#also as we speak I am making more plans to watch the film.

[abastardworthknowing]

I keep flip-flopping between which of Azicrow would be Elphaba or Glinda in a Wicked!Good Omens AU…

In some ways our dear Aziraphale is like Glinda, that seems the obvious answer, doesn't it? However, some of Elphaba's traits certainly ring true for Aziraphale too.

He has been known to follow the status quo, even at the detriment of himself, Crowley and the Earth. But when it matters, he puts his foot down and says enough is enough. This cannot happen. Sometimes he needs Crowley's help to push him to reconsider things, or think of it differently. Alternatively, he is already capable of making his own decisions and has been ostracised by Heaven. But then again... when it comes to taking that leap to leave, Aziraphale can't do it. But for reasons dissimilar to Glinda's morals and more inline with Elphaba's morals instead. Also, I can't lie, Elphaba's slight feelings of superiority to others falls inline with Aziraphale thinking he's right quite often 😂

Of course, our darling Crowley can be much like Elphaba too! But he does have some of Glinda's traits as well!

He's also been ostracised, in fact not just by Heaven but by Hell too! But much like Glinda he does seek his own ambition/self-preservation over that of others. He is constantly pushing Aziraphale to think for himself, that they don't need any side but their own. There's something in the way Glinda reacts to Elphaba that feels like the same Yearning that Crowley must feel. The looking on in silence... you see what I'm getting at? I don't know how Ariana did it, but Glinda does feel as though she has a deep connection to Elphaba that feels unmatched by nothing but Azicrow's connection. And they've not even known each other as long!! I digress! This is silly but the amount of Clothes Glinda has, is more akin to Crowley, HAH. Elphaba's individuality from everyone else's is more closely related to Crowley, though he probably follows whatever is popular, like Glinda does.

I think overall Aziraphale is more mixed than Crowley? Plus, they can't both be Elphaba! So while Crowley, to me, feels a lot more like Elphaba generally, Aziraphale would likely take Glinda's role. I ultimately came to the conclusion that if there was a Wicked AU the story would have turned out much differently. If I were to write it, Aziraphale would assume Glinda's role, but it would be a bit like he was secretly like Elphaba.

EDIT when I say Crowley feels like Elphaba, I'm not sure what I meant... but when I see Glinda yearning for Elfie, it does make me think of Crowley. Even though Aziraphale does it a bit more in the text, iirc? Anyway, I don't think these characters can be swapped with as much ease as I thought! They're far too complex for that

[irisbleufic]

Of all the current Devil’s Minion writers your playlist is the one I want to see. Do you have one? If not, are there particular songs you’ve been listening into to while you write? The vibe of your prose with them is hypnotizing like the short story about them in the books, it’s impressive, and does your music also inform this choice if at all?

Intense question, anon. Fourteen-year-old me fucking hyperventilated after reading the DM chapter in Queen of the Damned (me, on the floor of my bedroom at 3am because I don’t want to get caught reading this book, staring dazed at the ceiling; me, now, three weeks ago, sitting shellshocked on the sofa after watching S1 and S2 over two days as a binge; me, over two of those weeks following the binge, rereading the first half of the Chronicles and starting to see double, tilt the prism, see what happens when the narratives are overlaid and blurred), and it still feels like that. Likely my prose turning out the way it is in these stories is about 90% my giddy teenage self having access to my adult self’s writing experience to finally write this beloved pairing without fear of litigious letters (IYKYK, my fellow elder Millennials in the fandom). I don’t often love film and TV adaptations of my favorite books, but I adore this show. It’s flawlessly transformative; its improvements only make the resonances and overlaps that much more meaningful. No notes.

However, I have been listening to the same small handful of songs on repeat for 6 days as I write these pieces. I imagine they are affecting my sense of scansion at points; my writing life didn’t begin with fiction, it began with years of poetry before I ever tried prose. These tracks are as meaningful to me as poems as they are songs. It’s as good a starting point for a playlist as any; I’ll keep adding and put it together on Spotify at some point.

1. Vesuvius - Sufjan Stevens

Vesuvius, I am here

You are all I have

Fire of fire, I'm insecure

for it is all been made to plan

Though I know I will fail

I cannot be made to laugh

for in life as in death

I'd rather be burned

than be living in debt

This song was my entire first 72 hours of writing. I’m that Autistic weirdo who will listen to a single song on repeat for a month and think nothing of it. Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii being the nexus point of their love story from beginning to end in QotD, this is everything to me; I was never going to be able to write about the show incarnation of them without integrating this location and this imagery in the most reverent love letter I know how. This is why my series title for these stories is Caldera. Volcanic crater blowout if ever I saw one; I ran with it.

2. I Forget Where We Were - Ben Howard

Hello love, my invincible friend; hello, love, the thistle and the burr. For you, I have so many words—and I, I forget where we were. I haven’t known this song for all that long in the grand scheme, but it found me via Spotify shuffle in 2022 right after something awful happened. The longing in this song hinges on one of the lovers in it waking up to something they’ve forgotten about their relationship, something precious, and I’m thrilled to finally have a fandom application for it.

3. Make You Better - The Decemberists

I sung you your twinges

I suffered you your tattle-tales

and when you broke sideways

I wanted you, I needed you, oh

to make me better

Oh, to make me better

But we're not so starry-eyed anymore

like the perfect paramour you were in your letters

And won't it all just come around to make you

let it all un-break you to the day that you met her

No excuse for this one; it does a great job of speaking for itself. Front-man Colin Meloy is one of my all-time favorite songwriters, and his work is frequently dark, creepy, and/or gothic enough in flavor that I could find a few more.

4. Song to the Siren - Elisabeth Fraser & This Mortal Coil

On the floating shipless oceans

I did all my best to smile

till your singing eyes and fingers

drew me loving to your isle

and you sang, “Sail to me,

sail to me, let me enfold you—

here I am, here I am,

waiting to hold you.”

This cover of Tim Buckley’s folk masterpiece completely transforms the vibe of the song, and in the kind of way you need for this pairing. This one is at responsible for the events and imagery in my “Still Life with Sunken Treasure.”

5. Hal - Yasmine Hamdan, Only Lovers Left Alive OST

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

يا عزيزة اطلعي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي شرّفي

لأ ما أقدرشي

وطلعت يا ناس، مغلوبة يا ناس

يا عزيزة اتريحي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي اتلحلحي

لأ ما أقدرشي

وسمعت يا ناس، مغلوبة يا ناس

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

يا عزيزة اتفرفشي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي قربي

لأ ما أقدرشي

فرشنا يا ناس، مغلوبة يا ناس

يا عزيزة اقلعي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي اتجرأي

لأ مش ممكن

شلحنا يا ناس، مغلوبة يا ناس

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

يا عزيزة اتغندريله

يا حبيبتي اتذوقيله

افهمي يا سيدي مش قادرة

وطبعا تقنعني مش واخدة

ايه يا عزيزة؟

ايه اللي إنتي عملاه ده؟

يا يا يا راجل يا هوه!

مش عيب عليك اختشي ونو

لأ ما أقدرشي

لأ مش ممكن

يا عزيزة اخلعي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي اتشخلعي

لأ مش ممكن

يا خيبتي يا ناس، مغلوبة يا ناس

يا عزيزة اتبغددي

لأ ما أقدرشي

يا حبيبتي جربي

لأ ما أقدرشي

وجينا يا ناس، غلبنا يا ناس

جينا يا ناس، غلبنا يا ناس

I don’t think the Arabic justified to the correct side when I copied this, but the translation is very easy to find. I don’t speak Arabic, but honestly the English translation is dull compared to the beauty of this language. If you haven’t watched Only Lovers Left Alive, what the hell are you even doing with your vampire-loving, monster-fucking life? All the tracks on it have the right vibe for DM, really.

[soupiiiie]

Guess who’s requesting?!! It’s me! Lovely oldiesstationlover11607 🙌

I would absolutely love a fic where Tyler and reader stay up late at night working on a script /treatment for a lore-related music video. As the hour pass by they don’t realize it’s midnight bc they’re having so much fun. Reader is Mark’s sister and is dating Tyler so do with that what you will. I imagine the two of them sprawled across their bed which is covered in paper bc of the amount of small details Tyler shoved into the story as well as both of their computers opened to lore sites and explanation videos bc Tyler keeps forgetting timelines and stuff

Can’t wait to see what you do!!

🫶🫶

Late Night Lore

Tyler Joseph x reader

Words : 903

Genre : Fluff

Warning : None

Ahhh thank youu, I love all your imagines so much!! I hope you enjoy this, it's a little short but it's cute. Please keep requesting !! <333

Tyler and I were given the task of re-watching all of the lore furthering music videos and writing the new lore for their upcoming album. Mark had been on my ass all day today to make sure we got it done, so being the good sister I am, I got on it as soon as I could… which happened to be late at night. Since neither of us could remember all the lore, we found as many videos that explained it as we could. While Tyler sat hunched over with his notebook in his lap, writing things down occasionally, I had my laptop and was planning out some story line for the future. Every so often, he would hand me a paper with his hurried writing on it, insisting I add it to the story. “Tyler, how come Josh wasn’t tasked to do this with you?” I asked curiously.

“Because he doesn’t pay attention to all the Clancy lore.” He paused the video to speak but went back because he missed some parts.

“Uh-huh, like you?” I chuckled, “You made all of this stuff up yet you’re watching an explanation.” I shook my head. He looked at me with a sheepish smile.

“It’s been a while, okay?” I rolled my eyes playfully and kissed his cheek. “Plus, I like doing this with you, it’s fun.” He kissed me lightly before going back to his video.

I opened up a website explaining Scaled and Icy’s lore and took some notes on everything. “What was the show you guys did for Dema called again? The live stream one?” 

He paused in thought for a moment, “Oh, ‘Good Day Dema’? Hey maybe we can do some throws to that in the new videos, like a prop or a place we were. Write that down please?” I nodded and wrote down the idea.

“And you can add little lore bits in some of the videos that aren’t lore centered. Really mix it up.” He nodded happily and wrote something in his notebook. 

“Do you think Mark would be up to make a video for every song on the album? I think it’d be really cool, and when we release it, we show them all on a live stream.” Tyler scratched his head before pulling out his phone to probably text Mark, then went back to his videos. I smiled at him scrunching his brows as he focused. He always looked so cute when he was working on things. “Y/n, if you keep staring at me, we won’t get anything done, you’re making me nervous.” He blushed and sheepishly smiled at me, looking through his lashes. Smiling, I shook my head. “I’m serious, I love you, and I love doing this with you but you know how I get when you stare.”

“Well I can’t help that I’m dating the most attractive lead singer ever.” He jokingly rolled his eyes at me and shook his head.

“Oh puh-lease… I’m also the bassist.” This made me burst out laughing, him joining with me as we laid across the papers on the bed.

Clutching my stomach, I finally got out, “I-I can’t. Oh my gosh, I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” He smiled at me and we both sat up and went back to what we were doing.

Two hours later, we had written up 4 video stories and Tyler mapped out how he wants the shots to be set up. We would run all of this by Mark tomorrow and he’d greenlight it for filming. “Do you think we could have Ned in more of the videos?” I asked quietly, hoping Tyler would say yes.

“You know I love Ned but we can’t put him in every single music video y/n.” He said laughing as I playfully pouted, “Come on, let’s wrap it up for the night, it's,” he paused to check his phone, “holy crap, its 2 in the morning.” My eyes widened as I looked at the time on his phone.

“Jeez, we’ve been at this for 6 hours? Mark better give me a nice birthday present after this.” I stood off the bed and began collecting all of Tyler’s various notes and doodles. As I put them away in a neat pile on the desk, I felt arms wrap around my waist and a head lay on my shoulder. 

“I really do appreciate you helping me y/n.” He lightly squeezed my sides and kissed the side of my head. “I love you.”

“I love you too Ty.” I turned and kissed him, holding his jaw. “Let’s go to bed okay? Tomorrow we can let it be Mark's problem.” He nodded and we went to brush our teeth and get ready for bed. After our routine, I snuggled up next to him in bed as he wrapped his arm around me. “Goodnight.” I whispered and closed my eyes. 

“Goodnight.” I felt a kiss on my head as I drifted off to sleep.

Bonus!! Some playful banter that happened as they worked

“Wait so, Torchbearer isn’t even real?!”

“No y/n he’s real, he’s spiritually projecting to help guide Clancy.”

“And there’s multiple Neds?”

“Yes, it’s a species. Not just one. You were there when we came up with the idea in the first place”

“Oh… well you’re the one who forgot Trash existed when he’s on the cover of your album.”

[avatar-anna]

Can you make a request about Y/N on Brits with Harry? she is also being nominated for several categories and the two get drunk during the awards and have to go on stage even though they are drunk.

on a roll because i don't want to watch the superbowl😂

this is a platonic best friend fic!

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

“Drink up, bitch, we’re getting shit faced tonight.”

Not even questioning it, Harry took the shot glass you slid his way, clinking it against yours before tossing it back. “One more,” he said, and you were more than happy to oblige.

Even though you were both nominated tonight, and even though both of you would be in front of a camera at one point or another, you still planned on getting drunk as if you were at Harry’s place instead of Wembley Stadium. Because if there was one thing you and Harry could count on, it was having an excellent time together.

You’d known Harry for years, had grown up in the industry together. He was a good friend to you over the years, perhaps even your best friend. You listened to each other’s music to give feedback, you went to each other’s shows whenever your schedules allowed, but most importantly, you made award shows like the Brits your bitch.

As Harry won each of his awards tonight, you cheered loudly from your table, and when he stumbled onto the stage and basically tried to flirt with anyone with a pulse, you were there to film all of it.

The after party was no different.

You’d caught wind that Harry gave some bullshit response in an interview that he was possibly only going to have one drink to celebrate, but not on your watch.

“Oi! Y/n! Quit flirting and get your ass over here so we can dance!” Harry practically shouted across the club you and a couple of friends decided on after the Brits. He’d disappeared on you, but of course he got jealous when you talk to someone else.

“Your boyfriend?” the guy you’d been speaking with asked.

“I will have you know, that I am Y/n’s best friend,” Harry replied, appearing from behind you. His hair was thoroughly mussed, and you were pretty sure there was a hickey on his collar bone. You raised your eyebrows at him, but he pointedly ignored it. “And I am in need of my best friend’s assistance, so if you will excuse us.”

Harry pulled you away from the guy and toward the dance floor, where he immediately spun you around. He wasn’t the best dancer you knew, but what he lacked in rhythm and coordination, he made up for in enthusiasm. And Harry was most certainly energetic at the moment.

“You gonna tell me about this?” you asked, poking the hickey on his skin.

Harry shook his head. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Liar!” you said, playfully pushing his shoulder. Harry giggled like a schoolgirl to you whenever he hooked up with someone. “They’re either super famous or you’re too embarrassed to say, which is it?”

Harry pretended to zip his lips with his fingers, and you decided to let the subject go. For now. You’f get it out of him eventually.

“I’m proud of you, by the way,” you told him, leaning in close so he could hear you. “This was your year, Sue. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I feel like I should be a tiny bit humble because I beat you, but...” Harry shrugged.

You knew he was joking. Both of you had worked extremely hard this year, but when Harry’s name was announced for the category you were both in, all you felt was immense joy for your best friend. Still you smirked and threw your arm around his shoulder. “Just wait til next year. You won’t know what hit you.”

“Now that I believe.”

You led Harry back toward the bar for another drink, though you could tell it was about time for the two of you to get home.

“I might need to crash at your place,” Harry muttered.

“Fine, but breakfast is on you,” you said.

Harry pressed a sloppy kiss to your cheek, which you promptly wiped away. “Deal.”

[inbooyork]

What Alice in Borderland taught me about Japanese media:

Alice in Borderland was a great show; overall I would rate it as quite mid tier for various reasons. One relates to a question my sibling raised: is this Kakegurui? Which then explained one of my gripes with Alice and Japanese live films generally. Their acting tends to be quite overexaggerated. They behave like cartoon transplanted to our reality. Their faces contort and every emotion is multiplied to the extreme.

It has the ability to completely take you out of the immersion. Something you need in particular with apocalyptic and dystopian films with real world critiques. Hence why I could not view these characters as human, they felt like ultra-realistic cartoons.

While researching the why I kept encountering the traditional theater answer. That Kabuki and others alike, as the previous dominant media form, influenced modern Japanese film. Albeit this answer does not satisfy me. I've seen Kabuki and it does not really describe what I critiqued about Alice. Though both exhibit dramatic expressions, I would define Kabuki as expressionist; the actor don't speak or really contort their faces; they move like dolls with still faces while the films are, to re-iterate, animated.

Thus I think its a mix of culture and traditional theater. As far as I am aware, Japanese is a very context focused language. With so many similar syllables, listeners rely as heavily on expressions as the words. so much so there are sayings of it: Kuuki wo yomu (空気を読む); or reading the room. So perhaps for accessibility and related to the exaggerated motions of traditional Japanese media explains the acting.

As for why I dislike it, it has to do with watching majority western media influenced by realism movement. Toned down acting it award winning in America compared to overexaggerated expressions; people make fun of millennials on TikTok because of this. but it isn't the only thing I disilke.

Nagito: The Lucky Genius Archetype:

Additionally, I noticed a recurring trope in Japanese media. I don't know the name but it is the "lucky genius" role. they are able to outsmart both the audience and fellow character. The character Shuntarō Chishiya is an example of this along with Nagito Komaeda.

What I dislike about this trope is how they show these characters' intelligence. They pull out information not available to the audience. For instance, in the jack of hearts game, we as the audience are not given many if any clues to draw that connection-that is not to say we could have-but Shuntaro could. Towards the end they show montages of clips we never saw, creating this unsatisfying moment were he "bested" the jack. It doesn't make him seem smarter, its just omitting important information to create a false persona.

As for the lucky aspect, there are many scenes where he just blindly trusts his luck. in that same episode he guessed the card they gave him. In the King of diamonds, he guesses again. It makes his wins so dissatisfying and undeserved. But this is not a critique I can apply to him alone.

Other characters like the aforementioned Nagito also fulfill this archetype. In the second game he plays his diminutive nature to outsmart the rest of the cast. Moreover, his luck is largely part of his characterization. Albeit the dissatisfying critiques do not apply to him. Unlike with Shuntaro, Danganronpa allows you to decode his plans and the story. It does not solely leave the discovery to the end but involves you. Creating a much more satisfying reveal; although only possible through games.

the difference in mediums might affect the process but it is still possible through film: Lucas of Star Wars. Overall, it was good but many things kinda ruined it for me.

[saffire-8888-halo]

♡REQUEST♡

☆Summary- You've been struggling with depression lately and don't want to burden your boyfriend Johnnie with it.☆

☆Includes-Fluff and mentions of depression.☆

☆I am taking requests! DM me or comment what you would want!☆

§-You’ve been lying in bed for weeks on end. Only getting up to film, though as of late even that's been difficult. Your mental health has been in the gutter again. You know you could tell Johnnie about it but you don't want to add extra baggage to his life. You can see him telling you that's ridiculous and that's what boyfriend's are for. Yet, stubbornly you decide to hide your pain under your bed covers where you plan to rot. There's a soft knock on your door.-§

“Y/n?”

§-Johnnie's voice can be heard through the wood of your door. You pretend to be asleep. You hear your bedroom door creak open and Johnnies boots tapping on the floor.-§

“Y/n?”

§-Johnnie whispers again. You keep your eyes shut hoping maybe he will leave you be. You should have known better though cause Johnnie lifts the covers and lays beside you. Wrapping his arms around your waist.-§

“I know you're awake.”

§-Johnnie says into your ear.-§

“How'd you know?”

§-You grumble.-§

“I didn't but you gave yourself away.”

§-Even with your eyes closed you can tell he is smirking.-§

“Y/n?...You know you can talk to me right?”

§-You can hear the concern in his voice but try to ignore it.-§

“Yeah but there's nothing to talk about.”

§-You reply stubbornly. Johnnie sighs loudly.-§

“Okay look I know you've been down lately. I know this because I've been there. I understand the appeal of just wanting to disappear into your bed and never resurface. I just want you to know I'm here for you. Also, it helps to talk about it and I'm here to listen.”

§-Johnnie speaks softly. Your heart swells in your chest. How'd you get so lucky you wonder.-§

“I know you've been through it. That's why I don't talk about how I'm feeling. I don't want to add more sadness to your life. If that even makes sense to you? Truth is I just don't have the energy to do anything as of late. Everything about me annoys me and just makes me feel like giving up completely. I just have these moments where I question what my purpose is or if I even have one. I'm sorry I'm babbling, does any of this make sense?”

§-You turn around to face him. Johnnie cuffs your face in his hands.-§

“Of course it does. Baby you only bring joy to my life. You could never make me sad by talking to me about how you're struggling so please don't ever think that. You are worth everything to me. I believe your purpose is to make people as happy as you make me. God I probably sound really cheesy right now. I'm not the best at these pep talks.”

§-Johnnie closes his eyes slightly cringing at himself as he laughs quietly. You kiss him on the cheek.-§

“No, no it was really sweet. Thank you.”

§-A small smile forms on your face.-§

“Okay how about I go get us some snacks and we watch a movie for the rest of the day?”

§-Johnnie asks-§

“Don't you have to film today?”

§-You wonder-§

“Nope.”

§-Johnnie replies.-§

“Okay then a movie sounds great right now.”

§-Johnnie kisses your forehead before leaving your room, returning with your favorite snacks and dino nuggets of course. You and Johnnie end up watching Twilight. He makes jokes here and there about the movie that make you laugh. Johnnie cuddles you throughout the whole movie saga. Later after watching the last film you fall asleep on his chest. As he whispers in your ear that he loves you.-§

§-THE END-§

[orphiclovers]

If you don't mind, tell me more about spyjh? I've rarely seen discussions about this ship.

well anon most people just haven't opened their eyes to the truth. I am simply picking up what the authors put down here (<-deranged).

SP is soo emotionally fucked up. he feels such an insane, confusing mix of hate and yearning and guilt about the alt-1863 round, all of which he projects onto 3rd, who is alt-1863 but not really (but SP couldn't handle accepting that).

alt-1863 who was supposed to be his sacrificial lamb and salvation, who he hates for leaving and making his own fate, bc that's not what he was supposed to do!! secretive plotter is the only one who knows the ending of the world, the only one who deserves to make decisions. its his burden to bear. he had a plan, he knows what's best for them all, and alt-1863 ruined it.

even though SP caused alt-1863 suffering, he justified it to himself bc he thought it would be worth it in the end, and that they would all be better off for it. well that didn't work, so now he's guilty and miserable for making the same mistake he made with 999 again, but this time he can do nothing about it. 1863 is completely beyond his reach, probably in wretched, broken misery and regret.

and SP wants to say that it is that idiots own fault and he deserves whatever is happening to him, but he could never be that cruel, and it's all so pointless. and really, it's secretive plotters fault for fucking up. so he searches for 1863.

He finds 3rd.

And 3rd is doing great, he's not miserable or regretfull, he has all his companions and one new one, he's doing better than any other round...

SP feels wronged. he was expecting to see 1863 suffer for disobeying him, learn that he was wrong, and then SP would have rescued him anyway. but this, him being happy, does that mean SP was the one who was wrong all this time?

he struggles to accept this and what it means the whole novel (pulling increasingly desperate stunts to prove himself right). there's guilt and shame and envy and anger and all of this makes SP act strange and overly familiar around 3rd yjh.

3rd round Yoo Joonghyuk knows none of this history.

He thinks SP is cringe and crazy and unreasonable. But he also can't help feeling this unwanted stab of pity and understanding, which he tries and fails to stamp out.

The climax of this relationship arc happens when they literally combine into one with Disconnected Film Theory. ultimate understanding and intimacy. metaphorical sex. but thats not their ending and would never be.

Later on, in the subway station, yoo joonghyuk vomits SP up venom style, because he still has his destiny to complete, and yjh has his own.

(then during the epilouge: meeting again. secretive plotter watching over yjh as always, calling him pitiful in a queercoded villain speaking to the hero way, as he rescues him saying this is definitely the last time. "I pray that we don't have to run into each other again, Yoo Joonghyuk." <-heLLO??? ALSO SP GIVING YJH HIS OUTER GOD KING POWERS.....TO PROTECT HIM AGAIN.........im ill)

[just-your-average-author]

A Sleeping Dragon

“This movie is completely unrealistic!” spoke out Logan, completely and utterly exasperated during Wreck it Ralph. Family movie nights never went according to plan. “There is no possible way video game characters could interact in that way and frankly, the way the inner workings of electrical units are portrayed is ridiculous.”

Roman sighed. He looked down at Virgil who was laying into him fast asleep. “Logan, it’s just a movie. It's a silly movie. It isn’t meant to be realistic.”

Patton giggled. “Yeah, Lo! It’s just a movie.”

Logan huffed. “I don’t see how someone could enjoy a film when it is so blatantly ridiculous.” Roman rolled his eyes, while Patton just giggled again. “It should have at least some aspect of a realistic component to it.”

”Just watch the movie, Specs,” huffed Roman in annoyance.

Virgil, who was curled up napping in between Roman and Patton with his head in Roman’s lap, stirred. He grunted, very annoyed. “Who woke me up?”

All three sides froze. You did not want to be the person who woke Virgil up. He didn’t sleep much, so when he did, he expected to not be disturbed.

“Well? I’m waiting,” demanded Virgil, now sitting up straight. He looked around in question, arms crossed.

Roman blurted out, pointing an accusatory finger toward the logical trait in the recliner. “Logan was complaining about the movie!”

Logan glared at Roman in indignation. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I not allowed to speak during the whole movie?” he inquired angrily. He turned to Virgil. “Besides, I would have dropped it if Roman would have just nodded and agreed with me. But no, he had to argue,” he added scowling.

Virgil hid his smirk and instead raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that so?” In reality, he never actually got mad when he was woken up. He just liked messing with the others (especially Roman) however he could. Virgil figured he could have some fun with this.

”O-oh, well-” stuttered Roman.

“I thought I heard something other than Logan’s voice! I heard someone else who was frankly quite louder than Logan!” interjected Virgil looking up at Roman. Roman paled.

“Ah well, I was just defending the movie that’s all,” he replied, trying to hide his fear and failing miserably. “Simply making conversation.”

Virgil smothered a grin. He loved making Roman nervous. “Well, Roman, we all know you’re a lot louder than Logan; it was probably you who woke me up.”

“Now that’s not always-“

Roman was cut off by his yelp, feeling a poke at his ribs. “No interrupting!” scolded Virgil, this time forgetting to mask the grin and the obvious enjoyment he was getting out of this.

Roman blanched as Virgil’s intentions were made clear. “Virge, I’m sorry! Honest! You can go back to sleep, and we’ll all be quiet okay?” He glanced around to see if any of the other Sides would lend a hand. Logan was pretending to be fascinated by the movie suddenly and Patton was also suddenly too ‘preoccupied‘ to notice. He began to grow very nervous as Virgil crept up closer to him.

“Well, I’m already awake now thanks to you-“ he poked Roman’s side again who squeaked at the touch. Virgil‘s evil smile took up his whole face. “I’m very upset, Roman. My sleep was disturbed.” Roman began whining and backed into the arm of the sofa as Virgil continued to get closer. Patton and Logan finally turned their attention to the two traits in the middle of a standoff.

“Don’t hurt him, Virgil!” pleaded Patton.

“I appreciate your concern, but don’t worry Pat. I won’t hurt him. Physically anyway. His pride might be a little bruised.” Virgil smirked again. Roman continued to plead with the darker side despite knowing full well that nothing would stop what was about to happen.

“Come on, Virgil, please! I promise it won’t happen again! I- EEP!“ A pinch to his side.

“Too late, Princey. In all your years of being a prince, has no one told you the most important rule?“

Virgil paused as if trying to build up even more anticipation. He leaned in so close, that Roman could feel the anxious Side’s breath against his neck.

“Don’t wake a sleeping dragon.”

With that, he pounced on Roman and scribbled all over his torso immediately causing the Prince to break into frantic cackles. He mercilessly tickled all over and despite Roman’s defenses, Virgil was just too fast. Every place he tried to guard, the anxious side would just tickle somewhere else. Roman was hysterically laughing and resorted to calling for help from the others.

“HEEHEHEHELLLPPP!!” He cried through his desperate laughter.

“You shouldn’t require our assistance. You should be able to fight him off yourself. If I’m not mistaken, you supposedly have beaten this so-called ‘Dragon Witch’ which, judging by the name, would seem much more dangerous than the tickle monster,” replied Logan, a teasing smile encompassing his features.

”Oh I’m not sure about that Logan,” joked Virgil. “The tickle monster is pretty vicious.”

Poor Roman turned a bright red. “Stahahahahahahap teheheheasheheing!!”

“Aww Lo, look he’s blushing really hard,” Patton gushed.

Roman just blushed harder at that, the teasing was killing him. He was laughing himself hoarse while Virgil just snickered with no signs of stopping anytime soon. After what seemed like hours, Virgil noticed Roman’s laugh becoming more breathy.

“Well, Princey,” Virgil began. Roman was beside himself laughing, as Virgil’s hands were shoved in his armpits “I think you might have learned your lesson.” Roman nodded frantically. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop on one condition. You say, ‘Virgil, you are the best side in the entire world and I would be nothing without you, and I promise to never disrupt your sleep ever again.’ Can you say that?” Roman squeaked as a response. Virgil chuckled knowing Roman couldn’t possibly; he was laughing way too hard.

“VIRHIHIGLLE YOHOHOHO ARHAHAA AHHHHH!”

“Yes? I am what?”

“BEHEHEHEEHEST SIHIHIHIHDE- OHOHOHO MYHHYHY GOHOHOSH!”

Virgil laughed. “And?”

“IHIHIHI CAHAHAHANT REMEHEHEMBER!!” Roman cried in desperation. Virgil started to feel a little bad.

“Alright close enough.” He finally stopped and poor Princey fell limp, giggling and wheezing for air. Virgil smiled down at him. “Sorry dude. May have gone slightly overboard,” he apologized.

“Hahaha, my stohohomahahach, ohoho mahan.”

Virgil helped him sit up and got him settled. Roman was exhausted, so Virgil let him lay in his lap. “There you go, Sir Sing-a-lot,” Roman mumbled a thank you. The roles were reversed as Roman laid napping on Virgil and the rest of the bunch were threatened to stay quiet by Virgil, lest they get the same treatment Roman did. They all watched the movie in silence.

[hallucinateonpaperspines]

How do you think cybertronian society would react (pre war) to ashlyn like unleashed on their planet, because personally I think that would be hilarious and also terrifying. Do I ask this mainly because the thought of young D-16 and either current story Ashlyn or pre story Ashlyn interacting is both terrifying and interesting? Yes.

Honestly, it could go so many different ways, *evil cackle*

Speaking of the new movie, is everybody else hyped? CAUSE I AM SO EXCITED! FINALLY, we are getting a fun animated Transformers film ヾ(*´ ∇ `)ﾉ

I saw that cross-eye megatron reference from Bumblebee, tfp anyone?

ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬

ehem, happy dance aside, here's what I think a Golden Age Ashlyn would have been like...

Presuming that she fell into this situation as a Human things get awkward very quickly. Organics aren't very well received on Cybertron nevermind how their products are luxury goods apparently

Running through the streets, ducking under vendor stalls, and darting between peds like a literal street rat, Ashlyn is very very confused on what the utter frag happened to her.

Unfortunately, as an organic alien lifeform, especially as one that is currently undiscovered, she is VERY distinctive. Her small size helps her a bit with sneaking, but eventually, it becomes common knowledge that a weird creature is hanging around. It doesn't help that her need for breathable air severely restricts potential roaming areas, and only a handful of stores/merchants carry edible food items.

Already making a name for herself as a pest... in a surprisingly literal sense.

When she's eventually spotted and caught by a Cybe with particularly good reflexes, Ash is forced to come up with something fast so she doesn't get squished. By now, you all know where her self-defense tendencies tend to point to.

On the plus side, the twerp survived. On the negative, he's going to need a new servo since the wiring that articulates his digits is beyond saving. Also, a small feral organic that goes for joints is apparently entertainment enough for these people. Welcome to the mini and illegal gladiator battles, Ashlyn! The unregulated leagues for those who can't afford to go watch the real thing.

Look at her go, gaining all the XP fighting alien bugs and other mini-bosses.

Of course, 3 things occurred during this time period. 1) Ashlyn is actually picking up on Neocybex and proving surprisingly adept at it. 2) She's starting to gain a legitimate reputation and doing Humans Are Space Orcs proud via creative/brutal takedowns of her opponents, and biological features that can be terrifying to an alien. 3) Someone in Iacon has quietly been looking for a creature resembling her specifications, but due to the fact that Ashlyn is in Kaon and an asset of an illegal fighting ring, she is unidentifiable.

Of course when Ashlyn finally gains enough of an affinity for Neocybex, (with a very thick kaon accent) she wants to wait to reveal her sentience until it's at a point where she can't be knocked off or ignored. That plan does not last. No.

Because Ashlyn Moore, covered in robot gore, looks up one day to see a very familiar outline.

"ɎØɄ"

D-16, for his part, is very confused as to why the little alien just looked at him and started chittering like a sparkling while shaking.

The crowd is in an uproar.

See humans do look very similar in structure to a basic Cybertronain model. Even more so when you compare it to a sparkling model which is squishy. eh, Unicron connection?

The point is, an unidentified, kinda sparkling-ish thing, that sounds like sparkling, has also just fulfilled one of the oldest Sparkling-Guardian rituals of choosing an adult to protect them. Look at ze adult, go to ze adult, don't let ze adult leave without you.

Ashlyn might not have had such... noble intentions when she launched herself at D-16 while rambling, but such is the beauty of cultural miscommunications. And dehydration and malnourishment. And an almost chronically activated stress response. You get situations like these!

"ɎØɄ!-гЅ₮₳₭Ɇ ₴Ø₥Ɇ ⱤɆ₴₱Ø₦₴ł฿łⱠł₮Ɏ! …-₣Ɽ₳��ł₦₲ ฿Ʉ₲₴ ł'VɆ ₭łⱠⱠɆĐ?"

Ashlyn is only half understandable in this state, but it's fine. D-16, and soon all of Kaon understands perfectly.

A scrappy deformed sparkling, likely originating from an unidentified hot spot, beat the odds and has chosen an ex-miner and soon full-time gladiator to be her sire/mentor. What a spark-warming story.

Oh yeah, and someone in Iacon is still hunting that human.

The end result would probably culminate in an overly suspicious Ashlyn accidentally causing a chain reaction that would lead to a Decepticon Orion Pax, a proper coup of the High Council, probably Emperor of Destruction Starscream, and Big Villian Shockwave. The Autobots would not exist. Does anyone want to try and theorize why?

D-16 would realize pretty quick that this tiny bundle of chaos isn't an actual sparkling, but it's an argument he'd use to keep her should any outside influences try and take Ashlyn away. Why? Because a highly intelligent and vicious mystery just dropped into his lap, and someone on the Council wants it really badly. That's more than enough of a justification.

Now, if only he could find out why the organic hates him so much... and why she's so valuable.

Now Ashlyn as a bot would be VERRRRRY different.

Same as the first, she pops up in Kaon (may or may not be a narrative reason for that (・ω<) )

Unlike the human version, the poor girl is caught almost immediately.

Turns out, stumbling around a foreign area, being unable to speak the language, and lacking identification doesn't get you the best treatment. Unfortunately, her more bestial-looking design doesn't help much either in a Functionist society.

Actually, the Enforcers processing her are pretty confused by it, the wings and taloned servos say Seeker, but the spines and fanged denta hint at something else completely... and the subject refuses, or is unable to, transform into an altmode...

Oh well, can't put it in a category, and then toss it out.

Flagging the weirdness for the bosses to deal with, the anomaly is sent to the mines, and a record containing her image and newly given designation is sent to the higher offices. YN-013 is soon forgotten.

Ashlyn, by the time she figures out written translations for Neocybex, finds the designation hilarious. Her fellow miners don't understand why she giggles when she introduces herself.

The mines are horrible, that much is undeniable, but at the same time, Ashlyn can't help but feel like it should be worse?

Her form proves adept at collecting energon, her claws far more efficient than the half-rusted pick-axe she's handed every day. The energon is easy to find too, almost like there's a sixth sense in her brain for where those shards are hiding.

She doesn't realize that the tunnels she's stationed in quickly gain a reputation for being more productive. That her peers end their days not quite as run down anymore. That miners switch shifts and bribe to be in the same branch of tunnels. She's quickly become an omen of good luck and temporary revival.

Ashlyn also doesn't realize that someone in Iacon is tearing through every rumor on Cyberton looking for her... or the organic her.

D-16 hears rumors about the newest unfortunate spark that's been sent to join them in the dark, but he doesn't believe it. Not until he sees it.

There is something about this individual that's different, maybe the stories are true. Solus reforged, perhaps? The missing Thirteenth? Or is this a new prime, come to save them and bring Cybertron back to its glory.

Ashlyn for her part is vibing collecting pretty rocks, and would prefer the future genocidal maniac to stay far away from her, please.

The not-yet-future-genocidal-maniac does not leave. Instead, he talks.

D-16 is actually the one that teaches her proper Neocybex, not the fragmented version she's been getting by with. In return, she tells him what the surface was like for the brief bit of time she was there.

Over time, the strange happenings around YA-013 are normalized and forgotten, but not by D-16. He knows she is not just some wild-forged thing that had the bad to stumble into the wrong city-state. He knows that she can't just be some bestial new-forged, because her optics are far too aware, too knowing. She hesitates, as though shuffling through information when she speaks. The alien babble she talks to herself in, while basic, is too natural to be anything but a primary language. Her smiles are sad even if the laughter is easy. She says things, and calls him Bucket Head, and Mega-arse.

She already knows who his favorite Prime is.

YN-013 never comments when he explains his plans to become a gladiator and gain his freedom. But he can feel the judgment. The resignation. Like she already knew. "Forget about me when you become one of the most famous bots to walk on Cybertron, yeah? Little old me will be nothing compared to the masses that'll scream your name."

YN-013 never talked about her own future, not in a way that sounds lasting. "I'd like to sightsee while I can. Never know when city walls will go tumbling down."

Megatronus doesn't forget her. Not in the Pits as he battles against foes and realizes how much healthier his frame is compared to his opponents, how much stronger, despite them all feeding off the same scraps. He doesn't forget as he meets an Archivist and hears all the snide jokes about his type being "boys in red and blue. Sweet nerds that take forever to commit to ending you."

Orion Pax, quickly becomes a close friend. Megatron never comments on his paint job. He's yet to see Pax exhibit anything but an agreeable and slightly excitable disposition... but he can't help but hold back even as he chides his own superstition.

"I don't think you'll have much luck in the friend department, Bucket. "

Why had he never gone back for her? Why had she never joined him in the arena?

"That's your origin story, D, and I'd hate to incinerate your undefeated record."

Megatron doesn't forget the stranger hidden in the mines. Not when he meets Orion's mentor, not when he stands before the Council, not as every veiled barb, sorrowful mutter, or hidden revelation comes true.

Even when he goes back for her and finds her gone, the Warlord never forgets the seer of the mines.

YN-013 had never realized, that just as D-16 had taught her a language, so too had she taught him hers. Every private word, every thoughtless exclamation, he remembered.

No, that unfortunate spark in the mines was not a wild-forged femme with bad luck. She was not a prime, remade, or replace. She was something different. A puzzle, a friend, an asset.

Lord Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, never forgot.

So how strange was it, to find a planet that spoke that same tongue?

The Autobots seek a relic and the Decepticons search for a seer. Optimus inherits a charge that can only be fulfilled through a missing person and Megatron wants closure to the fate and identity of someone he might've considered a friend.

Ashlyn struggles with guilt over choosing to not change the timeline and has been hiding on Earth since the last few centuries of the war. She's spawned more than a few stories in her wanderings, triggered some changes she never realized. A shifter who went rogue after a drunken conversation at a bar and never swore his loyalty. Bartering fuel with an Autobot vessel, allowing the Ark to avoid Decepticon Scouts and remain unharmed. A Prime who learned the truth about his predecessors early, and resolved to do more than simply restore his planet to what it used to be.

Ashlyn can't hide from the plot forever. War or not, things have changed, and now she's part of that story.

[landofzero-archive]

Perplex - Prank Intersection 3

Season: Spring

(Location: Starmony Dorm (Kaoru, Yuta, Nagisa's Room))

(Several hours later)

Yuuta: Hmm~mm……

(I usually can decide on a prank with just a little bit of thinking, but this time I can’t settle on what would be good to do…… 

I can quickly think of easy things to do, but something ordinary would get buried huh…… 

It’s a rare chance. I don’t want to be shelved, just like Rinne-senpai said!)

But to do that, what should I do……. Haah. 

Nagisa: …… What are you worrying about?

Yuuta: Uwah!? Ran-senpai, did you just get back?

Kaoru: Ahaha, we’ve been back for a while. Incidentally, me and Ran-kun just came back at the same time……. 

Yuuta: S-Sorry.  I didn’t even greet you two Senpai…….

Kaoru: We don’t mind, so it’s alright. You looked like you were pretty troubled. 

Nagisa: ……… If you’re troubled over something, you can ask us for advice, you know? 

Yuuta: Hmmm. Well, if it’s you guys then it’s alright, isn’t it? The truth is—

Nagisa: …… The filming of a prank, huh. Yuuta-kun is troubled over the details, I see. 

Kaoru: Heeeh, so Yuuta-kun is going to appear in that program. The truth is, I’m planned to make an appearance too. 

Yuuta: Eh, are you planning a prank too, Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Ah, no no. If anything, I’m part of the ones watching the pranks being recorded from the studio. My position might be much closer to a commentator.

Anyway, I’m not your rival, Yuuta-kun, so you can relax.

Nagisa: …… I also wanted to try pulling a prank. Everyone else is being cast in it, so letting me do it too should be okay. 

Yuuta: Isn’t that because Eden doesn’t want to take the variety route too much?

Just the other day, Aniki got a good scolding because he let Ran-senpai join [2x2 (Squared)], after all. 

Nagisa: …… You could say that. It feels like it’d be better for me to be obedient for a while as well. 

Kaoru: Ahaha, it’s pretty rare to see Ran-kun with such a dejected expression.

But, what sort of prank would be good, you ask? It surely is pretty difficult to shoot something interesting.

Yuuta: That’s right. I thought a prank would be something easy because it’s something I've done lots of times before……

But now that I’m thinking about it, I started thinking ‘is it really interesting?’ and doubting myself……

Kaoru: I see. That being said, I’m not well-informed about pranks either.

Nagisa: …… Who would you want to prank, Yuuta?

Kaoru: Ah, that might be a good way to think about it. Why not match the details of the prank to who you’re pranking?

Yuuta: Um, the truth is I haven’t decided on who it’ll be yet……

At first I meant to set up a prank on Rinne-senpai, but it seems that Rinne-senpai’s joining the program as one of the pranksters like I am. 

Besides, he saw my plans, so it’s a bit iffy to follow through with it. 

Seriously, if it wasn’t for that, I’d be the first to set up a prank! 

Kaoru: Ahaha, I can feel somewhat of a personal grudge in your manner of speaking~? 

Nagisa: …… Don’t you have any other prospective targets?

Yuuta: If I were to think about other people, it’ll be someone like Shinobu-kun. Also, I did think that Ogami-senpai seems like someone that’ll be easy to set up a prank for.

Kaoru: Either Shinobu-kun or Koga-kun, huh……

Yuuta: …… You’ve got a somewhat doubtful expression on your face, Hakaze-senpai. Is there some sort of problem with those two? 

Kaoru: No it’s not so much as a problem. I was ju~st thinking that when you post about a big successful practical joke on the SNS, it will generally be those two displayed in the pictures. 

Nagisa: ……It seems to lack an element of surprise, huh.

Kaoru: That’s right. I think what’s more important in a prank isn’t the set up itself, but the element of surprise and the reaction of the person being pranked. 

Yuuta: …… That’s true. People with loud reactions are funnier, and there might be more of an element of surprise with people who are not used to pranks.

Kaoru: Right? If we follow that perspective, the two people you just brought up might lack the element of surprise in terms of people Yuuta-kun would choose. 

Yuuta: In that case, I wonder who would be good?

Nagisa: …… How about Ibara?

Yuuta: Eh!? Pulling a prank on the Vice Prez…… Is that really alright?

Nagisa: …… Don’t worry about it. As Eden’s leader, I’ll permit it.

Yuuta: Eh~, I feel like he’ll get mad after……

Nagisa: …… Fufu. If anything were to happen, you can say that I gave you the order to do it. 

…… Eden is a unit that doesn’t appear in variety shows often. Ibara in particular seems to consciously avoid appearing in them. 

…… It might be because he has an aversion to it, but if that’s the case, Ibara’s own “range” as an idol won’t expand.

Yuuta: I-I see…… But, the Vice Prez might actually be the right choice. 

Kaoru: I think he is the right one too. Saegusa-kun is the kind of kid who doesn’t show off much of his private life, so the element of surprise should be there. 

Yuuta: Fufu. Thank you very much for giving me advice, you two. 

Now that I’ve decided on that, I gotta think about the details of the prank♪ 

(Location: CosPro Office)

(The next day)

Ibara: …… What? You’d like me to join Cafe Cinnamon’s tasting party? 

………

Ah, no. It’s something that made Anzu-san come to CosPro in a hurry, so I was simply on guard. 

However, it wasn’t a major incident as I had thought, so it could be said to be a bit of a disappointment…… 

No. It’s not good to make a decision before hearing about the details, right? May I have the proposal?

Thank you very much. I’ll be taking a look at it.

(…… Hm. It seems to be a collaboration project between the four major agencies, planned by Cafe Cinnamon. 

The plan seems to be that idols would be sampling the depiction of each agency as a drink, and then they will be answering something like an interview…… ) 

I’ve got the gist of it. There is no problem in accepting it, but I am wondering about one thing. 

The other side named me personally, but can it not be a different idol? If it’s a tasting, there are lots of other suitable people such as Shiina-shi……. 

…… I see. Anzu-san would like me to make an appearance, if it’s possible. 

(…… How curious. This matter is so sloppy that it’s unthinkable that Anzu-san would be in charge of it. 

A tasting party is an extreme example, but anyone should be fine doing this job. I wonder what the reason for her going out of her way to offer this job to me even then?

There must be a reason Anzu-san made this offer to me. However, I could not see the reason. 

Furthermore, Anzu-san’s odd evasiveness. It even feels like she’s being reserved with me somehow…….) 

—Ah, I see. So it’s that kind of thing, isn’t it?

No, it’s nothing. That’s right…… Alright. I will accept what we just discussed. 

Yes, it’s not a problem. I will adjust my schedule myself. 

(…… Presently, Anzu-san has a look on her face that says that she did not expect me to take on this job. 

If she wanted to deceive me, she would not be making that face. Oh well, Anzu-san’s role should be nothing more than a mediator. 

This time is special, though. I must once again discipline a co-worker (1) who's made the mistake of biting the wrong person. 

Please be grateful. I'll personally make you understand just how frightening the educating venom of a "venomous snake" is…...♪ )

TL NOTES

1. 身内 (Miuchi): relatives from one’s family, friends or people from the same organisation. It might also be ‘follower’, if that’s more to your liking.

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[last-words-ofashootingstar]

this rambling is brought to you by adderall and a long car ride ™️ if i was gonna spend time with ateez just like casually this is what i'd want to do- 'star what started this ?' asked nobody but i'll tell anyways :

the song hoochie mama started playing and

MINGI, i am introducing that man to Hoochie Mama and Scrub Da Ground, we will be shmoking and making tiktok's that will never see the light of day until we wear ourselves out and pass out on the floor with a gerbil we somehow acquired

YUNHO, teach me how to play games that aren't plants vs zombies and super mario bros please and thx i'll give you a shoulder rub in return 🙏 he can play on my nintendo DS while i snuggle in his lap omg i just fainted

SEONGHWA, IM PLAYING WITH THIS MANS HAIR. self care and legos. is it predictable ? yeah but it's real asf that's why. i feel like puzzles too, but i would get bored after doing the border and end up koala hugging onto his back while he finished it

YEOSANG my buff fairy boy, i will work out with him no matter what KQ has to say abt it 🙄 i can teach him wrestling moves and nibble on his arms- WOAH WHO SAID THAT OMG

i want to watch classic comedies or cult classics with JONGHO, i had a dream once of watching Little Shop of Horrors with him and it's happening !!! i don't care what y'all say this man has an elite sense of humor and would be cracking jokes until our bellys hurt from laughing

buff fairy boy #2, SAN, he looks so fucking comfy i just wanna face plant into him and stay there fr. cuddles. he can even name one of my plushies 🙂‍↕️ i feel like he would also be good to talk about childhood memories and just reminisce

me and WOOYOUNG in one room would result in chaos no matter what we planned on doing so i'd say just hanging out. my gf says that me and wooyo are very similar and GURL... i won't go into details but we'd be having a sass-off until hongjoong had to break it up and then we'd sass some more cause we liked it 😓 we can cook together and fill the place with our witch laughs

SPEAKING OF HONGJOONG OMG HEY HUUUUUUSBAND LET ME RANT FOR A HOT MIN. he's so kewl i think i would simply just sit and watch him do whatever and be over the moon but more specifically i want to make a short film with him. both of us are very creative and i feel like it would be so much fun even if it was never posted anywhere. and holy shit the amount of times i've imagined listening to Preachers Daughter by Ethel Cain with him and letting him hold me while i cry and then he writes a song about it and we get married and have babies OMG WHO IS SAYING THAAAAAG 😦😦 we can get a home in nebraska at the edge of town and dance with the windows open (ethel cain reference anyone ? she's my favorite artist besides ateez) anywhoooo

[lover-of-mine]

IDK enough about when scripts for S7 were written vs knowing 10 eps only and S8 renewal, but I kind of feel like eps 1-5 were written with Eddie/Tommy leading to Buddie in mind and then when the switch happened they changed a couple of things in eps 1-3 (not much, just Buck speaking to Tommy before he headed off after Eddie) and then ep 4 became a mish mash of what was originally planned with Eddie (his whole meeting someone and clicking thing and their "dates"). I feel like they were going Buddie (making Buck jealous while Eddie figured out he liked men in 7a and then going to spend 7b with the fallout of that leading to Buddie) but then found out they had only 10 eps and the woman who played Natalia couldn't come back so they switched it to Buck because it was easier to make him bi/they didn't have a storyline for him anymore if Eddie wasn't dating Tommy, making Buck question everything while still dating Natalia. And THEN they got renewed so instead of pushing Buddie to end S7 they moved it to S8 to give Eddie a better coming out arc, but then had to come up with a storyline for him beyond the nun thing and TM happened to watch Vertigo late one night... IDK maybe I'm crazy, but I just feel like S7 was planned buddie (starting with Eddie/Tommy as catalyst) - even including how they marketed the season before it aired with a lot of Buddie stuff and talking about it in interviews, etc (and that Family Feud ep) after filming the first 5 eps that had been written - and then between only 10 eps and a S8 renewal the plans changed. Does that make sense or am I delusional?

If you're delusional, we both are delusional because I'm right there with you. They already had episode 6 recorded by the time of the renewal but not anything past that, and assuming that the renewal allowed them not to rush things doesn't feel crazy to me. Also I think they switched things around because they realized Buck was more straight forward to get out of the closet than Eddie along with the actress availability, I don't think they planned on shoving Buck on the back burner, they just happened to not know what to do with him because Natalia couldn't come back so they couldn't use her for whatever plan they had about his death, and then they gave him something they had planned for Eddie, because the switch happened while they were filming the cruise, and just kept him in Eddie's storyline for the rest of the season because they didn't plan that far ahead lol the vertigo thing was very clearly a last minute decision because if they had thought about it earlier, they would've expanded the situation to happen all season, imo they could've used Kim in 705 for the conflict with Marisol instead of that nonsense of moving in/moving out, along with actually giving us the backstory on Eddie and Shannon. That deleted conversation with Chris adds a lot and it would be interesting if we had seen some version of it during 701 when Chris is having his crisis about Shannon and talking to 5 girls, and if they had laid the groundwork from the beginning of the season, that storyline wouldn't be so out of pocket. I think it was a combination of the way the actress couldn't come back, the show was renewed early and the way that Buck bi was well received, they kinda realized they could use Eddie being queer to bring the same type of buzz to s8 as biBuck brought to s7, and looking at it from a business perspective, to cram both storylines into one season when they could milk the exposure is kinda dumb, so we ended up with them not knowing what to do for the back half of the season and just winging it. And Ryan said they were getting scrips hours before shooting, so like, it was very clearly we did not plan for this but we need 4 more episodes so they let Tim play in his sandbox of madness.

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Brooklyn 2

This year marked my first time attending a kaiju convention that wasn't G-Fest. In my defense, there were no real options besides G-Fest until very recently, and those options kept getting scheduled during my semester (All Monsters Attack) or had hefty travel costs attached (the cons in Texas, Arizona, and California). But Kaiju Brooklyn's sophomore outing caught my eye, not the least because it was being held in my home state.

Kaiju Brooklyn's existence is fairly serendipitous. Artist and set painter John Belotti Jr. scored the t-shirt rights to the Ultra Series in 2022, but Tsuburaya didn't approve his designs in time for him to sell them at any of the major New York City conventions. After learning that an event space had opened up in Brooklyn's Industry City, he hit upon the idea of a kaiju convention—and thanks to the twin WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, he had ample time to plan one.

Kaiju Brooklyn 2 expanded significantly on its predecessor, adding a full lineup of panels, a second film screening, a Friday night VIP party, and an Ultraman screening room. I sprung for the VIP package because I thought it would better justify the trip and I was originally supposed to go with my vastly more outgoing QPP. I ended up skittering around the outskirts of the party like the wallflower I am until some of the volunteers noticed my Wikizilla shirt and started gushing about the site/channel. (Keeping the site up to date has been seriously draining as of late, so that really meant a lot.) The swag bag consisted of a Kaiju Brooklyn-branded string backpack and lanyard, a sticker for the night's movie, and a Blu-ray of Superior 8 Ultra Brothers. At first I thought the Blu was the big prize, but the backpack ended up making my life a lot easier the next day. @mainblag (April) showed up for the outdoor Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends the Movie screening. The crowd was enthusiastic and the venue terrific; unfortunately, the overhead lighting never dimmed, making the picture hard to see. I had seen the film enough times to be able to follow it regardless, but it was April's first viewing. Mill Creek Blu-ray, Japanese with English subtitles. (I hoped in vain for the dub.)

I arrived at the con early the next day to see how far I could stretch my limited funds in the dealers' room. There was a TV at the entrance to the hall playing Godzilla Minus One, serendipitously added to Netflix mid-con. (Enough of us stopped to watch the atomic breath scene in Ginza that we briefly blocked said entrance.) The dealers were splendid. I recognized a few from G-Fest; speaking of the Chicago con, it was refreshing to see so many kaiju artists in one room again. Amazingly, no Toho lawyers descended from the ceiling. My haul is here. Took me long enough to pick up a MinusGoji. Also, props to Tsuburaya for having a booth; the free Ultraman: Rising cards went quickly.

I went to three panels: Ultraman Goes West with Belotti Jr. and Ultraman Connection's EJ Couloucoundis; A Tale of 2 Godzillas with Shin Godzilla PA Yoko Higuchi, and Kevin Derendorf's incredible one-hour encapsulation of the Godzilla franchise right before the night's movie screening. The Ultraman panel was a real how-far-we've-come moment. Tsuburaya is doing far more to make their back catalogue and their ears available to U.S. fans than Toho at this point, and I was really impressed with how eloquently Couloucoundis spoke about the Ultra Series. The 2 Godzillas panel was hamstrung by the absence of Will Caban, who worked on TriStar's Godzilla, but Higuchi had more than enough stories about Shin and thoughts about kaiju to fill the hour. Great moderator too. There was also supposed to be a meet-and-greet with Monster Island Buddies; unfortunately, he had the flu.

The Cosplay Contest, held on the same rectangular turf lawn as the screenings, was great fun. Creative costumes; great performances for the crowd; a minimum of photographers lunging in front of everyone else for the perfect shot.

The outdoor showing of The Return of Godzilla was my first time seeing the film with a crowd, and I believe my first time revisiting it since my big Godzilla series rewatch in 2019. I took it in with the lovely group I had sort of glommed onto later in the day, along with April and the college friend who I was staying with. I much prefer the Kazuki Omori films that followed—the pacing here tends towards the sluggish—but it takes some big swings with the Cold War angle and, as one of only two Godzilla films made in the 80s, has a unique look. The crowd enthusiastically booed the American flag on the ambassador's car. The source was the Kraken Releasing Blu-ray, Japanese with English subtitles.

I want to end by talking a bit more about the venue, Industry City. This is a line of historical warehouses and factories now largely occupied by various small businesses, including The Shops at Japan Village. It's a vastly more engaging space than a hotel, at times even beautiful, and helped make up for the two-track nature of the con. If you weren't up for the current panel and had tapped out your Dealers' Room budget, there was still plenty to look at. The panels were held at various spaces throughout the venue, and getting to them was sometimes a bit of an adventure. The Higuchi panel was decidedly cramped. It seems inevitable that the con will keep growing, given Godzilla and Ultraman's ever-climbing popularity in the States, but I wonder how much physical room it has to do so in Industry City.

If you're on the East Coast, Kaiju Brooklyn's well worth the trip. For as much as kaiju fans bicker online, the ones who come to in-person meetups remain a blast to talk to, and they know how to put on a show.

[joandfriedrich]

I watched March Family Letters and wasn't crazy about it.

Meg was prim and uptight, and they gender swapped John to make it a lesbian romance, which felt a little strange as Meg was the one who wanted the most traditional family set up. It felt like the choice was a judgement on her character, and like they didn't understand her or what made her work. She was just this uptight mother figure to all the girls, and had zero chemistry with female John.

Beth they gave cancer to, but also made her character asexual (because it was the 2010s and we couldn't just not label this dying young woman, I suppose?) The show ends with no closure on whether she recovers, and there is no second season, which felt like a deliberately frustrating choice for viewers. It's jarring to not 'know' what happens to her.

Amy is incredibly irritating. She speaks in this over the top, affected accent I think is supposed to be fake posh or fake British or something, but sounds like no real human being, and definitely no real teenage girl.

Jo is horrible. She's loud and shouts all the time, and lashes out at everyone. I think they're trying to convey her anger struggles, but it doesn't work. It's hard to watch any of these March girls, to be honest. I liked the LBD, but I wouldn't recommend this one

Thank you anon for giving your opinion, this was pretty helpful.

I always feel like Meg often gets the short stick when it comes to adaptions, always opting to make her be the boring one, or someone that doesn't have more to her than being the, like you said, prim and proper one. Meg in the books often had fun with her sisters, has a playful side, as well as loving. While I am not against adding queerness in modern adaptions, it should be done with awareness of where it ought to go. Meg would be the last character I would have be in a lesbian relationship, as it just doesn't seem to fit, if it makes sense.

I am fine with giving Beth something like cancer (I believe in the modern 2018 film she had leukemia) especially since illnesses like scarlet fever can be cured with modern medicine, so it wouldn't be so bad. I have to disagree with you on your stance of Beth and asexuality. I, along with quite a number of people, have read book Beth as being ace, and I would be completely fine with modern takes presenting it without making it a character's whole personality. It is odd that they would leave it ambiguous, especially for those who hadn't read the book or seen any other version. Unless they were planning on splitting it into two parts, like how the book had been originally, but again, why do that unless you knew that you could do it?

Amy, my poor girl Amy. As the youngest sibling, I am against the idea that they must always be the most annoying sibling without any redeeming qualities. Not to say I was a perfect angel in my youth, but there were times my horrible actions were motivated by the horrible actions by my older siblings, and that is the same with Amy. I can be for weird girl Amy, but if that is her default mode, it will make it hard for people to want to care, and she needs to be cared for in order for the story to flow the way it would eventually.

While I can appreciate adaptions showing Jo's temper, and viewing it as an issue and not just an extension of her passionate side (which can be very problematic), but if you make that her only character trait, it really can make her appear nothing more than a bully, which is not who Jo truly is. She is complex; she loves devotedly as well as feels hates passionately, she is intelligent and talented but also immature and clumsy.

Overall, what I am getting from this series was that they were trying too hard in places where it wasn't needed, and not trying enough in places that were necessary. No wonder it didn't get a second season.

[punch-love]

No gun lol I was just curious what you thought because from my pov you produce so so much. Like your writing, your art, you mention you do a lot of artistic hobbies, even responding to comments or tumblr asks seems like a ton of work (tbh I don’t know how you do it I barely respond to my texts and my emails are not responded to in a timely fashion to the detriment of my work life). And I consume 10000x more than I produce to the world (mostly tv/film/insta/tiktok) and I would say the majority of the world are much bigger consumers than givers to the world (I’m pretty impressed by people who don’t consume media or social media because like most people spend 6+ hours a day on it) and like the only person I know who gives to the world more than takes is a doctor I know who works like 70+ hours a week and says she wants to work more every time I mention they work an insane amount of hours. So I guess I wanted to see if you feel like you do consume a lot of media/social media because like idk how u spend ur time, or if you feel like u spend more hours producing content or things for the world but like no gun being held lol

the context absolutely helps - in my mind, I don't produce a lot of content because 75% of what I produce, never ends up on the internet (making it content) and I was like, idk man. I clearly consume a lot of content because I'm on here evey day and you get a chapter from me on average every six months. I was like "I think the numbers speak for themselves. why are you even asking me that?"

however - since you're counting content as like, everything I create regardless of whether it ends up online as content. that changes the game. I am currently sitting in a circle of torn up magazines that I'm cutting for my collage bags + the six ones I'm making for various friends. I spent three hours today at my local studio working on a mixed-media t-shirt. I'm about to start adding occult clippings and writings to my grimiore. my sketchbook is currently open to a page that I plan on working on tonight when I'm finished with all that. I had a work party to go to last night, and spent most of it drawing all over all the little note cards they gave us and had one of my bosses ask me why I was in our industry, and not art.

creating is what I do, it's my existence. if I'm not sleeping, I'm thinking of art, or I'm putting together art, or I'm planning art, or I'm consuming things with the intention of repurposing them into art.

all that being said, I'm sure I consume more than I create. I'm addicted to short form videos, I've watched 114 movies this year. I'm always playing through some sort of RPG game on my over-worked laptop (right now it's dragon age 2 and the witcher 3) I've read 70 books this year, I have instagram, tiktok, and pinterest. I use tumblr chronically. it's kind of.....hard to create more than you consume. I think ideally, I would like to try, but I have yet to figure out the sweet spot. we live in a consumerism society. even artists are fighting the numbers. my job is not necessarily artistic though, nor is it consumerism but I still have to be on my phone often for it for tracking data and writing insurance notes which is still time spent in front of a screen (though the bulk of it is spent providing care and therapy to children, which like, isn't)

in a perfect world. I create more than I consume. but in reality, even though I spend pretty much all of my free time that isn't spent working out or rotting on creating, that rotting still has me consuming more than I create. I think my ambitions though which are like, being a full-time creator who has their hands in at least 6+ mediums dreams of near exclusive production.

but also, what type of artist would I be if I didn't consume too?

[amunyan]

There is a terrible burning in your mouth. Like fire.

"Water" is your first thought when you open your eyes. Your throat is as dry as a desert. So you gratefully reach for the water bottle on the bedside table, unscrew it and take a big gulp.

"Ah, that was good," you think as you look around. "This is not my bedroom. Where am I?" Looking around, you take another sip. The place looks familiar, but you can't put your finger on it.

Yesterday was the little Christmas party with the Fighting Club. You had a few drinks and got into an awkward situation with a drunken guy. The last thing you remember clearly is her, throwing the guy who tried to hit you out of the pub and even banning him from the house. Even though she didn't work there. But after that? Your head is blank and you can't remember anything. "I really did drink way too much," you mutter, running your hands through your hair as you start at the sound of a loud rattling next to you.

Frightened, you turn around and jump even more. "Mereoleona?!"

After a loud chuckle, she snorts softly and turns around so that she would be looking at you if she was awake.

You turn red at the sight of your sleeping friend.

"She really is stunning, even when she sleeps. And a bit cute, too," you say softly, a smile playing on your lips. At the same time, you wonder what the hell happened yesterday after Mereoleona saved you - once again. "I really should never drink again in my life, when two or three piña coladas are enough to give me a film rash.”

Nervously, you bit your lower lip and watched her in silence. And slowly, your tense expression seems to relax. You brush one of her wild red strands of hair, hanging over her nose, out of her face as she begins to blink - you thought you were being careful.

She yawns as a meaningful grin appears on her lips. "Good morning, (Y/N). How are you feeling after that wild night last night?"

"What?"

For a brief moment you have the thought that something more might have happened. And although you don't really believe it, you unintentionally look down to see if you're still wearing your clothes. You are, not exactly your clothes, but at least you're not naked...

 When Mereoleona notices, she laughs out loud, and in an instant she pushes you into the blankets and kneels over you. She fixes you with her hands around your wrists.

"Did you really think I would do anything dirty to you while you were sleeping? Especially after you got involved in a fight with a creepy guy? "

You pause before shaking your head. No. She seems a bit wild and uninhibited sometimes, but she would never do anything like that.

"But why am I here with you? What happened yesterday?"

"You drank far too much for your own good. I was a bit worried about what you do when you are drunk. I also wanted to make sure you did not get involved in any more incidents. But when we got up to join the rest of the group, you just fell asleep peacefully. And so I took you home to my place..."

"Even if she would never admit it, even to herself, she is a very caring person," you think to yourself, blushing even more. But she does not seem to notices, or even care.

She lets go of your hands and stands up. "And besides - I don't have to sleep with you while you're half asleep. Where would be the fun in that?"

"Yeah…," you agree barely audibly, wondering what this connection between you is. Friendship? More than friendship? Or something else? You don't know the answer. And Mereo doesn't seem to notice your thoughtful expression either, as you sit up and throw back the blanket.

"Anyway... Would you like some coffee? Or something else," she asks.

"Oh, by the way speaking of drinks, who paid for my cocktails?"

"I paid for them," she grins at you, pausing in the doorway that leads directly from her bedroom into the open-plan living room and kitchen. "Don't worry - it's fine. But if you like, you can have lunch with me next week. I'm looking forward to that." She winks and leaves the bedroom.

You follow her into the kitchen, where she takes two cups from one of the wall cupboards and switches on the coffee machine.

Leaning against the counter next to her, you look at her seriously as you ask her directly: "And tomorrow? Shall we have something to eat? Or mulled wine? Of course only for you, I'll stick to the non-alcoholic stuff..."

Mereo looks at you, almost upset, as her alarm clock in the bedroom starts to ring. Annoyed, she rolls her eyes and stomps into the bedroom. Meanwhile, she calls out to you from the next room to remind you that she's not free tomorrow. "Remember? I am going to this stupid Christmas market with my brothers. I would rather be with you, but..."

"We can," you interject as the coffee machine next to you suddenly starts to rattle, before starting a quick rinse cycle. Startled, you look at the machine with a puzzled expression as Mereoleona comes back into the kitchen, her eyebrows knitted and her eyes narrowed. She is still a little upset. "Come on. You know the tickets for this cheesy shit are sold out weeks in advance!" She takes one of the cups, puts it under the coffee machine and presses one of the far too many buttons.

"Yes - but Dorothy gave me two. Actually four, but that is not the point here. I was going to ask you on Tuesday, but I don't know. I lost my nerve after you turned me around without finishing my sentence". You look away shyly for a moment. 

"Not now. This is not the time to be shy. This is my chance!"

You smile at Mereo and reach for her hand. She allows it, though she looks at you with raised eyebrows.

"So... if you want, we can meet there. And I can buy you a mulled wine or two or three in return for my cocktails".

A brief smile plays across Mereleona's lips; her typical meaningful smile.  And now she was the one who took your hand and extends that touch. She pulls you a little closer into an embrace that is as hesitant as it is gentle. "Sounds great," she says in a low voice before letting you go and becoming her usual self again. "But now tell me - do you want coffee?"