#I know that Alan and his team have nothing to do with it but since then wb has gotten even worse than before this waiting shit

[cartoonsforlife]

I feel that once again this year, it will be fucked... 😞

[insanityclause]

“Pressure,” Tom Hiddleston says, “is a privilege.” He apologises for appropriating the title of Billie-Jean King’s memoir, but it’s a sentiment that feels pertinent to him and his co-star Hayley Atwell. They have known each other for 20 years, have both starred in the Marvel universe (Hiddleston as the charmingly villainous Loki; Atwell as the wartime spy Peggy Carter), but this is the first time they have worked together — if you don’t count their group audition to get into drama school.

In a baggy sweatshirt (Atwell) and natty pale-blue jacket with clasps (Hiddleston), they are in a south London studio to rehearse Shakespeare’s bantering would-be lovers Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. It will be only the second Shakespeare play performed at the 2,000-seat Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London since 1957. And the pressure Hiddleston refers to comes from the fact that the previous one — The Tempest, starring Sigourney Weaver, also directed by Jamie Lloyd — failed to go down a storm.

Atwell and Hiddleston in rehearsal for Much Ado About Nothing

MARC BRENNER

Withering reviews such as The Times’s (“Sigourney Weaver’s blank Prospero makes zero impression”) poured cold water on a desert island story that had been relocated by the director Jamie Lloyd to a charcoal-black netherworld. Prices were cut, and an onstage protest by Just Stop Oil looked like light relief.

“We can exclusively reveal that [Much Ado] is not set in a charcoal netherworld,” Hiddleston deadpans. The pair start each day of rehearsals with an hour of dancing. How much dancing will make it into the show? The pair, who are friendly but guarded, can’t or won’t reveal.

What they will say is that you don’t do a show like this by halves. It turns out that Shakespeare is more like a Marvel film than you’d think. “You’ve got to commit with heart and soul and body, like you do for action sequences,” Hiddleston explains. “All acting can be boiled down to how much you commit.”

“I like pressure,” Atwell says. “There is a part of it that is very healthy and useful. But any sort of pressure attached to an idea of my name as a brand or a public persona is so arbitrary and abstract. I turn off the noise that is inconsequential. I find the bit of it I can use.”

Tom Hiddleston as Loki, a mischievous Marvel villain

ALAMY

In 2022 Atwell had to do this while filming Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One amid bogus reports of a relationship with the film’s star Tom Cruise; the pair are teaming up again for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, released this summer.

Hiddleston tells a story about his first big London Shakespeare opening, in 2007. He was playing Cassio in Othello, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello and Ewan McGregor as Iago. At five o’clock the three popped out to a Covent Garden Pret a Manger to get a pre-show sandwich. (It is hard, the Much Ado two agree, knowing exactly when to eat before a show.) There was a first-night tension you could cut with a knife. Or there was until Ejiofor just said bluntly: “‘Well, this is a big night. No question.’ And it made us all laugh. Cos, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal — but what can you say?”

“’This is not your average Thursday,’” Atwell says.

“It’s not!” Hiddleston agrees.

Now 44, he already had an agent when he auditioned at Rada, having got one while studying Classics at Cambridge. Atwell, now 42, who grew up with her mother in west London, had delayed higher education to travel around with her American father and work for a casting director. When they met, in the final stage of auditions, it was on a day of working in a group.

Atwell and Hiddleston at the premiere of Jamie Lloyd’s The Tempest last year

ALAN CHAPMAN/DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES

Atwell feels she handled the pressure less well than Hiddleston. “The woman from Rada said to us, ‘We are now looking for the next generation of actors who will be making a profound contribution to the arts.’ And I was, like, ‘I don’t know about that, mate, I’m just trying to get out of being in a housing association — if I can make a living I will be very happy.’ I was very intimidated.”

“It was very intense,” Hiddleston says.

“I was too shy,” Atwell says. “I didn’t commit.”

“I thought you committed,” Hiddleston says. “I thought you committed hard.”

He got in, she didn’t, and went to Guildhall School of Drama instead. But after leaving in 2005 she got a big role in the TV adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s novel The Line of Beauty almost immediately. A few posh roles followed, including in the film Brideshead Revisited.

“There was probably a bit more classism around then, and I suppose my own prejudice about ‘I’ve got to sound a certain way to even be considered for the kind of parts that might lead eventually to a film career’. So I thought if I could go down a period drama route, as opposed to the soap route or more working-class plays, I might give myself more of a chance. I had no back-up plan. I didn’t have any kind of privilege, didn’t come from money.”

The Eton-educated Hiddleston may come from a more prosperous upbringing but insists that, as an actor, “you never feel you are on solid ground. I have had to remind myself to smell the roses, because they don’t bloom all that often.”

His next theatre role was Lloyd’s revival of Pinter’s Betrayal in London and New York in 2019, which is how he met his fiancée, Zawe Ashton, who was a castmate. Atwell, meanwhile, last appeared in the West End in Ibsen’s Rosmerholm in 2019. Before that her work included another Donmar Shakespeare (Measure for Measure) and an Olivier-nominated performance in Lloyd’s production of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride. She didn’t know it at the time, but theMission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie saw her in it — something that led, seven years later, to him casting her as the con artist turned secret agent Grace.

He had a moment like that in 2013 — when the second Thor film came out at the same time as he was earning rave reviews for Coriolanus at the Donmar theatre in London. Hiddleston was the man of the hour. “And then you’ve got to do another 75 nights on stage, and make sure you are careful in the fight scene not to slip on the blood. The work anchors you.”

“You can’t predict,” she says. “There’s so much luck involved. I’ve worked for a number of years … and failure is allowed. I didn’t used to find it easy to fail and get a second chance. Particularly as a woman there was this sense of ‘you have to be perfect’. But while you want to deliver, after a while it’s not yours any more. It’s for the audience, and if they don’t like it, or if it doesn’t work, they’re allowed, that’s allowed.”

Atwell as the wartime spy Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger

JAY MAIDMENT/MARVEL STUDIOS/THA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hiddleston, meanwhile, who has been filming the second series of John le Carré’s The Night Manager after a nine-year gap since the first, is still Loki to much of the world. The pair have never been in a Marvel scene together, though they did appear at the same event: Comic Con in San Diego in 2013, to which Hiddleston turned up in costume. “Nobody knew it was happening , it was insane and foolish and really fun.”

“I was backstage,” Atwell says cheerfully. “I will never forget the vision of Loki brushing his teeth in full costume.”

She says she is glad she was 15 years into her career before her five-year tour of duty on Mission began with filming in 2020. “I’m so grateful for that, because the level of global exposure on it, purely from being alongside Tom Cruise, can uproot and upend your life. But actually I’m too old to go, ‘What’s next?’ A real sense of security only comes from the commitment to work for work’s sake.” Offstage, both are engaged to their partners: Hiddleston to Ashton (the couple have a two-year-old), Atwell to the music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly.

What led to today’s professional pairing? Hiddleston and Lloyd wanted to do another play together after Betrayal, and the actor suggested Much Ado. “It seems so light and warm,” he explains, a nice contrast to the heartbreaks of Betrayal. When Lloyd suggested Atwell, Hiddleston said yes immediately. “We’ve known each other for so long, and Beatrice and Benedick have known each other for so long.”

“I had only one question,” Atwell says, “which was, ‘Jamie, how ‘hey-nonny-nonny’ is it going to be?’” Lloyd assured her the hey-nonny-nonny levels would be minimal. “So I thought, this sounds really exciting.”

And if this pulls in a crowd more inclined to Marvel than Much Ado, well, marvellous. Hiddleston, who likes to spin a yarn, gives an impassioned speech about the magic of storytelling in all its forms, about “something being transmitted, from the stage or from the screen, that leaves you feeling more connected, more human, more alive, less alone in the world”.

And that applies to Marvel — famous dislikers of the franchise such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola notwithstanding — too?

“One hundred per cent,” they say in unison.

Atwell sees superhero stories as modern-day mythology. “I don’t believe in highbrow or lowbrow — I think it’s just art and film and theatre. You wouldn’t necessarily connect Marvel with Shakespeare. But both can be for everyone.”

Hiddleston remembers going to a screening at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York of the first Avengers film. A group of first responders who had been at 9/11 a decade earlier were there too. “They were all wearing their uniform in the cinema. And the film is about how the Avengers have basically saved New York from Loki. And when Loki gets smashed by the Hulk like a fish at the end, they literally threw their hats in the air and cheered. That was so moving.”

Much Ado About Nothing is at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, Feb 10-Apr 5, thejamielloydcompany.com

[castle-of-ruin]

Reacher Comes to Visit 1

A/N: Well, here I am again. Dipping my feet into the waters of posting content on Tumblr again. This time, it's for my beloved Reacher. A character that I have grown ridiculously attached to thanks to Alan Ritchson 🤭. This story is based very loosely on the contents of the show but does not actually tie into the show. All things that happen in this story are strictly made up. Big shoutout to @quaritchscupquake and @cryingwriter, convincing me to post this.

Pairing: Jack Reacher x f!reader

Rating: 18+ MDNI

Warnings: Mutual pining? Size kink if you squint? Reacher being Reacher. This part is pretty tame. Mentions of food and injury. Character has a nickname, but not too many defining characteristics.

A/N 2: Please let me know if I miss any content warnings. I want to make sure it's properly tagged.

I do not condone the reposting of my story anywhere. DO NOT DO IT

Visual inspiration for anyone who cares. This is a very pretty gif. Thank you, @hunnam , for creating it!

The tv plays softly in the background as you float around your home cleaning up as you go. It was your favorite movie, one you have been watching since you were a little kid. The musical soundtrack was by far one of the best you have ever heard. Even now as an adult, you found so much joy and comfort in the movie and its music. Your night is rudely interrupted when a loud knock resounds off the walls of your house. Jumping, you grab your remote and pause the movie. Tilting your head, you make your way to the front door, you were not expecting any visitors.

Opening the door you freeze, heating finding its way into every part of your body. None other than Jack Reacher was standing opposite you beaten and bloody, however, this time he had friends. Two years ago Reacher saved your life: twice. Then the two of you spent one hell of a weekend together, and then he left, and you had not heard from him in two years. For him to be on your front porch unannounced after two years made you feel something you didn’t expect. You were mad at him, but part of you understood that is who Reacher was, a drifter moving place to place no one and nothing holding him down.

You stare up at the large man unable to form any words. Neagley, you remember her from before, steps forward and gives you a tight smile.

“Sorry to show up unannounced, Hawk,” She references the nickname she gave you. “We ran into some trouble and need a safe place to lay low for the night.” Neagley, as usual, is straight and to the point.

This was something you appreciate about her. Taking in the tired faces of the two other members of their group you let out a deep sigh and move to the side motioning them in.

You stand in the doorway leading to the living room and watch as three of them settle into your house comfortably. Reacher stands on the opposite side of the room and watches you.

“This is O’Donnell and Dixon, two of our old team mates.” Neagley speaks up, breaking the silence.

“Nice to meet you both.” You tell them with a small smile.

“Why does Neagley call you Hawk?” O’Donnell asks.

“She’s observant.” Reacher pipes in, folding his arms over his broad chest as he leans against the wall.

You avert your eyes from his stare, turning your head down towards the floor.

“I only have one extra bedroom. You can fight over who gets it. Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go get some pillows and extra blankets,” You pause as you look over them. “I can also run to the store and grab some robes for you all to wear so I can wash your clothes. If that is something you are interested in.” You finish looking at each of them individually.

“That sounds amazing. Thank you.” Dixon speaks up first. O’Donnell nods his head softly and settles deeper into the couch.

“That would be great, Hawk, thank you.” Neagley states.

Nodding you make your way out of the living room and back towards the front door where you grab your purse and keys before heading out the door. Leaving strangers in your house probably wasn’t the best of ideas, but you knew Reacher and Neagley. You knew they were safe.

Your trip to the store was rather quick, you try not to draw attention to yourself, but it was hard when you were getting four bathrobes all in a different size. You just smile awkwardly at the cashier who checks you out. Speeding home you mentally prepare yourself for the night to come.

When you make your way back into the house all four of them turn to look at you.

“Okay, each of you can have a hot shower, then bring me your clothes and once I have them all I will throw them in the wash for all of you. Anyone hungry?” You ask.

“I am,” Reacher shrugs. You nod and look at the others who nod in unison. This wasn’t a talkative bunch which you were thankful for.

“Okay, decide the order for showers and I will get started on food. The robes are in this bag.” You instruct, dropping the bag on the vacant chair.

You head to the kitchen and prepare dinner for the four of them, you had eaten earlier that night and were not hungry. The room suddenly felt smaller and you knew who was there with you.

“You look good.” He tells you quietly coming up behind you.

You close your eyes as a shiver runs the length of your spine. Even after all this time he was still imprinted in your senses. Turning, you lean against the counter and look up at him. Taking in the wet patch on his left side, which you assumed was blood, and the bruise under his left eye.

“You look like hell.” Your words have a smile pulling at Reacher’s lips.

He doesn’t say anything else after that, just shakes his head and leaves the kitchen. After some time food is ready and three out of four of them have showered.

“Okay, food is ready, come eat.” You instruct, smiling as you watch all four of them eagerly make their way to the dining room to eat.

“Thank you!” Dixon yells.

“Yeah, thanks this is good food.” O’Donnell nods.

You smile at them and nod your head. “It’s my pleasure. I will be in my room if anyone needs me. Just knock.” You tell them, excusing yourself to your room.

Flopping on the bed you stare up at the ceiling. Memories from two years ago running freely in your head. A quiet knock pulls you out of your thoughts. Looking to the door you see Reacher standing there. Sitting up you tilt your head.

“Everything okay?” You ask.

“Yeah, you said if anyone needed you just knock. I knocked.” He shrugs, and you stifle a laugh.

“Well, you’re the reason I can not start the load of laundry. Get it together Reacher.” You tease.

“Right, I’ll be back.” He states and leaves.

You shake your head and let out a groan. He was going to be the death of you. There weren’t many people in this world who consumed your thoughts freely, but he did ever since he saved your life, and fucked you better than any man ever had. You shake your head, now probably wasn’t the best time to think about that.

Not long after Reacher had left another quiet knock could be heard. When he enters your room he takes up the doorway with his large frame. You take in the way the dark robe holds on for dear life, like it was on the verge of ripping as it stretched thin over his broad shoulders.

“Everything is in your laundry room and ready for you.” He states.

Getting up you nod. “Okay, thank you. That robe is holding on for dear life.” You can’t contain the giggle that bubbles up in your chest.

He looks down at the robe. “I think they left me the smallest one on purpose.” He grumbles. You giggle again and he gives you a dirty look.

“I’ll be right back. Gonna go start the load.” You tell him.

"Is it okay for me to stay here?” He asks.

You look at him for a moment. “Yes.”

Going out you make your way to the laundry room and throw all of the clothes into the wash and start it. You poke your head into the living room on the way back where the others are still sitting talking quietly amongst themselves.

“Hey, once the washer beeps, one of you can put the clothes in the dryer. I’ll be in my room if you need me. Goodnight.” You tell them.

Entering your room you smile upon seeing Reacher asleep on your bed. He made your queen size bed appear small and you chuckle to yourself at that. Going over to your dresser you pull pjs out of your drawer and go into the adjacent bathroom. Closing the door softly you strip and turn the water on. A quiet sigh passes your lips as the water bears down on your back. After your shower you get dressed and head back out into your bedroom. Reacher is awake now and watches as you exit a cloud of steam pouring out behind you.

You get into bed and lay on your side looking over at Reacher. He turns so he is facing you.

“Two years is a long time.” You whisper, reaching out and hovering your hand over his arm. You weren’t sure if you should touch him.

He answers your internal question by grabbing your right hand with his right and guiding it to his shoulder. The fabric is soft beneath your fingers, but part of you wished it was his skin you were touching.

“I know, I’m sorry we didn’t call first before just showing up. I knew you were safe and just brought them here.” He reaches out and grabs your hip, pulling you closer.

“Not tonight. You need to sleep. Something tells me your life is about to be in danger, again. See it as an incentive to come back alive.” You tell him, placing your hand on his somewhat exposed chest. Enjoying the warmth that fills your fingertips.

“Can I kiss you? Just once?” He asks, cupping your cheek softly in his large hand.

You nod and close your eyes. His lips are warm against yours, and just like you remembered, soft, yet rough. The kiss was short, sweet, and full of an unspoken promise. He pulls you into him and tucks you into his side beneath the covers. You find yourself snuggling into him and closing your eyes. The warmth from his body spreads through you.

“Goodnight, Reacher.”

“Goodnight, Hawk.” You smile at him using the nickname as well.

Tomorrow, things will surely be different. Tomorrow, the threat was to be dealt with. Tomorrow, the outcome was unknown.

Uh, I'm gonna tag some folks. Maybe you'll like to see it :)

@obiknights @a-reader-and-a-writer @chelseasdagger @gemstone-roses @cryingwriter @quaritchscupquake @supernaturaldawning @xxidontwikeitxx @spnshortcake

[rangerzath]

I've finally played the Lake House and now I'm going to talk about it for awhile. Spoilers below the break.

I will start off by saying this is one of the BEST DLCs I have ever played in any game.

I have always loved Kiran as a character since we first saw her, but The Lake House really highlighted just how fantastically rounded and detailed this character is given the short amount of time we spend with her. Her humor, the fear she experiences, but above all the determination she has to do her job makes a great character.

I appreciated how much we see of the everyman FBC agent. Not everyone at the FBC is a parautilitarian, a lovable scientist dork, or the Director. There are normal people working there believing in what they do. This is a very important part of the overall story of this organization to me. Often I see the Bureau demonized as a whole by the fandom and that really upsets me. Bad apples are everywhere, as we see in this DLC. But we also see how a good person like Kiran stands up against it. Even through the emails and documents we find in game you see good people trying their best against that evil. I am again thankful for Remedy's writing team that they really highlighted that. Even going as far as showing Darling denying a request to capture live test subjects, which means he learned after Dylan. You even see that Trench denied outlandish requests despite being being in the late stages of a galactic war raging in his mind.

You know I had to talk about Trench and Darling, but it was nice to see them again in this way. They still felt a part of this world in a way that made sense. Document storytelling has been one of my favorite things about Control. They present us with just enough framework to use on our own canvas to try and piece together details of those blank pages.

Did I get emotional over signatures? Yes, yes I did.

The atmosphere of this DLC hit all the right horror points. From the moment you walk into The Lake House it captures all the scariest horror vibes from the main game. The paint spattered on the walls like blood, but somehow even creepier because of how it wouldn't make sense to see paint like that (until you figure out just what is happening). Being helpless to the painted because again you are just an FBC Agent not a parautilitarian emphasized this feeling.

Using a picture frame set up with Kiran telling Saga what happened at The Lake House made sense and gives us the point in time Kiran would be providing this information. She left us clues in the main game with her dialogue of something horrible that went down at the Lake House, so it feels very appropriate that we get to see that in detail.

The question that resounded throughout this DLC of what is art was very appropriate given the struggles we face today with AI and plagiarism. How is art perceived and how does its emotional impact play on its viewer? Again the writing team really shines here with all the little details. The room with the ATDs was truly horrifying. I don't think they have ever made a room with no one feel so ominous.

Obviously there was a lot in the DLC for Control fans. We will be speculating on every detail for the next couple of years. I always hoped this last DLC of Alan Wake would lead into Control 2, so I couldn't be happier to see just that happen.

Unlike some DLCs that feel as though they were an afterthought, the story feels like the natural ending of Alan Wake 2's story. It felt like the only goodbye we would have with this game and its characters.

The ending song was a beautiful final note to capstone a game that Remedy struggled for so long to make, and I imagine at times doubted that it would ever be made.

I often struggle to put my feelings into written words, but I wanted to try and get them out. Remedy's future looks bright with multiple games on the horizon, but we see how quickly companies can run into issues and nothing is set in stone. Anything could happen in these uncertain times. We may never see these characters again, and most certainly not in the form they are now. It makes me really sad to think we may never see Saga and FBI Casey or Kiran ever again. Maybe there won't ever be an Alan Wake 3. Maybe we won't see Alan battle the Dark Presence again. Maybe we won't ever see Dark Place Casey's echos pave a path for Alan. Maybe we won't see Alice show us just how much a character can grown into her own. Maybe we don't even get to see more of Jesse, or Emily, or Arish. I already know with the passing of James McCaffrey some of these things are impossible. But its not only death that separates seeing a character again. The song End of an Era highlights this goodbye. This end scene. The curtains close. It is an end.

What I appreciated in this song was that it highlighted the struggle of getting to that ending. No matter what goal you are trying to reach, whether it's Alan trying to escape the Dark Place, Jesse finding out what happened to her brother, any one of us creating things that make us happy, that path always has its ups and downs. And that end will always be bittersweet. It will change us. It is a goodbye.

Whatever Remedy creates in the future it could be something we may like or something we may end up disliking. They could ruin characters or make brand new ones for us to fall in love with all over again. We can take that or leave it. Whatever they decide to do. Maybe we like Firebreak and their new type of Remedy game, maybe we don't. But none of that will change how we felt about these prior games and how these characters made us feel at this moment in time. We can look back and remember how it made us feel. When we laughed, when we cried. The journey they took us on.

I will always be grateful that I was able to experience these games. They moved me in ways I cannot find the words to fully describe. I will carry these feelings forward and cherish this memory.

“There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, So just give me a happy middle And a very happy start.” - Shel Silverstein

[gatzbright]

writing [love]; dream, a writer.

Dream: I like writing. I like writing poems; I like writing songs; I like writing everything. I like storytelling—I just like storytelling. Storytelling in general is fun. I do a lot of storytelling through, like, my videos, through my video editing ... that's my favourite part of writing.

Dream: So, it's [love is] special, you know? You can't really explain it. Um, you know, with your mum, your dad, your—your sisters, your brothers, your cousins, your—your friends that you've known since you were a kid. Your friends that you just met a year ago that you are absolutely in love with as a person.

Dream: 'Have you written stories as well as songs lately?' Yeah—I mean, well ... I feel like songwriting is very—it's like, you just take stories—like 'Roadtrip' was, like, essentially a poem, and a story, that was turned into a song. And I feel like that's with a lot of stuff. 'Mask' is the same; 'Mask' was a poem turned into a song.

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott | Dream Subscriber Twitter Space April 30th, @/dreamwastaken | It's Been A Long Day, Spacey Jane | Dream's Tiktok 'love is scary', @/dreamwastakenwastaken | Photograph in the studio from Dream's Instagram post, @/dreamwastaken | The Story of Mary MacLane, Mary MacLane | Our Beautiful Life When It's Filled With Shrieks, Christopher Citro | Johnny Cash’s handwritten to-do list, 1969 | Tweeted screenshot from Dream's notes app, @/dreamwastaken | Anne Carson interview, 2016 | Dream and George on the Dream Panel at TwitchCon Las Vegas 2023, TwitchCon VOD | Tweeted screenshot from Dream's notes app, @/dreamwastaken | On Writing, Stephen King | A fan's Tiktok of Dream and George at emo nite, @/angstboycam | Dream explaining 'Spotlight' in the 'to whoever wants to hear' lyric booklet, Dream | Your Song, Elton John | Fan photos of Dream and George at Dream's tour

Dream's 'Kind Of Love' speech LA concert night two, @/milktea_grn | The Power Of Love, Frankie Goes To Hollywood | Fan photos of Dream and George at Dream's tour | You Are In Love (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift | Dream explaining 'Paranoid' in the 'to whoever wants to hear' lyric booklet, Dream | Dream and George on the Dream Panel at TwitchCon Las Vegas 2023, TwitchCon VOD | Words, Gregory Alan Isakov | Dead Poets Society, dir. | Dream Subscriber Twitter Space April 30th, @/dreamwastaken | Sweet Nothing, Taylor Swift

Fan photo of George recording Dream at his concert | Addressable Thou, Chase Berggrun | Bright Star, dir. Jane Campion | George smiling at Dream in IRL DREAM TEAM IN MADRID, Sapnap VOD | Endymion, John Keats | Dream and George on set: Everest – Dream & Yung Gravy BEHIND THE SCENES, Dream Music | [brIght], E. E. Cummings | George and Dream in IRL DREAM TEAM IN MADRID, Sapnap VOD | Sand and Foam, Kahlil Gibran

[ohanny]

my least delusional take on how kim and kenta might happen in season 2

so call me delusional but i don’t think the prison trio works for tony. first of all, kenta pretty much murdered him and i don’t think tony is the kind of man to forgive that? one could argue he could use it to guilt kenta but like… there are way more risk-free options not inside a prison for stabbing you. winner was a henchman of opportunity and selfish benefit and just looks like the sort to hold a bitter grudge forever. and dean? dean was caught up in the mess at his weakest point and going through the consequences of his own actions. also i want all three of them to move forward and not back.

but obviously they are working for someone - i see them as being rather reluctantly allied with the common goal of getting and, most importantly, staying out of prison. and this is where i want kim to stumble in on their little operation and actually agree with their mission which leads to him teaming up with them. like maybe the trio is trying to figure out what's going on with tony or way or the rest of the child/organ trafficking ring and maybe it's something the x-hunter team has dismissed or doesn't want to dig into but please. since when has st. kimberly of justice have been able to walk away once he catches the scent of something rotten in the state of denmark? never.

winner and dean have a thing against kenta - winner because he's a bitch and dean because kenta ruined his life - and kim sure as shit isn't going to be on winner’s side: so the circumstances make him partner up with kenta by default. together they get shit done and keep the rest of their little gang of misfits in check.

kenta is a bit feral and unstable and kim is very no nonsense about his “you want to figure out who you are and how to be a better person? fucking act like it” opinions. like give me kim being bossy and righteous and kenta wanting to strangle him because he can't deal with someone trying to control and micromanage his every move again. give me kenta lashing out and kim looking at him all “with all due respect - which is none - you can't pull this shit in a civilized society.” give me kenta trying his best to function, having his own rituals and behaviours - some of them very maladjusted and plain sad - and kim, witnessing it from close range, thinking “holy shit that's messed up.”

(kim snaps and gets into kenta’s face and kenta flinches before shaking it off and striking back. kenta is possessive and stupid aggressive about the most mundane things - like his cigarettes, clothes or food - and kim finds it infuriating until he realizes they're the first and only things kenta’s been allowed to actually own. kenta gets banged up in the process of them doing something and kim barks at him to “sit the hell down and let me look at it” and kenta responds with a blank-faced “why?”)

kim might not start out liking kenta, that'll come later and almost by accident, but he pities the man and doesn't think anyone deserves to like that way. and they don't even need to explicitly end up together but give me and ending where it's hinted at as the natural next step now that they've grown genuinely fond of each other.

-

bonus:

kim: hey, i don't like the guy either but we’re on the same side this time

alan: you sure about that?

kim: yeah, he wants nothing to do with tony.

alan: not what i meant but good to know

[genevievemd]

Hello all. I’ve risen from the dead!

I was thinking about McRam today and thought I’d give yall an update on what I HC they’re up to right now (since I still had things planned out for this time — actually I have a lot still in the planned out timeline lol)

As of October, Gen is officially a NYT Best Seller. She got her first book offer a couple months into her pregnancy and the book was published and printed in the beginning of October (said book is somewhere in my master list, I think under MC Monday)

she’s appeared on a few morning shows, including GMA to talk about it!

She and Ethan now share a publicist.

Ethan is still CoM and surprisingly still enjoying it — especially the set hours, he’s able to spend a lot more time with his daughter. He’s been offered a chance to teach at Harvard Med part time, but hasn’t taken the offer yet. He does teach a lecture or skills lab at the hospital to the interns once a month. To make sure they still have the fear of god in them like the good old days lol

Our sweet Lizzie is about to turn 4 months old this week! And have her very first Christmas!

Gen is still on maternity leave, headed back in the new year. Ethan has just returned from his paternity leave.

Idk if I mentioned it over this past year but McRam did move into a bigger apartment (in the same complex) during G’s pregnancy

Alan had a heart attack I believe in September? It’s in my notes somewhere, he’s fine.

Health aside, Alan is loving being a grandpa and Beverley is honored to be considered Lizzie’s grandma

He and Bev moved in together over the summer. They have no plans to remarry but do plan to spend the rest of their lives together.

Tobias and Camila had their second kid in July, a baby girl. I’m pretty sure I named her Margaret.

I never mentioned it — I don’t think — but they did get married. They went to the courthouse

Aurora and Ben are engaged! Planning a wedding for next year.

Sienna and Casey are pregnant finally! (After a MC earlier this past year)

Kyra and her wife Bea are in the process of moving to Italy, semi-permanently. And thinking about IVF or adoption

Raf is still in Brazil. Loving his life there.

Bryce and Natalie are enjoying life with an almost one year old! And moved into a townhome a year ago!

Jackie is still single and loving it! I have always planned for her to be single forever, and she’s 100% happy with that choice. She has relationships here and there but she’s happy single and focused on medicine.

Elijah and Phoebe are living together, he’s looking into a research position at the Mayo Clinic

Naveen is enjoying being a psuedo-grandpa to Lizzie Ramsey. And he still works on a limited, semi-retired schedule.

Gen’s mother, Marie moved to Boston earlier this year (or last year I can’t remember which) after her divorce for Gen’s father, she lives in the basement in-law apartment of Bryce and Natalie’s house

Henry and Clara are happy in Portland, thinking about having a third and final child.

Robert is still single, but getting to know his daughter, Ashely. He and Marie are getting along swimmingly these days.

Gen, Aurora, Tobias and Baz are still making up the diagnostics team and solving cases!

And one final note, McRam is returning Miami in January! Gen is going to be a keynote speaker and talk about the team and her book! Lizzie is going with them, Ethan is there as a support for his wife and nothing more and he’s never been happier about it.

That the update for yall! Happy holidays ❤️

[almdragonrend]

I have somthing I really need to say, I don't get how FL could be popular, I mean if you think for a moment about it even OG Katarina is morally superior to the Heroine in Maria and all The Capture Targets in the story, I mean nothing against an Evil protagonist or a good antagonist, but than don't portray Katarina as a Villain and Maria as a hero ! That's wrong! Katarina leaves Maria completely alone in both the Nicole and Alan route, meaning she only opposed Maria when she's trying to seduce HER fiancée or mess with her family or do both in the Harem route!

Than the fact that she's accused of bullying those bellow her station is bulls* she only bullied Maria who I just said why she did it and Keith whose arrival at HER HOME turned HER PARENTS against eachother when she was a Child! That doesn't make it right but she couldn't know that this wasn't his fault, and his own original family wanted to kill him! Luigi saved his life and that's how he thanked him ?

than Geordo she gave almost half her life up to that point in complete support and devotion to that mother fu* and he swore an Oath to marry her! I don't think many people get how bad a possible future king breaking an Oath is especially considering Geordo's Grandpa's actions,

further more Katarina actually don't mistreated dose below her status, first her Maid Anne who despite being related to Nobility is herself a Commoner just like Maria and Katarina even in FL verse treats her like a Sister more than a servant!

Next there's Sianna, she's the bottom of the barrel of Nobility and still Katarina cherished her more than anyone else! This makes the claim of her bullying people for their status down right nonsensicaly!

Especially when she's the only one who never partake in bullying everyone's favorite Target Sophia Ascart, since we see in VOD is never once mentioned that she did so when Sophia joined her book club, that would have had to be brought up than ! Meaning is the only Noble Girl who didn't bully Sophia! (Except Marry) and it's even implied she discouraged others from bullying Sophia!

When Bakarina in verge of doom just assumed OG Katarina bullied more people and wanted to apologize during VoD judgment event no one spoke up! And that Is most likely because she never bullied anyone other than the Girl who tried to steal her fiancée and/or shame her family!

Also, it's said that Katarina's bullying was only on the very edge of Criminal, meaning she never really committed a crime, the one attacking Maria with fire was Noelia, who acted on her own accord!

Keith and/or Geordo basically rigged the Trial to get Katarina stripped of her status and exiled which is a way to hard punishment anyway! When she comes back with dark magic she didn't even kill someone for it! She just had it !

And that idiots in the development team must have believe that this made her appear more evil since she's just born with the "bad magic" but instead it just means she didn't kill anybody for it ! Right OG Katarina is not a murderer and the idiots of the FL development believed Katarina being NOT a murderer makes her more evil than people who literally commit murder to get the same magic! what does that say about their Character ?

I heard a lot about people saying something for a Original Katarina redemption arc and I really hope she gets an happy ending, she deserves it but what people need to understand is Original Katarina dosen't need an redemption arc because she has not done anything so bad that she deserved getting to that point anyway, instead she deserved a pretty enormous apology from Geordo, Keith and Maria

To give her a redemption arc basically means recognizing Maria, Geordo and Keith, Cheating, betraying,Oath breaking and manipulate a Chords to commit prejudice as a good thing, Original Katarina shouldn't have to apologize to them! They should have to apologize to her! Even when something like that calls for ways more than an apology! And first of all her entire sentence should be revoked !!!! + there has to be compensation for everything she had to go trough!!!

[loopstagirl]

Crashing into his office chair with a long suffering sigh, Jeff Tracy ran a hand wearily over his eyes. They had barely got past the welcoming hugs before the trouble had started. He had hoped this term at Wharton's would have helped sort Alan out, but it seemed the moody teenager was just as moody as ever. He couldn't fault his other boys for the teasing; the light hearted banter had been part of their family meal for as long as Jeff could remember, he would have been worried if it had been any other way.

Yet Alan's reaction showed he still had a long way to go until Jeff considered making him part of the team. He had hoped this break would prove him wrong and he would have been able to talk to his youngest son about starting training in the summer, but after the incident at dinner, Jeff knew that was off the agenda. With a sad smile, he turned to the photos lining the edge of his desk, showing the young and carefree Alan who didn't feel the need to argue against everything his father said. All of his sons looked so young and innocent in the photos, not weighed down by the responsibility of saving the world on a regular basis.

That reminded Jeff of what he had come into his office for in the first place. Alan wasn't the only one causing him grief over the Thunderbirds. Flicking a switch on the panel in front of him, the father patched himself through to the son he needed to have a word with.

"Scott, my office, now." Not waiting for a reply, Jeff disconnected himself, resting back in his chair and allowing it to take his weight. Alan's arrival had already disrupted things on the island if Jeff was summoning his eldest son. He couldn't remember the last time he had used that tone of voice with Scott, not since he was at least Alan's age. At that time, even Alan couldn't compare to the mood swings Scott went through.

"What's up, Dad?" Startled out of his musings by Scott's almost silent arrival, Jeff swung his chair around so he was facing his son. Leaning casually on the doorframe, his eldest child didn't seem to have realised what the tone of voice meant, his posture relaxed as he hooked one hand in his pocket, the other swinging freely.

"Your control of Thunderbird One."

"There is nothing wrong with my control," Scott began, heat beginning to already emerge in his voice as he leapt to the defence of his 'bird without quite knowing what he was defending. His posture had already stiffened, the hand coming out of his pocket as he straightened up, clearly showing his father his military past as he all but stood to attention.

"Not the control, no," Jeff agreed, watching Scott closely for signs to show he knew what he had done. "Let me rephrase that then, your handling of Thunderbird One."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Scott asked, his tone bordering on rude as he voiced his confusion. He didn't mean to sound blunt, only was completely bewildered as to what his father was referring too. The rescue had gone without a hitch, apart from the rig almost blowing up too soon for the boys to clear it. But with Jeff joining them on the rescue for a change, the team had worked to utter perfection, determined to show their father just how good they were at working together. A previous argument between Virgil and Gordon had made him accompany them this time, declaring he didn't want personal matters getting in the way of their job. Like it would though. Scott knew his brothers well enough to know whatever personally matters were occurring got left behind whenever they turned from Jeff Tracy's sons into the members of International Rescue. Although at the moment, that was not helping the eldest son work out what had his father so annoyed.

"Scott, think. On the way home, what did you do?"

"Fly? I honestly have no idea what you are talking about, Father."

"I'm going to give you one more clue, Scott. Just after we saw your brother."

And then, like a light bulb coming on, Scott knew precisely what he had done that was making his father annoyed. Jeff always had maintained that the ships were not to be used for stunts, something he believed his sons kept too. In range of the island, they did, but sometimes on the way home from a successful mission, one or more of the Tracy boys had the need to display their relief and delight in a job well done. Caught up in the adrenaline from the mission and the excitement at seeing his baby brother, however, Scott Tracy had forgotten his father was in Thunderbird Two

Watching Scott grimace slightly as he suddenly became very interested in his shoes, Jeff was hard pushed not to laugh. His son, whilst being a mature 28 year old that had the role of field commander in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, looked exactly like the ten year old who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar again. Reminding himself that he was supposed to be angry at his son, not reminiscing in the past, Jeff smoothed his features back into a disapproving look, thankful Scott had been looking down at the time.

"Well?"

"I was testing her thrusters?" Scott offered sheepishly, only meeting his father's eyes momentarily before looking down again, a flush beginning to work its way up his neck.

"Try again," Jeff responded drily, resting further back in his chair to regard his son. He was partly curious as to what Scott would come up with; he had become a scarily talented liar during his teenage years. Although judging by that first attempt, the father was hopefully he wouldn't have to worry.

"She had a mind of her own?"

"Nope, not doing it. Scott, what are the rules regarding the 'birds?"

"Never let Gordon fly One and don't let John near Two's controls when he has had chocolate?" Biting his lip quickly, Jeff rolled his eyes, attempting to desperately stop the smirk emerging. If he was honest, Scott was completely right.

"No, the other rule. And don't say don't let Alan near the 'birds either." Judging by the look that overcame his son's face, Jeff knew he had caught his eldest out there. Once more glancing at his shoes, Scott finally faced his father.

"Sorry."

"Scott, there is a reason why the 'birds cannot be used for stunts. This isn't the air force, son, you can't joyride One, it is far too dangerous."

"I had her completely under control!" Scott burst out suddenly, feeling slightly put out that his father was doubting his piloting skills.

"I don't question that, but you are supposed to be setting an example to your younger brothers, that is why you are the field commander and not the other way around."

"Dad-," Before Scott could continue on an outburst that Jeff had not seen from his son for quite a few years, a shrill beep came out of the monitors in front of him, causing the father to sit forward with a concerned frown making its way onto his face. Checking the readings, Jeff sighed wearily. He was right to think that trouble had arrived back on the normal paradise.

"Hang on, isn't that-?" Once more cutting Scott off, hopefully before he could work out what was going on, Jeff reached out a hand and smoothly hit a button, only to find himself face to face with a worried looking Alan, Fermat just being seen in the corner of the screen.

"Alan, my office, now." Disconnecting again, Jeff couldn't help but notice he had just repeated the exact same words he had used on Scott. Who was going to be next? With a wry grin, Jeff only hoped that it wasn't going to be John. It had happened in the past though, Scott and Brains going up to collect the younger man just so Jeff could have a word. The blond was not always the calmest of people when his brothers' were out on a tricky rescue, and Jeff had been more than astonished by the language that had come out of his star-loving son's mouth. Before his thoughts could go any further, Scott all but exploded, having put together the pieces regarding his youngest brother.

"What the hell did he think he was doing? If he has touched her in the slightest, I swear I'll-,"

"Scott."

"How did he know my access codes? I've changed them since the last holidays to stop him doing this. He better not have-,"

"Scott."

"If anything is wrong, I'm going to kill him."

"Scott, that is enough! Alan is not the question here, you are. Due to your behaviour regarding Thunderbird One, you are to sit out of the next mission." Jeff knew that it was a slightly drastic measure to take, but the father was more than aware that unless he regained control now, the boys were simply going to spiral out of hand. And quickly as well. It was the only way Jeff felt he had any control over them, and if he was honest, he hoped that if Alan could see Scott being put in his place, then the younger brother wouldn't feel like it was just him that was being singled out.

"What?"

"Gordon can take One, Virgil, Two. I need you boys to know I'm serious about the stunts, they are not going to happen."

"Dad!"

"You're grounded for the next mission."

"But Dad..!"

"Bottom line, Scott. I thought you had grown up." Regarding his son coolly, Jeff narrowed his eyes as Scott opened his mouth to protest, but luckily, the young man realised his father's mood and backed down. Without another word, he turned on his heel and marched out of the room, posture tense. So wrapped up in his anger was he that he barely even noticed Alan stalk past him in the opposite direction, face mirroring his eldest brother's.

"Hey, Scott, there you are, dude. Where did you...Scott?"

"Leave it, Virg."

"You alright, man?"

"I said leave it!" Scott snapped, barely sparing his stunned brother a glance as he stormed past. He could not believe that had just happened. Alan had been back on the island for not even an hour and already things were becoming chaotic. Scott couldn't quite work out why his father was so annoyed about the stunt, if anything; it had shown precisely how in control of his baby the ex-air force pilot was. Stalking out of sight and up the stairs, he didn't hear Virgil's low whistle of disbelief.

"You alright, Virgil?" Glancing up from his painting, Virgil spared Gordon a quick glance as the red head strolled casually in.

"Something has stolen our brother and replaced him with the teenage Scott."

"Ouch," Gordon winced, just about remembering enough of Scott's teenage years to know that was not a good thing. "I think he, Dad and Al are having a party in Dad's office, I just saw the Sprout head that way."

"Great. This is going to be fun couple of weeks." Virgil moaned, carefully laying down his paint brush and stepping back to critically examine his work. Biting his lip and slightly poking his tongue out in concentration, the young man made a few corrections before stepping back once more.

"Virg, do you want to come out in the boat with me later? I need a diving buddy." Gordon suddenly suggested hesitantly, hoping his brother was distracted enough to agree without realising what he was agreeing too. Virgil wasn't the first choice for a midnight dive, heck, he wasn't even Gordon's second or third choice. But with Scott in a mood, Alan no doubt heading the same way and John not even on the planet, the red head thought he may as well give it a go.

"I don't know, Gords, I…"

"You need to grow up!"

"Then let me!"

Hearing the angry tones, Virgil glanced over at his brother, eyebrows raised. "Count me in. Can we go now?"

"Give me some time, Virg, I've got to get the stuff-,"

"Alan! If you've touched my 'bird..!"

"Let's go." Gordon practically yelped, and tearing off the old shirt he had been wearing over the top of his own to protect his own, Virgil joined his brother in the mad dash out of the villa and down to the sea front.

Standing at one of the many windows lining his office, Jeff sighed, thinking over the conversation he had just had with John. He was right about Alan, hopefully the kid would grow out of it, but for the life of him, Jeff couldn't work out what had bought on the sudden temper of his eldest. He supposed it was because, intentional or not, he had criticised Scott's handling of his own 'bird, something he knew the pilot would have taken to heart. Seeing a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye, Jeff turned and allowed the smile to form for the first time that night. Virgil and Gordon certainly weren't sticking around for this storm; they were making a break for it whilst they could. For a moment, Jeff wondered whether he should remind them of protocol regarding going out at night, how everyone needed to know where they were in case of a rescue, but hearing the shouting match taking place between his eldest and youngest, Jeff shook his head. He envied them that they could escape.

Little did he know quite how much he would long for that escape himself within the next couple of days.

[tkdb-hell]

Tohma's Game

Summary: As tensions mount between Darkwick Academy houses, Frostheim’s vice-captain Tohma Ishibashi pushes boundaries in a bid to challenge—and unsettle—his captain, Jin Kamurai. What starts as an impulsive act to shake Jin’s control becomes something more dangerous when Tohma’s former flame, Vagastrom’s Alan Mido, steps back into the picture.

Since the game doesn’t give us exact age-context for the ghouls, this fic is written this as though they are university age (early to mid 20s)

Rating: Explicit | Words: 61.3k | Chapters: 24

Status: Complete

Read Me on AO3 Here! or Read an Excerpt Under the Cut

If you want to read the story but would rather not read explicit content, chapters containing explicit content are labeled on AO3 - The chapter immediately following will have a summary of the plot-relevant details of explicit chapter.

I like spicy fics, but sometimes I need a break from the spice, so I want to be inclusive :)

♡ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT ♡

Tohma leaned against the rough stone wall of the academy’s lower courtyard, a half-smirk playing at his lips as he watched Jin from a distance. There was something infuriatingly precise about Jin Kamurai—an unyielding arrogance, a certain sharpness in his every word and action that both intrigued and challenged Tohma.

Jin had made it clear from the start: Tohma was his subordinate, nothing more. They shared a purpose, a team, but beyond that, Jin seemed intent on reminding Tohma of his place. At first, Tohma had shrugged it off, chalking it up to Jin’s need for order, his obsession with command. But the more he watched Jin—each calculated gesture, each cold, clipped command—the more Tohma found himself fascinated, compelled by an urge to get beneath that impenetrable surface.

It was mere arrogance, he’d told himself, amused by Jin’s insistence that Tohma’s role was to obey, to serve his captain without question. And yet, a part of Tohma couldn’t shake the feeling that Jin’s need for control came from somewhere deeper, something Jin was barely holding at bay.

Tohma’s gaze lingered, his thoughts growing more pointed, more curious. What drove that intensity in Jin’s eyes? That unflinching command—was it born out of confidence, or was it a mask, a way of hiding something Jin didn’t want anyone to see? Tohma wanted to know. No, he wanted more than that. He wanted to break that composure, to see if he could stir something real, something uncontrolled in Jin.

The thought alone sent a thrill through him. Tohma was no stranger to boundaries, to pushing them and watching them splinter under pressure. And Jin, with his stiff composure and unspoken insistence on Tohma’s subservience, presented the perfect challenge.

Let’s see how unshakeable you really are, Kamurai, Tohma thought, his smirk deepening. He knew it was a game Jin wouldn’t welcome. But that was half the appeal—the chance to unravel whatever it was that kept Jin so perfectly in control.

It started with small gestures. Glances held a moment too long, words spoken just under his breath, taunts thinly veiled as casual remarks. Each time, he watched Jin closely, searching for the slightest crack, the smallest shift in those cold, calculating eyes.

But Jin, as expected, was infuriatingly resistant. He responded with indifference, each remark met with a clipped response, each glance ignored. Yet Tohma could sense something simmering beneath the surface. Jin’s stoicism was not unbreakable. He’d seen it once—a flicker of something raw in Jin’s eyes, quickly buried, but it had been enough. Enough to make Tohma want more.

He was prepared to go further, to push harder, willing to test every limit Jin threw at him. Tohma was certain of one thing: Jin’s walls were high, but they weren’t impenetrable. And Tohma was patient. He’d find a way in, no matter how long it took. Because under that frigid exterior, he knew there was a spark—one he was determined to ignite.

[becauseimanicequeen]

Rewatching Pit Babe (ep. 3) and the Colors

This is part of my Crazy-Ass End-of-Year Rewatch Challenge where I will rewatch some of my favorite shows, my least-favorite shows, and some shows in between.

I can't promise cohesive thoughts in these posts because it's the end of the year, I'm currently living in right-brain land 10+ hours per day, and I'm TIRED because the darkness of winter is coming. You've been warned.

My previous post: episodes 1-2.

Also, since this is a rewatch, there are spoilers ahead.

Episode 3

After turning the previous post on the first two episodes into one about the colors in the show (because I've missed writing about the colors in the shows I watch), I will continue doing that in this one. I'll do it mostly to show how the creators wanted us to question everyone's words and actions, but also just to vibe with it. So, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go!

I mostly wrote about the blue and red colors in the previous post, because those are everywhere, but, this episode starts off with my beautiful fallen angel in black:

Who wants to get his hands on Babe for his daddy.

But, even though Babe has a red past, he won't go back to that now that he's in his blue present.

And then we have these two, always in both blue and red (at least in these three first episodes), and I can't figure out why.

Besides vlogging, they have practically nothing to do with all the shit that's going on, lol.

But Jeff does. Here in his blue clothes and the red light behind him.

Don't ask me about the yellow (Jeff's shoelaces and the container he's eating from, but also some details in the background).

I can't remember if it shows up around him (and/or any of the others as well), but it might be an indication that he's cautious, which he clearly is since he's avoiding Alan's touch as much as he can due to his powers.

Then we see more red light on and around Babe and Way because they're the same(ish) with their red pasts. But the light is also between them like a barrier because Way knows they both have red pasts while Babe has no idea what Way is hiding.

Also, props to this shot where Way's reflection is framed in red.

And, do you know what mirrors/reflections symbolize? Duality and truth (among other things). Way was Way too sus from the beginning for me to trust anything that came out of his mouth, lol.

But rewatching it now makes me even more sus about him (even though I know what's to come).

The only one I could trust when I watched it the first time was Alan. And I still stand by that. Well, if he stops touching Jeff considering how uncomfortable Jeff seems. Please, Alan, learn to take a hint.

Anyway, moving on to this fucker who was trying to hold up a facade of being a good guy even in the past.

Even though he was completely different in private.

To the point where all his kids had to wear red too.

He definitely deserved the end he got. (In this season at least, because, the trailer of the 2nd season... What the fuck's going on there? Lol.)

Oh, look at this:

I found more yellow around Jeff! He even bumped into that blue thing with the yellow wires when running away from Alan kissing him on the head:

Even though Alan can't seem to take a hint, he did actually listen to Jeff's words to seek out the enemy of their enemy:

And what a fine enemy Pete is. So, is he wearing black or dark blue? I... *squints at the screen* Whatever...

If I remember correctly, Pete was usually wearing dark colors with some hints of blue throughout the show. He, obviously, also has a past with Tony (which I'm sure will reveal itself in pops of reds around him too, just like the other adopted sons), but I guess Pete hides it better than everyone else, lol.

Or, he's just trying to match my fallen angel Kenta. (I still wish they were endgame. Ah, well...)

And then we have Kim, who has the audacity to wear blue in his red-colored Red Racing team garage. I love this bitch.

And I love him even more for being a bitch towards Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (who is always showing his true color, arrogance).

Too bad Kim is naive enough to think that going to Tony (who is even more arrogant with his own portrait on the wall, not a family portrait of all the kids he's "adopted", just a portrait of himself) will help him reign in Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

And what the fuck is going on with the green?! Money? Money.

Anyway, we're moving on to one of my favorite scenes in the show:

Visible tattoo? Check.

Smelling? Check.

Kissing? Check.

Neck grabbing? Check.

Face touching? Check.

Rewatched it 4+ times? Check, check.

But my bliss doesn't last long because then we turn onto the Way of bullshit.

I mean, sure, Charlie still has some red on him while wearing blue...

But the yellow (why do I see so much yellow all of a sudden? lol) and the barriers between Babe and Way are more concerning considering these two are supposed to be best friends. And that should, ideally, mean no barriers, egotism, betrayal, and a cause for caution. But Way needs to put a distance between Babe and Charlie.

Fucking hell, the yellow is all around them.

And all around Way.

Run, Babe.

Run!

When I saw this show for the first time, I wanted him to run from Charlie too, or at the very least confront him about the truth. Especially when I saw that red car:

Sure, he's wearing a blue shirt, but the red on that car is an eyesore. At least press him a bit more about it, Babe. Or is his dick that good?

Thank heaven these two dumbasses are in blue though. About damn time!

I have no idea why there's been so much red on their bodies before this... And I know I haven't seen the end of the neon yellow yet. I know more of that is coming. These two are messes, which is why I love them. I can't figure them out, but I love them (just as much now as I did the first time).

Anyway, that's it for the 3rd episode.

I think I'll need to move on in a separate post because there is no way I'll be able to fit another episode in this one. Not since I only have a handful of images left until I reach the limit. (Come on, tumblr, give me more than only 30 images per post!)

So, let's move on to the 4th episode in another post.

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

So tempted by so many stories, but I picked these three for now!

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮

👑👑👑👑👑

Ahh thank you!

15 for 🚨:

---

Buck, having already had it out with Bobby - an argument that ended with Buck apologizing for the sheer sake of keeping the peace - is ready to hear it from Eddie, too. The sooner he does, the sooner it’s over. He at least understands why Bobby is angry. Buck defied orders. He didn’t follow protocol. If you can’t trust the team under your command to do that, it’s a problem. But Eddie, though? Buck still doesn’t get it.

“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re so mad?” Buck eventually asks, when they’re close to home. 

Eddie scoffs. “It’s insane that you have to ask, Buck.”

“I don’t get it,” Buck sighs. “Sorry if that’s completely stupid of me, but I don’t. Alan is alive. I’m alive.”

---

15 for 🔮:

---

Buck is sitting in a church pew. 

This is a strange, not-like-him thing to acknowledge. He’s not sure how he got here or why. He remembers passing out trying to leave Bobby’s apartment, and now he is here. Whatever happened in the interim, he can’t say. 

It wouldn’t be the first time in his life that Buck has blacked out and lost time. But it’s been close to a decade since he was last that fucked up. And it never resulted in him seeking out Jesus. So, altogether, this is a novel experience. 

Buck is underdressed. He’s still wearing the polo and jeans he wore to dinner at Bobby’s. Sneakers. Nothing fancy. Everyone around him seems in more than their Sunday best. Dark suits and dresses.

---

15 for 👑:

---

“Oh, well you came to the right spot. Been a while since you’ve seen him?” Chim guesses. 

She nods. “He’s been in Peru.”

“Peru?” Chim asks. “Wow.”

“Mm,” Maddie hums in agreement. “I think he just wanted somewhere fun and far away.”

There’s a sadness in her tone that makes Chim’s stomach tight. 

“You know,” he says. “I’ve never actually met my little brother.”

Her eyes widen. “What? How is that?”

[rickybaby]

i feel like daniel's fans need to have more trust in him, whether if it's him feeling like smth is up with his car or his qualifying. this is not like against anyone in particular but just a general thing i've been noticing and i feel like it contributes to a bit of fear mongering and hopelessness even before he puts his car on track.

I will put my hand up and accept the blame for being one of those people yesterday.

I know we should stop correlating everything back to the McLaren days because Daniel has said over and over again that his less-than-ideal start to the season is nothing like it was at McLaren - but if he had been in yesterday's situation during the McLaren times, there was no way he would have gone to achieve the feat he did during qualifying. And that's because he had the two key things he was missing at Mclaren: i) the confidence in himself to go and extract that last tenth even if he wasn't 100% comfortable in the car and most importantly ii) he had his whole team and Pierre standing behind him. They didn't go oh well that's too bad after FP3 and kept chipping away at it till the last minutes of Q3!

The other thing I've been thinking about since yesterday was how, when Max put it on pole yesterday, that new sky commentator remarked how drivers like Max always have that little something they keep in reserve to pull out in moments that matter - and I kept thinking that's Daniel! that's also Daniel!!! Sure, the big difference is that Max was doing it for pole and Daniel was fighting to make it to Q3, but still, even under pressure (or especially because of the pressure), he kept improving with each lap.

It sort of reminded me of how Alan Permane said back in 2020 how Daniel is right up there with Lewis, Charles and Max as being the 4 drivers who operate at a different level than the others. Obviously, Daniel hasn't been able to show it in the past 3-something years, but i am so glad he's back in an environment where he can work to show that he still has that special something that goes beyond just showing his speed ...

[zahri-melitor]

Newish Comics:

The Flash #7: The Linear Men? The Linear Men??? Si Spurrier, what is cooking in your brain and can you keep giving me a direct line to it? (I mean bringing the Linear Men in a series that also gave us Gold Beetle makes perfect sense because Rip would be so into her but wow. It looks like they've barely been used since Flashpoint too). Also it's fascinating watching the re-establishment of Max and Bart's relationship.

Barry seems to finally have risen out of his ennui a bit, only to notice Something Is Wrong With Linda and then immediately suspect (wrongly) it's Hartley. Still pretty sure Linda's main issue is PPD but it being imposed by an external source is certainly something.

Green Arrow #10: this is another issue that mostly exists for people to hug each other, while Williamson goes 'remember that these people had relationships?' Sean Izaakse's art is just so good in terms of drawing the memory backgrounds so well I can pick out the specific issues and storylines he used as references (Batman + Arsenal shoutout!)

Also, remember when Amanda Waller didn't put bombs in people's heads, she just very occasionally put explosive collars or wristbands on the most dangerous and/or irritating Suicide Squad members? (Like Captain Boomerang?) Because I do. I remember Suicide Squad 1987.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #11: part of this is me just being contrary, I know, but I am extremely not convinced we are going to see Maps as an active Robin in a main title, given Kerschl is a Gotham Academy creator anyway, and she's currently getting appearances as Meridian over in Birds of Prey. Gotham Academy continuity is only about 1/4 linked to main book continuity. (Someone is going to try and point out 'they appeared in Robin War' or something but it was an active and new title then, and honestly, nobody writing most Bat titles cares about them. It's its own sub universe. Also this story has Bruce dating Isla MacPherson, something I guarantee will not be followed up anywhere else)

Also imagine being called Karl Kerschl and coming to DC to write? How much time does this poor man spend saying "no, not Kesel".

The Artemis story remains amazing and I am fully supportive of it retconning whatever character crimes it is currently trying to excuse as weird.

Also how did we get so unlucky as to have both a Bat Lash AND a Sgt Rock story in this issue?

Amazons Attack #6: and this tied things off nicely! Honestly for an event that didn't need to happen, Josie Campbell did well with it, featured a whole host of Wonder Woman characters that Tom King's barely interacting with, and added to some relationships between characters that needed additional work.

Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #5: I am sure this is a far more meaningful issue if you care deeply about Green Lantern lore. Also DELIGHTED that the JSA team up in this series actually happens on page rather than in the final splash like in Wesley Dodds: The Sandman. (Wesley Dodds is still the best of the three minis to me, but I'm happy here that we're going to get JSA backup).

The Warlord #45: Previously on Lost World of the Warlord (I said I would) Travis set out to find out what had happened to his daughter Jennifer. He goes back to the village of dwarfs and gets his old sword back (since he chucked Hellfire into a lake), and ends up fighting some Cyclops' that took several of the dwarves to eat. Tragically nothing particularly fun happens here (though a skeleton IS tied to a cross, the bondage isn't involving any characters I care about AND it's just a warning threat)

Also something weird went on with the lettering this issue where what I think were script directions ended up as text boxes for all the scene transitions. If it was a stylistic choice on Grell's part it's a particularly odd one.

[magicrainbowkitties]

My friend is putting together our first Lancer game and we (3 players) recently submitted our character ideas for consideration.

I've been working on my pilot for awhile. Basically since GM friend introduced me to the game. They're a Lancaster pilot that's also an overworked and underappreciated IPS-N contracted mechanic from a moon that over centuries of corporate bullshit was turned into a giant landfill. Their callsign is Vulture.

Then there's another player. She's doing a Pegasus pilot that was a colonial subject of the Armory that signed away their rights to become part of a super-soldier program focused on implanting part of a NHP's inside a person. Their callsign is Creature.

The 3rd player is still in the works, but essentially the previous one but they're a Metalmark pilot and their thing was with SSC's Constellar project. And we were asked to help name them.

And I thought it was funny that "Vulture" and "Creature" both end in "-ture," so I was like "yo you should totally do that cause it's funny." And since I got no response, I rattled off a few suggestions, but heavily stacked it on Rapture, mostly because what he was describing for his character was ringing very similar bells to BioShock (a series the two of us love and our other friends have never played) and I thought it'd be funny.

Little did I know that he had neglected to hit the send button right after my initial "yours should also be a -ture," and that his immediate thought was also "Rapture." I love this guy so much, you have no idea.

And so now that all of us had -ture in our callsigns, it dawned on me.

We had just created a ture-ing team.

Which is hilarious. Bc. Canonically this is 15k years in our future. Which means that literally nothing whatsoever about anything cool and distinct in Lancer would be possible without Alan Turing.

So now I'm gonna make our GM have this recognized as Turing Squad or w/e it ends up being bc that's fucking awesome.

[sketchy-sketches]

Chapter 6:

All-together

“I can’t believe you convinced me to do this.” Alan growled.

“Come on, a few days of camping on a remote island, and we pitch in to look for a kid lost in the place. How bad could that be?” Billy looked at Alan with raised eyebrows. Alan rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Come one Mr. Grumpy hat, our flight is in an hour, are you all packed?”

“Yeah, I got it Billy.” Alan put on his hat and opened the door. He walked halfway out before stopping and looking back at Billy. “By the way, your fly's down.” Alan walked out as Billy adjusted his fly. Alan opened the trunk and put all of his luggage inside, closed it, and got in the driver seat. Why did he agree to this? He just wanted to go back to his dig in Montana, he was needed there. It’s not that he didn’t want to help find the kid, he’s not a monster. But why the hell did it have to be him? At least the dig would be funded for a few more years. Billy walked out of the hotel door, Alan pressed the button to open the trunk, and Billy put his stuff in and sat in the passenger seat. Alan started the car and left the hotel.

They pulled into the parking lot, and saw a group of a few people standing near a small building. They pulled into the spot next to a red sedan. “Ready?” Billy chuckled looking at alan.

“As i’ll ever be” he sighed, not taking his eyes off the steering wheel. They both stepped out of the car.

“Dr. Grant! Good to see you.” Mr. Kirby called from the group. “Let me introduce you to the team helping us.” He stepped over to Alan and turned around to gesture at each person. “This is Mr. Danial Nash, Thomas Cooper, Robert McKinley.” Alan reached out his hand and shook all of theirs, except for Mr. McKinley, who kept his arms folded and his hat low.

“It's good to meet you all.” billy smiled

“There are a few more inside, they are preparing breakfast for us.” Paul waved his arm for them all to follow. They all stepped inside the lounge area and sat at the large round table in the center of the room. Alan checked his watch, ten twenty-four am, they were leaving in about an hour. He looked around at the mercenaries. McKinley was leaned back in his chair, with his hat over his eyes. Nash was making conversation with a hispanic woman and petting a german shepard. Cooper was cleaning parts of his rifle, thankfully on a seperate table being that they were going to be eating soon. And udesky was talking to Mr.Kirby about the mission.

A woman walked out of a back room carrying four plates of food, followed by a tall lanky man and Ms. Kirby all carrying more plates. Each plate was laid out in front of each person. Ms. Kirby set the last plate in front of herself and told everyone to dig in. Alan looked down at his plate of two pancakes, four bacon strips and scrambled eggs. He had to admit he was hungry, he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. He scarfed down the first pancake, and two pieces of bacon, before Mr. Kirby had begun to speak.

“Alright everyone, enjoy your meal, we have a long flight ahead of us. And from the bottom of my wife’s and my heart, thank you all for helping us.” An applause broke the small moment of silence.

“So you're the expert huh?” The man sitting next to alan said.

“I don't know about expert but yes, I'm familiar with the area I believe.” Alan said quietly. The man reached out his hand.

“beck, beck peterson.” Alan shook his hand.

“Dr. Alan Grant.”

“So what were you doing here all those years ago?. Beck asked before taking a bite of his eggs.

“Oh, uh…” Alan tapped his foot, quietly. “Some old nut thought he had a paleontological breakthrough, but it was just a deadzone, nothing of value.” He cleared his throat.

“Well? What did he think was so special?” he said with his mouth still full. “I mean it had to be something right?”

Alan paused. What could he say? False remains? New discovery? Alan didn't want to lie, he hated lying. He hated the book the Costa Rican government forced him to release to the public. “He had found some bugs in the rocks, and said it was a “key to learning about dinosaur behavior” Alan sighed. At least he didn't lie.

Beck squinted, before shrugging at alan. “How the hell would bugs tell you about behavior?” Alan heard him say under his breath.

He smirked, and picked up another piece of bacon.

Listening in on other conversations, he had figured out everyone's names. Rosa, and her dog Charlie, Sarah wrights, and Laianna simons. He made a mental not to sit near them on the plane. Alan may not be a social butterfly, but he didn’t wanna be around people he is unfamiliar with.

Mr. Kirby stood from his seat. “It is ten fifty-five everyone, time to get going.”

Alan felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked and saw Billy, giving an empathetic look. He waved his hands, signing the words *it's gonna be fine, it will be over soon.*