The StoryTinker

So much to cry over, so much to laugh over! Poppy cries over the airplane letter, Granny exerts her subtle guilting powers, Julri's manhood is threatened, and Tora can't handle how he can't handle. Darla's thirst does not disappoint and Leslie's marbles roll.

In which our hearts collectively shatter in a million pieces, which plummet over the cliff where Poppy and Tora are nestling.

In which we melt into a gooey puddle talking about braids and Poppy and Tora's bantering, soul-baring conversation.

Tora turns to Poppy as his healthy self-soothing mechanism; Poppy takes a bold step and asks him out; they drive to a secluded dark spot; and Poppy takes out her secret weapon (literally). Also, they tease each other endlessly.

We analyze Tora's amazing power plays and ability to remain calm in the face of Vincent's volatility. We also bemoan his depressing apartment and admire a newly revealed ability. Could you be any more awesome, Tora? We also discuss Tora and Poppy's dramatic need- what is their main driver?

And we reach the moment! In which pinnacles are attained, yeets are yeeted, and respect is given.

In this podcast, we discuss Gyu and Tora's open conversation and Tora and Poppy's rooftop confrontation.

Trevor has an altercation that makes him regret his life choices; the entire fandom collectively faints at the ministrations of a certain tongue; Tora is forced into an unpleasant memory; the purchase of strawberry related merchandise undergoes a sharp spike from this moment; and Tora tries to come clean.

Poppy decides to do some reading... for research! But it's getting hot in there and she needs to take it to the roof. Her creativity and kindness make an appearance, as does a certain shrouded figure...

A flashback reveals just how hot and bothered Tora was at the dinner; another flashback reveals just how much Julri deserves to be in the MPL trashpile list; and Mr. Lam shows us that mistakes can be owned and redeemed. Poppy displays a side we never knew, and a butterfly dance reveals symbolic layers to the story.

Tora keeps an eye on Poppy, and Jacob keeps an eye on le Greek God. We meet Gil and learn about Giant Goldfish's financial troubles. Poppy meets with Mr. Lam, and we learn why Poppy relates to Tora and that she's gone through some tough spots of her own. We end with a white van and some theory time.

Tora thinks the unthinkable; Poppy once again is living in denial; we all discuss our "coming home" moment with our partners; Poppy gives Tora the meal of a lifetime and there is some reparenting. Just for fun, we run through a compatibility checklist for each of us and Tora, and for seriousness, Patty discusses her clinical work with gang members. We end with Tora experiencing feelings he doesn't...

Tora relives his nightmares for Poppy and then proceeds to give Poppy nightmares with his cautionary tales; he then melts all our hearts with his bare faced admission of how love-starved he is. (OK, he didn't exactly say it that way but we can read between the lines.) Listen to Patty's song choices for this episode, 3 Libras and The Beach.  https://open.spotify.com/track/5kHkaBN8OEQlmXfQkACxS...

Poppy's exuberant reaction to the good news is a bit... overwhelming for Tora and his juices; Tora's analysis of Poppy's modern art reveals his inner workings; Poppy is ashamed to admit to any feelings behind the hug; and Tora struggles with the battle inside his own mind.

Tora continues to clutch Poppy's hand; Quincy innocently begins machinations to get Poppy and Tora alone together: Tora says the line he knows will get a rise out of Poppy; and Poppy and Tora share a cute domestic experience, dimmed by an encounter that shames and saddens Tora.

In which we analyze Quincy's reliance on Tora, drool over Tora's protective anger at Poppy's recklessness, wonder about the meaning of the third life that was saved, and drool once again at the (BADUMP) hand-holding.

Poppy obfuscates to Tora in the cab; Quincy has Tora beta-read for his "sizzling hot romance;" Poppy contemplates how she got Benjamin into this mess and her own blinding desire for success; and it's game over for Tora.

Candy is disappointed, and so is Claude. Claude learns more about Tora from Shing Ma, who leaves us hanging about what Tora experienced as a youngster and WHAT WAS IN THAT BLURRED SPEECH BUBBLE. Scharch is a psycho (surprise!) and his mission is interrupted. Some more information about the notebook is dropped and Tora flips out over Poppy's safety. (We know you love her, Tora. You can't hide that...

Poppy convinces a kind librarian to help her out on her bold mission on Ares St. We discuss the meaning of Club Miracle and Poppy's red pin. The librarian sends a text and there is a bit of Tora fan service.

Poppy finally receives a text and uses her super computer brain to figure out where Mr. Lam is. We discuss Poppy's character in depth. Erdene and Jacob find out about QB's departure, and Erdene gives Poppy clothes. She heads off to follow Mr. Lam wherever he may go.

Poppy dives deep into Tora's personal space by pulling down his sleeve; Tora can't handle it and storms away. Alice imparts a very valuable life lesson to Poppy, and Tora tries to speed away from his emotions but they stop him short.

Alice gives us insight into Tora's past. We learn about Joe and what he did for Tora, and the provenance of Tora's ring and bracelet. We speculate about what happened to Joe (much tragedy!) and we fall in love with Poppy for not letting Tora get away with being closed and sullen. We end by discussing the three MPL banners.

In which Tora dubs Poppy Bobby, Bobby imbibes her dad's lesson, the hamster is born, and Tora storms off in a huff. Alice also flashes back on teenage Tora having a profoundly painful moment, in more ways than one.

Poppy accidentally unearths a very sensitive man-boy's hair; Alice delivers the zingers of the century; Tora can't help himself, but he can help Poppy; and Poppy does some cheek holding of her own.

Poppy finds beauty wherever she goes; Tora jingles something mysterious in his pocket; Alice places a bet; and Poppy shows her care for Tora by helping him thwack his head on some pipes. Sorta.