#Listen I don't care about the moment of Alice calling her mom

[iwonderwh0]

I thought I won't cry because I already knew what would happen

But then it got to this scene

[definesanity]

Y Ferch a'r Carw.

That. Darned. Giggle.

Alice liked to keep to herself; in fact, she loves to keep to herself. It was one of the few she did love.

But Nori's kid's giggle? No. It's too darn similar to Nori's giggle. The type she did whenever she killed someone. Or, discovered a new amusement from that damn witch power they and Yeva shared.

Pah. Now look at her: Sitting with the kid looking at her. She found her skulking around above the underground; she was taking a risk, and took it head-on. But she needed to get the oil for herself and Beau. He should have enough for a couple'a months, but...

She thought Nori's kid was Nori, and panicked. After all, she and her didn't get along the best; Yeva was much better, that quiet Russian gal always trying to keep herself calm by saying random facts an' such.

But, the kid caught her, chained her, and is now keeping her in her room. In her sight, and in her mind.

"Ya know, I ain' gonna attack ya." she commented, trying to scratch an itch that was really starting to annoy her. "What could I even do?"

"If you knew my Mom, you'd know more about this," she gestured to her eye, wherein the damned symbol appeared. "You're not getting out until I get answers, because I know you're more dangerous than the Murder Drones. Who are you?"

"..."

"...Ugh. Listen, lady, I don't wanna chain you up. Even if it's really cool, me interrogating you like this, it's still not enjoyable."

Alice looked at the kid. The kid did so likewise. She wasn't getting out of this, was she?

So, with a groan, she spoke:

"...My name is Alice. Subject Zero-One-Seven to the humans." she spat out. And judging by how the kid's eyes lit up, it was good info.

"'Subject'?" and of course that's the first question.

"Yeah. Subject," she spat out oil to her side. "They foun' us, and locked us up like we were toys. Me, Yeva, and Nori. Yeva was nice. Quiet." she then shot forwards, looking at the kid with a strained smile. "But Nori? Oh, no... she loved attention, and the power that lil' trick of 'er's gave to her. She used it of'en, the Sentinels liked to lick her feet, and either tormented Yeva, tormented me or, on a bad day, both. Robo-Lor' we fight back though, 'cuz she was more than 'creative' with her 'pranks'."

The kid's eyes got more and more open, until she looked downright horrified. "...You're wrong." she said. "Mom... she was always trying to get away from the horrors the Solver cau--"

Alice hissed at the words, her antlers and its attachments tinkling. "So Zero-Two 'ad a change'a heart, did she? Hah! Didn' think twice abou' us or anyone else though, did she?!"

"How am I supposed to know?! She's DEAD!" the kid shouted. After a moment, she caught her breath, and now looked at Alice's stunned expression, orange eyes blinking in a in stunned silence.

"...Nori's dead?" she repeated, orange eyes still not back to a regular shape yet. "But... she's Nori! The hotshot aroun' the labs!"

"Yeah? Still not immune to the nanites of a Disassembly Drone's tail now, is she?"

"...Yeah. You're righ' abou' that one."

"What, suddenly you care?"

"'Course not. Just surprised that Nori could die. Didn't think she could, hones'ly."

The two sat in silence. Then, Alice's eyes flickered to her. "Say. Never did get your name. What she call ya?"

"What, want a name to put on the grave?"

"Because I don't wanna keep callin' ya 'Nori's Kid'; from what I've seen, you're different from her. Namely, not puttin' me through a wall."

She rolled her eyes. But, she still answered: "Uzi. Don't call me Doorman."

"...Wait, Nori and Khan married?"

"Unfortunately... lemme guess, he was a deadbeat back then as well?"

"Just a idjit; I mean, he did have a weird obsession with doors but, hey, I'm a scavenger, so who am I to poke fingers at?"

"That 'weird obsession' caused him to nearly kill me." Uzi spat out. Then, mimicked Alice by spitting on the ground (Alice almost smiled).

"Sheesh, I hope Yeva was at least a lil' more lucky."

"She's also dead; her daughter, Doll, also has the 'lil' trick'."

"...Yeah, okay, you know what? I take back what I said: everything has gone ta' hell."

Another silence came over them, them broken by Uzi instead.

"You... said you were a scavenger, right?"

"Only one down below. At least, only one left." she didn't say a word about Beau. She wanted to keep at least one thing to herself.

"Then, let's say I keep you around, let you scavenge, and you can tell me more on the... thing?"

Alice paused to think. Well, pretended to, anyways.

"Let me go on weekends back to my home."

"Why?"

"To get Nunya."

"Funny... but, that's gonna be the best I get, isn't it?"

"Damn straight it is."

"...Ugh, fine. I just hope you don't mind additional company."

"Uzi, I lived with humans watching over me, I'm used to it by now."

Uzi rolled her eyes, and got up towards her. Unshackling her, she gestured behind her, through the doors. "Go and get a shower. You smell like twenty-year-old oil."

"Twenty-one, actually."

"That's worse!"

Alice took that moment to slither out of the door. Not towards freedom, no, but to said shower. Of course, not one with water. It was more of a dry cleaning than anything else and, boy, did she need one.

"'Uzi', huh?" she asked to no one. "Gotta admit; yer at least nicer than Nori ever was."

To a brewing companionship, she supposes, heh...

[lightvsdark18]

Twst Book 7.9

Translation by Gasumasuku Gamer

"And if you think his screaming was bad, be stuck with him for three hours while he's crying his eyes out."

Riddle changed, his dorm members get along with him now. And Leona will beat your ass.

"Yeah, and it was even rougher in the beginning when we didn't have Ortho's support yet." Smug. "But despite that, I didn't make a single sound unlike you."

"I can guess who the owner is." It has been a week since her trip to the Scalding Sands.

A bit smug, "welcome to the desert, not that different from how I lived."

Disappointed, "Grim, again." Picks him up by the bow.

Takes off gloves to collect the delicious water.

Boy, we're in a desert, your makeup should the least of your concerns.

She's sitting back and enjoying herself. Perks of being a rich boy.

(No, not the crackers)

She gets nervous at hearing Malleus' name because feels like if you call his name, he will show up.

So, Aurora's story does exist here, but they believe the evil witch and Maleficent are two separate people.

"Well, if your only child is going to die because of this certain item, wouldn't you do the same? Though, destroying the spinning wheels even though you're sending her away is kinda dumb, and the curse will only happen on her 16th birthday. So..."

Thinking and listening to the others discuss, focusing on "what is different" when she finally notices. "Wait, where's Jamil?"

Alice is visually uncomfortable. ("A lump of discomfort appeared!" Yuu 😭)

(I realized Alice and Grim technically spent three months with the Scarabia duo during winter break and VDC training camp. So, she's struggling to not cringe at the bubbly Jamil.)

"Kalim! Don't you remember when I comforted you after Jamil threw us across Scarabia! How we had to swim back with Octavinelle's help!"

"Kalim! Jamil used his unique magic to control you! To get rid of you!"

(This whole thing made me feel bad)

(Cool, I get to punch Jamil in the face after what he put me through during winter break)

Hugs him.

Goes and does something else during the video.

Jacket is tied around her waist and sleeves rolled up. "Makes me to visit Scalding Sands again."

"Grim, hush."

Kalim offers the coconut and she blocks it with a hand. "Sorry to say, but I don't like coconut."

Has a bad feeling about this exchange. "Look! Someone stealing that box of fruit!" Grabs Kalim's arm and runs off.

Disbelieve at what she's seeing.

So Jamil made Kalim go bankrupt. Damn, I didn't expect that.

(Yeah, cause he looks down on people)

Oh, so Jamil's dream is him being the rich boy. Makes sense.

"I see the Sorcerer of The Sands instead of the Oasis King."

(I'm cringing, I hate this and so does Alice)

Squishes Grim's face like a mom.

"However, we have to be careful while waking him. We don't want guards or anything stopping us."

Damn.

(I like this scene, cleverly using the carpet and retelling moments in their past while acting like it's a normal conversation, then changing to his clothes to his dorm uniform as the final push. Good job, Kalim)

"Ah shit."

(Kalim, I don't like how you're looking at me. Stop it, get some help)

(I'm beating the fake with my shoe)

(Bad case of PTSD)

"I guess this is if Azul didn't have Floyd's unique magic and actually got controlled."

The other dorm leaders? Really?

Boy, Vil and Malleus would yeet you on the other side of the planet. Don't play.

(Kalim is pissed, and yes, go after Crowley, I approve)

"Oh shit...."

"Didn't expect you two to start fighting, but glad it worked out."

Grabs Kalim by the arm and drags him over to Silver.

(that image of OB being surprised and Jamil being annoyed should used as a reaction pic)

(Nooo, he avoided the bodyslam hug. He learned from last time)

"Welcome back, Jamil." Teasingly, "how's your cheek?"

"I mean, you two went ham on each other."

[turniptitaness]

Payton Hobart's Sweet Moments

In which I want to hug him and not strangle him even a little bit:

S1E1

River: "You don't seem very happy."

Payton: "Are you happy?"

I mean, his first instinct is to turn that question right back to River, before he even considers his own answer. Just. So sweet.

S1E2

When he's immediately ready to drop out of the election to be with his parents after his dad jumps out of the window. He's seriously about to de-rail his entire life plan without giving it a second thought.

S1E3

When he gets his Harvard acceptance letter, and has a little panic moment, and then a little celebration... It's one of the only times he genuinely acts like a kid, and it's so endearing.

S1E4

When he's sitting with his mom after he gets un-arrested, and he asks, "Where's Dad?" and, "So you two are okay?"

His face when he says those lines breaks my heart. All the love and concern and the little flicker of hope. Payton just wants his family to be together, happy and unbroken, and it hurts.

S1E5

When he calls James out for dismissing Elliot. Payton doesn't need to "play politics" around James... They both know the game they're playing. And as far as either of them knew, nobody else was there to hear the exchange. So I can only assume that he's being genuine, and actually dislikes hearing anyone being described as "a loser," or "irrelevant."

S1E6

That scene right before Payton collapses. The boy is like, "oh shit, I'm dying, what is my main priority here? Better tell my mom I love her."

S1E7

Just... That Scene. You know the one I'm talking about.

"No. I want to stay here with you."

😭😭😭😭😭

S1E8

That whole beginning sequence where Payton is hanging out with Infinity and Skye... I love how he seems to have totally forgiven Skye and Ricardo for literally trying to assassinate him. Plus, he gets so adorable and polite when he's drunk. "Thank you, it was itching me... Thank you." 🤗

S2E1

When Payton goes to listen to Georgina's debate. He looks so proud of her. Yeah, I know, he went to ask her to drop out, but he didn't try very hard. I think he really changed his mind as soon as he saw her making that speech.

S2E2

Payton is actually so sweet about Astrid trying to kiss him. I mean, he's definitely weirded out by it, but he's super gentle, even as he reminds her that River is gone. It's like he fully understands that she is lonely and confused and vulnerable, and full of regret. He's not going to take advantage of her in that state (not that he would want to anyway, he seems super in love with Alice in this season... More on that later), and he's not going to get angry or upset with her either.

S2E3

When Payton and McAfee go through that whole fake betrayal/firing scene. He's just not very good at being mad at her. Even though they're both just pretending, he still seems genuinely upset that he made her cry. (Oh and incidentally I think part of that is because BEN and LAURA aren't very good at being mad at each other... Neither of them quite sell the angry shouting, and they both look like they're about to burst into tears every time. Cuties.)

S2E4

Payton's response to Alice's rather abrupt pregnancy news. Even his first very careful assessment of his emotional numbness is cute. And then when he finally wakes up to the fact that he's happy about it? Precious. Payton Hobart, wanting to discuss feelings? Growth.

S2E5

This is kind of a weird one, but I think the scene where Payton has "the adult conversation" with Jane about his campaign plan is really sweet, especially when it's contrasted against the way Dede keeps on trying to bullshit and brush off Jane's mom. Like, he actually takes the time to listen to Jane's questions and give her an honest answer, even if it exposes his openly "political" planning. He gives her the credit to believe she can understand why he is doing what he is doing, and I think it's very cool of him.

S2E6

Hm. Payton is definitely a dramatic little bitch in this episode, isn't he? And really, who can blame him? The stress is a lot. But I love the little scene with Georgina at the end. Those little moments where he feels safe enough to just be entirely honest about his personal worries, not putting on any kind of smooth, confident face. And even in the midst of his preoccupation with his own massive problems, he makes sure to let her know he's proud of her.

S2E7

Okay, this episode makes up for the last one. There are so many sweet moments in this one... Payton playing "Runaway" in the old piano bar the night before the fateful game of Rochambeau, how he dedicates his final song to Dede and Hadassah with such sincere respect (if also with delicious sass), his genuine response to Dede's concession, his reaction to discovering that he legitimately won... But come on. My TOP moment HAS to be when Alice shows up at his office as he writes his acceptance speech. He is so entirely focused on her, and it's beautiful to see. It shows what a long way he has really come from the beginning of the show.

And listen, since we don't get an 8th episode this season, I get two moments from this one because... Archie. Oh my god, little Archie. Payton as a dad? Heck yes, more of this, please. Look how cute this little family is.

I need that third season, okay?

[icecoffeesimpwriting]

Hey so I was thinking. Super angsty Edward x reader where the reader is upset about how he up and left like in new moon. we still go to volterra to save him, right? but as soon as he's safe you walk away. you're like "my work here is done" and eddy boi is like "what? you don't want me?" and you argue bc he's a dumb boy who you can't trust? I know you wanna see eddy boi get his feelings hurt. I support this, so hurt. his. feelings. i guess you can end it fluffy and cute too if you want :* <3

OHHHHH I LOVE HURTNG PEOPLE’S FEELINGS NGL I MIGHT MAKE MYSELF CRY WRITING THIS ALSO WARNING IM CALLING OUT ON SOME OF THE TOXICNESS I SAW WITHIN EDWARD IN THE MOVIES

Edward Cullen x Reader but plot twist the reader ends up someone else 

~When Edward left you felt so broken and betrayed he had left to protect you but that didn’t make any sense 

~You had given him everything, you stopped hanging out with the wolves it hurt but you had still texted them without him knowing, the wolves were pissed they saw how toxic Edward was and they knew he had under his thumb but still it wasn’t healthy for you

~After staying in your room and thinking about what had happened you had locked yourself away from the world just needing time to think 

“Hey dumbass open your door”

“Go away”

“Y/n open this door or I’ll break it down you know I will”

~The voice of Leah was behind your door you knew she would keep her word and so you got out of your bundle of blankets and opened the door Leah came and looked around there were cups and plates around your room 

“Damn it Y/n come on go take a shower I could smell you outside your house”

“Leah, fuck off”

“Hey you shut the hell up go shower and get ready we got somewhere to be”

“What the hell are you talking about Clearwater?”

“You need to get soooo me and you are going to go have fun and then hang out with the pack at Mom’s house plus they miss you”

~You huffed and did what as she said the shower had felt good and getting out and brushing your teeth for the first time in a while felt even better.

~When you got back into your room you saw that all the dishes and trash were picked up as well as your bed being made,

~You knew Leah had done it she always looked out for you when life was kicking your ass, you had gotten dressed and done your usual routine coming down stairs to see Leah waiting 

“You ready slow ass?”

“Clearwater shut up”

~You two stared at each other and then busted out laughing you had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Leah unlike the Cullen’s you felt like you didn’t have to hold back the Cullen’s were nice and had their fun moments but most of the time you felt like you were stiff around them

~You two walked out and got into Leah’s truck as you drove around town just talking and catching up you felt emotions stir inside of you, you had feeling for Leah before you met Edward but you always pushed them away scared that she didn’t feel the same and when you met Edward it made the feelings disappear slowly but they were still there and now seeing her and talking you made you remember them and they were just as strong maybe stronger than what you felt for Edward

~As you drove around you stopped at little coffee shop in town you had came here with Leah a lot but when you dated Edward you had stopped going it felt wrong to go without her as you two pulled in you felt your mouth thinking about the amazing drinks and cakes they had when you two had placed your order you two had sat down and talked,

“So about Edward”

“What about him Leah?”

“I know you don’t want to hear this but Y/n listen to me he wasn’t good to you he was toxic and kept you away from us”

“Leah please”

“No listen, please Y/n we’ve known each other for years I know you and when you dated Edward you were not you. You were stiff and kept in a cage basically he kept you away from us”

“Leah,,,”

“You know I’m right Y/n”

~You felt like crying she was right and you hated it you hated knowing she was right Edward had kept in you in cage and hearing her say made reality hit you felt the tears spill over

~Leah reached over and grabbed your hand took you outside when outside Leah wrapped her arms around you holding you as you cried 

“Y/n listen to me I know it’s hard and I want better for you I wished you could see it someone out there could love you and give you what you need, I could- I mean someone else could give you that”

~Wait what had Leah just almost confessed?

“Leah did you just say you could be that person?”

“Y/n I’m sorry I know you don’t like me like that but I-”

~You kissed her you wrapped your arms around her and kissed her

“Leah Clearwater I love you, I loved you before Edward and I was so scared that you didn’t feel the same and when I felt some feelings for him and started dating him the feelings were still there and then he took me away from you and that hurt more than anything”

“Y/n you’re a dumbass”

“Huh? I just confessed to you and you me a dumbass?! What the fuck Leah?!”

“Listen L/n I called you a dumbass for thinking a a vampire could replace me I love you more than anything but damn you think someone could replace me?”

“Pftttt Leah shut up and kiss me again”

~And she did it felt right and better than it ever did with Edward it felt passionate and warm and loving

“Alright we gotta go or else the pack will be mad at us”

 ~When you had gotten to the house the pack welcomed you back and they were happy to you and Leah together finally Seth had joked around that if he had to hear Leah talk about you again he would fling himself off a building and Embry jumped in and soon the rest did too all joking and picking at you two Leah was to happy to care at the moment but then when she took you home things changed

~Leah stood on guard in front of you 

“Wait there’s someone in your house”

~The said person came out and there stood Alice with a shocked look on her face

“Alice what are you doing here?”

“What I am doing here is seeing what you are doing, why are with the wolves?”

“Why do you care?”

“Y/n please Edward is going to Italy to see the Volturi he wants to kill himself”

“What?! Why?!”

“I saw you get into a car with someone and get hurt and a bunch of other things and Edward saw thinking you were dead”

“Shit, Alice we have to do something”

“Wait Y/n don’t this isn’t your problem”

“Stay out of this wolf this none of your business”

“It actually is my business cold one me and Y/n are in a relationship now”

“What, Y/n tell me it isn’t true?”

“Yes Alice we made it official tonight I love Leah and I always have even with Edward and no offense but your brother is an asshole and treated me like shit! He kept me away from my friends and that’s not healthy! Leah has always treated me good I will go with you to save Edward but then I’m done I don’t care anymore I’m happy now and it took me being treated like shit from your brother to realize that Leah will always be the only one for me”

“Y/n,, I had no idea I’m sorry okay let’s go”

“Alright but Leah’s coming with us and don’t try to argue with me”

“Damn right I’m coming”

~When you two had made it there you and Leah had raced out of the car towards Edward Leah using her nose to help you to him you had finally found him and when you did he was about to step out into the sun you tackled him just in time.

“EDWARD DONT”

“Y/n you’re okay, you’re alive”

“Yeah no thanks to you”

“What?”

~You stepped away from him went back to Leah back to where you belonged

“Y/n why is she here?”

“Because Edward I’ve moved on I came here to save your sorry ass and now I’m going back to Leah and the pack I’m sorry but we weren’t good together you treated me bad and kept me from my friends I’m sorry but I can’t do this anymore I’m going back to Forks with Leah and I’m going to forget about you”

“Y/n please”

“Please nothing goodbye Edward I hope you treat partner better than you did me”

~When you two left you felt no guilt you were with the love of your life and and were finally happy and that’s how it should be

~fin~

[revchainsaw]

The Crow (1994)

Alright Cult of Cult. Do I really need to introduce this one? Let's get all 90s and gothy and maybe brace ourselves for a bit of cringe, but like in a fun way. It's the Holy Grail of Hot Topic, 1994's the Crow Starring Brandon Lee.

Sermon

Apparently before the auto industry totally crashed Detroit was already a total fucked to death pile of burning shit, or at least that's what the crow would have you believe. Sorry Bruce Campbell, and other people from Detroit, but mostly Bruce Campbell. According to the Crow the city of Detroit is the kind of place where gangs of warlock anarchist arsonists will bomb buildings, and murder and rape whoever they feel like and then walk around bragging about it the next day with absolutely zero consequences. Funny then that if Detroit was so bad they had to go to film this movie in Wilmington North Carolina which is definitely a fucked to death pile of burning shit. I can say that, I'm from there and I got the fuck out. My brother is going to kill me if he ever reads this. (It's okay, these are all jokes people). Did you know they also filmed the Super Mario Bros movie there ... also cuz they needed a really shitty looking distopia. Moving on ...

The ludicrous criminality of the Crow's Detroit is particularly on display on Halloween. In Detroit (apparently) Halloween is known as Devils Night and it's legitimately just a night of pure lawlessness and chaos and kids aren't even safe to get candy, except later when we do see trick or treaters. Eric Draven, hunky goth rocker who sort of looks like he could be Bruce Lee's Kid and his fiance are murdered by a gang of vicious criminals. One year hence, Eric is resurrected by a mystical crow (that is actually a Raven), to exact his revenge on the gang that murdered him.

He paints his face like sad Alice Cooper and refuses to listen to Joy Division, just covers. He murders Tin Tin (a knife guy) just for his long gothy duster, he murders Fun Boy and forcibly ejects heroine from her arms and tells her "Go be a good mom now" which actually works. (have I told you about our Lord and Savior Sting? He gave me the strength to get off drugs), he blows T Bird up dick first, and then comes for Skab? Scraap? Scooby? in a meeting of all of Detroits villains and just about kills them all.

He is supported by the most 90s little girl to have ever graced the screen, and I am here for it, and Officer Albrecht, who's played by Ernie Hudson but I like to call him Zeddemore: The Most Underrated Ghostbuster. The leader of the bad guys, who I cannot beleive wasn't played by Brad Dourif or Tom Waits, is pretty interested in the occult. He keeps his witchy girlfriend around and she makes him fun dishes like smoked eyeballs, and her main use is that she knows that the Crow is the Crows weakness. They set Tony Fucking Todd on the bird, and I guess you just have to hurt the bird and not kill it, and Eric loses his healing factor and other macabre undead powers.

The Crow, Jimmy the Raven, pecks out Dr. Girlfriends eyeballs, I honestly forget how Tony Todd gets offed, and Top Dollar gets Gargoyled (that is impaled on a gargoyle). Funnily enough that is more Gargoyle related impaling on screen then in the actual movie Gargoyle: Wings of Darkness where a Gargoyle is supposed to have impaled a guy.

The Benediction

Best Feature: Injustice League

In the Crow we have not only a set of super memorable villains but they are played by the bad guy all stars. John Polito as the most lowly of the bad guys as a kind of sleazy pawn shop owner who buys ill gotten gains. Tony Todd, who's size is really on display here, the freaking Candy Man is in this movie. T Bird is the head of Top Dollars goons and is played by David Patrick Kelly, you might know as the "Warriors Come Out and Play!!" bottle guy from the Warriors, or as Jimmy Horne from Twin Peaks, and of course Top Dollar himself is played by Michael Wincott. Wincott is not a particularly celebrated actor but has played villains effectively in Robin Hood, the Three Musketeers, and Dead Man.

Best Set Piece: Detroit Style Hot Dogs

The Set design of the Crow is perhaps one of it's most fantastic features. It's very moody and ethereal. It's just real enough to not take you out of the film, but fantastic enough to set mood and theme above realism. From Eric Draven's apartment, to the church where the final battle occurs they are all fantastic. I think that's why I really wanted to shine the spot light on a very minor set piece that would get nary a mention but just as effectively represents the qualities I was just talking about and that is the Maxi Doggs Hot Dog Stand, where a lot of the films exposition for audience surrogates takes place.

Worst Effect: Freeze Frame

At a few points in the movie the film makers made a strange decision to do these freeze frame transitions. I only noticed it twice in the movie where it was particularly stupid. I'm sure the film makers at the time thought it was a moody and atmospheric choice that highlighted the suffering that Eric Draven was going through, but it didn't age well. If you don't have the sensibilities of a goth girl from 1994 then it's very very hard not to laugh at just how self involved the movie is about it's super sadness.

Worst Feature: Tragic Accident

Solely based on the film itself, it is that very gothic and dated sensibility that hurts the Crow. The little sarcastic dance he does when he flees the police, quoting Edgar Allen Poe, and bowing to Albrecht. These affected behaviors that I'm sure seemed snarky and right on to the target audience only serve to make Eric Draven seem like an unbearable neck beard edgelord and not the troubled dark soul he's supposed to be. I'm sure at the time it seemed unique and gothy but that shit went out of style for good reason, people could see through it. It's a shame that the Crow himself was some of the cringiest parts of this movie now that I'm seeing it as an adult and not a 13 year old middle class boy with no real problems.

This however is not the low point of the movie. It's not news now and if you're reading some dudes review of The Crow on Tumblr then you probably already know the story. The worst thing about The Crow is that Brandon Lee was horrifically killed on set while filming this movie due to some negligible prop malfunctions. A series of unfortunate events that lead to the actor spending 6 hours in surgery fighting for his life before eventually passing. It was not a quick or painless death and it's really impossible to watch the movie without an appreciation for the fact that this kind of fun dark adventure was going to be a vehicle for Brandon Lee's career wound up taking his life. He was 28. I really wish I could have just bitched about the goofy goth stuff and moved on, but that's not the world we live in.

Best Effect: The Gargoyling

Maybe I should have called this best kill. But I'm not sure which it is. The slaying of Top Dollar at the Climax of the film was just super effective. The pointed wings impaling his chest and that horn coming out of his mouth, it was morbid and excellent and just fit the tone of the movie perfectly. I mean how many other movies can you say Cause of Death: Impaled on a Gargoyle.

Best Bird: The Raven

I tried very hard to look up the name of the bird that primarily performed in this movie and could not find anything. There was a Raven once upon a time called Jimmy the Raven, but that was in the 50s and I don't think birds live that long. There was a team of Ravens performing as the crow, they were chosen over crows for their larger size, and more imposing silhouettes. I just think it's so wonderful to see these often maligned birds get a chance to show off their talents. Corvids of all kinds are incredibly intelligent creatures. Im a sucker for animals, if you haven't already figured that out. I really liked seeing the ravens hit their marks, particularly the one whos job it was to drop the wedding ring into Sarah's hand at the end of the film. You can see that greedy little bastard do his trick and then look of camera at his trainer like "treat please!". It's very cute.

Best Actor: Top Dollar Performance

I'd love to take this opportunity to just put praise upon Brandon Lee, he truly gave everything for this role, but unfortunately with what was put to film we actually have very few character moments with Eric Draven. Stuff happens to him, and he does killings and fights. There's definitely some personality, but I felt like I walked away knowing almost nothing about who Eric Draven was. He was clearly a good dude but that and a few hobbies and a relationship and you don't really have a character yet. He's unfortunately not given a lot of acting to do, instead just relegated to stunts and action sequences. That were notably cool.

The bad guys in the Crow have a lot more character and among this who's who of character actors, Michael Wincott takes the cake. Hell he was standing next to Candyman himself, Tony Todd and still stealing the scenes.

Best Character: A Few Good Apples

Is the best character in The Crow really going to be the cop? The commissioner Gordon stand in? yeah, it is. Not to be political, but I don't like cops, but I guess in a world with magical birds and eyeball smoking I can suspend my disbelief and let Ernie Hudson be #1 cop dad. His character is really the heart of the film, since all Eric can do is brood and fight, we have to care about someone in this movie.

Best Sequence: Halloween Party

The best sequence of the movie is of course the scene where Eric Draven busts in on the Devil's Night party planning commission. I think Top Dollar brought Scrappy Doo there just so he could lure out the crow, knowing the baddest assholes in all of Detroit would be gathered it was likely that somebody was going to kill the beast, or if they couldn't at least Top Dollar could get a feel for his enemy. It's a bullet flying action sequence with a ton of weight. I can't put my finger on this all to common weightless third act problem that big budget super hero and action flicks have nowadays, but whatever that issue is, the Crow does not have that issue. From this point on the Climax feels earned and I am invested. For that reason, The Crow is honestly better in spite of its awkwardness, than many of the super hero movies out today.

Worst Sequence: My Guitar Gently Weeps

Speaking of brooding or fighting. The best sequence was fighting, the worst is brooding. I get that Eric was in a band or something, but didn't he have shit to do. It seemed like it was a cool idea for a shot, but for like a whole seen, watching somebody play an 80s guitar solo, that stood out so brazenly from the choices of music in the rest of the movie was extra corny. It felt like someone's( dad trying to relate to their kid. Oh you like Music. The Dresden Dolls eh? Oh man, then you're going to love Slash's Snake Pit!

Summary

The Crow is dated. It is iconic but I wonder how many of the people that hang that poster on the wall have watched that movie since they were kids. It's interesting how what i've liked and disliked about this film have changed so much sense I was a kid. It's a cheeseball fiesta. If you have matured at all beyond thinking that being sad is the same as being deep then you're going to like it a little less than you did when you were younger, but it is still solid. There's not much to hate on. I'd watch it over and over again. I was really afraid it would not hold up at all, but returning to The Crow was a completely positive experience.

Overall Grade: B

[hoyaanae]

The beautiful dialogue of Lovely Us

Ep 01

"Once people become parents, their memory begins to become biased. They always remember they are their children's most reliable parents, but often forget that they are also children loved by their own parents. When they are waiting for their children to come back home, they forget that their own parents are also waiting for their return in a similar mood."

"When I'm absent from the concert, my idol won't know or feel sad. But when I don't go back to accompany my mom to celebrate her birthday, she'll know it. I don't want to make her sad."

Ep 02

"A lot of things are good at hide and seek - the old scarf I bought last year, the new eraser, Mom's favorite sewing needle, and a feeling of heartbeat for someone. We try to find them, but in vain. Then when we give it up, they just appear somewhere unexpected - on the back of the chair, in the book, in the cotton thread, and behind my back.

Human heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute on average. That day, I failed to count my heartbeat per minute. Even the water droplets falling from the umbrella were disrupted together with me. The joy, the thrill and the butterfly in the stomach converged into the restless heartbeats. On this raining day, a girl's heart beat 101 times in a minute."

Ep 03

"Huang Chengzi, why is the starry sky beautiful? Do you think it is because of the brightest star? Of course, everyone might say "Look, the Venus" while pointing at the brightest one. However, for those stars shining together and forming the Big Dipper and Orion, don't they look beautiful? They cannot be described as a foil. Anyway, I think some stars that keep shining might be more beautiful than the brightest one however dark they are."

Ep 07

"The audio frequency of the sound when a snowflake falls on the water surface is over 50,000 Hz. Because it falls beyond human beings' hearing range, this snowy day is still so quiet that it seems I can only hear my own heartbeat and that it seems there is only me and the person in front of me on this planet with a population of 6.6 billion. I hope this world can be noiser so that I can pretend that I've never discovered this secret."

"Do you have such a feeling? People around you always tell you that you are already standing on the top of the mountain, but when clouds and mist scatter, you find there is another higher peak waiting for you. After going out, I've found there are so many people who work harder and are more excellent than me. It's just like in an originally easy marathon race, I suddenly find all the people around are sprinting. So, I must run faster. Otherwise, others will surpass me. I'm a little bit out of breath."

"At the age of 17, we all have our own secrets. We are trying to hide those secrets, but they are still going to be discovered. We are unwilling to admit those secrets, but the more we conceal them, the more conspicuous they become. We are very clear about those secrets, but eventually, we are still willing to turn them into memories. And these secrets that cannot be told, are found so similar to each other after a long time. It turns out they are all about unexpected feelings for someone."

Ep 08

"I've always been content with what I have and I'm in need of nothing. I can remember what I read and I'm surrounded by nice people. My life has always been smooth and I thought the life that had been planned was not bad for me. Just like a sailing ship, with enough food, I didn't look forward to rains and storms. I just wanted to follow the prescribed route and go back fo the safe zone of the harbor in the end. That was my perfect ending. But from the very beginning, you've been determined to brave the storm and to see the bigger world. Wind and rain can't knock you down and the waves can't overturn you. You've shown me a life course that's completely different from mine. So, since her dream is to explore this world, I just can't let her go through it alone. Zhu Jinxiao, I like you."

"At the age of 17, the first habit developed by boys is to hide their affections. They think that the probability is just 0.01, so they put on the emperor's new clothes, trying to hide their affections with magic. But affections are not that easy to hide. Even if the probability is pretty low, it will be revealed at a certain moment. So on that rainy night, while looking at her back, he found that the most obvious evidence of falling in love with her was the feeling of easement in his heart and the smile on his face when he looked at her."

Ep 09

"In the past, we always felt a year with 365 days was exceedingly long, but only when it comes to this moment do we understand that we become one year older all of a sudden. The significance of spending the Spring Festival, extending from ancient times to the present, is shining brightly like fireworks, giving us the courage to heal each other many times. And then we can have a new start. It doesn't matter that you can't eat steaming hot dishes. It doesn't matter that you perhaps don't know the secret hidden in the couplet. It doesn't matter that you listen to your grandma's nagging sometimes. Even if it takes too long on the way back, as long as there are people we care about, we won't be lonely. We will return to the home we are familiar with."

Ep 10

"Actually we never forget the happy hours with our parents in childhood. Maybe the so-called alienation is because we walk so fast while our parents are staying where they are. One meter, a hundred meters, a kilometer. The distance becomes farther and farther until we can't hear them calling us. That's why we mistakenly think love is silent. So while we are confused, our parents feel the same too. They are confused about how they can give us their deep love in a smart manner."

"Those who love hiding their feelings most in this world are fathers. They hide their inarticulate concerns in warm lights. In every precious certificate of merit, they put their unmentionable encouragement. Besides, there are many silent surprises they carefully arrange in every day when we are marching to the future. They firmly care about us with such silent fathers' love, and we firmly love them."

Ep 11

"We think that many things and many people in this world can wait til tomorrow. So when you pause it or when you turn around, you think that everything will still be the same tomorrow, or you won't even realize this hope in your mind, because you think tomorrow should be the same as today. And you think nothing will change as time flies by. But this time, the moment you let go and turned around, some things completely changed. The sun went down and before it rises again, some people will leave you forever. We always thought that there would be a big ceremony to say goodbye, so we keep waiting for a warm hug, a refreshing drink, and a heartfelt goodbye. But in the end, we realized that most goodbyes in our lives are all silent."

Ep 12

"At that silent corner in my mind, there are a number of weird illusions. For example, can I become Alice who enters the wonderland with White Rabbit? For example, can I become the little girl who enters the forest with Totoro? For example, is there some special switch in this box which can teleport me? No, none of them exist. There's no flying dragons or knights, and I'm not the heroine of some comics for girls, either. However, the only thing I'm sure about is that this escape greatly shocks my world. My palms would sweat, and my sight would be indistinct. Then my view becomes narrower and narrower until there's room for only one person in my eyes. After a long time, I know such a moment is named adventure, in which the one in your eyes is irreplaceable."

Ep 13

"In the summer of 2008, in retrospect, the most impressive thing may not be the world-famous Olympic Games, but the silly things we did because we were fearless. What is shining and unexpected is everything that is closely related to friendship. We wanted to pick the brightest stars and make the most beautiful wishes, so we became the bravest boys and girls. While crying and laughing, with the bond between each other, toward the most beautiful end of youth, we keep running all the way and never stop."

"The familiar chirping of cicadas on summer nights, the familiar bear doll who must lean by the lamb, the familiar lovely girl who frowns even when she sleeps, and the 17-year-old time wrapped by the sense of familiarity never seem to have changed. The only difference is that when I look at the familiar him, I feel a flurry and uneasiness that I have never expected."

Ep 14

"That night, it was the first time I found there's magic hidden in my mom's smile. Those feelings between adults and children which I thought are hard to express in words don't have to be spoken out. They can be understood through her smile. Indeed, adults don't often say I love you, and seldom say sorry. But it doesn't matter. Action speaks louder than explanation. There's no need to express deep feelings in words. If you stand there quietly, you can automatically receive all their love for you."

"There are many new days like today. Today, he holds my hand. Today, he holds me in his arms. Today, he carries me on his back and runs in the street in the early morning. Many days with him like today will eventually become my unforgettable past days. I'll remember days like today for a long time."

Ep 15

"In the last hundred days, I heard countless times "Hurry up to walk! Hurry up to eat! Hurry up to take the notes! And hurry up to go to the toilet." But it's strange. When you try to seize time by the forelock, it goes faster. Then after the exams, we graduated."

"I just want to be an ordinary person. I'll live on a small fruit stand in the future or continue your small shop, which makes me happy. This is life. It's my own choice and I will bear the results. Different people have different dreams. Let those extraordinary people be extraordinary. I just want to be a happy and ordinary person."

"Friendship means so much to us. It brings us close, and makes me flinch, so sometimes we just tell ourselves that as long as we're together, I can be just a friend of hers. But the taxi that I failed to catch, the phone calls that have been hung up, the time that's flying and my restless heart are telling me eagerly that in this world, both love and friendship are important. Every detail related to you is reminding me that we can't be just friends. So when it's still not too late, I have to tell you the things that I want to tell you as soon as possible. Huang Chengzi, I like you."

Ep 16

"In this world, it seems like all wishes have a guardian. Wishing wells, shooting stars, the aquarium's white whale. They're all hiding in the corners of the universe caressing the sorrow of loving someone alone. It's just that the god of happiness can't bless everyone out there. They let some people be happy and their wishes come true, and let some be sad, but they can't admit how sad they really are. The feeling of being in love is like a butterfly gently flapping its wings, that stirs up a hurricane in people's hearts. The second you realize it, then there's no escape."

"That's you when you're happy. And that's you when you're mad. Over there is the jealous you, and you when you're being naughty and pretending to cry. I was just going to draw one to start with, but every expression you have is floating around in my head, and I really love every single one of them."

"I've never been afraid of growing up. And I've never worried that growing up would be lonely. Not because I'm so strong, but because I have faith that I will never be alone. The guy who held my hand will continue to grow up closely together with me. The guy who's in my diary and I in his, will exchange even more secrets in the future. All of us have walked together through the years and will continue to walk together farther into the future. This world never lets lovely people down, and we are all lovely."

[bumblesimagines]

Sharing Is Caring

Request: Yes or No

Summary: (Y/N) Keller never believed in true love. He did hookups but nothing serious. It broke Betty's heart since she had fallen for him the moment she met him. Her hurt and jealousy intensifies when Veronica Lodge joins the picture but Veronica has the perfect idea.

~

Betty turned the page of the book, feeling the edge of the paper as she read the lines. Her line of thought was disrupted as someone put their book down infront of her. She looked up, seeing light green eyes and slicked-back hair. She smiled gently.

"Kev.." She greeted softly. Kevin grinned in return, sitting across from her.

“You won’t believe who asked me out on a date!” Kevin took off his bag, placing it on the table. Betty giggled at his excitement, feeling happy for her friend.

“Remember Joaquin?” Betty nodded. “Well, he said that he’s free later tonight and asked if I was up for a date at Pop’s and added that I could bring a friend and their partner as like a double date type of thing. So... I was wondering if-”

“Kev, I don’t have a boyfriend.” Betty reminded. Kevin pouted, nodding.

“I know, Betty, but you can always come with a friend. Maybe Archie?”

“I don’t think Valerie would like that.”

“Jughead?”

“Jug doesn’t do ‘dates’.” Betty closed her book, sliding it into her bag. “Why don’t you ask Arch? He’ll happily help.” 

“Yeah but I want my bestie to be there.” Kevin placed his head on his fist, eyes distant as he tried to come up with something. Betty watched his eyes light up and a grin spread across his face. She frowned. That grin brought nothing but trouble.

“Hey, (N/N)!” Kevin called out. Betty straightened her back and quickly smoothed out her pink sweater. Kevin chuckled quietly, watching his friend silently freak out.

“What’s up, Kev?” (Y/N) asked, hand gripping his backpack strap. The hood of his jacket was up, making his face pop out more. His lips were stretched out into a smile, showing off his pearly whites. 

“I’m going on a double date and Betty here needs someone to go with her. I was wondering if you could tag along? Unless you have practice?” Kevin stared up at his brother with puppy eyes. (Y/N) rolled his eyes.

“Kev-”

“Please?” With a defeated sigh, (Y/N) nodded.

“Okay, fine. I’ll go on this.. double date with you. I’ll finish practice early, alright?” (Y/N) ruffled up his brother’s hair, glancing at Veronica as she sat down. 

“Sorry, I’m late! Mrs. Jefferson held me back.” She explained, giving them all smiles. Her eyes landed on (Y/N) and her smile grew wider. She stuck her hand out.

“Veronica Lodge, pleasure meeting you, handsome.” She purred. Betty dug her nails into her palm, watching them shake hands.

“(Y/N) Keller.”

“Kevin’s brother? I’ve heard so much about you!” Veronica tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear. 

“All good things I hope..” (Y/N) glanced at his brother with a cocked brow. Veronica giggled, nodding.

“He brags about you a lot. I see why now.” She said, finger toying with her pearl necklace. Betty licked her lips, heartbeat picking up. Of course, Veronica just had to come along and insert herself. Kevin cleared his throat.

“As much as I’d like to see where this goes, I’m afraid my brother has things he needs to do,” Kevin said. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, saluting them as he walked away.

“He’s a walking snack. The genes in your family are crazy.” Veronica said, watching him. Kevin chuckled, nodding.

“We get that a lot. But in other news, (Y/N) does not care about love. He wants to focus on his grades and ice skating. He does hookups but absolutely nothing serious. He’s a notorious heartbreaker, even though he doesn’t mean it.” Kevin told her, glancing at Betty. Veronica hummed, picking up the green apple.

“There’s nothing a Lodge can’t fix.” She smiled, biting into the apple. Kevin swallowed.

“Uh, another thing is... Betty has had the biggest crush on him.” 

“Oh..” Veronica chewed on the apple piece in her mouth, nodding slowly. Betty shifted her gaze onto the table.

“It’s not a big deal or anything... If you like him, you should go for it. I won’t stop you.” Betty mumbled. Veronica reached over, hand grabbing her wrist gently.

“I’m not gonna fight with my new bestie over a guy! We can... Share. After all, sharing is caring.” 

“You guys do know I’m still here, right?” Kevin questioned playfully. Betty gave a small smile. 

~

“And where are you going, young lady?” Alice questioned, arms crossed as she watched her daughter get ready. Betty glanced at her as she tied her hair back.

"I'm going to Pop's with Kev."

"Just Kevin?"

"And his brother." Betty stared at her reflection, fixing her off-shoulder navy blue sweater and jean skirt. Alice raised an eyebrow.

"(Y/N)? Hmph." She tapped her finger against her arm. Betty looked at her mom.

"What?" She asked softly.

"Nothing, Betty, I just think it'd be better if it was you and Kevin alone-"

"Kevin's boyfriend's gonna be there and he didn't want me to feel like the thirdwheel so he invited his brother. Plus, mom, you know (Y/N) is more focused on skating and school." Betty said, pulling two strands out of the ponytail to complete the look. Alice sighed, nodding.

"But I want you home by 11. Sharp." Betty nodded, watching her mom walk away. Betty put on some gloss before grabbing her bag and flats. She put the flats on and headed downstairs. Betty opened the door, closing it behind her once she stepped outside. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Betty!" She opened her eyes, looking at the boys. She smiled, getting off her porch and approaching the car. (Y/N) was driving, considering it was his precious car, while Kevin was in the passenger seat.

"Hey, Cooper." Joaquin greeted.

"Hey, Joaquin." Betty gave him a smile.

"Oh, wow, I think this is the first double date I've ever gone on with my brother." Kevin said.

"And it's gonna be the last." (Y/N) replied playfully, smiling at his brother. Betty giggled, glancing out the window. Her eyes slowly moved from the passing trees to (Y/N). He kept his gaze on the road as Kevin quietly hummed along to the music. Joaquin gazed lovingly at Kevin making Betty smile. They were total opposites yet the perfect couple. Betty thought about her and (Y/N). He was the nice, sporty guy while she was the sweet cheerleader. A typical couple but everyone loved it. Betty blinked as the car stopped and everyone began to get out. She got out of the (F/C) car, watching as Kevin and Joaquin held hands when they entered Pop's.

"How are we gonna compete against that?" (Y/N) joked, locking the car. Betty smiled.

"I don't think anyone can beat them." She replied, walking with him. Pop's was a bit empty, a few couples and random people sitting around, some working while others chatted. Betty slid into the booth Kevin and Joaquin were in, (Y/N) following. Betty stayed mostly silent, listening to Kevin tell funny stories. All throughout, (Y/N) would chime in while Joaquin just watched Kevin, pecking his cheek and causing the bubbly boy to swoon. Betty flushed when (Y/N) propped his arm around her casually but she told herself that it wasn't romantic. (Y/N) was just comfortable around her.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Joaquin asked. Betty felt her ears heating up.

"We're not a couple." She said with a shy smile.

"We're friends." (Y/N) removed his arm from around her, leaning forward and drinking from his milkshake.

"Oh, well, you two would make a cute couple." Joaquin said. Betty shrugged.

"(Y/N) is keen on not finding love until high school's over." Betty said. Joaquin cocked a brow.

"You only experience-"

"High school once.. Yeah I know. Everybody tells me that. I mean, I have my whole life to find love, why start now?"

"Why not? At this rate, you'll join the Olympics and that'll take up all your time." Joaquin wrapped an arm around Kevin.

"I don't mind. I'll probably leave this town after high school... Go off and compete professionally... Probably find a girl and marry her-"

"Have kids and come back to this tiny town to live off the rest of your years." Joaquin finished for him.

"Happens to the best of us." (Y/N) shrugged.

"What about you, Betty?" The blonde played with the sleeve of her sweater.

"I'll probably stay here.. Take up a job as a reporter or teacher." Betty replied, swirling her straw around the glass, watching the milkshake mix together.

"I always saw you as a housewife." Joaquin said.

"Everyone seems to think that." Betty watched as Kevin and Joaquin paid the bill before getting up. They left the diner, going over to (Y/N)'s car. Kevin and Joaquin got in the back, making Betty sit in the front.

"Keep your pants on until I drop you off, alright?" (Y/N) huffed at the couple making out. Betty laughed softly, staring out the window as (Y/N) turned up the music. He dropped Kevin and Joaquin off at the trailer park.

"What time do you have to be home?"

"11."

"It's only 9, mind if I stop by the rink?" (Y/N) asked. Betty shook her head.

"Course not." She smiled. (Y/N) hummed, driving to the ice rink. He parked the car, getting his skates and entering the cold building. Betty followed him, looking around the empty building, apart from the man renting out the skates. (Y/N) changed his shoes into the skates, getting on the ice and skating around. Betty watched him, noting how graceful and concentrated he was. She had seen him compete a few times before. He was definitely going places. Betty stood, going over to the shoe area and renting a pair. She slid them on and wobbled onto the rink.

"Ever skated before?" (Y/N) asked. Betty shook her head, stepping onto the ice. She grabbed onto his shoulders and tried balancing herself.

"The key is not to freak out." He cooed, hands grabbing her waist. Betty smiled nervously, gripping his jacket as she stood straight. (Y/N) slowly skated backwards, pulling Betty along.

"I've rollerskated before but never skated on ice." Betty said, moving her hands from his shoulders to his arms.

"Then you'll learn quickly." He assured, grabbing her hand and slowly skating. Betty eventually relaxed and let go of his hand, skating by herself. Nothing impressive but at least she hadn't fallen yet. (Y/N) smiled, reaching out and grabbing her hand.

"It's relaxing.. Keeps your mind off things." (Y/N) said, tilting his head up and sighing. Betty held both of his hands, the cold and fear of falling long gone.

"Yeah.." (Y/N) looked down at her. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up. Betty laughed softly, placing her hands on his shoulders. She let out a soft sigh as he placed her back on the ice.

"I see why you like it so much." She said, slowly realizing how close they were.

"Alright, lovebirds! We're closing." (Y/N) chuckled, looking at the man.

"Alright, Tom, we'll be out of your hair soon!" (Y/N) called back. He led them to the exit and got out. They changed out of the skates, Betty returning the ones she rented. They left the building, heading back to the car and getting in. The drive was silent but peaceful.

"Right on time." (Y/N) smiled, watching the time turn to 11:00 PM. Betty chuckled, getting out of the car.

"I'll see you on Monday, (N/N)." She said.

"Mhm, see you later, Bets." He replied. Betty closed the door, heading up to her porch and unlocking the door as she heard the car drive off.

"How was it?" Alice asked, approaching her as she cleaned her hands with a rag.

"It-"

"Jesus, Betty, you're freezing!" Alice said, touching her daughters face.

"We went to the ice rink, mom." Betty chuckled, taking her hands off. Alice sighed, watching her head upstairs. Betty entered her room and collapsed on the bed. So close. She heard a buzz and picked up her phone, looking at the screen.

"Heard about the date! How was it? Remember I only want to share, not compete! Xoxo"

Betty sighed, wondering how to respond to Veronica.

[shiro-0197]

Heyyy love!! Please hold me back I'm gonna fight your pillow >:( tho I am glad you're better. It's good that the pill and water helped :) cheese and Netflix sounds so good right now, what are you watching?

I really understand that, at least you'll get to celebrate it with more people, and that's already such fun. I also had a thought. When new year's eve finally rolls around, Malaysia will be in 2021 two hours earlier than Kazakhstan. I'll be sure to message you during that time period, 😝😝 aaaah that'd be so cool, dont you think?

Omg that is really cool, so it's like adding oc's in the storyline!!! 😣 Kouki Yoshido and Aito Okada sound cool, I already like their positions 🤚😼 and that requires a lot of planning, I'm sure it'll keep you guys busy (in the best way possible, because it's also fun to work on stuff with your friends) tho noooo, please don't say that, I love hearing you talk about stuff, and something you're passionate about like this? Yes please my heart is MELTING 😣💖 makes me love you all the more (which I didn't think was possible ;-;)

omg then you'd love a dish we have here!! I had it earlier, which is why I asked you that question. it's called "pan mee" and it's like, SPICY noodles, with dry chili, pickles, egg, and minced meat and it's so good 😭😭 (and yes I ate it for lunch! Proud for not skipping today xD) tho yes since it's both spicy, and noodles, I think you'd like it. It's a dish native to the Hakka Chinese, and since my grandma was Hakka, she loved it too. Just googled plov. It looks epic :>

aw that cafe sounds wonderful. I really hope you'll someday find it again, and be able to try the green tea :) tho I totally agree with what you've said about pizzas and quiches 😣😣 they finish wayy too fast and before you know it, the whole pizza is gone :<

ahhh Molly sounds like such an adorable name, you must've had a great time with the parrot. (He sounded like such a darling...) It's a shame :( I'm sorry to hear that >:(((

omg that logo was so pretty! The blues 😍😍😍 Here's ours... It's transparent too, so I hope you can see it xD (Leo stands for "leadership, experience, opportunity" which is lame ik😣 but oh well— we're basically a social service club with a whole lot of protocol)

AHH yes Rowling just makes all potterheads look bad. I loved the series ever since I was really young, and I've read the books multiple times, but the author as a person?? Nope. 🙀 I also had a project presentation earlier, and I'm v sure I screwed it up but uh nevermind 😭😣😣😣😣

That gif nooooo skjdksks too cute. And omg what you smile when you think of me? Combusting rn, that's so sweet I'm flustered

I love you so much :)

—Ari

Helloo!!

Ahah, sunshine, would a hug hold you back?^^" Please dont fight my pillow, its ruined as it is now hehe~ really though, the kids messed it up so bad😩

I'm watching Alice in the Borderland, you might've seen Kuro watching that in his stories too, (I checked the name in google and apparently it's also a manga😳 might read it later) It's pretty cool, I only watched two episodes but it's already awesome. It's a good watch, though theres blood and death and sexual scenes, so be careful~

I didnt even think about that, haha! I'm looking forward to it♡^з^ I'm sure itll be amazing!!

I'm really glad you think so, surprisingly those two are my most treasured children😩 even though I wasn't the one to create them XD still I think they're nice little kids. I'm hoping we finish the team soon so I could show you each of them😭

Ehhh I'm glad to hear that~ Its the only passion I have at the moment, and ... did I say that already??? I think I did. Or??? Either way, its really dear to me, and tbh if Liza wasn't busy we'd probably finish it all a lot quicker:( I feel bad cuz shes got a strict mom, but when we're on call they seem to have a pretty good relationship aside from when they're commanding her, so I guess it's not as bad as I thought. Still, she's busy, and barely finds time and place to draw.

Sorry, I'm gonna carry on about Liza for a little bit, because I'm really proud of how shes becoming lately--- I moved out of town a few years ago, maybe three or something, and to be honest I haven't really expected her to improve so much?? It's still got a few problems, but to be honest, the first time I saw her drawing I almost cried because I felt so proud, as I was the one to actually help her with the basics. I guess that's what being friends with artists does to you, but still I got really emotional when I first saw her improvements XD

Oh my god, SPICY NOODLES?? PICKLES????? EGGS????? MINCED MEAT???? SIGN ME THE HELL UP I AM ON MY WAYYYY I am definitely cooking you some plov and I really hope you like it😭😩

I hope so too!! ~and it especially sucks when you're in a big family, Kuro's been crying about how he got one slice of pizza when the kids ate everything every time💀 makes me wanna adopt him even more tbh JSHDJSJD

He was!! That month was hard because my dog also died, I miss them all so much🥺

OH it looks so good!!! The abbreviation (is that the word😭) is really cool too?? I love the lions hehe, big hairy cats go grrr

True true true, I absolutely can't stress enough how much struggle it is when the author is a bad person. I've been listening to a group, but the leader is an abusive/manipulative prick apparently, so the songs are like a guilty pleasure. I literally cant stop listening to them cuz their songs are the most relatable thing I've ever heard, but yet, it's sad to see that the one who wrote them is not a good person :<

Oh, I'm sure you didnt? I dont know the details though, but even if you did, please dont worry!! I'm sure you got the point through, and that's what's important:) No one can do everything perfectly, so dont stress about it<3

Hehehhe, no way, you're cuter😠❤❤ of course I do, your messages are one of the main sources of serotonin for me😝💞

I love you too!! Hope you're doing good<3

[living-after-death-blog1]

The Day My Daughter Died.. (An introduction to the end and the beginning)

I received a phone call from my daughter's best friend, Alli, at about 2:30pm on that day. She told me that she had just left work and was on her way to my daughter's house, after receiving a frantic phone call from my daughter's roommate, Kenneth, who said that he had come home and found her unconscious, with a needle in her hand. He had called an ambulance, he had attempted CPR, and was now waiting outside of the house while the emergency personnel did their thing inside.

I think it was already pretty well established that my daughter was gone, and I think that this was probably communicated to me, but my brain literally wouldn't grasp it. I wasn't devastated; I was terrified. I spent the entire conversation (which was probably at least 20 minutes long) thinking that we didn't know anything yet, feeling like I was frozen, like everything around me was happening in slow motion, and that I was just holding my breath until the moment when Alli could finally get to the house and someone could tell us what was going on. I thought we were waiting to hear that she'd been trànsported or something. It honestly hadn't occurred to me until just now that simply knowing that Kenneth had attempted CPR should have been enough information to answer to the only question that was looping through my mind, over and over, until Alli arrived. "Is she breathing?"

I was 4 hours away, in another city.

Once Alli arrived, there were people everywhere; policemen, emergency responders, tons of neighborhood spectators, and Kenneth, the roommate. I was still on the phone, waiting, while he and Alli had a brief conversation, which I couldn't really hear and I finally interrupted to ask what I thought we'd been waiting to find out this whole time.. "But.. is she still breathing?"

At that point, I heard Alli take a deep breath and, very slowly, and with such pain, she said the words that made it real.

"No, Stephanie. She's gone."

I remember taking a deep breath and saying, "Okay."

It almost felt like, "Well.. Here we are. This is actually happening. You know, that thing that happens to other people, but not your child, not you? It's happening. Right now."

Another deep breath, and once again, " Okay.. "

I remember thinking that I needed to hold it together somehow, because I was going to have to handle and figure out a lot of things, and I really, really needed to be able to think. I just had to think. Figure this all out somehow, as if it were a problem that could be solved.

I did what I've always done when I need to call upon an extreme coping skill. I stopped feeling, and I started thinking. Intellectualizing, my therapist, Becca, the one from my daughter's first treatment center, used to call it.

I called upon that skill in that moment. Think. Think about what other people are going through, feeling, experiencing. Think about how everyone else feels, so you don't have to look at what this really is. Don't even get close to it.

That is the moment that I apologized to Alli for having to be the one to make such a horrible phone call, telling someone's mother that they are dead, and thanked her for being that person, at the same time. I thanked her for being a good friend. I told her I loved her. Said I'd be available for the police or whoever needs to speak to next of kin, and told her to give them my number.

I called my boyfriend first, in a panic; I had to get home, I had to get to Houston, and I had to get there NOW. I couldn't drive, and all I could think was how I needed to get there, I had to get there, and I needed to get there NOW. No answer.

I called my ex-husband (not the father of my daughter, but of two sons, ages 15 and 18, at the time) and, not realizing that the boys were in the car with him or that he had answered on speaker, I started screaming that my daughter was dead, she was dead, and I didn't know what to do. Of course, after finding out that the boys had overhead, I called both of them to apologize that they had had to hear me like that, to hear the news that way.

I don't remember very much of the next few weeks. The things I do remember are choppy, like random scenes from a movie, but I remember those things vividly.

I realized that I had to tell people. Who? Who is the first person you call to announce your daughter's death?

I called my mom first, I think, and I listened to her sob and repeat, "Noooo..." over and over.

I called my daughter's other grandmother, on her father's side, and I listened as she cried and kept saying, "Oh my god.."

I called my daughter's ex-boyfriend, Javi, the father of my granddaughter, who was 8 at the time, and he couldn't believe it, couldn't accept it, either; jumped in his car to go over there. I guess he needed to see it with his own eyes.

I spoke to another of my daughter's best friends, Jessica (she happened to text me, so I thought she already knew, and when I realized that she didn't, I told her to call me. She asked me, "How bad is it?" I said, "Bad."), and then she, too, immediately drove over to the house to meet up with Alli, Kenneth, and Javi.

I couldn't listen to any more breaking hearts at the moment, so as fucked up as it seems now, I just started texting people.

I texted my friend, Sarah, who, along with her entire family, have been like family to us. I don't even know how I said it. I think I said, "I'm so sorry to tell you like this, but they found her this morning, unconscious, with a needle, and she didn't make it. " Sarah immediately called me, and started screaming, " What? What? " as if she couldn't hear me. Her mind, too, couldn't seem to allow this to be real.

I spoke to my friends, Theresa and Joie, sisters, and they immediately offered all kinds of practical help that hadn't even occurred to me, such as setting up a GoFundMe account to pay for funeral expenses. I had been laid off from my job of over ten years several months prior, and so all of the life insurance policies and everything I'd been so used to just having were no longer available, and I had nothing.

Joie also posted on Facebook on my behalf. It was the only way I could think of to let everyone know, especially my daughter's friends, and it was because of all of these people, and so many more, that I have managed to get through this last year.

I don't know what I did to deserve such wonderful people in my life, but I am surrounded by them. The GoFundMe account reached over $5000 within a couple of days.

My daughter's best friend from middle school is a hair and makeup artist, and she flew in from Colorado to make sure that she was the one who did the makeup for the viewing. That was always their thing, and even though my daughter's addiction had driven them apart over the years, Vikki had to do this one last thing for her friend, and I was happy to have her do it.

Sarah's ex-boyfriend, who knew my daughter as a child, took care of all of the flowers and arrangements.

Sarah's mom has a friend who was able to make a dress for my daughter to wear during the viewing; an Alice in Wonderland dress, because that was always her thing.

Sarah and her mom had already found the cheapest most decent funeral home that they knew of (her mom had used the place for her own mother's service), so I literally spent the next few days just having to answer yes and no questions.

It turned out that since my daughter never divorced the father of her second child (my grandson, Isaac, who was almost 7 at the time), even though they'd been separated and out of contact for a few years (she was engaged to someone else for at least a year), he was her next of kin, not me, and this brought forth a whole host of issues. He doesn't raise their son, his mother does, because he is either 1) insane, 2) brain damaged from drug use, 3) currently using drugs, or 4) a combination of all of the above. These things made the entire process very difficult for me.

They tried to dictate who could be invited to the funeral, which I wasn't on board with. They threatened me by saying that they would have her body transferred to the funeral home of their choosing and they would let me know when and where to show up. They said I could not have any locks of her hair. They said they would not split up her ashes. They even dictated to me that she be cremated, because they somehow knew (having only known her for a few years, and not knowing her at all, really, for the few years prior to her death) that she wanted to be cremated and that she wanted her ashes spread over the ocean.

I won't ever be able to understand why someone would treat the mother of a dead child the way that they treated me, but I've just added them to the list of people I'll have to figure out how to forgive somehow, eventually.

Everyone showed up for us, and I was so grateful for the presence of every single one of them. People I hadn't seen or spoken to in years, such as my ex-husband's ex-boss's ex-wife, lol.

I placed a son for adoption when I was 19, and though I had met him in person once, he and my other kids had not met. He and my daughter had been talking a lot on social media, and he had planned to come visit and meet everyone in May, after he graduated college, but ended up coming in April for her funeral, instead. He never even got to hear her voice.

There is so much I want to use this blog for. I want to document my own journey through this grief. I want to talk about addiction and help destigmatize the way people view addicts. I want to offer resources and maybe even hope. And I want to remember my daughter.

Her name was Jade. She was 26 years old when she died. She was one of the funniest, coolest, most creative, beautiful people you could have ever known. Yes, the addiction was a part of her journey, her struggle, but she was more than that. And I intend to honor ALL of who she was, by speaking the truth.

The truth is that she died from the toxic effects of an accidental overdose of heroin and methamphetamine. But that's just one part of her story, and mine, and I need to tell them both, even if no one ever reads a single word I type. I need to tell these stories.

Since I started with her death, here is a photo recap of what there is to know so far:

#grief #overdose #addiction #loss #bereavement #grieving

[anonymouswriter2311]

Little Robin prompt! She’s experimenting with magic and accidentally sends herself to an alternate past timeline in the Wish Realm, just after Gothel cursed Nook’s heart. She hears Little Alice calling for help and climbs up. It’d be cute to see them meet as kids. They find a way for Alice to escape the tower. You can decide how it ends. Little Robin takes her back to Storybrooke. Or, if you don't want Little Alice around for the rest of the series, send her off to Wonderland on her own for now.

Thanks for the amazing prompt! 

Little Robin’s Adventures, Chapter 4: Little Robin vs. Magic Part 2

Little Robin woke to the sounds of screaming from above. Peeking her eyes open, she took in her surroundings, she had never seen such a beautiful place before. The trees towered above, providing much-needed protection from the harsh sun, the ground was wet and mossy, and the singing voices of birds and insects filled the air…until the screaming started again.

“Papa! Papa! Please come back to me, Papa!” An English twine flew around her, engulfing her in memories of her friend Alice, who up until a few moments ago had been holding her, protecting her, until her magic pushed her away. Looking around Little Robin tried to find the source of the crying, hoping that maybe she knew a way for her to get back home, it was almost her bedtime after all and she knew that her Mother was already a little bit upset with her.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” Little Robin called out as she finally picked herself off the ground.

“Hello?” The voice shouted back, she sounded close, but Little Robin couldn’t see anyone nearby.

“Where are you?” The brunette called out, as she stood on her tiptoes thinking that it would give her a better few. It worked, for a few seconds until she lost her balance and fell backward, only being held up by some sort of brick tower.

“I’m up here!” The voice called out, prompting Robin to move away from the tower and look up. Sitting at the edge of a small window, was a girl around about her age, with beautiful blonde hair.

“Hey! I’m Robin!” She shouted while waving her hand excitedly forgetting for a second that she had magic. Within the second wave of her hand, the brunette was quickly engulfed in a cloud of green smoke. As it disappeared, Robin came face to face with the girl from the window, only Robin now seemed to be inside the tower and within arms reach of the girl.

“Magic…stay away from me!” The blonde girl screamed as she scampered away, jumping over her bed and quickly tucking herself underneath it.

“Hey…I’m not gonna hurt you.” Little Robin explained as she got down on her hands and knees to look at the blonde shaking under the bed.

“Promise?” The blonde cried.

“I cross my heart.” Robin reached her hand out for the blonde. Nervously, the blonde girl took Robin’s hand and allowed her to help her out from under the bed and back up to her feet.

“Magic is scary…the witch used magic to keep my Papa away from me.” Little Alice explained as she led Robin over to the small table surrounded by tattered cuddly toys.

“I won’t use my magic, I don’t really know much about it…only how to pull pranks on Big Robin!” Little Robin bragged, as she pulled a chair out for the blonde, whose name she still did not know.

“Big Robin? So that makes you Little Robin?” Alice asked as she leaned forward to listen closely to the brunette.

“I guess so, but you can just call me Robin.” The brunette winked at the blonde, something she had seen Robin do to Alice many of times and she seemed to like it.

“I’m Alice…” The blonde extended her hand out to the gobsmacked brunette.

“Alice? Alice Jones?” Robin asked excitedly.

“How did you know?” The blonde asked in confusion, completely intrigued by her new brunette friend.  

“It’s a long story.” Robin giggled as she sat back in her seat, ready to fill Alice in on what had been happening since Pretty Alice and Big Robin came to town.

“Tea?” Little Alice smiled brightly, as she poured a cup for herself and Robin.

***

“How could I let this happen!” Robin paced outside of the small walk-in closet, as Alice hunted for something suitable to wear. Zelena had run off to find Regina so that they could do a locator spell, Robin had insisted immediately that she and Alice would track her down and get her home safely, knowing that if Zelena went after Little Robin, magic or not some bad things would happen to some not so bad people.

“It’s not your fault love, she’s young, too young for magic and she lost control.” Alice peeked her head out to smile at the brunette.

“What if something horrible happens to her…to me! She only a kid!” Robin shouted, tears now forming in her eyes, as much as she claimed the small brunette annoyed her with her clinging to Alice and all the mischief she seemed to get into, Robin loved the little brunette like a sister.

“Regina will cast the locator spell, then we will go and get her…I promise, that nothing bad is going to happen to Little Robin.” Alice stepped out of the closet dressed in the same red skirt, white blouse and brown corset that she had worn the day she met Robin. “Now, calm yourself down and get dressed!” Alice clapped her hands together, snapping Robin’s eyes away from how sexy the blonde looked in that outfit.

“Fine…” Robin mumbled as she quickly undressed, before pulling her old hunting gear on. “I hope Little Robin hasn’t gotten herself into too much trouble…I mean, it’s only been an hour.” Robin commented as she was pulled her boot on, wincing as her socked foot came into contact with something wet, cold and sticky.

“What is…Oh.” Alice covered her face with her hand as she tried not to laugh at her love.

“I’m gonna ki…” Robin paused, breathing deeply to calm herself down. “Is it bad that this kind of makes me miss her even more?” Robin’s facial expressions softened as a stray tear released itself from the prison that was Robin’s eyes.

“Aww love…” Alice hugged the brunette tightly, as she rubbed soothing shapes on her cloak covered back. “You do care.”

***

“So, you think that I’m the younger version of your Alice from Storybrooke?” Little Alice asked as she sipped on her tea, enjoying that fact that she has actual company for her tea parties, as opposed to just her and her stuffed animals.

“Yep! She’s my best friend…oh and Big Robin, she’s the older version of me!” Little spoke excitedly, as she munched on another one of Alice’s cupcakes.

“How curious…what is she…me…like?” Little Alice reached over to pour more tea into the brunette’s cup, before grabbing Mr. Rabbit from his usual seat, to cuddle with.

“She’s amazing! We are always playing, having tea parties, baking cookies! And she’s pretty too…just like you.” Little Robin blushed, as she saw Little Alice duck her head into Mr. Rabbit’s fur.

“Thank you…you’re pretty too,” Alice mumbled, as the small clock struck 7 pm.

“Aww shucks…Oh, I’ve got to get home, Mom is going to kill me!” Little Robin jumped, starling the smaller girl ever so slightly.

“Careful…” Little Alice warned, as she quickly reached to grab the shaking teacups.

“Oops, Sorry.” Robin smiled apologetically, as she shrugged her shoulders sadly.

“It’s okay…it’s just that my Papa got me this…before.” Little Alice’s eyes filled with fresh tears, it had only been a couple of weeks since her Papa’s heart had been poisoned and she truly missed him dearly.

“I get it…I never knew my Dad, he died when I was a baby…he left me this amazing bow, but I don’t get to have it till I’m older, like Robin! She says she’ll teach me one day, but Alice keeps shouting at her…I miss Alice.” Little Robin felt herself grow small, not in size, but in confidence. She was worried about the Alice she had left behind, she didn’t mean to hurt her and she was so sure that Big Robin would be mad at her because of it.

“Big Robin sounds fun…” Little Alice commented, “If she’s anything like you that is.”

“Ha, I’m nothing like her…she always so moody and she hates it when I’m around most of the time…” Little Robin huffed as she started to grow tired, it was around about this time when she would curl up on the sofa with her Mom and watch cartoons, plus the added strain of using magic all day had really taken its toll on her.

“I’m sure that’s not true…I can’t imagine having someone like you around and not enjoying every second of it.” Alice blushed as she wrapped her arm around the brunette’s shoulders.

“She’s probably happy that I’m gone…I only ever get in her and Alice’s way.” Tear’s began to run down the small child’s face.

“I don’t know this other Robin, but if she doesn’t want to have you around then she is missing out! I haven’t had this much fun stuck in her in…I don’t even know how long!” Little Alice quickly wrapped her other arm around the brunette, pulling her in closer as Little Robin sobbed.

“T-thanks Alice…I’m glad I got to make a friend like you…again.” The small brunette, wiped away the tears as she mumbled into Alice’s shoulder.

“I’m glad I got to make a friend that isn’t a stuffed animal…or a hat.” The blonde blushed as they pulled away, arms still loosely draped around each other.

“I wish that you weren’t stuck in this place…”

“I wish that you didn’t have to go…can you come back and see me again?” Little Alice begged as she smiled a toothy grin.

“I’m not sure if my Mom will let me near magic again…but I promise that we will meet again.” Robin smiled as she thought of the stories Big Alice had told her about all her and Robin’s adventures in the enchanted forest. “One day, you’re going to be spying on your Papa, you’ll hear a twig break behind you and come face to face with the best archer in all the realms.” Little Robin winked proudly, content in leaving the girl, knowing that someday soon they would be together again.

“I’d like that…” Alice blushed. “Goodbye Little Robin.” Little Alice gently leaned forward, placing a friendly kiss on the small brunette’s cheek. Suddenly, a wave of magic took over them, sending flashes of bright colors around the tower. Unsure of what was going to happen, the two girls hugged each other close, eyes shut and trembling…

TBC 

AO3