#Tier 1 Wrestling

[zohansworld]

日本国歌

[cherrymoonvol6]

.

[wei-ying-kexing-apologist]

Bengiyo's Queer Cinema Syllabus

I've been doing this self imposed challenge where I watch all the films on @bengiyo's Queer Cinema Syllabus. Last month I start Unit 6: Gems which includes the following films: Big Eden, Shelter, Weekend, Private Romeo, Were the World Mine, The Birdcage, Make the Yuletide Gay, The Sum of Us, Boy Erased, Boys, Summer Storm, C.R.A.Z.Y., North Sea Texas, Saturday Church, Boy Meets Girl, The Adventers of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Too Wong Foo Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

Today I watched

Shelter (2007) dir. Jonah Markowitz

[Run Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes, Language: English]

Summary: When his college dreams are sidelined by family obligations, a young man finds comfort in surfing with his best friend's brother.

Cast: - Trevor Wright as Zach - Brad Rowe as Shawn

___

Shelter was such a lovely little film. Another good example of how a film does not have to be ridiculously expensive in order to be good. It’s definitely an indie film, the video quality and the acting is not top tier but the performances are still compelling and the story is able to fit quite a bit of complexity in to a rather short run time. (Especially considering this movie was filmed in 21 days). 

I think overall my favorite part of Shelter was the way the film used Zach’s graffiti as a way to show him working through his own feelings. Zach’s life is chaotic even though he is stuck in the same cycles, trapped in the same town and his artwork mimics that. I loved watching the graffiti on the side of the building grow in to something that was chaotic, in to something tangible, something legible, something that was no longer abstract but was a picture of home and of love. To watch Zach build this for himself, to watch him sit and ponder it, to watch him stare miserably at his graffiti disappearing back behind beige paint when he’s adrift after dumping Shawn and trying to wrestle all his dreams back to the pit where he stored them the first time he undermined his own desires for the sake of his family. 

gif by @brittany

My second favorite part was watching the relationship between Zach and Shawn unfold. The way that Zach kept going for the intimacy between him and Shawn and then retreating the second that his sister would ask him questions. The second she would call him out for putting himself before others. She didn’t want to deal with the possibility that he was a fag so he internalized that homophobia and started lashing out at Shawn, started getting worried about leaving Shawn alone with Cody because his sister was worried about Shawn being gay and alone with her child. But there was such a hunger and desperation there, you could feel it in the scene where Zach initiates physical intimacy.

gif by @zanephillips

And you know that Shawn is going to be really good for Zach because even as Zach was lashing out at him, even after Zach dumped him, and he got some (imo) necessary correction about the class differences between them and why it is harder for Zach to actually go for what he wants, he still submitted Zach’s portfolio to Cal Arts. Shawn wanted to make sure that Zach had the opportunity to choose for himself what he wanted. 

There were a lot of things that I hated about Jeanne, but she was a complex character who did the right thing in the end, and so I have to give her some props for that. I appreciate that the film made sure that we all knew that there was love there between Jeanne and Zach because so many of Jeanne’s behaviors throughout the film feel selfish and detached from genuine care for her family. 

And finally, I am so glad that Cody ended up with Zach and Shawn. The kid broke my heart open when he turned to Zach early on in the film and said “you’re my dad” to his uncle, especially when he continued to claim Zach as his father even after Zach explained the nature of their relationship. But jokes on Zach cause Cody was right all along. Zach is his Dad now, and so is Shawn, and that is the best possible outcome for Cody that could exist. I loved that we ended the film on all of them playing together on the beach. 

gifs by @deanseyes

Favorite Moment

I was going to initially claim Cody calling Zach his father as my favorite moment of the film, then it was going to be the introduction to the sex scene. But after completing the movie I have actually landed on the moment where Shawn and Zach are in bed together talking about the future and Shawn tells Zach he’s so beautiful and Zach responds with “shut up” and Shawn’s voice goes soft and quiet and asks him why he can’t take a compliment and Zach just goes silent and small under the weight of that. His little “thanks”? Ohhhhhhhhh it killed me. What a wonderful scene!

can't find a gif of the actual scene, so please have this beautiful gif by @indigomood instead

Favorite Quote

“What changed?”  “I did.” 

Final Score: 

9/10 

I understand why it has been so high up on the list of the Top 100 Gay Films for so long.

[cynthiav06]

I had originally intended to make this post on Percy's birthday for some well-intended chaos, because why not? But I had a bit of a health crisis since then, and I had no time nor strength to do anything, so here's this now. I have seen so many strongest demigod tier lists, and half of them I find to be somewhat inaccurate, so here's mine:

If you guys want to see specific 1v1 between any characters just post an ask and I will do a breakdown on following criterias:

Strength Knowledge Durability

Speed Battle Strategy Abilities

Stamina Battle Experience FEATS

Now feats is in bold because in the end, that's what actually determines the power level, so keep that in mind. A lot of people might riot, but it is what it is.

This current tier list is also based on the aforementioned categories:

1.PERCY JACKSON

(I don't want to argue over this there's. no argument to be had it's crystal clear)

Twice savior of Olypmus (the only one)

Was offered Immortality

Was War General of Camp-Halfblood during Titan War

Former Praetor of Rome

Bore the weight of the sky without Artemis's blessing

Survived Tartarus

Fought Kronos

Only one to survive the Curse of Achilles

Only one to overpower a primordial entity

Killed multiple Titans and Giants

Sat on a Gods Throne without any consequences

Blessed by Pan and Hestia

Defeated Geras

Wrestled Nereus

Considered to be the only one worthy of commanding a God by Apollo when he initially turned mortal

( Has killed so many notable entities and has probably hundred more feats but I won't mention them all or else it would all be a Percy list)

2.JASON GRACE

[ Okay, hear me out on this before everyone explodes. Nico has definitely one of the, if not the strongest, abilities in the verse in terms of both power and versatility. But he comes up short in terms of strength, stamina, endurance, and feats.]

Former Praetor of Rome

Defeated Krios

Has Killed more than one giant

Has Killed the Trojan Sea Monster

Has the highest combat experience/training out of all the demigods

Hera's favored demigod

Could go toe to toe with Percy for a good amount of time

3.NICO DI ANGELO

Survived Tartarus

Brought back Athena Parthenos, the Bane of the Giants

Faced a Primordial and got out alive

Half the reason the Titan War was won

The Ambassador of Pluto

(There's a few more but those are more on the abilities spectrum more so than feats)

The Ghost King

Could fight Nero equally for a while ( who is considered to be equal to a Minor God)

4. HAZEL LEVESQUE

(Between her and Meg I guess it's sort of debatable given Meg has more abilities and many feats, but Hazel has stronger feats and solid abilities herself)

Killed a Giant (more than one, with help but it's very impressive either way because of her significant contributions during those times)

Granted power by another God who is not her Godly Parent

Magic user

Has the strongest mist control out of all demigods

Tamed Arion

Praetor of Rome

5. MEG MCCAFFREY

(No don't bother debating this. It's true)

The sheer number of abilities she has alone is good enough to put her here.

Can summon Karpoi

Strongest demigod child of Demeter

Opened the Grove of Dodona(with Apollo)

Tons of feats ( check @respect Meg McCaffrey on reddit for elaborate descriptions)

Has mastered one of the deadliest forms of combat known (Dimachaerus, an ancient gladiatorial mode of fighting from the roman times. Apollo states it is one of the rarest and deadliest forms of combat one can master)

Was chosen to command a literal God turned mortal

6. THALIA GRACE

Fought all of Hades's furies and the worst of the monsters Underworld has to offer before her "death"

Has the blessing of Artemis

Lieutenant of Hunters of Artemis

Defeated Luke Castellan completely in pure combat who was before Percy, the greatest swordsman born in the last three centuries.

Fought Iapetus briefly and survived

Survived Orion's attack on the Hunters and fought him briefly and survived

Was considered the strongest demigod in Camp Half Blood before Percy Jackson

7. FRANK ZHANG

Praetor of Rome

Could lead a legion of dead soldiers

Neptune's gift of shape-shifting

As of ToA his life is no longer attached to the wood

The physically strongest demigod

Has the blessing of Mars which gives him enhanced strength and stamina

Can turn into a literal dragon (Need I say more?)

Fought and helped defeat a giant

Blitzed a minor God

(More cool stuff, people need to puts some respect on Frank's name)

8. REYNA RAMIREZ-ARELLANO

(Before the Piper stans roll in, Reyna worked for Circe for a good long while before she and her sister fled after the pirate attack so there's a good chance she knows how to resist charmspeak which is something alike Circe's enchantments.

Now Annabeth's a good contender to fight Reyna, but I am basing this on higher feats. Reyna fought and defeated Orion and was probably involved in overthrowing Krios while the only powerful being Annabeth has gone toe to toe with is Kronos inhabiting Luke's body and she does manage to corner Annabeth in Mark of Athena and Annabeth herself says she is unsure if she could win against Reyna, [it's super close though])

Former Praetor of Rome

Returned Athena Parthenos, the Bane of the Giants

Could easily go toe to toe with Annabeth who has far more training and combat experience than her.

The only Roman demigod to recieve Athena's blessing

Received a piece of Athena's cloak/shield Aegis.

Fought and defeated Orion, a giant who had previously almost completely decimated most of the Amazons and Hunters.

Has the blessing of Artemis

9. ANNABETH CHASE

(Yet again, to Piper fans,Annabeth is a child of Athena, born from her divine thought, so I think Annabeth would be able to resist Piper's charmspeak to a certain extent and Annabeth has more feats and overall higher comabt and knowledge plus intelligence)

Held up the weight of the sky for half a day(with Artemis's blessing)

The only child of Athena to find and secure the Athena Parthenos

Fought Kronos and held her own while using just a dagger against his giant scythe

Outsmarted and trapped Arachne just using trickery

Tricked Polyphemus

Was able to fight the giant Mimas briefly with Athena in Blood of Olympus

Survived Tartarus

Architect of Olympus

10. LEO VALDEZ/PIPER MCLEAN

Honestly I can't decide between this. I am going to need you all to decide this one.

Most of Leo's feats are constructing or repairing things. Festus, Argo 2, Archimedies circle, convincing Apollo, and so on.

Piper's feats are all based on her charmspeak and nothing else. Khione, Medea, and even putting Gaea to sleep (because she was already sleepy and in mid-air cut off from her domain for long enough). The plan was Leo's, but the execution mostly depended on Piper, so it's a tie, I think, but let me know your opinions.

Feel free to share your honest opinions; though, mostly, let's agree to disagree on the Top 5. I can welcome debate over 6-10. But I think the Top 5 are mostly factually canonically accurate.

[xoxorealitygalore]

Nasty Dancer X

Summary: Due to her unyielding confidence, Aphrodite earns her spot on the main roster, becoming The Bloodline's manager — or rather, Sefa's Special Counsel. His Wisewoman. But can she maintain her bold, unapologetic style when faced with her greatest challenge yet: working alongside her ex-boyfriend?

Taglist: @xbriexx @christinabae @blackchickinthedesert @bratzzzdoll

Nasty Dancer Masterlist

Previous: Chapter Nine

Aphrodite Receiving High Praise From WWE Officials

WWE Superstar Aphrodite is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about performers in the company, earning rave reviews from both fans and officials alike. The rising star has been making waves recently, and WWE officials are taking notice of her exceptional work inside and outside the ring.

Her recent appearance on WWE SmackDown was a major highlight of the week, marking her first televised match since her in-ring debut at the Royal Rumble event on February 1. As the seventh entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match, Aphrodite made an immediate impact, and fans were buzzing about the potential she showed. However, it was on SmackDown that she truly cemented her place on the main roster.

According to CBS Sports, WWE staffers and talents were seen watching closely in the Gorilla position and other backstage areas as Aphrodite competed in her first WWE TV match. It’s not every day that the company’s internal team watches a performance with such attention, and this level of intrigue speaks volumes about Aphrodite's growing reputation.

One of the key aspects that has garnered widespread praise is her remarkable storytelling ability. Aphrodite's seamless integration into The Bloodline, one of the most prominent factions in WWE history, has only served to elevate her profile. Her natural charisma and knack for building tension in matches and promos have made her a standout performer, even in a group already filled with top-tier talent. Whether it's her interactions with Solo Sikoa, Jey Uso, or other members of the faction, Aphrodite has proven to be an invaluable asset in the ongoing storyline of The Bloodline.

Her storytelling goes beyond the traditional aspects of WWE matches; she brings a depth and emotional resonance that is often lacking in many other performances. Aphrodite's ability to connect with the audience and convey the emotional stakes of a storyline has impressed both her colleagues and WWE officials, positioning her as a future star of the company.

Beyond her in-ring work, the praise for Aphrodite’s commitment to her craft is undeniable. She continues to improve with each appearance, gaining confidence and refining her style. Whether as a dominant force or a subtle character, she’s shown the range needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of WWE.

Looking ahead, the future seems incredibly bright for Aphrodite. With high praise from WWE officials, her role in The Bloodline, and her undeniable talent, it’s clear that this Superstar is poised for greatness. Fans will undoubtedly be watching eagerly as she continues to rise through the ranks of WWE, and with her storytelling abilities and dedication to the craft, it won’t be long before Aphrodite is a household name in the world of professional wrestling.

noitsreallyaphrodite ✓

1,340 Posts 2M Followers 910 Following

A P H R O D I T E ♥︎

Athlete

@wwe

Liked by solosikoa and 830,121 others

noitsreallyaphrodite Through thick and thin, we’ve got each other’s back. #BigBrother 💕

View all 10,021 comments

Aphrodite sat on the edge of her hotel bed, one leg crossed over the other as she absentmindedly gazed out of the window, her eyes catching the fading light of the day.

The bustling streets of Dortmund, Germany, lay below, filled with the usual ebb and flow of locals and tourists alike, each going about their day without a thought of the incredible spectacle that would soon unfold inside the city’s massive arena. She was here for the Road to WrestleMania tour, a journey that saw WWE Superstars traveling across Europe, visiting eleven cities over three weeks to connect with the fans who had supported them through thick and thin.

At the moment, Aphrodite was listening to the familiar voice of her older brother, Lykos, over the phone as she finished seeing her ring gear.

“So, we’re thinking about matching tattoos,” Lykos said, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. He was always the creative one in the family, the one who dreamed up the most outlandish ideas that, more often than not, became reality. Aphrodite smiled softly at his words, leaning back against the pillows, her fingers absently stitching the fabrics of her wrestling top as she listened intently.

Matching tattoos were a tradition among her siblings, something they’d done to honor their shared bond. Aphrodite wasn’t sure when it had started, but it had become a ritual of sorts. Their names were all derived from Greek mythology, a connection to their Greek heritage that their parents had instilled in them from a young age. Each sibling carried with them the names of gods, goddesses, and mythical figures. Tiasa, Bia, Cyrene, Adonis, Lykos, and Xylon.

Her brother’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she focused again on his words. “Shit, it’s between getting the planets representing each sibling and the larger circle being the order we were born or a Greek symbol of our names with Roman numerals of the order we were born,” he said, his excitement clear. Lykos always had a flair for the dramatic, and even something as simple as a tattoo design became an elaborate, thoughtful discussion.

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow as she processed the idea. A celestial theme was fitting. The planets seemed like a symbol of their individual personalities, each orbiting the other in a delicate dance. It was something that could bind them together while also celebrating their uniqueness.

The other design, a Greek symbol tied to their names, with Roman numerals marking the order in which they were born felt more personal, more intimate. It wasn’t just about the symbolism; it was about the story behind the design, the invisible thread that connected each sibling to the others. Aphrodite found herself torn between the two ideas.

“Well, let me know which one y’all pick,” she finally replied, her voice warm but thoughtful. She didn’t have a strong preference for either design, but it was important to her that whatever they chose would represent their bond in a way that felt true to who they were. Family was everything, after all.

Before Lykos could respond, Aphrodite heard the door to her hotel room creak open, and her eyes flickered toward the figure that entered. Joseph walked in with a bag of food in his hands, his face lighting up as he saw her sitting there, phone pressed to her ear. “Bye,” Aphrodite said as she rushes off the phone with her brother.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he set the bag down on the small table beside her, his teasing tone cutting through the conversation.

“Damn, Dottie, over some food and a man. Cold, bye,” Lykos joked from the other end of the line.

Aphrodite rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “I’ll talk to you later, Lykos,” she said, cutting the call short with a playful tone. “Love you, brother.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lykos said before hanging up.

As Aphrodite placed the phone on the bedside table, she turned her attention fully to Joseph, who was already unpacking the food he had brought. His presence was comforting. She had been traveling nonstop, moving from city to city, with no time to catch her breath. But in moments like this, with him by her side, everything felt just a little more manageable.

Joseph had always been the calm to her storm. Where Aphrodite was passionate and sometimes impulsive, Joseph was grounded and patient, qualities that had drawn her to him in the first place. They balanced each other out in ways that made their relationship feel effortless.

“So, what do you want to do for your birthday?” Aphrodite asked, her voice light and playful as she reached for a fork from the tray.

Joseph paused for a moment, his expression softening as he looked at her. He wasn’t a man who cared for extravagant celebrations or grand gestures. He’d always been the type who found joy in the small, intimate moments. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care what we do on my birthday,” he said, his voice sincere and steady.

Aphrodite’s heart fluttered at his words, but she couldn’t help the pang of guilt that tugged at her. Joseph’s birthday would fall during their time in Belgium, and though she would be there with him, the constant whirlwind of their schedules and the pressures of being part of the WWE roster made it difficult to plan something special. Still, she was determined to make it memorable for him in her own way.

She pouted slightly as she looked at him, a teasing glint in her eyes. “We’ll be in Belgium, Sefa,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of playful resignation.

“I don’t care,” Joseph replied, brushing off her concerns with a shrug. “I’ll be with you, and that’s what matters.”

Aphrodite smiled softly, feeling a rush of affection for him. She knew he didn’t need grand gestures, but she still wanted to do something meaningful, something that would show him just how much he meant to her. “I’ll figure it out,” she said, her mind already whirring with possibilities as she thought about what they could do together in Belgium. Perhaps a quiet dinner in a charming café, or a private stroll through the historic streets of Brussels, away from the chaos of the tour. The idea of spending a simple yet intimate day with Joseph felt like the perfect gift, one that didn’t need to be extravagant to hold meaning.

As the evening stretched on, Aphrodite and Joseph shared a quiet meal together, the world outside their hotel room fading into the background.

Liked by solosikoa, trinity_fatu, rikishi, and 901,623 others

noitsreallyaphrodite Wishing the happiest of birthdays to someone truly exceptional.

View all 13,783 comments

rikishi #BlessedAndChosen

Over the next few days, as the WWE Road to WrestleMania tour continued its journey through Europe, Aphrodite found herself thinking more and more about her family. Her brother’s tattoo idea had sparked something within her.

Being away from her siblings during this time made her miss them in ways she hadn’t anticipated. They had always been a constant in her life, and despite her busy schedule and the chaos that came with her profession, she couldn’t help but feel sad she wasn't experiencing this with her siblings.

As she traveled from city to city, from the bright lights of Barcelona to the historic streets of Vienna, she found herself thinking about her siblings.

They were her foundation, the ones who had shaped her into the person she had become. And though she stood on the grandest stage of them all, WWE’s WrestleMania, with millions watching her every move, it was moments like these, small, quiet moments with the people she loved that reminded her of what truly mattered.

The time in Belgium arrived sooner than she expected, and as she and Joseph explored the charming city, Aphrodite found herself filled with gratitude for the life she had built, both in the ring and beyond. The world of WWE was exhilarating, but it was the connections she had with her family and the people she loved that truly grounded her.

And so, as the countdown to WrestleMania continued, Aphrodite embraced the moments of peace and reflection, knowing that no matter where her journey took her, she would always have the love and support of those who mattered most. And that, in the end, was more than enough to keep her going.

The air in Belgium was crisp as the day unfolded in all its charm. The quaint cobblestone streets of Brussels, with their medieval buildings and rich history, wrapped themselves around Aphrodite and Joseph as they wandered hand in hand, their laughter echoing against the narrow alleyways.

It was Joseph’s birthday, and despite the whirlwind of their WWE schedules, Aphrodite was determined to give him a special day, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos.

She had planned the day with meticulous care, wanting to blend the beauty of the city with simple pleasures that Joseph would appreciate. Their first stop was the Cathedral of St. Michael, an awe-inspiring structure with towering spires that seemed to scrape the sky. Inside, the light filtered through colorful stained-glass windows, casting hues of ruby, sapphire, and emerald across the cool stone floors. The silence of the cathedral felt almost sacred, a quiet contrast to the outside world. Aphrodite could see the wonder in Joseph’s eyes as he took in the grandeur of the space. It wasn’t just the architecture that fascinated him. It was the history, the stories imbued in every stone and every corner.

Next, they went to the Grand Place, Brussels’ central square, surrounded by opulent guild halls and the striking Town Hall. The square was alive with tourists and locals alike, all drawn to the beauty of the ornate buildings and the rich culture of the city. Aphrodite took Joseph's hand, guiding him through the crowds as they marveled at the stunning architecture and vibrant life around them. For a moment, it felt as though time slowed down, just the two of them in the heart of a city that had seen centuries of history.

Their day wasn’t complete without indulging in one of Belgium’s greatest culinary delights: waffles. Aphrodite had insisted they stop by Maison Dandy, a famous spot known for its decadent waffles. They sat at a small table near the window, savoring the warm, golden treats dusted with powdered sugar, and for once, no cameras were flashing, no fans calling out their names just the two of them, enjoying the sweetness of the moment. Joseph’s eyes twinkled with appreciation as he took a bite, his laughter light and carefree.

As the afternoon sun began to dip, casting a warm glow over the city, Aphrodite knew it was time for the second part of her surprise. Later that evening, when they returned to their hotel room, she had arranged for a small, intimate gathering. The room was filled with a sense of quiet excitement, as Joseph’s brothers and cousins arrived, each one with a grin on their face, knowing what was coming.

The cake, a rich, decadent chocolate creation, sat on the table in the middle of the room, surrounded by candles ready to be lit. Aphrodite could feel her heart race as she gave Joseph a playful nudge, signaling that it was time for the celebration to begin. The door opened, and one by one, Joseph’s family filed in, their voices rising in cheerful unison as they began to sing "Happy Birthday."

Jon was the first to stand and deliver his usual theatrics. With an exaggerated gasp, he clutched his chest as though overcome with emotion. “Oh, my baby brother!” he cried dramatically, throwing his arms wide as though preparing for a grand monologue. Aphrodite couldn’t help but smile at Jon’s antics. He was always the dramatic one, the life of the party, and tonight, it seemed, was no exception. His voice cracked as he continued, making everyone chuckle. “I remember the day you were born, Joseph. You were so small, so innocent, and now look at you! I’m so proud of you. I love you more than words can say.”

The room was filled with a mixture of laughter and affection, but then, to everyone’s surprise, Jon’s voice wavered. His theatrical sobs became genuine as tears welled up in his eyes. “I just—” His words were lost as he wiped his eyes, still trying to compose himself, though his emotions had overtaken him.

Joseph stood there, not surprised, as Jon’s emotional display turned into full-on crying. And to everyone’s shock, Jon wasn’t the only one who broke down. Joshua, stood next to him, his own eyes welling up with tears as he put a comforting hand on Jon’s shoulder.

Joseph moved to comfort his older brothers. He chuckled softly, a warm, affectionate laugh that seemed to put everyone at ease. “Come on, you two,” Joseph said, wrapping his arms around both of them. “You guys are such babies.”

As he comforted them, Aphrodite watched the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and tenderness. It was a side of Joseph she rarely got to see. The loving, patient baby brother who had to calm his much more emotionally charged siblings. It reminded her of just how deeply Joseph cared for those around him, how much he was rooted in family.

“I forget how emotional those two can be,” Trinity whispered with a grin, her voice filled with affectionate teasing.

Aphrodite nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Yeah, they always put on a show, don’t they?”

Trinity shook her head in amusement. “I swear they do.”

The night continued with laughter, cake, and more shared stories from their childhood. Jon and Joshua eventually calmed down, wiping their tears and regaining their composure, though they still offered teasing glances at Joseph. Their bond, though often tested by distance and the chaos of their respective careers, was unshakeable. It was clear that family was everything to them, and tonight, Joseph’s birthday was a testament to that.

As the evening wore on and the last of the cake was eaten, Aphrodite pulled Joseph aside for a quiet moment. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

“I’m so glad we could be here together,” she murmured, her voice low and sincere.

He smiled down at her, his eyes soft with gratitude. “Me too.”

As Joseph wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, Aphrodite felt a sense of contentment settle over her. This was what mattered. This was what she had always been fighting for, these quiet, tender moments, where the world stopped and all that mattered was the love they shared.

Next: Chapter Eleven

[talas-first-lady]

Legends of Tomorrow as Smartypants Presentations

I have been working my way through the Dropout catalogue. This is Smartypants season 1 only so far.

Behrad: Which Cryptid is the Chillest to Blaze With?

Zari Tomaz: Vegetables Don't Exist

John: Wrestling is Drag

Gwyn: A Case for Eggs

Amaya: Does Music Sound the Same? (this one is all about how swing music needs a comeback)

Ava: How to Write Emails Like a White Lady

Nora: The United States Military Should Bomb the Moon

Gideon: God's Mistakes: How I Would Make Our Bodies Better

Nate: The Piano Teacher: A Groundhog Day Theory

Sara: The WNBA Is Better Than the NBA (mostly because it has lesbians)

Stein: No Thank You, "The Ocean"

Zari Tarazi: Should We Forgive Theater Kids?

Carter: Cicadas… and Why They Should Be the Symbol of the U.S.A.

Gary: Can I Get an Honorary Degree if I Just Ask Really Nicely?

Jax: The Past Few Presidents Have Ruined Movie Presidents

Snart: Zzyzx: All-American Scam

Astra: Morning People Are an Oppressive Class

Rip: The United States Government Should Build Me a Gundam

Charlie: We Need New Cuss Words

Spooner: Millenium Force: The Coaster Wars and the Pleasures of Regionalism

Wally: Michael Jordan Was a Good Baseball Player

Mona: Things I Saw White People Do on TV Shows That I Never Saw in Real Life as a Child

Kendra: God Is a Woman

Mick: An Extremely Objective And Defendable Tier List Of Charcuterie Board Elements

Ray: Birds: Why They Might Steal Your Girl

(Thanks to @gr3yskull for making me get Dropout and suggesting some of these matchups.)

[maeljade]

So, I've done some thinking while at work today and I got two questions about the arcadion. One just a general question and one speculations about the continuation of the story. Spoilers for both Arcadion and Pandaemonium following, I guess.

Firstly: All the fighters got their own arenas, with especially Black Cat and Wicked Thunder's having an integral and core gimmick in the destructible floor. Which is a nice and funny detail that both sisters use destroying the floor. Anyways 3 of the arenas are square and one is circular.

So ... how is it decided which arena they would fight in when fighting amongst themselves? Sure, we're the outsider and challenger so it would make sense that we fight everyone on their "home turf" or in their own arena or whatever you wanne call it. But what if Black Cat fought Honey B Lovely before our arrival? Would it be in Black Cats arena for the floor destruction or Honey B's circular one for the swarm of bees flying through it? Would they have one match in one arena and another match in the others?

Are there precedents in wrestling for the fighters having specialized arenas?

And second topic: I wonder if we'll stay within the arcadion itself for the entire raid series. 4 matches light-heavyweight, 4 matches cruiserweight, 4 matches ... heavyweight? Whatever the last tier is called. With the whole story developing around and inbetween the fights and tiers.

Or are we gonne change location and abandon the scheduled match theming at some point? IDK go raid Everkeep again with Eutrope to cure her magic soul super cancer and end up having to fight one of the former "immortalized" champions now fully mutated and having been experimented upon? I have no idea but I am looking forward to more tiers and more story.

We do have a precedent of the raid not taking place in the same location with Pandaemonium, with 1-8 in Elpis and 9-12 in the Aetherial sea and present.

[lucarionite9364]

Johnny Cage x reader x Kenshi

CW: NSFW (18+ content)

This is my first fic so it may be bad😅

Word count: 2283

PART 1

Your morning has gone as usual; wake up early, get dressed, and prepare for training. You had been eating by yourself on the training grounds waiting for the others to show up when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You look up to see Kenshi silently asking if he can sit next to you. You nod happily as you munch on your breakfast. You’re chatting idly for a little bit until he gives you a challenge. “I bet you can’t beat me in training today.” He smiles at your offended expression. You swallow your last bite before you spit back reasons why you could.

After faux insults were thrown, you took it as a personal goal to take Kenshi down a notch. You wrestled him down to the ground and tried to pin him, but he was quick to roll around from underneath you. He was too quick for you to grapple, but you weren’t fast enough to dodge him. He grabs your upper arm and pins it behind your back. He almost had your other hand if you hadn’t shifted your weight to pull your arm from his grasp. You grabbed his wrist and flipped him over upside down and onto his back. You then slid down to put him in a head-leg lock. You squeezed your legs tight together to get him to give up. What you didn't know, however, is that Kenshi was horribly turned on and had a hard on.

He tried to get out of your grasp but to no avail. He tapped you on the thigh, signaling that you won, and you let go immediately. Sucking in a deep breath, he sat up and composed himself. You had already gotten up and extended your hand to help him up. You turn your attention to the other three trainees and the man beside you takes this moment to adjust himself.

Johnny comes up to you first and throws fake punches at you while laughing. “Are you ready for training today?” “Of course!” He gives a cheesy smile as you turn your attention to the two other guys beside you. You hold up two fists and they respond by giving you a fist bump back. “Ready to get your asses whooped today? I’m not going easy,” you stated confidently, “Kenshi here said I couldn’t beat him, so I’ll beat everyone else and still come out on top!” Lao chimes in first, “No way you can beat me Y/N.” “We shall have to see about that.” You retort. Raiden responds to the challenge as well, “I would be more than glad to spar with you today Y/N.” “Glad to hear you won’t be upset to lose!”

As you all playfully smack talk each other, you all get ready for a long day of training ahead of you. At one point, you start your battle tier and your first opponent is Johnny. Smug as ever, he talks your ear off. Unfortunately for him, you easily best him and tease him as you leave him in the dust. Lao and Raiden were more of a challenge. Lao with his chakram hat and Raiden simply had more years of combat experience. After valiant efforts, they admit defeat (some more easily than others.) You look at Kenshi with a big smile on your face. “Think you can still beat me, Pretty Boy?” You knew that your words would get under his skin, and the look on his face was evidence enough that you were right. He brushed off your comment and said, “Let's see what you can do.”

You had been sparring with Kenshi for close to an hour now. He has been on the offense as you throw punches and kicks at him fast, he can just manage to keep up. You eventually wear him down enough you fake him out, sweep his legs, then pin him down. He is able to shove you off due to body weight differences. Both of you get up and he tries to throw quick punches at you, one lands and it throws you off your balance. You tumble backward and he tries to land his ‘Question Mark’ kick when you catch his ankle and shot put him away.

Chants of laughter and awe can be heard from your posse of three other men, that being Johnny, Kung Lao, and Raiden. “$20 says Kenshi wipes the floor with her.” The cockier man claims. “No way, I think Y/N has got this one no doubt.” The darker haired boys shoot back. Their bickering was cut short by the sound of Y/N getting tossed to the ground.

Rolling on the ground, you try to catch your breath. This fight had been going on longer than you anticipated and it was wearing you out. “Is that all you got Takahashi? Or was earlier all you could take, hmm?” you tease. He rushes forward and fakes out to the side before you could react or block, he lands a hard blow to your side. He never hit this hard in training before, you wonder what has got him so worked up. However, before you could linger on that thought he goes in for another blow to your hurt side, but you block his advance and land a punch square to his jaw. This takes him aback and makes his eyes water a bit. Having had enough of this argument, he advances and throws you off balance, dropping to the ground to pin your arm through his legs and cuts off your air with his calf.

You struggle for what seems like forever. WIth the way he has your arm positioned, you could almost feel something poking at your forearm. However, you didn't have much time to think about what that was before he pulled your arm tighter causing you to cry out in pain. Just as he did earlier, you tap his thigh to signal that you lost. He immediately lets go and gets up, storming off to his room and bumping Johnny’s shoulder rather hard as he went. The two shaolin stare at Kenshi in disbelief that he brushed the fight off so easily and without a word. You, too, were confused at his grumpy attitude. What also confused you was that Johnny had a shit eating grin on his face. Slumping his arms around Raiden and Kung Lao, he nonchalantly says, “So, you two owe me $20 hah.” Groaning in annoyance, they begrudgingly pay up.

“Wow,, were you guys seriously betting on who would win that fight?” You stare in fake disbelief. Johnny quickly chimes in before the others can speak “Whaaat? A little friendly betting is all in good fun.” He shoots you a signature smirk and you roll your eyes. Changing the conversation topic you ask, “Hey, is Kenshi okay? He seemed out of it.” Johnny glances at you playfully and shrugs, then says, “I’m sure it’s nothing, I’ll go check on him.” WIth that, he leaves you, Raiden, and Lao to train more before the day is over. After a quick spar with Raiden and Lao, you decide that you need to make sure Kenshi is ok yourself. So you bid the boys adieu head to the man in question’s room.

As you come up onto his door, you can hear muffled sounds. Curiosity getting the better of you, you lean into the door to listen. You can hear Johnny and Kenshi slightly arguing about how he acted earlier, so you listen more to their conversation. At one point the door peeks open, so you can see them too.

“Ken, it was obvious you were distracted. I’m guessing it has to do with Y/N?” He asks with a knowing tone in his voice. “What? Cage, I have no clue what you’re talking about. And what I think about is none of your business.” He snaps back. “Come on, don’t lie to me,” he grins, “you popped one when she tried to pin you, don’t think I couldn’t see that.” The dark haired man quickly looked away when a deep flush on his face, “Was it. . . that obvious?” “Dude, it was obvious.” He deadpans. “She is attractive, I will say that. Hell, I may have gotten heated too if I was in that position. I saw you too earlier, she had her thighs locked around your head right? Damn that was sexy.” “Knock it off, Cage.” He says with an exasperated sigh. Cage moves over to straddle Kenshi, harshly grinding down on the man, making him groan out. “You know Ken Doll, we can always ask to share~.” “I, ugh, Johnny. We can’t, hgnn.” You gasp out in shock at the revelation. They shoot their heads toward the door only to see you running away from embarrassment. “Nice going Cage!” Kenshi says, the exasperation in his voice evident. “What? Come on, let's go talk to her.” With that, they run off after you.

You slam the door behind you as you catch your breath. Holy Fuck! Did they see me? Oh god they saw me, how do I explain why I was listening? And how do I explain what I just saw? Are Johnny and Kenshi… — Your thoughts were cut off as you heard soft knocking at your door. “Hey! Y/N, we need to talk to you real fast. Can you let us in?” You heard it in a loud voice. OH FUCK IT’S JOHNNY! SHIT! What should I do? You breathe slowly to help yourself calm down. Hesitantly, you walk to the door and open it to see Johnny and Kenshi standing there, both somewhat out of breath and looking slightly flushed. The actor starts before you can speak, “Yo Y/N, uhm, what you just saw… I—“ “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to listen in on your conversation like that. I just wanted to see if you were ok,” you nod toward Kenshi, “You seemed off during our spar and I was worried. You guys can come in if you’d like. I can make tea.” You turn on your heel with haste to start making tea (Also to avoid eye contact with the men behind you.)

Kenshi speaks up to rid the room of the awkward silence, “Y/N, I’m sorry if I worried you during our match today. There’s a lot on my mind.” “I know—“ You said before you could catch yourself. You want to crawl into a hole and perish. “Ah, so you did hear most of that conversation.” You turn towards them with the tea pot and cups in your hands. “Like I said, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to pry into your conversation, but I…” you trail off due to lack of words in your mind. “You what?” They both inquire. “I heard what you both said about me.” You state simply as you pour your tea and sip on it idly. They look at each other with a loss for words. Johnny moves to sit down across from you and Kenshi, after a few moments, does the same. You pour them a cup and sit in comfortable silence, but only for a moment.

”So, you both like me?” You smile gently at them, causing them to blush harder than either would like to admit. “I’ll agree to that statement.” Johnny says, trying to get some of his swagger back. Meanwhile, Kenshi can only elbow Johnny in the side, but nods in agreement. Feeling bold in the moment you can’t help but chuckle a little. “What’s so funny?” Johnny asks with a sly grin on his face. “Nothing, just that this information makes this all the more easy.” Before the boys can react, you lean over the table and pull Kenshi in for a quick, but heated, kiss. You pull away already breathless and heart racing. You hear Johnny give a prolonged wolf whistle and you go for him next.

He, however, is ready for it and pulls your face deeper into his. You moan slightly as he bites your bottom lip. Pushing the cups aside so as to not knock them over, you continue to lean into Johnny. He paws at your chest and gently squeezes you through your training shirts. After a few minutes of sloppily kissing the narcissist you release his mouth and pant heavily. It felt as though the room suddenly got 100 degrees hotter. Looking over to the swordsman, you noticed he’s harder than a rock. This gives you a lusty grin on your face as you move to straddle him as the other man did earlier.

”Kenshi, would you like for me to help you with your little problem here~?” He looks lost in your eyes as you pull him closer. You lean to the side to breathe into his ear. He then bucks his hips up and groans out. Hands roaming across your hips, ass, and torso, never in one place for too long. You grind down on his thick bulge as he goes to suck on your neck. You’re so engrossed at what is happening, you fail to hear Johnny sneaking up behind you until you feel large hands grabbing your breasts.

”I need a little attention too.” He coos. You chuckle at his words and reach your hand behind you to fondle at his clothed crotch. You break the kiss with Kenshi and he looks dazed as he’s painfully hard beneath you. You snake your hands up to both their faces and gently caress them. Their undivided attention is on nothing but you. Only then do you speak, and that little phrase gets them breathless: “Want to take this to my room?”

[hypotheticalprose]

Ranma 1/2’s Akari Unryu: Understanding a Cypher

When writing Ranma ½ fanfiction about Ryoga, one must eventually ask: who even is Akari Unryu, anyways? I’m gonna try and provide my answer to that question in this post.

A Google search will turn up very little, because there is very little to know. She’s a love interest for Ryoga Hibiki introduced so late in the manga that she doesn’t show up in the anime at all. Her family raises sumo-wrestling pigs, and she rides one of these pigs (named Katsunishiki) everywhere she goes. Ryoga was the first person who was able to beat her pig in a fight, causing her to fall in love with him. She loves pigs, and when she discovers Ryoga’s curse she likes him even more. 

She’s shown to be pleasant, patient, and kinda boring as a result. She doesn’t really challenge Ryoga in any way. In fact, she’s endlessly forgiving of his faults, real or perceived. The conflicts that do exist in their relationship are resolved without much fanfare. 

However, that doesn’t have to be all there is to Akari! By closely looking at what little information we do have, I believe it’s possible to build a more comprehensive character profile. 

First off, name. Many of Rumiko’s character names provide clues to their characterization.

Akari means light. That’s a pretty straightforward, traditional, feminine name associated with beauty. Makes sense, because she’s straightforward, feminine, and beautiful. 

Unryu is where things get interesting, because it means “Cloud Dragon.” Weird, right? 

Well, Unryu is the stage name of a famous sumo wrestler from Japanese history, best known as the namesake of one of two entrance ceremonies performed by wrestlers, Unryu and Shiranui. The Unryu ceremony represents a balance of attack and defense, while Shiranui represents pure offense. The last name of Unryu not only establishes Akari’s sumo ties, but implies that Akari is balanced. 

HOWEVER!

Many scholars speculate that Shiranui and Unryu had their respective styles mistakenly attributed to the other, and Unryu was actually the more aggressive of the two. I’ll come back to that later. 

For now, let’s move on to the pig. 

Katsunishiki’s name is comprised of katsu (cutlet), and nishiki (beautiful cloth). It kinda just implies a really nice cutlet, imo.

The more interesting thing is the pig’s ranking. K-dawg is the 14th champion, and that’s reiterated multiple times in the manga. Translators (who I assume didn’t have much access to detailed sumo rules) seemed to translate this as “the 14th champion sumo wrestling pig,” as though he was the 14th champion Akari’s family had trained. 

However, from what I can tell, the actual phrase is that he is the 14th Yokozuna, the highest sumo wrestling tier. That would make him the 14th-best sumo wrestler in the world.  

(It might go without saying that pig sumo wrestling isn’t a real thing, but I’ll say it here anyways.)

The funniest explanation is that in the Ranma ½-verse sumo, one of the most strictly regimented and traditional sports practiced today, apparently doesn't have a rule saying that a pig CAN’T participate. In other words, it’s a full Air Bud situation.*

Back to Akari. Based on what we know, what can we extrapolate about her character?

First, she is NOT normal. I’ve seen her described as such before, and while she might be nice, she’s no less unhinged than any other character in the series. She seems to fall genuinely in love with Ryoga after watching him beat a pig. She tries to have that same pig beat her love of pigs out of her through intense conditioning (which fails, because she loves pigs that much). She tries to convince Ryoga that she’s loved him for a long time via blatant lying. 

Second, we don’t necessarily know how she would react to a serious challenge for Ryoga’s affections, but she probably wouldn’t be passive. She’s not a fighter herself, but she’s also got no problem with beating up a city’s worth of men with her pig in search of a husband. The real question is, is she the Unryu that is balanced, or the Unryu that is aggressive? It seems to be that she fits the second description better than the first, and in the face of actual competition I think she would probably be similar to many of the other fiancées in the series in terms of aggression. 

The most important element of her character is that she has the opposite problem of many of Ranma’s fiancées. Rather than trying to change her love interest to fit her own desires, she seems willing to be an extreme doormat for the object of her affection. Ryoga hates pigs? She’ll give up the thing she loves more than anything. Ryoga hugs several men during their date while shouting that he loves them? She’s cool with it. Ryoga is days late to a meeting? She’ll wait for him. She doesn’t have boundaries to what she’ll change or endure for him, even if it turns out that hating pigs is physically impossible for her to do. 

(Side note, she’s remarkably resilient.)

Unlike the other fiancées in the story, Akari would probably never raise a fist towards Ryoga in anger or even get angry at him. However, I don’t think she’d have a problem with fighting the competition if such a thing existed, whether it be through porcine fury or more underhanded tactics. She’s marginally more likely to listen if Ryoga straight-up says he isn’t interested compared to, like, Shampoo with Ranma, but she’s not necessarily going to make logical decisions. 

That’s my interpretation of Akari as a character. There isn’t much analysis of her online, so I thought this might be helpful for others struggling with her characterization. God knows I have.

*This is a stretch, but it’s funny and there’s basically no actual canon info. So sue me. 

[the-crooked-library]

Hannibal and Control

Alright so out of all the Hannibal interpretations out there, I don't think there are any that irritate me more than the idea of an unequal balance between him and Will. There's this opinion floating around - that he is so much of a control freak that he can never let Will make his own decisions; I've seen it in fic, in Tiktok videos, an occasional textpost, and it is just so grossly incorrect that I have to say something on the subject.

As early as season 2, we get this:

This is perhaps one of the most famous scenes in the series - in which Hannibal states, out loud, canonically, that the reason he is so fascinated by Will is because, unlike most other people, he can never truly predict him. No matter how much he may "whisper through the chrysalis," Will Graham will find a way to surprise him; he expressly doesn't follow the lines Hannibal has written for him, and that is a key element of their relationship throughout the show.

Now, I am not denying that control is a prominent element of Hannibal's life - it is indubitably important; but it is not everything - especially in this particular context. As much as he maintains that iron grip on himself, it does not reach nearly the same extent with Will; and it falls apart entirely by season 3, in which Hannibal explicitly gives up his control of the story, risking his life and freedom - both things he valued above all else earlier in Mizumono.

The message here is clear; as much as his control, his liberty, his own continued existence matter, Will Graham is infinitely more precious to him; and to suggest otherwise - that he would attempt to fully subjugate the man he views as his only equal, as the only deity he recognizes - frankly, he'd call it blasphemy.

Moreover, this interpretation of their relationship stems not only from a mischaracterization of Hannibal himself, but also from a rampant infantilization of Will. There is a tendency in some areas of the fandom to entirely absolve Will Graham of his guilt; and, with the culpability handed over to Hannibal in its entirety, he assumes the role of an innocent, redeemable, good person in the eyes of such viewers - which could not be further from the truth. Will Graham's agency is integral to the story; though he wrestles with some moral dilemmas throughout the series, he is ultimately responsible for his own choices, especially post-season 1. There is a clear distinction between circumstance and desire - for instance, Randall Tier did invade his home, which did force him into violence; however, it did not force him to throw aside his gun, or relish the brutality, or bring the body to Hannibal, or eat of it, or display parts of it, or store the rest in his freezer.

He did all that himself.

He knows that.

Will Graham's infantilization (no, he was manipulated, he was tricked, Hannibal tempted him into something he didn't want, he didn't want to be a murderer, he is a sweet darling boy) is rooted not only in homophobia, but also in the same sort of ableism real-world autistic adults face every day. His own desires and agency get overwritten by that ever-present bigotry; the same way that some people believe that autistics cannot give consent to sexual activity, or participate in nuanced discussions, or understand the harm or violence they do, the other characters assume that he is fundamentally an innocent right until the very end. Jack, Alana, Molly, even Chilton make that mistake; and Will does play on their ignorance within the world of the story - but it is truly discouraging to see the success of his act extend to the viewers, who should have the necessary context to understand it for the lie it is.

He has agency, and it is paramount to the themes of a series that explores queer desire, internalized homophobia, and the guilt that often surrounds this sort of experience.

As such, the story, from Hannibal's perspective, is about learning to let go of his otherwise unwavering control; it's about finding a common ground with someone that understands him, and allowing himself the final trust fall. From Will's perspective, it is a coming out story, with everything that entails - which also culminates in him taking a leap of faith into the arms of the man he loves. The reason why Hannigram is so enduring as a ship is because it is founded on that balance; to deny this equality, therefore, is to fundamentally undermine the theme of these characters' narrative, and twist them into caricatures of themselves.

In short, it does them a disservice.

[cloysterbell]

ok ok fine, ill start listening to the mountain goats. what songs/albums should i start with?

THE SUNSET TREE

Okay, here's what I would actually recommend. For albums:

If you wanna feel kinda sad and nostalgic but in a righteous way: The Sunset Tree

If you want a lot of songs about coming home to love and what it means to be alive: Heretic Pride

If you want a collection of songs that will change your worldview and are also about what it means to be alive but in more of a like, you exist not as an individual but as a part of something much bigger: Transcendental Youth

If you really like professional wrestling: Beat the Champ

If you've ever felt like you want to bite and punch and fight and get revenge: Bleed Out

I would also recommend Jenny from Thebes but JfT is better if you've listened to All Hail West Texas which I don't recommend as a starter album because the audio is really crunchy and doesn't have the same aural punch that some of the other albums do but JfT is also so so good and I love Fresh Tattoo so much (because it's about Nathan Wuornos)

For individual songs if you want more of a sampler (it is SO HARD to choose just 10):

Amy AKA Spent Gladiator I is maybe my favorite TMG song because I live my life by "do every stupid thing that makes you feel alive" even though I know it's about drugs but I choose to interpret it differently. That said,

This Year is THE classic top tier fan favorite

Sax Rohmer #1

Clean Slate

You or Your Memory

Up the Wolves

Dance Music

The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton

Get Famous

Training Montage

But also like, TMG really does have a song for everything and everyone and every mood and every vibe so you'll just have to listen to them all to sus out which is your favorite. Also there is a song for every single blorbo/ship you could possibly imagine like how San Bernardino is about Polivia and how the entirety of Bleed Out is about Duke Crocker and Love Love Love is about McWexler and

[anonymocha]

My personal thoughts on some limbus company ships that are in my head. However, I only read up to canto 5 + festive intervallo ... also I am an outis fan and it shows.

I will talk about some of these under the cut mind you its 12 midnight

TIER 1

i want to chew outis (as three genders)

This one is explanatory. I love Outis a LOT so I dedicate a tier just to talk about my fav pairs featuring her; all of which have characters that I project into a bit.

Dante x Outis: The Nobody (forgor) and The Nobody (???). I think this one is CLASSIC considering that Dante is the "player-insert" character to some extent. However, PM establishes that Dante is also their own character with unique lore, personality, and interactions (thank god because if Dante is an actual reader-insert, my aegosexuality would never let this ship work for me). Outis treats them very oddly compared to the way she treats the rest of the cast—which I find either amusing, hilarious, and or intriguing. Her respect for them is questionable yet ridiculously over-the-top in the facade(?) she set up for them. I think this ridiculousness around them makes her charming if not enigmatic. I want to see how these two interact the more information about either of them comes out. ALSO nblw sweep. In general I think their dynamic is GLORIOUS.

Yi Sang x Outis: HE JUST KEEPS APPEARING WITH HER AND I WISH THAT WAS MEEEEE 💥💥💥— Anyways there's something lovely about being a soggy pathetic researcher being kept around by a roughened pathetic war criminal. I promise I have more to say about these two but I am sleepy tired zzzzz (their different flavors of cold and somewhat level personalities is very interesting to me when paired together hes #justlikemeforreal and shes being so unawful about it making it really sweet but oh im so okay with it being complicated)

Don Quixote x Outis: I got spoiled a bit on their interactions on canto 7 and i CANNOT WAIT to catch up to that. THEYRE CUTE I CANT HELP IT + NAMEPLATE GANG + FAMILY ANGST TO NAME A FEW. Their energies CLASH in such a great way and I absolutely adore EVERY dontis interactions be it serious or funny. (i want to see outis feeling conflicted about donqui and wrestle with this girl's layers and how it ties to her own narrative as a whole and since donqui is a character who i can somewhat??? project into i also want to see her be jolly goofy to outis iykwim)

other tiers i will talk about when i wake up probably if i dont do it i didnt lie - i failed

[little-mouse-adventures]

1,2, 10 and 32 for Butler (and 2 for Tim, if that’s not too many?) Hope you’re having a good day, Mouse!

1. Canon I outright reject

Okay this is incredibly small and pedantic but: a jetpack? Really? No. I refuse. Sure, maybe after jumping off a balcony in Book 4 and getting Artemis to make him one with a mis-mash of fairy parts, but just... no. he does not usually wear a jetpack under his jacket.

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on

Headcanon time! He blushes if given flowers. Full on, bright red, all the way to the tips of his ears. He can walk into a room to discover a surprise orgy involving all sorts of toys and whip cream and such things and be mildly uncomfortable and look at the ceiling as he very politely and quietly leaves, but if someone gives him a bouquet of flowers his composure goes out the window. Even if Juliet, as a small child, gave him a handful of dandelions, he'd be pink around the cheeks for hours.

10. Best moment on screen (or in the book)

The troll fight in Book 1. Don't get me wrong, he has a lot of good moments throughout the series! But the troll fight wins for me, every time. The dedication to protect his sister? The drama of strapping on armor, and then still using his gun? Taking out a beast that killed him with his bare hands? Being the only human to ever win against a troll? Top-tier moment right there.

32. Something guaranteed to make them smile/laugh

An explosion (provided it's not targeted at him or those he is trying to protect). Everything from grenades to C4 to rocket launchers. If he can make something go Boom! he's happy.

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on (Tim)

His affection for his family! Yes, yes, he wouldn't wrestle in the covers with Artemis as a child, but he'd read him bedtime stories! He'd walk the grounds with him! He'd sit for hours with his wife feeding pigeons, and holding her hand! Tim loves his family deeply and yes I absolutely will die on that hill. He may have been a strict father to Artemis, but he was a father to him. He loves his wife and son and wants to do the best for him, and yes, he's probably made some mistakes doing so, but he's human. And absolutely devoted to his wife and children.

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: Thunderbolts*

Remember when films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a theme? Not musically, but a thematic core. Whether it was a political thriller, a heist film, martial arts epic or even an 80's B-Movie throwback. During phases 1 - 3, there was a consistent collection of different types of Marvel films and I truly have missed that type of storytelling. Recently those type of stories are far and between, but thanks to this film I think we're finally heading back into the right direction. What I truly appreciated with this film was that it was about the misfits and sort of C list tier of characters that I have come to love, but never thought of them as leaders in a film. Some more than most had the chance to be fleshed out in a TV series or spin-off film, but here they all get a chance to shine. Yeah there is the standard action sequences we all love about these films, but it was the story around them that gave it all purpose. It was a more grounded story about relationships, the internal struggle of finding worth in life and the turmoil one face with mental health. This was a massive therapy session for each character and it worked so well.

Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova and she is fantastic as expected. She takes the character on a more nihilistic journey in the beginning as she begins to wrestle with her inner struggle to find purpose in life. Even though she takes down targets around the world, it was a very relatable commentary on the mundane and by the numbers nature of a 9 to 5 job. The emotional peaks she goes through as she deals with the estranged relationship she has with her father was touching. David Harbour also returns as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian and he was more boisterous than ever before. He loves to have a great time in battle and he loves teamwork, but the real depth of the character comes out when he is with Yelena. Their relationship was explored even further and you see the much needed connection between them begin to reform. Sebastian Stan continues to shine as Bucky Barnes and I liked that he had to face being a more public figure with his dry and awkward press work. The dichotomy between being a politician and a natural rogue hero is explored with him and that was fun. Wyatt Russell continues to be the fun, arrogant jerk that John Walker / U.S. Agent is. He was a man of action instead of patience as he still holds on to his "glory days" as a the former, government appointed, Captain America. There was more going on in his personal life and it shows how that facade he pushes forward as a coping mechanism. Hannah John-Kamen gets a lot more to do this time around as Ava Starr / Ghost. It has been a while since we've seen her and I liked that she had more than just her powers to give to the group. At times, she was the more tactical one to Walker's shoot first personality. As a team, they are dysfunctional as they battle their own individual demons, but that was a bonding point for them. The trauma bonding was real and it truly was the core of the team.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was cunning and wicked as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The manipulation game she plays with the Thunderbolts* was annoyingly astounding. I loved that she was always one step ahead of everyone even when she was about to lose. Her political battle with Congress was a more twisted version of Tony Stark's hearing in Iron Man 2 which was fantastic. Geraldine Viswanathan was great as her assistant Mel and I was glad that she was more involved than most would expect. She gave the fun perspective of a not so corrupted soul working for a very bent person. Her scenes were fun and I loved her pleading with Bucky as everything started to get too real. Lewis Pullman does the most work in the film as Bob Reynolds / Sentry / Void. As Bob he was a breathe of fresh air as he awkwardly enters this world of heroes and anti-heroes. I loved his childlike innocence, but he truly shines once you get to his backstory. As I said before, the film tackles trauma and mental health in a grounded and somewhat fantastical way. I loved that he was constantly at odds with himself as he discovers his newly acquired powers. Pullman truly delivers an emotionally charged performance as you get an intimate look into the characters' past and Pullman portrays that pain so well in his eyes.

The score by Son Lux was fun and bombastic in the best way. The desert sequences were a highlight as you get the more heroic themes. The third act of the film truly comes alive with darker, somewhat gothic and heartbreaking tones as the real battle within the minds of certain characters. Visually, the film is stunning as it moves away from the shiny nature of the "Marvel look". It was grittier and not afraid of the more moody lighting. Its been a while since Marvel has had a challenging film to come out that was focused on a central thematic element. This might be a new favorite Marvel film and I would love to revisit it. Of course stay for both end credit scenes as we head into the next MCU event film on the horizon. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

[pininghermit]

A persistent Shadow (Part 2)

Pairing: Alucard x Werewolf reader

Genre: Angst

Summary: You wanted to be one of them. Humans. Adrian had seen it. How you would mellow your voice, how you would smile at little kids running alleys. You were kind despite whatever the world condemned you to...you did not let it bargain your soul.

AN: Finally a part 2...can't believe we made it. Let's go people. ADHD-0, Hermit- 1. Just ignore the plot holes (live and let live).

Please read Part 1 first (do it or else I'll come for you)

Warning: Graphic violence, blood gore. Seriously don't read if you get queasy easily.

He finds you again. It isn't hard to find you. Not when he knows you so well. It's you but something amiss.

Your eyes do not greet him with recognition. You do not smile bashfully at his sight as you have always done. No...it's all wrong. All messed up.

You are there in the middle of an arena, your pupils have contracted into slits as they always do during your transformation. Your growls fill the area. You're so agitated. Even the sound of bones adjusting to the transformation is yet to settle.

He almost steps forward but then he see it. A muzzle. Your sharp fangs bite against a muzzle. Your arms struggle against the chains that bind you to ground.

Adrian's feet do not stop after that. His eyes do not leave you for a second. Who had dare to put you here...in such a vulnerable form. He speeds past the gathered audience. He needs to take you away. Maybe the forest nearby or anywhere remote where you can change back.

You would not want this. You would not want anyone to witness this. Your monstrous form is not for anyone to see. He had never wanted this. He had not expect all this to play out in this manner.

You wanted to be one of them. Humans. Adrian had seen it. How you would mellow your voice, how you would smile at little kids running alleys. You were kind despite whatever the world condemned you to...you did not let it bargain your soul.

He knew better than anyone in the hundreds flogging the audience. His Y/n would not consent to this. How much it would hurt you. Way beyond the physical hurt the humans had carved onto your body.

He had exposed your truth to the village head because he wanted you back. He had wanted you to come back to his side. He had not expect this...

"Cease!" A pair of arms envelop Adrian's shoulders, their grip unyielding, pulling him back from the precipice. "Release me," he contends, muscles taut as he wrestles with the guards who detain him. His fingers brush against the cold metal of the gate, the barrier that cleaves the arena from the tiers of onlookers.

Adrian's struggle against the guards intensifies, his determination fueling a surge of raw energy. Sinews flex beneath his skin as he strains against their grip, his heart pounding with an urgency that matches the fervor in his eyes. "Let me through!" he demands, voice edged with desperation and a determination that brooks no compromise.

"Who dares to interrupt the spectacle of His Highness, the Second Prince?" Another voice reaches Adrian's ears. A young man dressed in the finery of royalty. The man's flowing hair lay braided intricately. Jewels, delicate silk, and authority. He was someone of power. If not the second prince himself.

Adrian does not waste another second. He kneels. His pride, his arrogance does not matter. "I beseech you, release her," bows his head. "Please let her leave. She's injured. Allow me to take her away. I beg you." Adrian joins his hands in a plea.

The man in front of him was the only hope. He could save your soul or whatever was left of it. "Pfft," steps enter Adrian's downtrodden vision. "She is a present to the kingdom. You could kill every single guard in this arena and she would still fight," Cold fingers tip Adrian's head up. With a sinister smile the man inches close to him. "We would much rather have you watch. More fun for my master," turning to the guards the man speaks, "Take him to the prince's pedestal. Let him watch everything unfold and let us watch him."

Adrian tries to shrug off the hands that try to bind him. "Summon as many guards as needed," he hears the snake-like man sneer, his voice a sinister echo. A sharp pang blooms from Adrian's shoulder, a needle piercing his skin, and then, a swift descent into numbness. His body feels foreign, limbs unresponsive, consciousness dimmed. Words evade him.

"That would keep you quiet big boy," the man pats his shoulder as guards drag him. It is away. Away from you. They drag him where the royalty entertain themselves with his spectacle.

From the fine seat next to fading faces Adrian watches you. Your wrists are bleeding with the manacles that dig into them. He tracks the blooming bruises spread all over your body. Your arms are full of burns. Skin charred blistering and infected. But you don't seem to notice them. Instead all your body seems to be taut with tension.

As tension mounts the arena, Adrian seems him. Your opponent enter the arena. Dressed in gleaming armor, holding a mighty sword he is welcomed with audience's cheers.

No one unbinds you. It is unfair in every way possible. Without a weapon, without your bodily autonomy you are made to fight a battle you did not want.

The knight's long sword hits your shoulder, it's tip forcing its way into your skin tearing away the tissue that builds faster with you healing, blood flows like a river but you don't even wince as you turn around to pounce at the knight who pushes you into the ground. His pointed metal-edged shoes dig into your abdomen. You cave in. For the first time Adrian see it. Pain.

It is a flickering sight before you pick yourself back again. Against every blow you get up. Equally fierce. And then it snaps. Against the metal confines of your muzzle your teeth find their freedom.

It all happens in slow motion. A feral roar rends the air as you lunge forward, your jaw clamp around chainmail, piercing flesh, crimson mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Digging deep into the skin. This time the blood is not yours. Chaos unleashes itself.

Men enter the arena, pushing you back. Your teeth cling to the knight's leg. Even as a group pushes you away from the withering man, all present can't help but notice the chunk of skin in your mouth. A piece of the knight's flesh dangles from your jaw.

Adrian sits there watching as binds are placed on you again. This time tighter. The royal figure by the prince's side descends to the arena, bearing needles with a casual detachment that betrays their malevolent intent. They prick your neck, an act of violence disguised as a clinical procedure. Blood flows anew, your body convulsing in response to the invasion.

Drawing more blood. Adrian's heart betrays his motionless body. You fall limp. "Now you all shall see how monsters such as this should be punished. How these evil deserve to be dealt with. These creatures that dare kill our men and destroy our world," Words from the man seem to ignite cheering in the crowd.

As you wither under the gaze of the bloodthirsty throng, the cheers cascade into a deafening crescendo. Your body is ensnared in a ceaseless tug-of-war between your dual natures, trapped in a cycle of transformation that remains uncompleted. Your bones shift indecisively.

The growls that once reverberated through the arena now dwindle, swallowed by the mounting chaos. In their place, a horrid whine pierces the air, a gut-wrenching sound. They continue kicking your form. Even with the pain they have already unleashed upon you.

Your eyes loose focus neither human nor the beast the world deems you to be. They land on Adrian separated by few paces. They seem so empty. So different from anything and everything he knows them to be. Your lips move without a noise but he hear it in the loud crowd, Adrian hears it louder than ever "pleas-" you whisper.

[yetisidelblog]

Since we last sounded the alarm about Trump’s Project 2025-based plans to destroy the Department of Education, Trump has signed an executive order and authorized wrestling executive-turned-Education Secretary Linda McMahon to fire 1,300 employees – more than half the Department’s staff.

They claim they will “protect” student loans and children with disabilities, but they know well that if Congress passes their bill, it will leave every child’s right to a public education in tatters.

If enacted, the GOP bill would affect all federal student loan programs. Over $1 trillion in Pell Grants, Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, work-study, and subsidized and unsubsidized student loans would be transferred to other departments or sent to the states, leaving millions of students in an uncertain limbo regarding their financial aid, loan payments, and repayment obligations.

Abolishing the Department of Education would end enforcement of Title IX protections and Title I funding, deepening the divide between the privileged and the disadvantaged. States would have to choose whether to educate children with disabilities, with some states inevitably failing the challenge. The burdens would fall heaviest on families and states with the least resources, forcing them to scramble for alternatives without federal support.

Ultimately, gutting the Department of Education has the clear intention of weakening public education throughout the country, softening the ground for massive privatization, and stealing resources from those with the least.

The result: A two-tiered system where education becomes a privilege for the wealthy, rather than a fundamental right for all.

Send a direct message to demand that Congress save the Department of Education and decisively reject this radical attack on public schools now!

The good news is: The majority of Americans of both parties are opposed to shuttering the Department of Education. According to a Quinnipiac poll conducted in early March, 60% of registered voters oppose the plan, while only 33% are in favor of it. Only 1% of Democrats are in favor, while 98% oppose it.

This means that Democrats can actually stop this attack – but only if they stick together. If all House Democrats vote against the bill, just three Republicans in swing districts responding to the concerns of their constituents could certainly kill it. And even if it passes the House, Senate Democrats could still preserve the Department of Education with a filibuster.

But Congress will not do this without a massive public outcry. That’s where we come in.

Congress must know that these destructive plans will be met with unshakable opposition from the American people! Every member of Congress must be reminded that the people who vote for them demand the right to quality public education.

If we permit this reckless bill to move forward, it will deprive young people of opportunities, threatening the future strength of our nation. We are strongest when every child and every young person, from every background, has a real chance to fulfill their potential.

Congress must hear from us! Sign and send a message to your members of Congress to stop Trump’s radical anti-education agenda, protect the Department of Education and defend students’ futures now.

Thank you for standing up for the future of public education in America.

@upontheshelfreviews

@greenwingspino

@one-time-i-dreamt

@tenaflyviper

@akron-squirrel

@ifihadaworldofmyown

@justice-for-jacob-marley

@voicetalentbrendan

@thebigdeepcheatsy

@what-is-my-aesthetic

@ravenlynclemens

@writerofweird

@anon-lephant

@mentally-quiet-spycrab

@therealjacksepticeye