The StoryTinker

Lauren finds herself on the other side of the interrogation, where Hermann predictably is suspicious of Lauren. March comes to her defense, and Lauren is let off relatively easy.  We discuss Lauren's ambivalence over her choice to "make a deal with the devil," and contrast her willingness to dive into murky moral territory with Hermann's rigid rule-following ways.   Meanwhile, Kieran dec...

The gang goes to a workout class, and behaves exactly as you'd expect them to. A (hopefully) funny Midnight Poppy Land fanfic. Available to read on A03! https://archiveofourown.org/works/29124210/chapters/71497365

Ulaan has some tough words for Yuwa, but Yuwa shows some fierceness of her own - and Ulaan digs it. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀! https://www.instagram.com/darlaamami/ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗰! https://archiveofourown.org/users/larosamorada85/pseuds/larosamorada85/works 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗴'𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗰! https://archiveofourown.org/users/saucytuggles/works *** 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘀: https://www.webtoons.com/...

In which the mysterious lone soldier shows his strength and single handedly fends off 40 bandits. But can he handle their "leader"?   𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵! https://m.twitch.tv/feministcritique/profile   𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗶'𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝟬𝟯! https://archiveofourown.org/users/ladylibris/pseuds/ladylibris *** 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘀: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/asuras-bride...

We kick off our first episode of Asura's Bride! We learn about the dilemma facing the Shan Kingdom, and how the 4th princess volunteers to save her kingdom. However, a group of bandits causes a change of plan, followed by a lone warrior...   𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝘆'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝟬𝟯: https://archiveofourown.org/.../pseuds/peanutbutterandchelly 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝟬𝟯: https://archiveofourown.org/...

Poppy does a neat save with a very... unconvincing line. We flashback to an incredibly moving and affirming message by way of necklace allegory. Tora hints at kissu times with his fingers, and the groups makes their way out of the club by way of piggyback. Poppy gushes to Tora externally and internally in a most beautiful monologue.    We switch to Quincy sweating about Poppy's lost pin,...

What an episode! We begin with some steaminess, which is abruptly halted by Poppy putting on the brakes. Poppy tries to explain herself, and Tora is hurt. They talk about a frog, and Poppy extends an olive branch - which disappears. Later, she meets Gyu, and Brian lets something slip.

Poppy gives Tora a mini-makeover and we're digging it, Gyu shows up and shows off, there is a Cinderella moment that makes us all quiver, and Erdene and Damien take it to another level. We discuss the meaning behind Ishrikhara and share a theory connecting MPL and Asura's Bride. We are privy to Tora's tragic thoughts through an open conversation, and are then SHOOK by what Poppy says. Also, Elisab...

Jacob gives Tora and Poppy some much needed alone time, during which they banter and engage in some honest (and hilarious) truth telling. Erdene goes for the kill, and some other bad dudes do too. Tora makes us take out the bucket with what he does with his hands, and Brian shows us some serious skills with a different body part of his.

Uncle Quincy takes baby Lily to the mall and learns a lesson. Based on Cleide Ilustradora’s fan art of Quincy holding Baby Lily.  https://www.instagram.com/p/CHwPYyzhczv/ Read it on A03. https://archiveofourown.org/works/27881865

The day after the birthday bash, Damien finds himself nerve-wracked as he tries to call the blue-haired Goddess. *** This fan fiction was written after Episode 54, the first episode in the club. You can read it on A03.  https://archiveofourown.org/works/27371908

In which Poppy and Tora engage in a game of hide and seek, Quincy quickly flashes his his steel core, we flash back to a very attractive and blood splattered teenage Tora, and get to see baby Gyu, Pinky, and Brian. Erdene makes her move on Damien, and Jacob finally gets Poppy to notice that Tora is trying to get her attention. Also, Poppy, GET YOUR EARS CLEANED!  Madly in love and want to get...

We discuss the allegory of the cave and its significance. We rave over Erdene and Poppy's communication. We fan girl over her dress. We hold the bucket for Tora's drool, and of course, we fall in love with our poor baby thuglet Pinkie.

Poppy, Tora, and Quincy continue their difficult conversation. Quincy tones down his usual ebullience and speaks openly,  Poppy gives them both emotional space, and Tora manages to stay put. We discuss why Tora would avoid Poppy, and then embark upon the most parched sea ever sailed with pirate/biker Tora as our navigator.

Tora goes along with Poppy's attempted defense; Poppy and Erdene talk it out; Quincy unveils his grand (matchmaking) plan; Jacob joins the clothes shopping crew (we're hoping for a boy band); Mr. Lam reveals why he went along with Scharchopath; Poppy pieces together some clues and the confronts the Quince and the Tiger; and Quinceton drops a bombshell.  Check out Aislene's politics Twitch, Th...

Tora does what he does best - intimidate. And who better to intimidate than hapless Jacob? Who may be less innocent than he appears, at least in the snack stealing department. Quincy hatches another "brilliant" matchmaking scheme, and Erdene takes an instant dislike to Tora, leaving Poppy in a bind. Read Peg's extremely hot fan fic about Erdene and Shing Ma here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/...

We gain an understanding of Benjamin's motivations; we learn who his mother is, and discuss his "suicide mission." We discuss sex work extensively, the shame that Benjamin and Candy both feel, and Candy's possible clan entanglement. We then switch scenes to the world's most hilarious interaction ever - Jacob, we love you - and our eyeballs collectively explode at the sight of Tora in a black turtl...

Poppy fulfills all our dreams and gives Tora her lap and hair scratches. Tora then falls into an amazing dream sequence, and we analyze the heck out of it. Many people's inputs were involved. Botticelli makes an appearance. So does Feng Shui, numerology, and tarot cards. We assume Jung was thrown somewhere there too. Poppy comes to a freeing realization, and we end today's episode with our new gam...

We are melted. Tora demonstrates that he is an excellent human being, and gives Poppy the credence and validation she didn't get from a certain crudball cough Julri. Insane tenderness ensues, and Poppy drives Tora against a wall with her "innocent" scapes and pulls. They tussle over a crutch, and Tora reveals an important window to his mind. And then... we melt into goo and can no longer compute....

Poppy rescues Tora from a disturbing nightmare and enters the forbidden forest. Even in his weakened state, Tora mercilessly teases Poppy with his sexual innuendo. Poppy goes to extreme measures to keep things under wrap, but she can't suppress her feelings forever, and observant Tora makes our heart melt and owns up to his mistakes. Also, it's Friday, and it's raining. We have our hopes.

We discuss Quincy's unexpected strength and possible reasons for his abrupt personality switch, as well as theorize on Tora's reaction to Poppy showing up at his door and why he might feel certain ways. (Not those kinds of ways. Get your mind out of the gutter!) Also, we throw in some red pin speculation because why not?

Quincy's magnificent water spout and not so magnificent over the top lies: we break down what Quincy was thinking, what Tora was thinking, and what Poppy was thinking. We rant approvingly about ads (hint: they fund art!). We melt and cry with Tora's vulnerability on the floor and become a literal mess with the hand-holding. Cannot cope. Also, Cordy redeems herself.

The evening is a giant clusterfreak. Tora flips out about Poppy's presence, Cordy flips out at Tora's treatment of Poppy, Poppy flips out that no one is taking her seriously, and Quincy flips out when he realizes he signed his life away without even reading the contract (oh, Quincess). And then the bomb is dropped... Title name credit goes to Christina Agan, author of the Broken Wingman fanfic on...

Gil is King of the Shade, Master of the Creep, and other assorted appellations. Poppy feels a sudden tug for her Tora, and we feel a sudden tug for Quinceton, who is both hot and heartbreaking at the same time.  Quinceton sets his grand plan into motion, and enlists the help of his hawt and dominant friend. And now we wait...

Turns out the Big Three have a group chat; Gyu tries to figure Tora out; Uncle Fred is a big old sweetheart, but so is Tora; and Gil is shady AF.