#Team Statue carries BoO so much

[silentlysurrenderingeagle-blog]

Chapter 1: My Shiva: How we met(Continued)

"You know, Nids, I am an average student. I have never won anything. Look at my brother. He has a house filled with trophies from his cricket, basketball and interschool championships. I have none" I told Nidhi when in 12th grade.

"You are not exactly average. You scored a 90% in 10th. It isn't average. It is good" replied Nidhi.

We were waiting in a line to fill up our water bottles. We each were holding 6 bottles to fill.

"Really? Please tell my father that my marks were good. He was disappointed. So was yours with a 94%. We are average. The highest was 99%. We are nowhere close." I said as I uncapped a bottle to fill in front of the drinking water tap.

"I always wanted a hit love story. I wanted to be the hero of my love story. My love story should not be average" I added as I reached out for the second bottle from Nidhi's hand.

"You will. What about that Kunal? I hear he has good grades and he is interested in you" said Nidhi as she passed me the next bottle. A girl at the next tap turned to look as we mentioned Kunal.

"Nidhi, no names, please." I smiled at the girl next to me. She turned her attention back to the heavy task of filling water bottles.

"You know, I want someone like Shiva. I think Lord Shiva was once very much a human, walked the planet like us. He was muscular, he was a passionate lover, a great warrior and possessive with anger issues." I said smiling at Nidhi.

"Yes. You want someone who will Tandav around? Good choice, Parvati!" Nidhi chuckled.

I thought to myself. Tandav was a danceform, Nidhi. Not something to be ashamed about. He carried a tender feminine side along with his machoism. He is perfect.

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"Siwet, we had formed teams. But now that we have a new member, we will have to put her in one of the teams" said Mouni looking at the man beside the pictionary canvas stand.

Siwet Tomar. He was tall and well built. He had a wonderful smile and an even wonderful voice. I was mesmerised. He looked at me as Mouni introduced me, the new member. I smiled sheepishly. He smiled back. And my heart melted.

"Sree, are you any good?" asked Siwet as he placed the pictionary board on the coffee table. He didn't get a reply. I didn't know the question was for me. Though he mentioned my name, I was not used to being called Sree, at least not after school. He looked up at me "Are you good at Pictionary?"

"I have played in school." I said. It came out more like a question. As if, I was asking myself if I am good.

"Okay. You are in Nidhi's team." Siwet said as he winked at Nidhi.

I understood that none of them were really happy to take me in their team. I have played pictionary. I can draw. I draw my own designs. I kept reminding myself as I shifted on the other side of the couch.

And the game began. Nidhi and Siwet took turns in rolling two dice. Nidhi got two sixes and she drew a card from the pile. The timer was set and she started drawing. A line with a circle on top. Then she drew a hand on top with something like a 'Mashal'. I guessed "Statue of Liberty". Nidhi pointed her finger on her nose, a gesture to show that it is right. And we won the round.

The game continued into the night. Our glasses were refilled. Her maid brought a platter of snacks. And we continued playing. I was assured that I am good at this game. But for me, it was fun. I was enjoying myself. It had been a long time since I had fun. I laughed, I smiled, called my opponents losers, 'booing' them whenever the time ran out. And finally our team reached the finish line.

As everyone in the room sat around chatting, I started arranging the board and packing them into the pictionary box. I could hear them chatting. There were names spoken whom I didn't recognise. They were gossiping about a new audition coming up and the candidates of the audition. I understood that most of them in the room were struggling actors, some less struggling as they made quite a name on social media. They had so much in common. They knew the same people. They had similar interests. They had similar hobbies. They were talking about their followers on Instagram. They were reading out cryptic messages they received on personal DMs from fans. They are celebrities. And I was a fish out of water.

I sat there looking at them for some time. Then, I stood up, intending to leave, when I noticed Nidhi in the kitchen. I excused myself from the crowd, still animated, hands up and down as they talked about shoots and auditions. None turned their head as I said "Excuse me". I walked to the kitchen oblivious to everyone in the room.

"Nidhi, do you need any help?" I asked as she arranged the plates on the kitchen counter. I saw Siwet at a distance, chopping onion on a board.

"Yes, please. Can you serve the pulao on all the plates?" requested Nidhi.

I grabbed a small bowl from the shelf and poured pulao in an upside semi-sphere on all the plates. Nidhi filled the matching bowls with sabzi and placed a bowl each on the plate. She added the chopped salad on the side, added a spoon on the plate and carried it to the dining table.

"I heard you are Nidhi's classmate. What do you do for a living?" asked Siwet as he cleaned the board and the knife.

"I have a small boutique in uptown. I am a designer." I replied. Unable to look at him, afraid that if I look directly into his eyes, he will be able to read them.

"I am looking for a place to rent out. Do you know of any such place?"

"I am looking for a tenant to rent out a spare room on the top floor in my apartment. I am running on a tight budget and the money could help" I said. I was sceptical at the possibility of sharing my apartment with a boy. What will my parents say? What will my father say? And how can I stay with Siwet? I can't always ignore looking into his eyes. What if he gets a hint of my racing hearbeat?

He didn't reply. He just looked at me for what appears to be a long time and then walked out to the dining room with two plates in both hands. "Come. Let's have dinner", he said as he walked to the dining room. My heart was still beating irrationally. I took a glass from the shelf, opened the fridge for a bottle of cold water, poured it into the glass and drank the whole glass in a single gulp. No not enough. I uncapped the bottle and drank directly from the bottle now till I finished it. I refilled the bottle and placed it back in the fridge.

As I got better control over my instincts, I followed the loud chattering to the dining room. The only seat available was beside Siwet. I hesitantly walked towards the empty chair. I could hear someone mention "Roadies" and "audition".

Arghhh... It was the same conversation that I walked away from at the parlor. It took me a lifetime to get to the chair. All along my head said "No. This is the beginning of the end. You can't give in now." I heard my head argue "It's just dinner. And be cool. No one will guess a thing. Have dinner, book your auto and go home".

I pulled the chair and as I was about to sit, I stumbled, and me along the chair went back. I was about to fall and hit directly at the back of my head. Just then a hand held the back of the chair and pushed it upright. I turned back and saw Siwet's left hand holding the chair. I smiled "Thank you. It would be a great end to a perfect evening if I had fallen. Thanks."

He looked directly into my eyes. I shivered, blinked my eyes and started eating.

Everyone waved and kissed good night as they left the apartment. The only people left were Nidhi, me and Siwet. Nidhi became busy tidying up the place. I placed my phone on the sofa and stood to help her out.

"No, Sree. It's not much. Have you got your auto yet?" asked Nidhi.

"Not yet. I am waiting for someone to accept. One auto cancelled." I said.

"Siwet, can you drop her tonight? It's not safe in an auto at this time. It's already 1AM." said Nidhi looking at Siwet.

Siwet nodded.

[aroaceleovaldez]

For the character, maybe Frank Zhang and/or Piper McLean?

Send me a character!

Frank:

First impression: Hell yeah shapeshifter character :) < (animorphs fan) What a lovely fella :)

Impression now: He deserves so much more....

Favorite moment: Of course gotta go with freeing Thanatos and just the entire Alaska/Canada fight scene. Wish the whole curse thing was more relevant outside of that moment but other than that, hell yeah you go Frank.

Idea for a story: I want him and Leo to be friends,,,, like. actually friends. Please,,,

Unpopular opinion: I AM SO MAD AT LIKE, MARK OF ATHENA THROUGH TYRANT’S TOMB FOR WHAT RICK DID TO FRANK’S STORYLINE. What the hell was that. Why nullify his curse and then un-nullify it THEN NULLIFY IT AGAIN. WHAT WAS THE POINT. AND WHY DID READRIORDAN SPOIL FRANK’S ENTIRE TYRANT’S TOMB SUBPLOT BEFORE THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED??? HELLO?????? Also also the Frank/Hazel/Leo love triangle & Leo/Frank rivalry was BAD and UNNECESSARY, jealous boyfriend trope is OUT. (Leo being half oblivious to it all was a little funny though).

Favorite relationship: Frazel is extremely cute HOWEVER again, i want Frank and Leo to be friends,,, please,,, i just want them to TALK-

Favorite headcanon: While i have Opinions™ about neurotypical Frank it does directly support my headcanon that adhd/dyslexia/autism is a genetic thing for demigods rather than an inherent “demigodly” trait. Thank you Frank for your service in me trying to fix a ton of the niche kinda ablelist things in the series <3 But aside from that. Let him be neurodivergent cowards.

Piper:

First Impression: Woah,,, she’s just like me for real,,,,

Impression now: Rick. Rick you can stop writing “I’m not like other girls” characters. Rick- Rick sTOP-

Favorite moment: It’s an extremely tiny moment but in Mark of Athena there’s this tiny moment described in passing of Piper being the one to physically drag Nico out of the jar/battlefield when they’re fighting the twin giants and a.) it’s such a funny scene to me and b.) Brain go brrr with thoughts about Nico & Piper having a bit of kinship from that moment/Nico respecting Piper a lot for basically being one of if not the only one to like, actually help him out of the Giant’s lair.

Idea for a story: Piper, Drew, Sadie, and Lacy all going on a quest/adventure together. Let them all unpack that “I’m not like other girls” complex. Very fun potential for an exploration on different manifestations and expressions of femininity particularly how it intersects with different identities. There is so much depth you could go into with that.

Unpopular opinion: Stop making her fashionable, she has abhorrent fashion taste on purpose. Give Piper those absolutely ridiculous thrift store t-shirts!!! The most gaudy, tacky things imaginable! Horrible color combos! Have fun with it! She not only has bad fashion taste but also MONEY. She has access to EXPENSIVE horrible fashion! Either that or just give her basic plain clothes. NOT fashionable plain clothes, i mean Bland As Hell.

Favorite relationship: LET PIPER AND DREW BE GOOD SISTERS TO EACH OTHER PLEASE-

Favorite headcanon: Piper wears velcro shoes (probably kid’s velcro shoes) and jorts she made herself. I will never change my mind on this.

[obae-me]

Devil Kart

Fire. Still-burning flakes of ash floated down from the now smoke suffocated sky. Rubble laid down at their feet. Splintered wood. Glinting shards from broken windows. Bricks and foundations of pieces of their home, the House of Lamentation, scattered amidst the yard like abandoned tombstones. For but a moment, all of the residents and their invited company stood still, gazing at the pillar of fumes pouring out from the enormous gap that had been blown out from the sturdy mansion wall. They took in its destructive beauty, taking note of it as the result for their horrendous mistake. One that would not be made lightly again. Suffice it to say, this hadn’t been the first nor the last time this building would be torn asunder. It’s beloved owners were demons after all. However, this fact did not bring comfort to those soaking in the situation at hand. Although for some it did bring great amusement. 

“Well…” MC sighed. “This definitely ended worse than Uno.”

Our favorite demon brothers along with MC, invited Diavolo, Barbatos, and the residents of Purgatory Hall to invite them in a fun game night. Who knew Mario Kart could be such a deadly game?

Lucifer

Character: King Boo

He offered the character with the title “King” in it to Diavolo first, but when Diavolo chose someone else, he didn’t hesitate to pick the ruler of...whatever these specter-like creatures were. 

He plays ruthlessly, constantly throwing bananas, hiding fake boxes in the real ones, whatever devilishly sneaky trap he can lay, he’ll have it done. Even if he doesn’t win, he’s going to take whoever threw that red shell and drag them down to the last in line with him. More often than not, he finds himself winning anyway. He’s not a huge fan of playing games that he deems...childish and illogical, but secretly he deeply enjoyed it. Even for only the value of all his brother’s various expressions when he’s the cause of their suffering.

The destruction wasn’t quite his fault...fully. He’d never do something so idiotic in front of the Prince of Demons, but in his anger and desperation to stop the fight to save face, it was more figurative fuel for the eventual literal fire.

Mammon

Character: Roy Koopa

He really wanted Bowser, desperately so, but Diavolo had picked him already. He almost had an idea to fight Diavolo for the right to play him, but one look at Lucifer’s expression, now sporting a very angry vein in his forehead, and he settled for someone else. Roy Koopa, whatever he was...with his sunglasses and spikes, was a decent second choice. 

He’s not quite sure what the goal is, to be completely honest. He’s seen racing before, even gambled on it, but this one has a lot more rules and...weapons than he’s used to. Is he supposed to be killing people? Is he supposed to have the most money? He’s more focused on collecting items and coins rather than making sure he’s the first in line. Unfortunately for him, he’s often the one targeted for bombs and bananas. 

He ended up being one of the main suspects of the destruction. He didn’t start it, but once he got involved, he made everything so much worse. Why did everyone always go right to him to accuse him of something, eh? Why was Satan spouting off that all of this might as well be his fault? He’s upset over his constant losing too.

Levi

Character: Mario

If you think he’s choosing anyone else other than the popular main character, you’d be comically wrong. He considered maybe taking Princess Peach, but someone already chose her. 

He knows too much about this game. After all, it was a special gift MC had given him. A game from the Human Realm. He did want to explain and rant about all the things it was lacking, but he had played much worse before. So, like he did in most-if not all-of his games, he quickly learned all the ins and outs. He’s a master at drifting, finding the secret shortcuts, and dodging items. However, anything can happen in this game, and for all his talents, his brothers are experts in misfortune. He almost rages more than the demon of Wrath himself. 

It’s possible a lot of this is his fault. He couldn’t help it, when it came to video games, no one should be able to beat him so easily. He couldn’t contain his anger. He had been AT the finish line when someone unleashed a blue shell. He ended up getting hit with such a bombardment of items after he’d been stunned, he ended up last place. Dead last. People were going to pay.

Satan

Character: Dry Bones

Honestly he chose the character that looked the least annoying and cartoony, that was his only motivation. So a skeletal Koopa with glowing yellow eyes seemed a decent enough choice. 

How did he get roped into such a childish game? He’s not exactly sure himself. It might’ve had something to do with MC’s begging eyes or even just the thought of digitally torturing his brothers. He’s even more brutal than Lucifer. While Lucifer puts all his tricks into sneaky items, Satan will not hesitate to be brash and use all his items on one person. Is three red shells a bit overkill? Probably, but he doesn’t care. He’ll also bump people off edges, and of course, somehow he always gets the blue shell. Does he typically win? No. Does he always make everyone else scream in anger and openly love it? Yes. 

For once, he didn’t throw the blue shell, but right after Mammon, Levi figured it was him. Accusing him of always sabotaging people, always stirring up people just to tick them off. Levi hadn’t been wrong, but he didn’t like being compared to Mammon, it insulted his intelligence. Also he just had a lot of pent up anger he needed to release. This game for all it’s merits was starting to drive him mad. He and Levi kicked things off, Mammon joining in soon after.

Asmo

Character: Princess Peach

He has no idea who these characters are but you know he has to go with the pink princess. And with a name like Peach? He had no other choice. She’s almost as cute, flirty, and pink as he is. Almost. 

He doesn’t really care for this game or the idea of winning it either. The thing he specializes in is drama. He adores messing with the other player’s feelings. He’ll randomly make alliances for the sake of spicing things up, but he won’t hesitate to quickly switch sides if it makes for a good match. Oh yay, he’s almost helped Solomon past the finish line, how beautifully heartbreaking would it be if he used the red shell he’s been holding onto? The only person he’ll truly team up with to help them win is MC. Or will he? 

Oh he is loving this. The fighting, the drama, he was hoping for something to this scale. Leave it to his family to always be causing trouble. The whole video of what happened is now on Devilgram, and it is blowing up. Almost like that wall did. 

Beel

Character: Yoshi

He’ll admit, he wasn’t even fully aware they all would be playing a game. All he heard was that everyone would be hanging out together, having a fun time, eating snacks. He’d go anywhere if there were snacks. When he shrugged and asked Levi to choose a character for him, Levi suggested Yoshi, the adorable and iron stomached dinosaur. Beel enjoys him. 

He’s the only person who doesn’t stir things up on purpose. He doesn’t like being aggressive, and honestly, he’ll brake his digital vehicle and let someone else pass him if they’re being chased by a shell so he can take it instead. The only time he sabotaged a match was when they played on a tasty looking map and he subsequently tried to eat the TV. If he ends up winning it’s just because no one has the heart to throw anything at him. That or they’re too focused on targeting someone else. 

When stuff goes down, he’s just trying to keep MC out of this. He went to work scooping up the humans and the tiny angel and brought them to safety. It was a good thing he did too, who knows what would’ve happened to all of them had they stayed in the room. He does now have a craving for roasting marshmallows, though.

Belphie

Character: Rosalina

He really didn’t care who he played, he barely had the energy to play in the first place. He eventually settled on Rosalina because she looked like a soft character, surrounded by stars. He liked stars.

He didn’t even realize that Beel had carried him to everyone while he was asleep. When he woke up, MC had asked him kindly if he wanted to play, and even though he had coldly said no, he grabbed a controller anyway. If he can even manage to stay awake enough to start the race, he’ll put no effort into anything. He’ll just shrug anytime he falls off the course or gets hit by someone. No one knows he’s actually quietly seething. Part of his struggles might be due to the fact he’s trying to play while he’s laying down. Once he started sitting up, eyes laser focused on the screen, MC knew it was starting to spell trouble.

It was him, he did it. He threw the blue shell. Why? Curiosity maybe, mixed with a hint of spite and laced with some sweet revenge. He was sick of seeing everyone win when he hadn’t won a race himself. He was ready to cause some problems, they always ended up being entertaining.

Diavolo

Character: Bowser

He had a hard time choosing at first, he’s just so excited to actually be playing a game, with friends! It’s a very youthful thing to do. He eventually settles on Bowser, appreciating his features, big and menacing, and they both have the same red hair! He finds it immensely enjoyable. 

He also has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. He always has to ask what the buttons do, even if he’s already asked three times already. Admittedly, he’s just happy to be doing anything other than work. Corruption, torture, and ruling his kingdom of demons can wait. He never really has the chance for this ever, and he’s playing with a bunch of friends. He’s extremely elated. The only one who really dares to even attempt to sabotage Diavolo is Lucifer. It’s possible the eldest brother is taking this game a bit too seriously. Diavolo ends up winning a few times purely out of respect for his royal status, and the little gold trophy brings such a smile to his face. 

He could’ve done without the destruction part. He does love a good explosion from time to time, but his fun adventure with his friends has now gone up in flames, and right after he had been neck and neck with Lucifer. He does prefer that his student council uphold an image, but he had been having too much fun to worry about it now. He’ll look over it this time.

Barbatos

Character: Shy Guy 

He’s not sure who to choose, so he might as well pick the little...creature with the mask and mysterious aura. But, to be fair, he chose mostly at random. 

He was very grateful to have been invited to play along with his Lord and his friends. He can’t remember the time he was allowed to just...play something...for fun. However, all he really knows is his duty and his job to serve Diavolo at every turn. His main goal in this game is to make sure Diavolo wins. He’s surprisingly on par with Levi at this game despite having never touched it before, and he can single-handedly force the match to go in Diavolo’s favor.  

He helps Beel in escorting people to safety, and already he’s made preparations to put out the fire and get to work fixing the damage. Again. Now he has to change his ‘Days Since The House Of Lamentation Was Damaged’ sign in his room back to zero. To think they had almost made a new record. 

Simeon 

Character: Random

He can’t just decide on one character, not when they all look like so much fun. He doesn’t want to leave any of them out, and so each match he’ll choose a new character. He wants everyone to have a chance. 

He’s the same as Diavolo in the case that he has no idea how to control this thing. He’s still learning how to use a D.D.D. for heaven's sake. Which button is ‘go’ again? Once he thought he almost won, when in reality, he ended up doing three laps going in the opposite direction. He did actually win once, but no one knew for the life of them how, when he had been holding the controller backwards the entire time. He won’t throw anything at anyone ever. Mostly because he’s an angel, but also because he has no idea how to even use items. 

He was a little confused and disappointed when the fighting started. He mostly just worried for MC’s safety. He was disheartened to hear how casually they were reacting to this. He made sure to promise to invite them over sometime for a nice calm game that wouldn’t end in inevitable chaos.

Solomon

Character: Waluigi

He’s a human, he’s been on the internet, he knows the memes. He doesn’t need to say anything more on the subject. 

Like Asmo, he’s almost more focused on the people playing the game than the actual game itself. He might even help Asmo in secret alliances. He’s just incredibly amused with how the demons are acting. He also might have set his phone to record audio during all the matches. He now has several amusing phrases from multiple demons such as ‘you’ll take my banana and like it or choke’, ‘I would’ve finished first if you hadn’t rammed me so hard’, ‘I’ve been covered in goo’, and many more. The recordings ended up being mostly cussing, sadly, but those few gems he’ll be keeping for the foreseeable future. 

He was prepared for something like this. MC had recounted the many stories of games that met unfortunate ends. He’s got a spell prepared to at least attempt to mitigate some of the harm.

Luke 

Character: Toad

His main motivation for picking Toad was because he thought he was some kind of muffin. Apparently there’s a popular Celestial world treat that looks shockingly similar, much to Solomon and MC’s silent distress.

He keeps trying to tell anyone that he’s not a child so he’s not enjoying this. Everyone can tell he’s lying due to how wide-eyed he is about it. He’s honestly having the time of his life until all the demons keep cussing so badly he feels like his ears are going to literally bleed. After Luke started to question exactly where Satan meant when he said Lucifer should shove his shells somewhere, MC and Simeon decided to take turns covering his ears to preserve his innocence. 

He’s going to do his best to act like he didn’t cry when all the fighting and explosions started. After his shock, he focused on making sure MC is extra safe. He insisted that MC stay at Purgatory Hall until things were fixed.

Note: I am so behind on finishing headcanons and yet... despite having strange writer’s block I managed to come up with this at 3 am...I have no some regrets. 

Based off of:

MILD LESSON 24 SPOILERS

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Hi, but um, why did I see no one talk about how the strict and grumpy Lucifer played Mario Kart with the Prince of Hell?!

[malethirsty]

Loyalty - Tyler Lockwood

Summary: When Klaus’s #2 makes eyes with you, Klaus sets the two of you up. But when you encounter an issue, it’s down to you to pull through for the both of you.

Warnings: M/M smut (21+), Bareback (However Orgasm occurs once Tyler pulls out, make of that what you will), Homophobic comments, Elena and co. become villains

Inspired by: https://twitter.com/MaleThirst/status/1196818509830819841

Life had changed drastically since Klaus had found out how to make hybrids. He moved you quickly into his house & got his new army to guard you in case Elena and her friends tried to pull any punches, The Council did indeed cut you off, but the Mikaelson fortune was extended to you by Klaus & the day spent shopping with Rebekah helped you both to bond. What was the most surprising thing was that you were now spending more time with Tyler Lockwood. You expected Elena to surround a support group around him, or ask him to spy on Klaus, but she ditched him, as it had been found out that Klaus had sired Tyler, and thus Tyler was now fiercely loyal to him. It was good to have someone else to share an admiration for Klaus & on days when the Original Hybrid had to battle against Damon & Mikael, you took time with Rebekah to train the newest hybrid. It was a Friday night that you all finally got to take a break from hecticness of it all. “Don’t you usually go to the Mystic Grill on Fridays, love?” Klaus pondered as he saw you flopped down, trying to find something on Netflix. “I mean I would, but Elena and all her friends are there, and I know they’ll send me out of the bar.” Klaus could tell you were still a bit down following your exile & leaned in to give you a kiss “Y/N, You need to boost your confidence. I’ll send Rebekah to watch from afar, but also, to make them that much more pissed, tonight I’ll send you out to the Mystic Grill with Tyler as a date, make Caroline jealous.” You snorted, it did sound like a good idea but “Is Tyler up for this?” You asked, you wanted it to be his idea & not Klaus planting him there “I asked him, he said yes. He also said he has a thing for you as well, so I’ve booked you next to her hotel room where she’s staying for the night before flying out for some Miss Virginia thing, keep her up all night.” “And how would I do that?” Klaus leaned up to whisper in your ear “You know how love. Do you always do with me every night” you knew that Klaus meant to fuck Tyler and while the idea sounded good.

“I’ll let Tyler know to be ready at a quarter to 8.” Klaus smiled, dimples on show as you headed into the closet, to pick out some good clothing. In next to no time, whether it be a need to impress you or due to his newly acquired speed, Tyler was ready & waiting as he walked you down the street, hand in hand. Right behind you was Rebekah not only your escort but also giving dirty looks to those who were giving you & Tyler side eye, which was comforting to you, it was nice to know Klaus, Tyler & Rebekah at least cared about your wellbeing, even if the world around you was less than sympathetic. As you entered the Mystic Grill, you saw the majority of the building taken up for Caroline’s big title party. Rebekah positioned herself near the door as You & Tyler selected the same secluded booth that you had gone to the night You & Klaus became partners. Ordering your usual Chips & Garlic Bread, Tyler ordering the same with a massive burger, you eventually opened up the conversation. “So Klaus told me about you having a thing for me.” Tyler gave a slight grin “When did you know & why didn’t you tell me earlier?” “Well it was a while ago, after Dad died, I realised I was free from his vileness, and I was going to tell you after the funeral, but then everything with Mason and turning happened, I threw myself into what I had become instead of managing both my crush & that.” Tyler swallowed, clearly not used to letting out a lot “It’s alright Tyler, you went through a lot so quickly, I’m not angry and you had every right to work on yourself before hand.” Tyler grinned as his burger got placed on the table “Jesus Christ, That’s massive! How are you gonna get through that?!” Tyler shrugged “You know that before I was a hybrid, I played football right Y/N? I’ve always had a big appetite.” “What exactly is the appeal of football? I’ve never understood.” Tyler shot a grin at you “Y/N, tonight I’m gonnna give you a crash course.”

And indeed he did, outlining the rules of the game, his favourite team and some spectacular moments that he had achieved with Mystic Falls during his tenure as a player. Usually you’d scoff at sport talk but Tyler was so engaging in great conversation, that you didn’t mind a second, and as much as you listened to him, he listened to you discuss your likeness of musical theatre with the same enjoyment plastered on his face as you had when he talked. “Y/N, I’m having one of the best date nights ever, Little Miss Blonde over there couldn’t compare” you were about to start laughing when at that exact moment, Elena’s group came over to your table. “Well hello there” Damon said somewhat curtly “Hello Damon, I guess you’re here to intimidate us” you responded, “Now Y/N, me intimidate, never!” Damon mockingly feigned outrage “Well it’s not for the bourbon since there’s none at our table” you quipped back, Elena stepping in. “No we aren’t here to intimidate, we wanted to take a look at the man who stabbed me in the back last week, who sold us all to Klaus, who made me a blood bag, how you had the nerve to show up at our bar and stage some sort of mock date to get under Caroline’s skin”. Whilst Elena was right about trying to get Caroline riled up, she had no business questioning Tyler’s feelings for you, which made you angry, and looking over to where Tyler sat, you noticed he was gripping his fists angrily, trying bot to let an outburst emerge and ruin the night. Looking to your left, you saw Rebekah had heard what was going on and had stepped up from her table, with your own group of friends ready to back you up, you decided that you might as well strike back, wasn’t as if she could do worse “Wow Elena, your ass is jealous at the amount of shit that just came out of your mouth” Seeing Elena’s shit eating grin thinking that she had intimidated you fall was quite possibly the sight of the year, but you weren’t done, not at all “Firstly, Tyler was close to dying, so if I hadn’t said anything, he wouldn’t be here, also when was the last time any of you acknowledged me in your supernatural group of expertise? I didn’t owe you a God damn thing. And this ‘mock date?’ How would you know that Tyler’s feelings are genuine?” “Because I dated him for several months & as an ally I can tell when someone has feelings for men.” Caroline said now stepping forwards next to Elena to survey the scene. You turned to face Caroline, intending to give her the same verbal lashing as Elena “It’s about time someone told you Caroline, but having a group of Gay Friends who help you shop & quoting lines from RuPaul’s Drag Race does not make you an ally, it makes you an insufferable cunt.” A snorting laugh came from your left, and without turning, you knew that Rebekah had enjoyed your comment Now Caroline was looking like she’d been hit over the face with how red she’d turned, embarrassed she’d been called out at her party, good.

“Why would you have even gotten up with Klaus though?” Inquired Bonnie, “Yeah, what did he offer you: Money, Power, Immortality?” Jeremy seconded. “Nothing, what he did do was tell me about his loneliness & I remembered the times I felt pushed out and I thought if others could give me grace after being tossed to the side, the least I could do is return it to others.” “Oh Boo Hoo.” Damon prodded in, “Klaus is making an army without asking any of the wolves if they want in.” “How-” Tyler began angrily and Rebekah’s feet began to stomp towards the table, which Elena & Bonnie had acknowledged by the look of intimidation on their faces, however you stood up very suddenly, determined to stand your ground “How’s Vicki? Did you make sure she wanted to be immortal? You know, after you gave her your blood & snapped her neck.” An uncomfortable silence filled that section of the bar. “Bonnie, how is carrying Anna’s death going? You know the woman your current squeeze was dating? How were all the vampires minding their own business going before you tripped up the device & caused so much disaster, that almost caused Jeremy to die? Wasn’t that because all vampires were the same?, a pity story after your Grams passed, yet you stand with Damon and have the audacity to lunge after me. And you two” Y/N pointed at Elena & Jeremy, “You two are cut from the same cloth. Jeremy you knew about Bonnie tripping up the device, killing Anna & yet you two are dating and Elena you complain about Klaus needing your blood for something so little as turning which is somehow so bad, yet when Katherine didn’t open her legs to welcome Damon, he snapped your brothers neck, yet you forgave him somehow. I’m not saying you can’t forgive him, but if you’re going to let Damon’s miniature things go, then you need to let Klaus’s go. I’m aware that Klaus isn’t the picture perfect idea of humanity you all want, but you keep excusing the darkness in your own supernatural partners, not to mention yourselves, so you have some nerve isolating me like I’m the only one lavishing in it. Stay the fuck away from me.” You grabbed Tyler’s hand and marched out of the Mystic Grill. “Nice work-“ Rebekah began, but in your angry mood, you marched right past her with Tyler in tow. “Rude” she muttered under her breath as she reached for her phone to tip off Klaus that whilst you’d blown her off, you finally grew a backbone.

You walked several streets in a huff before stopping to breathe, at that point, Tyler hugged you. “T-Tyler, are you alright?” You questioned, “Yeah, it’s just that you could see me getting angry and you stood up for me instead. You were so scared of being confronted by them, but you stood your ground to their faces. You may not have faced down a vampire or a wolf, but you Y/N are the bravest out of us all.” You smiled “Thanks Tyler” he leaned in & kissed you. You took a moment to let Tyler endulge before you began to kiss back, running your hands down Tyler’s back before you were slammed into the lamppost. Whilst you wanted Tyler, you didn’t want to be written up for public sex, so you broke the kiss “Let’s get back to Klaus’s and continue this there.” “But what about antagonising Caroline?” Tyler questioned, but you had your answer ready “I think we’ve antagonised her enough, besides she’d probably rub herself to your moans and shit, I don’t want to give her the satisfaction.” Tyler let a cold smirk cross his face, he knew you wanted to be fucked hard, and that’s what he planned to do. Deciding to test out Tyler’s compelling skills on a homeless person, you gave him the room Klaus had booked out & you both made your way back to The Mikaelson Compound. It was empty, so you & Tyler could fuck as loud as you could, so he sped you up to your room and as the door closed, Tyler slammed you up against it, kissing you passionately, the same as he did on the street, however this time, your clothes were removed with vampire speed. Standing there naked, Tyler took in your nude form with a twinkle in his eyes, you blushed slightly which made Tyler smile “You’re cute when you’re flustered Y/N.” Tyler commented and with that he began to undress as well, intending to take time so you could see the goodies under his clothes.

As he removed his shirt, Tyler pulled you in for a kiss, his tongue sliding into your mouth as he deepened it. You began to feel around his shirtlessness, tweaking at his nipples which make the newly turned hybrid moan in your ear, the sound like molten gold to you. Suddenly you were thrown with all of Tyler’s might onto the bed, Tyler made sure you were looking up as he disposed of his pants and underwear in one go, his cock standing proud and hard. He began to walk towards you, cockily flaunting all the while “You want this dick don’t you Y/N?”, you nodded, but that didn’t appease the hybrid who sped towards you and gripped you by the neck, softly yet dominant “Talk to me Y/N, do you want me to fuck you all night?, have you crying my name as I make you cum from my stroke? Answer me.” He spoke the last part cooly as he playfully tightened his grip on your throat, making you feel a bit light headed “Yes Tyler, please fuck me as hard as you can.” You moaned out, making him laugh “As hard as I can? God this is gonna be good.” He laid his hand out, spitting onto it before stroking his hard member, coating it with the makeshift lube all the while looking at you all sprawled out, naked for him, and while he tried to maintain his cockiness, you could see from the ripples of pleasure on his face. Once he had lathered himself up enough, Tyler didn’t waste anymore time and used his newly acquired speed to to thrust deep into your ass, making you cry out at the sting. “Fuck, shit, your tighter than Caroline.” Tyler moaned out, you couldn’t even form words from how big he was and how he was stretching you out so right, all that came out was a mewling cry, which the hybrid smirked at. Rocking his cock deeper inside your tight canal, he began a passionate pace, looking down into your eyes as he fucked you deep so he could see how you crumbled apart for him, how desperate you were to take his dick. He locked you in another kiss again, moaning into it as you trailed your hands down his back, until he slammed in balls deep, colliding head first with your prostate, you cried out & instictively tightened your grip, sinking your fingers into Tyler. “Sink it in pretty boy, scratch down my back till you draw blood while I fuck you the way Vicki & Caroline could never handle, but you can, you fucking slut.”

The rough dirty talk emerged a desire in you to meet Tyler’s challenge head on. You dug in harder as Tyler cried out from the mix of pain and pleasure, all thoughts of Caroline and the confrontation gone, all you both wanted to do was chase down your orgasms. Your fingers began to feel a bit moist and you took them away from Tyler’s back to see you’d got him deep that there was blood dripping “Taste it” Tyler panted in your ear “Taste me Y/N, I know you want to.” With Tyler’s encouragement, you locked eyes with him drew your tongue across your fingers, tasting Tyler’s blood. You moaned out from his taste, knowing it would incense him into fucking you rougher and indeed, Tyler began to rock into you so hard that the bed began to slam into the wall with every thrust. ”God, this is amazing, keep this up and I’ll cum for you Y/N.” “Do it Tyler, cum.” Once again Tyler squeezed your neck “I’m the hybrid here baby, you’re the human, I control you, I won’t cum till you cum apart from my dick.” Tyler’s words were accompanied by a sharp thrust deep inside you, well and truly smashing into your prostate, the driving force combined with his words was what it took for you to reach your peak and crying out Tyler’s name, you came in spurts over yourself. “Fuck, that’s hot, seeing you cum for me. You want to taste me again?” You nodded and began to move your hands to Tyler’s back again, intending to leave new marks, but instead you were met by Tyler’s full force as he slammed your hands to the bed. Groaning and spluttering out of ecstasy, his body also rippling with the same energy, Tyler pulled out and with a few simple strokes let out a loud moan as he came all over you, splattering you with even more hot cum.

As he calmed down, Tyler wiped his hand in his load, covering his fingers with the sticky white substance and held it up to your mouth “Taste it” he said again, reminiscent of when he wanted you to drink his blood, except this time, there was a more erotic tone to his voice, he wanted all of his essence inside you. Never losing eye contact with the Lockwood, you licked across your hand, taking in his salty sweet seed, even sucking it off your fingers while moaning which made Tyler grin “Fuck, if people only knew how perfect you are.” He breathed out “I do” came a distinctive british voice that could only mean... “Klaus!” you both exclaimed as you looked over to see the hybrid standing in the doorway, watching you both with a smirk on his face “I thought you were at the hotel making Caroline sulk.” “No, you should have seen though, Y/N pretty much tore them all a new one” “I don’t doubt that, Rebekah texted me and told me about it. She also told me you’d left without talking to her.” He eyed you closely “I was in an angry mood” you tried to explain, but Klaus held his hand up to silence you and you obeyed his command. “I have to say nice technique Tyler, you wanted Y/N to take his fill you of you and that you did. But now I want you to step back” With the sire bond in affect, Tyler took several steps away from the bed, Klaus grinning at his power as he walked towards you and to your excitement began to strip his clothing off “You’re going to watch as I now fuck Y/N, cause while you know how to fuck, you don’t have a thousand years of experience to you. You can masturbate to us if you want, as long as you cum once we have.” Klaus stopped at the foot of the bed, Tyler nodding as he fisted his hardening length “Good. Now love” he turned his gaze to you “Tyler’s got you ready for me, like a good sweet progeny, ready for another hybrid cock inside you.” He palmed at himself and nodding, you threw yourself back on the bed, spreading your legs. Oh yes, this was the life.

[novannna]

Perfect Imperfection’s Chapter 1

An Au where Nova never joined the Anarchists, instead she and Evie were adopted by Hugh and Simon.  Adrian blamed the Renegades for his mothers death, and he ran away to be raised by the Anarchists.  Nova and Adrian have switched places.  It starts at the beginning of Renegades.  

Let me know what you think!!!!(And if I should keep working on it)

Word count:2326

Ch.1 

Adrian watched the parade procession inch along, a sneer pasted on his face.  The streets were full of foolish people, idiots who put their fate in the hands of the Renegades.  The loud band marched along, and a chorus of boos and insults reached Adrians ears.  The villains' floats had arrived.  Grotesque imitations of fallen anarchists graced the floats.  Adrian felt offended as he watched the spectators hurl insults and rotten food at the actors upon the vehicles.  While he personally had not known those anarchists well, it still stung watching people hate them so violently.  They didn’t know anything.  

“And so it begins,” Ingrid's dry voice crackled through his earpiece.  

“Let them laugh.  They won’t be laughing for much longer.   Sketch, are you in position?” Phobia asked.  

“Yeah.  I just need to know which rooftop you want me on.”

“The council hasn’t left the warehouse yet.  I will alert you once they do.”  

Adrian glanced back at the parade.  His lip twitched.  “How do people put so much trust in the Renegades?  It's repulsive.”  His lip twitched.

Ingrid snickered.  “Easy.  They’re all idiots.  Just blend in.  Remember your training.”

“I know,” Adrian sighed.  “But much more of this, and I might puke!”  

“Remember the mission, Sketch.  We have too much to lose if this goes wrong,” Phobia said.  

“Is that…”  Oh my holy bomb squad, they have a Queen Bee this year.”  Adrian glanced up.  Sure enough, a woman dressed in a sleazy sequined dress and an enormous blonde wig stood on the float.  She clutched a large stuffed bumble bee to her chest and was wailing about something.  Wet mascara ran down her cheeks.  

“That isn’t far off,” Adrian snickered.  “It's a pretty damn good impression.”  

“I can’t wait to tell Honey,” said Ingrid.  “We should be recording this.”  

“Are you offended they don’t have a Detonator?” He asked.  

“Well, I am now,” she responded.  

Just then, a loud crashing sound came from the parade.  Adrian glanced up to see Ace Anarchy emerge from Merchant tower, cackling.  The actor wore the same costume as Ace, as well as the familiar helmet.  

Adrian felt rage rush through him, and he bit down a snarl.  

“Relax Sketch.  We’re doing this for him, remember?” Ingrid said.  

“Right.  For him.”  

A body crashed into Adrian, and he tripped forwards.  A number of heads glanced towards him, and he cringed down.  

“Watch where you're going,” he told the person.  A small girl wearing a Dread Warden mask looked up at him.  He righted her up, and she muttered sorry, then raced away.  Adrian turned back to the parade.   

“What was that, Sketch?”  Ingrid asked.  He didn’t respond.  In the corner of his eye, Adrian saw the girl crash into someone else.  Instead of correcting her, the girl tackled her and put her into a headlock.  She dragged her, kicking and screaming to Adrian.  

Give it back,” she said.  The girl had short black hair and electric blue eyes.  Her voice had a slight rasp to it.  

“Put me down!  Let me go!”  The little girl yelled.  

Adian looked around to see a number of people watching them, concerned.  That wasn’t good.  “What are you doing?   Put her down!”  He tried to quell the panic rising up.  The girl smiled at Adrian, and he felt his mouth go dry.  His heart thumped loudly in his chest.  

“All right, Evie.  You’ve got three seconds to hand it over before I report you.  And I know you don’t want that,” She said in a patronizing tone.  The girl scowled fiercely.  

“I hate you.”  She dropped something into the other girls palm.  

“I’ll see you later.”  She let the thief go.  “And if I hear from anyone that you’ve been stealing, you’ll be in so much trouble.”  The girl stuck out her tongue, then darted off.  

“Here you are,” the girl said to Adrian.  He warily extended his hand.  She dropped a small golden locket into his palm.  His hand went to the space on his neck where it usually hung.  

“What?  How did she get that?”  He asked, reaching around his neck.  

“Sketch, what's happening?”  Ingrid's voice asked in his ear.  He ignored it.  

“Do you want help with that?”  The girl asked.  “Here, let me.”  Before he could respond, she was already clipping it around his neck.  

“Uh, thanks,” Adrian said.  

“No problem.”  the girl winced.  “Shit!  The clasp is broken.  Evie, you’re in so much trouble!”

Adrian reached for it back, but the girl stopped him.  “It's okay, I can fix it.”

“No, you don’t understand, it's my moms.  You can’t..it's not-” He started, but the girl shushed him.  

“No, don’t worry.”  She slipped something out of her pocket.  She bent her head over the necklace, her bangs hiding her face.  She stood back up and presented Adrian the necklace, the clasp fully fixed.  It even looked the same.  

“How did you do that?” Adrian asked, impressed.  

“A new tool I designed.  It can scan an object and replicate whatever part is missing.”  She smiled proudly.  “It’s still a prototype, but it works pretty damned well.”  Before Adrian could stop her, she clasped the necklace around his neck.  The locket was a familiar weight against his neck, and he relaxed slightly.  

“Adrian, are you compromised?” Ingrid’s voice barked into his ear.  He winced.  

The girl was saying something, but Adrian didn’t hear her. A bout of cheers and clapping surged through the crowd.  

“Looks like the councils here.”

Adrian nodded.  “Looks like it.”  He tried his hardest to keep the distaste out of his voice.  

“Sketch, west station,” Phobias voice said in his ear.   

Adrian snapped to attention.  “On it.”  He turned around and started to jog away.  

“Your welcome,” the girl called out after him.  He ignored her.  Someone shoved a flyer into his hand and he crumpled it into a ball and stuffed it into his pocket without bothering to look at it.  He ducked into an alleyway and grabbed his backpack from behind the dumpster.  

“Sketch, what is your status?”  Phobia asked.  

“Grabbing my stuff.  I’ll be up on the roof in a minute.”

“Hurry.  You have a superhero to kill.”  

---

Nova watched her dads wave at the cheering fans and smiled.  It felt good to be able to celebrate something for the first time in a while.  For the first time in what felt like forever, Nova was happy.  Most people had finally stopped treating her like some pariah, just because she was related to Ace Anarchy.  Her family was happy, so she was happy.  And she had a lot of new tech that was successful. 

Although, she was absolutely pissed at Evie.  Why the hell did her sister have to go around, stealing from everyone.  She didn’t need the money, she did it for the fun of it. Nova scowled thinking about it.  Oh she was going to have some serious words with her.  Her mind wandered back to the boy from earlier.  The one with the locket.  He had seemed so nervous and twitchy.  He reminded Nova of a dog a little.  Sweet, but hesitant.  Nova smiled thinking about him.

The happiness turned to chaos in seconds.  Nova watched a bullet whiz through the air, heading right toward her dad.  Nova held her breath as it snapped against his metal skin, a hair's breadth from his eye. The council snapped to attention, commanding the crowd to remain calm, telling them that everything was fine.  Nova could see a small dark form on the rooftop, a swarm of monarch butterflies hovering around it. Her wristband buzzed.  A message from Oscar to the team.  

Sketch spotted on top of buildings across from the parade.  Red Assassin, Monarch and I are engaging.  Back up may be needed.  

Nova grinned, despite the chaos surrounding.  A perfect opportunity to test her new tech.  A compact suit with several added benefits.  She ducked into a nearby ally.  She zipped her jacket up all the way and pulled the hood over her head.  It hissed and the fabric pulled back, revealing metal underneath.  The metal slid along her body on invisible hinges, moving until it completely enveloped her.  A visor covered her face, darkening the world around her slightly.  A bright red R was emblazoned on the chest.  

Nova bounced up and down gently.  She went almost five feet into the air, and came down without a sound.  

“Anti-gravity works,” she said to herself.  “What else does?”  She held out her fist and squeezed her hand tight.  Flames roared out, turning an old crate to ashe.  

“Fire works.”  She looked down at the metal covering her hand.  “And not even scorch marks.  Yay!”  Nova grinned behind her mask.  She bent down, then leapt upwards.  The suit carried her all the way to the rooftop where she rolled to a halt.  Nova backed up a tiny bit, then started to run.  She gathered enough momentum to jump across the gap between buildings.  

She let out a whoop.  

“Hell yeah!” she screamed.  It felt almost as if she was flying.  She jumped across rooftops to the building she could see her team fighting Sketch on.  Nova landed in front of him.  She looked around to see Ruby crumpled in a heap on the ground.  Danna stood not too far away with blood covering her leg.  

“You must be new around here,” Sketch said.  

She tilted her head.  “I’ve been around long enough to know who you are.. Sketch.”  

He smiled up at her behind his mask.  “Should I be flattered?”

A loud cackling blasted through the air and both Nova and Sketch turned to look for its source.  

“What is that idiot doing here?”  Sketch grimaced.  A hot air balloon floated through the streets, the bright green anarchist ‘A’ painted on it.  The Puppeteer stood in the basket, his head tilted back.  He let out another bout of manic laughter, his crazy orange hair tangling around his head.  

“Oh reeeenegades,” he sang.  “Doesn’t anyone want to play with me?”  Screams echoed from far below.  “Eeny, meeny,miny...mo!”  Golden strings cascaded down from his fingertips.  Nova knew that several innocent children had just been possessed by the Puppeteers' powers.

“Tag!  You’re it!”  He screamed.  “Friends of yours?” He asked Sketch.  

Sketch looked at Nova.  “Not really.”  He threw something at Nova and it expanded midair.  A net wrapped itself around her, pinning her limbs to her body.  “Nice to meet you,” he said, and started to jog away.  Nova snarled.  

“Not so fast.”  She wrapped her fist around the rope and it began to burn away, the acrid smell of smoke filling the air.  

“Another fire elemental.  How quaint.  Not exactly a rare breed, but it's hard to criticise a classic.”  

Nova snarled and launched herself at him.  Her suit carried her all the way to him.  He backed away, surprised.  “You can’t escape me, Sketch.  I’m taking you into custody and you will answer for your crimes.”  

“Lovely as that sounds, I actually had other plans for the afternoon.”  A shadow passed over them and Nova looked up to see butterflies converging into Monarch.  

“Who are you?” she asked Nova.  

“I am the Sentinel,” she responded, puffing her chest out a tiny bit.  

Sketch burst out laughing.  “Seriously?”  Nova felt slightly insulted by his reaction.   She had thought it sounded like a cool name.  

“Friends of yours?”  Danna asked.  

“I’m really not that friendly,” Sketch responded.  “Beside’s, she’s wearing your trademark.”  Danna glared suspiciously at Nova.  

Sketch lashed out at Danna with a red knife, one Ruby must have made.  Danna turned into butterflies before he could hurt her, only losing a single butterfly.  Nova lunged forwards and wrapped her arms tightly around Sketch.  He tried to get free, but Nova was too strong.  He shoved them both backwards and they tumbled off the roof and landed on another one.  Nova winced as she fell onto a small fountain, stone cracking beneath their weight.  

“Hey Sentinel,” Sketch said.  Nova turned towards him, and he drove Ruby’s knife into her shoulder.  She roared with pain and held out her fist, too mad to think before she blasted him with fire.  He ducked and the flames went right over him and struck, to Nova’s horror, a large cluster of orange and black butterflies.  She heard a scream of pain and watched the insects merge into Danna.  Her uniform was blackened from ribs to her hip. 

“Monarch?” A voice asked.  Nova looked over to see Oscar pull himself onto the roof.  

“Help her,” Nova screamed.  

“Who the hell are you?” he yelled back.  

Nova ignored him and turned back to Sketch.  He was running towards the edge of the roof, trying to get to the Puppeteers balloon.

“You have a tagalong,” the Puppeteer said to Sketch.  Nova reached him and wrapped her fingers around his throat.  

“You tried to assassinate Captain Chromium,” she growled. “Why?  Who put you up to it?  What else are they planning?”  She was completely filled up with rage.  

“You Renegades sure ask a lot of questions.” he said.  

“You better answer them,” Nova snarled.  

“You think I’m afraid of a pompous neophyte in a toy suit? He asked incredulously.  

“Neophyte?”  She asked.  

He sighed.  “It means amatuer.  You're obviously new to this game.”  Nova’s fingers loosened slightly. 

“I know what it-- argh!”  She stomped her foot. “Look, I don’t really care whether or not you’re afraid of me, but I’m willing to bet you're at least a little bit afraid of dying, like we all are.”  She tightened her fingers.  

He wheezed slightly.  “You know what they say… one cannot be brave who has no fear.”  Nova started, giving him enough time to wiggle free.  He brought his fist around and struck Nova in the head.  The impact knocked her down and her vision dimmed.  She blinked once.. Twice.. The third time though, her eyes stayed shut.  

[ducktracy]

145. boulevardier from the bronx (1936)

release date: october 10th, 1936

series: merrie melodies

director: friz freleng

starring: berneice hansell (emily)

the first cartoon to use merrily we roll along as the theme song for merrie melodies! eventually, this would be the only indicator in discerning the difference between cartoons in the looney tunes series and cartoons in the merrie melodies. even then, a few looney tunes shorts have gotten a blue ribbon release, which uses merrily we roll along as the theme song, further skewing any difference. this would be the theme song for merrie melodies all the way until 1964. quite a momentous occasion! plot wise: emily from let it be me makes a reappearance, falling for star baseball pitcher dizzy dan (a play on star pitcher dizzy dean.) her sweetie, claude, (the pitcher for hickville) is none too pleased, and seeks to settle the argument in a good old game of baseball.

an underscore of the title song opens the cartoon, accompanied by a cluster of banners and pennants. one in particular advertises an upcoming baseball game in hickville, welcoming a rooster by the name of dizzy dan, who will be pitching for the chicago giants. the faraway drone of a train whistle serves as a signal to an expectant homecoming band, and they launch into an exuberant rendition of “it looks like a big night tonight”. the train hurtles right past them, without taking any note—quite the impressive overlay of the train rushing past. a cloud of smoke fills the frame and the music halts.

the train is at a standstill, hissing and exuding black smoke just a bit ahead of the station. so, of course, the villagers push the train station along to the train ITSELF. another impressive overlay, especially for 1936. fanfare resumes, and we go inside the cabin to see dizzy dan gleefully looking out the window at his adoring fans. he swaggers along, posing at the end of the caboose, met with applause and cheers. off to the side, emily the hen and her (presumed) boyfriend admire the spectacle from afar. emily is clearly smitten—“isn’t he handsome?” her boyfriend thinks otherwise, scoffing “awwww.” dismissively while she giggles.

dizzy dan asserts he has quite the inflated ego, turning around to show off the back of his jersey. “THE GREAT DIZZY DAN” blinks on and off in pompous neon lettering. with that, dan orders “okay, maestro! strike up the band!” and launches into a talk-song rendition of “boulevardier from the bronx”, a song that would be used in a handful of warner bros cartoons (such as in frank tashlin’s porky the fireman.) the animation is amusing, with interludes such as a man blowing into a trombone, his hat flying off in accompaniment, or the lettering on a drum bouncing off with each hit. even more amusing is dan himself kicking at the ground and clucking like a feral rooster—in case you didn’t know what species he was! emily swoons from the sidelines, her boyfriend shooting steely glares at her and dizzy dan. all in all, an amusing song number.

finally, the fated event arrives as we fade in to the baseball field. a pig shouts through a megaphone “for today’s game, giants vs. hickville! pitching for hickville: claude!” claude, emily’s gangly, hayseed, envious rooster boyfriend is met with a wave of noise... booing. a hilarious contrast as claude rakes in the glory, shaking his hands until realizing the clamor isn’t a positive one. the pig announcer then introduces dizzy dan, whose status is so gilded and precious that his sacred pitching arm is safely propped up on a pillow, carried by a little duck assistant. “play ball!”

the diamond is filled as everyone assumes their positions, with dan contentedly tossing the baseball in his hand. turning his hat around first, the catcher, a turtle, turns his shell around 180 degrees to substitute as protective padding, garbling a string of incomprehensible encouragements to dan. a measly little mr. magoo type pig is up to bat. dizzy assures his fans that he’ll “strike em all out!”, and with that he goes for the pitch, whirling his arm at bewildering speeds (accompanied fittingly by the sound of a jet plane warming up). he throws the pitch, the catcher managing to catch it as he’s propelled into the backstop—a gag that would be reused to a much higher degree in freleng’s classic hit baseball bugs. to remedy his throbbing, burning hand, the pitcher soaks his injury in a nearby bucket filled with water, steam hissing at the initial contact.

second pitch plays out the same as the first, reusing the animation. strike two. this time, for the third pitch, the catcher holds a pipe bent in a U shape. the ball hurtles into one end and pops out of the other, landing right back in dizzy dan’s clutches as the third strike is made. a victorious, obnoxious rooster cackle from dan. the giants are beating hickville (not by much), with one point per inning, the game in the second inning. what a riveting game!


now, hayseed claude is up to pitch against the mean giants, who are much more competent on the field than hickville’s team. claude pitches to a wiener dog, which contorts his body in a sideways U as the ball whizzes right past him, nearly taking him out. a ball—the batter isn’t too pleased, (no pun intended) barking “hey! be careful!” another pitch, and the batter hits it. there’s some nice, floaty animation as claude runs backwards, repeatedly calling “i got it! i got it! i got it!” in a dopey, hayseed voice. instead of one ball returning to the ground, a brief shower of baseballs rains on claude. a bit of an incoherent gag, but coherent enough to get the general gist across. the wiener dog runs across the field, elongating his body and contracting it with each turn as his legs catch up to him. a home run, much to the befuddlement of claude.

elsewhere, dizzy dan is off to the side, flirting with emily, stroking her chin and ogling at her while she giggles in the stands. he swaggers to the batting plate, posing nonchalantly and leaning against his bat, waiting for claude to pitch. the ball whizzes by, right into the catcher’s mitt while dan doesn’t move a muscle. another ball whizzes by, another strike. emily calls “ooh, you better hit it!” from the stands, but dan shrugs her off. “that’s alright! i only need one ball!” this time, he finally assumes the batting position, and most definitely hits the ball with the final pitch. the ball rockets straight into claude, propelling him across the field, right into the backstop.

dan has his own personal cheering section as emily cries “run! run! run!” dan’s in no hurry. “i got lotsa time,” he drawls dismissively. claude is positively fed up with dan’s attitude, and throws the ball back to the catcher. an interesting layout as the ball flies IN from the audience and to the catcher, dan zipping around the diamond like it’s nothing. safe. another victorious cackle.

what a high score. just riveting! neck and neck! at the final inning. the giants are in a staggering lead of 3-0. claude is up to bat, glaring daggers against his cocky mortal foe. dan reassures him “now i’ll strike ya out so you can go home!” he gives his famous whirlwind pitch, and the ball soars right past dan, the impact causing a tremendous gust of wind to blow across the field. the next scene is wonderfully structured: “now i’ll show ya my slow ball!” carl stalling’s score does wonders as a slow, slurred rendition of “boulevardier of the bronx” accompanies dan throwing his pitch in slow motion, the ball lazily floating through the air, creeping towards claude. even greater is when claude swings his bat wildly as the ball approaches, a flurry of activity contested with such a slow moving ball—and he still misses.

stakes are high with the final pitch of the game. dan anticipates and gives one final whirlwind throw... and claude hits it. a jaunty accompaniment of “in the stirrups” as claude darts home, the crowd going wild. final score: 3-4, hickville. claude is showered in hats being thrown off the field, with him waving his own as a dejected dizzy dan trudges up to him in defeat. the cartoon ends as claude laughs in dan’s face, doing the same obnoxious cackle that dan had been taunting the entire short.

a decent cartoon, but not much above that. freleng’s best baseball cartoon (and one of his best cartoons in general) would be baseball bugs, released 10 years later in 1946. there definitely are some similarities, such as the backstop gags, but baseball bugs certainly possesses a lot more energy and wit than this cartoon. with that said, though, this is a good cartoon for its time. catchy music, decent animation, good voice acting, but it’s nothing particularly thrilling. not bad, though! i’d maybe do a one-time watch. i don’t regret watching it, but i think this was enough for me.

link!

[mattprivettwrites]

Ode to Ron Garvin, the man with the hands of stone

(originally written 24 Nov 2018)

I’ve been a wrestling fan for over thirty years. Some of my favorite childhood memories include going over to my uncle’s house to watch wrestling on pay-per-view. On Thanksgiving that meant turkey leftovers with barbecue sauce, and in 1987 that meant Starrcade, the premiere event for the NWA (i.e., Jim Crockett Promotions). JCP was based in Charlotte, where we lived. The NWA was a big part of my life.

The hottest period for that territory was undoubtedly 1986 and the early part of the 1987. That was the time in which Ric Flair really solidified what would become his legendary status. He was the man, and his feuds with Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Ricky Morton, and Barry Windham filled arenas and lit up television screens all over the Mid-Atlantic and southeast.

But by the late summer of 1987, in retrospect, you can begin to see the decline of the promotion begin to set in. Flair was finishing up a feud with Jimmy Garvin that made for some entertaining television, and the way it ended set up Jimmy’s storyline brother (real life stepfather) Ron Garvin as Flair’s next challenger.

Flair and Garvin had some fantastic matches in the winter of 85–86, including a good televised bout on the 12/28/85 edition of World Championship Wrestling, and later a cage match that went to a one hour draw, highlights of which were shown on the weekend shows. No one at the time thought Garvin would actually beat Flair to win the title, though. He was just one of several credible challengers Flair could have a great match with.

Fast forward a year and half and not much had changed. Garvin was still capable of being a solid challenger in arena main events with Flair, but no one saw him as a realistic candidate to carry the belt. He had not been booked in any way to elevate his status apart from matches with Flair, and he did not have the natural charisma of a Rhodes or even a Morton, much less the interview skills.

Still, as summer faded into fall in 1987 the booker, Rhodes, had to be thinking about Starrcade on Thanksgiving night. JCP would be moving Starrcade out of Greensboro that year (a pretty big mistake in hindsight), so the desire to make Starrcade memorable, say, with a title change, had to be on their minds. Instead of crowning a new face to hold the title going forward, they decided to have Flair drop the title in the fall so he could win it back at Starrcade.

But who could beat Flair and have that two months on top? Rhodes? No. Been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt. Koloff? Maybe, but he had cooled off considerably after some initial hot months as a babyface. Perhaps “Dr. Death” Steve Williams? I think this could have worked, but he was the UWF World Champion at the time, so the thought of another promotion’s champion was probably a non-starter (even though Crockett had bought the UWF earlier in the spring). Windham? This may have been the best choice in hindsight, as it would have elevated Windham and fans would have bought it after their classic series of matches earlier in the year.

Nevertheless, on Friday, September 25, at JCP’s first event in Detroit, at the Joe Louis Arena, Ron Garvin pinned Ric Flair in a cage match with a sunset flip from the top rope to win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.

The match itself was very good. The Starrcade rematch I watched at my uncle’s on Thanksgiving night is criminally underrated. Now, thirty-one years later, Ron Garvin is remembered as a failed champion.

Why?

The blame should, in no way, be laid at the feet of Garvin. He did everything that was asked of him.

The blame is on the late Rhodes and JCP in general — first, for putting Garvin in a position to fail as a champion fans wouldn’t buy; second, for doing little to nothing to support him as champion when he had the belt.

To the first point, Garvin had held the by then defunct Mid-Atlantic Title, then the U.S. Tag Team Titles (with Windham), but had not even really challenged for a major title, much less held one, in the time since that first great series with Flair. Fans had no reason to buy him as Big Gold material.

To the second point, Garvin had zero clean wins over serious competitors on television in the two months he held the title. A disqualification victory over Tully Blanchard is his biggest match. After that, Jim Crockett, Jr. announced Garvin wouldn’t defend the title until Starrcade, to save the big main event. This did nothing to enhance Garvin, though, and by the time he stepped into the cage at Starrcade he was booed more than cheered against Flair, who fans popped big for when he dropped Garvin head first into the post of the cage and fell on him for the pin.

But this post is titled, “Ode to Ron Garvin,” so at this point I just want to say: he deserves better. Garvin should be remembered as a legitimate Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Flair is the greatest, of course, but in the opinion of this writer Garvin is on the short list of people who could have the best matches with Flair (Steamboat and Windham are the others on that list). “The Man with the Hands of Stone” was utterly believable in the ring.

It’s hard to blame him for bolting the NWA in 1988 when it became clear he was being turned heel so Dusty could beat him. It’d be hard to blame Garvin for being a little bitter for the way he was handled as champion. His reign left a bad taste in the mouths of many fans, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that fact has left a bad taste in Garvin’s. His lack of love for Rhodes was later documented.

That said, if you are so inclined after reading this far, do yourself a favor and seek out some of those old Garvin-Flair matches. Start with 12/28/85. And really, if you’ve actually read this far, why wouldn’t you?

[beanjuice-duh]

Day 1: Tell the Lies and Get by

A/N: Uh, blame the Criminal Minds Squad for this ( @kinkshamer2k17, @hamiltonhistory (undercover au), @somepicassoshit, @ham-for-ham )  Summary: Morgan brings Reid to Chicago and puts on a show warning: T E N S I O N w/c: 3.7k

“Think fast, Pretty Boy.” Morgan chimed as he waltzed through the FBI office, he tossed a duffle bag at Reid’s desk cleanly destroying the his 50th straight game of solitaire he was about to win. “Time to hit the road. Our flight leaves in two.”

About a week ago the team had caught wind there was an ‘unsub’ had been tracking, stalking and going after same sex couples with prominent connections with social medias. They were looking at a profile of most likely: a man between his mid thirties and forties, probably antisocial and relies heavily on social media for communication who may or may not have suffered homophobic prejudices or feels wrongly done by the LGBTQA+ community. Reid had openly stated that if the unsub was looking for powerful same sex couples a celebrity or people within the nation’s government field would be a prime target for the long winded hunting tactics.

So now in little less than two days Spencer Reid had inadvertently agreed to going undercover with Derek Morgan as his ‘boyfriend’. It was all perfectly in place, Garcia had changed their social media pages round piecing together what looked like a year long, happy, open relationship between two strong agents in the field. They used pictures they had of field events; to Garica’s surprise she didn’t have to forge many. Morgan and Reid were close…

That didn’t make this mission easy. Pretending to be a couple and just waiting it out. Building on their social media fantasy, Reid did the bare minimum. He wasn’t much into social media as an outlet, he tagged Morgan in certain things, made sure to like his posts. Morgan on the other hand was a natural, enough for the both of them, making status’s about ‘Coming home to the best thing ever’ or ‘Dinner with the Boo’ decorated with a series of loving emojis.

He played the part too well, that as of late this mission had been the most draining for Spencer without needing him too much. He just felt…tired all the time. They still went on cases, they still lived their lives, Reid simply chalked it up to keeping up a lie was draining. Even if the lie was hardly in his hands to keep. “Where are we going?” He opened the bag (after playing 52 pick up) and found it had been already packed for him.

“Chicago, my mom wants us to spend the weekend there for my sister’s birthday.”

“Excuse me?” Spencer shook his head, “Why do I have to go?” This wasn’t a big deal, Reid had met Morgan’s family on a few occasions so it was nothing new. But something in the pit of his stomach told him otherwise.

Derek arched his eyebrow at Reid a bit taken back how defensive he was about going to see his family. “Because in my mother’s eyes her beloved son had kept a year old relationship a secret from her and she’s beyond disappointed I didn’t ‘trust’ her with this.”

“You should have told her the truth.” Reid urged as Morgan flicked down his Ray Ban sunglasses.

There was a silence for a long time, Morgan’s mind looking for some sort of excuse without making it look like to boy wonder he was piecing one together. He shot Reid one of his award dazzling smile, teeth so white and bright they could have reflected light off them.  “We need this to be believable, its best we get some authentic reactions of them. Plus we need some more pictures of you and my family recently.”

It wasn’t too long ago, Morgan had taken Spencer and his mother out for lunch. The fresh air, having her sit there and take pictures of this goof, fleeting moment between the three of them was nice. (Although all for a show.) It was for a case, it was only a case, Spencer nodded a bit and silently picked up the duffle bag as the day’s work came to an end and opened for weekend escapades.

“Have fun, lovebirds~” Garcia whistled in passing as she shuffled along the hall with her high heels. The rest of the team gave Morgan and Reid a soft smile and a look that forced Spencer to jerk away from them and leave immediately. His face reddened by their strange and most likely false approval.

Reid felt the tension in his stomach grow worse and worse from the moment Morgan drove them to the private jet they were talking to when they were an hour into the flight and Reid fled to the bathroom for the third time. He dry heaved but nothing came out. He washed his hands four times over before using a paper towel to open the door. When he did he found Morgan there, finger curled as he if he was about to knock. “Everything ok there, pretty boy?”

No, he felt sick. Reid went down a mental list of what could have been wrong and came up with nothing…all within a second. “Must be the turbulence, it’s a little harsher tonight.” He squeezed past Morgan avoiding his skin and went right for a seat. He slumped into it and closed his eyes trying hard to focus on anchoring his stomach before it floated away. The seat beside him shifted, Morgan was sitting right beside him. “What if your family doesn’t buy this? We should tell them, there is no way we’re going to get away with this.” Reid groaned with his eyes shut tight.

“We’re FBI profilers, kid. I think we can trick my sisters and my mother.” Morgan’s low robust voice melted into a softer chuckle. “Come ooon, you tellin’ me with all that brain you can’t pretend to like me?” He chuckled a bit and Spencer’s stomach did a full frontal flip. “…not even a bit?”

That was not the issue. At least, Spencer didn’t think it was. With his eyes snapped shut and all his brain power funneled into not throwing up, Reid was out like a light for what was left of their ride to Chicago. By the time he did get up, he was in the passenger seat of a rental car. Drool collecting at the corner of his coral colored mouth, dangerously close to overflowing past his lips. His long, ash brown lashes flickered a bit as consciousness set in and the synapses in his brain began firing again. “Car?” He croaked out, arching eyebrow. His cheek was pillowed by Morgan’s folded up leather jacket.

“You were out cold so I got you in the car…it was either than or let you take the jet back to D.C.”

Reid’s lips pursued at the momentary image of Morgan lifting Reid up like he was nothing but a paper weight and carrying him out the plane into a car. There was a feeling that sparked only for a second, his mind tried to catch it to do what it did best, profile this foreign feeling but it was gone as fast as it came. It left Spencer…weightless.

“You know you’ve been out of it since we took up this mission, kid.” Morgan mentioned as he turned down a few streets, driving laid back with only one hand on the wheel the other just laid on his lap.

“Must be the whole principal of deception” Spencer smiled pressing his lips together until they vanished into a fine line. “I…wouldn’t want you to lie to my mother…I suppose the reaction flows both ways.”

Morgan’s face tensed up a minute, perhaps the guilt finally got to him? Reid wanted to press on but Derek’s heavy set lines relaxed and vanished from his smooth, mahogany face. Leaving him finally finished and polished like a piece of art work. The car didn’t even fully pull into the drive way of the small complex when the screen door swung open and a curly haired, white woman in her mid to late fifties scampered out.

“Derek!” She threw her arms up the moment Morgan stepped out of the car. Their embrace was deep and hard, she wrapped her frail arms that resembled twigs around the mass that was her son. “Mm I’ve missed you so much.”

“I know Momma, I’m—“ before he could get too comfortable in his mother’s arms he was met with a hard thwap on the back of the shoulder” Ah, momma!”

“That’s what you get for keeping a secret from your own mother.”

“Momma…”

“Don’t you Momma me, Derek. Now you unpack you and Spencer’s things and march your behind inside that house before I really get upset.” Derek shook his head a bit, be turned toward the back of the car and pulled out Reid’s suitcase and his own and marched as instructed.

Reid stood as awkward as one could be watching his partner and fake boyfriend get reprimanded in front of him. He shrank a little when Mrs. Morgan turned her attention to him. He half expected her to hit him too instead she walked over and gently touched his shoulder. “Its good to see you again, Spencer.”

Lying would have been easier if she didn’t have eyes like a mom. Soft and hopeful eyes that were ready to cry at a moment’s notice.  Eyes that only wanted to see the good, eyes that reminded Reid of his mom and the resolve he needed to survive the weekend was slowly melting away. Thankfully as Reid walked in with Derek’s mom, holding her hand like she wanted, he was met with two sets of less impressionable eyes.

“Dr. Reid.” Sarah, Derek’s older sister stood there arms crossed. The siblings stood in away from each other. They positioned themselves in a triangle stance with at least two feet of space between them. The second nature training Reid had on the field kicked in, he was walking into an ambush and Derek saw it too. “How nice of you to come back.”

“Yea, real nice.” The youngest, Desiree, rolled her eyes with a little more juvenile annoyance.

“Desiree, why don’t you show Reid to the room. Derek you and Sarah set the table for dinner.” Fran commanded her children and though they were silently arguing through those dark Morgan eyes they divided and conquered.

“Follow me.” Desiree sighed, walking a foot a head from Spencer.  Reid tensed up the same way he would if they were busting in head first into a crime scene. Only he felt like he was going to be the chalk outline if he wasn’t careful. The guest room swung open, the hinges whined as Desiree leaned up against the door motioning with one hand for Spencer to walk in.

“Thank you.” He bowed his head a bit, awkwardly bobbing through. He had his back to the door as he unpacked. Unnerved he knew the sister was still standing there. He knew what she was thinking, her body language and everything. Personally a soft rage formed in the pit of Spencer’s scholarly stomach. He didn’t have much in him for one sided debates, he knew he could talk circles around people but chose a passive route when it came to strangers. “…you don’t approve” he said hiding a seething sarcasm.

Reid wasn’t proven wrong. “Doesn’t matter if I don’t” she retorted with a pop of the lips coating the air in her attitude. Reid was readying himself for a lecture about family. “Look I don’t care who my brother loves, but keeping secrets is not what we do. And I know, Morgan wouldn’t have kept his mouth shut for nothing.” Oh, Reid was not use to being proven wrong. “Our family is close, so if you got anything to say you say it to all of us.” She turned away from Spence who was struggling to unswallow his tongue.

“I-I-“

“You must be one hell of a person to him if he felt like he couldn’t tell us.”

He wasn’t. Spencer Reid was ‘kid’ to Derek Morgan. A little brother at best, a friend to play pranks with. He was…ironically ‘pretty boy’ who had brains and not much force behind him. Morgan on the other hand he was engrossing, he wore his skills and his morals on his sleeve. He was popular; he had been in high school and still was. People got caught up in men like Morgan.

His hands distracted him as he began unpacking the things Morgan had packed, mindfully looking for the things he would no doubt miss. Reid’s methodology was near impossible to replicate. His system was complex dividing what he needed and what he would particularly want. To his surprise Morgan packed…well.

All of Reid’s favorite shirts were here, their corresponding vests and sleepwear. Of course they could have been folded better for his taste. His toothbrush and bathroom items were in a plastic baggie, Derek even packed him books. Not the ones Spencer would have picked but the intention was there. He looked over and noticed his underwear was neatly packed up as well “oh…” he swallowed letting his Adam’s apple bob. Now the thought of Morgan rummaging through Reid’s underwear was all he could think about. Did he pick by practicality or preference? Wait.

“Spencer! Dinner is almost ready, why don’t you join us out here.” Fran called out from the dining room while she started placing hot plates on the kitchen to be served family style.

Morgan leaned back, beer in his hand and his other hand leaning on the empty chair beside him. His sisters eyed him up, all in silence since his arrival. Their expressions relatively unreadable “you if you gotta say something just say it. Or this is going to be a very quiet visit.”

Sara’s mouth opened first, “why didn’t you tell us, Derek?”

“I just didn’t feel like telling just yet.”

“And you expect me to buy that? You tell us everything, then out of the blue it comes out you two had a year old relationship and its been all over the place.” Sarah’s voice was all colors of hurt. “Since when does family keep stuff like this?”

Derek felt his throat tense up, lying was hard but not impossible for what he did. “Didn’t know what you all would say about it.” No doubt there was talk around the old neighborhood. No doubt Derek was going to get some strange looks now but it was all going to be worth it when the team caught their guy.

“The only thing I can say is, I can’t believe it.”

Crap. Morgan looked up and noticed Spencer had walked into the dining room just in time to catch that. Derek shot him a worried look, as Reid nervously ran his hand over his hair. Their eyes holding a silent conversation of ‘this was a bad idea’ ‘no duh’ ‘now what’

‘I’ve got this’

“Mrs. Morgan let me help you with that.” Reid turned right in time to catch the heavy pot of food Fran was about to carry to the table.

“O-Oh, why thank you!” She smiled then gave Morgan a small smile of approval. She left the pot to Reid and took her spot at the head of the table. “Its so nice to get this all out in the air.”

Reid nodded a bit placing the hot pot of food on the table. He took the seat Morgan had his arm resting on. “Yes, it has been…exceedingly difficult to keep it all a secret.”

“I’m sure.” Desiree chimed in, getting a single nod out of her older sister. Derek tensed up by the comment and slowly started serving himself, then Reid some food.

Silence was almost as bad as doubt. Reid analyzed everything he did. Was it intimate enough? Was he making enough eye contact with Derek? Did they look closer than they did the first time Spencer visited their home? Did they look like two men who had fallen in love over the course of a year? The silence droned on until it was nearly unbearable. “So…Derek…how did you…well you two …worked together for years why now? How did it happen?”

“Well…” Derek began taking a long sip of his beer trying to piece together a story.

“It happened after a case.” Reid blurted out, having more or less thought about the scenario. “…Its not my place to disclose details of a case but…”

“No please” Derek smirked a bit, watching Reid’s eyes widen. “I think a little breech in privacy is owed. Afterall we kept it to ourselves for soooo long. I’m sure you’re dying to tell this story.” Morgan’s eyes were no longer tense. They playfully gleamed at Reid watching the cogs of his mind work to frame what was the foundation of their makeshift relationship.

“Uh…well…without giving too much information, we were on a case…Derek and I were on the field, per usual. We approached the lead to where our unsub was and closed in. Derek taking the front and I took on the back. The criminal had been waiting for us, he had Derek cornered.”

“Oh No….” Fran pulled a hand to her mouth in shock. The youngest sister reached for Derek’s hand, even through annoyance the family was still visibly as tight as ever.

“I’m fine.”

“He was, he had underestimated the situation. Walked in with muscles blaring and no regard for his own life, gun pointed. I’m not sure if he thought he was going to flex for the unsub or not…”

“Of course, even on the field, Morgan is showing off the ‘guns’ instead of pointing his gun” Sarah cackled, Reid successfully breaking the ice with her by using a common and relatable humor. Morgan’s ego.

“H-Hey now, I wasn’t that underdressed”

“…at any rate, I came from behind just as the attacker was going after Morgan and…” Reid of course was making this a vague lie. However, he remembered clearly one chase where Morgan had been compromised. He remembered seeing Morgan on the ground looking down at a gun and everything in Reid went red. There wasn’t a single coherent thought that matched the IQ that qualified for a PH.D. “In a moment I realized that I’d die if anything happened to him” He muttered softly, “I didn’t think, I reacted, and it was then I realized I never wanted anything more than Morgan.” Reid spoke softly, his eyes fixated on the wine keeping his thoughts in one line.

There was a sympathetic silence now. Fran swelled with joy while Morgan also swelled with emotion inside of his gut. He couldn’t tell if Reid had made something up or if this was one of a handful of times Spencer had come to Derek’s rescue. He wanted to believe…the latter. “Plus, Reid was always a fan of the gun show” Morgan flexed one bicep and elicited laughter from everyone but his ‘boyfriend’.

Reid’s face remained red for the rest of the dinner. The conversation flowed and after Reid’s vague story of how it all started, Morgan filled in the smaller, whimsical details of dates. Pictures they took and things they’ve done. His storyteller half truths of times they did in fact share but none truly romantic.

All their bar stories of times Reid and Morgan would play pool, Morgan’s skill often losing to Reid’s advance grasp of physics. Times Morgan had taken Reid to sport games and point at players Derek wasn’t particularly fond off. Every sweet, humbling time they had shared together all dancing out of Morgan’s mouth with a false filter of romance draped over it. Reid would have been more uncomfortable f his thick fingers weren’t idly twirling locks of Reid’s hair.  The lock wrapped around his finger, the entire time until his sisters began clearing the table leaving the two alone for a moment.

“I think its going well…” Morgan whispered to Reid.

Spencer licked his lips nervously, “I don’t know how much they buy it…” He muttered. “You might sound it and our social media reads it, but how do we gauge that we are as intimate as we say we are…” This was a field of study Reid was not prepared to take on. He felt the tension from the plane ride come back… “Maybe we should tell them the truth…”

“Reid.”

“What?”

Spencer turned his face towards Morgan and found Morgan’s face was far too close to Reid’s now. His eyes barely registered anything else other than the dark eyes that were staring into Reid’s intensely. His pupils practically burrowing a hole within his sockets, getting lost in Reid’s. Morgan’s hand went taut at his hair, pulling the delicate curl he had fingered soothingly during the dinner until tender making something in Spencer tremble.

Morgan’s other hand slid purposefully between Spencer’s once locked knees and continued up. Smothering was the word Spencer wanted to use. Derek’s full lips parted slightly, and all Spencer could do was what he did best under times of uncertainty. He babbled. “Did you know…there..are over 16 facial muscles around the mouth…lips having several that…control pressure control and constrictions that speed up the visibility of wrinkles and laugh lines.”

“Hush up, pretty boy.” Derek chuckled, shaking his head a bit. The top of Spender’s thin but pronounced cupid’s bow was captured between the two, hot billowy lips that belonged to his falsified boyfriend. The hand snaking up Reid’s leg started to knead a hole into the inner thigh seam of his trousers. A stirring bubbled up again, the same as before when he thought about his belongings being packed by Derek. This time it did not subside against the waves of thoughts.

The pools of millions of ideas were emptied like a bath drain, leaving a tub yearning to be filled with new sensations that didn’t require a GPA of 4.0. Spencer breathed softly, mouthing the word “Derek” against his lips, his hand grabbing the end of the table for stability as Derek’s hands groped his thigh for a good second then—

“Alright you two, break it up. We still have dessert to serve before you both go at it.” Mrs. Morgan huffed, having brought out a pie. She placed it on the table and pulled Derek by the collar away from Reid and gave her son a stony, motherly look that read simply as ‘behave.’

Spencer slowly sat back out of breath while Mrs. Morgan turned her back to them.

“I think they’ll start believing us now.” Derek whispered, his hand still resting between Spencer’s thighs with ease. As if, he belonged there.

[kinglyben]

Basic Information

Full Name: Benjamin Adam Florian

Nickname(s): Ben, Benny Boo, Your Highness, etc. 

Age: 21

Date of Birth: June 27th, 1996

Hometown: Auradon City, Auradon 

Current Location: Auradon City, Auradon

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Nationality: French

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/him

Orientation: Heterosexual (as far as he knows)

Religion: Christianity

Political Affiliation: Auradonian monarchy

Occupation: King of Auradon

Living Arrangements: Currently living in Auradon State University housing but spends way more nights at home in the castle than he cares to admit

Language(s) Spoken: English, French, bits and pieces of other languages he’s learned to keep up with the people of his kingdom

Accent: Slight hint of French thanks to Lumiere :-p 

Physical Appearance

Face Claim: Mitchell Hope

Hair Colour: Brown

Eye Colour: Green

Height: 5′9″

Weight: 135

Build: Slender

Tattoos: N/A

Piercings: N/A

Clothing Style: Business-casual or business-formal most days; still preppy even when he’s not dressed up in his king-uniform. 

Usual Expression: Excitement, stress, or confusion.

Distinguishing Characteristics: You can usually tell it’s him because of the crown :-p 

Health

Physical Ailments: N/A (unless you count a fuckton of stress knots in his neck and shoulders) 

Neurological Conditions: N/A

Allergies: N/A

Sleeping Habits: Often stays up too late working on king duties or homework; is lucky if he gets six hours of sleep a night but usually it’s fitful because so much goes on during his average day that he’s always reflecting back on it and starting to worry again as he’s falling asleep. 

Eating Habits: He honestly has counselors and chefs that help make sure his diet is mostly healthy, although it’s easy to overeat and have too much decadence at royal functions. 

Exercise Habits: Most of his exercise comes through tourney training or walking his dog; he’ll have to work on a better workout regimen once he graduates and doesn’t have the team anymore. 

Emotional Stability: 8/10. For someone who carries the weight of the whole kingdom on his shoulders, Ben handles it pretty well. Occasionally he can start to feel like he’s drowning in the stress but for the most part he’s happy to take all of that on, and he really hopes that he’s making a difference and helping the people of his kingdom. Most of his emotional unrest comes from worrying about others rather than himself. 

Sociability: 10/10. Ben’s forced to work with people most of the day so it’s fortunate that he enjoys being in their company. 

Body Temperature: Average

Addictions: N/A

Drug Use: N/A

Alcohol Use: Mostly champagne and wine at royal functions but he’ll occasionally drink for fun at parties. 

Personality

Label: The Dutiful

Positive Traits: Diplomatic, warm-hearted, proactive.  

Negative Traits: Over-emotional, tunnel-visioned, overwhelmed. 

Goals/Desires: To fall in love with someone who the people of Auradon will embrace as their king, to keep peace and prosperity in his kingdom. 

Fears: Disappointing his subjects. 

Hobbies: Tourney, horsebackriding, visiting the Enchanted Lake, strategy boardgames, playing with dogs, dances. 

Habits: Counts tiles on the floor to try and calm himself down or regain his focus, re-tucks his shirt all the time, licks his lips. 

Favourites

Weather: Sunny but cool enough to wear a windbreaker jacket. 

Colour: Blue.

Music: Classical, because he can listen to it while he’s working without being distracted by lyrics. 

Movies: Star Wars (original trilogy)

Sport: Tourney

Beverage: Orange Gatorade

Food: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pimiento cheese. 

Animal: Horses 

Family

Father: (Former) King Adam of Auradon, also known as ‘The Beast’. 

Mother: (Former) Queen Belle. 

Sibling(s): Juliet & Maurice 

Children: Not yet. 

Pet(s): Ben doesn’t have time to take care of a pet of his own but loves the family pets. 

Family’s Financial Status: Wealthy

Extra

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

MBTI: ESFJ

Enneagram: Type 2 (The Helper) and Type 3 (The Motivator)

Temperament: Phlegmatic and Choleric  

Hogwarts House: Gryffindor

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

Primary Vice: Envy

Primary Virtue: Charity

Element: Earth

[cursivescrawl]

Discovery

Rating: PG Category: Elementals Summary:  This is why Feline Team’s leader hates waking up to silence from the house and news from Virtue Team.  It’s never a good sign.

The Fire base is silent when Flash wakes.

That's worrying.  Usually he drifts into consciousness on the wings of twilight, hearing the muted tired chatter of Darkfires outside his locked door.  But now there's just absolute silence.

Flash rolls over, unwilling to get up just yet, and reaches out to his team with silent, sleepy greetings.

Lake nudges him away.  Lake is trying to decipher some old text for the Water Library, which is pretty normal for him at this hour.  Zephyr is still asleep, and Flash catches glimpses of his dreams – arrows, wings, the murmuring of a breeze.  Jag reaches out and meets him halfway.

Something's wrong.

You feel it too?  Flash raises himself to see the glowing LED display of his bedside clock. Five-thirty in the afternoon.  Earlier than he usually wakes, but that's alright.

Instead of responding in words, Jag opens his mind, letting Flash see the Earth base.  Everyone's silent there, too.  There's not even the flare of magic or the clash of swords from the training room.  It's like everyone's preparing for an important funeral.

Did something happen to the Holders while we were asleep? Flash sits up properly and drags his hand over his face, wincing as his fingers brush scar tissue.  Zey.  Wake up.

Fuck off, Zephyr responds eloquently. Jag pokes him.

Zeyyyyyyyyyyy~

Go away.

Zey, stop it, Lake sighs, finally setting down his book and translation notes.  Zephyr grumbles, but makes an effort to pull himself from sleep.  Lake continues.

The Library is louder than normal.  I think something happened to Gemstone, but everyone shuts up when they get close to me, so I can't overhear anything useful.

Gemstone Team?  It's about time for them to get back from their first mission, Flash knows.  Did something go wrong?

Oh, and Flash, says Lake.  Grace wanted to see you in Jen's room.

Great, Flash grumbles, and lets his team feel him dramatically flop back down into bed.  Just what I needed.  An early meeting with the Champion.

It's afternoon, Zephyr points out, just awake enough to make fun of a teammate.  Flash shoves him.

Shut it.

Jag's amusement filters through the connection with Lake's exasperation. Flash stretches, yawns, and gets up properly this time, dressing hastily before reaching for his cloak.

Fine. I'm going.  Hopefully nothing's happened to the Holders.

Silent agreement from all sides.  Zephyr goes to seek out the Wind Champion, a cheery girl named Vani.  Flash checks the mirror as he swings his enchanted black cloak around his shoulders.  He grimaces at his own reflection, checking the scarring on the side of his face, then shadows it with his cowl and ghosts from his room and down the hall.

Jen's door, as always, is locked.  Flash takes barely a moment to pick the familiar mechanism.

Good luck, says Jag.  Flash pulls his cowl more securely over his face.

Thanks, I think.

Zephyr laughs.  Flash opens Jen's door just enough to slip into her room.

The Holder lies on her bed, unmoving, just as she's been for the past few weeks.  Flash can see the tracery of flames underneath her pale skin.

So there's no change.

Grace sits by Jen's bed, head propped in one hand.  Flash keeps his steps silent as he moves over behind her.

“Boo.”

She jumps.  Flash grins.  Lake, silently in the back of his mind, sighs.

“Panther.” Grace yawns.  “You're awake.”

“Jen isn't.”  Flash sinks down on the edge of his Holder's bed.  Grace looks scandalized.

“Show some respect!”

“She's unconscious,” Flash points out.  “And I'm her second-in-command. Why should I bow and scrape?”

Grace huffs.

Ask her what's going on, Zephyr urges.  Jag's fond exasperation makes Flash love them both even more.

Impatient, he teases them.  “Grace?”

She looks up at him, inquisitive.  Zephyr finally manages to corner Vani.

“Did something happen today?”

Grace sighs, her gaze returning to Jen's still body.  Something definitely happened.  There have been very, very few times that Flash has seen the Fire Champion look this defeated.

“Gemstone Team came back.”

Flash waits.  Grace's hand goes to the tangle of woven bracelets on her left wrist, clutching at them.

“They betrayed the Nation.”

Shock. Disbelief.  Flash keeps his body impassive and his face smooth through long years of training.  His teammates are no less stunned, he sees after a quick check – Lake shaken from his normal coldness, Jag stumbling over the threshold of a door and nearly tripping his former apprentice Audrey, Zephyr stammering midway through a sentence.

What? Jag finally snaps.

“How did that happen?” Flash asks instantly, driven by Jag's impulse. He wishes he'd bitten his tongue.  His voice almost cracks.

Gemstone Team, though, traitors?  It hardly seems likely.  Flash knows them, knows their leader Jagev.  They're the most righteous and pragmatic apprentices of their generation.  How could they be disloyal?

Unless... A thought trembles on the edge of Lake's mind.  Flash finishes it for him.

Unless Virtue Team didn't know what Gemstone was actually supposed to do.

A cold pit of dread settles in Flash's stomach, echoed by his teammates.

“They murdered their Charge in cold blood,” says Grace quietly.  “And then tried to blame the Holders' coma on him as justification.  My team and I stripped them of their warrior status.  They're banished now.”

Flash bends his head to shadow his face more and shuts his eyes, trying to quell the overwhelming emotion rocking through his team connection.  Shock.  Rage.  Fear. Horror.  Bitterness towards the Champions for causing this, towards themselves for not preventing it.

As always, it's Lake's quiet reassurance that cuts through the maelstrom, a spear through the sea.

Banished, he repeats. Banished.  There's still a chance.

“Flash?” Grace asks.  Flash takes a deep breath and opens his eyes to Grace's concerned, tired face.

“What have you done?” he whispers.

She recoils in shock.  Then her face sets into those hard lines of stubborn, proud resolve that Flash knows all too well.

“What we had to,” she replies.

There's no use arguing with an unrepentant Champion.  Zephyr reaches out silently, carrying his own silent burden.

Vani doesn't know Gemstone's secret either.  Looks like the Champions were all kept in the dark on this.

There's a pun there, in the irony of a Daytime team like Virtue being kept in the dark, but Flash doesn't want to think about that.

If the Holders didn't tell them, Lake muses, always the thoughtful one, who are we to go against their judgment?

Do you still trust they've planned all this out? Irritation laces Zephyr's skepticism.  Jag silently agree.

If they have, I'd rather not mess it up.  You know the Holders. They're... secretive at best. Flash turns to the comatose Jen, watching the fire flow through the traceries of her veins.  Jag mirrors his stance at the bedside of Earth Holder Scylla.  There's no Champion there to stop him from reaching out and tracing the almost stone-like flesh of her arm.

Audrey interrupts him.  Jag turns, closing himself off from his teammates partially to talk with her.

When they're awake, Zephyr snaps, but Lake's silent support of Flash quiets him.  After a few moments of consideration, Jag adds his agreement, and Zephyr submits to his team's will.

Flash turns back to Grace.  She's staring into the middle distance, probably in deep conversation with her teammates.  He waits.

In a few moments, she takes a deep breath and her eyes refocus on the Holder.

“You're hiding something,” she accuses.  “Vani just talked to Zey.  He's acting weird.  What's up?”

Flash just shrugs.  “I'm a Darkfire,” he says by way of explanation.  “We're always hiding something.”

She's suspicious.  Flash stands and shakes his cloak back into position over his body, then pats her shoulder.

“Go to bed, Courage.”

Grace yawns at him, an expression of exasperation as much as exhaustion.  “Don't fuck things up, Panther.”

He smiles just wide enough for a flash of teeth under his hood.  She leans forward to press Jen's warm hand once, then leaves.  Flash closes his eyes.

Audrey says Raptor Team helped Gemstone find shelter, Jag says, opening his mind once more. He still stands by Scylla's bedside, but Audrey is gone.  They're holed up in the Sanctum in Phoenix.

Clever.  Lake's grudging approval washes over Flash, directed for Jag.  Using an unused Daytime Sanctum as protection. You've trained her well.

They're all trained well, says Flash, thinking fondly of his own former apprentice.  What role did Alyss play in Gemstone's safety​?

C'mon, let's go, he prompts his team.  We can't reverse Virtue's verdict.  But we should make sure Gemstone is alive.

We're not interfering?  For all his initial reluctance, Jag seems willing to go now, clasping his own cloak around his throat and pulling up the hood.  Flash checks that his knives are where they're supposed to be.

We don't know enough about this to interfere. Lake is drinking something.  Flash reaches out in curiosity, then wishes he hadn't.  The sweet taste of tea diffuses over his tongue and makes him gag.  The Holders said to trust Gemstone's instincts.  We should follow their instructions.

Nobody disagrees this time, not even Zephyr.

Flash settles a ward over Jen's comatose body, and turns, reaching for Lake and letting himself be pulled to his teammate's side.  The world seems to shimmer and fade around him before there's cool air brushing his face and Lake's steady hand on his shoulder, both of them standing in the chill night outside the Water base.

So, find Gemstone.  Make sure they're relatively safe, Jag repeats.  Flash helps Lake pull Jag to them, and he appears in a shimmer of brown-green, his cloak covering wide shoulders and a strong body.  Zephyr's wings flash overhead, then the last member of Feline Team is with them, landing catlike and folding his great bronze wings and shaking windswept hair from his eyes.

“And other than that, we won't interfere,” Flash says firmly.  “We won't let them out of our sight, but we'll just watch.”

Lake nods.  Zephyr is busy fumbling with the fastenings of his cloak, positioning it over the quiver at his hip as to not impede his movement, and only responds in a flash of silent acknowledgment.  Jag crosses his arms.

“And after that?”

Flash hesitates.  It's Lake that responds.

“Keep watching until something happens.”  He smiles.  “We're good at that, aren't we?”

There's no hesitation in the agreement that sweeps them all.  Flash's hand falls to the hilt of his knife and he draws it, preparing to cut into the Aethir, settling the location of the Phoenix Sanctum in his mind and preparing to create the portal.

“Besides,” he says, almost as an afterthought.  “We can't let the first Twilight Team in five hundred years just die.”

[junker-town]

It’s been hard out here for the NFL’s bird teams

Carson Wentz and the Eagles are off to a disappointing start to 2019.

The Eagles and Falcons have major questions to answer after a particularly bad week for our avian friends. And what’s up with the Cowboys’ slow starts?

Birds have had a rough go of it lately. To be honest, they’ve had a rough go of it since 1970, but none of us want to think too hard right now about how North America has lost 3 billion birds in five decades. We’ll leave the panic index for football matters because everything else can be too overwhelming.

This past Sunday, all five bird teams lost in the same week for the first time in at least a decade (there was one week in 2012 when they went 0-3, with two on byes). For some, it was business as usual (sorry, Cardinals). For others, it was their first loss of the year and wasn’t that big of a deal anyway. The Ravens fell on the road to the Chiefs and learned a valuable lesson about themselves, while the Seahawks always manage to get things figured out by the time December rolls around.

It was a little more concerning for the Falcons and Eagles, two teams that entered the season as possible contenders and are just 1-2 through the first three weeks.

Those aren’t the only teams we’re checking in on this week, though. I guess you could say the new panic index isn’t just ... for the birds.

The Eagles are tearing their fans apart!

Eagles fans, bless them, are a passionate flock. This is something we knew last year, when they booed the defending championship exactly one half into the new season. This is something we knew months before that following their Super Bowl victory. Hell, this is something we knew before many of us were even born.

So when the Eagles — a team some were picking to make it to Super Bowl 54 — dropped a home game to the Lions, the fans were unsurprisingly upset.

That includes everyone from an Ivy League dean of admissions:

Can’t stop watching this irate Eagles fan. pic.twitter.com/yzA3DYCgfJ

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 22, 2019

To a baby-saving hero:

Eagles fans have no chill In the middle of an eyewitness describing how people were saving babies out of a burning building, this fan brings up Eagles drops on @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/RCLG5ZdNzw

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 23, 2019

Go birds.

The Eagles’ lone win of the season so far came against the still-winless Washington, the current betting favorite as the first team to fire its coach. Oh, and Philly was losing that game 17-0, only to rally for a five-point victory — at home.

On the other hand, the Eagles aren’t that far off from being 3-0 either. The margins in their two losses were close: four points to the Falcons on the road, and three points to the Lions. They could’ve won both games on their last possession, and maybe should’ve, if not for self-inflicted wounds like drops and penalties. They are also dealing with so many injuries that they canceled practice one day last week.

Still, Philly is two games back of Dallas in the NFC East standings, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. In the next five weeks, the Eagles hit the road four times: against the Packers, Vikings, Cowboys, and Bills. Through Week 3, those teams are a collective 11-1.

Panic index: You know who else lost to the Lions in Week 3 to slip to 1-2? The 2018 Patriots. Maybe the jawn isn’t falling after all, Eagles fans. There’s still time to turn things around.

Here we go again with the Falcons

Following a disappointing 7-9 season last year, Atlanta was expected to bounce back in 2019 — perhaps even as a potential Super Bowl contender. Its potent offense — featuring the consistently underrated Matt Ryan and the NFL’s best WR, Julio Jones — returned with several new offensive linemen, and the defense was finally healthy again.

But early on, the Falcons look more like the same team from 2018, with injuries and penalties piling up and a lack of cohesion on offense. The Falcons are one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but they just can’t get out of their own way.

In Week 3, they lost to the Colts 27-24 on the road and despite clawing back, Atlanta couldn’t overcome a 20-3 first-half deficit. The bigger problem is how the Falcons keep falling into those holes, mostly due to undisciplined play. From The Falcoholic:

Mental errors are becoming far too common on a weekly basis for the Falcons. You can’t be dependent on converting third and long situations at a staggering rate every week. These careless, unforced penalties will usually come back to haunt any team.

Most of the biggest penalties were committed by the defense. On 16 penalties, the Colts picked up seven first downs.

The Falcons had a lengthy list of injuries after the game, none more costly than safety Keanu Neal’s season-ending Achilles tear.

Offensively, the entire unit is essentially being driven by Jones. Through three games, Jones has four touchdowns, and is averaging 88.3 yards per game. In fact, the Falcons wouldn’t even have a win this season if not for Jones’ superhuman efforts.

Ryan has done a good job of finding Jones when he needs to, but he’s almost thrown as many interceptions this year (six) as he did all of 2018 (seven), which certainly doesn’t help production on offense. Second-year receiver Calvin Ridley is also seeing a curious lack of targets, getting just one against the Colts.

The run game has to get a lot better than it has been early on, too. Devonta Freeman has just 129 yards and no TDs through three weeks. Backup running back Ito Smith has just 11 carries and is concussion protocol. That’s a lot of pressure to put on Ryan and the passing game week in and week out.

Right now, this feels a lot like the same old Falcons.

Panic index: Atlanta’s slow start is particularly concerning given who it has left on the schedule, which includes road trips to Houston and New Orleans, and home games against. the Rams and Seahawks. The offense has time to work out the kinks, and should be able to, based on its strong second half against the Colts.

But if the Falcons can’t clean up their mistakes, they could be out of the NFC South race quickly.

Slow starts are going to eventually bite the Cowboys in the butt

The Cowboys opened the season with an easy three-game slate against the Giants, Washington, and the Dolphins. They’re 3-0 and those three opponents are 1-8, collectively.

Dallas is averaging just over 32 points per game and is allowing just under 15. Everything is peachy keen, except the Cowboys looked pretty shaky early against the tanking Dolphins. At halftime, Miami trailed 10-6 and were even in position to take the lead before Kenyan Drake fumbled inside the Cowboys’ 10-yard line.

Eventually, the Cowboys — who are much, much more talented than the Dolphins — figured things out and cruised to a 31-6 win.

But Dallas had similar issues in the first two weeks. Both New York and Washington scored first to take 7-0 leads against the Cowboys, who then straightened themselves out in and won by double digits each time.

Those slow starts could become a problem, though, and soon. Dallas will face the 2-1 Saints and the 3-0 Packers in the next two weeks and can’t afford to keep stumbling out the gates. It won’t be as easy to pull off a comeback against actual contenders.

Panic index: The second quarter has been Dak Prescott’s best quarter over the course of his NFL career so far. He’s thrown 30 of his 76 career touchdowns in the second quarter compared to just 13 touchdowns in the first quarter. That lends some credence to the idea that the Cowboys have a slow-start problem.

Dallas is doing its best work in the third quarter in 2019, but thrived in the first quarter last year. There’s still plenty of time to channel its 2018 self and get out to faster starts.

Marcus Mariota’s not getting that nine-figure contract extension

Mariota’s been a mercurial figure through four-plus seasons with the Titans. The former No. 2 overall pick has guided Tennessee to winning records in each of the past three years and even has a playoff upset under his belt. He’s also never played a full 16-game schedule, ranked higher than ninth in the NFL in passing efficiency, or been selected to a Pro Bowl roster.

That pendulum swung hard to the negative side in Week 3. Mariota couldn’t find his footing on a rainy night in Jacksonville, throwing for 304 yards but needing 49 dropbacks to get there. He didn’t reach the end zone, but he was sacked nine times behind an offensive line that desperately misses Taylor Lewan (currently serving a four-game PED suspension).

The Titans only scored once in a 20-7 loss that dropped them to the bottom of the AFC South’s pecking order. They’ve totaled just 24 total points since their opening week upset of the Browns in Cleveland.

Once again, Tennessee faces a season in purgatory. The Titans are occasionally good enough to strike fear in the hearts of actual Super Bowl contenders, but not the kind of threat that can make noise beyond the first weekend of the postseason.

The source of the frustration and the heart of the team’s “just good enough to break your heart” status is Mariota, who is staring down free agency after the 2019 season. He was never quite consistent or eye-popping enough to earn the massive contract extension most quarterbacks selected in the top five do before their rookie deals run out. After the loss to the Jaguars, he might wind up searching for a new home next spring.

The Heisman Trophy winner has struggled to build a rapport with his wideouts, especially former fifth overall pick Corey Davis, who has just six catches and 12 targets through three games. No wide receiver has ever recorded a 1,000-yard season with Mariota at the helm. Through three games, only 69.6 percent of his passes have been catchable, per SIS. That number slots him right between Eli Manning and fellow 2015 draftee Jameis Winston toward the bottom of the QB rankings.

If he can’t find the extra gear he’s been searching for over most of the past four seasons, the Titans could be doomed to another year where the best they can hope for is nine wins.

Panic index: Taylor Lewan’s Week 5 return should help a little. Will it be the panacea this team needs? Delanie Walker doesn’t think so:

.@delaniewalker82 loves @TaylorLewan77 but doesn’t think his return in a week is going to fix everything for the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/C7iDry5lmh

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 23, 2019

And he’s probably right.

[nightmareonfilmstreet]

IT Movie Review: Pennywise Lives Up To The Hype (Now with Less Spoilers!)

New Post has been published on https://nofspodcast.com/movie-review-pennywise-lives-hype-now-less-spoilers/

IT Movie Review: Pennywise Lives Up To The Hype (Now with Less Spoilers!)

The It movie delivers on all of it’s lofty promises with a terrorizing new take on a classic Stephen King Legend of Pennywise the clown. Andy Muschietti delivers a nostalgic thriller with a lot of heart. The core lead by a stellar Losers’ Club.

A note: This mini-review is Spoiler Free! The podcast we will be releasing later this weekend however, will not be. if you haven’t seen the movie, you can read this review. But do go see the film before you listen to our Bonus Episode.

As a Horror fan, hype is not really something we have to deal with as a community all too much. We see hype, we can recognize it. Wonder Woman had Hype. Deadpool had hype. Batman vs. Superman may have had hype.. before preview audiences got to the internet. But it’s not often that a Horror release gets to experience that anticipation of a Blockbuster. One that’s just waiting and ready to burst through the theatre doors.

I believe part of the reason is that Horror is a genre with so many facets, nooks, and crannies. When discussing Horror among the community, one can simply argue away a dislike without much of a debate ‘Oh, I’m not into found footage‘, ‘Creature Features aren’t really my bag‘. Horror itself is a niche, and it’s audience get s to pick and choose the branches of the weird tree where they like to hang out most. It’s hard to appease a tree full of weirdos, it really is. And somehow, the It movie may have done it.

So, how did It reach Looming Blockbuster status? Well it’s hard to pinpoint, exactly. First off, I think this film landed at an extremely opportune time. Horror Movies have been dominating the Box office in 2017. Jordan Peele‘s Get Out is reigning as the most profitable movie of 2017. Annabelle: Creation‘s impressive run at the box office pushed The Conjuring series into the elite $1 Billion franchise club. Audiences seem to be receptive to horror this year. And, it’s no surprised we latched onto Pennywise the Clown after 2016’s breakout 80’s thriller Stranger Things. It was the sleeper hit of the year, captivating viewers across genres and typical viewing audiences, to become one of Netflix’s Top 3 most watched series. Fans seem primed and ready for a retro tale of kids in paranormal peril.

But with all the things working for It‘s release – the film also faced some pretty high barriers. Not only are they trying to re-imagine an already successful property, but two. Stephen King is the single most iconic author in Horror. His works have been adapted countless times; from Carrie (1976), Christine (1982), The Shining (1980).. I could literally rhyme off adaptations for another 3 paragraphs if I found myself needing to hit a word count. And with such an extensive and beloved body of work, comes a passionate fan base. Stephen King’s readers can be a tough crowd to please when it comes to interpreting his work. The recently adapted Dark Tower Series has been pretty much panned by audiences and critics, despite being one of the highly anticipated releases of the summer. On top of impressing Stephen King‘s audience of avid readers, this film had the lofty task of impressing fans of the Original 1990 TV mini-series. (spoiler: I’m one of them) Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise was the nightmare fuel that likely steered the majority of macabre Millenials towards the Horror genre.

This is where the film’s marketing really intervened. To battle the potential skeptics and nay-sayers, It movie played extremely coy with their marketing campaign. They hid Pennywise from us as long as they possibly could. They teased us with yellow slickers and red balloons, giving us a promise of something scary, but showing no cards. Horror fans were desperate for behind-the-scenes glimpses, stills, and sneak-peaks, but we had to sit tight. When the Trailer was finally released in the Spring, it received 197 million views globally within 24 hours. The film set and holds a new record for the most watches in a single day.  It wasn’t until mid-August that the more traditional and revealing marketing was unleashed; The It Float VR Experience, the Neibolt House haunted house installation in L.A.

By the time opening weekend had rolled around, I don’t think fans could have scrambled faster to their seats. Even myself, someone who tries very very hard to not get my hopes up with Blockbuster releases (lest we have another The Mummy meltdown), found myself front-row-center at Thursday night’s preview screening (which also broke records, btw).

So, did IT movie live up to the hype? I’m sure you read my title. If you didn’t, scroll up. I’ll wait.

It did. 

Now, know that we normally don’t write our reviews of big Blockbusters here at Nightmare on Film Street. We typically record them. Our podcast hosts many a live discussion of films immediately upon seeing them, in a segment we call Drive Home From The Drive-In. And, we’ve done the same for It movie. We’ve compiled all of our jumbled thoughts for you, and are editing them as we speak. Or.. as I type from the past. I’m going to be saving a lot of my thoughts for that bonus episode of Nightmare on Film Street. It’ll hit the internet either late tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. Oh, stop booing. I’m going to talk about the movie right now..

Pennywise the Dancing Clown, portrayed in this film by Bill Skarsgård, is an effective villain. Audiences are familiar with his rules; the parameters of his mythology. Because of such a rich back catalog and viewers’ familiarity of the character, Andy Muschietti’s vision got to be free to twistedly dance across the screen. Terrify us from scene, never repeating a gimmick. What we were served in this film was an erratic, mischievous character. One that can play as both deadly and whimsical. Moments you laugh- a slip of a lazy eye, a strange dance or giggle, and then you are catapulted into a world of terrifying imagery, left reeling from rows upon rows of exposed teeth.

The Losers’ Club are an equally effective counterpart. The kids really shine as a team. Their dialogue is effective and realistic. Ther can be crude and hilarious, as kids are – and then switch to something poignant and thoughtful. Their growing friendship, and the hurdles it faces in this film, is the glue that holds this entire story together. Without a successful Losers’ Club to empathise with and root for, our Pennywise would just be one cool clown short of a circus.

It movie succeeded in all it set out to do. They re-imagined an iconic character with it’s own rules, quirks, and mannerisms. They took us back in time, to a fictional small town (that I live pretty darn close to, actually) and made us fall in love with a new Losers’ Club. (Free of the perspective of their damaged adult counterparts. Sorry, novel and 1990 version. I still love you!) And they took all of those elements to deliver a story that is ultimately about friendship. It isn’t about a creepy clown terrorizing a bunch of kids (though there is a lot of that). It’s about sticking up for the little guy, defeating the bully, and vanquishing ancient evil clowns back from whence they came.

It movie is now playing in theatres. Our Bonus Episode and full, spoiler-filled thoughts will be available soon.

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: OFF-SEASON NEWS AND NOTES - VOLUME I

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Now that the Bradford pears and forsythias have sprung into bloom and are kicking in, the New York Rangers might want to put a giant set of forsythias in front of the XL Center to obscure the Hartford Wolf Pack after another spring without playoff hockey. The roster for 2019-20 is in the embryonic stage of development, however without a coaching staff, not much will be known until after a new Rangers President is named. That decision isn’t likely to come until mid-to-late May. GM Jeff Gorton is the final hockey authority in the MSG hierarchy and a lot will be ongoing as the presidential search process continues. As of May 1st, this is what the Wolf Pack roster might look like before any trades and the upcoming June draft in Vancouver is done. Goalies: Alexander Georgiev and Adam Huska. The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Goaltender, Igor Shestyorkin, and forward, Vitali Kravtsov, will finally be coming to New York next season, but there are caveats. Neither has formally signed a contract, but that could be coming soon as both of their KHL contracts concluded on April 30th. Both will be in the Rangers prospects camp at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT while their practice facility undergoes renovations.  A report from Larry Brooks of the New York Post says that in Shestyorkin’s deal, there will likely contain a non-Hartford clause roughly along these lines; if he doesn’t make the Rangers he could be reassigned to SKA St. Petersburg, his KHL club. If he does make the Rangers, Shestyorkin would likely need some adjustment period to the North American smaller rinks. It's entirely possible that he could play for Hartford say for a limited period of time at the beginning of the season before being elevated and Georgiev either gets returned to the Pack or traded. It would be similar to the Dustin Tokarski, who is a UFA this summer and Marek Mazanec who rotated this season with Georgiev to get playing time when Henrik Lundqvist was playing long stretches. Brandon Halverson and Chris Nell have their entry-level deals expiring. Neither is likely to be re-signed. Defense: Ryan Lindgren, Libor Hajak, Chris Bigras, Brandon Crawley, Sean Day, Darren Raddysh, and Joey Keane. Except for Keane, a rookie from London (OHL), they are all players returning some coming off season-ending injuries (Lindgren - a concussion, Bigras - ankle, and Hajak-shoulder). Day and Crawley had major struggles this past season. Bigras is an RFA and a player the Pack should re-sign if they are going to have to have some continuity. Leaving: John Gilmour, a Group 6 UFA (Unrestricted free agent) was undrafted and has not played 80 NHL games by his 25th birthday. Because of this unique status as an unrestricted free agent, under the CBA, he should and will likely sign elsewhere. A pro hockey career is a short one. This is a rare financial opportunity and with the Rangers currently having four defensemen making $4 million plus per year, it's not likely to leave much roster room. Defenseman Rob O’Gara, another Group 6 UFA, and one of the assistant captains this year, ended the year with an injury (back spasms). Like Gilmour, with economic freedom, he's likely to take advantage of it. O’Gara was cautious in his exit interview on breakup day. “It's very tough to be a part of something like this, with the season we had and to see how it affects somebody like our coach. You develop a relationship over a season, so when something like this happens, you feel personally responsible, even though we were together as a team. He helped me keep developing my game. Early on in the season, I went to get some mental help for my game (with a sports psychologist) and he also helped me come around on that end. We built that trust early on. It was big. I was trying too hard and not doing the things I do well.” A four-year pro veteran, O'Gara is getting healthy with his back and handling his pending nuptials in Booth Bay Harbor, Maine. In July, he'll marry his high school sweetheart, Isabella Wise, and letting the hockey economics take care of themselves. “You know the first three years between here, Providence, and Boston, I have seen all sides of this business. We (he and his agent) have talked informally, but my priority is to get healthy, get back to normal, plan my wedding, and we'll see what happens for next year,” O’Gara said as he departed with personnel from the locker room still having to carry his bags to his car because his back is still clearly not 100%. Josh Wesley, still Carolina Hurricane property, will likely be cut loose when the Charlotte Checkers end their run likely in June in the Calder Cup Final. Julius Bergman, a late-season acquisition from Ottawa, is an RFA. He is being pursued by several Swedish Hockey League teams and will likely return home. Darren Raddysh, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks for Peter Holland, was unimpressive during his stay in the Connecticut capitol. He supplied just a lone goal on 23 shots in 22 games. Not sterling numbers for an offensive defenseman to say the least. Add in a minus-10 rating, and he shouldn’t come back even with another year left. Buy him out. It’s a worthy investment. Forwards: Steven Fogarty, Ville Meskanen, Ryan Gropp, Tim Gettinger, Matt Beleskey, Shawn O’ Donnell, Ty Ronning, Jake Elmer, Ryan Dmowski, Patrick Newell, Nick Jones, Shawn McBride Fogarty, a group 6 free agent, has already signed for next year at ($150K-AHL). Boo Nieves is another who was already signed. He would seem to be a logical choice to carry the captain's C next year. Lately, though that has been like having the scarlet letter on your chest and not a badge of courage since the last four captains have all been traded. Gropp must have a breakout year next season. He was better in the second half, but he spent three weeks in Maine in December to jumpstart his game. Matt Beleskey, if he isn’t brought out in the summer or packaged in a trade, will return for just two reasons. First, he has an extremely cap friendly contract of which the Rangers take just a $825K hit when he isn’t in the NHL on his last year of a four-year deal at $1.9 million per season that was originally signed with the Bruins and they need to fill a veteran spot up front. Meskanen, paired with Beleskey and Peter Holland for most of the season, was heading back to his home in Southern Finland to see his girlfriend and his dog. Losing his first pro head coach was not on his bucket list. “That’s not what I was expecting or wanted. I guess they want some fresh (new) blood here maybe it will be a change for the better. I liked both those guys.” The lanky winger showed progress and mental toughness, and he knows he has lots of offseason work ahead. “They were very honest with me about my play. I really liked when they told me what I had to improve on. Playing with Holly (Holland) was very good for me. He helped me (adjust) both on and off the ice and to get used to North American style. I know I have to improve my skating and get stronger to win the one-on-one open battles in the corner, so I’m looking forward to working on that in summer practices. I think I have a better idea of what it's like here and I will be more ready next year. I had no clue when I got here.” Meskanen replied with his sly, dry wit. Shawn O’Donnell provides another veteran presence that they will need, O'die is a good loyal soldier who knows he isn’t NHL material, and he accepts working with the prospects in their development. He is on an AHL deal only. Ty Ronning, who was misused most the season in Hartford and then suffered injuries, will look to play a full season in the American League for his sophomore season. The late-season rookie Elmer, Jones, Dmowski, McBride, and Zerter-Gossage all showed good skill sets and should be in training camp in the fall. The Vitali Kravtsov factor will be interesting if he is sent to Hartford to get quality playing time early a la Filip Chytil two years ago is an unknown. Tim Gettinger had some genuine understanding of what he needs to for next season after a season at minus 20 in his rookie campaign. “I have been more physical consistently in the offensive and defensive zone. It’s a big summer for me personally and everybody in the room to be fully ready for training camp in the fall. It’s gonna be a whole new coaching staff to adjust to, but we have to work harder and try to worry about the things off the ice and concentrate what we do on the ice,” commented the rookie winger while driving back to the Cleveland area for the summer. Leaving: Vinni Lettieri is an RFA (Restricted Free Agent). He just misses Group 6 status by five months, but he has no room in New York. The Rangers don't appear to believe he is top six forward material. He should sign elsewhere and could become the next Jonathan Marchessault, one of the Rangers worst player evaluation mistakes ever. Lias Andersson, shouldn’t be in Hartford. His was a very poor sophomore season in Hartford. He had just three multi-point games, was a minus-24 in 36 games and contributed just 20 points. He didn’t do much in New York either with six points in 42 games. It's too early to toss a 20-year-old aside and label him a bust, but he is a major project next season at either the NHL or AHL levels. He might be here or he might be packaged in a deal at draft time. The Rangers should have left him in Kitchener (OHL) last year where he belonged. Now he is about two years behind his draft class in development and he needs to learn has to go to the game, not thinking the game will come to him. Gabriel Fontaine had 26 points in 72 games and one of the more likable guys in hockey at the end of his three-year entry-level deal. He has one year left on his ELC deal and is really a bubble player for returning, It looks like he might head elsewhere as a buyout or trade. Sadly, Bobby Butler didn’t work out well here at all with a minus-26. He was shuttled on almost every different line and had some strong games, but not enough to make a difference. Butler was a real rental player. He lives at home in Massachusetts and worked his second job as Director of Player Development for a junior hockey team, the Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) after practice with his father, John as the team’s assistant coach in the afternoon after practice in Hartford. He and his wife are expecting child number three next month, so retirement as an active player is much more likely to occur. The season left Butler feeling very empty. “The fans were great to us, wished we put a better product out there for them to cheer for. We tried to nip this thing early and every time we get back to a level spot, we got back to where we didn’t want to be it was very frustrating. I hate to lose and there was too much of it this year and it wasn’t like we weren’t trying-people like winners and it's tough coming off a losing season. I hope guys find that hunger for next year when they're in the gym in the summer,” said in his deep Massachusetts accent was genuinely disappointed as he completed his ninth year as a pro. The trade of Cole Schneider sunk the Wolf Pack. It was bittersweet as they lost a captain and gained an old friend, Connor Brickley. “I was happy to see Brick.  He’s a very good dude. We played together our first year in San Antonio and he’s a Boston guy, and once you make friends with a Boston guy, it's for life,“ Butler said with a laugh. The trade of the captain, he acknowledged, hurt the team tremendously, “It’s something you don’t see often except if you're in this organization where it happens every year.” Dawson Leedahl, who played just 29 games, was scratched for eight games and missed 23 of the last 24 games with a shoulder injury. He had zero points. With a year left on his deal, he likely won't be back and if he does it will be in Maine. Shawn St. Amant, who had a nice training camp earned an AHL deal never seem to fit in here. He did well when he was sent to Maine. He's more of an ECHL player and will likely be in Maine or elsewhere, next season. Its gonna be a long, interesting summer in Wolf Pack-land. Read the full article

[vahnikana]

A happy kind of sadness.

My maternal uncle passed away yesterday morning. The strange thing is I cried. I have always had a problem with not being able to cry when people pass away. I didn't...couldn't cry at my grandparents' funerals. The only person capable of moving me to tears at such times was my sister who cried openly and unabashedly at family funerals. After my mother passed away though, crying at the death of family and friends has stopped being an issue for me. Death is painful, but living is more so for most of the time. I like the way Indians handle death. In my native tongue, when someone passes away as a part of the usual progression into old age, they say 'sutla' which means 'released.' Because in India that is exactly what they believe death is...release from this body. The wise Indians have always tried to soften the blow that death delivers. They believe in the concept of reincarnation, which means that the soul will return in another format or as another person. They take comfort in that, the fact that their loss is not permanent. They say this life is moh maya, meaning this life is a mirage, an illusion. The soul is on a journey to unite with the paramatma, the eternal spirit, and this world is just a town sort of that it passes through. And it's not a particularly pleasant town either, making death an aspirational state of being. They reason that the soul, essentially ether, has to wear the cloak of a destructible and weak body. As we age, the cloak gets heavier to bear. So much so that by the time of our death, it's unbearable to be in it and our soul exults at the imminent release. By reducing life to a temporal phase, a troubled existence, even an obstacle in our race, they attempt to diminish our attachment to life, so death is not a tragedy, but the end of a tricky assignment, the sigh of relief at the end of a long hard day at work. Christianity also subscribes to this thought sans reincarnation. According to Christianity too, this life is a temporary journey on our way to eternal life in heaven. Paul refers to our body as a tent, ascribing impermanence to it. The real life, the one that matters, is the one begins after this one ends. And so once again, death is aspirational. In fact, in some orthodox Christian circles, crying for a dead family member is also kind of lightly discouraged, because our beloved family member is now in Christ and happy. Death is a happy event then.

Which reminds of something I once witnessed in Bangalore. I was working at this agency and one evening, we were all brainstorming ideas for some ads. We were in the middle discussing things when suddenly we heard what seemed like music from a brass band or loudspeaker, accompanied by crackers bursting. In Mumbai, and I'm sure in most parts of the world, music and crackers together indicate a happy event or a procession of a happy kind. This particular one was a procession. As it neared, we all watched from the window. I expected a groom on a horse, or a newly wedded couple in a car, or a palkhi carrying the statue of a god or goddess being transported somewhere, or a politician, or propaganda. So imagine my intense shock when I saw a semi raised coffin--containing a dead body in it--surrounded by music playing and dancing and cracker bursting. It was an attack on my inculcated sensibilities. It baffled me, shocked me into speechlessness. I just stared at the spectacle unable to make sense of it for several minutes. Aghast, I turned to my team members and whispered: what is this? They burst out laughing and told me that it was a common practice in those parts among Christians and even Hindus. I was perplexed and turned back to stare at the spectre of the propped up dead human being given such a jolly sendoff. In the background my team members discussed the custom. I understand rejoicing in death, but I never knew that it could be taken so literally. Rest in peace, uncle. Say hi to mom. And both of you siblings don't try any silly tricks like walking through walls and shouting 'boo' at us after 12 am.

[oneworldproductions]

Six on Six elimination tag

The 12-man elimination tag team match is OFFICIALLY underway as Matsumoto and Cody start off for their respective teams. Eliminations could be scored by pinfall, submission, countout, or disqualification - and the surviving member, or members, would receive either an Atlas or Stardust title shot at Chapter 12! Cody doesn’t seem to be understanding the seriousness of the situation, or is taking Matsumoto lightly, as he starts bad mouthing her instead of putting his hands up! They’re similar in size, so he doesn’t think she’s so intimidating. Matsumoto stands there, still as a statue, as Cody runs his mouth. THEN SHE STICKS HER HAND IN HIS MOUTH! MATSUMOTO’S HEARD ENOUGH AND SYNCHES IN THE MANDIBLE CLAW! Cody’s eyes are blown WIDE as Matsumoto’s gloved fingers stretch open his mouth and press down on the nerves on his tongue, quickly causing him to fade, until he’s only standing by Matsumoto’s hold. She lets him drop to the ground, submission still in, and the referee calls for the bell!

  “Cody has been eliminated!”

  Just like that the men’s team is down one as an unconscious Cody is rolled out of the ring! And the match has only just begun! The rest of the team seem hesitant to step forth into Matsumoto’s playground as she bores a hole into each of them, but Jay White is, surprisingly, the one to take the plunge. His recent IWGP Heavyweight Championship win has gifted him with an even larger ego than before, so he thinks he can take down the Machine without breaking a sweat. It’d be interesting to watch him try, but it looks like we won’t be given the opportunity as Dakota Kai is requesting a tag! Matsumoto looks her over before tagging out. Dakota bounces into the ring as circles it, smiling at her fellow New Zealander. Jay rolls his eyes, still peeved that she allowed herself to team with an Australian and call themselves “The Kiwis”. They lock in a collar and elbow, but Jay shoves her back and to the ground with ease, smirking down at her. Dakota’s on her feet in seconds and connects with a HUGE roundhouse to the side of his head, knocking Jay to the mat! The aptly named for this moment Switchblade Kick connects on the back of Jay’s head, and Dakota turns him over for the pin.

  One…

  Two- Kickout!

  Dakota draws him up and guides Jay to the corner, only for him to switch their positions at the last second! Jay lands one, two, three uppercuts before running to the opposite corner, looking to gain momentum and steam behind a fourth - but Dakota goes coast to coast and catches him with the Kaio Kick! Her foot rubs against his face, eyes rolling to the back of his head as he slumps to the canvas! Dakota hits the adjacent corner, and comes back with a devastating facewash! Dakota Kai is absolutely dominating Jay White! Dakota pulls him to the center of the ring, setting him up, and runs the ropes. She tries a penalty kick, but he catches her foot! Jay gets to his feet, Dakota hobbling. And he gets a dragon screw…. But Dakota blocks it! She breaks free and lands a Switchblade Kick across Jay’s chest! She looks up top and sees where Jay is, right in the drop zone, and climbs up. As she’s awaiting, perched on the top turnbuckle, Blake Marie climbs up to the apron! Dakota and the referee’s attention instantly turn to Jay’s new manager, the referee ordering her down, Dakota confused by her presence so she jumps down In all the commotion, neither of them see Prince Devitt lurking until he’s close enough and lands a cheap shot on Dakota! She stumbles back, right into the BLADE RUNNER! Blake jumps down so the referee can be there to count the pin.

  One…

  Two…

  Three!

  “Dakota Kai has been eliminated.”

  The whole arena is booing as Dakota is sequestered from the ring. Bullet Club has never been their favorite, but eliminating one of their favorites in such a cheap manner has only soured them. Jay only throws up a middle finger as he waits for his next opponent - which is gonna be former Stardust Champion Rocky Jordan! Just a few days ago we saw her stand by ANarChY’s side as the trio picked up their first win together against a dysfunctional LIJ, and with Matsumoto still in this match, it makes them a force to be reckoned with. Jay doesn’t seem to care about that as he puts his hands up, mimicking a boxer. Which Rocky is not, but only goes to show how little he truly cares. He fakes punches until he’s close enough to just shove Rocky by the head, sticking a middle finger in her face. Rocky EXPLODES with forearms, moving him all the way to the ropes! Irish whip from Rocky, and she connects with a European Uppercut on the rebound! Both arms are hooked, looking for the Avalanche, but Jay tightens his legs. Rocky releases him, and eats an uppercut. Jay tries for a half hatch suplex, but Rocky shoves off. Kick to the gut, DDT connects, and the Crimson End is locked in! Jay uses his long legs to scramble to the ropes and get a foot across the cables, breaking the submission before doing too much harm. But Rocky doesn’t release until the count of four! Dusting off her hands, Rocky  goes back to her corner and tags in Matsumoto before returning to Jay and drawing him up. Matsumoto lifts Jay in the electric chair position as Rocky climbs to the top. Missile dropkick from Rocky sends Jay crashing back to the mat, and she floats over for the pin!

  One…

  Two- Prince Devitt breaks it up!

  Matsumoto pulls off of Jay to slowly turn and look at Devitt, whose eyes widen as he’s suddenly face to face with the giant Japanese Nightmare, four inches taller and nearly a hundred pounds heavier than the junior heavyweight Devitt. Devitt had zero fears walking into this one, but definitely has one now as he backtracks out of the ring, not wanting to face her wrath. This staredown causes enough of a distraction that Jay’s able to wiggle his way under her, trying to trip Matsumoto up and get her in a pinning predicament - but she’s too strong! Jay’s trying with all his might, but Matsumoto doesn’t budge. She reaches down and grabs him by the throat, hauling Jay to his feet - and he breaks free and tags the closest person to him. Which, unfortunately for him, is Christopher Brookes. The Squidman slowly enters the ring and goes toe to toe with Matsumoto. Chris is taller, but Matsumoto has a clear size and strength advantage. Chris shakes out his hands as he circles the ring, before shrugging his shoulders and going for it, throwing a Yazuka Kick - and it lands! Matsumoto is stumbled back as Chris lands a superkick, knocking her down to a knee and phasing her even more with a head butt. Chris circles behind her and scoops Matsumoto by the waist. He struggles to pull her up, but he does it! He plants Matsumoto with the release German Suplex! Chris scrambles for the pin!

  One…

  Two…

  Kickout!

  Not wanting to waste what momentum he has, Chris stays right on top of her, drawing Matsumoto up and locking in an Octopus Stretch! Chris drives in his elbow as the submission is synched in tighter, wanting nothing more than to force a tap out out of the larger woman, maybe even simply cause her to pass out. It was fair to say the men’s team didn’t have a chance as long as she was around, and being the one to eliminate her would give major bragging rights. With all of Chris’s weight on her, Matsumoto looks to be struggling, maybe even fading. She’s moving, though, working her way to the ropes. Rocky Jordan comes over and coaxes her forward, helping her get to the ropes, and Matsumoto is free! Chris quickly backs off, but looks to keep the action going with a charge - but Matsumoto lifts him in a fireman’s carry! She’s searching for The Gallows, but Chris slips off her shoulders. Tiger Suplex attempt denied as Matsumoto shakes her head and locks her legs, refusing to budge. Chris lands a headbutt to the back of her head, followed by a superkick! Chris looks to be finishing this up with one more Yakuza Kick… but Devitt spins him around! Chris’s eyebrows meet his hairline as he looks Devitt over. The Irishman offers no explanation, simply waving as Matsumoto comes from behind and hooks both arms, quickly planting him with the Skull Fuck! He’s turned over for the pin.

  One…

  Two…

  Three!

  “Chris Brookes has been eliminated.”

  Jay White is cackling as Chris rolls out of the ring, everything he had going for him lost, all because of Prince Devitt, and Jay finds it absolutely HILARIOUS. He’s clapping for the British star as he’s rolling out of the ring. “Oh, good job, mate! Real good fucking job!” Devitt points at him, grin just as wide and laugh just as loud. Matsumoto finds no humor in the situation, but Jay’s eyes are comically wide as Matsumoto grabs him and chucks him overhead into the ring, apparently deciding she wants to face the Switchblade again. Jay’s instantly hit by a brutal spear before he can even find his proper footing, and Matsumoto rolls through with Jay in a fireman’s carry, and SPIKES him with The Gallows! Matsumoto makes another pin!

  One…

  Two…

  Three!

  “Jay White has been eliminated.”

  The only people who can believe it are Rocky and Matsumoto themselves, as the self named Machine has eliminated half of the men’s team, single handedly, with her side only suffering a single fall. Three heavyweights are gone, leaving the smaller Gargano and Devitt with Aleister Black, who makes his presence known for the first time in this contest. Matsumoto has been here since the start, only having left the ring for a short time during Dakota’s elimination, and is starting to feel the effects. Aleister comes right out of the gate swinging, landing a spinning back fist and body kicks, and a roundhouse to drop Matsumoto to a knee. Aleister runs the ropes, wanting to land a knee to put her down for good - but Matsumoto’s up suddenly and lifts him straight up into a military press, dropping him straight to the mat! Matsumoto looks behind her before jumping in the air and completing a standing moonsault! - BUT ALEISTER MOVES AND SHE HITS THE CANVAS! Aleister cracks a knee up the side of her head! Aleister springboards off the ropes and connects with a beautiful moonsault! Matsumoto rolls to the outside, Aleister following. But wait! Johnny gets in the ring and runs the ropes, pushing Matsumoto back into the barricade with a suicide dive! Chris Brookes hadn’t quite left yet, and is there to connect with a superkick! Matsumoto stumbles and walks right into BLACK MASS!

  One!

  Two!

  With the help of Aleister and Mr. Brookes, Matsumoto’s placed on announcer’s table.

  Three!

  Prince Devitt is climbing to the top! He soars off it and lands the Coup De Grace THROUGH THE TABLE! It’s broken in half, and Matsumoto isn’t in better shape!

  Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! Eleven!

  Knowing she’s close to being counted out, Matsumoto begins to pull herself out of the wreckage, determined to pull her team to victory!

  Twelve!

  Thirteen!

  Matsumoto is back at ringside, and is using the apron curtain to pull herself to her feet!

  Fifteen!

  Sixteen!

  Seventeen!

  Despite all odds, Matsumoto’s going to beat the twenty count and make it back into the ring… or is she?! Something has Matsumoto trapped! She can’t move!

  EIGHTEEN!

  NINETEEN!

  TWENTY!!!

  “Matsumoto has been eliminated.”

  The crowd ERUPTS as the announcement is made! The men’s team put their differences aside and worked together to eliminate their biggest threat! Matsumoto is ENRAGED. She reaches beneath the ring and pulls out whatever was stopping her - IT’S LILITH BROOKES! THE WOMAN MATSUMOTO PUT ON THE SHELF! The Cincinnati underdog smirks at Matsumoto before the Machine ROARS in her face, grabbing her by the hair and absolutely CHUCKING Lilith into the barricade, whipped back and forth by her blue and grey locks! She’s thrown into the ringpost! Lilith tries to fight back with body shots, but Matsumoto just grabs her hair again and bangs her skull off the ringpost. Matsumoto then viciously dumps her to the announcer’s area, moving like she were a sack of flour, gloved fists trying to make a dent in her forehead with a series of punches. Lilith pushes her off and connects with a spinning back kick! Matsumoto stumbles back, but chops her down with a thunderous two handed chop! Matsumoto climbs on top of the unbroken announce table, pulling Lilith on her shoulder, and sending them THROUGH THE TABLE WITH THE GALLOWS! THE TABLE IS SHATTERED! Matsumoto shoves Lilith off of her, content with the damage she’s done for now, and stalks to the back. This isn’t over, a fact they both know. The camera pans over Lilith’s face, and we see a huge grin etched across her lips. Back in the ring, ROCKY JORDAN ROLLS ALEISTER UP!

  One…

  Two…

  Kickout!

  Watching the chaos unfold between the two rivals almost cost Aleister. Lucky for him, he had the presence of mind to kick out. He scrambles to his feet, meeting Rocky there - AND SHE EATS BLACK MASS! ALEISTER FALLS TO THE PIN!

  One…

  Two…

  Three!

  “Rocky Jordan has been eliminated.”

  Aleister stands tall in the ring, two eliminations under his belt now, both teams at equal numbers, as Rosemary enters the ring. They circle each other before Rosemary mimics spewing her Asian mist - Aleister ducks, but it was just a trick. Rosemary laughs at him before sending him to the canvas with a hip toss. Aleister doesn’t take kindly to being toyed with, his nostrils flaring as he rises, but Rosemary drops him with a kick! She climbs to the top rope and sizes him up, taking Aleister out with a crossbody - but Aleister rolls through! He still has a hold on Rosemary! He shifts so she’s up on his shoulders, before depositing her on her feet, and connecting with a sickening roundhouse. Rosemary falls face first to the canvas, rolling herself over. Aleister watches her for a moment before springboarding off the ropes with another classic moonsault - but Rosemary moves! Aleister lands on his feet and sits down! He’s glaring at his opponents, daring one of them to try him. Abigail reaches out and tags in.

  Sister Abigail enters the ring. The arena is buzzing as the two long time rivals come face to face for the first time since Chapter Five in their Graves Consequence match, where Abigail locked him in a coffin. They’ve both changed since then; Aleister embracing his hitman side, as Abigail said he would, while Abigail herself was… different. Herself in appearance, but she moved with the grace of Shinsuke Nakamura, and the audience was still perplexed at this change that’d started since she lost her Championship, but escalated tonight as she put down Nakamura earlier this evening. They’re completely different now, but they approach each other the same way. Aleister instantly throws Black Mass, but Abigail catches his foot! Abigail trips him up, looking to finish it off quickly with a Bomaye, but Aleister moves out of the way! Aleister throws a lariat, but Abigail turns it into a cross armbar! Abigail wrenches back on the arm and shoulder, trying to rip it from its socket. Aleister swivels his hips and gets his feet under him, managing to lock his hands and lifts Abigail up, planting her with a powerbomb to break the submission! Abigail tries charging at him, but eats a roundhouse, and gets planted with a German Suplex, bridge in tact.

  One…

  Two…

  Kickout!

  Aleister draws Abigail up just to drop her with a standing cutter, floating over and locking in the Owari Death Clutch! Aleister’s hands are locked behind Abigail’s head so she can’t try and break it, and she’s too far away from the ropes to consider getting free. She might have to tap out! Before that can even be a thought, Becky Lynch enters the ring and breaks it up. She looks conflicted by it, but she knows going down two to three wouldn’t spell victory for them. The confliction across her face only deepens as Prince Devitt enters the ring, mentor and student meeting eye to eye. Becky tells him, “Not yet,” before they return to their respective sides of the ring. Aleister has Abigail backed up into the corner, and looks to send her the opposite way with an irish whip. Abigail reverses, Aleister’s back meeting the turnbuckle padding and his midsection getting crushed with a knee. He crumbles, and Abigail places her boot across his throat. She looks amongst the crowd before beginning to vibrate and convulse, a disturbing version of Bad Vibrations, before pulling off and strutting away. Aleister falls out of the corner, holding his throat, and Abigail drags him further away from the ropes. He’s lifted up on her shoulders, and she completes the Landslide, with a pin!

  One…

  Two…

  Kickout!

  Abigail huffs before drawing Aleister up, using half hatch knees to brutalize his chest. Aleister pushes off suddenly and completes a series of shots of his own. Abigail responds with a forearm, leg kicking out to increase damage dealt. Aleister stumbles, but comes back with a discus knee! Meteora from Aleister missed, but he lands in his patented seated position. That could prove fatal as Abigail lands a Bomaye on the back of his head! Aleister’s lifted up and planted with an inverted powerslam, legs kicking before yelling, “YeaOh!” She’s smirking, the crowd booing, and Aleister’s struggling to move. Abigail slinks back to her corner, a hand on the ropes as she shakes, vibrates, sizing Aleister up. Finally, he manages to get to his knees - and eats a Bomaye! Abigail gets a knee on his chest for the pin.

  “Aleister Black has been eliminated.”

  The match was once again in favor of the women’s team, a 3 on 2 at this point. Abigail looked across the ring at Gargano standing on the apron, and stood up, licking her lips before dropping her hips and gesturing towards Gargano with her hands in a method similar to how Shinsuke taunts his opponents. “COME OOOOOOOOOON!” She let out with a near guttural roar. Johnny got into the ring and went right after Abigail, trying to nail the much larger competitor with several forearm strikes, before running off the ropes and coming back at her, looking for a clothesline, but Abigail charged and broke Johnny in half with a spear! Johnny was turned inside out! Abigail grabbed Johnny by the hair and dragged him over towards her team’s corner, accepting a tag from Rosemary. Rosemary climbed up onto the top turnbuckle, and wrapped her legs around Johnny’s head, before shifting towards the ropes, choking out Johnny with her legs as she hung, introducing Johnny to The Upside Down! Rosemary broke at the ref’s count of four, and slithered back in the ring, before tossing Johnny into the corner, and hammering away at him with a series of forearms, stunning Johnny. Rosemary then grabbed Johnny by the head, hooking his leg, before driving Johnny to the mat with a fisherman’s suplex! Rosemary bridged and kept the leg hooked for the cover!

  1…2… Kickout!

  Johnny was able to stay alive in this one, and Prince Devitt was once again on the apron, reaching out for a tag. Johnny wasn’t able to get to his corner, though, cut off by a boot to the face by the Demon Assassin. Rosemary wrapped her arms around Johnny’s waist, and deadlifted him up, before dropping Gargano on the back of his neck with a german suplex! The body that Rosemary possesses, the former Courtney Rush, used to be known as the Canadian Suplex Machine, and Rosemary was tapping into that at the moment! Rosemary grabbed Johnny again and went for another german, but Johnny flipped over and landed on his feet, getting the tag to Prince Devitt!

  Devitt came in like a house on fire, immediately hitting Rosemary with a Slingblade, before charging over and knocking Abigail off the apron with a Shotgun dropkick! He turned and knocked Becky off as well with a discus elbow, before hopping up onto the second rope, and landing a missile dropkick on Rosemary! The Demon Assassin got back to her feet in a daze, before being blasted into the corner by Devitt with a Shotgun Dropkick! Rosemary hit the back of her head on the top turnbuckle!

  Rosemary stumbled out of the corner, and was caught by Devitt again, who lifted her up and drove her, head first, into the mat with the Bloody Sunday! Devitt makes the cover!

1…2…3!

  “Rosemary has been eliminated.”

We were back down to two on two, and now Devitt was making eyes at his former protegee, Becky Lynch, who had just recovered from the shot she took from Devitt, and was standing outside the ring. Devitt made a gesture, telling Becky to bring it on, but before Becky could accept the challenge, Abigail slid into the ring from behind, and nailed Devitt in the back of the head with a Bomaye! Cover!

  1…2…3!

  “Prince Devitt has been eliminated.”

  Abigail took advantage of a distracted Devitt, and now this was down to 2 on 1! Becky seemed less than thrilled however, getting in the ring to confront Abigail. It was clear Becky had been looking forward to squaring off with Devitt, and now Abigail had taken that from her. Abigail looked down at Becky with a smug look on her face, almost like “what are you gonna do about it?”. Well Becky seemed to have an answer for that, swinging wildly at Abigail, which Abigail seemed prepared for. Abigail ducked just in time, and Becky was caught with a surprise superkick from Gargano!

  Becky stumbled back into the ropes, and bounced off them, before being caught by Gargano on the rebound, and planted with the Hurts Donut! Gargano made the cover!

1…2…3!

  “Becky Lynch has been eliminated.”

  We’re down to Gargano and Abigail! One of these two would be their team’s Sole Survivor, and would be receiving a title match at Chapter 12! Johnny pulled himself up to a knee and looked at his new challenge, the Amazonian Madwoman known as Sister Abigail, who’s ruled over One World with an iron fist. Johnny got up to his feet, and the two began to pace around each other, before Johnny charged at Abigail. Abigail swung at Johnny, but he quickly ducked behind her and tried to wrap his arms around her waist to lift her for a slam, but Abigail nailed him with a back elbow, causing Johnny to stumble into the corner. Abigail ran at Johnny with a big boot, but Johnny rolled under it, evading certain doom. Johnny was the weaker of the two, but he was faster, and he’d have to keep moving if he wanted to survive this, let alone win. Abigail tried to nail Johnny with a roundhouse kick, but Johnny slid underneath, before landing a kick on Abigail’s braced knee, knocking it out from under her, dropping Abigail to her knees! Johnny measured Abigail, and nailed her right in the face with a superkick! Abigail’s head snapped back! Johnny pushed her down to the mat, and quickly climbed up onto the top rope, looking for a frog splash, but Abigail got her knees up! Johnny clutched at his ribs as Abigail rolled back to her feet, and blasted Johnny in the side of the head with a boot! Johnny looked out cold!

Abigail grabbed Johnny by the hair, lifting him up, and making a cutthroat gesture, before hooking both of his arms, and twisting him around, looking for the Baptism by Fire, by Johnny was able to twist it around and turn it into a backslide cover!

1…2… Kickout!

Abigail kicked out and quickly gained wrist control on Gargano, looking to catch him with a Famemaker, but Johnny instead used her arm to aid in flipping up onto her, and after a brief Tilt-a-Whirl, Johnny was able to plant Abigail face-first, and lock in the Garga-No Escape! Abigail was trapped in the middle of the ring!

  Abigail reached out for the ropes, and began to use her claw-like fingernails to drag herself towards the ropes, to force a break. She was almost there when Gargano put his foot on the rope and kicked off, rolling both himself and Abigail back into the middle of the ring, with the hold still applied! Gargano was wrenching back with everything he had, trying his best to get Abigail to tap out! She was in a great deal of agony, and looked as if she was ready to tap at any second. Suddenly though, Abigail managed to roll herself over, and trap Gargano in a pinning predicament!

  1…2… Kickout!

Gargano had to release the hold in order to kick out, and quickly got back to his feet. He charged Abigail as she got back up, and went for a Huricanrana, but Abigail blocked and deposited Johnny to the outside. Johnny managed to land on the apron. When Abigail noticed, she charged him and tried to knock him off, but Johnny leaped up and caught Abigail with a kick! The kick stunned Abigail long enough for Johnny to jump up and catch her, before planting her with a Slingshot DDT! Johnny moved Abigail away from the ropes before making a cover!

1…2… Kickout!

Abigail stays alive! Johnny ran a hand through his hair and rose back to his feet, pumping his arms and willing the crowd to life as he looked to finish things! Johnny watched as Abigail pulled herself up to a knee, before measuring and going for another superkick, but this time, Abigail dodged, and Johnny’s foot got caught up in the ropes! Abigail was quick to act, and quickly locked in the Shyiro, trapping Johnny and trying to get the smaller man to tap out! Johnny was losing air quickly, but they were close enough to the corner so that Johnny could think quickly, using the turnbuckles to flip up and over, not releasing the hold, but managing to trap Abigail in a pinning predicament!

1…2…Kickout!

  Abigail released the hold and Johnny quickly rolled off onto the apron in order to regain himself. He pulled himself up, and watched as Abigail charged him, and took the opportunity to throw himself through the ropes with a Slingshot Spear, but Abigail caught him with a high knee! Gargano was nearly out cold!

Abigail crouched herself in the corner, watching as Johnny slowly began to come back to life. She was measuring him, and when he finally pulled himself up to a knee, Abigail bent backwards, taunting in a similar vein as Shinsuke does, before charging Gargano, trying to take his head off with a Bomaye! But Gargano ducked it, and rolled Abigail up! Before her shoulders could be counted however, Gargano pushed her through, and rolled through himself, catching Abigail on the side of the head with a kick! Abigail was stunned, and fell face first towards the mat, allowing Johnny to once again lock in the Garga-No Escape! This time Abigail had nowhere to go, and didn’t even have the wherewithal to try and make it to the ropes! Abigail was fading, and fading quickly!

After an excruciatingly long minute, where Johnny wrenched back on the hold as tightly as possible, all signs of life had left Abigail. She wasn’t moving, or struggling anymore, and her hand, which was previously reaching for the ropes, fell flat on the mat! Abigail had passed out! The ref called for the bell!

“Ladies and Gentlemen, here is your winner, and Sole Survivor, Johnny Gargano!”

The San Francisco crowd went nuts as Gargano was victorious! After weeks of being doubted by his teammates, and put down by his opponents, tonight belonged to Gargano, and now it was official: Johnny Gargano would challenge Tommaso Ciampa for the Atlas Championship at Chapter 12!

We hope you enjoyed Chapter 11 everybody. Next time we come to you at a Chapter event, it will be Chapter 12, from the historic Wembley Stadium! We’ll see you there ladies and Gentlemen, goodnight!

[hundredwattstudio]

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