#I could capture his uncanniness better.

[reginalusus]

Quick one.

Image description: Fanart of Spamton NEO from Deltarune, drawn in a style that is reminiscent of an 80s or 90s anime. A close-up of Spamton's laughing face. Most of him is shadowed by a solid black, coming from the left of the image. One of his eyes are visible through his shades; its widened and his iris is tiny. He appears to be slightly hunched over as he laughs. The image flickers in a glitchy fashion. There's a caption for his dialogue at the bottom, which reads: "I THINK IT'S TIME WE MADE A VERY [SPECIL] DEAL." End of image description.

[adyophene]

I got a few people saying they wouldn't mind seeing a run down of my unfinished work and sketches! So this is gunna be just a big ol post of that and just explaining what the doodles would have ended up being!

First off is just some sketches of Alastor, Husk, a really uncanny Blitzo, and an unfinished voxhusk sketch

Left Husk was reffed off a pose that i've since lost, and right was going to be a little comic of Husk bugging Vox and then Vox bugging Husk in return. :( I don't remember what dialogue I was going to use.

Next is just some unfinished couple sketches! Some Chaggie and Angel/Sir Pentious that I might still use at some point. TuT I think Angel and Pentious could make such a hilarious couple and it kills me that I can't find almost anything for it

and this husk was just going to be a redraw of this

but with Al, Vox, Angel, and Lucifer petting him

next is one I did already post but this one here; left was going to be a short comic where Lilith comes back and is enamored with Husk while also vaguely threatening to Alastor as she is. Right is the only doodle I have so far for a comic about Husk and Charlie getting caught hiding out from the rain, and Husk trying to talk to her about her making a deal with Alastor. Ugh. I need to even just thumbnail out that comic. Its been in my mental queue for literal months!

Next up is a bunch of sketches of my own Hazbin OC, Shiv! I've never posted anything about him alone before, but he's featured in a lot of the backgrounds of my pieces! He was a carnie in voxhusk fake dating, and then a waiter in the diner piece, and ticket booth attendant in the movie theater one!

I always love putting him in just whatever job the art calls for because he is a '1980's cocaine and bourbon grindset hustlepilled business fuck'. I don't know if I will ever expand his story in artwork, but if I did I would draw something about him trying to get a Soul-Based Multilevel marketing scheme going. Shiv is short for 'Shiver' because he froze to death after drunk wandering naked into the woods while on a skiing trip. He's in hell because he made his money doing shitty business practices like scamming old people out of their money with phone scams. If he saw Mad Men he'd think it would be about him, but he'd fit better in Its Always Sunny

Lastly, I have some sketches from a comic I am literally fighting myself not to make, where Husk ends up kidnapped by a ring of criminals that smuggle sinners to other Rings of Hell. Husk would be captured to be an exotic pet for a Ostrich theme'd Goetia, but would quickly escape. The main plot would be him running into and then helping out Blitzo in return for help getting back to the Pride ring!

I would have also got to include my other OC, the little Egg lamb, Sunnysides!

Literally would have just been a huge excuse for me to draw Husk going through Situations and hanging out with the Helluva Boss cast and my OCs.

[runningwithscizzorz]

HOW DO YOU DRAW FACES??!?! seriously, everything about your art is pure eyecandy, I love it SO MUCH, but faces. YOUR FACES. the faces are perfect. they capture every detail. they feel so human. so expressive. i would love to know how you draw/structure your faces because it's the biggest thing i'd like to improve on with my art!

Art is a translation of how you perceive the world. Art is both extremely watered down and painfully vulnerable with emotions. The artist translates the world, and people translate the art. Lots of art gets lost in translation. My goal is to make people read my art regardless of my language. I want my art to speak louder than my simple cluttered words could.

How can you read a face with no words? You have to find your own way to do that, but here’s a very rough way of how I read people and attempt to translate their world into mine.

One practice is drawing straight from a reference. I've been watching TLOU, which has some of the best acting ever and is perfect for screenshotting specific moments to recreate. Pulling scenes from episode five, I stretch and amplify the facial features to properly read their emotions in my style, ex, making Ellie and Sam's eyes bigger to amplify their youth, smoothing out facial wrinkles for simplicity, and (my favorite) exaggerating the mouths so they emote louder.

Second method is feeling how your face moves. Ethan Becker on YouTube explains it better (go watch all his videos) of how to feel and observe how your face compresses and works with different features to properly express emotions. Using your own face as a stencil to understand how your muscle and jaw work is both simple, and always accessible for artist reference.

An example of how I break down bits of a chapter into chunks for each panel while still attempting for it to run smoothly like the writing. Honestly, a lot of this part rides on wanting to do the author justice for their fabulous work. You want to show them how much their work affected you and why it’s totally worth it to draw their stories.

Some examples of scenes from media (that almost made me cry) and how I translate and manipulate it into my style. This is why I redraw scenes from movies so often, not only is it fun and easy, but it’s a great way of studying the masters

But, to actually answer your question, I think the reason my drawings are so expressive to you is because I still follow somewhat typical human anatomy while still being cartoony enough to break the uncanny valley and create an aesthetically pleasing style. I’m still practicing and studying everyday to get better. You must work as much as possible to attempt to properly translate the world.

[katherina005]

My Yanqing theories (again)

There was once a man on the Luofu whose mindset was quite abnormal because he didn't really oppose both the Abundance and the Alliance. He stayed on the neutral side.

(he is a researcher in biology and life science)

When the Sedition of IL broke out, it completely changed his way of thinking, and he then totally accepted the Mara curse. So, in his public presentation, he tried to encourage people to accept the curse and make good use of it rather than denying it and trying to break it.

He got targeted by the Alliance, and although he didn't support the Abundance side, he did have some thoughts that could oppose the Alliance so they decided to exile him.

He became a criminal and was denied on the Xianzhou. He then traveled around the cosmos to collect more memories and data (because it is the best way to use his immortal body)

He followed the path of Remembrance so he could make better use of his memories (and delete some bad ones because they can trigger the mara)

After years of traveling between the cosmos, he got bored and decided to make a companion. So using his knowledge of biology and life, he decided to create Yanqing (Yanqing was created by combining a lot of things such as Abundance power, Wingweaver flesh,...).

To ensure Yanqing could develop safely, he encased Yanqing in Remembrance ice.

When Yanqing was officially born, he raised Yanqing like a father and taught him essential skills. He also taught him about martial arts for defense.

Although the Yanqing operation was successful, he was his first artificial living being and could rot easily so they still had to return to the Xianzhou in order to buy the (elixir of life?) from the Santus Medicus group.

One time, the knights found them and during the fight, Yanqing died saving the man and they were captured. The man then was sent to face the General, which was Jing Yuan at the time, and the Marshal Hua was also there. Yanqing was sent to the morgue for proper burial.

When they were preparing Yanqing's body, they found a strange organ (which looked like an Abundance fruit) inside him. They decided to preserve the organ for interrogation later with the man.

During the interrogation, the man answered that the fruit, if properly cared for, can actually hatch into a new living being, similar to Yanqing. Then, after he demanded a private talk with Jing Yuan and Marshal Hua, he expressed his last wish was that Yanqing deserves a new life and he would appreciate it if they would take care of Yanqing. Jing Yuan opposed, but Marshal Hua actually agreed and persuaded Jing Yuan.

The man then be sent to the lowest floor of the Shackling Prison because no one could kill him (also, he would be a good source of info).

then the rest I think y'all know

I ensured some plot points in this au:

Yanqing's lineage is unknown (they couldn't find his lineage)

Yanqing is associated with the Abundance

Yanqing has six-phased ice

Jing Yuan didn't answer the question of why he took Yanqing in

Yanqing uncanny strong powers

Yanqing always thinks of his real parents (which is his instinct, since the man is under the Luofu all the time) and thinks Jing Yuan is hiding something from him.

That's it, hope you enjoy

wait why does the man feel like Luocha

[rei-ismyname]

UNCANNY X-MEN #5 From The Ashes

First of all, I should acknowledge that something I've been calling a missed opportunity has received an attempt on page - the X-Men killing in FotHox, specifically Kurt. It's a single line and doesn't make a lot of sense, trying to have cake and eat it too by nodding to it in issue 5 but not meaningfully engaging with the recent past. Kurt did NOT think he was a killer, ever. That's just a bad faith reading of the text. He was in a war against genocidal fascists, come on.

Cool new form for Calico, though.

Kurt putting his sword/s away doesn't quite cut it. Errol Flynn swashbuckling has been an influence on him since he was a child and he's been big on sword usage almost since the beginning of his publication history. It's his thing, and he badly needs personality in FTA. Also, he didn't kill anyone with a sword in Fall, he teleported them into space. Swords parry and block, they disarm and intimidate. They have use outside of combat. They look cool, and it's something Kurt is very good at. So yeah, the barest attempt was made, but it didn't land for me. There could have been space to set it up and sell it too, perhaps by toning down the Charles Xavier/Sarah flashbacks that were ultimately just a fakeout.

Speaking of things that were given lip service in issue 5 and could have benefited from more attention, Jubilee told us who she is - kinda. A panel or two of origin story that was established in the 90s, but nothing about why she's here or what she wants out of life. How she feels about the loss of Krakoa, where the hell her baby, Shogo, is. It fits in with Uncanny's overarching sense of unfocusedness and her role could have been performed by anyone - not a good look for the end of the flagship book's first arc.

We get the resolution to and defeat of Sarah Gaunt. 'She's crazy, always has been' is so unsatisfying. I can't think of any other description. It's nice that we don't have another sin to lay at Xavier's door, but attempted baby trap is not a frequently used trope for a reason. She acknowledges she was lying, but then blames him for the loss of her son years later in a different country - then transfers that hatred to all mutants? Comicsxf have criticised her characterisation as 'Monstrous Mother' and I agree. What was the point of giving it so much space, to the extent that we spent more time in the past than with most of our putative main characters? She beat the shit out of Logan and Rogue the last two issues, nearly killing them - only for Rogue to draw strength from deus ex dead kid and completely wipe her out. It's lovely that Rogue is able to summon empathy for her, it shows us why she's a hero, but taken as an arc she's rewarded with victory despite making bad decisions. Long time readers know Rogue can lead, but I think Gail Simone is going to have to do the work to convince new readers that she's right for this. It's well and good to have moral authority but leading your team to death isn't.

Harvey X was unexpected but felt unearned. Surprise is fun but internal and narrative consistency is better. I thought it was Charles moving people around, because it was signposted. Harvey X being the puppet master felt almost silly as he revealed previously unseen very powerful abilities. Why would he wait for Rogue and Logan to be nearly dead to act? Maybe that's the only time he can act, because he's dead? Idk, at least he didn't scream how hot Rogue is again. He speaks about a sacrifice he's making but what sacrifice is that? Is his power finite and burns him out, Proteus-style? It's not quite clear, and I guess we'll never see him again.

Precognition. Healing. Telepathy.

Gambit and the Eye of Agamotto was a Chekhov's Gun that mostly worked (and made me feel sah smart for calling it.) Remy prays (?) to it and then blows the possessed cultists away. I'm pretty sure Jubilee could make a bigger boom than that (I know she can) but rule of cool wins the day.

These are/were captured and possessed mutants. I hope we see them again, especially after Fawn's introduction in #1. They're not doing this willingly.

Rogue flies to meet Warden Ellis to give her Sarah back, further muddling Ellis' characterisation. I have no idea what she's about now. Nuance is good in antagonists, but for someone who wants to crush mutants with her government mandate she's awfully cooperative with them. No threats, no riddles, no ultimatum, just meekly accepting two threats? I want to give a fuck about the closest thing we have to an antagonist (for a crossover event right around the corner) but there's nothing there! This was an opportunity for something, anything. Gah! I don't understand this writing.

Rogue's threat is interesting, though I have to wonder what she and Scott are going to disagree about. It's implied Jubilee will get captured, and we know Beast already has been. 2/3 X-Men teams have their motivation to wreck Graymalkin I just struggle to see them coming to blows over it.

Rogue and her elocution lessons feel very out of character and came out of nowhere. If it was setup earlier and tied to insecurity or identity that would work, but being introduced and haphazardly paid off in issue 5 baffles me, frankly. Rogue's southern upbringing is never something she's been ashamed of, her angst has almost always been related to her powers. She's a confident woman. A story where she struggles with that could have legs, but that's not the story that's been told. She certainly doesn't need Gambit or Logan to tell her - I'd expect it to be the other way around.

I'm not sure what to make of the images we get from Harvey X's visions of the future. I'll write about them separately if I find an interesting hook.

So ends the first arc of Uncanny X-Men volume whatever. My main issue is that it doesn't meaningfully engage with what came before it, and it doesn't quite manage to establish its own identity either. What is its mission statement and what kind of book can we expect? I don't know, and I hope Gail Simone does. It's not the end of the world, mind you. Following Krakoa was always going to be tough, and the world was going to feel smaller, less connected. I can't help but wonder what it might have felt like without a lot of Charles Xavier flashbacks amounting to nothing. Maybe we'd know more about Kurt or Jubilee, even the Outliers. Ideally that'll be corrected. I don't do number ratings so I'll just say it was okay, higher if you are a Rogue stan.

[corduroykoala]

I've been rewatching Frieren and was struck by just how effectively it uses montage to tell its story.

The passage of time is a huge part of the story, so montage is an obvious tool to employ, but Frieren uses it for more than just skipping to more interesting parts. Yes, that is often the goal, but it is also done in a way to demonstrate that time is passing. The montage in the first episode stands out—seeing a young shopkeeper appear much older just a few scenes later—as does the one used while the party waits in the Cabin with Kraft—Fern and Kraft are initially the only ones who pray at meals, but then Stark joins and, eventually, Frieren does as well.

My favorite montage, however, manages to convey not just the passage of time, but Frieren's perception of it. Relevant clip and discussion of it below the cut.

Throughout the series, we're also frequently told how much time has passed since Himmel's death, which serves to accentuate the passage of time as the characters—particularly Fern and Stark—get older. Fern is twice as old at the end of the season as she is at the beginning. The viewer can understand and relate to her experience of time.

In contrast, Frieren explains in the first episode that the ten-year journey with the Hero's party was short to her as an elf, not even one-one-hundredth of her life. On her journeys, we're constantly reminded of how short months and years seem to her, though it's generally played off in a light-hearted manner, juxtaposed against Fern's desire to continue their journey and not linger in one place for very long. To the viewer, this may make sense logically, but it is difficult to fully comprehend as a human. It's a lot like trying to understand the difference between one thousand and one million.

Episode 10 plays out largely in flashback, detailing Frieren's relationship with her master. After a fifty-year jump in time, Frieren is told to live in obscurity until the time comes when she can kill the demon king. Cue montage.

We see Frieren do as she was told, living a (mostly) quiet life as time passes. We see a small community grow into a village, a town, a walled city. We see a thousand years pass in about a minute of screentime. End montage.

We then see Himmel and his party approach Frieren to recruit her. It's a fairly standard Himmel flashback, demonstrating his uncanny insight and calling back to Frieren's meeting with Flamme. Then, the music falls out and—

Before you can even say the word montage, it's over. Five frames in rapid succession. The entire journey—ten years—in a single heartbeat. Painfully short, barely enough time to even understand what you just saw. One second in a video 100 seconds long.

This quick sequence captures just what that journey was like for Frieren. Of course she didn't get to know Himmel better. How could she have been expected to? It was barely any time at all, just one one-hundredth of her life.

This is my favorite montage in Frieren. It made my breath catch in my lungs the first time I watched it, and it did the exact same on rewatch. I love this show and I am incredibly happy it was renewed for a second season.

[kneelingshadowsalome]

I promised, promised myself that I wouldn’t read the Roman König x Fee fic until it was completed because I knew i would get absolutely drawn in, wrapped up in your exquisite prose, then get addicted and suffer from withdrawals. Unneeded to say I broke said promise and welp here I am 🤡

Thing that surprised me was how quickly he endeared himself to me? A cock swinging village massacring brute that I was FULLY prepared to hate had me sighing by then end of chapter 3 with the “you care about my head?” ✋😩 YES I worry for your stupid head you adorable monster.

It’s uncanny how similarly Fee and I felt as the plot progressed. I know this is a self insert and though I made an OC for fee, you were able to capture the feeling of hate to curiousity to distrust to budding emotions on the readers side so beautifully and in only three chapters?? What sorcery is this?? I could go on and on about how I’m just… in awe of your writing skills.

It’s the small things too. The effort he went through to understand Fee, learning her language like he desperately wants to be a part of her. It’s just his delight in the simple things like having a woman and buying her pretty things. I AM GOING TO GNAW OFF MY ARM THIS IS SO GOOD!! I don’t know if you’ve watched HBOs Rome, but they remind me of Pullo and Eirene so much! Like you can’t tell me König doesn’t fit that goofy brawdy soldier who’s only hobbies are drinking and fucking and fighting to a T!

Then it got me thinking…. If König is Pullo then Simon is Vorenus. He has that straight laced, no bs aura about him. Now I’m imagining them both in this universe and please excuse me while I melt in a puddle 🫠

This is perhaps the best piece of fiction I’ve read in a while. I can’t wait for part 4, I have no doubt it will be wonderful as usual. Please accept my maladaptive daydream interpretation of Fee (first she was supposed to be a wood nymph, then the earth goddess then a fairy queen?? I’m not sure anymore. There was so much great imagery couldn’t settle on one. Your honor, we lost the plot.)

Oh my goodness OH MY GOODNESS ❤️❤️❤️

You shower me with praise and I’m over here like aaahh... for me? 🥺❤️

And yes I’ve watched Rome like four times at least! Every time I watch it just gets better, the producers and crew really outdid themselves with all the details in that series. I consider it one of the best TV shows ever made and excuse me but you opened a Pandora’s box here, I'm just so pleased you brought this up...

It took so much time for Pullo to grow on me, I was so frustrated with his character but when he killed Eirene’s man because he was so in love with her and was just like: “Oh there's something in the way of our love? Oh well. *there*, solved.” Gosh I was IN LOVE. I’m sorry, I’m a horrible person, but I fell in love with Pullo right that second. And yeah König is kinda like Pullo in that sense! Eirene wails at the corpse of her ex-lover and Pullo is just like “Um, yeah nasty business but… why are you crying? Oh, oh yeah, oops. But hey, we could be together? Oh, you don’t want me? Damn. How come?” I wanted to shake and kiss him for being so dumb and adorable.

And Ghost is Vorenus YES, you get it 100 %! And the tragic love story of Vorenus & Niobe, oh god, took me about a month to get over it. And Vorenus being under the protection of Mars first and then literally becoming Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld… The mythology nerd in me is swooning over here. The only thing about Vorenus that's slightly König coded to me was when Pullo had to explain to him what a clitoris is, and Vorenus is like “How do you know this about my wife?!?!” and almost kills him :D That’s so so Roman!König.

But AHHH let me squeal about your maladaptive daydream adaption next: she’s the most gorgeous Fee ever, so lovely and feminine and yet, strong and possessing that earthly power in her. I love the color of her dress too!! There’s a lot of earth & water elements linked to Fee so that color (green to turquoise?) is the most perfect combination of earth and sea, while König is more like fire & air, coming from the mountains and slow to anger but when the fire rises, no one is safe...

This was so lovely, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story 🩷💋

[pagesfromthevoid]

Enchanted | g.d. | 1

Gale Dekarios x fem!Tav

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: None

Author’s Note: I have the entire series written and I am NOT sorry.

Talk to Me! | Series Masterlist

My undying love, now I hold it like a grudge,

And I hear your voice every time I think I’m not enough…

The first time Gale heard her voice, it was the very start of his isolation and seclusion in his tower.

At the time, it was a distant sound –something that sat in the background of his tower when the balcony doors were opened and he had half a mind to pay attention. Most of the day, he had been too absorbed in his self-loathing and hatred, thinking about everything that had gone wrong and led him to losing not only his title of Chosen, but losing what he considered the love of his life. 

The circus had been in town all month at that point, but he had little interest in it even when he wasn’t a recluse. The bouts of magic and entertainment were too on the nose for him, and he had little interest in the acts that were geared towards the more easily distracted. But something about her voice that first evening caught his attention as he sat on his balcony, watching the ships leave the harbor.

The first time Gale heard her voice, he peered over to the circus, where a small crowd had gathered around a bard. He assumed she was a bard, at least –she had a lute, and she was singing. Not many people were around –certainly more interested in what was going on elsewhere in the circus –but she was still performing like it was her lifeline. The lights that surrounded her made it hard to make out any distinguishable features, though he supposed it didn’t matter what she looked like if he could hear her voice clear as day.

The arguments that I have won against you in my head,

In the shower, in the yard, and in the mirror before bed –

I’m so tough when I’m alone and I make you feel so guilty…

Much like him, it seemed, she was heartbroken over a love lost. It struck Gale as almost uncanny how closely the lyrics resonated with his own inner turmoil. He found himself wiping his eyes, moved by the poignant melody that seemed to mirror the depths of his own anguish. As he listened, the weight of his current struggles pressed heavily upon him – the pulsating presence of the Netherese orb beneath his skin, the sting of rejection from the one person who had once understood him better than anyone else. It puzzled him how this bard, a stranger to his own personal hells, could capture the essence of his emotions with such accuracy.

Gale couldn’t listen to her very long before he slammed shut the doors of his balcony and retreated into the darkness of his tower once more.

*****

The next time Gale heard her voice, it was when the circus returned the following year. 

A whole year had passed since Mystra cast him from her favor; a whole year had passed since he was implanted with a ticking bomb in his chest; a whole year had passed since he last heard the bard in the circus, singing about her own heartbreak that felt so much like his that he sometimes thought back to her words and reminded himself that he did not need to hold a grudge.

The next time Gale heard her voice, he noticed that the crowd gathered around her was still just as modest as before, perhaps even smaller. The ambient lights continued to cast a glow over her, creating an aura that blurred her figure around the edges, resembling distant stars. Despite the dwindling audience, her voice carried a seasoned richness, hinting at a depth of experience and emotion that had matured since the last time he had heard her sing. Gale briefly wondered why she insisted on performing songs that failed to attract large crowds, yet simultaneously wondered if such trivial matters even registered on her radar. It struck him that perhaps, for her, the act of sharing her music was a personal journey rather than a quest for recognition or fame.

Looking back, I think the magic all along was me,

Cause I can’t help but look for the best in you.

But I can’t be in love with the things I just hope you do…

He wondered, once again, how she managed to reach into the depths of his very soul and tear out the feelings he also held. It was unlikely she was heartbroken over a god, but whatever had happened to cause her to write and sing about what she did –Gale was thankful that someone could put it into words, even if that someone was a bard whose name he didn’t even know. 

Tonight, he did not slam the doors of his balcony when it got overwhelming. Instead, he sat and he listened, committing each word she sang to heart. He allowed the feelings to wash over him, to cry as he recalled the stupidity of his actions, to curse the folly of his own doing. 

I can’t be in love with potential,

I can’t say it’s all circumstantial…

Maybe I should go away,

It’s your choice if you wanna change…

As the nights progressed –he started to keep track of what nights she was there and what nights she was not –Gale noticed a subtle shift within himself. At first, it was merely a passing interest, but gradually it grew into something more. With each performance by the bard, whose voice seemed to be laced with the Weave itself, he found himself captivated. He discovered a new sense of resonance with her music, each note laced with emotions he hadn't explored before. And it wasn't just the music that drew him; it was the sincerity in her voice, the passion in her lyrics, and the way she poured her soul into every performance. 

Soon, Gale's evenings became synonymous with her songs, and he found comfort in her voice drifting up to his balcony. As he reflected on his feelings, he began to question the depth of his devotion to Mystra, realizing that perhaps his connection with the goddess wasn't as balanced as he once believed. Perhaps he was better off without Mystra to impress –even if the orb pulsed within him and demanded control.

*****

Showed you all of my hiding spots,

I was dancing when the music stopped…

And in the disbelief, I can’t face reinvention

I haven’t met the new me yet.

“Mr. Dekarios,” Tara announced one evening, having gone to retrieve something with a substantial amount of magic within it for him. 

“Hello, Tara,” he greeted with a soft smile, sitting on his balcony with his eyes shut. The bard’s voice was drifting over him, and for the first time since he started paying attention, this song wasn’t nearly as bitter or sad. 

“You seem almost…content,” the tressym commented, hopping up on the seat next to him. Gale opened his eyes, meeting her gaze as she scrutinized him. “I do hope that means you’ll leave this tower soon.”

“Perhaps,” he hummed, looking over his balcony and down towards where the crowd was gathering once more. Maybe he would join the crowd tomorrow, before she started. Finally put a face to the voice that he had listened to every night for the last three weeks. 

Tara followed his gaze, hopping up now on the bannister of the balcony. She cocked her head to the side, eying the lights and people. “Have you been listening to her all night, Mr. Dekarios?”

He nodded once, standing up to join her on the balcony. Resting his arms on the ledge, Gale leaned over and watched as more people gathered around his bard –well, not his bard, but the bard –and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy that they got to see her up close. But at the same time, he was happy for her; she was getting the attention she deserved. 

There’ll be happiness after you

But there was happiness because of you.

Both of these things can be true…

“I’ve been listening to her every night, actually,” he admitted with a soft chuckle, feeling his ears burn with mild embarrassment. “I…She’s a lovely singer, that’s all.”

Tara simply eyed him for a moment before returning her attention to the bard below. “She talks to herself quite a bit when she’s not singing.”

Gale’s attention snapped back to Tara, brow furrowing. “How do you know that?”

“She feeds the strays –who am I to pass up a free meal, Mr. Dekarios?”

“Tara,” he scolded, rolling his eyes. “You are not a stray; more importantly, you’ve met her?”

“Poor thing thinks I’m just a cat with wings, but yes, I have spent time with her. Very polite, a bit sad. I suppose I could introduce you –,”

“Please,” he quickly interrupted, standing up straight. “Tomorrow, we’ll go tomorrow.”

Tara seemed surprised by his sudden want to leave the tower, however there would be no complaining from her. Gale leaned over the bannister once more, looking down at the crowd that finally settled in to listen to her sing. 

No one teaches you what to do

When a good man hurts you,

And you know you hurt him too…

*****

Stepping out of his tower for the first time in a year, Gale had to pause in the doorway to brace himself for it. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to leave; actually, on the contrary –for the first time in a year, he felt confident enough to step outside and not blow anyone up. But he was overwhelmed by the familiar sights and smells of his beloved Waterdeep and it took him a moment to get his bearings again. Tara strolled beside him, however, reminding him that it was okay.

He was more thankful for that than she would ever know.

It wasn’t a long walk to where the circus had set up for the month, but he took his time, enjoying the sun and the salty breeze that tousled his hair. It had been too long, and if he was going to go confess to the mysterious bard that was below his balcony that he was enchanted by her, then he needed to take his time and get a little more confident in himself.

With Tara leading the way, Gale smiled and waved at neighbors who greeted him happily. It was a nice reminder that perhaps he wasn’t all that alone, even if he was destined to be consumed. He hummed one of her songs to himself, unable to help the smile that was spreading over his face as they finally stood at the gates of the –

Empty circus grounds.

The wizard and tressym stopped short, staring at the torn down tents and remaining pieces of equipment that were being loaded up into a cart. It was a handful of stage hands that were left –it seemed the main performers had taken their leave already.

“No, no, no,” Gale panicked, pushing through the gates and hurrying up to a kobold that was packing up his inventory. “Where is everyone? I thought –the circus –,”

The kobold looked up at him with shifty eyes, pointing around in random directions. “Circus is gone, I is packing up my treatos and getting on road. You want treato? I has lots, treatos make you feel better!”

“What? No, I don’t want –the bard –the girl, who sings. Is she still here?”

“Lots of bards, lots of singing –I is not knowing which one.”

Gale groaned, raking his hand through his hair in frustration. Tara huffed in annoyance, interrupting. “The one that feeds the strays, Popper.”

“Oh!” Popper –apparently –exclaimed. “Favorite human. Very nice. She leave this morning, with bendy friend.”

For a moment, he simply stared down at the kobold with unseeing eyes.

The circus was gone and so were his chances of finally laying eyes on his bard.

“Can you…will you pass along a message to her, Popper?” He finally asked, looking around the mess of the kobold’s shop before finding relatively clean parchment and a quill. He scribbled out something quickly, then waved his hand to ensure the ink dried. With a couple pieces of gold and the parchment, he held it out to Popper, who snatched both up with a frantic nod.

*****

“Oh hello, Popper,” she greeted with a small smile when they made it to their next city.

Popper was setting up a series of very clearly stolen –and slightly bloody –weapons he must have knicked off some bodies on the way. He spun around with a hop, throwing his arms up in excitement.

“Tayve! I has treato for you!” 

“Is that so?” She raised a brow and knelt in front of him, smiling softly. “And it’s Tav, Popper. You’ll get it one day.”

Popper waved off her correction, yanking out a wrinkled piece of parchment and shoving it into her hands. “From man in last town. Gave me lots of gold to deliver.”

Tav’s brow furrowed a bit as she uncrumpled the note, looking it over for a moment. It was a poem, she thought, as she read it over. But no name was signed.

The lingering question kept me up

2 AM, who do you love?

I wondered till I'm wide awake

Now I'm pacing back and forth, 

wishing you were at my door

I'd open up and you would say

It was enchanting to meet you.

Your singing saved me. I wish I could have told you in person.

[nitrateglow]

Spooky Season 2024: 23-31

House (dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi, 1977)

A teenage girl nicknamed Gorgeous and her friends travel to her aged aunt's house for the summer, not realizing the aunt is a people-devouring ghost and her house is one giant supernatural booby trap.

House reeks of the '70s with its psychedelic visuals and rock soundtrack, and yet it never feels "dated" to me. Okay, maybe I'm not the best person to judge that considering I binge nickelodeon-era one-reelers for fun, but House is so bizarre and uniquely its own weird thing that it transcends its original disco-era milieu. Beyond the goofball humor and erratic editing, House is concerned with the usual in gothic stories, mainly how past traumas linger on into the present (in this case, the aunt's grief over a fiance who went missing during WWII, and Gorgeous longing for her deceased mother).

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (dir. Don Siegel, 1956)

A small California town is overtaken by an alien species who replicate and replace the humans living there. Transformations result in soulless beings devoid of all emotion.

The original 1956 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is often boiled down to being a Red Scare allegory. Both of the times I've seen it, I feel it is so much richer than that. You could read it any number of ways and I think that openness to interpretation is what has made the story so ripe for retelling over the years.

While slightly overshadowed by the 1978 version these days, the 1956 adaptation remains a damn great horror movie in its own right. I usually don't care for the alien invasion movies of this period, but this one is genuinely chilling with a minimum of tension-spoiling cheese (not that I'm against cheese). The camera angles become more tilted as the situation grows more dangerous and the perspective more warped. The filmmaking hits harder because the earlier scenes are filmed in a blander, more straightforward way too. Good stuff.

The Sitter (dir. Fred Walton, 1977)

This creepy little short film take on the babysitter urban legend was later expanded into the feature When a Stranger Calls by its director Fred Walton. Aside from the opening 20 minutes, I find When a Stranger Calls a dull trek and so I tend to just revisit this tight little short film instead. However, it does lack Carol Kane... maybe I should just rewatch the opening of When a Stranger Calls every year?

Regardless, this is still an effective movie and worth seeing. You can find it free on YouTube.

Dracula (dir. Tod Browning, 1931)

Count Dracula-- a suave, mysterious nobleman who happens to be a bloodsucking member of the undead-- moves to modern England to snack on the populace.

Dracula is not my favorite of the Universal horror classics. Part of me sympathizes with its critics, who find the narrative clunky once it leaves Transylvania. I'm also not fond of Helen Chandler's rather vapid Mina-- not just because the book's Mina is a fabulous heroine and deserves better, but because the character herself seems little more than a breathing prop. Being slowly turned into a soulless, bloodsucking monster should be horrifying, but neither Chandler's performance nor the film hammers home that urgency.

Still, there is much to admire about Dracula. Its primitive qualities enhance the horror, particularly the lack of soundtrack and the sense of stillness in much of the blocking, Dwight Frye being a little freak extraordinaire, and Lugosi's performance. He truly appears uncanny, his deliberate speaking and gestures adding to the sense that Dracula exists outside of the present, that he should have been in the grave long ago. Few films capture that classic gothic atmosphere so well, the decay, the tattered decadence.

Wait Until Dark (dir. Terence Young, 1967)

When a shipment of heroin hidden in a doll is inadvertently brought into her possession, a recently blinded housewife named Susy Hendrix engages in battle of wits with a trio of dangerous criminals out to get the drugs back. Complications include: Susy not knowing where the doll is, the criminals turning on one another, and Susy having to work out her own psychological vulnerabilities. The conflict escalates to violence, especially when it becomes clear the criminal ringleader Harry Roat is willing to torture Susy just for his own entertainment.

I think anyone who follows this blog knows what I think of this film-- I adore it beyond all reason. I have written a lot about it (if you're interested, I recorded an entire commentary track for it two years ago), so I'm not going to repeat too much. It's a great one-location thriller with engaging characters, a slow-burn sinister tone, dark humor, and one of the best final confrontations between a hero and villain in movie history. It feels like a movie specifically designed to appeal to me. Come to experience Audrey Hepburn being badass, stay for evil beatnik Alan Arkin racking up a body count.

The Lighthouse (dir. Robert Eggers, 2019)

Two lighthouse keepers descend into madness when stranded on a remote New England island. Homoerotic tension, disintegration of identity, seagull's pooping in inconvenient places, mermaid sex fantasies, and lots of possible gaslighting ensue. And what of the mysterious light inside the lighthouse, an entity that seems to be almost supernatural in its pull?

I rewatched this with my youngest sister who usually doesn't like horror at all. We both had a really good time though! The film is undeniably creepy, but there's a lot of dark humor present too. It doesn't take the edge off the chilling scenes, but it does prevent the experience from getting too grim, I think. Of Eggers' current filmography, it's definitely the closest to being a comedy, if only because Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe have a sinister odd couple dynamic.

A Page of Madness (dir. Teinosuke Kinugasa, 1926)

When his wife is committed to an asylum, an old man takes a janitor job at the institution. The wife's mental condition strains his relationship with his daughter and future son-in-law, and then the janitor's own mind begins to lose track of the line between delusion and reality. Trippiness ensues.

I first saw this film on TCM in the middle of the night, which may be the ideal way to view this surrealistic silent classic. It was designed to be experimental compared to conventional Japanese movies of the time. There are no intertitles at all, so following the story can be confusing, even before the protagonist starts to lose control of his perceptions. However, it's like nothing else and worth seeing for those who want a movie that marries 1920s surrealism with expressionistic dread.

The Phantom of the Opera (dir. Rupert Julian, 1925)

A mysterious "Phantom" is haunting the Paris Opera, blackmailing, bribing, and even murdering to make sure Christine Daae, an aspiring singer and the object of his obsession, will be the ultimate prima donna.

The Lon Chaney POTO is a weirdly nostalgic watch. I was obsessed with it as a teenager and watched it often. I still adore it. Chaney's performance is nothing short of brilliant and the gothic sets remain spectacular. I love Chaney!Erik's lair and the sense of size it has.

SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING

I used to dislike the ending to this version, where Erik is unredeemed and there's a big chase through the Paris streets. While I would have preferred the ending as originally filmed, in which Erik releases Christine and dies of a broken heart, I admire the direction of that last chase and Erik's final, memorable gesture of contempt to the mob about to claim his life. It's perfection.

Castle of Otranto (dir. Jan Svankmajer, 1977)

Maybe counting this as "horror" is a stretch. It's an odd beat of a short regardless. It's framed as a mockumentary in which an academic argues that the events of the seminal gothic novel The Castle of Otranto really happened, but not in Italy (as in the original text), but in Czechoslavakia. This mockumentary is intercut with animated segments depicting key episodes from the novel, such as an oversized helmet falling from the sky to crush the villain's heir to death (yes, that actually happens) and all the quasi-incestuous drama between the characters.

Most reviewers come to this film because they're fans of the director Jan Svankmajer. They know nothing about The Castle of Otranto. I'm the opposite: I know nothing about Svankmajer, but I have read the gothic lunacy that is Otranto. I enjoyed seeing it adapted in some form and the metafictional elements of this short ape similar conventions throughout gothic literature in general, only in a very '70s way.

[guardian-of-fandoms]

"Another reality?!"

"That's what he says."

"INCREDIBLE!"

Charlie paced around the lab, his brow furrowed.

"Assuming he's telling the truth..."

Doc studied the footage of the street skirmish, his eyes glued to the stranger's moves.

"You don't believe him?"

"I know we have to keep a skeptical mind, until we get proof. After all, we've been tricked before. But... I saw it in his eyes, Doc. I know my children when i see them. Call it father's instinct, but... That is Cody, i just know it."

Doc was practically vibrating now, absently drumming the table with a screwdriver.

"The possibilities presented by alternate realities are near endless!!! This is remarkable!! Can you imagine the scientific prowess of multiversal travel?!"

"First things first, we need to know why this version of Cody came to our reality. I think it's safe to say that he came after that... thing..."

Charlie leaned over Doc's shoulder, catching an image captured by a trail camera.

Doc winced at the sight, and charlie shook his head.

"I swear, he just can't stay away..."

"I suppose one drawback to the multiverse would be ANOTHER Morocco..."

"But is this one human?"

Charlie frowned as he mused on the horrible, damaged mass of metal plating and wires he'd seen in the woods. The image on Doc's screen was much more human, likely before the horrific transformation, but it was still unsettling uncanny.

Doc nodded, then shrugged.

"Who's to say? In theory, we could be dealing with any number of explanations here."

"True."

"I guess we'll just have to ask our mystery traveller for an explanation."

Charlie frowned, then motioned to the door.

"I'd better get to the hospital, see if he's recovered any. You coming?"

"ABSOLUTELY!!!"

Doc scrambled to grab a bag, shoveling a number of supplies into it.

"It's not every day one gets to experience alternate dimensions! Besides, perhaps our guest will allow me a look at that cybernetic..."

Charlie nodded, and activated his comn.

"Dani, any updates?"

"Not yet, dad, he's still out. Looks like whatever he did back there really messed him up."

"Understood, Doc and I are on our way."

The connection dropped, and Doc ran up, his arms laden with materials.

"While he's recovering, what about the morocco doppleganger?"

Charlie shrugged, getting the door for Doc.

"We'll just have to be vigilant. After all, this Cody said we were in danger. One guess what that means...."

-

Kade trudged through the woods, groaning as Heatwave trailed behind him.

"Can't we go one weekend without some new crisis... just once..."

Heatwave shook his head, pushing aside a branch.

"I don't get why you're so against believing this. If time travel can exist, why not another dimension?"

"That's it, you don't get it."

Kade sighed, turning down another trail.

"I can accept that there MIGHT be another dimension. What's throwing me off, is that i'm supposed to accept that guy being CODY. There's no way!"

"I mean, it is weird, but-"

"No, no buts! That guy wiped the floor with us earlier, Cody wouldn't hurt a fly!"

"But that's just it. He didn't hurt us."

"Says the guy he refused to touch."

"Kade."

Heatwave stopped in his tracks, causing Kade to turn to face him.

"He wanted us out of the way. He didn't hurt us, because he didn't want to. I'm not saying I agree with that, but clearly, we don't know all the details here."

Kade groaned, continuing down the trail.

"... I'm still holding out on the Clone theory. I just... No, no, it's too weird."

"Isn't that what you said about us being aliens?"

"This is different, Heatwave! This isn't about aliens or time travel, it's about-"

"Cody!"

Kade froze, as the entered the campsite, Heatwave waving over to Cody.

"Kade?"

Cody and Frankie ran through the clearing, weaving between tents and classmates.

"What's wrong? Do you guys need our help with a mission?"

Kade glanced at Heatwave, now stiffer, playing into the "Robot" persona.

"Uh.... No. But we need to ask, did anybody see anything... unusual?"

Frankie immediately tensed, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Wait... are you after the guy with the cybernetic arm?"

Heatwave and Kade both tensed up, as Cody added,

"We ran into him earlier, he said his name was Cole. And he protected us!"

"Wait, Cole?"

Heatwave glanced around, quietly saying,

"What do you mean, he protected you?"

Cody and Frankie looked uneasy, as Frankie clarified,

"This was this... thing in the woods, it looked just like Doctor Morocco.... 'Cole' protected us with these crazy electrical powers, and he told us to run."

Kade let a slow hiss, processing the information.

"Cole... right... Yeah, we... uh... ran into... Cole... we're... looking into the situation right now."

Cody looked worried, asking,

"Is Cole alright? He seemed hurt, bad. I cleaned up a cut on his forehead, but i'm worried. And he said he ran into you guys?"

Kade had to bite back a snort.

"You could say we met... But... Dani took him to the hospital to get looked at. I'm... sure he'll be fine."

Cody looked a bit more relieved, but Frankie remained suspicious.

"Anything else?"

Kade glanced at Heatwave, who let out a restrained shrug.

"Uh... Did Cole.... say anything to you guys? Anything... revealing?"

Cody shrugged back.

"Well... He said... he made a big mistake. He seemed all mixed up about something."

"... Hmmm..."

Kade frowned, then nodded.

"We better go, have your teacher call dad if anything... weird shows up, okay?"

"Okay..."

Cody and Frankie looked a bit suspicious, but Kade forced a smile.

"C'mon, go enjoy your camping trip! We've got this!"

Cody glanced at Frankie with a shrug, then smiled.

"Alright, good luck!"

The two walked away, and Heatwave and Kade turned, sighing as they walked away.

Heatwave glanced down at Kade, officially having more questions than answers.

"So, Cody and Frankie met him..."

"Yeah..."

"Wasn't Cole the same name Cody used that one time, when he got aged up?"

"... That doesn't prove anything."

"Did i say it did?"

Kade rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath.

"Let's just... Let's just go..."

-

"I've never seen anything like this. And from somebody living Griffin Rock of all places, that should say a lot."

Doctor Mcswain shook her head, glancing down at the patient.

The Cybernetic arm had been heavily damaged in the blast, paneling cracked and peeling, with wires poking out in odd places.

Doctor Mcswain peeled back the blanket, and let Dani peek at his chest.

It was heavily scarred, the areas not covered in fresh bandages revealing old, discolored wounds.

"Looks like some of those went untreated, he's lucky nothing got infected."

But what really caught Dani's attention, were the odd, metallic lines travelling from his right should, right from where the Cybernetic was implanted.

Doctor Mcswain followed her eyes, and carefully lifted him up, giving her a peek at the back of his neck, revealing a series of three small, flat metal implants.

"If i'm right, these are neural receptors. Ct shows some sort of chip implanted in his brain. My guess, these allow neural impulses to travel from his brain to the arm, giving it the same autonomy as a regular arm."

"Woah... Sounds pretty advanced."

"Yup, this technology is supposed to be theoretical at best, how the heck did he get this?"

"... We're not sure."

The doctor recovered him, sighing as she glanced at her notes.

"I take it the patient is still a John Doe?"

"... Something like that... We... have an idea as to who he might be... but we need evidence."

"Keep me posted, any new medical information helps."

"Will do."

Doctor Mcswain nodded, going through her notes.

"Whoever he is, he went through the wringer. But trust me, the arm isn't the weirdest part here."

"What is, then?"

Mcswain held out her charts, her lips pursed.

"It looks like his body produces an unusual amount of bio-electricity."

She showed the charts to Dani, continuing,

"All bodies naturally produce Bio-electricity, it regulates cells, tissue, and organ patterns, as well as sending communication signals throughout the body. But his body seems to produce extreme amounts, i've never seen anything like that before. Your John Doe is a regular patient zero."

"Hmm..."

That certainly explained his tricks from earlier...

Doctor Mcswain placed her files down, saying,

"We'll, he's stable for now, and I need to go check on a few things, I'll be back."

"Alright, thank you."

The doctor briskly left the room, And Dani took a seat in the chair next to the bed.

"... Who are you?"

The previous events rang in her head, everything seemed so... Confusing...

She stared down at the stranger's face, taking in every detail.

His scraggly blonde hair, the scar across his face, the hollow pits under his eyes, the pale color in his cheeks, the sharpness in his bones.

If this was really Cody.... What happened?

What could possibly cause her sweet baby brother to become... this?

She almost wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

-

"You find them?"

"Yeah, they saw him."

Kade and Heatwave approached Graham and Boulder, who'd nearly finished with grouping up the random pieces of technology, and smoothing out the damaged ground.

"What'd they say?"

Kade sighed, exchanging a look with Heatwave.

"... Cody and Frankie said he protected them. And he said he name was Cole."

"Cole? Like-"

"Yeah, like that time Cody got aged up, that proves nothing."

Graham gave him an odd look, but shrugged, holding out the fragmented pieces of the stranger's helmet.

"I'll see if I can repair this for him, its design is pretty interesting."

"No!? We can't trust this guy, don't repair his stuff for him!"

Graham trained his eyes down, fidgeting nervously.

"I mean... He seems like he was trying to protect us, and did protect Cody and Frankie."

"So they say..."

"Point is, why would he go through the trouble of keeping us out of the way if he was going to turn around and backstab us?"

"... I don't know. But I don't like it."

Boulder examined some of the fragments of metal, frowning as he studied their design.

"Hmm... We should have Doc take a look at this. This came off that.... thing, right?"

Heatwave felt his spark skip a beak at the sight of a familiar red logo.

"I'll say one thing, i'd rather have another Cody than another Morocco."

Kade shook his head, sighing deeply.

"Look. Truth is, we don't have any idea what's going on here. We have to be prepared for ANYTHING. I won't trust this guy unless he gives me a really good reason, and I sure as hell won't believe he's Cody."

Boulder grouped up the tech, and shrugged.

"Well... How about we look at this from what we DO know? He could've hurt us earlier, but he just wanted us out of the way. And he protected Cody and Frankie from that Morocco doppleganger!"

"But he told us he's Cody, and told Cody and Frankie his name is Cole! How do we know Cole isn't his real name?!"

"Maybe he was just trying to keep them out of it? After all, he didn't want us involved either."

Kade groaned, throwing his hands up.

"WHATEVER!"

Boulder shifted modes, and Graham started loading the tech into his cab.

"Let's just regroup for now, okay? We can talk about this more when we're all together."

"Fiiiiinnneeee...."

Graham hopped into Boulder's cab, as Heatwave changed as well.

"They should be at the Hospital, we'll meet you there?"

"Sure... Sure..."

Kade climbed in, as Graham and Boulder took off. Kade watched them drive off, sighing as he slumped back in the seat.

"This thing whole is crazy... All of this is... this is just crazy..."

"You're telling me... But, one question."

"Shoot."

"Why are you so against the possibility of this guy being Cody?"

Kade groaned, absently resting a hand on the wheel as Heatwave pulled out.

".... Don't you get it? That guy, that calculated fighter who took us out without breaking a sweat? That guy willing to blow himself up to take out that.... Thing? That.... That just can't be Cody... It can't be... Cody isn't some... grizzled warrior from an action movie.... He's... He's a kid. Last night i saw him trip over a table, and apologize!! TO THE TABLE!!"

Heatwave thought on it, and had to agree.

"I'm not saying I like the implications here. I'm saying, they make sense."

"But... No, no, I'm just... I'm not buying it."

"Anything can happen, Kade."

"BUT IT SHOULDN'T!"

Kade threw his head back, shaking his arm absently.

"I know, we're on a freaky island with flying lobsters or time travel or WHATEVER, but this.... This is just.... Too far."

The two lapsed into silence, the only sound being the steady hum of Heatwave's engine.

Kade tried to let the steady rhythm drown out his thoughts, silently pleading for anything to distract him.

Anything to take his mind in another direction.

Anything to stop him from wondering what could've possibly caused his sweet baby brother to become the cold fighter he'd seen earlier.

-

"What do you think's going on?"

Frankie shrugged, before chucking a Frisbee across the clearing, Cody scrambling to catch it, laughing triumphantly as he held it up.

"Got it! But... I know when Kade's lying, his eye twitches weirdly. There's something he didn't tell us about Cole."

Cody threw the Frizbee back, and Frankie jumped to catch it.

"I'm sure it's nothing big. Besides, we can ask them after the camping trip, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so!"

The two continued their game,

unaware of the figure watching from the woods.

"How very fascinating...."

[joshuamj]

Thoughts on the Omori Manga

I was kind of generous with it, but overall? Mixed feelings, leaning toward negative. This is just the first chapter tho so who knows?

The Art: eh?

The scary parts are drawn well and there are some panels I quite like (the 2 below for example), but otherwise it often looks a little awkward/uncanny??

A big thing is, I think Sunny shouldve been drawn less expressive. He often looks a bit too... happy? Like its fine to draw him horrified and such when he's Going Through It, but he's drawn with those little white pupils a lot at the beginning, which make him look a lot like his younger, more carefree self

I think for the most part, he should've just been drawn like this:

It captures his vibe of Tired/Out of it/Depressed, much better

The Manga's Approach to the Story: not good for people new to Omori (imo), but has potential for an interesting retelling for previous fans

It was quite strange to start with the Real World rather than Headspace, but it could turn out interesting. It will definitely miss the impact of the game's storytelling, but they may still be able to make an enjoyable enough story out of it, yknow?

Doing it this way allows them to emphasize different things than the game. Like the battle with Aubrey, for example. It was so good in game since the player was so used to casually slicing away enemies with the knife, and the Aubrey battle served as a shocking wake up call. You can't knife people in real life like that! But I think no matter what. this couldn't have hit as hard in the manga regardless of if they did headspace first.

But what they did do in the manga was better emphasize Sunny's actual action of slicing Aubrey! Like Basil and Kel are appropriately alarmed and horrified that Sunny has just pulled a knife from nowhere and (quite badly) sliced their old friend with it.

I do, however, think they made it look way too deliberate on Sunny's part.

Like in game, it was more a mistake, while in the manga they seem to be going for Sunny being Extremely Traumatized and just lashing out, but then they portray it like this??

Like, maybe if they had Aubrey actually go after him with her nail bat while she was saying those cruel things, him drawing the knife would have looked more instinctual and a mistake. Here it just looks like he's ready to stab her in cold blood :/

The ending is sort of interesting tho. It does a fine job of showing how headspace is a sort of coping mechanism before we even see it, by having Sunny retreat there after slicing Aubrey.

Overall, I think there is potential in doing Realworld first, Headspace second, but I think it does miss out on a ton of the game's original impact and storytelling

Finally, Aubrey (tm): hot take maybe, but I lowkey like how she was portrayed?

Like, dont get me wrong, she was quite violent and it hurt seeing her legit hit basil with a nail bat, but it sort of works? in my opinion at least.

Shes been hurting for so long and she directs that hurt towards her old friends, and combined with her more aggressive personality, it doesn't seem too wildly out of character i think.

Plus, itll add some good Angst when she gets her moment with the gang and realizes how she's been acting. Like, girl, you are gonna feel sooooo bad for how you treated Basil and what u said to Sunny (character development!)

And it really helps that when she falls to the ground after getting sliced, pictures of Mari fall out of her pocket. It helps signal to the reader that Aubrey isn't just some horrible cruel person, but that there's something more at play

And the way she's collapsed almost looks like she could've collapsed out of grief, or is bowing deeply, and implies she's really hurting. Somehow they did Sunny so dirty with him standing over her with the knife, yet did so well with this Aubrey panel.

I think I just like the portrayal of someone who is very flawed in their grief without being some Big Evil Bad Guy, yknow. Like no, this is a hurting teenager lashing out and making mistakes.

End:

So yeah i managed to find a fair amount of things that have potential in the manga, but who knows if itll be followed thru on..

[dallonwrites]

LOVER BOY - WIP INTRO

[ lover boy by @dallonwrites / sfgate / tumblr user catilinas / lover boy | little weirds by jenny slate / lover boy / hellraiser (1987) / manhunter (1986) / the lost boys (1987) / lover boy ] this post has alt text.

disclaimer: this is my own original work

Genre: Literary that wishes it were horror Setting: San Francisco, 1987/88 Aesthetics: fake blood, uncanny SFX in old horror movies, grainy home videos, a deeply orange sunset, retro arcade games, an empty mall, overripe fruit, anatomical heart models, heart shaped candles, leather jackets, rolling fog, the moon in the ocean, bowling alleys, red lights, trying to see a ghost in the hallway, real blood, mixtapes from former lovers, nightclub bathrooms, vampire fangs, neck kisses Summary: Sometimes, to cope with change and unpredictability, Beau likes to pretend he's the protagonist of a blood-soaked horror movie. And all he's ever wanted is a lover. But after the death of his childhood best friend he retreats into himself - frustrated at love and frustrated that Bobby hasn't haunted him the way he promised to - until he's jolted back by former friends needing his help with a movie project, an ex lover returning as new ones find new ways to hurt him, his friends and his community getting sicker, and a near death experience that comes with the urgency to record everything around him whilst he still can. The more that happens, the more he tries to find ghosts around him. The more times he sees blood on his hands, the more painful his old coping mechanism becomes, as his thoughts become less and less tasty.

what if you were autistic but you didn't know it because it's the 1980s and your special interest is horror movies and sometimes your brain feels a little bit blood-soaked but it's okay because it feels good! it makes you feel better, right? but then your best friend dies and also you lose the closest person you had to a lover and you wonder if you've wasted your time obsessing over romance but you don't have time to think about it because life keeps happening and nobody seems to care that your community is dying and no matter how hard you try you never see a ghost in the hallway or the bathroom mirror like you want to, and then your lover comes back but he's different, and so are you, and you really want to stop looking death in the eye, so you try to capture everything around you on your video camera to show that you were here, we were here and we're alive, and your queerness is your heartbeat and all you want to do in this life is love, so that's what you do, despite everything, whatever that love looks like, even when everything gets louder and brighter and too much to bare and you're starting to get scared by the blood in your thoughts

I call this "the culmination of my growing obsession with horror and the undergrad dissertation I wrote on how the AIDS crisis functions in queer narratives". I think it's my favourite thing I've started in a long time! There's so much flesh to this story that I haven't even dug my hand as deep into it as I could go. It's fun, it's silly, it's raw, it's sweet, it's emotional, it's complicated, it's a bit bloody, it's theatrical, it's trying it's best. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it's also crying in the bathtub you know

Characters (just a few otherwise this would get way too long)

Beau (he/him) the bestest boy in the whole world. Someone pleeeease take him to a farmers market on a chilled Sunday afternoon

Benji (he/him) Beau's little brother who Beau thinks is the bestest boy in the whole world. Even though he loves bugs and dirt and wants to be a shark when he grows up

Bobby (he/him) dead but before he died he thought being a ghost would be so fun. It'd be so much easier to sneak up on Beau! He could finally go to Fire Island! He loved handmaking jewellery and wanted to be a volcanologist.

Felix (he/him) the ex lover! He's doing sooo much better since the last time you saw him! Hey why is he crying in that movie theatre bathroom

Tiff (she/they) Beau's old friend and roommate. Tattoo artist who collects eye shaped decor and broken rotary phones. Lesbian/gay solidarity is the backbone of this novel.

Dorothy (she/her) In love with the moon and acrylic paints. What if you bumped into your ex boyfriends twin sister and feel like you shouldn't get involved but then you remember she's realllyyy fun to talk shit about people with?

[clickerflight]

Voltober 12. Better Than You - Fallen

Author's notes: A short one today! Just exploring what Alpha-2's life as an active weapon is like with a side character who may or may not show back up later in the main story line :3

Challenges Masterlist - Voltober 11

Content: living weapon whumpee/whumper, vigilante whumpee, multiple whumpees, creepy whumper, hunted down, bolus, net, captured, bound for travel

@voltober

Living Weapon | Android/Robot | “Kneel”

Powell skidded on the wet concrete, the near silent sound of feet right on his heels. He was exhausted. He had been chased for 10 blocks now while maintaining his camouflage and he was running out of steam. He felt like he was going to throw up.

He glanced over his shoulder to see the man chasing him. More of a predator than a man. He never missed a step, his eyes hidden behind tactical gear that likely made it easy to keep track of Powell, and a single mindedness to his every moment. He cared about nothing except capturing Powell and the vigilante knew it.

Powell skidded off down an alley, finding a fire escape to get up to the roof of a building. He was good at roof running and his camouflage worked really well against the night sky. He could get out of here. As long as he could get to one of the vigilante union buildings he’d be safe. He just had to make it.

Something sang through the air and pain zinged through his ankles as a bolus wrapped tripped him up.

He caught himself hard on his hands, landing on his hip and skillfully kicked the boluses off before getting back on his bruised feet, running as fast as he could, zigzagging so his pursuer couldn’t get another bolus around his ankles. He was so close. He was so close!

He leapt off the edge of a building, heading for the next roof, only for a bang below to draw his attention. A net wrapped around him before the rope attached to it dragged him violently down.

He screamed before he hit the pavement. He lay there, unable to breath, his head aching where he smacked it into the cement. He lost a few moments to the pain and dizziness, and when he opened his eyes again, the man who had been chasing him was walking toward a woman wearing armor and head gear much like the man was wearing.

“Well done, Alpha-2!” she said in a cooing tone. “Come here.”

Powell groaned trying to push himself up as the man padded up to the woman. He looked like a dog, ready for a treat. It was uncanny and it made Powell even more nauseous.

“Kneel,” the woman said, and to Powell’s surprise, Alpha-2 dropped to his knees, bowing his head. She ran her fingers over the buzzed hair on the man’s skull, scratching at his scalp.

Powell shuddered as he realized what was going on. He had heard rumors of trained weapons roaming the underworld of the cities. He had just been run down by one of these weapons and he had no idea what these people wanted with him.

The woman looked over at Powell and smiled, reaching up to take off her gear so she could look him in the eye. “Hello, Kamo. Or should I call you Powell Kendrick?”

Powell swallowed hard. “What do you want with me? If I don’t report to the union they will come looking for me.”

“Oh, don’t worry about reporting to the union,” she said with a cruel grin. “We will handle it for you. You’re under our care now.”

Powell’s eyes were drawn to the still kneeling weapon who was being stripped of gear and put into traveling bindings without so much as a wince on his face. He was terrified of whatever ‘care’ she was talking about.

VTB Part 13

Fallen Masterlist

Fallen taglist: @looptheloup @kira-the-whump-enthusiast @snakebites-and-ink @starsick1979 @galaxyofwhump 

@scatteriskity

[cherubchoirs]

What if the Ferryman warms up to V1 quicker than they forgive Gabe so when the two have to fight something/someone the Ferryman's idols priortitise V1 for the blessing instead of Gabe. He would be so upset! Maybe they try to teach V1 to carve it's own idols (out of wood, they don't trust it with the real stuff)

How would the Ferryman warm up to V1 in the first place? Did they just want to figure out why Gabe fell for it in both senses of the word?

(reference to this!)

ANON YOUR MIND....i can absolutely see this being the case because the ferryman is in a very difficult and unique position with regards to these two. i went into detail in that previous ask on their issues with gabriel after his fall, but with v1, initially all they see is the machine that corrupted him. in some ways, they want to shift the blame entirely so they can preserve something of gabriel's image in their mind, but they come to know v1 for the exact reasons you say - they want to understand what happened. gabriel was a paragon, a luminous angel fully dedicated to god. how did v1, in a matter of hours, change his entire perspective, how did it not only turn him blasphemous but capture his love and affection as well? the ferryman by turns is insulted, angry, jealous, and the only way they can deal with that is to get to know and possibly understand v1 even if all they can feel for it at first is disgust.

the ferryman is guarded in approaching v1, a bit concerned for their own faith if it was able to so thoroughly shake gabriel's, but v1 is difficult to engage initially. it shows a mild curiosity before ignoring all of the ferryman's attempts at conversation, stark expression giving nothing away before it leaves to find better stimulation. of course. it's not made to be social, it doesn't seek out companionship nor prioritizes it in any fashion as a war machine. and while the ferryman can observe it, can begin to see behaviors they never expected to find in its curiosity and playfulness, it does nothing to answer their questions nor lessen their frustration with it. they have to engage with it on its terms, how gabriel must have when they met and when it changed him...and honestly the ferryman's anger has mounted long enough despite their uncanny ability to bottle their emotions. their challenge to v1 is the first time they see it respond fully to them, instantly drawing its weapons without moving to a more proper setting or even waiting for the word "go". it's not a complete surprise though, and the ferryman braces against it as they know implicitly that this machine must have defeated gabriel since that's the only way it would be standing now.

and as this is v1's true language, the ferryman finds themselves astounded by what it says: there is true art in its movements, boundless creativity guiding its whole body, a fervor that before they could only understand as religious but now put into battle. this is what gabriel saw, what he felt. so small but lightning fast, learning every second of the battle and adjusting, adjusting, tailoring all its movements, weapon choices, strategies to its opponent and its opponent alone. special-made, a battle just for two. how odd, feeling like you're the only one in the world when it locks onto you. and for v1, its interest in the ferryman takes hold when it sees how they fight, the strength and precision they manage despite appearing so frail and retiring. why didn't they show it this first? why waste time trying to talk? they can spark its need for physicality, a partner in battle that can hold its attention and make it work for its victory. v1 does end up battering the ferryman perhaps too much, but it stops when they fully yield and thank it for showing them just what they needed to see. they take the time to patch themselves up and think on what it showed them, wondering if that was enough to steal gabriel from heaven.

however...now they've attracted its attention lol v1 begins to investigate the ferryman, reversing their previous roles - they keep catching it out of the corner of their eye, scuttling around behind them, watching them with its brightly glowing optic that somehow looks much more inquisitive now. they start talking to it again to bring it closer, explaining the maintenance of their ship or singing low songs to it which it sometimes gives responses to with little electronic chirps. and despite knowing what it did to humanity, to hell, to gabriel, the ferryman was human once and well...there's an undeniable, deeply human pull toward a curious little robot. they begin to show it their artwork, how they paint and sculpt, absolutely handing over the tools to v1 at some point to watch it roughly carve the most rudimentary little figures of things its seen, people it knows. slowly it grows on the ferryman, watching the passion it approaches everything with, how it's impatient but how it delights in novel experiences, how brightly intelligent it is, far beyond the ferryman's capabilities in many things...despite everything about it that should be to the contrary, it's charming in its own ways. made by humanity, but not human, not fair to condemn by the same measures. the ferryman, religious as they are, does not believe that it can necessarily be held accountable with how it is removed from god - sinful men made this, and it had no say in its purpose.

this moral reasoning is what breaks down the barrier between them and ultimately leads to the idol problem. while gabriel knows by then that v1 has taken an interest in the ferryman, he doesn't understand how it's reciprocated until v1 is blessed by an idol to both of their shock. v1 adjusts quickly to it - invincible, unstoppable!!!! it can perform all the most ridiculous tricks, the ones it's only simulated (to poor results) because nothing can touch it!!! it cleans up the rest of the battle single-handedly as gabriel stays rooted to the spot, only moved when he's rudely checked by an enemy as if only to remind him he doesn't have the privileges v1 currently does. and i think this is point at which gabriel comes to really understand how hurt he is by the ferryman's rejection, how he felt so secured and entitled to their devotion that he believed the ferryman would totally forgive him if given enough time...but this shows how badly wounded their relationship is, how terribly hurt the ferryman has been in a way gabriel should have known. his natural emotionality wants to lash out but he knows he must control it, the feeling selfish and unfair to the ferryman or to v1 - instead he needs some time to self-reflect, to deconstruct even more of that angelic self-righteousness he still carries, and find it in him to truly be humble if he wants to mend this rift (which he has time for, as v1 is arguing with the terminal that THOSE POINTS COUNT. GIVE ME MY POINTS!!!!! and the terminal REFUSES to cash out bc v1 essentially used cheat codes)

[imagineanime2022]

Your Last Name

Satoru Gojo X GN!Zoldyck!Reader (Platonic)

Word Count: 1389

Requested: Anon

Request: Original Request

A/N: Really didn't know how to end this but could do a part 2 if anyone is interested.

You remember the day 1 year ago that you were given the mission to infiltrate Jujutsu High in Tokyo. Your oldest brother Illumi had graduated from the Kyoto school. He wasn’t born early enough to go to school with Satoru Gojo. Your second oldest brother had no intention of going to school and given your family's profession and money there was no need for him to, so that left you.

You were the third oldest in the Zoldyck family. A family of sorcerers that were hired for assassination jobs. The reason never mattered as long as they paid enough for the job to get done. This time it was more of an infiltration and information gathering mission, a man who claimed to be a friend of Gojo’s asked us to get information on a new student Yuta and the security around the boy. By the first six months you had finally made friends your age and almost seemed to fit in around them. You started to feed back information that was slightly off the truth and the plan to capture and kill Yuta was unsuccessful but resulted in the death of your employer Suguru Geto.

Waking up in a dark room didn’t panic you, it was part of normal training back home, Gojo looking at you like a stranger was a little unsettling though. “You were feeding them information.” A statement from principle Yaga not a question.

“Will it make you more comfortable if I stay like this or can I make myself comfortable?” You asked, you couldn’t see his eyes but you were sure that he was narrowing them, with no answer you shrugged and made quick work of dislocating your wrists to slip your hands out of the ropes that they had tied them with.

“Hey!” Yaga stepped forward.

“If I was feeding them information worth the money that they were paying my family then Yuta would be dead and so would the other second years… Do you really think that I would still be here?” You asked.

“They have a point.” Gojo shrugged. “In all honesty we probably shouldn’t have even let them in the school.” 

“Letting them in was your idea Gojo!” Yaga argued.

“And I’d say that it paid off.” Gojo leant forward, his arms crossed over the top of the chair that he was sitting on in front of you.

“What are you talking about?” Yaga asked.

“Well, I don’t hear an assault on the school and they haven’t been feeding back the information that they were supposed to be. If I didn’t know any better then I would say that you don’t want to go home yet.” Gojo guessed.

“I don’t like the way that my family operates.” You shrugged, leaning your elbows on the back of your chair. “My oldest brother should be the next leader but his hair is not the right colour. I'm female so it really doesn’t matter what colour my hair is. The first male born with white hair is the forth of my parents' children and full disclosure he wants nothing to do with leading the family.” 

“So?” Gojo asked.

“So my parents are in the process of stalking and kidnapping their own child, that’s probably why you’ve heard nothing from them about me.” You explained.

“How do we know anything you say is true?” Yaga asked.

“You don’t but I will say that no one is paying me to lie.” You reminded them.

From that day onward you were attached to Gojo’s side, he had convinced the higher ups to keep you in the school but they had only agreed if he was the one watching you 24/7. You assumed that they were hoping it would be a deterrent but he agreed readily. You became pretty close with Gojo after that, being around him for longer than a couple of hours gave you the time to learn who he was under the childish facade. The silent watching and quiet protectiveness, the hidden lessons and the encouragement through lack of action. 

Neither of you realised how close you had gotten until your family came to get you, it was a weird almost uncanny feeling when you saw them again, you had been away from them so long that it was easy to feel the energy that you had become so used to when you were younger. You had been with the rest of the students when they had arrived and hearing their reactions first hand were priceless.

“What the hell are they doing here?” Maki asked as she looked over at your family arriving.

“Mustard leaf.” Inumaki was probably the only one that recognised the family but he couldn’t explain what was going on, you leant back in your seat on the stairs as you waited.

“Are they people we’re supposed to be afraid of?” Nobara asked.

“Salmon.” Inumaki confirmed.

“Who are they?” Itadori asked, as if the question called his attention, Illumi looked over eyes immediately falling on you. “Why’s he looking over here!?” 

“Don’t worry he’s not looking at you.” You lifted your hand in a lazy wave as everyone else jumped as they finally noticed your presence. Your curse technique allowed you to completely conceal your presence and with your mischievous nature it lent itself to a lot of pranks as well.

“Your presence is required at this meeting.” No one except for you expected his sudden appearance, your brother was quick and other times silent on his feet.

“When Principle Yaga calls me to the meeting then I will be happy to attend.” You said as you watched your brothers stature stiffen slightly.

“You’ve been spending too much time with six eyes.” He muttered as he looked back at Gojo who seemed to be dismissing something that your father said.

“How’s the Killua retrieval mission going?” You asked, he growled and the exchange that took place was quick, you knocked his attack of balance, lifting your cursed weapon to strike at his throat while he lifted the needle to press against your temple.

“I have to ask that you don’t attack our students, if this aggressive behaviour continues then I will escort you off the school grounds.” You gave a teasing twist of your knife even with Gojo there.

“Illumi step away.” Your father ordered, Illumi dropped the needle pressed against your temple and you dropped your weapon seconds later. “We will talk later, child.” You nodded, you watched them both walk back to where your mother was still standing with Kalluto behind her.

“What do they want?” You asked.

“To take you back home.” Gojo didn’t lower his voice or try to keep your relation to the family a secret, as Yaga had ordered you both to do when you were first granted a place here.

“That’s unfortunate.” You stuffed your hands into your pockets looking off to the side, something would have reminded all of your family of Killua, both of you using the same tell when displeased by everything. “Don’t worry, Trouble, you aren’t going anywhere.”

“Gojo! Let’s go.” Yaga ordered.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gojo muttered walking over to them leaving you with the other students.

“So that’s your family?” Yuji asked. “I thought you were Gojo’s kid.” 

“Gojo’s kid?” You asked.

“Well we thought more of a sibling or charity case.” Maki corrected and you narrowed your eyes at her.

“Charity case?” You raised your eyebrow and you  sat on the steps behind you kicking your feet out and crossing them at the ankles.

“She’s the only one that thought that.” Panda waved off the statement.

“I’m sure.” Your tone was teasing but Panda still scratched the back of his head guiltily.

“So you're a Zoldyck?” Maki asked.

“That is my last name.” You confirmed.

“Why does your brother look like he’s going to take my soul?” Nobara asked.

“That’s usually his job, but I’m sure that he’s face is stuck like that now.” You shrugged.

“Do you have to leave?” Megumi asked, you glanced at him, he’s probably the one that you’ve spent the most time with because of having to be so close to Gojo all the time.

“We’ll find out soon enough.” You answered honestly as you looked over at the main building of the school wondering what it was that had brought them here.

Request Here!!

[dog-uncrushed]

who tf do u address in these texts posts... tone more private / confessional given that ur reader is absent / general / not one person but for the same reasons ur tone is more public... so i text post when, when i dont feel as if there is any particular one that could receive my message; or at least no particular one right now, as i write. but still i have something to say and a weight on my chest that i can divest, dislocate by writing; by a writing that is a guérison, that alleviates and assures. that tells one that one is not mad.

Derrida says that the sentence is in essence normal; normativity is built into it, whereas madness is silence. Madness is the silence that surrounds each sentence; it is the sentence's envelope; normality is enveloped by madness. that was clear to me last night / early this morning. I was largely silent; others as well. and whoever talked was normal and trying to talk was an attempt to be normal. but for me, then and there, it was a failing task. I was better silent. As were others. and there were bonds in our mutual silence; but fraught bonds, glimpses of bonds given that they were bonds that could not broach the silence which was their medium and thus they were denied the utterance which would officiate those bonds as bonds as such. One can make no promises in silence, except perhaps one can promise through silence to remain silent; but this is a promise one must always break. Perhaps Lee Lozano was able to accomplish something like this (she gave up talking to women). In silence one can of course bond, or here it would be better to say bind, with touch; an embrace can promise silently. Yet such acts are public to a fault; they ask to be hidden. We go into bedrooms and close doors, shut blinds. Their act testifies to something; to a bond or better to a binding that is not yet a bond, that could become a bond provided something was said, that a bond was brokered by words. What does a kiss officiate? We all of us very often lie with a kiss. We are forced to kiss (mainly cheeks). Judas of course, lied with a kiss.

But now I have digressed too far; what I want to write –– what I want to recollect -- is catching the face of E. with a throw of my eyes. He was obscure in the dullness of an audience; which is to say he was at that moment an auditor, like most of us were, to what was more or less a dialogue between two, a dialogue that gave the room its orientation; a verbal volley across a north-western diagonal, around which we, the audience, were the oval perimeter. An uncanny dyad of speakers (two gingers) occupied the two poles of that oval. I threw my eyes across the circumference of that oval and caught E. almost as if he was outside himself, or at least outside the confines of that room and that context. He was in a word lost to mad silence. And it was this mad silence that was in a flash vanished by a quickening of his eyes, a quickening which was the echo of my darting glance. It was the quickening of a fright that had forgotten what it was to be seen, that equally had forgotten what it was to see. This fright restored, to the face which had been the place of that now vanished silence, a mask. The mask that restores to one the false frame of normality behind which what one is (madness) disappears. This mask is in turn a shelter which invites a new silence to take off behind the mask. The mask thus, in its welcoming of silence, gives birth again to the madness against which it is originally constituted.

That momentary ocular skirmish, which no doubt brought some minimum of shame to E. (quite without my intending), was enough in the end to bring E. to speech. It was enough to prompt him, however indirectly, to muster the courage to speak, which in this moment must have become urgent for him. To speak was now for him a way to provide counter-testimony to what the throw of my eyes had briefly and irrefutably captured: that he for a moment had lost all power; that he was briefly lost to the depth of a mad silence. The urgency which called him to make this testimony we must regard as unequivocally false. It was the startled urgency of an Ego that had just now caught itself sleeping on the job. A reflexive jolt of repression reawakened it from the torpid silence it was just lost to. The Ego’s attempt to testify against its madness, is as a sign of the madness which preceded it, pathetically but another of madness’s continuations.

Another is different in her silence. She is quite exemplary in her silence. In fear of praising her, I will say nothing else