#Victor Fink

[movie-titlecards]

Lotus Eyes (2016)

My rating: 5/10

Kind of a slow-burn, post-apocalyptic road movie. Not terrible, not great either.

[pnuk-r0ck]

Every time my sister looks @ my Pete keychain she thinks it’s Daveed Diggs💔

[glorious-spoon]

Oh hey! You're a librarian! I hope it's not rude of me to ask for book recommendations?

I've got an itch for a certain kind of horror story (prose novel, not graphic). It should start out as a mystery of some sort, and slowly unravel into a lovecraftian type unknowable universe type thing.

Any ideas?

i was gonna answer this yesterday but i forgot!!

okay, so the one that comes immediately to mind is Mister Magic by Kierstan White, which hits pretty much all the beats you're looking for here - former child stars investigate the truth of the TV show they all starred in decades ago where one of their number died or disappeared, but the truth is even more strange and sinister than they could have imagined.

Leech by Hiron Ennes is a sort of gothic horror locked room mystery - a doctor goes to a manor in the far north to discover what happened to their predecessor, only to discover a strange parasite spreading through the castle.

Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink - a grieving woman tracks her dead wife across america after catching sight of her on the background of a tv news story

And IDK if this completely hits the notes you're looking for, but The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle is probably my favorite work of modern cosmic horror - a retelling of Lovecraft's 'The Horror at Red Hook' from the POV of a black man from harlem

[eirinstiva]

Mephistopheles

Halloa!~ Second chapter of Right Ho, Jeeves has arrived~ Sadly, Bertie is still mad with Jeeves.

I mean to say, this Fink-Nottle, as I remembered him, was the sort of shy, shrinking goop who might have been expected to shake like an aspen if invited to so much as a social Saturday afternoon at the vicarage.

Bertie's description of his friends is always on point.

And he was attending that fancy-dress ball, mark you⁠—not, like every other well-bred Englishman, as a Pierrot, but as Mephistopheles⁠—this involving, as I need scarcely stress, not only scarlet tights but a pretty frightful false beard.

I thought he was looking more like Him:

But according Madame Eulalie's annotations, considering the red tights Gussie looks more like this:

How do you think I look, Bertie?” Well, the answer to that, of course, was “perfectly foul.” But we Woosters are men of tact and have a nice sense of the obligations of a host. We do not tell old friends beneath our rooftree that they are an offence to the eyesight. I evaded the question.

I disagree with Bertie, this costume is very stylish and more interesting that the Pierrot one. Red is the colour of passion, fire, love, blood, authority and hell (?).

I think is cute how Gussie and Madeline met. It's like the first encounter of Sherlock Holmes and Victor Trevor, but with less blood.

I don’t mind admitting that I winced. He meant no harm, I suppose, but I’m bound to say that this tactless speech nettled me not a little. People are always nettling me like that. Giving me to understand, I mean to say, that in their opinion Bertram Wooster is a mere cipher and that the only member of the household with brains and resources is Jeeves.

This adds a new layer to Jeeves and Wooster marital familiar crisis. This time a friend bypassed him and asked directly to Jeeves, and it was because another friend recommended it. Wooster is always ready to lend a hand to them, sometimes he does it against his own desires, and know he was left behind.

“And you can’t get away from it that, fundamentally, Jeeves’s idea is sound. In a striking costume like Mephistopheles, I might quite easily pull off something pretty impressive. Colour does make a difference. Look at newts. During the courting season the male newt is brilliantly coloured. It helps him a lot.” “But you aren’t a male newt.” “I wish I were. Do you know how a male newt proposes, Bertie? He just stands in front of the female newt vibrating his tail and bending his body in a semicircle. I could do that on my head. No, you wouldn’t find me grousing if I were a male newt.”

THIS

I agree with Gussie! to impress a girl is good idea to put all the colour and glamour on yourself. He needs to channel the red salamander that lives inside himself to conquer Madeline heart.

Bertie left Jeeves out of this case, and honestly I don't know what to expect. Bertie has a creative mind but until now, Jeeves is the one with the ideas that work.

Good luck Gussie!

[lostinalem]

ESME'S BIG NIGHT (FNV OC) (1.1K)

Esme's laughter echoes through the night as she runs up the hill, the taste of wine and cake still sweet on her tongue. Her curls bounce with every step and her heart races from sheer exhilaration. Benny isn’t just her lover anymore, he's her husband! She rolls the word around in her mind, giddy at the thought of what’s to come. She steals a glance over her shoulder at the dying festivities below, waving briefly as Victor catches her eye, before turning her attention back as she rounds the ridge.

The graveyard is silent, save for the faint whisper of the desert wind, and there, at the edge of it all, stands Benny, his silhouette sharp against the glow of New Vegas in the distance. Esme stops for a moment, her breath catching at the sight. He's so perfect—his sharp suit, his cocky stance, the way he carries himself like he owns the whole world. Her heart swells with affection. She can't wait to spend her future with him.

She hums a happy tune and twirls between the headstones, her heels scraping against the dry ground as she dances her way toward him. When she reaches him, she slips her arms around his waist and rests her chin on his shoulder. She sighs deeply, as if exhaling all her worries into the night. Together, they stand in silence, staring at the shimmering lights of the Strip.

“Can you believe it?” she whispers, her voice soft and full of wonder. “The two of us, Benny. Together. We’re going to be unstoppable.”

She imagines their future—her dazzling the crowds, him calling the shots. The cheers, the applause, the wealth, the power. They would own the town, heart and soul, a single pair ruling over the neon kingdom.

Benny doesn’t respond right away. He takes a slow drag from his cigarette, the ember flaring and smoke curling into the air, before he flicks it to the ground and grinds it out under the toe of his shoe. Esme feels him shift in her arms, his chest expanding against her arms as he sighs deeply.

“Well, doll,” Benny says, his tone low and tinged with something she can’t quite place, “it was fun while it lasted.”

"… What do you mean, love?" Esme blinks, the words slicing through her dreamy haze. Her smile falters ever so slightly.

Benny pulls away to face her, his expression unreadable in the dark moonlight. She tilts her head, confused, until movement catches her eye. Two men step out from the shadows of the water tower, their faces cold, their eyes fixed on her. Esme’s heart flutters—not with excitement, but fear.

“Benny, dear…?” Her voice wavers as she glances nervously at the strangers, then back at him. She loops her arm through his, seeking comfort, fingers gripping the plaid fabric of his jacket. “Who are these… gentlemen?”

“Business associates, sweetheart,” he says softly, almost as if he regrets it. He gives her one of his trademark smiles, the kind that makes her heart skip a beat, but this time, there's something cold beneath the charm. “It’s time to cash out.”

Esme frowns, trying to piece together what he means. She doesn’t want to believe there was any malice in his words. Not from Benny—not from the man who’d swept her off her feet, who’d filled her quiet life in Goodsprings with the promise of something more…

"Will you get it over with?" One of the men cuts in impatiently, but Benny silences him with a simple raise of his hand.

"Maybe Khans kill people without lookin' 'em in the face," he says smoothly, "but I ain't a fink, dig?"

Kill… The word rings in Esme's ears, making her stomach twist in knots. She steps away from her husband, bewilderment and growing horror etching across her face. Kill… her? No—it can’t be! They just got married! She’s given him everything—her heart, her trust, her dreams!

But then Benny reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out the Platinum Chip. He studies its surface, gleaming in the moonlight, and Esme’s breath hitches. That chip—it was her gift to him. A promise to their union, to his grand ambitions. She’d handed it to him at the altar, dedicated to embarking on this journey together.

“Benny..?” Her voice cracks, her legs trembling as she stumbles back, her world suddenly crumbling beneath her feet. "But… I love you! I did this all for you! I'd do anything for you!"

"Love's a tricky thing, kitten," he shrugs, sliding the Platinum Chip back into his pocket, replacing it in his hand with his signature pistol. "Sometimes you gotta let it go to chase your dreams. My dream is sittin' pretty at the top of New Vegas, so that means I need you out of the picture. It's nothing personal."

“Nothing personal?” Her voice cracks, rising with desperation. She steps back again instinctively, the heel of her shoe sinking into loose earth. Her breath hitches as she glances back and sees it: a fresh grave yawning open behind her, shallow and hastily dug. Not even a proper resting place for his bride.

Her gaze snaps back to Benny's face, chest tightening as tears well in her eyes. Just hours ago, those same eyes staring back at her shone with affection as he’d held her close, promising her a future full of dreams. Now, they're impassive and hard.

"It's not you, toots, it's me," he says with a shrug, his tone light as if he were brushing off a bad deal. He levels Maria to her chest. "Sorry you got twisted up in this scene."

“Wait!” she cries, but her words are drowned out by the deafening crack of a gunshot.

The impact hits her square in the chest. Searing pain explodes through her body as her white wedding dress blooms crimson, the vibrant red stark against the pale fabric. She gasps, her breath catching as her vision blurs. But before she can even process the pain, the second shot rings out, and the force of it drives her backward. Her legs buckle and she tumbles into the open grave, body landing with a dull thud against the cold earth and the world spinning as the edges of her vision darken.

Esme’s breaths come shallow and labored. She forces her eyes open, tears streaking trails down her cheeks as she stares out. The last thing she sees is Benny’s silhouette against the twinkling stars, turning away without a second glance.

"Make sure she's nice and cozy, boys. I've got a job to do."

[iantimony]

oopsie, two missed tuesdays!

and i almost missed this one too!!!! i was moving apartments. ough. this is a random mishmash of everything i remember of the past .. three ?? ??? weeks.

listening: finished s1 of the silt verses! faulkner is my poor little meow meow etc. i am rotating it in my brain. will have more thoughts next week probably.

some fugazi because they were referenced in a mina le video on merch and i was intrigued. they're good!

fugazi waiting room

brat charli xcx on recommendation of beloved mutual png jpeg. i liked it, i don't normally go for her style but there's some good earworms in here. really good gym album. not sure which specific song to drop here because it was a Full Album experience imo.

in terms of relistening/older stuff, the dear hunter antimai, more franz ferdinand. finally listened to sound & fury by sturgill simpson all the way through, it's really good. boyf also got me to listen to die antwoord and ohhh i do like this. a lot.

i fink u freeky (die antwoord)

also more bionicle playlist. it's just a dose of early 00's-10's music delivered via iv directly into my bloodstream. sorry.

reading: this was from a few weeks ago actually but i forgot about it. we stopped over in pittsburgh for a night and briefly entertained the idea of going to a museum or something road-trip style and found this museum review. surprisingly she is not a lesbian.

and then related to the watching, wikipedia pages for victor ninov and darleane c hoffman!

watching: mina le: the merch industry has gone too far, WAGs, blokecore, and the “feminization” of sports

swell entertainment: the marketability of celebrity eras, how to destroy your audience's trust

started dangelo wallace's ozempic video. the fatphobia had me tapping out pretty quick tho. also watched about half of joy achill's "the george r r martin problem" about asoiaf stuff, gonna finish it tomorrow i think

watched "the man who tried to fake an element" with the boyf, really fascinating, i knew a little bit of it from one of my undergrad classes but this was a really good deep dive.

also watched two episodes of space dandy with the boyf. so much to unpack there.

playing: more dnd but otherwise fallow. made a little dungeon crawl type thing so that's pretty straightforward.

making: coasters mostly right now! the main ones are a Surprise so i will not be posting them yet. instead look at my worm

i've also started knitting a magic the gathering card sleeve as a semi-gag gift for a friend. it's really really stupid i love it so much. it is just ten rows of a rectangle in stockinette right now but i'm going to mock up a little texture work to get the swamp land symbol in the back.

eating: did a lot of takeout right after moving because, Yeah, but i finally started settling back in to home cooked meals. made my favorite orzo salad for a temple potluck, an ungodly amount of gyudon, and a garlic butter shrimp pasta thing.

misc: my new apartment is good!! the insulation isn't great, i know i'll have to shrinkwrap some windows this winter for Sure, but overall i'm settling in. i have a lot of organization and purging to do, especially of my House Clothes, craft supplies, and makeup/beauty shit, and i need to get one or two pieces of furniture still (like a couch......i have a funny little bachelor chair in front of the couch right now which is very funny). i got myself some fun plants from the farmers market as a housewarming gift to myself. i am finally the owner of a monstera, yippee, she Really needs a repot though. i also got a hoya lisa because i liked the name and it was cute and cat friendly and i got a vaguely labia-adjacent succulent. i have so many little household Needs and Tasks (mat for in front of the sink! blackout curtains because i have to sleep with an eye mask right now because the blinds dont do shit! etc!) and also every grocery bill i do is like $100 because of getting kitchen essentials that will not run out any time soon but that i do need (white vinegar. aluminum foil. flour.) so everything is so expensive. this is a big wall of text. at least the spare mattress is out of my weird haunted hallway now <3 i'm very excited to start hanging up my art.

[peanut-tyrug]

Superstar Saga AU: Long Live the Wicked

Chapter 5: In the Finale

The Mario Bros. finally face Cackletta once again, ready for anything she could throw at them. Shall they achieve victory alongside their peers, or fall at the hands of the evil witch? Fate is all that can decide the victor…

—

Most characters/ideas featured in this story belong to Nintendo and AlphaDream. I don’t take credit for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, or the aforementioned characters/ideas within it.

I would like to thank my co-writer, Luigiman64, for assisting me with character writing/characterization, keeping things consistent and accurate to the game , and coming up with ideas for this project.

— Beanbean Castle —

Cackletta peacefully sat in her throne within the Beanbean Castle’s throne room… she felt victorious.

The Queen and Lady Lima were dealt with. Those pesky Bros. and Prince were nowhere to be found. And Princess Peach along with the Beanstar were all in her grasp… she had unmatched power over everything. She felt like a God.

While Cackletta reveled in her victory, Princess Peach and Toadsworth still sat in their cage. Toadsworth would constantly make sure the Princess was okay, for he hated seeing her captured… at least he could be with her this time.

Princess Peach sat on her knees, looking upward into the sky that she couldn’t see… the yearning she felt to be free, and see the Mario Bros. again… it was never-ending.

“…Oh, Mario…” Princess Peach says solemnly. “Where are you?”

“I’m certain they’ll be here any moment, Princess.” Says Toadsworth. “You know they always are.”

“Hmph.” Cackletta huffs with a slight chuckle. “They’ve probably lost their minds where I’ve taken them.”

“Those boys have been through oceans, forests, deserts, and the Dark Lands!” Says Toadsworth. “Why would you think what you did would be any worse, witch?”

“I’ve sent them to dark and cold crypt of Joke’s End, fool!” Says Cackletta. “The place is empty! You’d go insane before ever finding a way out! Eeyah ha ha ha!!”

“I know for certain that that would never happen to Mario and Luigi!” Says Princess Peach. “They always find a way!”

“Tell that to everyone in this Kingdom who didn’t find a way!” Says Cackletta. “Queen Bean and Lady Lima are trapped! The Prince can’t beat me down! No one in this Kingdom has stood against me and won! …And the King forever lays six feet under! No one has won against me, and they never will! Eeyah ha ha ha!!”

The Princess and Toadsworth scowl at the taunt about the Beanish King… for they knew of the tale as well. Cackletta always taunting and teasing about it rattled them to their cores…

…If only the Mario Bros. were here…

~~~

— Meanwhile, in another Castle Hall… —

Just outside the room that lead to the Castle Sewers were two castle guards, standing firm and silent. They were determined to serve the Great Cackletta, and they would do so until their last breath.

Even if they were more hostile now, they were still quite easy to trick.

A small, short and stout Beanish slowly stepped forward. The stranger was cloaked, and his face was hidden… the only thing standing out being a pair of large swirly glasses.

“Halt!” Says one guard. “You can’t pass through here! Authorized personnel only!”

“…Ah, but I have the permissions.” Says the figure. “The highness of Royals has allowed me for the entering of that deep and dank hall that smells and stinks of rotten and moldy garbage.”

“Her highness would’ve told us you’d be coming!” Says another guard. “You are not allowed here! Leave at once, lest we use force and report you to the Queen!”

“…I have the seeings.” Says the figure. “But I also have fearings that you fink-rats need the teachings of authority!”

From the back of the hall, a small headgear contraption appears and attaches itself to the stranger’s head. The maw on the headgear opens, and pumps out bright orange gas onto the guards.

“Hey!” Says one guard. “We’ll have you imprisoned for this!”

“I-I can’t see!” Says the other guard.

“Fink-rats!” Says the figure. “Have the repeatings of Lord Fawful’s name! Have the repeatings!”

“No! Cackletta is our…! Our… uh…” One guard stammers.

“Pull yourself together…! Uhh…” The other guard stammers. “…Lo… Fawf…”

The gas then clears, revealing the two guards, who look directly toward the phantom Fawful.

“…Lord…” One guard attempts to say, before finally straightening. “Lord Fawful!”

“Lord Fawful! Lord Fawful!” The guards say in unison.

“What do you need from us, Lord Fawful?” One guard asks.

“Fawful needs you gullible fink-rats to move!” Says Fawful. “For Fawful has business of importance! Fawful must not have time wastings! I command you have the movings to another room!”

“Yes, Lord Fawful! We will move!” Says the other guard.

The guards then scurry away and move to some other random room in the castle. Once they’re away, Fawful pulls out a small communicator.

“The coast has the clearings! Clean and squeaky like a newly bought and polished mirror!” Says Fawful. “Have the arrivings to Fawful!”

After a few moments, everyone else part of the team arrives in the hall. All of them stood firm, rooted to their spots, trying not to possibly attract attention.

“Great work, Fawful!” Says Prince Peasley. “…Even if it was unconventional, your mind control has still worked.”

“Fawful has the welcomes you want!” Says Fawful as he takes off the hood and tucks it away. “…Fawful has geniusness, you know!”

Prince Peasley then turns to the group. “Everyone! We must make haste!” Says Prince Peasley. “Follow me to the Castle sewers!”

The group rushes behind Prince Peasley as he leads, and takes them all downstairs.

~~~

— Beanbean Castle Sewers —

Just below the Beanbean Castle’s vast hallways were the Castle’s sewers… and, of course, it was never a pleasant place to be in.

The sewers always stunk, and was full of whatever nasty creatures that had yet to be taken care of. The group waltzed through the entrance, noticing the broken plumbing, the Prince stops in his tracks and turns to the Bros.

“Mario! Luigi!” Says Prince Peasley. “You already know how the Beanstar is defended. Just fix the plumbing, and we can snag it.”

“I’ll be the one who does the snaggin', see?” Says Popple. “…I promise I won’t do anything with it.”

“We have made a truce, and you better live up to it.” Prince Peasley says to Popple.

“I will, I will, see!? …Jeez.” Says Popple.

“I would imagine that Queen Bean and Lady Lima are kept somewhere down here… Lord Bowser and I will find them while you fix the plumbing.” Says the Prince. He then turns to Fawful. “Fawful, you can lead Popple to where the Beanstar is held. You had best return with it.”

“As Fawful said, 'Fawful will not have the schemings against his allies.'” Says Fawful. “Fawful will uphold the sayings like a knight of authority and honor.”

Prince Peasley turns back to the Bros. “We all best be off.” He says. “Good luck.”

Everyone then sets off on their own terms. The Bros. pull out their hammers and head to the pipes. Popple and Fawful head out of the sewers, while Bowser and Prince Peasley head deeper in.

—

Bowser and Prince Peasley walk through the depths of the castle sewers in complete silence. Neither were really interested in small talk… but the silence was beginning to drive Bowser up a wall.

“…Uh…” Bowser stammers, trying to start up a conversation. “Say, how big are these sewers, beansprout?”

“They’re huge.” Says Prince Peasley. “The pipes can go on for miles.”

“Why is your plumbing so bad anyway? What’s it gotta do with that 'Beanstar' thing?” Bowser asks.

“…I don’t fully understand it either, but the broken plumbing keeps the Beanstar defenses up.” Says Prince Peasley. “The Beanstar is our Kingdom’s protector as well. We need it to be kept safe and secure.”

“…But… why the plumbing?” Bowser asks, still perplexed.

“Again, I may be this Kingdom’s Prince, but I don’t have all the answers you seek.” Says Prince Peasley.

Bowser and Prince Peasley then approach the final level of the plumbing system. At the end of the room was a large cell. No one seemed to be in it.

Just as they spot the cell, Prince Peasley rushes toward it, speeding past the pipes. Bowser hurries behind him.

“Hey!” Bowser exclaims. “You can’t just leave me to eat your dust!”

As Bowser reaches the Prince, Prince Peasley gets on one knee before the cell, wrapping his hands around its bars.

“Mother? Grandmother?” Prince Peasley calls. “Are you in there?”

No one responds for a moment… before someone peeks out from the shadows.

“…Peasley?” Lady Lima asks. “Is that you over there?”

“Yes! Yes, Lady Lima! I am no illusion!” Says Prince Peasley. “I’m here!”

Out from the shadows, Queen Bean and a Pea Advisor appear. Queen Bean gasps at the presence of her son, and immediately rushes to him.

“Oh! My little sweet pea!” Says Queen Bean. “I’ve missed you so, so much! …I was worried Cackletta had taken you.”

Prince Peasley chuckles a bit. “She didn’t Mother.” He says. “I’m right here.”

“…Oh, if this cell was open, I’d give the greatest hug you’ve ever be given!” Says Queen Bean.

With the sound of hammer plugging a cork and alarms beginning to blare, the bars to the cell lift, promptly freeing the captured Royal family.

“Ah! How convenient!” Says Queen Bean. “Come here, my brave little beansprout!”

Queen Bean then wraps her arms around Prince Peasley in an almost unbreakable embrace… an embrace so strong, the life within you would be squeezed out by the Queen’s love alone.

“…M-Mother!” Says Prince Peasley, strained. “I-I thought we s-spoke of this!”

“Your highness!” Says Lady Lima. “Your strength!”

Queen Bean looks back to Lady Lima, slightly confused, before suddenly remembering. “Oh! I’m sorry!” She says. She then lets Prince Peasley go. “…I deeply apologize, Peasley. I forget my own strength sometimes!”

Prince Peasley puts his hands to his knees, huffing and puffing. “…I-it’s fine, Mother.” He says. “Just… remember next time, please.”

“I promise, sweet pea.” Says Queen Bean.

“…Uhm… I don’t mean to interrupt this little family reunion, but,” Bowser begins. “Don’t you know you got an evil hag sitting on your throne?”

Just as Bowser finishes his reminder, the Mario Bros. jump up at his side. Queen Bean had forgotten the conflict at hand for a moment.

“Oh! Yes!” Says Queen Bean. “We have a grand task at hand… but I would imagine that our hand is greater than Cackletta’s! The Kingdom may be in her hands for now, but it soon won’t be!”

“Yes.” Says Prince Peasley. “The Beanbean and Mushroom Kingdoms will soon be free from her tyranny, I’m certain of it!”

Queen Bean then seems to have realization. “Oh, poor Princess Peach… being held captive by Cackletta…” She says. “I hope that her and her Kingdom are fairing well.”

“The same should be said for her advisor, your highness.” Says Lady Lima. “…That man is too handsome to fall to that witch!”

Everyone looks over to Lady Lima, taken aback… did she like Toadsworth? The Beanish advisor then goes red in the face.

“Ah! Let us carry on!” Says Lady Lima. “How is the Beanstar? Is it in good hands?”

“I’m certain it is, Lady Lima.” Says Prince Peasley.

“Hey!” Calls a voice. “We got the goods, see?”

Popple and Fawful suddenly emerge from the sewer’s shadows. Fawful held onto the Beanstar, its bright green aura lighting the way.

“Fawful gives the star of beans to her highness!” Says Fawful.

Fawful hands the Beanstar to Queen Bean, who gladly takes it. “We will be certain to handle it with care. Once we get the Princess, the Kingdom will finally have peace!”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?” Bowser asks. “What do you need her for?”

“To awaken the Beanstar!” Says Queen Bean.

“With the awakened Beanstar, she can wish for the Kingdom’s to be saved, Lord Bowser.” Says Prince Peasley.

“…Oh, I get it…” Says Bowser.

The Bros. then glare to Bowser… he had better not be planning something…

“…Hey, isn’t that the thief that kept stealing from our markets?” The Pea then asks, looking suspiciously toward Popple.

“Hey! I didn’t do squat to the Beanstar, see?” Says Popple. “It’s the real deal!”

“I’m certain we don’t need to worry.” Queen Bean tells the Pea.

“…Okay… but if I’m right about him snagging it, I’ll make sure you know!” The Pea says that last part to himself.

“With the Beanstar now safe in your hands, the Mario Bros. and I must go to fight Cackletta.” Says Prince Peasley as he flaunts his hair. “We wish you farewell!”

As the Prince turns to leave, Lady Lima stops him dead in his tracks.

“Hold it, young man!” Says Lady Lima. “You are not going into battle without a weapon! It’s dangerous to out there with Cackletta.”

Prince Peasley pauses. “…Ah, right.” He says. “I don’t have my sword…”

Lady Lima nods. “…I believe we have something at the back of the cell.”

Queen Bean immediately looks troubled… Lady Lima looks to her, giving a stern glare.

“It’s all we have, my Queen.” Says Lady Lima.

“…I’m aware.” Says Queen Bean. “I just never thought I’d see it again…”

“See what again?” Prince Peasley asks.

“Hold on a moment, Peasley.” Says Lady Lima. She then heads deep into the cell for a moment. She eventually returns, holding something in her hands.

…A sword sheathed in a vibrant green scabbard… Prince Peasley quickly had an inkling as to who the sword once belonged to. Lady Lima gently hands the sword to the Prince, and he slowly takes it. He gazes upon its radiance.

“Please, take this. This is your father’s sword, Peasley.” Says Lady Lima.

Prince Peasley looks up from the sword to his mother… she looked upset, before taking a breath. She stared at the sword, hesitating to speak.

“…If you don’t want me to take it—!” Prince Peasley begins, before being cut off.

“No, no, you can take it.” Says Queen Bean. “…I can’t push away what happened, I know that…”

Queen Bean then smiles, and gets one knee before Prince Peasley.

“Just give Cackletta everything you’ve got.” Says Queen Bean. “Make your father proud, my child.”

Prince Peasley smiles. “I will, Mother.” He says. He then looks down at the sword and unsheathes it slightly.

The weapons blade was a bright and radiant green. The handle was a deep emerald green, it’s metallic glare shining from the faint light within the sewers. At the pommel was a small yellow rose.

As the Prince gazes upon the weapon… he thought he could feel some kind of presence. As if someone was standing beside him, as if he had a sixth sense… he turns back, but sees no one.

“…What is it?” Queen Bean asks.

“…I-I don’t know.” Says Prince Peasley. “I thought I sensed someone…”

“…Odd…” Says Queen Bean.

“…How odd, indeed, your highness…” Says Lady Lima. “But we best not dabble upon it now. You have a battle to win!”

“Ah! Yes! Yes, we do!” Prince Peasley, who then turns back to the Bros. “Come, Superstar Siblings! We best be off!” He then flaunts his hair.

Prince Peasley is the first to step away, with the Bros. trailing behind him.

“Good luck, my sweet pea!” Says Queen Bean. “Stay safe!”

“I will, Mother!” Says Prince Peasley.

Everyone watched as the trio hurried off to the throne room… they were not only ready, but determined. The finale had approached, and they’d soon sing of victory.

—

Cackletta still sat in desolation, the Princess and Toadsworth still sitting in the cage… before the clattering of footsteps is heard.

“Cackletta!” A voice calls. “We are here for a rematch!”

Out from the entrance to the throne room, Prince Peasley and the Mario Bros. emerged. All of them took a fighting stance before Cackletta as she slowly got to her feet.

“Mario! Luigi!” Princess Peach calls. “Help me!”

“Master Mario! Master Luigi!” Says Toadsworth. “You heard the Princess!”

“Eeyah ha ha ha!!” Cackletta cackles. “How futile! I see one beating wasn’t enough for you!”

“It doesn’t matter how much you beat us down, we will always get back up!” Says Prince Peasley.

“Oh! Surely you jest!” Cackletta teases. “How laughable of you! You still have a death wish! A wish that I will gladly fulfill! I’m all for the thrill of the kill, you know? Eeyah ha ha ha!!”

Cackletta still stood in front of the throne, not even altering her form… was she really that cocky?

“Since you think you’re so bold, I’ll let you lot attack first!” Says Cackletta. “I won’t even change my form! Eeyah ha ha ha!!”

The Bros. and Prince ponder their options, and the Bros. wondered to themselves… could they utilize Prince Peasley in their attacks? The more power they had in their attacks, the better.

The brotherly duo quickly comes up with an idea. They turn to the Prince, who looks back at them.

“What’s that? You have a new battle strategy?” Prince Peasley asks. “Inform me.”

The Bros. explain… and Prince Peasley immediately catches on.

“Ah! I see!” Says Prince Peasley. “You’re saying we should combine attacks! What do you have in mind?”

Mario hops on top of Luigi, and the pair hover into the air, preforming a spin jump. They spin around Cackletta, who doesn’t take her eyes off the pair, likely looking for a window to attack. By the time the brothers go back to their spot though, Cackletta is disoriented.

“An attack window! Clever thinking!” Says Prince Peasley. The Prince then rushes to Cackletta, and pierces her body with his sword’s sharp tip. Cackletta scowls as the Prince moves back.

“Agh!” Cackletta shrieks. “You pests!”

Just as she did last time, red and blue smoke wrap around her left and right arms, forming three pairs of arms rather than one. The extra sets of eyes also made an appearance. She seemed to have a change of mind when the trio started packing a punch.

“If you want to fight dirty, then we’re gonna fight DIRTY!!” Says Cackletta.

Cackletta then begins to spin the lower pair of arms around. The trio all dodge the swinging arms, before Cackletta claps the second pair, promptly squashing the trio. They all fall to the ground, winded.

“Eeyah ha ha ha!” Cackletta cackles. “I was not exaggerating!”

The trio all get back on their feet, slightly weak, but they still had enough energy to fight.

“We need something stronger!” Says Prince Peasley. “Mario! Luigi! Any ideas?”

Luigi then gets an idea. He pulls out his hammer, and smacks it down. He signals for Mario and the Prince. The red plumber obliges, and is quickly flattened by Luigi’s hammer. Luigi then turns to the Prince, now done displaying his idea.

“…Are you certain that is safe?” Prince Peasley asks, sounding hesitant.

Luigi nods, confirming it’s safe.

…Prince Peasley trusted Luigi. Surely whatever this was wasn’t too risky right? The Prince moves up to Luigi, facing away from him.

“Be careful, Luigi!” Says Prince Peasley.

Luigi nods before smacking the Prince down with his hammer, making him the same height as Mario. Luigi then proceeds to smack them both forward like tennis balls, each hit hitting Cackletta in quick succession.

After a few hits, the Prince and plumber return to normal size. Mario was perfectly fine, while Prince Peasley seemed to be dizzy. He quickly shakes it off, getting back into the game.

They notice that Cackletta seemed significantly weaker… were they really doing that much damage? It didn’t matter to them however, they assumed teamwork was the key.

“Gah! I should be beating you! Not the other way around!” Says Cackletta. “No matter! I will still defeat you!”

Cackletta then begins to spawn lightning. It was completely random, no way to tell where or when it would hit. The trio tried to avoid it, and did for the most part, other than each of them getting hit once or twice. Despite that, they were still fine.

“Hit as all you want!” Says Prince Peasley. “We are not falling to the likes of you!”

“That is a bluff!” Says Cackletta. “You WILL fall to your knees before me!!”

“…We need something that can really get to her…” Says Prince Peasley… a thought then comes to him. “Luigi! Throw a lightning ball at my sword! I have an idea!”

Luigi trembles, appearing hesitant… what if it hurt the Prince? After a moment longer, he eventually obliges. He chucks a ball of lightning at the Prince’s blade. The lightning surrounds itself around the blade, crackling and sparking against it.

Prince Peasley then lunges forward, slashing against Cackletta’s flesh multiple times over, before hitting her with one final strike. Cackletta scowls as the Prince moves back. The red arms also dissipate and collapse.

Cackletta huffs and puffs, noticeably winded. She stares at the trio with a furious glare. “Fools! Imbeciles!” She says. “You cannot defeat me!”

“And yet you are about to be defeated?” Prince Peasley taunts. “Ah ha ha ha! You had better stand your ground!”

“I WILL, YOU LITTLE BRAT!!” Cackletta shrieks.

Cackletta then begins to focus hard on the group. Small black holes spawn on the ground, and lightning suddenly appears at random intervals. As the bottomless voids approach, they all dodge… before the pace at which they appear suddenly quickens.

Luigi falls first, then Mario, then Prince Peasley. All of them then pop out of the ground, dazed and disoriented.

“How is that for standing my ground? Eeyah ha ha ha!!” Cackletta taunts.

The trio slowly gets to their feet and begin to plan their next move.

“…I-if we hit her one more time… Mario!” Prince Peasley calls. “Throw me a fire ball!”

With no hesitation, Mario chucks a fireball to Prince Peasley’s blade. The sword’s blade glows in a bright and blazing aura as it catches ablaze. Prince Peasley doesn’t hesitate to sprint towards Cackletta, and slash at her with all his might.

Cackletta’s clothes and flesh quickly begin to burn, and Cackletta has no time to take care of it before the flames suddenly engulf her entire figure. Prince Peasley backs away, and everyone within the throne room watches as Cackletta’s form burns.

“NO!!!” Cackletta shrieks. “This will not be my end! I SWEAR IT!!!”

As the fire dissipates, Cackletta’s form becomes nothing but ash. The ash falls to the carpeted floor… and the room becomes eerily silent.

The trio falls to the floor, winded and tired… they had done it, and they almost couldn’t believe it… she was gone.

…As they lay there, the Princess and Toadsworth still shocked… violet mist begins arising from the floor. Toadsworth is the first to notice.

“Master Mario! Master Luigi! Prince Peasley!” Toadsworth calls. “Come on! Get up now! Your fight is not done!”

The Bros. and Prince Peasley look up, and spot the mist. They all get to their to their feet, still weak and winded, as the mist begins to obtain a form.

The mist’s figure slowly becomes more and more apparent, gaining a proper body and head. At the sides of the body was a red and blue arm, and in its center was a large beating heart.

The face is quickly recognizable as it lets out a roar… Cackletta’s very essence had become a vessel. She was not ready for death to embrace her.

“You thought I wouldn’t return, didn’t you? Eeyah ha ha ha!! You are nothing but mistaken!” Says Cackletta. “FACE MY WRATH!!!”

“…I-it doesn’t matter… what you do, Cackletta!” Says Prince Peasley. “We took you d-down once… and we will do it again…!”

“You say that if as you’ll be able to heal! Eeyah ha ha ha!!!” Cackletta cackles.

Cackletta then unveils a cloud of mist onto the trio. The three panic, and watch as the mist carries their items away from them, and over to Cackletta.

“…No m-matter!” Says Prince Peasley. “We can still—!”

Just before Prince Peasley can finish his sentence, time suddenly stops. Cackletta shoots deep red lasers from her eyes, which instantly hit the Bros. once time restarts. Both of them are immediately knocked out cold, laying on the ground.

“M-Mario! Luigi…!” Prince Peasley calls as he turns back. He is then hit with lightning ball, and is knocked back against the wall. Despite the hit, he still remains conscious.

“Why are you still trying!?” Cackletta asks the Prince. “You have absolutely NOTHING!! Nothing to help you! Nobody to assist you! What makes you think you can win this all by yourself?”

“…I-I can… I will…” Prince Peasley stammers, keeping himself grounded with his father’s sword. “…For my father…”

“Oh, it’s always about your father, isn’t it? There is no point!” Says Cackletta. “Just like your father, you will perish by MY hands! YOU. ARE. COMPLETELY. ALONE! Eeyah ha ha ha!!!”

Prince Peasley continues to hold himself up with his weapon, but slips. He lays on his chest, and slowly begins to succumb to his weakness… everything felt fuzzy and numb… he couldn’t…

“…No… I mustn’t…” Says Prince Peasley, strained… despite his attempts to get back up, he still laid there… he was too tired…

…But, just as he begins to close his eyes, Prince Peasley feels someone touch his shoulder.

Time seems to stop dead in its tracks, coming to a sudden stop. Prince Peasley slowly raises his head and turns back… and gasps… he began to feel teary eyed.

Standing behind him, on one knee, was a man Prince Peasley never thought he’d see with his own eyes… his own father, King Legume, stood there, staring down at his son with a genuine look.

The King’s bushy eyebrows covered his eyes, and his mustache covered his lips… but the Prince could still read his expression… he wanted him to get up. He had to fight.

“…My son… you must get up.” Says King Legume.

“…Father… Father, I—!” Says Prince Peasley, before being cut off.

“No. Don’t say those things.” Says King Legume. “You must get up.”

…Prince Peasley doesn’t respond… for the first time in his life, he felt… deflated. Unable to do anything. Broken, and shattered beyond repair… but his father wasn’t having any of it.

“It doesn’t matter what she says, Peasley.” Says King Legume. “I’m right here. I’ve been watching you… I know you can do it, and I will help.”

Prince Peasley stares up at his father in disbelief… he couldn’t believe it… King Legume suddenly wraps his arms around the Prince in a tight embrace.

The Prince then seemed to feel more energized… it was as if the embrace was healing him. Prince Peasley is slowly brought to his feet. King Legume then looks to his son, a smile crossing his lips and passing the edge of his mustache.

“…I’ll always be with you. Remember that.” Says King Legume.

Prince Peasley blinks… and time suddenly starts up again. He looks around, and notices a faint golden aura emanating from his sword’s blade. He picks it up from out of the ground and stares at it, and the King’s voice plays in his head.

“I’m right here, my son.” Says King Legume. “Attack her heart.”

“Bah!” Cackletta scoffs. “I don’t care that you have your foolish father fighting alongside you! You’re still just one person!”

“…No I am not!” Says Prince Peasley, his voice loud and booming. “I’m not alone! And I never was!”

“Oh, who cares!?” Cackletta questions. “None of his efforts will matter once you’re dead! I shall be the one to welcome your end!”

Just as Cackletta finishes her sentence, time seems to stop again… Prince Peasley suddenly felt a bit uneasy. He felt as if Cackletta was going to attack from behind… he wasn’t sure why… it was just what he felt.

“Jump, my son!” Prince Peasley hears King Legume demand. “Jump!”

As time suddenly continues to flow again, Prince Peasley leaps into the air, hopping past Cackletta’s head and landing on the throne. He looks from behind Cackletta, and spots dark spikes protruding from the floor…

“What!? Where did you go, you little pest?” Cackletta asks, glancing around for the Prince.

Prince Peasley then turns to face Cackletta’s back, spotting her heart… and smirks.

“As if my sword wouldn’t welcome you first.” Says Prince Peasley.

With a sharp and precise thrust, Prince Peasley stabs Cackletta directly through the heart. Cackletta gasps, and looks down at her chest cavity… and shrieks.

As she shrieks, the purple mist oozes from her heart, and spills from it like a broken faucet pipe. Her form begins to fizzle away and fall apart.

“NO! NO!! NOT NOW!!!” Cackletta shrieks. “HOW COULD I LOSE TO A PUNY RAT LIKE YOU!?”

Prince Peasley doesn’t answer as he pulls the sword out of the chest cavity, and watches Cackletta’s form violently fall apart… before finally disappearing from existence.

…She was now no more…

The throne room becomes eerily silent again… and Prince Peasley felt truly triumphant…

…His father had been there, protecting him when he needed it most… he was never alone, and Cackletta never cared to notice. Or think of it as some kind of threat.

Prince Peasley stepped down from the throne, and put his hands at his hips. He then looks down at his sword, staring at his own reflection… once again feeling his father nearby.

Even if he wasn’t physically there, the Prince could feel his father’s genuine and loving face look upon him.

“…Thank you, Father.” Prince Peasley says gently, a bright smile on his face. He sheathes his sword, and revels in the peace of the moment.

…Before the peace is suddenly interrupted.

“Eeeeeek!!” Princess Peach exclaims.

“Prince Peasley!” Toadsworth exclaims. “Look!”

Prince Peasley turns back, appearing confused… he then gasps, and unsheathed his sword before the person who suddenly appeared within the throne room.

Fawful stood, the Beanstar in hand. He looked as if he was tip-toeing away, before he was suddenly caught.

“…Your eyes are crazy, bean-rat!” Says Fawful, tucking the Beanstar away. “Fawful was not enacting scheme havings! Fawful swears with his tiny pinkie finger!”

“Stop right there, criminal scum!” A voice exclaims.

Out from the hall at the entrance to the throne room, the rest of the group that had been downstairs appeared. Queen Bean was upfront, while Lady Lima, her advisor, and Bowser stood of to the side… where was Popple?

“How dare you try to steal the Beanstar from under our noses!?” Queen Bean shouts, fuming toward Fawful. “You have a lot of nerve!”

“…And you thought Fawful wouldn’t?” Fawful questions, a sickening smile on his face. “Fawful’s scheme havings have been unveiled like that of a stage baring a curtain of schemes! No matter, for when the Princess is in Fawful’s clutches, I will create the four course of meal that is of the Beanbean Kingdom’s doom! And I will be here! Laughing at—!”

Before Fawful can continue spilling his plan, Bowser suddenly lunges forward, and punches Fawful directly on his chest. Fawful is flung out of the castle through its roof. The Beanstar flies out from his cloak as he blasts away.

As Fawful is flung away, he exclaims his anger. “NO!! I HAVE FURY!!!” He cries.

Bowser then stomps over to the cage Princess Peach and Toadsworth were kept in and pries open the bars. Bowser moves to side, allowing Peach to exit the cage first.

“After you, my Princess.” Says Bowser, a soft and poise smile on his face.

“Oh!” Says Princess Peach. “…How kind of you, Bowser.”

Princess Peach exits, and Toadsworth follows her. He glares to the Koopa King with a suspicious look, only for Bowser to menacingly glare back, causing a shiver to go up Toadsworth’s spine. He immediately flees from Bowser, trailing behind the Princess.

The Princess then averts her gaze from the group, spotting the Mario Bros., who were still knocked out before the throne room’s entrance. She gasps. “Oh, no… Mario… Luigi…”

“Oh, dear! We completely missed them!” Says Queen Bean. “Are they alright?”

“…They’ve been knocked out cold…” Says Prince Peasley. “Do you have anything that can heal them, Princess?”

The Princess walks over to the Bros. and pulls out a few 1-Up Mushrooms. “Toadsworth always advises I take these with me… they always come in handy.” She says with a giggle.

“That is what I am for, Princess! Ho ho!” Says Toadsworth.

Princess Peach opens the maws of the brothers, allowing them both to take the life-replenishing Mushrooms. After a moment, the Bros. immediately hop back up to their feet… and are caught off guard… had Cackletta been vanquished?

“Cackletta has been defeated.” Says Queen Bean, approaching the Bros. from beside Princess Peach. “Our Kingdom can finally put our worries of her to rest. Now, Princess! We must make haste!”

“Ah, yes!” Says the Princess. Princess Peach walks back up to the others, the Bros. following behind her. She steps up to the Beanstar, and clears her throat…

Princess Peach lets out a soft and gentle lullaby. The song put everyone in the room at ease… and caused the Beanstar to slowly open its eyes…

…Little do they know they had forgotten someone was missing.

“Ha ha ha!” Echoes an unfamiliar laugh.

At the sound of the laugh, Princess Peach silences, but the Beanstar remains almost awake. Everyone is engulfed with surprise and looks to the entrance.

Out from the entrance, Popple suddenly reappears. Before anyone can react, Popple dashes for the Beanstar, shoving Princess Peach off to the side. As he reaches out to snag it… he stops.

“…Is this really worth it?” Popple asks.

The Pea Advisor then gasps, and points to the Shadow Thief. “I knew you were gonna try and steal it!”

“Shut ya trap, pea-wee!” Popple exclaims, before straightening himself. He then appeared deep in thought.

“…Ya know, I could totally just take the Beanstar now, see? …I recognize an aura when I see one, and I’ve been looking for this for ages, since I was roaming around the Hooniversity…” Popple monologues. “I could just take the Princess’ wish and get all the treasure I want! …But that ain’t the Shadow Thief way, see? That ain’t how Popple does it! No way! …Ain’t it better to work for riches than to just get them all with a snap of ya fingers—!”

“OHH, JUST SHUT UP!!!” Bowser suddenly exclaims. He then rushes to Popple, and punches him in the gut, also sending him through the roof.

“NO! WAIT!” Popple exclaims as he flies through the roof. “I wasn’t done, see!?”

“…Why do some people always have to monologue?” Bowser asks. “Can’t you see we’re busy!?”

“…Ahem, anyway,” Says Queen Bean. “Continue, Princess.”

After another short moment of silence, Princess Peach continues. The Beanstar, which had begun to nod off, slowly opened its eyes again. It stared before the group before it, but kept firm eye contact on the Princess.

“…What is your wish?” The Beanstar asks.

“I wish for the restoration of the Beanbean and Mushroom Kingdoms!” Says Princess Peach. “Return whatever was lost to the Beanish Royal family and their Kingdom, and rid the Kingdoms of Cackletta’s darkness!”

“…Anything you ask, shall become true…” Says the Beanstar. “…So be it…”

The Beanstar then glows a bright green aura. The light covers the entirety of the throne room. Everyone keeps their eyes covered… until the light eventually fades. Everyone uncovers their sight, and spots the Beanstar laying on the ground.

“…Did it work?” Bowser asks. “What happened?”

The throne room is, once again, silent… until it once again isn’t.

“Your highness!” A guard from outside suddenly screams. “Your highness!”

A small troupe of guards suddenly appears within the throne room, all of them appearing panicked.

“Are you alright, your Majesty?” One guard asks. “What about the Lady at Court? And the Prince?”

“Where is Cackletta!?” Another guard questions. “I’ll show her not to mess with the Beanbean Kingdom!”

“And what about that witch’s little underling?” Asks another guard.

“None of you need to worry!” Queen Bean announces. “For Cackletta and Fawful have been vanquished, all by the good fellows you see here!” She says, referring to the Bros., Prince, and Koopa King beside her.

The guards all relax, and become ecstatic at the news, each of them taking a step closer to the heroes before them.

“A spectacular feat!” Says one guard.

“The Kingdom is saved!” Says another guard. “Cackletta is no more!”

“Yes, yes! Precisely!” Says Queen Bean. She then turns to the Bros. and Princess.

“You don’t mind staying a bit longer do you?” Queen Bean asks. “I believe a celebration is in order! You saved the Kingdom!”

“We don’t mind at all, do we?” Princess Peach asks, turning back to the Bros. and Toadsworth.

The Bros. jump, confirming they don’t mind staying.

“Oh, I don’t mind, Princess!” Says Toadsworth. “It gives me time to spend with Lady Lima! …For I’ve been meaning to chat with her.” He glances over to the Beanish advisor.

Lady Lima then glances away, appearing red in the face…

“…But what about me?” Bowser asks. “The Queen said I helped too!”

“You are welcome to stay, Bowser.” Says Princess Peach. “…Just promise me you won’t do anything absurd.”

“I promise, Princess.” Says Bowser with no hesitation.

“It is settled then!” Says Queen Bean. “I’m certain there is already a curious crowd outside. Let us announce Cackletta’s defeat!”

Everyone follows Queen Bean outside… and, as she thought, are immediately met with a crowd.

“What happened!?” Asks one Beanish in the crowd.

“Where’s Cackletta!?” Asks another Beanish.

“Is the Beanstar safe?” Asks another.

“People of the Beanbean Kingdom!” Queen Bean announces. “Cackletta and her rule have been vanquished at the hands of the gracious heroes you see before you! Let us celebrate this momentous occasion!”

The crowd then cheers, and the entourage of people moves to the Castle Town.

The Mario Bros, Princess Peach, Bowser, and Prince Peasley were all given Medals of Honor for their service in the bout for the Beanbean Kingdom. As they enjoyed the sudden yet exciting celebration, each of them were asked if they wanted a picture… which, after multiple pictures, they all had to decline.

Everyone chatted, and got to know each other more… especially Lady Lima and Toadsworth, who kept conversing a ways away from the crowd.

The Town celebrated the morning away, and began to cement this day within the Beanbean Kingdom’s history… The Day the Darkness was Vanquished, they’d soon call it.

As the afternoon slowly dawned upon the Town, everyone began to wish the Mushroom Kingdom residents goodbye and watched as they departed for the Beanbean International Airport.

—

— Beanbean International Airport —

The Beanish Royals and Mushroom Kingdom residents stood just before one another, Princess Peach’s personal airplane now repaired and ready for take off. Bowser was off to the side, sitting in his Clown Car.

“I truly wish we could’ve had more time to talk, Princess!” Says Queen Bean. “For there is much to discuss!”

“Yes, I feel the same way.” Says Princess Peach. “Maybe you can pay a visit to the Mushroom Kingdom sometime?”

“Of course! We should schedule a meeting!” Says Queen Bean.

“I’ll be sure to help you plan such a date, your Majesty.” Says Lady Lima.

As the runway grows silent, the sounding of sniffling grabs Lady Lima’s attention. She turns, and spots a teary eyed Toadsworth.

“…Oh, Toadsworth. Don’t do that.” Says Lady Lima, also appearing slightly teary eyed.

“How can I not, Lady Lima?” Toadsworth asks, stuttering. “Our time together went by so fast! Too quickly!”

“…Ohh, I know! I distaste it!” Says Lady Lima.

“Let us share these last moments together, shall we?” Toadsworth asks.

Lady Lima and Toadsworth then rush toward each other, and hold onto one another in a tight embrace. They bawl in one another’s arms… they simply could not let each other go… maybe Queen Bean and Princess Peach should reunite sometime soon…

“…Ugh, they only just met, and are all teary eyed now?” Bowser asks himself. “…Weird…”

“Ahem…” Prince Peasley clears his throat. “It was a grand pleasure getting to meet you all! And fight alongside you, Superstar Siblings!”

Mario nods, while Luigi rushes to Prince Peasley, his arms wide open and ready for an embrace. The Prince wastes no time in returning Luigi the favor, wrapping his arms around the man in green and giving him a hearty pat on the back. The two separate, and Luigi moves back to his spot.

“Come on, Toadsworth!” Says Princess Peach. “We have to go!”

“Yeah!” Bowser butts in. “We don’t have all day!”

“…Ah, alright…” Says Toadsworth, letting Lady Lima go. “I wish to see you soon, Lady Lima.”

“So do I, Toadsworth.” Says Lady Lima.

“Have a safe trip back!” Says Queen Bean as everyone heads into Peach’s plane.

“May we cross paths again!” Says Prince Peasley.

The groups wish each other farewell as the plane slowly rises into the sky, the Clown Car following behind it. The Royal family watched as its visitors returned home. Prince Peasley even followed the plane as it crossed the border, waving it goodbye as it fled.

…But just because they’re back home, doesn’t mean that the story’s over just yet.

—

— Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach’s Castle —

The Toads just outside Princess Peach’s castle wander, for all of their work had been done, and they just had to await the Princess and brothers.

Their work in rebuilding the Kingdom especially became easy with the help from Bowser’s Minions troop that suddenly decided to come along and assist.

The Kingdom was suddenly ambushed by Cackletta and her Minions, then Goombas and Koopa Troopa’s began flooding in. But rather than attacking the Toads, they attacked Cackletta’s Minions… how odd… despite how odd it was, all the Toads appreciated the lending hand.

As the Toads and Minions wait, a Toad looks up to spot Princess Peach’s plane approaching the Castle, along with Bowser’s Clown Car.

“Everyone! Look!” A Toad exclaims. “The Princess and Mario Bros. are back!”

“Lord Bowser’s also there too!” Captain Goomba butts in.

“…Uh, yeah.” Says the Toad. “And Bowser too…”

“It’s *LORD* Bowser, Toad!” Captain Goomba exclaims, making the Toad cower.

“HEY!” Bowser exclaims as his Clown Car descends onto the Mushroom Kingdom’s soil. “What did I say about fighting the Toads?”

“…Sorry, Lord Bowser… it won’t happen again!” Says Captain Goomba.

“Good! …Because the Princess is on her way here!” Bowser says in a cheeky and giddy tone. He steps out of the Clown Car, and watches the plane slowly descend onto the paved ground.

The plane slows and comes to a stop, then allowing everyone within it to exit… the Princess and Toadsworth quickly spot the Minions, and become suspicious.

“Bowser?” Princess Peach asks. “Why are your Minions here?”

“I swear, if you lay ONE CLAW on the Princess!” Toadsworth says, ratting his cane at the Koopa King.

“No, Princess! Wait!” Says Bowser. “I sent them here to defend it so it looked all nice and pretty when we came back!”

“…Really?” Toadsworth asks. “I find that hard to believe.”

The Bros. jump, and explain all they know… Bowser was telling the truth.

“…Well, I suppose if Masters Mario and Luigi say so…” Says Toadsworth, calming down a bit.

“…Oh, I see.” Says Princess Peach. “Thank you, Bowser. How oddly kind of you.”

“Lord Bowser!” An approaching Lakitu calls. “The Koopa Cruiser is ready for takeoff!”

“Hold it!” Says Bowser. He then turns to the Princess. “…I have something I want to tell you, Princess.”

Bowser suddenly gets on one knee before Princess Peach, quickly flustering her… oh, Toadsworth could strangle him right now.

“YOU GET AWAY FROM HER!!” Toadsworth exclaims.

“I’m not gonna do anything!” Bowser exclaims. “…I swear. I promise I won’t kidnap her.”

“…Ohh, fine.” Says Toadsworth. “Say what you like.”

“…Maybe that Popple guy was right, Princess.” Says Bowser. “I could’ve just taken that wish-granting bean thing and got you to marry me… but relationships take time, and work… it’s better to work for stuff yourself rather than just wish for it.”

“…What a heartfelt thing to say, Bowser.” Says Princess Peach. “I’m very glad you didn’t go through with your wish.”

“You wanna know what else is heartfelt?” Bowser asks, looking up to Peach with puppy-dog eyes.

“…What is, Bowser?” Princess Peach asks.

“This kidnapping!” Bowser exclaims.

The Clown Car moves behind Bowser. The Koopa King then snags the Princess and jumps into the Clown Car, and stares upon the bamboozled plumbers and old Toad.

“Mario! Luigi!” Princess Peach exclaims. “Help me!”

“Hah! Of course you chumps fell for that!” Says Bowser. “Guess what, plumbers? Our truce is off! The Princess and I are finally getting married! BWAHAHAHA!!”

Bowser then turns, facing the crowd of Toads before the Castle. “Captain Goomba!” He calls.

“Yes, Lord Bowser?” Captain Goomba asks as he moves up toward the Clown Car.

“Get in the Clown Car with me!” Says Bowser. “You’ve earned it, Captain!”

Captain Goomba, once again, becomes teary eyed… before finally obliging. “Yes, Lord Bowser! I will!” He then jumps into the Clown Car, now sitting beside Bowser.

The Clown Car flies off, leaving the Bros. and Toadsworth below fuming… they should’ve expected this to happen…

“Ohhh!” Toadsworth grumbles. “Me and my oblivious head! …Master Mario! Master Luigi! You know what to do!”

With no hesitation, the Bros. jump forward… this wasn’t how they expected to spend their afternoon, but after so many Princess rescue missions, it just feels like an average day.

—

Bowser, still sitting within his Clown Car, hovers to Bowser’s Castle with the Koopa Cruiser slowly following him from behind.

…Bowser was surprised that the Princess was being so quiet… she normally shrieked and cried all the way to the Castle. The silence made Bowser antsy.

The Koopa King looks to Captain Goomba, who contently sat in silence… and Bowser felt he was oddly familiar…

“…Somethings familiar about you, Captain Goomba.” Says Bowser. “Like… like I saw you falling or something…

“Falling from where, Lord Bowser?” Captain Goomba asks.

“…A mountain…” Bowser begins to recall.

~~~

— Hoohoo Mountain —

Bowser stood on Hoohoo Mountain, just near the summit, standing alone… before looking up.

“…What’s that?” Bowser asks himself. “…A… Goomba?”

~~~

— Back in the Present… —

“And then everything went all black.” Says Bowser.

“Huh… I do remember falling from a mountain…” Says Captain Goomba.

Bowser stares at the Goomba Captain, feeling a familiarity that he quite couldn’t put a claw on… until it suddenly hits him.

“YOU!!!” Bowser exclaims, gripping the edge of the Clown Car. “YOU’RE THE GOOMBA THAT BONKED ME ON THE HEAD! I LOST MY MEMORY ‘CAUSE OF YOU!!”

…Captain Goomba immediately becomes nervous. “…Uh, that wasn’t me?” He asks, trying to seem inconspicuous.

“NO, I REMEMBER THE FLAG!” Bowser exclaims. He then grabs Captain Goomba, and prepares to throw him out of the Clown Car.

“Wait! Wait, Lord Bowser!” Captain Goomba pleas. “Can’t we settle this less… violently?”

“I’M DEMOTING YOU FOR THIS!!” Bowser exclaims, ignoring the Goomba’s plea.

Bowser chucks the Goomba out of the Clown Car, expecting to have his business dealt with… before the sound of a Goomba being stomped on is heard, and two shadows suddenly appear behind him.

As Bowser looks back, Mario and Luigi jump directly onto his head, knocking the Clown Car off course. As the Bros. snag Princess Peach and carry her away, Bowser plummets to the ground.

“NOOO!!” Bowser exclaims. “CURSE YOU, MARIO BROS.!!!”

The Bros. flee the scene and scurry back to the Castle, Mario carrying the Princess as they hurry away. A few Minions spot Bowser, who was momentarily left behind. They carry him and the Clown Car back to his Castle, ready to prepare for Bowser’s next plot against the Bros.

While the Mushroom Kingdom celebrated the Bros. and Princess’ return, they all pondered and laughed over their adventure… despite the stress it put them under, they were still able to look back on it with a smile… until Bowser attempted to swoop up the Princess again.

…No matter. The Bros. were ready, just as they always are.

For there’s never a dull moment in the Mushroom Kingdom, after all.

- END OF CHAPTER 5 -

~~~

Bonus Chapter: TBA

—

Previous Chapter:

—

First Chapter:

[kevin--of-desert-bluffs]

WTNV Quick rundown - 170 - To the Family and Friends

Read the rest here!

Love the winner, hate the win. Welcome to Night Vale.

Intern Victor has died, but not in the line of duty.

Victor was Cecil's very first intern when he took over as radio host. They had a good relationship and Cecil often thought that Victor would take over once he was no longer radio host.

Victor had other ideas however and left not only the station but NV itself. He went to live in Fresno and got a job helping underprivleged children. He spent decades there and then came back, aged. He was several years younger than Cecil when they first met and is now much much older.

He came back to NV to live out his retirement. He was very active in the community, helping out many people and still continuing to give out counselling to teens. He became well loved by much of the town.

Victor dies of old age surrounded by many of the people whose lives he's touched, including Cecil who still somewhat sees him as Intern Victor but acknowledges that his life has been well lived despite his potential not being concentrated on working in radio.

Weather: “A List for Spring” by Joseph Fink

During his retirement Victor; was active in charity and volunteer organisations, helped Carlos with his science experiments, worked with Dana at city hall to create the No More Pit initiative to stop the pit on Clemens Street taking one teen per day (this was unsuccessful) and being a volunteer lifeguard at the Waterfront Recreation Area.

He lived in the Hefty Sycamore trailer park and had a garden of potted flowers around his trailer.

One of the teens he counselled was called Rosario and she was there when he died.

Lonny Chapman, chairmen and the Medical Association, voiced his disagreement with the way the NV Asylum had been run. There is plans to replace it with an actual treatment centre near Grove Park.

Stay tuned next for a tall glass of water, greedily drunk by a person who did not realize they were thirsty until the liquid hit their lips. Good night, Night Vale. Good night.

Proverb: Earth is technically a sandwich where the upper bread is stars, and the lower bread is stars, and the filling is rock and lava and a few incidental humans.

[paulinawoodpecker]

Tad the lost explorer and the spear of blood and tears cast

About: tad, his friends, and his family get to spend their next adventure, family trip and honeymoon in Africa?! Even his returning rivals zulo and Zula escaped from prison for Tad’s revenge. Luckily tad is friends with dagenia Liza and oganda (who he met them before he went to his emerald tablet adventure) zulo’s plan is to get every super villain tad faced and collect the blood (he’ll kill two people: Liza and oganda) and tears from people especially for tad. together, they can defeat them and free the powers from the super villains before he kills everyone else.

Warning: death, blood, emotional moments

Bigwig/Tad: Trevor white

Dagenia: Moses Ingram

Sara: Alex Kelly

Mummy: Joseph Balderrama

Tiffany maze: Gemma whelan

Ramona: pippa Bennett warner

Victoria: Elena Sanz

Ramirez: Elena suarel

Reena: Olivia Rodrigo

Oganda: Danai Gurria

Liza: Letitia wright

Lukas: Patton oswalt

Amy Jefferson: Eden Riegel

Jasmine Jefferson: Ciara bravo

Anne: phillpha Alexander

Queen Wanda: Angela basset

Max: Adam James

Jack: Ramon tikaram

General woundwort/Pickles: Gary Martin

Richard Carson: Sam fink

Clive dove: lani minella

Sparrow: Sam smith

Giovanni: Ted Lewis

Maxie: Marc Thompson

Archie: Sean schemel

Monokuma: simu Lu

Harryson: James Arnold Taylor

Jessie: Michele knotz

James: Eric Stewart

Meowth: Nathan price

Joya: Becky hill

Tiffany: Sheila Victor

Blair: dove Cameron

Ying: Constance Wu

Andrea: Cristina V

Riña: Brittney spears

Zulo: Samuel L Jackson (singing: MNEK)

Zula: china anne McClain(singing: china Anne McClain)

Songs:

Wahzhazhe: the Osage tribal singers (the sun down ceremony)

The songcord: Zoe Salanda (oganda’s funeral)

You didn’t know? (The trial)

Visiting hours: Ed Sheeran (Liza’s death)

The songcord: Zoe salanda (reprise at 1:29, Liza’s funeral)

Never too late: Elton John (end credits)

[docholligay]

Books read 2023

~ = denotes reread

 * = denotes A Big Rec of The Year (Nothing I reread was allowed a Rec note. If I’m rereading it, I probably think it’s pretty good)

#–denotes Follower Pitch

^–Denotes Commissioned Read

♪–denotes Pitchless Draw

&-- denotes Holligay Book Club Pick

 Rogues edited by G.R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois

Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky*

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers~

Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Collingham*

Montana Women From The Ground Up: Passionate Voices in Agriculture by Kristine Ellis

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende#

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara^*

Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson

Frog Music by Emma Donoghue#

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlanksy~

House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne~&

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay ♪

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke*

Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang#

Provenance: How a Con Man and A Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas~

Ten Restaurants that Changed America by Paul Freedman

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead#* 

The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World’s Most Expensive Bottle of Wine by Benjamin Wallace

Lone Women by Victor Lavalle (A sister holligay forceread)

The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill

The Iron Tracks by Aharon Appelfeld~ 

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers ♪

The Power of The Dog by Thomas Savage

The Faceless Old Woman That Secretly Lives in Your Home by Joseph Fink #

Bedknob and Broomstick by Mary Norton

Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield#

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng^

Close Range by Annie Proulx

Watership Down by Richard Adams&~ 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier^ 

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Tran^

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke~*&

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead~*#

Snake Ropes by Jess Richards^

Les MIserables by Victor Hugo~

Currently Reading: 

On deck:

[driftwork]

names, mostly surnames (1)

let me apologise for this partial list of names in the library,  titles available on request...

, Adorno, horkheimer, anderson, aristotle, greta adorno, marcuse, agamben, acampora and acampora, althussar, lajac kovacic, eric alliez, marc auge,  attali, francis bacon (16th c), aries, aries and bejin, alain badiou, beckett, hallward, barnes, bachelard, bahktin, volshinov, baudrillard, barthes, john beattie, medvedev, henri bergson, Jacques Bidet, berkman, zybmunt bauman, burgin, baugh, sam  butler, ulrich beck, andrew benjamin and peter osbourne, walter benjamin, ernest bloch, blanchot,  bruzins,  bonnet,  karin bojs,  bourdieu,  j.d. bernal, goldsmith,  benveniste, braidotti,  brecht,  burch, victor serge, andre breton, judith butler, malcolm bull, stanley cohen, john berger, etienne balibar, david bohm, gans blumenberg, martin buber, christopher caudwell, micel callon, albert camus, agnes callard,  castoridis, claudio celis bueno, carchedi and roberts, Marisol de la cadena,  mario blaser, nancy cartwright, manual castells, mark  currie, collingwood, canguilhem, mario corti, stuart hall, andrew lowe, paul willis, coyne, stefan collini, varbara cassin, helene cixous, coward and ellis, clastres, carr, cioren,  irving copi, cassirer, carter and willians, margeret cohen,  Francoise dastur, guy debord, agnes martin,  michele bernstein, alice, lorraine dastun, debaise, Gilles Deleuze, deleuze and gattari, guattari, parnet, iain mackenzie, bignall, stivale, holland, smith, james williams, zourabichvili, paul patton, kerslake,  schuster, bogue, bryant,  anne sauvagnargues, hanjo berresen, frida beckman, johnson, gulliarme and hughes, valentine moulard-leonard, desai,  dosse, duttman, d’amico,  benoit peters, derrida, hinca zarifopol-johnston, sean gaston,  discourse, mark poster, foucault,  steve fuller, markus gabrial, rosenbergm  milchamn, colin jones,  van fraasen,  fekete,  vilem flusser, flahault, heri focillon, rudi visker, ernst fischer,  fink, faye, fuller, fiho, marco bollo, hans magnus enxensberger, leen de bolle, canetti, ilya enrenberg,  thuan, sebastion peake, mervyn peake, robert henderson, reimann, roth,  bae suah,  yabouza, marco bellatin, cartarescu, nick harkaway, chris norris, deLanda, regis debray, pattern and doniger,  soame jynens, bernard williams, descartes, anne dufourmanteille, michelle le doeuff, de certaeu , deligny, Georges Dumezil, dumenil and levy,  bernard edelman, victorverlich, berio, arendt, amy allen, de beauvior,hiroka azumi,  bedau and humphreys,  beuad,  georges bataille, caspar  henderson,  chris innes,  yevgeny zamyatin,  louis aragon, italo calvino, pierre guirard,  trustan garcia, rene girard, paul gilroy, michal gardner,  andre gorz, jurgan gabermas, martin gagglund, beatrice hannssen, jean hyppolyte, axel honneth, zizek and crickett, stephen heath,  calentin groebner, j.b.s. haldane,  ian hacking,  david hakken,  hallward and oekken,  haug, harman, latour, arnold hauser, hegel, pippin, pinksrd, michel henry, louis hjelmslev,  gilbert hardin, alice jardine, karl jaspers, suzzane kirkbright, david hume,  thomas hobbes, barry hindus, paul hirst, hindess and hirst, wrrner hamacher,  bertrand gille,  julien huxley, halavais, irigaray, ted honderich, julia kristeva, leibnitz, d lecourt,  lazzaroto, kluge and negt, alexander kluge, sarah kofman, alexandre kojeve,  kolozoya, keynes,  richard kangston, ben lehman, kant,  francous jullien, fred hameson, sntonio rabucchi, jaeggi, steve lanierjones, tim jackson,  jakobson,   joeseph needham, arne de boever,  marx and engels, karl marx, frederick engels, heinrich,  McLellen , maturana and varuna,  lem, lordon, jean jacques-lecercle,  malabou,  marazzi,  heiner muller,  mary midgley, armand matterlart, ariel dorfman, matakovsky, nacneice, lucid,  victor margolis, narco lippi,  glen mazis, nair,  william morris,  nabis,  jean luc nancy,  geoffrey nash,  antonio negri,  negri and hardt, hardt, keith ansell pearson, pettman, william ruddiman, rheinberger, andre orlean, v.i. vernadsky,  rodchenko,  john willet, tarkovsky, william empson,  michel serres,  virillio, semiotexte, helmut heiseenbuttel,  plessner, pechaux, raunig, retort,  saito,  serres, dolphin, maria assad, spinoza,  bernard sharratt, isabelle stengers,  viktor shklovsky,  t. todorov,  enzo traverso, mario tronti,  todes, ivan pavlov,  whitehead, frank trentmann, trubetzkoy, rodowink, widderman, karl wittfogel, peter handke, olivier rolin, pavese,  robert walser, petr kral, von arnim,  sir john mennis,  ladies cabinet,  samuel johnson, edmund spenser,  efy poppy, yoko ogawa, machado,  kaurence durrell,  brigid brophy,  a. betram chandler, maria gabriella llansol, fowler,  ransmayr,  novick, llewellyn,  brennan, sean carroll,  julien rios, pintor, wraxall,  jaccottet, tabucchi,  iain banks, glasstone,  clarice lispector,  murakami, ludmilla petrushevskaya,  motoya, bachmann, lindqvist,  uwe johnson, einear macbride,  szentkuthy,  vladislavic, nanguel,  mathias enard,  chris tomas, jonathan meades,  armo schmidt, charles yu, micheal sorkin, vilas- matas, varesi, peter weiss,  stephenson, paul legrande,  virginie despentes, pessoa,  brin,  furst, gunter trass, umberto eco, reid, paul,klee, mario levero, hearn, judith schalansky, moorhead,  margert walters, rodchenko and popova, david king, alisdair gray, burroughs, ben fine, paul hirst, hindess,  kapuscinski, tchaikovsky,  brooke-rose, david hoon kim, helms,  mahfouz, ardret,  felipe fernandez-armesto,  young and tagomon,  aronson,  bonneuil and  fressoz, h.s. bennett, amy allen, bruckner brown, honegger, bernhard,  warren miller, albert thelen,  margoy bennett, rose macauley,  nenjamin peret, sax rohmer, angeliki, bostrom, phillip ball, the invisible commitee, bataille and leiris,  gregory bateson, michelle barrett and mary mcintosh, bardini, bugin, mcdonald, kaplan, buck-moores,  chesterman and lipman,  berman,  cicero, chanan,  chatelet,  helene cixous, iain cha,bers,  smirgel, norman clark, caird, camus,  clayre, chomsky, critchley,  curry,  swingewood,  luigi luca cavelli-sforza,  clark, esposito, doerner,  de duve, alexander dovzhenko, donzelot,  dennet, doyle, burkheim, de camp,  darwin,  dawkins,  didi-huberman, dundar, george dyson, berard deleuze, evo, barbara ehrenrich,  edwards,  e isenstein, ebeking, economy and society, esposito,  frederick gross,  david edgeerton,  douglas,  paul,feyerband,  jerry fodor,  gorrdiener,  tom forester, korsgaard,  fink,  floridi, elizabeth groscz, pierre francastel,  jane jacobs,  francois laplantinee,  gould,  galloway, goux,  godel, grouys, genette,  gil, kahloo, giddens,  martin gardner,  gilbert and dubar, hobbes,  herve, golinski, grotowski, glieck,  hayles, heidegger, huxley, eric hobsbawn, jean-louis hippolyte,  phillip hoare, tim jordan,  david harvey, hawking, hoggart,  rosemary jackson,  myerson,  mary jacobus, fox keller, illich,  sarah fofman, sylvia harvey, john holloway, han,  jaspers, yuk hui,  pierre hadot, carl gardner,  william james, bell hooks,  edmond jabes,  kierkegaard, alexander keen, kropotkin, tracy kidder,  mithen, kothari and mehta, lind,  c. joad,  bart kosko, kathy myers,  kaplan,  luce irigaraay, patrick ke iller, kittler,  catherine belsey,  kmar,  klossowski, holmes, kant, stanton,  ernesto laclau, jenkins, la mouffe,  walter john williams, adam greenfield, susan greenfield, paul auster, viet nguyen, jeremy nicholson,  andy weir, fred jameson,  lacoue-labarthe,  bede,  jane gallop, lacan,  wilden,  willy ley,  henri lefebvre, rob sheilds,  sandra laugier, micheal lowy, barry levinson, sylvain lazurus, lousardo, leopardo, jean-francois lyotard, jones,  lewontin,  steve levy,  alice in genderland,  laing, lanier, lakatos, laurelle, luxemburg,  lukacs, jarsh,  james lovelock, ideologu and consciousness, economy and society, screen, deleuze studies, deleuze and guattari studies,  bruno latour, david lapoujade,  stephen law, primo levi,  levi-strauss,  emmanuel levinas,  viktor schonberger, pierre levy, gustav landaur,  robin le poidevin,  les levidow, lautman, david cooper,  serge leclaire, catherine malabou, karl kautsky, alice meynall,  j.s. mill, montainge,  elaine miller, rosa levine-meyer, jean luc marion, henri lefebrve,  lipovetsky, terry lovell,  niklas luhmann,  richard may, machiavelli, richard mabey, john mullzrkey,  meyerhold, edward braun,  magri,  murray, nathanial lichfield, noelle mcafee,  hans meyer,  ouspensky, lucretius, asa briggs, william morris, christian metz, laura mulvey, len masterman,  karl mannheim, louis marin, alaister reynolds,  antonio  munoz molina,  FRAZER,  arno schmidt,  dinae waldman,  mark rothko, cornwall, micheal snow, sophie henaff, scarlett thomas,  matuszewski, lillya brik,  rosamond lehman , morris and o’conner,  nina bawden, cora sandel, delafield, storm jameson,  lovi , rachel ferguson,  stevie smith, pat barker, miles franklin, fay weldon,  crista wolff, grace paley, v. woolf, naomi mitchinson, sheila rowbotham,  e, somerville and v ross, sander marai,  jose  saramago,  strugatsky, jean echenoz, mark robso,  vladimir Vernadsky,  chris marker, Kim Stanley Robinson,  mario leverdo,  r.a. lafferty, martin bax, mcaulay, tatyana tolstaya,  colinn kapp,  jonathan meades,  franco fortini,  sam delany, philip e high, h.g. adler, feng menglong,  adam thorpe,  peeter nadas,  sam butler, narnold silver,  deren,  joanna moorhead, leonara carrington,  de waal,  hartt, botticelli,  charbonneau, casco pratolini,  murakami, aldiss,  guidomorselli, ludmilla petrushevskaya, ,schulz,  de andrade, yasushi. inoue, renoir,  amelie  nothomb,  ken liu,  prynne,  ANTIONE VOLODINE, luc brasso,  angela greene,  dorothea tanning,  eric chevillard,  margot bennett w.e. johns, conan doyle,  samuel johnson,  herge,  coutine-denamy, sterling, roubaud,  sloan, meiville,  delarivier manley, andre norton, perec, edward upward, tom mcCarthy,  magrinya,  stross,  eco, godden,  malcolm lowry,  derekmiller,  ismail kadare,  scott lynch, chris fowler, perter newman,  suzzana clarke,  paretky, juliscz balicki,  stanislaw maykowski, rajaniemi, william morris, c.k. crow,  ueys,  oldenburg,  mssrc chwmot,  will pryce,  munroe,  brnabas and kindersley, tromans,   lem, zelazny,  mitchinson, harry Harrison,  konstantin tsiolkovsky,  flammerion,  harrison, arthur c clarke, carpenter, john brunner,  anhony powell,  ted white, sheckley,  kristof, kempowski, shingo,  angelica groodischer,  rolin,  galeanom  dobin,  richard holloway,  pohl and kornbulth,  e.r. eddison,  ken macleodm  aldiss,  dave hutchinson,  alfred bester, budrys,  pynchon,  kurkov,  wisniewski_snerg, , kenji miyazawa,  dante,  laidlaw,  paek nam_nyong, maspero, colohouquon, hernandez,      christina hesselholdt, claude simon, bulgaakov,  simak,  verissimo,  sorokin,  sarraute,  prevert,  celan, bachmann,  mervin peake,  olaf stapledon,  sa rohmer,  robert musil,  le clezio,  jeremy cooper,  zambra,  giorgio de chirico,  mjax frisch,  gawron,  daumal,  tomzza,  canetti,  framcois maspero,  de quincy, defoe, green,, greene, marani,  bellatin,  khury, tapinar,, richmal crompton,  durrenmat,  fritz,  quintane,  volponi,  nanni balestrini,  herrera,  robert walser,  duras,  peter stamm,  m foster,  lan wright,  their theotokism  agustn de rojas, paul eluard,  sturgeon,  hiromi kawakomi,  sayaka murata,  wolfgang hilbig,  hmilton,  z  zivkovic,  gersson,  mallo,  bird,  chaudrey, Toussaint, Can Xue, Lewis Mumford, neitzsche, popper, zizek, scott westerfield, rousseau, lewis munford, tod may,  penelope maddy, elaine marks,  isabelle courtivron, leroi, massumi,  david sterritt, godard, millican and clark, macabe, negri,  mauss, maiimon, patrica maccormack, moretti, courtney humphries,  monad, moyn, malina, picasso, goldman, dambisa moyo,  merleau-ponty, Nicholson, knobe and nichols, poinciore, morris, ovid, ming, nail, thomas more, richard mabey,  macfarlane,  piscator,  louis-stempal,  negrastini, moore,  jacquline rose,  rose and rose, ryle, roszick, rosenburg, ravisson, paul ricoer,  rossler,  chantl mouffe,  david reiff, plato, slater, rowlands, rosa, john roberts,  rhan, dubios and rousseau, ronell,  jacques ranciere, mallarme,  quinodoz, peterpelbert, mary poovey, mackenzie, andrew price, opopper,  roger penrose, lu cino parisi,  gavin rae, parker and pollack,  mirowoski, perniola, postman, panofsky, propp, paschke and rodel, andre pickering, massabuau, lars svenddsen,  rosenberg and whyte, t.l.s. sprigger,  nancy armstrong,  sallis,  dale spender,  stanislavski,  vanessa schwartz,  shapin and shaeffer, sally sedgewick,  signs,  gabriel tarde,  charles singer, adam smith,  simondon,  pascal chablt,  combes, jon roffee, edward said,  sen,  nik farrell fox, sartre,  fred emery,  scholes, herbert spencer, ruth saw, spinoza,  raphael sassower, henry sidgewick, peter singer,  katarznya de lazari-radek,  piaget,  podach,  van der post, on fire, one press,  melossi and  pavarini,  pearl and mackenzie,  theirry paquot, tanizaki, RHS,  stone,  richard sennett,  graham priest,  osborn and pagnell, substance, pedrag cicovacki, schilthuizen,  susan sontag, gillian rose,  nikolas rose,  g rattery taylor, rose,  rajan,  stuart sim,  max raphael,  media culture and society,  heller- roazen,  rid, root, rossi, gramsci, showstack sasson, david roden,  adrew ross, rosenvallion, pauliina remes, pkato, peter sloterdijk, tamsin shaw, george simmel, bullock and trombley, mark francis,  alain supiot, suvin, mullen and suvin, stroma,  maimonides,  van vogt,  the clouds on unknowing, enclotic, thesis 11,  spivack,  kate raworth,  h.w. richardson,  hillial schwartz, stern, rebecca solnit, rowland parker,  pickering,  lukacs,  epicriud, epicetus, lucrtious,  aurelies,  w.j.oates,  thor Hanson,  thompson, mabey,  sheldrake,  eatherley,  plato, jeffries,  dorothy richardson,  arno schmidt,   earl derr biggersm  mary borden, birrel, arno schmidt,  o.a. henty,  berhard steigler,  victor serge,  smith,  joyce salisbury, pauer-studer,  timpanaro,  s helling, schlor, norman and welchman,  searle, emanuele severarimo,  tomasello, sklar, judith singer, walmisley,  thomas malthus,  quentin meilassoux,  alberto meelucchi,  mingione, rurnbull,  said, spufford and  uglow,  zone,  j.j.c. smartt, sandel, skater, songe-moller,  strawson,  strawson, strawson, raymond tallis,  toscano,  turkle,  tiqquin, diggins,  j.s. ogilivy, w.w. hutchings,  rackgam,  deiter roth,  dowell,  red notes,  campbell and pryce,osip brik, lilya brik, mayakovsky, zone, alvin toffker, st exupery, freya stark, warson, walsh, wooley, tiles and oberdick, timofeeva, richardson, marcuse,  marder,  wright,  ushenko, tolson, albebers and moholy- nagy, alyce mahon, gablik, burnett, barry, hill, fontaine, sanuel johnson,justin, block, taylor, peter handke, jacques rivette,  william sansom, bunuel and dali, tom bullough, aldius huxley, philip robinson, spendor, tzara,  wajcman, peter wohlleben,  prigogini,  paolo virno,  jeremy tunstall, theweliet,  taussig,  tricker,  vince,  thomss, williams,  vogl, new german critique,  e.p. thompson,  jean wahl, paul virilio, lotringer, christy wampole, verhaeghe, janet wolff, anna kavan, vergara,  uexkull,  couze venn, barry smart, vico,  vatimo, vernant, raoul vaneigem,  ibn warraq, vertov,  williams,  meiksins wood, norbert weiner, peter wollen,  h.g. wells,  michelle walker, , jeanne waelit  walters,  shaw and darlen, whorf,  ward and dubois,  john wright,  weinart, wolff, willis, wark, cosima wagner, j. weeks,  judith williamson,  welzbacher, erik olin wright, wittgenstein, kenny,  zeldin, wenders,  henry miller, wenkler, arrighi,  banks, innes, ushereood, kristeva, john cage, quignard,  t.f. powys, siri hustveldt, lem,  zelazny, mitchonson,  tsilolkovsky, toussaint, heppenstall, garrigasait, de kerangal, haine fenn, jean bloch,  geoff ryman, reve, corey, asemkulov, ernaux,  gareth powell, cory,  deleuze and guattari studies, cse, allain and souvestre, apolinaire, jane austen, john arden, aitmatov,  elizabth von arnim, paul auster, abish,  ackroyd, tom gunn, lorca, akhmatov, artuad,  simon armatige, albahari, felipe alfau, audem auden and soendor, varicco, barrico, bainbridge, asturias, ronan bennett, beckett, paul bowles, jane bowles, celine, bukowski,  wu ming, blissert,  kay boyle,  andrei  bely,  hugo barnacle,  BOLL,  isak dineson, karen blikson,  brodsky,  richmel crompton,  berry, barthleme,  mary butts, leonora carrington, cage,  chevhillard,  canetti,  cendres,  butor,  cortazar, danielewski,  bertha damon,  dyer, havier cercas, micheal dibden, marguerite duras, john donne, duras, durrell,  dorrie,  Fredric durrenmatt,  heppenstahl, eco, enzensberger, evanovich, fruentes,  farrell,  alison fell,  alisdair gray,  hollinhurst,  andre gide,  jean giono, gadda, henry green,  grass,  andre gorz,  william gibson,  joyce,  gombrowitz,  alex laishley, murakami,  herve guibert,  franz kafka,  juenger, junker, kapuscinski, laurie king,  kundera,  mcewan, ken macleod,  ian macdonald,  moers,  meades,  vonda macintyre,  nalmstom, maillert,  havier marias,  jeff noon,  anaus nin,  david nobbs,  peter nadas,  nabokov,  iakley, oates,  raymond queneau,  cesare pavese, paterson, ponge,  perte, perec, chinery, ovid,  genette,  kandinsky, robert pinget, richard piwers,  rouvaud, sloan, surrralist poetry, ilya troyanov, paul,raabe,  julien rios, arne dahl, pierre sollers, rodrigruez,  chris ross, renate rasp, ruiz, rulfo, tove jannsson, cabre,  vladislavic, tokarczuk, pessoa, jane bowles, calvino, lispector, lydia davis, can xue,  sebald, peter tripp,  hertzberg,  virginia woolf,  zozola, sorrentino, higgins,  v.w. straka, cogman, freud, jung, klein, winnecot, lacan,  fordham, samuels,  jung, freud, appignesai,  bjp, pullman, magnam, sybil marshall, mccarten,  galbraith, jewell,  lehmann,  levy,  levin, jung,  spinoza,  fairburn,  jung, sandler,  lacan,  laplanche,  pontalis, can, xue,  klein, cavelli, hawkins, stevens,  hanna segal, bollas,  welldon,  williams,  sutherland, buon,  symington,  morrison,  brittain,  sidoli, sidoli,  holmes, bowlby, winnecott,   bollas,  kalschiid,  malan, patrick casement,  anna frued, wittenburg,  liz wright,  fordham, fairburn, symington, sandler,  jung, balint,  coltart,  west, steiner,  van der post,  stern,  green,  roustang,  adrew samuels,  d.l. sayers,  salom, krassner,  swain,  rame and fo,  storr,  cogman,  hessen,  penelope fitzgerald,  cummings, richard holloway,  juhea kim,  glenville, heyer, cartland,  kim, cho,  atkinson,  james,  king, audten,  hartley,  du maurier,  bronte,  thomas, plath, leon,  camillairi, kaussar, fred fargas, boyd,  sjowall and wahloo,  pheby,  morenno-garcia, perrsson,  herron, nicola barker, arronovitch,  karen lord, stephen frosh, ernest jones, flamm o’brien, shin, mishra, chin jin-young and so on to the warm horizon

[ronmanmob]

@vxctorx

❝—Do you not think that I could be a valuable asset to your team?❞ The tangerine flare of his lighter illuminates their faces, flushed as they are by alcohol and lingering close to one another. He observes Ronnie's expression from beneath the leaden curtians of his gold-threaded lashes with some pleasure, as it grows engulfed by the first puff of smoke from his cigar; his lap serves as his young paramour's makeshift throne, though there is plenty of seating inside their private booth. ❝—I dare admit I may not have your street smarts, but I do posses a Cambridge level of education in business, as well as the hands-on learning which I have acquired throughout my entire life.❞

“--An asset t’business ventures...” Ron mused, the arm he had round Victor’s back tightening a little as he considered the young man’s proposition and briefly turned his face, when the billowy coils of smoke reached for him, toward the room surrounding them. Little would ruin so congenial a mood quicker than the feeling of encroachment breathing in another’s smoke could bring on, but that knowledge was no more for Victor than was admittance to the business life Ron was certain he’d not implied with his offer. The young man was talking about experience he had, business acumen he’d accrued and earned through living; not the sort that’d see him well in the underworld life of Ron’s capital F capital B Family Business. It was nightclubs the lad was talking about; bars and clubs and all else that glittered in London’s East and West Ends.

“-Now-” Ron faced Victor once more, the smoke cleared enough that he could without going out of his skin. “-I don’t know if tossin’ rahnd y’degrees’ll get yah too far in my direct circles-- Undahstand, lad, I ain’t got none’a them. Me bruvvahs don’t. Most’a our contemporaries don’t ‘n i’s easy f’a less educated man t’ear Cambridge ‘n fink ‘ee’s bein’ talked dahn tah even when ‘ee ain’t. Bu’ if there’s a space y’can fill, I’ll considah it.”

Thoughtfulness overtook him for the length of a long sip of Brown Ale.

“Tell us more then” Ron prompted as he set his glass down and readjusted his grip on his lap’s-worth of aristocrat; his free hand coming to rest, warm and heavy, on the young man’s thigh. “Where’d y’see y’self fittin’ inta me team?” Another slight shift, just to emphasise exactly where Victor was sitting; Ron’s voice pitching lower as he purred-

“Righ’ ‘ere, is it?”

-by his ear.

[pnuk-r0ck]

Don’t know if I wanna eat rn or not

[cointahmin]

BlackRock’ın CEO’su Larry Fink’ten, kıs müddet evvel bahadır ve gibisi görülmemiş bir atak geldi. Fink, ferdî portföyünün %85’ini Bitcoin’e ayırma niyetini açıkladı. Fink’in kararı son derece sembolik. Ayrıyeten, kurumsal yatırımcıların kripto paraları algılama ve yaklaşma biçiminde potansiyel bir paradigma değişikliğine işaret ediyor. Kripto uzmanı Victor, Fink’in bu atılımının tesirlerini yorumluyor.BlackRock CEO’sunu kripto atılımının tesirleri ve sonuçlarıBlackRock, trilyonlarca dolar kıymetindeki idare altındaki varlıklarıyla dünyanın en büyük varlık idaresi şirketi. Hasebiyle Larry Fink’in Bitcoin’i böylesine kıymetli bir ölçekte benimseme kararını dikkate almak gerekiyor. Bu gelişme, kripto para üniteleri tarihinde çok değerli bir ana işaret ediyor. Ayrıyeten, kurumsal yatırımcılar ortasındaki algıda bir değişime işaret ediyor. Zira, bu yatırımcılar ekseriyetle değişken ve yeni oluşmakta olan kripto piyasasını benimsemekte tereddüt ediyorlardı.https://twitter.com/BTC_Archive/status/1684223187427500032 Sonuç olarak, öbür kurumsal yatırımcılar kripto paralara yasal bir varlık sınıfı olarak daha yakından bakabilir. Artan kurumsal ilginin, kripto paraların daha yaygın bir halde benimsenmesine yol açması mümkün. Bu yüzden, likiditenin artmasına, fiyat istikrarına ve oynaklığın azalmasına neden olma potansiyeline sahip.Kripto bölümünde artışLarry Fink’in Bitcoin’e yaptığı büyük yatırımın Bitcoin’e olan talebi artırması olası. Fink’in Bitcoin’i desteklemesi bir domino tesirine yol açabilir. Bu fon akışının Bitcoin’in fiyatını yeni tepelere taşıması mümkün. Münasebetiyle bu, kripto alanındaki mevcut yatırımcılara ve paydaşlara yarar sağlayacaktır. Dahası, bu hareketin öbür kripto para üniteleri için bir katalizör misyonu görmesi mümkün.Düzenleyici incelemeLarry Fink’in kararı kripto paralar için kayda paha bir adım. Bununla birlikte, düzenleyici kurumların incelemelerinin artmasını da beraberinde getirmesi muhtemel. Münasebetiyle, düzenleyiciler yatırımcıları korumak ve piyasa bütünlüğünü sürdürmek için nezareti sıkılaştırma muhtaçlığı hissedebilir. İnovasyon ve yatırımcının korunması ortasında hakikat dengeyi kurmak, hükümetler için kuvvetli bir misyon olacak.https://twitter.com/IIICapital/status/1683902622594367497 Dolayısıyla, düzenleyici netlik kripto sanayisinin geleceğini şekillendirmede çok kıymetli bir rol oynayacak. Yeterli tanımlanmış düzenlemelerin daha da fazla kurumsal yatırım çekmesi mümkün. Zira, cointahmin.com’dan takip ettiğiniz üzere, kripto pazarına girme konusunda hala temkinli olan klâsik yatırımcılar var. Bu gelişmenin bir güvenlik ve meşruiyet duygusu sağlaması mümkün.Geleneksel piyasalar üzerindeki etkisiLary Fink’in kararının kripto sanayisinin ötesinde de sonuçları olması olası. Yatırımcılar yatırımlarını dijital varlıklara yönlendirmeyi düşündükçe klasik finans piyasalarında bir değişim olması mümkün. Bu durum pay senetleri, tahviller ve emtialar üzere klâsik varlıklara yapılan yatırımların azalmasına yol açabilir. Buna karşılık, varlık yöneticilerinin ve finans kurumlarının kripto ile ilgili eserler sunmaya başlaması muhtemel. Örneğin, kripto ETF’leri. Yatırım eserlerinin bu formda çeşitlendirilmesi klâsik finans ortamını tekrar şekillendirebilir. Ve klasik ve kripto piyasaları ortasındaki sonları bulanık hale getirmesi mümkün.Uluslararası etkilerFink’in kararının global tesirleri çok geniş kapsamlı. Bitcoin kıymetli bir varlık olarak değer kazandıkça, ABD dolarının memleketler arası ticaret ve finans alanındaki hakimiyetine meydan okuması mümkün. Daha fazla kurumsal yatırımcı tıpkı yolu izlerse Bitcoin’e olan talep kıymetli ölçüde artar. Potansiyel olarak kimi ülkelerin rezerv para ünitesi olarak tanınması bile mümkün.https://twitter.com/AlexOttaBTC/status/1677983863753134086 Dahası, istikrarsız ekonomilere ya da kısıtlayıcı mali siyasetlere sahip ülkelerde Bitcoin’in bir bedel saklama aracı olarak cazibesi artabilir. Bunun da gelişmekte olan piyasalarda talebi artırması mümkün. Böylelikle, vatandaşlara

servetlerini korumak ve memleketler arası ticarete erişmek için alternatif bir araç sağlar.

[unidentifiedmeridians]

And Thank God for The Alexandre Sisters telling me the truth. The lies to me are the most physically painful and hurtful thing this system does. Stupid Martin Co and Palm Beach Gardens every word out of their mouthed is a lie. It's what they teach up there. Debbie Weiser Lara Lynn Lately a nice push from Laura Heinze and Todd and Robb Victors nephew my #57. Alex Washington was brilliant with "BOCA PD. NAME'S BILLOY. DOG SHIT ON THE CARPET YET JL NO DOG..INTERESTING! GRANDE CASAS , MARK THAT DOWN." AND COREY IVEY THE THE THREE OF US AND JUST US BC REGGIE MYERS KNEW ID NEED THEM WHEN I WAS OLDER

Cynthia Lee Fink and her family has saved my life twice now

[sophiegold123]

Why do people call an experience or event uncanny, and what makes an occurrence that appears to be uncanny but is not uncanny?

In Freud’s “The Uncanny” he defines uncanny in different ways. He states that it is “that class of the terrifying which leads back to something long known to us, once every familiar.” (1) He claims that the uncanny arises due to a return of repressed memories. The unheimlich is the uncanny: a revelation of what is private and concealed; the hidden (hidden not only from others but also from the self). An occurrence that appears to be uncanny but is not uncanny can be certain natural phenomena that seem like they shouldn’t be real but are. Such as optical illusions or peculiar sounds, can create an uncanny feeling. However, finding scientific explanations can create ease. Coincidences can also be uncanny but recognizing that coincidences are a natural part of life alleviates the sense of strangeness.

What is the relation of personal neurosis to social passions?

In Jacques Lacan’s “The Mirror Stage as Formative of the Function of the I, he emphasizes the inherently social nature of the mirror stage as the formation of the ego is deeply influenced by social interactions and external perceptions. Lacan's mirror stage, occurring when a child recognizes their reflection, shapes the ego. Personal neurosis stems from the gap between the ideal self and reality, leading to inner conflict. Social passions, such as identification with cultural ideals, norms, and values, play a significant role in shaping the individual's sense of self. He states “through identification with the imago of one's semblable and the drama of primordial jealousy (so well brought out by the Charlotte Bühler school in cases of transitivism in children), the dialectic that will henceforth link the I to socially elaborated situations.” (2) He is emphasizing how the process of identification and comparison with others contributes to the formation of the self.

In what ways are oppressed and marginalized viewers alienated when they are not or rarely represented?

When oppressed and marginalized viewers are rarely or not represented they become alienated by the slightest contact with the white world. In Frantz Fanon’s “The Negro and Psychopathology” he talks about how there are assumptions and theories embedded within different types of media that "Influence one's perception and understanding of the group to which they belong. (3) If there are no representations of them, they will identify with “the victor” or, white characters. Fanon states “When the Negro makes contact with the white world, a certain sensitizing action takes place. If his psychic structure is weak, one observes a collapse of the ego. [...] The goal of his behavior will be The Other (in the guise of the white man), for The Other alone can give him worth.” (4) Alienation can manifest as a profound sense of self-doubt and confusion about one's identity and role within a social context. It can stem from a lack of self-awareness or clarity about one's true nature and societal expectations. Furthermore, alienation can arise from feeling disconnected from others within one's social group, leading to a perception of oneself that differs from how others perceive or define them.

(1) Freud, Sigmund. "The Uncanny." The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, edited by James Strachey, vol. 17, Hogarth Press, 1955, 369. 

(2) Lacan, Jacques. "The Mirror Stage as Formative of the Function of the I." Écrits: The First Complete Edition in English, translated by Bruce Fink, W. W. Norton & Company, 2006, 98.

(3) Fanon, Frantz. "The Negro and Psychopathology." Black Skin, White Masks, translated by Charles Lam Markmann, Grove Press, 2008, 118.

(4) Fanon, Frantz. "The Negro and Psychopathology." Black Skin, White Masks, translated by Charles Lam Markmann, Grove Press, 2008, 119.

Reading Notes 6: Freud to Lacan to Fanon

We look to Sigmund Freud’s “The Uncanny,” Jacques Lacan’s “The Mirror Stage as Formative of the Function of the I,” and Frantz Fanon’s “The Negro and Psychopathology” for our inquiry into the functions of psychoanalysis and subjectivity when examining visual texts.

Why do people call an experience or event uncanny, and what makes an occurrence that appears to be uncanny but is not uncanny?

What is the relation of personal neurosis to social passions?

In what ways are oppressed and marginalized viewers alienated when they are not or rarely represented?

@theuncannyprofessoro