#Also Unwell is great

[steamclouds]

Tar-like darkness swallowed any sliver of light, except for one. Across the room, lounged and with a dagger that stared back in shades of ruby and scarlet, two gray eyes found their way to any who dared cross their path.

close-up below:

[cowardlykrow]

"That is where you are wrong, my boy!"

@ratb4stard3 and I deliver another Cowardlyghostbro's(™) collab ✨💛

[zetterbabe]

ready for round ✌️!

[8-worms-in-a-trenchcoat]

y’all ever heard of a discomfort character? cause that’s what ford is to me

[aro-culture-is]

Not an Aro-culture-is thing but I do have a question you might be able to answer? Is there an aromantic/asexual term for this: AroAce but if I wasn’t I would be gay? It might just be homoplatonic or homoaesthetic but idk if there was a term for it that relates to being AroAce. Thanks! <3

possibly you might vibe with oriented aroace labels, like gay aroace? i'll put this out there for other folks to consider as well, but I feel like oriented terminology sounds the most applicable from my POV.

[pommyommyomni]

tw kinda suggestive I guess ???

anyway you gotta make sure that you give your Pomni plush a little bit of time everyday with her face pressed into your chest. Like engulfed entirely by your bare tiddees ok. It’s called breastfeeding and she needs it or she’ll die

[enhanced-operatives-division]

Junicrane/Starstruck Ramble

I will not be brief, all under the cut

To clear some things right off the bat:

No corpse, no proof with Juniper. Obligatory this is set in a canon where he's alive and adjacent to the agency in some way.

Reggie & Juniper are just gay to me, but I don't mind any interpretation of their sexuality

The games are set in 1967/68 to me (based on a couple bits in game) which is before it was legal to be gay in America at least (1971), which is relevant to how I interpret canon as being somewhat grounded in reality, despite unrealistic elements.

This is just an insane amount of headcanons/elements of and AU all culminated into one post. I will talk about some headcanons like they're just facts because they are established in my head, and it saves me over explaining literally everything, however I will explain some parts a little bit for clarity.

Alright. Actual beginning of the ramble:

Juniper is a character to me who had gotten so lost in his job as an actor and a social presence that in the end his whole life revolved around that 'role'. Because of this, by the time he's put into the situation where he's around the Agency, he basically knows nothing about himself, though he doesn't realise at first. Furthermore, what little identity he had has changed in so many ways. He's no longer a beloved famous actor in the prominence of public light, he's legally dead and he tarnished his career just before he was supposed to die, with the bonus of that making him lose the majority of his estate. From that, he also has horrific facial scarring from the electrical burns from literally having his face fried. I believe a friend of mine made a post about this a while ago (I also think they were the first to think it up also), but, to me, Juniper has a permanent trimmer in his right arm (aka his dominant hand) from the electrical current and it is messing with his nervous system.

All in all, he's not doing great, but he's too proud to admit that he's not doing great, because if anything, what's left of his ego is all he has as a defense since he's deep in unfamiliar water.

Before ending up around the agency (I have multiple interpretations of this, so I'm just going to bring it up generally), he'd never actually seen Reggie, and his only impression of him is a single voicemail, which was his only reference he had to later impersonate him. Juniper probably has very little feelings other than the ones he projects onto him because of Phoenix and that, at the very least, he's physically attracted to Reggie to some degree (that's like the beginning of how everything else would tumble into place in this sort of interpretation at least).

And on Crane's side? His feelings towards Juniper are probably very intense and muddled. On the one hand, he adores musical theatre, and that's his now ex-favourite actor. The thought of just casually being around him blows the bit of fanboy in him away at first because THAT'S the GUY, plus the inklings of a celebrity crush which still poke at him. And then there's the rational side of him, which knows Juniper has committed absolute atrocities on the side of Zoraxis, and hates him for that. Then there's how much Juniper comes off as an asshole at first because he refuses to cooperate with anything the Agency tried to put in place. He finds Juniper endlessly frustrating, and yet he's stuck working with him since, afterall, he's the one who knows the Agency's history with Juniper the best. I imagine him acting a lot like how he does IEYTD 1 around Juniper.

At this point, I'm just describing the pitch for a romcom.

I think the start of their relationship with one another largely started with Juniper trying to wind Crane up. It was a way of getting his attention, and I don't think Juniper knows why he's so dead set on that at first, because I don't think he realises he has a crush on 'this grump' at first. (I think that's actually the fun part about these two, because it's almost like a role reversal of the celebrity crush dynamic. This ex-big name actor has a TERRIBLE crush on an average joe and it is KILLING HIM.) But of course the Agency keeps them together because Juniper is at least conversing with Crane, so it's a start.

Through one way or another, they actually get talking casually, at least mildly at first. It takes Juniper a long time to fully deconstruct the wall he's built, and the thing is, Crane isn't the one trying to deconstruct it, at least at first, because yeah, Juniper realises if he wants Reggie to actually like him in any way, he can't keep winding him up. So they talk. Small talk at first, something rhythmic and almost easy to keep to a script. And over time that turns into actual conversations. Genuine ones in which Reggie rips out the occasional one of his jokes which Juniper is endlessly endeared about. The way he smiles just before he makes them, like he wants to chuckle at what he's about to say before he says it. That's probably when Juniper realised that he does have some vague crush on him, and that it wasn't going away.

This is what kickstarts John I can't-buy-you-things-to-impress-you-so-acts-of-service-it-is Juniper to do little things for him. It mostly starts off as him trying to make Reggie his tea how he likes it. However, the nerve damage in his arm makes that hard, as the weight of the kettle and trying to pour is hard all of a sudden. And he refuses to accept that, so he tries for a very long while. Long enough that Crane would go to investigate what was going on. And when he does see Juniper leaning over a cup with the kettle as he uneasily tries to pour it, and when Crane asks Juniper responds so matter-of-fact that his intention is nothing but genuine. And it catches Reggie off guard because Juniper hadn't done anything like that up to that point, and his very apparent vulnerability is so clearly on show.

It shifts something between them.

From that point on, conversations are longer, more familiar. Both of their attitudes soften, and Reggie makes more jokes. Juniper learns how to better use his left hand while strengthening his right back to a point where it could be used again. Slowly, they're both spending time with one another not because they have to, but just because they can. Little bits at first, not too far outside what they already were doing, but those little bits turned into long bits to a point where the other person's company was genuinely desirable.

As time passes, Juniper probably realises that he doesn't genuinely know much about himself or what hobbies he's into, because he never really had the time when he got big, and his home life in his youth wasn't bad, but it wasn't picturesque. I think Reggie would pick up on it, and absolutely try to introduce him to some things he's into. Some things stick, other things don't (corn husking very much stays Reggie's passion, and John will go with him sometimes because it's him, but it's not something he strongly cares for). Crane introduces him to a lot of music, and it's something that becomes a staple between them, with tracks they listen to more than others (tragically, I know relatively little about 60s music so I couldn't really say what). Occasionally they dance, never anything intense, think slow dancing, but the closeness is nice.

Through all of it, Juniper is battling the worst crush of his life, and he can't stand it, because I think he struggles to read people since he doesn't have anything like a script or a director to refer back to, so he has no idea if Reggie likes him back or if he's just desperate for that to be true. I think because of that any sort of confession between them would be incredibly raw, not only because of the time they live in making it hard for them to be truthful about how they love, but because it's a complete show of Juniper who's worked to be this better person. I don't exactly know how that would go, mainly because I don't have one set version of their dynamic, this post is just a generalisation of main consistent points.

Reggie does like him back, because he's gotten used to Juniper being just this guy, not a figure in the public eye, not a Zoraxis lackey, and not any sort of Agency operative (despite being under their care to some degree). He's someone he genuinely cares for, because they've given one another the time of day to learn one another, and I think because Reggie was a field agent, he was a lot better at reading Juniper than Juniper was at reading him. Eventually Juniper's company becomes something he could see around him for the rest of his life, and I think he accepts that he likes Juniper a lot more gracefully.

I think any affection directed at Juniper would at first be met with him feeling a little muddled. Reggie was a very physically affectionate person when he could be, and sure the initial flirting with one another came with the occasional little touches, but everything now was so deeply intentional. I also don't think Juniper would almost ever get over the novelty of being able to kiss him, or many other gestures, because it made the fact that they were together so very real, and it was great. I do think it comes easier to Reggie, and it's a big way of showing how much he cares, so it's important for Juniper to try and show it back because he knows how much it means to the other.

I like the idea of them eventually living with one another, too. I think Juniper would have always had a quiet little daydream of sorts where he does just live a domestic quiet life, and he can with Reggie (well, as close as they can get between the Agency and Zoraxis always being at odds), and he loves that, and he loves him, and it's immense.

I think they cook for one another a lot, it helps Juniper work on his dexterity in a controlled environment, which means a lot because it's a huge point of insecurity (that and his scars). He does improve, and Crane is proud of that and shows it and it's great. I also think they'd probably cook together too, because they can deal with being in the kitchen together and they work well with one another. It's probably a good way for them to unwind because over time they can do it in relative silence.

As I said before, I also think music is a staple in their household, and that Reggie listens to things on vinyl almost all of the time because he likes the background noise. Sometimes Juniper will catch him chuntering along to the music which he finds endlessly endearing. I wouldn't put it past his dramatic ass to also join in to fluster Reggie, but I also don't think Reggie would mind that terribly because Juniper has listened to the music enough to know the lyrics, and that's huge to him.

I don't think they are without rough patches, no relationship is, but I think the good part about them is that they're willing to talk about it (... eventually). They're used to long conversations, and while they're often less fun conversations, they're needed and they know that, and it works out.

Alright. I think I'm done for now. I haven't mentioned everything, but this definitely got the worst of it out of my system. If you ever want to hear any specific thoughts my ask box is open but other than that, behold my general dynamic for these two which has been festering in my head for years. I think they're great

[megatron]

is your job at will employment? if so, not illegal - if not, what happened to you and your coworkers is illegal and there are many pro bono lawyers who will take your case. additionally, you can file a report with osha for unfair dismissal

the problem is im still employed by the same company, ive just lost my position at the site cuz they lost the contract with this client. this happens pretty regularly in this industry, but typically the employees will be retained by the replacement company and keep their positions on site. but unfortunately for us our former manager, who left to join the replacement company like 2 months ago, is now in the position that he basically gets to decide who stays on site. so its really fucked up but probably 100% allowed, since ex boss can literally just say the client doesnt want us on site anymore and we have zero right to know why.....and he has been known to make shitty decisions while claiming its because the client wanted it

[cactuscryptid]

Ok listen to me this is how we can save Venom. (From someone who hasn't read the comics and cannot remember any of the Spiderman movies.)

Ok so we're about due for another Spiderman movie, haven't heard from that little guy in a while. And I'm thinking Marvel's plan rn is to do a venom Spiderman thing HOPEFULLY GOD PLEASE. And with the Kraven movie coming out 🤨🤨🤨🤨 they're setting it up guys trust me.

So ok so Venom is a cockroach, yeah? He can't be destroyed, he'll always come back. And he's STILL KICKING OBVIOUSLY so. Ok so he's gonna find his way back to Eddie and he'll make it to new York by hopping from one organism to another. And then one day he comes across Peter Parker just chillin doing his college thing or whatever (guys how did the last movie end didn't he wipe his friends' memories or some shit) ok so he's with Peter and Venoms like lol let's kill some people and Peter goes emo OR HES ALREADY EMO AND VENOMS JUST LIKE. Idk just capatolizing off of that. I need to rewatch the Tobey Maguire movie ugh. Listen ok.

Ok so they're in new York just ditsin around and then somehow either on the street or at a store or something they pass Eddie (depressed as all hell but trying to rebuild his life) and venoms like WHAT. WAIT TURN AROUND. But then Something Happens (big bad, monster, whatever) and Eddie gets put in danger??? And Peter's trying to do his hero shit but Venoms like NOOO WE'RE PROTECTING EDDIE and at some point in the fight he makes the jump back to Eddie and Peter's just left standing there like "traitor wtf"

LISTEN TO ME I'm going crazy. Then they have crazy reunion sex the end.

[lucassinclaer-archive]

i'm not and will never be over the dynamic two children built in s1, the complexities of a superhero and a pragmatist, the collision of worlds, the conflict of someone being half-right about you, the care you develop for someone in the dire straits but the mistrust you can't quite overcome until all cards are finally on the table...

i am of course talking about el & lucas.

[bromcommie]

just rewatched sunshine (2007) after a good long few years and man...... one of those scifi movies that make me feel like a pressurized cooker of creeped out anxiety and existential dread while somehow simultaneously also melancholy throughout yet also make me want to rewatch them immediately after finishing. @ danny boyle & alex garland pick up the phone i just wanna talk

[thethingything]

trying to work out how much pain is normal after having teeth removed because like, we're in less pain than before the surgery, but we are in pain and weirdly the pain was mildest the day after the surgery and then started bothering us more the day after that.

our gums have felt noticeably better each day, but the pain is mostly in our jaw and that pain has been relatively consistent since day 3, and it's kind of like a dull ache in the bone. kind of a combination between migraine pain (but just in our jaw) and feeling like I've been punched in the face. it's mostly on the left side where they pulled out the molar that the dentist tried to remove in May but couldn't because it was too sensitive.

idk if it's just because the roots on that one were really deep and had like, an awkward curved shape and were apparently very close to the nerve, but it does keep making me paranoid that something's wrong even though I know logically your jaw is in fact going to be painful after having a tooth pulled out and we were expecting more pain than this and seem to have gotten relatively lucky with it

[keiicom]

It seems op deleted this post but I can't stop thinking about this and I need y'all to suffer with me

[kumakuma-circus]

just randomly remembered that during my like 10+ attempts at the shadow yukiko fight i more or less consistently ran out of revival beads so yosuke was just dead (well unconscious but whatever) on the ground for like half the fight gfhfjvhfhfhd-

[valdotjpg]

literally not kidding i feel like 'it's over' by jt music should be like . a required watch for anyone who gets into mw

[mossiestpiglet]

That Claudia post reignited my internal screaming about Manfred’s situation in the story and how he is treated in the narrative (likely specifically because it is a middle-grades series).

Manfred is treated as a very unsympathetically evil villain because the story is told from the perspective of his victims. Which, in fairness, is basically everyone on the “good side”, whether they know he contributed to their problems or not. Plus all the kids in the school who are afraid of him just as a bully of an older boy who has scary powers. Even when the narration is from Manfred’s perspective he sounds like an ass; the story is just really driving home that this is not a likable guy.

The thing is, when looking at his situation in the context of him as also a child, it reframes things so that he can become more sympathetic. The story shows him hurting people and participating in kidnappings as a child in order to make him seem even more creepy (this is how the “good” characters react to it), but these are actions Ezekiel and Harold guide him in. It’s explicit in the past scenes that when he harms people it’s because they want him to, he is a weapon because they raised him to be one. Almost everything he has done that harmed someone during the series was on instruction from Ezekiel (more rarely Harold), and even the stuff that wasn’t can still be attributed to how they raised him to act and use his powers to serve their interests.

Sometimes characters in situations like Manfred’s are written so that, while no one in the story sympathizes with them or is on their side, at least the audience will be. But Manfred doesn’t even get that. The audience is not meant to care about him, they are meant to feel satisfied at an evil boy burning up in his own flames.