(Tfc)

andreil at the next banquet

Was going to spend this afternoon finally formatting TGR's file for release, but I am at New Address and all of my project files are at Old Address still. So is my final batch of pre-release fun facts. Guess we're winging it from what useless details I remember:

-TGR ended at 24 chapters, 12-12 split iirc -Took about 7 restarts over way too many months to finally lock in a first chapter I could move forward with. The original Chapter One now happens later. -Found the most perfect song for Jeremy but can't post it yet. Sent it to four friends at like 3am the other day because I needed them to agree with me ('twas unanimous) -This time 'round I *think* I only have 2 reference pics to share, but will wait a week or more to post 'em. Maybe when I update the tags on that last song (last two songs? Idk) -My notes for 3 are about 16pages long so far, so I will probably have to kms at some point this year to avoid actually writing it all out. On the bright side, 3 has had a title & an ending since last summer so I don't have to worry about those two points at least

I think my favourite element of the writing in aftg is how Riko's downfall is utterly, entirely, beautifully self-inflicted.

Riko is power hungry, a glory seeker, jealous, cruel, vindictive and unable to share the spotlight. His worst actions and features come back to haunt him over and over in a way that is *incredibly* satisfying from a readers' perspective.

-Riko breaks Kevin's hand. Kevin leaves to become one of the foxes' best players, training them into a team worthy of finals and bringing them to victory with the game's final point

-Riko moves the Ravens to the southern district, placing his team directly in the path of the team that will eventually beat him

-Riko terrorises Kevin on the Kathy Ferdinand show, angering Neil into taking a stand against him (...which causes Andrew to re-evaluate Neil's worth, which leads to their deal, which leads to Neil staying with the Foxes...and so on)

-Riko kills Seth, who becomes a driving force for members of the team, particularly Alison, to beat the Ravens

-Riko setting Drake on Andrew further angers the Foxes and motivates them to beat him; Aaron in particular.

-This also results in Andrew sobering up sooner than he otherwise would have, arguably making him a stronger player and helping the Foxes reach finals

-Kidnapping Neil over Christmas break and forcing him to play as a backliner gives Neil an intensive course in Raven teamwork, drills, etc. Which Neil then teaches to the Foxes.

-Oh, and my favourite. They force Neil to play as a backliner against Riko. The very move which Neil then uses to block Riko from scoring in the final. Fantastic. Ten out of (jos)ten.

-Incidentally, beating the shit out of Neil and putting him in a different position causes the Ravens to vastly misunderstand/underestimate how Neil's abilities as a player have developed

-Forcing Neil into his natural appearance and helping his father find him leads to the most unifying moment for the Foxes of the entire series; the Foxes rally around Neil, and finally become one functioning, dedicated unit.

-and god, just when it seems like it couldn't get any better; Riko destroys Jean, taking one of his team's best players off the court before the match can even begin

Riko set almost every moment of his team's defeat into motion months before their match even began; the consequences of his cruelty not only weaken the ravens but fashion an opposing team which is stronger, more unified, and more determined than ever to beat Riko.

And it doesn't end with the match; Riko attempts to kill Neil, serving Ichirou all the justification he needs to dispose of his brother on a silver platter.

Riko Moriyama's fate is self-inflicted from start to finish, in the most deeply satisfying way possible.

i'm rereading tfc right and i'm at the part where neil leaves his duffel bag in the dorm and i'm just confused why he didn't take out all the clothes and then take the bag with the binder to the store?? i know he said that he wouldn't be able to handle taking everything so why didn't he just leave the other stuff?? and be like yeah i needed something to carry my new stuff with.

neil's face softening in sleep as he lays on andrew's chest and andrew content to just watch him reblog if true 👍

sketches of andrew and neil i made while listening to aftg audiobooks 😳😳

I'm going to read a new story this week

the secret to life is always having something to look forward to

I was gonna try other ideas for January’s patreon sticker but I think we might’ve got it in one here. Air jail for the feral striker

Out of touch, out of time.