#Will Graham sweep let’s go!

[anonymouslydeadactuallywrites]

Reasons why Will Graham should be Tumblr’s Poor Little Meow Meow In No Specific Order

•He is a sweaty little man who doesn’t want to be bothered, yet somehow keeps getting dragged into plot.

•No one respects his ass. He’s always too quiet, too weird, etc to the point where he’s framed for murder and no one bats an eye at him.

•His love interests include a lesbian, a cannibal, and a lady who doesn’t see him as a person. What a loser.

•He’s so confused for the first half of the series as he’s like hallucinating and being gaslit by his therapist.

•Said therapist/his husband keeps pulling a bunch of bullshit in him including: Gutting him, killing his pseudo daughter, sawing open his head to eat his brain, feeding him people, etc.

•Yet, he somehow keeps going back to his husband like a goof right? Even though his husband is a fucking cannibal.

•The duality of Will Graham to be a soft owo babygirl who’s going through it who hurts so pretty to being a feral son of a bitch who beat a man to death with his bare hands is exquisite.

•Did I mention Will Graham’s season two whorification? Cause that man was prepared to seduce a cannibal. For justice of fucking course:

•Sike, he warned his cannibal husband that the government was onto him like a simp.

•On that note, Will hurts so pretty. Hugh Dancy’s big watery eyes and that lost look at That tm part of Misomuzo? When Hannibal is treating his gunshot wound in Florence? chef’s kiss*

•And the best part is like Will causes a lot of his own pain like he likes his cannibal husband and purposely goes out of his way to do shit like release him from jail and make things harder for himself.

In conclusion, Will Graham is an exquisite Poor Little Meow Meow. Thank you for your time.

[entitled-fangirl]

Terms of Endearment.

(Hannibal NBC)

Characters included: Will Graham, Hannibal Lecter.

A/N: I've never done like a drabble or anything before, so idk what I'm doing.

Masterlist

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Will:

Will definitely calls you sweetheart.

He's also been known to dabble with baby, hon, and beautiful.

He's not an elegant man, so elegant terms of endearment are not his cup of tea.

He's the type of man to quickly run to you after an almost deadly incident and cup your face. His voice drops to a rushed whisper, "Are you alright?" When you don't answer, his eyebrows furrow and his head tilts, "Sweetheart?" You finally look up at the sound of his name for you, and really take in the fact that you're here and safe with him. He sees it in your eyes, and he lets out a relieved sigh as he gently caresses your face, "There you are, beautiful."

Your favorite was the day you came out early from work. You opened the door to your shared home with Will to see him on the ground, loving on all of the dogs. His head, as well as all the dogs' heads, perked up at the sound of the door opening. The brightest smile swept across his face, "You're home early!" You smile and nod, shrugging off your coat. He stands and comes to you, sweeping you up in his arms, "I'm glad you're home, baby. I missed you today." Yeah, that was definitely your favorite.

You call him handsome, honey, and green eyes

He was deep in thought as he stared at the folder of his latest case. Something about his glasses? The way his curly hair was awry to perfection? Maybe the way his dress shirt sleeves were rolled up? It was driving you wild. You couldn't take it anymore, and you gently pushed down the folder he was staring at. He looked up at your eager face, and his own face developed a wide smirk. "Yes?" You bit your lip, "Did you… need to take a break, handsome?" He knew exactly what you meant. He nodded and tossed the folder aside as he pulled you in for a heated kiss. He knew he would get your attention. Maybe that's why he did all those things. But he wouldn't say that out loud.

The early sunlight from the window was blinding you in bed, so you rolled over. Will had been admiring you for a while, completely unbothered by the sunlight in his eyes. You rubbed at your eyes and sighed with a groggy voice, "Honey, will you go shut the blinds?" He was in his little world as if he didn't hear you. He was too busy admiring your sleepy form. "Hmm?" He finally noted, "What did you say, baby? I'm sorry." You turned to look at him and paused in admiration of your own. "Woah. Good morning, green eyes." The sunlight lit up his handsome face with a bright yellow hue, bringing out the green in his eyes. He smiled at your words but still made no motion to get up. What harm would one lazy morning do?

Hannibal:

Unlike Will, he is very elegant.

He wouldn't be caught dead calling you anything other than something of the upmost respect.

Classical is a good word for Hannibal

So, he uses the terms Darling, and Dear

Also mia bella.

Something about love in a different language screams elegance

After being together for a while, he started calling you graceful bird names as well. 

So things like dove, nightingale, ect.

You decided to surprise him at work. You carefully packed up a lovely lunch fit for the king that he is to you, and you drove to his office. His face was full of surprise when he opened the door to see you. "Darling? I wasn't expecting you." But let's be honest. He knew from the moment you woke up that you had something going on in that funny little brain of yours. He figured it had to do with surprising him at work, but he still liked to let you feel like you can throw him off. He finds it endearing.

You woke up in a panic from a nightmare. Sweat ran down your back, and your breath was ragged and shaky. Hannibal awoke alongside you, being a light sleeper was not always great, but he was grateful for it in times like these. "Hannibal, I… I had a nightmare." "Want to talk about it, my dear?" You nodded and let him pull you into his lap. "You… you left me. For… for a secretary that hated me and it was so real." He cooed soft things into your ear until your breathing had relaxed. "My beautiful dove," he said as he pushed your chin up to look at him. "I would not leave you for a thousand women. You are the greatest sculpture I have seen, and I shall not abandon you. You are far too precious of a jewel."

You call him Amore, and Darling.

You were watching him intensely as he cooked. He was such an artist in the kitchen. His moves were precise and perfect every time. You found yourself staring but didn't want to look away. "Something catch your attention, mia bella?" You finally look up to meet his gaze. "Oh. Sorry, darling. I didn't mean to-" "-no need to apologize. Just tell me what has got you so enamored." You pause in thought. He knew. He just wanted to hear you say it. He enjoyed toying with you in that way. You gently rested your face in the palm of your hand and you resumed your staring. "You're entrancing, Amore," you confessed to him. He grins and turns back to the food in front of him. He liked hearing your confessions.

.....................................................

[hoe4sports]

“Sleep is a golden chain that links our bodies and souls together for eternity.”

Caroline Graham Hansen x reader

A/N: No triggers. Mentions of sex. You are already a couple. The story starts with heading to Lucy’s birthday.

The hot steaming rainshower was making the dimmed bathroom damp and foggy, it felt like a rainforest. You loved it. Showers were amazing. They were soothing and comforting. But they could also be exciting and fun. You were snapped violently out of your thoughts as Lucy banged on your door “Are you gonna be ready today or next year? I cannot be late to my own birthday dinner pretty girl!” Lucy teased you from the other side of the door as you got out of the shower. She had asked you last minute if she could catch a ride with you as she was planning to drink and didn’t have a driver. Truth is that you didnt either have a driver, but apperantly you were more capable than her to get a taxi. “Yea yea, it always important to be fashionably late babe!” You snapped back grinning to myself. You felt so blessed that you had made such close friends after moving across the continent. Lucy was like your sister, and Ingrid was my bestie. My ride or die.

You got yourself dry quickly and pulled on your outfit in no time. You got your hair curled loosely, and did some quick bronzy makeup with a cute subtle pink lip. You felt good about yourself and admired yourself in the mirror for one second. You had your white champagne satin dress on, but you had to use your white hoka’s. You tore my acl as a 18 year old, and you will never fully recover. That’s why you are not taking any risks. 

You swung the door open and did a dramatic pose for Lucy. “Oh Luce darling, tell me, am a looking au naturell?” I said with a dramatic french accent. “Luckily your outfit is better than your French” lucy chuckled. She was looking just as good as she always was. Pants that were just the right amount of tight to showcase her ass, and a short sleeve shirt that complimented her biceps beautifully. She often changed between pulling off masculine and feminine looks, and she knew damn well that she made it work for her. 

The pair of you both did a quick 3 shots of tequila before heading giggling out of the apartment. As you got out of the complex and found our taxi driver, Lucy laid her arm around you. It was an older man who turned up the music for us, and he was definitely in the mood for a party. You made sure to tip him well, and he told me that he was driving until 3 so you could give him a ring if anyone needed to get home safely. You appreciated the help, and took out the information card that he held out. “Ricardo Antonio Juereze Guapa” you confidently spoke out, the old man smiled and applauded your Spanish accent before waving goodbye. “Let’s do this!” You squiled as you pulled Lucy with you towards the restaurant. The vibes were immaculate, electric even. The food was incredible! And the drinks? Perhaps a tad bit too strong.. 

As you shoved down the last piece of my sorbet, you looked over at Caroline. She had showed up, but was being her usual quiet self. You raised an eyebrow towards her, and she shrugged. You motioned for her to meet you in the bathroom of the restaurant as you excused yourself to the other girls. You got to the bathroom, and did a quick sweep to make sure that there were nobody there. Then Caroline stepped in. She was wearing shorts, but not the feminine kind. She was also wearing a white t-shirt, almost see through. I could tell how they shaped around her boobs, and they revealed her white sportsbra from Calvin Klein. “Hello pretty girl” you said as she entered the bathroom and she blushed. “Hey” she smiled nervously, and you touched her cheek as she pulled closer. “You good?” You asked as she played with her hair. She gave a small nod, and you took it upon yourself to fix her hair. She stood there dumbfounded while I was going all hairstylist on her beautiful brown locks as I smacked my lips together and presented proudly “Voila!” You announced as you pulled back. She blushed again.

 “I was thinking of going home..” she mumbled as her face automatically went back to her usual serious self. “Why?” You blurred out as if you almost interrupted her. “Well, I guess this really isn’t my thing, you know?” She motioned towards the door which let through sounds of chatter and music. You nodded to her, and placed your hand on her cheek again. “That’s fair, it’s not for everyone. If you leave, I’ll definitely miss you. Such a sight for sore eyes.” You said as you smiled, clearly a bit intoxicated. She shrugged, once again, out of words. You giggled softly as you playfully brushed some of her hair from her face to behind her ear. “So dedicated and hardworking” you started as she blushed and smiled to the ground. You put your. pointing finger on her chin, and tilted her face upwards. You leaned in towards her cheek, and breathed out. “Stay, please” as your pink lips made contact with her blushed cheek and you quietly walked out.

You sat down at the table with the other girls thinking that you got away with your little act. Lucy and Ingrid made whistling noises and you pretended to be annoyed by rolling your eyes at them. After a few minutes the girls stopped the teasing and Caroline slowly eased back to the table. “Alright, Bronze! It’s your birthday, where do you wanna go next?” You announced to the table. Lucy’s face spread out in a huge grin. “Let’s go to Tito’s beach club!” Lucy responded, and with that everyone was fast up from their chairs. Some were more drunk then others, like Mapi, she was practically leaning onto Ingrid to use her as her personal walking stick. It caused you to chuck at the sight of the pair, and as they passed you teased Ingrid, “Looks like someone got a good relationship with the bartender” you sang as she rolled her eyes back at me. You made sure to wait until all the girls had gotten up from the table, just to make sure that nobody forgot any purses, phones or wallets. As you finished checking, you could see Caroline waiting by the end of the table. Your lips formed a smile, and you admired Caroline. “Waiting for me Graham?” You said as you got closer to her, our height differences once again becoming very obvious. She looked down on you as she flashed one of her shy smiles. You had talked to Ingrid previously, who told me that Caroline hadn’t ever been in a relationship. That she was too focused on work and becoming better every day. You, on the other hand, you saw straight through her act. You thought she was beautiful. You loved her physique, her face and her long neck. Plenty of space for.. Something, let’s just keep it at that. 

“Whenever you are ready” she spoke as you grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the restaurant towards the other girls. The bar was only a few blocks away, and the girls were definitely not holding back tonight. We walked together to the bar, and the girls sang a million happy birthday songs in different languages. Caroline walked in silence for the short trip, but she was walking in silence next to you. You were talking to Ingrid, as she supported Mapi towards the bar. “Okay Maps, sober up or you will be tied to a pole outside to wait like a puppy.” You announced, and just like that; Mapi pulled herself together and sobered up as if she hadn’t seen alcohol in forever. We all entered in a line as the security checked us out. When Mapi passed, you could see one of the security guards raise their eyebrows, but he waived her through. We found a table consisting of high bar chairs, and we all grouped up around it. The music was beaming and there somehow wasn’t too many people inside yet. You went to order some drinks to the table, and when you came back there were no available chairs. However, that left you with one option. You walked to where Caroline was seated. The barchair making her even taller. You blinked my lashes in front of her, and smiled. “Care if I stand in front of you?” You asked as her eyes lit up. “Uhm, no no, sure, go ahead.” She stuttered as she didn’t want to seem to excited. You just smiled, she was so cute when she was visibly nervous. You pushed myself in between her legs and leaned your hips towards her chair. Her breath was becoming heavier by the second, and her hands were slowly becoming more damp. You leaned your back towards her body, and she softened up in her posture. You could feel her hands slowly try to wrap around my waist, and you decided to just let her do it at her own pace. As the night went on, the  drinks were flowing rapidly. Caroline never moved, she was guarding you like you were a kitten. It was cute, her hands got more and more comfortable as the night went on. It almost felt as if she was warming up to you. Caroline wasn’t really someone that liked to share her private life, she liked her privacy and people say that’s how she has been since she was young. 

As the night went on, your eyelids were getting heavier by the second. You feel like it’s getting late, so you decide to check your trusty sports watch. 02.45?! oh my, you were expected to be on a meeting tomorrow so you quickly texted the taxi driver from earlier that night praying that he hadn’t went home early. He confirmed the address, and said that he would be there in 5 minutes  as he was already close by. “I’m gonna have to make it an early night.” You announced and you could see the disappointment in Caroline’s eyes. You had probably gotten 6 or 7 drinks down by now, but like the true Norwegian you were it didn’t bother you too much. Multiple of them being my favourite drink, strawberry daiquiri. Not a very lesbian like drink eh? 

One of the things with Caroline was that she had never really openly announced that she was lesbian or even bisexual. Naturally of course, as she was very private. People only knew what she wanted them to know about her. You turned your face towards Caroline, as a was already leaning between her tights. She looked at you with her big greyish blue eyes, and it melted you completely. You leaned in and hugged her tight. As expected she stiffened up like a stick, but after a few seconds she folded her long arms around you relaxing into the hug. Your face was the same height as her upper abdomen, and you were hugging her as best as you could. You looked up at her, and she looked down at me. You were busy admiring her when you suddenly blurred out, “Vil du dra sammen med meg?”. Oh my. You thought to yourself that this was a dumb decision. “Jeg mente egentlig å si; Vil du sitte på?” You corrected and tried to play it of cool. Luckily, you spoke Norwegian so that nobody but her could understand. Well, including Ingrid. «Ja» Caroline stuttered nervously “Gjerne”. She completed the sentence, and you grabbed her hand. “Alright Luce, girls, take it easy tonight. Drink water. And I’ll see you tomorrow” you announced as I dragged Caroline with me. You could hear the shock in the room when you dragged Caroline out towards the taxi. Mapi mumbled “What did she say to her?” And Ingrid shrugged “I don’t know Norwegian”. Mapi shot her an annoyed look, knowing very well that Ingrid’s first language was Norwegian.

The taxi ride was somewhat awkward as the taxi driver was trying to brighten the silence. You were just far too tired to even think, and you could feel the buzzing from the alcohol. Caroline on the other had, didn’t have a drink. She said something about it ruining her restitution, and you naturally wanted to respect her. It was a Caroline thing to say, nobody took care of her physical health like Caroline. As the ride went on, you spotted your building. It was towering over the smaller buildings around it. You pulled out your purse to pay, and to tip the driver. But as you were busy fumbling with your purse, desperately trying to find the wallet, Caroline had already paid. “Ai!! Ayos mio! Mucho gracias!! The old man yelled ecstatically. You looked at Caroline who just shrugged. He turned towards you, and smiled as wide as he could. “This is a good woman! You keep her.” He spat out as Caroline blushed. “Thank you again, and good night” you smiled as you got out of the taxi.  Us both got out and stood on the sidewalk as the taxi driver rolled down his window. “When you need a driver, I drive you! Just message me. Buenos noches, ladies.” he sang out with the biggest smile on his face. 

“What did you pay him?” You asked as he drove away. Caroline shrugged her shoulders, she was in fact a very humble person. “What he needed to be paid?” She tried, and you shook your head as you smiled. She had tipped well, and I knew because she wouldn’t let me see the receipt. “Do you wanna come up?” You asked her to break the awkward silence. “We can sit on my balcony, and have a some water or whatever you let yourself consume.” You joked, and she smiled a shy smile. “Uh. That would be nice.” She replied with eagerness in her voice. We walked towards the entrance, and you tapped the code on the little tab to be let in. In silence, we walked to the elevator and we took the elevator up to my floor.

“Apartment 1921” you said as you once again tapped in my code. “The code is 3101, feel free to use it if you want.” You said as you were focused on tapping in the code. It wasn’t easy as you felt a bit tipsy. The pair of you entered the apartment and Caroline stood there in shock taking it all in. “Wo-“ she started before you cut her off “it’s not my apartment, it’s the clubs. I just rent it, I could never in a million years buy something like this” you said ironically and laughed while you got two champagne glasses ready.

You pulled out a Norwegian drink, Farris, on the counter. My grandparents had been there two weeks prior, and they brought you all your favourite snacks. You poured the drink into the glasses. “Here you go” you said as you reached it towards Caroline that was still admiring the apartment and the views. She turned towards me and said “I don’t drink alcohol” she started as you rolled your eyes. “Babe, it’s not alcohol! It’s Farris!” Her eyes widened. You were not too sure if it was because of the Farris part or because of the babe part. You had a habit of calling everyone babe, so you raised an eyebrow.  «Oh, thats actually my favourite drink” she said as she took a sip. You giggled, and suddenly you came to the realisation that you had watermelon in the fridge. Fresh juicy watermelon! You did a turnaround and ripped the fridge open. You pulled out the bowl you had previously cut up watermelon in triangles and walked towards the balcony. Caroline willingly followed towards the stunning views. You sat down in one of chairs you had placed outside, and she slowly sat down beside me in awe of the sunset. “Here” you said, “Take some watermelon, it’s very hydrating.” You giggled as you pushed the box towards her. She smirked and grabbed a piece. “Sounds like something I would say.” She said as she took a bite. Watermelon juice went flying everywhere! In her lap; her t-shirt and even at her socks. You giggled hysterically. You loved to laugh when you were sober, but when you were drunk? Oh boy, you giggled over anything. 

“Ah, faen” Caroline swore under her breath as you giggled while she was trying to run the pink liquid off her white top. Her face was slowly turning red enough to match the watermelon. “I should get home..” Caroline reluctantly said, and as if you had just found the cure for cancer; you stood up and sprinted towards the walk in closet. You grabbed your favourite lululemon hoodie considering it was the only piece of clothing that were oversized enough to fit her tall body. “Here” you proudly said as she looked up. Her eyes widened when she saw the color of the item. “What!” You said “get the stick out of your ass” She shook her head and sighted. “I really should get going home” she mumbled as she poured down the last drop of Farris and stood up. “Oh really” you teased, “Do you have a secret girlfriend at home that is expecting you?”. Her face went red, and her eyes once again resembled an owl’s eyes.

You mentally slapped yourself for saying it, and you instantly knew that you would regret this as soon as you sobered up tomorrow morning. “I-I” she said as she mumbled the last part of the sentence. “You what?” You asked nervously, could it be that she actually had a girlfriend? Or even worse, that she was only into men? You wanted to become one with the gorgeous wooden floor in the apartment. Your train of thoughts were interrupted by her clearing up her voice. “I’ve never had a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, or anyone. I don’t really think I would like a boyfriend either as I don’t like men..” she said as you felt about 500 kg lighter. That cleared things up pretty quickly. “Never?” You asked curiously, “how come?”. She sighted again and looked more at the floors than on you. “I guess nobody has ever, uhm, you know, found me attractive or something.” she said as she swallowed for a second, visibly struggling with her words. You both went quiet for a while, and the silence was broken by your yawn. “Do you maybe wanna sleep over?” You suggested to see if she was interested. She nodded and you showed her the bedroom and the rest of the apartment. “I’m just gonna shower quickly, so I don’t smell of vodka.” You said as you headed for the shower. You had so many questions, so many things you were wondering about and so many thoughts. You were definitely a thinker, but you were also good with communication. Caroline was not the best with sharing her feelings and thoughts. Usually, the things she said sounded like she had planned to say it, especially on practice. You were thinking about how she had made friends, as you knew she was pretty close with Alexia, Ingrid and Mapi.

 My thoughts were rambling as you stood in the hot shower for what felt like ages. You popped on pyjamas as you wanted to respect her and not be naked. The pj’s was a two piece set with a shorts and a tank top with spaghetti straps. It was a sheer pink color with lace on the edges, and it was somewhat revealing. You dried your hair with a towel, leaving it to air dry while you did a quick round of skincare. Skincare was so important to you, it made you feel good and you believe that if you feel good, you look good. You stepped out of the bathroom, and walked into my bedroom expecting to see Caroline in my bed. The shock on my face when you couldn’t find her, was rather disturbing. You looked around the room and anxiety started to boil. Had you done something? Did she get the wrong signal? Was she angry? Your thoughts were cut off by a cough. A rather loud raspy cough which scared you shitless. All your senses activated, and you grabbed a hanger that you had on the hook. You slowly walked into the living room to find nobody. You checked out the bathrooms and the kitchen, even the walk in closet and the balcony. Nothing! Perhaps it was just a neighbour? Yoy settled on that explanation and shuffled to the bedroom. 

As yoy walked to the bedroom, you wanted to grab myself an extra pillow from the guest room because you were not a fan of alcoholic reflux. You walked into the guest room and there she was in all her glory. “What on earth are you doing?” You asked her as you leaned towards the doorframe. She had a confused look on her face and tilted her head as she said “wasn’t I invited to sleep over?” You giggled and made yourself a mental note to remember that she could not take a hint even if it was handed to her. “Yes, in my bed pretty girl” you said as you smiled and she suddenly became red again. “Oh, it’s just that.. I have never..I’m not into..” she started. You were just as confused as her about where this conversation was headed.

 It suddenly clicked in your mind. She thought that you were trying to one night stand her! “This is not a one night stand”you said as you smiled and moved towards her. “I’m just trying to get to know you better, okay? I’m taking it slow with you.” You assured her as you reached your hand out. She took the blanket off her and grabbed your hand as she followed you to the main bedroom. “Besides I said, in this room; there is a big ass flatscreen” you said as she entered. She looked at it and nodded. You hopped into bed, and girl. She had never cuddled anyone in her entire life. She slid into the bed and was as stiff as a stick. “Do you need help?” You asked her and she nodded desperately. “Alright, this is how you cuddle. The big spoon is the one holding the other person. The small spoon is the one being held.” You stated as you turned yourself around. She was laying flat on her back, so you curled up next to her on your side. “Then, you move this arm and hold in here” you stated as you positioned yourself and her. You laid your head on her chest and held around her with your other arm as you were almost laying on your belly. She adjusted, and let out a releaved breath. “I think I like this” she said, and you lifted your head as you looked up at her. You smiled, and continued “this is cuddling. You can stroke my back, play with my hair, kiss the top of my head or just lay still.” You said as you yawned. She softened once again, and started breathing heavily. Then you both drifted off to sleep. 

[love-little-lotte]

A Look Into My New Guilty Pleasure: Poldark (2015 Series)

My biggest weakness is period dramas — especially period dramas with a talented cast, sweeping romance, terrific scenes (preferably set in some kind of country/provincial side), and lots and lots and lots of just sitting around and talking.

That's probably why Poldark has captured my heart. As a big fan of Outlander, it's no surprise that I fell in love with this show. Outlander and Poldark have so many similarities that I may make a lengthy post about it, but for today, let me just rant about my new guilty pleasure. I'm so obsessed with this show that I actually finished watching the entire five seasons in one week!

Poldark is based on Winston Graham's novels and adapted by Debbie Horsfield. I was so excited to start this show, with a male protagonist originally written by a man, created and written for a series by a woman. I haven't read Graham's novels (I'm going to one of these days, I swear!), so I'm not sure how well Debbie's adaption worked. I've read many Reddit threads, though, and some fans of the novel are not that impressed with how she omitted and added details to the show (will get back to this once I've read the books or at least the seven ones that were used in the show). The show has also been adapted in the 70s, so this was not the first time Graham's novels were seen onscreen!

Despite not having read the books, I fell in love with the story, the characters, and the cast! The show follows Ross Poldark returning to Cornwall after fighting in the American War in the 1780s. He looks forward to marrying his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth but, believing him to be dead, is now engaged to his cousin Francis. He then tries to resurrect his family's mining business and hires a young girl Demelza to be his kitchen maid (whom he eventually marries) while also crossing paths with the villain George Warleggan, a corrupted banker who stops at nothing to ruin Ross's prospects and personal life. As the show progresses, we also meet other characters, including Prudie and Jud, Ross's servants, Verity, Ross's cousin and Francis's sister; Ross's friend Dr. Dwight Enys and his love interest Caroline Penvenen; Sam and Drake Carne, Demelza's brothers, and Morwenna Chynoweth, Drake's love interest.

Yes, this show has a large ensemble cast, and trust me, there always comes a point when you hate or love them. Especially our protagonist Ross Poldark. Ross... is an interesting character. He's terribly, terribly flawed and many times times, I'm so infuriated with him to the point that I want him to suffer. I swear, you cannot go through this series without screaming at Ross. (When that moment came up in Season 2, I swear I had my middle finger ready every time Ross showed up on my screen from then on.)

But my favorite character in the show is Demelza, Ross's wife who started as his kitchen maid. She's the heart of the show, the voice of reason, and even though she makes questionable decisions along the way, you can't help but get on her side no matter what. She's the perfect fiery yet gentle match to Ross's stubbornness. He treats her like shit many times in this show, which makes me angry to no end, but they eventually grow to be understanding, loving partners.

And it also helps that Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson have one of the best romantic chemistries I've ever seen. They're terrific actors as well and they bring the characters to life so effortlessly. They just seem like they have the best time shooting this show. I kind of want to rewatch Loving Vincent now just because they're in that movie, even just in supporting roles.

Poldark is a roller coaster, with so many ups and downs (mostly downs, to be honest, please give Demelza a break!) My favorite season has got to be Season 1. Season 1 had the best Ross and I loved the early stages of his relationship with Demelza. It also has my favorite episode: Season 1, Episode 8. That episode broke me so much, thanks to Aidan and Eleanor's perfect performances. It's the only time I ever cried watching this show. I usually cry in period dramas (I've cried countless times in Outlander and Downton Abbey), but for some reason, I only cried once in Poldark. Most of the time, I'm annoyed and infuriated (hahaha but I still love it!)

The romance in Poldark is also quite unique, something I haven't seen before. Ross and Demelza emotionally hurt each other many times in this show, and they don't have the best communication. It's not an ideal marriage, but that's what makes it so raw and real. It hurts when Ross sleeps with his first love Elizabeth or when Demelza falls for the much-sensitive Hugh Armitage, but these are challenges people face all the time, and it's interesting to view it in characters and circumstances through 18th-century lenses. Plus, it can be very tiring to see perfect couples onscreen all the time. So watching Ross and Demelza's relationship thrive, suffer, and reconcile is very refreshing to me.

Nevertheless, Ross and Demelza are still able to work together. Seasons 2 and 3 showcase the worst moments of their marriage, from infidelities to insecurity, but the love between them still perseveres and they learn to forgive. In the end, they realize that they belong together.

And despite the unconventional marriage, Poldark is not a stranger to grand romantic gestures. Two of my favorite Ross and Demelza moments occur in Season 2:

A real funny, old-married-couple type of bicker in The Beach Scene:

And of course, showing all intimacy in The Stocking Scene:

(Let's just not talk about what happened 2 episodes after this!)

The romance in Poldark not only ends with Ross and Demelza. We also got two really good couples in the series: Dwight and Caroline and Drake and Morwenna.

And these love stories don't just happen! They're fleshed-out characters with proper backgrounds and their own problems, especially Drake and Morwenna's relationship. Morwenna is one of my favorite characters, and she doesn't deserve all the shit thrown at her. The last season of Poldark is not the best (bordering on bad, actually, especially the last two episodes), but watching Drake and Morwenna get their happy ending is worth it.

Finishing all five seasons is bittersweet. I enjoyed most of the story and fell in love with different characters. I kind of regret watching everything in one week haha. But what can I say? As soon as I finish each episode, I'm so tempted to start another episode. I think the last time I stayed up until 5 AM the next morning to watch TV shows was Yellowjackets. Poldark's just too good to binge! It's one of my favorite TV shows now. Maybe I'll watch Sanditon next...

I want to write more about Poldark soon, maybe a comparison with Outlander or maybe just a post about each character. I realized I hadn't talked much about Elizabeth, Francis, and George in this post; I was too preoccupied with the love story aspects and Ross and Demelza. We'll see!

[forasecondtherewedwon]

Just Like Andy Warhol Said

Fandom: Daisy Jones & The Six Pairing: Eddie x Camila Rating: E Word Count: 3992

Summary: The night before Billy's discharged from the rehab clinic, Eddie tries not to think about what it'll be like when Camila gets her husband back. Unfortunately, it's pretty fucking hard not to think about her when she finds him sitting alone. Or; in the Dunne-Alvarez infidelity wars, Camila draws first blood.

It feels like it’s the night before the world gets made. Or annihilated. Eddie can’t tell or decide. What’s for sure is Billy gets out of the clinic tomorrow. Graham’s supposed to pick him up. Eddie’s glad it’s not him. If everybody else’d said no, he’d have done it, because even though Camila made it clear by her silence that she’s sure as hell not going to get him, Eddie knows she wants Billy back. Whether she wants him back back is harder to say.

This is some kind of ending—an end to the months of relative normalcy. Without Billy, they’ve still been a band, but a band without gigs, let alone a tour. And it’s actually been… alright. Hell, they’re still in fucking California. And Eddie’s been building his new bass, working on it whenever he likes. He never would’ve gotten to do that if they were on tour and then back in the studio, recording another album. Another thing he wouldn’t have been able to do if not for Billy’s cataclysmic fuck-up is be there for Camila and Julia the way he has. Nobody asked him to be, but Eddie doesn’t mind. He never minds. If it helps Camila, he never could. When Billy comes back, well, Eddie might have to take his bow, leave the parenting to the parents, the husbanding to the husband. It’s a thought that makes him clench his teeth bitterly.

He hasn’t spent these months trying to replace Billy. The fact of it, Eddie thinks, is that nobody should. Cam and Jules don’t need a Billy to make them wait up, let them down, blow too much of the cheque on booze. What they need is, well, somebody like Eddie. He wouldn’t be the worst choice. He’s here, for one thing. He’s reliable, and he’s decent—apart from wanting nothing more than to break up Billy and Camila’s marriage. If Billy needs any help in that department. When Eddie pictures it (and he does), he and Camila are really good for each other. He supports and loves her, and she relieves him of the burden of trying to hide how much.

He's thinking about her when he hears her footsteps in the room connected to the deck, but her sudden presence is still startling. He quickly sits upright in his chair, pulling the joint he just lit back out from between his lips. (Better than chain-smoking cigarettes, and he’s trying to cool it about Billy.)

“I wasn’t sure anybody was home,” Camila says, emerging from the darkened room to step out onto the deck. Her voice is as soft and bright as the stars way up above them. “Where is everybody?”

“They went out. I think they were thinkin’ one last night to get totally shitfaced.”

Before Billy gets back and they have to worry about the guy he was the last time they all saw him. Eddie doesn’t need to say it, so he keeps it to himself. Camila knows. Anyway, she nods like she does.

“That’s… sorta sweet,” she settles on. She smiles ironically. “Except for the part where nobody invited me.”

“Probably just thought you were busy with the baby,” Eddies says. He doesn’t know why he’s covering for them. He never would’ve forgotten Cam.

“Yeah, well, my mom’s with her.” Camila hasn’t sat down yet, but after sweeping her eyes along the horizon, she turns them on Eddie and the joint pinched between his dangling fingers. “Are you smoking that?”

His arm comes to life like Victor Frankenstein electrified it, jerking upward. God, why can he never be cool around her?

He tries to be, tries harder, joint back in the corner of his mouth as he tickles the end with his lighter ’til it catches. Camila sits and Eddie inhales, then passes it to her. Slowly exhaling smoke, he takes snatching glimpses of her delicate hold on the paper he licked and rolled. He gets lost in the careless way she tosses back her dark sheet of hair. And then the joint’s touching her lips, trapped between them, and his mouth is so dry he has to swallow. Cam streams a column of smoke skyward. She hands it back, and Eddie takes a second hit automatically. Shit. This was supposed to relax him, but Cam’s fingers brush his on the next exchange, and then he kinda just fails to look away. He stares at the graceful bend of her arm. At her mouth. Good god, her mouth. Her mouth wrapped around the same joint he just had clamped between his own lips.

She laughs when she sees him looking at her. Unconcerned, not at all suspicious. And why should she be suspicious, when he’s worked damn hard to stay a gentleman?

Her fingers flick the joint, spraying fine ash into the air.

“What?” Camila demands, the laugh still in her voice.

Here’s where Eddie says, Nothing.

Except he says, “You know what,” low and sure, and keeps his gaze on her—heavy, like he wants to be on top of her. Hot, like they could be if they got out of this night air and he took her to bed. Just once.

Cam blinks a bunch of times, as if the ash she scattered blew back into her eyes. But that’s not it. And Eddie sits there and waits to see how the disbelief on the face of the woman he loves resolves itself; will she be horrified or pleased? Is he the guy trying to ruin her marriage, or the only one who can still see her there inside it, apart from it. Eddie doesn’t want his words to reach Camila Dunne. He wants Camila Alvarez. Wants her every which way.

Camila drops her eyes, then glances around for the ashtray, leaving the joint tilted against its rim. Eddie doesn’t know what’s going on. He expects her to leave him—not leave him, but leave, meeting his flirtation with the no-uncertain-terms rejection it probably deserves. Things’ll be awkward for a few days, or maybe a while, but she’ll have Billy home to distract her, and Eddie’ll have his usual misery. And then they’ll just forget. Or pretend to.

Eddie’s resigning himself to this when Camila leans across the arm of her chair towards him. His eyes widen, are still open when she kisses him. He starts to shake his head in confusion, but Camila says, “Shhh,” touching his lips with her finger, then her mouth. Again.

This will never be spoken of—the scuff of chair legs as Eddie tries to turn towards Cam with his whole body, the way he clutches the back of her head through her hair, the feel of her heart when she takes his hand and guides it to her chest—but still, Eddie wishes it could be known that he didn’t hesitate for a second.

It’s Camila, so of course Eddie’s already getting hard when she climbs out of her chair and into his, sitting on his lap as they kiss hotly. She doesn’t kiss him the way he’s seen her kiss Billy, with her arm draped loosely around the back of his neck. Eddie’s seen that enough to notice, to assess how Camila’s hold seems designed to direct Billy’s wandering attention to her, how Billy will often sling his own arm around her waist with equal looseness. Taking her for granted—that’s what Billy’s posture always says to Eddie. Eddie’s not gonna do that, so when Camila hangs onto him tightly, he does the same. His hand kneads her thigh through her thin dress, and her fingers dig into his shoulder as her head tilts to keep pace with their furious kissing.

When Eddie parts her lips with his tongue, Cam releases this rough, reaching moan. He shifts her so she’ll feel the length of his dick against her hip. She leans into him, making him grunt. After a few seconds, he brings his hand to the top of her thigh. Encouragingly, Camila gathers the fabric of her dress, hitching it up her legs as their tongues twist together in her mouth. Eddie’s palm runs up the smooth path of skin she makes for him, all the way to her underwear, cotton against his fingertips.

“You want…?” he chokes out.

“Uh huh,” Camila pants back.

She gives him a little space, and he takes it. He’s used to this, taking whatever she’ll give him: genuine praise during band practice back in Pittsburgh, a companionable arm linked through his, a kiss on the cheek at her wedding. He collects her words and touches and moments of fleeting but intense affection like he can build something with them, some kind of mosaic that might look like love from a distance. And now she gives him this—the moan she lets out when he contorts his wrist to slip his hand into her underwear and find her clit.

He wonders, as he reaches lower to wet his fingertips in her arousal and Camila sucks his tongue, whether they missed the moment where they could’ve paused to talk about this, or whether there never was one. Did they decide, silently, not to discuss it? Is it pointless to talk about what this means? There are words that could be said—infidelity, for one—but Eddie can’t find it in himself to give a shit. Nudging his thumb against her clit, he presses two fingers inside her. Camila’s body squeezes them. Maybe they don’t need much more conversation than that.

Camila’s hip keeps his cock pinned to his abdomen, the fly of his jeans digging in on the other side. It feels appropriately painful to Eddie; whatever he has to suffer for this, he’ll do it. He starts rocking his hand so his fingers slip in and out of her. At some point, they stop kissing and just rest their faces together with their eyes closed, listening to him fuck her with his hand. Already sitting across his lap, Cam makes herself even longer when she tips her head back, groaning at the pressure he puts on her clit. His dick throbs at the knowledge that she’s going to remember this. She can’t not.

When Camila gets off, it seems to only make her hornier, and Eddie decides that means she doesn’t think this is a mistake. She doesn’t climax and then come to her senses and scurry back into the house. No. Limply, the back of her neck damp with sweat when he rubs her there, Camila eases away from him just enough to unbutton and unzip his jeans. Eddie sighs as the pressure vanishes. His fingers are still buried in her, her cunt throbbing around them. When she gets his fly open and his briefs jerked down in front to expose him, she reaches between her legs for his hand. With her wetness still glossy on his fingers, she folds his willing hand into a fist around his cock. Her hand covers his. Eddie groans like he aches because smearing her arousal down his length makes the stroke so slick.

That it could be like this never entered his mind. Every time he’s imagined the two of them, it’s him doing whatever she asks for. Him fucking her slow, for hours. His face between the stifling press of her thighs as he laps her cunt, clit, and curls. He’s pictured himself being up for anything Billy wasn’t doing for her, or wasn’t doing well. In the thoughts he has almost every night—and sometimes in his dreams—Eddie volunteers his body to her, just to be the one who meets her needs. He never considered that part of her pleasure might come from tending to his.

Camila pulls his shirt up, maybe only meaning to get it out of the way, but Eddie quits pumping himself long enough to pull it all the way off and throw it on the deck. Their hands close around his dick again, and now Cam’s tucking her hair behind her ear and lightly kissing his chest. He imagines her mouth where their hands are. He can’t help it. She probably knows, possibly even wants him to. But he���s a safe man to tease, won’t make a crude comment or force her head down to his lap. He’s predictable.

She’s not.

Camila slides from his lap, dropping to the deck like a petal from a flowering tree. Her left hand rubs long strokes over his thigh, keeping the spot where she was sitting warm. Eddie likes the sound of her hand against the denim. Her right hand nudges his aside and grips the base of his dick. Her grip controls his twitching so she can wrap her lips around the head.

Warm.

Wet.

Shaping and reshaping around him.

He wishes he could put a pair of headphones over Camila’s ears right about now to muffle the sounds he’s making, but she doesn’t seem put off. Eddie finds it hard to look right at what her mouth is doing, so he places a hand high on her chest—like before, when she led him to her heartbeat—and stares at that. She keeps her eyes down until she raises her whole head. Her hand takes over, trying to stand in for the suction of her cheeks and the wet caress of her tongue, and her lips part like she’s going to ask him a question. He comes then, before she can speak. Even then, she’s tender, not speaking as she slackens her strokes and releases him. She kisses his knee over his jeans. He’ll never know what she was going to say.

If this is it, Eddie thinks, it’s been everything. His chest is still heaving, and he feels like liquid in this chair, and Cam is leaning her arm casually across his leg and resting her cheek on it. They’re quiet for a few minutes. The most peaceful few minutes of his life. There are stars, and insect noises, and lights on in a house a little way down the canyon.

Finally, she stands.

“Come on, Eddie,” Camila says, not urgent, not weary, but as though it’s inevitable.

She goes into the house, trusting him to follow. He’d have to be dead not to. Honestly, he’d have to be dead.

He tucks himself away and pulls his pants up, but leaves them open. He has a feeling he knows where Cam is, in this insane alternate reality of his life. Before he goes there, he hits the bathroom to clean himself up, to look into his own eyes in the mirror a minute. That guy’s probably the only person he’ll ever get to tell about any of this. If things were different, Eddie would be putting his love for Camila on billboards. He wouldn’t be writing sappy, crappy songs about her that don’t make the album, fighting half-heartedly when they’re replaced by shit that’s both better and meaner. He’d be making the Camila songs the best songs in the first place—songs so good they wouldn’t get replaced. He’d build those tracks like a temple to her. He’d pity nonbelievers.

She’s in his bedroom, like he thought she’d be. He can’t recall her ever being in here before, even the day they moved in; maybe that’s a coincidence, maybe not. Because Camila looks so restless sitting on the end of his bed, Eddie’s careful to step inside and not block the door. In case she wants to bolt. They’ve established too many truths tonight for her to retreat into ignorance, but if she’s accepted all of those—that he loves her, that she’s willing to cheat on her husband to let Eddie love her—and just doesn’t want to feel him inside her, that’s her choice.

He stands with his hands in his pockets.

“Come here, Eddie.”

Does she like saying his name?

He jerks his thumb towards the door.

“You want that closed?”

Camila laughs, and it’s not very nice. Somehow, she mixes bitterness with abandon, but it still sounds good to him. Eddie gets it—getting caught might not be any more dire than giving themselves permission to do this in the first place. Warren’s amazement or Graham’s fury or Karen’s sad understanding can’t make Camila’s infidelity worse. A door can’t keep this contained.

“Yes, please.”

Eddie shuts the door.

There could be a joke in the fact that Cam’s probably only ever had sex with one person while Eddie got laid like crazy during the tour, but she’s the only one he’s ever felt more than passing lust for. If not a joke, a moral. If not a moral, a nonsensical tragedy. There are condoms in his nightstand, his bass case, the pocket of a different pair of jeans he needs to wash. She can pick. He’ll protect her from himself in that way at least.

Closing the door appears to have subdued her restlessness, because she stands and drops her dress in one motion, leaving Eddie gobsmacked. For a moment, he worries he’s too stoned for this; the world seems to contract around them until there’s only the distance between him and her, the edges too soft to be real. But he walks towards her like he’s

calmer than he is. Camila runs her hand up his chest to his shoulder and won’t let go until he steps near enough to kiss her.

Kissing her standing up is… real in a way it hasn’t yet been. Kissing standing up is like a greeting or a parting, casual and formal at the same time, and most of all, habitual. That’s the thing—they’re kissing like they do this all the time. Kissing standing up, Eddie suspects, is the thing that will destroy him if he does it much longer. What kind of clinics do they have for that?

So, they get in bed, where they both want to be. Eddie’s jeans on the bedroom floor, Camila’s long, bare legs twining around his under the sheet. She keeps her bra on (will she leak otherwise, because of the baby? Eddie doesn’t want to bring up her life beyond this room, so he doesn’t ask), but lets him drag her underwear off before her fingers find the band of his and do the same. It’s so, so easy, terrifyingly easy. He gets the condom on like he's done this before—which he has, but not this. They hold each other close, panting, and Eddie pushes inside her.

The night takes on a beautiful silence. The soft dimness of his room without the light on is a closer blackness than the night sky, but he has world enough just looking down at Camila, and then up at Camila, a quick smile on her lips as his hands steady her. Once she gets situated, she rides him. Her head falls back a second with her moan. Eddie’s not exactly keeping his head himself, but he’s trying to breathe as normally as he can while Cam sets a pace neither fast nor slow. He wouldn’t immediately call it fucking, but it isn’t lovemaking either. What Camila does is ride him with her whole body, from the thighs that tense as his hands glide over them to the hips that roll, to the full breasts that bounce (oh yeah, he’s gonna be seeing that in his dreams ’til the end of time), the shoulders that hitch, the mouth that hangs slack when he thrusts just right. And her hands are all over him: covering his hands, clawing his chest, gripping his hair. It seems impossible to Eddie that he could be doing this much right, be making Camila feel this good, but then he clocks his doubt as an inferiority complex. There’s another asshole out there in the world who probably makes her feel half this good and is twice as confident about it.

Say my name, he thinks, one hand slipped so carefully into the cup of her bra and the other between her thighs, rubbing her clit with the wetness that overflows from where she rises and falls on his dick. Say it. Just once like this. He massages with more intent, then eases back, massages, and eases.

There are tears on Camila’s face when she finally gasps, “Eddie!”

“I’m here, Cam. Right here.”

She comes, throwing herself up and down on him, exactly as demanding as he wants her to be. God, he thinks. Need me.

Her body’s still clenching around him as she slumps, panting. Eddie wouldn’t insist while she took what she needed, but he’s not wholly selfless; when he fills this condom, he wants to be nose to nose with her. He wants whatever approximation of love he can generate by seeing his own adoration reflected back at him in her eyes. When she folds over him, when she allows him to handle her, he rolls them to lay her beneath. He kisses her and finishes watching the calm trust in her face. I’ll be here, Camila. I will. Me.

It's not as awkward as it probably could be, after. Neither of them makes excuses for the other’s or their own decisions. Life just… goes on. Scanning her eyes around his bedroom, Cam asks when he’s going to get to his laundry, and Eddie snorts softly. He tells her he’ll get to it. The place doesn’t smell yet, does it? No, she agrees it doesn’t, and Eddie holds so very still as she cuddles up to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

He’d sooner die than talk about it, but every second they don’t address the fact that Billy’s coming home tomorrow starts to feel like another splinter off Eddie’s ribcage, little fragments of bone turning inward to point towards his heart. It’s uncomfortable. If he waits, it’ll probably be deadly. The first time he sees them together again… he anticipates that it’ll feel like shrapnel striking his chest. Nothing major hit. He’ll live. He’ll be able to go on. But some stupid part of him wants to know now, wants a mercy kill.

And now there’s a question he doesn’t ask, because Camila sits up and swings her legs over the side of his bed. Bewildered, Eddie watches her getting dressed.

“I need to get back,” she says, pulling her dress over her head. “For Jules.”

“Of—” His throat is thick. He clears it. “Of course.”

He’s sitting with his knees bent up, tenting the sheet, arms laid across them. He knows what he’s watching now: he’s watching Cam debate with herself whether she should go back for one more kiss. Maybe she’s wondering what that kiss would feel like, the tone it would set to close this escapade out. Eddie knows his eyes are too serious. As if he can help it. She’s his whole damn reason for being.

So, with her hand on the doorknob, she looks at him like she’s waiting for him to bring up Billy, and he looks back at her, waiting for that kiss—just a sign, that’s all either of them wants. Some demonstration of devotion. Eddie needs to be a little brutal, or Camila a little sweet, and they’ll know how things stand.

Cam lets go of the doorknob, hand falling gently to her side.

“When Billy gets back—” Eddie blurts.

It makes Camila cut him off: “I can’t.”

She grasps the doorknob again and slips out of the room.

It kills him, but he had to. After all of it, he just had a feeling one more kiss would be the thing Camila couldn’t bear. He’d rather she loves him and leaves him than the other way around. Rather not watch it pain her to keep trying to figure out what to do with him. Eddie brought Billy into the room with them to keep things simple.

He could’ve told her he loves her instead.

But then the closed door would’ve hurt more.

[spoofymcgee]

people are like 'oh thirteen is so emotionally closed off and never talks about her past'

like the doctor ever has?

like eleven mentioned rose or martha or donna or the master even once?

clara already knew everything about the doctor but if he ever mentions regeneration or gallifrey or his previous companions or explains missy to bill then i don't remember it

martha and rose knew about each other and donna knew about both of them because they were intertwined in all of ten's seasons and kept reappearing and his era is like. comparatively short? like he has seven years. that's it. but still, he doesn't talk about jack, he doesn't talk about the time war or gallifrey or the master unless and until he absolutely has to

the doctor knows what they were like with and without their memories, charging straight into a new situation right after losing their last companion. they did that with martha and the whole point of the season is that it doesn't work. they can't do it. they can't move from one person to the next that quickly.

(amy and rory to clara doesn't count because clara was there before, donna to amy and rory doesn't count because there was time there in the specials before they regenerated)

they also know what they're like without that. they know there's a difference between how they were with bill, with all the memories of clara surgically removed and distanced, between how they are with enough time to grieve and then move on.

but she doesn't have time. thirteen lands and immediately makes new friends and starts traveling with them and they're fresh off losing bill, maybe two days before, and they don't have the time, and they don't want to replace her because that's not fair to her or to ryan yaz and graham, but the memories and the grief and the fault are there and not going anywhere.

so they jump between people and guns and talk fast and desperate and pleading instead of grand and sweeping and arrogant and they try to convince ryan and yaz and graham to stay instead of asking them along. and she doesn't focus on the past and she lives in the moment because they aren't ready to move on but they don't have a choice.

and yeah, they make it a plot point, and yeah she's forced to confront her past anyway and that's the point and maybe she should share that with her companions and rely on them instead of hiding it.

but it's hard to ask for help, and it's hard to let people know you're hurting and be honest with them. and the last times she got her companions involved with the master it ended horribly. so, you know, i think it makes sense.

[faggotryandtransjesterism]

i've been thinking about people who write hannibal fics, and how incorporating will's louisiana upbringing could be so hard if you didn't grow up there, and it just so happens that i did grow up there! so i'm making a little list of things about louisiana that people might not know. go forth and write cajun will graham!

food: first off, there's a lot of things that are very specific to poor people in louisiana. i didn't realize until relatively recently that these weren't things everyone ate. molasses and milk (poor man's chocolate milk. honey and milk also is a thing, but molasses is more common bc of all the cane fields.) actually, let me just get a whole category out of the way: put everything in milk. cornbread and milk (with honey or sugar dumped in to sweeten it, this is a whole meal, we used to eat this for dinner), oats and milk (raw oats. with sugar.), crackers and milk (saltines. i'm not joking.), literally put any carb in milk and that's a cajun dish. dinner foods you see a lot of are things like jambalaya, gumbo (pro tip, gumbo is always better on the second and third day, and you eat it with potato salad), etouffee (if you look this up, you'll see a lot of fancy shit, this is not fancy. it's the slimiest gravy pot full of meat and veggies.) everything has rice, you can't eat dinner without rice. sweet potatoes are big, a lot more common than regular ones. okra is also very very common.

environment: we all know louisiana has a lot of bayous, but a lot of people have never seen one i guess? and have no idea what that looks like. it's not like shrek swamp kind of deal. the water's not that filthy most of the time, at least not to look at. you've got a lot of foliage on top of the water mostly. cypress trees are the big thing that makes a bayou look like a bayou. cypress trees with spanish moss all over them. the line between a bayou and a lake isn't big, and a lot of them are connected. also. (about to tell you something that will blow your mind.) swamps are full of nutria rats. (but percy, what are nutria rats? (pronounced noo-tra rats)) they look like small capybaras with long thick tails, and by small i mean they gut up to 20 pounds. 3 feet. they're actually adorable though. alligators are common, they're not aggressive, you just have to keep an eye on them. there's usually saw palmettos around the edges of the water. outside of swamps, though, something you'll notice is there are sugar cane fields everywhere. there's also live oak trees, which if you've never seen, are beautiful. they do exist in other places, but they grow differently in louisiana bc of all the water. they have enormous, sweeping branches that dip down onto the ground sometimes, and they're (once again) full of spanish moss.

culture: in louisiana, some people speak cajun french. this is not the same as parisian french, and it's not always mutually intelligible. also, there's really very few people left who speak it, and it's mostly older folks. for example, my grandpa learned french before he learned english, but he didn't pass it on to his kids, and now he has very few people to speak it with. cajun music is a pretty unique thing, you've usually got an accordion, a fiddle, a bass, that kind of thing. some songs off the top of my head are jolie blonde, opelousas sostan, the boscoe stomp; there's also a lot of instrumental music, because it's all actually dancing music! cajun dancing is a whole thing that, once again, is dying out and mostly older folks know how to do it (my grandparents took me dancing all the time, so that, at least, i know). you might be able to look it up, but keep in mind, if you see something that looks more like square dancing, that's not what i'm talking about. (if you want a demo send me an ask lol, i can explain. in the meantime, i used to dance at randol's in lafayette, and the best band was donny broussard, so look those up on youtube if you want to hear cajun music.) zydeco is a whole other genre, and honestly not one i know much about, but it is an integral part of cajun culture.

that's all i can think of for now, but if i think of anything else, i'll add on. if you have any questions, my ask box is open!

[therummesoccupied]

IDW'S SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, ISSUE #73 - THOUGHTS

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD

You'll never guess what happened.

I've once again waited until a couple hours before a new comic release to write my review of the previous one.

Shocking, I know.

I feel like a broken record at this point, saying that Min Ho Kim is really good at pencils. It's a fact so objective that it's been imprinted on the fabric of the universe at this point. On-model, expressive, excellent conveyance of motion. I hope I keep seeing their art until I'm sick of it. Or I die. Whichever comes first.

Reggie Graham also continues to be really good at colors. More please.

On the story side, Evan does a really terrific job of increasing the tension in the writing, making it crystal clear that we're building up to the climax of this story arc.

There's a sort of static electricity in the way this scene is portrayed, like everybody here knows something is about to happen.

But before any of this, we finally get to see Clutch make his move.

It's amazing how... quietly it all goes down. Verbally, he keeps up the facade, carefully insisting that everything he does is for the good of the event, all while wearing the most obvious shit-eating grin as he makes half-veiled threats and seizes complete control of the entire operation.

There's no sudden, dramatic shift, or grand declaration of his victory. No, that's Dr. Eggman's style. Clutch handles things far more eloquently. Just a quick conversation and it's done. I continue to be amazed at the ways Evan finds to distinguish this character. He's so easy to dismiss early on, he seems like such a small fish in such a big pond compared to the likes of Eggman and Starline, but that same tendency to overlook him is precisely what makes him every bit as dangerous as they are.

And so, with everyone wound around Clutch's fingers, we move into our final, climactic showdown. The Babylon Rogues vs. The Diamond Cutters vs. Surge & Kit vs. the Phantom Rider.

Now, at this point, after everything that's happened, my hot take is that Surge is the true main character of this whole Riders storyline. She has gotten so much to do here. Being yanked around by Clutch, getting her first true taste of heroism, learning to enjoy it not just for the fame, but for the positive impact it makes, trying to break away from Clutch, all to be harshly reigned in and left desperately searching for a way to claim the freedom Sonic has spent all this time telling her she could have.

And this scene shows her, pushed to her breaking point, pulling her last gambit. Relying not on overwhelming strength - that's never worked when dealing with Sonic - but on sacrifice and careful, tactical planning.

Here, Surge throws herself into the fray and willingly lets herself take a beating...

... all to expose Sonic as the Phantom Rider.

This is such a cool move, because it complicates things so badly. For Clutch, it shows the entire planet that world-renowned hero Sonic the Hedgehog has been actively working against Clean Sweep Inc., and many people are going to be wondering why. Surge also calls out to Clutch, saying that she's done her job, and "destroyed the Phantom Rider," which also tells the world that Clean Sweep and it's operatives were actively trying to kill world-renowned hero Sonic the Hedgehog. Even if not everyone puts the pieces together, it still sends a lot of negative attention in Clean Sweep's direction.

Of course, this also has some implications for Sonic - A bastion of peace and harmony, an idolized figure in this world, was kicked out of charity sporting event, and subsequently infiltrated said event in disguise, disrupting proceedings, antagonizing security, and even putting other participants in danger a few times. Throw in the acts of outright violence Mimic committed while disguised as the Phantom, and this could do a lot of damage to Sonic's reputation. Not that he really cares - he said as much last issue - but I think he underestimates how much easier his heroism is due to his nearly-universal positive public reception. It's really interesting to imagine how Sonic will move forward trying to protect a world that doesn't really trust him, especially with his outright rejection of authority.

Then we get one of my established favorite tropes - Main characters meet long-established side characters for the first time! Tails, Amy, and also Belle meet Don, who has snuck onto the Restoration Shuttle looking for the Chaotix. I love Amy's immediate response to Don, it's so nice to see her hot-headed and snarky side in this story.

It doesn't take them long to find the Chaotix, since Belle knows the shuttle inside and out, and knows exactly where they'd be kept.

I do have to say, I love the way all these panels in the engine room are colored. Being inspired by the Sonic Riders games, everything in this arc has looked so clean and futuristic, then you get down here and it's rough, red, musty bolts and steel. It's such a sharp contrast, and it makes me appreciate Graham's colors even more.

The issue ends with Tails, Amy, and co. being confronted by Clutch and his security crew, who have no intent of letting them walk away. Clutch seems absolutely set to throw down, but it makes me wonder: What exactly does he expect to accomplish here? I've made the point so many times over the course of this arc, that Clutch never wins the day with overwhelming force, he does so through cunning schemes and careful manipulations. So how does he expect to fare against Amy Rose and Miles Prower, legendary adventurers known for running around with Sonic the Hedgehog, let alone the Chaotix, Don, and Belle, with only his cane-gun, a couple of bumbling mercenaries, and four run-of-the-mill security goons?

I dunno, maybe he has some grander plan for this encounter, but I just can't see him as a credible threat in an actual face-to-face fight. Who knows, he's definitely desperate, so maybe we'll get a chance to see how far that desperation will push him.

We have two more issues left in the Phantom Riders arc before we finally move onto the newly announced Scattered Pieces. At the risk of spoiling a bit...

Going by the cover art we've seen so far, it looks like Clutch and Mimic will be remaining as focal antagonists for a bit, so it appears that Phantom Riders will not be the end of the overarching Clean Sweepstakes saga. It's possible the solicitations say more, but I don't read those since I often find them to be a bit too spoiler-y for my tastes. Still, I'm really curious to see how this all plays out and what the aftermath will look like.

I combed the letters section for any important info this time around, and nothing really jumped out at me. We did recently see the announcement of an upcoming Sonic/DC Comics crossover, and that could be the crossover that was teased in the letters a few months ago, though it looks like the crossover comic will be published by DC and IDW will not be involved, so it's possible that we may have an entirely separate crossover story coming in the future.

Maybe that's just me coping since, while I like both Sonic and DC a lot, I don't really feel like they work very well as a crossover. Ian's a competent writer, though. If anyone can make it work, it's him. Here's hoping I still get my Sonic/Godzilla crossover someday, though.

Anyhow, as always, thanks for reading! I'mma go get ready for the 2024 Annual to drop, and I'll get that review out... sometime before the next issue releases!

[cottoncandy-cult]

Slippery Accidents

Yuma Mukami X Daughter! Reader

This man is the love of my life as far as DL is concerned, Yuma will always be in my top 10. Even top 5. I found an amv for Lucas Graham's 7 years that was nothing but Yuma and it's honestly my favorite amv aside from one for Mikoto Suoh involving Hollywood Undead's song Lion.

(Y/n) giggled as she played in the woods, her father always let her play out in the forest during the day. Currently she was trying to see how high she could climb; she had gotten pretty high up as she couldn't make out the details of the ground anymore. Deciding she was high enough she went to climb down, though a rough wind swept through and drew her attention to the sky. She noticed that light blue was quickly growing darker, a sudden storm beginning to sweep in. She rushed to try and climb down, but another wind made a branch shake under her feet and sent her crashing down.

-

-

With Yuma

-

-

The large man sat up with a yawn, he had been napping on one of the couches in the den for the last hour since it had been a nice a day. Though now it wasn't so nice, rain was pouring down, and the skies were dark. He was surprised to see it was only 3 or 4 in the afternoon, as the storm made it seem much later. "Good you're awake, have you seen (Y/n) she's supposed to help me make dinner." Yuma turned to see Ruki, cocking an eyebrow as he scratched the back of his head with a yawn. "She went out earlier to play, have you checked her room? She should have been back by now." The titan of a vampire moved to stand, stretching as Ruki shook his head.

Yuma felt his blood go cold but he didn't show it, simply making a "tch" and looking away before going to put his shoes on. (Y/n)'s mother was a human, so despite taking mostly after her father she was a bit more fragile than a regular vampire or even a half blood like him. It took longer for her to heal; she could also get sick though it would only last a few days. "Are you going to find her?" Ruki had straightened up, steel like eyes locked onto his larger brother. "Of course, she's my daughter."

-

-

-

(Y/n) woke to her head throbbing, making her whine as she opened her eyes. Everything seemed like a haze, her sinuses were blocked she was both hot and cold. "Good, you're awake. You had me worried." The deep and familiar voice of her father actually helped to soothe her headache; she slowly tilted her head to look at him. "Daddy?..." Her voice was scratchy, her throat was hurting and really dry.  Yuma helped her to sit up, handing her a glass of water that she happily drank down. "Take it easy, you hit your head pretty hard, and you got a cold from the rain." He helped her get comfortable after she satisfied her thirst, keeping a straight face as he tucked her in.

"Are you mad at me daddy?..." She gave him a miserable look, the fact she was more worried about being in trouble than her physical state bothered him some, but he smiled to her. "No, I'm just glad you're ok. I found you passed out on the ground; you were soaked in water. We called sow over and she cleaned you up, she's been worried about ya but she plans to come over tomorrow." He ran his fingers through her hair, watching his little girl close her eyes and begin to fall asleep. "I love you daddy..." These sleepy words slipped from her, quickly dozing off before she heard a response. "I love you too sweetheart... Sleep well." The older vampire got comfy in his chair; he wouldn't be leaving her side til she had fully recovered.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Krull (1983)

I can see why Krull has developed a cult status but unless you get stung by that magic bug, it’s just ok at best. Plenty of cool visuals don't make up for a story that's nothing special. If you’re seeing it (as I did) because you’ve heard that it’s a knock-off of Star Wars, it really isn’t.

On planet Krull, an ancient prophecy is about to come to pass. “A girl of ancient name shall become queen and she shall choose a kind. Together they shall rule their world, and their son shall rule the galaxy”. That’s when the “Beast” arrives. The hideous, shape-shifting, mind-reading, creature whose mountain-like spaceship contains a legion of stormtroopers. When the Beast attacks the wedding ceremony of Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) and Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony), it kidnaps the bride and leaves everyone else but her groom dead. It’s up to Colwyn to assemble an army, save his wife, and take down the invading force.

Let's address the Star Wars business first. Though sources on the web have drawn comparisons between Krull and George Lucas' universe (which is why I watched this back-to-back with Revenge of the Sith), the only similarities are superficial: the opening shot of the Beast’s mountain flying in space, and its armies of stormtroopers armed with laser guns. Not at all what I expected but that might be a good thing, right?

Krull takes a long time to get going. The heroes need to find the Beast’s fortress… which teleports to a different location every day. They visit wise man after wise man to find out where it’s going to show up next. It's all padding before the action. There are no grandiose battles where armies clash, no monsters in forbidden cavers for our hero to face, just a lot of climbing cliffs and talking to old people. The movie could have regained some points by having interesting characters, but you won’t find any. Colwyn is bland, so is the princess. The Beast wants to marry the woman for reasons that are never explained. Only two of the characters we meet along the way are memorable: the bumbling wizard Ergo (David Battley). There are a lot of wizards in this movie, but he stands out because he can’t get any spell right. He gets some nice character development when he kinda-sorta adopts a young boy Titch (Graham McGrath). These two are the most exciting humans you'll find on this twin-sunned, twin-mooned planet.

The picture's appeal resides entirely on ts visuals. This is a beautiful movie with many sweeping shots of the countryside, mountains, and cliffs. It’s got some pretty good special effects, including a stop-motion creature that couldn’t have been animated better if Ray Harryhausen and Willis O'Brien had done it themselves. The Beast’s lair also stands out. Halfway between something out of the mind of Salvador Dali and Jesper Myrfors’ Cosmic Horror it’s a maze of claws, teeth, gaping mouths, twitching eyes, and looks terrific.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking. “When is he going to mention The Glaive?” For those unfamiliar with the film, our hero must obtain a magical weapon to defeat the beast that frankly, is a whole lot cooler to imagine than it is to see on-screen. It’s a 5-pointed switchblade/boomerang. It doesn’t shoot beams like the movie cover might lead you to believe, so don’t get too excited.

If you want a Lord of the Rings knock-off varnished with a thin layer of Star Wars and you’ve got some friends in the right mood, Krull might be just the thing for you. I’m speaking theoretically. I didn’t find much enjoyment in the story but I did enjoy the visuals. Krull is ok. (On DVD, December 12, 2015)

[lyricscribex]

Brody Brown's Triumphant Return: A Review of 'Amorè'

With a career spanning three decades, Brody Brown has solidified his name as a maestro of music production excellence. His influence in the industry is nothing short of legendary, boasting collaborations with music luminaries such as Bruno Mars, Adele, Lukas Graham, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Mark Ronson, and the late Nipsey Hussle, to name just a few. Brody Brown is not just a producer; he's a trailblazer, and he's back in the limelight with a fresh anthem that promises to reignite your passion for great tunes and good vibes.

"Amorè," featuring the supremely talented India Love, is a musical masterpiece that grabs your senses from the first note and refuses to let go. It's the kind of infectious hit that has you dancing with renewed energy, grooving to its irresistible beat, and getting lost in its melodious magic. This hip-hop duet is just the tip of the iceberg, marking the beginning of a sonic journey that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

In "Amorè," Brody Brown's production genius takes center stage, setting the perfect backdrop for India Love's mesmerizing vocals. The track is a captivating blend of beats, rhythms, and lyrics that seamlessly fuse into an irresistible whole. It's the kind of song that you'll find yourself humming, even when you're not listening to it.

But "Amorè" is more than just a song; it's an invitation to an unforgettable musical experience. It's a gateway to a world where music transcends boundaries, cultures, and genres. It's a reminder of the power of music to bring people together in harmonious celebration.

So, don't miss out on the musical phenomenon that is "Amorè." Give in to the rhythm that Brody Brown and India Love have masterfully crafted, and let it carry you away on a journey of musical discovery. This is a song that reminds us why we fell in love with music in the first place and why it continues to be a source of joy and inspiration.

To truly experience the magic of "Amorè," be sure to check out the music video, where Brody Brown and India Love bring the song to life in a visual spectacle that's just as captivating as the music itself.

"Amorè" is more than just a song; it's a testament to Brody Brown's enduring talent and a promise of more great music to come. So, turn up the volume, hit play, and let the music sweep you off your feet. This is a journey you won't want to miss.

Watch the video for "Amorè" here and let the music take you on a ride: https://youtu.be/gnemiKZ63_8

[chorusfm]

Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield

Have you ever felt like an album compelled you to buy it? That strange, out of body experience that lures you towards the record in hopes that you’ll take a chance on listening to it? Funny enough, that seemed to happen to me in the case of Tokyo Police Club and their third studio album, Forcefield. I was browsing the record bins at my local shop when I saw behind the counter a white-covered LP that simply said “Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield” in a faded-stylized stamp. Having heard of the band through my friend at work, there was something in the world that told me I needed to have that record. What I wasn’t expecting when I first let the needle hit the vinyl was for Tokyo Police Club to quickly become one of my favorite bands in the world. Forcefield takes your breath away, from the early opus of “Argentina” to the cautious closing of “Feel The Effect,” the 9-song LP hits all the intended targets and still left room for future growth on subsequent releases. I would later backtrack through the band’s catalog of their debut EP, A Lesson In Crime, their first full-length of Elephant Shell, and the brilliance found on their breakthrough record, Champ. Forcefield still holds its own to this day, albeit ten years down the road from its release, and I’m just as drawn in to its magic. Coming off the success of Champ, Tokyo Police Club could’ve gone in a multitude of directions given the newfound spotlight on their band. “We struggled with finding our spot as a band and owning what we were,” lead singer/bass player Dave Monks said. “Everyone expected us to come out with another record like (2010’s) Champ, but we didn’t feel comfortable going on the same road we were on. We wanted to go somewhere else; an upward move, not lateral, so we starting writing and looking around for something new.” By exploring the depths of their sound and by letting their creativity take hold, Tokyo Police Club cemented themselves as one of the most interesting indie rock bands in the scene. After sifting through the brilliant opener of “Argentina (Parts I, II, and III),” it seems as if anything would be possible from this talented band. The first track has everything you’d want in a career-spanning song that shifts directions at the drop of a hat, and thrills from start to finish. Lead single “Hot Tonight” is a more straight-forward pop-rock song that has a great hook, beat, and overall vibe to it that can instantly turn your day around for the better. The band continued to tinker with this pop-sheen sound on “Miserable,” and “Gonna Be Ready” sounded as close to the vibe they went for on Champ. The bass-heavy “Beaches” is a perfect summer jam that finds the beauty in Monks’ lyrics, as the second verse opens with, “Happens all the time / Two sides of an endless story / This story is mine, (turn the page) / People write their names across beaches.” The simplistic storytelling comes across really well, and it takes a certain type of songwriter to find a clever way to express full emotions through lyrical wordplay. Monks makes it all look easy, and his bandmates rally around his every lyric. ”Toy Guns” features a pop-heavy refrain of, “When every other kid on the block has a shotgun / I’ve never known the difference between the toys and the real ones / When every other kid on the block has a problem / I’m just one I’m just one,” as the band continue to explore the depths of their creativity, all paired with the dual-guitar attack from Josh Hook and Graham Wright. Drummer Greg Alsop is also an underrated player on Forcefield, as he picks his spots strategically for fills or restraint, depending on the need in the song. Other late tracks like “Tunnel Vision” and the summery ballad of “Through The Wire” paint a picture of a band getting ready for the care-free days of spring turning to summer. By the time you reach the sweeping closer of “Feel The Effect,” Tokyo Police Club have made their mark on your soul to ensure that they will be memorable for the rest of your days on this… https://chorus.fm/reviews/tokyo-police-club-forcefield/

[mariailoveyou-guerin]

Emmys nominations rants let’s go!

Oh how they hate giving Emmys to deserving people bc wdym Graham Norton (Norton sweetie I’m so sorry😔) isnt nominated but Jimmy Kimmel is be so fr let me do the nomination and give the award cuz clearly y’all don’t know what your talking about half the time

Now see now we talking feel like it’s missing people but I can’t complain bc I’ve only seen 3 shows and I agree with 2 of them 💯 ! And I haven’t seen Kathy or Jessica shows but I know mothers deserve because they can act! Also my girl Dominique Fishback oh she taking it!

a bit to WHITEE for all the last categories ngl but cant be mad bc it’s so many deserving bear sweep I’m okay with succession sweep havent watched so cant speak on it but Will Sharpe deserves it most that one for sure also Evan Peters sweep but also Daniel/Pedro deserve it sm! it’s hard why are the male noms always hardest

I’m team Abbott sweep always but Sarah Niles deserve too, I’m even bigger bear sweep girl this year ngl and since I’ve only watched Bad sister I’m rooting for my girl Sharon but know snook taking but little sis Bella I think desrv too ofc Jennifer wife always deserv to win

so many good shows dahmer beef jury duty white lotus Abbott the bear OMIB sweep Ted Lasso and Barry is over and they’ve got their recognition so rest deserve it

I dont know any of the roles I’m rooting for the black girl but also Cherry cuz I know mother acts DOWN!

why are the male categories always the hardest? sus? I know everyone in tlou deserv but Lamar Jackson truly deserves! Anthony this season wasn’t his best but he deserves for s1-3 but Tyler James Ebon too and both Jon Sam too deserve this is so hard why do this to me?

picking Jesse for the first category bc he’s the only one I recognized and I know he can ACT down! ofc Nicey if she gets robbed again I’ll be marching down there and ofc always Abbott sweep it was so though and way to white the nomination but not bad so many got robbed

like the great got so robbed again they deserve better dont get me started on the severance robbery that’s going on the fact they dont even get nominations not even once is insanity to me Hollywood got something against that masterpiece of show and it’s amazing cast

[opedguy]

Trump Annoys Conservative Pundit

LOS ANGELES (OnlineColumnist.com(, Jan 31, 2022.--President Donald Trump, 76, showed why he’s not fit to run for president in 2024, annoying conservative radio host John Fredericks, prompting the MAGA-friendly radio host to tell Trump “nobody cares.”  Frederick refers to Trump’s ongoing but old war with the U.S. press, an unfortunate reality that makes his third bid fpr president all the more difficult.  Frderick would like Trump to address the economy and foreign policy, especially the Ukraine War where growing numbers of conservatives question whether the U.S. can afford the conflict much longer.  “President Trump is going to do what he wants,” Fredericks said.  “I think he should have stayed out of totally, not even send surrogates.  Just let the chips fall where they may.  Same with [House Speaker Kevin] McCarthy,” Fredericks said.  Fredericks referred to the recent battle for Republican National Committee Chairwoman won by Ronna McDaniel.

Focusing on “fake news,” Fredericks thinks Trump is barking up the wrong tree, since he has little backing in the media for his 2024 campaign.  By constantly slamming he mainstream press, Trump assures that he’d get no fair treatment during the campaign, repeating what he lived with for four years in office.  Most Trump-haters didn’t care whether or not the government broke the law investigating him for alleged ties to the Russian Federation.  Trump was the first to talk about how Democrat political operatives control the press and government agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, CIA and National Security Agency [NSA]. Trump tried his best but got little traction with Special Counsel John Durham.  Durham got one conviction in the Russian hoax with FBI Atty. Kevin Clinesmith convicted of altering a document to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA] court.

GOP’s right wing faction wanted activist Hameet Dillon to take over the RNC, but Trump intervened to help Ronna prevail in a not-so-close vote.  Trump also did his best to push former House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to prevail in his bid to win House Speaker.  Whether Fredericks or other GOP pundits like it or not, Trump still has clout with about 25% of the GOP base, certainly, as many anti-Trump Republicans point out, not electable in national election.  “We’ve all been saying to stop giving money to the RNC,” Fredericks said, showing the kind of division within the Party.  If the GOP can’t find a consensus candidate in 2024, the train-wreck known as the Biden presidency will get four more years.  When you consider the Democrat registration advantage, Republicans are already behind he Eight Ball in national elections.  Fredericks mirrors those divisions.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has done an OK job promoting Republican candidates around the country.  Conservatives blame the RNC for not doing better in the 2022 Midterm elections.  But losing the Senate by two seats doesn’t tell the whole story, when the GOP picked up the House in an even bigger upset.  Whether anyone thought, with the Democrat registration advantage, that there would be a red wave sweeping Washington is anyone’s guess.  Pulling off a win in the House was an even greater upset, that taking the Senate.  Whether the GOP can retain the House in 2024 depends on whether they can pick a consensus candidate to lead the party over Biden’s disastrous domestic and foreign policies.  So far, there’s not enough coherent opposition from the GOP and Democrats to get any change in Ukraine policy.  Biden has plowed ahead giving Ukraine more cash-and-weapons.

Fredericks sees Trump’s lawsuits against Washington Post columnist Bob Woodward or continuing to feud with the press a distraction from dealing with substantive issues.  Fredericks doesn’t state conservative opposition to the Ukraine War, because of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and other conservatives back Biden’s proxy war against the Kremlin.  When it comes to Biden’s profligate spending policies, Graham and other conservative express no real opposition to fighting with the White House over a Continuing Budget Resolution to keep the government’s lights on.  Fredericks recognizes that Trump, as a presidential candidate, is not controllable or amenable to a winning GOP agenda.  Fredericks faults Trump for keeping his feud with the press, knowing it only makes things worse.  He sees the $50 million Woodward lawsuit as another waste of valuable time.

Fredericks tried to make the point that GOP or independent voters don’t care about Trump’s pas squabbles with the press, the Department of Justice or the FBI. “I’m telling you, it’s all grievances,” Fredericks said.  “No one cares.  They just don’t care! I just don’t care,” mirroring most voter that want lower gas prices, less inflation, more prosperity and a foreign policy that doesn’t lead to nuclear war.  When you hear respected U.S. generals say the U.S. could be at war with Beijing in the next two years over Taiwan, it speaks volumes about Biden’s failed foreign policy.  When it comes to Ukraine, there’s no bigger threat to the U.S. and Europe than taking on the Russian Federation in an active proxy war.  Whatever Ukraine’s border dispute with Russia, it’s not the U.S. responsibility to fund the Ukraine government or to join a failed proxy war against the Russian Federation.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

[nightingaelic]

Companions react to a Courier with the Eye for Eye perk just walking around with half their limbs broken because the pain is literally making them stronger.

TW: Blood, gore

The courier was nowhere to be found when their companion awoke beneath the soft firelight of the Dead Horses' torches and the bright eyes of the man who led them.

"I believe they've left us for the evening," the Burned Man said in his usual aloof tone, even as he reclined behind his workbench in Angel Cave. "I've never walked the path of a courier, but I imagine it transfers a certain restlessness to an individual. Staying in one place loses some of its charm. Your particular courier, however, lets that instinct drive them to the point of being foolhardy."

As if to prove Joshua Graham's speculation correct, the courier staggered into the cave, their clothes torn and bloodied. Despite sporting an obvious limp, an arm curled protectively against their chest and deep claw marks all over their face, they were shouldering a yao guai's severed head alongside their full traveling pack and wearing a wild smile.

Arcade Gannon: "God dammit." Arcade disentangled himself from his bed roll and rushed to the courier's side, ignoring Graham's obvious disapproval at his taking the Lord's name in vain. "I told you not to run off into the canyon without packing extra stimpaks. Here, let me-"

The courier stopped his fumbling hands with both of theirs. Arcade looked down in shock at the broken arm that was firmly grasping his fingers, then up into their frenzied eyes. "Six, you need-"

"I don't." The courier spat some blood out onto the dirt floor of the cave. "I don't. The Sorrows... White Bird..."

Arcade mentally cursed the tribe up the river, then just as quickly withdrew the malevolent thoughts. It wasn't their fault the courier went looking for injuries. "Datura root? Okay, sit down, over there. Take a load off."

The courier limped over to the chair Joshua Graham was offering. They sank into it with a sigh and let the yao guai head fall to the floor, where it began to bleed onto their boots. "Thanks," they said. "I should-"

Arcade stuck them in the arm with the stimpak he kept concealed for these occasions, and they screeched, loud enough to cause even the Malpais Legate to jump. "Fucking hell, Arcade! Not again!"

Craig Boone: Boone jumped to his feet. "I can't be your spotter if you keep leaving me behind, Six. Tell me you haven't been using that junk again."

In answer, the courier pulled an empty Sunset Sarsaparilla bottle rigged with a hose and tin foil from inside their pack and tossed it aside. "Last dose, I swear. Not that it helped much in close quarters."

They lifted the yao guai head high over their own, striking a victorious pose. "Shouldn't bother the Dead Horses or the Sorrows again, unless there really is a ghost out there."

Boone and Graham stared at the courier, particularly at their bent arm. "You require medical attention," Graham pointed out. "Shall I fetch the shaman?"

"No thank you." The courier made a face and heaved the animal's head across the room. It flew through the air in a nice arc, bounced twice, then rolled to a stop at the Burned Man's feet.

"Six..." Boone said testily.

The courier groaned, familiar with the serious tone. "Fine. But I've had worse scrapes, and you know it."

Lily Bowen: "Pumpkin!" Lily shrieked and rushed to the courier's side. Her hands flew up and around them, but every time she attempted to touch them she recoiled out of fear of causing pain. "Pumpkin, you need to see a doctor."

"We've been over this, Lily," the courier replied, attempting to skirt around the nightkin that blocked their way. "It hurts, but I work through it, and I always come out on top of whatever caused it."

"Sweetness, you're bleeding." Lily finally located a portion of the courier that wasn't in danger of extra bruising and took hold of them, sweeping them up into a gentle fireman's carry. "We'll go visit that nice Waking Cloud lady and get you fixed up."

"Lily, put me down!" The courier squirmed atop the super mutant. To the surprise of everyone involved, they managed to unbalance her enough to send both of them tumbling to the cave floor.

Joshua Graham looked down at the courier, who was wrestling for control of their leg in order to escape Lily's grasp. "God protect you," he said, but it wasn't clear who he was speaking to.

Raul Alfonso Tejada: "Mij@." Raul approached the courier carefully, trying to locate all of their new bumps and scrapes. He was more than familiar with their latest attempts to prove their own strength, but it pained him to see them like this. Still, he knew better than to try to force medicine into them, now. "Estoy aquí para ti. Can I help?"

They tensed for a moment, as he'd expected, but a few more soothing words sent their shoulders back down. "Sí. I'm... I'm tired."

Ignoring the Burned Man's protests, Raul claimed the room's chair and carried it over to them. They eased into it, wincing slightly but still clinging to their belongings. Raul convinced them to hand their weapons, pack and bear head over one by one, all the while assuring them that he meant no harm, no offense, no judgment.

"You can't keep doing this, Six," he said, when they finally let him inspect their broken arm. He could see the bone under the skin, out of place in an obvious way that would've had him laid up in bed for weeks.

"I can handle-"

"I know you can." Raul fixed them in his gaze. "I can't."

They smiled sadly. "Lo siento. I'll try to be more careful."

Rose of Sharon Cassidy: Cass rolled her eyes. "Figures. Waited until I was asleep, then you ran off to have all the fun on your lonesome. Let's get you cleaned up, Six."

She lunged for the courier, but despite their precarious state they managed to dodge her. "Uh-uh. I'm invincible. You're gonna ruin it."

"Invincible?" Cass dashed to block their escape. "Sure, you can probably still kick my ass, but you sure as hell can't outrun me."

"Might the pair of you take this little game outside," Graham grumbled from his seat.

"Shut it, Burnt Man," Cass shot back.

The courier couldn't help but giggle at that. "Burned. Burned Man."

"Oh, you're gonna give me grammar lessons?" Cass lunged again and managed to seize a handful of the courier's tattered coat. "Give them to me up close. I dare you."

In response, the courier grabbed Cass' arm with their broken one and easily flung her around them in a circle, until she went somersaulting away onto the ground. "There's lesson one."

Cass sat up and jammed her hat back on her head. "Fine. Damn."

Veronica Santangelo: "How are you walking?!?" Veronica stared, open-mouthed, at the bloody figure in the cave entrance.

The courier shrugged, then winced at their own movement. "Does it matter? I'm alive."

"Yeah, but life won't be much of a comfort if you don't get some of those fractures set right." Veronica rose from her bed roll and approached them carefully. Her eyes flickered from wound to wound, and she tutted as she drew back the loose pieces of fabric that the yao guai had ripped to shreds. "Get over here and make yourself useful, Graham. Six, you probably shouldn't be awake when I start putting you back together."

They withdrew their limp arm from her grasp firmly. "Leave it be. It gave me the energy I needed to finish the thing off."

"Adrenaline will do that," Veronica agreed. "But its shelf life is short. Pretty soon you're going to be wishing that bear took your head off. Graham, I meant what I said, go find me some boiled water and bandages or I'll personally deliver your location to Caesar myself."

"Caesar is well aware of my current whereabouts," Graham replied evenly. "You would do well to listen to the Scribe, courier."

"Both of you?" The courier deflated. "Fine. Just get me a drink before you start moving bones around."

ED-E: The eyebot beeped in an alarmed manner as the courier swayed on their feet. It swiveled its dome between the injured friend and the bandaged man, who caught the movement and shook his head. "While you were updating your programming, your master was testing the limits of their own abilities, robot. It is not my place to interfere."

ED-E made a flat blaaaaat sound at him that sounded scornful, and floated over to the courier's side. The courier laughed. "Don't worry about me, little guy. It takes more than one yao guai to ruin my day."

Rex: The scent of the yao guai's and the courier's blood filled Rex's nostrils, and he rose from his sleeping hollow with a whine, unsure. When the courier beckoned him, he trotted over and began licking their visible wounds, sparing a growl here and there for the yao guai head that hung on their back.

Graham regarded the cyberdog with something akin to affection. "He senses your pain, courier. You would do well to set him at ease."

"He's seen me closer to death than this," they replied, scratching the dog behind the ears with their good arm. "And if the White Legs hear about the courier who walks through broken bones, maybe they'll think twice about attacking the people I'm friends with."

[serrj215]

Stars and Marshmallows?

"Is this enough?" Beast Boy asked, his fingers playing with a marshmallow.

Raven looked up from the small fire crackling in its stone bowl, not sure what he was asking.  

They sat across from each other on beach chairs on the roof of Titans Tower. It was a crisp but clear night and the heavens were on full display. Each one of them had a blanket to keep out the chill, between the chairs Beast boy had set up a small fire pit. It was nothing huge or impressive, but it held just enough flame to give them some light, warmth, and toast the marshmallows. Next to it was a small table with the chocolate and the gram crackers, and the mugs of hot cocoa.

"I mean, is this enough for a date?" he asked nervously. "We’re just on the roof. "

"Gar you did go to all this trouble." She said as she turned her stick trying not the let the marshmallow at the end catch fire. A sharp contrast to Beast Boy who kept turning his into a fireball before blowing it out. He had burnt his tongue at least twice already.  

Gar. He loved that. A few years ago she would call him by his real name to get a rise out of him. It was something she picked up during a joint mission with his old team the Doom patrol. For months she would call him Garfield, which sent a chill down his nerves.

The worst part was that when she did he would do almost anything she asked. It was like a conditioned response, all she needed for him to drop everything and bring her a cup of tea, or get something for her was use his real name. She really did get a lot of mileage out of that.

Also tradition or not, who would name their kid Garfield? It was clunky, formal and a better fit for a comic cat and an unremarkable President than the person he wanted to be. When she called him Gar though, it melted him like the chocolate they were sharing. I was short, intimate and fit into his ear so much better. He liked being Gar, he wanted to be Gar for her. Gar would be able to sweep her off her feet, be the charming romantic hero to her story. "Gar" would have come up with something better than the roof and marshmallows.

"Rae it's jus smores." he muttered. "I mean when I asked you out, I was thinking we would go you know…out." his eyes fell to his marshmallow just as it ignited. Frantically he started blowing it out. With a tense laugh he said. " I wanted to take you somewhere nice. Impress you a little. I am sorry it turned out like this."

They had been dancing around this for weeks, ever since she kissed him that first time, that first time she risked showing true and unrestrained affection. That led to other small experiments in spending time with each other. A walk, trying each other’s favorite DVDs, finding out Raven was a natural at Mario kart.

It would be Beast boy's luck that he finally was able to summon the courage to ask Raven out on a real date just before the whole city went on lockdown. Apparently, there was some sort of virus that got everyone scared. In response, everything was shut down. Overnight restaurants, parks, movie theaters were all closed with no idea when they would re-open. They couldn't even get delivery pizza. All of Beast boy's ideas and plans fell apart.

This little rooftop graham cracker picnic was just a mad improvisation. An idea mostly born of panic and what he had on hand.

"Gar there is no need to apologize, this was not your fault. I think this is very sweet. I am not an authority on dating, " she said, taking a square of chocolate from the tray on the table. "but I think it’s more about the company than the activity. "

"So this is a date?"

"No," she said quietly, standing up from her chair, abandoning her blanket. Beast Boy's head fell in shame until she walked over to him. She pulled his blanket open and slid onto his lap closing the blanket around them both. She snuggled in and she passed him her stick, reminding him that she liked her marshmallows slightly less well done than he did. Beast Boy was happy to take on the cooking duties for them both.

"Now it's a date". she whispered into his ear before resting her head on his chest.  

They whispered to each other, Raven pointing out constellations in the clear night sky and telling the myths she knew about them. While Raven talked about ancient Greek and Babylonian heroes and how they became points in the sky, Beast Boy attended to building and serving the smores.

They talked until the graham crackers were gone, they talked till the fire went out.  

It was almost 2 am when he walked her to her room. They stood there both not knowing what to do next. They had said good night to each other twice each but were unsure if they wanted to go. Beast Boy pressed his luck and quickly pecked Raven on the cheek. He went to make a hasty retreat before she grabbed him by the shirt.

She took his head in both her hands and pressed her lips to his gently. She pulled away and said quietly. "If you kiss me, I insist you do it properly." She released him and pushed him away playfully. "Now, it's enough" she said “Goodnight Gar” before disappearing into her room.

Took a little longer to get back to this then I thought.  https://archiveofourown.org/works/34243012 if you would rather read on A03.