#Sam and hawk can pay for it

[burntsecrets]

Sweet Chaos

Pairing: Sam Winchester x Reader Word Count: 1784 Summary: While staying in a cozy inn during a case, Sam surprises you with a gingerbread house kit he picked up at the local store. Warnings: Fluff, playful banter, NSFW, explicit sexual content, consensual intimacy A/N: This is for @moosekateer13 I'm your secret Santa for @spnfanficpond's Secret Santa 2024. I'm using the prompt for the @fluff-cember challenge, day 6: gingerbread house. I hope you like it!

The sound of the wind whistling outside the inn’s window pairs perfectly with the crackling of the small fireplace across the room. The case has been quiet so far—too quiet—but for tonight, you’ve managed to carve out a rare moment of peace. You’re curled up on the couch, flipping idly through an old book you picked up at the local thrift store when the sound of Sam clearing his throat pulls your attention. He stands in the doorway, his tall frame slightly hunched to accommodate the low ceiling. In his hands, he holds a brightly colored box, his dimples deepening as he grins at you.

“What’s that?” you ask, sitting up and tucking the blanket around your legs. Sam steps closer, holding up the box—a gingerbread house kit. It’s kitschy, with cartoon snowmen and candy canes decorating the front, but something about the gesture warms your chest. “Seriously? You bought that?”

Sam chuckles, setting the box on the coffee table in front of you. “I figured we could use a break. And hey, it’s festive.” You can’t help the smile that spreads across your face. “Alright, Winchester. Let’s do this.”

The table is soon transformed into a sugary battleground. The kit includes walls, a roof, frosting in a plastic bag, and an assortment of candies that look slightly questionable but smell undeniably sweet. Sam carefully arranges everything with the precision of someone who has built a thousand IKEA bookshelves while you eye the frosting like a hawk–already scheming. “Okay, we start with the base,” Sam says, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pipes a line of frosting along the edge of the cookie walls. His big hands are surprisingly steady, and you can’t help but admire his focus.

“That’s cute,” you tease, picking up your own piping bag. “But my side is going to blow yours out of the water.”

“Oh, we’re making this a competition now?” Sam raises an eyebrow, his grin growing. “I thought this was supposed to be a team effort.”

“Teamwork is overrated,” you reply, nudging his elbow just enough to make his line of frosting wobble.

“Hey!” he protests, laughing. “You’re going to regret that.”

It starts innocently enough. You’re both diligently working on your respective sides of the gingerbread house, each stealing glances at the other’s progress. Sam’s side is neat, with perfectly aligned gumdrops and a roof that could be in a magazine. Yours… well, it has personality. “Why do you have all the gumdrops?” you ask, narrowing your eyes as Sam sneaks yet another piece of candy onto his side.

“Because I got here first,” he says, popping one into his mouth for good measure.

“That’s cheating,” you declare, grabbing the frosting bag and aiming it at him. Without thinking, you swipe a dollop of frosting across the bridge of his nose. The look of pure shock on his face makes you burst out laughing.

“Oh, you’re gonna pay for that,” Sam warns, his voice low and teasing. Before you can react, he dips his finger into the frosting and smears it across your cheek. You gasp, feigning outrage as you grab a handful of flour from the nearby bowl and toss it at him. It’s chaos after that—frosting, flour, and candy flying in every direction. Sam’s laugh is loud and carefree, the kind of sound you don’t hear often enough from him, and it fills the small room like sunlight.

By the time the battle subsides, the table is a disaster. Flour dusts the air, and bits of candy stick to your fingers. The gingerbread house stands in the center, a wobbly, candy-laden masterpiece that looks like it barely survived a storm. You’re both out of breath, sitting side by side on the couch and surveying the mess. “Well,” you say, brushing a streak of frosting from your arm. “It’s not winning any awards, but it’s ours.”

Sam leans forward, inspecting the lopsided roof with a critical eye. “It’s got character,” he agrees, his voice soft. You glance at him, your heart skipping a beat, when you notice the frosting still smeared on his nose. Without thinking, you reach out and wipe it away with your thumb. His green eyes meet yours, and for a moment, the room feels impossibly quiet.

“Thanks,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. Before you can respond, he leans in, closing the space between you. His lips are warm and soft against yours, the kiss slow and sweet, like the moment itself. When he pulls back, his hand lingers on your cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray bit of flour.

The air between you shifts, charged with something deeper, something you’ve both been skirting around for weeks. His eyes darken, flicking down to your lips before meeting your gaze again. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he admits, his voice husky.

Your breath hitches, and before you can think, you’re tugging him closer, kissing him with a fervor that surprises even you. His hands find your waist, pulling you onto his lap as the kiss deepens, his tongue brushing against yours in a way that sends a shiver down your spine. Your fingers tangle in his hair, and he groans softly against your mouth, the sound making your pulse race.

Sam’s hands slide under your sweater, his touch warm against your skin as he trails his fingers up your back. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, his lips moving to your neck, kissing and nibbling along your jawline until you’re squirming in his lap.

You tug at his flannel shirt, pushing it off his shoulders to reveal the toned muscles underneath. He’s breathtaking, all broad shoulders and lean strength, and the way he’s looking at you makes your knees weak. “Sam,” you whisper, your voice barely audible as he shifts, laying you down on the couch and settling between your thighs.

He pauses, his hand cupping your cheek as he searches your eyes. “Are you sure?” he asks, his voice gentle despite the tension in his body.

“Yes,” you breathe, pulling him down for another kiss.

Sam’s lips trail fire down your neck as his hands caress your sides, the warmth of his touch chasing away every thought but him. He shifts his weight, pressing his body against yours, and the heat of him sears through your clothes. Your hands slide over the planes of his shoulders, gripping him as his mouth moves lower, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses along your collarbone.

The soft glow of the fire bathes the room in flickering light, casting shadows across Sam’s face as he pulls back to look at you. His hair falls slightly into his eyes, his lips swollen, and his chest heaving. “You’re incredible,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. “I don’t think I can take my time with you.”

Your fingers skim over his jaw, your thumb tracing the edge of his lips. “Who says I want you to?” you tease, your voice breathy. The words light a spark in him, and he leans down, claiming your lips with renewed intensity.

In one fluid motion, he sits back, lifting you into his arms as though you weigh nothing. You let out a soft laugh of surprise, wrapping your legs around his waist as he carries you to the bed. He lays you down gently, his eyes never leaving yours as he settles over you. The tension between you hums like a live wire, the weight of his body grounding you in the moment.

His hands are sure as they slide beneath your sweater, pushing it up and over your head. You shiver as the cool air brushes your skin, but Sam’s touch is quick to warm you. He leans down, his lips brushing across your shoulder, then lower, kissing along the curve of your breast. Your back arches as his hands explore, every touch sending sparks skittering down your spine.

You tug at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against yours. He obliges, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. Your hands roam over his chest, marveling at the heat and strength of him, the way his muscles flex beneath your touch. Sam groans softly as your fingers trace the lines of his abdomen, his hips pressing against yours in response.

“God, you drive me crazy,” he murmurs, his lips finding yours again. His kiss is fierce, all-consuming, and you lose yourself in the sensation of him. His hands trail down your sides, hooking into the waistband of your pants and tugging them down. You help him, shimmying out of them as he follows with his own, leaving you both bare and vulnerable in the firelight.

Sam pauses, his gaze raking over you as though committing every detail to memory. “You’re perfect,” he whispers, his voice reverent. His words make your heart flutter, but there’s no time to dwell on them as he leans down, his lips brushing over your ear. “Let me show you.”

What follows is a blur of sensation—his lips and hands exploring every inch of you, the way he whispers your name like a prayer, the way his body moves with yours in perfect rhythm. The fire crackles in the hearth, the snow falls softly outside, and the world narrows to the heat between you, the way he makes you feel like you’re the only thing that matters.

Time seems to stand still as you reach the peak together, his name spilling from your lips as he groans yours into your neck. He holds you close, his body trembling slightly as the moment washes over you both. The room is silent except for the sound of your breathing, the fire casting a warm glow over the two of you.

Sam rolls onto his side, pulling you into his arms. His hand brushes your hair back from your face, his lips pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “I think we make a damn good team,” he murmurs, his voice low and content.

You smile, resting your head against his chest. “Only when you don’t steal all the gumdrops,” you reply, your tone teasing but affectionate.

He chuckles, his laugh rumbling against your cheek. “Fair enough. Next time, I’ll share.” His arms tighten around you, and you let yourself relax into his embrace, the warmth of him and the fire lulling you into a blissful haze.

The snow continues to fall outside, blanketing the world in quiet, but inside the inn, the earlier chaos has given way to something softer, deeper, and undeniably real. For now, the case and the danger can wait. Tonight, it’s just you and Sam, and that’s more than enough.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

A year in illustration (2024), Part two

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/07/great-kepplers-ghost/art-adjacent

Part one

Algorithmic feeds are a twiddler's playground

I confess that the kind of music that people make with modular synths leaves me totally, absolutely flat. However, the look of modular synths is perfect for conjuring up the idea of "twiddling" – a key part of my theory of enshittification (doubly so after I painstakingly put a HAL 9000 eye on every dial and knob).

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/11/for-you/#the-algorithm-tm

(Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0; djhughman, CC BY 2.0; modified)

CDA 230 bans Facebook from blocking interoperable tools

"Interoperability" is one of those abstractions I really struggle to visually represent, but sticking a giant, scuffed, USB-C port (courtesy of D-Kuru's great CC BY 4.0 macrofocus image) on the Facebook sign worked great.

(Image: D-Kuru, Minette Lontsie, CC BY-SA 4.0, modified)

Cleantech has an enshittification problem

Illustrating "cleantech" being bricked seemed pretty straightforward, but it took a lot of doing to find a good picture of a brick. Eventually, I found a brick and took a picture of it! I think the solar panels on the brick are pretty nicely matted in.

(Image: 臺灣古寫真上色, Grendelkhan CC BY-SA 4.0; modified)

How to design a tech regulation

Cutting out those balance scales took a long-ass time, but I've found a lot of uses for them, illustrating the concept of "making trade-offs." The tradeoff here is between a rigid, planned approach and a more improvisational one, so I used an Air Force guy at rigid attention and a guerrilla fighter on the scales. The "impatient guy" from the maybe-a-radio-ad stands in this time for a government regulator.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/20/scalesplaining/#administratability

(Image: Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 4.0, modified)

Microsoft pinky swears that THIS TIME they'll make security a priority

Look, I'll stipulate that using "Clippy" as a symbol for Microsoft personified is a bit antiquated, but I like to think that for those who know, they really know. The Uncle Sam is Keppler again. With apologies to Skippy Shulz, natch.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/14/patch-tuesday/

An end to the climate emergency is in our grasp

Virgil Finlay's demon head is sinister, sure, but the unintentional, undeniable sinisterness of the body language of this guy puts him in the shade. He comes from an unsourced image that looks like an ad for a built-in stereo.

https://craphound.com/images/guygestures.jpg

The audience in the front comes from a Victorian daugerrotype of a crowd watching some kind of unknown spectacle. I cropped 'em out by hand and use them as a visual stand-in for "this is a thing that the world is, or should be, watching."

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/12/s-curve/#anything-that-cant-go-on-forever-eventually-stops

Surveillance pricing

I don't make a lot of animations, but this one is super-sweet. The idea of things switching slowly via crossfades is a great way to illustrate how tech lets companies change things when you aren't paying attention. Thanks as ever to ezgif.com for help assembling and optimizing it.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/05/your-price-named/#privacy-first-again

(Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0, modified)

"Carbon neutral" Bitcoin operation founded by coal plant operator wasn't actually carbon neutral

Thomas Hawk is an amazing photographer who also posts all kinds of amazing found photos (more than 23,000 of them!) to his Flickr stream, at very high rez:

https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=foundphotograph&user_id=51035555243%40N01&view_all=1

The guys in the foreground appear in one of these, proudly displaying an award for – I kid you not – "canned bacon." The kids in the background come from a gallery of photos of early 20th C. child laborers.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/09/terawulf/#hunterbrook

The Google antitrust remedy should extinguish surveillance, not democratize it

If Keppler's "Capital Controls the Senate" is one of the most important antitrust images of all time, then his "Next!" (depicting Standard Oil as a rapacious, world-strangling octopus) is the most important antitrust illustration.

The Uncle Sam-as-a-cop figure is another Keppler (natch), and he's a regular in my collages – I can make him stand in for any federal agency by putting its logo on his chest, where a badge would go.

It took me a long time to cut up that Next! image for easy modding. Here's a GIMP XCF file for your pleasure:

https://craphound.com/images/standard-oil-kraken.xcf

And a PSD:

https://craphound.com/images/standard-oil-kraken.psd

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/07/revealed-preferences/#extinguish-v-improve

(Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0, modified)

The largest campaign finance violation in US history

The giant figure looking at something in his palm through a looking-glass is yet another Keppler Uncle Sam illo (in the original, Sam is peering at a taxpayer who's shouting back up at him). I love the sad little donkey; I spent a bunch of time this election year finding public domain images of mules and elephants and dressing them in the livery of the mascots of the Democratic and Republican parties to have a bunch of visual signifiers with different emotional valences for each.

Note the halftoned background (a Maricopa County ballot); I'm increasingly fond of halftoning as a way to create a nice looking, scale-independent background.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/31/greater-fools/#coinbased

AI's productivity theater

"Technofeudalism" was a theme in my work even before Yanis Varoufakis's excellent book on the subject. Putting a HAL Eye on the reeve in this medieval tapestry depicting him lording it over his groveling serfs really caught the subject, especially after I faded in some Matrix code waterfall for the background.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/25/accountability-sinks/#work-harder-not-smarter

(Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0, modified)

Return to office and dying on the job

This medieval torture chamber was really brightened up by the LATE AGAIN! workplace poster on the wall and the impatient guy posed before the Manhattan skyline through the window bars. Cutting out all the window-panes took forever.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/27/sharpen-your-blades-boys/#disciplinary-technology

Thinking the unthinkable

Bosch's anus-demon (from the Garden of Earthly Delights) returns, this time to illustrate the problems of radium suppositories as a metaphor for commercial surveillance (yes, a visual metaphor for a textual metaphor – whew, it's getting abstract around here). It took some fiddling to get the right green radioactive glow in the anal cavity, and to match it for each of the suppositories in the Museum of the Health Sciences' picture of a box of the

The damask-esque background comes from a gallery of antique marbled endpapers that I often use when I need a texture, tweaking the curves and colors until they look cool.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/19/just-stop-putting-that-up-your-ass/#harm-reduction

There's no such thing as "shareholder supremacy"

Boy I love this one. The background is a late 1800s photo of the Temple of Pluto. The golden calf on the idol comes from an early 20th century illustrated bible. Add Milton Friedman's head, the lettering from the original U Chicago School of Business, and a tiny golden top-hat for the calf, and voila! Idol-worship! Alistair Milne's tip for making gold textures work went down a treat here.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/18/falsifiability/#figleaves-not-rubrics

America's best-paid CEOs have the worst-paid employees

The heads of the millionaires are more Keppler Punch illos, while the bodies and sofas come from another Thomas Hawk found industrial photo. You'll remember the child coal miners from ""Carbon neutral" Bitcoin operation founded by coal plant operator wasn't actually carbon neutral." I have a vivid memory of carefully cutting out the guillotine and its Jacobins during a boring conference presentation.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/09/low-wage-100/#executive-excess

Conspiratorialism as a material phenomenon

The superstitious belief that Big Tech has built a mind-control ray is a common theme in my work, and I've got a few prized, carefully sliced up "mind control ray" themed images from old pulps in my stock art folder. This one is augmented with Cryteria's HAL 9000 eye, and a Keppler cavorting vaudevallian with Zuck's metaverse head. The midcentury family comes from a midcentury ad for Mason Masterpieces's bronzed baby-shoes.

(Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0, modified)

Part three

Part four

[landslided]

the year is 2024, sam larusso has begged her father to go to coachella with her friends (moon, aisha, demitri, robby and miguel but somehow tory, hawk and literally have of eagle fang area have managed to invite themselves to this event). the problem is that daniel is a little bit paranoid since the whole « terry silver tried to kill your whole family » thing, meaning he agrees to it but only if he can come with another responsible adult to chaperone all of these kids. (he’s been so stressed lately. so down. he can’t sleep well and he only feels at peace doing karate… amanda says it’s not healthy. he doesn’t see how to get out of his own head if it’s not doing crazy karate moves with johnny and chozen) unfortunately for him, all the responsible adults are busy; amanda is working, chozen has mysteriously disappeared to go to a baking contest which… since when can chozen make perfect italian meringues??? oh and even louie has a thing that day (it’s a date, cus, but she’s smoooking! i can’t miss it, sorry, or she’ll figure out she’s way out of my league.) which is how daniel finds himself driving a minivan full of teenagers with johnny lawrence in the passenger seat.

when they get there, the kids immediately go and run around, losing themselves between booths of extremely expensive gimmicky food and stages of alternative artists performing to LA rich kids who are all on ket.

daniel and johnny find themselves alone, at one of the biggest festivals of the country, being the oldest guys around and having no idea what to do which is about when johnny drags them both to a booth for beer ("larusso, i refuse to pay 12$ for a peach flavored beer, that’s fucking insane." "then get a water, johnny, i don’t know." "a WATER? to a festival? what are we? wimps? give me that peach nightmare.") about two hours in (and at least 10 beers each which is really gonna hurt daniel’s wallet come tomorrow), daniel sees sam under a tent, getting closer to a stage and daniel follows, of course, because he wants to make sure his daughter is alright… which really comes to a surprise when a redhead singer comes on stage and daniel watches sam turn slowly but surely to tory on her right and wrap a hand around her arm to make her lean down and… oh, that is very much a kiss.

uh.

and it would already be quite weird but now the music is so loud and daniel’s gaze turns to the stage and it all gets stuck in his head; is he happy? waking up in the middle of the night with his head in his hands? he turns to johnny and really, is this a i told you so? is he happier fighting with johnny than at peace with his wife?

johnny, unaware to daniel’s turmoil, slightly tipsy, balancing bert on his shoulders does the most insane, evil thing he could do to daniel at that point; he smiles slightly.

it’s just a hint of teeth in the shape of a crescent moon, just a flash of white for not even a second but daniel feels run through.

he watches tory and sam hold hands in front of the stage, he watches all these young people celebrate who they are and feels both extremely alone and finally understood.

[mattnben-bennmatt]

Ben Affleck's interview w/ Premiere (2000)

Adventures in the Celebrity Trade

In which the author faces a dread beast of epic proportions (his own alter ego), perils that would destroy a lesser man (e.g., worldwide fame), and uncouth fans, all whilst shamelessly promoting his new movie

By Ben Affleck | Photography by Sam Jones

Oscar Winner Affleck talks to himself about the hazards of fame, the art of publicity, and why you should see his new movie.

-

I'm promoting my movie. in doing so, it is incumbent on me to do an interview for a movie magazine. I've asked the good people at PREMIERE to let me contribute an article rather than be interviewed, in an effort at a little break from the norm. I've run the first draft past the studio whose movie I'm hawking, and they were kind enough to give me some feedback. In general, I believe they found my pithy little attempt at a first-person description of what it's like to actually do publicity and my own idiosyncratic deconstruction of said process mildly amusing. But they had some notes. With those in mind, let me say this: Every man, woman, and child on this earth must drop everything and run to their local multiplex to see Reindeer Games. Well, there might be a title change in the works, so maybe it won't be called Reindeer Games, but pay that no heed! Whatever the marketing folks decide to call the movie, it is absolutely imperative that you see it immediately, two or three times if need be. Watching this movie will make you smarter, more successful, and a (much) better lover. I implore you, for your own sake, pay to see this movie. It is, quite simply, the single greatest dramatic narrative of the modern era.

Now, on to the irrelevant part.

I. A DRIVE-BY

"Affleck, you suck!" was all I made out as a full can of beer sailed by, inches from my head. I believe that was the precise moment I knew things had changed.

It was a drive-by beer-canning—a little-publicized-but-all-too-real hazard for the working actor in L.A. It was June of 1997, somewhere around midnight. I was coming out of a record store on Sunset Strip, and in retrospect, I guess I should have seen it coming.

I hadn't been subject to public stoning by Budweiser since my high school days, in Boston. I remember thinking that in this new context, it was a fairly artless, albeit effective, form of what in acting class we used to call "a critique of the work." That was the first day it occurred to me that there is a side of fame that might be unpleasant. It was a peculiar induction—one Jason Patric has aptly characterized as "baptism by flashbulb"—to a strange club whose membership requirements are simple: People you've never met, seen, or spoken to develop opinions (occasionally quite negative and almost always judgmental) about you, your work, and whether or not you "suck." Though my holy water was alcoholic and carbonated and gunned at me by strangers, I suddenly had an affinity for how Mr. Patric must have felt.

Before Good Will Hunting and Armageddon, I did quite a few movies, but nobody saw them. In fact, the entertainment press corps in general seemed aggressively disinterested. When I went to Atlanta to promote Chasing Amy, I clearly remember that the few journalists who showed up to interview me seemed bored (with me), dejected (at having such a low-rent assignment), and desperate (during the actual interview) for a reason—any reason—to write anything. Later, the movie became a minor cult hit, and occasionally I would be confronted by a stranger or two (oddly, these interactions also tended to happen in record stores). But instead of berating me, these guys usually wanted to know, "Did you really nail that girl?" "Was she really a dyke?" and "Do you have her number?" While deeply flattering, these rare interactions didn't prepare me in the least for what I was to face down the road.

That night, I wondered if perhaps this was something that even the great ones have had to endure, but I could never quite convince myself that there was some rangy teenager standing outside Brando's house, hectoring the deaf masonry with the likes of "Why'd you pimp Kabuki-style gear in Moreau?!" Surely there is a point at which one is accorded some space, respect, and privacy. I just wasn't there yet.

The gangly kid's harangue at a thespian about his play is a fair confusion of character and actor. But the words and pictures that provoked the beer-flinger were not of a character in a film; they were representations of me in the press-specifically the tabloid press, coverage in which I had taken no part. So I decided to become the captain of my own destiny, or at least of my own image. I decided to stop avoiding or passively enduring press coverage; instead, I would start a conversation with the public by engaging the press, thus having control over the words and images representing me.

This was, to put it mildly, a blunder. I had underrated the forces at play in the creation of celebrity media and overrated my own ability to withstand and control them. As if that weren't bad enough, I also discovered that I was my own worst enemy.

It wasn't until my third or fourth interview was published that I began to suspect something. I would run into people who know me fairly well (like my mom) and they'd fix me with an uncertain and dubious stare. I began to anticipate the inevitable: "I read your thing in [insert name of rag here] . . ." Then their voices would trail off. I knew the sentiment. I'd experienced it before. Earlier in my career I'd get that. People would say, "Hey, I saw Phantoms. . . ." Though I understood the comment in the context of a movie where I played a sheriff in Colorado battling an ill-defined but vaguely menacing sewer monster, I didn't see the connection with the interviews. But when I asked my girlfriend what she thought about the mixed reviews I seemed to be getting, she let me have it. "I don't even recognize that person." "Who?" I lamely asked. "The guy in that interview, in any of your interviews . . . Interview Guy."

Sonofabitch. Interview Guy.

What I found when I read back over my own inanities was as phony a frat-boy-chucklehead as you're ever likely to encounter—and someone who, I hope, bears little resemblance to the guy typing out these words. Somehow I'd inadvertently given birth to a monster. Interview Guy liked to come off as a cross between a pseudo-intellectual college sophomore who'd just read his first chapter of Proust, a drunken motorcycle fanatic, and an all-around, aw-shucks-can-you-believe-I'm-just-a-regular-Joe ham bone.

The idea here is to set this gruesome record straight. I'll bring Interview Guy face-to-face with myself. The transparent difference will dissolve Interview Guy; the remaining image will be me. Either that or it'll be another in a long series of publicity disasters. At this point, I don't have much to lose.

II. INTERVIEW GUY

INT. MY HOUSE-DAY: INTERVIEW GUY, 27, bearing a striking resemblance to Ben Affleck, but wearing Prada stretch plastic trousers, comes running into the room with a beer. He does a handstand, slams his beer, and slouches into the sofa. Ben Affleck, a.k.a. ACTUAL BEN, sits across from him. Actual Ben is not nearly as good-looking as Interview Guy and seems a little taken aback.

INTERVIEW GUY: I take Viagra and I think the kids should try it at home, the little ones! [Interview Guy runs around the room twice, then heads outside. After a beat, he comes crashing back through the door on a motorcycle. He wipes out.]

INTERVIEW GUY: (Cont'd) [Re: motorcycle] I'll get another one. [Re: nothing in particular] Acting is a journey, right bro?

ACTUAL BEN: Not really. Most of the time it seems like a gigantic press junket, where I talk about my "arc" and decry the invasive nature of the press in my life—then go and have my woes translated into Korean and beamed via satellite to Asia. [A beat]

[There is another awkward beat.]

ACTUAL BEN: (Cont'd) Are you unable to smile or behave normally when having your picture taken? I mean, do you have a particular aversion to looking normal, or are you satisfying some innate urge to look like an idiot?

INTERVIEW GUY: Hey, man, I'm just a regl'r guy who likes to have fun-

ACTUAL BEN: Also, in your photographs you seem to clench your jaw, squint your eyes, and suck in your cheeks. Is something wrong with you physically? Do you have TMJ?

INTERVIEW GUY: [Flushing red] I . . . That's my strong, leading-man jawline and laser intensity coming through. . . . I can't help that! That's not on purpose. . . .

ACTUAL BEN: This isn't going anywhere; let's go to the questions. . . .

[Ed Note: During this segment of the interview, both Interview Guy and Actual Ben have agreed to answer a list of prepared questions. A tape recorder was placed in the room, and the following is a verbatim transcript of their answers.]

QUESTION: What is your favorite magazine?

INTERVIEW GUY: Maxim . . . no PREMIERE! This is for PREMIERE, right?

ACTUAL BEN: I don't have a favorite.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite actor?

INTERVIEW GUY: Arnold, Sly, your mom . . . just playin', guy. . . .

ACTUAL BEN: Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, Meryl Streep, Cole Hauser, Casey Affleck, Jay Lacopo, Vince Vaughn, Joaquin Phoenix, Don Cheadle, the brothers Wilson, Ed Norton, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando, Zeljko Ivanek, Dennis Franz, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand—there are really a ton of actors I think are great and whom I admire. And I honestly believe after seeing The Talented Mr. Ripley and All the Pretty Horses that Matt Damon is one of, if not the, finest young actor around.

INTERVIEW GUY: That Ripley thing, that's a gay picture, right?

ACTUAL BEN: Well, no, it's not. . . .

QUESTION: In the wake of the massacre at Columbine High School, there has been greater scrutiny on the level of senseless and gratuitous violence in movies. What role do you think movie violence plays in influencing real people, and what is the responsibility of filmmakers and actors?

INTERVIEW GUY: I'm so sick of that question. Some idiot kid who played too much Mortal Kombat and can't get a girlfriend decides to shoot up his school . . . that's not Sylvester Stallone's fault for making Cobra. The guy was trying to make a kickass Marion Cobretti biker picture. Forget about teaching masturbation in schools; they ought to hand out twenty bucks and a map to Korea town. You get yourself a little massage-parloring down there, you feel a lot less inclined to blow up your lunchroom!

ACTUAL BEN: I disagree.

INTERVIEW GUY: 'Course you disagree; you smoke cock.

ACTUAL BEN: No, I don't "smoke cock," I just think there is some responsibility to be had by those of us who have some impact over the content of movies and how violence is presented. Doubtless, there is blame aplenty to go around. But the exploitation of mindless violence for the sake of titillation, without any attention paid to the genuine trauma that real violence does cause, is irresponsible.

QUESTION: What qualities and/or attributes do you find attractive in a woman? What would your "ideal woman" be like?

ACTUAL BEN: I can't say I have any one "type." I have dated and been attracted to all kinds of women. I tend to be able to look past first impressions and am usually attracted to a woman whom I like and want to be around. No matter how "hot" some woman is, I'd find her very unattractive if I couldn't stand to have a conversation with her.

INTERVIEW GUY: You done, Jake-O? Okay. That's bullshit. Everybody goes by appearances. I got nothing against the homely broad, I just don't care to give her a jump, you follow me? As far as what type of chick I most like, I'd say I'm your basic, red-blooded, Claudia Schiffer-Pam Anderson type of guy. And, you know, her beaver doesn't have to be shaved but . . . I don't mind it!

[Ed. Note: There is a five-minute segment of the tape where Interview Guy runs around the room, high-fiving no one in particular and repeating porn dialogue to the tune of the theme song from Martin. Finally, he cracks open a beer and sits back down.]

QUESTION: Are movies important?

INTERVIEW GUY: I think they can be. You go see Anaconda and you know you can't take a river trip with Owen Wilson, a rapper, and the guy from Deliverance, 'cause it's gonna end badly. So that's a public-health message, in a way. Fuck, come to think of it, that was the second bad rafting experience for Jon Voight. There's a fucker you really don't want on your Outward Bound crew. . . .

ACTUAL BEN: No.

QUESTION: Can you define your relationship with Gwyneth Paltrow?

INTERVIEW GUY: Well, she's my friend. She's very smart, very sweet, really just a good, decent person, and someone I both respect and admire. She's also a dynamite actress. As it happens, we just did a movie together called Bounce, which will be out in summer 2000 at a theater near you.

[Ed. Note: At this point there is a second lengthy pause on the tape and sounds of a struggle. Then nothing. It's the Blair Witch of Books on Tape. . . .]

III. BEING SEAN PENN

There's a reason that the National Enquirer has the highest circulation of any paper in the country. People like it. And people like it because, despite what most actors tend to imagine the general public is fascinated by (i.e., every subtlety and nuance of their latest performance), it concerns that very thing that drives most people to the movies in the first place: sex. And not just sex but gossip-who is having it with whom, who's been jilted, who gets the kids, who's getting above their station, who threw a fit on their show and fired a bunch of people. All of it. The movie business has become a kind of ongoing soap opera. The same characters move from one story to another, augmented by bits of background titillation from newspapers and magazines, and people go to see how the latest installment in the Schwarzenegger serial will turn out. Therefore, it should be no surprise to actors that their private lives seem inexorably entwined with whatever perception people have of their performances, and vice versa. In fact, that gossip, that tabloid fodder, is an organic part of the perceptions people have when they go to the movies.

The majority of famous actors are not famous because of roles they've played. The random passerby, when asked, will tell you they've heard of a particular actor but will have difficulty naming more than one or two movies he's been in. What people do see, far more than the movies, are the television shows and magazines in which actors promote their films. This creates a strange dynamic, where celebrity becomes the goal, publicity the means, and the actual work takes a distant backseat.

If one takes for granted that the goal of an actor is to assume the identity of another person, then doing publicity as oneself seems absolutely the wrong thing to do. The less people know about you, the less apt they are to project some preconception onto your performance. There are actors who seem to understand this conundrum and have managed to deal with it in a sensible way.

There are powerful forces at work that compel an actor, after appearing in a movie or two, to whore out every last detail of their gonorrhea treatments, incestuous experiments with grandma, shock therapy, and the time they had one too many and got a five-dollar hand job in T.J. And later the same bunch that threw you to the press will tell you not to give so much away. You can't win.

So what, then, is the lesson? I really don't know. You can lie to the press (my brother, Casey, once told Interview magazine that he had a Ph.D. in eugenics from Columbia), you can bullshit a little (whereupon your friends from home tell you you've changed and you're full of shit, and you're mom is ashamed of you), you can go ahead and talk about the "touching game" you played with Uncle Ted (and then your mom really is ashamed of you). Or you can go the route of the dignified and be Sean Penn. Just watch out for the backlash—it gets ugly.

Whenever I've run this theory past the cocktail-party crowd, the response is always a Pollyannaish "What's wrong with the truth?" Or "Just be yourself!" Now, while that may be sound and novel advice, in this case it misses the mark, for two reasons. First, after you've had to distort and misrepresent yourself for every producer in town (e.g., like the time you had to pluck every emotional chord you've got to muster up some semblance of passion for your Beverly Hills 90210 crying-scene audition), you hardly know who or what the real you is anymore. Second, no one really wants to "be themselves" in public. We are reluctant to expose ourselves even to friends, much less to a jaded public with an eye for scandal and an unquenchable thirst for hubris and its attendant fall. So I, like every other sensible person thrust into (or thrusting themselves toward) the glare of the public eye, tried to project an improved version of myself. Big mistake.

Before anyone imagines that this is some kind of lamentation of a great evil in the world, let me say this: Any actor who has had any success whatsoever ought to count his lucky stars that he turns over enough bread for the Enquirer to even consider including him on the "worst dressed" list. Clearly, successful actors (and particularly those who, even for a fleeting moment, are anointed "movie stars") enjoy wealth, power, and privilege wildly beyond their station. We should take what we get and like it��I don't contest that. I do, however, find the situation of "promoting" myself and my movies curious and contradictory.

But in the end, it is probably not worth deconstructing. It's a pretty straightforward thing: Talk to somebody, brag on your movie some, and hope that a few more people go to see it because they're intrigued with what they've read. And, hey, maybe they've gotten to know the actor a little better. In that spirit, let me end where I began: Who I am, and why you should see my movie.

I'm somebody who probably has too many mirrors in his house, but doesn't much like what he sees when he looks into them. I try to be generous, try to be kind, and try to remember how lucky I've been, but I've been known to fall short in all three regards. As far as fame and fortune go, I generally believe one should understand that none of it is deserved, but try to take as much advantage of it as one can in good conscience. I like quiet and the idea of rest, but can't seem to stop moving. I like people (as someone once said), but I hate gatherings. I try to expose myself to diversity, change, and new experiences, but when alone in my car, I end up listening to the same song over and over on the CD player. I know that fame and fortune are fleeting (as Matt recently said in GQ, "the phone stopped ringing for better actors than me"), but I can't help hoping that I can do this forever. I believe in the friends and family I've known since childhood, but I've already lost touch with too many. I love company and the security of love, but most days I feel alone. If I had to choose between being held in high regard by those in the movie business or esteemed by those around me whom I admire, respect, and have known through thick and thin, I'll opt for the latter: a life where people still talk to you even if the phone rings only occasionally, and where your friends don't mind if you haven't made it onto the cover of a flashy movie magazine in quite some time. Oh: And go see the movie I made with John Frankenheimer. It's pretty good.

Ben Affleck, actor and Oscar-winning writer (Good Will Hunting), blew his deadline but only misspelled two words in this piece.

[the-uraniumverse]

i actually only think about Sam so im gonna talk abt her a lil :3

so me and my friend are (slowly and horribly) working on a song for her, so far we only have inspo but said inspo is that i think she would sing like how maya hawke does in the songs cricket and animal enough, we also both agreed that it would start with her not wanting to sing but karnak forcing her, making it a choatic random song like tsia and she would eventually be like "fine i'll sing but i will do it my way" and she sings about wanting to be a writer and being punk and feeling like she cant be herself despite everyone thinking she already is herself

but thats all the song stuff we have

as for interacting with the choir, her and mischa are BESITES as previously mentioned, they love eachother

ocean and sam are siblings your honor, trust

noel and her talk sometimes, mainly bitching abt ocean

constance admires tf outta her for being herself and not being afraid but never says it. they bond in the afterlife tho, they cuties :3

she tries her best to talk to ricky but doesnt know asl so their conversations are limited. however, like connie, they talk in the afterlife and she and mischa hype him up after sabm

in life, she didnt talk to penny, no one did, but she thinks jane doe is mad cool, even tho shes scary and creepy

she lives in a two room apartment (only two room cus the bathroom is sperate otherwise its all in one) alone cus she ran away from home and mischa hangs out there all the time and often stays the night cus basements suck

because she lives alone she has a job in the same mega mall outside town as noel in the shop there (idk which one like..walmart? idk shops outside of ireland) but only mischa knows cus thats embarrassing asf to her

she can also cook surprisingly well and is an excellent forager and likes spending time in the forest near town to get food when she doesnt steal from work (cus no way she pays for stuff)

anyway i think thats all for now sorry for info dumping shes rotting my brain ty for reading 🫶🫶 (or not idk)

THE SONG IDEA I LOVE IT

i honestly love her so much she's rotting my brain as well your honor

[sensei-venus]

Omg! Please! As soon as Lawrence!Reader is strapped down on the car, Robby and Miguel think they're in the clear, but then she starts babbling on about how God knows what!

Bonus points if it's shit neither of them want to hear nor should know about lol

- and anxious gemini bound to get her wisdom teeth out

(Unedited) (Blood,Spit, Lawrence!Reader donky-konging Miguel and Robby in the dentist parking lot because she can, Miguel regrets trying to help, Robby wants to escape his violent sister for once.) ( @gemini-sensei )

“I hate you the mostttt- you and your fucking lush baby curls.” Reader said though a full mouth of cotton balls.

Her hands where stuck under her ass in the seat in hopes of keeping them to herself for the ride. Robby actually grimaced as he watched his sister from the front seat. It took over twenty minutes to even get her into the van and another ten to actually get her strapped in. The whole time she tried to drag them into the van and slam them against the hard plastic of the walls. She was able to smash Robby’s face into a window and then body slam Miguel into one of the back seats, knocking the air out of him.

Getting the Lawrence girl into a car after having her wisdom teeth removed seemed to be almost impossible.

Even with the help of Miguel it was still a challenge.

Miguel being called to help was a long shot. Bring Hawk would have been a nightmare, Demetri would probably never shut up, and Sam would be to worried. None of them would have been able to help try and corner the girl. She was still very loopy from the mass amount of drugs the dentist pumped into her. That did nothing to stop her from having her usual violent outbursts. If anything it only made her more unpredictable. Honestly it was scaring the hell out of Robby. And she was his sister at that.

Miguel was the only choice he really had.

Robby tried his best to ignore the gross red blood tinted drool that threatened to escape her lip. She looked at him but he couldn’t tell if she was looking at him or though him.

“Don’t you fucking dare-“ was all he was able to get out before Reader blew a fat bloody spit bubble his way. Miguel sat in the passenger seat in pure disgust. Watching the girl blow blood at them out of spite was one of the grossest things he had ever seen. He could handle a little bit of blood, but this was just nasty.

“You let them fucking steal my teeth you assholes. I’m going to steal your teeth.” She slurred before looking out the window. Her eyes glazed over , still loopy from the laughing gas and pain meds the dentist had given her. All of them jay sat in silence. The only sound was the ac going in the car.

Miguel slumped in the seat, slinging down in a heap. His eyes slowly moved to look over at Robby “Who thought this was a good idea? Letting you of all people take her home after getting her wisdom teeth take out.” Robby basically growls out “You already know who. Johnny didn’t want to do it because he didn’t want to hear her whining after the meds slowly started to seep out of her system!” Miguel slowly turned his head. His eyes locking with the dirty blonde.

His eye twitched a little in annoyance “Have you meet your sister? She’s a fucking hardass who likes picking fights. You thought she was going to be quiet after they got her high off her ass on pain killers?? Her teeth are gone dude. You think she’s happy.” Reader kicked at the back of Robby’s seat, soon turning to Miguel’s to do the same thing.

“Pay attention to me!!!” Reader whined from the back seat. Her hands still stuck under her butt as she looked at the two boys. Soon her eyes started to well up with tears. Both boys looked at each other for a split second. That was all it took before Reader was crying in the back seat, fat tears rolling down her chubby cheeks and red spit spilling down her chin. It dripped onto her thick thighs and stained her pants. Her chest hiccups with sobs as the minutes tick by.

Both guys freeze up as the violent and shit talking girl they know crys. Not even Robby can remember the last time he witnessed his sister cry over something. Maybe when they where kids as she fell at the skate park. Scraping her knee so bad it scared over.

Miguel wanted to hide away and get as far as possible. Reader crying was not on his too do list what so ever. Her crying had to be some kind of bad sign of some kind. He looked to Robby for some kind of plan.

“Hey it’s ok, why don’t we go get some ice cream? You always like ice cream, and it might make you feel a little better.” Robby says in hopes of calming her down.

“What if I call Tory and ask her if she wants to come over and play some video games with you? You love it when Tory comes over to hang out. I bet she would love to come over today.” Miguel thinks on his feet.

Reader slowly starts to calm down. Her heavy sobs start to slow but her lips still tremble. Eyes puffy and hot form the salty tears. Cheeks hot and flustered. Robby quickly grabs a hand full of napkins from the glove box. With them in hand he reaches back and gently wipes the mix of drool and bloody spit from his sisters face. She doesn’t do much and just lets him.

“Ok…” she says in a defeated tone of voice. Big eyes find their way to her brothers.

“Can Tory come for ice cream too?? Please??” She whimpers as she falls back into her seat. Slumping back and finally showing some sign of defeat.

In a instant relief fills Miguel and Robby.

Thank fucking god for Tory and ice cream.

[elimoskowitzs-wife]

Breakups tatood and supossedly missing eli moskowitz x fem!reader larusso

Warnings-breakups, drinking,swearing, kissing

Hours before, you was hanging out with your boyfriend Miguel he kept getting touchy with your sister Sam, you walk to your room to get changed into some clothes to go on a walk you get changed into a tank top leggings a jacket around you waist and trainers on

You leave and 10 minutes after you leave your phone gose off and you check it and it's a message from miguel

new message from my miggy ❤️

Hey yn I'm sorry to say this but I think we should break up

You leave his message on read you go to cobra kai dojo we're you've been learning karate for the past 2 months of dating Miguel you storm to the back where there's a few punching bags are and you break a few boards while at it

An hour later

you hear the entrence bells jingle hawk rushes in fuming not noticing you until you walk over with some pads holding them up to him

'why you here hawk' you ask while he's kicking the pads

'fucking moon broke up with me called me a fucking bully because demetri made that yelp review what about you' he grunts

'Miguel broke up with me I think he's been trying to get with my sister he's been so touchy' you groan when hawk accidentally kicks your shoulder

'shit I'm sorry I just kicked your shoulder are you okay' hawk says out of breath

'yeah it's a part of karate now put the pads on and I'll show you how to kick' you laugh

Hawk rolls his eyes and dose his cheeky grin you smirk while kicking the pads

'is your boy Rico open tomorrow I wanna get a tattoo I have cash on me' you grunt

'yeah ricos open I'll pay for you I'm having something done to this to cover up her name and the moon' he smiles at you

'I have the money' you laugh

The next morning you wake up in hawks room under his arm with him smiling at you

'what happened I have a killer migraine' you stretch

'we was sparring had a bit to drink after and noticed you get drunk after two beers can you not handle it larusso' hawk chuckles

You slap his chest laughing while he dose his iconic smirk at you

'stop with that dumb smirk' you kiss him

'we've got to go to Rico' hawk gets up

'I'm to tired hawkkkkk' you stretch

Hawk pulls you up out his bed

Your sat in the tattoo chair while Rico is doing your tattoo

'my parents are gonna kill me' you laugh

'it's a way of life' hawk laughs while getting the plastic wrap on his tattoo

You and hawk was walking about when you see your mum dad Sam and Miguel see you

'shit hide me my mum dad Sam and Miguel are there' hawk kisses you with his hand on your face to not only make Miguel jelous but to hide your face from your parents when your mum dad Sam and Miguel walk over

'me your mother and sister was looking for you all night and your out getting tattoos and you reek of alcohol' your dad shouts at you

'so what I got a tattoo and so what I got drunk it took my mind off of miguel' you scream

'let me look at your tattoo' your mum shouts

You show the tattoo to your mum it's a heart with hawk x yn 4ever xx

'we thought you was missing' Miguel confronts you

'shut up Miguel everyone knows I go to the dojo or hawks so shut up' you shout

[geekcavepodcast]

"DC Pride" Returns in 2025 with New Format

DC Comics is changing up the format of DC Pride for the special's 5th anniversary. In past years DC Pride was an anthology series spotlighting LGBTQIA+ heroes, but in 2025 the special will instead feature a "singular story arc of interweaving narratives." These narratives are framed by an Alan Scott story from Tim Sheridan, Emilio Pilliu, and Giulio Macaione.

Several of DC comics' heroes will come together when "a century-old tavern, the center of queer life in Gotham City, unexpectedly announces its imminent closure. It’s a huge loss to the community, and generations of patrons return to pay respects to a space they’ve endowed with entire lifetimes of memories, wishes and dreams—including Alan Scott, the Green Lantern. Alan returns, for one last time, to the place he fell for his first love, Johnny Ladd, to touch the wall on which they carved the symbol of their love, to remember the days before everything went to hell for them...and to say goodbye.

But love is a kind of magic, and, in Alan’s experience, magic can take on a life of its own. Before anyone knows it’s happening, heroes, villains, and civilians alike from across the DCU with powerful ties to this mysterious place—the Question, Midnighter and Apollo, Harley Quinn, Green Lantern Jo Mullein, Bunker, Connor Hawke, and Blue Snowman among them—find themselves spirited away to strange, alternate worlds where everything they ever thought they wanted can be theirs…but at what cost?" (DC Comics)

Stories taking place in the framing device of Scott's return to the beloved bar include:

a Jo Mullein story from Vita Ayala, Maya Houston, and Vincent Cecil;

a story about new character Ethan Rivera from Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Josh Trujillo, and A.L. Kaplan;

a story about Connor Hawke from Sam Maggs and Phillip Sevy;

a Bunker story from Josh Trujillo and Don Aguillo;

a Harley Quinn story by Maya Houston and Max Sarin;

a Blue Snowman story by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Alex Moore;

a Renee Montoya story by Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge;

and a Midnighter and Apollo story by Sam Maggs and Derek Charm.

Additionally, fans can submit about how DC's legacy has impacted or reflected their LGBTQIA+ identity, journey, and/or experience on the DC Official Discord Server until March 28, 2025. DC's editorial team will then select some of the letters, cosplay, and fan art to be published in a letters column inside DC Pride 2025.

DC Pride 2025 goes on sale on June 4, 2025. The special features a main cover by Kris Anka, variant covers by Sozomaika and Julia Reck, and a 1:25 variant cover by Jack Hughes.

Other DC Pride products from DC Comics in 2025 include:

DC Pride-themed variant covers on several titles.

Hardcover collection of DC Pride: To the Farthest Reaches - on sale on May 27, 2025 - which collects DC Pride 2024 and additional stories. Cover by Kevin Wada.

DC Pride Box Set - on sale May 27, 2025 - collecting the first three hardcover volumes of DC Pride and a tribute to Rachel Pollack and Kevin Conroy's autobiographical comic "Finding Batman." Cover by Gabriel Picolo.

Batwoman: Elegy: DC Compact Comics Edition by writer Greg Rucka and artists JH. Williams III, Jock, and Scott Kolins - on sale June 17, 2025.

DC Pride comics will be added to the DC GO! webcomics collection - adapted into the vertical scroll format during June 2025.

(Image via DC Comics - Kris Anka's Cover of DC Pride 2025 and Gabriel Picolo's Cover of DC Pride Box Set)

[lenakluthor]

I think the chef would be something an assistant or even Sam got arranged for her since she skips so many meals. It could've changed when she started hanging out with Kara and got a bit of a more normal life with movie nights and game nights.

The one thing that makes me think she wouldn't have a private chef is because there's no way she'd let anyone into her apartment without her there to watch like a hawk what they're doing.

Point taken on the emotion being there for Kara. I also think Kara would help her a little (in my mind Kara does know how to cook... She has a fully equipped kitchen in her apartment and that woman needs to eat too much for it always being takeout)

yeah, the more i think about it, the more i think lena probably does actually have a private chef. i like the idea of someone setting it up for her, too. and she goes along with it because okay, fine. she’s busy and why not give someone who actually likes to cook a well paying job?

also i agree i think kara probably can cook. i kept thinking about it after i said that and it makes no sense that she wouldn’t be able to. she LOVES food. but she’s awful at baking.

i think kara makes the dinners and lena makes the desserts.

[p96822]

It had been a week since Sam came to Paris, and she was now trying to save the park trees that were going to be cut down by the end of the month for a building that sells free air. Sam would not let any harm occur naturally, even on another side of the planet.

Besides Chloe, Sabrina, and Lila, Alya and her other classmates decide to help Sam to make petitions to give to the Mayor of Paris so he can stop the tree from being cut down.

Everything was going well on the petition, and they had over 2000 signatures to save the park trees from being cut down. She was at the park with the petition in hand before this happened to her.

"Daddy, there she is. She tries to stop you from building Fresh Air; she needs to be stopped." Chole pointed at Sam.

"Thank you, Pumpkin; I'll take it from here," Andre told her as he went over to the goth. "My daughter told me that you're trying to make a petition to stop the trees being cut down for the new Project Oxygen building."

"That's right, and I want to give you these petitions so you can't cut down these trees for a building, especially one completely useless." So Sam gave him the papers. However, the Mayor tore the papers in half. "Hey!" Sam yelled.

"I'm sorry, miss, but this petition cannot stop the building of Project Oxygen. These people have jobs to do, families to feed, and homes to pay for. This petition means nothing against the various companies and forces that already have things underway."

"You can't do this!" Sam yelled at the Mayor.

"I have, and you will not stop Project Oxygen from happening, not now or ever." The Mayor said as he left, while Chloe gave a smug grin at Sam before following her father.

Sam felt angry that idiot of a mayor ruined her hard work. She growled at the Mayor as he worked away. She wanted revenge on him.

Even here, the government keeps trying to get in my way! She thought angrily.

The goth girl then grabbed a megaphone that she bought a few days ago from her backpack and started to yell, "Stop Project Oxygen," repeatedly.

The Mayor saw this and decided to call Roger Raincomprix to get her to stop her protesting against Project Oxygen.

Roger came to the park and grabbed Sam by the wrist.

"Hey, let me go!" Sam yelled at the cop,

"I'm sorry young lady; you have to vacate the premises. You're not allowed to protest Project Oxygen on the Mayor's orders," Roger told her.

"I can say whatever I want," Sam retorted

"You can't say it here, miss," Roger said and took Sam out of the park.

"I'm only going to give you a warning. Don't protest, or I'll have to drive you back home. Do you understand?"

This made Sam even angrier than ever because all the hard work that everyone did was gone, and she was unable to protest about it. Instead, she grips the megaphone tightly.

Hawkmoth's Lair

The darkroom lit up with light as the window shaped like a butterfly opened up. The butterflies flew away when the light hit them. The villains Mayura and Hawkmoth felt the negative emotions of Sam and were ready to Akumatized Sam.

"Well, what do we have here? Is someone new? And hating how authority abuses its power?" Hawk Moth asks." This is the perfect chance to strike Mayura."

"Yes, Hawkmoth, we will win and have the Miraculous of the Cat and the Ladybug," Mayura added.

A butterfly flew onto Hawkmoth's hand, and Mayura plucked a feather off her fan. Both of the villains cover the butterfly and feather with their other hand then the feather and butterfly turn dark black.

"Fly away from my little Akuma and evilize that nature-loving girl," Hawkmoth demanded.

"And Flutter away my Amok and enhance those emotions," Mayura said.

As Sam growled, gripping her megaphone tighter, she didn't notice the purple butterfly or blue feather flying into her device. Instead, within seconds she heard voices in her head as her eyes darkened.

"Greetings, Ragtash! We are Hawkmoth and Mayura. I understand you want to protect the environment. You can make the environment protect itself with your words! Go forth and defend nature, and if you want to go the extra mile, I can assure the protection of the trees. First, you have to get me Ladybug's and Chat Noir's miraculous." Hawkmoth wickedly smiled as he spoke.

"And take this amok. Let your anger and rage make it grow as you command. Your Treantrance," Marius continued with a sly smile.

"They've to listen now with this now they have to listen to me," Sam began to transform into Ragtash and the creation of the Sentimonster.

Amity Park museum

Danny went back to the Egypt exhibit. But, first, he had to find out why Hotep-Ra was after Marinette, something she might know.

"Danny, shouldn't we head back to the group?" Marinette asked.

"In a little bit Marinette, I have to find out why that ghost was after you so that it won't happen again," Danny answered.

"R-Really?" Marinette asked nervously.

"Yeah... and this was the exhibit he popped back to life in, so maybe there's a clue here." He explained as he took out his phone and took pictures of both the sarcophagus and some tablets.

It made Marinette worried that Danny might find out that she is Ladybug, so she had to think of something to get Danny off that trail. Then an idea came to her.

"Paulina said there was going to be a dance this Friday. So are you going to the dance, Danny?" Marinette asked, trying to get Danny from finding out she was Ladybug.

Danny pulled away and started thinking.

"Well, since the last time I went to a dance, Paulina asked me to go with her, and she only did that so she could spit Sam for calling her shallow and had no problem turning her back on me," Danny explained.

"That's just awful, and she shouldn't have done that. You're such a nice guy, and you shouldn't be treated that way. You deserve someone who wants to go with you." Marinette said.

"I can't believe I still had a crush on her after that whole thing. I'm never getting back in those months of my life," Danny said.

"How long did took you to get over Paulina?" Marinette asked him.

"Well, it took about three or four months to get over her, and it was really hard to get over her, mostly because she was that hot," Danny told Marinette.

"I can understand that because I'm trying to get over someone too, and it's too hard." Marinette thought about her crush on Adrien.

"Was that person nice, Marinette? Or was he just a jerk," Danny asked, wanting to know if the person that Marinette was trying to get over.

"No, Adrien is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. The only reason why I was trying to get over him was that he liked someone else over me. I don't know who, but it's clear who he's at least not in love with." Marinette explained.

Marinette's face lowered, and it took on a more heartbroken look when she felt a hand on hers, making her look up and see it was Danny doing the deed.

"Well, if this Adrien can't see how fun, nice, and pretty you are... it's his loss. Maybe give him till College to figure that out?" He suggests playfully.

Hearing that, Marinette smiled warmly.

"Thank you..."

Danny looked around and nodded contently.

"So... I'm all done. And speaking of that dance... do you... wanna... umm..." He started before turning as red as Ladybug's suit.

"Do I what?" Marinette asks.

"Well, since we're living under the same roof for now... wanna... be my date?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'll go with you to the dance," Marinette answered.

Danny gave Marinette a big smile that made her blush red, then her suit.

came and told the two that it was time to head back to school.

A few hours later

It was now three-thirty, and school let out. So Danny and Marinette headed home.

As the two made it to Fenton Works, Marinette remembered that Danny had pictures of the sarcophagus and the tablets. So, Marinette had to find a way to get rid of those photos. So Danny didn't learn her secret.

Okay... what do I do? Marinette thought.

"You okay?" Danny asks, noticing how quiet she is.

Marinette gasped upon realizing how she was saying nothing.

"I'm fine. Really..." She said.

Danny didn't look like he believed her but shrugged.

As they got into Fenton Works, Marinette went into her room and tried to think about how they could get those photos.

Okay... how do I get those photos? I could just go in while he's asleep...

But unfortunately, her thoughts were interrupted by the cat alarm she had started meowing.

"Oh no, not an Akuma, not now..." Marinette said before a thought came to her. "Wait... how am I gonna handle an Akuma on the other side of the world?"

As she asked herself, Tikki flew out of her bag once it was clear it was safe to come out. "Calm down, Marinette. We have to Horse Miraculous to get to Paris..." Her Kwamii reminded her.

"You're right, Tikki!" Marinette said, forgetting that she asked to take the horse with her if Paris was in danger while she was gone.

Now she has to think of a way to get out of the house and transform into Ladybug. So Marinette got out of her room and tried to sneak out quietly before passing Danny's room.

"Danny, be right back..." Marinette said in a whisper tone.

"Marinette!" Tikki said to her partner.

"Oh right, sorry," Marinette snapped out of it.

As she left and when to the front door, Danny's Ghost Sense went off.

"Again?" Danny asks as he looks around to see what ghost triggered his Ghost Sense.

When he opened his door, he saw Marinette going down the hallway, then she went downstairs and to the front door, leaving the house.

Where is she going? He thought.

Quietly, he left his room and followed her, knowing how bad it might look if she spotted him.

"I'm not following her because I like her; I'm only following her because I want to protect her from any other ghost from attacking her. Yeah, that's right, even though she's really pretty and nice." Danny tried to convince himself he wasn't doing anything wrong.

As he used his intangibility and invisibility to follow the French girl, Danny noticed something flying out of her purse as the streets were empty. He saw a small red bug thing following her.

What the heck? He thought.

So far as he saw that the bug-like thing wasn't dangerous to Marinette because it wasn't attacking her or anything, but what it was doing with her and why she wasn't bothered was what he was more curious about.

As Marinette hid in the alleyway, she opened the box that held the horse Miraculous. A small ball of light circled Marinette before dimming down and revealing it as a small horse-like being. It causes Danny's ghost sense to go off again.

"Wait, are those ghosts with Marinette?" Danny asked himself.

"Tikki, Kaalki! Dual Metamorphosis!" Marinette said as two lights enveloped Marinette. After the light dimmed down, her suit was red with black spots. The front of the suit was white with a white horseshoe over her chest. Most of her upper arm and sides are dark brown, while the rest of her forearms and hands are white with dark brown. Her legs were white, with the soles of her feet being dark brown. She had two red ribbons that tied her hair into a ponytail.

Danny was amazed at what he saw.

Sam is now akumazited and Marinette is heading back to Paris to save the day. What is Danny going to do? Well you going to find out next time.

Also a big thanks to BeConFuzzy and NeoMarks for helping with this story. You to are great!

[crimsonblackrose]

.

The high school is bigger than the middle school

The teacher who said he wasn't paid enough during the fight and ran away is the one leading the tour

The science lab is state of the art. Which is weird, why is this teacher selling the high school to the students like this? It's not like they're going to be using the science lab outside of classes.

Kenny's wearing his cobra kai merch

oh, it's no longer state of the art, the school district required them to remove anything that might potentially be used as a weapon...uhhh the only things used as a weapon during that fight were lockers, books, karate in general, and accessories. No one broke into the lab and used chemicals or anything in the science lab. The macroeconomics book was used as a weapon more than school property. Except of course for Demetri kicking Eli into a glass case.

Next is the cafeteria, where there was a fight, so it's been ruined (the teacher 🤣) It's been months, surely all of this has been fixed. It happened what early September and we're past new year. With all these rich kids you'd think the school would be repaired by now, so this is kinda weird.

Lia heard the high school is haunted. Kenny flirting the way Miguel flirted. "Oh definitely, I actually died 5 years ago..." 🤣

Lia's actually kind of mean in response, Kenny has pop tart on his shirt and when Kenny's like why didn't you tell me she said she thought it was part of the 'evil' snake design and no one else can see him so he shouldn't worry. It's probably not supposed to be mean, but it comes off a little mean.

Nate says Lexi DeMarco is going out with him. Bert calls bull, Nate says they had a moment.

Poor Kenny, in the middle school I don't think Cobra Kai is an issue but in the high school it's a fight warning.

Bert, Nate, don't bully Kenny. (Would like to point out that there's literally a no bullying sign behind them)

Again, poor Kenny. and this is where the whole thing lives in that gray, where the bullied become the bullies no matter which dojo they're in. 'weako, he's going to cry'. also I will say I appreciate that Hawk, despite moving so fast didn't actually hurt Kenny, just stopped him from striking first and warned him to get out of Cobra Kai. Which shows he is trying to change.

I get that Johnny's all upset about Miggy, but Miggy training by Daniel's side was part of his win. And getting to pick the gatorade. Getting the hachimaki though was new, and a curve, why didn't Robby get one?

Johnny getting distracted by Daniel and Miguel, bud don't lose your focus, that's why you don't with these kids, he got kicked in the face by demetri.

So this does prove that Daniel got two days of like his fishing lesson and Johnny only did one day of his field trip lesson.

Also Demetri did not wait until Johnny said attack, all the other kids did.

Johnny how? Also Demetri how?

So he's roped and ducttaped in to the punching bag, with a couch cushion for protection and then gagged. But I'm surprised Daniel didn't see this happening and stop him, let alone Sam.

Sam apologies but just goes for it, like she can't wait to kick. Chris missing and kicking Demetri in a way that for the kicks he shouldn't have actually missed and Johnny not paying attention to see what actually happened because he's distracted by Daniel and Miguel and telling him to just suck it up and tighten his core.

Johnny does check in with Demetri as they leave and Demetri while a little sarcastic says he's okay.

Johnny cooks for Miggy. Apparently his favorite is a spicy manwich with a side of steak fries.

I get that Johnny is jealous/hurt/feeling abandoned and not thinking probably the clearest, but Miguel going to pick up his mom's car or work on it is a good thing and it doesn't mean Mr. LaRusso is going to become his favorite sensei. You both are teaching him different things and that's important. To all the kids.

Though switching from calling Daniel. Mr. LaRusso to Sensei I think stung, because he was the only one called sensei, though Miggy also called Kreese sensei for a bit.

Kyler has a friend named Rory who got free tickets to the drive-in. They're going to watch Bloodsport. Johnny left his VHS of it at the Keene household and for a bit it was all Robby had of him. "That proved he existed".

Tory has a new job and the boss is a creep

Introduction of Terry Silver as a sensei

He's so tall

Johnny's so distracted by Daniel and Miguel that he can't do it. Says it's never happened before, but with how drunk he gets sometimes I kinda...doubt it? But he generally doesn't lie....

Carmen: Maybe you're tired.

Lol he's not tired he's upset.

Daniel and Miguel apparently had a movie night and he showed Miguel Top Gun. Carmen thinks Tom Cruise is handsome. But Johnny's pissed because it was probably on his list of films for he and Miguel to watch. (Not something Daniel or Miguel would know unless he writes out a movie watch list)

Johnny: You've got the real deal, Iceman, best of the best, abs for days.

Johnny Top Gun infodumping. 🤣

Carmen is ready to tell Miguel about her relationship with Johnny. Johnny is iffy about it. "Kids can be weird about stuff like that" Which makes me wonder if he's thinking about himself and Sid and how he doesn't want to be Sid at all in Miggy's eyes.

Miguel is learning about alternators and power-steering pumps

It's a Saturday. Miguel's working and Daniel what are you doing? Just trying to look busy? He's like cleaning the side of the inside under the hood with a rag, but like...not really doing anything, it wasn't dirty.

Miguel says it's fine, his mom can go out on dates again...maybe he shouldn't have fixed it. Not realizing his mom and his sensei are at home taking advantage of him not being home.

Lucille called dates "Going to lunch with a friend" and Daniel hated it. He caught her on a date with his history teacher Mr. harris. It was awkward but Mr. Harris gave him an A. This is the teacher Daniel uses to piss off the cobras while talking history in the quad in TKK and then ends up stuck walking with to learn more about a specific history lesson.

Daniel pulls the Mr. Miyagi I need you to drive me somewhere even if you don't know how to drive. Which I think maybe Daniel should've realized terrible idea for a couple of reasons. 1. They're still inside LaRusso auto, Robby started a car in there and got in huge trouble. Yes they're in the garage, but Daniel's staff is around and his other customer's cars. It's not like hopping in Mr. Miyagi's old truck outside of Reseda apartments. 2. Even if they're bonding and he was able to teach Miguel how to fix the car, i.e. repair it himself and save the Diaz's a lot of money, learning how to drive a car is sometimes this huge deal with families. He doesn't know if Carmen would've wanted to teach Miggy herself and really he should expect that Johnny would want to if given teh opportunity, even if Daniel thinks Johnny can't drive well. 3. He doesn't have Carmen's permission for this. You gotta stop kidnapping kids Daniel. (not the same level, I know, but still for all the stuff you get pissed at Johnny for doing or think he's not good enough, this isn't safe) If you were doing this in your drive, or a parking lot it'd be a bit safer than an active busy garage.

Like I do appreciate the call back to TKK and the stop go that both Daniel and Miguel did, but having to navigate himself out of the garage is a terrible first lesson.

MERMAID TORY

SHEILA! Sheila's kids birthday party is the party they're at, that's adorable, that's the woman from the first season always wearing the bonsai pin. She's worked for the LaRusso's for 10 years. The birthday party is for Cindee, Sheila's daughter who Sam used to babysit, and loved babysitting.

I remember the first time I saw this thinking oh no they did not make Tory a stripper did they? (Which I think they 1000% did on purpose) Nope she's a mermaid princess. The boss calls her Tammy and tells her more red lip and to discreetly take the tips. She wears a purple wig for her costume.

I think Tory probably wanted to be the pirate. Sam is delighted, Amanda is horrified that she's ended up where Tory works a second time.

You can learn all the moves but none of that matter's if you don't have balance.- Robby to Kenny

I like that Robby personally trains and spars with Kenny, truly his adopted little brother.

Silver creeping in doorways doing a little villain chuckle.

See Robby, your dad had the hardest time with Kreese undoing all of his hard lessons, you now have Silver to worry about too.

Silver: Balance is crucial, a man can't stand, he can't fight (Some of his TKK3 lines)

Robby: Am I in danger?

Flipping robby on what seems to be cement, but maybe is a mat still seems painful. Like Terry sent Robby spinning so easily.

Terry is having a blast sparring with Robby. Like yes, Robby is getting his ass kicked, but he keeps telling Robby 'good' and 'come on' but not in a fight way but like a this kids got potential way.

Robby I think via the mama mia cursed route you're living you got a new dad/grandpa.

'you've learned to channel your anger, but you're afraid' "I'm not afraid of anything" "are you lying to me or yourself"

I think, theoretically Robby is Silver's first student, or first chance at a real student that's not for some convoluted revenge plot. Which might be why he's actually just easily picking Robby back up off the ground and actually coaxing him and not in a wild manner.

"If you want to be a champion, you've got to dig out that fear, and face it, whatever it is. Because if you don't, it's going to hold you back forever" Actually good advice from Silver.

I would like to point out that Robby is lucky AF. He's the only one who everyone earnestly wants to teach. Yes he occasionally gets used as a pawn and dropped, but like every teacher he has starts off wanting to earnestly teach him. Daniel, Kreese, Silver. And for the most part he's also the only one aware that they all have potential to try and use him as a pawn because he's the one who started the grift to piss off his dad. Like yes Daniel and his dad have beef and that affected his relationship with both of them, but Daniel still wanted to teach him, and Kreese sure was using Robby as bait to try and lure Johnny back, but once again, wants to teach him. And again pretty sure this is the first person Silver has turned his sights on and been like this is my student and wants to teach him. Each of them, even if they all hate each other, gives him relatively good advice.

Though while Robby knew Daniel and his dad had beef he is out of his element with the Kreese and Silver stuff. So while he's wary and knows they don't all get along he does have the potential to be blindsided, what helps is that Daniel burned him so bad that he doesn't easily trust anymore.

But we've seen Silver teach in TKK3 and how he teaches Robby is nothing like that, like I'd say Silver is being earnest.

I think if Johnny had photos of Robby like this he'd be going through his photos sad all the time. Like he is with his photos of Miguel.

I'm pretty sure that these are his recent searches rather than recommended. I also love that Johnny never uses google.

Of course he accidentally ended up in nsfw search, which which search engine auto took you to auto play videos and images instead of text and website results first when this season came out?

Kudos to Johnny for not staying to look/watch/explore. He's grown since his first foray into the internet and getting into a relationship with Carmen.

Johnny had action figures, one military and one not military.

Their apartment is a pretty green and actually kinda pretty from first glance despite what Johnny said about how much of a dump it supposedly was. His pajamas are covered in muscle cars.

I also really love the like brown stained glass window they have next to the front door.

I didn't know my gi joes, but both of these are 70's versions of the gi joe doll/action figure from their adventure team. (which holy moly set department these toys are in good shape) By the looks of it's the sea adventurer and the land adventurer

There are two runs of this doll, they're either they're either the 1970-1978 run which are just basic or they're the 1974 run which have a kung-fu grip. I did my research here which includes what accessories they came with.

Johnny stayed up playing till his mom got home, though Mrs. Wilson tucked Johnny in and Laura called to check on that. He says he couldn't sleep.

They've also got a shag carpet and Johnny has toy cars.

Laura took Johnny out to dinner with her and Sid. Sid proposed

"This means you're going to have a new daddy" "I don't want a new daddy" "Trust me sweetie things are going to be better" "NO!"

The box of Johnny's missing dad's stuff. He's been hoarding stuff from his loved ones from a small age

Okay I know it's a head cannon that Johnny's got artistic talent but omg look at that dragon and that car:

That's impressive for whatever age Johnny is here.

Johnny also has a red bean bag chair and two yellow small rugs over his regular rug. He hides the box under his bed.

There's also a camera in there.

This might be why Johnny doesn't throw anything out. His mom threw out the last of his things that he had of his father, and it's probably why he only drinks the coors because it's all he has of his father is the memory of that one beer. The shoes that he could've grown into the clothes the camera, all gone. If Laura hadn't thrown all of it out, he might not have clung to that beer.

Like I get why she threw it out, a kid shouldn't be holding onto a beer can, but still the rest of it, the camera? Just because he left doesn't mean Johnny shouldn't get a chance to know something about his own father.

It also makes me wonder if that's one of the reasons he doesn't go near Shannon or Robby, because having "left them" means that he expects Shannon did the same thing and he doesn't want to leave the same scars on Robby, not realizing that it's not the same thing at all.

Which also oof, it means he doesn't want to be his father to Robby but also he doesn't want to be Sid to Miguel. But he's always compared to his Dad by Sid, and always compared to Kreese by Daniel. And then he knows he's fucked up but everyone always drags him for it and even drags Robby and Miguel through it because he messed up. It's kinda unfair.

Daniel singing along to music the way Mr. Miyagi used to sing while he drove. He's singing Christopher Cross

Miguel looks so happy.

Daniel you're acting like you don't like hard rock, you do. And just because Johnny didn't mention Christopher Cross doesn't mean he didn't like him or soft rock either. You're making an assumption here.

Daniel's soft rock music recs from the 80s: Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Billy Joel, Chicago.

Daniel is right to tell Miguel to carefully with Sam.

Daniel: Most of the kids my age had their dad's teach them.

That is exactly what I mentioned before Daniel! Why are you teaching Miguel?! Also, would like to point out you don't even know if he has a permit.

Also who taught Johnny? There's no way Sid would've.

This is Miguel's first seed of an idea to think about or go after his dad. He doesn't know much about him just that he got caught with something illegal. Carmen tried to get him to stop when she was pregnant and he wouldn't. Miguel looked him up, he lives in Mexico. He hasn't told Carmen, she gets mad whenever Miguel brings him up.

Tory's story time is about herself. I.e. it's a first person fairy tale where she tells the story from her characters pov, a dragon kidnapped her to eat her but a valiant prince saved her.

But Sam is literally sitting there heckling and butting into the story. Amanda how could let that happen?

"Now I had to save the prince" Which is very cute addition to a fairy tale story.

Sam, please don't bother Tory at work, you're bullying her.

I'm blaming Amanda on this though, she saw Tory, looked horrified to see her there, heard her daughter say that this is the top thing she's wanted to do that day and then let her interact with Tory. Like Amanda, WTF.

Like Sam, this is bullying. Tory can't fight you or interact with you in a way to defend herself because she's working and trying to support her family and can't do it without terrorizing and scaring the children, who one of which I remind you is the birthday girl (possibly) and you're making fun of her singing? Her singing isn't bad. Also to diss the mermaid that your staff's beloved employee Shelia hired in front of the kids she's entertaining is not cool.

Lol this is literally the best revenge/defense. Glitter is not going to hurt Sam, it's not going to cause any issues at all, and she used kids to do it, which allowed them to have some fun even if it was a little mischievous.

Tory's little mermaid kiss is my favorite

We have beef jerkey, manwich, reduced ground meat, hot sauce and it's apparently not manly enough.

Robby showing up and Johnny immediatly going hey do you want to come in. But instead Robby's there to warn Johnny that Hawk and his students are bullying a kid.

Johnny admitting that he wasn't there so he doesn't know what happened and can't really judge it, but that he knows Cobra Kai and that Kreese brain washes people and admits he was brain washed himself. Which is the first time Johnny's gotten to tell Robby a little bit of his own history and Robby tells Johnny a very good and important truth. Which is that he hears Johnny, doesn't negate that Johnny was brain washed, tells him "That's the difference between you and me. You put all of your trust in Kreese. I don't trust anyone anymore." Which sucks for Robby but is probably the safest thing given his current location being straight in the red zone of danger.

This is also Robby facing his fears like Robby told him to. "I've always been afraid I'd end up like you. But I'm not afraid of it anymore because I'm better than you."

Which Johnny says all the time to anyone who will listen, that Robby is better than him, but I think it still stings that Robby says it to him.

I just noticed Johnny has a doorbell.

Daniel's offering to take Miguel to the DMV and get his license.

This is adorable:

Sam you're being a dick. But also pulling the exact move that Tory did on her at the roller rink, i.e. seeing her, and kissing Miguel in front of her.

This is also all very....Johnny kissing Ali in TKK1 in front of Daniel, although in that case Johnny and Ali weren't together and he got punched in the face for it. But Miguel is literally being used as a pawn to piss the other one off each time which is unfair to him. And also it's unfair to the kids at this party and Tory, who ends up quitting because of it.

Amanda's conversation with Tory: "No one can help you if you don't let them and if you ask for help you might be surprised" ends up being a huge turning point seed for Tory.

Tory also says she has no one in her family who can help, which I mean, Amanda you don't know if she has any other family. Not everyone is like Daniel with cousins and grandparents ready to show up when needed.

Also Tory's clothing being all branded now is shocking. Like you can look over it sometimes I suppose but all the Vans clothing is way out of her budget unless Kyler's buying it for her as thanks for standing in lines to buy shoes with him.

aww he brought one of his mom's owl's over for dinner.

Johnny folded up the dorito bag and slid it under the bowl. It's cool ranch flavor. He took great care in that, I wonder if the idea is that what they don't eat he'll dump back into the bag.

He's taking great care, even pre-opening Miguels drink and his own beer and putting the cap on the table next to it rather than flicking it.

Johnny, hon, Miguel never promised to be there for dinner, as much as you're gearing up to tell him you're dating his mom, this isn't exactly a sure thing that he'll be home for dinner.

Omg his mom's owl is a salt shaker.

The LaRusso's took him to Katsuya, which again, Johnny don't get mad, he's dating their daughter so they're going to be hanging out and inviting him to dinners. Though if Johnny wants to get mad it's that she hasn't hung out with them (the Diaz's and Johnny)

Daniel's friends with the chef at Katsuya

Johnny does not think Peter Cetera is badass.

Aw Miguel had such a good time, and this is what he'd wanted since season 1, to be able to meet Sam's family and ensure that they didn't think she was too good for him and to bond. He's been waiting 3-4 seasons for this. Though Johnny doesn't know that and is just not wanting to lose another kid to Daniel/ to be dropped by someone else for Daniel. Ali, Robby...Miguel. Half his students.

Miguel being a sweetheart and saying he can do manwhiches tomorrow.

Poor Johnny, this is why you don't plan for a sensei/student bonding moment when it's not confirmed.

Johnny you also should've passed on Robby's warning.

Kyler is loving Bloodsport.

Robby and Tory went with and are sitting in the back.

It's not cool how Kyler talks to Kenny or how he made Kenny the gopher to go get things. Kenny already got something for the kids in the red car. Robby is shaking his head in the backseat but doesn't stop Kyler and just hops out to tell him that they're just hazing the new guy and it's not as dangerous as having to steal a cobra which is what robby did. And that it's a good thing but not to get upset.

Kyler wants: 2 buckets of popcorn with butter, 4 large cokes, 2 hot dogs with mustard but no ketchup, a pretzel, nachos with extra cheese and jalapeno poppers.

Robby adds a butterfinger to the list.

I'd like to point out that none of these kids have given Kenny any money to pay for this stuff.

Kenny figuring out how to get everything in one go. Kudos kid.

Nate: Lexi wants me to send pictures now. Bert: I think you're being catfished. (something poor Kenny knows first hand) Nate: It's a risk I'm willing to take.

Hawk literally bumps into Kenny and Kenny is so scared/surprised he drops everything. 😭 (He did get Robby's butterfinger which lands in the mess)

Robby once again in his overall duty of protector keeping an eye out on Kenny, sees that Kenny just got surrounded by Hawk, Nate and Bert, says 'that piece of shit' and gets out of Kyler's Jeep.

Hawk tells Kenny to watch where he's going, but it was Hawk who bumped into him while Kenny was frightened and trying to retreat. (Maybe it was an accident but it looked a bit purposeful)

Kenny instantly hides behind Robby. Nate; You betrayed Miyagi-do, traitor. (Bud you guys were all pissed because what Robby did ON ACCIDENT to Miguel)

Tory shows up with the rest of the gang and of course Miguel and Sam are here too.

Sam's calling Tory princess now too.

Demetri 🤣 Shows up, realizes a fight's about to go down and is like oh shit. Oh we've got Chris too

Tory tells Sam that her mom's not there to play peacemaker.

Miguel telling them not to fight, that they'll fight on the mat.

Robby reminds Miguel that Robby broke his spine the last time they fought. Which... Robby come on. It was an accident. He's probably getting frustrated with people not believing that.

Miguel: Meet us at the baseball diamond in 30 minutes, no weapons.

I mean I know it's a trick, but it was smart to get them to agree to fight at a second location and not at the drive in movie theater where they could cause property and person damage. It also means theoretically Robby could've sent Kenny home, somewhere safe. Same with the Miyagi-dos

Except of course Kenny's there.

Robby: They'll be here. (No, they won't)

I would like to point out how happy the nerds are and how unhappy Sam is.

But truly Miguel didn't learn anything from Daniel and Johnny's story with the hose. Because this is Miguel's version of pouring water on Johnny while he was rolling the world's tiniest blunt. Is that this essentially kicks the hornets nest (apparently something Johnny had his students do)

Like now Cobra kai is just wet and pissed off, not really the best move for any of you. Like Daniel could've died from how pissed off this made Johnny and his cobras. And Miguel even asked Daniel why he'd done it and Daniel had said "It was right there, you would've done the same thing" not including that if Mr. Miyagi hadn't been there to save him they'd have killed him.

Kyler why are you recommending a home invasion? Stop it.

Kreese looks so tired. 🤣 "Now you see what we're dealing with" as the cobras bicker in the background over how to respond.

Like it's a prank, it seems like a harmless prank, but all these kids from TKK through to Cobra Kai act like cats who can't stand water when they get surprised attacked by it. Really they always over react.

Kreese: We gotta break up Johnny and Daniel

Silver: I just want to teach kids. Can I skip the revenge plot?

Silver: You had the entirety of the valley in the palm of your hands but you blew it due to the rivalry you had with Mr. Miyagi.

(There was a rivalry between Kreese and Mr. Miyagi? If so Mr. Miyagi did not get the memo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣)

Kreese: He attacked my students! (Who attacked Daniel first dude)

Johnny showed up with his confidence shattered and a black eye, I couldn't let that old man get away with it.

Kreese, I don't think it shattered Johnny's confidence I think he was just distracted. Also didn't Tommy have like a broken arm? Kreese really didn't give a shit about the other cobras did he?

Silver: Now, we're the old men.

Most accurate statement ever.

If we just rehash the past, history will repeat itself all over again.

Demetri and Hawk really like giving Miguel nicknames. Demetri: The rain maker

Johnny can now get Demetri to shut up with just a look, and he will.

Johnny is right. I'd like to point out that Johnny's the only one who knows Cobra Kai and how they'd react. He's the only one whose had a Miyagi-do pour water on him. And he points out that Miggy challenged them to a fight, didn't show, and "doused them with a hose", which isn't him being wrong here, it's him reminding Miguel that Daniel did that to him. Like yes these kids were cobra kai, but they're no longer thinking cobra kai, they're focused on Miyagi-do which means diffusing the situation or reacting and not striking first and not thinking oh right that dojo is a bear we just poked.

And yes Daniel's thinking there's nothing wrong with it, totally forgetting Halloween night and how dangerous Cobra Kai is. Which is wild because they literally invaded the LaRusso home. Johnny's trying to just get them all to the All-Valley in one piece, but with the kids using that 'safety' to bully Kenny because he's a middle schooler who happens to have just joined cobra kai and to start fights and not follow through is just going to make it all worse.

"What'd you want him to do 'get in a drive-in switchblade fight?"

Daniel you're literally going for outrageous to make it seem silly that Johnny's concerned. Also, is that an outsiders reference?

I also think Johnny going to Daniel and saying "we need to have a talk" shows some maturity and growth. Even if that convo was probably going to go terribly. He's not going to have this fight of conflicting ideas in front of the students.

But then he sees Daniel's face, realizes something wrong has happened and turns around.

SLOW MO SNAKE BROS, fashion baby!

They got dressed up for this which I will never find not hilarious:

look at those cowboy boots and shiny dress shoes.

Daniel's trauma has returned in the shape of a person, and it's even worse then Johnny, but I'd also like to remind that when the All-Valley mentioned Terry Silver, John Kreese, and Mike Barnes Daniel told them that out of all of them Johnny Lawrence was the worst of them all and he said that in front of Johnny. So Johnny here is probably just like who the fuck is that? And also this guy isn't as bad on a scale as I am. Also pointing out that so far Johnny's the only one Daniel has not had like a panicked trauma response to seeing.

Which is kind of telling how Daniel will just say anything in a moment and not actually mean it. I don't think on any planet Daniel would say he's more terrified of Johnny then he is of Terry Silver. He may not be scared of Kreese because he can kick Kreese's ass, but still, I think it probably goes people who were kids at the time as low level and then worse them are the adults. But he's buried his trauma so deep and not taken care of it that it flares up and shoots out at random times with random results that fit the moment and whatever he's doing. I.e. Johnny's not bad he just had the worst of the worst teachers (I believe that was an early convo with Robby), but Johnny is a monster when he's trying to ensure Johnny's dojo doesn't get to compete in the all valley.

[dragonstepp]

Miscellaneous

How many of you have ever heard of the Irish singer Tommy Fleming? I love a good tenor, and Tommy is one of the best Irish tenors I have ever heard. I am sitting here listening to one of his CDs named Voice of Home II, a CD I have listened to quite a lot. Among songs he has the Halleluja by Leonard Cohen, which he shares with Mark Vincent, a great operatic/religious singer from Australia, and while he sings the first verse in English, Mark sings the second verse in Latin, Tommy sings the third verse in Irish Gaelic, and they duet the fourth verse together. Other songs on this double CD include World in Unison, a song for the Irish soccer team, and You're the Voice from another singer from Australia, about we the people getting out and fighting for the right rather than just leave it to someone else. I also have heard Celine Dion sing that song in duet with the original singer, also from Australia and damned if I can think of his name, on UTube. Tommy also sings the song Hard Times which is a song he is famous for, though it has been covered by many Irish singers. I was fascinated to note that in the many remembrances on TV yesterday for September 11 (2001) that the pipe band in NYC were wearing kilts and playing Hard Times in the ceremony.

Have any of you ever read Funny Times, a publication from Cleveland OH? It is a very liberal newsletter and full of funny comics and blogs. Andy Borowitz is one of the regular writers, and it is full of funny stuff, especially against "our" Republican politicians. This latest edition, in News of the Weird, has a blurb about hawks attacking folks in South Austin. This is where I live, and just lately I have been hearing about Austin, especially about Sam on this site. Seems he has a new girlfriend (or does he) who lives in Austin (and there sure a lot of people who like to speculate about Sam's love life here. I did not go and see him when he was here on the 10th of Austin. First of all, I was not interested in standing (or sitting on my 3-wheel scooter) in the heat here. Frankly, I did not think my sitting on a scooter would go over well inside a liquor store, nor did I want him to see me in my 82-yo body and face among all the many ladies who were waiting to see him for a few seconds, but I was aware he was here.

Today I watched a couple of Humphrey Bogart movies I have on DVD, then Jersey Boys, I really did like The Four Seasons and the movie about them is good. I also earliers watched movie called Hollywood Canteen, a true story about actors in Hollywood during WW II, and was rather nostalgic with all the movie stars, and remembering I should have been among them, if both my parents hadn't refused to pay for my tuition to the Pasadena Playhouse of Performing Arts. I often think how life might have different if I had gotten my wish to be a movie star - better? maybe. But maybe not, just different sins.

And now I am finishing off my day with the Tommy Fleming double CD. So I have not been bored today.

One other laugh I just had. One of the cartoons in Funny Times shows an airplane flying downward, and then upside down, and then straightening up, and a person telling someone else to turn on the Airplane Mode on their cell phone. You have heard me talk about technology going just a bit too far, especially with cell phones, and I just burst out laughing and am cutting it out and putting it on my fridge.

Love to you all,

Be happy,

Carol in Austin

[emberfcrged]

maverick blackstone; dragon age verse.

statistics.

FULL NAME Maverick Joris Blackstone.

NICKNAMES Mav, Blackstone.

RACE Human.

GENDER & PRONOUNS Cisgender male, he/him/his

FACECLAIM Richard Madden

SEXUALITY Bisexual.

NATIONALITY Fereldan.

RELIGION Andrastian.

POSITIVE TRAITS Diplomatic, loyal, resilient, courageous

NEGATIVE TRAITS Judgmental, Stubborn, Vengeful, Withdrawn

AFFILIATION Grey Wardens, the Chantry, the Inquisition

skills & abilities.

CLASS Rogue.

SPECIALIZATION Artificer.

WEAPON Bow & Arrow.

biography under the cut.

tw; addiction, death, possesion

- the son of a city guard and a mage, maverick grew up under the watchful eye of his parents as they attempted to make a peaceful life in denerim. they were relatively well-off but had no titles to their names, marking them as rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things. still, they were happy.

- harohld saw within maverick a spark of potential, a flicker of the sam fire that had burned within his own heart before joining the city guard all those years ago. once maverick was old enough to hold a weapon in his hands, he imparted the wisdom of combat upon his son, teaching him the art of swordplay and archery, hunting and tracking. maverick flourished under his father's tutelage, becoming especially adept with a bow and arrow.

- maverick's mother rhea, despite being a mage, rarely practiced magic, not wanting to be be pulled away from her family and forced into the circle or made tranquil, and the couple went so far as to hide her magical prowess from their son -- up until it was too late. a quiet evening with harohld out on the evening watch turned into rhea being taken over by a demon. terrified and with no one else to help him, maverick had no choice but to strike her down.

- harohld helped cover it up, didn't blame maverick, but was never the same. he began to funnel his pay through backroad channels in the city, acquiring lyrium from corrupt templars looking to make quick coin. maverick watched his father become a shell of himself, an angry ethically questionable man, quickly acquiring a massive debt to feed this addiction, this need for power. this eventually got him killed, a knife in the chest in the middle of their humble, downtrodden home. maverick didnt see it happen, but had become an adept enough of a tracker to know that the templars had done this.

- maverick, seeking revenge and justice, tracked down and killed the templars who murdered his father in the dead of night with his bow and arrow. however, young and naive as he was he grossly underestimated how easily it would be for the order to find him out. and thus he escaped the city, now on the run.

- he spent many years wandering the desecrated lands, finding himself in places near and far all over thedas. using his talents as a rogue and a tracker to bounty hunt, finding it a reiable  way to make some coin and quench his thirst for justice, for good.

* maverick can be recruited as a companion during this time, finding hawke's cause a worthy one to follow

- however, he was eventually caught by another in his profession, getting himself thrown in the gallows and bound for a bloody return to ferelden where he'd face his punishment.

- call it luck or call it misfortune (maverick would say the latter) but he was saved from his fate by a Grey Warden looking for some fresh blood, and what better way to have a surefire recruit than by enacting the Rite of Conscription on a prisoner? thus, maverick was spared from one fate, doomed to another

* if recruited as a companion, a choice would happen before the climax of act 3. hawke can choose to turn maverick over to the authorities or try to protect him by killing the bounty hunter. *maverick is conscripted by the grey wardens whether or not hawke turns him in. if hawke does turn him in, the grey warden will show up when maverick is about to board a prisoner ship to ferelden. if hawke fights off the bounty hunters, the templars will eventually catch up to him immediately following the events of da2, and he is conscripted then.

- for years maverick spent serving the wardens, researching dark spawn and traveling the deep roads, contemplating his own mortality with his now shortened lifespan -- until a chance encounter had him saving a small group of travelers from a hoarde of wayward darkspawn. impressed with his valour, his strength and strategy, one of the travelers revealed herself to be leliana, offering him a place in the chantry's spy network. he agrees and leaves the wardens.

- in the years preceeding inquisition, maverick proves himself and eventually rises through the ranks to become lelianna's right hand. he is by her side through it all, acting as a possible companion and secondary advisor to the inquisitor. 

*as stated, maverick is a companion from the beginning of inquisition as leliana's right hand, and does not need to be recruited.

- soft-hearted, kind, with a penchant for justice, maverick allows his morals to guide him yet does not shy away from brutality when necessary. however, if there is a more diplomatic option, he will always advocate for that. those who get to know him are able to see the happy-go-lucky nature of the young man who only ever wanted to do good in the world, harrowed by circumstance. maverick is simply trying to make something of himself, to choose his own fate in the time he has left before the calling eventually takes him

[casspurrjoybell-17]

Hart and Hunter - Chapter 17 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Dane Hunter

Rian Halloran waits until Ian and Sam have left before calling in our gruesome find. 

Soon, police and other emergency personnel swarm over the scene and Halloran joins the fray. 

Julian and I retreat to a safe distance, buy ourselves a couple of coffees at the nearby café and find an out-of-the-way spot to observe. 

A great deal of time is spent ensuring the tunnels are safe to enter before anyone enters them and I smile as I remember I'm no longer bound by red tape.

Eventually, someone declares the tunnels safe and a team of police and paramedics enter.

Sometime later, the paramedics emerge carrying a long, lumpy shape in a body bag. 

Chief Laura Coleridge arrives in the meantime and after speaking with Halloran, joins Julian and I where we wait at the borders of the scene.

"Alright, Hunter. How do you explain this one?" she asks, one grey, hawk-like brow lifting at a sharp angle.

"Man is cremated... man's body found." 

"I dunno, Chief," I say, which is true enough.

"Maybe his body never made it to the crematorium... maybe his widow buried a bag of wood ash instead." 

"Purly and Sons is a reputable funeral home," Coleridge says.

In a softer voice, she adds...

"I know first-hand. They took care of my Mom's service some years ago." 

I chew my lip, unsure what to say.

Coleridge would never have revealed something so personal when we worked together.

I don't want to seem insensitive and yet she must know that a single, personal anecdote does not a valid alibi make. 

Before I can arrange my thoughts into a coherent sentence, Julian beats me to the punch. 

"You're still gonna question them, though, right?" he asks.

"And Mrs. Lagrange?" 

Coleridge gives him a sharp-edged smile.

"What exactly am I paying you for, Mr. Hart?" she asks.

"Not to hang around crime scenes drinking coffee, I think." 

Julian sips his latte before answering.

"Well, this case might be a little more hazardous than we initially thought," he says, casually drawing attention to his cast. 

Coleridge glances over her shoulder at Halloran, who stands in the midst of things.

His arm in a sling now, though his shoulder hadn't seemed to bother him in the caves. 

"So I see," she says.

"Alright. Double your rate, if you want. I'll get it approved. Just don't let me down." 

She wanders off to speak with Halloran and Julian shoots me a wink.

"See?" he says.

"I always knew we'd make a good team." 

I try and fail to muster a smile and his levity fades. 

"You think there's really a second 'skin-changer?'" he asks quietly. 

"We should assume there is," I say.

"And 'changer' or not, someone got a body out of the morgue and destroyed it before anyone noticed something amiss." 

He sighs.

"Yeah but from what Ian said, it could be anyone and we wouldn't know." 

"Not anyone," I correct.

"It's got to be someone with the proper credentials... someone who could fix paperwork and get a body released. That narrows the field considerably." 

He scans the busy scene before us and lifts his brows.

Any one of the dozen or so people here could enter a morgue without raising suspicion and suddenly all of them seem newly suspicious. 

After a moment, Julian tugs at my arm.

"Come on. Let's get out of here."

He turns away and heads for the car and after a moment's hesitation, I follow. 

He's unusually quiet on the ride home.

I fight the urge to ask if he's okay but as I pull up and park before our home, I can't hold back any longer. 

"Everything all right?" 

Rather than his usual quick reply or casual brush off, he doesn't answer and stares out the window in silence for so long I'm not sure he heard me.

"Julian?" 

He sighs and turns to look at me. 

"I don't know what the hell is going on, Dane. One day, I'm just a dude with a werewolf boyfriend... then I'm Fae. Now I'm 'Fae royalty' or whatever and descended from a Wolf-slayer." 

"You're not your ancestors," I say, though my dad might disagree.

"You're you." 

He shakes his head.

"I just keep thinking about the Wolves that lived here, before. Who were they? How would they feel about us, about me, forming a Pack here with you?" 

I consider how to answer him but he speaks again before I can get my words in order. 

"I keep thinking about the skin-changer, too... the one that might still be out there... and whoever its victim might be. You're right, Dane... we can't change what happened in the past but we can do our best in the present. And whatever 'gift' this land has to offer, I think you need to take it... take the Alpha here and be the strongest Wolf you can be. We need to find that 'changer' figure out how it's all connected to Rhiannon and stop stuff like this from happening here again." 

I digest his words for a moment before answering. 

"We still need to wait for the full moon," I say.

"But there's plenty we can do in the meantime. Interview the shop-owners and Lagrange's family. The funeral home people, too. I'll also need a second Wolf here, besides Ingrid." 

"Who?" he asks. 

I think for a moment.

There's my Mom and Dad and six other siblings to choose from but I know who I want at my side for this... someone who can help us with the case, too. 

"I have just the Wolf in mind," I say.

[mirrorball-leclerc]

paint the town red - part nine

CRY MORE RED BULL

series masterlist

AUSTRIA 2024

isaiah atkins where the fuck is that little spider-shit?

harley keener currently? he's on the roof of mercedes hospitality tormenting toto.

isaiah atkins how the fuck has that kid lived as long as he has?

peter parker caffeine and spite

sebastian vettel what's this about peter telling red bull to 'cry more'

bianca stark-potts that's iconic. isaiah atkins no! it's not!

peter parker it's okay, we'll just shove lestappen down their throats this weekend and they'll forget all about it.

charles leclerc what the hell is a lestappen? peter parker it's you and max! charles leclerc what the fuck??

carlos sainz it's like how lando and i are carlando!

harley keener and how tony and steve are stony

tony stark what the actual fuck keener?

sebastian vettel or how nico and lewis are referred to as brocedes, right?

arthur leclerc see charles, even seb understands what we're talking about and he's older than you.

peter parker do you guys think i'll be able to meet nico rosberg and ask him about brocedes?

ollie bearman oh god, he's a menace. harley keener back home they call him spider-menace ollie bearman you know, that suits him.

isaiah atkins right, so apparently my job also requires me to babysit peter

bianca stark-potts isaiah, buddy, i hate to break it to you, but that's the main reason you were hired.

tony stark NO HE WASN'T! it was so that he could babysit all of you, except seb.

tony stark although, i'm not quite convinced that man isn't a menace still.

sebastian vettel i am an angel stark! tony stark jury's still out

bianca stark-potts posted new stories

local menace is pouting after isaiah scolded him

the best boy

so where we gonna go?

sam wilson i bet tony is watching bianca like a hawk.

tony stark WELL WHO THE FUCK IS HE??

tony stark my gut is telling me it's like verstappen or something.

tony stark i just know it has to be someone from a different team

queen shuri for a man who claims he's such a genius, you sure are stupid

bianca stark-potts SHURI SHUT UP!

natasha romanoff i know who it is

tony stark WHAT? HOW?

bianca stark-potts THAT'S NOT FAIR, YOU SENT YELENA TO SPY ON ME? THAT'S SUCH BULLSHIT NAT!

natasha romanoff HOW DID YOU KNOW? bianca stark-potts for a former black widow, she's not very good at disguises. her black wig is horrendous.

joaquin torres i think it's charles. nothing can change my mind.

sam wilson it has to be like norris or sargeant.

bucky barnes clint managed to convince me, it has to be an older driver. i vote jenson button.

kate bishop well we know it's not yuki because who ever he is, he's taller than bianca.

tony stark nat, i'll pay you to tell me who it is.

natasha romanoff i only did it to know if her was good enough for her, i think he is.

natasha romanoff added one person

yelena belova ah kate bishop is here!

kate bishop oh no.

tony stark yelena, pleasure, who is my daughter seeing?

yelena belova natasha? natasha romanoff no, you can't tell him. it'll be much funnier when bianca tells him. yelena belova understood. sorry stark, i cannot say anything tony stark OH COME ON!

harley keener added one person

isaiah atkins do i want to know why? or what this is?

carlos sainz bianca and charles have something to tell you!

isaiah atkins is it that they're dating?

charles leclerc how the hell? bianca stark-potts how the fuck?

isaiah atkins oh don't worry, it's not anything you two did. you're doing great at keep it a secret.

isaiah atkins harley and carlos on the other hand. they suck at keeping a secret. it's not like they're trying. they tease you two at every opportunity they get. seb's figured it out too.

charles leclerc how long do think it'll take tony or peter to figure it out?

bianca stark-potts i love my dad but he can't ever see what's in front of him. it took him months to figure out nat was a widow

harley keener as for peter, that kid couldn't figure that his girlfriend, mj, was flirting with him before they started dating.

isaiah atkins i hope you two know the paperwork for this is insane

charles leclerc well, we're not officially dating. bianca stark-potts so no paperwork yet.

isaiah atkins you're both idiots

isaiah atkins i hope you know that

bianca stark-potts WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

SILVERSTONE 2024

scuderiaferrari, harleykeener, and biancastark_potts have posted new stories

silverstone isn't ready for track terror leclerc and chili sainz.

i leave my phone with these nerds for two fucking minutes

natasha come pick up your fucking sister

bianca stark-potts nat, ask your guard dog to back off.

yelena belova bianca, you are not very nice.

yelena belova everyone says you are a nice person. i think they are liars.

bianca stark-potts YOU CRASHED MY DATE!

yelena belova natasha said i had to make sure he could handle them. i am pleased to announce he is.

yelena belova he is very nice. offered to pay for my meal if i stayed, i did.

joaquin torres love that for you. i would've crashed her date too bianca stark-potts JOAQUIN? I TRUSTED YOU? joaquin torres I WANT TO KNOW WHO HE IS!

sam wilson if we kick tony out will yelena tell us who he is?

yelena belova no, but i would like to inform everyone that sebastian vettel and carlos sainz also know who he is. charles is a little lost on who it is. he thinks it's isaiah like peter.

peter parker IT HAS TO BE HIM. BIANCA WOULD STAB ME IN THE BACK LIKE THAT.

bianca stark-potts I'M SORRY? WHO WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD NICK ABOUT BECK YOU SPIDER-FUCK

maria hill you people have problems. please stop texting each other.

bucky barnes no thanks maria. you can leave.

maria hill has left the chat

peter parker has added maria hill

peter parker NO ONE IS LEAVING! maria hill leave me alone! peter parker NO!

tony stark YELENA I WILL PAY YOU 500 THOUSAND TO TELL ME WHO HE IS!

yelena belova i find it more satisfying to see you lose your mind over this than money. money, which i could easily steal from you

bianca stark-potts i told you, i'll tell you when I WANT TO.

bianca stark-potts keep this up and i'll let you find out from an instagram post.

yelena belova it's not isaiah. i can tell you all that.

tony stark i will drop this, but only because i know bianca is capable of doing that.

bianca stark-potts thanks dad.

series taglist: @burningcupcakefire @spilled-coffee-cup @evans-dejong @elliegrey2803 @bingewatche @arkhammaid @sunflower-golden-vol6 @lorarri @ironspdy @mypage-myfandoms @be-your-coffee-pot @celesteblack08 @vellicora @enchantedthoughts @stopeatread @hobiismyhopeu @lilsiz @alessioayla @niniluvsainz @au-ghosttype @six-call @embrosegraves @justtprachisblog @bionic-donut @nichmeddar @landonorizzz @unluckyyoshi @jamie-selwyn @cool-ultra-nerd @kami10471633 @int3rnetgf @fernandoswarcrimes @skynel09 @arieltwvdtohamflash @brekkers-whore @camdensreg @mycenterfold @dear-fifi @chiliwhore @nothaqks @nataliambc @jensonsonlybutton @octopussesarecool @trouble-sistar @raizelchrysanderoctavius @meadhbhcavanagh

¡leclerc-s speaks! i’m in mourning. no one talk to me. in a perfect world charlos are teammates until at least 2025 when audi comes into play. ALL MEN DO IS LIE! WHAT HAPPENED TO “TOGETHER OR NOTHING?”

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[lizziefanconfessions]

Awesome.. 🦸🏻‍♀️ I can imagine what could’ve happened afterwards:

Shocked glances went back and forth between Daniel, Johnny, Hawk, Demetri, Sam, Robby and Miguel at the sight of Reader confidently playing “Foxey Lady” by Jimi Hendrix one day, and then “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks, “Diggin’ Up Bones” by Randy Travis, “Hold My Hand”, “I’m Goin’ Home” or “Not Even the Trees” by Hootie & the Blowfish or “She Won’t Be Lonely Long” by Clay Walker (among others) the next on a black guitar while sitting on a stage in the park with a jar labeled “Tips” next to her.

This is a shock, Hawk, Demetri, Sam, Robby and Miguel think. Reader not only leaves the dojo because of us not paying attention to her, she also trades in her karate gi for a guitar?

Or, Johnny, Daniel, Hawk, Demetri, Sam, Robby and Miguel get a shock when they find Reader, but she’s now a cowgirl starring in a rodeo that comes to San Fernando Valley in the summer; she’d traded in her martial arts skills for riding bulls, bucking broncos and barrel racing.🤠

@gemini-sensei , I might try doing something for this but-

Chubby!Reader who has been with the original group of students from cobra kai. She only ever defected to Miyag-Do after Kreese took over and then she went to Eragle-Fang. 

She's always been in the background, but so far back that not even the other background kids see or talk to her. It's almost like she's not there most of the times. For a long time she tries really hard to get some of any attention at that, but nothing worked. Nothing seemed to get her in the spot light, or even noticed for that matter.

So she just goes to class for her own benefit. Only to go home right afterward. She doesn't bother to stick around after practice, it's not like anyone wants to talk to her or hang out. No one makes a move to get to know her, they hardly even look in her direction most of the time. One of the only times she is noticed is when she's paired up with someone. Then right after they don't say a word to her.

Daniel is the only one who seems to care enough to notice her. He's the only one who tends to talk to her, asking about training, how she's doing, and how's school. More than Johnny ever has with the time she's been learning under him. She feels grateful that he at least takes a liking to her. One of the only reasons she keeps showing up.

But things change quickly one day and she snaps.

One day after a long hard trading session most of the students are talking. Everyone has changed out of their workout clothes before muddling around the dojo. Reader is checking out her bag just to make sure she hasn't forgotten anything important. While she is looking she over hears Miguel and Sam talking to the other students. They are all in tight circle having a conversation, Reader decides to walk over. She gets into hearing range to hear them saying how they should all meet up.

The other students get excited about the new idea.

“Can you just send the info to the group chat? So we can all know the time and place to show up?” solemn says. Everyone nods which has Reader stumped.

Group chat? What group chat?

Moments later the huge group starts to split up leaving Reader confused. She quickly tries to flag someone down before they can all leave.

“Hey so you have the group chat info-”

“Can you by chance send me the group chat-”

“Can you add me-”

Every single one of them seem to ignore her. Walking right past her, paying no mind to her or any of her questions. They just leave her standing there, hurt and clueless. Clearly, all of them were part of some dojo group chat. One where they shared group plans and hung out together. Maybe they even talked about things besides what went on at the dojo. What real friends did.

But now it was crystal clear to her, she wasn't their friend and they weren't hers either.

Her attempts at trying to be nice where useless. When she tried to talk to them during class or before, when she offered to help with school work, even when she tried her best to be a shoulder to cry on. None of it seemed to be enough for them to notice her. To care that she was trying to be apart of their friend group.

Even the slight crushes she developed on some of them.

There was no use in trying anymore.

This was the final straw.

That day she left the dojo with a heavy heart and a mind full of deep honest questions about what she needed to do. The dojo was no longer much of a comfort. Being there only made her feel like a outcast, out of place and cold. Why keep going if she could not build any relationships with her peers? While karate itself kept her busy and happy, the environment she was in did not. It only brought her down. 

Days passed and time ticked along with all of her thoughts about the dojo. Until one afternoon she decided on her final decision.

She folded up her gi and drove to the dojo.

She looked at Daniel’s face as he sadly took the crisp gi from her hands.

“I don't think I should be in an environment where I'm invisible to those around me. It's not fair to me or them. I'm sorry Sensei.” she bowed lowly to Daniel.

His lips draw down into a slight frown, brows knit as he watches the girl bow.

“I understand, not feeling as if your peers are behind you can be difficult. She shouldn't feel the pain of not fully knowing if they would stick behind you as you would them. I would hope that this is not the last time I see you. I can only hope you don't give up karate over this. You are a great student Reader.” his words priced her heart a little. Standing up she looked at him, her own eyes filled with sadness. She did her best to hold back the tears that slowly started to well in her eyes.

“I promise Sensei, I won't forget all the things you taught me. Maybe one day I can come back. Maybe then I will have a bit more confidence.” her voice cracks a little. With one final nod she turns around and walks away. She gives one last look around, knowing this might be the last time she ever sees the beautiful yard. Sighing she walks back to her car in silence, leaving the small lot without even a second glance.

When the next class comes around, no one notices anything missing. Everyone gets into their respective groups and stands ready for the days lesson.

“So we are going to pair up for today's lesson. So let's all get into pairs and start.” Johnny booms from the front of the group of teens. Quickly everyone starts to team up. Already knowing who they want to be paired with.

“Uhh sensei, I don't have a partner. I think everyone is paired up but me.” its Bert who speaks up.

“What so you mean you don't have a partner?” Johnny questions. They had never has a odd am out of students before. There has always been a even amount among the dojo.

Who wasn't there today? He looks around finding all the familiar faces he knows. He accounts for all of them which has him scratching his head.

“Shit that's my fault Johnny, I completely forgot to tell you. Reader quiet last class, I should have told you as soon as she came to me.”

There was a long pause between the two men. Even the teens stopped to listen in.

“Who?”

“Reader? Last Name? Do you seriously not remember your own student? Now that I'm thinking about it she was a part of your dojo before mine. I would have thought you would have noticed her missing.”

“Still blanking.”

Daniel doesn't even want to keep talking to the man. It's like talking to a brick wall with him.

This idea started to die, but I like to think Poly! Hawk, Sam, Demetri, Robby and Miguel start to feel bad about not paying attention to Reader. They end up following her around school, trying to figure out what they can do to make her come back to the dojo.

But it quickly goes from just trying to get an old teammate to come back to “Oh no we might have started to develop a crush on the girl.”.