#Sophia lillis imagine

[fandomnerd9602]

Y/N’s dragon nuzzles them…

Doric: how did you tame a dragon?!

Y/N: tame? It’s more a relationship of trust. You build it with time

Doric: a-are you looking to tame anyone-anything else?

Y/N: I would but no one can tame you, Doric

Doric: I can if it’s more a relationship. I’m free tonight if you want to get started

Y/N: it’s a date

[wallowslistener]

dating s. novak would include... ೨ৎ

✦ sydney is a bit emotionally guarded at first. she’s been through a lot and finds it hard to open up fully. it takes some time for her to feel comfortable being vulnerable, but once she does, she’ll let you in on her thoughts and feelings.

syd is loyal to the people she cares about. once she’s committed to you, she’ll stay by your side no matter what. she doesn't express it openly, but she’s very protective of you and will do anything to make sure you’re okay.

sydney’s sense of humor leans toward the sarcastic side, and she uses it as both a defense mechanism and a way to bond. she teases you playfully, but it’s her way of showing affection. if she’s making sarcastic comments or playful jabs, it means she’s comfortable with you

sydney isn’t big on pda and she’s much more affectionate in private. when you’re alone, she’ll let her guard down and be more physically affectionate, whether it’s cuddling on the couch, holding your hand, or leaning in for a quiet kiss.

sydney can be incredibly supportive, especially when you’re going through something. however, she also has moments where she pulls back and needs space to deal with her own emotions.

once she trusts you, sydney enjoys having deep conversations. she’s introspective and likes to discuss her thoughts on life, her fears, and her dreams. these conversations help her feel closer to you and give her a sense of connection.

sydney expresses herself through writing and drawing. sharing her work with you is a big deal for her, as it’s one of the ways she communicates her emotions.

sydney’s emotions can be unpredictable. she'd go from being quiet and introspective to angry and frustrated in a short amount of time. It’s important to be patient with her and understand that she’s dealing with a lot internally.

despite her own struggles, syd is surprisingly empathetic and understanding. she’s a good listener and will be there for you when you need someone to talk to. she might not always have the answers, but she’ll always listen.

trust is a big issue for sydney, and it takes her a while to fully trust you. when she does, she’s loyal and devoted. she values honesty and appreciates it when you’re open with her, even if it’s about difficult topics.

[taus-inc]

My thoughts and feelings on Uglies the movie

I'm starting to think I understand a bit of how people who read Percy Jackson before watching the movies feel. Uglies was... a movie. I have thoughts that I wanna share with a condensed version of my rant with the notes I took at the very bottom. I know in the end it's just a movie but at the moment it's important to me. Obviously SPOILERS for Uglies, the book (mainly the first one) and the movie.

I want to start with the things I liked since that's a much shorter list.

i LOOVEE the casting for Dr. Cable as Laverne Cox, Keith Powers as David, Brianne Tju as Shay. I also like the casting for David's parents, Croy, Sussy, Dex and An.

Not all the design elements hit for me but the look and sound of the hover cars and boards i really liked. As well as how the interface rings looked and worked, kinda showing how easy it was for things to be "hacked". The look of the operation tank wasn't something I thought too hard about but I like how they brought it to life. And "THE SMOKE LIVES" was beautifully done. While reading the books I imagined something more childish given the sparklers but the movie did them wonderfully.

And something small and rather insignificant, Tally telling Shay that Peris was the one who gave her the necklace makes a little more sense than some random person giving it to her and her caring enough to wear it all the way to the Smoke.

Now... on to the nitty gritty of the things I didn't like as much. Some are kinda nitpicky so take my word with a grain of salt as these are all just my personal opinions. I took notes as I watched so they will kind of be in chronological order.

First is the casting of Tally and Peris. I knew when I saw the trailers I wouldn't like Joey King as Tally Youngblood, I don't think she's that bad of an actress, she just doesn't fit my vision of Tally. I like alternatives of someone like HAVANA ROSE LIU !!!, Sophia Lillis, Emma Myers, Paris Berelc, Chandler Kinney, Inde Navarrette, Talia Ryder, Quintessa Swindell. Basically, anyone other than Joey King. Someone I could see being book 1 Tally but also becoming who she was in later books. And for Peris maybe someone like Archie Renaux, Archie Madekwe, Nico Hiraga, Brodie Townsend, Connor Sherry, maybe a Finn Little or even a Charlie Plummer. Clearly, I don't have a set look for these characters just vibes.

I don't like that Dr. Cable is a public figurehead. Most of the things she does and are capable of are because she's more secretive. She's a manipulator who works behind the scenes. I could've appreciated it if they had done more with it and made it a purposeful change but like many other things I don't see the point in it.

Tally's relationships with anyone are honestly one of the most disappointing things done and my #1 gripe with this movie. It just does not make me care at all. We're missing so many vital scenes that I'm sure they couldn't fit all of them in but because of what they cut out I couldn't buy into them as people. Everything just felt so temporary and non concrete. I know it was probably to save money from actors ( f you btw netflix) but I'm sad the only other scene with Tally's parents, them convincing her to give up Shay and the Smoke, was missing. Her and Peris' relationship falls very one note and her and Shay's just falls flat. No real friendship between the two, bonding over feeling lonely and (at least to Tally) beginning their next step to prettiness together. Shay's constant reassurance that she doesn't think Tally is ugly and how she feels about keeping her original face because she doesn't think of herself as ugly either. Shay's anger is completely missing for me when in the book it was a very big thing considering how much Tally's betrayal cost her. The same anger thing with Maddy happened too but more on that later. Even with Dr. Cable manipulating her I think it was so poorly done. She just straight up lied to her about what was going on in the Smoke instead of using everything Tally had wanted for the last 16 years against her.

Next is what I think to be one another major failing on the movie that I have to force myself to understand that they simply didn't have time for but.. Cutting basically all of Tally's journey to the Smoke really hurt me because I feel like throughout all the books Tally's relationship and outlook on the wild is some of the most important because it shows a lot about who she is as a person when she really has to be alone with herself in such dangerous conditions and situations. The wild is always the start of her radicalization and her free thinking. It helps her be more open about the Smoke and it honestly informs a lot of her decisions later down the line. Her puzzling through Shay's note and learning to survive (with the help of some city things) were very detrimental and sad almost none of it made it into the script. And they didn't even get the note right!!

Short and to the point- replacing the rangers who helped Tally (and gave lowkey clues about what she learns later) with the Smokies.. Again, I understand time and money restraints but still Ugh!

Them making Croy immediately overly aggressive and skeptical of Tally also just takes away from his character. Even in the books we have little to go on, but I think taking away making him slowly put pieces together about Tally's stories and the math of the SpagBols simply not mathing is a small but disappointing takeaway.

The entire time in the Smoke went by wayy too fast, they never let you or Tally just sit and exist with the people living there already so again i just don't care that it was raided! We missed out on Tally discovering the people who lived there along with more of her relationship with Shay being discarded. Taking out the library, Tally discovering all of the people and faces from before through books and magazines and the man who looked over all of that. Which flattens her character more seeing as that was one of the first deaths she experiences that she feels is her fault. Tally meeting David's parents felt rushed and their conversation about the lesions just felt like it was her entire reason for suddenly not wanting to listen to Dr. Cable instead of her forming her own opinions and that being her final straw.

Something the movie loved to do was take away so many crucial parts of the story, a major thing being the raid of The Smoke. In the movie it happens so quickly even though I'm sure they could've included a majority of it. Tally's desperation in fighting for something she had inadvertently helped destroy, her and the Boss fighting to protect the last of the books and her watching him get killed because of it. Because of her. Her getting captured and gaining trust and respect from people (Croy!) who previously doubted her, but at the same time her relationship with Shay hitting the fan because she instantly knew Tally was at fault. Her being smart enough to outwit and out maneuver a Special Circumstance soldier and escape. Her hiding in the cave with David. Her coming back to see Croy had convinced people to leave their shoes because she didn't have any while hoverboarding away. All which fuels her guilt and need to protect and rebuild The Smoke seeing as she felt it her fault. In the movie she hid out in the open.. ran out screaming when Az was killed... outed what she had done in front of everyone. Then she blew up a building and Dr. Cable literally just let her go for no apparent reason. David finding out what she had done and what she caused should've warranted more anger but of course we get none of that. Next we just jump into helping the captured Smokies escape and Tally's crazy ass plan that actually helped show the depth of how smart she is was glazed over. We lose the reveal of Dr. Cable testing on Az causing him to pass away which, on top of being a doctor, fuels Maddy's need to have someone give informed consent before testing the cure for the lesions. The movie also took Maddy rightful anger toward Tally away from her. It might seem small in the grand scheme of things but agreeing to be the test subject for an untested brain alter for a woman who dislikes you for having a part in her husband dying is a step in her trying to earn forgiveness.

Shay's reveal to be turned pretty was completely under done and felt because of the lack of depth they gave to her character along with her relationship with Tally. Shay never wanted to be turned pretty and Tally is a big part of the reason her choice was taken away from her. Her becoming pretty was another thing that made Tally completely regret all that she had done and showed more of the ripple effect of the consequences of her actions. Plus that fuck ass wig and ugly silver dress they had her running around in !!

Overall so many of the choices made by netflix just lets me know they never intended on continuing the series in future movies regardless of the outcome of this one. Like them making Peris special and then killing him off ??!! The Specials having special suits and not special bodies. Changing out the rangers to not expand on the lore. ((Edit: The flowers being made by the cities actually does so much to harm the story which also explains why they removed the rangers because it was cities fighting against yet ANOTHER rusty invention that was destroying the world. The cities (who knows how many) were fighting to preserve nature which lends to them dulling people to slow down their overconsumption and later Tally's mission to make sure the wild was protected when people eventually got their free will back.)) Making the ending open ended because there was no way they could fully close it out because of the nature of the books but every other choice felt so definitive as to an ending and nothing more, like showing Tally pretty at the end when the closing of the book was just her surrendering. The movie itself didn't expand on even just the first books’ lore and it just felt like an extremely lukewarm version of the story that happens over a 30 minute period even though the movie is an hour and a half long. Everything felt rushed and not true to Uglies the book at all and it upsets me to see these books introduced to people in this way.

Ok, rant over. Peace out.

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TLDR, my sparknote ver.

Things I liked:

Lavern Cox as Dr. Cable

Keith Powers as David

Brianne Tju as Shay

Design of the hover cars and boards

Design of the operation tanks

Design of the "THE SMOKE LIVES" message

Thing I did Not like:

how this movie is a TERRIBLE introduction into this world

their failed attempts at humor

joey king as tally youngblood

dr. cable being a public figure head

the montage that skips basically all the world building

tally and shays watered down relationship

tally and davids watered down relationship

tally's parents not coming to see her before peris and really showing she was pushed into working with dr. cable

making the crash bracelets work like a bungee jacket and not using the mechanics from the book

dr cable lying abt what david and the smoke were doing to that extent

montage of the tallys journey in the wild

replacing the rangers with smokies

croy being over aggressive abt not trusting tally when he was sly and smart abt figuring out her story doesn't make sense

david just going "these are my parents" and no one clarifying their names

tally not slowly coming to realize that the smoke isn't that bad and her doubts before learning abt the lesions

the talk abt the lesions

peris being special

the attack on the smoke

not meeting the boss who keeps track of the books/magazines

tally and david hiding out in the open during the attack on the smoke

peris killing az bc az dying from medical testing was important !!! + az's "wah are yu doin"

tally outing herself in front of everyone 😒 + her dumbass escape scene bc she literally just got let go

not explaining or using tally's very smart plan to get into special headquarters

no pretty speak

shays ATROCIOUS ASS WIG that thing looks like a lego piece on her head and them contacts and that dumb ass dress

that glass breaking as soon as the fire touches it

the pt 2 of the solution being so easy to find and maddy not stealing dr. cables interface ring

the body suit for the specials bc their body is what made them special not the suits

joey king breaking up peris and david's fights was giving the fighting from the kissing booth

peris dying ??!!(!(!(

maddy not RIGHTFULLY being mad at tally for destroying her home and getting her husband killed

croy all of a sudden being on tallys side 

[lyon-amore]

*Jessy and Stephan (Male!MC) oneshot based on Duskwood episode 6*

    Jessy's call, showing me places in Duskwood, the market square, the church, the cafeteria, the library... I imagined Duskwood a little different, something more... Like Twin Peaks? Maybe because of everything I had heard about the town and its legends.     All day showing me Duskwood, freeing me from a day of stress because of everything that was happening. Almost no one stopped by the music store after what Lilly did, so we closed early. Seeing her smile made me feel a strange sensation. Her smile was warm and we joked. We opened up a little about our lives, getting to know her better.

    But something terrible happens while she is on her way home, talking about Thomas and Cleo trying to sneak into the basement of the Aurora.     What had been a peaceful day has ended up like a nightmare.

    "JESSY!" I screamed when I saw Jessy being attacked, it was not something I expected to see through my phone.

    I feel helpless not being able to be there with her, punching the guy who pushed her. And I'm usually peaceful, but this makes my blood boil.     The Man Without a Face picks up her phone from the ground and I see Jessy lying on the ground, unconscious.     He shows himself on camera, almost defiant.

    "You bastard..." I say through my teeth, without looking away from him, "I'm going to go after you and I'm going to finish you off, son of a bitch! I'll get you! I swear! You're not going to get away with what you did to Jessy, you fucking bastard!"

    "Jessy! Please wake up! Say something!" I shout again, worried about seeing her.

    I see that she is finally moving and I breathe a sigh of relief.

    "Are you okay?" I ask, but she doesn't answer.

    She picks up her phone and hangs up.

    As I pack up, I try to text her, worried that she hasn't answered. I also warn Thomas that Phil is going to call the police to report him and Cleo for what they did. And I decide then to make a decision: Right now, Jessy needs me. It's my fault what happened to her, I must fix it and help her.   �� I also text Macie, knowing that I somehow brought her into the matter and she has become friends with Jessy after they both worried about me because of what Lilly did, she deserves to know.

    I get home and Sky greets me, wagging his tail happy to see me.

    "Hello friend," I say quickly, "let's pack our suitcase_"

    "The suitcase for what?" Sophia comes down the stairs, arms crossed "Where are you going at this hour"

    "I have to go to Duskwood," I walk past her, kissing her cheek, "Jessy was attacked because of me and now she needs me."

    "What does she need from you?" I make a sound in my throat as if to nod, while I take the suitcase and some spare clothes out of the closet, even if it's just for one day.

    Sky stays waiting lying on the floor and I hear Sophia's heels enter the room.

    "You can't leave, you have to prepare the music for the video," her tone of voice is angry "Stephan," she lets out a rather strange laugh, "you owe me for everything you've put me through with your scandals."

    "I can do it another day," I answer, trying to close the suitcase, I have packed everything in due to the rush, "I can't abandon my friend now."

    "And I'm your girlfriend!" her exclamation is more of a high-pitched squeal.

    I look at her in surprise and she clears her throat.

    "Since we have been together you have always composed the music for my videos," she approaches me, placing her hands on my body, “your music is perfect, no one else can imitate it. I need your skills, Stephan."

    Why haven't I realized until now? Maybe it's because I've been afraid to ask. Like I always have. I think until now, I was blind.

    "If the only thing that has mattered to you these years since we dated is that I was your composer, then I think we should think about where we want to take this relationship," I answer, lowering my hands and patting my leg, alerting my dog, "come on, Sky."

    He gets up and follows me.

    We go down the stairs quickly and I grab the leash that's hanging on the coat rack.

    "Stephan!" I raise my head, seeing Sophia leaning on the railing of the room, "If you walk out that door I'm done with this relationship!" I squeeze my hand tightly on the doorknob, "If you're not interested in MY FUTURE and MY CAREER, consider yourself single, because I'm not going to let you ruin it for me because of that woman!"

    When Klaus introduced me to his sister, it was when we were playing together at the bar. She told me that her videos weren’t getting any views and if I could help her give it some life with my music. I agreed. We started dating after that video and I was always making the music. I always had to be available. There was no ‘Us’. It was all ‘She.’     I didn't realize she was actually using me. Maybe it's because I was the only one in love.

    "You've got charisma, Sophia," I reply as I put Sky's leash on, "I'm sure you can do it without me."

    "I've always supported you," I see how she squeezes the railing tightly. "Do you think that someone like her will get fame?"

    "I don't want that," I open the door and Sky comes out first, slowly, "only you want it."

    "Stephan, come back right now!"

    I ignore her completely, walking out the door.     I put Sky into the car, tying the leash on the door, and text Klaus to tell him I won't be going to the store tomorrow, that he'll have to open it.     If I leave now, I might make it to Duskwood before dawn.

    My first stop was at the motel, booking a room for the night.     Then I drive into town passing by Richy's shop. It should open early.     I look out the window, but there's no one there. It's then that I get his message, asking me if I know what happened to Jessy because she won't be going to work.     I explain everything to him and he answers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richy I have to go to her right now!

Stephan No, let me talk to her

Richy Don’t you think it would be better for someone to be with her in person?

Stephan That's why I came to Duskwood Because it's me she needs now

Richy What? Are you in Duskwood now Stephan? 😮

Stephan I couldn't just sit back and watch Jessy get attacked I… I couldn't just stay home That's why I'm asking you to give me her address, please

Richy Mmm… Surely it's a good idea? After all, you've been a witness Maybe your nerves will make her worse

Stephan Don't worry, I didn't come to make her nervous... Just to keep her company

Richy Okay, if you say so 😕 But tell me how she is afterwards

Stephan Of course ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Richy gives me her address and we say goodbye. I go back to the car and set the street address on the GPS.

    "Let's go meet Jessy,” I tell Sky, who shakes me with his paw as if to calm me down, "Relax boy, I'm fine," I pat his head and start the car again.

    I hope she doesn't get scared when she sees me, knowing that this is because I got involved.

    I arrive at her door. White. Maybe in another situation I would be nervous about meeting her in person, but now it is my concern and guilt that win out.

    I ring the bell, waiting for her to open it.

    "Jessy?" I call her, even knocking on the door, " Jessy, it's Stephan," I close my eyes, leaning my ear against the door, hoping to hear something, but I don't hear any footsteps.

    I let out a sigh and finally rest my forehead, feeling worse. Maybe she doesn't want to see me because she knows that if it weren't for me accepting the virtual tour, she wouldn't be so bad right now.

    "This is all my fault, " I continue talking, hoping that maybe she's listening to me if she's come closer, "I just…" I take a deep breath, squeezing her hand tightly, "I need to know if you're okay."

    When I get no answer, I decide to sit on the floor, resting my elbows on my knees, while Sky lies down.

    I hear the sound of the door opening and jump up, nervous now.     I look down to see Jessy's face. I'm surprised to see that she's shorter than me. Maybe because of the habit of being face to face on the phone.

   <<In person, she's more…>>

    I silence my thoughts, this is not the time to think that she's pretty.

   <<You just did.>>

    I open my mouth to say something, but she steps forward, hugging me.

    "Stephan..." her voice sounds hoarse, probably from crying. "I'm glad you're here."

    Part of me breaks at the sound of it, and I slowly put my arms around her, hugging her back.

    "I'm so sorry, Jessy," I say while burying my face in her hair, "I couldn't protect you. "

    "It's not your fault, Stephan," she hugs me tighter, clinging to my jacket.

    I notice her shaking in fear.

   <<Damn bastard… I swear he's going to pay for this.>>

    I hug Jessy tighter, wanting her to stop shaking, to notice that I'm here with her.     We hear a small cry and we separate a little, looking down.

    "Sky," I see how Jessy tries to smile when she sees him. True, she has only seen him in photos and on video calls, it is the first time she has seen him in person as well.

    My dog ​​raises his paw and Jessy accepts it, letting out a small laugh mixed with a sob. If Sky has helped me in the worst moments, I think he has helped her too. She can even feel safe having a dog nearby in case he notices something strange.

    Once inside her house, we go to the dining room. Jessy lets Sky climb onto the couch with her and hugs him, closing her eyes as she strokes his fur.

    "How are you?" I dare to ask, although I can already know the answer.

    She settles down on the couch, letting Sky put his head on her lap, while he makes a sound in his throat, beginning to close his eyes.

    "My head hurts and..." she rubs her left arm "my arm is bruised—"

    "What?" I avoid getting anxious so as not to scare her with my reaction, "Can I see it?"

    Jessy nods slowly, lifting the sleeve of her shirt.     Carefully, I place my hands on her arm, carefully rubbing the wound. The bruise has started to darken.

    "Have you put any cream on to relieve the pain?" I look into her eyes, worried.

    "I..." she shakes her head, still extending her arm, "I haven't even changed my clothes... I didn't have the strength to―"

    "Do you have any cream?" I get up from the couch, starting to walk.

    "Yes, but, Stephan,” I stop and look at her, she arches an eyebrow, and then makes a tone of voice between still regretful and a little animated, “you don't know where the bathroom is."

    I blush when I remember that I'm not at home. I couldn't help but get up and go straight to find the ointment.

    "At the end of the hallway," she points with her hand to the door through which I have to go, "you have to open the mirror, you will find a yellow tube."

    "Yellow, done," I repeat and smile, "like your favorite color."

    I manage to get a smile out of her, and she nods.

    When I get to the bathroom, I open the mirror, finding all kinds of cosmetics and feminine toiletries. Nothing new for me, having an older sister, I'm used to seeing these things, so I don't get nervous.     I manage to see the cream and take it, closing the mirror again and returning to the living room, where Jessy caresses Sky's head, speaking soft words. I stay a moment observing the scene. The sun that begins to appear through the window makes her hair look bright red, along with a sweet look.     I shake my head and clear my throat to get attention.

    "Did you manage to find it?" She asks and I pick up the tube, shaking it between my fingers.

    I approach the couch again, sitting down not wanting to disturb Sky. Jessy holds out her arm to me again and I put a small amount to spread just on the wound.     I try to distract myself by thinking about something else, because the feel of her warm and soft skin makes me nervous.

    "Do you want to go to the police?" I ask, wanting to make conversation so that my mind doesn't occupy inappropriate thoughts at this moment.

    "I don't know," she answers without looking away from my massage.

    I finish applying the cream and he quietly thanks me, leaving her arm outstretched so that the cream dries.

    "I would if I were you," I try not to make it sound like a reprimand, since it's not her fault.

    "Right now I just want to rest, Stephan," I nod and sigh, "but what would I say to them? That the Man without a Face attacked me? A legend?"

    "I guess... Yes, it would be crazy without knowing what information to give them..." I hit my hand with the tube, "I've taken care of Phil's issue, so at least that's why you don't have to worry."

    "Thanks Stephan," she pats Sky again, as if seeking comfort, "he texted me last night when I got home, but I haven’t read it yet."

    It's strange to see Jessy in such a subdued manner. It's like she's not herself. The attack has taken away all her joy.

    "Richy wanted to come but I told him that I was already in Duskwood to see you―"

    "Stephan," she cuts me off and I see how her eyes shine, as if she were about to cry, "Why did he attack me? What have I done?" I break inside when I hear her talk like that. She's like a little girl wondering why she's been punished for no reason, "I don't understand..."

    I can only think of one reason.

    "I think I know," I carefully squeeze the tube, hoping not to break it out of anger, "we cornered him, so he has no choice."

    "Because of the investigation?"

    Actually, I don't want to say it's because she's the person I get along with the best and you could say she's become important to me and that's probably why she attacked her, to hurt me.

    "Do you think I can ask you some questions?" I try to change the subject in my mind.

    "I don't know, my head still hurts a lot," she massages her forehead, releasing a sigh.

    "It's okay, we can talk about it later," I get up from the couch and pick up the tube, "I'm going to put it away and… Do you need me to make you something hot? Maybe that'll make you feel better too."

    "Sure, some tea would be good for me."

    "Tea, ok," I smile and walk away, leaving them alone. But I reappear peeking through the door "The kitchen?"

    "The door next to you," she points to the closed door and I nod, "the tea is in the third cabinet on the left."

    "Okay, now I'll prepare it."

    "Stephan," she calls me again and I wait for her words, "I'm glad you came to see how I'm doing."

    I lean against the door frame, holding on tightly.

    "I won't let anything bad happen to you again, ever," I fix my eyes on her, being honest, "I promise."

    I see how Jessy sighs, nodding.     I go to put the cream away, feeling my cheeks burning after what I said.

   <<She's just a friend. Nothing more than that. She's nothing more than a friend.>>

    As I let the water heat up, I think about what happened. I still have the image of Jessy lying on the floor.

    "She’s okay," I tell myself as I tap the counter, "she’s on the couch with Sky right now. Jessy is safe."

    My head is starting to hurt too, I feel like I’m going to explode. I’ve been really scared that something terrible could have happened to her.

    <<What if I had lost her?>>

    The water begins to boil and I take a cup to mix it with the tea.     When I go out to the living room, I see that she has fallen asleep. I smile, leaving the cup in the microwave to heat it up when she wakes up, returning to the living room again, slowly stroking Jessy’s hair.     The phone surprises me with what I’m doing, and, as if I were doing something wrong, I take it out of my pants pocket, seeing that it’s a text from Jake.     Perfect, because I have quite a few things to say to him and they’re not nice.

    I sit down in the dining room chair, ready for conversation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Hello Stephan Is everything okay?

Stephan Wow, you've been gone for quite a while, don't you think?

Jake I am sorry. I could not contact you earlier. But as I can see, you got along pretty well without me.

Stephanie It's not how I'd say it Because we have a lot of things to discuss 😠

Jake That is my intention. So, Jessica was attacked…

Stephan Right in front of my eyes, no less

Jake You admitted to me that you may have developed feelings for Jessica. The attack on her must have been terrible for you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I blush reading those words. I never said that. Well, not in that way at least, I was just putting my feelings into the case, nothing more, but where does he get that from? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephan I never said that! This isn't one of Macie's deductions from the things we've talked about in the group, is it?

Jake Really? I guess Macie gave me the wrong information about you then. Because she was the one who warned me about what happened.

Stephan But! Look, I'll talk to both of them later, since I don't want to discuss my issues right now, it's all about Jessy!

Jake Of course ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    That's when I can't keep quiet with him. He's always so carefree with others. When the Cleo thing happened, he didn't want me to send the video, but of course I did, she deserved to know.     Sometimes I think that for Jake we're nothing more than a tool to find his supposed lover, because Hannah surely is. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephan Whoever did this is gonna pay, I’ll make sure of that

Jake You are putting your feelings in the middle again.

Stephan And what do you want me to do?! You assured me that the others would be safe! That it was all empty threats!

Jake I was mistaken

Stephan You can't be so careless with your assertions! And that's why I warned you from the beginning! But of course, it's easy for you to hide, since this isn't about you

Jake It was never my intention to make assertions so carelessly. I was sure. And I do not hide for sport, you already know my situation, Stephan.

Stephan I know, the government is after you, you don't have to remind me But look what happens when you ignore A KIDNAPPER! In the end they end up attacking someone who hasn't hurt anyone! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If it was a call, I would be yelling at him. I could have lost a friend if it wasn't just a push. Now more than ever we have to be careful.

    We continue talking about what I saw and again his words piss me off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Anyway, we can probably rule out that Jessica is behind Hannah’s disappearance.

Stephan Could you please show some compassion? 🤬

Jake I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you. I just think that objectivity and logic will help us more in this matter than emotions and empathy.

Stephan That suits you well, since you don't associate with the group But I'm the one who's established a relationship with them, they've become my friends Or do feelings mean nothing to you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Jake writes, but erases. I wait for him to respond. A 'Yes' or a 'No', it's not that complicated.     Or maybe it's just that I'm more driven by my emotions than he is by the situation. I'm not able to see it logically when people I care about are in danger.     I look over at the couch, seeing Jessy still sleeping with Sky, who hasn't moved and is hugging him. I smile, relieved that at least she seems calm.

    I continue talking to Jake about the new information. I need to finish as soon as possible and also take care of Thomas and Cleo. Too many things to do.     According to him, he is not Hannah's lover, but how can I believe him? Maybe he is hiding it so that I don’t suspect him. Even if he is not the kidnapper, it would clearly be dangerous for him if I knew his true relationship with Hannah. If they are more than just acquaintances, what else would it be? Family? Because then Lilly would have told us from the beginning that Jake is family and not that he could be behind everything... With me as the scapegoat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake We are close to our goal, Stephan. You have made a lot of progress. Without my help.

Stephan Great, now it’s your turn cloud hacking

Jake :) You and Macie are the only ones who make me laugh, you know that?

Stephan It's just a matter of having the last name Connors, we are naturally funny

Jake Haha. I have noticed now.

Stephan But it's kind of sad I mean, you don't have any friends other than us? A group of hackers or something? You know, like in the movies, a whole network of "criminals"

Jake You still have the wrong image of me.

Stephan 🤷‍♂️ You know I don't have a good opinion of hackers

Jake I am sorry you have to think badly of me then. I have to go. Can you get on with the telephone list in the meantime?

Stephan Later, okay Right now I'm taking care of Jessy

Jake Are you in Duskwood?

Stephan Yes Any problems with that too? 😑

Jake As long as you are careful. It would be dangerous for you to meet the kidnapper after all the threats you have received.

Stephan Relax, I'll be gentle 💪

Jake I am serious. Did you go alone?

Stephan If you're wondering about a certain girl's safety, no, she's not with me And I wouldn't let her come either, after Jessy's attack, if the kidnapper finds out that Macie is related to me, he might do something worse to her

Jack Good to know. It would be terrible if there was another attack.

Stephan Mmm…

Jake What?

Stephan Nothing I don't need Macie as much as I used to, though, I've learned a lot about her and how to investigate So we probably won't have her in the group soon

Jake I am glad to hear your skills have improved then :) And I have gotten used to Macie's presence, so do not worry about removing her from the group so soon.

Stephan MMMM….

Jake Stephan…

Stephan Just kidding 😁 I know you're not really interested in personal relationships at work

Jake …. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I think I've hit upon a sensitive topic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Okay. So, take care of Jessica and then call the phone number.

Stephan Thanks 🙂 Really I promise to write the name when I know who it belongs to

Jake I hope so. If you are not too distracted by her.

Stephan I'm not distracted! 😳 You're confused again!

Jake Hahaha.

Stephan You're getting into a bad habit of laughing at me that you learned from a certain person 😒

Jake Did not you want it to be more fun? ;)

Stephan But not making fun of me 😤

Jake Sorry, this is the last time before I leave. If anything happens, you can always message me anytime.

Stephan I know

Jake I think it would be be ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I stare at the screen in surprise. If there's one thing I've learned from Jake, it's that he doesn't usually leave sentences unfinished, so I find it odd that he sent a message like that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephan What were you going to say?

-----Jake is now OFFLINE-----

Stephan 🤨 Ey, Jake ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Seeing that he's just logged out, I don't know whether to worry or maybe take it as a sign that he had to leave without being able to say goodbye due to some situation.

    "Come on, it's Jake," I say to myself, "he'll be fine, as always."

     I go to Thomas's chat and send him a message that we should talk in person about what happened, that we should meet him and Cleo at the Regenbogen cafeteria to talk about their excursion to the Aurora basement.     I look at Jessy worried about leaving her alone, but if Sky stays, I might be calmer having protection.

    I get up from the chair and approach the couch, crouching down, watching her sleep. I carefully run my hand through her hair, carefully moving it away from her face so as not to wake her up.

    I feel my cheeks burn when I see that I don't look away from her while she rests. I feel like that terrifying vampire from my cousin's movies.     Slowly, I approach her and kiss her forehead.     I know, this is not what friends do. But… A part of me wanted to do it. How can I explain it?

    Nervous, I sit up and turn around, but she grabs my wrist.

    "Stephan?" She asks in a weak voice, "Where are you going?"

    "I'm going to see Thomas and Cleo to talk about your brother," I answer while I stroke the back of her hand with my thumb. Friend… She is… A friend, "don't worry, Sky is staying with you and you have the tea in the microwave to heat it up."

    "Thank you for everything you do for me," her eyes search mine. I can still see her sadness in them, "I feel like I'm a burden right now."

    "Of course you're not, Jessy," I smile and stroke her head, "rest, I'll be back soon. "

    "I'll be waiting for you," she forces a small smile that I respond with another.

    She slowly lets go of my hand, going back to sleep. I signal to Sky, who has raised his head, as if to tell him to stay still. He does as I say and lies back down.

    As I leave her house, I lean against the door, noticing my heart beating rather fast.     You could say that I just ended a relationship from years ago, right now it wouldn't be a good idea and it would seem like taking advantage of her.

    "I'm sorry Jessy," I take a deep breath, "give me time to know how I feel about you."

[softiedancers]

P21 Intensive

Ale Mancillas Dance Studio

Ruby Salinas (junior)

Balbina Cueva Toussaint (teen/senior)

Loreto Perez Robles (teen/senior)

Paloma Wise Hernandez (teen/senior)

Allegro Performing Arts Academy

Arina Bryzgunova (mini)

Art & Soul Dance Company

Domenica Mauti (junior, 12)

Base Dance Studios

Kit Swaddling (teen/senior)

Bella Dance Academy

Ava Fryer (teen/senior)

CA School of Classical Ballet

Aliya Yen (mini, 10)

Center Stage Performing Arts Studio

Stella Brinkerhoff (mini, 9)

Brooklyn Ward (mini, 11)

Ruby Taylor (junior, 11)

Vivienne Mitchell (teen/senior, 14)

Class Act Dance and Performing Arts

Jaklyn Woodland (teen/senior, 15)

Club Dance Studio

Finley Nielson (mini, 9)

Navy Forrest (mini, 9)

Brooklyn Besch (junior, 11)

Kendyl Miller (junior, 11)

Danceology

Soleil Lynch (mini, 9)

Ella Nani Knight (junior)

Dance Concept

Jacilynn Mar (junior)

Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center

Victoria Safahi (mini, 10)

Sophia Hasson (junior)

Dance Expressions Dance Studio

Kiersten Mcbride (teen/senior)

Dance Nation

Jaelynn Walls (mini, 9)

Summer Schilling (mini, 9)

Dance Precisions

Brooklyn Ladia (teen/senior, 13)

Jasmine Sison (teen/senior, 15)

Dance Star Academy of Performing Arts

Bella Salcedo (mini, 9)

Evoke Dance Movement

Tayah Klimuck (junior, 12)

Evolve Dance Studio

Sienna Hoover (mini, 10)

FootNotes Dance & Acrobatics

Alexis Ratliff (teen/senior)

Fusion Dance Force

Abby Rodriguez (mini, 10)

Sophia Bianco (junior, 11)

Ava Rodriguez (teen/senior)

Hudson Dance Academy

Lauren Piepel (teen/senior, 17)

Imagine Dance Academy

Maria Moreno (mini)

JDI Dance Company

Adelynn Muesse (mini, 10)

Just For Kicks School of Dance

Cooper Makowski (teen/senior)

K2 Studios

Jessica Sutton (mini, 9)

Eva Wright (mini, 10)

Leilani Lawlor (junior)

Larkin Dance Studio

Evie Mccune Barrett (mini, 9)

L.A. Dance Arizona

Kate Summers (teen/senior)

Main Street Dance Company

Jaklyn Woodland (teen/senior)

Momentum By Dellos

Rozene Edino (junior)

Motion State Studios

Harley Gross (junior, 11)

Murrieta Dance Project

Khloe Cabrera (mini)

Nadines Dance Company

Angel Imani Wood (teen/senior)

Lily Straughan (teen/senior, 15)

Nor Cal Dance Arts

Mika Takase (mini, 11)

North Alabama Dance Center

Lana Hinchman (junior)

N10 Dance Studios

Carissa Hsu (teen/senior)

Claire Kingston (teen/senior, 14)

Oddity Dance College

Elizabeth Lara (junior)

Ivanna Canob (junior)

Julieta Marroquin (junior, 12)

Katherine Carranza (junior, 12)

Orange County Preforming Arts Academy

Olive O'Connell (junior, 12)

Pave School of the Arts

Addyson Paul (mini, 11)

Premier Ballet Conservatory

Graisyn Clare (junior)

Premiere Dance Center

Avery Dowling (mini, 10)

Project 21

Cece Chung (mini, 9)

Hadley Schulz (mini, 10)

Madelyn Nasu (junior, 11)

Madison Ng (junior, 11)

Olivia Armstrong (junior, 11)

Berkeley Scifres (junior, 12)

Bristyn Scifres (junior, 12)

Chloe Mirabal (junior, 12)

Ellie Anbardan (junior, 12)

Jilly Mahan (junior, 12)

Regan Gerena (junior, 12)

Sara Von Rotz (junior, 12)

Savanna Musman (junior, 12)

Airi Dela Cruz (teen/senior, 13)

Cali Cassidy (teen/senior, 13)

Makeila Bartlett (teen/senior, 13)

Leighton Werner (teen/senior, 14)

Lilly Baraja (teen/senior, 14)

Brielle Lieberman (teen/senior, 15)

Brooklyn Lieberman (teen/senior, 15)

Mady Kim (teen/senior, 15)

Richie Granese (teen/senior, 15)

Rylee Young (teen/senior, 15)

Stella Eberts (teen/senior, 15)

Kami Couch (teen/senior, 16)

Katie Couch (teen/senior, 16)

Lexi Blanchard (teen/senior, 16)

Kenz Couch (teen/senior, 17)

Loila Rhee (teen/senior, 17)

Sammi Chung (teen/senior, 17)

Sienna Carlston (teen/senior, 17)

Jojo Jessen (teen/senior, 18)

Project 520 Dance Studio

Adelynn McLeod (mini)

Pulse Dance Centre

Olivia Toneguzzo (junior)

Renner Dance

Tinsley Wallace (mini, 10)

Stars Dance Studio

Hannah Burak (teen/senior)

Starstruck Performing Arts Center

Remi Hilson (mini, 9)

Studio X

Tate Bisono (junior, 12)

Summer's DanceWorks

Lyla Sitrin (junior)

The Academy

Francesca Jen (junior, 12)

Kinsley Oykhman (teen/senior, 13)

The Base Dance Center

Roxie Onellion (junior, 12)

The Company Space

Piper Perusse (junior, 12)

The Space TV

Nevaeh Chanel (teen/senior, 17)

To The Pointe Dance Centre

Caitlyn Paik (junior, 11)

Triple Threat Performing Arts

Daniella Usa (teen/senior, 16)

Varient Movement

Mila Vishnevski (mini)

Yaya Dance Academy

Renee Liu (junior)

Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet

Emma Walters (mini, 8)

Mayyah Barajas (mini, 8)

300 Dance Studio

Filippa Kavalic (teen/senior)

Mini

Arina Bryzgunova (Allegro Performing Arts Academy)

Aliya Yen (CA School of Classical Ballet, 10)

Stella Brinkerhoff (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 9)

Brooklyn Ward (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 11)

Finley Nielson (Club Dance Studio, 9)

Navy Forrest (Club Dance Studio, 9)

Soleil Lynch (Danceology, 9)

Victoria Safahi (Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center, 10)

Jaelynn Walls (Dance Nation, 9)

Summer Schilling (Dance Nation, 9)

Bella Salcedo (Dance Star Academy of Performing Arts, 9)

Sienna Hoover (Evolve Dance Center, 10)

Abby Rodriguez (Fusion Dance Force, 10)

Maria Moreno (Imagine Dance Academy)

Adelynn Muesse (JDI Dance Company, 10)

Jessica Sutton (K2 Studios, 9)

Eva Wright (K2 Studios, 10)

Evie Mccune Barrett (Larkin Dance Studio, 9)

Khloe Cabrera (Murrieta Dance Project)

Mika Takase (Nor Cal Dance Arts, 11)

Avery Dowling (Premiere Dance Center, 10)

Cece Chung (Project 21, 9)

Hadley Schulz (Project 21, 10)

Adelynn McLeod (Project 520 Dance Studio)

Tinsley Wallace (Renner Dance, 10)

Remi Hilson (Starstruck Performing Arts Center, 9)

Mila Vishnevski (Varient Movement)

Emma Walters (Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet, 8)

Mayyah Barajas (Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet, 8)

Junior

Ruby Salinas (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Domenica Mauti (Art & Soul Dance Company, 12)

Ruby Taylor (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 11)

Brooklyn Besch (Club Dance Studio, 11)

Kendyl Miller (Club Dance Studio, 11)

Ella Nani Knight (Danceology)

Jacilynn Mar (Dance Concept)

Sophia Hasson (Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center)

Aryanna Lafontaine Cooper (Dance FX, 11)

Tayah Klimuck (Evoke Dance Movement, 12)

London Davi (Evolve Dance Company of Fresno, 11)

Sophia Bianco (Fusion Dance Force, 11)

Leilani Lawlor (K2 Studios, 11)

Rozene Edino (Momentum By Dellos)

Harley Gross (Motion State Studios, 11)

Lana Hinchman (North Alabama Dance Center)

Elizabeth Lara (Oddity Dance College)

Ivanna Canob (Oddity Dance College)

Julieta Marroquin (Oddity Dance College, 12)

Katherine Carranza (Oddity Dance College, 12)

Olive O'Connell (Orange County Preforming Arts Academy, 12)

Graisyn Clare (Premier Ballet Conservatory)

Madelyn Nasu (Project 21, 11)

Madison Ng (Project 21, 11)

Olivia Armstrong (Project 21, 11)

Berkeley Scifres (Project 21, 12)

Bristyn Scifres (Project 21, 12)

Chloe Mirabal (Project 21, 12)

Ellie Anbardan (Project 21, 12)

Jilly Mahan (Project 21, 12)

Regan Gerena (Project 21, 12)

Sara Von Rotz (Project 21, 12)

Savanna Musman (Project 21, 12)

Olivia Toneguzzo (Pulse Dance Centre)

Tate Bisono (Studio X, 12)

Lyla Sitrin (Summer's DanceWorks)

Francesca Jen (The Academy, 12)

Roxie Onellion (The Base Dance Center, 12)

Piper Perusse (The Company Space, 12)

Caitlyn Paik (To The Pointe Dance Centre, 11)

Renee Liu (Yaya Dance Academy)

Teen/Senior

Balbina Cueva Toussaint (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Loreto Perez Robles (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Paloma Wise Hernandez (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Kit Swaddling (Base Dance Studios)

Ava Fryer (Bella Dance Academy)

Vivienne Mitchell (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 14)

Jaklyn Woodland (Class Act Dance and Performing Arts, 15)

Kiersten Mcbride (Dance Expressions Dance Studio)

Brooklyn Ladia (Dance Precisions, 13)

Jasmine Sison (Dance Precisions, 15)

Alexis Ratliff (FootNotes Dance & Acrobatics)

Ava Rodriguez (Fusion Dance Force)

Lauren Piepel (Hudson Dance Academy, 17)

Cooper Makowski (Just For Kicks School of Dance)

Kate Summers (L.A. Dance Arizona)

Jaklyn Woodland (Main Street Dance Company)

Angel Imani Wood (Nadines Dance Company)

Lily Straughan (Nadines Dance Company, 15)

Carissa Hsu (N10 Dance Studios)

Claire Kingston (N10 Dance Studios, 14)

Airi Dela Cruz (Project 21, 13)

Cali Cassidy (Project 21, 13)

Makeila Bartlett (Project 21, 13)

Leighton Werner (Project 21, 14)

Lilly Baraja (Project 21, 14)

Brielle Lieberman (Project 21, 15)

Brooklyn Lieberman (Project 21, 15)

Mady Kim (Project 21, 15)

Richie Granese (Project 21, 15)

Stella Eberts (Project 21, 15)

Rylee Young (Project 21, 15)

Kami Couch (Project 21, 16)

Katie Couch (Project 21, 16)

Lexi Blanchard (Project 21, 16)

Kenz Couch (Project 21, 17)

Loila Rhee (Project 21, 17)

Sammi Chung (Project 21, 17)

Sienna Carlston (Project 21, 17)

Jojo Jessen (Project 21, 18)

Hannah Burak (Stars Dance Studio)

Kinsley Oykhman (The Academy, 13)

Nevaeh Chanel (The Space TV, 17)

Daniella Usa (Triple Threat Performing Arts, 16)

Filippa Kavalic (300 Dance Studio)

[nerd-artist]

THE HORIZON FANCAST THAT NOBODY ASKED FOR - PART 1

I needed to throw this somewhere and I would like to know what are your thoughts on this, and if you are excited or maybe afraid of the Netflix adaptation that is coming

Sophia Lillis as ALOY

I believe she would be a perfect Aloy. She is a good actress, already worked for Netflix, and come on, just look at her.

Steven R. McQueen as Erend

Honestly, I haven't seen a thing performed by him, but he gives me a lot of -himbo- oseram vibes just with the looks (I think Erend is the most difficult character to cast).

Keiynan Lonsdale as Varl

Every time I saw Varl on HFW I thought about Kid Flash. He's just him.

Tati Gabrielle as Zo

She just has the attitude. Imagine her with the utaru paint.

I insist on Sophia Lillis as Beta/Elisabeth

She can easily perform the three roles (Elisabeth with the CGI magic of course)

MORE CAST ON THE NEXT POST

[tinyreviews]

If a normie like me can love this movie, I imagine the true D&D fans will go nuts over this! MUST WATCH!

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a 2023 American fantasy heist comedy film directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. Based on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, it is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant.

[sunshine304]

Movies watched in 2023: Dungeons & Dragons - Honor Among Thieves

(crossposted from Dreamwidth)

I had a blast watching “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”! Everyone who wants to have a good time and doesn’t have an intense hatred of all things fantasy should go and watch this, because I want this movie to be successful and have many sequels. Not necessarily with all the same characters, because some character arcs seem to have come to a satisfying conclusion, but in this world and with this general tone of delight in the subject matter. That would be great!   What I love especially about this movie by directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (“Game Night”, which already should be an indicator for quality comedy) is that it’s very accessible even for people who are unfamiliar with the whole DnD world/game. I’ve never played it and I only know a little bit about how it works. I guess that a DnD player will get a whole lot more out of this movie than I did, because I’m sure there are many fun things to discover for fans in this movie. I also know that players found many scenes very relatable, easily imagining what that scene would look like being played around a table. But even if you're totally unfamiliar with DnD, this movie is very entertaining.

But what is the movie about?

Roguish Bard Edgin (Chris Pine) and his best friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), a taciturn Barbarian, finally get out of prison, where they’ve been for two years after a heist gone wrong. They immediately try to locate Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman), who was left in the care of their former colleague Forge (Hugh Grant). Turns out that Forge really went up in the world, now being a Lord and ruler of a kingdom. Also turns out that he betrayed Edgin and Holga and told Kira all kinds of lies about her father. Fleeing from the city for now, Edgin is determined to not only get his daughter back, but also steal the Tablet of Resurrection from Forge – the fabled artifact that their heist-gone-wrong was all about and that he wants to use to resurrect his dead wife. But how to get his revenge? Well, they’ll definitely need a sorcerer for this, and a druid would be great as well, which is how former teammate Simon (Justice Smith) and his acquaintance Doric (Sophia Lillis) join their team. But that’s only the beginning of their quest…   Chris Pine is perfect as the disillusioned bard. He has to do a lot of heavy lifting with exposition, but he sells it so well that it’s never grating. The whole cold open is a big exposition scene and not only hilarious but also quite moving, too. He’s a strong enough actor to also carry the more emotional scenes, and his talent for comedy is well utilised. I also really liked the team as a whole; Rodriguez, Smith and Lillis work well together, and especially the friendship between Edgin and Holga is very believable. (Also, how refreshing to have a friendship between a man and a woman that is loving and trusting but also still stays a friendship without any forced romance crammed in?!) Doric is a great character and gets some cool scenes with her shapeshifting powers, and Simon also has a little arc of his own that is well done and has a cool pay off in the end.   Hugh Grant obviously is still having a blast to play smarmy villains and he does so to best effect here. At his side is Daisy Head as sorcerer Sofina, her dead-eyed stare truly chilling at times. And of course a special shout to Regé-Jean Page as Paladin Xenk, whose role isn’t as big as the trailers make it seem, but who is a hilarious addition to the quest and seems to bring huge joy to all DnD players as his character type is very recognisable.

I loved the tone of the movie. It is frequently funny, sometimes hilarious, with great quips and one-liners or entertaining dialogue and sight gags, but – and this is important – it laos gives emotional moments time to breathe. It doesn’t feel the need to undercut a sad or poignant moment with a quip, it’s really genuine in how the characters interact and it takes its characters seriously. A great example is the scene were Holga meets her ex again. The scene starts out funny and predictably awkward, but as it progresses, it actually becomes a quite heartfelt scene with two adults being mature about their break-up.   The special effects were great for the most part, and I also loved that they used many practical effects and also shot a lot on location. The movie was expensive but it shows. The world we’re presented with feels lived in, like there are stories around the corner. Really good production design, the costumes were awesome, too (check out Xenk’s armour! XD), and a lot of opportunity for horse girls like me to appreciate pretty horses. I also really enjoyed the action sequences and set pieces; for once, they weren'r edited to death or being dragged down by unnecessary shaky cam.

I also want to thank the movie for the decision to not end on a cliffhanger. There was a moment where a cliffhanger could easily be used, and looking at online discussions, many people basically expected the movie to end there. But they didn’t do that, they actually told the story completely and it was a good decision. And another heartfelt thank you for being proof that "set up - pay off" works for a reason!   Some stand out scenes in no particular order that either were incredibly funny or really, really cool:   - "JARNATHAN!" MVP character right there XD - that dragon! XD (shame that the dragon is in the promo, they should've kept it a secret) - the whole graveyard interrogation XD - botched guard distraction XD (Which will likely become a new meme or something) - the whole final battle in the streets - the brain eater monsters XD - the fucking bridge! XD XD (But basically that whole part of the quest was amazing.) - “He walks in such a straight line…” XD   Can’t recommend this enough! Really give it a shot in the cinema if you can. The trailers don’t do this movie justice, it’s far funnier and a real feel good movie!  

[fandomnerd9602]

Doric rests on her bed, still in her Owl Bear form...

Y/N: hey my fluffy druid

The Owl bear hoots a little response...

Y/N: room for one more?

She opens her arms and Y/N dives into her embrace...

Y/N: I love you no matter what form you're in.

The gigantic owl bear snuggles Y/N...

[tygerbug]

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves gives a modern comedic sensibility to its fantasy setting, more Community than Lord of the Rings. You can almost hear the players rolling dice to see how their next plan will play out. Scheme might be more accurate. It's partly a heist film. There's lots of action, and few big laughs but many chuckles. It's a smartly made film which goes for a tone which is difficult to nail, and largely succeeds with it.

The film is just grounded enough that it doesn't break the fourth wall to wink at the audience. But it never shakes the feeling that this is all taking place in 2023, rather than in some forgotten ancient age of giants. Or at least a version of 2023 that has wizards instead of smartphones. This appears to be intentional, an extension of how Dungeons & Dragons is a game played by modern-day people improvising around the kitchen table, who are only in character to the extent that they need to be. This could have felt like a CW TV show, but the film aims higher than that.

There's a hint of an idea here, of Chris Pine starring in something like The Princess Bride. But the script doesn't quite live up to that level of depth and subtext. We land closer to something like a Marvel movie, with Pine playing a snarky rogue who shows that he's a little bit bad by being unpleasant and rude about everything. Pine manages to play this likeably, where a lesser movie star would have failed at it. At times, when the script allows him to, he shows what he would have done with a more serious take on the character. I can imagine a Harrison Ford or Chris Pratt version of this, which in this context wouldn't have worked as well. Pine commits to a performance where we believe he's a good person, and he doesn't.

Hugh Grant (as Forge) similarly uses his aging good looks and charm to make it unclear how trustworthy his character is. It's a nervy, lived-in performance where he uses his entire personality to take over any scene in which he appears.

The filmmakers are John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who did not direct Spider-Man Homecoming, but did direct Date Night. Daley costarred on the short-lived series Freaks and Geeks, as a kid who played Dungeons and Dragons. They seem like the ideal team to take on this subject matter, and take it almost seriously. You can feel every plot development clicking into place, and foreshadowed multiple times clearly before it happens, as if they're teaching a screenwriting class. You feel the effort, but the cast perform the material in a casual way which softens the blow. The result is solid enough, and those who wouldn't go to the theater for this will likely stumble across it on streaming television later and have a good time.

Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga, a butch female barbarian with an unusual taste in men. (Bradley Cooper is involved.) She spends much of her screentime beating the hell out of anyone who gets in her way, and the rest exuding the vibe of someone you could have a beer with. The female leads of the film seem queer-coded, although the film also assures us, in no uncertain terms, that they're straight. There is Sophia Lillis (a former Nancy Drew) as the plucky young shape-shifting Tiefling Druid Doric, whose character breaks a few actual D&D rules for convenience. Fast-paced effect scenes of her daring shape-shifting escapes feel rote rather than thrilling, but as a human she has an underdog quality which charms. There's also Daisy Head (yes, daughter of Tony) as the villainous witch Sofina, whose role consists of knowing when to be scary at the right times.

Justice Smith, of Detective Pikachu and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, affects a British accent to play the inept sorcerer Simon (there sure are a lot of sorcerers named Simon). In his mid-twenties during filming, he radiates awkward teenage energy instead, though with a casual coolness that keeps it from being irritating. Again, it's easy to imagine a much worse version of these characters, but this cast casually sidestep those problems.

Regé-Jean Page, of Bridgerton, also turns up as Xenk. There is a lot of tension between Xenk and Chris Pine's Edgin, as the two compete onscreen as to whom is more handsome and charismatic. Page makes this seem effortless, while Pine spends his time complaining. That's the joke, though it wears a bit thin, and they missed their chance to end the scene with a hug, as opposed to a handshake.

A scene in a graveyard was originally written as a Monty Python cameo, and is as close as this film gets to that kind of wordplay humor. In practice, and in makeup, it feels more like The Frighteners.

The script cares about its characters and wants them to succeed, and it's easy to imagine a more cynical take on the material, which would have fallen apart pretty quickly. The humor of the piece is entirely set in its world and plays by that world's rules. The characters have 2023 attitudes, but it's an alternate 2023 where they grew up in this realm. It's not humor which mocks or pokes at the setting, or stands apart from it. Instead they commit to existing in this world, a world which has established rules. If this is a D&D game, we see only the moments where the players are in character. Visually the film is a nonsense hodgepodge of vaguely fantasy-related design, without a truly consistent visual language, but this also can be forgiven as it suits the tone of the film, and the bright visuals are up to standard otherwise.

The characters from the 80s Dungeons and Dragons cartoon have an extended cameo as background characters, and the film is full of other such odds and ends. The toyline includes a Beholder, which is not in the film but may have been in earlier drafts.

In a move which shows how soulless these corporations are, Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood is not credited at all.

Otherwise this is a solid adventure which captures the essence of Dungeons & Dragons in a clever and charming way.

Rating: Fresh / Recommended

(seen in theaters)

[aronlewes]

I just released the first part of Alien U this weekend, so I thought I’d talk about who I had in mind for each role. I won’t launch into a long-winded speech this time, I’ll just get right to it:

Reena: Sophia Lillis

Teeg: Owen Teague

Brayth: Booboo Stewart

Dru: Andrew Koji

Bjorn:  Björn Mosten

Obviously, Panda is a major character too, but I just started imagining her as my cover girl over time: https://www.amazon.com/Alien-First-Semester-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B0BXFV31RD/

I actually kept it short and sweet this time (which, to be honest, is something I rarely do) 

[youngfcs]

Hi Cib! I hope this is not too much of a request. I’m looking for a fc for Lily Luna Potter and Rose Weasley and Annalise Basso so far fits what I imagine them. But it also means I have to find fc or the other one and all the popular fcs like Sadie Sink, Rose Leslie, Madeleine Petach, Jane Levy, etc. just don’t feel right to me. Can you suggest me other underrated fcs that I can use for either Lily or Rose? Thank you so much and I hope you have a nice day <3

Hey anon! That's all right <3 don't worry! Of course, hope you like it!

Abigail Cowen (16-24)

Gina Stiebitz (17-25)

Katherine McNamara (18-27)

Sophia Lillis (15-20)

Kyra Leroux (14-20)

Zoé de Grand Maison (17-27)

(cib)

[lyon-amore]

What if...? Duskwood Chapter 20

Chapter 19 ————————————————————————————-  

Hannah's search had been cancelled because Cleo's mother had received threatening letters and pictures of her daughter. They were worried about what she might happen if they searched for her in the forest. And better like this. I don't think it's a good idea for them to put themselves in danger. Richy at least managed to give me Jennifer's last name. Jennifer Manson. But… After doing some research on my own, I couldn't find any Jennifer with that last name. But I did find something much more interesting…

 It had only been a week since Jake had been gone. It was really being harsh.

 I look at the ceiling of my room thinking about work. There were still rumors about me even though the video had been deleted. I'm supposed to at least get up and be productive, but… This whole situation is getting to me. Again… Henry settles on my pillow and starts chewing on my hair to get my attention.    "I'm up now Henry... I'm up now..." I sit up and look at him "Even so, you shouldn't eat my hair to get me up."     Henry curls up and begins to fall asleep. Perfect, he wakes me up for him to fall asleep. I sigh getting up at the end of the bed. My life had changed a lot, it was no longer calm at all. People who knew me whispered and talked behind my back, luckily, Lian and Aiden defended me from anyone who spoke badly about me and also didn’t ask me why I had been accused. They were relying on what I had already told the director, that Lilly and I were on bad terms and that she accused me of it. It had even reached the ears of my family. I had to mute the chat group to get them to leave me alone.

If this was here in the big city, I don't even want to imagine in Duskwood, with everyone who knew Hannah. They would surely search for me with torches and pitchforks.

I was going to go to the bathroom to get ready when there was a knock on the door. I hope it's not another neighbor asking me if they're going to have to worry about whether or not I'm going to kidnap them. When I open the door, my smile widens when I see the boy who was at the door.    "Stephan!" I jump up to greet my cousin. He was the only one who had trusted me, defending me from the whole family.    "How are you, cousin?" He greeted me, giving me a big hug.    "A little better."    "Yeah, that's why you're in your pajamas at noon at twelve."     I look at myself and roll my eyes. Well, I'm at my house. Although it's rare for me to be this way, I would normally be all fixed up and ready to go.    "Are you here because of the video?" I ask, letting him pass.    "Well, it's better to talk about this situation face to face than over text," he says as we walk. "And I got worried when you said on Twitter that you were leaving for a while."     We go to the living room and sit on the sofa. Henry appears and starts sniffing at him. Yes, he smells like Sky. Luckily whenever he comes, he tries not to hug him goodbye because of my allergy. And when I go to his house, I always take allergy pills with me.    "How is Sophia?" I ask, picking up Henry and pet him.    "Let's say that she doesn't want you to appear in any of her videos again" he answers while caressing Henry's nose ", she don't want you to tarnish her influencer image."    "Good, sometimes I feel like she used me." I breathe a sigh of relief.     It had been a long time since I had participated in a video of his girlfriend, so I don't care. Besides, I did it because she's Stephan's girlfriend, to get along with her.    "Have you talked to that girl again?" he asks me now.    "Lilly?" He nods and I make a sound of contempt "I'd rather not have anything to do with her, she's the worst thing I've ever come across... Apart from Christian."    "But what exactly happened? I mean, how have you been accused like this?” I shrug and he continues. "The greatest crime you have ever committed is going into illegal places as a teenager to look for ghosts."    "Let's not remember that stage!" I put my hands over his mouth, teasing. I don't want to have to tell my cousin the truth about how I got into this, he's terrified of hackers and I'm sure he would advise me not to continue the investigation. Or worse, that I forget about Jake because "he's dangerous" "I don't know, really. Because I didn't even talk to Lilly, just the rest of our mutual friends."    "I just hope she don't get you in any more trouble" he answers harshly, ". I may be a pacifist, but if I have to defend my family, I will."    "Oh, how cute  cousin is." I pinch his cheeks and he pushes my hands away laughing. "I have all under control, don't worry.” I gesture with my hands for him to relax.     Stephan's cell phone starts ringing. When he looks at it, he puts it back in his pocket and sighs.    "Who was?"    “Sophia” he answers tiredly, “. She didn't want me to come see you because she doesn't want me to get involved with you to tarnish her image. "    "Really?"    "If I'm honest, things aren't going well" I see how he plays with his necklace, a guitar pick "maybe I don't like being used either."     I look sadly at Stephan. It's hard to see what's going on in a relationship but not be able to get into it because it's something between them. The phone rings again and again he sighs.    "Go" I finally say. ". I don't want her to be mad because of me."    "But I just arrived... "    "It's okay" I smile at him and shrug, ", I'll be fine."     He is quite hesitant to get up from the couch. I know he traveled a long way to get to the city. Valley Of Silence wasn’t close, it was a few hours from the city.

 I walk him to the door and before leaving, he looks at me doubtfully.    "One thing" he rests his hand on the knob, squeezing hard ", the man Lilly talks about in the video… do you know him?"     Stephan might not be able to hear it, but my heart is racing when he's named Jake indirectly. I want so much to see him again...    "No, not at all." I inadvertently nod. My mind fails me because I'm thinking about him. I have to be careful next time.    "Phew, thank goodness" he puts a hand to his head, calm ", seriously, I was really terrified that you had something with a guy so creepy that he likes to spy on people" I'm lucky that Stephan came out with talent for music but not for research "who knows if he's a pervert?"    "Well, I don't know anything about him" I pat him on the shoulder, with a laugh ", but don't accuse people so lightly without knowing the truth or having some proof of it, okay?"    "Right, you're right, you're the family investigator." He ruffles my hair, tangling it more than he already was "Goodbye Macie."    "See you soon, Stephan."     He hugs me goodbye and leaves. 

Again I’m alone. I shower and change my pajamas. I would have to go to work, but I have made the excuse that I got sick. Until my friends tell me it's safe to go back, I think I'll skip a few days to go.    "Adult…Responsible…" I say to myself, circling the coffee "Yeah of course…" I take a sip and sigh "I don't think I can use this excuse of being sick for a long time."

 Jessy talks to me and I partly appreciate it. The group is the only connection I have with Jake to be able to inform him when he returns, but I feel like I've betrayed him… Even though they've driven me crazy once in a while, they're part of my life now. They are my friends. And I never thought I would find someone as great as a friend in Jessy. Our conversation is based on Jake and if I can tell her something about him. All I'm telling her is something that was obvious, which is that we're looking into Hannah's files in the cloud. I can't tell her more about him, like the government is after him and even if I could tell her something more private, I wouldn't. Jake's safety comes first. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jessy Macie, what if he introduced you to the group because he wants to pin it all on you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Everyone wants me to mistrust Jake. Everyone doubts him. I run a hand through my hair, pushing it away from my face. God... It terrifies me to think that it could be like this because of everyone's words.

 No. He is not like that. I have seen it myself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Macie No, that’s definitely not the case

 Jessy Please think about it ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 At least I appreciate everyone's concern. It's nice to know that even if they don't know Jake like I do, they have a little bit of dignity to still trust me after that stupid video. I let Henry out into the garden and I do some stretching to relax. I feel that my body is so tense that I cannot move well. Either that or I spend too much time in bed looking for clues, talking to the group, and hoping they'll stop asking me about Hannah. I've blocked too many people I'm short of fingers to count. Even if Lilly deleted the video, people still pass my number around. If it wasn't for Jake, I'd change my phone number.    "We breathe in... We breathe out..." I repeat over and over again, when I hear the notification sound. Better prepare in case it's not Jake and it's someone else accusing me. I take my phone out of my pocket and smile. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jake Hello Macie.

 Macie Jake! 😄

 Jake :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I make a happy sound upon seeing the emoticon. I imagine his smile as he gazes at me with his forest green eyes. I sit on the towel, still not removing my smile. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jake I just wanted to find out how you were doing.

 Macie With you things are easier somehow

 Jake I am sorry to hear that.

 Macie Do you have time right now?

 Jake I am going to make time, yes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I close my eyes and imagine Jake with me. As if I was imagining the scenario as I write to him. It's not that I mentally sane, but it's what keeps me calm knowing that he's finally contacted me. I imagine a kind of invisible barrier between us. He hiding in some abandoned building and me in my garden.    “According to Dan, his car accident wasn’t his fault,” the imaginary me tells the imaginary Jake. I sounds pretty sad now that I think about it... Well, I'll bear with it. ”If you listen to him, it was the man without a face.”    “And what do you think about that?” The imaginary Jake looks at me curious to know my opinion.    "Not much." I would roll my eyes, knowing the situation Dan was in.    "Mmm," Jake begins to think, cupping a hand to his chin. ”The prior warning is missing, isn’t it?”    "Instead there was only prior whiskey" Jake chuckles at my annoyance. I look like a mother angry with her son ". In any case, he has asked Richy to examine the car" he nods and I continue with the news ". The forest search was cancelled.” I show him the photos of the kidnapper's message and Cleo's.    "That means that Hannah is in the forest for sure." He peers at the photos.    "Yep, we got that far too." I put the phone away and focus on it again. ”The others are saying that the search would have been unsuccessful anyway. ”    "What are you planning to do now?"     I appreciate his interest in the group and his opinion.    “We currently don’t have any alternative,” I say, crossing my arms. ”I am not going to let them go into the forest.”    "I understand.”    "The mysterious Jennifer Mason" I begin to narrate. ”, the whole thing happened more than ten years ago.” Jake nods, listening to me. ”. Her body was found in the Duskwood forest” just like the corpse they found... I don't think it's a coincidence ”. The killer was neverfound and neither her, nor the killer appeared to be from Duskwood” Jake nods again, concentrating on my words. ”That was all.”    "This information can potentially get us a huge step closer" Jake smiles at me. ”. Good job Macie.”     I blushed at his words and his smile.    "Let me look into something real quick" he starts typing fast on the keyboard OH! Until now that I'm imagining it, I didn't remember how satisfying it was to see him , my stomach tingles at the memory. ”Strange” he looks confused at the screen ”who did you get this information from?”    "From Richy," I answered quietly, "Why do you ask?"    "There is no entry about anyone named Jennifer Manson." So he hasn't found anything either. I decided to make the search more extensive when I also failed, with words. I want to save this information for the future. ”But that’s not going to stop us. I am going to take care of this a little later." Jake gets up from the table and leans against it, getting closer to me. "Is there anything else you would like to tell me?”

I look at the screen, reading his words. I can imagine him worried about me, because he would have a sad expression because of everything that is happening.    "People are slowly starting to be pretty upset with you" I avoid looking at him, afraid of his reaction to being hurt "To them you are s suspect, Jake..."    "As long as they trust you, everything is okay." I end up looking at him and his gaze is intense. "And you have to trust me. You do trust me, right?"     I'm sure he's asking because he's worried after his confession that the government is persecuting him. I have kept secret that I know him or that I have seen him. Because that would mean he could lose you.    "Of course I trust you." I answered quickly and determined.    "I trust you too." I would love for him to really tell me this in his voice and not have to imagine it. "Only you. Don't ever forget that."     What would I do after saying those words? Would he take my hand? Would he part my hair and then gently caress my face? I imagine then that the barrier can be crossed and that we can hold hands, feel his skin again.    "I have some news too." I try to compose myself and I get curious. He already wanted to do a new investigation. "The police has received the phone log from Hannah's cell phone."    "That means we also have the phone log." I say excitedly. I can finally investigate more!    "Exactly right" Jake smiles and texts me the call log ". These are the phone calls Hannah made the day she was kidnapping."    "Now it's starting to get interesting." I can't help it and quickly look at the list. I want to know who is behind these numbers.    "I think we should find first find out which person is behind which number" he begins to walk around his area, focused. "That’s something I can still help you with" he looks at me, stopping in the place ". If these calls don’t provide us with any clues that we use we will dug further into the past."    “This log will probably be very helpful."     I want to be positive, I think this is going to serve us well. Would Jake look at me glad that I excited about this track? Or would he think I'm weird?    "I totally agree with you." He would smile sweetly at me, for sure. He knows how much I love to investigate. "Let’s see, when you find out who is behind the number, note down the corresponding name."     I look at the list and then at him, is it safe for him to help me? Maybe he is risking too much.    "Why are you helping me?" I ask, a little worried.    "Because there is a possibility that this may take up a lot of time," he sighs, tiredly. "And therefore I should help you, as far as I am able to at least" so... does that mean it's okay? Is he safe for now? ". Good. I am going to start from the bottom, you start from the top. This way we can meet in the middle."    "Then, good luck to us both." I smile, wanting to start.     I dial the first number: 22906. The answering machine in the Rogers' workshop picks up. Richy's.    “I called the first number. It was Roger's Garage."    “Nobody answered the phone." Jake tells me, disappointed. Or at least, I'm sure.

The atmosphere of my imagination is interrupted by the message from Jessy, apologizing for not having arrived on time. It seems that Hannah's car was in the garage that day and that she would talk to Richy to tell me about it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Richy Hey there Macie 😁 Jessy said that you want to talk to me about something? 🙂

 Macie When was the last time you spoke with Hannah?

 Richy 🤔 Well, it must have been the day of the kidnapping.

 Macie Can you give me some more details about that?

 Richy I was finishing up with her car that morning, and I let her know that it was ready to be picked up She had brought it over a few days prior

 Macie To be honest, I am little surprised to hear that

 Richy I am really sorry in case I did fail to mention that to you 😞

 Macie Yes, unfortunately you did

 Richy ☹️ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I don't care if he put on that sad face, this is very serious. From the beginning he should have told me who saw her. It's always important to know, and have him told the police? Because any little detail could help in the search. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Richy Well, let me make that up to you right now Ask away, whatever you want 👍

 Macie So Hannah was with you before she disappeared?

 Richy Yes. She stopped by after I called her to pick up her car. That was the last time I saw her 🙁

 Macie What was wrong with Hannah's car?

 Richy The oil pan If I had to guess what cracked the oil pan, I would assume she hit a pothole But I didn’t ask her about it 😋 Just in case any of that helps you somehow 🤔 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nothing strange at the moment, I don't know why I expected something worse. I guess because Hannah said someone was following her. Discarded the idea that they could have tampered with her car. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Macie Did you notice anything about Hannah?

 Richy No. Nothing at all

 Macie Not even about her behavior?

 Richy She was happy-go-lucky as always I walked her over to her car and we had a brief conversation She gave me a tip. I even still remember the exact amount €5.13 She had it in her car. She always keeps some change in the cup holder behind the emergency brake ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Well, Richy is a mechanic, I don't think it's strange for him to get into a car, but if it was just the oil pan, why get into the car? Was there something that caught his attention? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Macie You really remember everything

 Richy I've thought about this a lot, ever since she disappeared 😕 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Well, thanks for telling me a long time ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Macie Do you know where Hannah went after that?

 Richy No

 Macie You've known Hannah for a long time, haven't you?

 Richy Yes. More or less since I can put two sentences together ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I mean, we could say that Richy and Hannah must know each other pretty well and trust each other, so why not tell me beforehand? If she's one of your best friends, isn't it easier to cooperate with me? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Richy You know I might have been the last one of us to see her ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Seriously… I think I'm surrounded by irresponsible people. That he hasn't told the police about this is a little weird. Any detail is very important, even if it doesn't seem important.

 We end the conversation with the photo of Dan's car. I'm really mad at him… Drunk driving… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jake I called the next number from the log. And this time I had more luck: It was Thomas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Again I return to imagination mode and resume my conversation with him.    "Oh" He looks at me as if he remembered something. ", hold on. Did you happen to get a hold of Richy or Jessica? "     He keep calling her Jessica. I'm sure Jessy wouldn't like it at all. It's amazing that he's still jealous of her.    "Yes, I've spoken to Richy," I answered, remembering all the information. "He repaired Hannah's car.” I start listing the way Jake usually does. "He didn’t noticed anything strange about her behavior" he nods and I continue ". She gave him a tip. "    "Thanks Macie." Jake squats down to level with me, since I'm sitting on the floor. "It is upmost importance that we find out as much as possible about the day she disappeared."     I start thinking about everything Richy has told me. My anger begins to show. Withholding this information is quite serious.    “Something was strange about the info Richy gave me…” I comment to Jake. “The conversation was like…” I think he hasn't told me until now, which makes me wonder ”Like he was trying to hide something." I finally say. It seemed as if he had avoided telling me until now. The others have always offered to help me with information, except for Richy.    "Interesting," he begins to think about my words. "These are the kind of things I need to fully depend for you for."    "Still, just take some time and read through the chat please."    “Of course” he sits up and lets out a long breath, “. Could you talk to Thomas about his call with Hannah?"    “Sure, I can do that."    “Thank you. I have to go. I spent too much time already" I’m sad to read the message from him. I was going to be without him again. " I am sorry, that you are on your own with so many things."    "I am going to send Lilly the bill." I teases, and he smile at me.     I feel a pang in my chest. I don't know when I'll talk to him again.    “I miss you.” I admit even out of my imagination. Looking at the screen.    "I miss you too Macie." I want to imagine that he would tell me by caressing my cheek, that he would even support his forehead with mine while we remain a bit calm. I wish I could even hug him. "More than I can explain."     He takes my breath away even reading it. I think… I would like more than a hug… I wish he would kiss me after this.

 Jake logs out and the whole scenario in my head disappears. I lie down on the towel with the phone attached to my chest. The sky was so much prettier when I was talking to Jake.    "I'm fine, Henry," I tell him when I feel him tug at my pants. "I'm alive. Don't worry.” I sit up and poke him on the nose, laughing.     I send a message to Thomas, that he write me as soon as he read my message.

 I get a message. Oh God… Not again… -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Kay Is it really true? You did something to that one girl?

 Macie You are not going to get a response from me ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Mr. Kay disconnects and I throw myself in the towel. Let this end soon...

Chapter 21

[house-of-lovin]

Imagine Sophia Lillis being one of R's exes by them having something in common like both of them love playing DnD when they were younger, also Sophia being a real cutie, and R likes cuties (I mean who doesn't) but unfortunately separating after years of building a strong relationship because of some sort of misunderstanding which devastated the both of them, where they feel so dense and naive on how they thought that they were made for each other. Then few years go by, R wanting to go and watch the DnDHAT in premieres to show how proud she was for Sophia and to finally see her happy again.

who is sophia lillis 😭🫢

[mihaisvacuum]

didn't lilly hudson and sophia groth use to be really good or did I imagine that

[pooptiesquat]

Just gonna talk about some films I saw in the fall and winter

The Burial(2023) - on some real shit, I don't think this movie is all that life changing. However, on some extra real shit, it's been so long since I've watched a movie that I just find comfortable to watch and turn my brain off to. This is definitely a movie I can imagine being big in the early to mid 2000s type beat.

The Adults(2023)- Micheal Cera, Sophia Lillis and Hannah Gross get me in emotional shambles when they put on their little voices all because they can't argue normally lol.

Five Nights at Freddy's(2023) - didn't like it and it's probably because I've never played the games. Actually, might've also had everything to do with the sheriff character too. Its definitely for it's fan-base tho.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)- I was not expecting to be in tears watching a Godzilla film but it is perfect. It would be easy to say that this film is like a companion piece to Oppenheimer, but I think Minus One is an emotionally stronger film compared to it.

The Killer (2023) - There's something about this movie I really fucked with. Something about seeing a hitman work out of a wework, eating on a keto diet, listening to the smiths is just funny as shit to me.

Leave the World Behind (2023) - usually I like anything Esmail does and I really liked Mr.Robot, but this one left me wanting more. I liked the Tesla sequence tho.

Boy and The Heron(2023)-watched it subbed. I enjoyed it, but I wondered if I would've been in love with it if I knew more about miyazaki's personal life? This is still a great film though, I just wonder if I wasn't in the right mood at the time.

May December(2023) - this might be my film of the year. Melton's performance is emotionally charged and portman is delightfully fucked up. The rooftop scene got me a little misty-eyed. The film also works meta-narratively as well, but it doesn't beat you over the head with it.

and there are more films I've seen but I can only think about these ones right now.