#and on the other side of things do we kinda love Jeff?

[novelconcepts]

This episode overall is STRESSFUL, but everyone clapping for the lesbians in their lil’ lesbian homecoming outfits/said lesbians forgoing the horrifying stag race for just happily fucking in the woods got me. We stan.

[comingdownwithme]

Mind giving us some headcanons for the woods brothers? Please and thank you

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ASK OUGHH LOVE THE WOODS BROTHERS

Anyways, changed a few things about them and their story (a lot for Liu), so uhh I hope you don't mind all that ousgdhdhdh

Jeff the Killer

The Woods- like all families- weren't perfect, but they all tried their best despite the fact. They played their roles, attended church every Sunday when they could, and most importantly, they loved each other, and Jeffery Hodak Woods wouldn't have changed a thing.

Still, fate doesn't bend to what we want, does it?

After drastic changes and loss after crushing loss had driven the eldest Woods son to madness, Jeff wondered if those sermons truly meant anything when he damned himself to hell the moment he crawled out of the new house he was supposed to call home and decided that three men were about to pay for what they did.

Struggled with Intrusive thoughts his whole life, and though his parents meant well, being raised thinking that every awful thought was a product of the devil himself left Jeff to internalise a few things.

Speaking of internalising a few things! Internalised homophobia! Being raised in a religious, conservative household in the early 2000s is gonna do that to you lmao

He's got a Southern accent. After reading one fanfic I literally can't hear Jeff with anything else and it's a curse I must bear alone </3

Even before the incident, he's always had a bit of a gummy smile, his ruined cheeks just made his grin wider which emphasised it more.

Smoker since he was a teen, though his parents never knew that. He vaguely smells of tobacco and iron.

Is a damn good cook and huntsr. He learned the former from his mom alongside Liu, and learned the latter from his dad, but after the incident (and the fact he's basically homeless), he doesn't cook unless he truly has to due to his Pyrophobia. The only fire he can tolerate are from his lighter.

He does still use his hunting skills though, both for his targets and for, y'know, food if he's some place rural. He's kinda gross and feral though, so when desperate times call for desperate measures, well, it's not the first time he's eaten roadkill.

His burn scars are mainly isolated to his left side, though they stretch a little past half of his back.

Paints his nails black when he can. His nails and his knife are the only two things he consistently takes care of lmao

Targets anyone. He knows most people will be missed, and he doesn't want to suffer with his grief alone.

Gave himself that sick Glasgow smile when he was facing an especially bad period of grief, and since he wasn't raised in the most emotionally open household, he wasn't equipped to handle his own feelings. The end product was rough and jagged from the pain, but at least he could still smile all pretty like his mom told him to.

Jeff woke up surrounded by fire, unable to scream amidst the rubble and smoke as it threatened to suffocate him. Sometimes, when he sleeps, he relives that moment, leading him to be terrified of sleeping. He attempts to solve this by cutting off the lids of his eyes, but he pussied out before he could finish the job, leaving himself half-blind when his fucked eye dried up.

I HAVE... SO MANY THOUGHTS ABOUT JEFF BEING RAISED IN A RELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD AND GENUINELY BELIEVING HE WAS POSSESSED OR TARGETED BY THE DEVIL AT A YOUNG AGE... IMAGINE, WAKING UP IN UNIMAGINABLE PAIN AS FIRE FLOODS YOUR VISION, AND THINKING THAT "This is it. I really am damned to hell."

IMAGINE CRAWLING OUT OF THAT OUT OF SHEER FORCE OF WILL, AND AS YOU LOOK UPON THE GOLDEN FLAMES THAT SPROUT FROM YOUR HOME, BELIEVING THAT YOU'RE NOT THE SAME PERSON YOU WERE, AND THAT YOU'RE A DEMON PARADING IN DEFORMED, HUMAN FLESH

THAT THE FIRE HAD REVEALED WHO YOU REALLY WERE ALL ALONG, AND THAT THERE'S NOTHING MORE YOU COULD DO BUT SUCCUMB

Liu Woods

Growing up, Liu had always been close to his older brother. He could rely on him, and Jeff, in turn, could always rely on Liu, though the younger of the two always knew that his older brother could never truly be vulnerable with him, nor could he compare to just how much Jeff had done for him growing up.

One day though, a while after they've moved, a fresh start for a new life, Liu takes the chance to protect his older brother just as he had done for him, though he'd come to regret that choice when- while in juvenile detention- Liu finds out that his home was gone, alongside his parents, and at the center of it all was the brother he tried to protect.

With the loss of his parents, Liu went around in different foster homes, though he never truly felt like he was part of their families growing up.

As he grew up, he managed to graduate and become a detective, both to help people amidst a growing amount of murders and missing persons cases, and to find and hunt down Jeff.

He'd rather die than admit it, but he does miss Jeff, and he could feel an awful, sinking feeling within him at the thought of hurting him. In the end though, his morality wins over

When he first met his brother in person, Liu recognised Jeff immediately. Jeff, however, did not. Liu was overpowered, and it was only until he had already carved through Liu's cheek did Jeff realise what he had just done. The doctors say that Liu shouldn't have survived then with how much blood he had lost, but thankfully, someone was there to help. Though when the paramedics came, all they found was Liu, alone and unconscious.

Hates the smell of tobacco.

His southern accent isn't as noticeable as Jeff's, but it's more obvious in the way he says certain words or when he's angry.

Has intrusive thoughts, though he's more capable of dealing with them compared to a certain someone. Doesn't make them easier to deal with though, and that doesn't make the guilt he suffers through any less of a burden, especially as an officer of the law.

[louloulemons-posts]

Teddy

Eddie Munson X Reader

Summary : Reader has a nickname for Eddie that melts his heart.

Word Count : 1.6k

Warnings : Pure fluff, reader cries a little, minor talk of Eddies mom passing, talk of heads being chopped off, swears, pet names, use of Y/N, not proofread, just fluffy goodness.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Walking into the cafeteria, you look around for your boyfriend and his friends. Wandering over to the noisy boys, you smile, slipping into the seat beside his.

In the middle of a rant about hellfire, he rambled on about the others whining about lack of knowledge of his newest campaign.

“What’s the point of me,” he paused, kissing you cheek and placing his ring decorated hand on your thigh, giving it a squeeze.

“-Telling you anything about it, it kinda defeats the object. You’d get through it too easy.”

“Can’t we just have a hint what we’re up against?” Jeff asked.

“Yeah man you wiped the floor with us last time,” Mike complained.

“Maybe it’s cause you’re shit,” Eddie shrugged, to which you lightly punched his shoulder. “What?” He asked.

“Don’t be mean Teddy, give ‘em a hint.”

You looked away from him, pulling your lunch out of your bag. A sandwich, some cherries and a bottle of water. “Fine, it’s sort of similar to last time. Just remember how many things can hide in the dark.”

“Wow thanks for zero help,” Dustin said. Eddie just shrugged, as you slid half of your sandwich over to him. “Here you go Teds.”

Kissing your head he smiled, “Thanks Sweet Girl.”

“You busy later?”

“No why?”

“What to rent a movie?”

“Sure, want a movie night?”

“Mhm, you can stay if you want. Parents won’t mind Teds.”

He went quiet as he nodded, taking a bite out of his half of the sandwich. You noticed how his cheeks were flushed, and through his thick curls you could see his ears red.

“You alright?”

“Yeah Sweetheart I’m good, foods nice.”

“Want any cherries?” He nodded, handing him a couple, you offered them to the other boys as well.

A few of them took some, all thanking you for the offer.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Lunch was uneventful after that, until your friend Chloe came running in. “Y/N,” she said, placing a hand of your shoulder.

Turning to her, you smiled, “Hey Clo, everything okay?”

“Do you think you could help me with moving my project, it’s almost breaking and I need to get it to our next class.”

“Oh yeah sure.” You packed away your lunch and stood from the table.

Throwing your bag over your shoulder, you leaned down to peck your boyfriends lips. “I’ll meet you at the van,” he said.

“Okay, see you later Teddy.” You and Chloe waved goodbye to the others and headed out.

“So um … Teddy huh?” Gareth teased.

“Shut up!” He said.

“But it’s cute! I’m gonna start calling you that now, Eddie Teddy.”

“Fuck off, only Y/Ns allowed to call me that.”

“Aww why?” He asked.

“Uh cause she’s my girlfriend you dick.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Standing by Eddies van you saw him walk out of the building, saying goodbye to Dustin and wandering over to you. You smiled and waved slightly as he made his way.

“Hey Sweetheart,” he smiled.

“Hey Teddy,” you said, standing on your tiptoes to kiss him. Taking your bag off you shoulder, he offered you his hand as you climbed in the van, placing the bag by your feet.

“Thanks.”

“Always.” He walked around to his side and began to drive out of the parking lot. “So what are we getting? Horror, sci-fi or are you gonna make me sit through a chick flick?” He asked.

“You always ask that, but you get so into them!”

“Do not!”

“Lies. I know you love them really Teds.”

“Mhm whatever you say.”

“Well I was thinking, I pick a movie for you, and you pick one for me.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I’ve got popcorn at home and candy, so it’s just the movies.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Walking into Family Video, Eddie kissed your cheek and spoke, “I’m just gonna go say hi, go pick out the movie Sweetheart.”

“Okay.” Waving to the pair behind the counter before walking away down the aisle.

“Hey Munson.”

“Harrington, Buckley. How are we?”

“Good, you hear to use our discount?” Steve asked. “You know it.”

“How’s it going with Y/N?” Robin questioned.

“She’s great. It’s great.”

“I’m so glad I introduced you.”

“Yeah me too, I’ll owe you forever. Can’t believe she’s stuck around.”

“Coming up to six months now right?” The other boy asked.

Eddie nodded. “So movie night? Her parents like you?”

“Her dads a metal head himself Steve, of course he likes him!” Steve held his hands up in defence at Robins words. Eddie laughed, “Yeah they’re great people, really nice. Makes sense though, having that Sweet girl as their daughter.”

“Talking about me?” You popped up besides Eddie. “You? Sweet? Nah,” The curly haired boy teased. You bumped his side, letting out a playful sigh. “Go pick your movie Teds,” you said.

“What did you get?”

“It’s called Highlander. Looks good.”

“Oh yeah it’s cool,” Steve agreed, “I watched it the other day, insane, but great.”

“Perfect! Now go pick,” you pushed him towards the aisle lightly.

“Jesus, you tryna get rid of me?”

“Me? Get rid of you? Never!”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

“Okay so I have Sweet and Salty popcorn, M&Ms and Reece’s. Help yourself,” you said, climbing on the couch next to Eddie. “Did you plan this?” He asked.

“I was just really hoping you’d be up for it,” you explained. “I’m always up for spending time with you Sweetheart.” You smiled, and snuggled into him.

“Okay kids we’re heading out now, we’ll be home at 1 at the latest,” your mom said, popping her head round the door. “Okay, have fun,” you waved to her.”

The pair shouted to goodbye to you and Eddie and were on their way. “Okay which movie first?” You asked.

“Well one has Sean Connery and one has Bowie so either ones a good pick.”

“We should start gory and end sweet?”

“Sounds like a plan, I’ll put it in.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Soon enough you were sat together watching Highlander. Scottish warriors were freaking out because a man named Connor had come back from the dead.

“I think this was a good pick,” Eddie said.

“Thanks Teds, I’m glad your enjoy it.” Once again you noticed his face flushing. “Why do you do that?” You asked.

He looked away from the screen to face you, “Do what Sweet girl?”

“Go all blushy?”

“I’m not!”

“You are, your cheeks are all pink and I bet your ears are warm.” You reached out to feel, but he leaned away.

“Let me feel!”

“No! Get away from my ears.”

“Let me feel them!”

“No you little monster. Get back,” he shuffled to the edge of the couch.

You crawled after him, leaving him trapped. Reaching out again, you successfully touched his ear, it was burning. “Aha! I knew it!”

“Shush! Watch the movie! Look it’s Sean Connery.”

“No no, I’m pausing it.” You reached for the remote and paused it on the older man’s face.

“What’s going on? You know you can tell me anything?” You said softly, fully facing him. Legs crossed and hands in your lap. “I know sweetheart it’s just ..” he sighed.

“It’s okay Teddy. Take your time.”

“It’s that.”

“What?”

“Teddy.”

“Teddy?”

“When you call me Teddy I just,” he groaned, leaning back into the plush couch. “Do you not like it? I can stop,” you said, terrified that you’d made your lover uncomfortable.

“No!” He almost shouted. “Please don’t stop. I love it, so much,” he said, reaching out for your hand. “Then why’s it bad?”

“Oh sweet girl it’s not. It’s so far from bad, if makes my heart burst and my brain turn mushy.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah oh. Haven’t had anyone call me Teddy in a long time. When you first did it, it scared me, but I love it so much.”

You played with the rings on his fingers, “Who else called you Teddy?”

“My mom. Her little Teddy, said Edward was too grown up for me yet. Wayne was the one who started calling me Eddie after everything that happened.

“He called me Teddy once and I freaked. Said only mom could call me that, and now she was gone no one could. But then you came along, and damn sweetheart … you changed everything.

“So sweet and kind and beautiful. You called me Teddy and I felt so loved, only two ladies have made me feel like that. That’s how I knew it’d have to be you, you’d be my one and only girl. I just love you so much.”

You sniffled, rubbing your glassy eyes. “Oh no, oh Sweetheart. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you,” Eddie said, panicked, pulling you into his lap.

“You didn’t! It’s just so sweet. I’m so happy I make you feel like that. So honoured that you let me call you Teddy.”

“I am your Teddy, like I was hers, and I’m Wayne’s Eddie or Son.”

“You said something else to Teds.”

“I did didn’t I?” He asked, to which you nodded. “Well it’s true Sweetheart, I love you. Think I have from the day Robin introduced us.”

“I love you too Teddy.” He cupped your face with his hands, metal chilly on your face, but his warm palms comforted you. Leaning in he kissed your lips softly.

You pulled him back in, holding onto his shirt. Making the kiss more passionate, opening your mouth slightly, letting his tongue slide in.

After making out until you needed to breathe, you smiled at him, “I love you so much my Teddy.”

“I love you too Sweet girl, now come on let’s watch some guys chop each others heads off.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Thank you so much for reading! Please leave any requests 🤍

[ladykailitha]

Paper Hearts Part 6

The sequel is coming along great I just have one more part to do and it'll be done. Sweet Home Indiana is nearing its end too.

Heads up! I will be going on vacation on Tuesday and won't be back until next week. So no WIP Wednesday this week as that is the day of my niece's graduation and I will be away from laptop all day.

I will still be uploading chapters and should be able to do WIP Wednesday next week. But if not I'll let you know.

In this we have the Corroded Coffin boys being silly and a wild Dustin appears.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

****

Eddie rolled up to band practice fashionably late as always. The other three boys were doing a sound check and making sure everything was in order.

Gareth looked up first. “Did you bring the hearts?” he asked excitedly.

Eddie held up his bag and the other boys cheered.

“So how are we going to do this?” Eddie asked flopping on the sofa after gently setting his sweetheart to the side. “Do we want to do the hearts first or practice first?”

They all look around at each for a moment.

“Let’s get the heart thing out of the way,” Jeff suggested, “get it out of the way so we can focus on practicing.”

“Sounds good to me, man,” Gareth said. “In case practice runs over or some shit.”

Eddie pulled his backpack closer and began digging through it. He pulled out the hearts that he’d put in a plastic baggie so they wouldn’t get bent in the maw that was his bag.

He tossed the bag onto the table in front of them and then dug around for his notebook. He pulled it out with a bunch of pens.

“You don’t have to,” he murmured, “but I’d recommend changing up your handwriting a couple of times so he doesn’t realize they’re from the same four people.”

“We were doing anonymous and initials, right?” Brian asked, picking up the bag and opening it up.

Eddie lit up, a huge smile on his face. “I actually had an idea about that. I was thinking of famous groups with four dudes in it and I thought it would be hilarious if we mixed it up a bit with some of those to avoid the whole repetition thing.”

Jeff licked his top lip. “Show us what you’ve got,” he said jutting out his chin.

He opened up his notebook and flipped to the right page. “Alright, so I was thinking the Three Musketeers plus D’Artagnan.”

“Who would be who?” Gareth asked, wrinkling his nose.

“Gareth is absolutely D’Artagnan,” Brian said without hesitation. “No question.”

Jeff straightened up and looked over at him in confusion. “Why’s that?”

“Because my dearest Jeffy,” Eddie said with a grin, “because he’s the youngest and not an original member. Therefore D’Artagnan.”

Gareth and Brian glanced at each. Brian shrugged and Gareth blinked a moment or two before he shrugged, too.

“Yeah, that tracks.”

“I’ll take Aramis,” Eddie said with a grin. “The smooth talker with religious trauma.”

The other boys just cackled.

“I’ll be Porthos,” Brian said. “The compulsive liar with a flare for the dramatic.”

“Why am I left with the dude with serious romantic wo–” Jeff stopped. “Right, scratch that. I’m Athos.”

They cackled again. Eddie had had some wild crushes, but it was nothing on Jeff. He even had a slightly tragic love story. He’d actually dated Vicki Carmichael before she became a popular kid and hanging out with Steve’s crowd. They had both loved metal music, but Jeff was pretty sure she stopped listening to it once she joined the cool kids.

“And I have a list of other ones too,” Eddie said breaking into the resulting silence. “The four winds from Greek mythology. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...um...let’s see...” he looked at the notebook again. “The members of Metallica. The four horsemen of the apocalypse–”

Jeff winced. “Probably not that one, man. It’s for Valentine’s day and that kinda screams the opposite.”

Eddie blinked at him for a moment and then scratched out that idea. “Fair enough.”

“The four hobbits from Lord of the Rings?” Gareth suggested.

“Yes!” Brian cried. “I get to be Samwise!”

Jeff cackled. “Gareth and Eddie are sooo Merry and Pippin!”

“Oh god! Yes! Which one is which, though?” Brian said joining in the laughter.

“I’m Merry, of course,” Eddie said proudly. “I’m the instigator and Gareth goes where I lead.”

Gareth grumped in the corner, crossing his arms and glaring at all of them. “But that makes Jeff Frodo though.”

Jeff straightened up, smug. “I could handle that.”

Eddie shook his head at his friends. “All right, also on my list are the Ghostbusters and The A-Team.”

The other boys shook their heads at either suggestion but they had a pretty good list anyway. Plus their D&D names sprinkled in here and there and they’ve got in the bag.

They spent the next half hour coming up with nice things about Steve. Eddie did have nix a couple of their ideas because they came off as stalker-esque. Which was not the look they were going for.

****

To say that Eddie got a kick out of seeing Steve light up every time he opened his locker and more pink hearts fluttered out of it was an understatement.

The goofy smile the former jock got on his face was worth every second of the time they’d spent on the project.

And it was working, too. That was the really impressive part.

Even Tommy H. was baffled.

“How the hell are you getting so many pink hearts, Harrington?” he said on Friday, just four days into Eddie’s plan.

Steve shrugged in that dorky way that made Eddie’s heart stop. “I guess people are deciding to hell with social constructs and stupid cliques and are telling me even if they don’t dare to be open about that they still like me.”

Tommy’s mouth open and closed like a goldfish then he turned around and stormed off.

Eddie lean against the lock above Steve. “Back to being king again, huh, Stevie?”

“Not really,” he said, closing his locker and standing up. “Most of them are anonymous or fake names. But there are a few that real names.”

“You think someone is stuffing the ballot box as it were?” Eddie asked, worried the jig was up.

Steve shook his head. “At least I don’t think so. But it’s sad that they think they have to hide who they are to tell me that they still think I’m a cool dude or whatever.”

“For what it’s worth,” Eddie said, pushing off from the locker, “I think you’re a pretty cool dude.”

Steve blushed and mumbled his thanks.

God, did Eddie just want to bite those flushed cheeks. They were just too cute.

“It’s worth a lot, actually,” Steve whispered. He stood up and shouldered his backpack. “Catch you later, Eds.”

Shit that little nickname had Eddie’s heart doing overtime.

****

Steve was outside the middle school waiting for Dustin to come out. His mom had asked Steve to pick him because she had to stay after hours at work for a meeting.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he hummed to the music in his head. He could have turned on the radio but Dustin hated his music didn’t like him blaring it for the whole school to hear.

His eyes kept flicking to the rearview mirror to see his backpack on the backseat. He wanted to go over the ones he got today. There had been some really good ones. Ones that melted his insides and turned them to goo.

He bit his lip and checked the mirror again. He looked at his watch and he still had a couple minutes until the bell rang.

Steve whirled around and grabbed the bag. He ripped it open and pulled out his trapper keeper. Tucked in the front pocket were the hearts. He ran his fingers over the outline the hearts made on the plastic pocket.

He pulled out the hearts and read over each one. Tracing the names of the givers, thinking about each name and wondering where they were from.

There was a thump on his window startling him. He looked up to see Dustin making faces at him through the glass.

Steve shook his head and unlocked the passenger door to let the twerp in.

“Looking at pink hearts, Steve?” Dustin asked with the shake of his head. “So pathetic.”

Steve rolled his eyes and tried to put the hearts back in the folder, but Dustin snatched them from him and wouldn’t let him take them back.

“Come on, man!” Steve whined. “They’re none of your business.”

“I want to see which girls are giving the Steve Harrington Valentine’s hearts,” Dustin said, wagging his eyebrows.

“Dude, give it up,” he growled. “The pink hearts are friendship hearts, the red ones are the romantic ones. So give it back.”

The younger teen cocked his head to the side and said, “No.”

Steve folded his arms and glared at him.

“Aren’t you going to take me home?” Dustin asked after they sat in silence for a minute or two.

“Not until you give them back.”

Dustin just shrugged. “It’s your funeral if we get home after my mom does.”

Steve threw his arms in the air, but turned the engine and started the car toward the Hendersons.

“These are actually really sweet, Steve,” Dustin said after a couple of minutes. “I like the idea of friendship hearts. That way you don’t accidentally send the wrong message.”

Steve just shrugged.

“You do know that some of these are fake names, right?”

Steve rolled his eyes and dared to look over at him. “Yes, of course I do. I am familiar with D’Artagnan after you named a fucking demodog after him, thanks.”

Dustin cocked his head to the side and then shrugged. “That’s fair. What you probably don’t know is that Aramis, Porthos, and Athos are the names of the Three Musketeers.”

Steve pursed his lips and nodded. “That’s cool.” They hit a stop sign and Steve looked over and pulled out one. “What about this one? Tommy H. thinks it’s short for Kassie, but none of the girls at our school spell it like that.”

Dustin took the heart and looked at it. “Kas. Kas. Yeah, okay. That does sound familiar. Can I get back to you on that one?”

“Sure thing, bud.”

Steve pulled up to curb to let Dustin out. “You got your key? If you don’t, you can hang out with me until your mom gets home.”

Dustin began rummaging around in his bag and Steve snatched the hearts away before he could bend them.

The kid pulled out his keys with a triumphant, “Eureka!”

Steve shook his head. “You are such a dweeb. Go on, get.”

“Bye, Steve!”

“Next time say thank you, asshole!” Steve called out the window.

Dustin turned around and gave him the double middle finger.

Steve shook his head and drove off. Why he loved that kid, he had no idea.

When he got home he pulled out the little notebook and placed the pink hearts in with the rest. All but the one from Kas. Those he kept in his wallet. He really couldn’t place why. There was just something about what they said that made him feel warm and not in the fuzzy friendship way that the others did.

There was the first one:

-Stevie I like the way you’re kind even when it doesn’t benefit you. Kas

Which Steve loved but the others were just as sweet.

-Stevie You have a great laugh, you don’t have to hide it. Kas

-Stevie That shirt today really brings out the color in your eyes. Kas

And Steve’s personal favorite:

-Stevie Each day is brighter because you’re in it. Kas

There was one for each day he got hearts in his locker so he assumed it was all the same person.

He slid it next to the other three hearts in the billfold portion of his wallet and put the wallet next to his keys on his desk. Then he put the little notebook back, careful to make sure it was well hidden.

He wasn’t sure what his dad would do about the mementos but Steve really didn’t want to find out.

He was really going to miss getting the hearts over the weekend. They really had become the highlight of his day.

He sighed and buckled down to work on his homework. It wasn’t as though he had anything better to do with his time. He wasn’t invited to any parties, he didn’t have friends to hang out with, and the people who would hang with him were fourteen year olds and they all had bedtimes.

He briefly thought about calling Eddie, but the guy had friends, unlike Steve and was probably doing something with them. Probably that nerd game that Eddie had a club for.

He buried his head in his hands.

Steve sighed. Fuck his life was depressing as shit.

With another sigh, he resigned himself to another lonely weekend.

****

Part 7 Part 8

Tag List: CLOSED

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

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@chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666 @goodolefashionedloverboi

@val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @vecnuthy

@irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee

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@ravenfrog @dauntlessdiva @thelittleclare @steddieyourself @dam28lh

[bengiyo]

I can say with confidence that our collective favorite show, between you and me, is What Did You Eat Yesterday?, the GOAT BL, and an exemplary example of a slice of life drama. What are your other favorite slice of life dramas, BLs and non-BLs?

Thank you for this ask. I have been trying to stay out of a bunch of discussions about this, but it seems that people feel really strongly about how people talk about a mid-tier BL produced by the largest producer of BL content in the world, currently sold as a premium product exclusively on a Chinese streaming platform, and currently receiving almost universal acclaim from its viewership on this platform. So, since I am possibly the only person who has posted publicly how much this show doesn’t work for me, I will continue with my task and clear up some confusion I’m having with the discourse.

We Are…Struggling With Definitions

Thankfully, @lurkingshan provided a good framework to discuss what slice-of-life even means. While I am willing to accept that a strong episodic structure is not inherently required for a good slice-of-life drama, the bite-sized nature of an episode lends itself to enabling clear stories about the complexities of mundane human existence. It’s a very popular genre, especially in anime. As I said in an earlier post, this is a mature genre with a long tradition.

Most of my favorite approaches to slice-of-life are from Japan. When America does slice-of-life, you get it more as sitcoms than thoughtful dramas about everyday life. One of my favorites would probably be Midnight Diner. As Shan defined before, a good slice-of-life drama could go on forever, and in so many ways Midnight Diner has. 

I’m actually currently watching Three Star Bar in Nishi Ogikubo because Machida Keita and Fujiwara Kisetsu are in it.

We Are…Already Familiar With Slice of Life QL

We’ve actually had a few QL projects cover the slice-of-life feeling before.

You and I are both big fans of What Did You Eat Yesterday?, a show I loved so much we had to do a whole podcast episode about it.

On the lesbian side of the equation, we have the lovely She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat.

We also had Naked Dining, which I had some mixed feelings about.

There's the gay dads drama from Taiwan in Papa & Daddy.

For people who seem to struggle with non-Thai productions, there’s also Ingredients with everyone’s favorite singer Jeff Satur.

Besides, I argue firmly that Tadaima, Okaeri is the only true slice-of-life BL airing right now. It’s the married gay dads show we’ve been asking forever to get, and it’s even in the omegaverse!

We Are…Possibly Suffering From Recency Bias

It’s surprising for me how hard everyone has fallen for this show, considering the long history of reactions to New Siwaj’s work. He’s been in the genre for over a decade.

I am intimately familiar with this man’s work, and have been a Make It Right Apologist for years. I’ve been with this man since I got into the genre. This isn’t even his first attempt at 16 episodes about boys in college.

Everyone else watched My Engineer at the time, but I watched EN of Love and was not surprised when Love Mechanics got its own full series afterwards. I’ve been with this man working through gay angst in Make it Right, examining intergenerational queer trauma in Until We Meet Again,  fumbling through Between Us, trying for something in Dear Doctor I’m Coming For Soul, hustling in Even Sun, still crying with him over Love of Siam (2007) in My Only 12%, and squandering everyone’s time in Absolute Zero. 

It’s kinda baffling to me that I’m catching strays over not liking New Siwaj works in 2024. It feels weird that the show I’m getting heat over not liking is the least-queer thing I think he’s ever made. I don’t know what that says about current BL tastes. I will say this plainly every time: Queer Truth is Non-Negotiable For Me In a Genre About Boys Kissing Each Other. If that statement bothers you, please swerve on.

We Are…Not the Only Examples of Queer Fun

While we’re here, I wanna talk about how there really is a whole gay world outside of BL. I feel very strongly that Western viewers are extremely rude and often racist when it comes to their disdain of BL. However, there is all kinds of fun to be had in queer cinema if you can handle projects made more than a few years ago. 

If you want silly fun, you can always go to TLA Releasing. They funded an entire gay parody of the American Pie franchise. They’re great for the types who want to see pretty people smile at each other and have sexy times. 

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more serious and heartfelt, you can dip by Strand Releasing. They have one of the best coming-of-age queer films I’ve ever seen. They also picked up a really melancholy Japanese film called Egoist. 

My favorite studio, who shows up repeatedly on my BL Syllabus is Wolfe Releasing. They have my all-time favorite Big Eden (2000), and many others. 

My point is that there is a huge world of queer media out there well beyond the latest mid-tier BL from GMMTV designed to keep the boys working. We also don’t need to argue that some of their shows are more queer than they actually are, especially when Cooking Crush is right there.

Thanks for the ask!

[eisforeidolon]

Question: Could you tell us some of the differences that you've discovered between acting and producing, directing and how they've affected your performances with both?

Jared: Oh, great question, great question.

Jeff: It's a real question! I can't even make - I'm trying to think if I can go dirty with that somehow. You got me thinking about their parents and -

Jared: Just grab her fan [referring to a previous fan's prop].

Jared: Yeah, it's a great question. I think, first and foremost, being involved in the production and how the sausage is made, so to speak?

Jeff: [shakes his head emphatically] And he doesn't think he could write a memoir.

Jensen: [also shaking his head] Any, any other analogy.

Jared: Seeing all the ingredients that go into a recipe, I have so much more -

Jeff: We're all thinking about sausages now. Way to go.

Jared: I have so much more respect for everything that happens before they call action. You know often times, and this is kind of whether it's actually getting into producing or directing or helping develop? But we were just talking about, Jensen and I were just talking about, our first jobs. Like, twenty five years ago. And my [finger quotes] job as I saw it then, the only thing I could tackle was like know your lines, hit your marks. You know? I didn't even think about, oh, what are these people doing? Oh, what went into this thought? And so understanding now, like why storylines go the way they go sometimes, and why people wear this or do that. And sometimes as simple, frankly, as an actor's availability or lack of availability - like with Jeff? We couldn't sign him on, we being Supernatural at large, couldn't sign him on - he would have loved to have stayed, I imagine? But they were like, hey, we don't have the budget to add another regular and so that's why the character went that way. Or like with me with Dean on Gilmore Girls, Dean had to take a turn and kind of get strange because they didn't have me. So they're not gonna write, like, hey John Winchester is now at the forefront of every episode, 'cause he might be on Grey's Anatomy next week.

[Audience cheers, Jeff bows]

Jared: And so learning about, kinda what restrictions there are to the art of the story you want to tell has been kind of what sticks out in my mind.

Jensen: Producer's just a title they gave me. I did nothing to earn it. It's just in my contract. No, I would say that the producing side of things is - you know there's a lot of different facets, I think a lot of different types of producers that handle different tasks. And that's really what a producer is, they're task rabbits. They are putting out fires, but if there's no fires to put out, then there's really not a whole lot to do as a producer. From a production standpoint. If you're talking about producing from like the conceptualizing standpoint when you're in the writing room and you're coming up with the -

[Kid yells yayyyyy]

Jensen: Okay. Yeah.

Jared: Yeah!

Jensen: [pointing] You understand!

Jeff: That's a future producer right there.

Jensen: Yeah, that's a creative producer. And so there's line producers that are in charge of, you know, keepin' the books and doing budgetary things and turning in budgets to the studio. And so there's a lot of different types of roles that fall under the producer umbrella. But with me it was more about just, that title to me just meant be a leader on set. Which I already kind of feel -

Jeff: You did that anyway.

Jensen: responsible for anyway as one of, as a lead actor - is setting a tone and leading by example and leading a cast and crew and with the help of others [gestures towards Jared]. And so producing was less of a, I think, bringing on more responsibility. I think Jared probably took on more because he liked that element of it? I would say for me what impacted acting more outside of acting was directing. Learning how - learning all the nuts and bolts to frame composition and why I'm using this lens instead of this lens. You know, focal length and drawing the audiences to certain - why you put a subject, whether you put them left frame or right frame instead of center frame. So all of that stuff started to really help me when I was in front of the camera, understanding why they were doing that. Having that knowledge and then just being more comfortable with my performance knowing exactly how it was - it was almost like I knew what the reflection looked like without the mirror being there. And that can be troubling for some people who don't wanna know, they just wanna just be able to perform? But especially I know Jared and I - and I think Jeff as well - were really technical with our acting. We understand marks and lighting and if you're not on your mark, you're not gonna be in focus and so - and then also framing and I can ask a camera operator who is twenty feet away what lens they're on and know exactly where that frame is hitting me [gestures framing his head and upper torso]. And so that just helps me in my performance because if I know they're on a one thirty five and they're right here [gestures to just his face] then I'm not gonna [flails a bit wildly] then I'm not gonna do that. But if they're on a forty -

Jared: Then you'll do that?

Jensen: Then I'll do [throws up hands]. Then I might make the motions bigger. You're able to play, the space is larger. And so just that kind of knowledge helped me as an actor, I think. And then I learned more of that from directing I think than I did, you know, anything on the producing side.

Jeff: I find producing to be more about lack of money now, than anything else. Every day starts with a phone call saying -

Jensen: It's too expensive!

Jeff: Too expensive, you spent too much money yesterday or on the episode before and so we have to take it away, how are we gonna do that? I'm like, take me out, I don't need to be in those scenes. [laughs] And I think both these guys are right, been around so long, I've never directed, I've been asked to direct for the last fourteen years on whatever show I've done and I didn't want to do it because I hate watching myself. I can't imagine going into an editing room and watching myself and being able to decide - I'd be like nope, I just wanna go stay on Jensen and Jared the whole scene. So I've never taken that step and also I've found that it takes a lot more time. And I don't have that. I don't have the time to leave my kids for an extra month to go do prep on the first episode of Dead City. These guys don't have to do that, I would have to go spend a month of fiddling around and looking at locations and you know, meeting with DPs if we don't have our DPs - I mean every year so far we've been on this spinoff we've had different DPs, so it's a lot of stuff. That being said, I've always been the guy next to our DPs saying why are you using that lens? Why not this lens? And asking those questions, so I feel like I could direct at this point pretty easily if it weren't for the fact that I'm in the damn thing. If I could go direct one of these guys [points to either side]? In a second. Yeah, that'd be great.

Jensen: Noted.

Jared: You heard it here first.

[luunamoona]

i wanna complain about heroic origins real quick.

first of all, there are minor things they got wrong. earlier in the series (season one, episode 8, "home economics"), shirley mentioned how andre had slept in his car for mistakingly calling shirley "valerie". in this episode, apparently andre slept with someone called "misty". yes, i understand that misty is most likely a pseudonym she used and that her real name is could be valerie. but andre most likely only slept with her once since, according to the episode, shirley found out pretty quick so i doubt they had enough time for misty to feel she wanted to tell him her real name. and she wasn't even that thrilled to be doing it, she only did it after jeff convinced her to. secondly, much more minor thing but it still kinda annoys me, in season one, episode 15, "romanic expressionism", troy says how annie was screaming "everyone's a robot" as she ran through the glass door, something she didn't do in heroic origins. also, why is magnitude there? what did that provide? like, they never mention how magnitude went to their school. so why did they just decide to throw him in there?

next, there's annie and troy. we already knew that troy knew annie. he says it in the pilot. so them revealing that he remembered her from high school is not a surprise, we already knew this. i more have an issue with how they say how troy says how annie caused him to fake his injury. you want me to believe that troy, out of all the characters, could keep such a massive secret for 4 years? come on, be realistic. and when did he even tell annie that he faked it? annie wouldn't have found out since he only ever told jeff.

also, and do tell me if i'm wrong on this one, doesn't alan run jeff's old law firm? who was that other guy? at the end of season 3, he says how ted was eaten by sharks and he took his place. i may be forgetting something like alan being fired from the firm or something, so this point is more of an idk.

if y'all have anything to say about this, whether in agreement or disagreement, please do. i may have seen this show 10 times at this point, but i haven't seen any of it since they removed it from netflix, so there may be things i misremember.

side note, my other post got a lot of attention so thank y'all for that. people seem to like when i talk about community. it's a very big interest of mine and i love this show a lot. i like having an outlet to talk about it. i'll probably do so more in the future.

and again, do tell me if this take is shit.

[swallowtailed]

palisade 62 / finalisade side b track 6

on palisade!

one thing about fatt, they can stick a landing. more specifically austin and jack by their powers combined can stick a fucking landing. tbh let me talk about the outro first, actually:

stunning final track. loved hearing it morph from the palisade theme into other tunes.

a joy to hear from parti one last time!! probably my favorite npc of this season.

and to lift back out into the frame of perfect imperfect as hosted by layer luxurious (broadcasting from the planet of palisade, which is a lovely touch)—it’s my audio drama past coming out, but i do so love a diegetic radio show. we were promised that we would hear the end of the perfect millennium! and we did! satisfying.

i wasn’t sold on the plot of this sortie, but janine brought it home—has been bringing it home all arc. her work in this finale has been really, really cool. super solid science fiction. going from questlandia back into armor astir felt like an odd zigzag—much like dipping into and back out of the mirage—but the thread of blossoming sentiences was very strong.

(would like to take time to dig into the thematic structure of this season, now that it's over, but for now i am just pointing at it)

god, just knowing that brnine survived, and continued the fight… that's a win. closing on them bantering with thisbe was, i agree, the perfect final image.

brnine’s gravity clock changing to “thisbe is an important part of my life”... thisbe saying they’re a good captain and asking to watch a movie, and brnine immediately teasing her… they’re friends ;-;

also—season about grief—it was jokes, but thisbe saying “i was stating a fact, i wasn’t mourning” and brnine replying “sounded like mourning to me”, and ending palisade on that exchange… a good note of closure on that theme, i felt.

there’s been a lot of excellent character work this season—brnine, thisbe, cori, figure, jesset, and august all stand out to me. i’m trying not to make this post too long but man. genuinely incredible stuff.

perennial blooming again with thisbe’s gift of the pollen was really lovely. as was all the imagery in that scene

thisbe throwing sixes to speak with perennial was so Dice Game. one last little bit of serendipity for the road.

also thisbe being integrated with various different ways of being is very “it’s not a field it’s a garden” to me

i am looking forward to seeing how they treat this new phase of the divine cycle, because a transformation like that of the divine arbor would be devastating to a lot of lifeways & ecologies. it is far from the only time this has happened in the divine cycle! but it’s a great chance to concretize that. kudzu and other invasive species were raised in a previous ep; i’m also reminded of area x from jeff vandermeer’s annihilation. what i would like to see: a focus on new social forms, cf scavengers reign. fatt typically does not dig into ecologies, land relationships, etc, but perhaps they will look more in that direction in the divine arbor’s new world? who knows. either way i’m gonna be sitting here talking about ecological readings because unfortunately i do think it’s important and relevant lmao. (while i’m talking on the season scale, this is something i really want to see in sangfielle as well. which is a setting that even more deserves some time spent on the land.)

cori’s scene with elle was great. her storyline this season has been so fun—losing none of the bravado, but coming more into herself. i thought she was gonna give elle some of her blood but a ritual knife is probably a better gift.

can’t wait to see where they’re at next divine cycle season!!

“if only you could get five more minutes” made me laugh

glad that levi made it out! starcrossed is a wild name for a team led by a guy who kicked off his career by defeating the fear of death—kinda thumbing his nose at fate—but it seems like he’s pulling it off so far.

can local plant-based organizing be a viable alternative to galactic capitalism? i sure fuckin hope so!!

leap vanishing with present would have been extremely space opera

perennial blue ribbon…

i did overall really enjoy this season. i think it’s their best yet, for character work and executing on big ideas. a sharper take on twilight mirage. it’s dense but it has momentum. they really do get better every season imo... like my season ranking does kinda just go directly up in chronological order

god. palisade.

stay tuned~

(also, while we’re here, thanks for reading! this is something like the sixtieth of these weekly palisade ep posts, which is wild. it’s been a weird year and a half, personally—a lot of time in motion—but tuning into palisade every week and then thinking and discussing together has been really fun. so shoutouts!)

[withacapitalp]

How to Rehabilitate a Jock Part 6

Part 1 Part 5. Ao3 Link Part 7

It was already the second week of December by the time the Hellfire club finally, finally, defeated the Demon Lord Graz’zt. Normally, Eddie loved when a campaign stretched and stretched. It was a devious kind of joy to get to see his friends get stumped and backtrack and do everything they could to defeat whatever he had put in front of them. 

This time, he just wanted them to stab his stupid demon in the chest, light him on fire, and be done with it. 

A thousand times he had thought about just letting them win, and just letting them get through the end of the campaign. But his integrity as a dungeon master and a storyteller stopped him from doing it every single time. 

That, and Eddie was pretty sure they would be able to tell if he was skimping out on an ending just to get to the next campaign. Especially since they all knew why he would be so anxious to get to the next campaign. 

But, last week they had done it. Right at the last second Graz’zt had exploded in a shower of red sparks, the party had gained treasure and XP galore, and Eddie had stayed up every night this week finishing a one shot just for the occasion. 

Usually there was a rest week in between campaigns, or one of the others would rotate in as DM and Eddie would get to play for a while, but he wanted to be the one to run Steve’s first game. He didn’t trust any of the others not to sabotage, or try and kill him off early. 

Besides, he had the perfect beginner game planned. 

Well, he would have the perfect beginner game if their beginner ever decided to show up. 

“Seems like being late is a character trait,” Frank said as the rest of Hellfire sat around the table, clearly bored. Jeff was doodling in his book, and Rocky looked like he was asleep on the far side, face smushed up against the wood. School had ended almost a half hour ago, but there was still no sign of Steve. 

“This does give us time for a JRP update?” Janet suggested, sliding her chair back and walking over to the board. 

“Well, the update is…wow! Nothing has changed,” Gareth said, faking a look of utter shock before sliding back into his usual grumpy scowl, turning to Eddie, “Do you really want to wait three more months just to have to admit that I am right about him?” 

“How could anything have changed so far, Gareth?” Eddie shot back, sick and tired of his best friend’s issues. 

He held up a hand and began to count on his fingers right in front of Gareth’s face. Eddie knew that the other boy hated when he did things like that, but he also knew that he really couldn’t give a flying fuck at this point. Steve was trying, really honestly trying, and Gareth was being a jerk for literally no reason. 

“We just finished our new campaign, Steve isn’t even aware of the band yet because I’m not allowed to invite him to a show, and your third ridiculous checkpoint still has no defining parameters!” Eddie finished with a flourish. 

“Well, technically you can invite Steve to a show,” Kaiden said, grabbing everyone’s attention. He shrugged, pointing to the board, “It doesn’t say that Eddie can never invite him. It just won’t count towards the JRP until Steve goes without an invitation,” 

“Kaiden, what the hell?” Gareth said, spinning around and shooting his glare over to him instead of Eddie. 

“I don’t mind Steve, Gar.” Kaiden said with a shrug, unphased by his mood. By now they were all getting used to working around Gareth’s griping, “He’s pretty chill, he can be kinda funny, and I can’t think of anything he personally did that was that bad. Maybe he really is trying to be someone different now,”

The rest of the club didn’t speak, which Eddie decided to consider an extremely minute amount of progress. Sure, they weren’t sticking up for Steve, but they weren’t actively fighting against him anymore. 

Well, all except for one

“Traitor,” Gareth muttered under his breath. 

“Hey,” Eddie immediately snapped. Gareth could be pissy with him all he wanted, but he couldn’t go after another one of Eddie’s sheep just because he was mad. 

“I agree with Kaiden, I don’t see why Eddie would be forbidden from ever inviting Steve to a show,” Janet said, tapping her chin. 

Either she was unaware of how close the boys were to actually fighting, or she was actively ignoring it in favor of staying logical. Eddie would bet all of his money on the latter. Janet really was too smart for her own good. 

“As for setting parameters for the third point, I’m not sure how we go about that,” She continued, tapping her chalk against the board as she wracked her brain for potential ideas. 

“We don’t. We’ll know it when we see it,” Gareth stubbornly repeated, crossing his arms, “Though I doubt we will. This is just a waste of time.” 

Okay. Enough was enough. 

“What is your problem with him?!” Eddie shouted, starting the rest of the group. Rocky’s head popped off the table with a gasp, and Jeff immediately stiffened up. They were used to Eddie shouting, used to him raising his voice or getting angry, but that was all play, a show. This was actual anger, and that was scary. 

“Where did your problem with him go?” Gareth said, giving as good as he got, “You used to be the first to say that they aren’t us! They’re the enemy! He is literally the face of that enemy! What happened to the Munson Doctrine?!” 

Eddie opened his mouth to tell Gareth exactly where he could stick his Munson Doctrine, but before he could, Jeff stood up. 

His shoulders were up by his ears, and he looked completely uncomfortable, but Jeff was standing up anyway. A silent look from their bassist took the wind out of both boys’ sails, and they sat back down, tense and on edge. 

“Sorry Jeff,” Eddie sighed, pushing down any potential self hatred that wanted to rise up. The two of them knew Jeff’s story, knew why he wasn’t comfortable with angry yelling close to him, and they had done it anyway. Eddie forced himself to take a deep breath, watching as Gareth did the same. 

“Yeah, sorry,” Gareth echoed, looking genuinely remorseful. 

“This isn’t productive,” Frank pointed out, rolling his chair backwards until it collided with the chalkboard next to where Janet was standing, “I think that we should settle for a compromise.  All of the club members agree that Steve can stay. That would at least be enough to be considered a renouncement of some sort, right?,”

“That’s not the same,” Gareth protested. 

“Well, seeing as you don’t have a good argument for your checkpoint,” Frank replied, trailing off and waiting to hear if he had anything else to say. When Gareth remained grumpy and silent the rest nodded. 

“Okay so, I’ll just write our initials here, and when we decide we’re okay with Steve-”

“If” Gareth interrupted. 

“Fine. If we decide that we’re okay with Steve staying, we can cross out our names,” Janet said, miffed at being talked over, but choosing to move past it in favor of keeping the peace. 

She quickly began to jot down everyone’s initials, adding Steve’s right at the top just to keep up appearances. Eddie wasn’t exactly sure how they would explain that one, but hopefully Steve wouldn’t ask. He usually didn’t question things around the room unless they were particularly outlandish. 

“I’m fine with Steve,” Eddie said the second she wrote his initials. 

“We got that one, Eds,” Jeff replied with a good natured eye roll. Now that things were calming down again, he seemed way more relaxed. Janet clicked her tongue anyway, putting a thick white line through the E.M. she had just written. 

“I don’t mind him,” Kaiden tacked on. Janet shot him a quick nod, crossing out Kaiden’s initials, and then, surprisingly, her own.

“Janet?” Frank questioned. She shrugged, pausing for a second to ruffle his hair as she continued to write. She was the only one that didn’t see the way Frank’s face went beet red the moment she touched him. 

“He’s interesting,” She said, as if that was the only explanation she needed, “I’m a scientist. I like to experiment,” 

She finished with Gareth’s ‘G.L-W.’ turning to face the group. 

“Anyone else?” 

The rest of the club shook their heads, but Eddie couldn’t care less. He was already a third of the way there! And, there was no doubt in his mind that at least a few of them were going to be impressed with Steve’s gameplay today. 

After all Steve had been taught by the best. 

“Okay so, slightly modified parameters, but-” 

“Sorry I’m late!” Steve said as he burst into the room, cutting Janet off. 

If she was annoyed at being interrupted a second time, she didn’t let it slip. Instantly, she and Frank were back in their seats, her chalk abandoned, broken in two on the ground. The entire club did their best to look perfectly innocent, a truly terrible job that left them all seeming extremely, extremely, guilty. 

The only reason they got away with it was that Steve was way too caught up in rambling and trying to explain himself. 

“I’m so sorry, I was trying to get the kids set up in the library, because they want to come to my house after school for a sleepover. Winter break, right? But then they kept asking me question after question, and wanting to come watch me shoot hoops. They never want to watch me shoot hoops! Why now?! I swear this is what I get for letting them use my house to take pictures for the Snow Ball.” Steve groaned, getting stuck in his scarf as he tried to unwind it from around his head. 

Eddie laughed softly, getting up and coming around the table, slowly helping Steve get free of his yarn filled prison. 

“Are you going to chaperone this Sunday?” Eddie asked. Instantly his mind was filled with the image of Steve in a handsome black suit, a dark red rose sitting in his lapel and perfectly complimenting his ruby lips. 

Okay. File that under ‘Things Eddie was never allowed to think about again except when alone in his bedroom’. 

“Definitely not. I’m a babysitter, not a chaperone,” Steve said with a smirk, “I’ll let them get ready at my place and have a little after party there, and that should stop them from being arrogant whiny brats for a little while. Hope I didn’t miss anything though,” 

Just the rest of the club talking about using him as a human lab rat. 

“Nope,” Eddie lied smoothly, pulling Steve’s chair out for him and making a huge grand gesture for him to come sit. 

“Welcome to this side of the table,” Kaiden said from his seat across from Steve. Normally Gareth sat on Eddie’s right side, but since the first meeting that Steve had joined, his best friend had regulated himself to the corner as far from Eddie as he could get. 

Whatever. That was better anyway. Eddie didn’t care. 

(He cared so much more than he wanted to admit.) 

“Glad to be here?” Steve said, pulling out the folder Eddie had given him for all of his character sheets and looking around the group nervously. 

He didn’t have anything to worry about. Eddie had helped him to build a totally awesome persona. 

“It’s hell,” Frank sighed solemnly, patting Steve’s shoulder. 

“Hellfire,” Eddie corrected, the rest of the group groaning at his bad pun. He waved off their lack of appreciation for his fantastic word play, perching on his throne and raising a hand. 

“I would like to take a moment to recognize that this is a special occasion. We are here to celebrate the birth of Steve’s very first Dungeons and Dragons character,” Eddie said, pausing so the rest could react appropriately. 

Sure enough there was a round of foot stomping and table slapping. Steve startled at the noise, but quickly recovered, blushing, but still staring directly at Eddie with those big beautiful browns. 

God damn this brave, lovely, completely adorable boy. 

“May I introduce the former Prince of the realm, Level One Human Ranger Stefan of Herringtown. Stefan, Welcome to Hellfire,” Eddie said, pausing to give Steve a secretive wink and loving the way that the blush on the other boy’s cheeks traveled to his ears when he did. 

Stefan was, arguably, a pretty cool first time character. Steve lingered just on the edge of being a paladin, but he had enough chaotic energy that Ranger seemed to fit him better. He was a loyal to a fault kind of guy who had a habit for picking up strays, a smooth quick talking charm that tended to get him in and out of trouble, and a chip on his shoulder from being exiled from his kingdom. 

In short, he was Steve, but dungeons and dragonsified. Perfect for the first play through. 

With that settled, Eddie rolled his shoulders, settling himself into his dungeon master character and taking a long breath in. 

“Your party is starting off trekking across the frozen tundra,” He began, feeling the mood shift to excitement as the rest prepared themselves for his opener, “Your feet are freezing, and your fingers have gone numb, but you continue on anyway. You have heard tale of an abandoned factory at the highest point of the world- a place littered with treasures and everything a being could ever ask for. You want to see the place for yourselves, and maybe even loot some of the booty.” 

Rocky gave a vicious grin at this, chuckling softly to himself. His tiefling rogue was always looking to horde more treasure, and Rocky loved to get into character as quickly as he could. It was fun, it added something to the game. 

“You see a building and hurry closer, eager to get out of the biting frost. It is a dark unnatural place with high smoke stacks and mounds of coal sitting all around the entrance. You enter as one without thinking or stopping to check your surroundings, collapsing on the other side and panting to catch your breath. What is your first move, Goren the Great?” Eddie asked, starting on the far side of the table. 

Even if he and Gareth weren’t on the best of terms right now, Eddie still wouldn’t want to start a campaign with any other player. It just wouldn't feel right. 

“I do a perception check,” Gareth decided. Eddie nodded towards his d8, and Gareth grabbed it, throwing down a seven. 

“As a dwarf, you have spent many years hunting through mines for precious gems, so your ability to see in the dark is unparalleled. You can see strange boot shaped bags all around the room, and boxes that are wrapped with twine bows,” He said, watching as their brains began to spin with possibilities.

This was the best part. Watching his players try to figure out exactly what was going on around them was just so fun. 

“Well, I have a feeling we may have stumbled upon the right place. I can see treasure from corner to corner,” Gareth remarked, throwing his voice into a growling rumble, perfect for his hardened grizzled character. 

“I can’t see anything,” Jeff complained, getting into it. 

"That's because you are a stupid elf, and your stupid elf eyesight only works in the day,” Gareth replied, both of them holding back laughter. 

“How dare you?! You, you…tiny little man!” 

And then they were off, back and forth insults that were cheesy, yet sometimes creative. The club watched in amusement. Even Steve was snickering, and he normally tried to pretend he didn’t exist when it had anything to do with Gareth. Usually Eddie would try and focus the group back in, but he was happy to let them banter for a little while. 

This was the kind of fighting they should be doing. This was the Gareth Eddie knew, and getting to see that that guy was still somewhere in this new person was very comforting. 

“I am through with your impertinent conclusions,” Jeff huffed in mock exasperation, keeping his voice high and flighty as he did, “I am ready to take my turn, master of the game.” 

“Very well,” Eddie said, inclining his head and waiting to hear. 

“I open my bag and get out a torch, but I want to hit Goren with my bag as I do it,” Jeff said, the rest of the group immediately bursting into laughter.

“Roll 2 d8. One for hitting him, and one for how much light the torch is going to give you,” Eddie instructed, biting his lip to hide his smile. Jeff let the dice fly, getting an eight and a two respectively. 

“As you pull out your torch, you smack Goren right in the face with your bag. Goren loses one hit point,” Eddie said, making a note on his paper. 

“Ow!” 

“Oh, I am sooo sorry that was completely unintentional.” Jeff gasped sarcastically, holding a hand against his heart and raising his eyes to the sky. 

“Goren does not believe you, but he will hold his anger for later,” Eddie said, sliding in smoothly before another ‘argument’ could take place, “You light your torch, but the draft coming in through the broken windows makes the flame flicker and shrink. You can just see the edge of an image drawn on the wall,” 

“I want to examine the drawing,” Kaiden jumped in. 

“June Iper it is not your turn,” Eddie replied, referring to Kaiden by his character’s name. If they were doing things their normal way, then it would be Kaiden’s turn, but as it was, it was time for Rocky to go. 

Kaiden grumbled to himself, then sat up straight. He and Rocky made eye contact for a brief second before quickly scrambling to switch seats. 

“Now it is my turn,” Kaiden said, his head held high in victory. Eddie rolled his eyes but allowed it to slide, just happy that the two freshman boys were having a good time. He let Kaiden roll and then continued on, eager to get to the entrance of the main enemy. 

“You snatch the torch out of Boz’s hand, scampering up to the wall and holding it as high as you can, which isn’t very high at all,” Eddie pointed out. Kaiden’s character was a gnome, and Eddie never missed a chance to make a short joke at their expense, “The rest of the party can only see what looks like a chariot being dragged by cloven hoofed beasts.” 

“Wait a second,” Janet said, her face lighting up in realization. She turned to Eddie with her eyes narrowed, and he schooled himself into a completely innocent expression. 

“Yes Miss Ngyet?” He asked innocently, having a feeling she had already guessed where this one shot was going. 

“I take the torch from June so we can see better,” 

“Is there normally this much torch stealing?” Steve asked softly as Janet rolled, quirking his head to the side as he gave Eddie a raised brow. Before Eddie could respond, Frank interrupted. 

“Hey, you’re on our side now,” Frank said, nudging their arms together, “Ask us your questions,”

“Oh, sorry,” Steve apologized, turning towards Frank. 

Behind Steve’s back, Eddie gave Frank a grateful little smile. Sure, he was probably only being nice to Steve right now because Janet had said she was okay with him, but Eddie would take any kind of progress. Frank gave Eddie a short nod, and they settled back into their roles, continuing the game. 

“With Miss Ngyet’s extra height you can all see the full mosaic. Gasping in horror you finally recognize the picture you’re looking at. A man dressed in robes that are bathed in blood, a stampede of reindeer pulling his sledge. All at once the lights turn on in the factory, blinding you. There’s an ominous laughter from behind. Ho. Ho. HO.” Eddie roared. 

More light bulbs around the room as Jeff and Frank both caught on. 

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Jeff sighed, putting his face in his hands to muffle his laughter. Eddie grabbed the mini figure sitting in front of him, standing up and beginning the monologue he had practiced in front of the mirror all week. Wayne had nearly forced him to go outside to do it after the first few days of never ending repetition. 

“Your foe! A man turned God who knows the name of every child in the world, and watches endlessly. This God, who was once a benevolent overlord, loved to shower gifts upon those he deemed good, giving gentle reminders to those he saw being bad. Now he feasts upon the ‘Naughty’ alongside his favorite meal of milk and cookies,” Eddie ominously lowered his voice, coming to stand between Steve and Frank. 

Steve leaned backwards and turned his head. Frank did the same. 

“Is this what I think it is?” Steve whispered behind Eddie. 

“Yes,” Frank whispered back. 

“The demonous, the dastardly, the fat…” 

Eddie thrust the minifigure down onto the table, standing back as he hollered at the top of his lungs. 

“KRIS KRINGLE!” 

Eddie had been absolutely, completely, 100%, right. 

This was an epic one shot. 

After their initial reactions to finding out they were doing battle against Santa of all people, the rest of the club dove into the campaign with glee. Eddie had taken care to create an awesome story filled to the brim with little easter eggs, and they were eating up every bit of it. 

There were hypnotically enslaved elves, blood thirsty reindeer, exploding candy canes, even a section where the party had to sing Christmas songs to escape from a platoon of killer carolers.

Yeah he was biased, but Steve’s giggly rendition of WHAM’s new hit song was the best thing Eddie had ever heard in his life. 

Speaking of, the biggest shock of the game had to be how well Steve was doing. Eddie had honestly expected to have to subtly take it a little easy on him, but the jock was turning out to be one of the trickiest players he had ever gone up against. 

Sure, the math and the writing portion was a bit of a hiccup, but Steve’s strategic thinking was unexpectedly excellent, and he seemed to have a knack for survival. He had quickly made himself an invaluable player, and the rest had accepted him into the fold, if only for now. 

And the best part of it all was how much fun Steve was having. The smile on his face was bright, utterly joyful in a way Eddie had only seen once years ago. He had seen Steve smile plenty since then, but it was always quiet, kind of hidden away, like he was scared to show how much he was enjoying himself. 

But this was just…happy. Pure, clear, happy, with nothing standing in its way, and Eddie was drinking in the sight like a man in a desert who had found an oasis. 

After a grueling four hours, Hellfire had finally managed to kill off the final reindeer (Vixen had gone down in a blaze of glory) and release all of the elves from their mind manacles. 

There was just one foe left. 

“As the not-so-jolly man with a bag gently lays his last beast on the ground, he looks up at you all with complete rage in his eyes,” Eddie said in a hushed tone, letting things get as quiet as possible before exploding into sound.

“Naughty! You are All on my naughty list!” Eddie declared, slapping his hand on the table before standing and reaching over his binder to point, “You! And You! And You! And-” 

“Steve?”

Eddie paused mid monologue, his finger still hovering in the air directed at Janet. All of them turned around as one, facing their new intruder. 

Little Red was in the doorway, staring back at them with big eyes. A mischievous grin quickly overtook her face and she opened the door wide, crossing her arms and smugly jutting her chin out at her babysitter.

“Shooting hoops, huh?” 

“Max? Why are you here? Where are the boys?” Steve asked, quickly getting up from the table and coming to her side. The anxiety coloring his tone was unexpected, and Eddie felt himself wilt a little as all of Steve’s walls seemed to have pulled back up in a snap. 

“Down the hall. We’re fine,” Max said, quickly reassuring him and dropping her act. Steve relaxed for a second, but then stiffened once more as she peeked her head around his side. She waved, and the rest of the group waved back. 

“Shooting hoops,” She repeated, raising a brow, “You know, Steve, I’ve never played basketball, but it looks a lot more like Dungeons and Dragons than I expected it too,”

“How long have you known?” Steve sighed.

“That you were lying?” Max asked for clarification, “The whole time. You’re a bad liar, and Billy just couldn’t shut up about how you were benched from playing, and he was going to be the one leading the team now. I wasn’t expecting you to be doing this though. I thought you were meeting up with a girl.” 

“I’ll pay you real money to not tell the others,” Steve said, completely serious. 

Max tapped on her chin, a move that was so reminiscent of Janet that Eddie had to stifle a laugh. He didn’t want to call any attention to himself right now, too invested in seeing how this would all play out. 

“How much?” She asked, giving him a shrewd eye. 

“Five bucks?” Steve offered, sounding slightly desperate. 

Max hummed, making faces as she pretended to consider it. 

“Not enough,” She finally decided with a cute little shrug, sticking her head into the hallway and shouting for the boys to come. 

A stampede of footsteps and hollering began in the distance and Steve groaned, shooting Max a look of utter betrayal before turning to pout at Eddie. 

“Lord, help me,” Steve sighed. 

“Nay, I shan't. Lord Kringle has deemed you naughty, Stefan, there is no hope for you now,” Eddie replied, shaking his head. Steve did not seem at all amused by this, but the rest of the club was chuckling, exchanging wry little grins. 

“Oh, are we about to meet Harrington’s famous children?” Kaiden wondered aloud, already knowing the answer. 

“Don’t,” Steve warned with zero heat in his voice, seemingly already resigned to what was about to happen. He was rubbing at his temple, his eyes shut with a look of pure exhaustion on his face. 

Max patted him twice on the arm before coming over to look at the board, looking over Steve’s character sheets with glee. 

“Hey Little Red,” Eddie said. 

“Hi, Steve’s friend,” She replied with a smirk, “You guys are gonna have fun watching this,” 

Before anyone could ask what she meant, a veritable horde of boys burst into the room. They were once again all talking over each other, but this seemed to just be the way the boys communicated. Dustin, Lucas, and Mike all stayed crowded around Steve yelling at him, while Will began to look around. 

Max quietly whistled, jerking her head and catching Will’s attention. He obediently trotted over, and she showed him what she had found, both of them exchanging quiet whispers that even Eddie couldn't make out over the other kids shouting. 

“Why are you not in the library?” Steve griped, managing to raise his voice above theirs. 

“We finished our campaign and got bored. You’re taking forever, we’re hungry, and we want to see El,” Mike whined, crossing his arms and glaring at his babysitter. 

“What are you doing anyway?” Dustin asked, trying to look around Steve.

“Nothing,” Steve said quickly, pushing Dustin’s head back in front of him, “Get out. I’ll come get you guys in like an hour, or you can walk back to your own houses,”

“Who are they?” Lucas wondered, ignoring Steve’s minor threat. Everyone in the room already knew how hollow it was, “This is definitely not the gym,” 

Eddie was sure Steve had some sort of excuse, something he had cooked up to explain why he was here, but he was not eager to hear it. Sure, Eddie understood why Steve might have wanted to have something that was ‘just his’ (or, at least, he respected it), but the rest of the club wouldn’t. They would definitely think Steve was trying to hide the fact that he knew them, and that would reinforce everything Gareth was saying. 

No matter what, this was not going to go down well, and would probably erase any progress that had been made. 

Luckily for both of them, Will Byers decided that this was the moment to speak up. 

“Steve?” Will said, catching everyone’s attention, “Are you…playing DnD?”

Tension thick as a thousand page novel blanketed them all. Dustin gasped in an extremely melodramatic fashion, and Mike blew past Steve, storming over and slamming his hands down on the table, making all of the figures tremble. Steve seemed lost for words, turning back to give Eddie a ‘help me’ look of terror. 

So, Eddie did what he did best. 

He caused a little chaos. 

“Why yes, young small one, he is playing Dungeons and Dragons,” Eddie said with a tricky grin, loving the explosion of mayhem that came right after, 

Tag List: @paopaupaus @zerokrox-blog @surferboyzaza @whatever-is-a-good-name @minjintea @addelyin @5ammi90 @hagbaby420 @shinekocreator @bornonthesavage @starxlark @electrick-marionnett @resident-gay-bitch @ash-a-confused-enby @classicdinosaurdeathpose @valon-whomsttf @rotten-lil-goblin @thereindeerlady @love-ya-kash @kerlypride @sparkle-fiend @thefreakandthehair @flowercrowngods @milf-harrington @sadcanadianwinter @gothbat99 @hotcocoaharrington @henderdads @lightwoodbanethings @colorful565 @h0n3y-dw @craterbbox @sourw0lfs @lesliiieeeee @bidisastersworld @tinynebula @ravnlinn @bonescaro @mexmatch @cottagecoredreams @joruni @hellykelly @maegan1116 @farewell-wanderlvst @desertfern @due-to-the-fact-that-im-a-slut @anythingforourmoonyedits @eerielake @fandemonium-takes-its-toll @sidekick-hero

[yinwaryuri]

Fuck this, I wasn't tagged by anybody but since y'all are making me insane sharing your lovely faves on my dash I gotta join the fun!

10 BL People That I Want Carnally

Just so we're clear, I'm immediately not limiting myself to 10. I'm bi. You think we have limits? (Tumblr says yes, but that's why I'm on desktop for this instead of mobile)

Night from Dirty Laundry

Are we surprised? This awakened a whole thing in me. I was constantly yelling from the rooftops about my love for this man in the cheapest drag you ever saw. This is my JAM. I'm already trying to calm myself down making the first entry on this post. GOD. And his whole committed-to-the-bit romancing a mafia leader and then robbing her because he needs money, but really he's a wee romantic who just wants to write exciting stories like all of us bitches on AO3? Honey I am FREE at 5pm on Saturday. Also, shush, I know it's not a BL, I'm counting it as part of the Midnight Series as a whole :P

Yok from Not Me

PAINT ME LIKE ONE OF YOUR POLICE OFFICERS. We already have matching tattoos babe. He isn't perfect but he's a well-intentioned mama's boy and has swagger.

Maya from Laws of Attraction

Listen, I don't think much explaining is necessary here. I'm a woman but she can call me "pretty boy" any day. Is she just Silvy Pavida with a MILF wife? Yeah. That's the point. I'll join. They would let me.

Speaking of Laws of Attraction, Nawin

I deserve an insane golden retriever boyfriend. I deserve a man who can't spell his ex's name but can get a pilot's license. He deserves someone who will enable his silliness, even when there's trouble with the accountant. *kisses all over his wing tattoo*

Togawa from Old Fashion Cupcake

Mr. Hamster Cheeks my love <3 The dates would be so good. And so would the food. And the food naps afterward. I'm a good snuggler, he's tall and there's a lot to snuggle. Win-win.

Ink from Bad Buddy

I know many of us are weak for Milk Pansa, but like, there's a reason for that. She gave us the ICON for lesbian side couples. Please, girl, scare men away from me when they mistake a boner for full-fledged love. Make me feel welcome and important and pretty and like I'm the specialest girl alive. Be taller than me ;)

Wen Qing from The Untamed

She didn't die, actually, we just eloped together, haha. I just think as someone who studied medicine, she'd have a lot of good tricks up her sleeve and I don't mean acupuncture needles.

Saifah from Enchanté

Yeah. I needed to use this gif. Get that record deal my man. Live your dreams king. I also love that he's both the old man and woman here. Impeccable. We deserved more of him.

Uea from Bed Friend

Gimme this catboy realness right now. Also, I just love him so much. He owns his narrative despite all the shit he has suffered and gets everything he deserves for it. We could be besties even. We could be...no I shan't say it.

SamMon from GAP

I just want whatever is going on right here. Let me join. Simple as that.

Tops and Marwin from Ingredients

I'm this guy. Except I think they'd be sad to see the other with someone else so I gotta have them one at a time. Tops, who's a shy cutie who can make yummy foods. And Marwin, who is basically Jeff Satur just pumped with extra himboisms.

Todd from Not Me

All principles out the window. He's evil, he's sexy. I know exactly how much that specific hotel room costs to stay in for a night. It would be luxurious.

Rain from Love In The Air

I know most people would say Phayu, and for Boss, yeah I understand, I am all there. But something about the way that little guy can fuck kinda makes me dizzy, I'm owning that. He doesn't have to be smart, he's just gotta be given compliments. Plus, my bed sheets match!

VegasPete from KinnPorsche

They altered me chemically once and I'd let 'em do it a second time and many more after that.

Tagging @kissporsche @thisautistic @omegaphobe @shubaka @risu442 @khathastrophe @loveable-sea-lemon @fawndlyvenus @viva-yas-vegas @first-kanaphan @wherelanguage-ends @xxatlasxx @adanima @snake-and-mouse @scarefox @scattered-stardust @callipigio @sparklyeyedhimbo @jdotsodomite @futureexmrsmalcolm @suzteel @jeffsatyr @coconuts-mafia

[corvidares]

thoughts and feelings about fnaf: into the pit

(spoilers! talk of endings!)

so, while i enjoyed playing this game a lot, i am left feeling dissatisfied in a lot of ways, mostly in relation to what the hell just happened

on the side of things i LIKED:

the pixel style!!! good god this feels so perfect for fnaf. obviously we've always had the minigames in the retro style, and while fnaf has had a fine enough "look" for years, i really hope to see more stylization like this. the pixel art and animations are beautiful and full of character

there's a lot of visual detail, both in the sense of easter eggs (of course) and background clutter. fnaf games are always good at having gross settings, and this definitely does that. even the cloud of dust that pops up every time you jump in the ball pit is yucky, lmao

speaking of details, the sound design is also VERY good. it conveys a lot of what is not seen; the closer you get to a kid thats been captured by spring trap (pit trap? guys idk what to call him) the more you hear their cries and whimpers. of course, as always, sound is a part of the gameplay too, helping you know if spring trap is close and that you need to hide

the writing in terms of dialogue and such is good! i like that oswald is.. well, he's kinda dumb. rightfully so, for a kid! he does things that arent always logical, it takes him a hot minute to figure out that hes in the past, etc

its also genuinely distressing and sad to see him suffering, to see him try to tell his mom that something is deeply wrong, only to be brushed aside because (presumably) the possession magic is invisible to adults. to see his trauma get worse and worse as the days pass; nightmares, visions, straight up sleeping through his school day because he's been up all night! even his idle sprites are always sad and scared

the gameplay itself! the learning curve felt appropriate, i liked the strategy of using the noise makers, hiding, and the vents. fwiw i did play the "creepy" setting which is essentially easy mode. but i still died plenty, its not a complete cakewalk or anything.

the classic fnaf snark sense of humor is definitely here in this game, and i love it. the achievements? hilarious. the tips on the loading screens, jeff's entire character?? good stuff.

misc things i noticed:

for whatever reason, after night 1 i had a constant "bloody/strain" filter at the edges of my gameplay. not sure if this is like, random? game footage ive seen doesnt have it, and one even had a different filter. not sure what to make of it, it seems odd to just be a meaningless, randomized detail?

i got one glitch: after checking the cameras while the other kid is in security with me, oswald's sprite didnt reappear and i couldnt do anything. so i had to restart the game lol. not major, and i have no idea how common it is. otherwise everything was quite functional iirc

regarding the more critical side of things.. im mostly frustrated. now, i know fnaf, i know it never serves you answers on a platter. i know theres always an abundance of easter eggs and secrets (which i have tried to research, tho the game is still new). but upon finishing the game and seeing all the endings, i realized i didnt get answers about a lot of things i thought i would. for example;

where the hell is foxy??? the other core three are there and get added as enemies when you progress. his stage is present and some kids at the past party mention they miss seeing him. but he's not on ANY of the imagery throughout the pizzeria. in fact, we don't see him at all. if i didnt know who foxy was, i would only know his name. the only exception might be some empty masks in the backgrounds, but honestly i doubt it. this seems.. really strange to me. ill elaborate later

why did spring trap tie up oswald's dad? what was he going to do to him? did.. did anyone even die? oswald rescues everyone!

this is probably silly and i acknowledge that. but what was up with the giant spider jump scares..... i assumed itd be a new enemy or something but nah. THAT SPIDER WAS TOO BIG. WHY

what was oz's dad doing this whole time? was he trying to escape at some point? why is his shit all over the resturant?

onto just general critiques:

the gameplay did get a bit formulaic and sometimes fetch quests felt repetitive and/or like busy work. like why did i have to get five different sets of keys. bruh

the story has a lot of plotholes. and again, this is fnaf, these games have always looked like swiss goddamn cheese. but i can still be frustrated about it

for example, how is time passing in the past versus the present? IS it passing if we're not there? how do we affect the past? why does no one in the present acknowledge what happened here?? did spring trap get caught in this timeline? did anyone die? was oswald always a part of these events or did he change the timeline? this is presumably the first four/five murders, but a lot doesnt add up. is there a timeline where oz is one of the murdered kids? in the bad ending, he gets possessed, but not stuffed in a suit.

how does spring trap's possession even work? back then he was still alive and perfectly mortal... right? but then again, he supposedly strangles himself in the end, then leaps back to life to kill jeff? huh???

why is spring trap so animalistic? he doesnt seem human, and his eyes glow, which i dont think is something that suit can do (though i could definitely be remembering wrong)

speaking of which, i dont think the og four's eyes glow either, but they do in this game.

the "true good" ending does not make any fucking sense, first of all. second of all, considering the amount of work one would have to do to get it, it is extremely minimal. if i had done all that and only gotten a slight dialogue change as well as a "yay happy eating pizza at jeff's" scene i wouldve been PISSED.

also, speaking of not making sense, im sorry but oswald's lie to his dad about what happened is so obviously not true. why does he not question this at ALL? ESPECIALLY considering he has a fucking CHUNK OF HIS ARM BITTEN OFF. we see in jeff's ending that that shit bled a fucking lot! was his dad too concussed to call him on the obvious lie of "you fell and hit your head". and if he was, he would OBVIOUSLY NOTICE LATER THAT FIVE DAYS HAVE PASSED. AND THAT SOMEONE WAS WALKING AROUND PRETENDING TO BE HIM. WHAT (and dont say "oh he thinks he just lost his memory of those days" YOU DO NOT LOSE HUGE CHUNKS OF MEMORY UNLESS THERE IS MAJOR BRAIN DAMAGE OR TRAUMA. UH UH)

while talking to my gf, we came up with a couple theories.

one, she thinks its likely this game had more planned. and i agree - the missing presence of foxy is the biggest indicator, in my opinion, but theres other things too. for example, despite the fact that we're never able to enter the library or mill, both places have a map that can be pulled up when you press the map button outside those buildings.

the mill, especially, obviously has a ton of animatronic parts in the trash, and we all know that can be important... it seems to be too big a thing to be a simple easter egg, but what do i know.

another thing that feels way too big to be an easter egg is gabrielle; the girl who gives you a notebook with information about the animatronics (not foxy :( ) that provides hints for later. she mentions that her grandfather was a technician that worked with them back in the day. he never talks about it now though (the ONE acknowledgement we get in the present that bad shit went down!!!)

like.. is this henry? someone else? SURELY that is not a random guy. but it's a one and done interaction. i thought, when meeting her, that she would become a friend and ally, that we'd be able to learn more. the writing seemed to slant that way, but no. we're never able to talk to her again afaik

all this lends itself to the idea that the game was pushed. i can perfectly picture, like a year ago, someone telling the team "fnaf 10th anniversary is august 2024, get it out for then" and them having to cut stuff they had planned (but perhaps not developed, as afaik there are not missing assets showing foxy or the other things mentioned)

which is obviously a shame, and if thats the case i of course commend the team! this is a great game, especially if it was rushed. but this is becoming a pattern with fnaf games, and considering this is such a big successful franchise, that should not be the case.

anyway! overall, i truly did enjoy playing into the pit, and im very glad it was my first experience playing a fnaf game myself rather than watching a playthrough. and there are secrets that seem to be deliberately cliffhangers, in true fnaf game fashion. such as the photo that stuns spring trap, or the minigames.

[doorrobloxstuff]

MAIN AU LORE - REVISED (PART ONE)

Alright, so, after some thinking. I’ve decided to blow up my old au and rework it :)

After all, it’s two years old and it’s lore has been kinda blown around in the wind. So, resetting everything.

I’m doing the ones I have lore for, as I don't have all the energy in the world anymore.

Important stuff:

Seek’s family + the other entities are trying to escape the hotel. Their family was sealed away by the guiding light nearly a couple thousand years ago.

The entire hotel was pissed off at humanity for destroying their old home, killing Seek’s mother (A-250.), Killing Depth, Some of Rush’s and Ambush’s children, permanently disabling Ambush, potentially killing Silence (they never found their body), and causing Greed to die from a grief induced heart attack.

The guiding light was an angelic being sent to stop them. It built the hotel entity and gave it life, she had no malice towards them, but they needed to be stopped.

It made their prison as humane and as comfortable/natural as possible. Intending for it to eventually return to earth and become their replacement home after their rage cooled and grief healed.

…But never made it inescapable until then, rip.

The other entities work for Grumble and company in various positions.

Jeff betrayed Grumbles and chose to side with the guiding light after seeing that its basically blinded with hate and was making a monster out of its son, Seek.

The upper hotel is the living quarters for the worker entities to stay in except they have their own large suites behind doors inaccessible to humans.

The lower floor is a busy multiplex of pipes and productivity. The pipes are meant to feed into Seek’s mass and get it to a powerful enough state to escape the hotel.

Entities names are actually quite long and complicated! A mixture of sound-words from entity language. The names we call them as are shortened versions or not accurate to their true name! They also have names chosen at the time of their birth, and names they choose. Those change very frequently.

So..let’s get to the hotel’s denizens, shall we?

- Canon characters + lore (in order of sort of importance) -

Grumble:

Grumbthinkle von tentacle:

The ring leader behind this whole operation

Pretty mean and grumpy to be honest. The human-translated name is very accurate.

Jeff’s brother, Seek’s uncle, parent to the giggles. Screech’s GREAT uncle.

Disowned and reverted to its natal name after what happened with Jefftholomew. Wants nothing to do with him.

Imagine a pot of pure, unadulterated rage and grumpiness and resentment and spite and every other negative emotion stewing in a pot. Behold, GRUMBLE.

The boss man :tm:

Okay okay headcanons now.

..and also perhaps with a smidge of sorrow.

Aro Ace :)

Brilliant at engineering and construction. Built a labyrinthine network of pipes and mines to try and get more resources.

May have..once taught humans how to build aqueducts.

Also really, really likes gardening.

What can I say? It’s really good at digging with those tentacles.

Its favorites are gardenias.

Eyes loves it lmao those two have entire cork boards dedicated to their plants and what they want to plant this “season”. (Sunlight is rare in the hotel dimension.)

Would probably be caught dead with a garden trowel in its hands singing in the worst goddamn voice you have ever heard.

Really close to its nespring, Seek..though..it also may see it as a tool necessary for it and the others to escape and take their revenge.

Often lazes about in its nest when it exhausted itself from working on pumping raw ore and metal into Seek’s mass.

Does give a flying fuck about its underlings..but its number one priority during work hours is GETTING OUT and its second one is GETTING REVENGE.

So..certain things have..flown under its radar.

Adores its children the giggles and often cajoles them + the hotel’s children with tales of its inventions and adventures long past.

Loves to read to them in its deep voice.

It’s nickname is grumby :)

Its stories are long and complicated, sometimes hard to follow but very entertaining if you manage to stick along for the ride.

It frequently dreams of home..sometimes of a certain someone to.

Seek:

Grumble's Nespring (nonbinary term for neice/nephew), Parent of Screech, Snare + one more.

Married to Figure. <3

Twins w/hide

Still the spiteful little british guy I want to write more of, just huge(r)

Built like something out of vita carnis, think the harvesters with tendrils that suck the everliving shit out your blood and liquidify your organs in an agonizing display of unnatural brutality.

..a bit..err, peeved with the fact that its uncle pretty much is using it to get their way out, sometimes forgetting the fact that Seek is not, just an object for him to use in its escape plans.

Veeeerrryyy particular in the placement of it’s mass.

Hates how much its grown, almost to near dysmorphic levels.

*GRITS ITS NON-EXISTENT TEETH* “I JUST..WANT..TO..LEAVE.”

Sick of it all, not gonna lie.

Figure is it's rock and sanity.

No more winemaking rip. But still loves drinking wine and will often be seen sharing a sip or two on a romantic night out with Figure.

Still wears its suits. Still does the fancy thing.

Screech:

Mischievous lil guy

Plays with the giggles.

Has a more humanoid form, just doesn’t take it.

Is growing quite strong mass wise (see what’s in the nest lol), but Seek FORBIDS grumbles from getting children involved in its plan.

Grumbles concedes, because it kind of agrees, but also because Seek could turn it into an albinistic stain on the wall.

Screech still loves to listen to its to it’s auncle’s stories.

Eyes:

Extremely anxious sometimes to the point of near-neuroticism.

Talks like this this! This! Meant to be disconcerting! disconcerting and all over place! Place.

(There will be translations so people with screen readers can still read! )

Sometimes feels ignored, despite being older then Hide and Seek combined.

Secretly heartbroken about it, but doesn’t say a thing..but they’re boiling over..ohhhh they’re boiling over.

Their emotions are a complicated and LOUD mess.

Besties w/halt they both yap.

Misses their father. Sometimes visits him when they..gets really bad.

Teleports around when their thoughts are everywhere and they want to talk.

Can be dignified..when they want to be.

Don’t look at me! DON’T STOP LOOKING AT ME! Don’t look at m- PICK A LANE GODDAMNIT IT.

Dating Jack, it’s casual and going steady tbh.

Kinda frowned upon that they’re doing so because Jack used to date hide and that was cringe for all involved.

Kinda just is around, likes to cook :) Chef eyes.

Do not bother them in the kitchen they will scream and go crazy.

Giggles + (older giggles/big giggles)

There’s a 100 of them.

Four large ones, and a bunch of increasingly smaller ones.

The four older ones were alive when the hotel collapsed.

Three of them are getting very. very. Tired.

The forth is uhhh..complex.

I’ll do “fourth x reader” fics with the fourth fully grown adult giggle I just want don’t want the aromantic grumble (their father) in any romantic fics lol.

That’s my compromise to you so you do get find romance with one of the nest entities

The four large ones meet every night.

Hide:

Twins w/Seek

Dating Glitch.

COULD be as strong as Seek, but would never even consider increasing its own mass after what happened with Seek.

Extremely close w/Seek

Much more reclusive.

Afraid of its uncle and hates what he’s doing.

light-based in mass that can become much more gooey when distressed or nervous.

Sometimes looks like a weird abstract painting.

Also grieving its home and mother.

Loves to paint.

Used to a lot of paintings of their old home, which tend to be misinterpreted horrifically by Grumble and would further its resolve and/or be used as an example. So, it stopped painting that.

Instead it’s gotten a bit more..secretive about what the meaning behind the paintings it makes are..some are more obvious then others. (Nudges the paintings of shadow/depth.)

The paintings are mostly used to jab at grumble/show better futures without going through his insane ass plan.

Those who truly know and are be to interpret them correctly and figure out their meaning are their friends lol.

It’s sort of its little artistic rebellion against Grumble.

It may ;) have painted ;) a few ;) familiar friends. ;)

Jeff:

Seek’s and hide’s + eyes dad lol

A couple of thousand years old, created alongside his sibling, Grumble.

Used to live at the bottom of the ocean with him before both of the siblings chose to travel the world in search of a home entity.

It took them awhile, those two going on many adventures, finding treasure, fighting other entities, discovering fascinating creatures, meeting friends along the way (some of whom joined them), procuring knowledge.ect

Whole ass dnd campaign with those two.

Jeff gained a deep understanding of humans and respect for them. Viewing them as friends and kin while Grumby kind of just- 🤷

They eventually, did find a home entity. One large enough to house them and their friends.

They all moved in and it was a very happy life for awhile. :)

Found a wife. Had Eyes and later Seek and Hide with her.

Then well..

The humans came.

Centuries later he still doesn’t hate them.

Betrayed grumbs and worked with the guiding light to use his knowledge of the archaic and magical and help Guide create the crucifixes.

Was disowned and is now violently hunted alongside Dread and El-Goblino so they will stop murdering humans.

He also managed to place a spell upon his shop so it’s always concealed.

A bit of a silly guy, loves to play coy.

He’s good at drawing magic runes and ancient languages but utter dogshit when it comes to writing in english.

The money (knobs) is magic too.

Help how do I describe him, goddess of everything else vibes.

Is extremely depressed on the inside though, but DARES not to show it.

Is hurt that Grumbles has pretty much turned his entire family against him and (to him) very few actually see that what he’s doing is insane.

More furious then hurt that he’s using SEEK of all entities.

Glad to have to have Dread, Hide, Gobby and Guide so he’s not too early.

He’s also dating dread lol

Dread:

Toad entity :)

Has pores in his skin and poison in his blood that is extremely deadly.

He can also squirt it in your face.

Also Jeff’s personal spy and pair of eyes.

NO ONE has a clue that he's working with Jeff and except those who are close to Jeff.

Kind of just stands there and pretends to take little naps while secretly spying on others casually.

He's very friendly, so if someone comes up to him while he's listening to others he'll just go about chatting with them.

He also bakes pastries and cooks with Eyes.

Rush and Ambush trust him a lot! He's one of their buddies :)

Him and Bushy are both aquatic entities :)

Tries his best NOT to hurt humans, but given he's older and disabled (Post-traumatic stress disorder + missing an eye.) usually, the other entities will hunt any humans for him so, it's not much of an issue.

However, if a human being IS in his proximity, he is expected and obligated to try and kill them as to not blow his cover.

He prays this will never come to fruition. ^

He's not expected to participate in any active hunts!!

He's the one he least expect.

Overall very well trusted by the hotel's denizens.

Considered one of the hotel's best singers (though to humans he just sounds like a toad)

Yea get that old man.

El-Goblino

Pretty much the same as canon.

Just fluffy :)

Outcasted from the hotel AND separated from his wife after what happened with the humans.

Just happy to be here.

The lovely pair of speeding soulmates. + everybody else I actively have the energy to write about.

Rush:

Married to Ambush! <3

They have had many litters and raised many children over the centuries, but the notable ones are the rooms entities and the Sally + Dupe (who are twins.)

Bonded pair do not separate.

One of Grumble's most violent and ardent supporters.

Still very, very mad about what happened.

Doesn't mean it like it very much, though......Grumbles is very grumpy and disgruntled alot of the time.

Ambush's better half.

Both work as miners/line workers. Whatever is the necessity for the day, but Rush primarily works with the handling of larger ore chunks due to it's strength.

Constantly exhausted and very achey.

Very touchy around the topic of humans, dislikes their situation being discussed. Will get into violent arguments with those it disagrees with, sometimes ending in minor fights that Ambush has to drag it away from.

Hangs out with Blitz sometimes, but doesn't talk a lot, (esp since the backdoor entities are scheming against Grumble).

Flirts w/Ambush while they work. It's like those two are still dating.

Still loves to knit, sometimes does it when its worried.

Ambush:

Bonded pair do not separate

Permanently disabled, it's jaw was twisted in such a way that it could never heal and is in constant pain because of that.

Some days are better then most, but sometimes It's left in bed twitching in pain.

Also super loyal to Grumble, even if the guy can be..mmm..

Smokes a lot to help cope with the pain, and unfortunately is very depressed after losing its sibling and some of its children.

Very tired...just.. very tired.

Is on the verge of quitting working, but doesn't.

Those weird ass flies:

Just a prey item the entities will gobble on

Kind of like flying popcorn chicken to them

Rush and Ambush both love catching them and frying them.

They’re very territorial and will kill someone and then suck their blood.

Flying evil parasitic popcorn

Y/N:

You! That’s right, you’re canon to this au! (Sort of.)

You’re a bit subjective, but depending on your POV, you can get a lot done learning about the lore of this au :)

sorry guys i am very tired, i'll finish the rest later.

[blackgirlsuperherorants]

Alright, thoughts on Kaos, after watching the first three episodes. I'm going to try to keep this more organized than it's gonna wanna come out, but no promises lmao.

I REALLY want to like the show. In fact, I don't hate it, strictly speaking. It's... interesting? But it's also a really frustrating watch, for me. I guess the biggest problem for me is that it very much feels like a show that would have worked better if it was made 15 years ago. Like, it's a very late 2000s, early 2010s show. Which isn't terrible, but compared to other recent shows in the fantasy genre, it just feels like... something that would've been edgy and boundary-pushing in like 2009, but falls flat in 2024.

And I hate to do a lot of comparing, but as a creator, as a writer, as a show runner, they needed to expect comparison to happen. Especially when they're dealing with figures from one of the most studied, most read, and most adapted mythologies in human history. And like, yes, please do your own take on Greek gods-- on Greek myth in general. I am not expecting a 1 to 1 interpretation, and the fact that the show is doing it's own thing with these figures is not a problem for me. It's just not hitting. And in a time when there are VERY POPULAR books, movies, shows, and plays using these same characters and telling versions of these same stories, like... you gotta compete. You gotta pay attention to what others have recently and popularly done with the stories, and yours has to be as good or better or it's just going to fall short. And for me, that's what's happened, here, with Kaos. I'm going to try to go into detail about what I think works well and what I think isn't working, so be mindful of spoilers.

Their version of Zeus... I dunno. I like him, I guess? But I'm not sure if that's just because Jeff Goldblum is very interesting to watch or not. I think the thing they got really right about Zeus, and many of the other gods depicted here, is the casual cruelty and indifference. A lot of shows and movies about these Greek deities are either afraid to depict them as too cruel (making them Good Guys TM), or make them just villains-- rarely is the balance met well. And, well, I think that's one of the things that this show does best. When Hera disguises herself as Zeus and fucks Zeus's little human lover, then makes the girl go through a full pregnancy in seconds and turns her into a bee and makes Zeus kill the baby-- that was GREAT. I hated it and loved it because it was so mean and cruel and Zeus just snapped the baby's neck like it was nothing, because it was nothing to him. A very good depiction, in my opinion, of how cruel these gods can be without even an ounce of remorse for the mortal they're being cruel to.

But, again, I dunno if I like what the show is doing with Zeus, in particular, or if I'd just enjoy watching Jeff Goldblum read the phonebook for 9 hours straight, you know?

Hera? She's wonderful. 10/10, no notes. I love this Janet McTeer as Hera, I love the way Hera is depicted, I love the way she looks. She eats.

Now, to my biggest problems with the series, and I apologize in advance because I have A LOT OF FEELINGS about it. I've been ranting about it every time I try to sit through episodes.

Let's start with my beloved Dionysus. Now, I want to be clear: Nabhaan Rizwan is great as Dionysus. He is giving such a good performance, it's just... something is lacking. Which makes me feel like it's on the creative side. Like, it's the direction or the writing or something that is off. So, they're obviously going for this... like... youthful boredom, with Dionysus. Dionysus is often depicted as, like, one of the youngest gods, and his whole thing is theatre, wine, debauchery, pleasure... so, yeah, having him be this kinda youthful party boy is perfect. I get it 100%. I just think the idea they had is SO GOOD and wasn't well executed at all. Here is where comparison is going to come in, so I apologize in advance if this is a problem for you--

We live in a time of very good television. Okay? And the trope they're going for with Dionysus is something we have seen done extremely well. Even, like... Klaus from Umbrella Academy fits that trope, and was done extremely well. The way they're trying to depict Dionysus is very pansexual, very life of the party, very "knows everyone who is anyone at all the spots", very "casual sex just because." And like, we LOVE those characters. Bratty disasters who live in the moment and are perpetually into some shit. And we've seen so many versions of them on recent television shows that, while ALL different, were all executed way better than this version of Dionysus. Lestat on AMC's Interview With The Vampire. Blackbeard on Our Flag Means Death. Klaus, as I mentioned before. The whole disaster bi/pan dude thing.

Dio, in comparison, seems very half-baked. Very 2009. I think out of all of the characters, he feels the most 2009, you know? Like, back when making a bi/pan character was edgy, and even then, it wasn't explicit or was even played for laughs. I know this is a comedy, but so is Our Flag Means Death, you know? And even when the whole Blackbeard/Stede thing was funny, it was never because being queer is funny. And like... this show DID THAT with Dionysus. There's a moment where he goes into The Cave with Orpheus and he casually orders drinks from the (male) bartender, and the bartender flips him off-- implying some prior knowledge of each other-- and then Dio goes off to have a quickie with the bartender. And like... he's getting fucked by the man, and in that moment it didn't feel like... like a male character having desire for a man and having a sexual tryst with him. It felt like "isn't it funny that Dionysus is getting FUCKED in the ASS?!" Which, like... no? Like, that's so 2009. It's so passe to play the gay for laughs. Like, even in other fantasy comedies, like What We Do in the Shadows and Our Flag Means Death-- the CHARACTERS are funny, but their same-sex attraction never is. It's not funny that Stede and Blackbeard fall for each other-- it's lovely.

And let's be clear-- I'm not expecting Dio to "fall for" the bartender or anything, but it's clear that they were going for "Dio is a fuckboy who has probably had casual sex with this man before, and probably scorned him in some way, and so he uses the casual quickie to make up with the guy and possibly get free drinks." Cute, fun, I like that. I don't like HOW they did that idea. Like, Dio did not react like someone who enjoys getting fucked. He reacted like a straight boy playing getting fucked in the ass for laughs. IDK.

To be fair, this version of Dionysus is very bored with his whole debauchery schtick and we do see him boredly getting his cock sucked by a girl in a club in an early scene, too. But even that looked more like someone who enjoys getting their cock sucked but is just bored, and less just... "it's funny because of what it is." Does that make sense? IDK.

Like, it feels like a direction problem. Because this Dionysus seems to work very well on paper, and the actor doesn't seem poorly cast, to me. It just seems... executed like it's directed by a dudebro older man who was very cool in the 2000s and still thinks the way dude filmmakers thought in the 2000s.

Then there's the Orpheus.

2/10. I do not... like him. And like, not because of the story-- we all know Orpheus and Eurydice. (Which is part of the problem.)

I think it's because he very much gives CHRIS MARTIN, gives COLDPLAY, and not in a good way. Like, yeah, I like Coldplay alright. They're fine. But for ORPHEUS? Orpheus' whole thing is that his music is supposed to be... extremely special. Like, nobody is touching him. His music is so beautiful it can like... literally change the world. Move the gods. All of that.

And they chose to make him... COLDPLAY? This man whose music is the most special, beautiful thing anyone has ever heard. Like, I don't understand that music direction choice. At all. Who... decided that this was the move? I need something otherworldly. Something ethereal. Like, when he's playing the piano at The Cave for the fates in an attempt to get them to allow him to go into the underworld to retrieve Eurydice's soul... as soon as he started, I was like "This basic ass piano." Like, THAT IS NOT "the greatest, most beautiful music-- music that breaks your heart so much that you'd let him defy the gods and get his lost love back." It sounded like he was playing Christmas hymns at the Christmas morning service. Basic as fuck.

And again, I hate, hate that I have to compare, but YOU CANNOT GIVE SUCH A MEDIOCRE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE IN A WORLD WHERE HADESTOWN EXISTS. Like, we cannot hear Reeve Carney give the most beautiful performances of the most heartwrenching songs in a hit Broadway musical as the same character, and then you give us Chris Martin playing Christmas hymns.

Again, you are allowed to make your own interpretations, and the showrunner did not need to try to copy Hadestown. That is not what I mean. But you need to pay attention to what perhaps the most popular telling of that myth OF ALL TIME did, and you need to try to match or exceed it. Why even both with Orpheus and Eurydice if you're not going to slay us with the music? YOU NEED TO SLAY US WITH THE MUSIC! THAT'S ORPHEUS' WHOLE THING!

Honestly, full stop, even though they have every right to tell their own versions of these stories and create their own versions of these characters, you're fighting an uphill battle when AMERICAN GODS, PERCY JACKSON, and HADESTOWN exist and have done EXTREMELY WELL and been EXTREMELY POPULAR touching this same mythology. You have to MATCH OR EXCEED. Because why would I want to sit through your mediocre Orpheus when I could listen to Hadestown and hear a far superior Orpheus?

Now, their Eurydice? She is beautiful. She is fierce. She is heartbreaking. I love her. Hera and Eurydice are the best characters on the show, and the only ones I just full-on like without much complaint.

And maybe the point is that the men suck? IDK. Like, I don't give a fuck about this Orpheus. I'm not sad for him. His reaction to Eurydice's death is selfish and not at all heartbreaking. I don't even believe him that he wants to go into the underworld to retrieve her. I feel like Dionysus wants it more than he does. But Euridyce. I feel so sad for her. She lost her mother to Hera's cult. She dies tragically. Her stupid husband took her coin, so she can't even pass through to be Renewed and have a new life. She wasn't happy in her marriage, and she isn't happy in her death, and all I want is for her to succeed.

IDK if their goal was for us to dislike Orpheus, but if that is the goal, they've succeeded. Like, I want my heart to break for Orpheus. But I just feel like he's shitty. And I don't care about him at all.

And the other thing was small, but Theseus and Nax being in love was brushed over and not fully explicit and the Nax actor didn't play it well enough. Theseus actor was believably in love and heartbroken that Nax might die at Minos' hands, but Nax was almost playful, like his whole purpose was to reveal that Theseus was not for Ariadne rather than to truly be Theseus' lover. Which, again, feels like a director problem. They WROTE "Theseus is revealed to be gay and in love with Nax, the secret prince of Troy". He DIRECTED "and then we learn that Theseus is actually gay and Nax sassily reveals it to Ariadne because lol they're gay and she doesn't get the man isn't that amusing?" Which, again, is very 2009. Very "see? It's EDGY, the character is GAY! But not too gay, because eww, amirite?" And like, again, in a decade in which we have OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH and INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, that just doesn't work anymore. We have pirates and vampires being openly gay and kissing and being casual about how in love they are with their partners... and you play your gay Theseus as if it's edgy just to imply he's in love with this prince and that you don't need to show us that he is because you let the prince call him "babe" and let their hands touch a bit and let Theseus cry for him. Like? Coward shit, man, it's so outdated. I don't know how else to say it. Like, even having Nax just show an ounce of empathy for his partner who is terrified that he is going to be executed would have been enough, but Nax was just sassy and smirking and resigned to his fate as if it was just words on a script. Even a man who knew he was probably going to die because of his actions to save his people should have more emotion and conflict than just "Oh well, I'm not afraid to die, lol, Theseus babe stop crying omg lol"

Anyway, I think this was more negative than positive. But... I like the modern setting. I think it's fun. Very "Romeo + Juliet", which is I think what they were actually going for. I love the Fates and the Furies. I think they look so cool, and I think the gnc Fates was a great choice. I liked their Poseidon. Didn't like their Hades and Persephone, but there's nothing wrong with them, actually. I just don't like what they did with them personally.

I like Prometheus, and I like that he's serving as the narrator. I think that's interesting. I like that Zeus keeps summoning him and sending him back-- again, that casual cruelty thing that the show does so well. (Also, when Poseidon drowns the servant girl for no reason. That was very fun. Just, perfect Poseidon behavior-- he's such a piece of shit, and I love that this show decided to show us that.)

I also like the story it's trying to tell, with the three humans who are prophesized to bring down Zeus/the gods. I'm interested in seeing how that works out, and especially in seeing Eurydice's role in it. The show has a REALLY good premise, and has some REALLY nice elements. It's just, honestly, the execution that leaves something to be desired. Like, I feel like I'm pulling my hair out every time I try to watch an episode. Like, I pause every few minutes just to rant about something.

And to be fair, I'm a mythology girlie. I read a lot of mythology. I watch a lot of mythology shows and movies. I listen to mythology podcasts. Like, it's my special interest. But also, I understand completely when people adapt these myths to tell their own versions, or use these characters in their stories in ways that don't match the mythologies. I understand, and I've even done it myself. And so does the mythology. There are so many different versions of these gods, of their myths, so many different ways they were worshipped and things they were worshipped for-- it's perfectly on-brand to change them in your own ways for your own purposes. I don't think that's my problem with Kaos. I just think... I don't like how it was executed. It's a very "sounds good on paper" show, at this point. And I feel for the cast, because they're not doing a terrible job. It really feels like the problems are on the director/producer side. I even think what the writers wrote sounds better than what the creative team did with it.

And... that's all I'll say. I'm still going to finish the season. Maybe I'll give final thoughts after I finish the season. Sometimes things that you think are problems are there to pay something off in the end. But some of these things, IDK, I just think they're problems in general. And, like... I'm kinda disappointed, because I really want to like this show, and right now, I can't say that I do.

[1moreff-creator]

DR:OS - CH1 Part 1 First Impressions

Everyone stop the presses, peak just dropped!!! You all know what that means, I get to freak out over DROS’ awesomeness for a few hundred words! Here are my first impressions, as always don’t expect anything too cohesive or deep insight ‘cuz these are just initial reactions :)

CWs for CH1 (I haven’t read them because I don’t need them, but it’s still awesome they’re listed here :D)

“[Ellis’ Thoughts] Though I’m always down for some pillow talk…” Bro it’s the first line how are we sus immediately :v

“I wonder if, once I win, the staff here would let me use the facilities to host [a party], even if just for a day. Would it be too messed up to host something like that in a place where people I knew died…?

Eh, it’s not like people don’t die in regular houses and hotels, too.” Genuinely what is wrong with him I love it.

“Antonia: [This place] feels just like any other place I’d work.” Hi Antonia! Glad to see you’re still seemingly unbothered by this whole thing! Hopefully you’re not pulling a Celeste! :D

“Not me, though. I’m way too cool for employment.

Noah: I don’t think my dad would be happy if I failed out of college…

Harper: Even if it isn’t something I’m required to do, I have commitments I’m worried about letting down. There are people to help.

Paris: Plus, I’m sure all my followers are all totally worried about me! My friends, too…” LOOOORE- Well, mostly on Noah’s and Ellis’ part, funnily enough the Paris thing came up in Bonus Scenes lol.

“Jeff: Oh, definitely. Me not showing up is definitely something that would trigger alarm bells…” Is he being sarcastic? If so, that’s funny and also kinda sad, Jeff are you good?

“Aidan: Does it matter? Whether they’re out there looking for us or not, we should do whatever we think is best. If they find us, cool; it doesn’t change anything about how we handle this. Look for a way out, play house, I don’t care. But talking about if we’re going to get rescued or not is pointless.” Very good points! I like Aidan :)

“Kennedy: We should be talking about something important! Like the very real chance that there’s a mastermind among us…” BRO. I guess they’re the Ultimate Conspiracy Theorist for a reason, but holy hell that is a conclusion to jump to xD

“Kennedy: There’s some reason why they want to be here with us! We just have to figure out why…

Noah: Or, uh, they could not be here with us…

Kennedy: I know I’m right! Plus, who’s to say it stops there? If the mastermind wants someone to stand by them and protect them, look out for each other… there could be a traitor, too…!” Holy shit she’s insane! I love him so so much xD

{Also my color scheme is failing me. Too much orange T_T}

“Vivi: This whole thing’s crazy! Who’s to say the person running it isn’t, either? Like yeah, I’m curious to know what’s happening here, but Kennedy’s right. If we want out, our best bet is finding whoever’s running this thing!” I wonder if the Vivi-Kennedy duo will be a recurring thing, given their Bonus Scene interaction on top of Vivi taking Kennedy’s obviously insane side. I really enjoy them both together so I’d be ultra down for it, though obviously also fine if they never talk to each other past this point lmao.

[Aidan FTE 1: Start] Yo, FTE already??? And Aidan’s a really cool choice, I’m really curious where this is going to go, and how it’s gonna play out with DROS’ format. I was actually expecting accirax to pick Vanessa or Grace given they’re accirax’s guesses of first deaths, but maybe she just doesn’t take that into account when picking FTEs (makes sense). Still, I like this choice :)

“Aidan: Okay…? Do whatever you want, I don’t care. 

I look at him, eyebrows raised.

Ellis: Really? Anything I want? ‘Cause, I’ll have you know, I’ve been known to get up to some pretty wild stuff when left up to my own devices.” Aidan you had to have known what Ellis was gonna say to that xD

“Aidan: Aren’t you worried about the whole killing game thing?

I shrug. Do I really want to let Aidan know that I plan on surviving to the end with the power of luck? Or has he figured that out already, and simply decided to submit to his fate? 

I smile.

Ellis: I’ll believe it when I see it.” I mentioned in the Bonus Scenes first impressions that I love how every character seems to always be playing mind games, and that hasn’t stopped lmao.

“Aidan: I know other people care, and I can respect that. If they care enough about something to fight for it– even if that thing is as simple as their life– I wouldn’t get in the way of that.

Ellis: You think lives are simple…?

Aidan: Caring about your life is. Isn’t that, like, basic human instinct or whatever?” What… is wrong with him? lol. Pretty interesting mindset, I can’t exactly clock if he doesn’t care about his own life or if there’s a more “complex” thing he’s fighting for. Also, shoutout the cool contrast between Aidan seeing the goal of fighting for life as something simple and not something he really cares about, opposed to Vivi’s whole Deal about trying to conquer death.

“Aidan: I really don’t care what happens with any of this. So, if other people do, good for them. For now, what I know is that I’m here. That’s all.”

“[...] Either we’ll get out of here, or we won’t. In the meantime… it doesn’t really matter.” Okay, so definitely leaning on the “doesn’t really care about his life” angle, Aidan continues to be a really intriguing guy. This seems to be the end of the first FTE, which makes sense given there’s theoretically five for each character, and he’s leaving us with more questions than answers, which is always fun in a character :D

“If he dies, then 1) I don’t die (as a victim, at least) and 2) it means I’m one step closer to busting this joint.” I once again feel compelled to note I love Ellis a lot lmao.

“Ellis: Uh… Hang on, aren’t we not allowed to leave? Like, isn’t that literally rule number one?

Grace: We haven’t seen much proof of their ability to enforce it. It’s still possible they can’t enforce regulations beyond their boundaries, and they hope to inspire us with so much fear that we won’t even attempt to do so.” Grace is smart, I like them. Also, mm allegations are probably already dispelled with this alone, so I already have a (probably) wrong guess in the Prediction Game. I’m so good at this xD

“Vanessa: This place is pretty cool, if you actually take a look around! Why do you wanna leave so fast?” Conversely, Vanessa MM allegations?!?!?!- No.

“Vanessa: People were talking about that Tragedy thing, right…? What if it’s, like, really bad out there? It could be, like, not just a Japanese thing, and if that’s the case, then this is a great place to crash!

[...]

Grace: If the world is really in shambles outside, I’d like to know what happened to those I care about. So, my focus is on finding the fastest way out of this situation possible.” Just wanted to highlight an exchange I liked :)

“Grace: We discussed this at breakfast: is there a mastermind within our number? Someone responsible for orchestrating or running the killing game, who is included in the 16 contestants?

Monoquin: Yes.” … Just like that?!!?! Okay I guess Kennedy’s a damn deity I should have never doubted him xD I just find it funny this isn’t even a game-wide announcement, it’s just a question you can ask. So Monoquin’s not saying it to grow suspicion (else he’d say it to everyone), but he’s also not protecting the safety of the mm by lying about their presence within the cast. Hmmmmm… Interesting.

“Were we… buddies, before all this began?” Someone knows the common Dangan twists lmao xD

“Ellis: Isn’t it… kinda rude to your mastermind buddy to just be revealing all the deets like this?” Well, at least Ellis also thinks it’s odd :p

“Grace: And… the traitor? Was that true, too?

Monoquin: That is information I cannot divulge.

Jeff: Why’s the mastermind here, anyways? Couldn’t they just… leave? Watch the killing game or whatever from outside?

Monoquin: That is information I cannot divulge.” Hmm… Is there a reason the mm would have to run the game from inside? Or not and they really just chose to be here? Curious, very curious…

“Grace: …Vanessa, you do recognize that this means we do need to worry about the mastermind, don’t you?

Vanessa: Uh, I mean, we don’t have to–” Hey Vanessa the MM allegations thing was supposed to be a joke xD

{The fucking color coding broke down again already, this time with green, how did this happen???}

“Ellis: Ah, looks like I knew a ditcher, too! See ya.” Pfft-

“I mean, how am I supposed to flirt shamelessly if I know one of these cuties is the one behind our imprisonment? It was bad enough when I knew they all had daggers behind their backs, but now it’s like one of them has their finger on the nuclear launch button!” Bro we have ZERO trust-

Also I love Ellis’ mm reasoning, she sounds as crazy as me!

“Villains can be hot, anyways!” Just. Zero words. Holy hell.

“Davis: Basically, people find me attractive and overwhelmingly want whatever it is they want from me. Whether it’s a relationship, or sex, or anything else– however much they could ever want it from someone, they want it from me. [...] If someone could never be attracted to someone like me– gender, age, that kind of thing– it doesn’t seem to do anything. [...] No, it’s just for romantic or sexual desires, from what I can tell.” Pretty interesting Deal Davis’ got going on. Ultimate Bachelor is a hell of a talent apparently :p

“Aidan: I don’t think I’ve felt that way.

Davis: Are you attracted to men?

Aidan: Yeah? 

Davis: …Trans men?

Aidan: Sure?

Davis: …???

Ellis: Huh. That’s what happens when “Ultimate Contrarian” and “Ultimate Bachelor” collide, I guess.” What in the rock -paper-scissors ass talent bullshit is going on here??? I’m curious to see if Davis’ feelings about this will be explored further, whatever form that might take. Also Davis being trans is cool, we got some more LOOOORE-

{Now pink gave me issues?!?!?! Please my color coding-}

“Robert: These cookies are dangerous!

[...]

Robert: Well, this is some really high-quality stuff!” Robert is in another world entirely, love it.

“But, then, how could this killing game– apparently, the sixth of its kind– have found such actually notable people to participate in it? [...] Could this have something to do with the Tragedy that Paris and Vanessa have brought up before? The one that started in Japan? Or is this our own, home-brewed predicament, straight from the land of the free and the home of the brave? Either option seems ridiculous.” I love how Ellis just never seems to stop thinking about the Overarching plot lmao. 

“Mastermind, schmastermind…” Pfft-

“Kennedy: Ha! See? I told you all there was a mastermind!” PFFFT-

“Kennedy: There are plenty of things we can use to figure it out. For example, if there is a mastermind and a traitor… Harper and Noah! You two knew each other before the game, right?” She’s locking in immediately, he’s even crazier than I thought he’d be and it’s awesome.

“Kennedy: Or, Antonia and Ellis! They’re both casino people, right?” What did I say about the talent bringing MM accusations?!?! Kennedy sounds exactly like a Tumblr theorist (/affectionate) it’s actually incredible xD

“Vanessa: I thought it’d be fun if we all had to show off a talent that doesn’t relate to our Ultimate talent!” Ooh, that’s a really fun idea! Is that why Vanessa was featured Like That in the CH1 announcement? Really cool! Can’t wait to see how horribly wrong this goes :D Then again, it could go right if it’s that early in the chapter, which would be awesome, I actually kinda really wanna see this.

“Paris: Slay~” Aight Paris you gotta- you gotta stop saying that word. You can’t be bringing the Weeby Newz curse into this lmao 

“Ellis: Are you sure you all can handle my immense talents?

Vanessa: Give me whatever you’ve got! I’ll be judging, so don’t hold back~!

She winks.” Sorry what

“Grace: Isn’t this a waste of time?” Do I need to keep a counter of how many times Grace says this? Lmao.

“Jeff: Do I have to…?” Mood.

“I already know that my “talent” is gonna lead to tons of fun.” I am suddenly extremely worried about what Ellis is planning to do 0_o

Also I feel an FTE coming…?

[Jeff FTE 1: Start] Ooh… Not a choice I expected at all, but one I welcome wholeheartedly!

“Jeff: Might not even show up.

I stick my tongue out at them.

Ellis: Cheater. You know you’re not supposed to use your talents.” Ellis is hilarious lol.

“Ellis: But you don’t know exactly what about it is bad, then?

Other than, you know… the death? That seems a little too obvious to ignore, even if I’ve been trying.

Jeff: Nah. I never know exactly what it is, but I always get a feeling when it’s time to leave. And then, I leave, no questions asked.

Ellis: What an odd skill.” I’m inclined to agree with Ellis on this one. I wonder if we’ll get examples of stuff the Ultimate Absentee has avoided at some point.

“Jeff: If the weird rules of this place weren’t keeping me here, I’d already be cruising out on a private jet.” ??? Of all the people to be able to afford that, for some reason I never figured Jeff as one of them.

“If ominous foreshadowing was a talent, maybe Jeff could be the master of that as well.” Yeah lmao.

“Vanessa: Following the order of our lovely e-Handbook, first up, we have Jeff Breeze!” Btw thanks Venus for pointing out this order is just alphabetical through last name (aside from Mark who seems to be between Love and Mitchell because of their provisional name), it would have taken me an embarrassing amount of time to figure it out myself otherwise lol. 

The entire Jeff “performance” was hilarious btw, holy hell they’re all awesome xD

“Antonia: I… must admit, it’s a bit embarrassing, but… the skill I’m here to present today is juggling.” … ??? 

Of all the things to expect xD I love her.

“Antonia: My younger sister was quite a handful sometimes, so my parents would often ask me to entertain her. This was something that could keep her amazed for an hour, if I was lucky.” Wooow, Antonia lore :D That’s really sweet!

“Paris: Hey everyone! Today, I’ll be dancing to Toxic by Britney Spears~.” She’s great too actually.

“Paris winks with a dazzling smile. How “real” any of it is is less clear.” ??? Remember that thing I said about mind games? Yeah that lol.

“He grabs a clarinet (already assembled) from beside him and gets on stage– I guess he was prepared to perform, despite his grumbling? His ears are bright red.

Aidan: Here’s a song, or something…” Tsun-tsun! xD

“Taylor somewhat nervously gets on stage, setting up music similarly to how Paris did. When it starts, though, Taylor’s demeanor immediately shifts, and they begin to lip sync Born This Way by Lady Gaga perfectly, getting the timing and gestures spot on.” Lovely :D

“Vanessa: Impressive, yeah! However, it’s also kinda cheating? From what I can tell, you were just doing your best impression of the singer! Even if it wasn’t vocal, isn’t that true?” That’s what I was thinking, too. I wonder if Taylor just didn’t realize, or if they feel impressions are the only thing they’re good at, hmm… For later ig.

“Davis: Hey everyone. I’m going to be singing Mine by Taylor Swift.” Lots of musical “surrogate talents”, I like it!

“Kennedy: How is it that you grip everyone’s attention like that…?

Davis: It’s… really not anything that I do. It just happens.” Bro.

“Mark: Uh… I’m really sorry, but I don’t have anything.” Yeah tracks.

“Vivi: I have a lot of cool science tricks that I can show you guys! All medicine is founded in other branches of science, right?” YEAH let’s go!

“Vivi: Well, for starters, I was gonna show you guys this cool exploding bottle trick–

Vanessa: I think we’ll have to wrap yours up there!

Vivi: Wait, why? I know what I’m doing, and I promise it’s totally safe!

Vanessa: I’m sure that’s true, but um… anyways!” Aww… Well, don’t worry Vivi, they’re just jealous. Can’t handle a bad bitch winning smh.

“Vanessa: Ellis, it’s your turn!

Ellis: Aha! The moment you’ve all been waiting for~” I’m so worried.

“Ellis: Well, today, I plan to show off my real greatest talent. And that’s french kissing. Any volunteers?” Of course. Jesus Christ xD

“Vanessa: …Next contestant is Kennedy!” Once again no one can handle a bad bitch winning ig.

“Kennedy: Watch and learn.

He begins to perform a martial arts demonstration, kicking and punching in the air with decisive force.” Alright, another complete blindside, but an interesting one. I guess ‘cuz he’s paranoid about stuff?

“Kennedy: You never know what might be out there. I have to be prepared for everything. That’s why I wear these.

She shows off her hand, drawing attention to the spiked rings on her fingers.” Yeah that. Also, uh, don’t mind me…

Personal Note: Kennedy’s Spiked Rings. Kennedy wears spiked rings on her fingers.

Shush don’t tell venus and accirax I’m taking non-canon notes again. It’s a secret >:) (/silly)

“Aidan: Wouldn’t you only need those if your martial arts weren’t good enough? Besides–

Kennedy: It’s important to have the upper hand, no matter what. Multiple options keep your opponent on their toes!

Aidan: Your moves looked kind of amateurish, too. Have you ever actually trained, or are you just messing around?

Kennedy: Want me to demonstrate on you?” Okay I actually adore the beef these two got going on, it’s so awesome xD

“Robert: Hello, audience! Today, I’ll be reciting a poem: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost!

He begins to read it decently competently. The poem is good, but there’s nothing to get too excited about with his performance.” Yep, meeting expectations. Though uh, don’t mind me I gotta, uh, firefox a thing-

“The Road Not Taken” is an interesting poem to have Robert read. It describes a person standing before two paths which appear exactly equal, describing how they can only take one and doubting they’ll be able to take the other another day. The poem ends with the speaker revealing that, “ages” later, they’ll “tell with a sigh” that they took the road less traveled, and that it made all the difference (whether that’s good or bad is left up to interpretation).

The irony here being that, in the moment, both roads were actually observably equal, meaning the hindsight is actually deeply flawed. It expresses the common habit of humans to assign responsibility in themselves for choices that did not truly exist, as “way leads to way” per the poem. Both roads were interchangeable, especially as there were other decisions down the line which could have changed the course of the speaker’s life, but regardless they choose to blame it all on the illusory idea that they went against the majority, which they didn’t. Whether that’s to brag about a good decision or blame themselves for a bad one, the flaws in their hindsight remain the same.

Applying this to Robert is tricky, given how little we know about the characters, but there’s certainly a few connections which can be drawn. Although it’s hard to see how the hindsight angle would work for now, we can certainly try to find some correlation between Robert’s talent and the concept of “the road less traveled by.” There’s certainly a few ways we can take it, such as “Robert is scared that he’ll regret going against the majority in any decision he makes”, or a more philosophical message on the nature of normalcy. Both roads are equally traveled because it is not the decisions taken, but rather the act of choosing one which is “normal.” Some kind of take that everyone is unique, because even the act of always choosing the “majority option” is a statistically improbable path of action over the course of an entire lifetime.

Or, and what I find most likely at present, perhaps for this fangan we’re meant to take the sigh at the end as wistful, and Robert’s choice to recite this poem reveals a desire to stray from the norm, to take the road less traveled, in which his talent serves the same ironic purpose as the equality of the roads. He may wish to escape it, but his talent always guarantees that the roads he takes are the ones most traveled, and he’ll have to either make peace with that or die trying in the killing game. Though as always, very early to tell which, if any, of these interpretations are correct. Still a very interesting thing to ponder on. 

…

Sorry what happened? I blacked out and four paragraphs of text appeared on the document what’s going on. Did a fangan creator compel me to analyze literature? Again? Why would they do this?

“Grace comes up next, wheeling a bike onto stage with a tube of wrapping paper tucked under their arm.” Sorry what.

“Grace: I’ve developed quite a talent for gift wrapping difficult shapes, so I thought I would show you all.” This has gotta be like. The most specific thing I’ve ever heard Grace what.

“Grace: I only learned from packaging gifts in my family’s shop. Clocks can take on plenty of strange shapes.” More lore, pretty interesting!

“Cass: Hello, everyone. Today, I’ll be showing off my logical deduction skills.

They uncap a whiteboard marker and start filling in boxes.” You know I really fuck with this surrogate talent but how is she supposed to guarantee that she hadn’t just solved it before coming to the talent show? Like I imagine she asked the staff for it because I don’t see how else this works, but the point stands that she could’ve still solved it beforehand lol. 

“Vivi: Why is everything always about work with you…?

Cass: It’s important to me.” The question of the hour with Cass yeah.

I’m very curious as to what the puzzle is even supposed to look like lmao. What kind of logic puzzle even was it? We need the answers venus, the world has to know!

“Noah goes next, carrying an electric guitar with him.

Noah: Hey! I’m gonna perform a song I like.

Noah starts playing Eye of the Tiger by Survivor on his guitar, and he’s pretty good.” This got more stereotypical sentence after sentence I love it xD

“Harper: Hello, everyone. I don’t have much to do here on stage, but I can show my progress on my project.

Harper reveals a few squares of a detailed quilt in the making.” Aw, cute! I like it!

“Vanessa: I guess that makes it time to announce a winner!

There’s a winner? And they didn’t even let me compete?!” Yeah Vivi got robbed #LetViviBlowShitUp

Also kinda sad we didn’t see Vanessa’s surrogate talent, even though it makes sense ‘cuz she’s the judge. Next Q&A I’m asking her what she’d have performed if she hadn’t been judging. You know, assuming we can still ask stuff to the CH1 victim by then- what who said that. (<- ref to my prediction game post). 

“Vanessa: Davis!” Yeah figures.

“Vanessa: Taylor, you could’ve won, but I decided it was a little too close to your talent. Your performance was great, though!

Taylor: Huh???

Paris: Get it, bestie!

Taylor: Huh???“ Everyone loves Taylor it’s great :)

{I swear my color coding doesn’t usually fuck up this often what is going on}

“And, I can’t deny, I probably would have voted Davis as the winner as well. He’s just so… captivating.

…Gah, curse Davis and his stupid bachelor abilities! If he doesn’t like it when people flirt with him, why did life have to make it so hard…?” Bro. 

“Cass, Vivi, and Kennedy… I’m in for a wild ride.” I mean Cass is sorta normal if you ignore how insane they are about their job, but I can’t exactly defend the other two lmao.

Okay ignore me they’re all equally insane about the mastermind. I love the little conspiracy theorist trio that formed here xD

“Ellis: Isn’t the mastermind’s identity the kinda secret that we’re supposed to figure out “when the time is right” or whatever?

Kennedy: As the Ultimate Conspiracy Theorist, it’s my job to lead everyone to the heart of the truth!” I love how “trope aware” Ellis seems to act at times, and Kennedy’s determination is fun. 

“Vivi: It’s just a hypothetical, right? We’re not even naming names, so it’s just harmless fun.” Vivi I feel there’s more harmless forms of fun than breeding suspicion in a killing game, but then again I guess your concept of “harmless” is supposedly pretty skewed so :p

“Ellis: Well, maybe they feel left out. It’s no fun to be picked last for mastermind kickball.

Vivi: I wonder who was picked last for the killing game…” …What the fuck are we even talking about??? xD

“Cass: I have a couple leading theories.

Kennedy: Tell me.” Man, Paris should be in the conversation, we have Kennedy asking to spill the tea in her stead lol. 

“Cass: …it’s… not fitting for an agent to talk negatively about people.” Cass is never beating the “obsessed with work” allegations are they.

“Mastermind, mastermind, mastermind… is that really all anyone can think about?” You know Ellis I think it’s just these three lmao :p

I love all the mastermind pondering that Ellis is doing despite the repeated assertions that he wouldn’t, he’s got zero self awareness and that’s very fun of her I think.

Also.

“Anyone who wastes their time thinking about all the various [mastermind] possibilities is clearly just some nerd stuck in a paranoid conspiracy hell.” Lol, lmao even xD You didn’t have to call us all out like that you know! /silly

Canon Notes:

Staff Members

Customer Service Desk

Monoquin’s Hands

Killing Game Explanation

Personal Notes:

Clockmaker’s Intuition

Kennedy’s Spiked Rings

-

This was an awesome episode! I really loved the talent show, it was really fun and cute and it’ll be awesome to think back on it when things inevitably get worse and we wonder where it all went wrong! Lots of interesting insight into a lot of very cool characters, too, so much fun stuff! It’s great to see so many engaging dynamics forming already, I can’t wait to see more! Very excited for whatever comes next! See ya’! :D

[steddieas-shegoes]

how lovely to love them

for @strangerthingsocweek prompt 'love in every form'

rated t | 909 words | cw: mention of alcohol/being drunk | tags: side steddie, side platonic stobin, meg needs a break, meg gets a break, established relationship

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

Meg looked at Gareth. Then Eddie.

“And you two thought you could just get away with that?”

They looked at each other and back at her.

They shrugged in sync.

“Getting drunk and flipping the furniture of the hotel room upside down.”

They shrugged again.

Meg had a migraine, a Corroded Coffin induced migraine.

“Where was Jeff?”

“His room.”

“That’s why he’s my favorite.”

“You’re lying. We all know Gare Bear here is your favorite,” Eddie said as he pulled Gareth into his side and rubbed his hair. “He just had a little too much tequila.”

“And your excuse?” Meg crossed her arms over her chest, raised an unimpressed brow.

“Steve abandoned me.”

Meg rolled her eyes. “Him and Robin have platonic soulmate night every other Thursday night. You never do this shit. Try again.”

“I had bottom shelf vodka.”

Meg nodded, her worst fear confirmed. “And how did that happen? Who let that happen?”

“I’m not a kid! I just forgot to ask for the better stuff in my drinks and then it was too late,” Eddie protested. “We fixed it; Why are we still in trouble?”

“Because this kinda shit can’t happen again. It’s funny when it happens once, but then a rock band gets blacklisted from all the decent hotels because of what they’ve done in the past.” Meg rubbed her hands over her face and through her hair, taking a deep breath. “This time it’s fine, but if it happens again, you’re on an alcohol ban until the tour is done. Period.”

“But-“

“No!” Meg pulled them both into hugs. “I know it was harmless and you were gonna fix it anyways. I know you guys rarely even drink or do stupid shit like this. But I love you guys and people are stupid about rockstar shit like that. I don’t want you to ruin your careers over something silly.”

Just when she started to pull away, Steve barreled through the door with Robin, Jeff, and Freak behind him.

“What happened?” He asked, rushing to Eddie, pulling him towards him and checking him over for any physical evidence of something being wrong. “I just saw the texts.”

“I’m fine.” Eddie kissed his nose. “Meg didn’t kill me.”

“Was that on the table?” Steve turned to look at Meg, who was busy whispering with Robin. “What did you do?”

As Eddie and Gareth explained their side of things, Robin pulled Meg further from the group.

“Sorry it took so long to get back here. We may have had a little too much wine ourselves,” Robin half-apologized, though there was no need for one. “I promise we came as soon as we got your texts.”

“It’s okay. I smoothed it over and everything’s fine,” Meg sighed, letting her head drop to Robin’s shoulder. “They’re gonna give me gray hairs. Will you still love me when I have to box dye my hair every four weeks?”

“I will love you even when you have wrinkles the size of a canyon on your face, my love,” Robin kissed the top of her head. “But I’d rather that not be at the very young age of 27. You need a break.”

“The tour-“

“The tour doesn’t need a break. You do,” Robin wrapped her arms around her, squeezing just above her waist the way she liked. “Steve agrees. He’s gonna cover for you while we take a few days off.”

“But-“

“I love you. They love you. That’s why you’re doing this. And when you’re back, the boys will be nice and behaved because Steve’s gonna make them regret they ever fucked up in the first place, right dingus?” Robin yelled across the room.

“Yeah. Community service hours in the form of helping me study for my midterms as punishment!” Steve knew they hated having to sit still and work on flash cards for hours. It was the perfect punishment.

Meg looked at Robin, then at her boys across the room. “So where are you taking me?”

“Lake Tahoe since we’re already close. You’re gonna shut off your phone and everything will go through me first. I’m like a pasta strainer,” Robin pointed at the boys. “They’re the noodles I’m holding back.”

“Okay, fine. But Steve has to promise to call if there’s a real emergency,” Meg agreed.

“I will!” Steve yelled from Eddie’s lap on the couch.

“And if there’s an emergency of someone’s creation, I’ll kill them. And then you.”

“I’m sure you will!” Steve was smiling at her, then turning back to Eddie with a serious face. “If you fuck this up, I’ll come back from her killing me just to kill you again, do you understand?”

“Sir, yes sir,” Eddie smirked at him before saluting at Meg.

“Alright losers. Come give me a hug,” Meg said. She’d never left them alone while on tour, or recording, or album release tours, or anything.

They piled into her one by one, hugging her and telling her to relax and have fun.

“I love all of you idiots,” she said fondly. “But if you bother me for anything less than someone dying or a show getting canceled, you will never see me again.”

***

As she walked with Robin to their Uber taking them to the airport, she reached for her hand and squeezed it.

“Isn’t it kinda nice to love so many people in so many ways?” She asked.

Robin squeezed her hand in response. “Yeah, we’re pretty lucky.”

[sugarsfics]

Prom

Summary: Eddie doesn’t do prom but you do. So he shouldn't be mad that someone else asked you out right? 

A/N: Edit of Eddie at Prom is from @eddiemunsons-missingnipple

Trope: Eddie x reader; Friends to lovers 

Warning: Tiny hurt a lot of comfort, cussing, bad writing, metion of drug, kissing,  

Word count: 2.0k 

Prom…..You love prom, well the idea of it you've never been to one, getting dressed up being a prettier version of yourself, and dancing all night with your friends. Ever since you learned what prom was you fantasized about it,in sixth grade you watch your sister go to prom. You have a tight bond with your sister you tell her everything and vice versa, she knows about your crush, she is currently pursuing her dreams of being a fashion designer so sadly she will not be able to see you or help you get ready for prom like you did her. You went dress shopping with her, watched her do her makeup, getting in the car with her date, you begged you parents to let you stay up till she came home you wanted to hear very detail of her night. You hung on to every word, imagining yourself in her shoes. You dream of that moment. It was finally prom season, your senior prom, you only wanted to go with one person Eddie Munson.

Eddie Munson, the man you have been crushing on since he moved to Hawkins. He was your dream boy, your fantasy man, you had Kirk Hammett, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Slash poster all over your wall Eddie fit right into your type. But you never knew his type he never spoke about girls, other than a fair maiden in his campaign that sounded a little too much like you but you are not going to feed into your delusions. But he makes it very clear on how he feels about couples and prom especially prom. The couples thing you kinda understand the making out in the halls, the overly saying I love you too the point it has no meaning, the list could go on. But with prom he hated everything about it the dressing, overly expensive ticket, the dancing, the music, being in a place with people that he hated, so you weren’t surprised to his answer to Jeff’s question.

“Ahh prom time again” he said while looking at all the posters advertising it in the hallway “Did you buy your ticket Eddie” he gave Jeff a glare “Hell no why would I waste my so little money I have on that” the boys laugh with Eddie “Well I did” you exclaimed. There heads snapped fast “What” “Yeah I brought my ticket like the first day tickets went on sale” you beamed “Why would you do that” Eddie said “I unlike you I want to go to prom so I am going and bought my ticket “Oh thank god I bought me one too” Joe added. Joe was new to the school he fit right in with you guys. He had brown eyes, light brown curly hair on the shorter side, he was cute but he wasn’t Eddie. “At least I won’t be alone now” you laugh, not aware of Eddie’s stare at the interaction. “Maybe we can go together like a date” Joe said Date you are going to have a date to prom. You face light up as Eddie’s fell “Yes I would love that”

Hellfire club had a spoken unspoken rule no one can date you. Why? Eddie Munson has the biggest crush on you but won’t say it. All the boys knew about Eddie’s crush, Eddie didn’t tell them, it was obvious. He would stare at you when talking, he made a seating chart for the lunch table an DnD having you right next to him, you were the only one aloud to touch his music, your taste in music help a lot with that one. So about a year ago you and Eddie were both in lunch detention when the boys made the rule, also thinking of ways to get you guys together. All the boys knew except Joe he was late to the group now Eddie is staring at him wishing Joe’s head would explode.

Eddie came to lunch the next day flabbergasted, Joe was sitting next to you he shouldn't be there he should be on the other side next to mike at the end, he place him there for a reason for he wouldn’t be anywhere near his girl, you, he means you, not really. “Um what are you doing” he asked “Oh hi Eddie” you chirped with a smile, he loved your smile, “We were just discussing prom and didn’t want to do it shouting across the table” “Well my sweet y/n there are rules and a seating chart so” he slowly turned to Joe “Get going to your seat” you looked at Joe apologetically “It’s fine we can just meet up later” “Oh yeah duh I forgot we could see each other outside of school” you joked. What have I done Eddie thought now they are going to hang out after school alone.

Eddie was moody well moodier then normal when Friday came around, tomorrow was prom he knew by Monday that would be the talk of the school, between you and Joe. You and Joe, he hated the thought of you too together making memories what if you kiss tomorrow night, what if you start liking Joe, what if you walked in hand in hand with Joe Monday morning all because he didn’t tell you, his feelings. He knew how much you like prom he loved watching your eyes lit up when talking about it he wanted to take you. When you said you bought your ticket, he was going nonchalantly say something along the lines of “I will go since you are going to be lonely” but stupid Joe bet him to it. When he sat down at lunch, he couldn’t help but smile at your excitement. You looked like a little puppy full of energy waiting to go outside, he wished you were that excited because of him.

You woke up to your sister jumping on your bed “Wake up little girl it’s prom time” You jumped out of bed and hugged your sister. “You came” “How could I miss you big day, the day you have been dreaming about forever” you blushed “Ohh shush not forever” yes, yes you have. “Now let’s go eat my made breakfast then we can start on your hair” she squealed grabbed your hand then you both ran downstairs click you have been blinded by the flash “Ay mom” “Sorry miha but you know about me and my pictures” “But I'm just getting up” “And you are holding hands with your sister so picture moment” she sassed “Now come and sit” After breakfast your sister got to work with you hair. She curled it and put it into a low half up after down style with a black bow to match your dress. Your dress was a beautiful black dress, it was a mid-length black sparky tulle with bows on the shoulder, you paired it with some black flats you really wanted to wear heels, but you can’t walk let alone dance in them. You did your makeup, nice sharp black eyeliner, with some black on the water line, a nice matte dark red color. It was perfect.

Eddie was stressing out, the hellfire club was over, he told them that they would do a one-shot, but he just wasn’t in the game. He got up and went to the bathroom when uncle Wayne walked out “Is that boy still in a funk” “Yep” said Jeff “We need to find out why” “Oh we know” then Eddie walked out and all eyes were on him “What” “Eddie” Gareth started “You should go” “Are you kicking me out my own house” “No you should go to prom” “There is no way I am going” “What up with prom” Wayne asked “Nothing I’m not going” “Say where is Y/N” Wayne said “At her house getting ready for stupid prom probably all dolled up and gorgeous for stupid Joe” he growled Wayne gave a knowing look “Ah I see are you sure you don’t want to go the prom” “Yes I'm sure I am not going unless it is with Y/N-” he eyes got wide did he just say that out loud. The boys laugh "FINALLY" "Finally what do you mean finally" “We will explain later but now we have to get you too prom”Dustin said “But-” “No buts" Wayne cut in "you are going to get the girl” They quickly ran around the house trying to find nice clothes for Eddie the found a black button up, a pair of none ripped jeans, and one of Wayne black blazers, he fixed his hair to look tamed and was out the door. Now he had to go to your place and find a way into prom.

Joe got there in a black and white tuxedo, a little basic tbh, your mom snapped her pictures then you headed toward the car he was driving you there. The ride was quiet low music playing your mind wondered imaging Eddie being in Joe’s position, but no. Eddie was driving like a maniac to your house, he got there then ran to your doorsteps and knocked, your sister answered “Hey? Can I help you” “Hi” he said out of breath “Is- um- is y/n here” “No she just left” “shit” he said under his breath “Your Eddie aren’t you” Yeah why” “Just wondering” she said with a smirk she was definitely telling you this tonight. He ran back to the van and sped out the driveway to the school. He parked in the back that was close to the exit of the gym. He waited a good 5 long minutes till someone opened the back door, Robin. “Hurry in loser” “How did you know” “Dustin told me.” He was about to reply that he saw you, you looked like a fallen angel so perfect then Joe came into view, and he rolled his eyes. “Go get her” Robin said as she pushed him. You made eye contact Eddie you mouthed. Eddie jogged to you “Hey fancy seeing you guys here” “Eddie what are you doing here” “Listen we need to talk” “And it couldn’t wait till after” “Nope” he dragged up away “Eddie what is-” “Please before you date Joe listen to me” “Date Joe? Why would I date Joe?” “Because you like him right I mean he is your date to prom so” “I don’t like him like that” “Then why are you his date” “Were you going to ask me and be mine” “Yes” “See I- wait what” “Yes I was, I was going to ask you literally at the same moment that Joe did but he speak 2 seconds before those 2 seconds have been haunting me since then” Eddie wanted to take you to prom “Wow I- Wow" “I know you probably would have said no so maybe it was a good thing-” Eddie felt your lips on his he melted into the kiss your lips were so soft. You ended the kiss and giggled when Eddie chased after your lips “I would have said yes if that wasn’t proof enough” he smirked “I think I need more proof” he grabbed your waist and pulled you in but then a cough interrupted, you both turn to see Joe “Joe I am sorry” “Its ok I had a feeling this would happen” “Listen I-” “Y/n its fine we came as friends it is very obvious about you too I swear I thought you guys were dating when I first met you” “Oh” you blushed “Have fun Y/n, Eddie treat her well” “You know I will” he teased and winked at you. "Oh I sorry Eddie my lips left a stain let me-" "No" he grabbed your hands "I want everyone to know I kiss the prettiest girl in Hawkins" Eddie danced with you all night. He bribes them with $20 and some weed to play some Metallica. The night ended with Eddie driving you home, kissing you on your doorstep “Until tomorrow my queen” he bowed and kiss you hand “Tomorrow” you questioned “What is tomorrow” “Oh yeah I forgot to tell you we have a date” He got into his van and watch you walk in before going into the living finding your sister on the couch waiting for you “Tell me everything”