#This character has never been so much as aluded to before

[dwemer-osha]

Well that didn't age well

My best friend is such an asshole, I love her/p

[somewhereincairparavel]

General Jason Grace headcanons ⚡

⚡ I feel like he's kinda sensitive. He isn't the crier type of sensitive tho but since he's super emotionally attuned to body language reading and stuff, he gets a little hurt easily, sometimes misinterpreting someone's behaviour to him, so maybe if one of his friend's start getting snappy with him because they're having a bad day, he'd actually be pretty damn upset about it, but would hide it.

⚡ Also also, this man HATES being yelled at. Sure, he's been trained harshly and stuff but he's very hard on himself too so I feel like if someone yells at him (like in an argument or something) the poor boy's whole day would be ruined.

⚡ This is also why I feel like he NEVER raises his voice harshly at anyone even if he's super super angry because he knows how much damage yelling can do.

⚡ But. He can still manage to be terrifying if he's mad. He'd have that intense icy stare directed at the person (I'm pretty sure this is canon and is pointed out by multiple characters in the books). And his voice would be steady but VERY firm and strong. Kinda like a strict dad.

⚡ Also, his eyes would get a slight shade lighter if he's super angry. Like he usually has bright electric blue eyes right? It would just turn into ice colured ones.

⚡ Okay I feel like before they all go to bed, he'd go check on everyone in the Argo ii to see if they're comfortable or if they need anything, etc. definitely an overbearing mother friend tbh. He gets this habit from camp Jupiter where he was kinda in charge for cabin rounds since he was centurion.

⚡ I hc him to have like lemony yellow hair, instead of platinum or golden blonde. It's not too light but it isn't dark either.

⚡ Why do I feel like sun tan literally never affects this guy? Like for instance, I totally hc that percy gets tanned pretty quickly, but this man's skin just wouldn't budge. Instead of his body getting tanned I feel like his hair would get a few yellow shades darker instead lol

⚡ I felt like he'd be sunburnt instead tho. There would be blotchy pink patches on his face and arms after he comes back from the beach.

⚡ He definitely LOVES his roman baths, could spend hours in that bath (honestly if u guys have seen traditional Roman baths, you'd know that they look like a spa day DREAM omg) so he would feel super disoriented when he has regular baths in chb instead and would miss Roman baths SO badly.

⚡ Like the Roman baths literally ease his muscle tension after a long day. It would be like the only part of the day in camp Jupiter that would actually feel relaxing for him.

⚡ He's such a foodie okay. Remember how he kept munching on his brownies religiously when the crew were in such a dangerous situation? ("Pass me the brownies bro") or when he loved the sweet stuff the snake people had made for them? Like food just makes him forget his duties and be a kid for once.

⚡ Which leads us to our next hc, he has such a sweet tooth! (Tho I feel like this was aluded many times in the books aswell). Like he's every dentist's nightmare tbh. He has like teeth stains which he'd deliberately try to get rid of by aggressively brushing his teeth (it does come off lol)

⚡ As opposed to what people usually assume about him. Jason is secretly such a hopeless romantic tbh. Nothing like his dad in that category. Remember how he snuck Piper out the window, led her into his secret rooftop passage simply to recreate their first kiss under the stars, since Piper was super upset about it being fake? Yeah, he hates upsetting his s/o. he's like super thoughtful and plans stuff like these days ahead so he doesn't forget :(

⚡ He's such a people pleaser even with people he barely knows, and the effect only doubles when he has a partner tbh. Like if his partner doesn't like a particular place? He won't like it either. So he needs someone to encourage him and tell him it's okay to like something the others dislike.

⚡ Which is also why I think that he'd be easier to emotionally guilt trip and manipulate. :(( somone wrap him up in a fluffy blanky pls

⚡ As opposed to canon, I feel like Jason only dislikes Camp Jupiter, not New Rome itself. He ADORES that place to shreds. I feel like instead of settling in a mortal area or something, he'd definitely stay in New Rome for long-term living (bc screw canon, him wanting to leave new Rome all together seems SO ooc to me idk) some parts of his roman self would ALWAYS be there tbh. That place was practically his home. Also, he only wants a peaceful, monster free life right? New Rome would obviously provide with all that, yk since they have a strong barrier for the city to prevent invasion.

⚡ He would have an aptitude for sculpting statues and stuff. He'd love to do it as a hobby, not like an architect or something like annabeth tho. He made such cool dioramas for his shrine ideas, so I feel like he just pours his heart and soul into making cool sculptures.

⚡ He would totally study in law school. His dad's legit the god of justice, he's a great speaker, can hold debates calmly, can canonically hear both sides of an argument before coming to a decision, seems very lawyer coded.

⚡ But he'd also be a good history professor. Have yall heard his yapping? Leo called him professor Grace for how much dedication he goes into explaining roman history. And he genuinely LOVES it. A very passionate teacher material to me.

⚡ Also, all he wants is for his partner to listen to him talk :( he has SO much to say but he feels like no one listens, so hed literally cry if someone takes interest in his long explanations (kind of like annabeth in this tbh)

⚡ Also, Octavian can NEVER argue with Jason because that man is just THAT good at smart and witty answers that even octavian saw him as a threat.

[horsefilmsrated]

Penny's Shadow (2011)

Language: Dutch

Date watched: 18 April 2023

Main horse actors: Neapolitano XXIX-18 as Shadow, Malle as Rakker.

Shadow stand ins: Siglavy Capriola XVII-21, Sjoerd, Maaike

Trope count: 14/25

Something to note about this film is that the name is a reference to the Dutch horse magazine "Penny" - there is no actual character called Penny in the film. Knowing this before watching would have saved me a lot of confusion.

Penny's Shadow is a confused, cliche story that is much more complicated than it needs to be, but overall not a horrible watch.

Lisa, an angsty teen who has lost her own beloved horse, joins her mother, and sister, Tess, on a riding holiday where she meets the traumatised stallion, Shadow, who she is instantly drawn to. Erik, Shadow's attractive, brooding, teenage handler, forbids Lisa from going near him, as since witnessing the death of his owner, he has become too dangerous to work with for anyone other than Erik and his father, who own the ranch. If you have ever seen a horse film, you do not need me to tell you how this story goes. It is every bit as cliche and predictable as you would expect, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, this film just had too many pointless and confusing threads for what should have just been a sweet and simple story.

The most bizzare aspect of this film is the suggestion that Erik's mother can predict future events through drawings, sometimes months before they happen, including the events leading up to her own death. This is very subtly aluded to at the start of the film, and then once later, when Erik sees a drawing of Lisa and realises then that she is in trouble. This fantastical element was so thoroughly confusing to me in an otherwise completely "realistic" film world because it is not discussed or explained at all, it just happens and is accepted and then moved on from. Was the mother a real prophet? Was Erik just imaginging the pictures? Were the drawings done by Erik after the fact while he thought of his mother? Was this whole thing a metaphor? We may never know.

Apart from this, there were several plot points that were never really properly examined, and convuluted side plots that didn't add anything to the film. Lisa and Tess mention their father once or twice, but we never learn much about their relationship despite it feeling like there is something meaningful there. Lisa's horse died, but we don't know when or how. The premise of this riding holiday is unclear, as Lisa, Tess and their mother are invited in like old friends by the host, yet they seem not to know him, and other holiday goers just wander around in the background and it's unclear where they're staying. A band turns up with a gaggle of groupies, but I never really understand what that has to do with the ranch. It gives Tess the opportunity for her own story, whereby through some convoluted and predictable means she is asked to perform as a drummer for a performance, but it feels disjointed and contrived.

For me, the star of the show was Rakker, the fat little pony owned by Tess, whose funny little trot and cheeky antics, for me, elevated this film from somewhat medicore to really quite joyful.

Overall this film scored an okay 51%. If you like cheesy, predictable horse films with a bit of fun and romance, this one might be worth your time.

[wandererhills]

How I feel about Evillious

I got into the Evillious chronicles in, like, seventh grade. I’m now in twelfth grade. Since the series has basically ended, I thought I would hsare with you some things I’ve been thinking about for some time.

When I discovered the Evillious Chronicles, I was confused at first, and then I was amazed. My mind was totally blown: how could someone come up with such a compelling story, one that is like an incredibly complez puzzel, yet all of the pieces made sense? I loved the songs, I loved the characters and I loved making up theories about Clockwork Lullaby. It was fun being part of the community and getting my hands on shody translations. (anyone remember the “lapizlazuli” Re_Birthday thing? what a shitfest).

But then... some time passed. I grew up a bit, I gained other interests, and mothy spent some time without new releases (except for books I couldn’t read), so I kinda stopped caring about the franchise. I still liked it, but it just wasn’t one of my main interests.

But then I got into it again a few years later, (actually, I went on/off on the franchise for a while), and one day I was listening to one of the songs, staring at my computer screen, when I realized something:

I didn’t like it as much as I used to.

I thought to myself, “maybe I just need to get in the mood again. man, the memories! Imma listen to a few more songs”, and I did. And the songs were good, and catchy, but..

I just didn’t enjoy the story as much as I used to.

And I think it’s because I don’t really liked the path mothy tooked with the series.

I seriously disliked the way he seemed to make up the plot as he went, making the Vessels go from being in someone’s possesion to another’s depending on what was convenient.

I wanted to see him focus on certain stories and characters, but he would come up with new ones I didn’t care as much about (not that I blame him for not catering to me specifically, of course).

I didn’t like the way he handled the whole Re_Birthday thing: the song was clearly ment for Allen (something he aluded to in Master of the Heavenly Yard), and yet he started pulling Lens out of his butt and being all like “hah! tricked you! the song is totally not a bout len!”. And I don’t think that was clever: it was just a lazy way of moving the plot forward.

And then I looked back and I realized, not without dread, that I didn’t like as much some of the parts that I had liked before: some of it felt a bit too edgy, and I feel like this series might have some problematic elements that people tend to ignore (like how Michaela/Clarith is a cliched dead lesbians story).

And I think that my biggest problem was the same one I had with Steven Universe: I had spent so much time making theories in the early days of the franchise, that when the actual answers came... I found them a biit underwhelming. Like, this whole Nemesis deal was cool, but I felt like the whole tone of the series had shifted: it no longer was a very dark, yet colourful puzzle: now it was much more coherent, and we could all kind of guess where the story would go... but I don’t think the places it went to were super interesting.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that almost all of the EC content I’ve consumed was in song format: I’ve barely read the books (again, because a lot of them are in Japanese). But a time came when the songs just weren’t as entertaining to me as they used to. And I think it has to do with the fact that early Evillious was very ambiguous in its setting, which allowed for minimalistic songs to tell the story. Now, with its complex plot, the songs became basically an addendum to the books... which, again, I coulnd’t read.

I think I’m kinda ranting here, but I just can’t put my finger exactly on why the series has never been as magical to me as it used to, Maybe I’ve simply changed as a person and it no longer is my cup of tea,

And that’s a shame, because one of the things that always fascinated me about Evillious (something I found incredible and scary at the same time) is that, to me, Evillious was not a bunch of media you consume: Evillious was an experience, that was being lived by me and some other thousands of fans. It was constantly flowing: what was canon one week, could become outdated the next, and a dumb theory might turn out to be right all along. To me, Evillious was reading the shody translations, sharing fancontent, translating songs from Spanish because the Spanish Facebook group was faster, speculating on the wiki about new releases... to me, all of those things were Evillious. And, in the last few years of the franchise, I kinda stoped caring about all of those things.

And they will never come back.

Sure, the fandom’s not going anywhere, but... there was something about discussing at lenght about the identity of the girl in Clockwork Lullaby, or the identity of the theater’s residents. To me, Evillious was as much its community as it was its content, and I’m not as interested in either of them as I used to. And that kinda hurts, because Evillious was really fucking important to me: I had gears doodled over the back of my school agenda for a reason. And it kind of sucks how aware I am that I havn’t been enjoying these couple last years as much as other people.

But, you know what? At least the songs and books are always gonna be there. Even If my tastes have changed, if I ever feel like re-living my childhood, I can Google “Judgement of Corruption” and hum along. And it’s dumb as fuck, but I’m always going to be grateful to mothy for what he’s given us, even if I don’t like it as much now.

Because I really fucking loved this franchise, and most of it was one hell of a ride.

/rant

[safitheartist]

A closer look at the circus freaks and Ben 10 (2017)'s pretty amazing world building. Also potential Kevin forshadowing?

Okay, stay with me here for a second because I have very shocking news to you guys. Season 2 of Ben 10 so far was really good.

No seriously, it feels like moa *actually* lead us on the entirety of season 1 and now they actually reached early SU level of subtle world building. It's insane.

For example, lets look at three characters all other incarnations of Ben 10 so far has been glossing over for the most part.

Acid Breath, Fright Wig and Thumbnail.

Because this time. They come with lore! And lore that leaves some pretty dark implications might I add.

So lets dig in guys, because there is a whole can of worms to devoure here.

Now lets have some context, the original circus freak trio were introduced to us as Zambozo's three henchmen in the original series and have been treated as a trio eversince, they never had much characterization out side of the fact that they are vilans and their only motivation seems to be money or other forms of profit.

Most of them time, if they aren't under somebody else's command Acid Breath seems to take the leader role.

The things interesting about them often were the fights they would have against Ben, due to their really unique powers. However, on the personality front there really wasn't much to work with.

Another thing to note is that they were introduced to us as adults.

Now the reboot, is taking a pretty different approach.

It's humanizing them.

First, we aren't even introduced to them alongside Zambozo, they don't even make a appearance in Zambozo's debut episode.

And they only get introduced as a trio after Fright Wig already made her first appearance where we learn that she apparently has encountered Ben on several occasions, that and later context lets me believe that the trio probably does their solo thing until Zambozo would need them. Luring them in with false promises.

It's also then that they establish that at least Fright Wig is significantly younger then her original incarnation. Something that striked me as odd and slightly insulting at the beginning but now, with the newly established context, makes a lot of sense really.

Now Acid Breath's and Thumbnail's introductions don't establish much other then their return as a trio unit.

It's not until season 2 that the big bombs regarding their characters are droped.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2 HERE GUYS!!!!!

In a episode where Zambozo tricks people with a convoluted hypnothis scheme involving a fake voting campaign done as a distraction so the trio can rob a bank we get something I honestly never expected for these three. Genuine characterization.

We find out in a conversation Ben overhears between these three that Fright Wig is really into science, apparently aiming to get new equipment with her pay. Establishing her as the brains of the trio and most likely to take on the strategist role.

Acid Breath comments that he wants to get mouth water 'for the ladies'. Establishing him as a lot more inmature then his original self and the disgnated goofball of the group. However later interactions also imply he still is the one who is in the leader position...my guess is because he's the oldest and has been with Zambozo for the longest time. It's a pretty big depature from his OG self which always seemed to be the most bitter and no nonsense kind of person. And that has it's reason as the episode establishs later.

Thumbnail doesn't talk, as per usual, but we get a glimpse of his personality as he imagines himself having a spa day with his cut. Establishing him as a rather sensitive person who just wants to enjoy himself a bit. It's again, somewhat different from his original self which honestly never had any personality outside of being the brawls of the group.

This seems minor but it is a very effective way to establish them as people outside of their vilan live. And it also serves as something the other serieses again never did.

Establishing them as friends.

They take interest in eachother. Want to know the other's opinion. Have playful arguments that don't come off as threatening at all. Again. It's simplistic but very effective to make them seem more real. It even translates into their fight scenes. In OG Ben 10 and the sequels the trio, while established as a team, never actually acted as such (if I recall right). They always acted as three individuals who attack Ben and the others together but never actually as a team.

The reboot has them leaping off of Thumbnail, throw eachother around and attack as a actual team unit. Similar to a circus act (and the scenes have some very nice camera angles too might I add. The animation is still meh but they use a lot of techniques to conceal that fact and keep the action dynamic).

Now the thing to keep in mind here is that non of their established desires are expensive, Fright Wig's probably being the most expensive, and even then she seem to only want some new beakers. Ben even comments on it, saying he almost feels sorry for them.

We then find out that Zambozo never paid them before, only having promised he would do so at a later date. Clearly having no intentions to actually follow through with that. Which actually ties in very nicely in the overall narrative of the episode.

Ben then makes them realize that Zambozo is playing them, as Fourarms might I add, either implying Ben himself has diplomatic talents or that Fourarms' dna donator had them (Achi, once you read this, you are very welcome).

The trio react very differently to that realization. Thumbnail gets furious, realizing he will never get his spa day. Fright Wig seems to see Ben's point and points out how Zambozo doesn't seem to care about anything but his own gain.

Now Acid Breath....is something alright.

At first he seemed hesitant to abandoning Zambozo until Fright Wig points out that Zambozo doesn't care about them...which prompts a series of flashbacks that clue us in to some really dark aspects of their relationship.

We see a slightly younger Acid Breath, with hair and teeth. Remarking how he thinks he should go to the doctor as his teeth seem too be starting to rot while Zambozo is uncaring and not at all bothered as he is too busy admiring his profit...which Acid Breath probably colected for him. This repeats a few times with his condition worsening over a seemingly pretty short period of time. At first I thought his mutation was only kicking in now, but what is more likely is that using his powers is causing serious health problems for him. At first I was confused why he was so gullible in the first place and didn't just go to a doctor himself (maybe stealing some money to go to a check up) until his last line....

He remarks, as his hair and teeth are falling out,

"Seriously, I'm only 16!"

.........ouch.

Now that puts his situation into a completely different context doesn't it? Not only does that mean Zambozo was employing children without paying them (again Fright Wig is also younger and I think it's safe to assume that Thumbnail is as well) essentially exploiting them. He also failed one of them as he basically was destroying his body for him, probably scared and confused about the situation and searching for comfort from the only parental figure in his live at the time.

Now that's just fucking depressing. It's pretty fair to assume that Acid breath probably is 16-17 still in the series, going off of context clues and his overall behavior. I think Thumbnail is around the same age if not a bit younger and Fright Wig probably is the youngest, young enough to pose as Gwen's friend, so I peg her as anywhere between 12-15 (probably looks younger then she actually is). That's just speculation on my part based on their behavior around eachother though.

After the flashback Acid Breath decides that they should ditch the clown (thank fuck.) aluding to him being the unofficial leader of the group as it's his decision that is the final.

They sent Zambozo a angry message consisting of emojis (again, heavily implying that they are teens....look, the show isn't perfect okay.) followed by them sending a picture with a 'we quit' sign.

In the end we get teased that we didn't see the last of them. Clearly establishing them as a separate entity from Zambozo, most likely for good as we get a glimps of them enjoying themselves on a vacation somewhere. Showing them still as a close unit.

Now this. This is some very, very dense world building stuffed into one episode and conveyed with very little exposition really. We get the most important context clues via plot development and the little exposition there was felt quiet natural.

It raises a lot of questions. Like 'how did these three get into this situation?' 'Where are their parents?' 'Why is no one trying to help them?' And most importantly, 'What is the follow up to this going to be?'.

Like, think about it. The episode went out of it's way to separate them from Zambozo while also making them more relateable. They wouldn't do that if it's not important. So what narrative purpose does it have?

Now I have a theory what they might be going for here. You see. This entire set up feels familiar to a very iconic character we had in the original show.

A kid with powers who was mistreated and exploited due to them. Somebody who got on the wrong course more due to the nature of his environment rather then his own wrong doings.

Boom. Now isn't that a interesting concept?

Do I think they will make Kevin one of the circus freaks? Eh. No that would be a stretch. I mean sure, it could happen, but we first have to wait and see how they are changing his character.

Do I think they are at least on a thematic basis forshadowing Kevin's introduction? Yes. Absolutely. And there are other clues as well.

Vilgax, on two occasions, has been teaming up with other vilans. Animo and the weather bots. With Animo he almost immediately betrayed him, leading Animo to team up with Ben temporarily and...well that's a bit too much of a spoiler but lets just say.....something very interesting happens that also ties into the thems of Kevin's OG character. The weather bots again, go against Vilgax, leaving him saying 'never again' which probably is a joke since from a narrative stand point there is no way this will be his last team up. Rule of three anyone?

Moa has been exploring a lot of themes that they never got to explore in length in their original show. Stuff Alien Force then took a dump on mostly (I don't fucking care what you guys say. On a writing stand point Alien Force fucking sucked!) They have been putting a lot of emphasis on magic in their show, establishing it as a clear and unmistakeable aspect of their universe. However another aspect Alien Force screwed up was the concept of mutants until Omniverse retconed that again.

In OG it was heavily implied that Kevin's mutation caused people to discriminate againt him. Show casing him having clear abandonment issues and triggers. However they never went into detail with these concepts. Causing....Alien Force to assassinate that entire concept (again. Alien Force was the worst Ben 10 incarnation and you can fucking fight me!!!). So for them to actually forshadow Kevin and making his entire storyline a lot more significant makes a lot of sense.

Anyway. I am actually enjoying the show so far and am very curious as to where stuff is going there. I hope the circus freaks are getting even more development and maybe even a redemption, who knows? I also hope they are keeping the 'found family' vibe they have alive. I'm a sucker for that stuff.

[ohnobjyx]

I didn’t know how to answer, so I wrote my comment in a reblog, I hope that’s alright 😊. I’m happy to see male fans, it’s actually quite rare in the fandom. The OP is quite curious, and I wanted to answer, but it would be too long for a comment.

(The OP was quite long, and mine too, so leaving a cut here).

I have to admit that I was very shocked myself when I saw the giant rainbow rabbit a couple of days ago, in a solo XZ tumblr blog. So I went to the official weibo account and found out that the photo was posted on August 6. I thought, if it had any relevant meaning to bjyx, it should have exploded all over the group by now, so it must be unrelated, for all I’d have expected a bigger response.

You’re right about the fact that their ship, even though they don’t promote as other couples have done (fictional or real cps). It wouldn’t have been so strange, but they haven’t done it. Bxg think it’s mainly because most of the commercials featuring CPs are “fictional” cps, formed by the two main characters of a drama, for example. It’s either that or married couples doing commercials together. So maybe they were uncomfortable with the idea that people would see their cp as “fictional”.

However, the fact that they have never agreed to a joined commercial doesn’t stop brands from aluding to their cp. 

“So cute BJYX, Olay likes this CP~”

This one is from Hengdian Studios, where CQL was filmed: “WYB, who do you want to hide!? Is it XZ???”

The last phrase of this commercial is literally BJYX. They use the original phrase instead of the word play used in BJYX, so the last character is 笑 (“xiao”, to laugh or to smile) instead of 肖 (also “xiao”). However, they don’t want anyone to miss the reference, so they write “博” with quotation marks.

(Credit for the 1st and 2nd photo: 小鲜肉专门店 and credit for the 3rd in the picture).

Now moving on to the add.

In my opinion, while the rainbow colours would be an unmissable reference here in the West, it’s not the case in China. I don’t know why, since the lgbt collective also use the rainbow flag there, but it’s often used and general public doesn’t usually relate it to lgbt. For example, this is a capture from a variety show oriented to children.

While it’s true that the rabbit god is venered as the deity of homosexual people, most of the people won’t inmediately relate “rabbit” to “homosexual”. If that was the case, XZ’s Studio wouldn’t have allowed him to be referred as “rabbit” by his fans (both solo fans and cp fans do it).

The 8.25 wasn’t actually a kadian. That’s very much a coincidence. Chinese traditional “Valentines’ Day” it’s called Qixi, and it’s celebrated the 7th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar. This year, that day is August 25, so it’s a coincidence that it can be interpreted as kadian. 

“Does he want to stay in the closet or does he want to come out? Or is he just expressing support for LGBTQ people? Or are we just going to pretend that he and others don’t know what international audiences associate the Pride colors with?”

These were quite interesting question, so I’d like to answer them (my opinion). 

Well... Their situation is definitely complex, and, as gg has said once, it doesn’t involve just him, but his family and the people around him. If the world around them, their society, doesn’t change, they won’t be coming out publicly anytime soon. However, truth is that people around them act like they are together. So... I don’t know (?). Though it wouldn’t be with a commercial. I’d expect something like the sneakers and ice-cream video.

He has already expressed his support for lgbt people previously, both before and after he was in the industry. However, those were more “private” comments, not prompted by any kind of brand or event. In this case, I don’t think he had any choice about whether he poses or not next to the bunny. Or maybe the photo was taken with him just posing and he didn’t know that a rainbow bunny would be added next to him. There are endless possibilities here, but the ultimate decision maker was definitely the brand and not him.

And in your last question we go back to the problem of “target audiences”. Roseonly is a brand that only sells in China, and international fans aren’t the target audience of this brand, so they don’t have to worry about what we’d think.

What left me speechless was dd’s video. I don’t have anything to say to that. Maybe their original intention was “innocent”, like to highlight how shy dd is around girls (?). But the effect was quite different on bxg. 

(I think I may write something short about dd and one of the girls of the program... the one that smears her lipstick. I think dd remained professional with the others, but the comment he gave her was very deliberate).

Open Secrets

I know what it’s like to be in the closet, and I know what it’s like to come out. By the time I came out, those closest to me had already figured things out on their own. I can’t help but wonder how different the situation might be in a country where these things are much less accepted, much more taboo.

I think some of it is generational. Younger generations tend to be more accepting than older ones, so our close friends are usually in the know and as the circle widens the secrecy creeps in.

When it comes to XZ and WYB, I’ve been noticing more and more signs that people around them might be aware of or might be questioning their sexual orientation, or at least using speculation about it for marketing purposes. The latest Roseonly ad, for example, features XZ sitting next to an enormous rainbow rabbit. The queer symbolism is clearly there: the rainbow is the universal symbol of queer pride, and the rabbit in China can be a symbol of homosexuality.

I have to admit, when I saw this picture I was completely floored. To me it looked like Xiao Zhan coming out of the closet. No straight guy in a repressive country is going to pose next to a rainbow rabbit.

And I’m pretty amazed that people haven’t been making more of this. When I saw the image I thought, “The internet will surely blow up over this!” but you could hear a pin drop. People are more excited to have a full-body picture of him than they are about the huge ‘rabbit in the room’ so to speak, that is the queer symbolism in this ad.

The Kadian 8.25, can be read as Bo Loves Me. In my crappy Google Translate understanding of the caption, “Valentine’s Day,The Stars Give You The Only One” and the Little Prince setting with roses and planets play into BJYX themes as well (if anyone has a more accurate translation please let me know).

As a gay guy who was once in the closet, when I see an apparently closeted guy posing next to a pride rabbit, given the symbolism involved, I can’t help but feel a frisson of excitement mixed with alarm. Does he want to stay in the closet or does he want to come out? Or is he just expressing support for LGBTQ people? Or are we just going to pretend that he and others don’t know what international audiences associate the Pride colors with?

The next thing that struck me was the video posted by SDOC3. It features Yibo fangirling over the male dancers in the show, and also some of the more hilarious moments with a couple of the female dancers, all over the soundtrack of Charli XCX’s ‘Boys’. It screams “Look at this adorable gay boy over here guys!!”

Anyway, interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts about this, anon or otherwise!

[redrunningshoes]

Aaah, that makes sense. Like how I can't stand the writing in any Pontac and Graff written Sonic game. My theory on them not breaking the Zelda conventions in story telling, note that I haven't played the game because of no money, is simple. They probably ran out of time and budget. They clearly spent a lot of time on the gameplay, which should be the first focus of a total reinvention like this, and when it came down to it, the gane HAD to be there for the Switch launch.

I completely understand that it’s hard to write a nonlinear story, especially when you’re being pushed to make a launch title, but this game wasn’t initially even planned to BE a switch launch title, so to be completley honest, they should have had a full and rich story READY to go by the time Nintendo was like “btw can you add switch controls kthx :)”

at least Pontac and Graff have the excuse of never having played a Sonic game before. This is a FIRST PARTY nintendo game that features LONG TIME zelda writers who are completely familiar with this series, its lore, and its inner workings. They should be able to not only properly utilize things that came before it, but also be able to make something emotionally compelling.

For fucks sake, this game was made by the same people who made Skyward Sword, which has THE best story of any game in the series, in my opinion. Every major character had their own arc of development, and felt very real and full of emotion. I cried soooo many times during that game, it was THAT emotional of an experience!!

You know how many times I cried during botw? once. because a skyward sword character was BRIEFLY ALUDED TO.

we couldve had it all, man. we couldve had a fun game with a great story, it wouldve been the perfect experience. they built up so much hype, from the initial e3 teaser up until the game’s own cutscenes, but the ending failed to deliver.

maybe i can be swayed into believing some headcanons or some fan theories, but it wont change how bitterly disappointed the ending has left me feeling for the past 2 months.

[atc74]

Do Wonders Never Cease?

I have said this before and I will continue to say it: YOU GUYS AMAZE ME!!

Back in September when I posted my first fic, I never EVER in a million years would have guessed I would be here today, with 1,000 of you wonderful, supportive, amazing followers. Your words of encouragement are what keep me going each and every day! Before I get to the fun stuff, I want to take the time to thank some of the people that have continually shown their support and encouragement, and most of all love. I know I am going to miss some, so I do apologize in advance. 

@iwantthedean @just-a-touch-of-sass-and-fandoms @ellen-reincarnated1967 @mamaredd123 @impala-dreamer @impalaimagining @chelsea072498 @paintrider13-blog @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid @love-kittykat21 @spntrista @zeppo-in-a-trenchcoat.  I could go on and on!

So keep reading to learn more about my new challenge!!

This challenge has a bonus for you! YES YOU!

I have picked random song lyrics from my very random summer boatin’ & floatin’ playlist. You DO NOT have to use the song. The lyrics will be your prompt to use in the fic, whether it is a line of dialogue or an internal thought from your character.

1. You must be following me - this is a follower celebration after all.

2. Your fic can be any genre you choose. All I ask is no ships please, reader insert only, male or female. And PLEASE use the Keep Reading feature!

3. I prefer this be a stand alone fic (or start to a new series), but not part of an existing series.

4. Please include the tag #Angelina’s 1k in the first 5 tags.

5. Please send an ASK to participate, please include your number choice and a back up, just in case.

6. In light of the recent success of Smut Appreciation Day, I am asking you not to write a smut only fic (that will come later!). You may alude to or imply smut. Let’s stick with fluff, angst, crack, etc. 

7. DUE DATE WILL BE FRIDAY MAY 5TH! 

What’s the bonus you ask? Good question. I will make a custom aesthetic for each and every writer that enters and writes a fic for this challenge! You can choose whether it is for your fic or your banner or whatever! I will reach out to each of you for the details of your aesthetic once I receive your fic. (Please be patient with me, as they will take time)

**As an added bonus to ALL of my followers - I will be drawing random names and will also make a custom aesthetic for 5 followers!!**

So that being said, below are 30 sets of lyrics. But I am only taking 25 people for this challenge. Once the first 25 spots are gone I will no longer take any entries. (**In the event there is enough interest, I will take all 30**). Sign-ups will stay open until all prompts are gone.

Thank you so much to each and every follower that continues to show me (and others) love and support!

1. Last night she told me a story about free milk and a cow. (Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites) @tankcupcakes

2. Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk. (My Own Worst Enemy – Lit) @faegal04

3. Well, I know it wasn't you who held me down. Heaven knows it wasn't you who set me free. So oftentimes it happens that we live our lives in chains That we never even know we have the key. (Already Gone - The Eagles)

4. On my own I’m only half of what I could be. I can’t do without you. (God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton) @jotink78

5. You always had an eye for things that glittered but I was far from being made of gold. (Just To See You Smile - Tim McGraw) @percussiongirl2017

6. Whenever this world is cruel to me I got you to help forgive. (You’re My Best Friend – Queen) @smoothdogsgirl

7. Your hands are rough, but they are where mine belong. (Ours – Taylor Swift) @ellen-reincarnated1967

8. I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun. (Only The Good Die Young – Billy Joel) @paintrider13-blog

9. It’s not that I didn’t have love in my life; I had a different love every night. It’s not that it didn’t feel good, it just didn’t feel right.  (Bring On the Angel - Sons of The Desert) @just-a-touch-of-sass-and-fandoms

10. All these years without any help, well guess what honey? Clothes just don’t just wash themselves. (Down in Mississippi (And Up To No Good) - Sugarland) @death2thevirgin

11. I miss your ginger hair and the way you like to dress. (Valerie – Jailbreak 2016)

12. I’ll do almost anything you want me to, but I can’t go for that. (I Can’t Go For That – Hall & Oates)

13. I am a man of constant sorrow; I’ve seen trouble all my days. (I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow – Soggy Bottom Boys)

14. If you call I will call I will answer and if you fall I‘ll pick you up. (Call & Answer – Barenaked Ladies)

15. Why did you paint the walls? Why did you clean the floor? Why did you plaster over the hole I punched in the door? (Old Apartment - Barenaked Ladies)

16. I'm crazy for loving you; crazy for thinking that my love could hold you. I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying and I'm crazy for loving you. (Crazy - Patsy Cline) @just-another-busy-fangirl

17. I know it's late, I know you're weary. I know your plans don't include me. Still here we are, both of us lonely. (We’ve Got Tonight - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band) @impala-dreamer

18. I can’t waste another minute after all that I’ve put in it. I’ve given you my best, why does she get the best of you? So the next time you find you wanna leave her bed for mine, why don’t you stay? (Stay - Sugarland) @teenage-internet-recluse

19. I've dealt with my ghosts and faced all my demons Finally content with a past I regret I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness For once I'm at peace with myself. I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long I'm movin' on (I’m Moving On - Rascal Flatts - I know this is long so you can use parts of it. I just love it.)

20. You treat life like a picture But it's not a moment that's frozen in time It's not gonna wait Til you make up your mind, at all (Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts)

21. Oh I wanna see you again But I'm stuck in colder weather. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Can I call you then? 'Cause I'm a ramblin' man I ain't ever gonna change I gotta gypsy soul And I was born for leavin' (Colder Weather - Zac Brown Band) @bcr36

22. When you look into my eyes And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul It always comes as a surprise When I feel my withered roots begin to grow (You’re My Home - Billy Joel) @impalaimagining

23. I haven't shown you everything a man can do. So stay with me baby. I've got plans for you (This Is The Time To Remember -  Billy Joel)

24. Holding you I held everything, for a moment wasn't I the king? But if I'd only known how the king would fall, hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all (The Dance - Garth Brooks) @little-red-83

25. I don’t care what consequences it brings, I’ve been a fool for lesser things.(The Longest Time - Billy Joel) @d-s-winchester

26.  I would go through all this pain; Take a bullet straight through my brain.  Yes, I would die for ya baby, But you won't do the same (Grenade - Bruno Mars)

27.  How can I just let you walk away? Just let you leave without a trace? When I stand here taking every breath with you, [ooh ooh] You're the only one who really knew me at all. (Against All Odds - Phil Collins) @mysteriouslyme81

28.  I was fine before you walked into my life. 'Cause you know it's over, before it began. Keep your drink just give me the money. It's just you and your hand tonight. (U + UR Hand - P!nk)

29.  You can say we’re done the way you always do. It’s easier to lie to me than to yourself. Forget about your friends, you know they’re gonna say We’re bad for each other, but we ain’t good for anyone else. (Come Over - Kenny Chesney) @iwantthedean

30.  So this is me swallowing my pride. Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night. (Back to December - Taylor Swift) @chelsea072498