#Their name is a mix of comment and comet because of course it was a great opportunity <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[sunny-m00n]

so my sona isn’t just me, they were originally a character made for a skit musical type thing with my friends. So I like to think when I use Commet as a sona they just blank out for a bit and do what I need them for, then go back to normal like: “geez wowza that was weird! Anyways Lilith go girlboss your song”

(This is the only digital colored photo I have of them with another cast member on hand)

[sw124]

BonelyHearts Reader Insert4

{Female!ReaderXSkeleton household}

Camping! Pt.3

[Warning: I’m gonna be descriptive with the food so please eat something before you read this. No theirs nothing graphic, its just I’m describing the process of cooking some food, sorry if it makes you hungry]

You could’ve sworn that the trip wouldn’t be that long, guess you were wrong. Well never the less it was time to start dinner, before the trip even started you had volunteered to do ‘dinner’ on the camping trip while the others did ‘breakfast’. It was only four in the afternoon but dinner prep was gonna take a little bit plus you had to set up dessert too. If you started now you’d have it done in less then forty minutes, well no time to waist...especially with these boys.

You got out a few pots, two larger ones an one smaller one, one for boiling water, another to make the sauce and lastly the third was to collect the water. It was expensive but you bought two small propane burners, after the camping trip you can gift one out to a friend and keep the other for when you’d make Hotpot dishes for winter.

You filled the first pot with water, bottled water to be exact. Then put that on the first burner, you turned it on and set it to high, you added a touch some olive oil into the water and let it sit. Now on to the sauce, you reached into the cooler and pulled out a two large cartons of heavy whipping cream, a container of grated Parmesan cheese, a stick of butter, garlic paste in a squeeze tube, chopped parsley in a small ziplock and lastly the bag of mixed veggies. Zucchini, asparagus, onions, mushrooms, yellow squash and lastly carrots.

In the pot you threw in the stick of butter and a dollop of garlic paste, you put the pot on the other burner and melted the butter with the garlic, you threw in the veggies when the butter had just melted. You waited till the veggies were cooked throughly, mostly caramelizing the onions and mushrooms. Once that was done you added in the heavy whipping cream an Parmesan an started stirring. After you let that set you checked on the water, it was at a full boil now-

.....

“Boss I thought I told you I was handling dinner, either you go sit by the fire and wait or go for a walk.” You growled.

The one thing you hated was Boss leaning over you while you cooked, he knew you were preparing a pasta dish an by the law that is Boss he has to supervise you...not this time.

“I need to make sure your not going to add anything...unessesary to the dish.” He countered.

You groaned under your breath, you wanted this to be a bit of a surprise but of course that was wishful thinking....you shook your head and continued. Grabbing two boxes of spaghetti you poured them into the pot.

......

You looked up to find that Boss wasn’t alone, all of the skeletons were now crowding around the kitchen tent, intently watching you cook. You wondered if they were hungry and was planning to offer something to tide them over, that thought passed when you saw the remnants of chip crumbs on some of their clothing.

“Can I help you boys?” Your voice going mono.

“We’re just watching, gotta do something to ‘pasta’ time way, ya know?” Said Sans, earning a glare from half of the group.

Ash and Poplar strategical placed themselves near you, Poplar blocking Boss and his...needling gaze. Everyone else was just watching quietly, well Nox made a comment or two about the sauce bubbling but that was ok, he even reminded you about the parsley. It was also nice to have Russ help you strain out the water when the noodles were done.

“Ok, everything is just about ready. You boys get your bowls an I’ll start plating ok?”

The boys did as told, it was kinda cute seeing them all shuffle to get their bowls together. You had your bowl there along with your fork, Red got back first and you first filled his bowl partly with the noodles before ladling on the sauce...well it’s as more of a soup but you called it sauce. You make sure the noodles were half submerged. You repeated this until all ten skeletons had their portion, you filled your bowl next before joining them at the picnic table.

“Ok boys, lets dig in!” You announced.

You didn’t hesitate, you instantly twisted a bundle of spaghetti on to your fork along with some asparagus. It tasted heavenly, the creamy, buttery sauce mixed with the Parmesan was just delightful. You were happy that it turned out so well, you looked up. To your surprise and delight everyone seemed to be enjoying the food, Boss even gave you an approving nod.

“Wowie! I’ve got to tell Undyne about this, she an Alphys would love to try this dish!” Papyrus was beaming as he examined his food, his smile was just so cute.

Nox seemed better off eating in silence, but you couldn’t fake a smile of content like his. Blue was engulfing his noodles, you had to suppress a chuckle when he stared fanning his mouth, of course the food would still be hot. You poked at the carrots you had in your bowl, you were hoping they were cooked right and not too hard. After one bite you were delighted to find it had a little crunch but it was cooked properly.

“Whatcha call this anyway?” Asked Stretch, twirling his fork.

“It’s kinda like Alfredo but with a few stuff added in, it doesn’t really have a name. I just made this dish up one night when I was super hungry and didn’t want to go out in the pouring rain to get food, the only difference is the veggies.” You were slightly embarrassed in telling the story, despite it being true.

“Its still good though, you should invent dishes more often!” Said Blue, shoveling another bite into his mouth.

You smiled, thankful the food was cooked well. Ash and Poplar really seemed to like this dish, you wondered if it was because of the vegetables or the sauce. Either way it was cute seeing him try to get at least one of each veggie on his fork along with the noodles.

Soon everyone had finished eating and cleanup was underway, you noticed how quickly the sun had begun to set. Yep winter was fast approaching, cleanup didn’t take long at all with everyone helping out. Once everything was washed and put away for the evening it was time to bust out dessert. You hurry back to the van where you kept it, pulling out three large bags of marshmallows and a bag of frosted gram-cracker cookies. The top halves were frosted in chocolate, it’d make things a lot simpler.

“Ok boys time for dessert, we’re making s’mores!”

You handed each skeleton a long stick too use, they all were sharing a bewildered expression...had these boys not heard of s’mores?

“Do you guys know what s’mores are?”

“I’m afraid we don’t.” Said Papyrus.

“Oh well its a fun, interactive snack and common camping treat. I’ll show you how its done.”

You began by skewering your marshmallow, you got the large flat ones so it’d be easier for the skeletons to handle. You held your marshmallow over the fire, you loved this part so much, watching your marshmallow turn golden brown or even catch on fire and burn just a tiny bit. Once the marshmallow was done you showed them how to sandwich it between the gram cracker cookie, you told them that normally they’d have a plain gram cracker and a bit of chocolate to do it but you wanted to make it easier and quicker. You even mentioned that to them while you were making your s’more.

“An there you have it, your very own s’more!”

You held it up and showed them, you then took a big bite and just like you expected the marshmallow stretched out...and it tasted amazing. Gooey, sweet and crunchy, the chocolate was melting and it wasn’t dripping on to your fingers.

You watched everyone follow your lead, you also said they can just eat the roasted marshmallow if they wanted or the gram cracker cookie instead. Which was what some of them did, Russ was having fun making the s’mores. Awe he looked like a little kid when he took that first bite, Nox though didn’t seem that impressed and settled for just the cookie. Stretch was pouring some honey on his s’more, Blue was scolding him about it, Poplar and Ash were throughly enjoying making s’mores together.

Papyrus was yelling at Sans again, Sans marshmallow now turned into a comet, Red and Boss settled for the gram cracker and roasted marshmallows. It was cute watching them all experience a traditional treat of camping, you made another s’more and switched to just making roasted marshmallows. Nox was kind enough to get some drinks but just for you and Russ, when questioned by Blue he countered saying he wasn’t everyone’s servant and they all had legs that weren’t broken. An besides he got one for you cause you were a lady and you had prepared dinner, it was only proper.

After having your fill of marshmallows you were about to get up and start the process of cleaning up the dishes. Well that was the plan until you felt Poplar’s hand rest on your shoulder.

“No, no don’t get up. We’ll take care of clean the dishes and everything, you just relax.”

You blinked, surprised. “Are you sure, there’s a lot to clean up-“

Sans stood up. “Rule is if you make dinner then you don’t have to clean up the kitchen.”

“A rule that you don’t seem to follow brother.” Growled Papyrus but smiled. “But he is right human, you shouldn’t shoulder the burden of clean up. The ten of us will have it done in no time!”

“If your sure then alright, the communal wash station is just up the way there; Sans I’m sure you can show them.”

Sans nodded, everyone else got up and started cleaning up the kitchen tent area. Nox was sure that Russ didn’t slack off, Red wasn’t happy about being forced to get up and work but he couldn’t say much with Boss standing over him. You watched all ten skeletons shuffle off over the hill, it was nice of them to do the clean up but at the same time you felt kinda bad since you made a little mess while doing it. Well you knew how to remedy that!

You stood up, walked to the kitchen tent and started preparing mugs of your special coco for them. Coffee was going to be rationed so you felt slightly bad for Nox but it was too late for coffee anyway, you filled each mug carefully and smiled. You took some of the left over marshmallows and put them in the mugs, you had just put the last marshmallow in when the boys came back.

“Hey guys, the coco is ready if you want some.”

You didn’t have to say it twice, the boys were all over that coco. Though Nox wasn’t happy about not getting his coffee but he digressed, he put his marshmallow into Russ’s cup. You smiled an enjoyed your own cup, the rest of the night was spent chatting and playing word games with them. Word games like ‘Going to the picnic’ which was your favorite game cause you could be as sarcastic as you wanted to be.

After finishing the fourth game of ‘going to the picnic’ you checked your watch. It was fifteen minutes to ten, that meant bed time. You wanted to get up early to start the second day of camping.

“Ok boys its getting close to ten lets start getting ready for bed.”

Unlike with most people no one groaned, they all simply agreed that it was getting late and it was time to sleep. First thing you were going to do is take a shower in the communal showers nearby.

“H-Human are you going to take a shower?” Asked Russ.

“Yes, why you gonna get one too?”

You noted a lot of the skeletons looked...concerned, was something wrong with the showers?

“Actually we’re in need of showers as well, let us accompany you if you don’t mind.” Said Boss.

“Oh, well grab your things and follow me ok?”

That wasn’t a problem, you grabbed a bag with your toiletries inside along with your sleeping attire you picked for camping. You were about to leave when you noticed...only Russ and Boss had got their things. Everyone else was busy trying to find their things.

“Shall we go human?” Asked Boss.

“Don’t you want to wait for everyone?”

“They said to go on ahead, they’ll catch up with us.” Said Russ.

You shrugged and headed for the showers with Boss and Russ, you noticed they were walking very close to you...despite you were leading the way with one of the flashlights you brought with. You tried not to think about it, what you wanted was a shower. The hikes today had been sweat inducing and you wanted to freshen up, you walked into the women’s side and found you weren’t alone. Other women were in there from the other campsites.

It was fun chatting with them as you all showered together, one of them was a elderly woman in her mid-sixties enjoying her forty-fifth anniversary with her husband. You gawked at the number, wow forty five years. The other woman with you was a younger lady camping with her fiancée, you had a laugh with the two women comparing them together. The young lady getting married turning into the older married lady with many years of happiness.

You enjoyed chatting with them, once you dried off you walked outside. Boss and Russ were there having showered and changed, you hoped they didn’t wait long. You were escorted back, was it you or were the two of them very vigilant on the way back. You felt like one of the s’mores when they were walking so close to you, your arms were even touching them. Once back another group went to shower, it was weird but...you chalked it up to them being concerned with you walking in the dark. Though you were sure there were no wild animals.

You gave a small yawn and crawled into your tent, you took off your shoes and slipped on some thick socks. Your feet got cold quickly, your pajamas for this camping trip were sweatpants and a light sweater. It was gonna get kinda cold since it was autumn, you turned on your camping lamp before going back outside. You made sure everything was put away and the fire was properly put out with, once that was done you crawled back into your tent. You zipped up the flap in your tent but unzipped the other two sides, most of the skeletons had come back already.

You dimmed your light and took out a book, you weren’t quite sleepy yet so decided a book was nice for a while. You said goodnight to your boys before zipping up the flaps on both sides.

It was only ten minutes later you felt your eyelids getting heavy, you put a bookmark in the book, turned the lamp off and tucked yourself into your sleeping bag.

Lulled to sleep by the sound of nature....and some skeletons snoring.

To be continued..

[For context, I’ve gotten questions on why I had the reader start dinner at four. Where I’m from in the upper Midwest it gets dark very quickly in both Fall and Winter so for that reason why dinner started early, that and in my family we start cooking around 4-4:30 so that everyone can get something done before supper. Examples are making a call, doing a chore, going to deliver something etc. This is dedicated to the @bonelyheartsclub I hope you enjoy this I’m having a lot of fun writing these.]

[low-budget-korra]

The Last of Us part3?

So I've heard some rumors on the internet saying that the part3 will eventually happen, probably years from now, so I'm here just as a fanfic writer cometing on how I would write and think the story for this possible third and final part. So yes, this post is gonna be a long one.

First of all the first game is about Love and Hope (for me at least) and the second is about Consequences and Revenge so I think what fits for a third part is Redemption and Hope again.

So here we ho

Ellie: Where did she go after the part2? I believe we have two paths to choose.

1) She let Joel go, finale being able to at least try to move on what happened , as was illustrated by her letting his guitar in the house, and getting back to Jackson trying to works things out with Dinah again. But how Tommy would feel knowing that she saved Abby and let her go? Ellie would tell him what happened or she would just lie and said she didn't find her. But this apparently "happy ending" doesn't fit, because there's no conflict to move the story.

I've saw some comments oh her and Tommy going in motorcycles together, traveling to the country for a couple of years and them stop in Texas, at Joel's house. But this is just so fanfiction for me you know? Like, the end of part 2 already show us that Ellie's was ready to moving on Joel's death so why she would go visit his house?Why she would runaway from Dinah, JJ again? And Why her breaking up with Dinah is something that can't be fixed? Like i know shit has consequences but you guys really believe that Ellie wouldn't at least tryed to solve things out with Dinah? Cuz I don't know, they may never be together again but I believe Ellie would at least tryed to win her back. But I particularly think that yes, they will be back together, Dinah stayed at her side for the worst of times why she wouldn't be at her side in the best's ones, especially after knowing that Ellie didn't kill Abby, In fact, she saved both Abby and Lev. So I think that if Ellie's goes back to Jackson, she and Dinah would have at least some good old friendship relationship.

2)Ellie didn't go back to Jackson but is actually about to go find the fireflies. End with the thing that should've had ended years ago. She understands why Joel did what he did back in part1, and she forgives him but after everything she may think that's the way she would redem herself. Not only for her loved ones, but also for all the people she murder in part2. But how Ellie know that the fireflies are still there? Maybe is a guess, maybe is just her traveling the country wanting them to still be there...

There's this one that also is kind of a mix between those two: Ellie gets back to Jackson, and lived happy with Dinah and JJ but Tommy is pissed because she didn't kill Abby, either she straight up told him she didn't kill Abby or she lied and he find out somehow. Maybe after head through travelers that the fireflies are back and figured out. So Tommy and Ellie would the conflict here.

I personally think that Ellie only would search for the fireflies In this situation if Dinah rejected her comeback, and i think this doesn't make to much sense after all they lived together, only if she had falled In love with other person while Ellie was tracking Abby again In Santa Barbara.

What i would do as a fanfic writer (at least with the ideas I have now):

With or without Dinah, this conflict between Ellie and Tommy about Abby had to be a strong one to Ellie actually wanted to leave Jackson for good and alone, leaving Dinah a second time but this time in a more heroic trip on wanting to be the cure she was meant to be after in a discussion with Tommy, figured out that The FireFlies are back and Abby took on her father's shoes and know is searching for the cure. Because In Ellie's mind, as much as she understands what Joel did to her she also may saw this as something she must do keep Dinah and JJ safe, because a vaccine would save there's life's from a possible death by infection and even if Dinah didn't accepted her back, I think Ellie would still cares a lot about her and JJ for doing this for them too.

And in this trip she goes alone, she would meet others characters along the way and maybe another girlfriend, i don't know. But while searching Abby she would figured that the fireflies are fighting against other group and all that shit we saw in both part1 and 2. And saw again all the tragedies, all the evils humans, realizing that the humans are the real monsters she may get seconds thoughts on if the humanity is worth saving. But now maybe to late for her to get once again back to Jackson and her family.

Abby: She probably will be some big fireflies name in a probably part3, as a said before, she also probably would follow her father's steps and will search for a cure. But this doesn't mean she will search for Ellie, even if Ellies disappear and only appear in the half of the Part3 in a unknown place with unknown people, Abby wouldn't be searching for her not after Abby's arc in part2.

I think that it will have some conflict involving the fireflies, i saw so comments on maybe a villain that was also immune or pretending to be immune but I personally don't like this idea, and if it happens I would prefer him to pretend to be immune instead of being immune. Anyway, there would be a fight for control and power but it had to be something more because is just more of the same and I guess that's why some people came with this idea of a immune villain.

But why I hated this idea of having other person immune? Because makes everything means nothing. Joel saving Ellie in the first? Nothing, because it has others immune anyway, and also the whole arc of Ellie and Joel for the first and second part wouldn't matter because there's others immune and this screw with all the conflict they had about Joel's choice. I think is as cheap plot to choose and if they did choose, the writing on it must be really sharp to make it good.

What i as a fanfic writer what I would do with the ideas I have now: Maybe a fight inside the fireflies when half of them doesn't believe the humanity is worth saving anymore and the other half still believes it. And this would match as Ellie's dilema that I just write about.

Of course, in some point Ellie and Abby would meet again. Of course there will be some conflict but I think they could work together especially if after saw the good that Abby was doing , the good some other people did in her travels, people help each other and save each other she decided to sacrifice herself to the world. But after get to know Ellie better, and possible fighting together Abby realize that this isn't a easy call and may actually understand what Joel did years ago. Also thinking like "if it was Lev, I would do something much different than Joel did" because after the years I believe the relationship between Abby and Lev will only grown stronger through the years and I don't like the idea of Lev dying because it would bring Abby back again to the same spot she started part2.

"The humanity is worth saving? the humanity as it best and worst is worth of a tough sacrifice ?" I think I would choose those questions to mess with people's head in a part3.

And as narrative structure, i would do different from the part2 when they make a Ellie-Abby-Ellie-Ellie-Ellie-Abby-Abby-Abby-Ellie, I would do some Abby-Ellie-Abby- Ellie ....in this rithm. I also would choose to first show Ellie like away from Jackson and through her gameplay, we realize what happened that make her leave, through her memories and dialogues with other characters.

[amandagaelic]

Fanfic Tag (bc, Sunday)

I was tagged by @waitingforthestarstofall and @disappearinginq who are two of my favorite enablers over here. And according to at least one of them, there are no rules in this game, which means my replying many moons later is all good (right?). 

Questions:

Ao3 Name: gaelicspirit (same on FF.net)

Fandoms: Supernatural, The Young Riders, White Collar, Hawaii Five-0, Sons of Anarchy (all only on FF.net), The Musketeers, Daredevil, Teen Wolf, Timeless, MacGyver, Magnum, P.I. (on both Ao3 and FF.net)

Number of fics: 75 (+ 1 WIP)

1. Fic you spent the most time on: From Yesterday

2. Fic you spent the least time on: Raincheck

3. Longest Fic:  From Yesterday   (286,050 words)

4. Shortest Fic: Sacrifice (2,315 words)

5. Most hits: Devil to Pay (on Ao3...no clue on FF.net)

6. Most kudos: Devil’s Own (huh, I’ve never compared these stats before...maybe I should write more Daredevil)

7. Most comment threads:  Devil’s Own (on Ao3), Ramble On (on FF.net)

8. Fave Fic you wrote: This is a toughie. I love them all when I’m writing them...I think maybe it’s a 3-way tie between War Scars, From Yesterday, and Conairt. The first two were as AU as I generally get (I’ve a tendency to be a bit canon-bound) and that was fun to explore possibilities with those characters, and the 3rd was basically the story I wanted to read but couldn’t find anywhere...so I wrote it myself. 

9. Fic you want to rewrite/expand on: Hmmm. I don’t know that I’d actually rewrite any of them. They exist in my mind the moment they’re being created and then once out there in the world for all to see, that’s who they are, scars and all. I have occasionally thought about expanding on my White Collar story, Fortunate Son to explore what happened next. Though, now that the show has ended, it would be 100% AU. I guess anything I would really want to take further would be a new story in and of itself, so it wouldn’t really count as “expanding��� on it. 

10. Share a bit of your WIP or share a story idea that you’re planning:

I started another MacGyver fic last weekend called “Hello to the Night.” I’m about 25K-ish words into it and still playing it out. It’s a bit of pandemic therapy for me, to be honest. It’s really hard to get out of my own head these days, it seems.  Premise: Set  around S4 episodes 9 and 10. Turns out emotional trauma + concussions + experimental drugs don’t mix quite as easily as one might think. Mac’s dark side does more than toss him a creepy grin from the other side of a window when getting “lost in his head” is taken up a notch.

Excerpt:

Another streak of light cut like a white-hot tracer bullet across the darkest part of the sky.

“You out here making wishes on shooting stars?” Bozer asked, tapping the back of his fingers into the palm of his opposite hand.

It caught his attention then that Mac was clad only in a T-shirt and shorts; it almost looked like they were the clothes he’d gone to sleep in, not grabbed for a planned midnight run.

“These aren’t stars,” Mac corrected him, his voice sounding strangely detached from the moment. “That light is caused by dust and rock falling through the atmosphere and burning up—happens when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet as it orbits the Sun.”

Bozer felt his mouth tug up in a reflexive grin. “Is that right?”

“My dad gave me my first telescope when I was eight,” Mac continued in the same, oddly modulated tone, as if he were speaking in a dream. “Showed me how to find the constellations, track comets. I took it apart one day and he wouldn’t help me put it back together again. Said I obviously needed to know how it worked, so I should figure it out.”

Bozer remembered that telescope. He remembered James MacGyver’s stern face as Mac worked to rebuild it from the collection of parts scattered around them in piles organized by size and use. He remembered fearing that face.

“I did, too. Figure it out.”

“Yeah, I know, man,” Bozer smiled, watching Mac watch the starts. He frowned a little when he saw a hard shiver chase its way through Mac’s slim frame, though the blond man didn’t seem to notice.

“It’s like they were mine, y’know?”

Bozer’s frown deepened. “What—”

“And for a little bit there, it felt like he gave them to me,” Mac continued as though Bozer hadn’t spoken. “Like the whole universe was mine because he let me see it. But…,” Mac shook his head, his eyes distant as they tracked down from the sky and skimmed the horizon in front of them. “Then he took them away. He took them with him when he left. And I can’t figure out how to get them back. I keep trying, but…they’re just…,” he looked back up at the night sky, “they’re so far away.”

Bozer reached out and rested his fingertips on Mac’s bare arm, flinching back a little when he felt how chilled his friend’s skin was. He couldn’t see it before, but with that touch he realized Mac was shivering consistently now.

“Hey, Mac, you okay, man?”

Mac blinked, looking down at Bozer’s fingers on his arm, then frowned. He glanced around him slowly, tracking over to his left until their eyes met.

“Bozer?”

“Yeah?”

“What…what are you doing here?”

Bozer blinked, his eyebrows climbing his forehead. He tightened his grip on Mac, wrapping his fingers around his friend’s forearm until he felt the other man’s shivers through the bones of his hand.

“I was looking for you,” Bozer said truthfully, trying to keep the worry from his voice as he watched Mac look around him, over his shoulder to where the Griffith’s domed building loomed in the shadows, then back across the dark horizon to the lights of Los Angeles. “You decide to go for a midnight run or something?”

Mac swallowed hard, reaching up with a trembling hand to rub at his forehead. Bozer recalled his tired voice claiming his headache had a headache earlier that day—no, last night—in the lab. He dropped his hand and looked around again and Bozer realized what he was seeing was a growing awareness and recognition—and it frightened him.

“What the hell are we doing out here?” Mac asked, his voice sounding thin, baffled.

“Mac,” Bozer gripped his arm tighter. “I found you out here.”

Mac looked at him, blue eyes cloudy with confusion. “What?”

“I found you, man.”

Mac darted his tongue out, wetting dry lips, his shivering increasing until Bozer saw his teeth start to chatter.

“I don’t…I don’t remember…,” he shook his head. “I don’t remember leaving the house.”

Bozer folded his lower lip against his teeth, biting it to keep whatever noise that wanted to escape a prisoner. “Well, how ‘bout we head back there now?”

Mac nodded shakily and moved to slide off the fence. Bozer saw in a split second the ground was too far below him for Mac to land safely. He thrust out his arm and braced his friend, swinging his leg back over the fence to the paved walkway and pulling Mac backwards with him. Mac scrambled to find his footing, standing on trembling legs as he gripped Bozer’s shoulders.

“Holy shit,” Mac took a stuttering breath as if he’d forgotten that was what his lungs were supposed to do, straightening slowly. “How the hell did I…?”

Bozer shook his head. “How about we don’t worry about that right now, huh?”

Mac nodded, his eyes still on the drop-off on the other side of the fence.

“C’mon, man,” Bozer turned Mac toward the parking lot, keeping one hand on his friend’s arm, the other on his lower back. “It’s late and I’m cold.” He wasn’t, but it was always easier to get Mac to act if he was doing so on behalf of someone else.

“Yeah,” Mac nodded. “Yeah, sure, of course. Boze, I’m—”

“Don’t,” Bozer pushed him gently forward. “Don’t worry about it, man. Yesterday was weird for everybody.”

“Yesterday?” Mac asked, the word tripping out on a faltering breath as his shivers increased.

Bozer pressed his fingertips harder into Mac’s lower back, feeling the corded muscles there tighten against the pressure. “Yeah, y’know…crazy DARPA drug, Tesla weapon….”

“That was yesterday?” Mac asked, blinking owlishly at him.

“Time flies when you’re trippin’, man.”

Mac didn’t reply and didn’t resist as Bozer continued to guide him toward the parking lot. He stumbled over his own feet—any coltish grace that once guided him having vacated in the wake of whatever this was. Bozer steadied him, noting that while Mac didn’t quite lean into him, he needed the support.

“Easy, man,” Bozer wrapped an arm around Mac’s slim waist, pulling him flush against his side. “You’re moving like me after a night of whiskey.”

“That…doesn’t sound good,” Mac returned in the same spacey, confused tone. “You make some pretty bad choices ‘cause of whiskey.”

As they reached the car, Bozer shifted his hip to keep Mac propped up, pulling the passenger door open and maneuvering his friend into the seat.

“Yeah, well,” he reached across Mac’s shivering form to fasten his seat belt, “in whiskey’s defense, I’ve also made some pretty questionable choices completely sober.”

Mac huffed a semi-amused chuckle, his head dropping back against the seat. Bozer jogged around the back of the car to climb behind the wheel.

“Let’s crank that heat up, how ‘bout—” Bozer stopped as he glanced over and saw Mac had quite literally passed out, head tilted against the window.

His hands lay lax in his lap, fingers curled toward his palms, the left one twitching in what looked like an attempt to reach out, but not quite getting there.

“Jesus, Mac,” Bozer breathed, turning up the heat anyway as his friend shivered even in his sleep. He shrugged out of his hoodie, draping it over Mac’s bare arms and t-shirt covered torso.

Tagging: Okay, if you’ve already been tagged--or literally have no interest in this--feel free to ignore. This is a bit of a free-for-all here. @thethistlegirl @impossiblepluto @flowing-river24 @panchostokes @nativestarwrites @beamirang @21forestglades @blazeofobscurity @angus-mac-intosh @purplecolouredglasses @writtenbyblair @dashboardonfire @bands-space-and-monsters-oh-my @macgyverfever @thekristen999

[juniperwindsong]

Necessary Monsters (1/16)

Summary: His first instinct is to pull her flush against him, and his second is to push her away to disguise his desire for the first. Neither seem appropriate for the setting and Felix settles for reaching a single arm around her to pat her back carefully.

No one at Hogwarts, staff or student, can remember a more heated build-up to the Quidditch Cup. The final match may be between Slytherin and Gryffindor, but the tension has set the entire school on edge. Even the professors have been caught playing sides. McGonagall has neglected to assign homework to Gryffindor the week leading up to the match, and there's a rumour Snape has excused the Slytherin team from Potions classes to fit in extra, secret trainings. 

When the long-anticipated day finally arrives, students begin filing into the stands before breakfast to ensure they have decent seats, and by mid-morning there isn't an empty space anywhere. The stadium itself seems to vibrate with the collective anticipation.

It does not escape the notice of the more observant older students that the spectators appear to be evenly divided into crowds of red and green. Some people sport both colours simultaneously. A match like this would usually show the rest of the school united against Slytherin, the seats filled with red and gold and roaring lions. But enthusiasm for Slytherin is at an all-time high. Its Quidditch team is enjoying a popularity the house has not seen since before the first Wizarding War. For once, the palpable tension has little to do with which houses are playing and more to do with the players themselves. 

Because it isn't just Gryffindor versus Slytherin, it's Weasley versus Windsong.

Both sixth years and captains of their respective teams. The former commonly believed to be the best Seeker ever trained at Hogwarts and the latter famous for her aerial acrobatics and ability to play any position with ease. Efforts by the opposite houses to knock each out of the running has forced both to travel with an entourage for the last month. An entourage that more often than not includes each other as it's a well-known fact that Charlie Weasley and Juniper Windsong are not only Quidditch rivals, but close friends.

The teams walk onto the pitch to tumultuous applause, the two captains coming to face each other on either side of Madam Hooch. They're surprisingly close in height, and the grins they flash at each other, hidden from most of the spectators, are genuine, if competitive. They shake hands, the teams mount their brooms, and the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle is drowned by the roar of the crowd as the players soar into the air.

The game begins, and Felix Rosier isn't sure he's ever been so nervous in his life. Which is ridiculous, he tells himself. He's faced down furious, fire-breathing dragons; why on earth should something as silly as a school Quidditch game have his heart thumping violently in his chest?

He grips his knees tightly as he watches the Slytherin Chaser identified as Skye Parkin by commentator Murphy McNully tear off down the field with the Quaffle. She performs a complicated little flying manouevre that confuses the Gryffindor Keeper and earns the first goal of the game. The stands erupt. Felix realizes he's dizzy from holding his breath. He exhales forcefully and reminds himself that he's not invested in the outcome of this match.

"Relax, friend, what will happen will happen. What can we add to the match by worrying?"

Felix cuts his eyes across to the young man next to him. It's been a few years, but he recognizes the disheveled hair and unshaven chin of recently graduated Slytherin Quidditch Captain, Orion Amari.

"I'm not worried," Felix insists.

Orion nods. "A healthy perspective."

The crowd roars again as Skye Parkin approaches the Gryffindor goal posts at break-neck speed. Murphy McNully's magically amplified voice carries smoothly across the noise.

And will we see a second Slytherin goal in as many minutes? Parkin shoots and - No! Blocked by brand new Gryffindor Keeper, Oliver Wood!

"The new Gryffindor Keeper is well balanced, is he not? Skye will have to alter her tactics to get past him," comments Orion sagely.

Felix merely grunts in response. His focus is on the pitch, though his eyes aren’t following the progress of the Quaffle.

"You are Felix Rosier, aren't you? Slytherin's prefect from a few years ago?" Orion asks.

Felix gives a short nod.

"I heard you were in China studying dragons now?"

"Peru," corrects Felix tersely.

"Ah." Curiousity peeks through Orion’s unflappable veneer. "You know, I cannot remember ever seeing you at a Quidditch match before. Even when you were at school."

Of course, Felix thinks, it would be just his luck to be stuck beside the one person in the entire stadium more interested in conversation than the game.

"I never cared much for Quidditch. Waste of time, really," he says brusquely, hoping the former Captain will be offended enough to stop talking to him. But Orion merely nods again, face impassive.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Although, yours makes it all the more unusual for you to be here."

Felix sighs. "It's an important match for... Slytherin," he says, before turning on Orion abruptly. "You've graduated as well, Amari. What are you doing here?"

"Showing support to my Quidditch family, of course," Orion replies. "We may graduate from school but we never graduate from our friends." He turns to inspect the progress of the game. "And, as you said, it is an important match. Especially for the new Slytherin captain."

Felix's heart stutters, but before he can respond the people around them are on their feet. McNully's commentary can just be heard above the renewed screams of excitement.

And Weasley dives! Is that the Snitch there on the ground? Could this match be over before it truly begins?

Everyone in the stadium, Orion included, is watching Charlie Weasley dive toward the grass below. Everyone except Felix, who closes his eyes, too nervous to look. One shaky breath, then two. The spectators burst into a mix of delighted cheers and disappointed cries.

Foiled! By the brilliant beating of Windsong and Lee!

At the sound of her name, Felix's eyes automatically. Just in time to catch a glimpse of Juniper Windsong swooping by the stands where Felix sits, as she takes a victory lap around the stadium. Felix’s stomach does a pleasant flip, and he has to fight to keep his face straight. 

Everything from Juniper's wide grin to her perfect posture is exceptionally confident as she controls her Comet 260 with only her knees, both hands wielding her Beater's club. Squinting, Felix can just see Barnaby Lee opposite her across the pitch. Together, the two of them keep possession of a Bludger, hitting it back and forth to each other rapidly. Then, with a casual-looking flick of her wrist, Juniper sends it hurtling toward an unlucky Gryffindor Chaser. The Chaser dives out of the way of the Bludger, leaving the path to the goal posts wide open for Skye Parkin to score again.

"They make quite the team, do they not?"

Felix can just hear Orion's voice under the cheers and applause. He purses his lips tightly, but Orion continues as though he hasn't noticed.

"Such an easy rapport. It is indicative of true harmony both on and off the pitch. Perhaps more teams should consider choosing Beaters who are romantically involved."

"They're not romantically involved,” corrects Felix hotly. "Not anymore. They broke up last summer. They haven't been together all year."

"Interesting," Amari murmurs. Felix feels the younger man's eyes on him, but he keeps his gaze steadfastly forward.

The Slytherin Chasers make their way up the pitch in possession of the Quaffle. Felix recognises Skye Parkin's attempt to set up some sort of Quidditch play. He isn't sure of its name or its purpose, but he feels certain it does not involve a second Slytherin Chaser snatching the Quaffle away from Skye at the last minute causing a scuffle in mid-air. A Gryffindor Chaser nearby takes advantage of the confusion and swoops down on them from above. The Chaser nicks the Quaffle and tanks off down the pitch before Skye can gather herself. The red and gold waves in the stands stamp their approval.

Orion shakes his head. "That Chaser is not working in harmony with his fellow players."

Felix's eyes narrow at the offending player. "That's Marcus Flint. He's been driving Windsong mad all year. Doesn't want to take orders from a girl, apparently."

Madam Hooch's whistle rings through the Stadium calling for time out. Juniper Windsong and Skye Parkin land hard near the Slytherin goal posts, Skye ranting at the captain before her feet are even on the ground. Felix is too far away to hear any words, but it's obvious from Skye's wild gesticulations toward Marcus Flint, who has landed nearby, what the conversation concerns. Felix's jaw begins to ache, and he realizes he's been gritting his teeth.

"You know quite a bit about the inner workings of the team for someone who does not care for Quidditch," observes Orion, watching Felix instead of the players on the ground.

Distracted by the sight of Juniper now berating the sullen-looking Flint, Felix answers, "Juniper mentioned him," without thinking.

"I see," Orion says. "I did not know you were so close with our resident cursebreaker."

"We...write.” Felix’s cheeks redden in spite of himself.

"Peru is a long way to come to support a pen friend." Orion's tone is unassuming, but the heat continues to spread down Felix's collar.

"I happened to be in the country," says Felix defensively. "And, as she mentioned being nervous about the game and I had some time on my hands, I thought I'd stop by. That's all."

Orion makes no further comment as the Slytherin players return to the air. Felix steals a quick glance at his pocket watch, fervently hoping the match will not last much longer.

His hopes are dashed as another hour passes, Slytherin in possession of the Quaffle nearly the entire time. Felix is grudgingly impressed by Skye Parkin's performance. She whips between the Gryffindor players as easily as if they were training dummies, although Flint continues to be a thorn in her side. Juniper is forced to fly between them more than once to stop their in-fighting.

Usually Felix would be bored to tears by now, but he can't keep his eyes off Juniper as she flies expertly about the pitch. The way she manages to keep track of the entire game at once, occasionally calling out plays or advice to her team, all while flicking Bludgers at the Gryffindor seeker is fascinating to him. Felix knows admittedly little about Quidditch strategy, but even he can see Juniper's goal is to prevent the Weasley boy from catching the Snitch at all costs. She and Barnaby Lee shadow the fiery red-head about the pitch. No matter how fast he flies, the Gryffindor Seeker cannot seem to shake the Slytherin Beaters.

The fourth time Charlie Weasley spots the Snitch, the little gold ball is fluttering near the same stands in which Felix and Orion sit. Felix has a perfect view of Juniper as she bats a Bludger directly at Charlie's outstretched hand. In the split second he withdraws to avoid breaking any fingers, the Snitch disappears. Juniper grins cheekily at the furious Seeker, and Felix's stomach somersaults again.

Well folks, we're an hour in, and the score stands at 160 points to 40 for Slytherin! Seems like Gryffindor's usual strategy of relying on a quick win by Weasley just isn't working for them this time! Felix can detect a note of glee in McNully's commentary.

Tensions in the air have reached a fever pitch, and Felix has to stop himself from wringing his hands visibly in his lap. Marcus Flint seems to have elected himself Slytherin's enforcer.  He abandons any attempts to score in favor of knocking into Gryffindor players who fly too close to Skye Parkin. The third time he does this, the unfortunate Gryffindor Chaser nearly falls from her broom, and Madam Hooch calls a foul. Felix watches Juniper fly right up next to Flint, grabbing his Quidditch robes by the collar and speaking fiercely into his face. Felix wishes he were close enough to hear what she's saying. He can guess, from the way Flint yanks his robes from her grasp and flies off angrily, it isn't encouragement. Felix runs his fingers through his hair nervously.

Play resumes as the Gryffindor Chaser shoots a penalty shot and scores. The cheers from the crowd have only just begun when a collective gasp ripples through them. Charlie Weasley rockets upward, lying flat against his broom for extra speed. At the far end of the pitch, Juniper hits one Bludger and then the other frantically at the Seeker who manages to dodge both.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter," Felix mumbles under his breath as Weasley stretches his arm above his head, fumbling for the tiny gold ball.

Out of nowhere, Marcus Flint smashes into the Gryffindor Seeker's side, knocking him from his broom entirely. Weasley doesn't fall far before his arm is caught by a teammate, but the Gryffindor fans in the audience howl in outrage.

Foul by Slytherin Chaser Flint! There's Madam Hooch's whistle and it's a penalty shot for Gryffindor - but wait! Looks like Slytherin Captain Windsong has called for time-out.

The green-clad players swoop toward the ground. Felix watches Juniper stalk over to Flint, anger in her every movement. In spite of the distance between them, Felix fancies he can hear Juniper shouting at the rogue Chaser, who bellows right back. Flint is a good head taller than his Captain, broader as well, but Juniper squares up against him undaunted. She points a furious finger across the pitch to the changing rooms. Flint shakes his head, lips moving rapidly. Their argument lasts one tense minute before Flint, snarling, shoves Juniper away from him, hard.

Felix is on his feet without realising, blood pounding in his ears. He's not alone. The stadium around him appears to have exploded. Down on the grass, Barnaby Lee and another Slytherin player drag Flint away from Juniper, herself now restraining a shrieking Skye Parkin. Some primal instinct orders Felix to get to the pitch to assist, the fact that there's nothing he can do having no bearing whatsoever. It takes all the self-control he possesses to force himself to return to his seat.

Madam Hooch lands in the middle of the fight, blowing madly on her whistle. Felix's eyes widen as he recognises Snape crossing the pitch toward the scuffling team, as well. There's a few minutes heated discourse between the Slytherin Head of House and his Quidditch Captain before Juniper breaks away, breathing hard. She holds a swift, secret conversation with Skye, their heads bent close together, then she hands her Beater's bat to Madam Hooch and signals her team to remount their brooms. All except Flint. Felix watches, mouth hanging slightly open, as Snape escorts the furiously railing Slytherin boy back across the pitch and into the changing rooms.

And it looks like Windsong has booted Marcus Flint from the Slytherin team and is taking his place as Chaser! Slytherin will now be one player short for the most critical match of the entire year! A bold move for the new captain.

"Can she do that?" Felix asks, stunned, as the team waits for Madam Hooch's whistle to resume play.

"If she has done it, then it can be done," answers Orion mystically.

Felix brings a hand up to trace the long scar running down the side of his neck. He feels ridiculously helpless. He wishes vainly that he had never come to the match. If he'd had any idea how stressful Quidditch could be, he would simply have caught up with Juniper afterwards, and spared himself this torment.

The game begins again in earnest, and if Slytherin had a monopoly on the Quaffle before, it's nothing compared to now. Between Skye and Juniper, the Gryffindor Chasers barely have a glimpse of the ball. Slytherin gains another 30 points in less than ten minutes.

And Slytherin is now up by enough to win the match even with a Gryffindor Snitch capture! One has to wonder how this will affect Weasley's strategy...

It's obvious even to Felix that the Gryffindor Seeker has slowed his incessant circling of the pitch.  Presumably, he’s waiting until the Chasers score more points, but it seems unlikely Gryffindor will ever catch up. While Oliver Wood manages to save about one in three shots at the goal posts, the Gryffindor Chasers cannot manage to wrest the Quaffle from Skye and Juniper. Although, Felix thinks he can detect a slight lag in the Slytherin Chasers' movements. He wonders if the lengthy game hasn't begun to tire them.

At 300 points up for Slytherin, the spectators begin to be restless. The buzz of scattered conversations can be heard amid the regular cheers.

"Is this a typical length for a Quidditch game?" Felix directs the question at Orion, and the young man gives his enigmatic smile.

"There is nothing typical about a Quidditch match. Each is unique," he replies knowingly, before adding: "This one is rather long, though."

Sudden shouts in the crowd around him cause Felix to look up. He’s in time to see Weasley dive once more, just in front of his stand. As Felix watches, Barnaby Lee zooms forward, Beater's bat poised to aim a passing Bludger at the Seeker, but a shrill whistle distracts him before he can execute the attack. Half the players on the pitch, and Felix in the stands, follow the source of the noise to the Slytherin Captain. Juniper hovers near a goal post, shaking her head frantically at Barnaby.

Felix furrows his brow, confused. "What, does she want Weasley to catch it?" he asks incredulously.

Orion's smile blossoms into something less mysterious and more genuine. "Charlie Weasley is a good friend of Juniper's. Perhaps, she wants his team to lose with dignity."

Felix's face twists in distaste. "Or perhaps she just wants the game to be over," he argues, as Charlie snatches the golden blur hovering just above the ground.

"That too," Orion agrees, and the stadium around them erupts.

Supporters of both sides are screaming and crying. Felix finds himself on his feet with everyone else, caught up in the wave of adoring Quidditch fans applauding uproariously. He watches the Slytherin team hit the ground, brooms forgotten as they reach for each other in a giant, scrum-like embrace. Felix realizes the back of his robes are soaked through with sweat as though he too has been flying nonstop for hours.

Students swarm from the stands like locusts to surround the new Hogwarts Quidditch champions. Felix is just considering whether or not to attempt pushing through them when he catches sight of one lone, green-clad figure moving against the crowd. Juniper forces her way through the ecstatic Slytherins to the end of the pitch where the Gryffindor team has landed, slightly more subdued. Charlie Weasley's bright red hair is visible even from high in the stands. Felix can make out the Gryffindor's reluctant grin as he extends a hand toward the approaching Slytherin. Juniper ignores it. She pulls the short, stocky boy into a tight hug, and Felix's stomach, writhing nearly non-stop for the entire match, suddenly turns to lead.

Beside him, Orion says into his ear, "So, what do you think of Quidditch now?"

Felix scowls, unable to rip his eyes away from the spectacle below him.

"Absolutely pointless," he grumbles.

-

In spite of her scene on the pitch and its obvious implications, Felix decides it would be a phenomenal waste of time to have endured such a painfully long match without seeing Juniper after all, so he joins the throng traipsing from the Quidditch Pitch to the Hogwarts' dungeons. Although it has been a few years, Felix is sure he's never seen the Slytherin common room so crowded. It's impossible to see to the wall opposite, the room is so tightly packed with cheering, jumping bodies. He's certain there aren't this many people in the whole of Slytherin house. Sure enough, Felix catches a glimpse of Penny Haywood and another Hufflepuff girl with spiky pink hair passing out Butterbeers and talking animatedly.

"What in Merlin's name are Hufflepuffs doing here?" Felix mutters to no one in particular.

"Quidditch has a way of bringing people together." Felix rolls his eyes hugely as he recognizes Orion's mellow voice from beside his shoulder. "As does Juniper Windsong."

Felix bristles but says nothing. It's true, Juniper's friend group has always been diverse. It's a trait he usually admires in her, but Felix isn't well-disposed to her inter-house friendships just at present. He has only a moment to brood over this, however, before enormous arms grab him from behind and lift him off his feet.

"Felix!"

He recognises the enthusiastic voice of Barnaby Lee. The muscular boy gives Felix another hard squeeze before lowering him back to the floor.

"Nice to see you too, Barnaby," Felix gasps, winded by the rib-crushing hug. He straightens his robes and glances around self-consciously. Quidditch team members are filing in behind Barnaby, and Felix's heart skips a beat as the crowd around them gives an enormous cheer. But it's only Skye Parkin entering the common room with the Quidditch Cup held above her head.

"What are you doing here?" asks Barnaby excitedly. "I didn't know you were back from China!"

"Peru," Felix corrects, attempting to scan the players behind Barnaby as casually as possible. "And yes, I arrived today."

"Just to see us play?"

Felix fixes his gaze on the extremely tall, well-built young man in front of him. Barnaby has grown-up significantly since the last time Felix saw him, but he hasn't lost any of his boyish good-looks. Felix recalls Orion's comments about Barnaby and Juniper from the Quidditch match, and his already bad mood continues to sour.

"No, of course not," he replies curtly. "I've applied for a transfer to the Romanian Reserve. My interview is next week."

"Wow! That's amazing!" Barnaby's face is full of awe, which soothes Felix's temper very slightly. "But... how did you know we had a match today?"

Felix repeats his now practiced excuse. "Juniper mentioned it in her last letter, and, as I was in the country in time, I thought I'd drop by."

"So, she doesn't know you're here? C'mon, she'll be so excited to see you!" Barnaby grabs Felix by the wrist before he can reply and wades into the sea of bodies, pulling the former prefect in his wake. Felix is careful to stand as close to Barnaby as possible to keep himself from being swallowed by the crowd. He isn't usually bothered by cramped spaces. He's spent the last three years in a variety of tight quarters. But something about the heat and noise and sweat from the excited bodies around him makes him feel dizzy. He closes his eyes, allowing Barnaby to drag him forward, and so he hears Juniper before he sees her.

"Look, I warned him all year. If he wasn't going to be a team player then he wasn't going to play on the team."

Felix’s eyes snap open automatically. A cluster of people in festive green face-paint block his view, many of them busy loudly protesting Juniper's words.

"Weasley would have caught that snitch without Marcus! He saved the game!" says one petulant voice.

"That's how Slytherin plays! It's about doing anything to win!" insists another.

All pretense of nonchalance abandoned, Felix cranes his neck over Barnaby's shoulder. He’s just able to glimpse the back of Juniper's head. Her hair falls in waves, much longer and more kempt than he remembers.

"Look, no one wants to win more than I do!" she argues, and Felix swears he can actually hear her smile. "Well, except maybe Skye."

There's an outburst of appreciative laughter from her audience.

"But cheating is a cop-out," Juniper continues. "It means someone else is really better than me and I couldn't beat them on my own. I told Flint, I wanted us to win because we were the best or die trying, but cheating to make that happen is just the same as losing."

"Yeah, and it's nothing to do with the fact that it's Weasley he knocked about," says a sly voice from somewhere in the crowd.

The outcry around her is divided into loud cheers and raucous laughter, but Barnaby's voice cuts through them.

"Juniper! Juniper, look who's here!"

Barnaby steps aside just as Juniper's head whips around. Her eyes widen in recognition as they fall upon Felix. He has a split second to worry whether he should keep his face neutral or attempt a smile, before she flings her arms around his neck, dragging him into an eager embrace. Felix's first instinct is to pull her flush against him, and his second is to push her away to disguise his desire for the first. Neither seem appropriate for the setting. He settles for reaching a single arm around her to pat her back carefully.

Juniper pulls away, leaving her hands resting on his shoulders. She's grown quite a bit if she can look him in the eye while doing that.

"You're here! I can't believe you're here!" she babbles excitedly, her face transported by her wide smile. She laughs giddily and hugs him again, and as Felix inhales that familiar aroma of lavender and something else he can't identify, all his ill-feeling evaporates.

However entangled she may be with anyone else, Barnaby Lee or Charlie Weasley, it's suddenly as meaningless to him as Quidditch. Her scent, her arms around him, her body pressed up against his, all confirm for Felix what he's suspected for the past year: he's in love with Juniper Windsong. And he's come back to Hogwarts with the express purpose of telling her so.

-

Read Chapter 2 | View all stories on the Masterpost

[empty-movement]

The Comet and the Stars

CW/TW: Discussion of sexual assault, emotional abuse, events of episode 33, incest, um...everything? Look, it’s about Akio. :(

I discovered a comet earlier. It’s new. No one else knows about it yet. But I won’t tell anyone else about it. I won’t even name it. It’s amazing… The feeling of discovering a new heavenly body. You feel as though doing that makes it your property. But what’s in the heavens is in the heavens. It belongs to no one. ...It belongs to no one...

Goodnight, big brother.

Must you still torment me?

For twenty years, this scene has driven me nuts, and taking my cue from the man himself, I've just ignored it. The gist is obvious enough: Akio is gloating about seducing Utena and it backfires on him, but any dramatic weight or potential for analysis has been eclipsed for me by an unforgivable sin. In all previous translations, Akio uses ‘comet’ and ‘star’ interchangeably.

This is absurd coming from someone who, according to Ikuhara, probably teaches astronomy in the university. It also breaks the comparison he's making. I brought this up with our translation buddy at Nozomi, not asking him to fix it but more bemoaning my fate. After all, Akio does clearly use two different words…

It turns out that I didn't give enough credit, either to Akio or to Enokido, who wrote the episode, on why it’s worded this way. Though Akio begins by saying suisei, which is explicitly the word for comet, he continues into his little speech using hoshi. The latter is generally translated as ‘star’, but is actually not specific beyond ‘celestial body.’ (Had I been a Sailor Moon fan, I would have known this, as hoshi is used to refer to planets in it, apparently.)

As close as I can get to the experience after twenty years, this is like me getting to analyze a piece of Utena for the first time. It was a fascinating look at something I knew I wanted to explore, but couldn't, because it was broken. It’s fixed now. And I am digging in, because I’m Akio trash, toxic relationship trash, space trash, and analysis trash. (And also, this was homework/research for the Akio fic I wrote for the upcoming Utena Future Zine.)

This scene immediately follows episode 33, The Prince Who Runs In the Night, which ended with Utena and Akio having sex in a hotel room, an event framed by Akio and Anthy as ‘delivering roses’, and alluded to by Akio as ‘beautiful stars.’

Here, at the beginning of episode 34, The Rose Seal, having just had sex with his sister, Akio is in the mood to gloat. He begins to describe having found a new comet. This seems...unlikely. You’ve never seen Akio use a telescope. The entirety of his exploration of space is contained within a planetarium, a representation of the night sky, beholden to the accuracy bestowed by its creator. It’s incapable of letting him ‘find’ anything. Of course, that’s not a flaw. It’s a feature. Akio is choosing where the stars shine, even if outside of his world, this would not be up to him.

The stars are a metaphor, both in the context of the series, and Akio’s own use of them in conversation: the heavenly bodies he discusses are the people he controls. Everything Akio has said relating to the stars or the mythology surrounding them is ultimately about someone in the story, and there is always a contextual clue to indicate this. 

Later, he will go on to say “Actually, I have no interest whatsoever in the stars.” You can take this as him rejecting his own framing device, or you can take him as using the metaphor still: he doesn’t care about people at all. I think it's both. He never shows an interest in space that isn’t clearly bound up in its comparison to people, and he shows somehow even less regard for the people those stars represent. They’re at best playthings, and at worse, just a means to a repetitive, futile end.

It’s obvious that Utena’s the comet he has discovered, that no one else knows about. This is an unsubtle reference to ‘discovering’ Utena's virginity, and taking for himself the one piece of Utena that Anthy could not have ‘known about’ herself. Whether she wanted it or not is far less important than that it's something Akio was able to deny her. Right out of the gate, this is not nearly so much about his comet, as the person he's speaking to.

It is interesting though to consider if Akio is aware at all that Anthy's feelings for Utena could be romantic in nature. The choice of sex as a means to drive them apart does seem to speak to that, but it's also probably the move he'd make regardless of the nature of Utena and Anthy's relationship. Anthy's refusal to look at the ‘real’ stars Akio enjoys so much in the previous episode is framed rather like jealousy, but it's hard to say exactly for who or over what. Her reaction to this event is...complicated, despite her complicity implied by her assistance in “delivering the roses.” This is an especially eerie way to reference Akio's sleeping with Utena, given the bouquet, red and white roses mixed, follows them to the hotel room, sits on a chair, and is eventually is set in a vase. After all, the destination is already there. A similar bouquet is delivered to Akio’s office way back in episode 15, when he is first alone with Utena, suggesting Anthy’s awareness and involvement in Utena’s fate, including this rape, has been there from the start.

Having established this as a discussion about Utena, he goes on to say he isn’t going to tell anybody about this new comet, nor is he going to give it a name. A secret thing that’s yours because you found it… is no small power trip, and if he were talking about a comet, one could certainly imagine a few precious moments where the possession can be savored before the pleasure of sharing your discovery takes over. There is certainly some of this in how it pertains to Utena, but more pointedly this is an act of aggression. And this, the fact that comets aren’t stars, is why the mistake in translation literally destroys beyond repair this entire bit.

Comets are temporary visitors in the night sky, they flash brilliantly but ultimately will only be there for a little while before going on their way along a much larger orbit. (Ruka is another comet, shown coming down in the window in episode 28, then departing in 29.) Stars, for all intents and purposes, are fixed bodies. Things that reliably stay where you expect them to. They aren’t going anywhere.* Akio is reminding Anthy that Utena, sweet as she is, is a temporary visitor in their sky. She may shine brighter than most, but her path will eventually lead her away. Don’t get too attached, Anthy, to a thing that will soon disappear.

To Akio, there’s no point naming her. He only concerns himself with what's in his domain, and if she’s going to leave it anyway, she can do so namelessly. This is exactly what happens: the students forget her, struggling to recall her name not long after her departure. By refusing to name this comet, he’s rejecting her in advance of needing to do so, anticipating her departure, and planning her erasure. I’m not going to name her, because she isn’t going to be part of our world.

He goes on to say how wonderful and fun it is to discover a comet and then keep it to himself. No one finds comets if they don’t look for them, and if they’re looking for them, they’re doing so out of passion for the hunt. But he’s talking about Utena, making it about how much pleasure he takes in the hunt of innocence, and its subsequent destruction. Though certainly no excuse for his actions, this seems to me like it would be a satisfying preoccupation for the fallen prince, denied his former glory by the endless, fatal demands innocent princesses placed on him. Ohtori Academy could be read, cynically, as an elaborate mockery of a fairy tale world that he has created just to play out this story, over and over.

But what’s in the heavens is in the heavens. Or more simply “A comet is a comet.” On some level, Captain Obvious is aware of the nature of the coffin he lives in. He makes reference to the world outside and is to some limited extent in communication with it. He knows within his sphere, time is arrested. He knows, I think at varying levels of conscious awareness, that the world he’s the ends of is not the entirety of the earth. In this comment, he extends the temporality of Utena’s presence to not just being true for Anthy, but him as well. Utena will leave, and who will be left? Just the two of them, still together under the same sky, though their comet is no longer in it.

The comet belonging to no one is an elaboration of this point, and probably the closest Akio inadvertently gets to a moment of genuine self-awareness. The discovery of a comet makes him feel like it’s his...but it’s not. It’s a comet, and it will leave the sky they live under regardless of what either of them does to it.

He repeats this line again. It gnaws at him, because it strays too close to the subject of his own limitations. This started as a threat that he can ruin this creature Anthy’s grown fond of, and as he expanded the point, it became tinged with reassurance that Utena is a passing fling for both of them. But Akio, in a hurry to absolve himself of any real culpability, ends up admitting, certainly by accident, that Utena isn’t a passing fling because that’s what he’d prefer. Akio won’t keep her because Akio can’t keep her.

On some level, he is aware that his control is not absolute. This comet that has appeared is not his to keep, and while he may budge its trajectory to his own ends, ultimately...he can’t force it to do anything. He can’t force anyone to do anything. He can trick, cajole, coax...but his perception of his own capacity to control the world around him does not line up accurately with reality, and he knows this. Deep down.

Because while illusions may belong to him, reality belongs to no one…

Anthy leaves when she does knowing he’s been made vulnerable by his own contemplation. Not only does she not care to offer any comfort, she is ignoring both his empty threat and his hollow reassurance. After all this peacocking, and the dark place he inadvertently led himself, she tells him by her passivity that, oops, sorry. She wasn’t listening.

Must you still torment me?

Yes. Because I don’t belong to you, either.

The give and take of love and resentment in Akio and Anthy’s relationship reaches levels of toxicity that would make Chernobyl blush. They dance constantly around their codependency, swiping at one another, and then soothing each other in turn. “No one will ever know you as well as I know you.” becomes both a reassurance and a threat on their lips.

It’s Akio that does all the talking, and one could assume that’s usually the case, but Anthy wins this round by doing the one thing more dangerous to Akio than anything else: she ignores him. Hating him is a glue that binds her to him, and his rubbing her face in what he’s done to their young comet smacks of an attempt to reinforce that attachment, negative thought it is. As long as she’s wrapped up in her hatred and resentment of him, she’s not going to be able to move on. Their hostility to one another is heavy with that awareness on both sides: they both know the ‘love’ the other has for them depends on that hatred, and neither really believes it could mean anything any other way. Neither dares invest in the idea that they could be genuinely loved for their own sake, so neither tries.

A fair bit of Akio’s dialogue in the climax of the series also seems geared to elicit contempt from Anthy, seeking this bitterness as a validation of her attachment. There’s a bit of lip service to the idea of them loving one another, but the form that takes is a hostile one, and it’s that hostility Akio is trying to drag from Anthy now. Anthy, knowing why he’s doing it and what he hopes to achieve, denies him...and enjoys it. After all, it’s how she swipes at him in turn, by reminding him that her veneer of compliance, her passivity as the Rose Bride, is a weapon she can aim just as readily at him. And he sees every day what it does to others, just as she’s made to watch what he does to their makeshift prince.

Akio’s seduction of Utena is a military action ending a cold war, and this scene is our first glimpse at what open hostility between these powers looks like. The Akio Arc and the Apocalypse Arc are not a distinction officially made by the series creators, but the presence of a ‘recap’ episode implies it, and the shift from one story arc to the next marks a gross change in the tone of Akio and Anthy’s relationship past any capacity either may have to salvage it. Akio is clearly aware what he has done angers Anthy, but he misjudges the severity of her reaction, having let himself be pretty much blind up to this moment to the distance Utena is putting between them.

But...why does he change terms? Why not just continue using the term that appropriately describes the subject? Well, I used to think this was done because it sounds better or something, and that certainly could be the case. However, it also creates a double entendre that isn’t exactly necessary to the point, but certainly enriches it. Hoshi is ‘celestial body’, hoshii, with the extended vowel, is ‘want.’ They do absolutely sound different in Japanese, however, they don’t sound so different that a Japanese speaker wouldn’t notice their similarity. Consider this:

I discovered something interesting earlier. It’s new. Something that no one else knows about yet. But I won’t tell anyone else about it. I won’t even name it. It’s amazing… The feeling of discovering something new to want. You feel as though doing that makes it your own. But...I want what I want. Though what I want belongs to no one.

Reworded to this, his speech doesn’t radically change in meaning. He’s still gloating about a thing he’s found and enjoyed, and he’s still eventually tripping over an awareness that he can’t keep it. The flavor of it changes though, it sounds far more world-weary, like someone aware of how infrequently a new thing to interest them comes along. That novelty is rare, and Akio, selfish creature that he is, would make it belong to him if he could. He can’t, though...and why is that?

Perhaps he’s aware that the very act of possessing this comet ruins what he likes about it. Under any condition where Utena becomes his possession, she stops being the innocent, spirited little prince he’s having such fun playing with. He knows possessing her would destroy what he enjoyed in the first place. This is a conundrum he shares with his ‘competitor,’ Touga. This interest, this distraction, is one that is entirely impossible for Akio to keep. It will elude him, and the satisfaction he feels at the destruction of a noble thing will be fleeting, leaving him only with the wreckage of Anthy’s anger, and none of the pleasure he feels now.

This is absolutely not to say I think Akio is remotely in love with Utena. I actually kind of had a hard time typing that sentence even. He enjoys the pursuit, perhaps, but more importantly, Akio lives to bring others down to his level. If everyone else turns out to be total garbage, it validates his decision to take the easy way out. To be garbage himself. Utena interests and pleases him so because she has that much farther to fall, and he appears, against his better interests given Anthy’s reaction, compelled to push her. But if Dios’ fundamental ambition was to save others, it seems reasonable to assume Akio’s is the opposite--he’s compelled to destroy what innocence crosses his path, and whether that is out of the programming inflicted on him by his very nature as a living archetype, or whether that’s a retaliation against others for the wounds he perceives have been inflicted on him and what’s his, meaning Anthy...I suppose depends on your reading of what exactly he and Anthy are. The former has been used in the past to frame Akio as unable to help himself any more than Dios does. I’ve never really liked that reading, because it removes the burden of responsibility he has for his actions by removing his agency in deciding what he does or doesn’t do. That just feels cheap to me, utterly out of line with the richness and complexity to be found literally everywhere in the series.

I think the world Akio and Anthy inhabit, that they’ve created for themselves, is such a dark place because both of them feel most comfortable there. Akio lashes out madly in hostility toward literally everyone that crosses his path, and though it is smoothed over and made attractive by his methods, the fact remains that Akio structures everything around him to service this ambition. He misleads, hurts, and ruins others, and does so with the point of view that he has a right to this. (‘Foolish mortal’ is translated this way because the word he uses, ikimono, literally implies like...minimal sentience.) The vengeance he takes on the world seems almost an addiction at this point, one he indulges to his own detriment as Anthy’s approval shifts from irritation to far beyond tolerance.  

This moment of reflection, where he admits, albeit briefly, that the toys he plays with aren’t his own, is one of very few moments in the series where you could even attempt to read his behavior as self-aware or something he struggles with. It suggests on some level Akio is aware that the world at large buzzes about without him, and that his petty tortures are ultimately meaningless, either as a means to real satisfaction, or as revenge for a wrong as great as the one inflicted on him. People are not his in the end, and they are capable of walking away from a garden he cannot. This is an interesting insight for him to have at the beginning of such open hostilities between him and his sister. What has been obvious to us as viewers for a very long time is starting, maybe, to sink through to him: Anthy is capable of leaving him.  Not threatening. Not using the distance as a bludgeon...but actually leaving.

If Akio could be capable of regret for his actions, this would be a moment for him to be so. He begins by gloating, but ends this dialogue aware that something went wrong with this particular ‘discovery’...and his greed for its destruction, his selfishness, and his resentment toward all things innocent and pure are all little satellites orbiting what I think is the biggest insight Akio risks having here. Akio is not entirely sure what he just did to this girl will be without consequences. That he might have gone a bit too far, a bit too late, and left himself with an Anthy he can’t be nearly so sure of anymore.

The open hostility between the siblings from this point forward stems from that spiraling trust he has in his grip on what, so far as he believes, sustains him. The game played now aims as much to sever Anthy from her attachment to this little creature as it does to creating a prince out of her. Akio is starting to be afraid.

Thanks for reading, if your crazy ass got this far! I know Akio isn’t exactly the hot topic everyone loves to talk about, but I find him uniquely compelling for all the reasons we don’t want to talk about him, and if any of this was interesting to you, I’ll be glad of it! :D As always, any feedback or whathaveyou is welcome. If you need some seriousness bleach, here, have a stupid picture:

PS. Happy birthday, Akio! Sorry about the long essay totally ripping into your weaknesses and calling you a scared little man.

* Akio pointing out Venus (‘the morning star’) as a comparison to himself earlier in the series is especially rich given this entire framing device. Venus, like the other planets, masquerades as a star, and you can’t really tell the difference without a telescope. However, unlike the fixed stars, it moves about freely in the night sky, appearing to be one thing while behaving in another way. Just as Akio appears to be the Trustee Chairman of the Board, but moves about across his sky as Ends of the World. Just as he appears one of us, he is something altogether different, and altogether closer than we realize.

[kcwcommentary]

VLD2x07 – “Space Mall”

2x07 – “Space Mall”

Team Voltron currently has two issues: One, the struggle between Shiro and Zarkon in bonding with the Black Lion, and two, needing new lenses for the teludav. Coran has an idea about the latter. I love the goofy look on Coran’s face in the photograph of him shopping, and I love Alfor smiling at Coran in the background of that image.

Lance continues his overbearing flirting with Allura. She might not be into Lance, but she is into the idea of buying something sparkly. Coran’s inner patriarchy shows itself in his trying to override Allura’s agency and say she can’t go shopping. While Shiro goes to bond with Black, Coran and the other Paladins leave for shopping, and Allura is left alone with the mice. Sigh.

Shiro gets in Black and tries to meditate “bond,” and Black responds by blasting off into space.

The Space Mall is very much a mall environment. I really like the atmospherics of the location. It makes me feel like the time I spent in malls as a kid/teen. Coran has costumes/disguises for them to wear, and Keith’s is particularly funny to me. Coran leaves the Paladins, who immediately trash their disguises. The Galra mallcop’s thinking the Paladin’s normal look is indicative of pirates disguising themselves as normal shoppers, his monolog in general, and his locker poster of Zarkon are all funny.

The Black Lion has brought Shiro to a destroyed planet. Daibazaal, homeworld of the Galra. The planet being oddly shaped in its destruction is fine, but then we get the planet as it was 10,000 years ago through Black’s eyes. The way Daibazaal looked in the past is yet another instance of this show presenting as planets things that are not shaped like planets.

Hunk finds the food court and samples food. While this is another instance of Hunk = food, this isn’t bothersome because he’s clearly sampling food, he’s not just eating. This is about cultural exploration. He ends up sampling the wrong food and, having no money to pay for what wasn’t actually a sample, is chained into dishwashing by the restaurant proprietor Sal of Vrepit Sal’s.

Both the mallcop Varkon and Sal, though comical characters, are great in diversifying the Galra as a species.

The knife demonstration is absurd, but still kind of funny. “How many times do you have to fight off a charging rock monster and then go immediately to a picnic?” The droning, wrote recitation sound of the voice acting is what sells this absurdity to me, I think. Keith asks the salesman about the knife/sword that his thoughts have been on lately. The salesman accuses Keith of having stolen it, but Keith refuses to tell him where he got it.

Black shows Shiro the “comet” that crashed on Daibazaal and that the Lions were built out of it. Okay, bad science once again. The thing that hit Daibazaal, that the Lions were made from, that we see other chunks of metal like it in future episodes: That is not a comet. A comet is not made of metal or rock, they’re made mostly of ice. They have some particulate dust and organic compounds mixed in, but they’re mostly ice. They’re even jokingly referred to as dirty snowballs. Some comets have a lower density than that of water, suggesting some have interiors that aren’t solid. Calling this chunk of magic space metal a “comet” is scientifically illiterate. They could have called this chunk of metal an asteroid, and that would have worked. But a comet? No.

Zarkon has essentially abused the Black Lion. Shiro, in trying to bond more with Black, is essentially asking Black to tell him its story. That’s part of processing past trauma: talking about it. Talking about trauma promotes bonding. I really like that this is an element to how the show depicts Shiro and Black growing closer together.

The mice try to entertain Allura, and I love the look of joy on her face as they do so.

Pidge needing to use the toilet, but not being able to interpret the signs on the wall is relatable to me. There is something about public restrooms that unnerves me. It would have been nice if the show hadn’t defaulted to a gender binary in presenting these two toilet signs though. Aside from the fact that humans have more than a simple binary for gender, there is literally nothing that would necessitate that life evolved on other planets would have a binary for gender or sex.

Of course, Lance wants to flirt with girls, but at least it makes sense in a way here in a mall. The alien selling Earth stuff is fantastically odd. Pidge freaks over seeing a video game she’s into. And the game system that it plays on has a game glove. I’m old enough to remember the old NES and its power glove, so this hits me in a personal spot. I never had the power glove though; my experiences with anything other than the standard NES controller never seemed to go well.

“Sustenance unit: complete. Ingest,” says Sal. Again, the voice is what sells it for me. Unfortunate for Sal, his chef-bot breaks, and Hunk volunteers to take charge. He cooks great food, and Sal likes what’s happening. Hunk uses a word here – “provide” – that I think also gets to some of what he likes about cooking. Through food, he can feel like he is providing something to others. He can find a sense of purpose in it. This is how to display the food side of Hunk in a way that actually functions as characterization.

Black shows Shiro that it has the ability to generate wings. Zarkon psychically interferes, knocking Shiro into some kind of astral/psychic space with Zarkon. They fight in a beautiful, visually dynamic way. It’s kind of dissonant to have this big dramatic story going on with Shiro and the comic mall story. That’s probably my biggest complaint about the episode. Issues with tone like this is not limited to this episode, as the previous episodes have shown more than once.

Hunk has totally changed things at Vrepit Sal’s. Hunk is aggressive, and Sal is responding as if he’s a military subordinate to Hunk. I find the bit of development between their two characters to be endearing. I don’t know, I just kind of really like Sal. The mallcop has to go and interrupt things, threaten Hunk, who then flees.

Zarkon and Shiro trade comments as well as blows. Zarkon taunts Shiro, saying, “You could never take my place as the head of Voltron.” Shiro’s fight is literally to be the head of Voltron as proclaimed here by the main antagonist. Shiro counters that Zarkon is “no Paladin,” and Zarkon even briefly has a look of concern, almost disbelief on his face. He knows there is a risk Shiro can break Black free from Zarkon’s control. “You have no idea how to command a weapon like this,” Zarkon says. Shiro retorts, “No one commands the Black Lion!” Go Shiro, go!! These two lines demonstrate the significant difference in their respective relationships with Black. Zarkon’s, like general Galra philosophy, is about domination. Shiro’s is about mutual respect and cooperation, about teamwork. Shiro continues, “It’s not about power, it’s about earning each other’s trust.” Black’s eyes glow, showing it concurs with Shiro. It enters the psychic space and blasts Zarkon. Black clearly prefers Shiro!

And then there’s the twist: Black, and thus Shiro sitting inside it, never left the Castle Ship. They’re still in the docking bay. I actually like this fake-out, though I don’t know how to articulate why. I think maybe it emphasizes again that this was significantly about Black telling its story to Shiro.

Pidge and Lance have been taking money from the fountain. Coins in the fountain is so iconic from my time at the mall as a kid and teen. I can’t say I know of any malls currently that still have fountains though. Keith and Hunk run into each other. Pidge and Lance buy their game stuff, receiving a free Kaltenecker, aka a cow. They all end up being chased by the mallcop.

Coran’s whole shopping at the Unilu shop is hilarious. I love the bartering. A handful of pocket lint. First-born child. A used handkerchief. Left foot. Sing a song. Being a butler for a year. The back and forth is wild. I love it.

The crew gets back to the Castle and whoa: Allura’s hair!

Shiro: “Is that a cow?” Lance: “Mmhmm. His name is Kaltenecker.” This cow has an utter, so is he transgender?

With Shiro bonded more with Black, he’s ready to head to the headquarters of the Blade of Marmora.

A lot of when this show does odd, humor-specific episodes, I don’t like them. This one is different though. I actually find a lot of this one funny. I still contend that pairing the comedy of the mall with the drama of Shiro’s struggle does create some tonal whiplash though. While I might enjoy the humor of the episode, the Shiro/Black Lion/Zarkon part of this episode is still the best part. It’s so clear what the contention is between Shiro and Zarkon that their conflict becomes elegant in a way. It’s some of the best storytelling this show ever did.

[lasorciereviolette-blog]

On Witch

(So RP’s are a bit slow right now so I might as well continue down the saltapalooza that has been opened up due to a post on how Sega’s flanderized Amitie over the years. 

This one’s kind of all over the place, because it’s not a strict flanderization argument per se and since Witch is my favourite I like to gush about her. I’ll try to keep on topic as much as possible though.

So I’ll start by saying that honestly, this could be a lot worse in several ways. Sega’s done at least a little homework on Witch. It took them nearly a decade to put Witch in one of their games (no, 7 does not count since she has no lines) but it looks like she’s here to stay seeing as she was kept on the roster for both Tetris and Chronicle.

But... Now what? See, my analysis has led me to the conclusion that Sega have absolutely idea of what to do with Witch.

I didn’t always have that viewpoint. At one time I thought Sega had done a pretty good job with Witch. She showed up, her story was reasonably funny, and she was actually allowed to behave like a selfish jerk unlike certain characters. 

However, a little while ago I came across a translation of Yon’s cutscenes. And I came across an unfortunate discovery: Witch’s campaign in 20th is nothing new at all. Nope. It’s just a copy-paste of her few scenes in Yon, and one cutscene in Sun.

Let me elaborate. See, in 20th Witch is trying to collect ingredients to create a potion in one of Wish’s spellbooks. Collecting these ingredients involves taking parts off of certain cast members, namely Draco’s tail, the Acorn Frog’s eye, an imp’s horns, a ladybug, a dark wizard’s hair, and a fish’s scales. On the surface this isn’t a bad premise. I didn’t mind it too badly before I knew anything about Yon. Except in Yon, Witch’s goals are almost identical. She needs Draco’s tail and Seriri’s scales, and wants to collect Carbuncle’s finger grime (... somehow) just in case she ever needs it. When she comes across a sleeping Dragon, she also tries to seize the opportunity to grab some snot.

The details aren’t exactly the same, at least. Which is nice, because if the scenes were word for word the exact same I’d be even more peeved. I can at least give the writers that much. The thing is, after waiting so long for a beloved character’s comeback, why did they decide just to recycle half the cutscenes from other games? I suppose this can be forgiven since it’s an anniversary title, but it’s still a little odd.

And then we get to Tetris, where Witch has a total of... One scene. When DLC was released, she got another very short scene. While these were both original, there... Really was nothing to them. All she wants to do is perform an experiment with blocks in one, and in the other she mocks Draco, which would have been absolutely unsurprising if you had played either Saturn or Yon in the past. Witch’s appearance is very much a token one and she doesn’t even really interact with other characters besides Draco Centauros when there was an opportunity to have her bounce off of the members of the Starship Tetra, or Amitie, or Ringo. Or maybe to put her in Primp and have her hang out with some of the people she used to. Talk about a waste. Witch is a fun and dynamic character who has been allowed to remain a bit of a jerk. There was plenty of room to have her interact with new characters, but instead they threw her into space and called it a day. Hell, she’s a comet witch and she doesn’t even notice she’s in space!

Which leads me into the next part of this rant, the fact that Sega only really seemed to look at Yon and one cutscene in Sun and determined her entire character from there. Before Yon Witch was primarily a comet witch. While she did make potions in Seriri’s Happy Birthday, Witch’s gameplay was focused more on flight and spellcasting. Based on her moveset in other games, Witch not only shares most of Arle’s spell set (being proficient in fire, ice, and lightning magic, as well as being able to cast Brain Dumbed and Jugem) but has her signature Meteor spell and a few other comet style magics such as Big Bang. These spells have a distinctive star theme when she casts them, distinguishing her from Arle.

Pretty cool, huh? She is also somewhat of a melee fighter, not being afraid to swat people with her broom. (this isn’t the greatest of examples but it’s cool so)

Coming back to her broom flying, a whole game was built around it called Comet Summoner. It didn’t have much of a story, but it did feature a bunch of cute levels and a powerful boss that may or may not have been Witch’s future self. And this future self was strong, with a huge red aura, several health bars, and the ability to not only zip around the stage at high speeds, but cast spells of her own and combo you with a mix of melee and magic if you fuck up and get too close to her.

Witch would make a good fighting game character. 

This is getting a bit off topic, but point is, Witch is versatile. But unfortunately it seems that apart from her spell names Sega can’t be bothered to remember her versatility and just wants her to make wacky potions. I’m not opposed to her making wacky potions, it’s not necessarily bad, but at one time she was a lot more than that.

She was more complex as a character than she seems to be in 20th or Tetris. Maybe not in Yon, where she appears very little, but in Madou Monogatari she got some attention. Yes, Witch is selfish. Yes, she’s pretty power hungry. Yes, she’d probably sell quite a few people out for a single corn chip. But there are some people who are dear to her, like for example her grandmother Wish. While again, I can’t read Japanese, Witch Leeroy Jenkins’s into a room when she sees her grandmother’s body on the floor in Tower of the Magician. Afterwards, Witch’s body language is pretty clear to see.

She’s clearly very worried about Wish and does not appreciate any harm coming to her. Even jerks have loved ones, I guess?

Let’s give Sega the benefit of the doubt, maybe that one trait just hasn’t come into play yet. After all, Wish hasn’t appeared (but she has been mentioned). Sure. However, there are other traits that the Sega games ignore when it comes to Witch’s character.

First, Sega has arguably made Witch into an even worse jerk. In Compile’s games, Witch is often abrasive and rude, but she will defer to an expert’s judgment in a situation she doesn’t understand. Case in point, Saturn. Upon coming across the Yog smoke, she avoids possession because she immediately listens to Arle and Rulue’s advice. She doesn’t argue, she just does it. 

Contrast this with 20th. 

In general, Witch is crafty and rather full of herself in Saturn, but not so much as Rulue. She has a low opinion of martial arts and so that makes her play well off of Rulue (It probably also explains her animosity towards Draco), while she has a high opinion of her magical skill and loves to soak up praise. Witch also shows little ill will towards those who quit the tournament after a Yog presents itself, which might hint at some sensibility the character doesn’t tend to have much of after this. 

Witch is also a bit of a snarker in this game:

There’s character here besides her excitability, or getting pissed off when things don’t go her way. Now Saturn does bring up Witch’s legendary temper, but we don’t really see the results of that in-game. 20th really pushes that informed attribute into the spotlight, where all her thoughtfulness and cleverness go out of the window for her to make a bad potion that obviously contained too many substitutions, to the potion not being useful in the first place, to her beating up Lemres for stating the blatantly obvious. Witch doesn’t really come off any smarter than Draco at the end of this, because all of this was obvious! She just comes off as an even worse ass than usual because of Sega’s wackiness mandate.

I also really don’t get what the point of her fighting Lemres even was. Lemres seems disappointed at the end that he didn’t get to talk to Witch more, but the story just ends. There isn’t any kind of payoff or character growth here. Just... Nothing. Again, a total waste of potential, having the two comet mages meet and then do absolutely nothing of value. Love it, Sega.

Oh yeah, there were two more things Sega forgot about. First, this.

Witch is probably an actual pervert, to contrast with Schezo’s fake perversion (which may or may not be real perversion too sometimes, because Saturn’s fun like that). So that’s another thing Sega forgot, for better or for worse.

Which leads me to the last bit that Sega’s forgotten. This too I can’t really say if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I like that it exists in Compile’s games, but if Sega remembered it would likely devour what remains of Witch’s personality. In certain games, there are implications that Witch may have a crush on Schezo. She fawns over him in athletic clothes in Puyolympics and as seen above, asks if he’s cool and wants to touch him in Saturn. Then of course there’s the whole “I want you” scene that solidifies the thing. For all I know there could be evidence for or against this in Tower of the Magician, which is a game where the two spend quite a bit of time interacting with each other, but since I haven’t learned to read Japanese in the last few hours I can’t comment on that, as much as I want to.

Now whether this is a good or bad thing for Sega to ignore really depends on your interpretation of this trait. I’m personally torn, because again I’m glad that Witch has not been reduced to a lovesick one-note failure. On the other, it’s a facet that a more competent writing team could have explored with some success. So it sucks that it’s been abandoned completely, but the end result could have been really terrible had Sega noticed this, so... Yay?

Okay, so I’ve written blocks of text. What does it all mean? Well, it means Witch isn’t immune to being flanderized in Sega’s works. It could be a lot worse, but there’s plenty of Witch’s character that’s been left out of current Puyo and plenty that has been aggrandized into a worse person. Right now Witch reminds me of a mixture of herself and Saturn’s take on Rulue, which... Really sucks, because no wonder Sega can’t figure out how to make Rulue stand out if they give her traits to other characters! Poor Rulue. Give her some love, Sega. She doesn’t deserve this kind of shafting.

As for Witch, you’re not going to get a total sweet kindhearted girl out of her. She was never that kind of character and that’s not a bad thing. But throwing on Rulue’s most boastful traits and making her a worse jerk, then giving her cameos because you don’t know what to do with her isn’t a good way to characterize her. Return some of that sense into the mix! Like I said in my Schezo comments, not everyone needs to be a wacky joke 24/7.

[sage-nebula]

how about jounouchi and yugi with 45? (or if you're on a voltron kick keith and lotor with 74 o3o)

((I mean, on the one hand, I find it immensely difficult to say no to my babes. But on the other, #74 is just too good to pass up, so …

Also, this is my first time ever writing Lotor. Apologies if he sounds a bit off. I tried my best.))

The plan was to stay together.

Unfortunately, few things ever went according to plan.

There were too many enemy ships on the field. Lotor was smart, thoughthat was a given; he knew that if he kept them separated, there was no way theycould form Voltron. Forming Voltron wasn’t originally part of the plan, not forwhat Keith had suspected was going to be an ordinary dogfight, but even if theywanted to, they couldn’t now. They had been overrun by at least three to one,if not more, and that was only counting the grunt soldiers Lotor had setagainst them. That wasn’t including his generals, each of them in their owncustomized ship, or Lotor himself. While Zethrid had cornered Allura, Ezor wentafter Lance, Narti singled out Hunk, and Acxa targeted Pidge, Keith had chaseddown Lotor. Or at least, that was his intention; as he felt a growl build inhis throat that was echoed by the Black Lion and pursued the prey that they both wanted to take down, he had thedistinct feeling that Lotor didn’t feel nearly as cornered as he should have.Rather, as Lotor’s comet-crafted airship ducked and wove between the enemycombatants toward the edge of the battlefield, Keith had the distinct sensethat he was being lured.

Well, that was fine. Lotor would learn why luring Keith was never agood idea.

Black was not as swift as Red, but Keith pushed her a little harder,and the second she came in range of Lotor’s fighter, he fired. The blast rippedthrough the cosmos, creating a bright flare against Black’s eyes, but when thelight settled and the stars realigned, Lotor’s ship was still in one piece.Keith squeezed the controls of the Black Lion and swung her around, throwinghis body into the turn as Lotor’s ship zipped around him again. Lotor hadn’tfired once—hadn’t even attempted tofire back—and somehow, that pissed Keith off more than Lotor actually landinga hit would have.

His radio crackled, and just as he was about to tell Pidge, or Lance,or whoever that he was a little busy atthe moment, another voice broke through.

“Keith, is it? Might I have aword?”

“Lotor?” Keith scrunched his brow. Despite apparently hacking into theBlack Lion’s communicator (and Keith would have to have a word with Pidge aboutthat later), Lotor hadn’t tapped into the video feed. Keith glanced back outthrough his windshield to see that Lotor’s fighter was stationary, calmlyfloating in the stratosphere, and he wasted only another second more before hefired another blast.

Once more, Lotor’s fighter swerved out of the way, though the blastcame at least closer to clipping his wing this time. Keith heard a disapprovingtsk through the communicator.

“I asked for a word, not anattack,” Lotor said dryly.

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Keith snapped, “except fight back.”

“I could,” Lotor said, “but that would be counterproductive to mypurposes. Now, let’s start from the beginning. Your name is Keith, isn’t thatright? That’s what Acxa told me she overheard in the Weblum.” Lotorchuckled. “Well, actually she told me sheoverheard your comrade—the Yellow one—calling you Galra Keith, but I hope you don’t mind if I drop thatmodifier. It isn’t really necessary between the two of us.”

Keith clenched his jaw. He didn’t feel Hunk’s teasing merited anexplanation—or at least, not one given to Lotor.

“You don’t need to worry about what my name is,” he said instead. “Allyou need to worry about is getting shot down.”

Lotor sighed. “I have nointention of being shot down, nor do I have any intention of shooting you down. At least, not at the moment. I wishto speak with you.”

The two of them were still, though the sounds and sights of battleweren’t that far away. Keith glanced back toward the battlefield. WhateverLotor had done to hack his communication systems had cut him off from the restof the team, but from this distance he could see that Lance was still tied upwith Ezor and two Galra fighters, and Allura was holding her own againstZethrid, the other two fighters that had been pursuing her gone elsewhere. Therest of his team was caught fighting, but Keith …

“This will only take a moment,” Lotorsaid.

Keith closed his eyes. If he took out Lotor now, they would win thiswar. Lotor’s ship was faster than the Black Lion. It wouldn’t be impossible to take him down as it was,but if there was a possibility that he could lower his guard or be distractedby conversation …

“What do you want to talk about?” Keith asked flatly.

He could practically hear Lotor’s smile through the radio. “You. It’s been brought to my attention thatwe have some things in common. For instance, we’ve both taken command of ourrespective teams after our previous leaders were rendered unable.” Keithsqueezed the Black Lion’s controls as a sharp twinge of pain reverberated inhis chest. “We’re both able and adeptfighters and flexible strategists, as well as excellent pilots. And, perhapsmost importantly, we both have Galran heritage.”

“Yeah, and so does your entire empire,” Keith said. “What has that gotto do with anything?”

“The vast majority of the GalranEmpire are full Galra,” Lotor said. “TheGalra, like many other races in the universe—and perhaps more thansome—take great pride in being … pure. They don’t like to … mingle,as it were, with other races. But of course there are some individuals who do,and that produces people like me, people like Acxa, people like Ezor, Narti,Zethrid … and people like you.”

Keith snorted. “Is that so.”

“Quite,” Lotor said. “Acxa overheard some of your conversationswith your comrade in the Weblum. She knows that you’re Galra, and that youextend mercy to Galra even when the rest of your team would never. But we canalso tell by the look of you that you aren’t full. No full Galra looks as youdo. Of course, no full … human, I believe the species is called? No fullhumans look as you do, either.”

“That’s a lie,” Keith said, but even as the words left his mouth heknew they weren’t entirely honest. He passed well enough for a human—no one inthe team had known he wasn’t until the Blade of Marmora revealed it, despitehow Allura and Coran had more experience with alien races than any of themcombined. But how many times growing up had he been told that there wassomething wrong with his eyes—thatthey were weird, that they were strange, that they were off-putting, that theywere freaky? He didn’t think histeeth were any sharper than anyone else’s, but how many other kids had dentalhygienists comment on it every time they went in, had dentists recommendtreatment programs that could be done to take care of it? He healed abnormallyfast—always had—and he didn’t get any of the other illnesses that kids gotgrowing up. But that didn’t mean he got off scot-free, either; he stillremembered the time when he was fourteen, and Shiro had to find him curled upon the floor in his room after vomiting up blood, with a fever approaching 104degrees Fahrenheit. No one else had ever gotten sick like that, but Keith had,and the Garrison doctors hadn’t been able to explain it. They hadn’t known whatwas wrong with him then … but Keith knew what the cause probably was now.Did that—did having attention called to him like that really mean passing as a human?

“Whatever makes you comfortable,”Lotor said, and Keith gave his head a little shake to yank his attentionback to the present. He didn’t need to worry about that now. He had to stayfocused. “But the point is, Keith, thatwe’re the same. We’re both only part Galra.We both belong to two races, and yet simultaneously are claimed by neither. We’re—orrather, you’re alone, but you don’thave to be.”

“Alone. Right.” Keith glanced back at the battlefield again. The enemyGalra fighters had thinned out, but the rest of his team seemed fine. At thevery least, he could see streaks of blue, red, green, and yellow tearingthrough the atmosphere. That was a good sign. “You are aware that I’m a Paladin of Voltron.”

“Of course,” Lotor said. “But I’m also aware that none of the otherPaladins—or the Alteans that run that castle ship of yours—are part Galraas you are. I’m aware that they’re all fully human, or fully Altean. None ofthem are mixed race. None of them understand you. And because they have a lackof understanding—and perhaps even a lack of willingness to learn, as Acxareported that your Yellow comrade displayed in the Weblum—that leaves youcompletely alone even when you’re surrounded by your team, doesn’t it?”

“No,” Keith said flatly.

“You’re stubborn,” Lotorsaid, and once again there was a smile in his voice. “Yet another thing we have in common.”

“We don’t have anything incommon,” Keith snapped. “I hate to break it to you, but on my planet there areplenty of people who are mixed race. Maybe not mixed with alien races, but wehave a wide variety of humans back on Earth, and plenty who don’t mind havingbabies with people outside of their own ethnicity. It’s not a big deal. It’snot anything special.”

“Not on Earth, perhaps,” Lotorsaid, “but it is out here.”

“Yeah?” Keith said. “Well, I don’t care about that. It doesn’t meananything to me.”

“That’s a shame,” Lotor said.“But it does mean something to me.” Keithopened his mouth to say that he didn’t care about that, either, but before he could, Lotor continued. “I intend to unify all of the planets in theuniverse, Keith, under one banner.”

“The Galra Empire’s banner.”

“Precisely. But I don’t intend tobring everyone under our banner for the same reasons as my father. Whatever myfather’s intentions, I operate purely under my own. And as for my own goals . .. well, I have several, but one of them is to reach out to disenfranchisedindividuals such as yourself. People who never asked to be born into this world,yet have been shunned by it regardless. People whose talents, whose skills, whocapabilities go unnoticed and unappreciated, simply because the very core oftheir being is something others could never hope to understand or appreciate.Your team might not recognize your potential, Keith, but I do. In fact, youmay not recognize your own potential, but I do.”

Keith glared at Lotor’s ship through his windshield, wishing he couldcause it to combust through sheer force of will alone. “I know who I am.”

“You don’t know you the way I do,”Lotor said. “But I could teach you. Icould give you the tools and opportunities to see what you’re truly capable of.I—we, my team—can give you thesupport and understanding you’ve been searching for your entire life. Together,we can change this universe for the better. Once you’re with us, people justlike you, you’ll be in a position to do that.”

Keith glanced toward the battlefield again. Things seemed to be windingdown there now, and Lotor sounded so calm, so encouraging …

“Yeah?” Keith said.

“Yes,” Lotor answered.

Keith closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. And then he fired onLotor’s ship with everything the Black Lion had.

Despite all his time fighting the Empire, Keith had picked up on verylittle of the Galran language. But while he didn’t speak Galran, he was stillfairly positive that the word that came out of Lotor’s mouth as Keith’s blastclipped his wing and sent him spinning through the sky was profane. Keith baredhis teeth in a grin that he was sure matched the snarl on the Black Lion’sface, and as one they charged forward in hot pursuit.

“Pass,” Keith said, for while he was equally as sure that he didn’tneed to say that—that Lotor had gotten the message from the attack—it feltgood to say it, anyway.

Lotor didn’t respond. He flipped his ship in a maneuver that, theenmity between them aside, Keith had to appreciate, and finally fired back.Keith swung the Black Lion out of the way, and fired a retaliating blast asLotor tried to close the distance between them. Lotor dodged, and the two ofthem resumed their dogfight through the stars, Lotor at last giving Keith thefight he had deserved since the beginning.

Keith’s radio crackled again, and he was about to make a crack aboutLotor not getting the hint the first time when a different voice—higher,female, and caught somewhere between alarm and relief—broke through.

“Keith! Keith! Is that you, are you there?”

“Yeah, Pidge, I’m here,” Keith said. All at once the video screens inhis Lion flared to life, and four immensely relieved fellow Paladins lookedback at him.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Allurasaid.

“Thought we lost you there for asecond, buddy—where were you?!” Lance demanded.

“What does it look like?” Keith shot back. He had the Black Lion diveto avoid another one of Lotor’s shots, but the beam still grazed Black’s back.A hiss of pain rippled through his mind, and with fire in his veins he rolledher onto her back so that he could fire at Lotor from underneath. Mimicking histactic, Lotor rolled his own ship, though it still caused him another scrape onthe underside of one of his wings.

“Hang on, I’ll give you somecove—god, this lady does not quit! Hey, lady, back off!” Hunk snarled.Keith glanced to his left in time to see Hunk shoot up and over, attempting toattack Narti from behind, though she deftly avoided his shot.

“Here, Hunk, let me take her,” Pidgesaid, and Keith had just enough time to spare to see the Green Lion shoot pasthim and toward Narti and Hunk before he had to turn his full attention to Lotoragain.

“Keith, do you think we shouldform Voltron?” Allura asked.

They were still largely separated. The crowd had thinned, which wouldmake coming together to form Voltron easier, but with how skilled Lotor and hisgenerals were, having only one mech to fight each of them separately …

“In a minute,” Keith said. “For now, I’ve got another idea.”

((Ko-Fi))

[shirlleycoyle]

UFO Conspiracy Theorists Offer ‘Ascension’ From Our Hell World for $333

Standing in his warmly-lit living room, the popular UFO conspiracy theorist David Wilcock was telling his YouTube Live audience that the "Illuminati Deep State" was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and that he knew the secrets of how to save humanity from the crisis. More than 20,000 people were watching; hundreds of dollars in donations began rolling in via YouTube Superchat. The video now has more than a million views.

Just over a week later, Wilcock’s comrade in arms, Corey Goode, posted a video claiming, nonsensically, that according to briefings he has received from government insiders, the new coronavirus was engineered as a “biological weapon from an American university” and smuggled into China by a student in order to act as a population control tool. He concluded by stating that he wasn’t sure if his source was totally accurate.

There is nothing novel about two conspiracy theorists addressing COVID-19; the crisis has become a bonanza for those promoting hoaxes, fake treatments, xenophobia, and general nonsense. Wilcock and Goode, though, offer something different than the average figure ranting about 5G towers; they're significant figures in the “disclosure community,” a conspiracy-driven New Age segment of the UFO subculture that believes the government is hiding the truth about extraterrestrials. Combined, the two men have over half a million followers across various social media platforms. And while both had humble beginnings as ordinary UFO conspiracy theorists, this moment may uniquely suit them. They claim, after all, to have become quasi-divine prophets offering salvation from global cataclysm—all while offering aggressive legal challenges to anyone who would do so much as describe Wilcock, a man who has started what for all intents and purposes appears to be his own religion, as a spiritual leader.

Wilcock and Goode first partnered several years ago, promoting each other's wild narratives. Their 2019 documentary The Cosmic Secret tells the tale of a global catastrophe which, according to what Wilcock describes as his telepathic communications with alien beings, will happen soon. The end of the world, more specifically, will be the result of a “global pole shift.” (While Earth’s poles have shifted and do undergo minute changes over periods of thousands of years, mainstream geomagnetists aren’t concerned that a global cataclysm will occur any time soon.) Wilcock and Goode claim that the Moon is hollow and served as the home to an alien civilization that lived on Earth billions of years before humans. They cite the Klerksdorp Spheres—round, naturally occuring pyrophyllite balls—as evidence that an “ancient builder race” occupied Earth billions of years ago.

Wilcock is not just well-known in the UFO world, he's often an ambassador outside of it. He has published books with Penguin Random House, one of the largest publishing outlets in the world. According to his bio, he has appeared in "600 television episodes," including Ancient Aliens.

Wilcock claims that he was selected as a child to be the messenger to humanity by highly advanced "good guy" alien beings who are engaged in an Avengers-style cosmic war with evil aliens, spanning both time and space. Evil humans, whom he calls the “Cabal” or “Deep State,” run a secret space program, he says, and are actively engaged in a quiet war to stop him. He explains that his “Alliance” of unnamed government insiders, secret whistleblowers, alien allies, and followers are waging war against corruption and evil. One of these supposed insiders, Goode, claims that he is a time-traveling empath and a government insider with the secret space program who has been “age regressed” due to his decades-long work with various alien species as a champion and warrior representing Earth. He is in contact, he says, with an alien species known as the “Blue Avians,” and worked in a “support role for a rotating Earth Delegate Seat (shared by secret earth government groups) in a ‘human-type’ ET SuperFederation Council.”

Though Wilcock and Goode have been active in UFO circles for a while now, last year Wilcock officially started what appears to be essentially a religion. Wilcock Spiritual Healing and Empowerment, a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit of which he is both the president and director, is registered in the state of Nevada alongside his for-profit business, Divine Cosmos LLC. Both are maintained by a capital management company in Las Vegas called Corporate Capital Inc. According to the website, Wilcock Spiritual Healing and Empowerment is “an organization dedicated to empowering the sacred […] We offer spiritual education courses, online and in person at conferences as well as share through written and video material to empower and uplift the soul.” They also accept donations. On Wilcock’s Divine Cosmos blog, he wrote, “I am also happy to report that we have now set up our own 501c3 foundation, so any donations you may send to keep us going are now completely tax-free: Donate Here.”

"We offer spiritual education courses, online and in person at conferences as well as share through written and video material to empower and uplift the soul."

While the two men have expressly denied being religious or spiritual leaders—it's unclear why, and when contacted for comment they responded with legal letters—they do offer what sound a lot like religious and spiritual courses. Wilcock explains that salvation from certain doom is to be had through Ascension. According to Wilcock, those who are ready will have their consciousness live on in higher dimensional states with “the good ETs.” Through meditation, having “a little more than 50 percent of your thoughts and actions be in service to others,” and merely being open-minded, he says, a person’s consciousness can be spared from catastrophe the aliens are about to induce. He asks his followers to continue following him, consume his printed and digital content, and pay $533 for his seven-session “Ascension Mystery School.” (He, also, at times, asks for donations.)

Following in Wilcock’s footsteps, Goode has launched what he calls the Accelerating Ascension Online Course. ("Quite literally, Corey is the Enoch of our modern times," the site says, "sent to our planet to reignite the Christ Consciousness message of love, forgiveness, and service to others in preparation for the most extraordinary time in our recorded history.") Not only is Goode claiming to be a psuedo-Biblical messenger, he is promoting the same apocalyptic event as Wilcock. His course teaches people about “safe zones, preparing your family, and building a local network.” The 10-week course costs $333.33.

The foundation of their ideas is based on a 1984 book which claims to be the channelled words of a supposed divine being named Ra, called The Law of One. Like many religious texts, it teaches that “love” and “light” are the two essential forces which make up the fabric of the universe. L/L Research, the organization that owns the text, told Motherboard that it maintained a relationship with Wilcock until about 2005, and that since then, only a handful of short emails have been exchanged. They explained that they provide the Ra material to the public for free via their website, but were quick to point out that they are not associated with Wilcock or Goode.

“L/L research provides this material for free to the public in our commitment to love and unity and does not wish to act as an authority in its interpretation, but as stewards of the material we can neither endorse nor condone certain uses of the Law of One, including any uses that energize conspiracist thinking, showcase and aggrandize the self over others, avoid personal accountability, create social harm, or generally promote separation and confusion in an already confused world,” Austin Bridges, the assistant director of L/L Research, wrote in an email to Motherboard.

“Religious language and references are ‘built in’ to UFO culture because historically people from many cultures have looked to the sky and have seen things that aroused wonder,” said Dr. Diana Pasulka, professor of philosophy and religion at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology. She explained that strange aerial events were often seen as portents of “end times or viewed as being apocalyptic.”

Since the early 1950s, countless UFO religions have popped up. L. Ron Hubbard famously created the still-thriving Church of Scientology, the foundations of which tout the alien overlord Xenu as being the source of all life on Earth. Raëlism was founded by Claude Vorilhon in 1974; it still teaches today that life on Earth was seeded by extraterrestrials called Elohim. That same year, Marshall Applewhite founded Heaven’s Gate. A mix between Biblical teachings and prophecy, esoteric beliefs, Gnosticism and science fiction, the cult made international news in 1997 when Applewhite and 38 of his followers died by mass suicide, hoping to have their souls reborn on an alien spaceship hinding behind the Hale-Bopp Comet.

The dawn of the internet and social media has changed the way these groups function and recruit. Modern UFO religious groups seem to be forming at the strange intersection between fringe media, the viral spread of online content, and a community’s willingness to believe in the words of gurus. At times, there have been tragic consequences.

In 2012, Kelly Pingilley, a follower of cult leader Sherry Shriner, was so terrified that the alien apocalypse was looming that she died by suicide, overdosing on sleeping pills. A bizarre mix of Christian evangelism and the works of alien and conspiracy authors David Icke and Bill Cooper (and bearing a similarity to theories propounded in a 2018 documentary by Wilcock and Goode), Shriner's teachings preached the shadowy existence of evil reptilian aliens in league with Satan who ruled the world’s governments. Her cult existed entirely on social media and YouTube; she claimed to be a divine messenger sent by God to save humanity from alien based annihilation. She told journalists at the time that Pingilley was assassinated by NATO. In 2017, Steven Mineo was shot and killed by his girlfriend Barbara Rogers due to his feud with Shriner, who had told her followers that Rogers was an evil reptilian. Mineo turned on Shriner and, after a series of online arguments, was murdered by Rogers.

In mid-December 2017, Brent Wilkins, a follower of the New Age alien and conspiracy-touting guru Bentinho Massaro, jumped off a bridge in Sedona, Arizona while on a retreat led by Massaro. While Massaro claims zero responsibility, and charges were never filed against him, Wilkins’ family blames Massaro for their son’s suicide.

“The Internet has created a virtual reality where people may be living in their own houses or in their own apartments, but they're mentally isolated from everybody else,” said Steven Hassan, author of Combatting Cult Mind Control and The Cult of Trump. “So the old notion that you have to be in some isolated ashram in the woods somewhere is no longer necessary in the age of smartphones and the internet. That's kind of what's going on here.”

Wilcock and Goode do not ask people to abandon their family or move to a commune. They often state that they are not spiritual leaders and explain that everyone is their own savior. On the other hand, Wilcock has publicly stated that his alien contact, who has at times resembled Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, has been telling him all his life that he “would become a very famous spiritual figure.” He has also claimed that he has incredibly accurate prophetic visions. Goode, for his part, claims to be a modern-day Enoch, who in Genesis is chosen to live with God. What exactly they're doing if not acting as spiritual leaders isn't clear; what is clear is that they don't want to be described that way.

Australian journalist and content designer Daniel James has been researching the work of Wilcock and Goode for several years now. After undergoing extensive medical treatment, James was convalescing in the hospital when he fell down the YouTube rabbit hole of fringe videos concerning New Age spirituality and consciousness. YouTube’s algorithm began providing some pretty esoteric video recommendations, and James decided to check it out.

“Out of curiosity, I decided to watch a few of the more ‘out-there’ videos. Initially, I discovered David Wilcock, then Corey Goode, and it wasn’t long before I had found dozens of these ‘speakers’ who proclaimed to have the answers to consciousness and a whole lot more,” James told Motherboard in an interview.

James quickly understood what was happening. Initially, he admits, he was mildly entertained.

“Immediately my BS detector went off, but I kept watching as it was fascinating to me that there was this whole group of public figures that had created their own lore, with interlinking tropes of crazy-looking extraterrestrials like something out of a George Lucas film, the Illuminati, Nazis in space, QAnon and everything in between,” James said. Soon, however, he realized that many people were taking this content seriously.

“I saw the actual harm that was being caused. People wanted to believe so much in their stories that they would open their wallets at every opportunity to support them,” James said. Followers made generous donations, paid for spiritual courses, and bought products.

“They are effectively operating as a cult," James said, "and boast a dedicated cult-like following.” James has since started his own YouTube channel that examines claims made by popular conspiracy theorists, and debunks them.

“They are effectively operating as a cult," James said, "and boast a dedicated cult-like following.”

“Their dedicated believers are absorbed into the collective ideology and will sometimes go to extreme efforts to prove their dedication,” James said. In June of 2019, he said, he received death threats via Twitter from a follower over a video he posted about Wilcock and Goode.

Stina Ferrante is a YouTuber and a former follower of Wilcock and Goode. The loss of her mother and grandmother in a seven-month period left her searching. It led her to Wilcock and Goode.

“At that time in my life, I was taking care of my dying mother and dog, my grandmother had just died, and my son was at the age where his neurological issues started to become apparent," she said. "I was overwhelmed by stress. I also had developed a thyroid issue, which when you're already having death anxiety due to so many people dying around you, finding something like spirituality comforted me during that period of my life.

"I just fell head first into the deep end.”

According to a statement on her YouTube channel, “this New Age disclosure group marrying Ufology, conspiracy theories and spirituality was everything I needed to cope with life.” As time went on, though, she began to realize “things were not as they seemed.” She explained that there was a clear contradiction in their constant claims of being nothing special, yet asserting that they are liaisons with the “highest consciousness” beings.

“Their audience has a blind faith that is usually only reserved for a deity which is given to these two mortal dudes,” Ferrante told Motherboard. With support, she broke free from what she describes as “a cult.”

Ferrante said she discovered that Wilcock purchased a ranch house and a seven-acre property in Colorado last year for a little over $1.2 million. (Motherboard has been able to confirm that Wilcock does own a property in Colorado valued over $1.2 million. According to his website’s biography page, Wilcock also resides in California and often states on social media that he takes a yearly sabbatical to Canada.) She received a cease and desist letter, which has been reviewed by Motherboard, threatening legal action from Wilcock and his lawyer claiming that her videos were considered “cyber-stalking,” defamatory, and a form of harassment.

Benjamin Zavodnick, a lawyer and YouTuber who goes by C.W. Chanter, has posted several videos on his channel questioning the stories of Wilcock and Goode. He also received a threatening cease and desist letter from Goode’s lawyer, the same lawyer who sent a cease and desist letter to Ferrante, making similar allegations to that of Ferrante’s cease and desist letter. Motherboard has also reviewed a copy of Zavodnick’s letter.

Motherboard requested comment from Wilcock concerning his spiritual teachings and whether he considered himself a religious leader. Motherboard also reached out to Goode, as well as individuals who associate with them, and received two lengthy and threatening emails from Florida based attorney Liz Lorie.

The two cease and desist letters claimed that Wilcock was the target of a massive conspiracy to defame him, and that he has been physically threatened. "This is a very serious matter with potentially historical implications within the UFO community," Lorie wrote. Moreover, Lorie threatened legal action against VICE if an article was written which referred to him as a “cult leader” or “spiritual leader,” stating that VICE would be implicated as “co-conspirators” in any legal proceedings.

"This is a very serious matter with potentially historical implications within the UFO community."

A second legal letter sent on behalf of Wilcock and Goode stated that VICE and its journalists “are hereby ordered to cease and desist your efforts (under the pretense of your ‘investigation’) to harass, cyberstalk, and defame my clients David Wilcock, Corey Goode, and any of their associates. To be clear: Any publications made by you, VICE media, or any of your affiliates or proxies…defaming … Corey Goode, David Wilcock, or any of their associates based on these unsubstantiated allegations will be deemed defamation per se.” The letter further demanded that VICE not disclose its existence:

Further, any attempt by you, Vice Media, or anyone else (directly or indirectly) to use, publish, transmit, distribute, or disclose this letter or any of the contents herein for any purpose (other than seeking advice of a licensed attorney), including for the purpose of mocking, defaming, casting in a negative light, harassing, stalking, cyberstalking, cyber-harassing, or otherwise interfering with or causing emotional distress or other harm to David Wilcock, Elizabeth Wilcock, Corey Goode…and/or any of their business entities, family, friends, or business associates (in any form of medium or on any public platform, social media platforms, website, or otherwise) shall be used as evidence of your (and Vice’s) malicious intent to inflict injury upon and damage the aforesaid parties, their brands, and their business activities.

The strangest thing about the letter may have been its allegation that VICE Media was involved in a complex conspiracy to defame Wilcock and Goode. Named in the letter as co-conspirators were Jimmy Church, the host of a paranormal-themed late-night radio show, which I appeared on in April of 2019 to promote my book; a social-media promotion company, which I contracted to help with book promotion; and several Twitter users. The claim is ridiculous, but in line with their messaging.

In a recent and quite odd 30-second YouTube video, for instance, a poorly-lit Corey Goode silently signs paperwork for his lawyer. The video’s description threatens that a massive lawsuit is in the works to sue nearly a dozen individuals and organizations, including popular UFO historian Richard Dolan, the organizers of the UFO-themed conferences Conscious Life Expo and Contact in the Desert, and the New Age video streaming service Gaia TV. Goode is now suing Gaia TV, as well as Zavodnick, and other individuals for alleged racketeering and defamation, according to Colorado court documents acquired by Motherboard. Zavodnick did not respond to requests for comment concerning the lawsuit and Gaia declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings. Prior to publication, VICE reached out to Wilcock and Goode’s respective attorneys with a detailed inquiry about our reporting, asking them to comment. Wilcock and his attorney did not respond; Goode’s current lawyer, Texas-based Valerie Yanaros, stated that VICE had “factually mischaracterized” Goode and that neither she nor Goode were going to provide comment. VICE requested clarification on the supposed inaccuracies. Neither Goode nor his attorney responded.

(Goode later posted VICE’s email sent to his lawyer on Twitter account, stating, “WOW! Does ANYONE know WHO owns this "Publication" or WHY they are doing this to us? CG @david_wilcock #FakeNews #DarkAlliance #BlueChickenCult”.)

In March of this year, Goode officially launched a website promoting the “Light Warrior Legal Fund,” asking for donations to help him. According to the website, he “has been relentlessly attacked, harassed, defamed, stalked, and threatened by those in power who desperately wish to silence him, as they slowly lose their choke-hold on humanity and our beloved planet.” The site asserts that since he came forward, he “has exposed the brutal and greedy cabal that controls our planet and their crimes against humanity and our children” and claims that “these dark forces have cleverly designed their plan to destroy Corey and his efforts to Disclose the Truth by using proxies from all corners of our Country – and the globe – to do their dirty work.” (It seems that the dark cabal has no power over the US legal system, Paypal, or the Las Vegas-based accounting firm he is using.) He notes on his website that donations are simply gifts, as Light Warrior Legal Fund LLC is a for-profit organization.

None of this is exactly new. In 2017, Wilcock alleged that the “Dark Alliance” sabotaged the brakes on his car, twice. The two men have also claimed that reptilian aliens occupy large swaths of Antarctica, are massing for an invasion, and control the world’s governments and banks. The COVID-19 outbreak fits neatly with their overarching narrative, in which sinister powers present evil plots to which Wilcock and Goode alone have the answers. Anyone challenging them—or simply describing what they do—is, it seems, the enemy.

In a February interview, Jenny McCarthy, who boasts 1.3 million Twitter followers and a role as a judge on Fox's highly-rated The Masked Singer, had Wilcock and Goode on her popular radio show . Looking to them in studio with curious admiration, she asked if they were still in communication with their alien contacts.

“I would say both of us do have access to these benevolent ETs,” Wilcock said. “I mean, another thing I want to point out, too, is that we are not elite or special. This is something that everybody is having to varying degrees. You can write your dreams down in the morning, you can learn the language. In my new book, I'm teaching you what that language is.”

The reach of Wilcock and Goode is not limited to what they have on their own, or what the odd celebrity offers them; they are a part of a larger, loose collective that consistently pursue and push each other’s UFO and conspiracy narratives. This communal content-creation and development team has appeared together at conferences and media platforms. Conspiracy theorist and UFO researcher Dr. Michael Salla and the popular QAnon pundit and YouTuber Jordan Sather both appeared in Wilcock and Goode’s two documentaries Above Majestic (2018) and The Cosmic Secret (2019). Salla often promotes content by Wilcock and Goode on his website. Sather, who has close ties with Wilcock and Goode’s former producer and manager, Roger Richards Ramsaur, through a now defunct fair trade business, has often discussed his cohorts on his YouTube channel boasting 220,000 subscribers. That being said, recent tweets by Sather seem to indicate their relationship is being strained, and Ramsaur, alongside two other individuals involved in the Wilcock and Goode’s business dealings, are also being sued by Goode for allegations of defamation, trademark infringement and embezzlement according to court documents obtained by Motherboard. Ramsaur declined requests for comment.

The conspiracy media channel Edge of Wonder, run by former Epoch Times staffers Ben Chasteen and Rob Counts, which has links to the Falun Gong religion through media company New Tang Dynasty, has also spread disinformation through multiple videos featuring Wilcock, Goode, Sather and Salla. In one video, Wilcock claims that 9/11 was a plot hatched by the “Luciferian” Deep State cabal, and that the planes were empty. There is a cross-pollination of fringe media messaging across all these individuals, who market to separate audiences and are bringing multiple topics, which range from aliens to anti-government conspiracy theories, together and to the attention of their millions of combined followers.

In one video, Wilcock claims that 9/11 was a plot hatched by the “Luciferian” Deep State cabal.

“The Truth” seems to be crowded by a lot of gurus, yet, it seems that Wilcock and Goode are the only ones to have taken the spiritual messenger route—a role in which there's an inherent danger.

The use of social media to manipulate the public received significant attention after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Public awareness of that incident, though, has done little to change the fact that many people and groups online are still engaged in efforts at what amounts to mind control. White supremacist groups and terrorist organizations use proven, effective tools and tactics to draw in and convert followers; so too do religious and spiritual groups.

“We can pretty much predict how to press people's buttons, how to enter into their willingness to believe something,” said Steven Hassan, the cult expert. He identifies a specific danger in a movement based around a leader cannot be challenged ideologically by their followers because they are the messenger or prophet.

“If there is a leader who is getting channelling from higher beings," Hassan said, "has all of these special powers and has claimed to be clairvoyant and all of the rest, that makes the leader much more concerning than most other groups that have a charismatic figure.

“It taps into religious, spiritual beliefs that are difficult for a rational analysis. If the ideology is black and white, all or nothing, then indoctrination occurs, which is huge with destructive cults that claim only they have the keys to salvation.”

Regardless of Wilcock and Goode’s claims that they are not spiritual leaders, what they have done speaks for itself. With over half a million combined followers online and their relationships with other fringe media personalities and conspiracy peddlers, their sphere of influence easily reaches into the millions. What they offer that audience is a wild Hollywood story about an intergalactic war; a connection between the most farcical sort of UFO conspiracy and the current political conspiracy culture regarding QAnon and the Deep State; and seemingly religious messaging about an apocalyptic future that directly plays to people’s fears and their desire to be a part of a community. Their willingness to send legal threats on the least provocation, and to frame the lightest criticism or scrutiny as persecution and a pretext to raise funds, do not suggest innocent aims.

An apparent shift from being self-proclaimed “government whistleblowers” to men who start non-profit quasi-religious organizations, sell online spiritual self-help courses, and promote that they hold the keys to the Ascension amounts to more than a set of dizzying contradictions; it speaks to the needs of their audience. There are doubtless many among their followers in search of nothing more than entertainment; there are, though, certainly also people, including traumatized ones, in search of answers, who want to believe and find comfort, even in a curious set of pseudo-religious beliefs about evil reptile aliens, government conspiracy, and the end of the world. As COVID-19 makes millions feel about as close to that end as they could ever want to come, Wilcock and Goode deserve to be scrutinized for their use of fear to profit from this situation. So too, though, do the broader systems which give them the reach and influence they need to sell their alien gods, "cosmic secrets" and disinformation as solutions to people who are frightened—and justifiably so.

UFO Conspiracy Theorists Offer ‘Ascension’ From Our Hell World for $333 syndicated from https://triviaqaweb.wordpress.com/feed/

[thesinglesjukebox]

THE 1975 - LOVE IT IF WE MADE IT [4.46] Get out your popcorn, it's time for another controversial One Nine Seven Five single...

Will Adams: What? It's just an ordinary The 1975 s- *reads lyrics* OH MY GOODNESS! [3]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Matt Healy yelling Hot Takes™ in a wind tunnel as a warmed over INXS track plays is weirdly compelling, but not quite good. [5]

Claire Biddles: If anyone else tried this zeitgeist-quotes lyrical trick (it's barely a trick!) I would hate it, but a) I'm hugely predisposed to The 1975; and b) their inherent miraculousness somehow makes them the exception to every rule. The lyric tries to hold the enormity of the world and so does the music -- each electronic whoosh and whizz is a digital overspill from the heady whole, like even something this maximalist and ambitious isn't quite enough for them. [10]

Iain Mew: The sound is a great expansion of the omnivorous approach of the last album. Taking a beautiful twinkle and one shiny happy phrase and setting upon them with echo, reflections and a lot of noise, its sonic trip represents the overload of modernity in the compelling way that the lyrics resolutely don't. Maybe it's because I've been extremely online since way before The 1975 was a thing, but I'm already familiar with a great stream of context-free sourness and nonsense, and I'd rather not encounter any replications of it. If you're singing "poison me daddy" and "fuck your feelings" as slogans for satire, you're still singing "poison me daddy" and "fuck your feelings" as slogans. It's on a level with someone seeking out the most awful tweets to quote tweet them for clowning purposes, at best. [3]

Alfred Soto: Have these loudmouths gone and interpolated The Blue Nile? Sounds like it. "The Downtown Lights" relied on a steady pulse to put over its lovelorn message; "Love It If We Made It" relies on "The Downtown Lights" to pull a con job on fans born after 1985. I mean, why is this mix so crowded? [5]

Eleanor Graham: The 1975's music has this quality of dancing around your own mind in the stale air of Tory safe-seat mid-late teenhood in an endless cycle of UCAS and grey skies and girls and boys and club toilets with peeling paint. I don't expect anyone to be able to relate to that, but please don't equate my specificity with cosy familiarity. I'm talking about "Robbers" cutting straight to the core of everything that hurts about growing up within its first 30 seconds. Uncomfortable? Oh, god yeah! But when something so closely resembles the inside of your head, it is churlish to deny that you're a fan. All of this goes to say: I am incapable of being objective about "Love It If We Made It." Because it is essentially a dystopian "Robbers," with the same yearning indie thrum and a new urgency; because, well, you know, everything's decaying; because aren't we all thinking about the death of the republic on some level at all times, but don't we also need bangers? Of course, we should be cynical about pop songs that make half-hearted jabs at the administration and reference the deaths of children, which both 1975 singles have now done. In its defence, this one at least makes the statements "I moved on her like a bitch" and "thank you, Kanye, very cool" sound terrifying and surreal enough to remind me that "terrifying" and "surreal" should not have become platitudes. Is it toothless? Is it exploitative? Or will it be read in twenty years simply as addressing the elephant in the room? They've thrown the chorus in there -- raw, open, pleading, trailing off like a comet in the night sky -- to make all of those questions feel inconsequential. [8]

Juan F. Carruyo: A shocker in gloomtown, the song starts with a bang and it never lets up, swallowing everything in its path. The moody production suits the enveloping soundscape and it's worthy of mentioning how the bass plays against the keys in the refrain. By the time the song ends, it feels like this is the soundtrack for the rapture. [8]

Edward Okulicz: I'm massively fond of the 1975, but this is puddle-deep where it's trying to be ~meaningful~ and ~edgy~ and ~zeitgeisty~ and it's a hookless joy after the previous single's buzzy earworm. Big-name artists probably think they've earned the right to release indulgences, but we shouldn't pretend singles like this are anything more. [2]

Will Rivitz: Leave it to The 1975 to build off an earth-shatteringly good teaser single with a follow-up nearly as bad as the first was good. Look, I'm all for politically conscious songwriting, but these lyrics could have been written by any of the interchangeable and smugly ineffective liberal Facebook pages my high school friends repost material from. I can overlook the awful lyricism of "Give Yourself A Try" ("Like context in a modern debate, I just took it out," eurgh) because a) it's only occasional and b) is utterly drowned out by an ecstasy of electric guitars, but here Matty Healy's slacktivist garbage piles are given main billing. One point for the Lil Peep shoutout, one point for the glorious jangles after the second chorus reined in too soon in favor of a bridge that is somehow worse than the verses, and absolutely nothing else. [2]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: I have to give credit where credit is due: this is an evil song that utilizes its structure as a means to elevate and justify its conceptual gambit. Matt Healy reads off a list of provocative phrases that act as a simulacrum of the discouraging news headlines, ironic shitposts and self-impressed hot takes that crowd numerous corners of the internet. The pulsating beat and claustrophobic mix amplify that particular dread, and the swirling harp is the only sound that feels unstuck from it all. It hints at a hope that is later projected in the chorus, but it turns out to be nothing more than a red herring. I don't expect Healy to provide answers -- I'd argue that he took the more effective route in providing a moment of release over anything concrete -- but I don't believe him at all when he says he'd "love it if we made it." This is the sort of dude who finds joy in crassly exploiting the tragedy of others for the sake of art, and it finds its roots in how he decided on the band's name. When the chorus finally breaks free from the monotony, his voice has a smugly arrogant tone that snaps everything into place: Healy is eager to be the source of relief for the trigger warning-necessary lyrics that he doled out in the first place. He can only be a savior for the bullshit he pushes on you, and he'll cover it up by touting we instead of I. As a political statement, this has virtually no worth. As a piece of music, the bridge makes exceedingly clear that this is just an edgy "We Didn't Start The Fire." As a depiction of narcissistic manipulation, this is excellent -- perhaps the best of the year. [0]

Vikram Joseph: Even without the viral billboard advertising campaign, "Love It If We Made It" is much larger than life, but offsets its pretensions with self-aware hyperbole and a streak of pitch-black humour. The genuine venom towards a society that permits Donald Trump and "a beach of drowning three year olds" is undercut by an awareness that we're all tied up in this mess -- they can get away with railing against modern existence without sounding aloof or curmudgeonly, because they're so self-evidently part of it, and, to some extent, in love with it too. The chorus is equal parts earnest optimism and grim humour, which just about epitomises their brand. There have been a lot of "We Didn't Start The Fire" comparisons, but it actually makes me think more of a half-speed, tongue-in-cheek "Ignoreland"; The 1975 feel better having screamed, don't you? [8]

Lauren Gilbert: See, I wrote an entire blurb about how this is "New Americana" v. 2018, and then promptly deleted it to write about what it means for modernity to have failed us. Spoiler alert: Modernity has not failed us, but the specific iteration of modernity of which Healy writes is certainly Not Great. Capital M Modernity is more (and less) than drugs and borders and Trump. At the risk of sounding like the pedantic graduate student I am, modernity is characterized by industrialization, market economies, nation states, individuality, and secularism (surely not the "Jesus save us!" Healy mentions). Healy's Modernity-as-characterized-by-this-song is not that. He's writing about the dissatisfactions of a left-leaning person in the Trump/May/dear-god-why-is-Boris-Johnson-still-around era, a modernity grounded in the specific sociocultural norms and events that shaped how certain rich English-speaking countries experienced in 2018. And if we consider that particular experience of modernity as the only possibility we have, it's pretty easy to conclude "modernity has failed us" and write a "We Didn't Start The Fire" of terrible things. And I'll give Healy some credit; "Love It If We Made It" does sound and feel like living in twenty-fucking-eighteen. But modernity the concept does not imply that we must live in our specific instance of modernity; we do not have to accept Trump and income inequality and in-the-future-everyone-will-be-famous-for-fifteen-minutes Modernity. And more than that, that specific (miserable) modernity is not even the only modernity happening right now. Around the world, people are living longer, healthier lives; fewer people live in extreme poverty; there are fewer wars. Healy's Modernity may feel like a prison, where we are trapped forever in endless cars on endless roads to places we don't want to go, but it is not the only game in town. I (and many others) am alive today because of modern(ity) medicine & honestly, I'll take Donald Trump and Brexit and "thank you, Kanye, very cool" as the price of being alive. Perhaps it's too much to ask for a band known for its cynicism to consider a fuller context, and the very real positives in the world we live in, but hey, why give themselves a try? [4]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

[bloojayoolie]

Being Alone, Birthday, and Bones: PLEASE SHARE 16911 - 11 months old, 58 Ibs CO PUPPY ALERT Gorgeous, young, friendly, playful, lived in harmony with children ages 6, 15&18, good with other dogs housetrained NEUTERED & Ready To Go Home!! Baby's First Year 4 At Brooklyn ACC waiting Cora New Family Lots of Love **** TO BE KILLED - 3/13/2018 **** PUPPY ALERT FOR COMETA THE CUTIE, LOOKING FOR A SAFE AND LOVING HOME TO CELEBRATE HIS VERY FIRST BIRTHDAY IN A FEW WEEKS..... And many many more. <3 If you're in the market for an adorable face, and a smile that beams brighter than the sun, Cometa is your puppy! Yes, he's under a year old, and has all the joy, spunk, excitement, and hope that puppies typically possess. His gold coat shines, his big brown eyes twinkle and his smile is as soft and bright as it gets.He lived in harmony with young children and another dog. Cometa greets vocally as noted by his prior home, and the shelter, but for him its a way to say hello. He entered the shelter wiggly, soft and very social. Of course he wasn't thrilled to be ushered into a lonely kennel, but who is? He was surrendered a few days ago, and fast tracked onto the kill list. While it's unimaginable that anyone in good conscience could or would destroy a sweet puppy, it is about to be a tragic reality. An adopter or foster is desperately needed. Fostering is free, short term and transport is available. If you are able to open your heart and home to this adorable puppy, please message this page now. COMETA@BROOKLYN ACC Hello, my name is Cometa My animal id is #16911 I am a desexed male tan dog at the Brooklyn Animal Care Center The shelter thinks I am about 11 months old, 58 lbs Came into shelter as owner surrender Mar. 9, 2018 Reason Stated: Owner has no time for him Rescue Only Cometa 16911 is at risk for behavior concerns (New Hope Only determination). He has been fearful in care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior. He accepts some petting, but will show discomfort when he’s had enough attention. Cometa has no medical concerns at this time. My medical notes are... Weight: 58.8 lbs Vet Consultation Vet Notes 12/03/2018 29/12/2017 PE: WNL Exam & surgery performed by Dr. 1067 Canine neuter Anesthesia - 0.5mL Telazol induction. Intubated. Isoflurane/O2 maint. Sx. - Routine prescrotal castration. Subcuticular closure with absorbable suture. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. 1.7mL Rimadyl injectable and 1.00mL Hydromorphone for pain management. 29/12/2017 Details on my behavior are... Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow Behavior History Behavior Assessment During intake Comet was very exited. Comet barked and growled at first but became excited and greeted the counselor after a few minutes. Comet was little mouthy and allowed minimal handling. 3/09/2018 Comet approached counselor with his tail wagging and loose body. He jumped up and licked counselor hand. He pulled on the leash. He sniffed around and was treat motivated when afford a treat. He was fearful going into the cage (backed away and pulled back) but he managed to walk in when placing soft food in his dog food and he walked in. Date of Intake: 12/26/2017 Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown Basic Information:: Comet is a 9 month old male brown and white Large breed mix. owners have had Comet for 5 months and are surrendering because of a residential move. How is this dog around strangers?: Aroudn strangers Comet will bark,. After a few minutes Comet will warm up and want to play. Comet plays exuberantly with adults How is this dog around children?: Comet has lived with children ages 6, 15 and 18 and is playful with them. Comet also plays exuberantly with children and likes to jump up. How is this dog around other dogs?: Comet has not lived with another dog but has interacted with a smaller dog,. Around the other dog Comet was playful and played gently with them. How is this dog around cats?: Comet has not lived with cats Resource guarding:: previous owner did not attempt to touch Comets food bowl while eating but had no problem walking around him while eating. Comet isnt bothered when having toys and treats taken away. Comet is use to getting bathes and will allow you to wash him with no problem. Comet inst bothered when being pushed off furniture or being held or restrained. when someone unfamiliar approaches the house Comet will bark and try to jump up on them. Bite history:: Comet has no bite history Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: very high Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No Medical Notes: not medical problems. For a New Family to Know: Comet was described as playful./ Comet enjoys playing with squeaky toys and bones and knows how to play fetch and tug. Comet is house wee wee pad trained and also goes on walks 1 to 2 times a day. Comet prefers to go to the bathroom on trees when outside. Comet pulls hard on the leash and has never been let off the leash outside. For exercise Comet goes on 15 minutes runs around the block. Comet knows the commands sit, paw, high five, down and kiss. Comet eats pedigree dry and wet food. When left alone in the house Comet is well behaved. When its time for bed Comet likes to sleep on his soft blanket. Date of intake:: 3/9/2018 Spay/Neuter status:: Yes Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender Previously lived with:: Adult Behavior toward strangers:: Barks though warms up and plays exuberantly Behavior toward children:: Playful, exuberant Behavior toward dogs:: Playful, gentle Behavior toward cats:: Unknown Resource guarding:: None reported Bite history:: None reported Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: Playful with a very high activity level Date of assessment:: 3/11/2018 Look:: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor's hands each time without settling during three repetitions. Sensitivity:: 3. Dog is not fearful and is struggling to get away. The dog is not focused and is in constant movement, unconnected to the Assessor. Tag:: 3. Dog repeatedly turns quickly away when touched, or repeatedly spins toward the touch, and repeatedly tries to exit. Dog may be crouching, tail is tucked, mouth closed, body stiff. Paw squeeze 1:: 5. Dog freezes, snaps, and/or tries to bite. Toy:: 1. No interest. Summary:: Cometa was highly anxious throughout his assessment and was unable to appropriately settle. Throughout handling, he remained tense and made several attempts to move away from assessor. During "Squeeze item" Cometa jumped up and snapped towards assessor, nipped sweatshirt (immediately released). Summary (1):: According to Comet's previous owner, Comet has not lived with another dog but has interacted with a smaller dog. Around the other dog Comet was playful and was gentle with them. 12/27: Comet was uncomfortable with handling, giving the handler a clear warning, head flips and whale eyes while an attempt was made to place a collar on him. His warning was respected and further attempts were suspended. He greeted a novel female dog through the gate and displayed a soft posture. 3/11: Comet displays the same anxious behavior as seen the first time he was at the Care Center. When trying to collar him, he head flips, whale eyes, and leaps on the handlers. He briefly greets the novel female through the gate with a soft posture. Another attempt will be made to collar him tomorrow. Date of intake:: 3/9/2018 Summary:: Friendly, loose during intake; became fearful once placed in kennel Date of initial:: 3/9/2018 Summary:: Tense ENERGY LEVEL:: Cometa is reported to have a high energy level in his previous home, in line with what has been observed in the care center. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner Recommendations comments:: New Hope Only: Cometa has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and remains anxious/stressed throughout interactions. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home. Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Though he has improved during his stay at our care centers, Cometa continues to give all appropriate warning signals when uncomfortable. Due to the consistent behavior displayed in shelter, the behavior department recommends an experienced adult home only until he can acclimate to his new home environment for the behavior to be further assessed. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is advised; force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Handling/touch sensitivity: Cometa has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling at times, especially when a person is reaching over him. It is important to always go slow and give dog the option to walk away from any social interaction. Cometa should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Cometa’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Cometa may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her/his new surroundings. COMETA IS RESCUE ONLY…..TO SAVE THIS PUP YOU MUST FILL OUT APPLICATIONS WITH AT LEAST 3 NEW HOPE RESCUES. PLEASE HURRY!!! IF YOU CAN FOSTER OR ADOPT THIS PUP, PLEASE PM OUR PAGE FOR ASSISTANCE. WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH LINKS TO APPLICATIONS WITH NEW HOPE RESCUES WHO ARE CURRENTLY PULLING FROM THE NYC ACC. PLEASE SHARE THIS DOG FOR A HOME TO SAVE HIS LIFE.