#dynamic: ruby slippers

[dinneratgrannys]

You came back for me. I always will.

#ouatedit #onceuponatimeedit #rubyslippersedit #once upon a time #ouat #ruby slippers #ruby lucas #dorothy gale #s5 #5x18 ruby slippers #dynamic: ruby slippers #event: rewatch 22

[mattjacksonsbrain]

Panel Presentation: The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is an American cinematic classic. It is widely celebrated for pioneering the use of Technicolor as well as its various narrative creativity, musical score, and memorable characters. To this day, popular media pays homage to the film, remarking at its wonderful ability to serve as a blank canvas for so many variations of American fantasy storytelling.

REWORKING OF NARRATIVES/MYTHS: The film is, of course, an adaptation of the 1900 original novel by L. Frank Baum. Other than dropping the word “wonderful” from the title there were not many significant changes made to the plot. In short:

They changed the color of Dorothy’s slippers from silver to red (to capitalize on the new Technicolor process).

In the film, Oz is presented as a dream that Dorothy visits after being knocked unconscious during a tornado. In the book, oz is a real place that Dorothy actually visits (maybe the most noticeable change that can constitute some interpretive differences)

In the book, the Wicked Witch of the West is a less prominent antagonist. They created the plot element of the Witch seeking the ruby slippers specifically for the film adaptation.

In the book, the reveal of the Wizard is less dramatic. Void of light, smoke, and various Hollywood visual effects, the scene focuses on the Wizard’s own admission of being a humbug.

In terms of reworking myths, much of the subversive tactics that the film employs will be discussed in the following categories.

FEMININITY AND MASCULINITY: The Wizard of Oz puts forth Judy Garland as a female protagonist in what can be largely considered an adventure film. This genre, not to mention the medium in general, was dominated by male protagonists. Stories that centered around women during this time period often relegated them to roles that emphasized romantic or domestic challenges. Dorothy’s character, embarking on a dangerous, transformative journey, broke away from these confines, placing a young woman at the heart of what is effectively an epic adventure narrative.

Dorothy is not the only major female character in the story. The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, both pivotal characters, also constitute much screen time and influence. It is worth noting that the female characters depicted do not simply play passive roles in the story. They are not characters to whom things just happen. They make decisions and take actions that drive the plot forward. This active agency was a departure from earlier depictions of women, who were often passive or secondary to the actions and decisions of male characters. Dorothy, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch’s respective qualities of leadership, courage, determination, and agency challenged stereotypes about female capabilities and roles during the time period.

There is also a definitive power dynamic established in the realm of Oz between the female and male characters. For instance, Dorothy is regarded as and looked to as a savior and a caregiver by the male individuals in her company. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion are all initially presented as rather incomplete. Much of their respective character substance is defined by the qualities which they lack. The scarecrow is not smart, the tin man is not caring, and the lion is not courageous. Dorothy provides reassurance and encouragement, acting as a pillar of strength for them and enabling them to rediscover the qualities that they believed were absent. In simpler words: Dorothy, the female figure, is presented as strong and capable while her male company are presented as weak and broken.

Lastly, a couple notes. It is also worth noting that the only people shown to wield actual magic in Oz are female. It is speculated that L. Frank Baum, the original author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel on which the film is based, was committed to the cause of women’s rights as both his wife and mother-in-law were notable campaigners for the women’s suffrage movement.

CLASS MARKERS:

The Wizard of Oz is, by all appearances, chock-full of references to capitalist structure and notions of class. Many scholars have written on the topic and suggest a number of thematic representations that relate to world-events, political sentiments, or class disparities of the time. Some of these are a bit far fetched so I will only include a few that I feel hold the most validity as well as a few of my own recognition.

Allegory for Populism: The Wizard of Oz is interpreted as a political allegory of turn-of-the-century America, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of the Populist movement, which aimed to uplift the working class and farmers against industrial capitalists and bankers (as represented by Oz).

Critique of Political Deception: The Wizard’s exposure as a fraud critiques the political leaders who maintain power through illusion and manipulation, rather than genuine leadership or democratic principles.

In “’The Wizard of Oz’ is a Real Political Allegory” by Michael Genovese, President of the Global Policy institute at Loyola Marymount University, a the following character symbolism is offered.

Characters as Symbols:

Dorothy symbolizes the Everyman, or the common person.

The Tin Woodman represents the industrial worker, highlighting the dehumanization and alienation experienced by factory workers.

The Scarecrow represents the farmer, suggesting a perceived lack of political awareness or intellect in addressing their plight.

The Cowardly Lion is an allegory for William Jennings Bryan, a prominent Populist leader known for his eloquence but criticized for lacking political courage.

The Wizard represents the President, embodying the idea that political leaders are powerful only through deception and manipulation.

The Munchkins are the “little people,” or the ordinary citizens oppressed by the ruling classes (bankers and capitalists.)

This video explains it quite nicely. Also includes the portion mentioned in our discussion about the transition of the ruby slippers not only reflecting the advantageous nature of technicolor but economic trends as well.

Character Musical Themes: The film uses music to distinguish to companion a character with their own song or theme that reflects their desires and, by extension, their social roles or class. For instance, the Tin Man’s “If I Only Had a Heart” speaks to the industrial worker’s desire for emotional fulfillment beyond mechanical labor, while the Scarecrow’s “If I Only Had a Brain” addresses the undervaluation of the agricultural worker’s intellect.

The Emerald City as Distinction: The landscape and dress of the Emerald City and it’s citizens is certainly quite a distinct departure from that which resides outside of the city. It feels quite similar to a lot of dystopian cityscapes we’ve seen depicted in stories like The Hunger Games. The wealthy and elite citizens of the Emerald City indulge in grandeur, extravagance, and flamboyance, distinguishing themselves in their luxury and delusion from the common people of the land of Oz.

While some of these may be quite far-fetched in their explicit intentions for symbolism, it is certainly thought provoking. I have found that several authors have published varying theories about the symbolic significance of the characters of the story. The validity of these representations is entirely subjective (in the eye of the beholder, if you will). One thing is certain, despite its historical and political symbolic intentions, The Wizard of Oz remains relevant for its exploration of universal themes and its critique of social and political issues, inviting viewers to reflect on the nature of power, leadership, and the quest for justice and equality.

RACIAL SUBTEXTS: The Wizard of Oz features a predominantly white cast, including little to no people of color in the entire film’s production. This reflects the racial norms and exclusionary practices of Hollywood (and greater society as a whole) during the era.

While there is no direct depiction or acknowledgement of systems of racial inequality in the film and speculations would be cloudy, there is something to say for the way that “otherness” is depicted.

The Munchkins, who welcome Dorothy to Oz, represent one of the first encounters with “otherness” in Oz. They are depicted as a homogenous group, distinct in their appearance and culture as opposed to the rest of Oz. Further, the Munchkins’ celebration of the witch’s death and their own liberation can be seen as a commentary on the joy and relief of oppressed peoples gaining freedom. Their portrayal also leans into the trope of the “exotic” or “other,” a common practice in films of the era that depicted groups differing from the normative standards (in this case, the standards of white, American society) as quaint, colorful, and somewhat uniform in their otherness.

Additionally, the Good Witch of the North (Glinda) and the Wicked Witches of the East and West further explore the theme of otherness through their moral and physical distinctions. The witches are powerful figures, both feared and revered, setting them apart from the ordinary inhabitants of Oz. The dichotomy between Glinda's benevolent, beautiful appearance and the Wicked Witch of the West's menacing, green-skinned portrayal reinforces traditional binaries of good vs. evil, but also reflects societal tendencies to mistrust or demonize those who are different. On the flip side, the Wicked Witch of the West's pursuit of Dorothy and her desire for the ruby slippers can similarly be interpreted as a struggle against the forces of otherness that threaten her power and domain.

AUDIENCE SIGNIFICANCE: As mentioned above, the film offered a “blank canvas.” A story imbued with a sense of hope and escapism. The characters’ quest for a heart, a brain, and courage mirrored the real-world desires of viewers facing economic hardship and uncertainty about the future. These were especially timely themes for its release towards the end of the Great Depression. The story cultivates a sense of universality that is truly timeless. Modern viewers continue to resonate with the film’s exploration of identity, self-discovery, and the journey to find one’s place in the world.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How do these films present familial structure? Do they seek to reinforce or challenge existing notions of normative familial structure from their respective periods?

These three films in particular are often revered for being “classics”. Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, and the Wizard of Oz. I’ve found that people less often refer to “The Wiz” with this esteem and yet, at this point, it’s been around long enough to be donned that accolade. They are also all feature white stories and predominantly white casts. When people address something as “a classic” the way they address these films, are they holding on to narrative excellence, or maybe a time where white people and white narratives ruled the screen? What are the racial subtexts present in these films?

In what ways do characters in Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz conform or rebel against authority figures? How is authority represented and questioned?

The Wizard of Oz is heavily infused with socio-economic criticisms for the time. What can we see in the other two films about criticism for specific events of the time?

Musical, specifically, have a profound ability to take controversial, difficult, traumatic experiences and gloss them over with a cartoonish, upbeat, positive, and romantic tone. What makes the medium of musicals especially prone to this choice?

#oxyfilmmusical #panelpresentation #@theuncannyprofessoro #Youtube

[martianbugsbunny]

for the ask game! frankenwolf or CS I can't decide lol): what made you ship it, what are your favorite things about it, and do you have an unpopular opinion about it?

ooooo why not both lol!!!

CaptainSwan I started shipping bc of the way Hook turned himself around for Emma, I loved seeing that. My favorite things about it are the way they support each other and grow with each other, and ofc the savior/pirate aesthetic, it's impeccable 10/10. (Tbh, their dynamic kind of reminds me of Tiana and Naveen, because they both teach each other things about living: Hook teaches Emma that sometimes you just have to take the plunge, even if you're afraid, and Emma teaches Hook that you can be better than you are, and that your mistakes don't have to exclude you from having a good life. They have a great sense of equality and balance.) Idk if I have an unpopular opinion about it, except maybe that Hook's introduction into Emma's storyline made it all the more interesting and beautiful, and that they really are mean to be together, bc I feel like there's a pretty big part of the fandom that doesn't like Hook very much and I think they're wrong.

Frankenwolf I started shipping bc of S2E12 (In the Name of the Brother) bc that was the first time Ruby and Victor had a real connection, and the whole monsters having a heart-to-heart thing was so cute! My favorite thing about them is that even though they're side characters without a lot of screen time, what scenes they do have usually point back to them being meant to be. Also the mad scientist/werewolf girl thing is so out of the box!!! I love it. My unpopular opinion about them is probably that it would have been more interesting to have Ruby stay in Storybrooke and have her and Victor develop a proper relationship than for her to go off and find Dorothy, bc as much as I enjoy Ruby Slippers it didn't have any buildup at all while Frankenwolf did, and I was kind of disappointed at not seeing any payoff there.

#captainswan #frankenwolf #Emma swan #killian jones #captain hook #ruby lucas #victor frankenstein #ouat #once upon a time #martianbugsbunny ships #martianbugsbunny answers asks #this was literally so fun!!!!!!! I love thinking about my little guys <3

[love-bokumono-fics]

Bokumono Reverse Big Bang 2023

By now you've seen the individual posts for the amazing art and fics people have created for this event, but I want to collect all the fics into one easy post to share across the blog.

You can peruse all submissions to the BRBB2023 in its AO3 collection HERE!

Operation: Save the Magic - by pansy_picnics & TheBeckster; Complete, 1/1, 18k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: Gen Fandoms: Story of Seasons (2014) Relationships: Annie & Fritz, Annie & Raeger, Fritz & Raeger, Annie & Fritz & Raeger, Annie/Fritz/Raeger (minor), Minor or Background Relationship(s); Characters: Annie, Fritz, Raeger, Mistel, Iris, Klaus, Marian, Agate, Lillie, Angela, Nadi, Kamil, Licorice Additional Tags: Bokumono Reverse Big Bang 2023, BRBB, it's a christmas Story yall!, Fanart, Collaboration, Everybody's braincells are hibernating for the winter, Everybody is living a different Christmas movie, Christmas, Winter, Cozy, Fluff, POV Multiple, everyone is delightfully and slightly unhinged, nobody is normal about anything, Mistel chooses to be a Problem On Purpose, i put So Many christmas movie references in here, someone's living a Hallmark movie, someone's in a noir movie, there's even a christmas heist Summary: When they discover that Fritz still believes in Santa Claus, Annie and Raeger take it upon themselves to to give him a magical Christmas. Mistel overhears their plans and decides to become a Problem On Purpose. Surely everything will go according to plan as opposing teams race towards their Christmas Eve deadline.

The Way You Know Me (it's such a mystery) - by SketchWitch; Complete, 6/6, 11k

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/F Fandom: A Wonderful Life Relationship: Muffy/Pony | Aya | Jill; Characters: Griffin | Garfan, Takakura Additional Tags: Cute lesbians, oh no she's hot, supportive muffy, supportive dad-characters Summary: and in that moment, she knew she was in love with this girl.

Wait in the Wings - by chickadeequill; Complete, 1/1, 5k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category: F/F Fandoms: Trio of Towns Relationship: Farmer/Stephanie; Characters: Holly the Farmer, Stephanie Additional Tags: Married Life, Flashbacks Summary: After only a year of being married, the two are still discovering new things about one another.

Holding On And Letting Go - by MarshmallowIchi; Complete, 1/1, 5k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandoms: A Wonderful Life Relationship: Mark/Nami; Characters: Mark, Nami, Tim, Ruby | Lou, Gustafa, Muffy, Griffin | Garfan Additional Tags: Love Confessions, Angst to Fluff, slight parental neglect and general jerkishness, written for the Reverse Bokumono Big Bang Summary: It was only thanks to her father's money that Nami was able to stay in Forget-Me-Not Valley. But when that money dries up and the only way out is getting a job, where's a girl to go? Anywhere but home, that's for sure.

Ready For Forever - by MarshmallowIchi; Complete, 1/1, 6k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandoms: Animal Parade Relationships: Jin/Molly the Farmer, other ships mentioned; Characters: Molly the Farmer, Jin, Toby, Hamilton, Julius Additional Tags: Pining, Confessions, Sweet Fluff Summary: Molly loved Jin, but she was tired of waiting for him to propose. That was alright. She'd just do it herself.

Forget-Me-Not - by durotos; WIP, 1/3, 9k

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: M/M Fandoms: Rune Factory 5 Relationship: Cecil/Ryker; Characters: Cecil, Ryker, Martin, Reinhard Additional Tags: Mystery, Awkward Flirting, Detective/Phantom Thief Dynamic, Cecil goes into noir mode sometimes, Light Angst Summary: From swapped slippers to misplaced objects, Cecil's daily journal has become full of strange instances, and he can't help but wonder if all of them are connected. Will following the trail of breadcrumbs behind leave him with more questions than answers? And are these seemingly harmless pranks and mishaps the sign of something far more sinister? Written for the Bokumono Reverse Big Bang, featuring gorgeous art from the talented Joyfulsanctuary!

Spring in the Winter - by CalypsoTea & QuartzFox; Complete, 1/1, 6k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: Other Fandom: Friends of Mineral Town Relationship: Claire & Dog; Characters: Claire the Farmer, Original Dog Character(s), Cameos by about half the town Additional Tags: Friendship, Trust, Overcoming fears, This story has a minimum of puns, Once you get past the title and summary, Developing Relationships, No Romance, (Maybe someday? but not in this story!) Summary: Mineral Town wasn't exactly quite as advertised. Claire was expecting an idyllic, peaceful farm, but what she got was what her (former) bosses liked to call "rich with unrealized potential". She hadn't expected to have to confront of her greatest fears! But during her first year, she learned that fear's bark is much worse than its bite…

Avoid Defining Your Relationship: A How-To Guide - by TheDisc (TheDisco); WIP, 3/?, 8.5k

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category:F/M Fandoms:Harvest Moon: DS Relationship: Pete the Farmer/Witch Princess; Characters: Pete | Jack, Witch Princess Additional Tags:Mutual Pining, Crushes, Romantic Comedy, Goofs and Gags, Miscommunication, pretty much everyone in forget me not valley makes an appearance but im not going to tag them all, the Harvest Goddess and the Sprites are there too, Implied/Referenced Character Death, (nothing graphic but this will be a major plot point later on), Light Angst Summary: Everyone knows that, while probably not dangerous, Pete is just weird. The farm he was left by his late grandfather has gone to ruin, all of his animals are long dead, no crops have sprouted in years... The only thing Pete seems to care about is getting the attention of the Witch Princess. Hell, he's willing to do anything for her! So when she asks him to put a mysterious mushroom in the Harvest Festival hot pot, how can he refuse? Little do either of them know, this declaration of love is going to turn Forget-Me-Not Valley on its head. Hopefully the Witch Princess can reverse the curse before time runs out. But even if she does, will there still be room for her's and Pete's relationship to grow? She's terrified to find out the answer, and even more afraid to admit how she feels, but there are simply some feelings that just can't be ignored.

I'll Never Desert You - by kuroneko07712 & QuartzFox; Complete. 1/1, 4.8k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandom: Rune Factory 3 Relationship: Micah/Raven; Characters: Micah, Raven, Assorted Monsters and Cameos Additional Tags: Fluff, And Action, But mostly fluff, they're newlyweds, And they're off an an Adventure, Micah is very smitten with his wifey, In my day this would've been called WAFFy ;) Summary: Not long after their wedding, Raven has asked Micah to accompany her on a little jaunt to a place she… doesn't really love. She wants to do something for him, though, so she's asked for his help in getting materials… But it's entirely possible she just wants to see him in action! And maybe to show off some of her moves as well… Sometimes we all need a reminder that our loved ones aren't incapable without us. ;) Even though it's always better when they're around.

#bokumono reverse big bang #brbb2023 #harvest moon #story of seasons #animal parade #a wonderful life #trio of towns #sos1 #friends of mineral town #rune factory #rune factory 5 #rune factory 3 #hm ds

[ambrial-blog]

Dark Stolas: synopsis.

 Stolas locks Blitzo away  once he realizes he can no longer string Blitzo along: like a beautiful Harlequin marionette. He locks Blitz inside  a white and gold hanging torture cage that he keeps suspended  in a secret dark room: only lit but the glow of a plethora of torches and black candlelabras that were fastened onto smooth stone walls. With various torture methods in place in case  the cage fails. Stolas gifts Blitz  with an ivory white/ blessed choker. Which was encrusted with an onyx owl with rubies for eyes: four rubies, a gift he embezzled from  Andrealphhus. The Icy peacock was intrigued  at Stolas’s dark request. “I want to see this new pet of yours” the Marquis  whines. “After  everything I’ve done on behalf of you, for you!” “Paitentce Andrealphus”  Stolas  reprimanded “You’ll get to see him in time” The Goeita prince promised.  I’ve just had a few setbacks, nothing to be concerned about. He reassures his brother in law.  As it swiftly dawned upon him  that his little impish plaything  had been marked by another  and quite crudely at that. Whatever had transpired between  the wrangler and his bodyguard  was quite distressful.  “Turn your head Blitzy,  Stolas Ordered  as he forcefully examines  the imp.  Those vermillion red eyes  darken. “I thought I made myself perfectly clear that  your littles were to be watching you or else I would’ve  had you tailed. “It's nothing Stolas!  Blitzo rushes to reassure the prince.  “We had our hands full trying to keep you alive!”  I would’ve told you sooner  but It didn’t seem important at the time. “Didn’t seem important my darling” the prince said darkly. As Stolas’s dark voice reverberates through the melancholy room.  Goeita was  beginning to regret  inviting the little Omega and his critters to the festival.  Stolas had thought he made it perfectly clear to Blitzo’s littles that Blitz was to take his vitamins.  He had even gone to the trouble of taking Moxxie off to the side  and had hinted at Blitzo’s true dynamic.  A dynamic that was greatly coveted.  A secret between friends. “Too bad, Fizzorolli had a big mouth”  Was it that hard to follow directions?.  Though the bird prince.  With the sudden abruptness of  what had happened at the festival the mood in the room soured.  The flighty bird was gone and in his place stood the regal prince. “You make it sound like I was in control of the situation” “Weren't you?” the prince inquired. “Ah- No!Striker was a lot slipper then we first thought. Blitzo exclaimed.  He was quick at disposing of M&M and then cornered me in the farmhouse. “Oh dear” “And then that asshole pursued me into  the nearest barn loft. I narrowly escaped wrath” “Oh dear, and here I thought you  were capable of handling a little o’l assassin. “Shut up Stolas!”  You might’ve been his prime target but I was fucking constalation prize!  I was the one who paid the price!  Now that inbred hick is hunting me down” “Excuses, excuses”  Stolas tutted.  If you had stayed by my side none of this would’ve happened” “No! Birdbrain!, If I had stayed by your side you’d have a blessed bullet in you  and we wouldn’t be having this fucking conversation to begin with!” “This Assassin is after your head! And my ASS!  He already got a taste for my ass and now I have to invest into some Cowboy repellent– and fast!  He is in my head Stolas!  His smug face!  And I can’t get his scent off me.  His fucking irritating face haunts me!  AND NOW I MIGHT BE CARRYING HIS VERMIN!”  “Why didn’t I steal the horse when I had the chance! There is no divorce!  No escape! “Blitsy, Blitsy, Blitzy calm down  darling  if this cowboy is a distraction then he has sung his last country song.  After all, you and I have an agreement that I don’t take lightly.  You and your critters depend on me and my grimoire to conduct your business leave this wrathian to me- He is probably Stella’s little toy.

#HellvuaBoss #Dark Stolas/Blitzo #Striker/Blitzo #WIP #Rough notes. #Character Study #Surrender at the Harvest Moon Book 1. The Cowboy's Claim.

[sciencestyled]

Twisting Through the Cosmos with Dorothy: A Whirlwind Guide to Spacetime

Hey there, cosmic adventurers and digital daydreamers! Gather around our digital campfire because we've got a tale that'll twist your neurons and sparkle your imagination more than a pair of ruby slippers. We're here to chat about something that's not your average bedtime story. It's about spacetime, narrated by none other than Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! Yes, you heard us right – the Kansas girl who's seen more colors than a rainbow after a storm.

Let's get this straight: spacetime isn't just some dry, yawn-inducing topic that makes you think of dusty chalkboards and snooze-fest lectures. Oh no, it's as lively and unpredictable as a Kansas twister, and just when you think you've got it figured out, it throws you for a loop!

Picture this: You're chilling with Dorothy and Toto 2.0 (because every classic needs an upgrade), traipsing along the cosmic Yellow Brick Road. Only this time, it's not bricks you're stepping on; it's the very fabric of the universe. Mind-bending, right? But hold onto your hats because it gets better.

Enter the grandmaster of this cosmic circus, Albert Einstein. With hair wilder than the Cowardly Lion and a brain sharper than the Tin Man's axe, he brought the party to physics with his Theory of General Relativity. Imagine, if you will, planets and stars warping spacetime like Toto jumping on your bed. It's that wild!

Now, why should you care about this quirky blend of space and time? Simple: without it, you wouldn't have the foggiest idea about how gravity works or why time crawls when you're stuck doing chores. Spacetime is the stage where the universe struts its stuff, from the tiniest atom to the vastest galaxy. It's like trying to imagine Oz without its Yellow Brick Road or the Emerald City.

But here's the kicker – spacetime isn't just some static backdrop; it's as dynamic as the Wizard's hot air balloon. It bends, it stretches, and it plays a game of cosmic tug-of-war with everything in the universe. Planets orbiting stars? That's spacetime's doing. Black holes gobbling up light? Thank spacetime for that too.

And if your brain isn't doing somersaults yet, wait till we talk about wormholes and time dilation. Think of wormholes as the universe's secret passageways, shortcuts through the cosmic fabric that could, theoretically, zip you from Kansas to Oz in a heartbeat. And time dilation? It's why a minute on a fast-moving spaceship might be an hour back on Earth. It's not just science fiction; it's science fact!

In this whirlwind tour, narrated by Dorothy herself (with some digital flair from Toto 2.0), we're not just learning about spacetime; we're living it. It's a journey filled with black holes, quantum quirks, and the wackiest of time tricks. So, if you thought Dorothy's adventure in Oz was out there, brace yourself for a ride through the cosmos that'll make Oz look like child's play.

So, click those heels (or tap those keyboards), because we're not in Kansas anymore, folks. We're in the fantastical, mind-boggling, utterly mesmerizing world of spacetime, where every second counts and every moment is a step into the unknown. And the best part? You don't need a tornado to get there – just a curious mind and a dash of imagination.

Are you ready to twist through the cosmos with Dorothy? It's a story of science, wonder, and a little bit of magic – and trust us, it's a narrative that's as sparkling as the stars themselves.

#space #time #space time #spacetime #science education #science

[neillien]

Untitled | story section from no place like Home. February 2019 …

So   … I dreamed I met Judy Garland [she’d aged] but then she always looked haggard to me - older people generally do, don't they? Especially when you're a boy thinking about age gaps, looking at grown-ups! Startled by their misery, scared of it. Let's just say today, Judy looked her worse and then bad some. How we met is by pure coincidence in the suburbs of the Emerald City, there was no technicolour, only squalor, no signifier of any importance other than Judy and the shambles of Oz fallen into dereliction.. The whole place looked pretty disgusting. Smelt rancid. The yellow brick road tarred-over. The little dog Toto had been dead years. I stood with Judy at the cairn terrier’s graveside. Its Tin man's axe crudely substituted for a gravestone, it's then when I realise we're in the apple orchard which wasn’t as it had once been. Not as it is presented in the film. A bypass cut through most the land. Cars and trucks roar by trailing flumes of polluted air. A few remaining trees are blighted, coppiced, half gone. Horrible, prescient tree-voices lay hold of my weakening attention. They sound like ghosts in my head, I try to ignore them; get immersed in my scene with Judy, try not to be scared. We, my newest buddy Judy and me, we're mourning the immemorial Toto. But easily distracted, I notice it might rain. Bad air permeates and a miasma risen from the soil, which drew my attention away. My junkie Judy was in thrall to a song. Judy sung of exploitative men; it dragged on a lot. I grew impatient. Wanted to go. I was like; ‘yes, yes, …show me something good: show me off. I might wake up any minute,’ but Judy carried on crooning, lost to her own voice. I felt lour cries, thrumming with murderous intentions …At some point during the singing I've involuntarily grabbed the Tin man's axe from the graveside, realising this only when beginning to scrape salient clumps of hard plastic from my sleeve. I spit red shards of plastic that hurt my throat, make me cough, followed by tiny brass cogs which taste rhythmical, if taste were to rhyme it would taste sweet like I have a sonnet regurgitating. I think I was throwing up my own timepiece heart that also stopped long ago. Now nestled closely, Judy and me lovingly wept for Toto.  When the crying dried. I turned to Judy and ask courageously, ever so nicely, ‘May I try the Ruby-Slippers on, you know, just for size, they're so iconic?’ BAM! A flash technicolour moment. Judy comes back as her younger self … moreover as the sweet, self-effaced, polite Dorothy dressed in her spotless gingham dress… Judy had been wearing a creased silk, off the shoulder evening dress and pearls: ‘Oh yes! Says Judy/Dorothy all southernly, blustery, [that kid had the dynamics of a tornado in her throat]  '…why of course, of course.’ So, we slip off our shoes and swap them over. Laughing as Judy squeezes into my Nike trainers.  The Ruby-Slippers are soon on my feet, a size too big, …but divine , I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. I cry ‘Oh Dorothy … Don’t please…! [I think Judy is about to cry, again] Please don’t believe in friendship, luck. Don't believe in love either. Honestly, don’t give a fuck. [Judy looks rattled, sad as fuck] Believe me there isn't anyone who cares. I don't - most of all. Think for a second… ['ve really warmed to my monologue] think how the good witch Glinda warned you… ‘ Keep the power of the slippers to yourself…’ she cautioned you Dorothy. NO Judy, don’t look at me like that, don't give me that look of consternation. The Ruby-Slippers are all I ever wanted.  And, now they're on my feet.

…Fuck-off.’

Judy’s face, dropped-dead. I pushed old Judy faghag from my floorspace   … I swirl to the upbeat tempo of Lizzo's latest hit, clicked my heels, sashay through the throng of dancing men: NEWSFLASH … The young and unaccompanied take precedence on the dancefloor, bitch.  

#february 3 #2023

[lisahiltonmusic]

        P A R A D I S E  C O V E Available Everywhere Dec 2nd

Composer, Pianist & Producer Lisa HiltonDebuts Her Dynamic New Quarte “A unique & brilliant sound by one of the best jazz pianists & composers around." — KVNF Radio

“Reminiscent of many reflective moments intuited by such influences as Dave Brubeck, Brad Mehldau, & Bill Evans.” All About Jazz

“Hilton channels the everyday beauty she sees around her into her music…jazz played with style, soul, spirit and sophistication…” Modern Jazz Today

“Elegantly-crafted and warmly-conveyed new album…” Exclusive Magazine

I love the way jazz tugs at our emotions in a way no other music can: it can calmly seduce your soul or prompt you to dance," states the award-winning composer and acclaimed pianist Lisa Hilton in the liner notes for her latest release, Coincidental Moment (Ruby Slippers Productions 1029), out December 1, 2023.  She continues, “The music here reflects the cool energies and history of jazz, but definitely sounds like today.”The nine original compositions and two cover tunes are laced throughout with rich blue tones augmented by modal flights all shimmering and swinging with Hilton's expressive touch on the piano. Coincidental Moment gracefully shares the spotlight with quartet mates Igmar Thomas on trumpet, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion. Royston's drum mastery is evident throughout the album, but his delightful and catchy bongo rhythms are also featured on tracks Jagged Lil' Bluesand Blue Tropics. Jazz traditionalists will enjoy the retro vibes of Happily Go Luckily and Anxiety Society with their cool grooves and snappy trumpet improvisations by Thomas. The entire quartet shines on the evocative Spanish-tinged Enigmatic Adventure and infuse Everyday Anthem with a stirring gospel energy. The inclusion of the iconic Miles Davis/Bill Evans track Blue In Green, shows the breadth of this band – Thomas's moody muted tones, contrasting but blending with Hilton's fluid piano, are underscored by Curtis's deep bass timbre and Royston's delicate touch on cymbals. An interesting choice was the inclusion of West Coast, written by singer/composer Lana Del Rey: the quartet easily turns this pop track into a darker and very expressive experience. Curtis is a vital contributor throughout, especially on the trio track Multiple Perspectives, which blends jazz rhythms and classical interludes with agility. Hilton's skill in composing intimate ballads is apparent on the title track - performed as a trio – and on Uncommon Poetry, which closes the album as an eloquent solo piano piece. Saturated with lush harmonic ideas and brimming with textures and emotions, the album Coincidental Moment is jazz just right for any moment. About Lisa Kristine Hilton The music of Lisa Hilton draws on classic American jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, and Count Basie, as well as blues heroes Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. She is a prolific composer who records and performs with many of today's jazz luminaries. Her twenty-eight albums sit regularly at the top of the Jazz Week and other radio/streaming charts for the last two decades, drawing millions of plays on streaming services and appearing regularly as an Amazon #1 New Jazz Release. Hilton has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Smithsonian Institution, UCLA's Royce Theatre, San Francisco Jazz, and Chicago's historic Green Mill. Hilton is also the creator and co-author of the popular children's book If Dinosaurs Were Alive Today (Price Stern Sloan), which she co-wrote with her sister, Sandra L. Kirkpatrick. The book was recently updated and published as a digital version by the same name.  

[dinneratgrannys]

ONCE UPON A TIME 5.18, Ruby Slippers

#ouatedit #onceuponatimeedit #rubylucasedit #rubyslippersedit #ouat #once upon a time #ruby lucas #ruby slippers #s5 #5x18 ruby slippers #character: ruby lucas #dynamic: ruby slippers #event: rewatch 22

[aspoonofsugar]

Emerald + Mercury = Cinder

BEGINNING OF THE END = MIDNIGHT

The episodes Beginning of the End and Midnight can be seen as complementary.

Both share a similar structure with the first part telling Cinder’s story and the second part showing how past events are influencing the present. At the same time, they show the links among Cinder, Emerald and Mercury and explore their changing dynamic.

In Beginning of the End it is shown how they came together and we reach the climax of their cooperation. The Fall of Beacon is when the trio is at its strongest. It is only because of their coordination and teamwork that the plan succeeds. In Midnight instead we are shown the beginning of their separation.

For different reasons (fears and wishes) both Mercury and Emerald are about to leave Cinder. Mercury already has and it is probable Emerald will soon.

The two episodes also give us two opposite and complementary visions of Cinder.

In Beginning of the End, we have the way Cinder wants to appear:

Cinder: (stepping forward slowly, glass anklet shifting with her footsteps) I've already told you. And I don't like repeating myself.

Salem: I would like to think I have shown a great deal of patience over my many years walking Remnant. But I do hate repeating myself.

Mercury: Is this how you treat a patient? (Emerald reaches over and twists the screwdriver in his leg, causing him to wince) Ah, too tight!

Cinder: Enough. Our Mercury put on a wonderful show. He was quite brave.

Salem: Do you find such malignance necessary?

Watts: I apologize, ma'am. I'm not particularly fond of failure.

Salem: Then I see no reason for your cruelty towards young Cinder. She's become our Fall Maiden, destroyed Beacon Tower, and most importantly, killed dear Ozpin. So I'm curious, to what failures are you referring?

In Midnight we see who she really is. Moreover, it becomes more and more clear that her imitation of Salem is different from the original:

Salem: I will tell you when and where you are needed.

Cinder: Both of you, get out. I’ll let you know when you’re needed next.

Mercury: Yeah about that, Salem’s got other plans for me. I’m not gonna be taking orders from you anymore.

Why is this being shown through her interactions with Emerald and Mercury? Why are they important for Cinder’s character?

First of all, Mercury and Emerald are Cinder’s kids, at least narratively speaking:

Roman: Oh, look! She sent the kids again! This is turning out just like the divorce!

Roman calls them so when they first appear and later on several characters refer to them as kids in relation to Cinder.

Raven (about Emerald and Mercury): Two children you've tricked into following you.

Tyrian: (chuckles as he slowly walks toward Emerald) Careful, little girl. Cinder isn't here to protect you anymore.

Tyrian (mocking Mercury): Oh yes, the world is mean, and I'm a big, bad man now just like the others.

Salem (to Emerald): Speak, child.

In short, they are meant to be the last link in a chain of abuse that starts with Salem, goes on with Cinder and finally arrives to them.

At the same time, as the title says Mercury + Emerald = Cinder because they are nothing more than parts of Cinder herself, both in their backgrounds and in their personalities.

CINDER + “HUNGER” = EMERALD

Cinder: Follow me, and you'll never be hungry again.

Cinder: It's... an emptiness. It burns. Like hunger. I like it.

In Beginning of the End Emerald and Cinder are shown to share a hunger motif.

Emerald is presented as a street rat who survives through stealing. She is poor and starved, so she accepts Cinder’s offer to be taken care of and to be given food. That said, it is clear that other than food what Emerald is truly starving for is love:

Emerald: I just... (sighs) Cinder was the only family I ever had. She cared about me, taught me things...

I'm the one Who rose out of filth and was loved by no-one

Similarly, Cinder too is shown to be hungry. More specifically, she is hungry for power:

Cinder: I want to be powerful.

It is meaningful that in the episode where Cinder tells Emerald she won’t have to starve anymore, she herself is starving. This contradiction conveys the tragedy of Cinder’s character aka a traumatized girl taking in a kid similar to her and becoming like her past parental figures.

As a matter of fact Emerald and Cinder’s first meeting has parallels with Cinder meeting both Madame and Rhodes.

When Cinder meets Madame she asks for food, but is negated it:

And she is later shown to have survived through leftovers.

In contrast, food is the first thing Cinder offers Emerald, who she recognizes as a girl who has survived in poverty, like her.

In their first meeting, Cinder also treats Emerald pretty much like Rhodes treated her. Both discover a young girl, who has just committed a theft and confront her. However, instead of punishing the girl, they both offer to be the girl’s mentor and become her idol.

As a matter of fact both Cinder and Emerald are shown to idolize their saviors to the point that both girls try to look like them by changing their hair/clothes:

So, it would superficially seem that Cinder is acting like Rhodes and in the opposite way of Madame. However, the reality is far more complex. Deep down, Cinder is acting like her adoptive mother because she is targeting a girl and thinking about how she can weaponize her. At the same time, there is a key difference between her behaviour and Rhodes’s. Rhodes had Cinder give the sword back, while Cinder never stopped Emerald from stealing. If anything, she encouraged her criminal activities changing her from a thief to a terrorist. In other words, Cinder radicalized Emerald.

This is once again linked to the motif of hunger both girls share:

Cinder: You Atlas elites are all the same! You think hoarding power means you'll have it forever, but it just makes the rest of us hungrier.

Cinder’s trauma is rooted in the unfairness of the world. She was made to starve simply because she was born in the wrong situation and society completely failed her.

What is more, when Rhodes refuses Cinder as well, she too refuses his vision of the world. Rhodes, pretty much like the Prince of the original fairy-tale, offers Cinder a way to social-climb. In the fairy-tale, Cinderella marries the prince and so becomes a princess in the end. Here, Rhodes is telling Cinder she can reach her own castle. Cinder can escape her misery and reach Atlas. However, this is seen as a lie by Cinder the moment he attacks her.

So, Cinder giving food to an orphan like her and trying to destroy the current order are both coherent with the idea that the world is unjust and needs to be changed. However, Cinder is using the same problems she criticizes to her advantage. What is more, she is exasperating them in order to fulfill her personal agenda, which is only about herself and her self-image.

Let’s see now, what do our two young thieves steal? What are they “hungry” for?

a) Emerald steals a ring:

Salesman: A beautiful ring... for a beautiful woman.

Interestingly, the ring itself might be a reference to the original story of Aladdin, which is apparently Emerald’s allusion.

In the original story Aladdin meets two jinns. The first one is in a ring and Aladdin uses it to save himself and to escape with the magic lamp, where a stronger jinn is. So it makes sense for Emerald to steal a ring (something she wishes) just to meet a woman that promises her she can have more (her personal jinn aka someone that can realize Emerald’s dreams).

Why does Emerald steal the ring?

It is possible she just wants to sell it in order to buy some food, but I like the idea that she steals it also because she wants some beauty (”a beautiful ring for a beautiful woman”) in the harsh and horrible world she lives in (“filth”).

b) Cinder steals a sword:

Like in Emerald’s case, the object of Cinder’s theft can be seen as part of her fairy-tale’s allusion.

As a matter of fact, in Cinder’s adaptation of Cinderella the swords are nothing, but her glass slippers.

This is made clear later on when Rhodes (both the Prince and the Fairy Godmother) gives Cinder the first sword. It is meant to be a prize on his part. He is showing Cinder she does not need to steal it anymore because she has gained it. Moreover,  weapons are said to be extensions of a person by Ruby, so it makes sense that the slipper of the original Cinderella becomes a sword in this version. It fits the personality of our Cinder, a fiery young girl, who wants to become a huntress.

Finally, since Cinder’s story uses both inversion and deconstruction when adapting the fairy-tale, it is interesting that in the end the Prince refuses to give Cinder the other sword (slipper) and Cinder takes it by force:

In this way, Cinder goes back to stealing, which was what Rhodes had originally tried to avoid.

Why does Cinder steal the sword in the first place?

She steals something to defend herself with and to hurt her tormentors. Violence is rooted in Cinder’s first theft.

In short, Emerald wants something beautiful, while Cinder wants something powerful.

This difference is coherent with their respective semblances since Emerald creates illusions, while Cinder is able to overheat objects, so that she can create explosions and manipulate their shape. Both powers are representative of their user’s flaw and coping mechanism.

Emerald is a person who has reacted to her traumatic life by chasing illusory dreams of warmth and love. She tricks others and is tricked because she refuses to dispel her self-delusions.

Cinder is instead a person, who has been molded through violence just like the glass statues in the hotel. She is forced to endure until she can’t take it anymore and she explodes:

She herself is the Glass Unicorn, which shatters like Cinder’s innocence when too much pressure is added. Not only that, but Cinder too has started molding others to her will. She has been grooming both Emerald and Mercury for her own ego. This is why the name Scorching Caress fits her so well. It is because behind every act of care it is hidden an act of manipulation. And this happens because Cinder too has been treated utilitaristically and the only kind of love she experienced (Rhodes’s) was a “weak” love Cinder ended up perceiving as fake.

In short, Emerald and Cinder have different coping mechanisms and aim for different things. However, this does not mean that one is better or worse than the other. Their main difference is that right now Emerald is more in touch with her own needs and wishes. Ironically, the delusional girl has never lost sight of what she truly wants.

Emerald wants a family. She has been looking for it in the wrong places and she has been pursuing it in the wrong ways. However, Emerald has never forgotten what she is truly after and she is starting to realize she won’t have it, until she stays on Salem’s side:

Salem: It's important not to lose sight of what drives us: Love, justice, reverence... but the moment you put your desires before my own... they will be lost to you. This isn't a threat, this is simply the truth. The path to your desires is only found... through me.

Tyrian: Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh. I want to tell you both a little secret. Your question is all wrong. (laughs)

Emerald: What?

Tyrian: "What do you want from this?" Children, please, if you're not loving what you're doing, then you're in the wrong field.

Salem promises to fulfill Emerald’s wishes, but Tyrian has already told her that pursuing a wish while working for Salem is useless. Emerald is starting to realize it and this is why she will probably leave.

Cinder has instead forgotten what she originally wanted:

Cinder: Like you? You can do whatever you want, go wherever you want.

Cinder’s original wish was to be free and also to be loved, like Emerald:

You're no good I hope you know That your life is of no use And the truth is that No one's ever loved you

However, her being failed by the adults has twisted her wish into a desire for power.

This difference is well conveyed by Cinder and Emerald’s respective line in Beginning of the End:

Cinder: Follow me, and you'll never be hungry again.

Emerald: Thank you...

Cinder: The Huntsman severed the connection before it was complete. (pause) Yes. It's... an emptiness. It burns. Like hunger. I like it. (pause) Yes. I will claim what is ours. (pause) Thank you.

Emerald thanks Cinder because she won’t have to be hungry anymore, while Cinder thanks Salem because she is able to feel a hunger she likes.

This fits well with Cinder’s last words to the Madame:

Cinder: You’re right. Without you I am nothing. But because of you, I am everything.

Emerald does not want to be hungry, while Cinder has been tricked into thinking that being hungry is the only way she can become not even “everything”, but just “something”.

CINDER + “EVERYTHING” = MERCURY

Cinder: Because of you, I am everything.

Mercury: So I got strong, but I never got it back! I've had to work harder than anyone to get where I am.

Cinder’s way of thinking is very similar to Mercury’s. Not only have they both endured their parents’ violence, but they have tried to give this violence meaning. It is because of Madame that Cinder has become “everything” and it is because of Marcus that Mercury has become “strong”. They must believe that it was not all for nothing and that the pain they felt made them stronger instead of weaker.

This is why Cinder thinks that deep down her “hunger” is good. It is because it drives her, but she ignores that it blinds her too.

This is why Mercury keeps going back to his father:

Mercury: Bad hair, used a scythe, and smelled like my dad after a long day. It was him.

Mercury: My dad always said... "if you need to know a city, ask the rats."

He mentions Marcus here and there and uses his teachings to solve problems. That is because those teachings must have some value, right? If they don’t, then Mercury’s life means nothing.

The nature of Cinder and Mercury’s foiling is clear in their first meeting:

Like in Emerald’s case, Cinder finding Mercury calls back a moment of her past.

In particular, it parallels the murder of her adoptive family and Rhodes discovering it. Mercury, just like young Cinder, has just killed an abusive parent and is confronted by a person after the fact.

Once again, Cinder seems to act differently from the adults that let her down. Rhodes was horrified and attacked her, while Cinder praises Mercury and has him join her group.

However, she is deep down acting as Rhodes did. As a matter of fact what truly hurt Cinder about Rhodes’s reaction is that he convinced her that she is irredeemable.

The whole scene plays with the Cinderella’s allusion and inverts it:

The clock strikes midnight and just like in the fairy-tale, the magic is over. In Cinderella, the protagonist goes back to her true self and runs away not to be seen. However, in the end, the prince recognizes her through her slipper (a symbol of her innate beauty and kindness) and marries her despite her humble condition.

In Cinder’s story, midnight is when she reveals a part of herself to Rhodes. She shows all the anger and violence she has been repressing. Cinder is not a “good victim” like the Cinderella of the fairy-tale and Rhodes can’t accept it. Not only that, but he negates Cinder’s dream to be free:

Rhodes: You can run, but you’re going to be running for the rest of your life.

Cinder: I won’t have to run now.

Rhodes: That’s all you’ll ever do.

This shatters Cinder’s hopes and self-perception. She internalizes that she will have to live in opposition to society because she is somehow “a bad person”. She is not a huntress (a princess), but a nobody who’ll have to use violence to survive. And she starts doing it immediately. As the song that starts playing implies, she has been awaken from the “fragile lies in bones”. However, this “truth has broken her soul in two”. This wound is still there and it has influenced, among other things, her reaction to Mercury.

When Cinder meets Mercury, she associates him to his father three times:

Cinder:  And you're his son. We saw your fight from the treeline. He's taught you well.

Mercury: Guess so.

Cinder: What's your name?

Mercury: Mercury.

Cinder: Mercury... Tell me, are you anything like your father?

In this way, she strengthens the connection Mercury tried to cut by killing Marcus. She is indirectly convincing him that he can’t be different from his father:

Tyrian: All you ever learned was pain and violence, and now you're too afraid to leave it. Such a tragedy.

Tyrian spells it out clearly for both Mercury and the audience. The only reason Mercury joined Cinder and is now working for Salem is that he is scared. Not only is he scared for his own survival, but he is scared about failing to be anything else than what his father taught him.

Cinder is deep down scared too by Salem and her group:

However, she too, like Mercury, has given up on being anything different than a criminal. She puts up a strong demeanor, but is actually really frail. She is like glass that has been bended through heat (violence) and can easily shatter.

Both Mercury and Cinder are two violent victims. This duality is kind of conveyed also through their names and colors.

“Cinder” is something that has only partially burnt. They tried to reduce her to ashes, but failed and a part of Cinder is still burning. This is why her main colors are black and red. She is black because she was burnt. She is red because she can burn. She was both hurt and has hurted others.

Similarly, “mercury” is a silver/gray metal and this is Mercury’s main color. This choice gains a possible deeper meaning when one considers that his aura is white and that his surname is Black. His aura can be seen as Mercury’s nature, while the surname “Black” is a symbol of the “nurture” he received. Mixing these two factors made so that Mercury turned out like he is (a gray character).

So, Cinder and Mercury have been shaped by their abuse and this is clearly visible on their bodies as well:

Cinder keeps the scar on her neck hidden, while Mercury has chosen to weaponize his missing legs.

It is telling that Mercury made of his own mechanical legs his weapon and that he mostly uses kicks to fight. It is another detail that shows how he is reducing both himself and his trauma to weapons he can use.

Cinder too shows how frail her sense of self is through weapons. It is not by chance that her current weapons are made of glass. In her backstory her swords were a symbol of her true self and of who she could become. Right now, they are nothing, but glass imitations of that ideal.

In short, Cinder and Mercury are both victims and murderers and they needed to have both sides of themselves accepted by their mentors.

However, Rhodes and Cinder failed to do so. They both refused the victimhood of the child in front of them, but they did so in opposite ways.

On one hand Rhodes refused Cinder’s violence and its reasons. He ignored his feelings of affection for the girl and steeled himself, so that he could fight her.

On the other hand Cinder gladly accepted Mercury’s violence and groomed him (Scorching caress), so that he would completely embrace it too.

The difference between Rhodes and Cinder lies in them having different reactions to the violence perpetrated by a child. However, they both fail to address the child’s pain. Rhodes does so because his vision is too black and white. Cinder does so because she is not even able to address her own pain.

However, both Cinder and Mercury need to address their own victimhood. Still, they refuse to do so because it would mean to accept their vulnerability. It is easier to convince themselves that they are the strong and violent ones. They are the ones others are scared of:

Mercury: We're the guys you should be afraid of.

But it is precisely because of this refusal that they are currently caught in dynamics similar to the ones they escaped:

Salem and Tyrian are nothing, but more dangerous versions of Madame and Marcus.

Salem treats Cinder as a pawn, rather than a person. She strips her of her personhood and agency and punishes her violently.

Tyrian is a killer, who enjoys his job like Marcus. He keeps invading Mercury’s personal space and threathens him. Moreover, his own semblance is similar to Marcus’s. It might not steal people’s semblances, but it still messes with their auras (with their very souls).

Cinder and Mercury struggle to recognize their own situations because to do so they must accept they are still stuck in their horrible childhoods:

Mercury: You may not like it here without Cinder, but I think I'm right where I'm supposed to be!

Cinder: I don’t serve anyone. And you wouldn’t either, if you were built that way.

However, this refusal is confusing them about what their true needs and wishes are:

Cinder: I want to be strong. I want to be feared. I want to be powerful.

Mercury: So what's in it for me?

In Beginning of the End both characters receive a line where they express some kind of wish.

As stated above, Cinder’s wish is not her original one, but a twisted version because she thinks she can’t reach her true desire.

When it comes to Mercury, he is not even sure of what he really wants. This is made clear even later on:

Emerald: I mean, there has to be something you want from this, right?

Mercury: Salem's promised us everything. We win this thing for her, we'll be top dogs in her new world. What more do you want?

He says Salem will give him all he wants, but he still fails to answer Emerald’s question. What is it that he wants?

He wants “everything” Cinder can offer him and later on “everything” Salem offers him. However, this is just another way to say he’ll take anything he is given, be it even something as basic as survival:

Mercury: Look, even if what he said was true, we can’t stop Salem. You told me yourself, Hazel tried. He failed and he got in line. Big guy’s not going to pick fights he can’t win, and neither should we.

This is because Mercury is so scared and hurt he can’t even start to think about what he wants.

Similarly, he goes back to a fatalistic vision of the world:

Mercury: Just made sense.

Emerald: It made sense?

Mercury: All my life, my father trained me to be a killer, an assassin like him. And then moments after I killed him, you two showed up looking for someone with my exact skills. Just felt like it was meant to be.

Let’s highlight that Cinder does the same:

Pyrrha: Do you believe in destiny?

Cinder: Yes.

Cinder: You know, Neo, someone once asked me if I believed in destiny. And I'm happy to say I still do.

Both Mercury and Cinder have convinced themselves that there is a “destiny” written for them and that they must play that role (the role of an assassin, the role of the Maiden). However, in this way they are just chaining themselves and accepting to Do As They Are Told by adults and mentor figures, who do not really care about them.

EMERALD + MERCURY = SOUL + BODY

I'm the one That was born in a nightmare a murderer's son Got no gun But I gleam like a blade and I'm harder than iron I'm the one Who rose out of filth and was loved by no-one Delusion I'll steal til your blind and defeat you from inside your mind

I'm the one That was ripped from the earth and exposed to the sun Overrun By the hate and the beatings defiled by a father I'm the one I'll race with your eyes and you'll never outrun Illusions Will conquer your mind and will make you fulfill my design

Mercury and Emerald’s song says several things about them.

First of all, it conveys the idea of two kids that feel let down by the world and have decided to retaliate. They mock their opponents and praise their respective abilities. However, it is clear from the verses above that it is just a mask to hide their pain.

This fits with them appearing for the first time in Best Day Ever where Ozpin says this:

Ozpin: And they will be, but right now they're still children. So why not let them play the part? After all, it isn't a role they'll have forever.

Differently from out protagonists (at the time), Emerald and Mercury are not playing the part of kids, but they are acting as big bad thugs to prove themselves to the people around them.

Secondly, the song is useful to explore Emerald and Mercury’s foiling.

a)

I'm the one Who rose out of filth and was loved by no-one Delusion I'll steal til your blind and defeat you from inside your mind

I'm the one That was ripped from the earth and exposed to the sun Overrun By the hate and the beatings defiled by a father

Emerald was never given love, while Mercury was given hate:

Mercury: I'm sorry you didn't have a mommy that loved you, but I had a father who hated me!

This difference is at the root of their different personalities.

On one hand Emerald attaches herself to the care Cinder gives her and takes it as the most love she’ll ever receive.

On the other hand Mercury is just content with not receiving hate and violence from the people around him.

Emerald is more open about her connections with others, while Mercury is more disillusioned. She is strongly driven by them, while Mercury is too scared to fully embrace them.

Emerald has clear wishes, but she is deluding herself about them. Mercury has fears that do not let him realize what he wants.

This difference stems from the different nature of their traumas. Who was never given anything accepts whatever they are offered, while who received pain thinks even nothing is better than more pain.

Still, we are currently seeing an inversion of this dynamic. Emerald’s wishes and their not overlapping with reality are making her doubtful. Mercury’s fear and survival instinct are making him refuse the truth:

Mercury: And all of this is pointless, anyway. Salem’s not ending the world.

In the end, facing one’s own feelings, being them wishes:

Or fears:

Is still better than repressing them, even if it might be painful.

b)

I'm the one That was born in a nightmare a murderer's son Got no gun But I gleam like a blade and I'm harder than iron

I'm the one I'll race with your eyes and you'll never outrun Illusions Will conquer your mind and will make you fulfill my design

The song I’m the One has four key verses. In the first two ones both characters tell a little of their past and then discuss their abilities, while in the other two Mercury mostly talks about his past and emphasizes it, while Emerald highlights her semblance more.

This ends up foreshadowing the importance of Emerald’s semblance and Mercury’s lack of one (”got no gun”).

Emerald’s semblance is important on different levels. As stated above, it perfectly embodies Emerald’s flaw:

Mercury: You're in denial.

And it is linked to unconscious aspects, like wishes and fears. Finally, it is a semblance linked to trickery and lies and these are among the causes of The Fall of Beacon:

Cinder:  Our Kingdoms are on the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark.

It is not by chance that this semblance specifically has been so instrumental in Cinder’s plan, after all.

Similarly, Mercury’s lack of a semblance is one of his defining traits:

Mercury: He never went easy on me! Every day of training was a beating. And when I unlocked my Semblance, he stole it with his!

Ironically, this would make for an excellent narrative objective for Mercury’s character. However, he is so sure his semblance can’t be taken back that he has completely given up on it. This even if he is clearly bitter about having had a part of himself stolen.

The key aspect here may be that Mercury has failed to get his semblance back through his father’s teachings:

Mercury: He told me I could have it back when I was strong. So I got strong, but I never got it back!

And he is now considering it lost forever. It is possible that the path to find his ability again is instead another one altogether.

That said, while Cinder mostly used Emerald’s semblance in her plan, she also made great use of Mercury’s skill and of the peculiar nature of his body:

The first step in her plan, after all, uses both Emerald’s semblance and Mercury’s prostethic legs to spread negative emotions. This tendency continues in PvP where Emerald uses her semblance and Mercury, unhurt because of his legs, prevents Ruby from interrupting the fight.

In short, Emerald mostly relies on her semblance, while Mercury mostly relies on his legs and fighting prowess.

This detail adds to the idea that Emerald and Mercury have been acting as a unit and have been complementing each other. Emerald acts as the “soul” and Mercury as the “body”.

The soul is one’s personal essence (like the semblance). It is where (once again) wishes reside. The body is what protects the soul and is animated by instincts and self-survival.

They complement each other. This complementarity is shown in Emerald and Mercury’s fights.

In the Vytal festival, Mercury takes on both Coco and Yatsuhashi for a short while, so that Emerald can size her chance to fight Coco at her own terms (and she wins by using her semblance).

In the Battle of Heaven, Emerald uses her semblance to help Mercury fight and, in a sense, she compensates for his lack of one:

This perfect complementarity used to make them strong, but right now it is clear that it has become limitating:

Blake: When you’ve been at someone’s side for so long, after a while they become a part of you. But that’s just it, they’re only a part of you. Don’t forget about the rest.

 This is why they are currently being separated by the narrative.

On one hand Emerald must learn not to be so emotionally dependant from others and must make her own choices. This is also why her using the lamp might be meaningful:

Qrow: This last great creation would be given the power to both create and destroy. It would be given the gift of knowledge, so that it could learn about itself and the world around it. And most importantly, it would be given the power to choose, to have free will to take everything it had learned and decide which path to follow - the path of light or the path of darkness.

The whole point of the relics (and of the journey we are going through) is to learn about the world, about creation and destruction, so that in the end a choice can be made.

This is why the first relic we saw is the relic of knowledge. Now, Emerald is a character that has been dependant on others, so that she could realize her wishes. Aladdin itself is a story about a character depending on a Jinn to make his dreams come true. However, it is possible Emerald’s arc will be different and it will be about gaining the knowledge to act and realize one’s wishes.

On the other hand Mercury must face himself and learn what he really wants. He must start living instead of simply surviving. In a sense, he must take the soul his father stole back.

Mercury quoting Marcus: "This is a crutch!" "This makes you weak!"

Marcus was wrong. One’s individuality (semblance) does not make them weak. If anything, Marcus’s abuse of Mercury made him need a literal crutch (since he lost his legs) and the boy is still hiding behind this violence to avoid any real choice about himself. This is what prevents him from becoming strong:

Yang: You might be powerful, but that doesn't make you strong.

Raven: Who do you think you are, lecturing me?! Standing there, shaking like a scared little girl?!

Yang: Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still standing here!

His connection with Emerald might still play a role in this. After all, Mercury is, among other things, the god of thieves and this allusion has been played with by making him protective of Emerald (whose surname means “thief”). It might be used in a deeper and more meaningful way later on.

Emerald and Mercury must grow because if they don’t, they’ll end up as their dark foils:

Both Hazel and Emerald ended up joining Salem out of a feeling of love that was twisted. Emerald joined Salem because of her loyalty to Cinder, who is using her. Hazel joined Salem because of the death of his sister that he blames on Ozpin. Their semblances are even symbolic of their respective flaws since Emerald is caught up in her own delusions, while Hazel is unable to properly grieve, so he can’t “feel pain” on more than just the physical level.

Both Mercury and Tyrian are assassins and Tyrian is who Mercury might become if he truly chooses to live only to kill and does not find a different goal.

It is also telling that both Emerald and Mercury are currently put in similar circumstances as their two foils. As a matter of fact Mercury is leaving with Tytian, while Emerald and Hazel have been given the password to use the lamp and must choose what to make of this information.

At the same time, Emerald and Mercury have also some traits of respectively Tyrian and Hazel as well.

Emerald is fiercely loyal to Cinder like Tyrian is to Salem:

Tyrian: So devoted to someone so incompetent.

Hazel wanted to protect Gretchen (and is still acting on these unfulfilled feelings of protectiveness) like Mercury is trying to protect Emerald. Moreover, Gretchen and (probably) Emerald’s choice was/will be to fight an enemy that can’t be beaten, going against Hazel and Mercury’s wishes.

All in all, Emerald and Mercury have had interesting interactions with both Hazel and Tyrian that can be (ironically) seen as two incomplete and flawed mentor figures.

On one hand Hazel has been acting as a protector of sorts. He carried Emerald when she lost consciousness after the Battle of Heaven and he tried to protect both Emerald and Mercury from Salem’s rage after their failure.

On the other hand Tyrian is seen tormenting the two kids whenever he gets the chance. That said, he ironically ends up spelling out for them truths the two must face:

Tyrian: Do what makes you happy children... please? I'm begging you...

Tyrian: Of course she is! You’re surprised? Salem is destruction incarnate! Our mistress wishes to see the end of it all! There is no ideal more beautiful.

In short, some kind of interesting foiling seems to have been set-up for the four of them and it will be interesting to see if/how it develops.

MIDNIGHT = BEGINNING OF THE END

In a sense, when the clock stroke midnight it was the beginning of Cinder’s end because she entered a spiral she has not been able to stop since then. Not only that, but she has dragged other people in that same spirals and those people are now struggling against it, just like her.

At the same time, midnight signals the end of illusions and that may be a fitting description for where we are in the story so far.

Ruby has just announced the existence of Salem to the world, Emerald is uncovering several truths about Salem, Cinder and herself and the Ace Ops are being forced to face their emotions. Of course, when some illusions end, new ones appear. However, it is clear we are in a pivotal moment, which will hopefully lead to some changes.

Similarly, Cinder, Mercury and Emerald will probably go their own ways soon and it will be interesting to see how their paths will foil and where they will meet again.

As for now, it seems that because of Emerald’s allusion to Aladdin, she might use the last question to Jinn. If so, she will probably aquire knowledge and wisdom (emeralds are the stones of wisdom apparently).

Mercury will probably spiral a little bit as for now, but I wonder if he will receive some pivotal focus in the Vacuo’s volumes. Other than him going there with Tyrian, there is also the fact that it would make what is currently just a juxtaposition with Penny (thank you, @hamliet​ for noticing) a more interesting foiling.

Penny is an artificial human, a creation who was given life because her father loved her so much that he sacrificed a part of his aura for her... twice. She is at the centre of the theme of creation and it represents the good sides of it. She is a creation with a soul, a child, the fruit of parental love. It is because of the love she received that she is willing to protect creation:

Penny: That is not… I choose to fight for people who care about me.

Penny’s arc is about self-actualization. She struggles to be her own person outside her role, her purpose and even her parent. However, even if she has been objectified and keeps being objectified, she has also been given affection and this is why she fights.

Mercury is her opposite. He was the target of his father’s violence. Marcus not only stole his legs (while Pietro built Penny a body), but even a part of his soul (while Pietro gave Penny a part of his). He taught Mercury hate and violence and this is why he is currently helping a witch to destroy the world. Because of this, it would be interesting for such a character to receive focus on the volumes about destruction.

Finally, Cinder, as the Fall Maiden, is linked to the theme of choice. This has already been explored a little bit in her being obessed by destiny, as said above. However, the theme of choice is one which must still be fully explored.

In particular, there are several references to choice and destiny when it comes to Cinder’s foil aka Pyrrha:

Cinder (about Pyrrha): Hmm... People assume that she's fated for victory, when she's really taking fate into her own hands.

Cinder: It's unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours.

Pyrrha: When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather... some sort of final goal, something you work towards your entire life.

Red-Haired Woman: She understood that she had a responsibility... to try. I don't think she would regret her choice, because a Huntress would understand that there really wasn't a choice to make. And a Huntress is what she always wanted to be.

Pyrrha’s arc is about making a choice. She must choose if she wants to become a Maiden. She struggles, but in the end she accepts this responsibilty. She embraces her idea of destiny and tries to be a Maiden even without powers.

Cinder’s idea of destiny is not fully explored. In a sense, just like Pyrrha, she has taken destiny in her own hands. However, she also seems to use the idea of destiny to nurture her self-image as the Chosen One and as the Worthy One.

At the same time, Pyrrha’s choice led to her tragic death. Not only that, but in the end her death accomplished little. Even Ruby activating her silver eyes has more to do with her wish to protect life, rather than with death. Why is that so? It is probably because Pyrrha’s choice was made without knowledge. She had been explained only a fragment of the truth, while the whole point is that one should learn, meet creation and destruction and then make a choice. This is why we have yet to meet the relic of choice.

My guess is that the theme of choice will mostly be explored through Cinder’s character, who will be asked to choose her destiny in the end.

#rwby #rwby meta #cinder fall #emerald sustrai #mercury black #my meta

[lillifaba]

A Very Merry Lurlinemas Eve

A very late, self-indulgent domestic one shot with the Thropp/Tiggular family I wrote for Lurlinemas! Hope you enjoy and have a Happy New Year!

Art by the beautiful @noether3​ ; Full image here! (Be sure to reblog if you like it!)

                                  ┍━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┑

“Yero, did you wrap the presents for Nessa and Boq yet?”

Elphaba hovered over the cradle, gently swinging it back and forth whilst making silly faces and babbling nonsense at the child nestled inside. At just twelve months old, Liir was amused by everything. His big, green eyes glimmered in the light from the fireplace, his mouth in the shape of a small o. He wrapped his tiny fingers around Elphaba’s index and cooed. 

“Yeah! I got them right here-”

He cursed slightly above a whisper when he stumbled into the living room and nearly tripped over his own feet.

“Fiyero!” Elphaba scolded. “Not in front of him! I don’t want his first words to be foul.”

“Sorry,” Fiyero sheepishly chuckled and set the presents under the tree. “It’s not like he can understand what I’m saying. Isn’t that right, little buddy?”

He squatted down and blew raspberries into his soft belly, making him squeal and giggle. Elphaba playfully rolled her eyes, brushing back the short, dark curls that fell over Liir’s forehead. She pinched his chubby cheek and got up to look at the haphazardly wrapped gifts Fiyero placed below the tree. 

“... Please tell me there’s still left over wrapping paper.”

Fiyero looked over his shoulder, still in the midst of a tickle fight with Liir. “Hm? You don’t like the way I wrapped the presents?”

“Yero, I say this with all the love in my heart... it looks like you layered the paper around the box several times and slapped a ribbon atop it.”

He feigned offense. “Fae! How could you? I’m wounded by your horrendible words!” 

“Oh Fiyero…” She sighed defeatedly.

“I’m kidding... Come on, what difference does it make? They’re going to be ripped apart tomorrow— why stress out over how the wrapping paper looks?”

“It shows that we put some thought into their gifts and didn’t wrap them up at the last second.” She stripped away a piece of excess tape stuck to the shiny emerald paper.

“Well, we technically did- but they’ll get over it once they see what they get. I can already hear Glinda screaming for joy when she opens hers.”

Elphaba rearranged the small, pink gift bag that contained the jewelry set for the petite blonde. It was true, they both put a lot of thought into what they planned to gift their loved ones.

“Well… I suppose you’re right,” She smiled up at him. “Thank you for wrapping the presents, Fiyero.”

“You’re welcome,” Fiyero walked over to her, Liir in his arms. “I must be the luckiest man in Oz to have the most patient wife, right Liir?”

Liir babbled nonsense in response. 

“See? He agrees.” Fiyero planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. 

“Of course he does, he has my brains.” She quipped. 

“Oh ha-ha...” 

They took a moment to gaze at the tree. Liir’s eyes twinkled at the dozens of multicolored lights glowing on the branches. His tiny hands reached out to grab an ornament doll made of tin. Elphaba gently pulled his wrist back before he inevitably put it in his mouth.

“Y’know… this’ll be the only time we’ll have for ourselves,” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Tomorrow will be one big day of festivating with the others.”

Elphaba hummed in agreement, stroking his cheek affectionately.

“-Hey, what do you say we celebrate a little early— just the three of us?” He suggested.

Elphaba looked at him, perplexed. “You mean… open our presents right now?” She quirked an eyebrow in doubt. “Shouldn’t we wait for everyone until tomorrow morning as courtesy?”

“No, no- just one present each!” Fiyero assured. “It’s a huge pile, no one’s gonna notice if a box or two is missing. Besides, with all the guests in one room, how will I get to see the absolute look of joy on your face when you open my gift?” He lightly squeezed Liir’s cheek and spoke in an adoring voice, “-and our boy has been good all year round! Well, aside from throwing up all over my dress shirt last week.”

“Oh, he didn’t mean to do that,” Elphaba smooched her son’s temple. “Maybe papa shouldn’t have spun you in the air right after you ate.” 

Fiyero winced at the statement. “Alright, that was on me- but the point is he deserves one early gift tonight!” Speaking in his baby voice, he smiled down at Liir. “You wanna see what Lurline brought you this year?”

Not comprehending any of his words, Liir incoherently blabbered. Fiyero took that as an agreement and plucked something out from the tiniest stocking hanging above the fireplace. He hid it behind his back as he returned, bending his knees to be at eye level with the child.

Fiyero presented a plush doll: a cutesyfied monkey with small wings stitched to his back and a friendly smile. “Look! This is for you!”

Elphaba played up her excitement at the toy, lightly bouncing Liir in her arms and coaxing him to look at it. The young boy looked unfamiliar with it at first, not sure what it was exactly. When his mother didn’t stop his tiny hands from touching it, he grasped it. A slow smile grew on his face, followed by giggles.

“Happy Lurlinemas, Liir.” Fiyero kissed his cheek. 

“Say thank you to papa,” Elphaba encouraged. The infant was far too preoccupied with his new toy to even acknowledge her. “I guess we’ll have to work on expressing gratitutions later…”

“He’ll learn.” Fiyero promised. He beamed brightly and ruffled his messy, raven hair.

“Well, since we’re at it,” Elphaba carefully handed Liir over to him. “I’ve got something I hope you’ll like.”

“Fae, you could give me a pebble as a gift and I’ll love it.” 

She leaned down and reached behind the tree. “That’s quite the reassurement, but I promise I got you something one step above a pebble,”

Wrapped in shiny emerald paper with a gold bow on top, Elphaba handed him a small box. “Happy Lurlinemas.”

Fiyero eagerly took it and lightly shook the box next to his ear. He handed Liir back to her and tore it open, revealing a gold wrist watch with a green dial. There were five, smaller sub-dials inside the watch, each one labeling the time of day for all the provinces in Oz. 

“Elphaba…” Fiyero carefully held the watch in his hand, examining it in pure adoration. “This is... I can’t even begin to describe it-”

“Do you like it? I wasn’t sure if it was something you’d wear daily.”

“Elphaba, I love it! It’s beautiful! Thank you, my dearest.” He placed a peck on her lips. With her help, he secured the watch around his wrist and basked in its glory. “-Speaking of which, I’ve been waiting all year to see your reaction to what I’ve got for you.”

“Is that so?” Elphaba watched him scour through the presents until he said “Aha!” when he found a medium sized box. 

“Here...” Fiyero sat cross legged on the floor. Elphaba followed suit and passed Liir over to sit on his lap, taking the somewhat heavy box in her hands 

“What’s this?” Her brown eyes lit up with curiosity. 

“Open it and see for yourself!” Fiyero grinned. 

A smile grew on Elphaba’s face. She tore away the gold wrapping paper, revealing a wooden box. Confused, she unlocked the latch and opened the lid. When she removed the bright blue fabric on top of her gift, she gasped in disbelief.

They were ruby slippers. Nearly identical to the silver slippers her sister owned. Elphaba had once brought up to Fiyero the time her father gifted Nessa the priceless pair of shoes as a parting gift at Shiz. While she did not care for extravagant shoewear, she remembered how hurt she felt when Frex didn’t give her something as little as a postcard. 

At the time, it felt like a stab to the heart, seeing Nessa look so beautiful and elegant in her new slippers while Elphaba lugged around in worn out boots like a beggar. It was a painful reminder of how low she thought of herself before she found the people she loved the most in life.

Elphaba couldn’t hold back her tears, her fingers hovering over the red jewels. “Yero… I- I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything…  your face speaks a thousand words.”

Elphaba placed the shoes to the side and frantically wrapped her arms around him. Fiyero placed a hand on the small of her back, laughing wholeheartedly at the kisses she planted all over his face.  

Below them, Liir cried out. Elphaba cupped his cheek and placed soft kisses on his tender face as well.

“Oh, I didn’t forget about you.” She spoke sweetly, smothering him in kisses. 

“Happy Lurlinemas to my most beautiful wife and son.” Fiyero said.

“Your only wife and son.” Elphaba teased.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He helped her remove her booties and slipped her shoes on. They were the perfect fit, comfortably tailored to her size. She stared at them in admiration, once more thanking her husband with kisses. 

The pair spent their evening playing with their child, enjoying the sacred time they had together.

                                     ┍━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┑

Thanks for reading! I’m sorry this is probably not my best work and that it was posted a little late in the season. This was mostly a self-indulgent fluff fic I’ve been meaning to write since I see so little of the Thropp/Tiggular + Liir family dynamic. I’m also technically still a little new to publishing fiyeraba fics that maintain their characters. Bear with me please haha ;; 

Thank you again to Emma for the beautiful art! Show your love by reblogging and commissioning her if you can!

#sorry this isn't beta'd and that it's not my best work #I wrote this at last minute because I've been wanting to do this for so long now #fiyeraba #elphaba #elphaba thropp #fiyero #fiyero tiggular #fiyero tigelaar #liir #liir thropp #liir ko #wicked #wicked the musical #wicked musical #wicked the life and times of the wicked witch of the west #wicked fanfiction #wicked fanart #lurlinemas

[doof-doofblog]

"Another Time, Yeah?"

Tuesday 15th June 2021

(Part One & Part Two)

Hello again everyone, as promised I'm back with another post - 3 blog posts from me this week, that's more than I did last week!! But anyway I'm going to review everything from Tuesday's episodes in this post.  

So without further ado, I'm going to begin with mentioning Ruby. The day after her second miscarriage, Martin is surprised to learn that once again she has every intention of going to work and forgetting about the events that have occurred. Martin tries his best to convince his wife to rest for the rest of the day but as Ruby tries to explain her reasons for wanting to go to work, she notices the screen on Martin's laptop, it shows that he's been looking up options for IVF.

Understandably, Martin is trying to help in any way he can to make sure he and his wife have they family they've been longing for. However Ruby makes the valid point that it's not the getting pregnant that's the problem, it's being able to stay pregnant. Martin tries to explain that if they really want to have a family they can consider other options available, but Ruby then drops the bombshell that after everything she's gone through she really can't bring herself to go through any more trauma and loss. She informs Martin that instead of trying to fight to have a family, she's going to embrace the family she already has.

However, later Ruby is seen alone, visiting the memorial that she and Martin created for their lost baby, she gently adds another stone to commemorate the second baby she has lost. As the camera spins we see that just across the patch of grass, Jean is sat on her own but as she turns around and notices Ruby, she joins her. Jean realises exactly what's happening and speaks softly to her. Informing Jean about the decision to not try for another baby and to accept the family she has, Jean makes a very touching statement - "You know what I see? I don't see a woman who's given up, I see a woman who's grieving, and I believe there's still a lot of fight in you!" - as beautiful as those words are, it completely hits Ruby to the core and she softly begins to cry, such a moving moment.

--

The next thing I'm going to mention is Tiffany and Keegan. It's the day of their photoshoot and Tiffany is completely excited about the press and media attention. Wanting to get her name out there also, she informs Keegan that she's come up with a name for their joint business - Something along the lines of "ButcherBakerBeauty-Baps?" ... (I'm sure they'll come up with a better name eventually!) Suddenly when Tiffany sees herself in the mirror she's horrified to see that the day of their photoshoot she been graced with a spot on her chin, frantically she begins to flap, claiming that she needs to look good for their photoshoot - I have to be honest the main thought that was entering my mind at this point was "The photoshoot isn't even meant to be hers so why is she making such a fuss?" - without meaning to be mean, but I don't know I guess it just didn't sit right with me, she shouldn't be focusing on her and should be supporting her husband instead.

As Tiffany calls her friend in desperate need of some assistance, it seems that her friend manages to get someone round to do Tiffany's make-up. However when Tiffany compliments the stylist's skin, the lady informs her that she does cheat by using injections such as Botox and fillers. Realising that injecting herself with something could change her appearance to the way she wants, Tiffany urges the beautician to use the injections on her for her photoshoot - even though the beautician warns her it can be very pricey! Again, I have to be honest - as soon as I realised that Tiffany was going to ask for injections my mind just went racing - how much do you want to bet that Tiffany is going to become addicted to beauty injections?! It could be a possible new storyline for her which could end with serious consequences?

Even though she is thrilled with the end results, Tiffany is shocked to see the price she has to pay for the treatment and asks whether she can pay half now and pay the rest within in the next couple of days. Later as Keegan and Tiffany are enjoying the photoshoot - the photographer is keen on focusing on Keegan and asking him questions about his business. But when Keegan tries to turn their attention to Tiffany so she can promote her business/brand - you can see that the photographer is the least bit interested.

The next day, as everyone is gushing about the article in the newspaper about Keegan, Tiffany buys herself a newspaper hoping to see a whole page spread of herself and her husband in the newspaper. But she is visibly devastated when she realises that she hasn't even been mentioned and the whole article is about Keegan and his business. She later voices her annoyance and devastation to her friend Chloe, claiming that she has spent a fortune on injections for nothing! But worse still, how is her husband going to react when he finds out she's spending money on things she doesn't need!

Chloe then suggests that in a way to make as much money as she can so Keegan won't suspect anything is for her to flog diet pills. She claims she doesn't know how they work and has never used them but manages to sell them and get decent enough money for doing so. For a split moment I had hoped that Tiffany would know better than to sell some dodgy diet pills, but it looks as though she is very tempted. Later when she meets up with Bernie, she confides in her friend about the money she has spent on fillers to make herself look good for the photoshoot.

Of course Bernie is sympathetic towards her friends, but then suddenly Tiffany starts rummaging in her bag for something and empties out the contents of her bag, quickly Bernie notices the tubs of diet pills she's in possession of and asks where she got them from and whether they work, it's then that Bernie drops the bombshell that she needs to lose weight quickly, and Tiffany is a bit surprised by her choice of words, asking why "Quickly". It's then that finally Bernie feel able to tell someone about her plans and informs Tiffany that she's agreed to be Rainie and Stuart's surrogate, much to her best friend's shock. Tiffany warns Bernie to be careful where Rainie and Stuart are concerned because when she offered to be their surrogate she recalled that they didn't leave her alone. But Bernie is adamant that she needs the money for her family and claims that her Mum believes that she'll be getting a bonus from the call centre. Eventually she practically begs Tiff to allow her to use the diet pills, she claims she can be her guinea pig in a way and will pay her once she's made her money from the surrogacy. Tiffany looks really reluctant to do so but makes Bernie promise that she'll read the instructions before taking them.

Honestly, I fear this is going to be a massive downward spiral for the both of them. Tiffany getting hooked on beauty injections and then Bernadette getting addicted to diet pills and both making themselves ill. What do you guys think?! I'm really intrigued to hear your thoughts on this one!

--

Elsewhere on the Square, Shirley is still reeling about the news of Linda's pregnancy, she still can't understand why she wasn't told much earlier on when she arrived back in Walford. She admits to Nancy and Frankie that she feels as though her family are shutting her out. I have to say though I loved the banter between the three of them in this scene. Nancy tries to swerve the conversation from her parents sex life to Shirley's own love life and happens to point out that she hasn't been with anyone since Buster!!!

Oh my goodness, do you guys remember Buster??? It was proven that he was in fact Mick's biological Dad, which makes him Nancy and Frankie's Grandad. Hearing that Frankie has a Grandad seemed to excite the girl, but she and Nancy still continue to make fun of Shirley - claiming that for her next birthday they're going to buy her a pair of slippers and a throw as they claim it's time for her to hang up her knee-high leather boots. I do love the jip that Shirley snaps back at them, it makes the whole scene much more comical and the dynamic between them all is just brilliant!

It's then they Frankie points to Terry sat on his own and urges Shirley to ask him for a drink, at first Shirley shows no interest but after being goaded by her Granddaughters, she eventually gets the courage to approach Terry and (in not so many words) informs him that he will be buying her a drink. The one thing that completely confused me though was that Terry called himself by the name "Rocky" as he introduced himself to Shirley, can anyone explain to me why? His name is Terry right? I don't understand where the "Rocky" came from? - Unless it's similar to Callum's name - Callum "Halfway" Highway?!

Meanwhile, as Terry agrees to have a quick drink with Shirley, Sonia is at home prepping a lovely roast dinner meal for herself and her Dad to celebrate and early Father's Day. But back in the pub, as Shirley and Terry begin to chat and get to know each other, Nancy and Frankie keep showering them with drinks. As the sisters notice that they appear to be getting on, Nancy places down another drink in front of them claiming it's on the house, while Frankie sneakily changes the time on the clock.

Terry is adamant he can only stay until 1pm as he has a lunch date with Sonia, but as he looks at clock to see he still has plenty of time, he continues to drink. Unfortunately though, both Frankie and Nancy reveal to each other that instead of giving them single vodka drinks, they've been serving them triple vodka's all shift. Eventually as things get a bit loud, Nancy and Frankie realise their mistake. Shirley and Terry are both drunkenly singing along to "Come On, Eileen!" and then eventually "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)".

I have to admit, even though it was hilarious watching drunk Shirley singing along to the music and having a laugh with Terry, you do feel sorry for Sonia as you realise that Terry has accidentally stood her up for her meal. Arriving at the Vic and seeing the drunken state her Dad is in, she demands Terry to leave Walford and to never come back. Over the next day or so, Terry is desperate to make it up to his daughter and he appears to think that the only way he can do it is to roll out the red carpet in her house for her and make her a meal of her own and instead of calling it "Father's Day" makes it a "Daughter's Day".

As Sonia agrees to give him one final chance, they make it up by taking a selfie together. But when Terry leaves his phone on the table and Sonia takes a look at the picture, she begins to scroll through his phone and sees that there are other photos of houses on his phone. What could these mean? Is he planning on moving to Albert Square for good? OR is he in some kind of business where some of the local properties are going to be knocked down? Who knows?!

--

The next thing I have to mention is Kat and Phil. Kat is completely excited to learn that things are on the move where her business with Phil is concerned. Phil has confirmed that he has bought the laundrette for their business opportunity and they're just waiting for the paperwork to go through. Only her happiness doesn't seem to last for long as when she enters the café and is confronted by Sharon, it seems that Sharon warns her that anything that Phil is involved in is never legit. Although Sharon's relationship with Phil was completely different compared to Kat's relationship with him, it seems that Sharon's words fill Kat's head with doubt. Eventually she takes it upon herself to confront Phil, claiming she wants to see the paperwork to make sure everything they're doing is legit. She claims that she has already been prison once and doesn't want to end up there again, she needs to be completely certain that going into business with Phil is the right thing to do. I think people are too easy to judge Phil, they should give him a break, he informs Kat that he shouldn't listen to a word that Sharon's said and to trust him, he wants to focus on their future and having something in place for both of their children, but more importantly if she is wanting this as much as he does, then she needs to learn to trust him. I still think that if all goes well for these two, Kat and Phil could potentially be the new power couple on the Square! What do you think?!

--

Lastly, Callum is still appearing to struggle with the trauma of what happened with his partner. The one person he's been able to confide in is Whitney. After anxiously waiting to hear news about his partner's condition, he was completely relieved when Ash informs him that Fitzy's operation was a success and he should make a full recovery.

As he excitedly informs Whitney about the good news, Whitney reminds him that he should tell Ben now, considering that Fitzy is going to be okay. Callum kind of shuts that comment down and asks Whitney whether she'll accompany him to the hospital to see his partner. However, without their knowledge, Ben sees them from across the Square getting into a cab together, I have to say Ben & Callum's married life hasn't really started off well has it? They've come back from their honeymoon, Phil is still reluctant to talk to either Callum or Ben as he stills holds a grudge against Callum for going behind his back, and Callum has had to deal with the trauma of witnessing his partner being stabbed on the job.

But even though Callum maybe wants to tell Ben about his, Ben did at the start find it hard to accept Callum in the police and had the cheek to ask him to quit, but realising that he loves Callum for who he is and not is job, changes his mind and just requests that Callum never speaks about work to him. So of course, with that in mind, Callum must feel that he has no one else to talk to about recent events, which is why he has leaned on Whitney over the past couple of days. But when Ben sees them getting into that car together, you can tell he's beginning to speculate what they could be up to.

Unfortunately, after returning from seeing Fitzy in the hospital, it looks like it hasn't really helped Callum cope with it, he begins to fret and lash out claiming it was his fault that he's in hospital with wires all attached to him. Almost hurting himself on the garden gate, Whitney acknowledges that she has seen Callum this way before, and it's all down to his PTSD - (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) - we know that he went through it when he was in the army, but now it appears to be resurfacing. The one thing that crossed my mind was, is Ben aware about Callum's PTSD? Has that always been a thing that Ben has known about, I'm a bit unsure?

However, it seems that Whitney is eager for Callum to inform his husband now more so than ever that what's been happening. But when Callum arrives home and Ben asks him how his day at work was, Callum lies to him once again claiming he's had a really busy day and just wants to have a shower alone. Now Ben knows that Callum is lying about being in work, so obviously he's going to be wondering what else he's lying about or not telling him. As Callum makes his way into the shower, Ben grabs his opportunity to search his rucksack and it seems he's completely stunned to find an engagement ring - of course he's going to be completely clueless and wondering why his husband has an engagement ring, but we know that before Fitzy was rushed to hospital, Fitzy gave it to Callum to give to his girlfriend.

I think Callum really needs to talk to Ben soon before he jumps to conclusions and lashes out, accusing Callum of something he's completely innocent of. Overall a good few episodes I have to say, I've really enjoyed being able to type up a couple of blogs this week, I was getting myself a little stressed out that I was so far behind and hadn't posted in a while, but again I want to thank you all for continuing to follow me and show your interest in my blog, it really means the world. Please feel free to send me any thoughts or opinions you may have on the current storylines. Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll be back very soon! Love you all xXx

#eastenders #rubyfowler #martinfowler #jeanslater #tiffanybutcher #keeganbaker #bernadettetaylor #rainie highway #stuarthighway #soniafowler #terrycant #shirleycarter #nancycarter #frankielewis #katslater #philmitchell #sharonwatts #callumhighway #benmitchell #ballum #whitneydean #soapblog #soapfan

[disregardcanon]

i’d only seen the wizard of oz twice before watching rwby (once in 5th grade and once in 8th grade, so they were both a bit stagnate) but i’ve been watching it all the way through with some of my classes and like. oh my gosh. dorothy and the scarecrow are so sweet and anyone who looks at ruby (ruby red slippers) and qrow’s dynamic and says that girl doesn’t have a dorothy allusion is just wrong.

#rwby #the friends are all very good but scarecrow gets the most time and also is just. i'm love him #ruby rose #qrow branwen