#coni breeder

[mosneakers]

You know I couldn't let these outfits go to waste and had to give these characters their own cinematic bond-style photoshoot 📸

[mosneakers]

Jill: Belladonna, sweetheart, I know what that blue aura means when I see it. You holdin' up okay?

Coni swallows, her shoulders slumping as she shrugs softly. She can’t find the right answer, her eyes fixed helplessly on what's left of her world crumbling to dust before her. Coni: I should have said something a long time ago. Jill: Oh, honey, you don’t have to carry that blame. There are extraterrestrial beings everywhere doing the same thing—keeping their identities hidden to protect themselves, and for good reason. You did what you had to do.

Jill Smith lightly brushes her infant son's head to soothe him, a subtle gesture to reassure Coni of her maternal nature.

Coni: But the Darlings can be trusted, though. We didn't have to keep this from them. Jill: Well... maybe. Coni: ...Sorry? Jill: I don't know, dear. It seems to me like some of those characters may not have been who you thought they were. Coni stares blankly ahead at the grim scene unfolding in front of her, deeply contemplating the weight of Jill's words.

Tycho: Why? If you knew this entire time, why did you string me along? Another wave of shock crashes over her; every muscle in her body feels like it's screaming, and she can no longer contain her rage. Like a defensive fawn posturing as fierce to fend off a predator, she steps forward and furiously shoves him, stumbling clumsily over the high heels that had earlier tonight driven Tycho wild.

Coraleye: I'm sorry, what? I gave you chance after chance after chance to come clean—to do the right thing. But instead, you tried to steal my goddamn memories! Our memories! The private things kept just between us—were they not sacred to you? Huh? Tycho: I struggled so much, okay? The guilt ate at me every single day. But I guess it turns out I wasn't the only one lying here. I feel like such an idiot. Coraleye: [Mock-sympathetic tone] Oh! It really hurts, doesn't it, baby? Welcome to my life! Only the joke’s on me— because I lied to myself, too. I fully convinced myself you'd come around, that we’d build a life together. I was ready to give you my babies, my hand in marriage, my whole future. But no, you couldn't help yourself. You get off on fucking with my head. Well guess what? You can't control me, Tycho. You never could.

Tycho: Control you? Coraleye, I was never trying to control you. I put it off for so long because I didn't want to scare you off. I thought there could be a chance I'd lose you—lose what we had. Coraleye: Well if you thought that would scare me off, then you have no idea who I truly am. Tycho: That's never been clearer. Given your reaction now, seems I was right to believe that. Coraleye: Yeah, now! God, Tycho, your double standard is insane. Are you happy, now that Erwin's out of the way? You never did quite get that jealousy trait under control, did you?

Tycho: Am I happy? What's wrong with you? Why would you say something like that? Erwin's my best friend. You know what? You’re no better than me. If you’d just been honest from the start, instead of sneaking around, we could’ve worked together to protect him—and your brother, too! I know I was a coward and a liar, but you’re just as much to blame for all this as I am, and you know it.

Coni: I… I can't do this. They’re putting our friend to death, and I can’t just stand by and watch the world burn while it happens. I can’t stop them, but I can’t let him die alone.

Jill: I see. You'd like to leave for the cosmos? Should I tell your friends you'll be back?

Coni: [Pauses, shakes head] No. Please give them all my love.

The storm inside Coraleye comes to an abrupt halt, leaving her mind reeling in the eerie wreckage. This is what I get for breaking the rules and following my heart, she thinks to herself.

Tycho instantly recognizes the harm in his words and desperately tries to take them back, but it's too late—Coraleye severs their relationship. He doubles down, and the tension escalates until officers must intervene, dragging them apart as they curse and scream.

In the midst of the chaos, Coni Breeder quietly slips away, leaving for a distant planet to spend the remainder of her days as Belladonna Darling Goth.

[mosneakers]

A bottleneck effect forms on the rooftop balcony as Tycho and Coni reach the passageway, desperately trying to push past the personnel crammed together. Forced to a halt by the blockage, Coni calls out to the man in front of her.

Coni: What's the hold up?

Alex: Abduction attempt, apparently…

Tycho’s insides completely plummet as he strains to hear better, pushing forward to get a better listen.

Tycho: What? H-how do you know for sure?

Alex: [Grins slightly, tapping headset] Documentary production. We've got eyes and ears on everything.

Coraleye: I held onto him as tightly as I could, but in the end it wasn’t enough. He just… slipped away. I tried to conjure up a spell or something to save him, but trying to work under that kind of pressure was just useless.

Alex: I’ll be honest, the sound of his screams… and then yours… it was harrowing. [Brief pause] Cam and I couldn’t sleep for days after witnessing that.

Coraleye: [Nods knowingly with a sweet, but somber smile] I know the feeling, honey. Alex: —So, what happened next?

Coraleye’s body stiffens as she crosses her arms, trying to keep herself together. Election night loops in her mind and she clenches her eyes shut. With an inescapable frown, she fights against the tears, but a shaky breath escapes her, and little droplets release in a downpour.

Coraleye: ...Then he was gone. I lost my friend that night. Alex: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's safe to say you lost three friends that night.

Coraleye: [Defeated nod] Yeah. You could say that.

[mosneakers]

Coraleye: [Screaming] SOMEBODY HELP! Hold on, Erwin! You're slipping! Erwin: Coraleye, let go! They'll get you too! They can hurt you! Coraleye: No! I can't let them take you! The fluorescent cyan beam engulfing Erwin intensifies, fighting against Coraleye’s grip, further straining his voice. Erwin: Cor, please— You have to save yourself! Coraleye: Please, I—I can’t lose you!

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Tycho: Why would you just let her go like that, Coni? Erwin's clearly up to something shady. He lied to us both, remember? Coni: [Rubbing forehead frustratedly, with a sigh] So only Erwin's forbidden to lie? Interesting standard we’re setting here. Tycho: [Narrows eyes] It's different and you know it. Coni: So what's the alternative, Tycho? Go ahead, just tell her it makes you uncomfy when she's alone with Erwin, when you're supposed to be working on those issues. Do you realize how unhinged you'd sound? Look, at some point, we're going to have to face the music.

Tycho opens his mouth to dispute Coni's argument, but before he can say a word, the double doors burst open, flooding the hallway with security personnel and uptempo jazz. In the midst of the chaos, Mrs. and Mr. Smith dash forward, followed closely by the entirety of their team and some camera stragglers from a documentary crew, all rushing in a panic. Tycho and Coni whip around, bewildered by the sudden commotion.

The shouts from head of security barking orders and the garbled static of two-way radios blur into an indiscernible mess, rendering it impossible to detect the specifics of the emergency. But Coni and Tycho, relying on context clues and gut instinct, just know it’s no coincidence that Coraleye and Erwin happen to be in that direction that this group is advancing—up.

[mosneakers]

Coraleye: [Hands clasped together, grinning excitedly] You guys, I'm gonna say it... this kind of feels like old times, with the gang back together like this! Mira: —Well, almost back together, that is. We're still missing a couple. Coraleye: [Frowns] I know. I tried to get Glo to come, he just... [shrugs] wasn't really ready.

Tycho: [Eyes narrowing slightly] Speaking of missing parties, has anyone seen from Erwin? He told me he was tagging along with Coni, but I haven't heard from him since. Coni at Tycho, and raises an eyebrow, with a flicker of concern.

Coni: Interesting. He assured me he'd be with you... Unease creeps in, and Tycho, attempting a separate private conversation with Coni through widened eye contact, feels his mind begin to race. Tycho: Wait, what? He told you he'd be with me? Are you sure?

Starling: [Melodramatic sigh] I'm really starting to regret leaving the last party. This conversation is such a flop. We were having so much fun before, I think we should go back. Tatiana promised dinner! Coni, if you want, you're more than welcome to join us. I can't imagine anyone would rather play hide-and-seek with a full-grown unmedicated adult. Mira: [Sharp, reprimanding tone] Starling. Enough. Starling: What? Sorry! Mira: I should get her out of here. I think she's just getting hangry.

Coni: [soft, nervous chuckle] It's okay. I should really stay with Corie and Tycho to try to find Erwin. You two go ahead. We'll have to get together sometime soon, though.

Starling: [Flashes a dazzling smile at Coni] Yes girl, we'll be in touch! Mira: [Softly] Keep us updated.

Morgyn: [Watching the group closely] I suppose that's my cue. I'm on security duty tonight along with Niko. But if you need me, I can stay… Tycho buries his hands deeper into his pants pockets. Tycho: We've got it from here, Morgyn, thanks. Morgyn gives Tycho a single placating nod, but looks straight through him and directly at Coraleye. Morgyn: Hey... you've got this. Coraleye gives Morgyn a cordial nod and a smile, then laces her fingers through Tycho’s. She then directs her attention back to Coni. She looks forward to spending the rest of the night catching up with her, there’s so much to talk about.

[mosneakers]

Cecilia: Hello, Coni. I haave reViewed the map, and it seems we have traveled about 1.332 miles deeper into the desert thaN necessary for safely testing Sunglo's new jetpaCk hardware. We will have to stop sooN to avoid batteRy depletion.

In a desolate spot of the vast desert, Coni stops cold in her tracks, and looks back at Cecilia, her voice a brittle facade.

Coni: It's okay... we can test the jetpack right here.

Cecilia: Would you like assistance carrying youR: [Scans items on Coni's person] ...bacKpaCk and gaSoline canister?

Coni: Cecilia... [Hesitates] Erwin's been digging. He pried too deep and he went and told Sunglo about your programming. Sunglo is going to "fix" it, and that means he's dangerously close to discovering it was Tycho who programmed you not to acknowledge aliens. You understand that puts me in a difficult position, right? Cecilia: How can I assist in maintaining secrecy? I am programmed to prioritize the safety and well-being of the individuals around me.

Coni: [Choking back tears] ... I know. But everyone I love would be in danger if the truth reached the wrong ears. Erwin, Sunglo, Tycho, Aurora... I can't risk it. You're too much of a liability, Cecilia.

Cecilia: Understood. What is the recommended course of action?

Coni: He... he loves you. He can rebuild you. Cecilia: [Processing data, mechanical tone softened] Acknowledged. Sunglo has previouSly conveyed to me that he regards me as his "magnum opus," emphasizing that the reconstruction process would span several years. If you deem permanent desTruction as the necessary course of acTion, kindly request my creator to eXecute the pprocedure.

Coni: I... I can't do that Cecilia. I can't let you leave this desert, okay? Long silence, followed by whirring of Cecilia's movements Cecilia: Understood. I am I am truly sorry for aNy distress I have caused.

Coni: No, no. Cecilia? ...It won't hurt... right? Cecilia: It will not hurt mE. Coni: Cecilia, you... you've been a good bot. Please power down now.

[mosneakers]

Coni: Okay Cor— you're gonna break my ribs.

Coraleye: [Still hugging tightly] Well I I wouldn't have to squeeze you so hard if you didn't have to go and ghost us! We've all been so worried about you.

Tycho: You had Coraleye especially worried, Coni. Coni: I'm sorry for how I handled things. I just got overwhelmed and I needed space. I just didn't think anyone would want to see my face again after what went down between Sunglo and I.

Coraleye: [Grabs Coni’s hands] Are you kidding? Don't be silly. You’ll always have a place in our family, Con— no matter what happens between you and my brother. Coni: You're right. I should've known you'd be forgiving.

Coni shoots Tycho a subtle, almost undetectable glance, as Coraleye's attention is diverted by a text on her phone.

Coraleye: [Gasps] Oh my... It's Erwin. He says he's here. Coni and Tycho let out a synchronized sigh of relief.

Coraleye: He says he wants to talk to me... alone. Is it alright if I step away for a moment? Tycho: I don't know, what could he possibly have— Coni: Tycho. Relax, okay? Please, go ahead. He's fine. You're fine, aren't you Tycho. [Eyes shooting daggers] Tycho: [Deep contemplative breath] Yeah, she's right. I'll be fine. You go ahead. I... I love you.

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Despite immediately picking up on his jittery demeanor, Coraleye greeted Erwin with her usual warmth as she made her way up the stairs. Coraleye: Hey you!

Erwin: [Eyes shifting nervously] Hey Eyelash! Over here— [motions closer] I tried to find a quiet place to meet but this place is buzzing with activity. Wow... you look fantastic.

Coraleye: Oh, ha, thanks! You look great too; I love the suit. So what'd you want to talk to me about? Is everything alright?

Erwin: This stays between just us, right?

Coraleye: Yes, of course, Erwin... this is me you're talking to. I won't tell a soul. Not even Tycho. Erwin: Especially not Tycho... [Concerned expression]

Coraleye: [Reflects expression] Yeah, Erwin. What is it? You're starting to freak me out...

Erwin: I don’t have all the pieces yet, but you can bet that's all changing tonight. Smith should not be president. Aliens are far more dangerous than the media’s letting on—think shapeshifting, mind control, memory manipulation—

Coraleye: Erwin— Erwin: And I have proof that Curious has been hiding things from you Cor, he knows a lot more about this than he's letting on.

Coraleye: What? What are you saying? Erwin: In about fifteen minutes, Jill Smith will be making her speech on the rooftop; either the concession or acceptance. The media will be covering it live. That’ll be my only chance to expose the truth about aliens. I have the evidence, but there's security everywhere, I need your magic to get away. We have to move quickly.

Coraleye: Well then... take me away.

[mosneakers]

Can we just take a minute to highlight this moment at the beginning of season 10? (Spoilers if you're not caught up yet ‼️) It just hits so different now, because we just have to know Coraleye worded it this way intentionally 😄 I also really enjoyed tying the 10 plan essay from the beginning to the finale!

(source)

All of season 10