A closing line and an opening embrace
Unmasked pulls back and fades on “Bucket Head?” The next book answers with “BUCKET HEAD!!!” and the hug, making the Gold of the helmet shine. The pairing carries the connection between Fate and Grundy across the boundary.
The Gathering draws on the Gargoyles connection and the different histories of the people who approach it.
From the writer’s notes
Ooh! I keep forgetting: The Gathering!!! It’s on Avalon (see Disney Gargoyles AND whichever dc animated movie pulled the grimorum, the eye and the gate into the timeline!!!! Hehe search that! Love that!!! So me!!!) - Avalon exists in a weird place and with a weird relationship with time (and existence for that matter… tldr: don’t wander near mists when you’re around Avalon, never know when or where you’ll end up… “…where ya need to be” and all that). Constantine uses the Grimorum and the Gate to get them to that Gathering (it’s in the past but is the present but time is timey whimy and such .. cause spectrums of time). Sam knows about the Ring because it’s happened within this time as either living or avatar … the writer knows: he doesn’t know Grundys payoff because it comes after his own (which he also can’t see - cause it doesn’t happen as The White) - his thank you is specs doing a Quantum Leap finale on that story! (See Quantum Leap, Al’s ending) Did I mention Specs (my) husbands name? It was Allen.
Also; Orchid as the entity of The Color Of Magic is Specs gift to those he leaves behind. He “gives light” and then “gives that light form” because he finally could see the hue and he knows what comes next: those “Sentinels of Magic” (see Young Justice, DC et al) realize they’re as much a part of the spectrum as the boys in Green and now they know what it looks like.
From the writer’s notes
Ooh ooh!!! This is better!!!! Unmasked is going full JL Dark!!! Now we have an excuse for Constantine (who knows where the gathering is - uh, Grundy mentioned it’s Monday - again, so he useless) but he’s gotta take use to Jason Blood who’ll get us there (makes perfect sense!) and this allows Jason to play taxi and wait near the shore (“no magics shall enter here, save Avalons own” - the Grimorum can’t come to shore, see: Gargoyles).
From the writer’s notes
The no go rule also hinders Jason, who fears his demon side might not be welcomed, all he more reason to stand by … also, um, his old boss may or may not be sleeping in a hill in that they island, and they did t part on such good terms.
From the writer’s notes
Grundy help bucket head cause bucket head helped Grundy - it’s that simple. Monday is a joke but, also, we’re on a time adventure so it’s a running gag… that for Grundy will end with “it’s Tuesday” (which is when he departs to find a swamp to sleep in… the writer knows he’ll find his own mushroom circle nearby and decide to make it stay (like Was did) and maybe one day he’ll forget why it’s there and check it out.
From the writer’s notes
Merlin wasn’t boss, it’s Arthur (Merlin was HR) (see Jason Blood, Merlin, Arthur via DC and then Arthur and the hollow hill via Gargoyles Your “demon?” Line is good, but it’s the shame of seeing Arthur (who he doesn’t know isn’t sleeping there anymore, he’s actually with Griff and The Magus, my namesake, now rests where he once did).
Towards the end of The Gathering: Oberon to JLD: your demon remains standing on Our shores, a gesture appreciated but not required. His darker side fear not these lands and, as for his former benefactor, he no longer rest beneath these hollow hills; he left some time ago and met a new champion, one of “those types” *he gestures towards Gabriel, standing nearby not noticing; the tone of “champion” spoken gives way to questions of “more” - when this later relayed to Jason, he quickly remembers tales of trysts with knights and ladies and wonders if there was more to it than succession planning - see: Mists of Avalon) “please, tell your demon, ine finds peace when sleeping so long on Avalon - I doubt his old friend bares any true qualm.” (To be clear, I the writer am making Arthur/Griff cannon in this timeline!!! Cause I can! And it works! And it’s on fucking theme!!!)
Zatanna’s partial knowledge
The deliberately vague response leaves several possible routes by which she knows of Avalon.
From the writer’s notes
JLDS2 - Boston, looking to Z “What’s that all about?” Z-“I don’t know. I don’t remember anything about Fate and Avalon… I mean, I guess I don’t know much about the place… other than, ya know, what most people know…” (I like this vague, it ackoweldge she knows of the place but doesn’t define it: cause of magic, cause of Willy S, cause she saw it on a tv show or head about it from this moody lady who insisted she couldn’t meet after sunset… but she knows about it, what most know about it… perspective lol
The hesitation around “that type” concerns what to call gargoyles; Gabriel is the reference in the writer’s explanation.
From the writer’s notes
“That type” is overcasting “not Mine, not yours, them: gargoyle” - it’s not so much a real negative dig, so much as a stammer at not knowing what “mortals today” call “them” - I mean, Oberon is ego and a tad bit racist, but not a total bigot.
This relationship background is part of the continuity being built around Arthur and Griff.
From the writer’s notes
To be clear: Mists of Avalon had Arthur bring Lancelot to his and Gwyn’s bed for the purpose of baby making. In my version, there was as much love for Lancelot as Gwyn… I wrote a song about it - Lance was loyal, and did love, but his connection wasn’t the same as what Arthur desired… in my song, he dies on the field while knowing Lance rides away before it’s over to be with her, a mixed happiness for his happiness and sadness … in this story, Arthur was just ahead of his time and Lance wasn’t a meant for a triad… but Griff and Arthur do have chemistry… and Magic)
The conversation carries Griff’s relationship to his King and Goliath’s personal interest in what has become possible.
From the writer’s notes
During the events of Once and Future Kings, Griff again meets the Manhattan Clan, but this time having become…more… with Arthur.
Surprisingly, to Griff anyway, Hudson accepted without so much as a second consideration, he didn’t even blink at the coupling.
Goliath, however, surprised Griff. Not because he felt it “unnatural” because they’re both “male”, not even because of the human/gargoyle factor itself… his confusion came from: confusion… and curiosity.
“”I…don’t want to pry….but how do you… together?” - not an intrusive question so much as one derived from personal hope, that maybe they have an answer he’s held himself back in hops to find.
“Oh!” Griff replies with a chort, “Gummi Berry Juice”
“Come again?” Goliath replies.
Griff pulls a medal, bronze with a symbol and in its mid a “G” - “when Arty and I were in our trek, we stumbled across this pretty thing. When we did some research we found out it came from…well…bears. Little ones. That bounce he again chuckles” - he pulls out a small bottle with a light wine colored liquid “Gummi Berry Juice - daft stuff, really. Makes those little bears bounce like tires trying for an emergency landing; makes humans strong as a gargoyle… I tried it out thinking maybe super strength, ya know? Turns out, it does something different on us - turns out, I make a dapper nice human if I do say so myself”
Goliath, struck at the hope of the possibility, fearfully asks “I imagine this …juice…must be precious magic and bear a heavy cost” he says already contemplating that price.
Griff, realizing what’s really being asked and said, begins to smile and quickly chirps: “Nope! Literally grows on bushes in England, just have to know what color and when to tap the pot - and trust me, you want to remember to tap the pot!” Griff hands Goliath the bottle along with the pouch (a supply for about 7 turns) “enjoy, mate!”
“Jalapeño!!! —- Elisaaaa!!! “ he shouts jumping out the nearest window to find his love.
“I can understand him not waiting around for the recipe…plenty of time for that” he grins and walks away to find his King “Arty?! We need to go berry picking! You wanna call Jason back for a ride?!! Art?!!” Griff shouts and sighs “it doesn’t matter who’s, I’ll never get used to a castle” and he continues to search for his man… trying /not: to think about that Jason fella… and wonder “why did he care so much after all this time…”
“Arthur! Tell me more about Jason, love!” Griff knows His king. [writers not to pay attention to the change in case for K/king and H/his - this is intoned but not discussed - keen/kinky observers get it]
The explanation connects the requests at Avalon to the origin and the Grey.
From the writer’s notes
“This isn’t my time. This isn’t my form now. And what the fuck are you doing, you know who I am now, right?!” Metatron (as Specs) standing in front of Constantine (it’s his comic) who’s summoned him “since I’m stuck in this form I can’t say for sure cause I can’t see shit - but I can damn guarantee I’m getting this boots this time, “spell checker!” (See: Warcraft the movie)… at the end of it amidst this Constantine book (where Specs/Meta is guest star) your Fate interaction will happen.
Also, let’s cover “the favors”: Sam is saved and made avatar - the wind will tell him what to do. Sam seeks Swampy and explains: you’re going to need a ring…that ring will need a dead guy…that dead guy has to deliver a message — tldr: grow this pot to my specifications and I’m gonna have some pixies rig delivery. Swampy goes “uh, I think you’ve had enough pot… looks like you forgot to pass when ya puffed; bruh”. Fates role when he whiffs Boston is to recruit his old friend Grundy (my version of history has JL/U’s Fate/Hawkgirl/Grundy/Amazo connections like in that seties) who he asks, upon seeing this vision of a fated moment, the gathering of the avatars, to take him to their meeting place as Grundy’s guest (“It’s a Monday.” Grundy grunts). Grundy’s presence is required because his part to play, as told by Sam, is ask The Rot to hold - to not overtake what greatly desires it so - let time play out and pause and rest (this is Sam saying: The Rot can’t move Was to The Black, he needs to linger - let connections be witnessed as emotions run deeper and deeper - basically Was’ exile). Fate, from there, seeks out Specs - Fate is a most fucker, but he also assumes based on what he’s witnessing (and he is Fate) that Specs is Order yet to be (so he thinks) … when he finds him, battle happens (this is a side story on that story run we haven’t flushed out) and the helm goes on Soecs (ooh!!! Bonus!!! This is how Specs meets Zattana - I was trying to figure that out!!! Was her turn in the helm (see: Young Justice) and she doesn’t have to be the one to put it back on (so she and Specs can chill and swap magics!) - Specs time in he helm is when Metatron out that message there (well, was there the moment Specs got there - he assumed it was a helmet thing - the voices of the helm (Nabu, the bearers inside) all just kept doing a version of “what is that!” As they poked their ears with their pinky fingers.
From the writer’s notes
I think I want Constantine in that Fate ride too; Boston stays with Orchid (he’s cool with that) while Fate hitches a ride with Constantine and Grundy cause John already knows Swampy and where they’ll meet. (Plus this gets me a fun Constantine/Z/IndiKid off screen flirt and romp and explains why John would be comfy summoning Specs once Meta (I bet Z helps with that!) - I mean, they’ve “walked” in the same boots.
From the writer’s notes
Let’s be clear: Seampy doesn’t understand Sam and the run stuff, but he recognizes an avatar of knowledge is telling him simply “you’ll need something one day… it’ll cost an ounce or two now” When Grundy arrives, Sam says “you’re late, so on time” “it’s Monday” “Grundy of The Rot, I can’t see beyond my own time as the avatar of The White and I won’t always be the one who serves - so I can’t say why I ask what I ask, but I believe it will circle back a boon to you “ “it’s a Monday” (Grundy agrees) - I, the writer know: one day Metatron will speak the words that pass Grundy through The Black, he will one day become the new Was in a spectrum with brothers Ever and Will Be, and his time as The Rot won’t end, but his understanding of The Grey will grow.
Regarding Boston: part of what Sam asked Grundy to do was have The Rot/The Grey grow a fairy circle (a mix of fairy and mushroom/fungus magic) and pull Was there, when and where Boston is passing by. From Was’ pov, it’s just another place and time he can’t control being in (as Was, right now, he’s just there) so another place is another place… till Boston.
Re:6 and Boston - um, he was the White Lantern! He played his part before. Lol. This is his pay off (You think the voice of god who loves dirty talk didn’t arrange for the dead man to be treated to a creature he finds hot that can touch him - you think ambient magic in a mystery house just takes mortal form on whim?! You’re listening to the wrong breeze if you’re buying that hot air! (See: all my fucking genius!!!!!)
It’s “spell chucker” (damn spell check)
The later favor wording and Specs’ limited familiarity with Sam develop the difference between their knowledge.
From the writer’s notes
where we’re watching Sam of The White tell Swampy to grow some green (Specs: Can I get in on that? - more joke than he knows) and ask Grundy to grow the ring and to hold The Rot back in the Grey when the time comes (this is the kind of thing that Grundy of The Grey/Rot can agree to and it happen even without knowing all the details, because speaking on behalf of binds to)… he doesn’t comprehend, he looks Z and remembers Bucket Head and says “Not Monday” (is that agreement, statement, delcation of it won’t be when the time comes? who knows, it’s “not Monday”)
From the writer’s notes
ALSO!!!! Specs doesn’t know Sam… not really… he just knows they met when he met Alan Scott, and they didn’t really chat… Specs doesn’t have any idea what he’s really looking at.
The convo with Grundy is a language Specs doesn’t speak, he reconizes the terms… but no lantern corps showed up insisitnng they teach him what it means to be Grey, there isn’t one… same for Gold, not that we’re talking about that right now. So Specs doesn’t go hey, they’re talking about me!, he just watches the weird and thinks “great, pretty place, always wanted to see it, but more nothing…”
Orchid, Boston, and the wedding
The relationship is already part of their lives before they marry in this story.
From the writer’s notes
Glad you mentioned Orchid - she’s coming along! And these days; where the lady goes, the dead man follows. The story is just Ana seventies what matters is the ending: Arthur and Griff, married (there’s your plurality) but, more important, and without distracting the wedding goers, Boston takes Orchids hand (the only thing he’s held in so long) and mines putting a ring in her finger. Orchid smiles and manifest the ring as Boston imagined (she doesn’t dictation purpose, it’s just the way Magic works, she doesn’t even know he imagined it) … she picks up Boston’s hand, and Mines the same action, but as she does, The Black… the ring of a Black Lantern appears as a black energy construct, a cloud, a Void… a moment… the ring vanishes and a child, sitting directly behind Orchid screams out as she jumps to her feet … pointing… at Boston Brand, Deadman, The Void, The Black, The Will Be - the once again living, but Dead, embodiment of the Black who, upon taking the hand of his wife, disappears along side her - to Live.
Constantine: “What the bloody… she’s my ride!…” the book ends.
From the writer’s notes
Twenty years later a fan will ask: what else do you know? I’d answer: I know things: I known the wedding vows were <THE VOWS> and while I don’t know what he coloring magic looks like, I know it’s awful close to White... and...
StarS and a carousel possibility
The proposed Star Sapphire carousel belongs to a wider explanation of Specs’ relationship to Love and marriage.
From the writer’s notes
Also, that telport is almost by the book: a fellow latnern needs help, an Indigo can get them there… my story will not see a shift to Love that often (can add that to StarS nicknames)… so we’ll never see a love portal…. conceptulaly, at this point, StarS is who Spectrum is least interested in… he understands l/Love, he’s married (even widowed, he’s married - and that’s a choice he’s made, that will always the choice - he’s not interested in not being married to who his married to anymore than being married to another… and he’s choosing that path, regardless of what comes along, and is up front… so StarS is more for function when needed… which is rare…but, I guess at the Wedding maybe StarS could summon up some animals for folks to run around on, Star Sapphire Carousel.
The music and the White flash give the departure its intended moment.
From the writer’s notes
EXCELLENT!!! So, I ditch Specs at the wedding!!!! He’s been StarS running around being merry, he’s flirted with Guy, he’s just watched a king marry a gargoyle… and he looks over and sees Orchid and Boston; Specs: “I get it now” the softest smile and FLASH-WHITE just as Canary hits the key “and IIIIIIIIIIIII will always love you” or something like that. Specs is The Voice.. we don’t see it, we don’t know more… from here, it’s truly just a JLDS story…
The note’s continuing journey
The note left at the wedding later reaches the Alan/Sam/Orchid scene at the end of Dead and Living Loud. The orchid and mushroom on Alan’s mantle have already traveled through Guy.
The series introduces the larger connections as well as Specs’ search.
From the writer’s notes
okay… now… I’ve got 1-8 as an intro and setup - people assume it’s a setup for Specs, but it’s a setup for The Spectrum over all… it’s their story… Specs 1-8 tries to tell it and we figure out Specs has his own story he’s not done with… it’s… big… good luck with it… JLDS1-3 says: here’s what Specs learned, lets bring in the big boys… and we litterall snap the info inside peoples heads to catch up and keep going… Specs brings in the JLD then bows out half way… he had a encore to perform eleshwere (I should mention he sang at the wedding… its as entrating visually as autbly, cause he keeps sliding around… Green to be brave up there, Blue hope to not fall off the stage or crack, yellow to slide into the sultry belts, and Specs when he’s settled into and can actually keep his eyes open (song is DEVIL YOU KNOW, Tyler Braden (see song lyrics) - Guys especially enjoyed the performance, specially when Sin sang to him)
A Zatanna-inspired spell — proposed scene
The comic fight idea draws on Zatanna’s backwards spells and Miraculous Ladybug. Its precise place in the adventure is still open.
the spell to get int he helmet also has to be perfomred by the person not wearing it… so I get to write a fun Zattanna spell which has already given me an idea for a fun use during Once and Future Kings (there’s going to be a fight, almost comical cause it’s the Disney Gargoyles book lol… where at some point Specs cast “ekam revetahw I deen thgir won raeppa” al a Zattana … after it’s results, when asked “what was that spell?!” “A Zatanna inspired spell… it was all I could think to do, I’m shocked I managed to say it” “Yeah, but what was it” “literally: make whatever I need appear right now” *he says with a “I know, it’s nuts, but worked” look… “What on earth made you think of that?!!” He shrugs with shy smile that only shows on one side of his mouth: Miraculous Ladybug? )
Guy finds the note — an earlier presentation concept
The pickup, smile, and touch to the key connect the wedding to the earlier morning. The final-page placement in this early concept was later moved to Dead and Living Loud.
From the writer’s notes
when Specs pics up the mic (flashes out becoming The Voice), a note is left behind on the ground, after the littel girl screams there’s a moment where someone asks where Specs went and we see Guy picking it up, we don’t see what it says, just Guy smiling a content smile as he touches a hand to the key under his shirt. On Grundy’s book, that last page, all black, except the font of The Voice and that line… but at the bottom of the page, the note, on black (but laying as if you were looking at it from a different angle in the orignal scene) you can see it says “For Allen” and has the same spectrum rainbow smear as what was left for Guy
