#My Name is Pecos

[mariocki]

2 once di piombo (My Name is Pecos, 1966)

"Spit out your name, Mexican."

"There's no point. Dead men can't hear, and you're a dead man."

[kkoraki]

COWORKER AT THE HAPPY HOUR WITH THE NOSTRIL PIERCING AND CROP TOP STOP HITTING ON ME!!!!

[kedsandtubesocks]

blood on your name

Cowboy!Ezra x F!Reader

summary: Texas 1885 - the town’s ranching competition brings in new souls out from the desert, one unfortunately happens to be a ghost haunting you & he’s still as handsome and dangerous as ever

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY. MDNI, old Wild West AU, slight enemies to lovers, very morally!gray Ezra, fingering, oral (f receiving), pussy pronouns, one moment of spit kink, allusions to p in v, scoundrel but soft!Ezra, themes of violence & reader enacting violence on another, use of guns, blood & injury, morally!gray reader, time period views of marriage & shaming women (brief use of derogatory terms against reader), minor character deaths, light gender language usage, use of nicknames

word count: 7.2k

a/n: here’s to finally putting my 7th grade tx history lessons to some use plus I’ve been really missing west texas so here we are lol! Fun history fact - Pecos prides itself as the birth place of the rodeo so this competition is the inception of that! It took me a while to get here & this truly wouldn’t be here without @gasolinerainbowpuddles @julesonrecord & @perotovar i can’t thank you babes enough, and to you, if you decide to read this too, thank you so much ♡

The newcomers that blew into town stand around the edge of the fence.

Pecos had become famous for hosting this rope wrangling event, and you’re not surprised it’s brought others in to observe the spectacle. Just last week it seemed like more wagons wandered into the edge of town.

You’ve been living here among the desert’s harsh eyes with your aunt for a few years now. When your mother unleashed her wrath after she found you with an unmarried man who had drifted into town, you fled with the caravan heading out west. So far west it brought you to the Pecos River. You’re thankful your aunt welcomed you with open arms. The desert proved to be a harsh host. But you’ve managed.

The actual event in town wasn’t taking place until the end of the week. Except so many already want to see the cowboys proudly warming up, showing off.

It’s why you even stop on your way home from the tailor shop.

Duke Williams currently tries his hand at practicing. The handsome young star all the way from Austin shows promise while he maneuvers his threadbare rope with ease.

He lands a solid catch against one of the practice sheep running around, and the crowd claps already impressed.

His bright face, angelic almost, brightens when he smiles triumphantly. When he spots you among the on looks, he beams even wider. You smile back politely.

However, Martha, the mayor’s youngest daughter, nudges you.

“I don’t know why you haven’t let that man swoop you up yet?” She giggles with a slight tease however, her words sting.

Duke’s been pursuing you ever since he came into town last spring. He reminds you of a newly built chapel, lovely coated in pristine and full of holy hope.

Yet, you don’t care for him.

You understand you should be married by now. Especially at your age, you’re becoming a dusting antique on the shelf by the town’s whispers. You even understood your mothers anger after discovering the man she caught you with had simply scurried away without another word.

Everyone in town seems to see Duke almost as your god blessed savior on a white horse sent to rescue you from a desolate destitution.

But you don’t hold any sense of attraction towards Duke. Even as you watch how handsome and sturdy he looks, a fierce cowboy among the other competitors, you simply admire his skills. And that’s it.

You wonder if you’re simply destined to the life of a happily secluded cactus like creature.

Something tickles against your skin, a sensation of being hyper aware of being caught in another’s gaze. Living in the desert has brought you a heightened awareness to make sure no critters lurking among can strike you.

So your eyes flicker around and find the crowd still enthralled by the sight of the cowboys.

Until you find one man isn’t.

One of the newcomers.

Sun kissed skin, an absolutely striking hawkish nose, sparse facial hair and then, the deepest dark earth eyes you’ve ever seen stare straight at you. The dusty black cowboy hat he wears casts a strange shadow across his features, cloaking him almost sinister.

Your breath hitches fast like it’s stolen from you.

You know this stranger.

One of the other newcomers nudges against him drawing his attention away from you. But your face stays stuck on him.

The men discuss with each other low and close, clustered together like a pack of desert weeds sprouting fast.

Except after the mystery outsider relays something back to the group, his eyes flicker back to you.

There’s a simmered wildness to him.

The commotion of spurs clinking comes and so many giggle around you, drawing your attention away.

Duke moves towards you with a shining grin on his face.

A desire to scurry away tugs at you. So with a polite smile, you silently duck away and decide to head home.

“Hey! Why ya leaving so soon?” He calls out. “Did you see me?”

His voice is so bright but also, so slightly arrogant, as if he can maybe keep you from leaving.

“Yes, you were incredible.” You’re truthful in your words.

Thankfully the others all around begin greedily vying for his attention.

As you turn to head home, that strange itch crawls over you again. Someone’s watching you.

So glancing around you think it must be Duke, but his attention is preoccupied.

However, it’s the handsome black cowboy hat stranger who again blatantly stares so direct at you.

A moment passes of you simply staring back at him.

However you break the contact first, needing to head home. But the entire way you sense his eyes blazing a hole on your back.

By the time you hit the edge of town towards your aunt’s cabin, the day creeps into early evening.

Above, vultures circle around high. However… there isn’t any sign of decay nearby.

- ☾𖤓 -

Your walk towards the tailor shop passes by the large stretch of land where the cowboys practice. Duke cries out your name excited. Politely you turn to greet him good morning only to find he’s not alone.

Other cowboys of course have come to wrestle in their skills. One of them surprises you.

The man you saw a few days ago is here.

His deep midnight eyes flicker to you immediately. That handsome face of his stays entirely composed.

Duke rattles on about his day. Yet you pay no attention as the new cowboy has stolen all your focus. The black cowboy hat he wears is dusty, weathered, and for some reason, you feel as if it both does and doesn’t suit him.

Duke chirps out your name again. Apologizing, you blame your dazed attention on lack of sleep.

Your night has been restless

“Hope ol’ lady Julie isn’t working y’too hard at the tailor shop.” He grins boyish and charming.

“Oh, Duke.” A smooth twang of a voice floats out. Waltzing in besides the cowboy, the newcomer arrives.

“You didn’t tell me your bird was so lovely.” His voice is curled with a smile and his voice, a deep drawl, draws an acidic venom in your mouth.

“I’m not his bird.” You politely reply.

“Not yet.” Duke adds warm, shy. But that only causes your stomach to squirm even more.

“Name’s Ezra, dear honeysuckle.” The newcomer introduces himself with a tip of his hat.

You nod back quietly giving him your name.

“Ezra came for the competition, traveled all this way just to try his hand at it!” Duke, ever the competitor, explains excited for the new competition.

Your eyes unfortunately stay on the newcomer rider.

Compared to Duke, Ezra’s frame is lithe. Then again, Duke with his incredibly tall stature is built like a terrifying boulder. Ezra’s broad shoulders and his striking sleek build makes you think of a river, fluid yet quietly powerful.

As unfortunately handsome as he is, his frame does not seem like a cowboy’s build.

Instead he reminds you of the traveling con man you once knew.

Duke continues rattling on and on about how proud he is to show off the town and this event.

You however hate the way Ezra’s eyes still on you make your skin tighten.

Excusing yourself with a soft nod, wishing them both well, you return on your way to the seamstress. Your body burns the entire way.

The day goes by slowly at the shop. After working on a few ruined blouses, Julie, the elderly shop owner, keeps you busy with tidying up. When the sun starts setting, the door clings open, and you wonder who’s coming in so late.

Ezra saunters in, and your throat tightens.

“Welcome in, newcomer!” Julie greets with a grandmotherly grace. “What can we do for you, good sir?”

Ezra smiles with all the charm of a gilded cactus.

“Seems I am in need of a new stitch for these gloves of mine.” Ezra explains pulling out worn gloves.

Leather frayed along the straps speak of the weathered and worn attention they’ve been given. But they seem too big for his hands. You even swear you’ve seen them before on his old business partner. But you don’t want to think too much on it.

Good dear sweet Julie chatters with the man. You simply stay quiet, not even turning to greet or address him.

You don’t even work on his gloves, deciding to let Julie handle them.

You even hide out in the back room, not even listening to when Ezra leaves.

Julie ends up heading home, and you’re left to close up. The sun sets a dusty fading apricot against the shadow of the tailor shop.

As you pass by the alleyway, suddenly you’re handed into the dark shadows. You’re about to scream, maybe even yelp, until a hand goes flying across your face, silencing you.

“Now now, pidge, don’t need you making too much of a holler.” Ezra.

Anger seethes in you, boiling. Violently and with a harsh yank, you tear yourself away from his grasp. You’re almost tempted to storm away.

“Didn’t think I’d ever be graced by your beauty again. That mother of yours still got that shotgun she threatened me with?” He smoothly asks with the amount of dangerous charm a rattlesnake would carry.

“What? This your last attempt at selling that watered down snake oil you call elixirs and tonics?” You snap back razor sharp.

When you first met Ezra, which now feels like lifetimes ago, he was a smooth talking traveling salesman. A drifter, as your mother so harshly called him.

Instead of the cowboy hat he wears now, he looked more stately in his bowler type cap.

He charmed so many of the women in town, trying to sell them the secrets to youth, vitality, beauty, and anything else he could promise in his elixir vials. You however, were not interested, saw right through his ruse.

Though, you realize now you were just as foolish as the others in town rapidly buying his lies. Because you had been just as charmed and fooled as they were.

This man, who’s sharp wit intrigued you, who spoke to you as an equal, became so dangerous because you were willing to give him everything.

Your heart, your body - all of you should have been reserved for your husband. Instead you freely gave everything to this thief.

The swindler swore he would take you with him, make you his wife. But when your mother’s fury came, he fled like a petrified jackrabbit.

You suppose he is more coyote than jackrabbit, greedily stealing anything he can then sneakily moving on.

Ezra’s composed grin on his face flickers, like all the history resting between you and him resurfaces within him.

“Didn’t you hear, pidgeon? My elixirs were plundered. Even my poor partner, god rest his dear soul, was shot down in cold blood!” Ezra explains with sorrow.

You had heard about that. At the edge of town, on the dirt road leading out into the hills, one of the sheriff’s found the large carriage and Ezra’s associate dead. The carriage crashed, run off the road. The damage screamed of the work of bandits. However, Ezra was nowhere to be found.

“I’m just supposed to believe you miraculously made it out of there alive?” You narrow your eyes suspiciously.

You don’t want to say it, but your instincts twist dangerously in your stomach. You wonder if Ezra did the deed himself, killed his partner and took the valuables.

Ezra shrugs sheepishly.

“That’s the way the desert works, honeysuckle. It’s a harsh landscape that only protects those who can survive its wrath.”

You forgot how much he spoke like a preacher sometimes, so elevated and otherworldly. You hate how badly your heart races just being this close to him again, hearing his voice again.

“So you’re telling me you came all the way here just to try your hand at the competition? Never even seen you ride, much less thrown a rope. Can’t imagine a con-man like you being a cowboy.” You reply skeptical.

He barks a laugh. “You'd be surprised. I’m a man composed of many unrevealed talents.”

You knew that very well.

Cautiously, treading like he’s approaching a mountain lion, Ezra steps closer to you. Out of instinct you step backwards closer to the other shop beside the tailors.

“Now don’t tell me you’re pondering the idea of telling everyone about my past life, pidge?” His voice is low, calm but brewing like an approaching storm.

“Because it pains me just imagining the repercussions that could arise if ya did.” He mutters, and your throat gets tight.

There's an underlying threat below his words.

Fiercely, stubbornly, you glare at him, refusing to speak. But you know you won’t say anything. He must know it too. You’ve left your past far back at home. And you don’t want him reviving your ghosts either.

Suddenly the back of Ezra’s hand gingerly, barely touching your skin, grazes against your cheek. He whispers out your name.

“The years out here have made you bloom, like a beautiful desert petal.” He mumbles with hazed eyes.

Out of spite you snap your face away and scowl even harder at him.

“I have to get home.” You snap angrily, managing to finally remove yourself from him.

“The motel houses me for the time being,” he declares from behind in the shadows.

“Unless that blonde Galahad cowboy of yours is keeping your bed warm now?” Ezra adds almost amused.

Rage bursts a furious fire in you, and it consumes you in its heated path.

“Rot in hell.” You snarl whipping back to him.

“As long as you keep me company, beautiful.” Ezra replies coy.

You’re about to curse his soul when he stomps towards you, fast and steady. His hand flings to your face, pulls you back to the shadow of the tailor shop.

He kisses you with the fierce intensity of a sudden dust storm. It even shakes your soul, spins you around, as if you were caught in an actual twister.

He tastes like the faint hints of a cigar, but something still so deliciously sinful and him. Your knees want to buckle when he easily slips his tongue inside and immediately coaxes his against yours.

You whimper, don’t even realize he’s maneuvered you to the wall of the shop, until your back gently hits the cool wood building.

It’s like your body is imprinted to his, completely answering his call, willingly and wanting to be closer to him while your hands clutch at his broad shoulders.

His body pins you firm against the building, and already he grinds his hips into you.

Then the laughter nearby bursts the bubble, snaps your attention clear.

You scramble and rapidly shove Ezra away. You don’t say another word and simply walk away.

However your lips continue to sting, as if bitten by a bee. Your hands ache empty like they’re missing the presence of his body in their grasp.

You can’t fall for this trap again.

But by the time you arrive back home, greet your aunt warmly, the lie spills from your lips before you can stop it.

“Julie wants to start the inventory sooner. So I’ll be heading back and staying over at the shop.”

Your aunt doesn’t question you, simply grins sweet and wishes you a safe trip back to town.

The sun barely sets in for the night over the horizon. The sky is a dusty blue, the softest color before bleeding into a dark midnight. The desert at night is another creature entirely. Even as you walk into town, you try to stay aware and low from any curious eyes.

The motel approaches fast. The caretaker gives you a curious look but before he can, he’s called away.

Ezra already waits for you at the top of the stairs, hidden in the shadows but still so distinct among them.

He doesn’t tease you, doesn’t even greet you. His presence seems so different with how intense he stares at you. Simply moving to intertwine his hand with yours, he guides you to his room. Inside it’s like the world melts away. It’s only you and him.

He devours you, ravenous, like trying to both make up for lost time and also feel like not a day has passed. Your hands run through his hair, knock off his cowboy hat.

You hate how badly you’ve missed this, missed him. He’s the only man your body has known, and the nights you’ve ached for him your fingers never did him justice.

When you’re bare among his bed, and his fingers slide into your wet core, you whine against his lips.

“This cunt still mine, pretty girl?” He asks mutter.

You wearily nod then all thoughts shatter when he rubs against that certain spot you can never reach. Your body crashes in a climax so shakily fast you have to catch your breath against him.

Ezra kisses the top of your head over and over.

“That’s my sweet peach,” he says in awe.

You greedily now pull him towards you, aching even more for him to be inside.

But he’s not finished with you. Ezra greed swallows your sigh before his lips move down your bare body to your core and kisses you with reverent devotion.

Your body melts into the sheets feeling his tongue trace paths among your wet cunt.

Ezra firmly calls your name. It sounds like your soul is being brought back. Wearily you sit up to see him peering up at you between your legs. Slowly he lifts himself away from your cunt, his face glistening with your arousal.

Those obsidian eyes of his blazing in the candlelight lock you in their gaze. Keeping eye contact with you he suddenly spits down to your wet aching sex, and your mind spins.

It’s obscene, you should be disgusted and horrified. You even wonder if you’ve been transported to the brothel a few ways down the road. But it feels absolutely divine especially when he does it again.

“Oh she likes this.” Ezra coo’s then presses ever the softest kiss against your soaked throbbing pearl. “This pretty little cunt, my lovely lady, ache for me huh?”

You don’t argue with him. You don’t want to. He makes you come again and a creature raw and hungry awakens in you. You claw at him, now needing him inside.

It’s like a piece of yourself returns when Ezra slides into you. It’s hot, heavy, frantic but feels sacred.

Ezra must sense it too, because he doesn’t last long. When he spills over your tummy, his hands become claws and keep you caged in his grasp. Your con artist kisses every inch of you he can.

Sweaty and tangled in him, you still feel a tinge of sadness creep in.

“You left me.” You whimper against his lips.

“And it will haunt me until my dying breath.” Ezra sighs back, his voice weighing heavy. “I was planning to come back for you, my bird. But your mother…”

She had put a bounty out on your drifter, managed to get the sheriff on her side. You knew even in your anger at Ezra leaving, it was smart of him to escape.

His hand cradles your face, and his thumb strokes your cheekbone. Those endless eyes shimmer in the low light.

“But I’m here now, pidge.” Sincerity radiates from him.

You’re now able to bask in his beauty - his gorgeous jaw, his beautiful nose, the striking streak of blonde hair that has been hidden under his hat and you’ve been dying to see.

You nuzzle your face into his palm.

“What are you doing here? Truly?” You ask.

“I told you,” Ezra says, drawing your face towards him to kiss you tender again. “I’m here to try and prove myself victorious.”

You’re not sure you believe his words.

But you end up staying with him. Early morning, before the sun reaches over the desert, his fingers trace your face waking you up.

“Dawn bathes you in her glory.” He mutters. Embarrassed at his words you burrow your face into the pillow.

He doesn’t chase you, but instead lets his fingers draw aimless shapes against your shoulder.

“There wasn’t a day where you did not occupy my mind, even after all these years.” Ezra admits low, as if he didn’t realize those words escaped him.

Slowly you turn towards him and discover those deep eyes hazed over staring at you.

“I hate you.” You tell him without any malice. In fact an emotion something very opposite of hatred soaks your words.

“I know. I’d hate me too.” Ezra agrees muttering then leans down to kiss you gingerly.

You have to leave before the town wakes up, and to seal your alibi.

With a final kiss goodbye, you head to the tailor shop.

Julie finds you in the shop when she arrives and applauds you for your diligence and wanting to get a jump start on inventory. You’re thankful the lie worked out this way. You even manage to convince her to let you finish inventory the rest of the week. Of course she happily agrees.

Ezra drops by to pick up his riding gloves and winks at you shamelessly. You roll your eyes but hate how badly you fight against a grin.

The next few days are spent between the shop and the motel. You already brace your heart for Ezra’s departure approaching once the tournament is over, but you try not to face that.

“You’ve been in a rather good mood.” Your aunt notices when you stop by to drop off goods for her.

“Thought you hated inventory.” She comments.

“Guess not.” You reply with a shrug.

This blissful cloud you’re walking in however does cloud your mind. It makes you sloppy. Instead of taking the longer path to the motel, the one that kept you away from the views of the main road and town, you walk straight into town.

Running right into Duke Williams.

He says your name bright and clear. Dread dawns on you fast.

“Haven’t seen you ‘round. Heard Julie’s got ya working extra hard.” Duke smiles.

You hate this small town and the small whispers that spread like wildfire.

You reassure Duke you’re fine and are even glad you can help Julie.

All his friends, in their sleek cowboy hats, and dusty spurs, stand off to the side snicker. They crowd around each other like an ominous pack of wolves.

One of them even calls your name.

“Might wanna enjoy this freedom while it last!” He proclaims, and your stomach twists.

The other guys snickers, shushing him playfull, and even Duke turns around to reprimand him.

“What does he mean by that?” You cautiously question.

Duke simply waves the conversation off instead offering to walk you to the tailors.

You politely decline.

“Aw come on, sweet thing like you shouldn’t be walking alone at night.” Duke smiles but even with his sweet eyes you’re reminded of a crocodile now.

“Well gentleman, that’s why i’ll accompany this lovely bird to her destination.” Emerging from the shadows Ezra grins warm.

He must have come to find you after you hadn’t shown up at the motel.

The men including Duke go eerily silent. Ezra is older than Duke and the younger men. So he holds seniority now. But besides that, Duke now seems wary, and you don’t blame him. Ezra is a man that radiates a sort of unpredictable energy.

“You sure you don’t want me to walk ya back now?” You almost appreciate the slight genuine worry leaking into Duke’s voice. But shaking your head you move to walk with Ezra by your side.

You do hate how all eyes are on you, even walking away from Duke and his mindless followers.

“Just remain calm.” Ezra mutters.

You do especially with him by your side. By the time you open the tailors you thank Ezra, worried Duke and his men are still watching.

You whisper for him to meet you behind the shop, and he does. Your swindler willingly steps into the back room with you.

“Not my ideal choice for our evening, but I do love a good change of scenery.” Ezra comments amused browsing around the storage. Playfully, you throw a ball of yarn at him.

You’re surprised he even helps you with the small bit of inventory you do.

“That young buck…” until his voice comes out low. “He’s fond of you.”

“Unfortunately.” You reply back unamused.

“Earlier at the saloon…he was boasting.” Ezra continues with the same serious tone.

“About enjoying the last days of being an unmarried man.”

That causes you to pause.

“Must mean he’s gotten over me.” You sigh, thank goodness.

“No pidge…” Ezra stops to turn towards you. “He was proclaiming how you were to be his bride.”

Your stomach drops.

You think of the way the boys just now snickered almost knowingly, and that strange comment one of themselves said -

All of it makes your stomach sick, and you have to sit down.

No. There was just no way.

“I’d never accept his proposal.” You snap out hating how badly your body feels frantic, almost skittish like a cornered road runner.

Ezra kneels before you rubbing your hand with his, a strange solid comfort.

Eventually he gathers you into his arms and calms you with soothing soft words.

“We’ll figure out a solution.”

You still don’t know if you can trust his words. But that's all you have. Your drifter stays with you overnight in the tailor shop. You even feel sinful fucking him in the back room but it’s deliciously sinfull all the same.

Sitting and resting against the work desk you fade in and out of sleep. Tender fingers brush against your fingers, ghost like. Ezra is gone by the time you wake up and Julie’s entering the shop jolts you awake.

Her eyes are frazzled.

“Did you hear? Mister Johnston’s eldest son was shot down early this morning.”

You hadn’t heard. Dread fills you fast when you realize Johnston's boy was the one who had made the joking comment to you last night.

There’s talk about postponing the competition. But others in town, especially Duke, argue to continue the tradition in a way to honor the fallen young man.

An ominous terror looms in you.

Later that night, you return to the motel. Too many thoughts swarm in your head, and Ezra even seems distant. He even slides his duster jacket one before kissing you.

“I have some personal matters to attend to, pidge. Get some respite here.”

His boots echo down the hall and then down the stairs.

You can’t sleep. So you move to slide open the window and let some of the night air in.

The faint mutter of discussion very close outside in the alleyway floats into the room.

It’s muffled at first, but once you step closer and concentrate, you pick up the very familiar cadence of a certain drifter.

“No no, I have it covered. As long as you make sure to double the bets on me tomorrow.” Ezra explains in a hush.

The others with him explain the different amounts they’ve collected, and it hits you.

He’s gambling on the competition.

That’s why he’s here.

You knew the men at the saloon often bet, but this feels heavier.

A new clicking of spurs arrives.

“Y’know, you fellas look like a dangerous bunch all here hidden in the shadows.” Duke.

Panic prickles all over your body.

“Now young buck, we’re just here partaking in a fun and friendly wager.” Ezra with his smooth talking skills deflates the tension easily.

“Waggerin’ on what?” You’re surprised Duke immediately quickly jumps in to gamble.

Ezra and the other men begin conspiring on how to make sure Duke wins to favor the odds of their bets.

“I like the sound of that.” Duke grins.

He makes a hefty wager on himself to win, the price even makes someone whistle.

They offer to place their wagers on him as well and with Ezra even in the competition, he’s argued to be an even better reassurance that the outcome falls in their favor.

Ezra even swears by this.

They’re fixing the match, going to cheat. You don’t know how to feel about any of this.

They end their discussion, and you quietly slide back into bed. Before long Ezra returns, the smell of tobacco and the cold air lingers in the room.

His fingers dance against your shoulders while your back stays to him.

“You’re only here… to make money, and cheat.” You mutter hollow.

His fingers stop.

“You overheard.”

You don’t reply to him. Ezra sighs.

“Indeed I am. But I’m no different than the gentlemen that place simple wagers on a game of horseshoe.” He explains low, under the whisper of the candle flicker.

“But it’s like you’re wanting to play with a weighted or lighter horseshoe.” You argue back.

“Is it not in our best natures to make sure Lady Luck favors us by any means possible?”

You don’t know how to reply to him.

“…I’m doing this for you, for us.” He adds.

You turn to him, your face scrunching up in fury.

“Bullshit.” You tell him.

“Believe me a liar, but I’m honest in my endeavor.” His face becomes a firm steeled frown.

You can’t look at him anymore, turning your back again to Erza in bed.

“My hope was to gain enough funds to pay for the bounty your mother placed on me, return for your hand, and make our way into a new life together.” His voice is steady.

“Unless you wish to stay here and wed that Duke.” He offers.

You whip back to glare harsh at Ezra.

There’s a silence heavy and ancient like the desert that settles between you. But it doesn’t last long before Ezra leans down and sweeps in to capture your lips

The discussion dies immediately as passion burns in its place.

You don’t think of gambling cowboys, or of your mysterious drifter, only of the moment consuming you now, and you almost pray you never leave it.

- ☾𖤓 -

Late in the night, wearily half sleep, the bed shifting jolts you awake, and you even hear the door creak open. Before you can ask Ezra if he’s alright, your eyes so sleepy flutter close for a moment. Then he’s sliding back into the warmth pulling you close into his arms. You fall right back to your dreams.

In the early hours of the morning, Ezra kisses your jaw.

“My lucky charm, are you going to observe our tournament today?” He mutters.

The competition was today.

“You nervous?” You had never seen him ride much less try ranch hand work.

“Never.” He says smoothly.

Eventually he slides out of bed and lets you get ready. But soon Ezra walks over and places something in your hands.

The pistol weighs heavy, cold. And your eyes snap open wide now fully awake.

“Why-”

He cuts you off gently. “You know how to fire, yes?”

You nod weakly.

A small smirk tugs at his handsome lips. “Figured as much, after seeing your mother.”

It’s an attempt to tease, but too much terror bubbles in you.

“I just need to know you’re protected.” Ezra reveals, but with a croak you ask why.

“Cause unfortunate as it might be, it’s even more dangerous for a criminal like me to cherish something.”

Your eyes water. There are too many questions in your head, but the day will be starting soon. You need to leave before you’re spotted.

“Tell me you have another gun.” You snap at him.

Ezra simply taps the side of his head. “Don’t need another firearm when I have this weapon.”

You angrily throw the pistol down back to the bed, refusing to take it. That’s when he snaps your name, hard and serious.

You’ve never heard his voice raise like that.

“Take it.” He grabs the firearm and hands it back to you. His midnight eyes are ominously serious with no room for argument.

His hand grabs your face firm in his hand. Your eyes search his endless midnight lake eyes.

“I call you pidge, my little pigeon bird. But I’ve known right from the start you’re a fierce creature. Don’t ever forget that.”

Ezra’s words are beautiful but barbed. They rip up tracks in your heart. He kisses you quick, fierce and short. You hate how it feels like a goodbye.

With shaking hands and confusion, you slide the gun into your satchel. You walk back to your aunt's cabin in a daze. So much so that you barely notice she’s already awake when you sneak back in.

“You have fun at the motel again?” She asks, and fear freezes you.

“I wasn’t-”

“Mac, your uncle’s good friend, gave me the heads up.” She cuts you off softly.

Mac, the innkeeper. God damn this small town. Venom, anger, indignation, they all swirl violently in you.

“Whatever you’re doing there, you’re only gonna find danger.” She says somber, and you stay quiet.

Your aunt sighs.

“You’re lucky this hasn’t gotten out yet. What would young Duke say if he found out?”

Frustration bursts in you, and you snap furious about why would you even need to care about that man’s opinion of you.

“Because he plans on weddin’ you, and I plan on letting him.” Your aunt fires back and her words shoot right through you.

Your legs feel like they’re about to give out, even have to steady yourself against the nearby chair.

You thought your aunt understood. She’s been alone, a widow since she was around your age, longer than your mother had been a widow. You thought she’d never fall into the trap of forcing marriage.

“It’s for your own good.” She argues, watery urgent m. “You need protection, a home, a husband to provide for you.”

You rush out of the house even ignoring the screams from your aunt.

You’d have to think of a plan fast. Maybe leave with Ezra once the competition ends today. It’s all too much. You swallow back a sob and walk back into town.

The competition was today after all.

The day at the shop is very short. Julie doesn’t even notice your somber atmosphere as she’s completely caught up in the excitement of this day. So many more wagons stretch around the edge of town.

Pecos flutters alive with life.

But there’s already commotion, a dangerous kind that chokes the competition tense.

Duke yells loud and furious. The sheriff along with his deputies are nearby. Thankfully you spot Martha and quickly move to ask her what’s going on.

“Duke’s horse is missing.” She whispers.

From what Martha says, when Duke went to the stables this morning the gate was open and his horse was nowhere to be seen. His trusty companion, you even knew how serious an issue this is.

“Well young buck, if you’re that upset then maybe you shouldn’t partake in the festivities.” Ezra, out of thin air, offers.

He looks confident as he strolls up.

“Or you simply ride with another mare?” He proposes with a coy optimism.

“Fuck you!” Duke snaps at Ezra and even looks as if he’s going to lunge.

Your heart hammers hard in your chest. Thankfully the sheriff settles the commotion down.

Angered but stubborn, Duke declares he’s staying to compete and will simply use another horse. He is favored to win after all.

Other cowboys from out of town have blown in like packs of tumbleweed. So many of them are excited to participate and try their hand at showing off their rancher skills

Some are good.

But it is Ezra who proves to be the dark horse, the surprise underdog.

Watching him on his stallion, your throat goes dry seeing how effortless and strong he manages his horse. You never knew he could ride. The way he maneuvers and stays a quiet presence, he reminds you of an outlaw.

“Moves like a bandit.” Someone in the crowd even whispers.

His rope throwing skills however surprise everyone, including yourself. The calf he manages to wrangle takes you by shock. A dangerous lust slithers over your body watching him wrangle the animal with his strength and sturdy form.

But you realize -

This wasn’t what had been planned. From the discussion given last night, Ezra was meant to perform poorly to make sure Duke did better.

But this is exactly the opposite.

He’s the lead runner for champion of the competition.

And then Duke’s turn arrives. The crowd mummers curious, on edge waiting for the favored cowboy to make his move.

The horse he uses is not cooperative. Duke screams, unable to hide his frustration in wrangling the creature.

But once he stabilizes a manageable ride, he goes to lasso the calf. His rope lands and the crowd cheers. He’s already faster than Ezra.

Until the frayed rope snaps and the calf yanks itself free.

The crowd gasps.

It’s not an immediate disqualification, but it doesn’t look good. Duke argues that his rope was frayed and that someone must have slowly started cutting at it. However it’s a long shot argument. There’s no way to prove that and even the sheriff seems a little wary of the accusation.

“That’s just the way rope is son, you just gotta keep an eye on it.”

Duke screams in anguish canyon splitting anger. You’ve never once seen him like this. It’s like it’s a whole new man, or maybe, his true self being revealed.

He’s offered another rope, but it’s almost horrifying to watch that one as well snap. The crowd again gasps.

This wasn’t the outcome meant to happen.

“Duke’s cursed.” Someone mumbles.

The crowd is in disbelief, you even are. The last remaining competitors try their luck, but none can beat Ezra’s speed.

You can’t believe it. But he won.

And Duke is livid. The crowd tentatively applauds Ezra’s win because of the somber mood clashing.

“You bastard! You goddamn cheated!” Duke screams at Ezra while the deputies try settling him down.

“Poor boy,” Ezra says sympathetically before turning to find you in the crowd.

There’s a gleam of something proud shimmering in his dark eyes.

You don’t question it, don’t want to.

Ezra truly is a man of many facets, dangerous ones, like looking at a raw gemstone that could cut your fingers.

The competition spills into the nearby saloons, and the festivities only seem to intensify as the sun starts setting. You can’t even reach Ezra from the groups swirling around him and want to get as far away from Duke as possible.

So you return back to the tailor shop. Julie urges you to join her and the other women at the mayor’s large property, but you decline.

You simply sit in the store trying to muster up a plan. But in a blink, the night arrives and you have to find Ezra.

So after locking up the shop, you head to the motel.

Until the sound of Duke’s screaming and the rage of violence roars nearby.

You freeze, terrified.

Until someone wearily coughs. “That’s what ya get for gamblin’ with bandits, boy.”

Your swindler’s distinct twang drawls smug and now your body rushes to the secluded alleyway.

You swallow back a scream at the sight you stumble upon. Duke with blood fists has Ezra pinned against the wall, like a mythological creature, terrifying and large looking over with violence in his wake.

Ezra’s face is bloody and one of his arms even hangs limp.

“Pidge.” He coughs, and your heart aches.

Duke whips around to see you and barks for you to leave.

Shakily you snatch down to your bag, and whip out the gun to point it to him. Duke’s face falls a bit confused.

“Honey this man wronged me, I’m only enacting my justice.” He argues.

You snap at him to let Ezra go or else.

That’s when a sinister evil darkens Duke’s golden boy face.

“So, ya little god damn whore…you’re workin’ with this man aren’t ya? I knew I should’ve listened to all the rumors about a slut like you.” He spits with venom leaking from his voice.

“Don’t you touch her.” Ezra snarls, but Duke pays him no mind keeping his sinister eyes on you.

“What?” Duke slowly mutters. “Do ya really think you’re gonna shoot me?”

Tears fill your eyes. You don’t want to, but the way your heart races like a terrified Jack rabbit it screams at you to flee. But… you also wonder if your heart races because it’s urging you to attack, to bare your fangs.

Instead of releasing Ezra, Duke moves to grip his coat harder. He slams your drifter hard and fast against the wall. A painful crack-like smack comes, and you scream.

You fire the gun instantly.

Duke blinks, you even wonder if you landed a hit.

Until deep dark crimson, almost the color of dark sludge, leaks across Duke’s side. He crumbles like a fall leaf.

You cry scrambling to Ezra who thankfully is still standing. Duke wheezes out obscenities and even tries hollering for help. You’re however too worried about Ezra.

“M’fine,” your drifter reassures with a wheeze.

“Hand me the gun, dearest.” Ezra somberly mutters. When you do, without hesitation Ezra fires the gun point black down at Duke. And your eyes shut hearing the pistol strike. Duke goes quiet and stays silent.

“Come on, we gotta hurry.” Ezra urges.

Supporting his body, you manage to get him into the tailor shop to tend to his wounds.

Ezra coughs out your name. “M’dearest, I need to make my escape out of town once more.” His breathing his heaved, he needs to rest.

“Don’t leave me.” You cry sharp, unable to focus on anything now.

His hand slides to your face and he cradles you tenderly. You clutch at his wrist as you blink back tears starting at him now.

“It will not be a pleasant life, staying with a devil like me.” He mumbles.

Doesn't he realize, you’re just as tarnished as him now? Blood is on your hands. You simply turn to kiss the palm of his hand feeling more reassured than ever.

“I’d rather be with the devil than live without him.” You speak soft into his skin while tears dry on your cheeks.

He barks a hollow but watery thick laugh as he says your name. “You foolish bird, my lovely dangerous creature.”

The desert is unforgiving to those who do now learn to grow fangs or become just as fierce as its landscape. You wonder if that’s what has become of you. But you don’t question it. You simply gather all you can, steal one of the horses from the saloon and keep Ezra close to you on the saddle.

If Ezra is a devil, then you’re grateful he saved you from your hell. And for him, you will gladly stain your soul.

Under the eternal eyes of the desert, you wander into the night keeping your bandit close to you.

In the distance a lone coyote howls aching at the moon.

You don’t look back once.

[ilovechuuy4]

S/O gifting Chuuya a puppy for his birthday? ≧◡≦

I Was Meant For You, Baby. Being With You Makes the Flame Burn Good. ✧٭*꙳

Warnings; none other than thicker paragraphs

Description; Giving your boyfriend a pet for his birthday!

A/N; Sorry if this took so long! I wanted 2 wait till chuuyas birthday since it isn't too far from nikolai's! Hope you enjoy!! Also I was flooded out my house (literally) so please bare with me! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL BEST WIFE!1!1!1!!1!2?2?2?2?1!1!1!1!) (F/N is friends name)

You glance at the clock on the wall, 5:23PM a nice Sunday evening on the 28th of April. You had a day until Chuuyas birthday but you already knew what you were getting for his present, that's why you were sitting in a pet adoption center right now. There were dogs barking, cats meowing and other animals noises. Needlessly to say, it was loud.

You were waiting for a specific dog to come out. It was the perfect one for Chuuya. You waited a bit longer until you saw the door open that led to the animals and there runs a puppy, it was a golden retriever. The puppy's coat was this bright shiny golden blonde with these soft brown eyes. Maybe the energy of the dog was different from chuuya's but surely it'll mix well no matter what.

The golden dog's tail was wagging frantically as the employee let go of the small leash, letting the dog go as it jumped in your lap, licking at your face. You laugh softly, running your nails in the coat of the new fluffy companion.

You reach into your pocket and grab your wallet and take out the money; paying the employee. They take the money with a soft nod and fill somethings out before letting you go. You had to keep the dog at a friends house for only a day since chuuya's birthday wasn't until the next day.

You drop the entergetic animal off at F/N apartment for the day while you not only go shopping for a cake but for the puppy too. You make your way to the closest store, making your way to the small bakery built inside. You talk to the baker who was at the front, telling her exactly what you want and what time I'd be picked up, around 3pm tomorrow; Monday, April 29th. You watched as she jotted the details down and she nodded. "Alright ma'am/sir, that'll be around $20 (around 335 in pesos and 3,086 in Japanese yen.) tomorrow when you pick it up." The kind woman said with a thankful smile.

Once you pre-ordered, you scurry off through the market, grabbing chuuya a new fedora to add to his collection along with a nice red wine. You then make your way to the pet isle. There was a lot but you got the essentials; dog food, specifically wet food since it was only a puppy, chew toys, treats, bowls etc. Then you walk your way to check out spending around a good $150(23,197 yen or 2,557 Pecos) you sigh, the hat was pretty expensive, it was around 80-90 USD. You rub the back of your neck as you leave the store, bags in hand.

You drive home, entering the house but keeping the bags in trunk of your car. Once you are inside the house, slipping off your shoes and coat, you are met with a slightly upset blue eyed man, your boyfriend. His arms crossed over his narrow chest, his bright blue irises dangerously showing his mood of anger. "Where were you? You're usually home hours before I am, but I'm here hours before you are home?" Chuuya questions, he was very serious.

"Well I was uhm.." You stamppered, you couldn't make up a good enough excuse. "I was at my friends house, F/N? them?" You said, rubbing the back of your neck. You were obviously lying, nothing could get past the ginger even if you tried. "I won't push, doll. But you gotta tell me when you won't be home. I was worried." He stated, he never pushed you to tell him where you were, he wanted to it come out naturally with no force, he didn't like trying to push answers out, it felt odd to him.

Chuuya walked forward and embraced you, holding you close, hands holding your hips. "Let's go order some food and watch a movie, yeah?" Chuuya recommended, gently grazing your lips with his. You smile and nod as you follow him to the couch. The night grew and the both of y'all became tired. "Let's go to bed, darlin'." He said, gently lifting your to red body off the couch and into yalls shared bedroo, laying you don't and slipping under the covers with you.

As the night wore and the day grew you shirt confortably in the bed, waking up with a yawn. It was 2pm, Chuuya had let you sleep in since you were out so late last night doing god knows what (or at least he didn't know what you were doing.) You yawn, stretching your bones as they pop and crack, the sounds sending shivers down your spine. You yawn onces more before getting out of bed.

You scurry around the bedroom, taking a shower, drying your hair and putting on your clothes you were going to wear to pick up and cake and the puppy. Nothing big, something simple. You grab your bag with your wallet and walk out the house, getting into your car and driving to the same store. You were only a couple minutes early but that was always a good thing as you walked to the bakery section. The same lady greets you with a welcoming smile as he walks to the back, bringing back the cake.

The cake with a simple French vanilla. Thick, swirly dollops of icing, boarding around the top and bottom. The bottom layered with dark chocolate shavings, those also layered at the top on top of the swirls of icing. In black icing, a neat, swirly cursive wrote; "Happy birthday Chuuya." You take out your wallet to pay the kind lady with a smile before taking your card back and walking out the store.

Once leaving the store, you stop by F/N house and pick up the fluffy compainion. It was jumping around, barking and other nonsense in the back seat of the car as you pull up to your house. You reach back, putting the leash on the collar and helping the puppy out the car. It runs inside the house as you squat down to feed it, pouring the food into the bowl in the back room where you sadly had to keep the cute golden for a few minutes more before your boyfriend came home.

You put the fedora and red wine in a small bag and stuff it with tissue paper. You gently place it on the marbled counter top as you take out the cake from the fridge and placing it beside the gift bag. Before you knew it, you heard the rustingly of keys and the front door unlocking, the hinges on the door squeeking as it opened, and there behold your beautiful boyfriend.

"Doll, I'm home. How ar-" his sentence cut off, his eyes going to the gift and cake, a smile spreading on his face as he looked at you. "You know, you shouldn't have?" He said with a chuckle, walking towards you and wrapping you in a hug, hands going around your waist. "I uhm.. I have another gift for you." You said with a nervous giggle before you could say anything else there was barking in the back ground, making chuuyas eyes widen.

"You got a dog?! Where?" Chuuya exclaimed, his eyes wide but he seemed excited. You gently pull away from Chuuya, scurrying to the room the dog was confined in, opening the door. You watched as the puppy hopped and jumped, running around before going to the taken aback chuuya. His eyes widden in gleam as he squats down to pet it was a smile.

"You really got a fuckin' dog?" He said unbelieved, running his hand down the dogs thick coat of fur. "I mean yeah. I know you wanted one so, what do you wanna name her?" You ask with a smile. "Princess." He said, he was straightforward with it and he meant it, this dog's name was gonna be princess and you were well aware it was going to be spoiled like one.

"Mhm alright, princess it is." You say with a slight laugh. You watch as Chuuya stands up and walks over to you hugging you tight. "You don't know how much you; and this. means to me, darlin'. I love you so much." He murmurs softly, kissing your lips slowly, Princess directly between yalls legs.

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

HI fellow LotR fan!! If all of the characters in the trilogy were snakes, what snakes would (at least some of them, I know there's a lot) they be?

Ooooh that's so fun!

Bilbo and Frodo: ball pythons. They're cute. They're a lil bit shy. It's perfect!

Sam: rosy boa. Vibes are right and there's a flower in the name

Merry and Pippin: western hognoses 10000%

Gandalf: the oldest, scrungliest ratsnake that ever did live

Aragorn: I'm biased because I have a rainbow boa named Aragorn, but rainbow boa

Legolas: Trans-Pecos ratsnake

Gimli: dwarves have rattlesnake vibes. Gimli would be a timber rattler!

Boromir: Egyptian cobras. They're cool and easily corruptible by the lure of power

Faramir: Egyptian false cobras, kind of like Egyptian cobras but not as cool

Eowyn: a coachwhip!

Ringwraiths: black mambas!

Mouth of Sauron: cottonmouths are by far the funniest choice. A bit literal but whatever

Arwen and Elrond: blue racers!

Gollum: this awful AI-generated snake I found once that made me laugh so hard I saved it to my computer

[princesssarisa]

These lesser-known Disney movies were produced during and just after World War II. Due to the war, the company lacked the staff and budget to make their classic full-length animated features, so instead they "packaged" several animated shorts together to form feature-length movies. These sustained the studio until they finally returned to single-story features with Cinderella in 1950.

The general public might not know their names, but some of us have just as many fond childhood memories of these movies as of Disney's best-known classics.

It can be easy to forget which shorts came from which package films, so here's a reminder list:

Saludos Amigos: "Lake Titicaca," "Pedro," "El Gaucho Goofy," "Aquarela do Brasil."

The Three Caballeros: "The Cold-Blooded Penguin," "The Flying Gauchito," "Baía," "Three Caballeros," "Las Posadas," "You Belong to My Heart," "Donald's Surreal Reverie."

Make Mine Music: "The Martins and the Coys," "Blue Bayou," "All the Cats Join In," "Without You," "Casey at the Bat," "Two Silhouettes," "Peter and the Wolf," "After You've Gone," "Johnny Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet," "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met."

Fun and Fancy Free: "Bongo" and "Mickey and the Beanstalk."

Melody Time: "Once Upon a Wintertime," "Bumble Boogie," "The Legend of Johnny Appleseed," "Little Toot," "Trees," "Blame It on the Samba," "Pecos Bill."

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad: "The Wind in the Willows" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group C Round 4: Ping Pong the Animation vs White Cat Legend

#C6: Ping Pong the Animation

Sports anime for people who prefer bildungsromans to sports

#C8: White Cat Legend 2020 (Dali si Rizhi)

Government employee and his white cat boss investigate crimes

Details and poll under the cut!

#C6: Ping Pong the Animation

Summary:

Despite being polar opposites, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been best friends since childhood. Although the overly confident Peco strives to be the best ping-pong player in the world, he often skips practice, earning the ire of his fellow teammates on the Katase High School ping-pong team. Meanwhile, Smile—in spite of his innate talent for the sport—cannot help but hold back his full strength when playing against others. Through their mutual love for ping-pong, the two have developed a bond that is seemingly unbreakable.

When Peco hears that an ex-national team player from China is coming to Japan, he drags Smile over to rival Tsujido High School to observe them. The subsequent trip leads to a clash between Peco and Kong Wenge, who overwhelmingly defeats the former in one game. Stunned by such a comprehensive loss, Peco finds himself questioning why he plays to begin with. Seeing his potential as a player, Katase's coach begins to train Smile to overcome his hesitation, but he is reluctant to play if it is not for enjoyment.

As the two struggle to find meaning in the sport, a plethora of stronger players—each with their own internal strifes—await them at the inter-high tournament, where only the very best can persevere. But when these young athletes let their unbridled ambition go unchecked, the hardships they face paint a somber reality as they pursue glory.

Propaganda:

An experimental director (Masaaki Yuasa) adapting a work from a very stylized and emotionally-focused shonen mangaka (Taiyo Matsumoto). This is an anime that feels more like watching an indie arthouse movie than a shonen anime. Featuring characters and arcs that subvert standard anime tropes, it gives an incisive picture into youths on the verge of growing up and learning responsibility. If you want to watch a short anime (one 11-episode season!) which will include cool sports action (and that’s coming from someone who is not generally into sports animes) the matches given weight by the primary use of them in narrative being as checkpoint in the characters’ growths.

I tend to prefer shojo over shonen for being more introspective, with the emotional arcs developed slower and more subtly, but for me this shonen hits a sweet middle ground of having that more internal feel, while getting to do the shonen things of having cooler, action-focused animation and character relationships which are about friendship rather than romance, and character arcs that are about trying to strive hard to achieve a dream. The show is quite well critically regarded, but a lot of anime fans get turned off by the unusual art style, and there isn’t really a fandom for it, so I think it counts as underrated anyways! Anyways, I think it delivers a really impactful and complete story-arc in a short time, and it leaves you feeling like you’ve grown alongside the characters, no matter how old you are (no seriously, my 50-year-old mother walked away saying she didn’t know anime was such a profound genre when I made her watch this).

Trigger Warnings: None.

#C8: White Cat Legend 2020 (Dali si Rizhi)

Summary:

Chen Shi, a young man from the countryside, journeys to the capital in search of his missing older brother, whose existence he has only known about upon his mother’s death. He knows neither the name nor face of his brother, and after finally arriving at the capital he runs out of money as well. One thing led to another, and he finds himself employed at Dali Court, working for Vice Minister Li Bing, a large white cat.

On the other hand, Li Bing is of royal blood who was imprisoned because of his family’s treason. Now, he has to work in the government to atone for the crime.

At Dali Court, they review court cases from all over the country. And when an incident involving the esteemed ministers of the royal court breaks out, Dali Court is called to help—only to find themselves entangled in political threads and hit heads with an eccentric demon.

Li Bing is determined to get to the bottom of this, but how far can he go when he could turn into a real cat at any time when left unchecked?

Propaganda:

Intriguing plot? Check. Complex and interesting characters? Check. Comedy? Check. Drama? Check. 

The blend of comedy and drama is just so good. I started the show because I love cats and supernatural stuff. Who would’ve thought it would pull me into an abyss of despair and political intrigue. The cat demons turned out to be just the icing on the cake. 

We have all these different characters brought up in different ways that their ideas of what is Right conflict with each other. None of them are exactly Wrong or inherently Evil (except for one guy), and this makes it so much more difficult to choose who to root for. You’d think everyone against the protagonists are the Enemies, but turns out even the protagonists are limited by their biases and unintentionally harm others. The two protagonists themselves get into arguments because of their different standpoints.

And I just love this because it makes them realistic, you know? The characters don’t always agree with their friends, and their enemies are not completely hostile either. It really all boils down to what they believe in. Sometimes their beliefs align with existing comrades, and sometimes they find it on the other side.

Production-wise, this show also gets a check on everything. As an adaptation, it’s amazing. The original manhua has quite a simple style—kind of like comic book drawings, and panels are all rectangles in one straight line. Storytelling is also simple and straight to the point. 

But the 2020 donghua? God, it went far and beyond that.  The animation team does not cut corners at all, which is a feat considering the show has a low budget from what I’ve heard. 

A short, simple scene in the manhua becomes an emotionally-devastating experience in the donghua. The animation choices, angles, music, and just everything else blend so well to deliver a STORY. This adaptation does not just copy frames from the source (like Blue Lock) or cut/reorder some of the scenes (like Horimiya and Sasaki to Miyano). White Cat Legend 2020 understands the material so well that it can creatively use the advantages of the animation medium to deliver an experience that exceeds even that of the source. Think Mob Pyscho 100 or One Punch Man s1 level of creativity. It even has mini stories at the end of the ending song. For s1, the mini stories are in stop-motion, while for s2 it’s formatted like a video game. You gotta appreciate the effort.

When reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

If you want to criticize one of the shows above to give the one you’re rooting for an advantage, then do so constructively. I do not tolerate groundless hate or slander on this blog. If I catch you doing such a thing in the notes, be it in the tags or reblogs, I will block you.

Know one of the shows above and not satisfied with how it’s presented in this tournament? Just fill up this form with your revisions, and I’ll consider adapting those changes.

New: Starting round 5, screenshots will be included in the poll post. You can submit screenshots through the form linked above, or through here, via ask or dm.

Guidelines in submitting screenshots:

No NSFW or spoilery images.

Pick some good images please. Don’t send any blurry or pixelated ones.

You may send up to 9 screenshots, but not all may be used.

[phantomwritezstuff077]

The Runt - Billy the Kid

Warnings for this chapter: racism, Jesse being a prick, hints at hate criming, trauma response?

Chapter Fourteen

Laurie sat in the house quietly next to Billy, drawing in her sketchbook while she listened to Frank explain exactly what his plan was. Her long, red hair slightly fell in her eyes as she finished the details of Artax’s face, looking up as Frank continued yapping like those little dogs all the rich women had.

“The plan is for us to join forces and ride across the Pecos River and head on into Lincoln County,” Frank explained, “You all know anything about Lincoln County?” Everyone shook their heads instead of Laurie, who nodded, she knew very little of Lincoln County, but she still knew about it.

“What do you know about it then, Little Red?,” Frank questioned as he leaned over an empty chair, staring intently at the 13-year-old in front of him.

“Not much, my best friend used to live there, he said it was pretty wild which was why he moved,” Laurie explained quietly.

“Well, your friend was right, it was a wild place, and it still is,” Frank said, “The most important thing is there’s no real law in Lincoln County. They’ve got a fort and a handful of soldiers, but most of the law comes from the barrel of the gun.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in as the gang listened intently. “There’s a big player in Lincoln. His name’s Lawrence P. Murphy. He owns stores, he owns cattle, he supplies Fort Stanton and the reservation offices there with grain, cattle, horses, everything you guys need.”

Laurie listened carefully as she looked up at Billy who seemed to be listening just as hard as the other guys in the gang, she rested her head on his shoulder as Frank continued speaking.

“And, naturally, he wants to protect his operation,” Frank continued, “And that’s where we come in. His cattle regularly gets stolen, and he’s got criminal types moving in from Santa Fe and elsewhere tryin’ to muscle in on his other businesses. So, he needs his own people to discourage them, and he’s prepared to pay good money to get ‘em. I think he’ll even take the girl too, if he’s desperate enough.” Frank looked at Jesse. “What do you say?”

“Oh, I think we could probably help him out, right boys?,” Jesse asked as he looked back at the gang, who all murmured in agreement, some nodding their heads. Laurie shrugged, she wasn’t sure if she would be of use to protecting cattle.

She was a runt, of course.

And what kind of runt is capable of protecting cattle?

The young teenager sighed, taking a flask out of her satchel, it was filled to the brim with whiskey, and just as she was about to take a sip the flask was taken out of her hand by Billy. She looked up at him and he shook his head, he knew damn well how lightweight she was, and he also knew that she was far too young to even be thinking about alcohol.

“And, Billy… I need to know where you stand in all of this,” Frank addressed, causing Billy to look up from Laurie and back at the older man. Laurie did the same before her gaze went back to Billy, wondering what he was going to say about the offer, because wherever Billy goes, Laurie will go as well. “If you join us, I’ll guarantee Murphy’s gonna hire us. And I’ll tell you something else. We’ll make sure that you get the biggest slice of the cake when it comes time for remuneration, and I can also tell you that the little dog you got following around you is safe.”

“Just… wait a minute there, Frank,” Jesse interjected, Laurie could practically smell the jealousy in the blonde man’s tone, and she took that as her sign to tune out, block out the argument that was about to ensue. And she did just that, she opened her sketchbook again and began drawing. She had gotten pretty good at zoning out whenever people began to raise their voice.

Thanks a lot, Jesse.

Later that day, everyone was saddling up their horses and packing the mules, getting ready to move out. Artax nickered, pawing the ground slightly as Laurie placed the saddle on his back before tightening the girth and the cinch, patting the young stallion’s neck with a soft smile. The horse looked over as one of the gang members trotted into the camp with a kid in the saddle with him.

“Hey, guys! Came across this Mexican kid in town,” he called as everyone looked over, the kid was around Laurie’s age and he looked like he was scared shitless. “The kid said he’s looking for William Bonney.”

Billy looked at Laurie before handing her the reins of his horse and walking over, tipping his hat at the kid in the saddle.

“I’m WIlliam Bonney,” Billy said, “Who are you?”

“Guillermo,” the kid replied, Laurie cocked her head to the side, she wondered why the kid seemed petrified.

“Hello, Guillermo,” Billy greeted, keeping his tone friendly as he offered the child a smile. “Why are you looking for me?”

“I have a message for you… from Melquiades Segura.” It was after the kid said this did Laurie really start to pay attention, she loosely tied Artax and Billy’s horse to the pasture fence before walking over to where Billy stood so that she could get a better hear.

“Segura?,” Laurie questioned, her face creasing with concern for their old friend. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” The kid took a deep breath as he looked down. “He told me that you and your friend might be in El Paso.”

“What’s his message?,” Billy questioned.

“They have arrested him unfairly and he’s in jail. He needs your help,” the kid explained, shifting uncomfortably on the mule he sat on.

“Why was he arrested?,” Laurie asked, feeling her heartbeat quicken as she exchanged looks with an equally as concerned Billy.

“For the killing of Don Ortiz,” Guillermo replied quietly, not looking at Laurie or Billy at all. “They are arguing to hang him in three days.”

Laurie’s heart dropped upon that last sentence, as she looked back up at Billy with a visibly panicked expression, the poor girl didn’t know how to process any of this information.

“Where is he?,” Billy asked.

“In Chihuahua, Mr. Bonney,” Guillermo answered.

“What’s he saying?,” one of the gang members, Ian asked.

“He’s saying that an old friend of Laurie and I is in jail in Chihuahua, and he needs our help,” Billy explained as he sighed, he knew he and Laurie had to help their friend. They couldn’t just let him hang for a murder he never committed.

“We’re setting out for Lincoln,” Jesse argued, he sounded like a stubborn bull. “It’s all been arranged.” Billy looked at Jesse before looking back at Guillermo before he then looked at Laurie. 

“You can all go ahead, Laurie and I will catch up wit you guys later, this won’t take long,” Billy told Jesse before he walked over to where Laurie had tied his horse and Artax, untying both horses before handing Artax’s reins to Laurie.

“Do you really believe this kid?,” Jesse asked,, approaching the duo with his hands on his hips, he clearly didn’t believe that Guillermo was telling the truth. “He’s a Mexican. They’re all liars. All of them.”

Laurie stopped when she heard Jesse say that as she looked at him, “Shut the fuck up.” She snapped, her voice rising and her tone was clear. She didn’t like that way of thinking. Laurie never snapped at anybody, especially Jesse. And it was safe to say everyone at camp was taken off guard by the uncharacteristic actions coming off of Laurie.

Jesse looked at Laurie like she had just taken his gun. “You’re entitled to your own opinion, runt, but you’ll learn that you’re wrong when you grow up.”

“You know, I’ve heard you saying the same shit about us Irish,” Billy suddenly said, looking over at Jesse, who glared at Billy as well.

“The men who ran my father out of town, put him out of business, they were Irish,” Jesse argued, as if what had happened to his father justified his prejudice. “And I never held that against you.”

Billy didn’t say anything as he shook his head before going back to tending to his horse. Laurie has heard Jesse talk like that a lot when she was growing up after she took him in back at the old ranch, and it never failed to upset her, especially because Dale died because of people with that kind of mentality.

Every single night when Laurie was little, she’d wish upon every shooting star that the people in the world would stop being hateful towards people who are different, but those wishes are yet to come true.

Maybe they may never even come true.

Who fucking knows anymore, because according to people like Jesse, everyone is equal, but some people are more equal than others. 

A/N:

I have nothing to say except stan Laurie

Tag:

@slutforsnow

[carousel-crows]

Hey I noticed that there is a good potential for Top Gun fans to see Twisters and want to write fanfic or incorporate it into Top Gun somehow, and though I won't be able to be part of it since the thought of having to write about a tornado on base is something that I'm actually REALLY familiar with on more than one occasion is just nope, not going to happen. HOWEVER I wanted to offer some suggestions for you and anyone who might be thinking to do it. There are a few amazing storm chasers on YouTube that can provide not only science stuff that would enhance story telling but also plot ideas! Pecos Hank is my absolute favorite as he never screams and his swearing is beeped out by the emergency broadcast noise (which is softened). He's very much into science and you get to see a lot of what goes into his chases and the dangers that it provides. He's been crucial in my own trauma recovery. Then there's Reed Timmer... which is a name that most storm and tornado lovers are familiar with. And while he is very good with some science and stuff, he is the exact opposite of Pecos and it's generally loud with him and bit of screaming, though not as much but yeah. Just two tornado and storm chasers that I recommend. <3

@tearsofrevali you are the best ever for this. i am also too familiar with natural disasters and i don't if i could write something like this.

BUT i wanted to spread this to my writer friends. If anybody wants to write containing tornadoes or is even interested in them, my homie here gives two AMAZING resources to use!

[sweet-caress-of-twilight]

Going off of one of my previous reblogs, i attempted to make a list of where in the world every Disney Animated Canon movie takes place

Antarctica:

Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros) (Pablo starts out living in the South Pole and then he goes to Chile, Peru, and Ecuador)

Africa

The Lion King

Tarzan

Asia

Aladdin is set in a mishmash of Middle Eastern countries. It was supposed to be in Iraq, but because of the Persian Gulf War, Disney said no, so it takes place in the fictional country of Agrabah, which is inspired by Baghdad in Iraq.

Raya and the Last Dragon is set in a mishmash of Southeast Asian countries, but takes the most inspiration from Vietnam

China: Mulan

India: The Jungle Book

Europe

England: The Wind in the Willows (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad), Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, Winnie the Pooh, The Great Mouse Detective

France: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Aristocats, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Germany: Snow White, Tangled

Greece: The Pastoral Symphony (Fantasia), Hercules

Italy: Pinocchio

Norway: Frozen (Arendelle is heavily inspired by Norway)

Russia: Peter and the Wolf (Make Mine Music)

Spain: Wish (Rosas is inspired by Spain and located off the Iberian Peninsula)

Turkey: Pomp and Circumstance (Fantasia 2000) is about Noah's Ark, and many people believe that the ark landed at Mount Ararat in present-day Turkey

Ukraine: Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria (Fantasia) (the real Bald Mountain is Mount Triglaf, near Kyiv in Ukraine)

Wales: The Black Cauldron

North America

Mexico:

Las Posadas

Mexico: Pátzcuaro, Veracruz and Acapulco

You Belong to My Heart/Donald's Surreal Reverie (all from The Three Caballeros)

United States:

Different towns in Massachusetts and California have claimed to be the Mudville that Casey at the Bat (Make Mine Music) takes place in, but the author of the original poem said it has no basis in fact.

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed (Melody Time) - the real Johnny Appleseed (real name John Chapman) planted apple trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ontario, and West Virginia

Lady and the Tramp could take place somewhere in New England

The Fox and the Hound looks like it takes place in Appalachia, so maybe Pennsylvania or Virginia

Home on the Range is somewhere in the Old West

Bolt takes place across America: starts out in California, the title character ends up in New York, visits Ohio, and is back to California by the end

Alaska: Brother Bear

California: Wreck it Ralph (Ralph Breaks the Internet reveals that Litwak's Arcade is in California), Big Hero 6

Florida: Dumbo

Hawaii: Lilo and Stitch

Louisiana: Blue Bayou (Make Mine Music), most of The Rescuers, The Princess and the Frog

Maine: Bambi (the forest was based on Maine and the animators traveled to Maine for reference)

New York: Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet, The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met (Make Mine Music) (the Metropolitan Opera is in NYC), Little Toot (Melody Time), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad) (the real Sleepy Hollow is in New York), The Rescuers (the Rescue Aid Society headquarters is in NYC), Oliver and Company, Rhapsody in Blue (Fantasia 2000)

Texas: Pecos Bill (Melody Time)

Virginia: Pocahontas

Washington, DC: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (Milo works at the Smithsonian

Oceania

The Rescuers Down Under: Australia

Moana: Polynesia

Pangaea

The Rite of Spring (Fantasia)

Dinosaur

South America

Argentina: Pedro, El Gaucho Goofy (Saludos Amigos)

Bolivia: Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos)

Brazil: Aquarela do Brasil (Saludos Amigos), Baia (The Three Caballeros), Blame It on the Samba (Melody Time),

Chile: Pedro (Saludos Amigos) (The title character delivers the mail in the Andes, between Santiago, Chile, and Mendoza, Argentina), Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros)

Colombia: Encanto

Ecuador: Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros) (Pablo goes to the Galapagos Islands, which is an archipelago in Ecuador)

Peru: Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos) (the lake is at the border between Peru and Bolivia), Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros), The Emperor's New Groove

Uruguay: The Flying Gauchito (The Three Caballeros)

Unknown/does not take place in our world

Any of the package film segments not mentioned here

The Little Mermaid seems like it takes place in the Mediterranean Sea, but it could also take place in the Caribbean, which would explain Sebastian's accent

Fantasia 2000: "Pines of Rome" is set in the Arctic, so it could be anywhere from Canada to Alaska to Finland to Russia

Most of Atlantis: the Lost Empire, since the city of Atlantis is completely made up

Treasure Planet

Chicken Little

Meet the Robinsons

Zootopia

Strange World

[lazodiac]

Welcome welcome, one and all, back to my ridiculously futile effort to figure out where every card in Outlaws of Thunder Junction came from. Now, by this point in time the 30 new Alchemy cards have been released, and like with the Vault cards we'll be hitting those after the regular set and Commander cards.

So without further ado... we've dealt with red, and the others, so now it is onto...

GREEN

We open on a pretty important one! Say hello to the cactus-folk of Thunder Junction, the actual honest-to-god genuine native people of the plane, here before even the Atiin for as much as that matters.

The scant few bits of lore we've received on these guys tells us that they started waking up to sentient and sapience when the Atiin showed up, but given real world cacti's entire deal is that they're long-lasting, endurant vegetation that can grow for a long time, the question really is how truthful that is. Especially given they've adopted the idea of clothing and gear pretty well from the Atiin and others.

I'll probably open the can of worms that is Thunder Junction's questionable-at-best decisions when it comes to the world building another day, but for now... lets just make like a thumbleweed and roll on. Cacti are from Thunder Junction. Also I do love this play of like, a very nice and gentle warlock who heals you with vapor rube.

This is good advice! Boots are shady places, typically made of leather that is treated to not take in the heat that much, and are as such nice and shady places for creatures like this to live in.

Native to the plane, like most animals.

While there are arguments that there are other planes this person could be from, the nature of the bond with beasts- plus the fact that this guy clearly dresses like his beast, whereas most Outcasters are more of a wild-man of the wilderness vibe- feels like it is very much meant to elude to the bonders of Ikoria.

Fun story stuff: the betrayal did not actually work out this way, with Vraska and Oko staying allied basically right until the last moment where Vraska immediately went for the kill shot with her petrification stare. It does definitely resemble how Kellan and Oko split ways though. Also, hilariously, while it was obvious the gang would backstab each other... in the end it was actually very surprising HOW it happened. Not very likely at all!

Anyway, naming where this is from is a hard one. Given the mixture of who betrayed who and the sheer webbed nature of it all, I'm kinda forced to give it to Thunder Junction itself.

As befits the native plant-life of Thunder Junction, there is animal-plants as well! Look at this delightful critter!

I'll admit, to my detriment I actually care more about the real history of the Old West than the mythology of the frontier folk, so I don't really know if Bristly Bill here is meant to be an allusion to Pecos Bill or Johnny Appleseed. The former seems more likely based on name, but the actions of cultivating the land (but in a non toxic way like ole John) seems to lean more in that direction.

Anyway, he's a cactus, so native to the plane.

Perhaps one of the most horrifying cards ever put to print. I love it. Native to Thunder Junction.

One of my favorite parts of magic sets is seeing how various worlds take classic Magic creatures and incorporating their unique elements into it. A rattlesnake this big, this destructive, is incredible.

Just remember however: rattlers have a rattle to warn away predators.

Characterizing tumbleweeds as actual living creatures, like a strange dead-alive elemental, is beautiful and I love it. Native to Thunder Junction.

A big ol' bear that is going half-cactus because of some Thunder induced mutations! Native to Thunder Junction, again!

This one actually requires some thought! Yay! I feel based on his build that this centaur is from Theros and not say, Ravnica- the city of guilds has more modern war-horses, whereas this feels more like a wild horse design.

The Freestriders are the faction that get the least amount of lore presented about them. They aren't people who live out in the wilderness, but are people who go exploring and adventuring all the same.

After some deliberations, looking at art, and trying to source the design of that tattoo we see, I think I've gotta say this fine fellow is from the Atiin home plane.

This unmitigated disaster is from Kaladesh!

STEP ON THE GAS. STEP ON THE GAS. NO! HIT THE BREAKS!

Some people got mildly upset at this card, but I'm here to tell all you fine folk that despite what your instincts tell you, beaver DO exist in the great prairies of the old west. They're not as common because there's less water about for them to do their do, but these critters exist there too!

So this gold is gold found natively on Thunder Junction, so it goes on the list for that one, but you may be asking yourself: Zodi, where does this weirdo come from? He's not an Azra cause he doesn't have purple skin, he's not a Satyr since his horns are tiny baby idiot horns for babies, and he looks like a regular dude despite having pointed ears like an elf so surely he's not elven right?

Well, you'd be forgiven for not remembering it since it only shows up on like three or four cards, but this is actually just what elves look like on New Capenna. They have tiny little idiot baby horns and look more like humans than other elves do, it's just how things go.

Once upon a time, Order of the Stick made a joke about overburdening a hydra's regeneration so that you could turn it into a successful food stall. This feels like a less comedic version of that.

Native to Thunder Junction, which is fascinating. This is likely a thunder mutation since I don't imagine hydras are just naturally made of gold here.

Another wonderful cactus-folk, ready to defend his folk from any interlopers, one sawblade at a time.

Fun fact: if you want to play as a cactus-folk in DND, use the Thri-Kreen from Darksun.

This giant chimkin is clearly native to the plane... but isn't the actual subject of the art. Instead it's this weird paladin-ass looking guy with a big sword. Based on the flavor text I'm going to say he's Benalian, so from Dominaria.

Cards like this are a nice reminder that Magic definitely did try to approach this plane with good faith and an understanding of native perspectives, they just kinda fumbled it. More on that later.

... where does this guy come from? Well he's ridiculous strong and a nomad so I'm gonna say he's from Tarkir.

Combining the tumbleweed concept with Brushwaggs is a really fun idea, though I do wonder how these little armadillo faced idiots fair against the REAL tumbleweed elementals.

Native to the plane, obviously.

I'm honestly baffled this guy isn't an elf, considering everything. The most mention of the idea of "greenX" being a thing is from Zendikar, so this cactus-covered cultivator is from that plane. His big machete honestly fits it, too.

I've noticed a subtle mechanical theme in green about caring about Ferocious, and honestly I kinda like it. The last one of those was from Ikoria, and had similar vibes and a clear bond with a beast, so I think I'll say the same here.

This card is, by the flavor text, directly an Atiin person, and thus is from their home plane.

Also given the way Thunder Junction works, its time frame, and all that... how many worlds HAVE the Atiin visited before Thunder Junction? We know they're nomadic, and we know that they got to Thunder Junction basically immediately after the paths opened, so... presumably all the worlds they've visited past TJ are where the majority of the wandering folk still are. Hell, for all we know this card takes place on another plane, given she doesn't even have a HAT.

As much as I'd love to say this guy is one of the Alaran Rhox, I think it's far more likely he's from New Capenna.

The horseshoe chain-multiflail is one of my favorite weapons in the set.

Blep.

Native to Thunder Junction.

Play it again, Sam! Cactus means Thunder Junction!

I knew a piano player once. Having multiple limbs would make you such a good pianist.

Flavor fail no one has a gun in this art <sarcasm>

I do kinda wish we got to see more of the Cactus Folk Rage Forms though, that would have been cool.

Varmints are specifically called out as being a unique sort of pest from Thunder Junction, and that's what they are!

Still think they're convergent evolution of gremlins though.

Those Akroan bastards have ONE TRICK but damn if it doesn't work when they make use of it. This is of course from Theros. It is also probably my favorite card in the set.

Rattlewurms are native to the plane, so this magical curtain of molted snake-skin is too.

And that's it for post one. Tune in to like a couple minutes from now for part two!

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

Random favourite visual kei musical moments 3

The madness that AND were, man. AND was that kind of band that reached a specific high and then haunted its members for the rest of their career to be fair, but well...part of me wishes all 6 of them can still look back at it with a smile. Maybe cause it was my first vkei band I dunno. It still means sth to Ken and Peco for one but I never learnt how the rest see it.

One of my favorite things about them was the synchronicity they had on stage. They were chaotic, but somehow like one whole being...This part right here might be translating well what I mean. Their performance and chemistry on stage were electric to me and I really wish they could have made it longer. I never understood why they took their separate ways, they all seemed to regret it afterwards and so much was said back then, I no longer know what's true or not. What I know though is that somehow, even though they never became that of a big name, pretty much everyone I've spoken to from the western fandom knew who they were, even those that never became their fans. Also most musicians in the scene knew them. I was pwoud. :P

I miss my agents. :/

Song title: Trigger (if you've been searching vkei on YT around 2012 like me, you probably came across this one a lot, along with Diaura's Lost November and a couple more songs)

[sessakag]

Hey, just wondering... which mods are you using with The Sims?

I use so, so many mods it's ridiculous, lol, and my game is absolutely crazy I swear, but it's incredibly fun so, oh well!

I'll give you the creators name if I can remember and the mod name of course. It's a pretty long list 😅

Deaderpool: MC Command Center (must have!), MC Woohoo

Turbodriver: Wicked Whims 🤭(another must have for me at least)

KawaiiStacie: Slice of Life(a must! Adds life to the game!), Memorable Events, Explore Mod- Accessories, Explore Mod- Gambling

Sacrificial Mods: Road to Fame, Zombie Apocalypse, Life Tragedies, Deadly Toddlers, Extreme Violence(for the gangs of course 😏), Passionate Romance, Torture & Chaos (I don't really use them all at once, I switch them up for whatever save file I'm in the mood to play in)

Adeepindigo: Education Overhaul, More Premade Holidays, More New Years Resolutions

Caradriel: Better Babies and Toddlers, My Wedding

SimRealist: Banking, Real estate, Private Practice(adds allergies, heart attacks, doctor visits and all kinda fun scary stuff), Mortem, Home & Land. Co, Organic(the reason why Naruto and Sasuke have beards in my game)

Basemental: Drugs, Gangs (it is just as bad as you're probably imaging, lol, I should have took picture of the aftermath of their keg party after they graduated from university. I let them do whatever they wanted at the party.... they all got wasted. Hinata passed out several times, Sasuke used his vampire powers on innocent bystanders then passed out, Naruto fought a few people, went streaking then passed out, lmao, they almost missed graduation the next day they were so messed up!)

Kuttoe: Lifetime Quirks, Basemental Addon (bruh, the "sketchy lot" trait in this is crazy 😂all kinds of sketchy sims show up)

Carl's Guides: Gameplay Overhaul

Chingyu: Faithfulness, 100 Custom Traits V2, Supernatural Traits

Cinerotique/Peco: Cinerotique TV

Mercuryfoam: Ballroom Dance

LUUMIA: Height Slider, Shorter Teen Pre-set

Iced Cream: Hybrid Stabilizer

LittleMsSam: Way too many to list, she has a huge list of behavior mods that can remove or add little(or big) details. I have 24 of her mods, my favorite three are: Ultrasound Scan, ATM Cards and Credit, New Vampire Powers

Lumpinou: Road to Romance, First Impressions, Memory Panel, LGBTQIA Mod(love this!), Open Love Life(responsible for my throuple alongside Wicked Whims and MC Command Center, bless their creative and open minds 🥹 love this the most)

MissHissy: Lore & Order (Spellcasters and Vampires), Custom Wants, The Hobby Mod, The Hope & Fears Mod, The Personality Mod

MizoreYukii: SimCity Loans

PolarBearSims: Personality Please!, Sims Learn Info

TwelfthDoctor: Magic Bloodline For Aliens, Occult Hybrid Unlock Stablizer

Pandasama: Childbirth Mod

Simsmodelsimmer: Realistic Reactions

roBurky: Meaningful Stories

thepancake1: Cute Romance, Remove Sims From Conversations (because omfg other Sims just butt into to A B conversations and make everything all awkward and unpleasant when my Sims be talking to each other, minding their own dang business 😑)

KiraSims4Mods: I Love you (this is so sweet! Sims can tell each other they love each other and the response are so adorable! 🥰)

SrslySims: Srsly's Complete Cooking Overhaul

SpinningPlumbobs: Werewolf Mod (very impressive since this added werewolves before the EA werewolf gamepack even came out!)

TwistedMexi: Better Exceptions (helps me keep track of broken or conflicting mods messing up the game in real time, absolute must have!)

Zero's Sims 4 Mods&Comics: Another too many to list, I use a lot of his tweaks for vampires and spellcasters, my top three are: RoM Master Magic, Immersive Vampires, Mental Health

I also have several hundred (maybe a thousand?) custom clothing, accessories, make-up, eyes, hair, etc. Several customized aspirations, and miscellaneous mods I didn't add to the list.

I think I'm up to almost 2,000 mods total now 😅thank goodness my laptop can handle it all and still make the game look pretty.

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

So I may or may not have just gone on a research binge about ratsnakes because I was thinking about potential snakes I would want to own and the Japanese rat snake came up... they're too pretty, I want one.

While researching, I came across the discovery that not all New World ratsnakes are Pantherophis species! Particularly interesting was that the Trans-Pecos rat snake, like your Stede, is actually in the Bogertophis genus.

Anyway, my question is: what are the main differences between Old World and New World ratsnakes and between the different genera of New World ratsnakes? Is there anything we should know about them before getting a rat snake?

Ratsnakes are so cool, and their taxonomy can get really convoluted really fast. But here's what you need to know! I'm using the most commonly agreed-upon genus names for the sake of simplicity.

Old World ratsnakes fall into a few main genera. Elaphe is the big one, with ten members. Then there's Coelognathus, Ptyas, and Zamenis, Orthriophis, and a handful of other genera that have just a couple species. The general rule of thumb is that Old World ratsnakes tend to be a bit trickier than New World ratsnakes; they're often bigger and a bit more finicky. They tend not to tame down well...with a few exceptions. Snakes in Elaphe tend to make the best pets - Japanese, Russian, and Dione's ratsnakes in particular are absolute sweethearts and make awesome pets.

New World ratsnakes are a smaller group. The main genus, as you mention, is Pantherophis, and you've also got Bogertophis, Pseudelaphe, Senticolis, and Spilotes. Pantherophis and Bogertophis snakes make good pets as a rule; the others are generally harder to get right in captivity. As a rule, New World ratsnakes tend to be a lot easier to work with than Old World rats.

Bogertophis is just the Baja California ratsnake and the Trans Pecos ratsnake; they're both really great snakes that tend to be very docile and easy to work with. You can recognize them by their eyes - they're visual snakes who have really big eyes!

Which ratsnakes in Pantherophis make great pets depends a bit on your experience level. Cornsnakes, obviously, are great for everyone, as are Baird's ratsnakes. Most of them, like easterns, are good pets but can be a little defensive as babies. Snakes in this genus generally tame down super well with time and gentle handling.

Ratsnakes are awesome pets, generally speaking. The biggest note across the board is that they're not little snakes and they really need to be able to climb - you really need a tall enclosure with lots of climbing space for these guys.

[lboogie1906]

William Best (May 27, 1913 – February 27, 1962) sometimes known as Sleep n’ Eat, was a television and film actor.

He was one of the first African American film actors and comedians to become well-known. In the 21st century, his work, like that of Stepin Fetchit, is sometimes reviled because he was often called upon to play stereotypically lazy, illiterate, and/or simple-minded characters in films. Of the 124 films he appeared in, he received screen credit in at least 77, an unusual feat for an African American bit player.

A native of Sunflower, Mississippi, he reached Hollywood as a chauffeur for a vacationing couple. He decided to stay in the region and began his performing career with a traveling show in southern California. He was hired as a character actor in Hollywood films after a talent scout discovered him on stage.

For years he was billed only as “Sleep n’ Eat”, he received credit under this moniker instead of his real name in only six movies: his first film as a bit player Feet First, and in Up Pops the Devil, The Monster Walks, Kentucky Kernels, West of the Pecos, and Murder on a Honeymoon. He thereafter usually received credit as “Willie Best” or “William Best”.

He worked in television in the 1950s, almost exclusively at the Hal Roach studio. He became known to early TV audiences as Charlie, the elevator operator on My Little Margie (1953-55). He played Willie, the house servant/handyman and close friend of the title character of The Trouble with Father, for its entire run (1950-55). He played Billy Slocum in Waterfront.  He played a surprisingly straight role, without comedy or dialect, in a Christmas-themed episode of Racket Squad. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[quasarlasar]

MELISSA AND THE ALLIES OF GAIA ART DUMP 2 - THE WATERSPOUTS

More art of the storm avatars Melissa encounters in Episode 9 of the story I posted on Wattpad, this time the waterspouts.

The first image shows the fair-weather waterspouts. They are summoned by a cumulus congestus cloud that turns out to be a weaker form of the supercell encountered later in the episode. They're quite playful and fairly harmless, to the point they hi-five the fishermen controlling them with their little sub-vortex arms. A pair of fishermen on a charter boat have been using them to suck up entire shoals of fish and deposit them on the boat for them. Since this is basically a complete misuse of nature (and cruel to the fish besides), Melissa has to stop them.

The lead waterspout, however, seen in the second image, is a true tornado, summoned by the supercell in its full-powered form. It has a stark white color, and means business. Melissa tries to stop it like in the legend of Pecos Bill lassoing a tornado, except this time by wrapping it up in fishing line. The tornado's subvortices resemble fish fins, with a pair like pectoral fins and another pair like a caudal fin. The caudal fin I imagine rotates with the rest of the tornado like the blades of a propellor, churning up the water. It turns out the fins are semi-solid and can catch a fishing hook.

As you can probably guess, this doesn't work out well for Melissa. The tornado's just too powerful, and sucks Melissa out of the charter boat. I have no idea what EF rating this guy would have, but it's strong enough to lift the charter boat high into the air and crumple it up like it's a wad of tissue paper.

Fortunately, Melissa is able to soar all the way up the supercell's updraft and free it from the evil weather magic artifact that's controlling it. It's explained more in the story, but supercell avatars are ridden by basically going inside them and piloting them like they're some giant mothership/airship.

Here's a sketch of the supercell again, but in profile, showing how her anvil is very elongated when seen from the side (I feel like my original drawings made it look very rounded like there's no wind shear...it really would be elongated downshear). It is mentioned in the story that her original pilot is a man who wore a cowboy hat. I'm thinking of having the pilot show up in a sequel, where he will be revealed to be this stormchaser who unwittingly stumbled upon the Allies of Gaia doing a mission with their storm avatars. He was originally sentenced to have his memory wiped, but he ended up loving the idea of riding storms so much he became a member. I imagine the supercell (who Melissa will call "Mr Thunders") was actually given the name Empress by her original pilot.

My original idea was that the pilot would basically be someone who looks like Pecos Hank but with the personality of Reed Timmer, but then the Twisters movie trailer came out and did exactly that with one of the characters. So I'm not sure yet what his personality will end up being.

In any case, I was totally listening to the song released for Twisters, "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" by Luke Combs, while drawing these. That, and, "Vicarious" by Tool. Both could potentially be anthems for storm watchers, lol.