#also clearly this version of Belle is absolutely jacked
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Law & Order, Season 23, episode 5: "Last Dance"
Blah, blah, blah, rich tech mogul commits murder to cover-up that he's a sexual predator. Variation on a tried-and-true story that the show has used since time immemorial.
But they had to make it more complicated to write Jack McCoy off the show.
@albatrossisland and @monidon, this one's for you.
In Seasons 18 and 19, you had Governor Donald Shalvoy and he was very clearly a fictionalized version of former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer. I guess they didn't want to anger the current NYC Mayor, Eric Adams, by having a fictionalized version of him being corrupt. But in the era of #MeToo where formerly untouchable powerful men (for decades) got away with all sorts of sexually predatory actions, it strains credulity that someone would not simply cut their losses and distance himself from the suspect. But you need an antagonist, right?
I'm often not a fan of the criticism that something is contrived. A story is a story and the actions a character takes are written to lead to a certain point. Everything is contrived in fiction. It's how well you do it.
Since the show came back, the writers show they simply cannot do it well. Everything has gotta be a twist, curve-ball, or an absurd social commentary (and I'm saying that about a show that did social commentary since episode ONE). If anyone is wondering where my gripe is on that last one, it goes back to my bone to pick with Nolan "Spineless Coward" Price giving IMMUNITY to a SCHOOL SHOOTER so he could PROSECUTE THE FATHER for the shooting.
Now, do I believe (in certain cases) parents should be held responsible for the actions of their children in this case? Absolutely. The Ethan Crumbley case in Michigan is a perfect example! There NOT definite warnings signs: There were FUCKING FIVE-ALARM BELLS and red flags the size of football fields that something was seriously wrong with the kid and he needed help, not for his mother to buy him a fucking gun. Parents were charged without any immunity. I still hold that against the writers.
Rick Eid's run as show-runner has demonstrated a clear lack of knowledge of character history on the show (Jack in particular), a lack of even the loosest understanding of the law works in the show's universe, and a desperate need for actual lawyers as consultants or on the writing staff.
I'm also convinced that writers hate Hugh Dancy. The guy has acting chops, he was wonderful in HANNIBAL. But like… refer to my earlier description of Nolan Price.
Which brings us to Jack's sendoff and the overall story.
Mayor Payne? Yeah, that's certainly subtle.
I often think back to how Jack (and Mike Cutter) fought back against the GOVERNOR and they can't handle the freaking mayor? Writers, what the fuck?
I guess where the writers got something right was Jack believes in justice for the victim, regardless of who you are. And they gave Jack one last courtroom battle. And, on one hand, it is fitting. They wanted Jack to go out in a figurative blaze of glory. He was alone in the court, no second chair. I do wonder if he thought about all the second chairs he's had and how they helped him along the way (I am getting weirdly emotional writing this). And despite the fact he got burned, he managed to burn his enemies on the way out.
But this isn't the end I wanted.
Sometimes, a low-key ending is suitable for a character who worked (by my own calculation) 50-plus years in the DA's office (perhaps closer to 60 years). Who tried some significant cases, contributed to case-law that the show SHOULD HAVE REFERENCED, mentored each of his second chairs after Claire and Jamie. Mentored Mike Cutter.
Jack simply deciding just to retire and not run for re-election and spend the rest of his days fixing his relationship with his daughter, spend time with his grandson, write a book, maybe be a talking-head on legal shows (no, I can't see that), fine. But I wish they could have convinced Sam Waterston to finish out the season, maybe recording something so they show a goodbye party or SOMETHING to start next season, and then have the newly-elected DA introduced. That would have been more satisfying.
As for everything else about this episode. Couldn't the writers, I don't know, research and clarify their own damn show?
Ben Stone
Jack McCoy
Mike Cutter
All Executive Assistant District Attorneys. I know there was some debate on whether or not Nolan Price was actually an EADA. But now he's Deputy District Attorney? What? Writers, there are other EADAs in the DA's office. I realize that the writers have always played fast-and-loose on the hierarchy of the fictional DAs office. SVU had Chief Assistant District Attorney Charlie Philips who spoke of "assigning" a case to Jack McCoy, which I always took more as a administrative role versus a trial role, which put him above Jack in whatever hierarchy worked in the show.
But there were times it very much seemed like Jack WAS the next person in charge if the DA was unavailable until his own appointment.
And then you have the board shown in Season 21 where it seems they had dug it out of storage since it still hate Mike and Connie listed, with Mike being "Chief Assistant District Attorney" before they changed it to "Nolan Price" by the next episode.
I've always been frustrated with the sloppiness of the writing since the show came back and this just adds to the pile.
"It's been a hell of a ride."
It has. I started this show in September of 1998 and even in the periods I didn't watch it too much, there was some comfort that Jack was always there. And I delayed watching this because I just couldn't accept the end.
And now I have.
Memories of days gone by.
#Law & Order#Law and Order#TV Series#Jack McCoy#Val reviews something#allthingslawandorder#lawandordersource#connie-rubirosa
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Concept: beauty and the beast reimagining where instead of a magical curse or transformation the beast/prince character is a robot who was once a gorgeous state-of-the-art construction with elaborate paneling and fine details, who for one reason or another was left alone in a state of disrepair and doesn’t have the resources to rebuild himself, and his relationship with the beauty character hinges partially on her restoration of his body, initially just as an agreement between them, but later as an act of love.
#writing ruminations#beauty and the beast#it works for like. tender romantic moments and also like 'right okay I'm going to sandblast this Into The Box You Go'#also clearly this version of Belle is absolutely jacked#reimagine the ballroom scene from the disney version as them 'innocently' testing some repairs on his leg joints
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Bite
Pairing: Vamp!Lisa x Human!Fem!Reader
AU: Vampire
Word Count: ~ 5,564
Warnings / Misc. -- Mentions of Blood
Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.
A/N: Hey everyone! I'm alive! School has kept me crazy busy and I've had my hands full with other things as well, but I finished writing this one and I wanted to share with you lovely peeps. To everyone who stopped by to check in, and to those of you who’ve been patiently waiting, thank you endlessly. I love having you as my readers 💜
PS ~ I hope this isn't too bad for my first one shot in forever! Also, happy Lisa era. I’m so proud of our girl!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Saturday, October 31st
You look like an idiot.
The nurse uniform you have on is obnoxiously cliché; short and tattered in various places to really sell the "sexy" aspect of it, little is left to the imagination. Fake blood stains dot the flimsy material in random patterns and mat some strands of the tacky blonde wig atop your head, making you look like something out of a B-movie at best.
A bonafide, absolute idiot.
When you express that sentiment to your best friend, she just rolls her eyes and holds out one last costume for you to try on. She had a few lined up in case you didn't like her other options, and clearly that's come in handy; you've already worked through the previous picks, so she crosses her fingers as your eyes skim over this one.
"Humor me, will you?" She asks, hoping that you'll give in and at least check this last one out.
"Fine, but this is your last chance. It had better be good." You raise a pointed finger at her in warning.
"I have a good feeling about this one," she says, smiling as you take the bag from her and slip into the dressing room one final time.
Her phone chimes soon after, and she's quick to retrieve it from her pocket.
Willow: Are you guys almost here?? Jackson's been asking about you.
Your best friend bites her lip at that, nervously nibbling on it as she rereads the message to make sure she didn't imagine the last part. She's liked Jackson since middle school, and he'll be swinging by the party that you've all been invited to; that's one of the main reasons she begged you to come with her tonight.
Y/BFFs/N: Still getting ready. We'll be there ASAP tho!
Willow: Alright, we'll see you soon. Don't take all night, or else👩🤛
Y/BFFs/N: Yah, cut the violence!
The sound of your best friend's soft giggling fills the air just as you manage to fasten the costume's last zipper and pull its hood over your head.
Surprise etches its way into your features as you do a spin, taking in the sight of yourself through the full length mirror of the dressing room. The outfit's red and black color schemes complement each other beautifully, giving you a powerful and sensual appeal that the other costumes didn't even stand a chance of doing. You look alluring in every sense of the word.
"Holy shit," your best friend says when you emerge, striking a pose. "You look hot!" She squeals, clapping a few times in quick succession.
There's no way you think this one looks bad.
"I think Wanda would be proud," you grin, tilting your head up and wrapping the cape around your neck.
"One hundred percent," Y/BFFs/N nods adamantly, in total agreement. The Scarlet Witch getup really compliments your features.
"Now," she starts, changing topics as she looks in the reflection of her phone's dark screen to adjust some of her hair that's gone astray. "Let's pay and then go. Willow's looking for us, and my future man's wondering where I am, too."
"Hell yeah!" You chuckle, patting her on the back. "I'll help you finally land him so you can stop pining."
You watch as she takes a moment to decide between coming up with a decent rebuttal to defend herself or agreeing with you, and you smile when she goes for the latter.
"I'd accept nothing less," she says, holding her head high like a princess. "You are my wingwoman, after all."
"And the best one in town," you add, tugging her towards the register. She reaches into her purse and pulls out the money to pay before politely handing it to the cashier.
The teenage boy takes it with a small smile, though the action looks a little comical as his upper lip gets caught on the cheap, plastic fangs he's sporting. His knock-off version of Dracula is definitely…. something… and you can tell that his managers forced him to wear it for the holiday.
"Come back and s-shhee us," he says, handing your change back. Your best friend takes it, failing to contain her laughter at his messy speech. He blushes crimson, likely cursing the plastic teeth for making him look a fool.
"We surely will," you respond, giving him a comforting smile to keep his embarrassment at bay. He nods gratefully, and you're quickly pulled out of the store by your best friend.
"Happy Halloween!" You shout over your shoulder, accompanied by the chime of the bell over the door.
"You too," he calls back, letting out a soft sigh.
---
20 Minutes Later -- The Party
Upon rounding the front of your car and stepping up onto the sidewalk outside of Willow's house, your attention is immediately caught by the numerous decorations that she put up last week.
"Huh," you mumble, gazing up at the skeleton that towers above you, standing 12 feet tall. "I think it's safe to say that this is her favorite holiday…"
"What makes you think that?" Your best friend plays, feigning ignorance as she pops up from behind a life-sized, animatronic Jason Voorhees.
"I don't know," you tut, admiring Willow's hard work a little longer. "Just a feeling."
Y/BFFs/N giggles in her unique way, making you smile at the sound as the two of you make your way up the path towards the house. You gaze down at your feet, careful to step on the stones of the walkway and avoid the motion-activated hands that scramble out of the weeds to grab unsuspecting guests.
Having known Willow your entire childhood, you've grown used to her ways.
*knock knock*
A strong, iconic synth bassline sounds off from inside, filling the otherwise quiet night around you with its catchy beat as you wait to be let in. Its sound is well known, and you almost instantly recognize it as "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics.
A few seconds later, you hear clambering from inside, followed by concerning groans and shouted apologies.
Y/BFFs/N arches a skeptical brow at you, perfectly mirroring your thoughts.
Directly after, the door swings open in a flash, and you're nearly tackled by a whizz of curly hair.
"There you guys are!" Willow shrieks, pulling the two of you close as she nuzzles her face against your cheeks.
"Yep, here we are," you struggle out, nearly being strangled in her tight grip. She responds by squeezing you even tighter, blinded by her joy at seeing you again.
After all, it's been a while since all three of you have had the opportunity to spend the night partying together like this.
"Can't… breathe," Y/BFFs/N squeaks, successfully getting Willow to release you.
"Sorry," she apologizes, stepping back. "I'm just so happy you're here."
The freckles that spread across the bridge of her nose look especially adorable with the blush she's sporting, and her shy grin makes you forget about the near-fatality you just encountered moments before.
"We're happy to be here," you reassure her, returning her smile.
Your best friend agrees from beside you, nodding her head with a happy look of her own. "Believe it or not, we've missed your weirdness." She adds, cocking her head to the side.
Willow giggles again, and her eyes crinkle up into those half crescents that could surely melt even the iciest of hearts. She's practically sunshine in human form, and you have to resist the urge to shield your eyes.
"Yo, Willow! Who's at the door?"
Jackson.
You feel your best friend tense beside you, and you subtly pat her leg to calm her down.
Willow falls silent, though her lips go through the beginning stages of answering him; they open and purse, but she quickly halts her reply and shuts her mouth. She knows of Y/BFFs/N's crush on him, and she doesn't want to say the wrong thing.
Plus, if the lovesick girl wants to run and hide in the bushes, Willow's silence could buy her some time to slip away.
But alas, she doesn't.
Jackson appears in the doorway a mere 5 seconds after asking his question with a beer clutched in his hand. He moves to lean against the wooden frame as his pearly smile beams at you, and Y/BFFs/N audibly swallows at the sight.
For someone who's usually so confident, she can really be shy sometimes.
"Lovely to see you, ladies," he greets, putting his free hand in front of him as he bows. His accent is modeled after that of Jack Sparrow, as is his surprisingly well designed costume.
You nod back at him. "Hey, Jackson. Long time no see."
You elbow your best friend when she remains silent for a beat too long, and the action snaps her back to reality.
"Yeah, hey Jackson." Her voice is quiet -- she doesn't trust it to refrain from cracking.
He smiles, not failing to notice the nervous aura that's quickly taken over the girl beside you. Her eyes nearly pop out of her head when he gives her a curious once-over, and you take that as your cue to save her from the impending embarrassment that's lurking just around the corner.
"Alright, guys!" You clap, stepping forward. "Let's get to partying."
Her shoulders relax, and you feel her slip her hand into yours as you enter the house, squeezing twice as a silent thank you.
15 Minutes Later
Willow stands beside you in the kitchen, mixing a few things together in one of the millions of red solo cups that she bought for tonight. You sneak a peek over her shoulder at the concoction, seeing its light blue color turn purple-ish as she adds a new liquor into the equation.
In comparison to typical house parties, this one is relatively small; most of the rooms are filled with people, but it's a comfortable amount. Maneuvering around the place is fairly easy, which is always a plus when you're coexisting with sweaty, drunk people.
"Willow, love, why did you buy so many cups?" You ask, toying with the ripped plastic packaging of one of the stacks.
"You know I like to be prepared," she laughs, brushing off her major miscalculation. "Plus I can just use the rest of them at my next party."
You nod, knowing she's right. "Are you having another soon?"
"I think so. Jiu and her crew are coming back in a couple weeks, so I thought I'd surprise them with one."
You scoff, humor laced in the sound. "What, they didn't get enough partying done at their university already?"
Willow turns around, grinning at you as she hands you your drink. "Evidently campus police keep a close eye on them. Siyeon whined about that a lot when she called me."
"Sounds like her," you chuckle into your cup as you take a sip.
PFFT
"Eww, Willow! What did you put in this?!"
Your spit take didn't land on anyone, thankfully, but it did capture the attention of some people nearby. You wave a hand at them as a silent apology, and they go back to their previous tasks.
The curly headed prankster covers her mouth, though the action does a terrible job of quieting her maniacal laughter.
"You're lucky Y/BFFs/N isn't over here," you say, wiping your lips with the back of your hand. "She'd avenge me."
Willow uses a napkin to dab the tears of laughter from her eyes. "Why else do you think I waited until she was busy with Jackson?" She asks, motioning to her lounge room across the foyer.
You look inside, spotting Y/BFFs/N holding a pool cue in her hand as Jackson sinks another shot into one of the corner pockets.
The sight reminds you of the pep talk and 2 shots of liquid courage you gave her earlier, and how she disappeared with the promise to make a move and actually talk to him. Now, she looks completely absorbed in whatever banter they're sharing, and although your violated taste buds still ache from the sickly-sweet mixture that Willow made, you wouldn't want her to be anywhere else.
You can get your own revenge.
Sneaking a glance around the kitchen, you search for something to help with your retaliation. A small package of streamers lays abandoned on the island, forgotten to be put up earlier, and you slyly grin. Their ribbons sparkle with glitter, shimmering as the multicolored party lights stream in from the living room and land on them.
It's as if the universe is putting a spotlight on them, just for you.
After side eyeing Willow one final time to ensure that she isn't catching onto your plan, you act quickly. She stands beside the counter, right where you left her, and you dart to the island to grab the streamers. Your fingertips soon gain purchase on the packaging, and you tear it open in one swift motion.
Her gaze locks onto yours just as you near her, but it's far too late for her to get away.
"Take this!" You declare, upending the baggie atop her head. She shrieks as they cascade down her body, getting caught in the creases and wrinkles of her costume as they go. A small wave of glitter tumbles out of the bag as well, coating her hair and clothes.
Boy, that'll be fun to try and get out later.
Her head slowly raises once you finish your assault and place the baggie on the countertop beside you, but the look in her eye is unlike anything you've ever seen.
"You're dead," she warns. Just as the smile drops from your face, an even larger, more sinister one begins forming on hers.
The floor creaks beneath your feet slightly as you take a step back, and you know you have to high tail it out of there if you want to evade her.
"Catch me if you can!" You shout, springing into action. You turn around and dart out of the room, gliding past numerous partygoers in the hall.
Willow's choice of footwear works in your favor, you soon realize; the sharp rapping sound of her heels pierces the air behind you, serving as a tell of how much distance is between you.
Her unstable platforms buy you a little time, and you thank the universe as you rush through the living room and back towards the foyer. You plan to cut across it and hide out in one of the bathrooms until she drops her plan for revenge.
A grin pulls at your cheeks as you skid into one of the walls, looking like a character from Scooby-Doo as you will your feet to work correctly again and get you to safety. Willow laughs behind you, joining in on the fun.
"Perfect," you mutter under your breath, spotting a clear path through the foyer. It leads under the stairs, and you can see the open door of the bathroom from where you are.
Your feet take you past a handful of drunk people, bobbing and weaving through them with ease, before you're racing towards the restroom to take cover.
Before you can make it there, though, you collide with someone rather abruptly as they step straight into your path.
Your eyes shut tightly as you brace yourself for impact with the ground, but it never comes. The person reaches out and catches you before you can hit the floor, and a soft apology slips past their lips as they scoop you up.
Upon hearing that uniquely feminine voice speak its regret again, you peek your eyes open. What you see nearly makes the woman's effort to keep you upright moot; she's so gorgeous that your legs almost give out from underneath you.
Dirty blonde locks cascade over her shoulders in soft waves, half-mussed, half-pristine from your run-in. Her doe eyes are a velvety chocolate color, and you find yourself getting lost in them. Flickers of red show in them, illuminating almost rhythmically the longer she admires you.
Are those contacts? You ask yourself. They have to be.
She seems to be just as affected by your presence as you are of hers.
"Y/N, I'm coming to get you!"
Willow does her best to sound like a villain from a 90s horror film as she clambers her way closer to you, bumping into a few people on the way. You're brought out of your stupor by her rapidly approaching footsteps, and you take a step away from the woman. Her hands fall from your waist, where they had previously been resting.
Stealing a quick look at the bathroom, you feel your stomach turn.
Damnit. Someone's in there now.
Screw this sexy stranger for distracting you. Now you'll have to deal with Willow's wrath.
"What's wrong?"
There's that voice again.
Part of you wants to brush it off and slip away quietly, but an even bigger part of you is determined to stay where you are and tell her. Something about her pulls you in, and you're having a hard time denying it.
"I need to hide. I glitter-fied my friend and now she's coming after me."
The woman's plump lips pull back in a humored smile, and she nods as a chuckle leaves her. "Right," she says, like that's a common occurrence. "I can help, if you'd like."
"How?" You ask, your brows momentarily knitting together in confusion. When she unties and opens the black cloak that's wrapped around her body, your breath catches.
"You in?" She asks, side eyeing the foyer as Willow nearly careens into the Egyptian vase that her mother bought her last year for Christmas.
You take a deep breath and hold your hand out to her just as Willow rounds the corner, and she swiftly pulls you in close before you can be spotted. She winds the cloak around both of your bodies, concealing your faces as the fur-lined hood falls atop your heads.
Unconsciously, you wrap your arms around her waist and pull her flush up against you to further ensure your safety. She quietly grunts when she stumbles over her own feet, falling into you a little.
"Sorry," she whispers, though her third apology of the night is unnecessary. You almost want to thank her for what happened.
Especially when her warm breath fans across your right cheek, where her head is angled.
Every breath you take pushes you closer to each other, and the satin shirt she's wearing slides against your heated skin. She swallows thickly as one of your hands falls to the small of her back, testing the waters.
When she shifts a little to encourage you, you're acutely aware of the thigh that's worked its way between your legs.
When did that happen?
You bite back a sigh as she just smirks, quietly shushing you.
Willow thunders by, shouting your name and threatening to throw you into the pool when she tracks you down. You want to laugh at that, but you'd honestly welcome it right now. Some cold water would surely bring you to your senses after being led astray by this goddess in front of you.
Her footsteps grow distant as she makes her way outside, still searching.
The two of you remain as you are for a couple more minutes until you're certain that the coast is clear, and then you part. When she lowers the cloak, you look away; a deep blush has worked its way up your neck and across your cheeks, and letting her see it would surely make you die of embarrassment.
She keeps her eyes on you as she reties the cover around herself, attempting to get a read on you. The bashful aura that's befallen you is cute, no doubt, but she can sense your arousal. She can smell it on you, and the scent is beginning to drive her crazy.
You fiddle with the sleeves of your costume, readjusting them nervously.
"So, um… thanks," you say, sneaking a glance up at her.
The red hues in her eyes are even more pronounced now, and the sight makes you press further into the wall behind you -- the one that you were previously pushed up against.
"No problem," she smiles, showing off her pearly white teeth. Two of them catch your attention; a set of fangs now shine, looking alluring and threatening all at the same time.
There's only one issue: you're certain that they weren't there when you first bumped into her. When did she put them in? And why do they look so real?
The feeling of her hand landing on your forearm pulls you away from the millions of questions that're firing off in your head right now.
"May I ask your name?" She politely requests, dipping her head down sweetly.
"Y/N," you breathe out, quickly realizing that you'd do just about anything she asked you to.
"Y/N." She repeats, allowing the letters to blend in her mouth as they roll off her tongue. She looks satisfied for some reason as she says it again, trying it out.
"I'm Lisa."
"It's nice to officially meet you," you smile, reaching a hand out. Her touch is gentle but firm as she takes it, shaking it with ease.
"Likewise, beautiful."
The grin on your face only widens at the name, and you pull your hand away out of fear of what she might do next. She's already putting you under her spell, and you're sure that another touch would have you fully entranced.
She studies you with pursed lips for a moment, clearly debating on something. Her eyes flicker over the dips and curves of your body as a smirk grows on her lips.
"What are you thinking?" You question, curious but teasing.
"That I'd love to have your body on mine again."
She's bold, and she says it like the fact it is. No shame, no bashfulness. Just true, honest desire.
You bite the inside of your cheek at her bravery, silently thanking the universe for it. The likelihood of you gaining the courage to make a move is slim to none even in the best cases, and this was no exception. She already has your heart skipping beats and you've only known her a few minutes.
"How about a dance?" She suggests, quirking a brow. The look on her face disarms your defenses, and you take a deep breath before agreeing to your demise.
"That sounds wonderful."
She dips her head again, hiding her face away momentarily, and you think it's the cutest thing ever.
She's shy all of a sudden as her cool demeanor slips up a bit, and that never happens. You might just be her downfall, too.
She holds an elbow out and steps forward, allowing you to link your arm with hers and cuddle in close.
Her eyes scan across the living room as she studies it, but she's unimpressed.
Sweaty, winding bodies thrash around to some upbeat pop song that's been overplayed on every radio station in town for weeks now, and the idea of taking you there puts her off.
When a drunk boy comes into view with a dildo strapped to his forehead, her mind is officially made up.
"Let's go outside," she says, leading you through the patio doors.
A quaint gazebo sits on one side of the yard, and the dance floor that Willow's family installed a couple years ago occupies the other. Both are decorated with string lights in combinations of gold, purple, black, and orange. Other ornaments adorn the surfaces as well, and you smile when you spot a comically large spider sat atop the gazebo's roof.
"Where would you like to go?" Lisa asks, keeping her voice low. It's calm and deep, running a chill through you.
Softer music plays out here, offering a totally different vibe than inside. Some couples -- many of them introverted, assumably -- sway on the dancefloor as the DJ that Willow hired takes a sip of her drink on the raised stage. She adjusts a few switches slowly, not rushing for a second.
"Let's try the gazebo," you decide, glancing over your shoulder at Lisa. She's looking away, but you don't think anything of it as the two of you fall in step with one another on your way over.
Shit, Lisa thinks to herself.
Her plans to come to this party, feed, and make a quick getaway are totally derailed. She'd hoped to find a victim that she was attracted to but didn't like, if that even makes sense, and feed like the animal she is. Then she would leave them like all the rest, drained but still alive, and slip away.
But now she's met you, and any desire for those plans have been thrown out the window.
You interest her, and that doesn't happen often. She hasn't met someone who's been capable of doing that in years, and she's intrigued. Something about you just pulls her in, inexplicably, and she knows her feelings would be glaringly obvious if you saw her face right now.
"Woah, look at this," you sigh, stepping out of her hold to check the place out. A bench runs the perimeter of the gazebo, only stopping at the doorway, and the lights look even prettier from inside. They shimmer, looking like star showers as their strings hang down in the windowless openings of the building.
Lisa quickly learns that she loves seeing you like this. Your eyes are alight, and your sweet smile of wonder warms her heart. Her hands slip into her pockets as she eventually manages to take her eyes off you, following your lead as she admires the decorations.
She does a twirl, looking around.
"It's gorgeous."
"I know, right? This is totally up Willow's alley," you say, grinning at the mental image that you can conjure up of her giddily spiffing the scene up.
"I'll have to thank her for making it look so special, then," Lisa says, smiling. The place really makes you feel like you're in your own little world; everything about it is just right. The ambience, the decor, the company… it’s perfect, and Lisa's content with how the evening is playing out.
Her fingers skate down your arm as she nears you, trekking their way down to your palm. She takes your hand and spins you, watching with admiration as your hair flows in the breeze. Now facing her, you thread your fingers together around the back of her neck as she encircles your waist with her arms.
"Why have I never seen you around?" You ask sincerely, looking up at her.
She hesitates briefly. "My university is a few towns over. I just come here to visit my family every few months."
Not a total lie, she thinks to herself.
"And stop by terrible parties like this, of course." You add, smirking.
She shakes her head at that. "No, I can't say I do. I just decided to check this one out on my way to my friend's house." She explains.
Underneath your cloak, her hands find their way to the small of your back. One stays put while the other dips a little lower, testing the waters.
"And besides," she starts again, feeling you pull her closer. "Meeting you here automatically makes this an awesome party. Not terrible."
"Cheeeesy!" You scrunch your face up and groan, making her laugh.
"Maybe, but it's the truth."
"Sure, Lisa."
She shakes her head and you laugh lightly together, still swaying about. You hold her close enough to rest your head on her shoulder, and the pads of your thumbs rub small circles on the sensitive skin of her neck. She hums at the feeling, and you take note of the way she relaxes in your arms.
The night breeze appears again, performing a flowing dance of its own as it lulls past you in waves. A slight chill resides in it, mixed with a generous amount of the day's sweet, fading heat, and you're at peace.
The slow song that had been playing across the yard ends delicately, parting with some melodic feature that resembles a warm embrace, and it blends seamlessly into the next song.
Turning Page, you recognize it as.
Huh, how ironic. One of your favorites.
Lisa's lips brush against your cheek as she turns her head slightly, whispering, "I like this one, too."
How did she know? You ask yourself. You hadn't said it out loud…
Maybe she's just a good guesser. Yeah, that's gotta be it.
You feel yourself melt as she begins singing the words to you. It's hushed and sentimental -- meant only for your ears to hear, and that makes it even more special to you.
"If I had only felt the warmth within your touch"
She croons, pressing her cheek against your warm skin. You blush, catching yourself when you remember what the next line of the song is.
"If I had only seen how you smile when you blush"
She brings a hand up to cup your cheek in her palm, and her other arm remains around you, holding you tenderly.
"Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough"
Now, her thumb runs across your bottom lip. You look into her eyes and find them an even deeper shade of red than they had been before, but it doesn't frighten you for some reason. She glances down at your mouth again, fighting her impatience as she waits for permission from you.
"I would have known what I was living for all along"
You nod and lace your fingers in her locks, and she doesn't waste another second.
She leans in, humming against your lips when they meet hers for the first time. Her lipgloss spreads across them upon contact, smudging its precise application, but she doesn't seem to care in the slightest. She draws you in closer, and you bring both of your hands around to cup her face as you deepen the kiss.
Her mouth is welcoming against yours, and it moves languidly as you get adjusted to one another. Every move makes you feel dizzier than the one before it, and swarms of butterflies take flight in your stomach with no signs of stopping.
She nips at your bottom lip as her hands dip far lower than before, now kneading your ass as your kisses continue to work her up.
"Fuck," you curse, breaking away from her lips to catch your breath. She's stolen it all from you, and yet she's still not ready to give you a rest; her mouth drops to your jaw, embracing your skin there before moving down to your neck.
She doesn't realize how dangerous the game she's playing truly is until it's almost too late.
Her lips press to the area just above your pulsepoint, where she's learned over the years that blood pumps the hardest and tastes the sweetest. She draws it into her mouth, swirling her tongue over the area as her ears perk up at the breathless sound of your moans. They spur her on, and she nips at the skin, surely leaving a hickey.
Her senses become even more clouded when you say her name, the title caught somewhere between a whine and command, and she feels the strong impulse to claim you. The sensation is overwhelming, and she knows you can feel it too.
Your hands tug on the collar of her shirt as she lets her fangs fully extend, no longer suppressing them. They rake across your pulsepoint, making you shiver against her.
"Please…"
That's all you manage to get out before they pierce your skin, eliciting a whimper from you. Blood fills her mouth instantly, sliding across her taste buds in velvety waves and calming her constant craving. Your hands tighten in her hair, and the delicious twinge of pain that it provides only encourages her more.
Your blood is different than anything she's ever tasted; it's richer -- sweeter. A throaty groan leaves her as she savors it, and you shut your eyes in pleasure. It's addicting, but she knows she has to stop herself before she hurts you. If she continues like this much longer, she won't have the willpower to let go.
She retracts her fangs as she licks your taste from them, and then you feel her warm tongue clean the wound she made. It stings a bit, but in all the right ways.
When she pulls back to look at you, she finds your eyes half-lidded and a pleased smile on your face. It nearly kills her, then and there.
Her gaze flickers back to your neck to admire the hickie she made earlier, but what she sees surprises her. Below it is a darker, more prominent marking that she's only seen other vampires leave behind before.
Definitely not a hickie.
Your brows furrow as you look at her neck as well, noticing a faint outline of something growing darker by the second. Blinking a few times to ensure that you aren't hallucinating, you find that it's really there.
"Lisa, what's on your neck?" You ask.
"A soulmate mark." She responds, feeling a sense of belonging settle over her as she looks at you again. You just confirmed her suspicions by asking that.
"Same as yours," she smiles.
#lisa#lisa manoban x reader#lalisa#lalisa manoban#lalisa manoban x fem reader#blackpink#blackpink imagines#kpop imagines#Kpop girl group#vampire au#blackpink au#blackpink vampire#vampire lisa#fluff#soulmate au#soulmate#blackpink oneshots#blackpink scenarios#blackpink fluff#blackpink fanfic#blackpink x reader#jennie kim#kim jisoo#park chaeyoung#meet cute#let-them-read-fics#lisa manoban x fem reader
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Phic Phight: Good Parents
Maddie Fenton nearly kills her son trying to take down Phantom. Jack Fenton nearly kills him again, trying to tear the ghost from him.
Clockwork, one of the most powerful ghosts in existence, is tired of the people he cares about getting hurt.
(Based on a Phic Phight 2020 prompt by @five-rivers)
(WC: 2534)
Good Parents
At 10:13 am yesterday morning, Maddie Fenton had shot her son.
She hadn’t meant to – no. She had meant to. She had meant to shoot Danny Phantom.
She hadn’t known he was Danny Fenton. She hadn’t known. She never would have shot her son if she had known.
At 7:07 pm, after the secret had been spilled and the ectoranium bullet extracted, Danny had been tired. He’d been so tired. He’d promised he’d wanted to tell them since he became ‘half ghost’ when he was fourteen. He’d promised he loved them. Always had, always would.
Jack had promised that he always would, too. Then he put his son under anaesthetic and set out to remove that ectoplasmic mutation that had ruined Danny’s life.
At 7:47 pm, Danny’s heart had stopped. They got it started again and continued to work on removing the mutation.
At 7:59 pm, it happened again. And then the world froze.
It was a strange sensation. Neither of them could breathe or move their eyes, but Maddie and Jack were still very much alive. From the scowl on the face of the ghost that appeared in their lab, that had been intentional. Blue skin and a scarred red eye looked at them with absolute, utter disdain.
They would make note, later, that not everything had been frozen – their inner ears still registered vibrations, because they both clearly heard the ghost speak.
“How dare you?” it said.
And then it took their son and disappeared. It left them there, frozen, for hours.
But when they could move again, it was still only 7:59.
.-.
Maddie and Jack were good parents. They loved their kids. They provided for them. Of course they made mistakes – what parent hadn’t? What mattered was they tried.
Like any good parent, they’d do anything to protect their kids - even traverse the uncharted land of the dead. Their radar led them to crooked tower that looked long abandoned, with thorny brambles and ivy holding the door shut. They were no match for the Fenton Foamer, though.
Jack stomped on the dying remains of the ghost plants, which expressed ectoplasmic vibrations that sounded like a scream. They didn’t actually scream, of course: not only were they plants, but they were also ghosts. They couldn’t feel pain.
Maddie reached over to assist her husband as he wrapped his hands around the handle of an old iron door. “Jack, careful!” She said and stepped back as he yanked the handle off the door. It’d been rusted through. “Step back, I’ll handle this.” She balanced the bazooka on her shoulder.
The bazooka froze on her shoulder.
The island around them shifted and smeared, and when Maddie and Jack blinked, they were no longer outside – and they were no longer armed. They stood in a circular sitting room, in front of two tartan chairs. Huge brass bells hung from the ceiling, and a network of gears covered the only doorway. Their large weapons were gone, and in front of a huge mirror which took up the entire opposing wall, was the ghost who’d stolen their son.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t destroy my home,” it said.
“You!” Maddie screamed, and pulled a wrist ray from her jumpsuit. The ectoblast hit the ghost in the chest and it curled in on itself with a short gasp of pain.
Then it disappeared.
“I believe ‘don’t shoot your host’ is the first rule of being a good guest.” It was behind them now – Maddie and Jack turned slowly, and watched it fly over to the mirror. “Regardless, that was a duplicate. As am I. You’re only hurting yourselves if you insist on continuing this.”
“Where’s Danny?” Jack demanded.
“What have you done to our boy?” Maddie added. She kept her wristray trained on the ticking clock in the ghost’s torso.
“He’s asleep in his room,” the ghost said, and gestured to the mirror. The reflection faded to a green swirl, and a new vision appeared: Danny, in a warmly lit stone room, asleep on a sterile bed. Their incisions had been stitched up with bright blue sutures and bandaged with a translucent layer of ectoplasm. The ghost floated beside him. He brushed black hair from Danny’s face and replaced a damp cloth on his forehead.
“Let him go,” Maddie said, and fired a shot into the ghost’s back. It disappeared. The version on the other side of the mirror didn’t react. “Let him go! Who do you think you are?!”
The ghost returned, a scowl on it’s face. “I am Clockwork, the Master of Time, and Danny’s new guardian.”
Jack scoffed. “He’s our son!”
“Yes. And you nearly killed him.” Clockwork said. The scowl deepened, and the ghost bared fangs. “Several times over, you have almost killed your son. The accidents and unwitting attempts to kill you son by attacking his ghost half, I could excuse. He begged me to. He promised that if you knew the full consequences of your actions you would not hurt him.” It gestured sharply to the scene, and nearly smashed a fist into the mirror. “And you proved him wrong.” Clockwork took a sharp, growling breath in before it turned its back to Maddie and Jack. “He is not your son anymore.”
In the mirror, Danny stirred. His eyelids fluttered, and he squinted. “Clockwork?” His voice was so weak.
“I’m here, Danny,” both versions of Clockwork said, “I’m right here.”
Danny gave a soft groan, and he raised a shaking hand to his chest. He touched his stiches. Clockwork gently took his wrist and guided his hand away.
“They…” Danny’s voice cracked. “I told them, and they – they –”
“I know,” Clockwork whispered. “I’m sorry. We made a promise Danny, remember? Just for now.” The one on the other side of the mirror summoned a small glass with a straw. The one in front of Jack and Maddie summoned two paper cups.
“Yeah,” Danny whispered, and when Clockwork held the straw to his lips he took a long drink. The scene faded, and the mirror was a mirror once more.
The Clockwork in front of Maddie and Jack turned around – and took a shot to the core.
Another appeared in its place and caught the paper cups. “Within these cups is a Miamenso Draught. When you drink it, you will forget that you have a son. You will have no more than a passing familiarity with Danny – as he now has with you.”
“You drugged our son?!” Maddie shouted.
“We Fentons don’t take anything from ghosts!” Jack said at the same time. “You’ll have to force it down our –”
“Jack,” Maddie said. She shook her head. Jack shut his mouth.
“I won’t force anyone to do anything,” Clockwork said. “That is against my nature. And besides, I made a promise to Danny.” It waved a hand, and table appeared between the chairs Maddie and Jack had not sat in. The cups appeared on it a moment later. “I believe that everything should be a choice, and that everyone deserves a second chance. Even with all you have done, I will grant you that.”
Maddie scoffed. “You listen to me, you putrid manifestation of post human consciousness! You will not take my son from me! Give Danny back, right now, or –”
“Or you’ll shoot me again, I presume?” Clockwork said, deadpan. Maddie shot it.
A new Clockwork appeared a second later. Jack reached back, grabbed one of the cups, and flung the purple liquid in its face. It blinked, then turned intangible.
“I am a duplicate,” it said, and waved a hand at the puddle that had been left behind. It glowed blue. “I don’t have an individual mind to be altered. In addition, a Miamenso Draught must be consumed to be effective.” Telekinetically, the puddle was returned to the paper cup in Jack’s hand. “Would you like to assault me some more, or would you rather hear about how you can get your son back?”
Jack, slowly, lowered the cup. Maddie bit her lip. They both stayed silent.
“Very good.” Clockwork reached a hand back and brushed gloved fingertips against the mirror. The reflection shifted to a still of their lab. “These conditions were agreed upon ahead of time. You will be given a specific time frame to complete each one. If you complete them, then I will administer a Miakoro Draught and restore Danny’s memories. If you fail, or find that Danny’s conditions are too much to ask, then you must take the Miamenso. Understood?”
Maddie and Jack continued to stay silent.
Clockwork rolled its eyes. It continued, “The first condition: you must destroy every one of your ghost hunting weapons.”
“No.” Maddie said.
“Then take the Miamenso Draught and forget your son was ever born.” Clockwork snapped. It had to take a moment to regain its false composure. “You must destroy all blueprints and finished creations within your possession. The portal is exempt from this, as is your Spector Speeder, on the condition you can remove and destroy its weapon system. Nothing else is. You have until this Saturday at 2:13 pm exactly to do this and return here to inform me. Then you will learn of Danny’s next condition. Is that understood?”
“You won’t get away with this,” Maddie snapped.
“Danny’s a smart kid,” Jack added, “Just as smart as the rest of us! He’ll know something’s missing.”
“All the more reason to fulfil your end of this quickly,” Clockwork said. “Do you understand. Yes or no.”
Maddie glared.
Clockwork glared right back.
“Yes,” Jack said.
Maddie’s jaw dropped as she stared at her husband in utter disbelief.
“Good,” Clockwork said. “Now get out of my house.”
Just as before, their vision twisted and smeared. Instead of the room, they were back outside, dying ectoplants under their boots. However, there was a deep groove in the island, and the tower was gone.
Maddie crossed her arms. “Jack, why did you agree to that?” She demanded. “We are not destroying our life’s work just because a ghost told us too! There has to be another way to get Danny back.”
“Maddie, no,” Jack said quickly. He had a devious grin – Maddie lowered her arms. “That ghost just said we had to get rid of the ones in our possession! We could go home, write up a fake bill of sale and give ‘em to Vladdie. He’ll give them back once this is all done!”
“Oh. Oh,” Maddie threw her arms around him, “Jack, you’re a genius! Come on, let’s go – the sooner we get our boy back, the sooner we can make sure this never happens again.”
.-.
Clockwork felt the duplicate disperse, and took a deep, calming breath in.
It didn’t help. He was still furious.
He looked down at the boy in front of him, sleeping once more. Danny had his face scrunched up in pain – as far as he knew, a Miamenso Draught was not a pleasant thing to drink. Thankfully, that was all theoretical, not practical knowledge. He had never had one himself.
He truly, genuinely wished, that he hadn’t had to give one to Danny.
Clockwork reached over and brushed a lock of hair from Danny’s face. The boy needed a haircut. Even with the longer hair framing his face a bit differently, it didn’t change the facts: Danny barely looked fourteen, let alone like the almost seventeen year old he should be. Clockwork wished he could just dismiss that as a coincidence, but he knew better than to put any stock in that. Danny was a child ghost, and when in unsafe environments, there were two paths child ghosts were likely to take. Either they aged in quick, sporadic bursts, or they simply didn’t age.
Danny, as much as Clockwork hated to admit it and Danny refused to, was very clearly the latter. By now, half his allies had likely told him the same thing, and offered him refuge. Danny would have turned them all down, as he had turned down Clockwork.
He had had so much faith in his parents, and how they’d love him no matter what. While Clockwork had seen the Timelines where the reveal had gone this bad, Danny’s conviction had been infectious. He loved his parents. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone else insulting them, as true as the insults may be.
And he had not set any real conditions in the event that this exact thing happened. He had not believed that Maddie and Jack would ever hurt Phantom if they knew he was a Fenton. His sister had begged Danny to come up with at least a vague suggestion for what their parents would have to do, and Danny had refused.
Clockwork sighed once again, and finally lowered his hand. He’d contacted Jasmine, and she, Sam, and Tucker were on their way – in the meantime, Jasmine put the decision of what Maddie and Jack would have to do to get their son back in his hands. He had some ideas, but he could see the timeline unfolding in front of him. He would not let these willful child murderers twist his intentions to their benefit. Their next challenge would be to swear off ghost hunting permanently. Danny would not be returning to a house filled with weapons. After that, perhaps they could spend some time getting to know their son’s allies. If they even made it that far.
Beside him, Danny stirred, and Clockwork immediately refocused on him. It should have taken another hour for the Miamenso Draught to take effect – but, of course, hybrid biology appeared to complicate things once again. He settled down at the edge of Danny’s bed.
“Danny?” He asked gently, “Can you hear me?”
Danny groaned, and he slowly forced his eyes open. He closed them again a second later. “Ugh. Dad, what happened?”
Clockwork’s core heaved. He glanced back for any hint of orange that could be confusing the boy – there were none. Only the muted purples and dark blues of his tower.
When he looked back, Danny was trying to sit up. “Please don’t do that,” Clockwork said, and softly pressed Danny back to the bed. “How do you feel?”
“Bad,” Danny said. Clockwork smiled. “It feels like I swallowed a bunch of sand.”
“Would you like some water?” Clockwork asked, and removed the damp cloth. It had bits of frost on the edges – finally, a good sign.
Danny nodded. Then he closed his eyes and winced in pain. “Yeah,” he whispered, “yeah. Thanks, Dad.”
Clockwork kept his face carefully neutral. “You’re welcome.”
“Love you.”
“…I love you, too.”
Clockwork turned, left, and let the emotionless mask drop. A Miamenso Draught did not create new memories – but the mind was a tenacious thing, and it would fill in the blanks left with whatever made sense. For this to be happening now – for Danny’s unconscious mind to decide that Clockwork was his father – Danny had to have felt this way for a long time. Clockwork knew the boy liked him, and he certainly cared about Danny in turn, but this…
He felt ashamed to say that it made him happier than he’d been in a long, long time.
***
Mia Menso: My Mind in Esperanto Mia Koro: My Heart in Esperanto
Actual prompt: Clockwork gets sick of how Jack and Maddie treat Danny and spirits him away. Jack and Maddie have to prove to Clockwork that they'll do better by completing his challenges. Whether or not they succeed is up to you. (Bonus: Clockwork does something to Danny so he no longer recognizes Jack and Maddie when he sees them in order to make sure Jack and Maddie have to follow through.)
This could’ve been a full-fledged fic so easily y’all have NO idea. I have a plot for it and everything. Send help.
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CHAPTER TWO: Equestrian Wasteland
Panic attack! A surprising, yet well described reaction LittlePip has to the vastness of the great outdoors. The little ghost story about the outside just being a black void also comes back one final time.
The prospect of finding Velvet shrinking dramatically phases LittlePip surprisingly little. Instead she just kinda starts looking for her by seeking a high vantage point. This pro-active attitude and little time spent on feeling sorry for herself is endearing, as well. I think this is gonna change at certain points, considering all the stuff that is going to happen to her. But maybe I'm confusing my memories with Project Horizons, in which the main character spends quite some time feeling sorry for herself. (And considering what happens to her, I don't really blame her.)
I love the light emitted by a terminal described as "the soft green glow of a poisoned apple". Horse gonna think of apples.
LittlePip remarks on the sturdiness of the StableTec terminals, looking new while everything around it decayed in some form. I think this actually has a (horrifying) explanation in lore. But we won't get to it for a while.
On it, we get a message from Velvet asking, or rather pleading the reader not to look for her. LittlePip's enthusiasm is curbed by it, but not her plan. While she is considering her options she gets distracted by a light in the distance. So, uh, the issue that Velvet doesn’t want to return just gets shoved to the back row until it has to be confronted again at a later date. Seeing as finding Velvet is the bigger issue anyway, that's not very hard to accept for now, at least.
Oh and there is a encrypted message on there too. We don't learn anything useful about it and LittlePip downloads it for the heck of it. In my opinion, a weird place to stick this beat, as it draws attention only to get pushed aside immediately again and the payoff it has at the end of the chapter brings a minor revelation at best. This information could have been given later as well.
Now I was forced to admit how foalish that vision was.
Reading FoE made me realize they say "foalish" in the original show too. At least in season 1, which is all that existed during the time FoE was being written. Isn't that wild? Discord gets a mention very late into the story, otherwise all the world building is propped up on lore that existed *before* the fandom really reached it's peak!
And LittlePip runs straight into a slaver trap. I appreciate the effort to have her not recognize the shotgun and how the details of the situation slowly unravel until the dreaded clarification "They're slavers, you idiot". Makes it relatable that she fell for their trap.
Thinking about the slavers LittlePip mentions her "repertoire of colorful metaphors". Interesting to tell us about it instead of letting us see for ourselves later. Because, well, she undoubtedly does have quite the repertoire of colorful metaphors.
I absolutely love that the description of the music the Spritebots makes captures the song Pinkie Pie uses in the episode "Swarm of the Century" to remove the Parasprites perfectly. Even the first time reading I had that song in my head at this point.
LittlePip being a swift learner is yet another endearing trait on display when she sees one of the slavers fire his shotgun at the Spritebot and notices how the weapon works. Let's hope there is some kind of fight soon where she gets to implement this newfound knowledge!
I wonder why the raiders decided to attack the slavers. The slavers clearly didn't anticipate this and I doubt LittlePip or Montgomery Jack (the other slave) are such evidently high-tier cargo worth stealing. But hey, I got my wish for a fight and establishing LittlePip's talent with a bobby pin and screwdriver to unlock her shackles is already paying off too.
This kinda leads into a larger question of what raiders are and what they want, but I'll save that for later. Once we met a lot more of them.
Well, seeing how the raiders are beating them up, that probably wasn't why they started the fight either. Also, like with the slavers before, they throw in a threat of sexual violence against LittlePip that feels kinda cheap to me. Like, yo, enslaving her and/or threatening to kill her apparently isn't enough to paint them as bad guys? I understand that this is mainly a taste thing, as some people don't mind a story that is painted this dark this casually. I just feel like the story would not lose it's tone without them, while being more upsetting than it needs to be with them. At least here, in Chapter Two.
LittlePip’s first fight is awesome. It's scary, it's fast and has a few surprises. The biggest one probably being that the question of killing others hasn't come up yet. If we are familiar with Fallout (at least 3 and onward) this shouldn't be a hard question to answer, but LittlePip tries to avoid it here.
Montgomery, like a more experienced Fallout player however, finishes the raider off and starts to loot them. Showing LittlePip the ropes of the game. How nice of him. Then he robs her. That's not how I play Fallout, but the games pride themselves with their choice of options, I guess.
That he instructs LittlePip to check the bodies, she therefore has to puke into the river because of it and sees Montgomery's shotgun reflected in the water behind her head is just great dramatic storytelling. I can just see the movie version of this in my minds eye.
However, LittlePip actually manages to get out of this with a little luck in finding the raiders shotgun next to her (which is a combat shotgun, unlike the regular one the slaver had and Montgomery is holding now) and by packing everything she learned about the two weapons into a convincing argument. Making her win the fight before it started, which is just genuinely bad-ass.
Finally LittlePip makes it into Ponyville -- pursued by a sniper. Can't catch a break!
No, she or he could just wait until I came out.
Something that might not be very noticeable yet is how FoE has kind of a inverted societal structure when it comes to gender. MLP had this too, to a degree, as it was targeting young girls. Here, we can see it transform the order pronouns are used in a common phrase. It might read as a typo or error but we will see that female characters tend to enjoy higher privileges and hold the highest positions of power. Of course that would affect their language as much as other phrases are transformed due to them being horses. See: "What the hay?"
A pile of torn-up cloth rotted in a corner, smelling foul, like ponies had urinated on it repeatedly.
Nooo, Rarity's work and art :(
Finally, we get to read the encrypted message from earlier. It's Applebloom’s final words to Sweetie Belle, letting us realize that at least some of the Apple Family has been in Stable Two when it closed and it's first Overmare was Sweetie Belle, Rarity's younger sister. That’s cool to know, but doesn’t affect much of our understanding of anything yet.
Level Up! New Perk: Horse Sense. As we saw, LittlePip is a swift learner. I usually feel like whatever LittlePip learned in the chapter influences the perk she receives at the end. But shouldn't a perk only affect her after she got it? The allusions to RPG mechanics kinda fall apart a little bit when you think too hard about them.
Since they are a "Footnote" I'll just imagine that LittlePip leveled up and received the perk sometime *during* the chapter. Ah, now the world is right again.
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Belle Quacks-Chapter 13
(TW: Mental breakdown/self-esteem issues)
Quackerjack and Bushroot walked the girls home, Quackerjack still feeling protective and Bushroot just wanting to get to know Camellia better. “Thank you guys, for helping us.” The fox said, squeezing Bushroot’s leafy hand. Quacky gave a simple ‘no problem’ where as Bushroot stumbled over his words, saying how he was happy to help and that he was glad they were safe. “You certainly talk a lot, it’s cute. You’re sweet too.” She hummed, looking at the plant mutant. He blushed, his face turning a dark green. A smirk was present on the demented jester’s cheerful face, telling them to ignore him. Camellia asked him what plant he was and to tell her more about it, spurring a lecture that caused Belle to zone out and fall asleep. Quacky happily carried her, tuning out the plant nerds. Camellia seemed happy to talk to him, smiling warmly and running a hand through his petals once in a while. Bushroot never really got to talk like this for so long, not even with Rhoda. Camellia was a lot like her in some ways, smart, pretty and kind. She was also so different, being pagan, a mammal, multiple piercings, confident and strong. The florist was honestly the most beautiful person he’d ever seen and she didn’t mind him, she liked his company. “I really love your passion Reggie, it’s something I admire. This whole thing has been fast paced and chaotic but you’re definitely a highlight.” The mutant unlocked the door and opened it for her, opting to help with Belle. Camellia was fascinated to say the least, who could blame her? Bushroot was the closest being she ever met to a pagan deity, he was incredibly sweet and he was smart, she wanted more time with him.
Belle barely stirred when she was placed on to the bed, letting out a tiny yawn. Jack had to hold his beak shut to avoid squealing at his sister. Bushroot simply ‘awww’ed as he put the covers over her. She had a long day, she was entitled to some sleep. Quackerjack then pulled something out of his pocket, a plush version of himself and a note. He placed the note on the bedside table and the plushie in her arms. “I’m giving her a little me, that way she’ll always have a piece of me or something to cuddle during a breakdown or panic attack.” He stated, kissing her on the forehead. The small, sleeping duck pulled the plush closer to her, nuzzling it slightly. The taller woman chuckled fondly, smiling at the guys. Belle seemed happy and sleeping peacefully. Quackerjack then asked where she’d sleep, instantly pushing her closer to the bed when she said the couch. “I’m sure you’ve shared the bed before, just go to bed.” He insisted. She rolled her eyes, giggling. Bidding them goodnight, she kissed Bushroot on his forehead before joining Belle. The plant had to be dragged out by the other duck, who put the keys on the side, and shook him by the shoulders. “Earth to Reggie, I know you’ve been kissed by a woman you likely think is a goddess but get yourself together.” He said, tapping his friend. The botanist mumbled something, little flowers growing from his petals and around the base of them in a flower crown like formation. ‘Goodness, he’s helpless.’ The toymaker thought, giggling at his friend. Once Bushroot snapped out of it, he looked like a full on floral arrangement. “Well, you fell for her quick. So did Morgana when it comes to Belle. Come on, let’s go.” And with that, they left.
Camellia was already awake and gone when Belle woke up, not that she minded. She was admiring the Jacky plush in her hands, giggling to herself. It looked just like him, complete with a hat secured with Velcro and a very small Mr. BananaBrain in one of his hands. Naturally, she loved it, hugging it close and kicking her legs in the air. “My own little Jacky! Now I can ask you for advice! Cammy’s great but sometimes I think I overwork her.” She said to the cuddly jester. Her eyes caught sight of an envelope on the bedside table. She grabbed it, carefully opening it to retrieve the note. ‘Belle, I thought you’d like a cuddly version of me! A special, one of a kind toy from Quackerjack Toys, just for you! This way, I’ll be there when you need me, even if I’m not there in person. Little Jacky and his tiny friend are guaranteed to light up any dark times. Love Jackson.’ It read. The message was short but sweet, making her happier and love the little doll more. She never had toys growing up, then again, neither did Jack, making this one her first one. Belle swore she’d never part with it, it was her brother after all, just small and available. “So, I’m hanging out with Morgana later, does she actually like me?” The plush fell foward, which she took as a yes. The duck giggled happily, rocking side-to-side. She got up, flapping her hands a little before rushing over to her clothes in order to pick something nice to wear. Belle felt she had to impress Morgana and she didn’t understand why or why she always felt warm or that she had butterflies in her stomach when she was around the sorceress. Maybe she was coming down with something. But how could she from just standing in front of someone and be fine until she thought about them? “Is something wrong with me?” She whispered to herself, picking out a red dress with a black belt that she forgot she had. Morgana would love her in that outfit.
It was a little out of her comfort zone but she didn’t mind, it would impress the sorceress and that was what she wanted. She looked her new doll, a little confused. “Should I wear this? Would Morgana like it?” Jack fell forward again, cementing her choice. Maybe some red makeup? A little eye shadow would draw attention to her eyes Camellia would say. Once she had the dress on, she walked up to Camellia’s mirror and just stared. What is she thinking? This dress doesn’t look good on her at all, her hair is to childish and vibrant to make it look good. The dress was also more low cut and fitted than she was used to, drawing attention to her thin frame and collar bones. She looked sick. ‘This is a mistake, I can’t wear this. But nothing would be better, it’s too hot for my usual outfit. Morgana would want me to wear something like this, surely.’ Belle held back a sob, staring at herself still. ‘My arms look like sticks. Ugly sticks, not the cool ones. My ribs are visible, that won’t do.’ She was a little thinner than average, but not as thin as she thought. Her ribs didn’t stick out a lot, only slightly. But she couldn’t help but notice them and almost every detail of her body. Soon, Camellia came running in, asking what was wrong. The fox saw her friend, fists clenched, palm and fingers down on the desk. Tears spilled from her eyes as she bit her beak, her gaze on the mirror. “Oh Belle, come on, you look great.” Belle heard as she was pulled into a hug. “E-Easy for y-y-you to say, y-you always l-look beautiful.” She sobbed out. Camellia walked with her to the bed, sitting them down. She stroked her friend’s hair, whispering to her. Belle struggled to calm down, reaching for the plush of her brother.
Camellia handed it to her, kissing her forehead. “Hey now, you’re beautiful, wipe those gorgeous eyes, Sweet.” She cooed, tilting Belle’s head upward. The look on the duck’s face broke her heart, it was pure and utter despair. “M-Morgana would w-w-want me t-to wear this, r-r-r-right?” The poor, sweet little thing, she tried so hard. Camellia wiped Belle’s eyes for her, shushing her softly. “Oh Sweetheart, she’d want you to wear what you want, you shouldn’t wear something you don’t like.” She stood them both back up, holding Belle’s hand and bringing her to the mirror. The duck looked at her reflection, still slightly hazy due to left over tears. Camellia was out of the mirror’s frame, leaving her in it. She didn’t know what Camellia wanted her to see. “Tell me what you don’t like here.” Came the soft voice from next to her. “M-My arms, t-they’re twig-like. A-A-And my r-ribs are visible.” Camellia smiled sadly at her, explaining that it was on the inside that counts. That she, Morgana and the Fearsome Four absolutely adored her. That anyone staring was just jealous of her. She was gorgeous, inside and out in their eyes. “It is important, however, that you think you’re beautiful. Tell me, what do you think?” Belle took a deep breath before focusing on her reflection. ‘I shouldn’t wear form fitting clothes.’ A voice at the back of her mind said. “It’s different, that’s good.” She said, trying to ignore that voice. ‘You’re arms are sickly, you could snap them in half. And goodness, you look like a corpse.’ That was sort of true, she didn’t look all that healthy. Still, she didn’t look as bad as she thought. “I look kinda pretty.” She whispered. “I look pretty and confident in this dress. Does it go with my hair? No, but hey, I look good.” Belle said, steeling her resolve.
“See? You always look great, remember that.” Camellia said, hugging her. Belle hugged her back, giggling. She opted to skip the eye shadow, feeling it would spur another crying session and that she didn’t need it. She did put her hair in a ponytail though, putting on some obsidian and ruby earrings to match the dress. Morgana would love her regardless, she told herself. She walked into the main room and pouring herself some cereal, Plush-Jack sitting in her tote bag comfortably. Belle listened to the music from the TV as she ate, watching Camellia set up a spell of some kind. Apparently one that’s meant to bring happiness and overall good vibes if she remembered correctly. She picked up one of Camellia’s various romance books in order to not distract her friend from her daily meditation and also to stimulate herself as she ate. It was surprisingly easy to get into and the book was well loved, clearly one of Camellia’s favourites. A calming aura came over her, making her feel that despite the rocky start, today would be a good day.
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"I Want My Son!"
Monday 19th October 2020
Good Evening everyone! Hope your week is going well so far. Tonight I'll be reviewing Monday's episode, my plan is to do two blog posts tomorrow so when Friday comes I'll be all up to date! I apologise once again for slacking a bit this week - it's been a busy one that's for sure! I'm just going to jump straight into it!
The episode starts with Ben and Callum discussing Phil in the kitchen. Ben informs his boyfriend that his Dad as been pacing all night, racking his head about Ellie and Raymond. He explains that they don't even know if Ellie is her real name, considering she's just taken 5 grand off them under false pretences! As Ben is explaining the whole situation to his boyfriend and how it's really hurting Phil deeply, something in the way Callum looked, could he help in someway? Will he able to find any information on Ellie at work? Will he do this to help his boyfriend and his Dad? Or even just to help Ben alone so he can find his brother, something is telling me that Callum will act and perhaps do a bit of digging off his own accord.
Outside on the Square, Max approaches Ian - it's been perhaps about week or two so since he's threatened him, demanding him to give him his money back. Ian happily informed Max that he should have his first instalment that morning ... however, it's what he happens to mention next to his son Peter which starts to ring alarm bells ... he's borrowing money off someone else to pay Max back! I'm just putting it out there, but I'm convinced it's Kathy! He's taking money off his own Mum just so he can pay off his debts! Is it the money he's received from selling Kathy's Cafe?! Has Kathy's Cafe been sold to someone else? Oooo so many questions that I need answers to! But Peter does look a bit suspicious of his Father after he questions him about it!
At home, Denise is confiding in her boyfriend, Jack, about her decision to give up Raymond. She explains that all she wanted to do was to give him a better life, a life she couldn't give him. She informs him that herself and Phil were never meant to see Raymond again, but now things have changed and she can't bare the thought of Phil getting involved with the toddler. Jack consoles his girlfriend and informs her that he is going to sort things out, one way or another and make it all go away. I'm unsure as to how he's going to do that, but I don't think he's going to find a way of getting through to Phil. When Phil wants something, he goes for it, especially where his family is concerned. Meanwhile on the Square Callum finds Phil in the gardens sitting on Dennis's memorial bench, he says to Phil that perhaps he could do Ellie for fraud in an attempt to get him his money back, but the next sentence spoken from Phil really touched me "I'm getting used to losing sons now, aren't I?!" - That is something that no one should ever have to say! I feel so devastated for Phil! I think I asked this a while ago but I am really eager to find out who you're backing in this current story ... are you Team Phil, Team Denise or Team Ellie?! I think I'm Team Phil - all the way!!! ... As Phil thanks Callum for the offer of the attempt to get his money back, Phil walks away looking very solemn.
Meanwhile, at the Cafe, Gray and Shirley are having a one-to-one. Gray is informing Shirley that he feels ready to have the children back living with him, even though it's only been a day or two since he attempted to blow the house up. Shirley informed the grieving Dad that his children are doing fine with their Grandparents. Suddenly, Mick walks in looking for Linda - it then that Shirley tries again to talk to her son, she asks politely whether she can take her Grandson to the park, Linda agrees, much to Mick's disapproval - as you can clearly see by the look on his face - but the only thing Mick mentions is how pally Shirley has become with Gray all of sudden, after slagging him off for having a go at Linda last week. Little does Mick know actually why she's started being there for Gray, they have no idea what she walked in on.
At the Vic, Bobby brings Sharon some boxes for the Queen Vic stock, he's quite reluctant to even pass the boxes over to her. She tries to reassure him that she's healthy but Bobby asks her politely to keep an eye on her temperature, just in case. The one thing I forgot to mention in last night's post was how Bobby was counting how many times he was wiping and cleaning the cutlery. 5 times he would count and make sure he'd washed everything thoroughly! He had even laid everything out on the kitchen table! This is definitely going to be some kind of OCD storyline for Bobby, what do you guys think? As Bobby walks behind the bar, Kathy let out a little giggle and announces she's made a match on her dating app. Ian isn't impressed with his Mother and insists she's too old to be dating - which I think is completely rude! You can date at any age, why can't the older generation have any fun?! It doesn't matter whether you're 17 or 70 - everyone deserves happiness, right?! I found it hilarious when Sharon cackled at the reveal of the name of Kathy's match - Iain (with an extra I)! I also noticed the fact that Kathy pointed out that the gentleman happened to be 43, to which Ian commented "Does he know you're 70?" - obviously us viewers know that Peter has changed her age on her profile, I feel so sad for Kathy at this point because she is actually acting incredibly happy and giddy to have finally met someone, and yet they aren't even aware of her real age - could things go wrong for poor Kathy? Or will she find the man may look past the age gap and fall for her properly?! Next thing, Peter asks his Gran whether she's aware of Ian borrowing money to pay Max back, of course she has no idea who he's borrowing money from - wait till she finds out it's her money, she'll be fuming!!
Oooooh no! The next scene makes me fear for Honey's future! She and Jay are delivering food parcels for neighbours - it's clearly something she must've been doing over the recent months during Covid-19! It appears her food parcel is for an elderly lady but instead, a young gentleman answers the door by the name of Paul. He thanks Honey for bringing the parcel round and compliments her by saying it's a fantastic thing she's doing for her community. He insists he takes her number so he can help out. Of course, our precious Honey is all smiley. But something tells me that this Paul is bad news! Recently it's been revealed that EastEnders is going to kick off a new dark storyline for Honey and it'll have something to do with a new love interest named Paul. This Paul!! I also read recently - I don't know how much truth there is in this but, Honey will end up being raped after having her drink spiked! Will Paul be the culprit? Will Honey be aware of what's happening? Will it be another consent storyline? Rape and consent is something that is covered a lot in soaps, but it's something that tragically happens to both men and women every day! It's something that needs to be portrayed and something that people need to talk more about, I feel that watching these dark moments happen in soaps, does help for victims to seek help and speak up and not suffer in silence! I'm sure EastEnders will cover this story carefully.
Oh it's been a while since we've seen that horrible Detective! Callum is in desperate need though, he probably can't find any other way. He asks him for help in finding information about Ellie Dawkins. It's only then that he finds out that he real name is Ellie Nixon that she's some kind of "Gangster Granny!" - I think Callum's idea is, if he gets information on Ellie to give to Phil, he'll be able to report back to him with information of Phil. But something tells me he won't really, he's just lying to help his boyfriend's Dad out. But will he stick to it?! The Detective (Sorry, I can't remember his name!) informs Callum that if he wants to know everything about Ellie it's going to take him all day to be given the information! Ooo could there be whole big file about Ellie and why is she so dangerous?!
Back at the Beale household, Kathy is excited to see that Iain (with an I) is wanting to take her out on a date. FINALLY Peter comes clean about changing her age on her dating profile. He approaches the subject carefully, trying to compliment his Gran by saying she doesn't look or act the age of 70 - which I agree she doesn't, but at first Kathy doesn't really mind suggesting that maybe 60 would be okay, but when Peter admits he went below 60 and put her age at 45, she's absolutely mortified that her Grandson has knocked a quarter of a century off her actual age! It's then that Ian walks in and Kathy confronts him about borrowing money pay Max back. It's clear to see that she's concerned for her son, she informs him that to help she will remortgage the Cafe, but Ian is quick to instruct her not to and that there'll be no need for her to do that, she insists that the offer is there if he needs to help! ... I honestly can't wait for Kathy to find out that Ian has been stealing money off her!
In the Cafe, Honey and Jay are discussing the new fella they've just met. Honey is unsure as to whether Paul was flirting with her, but Jay is adamant that he was and tries to persuade her to message him. He gives her a good point, she shouldn't let what happened with Adam ruin future possible relationships, she deserves happiness and she should go for it! Whilst he is trying to persuade her to go for it with Paul, he mentions that he's a bit worried that Lola is getting bored of him. Which is really sad really, he admits that during lockdown they've had to live apart and, to him, it feels like instead of going forwards, their relationship is going backwards. It's a bit of shame as I've always thought that Jay and Lola were a brilliant couple and they've been through so much together, perhaps the younger version of Kat and Alfie - in the sense that they belong together, don't you guys think?! However, something maybe tells me that Jay has a little crush on Honey or perhaps has feelings for her? I could be looking into something that isn't there - it even may even come down to the fact that Jamie Borthwick (Jay) has admitted he's had a crush on his co-star Emma Barton (Honey) for a long time! What do you guys think, would Jay and Honey make a good couple? It would be an interesting road to go down, considering Billy was always there to help bring Jay up as a kid when his Dad passed away, and Billy also being Honey's ex-husband!
At Ruby's club, Jack is meeting up with the Detective ... THOMPSON! That's his name!!! It's just come to me!! This looks like this is Jack's way of getting rid of Phil and putting Denise's mind at rest. He informs DI Thompson about the attack Phil played upon him at the end of the last year. He admits he didn't report it for personal reasons but asks whether he'll back him up just go get rid up Phil Mitchell for good! DI Thompson says it's a little bit too late, considering any evidence would be long gone, he informs Jack that Phil Mitchell isn't worth losing his job over. It's looking like Jack's attempt has failed, but will DI Thompson take this information and confront Callum about it? Does Callum even know about the attack? Will he use this information to put Phil behind bars? Who knows?!
Back on the Square, Shirley bumps into Mick, she seems ready and excited to take her Grandson out to the park, but Mick informs her that his son is at a friend's house. Something tells me he's done that deliberately just so his Mum couldn't spend time with him. Shirley tells her son just because he's angry with her, Ollie shouldn't have to miss out on time with his Gran. Mick only then makes a dig at his Mother saying he's just trying to be good parent - putting the dig in that she wasn't to him! It's then he sees Gray exit the Minute Mart and he calls over to his neighbour that the only reason Shirley is hanging around him is because she wants something, he informs him that the Slaters have asked her to leave so Gray should watch his back. However, Shirley has only had to leave the Slater household because Stacey moved back with Lily. As Mick walks off and Shirley walks in the other direction, Gray follows and informs Shirley that she's welcome to stay with him as he has spare bedroom. He points out that she did him a favour and he wants to repay her. Shirley agrees. I have to admit, I like the new friendship between Shirley and Gray - it's two characters that I would never have put together, but it's nice that they have this mutual understanding with each other and what each other have been through. But should Shirley be careful? What do you make of this new found friendship? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Returning to the Beale household, Peter is seen scrambling through the draws as if he's finding something. As he's doing this, Bobby approaches and asks is older brother whether their Dad will be okay. It appears that young Bobby is worrying that if Ian is borrowing money, is he going to eventually find himself in a deeper hole that he won't be able to get out of? Peter reassures his young brother and insists that their Dad will be fine, he always lands on his feet. With that, Bobby breathes a sigh of relief and leaves the room. As he leaves, Peter continues to search in the draws and finds an envelope addressed to Kathy. He looks inside and opens the letter - what has he found?! Will it be some kind of paper work which confirms the selling of the Cafe?!
Meanwhile at the Mitchell household, Callum comes rushing in to his boyfriend! He's found news about Ellie! He reveals to his boyfriend that Ellie Nixon is her real name, and the car crash that little Raymond's parents were in wasn't an accident at all, but in fact a retaliation attack. She is the reason they're dead. She and it seems the whole family are dangerous. Ben is dumbfounded to hear the news he's being given. He instructs his boyfriend to not tell his Dad. Phil cannot find out, otherwise it'll start a war between them and that is the last thing they need right now. But suddenly, Phil walks in - looking as if he's heard just a small amount of what they were talking about. What can't he know?! But they're stuck now, they're going to have to tell him! Raymond is his son and he deserves to know the truth - as does Denise! If Phil finds out the truth, will he also inform Denise? Will they team up to get Raymond away from Ellie?!
Back at the Beale household, Peter is reeling over the letter he had just found. Suddenly his Dad enters the room and Peter takes his chance to confront his Dad and asks the very important question - Why would Kathy offer to remortgage the Cafe, when it turns out she already has?! So that's what Ian's done, he's not sold it, he's remortgaged it - still, he's still stealing from his own Mum! Ooooo he's such a weasel isn't he? He convinces his son that Kathy didn't want anyone knowing and she told Ian in confidence that she's having cash-flow problems, he also plays the guilt-trip to his son, asking why does he think so little of him? Why doesn't he support him?! Oooo I don't like Ian right now, he's being sneaky and lying to everyone around him and I don't like it! He's going to be found out soon, surely? It can't be long until Kathy finds out the truth!
The final scene of this episode, we're back with the Mitchell's and Phil is reeling from what he's been told. His head is running away with him saying he'll get Ritchie involved and he'll track down a phone number and an address. But Callum mentions that he's got a phone number, Ben warns his boyfriend not to hand it over. But Phil is desperate, he takes no chances and dials the number that Callum gives him. Ben looking absolutely gobsmacked as to what is happening around him, warning his Dad that he's not thinking straight. I love how passionate Phil is in this moment, he dials the number and we here the dial tone ring, Ellie answers and Phil is quick to the point! He wants Raymond!!!
I am so excited to see what's going to happen with this storyline. In all honesty, I love any storyline involving Phil Mitchell at the forefront! Steve McFadden is absolutely incredible and I can't speak highly of the man, he's such an astounding actor, blows me away every time he's on screen! What do you think is going to happen next? I aware I am perhaps one or two episodes behind, but I'm going to try my absolute best to post up two posts tomorrow, that way by Friday I'll be completely up to date. I hope you've all enjoyed reading, I've quite enjoyed writing this post! I'll be back tomorrow. Goodnight everyone! Love you all! xXx
#eastenders#philmitchell#benmitchell#callumhighway#ballum#ellienixon#ianbeale#kathybeale#bobbybeale#peterbeale#honeymitchell#jaybrown#jaymitchell#mickcarter#shirleycarter#grayatkins#denisefox#jackbranning#maxbranning
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FIVE SONGS
list five songs associated with your muse and its meaning to them as a character, or to you as the writer. this can be applied in-character or out-of-character. it can go as deep as looking at the song’s real-world origins or meaning along with the themes it carries to the muses’ story, values, or experiences, or as simple as if your muse would listen to this kind of music, or even if you just listen to these pieces for inspiration.
TAGGED BY: @dansiere, who did such a good detailed job they even included an “honorable mentions list” ? i am embarrassed to type mine out now TAGGING: @blossomingbeelzebug @zhrets @dirtyfilthysunshine @prcphesise @hyakiru @foxcharmed
01. kaun komsott - ros sereysothea
this song actually lyrically has absolutely nothing to do with ziggy !!!! kaun komsott / កូនកំសត់ actually just means “poor/pitiful child” it’s just a khmer dub of a song from a taiwanese movie lol but i feel like this is the kind of music he would listen to that made him fall in love with, like ... humanity, as dumb as that sounds. it’s time period appropriate (late 60s/early to mid 70s), the song is really good and it’s SO emotional. i could see him sitting in the apartment of his bandmates after being “found” and they teach him how to use the record player and he sits there going through each and every record they have and listening to this and its like the fucking scene in ratatootie where the goddamn rat can visualize tastes as colors but he would be so enamored with the song he would see it in colors or something i dunno. something has definitely fucking happened to my brain because ever since nat and alex and i rewatched ratatootie we keep referencing it for our characters. anyways i ended up using an instrumental of kaun komsott in the final film i made as the song that plays during the end. so this song just also means a lot to me because it’s part of how i made this character and the film/story i animated to go along with him, i am sure you are all absolutely sick of hearing me talk about it <3
02. who can i be now - daveed booweyywywy now you found me, now can I be real? can I be real? if it’s all a vast creation / putting on a face that’s new someone has to see / a role for him and me someone might as well be you
one of z’s most obvious character motifs is figuring out self identity through adopting different guises. he markets himself as being so overly confident and almost arrogantly certain of himself -- rock god space idol whatever -- as his own way of learning who he thinks he might be underneath it all. i think at first it started off a little innocuous, a ‘ fake it till u make it ’ thing at the least and maybe more obviously a ‘ im not a human so i have to pretend to be someone else ’ deal, but over time it became almost all consuming and just obliterated all his previously held sense of self in favor of some weirdly demented version of who he wanted to be. 683 starts off with the same core personality traits as ziggy: maybe he’s a little vain, a little selfish, but he’s very interested in creativity/self-expression and he wants to be thought of as a unique individual and appreciated for his differences. but the difference is that 683 isnt an arrogant asshole who has no regard for other people in the slightest. so yeah ... who can u be now ... is it worth it to adopt a different guise or should he go through the effort of figuring out what parts of his personality were corroded by human influence and what parts are genuinely him? my big endgame thoughts for his story would be that he eventually just decides to retire from the public eye and fucks off entirely. this would be over the course of a long long long time -- maybe he has a good 20 yr run in the industry -- but there are some things about him he has to deal with (mental health issues, drug addiction, also the fact that you’re a freaky alien creature who doesnt age like a human so you’re physically like 46 and you still look like you’re 25?) so he inevitably decides he doesnt need the horrible pressure of fame and he ought to just live his life for himself. i think this would be a nice final song for him to sing/perform -- then he goes into the dressing room and cuts his hair and just vanishes. bye.
03. sunny afternoon - the kinks Help me, help me, help me sail away Well give me two good reasons why I oughta stay 'Cause I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazing on a sunny afternoon
1. i think this would sound A LITTLE like the kind of music he would write/play albeit i feel like his would be more exciting and have more samplings of like laser noises or pewpewpew or weird spaceship sounds BUT. its also pretty time period appropriate. even in “modern” verses ziggy is inexplicably obsessed with the 1970s, he likes bell bottoms and thinks groovy patterns are neat and he owns too many lava lamps. anywayz. 2. just the general idea of feeling unfulfilled with luxury -- even if ziggy enjoys his fame and wealth and the absolutely insane amount of pussy/dick he gets at some level he is still cognizantly aware of how weirdly empty he feels. he ditched atomina and came here because he felt unfulfilled and bored and unwanted. now he feels wanted (clearly, everyone loves him) and he feels entertained (earth is So Good at fun distractions) but his fulfillment still isnt quite there. he’s getting there -- but in exchange of being able to live this life of fame, he’s had to kind of change everything about himself and live this almost caricature version of himself, and he knows he cant keep it up forever. the luxury will run out one day and he’ll be a washup and no one cares about celebrities once they stop being hip. it is literally only a matter of time before ziggy has to find out who he is because no one can be a “rockstar” forever.
04. i hate jimmy page - mindless self indulgence SUCKAS CAN REACH OUT TOUCH ME EAT ME BITE DA FUTURE & FUCK DA PAST I'm lower than most animals and fear what might be weird and all those voices in my head have every right to be there i ain't a girl just cause i rock the boat i ain't a boy just cause i rock your world
i mean he does hate jimmy page but that’s beside the point. its just a good song about being a crazy rockstar and has the same Craziness that i feel like accompanies his character ... just go listen to it you will understand. there is nothing to explain here. even the lyric “ill show u how official midgets jack me off” like just accept it. it’s whatever but yeah i aint a girl i aint a boy ... i guess his gender (or lack thereof) never really comes up in rp but its still an important part of his character. if any of u guys ever call him a man in prose again ill kick ur ass. gender is like an accessory to him and he just takes whatever aspects of masculinity/femininity he prefers and discards everything else. to him he’s just as much a “man” or a “woman” as he is a “human” which is to say he isnt, at all, and he just pretends to be because he feels obligated to. also ziggy’s brain kind of sounds like this...just Noises. his brain sounds like a microwave that’s been going off for 26 years. i think his brain is a single uncooked pinto bean rolled in glitter that’s been left in a box with a cobweb
05. ghostride - crumb daydreaming I stay in the backseat / the slow beat rocks me back to sleep keeps me on automatic press my face up close against the glass i see the people when they pass they move so automatic you wake up when I go down / the radio reminds me I'm alive we've been hearing it all night
i care more about 683 on atomina than i do about ziggy on earth sometimes (BUT I CARE THEM BOTH. DO U?) so ... 683 feeling aimless and drifting but trying to find purpose through passion, a person, some sort of concrete meaning -- going through the motions of life makes him feel empty he spends almost every day going through the same toil while feeling guilty or like a burden and also feeling like he’s ultimately nothing more than a replaceable cog in a machine. his species had a near extinction = bottleneck which made them so genetically similar they’re almost clones of each other. no one ever seems to do anything wrong except him, he finds no joy or fulfillment in anything at all. all he ever wanted (which isnt a selfish desire at all) was to feel purpose, or feel wanted, or appreciated. inevitably he leaves because of his own imagination -- he yearns for something More, and he doesn’t know What, so he figured he ought to at least Try instead of waste his life away. also atomina is supposed to sound like “automatic.” do NOT make fun of my bad scifi. i am trying to mimic the way 1970s scifi is endearingly cheesy. come here. i just want to touch you with this knife. gently tho it wont go inside of you. bro you are bleeding. bro we are bleeding and i keep putting the knife in your soft parts.
#once again under the cut because i cant do memes without making them essays dawg!#i just have Things to say about zippy#also thank you so much for tagging me ... i know i take 200 years to do memes but i love them u_u#i did a meme like this earlier so i picked a new set of songs#KEEP YOUR 'LECTRIC EYE ON ME ; queue
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on the subject of Jack’s cabin ( please do not reblog!!!! )
okay this is gonna be a looong post because i’ve got annotations and everything lmfao. so i’m finally putting together a guide to Jack’s cabin on the Pearl. this is mostly what it looks like post-CotBP, once Jack has retaken his ship from Barbossa, but I imagine it’s also safe to assume that this is what it looked like prior to the mutiny as well.
during TPOF, structurally speaking it would of course look the same, but it would be much more colourful, because it’s noted in the novel that Jack painted his cabin a loud mixture of periwinkle and rose in order to resemble a Caribbean sunset ( therefore it’s a fun thing to look at this photos and imagine how different the walls etc must have looked while Jack was a merchant captain sailing under the EITC ). when the Black Pearl ( which was then called the Wicked Wench ) burned, Jack had the entire hull repainted black in order to hide the scorch marks, and that’s my theory on why his whole cabin takes on such a gothic feel in the films. Davy Jones did also make some alterations to the ship when he raised her from the depths -- including adding the figurehead at the bow. I want to say that some of the gothic imagery on the walls of his cabin was also an addition tbh ( such as to the right of Barbossa in the image below )
so, trawling through screencaps, I’ve found the two best images that show Jack’s cabin, and show it from two viewpoints -- towards the stern windows ( so as you enter the cabin through the door ), and what I’m gonna call Jack’s POV, looking towards the door. there’s only one part of the cabin that is not visible to us as the audience at any point, and that’s Jack’s POV of the port ( left ) side of his cabin ( labelled 3 below ). i’ve numbered the particular aspects of his cabin I want to talk about:
( forgive the ugly colour, this is what we have to deal with since both scenes are in the bloody dark thanks gore lmao. you can find full-size versions of the images here and here ). I’ve coloured them so that they could easily be a part of the same scene ( and I’m 99% sure they were filmed at the same time ), but just bear in mind that the top image shows this part of Jack’s cabin in the aftermath of the kraken attack in DMC, so there’s a damaged wooden mast to the left of the image and ripped curtains ( label 2 ). I’m using a DMC image of the rear of Jack’s cabin because that shows it in pristine condition, before the kraken smashes those lovely stern windows lmfao.
1) okay so number one is arguably what prompted this whole post, and that’s the antechamber you can see behind Gibbs. it’s difficult to tell that there’s an archway behind him in that photo, but when you compare it to this beautiful daylight photo we have of Pintel and Ragetti stood outside of it during the kraken attack in DMC, it becomes a lot easier to visualise. the wooden figurines either side are the same in both photos, but this one also shows us a bluey-green privacy curtain, a lantern, a candle and what looks like another curtain or piece of fabric in the antechamber itself ( plus another window, which is one of the ones on the left-hand side of this photo -- also, note the matching wooden figures either side of the door to Jack’s cabin ).
unfortunately, it’s out of focus and Ragetti and Pintel are blocking what’s actually inside but, while TPOF claims this to be where Jack’s private head is ( the ship equivalent of a toilet lmao ), my headcanon is that this is where his bunk is. reason being is that there is absolutely no sign of a bed in Jack’s main cabin, and the curtains and candle you can see inside seem more characteristic of a bedroom than anything else. so, this is where his spacious double bed mentioned in TPOF is actually kept. also, the room is pretty large -- label 2 shows where the door to Jack’s cabin is, and you do have to take several steps once you’re through the door in order to actually enter his cabin properly ( I’ll talk more about this in my next point ), so I’d say it was a pretty roomy space tbh
2) this is the entrance to Jack’s cabin, and as I said above, once you’ve entered through the door, you have to walk several paces and then down two steps before you’re properly in his quarters. also, you can see in the photo the remains of a curtain ( also remember the part in the bloopers where Kevin kept getting caught up in it? ). you can see in the beautiful Pintel and Rags photo that, before the cabin was ravaged by the kraken, it was a curtain of the exact same pattern as the one in his bedroom antechamber. this therefore means that you wouldn’t automatically see Jack as soon as you entered the cabin unless the curtain was drawn back
3) okay this refers to the hidden part of Jack’s cabin that I have yet to find a single image of during the entirety of filming back in 2005 lmao. now we can guess what’s there based on the images we have of the other three quarters of his cabin, because if the room was uniform, then there should be another antechamber on the port ( left ) side to match the one containing Jack’s bunk on the starboard side. the description of his cabin in TPOF also confirms this:
On either side of the cabin were bulges that overhung the hull below, called the quarter gallery. The quarter gallery on the port side housed a small enclosure fitted out with shelves and drawers, known as the captain’s pantry.
so this is where Jack keeps his own private stock of rum and food, which he would be entitled to being the captain of the ship.
4) the fucking cannon lmfao. so this is another point where TPOF isn’t wholly accurate to the films, because in the novel it’s claimed that Jack doesn’t have a cannon in his cabin ( until he moves one in temporarily during his battle against Borya ). but looking closely behind Barbossa, you can see that there’s a gun port too, which means that this is clearly where the cannon is supposed to be. you can also assume, then, that there is a matching cannon on the opposite side of the ship ( because there’s always gotta be an even number of guns on a ship ). so Jack doesn’t just have one cannon in his quarters, he has two. are they regularly used? i doubt it. but they’re there lmao
5) the skylight. now we can’t see this in that particular screencap, but we can sort of see it behind Gibbs in this promotional shot, just behind the bell ( this one from DMTNT, shockingly, also shows it ). TPOF also mentions it, and if you want a fun angsty fact, while Jack was trapped inside of the burning Wicked Wench’s cabin, this skylight collapsed due to the flames, the glass fell on him and that was what eventually knocked him out:
The deck jumped and lurched. Everything slid around again, including Jack. He fetched up against the door, and the chest slammed into him. A tongue of flame erupted through the door, and suddenly his left sleeve was on fire. Yelling, gasping, Jack tried to beat out the flames with his right hand.
He heard another hideous groan, and glanced up, just in time to see the overhead skylight collapsing, coming down on top of him.
6) I haven’t got much to say about this, aside from the fact that that’s his desk, and in both scenes showing his cabin, it’s constantly full of trinkets and maps and papers. I’m also 98% sure it’s a lot smaller than the long dining table Barbossa has in the same cabin in CotBP ( when he dines with Elizabeth ), so it’s safe to assume that Jack replaced it once he regained control of his ship. it’s also extremely difficult to see what is behind Jack in that lower photo, even while ramping the brightness of the image up, but you can see his globe, and I’m sure Jack also owns a bookcase with titles by his favourite authors.
7) and finally, those beautiful windows. these are what should flood Jack’s cabin with light during the day and, as was shown in CotBP ( here and here ), the ledge beside the windows is wide enough for someone to sit on it. you can also see in the first photo ( and it’s further confirmed when looking at the stern of the Pearl from the outside ), that there are in fact not three windows, but nine, if you include the three on both the starboard and port sides of the stern.
#;plays things closer to the vest now ( headcanon. )#;depths few had ever begun to glimpse ( meta tag. )#*the pearl#fgkjhsdfs well you can consider this an ultimate guide to this part of jack's ship lmfao#honestly i'm not expecting anybody i write with to memorise this omg#even i have been getting the logistics and layout of his cabin wrong for years lmfao#this is just a handy reference post mainly to remind myself exactly how jack's cabin is laid out#and it only took me four years lmaoo#i guess the key thing to take away from this? that jack doesn't actually sleep in the main cabin
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“It’s not that bad and YET” UFC Fight Night: Sacramento Preview
Joey
July 9
The show AFTER the big July PPV always tends to have some sort of bad vibes attached to it and I guess this one isn't any different. In 2016, injuries took us from Michael Chiesa vs Tony Ferguson to John Lineker vs Michael McDonald (two guys no longer in the org). In 2017, the UFC loaded up their July PPV slate and gave us Gunnar Nelson vs Santiago Ponzinibbio the week after an injury (and sinus infection) cursed card from Vegas. Last year, the UFC gave us Blagoy Ivanov vs JDS and Sage Northcutt vs Zak Ottow after Miocic vs DC. This year's card after Vegas is either good or bad depending almost solely on how you feel about the main event. Fights 2-13 are your usual garden variety Fight Night mix of intriguing and irrelevant but the main event, a clash between Germaine de Randamie and Aspen Ladd, will likely determine whether it's the worst thing ever or a totally acceptable main event. I can kind of see the two sides at play here. WMMA title fights are acceptable main and co-main events but convincing MMA's audience that there's quality outside of the title fights is often met with chuckles, snickers and some derisiveness. MMA fans work in doses and drips and so foistering this main event upon the audience even years after the rise of WMMA requires some understanding that there's a chunk of fans who won't see this as a quality headliner. Aspen Ladd to my knowledge has never been on a main card and GDR has had one fight in two years. On the other hand if one had the ability to view both fighters objectively, this is a pretty damn good fight. Headline worthy? I mean why not. It's a pseudo #1 contender fight with a former champion and a rising prospect. Seems totally acceptable to me. Either way we got thirteen fights to talk about so let's just get on with it.
Fights: 13
Debuts: Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman
Fight Changes/Injury Cancellations: 5 (John Phillips OUT, Wellington Turman IN vs Karl Roberson/Gian Villante OUT, John Allan IN vs Mike Rodriguez/Cynthia Calvillo OUT, Brianna Van Buren IN vs Livia Souza/Sara McMann OUT, Julianna Pena IN vs Nicco Montano/Martin Day OUT, Vince Morales IN vs Benito Lopez)
Headliners (fighters who have either main evented or co-main evented shows in the UFC): 8 (Urijah Faber, Josh Emmett, Beneil Dariush, Andre Fili, Julianna Pena, Nicco Montano, Darren Elkins, Cezar Mutante)
Fighters On Losing Streaks in the UFC: 1 (Darren Elkins)
Fighters On Winning Streaks in the UFC: 9 (Germaine De Randamie, Ricky Simon, Aspen Ladd, Beneil Dariush, Drakkar Klose, Mirsad Bektic, Livia Souza, Ryan Hall,Pingyuan Liu)
Main Card Record Since Jan 1st 2017 (in the UFC): 24-11-2
Aspen Ladd- 3-0 Germaine de Randamie- 2-0 Urijah Faber- 0-0 Ricky Simon- 3-0 Josh Emmett- 3-2 Mirsad Bektic- 2-1 Beneil Dariush- 2-2-1 Drakkar Klose- 4-1 Karl Roberson- 2-2 Wellington Turman- 0-0 Cezar Ferreira- 2-2 Marvin Vettori- 1-1-1
Fights By Weight Class (yearly number here):
Featherweight- 3 (33) Bantamweight- 3 (36) Women’s Bantamweight- 2 (12) Middleweight- 2 (23) Women’s Strawweight- 1 (19) Light Heavyweight- 1 (28) Lightweight- 1 (43)
Welterweight- (38) Heavyweight- (18) Flyweight- (8) Women’s Flyweight- (18) Women’s Featherweight- (6)
2019 Number Tracker
Debuting Fighters (18-40)- Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman
Short Notice Fighters (16-25)- Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman, Julianna Pena, Vince Morales
Second Fight (38-15)- Nicco Montano
Cage Corrosion (Fighters who have not fought within a year of the date of the fight) (12-26)- Urijah Faber (I could/should put him in the debut category but Faber was never cut and so I figure he's better suited here?), Nicco Montano, Julianna Pena, Marvin Vettori, Mirsad Bektic
Undefeated Fighters (25-27)- Aspen Ladd
Fighters with at least four fights in the UFC with 0 wins over competition still in the organization (9-8)-
Weight Class Jumpers (Fighters competing outside of the weight class of their last fight even if they’re returning BACK to their “normal weight class”) (17-16)- Nicco Montano, Ryan Hall, Karl Roberson
Twelve Precarious Ponderings
1- It's only fair to start with what can only be described as an experiment of sorts by the UFC. We currently have on the calendar four WMMA main events and rumors of a 5th (I've heard some rumblings about Rose vs Nina Ansaroff in the late Fall) is out there. The UFC is clearly giving us more WMMA main events and taking some chances in the process. Part of this is clearly an ESPN design; you give them four shows a month more or less and you're less concerned about popping a number on a digital platform. The scheduling and the assembly line of "See UFC product, get UFC product" on ESPN+ allows you to be a bit more flexible. It's kinda cool that in a span of four weeks, we've gotten a massive HW fight, a big UFC PPV, this show with a credible WMMA main event and then a pretty solid San Antonio main event with RDA vs Leon Edwards. We get a little bit of everything and I'm glad Ladd vs GDR occupies a part of that. With less of an expectation to do a one off rating (Ladd vs GDR probably would've been the lowest rated show on FS1) then I hope we see more credible WMMA main events. In a vacuum, I'd rather see two top 5 fighters at strawweight headline an event than two big doughy guys at LHW or HW just because we're afraid the audience might not like it.
2- At the same time I have zero problems admitting GDR vs Aspen Ladd as a main event wasn't making me want to rush out and buy a ticket if it was in my town. The more I think about it though. the more intrigued I am about it. Maybe it's just the "it's coming to get excited!" aspect of an approaching card or what but I'm genuinely excited by this main event. Maybe it's because GDR could either be Amanda Nunes' next opponent or the ultimate 'Whatever happened to?" story. Germaine de Randamie's title shot was somewhat circumstantial at best but be it by hook or by crook, she DID win the UFC's first ever featherweight title. After pulling out of fights on and off for three straight years (and with wins over Anna Elmose and Larissa Pacheco of all people), Germaine was ushered into a fight with Holly Holm in a makeshift main event. She won the first three rounds in my estimation, lost the final two and in a fair and just world, probably loses the fight with points deducted for repeated shots after the bell in rounds 1 and 2. We don't live in an alternate universe, we live in a current reality and SO de Randamie beat Holm on points to become champ. What happened then? Well....de Randamie copped to a hand injury after the fact, hinting she wouldn't fight Cyborg. She came out a bit later and said she wouldn't fight Cyborg because Cyborg was a PED user. She was stripped of the belt, hinted at retiring, came back, got hurt, hinted at retirement some more and then finally returned in a one sided breeze vs Rocky Pennington. The point of all that is to say that GDR is either about to break out into the best version of herself with a dominant win over Aspen Ladd or she's going to just disappear for two years after this fight.
3- Is Aspen Ladd more or less rushed than when Sara McMann got a title shot off of beating Shayna Baszler and Sheila Gaff? Ladd's got some credible wins but she's still super green and like a lot of green WMMA prospects, she pretty much gets by on her ability to be aggressive and dogged in firefights. Offensively though she's so much fun to watch. This fight in tight with GDR's crisp powerful boxing vs Ladd's aggression, pressure and fearlessness could be a real treat. Also let's not forget that Ladd absolutely has the strength to just bowl over GDR the way Nunes did as well.
4- Fun question; would you prefer the winner of this fight vs Amanda Nunes at bantamweight or up 10 lbs at featherweight?
5- The total lack of hype from the UFC on the return of Urijah Faber almost makes it feel like they're embarrassed he's even trying this.
6- Karl Roberson's UFC run thus far has been pretty easy to figure out. He's had four fights and gone 2-2 with an easy enough pattern; guy gets him down? He gets subbed. Guy doesn't? He wins. He subbed Darren Stewart which is still a pretty impressive win in hindsight and beat up on Jack Marshman in November. He took a really short notice fight vs Glover Teixeira in January and was beating the shit out of him before Glover did as he do; got on top and subbed him out in the first round. Roberson gets the debuting Wellington Turman and it's going to be an interesting test to see if he can avoid getting taken down against a guy making his debut on short notice. I still think Roberson has high upside and is more or less a victim of some unfair rough matchmaking.
7- Julianna Pena is back after taking a year and change off and it's surprising just how little fanfare her return is getting. Pena's last fight was on Fox in the headline spot vs Valentina Shevchenko in a fight she lost by armbar in the second round. Before that though, she had beaten the likes of Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano and looked to be on her way to maybe becoming something in the post Rousey landscape. The fact she's sort of just slipped into the picture as a late notice replacement for a filler prelim fight is so weird. Pena is just 29 and even if her striking was really rough to watch, she's the sort of fighter who has enough in her arsenal as a strong (yet clunky) wrestler that I can't rule her out in what remains at 135 lbs. We've seen the likes of Rocky Pennington get title shots and Nunes is close to cleaning out the division so maybe Pena (or even her opponent Nicco Montano) has a shot at creeping back up in the title picture quickly.
8- Casual reminder that Nicco Montano was the first ever UFC women's flyweight champ. Kinda gets forgotten given how things played out with her.
9- So are we officially off the Mirsad Bektic hype train now?
10- Ryan Hall vs Darren Elkins is such a weirdo fight on paper that I can't help but want to see how it plays out. At the very least we know (hope) Elkins won't take any significant damage via strikes.
11- Sheymon Moraes vs Andre Fili is a really good fight that almost feels misplaced as a prelim fodder fight but will be worth your time if you search it out. A damn good fight between two solid mid level FWs.
12- Does any card better encapsulate the collapse of TAM like this one does?
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Fic: Sweet Tooth
to @golaulau love from your secret santa
Robert knew better than to attempt Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Everyone did. Yet here he was, shuffled around with the masses of last minute shoppers getting the last few gifts he needed for his family gathering tomorrow.
If Robert has it his way he’d avoid the whole bloody day altogether, spend it eating a takeaway and drinking the expensive bottle of whisky he got from his boss as a Christmas present. He already had plans for his very hefty Christmas bonus, a nice long vacation somewhere warm and the new Audi he’d been eyeing all year.
Unfortunately, Robert has a sister; the kind that loved you absolutely and for some reason wanted to spend time with her brothers. They’d been getting along better since Katie had left Andy, doing exactly the same dance on his brother’s heart that she’d done to Robert. Nothing brought people together more than shared distain.
So now Andy focused on his two children from a previous relationship, and seemed to understand Robert a lot better, or at least was trying to.
Buying presents for them all was proving a bit of a headache though. Andy had sent him a list of things the kids wanted, all cheap and way less than Robert had been prepared to spend. Robert’s money and Andy’s lack of it was still a sticky point. It hadn’t helped when Robert had paid off the mortgage on the farm after Katie left, knowing his brother was in a bind. Andy thought Robert was throwing his weight around when Robert had just been trying to build a bridge back to who they used to be, before they’d been waring brothers and actual friends.
Plus Robert had a soft spot for Sarah and Jack, his niece and nephew who thought Uncle Rob was pretty great, even when he wasn’t showering them with gifts.
Still, last year this had all been easier when he’d left it all up to his assistant. Except Victoria had made a joke about it during the last Christmas dinner and Robert had gotten offended. It wasn’t that he couldn’t buy presents for people that were meaningful; he just didn’t have time.
So now he was standing in front of the shops with a few bags of items that didn’t seem like the right things and regretting telling Bernice he had it covered this year.
An understated but expensive Tiffany necklace for Victoria (Breakfast At Tiffany’s was her favourite film), a new Chevalier jacket for Andy (just like the one Robert had but in green, he’d noticed Andy admiring his a few months back), the latest gaming system for Jack (with enough games to make his head spin) and a new iPad for Sarah with a hefty gift card attached (the girl loved blaring her music, just like her Uncle Rob.)
So why didn’t he feel done?
He needed caffeine to make it through the rest of the evening, especially if he was going to be mad enough to keep searching for a present he didn’t actually need. This Christmas was going to be the start of a new tradition, all the remaining Sugdens together under one roof. They hadn’t done that since they were kids. Robert remembered after the day of excitement and food sitting around the living room sofa playing Monopoly with Andy while Victoria pretended to be the banker, too young to actually understand the game. No one ever really won, they’d just play until it was time for bed, for once not arguing over who was the better man.
Robert ducked into the first Starbucks he saw, thankful that the line was only halfway across the store. He juggled the bags in his hands, trying to ease the pull of cheap plastic against his wrists. He ended up jostling into the body in front of him.
“You alright, mate?”
Robert had intended to be polite and beg forgiveness from the person who turned around to look at him. He had intended to be apologetic and charming. Then he met a pair of crystal clear blue eyes and his brain short circuited.
“Huh?”
Robert closed his eyes at his own stupidity but opened them to the sound of deep laughter. Those eyes belonged to a stubbled face, broad shoulders and a voice that made Robert’s insides feel like they had collected in a pile at his feet.
“Yeah I know the feeling. Not a fan of crowds myself.”
Robert had absolutely no idea why this man was talking to him and his tongue seemed to be stuck to the roof of his mouth. Robert wondered if he was drooling? He might be drooling. A man this gorgeous needed to walk around with some kind of warning label. Also, say something Sugden, Jesus.
“Sorry about that, it’s bedlam everywhere innit it?”
Good job, ask him a question. Get him to keep talking. That way you can look at his face more. Robert really liked that face.
“Serves us right waiting until the last minute like this. At least someone will be very happy tomorrow.”
Gorgeous Stranger motioned to the bags in Robert’s hand with a jut of his stubbled chin, specifically the bright Tiffany blue one.
“It’s for my sister. I’m single.”
Robert wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. Yes, tell Insanely Attractive that you’re single after 30 seconds. Way to keep a cool head. Thankfully before Robert could shove his foot any further into his mouth one of the barista’s shouted “Next!” and Blue Eyes turned away from him.
Instead, he stared at the back of the man, tried to gauge his age. Younger than Robert, but not by much. He wished Touchable Hair wasn’t wearing such a puffy jacket, but it showed off how broad his shoulders were. He looked cool in that whole “I don’t have to try to work at being attractive because I am, I just don’t know how much” kind of way. Robert was more of a “Yeah I look good but when I try I look better” man himself. They didn’t create well fitted suits for no reason and he wasn’t going to squander what God gave him by not enhancing it.
Wonder what Hidden Biceps would look like in a suit? Wonder what he would look like out of a suit? Or in just a tie? Or in…
“Uh, Sir?”
Robert realized he was next in line and had been daydreaming like an idiot.
“Yeah, Grande Peppermint Mocha, extra shot of peppermint, please”
Robert loved anything sweet; it was another addiction along with Calvin Klein boxer briefs, his sisters shepherd’s pie, and his Monty Python’s Flying Circus box set.
He paid for his order and headed to wait for his drink. Wet Dreamwas leaning with his back against the wall, tapping away on his phone. Robert rolled his eyes at the slowed down guitar riff version of Jingle Bells that was being pumped through the sound system.
He only had about three or four more minutes to look his fill before they’d go back to their shopping and on with their lives. They’d never see each other again.
So what would be the harm in offering Look At Those Thighs his number? Robert was usually more self assured than this. Clearly Christmas and the nostalgia was getting to him, taking him back to when he was an insecure boy, not the confident Robert of today. He was dressed nice, leather jacket over his well fitted jeans. His hair was probably perfect and he’d gone to the gym this morning.
If Kissable Mouth turned him down it was his loss than wasn’t it?
Emboldened he stepped forward just as Scruffy Sex On A Stick put the phone to his ear and started talking.
“Yeah, I’ll be home soon. Of course I’ll pick up dinner on be way; God help us if you decided to cook.”
Robert’s stomach sank, Unavailable Dream Man was beaming as he talked on the phone and that could only mean one thing, love. It was punctuated even further by the throaty laugh that spread want through Robert’s entire body.
“Yeah, I love you too. See you soon.”
Seriously Fuckable shoved his phone in his pocket and offered Robert a smile as he reached for the cup the barista put before them on the counter. Robert offered him a tight smile, trying to not show disappointment that this was the end of their epic love story.
He sighed as I Want His Mouth On Me took a large sip of his drink and turned to walk away, until he heard the sputtering and coughing.
“Ugh, what the hell is this?”
Robert looked at the cup, saw his name written on the side and grimaced.
“Sorry mate, I think that was mine.”
Adorable Frown shook his head and looked down at the cup in his hand, finally realizing he’d grabbed the wrong drink and downed Robert’s sugary concoction.
“You actually like this stuff?”
Robert couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s Chrismassy.”
“So is holly but you don’t see me blending it up and swinging it back.”
Hot And Sarcastic smiled at Robert’s short burst of laughter and dropped the drink into the garbage can beside him.
“Well let me get you another one, because there was something clearly wrong with whatever that was.”
“No, really it’s fine.”
“Look mate, you want to drink this swill, I ain’t gonna stop yah. Let me please, my fault after all.”
Robert opened his mouth to protest again until I Want To Lick Himraised his eyebrow in a seductive challenge that had Robert licking his own lips instead.
“Yeah, okay. Peppermint Mocha, extra shot of peppermint.”
Are Those Eyes Even Real grinned and moved past Robert, going to the head of the line and gesturing slightly before handing the barista more money than it should cost. The barista looked Robert’s way, grinned, writing the order on the cup and passing it over to be made.
Robert was trying to think of something impressive and lasting to say but once again words failed him. Instead, Smells Good Enough To Eat snagged his correct drink off the counter and kept walking, a friendly “Happy Christmas” thrown over his shoulder that sent a shiver down Robert’s spine.
Ugh, Robert hated himself and the world in general as he watched All The Good Ones Are Taken disappear out of sight.
“Sweet Tooth.”
Robert blinked and looked at the barista as she held out a red take away cup towards him.
“Excuse me?”
“Peppermint Mocha with extra peppermint, he said your name was Sweet Tooth.”
Robert smiled at her and took the cup from her hand. She winked at him and turned back to making another drink. It wasn’t until he was out on the street that he looked at the cup more closely and noticed the phone number scribbled on it with a heart and the name Aaron in bold letters.
One Year Later
Robert scrolled through his phone, reading intently the article he’d found about Monopoly strategies. He was going to wipe the floor with Andy this Christmas.
After he’d left Starbucks a year ago, he’d headed to the nearest game store and bought the swankiest version of the game they made. It was pretty expensive but it would last forever, mahogany board and actual silver pieces. There was even a banker drawer which he knew would make Vic happy.
Christmas on Andy’s farm has been tense at first, Andy giving him a tight smile with every excited squeal Sarah and Jack made over the presents Robert gave them. It wasn’t until everyone was done that he pulled out the game, wrapped in gold paper with a giant red bow and placed it in front of Victoria with a flourish.
“So this is a Sugden present; it’s for all of us.”
Victoria had cried when she’d opened it and Andy has just looked at him, a genuine smile on his face and declared he was going to wipe the floor with Robert.
The kids hadn’t been too interested but after dinner the original Sugden kids had played well into the night, Victoria losing early but still willing to hand out money and hold the deeds. They’d finally called it a draw at midnight after too much wine and a lot of laughter.
But for the last few weeks, Andy has been texting him trash talk about the upcoming game and Robert was not going down without a fight.
A slight cough made him raise his head and take in Sexy In A Ridiculous Christmas Jumper as he held out a mug for Robert.
“You are not actually looking up Monopoly strategies online are you?”
Robert took the cup, smiled at the candy cane and whip cream piled out of his hot chocolate that The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me had made for him.
“Aaron, he’s been winding me up for weeks. It’s a matter of pride now.”
Sweetest Smile just rolled his eyes but sat down on the couch and snuggled into Robert’s side.
“What time do we have to leave to get Liv?”
“Not for another hour yet. But I’m driving, you know what you’re like after…”
He Knows Me So Well waved his hands at the empty chocolate wrappers on the coffee table and the cup of sugar Robert was drinking.
“Only if I get to pick the radio station.”
“Ugh, fine.”
It had taken every ounce of willpower Robert had possessed to wait until after the holidays before he called Hogs All The Covers and asked him out to dinner.
Robert was in love before their appetizers made it to the table.
In the year since, they’d argued over everything under the sun, gone on vacation to Spain, met each other’s families, and were about to celebrate their first Christmas together in the home they shared.
It’d been a wild ride and it wasn’t about to stop anytime soon. Because they had Liv, Kindest Person I Know’s little sister, to pick up from the airport. She was going to be the first guest in their newly redecorated spare room.
Christmas Eve was with the Dingles and Christmas Day was with the Sugdens. Somewhere in between all that Robert was hoping to get a few moments alone with God I Love Him So Much It Hurts, because he had a ring box hidden in their Christmas tree and a question he wanted to ask.
“You’re not going to win the game, you know that right?”
Robert looked at I’m Going To Marry Him in mock horror.
“Aaron, whose side are you on here?”
I Can’t Wait To Spend My Life With You just snuggled in closer and lifted his face to Robert’s
“Mine, because I’m playing this year. I am going to own you, Sugden, just wait and see.”
Robert couldn’t resist tipping his head down and pressing a kiss on those lips before he whispered against them.
“You already do, Aaron. You already do.”
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Legend (1985) Review
"You think you have won! What is light without dark? What are you without me? I am a part of you all. You can never defeat me. We are brothers eternal!"
Legend was Ridley Scott's direct follow up to Blade Runner. Much like the sand dancer’s seminal sci-fi classic, it was a flop on its initial release, but has since gone on to become something of a cult classic and one of my favourite fantasy movies.
Rather than being an adaptation of a famous work, Legend is like a composite piece of many different sources, from the Grimm fairy tales to the Bible (just look at that poster image, I've visited churches with more subtle religious imagery). Jean Cocteau's 1946 film Le Belle et la Bête, which Scott and writer William Hjortsberg both shared a love for, was clearly a huge influence as well. The plot is a rather conventional story about a dark lord who plans to take over the world, a young hero who sets out on a quest to stop him, and a beautiful princess who gets caught up in the middle of it all. What sets the film apart from others fantasy films of the time is the visual flair Scott brings to the film.
Like all of his films, Legend looks absolutely stunning. Scott brings the same kind of obsessive attention to detail to this film that he brought to Alien and Blade Runner, creating a living breathing world that puts other fantasy films to shame. The forest sets, created completely on sound stages at Pinewood, look truly magical, while Darkness’ lair is simply gorgeous. The costumes and prosthetics for the various magical creatures are also impressive.
As Darkness, Tim Curry just owns the film. Backed up by a fantastic make up job, Curry injects some Frank N. Furter swagger into the role, making Darkness a charismatic and oddly sexy villain. Poor Tom Cruise just can’t compete. Cruise is definitely one of the film's weakest elements. He's not terrible, but the future mega-star fails to make Jack anything more than a fairly bland hero with a nice pair of legs. Mia Sara fares better as Lilly. She might start out as a rather whinny princess, but improves when she has Darkness as a sparring partner rather than dippy Jack.
Darkness' seduction of Lilly is one of my favourite parts of the film. It helps to make Legend a far more interesting film, and offsets the tweeness that threatens to engulf the film at times. The stand-out scene of the film is the Dress Waltz. It's a mesmerising sequence where a captured Lilly dances with a living dress in Darkness’ liar until the two become one. That is when Darkness finally makes his grand entrance, stepping out of the mirror in all his satanic majesty.
Why anyone would chose Tom Cruise over this guy is a mystery to me.
Notes and Quotes
--Meg Mucklebones is played by none other than Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo.
--The face of goblin Blix was based on Keith Richards.
--During filming a fire broke out at Pinewood, burning the 007 soundstage to the ground and destroying all of the film’s sets.
--Two version of the film are available, the original theatrical release and a director's cut. As with Blade Runner, the director's cut is the superior version of the film.
--Jerry Goldsmith's sublime score was removed by the studio from the US version of the film and replaced with one by Tangerine Dream. It was restored for the director’s cut.
Lily: "I hear a throat begging to be cut!" Darkness: "Are you so eager to see blood flow?" Lily: "As eager as you are to drink it!"
Screwball: "I vote we run like hell." Brown Tom: "I second the motion."
Oona: "What care I for human hearts? Soft and spiritless as porridge! A faerie's heart beats fierce and free!"
Darkness: "The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity."
Three out of four goblins that look like guitarists for the Rolling Stones.
Mark Greig has been writing for Doux Reviews since 2011.
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Without Remorse Review: Michael B. Jordan Saves Dated Amazon Thriller
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People like to say Tom Clancy’s politics never left the 1980s. That’s probably true, but movies based on his work are firmly planted in the ‘90s. Beginning with John McTiernan’s crackling (if even then historically dated) The Hunt for Red October (1990), the decade was a boom era for technocratic spy thrillers. And at heart, Clancy’s popular Jack Ryan character really works best as a technocrat. If the author ever wanted to indulge in action thrills, there was always John Clark, Clancy’s other recurring protagonist. Yet, strangely, Clark never got to star in his own movie. That changes in Without Remorse, the long-gestating adaptation of Clancy’s 1993 novel which sees Michael B. Jordan don the camo fatigues.
Updated for the 21st century with Syria replacing a literary origin story rooted in Vietnam, and Clark’s complexion being tweaked for a more inclusive era of action heroes (previous actors who played Clark include Willem Dafoe and Liev Schreiber), Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse presents itself as a modern thriller. Don’t believe it. This Amazon release is as rooted in ’90s geopolitical values (and movie tropes) as when Harrison Ford starred opposite Dafoe’s Clark in Clear and Present Danger (1994). Actually, Ford’s The Fugitive (1993) might be more apt since this story of a hero out for revenge—over a dead wife who’s been left in the proverbial fridge—feels hopelessly antiquated.
Luckily, even at its most cliché, Without Remorse does have a lot going for it whenever Jordan gets unleashed by the script. As a one-man army, the actor is relentless in his desire to win over his audience with shock and awe. More often than not he succeeds.
Opening on a clandestine Navy SEALs operation in Syria, Without Remorse features the same no-frills violence that made director Stefano Sollima’s previous collaboration with screenwriter Taylor Sheridan—Sicario: Day of the Soldado—a guilty pleasure. Similar to the heroes of that 2018 thriller, Jordan’s protagonist in Without Remorse is the most stoic and badass of a Navy SEALs team filled with stoic badasses. Going by his birth name of John Kelly (he adopts the moniker Clark later in the story), John is doing nebulous wet work for the CIA, which is represented by an ambiguous presence named Ritter (Jamie Bell). At the beginning, Ritter tells the SEALs they’re in-country to kill Syrian thugs, but when the bullets start flying, the aftermath reveals Russian spies in the body count.
Back home and starting a civilian life with wife Pam (Lauren London), Kelly attempts to adjust to normalcy. He has a new job and a baby on the way. Those dreams are shattered though when Russian special forces break into his home, killing his pregnant wife and leaving John for dead. After a stint in the hospital, he’s told by the CIA to let it go. U.S. intelligence deems the death of his wife as the cost of doing business; they don’t want to accelerate these tit-for-tat murders into a war. But John couldn’t care less about the CIA’s spy games. Soon enough he’s brutalizing any Russian agent he can get his hands on in the hopes of finding the man who killed his wife.
With the help of his old SEAL buddy and current naval officer Karen Greer (Jodie Turner-Smith), John is going to shoot, torture, and kill all his way to Russia and the center of an international conspiracy—eventually even getting the Defense Department to bankroll his revenge.
Written by Sheridan with a sensibility in keeping with the complicated politics of the Sicario movies, as well as Hell or High Water, Without Remorse sports a grounded cynicism designed to give its action bite. However, this bit of realpolitik is mainly window-dressing, a bit of flavor on top of what is essentially a straight ahead revenge yarn. It thus lands closer to the absurdity of Sicario 2 than the one directed by Denis Villeneuve. With that said, there’s some irresistibly gruesome set-pieces throughout Without Remorse to keep the blood up and flowing.
In one sequence, John crashes his car into a Russian diplomat’s vehicle and then pours gasoline on top of it. He then enters the burning vehicle for a flyby round of interrogation. It’s like a speed dating version of a Jack Bauer torture session in 24. Also like that series, Without Remorse unapologetically leans into satisfying that caveman side of the brain, albeit now done with a lot more flair.
That added swagger clearly comes from Jordan, who appears ready to announce his action star bona fides. The actor of course already starred as the villain in Black Panther, and entered the ring for more than one Creed film, but as the man who will be John Clark, Jordan gets closer to the Rambo side of the Sylvester Stallone paradigm. There’s even a sequence where Jordan takes his shirt off for no other reason than to let his foes stare at his washboard abs before he breaks their heads in. It’s absolutely earned.
It’s a shame though the movie he’s in couldn’t do a little bit more with its conventions. In a wise move, the Without Remorse film plays fast and loose with the novel’s many elements. In addition to the film replacing the Vietnam War with a modern conflict, a whole subplot about prostitution drug rings has also been wisely cut. Yet the movie still unfortunately keeps the novel’s lazy inciting incident of a love interest being killed off to justify the hero’s pain.
But when it comes to Clancy, it’s almost impossible to separate the work from the political worldview that created it. No matter how many changes are made, this is derived from a vision where it’s always morning in America, and there’s ever an evil Soviet empire to be kept at bay. Ironically, Hollywood took so long to get Without Remorse made—it once was intended to be a Keanu Reeves movie in the early ‘90s—that Clancy’s Russian villains are timely again. Even so, Without Remorse plays like a star vehicle out of the past.
Fortunately, when that star is Jordan and his vehicle includes action sequences as good as the best few in Without Remorse, there is more than enough here to make a solid movie night.
Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse premieres on Amazon on Friday, April 30.
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about cas turning out to be not-cas... same... after last week's ep i was mostly convinced it's the real cas but deep down i still get that weird unsettling feeling that it's not?? i really wonder what's setting off our alarm bells >_
I think it might be a number of things at play:
1) It’s Cas. He drives a lot of the story, but I think the writers also don’t always know what to do with him? Or, the formula of using him for unexpected, emotional story-twists is tried and true and keeps fans (esp. Cas fans) tuned in? The brothers can keep hunting, but Cas (and most likely Jack as well, now), are going to give us our real big GASP moments. Either way, Cas is often our roller-coaster character and because of how stories are done, especially Supernatural, it’s difficult to settle him where most people want him to be - safe, himself, with/or without the Winchesters (with for most, I think). [ I mean, I personally think that would be super interesting, but, they’ve got a formula so who am I]. Something unexpected will take place, because it /must/ take place and it leaves us anxious, because we’ve been through seasons of the inevitable ‘what’s next?’ with Cas. What’s next to separate him from the Winchesters, what’s next that will inevitably leave fans worrying, what’s next that will inevitably hurt him ect. This sounds really negative and part of it is, because it’s exhausting and predictable. Part of it is also just the nature of stories/Supernatural itself. They need Things To Happen and Problems To Solve and Cas is central to much of it, so something interesting/painful/unexpected must happen to him. Then again, I have the sense that the current writer team might be trying to flip things upside down, maybe? So things might not follow that pattern? Either way, I’m prepared for The Thing because of the # of episodes for Misha issue/Cas’ role in the story. I don’t think it’s ever unusual to feel a little uneasy about what’s next with Cas. They’ve been very quiet about where his story is going, so I’m in the space of waiting to see what it is, as usual.
2) The theme of absence this season is definitely in play. Other people in fandom have already written plenty about it, much better than I ever could, but I think it justifiably ties into those feelings of unease. It’s important and weighty that we didn’t get a “hello, dean.” For better or for worse, we didn’t see how Cas got out of The Empty and Cas hasn’t spoken one word on screen since he’s returned to Earth (!! this is so important to me! this is such a big deal!). These unanswered questions, “how did /exactly/ did Cas get out of The Empty?” “What did Cas say to Dean on the phone?” “Why haven’t we heard him speak?” “What state is he in mentally/physically/ect?” These have all clearly and purposely been laid into the narrative for this season. It makes me uneasy because we then have to ask ourselves why? Is this a case of we’re-just-trusting-you-to-fill-in-those-gaps because The Power of Subtext and see, you could read it all along, Dumbo? Is this a case of these-gaps-are-here-because-we-haven’t-told-you-the-whole-story or there’s-still-so-much-more-to-unfold-and-these-characters-aren’t-there-yet? Or is it both and we’re about to get shocked with it being Empty Cas or some other unexpected revelation? I’m genuinely not sure, because..
3) It’s Supernatural. I mean, something obviously has to happen to keep the story going, but I think the argument’s I’ve seen for this being Our Cas objectively make a lot of sense. Cas under the sun, the subtextual little things (blackberries and blue lights and telephone booths ect ect ect.), that look from Cas at the end of 13x05. These make sense as Cas Things. But we’re clearly missing things here. (and I’m also, always, asking myself how much is purposeful and how much isn’t?) It could end up being nothing. This could be our Cas, he’ll have a nice time with the Winchester’s next episode, we’ll get some more fun subtext (almost text) Destiel stuff next episode, Jack will take off and Cas will go after him - somehow - or do something - who knows what - without the Winchesters. Maybe this time with more honesty and up-front talking, but you know, still sending him off somehow. Or we could get some shocking revelation, or both. I will happily admit I’m terrible at reading anything going on in Supernatural. I shudder should any meta writer read this because it’s.. uh.. clear I’m terrible at this. This is why I try to follow a pretty broad set of people who write about what’s going on in SPN-verse, so that I can get as many perspectives and outlooks as possible - because I’m usually too tired/lazy/exhausted/busy/untalented to really pick apart at what’s going on myself. My INFJ-intuition-ie senses will tell me “there’s something happening here that fits into x, y, z issue/theme/structure,” but I can rarely getting to specifics on my own - it’s just crowley_feelings.gif. Also, like a lot of other people, I can subconsciously and (sometimes, a little bit, consciously) pick up on things the story is telling me/subtext/ect., but I’m awful at predicting and reading the story. The last thing I got right was knowing Cas would die from pretty much the beginning of s12, but it was again, just feeling it. It wasn’t until I went back and watched s12 again after it ended that I was able to go, “aha, of course, now I can clearly see all of the little hints and details and thematic structures that were telling us this all along” and heck, a bunch of meta writers called it (though some didn’t). I’m still on the fence about my reading of Dean being absolutely right about Cas not being himself. Like, objectively he was correct - Jack stole Cas’ agency to some extent and Cas was deeply depressed, but to what extent he was right beyond those things? I don’t know. My feelings tell me he’s right in some deeper way, but like a lot of people, I emotionally relate with Dean - so sometimes those feelings are just me going “I know, Dean! I know!!” He could be wrong in that this all ends up being very good for everyone, especially Cas. Everything that took place with Jack may somehow aid Cas in a positive way. And that leads me back to ‘it’s Supernatural,’ whether they fully deal with the implications of what Dean said and the vision of ‘paradise’ and Cas ‘already being saved’ and issues of agency is… to be determined. They very well could just let it fall to the wayside and give us an appeasing, but simple, answer to all of it (if one at all), or it could end up driving a big chunk of Cas’ storyline. I feel like it’s the same with the ‘is this our Cas’ issue? It could not be, it could be, or The Empty may tie back into the story in an unexpected/or unexpected way later on. Either way, this was a tl;dr way of saying I agree with you and I don’t think we’re strange for feeling uneasy, whether this is our Cas or not. So much of how Supernatural is telling its story leads to these sorts of readings, which is why I don’t discount myself entirely when I have A Feeling. Someone could sweep in with a much better reading that gives me a proper ‘aha, yes, that’s it’ moment, but right now we still really have no idea where Cas’ story is going and so much is missing. I just don’t know to what level the ‘absences’ are meant to play out. I’m holding on to my unsettled feeling. It could be for good, sometimes these absences in a story are a really helpful way at getting at a major problem and bringing it into text. But, I’m also still waiting for that Big Dramatic Thing. The Oh God, GASP, moment - because we’re Cas fans and I think it would be naive not to. :
I hope all of this rambling made sense. ‘A’ Again, short version: I am feeling it as well and I don’t think the alarm bells are entirely unjustified!
(Also feel free to DM me anytime, if you like! I’m really open to different perspectives. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in A Feeling that I can’t see really obvious stuff taking place in the story, so it’s good to hear how others are perceiving things.)
#castiel#13x05#s13#season 13 spoilers#ish#rambling#don't listen to me i know nothing#haha#but i'm not alone in my weird feelings!!#yay
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I'd give the new Beauty and The Beast a 6/10. There were certain things I enjoyed and certain things I didn't. This will focus more on the things I didn't because I will be listing out more of why I didn't like them.
Spoilers below the cut:
The additional backstories and fleshing out of characters like Belle's mother and Gaston as well as the plot hole fills, like why the servants were turned and why the villagers forgot Adam existed, were well done and I appreciated them. I didn't care for the book change in the beginning (she's reading Jack and The Beanstalk, not Romeo and Juliet; It's literally a line of the song,) the loss of an actual bookshop, or the omission of the scene where she sits on the fountain and sings to sheep (it's my favorite scene.) The hill Gaston is first seen on and where the Belle reprise takes place was treated like it was a couple steps outside the village when visually it was much further away. Beast shouldn't have been done digitally since he's covered in fur that'd have much more movement than it did. He felt quite stiff. During the huge dance scene, his fur has little to no movement which made no sense. The library scene wasn't as grand a gesture in this version as it should've been and the loss of her reading to him in the green dress irked me, as it's such a lovely romantic scene. While short, it's a lovely scene that shows their blossoming love.
Her new gold dress fell completely flat. I wanted live action Cinderella elegance and was handed off-the-rack prom dress. I understand she didn't want to wear a corset, but, even so, that dress could've been SO MUCH BETTER. Emma Watson essentially had creative control over her looks in the movie, despite the fact that the costume designer, Jacqueline Durran, has won awards for her costuming in period movies. I'm sorry, but Jacqueline Durran should've been the person solely designing the clothes, not Emma Watson. I love Emma, but, if you don't want to do things befitting of the time period, in a specific time period movie, don't do the movie. The Cinderella ballgown was breathtakingly beautiful. Belle's iconic yellow ballgown looked like something you could get from a department store. There was absolutely no wow factor. Where were the gloves? Why wasn't it off the shoulder? Emma Watson stated outright she didn't want a princess ballgown. Did she forget that she booked a movie where she's literally playing a Disney princess? It was infuriating. It took somewhere between 230 and 270 hours to look that boring. I'd love to see the designs done by the actual costume designer without Emma Watson's ideas. Someone that won awards for Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina, as well as being nominated for Atonement, should absolutely have done better and I'm disappointed with what I saw.
I could have lived without the solo broadway number by Beast. The scene should've ended on a sad feeling instead of on a belting note. Gaston's gun also annoyed me. I didn't mind his use of it the first time, but you lose that sense of complete betrayal and asshole-ness by him shooting Beast after he doesn't drop him. Gaston stabbing him was a better fit for that scene and shows more of what a coward Gaston is. He waits for Beast to be at his weakest and most vulnerable, after banishing him rather than killing him, and then literally stabs him in the back. While they did great work really making Gaston so much more sinister, which I loved, that bit was a miss for me. The fact that we fully see everyone turn to objects was heartbreaking and was an excellent choice. I cried (as I usually do) during those moments right before Belle says she loves Beast, except it was due to the objects rather than Beast and Belle. It was gut wrenching to watch Mrs. Potts change before getting to see Chip again.
LeFou was done well, with the exception of the upped camp while singing Gaston. It wasn't necessary. If you couldn't tell in the animated one that he had feelings for Gaston in that song, you weren't paying attention. I enjoyed that they really pushed it further and I appreciate that you see him go from being obviously in love with Gaston to seeing him for who he really is. Everyone complained about how it was a 2 second dance scene that was the gay part, but that couldn't be further from the truth. His homosexuality is strung throughout the entire feature, from his first moments on screen. I'm not sure what you were expecting, but it felt a lot more realistic the way it was presented and I was pleased with the additional character development. Mrs. Potts tells him that he's too good for Gaston, clearly recognizing that he has feelings for Gaston and not shaming him for it. It was refreshing to see something treated normally. I blame the media for blowing it up and giving people higher expectations. Were people expecting him to just start making out with some random guy on screen because it's still a Disney children's movie and even straight couple's don't full on make out. Please return to reality with the rest of us.
The singing was done well. I didn't expect it to be at the same level as Paige O'Hara and it felt more natural to have Belle's singing not be some incredible note belting thing. The emotion was there and I enjoyed that. Why was Phillipe's coloring changed? Was it that hard to find a Belgian horse? The omission of Belle looking into Beast's eyes and saying "It is you!" because the joy and recognition in that line is beautiful and important. Why was Babette's name changed to Plumette? (I'd have also been okay with Fifi.) Why weren't the triplets placed in their individual colors of red, yellow, and green? Why was Mrs. Pott's given a husband? It's always been implied that she and Maurice get together in the end and, if they do want to give her a husband, why does she give that weird long look to Maurice in the end of the movie that leans more toward romance than just a friendly glance?
Finally: Can someone explain to me why half of Belle's peasant dress skirt was always pinned up showing her bloomers? I understand it after she gets off Phillipe because she'd have done that to ride him, but it's like that from the moment she steps out of her house and is shown like that anytime she's seen in it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I saw it in theatres and I will end up buying it, but it's doubtful I'll revisit it regularly.
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Here’s What Industry Insiders Say About Kitchenaid Made In America | kitchenaid made in america
Source: Getty Images
New KitchenAid Stand Mixer KSM100PSOB Onyx Black 4.5-quart … – kitchenaid made in america | kitchenaid made in america
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There may be accessory arguments these canicule on aloof what makes America great, but on this 242nd altogether of the United States we can still bless both the freedoms we acquire and articles that are not alone quintessentially American, but are additionally still fabricated in the U.S.A.
You may be surprised, for example, to apprentice the baseballs acclimated by Above League Baseball are absolutely fabricated in Costa Rica, but the Louisville Slugger bats abide to be bogus in Kentucky, aloof as they accept been aback the 1880s.
So actuality are 10 articles that abide red, white, and dejected through and through.
ALSO READ: Fabricated in America? Not Exactly for These 5 Accepted Products
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Airstream archetypal motorhome.
Source: Thor Industries
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The agleam argent Airstream bivouac from the 1950s and 1960s may arguably be what one thinks of as the archetypal recreational vehicle, and while Thor Industries (NYSE: THO) still produces versions that accept aback to its heyday, today’s Airstream are avant-garde marvels and aloof aftermost ages alien its first-ever fiberglass assembly archetypal alleged the Nest by Airstream. Airstreams are bogus at Thor’s Jackson Center, Ohio, ability area you can alike booty a two-hour bout to see how this archetypal American RV is made. Thor Industries doesn’t breach bottomward how abundant acquirement Airstream contributed to the total, but over the aftermost nine months the RV maker awash some $6.5 billion account of motorhomes.
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Budweiser bottles featuring branch accompaniment labels.
Source: Anheuser-Busch InBev
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Budweiser may be endemic by Belgian brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD), but the King of Beers is still brewed circadian in its 12 U.S. breweries situated in 11 altered states. Its Clydesdale horses are arguably added apparent than the archetypal characterization and abide a accepted and admired allotment of its advertising. Anheuser-Busch has additionally accustomed well-deserved acclaim for shutting bottomward its beer authoritative operations back accustomed disasters bang and bearing cans of life-saving baptize to accelerate to afflicted areas, .including, in the company’s words, “Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, wherever you charge us.”
Across all of its brands, Anheuser-Busch InBev produced 113.5 hectoliters of beer in North America aftermost year, agnate to about 3 billion gallons.
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Kitchen Bowls Made In America – kitchenaid made in america | kitchenaid made in america
A 96 calculation box of crayola crayons.
Source: Crayola
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There’s apparently hardly a U.S. developed animate today that didn’t at some point in their activity blush with a Crayola crayon. Aboriginal produced in 1903 with a box of eight basal colors (still produced today!), Crayola now offers boxes with dozens of crayons with crazy names like Razzmatazz (a raspberry shade), Inchworm (green — duh!), and Macaroni and Cheese (yellow-orange, as you’d guess). Some 12 actor crayons a day are produced at its Easton, Pennsylvania, factory, which has been adapted into a family-fun attraction.
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Harley Davidson motorcycle addition beneath a bridge.
Source: Harley-Davidson
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There has been a lot of annoyance over Harley-Davidson’s (NYSE: HOG) accommodation to move assembly of motorcycles fabricated for the European bazaar to across factories to abstain tariffs the EU has imposed in acknowledgment to new U.S. tariffs on animate and aluminum. Traditionally, Harleys accept been bogus actuality and alien away to be assembled.
But the motorcycles actuality congenital for the U.S. bazaar abide to be fabricated here, and admitting the iconic bike-maker has apparent sales accelerate in contempo years — they biconcave 8% in 2017 — there are few brands as abundantly American-made as Harley-Davidson.
ALSO READ: Harley-Davidson Is a Victim of Its Own Success
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Chocolate accolade with hershey kisses on them.
Source: Hershey
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Founded in 1894, Hershey (NYSE: HSY) is one of the world’s bigger amber manufacturers. Not alone did Milton Hershey accomplish amber attainable to everyone, but he additionally fabricated it fun, architecture a archetypal boondocks that had its own trolley system, houses, schools, and zoo. He eventually created an action esplanade for his advisers that today has developed into a above affair esplanade that attracts millions of bodies every year.
The Hershey Kiss may be its best best acclaimed confection, but the Hershey amber bar and alike its amber abstract are appropriately able-bodied loved. The aggregation has added than 80 brands about the apple active a accumulated $7.4 billion in anniversary revenue.
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Kitchenaid 6qt Mixer – USA – kitchenaid made in america | kitchenaid made in america
Glass of whiskey sitting on a barrel.
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What makes Jack Daniel’s whiskey altered from added kinds is that it is Tennessee whiskey, which agency it’s fabricated application the alleged Lincoln County Process, area it is run through charcoal afore actuality stored in new, charred-oak barrels. Like Harley-Davidson, Brown-Forman’s (NYSE: BF-A)(NYSE: BF-B) Jack Daniel’s is additionally actuality targeted for castigating tariffs, which will account the distiller to accession whiskey prices overseas, admitting it won’t be affective assembly out of Tennessee, area it has been bearing Old No. 7 aback 1866. Jack Daniel’s represents about 25% of Brown-Forman’s absolute revenue.
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A standalone kitchenaid mixer.
Source: Whirlpool
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Although today it is endemic by apparatus behemothic Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR), KitchenAid has been allowance households baker aback 1919 back it was alien as a casting of electric angle mixers by Hobart. According to bells armpit The Knot, a KitchenAid Angle Mixer “is by-far the single, most-registered-for item” on bells registries because of its acceptability for affection and durability. The KitchenAid casting generates over $1 billion in anniversary sales for Whirlpool
ALSO READ: Whirlpool Corporation Stock Upgraded: What You Charge to Know
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Fried eggs in a casting adamant skillet.
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In an age of aluminum pots and Teflon coatings, casting adamant cookware seems a bequest to an beforehand time, but cooks account their alkali apperceive there is no bigger apparatus than casting adamant cookware, and Lodge Manufacturing is one of the arch names in the industry. Founded in 1896 back Joseph Lodge opened his aboriginal branch in Pittsburg, Tennessee, the aggregation is still bearing cookware in the area and is still run by the founder’s descendant. Its casting adamant pans abide to be admired heirlooms and handed bottomward from one bearing to the next.
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Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 pistol .
Source: Smith & Wesson
Stand Mixer Comparisons – kitchenaid made in america | kitchenaid made in america
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Innovation has been the authentication of Smith & Wesson accoutrements aback they were aboriginal bogus by Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson in 1852. Aboriginal created to be able to blaze a absolutely independent cartridge, itself an avant-garde feat, Smith & Wesson has gone on to become the better firearm architect in the U.S., bearing over 2.1 actor pistols, revolvers, and rifles in 2016, the best contempo abstracts available. In a country abounding with allegorical accoutrements brands like Colt, Remington, and Winchester, American Outdoor Brands (NASDAQ: AOBC) Smith & Wesson is every bit as iconic and is instantly apparent as a absolutely all-American brand.
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Bottle of Yuengling lager.
Source: Yuengling
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America’s bigger ability brewer additionally happens to appear from the country’s oldest brewery, Yuengling & Son, that has been continuously family-owned and operated aback 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania (it opened a additional brewery in Tampa, Florida, in 1999.) In 2015, the Brewers Association, the ability beer industry barter group, accustomed there were abounding means to accomplish affection ability beer and adapted its analogue to accommodate unmalted grains, or those that haven’t been partially germinated to absolution their enzymes. That accustomed Yuengling to be clearly included as a ability beer, which additionally anon catapulted it to the top of the account as the country’s biggest craft brewer, and it hasn’t alone the appellation since.
ALSO READ: How to Invest in Ability Beer
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American flags blind from advanced porches.
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This Fourth of July, as we ablaze up our grills, set off fireworks, and alcohol our developed beverages of choice, we should booty the time to reflect on the actuality that we’re citizens of a abundant country area there are still arresting companies authoritative affection articles appropriate actuality in the U.S. of A.
Rich Duprey
http://bit.ly/1hOWIoZ
has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Anheuser-Busch InBev NV. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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