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mochegato · 4 years

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Nannyette

Chapter 8 – World War MDC

Chapter 1 Chapter 7

**Spoilers for Knives Out!! I forgot to warn people**

Tim knocked on Dick’s door and waited impatiently for Marinette to answer. Dick was supposed to get home from his shift soon, if a development on one of his cases didn’t pop up at the last minute, and Tim would be able to take Marinette out for their date. After a wait that lasted forever, about 3 minutes, Marinette opened the door for him.

Tim looked up at her with a smile and immediately flinched back. “Jesus Christ! Holy Crap!” he screamed out seeing her face. He grabbed the fabric over his heart in an attempt to slow down his racing heart. “What the hell happened to you?” He started examining her face in confusion. Marinette’s face was caked with different colors of lipstick and eye shadow and Tim was sure there was more but he didn’t know what.

Marinette narrowed her eyes at him warningly. “I know you’re impressed with the amazing work Mar’i did to get me ready for our date tonight, but please don't curse in front of her.”

“Ahh, that explains…” Tim walked over to where she was and crouched down to look her in her eyes. “Mar’i, you did that?”

“Yep I did.” She answered excitedly.

“It looks beautiful, cupcake. You did a great job.” Tim assured her, ruffling her hair.

Mar’i grinned proudly and skipped away. Tim leaned against the back of the couch and grabbed Marinette, pulling her closer to him, his hands resting on her hips. He looked over her face again with an amused smile, “You look like a victim in a zombie apocalypse movie.”

Marinette laughed and looked down self-consciously. She ran her hands through her hair nervously. “Why thank you.”

Tim hooked his finger under her chin, which he was fairly sure was unmarked, to get her to look at him. “I meant the hot one that survives and kills all the zombies.” Tim smiled at her.

Marinette stared at him for a few seconds unsure how to respond. She finally started giggling. “You say the most flattering things to me.”

She pushed up to give him a quick peck, but he leaned back out of her reach. “Nuh uh. You’re not getting me. I’m surviving this apocalypse.” Tim laughed, dodging her attempts at a kiss but refusing to lean too far away from her or let go of her hips. Marinette pouted at him. Tim’s face turned to mock solemnness. “I will mourn your loss of course.”

“I thought I survived!” She cried in pretend outrage, gently slapping his shoulder.

Tim cringed. “I didn’t want you to know. I wanted you to still have hope. But, unfortunately you fell to the hordes. I’m the only one left.”

“So you’re the hot one that survives and kills all the zombies?”

Tim shrugged and smirked at her. “You think I’m hot?”

Marinette narrowed her eyes and puckered her lips. She leaned away and looked toward where Mar’i had run off to. “Mar’i, don’t you think Tim would look amazing with a makeover for the date, too.”

“Noooooo,” he called out quietly, collapsing his head on her shoulder. “So close to surviving, but it’s total annihilation.”

“I have the makeup! Come on Uncle Tim,” Mar’i insisted pulling his hand toward the kitchen island. Tim gave Marinette a mock glare as he let Mar’i pull him away.

After twenty minutes, during which time Marinette had prepared a snack for Mar’i and cleaned up the mess they had made playing earlier, Mar’i finally deemed Tim’s makeover complete. “Marinette! Marinette, look! I made Tim so handsome!” she proudly crowed to Marinette.

Marinette made her way over and took in Tim’s appearance. There was long red streaks marking his face from forehead to jaw. He truly looked like he had gotten attacked by someone with long, thick nails. “Oh, he looks so handsome.” She gave him a smirk as she gently tilted his head from side to side to get the full effect. Tim tried to give her an annoyed look but couldn’t help smiling instead. “You are so talented, Mar’i. It looks so good.”

Mar’i looked away shyly. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie. Now, can you start putting the makeup away and then I have a snack ready for you.”

“Okay.” She jumped up and grabbed the first container of makeup and headed back to her room.

As soon as she was out of the room, Marinette turned to Tim. “Welcome to the apocalypse.” Marinette giggled at him and giving him a few comforting, patronizing pats on the back.

Tim smiled back, pulled her between his legs, and ran his hands through her hair to avoid the makeup that was caked on her face, neck, and the parts of her chest left exposed by her shirt. “The apocalypse doesn’t seem so bad. I’ll get to spend it with you.”

Marinette giggled and almost laid her head on his shoulder. “Sorry about that.” She wiped imaginary marks off of his shoulder. “I was so mesmerized by your flirting I almost lost myself.”

Tim pretended not to notice the sarcasm in her voice. “Good. I’m glad to hear it’s effective.”

Marinette opened her mouth to respond when Dick finally came home. “Sorry, sorry, Marinette. Something happened and I had to write it up before I left.” He finally looked up at the two and did a double take. “You two look like a rouge attack gone wrong,” he said quietly. He turned toward Mar’i’s room to call out loudly, “Mar’i, honey, did you do Uncle Tim and Aunt Marinette’s makeup?” He smirked at the double squeaks Tim and Marinette let out in response.

“Daddy!” she exclaimed happily running out of the back room to fly into his arms for a hug. “I did! Don’t they look amazing?”

“They certainly do,” he chuckled and shook his head.

Tim cringed. “Yeah, we should probably clean up before we leave.” Marinette scoffed at him and shook her head pityingly. He looked at her curiously. Surely she didn’t plan on leaving the apartment looking like this. There was no way.

“You can’t take my makeup off! It’s for your date. Don’t you like it?” Mar’i looked up at him with wide, wet eyes.

He looked over to Marinette who gave him a knowing look that let him know she knew exactly how this was going to play out. They were leaving the apartment with this makeup on. “No! Yes, of course I love the makeup. It’s gorgeous. It just maybe isn’t right for a first date.” Tim gave her a strained smile.

Mar’i looked down and sniffled. “Okay.”

“I meant, maybe I need a bit more makeup?” He tried instead. “I’m not as naturally gorgeous as Marinette is,” he looked over at her with a smirk, “I need more help than she does.” Marinette rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that formed on her lips.

Mar’i brightened up immediately and started sorting through the container of makeup she hadn’t put away yet. “Okay!”

Dick clapped him on the back and leaned in to whisper, “Smooth recovery. Got on both of their good sides with that.” Tim shrugged at him and sat back down so Mar’i could make him look even better.

It only took Mar’i a few more minutes to make Tim look even more handsome. Marinette and Tim thanked her again for her help and were finally able to leave for their date. Tim looked at the time as they waited for the elevator. It was now too late for them to go home, get ready, and make it to the restaurant on time. He sighed and studied her, more specifically her makeup, for a few moments. He leaned against the wall and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. “Hey, what do you say to staying in for our date instead?”

She grinned cheekily at him. “What, don’t want to be seen in public with this?” She motioned to her face and neck.

Tim chuckled and tightened his arms around her waist. “I wouldn’t want to start a panic of people thinking there was a new rogue out there tearing people’s faces off. We already have Black Mask for that. But I was thinking how nice it would be to cuddle with you on the couch without worrying about Mar’i waking up or Dick walking in on us.” He gave her a chaste kiss pulling away just far enough to talk. “No dressing up, no pretentious restaurants. Just order food, watch a movie, cuddle under a blanket… I can show you my apartment this time.”

Marinette sighed and relaxed into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck. “That sounds amazing. But you do realize, even if we went out it wouldn’t need to be to a fancy, pretentious restaurant. I just want to spend time with you. It could be a coffee shop, a corner diner, a picnic in the park. I don’t care.”

“Yeah, I know,” he sighed out happily. “It’s one of the things I love about you.”

Marinette blushed and took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. “And just because we couldn’t take the makeup off in front of Mar’i doesn’t mean we can’t take it off now.” She pulled a few face wipes out of her bag and offered him one.

“Thank you,” Tim smiled and started rubbing vigorously as they walked onto the elevator. He groaned when he saw his reflection in the elevator doors. “I don’t think this is going to be enough.” Marinette giggled and helped him wipe off his makeup, standing closer than strictly necessary to accomplish the task, which Tim did not object to at all.

<><><><><>

“So, this is my place,” Tim opened the door to the townhouse and held her hand to guide her in. “Did you want the tour?”

Marinette looked around in awe. “Tim! What the hell? This isn’t an apartment. This is like a… oh my god. This is amazing.”

“You like it?” he asked nervously.

“Like it? Tim, this is amazing. I…” her eyes kept darting around the multistory, open concept, sleek townhouse, “I’m speechless. It’s beautiful.” Tim let out a relieved breath and smiled at her. She looked at him incredulously. “You couldn’t have actually thought I might not.”

He shrugged at her and stroked her cheek. “I just… want you to be impressed.”

“Oh Tim… you already impress me.” She shook her head gently and looked at him with sincerity and adoration. “I already think you’re amazing and I still would even if you lived in a crappy, walk up studio apartment. I didn’t fall for you because of your money.”

Tim beamed at her. “Oh no? What was it then?”

She grinned up at him cheekily. “Clearly, your post-apocalyptic good looks.”

Tim barked out a laugh and gently rubbed his thumbs along her cheek. “Speaking of, do you want to wash your face first or want me to go first?”

Marinette leaned into his hand, enjoying the feeling of his hand on her. “You can go first.”

“Okay. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I’ll just wash my face and be right back. The remote is right over there if you want to turn on something to watch.”

She nodded to him and started looking around his home taking in all the decorations and the enormous saltwater fish tank. “Fucking rich people,” she muttered to herself with a small laugh. She stopped in front of some of a few large photographs hanging on the wall. She studied them for a few minutes before laughing so loudly, Tim came hurrying in to see what was so funny.

He looked at her questioningly and she shook her head, unable to stop laughing, the bewildered look on his face making her laugh harder. “You weren’t even trying to hide it were you?” she finally managed to get out through the laughter.

He gave her a completely baffled look, “Hide what?”

“Your identity.”

“What do you mean?” He whipped his head around looking for the source of her comment. He was careful. Exceptionally. He didn’t slip up and leave weapons around. He did NOT leave his suit in his closet. There should be nothing here to give away his identity.

She motioned to the pictures she was standing next to. “This is clearly taken from the top of Titan Tower. These look like they were taken mid-swing. Who can do that but a hero? Who could get those but a hero?”

Tim looked between the pictures and her a dumbfounded look on his face. He’d had a number of people in his home before that never even gave the pictures a second glance. He’d had Titans in his home before and none of them had even noticed. He was again struck by how incredible she was.

He chuckled and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You ever thought about being a hero? Because you would be amazing at it. You can already kick ass. You’re smart. You’re observant. You notice the details nobody else does. You try to help others.” He looked at her adoringly. “You’d be amazing,” he let out breathlessly.

Marinette froze for a moment and gave him a nervous chuckle, pushing hair that hadn’t been loose behind her ear. She looked down, avoiding his eyes. “Thank you. I don’t think I’d… I’m honored you think so.” She steeled herself and looked back up at him with a faked coy smile and took a step closer. “That means a lot coming from a hero like you.”

“Vigilante,” he quietly corrected.

“I know what I said,” she answered just as quietly, pulling him down to meet her lips in an affectionate and insistent kiss. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, making it hungrier and more passionate.

He pulled away after a few minutes. “I’ll order the food and get a movie set up while you get cleaned up. Sound good?” he asked quietly, his breath fanning over her lips as he spoke. She nodded mutely, still recovering her breath after the kisses that stole it, thankful Tim was holding her up. She was pretty sure her knees would have given out if he hadn’t been.

After she had washed her face and reapplied her makeup herself, she emerged from the bathroom that was larger than her apartment, feeling refreshed and a little less scary looking. She found Tim lounging on the couch, looking through movie listings. Her breath hitched slightly at the sight. He looked so handsome sitting like that and she couldn’t believe he had chosen her. She bit her bottom lip to keep her smile from becoming too wide, but it didn’t work. There was no holding it back.

Tim looked up from the television and gave her a beaming smile. “Hey, the food is on its way and I think I found the perfect movie,” he said motioning to the spot next to him for her to sit. His expression was too innocent though. Marinette eyed him suspiciously, but still sat in the spot he indicated and cuddled up to him. He grinned mischievously and hit the select button to bring up the movie’s details.

Marinette groaned good-naturedly and buried her head in his shoulder. “It made me think of you,” his grin widened as the theme for World War Z played in the background.

Marinette pulled back to give him an unamused look. “You’re terrible and I don’t know why I like you.”

He shrugged smugly. “It’s the fish tank.”

Marinette scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I assure you it isn’t.”

Tim gave her a mock pout. “That hurts. Okay so, World War Z?”

Marinette hesitated and gave him a nervous look. “Can we… not? I get the joke, but it gives me flashbacks.”

Tim gave her a confused look. “Flashbacks?”

“Yeah. Zombies.” She shuddered at the memory.

“Yeah, let’s discuss that one a bit more. Zombies?”

“Zombies,” she confirmed with a curt nod. “It was one of our akumas. One of the more effective ones. Almost everyone in Paris became one. They passed it by kissing. Then you became mindless kissing machines.”

“I’ve known a few people at some galas like that,” he tried to joke to lighten the mood.

She let out a mirthless chuckle appreciating the awkward attempt to change the subject. “Yeah, me too. And a few frat parties.”

“Okay, no horror movies,” he nodded, returning his attention to the movies listing. “What about the Majestia movie that just came out?”

Marinette froze and quirked her lips to the side thinking about how to respond. She loved Majestia. In fact she and Adrien had just gone to visit her a few weeks before, but the movie was sooooo not a realistic representation of her. They got so many details wrong, including every detail about Knight Owl. She could not in any way sit through that movie without criticizing it ruthlessly, revealing she knew them and knew everything about the movie was wrong. “How about a murder mystery? Or do you figure them out too quickly to enjoy them? Oh! Have you seen Knives Out?”

Tim shook his head and started navigating to the movie. “I have not and I take it as a challenge to see how quickly I can figure it out.”

Forty minutes later, the food had arrived and been eaten and they had just gotten back to cozying up to watch the movie. “So we agree Captain America is the killer, right?”

Marinette snorted, “Well, obviously.”

“So,” Tim angled his face to look at Marinette, “we’ve already solved the mystery and there is about an hour and a half left of the movie.”

Marinette leaned her head back to look at him. “Yes?”

“I’m just saying we don’t really have a reason to pay attention anymore,” he pointed out suggestively.

“I see your point.” She nodded sagely. “So what you’re saying is you want to play a game.”

He smothered a grin at the game she was playing. “Of sorts,” he confirmed.

“Want to get out Chess or Risk?” Her voice was innocent, but her hands running up and down his arms and shoulders were anything but.

He shook his head at her as he turned her around to fully face him. “I’m not allowed to play Risk anymore.” She raised her eyebrow at him encouraging him to explain. “Something about taking world domination too seriously.”

She giggled. “So Settlers of Catan is out too then.” Tim let out a frustrated huff and nodded. Marinette giggled harder and traced the edge of his jaw. “So you were thinking a video game then?”

He hummed as though in thought as he pushed forward, forcing her to lean back. “I was thinking something more physical.”

“Oh! Like DDR?” She looked up at him through her eyelashes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He moved his face closer until his nose was ghosting against her jaw. “What about something more about making each other feel good than scoring points.”

“Ahh, an exercise game,” she offered breathlessly.

“Something like that,” Tim nodded before closing the gap between them.

“That was a great movie,” Marinette whispered against Tim’s lips an hour and a half later as the movie credits rolled up the screen. She looked up at him coquettishly as his face hovered over hers. “We should watch it again soon.”

“Or at all,” Tim chuckled. He brushed Marinette’s hair out of her face and gazed at her face flushed from kissing through the entire movie. He gave her a quizzical look. “Are we… No. That’s not what I meant to say.” He frowned at himself and looked away.

Marinette smiled at him and caressed his cheek. “What did you want to say?”

He looked back up at her with a nervous smile. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Marinette’s smile widened until it was beaming. “Yes!” she exclaimed excitedly before pulling him back down so they could miss the next movie as well.

Chapter 9

Tags:

@timari-month-event @ichigorose @stainedglassm @better-toast @theymakeupfairies @trippingovermyfeet @demonicbusiness @maskedpainter @ladybug-182 @a4-machete

#maribat #Nannyette #timinette #timari #Timari January #prompt - Zombie AU

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kathyprior4200 · 3 years

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Welcome to Wacky Wally Wackford’s World!

Greetings, I say, greetings demons of all ages! The name’s Wally Wackford, an oh so suave man of business! You may not know me, but surely you’ve seen me…pretty much everywhere. Yes, I’ve never been the type to stay in one place for long. Life can be pretty wild at times. But that’s what makes it oh so fun!

So what’s my story, you say, you say? Well look no further, ‘cause I have a tale to tell.

I’ve been doing freelance work off and on, laboring at one job, moving onto the next. The jobs vary a lot, but I’m a Wally of many trades. (Yes, I’ve been fired many times as well, figuratively and literally…it is Hell after all.) Early on, I found out that living in poverty is never a lot of fun. I quickly learned how to scam other people…and boy did I enjoy it! It was the only way I could inch toward the top, get some power of my own. I’d make a few deals here and there and then when clients got desperate, I’d say something like, “Oh I’m so sorry but there’s an extra fee you have to pay. Forgot to mention that.” Then I’d point to that small scribbled section on the contract I added in moments ago.

“I’m starving, sir!” they’d say. Or, “I left my money at home,” or my favorite: “Shove it up your trickster rear!”

Sometimes they did pay me extra. Other times they didn’t…and those were the ones who soon forgot about everything forever. (chuckles).

Anyway, moving on.

Sometimes when my days got long and hard, I’d go to saloons for a nice bottled drink. The emerald colored Greed Mead is my favorite. Twirling my thin black mustache, I’d wink at some pretty imp gals nearby and say, “Hey there. You’ve been in Hell for a long time. Is that why you’re so hot?”

Most of the time, I’d get a swift punch to the face in response. The glares on their pretty faces, “Take that remark to the Sloth Ring, lazy bootleg fucker.”

So many aggressive people these days. I could tip my black hat to many imps and they’d either fall to my charms or roll their eyes. I was fine with that. There’s not much else to do in Hell then to live your life and amuse yourself with watching others struggle. In fact, pretty much every sin is encouraged, so why not keep going?

After stalking around looking for more people to scam, I came across Loo-Loo Land in the Ring of Greed. I’ve always loved that place, its vibrant atmosphere emitting joyful fun and chaotic flair. I walked on over and asked the vendor, “I say, you have any jobs here?”

“I’ve heard of you, Wacky Wally,” he said at the ticket stand. “You may be a good pick-pocket, but your skills are nothing compared to Mammon. In fact, this whole place is a fucking rip-off of Lucifer’s Lu-Lu Land!”

“All the more reason to love this place!” I exclaimed.

“Robo Fizz is putting on another show at 7pm tomorrow,” said the beefy imp vendor. “Made in Mammon’s factory and modeled after the famous imp Fizzarolli.” He then spoke in a low whisper, “It includes some behind the scenes moments for the VIPs…you know, with tentacles and ‘special features.’”

“Oh that sounds delicious!” I said with a slow grin. “It’d be great to see how his…mechanics work someday…”

The imp vendor rolled his eyes and flinched at my lighthearted comment. Always know what to say to get that grimace reaction.

“Anyway,” said the vendor, “We’re running low on staff, so you can go sell those torches over there.”

The imp pointed to a pink cart with Mammon’s jester face on it. I shrugged and got to work.

I happily rolled my cart around, selling torches wherever I went. I could honestly stare into those mesmerizing green flames all day.

“Torches here!” I drawled in my Foghorn Leghorn southern accent. “66% off when you buy four! Parties, decoration, destruction and more!”

One time on my break, I got to talk to Robo Fizz about money, shows, sex and chaos. We even cracked some jokes together. The robot seemed a little nervous in my presence but then again, he was very unpredictable on a daily basis.

“A duck, a frog, a demon and a skunk go into a bar. The bartender told them that the drinks were one dollar each. How did they pay for them? Answer: The duck had a bill, the frog had a greenback, the demon had a soul…but the skunk only had a scent!”

“Hahahaha!” Robo Fizz laughed, sparks flying near him. “Your jokes are much better than Blitzo’s corny puns!”

“Why thank you,” I replied. “But nothing beats your organ-playing animatronics in your ‘Wonderful World of Evil’ puppet show you did last month.”

Robo Fizz grinned at the compliment. “You do anything else besides selling torches?”

“I scam, I kill, I do a little bit of both. Oh and I’m also a great inventor!”

“How marvelous!” Robo Fizz grinned. “Perhaps if you have enough mayhem in you, you could perform with me at the next Fizzarolli N Friends show!”

“I say, I’d love that! I’m sure your show will be top notch, copyright be dammed…won’t it?”

Robo Fizz smiled widely, hiding a strain. “You bet it will!”

It was during one interesting day when I pushed my cart by a large tent where several Robo Fizz posters were posted. I held up a troch with a hand and called:

“Torches, I say! I say! Get your inconvenient torches here!”

Then before I knew it, the robot and a random imp crashed right into the cart.

“Ow, I say OW!” I cried as the green flames quickly spread around. After getting the flames off me, I ran for the hills out of the burning park. I sat, dejected shortly afterward. So much for that job. Along with figuring out what to do next, I also happened to watch the imp fight off Robo Fizz…and the robot falling into the dragon’s mouth.

How unfortunate.

After helping Robo Fizz from the dragon’s insides, (killing said dragon, pulling out said robot, cleaning and making quick repairs), I inched closer to him and said, “You made some new friends, I say.”

Robo Fizz stood tense with just long wires for his body, a metal skeleton of his previous appearance. “Yes…an old time co-worker of mine. A clown of an imp named Blitzo. He and his sisters were once part of a circus act called “The Amazing Imp Siblings. A bit dowdy if you ask me. ”

Robo Fizz looked around. “Hahahaha! That was some chaotic fun. But now the park is ruined!”

“I say, if I were you,” I told him, “I’d do all I could to get this park repaired and back on track. Costs a whole lotta money. The last thing you need is to have your boss disappointed in you.”

A brief look of fear came on his face. “Oh yes, yes, good idea, Wally.”

“And your friend…whether you upstage him or what, you’d best be sure Blitzo stays out of trouble. I lost my job and almost my life because of that fight!” My yellow eyes shined in a show of sadness.

“I-I will not let master Mammon down…not that I have a choice.”

“Let Asmodeus know what’s up as well.”

Robo Fizz nodded, spun away and laughed. “Time to find that rodeo clown imp!”

0 0 0

Later on after leaving Greed, I got a brilliant idea. It was after I saw some old fashioned 1800s snake man in Pride plow down buildings with a metal bulldozer vehicle. That was it! I could start my own business!

I walked over to 666 News station. “Oh Katie,” I said in my sweetest voice.

“What is it, scum?” she asked, sitting at a mirror and doing her hair. “Can’t you see I’m preparing for a back to back broadcast right now?”

“I was considering doing my very own commercial about me exploiting…erm, employing other demons for my new factory.”

Katie barked out a laugh. “Good luck with that, filthy old man! Now get out of my studio.”

“Very well,” I said. As quiet as a hell mouse, I snatched a camera with an eye at the center and made my way out the door. The rest of the materials I needed came from a nearby junkyard. (Thankfully I avoided the wrath of some hungry kangaroo parasitic queen demon). I was running out of money fast; with no job around the corner, I figured I’d start my own!

Even I don’t really know where I got my inventing skills from. Many say it was my natural trait. Others say I learned from other experts in the trade. After all, one of the quickset ways to a man’s wallet is through the latest technology.

But I, Wally Wackford would not settle for your standard modern devices. No. I preferred to make things…well, wacky.

In no time at all, I had built myself my own mini studio where I could film my commercial! Now, what to call my company? Hmm…

The Onceler One In a Lifetime Opportunity? No, not enough Ws.

Wowing Whimsical Wonderous Wonders? Nah, too many Ws.

Ah…of course! What is a company if you don’t have your name on it?

0 0 0

“Uh huh, keep going, keep going, keep going!” Blitzo insisted at the I.M.P. office.

Moxxie switched the channel again. This time, an imp appeared wearing a large black top hat, a white shirt and pants, gray vest, black bow tie and black boots. He held a cane in his hands and he also had a thin curly mustache. A mischievous grin of sharp teeth appeared on his face.

“I say, I say!” the imp exclaimed, briefly pointing his cane at the camera. “Are you looking to get work making crazy contraptions and goofy gadgets?” “Crazy Contraptions” and “Goofy Gadgets” appeared in bold spiked icons to the imp’s left and right. The imp twirled his cane.

“Well call me at Wacky Wally Wackford’s Wacky Idea ‘Factory!’”

He pulled down another screen. The title appeared in bold red, gray and white letters surrounded by pinkish circles reminiscent of classic cartoons. “Factory” appeared in quotations. Wally Wackford appeared again.

“Where you make the things and I make the money!”

Wally Wackford then got up closer to the camera with a pleading look. “Please, I’m very desperate!”

“Bingo!” Blitzo called, shooting and exploding the TV again.

0 0 0

It was actually really easy to find where Blitzo was and the new sinner inventors. The killing company of imps had me very curious. If they could start a business, why shouldn’t I? And being in the company of amazing inventors…

I could almost see the soul dollar bills floating into my hands.

I snuck up to the building, merged into the floor, eavesdropped on their fascinating conversation…

0 0 0

Crash!

A metal plank crashed into the room from above as Moxxie scurried out of the way. Loopty Goopty strolled down the plank. “Blitz!”

“Loofa!” Blitzo called, saying his name wrong. “We can explain everything. I was…”

Crash!

Millie pulled Moxxie out of the way before another metal plank landed in the spot where he would’ve been. From on the floor, Blitzo’s butt was very much in view. Blitzo glanced down at him and remarked, “Oh chill out Moxxie, if you kiss my ass any harder you’ll go right inside me.”

Moxxie turned beet red in the face and scooted further back. Millie helped him up again.

“Thanks for saving me again,” Moxxie said. “I would’ve foamed at the mouth and maybe died again.”

“Why would you think I would ever ignore you?”

Moxxie shrugged.

Just then, the demonic form of a man rolled down the plank. His body was black and spherical, with a mint green head wearing a black bowler hat on top. He had a large bushy light gray mustache and pince-nez goggles with dark red spirals on the lens like Loopty. His grinning teeth resembled piano keys.

“Lyle Lipton?!” Millie, Moxxie, and Blitzo asked in unison.

“I don’t understand,” said Millie. “We thought you went to Heaven.”

Lyle Lipton chuckled. “Heaven?” He rolled toward Loopty Goopty. “You don’t make millions in technological advances in robotics by not experimenting on the poor!” He laughed.

Loopy Goopty grinned as he unleashed his weapons in front of Lyle Lipton. “Finally! We meet again at last! Now that you’re dead, you have no money to keep from me!”

“Well, I’m a better inventor than you!” Lyle scoffed. “And I’ll make the most money here first!”

“Nonsense you no good son of a bitch!”

“Tie yourself in a knot, loony Loopty!”

“Roll in your grave, fat shit inventor!”

“Two robotic inventors?!” called a nearby voice. A steampunk blimp hovered in the air and a well-dressed snake demon appeared from a hole in his ship.

“Who is that guy?” Lyle Lipton asked.

“I’m the one and only Sir Pentious!” he declared. Several Egg Bois were steering his ship. The eye on his dark top hat peered at the other sinners in curiosity. “With my dominating machines, I aim to take over all of Pentagram City!” Then he muttered, “The repairs were a fucking nightmare to endure.” He glanced at the leftover cracks and holes on the metal sides of his ship.

“Oooh!” Loopty exclaimed in admiration. “I’ve only seen such inventions in old time history books. How long have you been here?”

“Since eighteen eighty eight!”

“Love the loopy numbers!” Loopty grinned, making three small eights with his contraptions. “I’m Loopty Goopty! Lyle is my could’ve been partner in crime but actually rival!”

“When you’re rich as me, who needs a dead partner!” Lyle exclaimed.

“You’re dead too, you know!”

“Where did you cowardly sinners get here?” Sir Pentious asked.

“Well we just got here,” Lyle called. “Experimenting on the poor made us millionaires! Just…be careful when messing with anti-aging machines. Made us both old.”

“A machine that changes one’s age?” Sir Pentious pondered. “That could prove to be ussseful in the future,” he hissed.

“Oh, you should join us, snake man!” Loopy suggested. “Or me, rather.”

Sir Pentious briefly glared. “Hmm. While I’m perfectly capable of spreading my constrictive terror on my own…I suppose having some…lackey sidekicks would suffice.”

“Don’t call us lackeys!” Lyle sneered. “And I’m not working with him!”

“Maybe if we briefly collaborate as a team…”

Lyle grumbled in annoyance.

After a moment, Sir Pentious sighed. “Okay, you may join me, but…”

He spread out his hood, revealing pink eyes. “Don’t even think about crossssing me.” He pulled his hood back. “Now go gather your contraptions and help me manage those scrambled fucking eggs!”

A bunch of eggs in top hats and suits rolled out and jumped on the two inventors, who were stunned.

Loopty then laughed evilly. “Inventors to inventors it is!”

Just then, I popped out of the ground in the room.

“Did someone say, I say inventors?! Name’s Wally Wackford, and I am lookin’ for creative new people to exploit! I mean employ.” I twirled my mustache with an evil grin.

At last, a chance to expand my business of the mass production of robotic Fizzarollis! All of Hell will go crazy when they get a chance to buy all the sex robots, the merchandise, everything...and all to profit ME!

“Everyone, stop fucking up my walls!” Blitzo yelled. “Moxxie’s gonna have to fix all this shit! Satan’s balls! First we deal with Heaven’s table-scraps, now this?”

I smiled. “Well I guess you can say, you say, you have a holey operation here, Blitzo!”

I slapped my knee and laughed at my own joke.

“Get out,” Blitzo muttered.

Soon I doubled down on the floor laughing. “Oh! I said, ‘o’!”

Blitzo yelled, “No, I’m serious, get the fuck out!”

Everyone in the room looked at Blitzo in shock and surprise.

0 0 0

And then, that one other time where I helped host the Harvest Moon Festival Pain Games!

Wally Wackford a.k.a. me…stood on the wooden stage, holding a gray microphone decorated with an eye in the center and small horns on the top. I wore my usual white shirt, vest, white pants and dark boots. I twirled my black cane and tipped my black top hat.

I spoke dramatically through the microphone.

“Welcome, I say welcome all to Wrath Ring’s annual Harvest Moon Festival! To kick things up, we have the great prince Stolas-a here to user in this here Pain Games!”

Stolas took the microphone from me and chuckled in slight embarrassment.

“How kind, Wackford.”

Stolas then addressed the audience. “Greetings tiny Wrath Ring imps. I hereby welcome you all to another year of celebrating the spoils of your labor that continue to feed the citizens of Hell!”

A crowd of imps glared at him and several boos were heard. Many of these Wrath imps were impoverished farmers who lived on scraps, meat or good crops if they were lucky. The food they worked so hard to produce was consumed by royalty and those in the other Rings. But the reward for their work was being underfed, underpaid and underappreciated instead. The unbalanced cycle had lasted for generations.

I, too, stared at Stolas with a glare in my eyes. That rich royal thinks he can parade around, doing whatever he wants. Well unfortunately for him, I have plans of my own. Once he sees what I’m capable of…

He will know who really rules the roost.

Stolas obliviously continued. “I’m happy to kick off the start of these games that will challenge the toughest imps to show their skill and dominance.” He did a little wave with his fingers. “Good luck to you all!” He noticed Blitzo in the crowd beside Moxxie and Striker and spoke lower. “Especially that sexy little one there! Yoo-hoo, Blitzy!”

“Oh fuck me,” Blitzo scowled.

A gun went off and the games began.

The first event was the race. Moxxie was instantly trampled by the other racers.

The second event was the high jump. Striker climbed over the high wooden ramp structure with ease and raced after Blitzo who jumped past him. Moxxie struggled to keep his balanced as he reached the top. He slipped down, trying to use his claws to hold on. He fell with a splash in a small puddle…and was promptly chewed on by a monstrous black and white shark with several red eyes.

The third event was an event with rope. Striker grinned as he held a tied up Blitzo. Blitzo’s arms, legs and horns were all tied up. Moxxie gulped as a stronger grinning imp tied him up with ease.

The fourth event was tug of war. The crowd cheered as the two teams pulled hard. Striker, Blitzo and Moxxie were on a team. Moxxie stumbled and fell into nearby water, where the shark attacked him again.

The fifth event was mud wrestling. Blitzo and Striker grinned as they wrestled each other, Striker getting the upper hand as he held Blitzo down, arms locked. Moxxie was instantly crushed in a football hurdle by a group of imps. As they got off of him, Moxxie sat up. And the shark leaped out of the water and over the fence.

“Mother fucker!” Moxxie screamed as the shark crushed him. (Moxxie somehow survived all this.)

I hopped back on stage.

“I say, I say for the first year ever, we have a tie, for the winner of the Harvest Moon Pain Games!”

Stolas took the microphone from me again.

“The winners are…Striker, and my darling Blitzy!” Stolas did a one-legged pose as the crowd cheered.

“Just say my name right!” Blitzo complained. He muttered “Fucking dick,” as he and Striker walked onto the stage.

0 0 0

After the event, I noticed that I.M.P. and Stolas had left. After sharing an undiscernible look with Striker, we parted ways.

I soon returned to a special place in Greed, tired but determined. I walked alone down dark hallways, torches burning green flames on either side. I wagged my pointed red tail.

I pushed open the double doors and came across a marvelous sight.

Gold. Heaps of it, just shining brightly all around the vast spacious chamber. Gold pillars held up the cavern-like ceiling, a chandelier made of bones and diamonds hung from above. There were chests of necklaces, precious gems, goblets and weapons of every shape and size. Hanging on a far wall, concealed in shadow were angelic weapons…at least half a dozen.

I stared around in amazement. Even Lucifer would be surprised if he could see this place.

I raced around and tossed the gold coins into the air. In a craze, I rolled around in a nearby pile of green dollar souls. With a grin, I stood up and stared with pride at the grinning face of the jester printed on there.

A face confident in his ability to deceive others, pursue wealth and bask in endless entertainment.

The grinning face was all too familiar…

…because it was my face.

Wally Wackford leaned his head back, mouth open in a high pitched shriek as dark magic flickered around him. The imp form fell and morphed into shadow. In the imp’s place, a large black beast with thick fur, razor sharp claws and red eyes decorating the body. The figure stood up on two powerful furry legs and sat comfortably in a giant golden throne that occupied the center of the chamber. Angular jester clothing of red, gold and purple stripes adorned the wolf body. And finally, a large spiked black crown sat atop the dark loopy jester hat with bells at the ends. A white and gold jester face showed sharp white teeth and glowing yellow eyes. Dark clawed hands juggled fresh demon skulls into the air and popped them into his large mouth. He crunched loudly before swallowing every bit.

My imp disguise was perfect. Literally no one else save for Robo Fizz and a few elites knew who was underneath. And even then, my magic was so powerful it could easily confuse anyone around me.

Being an imp has its advantages; you can travel anywhere and gather information along the way. You can track imps from a killing company and find out where they’ll likely travel to next. You can affiliate yourself with your own robotic creations, some slave imps and succubi…and then in your own form, work with a fellow Deadly Sin on the next stage.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Funny, really. Wally Wackford could easily be a separate being, born into poverty, learning to scam others at an early age and go up from there. I, however, didn’t need to learn anything…deceiving others and attracting material wealth was a natural talent. As was shapeshifting.

Lucifer might not be happy with me coping his idea of a theme park…but business is business…and in Hell, anything goes.

That incompetent prince Stolas would be dead soon enough. No more Goetia showoffs to get in the way of my rule and reputation. At least the prince’s wife was rightfully concerned with maintaining tradition that has existed for centuries. Aside from my dear friend Lucifer, I was, and should be, the most powerful being in Hell. I’ll keep exploiting those I choose because money is money.

Those I.M.P. assassins have no idea who they were dealing with.

I let out a crazed evil laugh, intermingled with a wolf’s howl. With a single touch of my hand, my nearby scepter turned into gold. I admired its shiny flawless sheen. Asmodeus, Leviathan, Lucifer, Satan, Belphegor, Beelzebub and myself…the Seven Deadly Sins…circus-loving rulers of the Overlords and in charge of maintaining chaotic order in our respective Rings.

I, Mammon, had much to do.

#wally wackford #helluvaboss #helluva boss theory #mammon

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skyking91-archive · 4 years

Text

sleepover || Jess and Sky

Discord thread featuring: Sky & @jesskipp

When: 9/21/2020

Where: Sky’s flat

Mentions: @samuelburton

Description: Sky and Jess have a movie night and Sky tells Jess that her and Sam kissed after Aaron and Alison’s party

Trigger Warnings: -

Sky

Sky and Jess had just finished building their fort in the middle of Sky's loft. Yes, they were being children. But they didn't care. Jess and Sky both had successful careers, and they were to of the most classy ladies that Sky knew. But their sleepovers reminded Sky of something middle school girls would do....plus wine. Lots and lots of wine. Sky was just in an oversize t shirt and underwear when she returned from the kitchen to hand Jess the glass of wine she poured for her. She crawled into their fort and called her dog over who she heard slopping up some water from his bowl. "What are we watching, babes?" She asked as she sat down next to her.

Jess

Jess loved loved making forts. It was one thing she'd always look forward to during their sleepovers. Her childhood friend had outgrew it, so she didn't get to make many back in Washington after age thirteen. But with Sky? She always could count on her having the same brain wave length. She could always be that much more childish with her and not feel embarrassed. What was there to be embarrassed about? Even their dogs could fit. She had Hatchi in her lap right now as they waited for her best friend. There was also some chocolates for them to divulge in, but she keeps those shut in their container on one of the cushions so their dogs can't get to them. She takes the wine Sky gives her, and scoots to give her room for once she gets inside. She had their movie ready to play. "Thank you, my love! I've put on Frozen." she grinned, pets Sky's dog as he passed her to sit with Sky. "We can have a little sing along. — Oh shoot, I should've brought my Olaf onesie."

Sky

One of Sky's favorite things about Jess was that she wasn't ashamed of the kid inside of her. Frozen, a fort, junk food, two dogs. And Jess was right, the only thing missing was their matching Olaf onsies that Sky had gotten them for Christmas one year. That was just the kind of presents that they got each other. Ones that would seem like gag gifts to other people, but that were actually put to use by Sky and Jess. Sky told her dog to sit next to her and praised her when he did, petting him and cooing at him like he was just won an Olympic gold medal. "Good choice. Would you like to be Hans or Anna during Love is an Open Door this time?" She asked, almost too seriously. "What kind of onsies should I get us for Christmas this year?" Because at this point, it wasn't a surprise that she was going to get her best friend a matching onsie again this year.

Jess

Jess takes a sip of her wine as she considers her role. "I'll be Hans." she giggled. "I'll try to zone in to my inner Hans, deep voice and all." She says that now, but both of them know once she can't hold the tone anymore she'll just revert to singing in her regular voice. It wasn't an issue, it's just funny when they try to sing in different voices. She adores the Frozen soundtrack and to get to sing it with Sky makes it super magical. "Ooh, please, if you can find reindeer onesies! And if they have tails, it'll be extra adorable!" You could never have too many onesies. They're the perfect comfort clothing for when it gets cold. "Ready for me to hit play?"

Sky

Oh good. Sky loved singing Anna's part in that song. She also loved singing all of Olaf's songs, and she loved the way Jess voiced him. God, they were such children. Which was odd considering Sky's job. She was a businesswoman, in a way, and so was Jess. Escorting and wedding planning were two completely different businesses sure, but they had the same mindset. Customer services, profit, and having a great brand. When they were together like this, they could throw all of that out the window and let loose for a night. "It'll be a surprise, love!" She told her, nudging her shoulder a little bit. "Play, yes!" He demanded, petting her doggo behind the ear as the movie started. "I love this opening song too. Idina is a goddess."

Jess

"I'm just throwing out ideas." she teased, hitting play when the other confirms she's ready. The opening scenes begin to play and she pets Hatchi's head, the Pomeranian's ears flat and loving the attention. "Right?!" she agreed ecstatically, having always admired Idina's voice. The music was so soothing she finds herself humming along, knows it almost by heart. She's watched Frozen too many times to count, knows exactly what will happen as the little Elsa and Anna build an inactive Olaf on screen. "Do you wanna build a snowman?" she asks in a baby voice to their dogs, bumping her nose to Hatchi's snout as he's the closest, and laughing as the dog licks her. "Hatchi agrees.. but then he goes and barks at my Olaf stuffy. Talk about rude."

Sky

Sky has always admired Idina. She was one of her favorite broadway stars and really looked up to her. She watched Rent all the time as a kid and aspired to be her and Tracie Thomas. She looked over at Jess when she sang to her dog and chuckled. Hatchi was way smaller than her pitbull, yet they were still the best of friends. It was so fucking cute how Jess and Sky were best friends, just like their dogs. "Hatchi...." Sky began. "What did Olaf ever do to you?" She joked, getting the tiny dog a little scratch behind the ears. Sky took a sip of her wine and started eating some of the chocolates as she turned her focus to the movie. "How many times do you think we've watched this movie together?" She asked. Of course, they would most likely end up spending the entire movie talking.

Jess

Most of the time Jess let Sky sing Idina's parts as she knows how much her friend looks up to her. Plus, Sky had a fucking phenomenal voice. It was like watching a beam of light descend down with an angel. "Honestly, I think he's just a bit jealous." the woman interjects with a giggle, fondly watching the way Hatchi leans into Sky's scratches. It was no secret he loved to be pampered, which he got a lot for being an older dog. He's her baby. He hops off Jess' lap (probably to go bug the pit bull) and she's able to stretch her legs out a little. She stretched as she ponders the question, a good question. "You know, I don't think I could give you a solid number.. but it has to be up in the hundreds by now." They take turns all of the time deciding on who gets to decide what they watch out of their selection for the night, and if it wasn't a rom com or scary movie night, Jess nearly always chose Frozen. It was the perfect mixture of wholesome and fun! Plus, who didn't love a talking miniature snowman? Maybe Hatchi, but that's beside the point. She takes a chocolate from the box to eat as well, chewing and swallowing half before she speaks again. "I think we could totally pull off being them for Halloween. Wait, have we yet?"

Sky

Sky moved closer to Jess and the tiny dog took up way too much space next to her to go sit next to the larger dog. "I don't think we have. I'd make an amazing Black Elsa." She told her. How she would love to be Elsa on Broadway one day. Sky's mind kinda of wondered off a bit as the beginning scene started. Normally she's start singing along, even dance a little but she was so preoccupied about this whole Sam thing, and she needed her best friend's opinion. She grabbed the remote and turned down the volume a little bit. She turned to her best friend and took a deep breath. "So I kissed Sam." She stated bluntly. Jess knew all about her relationship with Sam; how they broke up because Sky refused to give up her job. The job that support her lifestyle; made it possible for her to afford her gorgeous studio apartment in North Kingsboro, her designer clothes and her acting career. "After the event at Throuple the other night. Sam got hurt, and I thought.... for a second I thought he was really really hurt. I realized how much I still loved him." She looked over at her friend with a pleading look.

Jess

As a best friend, Jess could tell something was off with Sky tonight. Has been, the couple hours she has been here. She did notice how the other wasn't as lively, a little short. Jess wanted her to come to her on her own accord, though. When the volume gets lowered she immediately looks over at her friend, prepared for maybe thoughts of insecurity.. but there's no way she expects what comes out of Sky's mouth. She hopes she masks her reaction well, but her lips do part in surprise. She had seen Sky earlier before, but after they had separated and went on with the night the purple drinks made things a little hazy. She hadn't known Sam got hurt. "You kissed Sam?" she asks, to make sure she heard that right. Exes are usually exes for a reason, so when you kiss one.. it opens a lot of closed doors. In Sky and Sam's case, there seemed to be no compromise and neither would've been happy. Her lips pressed into a line as she looks at her friend. "Oh, babe.. Did he react poorly to it?"

Sky

Sky had found Sam in the alleyway when she had left Jess to take a juul break. She had never really texted her best friend that she left, which she apologized for in the morning but neglected to tell her the rest of the story. it was something she wanted to tell the blonde about in person. "Do we know a Cam? Him and Sam got into a fight and a found him there just laying on the ground and...." She took a deep breath as all the fear she had felt in that moment came rushing back to her. "I thought he'd really got hurt and for a split second and I thought he was going to lose him. And that's when I realized I was still in love with him." She confessed, shaking her head. "So I took him back to my flat, and got him cleaned up and the next thing I knew...I was kissing him and he was kissing me back. And - " She said, arms flying in the air and giving a dramatic shrug. "Then we fell asleep next to each other." She told her, laughing now on how crazy this was.

Jess

"I don't think so." Jess answers, shaking her head at the question. She's never heard of that name before now, and most of their 'individual' friends are mutual friends. She listens, because she knows that's what Sky needs right now. Someone to talk to and release her emotions to. It hurts to see and hear Sky obviously almost reliving it, even after the event was over. "Well, two good things we know — Sam is okay.." that is the important part, she thinks. "and he didn't pull away." She's seen way too many romantic movies, so maybe she's looking far too into things but she is certain that if something it reciprocated there is more to it. They found their way back to each other, after all. She wouldn't be surprised if that boy never stopped loving Sky. "You're in love him, but do you want to be in a relationship with him again?" she asks.

Sky

Sky shook her head. She still didn't know where she knew him from either. That didn't matter anyway because she already hated him for what he did to Sam. Her blood just boiled at the thought of him just leaving Sam on the ground like that; bruised and mangled. Fuck. She got lost in that thought, but her mind snapped back to reality when Jess spoke. The escort nodded. "Right. Yes. He's okay." No thanks to Cam. "yeah..." She said with another heavy sigh. She looked down at her hands and swallowed hard. her next question required a lot of thinking. Did she want to date him again? There was no doubt in her mind that she loved him. But... "We broke up for a reason." She told the blonde. "i don't know if we'll be able to get past that. But Jess..." She sighed dramatically as her head rolled back on her shoulders, thinking pensively. She let out one last heavy breath before turning back to her best friend. "The thought of being with him again makes me so happy." She admitted.

Jess

The woman watched her friend as she went through the thought process. It was a hard call to make when you are not sure if anything has changed. She reached out to take her hands and give a supportive squeeze. "You did, but that doesn't mean there isn't a chance you could work something out." She gently points out to her. If there is any slim chance of obtaining a form of happiness of having the love of her life and the lifestyle she desired, she wanted that for Sky. "You can't fight off love."

Sky

Sky looked at her friend gratefully when she gave her hand a squeeze because honestly just that small gesture meant so much. Jess was such a good listener, supportive friends, and actually gave out great advice. Sky would be stupid not to take the advice Jess gave her. "You're right." She nodded. "And I do really, really love him." She admitted to her, finally smiling. Honestly, Sam made her smile like that all the time. Just thinking about him sent butterflies to his stomach. "Thank you." She told her, then attempted to turn her attention back to the movie. Love Is an Open Door was just about to start. She nudged the wedding planner playfully on the shoulder. "You be Hans!" She joked.

Jess

Jess's eyes soften in response to Sky's confession and gosh, she is so grateful for Sam coming into Sky's life when he did. To get her to smile just like that? She has seen many smiles on Sky's face, but this one definitely was the brightest. Almost as bright as the one she gets while performing. It goes without saying, that if Sam ever hurt Sky she would make it her mission to stomp him into the earth. Right after consoling her friend. But she trusts him to not do that. She smiles back, briefly leaning closer to give her friend a small hug. A reminder that she's got her. That's the way it's been since they met and she hopes it stays that way for the rest of their lives. "I love you, I'll always be here." Returning to their movie, she giggled as Sky nudges her and clears her throat to prepare herself. "Is this low enough?" she asks, making an attempt of a lower tone to make herself sound 'manly' but ends up giggling over herself. The song starts to play and of course, Sky is flawless with her parts as Anna. "I was thinking the same thing! 'Cause like, I've been searching my whole life to find my own place, and maybe it's the party talking.." she rubs her shoulder up against her friend's and makes her chest shimmy with an overexaggerated eyebrow waggle. All aimed to make her friend laugh. "or the chocolate fondue.."

#discord #jess

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artificialqueens · 5 years

Text

Trick or Treat (Branjie)- athena2

A/N: Vanessa takes her sister trick-or-treating, and Brooke answers the door. Cue Vanessa doing anything she can to knock on Brooke’s door again. Please leave some feedback if you’d like!

—

“Isn’t 12 kinda old for trick-or-treating?” Vanessa asks Izzy.

“Isn’t 25 kinda old to spend Halloween watching Hocus Pocus?” her sister shoots back, plastic pirate sword swiping at Vanessa’s face. “And Mom said you have to take me.”

Vanessa resists the urge to take credit for teaching Izzy to read so finely when the read is directed at her.

“Fine. But make it quick. Silky and A’keria are coming back with my pizza soon.”

—

They make their way up the apartment building as brightly-wrapped candy piles into Izzy’s pumpkin. Izzy pounds her fist on a white door, and Vanessa notices the person answering for the first time. She has to crane her neck just to see the blonde’s face, wide pink lips contrasting smooth, fair skin and bright green eyes. Her lips stretch into a smile.

“Trick or treat!” Izzy bellows. The woman laughs and tells Izzy how great her costume is as she offers her a skull-shaped bowl overflowing with king-size candy bars.

Blondie’s got the good stuff, Vanessa notes.

“You, um, you live on the 7th floor, right?”

It’s several seconds before Vanessa even realizes the woman is talking to her.

“Apartment 712!” Vanessa shouts. Shit. What is she doing? This woman is a tornado tearing through her usual supply of smooth lines and flirty grins, and all Vanessa can do is grit her teeth and hope it looks cute as Izzy pulls her away before she even learns the woman’s name.

Now I gotta knock on this bitch’s door again–

She looks over at Izzy, lifting her pirate eye patch to examine her jumbo Snickers that could feed a family of four.

Bingo.

—

Silky and A’keria sit at the kitchen table expectantly, munching on pizza, when Vanessa trots in, thinking of how she can get Izzy to agree to this scheme.

She hands her sister the largest slice of pizza in the box, flourishing her hand so the cheese stretches like it always does on TV, figuring food is a decent bribe. She’ll use money as a last resort. Izzy’s 12, five bucks is probably enough to get her to do anything. What’s a 12-year-old need money for anyway?

Vanessa keeps her tone casual. “Hey Izzy, you wanna put on my old witch costume and go back to the 6th floor? They had some good shi–stuff down there.”

Izzy raises an eyebrow, one of Vanessa’s own gestures directed at her, like looking in a mirror. “Is this ‘cause you want to talk to that tall-ass blonde?”

“Tall-ass blonde?” A’keria inquires, head turning like it’s on a spring. “The one that works at that dance studio across the street?”

“No!” Vanessa barks before A’keria and Silky can start giving advice, which usually came in the form of roasting her. She doesn’t even know if Blondie likes girls, but that smile, and those eyes… Vanessa has to try. “And you ain’t supposed to swear, Izzy.”

Izzy shrugs. “Don’t tell Mom, and I’ll put on your costume.”

“Deal.”

—

After instructing Silky and A’keria to work on more costumes, Vanessa finds herself back in front of apartment 620.

“Trick or treat!” Izzy calls again.

Blondie extends the bowl once more and Izzy sinks her hands in. Vanessa tries to peek inside the apartment, but Blondie is almost as tall as the doorframe and she can’t glimpse much. The kitchen behind her looks neat, but that’s all she can get.

“Back again?” she asks pleasantly.

“You remember me?” Vanessa bats her eyelashes.

“I wouldn’t forget that face.” Blondie’s cheeks turn pink. “Also, it was only like 10 minutes ago.”

“Right,” Vanessa laughs. “You’ll be seeing me some more tonight. Got tons of siblings. Figured I’d take ‘em one at a time so I don’t lose anyone.”

Maybe it’s the Halloween moon, but her smoothness is returning. The lie flows out with no thought, and just like that, Vanessa’s bought herself another few trips to her door.

“How many more siblings do you have?” Blondie asks, and Vanessa can’t tell if she’s asking out of curiosity or to clock her for the lie. The gleam in her eyes makes Vanessa thinks she’s on to her, but she can hope.

Vanessa does some quick math–never her strength–in her head and figures she can scrape together three more costumes. “Three.”

“I guess I’ll see you soon then.” Blondie smiles shyly.

“Yes, you will.” Vanessa grins back.

—

“How we doing on costumes? We’re gonna need three more,” Vanessa informs them when she’s through her own door, Izzy tearing off a Reese’s wrapper behind her.

“Going old-school with this one.” A’keria holds up a white sheet. “Silky found your old vampire cape, so we can do that one next. And we found your angel costume, but I don’t think you want your sister wearing that.”

“Heck no.” That costume was her pride and joy last Halloween, phone numbers and drinks flying into her hands like she had a magnet. Maybe she could put it on for Blondie–no, that’s way too desperate.

“Why don’t you just ask her out?” Silky demands.

“I ain’t gonna look desperate!”

“Because dressing your sister in any costume you can find to pretend she’s several different children isn’t desperate at all,” A’keria mumbles dryly as she finishes cutting eye holes in the sheet.

Vanessa shoots her a look and hands Izzy the sheet. “Put it on.”

“I don’t wanna be a ghost,” she whines, “That’s lame.”

Vanessa leans in. “You want more candy?”

A nod.

“Then put it on.”

—

“So, you been in this building long?” Vanessa asks as Izzy digs in the candy bowl. “I think I woulda noticed you,” Vanessa adds, stepping on Izzy’s foot when she rolls her eyes.

“Just a few months. I got a job at a dance studio nearby. I don’t go out much, to be honest, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t noticed me.”

A’keria was right.

“I’m, um, I’m Brooke, by the way,” she continues. “I don’t think I told you.”

“Vanessa.” Before she can stop herself, she throws her arm out, wraps her hand around Brooke’s, and shakes it. Who the hell does she think she is, a white businessman? But the mystery of what her touch feels like is too much to resist, and Vanessa’s heart misses a beat as she meets Brooke’s skin, soft and a little cold in her grasp.

Izzy nudges her, and Vanessa realizes she’s still pumping Brooke’s hand up and down, the blonde’s whole arm shaking with the motion.

“Guess I better go get the next kid,” she says, sadly pulling her hand away.

“Guess so.”

Brooke sounds just as sad to have her hand back.

—

“Alright, vampire is ready to go,” Silky says, gesturing to a cape and white shirt. “We even got some face paint.”

“If you’re doing makeup and everything, I want money,” Izzy insists.

“How much?” Vanessa’s fingers curl around the five-dollar bill.

“Ten bucks.”

Damn. “How about five?”

“In this economy? Please,” her sister scoffs. “I want ten.”

“Fine.” Vanessa parts with the money. She’d pay triple that for another minute with Brooke.

—

As Brooke tells Izzy what a scary vampire she makes, Vanessa finally tears her eyes off Brooke’s face and takes in her clothes for the first time: white Converse, dark jeans roaming up her mile-long legs, and a loose black sweater on top.

“No costume for you?” Vanessa asks.

Brooke shakes her head. “Nah. I was with this dance company for a few years, and after putting on makeup and costumes for hours every night you kinda need a break.”

“I get that.” Vanessa nods. “I do people’s makeup all day, sometimes I don’t even wanna do my own after.”

“I think you’d be beautiful either way–not that it’s any of my business, of course,” Brooke offers.

“I could let it be your business,” Vanessa winks mischievously.

“Are you gonna move? I want candy!” someone yells, and Vanessa whirls around to face an irate, waist-high Captain America, shield raised menacingly.

“Sorry.” Vanessa pulls back into the hall. “I’ll be back,” she calls to Brooke.

“I’ll be waiting.”

—

“This is your last chance, V,” A’keria warns. She hands Izzy the princess dress and Silky scrubs off the face paint. “You’re out of fake siblings, unless you want to tell this woman you adopted a child in the last hour. Just give her your da–dang number already.”

“I know, I know.” She digs through her junk drawer for paper, hoping Brooke won’t mind it’s a sheet from the Disney notepad Izzy left here, the image of Moana staring up at her.

“At least you closed your mouth when you stared at her this time,” Izzy says, tugging on the dress.

“Hey!”

“You know you did it, girl,” Silky insists.

“Probably drooled, too,” A’keria adds.

“I don’t see either of you in a couples costume tonight!” Vanessa snaps. She triumphantly lifts the paper with her phone number like an Olympic medal. “I’m gettin’ my girl.”

—

“This is the last one, huh?” Brooke asks. She sounds genuinely sad about it.

“Yep.”

“Amazing how they’re all the exact same height.” Brooke bites her lip and Vanessa knows she knows but couldn’t care less.

“Yeah, real amazing.” Vanessa grins. “Anyway, I got a little something for you.”

“A treat?” Brooke raises her eyebrows.

“If you want it to be,” Vanessa says coyly as she slips the paper into Brooke’s hand.

“Thank you,” Brooke says sincerely. “And I like the Moana theme,” she compliments.

Vanessa shrugs, straining her neck for last one peek at Brooke’s eyes. “It’s my sister’s.”

“The real one?” Brooke teases and Vanessa can’t hold back her laugh. “Don’t worry, I think it’s kinda sweet,” Brooke reassures her. And then Izzy steps back and the moment is over all too soon, with nothing to do but wait for Brooke to call.

“Well, happy Halloween.” Vanessa shuffles down the hall.

“Happy Halloween.”

—

The sky is dark, the living room still littered with popcorn and candy wrappers from the annual Dreamgirls showing of Hocus Pocus, when the doorbell rings.

She yanks it open with a sigh. “Look, it’s midnight, I ain’t got cand–oh.”

A lacy black dress pops against Brooke’s milky skin, exposing her strong shoulders and the top half of her chest in a deep V that really needs to go a bit deeper. Her lips are red as blood, eager eyes framed in heavy black makeup, blonde hair hidden by the tulle rising from her head.

“Thought you said you didn’t like costumes,” Vanessa manages as her knees turn rubbery, mouth dropping open.

“Well, I had this in my closet, and I thought I’d make an exception for you,” Brooke says, stroking the rubber snake slithering around her neck with black-gloved fingers. “Now, what do you say I take you downstairs and give you a real treat?”

#rpdr fanfiction #brooke lynn hytes #vanessa vanjie mateo #akeria davenport #silky nutmeg ganache #branjie #lesbian au #fluff #athena2 #concrit welcome #submission #s11

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frizzle-tales · 3 years

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Jimin was such a sweet kid. From all of her students, he caught her eye from the moment he walked in. The bashful boy was so well spoken, always addressing her with a ‘Yes, miss Haeun, no miss Haeun.’ And he never needed something explained to him twice - It all clicked for him on the first try.

Haeun was amazed at his endurance and willingness to learn, and he never missed a class, always showing up ahead of time of everyone else.

Jimin was so hardworking and she never heard him complain ever about his hardships. Not even when she spotted the sole of his pointe shoes slowly peeling loose, he never missed a beat. She swore he must’ve glued it back on the next lesson and that’s why she got him a new pair.

She was so impressed by this young man.

What a storm of a couple of months it has been. She lost a friend, the love of her life, her job at the studio, but now she was living with her student in a lovely place that she could call hers.

“Yes, and let’s not stay with any judgmental friends.” Haeun joked as she rested her head against his shoulder, overlooking the boulevard.

—

Their trip in Paris ended the next day, and they were back on their plane to Korea.

In the meanwhile, in Eloise’s home, she laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling as the phone was in her hand. “...and then they left. I tried calling her and texting her but she said she didn’t want to talk to me anymore. I was suppose to bring her to the airport but.. she probably took a taxi. Henry, I.. I don’t recognize her like this. That man that’s with her, there is something wrong about him.”

— 🩰

The past 13 hours were exhausting. Constantly catching non stop flights from Paris to back home. They left to the spur port around 6 in the morning, boarded their flight an hour later, and including the short taxi ride - they didn’t take a step through Haeun’s front door until didn’t arrive home till later in the evening, just a little past 8 p.m.

“Ugh, it feels good to be back,” Jimin grumbled, stretching his tired and stiff limbs. He slipped his coat and shoes off, pushed his suitcase to the side, all before trotting over to the couch and plopping down. The back of the couch was used as his own personal headrest and his eyes quickly shut. It really did feel amazing to be back. Paris was beautiful, but her home was his favourite - warm, inviting, and best of all, peaceful.

A soft hum in acknowledgment erupted from Jimin’s chest when he vaguely heard Haeun mumbling she was going to take a quick shower. Although it was faint as well, he listened in on the sounds of her footsteps retreating down the hallway before relaxing into the wonderful silence. There was no more crying babies or overly chatty tourists. No more noises of loud crowds, dogs barking, or cameras clicking. Everything was silent, comforting even.

Until the sounds of banging, aggressive and obnoxiously loud banging, we’re heard from the front door. The chunk of would vibrated from the force, nearly flying off it’s hinges.

“Haeun! Haeun, open this door right now!” Henry’s voice bellowed from the other side. Jimin shot up straight, mouth fallen completely agape, eyes staring wide at the front door. He wasn’t afraid, he was simply baffled that this man decided to show his face around here again. He sat there, hands resting on his knees, for a few more moments before his pure astonishment melted in anger. They just got back from their trip, he wasn’t in the mood for useless and insignificant drama. Couldn’t this guy just see he lost already?

Jimin pushed himself off the sofa before making his way to the front door. Once he swung the door open, he pushed Henry backwards and stepped outside, shutting the door behind him. “Can I help you?” Jimin taunted, crossing his arms over his neck while cocking his head to the side in a mocking manner.

“You went to fucking Paris with her?!” The much older man seethed.

“Hm? Oh yeah, that. We actually just got back, so if you don’t mind -” Jimin suddenly stumbled back, his mouth suddenly beginning to throb in pain. His fingers came up and grazed his lips before he looked down to see blood smeared across them. “Fuck sakes,” he grumbles, before suddenly bursting into light laughter. Henry punched him? That’s how he wants to play this game? Fine.

“You’re really going to punch me over that? Well, you should do it again, because that’s not all she did to me,” Jimin stood, a grin hinted with insanity beginning to play on his lips, “Miss Haeun didn’t just take me to Paris .. she took me to bed.” He bursted out into another fit of laughter, but one much more loud and amused than the last. “So, come on, hit me. Come on, do it again!-”

Jimin’s words were cut off for a second time by Henry’s fist firmly connecting with his nose. He stumbled back again, only this time tripping over his own two feet and landing down on the porch. The stinging from his nose made his eyes water. Blood gushed down his face, but it only made him laugh more.

“You’re so wound up and we aren’t even at the best part,” Jimin teased between pained groans. But he couldn’t say another word before Henry’s boot connecting with his ribs.

“You dumb fucking kid! I’m going to make you wish you never spoke a word to my wife! -”

#🩰anon #dancer!jimin #yandere jimin #⚠️

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gizedcom · 4 years

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Playing Iron Man VR: Why I think it’s better than the critics say

In context: Iron Man VR launched last month and I was surprised to find critics panning the game. I had played the demo and thought it was quite fun. Interested in seeing how much could have changed between the release of the demo and the full game, I purchased it, played it, and here’s my report back.

Video game developer Camouflaj embarked on an ambitious journey when it began development on a VR title featuring Marvel’s iconic metal superhero Iron Man. Doing Tony Stark’s alter ego justice, or any comic-book superhero for that matter, is not easy when you are up against an established rabid fan base. As one of those fans, I was eager to see what the developer came up with, but held my expectations in check, especially after news of a few delays.

When I bought my PSVR, Camouflaj’s Iron Man demo was already available on the PlayStation Store, but I held off downloading it. I am new to VR and wanted to get my sea legs before diving into a game I knew would quickly trigger motion sickness. When I finally did install the trial, I was impressed by what was there. I knew virtual reality was the perfect platform for such a game, but I was still amazed at the immersion I felt when I first stepped into the suit.

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On finishing the demo’s content, I already knew I wanted more. So I was a bit surprised as launch day approached at the terrible early reviews the game was getting. I wondered how it could have changed so much from the demo to the full version that it would get such criticism. Camouflaj must have really screwed up, and I was about to find out how, since I had already paid for a pre-order. I don’t often pre-order games, and it felt I was about to be reminded why.

To my surprise, I was not displeased with my purchase. I felt that the developers had done an excellent job turning me into the heavy metal man. I’m such a geek that when I finished the game, I threw my hands in the air and shouted, “I am Iron Man” in my best Ozzy Osbourne impersonation. My wife was not impressed. I guess it’s not as effective if you don’t say it in front of a spinning fan.

To me, the game seemed like more of what I had experienced with the demo. Having skimmed only a few reviews, I decided to see what the fuss was about and found that many of the gripes did not reflect my experience—wonky controls, long load times, frame rate drops—none of that seemed like what I had experienced.

One of the biggest complaints was the control scheme Camouflaj implemented. Many found the controls difficult to learn. Admittedly, learning to juggle between steering with your hand jets and blasting enemies with those same hands (repulsors) does take some practice. However, there is free flying, combat challenges, and time trials aside from the main game that will have you mastering the mechanics in little time.

Perhaps we can chalk that one up to reviewer impatience. Time is money, and getting a review out fast often takes precedence over learning how to play the game. It’s understandable then that some would say the controls were too hard. There is a learning curve that is a bit steeper than most VR shooters.

Some reviewers claimed to have tracking issues while using the Move controllers. Engadget’s reviewer griped that he could not play on his couch. “It’s hard to fly with your arms shot out at your sides when you’re sat on the couch. You try it,” they critiqued.

Indeed, Iron Man VR is not something you want to play seated on a couch. However, is it fair to ding a VR title for that? Most VR games require much more freedom of movement than can be allowed on a sofa. The ones I have played are best suited to playing in the middle of the room on a stool.

Since most flying in Iron Man requires having your hands to your sides, something that easily accommodates that position is best. I used my office chair, and the PSVR had no issues tracking the controllers. In my opinion, this complaint was not an issue with the game so much as a personal preference problem.

One of the most critical Iron Man VR reviews I read came from Ars Technica who advised to “avoid” the game. They also were frustrated with the controls and the reviewer didn’t like the variety of different attacks at his disposal or how they were executed.

Between all the flying mechanics, players must also master a set of attacks that can vary as you upgrade your suit. Repulsors are palm-based weapons that are fired with your palm facing forward. Top-of-the-hand artillery like rockets and miniguns are activated with your palm facing down. Rocket punches and ground pounds are triggered by holding a button to charge it, then making a punching motion. The distinction between the last two is dependant on where your visor is pointed. Looking at a flying enemy executes a rocket punch while aiming it at a surface-based enemy brings up the ground-pound reticle.

It sounds like a lot on paper, but boiled down to the basics, it’s only three different gestures. Furthermore, they are all very natural motions. I found the offensive mechanics quite intuitive. Once again, the optional combat and flying missions are great places to practice these maneuvers. So this critique also seems to stem from not taking or having the time to learn the mechanics.

Ars also did not like the loading times and accompanying screens. While Iron Man’s load times are long, I feel they were exaggerating by saying, “Every single time you switch from one interior location to the next, you can expect a loading screen as short as one minute and as long as two minutes.”

I never experienced a two-minute load time. The most prolonged wait for me was maybe one minute, and that was for booting up the main missions, not room-to-room transitions. I’m not sure what consoles other reviewers used, but I played on a PS4 Pro.

Performance between the Pro and the standard PS4 could make the difference in load times. I did not notice drastic drops in frame rate while playing on the Pro either as some have reported. It does seem evident, however, that Camouflaj recognized the load times as a weakness because it went to the trouble of making the loading screens interactive. While waiting for the level to boot, you can click through hints, read the level briefing, scroll through screens showing you different armor sets, and what you need to unlock them. Once you get bored with that, there is a texture on the floor that you can doodle in with your virtual laser pointers.

All in all, level loading is not that painful. I suffered far more excruciating load times in many other games, which will remain nameless—GTA5—Fallout 4. Iron Man VR’s loading screens beat staring at screen art as your life ticks away. I imagine it’s even worse when you have a looming review deadline, so I suppose this critique is forgivable.

The one gripe I did find somewhat valid was what Ars dubbed, “Iron Man VR wrist.” Like Wii elbow, this ailment will have your wrists barking at you to stop playing. The pain seems to be primarily caused by the one controller complaint everybody has that I find entirely justified.

During battles, you are frequently required to turn sharply. Sometimes you even need to spin 180 degrees. While this can be accomplished by turning your body or spinning in your stool, this causes issues with tracking with the added risk of tangling the PSVR cord and pulling the whole setup to the floor. So to facilitate turning, you use one button on each Move controller for right and left turns. If you push them both together, you flip around 180 degrees.

Pressing these buttons and angling your wrists for fine-tuned steering puts a strain on those muscles and gets painful in longer play sessions. I only experienced it after playing for well over the recommended time for a VR session, which is 30 minutes. Taking a 20- or 30-minute break when you start to feel strain is effective. Stopping for shorter rests between each level also helps. So Iron Man VR wrist is a nuisance, but it’s also avoidable.

My chief complaint about the game was that I felt the story was too short. Some reviews, like GamesRadar’s, said it was too long. GR’s reviewer was hoping for a game “spread over a few hours.” Not including the optional challenges, Iron Man runs closer to eight hours. But I’m sucker for a good long narrative, so I was sad to see the story end even though it was probably the right length for a VR game. I guess that complaint was probably valid for most, just not for me.

Animation: JayShockblast

I’m relatively new to VR. I bought my PSVR only a few weeks ago and there are likely a lot of great games I have yet to experience. That said, Iron Man is one of the most enjoyable VR games I have played so far. Could it have been better? Sure, but in terms of placing the player in the main character’s metal boots, I think they nailed it.

Iron Man, by its very nature, is well suited (no pun intended) for the VR platform, and few critics would disagree with that. “Iron Man feels like a perfect fit for virtual reality,” said Kotaku. “When I put on my PSVR headset and started playing Iron Man VR, I felt like that famous, armor-wearing superhero.”

Indeed. From the HUD projected onto the visor to the suit’s AI whispering advice and status warnings into your ear to using your hand jets to steer as you fly, the game succeeds in making you feel like you are Iron Man. I would just say, if you haven’t tried the free demo, play it. If you like what is there, you can expect more of it in the full game. Don’t let the bad reviews stop you from experiencing a game you might like as much as I did.

Iron Man was a risk for Camouflaj, and in my opinion it’s paid off, but not everyone agrees. I think the studio did good work for the VR platform. Whether you like the game or not, this is the inventive and immersive game design that will keep VR alive as it matures.

A new generation of hardware is on the horizon, and VR developers are going to have a lot more horsepower at their disposal. It will be exciting to see how they put it to use in virtual reality.

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animeride-blog · 7 years

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How Disney And Anime Influenced Modern Animation https://animeride.com/featured/5717/how-disney-and-anime-influenced-modern-animation/ #AnimeInfluence, #Blog, #Disney, #GodfatherOfAnime, #HayayoMiyazaki, #HowDisneyAndAnimeInfluencedModernAnimation, #ModernAnimation, #OsamuTezuka

New Post has been published on https://animeride.com/featured/5717/how-disney-and-anime-influenced-modern-animation/

How Disney And Anime Influenced Modern Animation

Anime has been around for a few decades, and Disney even longer than that. While these two styles may be different in various ways, anime has influenced many animators today. Additionally, modern anime was also influenced by early Disney cartoons.

Anime, or Japanese animation, began to develop in the early 20th century alongside animation from other nations. The oldest-ever anime, a two-minute film about a samurai warrior, appeared in Japanese theaters in 1917. By the 1930s, the animation industry in Japan was thriving, although animators were forced to cut costs by using less expensive cutout, rather than celluloid, animation.

-: How Disney Influenced Anime :-

Anime exists in its form today thanks to a man known as Osamu Tezuka who is known as the “Godfather Of Anime“. He is responsible for pioneering techniques in anime that are used to this day, such as the large eyes look. As a child, Tezuka would watch old Disney cartoons and movies and emulate them in his own design. The large eyes were inspired from characters such as Betty Boop and Mickey Mouse.

As a child growing up in the 1930s and 1940s, Osamu Tezuka adored Walt Disney. He is said to have watched the 1942 Disney film “Bambi” more than 80 times. He also enjoyed “Dumbo” and the post-WWII “Uncle Scrooge” comics drawn by Disney animator, Carl Bark.

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Tezuka made a ton, a ton, of stuff. Like really. A whole lot. Seriously. Over 500 anime episodes and more than 700 manga volumes. That’s crazy. But some of his works definitely stand out more than others. His most iconic work is without a doubt, Astro Boy. Along with this, I’d say Black Jack, Kimba the White Lion, and Phoenix are probably his top four.

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The WWII era in Japan saw the government use anime as a propaganda machine. The first feature-length anime film, “Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors,” was one such propaganda piece. It was released in 1945.

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-: How Anime Influenced Disney And Other Studios :-

In the early 1950s, Osamu Tezuka wrote a manga series called “Jungle Emperor,” commonly translated to “Kimba the White Lion” in English. He made it into an animated television program in the 1960s.

When Disney released “The Lion King,” in 1994, fans of Tezuka’s work pointed out a number of similarities between the “The Lion King” and “Kimba the White Lion.” These similarities include the protagonist and several other characters, as well as some remarkably parallel scenes.

Many artists and animators attribute anime as an influence, most notably the works of Hayao Miyazaki. If you don’t know who he is, just know that he is the only Japanese animator to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (for his film Spirited Away). He is a founding member of Studio Ghibli, whose movies have been celebrated worldwide.

Miyazaki is known for his recurring themes that can be seen in many of his movies, and many animators have gone to incorporate those themes into their own projects. For example, one of Miyazaki’s signatures is his use of flight in his movies. Kiki’s Delivery Service had a young witch flying around on a broom, Howl’s Moving Castle had a wizard fighting planes as a large bird and My Neighbor Totoro had a large cat creature flying around like Mary Poppins with an umbrella. Movies like The Rescuers Down Under, Pixar’s Up, and Dreamworks modern classic How to Train Your Dragon have had their creators use Miyazaki as an influence. Each one of these movies have their own ways to take to the skies with Up’s flying house, the dragons in How to Train Your Dragon and The Rescuers Down Under has a scene where the heroes travel to Australia on a bird.

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Another staple of Miyazaki is how he portrays good guys and villains. No one in his movies are inherently good or evil — everyone is a person with flaws. In Princess Mononoke the “villain” is Lady Eboshi. She burns down a forest and kills its creatures so she can mine the iron found in the sand, however she also finds those cast out by society such as brothel girls and lepers and gives them a place to stay and work.

Many modern animated movies have followed this kind of thinking as well. Looking at Monster’s, Inc, Mr. Waternoose is the perceived bad guy of the movie because he wants to kidnap children and suck out their screams. Looking at the situation through his point of view, there is a shortage of power in the monster world and he runs a company that is doing all it can to keep society from falling to pieces. Not only this, but children aren’t able to be scared as easily anymore so you need a way to get more power. He’s not doing this because he is inherently evil, he’s doing what he feels is necessary.

-: How Anime Has Influenced Modern Cartoons :-

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In the early 20th century many nations had begun creating short animated shorts – anime was no exception. In 1917, Japan created a short two minute animated film about a samurai warrior. This film appeared in theaters in 1917 – however, animated shorts had been around since around 1900, however, the the artists of these shorts did not identify them as animation.

The influence of anime is not just felt with big movie studios, even the small screen has embraced anime by emulating its art style and themes. Three shows that perfectly symbolize this are Dexter’s Laboratory, Teen Titans and The Powerpuff Girls.

Dexter’s Laboratory was released in the ‘90s around the time that anime was becoming mainstream in America. The part of anime that Dexter’s Laboratory emulated was giant robots, which was being introduced to American audiences through shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion. In a few episodes of Dexter’s Lab we see him use giant robots, whether it’s to help him win a dodgeball game or to enlist the help of his parents to fight a kaiju or giant monster. Dexter’s creator Genndy Tartakovsky also created Samurai Jack, which took a more anime-inspired stylistic approach in its design.

Teen Titans is a great example of western cartoons embracing the anime art style. Instead of looking like their realistic comic book counterparts, they were drawn with a cartoony and exaggerated look. The show even had moments where the characters were drawn purposefully deformed to emulate the cute chibi look in certain comedic situations. Avatar: The Last Airbender is also famous for this, and has some anime fans arguing whether it should be considered anime.

Although it could be argued that The Powerpuff Girls are drawn in the super cute chibi style, what makes it different is that it had its own anime adaptation in Powerpuff Girls Z. This is an example of an increasingly common occurrence of western cartoons and even comics being turned into anime. Batman, Wolverine and Iron Man have all been given the anime treatment. Even Deadpool makes an appearance in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, where they do a pretty good job of nailing his character.

There are plenty more examples that have been seen throughout the years of Disney and anime’s overall influence, but to go through it all would also take years. It’s just amazing to look at so many examples and see how they can be influenced by the same thing.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THE BLOG

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#Anime Influence #Blog #Disney #Godfather of anime #Hayayo Miyazaki #How Disney And Anime Influenced Modern Animation #Modern Animation #Osamu Tezuka

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