I want to warn about spoilers but everything here is spoilers, this whole forum is spoilers. If you missed these they're in the newsletter that just came out today.

I'm sure at least a few of you read these. I was not prepared for just how different they were. They were both good and the ghost hunters episode was hilarious, and I'll get to that later probably but I just need to talk about how not prepared I was to just get stabbed in the chest like this by There Are No Goodbyes. I thought I was used to this series being sad and people dying, but apparently someone took that as a challenge because holy shit. It was the slow reveal that got me honestly, the way that things are happening but I don't know why and i have a few guesses except they're all wrong and by the time I figure it out it's in the middle of an emotional conversation. Seeing Adelaide break down because she couldn't protect Maaya just... UGHHH. And then the reunion at the end! that's when I just lost it. But it was somehow still so satisfying. Really sad, but also still somehow optimistic, and beautiful at the end? I just was completely unprepared for this lol, I had to go back to ghost hunters after that so I could have something lighthearted to bring me out of that. god damn though, this is what being so attached to characters does to me.

Speaking of though, GHOST HUNTERS. That was just hilarious, I LOVE this AU idea I love it. Combining a cheesy ghost hunting show with a universe where the main characters either can see ghosts or ARE ghosts is so funny. Chronis being a real life tarantula, the callbacks to the series like Saber's dad building a doomsday device, Farid, the writing on the wall, Saber getting more exasperated at how the ghost hunters keep making things up when she's standing right there, just, fucking lol. I didn't know I needed this. Oh and finally figuring out that Saber CAN play piano and she does it to haunt people. Now I need a whole series of modern AU ghost walk, this was just so much fun and now I kind of want to go find one of these shows to watch and imagine it's a real ghost just trolling them. Plus GW needed more short stories, until now I think TDS had more, it might even still have more? I'm happy, this was quality content this year.

Lol it's funny because Arty texted me about it and I think it was like 5 AM, and I said sure I'll read it, it's Ghost Walk, I'm already used to sad stuff, bring it on, I got this. And then suddenly I'm literally sobbing into my cereal LOL. I did NOT got this. That scene with Adelaide was the one that got me too, because you know this woman has gone to war repeatedly to protect Maaya from anything, and now she can't, and when she's like "it wasn't supposed to be like this" dudeeee. But yeah like it was sweet in all sorts of ways too! Them both just being super loving and talking about how they had so many long happy years together, they both achieved their dreams, they had GOOD lives. So they got their happily ever after and it's great to see that. There was one line in there too that basically confirmed all the protective mom vibes we got from Inga, where Maaya is like, having Inga there made her feel like she was living with the parents she never had? SO SWEET. And of course Inga was like thank you for everything you've done for everyone especially Adelaide. Writing that out kinda makes me feel better even because you know, you know Inga is going to move heaven and earth to help Adelaide get through her grief.

Oh yeah though, I don't know if you remembered, but that reunion... this is what actually killed me the most when I read it lol. That line Saber says, where she goes "there are a lot of people who can't wait to see you again"? That's one of the last things she says to Maaya before Maaya seals her and Isak. That same exact fuckin line. Because of course right, LOL. The whole thing man. Just so good.

Ghost Hunters though LOL, I read that one second because I knew I'd need it and dude. Saber is just one of the best characters ever. When David is like "spirit tell us what you want!" and she goes "a pen and paper would be a good start." Then the "it was not human blood no" thing. And the Beat Saber joke was SO STUPID I loved it. I'm with you I would love to see modern AU GW. I loved Adelaide just constantly telling lies to explain why the ghost hunters did what they did. And the way the hunters were like hamming it up and being corny until they realized, oh shit, something is actually going on here. It really did need a corny just funny story like this though 100%. This newsletter was like the two extremes, you've got literally as sad as possible, and then you have this corny funny story that doesn't take itself seriously at all.

Jade wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:37 am

Oh yeah though, I don't know if you remembered, but that reunion... this is what actually killed me the most when I read it lol. That line Saber says, where she goes "there are a lot of people who can't wait to see you again"? That's one of the last things she says to Maaya before Maaya seals her and Isak. That same exact fuckin line. Because of course right, LOL.

For fuck's sake lol. See I didn't remember that, this has happened a few times now, where I miss a callback and when I figure it out it just makes it hurt even more. But I love it. What a solid way to end this story. Saber's almost last words to Maaya in this world are her first words to her in the next.

It's cool though too because between the main series and Recovery and now There Are No Goodbyes it's just so darn sweet to see Adelaide and Maaya's relationship. They're just so good to each other and loving and supportive no matter what's going on, I love these two.

I also didn't really consider how Maaya's life would have affected her like that. I just kind of assumed that now she was living a stable life she'd be all good but it honestly makes a lot of sense that spending years and years close to starving, irregular meals and nutrition, poor sleep, all that stuff... I get it. It SUCKS, but I get it. What I don't exactly get is why healing cards didn't work on it though, shouldn't they have helped?

Oh and also also, this story confirmed that Vanhanen was the guy Adelaide called in at the end, that was his fleet, and he and Skarin were at the battle of Sark together lol. Which makes sense, his ships would have finishing up repairs by then and he finally got his fleet together. For him it wasn't that long since he saw Adelaide, a few months I think? So he was probably overjoyed lol.

I was on vacation ok. I got the email and decided to read them on Halloween since we were doing scary movies too. I read the first one and thought ok! Great start. Hilarious story, I love it. Everything about this is good, give me more. So I went to the second. The title made me think it was going to be more serious. Technically I was right. But yeah just stab me right in the heart because of COURSE, why not. This one HURT. The scene with Adelaide got me of course, and then there's this line: "You’ve fought and won battles you didn’t even know you were fighting, and you did it all for me." I love them. I love them so much.

It was the end that really hit me the most though, because I wasn't expecting it somehow? I was so caught up in what was happening I didn't think we'd get to see the other side of things, but when I realized, my HEART. This whole thing honestly. Didn't think I'd spend my halloween crying, but it's Ghost Walk, why do I expect anything different ever. of course this is to say I loved it, this was such a good story, and I didn't realize the quote was the same either, so you know what, maybe I'll cry a little more, who knows. Just A+. Great story. Don't do it again my heart cannot handle it.

Ghost Hunters though? My favorite easily. It was the weird hilarious crossover I had never thought of before. The cheesy show, the references, all the characters just happy and having a good time, Saber AGAIN being the best character in the series, the kids roasting the guys on the show the entire time, Adelaide just making stuff up to mess with them, just, all of it. I want to see more of THIS. It was innocent and funny and wholesome and NOBODY DIED so yes please give me more.

Hannah wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 2:08 am

Jade wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:37 am

Oh yeah though, I don't know if you remembered, but that reunion... this is what actually killed me the most when I read it lol. That line Saber says, where she goes "there are a lot of people who can't wait to see you again"? That's one of the last things she says to Maaya before Maaya seals her and Isak. That same exact fuckin line. Because of course right, LOL.

What I don't exactly get is why healing cards didn't work on it though, shouldn't they have helped?

The way I think they work if I understand is that they can't do anything the body can't already do, they just make it happen faster. If you've got an injury or illness you'll get over, you can make it happen all at once. But if it's something you'll die from then it won't help. I think. It did say Adelaide tried and it didn't work. I expected better from ACTUAL MAGIC but I guess it's all like death magic anyway since it's power from the second world so it makes some sense lol.

Isabelle wrote:Ghost Hunters though? My favorite easily. It was the weird hilarious crossover I had never thought of before. The cheesy show, the references, all the characters just happy and having a good time, Saber AGAIN being the best character in the series, the kids roasting the guys on the show the entire time, Adelaide just making stuff up to mess with them, just, all of it. I want to see more of THIS. It was innocent and funny and wholesome and NOBODY DIED so yes please give me more.

Wasn't that cool! I like the idea that Adelaide and Maaya have an apartment somewhere with Saber and the kids come to visit and they just play games and watch ghost shows. You think Saber goes to work with Maaya? Adelaide has to own a yacht or something. Omg what do you think Inga is doing in this universe! I HAVE TO KNOW. See, this story opens up so many possibilities. Has anyone written fanfic yet? I might have to write fanfic.

My wife reminded me to read these. I took her advice to read the Ghost Hunters second, and she was right, because There Are No Goodbyes was just MEAN. It's been a little bit since I read the books and kept up with stuff but Maaya is my baby and I love her. I wasn't expecting such a big callback to Manoj, but it fits. He kinda opened her eyes to the idea of sealing ghosts because they wanted it, and I'm pretty sure he was also the one who got her thinking about seeing people again in the next life because of his whole family thing. That was a huge moment for her so this is great. It still hurts like hell though lol. My poor baby. And tbh it hurt BECAUSE it was happy, we get to know she got everything she ever wanted, had a loving and supporting family right up until the end, everything, and I love that for her.

Jade wrote: Wasn't that cool! I like the idea that Adelaide and Maaya have an apartment somewhere with Saber and the kids come to visit and they just play games and watch ghost shows. You think Saber goes to work with Maaya? Adelaide has to own a yacht or something. Omg what do you think Inga is doing in this universe! I HAVE TO KNOW. See, this story opens up so many possibilities. Has anyone written fanfic yet? I might have to write fanfic.

I could see Inga being like a mentor to Adelaide who probably is going up the ranks in a big company or maybe running her own. But she's still kind of young so she's got Inga working with her, and when Inga finds out Adelaide doesn't really talk to her family and sometimes it shows, Inga starts coming over with homemade meals, starts coming over for holiday parties with gifts sometimes, kinda keeping her professional distance but also becoming close. Adelaide and Maaya have each other but when Adelaide needs more, like a parental figure or life advice, Inga's right there always knowing what she needs. Depending on the universe Inga might also be part of some light organized crime ring or something with Gunnar and Halvar and the others and Adelaide ends up getting involved through Inga and does a lot of shenanigans. Maybe they end up messing with corrupt people in business and government with Saber's help so Adelaide leads a double life of innocent businesswoman and modern Blackfin crime fighter. If you write something I'll read it, you know I will, I want to see more modern au stuff like this.

I'm going to have to touch on There Are No Goodbyes first too, because this just encapsulates so much of what the themes of this entire series are. It's sad and includes death, which isn't new, but it's also genuinely positive and hopeful. For everyone wishing Maaya would get her happy ending, this is quite literally it. We get to see that she lived for many more years, accomplished and got basically everything she ever hoped and dreamed for, and that her family grew enormously and stayed with her for her entire life. Beyond that, though, the very end was huge to me because this is the first time we've ever seen a direct confirmation that the afterlife is what it's been hinted to be in the books. Up until now the most we could say was that it exists and that it's nice to know there is more after this life, but now we get to see that yes, you will meet your loved ones, they are waiting for you, and you will get to see them all again in a very direct way. That's just such a wonderful thing to me.

Hannah wrote:

Jade wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:37 am

Oh yeah though, I don't know if you remembered, but that reunion... this is what actually killed me the most when I read it lol. That line Saber says, where she goes "there are a lot of people who can't wait to see you again"? That's one of the last things she says to Maaya before Maaya seals her and Isak. That same exact fuckin line. Because of course right, LOL.

For fuck's sake lol. See I didn't remember that, this has happened a few times now, where I miss a callback and when I figure it out it just makes it hurt even more. But I love it. What a solid way to end this story. Saber's almost last words to Maaya in this world are her first words to her in the next.

That's what I thought too. It is very solid. It's the kind of ending I think the story and characters deserved. Overall just an excellent short story, not one I was expecting for Halloween though lol. The Ghost Hunters I completely understand, but this surprised me. It's probably replaced Recovery as my favorite. It was also nice to see that Inga did end up adopting another daughter, and also came home to play a supporting parental figure at the end.

The Ghost Hunters was really funny. I wasn't expecting an AU twist and I love how clever it was, not just with the obvious name being Maaya's first family, but everything else like Chronis the tarantula, Isak's machine, David being the subject of ridicule, and I know I'm missing more. It also didn't feel too different from the style and mood of the series. Like, if Ghost Walk was set in modern times, it could just be this lol. When Ghost Walk hits its funny and light moments, they're just like this. I would love to see more of this style of story for this universe. I will admit I'm the clueless one who had to look up what Beat Saber was and why it was so funny.

Lindsay wrote:I could see Inga being like a mentor to Adelaide who probably is going up the ranks in a big company or maybe running her own. But she's still kind of young so she's got Inga working with her, and when Inga finds out Adelaide doesn't really talk to her family and sometimes it shows, Inga starts coming over with homemade meals, starts coming over for holiday parties with gifts sometimes, kinda keeping her professional distance but also becoming close. Adelaide and Maaya have each other but when Adelaide needs more, like a parental figure or life advice, Inga's right there always knowing what she needs. Depending on the universe Inga might also be part of some light organized crime ring or something with Gunnar and Halvar and the others and Adelaide ends up getting involved through Inga and does a lot of shenanigans. Maybe they end up messing with corrupt people in business and government with Saber's help so Adelaide leads a double life of innocent businesswoman and modern Blackfin crime fighter. If you write something I'll read it, you know I will, I want to see more modern au stuff like this.

I really like this! I would actually really like to read a series of stories like this. Not to give Jade more ideas on what to pester Arty about.

Lindsay wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 03, 2021 5:54 pm

I could see Inga being like a mentor to Adelaide who probably is going up the ranks in a big company or maybe running her own. But she's still kind of young so she's got Inga working with her, and when Inga finds out Adelaide doesn't really talk to her family and sometimes it shows, Inga starts coming over with homemade meals, starts coming over for holiday parties with gifts sometimes, kinda keeping her professional distance but also becoming close. Adelaide and Maaya have each other but when Adelaide needs more, like a parental figure or life advice, Inga's right there always knowing what she needs. Depending on the universe Inga might also be part of some light organized crime ring or something with Gunnar and Halvar and the others and Adelaide ends up getting involved through Inga and does a lot of shenanigans. Maybe they end up messing with corrupt people in business and government with Saber's help so Adelaide leads a double life of innocent businesswoman and modern Blackfin crime fighter. If you write something I'll read it, you know I will, I want to see more modern au stuff like this.

YES. Agreed with Becky. Someone has to write this lol. If anyone it should be Jade, she's read the books so many times she might have memorized them by now.

I had kind of a realization and myabe I'm the only one, but I think the reason GW and everything about it hits me so hard is because I'm still in TDS mode. Where, even when it gets serious it's never super dark, and Arty says she likes happy endings etc etc, and I remember that because the end of TDS 3 dared to be bittersweet and I was so surprised it went that far. So I went into GW thinking it would be kind of the same. So every single time some awful thing happens I'm completely surprised like an idiot LOL. Like, this is clearly an outlier, everything is normally so happy and bright! Except, it's really really not. Yeah there are funny moments and yeah there are happy endings but I think if I pulled myself out of TDS mode and admitted to myself this is actually a lot more serious and darker then it would make more sense. So like when Maaya goes to see Bindhiya only to find out she's been dead for like two weeks, or when Sanna dies and Adelaide never got to say goodbye, or when the kids die, or when Manoj comes around to ask Maaya to seal him, I won't be like WOW WHERE DID THIS COME FROM, rofl. I'll remember, oh right, this is Ghost Walk, which is amazing and also is trying its best to literally kill me emotionally.

Tbh I should have figured this out when Alex stopped by in the other thread and was like "I'm not done, I only finished part one, but what the fuck."

I'm late ok but I have a question, am I the only one who didn't know what an OBT was? Once I did I was like ok this is probably exactly what Adelaide would do. Didn't think i would be learning Interesting Spider Facts from Halloween stories but it's pretty cool.

I read Ghost Hunters first because I saw it was a parody on ghost finding shows and I had to. It was just hilarious, I fucking love it. It was a cool reminder of how funny the GW series can be, and that was also good because the other story was the total opposite and I didn't see it coming rofl. It was really really good, don't get me wrong. Just, damn. As soon as it started and Maaya was talking about how she was going to miss the Windfire I was like oh ok this is where we're going. I still wasn't prepared. it was probably the best time to tell that story too now that MAF is out. But for the Halloween mood I'll stick to stuff like Ghost Hunters.

I had to look it up too, and the fact that it means "orange bitey thing" and that's an ACTUAL phrase people use to describe the spider is just the best thing ever. Figures the very arachnophobic author would know about shit like this.

Speaking of Halloween stories though we're about to be looking at Halloween stories 2022! I wonder what we're getting this year. I was hoping for a story from the new book she's been working on but it's not out yet so it probably won't be that. The Editor maybe? Or HoaTN? Actually that one would make for some amazing kind of fun scary story considering how it works.