#{ thread | zac }

[sparring-spirals]

I was initially clipping this to capture the overwhelmingly accurate, absolutely devastating hilarity of "you went for realistic, and sadly, you nailed it". And then just kept recording because I really fucking love the discussion about how to balance the line between like:

You are trying to tell a story that feels good and gives you the kind of lift you might be looking for in an explicitly fantasy story,

vs

How to ensure it still feels grounded and rewarding in a way where you can "bring this good feeling back to earth" at the end.

Like they're talking about TTRPG's but they clearly make parallels to other forms of storytelling/worldbuilding mediums, like movies, and. like. Yeah. Yeah.

Like the framing of "you really recreated the feeling of powerlessness..." and wanting the fantasy element to manifest in there being the clearer, straightforward ways to solve complex issues, vs trying to ensure that you can have a victory and it feels feasible and substantial and applicable in some way, and has something you can take out of the fantasy world and hold with you back on "terra firma".

Its tricky! Its a tricky thing to balance, and I don't think there's a single "right" answer nor should there be because it depends. It depends on the story, and the intent, and the setting, and the medium, and etc. Big fan of this framework to explain it.

[mishapen-moth]

hmm. colindeli

[natjennie]

I think it's so cute when actors or w/e have certain roles they're always drawn to, a handful of cliches they like to play. not in a typecasting way but just. when someone loves to depict a certain aspect of humanity and it resonates with them so much they keep coming back to it.

[halfbelieving]

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 — @chaoticzac 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 — Mercadinho

Para uma cidade tão fora do comum, Leeta conseguia achar normalidade nas pequenas coisas da vida. Por exemplo, ela gostava de fazer a feira. Todo início de semana, ia ao mercadinho perto de casa e comprava o que precisava para fazer sua própria comida. Não era uma boa cozinheira, mas se virava e isso era o suficiente para a mulher. Desde que deixara a biblioteca, Zac estava a acompanhando, ou melhor, a infernizando. "Zac, eu não vou comprar vodka" Leeta disse, balançando a cabeça com seu sorriso característico no rosto. Por mais que tivesse dificuldade em dizer não, estava praticando, como Hel a instruíra. Lee precisava ser mais assertiva e se defender de quem tentava se aproveitar de sua doçura, pessoas como Zac, Hel frisou no ultimo encontro. Leeta revirou os olhos, e retirou a garrafa do carrinho. "Você não tem outra pessoa para incomodar, Zac?"

[writermuses]

closed starter for @marimelwrites

Zachery pinched the bridge of his nose as he hung up the phone, checking the room number and seeing that it was supposed to be a single female guest. It was never going to be a good night when a call came in that screams were heard. Mid-week pre-summer reservations were light and Zac had intentionally kept the night shifts light to avoid hemorrhaging capital. If it wasn't for the magnetic badge with his name and the manager key card on his lanyard, Zachery wouldn't have expected anyone to answer when he knocked. But the door opened a smidge, not enough to see who's behind it. "Hey, sorry to knock in the middle of the night but we got a wellness call at the front desk. I'm the manager." Hearing the huff of ragged breathing akin to a person having a panic attack or crying, Zac leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "You checked in alone. Is someone there, hurting you? If you need to say yes, tell me that you do want the complementary nightcap." It wouldn't be the first time he had a guest have a night terror or panic attack that needed someone to hold their hand through it, but if there was some lunatic in the room, he hardly thought they would make the victim answer the door.

[emiko-matsui]

Here's what you missed from the ScreenRant+ interviews with the Fantasy High: Junior Year cast

The reason Gorgug and Zelda broke up was a natural drifting apart. There were no animosity or harsh feelings, but Zac felt it unnatural for them to stay together for such a long time and still be true to the characters

The reason Cassandra's name is found in ancient stones and writings even though Ally was asked to make it up in Sophomore Year is because it wasn't Kristen choosing a name, it was Ally choosing the name that came to Kristen in a holy revelation of remembering a forgotten name

Ayda Aguefort wasn't removed from the season because she was too powerful to have around, but rather that Brennan genuinely felt a natural follow to her arc was to spend time creating a family bond with Arthur

All of the cast are clear with the fact that Senior Year is not being discussed at the current moment and is something that would be far in the future, but all of the cast are also excited to return to Senior Year and Brennan has plans for what he wants to expand on and plot threads in Senior Year. Additionally, Brennan said he left Sandra Lynn and her relationship to Bobby Dawn unresolved because he rather wanted to leave that storyline for a Senior Year.

Ally considers Gertie's action of immediately declaring Kristen as her nemesis after realising Kristen didn't want to be with her forever after kissing her once was Kristen "getting a taste of her own medicine" and finally being on the end of the insane chaos she's been dealing out to NPCs for years.

Emily was the one who came up with Fig taking on Gilear's bad luck/curse and she was inspired to do it by Fabian's delevelling in Sophomore Year.

After being pitched the headcanon that the adventuring party Goldenhoard was talking to in the first freshman year episodes was The Rat Grinders Brennan liked it so much he, on the spot, retconned it into canon

The cast thinks the four dogs joke is even funnier because they know Ally's mom is a dog breeder

[lottiexevans]

Lottie laughed before shrugging a little and taking a sip of her drink. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for Stephen Amell. I wasn't paying much attention to the turtles," she said with a grin over the rim of her cup. "Honestly, though, I haven't really watched anything TMNT related in years," she added as she set her drink back down. "I'm more of a Marvel and DC girl. And Dark Horse. And Image. And some others. Honestly, I'm just a bigger comic book person...and yes, I know that the Turtles started out as a comic book series, but still...I don't have a good excuse for this one," she laughed. She grinned at his comment about her dedication at putting the stake in her pom poms. "There's not really anywhere else to hide it decently," she remarked with a shrug. "The last thing I need is to try and go without it and just be seen as a teenager. Honestly, I was tempted to go with her prom dress, that jacket, and boots. And carry a lighter and hairspray and a cross, but I didn't know if anyone would get it...the more I talk about it out loud, though, that may have been the better idea," she mused, laughing to herself as she thought about it. "I was going to go with SMG's Buffy, but honestly...she doesn't have anything beyond a cross and stake to make herself noticeable. If I had a Spike or Angel to pair with, that may have been a different story, though." Raising her drink at the toast, she nodded towards him and clinked her glass against his. "To underappreciated costumes and keeping the classics alive," she agreed with a smile before taking a sip from her drink again. "Someone has to appreciate our costumes. I refuse to believe that no one in this town, no matter how small, won't realize who we are and appreciate it." She paused for a moment. "I mean, I know my brother will but...he doesn't count. He's a bigger nerd than I am, and I'm pretty sure I spoke to him about my costume choice at some point," she said, taking a brief glance around the area to see if her younger brother was loitering around somewhere. "What made you choose Casey?" she asked with a smile, turning her attention back to Zac.

Zac’s eyes went wide, and he visibly winced at the mention of the Platinum Dunes TMNT movies. “Oof, you’re killing me, Lottie,” he groaned, clutching his chest dramatically as if wounded. “I try to pretend those movies don't exist. CGI turtles and weird noses? Not exactly what I grew up with,” he added, laughing as he shook his head. But his expression shifted to impressed when he caught sight of the stake hidden in her pom pom. “Now that is dedication,” he said with a grin, pointing at the stake. “The OG Kristy Swanson Buffy? Keeping it classic. I mean nothing on good all SMG, but if it weren't for the movie we might not have gotten the series later on. And anyone who thinks you’re just a ‘random cheerleader’ clearly has no taste—or doesn’t recognize a quality monster-slaying accessory.” He raised his drink in an impromptu toast, nodding toward her. “To underappreciated costumes and keeping the classics alive,” he said, clinking his cup with hers. "And here’s hoping we get at least one person tonight who’ll appreciate our references."

[ynsbarbbb]

tell me you love me | l. norris

hypothesis - on days like these, where everything just seems to go wrong, the uttered words from your boyfriend is the only cure.

pairing - lando norris x fem!driver!reader

[fic is inspired by “tell me you love me” by demi lovato]

“i need someone on days like this, i do”

“are you fucking kidding me right now?” you groan as your car’s engine died, right at the turn of the finish line. right at the turn of qualifying for the miami grand prix.

“come on, come on,” practically begging the car, trying to see if you could just get it back to life, to salvage the last bit of your pride that’s hanging on by a damn thin thread.

slamming your hands on the wheel, “son of a bitch!”

“lost power,” you sigh into your ear piece, defeated. laying your head on your hands that rested in the steering wheel.

this is really just what you needed.

another layer of cake on your already shitty day.

first the argument you had with lando this morning, really, about something so imbecile silly that you can actually laugh about it right now. running late, missing your shoe, bumping your hip on the counter - sure to leave a nasty bruise and lando not wanting to get out of the bed.

silly, right?

and now this.

“what happened?” zac questioned, concerned. the car was perfectly fine yesterday, practically soaring all over the track. you were sure that you’d start first pole by how the car roared.

“you fucking tell me,” you didn’t mean to be so harsh. zac’ question just scratched that itchy irritable spot that has been bothering you, all day.

zac sighed, not commenting on your response, sensing how it’ll make the situation worse.

knowing that if he said anything about your starting pole, which you already definitely knew, you’d blow your head.

smart man.

“sending tow, stay there.”

like you’d be going any fucking where.

~~

a coffee. that’s what you needed. a strong one at that.

with your suit arms tied around your hips you walk the way of the holy grail, not really observing your surroundings and stumbling straight into the blistering coffee cup of one of mclaren’s mechanics.

the liquid seeping through your shirt, burning your skin. his cup falling to the ground and shattering in hundreds of little pieces.

“y/n,” the mechanic was quick to react, grabbing napkins that rested on the edge of the table, dabbing at the material, pressing into your now third degree burn.

why didn’t you pay attention? why where you so wrapped up in your head?

why?

“just leave it,” hissing, you swatted the napkin from his hand, you take the route back to your room. the ceramic pieces crunching under your shoes.

with a hand pressed to your head, you can already feel the lump forming in your throat, eyes burning as tears well up behind your eyes. you bite your lip, you won’t succumb to today, you won’t show your white flag just yet.

you won’t acknowledge the pitying looks from everyone on your team.

you won’t acknowledge the murmurs on the paddock of mclaren’s worst starting pole.

you won’t acknowledge the desire you feel to be wrapped up in your boyfriend’s arms.

you just won’t.

another, beautiful layer of cake stacked.

~~

“really?” you whine as you pat your pockets, looking for the keycard that’s used to unlock the door, but it comes out empty.

damn zac for changing the locks. damn the security protocol.

you left, or more like forgot, it at home. on the counter, where you usually leave it. your shoulders sag and with your back turned to the door you glide down it. arms wrapped around your knees and head rested on it.

here it comes, the wall to the well finally comes crashing down and the first tear rolls down your cheek landing on the coffee stain.

you finally hoist your white flag, today won.

a pretty red cherry on top of your stacked cake. a delicious topping.

“there you are,” a muppet voice says, breaking you from the train of thoughts that’s currently speeding down the tracks in your mind.

you look up, and lando is peeping around the corner of the wall.

on every other day you would’ve laughed at the sight.

your lip trembles and a new wave of tears wells up behind your eyes. lando makes quick work to scramble towards you, crouching down in front of you.

“hey, hey, no, none of that,” he’s gentle. he brought his hands up to your face, wiping the stray tears that ran down your face. you lean into his touch, and finally, something that feels right for today.

“turn that frown upside down,” he says in a sing song voice, a smile creeping onto his lips. the gaps in his teeth more than welcoming.

you bite on your bottom lip, the corners of your mouth slightly lifting.

but lando takes that as a success nonetheless.

“there she is, my beautiful girl.”

a sob like snort leaves your mouth and lando can’t keep that muppet laugh of his in any longer.

hair that fell around your face, he pushed it behind your ears, “rumour has it that someone is having one hell of a day.”

you wipe your nose with the sleeve of your shirt, “really? who is it? max?”

“ah, sarcasm, it’s welcoming,” lando jokes.

rolling your eyes you look at his, wispy lashes, a light shade of red tint on the apples of his cheeks, “just tell me you love me, norris.”

“i love you.”

he leans closer, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“i love you,” a kiss to your brow.

“i love you,” a kiss to your cheek.

“i love you,” a kiss on your nose.

“i love you,” a final kiss to your lips.

“i love you.”

fin.

[pawthorn]

Gorgug getting turned down for the MCAT because he’s content to use his rage just to help his friends, content not to be the best barbarian or the best artificer, to just follow his interests regardless of optimization, made me realize a common thread with a lot of Zac’s characters.

Gorgug, Ricky, Skip, Pib, and Colin all have a distinct lack of ambition. Their goals are generally interpersonal and protective, not provocative. They rarely get big showy moments of self-discovery or triumph the way other characters do. Not because Zac doesn’t take big swings (he does,) but because his characters enter the story with a sense of self-acceptance that doesn’t tend to climax in a flashy way.

Generally, Brennan gives Zac space to develop these really subtle and thoughtful arcs within that, strategically placing some important NPC to allow Zac’s characters to express and articulate their feelings (Ricky in TUC2 is a prime example of this.)

But this time, Porter is directly pushing back in a way that Gorgug will have to confront. His self-acceptance is going to be examined and tested. He won’t be allowed to coast along and support his friends without fighting for it.

I’m excited to see how it plays out.

[bighungrywolf]

Zac, with his stomach distended to the max, looked down lurking over his prey in the bathtub, where Jake was taking a bath, oblivious to the danger that lay ahead. A few minutes ago, Zac had snuck into this house where a couple of lads were living. The first of them, Fred, heard a strange noise caused by Zac's breaking in and went to look, and as they say, curiosity killed the cat. Now Zac, feeling his stomach still working on its first prey, with a small sigh tightened his abs to make room for what was to come. Jake hearing this looked up, thinking it would be his boyfriend, to find the full darkness of Zac's mouth and throat bearing down on him.

Zac hadn't expected to have to devour two prey that day, his staple diet being one jock a day to keep him in top form and his gluttony in check. However, it never hurt to squeeze a hypercaloric day into his nutritional routine, because first and foremost he couldn't leave any loose threads that could ruin his wonderful pred life.

[velvetvexations]

apologies for not having links but i blocked everyone on the whole thread and i don't care to willingly seek it out again but on the subject of dropout discourse – i saw someone say there needed to be a list of which dropout members were white vs poc in a similar vein to the tme vs tma trans people stats list and........ do.... do you not see how that's literally tokenizing real life people and their identities.... do you not see how sorting REAL people into groups to determine if a media company is diverse enough is.... not exactly the leftist praxis you think it is? maybe instead, idk, support & uplift comedians of color instead of argue about identity politics online? maybe do antiracist work in real life instead of just infighting? or even actually write to Dropout and articulate any worries you have with regards to diversity & inclusion?

(and if you want to make it worse someone on the thread said they weren't "sure if some people (specifically Zac Oyama) 'counted' as people of color" like?????? 1) if you admit to not being sure if someone counts as a poc then maybe you, a stranger on the internet, is not qualified to make a list about real people's identities which can be both fluid and personal 2) maybe such a list isn't actually as useful as you think it is 3) there was literally a College Humor sketch about parodying the idea of being Asian 'enough' featuring Zac *years* ago)

it also just feels like such a clear example of taking the latest queer discourse and trying to justify it by going "well WHAT IF we apply this to race??" when 1) it's usually white people drawing those comparisons (though idk if these people were white or not) and 2) as such is usually a gross misunderstanding of racism and 3) often makes the original point *much* worse.

his last name is Oyama what do these fucking people want

no, you know what? I hope they do it, please Dropout fandom, make the racism version of the tee em ay stats, I dare you

[enullarts]

sfw version, Zac and his baby Erica (Egg), part 1

[rest of thread in reblogs]

[scarabies-real]

I’m fully “the newest episode of game changer has clues for an arg and the puzzles are unreleased” btw here’s my reasoning

A lot of it kind of ticks at my brain like “wait a minute” but I think the fact that FixItMan78 is still up as a channel even after episode release REEKS of a plant that will dropping clues and/or a trailer and guiding us through the ARG.

But the main thing that cements it to me is actually Zac’s role as grant, where it is specified that this is Literal Grant O’Brien. He is still called Grant, he acts like Grant. Could it be just for the humor factor? Sure, any of these could be, but if that were the case, why not just rewrite the wacky character to be called Zac Oyama? If he were just a funny character to give an opportunity to earn points, why the trivia? And if it were just a time loop, wouldn’t his trivia be the same each time?

Then we add in the fact that a moderator of the dropout discord (beam.) suggested the idea of hiding a season of game changer behind an arg 3 years ago and THAT VERY SAME MODERATOR made a thread called “Deja Vu ARG is Definitely Not Real” but we’ve had

No announcement from any team members that there Is No ARG

No moderators trying to shut down ARG talk

Multiple moderators reacting with winky faces and other such things to theorizing

Sam himself saying before he is interested in an ARG and he would tell us (eventually) if he ever did an ARG

So from my experience of ARG building and being a plant, this suggests to me either one of two things

There is an ARG, but it’s technically “unreleased.” Most likely being released on Sam’s birthday.

There is an ARG, and we have all the answers, but now we need to put together and/or find the puzzles.

Other possible options include:

There is NOW an ARG when there wasn’t before in Escape The Greenroom, but they may have built clues from Escape The Greenroom into the ARG

There is an ARG and we’re not going to get the season finale until we solve something, if not the full ARG itself then one of the puzzles. The season finale will have more clues for the ARG.

There is an ARG and we’re not going to get the season finale until we solve something, if not the full ARG itself then one of the puzzles. The season finale will have the storyline/ending for the ARG all tied up and the rest of the puzzles will just have Easter eggs.

The entirety of season 6 has been an ARG.

There is an ARG, and we have all the answers and the puzzles, but we need to find the story.

There is no ARG and this is just Sam fucking with us on purpose

There is no ARG and we’re all just going insane without a big ARG to keep our little puzzle oriented brains kicking

[cockedd20]

watching neverafter and this is like so dumb but like

episode 4 pib is talking to the fox and they are arguing and a bit discussing who is going to go back to trickster up the next story

and I was thinking about how what if Fox ended up going and zac just got a new character sheet

but zac has dmed a couple times as a joke and I was thinking how funny it would be if they just decided right then and there mid episode that Brennan was going to play the Fox for the rest of the season and Brennan just goes back and gets the next player and they just sit down with Zac and he has so make some shit up

the idea of Zac making sense of the plot threads in episode 4 and going from there is fucking insane to me

[emiko-matsui]

fastest way to lose me on a show is to have zac oyama get kicked out first. they got him still staying so they're hanging by an incredibly loose thread though

[infinite-ducks]

Ough thinking about how during the fight Riz kept insisting Gorgug cut Oisin’s head off so he can’t be revived and Gorgug specifically not doing that when he killed him…. My hopes for a Rat Grinder redemption are hanging on by a thread called Zac Oyama right now