barely above a whisper. Gale looks at Sidney, hesitation evident in her eyes. "Tell me what?"

Gale takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze shifting between you and Sidney. Finally, she musters the courage to speak. "There's something you need to know about that ambush," Gale begins, her voice filled with apprehension.

TWO WEEKS LATER

"It's been two weeks, and they haven't attacked us," Dewey says, his tone laced with concern. "I think they might be planning something bigger, something more dangerous." Gale nods in agreement, her expression growing more serious.

"The best thing we can do is just continue fortifying the walls and staying stacked on ammunition."

Sidney leans in, her eyes narrowing with worry. "But what happens when they get through the walls? Everyone here isn't fit to fight." Officer Bailey and a lot of the other officers nod in agreement at Sidney's words.

"Everyone who can't fight should exit the community as safely and quietly as possible without being undetected. While the ones who can fight, fight. We fight until we can't defend this place." You say, your voice firm and determined.

"We'll need to come up with a plan to prioritize the safety of those who can't fight, ensuring they have a clear escape route and any necessary resources."

Chad nods, speaking up. "Y/N's right. But the thing is, we don't know how many of them there are." Chad's concern is valid, as we lack information about the strength and number of our enemies.

"We also don't know what weapons they have. What if they show up with just knives?" Sam adds, uncrossing her arms. You, Chad, Dewey, Gale, Sidney, Officer Bailey, Officer Kirby, and Officer Hicks all glance at each other, knowing that facing enemies armed with knives would still pose a significant threat.

Officer Bailey breaks the silence, suggesting, "We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. We don't want to run into a death trap by underestimating the enemy." Nodding in agreement, you all begin discussing the best course of action, understanding the importance of being well-prepared for any possible outcome.

Mindy, Anika, and Heather's heads turn to the door, which opened with a creak. Someone walks through Heather's bedroom door in a Ghostface costume. Mindy laughs, raising her head from Anika's chest. Heather smiles and says, Amber, babe, where did you find that?"

The Ghostface just stands there, silently staring at the three friends. Mindy's laughter fades as a sense of unease settles in the room. Anika cautiously asks, "Amber, is that you?"

The Ghostface remains motionless, causing a shiver to run down their spines. Suddenly, the masked figure lunges forward, making them all scream in terror. Mindy and Anika jump from the bed, along with Heather, who grabs her lamp and throws it at Ghostface's head.

The lamp shatters on impact, momentarily stunning the masked figure. They take advantage of the distraction to scramble towards the door, desperately trying to escape their attacker's reach.

Ghostface trips Anika before she can reach the door, causing her to fall to the ground. Mindy and Heather turn back, their hearts pounding in fear, as they realize they can't leave Anika behind. "Anika!" Mindy shouts for her girlfriend, running to rescue her but only earning a slice in her arm.

Heather looks around the hall, not finding a weapon to use, instead, she runs into the next room to search. Anika grabs Ghostface's cloak, trying to pull them down and away from Mindy. Anika's desperate attempt to save Mindy only angers Ghostface further, who retaliates by wrapping a hand around her neck and stabbing her in the stomach.

Anika screams in pain as Ghostface twists the knife in her stomach. Heather, hearing Anika's screams, rushes back into the room with a fire extinguisher in hand. With adrenaline coursing through her veins, she swings the heavy object at Ghostface, hitting them square in the head.

The impact momentarily stuns Ghostface, giving Heather enough time to grab Anika and Mindy and pull them to safety.

Heather shuts the door to Iris's room, her heart dropping as she notices her dead body in the bed. She fights back tears, realizing that Iris has become Ghostface's latest victim. "No...no..." she mumbles, walking over to the bed to check for any signs of life.

As Heather searches for a pulse, her trembling hands find none, confirming Iris's tragic fate. "Not my sister, no..." she cries, clutching her chest in disbelief. Memories of their childhood flood her mind, making the loss even more unbearable.

"Heather! The door!" Mindy yells, snapping Heather out of her grief-stricken daze. Startled, Heather turns towards the door and sees it wide open, realizing that Ghostface may still be lurking nearby. Fear grips her as she realizes she must now not only mourn her sister's death but also fight for her own survival.

Heather quickly shuts the door, pushing her dresser against it. She jumps when Ghostface begins kicking on it, desperately trying to break through. The sound of each thud sends shivers down her spine, but Heather refuses to let fear paralyze her.

She scans the room for any means of defense, her mind racing with thoughts of how to outsmart the masked intruder and protect herself from a similar fate as her sister.

She runs to her window, seeing someone walking down the street. Quickly opening it, she begins shouting his name. "Wes! Wes!" Desperation fills her voice as she hopes that Wes will hear her cries for help.

Thankfully, Wes turns his head, confused. Heather waves frantically, catching Wes's attention. She stops waving her hands, her heart dropping, when she notices another Ghostface behind Wes. "WES! BEHIND YOU!"

Heather's heart races as she watches in horror, realizing that Wes is in immediate danger. Panic sets in as she desperately tries to warn him of the masked intruder lurking behind him.

But Wes, unaware of the danger, continues to walk toward Heather, his eyes still fixed on her. Heather's voice trembles as she screams, "Wes, please, turn around!" Wes takes another step closer, completely oblivious to the imminent threat.

She lets out a sob as Wes's body falls to the ground, a scream escaping her lips. The masked killer stands over him before snapping their head at Heather.

Everyone jumps at the sound of a crash. You quickly look at Gale, who looks at Dewey. "It's them." Without wasting a moment, everyone springs to action, ready to fight off the attack on their community.

Everyone moves in flow as they execute the plan, each person knowing their role and working seamlessly together. You and Chad run to the armory, your hearts dropping when the guns are gone. Ethan runs into the armory and says, " We've been raided. They took all the weapons."

"Fuck!" You shout, quickly leaving the armory and pulling out your knife. "Chad, go make sure the perimeter is secure and warn the others. We'll have to rely on our hand-to-hand combat skills for now." Chad nods and sprints off, while you and Ethan run in the direction the crash came from.

"Do you...do you think Tara and Quinn are okay?" Ethan asks, in worry for your girlfriend and for his sister. You glance at Ethan, concern evident in your eyes. "I don't know, I know they can handle themselves." With determination, you both pick up your pace, catching up with Sidney, Gale, and Dewey.

They're on the lookout post, staring down at people that stand outside the gate. You quickly climb up the post, standing beside Sidney. You look down, seeing two men in black cloaks, with Ghostface masks in their hands. "Suprise, Sidney!" One of them shouts, a jolly smile on his lips.

Sidney shakes her head, her eyes never leaving the sight in front of her. "What's the matter, Sidney? You look like you seen a ghost." The other says, a smirk playing on his lips. Sidney's heart races as she recognizes the familiar taunting voice.

Another Ghostface appears, exiting the truck that tries to ram through your walls. He takes off his mask, earning a mumble from Sidney. "Mickey..."

Mickey smirks, "Surprise again, Sidney. Scared, aren't you?" Sidney clenches her fists, her voice filled with determination. "I'm not scared of you, Mickey. I've faced worse." Mickey's smirk increases, "Well, can you face all of us...including this truck full of walkers?"

Sidney's eyes widen as she glances at the truck, realizing the magnitude of the threat. She takes a deep breath, her resolve unwavering. "Bring it on, Mickey. I'll take on whatever you throw at me."

You walk over to Dewey and Gale, "Someone stole all of our guns. There has to be more of them inside." Dewey's eyes widen in disbelief, while Gale's expression turns grim. "We can't face them without any weapons," Dewey mutters, his voice filled with concern.

Gale nods in agreement, her gaze fixed on the truck full of walkers. "We need to find a way to arm ourselves before it's too late," she says.

You and Dewey climb down the lookout post, "Ah, Dewey! Where ya going? The party's getting started!" Stu shouts, leaning against the truck with a mischievous grin. Dewey ignores the man, turning to you.

"We need to find a place where we can scavenge for weapons," Dewey says, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of potential armaments. You nod in agreement, knowing that time is of the essence if you want to stand a chance against the approaching horde.

Chad runs behind his home, searching for his hidden gun box. "Fuck!" He shouts, realizing that it's been emptied.

"Sidney...Jill's on her way." Billy says, using his knife to scratch his head. "She's bringing another truck of walkers. You and your friends will not survive this." Gale shakes her head, "Neither will you fuckers."

Gale's defiance is met with a grim smile from Billy. "We'll see about that," he mutters, resoluteness flashing in his eyes.

Heather's heartbeat slows when the kicking stops/. "We have to get...Anika to the doctor." Mindy mutters, her voice filled with urgency. "She's lost a lot of blood." Anika groans, "Can you please say something more positive?"

Heather looks at Anika with concern, her voice trembling slightly. "We'll find a way to get you the help you need, Anika. Hang in there." Heather starts to search Iris's drawers, looking for a weapon in case Ghostface is still lurking nearby. She grabs a gun, checking to make sure it's loaded and ready for use.

Heather moves the dresser before quickly opening the door to the hallway, scanning for any signs of danger. She sees no immediate threats and motions for Anika to follow her. "Come on, let's get out of here and find help," she says, her voice filled with persistence.

Anika nods weakly, mustering all her strength to stand up and follow Heather to safety, Mindy helps her, and the both of them follow Heather.

As they make their way down the hallway, Heather keeps a watchful eye on their surroundings, her grip on the gun tightening. Mindy whispers words of encouragement to Anika, urging her to keep moving despite her weakened state.

With each step, they can feel the weight of their fear slowly lifting as they inch closer to the possibility of safety.

Heather nearly shoots as Chad bursts through the door, but quickly realizes it's him and lowers her weapon. Chad, out of breath and covered in dirt, explains that he managed to escape from the attackers and has been searching for them.

"Where the fuck is Y/N?" Heather shouts, "Iris is dead! She's dead, Chad!" Chad's face turns pale as he absorbs Heather's words, his heart sinking with grief. "I... I don't know," he stammers, his voice trembling. "We got separated during the chaos. We have to keep moving, Heather."

"SAM!" Richie calls out, walking further into Sam and Tara's house. He scans the rooms, his voice echoing through the empty hallways. Worried, Richie's mind races with thoughts of what could have happened to Sam. "Tara? Are you here?" he calls out, hoping for a response that would ease his growing concern.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Sam asks as he emerges from a nearby room, his face etched with confusion and surprise. Richie's relief washes over him as he realizes that Sam is safe. "I came looking for you," Richie explains, his voice filled with genuine concern. "We need to stick together; we're under attack."

Sam's confusion turns to alarm as he takes in Richie's words. "Under attack? By who?" he asks, his voice tinged with fear. Richie takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself before responding. "These group of people in Ghostface costumes."

"Where's my sister? Have you seen Tara?" Richie shakes his head, his worry evident in his eyes. "I haven't seen her," he admits. "But we need to find her and get to safety before it's too late." Sam nods, running to the door, but Richie stops her.

"I'm really glad you're safe, Sam..." Richie says, his voice filled with relief. Sam gives him a small smile, grateful for his concern. He walks closer, a small smile on his lips. "Because I really...really wanted to be the one to kill you." Before Sam can react, Richie stabs her, leaving her shocked and gasping for breath.

"Here. Take this." You say, handing Danny, Ethan, Quinn, Liv, and Frankie a handmade weapon. "Liv, I want you to get everyone who can't fight out of the community as fast as possible, you too, Quinn. Lead them to a safe place." Ethan and Quinn nod, before quickly leaving.

"Ethan, go check on Sidney and Gale, make sure the walkers aren't in the walls yet." Ethan nods and rushes off to check on Sidney and Gale, ensuring the safety of the community from the approaching walkers. "Danny and Frankie, you come with me, we're going to see if everyone else is okay."

"We should split up." Danny says, "It will be faster and more efficient if we divide and cover more ground," Frankie adds. You shake your head, Frankie, you're staying with me, I don't want you running off on anyone who needs help." Frankie looks disappointed but nods in agreement. "Alright, I'll stick with you," he says reluctantly.

Danny sends a nod to you before leaving in the opposite direction.

Heather raises her gun as someone else enters the door, but she lowers it when she sees it's her girlfriend and Tara. "Amber," Heather chokes out a sob, "They killed Iris." Amber rushes over to Heather, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Heather," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "We'll find those responsible and make them pay for what they've done."

"Oh my god...Anika, Mindy, are you guys okay?" Tara asks, looking at the two of them with concern. "We need to get them to the infirmary now," Chad says, glancing at everyone.

"How long have you been here?" Amber asks Chad. "Why haven't you taken them to the infirmary?" Chad takes a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "I just arrived moments ago, Amber. I swear."

Amber's eyes widen in disbelief. "Moments ago? But how did you know to come here?" she asks, her voice filled with suspicion. Chad hesitates for a moment before answering, "I just wanted to see if Iris was here."

Amber narrows her eyes, still skeptical. "So you just happened to show up right when they needed medical attention?" she questions, her tone accusatory. Chad's face flushes with guilt as he stammers, "I... I didn't know they were hurt."

"Stop accusing him and take them to Dr. Oath!" Tara shouts, wrapping Mindy around her arms protectively. Chad looks relieved at Tara's intervention, grateful for the support. "I promise, I had no idea they were hurt," he repeats, his voice sincere. Amber rolls her eyes, helping Chad carry Anika, following Tara and Mindy.

They safely arrive at the infirmary. "We should go look for others," Tara says, earning nods from Chad and Mindy. They split up to search for the others, each hoping to find them unharmed.

Chad runs behind the houses of the community, calling out for anyone who may be hiding or injured. He scans the area, his heart pounding with worry as he realizes how vast the search could be. Chad stands there, taking a breather.

Not knowing that Ghostface is right behind him. Chad's moment of respite is interrupted as he feels a chilling presence behind him. He turns around, only to come face-to-face with Ghostface, his heart sinking in fear. Ghostface stabs Chad in the leg before he punches them and shoves them out of his way.

He tries to run, but the pain in his leg becomes unbearable, causing him to stumble and slow down. Chad's adrenaline kicks in as he pushes through the pain, desperately trying to escape Ghostface's clutches. With every step, his fear intensifies, knowing that his life is hanging by a thread.

After a bit of hopping, he hides behind a house, catching his breath again, then attempting to escape. He makes it a few meters before Ghostface repeatedly stabs him in the back, leaving Chad gasping for air and collapsing to the ground.

"Richie..." Sam whispers. He shushes her before pulling his knife out of her stomach. Blood gushes from the wound as Sam's eyes widen in shock and pain. "I can't believe we were able to get away with it." Sam's body trembles as she struggles to speak, her voice barely a whisper. "What...?"

Richie smiles at her confusion. "I mean, you recruited Amber and I, Sam! You let the killers into your walls!" Sam's face contorts in disbelief and horror, her breaths becoming shallow and labored.

The realization dawns on her as she weakly reaches out towards Richie, her voice trembling with betrayal, "How could you...?"

"How could I not? You all are so fucking stupid! Every week, I'd steal food from the inventory and supply my group with it. I had to do whatever it took to ensure our survival. And when they told us were going to get back at this place for coming onto our land...I was so happy."

Richie's voice drips with contempt as he reveals his true intentions, his eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. "You think I actually cared about any of you? This was never about survival, it was about power and revenge. And now, you all will pay for what you've done."

"Think again, bitch." Danny says, tackling Richie. As Danny lunges at Richie, their bodies collide with a force that echoes through the room. Richie kicks Danny off of him, groaning from the pain in his side.

Sam reaches for Richie's fallen knife, and with a swift motion, she straddles him, stabbing him multiple times in his chest. The room falls silent as Sam's relentless assault comes to an end. Gasping for breath, Richie's eyes widen in disbelief, his body growing limp under Sam's weight.

"What about...my ending?" Richie gasps, coughing up blood. Sam lifts Richie's head, leaning in closer. "Here it comes," she whispers before dragging the knife across Richie's throat, ending his life with a final, gruesome act.

"We're almost there, break down the wall," Roman says over the walkie-talkie. Billy glances at Stu, who grins at the news, "Ya here that Sid? We're coming in, and we're bringing company!" Sid's heart races as she hears Roman's voice on the walkie-talkie.

She knows that her time is running out, and the arrival of Roman and his companions only adds to her desperation. She quickly scans the area for any possible escape routes, hoping to find a way out before they break down the wall.

"Remember what Y/N said, Sidney. We're going to fight these assholes until we can't." Gale says, determinedly. Sid nods, her eyes filled with determination as she prepares herself for the impending confrontation. She knows that they may be outnumbered, but they won't go down without a fight.

Dewey climbs back up the lookout post, "All the officers are helping Liv and Quinn escort everyone safely. I don't know where...everyone else is. But, I do know they're fighters." Dewey's voice trembles with fear and hope. He scans the area, searching for any sign of their allies. Deep down, he believes that together they can overcome any obstacle.

"Break it down, Mickey." Billy commands, Mickey honks the horn, causing Stu and Billy to step back from the truck, watching as it crashes through the barricade.

The sound of shattering wood and metal echoes through the air, sending a surge of adrenaline through their veins. They exchange determined glances, knowing that this is just the beginning of their attack.

"Uh, oh! Here we come, Sidney." Mickey yells out, his lead leaning from the window. "C'mon! Let's go!" Dewey tells Gale and Sidney, climbing down the lookout post.

Mickey backs up the truck, revving the engine as he prepares to charge forward once again. Stu and Billy brace themselves, ready to join Mickey in the next wave of their assault.

The truck crashes into a nearby tree, causing the branches to snap and the leaves to scatter. Mickey hops out of the truck with a bloody forehead before opening the back of it, releasing all of the walkers.

The walkers stumble out of the truck, groaning and reaching out with their decaying hands. Mickey leads a walker out of the gates, holding it at arm's length to keep it from biting him.

Stu and Billy quickly follow suit, each grabbing a walker and maneuvering it toward the gate. The trio works seamlessly together, using their weapons to fend off any walkers that get too close, determined to kill Gale, Sidney, and Dewey.

"Y/N!" Tara shouts, and you turn your head, "Tara!" You call out in relief, recognizing Tara's voice. She rushes towards you, her eyes wide with fear and determination. "We need to get out of here," she says urgently, grabbing your arm and pulling you toward the nearest exit.

You nod in agreement, gripping Tara's arm tightly as you both sprint towards the exit. The chaos around you intensifies as more walkers pour in from all directions. Adrenaline flows through your veins as you dodge and weave through the crowds of undead, destined to make it out alive.

"There! The car!" Tara points ahead, her voice drowned out by the growls of the walkers. You spot the car, its engine running, and a surge of hope fills you both as you push through the final wave of undead, reaching the car.

You quickly jump into the car, glancing at Tara as she slams the door shut behind her, "Drive!" You slam your foot on the gas pedal, feeling the car lurch forward as you desperately try to escape the horde of walkers closing in. You let out a breath, relieved that you had made it into the car and away from immediate danger.

"Do you think anyone else made it?" Tara's eyes dart to the rearview mirror, scanning the chaos behind you. "I don't know," she replies, "But we have to keep moving and hope for the best."

"What the fuck...?" You mutter, frozen in fear, as a truck, at full speed, approaches straight for your vehicle. Your grip tightens on the steering wheel as you frantically search for an escape route. "Hold on!" you shout, slamming your foot on the gas pedal, trying to evade the oncoming collision.

Tara's knuckles turn white as she clutches onto the passenger seat, bracing herself for impact. The truck crashes into your car, sending shards of glass flying and causing the airbags to deploy with a loud bang. The impact jolts you both forward, and for a moment, everything goes black.

"Gale...you should tell her," Sidney says, her voice barely above a whisper. Gale looks at Sidney, hesitation evident in her eyes. "Tell me what?"

Gale takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze shifting between you and Sidney. Finally, she musters the courage to speak. "There's something you need to know about that ambush," Gale begins, her voice filled with apprehension.

"The people that shot at you used to be in our group...before this." Your eyes widen in shock as she processes Gale's words. Gale continues, her voice trembling slightly, "They killed people, Y/N! And when we kicked them out of our group, they swore revenge. They've been tracking us ever since, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

"My brother and cousin are in that group." Sidney says, "They were once good people, but something changed in them. It's heartbreaking to see how far they've fallen."

Sidney takes a deep breath, her eyes glistening with tears. "I never thought it would come to this, but we have to protect ourselves now. We can't let them harm us or anyone else."

The once tight-knit group had been torn apart by betrayal, and now, the threat of impending danger loomed over them all. It was clear that Sidney's determination to protect themselves and others was unwavering, but the question remained: how would they outsmart their vengeful former comrades?

"Who all knows about this?" You ask with furrowed eyebrows. Sidney's gaze shifted to meet yours, "Only the police force, Dewey, Chad, and Sam." she replied. "We didn't want everyone in our community to live in fear of the day they really do come and attack."

Sidney's voice trembled slightly as she continued, "We've been discreet about it, but we can't be too careful. We need to come up with a plan to ensure everyone's safety without causing panic."

You wake up, your vision unblurring and ringing in your ears. As you try to regain your senses, you realize that you're lying on the ground, surrounded by debris. Panic sets in as you struggle to remember what happened and where you are.

"Y/N! Get up!" Tara shouts, a grunt following after. You manage to push yourself up, feeling a sharp pain in your side. Tara rushes over to help you, her face filled with concern.

"Your leg..." You look down at your leg and see a deep gash, blood staining your clothes. The pain intensifies as you try to put weight on it, making it clear that you won't be able to walk without assistance.

You look over at the truck, the two people driving it are now dead, but the walkers that were inside start to emerge, drawn by the commotion. Tara's eyes widen in fear as she realizes the imminent danger. She quickly scans the area for any potential weapons or escape routes, desperately trying to come up with a plan to protect both of you from the approaching walkers.

You sense this, groaning. "Tara, just leave me. I'll slow you down and put you in even more danger. You need to save yourself," you say, your voice filled with resignation. Tara's eyes well up with tears as she shakes her head, refusing to abandon you in this dire situation.

Tara begins walking, and you hop as fast as you can, trying to flee from the walkers that are closing in on you. The adrenaline pumps through your veins as you scan the area, desperately searching for any sign of a safe haven. Your heart races as you realize that time is running out and you need to find shelter before it's too late.

You and Tara retreat deep into the forest, trying to look for a place to get high ground on the walkers. The dense foliage provides some cover, but you can still hear the shuffling footsteps and low growls growing closer. With each passing moment, the urgency to find a vantage point intensifies, knowing that your survival depends on it.

"Up there!" Tara points at a large rock, jutting out from the ground, offering a potential refuge from the approaching walkers. You hop to the rock as Tara stabs a walker that gets too close, buying you some time to climb up.

You groan, feeling the strain in your muscles as you try to pull yourself up onto the rock. You fall back down, frustration building as the walkers inch closer. Tara reaches down, offering a helping hand and urging you to try again. "You go first, T...and help me up."

Tara nods, understanding. She quickly scrambles up the rock, finding her footing, and extending her hand towards you. "Hurry up," she urges, "they're right behind you." You take a deep breath, gathering your strength, and give it one more try.

You attempt to climb the rock again, gritting your teeth and pushing through the pain in your muscles. A walker grabs your leg, you try kicking it off, but it only tightens its grip.

Tara reaches down, grabbing your arm and pulling you up with all her strength. Together, you manage to free yourself from the walker's grasp and continue climbing towards safety.

Tara falls onto her back, catching her breath. You attempt to get up with a grunt and say, "Let's keep moving." Tara quickly gets up, helping you to your feet. She nods, and the two of you successfully make it to the same shed you found Heather.

You enter the shed, falling against the wall as exhaustion takes over. Tara scans the room, searching for any signs of danger, while you catch your breath. You lift your pants leg, revealing a deep bite from one of the walkers. Fuck. You were bitten.

"Tara..." you say, your voice filled with both fear and resignation. Tara turns to you, her eyes widening as she sees the bite mark on your leg. She takes a deep breath, trying to hold back tears, and mumbling, "No...no...no!

"Hey, hey...it's okay." You try to reassure Tara, despite the panic rising within you. "It's not okay!" She shouts, her voice trembling with emotion. "You promised me..."

"You promised me that you wouldn't leave," Tara continues, her voice cracking with despair. "I can't lose you, not like this." Tears stream down her face as she clings onto you, desperately hoping for a miracle. You place a hand on Tara's cheek, "I love you, Tara."

"I love you too," Tara whispers, choking out a sob. "Please, don't leave me alone," she pleads, her voice filled with vulnerability. You bring her into a kiss, pouring all your love behind it.

When you pull away, you lean your forehead against hers, trying not to break down in front of her. "Tara...don't let me turn...into one of those things...please." Tara's eyes well up with tears as she gazes into your eyes, her grip on you tightening. "No...stop! Don't make me do this, Y/N."

"Tara, please! You have to kill me before I turn, please." Tara's hands tremble as she clings onto you, her voice shaking with anguish. "I don't wanna..."

Your eyes glance around the shed, landing on an axe in the corner of the room. Desperation fills the air as you realize that the axe might be your only chance for a quick and merciful end. With a heavy heart, you suggest, "Tara, there's an axe over there. It's the only way to ensure I won't become one of them. Please, for both our sakes, grab it."

Tara's eyes widen in horror as she follows your gaze towards the axe. Tears stream down her face as she hesitates, torn between the unbearable thought of losing you and the grim reality of what lies ahead.

Slowly, she releases her grip on you and takes a shaky step towards the corner of the room where the axe awaits. Every fiber of her being resists the idea, but she knows deep down that it is the only way to prevent a fate worse than death. As she reaches for the weapon, her hand trembles uncontrollably, a reflection of the turmoil within her.

She walks back over to you, raising the axe. Her heart pounds in her chest as she looks into your eyes, silently pleading for forgiveness. With a heavy sigh, she musters the strength to swing the axe, knowing that this sacrifice is necessary for both of your sakes.

As the axe comes crashing down, a mix of relief and sorrow washes over her. She closes her eyes, unable to witness the gruesome act she has just committed. At that moment, she realizes the true extent of her love for you, willing to do whatever it takes to protect you, even if it means staining her hands with blood.

#reader insert #jenna ortega x reader #tonyspank #wattpad #jenna ortega #jenna marie ortega #jenna ortega x y/n #jenna ortega x you #tara carpenter smut #tara carpenter x reader #tara x y/n #tara x reader #tara carpenter #tara carpenter scream #tara carpenter fluff #tara carpenter angst #olivia rodrigo #olivia rodrigo x reader #tara carpenter x g!p reader #tara carpenter x you #tara carpenter x y/n #reckless #jenna ortega angst #jenna ortega smut

[larkral]

Oh, hi. Good news: I am not dead. Bad news: my spirit is perhaps just a little bit dead. Thanks @shrekgogurt and @hushed-chorus for the tags! And to everyone else who's been tagging me over the past while.

I've been too busy dealing with school's bullshit about my daughter's behavior for the past (checks watch) six weeks to have any energy to write. But! Last night I wrote 230 words for the epilogue of my Check Please fic!

Anyway, I've been feeling very much like the amalgamation of Natalie and Zadie in Finally, (already, always) that I'll be honest, I've always known I was writing them as. For a snippet of my life, please read the two following snippets from that WIP:

Natalie:

Simon's teachers call us up to say he's a nuisance in class, but they can never say what he's done. Is he loud? (No.) Does he throw things? (No.) Has he hit anyone? (No.) Does he speak out of turn? (No.) No, no, no. He's just a nuisance, Mrs. Stephenson-Shaw. (Ms. Shaw, actually.) He's disruptive. He has to go to the office. He's risking expulsion. He's seven. Just a boy. Thin shoulders, long back, freckles, blue eyes and a smile. A tumble of energy and adoration and enthusiasm. He's my Simon. He's stories by the window, and sitting on the floor next to his bed stroking his back as he falls asleep. He's chasing after ducks in the park, climbing trees, and an overwhelming enthusiasm for knights and dragons.  I love him every way I can find. Every day I find more. I'm spilling over with love for him and aside from Zadie, no one seems to be able to see it: the things we love. The ways he's loveable.

Zadie:

I wonder if he might have seemed trustworthy. If he'd been subtle, if he'd been politic, would I have seen the monster as readily?  "We will talk with Simon about it. And we can tour the school. And if he's interested, then we'll consider it." He purses his lips. "A tour will be difficult," he says. "It is impossible for a non-magical person to enter the gates of Watford." Of course. Well, it's as good a demand as any to finish the conversation with. "Well then, I suggest that you find a way to let prospective and current students' parents visit the school, or the answer will definitely be no." I stand up and start towards the door. Nat stands and starts down the stairs. We fall in together, present a united front as I usher to David Cadwallader out of our home.  "I'll be in touch ," he says.

<3 to everyone and tags under the cut

@stitchyqueer @thewholelemon @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @cutestkilla @hushed-chorus @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb @ileadacharmedlife @asocialpessimist @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @petedavidsonscock @takitalks @artsyunderstudy @yeonjunenby @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nausikaaa @nightimedreamersghost @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @ionlydrinkhotwater @that-disabled-princess @shrekgogurt @forabeatofadrum  @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl​ @blackberrysummerblog​ @valeffelees @imagineacoolusername @orange-peony @j-nipper-95 @whogaveyoupermission @wellbelesbian @rimeswithpurple @youarenevertooold @emeryhall @mooncello @monbons @run-for-chamo-miles

#finally (already always) #simon snow #simon's two mums #carry on #parent shit #pedantic shit #lawyer shit

[riddles-n-games]

TIG Blog Announcement

Hey, TIG fandom. I have a massive undertaking that's going to span throughout The Grandest Game series. If you noticed today's post called the "TGG To-Do List", that's going to be a new segment on the blog. Also, I'm going to start another called "TGG Mysteries" which will address the major mysteries we know of going into The Grandest Game. I may also start a third called TGG Theories but we'll get to that later. Anyways, TGG To-Do List and TGG Mysteries will be two new additions on my blog headings for you to check out.

I will also be incorporating a series of new hashtags: #tggtodolist, as you likely already saw, #tggmysteries, and #tggtheories.

Now, what is going on with this? Well, under TGG To-Do List and TGG Mysteries, you'll find all entries related to the tags and there will likely be several parts. However, I don't want to just do this myself. I've already been talking to several people about clues on the covers and in the past books. @hathorneheiress and @carmenpowerpuffgirl, you are my inspo for this so kudos to you before I continue.

As a community, there are many minds with different thought processes and ideas. Like in the last few days we've been guessing and spinning theories left, right, and through the roof which is why I believe we can all make contributions to this. So here's what I want you to do. If you have ideas to add to the to-do list or have theories pertaining to the mysteries, send an ask or put one of the hashtags listed on here and tag me so I can put a link to your entry.

I want to see to see this list grow. I know for sure that many of you are hungry for content but the truth is we already have much of it here and who knows how many new things we can put together from the old clues. Remember what Jameson told Avery in The Final Gambit?

"That puts us halfway through, and my grandfather would say that's a good point to step back. Go back to the beginning. Consider the framing and your charge." (The Final Gambit)

I don't know what mark we're at. I don't know how far we have to go. I don't know if we're that much closer. But, what I do know is we have four books in our possession and we have five covers that give us clues and there's also a whole lot of us. Surely, that's enough to start somewhere. Maybe this is our Saturday morning where we get to show we're extraordinary but we know that already so let's do just that. We've been taught how to think like Hawthornes; are you ready to prove that? This is your chance.

Please comment, reblog, and like this to spread the news. If we actually connect and do this, I know that we'll have a lot more fun in the months of waiting and could decode more than ever before. Who's ready to do this?

Remember: Opposites attract. There are clues in the Final Gambit. Only one can win.

(Not gonna lie, I felt like Avery announcing the Grandest Game in the epilogue of The Final Gambit writing this.)

"On your marks, boys," Tobias Hawthorne said on the recording. "Get set. Go." (The Final Gambit)

#tig blog announcement #tgg to do list #tgg mysteries #tgg theories #tig asks and requests #tig inbox #tig headquarters #TIG HQ #tig fandom #the inheritance games #the hawthorne legacy #the final gambit #the brothers hawthorne #the grandest game #tig #thl #tfg #tbh #tgg

[omgkalyppso]

I posted this before but deleted it both because I was embarrassed and because I was worried I'd severely fucked up Astarion's age for the nth time, originally referenced from This Post. But I've seen many more analyses and I think it's right. I think it is. Anyway!

EDIT: I DID GET HIS AGE WRONG because that is the post I meant to reference. But I'm not fixing it. 232.

I was tagged by @luinen-bluewater to complete this far simpler ship meme: otp, ot3/4.

Here is the template I actually used: ot3. Here's the otp version.

I'll tag a few people to complete any of the templates referenced: Luinen, @the-eldritch-it-gay, @vlwv, @tadpole-apocalypse, @boghermit, @lemonbronze, @littleplasticrat and YOU.

I'll put the above image chopped up below the cut so it's easier viewing for the curious. And I'll ramble a bit more (bg3 spoilers, discussion of vampirism and character deaths).

In my headcanons, Astarion neither remains a spawn nor becomes the Vampire Ascendant, he becomes a vampire, and some hundreds of years later he turns Étoile to a vampire as well (this post / these headcanons need reviewing after the epilogue changes with the Crown, but we'll see).

With this in mind, I was thinking of Halsin being the longest of their lovers and how Étoile could possibly handle his death:

Étoile and Astarion occupied on some adventure / business or other, and when they return, an unaffected or perhaps impatient messenger has come to deliver news of Halsin's death. And it is so long after the others of their relevant, initial, adventuring party has passed (or maybe not. Lae'zel is a wild card (no aging on the astral plane)). Still, i can imagine one of them snapping. I think it's more interesting if it's Étoile, saying aloud that the messenger is mistaken, that surely the message is that Halsin's ill and is calling to see them a final time — Astarion's near shouting in embarrassment and worry, telling the messenger to go, calling Étoile's name, grabbing their arm until Étoile says loudly that they heard them. They heard what they said. And also sends the poor messenger away.

But then I started considering an alternative which I felt was ooc for Halsin from the base game but which I think is more possible / within the scope of his character after the addition of the epilogue. Reminder that Étoile is a paladin of the neutral evil goddess Auril, started bg3 as neutral good but whom I consider neutral evil, and is an Oathbreaker by the end of their adventure:

Halsin at like 820 or older, life expectancy 700-1000, veering wildly between peace with the natural order of things and intense discomfort with things that feel unfinished, the way they always do. And sometime with Étoile leaned against his chest he speaks of Silvanus, the Oakfather, of children and elders in all families of creatures have come and gone, of how his druidic order has changed more slowly than a tree spreads its roots, and how never in all that time did Étoile ask him to abandon his god and his (god's) comfort for the sake of vampirism and eternity. Fondly, expecting Halsin to imagine it an irritation after his speech, Étoile recalls that Astarion did, three hundred or so years ago. Étoile points out that they know the comfort they found in their worship, and they would never have sought to steal that from him (Halsin). To be a vampire is unnatural, lost to his Oakfather. Halsin points out that he has felt that Étoile has wanted to ask before, even if it has always remained unsaid, in the emptiness in their chest (lack of heartbeat), in the slant of their mouth when his (Halsin's) movement is broken with age, in how they've (Étoile has) breathed in his silver hair the more it's overcome him, something that felt respectful once, but now he's past where his end should have been, and the temptation of rekindling old strengths, the hope of another thousand years, through vampirism, shames him (Halsin) greatly. The selfishness of an old mind. Why wouldn't it have felt like a possibility a hundred years ago, two hundred, more? How could he dare to think of continuing a protection of his forest, of caring for his kin, if he lost all connection to them, and even fears what makes them the same in their morality so much that he would dare forsake it. If he was going to lose his faith, why wouldn't he have done so when he was younger and different, except that he was stronger then, in body and in mind. And yet what difference would there be, feasting upon the wild in the woods? And Étoile would be blunt about the differences, and about how there are even laws now, that they helped put in place. "They" could punish them both greatly for this, but the transformation itself would be their shared shame. He could be their first spawn, and perhaps their only, but if he wanted this now — that it was no corruption of age, just a changed heart. And they would happily accept him into their home if all beasts and men turned from him as a decree from his Oakfather -- but he would have to be sure, because the fallout could be immeasurable. Étoile would try to do it permissably, but they would turn Halsin in secret, if need be. And what if "they" were like. fucking no???? and to ensure you don't do this thing we're going to keep you sealed, either in an area or in a fucking coffin until your druid has passed. (Astarion would lose his fucking mind.)

Abbreviated:

Halsin: what if i've lived long enough to see myself become the villain. Étoile: well my ship has sailed, and you know, if i meet you in hell then it's not hell

I think though that Halsin's village would have warm, clean shelters under the ground, just below the surface as if to shelter from storms, but well-used and familiar to vampires after years of shared knowledge and resources. They'd be glad to claim him.

OH! And Étoile's birthday is Oct 20th (their date of creation during early access was Oct 20 2020), I gave Astarion Sept 22nd (first day of autumn), and Halsin May 13th (he seems like a Taurus and I figured he'd be worn and irksome about having a birthday that often falls on a day associated with bad luck (Friday the 13th)).

#long post #oc tag: étoile #halsin bg3 #astarion #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 spoilers

[lonelywretchjervistetch]

My DC Cinematic Universe: Superman (Epilogue)

Epilogue: My Adventures with Superman

...Well, holy shit. Just when I was getting worried that nobody would get Superman, along comes one of the best comic-book related products we've seen in years, which delivers me so much of the stuff I wanted in a cinematic version of Superman...and is almost perfect. Yeah, it's definitely not perfect, but goddamn if this isn't one of my ideal versions of Superman.

Y'know, I've considered doing sort of a sum-up of the different major adaptations of the Superman mythos by bringing together all the points made in my essays, but I felt it was too much. For this, however, I think that makes sense. And yes, I'm doing this after only 4 episodes have aired, and yes, I realize that what just happened in the most recent episode is fucking insane and something I desperately want in a Superman story...but I'll at least cover my personal approach, since this show's kinda hot right now. And rarely do I have the chance to jump on a burgeoning fandom, so FUCK IT!

If you'd like to see my previous and insane essays on my preferred version of the Man of Steel, here's the link! Always. Be. Plugging. But if you'd rather hear my opinion of My Adventures with Superman, then check out the section after the jump. But just know that I like it, with a couple of caveats that you've probably already heard about this show.

Clark Kent: Abnormal Superman

Um...did somebody read my essays before I even thought about them, because this is pretty goddamn close to my ideal Clark Kent. He's a big ol' dork with a heart of god who wants to do the right thing, but is also nowhere near perfect in his everyday life and methods. He's a teensy bit clumsy, but still very well-put together. He wants to help when and how he can, and is willing to go along with shenanigans to do so. He has an actual personality, and most importantly, he feels human.

Yeah, this is a dude from Kansas who also happens to be an alien. And good goddamn, is scaling down his powers and knowledge of his past a great idea. Smallville, of course, did this, but that version of Clark was often too serious and rough around the edges. And maybe most importantly, Tom Welling's Clark never seemed like an outcast. I mean, the dude was handsome as all fuck, and built like a linebacker. And yet, I'm supposed to buy that the guy is a loser and outcast? Yeah, no, not buying it. But this Clark? Yeah, the guy's a massive dork. Handsome and built like a fucking freight train, yeah, but still a dork. And maybe most importantly...I don't buy this dude as Superman.

Yeah. Really. I mean, dude is OBVIOUSLY Superman, because he's built like a tank and super nice, but I get not fully seeing this guy as Superman. Somehow, FUCKING SOMEHOW, they pull this off better than literally any other version I've seen since the Christopher Reeves version. And yeah, that's insanely high praise, because Reeves has some of the best dichotomous acting I've ever seen. But this Superman and this Clark both seem like the same person and separate people at the same time somehow. It's an impressive feat that I can barely explain.

And yet...they're still definitely the same person. Any sane person would be able to figure it out eventually, with enough personal interaction. It's one of the reasons why the glasses joke exists, because it really shouldn't make much sense. But in this series, the glasses actually change the shape of his pace, and slight changes in his posture and voice (by the pretty great Jack Quaid) actually do work as a subtle mask for the character. But will that last forever? Well...more on that later.

I also said this before, but I love the fact that we're learning about Clark and his powers as he's learning about himself. This series is obviously anime-inspired, and it really leans into the shonen angle thematically and visually. When the first art for this show came out, I was intrigued but cautious. Now, though, I'm into it. We'll see how the more anime-esque electrical powers work out, but it actually seems like a reference to the sporadically used bioelectric field manipulation ability that Superman has in the comics. Yeah, he has a field of bioelectricity around his body that provides him (and his costume) with invulnerability, and also occasionally gives him plot-convenience powers. Don't ask questions, OK? It's a comic book thing.

Speaking of that, though, the creators are definitely playing fast and loose with the Superman mythos, and I'm interested to see exactly how that plays out as the series continues. I'm a little cautious for reasons to be addressed later, but I'm still quite interested. So, now that we've covered Superman, whom I think is fantastic in his characterization...let's get to the character who I think is excellently represented in this series.

Lois Lane: Intrepid (Intern) Reporter

Jesus Christ, this is a great Lois. There are a lot of ways you can do a good Lois, and there are a number of great Loises, but MAWS' Lois ranks extremely high on that list. Dogged to the point of recklessness, determined to get the truth at all costs, and desperate to be a great reporter, she has the stuff that makes any great Lois. But what really puts her over the edge for me is her characterization. Alice Lee does a fantastic job as Lois' voice, and gives her a mix of naivete, determination, and...oddly, hope. I dunno, there's something about Lee's portrayal that really works for me.

And a lot of people have pointed out two things. One, she's basically Lux from The Owl House. Yeah. And? Fucking and? Luz is a fantastic character in her own right, and very Lois Lane-esque. Personally, I think that's a great and worthy comparison for any version of Luz. Secondly, she's a tomboy. And I think most people on Tumblr are fine with that, but I also see some criticism for that choice. And for those who don't like that...fuck off a little bit. Not a lot, but a little bit. There's nothing wrong with a slightly more tomboyish Lois, and I actually adore a Lois who isn't a damsel in distress all the time. She literally fights some of the bad guys in this series, and we're only four episodes in! Seriously, I love that. And she is occasionally in distress, but she gets into that shit herself, which is exactly what Lois Lane is supposed to do. Look, I love this Lois. Oh, and another thing!

Is Lois Korean? Holy shit, that's fantastic! I said in my second essay that Lois is one of those characters who isn't racially bound in any way. There, I suggested that she could be played by a Latina, which has been hinted at before in some comics. But honestly, this is a great choice! And I only say Korean because, in the most recent episode, she appears to be wearing the top half of a hanbok, which is a traditionally Korean dress. And yeah, I'm fully here for it. Don't know if she's mixed or not (we'll probably see Sam Lane at a later date), but this is great all on its own.

And then, there's the other thing: Lois' position as Superman's Inevitable Love Interest. The ILE is, of course, a tradition in all things superhero comic, and Lois is arguably the first and most famous of all ILEs. Like Thanos before her, she is truly inevitable, and that seems to be at the center of this series. Oh, and at this point...sort of SPOILERS AHEAD??? I mean, come on, this was obviously gonna happen.

By the end of episode 4, these two are clearly romantically interested in each other. Hell, by the end of episode 1, these two are interested in each other. And can I just say that's they're hands fucking down the most adorable Clark and Lois I've ever fucking seen? I mean it, they're the best version of this couple in live-action media, and I can actually see them becoming the comic book versions of that couple.

As a quick compare and contrast of the most notable versions:

Reeves and Kidder were great, but the movies never actually committed in having them be a couple. They actively made sure it wouldn't happen a couple of times, to much irritation, and their relationship never truly blossomed, which was based on the comics at the time.

Fuck Dean Cain...but Cain and Hatcher were pretty good as a couple, pre-and-post-marriage. Which, again, was a part of comics at the time, so it makes sense. Even then, I wouldn't call them particularly cute, just more of a relatively normal couple.

Don't get me wrong, I love Daly and Durance's animated versions of the two...but they never actually became a couple until the very end of Superman: The Animated Series. And we only saw them as Lois and Superman, not Lois and Clark. So, sadly, they don't rank.

Welling and Durance were...off-and-on. Funnily enough, their appearance as this version of the couple in the Arrowverse crossovers was probably better than any other appearance they had, and their appearances in the 10th season were genuinely quite nice. High up there as the best version, and one of my favorites.

Hoechlin and Tulloch are, in my opinion, the best married version of the characters. They honestly nail it, and their chemistry is pretty much perfect. Their versions of the characters still rank pretty high as some of the best, and they're even better as a couple.

Routh and Bosworth...moving on...

Cavill and Adams...well...I mean...they have some chemistry, and...they've definitely had sex. Um. Yeah. That's it. Whoooooo.

O'Connell and Romjin are a little-remembered animated version of the two, and not the only animated version of the two, either. But honestly, they're really good in The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen, and were my favorite animated version of them as a couple...prior to MAWS.

And OK, sure, we've barely seen these two as a couple at this point, but I really like them. They're adorable, they're adorkable, they're supportive of each other, and their chemistry is basically immediate. They're just really cute and fun to watch, and I can't wait to see them progress. Especially because...

OK, I can't stress this enough, but skip the next GIF if you don't want spoilers, and scroll down until you get to Jimmy Olsen. Please. This is a biggie. OK? Got it? Read at your own peril.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT ARE YOU SERIOUS THEY ACTUALLY DID IT

If you've read my Superman essays, you know that I want movie Lois Lane to have found out Clark is Superman on her own, and before the movie starts. And holy shit, they actually did it in MAWS! FUCK YES! Lois is smart and sharp, so she should pick up on the fact that Clark is Superman! I love that they did this, even if her way of finding out was somewhat by accident. She still put the clues together on her own, so I'm satisfied with this ending! And I'm pretty sure they're not going to reverse this! If they do, I'd be pissed off, but I don't think they will. Just...HELL YEAH, BABEEEEEEEEEE

OK...I think the spoiler-free have scrolled past this by know, so...let's move on with the essay, shall we?

Supporting Cast: Jimmy and the Rest

OK, let's talk Jimmy Olsen (played by Ishmael Sahid). Honestly, I love the fact that he's a conspiracy nut with his own YouTube channel, and that he's literal bunkmates with Clark in this series. This is also pretty close to my perfect version of Jimmy Olsen, not gonna lie. His streaming name is even Flamebird, a deepcut comics reference that shows the creators not only know their stuff, but also actively care about Superman comics and history. That's one of the things that one me over in the first episode, for the record. But more on that later.

Jimmy is the third wheel, but one who's usually welcome. We'll see the fallout of the Lois-Clark romance soon, I'm sure, but Jimmy's role has been pretty much perfect. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that a black Jimmy Olsen, while welcomed by me...is a little weird when you look at the legion of ginger characters in media that have been replaced by black characters in adaptations. While, again, I don't think Jimmy is racially bound to being ginger, it is a fairly iconic part of his identity. And...yeah, a lot of ginger characters have been translated into black people in recent years, and that's...really weird, not gonna lie. Makes me think even more about my Legion of Super-Heroes essay, honestly. Still, solid-ass Jimmy, and I can't wait for more.

I actually adore Perry White (voiced by Darrell Brown) in this series, and his grumpy boss persona is...well, quintessential Perry White. I'd actually say this is a perfect version of the character, although that's not as difficult to nail as some other versions. Looking forward to seeing more of Perry's life as he supports our bumbling interns.

I was tickled pink to see Cat Grant (Melanie Minichino), Steve Lombard (Vincent Tong), and a genderbent Ronnie Troupe (Kenna Ramsey) in this show, because it once again signals to me that the show creators really care about Superman mythos. And honestly, these guys were transplanted essentially unchanged from the comics, as far as we can see so far. This may change in the future, but I'm very excited to see the rivalry between our three and these reports build and develop during the series. Great job with these guys.

The Kents only make an appearance in one episode thus far, but I think they're pretty good! We see them in the past and in the present, and they're a couple of farmers who love their son. They're also some of the youngest versions of the characters we've seen in adaptations, save for Smallville, and it works well! They also make it apparent that these are Clark's parents, even in the short time we see them. Again, good job so far, and I want to see more!

So, with all of that, I adore this series, and it's perfect! Right? Right?

The Villains: Literal and Figurative Cons

If you've heard anything about this series from Superman fans, then you've probably heard that the villains are...not amazing so far. And that's mostly because the villains are where this series takes the most liberties, while also downsizing most of them pretty severely. I'll go through them briefly here, but just know that the changes made so far are...not my favorite. And if you've read my essays, you know my opinion on villains in superhero media: you gotta nail them.

So, let's start with Livewire, AKA Leslie Willis (voiced by Zehra Fazal). I really love this character (and actually positioned her as a major villain in the second Superman movie of my cinematic universe), so I'm quite invested in Livewire. And this version is a tech-powered villain who kicks off the conflict for the first part of the series. She's a completely different version of the character...and she works? Kinda? Look, as the first villain to face Superman, she's fine, but she's barely Livewire. The end of the second episode hints that she may become more like the original down the line, but she's missing that sass of the original. And yeah, she works without that, but it doesn't feel like Livewire to me. That's nitpicking, though, because we have a much worse set of adaptations to cover.

Intergang is so much of a non-entity in this show, they have no GIFS on Tumblr. Understand, this community has made GIFs of every other character except these guys. In total, they are Silver Banshee AKA Siobhan MacDougal (played by Catherine Taber), Mist AKA Kyle Nimbus (played by Lucas Grabeel), and Rough House AKA Albert (played by Vincent Tong). And they've been changed from:

A cursed Scottish-Irish woman, empowered by magic and a major threat to the Man of Steel, having nearly killed him multiple times...and is currently dating Jimmy Olsen, which I kinda love?

A scientist who invented a process to turn himself into gaseous form, and used his powers to fight the hero Starman; this rivalry was passed on to the next generation, on the side of both hero and villain.

And the clone of a gangster endowed with super-strength, serving beneath Boss Moxie of Intergang, and the forces of the dark world of Apokolips above him.

...into a group of loser who got technology they couldn't handle. Yeah, it's a major downgrade, and two of those guys weren't even that notable in the first place. Siobhan gets completely fucking shafted here, and I think it's a genuine failure of this series. Harsh, I know, but seeing Silver Banshee get fucked over that hard really sucked for me.

Oh, and yeah, Intergang was a major villainous group for the Superman film in my cinematic universe, so removing their Apokoliptian ties...bums me the fuck out, too. Also, it looks like Flash villain Heat Wave is an upcoming member, which is...weird as fuck, honestly. We'll see how this pans out, but I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it.

And then there's Anthony Ivo (played by Jake Green), who's been repurposed into a tech bro entrepeneur in the vein of Elon Musk, in charge of AmazoTech, which is obviously a reference to the comic book version. And this was an...interesting set of choices, honestly. Some spoilers here, but Ivo's version of AMAZO is an armor that drains the power of Superman and redirects it against him. And yes, that makes Ivo also this universe's version of...Parasite. ANOTHER villain that I put in the second movie of my cinematic universe, and one of my absolute favorite Superman villains.

I don't hate the reinvention, but that's only because of what happens to Ivo at the end of the episode. I won't spoil it here, but he definitely turns into a more proper version of the character, so we'll see what happens there. As for his assistant, Alex (played by...somebody), well, he's interesting, isn't he? At first, I thought he was Alex Allston, one of the Parasite twins from the 2000s. But a number of people seem to think he might be another familiar red-headed Superman villain named Alexander, if you know what I mean. Let's just say, there's a possibility that he'll steal forty cakes at some point. And that's terrible.

And finally, there's...wait, is that Deathstroke AKA Slade WIlson (played by Chris Parnell)? Why is he young...and hot? Why is Slade young and hot? And two-eyed? I mean, yeah, sure, that's not the worst thing in the world, but...goddamn, that's some whiplash. Interestingly, he appears to be affiliated with Task Force X, which is name dropped in episode 2. Plus, Amanda Waller is clearly in the background, so a much wider plan is in play. And yeah, while it's weird to see young hot Deathstroke, I'll give it a chance.

Other villains have been hinted at, and allegedly radically reinvented, such as Mr. Mxyzptlk and Brainiac, but we've yet to see what will become of them. Still, this is a divisive start. As long as we get some actual supernatural threats, and not just people in armor, I'll be happy. Time will tell.

Story: Just Getting Started

At this point, it's pretty much impossible to judge the story of this series, since we've only just started. But, with the technology obtained by Livewire from a mysterious source, and then leaked into the criminal underworld, we at least have enough threats to supply tension throughout this first portion of the series. The relationship of our trio is progressing nicely, with Jimmy realizing his third-wheel status, and with the Lois and Clark relationship moving along interestingly and unexpectedly.

There's also a number of hanging plots that look promising, including Clark discovering his powers and origins; Task Force X and Deathstroke, as well as their interest in Superman; the missing Parasite technology after Ivo's fall; the rivalry between the interns and their reporter rivals; and even Lois' relationship with her father (who...might be the guy standing next to Waller in Task Force X? No clue, that's just a guess). So, we have some stuff to look forward to! And maybe, just maybe, the villains will also steadily improve. I think Silver Banshee's a lost cause at this point, but I have hope for Livewire and Parasite, at least. But again, time will tell.

I also can't wait to see what the creators have up their sleeves. They're obviously ans of Superman and his mythos. I didn't even mention what won me over on this show in the first place! Other than Clark and Lois themselves, of course. In the first episode, Lois introduces Jimmy and Clark to her information gatherers: the Newskid Legion. And for those of you who don't know, that's a reference to the Golden Age of Comics, and a group of street-wise kids that would become supporting characters of Superman's during the '90s (through the trendy magic of cloning)! The kids have an adaptation in this series, and that attention to lore alone made me an instant fan of this show. Sounds like nothing, I know, but it meant a hell of a lot to a Superfan like me. Now GIVE ME MY EVERYMAN BIBBO BIBBOWSKI!

Conclusion: A Hopeful Tomorrow

I'm...scared about Gunn's Superman film. I won't write a whole essay about it, but it sounds ambitious to the point of being bloated. A lot of recent casting news makes me feel like this is more of a set-up to the wider DCU, as less of a Superman film in and of itself. Plus, with rumors that Luthor is being cast, and no sign of a villain announcement yet...I dunno. It has me worried. So thank God for My Adventures with Superman.

This series is a blessing so far. Sure, it could blow for the rest of the season, but call me hopeful. I think this show is fantastic so far, and I'm really thinking it'll stick the landing with the first season. Alongside that, honestly, is the fact that it's trying something new for any Superman adaptation, and there's a bravery in that. I don't know if it'll go down as my preferred Superman adaptation (Superman: The Animated Series is a hard one to beat for me), but it's got a good start. And a brave series that inspires hope in the face of fear and impossible odds? Man, that's what Superman is all about.

And now that that's said and done (for now, anyway)...

I believe I have another essay series to finally finish.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Part I: Why I Love Superman

Part II: On Lois Lane

Part III: The Kents

Part IV: The 'Rents

Part V: The...Frendts?

Part VI: Lex Luthor

Part VII: The Real Villains

Part VIII: Superman's Rogues Gallery

Part IX: The Story - Act One

Part X: The Story (Acts Two and Three)

Part XI: The Story - Climax

Part XII: Epilogue (Part One)

Part XIII: Epilogue (Part Two)

#superman #clark kent #kal-el #my dc cinematic universe #my dcu #my dccu #my adventures with superman #maws #lois lane #lois and clark #clark and lois #superman tv #jimmy olsen #jack quaid #alice lee #livewire #intergang #parasite #silver banshee #newskid legion #daily planet #tv series #tv essay #tv review #maws spoilers #maws superman #mawsm #clois #dc comics #dc

[echantedtoon]

Until Death Do You Vow Ch11 Epilogue

(Hey everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone who read this far and liked my story enough to read it to it's end. I had a lot of fun writing it and it makes me happy knowing some people loved it enough to read it fully. If you liked this consider checking out my other works. Thanks to everyone for reading this, faving it, or leaving a nice comment. And thank you to Snaccpop Studios for creating such wonderful characters and giving me the opportunity to make this wonderful story.)

-TWO YEARS LATER-

The sights of the other cars and buildings going by met f/c eyes as you looked out the car window and stared at the beginning sunset. 

"So how was work today?", Taylor asked a moment after he started up driving again. 

You turned to your boyfriend and sighed tiredly. "It's fine. One of my coworkers got a broken leg from tripping over the stairs so I had to cover their shifts today. I swear all those little goblins just wanted to grab everything. I had to stop one from trying to climb on the horse statue from Greece."

Your job at the local museum was a good one but you hated school field trip days with a burning passion.  All the little imps running wild, barely listening, complaining about being bored, and trying to grab their little mits on everything they see was a lot for one person. No help from teachers who didn't seem to care as long as all of the kids stayed in one chaotic hoard. Thank God they didn't stay for more than three hours! You could've snapped and yelled at one of them-

Taylor groaned. "Ugh. Another reason why I am going to make sure that our kid doesn't end up like that."

Your brow rose. "Our kid huh?"

He shrugged without looking at you. "Still plenty of time for one. *ahem* "

You slowly shook your head yes with a sly smile. "Uh huh...Well we'll have to discuss that with Elias first and see what he thinks about becoming a second father."

"U-Um. Yeah. *Ahem* ..A-Anyways! I'm almost ready to publish my book." Taylor steered the conversation to something else really quick before turning on his blinker and turning to right onto another road. "My publisher said it looks good, but I need to get an idea for the cover. I know a really good artist and they can do it for a good price and I know what I want it to look like."

"Sounds like a plan. ...Hey. You didn't forget to close up the shop again did you?"

Taylor briefly shot you a cross between a pout and scowl. "Of course I didn't! Geez! I forget to lock the backdoor one time!"

It had been one year since you both graduated from Zephyr University. You'd taken to getting that job at the museum you've wanted. It was a good job, usually quiet but sometimes it can be stressful especially with tours of little kids of field trips. Taylor...well he didn't change much if at all. He was still the same. Still went at the most random times to do investigations. Still obsessed with documenting the paranormal but instead of running a club, he preferred to do so via updating a website by the same name as the old club. But his real day job was something that neither of you seemed to expect.

He ran a flower shop.

Gallagher And Potts's Bouquets and Flora. The name had taken forever to decide between the two men and usually consisted of Elias growing said flowers or however many flowers a specific person ordered, and Taylor just loading them up into his car and taking them over to the shop which was pretty close to the mansion just inside town. Taylor became fascinated by ecto-bontany and Elias was really happy one of his hobbies could be appreciated and flourish. The hardest part was renovating the old building you all bought for the shop. 

But he's been working on a larger side project that was paranormal investigating. Taylor had come up with the idea of writing the history behind the Gallagher curse in detail to clear up the legend once and for all..minus a couple details of course such as Elias actually being a real ghost. You both rather not have a floodgate of people coming to gawk at Elias like some carnival attraction. The collaboration AND Taylor's interest in Elias's flowers meant Elias and Taylor talking a whole lot more and well..Elias shared many intimate and personal life experiences in great detail about his life and family agreeing to want to clear up the entire legend. You guessed in turn that brought Taylor to open up about his own past. One thing lead to another, and you suddenly found the both of them falling for each other.

As for yourself it was also a new experience. Carefully but awkwardly going around a best friend who had feelings for you but eventually you both decided to try dating after a month of awkwardly dancing around the topic. And you both kept in touch with Elias so one thing also lead to another-

So here you three were. All in one big relationship with each other. It had its ups and downs but you can say you enjoyed this much more than the 'relationship' you had with Ian. Now all that heartache just seemed like a bad dream you barely thought of anymore.

Sunset came to the sky painting it pretty oranges, pinks, and yellows as the car kept driving along until you got to the edge of town and Taylor was turning into a nicely paved driveway added to the front of the mansion. Slowly coming to a stop, Taylor cut the engine and you both got out to go inside the now renovated mansion. Turns out there was a lot more than just the family jewels hidden away in the mansion. When you suggested getting the mirror fixed (thus it wouldn't be broken anymore and that would mean no more curse because of there being no more broken mirror), both men seemed all for it ..But you and Taylor could barely afford anything, Elias couldn't part with his family's jewels, and you wouldn't ask him to do Elias had agreed to spare with enough of the rest of the hidden fortune just to fix the mirror which now sat perfectly fixed and safely tucked away in Elias's room. In a hidden place only Elias knew. All fixed which meant it was harmless which meant no more bad luck which meant no more curse! When Elias brought up the idea of you both possibly living there too...Well as Taylor put it-

"I'm not living somewhere that'll give me an asthma attack!"

After you elbowed him for the rude comment, you three came to another compromise. Which was Elias allowing just enough more of the surprisingly gigantic fortune to renovate the mansion back to its full glory.

"The light's still on. Elias must be doing something."

"Probably haunting out new recipes to try and make us eat it." He rolled his eyes when you shot him a look. "You know I'm right. I'm not trusting him with anymore meatloaf." His hands grabbed the doors. 

"You're the one who asked him to try and make it because you wanted to try ghost food!"

"And I learnt my lesson." The doors were loudly pushed in to reveal a pretty clean and safe mansion. "Hey! We're back!"

You walked right in behind Taylor and found a regular sigh for you but scary for anyone else. Brooms, mops, rags, and all kinds of cleaning products were flying around and cleaning the various places of the mansion by himself. Puppeteered by the blue floating Spector in the middle of the foyor. Elias turned and his floating face lit up in a wide smile seeing you both eyes sparkling.

"My darlings!" He greeted quickly turning and floating towards you both with open arms. "How was your day?"

"Ugh. Boring. There was this guy who wouldn't make up his mind trying to decide on roses or sunflowers for like two hours and then he knocked over a stack of pots and ran off before I can make him pay for anything! I had to clean it up myself!" Taylor made no moves to stop Elias who reached him first and proceeded to plant a kiss of greeting to your shared grumpy boyfriend's face.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it. Next time just ask him politely to fix his mistakes," Elias assured him giving a comforting squeeze to Taylor's arms.

"Looks like you've been busy too," you commented looking at the nearest broom sweeping a pile of dirt into a dustpan.

Elias was quick to greet you next giving you the same kiss and hold as Taylor. The coldness of his lips making your body involuntary shiver. "Spring cleaning! I already have the upstairs finished and wanted to surprise you both with a clean house. Are you hungry? I made dinner."

"After the day we had, definitely. What did you make?"

"Meatloaf!" Taylor froze as Elias smiled wider. "I found a recipe for it in one of my grandmother's other cook books. You'll both love it!"

Taylor turned paler than Elias and you couldn't help but laugh.

#Until Death Do You Vow #tgogm #the groom of gallagher mansion #thegroomofgallaghermansion #elias gallagher x reader #elias gallagher #taylor potts x reader #taylor potts

[itsgoghtime]

World in Color

Chapter X

Words : 2587

CW : family life - so if ya don’t like kids in fics, this chapter ain’t for you - this is also technically an Epilogue, but it’s the very happy end. it makes me sad that we’re at the close or World In Color, but it’s been so special to write this story that’s been so close to my heart. 🫶

taglist : @valmare @permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88 @horserad-ish

"Boys! Dinner!" Pumpkin called from the back porch, ringing the bell a few times.

It had been over five years since the MacPherson's had been married, and they were now well established in the ranching community in New Hope.

Will appeared out of the barn first, smiling as his eyes landed on his wife, her bump somehow more round than yesterday. It made his heart burst with pride.

A year and a half into their marriage, they had learned of her pregnancy - one that would result in fraternal twin boys. Will had practically been speechless at the first ultrasound.

"I didn't think I'd be nervous going in to see our baby. Maybe it's just because it's the first time." Pumpkin's fingers intertwined with Will's on her small bump as they waited to be called back.

"It's definitely a new experience. I don't envy you having to keep a full bladder though, that sounds uncomfortable."

"Oh, don't remind me. If I don't think about it too hard, I don't need to go as bad. But we've been waiting a while, and dang."

"MacPherson?" A tech appeared, and Pumpkin sighed in relief, standing from her chair gingerly.

"Sorry there was such a delay, we were running a bit behind." The young woman smiled, leading them down the hall.

"No worries, we don't mind waiting. Well, my bladder does, but the rest of me doesn't." She chuckled.

"That will make it so much easier to see everything! You are the best - that's part of the reason we were running behind, the last patient didn't have a full bladder and we had to do an alternate ultrasound route. Here we are." The tech opened the door for them to the ultrasound room.

It was dimly lit, but had a calm atmosphere about it.

"Well, my bladder is most definitely full." Pumpkin chuckled as she laid down on the table, lifting her shirt as the tech instructed.

"I'll make it as quick as I can - and it should go by fast, considering you followed the instructions. We should be able to find your baby in no time." The tech applied the gel, beginning to press down on Pumpkin's abdomen.

Will took his wife's hand in his, noticing her discomfort.

"When did you find out you were pregnant?" The tech asked.

"It's been four weeks since the positive test, and we're guessing she was about four weeks when she tested positive." Will responded.

The young woman nodded, moving her wand around. When she found what she was looking for, she smiled.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson, looks like you have two healthy babies."

"There's two?" Will's eyes widened.

"Yeah! Let me get some measurements while I'm in the right spot and then I'll show you the screen."

After a couple minutes, the nurse turned her screen to show the couple what she was talking about.

"We have twin A on the left, and twin B on the right. Both looking to be about the same size, which is a great sign in these early stages. We'll definitely want to keep a close eye on them as they develop though, so I'll add to your notes for your doctor that you'll want to come in for an ultrasound every other week, at least until we can see more. Twins can be high risk, so you'll just want to make sure you're taking extra good care of yourself to make sure they continue to grow."

After Pumpkin had wiped the gel off and the tech had handed them their pictures, the couple walked out into the hall in silence, taking in all the information they had just been given. Pumpkin went into the bathroom, and even their walk to the car once she was done was pretty quiet. Spooky finally seemed to wrap his mind around the fact that he not only had one baby on the way, but two, and turned to his wife with the widest smile.

"We're having twins. Two babies." He laughed, picking her up into his arms and spinning her, making her giggle. "We're having twins!!"

Despite their initial shock, they were elated that their family was growing by two. Nothing about those next seven months had been easy, and they'd had a couple scares - but even with everything they had to deal with, two healthy baby boys were delivered ten minutes apart and only had a NICU stay of twenty two days before they went home.

Raising their boys had been their pride and joy for the last four years, and Will was so proud of who they were becoming under their parent's guidance, even if they did get into mischief sometimes. They were his boys, he could expect nothing less.

"Wesley Miguel! Don't threaten the goat with the shovel. I know she head butted you, but you were chasing her. C'mere." Pumpkin chided, though somehow her tone was still filled with love - something Will adored about her parenting style.

"Theo!" She called, but as her second boy continued to giggle and chase one of the chickens, she chuckled. "Theodore William MacPherson, come here. It's time to get all the dirt off your hands and eat dinner."

"Come, boys. Let's get washed up." Will laughed, and both boys came running past them into the house, but not before taking their little work boots off at the door - just as their Mama had taught them.

"And as for you..." Pumpkin turned to Will, chuckling softly as he embraced her.

"Hey, beautiful." He whispered.

"Hey, handsome." She smiled as his thumb rubbed comforting circles on her belly. "How was working with the boys?"

"They've got a lot to learn, but they seem to understand most of it. Not that collecting eggs and shoveling dirt is very hard to understand." He nudged her nose with his. "How are my girls?"

"Good. She's been kicking away today, just letting me know she's there."

Just six months ago, they had discovered their third child was on the way.

Since the twins had turned two years old, Pumpkin had wanted another baby. The boys had come so easily, she was fairly confident that it wouldn't be too hard to have their third child. Will had plans for a house full of kids - and they weren't exactly getting any younger.

But time passed. Baby number three didn't come. Pumpkin miscarried twice, within the first few weeks each time. It broke Will's heart - not only to lose their babies, but that his sweet love had to endure such heartache each time she learned she had lost one.

After the second miscarriage, they had decided to take a break from actively trying, to take some time to focus on the boys. Their dream of the house full of children was still there, but Wesley and Theo kept them busy enough that they began to heal. Pumpkin made an extra effort to get her hormones balanced, to make sure she was doing everything she could to be able to have another baby.

One evening, after a long day teaching the boys how to manage their field crops, the dinner bell rang. He herded his tired twins towards the house, kissing Pumpkin softly before going into the kitchen to wash up. Spooky's smile grew as he caught the smell of her ravioli casserole - one of the family's favorites.

"How was your day, honey?" His tone was soft, carrying across the room to her as she set the table.

"It was good."

"Errands in town go well?"

"They did! I finally was able to get a hold of those melon seeds we've been waiting for. I want to see if we can get them planted within the next week or so, they'll be a little late but I think we'll be able to get some good profit off of them. The boys loved the melon jerky we freeze dried last year, maybe we could make some of that at the end of the season too."

After the last plate had been set, Will's arms came around her from behind, breathing in her scent.

"You're chipper today."

"Just have a lot of reasons to be happy, I guess." She chuckled. "And I picked up a surprise for you and the boys on my way out of town this afternoon."

"Oh?"

"Mhmm. Wrapped it and everything."

As if on cue, Wesley and Theo discovered the wrapped box on their way out of their bathroom.

"Mama! Is this a present for us?" Theo asked.

"It isn't even anyone's birthday!" Wesley giggled.

"Come here, my little loves, and open it with Daddy. It's for the three of you." Pumpkin smiled, and the boys sat on either side of Will on the couch.

"Yeah, boys only!" Wesley chuckled.

"Won't you help us, Mama? I don't think it should be boys only." Theo said softly.

"Of course. we can each grab a corner and pull. Ready, set, pull." She said softly, and the wrapping paper came clean off the box, in several pieces. Will opened the box, pulling out two folded t-shirts, evidently for the boys because of their size.

It all happened so quick after that. Will reached the bottom of the box, eyes widening at the two items that were left for him. The boys opened their shirts, a little confused.

"It says 'Big Brother'?" Wesley's little brow furrowed.

"That's what mine says too." Theo asks.

Will discarded the box, standing as he held the little printed picture and the stick in his hands.

"You... are you serious?" Spooky's voice shook, full of emotion.

"Found out today." Her lips met his nose, tears already on her cheeks.

"We're gonna have a baby?"

"We're gonna have a baby. Twelve weeks, and looking completely healthy. Sweetest little heartbeat."

"Is Mama having a baby?" Theo asked.

"A baby! Oh goodness! Mama's going to have a baby!" Wesley giggled, hugging his parent's legs tightly, Theo following suit.

"My little Dot." Will smiled.

"Dot Erin MacPherson. I love her name already. And she seems to as well, she's been kicking when I've mentioned it..."

Since the baby had begun to grow, Will had hoped for a girl. His heart wanted nothing more than a little copy of Pumpkin running around, as both of his boys seemed to take after him in most of their features.

"Mama, when do we get to see the baby?"

"Is the baby a boy or a girl?"

"Boys, come here." Will scooped his sons into his arms. "We've just got to wait. We'll get to see baby soon."

"MacPherson?" The tech came through the door.

Will stood with the boys on his hips, and smiled at Pumpkin as she went into the room first. She was radiant, even though she was only halfway through her pregnancy.

"What do you boys think your little sibling is?" The tech asked as the boys stood next to her to watch what she was doing.

"I think it's going to be a girl." Theo responded.

"Me too. But it could also be a boy." Wesley stated.

"If they're bugging you, let us know and we can wrangle them." Pumpkin chuckled, the gel cool on her bump.

"They're alright, it's fun to have older siblings want to be involved."

"Will we get to see the baby on that screen up there?" Theo pointed at the blank monitor.

"Is that the camera you use?" Wesley asked as the tech moved the wand.

"Boys, come here. Let the technician do her job." Will held his arms out, and the boy's little feet soon had them cuddled into his sides.

The technician chuckled, looking on the screen to begin her search.

"I can't quite see gender yet, but looking at measurements so far, baby is looking great."

"Is the baby shy?" Wesley's little voice was soft.

"Yeah, baby is being a little shy. Can you cheer them on a little bit to see if they'll turn for us?"

Will's boys clapped their hands, giggling as they cheered on for their baby sibling. The technician moved the wand a bit, trying to get a different angle and move the baby a little bit.

For a split second, the baby turned and stretched their legs wide, and the technician caught a glimpse before the baby's legs scrunched back up.

"You did such a good job cheering, friends! Your little sister moved just enough so I could see!"

Everyone went quiet, the twin's eyes went wide.

"A little sister?"

"Yeah! Baby MacPherson is a girl." The technician smiled. "Congratulations."

Will's smile grew wide, his gaze moving to his wife. "I'm so proud. We've been needing another girl in the house."

"Where did she go... come on, Dot, say hello to daddy." Pumpkin took his hand, placing it at the bottom of her belly, where the baby began to kick. "There she is."

"Three months, and the boys will have a little sister." Spooky kissed his wife's forehead.

"Sister! Sisterrr!" Wesley bounded into the room, Theo right on his heels.

"Is she kicking, Mama? Did she miss us?" Theo asked, and both sets of the boy's hands landed gently on her stomach, pleased to feel her moving around.

"I am certain Dot missed you both, very much. Did you get your hands all washed?" Pumpkin asked, and the boys showed her their hands. "Perfect. Thank you so much. Now, can you please set the table for us?"

"Yes, Mama!" Theo led his brother into the kitchen, pulling plates from the lower cupboard and silverware from the drawer. If there was one thing the MacPherson boys loved, it was being helpful.

"Oh, and one last thing for you, Daddy. Because you're the only one who will really understand it." She smiled, waddling back into their bedroom to retrieve something. It was not long before her feet padded into the living room once more. "I had this made for you. For us."

Will took the item from her hands, shaking his head with a smile as tears pored over his cheeks once more.

It was a little sunflower frame made from wood, the latest picture they'd had taken of their family in the middle. The top read "Our world is in color when we're together" and the bottom line was "MacPhersons, est 2009".

"Pumpkin..." Spooky chuckled, her fingers soft on his cheeks as she wiped his tears. "It's beautiful. We'll have to get another picture when Dot is born."

"Most definitely."

"Mama! Does Dot like the casserole like we do?" Wesley asked.

"Does she like ice cream too? Because we could make her ice cream after dinner!" Theo chimed in.

"I'm sure she does, boys. And if you eat all your dinner and help with dishes, we can have ice cream later." Will answered his boys before kissing Pumpkin.

"I hope they'll let us have the raspberry sauce from our raspberry bushes again. That was the best part." Theo whispered as he went to the table.

"Me too." Wesley sighed softly, following his brother.

Will carefully set the sunflower frame on the fridge, making sure the magnet was strong enough, before his hand came to rest on his wife's lower back as she brought the hot casserole dish to the table.

Things would come, and things would go. Seasons would change. The house would fill with children, and they'd grow up and move away. But one thing was certain.

As long as they were together, Spooky and Pumpkin's world would always be in color.

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ the end ♡

series masterlist

biggest thank you’s to @valmare and @permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88 for supporting this since the beginning - it’s been you, my friends, that have kept me excited to continue sharing every installment. Couldn’t have done this without you and I am so happy I got to share this piece of me with you. My heart is so full! 🫶

#world in color #val kilmer #will ‘spooky’ macpherson #william macpherson #will macpherson #spooky #spooky and pumpkin #conspiracy #conspiracy 2008 #spooky x pumpkin #spooky x reader

[ahmedmootaz]

After the Epilogue of Adventures In Parenthood! is finished, what do you plan to write about next?

Dear Anonymous,

Good question, actually. Very good question. I've thought long and hard about this topic, considering it's pretty detrimental to me, and the answer is:

I've not idea.

The reality is that I have a lot of plans in mind, from dipping my toes into Limbus with a small 'Fic with the premise of "What if things actually went better between Kromer and Sinclair?", to a "What-If" type of story where I explore various possible outcomes for important events in the PMverse across their three games and even Distortion Detective (maybe), writing some AiP Extras that never made it into the final cut, and so on and so forth. Maybe I'll even have a test-'Fic where I demonstrate proofs-of-concepts for people to read and choose from.

I have a lot of ideas in mind, although I don't know if I'll actually get to them directly after finishing AiP because I fear I may get a burnout seeing how sluggish I am with these Epilogues already (though don't worry, I assure you I'm actively working on Epilogue II and the ones after it!), so I'll likely take a break, and I don't know if I'll do any purely creative writing considering I'm in a bit of dire straits right now, so instead I might switch to commissions for a bit, so you have that to look forward to! And don't worry, it's nothing too serious.

So I suppose the most straight-forward answer is: Whatever is more convenient and rejuvenating for me from the options I mentioned above. We'll see when I eventually reach that point; we still have a while before we reach in anyway, kehehe.

Though if you have more questions about the behind-the-scenes details, I don't mind sharing! Until next time, Anon, be well, take care, and see ya'!

#lobotomy corporation #library of ruina #limbus company #my writing #ask

[askfallenroyalty]

It occurs to me that we never saw kris or suzy in the epilogue (though I think the latter was mentioned once? Idk). Did uh… are they doing decently?

// the darkworld arc had been abandoned/retconned. while there IS a UT-universe version of Kris and Susie (assuming Frisk isn't Kris in UT, tho Kris is still very much their own person regardless) in AFR, we will only know Susie in the redraw. (again... assuming UT Susie is Suzy and not a sister like the catty and catti situation.)

x-x we just know too little about DR we don't even know how the universes mirror each other and the timelines are all WHACK. its a nightmare to write for or even theorize about. i esp dont wanna think about how they'd change in the time skips of AFR.

anyway in the redraw we'll see a LOT more of Susie as Frisk's whole journey is about befriending her. i didn't add her and MK into the epilogue because we need a proper foundation that the redraw will provide. at that point, my Susie would diverge from canon Suzy heavily as her story would be quite different.

uh. speaking of that arc...

So. My original plan for the rewrite was for Gaster and Riverperson to have worked together in the prime timeline. then gaster got yeeted from time, leaving his work behind. Then, Chara would run away to the underground looking for a purpose and an escape from Asriel's BS and the island. (though, thinking on it, logically Mt.Ebott wouldn't be on monsterland... as that's exiled from humanity. so idk about that anyway)

Anyway exploring true lab Chara accidently uncovers an artificial darkworld and gets stuck as a ghostly narrator again, this time as a cherub with Feylow. Frisk, Susie and MK would be the party and they'd have to make their way home together. I've heavily considered this portion being a fangame-only material, for better play-value.

but uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

ughhhhhhhh.

ugghghh.... gaster.

The story itself can keep gaster to a bare minimum. The guy is scattered across time. he's not directly involved at all. at most we know he did SOMETHING to chara in the prime timeline with their soul and now things are on the fritz (what caused this AU) up until fake DW, where they're possessed again.

(˘･_･˘)

I just don't want to play with DR canon at all anymore. darkworlds are inherently going to tie into that. and granted, in UT canon there's entry #17 that implies a growing darkness... it's not a stretch that Gaster could of done this. And he DID have a DT extractor, and the timeline is vague but the similar wording (and how old the core is) could imply he was around Chara's time. None of this is a stretch

buuuut working with Darkworld, even if it's a fake one, is too close to DR canon and we just don't know much yet. when i first did the darkworld, i thought it'd be a fun excursion into the same chapter 1 area... but i got too into the improv and imagination side of things without understanding the original at all. (and bad improv) it didn't really hit me that DR was it's own game and lore until Chapter 2, and I realized just how early on we are into that game's story.

I just... I can work with what I've got, I can avoid DR canon as much as I can but ultimately, I'm working with 2/7ths worth of puzzle pieces.

I don't wanna do any of this. Gaster used to be a "free for all" in the fandom to do whatever timeline/lore thing you wanted to pull of cause he was free real-estate. but now DR is treating him more and more as a character and I don't wanna touch the guy as he's going to be jossing the story.

idk what to do in all honesty. The darkworld portion IS important, Chara goes through major character development that the Continue Arc is built on. But I've been struggling with Feylow as a concept, and well, this. what the hell am I going to do.

#ooc #tbd #not art #pain and suffering

[dalishious]

Running Commentary: The Masked Empire Ch 13 & 14

TL;DR: Gaspard finds Mihris still alive, and they agree to work together to catch up to Celene's party, with Mihris desiring revenge against Michel. Briala decides Celene isn't to blame for the genocide she committed, If You Really Think About It™. Weekes is a blood quantum supporter, apparently.

—————

Well folks, we're 5 chapters + an epilogue away from finishing this shit, and I kinda wanna try to burn my way through the rest of it while I have the drive to do so. My goal is to do at least one chapter each night. We'll see how that goes lol.

Anyway, let's get to it...

Celene, Briala, Michel, and Felassan find the nearest eluvian in an ancient elven burial chamber, but decide to get some rest before venturing into it.

Something of note: I wonder if the pools described here are of the same nature as the vir'abelasan? Celene assumes they are bathing tubs, but describes an uneasy feeling about them: "Whether it was the runes etched into the metal or the hard angles and corners, something in the shape of it said that this was not meant for her." It's nothing important though, as the pool is empty. Just a thought.

Meanwhile, Gaspard is on Celene's trail, though he is slowed by the sylvans with the help of his employed apostate, Lienne. Remache is nervous about working with the mage, but Gaspard eases his fears by promising to kill Lienne if necessary.

Eventually they come to the Dalish camp, or rather, what's left of it. All the elves have been killed, save for one: Mihris. Mihris explains what happened to the camp, and also that she made a deal with Imshael to be able to track down Michel, who she wants to kill in revenge for the destruction of her clan.

I think it's interesting that Mihris blames Michel for the death of her clan, and not Imshael. Because she does not see the demon as capable of full sentience, perhaps? It could be interpreted as insight on Dalish perspectives on spirits/demons, if this is what Mihris was taught. Comparing it to what is written about Dalish beliefs in spirits in WoTv1, it does add up. Don't get me wrong, I think Michel absolutely shares responsibility, because he was the one that freed the demon--just like if someone were to assist in a murder, you'd still hold them accountable for that assistance--but ultimately the deaths were at Imshael's hand.

The next morning, Briala reflects on Celene's mass murder, and has fully accepted that she is to blame more than Celene, because... *checks notes* right, because she wasn't there to stop Celene from doing it.

What had happened at Halamshiral was a still-painful ache, but the elves had rebelled. Celene had done what she had to do. Had Briala been there, she might have been able to turn Celene to a different course, but Briala herself was the one who had left.

Jesus fucking christ, Weekes. Like, I'm all for fucked up relationships if they are fully intentional and acknowledged to be just that, because juicy drama and all... but this does not feel like such a case. Especially when taking the fact that the player can actually put these two back together in DA:I and they are celebrated as a happy couple. And so all it does is gives me the creepy crawlies, reading this.

Anyway. Celene's magic ruby unlocks the eluvian, and they venture forth. Immediately, it's described that for elves, the Crossroads (though it's not called that in this book) feels like a wonderfully magical place that loves their very presence, while humans find it revolting and fatiguing. Felassan explains that this is because the land was made for elves, which Celene... and Michel... aren't.

Excen't Michel IS an elf. At least, just as much an elf as he is human! So basically Weekes just stumbled ass first into a fucking blood quantum argument, considering that elves are a metaphor for Indigenous peoples, in support of the idea that you are somehow less of a person if you are mixed.

ANYWAY. Felassan takes the opportunity of he and Briala being able to travel much faster through the Crossroads to plant the seed that Celene will not honour the deal she made to free the elves. Briala at this point still defends Celene, though. While Felassan and Briala talk, so do Celene and Michel. Michel asks if Briala can truly be trusted to follow Celene's needs.

“This wretched place makes my eyes ache, Majesty, but for her, it is the dream of elven greatness come to life. Do you expect her to come out of this land and put her servant’s mask back on?” “I do.” Celene spoke with confidence, but she squinted up ahead all the same to where Briala and Felassan walked far ahead. “Bria has helped me play the Game for years, Michel. I doubt that an enchanted path will change that.”

This scene to me is the first sign that Celene does not, in fact, have the heart to keep her promise to Briala, because at the end of the day, because she doesn't think she'll have to. She believes that no matter what, Briala will always be there to serve her.

Discussions come to a halt when the group face walking corpses. Michel takes the lead, and is able to defeat them, but by the time he does so, Gaspard's party has caught up to them. A fight ensues, but with all the magical casting from Mihris and Felassan, more walking corpses awake.

#dragon age #the masked empire #tme commentary

[narukoibito]

Hi! I know you've recommended ginny centric stories, could you do some Harry centric ones ? Thank you!!

Fic Rec: Harry-centric

Gosh it's been so long since I've put one of these lists together, and I've been sitting on this request for a long time.

I consider Harry-centric fics to be when the fic really sheds some new light on his psyche or story (perhaps in an AU or in canon). I didn't think I would have any stories to offer because I tend to focus on Harry/Ginny stories or Ginny-centric stories and I was satisfied with Harry's POV in the books. Then I went through the stories I've read and thought, huh, well I have a few that do fit the bill (though mostly have already been rec'ed).

Anything with an * is a WIP, and indented fics have been rec'ed before. Mind the trigger warnings.

Post-War Canon

22 by @floreatcastellumpostsosts​ Harry realizes he has outlived his parents. Coal by @floreatcastellumposts Two Christmases, a lifetime apart. For all the things we put Harry through, we always want to see him with the happiness he so very much deserves. Just Harry by @glisseowrites Ginny gets Harry an amazing birthday gift. The How and the Why by fluffernutter8 A beautiful ode to James and Lily, their love for Harry, and his love back. It gets me every time.

"We'll figure it out." by @stuckwith-harry

Ginny is pregnant, and Harry hits a low.

Cake by @floreatcastellumposts

Parenting is not always easy, and Harry is afraid of his own temper.

warm front by @jiilys

This isn't exactly canon to some, but I consider it close enough since I am liberal with post-war but still epilogue-compliant. This is a beautiful post-war story, where Harry moves to Australia to be with Teddy after the war but continues to search for something.

Alternate Universe

you will bleed to death with the pain of it by @lullabyknell Harry Potter is born with the words "Avada Kedavra" written over his heart. Blackboards and Broomsticks* by @glisseowrites An absolute delightful professor!Harry story where, in this universe, he decides to become the DADA professor much sooner than we usually read about. The writing is truly amazing, bringing interesting OCs, seeing Harry transition into teaching, and spending more time with his burgeoning family. 

the girl who lived (again) by dirgewithoutmusic

"It's just that I'm a girl," Harry had said, and Arthur had nodded and asked her about how telephone booths worked. He would call her by the right pronouns until the day he died at the respectable old age of one hundred and thirty three, and he would make it seem easy.

The Peverell Dilemma by @deadwoodpecker

Trigger Warning: Rape. Harry begins to realize he doesn't know his best mate's little sister very well at all. The story has adventure, disguises, Harry being jealous of himself, pining, romance, and then some, but what makes it stand out to me is how well written the trauma and repression is, which is why I definitely consider this a Harry-centric story despite all the other factors at play.

Steel by mute90

A fic from LiveJournal, featuring a much darker Harry than I'm used to so I put it under AU, but it's so good regardless.

They say he's strong. In truth, he's just...repressed.

*

As always, there are just my preferences. I'd love if others shared their recs with me too!

If you're interested in more recs, feel free to check out my rec lists, sorted into the following categories below:

All-time Favorite recs

Muggle AU / Coffeeshop AU recs

Post-War Canon recs

Missed Moments recs

Pregnancy recs

Outsider Perspective recs

Amnesia recs

In Every Universe recs

Angst recs

SugarQuill recs

Muggle and Wizard/Witch recs

Rivals to Lovers recs

Humor & Gen recs

Married recs

Not my OTP (Not Harry/Ginny) recs

Friends with Benefits recs

Ginny-centric recs

Break Up to Make Up recs

Injured / Hospitalized recs

Canon Divergence recs

#fanfiction rec list #hinny #harry/ginny #harry potter #ginny weasley #i imagine someone else can rec more harry-centric stories than me #but i honestly was going to give up on this request #so the fact that i realized i had a few were something! #omg this took me hours #it's been a while #also tumblr why did you make formatting infinitely more difficult???

[todayisafridaynight]

A thing I really enjoy about the Arakawas is that--while some say Ichiban and Arakawa actually being blood-related undermines the found family themes--the themes are reinforced in so many different ways and so well. It's exactly like you said, they find one another without even knowing it; I think even Jo took a while to put two and two together, if I remember correctly.

A detail I always come back to is the way that, at least in their teens, Ichi and Masato both resemble the "opposite" dad more than their own; Masato's the clean-cut introvert with the loving father living in relative comfort and Ichi's the scrappy youth with no father, roaming the streets and picking fights for money.

Like I joke about Masato having two brown-haired parents and ending up with black hair and Ichi having (at least one) black-haired, brown-eyed parent and ending up with brown hair and gray eyes, and I know it's genetically possible, but it just works so well. (Also never going to stop thinking about how, initially, the reason Ichi has a punch perm is because he was supposed to be "copying" Arakawa, though that design for Arakawa didn't end up sticking.)

Of course, both of them start to resemble their bio dads more as they age, but still. And I think there's an argument to be made that Masato is purposely designed in a way where both Jo and Arakawa could believably be his biological father, but if I were to go a step further, I think that design sensibility applies in some ways to Ichiban, too.

I'm definitely not a Jo Was Ichiban's Biological Father truther, but I would consider myself a Jo Is Ichiban's Last Remaining "Family" truther. And in forming a "cohesive family unit" that both transcends and demonstrates blood ties, I think the design and writing choices are significant.

I probably wanted to bring it up in the previous ask about Jo and Arakawa's relationship but either forgot or thought it meandered too far, but the way Ichiban says in the epilogue he's "reporting to" Arakawa about Jo's prison sentence, like it's something he should know and would want to know--the fact he even followed the case closely enough to know the sentencing before Nanba told him--is such a big deal to me. Also. When Ichi said "Look, I like this life with Arakawa-san, the captain, and even you!" to Mitsu despite Jo giving him no reason to be happy to have him in his life. OOGH.

I also don't want to (publicly) go off the deep end too much with Y8 and Gaiden speculation, but I of course think it's notable that Jo and Arakawa bookend the voices addressing Ichiban at the start of the Y8 teaser trailer as well.

According to Yokoyama, the lines were all newly-recorded for the trailer, except Arakawa's which is from "a flashback scene" (I haven't had a chance to actually take a listen and verify which one, if it's from Y7). However, I have... no idea what Yokoyama meant when he said (roughly) "Don't miss Sawashiro's line at the start! But there's still a while to go, so we'll see." Yokoyama. Please. What Do You Mean By That. What Will We See.

Honestly, I don't think Arakawa and Ichiban being related by blood undermines the found family aspects of Y7 either. They still exist, especially in Ichiban and his friends. Moreover, I don't think it'd be right just to constrain Y7's themes to 'found family' and to extend the idea to 'familyhood' as a whole: it's fairly apparent a theme in the game is that it shouldn't matter if two people are related by blood, all that matters is the bond between them and the roles they play in each other's lives (as Ichiban asserts at the end of the game not just with Arakawa and Kasuga-san being his dads, but with Masato and how Ichiban saw their brotherhood).

Ichiban and Masato having aspects of both Jo and Arakawa- though blatantly logical in Masato's case- is funny/interesting for Ichiban's (I know I kept joking about teen Ichiban and Jo having the same haircut, so I've definitely noticed at least some parallels between them lmao). To continue, I do agree that even if Jo isn't a great family figure to Ichiban, it's still inarguable he is a part of Ichiban's family and exists as the last connection between Ichiban's life before and after prison, so it's fair he should have some bits of Jo a part of him as well. You mention it later on in this ask so I'll talk a little more about it then, but if the beginning line of LaD8 is anything to go off of, Ichiban doesn't harbor too much bad blood towards Jo anymore. I doubt they'll have a SUPER close relationship (especially with Jo in prison), but I think it's better that way frankly.

To extend on some previous bits of mine, these moments really do help solidify the family dynamic of the Arakawa Family. It might be a tidbit that's occasionally forgotten or overlooked, but Jo has been in Ichi's life just as much as Arakawa was. Evidently, Ichi didn't become attached to Jo like he did to Arakawa, but they've at least co-existed for just shy of a decade together. Especially with Jo being so close to Arakawa himself (never mind being the person Ichiban seems to report the most to), it's going to cause Ichiban to develop SOME kind of bond with him (though that doesn't automatically mean it'll be an amicable one). At the very least, and it might be a side affect of Ichiban's good nature, but it shows a lot that even after Jo was right about to amputate him, Ichiban doesn't harbor any ill will and- at most- just laments how he and Jo don't see eye-to-eye on what it means to be a yakuza. Maybe it's because this probably isn't a first-time occurrence, but coupled with his comment to Mitsuo, it's at least apparent Ichiban is trying to keep the peace between them. Especially when it comes to 'reporting' to Arakawa at the end, there are a few ways to take this activity honestly. It could be that Ichiban's devotion to Arakawa runs deep enough that he's willing to go out of his way to track Jo and keep him posted, but it's much more likely that Ichiban was motivated to keep watch of Jo's case not just for Arakawa's sake, but also for his own personal interest. Again, at this point Ichiban sees Jo as a part of his family despite their rocky relationship: family's a complicated subject anyhow, it's hard to understand why someone should feel inclined to care about someone when they don't give them a fair reason to.

And back to this bit I alluded to earlier, it's so funny you bring this up because I actually planned on talking about Jo's line in the LaD8 trailer the day this ask was sent (and by 'talk about it' I just meant hyping myself up by remembering it existed). I'm 99% certain Jo's line at the start is roughly 'It's been a while, Ichi', suggesting that Ichiban might be visiting him in prison in this potential scene. I don't want to speculate too much either in the case I give anyone a lot of hope, but it's definitely something I'm excited to see come to fruition next year! I'm also curious about the inclusion of Arakawa though. I don't doubt there'll be flashback segments in LaD8 due to the series' love for them, but if there are supposedly new lines, I wonder what those could be..

#long post #holder until i think of a tag for these asks #snap chats #SORRY THIS TOOK A BIT my ability to read's deteriorating i think LMAO #i also love the detail that ichi's 2000's hair is supposed to represent arakawa's i always thought it was a cute/sweet detail

[wordsandrobots]

No but seriously though, time for an end-of-month Wishing on Space Hardware update. I'd say 'regularly scheduled update', except this is me and what is time?

As I was saying, Chapter 20 is now complete, which means I've finished the bulk of the plot for this work. There's still some wrapping up to do (I didn't plan five epilogues for nothing) but by and large, that's it. Two and a half years and upwards of 600,000 words, and I've reached the endpoint of everything my brain ran off with after watching Iron-Blooded Orphans (well, almost everything *hits passing plot bunny with a squeaky hammer*).

So the next step is to find out if my beta-reader thinks it works and/or bites me in the spleen as a result.

Also to write the aforementioned epilogues, finish Interlude 3 (it's like, two paragraphs from being done) and write Interlude 4. Then I need to edit this monster, catch all the narrative errors, kick myself over the plot-holes I remember at 1AM in the morning and generally get it ready for posting. Oh, and finish the cover art. Can't forget that.

The upshot is, I think we're looking at this starting to go up some time in late January. Given that'll make a six-month gap from the completion of History of a Catastrophe, I did consider posting it two chapters a week, as I did back with To Catch a Falling Star. However, the upcoming fic lacks the natural flip-flop structure of Falling Star and each chapter averages 6000 words instead of 3000, so I think I'll stick to weekly. And that'll give me time to be extremely chill about finishing the series coda, which is a nice thought.

I *might* end up posting the prologue for this fic on here at some point prior to Christmas, just because I'm really proud of it and I have some lovely patient readers who've been waiting for me to finish this thing. We'll see.

Regardless, in the meantime, I'll leave you with some cheerful cackling since sometimes, remembering where you got the name for a work just delights you all over again.

And sometimes, I am a total monster.

I saw two shooting stars last night I wished on them, but they were only satellites It's wrong to wish on space hardware I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care

From 'A New England' by Kirsty MacColl

#gundam iron blooded orphans #gundam ibo #g tekketsu #tekketsu no orphans #fanfic #writing

[not-poignant]

THE CHAPTER TO END ALL CHAPTERS. If I didn't trust you to bring it around awesomely I would be soooooooooo devastated I wouldn't know what to do. Seriously, I'm crying here. Poor Augus, poor Eran, poor me, poor everyone. I cannot wait for friday and am secretly hoping that charred skeleton is somehow Gwyns true form or something /)(\ You are my favourite writer and I have never read anything else that is so raw, human, vulnerable and awesome as your writing. Gramercie, you are a legend <3

The Ice Plague spoilers ahead! (I mean they're in the ask, so I'm not going to bother putting my response under a cut, lol).

Alas, the charred skeleton is not Gwyn's true form.

Like, he's not hiding away in there, he is at the moment, very dead. (Temporary major character death still has the 'major character death' part and not the 'secretly alive but they just look kinda dead' part - because that's a whole other tag)

But you know, Augus died for a hot second in The Court of Five Thrones and still made it so er, Gwyn can um, er... *stares at him*

*waves some pompoms* *skeleton just sits there*

It just might take a while.

I will say that the final chapter is 21,000 words. So the equivalent of about 4 chapters all up. I'm definitely not whacking a short 'happy ending how the fuck did that happen' at the end of this, it's getting a considered ending that actually addresses all of the characters - Ash, Julvia, Gwyn, Augus, Mosk, Eran. Maybe a few others as well, we'll see, lol.

I decided to basically write a novella at the end because I wanted it to feel like a very soft landing. Don't get me wrong, the beginning is kind of painful because of the last chapter, but...well, I like to think that by the end of it, it'll feel like 'oh actually, this is a happy ending.' (Because I would actually say it's a happy ending for almost all of the characters).

I have really tried my best though re: the epilogue / final chapter, and I really hope folks get at least some of what they hoped for, wanted, or expect from one of my happy/hopeful endings. It's painful to leave it here, but at least the actual final ending is less than 48 hours away now! I'm so glad it's not a two week wait oh my god.

#asks and answers #fae tales verse #the ice plague #gwyn ap nudd #thank you so so much for your kind words anon #i really appreciate it #spoilers #fae tales spoilers #the ice plague spoilers

[silvertsundere]

Silver Talks AniManga (26/03/23)

post is late today cause I wanted to finish catching up to UU I actually wanted to do it before jump came out but I was 30 chaps behind at that time. if I hadn't gone watch JW4 on friday or had ready at least 1 or 2 arcs sometime during the week I would've been able to do this no problem but oh well it's really good tho I recommend it 👍

Undead Unluck Ch 31 - 152

SHEESH that took quite a lot more time than I expected huh it's REALLY good tho, the best arc so far as been the spring one tho that'll probably change to being the current loop one, tho I'm still a sucker for the last few pages of the manga arc on chap 30 anyway like I said when I talked about 1-30, the first few volumes have a lot of lewd and crass moments but it gets it gets a lot more mature and better fast after that and it's absolutely worth a read all the powers and the way they work are unique and interesting to learn about, there's a varied and likeable cast of characters and the art and action are all clean and easy to follow TL;DR it's good 👍

Dandadan Ch98

another good straight action chap, with both jiji and aira getting some time to shine, still no sign of okarun but it'd be incredibly pogged up if he showed up on chap 100 (expecting this)

Tokyo Underworld Ch35

it's kinda funny how much japan loves jeanne, you see it all over the gachas and various series

Ichigoki's Under Control!! Ch16

what do you MEAN this isn't over yet MAN. tho I already knew it wasn't gonna end this week from the toc but this still sucks smh

The Ichinose Family's Deadly Sins Ch18

setting up to end for real now it looks like so that's good at least

Fabricant 100 Ch15

another decent chap to be honest, too bad it didn't do this stuff from the start, oh well

Ginka & Gluna Ch27

not much to say it was just ginka's backstory and the start of the epilogue, we'll see if they stick the landing or not

Jiangshi X Ch10

oh there's the thing I've been calling for a while lol

Tokyo Demon Bride Ch28

not much to say, just trucking along to the finale, manaka cute tho

Witch Watch Ch102

yoooo new chuuni dropped let's go

Cipher Academy Ch17

a nice chap to take a break from all the codes, just hope nisio has enough time to finish this next arc that was set up at the end before it gets axed, since it hasn't been doing well in rankings 😔

Blue Box Ch94

another good chap as usual 🙏

Mashle Ch149

seems like next week the final battle for real this time will start

Sakamoto Days Ch112

a p chill chap considering the last few but that action scene at the end was p poggies

The Elusive Samurai Ch103

well not only did I not expect for the girl to be gone so fast but I also didn't expect the ending, very monka stuff

Akane-banashi Ch55

nice chap overall, just setting up some characters and the next little arc, not much to say

Ayakashi Triangle Ch124

nice chap as usual, not much of note other than the cliffhanger at the end, matsuri cute tho

#UU is honestly a lot better than I expected from what I had heard about it over the years #glad I finally caught up even if I was gonna do it eventually regardless #silver talks animanga

[acourtofthought]

Okay this is just funny at this point. Too bold to go to someone's inbox and trying to fight but not bold enough to show their faces, I see.

Ignore them and let them have dry throats since they're so thirsty for a fight. 😂

Anyway, what do you think Sjm meant by saying we'll get to see more babies in the upcoming acotar books? Maybe a little Nessian? Little Elucien perhaps? Viviane and Kallias were pregnant in acosf too so we might get to see their kid as well. Or she could've just been saying stuff but not really meaning it... Whatever she says is not always meant to take seriously, since she had basically "lied" about a certain things before. I personally don't want to see more babies from main characters (side characters are fine) and I might prefer to see how the orphans live. There are probably plenty of kids without parents in Illyria, should Azriel's book take place in Illyria, it would be good to start with the kids since they're looking for changes in Illyria. Could also be healthy for Azriel's inner child. I doupt Sjm has the good brain for it, if I'm being honest 💀

I'm done, I promise! 😂 And I apologize for clogging up your newsfeed. I know it's better not to argue back but then you get accused of "they know I'm right which is why they won't respond" so I have this drive to defend myself or stance.

I love your idea especially because Az has such a bias towards the Illyrians but maybe seeing that the future generation can change with the right sort of influence, seeing that they're innocent and don't deserve the prejudices he has.

I think we might see children further into the series, maybe in an epilogue if she decides to give us one, but I don't feel it would make a lot of sense considering how urgent and dire their current situations are. They know a war is most like coming and unless it's a surprise baby situation, I don't think anyone would be planning to have kids right now.

Thank you for messaging! I hope you've had a nice Monday 😊