#and ron does get a load of that guy…eventually

[daddiesdrarryy]

Hermione: Look at Blaise bragging about all the people he’s slept with. It’s sorta pretentious, don’t you think?

Harry: Yeah. Get a load of that guy, Ron

Ron: I’M TRYING!

Hermione & Harry: …

[someonechaotic]

I got no images but loads of sims drama

as I am still unable to access the online world upon my computer, I’m stuck with no images once again. However, this save is chaotic enough that if I didn’t talk about it I’d regret it,

so introducing My Saved Game 40, with the household Big Oh No, I need to introduce al the sims but that will be under the cut to prevent me from accidently bombarding your poor page

Alright, so I started with 7 sims (this is important trust me) my sims being:

Zaidan, also nicknamed hot werewolf dilf for reasons that would be obvious if I had a picture but for now you gotta trust me on this, always punching punchbags or working out or bullying monochrome motherfucker Ron

Dumbass, I introduced him already in my first blog along with photos, he’s human, he’s stupid and he’s back for more

Vito, comedic genius with a love for food, would actually probably try to marry ice cream, human (was) and yea

Angel, literally does fuck all in this save except get extremely jacked and I mean JACKED his piss would probably break the moon in half

you know where I got that from

Ron, Vampire that also does nothing except be bullied, a few things I’ll tell later and play the violin, and go literally insane over hip hop music what is this guys problem

magdaleno, also does nothing, alien, yeah

And Ainsley, yeah you can tell which two sims I focused on this save huh… Vampire rockstar yeah

My save starts of pretty normal, Clemente frost asking my sim if he wants to go to Batuu, zaidan and Ron arguing as dumbass is in the background playing video games, nothing much really happens within the first few days other than dumbass getting a job and me adding a pool,

it’s only until a sim week? Is when all the sudden, magdaleno decides he’s a mermaid just like Angel and tries to sleep in the fucking pool.

let’s just say he definitely didn’t wake up from that sleep. But I don’t know if his death cursed my household or not, because all the sudden my sims started dropping like flies,

after I had gotten Magdaleno’s ghost into my household I saved my game, a couple of uneventful minutes go by, or what I thought were uneventful minutes, because I realise that some time between now and retrieving magdaleno I’m back down to six sims

I check my sims, Zaidan… Dumbass… Magdaleno… Ains… Vito???? WHERES VITO?

So I start panicking and searching through the house like it’s home alone

Eventually I go into vitos room and find a fucking urn, no death scene, no camera movement, he just died without a warning from laughter

after that panic is over, I start panicking again, because now my stupid fucking vampire Ainsley has drank from dumbass and is now running across the sunny streets possessed

so now they’re dead too I’m screaming grabbing vito and getting him to plead for Ainsley but it’s too fucking late and the grim jeeper already has their soul in hand probably sick of seeing my household

anyway, 3 ghosts in household later and it’s werewolf time, during all this, dumbass has been befriending the werewolf in the household, me and my friend then decided that werewolf dumbass is just what this world needs, one cursed bite later and dumbass nearly starving to death and now we have two werewolves feraly roaming the household

Now, this is where I find my new found love for werewolves, I always doubted werewolves in this game cause idk I didn’t like how they looked, but finally playing them, I really enjoy them, gotta play a wolf who does nothing but terrorise sims still….

anyway, also found out werewolves and possession dont mix….

for some reason, what I thought would be a goofy mess also turned ot wholesome, because my Veteran werewolf Zaidan ended up mentoring Dumbass through it in a way, and in no time Dumbass was already a uh WHATS the fucking rank called the one before veteran I forgot but he went up in the ranks pretty darn fast

and then my other dumbass vampire sim drank from him, became pissed, then became possessed and then also proceeded to die in the same way my other vampire did

I swear these fucking vampires don’t Leeann a Fucking lesson

a couple of sims days go by pretty uneventfully, dumbass becomes more celebrity I guess, but that’s all, that is until my ghost, Ainsley, gets FUCKING ABDUCTED by aliens

and this is where I say “oh for fucks sake that was for dumbass, you can’t get impregnated by aliens”

little did I know. I guess dumbass’s alien luck is only passed down to werewolves who decide to make him one of them, because next thing I know my hot werewolf dilf Zaidan is up in the sky in a UFO

I didn’t think that much of it when he came back, just thought “oh for fucks sake that one was for dumbass too you bitch”

but when I click on the spaceship with him accidently, I find out too early that he’s FUCKING PREGNANT!?!

so this is where I REALLY panic, it was already tough enough fitting seven sims in the house, let alone a fucking eighth

also I was not fucking prepared for a fucking child on the way, and neither was zaidan

so he gives birth to a boy that I forgot his name but quickly became obsessed with zaidan and his child because I noticed that zaidan would only sleep on the floor next to his child’s crib and I have way too many photos of this on my computer because it’s fucking adorable

nothing much really happens after that, my ghosts are afraid of ghosts, zaidan raises a surprisingly great child, dumbass continues to be a pain in the ass with his werewolf temptrements can’t fucking spell the word but SERIOUSLY THEY GAVE MY TECHIE SIM WHO WORKS AS A TECH GURU FUCKING EASILY EXCITABLE, GRUMPY WOLF AND I FORGOT THE OTHER ONE BUT HE CANT BE INSIDE FOR LONG TIMES I swear I’m gonna put his fucking computer outside

if you don’t know easily excitable is when the werewolf gains fury by being playful, watching TV and, get this, playing video games

this has ruined my geek tech guru techie sim this man’s life literally runs on video games come on

grumpy wolf is where they need to sleep more times else they also gain fury which also happens right when dumbass needs to go outside so good job I got him Wolf Nap while I did

and I think his last one he got given was Prideful which wasn’t too bad I don’t think but these are a pain in the ass already

[harrysweasleys]

The Name of the Game

Request: Would you do a George Weasley imagine where at a party he gets jealous when his crush who’s Golden Trio’s Slytherin friend has to kiss Draco Malfoy during a game of spin the bottle but it turns into anger when he finds out that Draco charmed the game to get her, even though the reader can’t stand Draco?

Warnings: none

Word Count: 3.7k

A/N: i had a lot of fun writing this! requests are open and gif isn’t mine! x

-

George Weasley was a lot of things. He was confident, he was brave, he was bold, he was a troublemaker, and he was smitten.

When George first saw you, donned in your usual emerald Slytherin gown, he noticed how your H/C hair fell in lose strands around your face, how the shimmer in your eye as you giggled with your friend seemed to draw him in, and how your dazzling smile took his breath away.

But, naturally, due to his pride and the fact that you were indeed a Slytherin, he forced himself to completely push you out of his mind. It was hard, you did end up having a few classes together — which made George wonder how he’d never noticed you before.

And so he tried to ignore how you looked in the light of the setting sun in the Great Hall during dinner, or how pleased you looked when receiving your grades in different classes, or how you hid your laughter behind your hand when George and his twin pulled off another successful prank that no doubt also ended with a pissed off Filch.

But all that ignoring became quite difficult when you became friends with Harry and Hermione, eventually ending with you befriending Ron as well. You’d hang out with them in the library, come to talk to them at their table in the Great Hall, and you even cheered on Gryffindor when they were playing Quidditch — when Slytherin wasn’t their rival, of course.

“She’s different from other Slytherins,” Hermione defended you when fellow Gryffindors would talk about how befriending a Slytherin was a betrayal of house pride.

So, all in all, George found it hard to keep you off his mind. Not that he minded, really. He found you the prettiest person he’d ever seen. But at the same time, he had never actually spoken a single word to you. Fred had absolutely adored teasing him about it, but all in all, George was determined to make himself known to you.

So, one day, as you were standing over Hermione at lunch time in the Great Hall, the two of you deep in conversation about the Arithmancy assignment you had been given, Fred whacked George over the shoulder with a smirk.

“Oi, it’s your secret girlfriend,” Fred nodded his head in your direction, causing George to roll his eyes and smack his twin right back.

“Shut your face, you git,” he spat back, trying to hide the flush on his cheeks as the two made their way over to the empty seats between Ron and Ginny.

As George took his seat, he looked up at you and flashed you a kind smile, which you retaliated. His heart lept and he had to look down at his breakfast plate to keep himself from grinning at you like a fool.

“Mornin’ Y/N!” Fred grinned at you, elbowing his brother harshly in the ribs.

“Oh — hi,” you smiled back shyly, “Good morning, I mean.”

Fred squinted his eyes at George, who was glaring at him to the point where he could feel his eyes burning into his own. But, George remained silent, picking at the breakfast sausage that was on his plate with a sulky expression.

“Y/L/N, fraternizing with the enemy again?” you jumped back at the sound of Malfoy’s voice, and George took immediate notice of how tense your body became. Clearly some Slytherins weren’t fond of Malfoy either.

“Just because they’re your enemies, doesn’t make them mine, Malfoy,” you replied cooly, crossing your arms and turning to face him with your nose held high, “If you had no other intention than to come here and tell me off, I would much rather you save your voice.”

George’s eyebrows shot up as he watched you stand up to Malfoy, who they had all tried their absolute best to avoid in all their years of schooling.

Malfoy didn’t respond, but he shot a glare at Harry and Ron before stalking off to the Slytherin table.

“Anyways,” you returned to your conversation with a softer voice, “I’ll see you later in class.”

Hermione bid you a good day and returned to her food, before you came rushing back over with a frantic expression, “Oh — almost forget, we’re hosting a party in the Slytherin common room tonight. One of my fellow Slytherins, Blaise Zabini, he’s just been arranged a marriage so we’re celebrating. He’s pretty happy about it. And I don’t think he has a problem with you all so you’re welcome to come.”

Your eyes flickered to George before looking across to the rest of the gang, hoping they’d accompany you to a party you didn’t feel like going to.

George felt his heart flip. This could be a chance to talk to you. He nudged Fred in the knee, and his twin flashed a wicked grin.

“Course we’ll be there,” Fred smiled at you, “Georgie and I never miss a party.” Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny all agreed to accompany you as well.

You grinned, your eyes twinkling, “Perfect. I’ve heard you two boys know how to liven a party.”

And with a quick wink in the direction of the twins, you walked gracefully back to the table of your house.

“If you don’t chat her up tonight, I’m going to be disappointed, mate,” Fred shook his head, shoving a piece of toast in his mouth as George shot him a look. It was rare he was speechless, but he found himself struggling to find anything to say in the moment, the butterflies fluttering violently in his stomach as he thought of the events that might unfold.

— —

The Slytherin common room was more packed than you had ever seen it. There were people from loads of different houses, each wearing casual clothing and making them all indistinguishable. The fireplace was roaring and the windows were open, letting a fresh breeze roll through to manage the temperature.

As Hermione led the way in, followed closely by Harry and the Weasleys, they were immediately overwhelmed by the sound of music and the heat of so many bodies.

George wore a casual long sleeved shirt with a little logo on the right chest pocket, and what he called ‘his best pants’ — which were really just a pair of old black jeans. As soon as he stepped in the room, he thanked his genetics for making him so tall as he could easily crane his neck around the room in search for your familiar Y/C/H hair.

And he spotted you almost immediately.

“Oh! It’s Luna! She never goes to these things — I’m going to say hi,” Hermione pushed her way through the crowd and disappeared. Ron followed after her, and Fred made his way towards the snack table where he aimed to hide a few Skiving Snackbox treats. George, however, was glaring down the Slytherin boy you were currently speaking to.

He had his hand on the wall near your head, his face way too close to yours for George’s liking. He wasn’t sure why he was feeling stupidly jealous, it’s not like he’s ever even spoken to you.

“Just go, mate,” Fred gave George a shove and sent him tumbling into the crowd, muttering apologies for bumping into a group of Hufflepuffs by the fireplace. He made his way straight towards you, his heart pounding loudly, and stopped as soon as your eyes locked on his.

“Oh — hi, George,” you smiled up at him, turning your attention away from the dark haired Slytherin boy who stalked off now that he has lost your attention, “You came!”

“Of course,” George grinned despite the nervous flutters in his heart, “It’s a lot busier than I expected, to be quite honest.”

You giggled, looking around the room with a curt nod, “It always turns out crazier than expected. Zabini really wanted to go all out, says it’s like his — what do muggles call it — Bachelor party.”

George raised his eyebrows and moved closer to you and out of the way of the crowd so people could walk by without stepping on his feet, “Does he even know half of these people?”

“Doubt it,” you replied, lifting your hand to push your hair out of your face, “And neither does the bride. In fact, she doesn’t even go here. She’s from Paris.”

George nodded, not sure what to say. He didn’t even know Zabini, so the wedding information didn’t mean much to him.

“I noticed Fred spiking the snacks,” you smirked up at George after a moment of silence, “Knew you guys would make this interesting.”

He felt his cheeks turning pink, but brushed it off with a confident grin, “If you knew that, why’d you never invite us before?”

He felt a surge of pride as a blush rose to your cheeks, and you let your hair fall back over your face to hide it, “Can I be honest? You guys are a little intimidating.”

George’s eyes widened, “Are we now?”

He was quite pleased you had paid enough attention to him to even be intimidated. Not that that’s how he wanted you to feel, but it was better than nothing.

“Yes!” you chuckled, swatting at his arm to rid him of his proud smirk, “I never know when you two are lurking about a corner, ready to drench someone or give them a nosebleed nougat.”

“You even know the names,” George’s smirk widened, “Nicely done. But don’t worry, stay on our good side and you won’t have to suffer.”

You laughed, tossing your head back, and George thought it was the prettiest sound in the entire world. He would listen to you laugh all day if given the chance.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“HEY! GAME TIME!” Goyle stood up on a table, waving his hands to get everyone’s attention. George, wanting to hex him for ending his conversation with you, turned to face him with a scowl.

“Oh, boy, this always happens,” you groaned, “They pick some lame teen game to play and someone always ends up either hurt or heart broken,” George nodded at your words, “It’s usually Parkinson. She’s in love with Malfoy, you see.”

“Wait — hold up,” George whispered back to you with a shocked tone in his voice, “There’s a person out there who loves that git?”

You covered your mouth to hide your giggle, “Apparently. Didn’t think it was possible.”

George shook his head, a bewildered expression on his face, and turned back to face Goyle, who had now silenced the room with his cry for attention.

“The man of the hour, Zabini, has chosen spin the bottle!” he announced, a creepy grin on his overly round head. George could feel you sulk from next to him, you head hitting the wall with a disappointed thump.

“Again?” you groaned, “We played this last time.”

Before George could respond, a familiar head of platinum hair pushed through the crowd and appeared in front of you, “Spin the bottle, huh? Always a good game if you want to impress someone.”

George had no idea what Malfoy was trying to get at, but by the look on your face, he had probably tried this before.

“Or a bad one if you want to get away from someone,” you quipped back, squinting your eyes.

George could feel the strange tention between you two, and he had a strong feeling that Malfoy’s likeness towards you was one sided.

“Right — you left last game,” Malfoy nodded his head, “Right after Crabbe spun it and it landed on you.”

George coughed to cover his laugh. He could only imagine how furious Crabbe was to be rejected publicly like that.

“Well, give Crabbe my apologies. I didn’t feel like kissing a slug,” you gave Malfoy a sarcastic smile and grabbed George’s hand, pulling him over to the circle and away from the blond, “Sorry about him. Do you want to join?”

George could help but think about what it would be like if he played and got to kiss you. He had been wanting to make a move for quite some time, and sure, this wasn’t the best way to have a first kiss, but he couldn’t think straight right now. Your hand was intertwined in his and you were looking up at him with such a gentle smile, he couldn’t help but give in.

“Sure.”

So the two of you took your places around the circle, sitting next to each other. Only about twenty people had decided to play, Fred and Ron were seated across George, and Hermione and Harry were watching with judgemental eyes from the other side of the room.

“Zabini, since it’s your party, you go first,” a Slytherin girl spoke up, twirling a strand of blonde hair around her finger and batting her eyelashes.

Zabini grinned, spinning the bottle quickly. It landed on Alicia Spinnet, a girl on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, who shrugged her shoulders and leaned over, meeting Zabini’s lips with her own. Wolf whistles made their way across the group and both of them looked slightly flushed when pulling away.

George could feel how tense you were, and had to admit even he felt slightly out of place himself.

Alicia spun it next, and ended up kissing Theo Nott from Slytherin, who ended up kissing Pansy Parkinson.

Eventually, Zabini spoke up and requested that Malfoy — who he called his best friend ever — got a turn. As he leaned forward to reach the bottle, George tried to ignore the bubbling jealousy as Malfoy shot a wink your way, his eyes lingering on you.

And sure enough, after Malfoy spun the bottle, it landed on you.

George felt his blood boil, and he could see the uncomfortable expression on your face without even looking at you.

“Great,” you muttered, pulling your sleeves down and hiding your hands, a nervous habit George had noticed you do in class.

“You don’t have to kiss him,” he whispered to you, hoping to ease your consious.

“That’s the point of the game, isn’t it?” you asked grimly, leaning forwards to the eager Malfoy. You pressed your lips to his quickly, pulling away before either of you could register the kiss happened. George looked away, his heart skipping beats and his hands becoming clammy.

This was torture.

Malfoy pulled away and sat back down, smirking proudly. While you, on the other hand, were back to hiding behind your hair.

“Your turn to spin, Y/N,” Zabini slurred, “Get it!”

You leaned forwards, spinning the bottle quickly to get it away from you. But, to both you and George’s horror, the bottle landed on Malfoy.

“Little git,” George sneered, hating this game with every ounce of his being.

George turned away as you once more, leaned towards the middle of the circle and quickly put your lips on Malfoy’s before pulling away hastily, wiping your lips with the back of your hand.

“This is gross,” you mumbled, feeling disgusted with yourself. George’s jaw was clenched as he glared at Malfoy, who was boasting about his two kisses with you.

“Spiiiin, Draco!” Zabini cheered once more. And as Malfoy leaned to spin, George’s eye caught sight of his lips moving.

The bastard is jinxing the bottle.

“Oi, Malfoy,” George caught himself speaking up and gaining the attention of everyone in the room, “You’re jinxing it.”

Malfoy glared at him, eyes dark, “Am not.”

George stood up before he could stop himself, “I saw you.” Your eyes were darting back and forth, wondering how George knew Malfoy had jinxed the bottle.

“Did not,” Malfoy crossed his arms, “Maybe the universe just knows Y/L/N wants me.”

“Oh, please,” you scoffed before George could intervene again, “That’s never going to happen. I’ve never wanted you and never will. Now, did you jinx the bottle?”

George was too focused glaring at Malfoy to notice you had been standing up next to him, arms crossed and staring down at the blond.

“Fine — fine,” Malfoy raised his hands in mock surrender, “So what? It’s just a game.”

The entire circle had now gone silent. Your fists were clenched by your sides and your cheeks were tinted red in anger. George had never seen you this angry before, but he didn’t blame you. He was furious as well.

“You — oh, you’re so insufferable!” you shouted, causing a few people sitting near you to jump, George included, “You walk with your head held high thinking everyone wants you, or wants to be like you. You’re — I can’t — just stay away from me.”

George had to admit, you had balls for standing up to Malfoy. With a furious glare, you grabbed George’s hand and stomped out of the circle and out of the entrance to the common room.

He could feel his heart pounding. Whether it was from proximity to you or because of the events that just unfolded, he wasn’t sure, but this was not at all how he invisioned this night going. He thought he’d get the chance to talk to you one on one, maybe even get the courage to ask you out, but his desires now felt selfish as he watched you lean against the wall and slide down, your hands clutched in your hair.

“Sorry you had to see that,” you mumbled softly, looking up at George who had been standing there like a fool.

“No, don’t apologize,” he walked over and sat next to you, bringing his knees to his chest, “That was horrible. I’m sorry he did that to you.”

“He’s always been like that,” you shrugged, “We’ve known each other since we were kids. Our dads were friends at Hogwarts. I know, right? Who’d want to be friends with Lucius?”

George found himself chuckling, and with a small jolt of bravery, placed his hand on your knee. Relief spread through his body when you didn’t pull away.

“So my entire childhood revolved around having a close bond with Malfoy. Even though he’s younger than me, and started Hogwarts after me, our parents wanted us to stick together,” you sighed, learning your head against the wall, “It wouldn’t be so bad if he weren’t an obnoxious little brat. But then, in his third year, he started making weird advances and I kept turning him down, I guess to him that was just fuel to the fire.”

“He’s really the opposite of having the whole package, isn’t he?” George smiled, “Well, at least you turned out better. And I’m sorry you have to deal with him so often.”

You smiled up at him and his heart fluttered again, “Thanks, George.”

You sat in silence for a while — although George swore his heartbeat was loud enough to echo through the dark dungeon hallway — but it was comfortable. Nice, even. George’s hand was warm against your knee and you didn’t want him to pull it away.

“Thanks. For sticking up for me, I mean. You didn’t have to. And sorry for dragging you out with me. I just didn’t want to be alone, I guess.”

You met his gaze, and it was like you had never seen him properly before. His freckled cheeks were a tad rosier, and his brown eyes were so warm and welcoming, your heart did a summersault just by looking into them.

“Don’t apologize. I wanted to be with you,” he spoke softly, looking down at you before his eyes widened, “I—I mean, you know, you’re good company.

“Smooth save,” you smirked, noticing for the first time how close his face was to yours. He smelled like cinnamon and... was it chocolate? You weren’t sure. But he smelled good.

George, looking down into your eyes as well, picked up on the faint peachy smell of your perfume and the way your hair framed your face perfectly, capturing your face like a photograph.

In the moment, it felt as if you two were alone in the entire school. No dark, murky hallways, no looming school assignments, no party going on on the other side of the Slytherin common room entrance. Just you two.

“I like you,” George sputtered out, blinking rapidly as if he hadn’t planned on saying it, “I wanted to be cool about it but I kind of failed.” And it was true, he hasn’t planned on saying it. But as he looked down at you, he couldn’t help but feel his heart swell, and he knew he’d be hitting himself over the head if he didn’t sieze the chance right now.

You, on the other hand, felt your breath leave your body as tingles made their way up your spin. He liked you. George Weasley liked you. It felt surreal.

You had noticed how cute he was before, even finding him one of the most charming guys in school, but you didn’t think he’d think of you as anything more than ‘Hermione’s Slytherin friend.’

“I thought you were cool,” you giggled, leaning closer to him, “You’re always pretty cool.”

And before any of you said another word, his lips were on yours. He was much gentler than you thought he would be — he always seemed to have such a loud presence. But his lips were soft, moulding against your own as if they were meant to be.

His hand left your knee and found it’s way to the back of your head, pulling you even closer as your lips remained connected.

George was over the moon. He had thought about what it would be like to feel your lips moving against his, to have your hands tangled in his hair, your body pressed against his. But nothing could have prepared him for the actual thing.

His heart was hammering violently against his chest and he swore every inch of his body was on fire, burning. The only thing grounding him to reality was the pinch of your hands in his hair, the soft touch of your lips on his own, and the intoxicating smell of your fruity perfume.

Reluctantly, he pulled away from you to catch his breath, thinking that that was probably the best kiss anyone’s ever had.

“Well,” he breathed out, “this party did end up going better than I though.”

-

[soyouareandrewdobson]

Andy on Asian Animation or SYAC: The Master Review 2

Let’s talk a bit about anime and Dobson’s work relation with it.

I think we can all agree, that starting from the late 90s and early 2000s on, anime and manga became extremely popular in the western world. Sure, Japanese animation was nothing completely new to us (Speed Racer, Nadia-Secret of Blue Water, Samurai Pizza Cats, Sailor Moon, Kimba and Akira e.g. come to my mind as properties already known in the west before 1995) but it really was around this time that thanks to “mainstream” stuff like Dragon Ball and Pokemon people became aware of how different Japanese animation was from western. Eventually resulting in the really good shit (like Cowboy Bebop, Black Lagoon, Kenshin and Heat Guy J) coming over and enriching nerd culture for more than just a few people who knew of it as an obscurity at that point. Now, if you know anything about Dobson, you likely know that his relationship with anime is rather… complicated to say the least. Or, to let him explain it with his own words…

Dobson essentially likes silly and wacky 90s anime. But later on he hated anime in general, because it got too popular and a bad experience with an anime club in college soured his enjoyment of it. Furthermore, he put the blame on his lackluster art style and storytelling capabilities as seen in the likes of Formera, Patty and Alex ze Pirate, on anime in general, while also claiming that Disney pulling the plug on 2D animation is the result of the “anime inspired” Treasure Planet, meaning anime in a sense deprived him of his chance at working at his dream job and “ruining” western animation.

Which to me has always been ignorant as fuck. For starters, I can understand not liking certain stories or genres, either for objective or subjective reasons. But to hate on an entire nation’s form of entertainment (not just individual shows or genres), depriving yourself of the chance of potentially watching a lot of good stuff while also being rather insulting to these other works and people enjoying them? Especially when the stuff you can supposedly “stomach” has been rather simplistic compared to other things?

 Second, blaming Japan for “poisoning” your art style? What, did the ghost of Osamu Tezuka possess you and FORCE you to put sweatdrops on your characters forehead while also going for the rather simplistic character style of Rumiko Takahashi, as well as emulating the slapstick of the likes as Slayers and Ranma ½?

 Next, if he had emulated them successfully, I say he would have actually managed to tell decent enough stories worth to read online. Not create Uncle Peggy aka “Discount Happosai” or the bland proto-Isekai known as Formera.

I mean, let’s give some context here: There have been people who successfully managed to emulate certain anime and manga aesthetics into western animation and make it work. Otherwise we wouldn’t have gotten the likes of Avatar-The last Airbender, Samurai Jack, the Animatrix, Thundercats 2011, Super Robot Monkey Hyperforce Go, Kim Possible, W.I.T.C.H, Megas XLR and Wakfu. You know, shows that are actually awesome as hell.

Heck, Dobson’s favorite animated show of the last decade, Steven Universe, is heavily inspired by anime aesthetics to the point of being embarrassing.

 But Dobson… well, he emulated anime aesthetics in his work the same way as these crimes against animation did.

Combined with his general shortcomings as a storyteller it is no wonder his initial comics did not do well.

 Lastly, and sorry for digressing here a bit, but if the Wikipedia entry on Treasure Planet is something to go by, there was no real inspiration by anime involved in making this movie.

Supposedly the idea of making an animated Treasure Planet in outer space movie was already pitched by Ron Clements WAY BACK in 1985 but only came to be after Michael Eisner greenlighted stuff in the late 90s. Design wise the movie was supposed to look 70% traditional and 30% sci-fi inspired and people took inspiration for the art style by illustrators associated with the Brandywine School of Illustration. A western style of illustration established in the 19th century, that had a big impact on the illustration styles for many 19th and early 20th century adventure novels and short stories.

What, is anime supposed to be the only form of animation allowed to have sci fi elements or steampunk in it? Fucks sake, The Lion King and Atlantis, which came out one year earlier to Treasure Planet, were likely more inspired by anime. Don’t believe me? Watch Atlantis and then a certain anime by Studio Gainax called “Nadia-Secret of Blue Water”. Or read up on the controversy surrounding the two.

The truth is, it is not entirely clear what caused Disney to shut down 2D feature film animation in the early 2000s. In fact, if anything, most people put the blame on Michael Eisner and a certain change in the publics taste in movies in general, combined with Disney trying to turn almost every movie they had into a franchise via cheap follow up movies on video and DVD.

And even if Disney did not shut down, are we really supposed to believe that a certain guy with fedora would have made it big at Disney to the point Alex ze Pirate would have been made into a feature film?

But Dobson could never quite understand this and instead of “reinventing” himself properly, he would rant about anime and its fans in one form or another…

 And on the peak of his hissy fit create this little art piece he baptized Anime Sux. Alternatively “West vs East”. Or as I like to call it, slap a jap.

Now, the pic was done in 2008 and Dobson claimed sometimes in the last decade, that he no longer holds his old opinions. Unfortunately, by that point he would also more or less use the chance to vent in his webcomic about anime (or rather its fans), which brings us finally back to SYAC.

 While Dobson never outright thematized in more detail WHY he hates anime and manga in SYAC (likely cause if his comic reasoning was even slightly like his reasoning in his blogs, people would have torn him apart like a bag of paper) he did use the format to punch down on anime fans and their preferences.

 For example, for someone who has a 4chan story going around of having been rather arrogant towards others in college for not liking Ranma ½, Dobson has THIS little college related comic to show off, where he portrays an aspiring manga artist as a delusional jackass.

Then in this strip titled manga, his manga fan is essentially portrayed as a young woman dressing up like a very stereotypical high school anime girl, who is in the wrong for even just DARING to draw her comics in the direction manga are read.

On one hand, I get Dobson’s point. She could be at risk of alienating a market of readers as she is obviously drawing for a western audience. Then again, if she doesn’t draw a traditional western comic but a manga, why shouldn’t she? I mean, as long as she enjoys it, which I assume she does as she seems genuinely just happy when stating that she likes manga, why not let her? Plus, this comic was drawn in the late 2000s. I think by then most people kinda knew how to read from right to left, so Dobson’s claim she would alienate or confuse people is kinda redundant. If anything I find a) Dobson getting angry at her just very petty (just let her have fun) and b) portraying a western manga fan as someone who would be confused by the sheer idea of reading stuff from right to left is also in itself just really dumb and insulting. What is Dobson trying to imply? That anime fans are so stuck in the way they consume certain media, they can’t act according to “western standards” again?

Then there is this strip where yet another female anime fan is essentially portrayed as the embodiment of how “ignorant” manga fans are of the idea of different art styles...

Which becomes rather laughable once Dobson describes his style as a mixture of European, American and  Japanese. Why? Because he is the one oversimplifying things, rather than the anime fan.

You see while anime and manga of all sorts do share certain aesthetics (like the black and white art style, emphasize on the eyes of characters, the way hair is drawn, recurring tropes within certain genres and so on) style wise (both in art and storytelling) there can be severe differences, depending on the artist alone. Akira Toriyama’s style differentiates significantly from the likes of Eichiro Oda, Rumiko Takahashi, Kentaro Miura, Tezuka, Kaori Yuki and so forth.

The same also goes for many western artists. Herge had a significantly different style from Uderzo and Goscinny. Don Rosa has a different style in which he drew Scrooge McDuck than Carl Barks did. Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee draw mainstream superheroes differently compared to how Jack Kirby, George Perez and others did. Heck, Ethan Van Sciver and Jim Lee were closely associated with Green Lantern in the 2000s and look how they differentiate.

 Which btw is the kind of skill level Dobson would have needed to have, to make it in the mainstream industry

So when Dobson says “I draw in a combination of American, Western and Japanese” all I can think is the following: THAT DOESN’T NARROW IT DOWN! WHAT THE HECK HAVE YOU LEARNT IN COLLEGE ABOUT COMICS? WHICH ARTISTS, WORKS AND STORYTELLERS DO YOU TRY TO EITHER EMULATE OR HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY?

Then there is this little thing…

Where do I even begin? How about the fact that Dobson’s hand in the last panel looks like he has lost a thumb? The fact that the little boy, anime fan or not, is aware of Sae Sawanoguchi, a character from a short lived OVA and anime series from the 90s, which considering his age, I kinda doubt he would be aware off. Unlike Dobson, who got into anime in the 90s and admits in fact within the posts I loaded up earlier, that he had watched the anime in particular, known in the west as Magic User Club.

Then there is the implication by Dobson, that anime is so “corruptive” as a medium, little kids don’t even know the most basic characters in western animation because of it. I expect in a next panel, that all of sudden some 50s PSA guy comes along and lectures me that if I want this kind of thing not to happen at MY convention, I need to teach little kids more about the GOOD western animation, instead of the BAD eastern one. Then there is this rather unflattering portrayal of a shonen ai/shojou ai fangirl…

 Which makes me laugh cause honestly, even some of the worst shonen ai and shojou ai can do better in portraying a “realistic” gay relationship than Patty if you ask me.

Also, as much as I think fangirls can be extremely thirsty (I have read my fair share of extremely stupid yaoi and yuri fanfics) I think that in hindsight Dobson is really not anyone to complain about shipping obsession and sex when he himself has KorraSami, the Ladybug fandom and a certain rat pirate under his floppy belt.

As you can imagine, Dobson would get heat for those comics, considering how he himself has been greatly inspired by anime and manga for his major comics. And while I don’t have any explicit deviantart posts of him reacting to criticism in that regard, I do have this comic which addresses it directly.

 And yeah, if I were schoolgirl number 4, I would just sigh and walk away after telling Dobson that his mistakes and shortcomings are not related to having consumed anime, but rather by what sort of anime (and other stories) he had consumed and the amount of effort he had put in creating his stories instead of emulating just something more popular. Plus, if you really want people to draw more from life, how about drawing more from life yourself down the line? And no, tracing Star Wars movie frames does not count.

Finally, Dobson, considering how very little most people think of your work, I say mission accomplished: People have learnt from your mistakes and know not to be a Dobson.

And at last, there is this comic, which kinda wraps up Dobson’s “vendetta” with anime and manga fans within the pages of SYAC.

By trying to mock anime fans and make them look just as shallow as he is. I at least suppose. Honestly, the message of this comic is rather muddled. On one hand, I would say the strawman accusing Dobson hates anime just because it is popular is very simplified. After all, Dobson has made his reasons for not liking anime clear in a few more details. It’s just that the details in and on themselves in real life are still rather shallow and boil down to a lot of personal bias rather than an objective criticism of actual flaws. Which I think is worth pointing out.

But frankly, what is Dobson trying to say or point out here? That the strawman is not so different or even dumber than him, because he hates Justin Bieber for “shallow” and superficial reasons too?

Okay, this doesn’t quite work as well as Dobson wants. First, the argument Dobson’s strawman makes is in huge parts based on some verified statements Dobson made for not liking anime. Second, he just says a name and that triggers the guy to express his hatred for Bieber. We don’t know why the guy hates Bieber and you could make in fact the case, that he hates him not because he is popular, but because he has a genuine issue with the artist, his work or his behavior as a human being. Third, if you want to make yourself look like the better person Dobson, try to argue with the guy and make solid arguments why you don’t like anime. Instead you just deflect the criticism by changing the subject and then try to make yourself look like the “smarter” person in the room by mocking your critic in the most condescending manner.

Which as I think about it, sounds like your modus operandi on twitter and tumblr.

Weirdly enough, that more or less marks the “end” of Dobson tackling anime fans and the beef he has with them within the pages of SYAC. Despite how much Dobson’s negative reputation especially in early years was build around him hating on anime and belittling its fans, he didn’t really do more afterwards in the Dobson focused pages of SYAC. And mind you, those strips were also separated by other strips in-between, focused on Dobson just being at conventions.

Unfortunately for him, the strips didn’t really help in any way to diminish that negative reputation and instead just confirmed for many, that Dobson can’t handle criticism about his flawed opinion on anime. If anything, it just made people think even less of Dobson, as the strips just painted him as someone who would rather portray his critics as strawman he can be “rightfully” annoyed at, instead of fellow humans with slightly different tastes in entertainment, who are still worth listening to.

So, now that we have the anime fan related “annoyances” out of the way, what other sort of silly problems in making webcomics would Dobson cover in his strips and are “relatable” to everyone?

Lets see some of these examples in the next part.

[rebelcap]

We are not just friends — Part 10

Chris Evans x bi!latina!character (Sofia is a people of color, she's brown.)

Chris and Sofia meet when their best friends started dating, it all started at friends with loads of bumps on the road.  

Warnings: drinking, smoking, drug use (weed), assault, Chris being Steve Rogers, commitment issues, my girl Sofia kinda messy, lots of fucking (eventually) 

This is slow burn at its best, at least emotionally. 

Series masterlist

Sofía was in a meeting with Chris's publicist, his assistant, and lawyer as they all went through the contract along with the brewery lawyers.

"My client had already told me to give whatever your asking," The lawyer spoke and Chris's publicist kept eyeing her. "so, this is more a formality."

"We already discussed it, just a photoshoot. We're going with the social media route of promoting." Sofia explained and the lawyer nod a few times, she was on the last page of the contract.

Sofía looked at his publicist and the woman kept looking at her phone and then back at her, multiple times like she was trying to figure something out.

What the fuck? Sofia kept thinking and she heard Chris's voice carrying from the other side of the co conference room. He had arrived a while back but Ron and his kid were giving him a tour of the brewery that was barely getting it together. Nothing was set up but the skeleton was there and Chris was delighted.

They still haven't really seen each other, until this very moment, the first thing he did was stare at her, puppy eyes and everything and Sofia was acting like she was already over it, guess Chris wasn't the only actor in the room.

Of course, Ron started his usual little speech as they signed the contracts, even cracked the champagne at nine o'clock. The photoshoot was going to be after lunch as the crew gets the things together—Ron had really splurged on the production, he really took it to himself on how much money he was saving.

Sofía could see from the corner of her eyes as Chris was discussing something with his publicist, she kept discreetly pointing in her direction as Chris looked something on her phone. He kept shaking his head no, getting quickly irritated.

When they both turned around to look at her, she quickly looked at the other way—attention back whatever she was doing.

"Sof," Chris called her, voice soft. She looked up and he was right there with his publicist. "I need to show you something."

"What is it?" She asked and the woman asked if they could speak somewhere else. "Yeah, the office." Sofia leads the way.

"Thanks for the privacy," The woman said, and Sofia nod. "I don't care what you two are doing but I do care about this," She said showing her the paparazzi pictures of Chris and her when she arrived at the stupid party yesterday. Sofia could practically remember everything they talked on that brief moment, her full face was on display.

"Oh," Sofia explained and blinked a few times. "Well, shit,"

"And you didn't have anything to do with it?"

"Megan." Chris cut her off and the girl just rolled her eyes.

"He's insisting that you didn't but I gotta ask, I'm just trying to protect Chris's privacy."

"Megan, come on," Chris interrupted her.

"Wait. Are you asking me if I staged this?"

"Did you?"

"Sofi, I know you didn't, you don't have to answer, look Megan—

" It's okay and no, I didn't. Chris you know I would never," Sofia said looking at him, whatever what had gone down last night she would never break his trust like that, she loved and value their friendship to do something like this.

"Yes, I know," He touched her arm, looking at her apologetic. "I'm sorry I'm dragging you into this, I was sure there was no one."

" I'm glad you weren't, I just have to ask. The pictures are already out and you guys were on the street there's not much we can do." Megan explained. "For now you're the 'mystery woman' but I'm sure with time they'll find out who are you." She locks her phone and put it in her purse and looked at Chris.

"Okay, I'll deal with it when it has to deal with it, I'm cool with it." Sofia shrugged and Chris stared at her.

"This doesn't bother you?" Chris asked.

"It bothers me for you because I know you're a very private person but no worries for me, I'm pretty much obscure on social media, all I do is tweet about how much I hate Donald Trump and re-tweet dogs pics."

"She does," Chris nods and she shrugged again.

"Okay," Megan said looking down at he phone again. "Do you wanna release a statement or…?"

"I prefer not brought more attention to it, I'll leave it like this," Chris said and sigh, looking a little bit defeated.

Megan, the publicist, finished up the talk and quickly excuse herself, leaving them alone in the office.

"We should probably," Sofia said looking at her watch and tried to walk past him but of course Chris wasn't going to just let her.

"Can we talk?" He asked and she sighs.

"Chris, it's really okay,"

"No, it's not. I'm sorry I disrespect you,"

"You obviously still had things to figure out and I just don't wanna be in the middle of that. We are friends, if you need to vent with me I'm here, always." Sofia explained, leaning against the desk with her arms folded against her chest.

"Sof, I already figured it out," Chris said walking up to her. "I don't, I don't want anything with her. It's done -

" Yeah, her tongue down your throat last night didn't necessarily say 'I'm done with her',"

" Shit. I know, can we call it a lapse in judgment? " Chris made a face, he truly didn't know how to salvage this. Sofia was difficult and stubborn and he had fucked up.

"Call it whatever you want," She shrugged and sigh deeply.

"Hey," Chris said grabbing her hands as she kept looking anywhere else but him. "Hey, look at me," She did and closed her eyes.

Don't Sofia, don't don't. She kept thinking because he was so fucking attractive, she just wanted to kiss him all the time.

"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. I was a complete asshole and I shouldn't even try to explain, I fucked up it was my fault."

"Yeah," She pouted.

"But, I did figure it out—" Sofia was about to interrupt him again but he was quicker. "I know it didn't seem like it, but I did."

"And?"

"I wanna be with you, Sof. I don't wanna be just friends—

"Are you fucking with me?" She squints her eyes at him and scoffed." I'm going just to pretend you didn't say anything because I like my job." Sofia muttered and walked out of the office.

"Jesus Christ," Chris muttered, running his hands over his beard and sigh.

~~~~

Christofer Robert Evans was relentless, couldn't take no for an answer and Sofia was about to snap at everyone at any giving moment. Between Chris trying to make a truce, Ron losing his shit constantly, his fucking son and friends that were fucking around the brewery, and on top of everything Amanda kept blowing her phone.

"Sofia," Ron called her and she walked up to him and his son that was chatting with Chris.

"What's up?" She said walking up to her and he took her to aside.

"I'm going to send you back to Boston for a while," He said and Sofia was about to cry.

"Oh God, thank you I fucking hate this place so much." She said making a face and Ron laughed at her expression.

"I know, I can see the amount of pressure that I've been putting you into this last couple of days and you did more than deliver. You deserve a little break,"

"Oh, man. Thank you," She sighed with relief. "Everything here it's pretty much set up, the machines are getting installed this week, everything with the bank it's already resolved, permits too. Thanks to Chris's lawyers, contractors are coming at the end of the month… I mean everything it's on track, at least for a week." She explained pulling out her cellphone and Ron was amazed.

"You pulled this off in a couple of days, I'm never letting you go, that's for sure," Ron said and made a gesture. "So, he likes you." He pointed at Chris with his mouth and Sofia roll her eyes. "And I thought you were only into Chicks."

"That's why your wife loves me so much and I have a weakness for pretty white dudes, it's pretty unhealthy if you asked me." She said with a smile looking at Chris for a moment. "it's complicated right now."

"Shit I bet, guess he's really into you by doing all this pro-bono. So, I'm going to be absolutely a greedy selfish man and said to trap this one." He said pointing at his finger and Sofia let out a laugh.

"No way, man." She shook her head. "Let's focus on beer and stop talking about my non-existent love life, after crazy bitch Tiffany. I'm done,"

"Yeah, and I thought my ex-wife was crazy, you definitely got it worse," He put a hand on her shoulder and murmur. "Good rebound, uh?" He pointed at Chris.

"Ay por Dios, Ron." She rolled her eyes and he laughed, walking away toward his son and started saying their goodbyes to a Chris.

"Ah, men. Listen, just be patient with her," Ron said to Chris while they shake hands. "She seems tough but she's all fragile inside, treat her right." The men said as he put another hand on his, squeezing a little bit.

Chris got the point right away.

"Yes, sir."

~~

Tag list:

@letsdothemonstermash

@lunaticbarnes

@firstangeldragonranch

@lovepeacefood

@thegirlwithpaperheart

[popculturebuffet]

Reviews: The Stand: Captain Trips

Halloween Havoc rambles on!  I decided to read a Stephen King Classic via it’s comic book adaptation from Marvel Knights 4 and Afterlife with Archie scribe and future Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sarcasa. A deadly plauge sweeps across the US that kills in it’s wake while the goverment tries to cover it up. Because that’s not at all terrifingly close to home.  But as this pandemic creeps around the US we meet 5 dispearte people with a part to play in what the world becomes after the end: Stu, a hard nosed man who finds himself imprisoned by the government since he was next to patient zero for the outbreak and lived. Frannie, a young woman who finds herself pregnant and dealing with her disaproving mother and the babie’s less than ideal dad. Larry, a would be one hit wonder whose come home to new york to dry out and to let Stephen King go on for several pages about how much he fucking hates new york, because that was important. Nick, a deaf and mute teen drifter who finds himself subbing for a kind sherieff who sadly got the disease. And Lloyd, a dumb criminal who finds himself in jail after a robbery gone bad. And waiting in their dreams and the shadows for his acendency, the walking dude, Randall Flagg, evil itself. Waiting paitently for the soon dawning time of his ascendency. Spoilers and the review itself under the cut. 

So yeah i’m back to doing some comics reviews and I.. genuinely missed it. I did. I just needed to reajdust from doing one issue at a time to doing full arcs as well as get it in my head to do one.  And while I didn’t INTEND to review these, I ended up liking this series, at least for this mini, so much I couldn’t resist diving into them critically.  As for why I decided to read these comics it’s simple: i’ve never read the Stand but always wanted to. No real complex motives: I’ve liked some adaptations of King’s works with It: Chapter One being the reason I finally started watching horror movies after a good decade or two of avoiding them like the plauge, finally breaking down my squeamish cowardly barrier and opening up a greater world. Granted the sequel was a giant balloon parade of disapointment, but I can get to that some other day. Point is I like Stephen King: he seems like a decent enough guy, has had some good adaptations of his works and even the bad ones have some fun. Like this trailer for maximum overdrive where it’ shard to tell if it’s his tragic drug addiction or just him that’s responsibile for that wonderful delivery. 

So yeah, with little options to read the stand and the series out of print, I decided to dive into the comics because they seemed accurate enough from the way reviews had them and frankly before horror films, I really got into horror through comics, with my gateway there being Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s afterlife with archie. Many of you may know RAS, as i’m calling him so I don’t horribly mangle his namem, as the guy behind riverdale, sabrina, which is partialy based off his own sabrina comic and kathy keene, but before he became Archie’s golden boy, he was a writer at marvel, hence these mini series, and wrote the wonderful fantastic four series marvel knight’s 4, which I might cover at some point, which followed the four as they lost all their money and had to live like us normal folks. It’s really fucking good stuff and easily one of the best runs on the characters period. Afterlife with Archie is no slouch either so pairing both guys who brought me to the terrordance of horror seemed like a match made in heaven.  So that’s where we Stand, pun intended: I haven’t read the stand or watched the mini series, only know or remember some spoilers, and am walking into this blind but eager to see what happens. So if your willing to join me on the ride and on my fresh perspective, here’s Stephen King’s the stand by RAS and Mike Perkins.  Now since, at least at this early stage, The stand is divided up by the characters and what their going through as the virus hits, i’m going to cover this character by character, with an additional section on the progress of the pandemic itself and the government response.  Before I dig in I will say there is something I really love here: The Pacing. NOw I will grant it’s slow: By the end of this mini we only JUST meet big bad Randall Flag as the pademic and it’s goverment coverup both kick into high gear.  So why does it work? Simple: The characters. By opening up as the end of the world is happening instead of shortly before or after like most post apoclayptic stories, and focusing on each of our surivivors we get a real sense of who our heroes were before society collapsed as it collapses, and get to really care about them and WANT to see how they react to the end of the world and what they become. It justifies the series, and the book’s , massive length by using that giant stretch of time to get us invested in the cast and really want to see where this story goes. It’s really good storytelling and holds up really well. So with that out of the way, we can dive into the meat of the story itself. And before we can get to our protaganists, let’s get to the plauge itself 

THE OUTBREAK

The story starts with a soldier breaking out of quarantine after getting hit with a miltary virus, infecting his wife and child  while trying to go awol and dying.. thus starting the plauge known as Captain Tripps. It crashes into a small town gas station, where we met Stu, one of our heroes, more of him later and starts to slowly grip the nation as the book goes on.  The Goverment handles making a plauge that will end up dooming the human race.. by pretending it dosen’t exist, supressing the media, and cordening off whole cities and taking them over. An early attempt by the media to get the story out get the reporters shot horribly, and we get to see all the gore in this version. it’s not plesant but it’s a well done sequence. We get an even worse sequence where the general in charge of the facility captain tripps came from seeing tons of dead bodies in the cafeteria from their sceintests failed attempts at a cure, one of which is horribly bloated, and then shoots himself..... yeah I got nothing. Just.. wow. Good horrible stuff. 

So yeah tha’ts basically how it goes: the goverment can’t figure out how to stop it and tries desperatley to cover it up or downplay it instead.. and why yes our own goverment’ sbungled handling of coronavirus, with our own PRESIDENT, in the hospital right now, does make this extra chilling to me thanks for asking!  It SOMEHOW gets worse with the final issue as various media outlets rebel against the goverment  supression with tv, newspaper and radio all reporting on this despite the risk.. that comes true as the goverment STILL dosen’t learn their lesson and kills them all and we end as the virus only gets worse and the president urges everyone that it’s all fine despite teh mass bodies dumped into the sea and to just take some juice. Just.... just..... 

Yes exactly thank you Jon. It’s good stark horrible stuff, I just have no more commentary other than please make it stop. I will say however it’s well done stuff that lets the creeping dread seep in until it really hits fever pitch at the end. 

Stu Redman: 

As I mentioned, we meet Stu very early on, as he’s on site when patient zero crashes his car into a gas station.  Unfortuntely for him this gets him and hsi town swept up to a goverment black site where as seen above, he has no time for the bullshit their feeding him and is in no mood to actually cooperate till they actually talk to them. Which.. yeah it’s entirely resonable: the Goverment is holding him here against his will, refusing to tell him anything and asking to get samples from him. How does he know their not just going to shoot him the second their done with him? He dosen’t and given what we’ve seen this version of the goverment, and hell the real goverment do, yeah. Maybe blind trust needs to be earned rather than demanded. Just saying.  Stu gets his answers, that everyone else they brought in and thus his whole town is dead, and they don’t know how to stop the virus.. and that they don’t know where it came from but as the above makes clear, that’s a load of garbage. So Stu relcutantly and grumpliy coperates. He’s basically if Ron Swanson got freaky friday’d into nick millers body. 

Stu eventually gets taken to a diffrent facility after the jounalist thing and becomes even more coperative, as they start bringing in an armed guard every time someone visits him.. and Stu starts to get even more wary of this shit as it’s very obvious he’s become expendable, he uses those exact words, and by the end of this mini is plotting his escape. He also has dreams.. of iowa cornfields.. and a sinster man in black floating above them.  I like stu a lot: A hard nosed down to earth guy who dosen’t take shit, but is clever enough to know when to bite his tounge and bide his time, easily sussing out both why he’d been moved to a new facility and just how disposable he now is: He’s a man who will fight when needed but knows when to hold back and wait for it. He’s also a nice protaganist ot be our main viewpoint in the goverment sections and is easily my second faviorite. My faviorite is coming shortly. 

Frannie Goldsmith: 

Frannie is a college student who just ended up pregnant by her  boyfriend Jesse. She dosen’t want to marry him despite him offering.. and given his reactions to her telling him this are to whine “but you were supposed to be on the pill”, which she was and gave plenty of reasons why that may not have worked, and then give a loud , what was probably groaning “Aw hell” before proposting.. yeah good call. 

Frannie’s dad takes it well as he’s sad, but he understands and loves his daughter and wants to support her. Her mother.. is a selfish nightmare who bearates her for it, berates her husband, who usually backs down as Frannie is used to at this point, for standing up for her and then just for added terrible points physically abuses Frannie, who is PREGNANT, by slapping her hard. I know that can’t hurt the baby but fucking really.  Thankfully Frannie’s father decides even if he wont’ divorce the crone to stand up to her at least, and points out she really hasn’t been the same since Frannie’s brother died, igorning her up until the pregnancy and calling her out. She leaves in a huff defeated, and Frannie leaves to go stay at a hotel for a bit while tryign to find somewhere to stay, with her mom not wanting to talk to her and her dad insiting she come around.  Given her mother had signs of the virus earlier.. she dosen’t. She dies, Frannie, having come home to help her is devistated and we actually get a devistating if confusing bit as she hugs her dad and talks about eating the pie. Something lost in translation but the visuals cover well enough. And that’s where he story ends, though with a montage in the last issue, which is all we get of htem as the issue is focused on Flagg and the pandemic response instead. Not a bad move mind as it’s easily the best issue of the series, just a note.  Frannie is a likeable enough character, a strong woman who knows what she wants, wants to keep her baby and has decent enough family drama.. if well worn at this point but fraknly the book was written all the way back in the late 70′s so this is forgivable as it probably wasn’t AS common as it is now. Frannie has plenty of personality but her plot is one of the less intresting as it’s pretty easy to tell where it’s going in comparison to the other, more intresting plots going on around it. That said you still connect to frannie enough for it to not feel like a drag on the story and to feel important, so it’s not too bad a section. 

Larry Underwood: Larry Underwood is a musician whose also a bit o fa scumbag, using people and drugs like theres no tommorow and riding high, in both senses, off the sucess of his single.. a title that sums up the 70′s in a nutshell “Baby Can You Dig Your Man?”. Just.. it sounds like a parody song from SCTV... so in other words good job on making a goofy 70′s pop hit title stephen. Respect. 

But yeah a friend of Larry’s seeing he’s hit bottom suggets he had back to new york. Larry bunks with his mom who worries it’s too late for him to change from the scumbag he is now and that only a great catstrophe could do that. 

So yeah obviously it’s gonna, but we’ll likely see that as the series goes on. So mostly Larry’s segment is one incident of him having a one night stand that seems a bit overblown.. I mean it is scummy of him but her screaming “your not a good guy and what not as seen above just seems narmy as hell and utterly stephen king in terms of writing.. but the scene of him trying to convince himself she’s wrong after is really strong. Larry’s self doubt, self hate and wondering if he’s that bad is really strong stuff and really godo character stuff showing he is an asshole who uses people including his own mom.. but also genuinely DOSEN’T want to be that person but dosen’t know how. We also get a crushing bit where he calls for his friend who helped him only to find out not only is the guy in the hopstial but it’s getting bad. As the chapter ends larry looses his mom too.  The one real weakness of this bit is King goes on a bit of an author tract that’s kept via larry’s narration, which by the way I love how the books narration is kept REALLY damn well via the caption boxes, it’s really nicely done and a way to help keep some of the bits from the book while still taking bits out where necessary. It’s a nice touch. But back on point yeah.. Larry REALLY hates new york.. which to me translates as Stephen King REALLY hating new york, and wanting you to know how much he hates new york, how much the city was festering back then, how much of a crap hole it is, how it farts turds during thunder storms etc. IT’s likely trimme down from the text but boy does it feel unecessary> We get it, 70′s pre clean-up intiative new york was REALLY fucking awful. You didn’t like it there. But if you want to rant about new york for several paragraphs.. 

Like I get that he’s TRYING to make the point Larry dosen’t like new york and dosen’t fit in at home but instead of trying into his character arc entirely it just feels like an excuse for King to ramble about his hatred of new york. I’ts easily the weakest part of this mini series and I only think it was kept because RAS, as made clear in the question and answer sessions with marvel.com in the back of one of the issues, is a huge king fan and wanted to keep as much as possible. It’s the one time I feel the comic, and the story it’s retelling, really stumbled that bad. Thankfully with that rant over we can get onto my faviorite character

Nick Andros: Nick is easily has both the most unique narriatve and is the most intresting character to me. A mute and deaf teenage drifter, he goes from town to town finding work.. and between towns get beatup by a bunch of local assholes the ringleader of which is your standard Stephen King bully because depending on the kindness of strangers in a stephen king story is just asking for a beating.  Though oddly enough that ends up working as Nick finds himself in a jail cell with the local Sheirff and after getting a pad and paper, not only verifies he was working with someone in town, and who he is , but also who beat him down. And oddly for a king story since while he DOES have a heroic sheirff i’ve heard of, most of his law enformcent seem to be corrupt hicks at best, this one.. is a nice guy who makes sure the assholes that assaulted nick are brought in despite the ringleader being his wife’s nephew and knowing he’ll get no sex for a while because of it.. the narrative points this out because we needed to knwo that apparently. 

But said wife happily takes Nick in along with the Shierff while the sheirff takes 3/4 of the assholes in, with said nephew booking it out of town. But soon our kindly sheiff takes ill from the virus and Nick gladly fills in for him as his new deputy to make sure the idiots at the jail don’t starve. He continues this throught the book even as he looses his new family tragically due to the virus.. and soon his prisoners catch it too and clearly aren’t long for the world.  Nick is a THROUGHly likeable character. Just from body laungage it’s clear there’s a bit of an edge and a bit of harshness to him.. but he’s mostly just a good kid who goes out of his way to make sure three assholes who tried beating him to death get fed and watered, and wants to do the right thing despite the world crappign on him constnatly. He’s throughly intresting and his disablity is nicely portrayed, with him being portrayed as a normal guy who simplyg ot dealt a really crappy hand and does his best with it. Easily the best part of this mini, closely followed by the last issue but we’ll get to that in a second. We have one more character to get through. 

Lloyd Henried This bit will go fast since he’s only in two sections this mini but Lloyd is a dimwitted crminal who clearly gets a thrill from the crime sprees and murders he and his pal have done but also dosen’t murder inscreimatley. Unfortunatley his partner in crime does and Lloyd gets arrested after his first scene and hsi friend gets his face gunned off. Lloyd is last scene with his lawyer teaching him to lie. He’s basically just a dumb criminal at this point who likes thrills. Not a lot to dig into comapred to the other characters soooooo let’s move on to our final focus character and the focus of the final issue only, but hitned at before... 

Randall Flagg The breakout character of the piece, one of king’s most loved and most used villians. The Walking Dude. The Devil HImself. I had high expecations of this character with all that hype and he did NOT disapoint. 

Flagg is a mysterious supernatural drifter who dosen’t even know how long he’s existed but is evil itself. He makes anyone he passes feel nervous, glass crack and everyone uneasy, yet when needed can slip in and out of any extremist or hate group easily and hands out pamphliets for whatever will get people riled up the most, good cause or bad. and easily worms his way in and out of heavily armed groups and into women’s beds. My words do not do kings words put onto the final issue justice. They jsut impart he is evil, he is here, and he is about to RISE. And you’d better be prepared to run. After a few issues of only appearing in one dream.. we meet our antagonist and he is a lot. Throughly engaging, throughly creepy and throughly unesettling we get a full sense of who flagg is a drifter who SEEMS resonable enough when talking but just.. gets under your skin, yhou just feel.. WRONG around him. This one sequence REALLY got me excited to see what this bastard does. Not a lot elsse to say  throughly engaging creepy impressive villian who lived up to the hype and star of one of the best single issues i’ve read. No notes. 

So yeah overall.. I really love this story so far. Obviously I have a LONNNG way to go and 5 more mini series to go so I hope you’ll join me but the art is good, the decisions fantastic and the writing adapted well, clearly compressed but in a way that works. A fantastic way to read the story for a newcomer such as myself and if you can find it somehwer,e read it. Ill continue with it as hte month, or months probably, go on. Until then check back on my blog for regular ducktales coverage and some more halloween fun, hit up my asks if you have some comics you’d like to see me cover, and until next time, happy halloween. 

[kprciffdw]

Kim Possible: The Extremely Secret Files-Part 23

They eventually arrived at the final planet: Yeedil. As soon as they landed and got out of this ship, they stood by and stared out at the massive Megacorp building that sat underneath a black sky. Kim: "So this is it, the Megacorp Protopet Factory." Ron: "Huh, you know something? This place pretty much screams "Typical Bad Guy Lair", wouldn't you think?" Kim: "Hm…you do make a good point. It does look ominous, almost like this whole mission." Ratchet: "I'm sorry, you guys, I had no way of knowing this was all a terrible idea from the start." Kim: "Don't worry about it, Ratchet; it didn't seem that way to me, either. Although, there was something that struck me as a bit fishy during the beginning, it wasn't enough to confirm anything."

Ratchet smiled, then looked back at the facility with a serious look on his face. Ratchet: "Hm, it seems kind of wrong to raid a corporate factory, but after everything they've put us through, they had it coming. Who else here also wants to get even with this company?" Kim: "I am so there. No one messes with my friends and gets away with it, especially after what they did to you, Ratchet."

Ratchet smiled again. Just then, the Kimmunicator went off, Kim pulled it out immediately. Kim: "Yeah, Wade?" Wade: "Kim, I have 2 things for you. First off, I've located the last piece of your dad's space shuttle; it's directly inside that factory building." Kim: "Well, how about that? The final piece is just inside the belly of the beast." Ron: "And in the possession of Megacorp's beloved CEO, no doubt." Wade: "I would think so, too. Secondly, I just built another device for you guys. I'll transport it now."

Wade's vendor appeared again. Transporting from it was a small device. Kim grabbed it and observed it. Wade: "It's a disrupter device. I built it from studying that crystal you found in that icy tunnel. That Megacorp factory is loaded with some of the toughest, most advanced security system in the galaxy. This should at least disrupt a lot of their most detrimental ones." Kim: "Hm…sounds as though we'll be needing this to infiltrate that factory. Thanks, Wade, you rock hardcore."

Wade smiled before Kim put away the Kimmunicator. Ratchet: "Seems like we both have our reasons for needing to break into the factory." Kim: "Not really. Believe it or not, that last piece is not my main reason. Mr. Fizzwidget took advantage of you; he used you like a tool and tried to dispose of you when he didn't need you anymore. Elder or not, that geezer is going down just because of that."

Ratchet smiled at her, then looked towards Ron and Clank as well as Kim. Ratchet: "Alright, guys. Let's do it."

They rushed towards the factory as fast as they could.

Getting to the front door has proven to be very difficult. They was a very large gap that separated them from the factory entrance. In fact, it separated them from the entire facility. Thankfully, Kim and Ratchet provided the perfect solution to that problem with the use of their own grappling gadgets. They used them to get themselves as well as Ron and Clank across the gap. However, they wound up in the middle of a robot barrage and one that they couldn't escape from, so they were forced to fight through the barrage. It was an excruciatingly, tough fight and it lasted for an extensive amount of time. They were nearly exhausted just trying to get through, but they eventually eradicated the entire barrage. Ron: "Man! If that was the welcoming committee, I'd hate to see what's waiting for us inside that building!" Kim: "So do I, but just think of how much worse it would be without that disrupter Wade gave us. I've noticed a lot of the other forms of machinery here." Clank: "Yes, I have noticed that, too, Miss Possible. That would be the exact security system that Wade mentioned would have been detrimental to us." Kim: "Well, if that's true, then good thing he gave us this disrupter or else we would be in for a real tough fight." Ratchet: "You took the words out of my mouth, Kimberly. In any case, we have to keep going." Clank: "Yes, we must keep at it; we have come too far to back out of this now and there is too much at stake." Ron: "For once, I agree on that. These guys have pushed us too far and have caused too much carnage to the good people of this galaxy. Let's trash this place and teach these corporate marauders a lesson they'll never forget!" Ratchet: "You said it, Ron." Kim: "I just hope Angela is doing OK. She probably has it really tough handling those orbital defenses." Ratchet: "I'm worried about her, too, but we can't think about her right now. We have to stay focused on the task at hand." Kim: "You're right. She would want us to keep going and not waste any time worrying for her. Let's just go, I would be sure that she'll catch up with us sooner or later."

They rushed into the facility. The second they set foot into the front door, they've come across one tough fight after another. Everywhere they looked, there were robots attempting to stop them. They were incredibly vicious, and they came by the boat loads, but the group was able to fight through them regardless of how tough it was. It had indeed been their toughest fight yet as the robots had been shown to be extremely formidable, but thankfully, so was the group.

Despite all of that, they were content with seeing that the robots were the only line of defense active at the time. They could see all around them a lot of the advanced security systems, knowing what they would have been up against if not for Wade's disrupter device. The entire facility was a very long stretch, it was a vast and difficult trek, especially with all of the constant battles making the trek seem longer, not to mention that they made things a lot tougher. However, they were shown that they could really hold their own in all of it. Even Ron was actually pulling is own weight in all of this, instead of running away screaming like he usually does. You could really tell that he had a serious agenda as it was the same with the rest of the group. Rufus was also very dedicated to doing his part for the team. A few times, when he was needed to handle a few small tasks that needed to be done, he help out the team the best of his skills and had felt very proud of himself for getting each and every task done. The team couldn't possibly think of anything more they could ever need from the little guy.

Within much time, they came very close to the end. Kim: "Wade, how much further to the Protopet Duplication Chamber?" Wade: "You're almost there, just keep on the path you're going then take the next left and you're free and clear." Kim: "Got it! Thanks, Wade."

They kept on the trek. It was a bit long from there, but soon enough, they were able to reach a large door. Wade: "OK, guys, the Protopet Duplication Chamber should be on the other side of that door. Just use that ID badge and you should be good to go."

Angela eventually rushed in, panting from exhaustion. Angela: "I'm sorry I'm late. I had some trouble with the guards." Kim: "Actually, you couldn't have come at a better time." Ron: "Alright, let's crack that bad boy open and end this Protopet madness."

Just then, the female robot from a while back arrived, waving her arms to tell them no as though she had something important to say. Ron: "Uh, what's with this girl robot?" Clank: "She is trying to tell us something."

Her head opened up from her mouth, revealing a screen. On the screen was a footage of Captain Qwark selling Personal Hygenators in one of the worst disguises ever, announcing that he has sold 1 million Hygenators and planned to finance his comeback by heading for another galaxy and rescue it from a potential threat. He then laughed manically.

Just then, Mr. Fizzwidget, who showed up with several guard bots, severely shocked the female robot, startling the entire group. Ron: "OH, SNAP!" Kim: "What the…?" Ratchet: "Oh, my gosh!" Clank: "What do you think you are doing?" Angela: "Mr. Fizzwidget!"

They then watched him unzip himself in perhaps the most disturbing spot imaginable, which appalled them a lot. He revealed himself to be Captain Qwark. Kim: "Wait! What? What is…?" Ron: "Hey, you're that Qwark guy we saw on that…that show." Clank: "Oh, no, this is bad." Angela: "Alright, just what the flod is going on!?" Ratchet: "Angela!" Kim: "I believe I know exactly what this is; Captain Qwark over here has been masquerading as your beloved CEO to unleash this Protopet disaster and from what that female bot has just shown us, it's all part of his comeback scheme to make himself a hero again, right?" Qwark: "Gee, aren't you a smart little redhead girl? That's right, I'm about to save the galaxy from the Protopets and all of you have become my prime suspects…uh…whoever…some of you are…Guards, seize them."

Soon enough, the entire group was brought into the Duplication Chamber, where they were held at gunpoint by the guard bots. Qwark stood near the original Protopet. There was a camera in the chamber with them, pointed at Qwark. Qwark: "Smile. It's show time." Kim: "This is so the perfect time to be camera shy." Ron: "This is really bad." Qwark: "Ahem. Citizens of Bogon. I…am Captain Qwark. I have come to you in this, your darkest of hours to shine the Flashlight of Justice on your galaxy." Ratchet: "(laugh) Flashlight of Justice?"

He was knocked on the head by one of the guard bots' guns. Qwark: "As you all know, a living menace called the Protopet has been set loose in your galaxy. But fear not, Bogonites. For I, Captain Qwark, have caught the perpetrators."

The camera was pointed towards the group. Qwark: "Yes, good citizens. These are the masterminds behind Megacorp's…"

The camera shifted back to Qwark as he finished his sentence. Qwark: "Experiment with death." Kim: "Oh, so not."

She was bashed on the back of her shoulder with another one of the guard bots' guns. Qwark: "And now…"

He then pulled out a strange looking remote like device with 3 short wires sticking out of it, each with a transceiver at the very end. Qwark: "With this…uh…super…electro-gadget I invented, I will end the Protopet threat once and for all." Angela: "Hey! That's MY Helix-o-morph! I invented…"

She was hit on the stomach with another one of the guard bots' guns. Qwark: "Ahem. Stay tuned, dear viewers, as I amplify the signal from this Helix-o-thingy and render every Protopet in the galaxy completely harmless. Now then, how do I…work this…thing? Let's see, there's this…and then…uh, I…do this… and then…uh…I…uh…how is this…?"

Kim whispered to Ratchet as she leaned in closer to him. Kim: "Yeah, this guy sounds exactly like someone who invented that device."

Ratchet giggled. Qwark: "Ah, yes, got it! Now then, allow me to demonstrate."

With a push of a button on the Helix-o-morph, he zapped the Protopet. Within a few seconds, the Protopet increased in size and morphed into a massive beast. It looked towards Qwark and gobbled him up whole. The guard bots became frightened and ran away, leaving the group as they looked up at the massive beast. Ron: "That would be so cool if it wasn't going to hurt us."

The beast then crashed through a nearby wall. Kim: "Uh, does that Helix-o-morph actually work?" Angela: "Uh…I'm sure it did; I tested it myself." Ron: "So, why did that device of yours turn the Protopet in a GIGANTIC MONSTER!?" Angela: "I don't know. I would have to look into what's wrong." Ratchet: "Well, Clank, Kimberly and I will try getting it back somehow. You wait here with Ron to figure out how we're going to fix it." Ron: "What? Are you seriously going to leave us here on the sidelines?" Ratchet: "Do you want to jump into there with that thing?"

Ron looked towards the vicious Protopet beast wondering around. A terrified look then grew on his face. Ron: "Uh…on second thought, I really don't mind standing on the sidelines." Angela: "Actually, we'll be doing some searching around the rest of the place for anything else important." Ratchet: "OK, works for me." Angela: "Ratchet, Kim, Clank, be careful." Clank: "Do not worry about us, we can handle ourselves just fine." Ratchet: "Come on, guys, let's bring down that beast and get back that Helix-o-morph." Kim: "I'm right behind you, Ratchet."

Ratchet, Kim and Clank rushed into the doorway to battle with the beast while Ron watched along with Angela.

[karihighman]

I love this job more than I imagined I could. The day I stop giving it my all is the day I walk away.”

–John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), 2×14 “Casualties”

The quote above really encapsulates the draw of ABC’s police dramedy (that’s drama-comedy) The Rookie. The Nathan Fillion led series was ordered back in spring 2018, and aired its first season from 2018-2019. It’s currently in its second season, with a new episode airing this Sunday, April 26. In light of that – and because I’ve since managed to get 2 of my friends hooked on it – I decided I’d write up a few reasons as to why you should definitely check out this show…if you haven’t already!

Reason #1: The cast

(ABC/Andrew Eccles)

Yes, Nathan Fillion of ABC’s Castle headlines the series, but there’s a whole slew of cast members that carry the show just the same. Not to mention, you’ve probably seen them on other TV shows or films prior to their appearance on The Rookie.

CURRENT CAST (as of season 2–onward):

Nathan Fillion portrays John Nolan, the 45-year-old “rookie” who decided to pack up and move to LA to join the LAPD after a robbery at his local bank in Pennsylvania made him question his life decisions. You’ve probably seen him on: Castle, Firefly, Two Guys & a Girl, and/or Con Man.

Alyssa Diaz portrays Angela Lopez, one of three TOs (training officers) at the Mid-Wilshire Police Department in Los Angeles, California. You’ve probably seen her in: As the World Turns, Army Wives, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, and/or Ray Donovan.

Richard T. Jones portrays Sergeant Wade Grey, who is the immediate boss of the TOs, and is also responsible for their rookies, as well as the remainder of the police under his command at the station. You’ve probably seen him in: Judging Amy, Why Did I Get Married?/Why Did I Get Married Too?, and/or Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Titus Makin Jr. portrays Jackson West, the second in the trio of rookies. His father is the head of LAPD’s Internal Affairs, so he’s struggled some with having to prove himself outside of his father’s shadow. You’ve probably seen him in: Glee, Starcrossed, Pretty Little Liars, and/or The Path.

Melissa O’Neil portrays Lucy Chen, the 28-year-old hotshot who completes the trio of rookies in the LAPD. She decided to become a cop on a whim, but she loves it so much now, even though it’s the opposite of what her psychologist parents want her to do career-wise. You’ve probably seen her in/on: Canadian Idol, Dark Matter, and/or as a part of the Broadway musical Les Miserables.

Eric Winter portrays Tim Bradford, the second training officer under Sgt. Grey. He’s first seen as the no-nonsense type, but has since softened some during season 2. You’ve probably seen him in: The Mentalist, Witches of East End, The Ugly Truth, and/or Days of Our Lives.

Mekia Cox portrays Nyla Harper, a former undercover detective turned training officer. She’s quite a badass, and does whatever she can to excel at work, as it’ll earn points in her favor, because she’s fighting for custody of her daughter with her ex-husband. You’ve probably seen her in: 90210, Chicago Med, Secrets & Lies, and/or Once Upon a Time.

CURRENT RECURRING CAST (as of season 2–onward):

Image Credits: (ABC/Christopher Willard); (ABC/Richard Cartwright); and (ABC/Eric McCandless)

Ali Larter as Dr. Grace Sawyer, a former flame of John’s from his college days. She now works at Shaw Memorial Hospital, and while she and John reconnect as just friends first, they eventually ramp it up to dating.

Harold Perrineau as Detective Nick Armstrong, a new night detective that assists the LAPD with their case load after their regular shifts. He becomes involved more so when notorious serial killer Rosalind Dyer is brought to Grey’s station per a deal with the DA.

Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, a lawyer that is currently dating Angela Lopez. The two have been living together since the start of season 2, and are now engaged as of episode 16.

Jasmine Matthews as Rachel Hall, a social worker who is one of Lucy’s best friends, and currently the girlfriend of Tim Bradford.

Daniel Lissing as Sterling Freeman, Jackson’s boyfriend who’s (ironically? meta-ly?) the star of a cop show, Hot Suspect.

Sarah Shahi as Jessica Russo, who is an FBI agent that was brought in to work a biological terror attack. She and John have a brief relationship, but break it off by episode 6 of season 2.

FORMER CAST (season 1): 

Mercedes Mason portrayed Captain Zoe Andersen, who was the tough but fair captain of the LAPD. She believed Nolan’s life experience would be good for the department. She was killed in episode 16 by a gang member who made an attempt on Nolan’s life.

Afton Williamson portrayed Talia Bishop, Nolan’s former training officer. She came off as brash at first, but she did help John a lot during his first six months on the job. She left the LAPD for a job with ATF; Afton exited the series after season 1 ended.

FORMER RECURRING CAST (season 1): 

Mircea Monroe as Isabel Bradford, Tim’s ex-wife. She was an undercover officer, but got hooked onto drugs which made her lose her job, and consequently, her husband. Tim tried to help her numerous times, but they’d been estranged for a year. She did finally get clean; but they decided it’d be best to separate, as Tim did not want to remind her of her old life.

Michael Beach as Commander Percy West, Jackson’s father who runs Internal Affairs for the LAPD. He and his son had their tough moments, but the two seemed to have reconciled in the season 1 finale after Jackson’s heroic efforts to stop a viral criminal.

*random fun fact: Mekia’s not the only one with a One Chicago tie-in. Alyssa Diaz actually worked with Chicago PD actor Jesse Lee Soffer on As the World Turns, and Michael Beach actually just finished a recurring role on Chicago PD as Darius Walker. Joelle Carter, who portrayed Shawn Christian’s character’s wife in the “Hawke” episode, has been on not one, but 3 One Chicago shows. Two of which portraying Laura Nagel (Chicago PD for 1 episode, and the spinoff Chicago Justice); she guested on Chicago Med this year.

Just wanted to toss that tidbit in there since quite a few fans of The Rookie have also been fans of the One Chicago franchise – at least that I’ve interacted with on social media! 

Reason #2: The balance of dramatic cases with humorous banter between the officers

(ABC/Ron Batzdorff)

(ABC/Ron Batzdorff)

While The Rookie is no means a straight comedy, it’s also not technically a classic police procedural either. That’s a good thing, as the balance of the lighter comedic moments interspersed with the dramatic or sometimes gruesome cases is what makes the show so damn entertaining. Oh, and did I mention there are bloopers? Because there are bloopers, and they are hilarious. Click here & here to see those!!

Reason #3: The pairs (TOs & Rookies)

(ABC/Ron Batzdorff)

Ah yes, another reason why The Rookie works so well. The pairings of the training officers with their respective rookie is spot-on. In season 1 you had the new, upbeat, John Nolan paired with spunky Talia Bishop; and the two bounced off each other quite nicely. John’s new TO, Nyla Harper, is just as sassy, if not sassier than Talia, but in a way, she’s a little more grounded, as she has a young daughter to consider. That’s something they have in common, as John has a 20 year old son, Henry.

(ABC/Christopher Willard)

Another pair is Angela Lopez and Jackson West. Sure, you would think: oh, here are two ambitious, young, intelligent people, so they should feed off each other, right? Wrong…at least not at first. And that’s what was so refreshing about it. Was that you had the push-and-pull between them that made you wonder if West could really stick it out with Lopez. He eventually did get over his “stage fright” when gunfire was occurring, but it took time; and it was realistic to see Angela be tough, yet understanding with him when it came to things like that. Not to mention, Jackson’s helped her out on the relationship front a few times, as he’s listened to her issues with dating, and Wesley. He even was the one who put the idea of a proposal in her head when they were at a stakeout! The two are really jiving, and it’s fun to see!

(ABC/Christopher Willard)

Last but not least is the duo of Bradford and Chen. They couldn’t be more opposite from each other at first glance: you’ve got tough-as-nails Tim, who’s got to train positive, spirited Lucy. Sounds like a little bit of a clash, right? It seemed like it at first, as Tim was very tough on Lucy; but he’s since let down his guard a little, which has been cool to see. He’s balanced out Lucy’s energy, and the two have since been so in-sync, it’s a little crazy at times (but in the best way possible)!

Reason #4: The “ships” (couples) of the show

(ABC/Christopher Willard)

Image Credit: Twitter/TheRookie

Image Credit: IG @TheRookieABC.

(ABC/Christopher Willard)

Image Credit: IG @TheRookieABC

Ah yes, the part that a lot of fans (myself included!) love about our favorite TV shows: the couples that pair off in it! It’s also worth mentioning that fans usually get excited about “should be” couples aka: people that they think should be together/dating/a couple/etc.

As far as The Rookie goes, there are actually quite a few well-established couples on the show, especially in season 2! If you need or want a quick season 1 refresher: Tim was technically still married to his now ex-wife, Isabel; Jackson had a brief relationship with Gino; Angela and Wesley had begun dating; and yes, John & Lucy had a brief thing early on!

Now, for season 2, you’ve got: Jackson & Sterling; Tim & Rachel; Wesley & Angela; John & Grace (John was previously dating Jessica); aaaaaaand the fan-favorite should-be couple: Tim & Lucy. The final “couple” is actually how I got hooked onto The Rookie – thank you social media for all the #Chenford/#Tucy hashtags!!

Most everyone loves these relationships because they’re fun, endearing, dramatic, and sometimes even a little bit funny. It’s quite a nice counterbalance to all the death and destruction the LAPD encounters on the streets everyday, you know? Plus, who hasn’t found a couple on a show that they like a lot, right? It’s fun to interact with other fans about it too – which is part of the reason why “ships” are really effective.

Jackson and Sterling have that lovely push-and-pull dynamic, where, since Sterling’s a celebrity, and Jackson’s a cop, they had to keep it low-key at first. But now, since they’re technically out of the spotlight, they’re free to do as they please.

Tim and Rachel originally began as a bet, but, it turned into something more afterwards. Even though the two have had their little disagreements here and there, it’s been really interesting to see Tim open himself up to a new relationship after his wife in season 1. The fact that Rachel’s one of Lucy’s best friends is…beside the point. Although, for fans of Chenford/Tucy, it’s kind of comical, or ironic. I’m not quite sure which.

Speaking of Chenford, Tim & Lucy are the ones that fans have been clamoring to get together – even though technically, nothing can happen between the two until Lucy’s no longer a rookie (Tim’s her TO!). I’ll admit, I was originally intrigued by them because of their similarities to another “should-be” cop couple I ship: Upstead from Chicago PD; but, seeing how in-sync the partners are on The Rookie, I understand why everyone wants them to be more than that. I sure do!

Wesley and Angela have been steady since season 1, and his heartbreaking PTSD storyline in season 2 only brought them closer together, and showed just how strong of a relationship they have. Angela’s been super supportive, and Wesley’s always been confident in her abilities. They’re even the couple to beat in terms of major milestones: they’ve moved in together, and they’re engaged! YAY!

John and Grace were a little bit of a wildcard at the start, since they had a little bit of a history there. But, ever since they blossomed into friends, their transition into a relationship was relatively easy. It’s been nice to see John happy, and Grace seems to be really good for him right now.

Reason #5: The vibe behind the scenes

(ABC/Troy Harvey)

Last, but not least is the “vibe” behind the scenes of The Rookie. That includes the off-set antics the cast gets up to! It’s been really fun to scour social media and see their comments on not only The Rookie account, but on fan things too! The cast is also great about liking comments and posts that fans make, which is super-nice!

Not to mention, they’re just genuinely fun people – at least judging from their behind the scenes posts and on-set videos! From car sing-a-longs to random dance parties, there’s never a dull moment on The Rookie set! They’re such good sports. Not only does that camaraderie come through onscreen, but it helps the chemistry to translate nicely as well. Believability is part of what sells TV, and The Rookie has that skill down pat!

Bonus: Favorite Episodes So Far / Ones To Watch

Image Credits: (ABC/Richard Cartwright) and (ABC/Christopher Willard)

Note: this is just my own personal list, but if you have any more to add, feel free to comment! 🙂 PS: Season 2 is available for streaming on ABC.com or Hulu; season 1 is not, but there are a bevy of clips online (YouTube) which can help catch you up! 

The Pilot, of course! 1×01, and then the kind-of-sort-of subsequent follow-up 1×02 “Crash Course”

1×04 “The Switch”

1×07 “The Ride Along” & 1×08 “Time of Death”

1×14 “Plain Clothes Day” and 1×15 “Manhunt”

1×19 “The Checklist” and 1×20 “Free Fall” (the season 1 finale)

2×01 “Impact” (picks up right after season 1 leaves off!)

2×03 “The Bet” and 2×04 “Warriors and Guardians” (which is Mekia’s debut!)

2×06 “Fallout” and 2×08 “Clean Cut”

2×10 “The Dark Side” and 2×11 “Day of Death” *you should definitely watch these back-to-back, as 2×10 serves as the midseason finale; 2×11 is the midseason premiere*

2×12 “Now and Then”; 2×16 “The Overnight”; and 2×17 “Control”

That’s all for me for now! 5 (or 6, if you count the dramatic episodes!) reasons to watch The Rookie! You can catch all-new episodes on ABC, Sunday nights at 10/9 c! Be sure you’re following the show on Twitter and/or Instagram so you can see fun behind the scenes content, not to mention live-tweet during tomorrow’s all-new episode! Hope ya’ll liked this post!

Credit: GIPHY/Google

Why You Should Be Watching #TheRookie (if you're not already!) I love this job more than I imagined I could. The day I stop giving it my all is the day I walk away."

[grimelords]

Hello I finished my July playlist a week ago but when I went to post it tumblr was down, and then I just plumb forgot! Anyway, here it is - properly sequenced this time for a very special listening experience that seamlessly delivers you from disco heaven to black metal hell and everything in between. Also I’m thinking of making these playlists a tinyletter that people can subscribe to that comes out on an actual schedule, rather than me posting them at a random time weeks after they’re finished. Is that something you’d be interested in? Who knows. Check back next month! Anyway, here goes:

listen here

Stay Away From Me - The Sylvers: You know when you’re listening to a song and the sample is super hot but the rest is just ok, so you think to yourself well why don’t I just listen to the original instead? That’s what happened to me with Final Form by Sampa The Great. That song is good but it’s also kind of not doing enough to convince me not to just listen to this super hit by The Sylvers instead. A fun thing with this song is to try to count how many instruments you can hear because it is surprisingly densely arranged for some reason. There’s a xylophone back there going off if you listen.

Sizzlin’ Hot - Paradise: The same thing happened with this song and Sizzlin’ by Daphni. I think they were going for an Armand Van Helden style distillation of the pure essence of the song, sampling the hookiest part and speeding it up and thickening up all the percussion and all that, which can work amazingly but for me it just made me want to hear the original and so I have been all month. What’s so good about being alive now is that in most cases it’s just as easy to access music from 2019 as it is to access music from 1981 where an original copy is apparently going for $1000 on discogs. Every day I thank god for inventing mp3s and putting them on the ark.

Manaos (Canzone) - Fabio Frizzi and Crossbow: I forget how I came across this, I was going through random Fabio Frizzi soundtracks for some reason. I just love the concept of a disco song about escaping from vicious assailants. Funkily singing ‘God help us, if they catch us we all are gonna die.’ as spears fly past you.

Holding On - Julio Bashmore: I think this is one of my favourite pieces of sampling ever. The way the vocals in the background are cut they don’t even sound like vocals. They just a strange contextless textural sound that works so well before eventually revealing itself as vocals in the run before the drop. It’s just so good.

Weight Watchers - Parallel Dance Ensemble: First of all I love this disgusting bass sound. It sounds like two different indistinct bass lines playing at the same time and they both drowned. I’m also mounting a change.org petition to bring back this kind of extremely naff Tone Loc flow, it rocks.

Dance - ESG: I found this incredible band while I was looking for the rapper ESG and I’m so glad I did. Their song UFO is one of those songs that’s been sampled so many times you think of it as more of a sound effect than a song, like it comes preloaded on a drum machine everyone has or something, but it’s also a good template for ESG’s sound. Every ESG song I’ve heard so far goes like this: a straightforward beat that doesn’t change for the whole song, a functional bassline that doesn’t change for the whole song, and good old fashioned simple lyrics about dancing and having a good time that sound more like schoolyard clapping games than anything. It doesn’t sound like much but over the course of an album it adds up to this incredible sort of hypnotic post-punk funk that I cannot get enough of. It sounds like kids who have 1 idea making a whole album out of it because that’s exactly what it is and it’s great!

Crave You - Flight Facilities: I love how elementally simple this song is. The vocals are hypnotising enough so everything else just quietly supports it. The only part that stands out is the thick bass synth halfway through which makes the short sax solo at the and all the sweeter, a tiny little cherry on top.

You - Delta 5: Get a load of this band bio: “Initially inspired by the success of local heroes The Mekons and Gang Of Four, Leeds, England’s Delta 5 later emerged as one of the key figures of the feminist new wave. Formed in 1979 by vocalist/guitarist Julz Sale, fretless bassist Ros Allen and bassist Bethan Peters.” Just going to gloss over them having TWO bass players before they even have a drummer?? Absolutely amazing. I love this song because it’s such a specific, targeted fury. Imagine being the loser at your girlfriend’s gig when she launched into this one for the first time. ‘who’s got homebrew with lots of sediment?’ oh fuck that’s me ‘who took me to the Windham for a big night out?’ oh fuck that’s me ‘I found out about you’ oh FUCK

Siren - Gong Gong Gong: I love the way the bass works in this, just looping and layering different variations of this noisy, stationary riff on top of itself - steadfastly staying in the exact same place the whole song and growing in power the whole time as it sits in its stubbornness.

Changes - Antonio Williams and Kerry McCoy: This came up on my Discover Weekly and I completely fell in love with it, then I realised it’s Antwan and Kerry McCoy from Deafheaven which is extremely intriguing collaboration and fell in love even more. The vocals are so good. The pure broken-hearted anguish, and the super blunt delivery that progresses to straight up yelling by the end of it combined with the Radio Dept type instrumentation is just so powerful. This feels like it’s a song that could really be a life-changing piece of catharsis for everyone in a 5k radius done live.

Fuck A War - Geto Boys: Absolutely in love with the conceit of this song: rapping a whole song down the line to the army drafter. The incredible part being of course that Bushwick Bill would be able to dodge any draft easily, being as he was both a dwarf and blind in one eye.

God Make Me Funky - The Headhunters: I found a lot of great songs going through the samples list for We Can’t Be Stopped by Geto Boys and this is one of them. I have so much love for any song that takes its time like this: nearly two minutes to set the scene and somehow taking deadly seriously the very funny lyrical idea of desperately praying to god to PLEASE make you funky.  The way this song escalates is also amazing, moving from a hot groove that sits in place to a full-on saxophone meltdown that feels like god placing his finger on your forehead and saying ‘so you want to be funky, do you?’ in a scary voice.

Use Me - Bill Withers: Fortunately and unfortunately, because of how this song was in Anchorman and because I’ve seen Anchorman one million times I can’t listen to it without hearing the noise Ron Burgundy makes when he sees Veronica in the first few seconds. Anyway, this song is so horny. The part where he has to explain to his bro how good this shit is? Doing all kinds of weird dom shit like ‘getting him in a crowd of high class people and then acting real rude to him?’ Weird. And the escalation into the claps at BABY! is amazing, he’s just going off powered by horniness and god bless him for it.

America! I’m For The Birds - Nicolas Jaar: Unbelievably, the deluxe edition of Sirens is possibly superior to the original. It’s a whole new tracklist, new songs interspersed throughout rather than the usual ‘three new songs at the end’ and it really gives it a whole new feel. This song is my favourite of the new ones and it’s a song I had in my head for a solid week. A perfect song to sing to yourself because the lyrics are so indistinct that you just end up mumbling pleasantly exactly like he is.

Cable Guy - Tierra Whack: I’m finally catching up on Tierra Whack and everyone’s right: she rocks. The sheer restraint in these songs is amazing, they just get in and out with only the good parts and no bullshit. It reminds me a lot of To The Innocent by Thingy which is one of my favourite albums for the same reason - the economy of the songwriting just serves to amplify the feeling of it. They both have this total irreverence in the lyricism where the songs are kind of about nothing but they’re so short and heartfelt that you dig for the feeling underneath it.

No Drug Like Me - Carly Rae Jepsen: I’ve previously written that what I love the most about the Carly Rae Jepsen is how horny it is and I’d like to double down on that sentiment here. I love how slow this song is, it’s the perfect tempo between danceable and ‘fucking’.

Con Calma (Remix) - Daddy Yankee, Katy Perry and Snow: I’ve been on a european holiday for most of this month and I would like to report that across Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, France and Germany this is the absolute song of the summer. It is completely inescapable and personally I can’t get enough. Informer is one of the greatest and strangest one hit wonders of all time (it’s also canada’s highest selling reggae song of all time and Snow is thusly named because he’s white) and I’m psyched to hear it reworked by Daddy Yankee like this. Katy Perry being on the crossover attempt remix isn’t a good sign for her new album but she kills it so maybe that’s all that matters.

Chase The Devil - Max Romeo and The Upsetters: Here’s the other half of my short lived dub phase from the end of last month. This is a good example also of how completely beguiling lyrics can still be so effective. I have no idea what he means by putting on an iron shirt but it rhymes and he’s saying it with conviction so I’m nodding!

Glass - Bat For Lashes: The new Bat For Lashes songs have got me revisiting Two Suns which is an all time great five star album and this is my favourite song from it. Maybe the most powerful opening track of all time, it does as much worldbuilding as most fantasy novels do in 1000 pages. In fact almost every line in this is a viable fantasy novel title. A Thousand Crystal Towers. The Hand Of The Watchmen. A Knight In Crystal Armour. A Cape Of Rainbow. The way she sings ‘to be made of glass’ is.. incredible. I love Natasha Khan and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Unsquare Dance - Paddy Milner: In searching spotify for other interpretations of Unsquare Dance after getting obsessed with it last month I came across this absolutely bonkers version. It’s maniacal, it feels like you would be physically and mentally drained by the end playing it because I am just listening to it. Need a little lie down.

Gimme Some Skin, My Friend - The Andrews Sisters: My girlfriend has turned me onto The Andrews Sisters lesser known hits recently and this is the best one: a song from when high fives were a novelty that those wacky blacks over in Harlem town were inventing. Extremely odd but an undeniable banger. The thing about The Andrews Sisters is one of them was an absolute force of nature as a performer and the other two were complete wet blankets and it’s kind of funny they were together as a group for their whole career because anyone with eyes can see where the real star is. The way she sings ‘baby’ at 1:25, and that whole run really, is absolutely amazing and so much better than this extremely dumb song deserves.

Kids On The Run - The Tallest Man On Earth: The piano sound alone in this is just so beautiful. This song could be about anything at all and it would still make me cry, and luckily for me: it basically is!

King Of Spain - The Tallest Man On Earth: Good song I had in my head the whole time I was in Spain. It’s incredible that his voice is so good. It feels like if it was even the tiniest bit different, slightly rougher or tinnier he would be completely hilariously unlistenable but instead he’s amazing. Plus the fact that he leans into it with the purposefully lo-fi trebly production is just so confident you can’t help but love it.

Romeo And Juliet - The Indigo Girls: A great cover I wasn’t aware of before that I heard in this great documentary Wildwood I was watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOWxnh012J0. The way she absolutely flies off the handle and nearly tears the song down around her near the last chorus is pure power and I love people who can do that in an acoustic song without it feeling overblown, just getting totally swept up in it and taking everyone along with you.

On The Bus Mall - The Decemberists: Definitely the number one song about gay teenage prostitutes who love each other and are optimistic against the odds.  

White Fire - Angel Olsen: This song feels like a piece of dark magic. It feels like a 4am moment of clarity, speaking everything true in a five minute monotone and then instantly falling back to sleep with only a dim memory in the morning.  

Glass Eyes -JW Ridley: JW Ridley is a genius and I cannot wait to see what he does with an album. Every song he puts out seems to be better than his last. The central melody in this is just beautiful, and the whole thing has so much space in it it feels so much longer than 3 minutes. It’s like a song you can live in.

Nullarbor - Floodlights: I love how rough this song is, and driving across australia because you’ve got nothing else going on and want to rattle your own cage is a Huge mood.

Made Too Pretty (Audiotree Live Version) - As Cities Burn: I’m so glad As Cities Burn are back, because it means they get to do good shit like this Audiotree session where they absolutely killed it.

Dirty Hearts - Dallas Crane: I think I’ve put this on a playlist before for exactly the same reason: it’s a song I wake up with in my head fairly often for some reason and it’s a very fun slice of pub rock that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.

Ruin This Smile - The Number 12 Looks Like You: Did you know The Number 12 Looks Like You have reformed after 10 years away and haven’t missed a step at all?? I’m salivating. This song is as good as anything they’ve put out before, and feels like it fits somewhere between Mongrel and Worse Than Alone which is fantastic news for me who always loved those a lot more than their earlier more explicitly grindcore stuff.

Nutrient Painting - Yellow Eyes: A special thanks to my friend and yours Powerburial for linking this song on his twitter. There’s something about the guitars in this song, in almost every riff, where it sounds like they’re playing backwards somehow. Like the structure of the melodies is backwards. It doesn’t make sense but that’s what it sounds like to me and it’s very disconcerting.

Jejune Stars - Bright Eyes: I think this an underrated Conor Oberst era, when he became a sort of buddhist for a while and wasn’t sad anymore but just observed earth from outer space instead. I also love the instrumentation of this song, Bright Eyes and blast beats a match made in heaven. Also the strange sample about pom’granite at the end is one of my favourite things ever. A very strange album to retire the Bright Eyes name on but a very good one too.

At The Bar - Dirty Three: When I was overseas I was thinking about cultural music, and Australia’s place in the world and things like that. I ended up thinking about Dirty Three who I think along with The Drones make the most distinctly Australian sounding music to me. Just the vastness they manage to conjure from such straightforward barebones instrumentation is incredible.

listen here

[sidelinesbysam]

I’m a Senior Again...I think

Back in the day I remember what it was like to become a senior. It was June of 1977 and it was a glorious day! We were just wrapping up our Junior year at Proviso West High School and as the final days of junior year ticked away, we all became filled with the anticipation of what was about to take place. Well almost all of us. There were a few dudes hanging out behind the auto shop that may not have had quite the excitement and focus as the rest of the Class of 78. But nonetheless, it was here...the day my friends and I were waiting for. As the last final exam was completed and that final bell rang, just like that, I was a senior! When you go to a huge high school like Proviso West, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Now I certainly wasn’t one of the cool kids but I do have to admit, I had some really cool friends heading into that senior year. And they were all awesome and cool in their own way  

Even though during those years I never eclipsed the 5’6” mark on the wall, I had some good friendships with some really big dudes at PWHS. I mean they were big...tall...vertically unchallenged as it were. Brett seemed to be 7’ and so did Ron. Pat O was a monster too. Looking back I’m going to guess they were in the mid 6 foot range but to me they were giants. We were friends all four years but this year, senior year was different. We were on top of the mountain of high school life and those guys were the coolest of cool. Being a high school athlete had to be the pinnacle. Especially becoming a senior.

 Somehow I had also forged a close friendship with one of the prettiest girls in a school of thousands. Carolyn was the captain of the dance and pom pom squad and her and I used to meet in the halls between classes and we chatted almost everyday. And she hung out with the greatest collection of friends that made an adolescent guy like me crazy. 

I may not have been a cool kid but when I became a senior I did some things that I thought were pretty cool at the time, and maybe still.  I was there editor of the Mural in 1978 which was the high school yearbook. Everyday for months the staff and I met to build that 300+ page yearbook that holds the memories of turning into a senior for so many of my classmates. Along with Mike, my still best friend ever, we took nearly every one of the candid photos for that book and when the first copy was delivered, maybe for the first time in my life, I felt really accomplished and pretty cool. I was also the sports editor of the Profile, the school newspaper. I had my own column and I wrote stories about all the different sporting events that entire senior year too. I wrote some stories that were really good and insightful and a few others that got me threatened with a meeting in the parking lot after school. Such is the life of a journalist! At the time I was sure that those experiences were going to launch me into a career of journalism. Looking at the media today, maybe it’s a blessing my life took another direction. After all these years, turning a senior at PWHS is mostly a clouded memory. I recall bits and pieces. I was the dude at basketball games that got hoisted up on someone's shoulders and shouted out, “Give me a P…” I remember being the first person to put on the new Panther mascot costume Coach Lucas and Mr. Skul had bought and I remember being a faithful part time team manager for the basketball team that senior year. I remember after the last loss of the season I sat in the locker room with those cool giants and I cried. “Coach Luke” came over and consoled me and told me thanks for everything. That moment really meant the world to me and it was probably the first time I considered being a senior was coming to a close. 

I even met my first wife my senior year. She wasn't a Panther but she did live close by in Elmhurst. We met at Dominick's and that eventually led directly to two great kids and three grandkids. Wow! All in all, being a senior was pretty cool.

And here I am today. Once again, I’ve become a senior. But let me tell you, it came without the same anticipation or excitement. Now to be completely clear, there is some debate as to when a person officially becomes a senior. Some say it’s 65. The Social Security Administration, in some cases, says it’s 62. For some reason, me personally always had the number 60 attached to it. Maybe now that I’m 60, I should rethink the connection. But you know what, it’s just a number and just a word. Some people say that in the context of growing old, the word senior has a negative connotation. The PC word to be used should be “elderly.” Really, elderly? I don’t like that at all. I may not be old but I am definitely not elderly. Am I? But for the sake of argument, let’s just say 60 is seniorly. What sort of cool things come with becoming a senior this go around? It appears that the gallbladder is a right of senior passage. That thing must not like being housed in a senior because half of everyone I know had to have it removed. And remember, as a senior, people like to tell you it’s not surgery...it’s just a procedure. Another thrill of being a senior is the eyesight. It appears as you progress through the years you go from readers to prescription glasses to bi-focals to trifocals and then “progressives.” The pinnacle (I hope) of a never ending battle with blurry vision. Another treasure of seniordum is that first 30 minutes or more of every single morning for the rest of ever I guess. Back in the day my alarm would go off, I would spin out of bed, get ready for school or work and take off. Now there is a strategic series of snoozes, slow turns over the edge of the bed, an occasional reach for the wall and a very deliberate walk to the first destination in the morning. Sorry dogs, your business has to wait for my business. And what do seniors do while doing their business? I, for one, look at The Facebook. And what do I see when I look at The Facebook? It appears people my age look a lot older than I think I look. Must be part of that whole “blurry vision” issue. If I am in fact a senior again, it sure looks a lot different than it did 42 years ago. But ironically, there are the benefits.

Back in 1978, as a senior, we thought we could do anything. We had a closed campus at PWHS but at lunchtime I still left to go to McDonald’s for a burger or Ne’Joes for an Italian sub. Once the truant officer stopped me at the gate before I got out of the south lot and asked me where I thought I was going. I chose what I thought was the best route and told him to get some lunch. He handed me a 5 and asked if I would grab him something. Being a senior had it’s privilege. And being a senior still does today. I find that as a senior, if that’s what I am, I can get away with saying things I couldn’t when I was younger. Now for the record, subtlety helps, but having the same filter as a younger man is not required. I notice that beating around the bush is a much shorter process. 

Me: “Can I have just a large iced tea? That's it.” 

The other person: “Anything else with that?” 

Me again: “Did you NOT hear the words JUST and THAT'S IT tucked into that sentence?”

The disgruntled other person: “(grumble...mumble...old fart)”

But in reality, landing at 60 and looking at life in perspective ain’t such a bad thing. There are some real blessings to this senior stuff and I’m not talking about AARP discounts. This is more about life in general. I have four great kids that are moving through life at breakneck speed sometimes, and I love them very much and I’m so proud of them all. I wish we connected more often but modern day electronics makes it easier to fill the gaps. A quick text or a social media “like” or thumbs up will never be a substitute for a call or a visit, but it lets us know that we’re all still out there. And I have the blessing of three grandkids that fill my life with joy and happiness. The 12 year old lives in south central IL so we need to use our devices to connect and talking to grandpa isn’t much of a priority to a video game playing, pre-teen but we do our best. The 8 and 6 year old live close by and I get to see them frequently. My granddaughter who is the youngest, observes my senior status by asking, “grandpa, why do you sit in your chair and watch those cooking shows all the time?” I want to load up one of those unfiltered replies but she’s so darn cute I just tell her, “Because I can’t find the remote to change the channel.” The fun part about my middle grandson is that at 8 years old he’s starting to let his hair grow out. And in senior fashion I asked him if he was trying to look like one of the Beatles. That got me the most puzzled look and after a pause, “who’s that?” 

And as a senior today, I look back to when I was a senior back then. I fondly remember those giants that I was friends with. Sadly Brett lost his life several years ago but I still think of him from those days and I can’t help but smile. Even though he was a massive dude in my eyes, I’ll always remember that he had a giant heart too. He always treated me like I was part of his circle even though I existed on the edge of that circle at best. And that pretty dance team captain that befriended me way back when, well she is still a BFF and not only one of the most beautiful women I know inside and out, she’s a successful business woman, an author, a proud momma and a loving, devoted wife. And I can gladly say, even though we’re a couple of hundred miles apart, we stay connected and chat often. My best friend forever Mike and I connect almost daily. Sometimes it’s a call or a text. Maybe a dad joke or a backhanded jab. We even have laughs about being seniors. Sometimes remembering 1978 and other times trying to remember stuff from 2020. 

Through the miracle of social media, even though I live over 200 miles from where I lived the first time I was a senior, I am still connected to dozens and dozens of friends from those great days at Proviso West and even earlier at MacArthur and Jefferson. For example, at our last class reunion, Tom and his band played for a couple of hours and it’s hard to believe he and I met in 1971. That guy is a rocking, surfing, boating senior and a really cool dude (does that sound seniorish?) now living in Florida. Steve and Mark and others live in Cali, Donna lives in Texas, Bill lives in Michigan, Diane has traveled all over Europe and also lived in Germany. Rich has lived in Colorado for years. My cousin Pat and his wife Patty who are also 78ers have been in Oregon for as long as I can remember. And hundreds of others are scattered all across the land and sadly, several others have gone before us. But for those that remain, there is a line of commonality that we all share and have shared before. At one time we were all seniors before life really got going. And here we all are, seniors (maybe) again. It really doesn’t matter about our life perspectives or where we stand in today’s climate of world views, we cannot separate ourselves from the fact that we were seniors together back in 1978 and we may or may not be seniors together again now. In a few years, many of us will meet again or for the first time at a class reunion. We will have happy memories about those first senior days and share a lot of laughs and a few tears. And surely the conversation will turn to current senior days and all of our own transition to being a modern day senior.

[shiftyskip]

Wayne A. “Skinny” Sisk

The Real Skinny Sisk: 

Wayne Aubrey Sisk was born March 4, 1922 to Henry Sisk and Nettie Monk Sisk in Herdon, West Virginia. He had several siblings.The oldest was Lumer, who when Skinny was born was about 20 years older than him. After that the rest were (from second oldest to younger): Boyd, Virginia Pearlie, Gretchen, Eloise, Roy, Delcie, Lannie, Raymond. When he was only 7 or 8, his father died on April 5, 1930. Somewhere along that time, Skinny was not living with his mother, only Pearlie and Dewaine were. I do not know where he went during that time, but he and Pearlie were living with his mother by 1940. 

Skinny before the war was employed with Wadsons World Fair. His enlistment card says that his occupation was an apprentice to construction and/or hand trades. He enlisted in August 15, 1942 at Fort Thomas in Newport, Kentucky. He also states that he has a scar over his eye. I am not sure how he got that either.

Skinny was one of the first men to enter Easy Company. He was one of the first Privates in Easy Company at Camp Tocco. Winters said, “To win over the girls in the 1940s, Sisk used his smile, wit, and the glamour of being a paratrooper.” Even though he trained under Sobel, Skinny had some fun along the route. One day, on furlough, Skinny was arrested by the military police for making out with his girlfriend near the train tracks. When Sobel asked to Skinny to explain himself, Sisk said: “The train was coming, she was coming, and so was I.” iN Another version by Shames, Skinny and his girlfriend were...being intimate...on the tracks. (Author’s Note: OH MY GOD. NO.) The driver had to emergency stop the train and called the police. In court, Shames said that Skinny said, “Well, sir, she was cummin’, I was cummin’ and the only one who had any control over the brakes was the damned engine driver.” 

That’s probably the correct version...

According to Shames, Skinny was the craziest man he’d ever met. 

During April of 1943. Van Klinken and Skinny spent some time in the hospital. When they got out of the hospital and were resting in the barracks, they got drunk for three days. One the last night they drank 3 quarts and couldn’t even stand up.

Skinny was still with Easy when they jumped into Normandy. He was in the plane with Guth, Smokey Gordon, Floyd Talbert, Francis Mellet, Ed Tipper, Campbell Smith, and John Eubanks who were engaged in a soldier’s favorite pastime: bitching about equipment. Skinny broke the eventual tension in the plane by yelling out: “Does anyone want to buy a good watch.” 

When walking to Carentan, everyone stepped over a dead German, who had his arm raised in the air. But Skinny reached out and shook his hand, while stepping on the dead German. The dead German made a noise and Skinny whispered, “Sorry, buddy.”

In Foy, on New Year’s Day, H company spotted unidentified American troops drawing from a well in Foy, while it was risky both sides used this well. The unidentified troops sparked concern and Shames’ group was ordered to move west. Shames’ patrol included Moe Alley, Strohl, and Sisk and they moved during the night, to give them more cover to move around. Shames’ patrol moved along a slope that overlooked the well. After hours, a man’s figure appeared near the well, coming from Foy, a German. Shames and Skinny moved near him, Skinny making it very clear he’d cut the guy’s throat if he made a sound. Skinny scared the guy to death and his rage only grew when her found out the German was wearing an American uniform. They took the German prisoner instead. He’d been from America and had lived there before the war, spoke English. He gave them no other information. Under unclear, “extreme physical”, the German soldier caved and gave them information and location of his other team member.

Shames and Skinny were ordered to stake out the location (a house) for a few days.  They brought Ed Stein with them. On the second night, they managed to get into the house, using Stein’s knowledge of German. Shames tricked them into thinking they were a German patrol before they figured out they’d been tricked. Shames took their weapons and took them back to the Bois Jacques. It was just getting light when the Germans started speaking to each other. Shames told them to shut the hell up and they didn’t. So when they refused to give information, Shames had him kneel in front of the other soldiers and shot him in the head. 

In Austria, Easy Company’s beloved Speirs, was made aware of the German SS officer, the leader of a concentration camp, had escaped and was living in the hills nearby. Ron Speirs sent a group to go out and kill him. This group included Lynch, Liebgott, Moone, and Sisk. (NOT WEBSTER - that was a Tom Hanks and Spielberg addition). Moone was conflicted the entire way on if Speirs had enough authority to give this order. They found the man, interrogated him, and Liebgott shot the man twice. The man turned and ran. Moone refused to shoot him, “The war’s over.” Skinny instead raised his fun and shot him, killing him. 

The war ended and Skinny returned home where he continued to live near Raleigh and Wyoming, West Virginia. He became a building contractor and stone masonry.

Skinny was haunted by the war for a very long time. As he wrote to Winters in 1991,

“My career after the word was trying to drink with the truck load of Krauts hat I stopped in Holland in the diehard not see that I went into the Bavarian Alps and killed. Old Moe Alley made a statement that all the killings that I did was going to jump into the bed with me one of these days and they surely did. I had a lot of flashbacks after the war and I started drinking. Ha! Ha!

“Then my sister little daughter, four-years-old, came into my bed room (I was too unbearable to the rest of my family, either hung over or drunk) and she told me that Jesus loves me And she love me and if I would repent God would forgive me for all the man I kept trying to kill all over again. That little girl got me to put her out of my room, told her to go down to her mommy. There in then I bowed my head on my mothers old featherbed and repented and God forgive me for the war and all other bad things I had done down through the years. I was ordained in the latter part of 1949 into the ministry and believe me, Dick, I haven’t whipped but one man since and he needed it. I have four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The lord willing and Jesus tarrys I hope to see you all at the next reunion. If not I’ll see you at the last jump. I know you won’t freeze in the door.”

Skinny got married to Jane Louise Rufus, called Louise in March 15 1946, under a year after the war. She was 19, he was 24. After a time, I assume after he died, she remarried and became Jane Louise Sisk Kester.

They had four kids together: Delcie Lynn was born August 8, 1950. Roy Paris was born in 1951. Roy would eventually marry when he was 16 and his bride was 15. They also had Wayne Aubrey Sisk Jr. and Sharon.

He was an ordained Minister and attend Skelton Freewill Baptist Church. He also was a member of Beckley Confrence of Freewill Baptist’s and the West Virginia State Association of Freewill Baptists.

He had won a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during the war and survived till the end with Easy Company.

By the end of his days, he had: 4 granddaughters- Melissa, Laura, Amelia, and Sara, 4 grandsons- Jeffrey, M. Shane, Matthew, and Chad. He had one great-granddaughter, Ashley, and one great-grandson, Micah.

Skinny died July 13, 1999, at a hospital after a long sickness in Charleston, Virginia.

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Michael After Midnight: Hellboy

I really love Guillermo Del Toro’s work. I really do. His first Hellboy movie was the first film I ever saw from him and was a gateway drug to the rest of his filmography, Ron Perlman, and Hellboy himself. Because of the film and Teen Titans, Perlman became one of my favorite actors, and because of the film, I checked out the sequel and all the animated movies. I never got into the comics unfortunately, but it’s safe to say that Hellboy had an impact on me.

But, like… I really think people hold it and its sequel in too high of a regard. GDT’s Hellboy movies are good movies, don’t misunderstand me, but I wouldn’t really say they’re some of GDT’s best. The first film has a lot of great ideas but is bogged down by the fact it has a stupid, pointless love triangle with a bland everyman character and doesn’t let Doug Jones do Abe’s voice, and the second film can get a bit too silly to the point where there is a phantom Seth MacFarlane in a diving suit doing a bad German accent. It’s a testament to Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, and the effects that they can carry these films on the force of their personalities and spectacle alone. They’re fun action movies, but I think they lack a lot of the depth of GDT’s films like Pan’s Labyrinth and especially The Shape of Water or even the sheer awesome value of something like Pacific Rim. They’re worthy films in the man’s filmography, but they aren’t his artistic masterpieces.

Which made it so weird to me when this movie was announced, this reboot of a property anyone with any sense knew was long dead, and people started treating GDT’s movies like cinema’s Holy Grail. I love the combination of GDT and Perlman as much as anyone else guys, but come on, I’d rather have more Hellboy and have GDT finally take us to the Mountains of madness than have him fight an uphill battle to get a third Hellboy film made. And it’s not like this movie was rushed out immediately, this franchise got the reboot ten years later. People were seriously getting mad because a dead film series was getting rebooted just because of nostalgia. Again, can’t stress enough that I love Del Toro, I love Perlman, and the Hellboy movies they made together kick ass… but at some point you have to let go and move on, and hope for better things. Frankly, as I alluded to before, Del Toro’s Lovecraft adaptation is something I’m far more excited to see than I would be another Hellboy film from him.

God, what a detour that was, huh? I haven’t even talked about the actual movie I’m reviewing yet… well, despite everything, despite it being a reboot of a beloved but very dead franchise, despite suffering a lot of executive meddling and behind-the-scenes drama, despite it bombing at the box office due to poor release scheduling which leaves any sequels in doubt… it’s actually a pretty good film. Like, genuinely good, I wouldn’t even say “so bad it’s good,” though it really, really pushes it at times.

For instance, the plot is utter hogwash. It’s a bunch of mystical bullshit that just happens to get Hellboy from scene to scene and show us some cool magical shit, because while the story itself is dumb, the background and lore of the world is most certainly not. It’s an absolute mish-mash of all sorts of fantasy tropes, with the devil, King Arthur, Baba Yaga, giants, Mexican vampires, werecats, and fairies all thrown into the mix, with sprinklings of the Bible, Rasputin, Atlantis, Nazis, and whatnot thrown in for good measure. It’s the exact sort of crazy crossover fairytale madness I love about Hellboy. Baba Yaga in particular is fantastic and horrifying, with her one major scene really stealing the show, and the demons from Hell that pop in towards the end likewise leave an impression with their fantastically creative designs and gory methods of murder. Ah yes, there’s the biggest plus this movie has: the gore. The sheer levels of bloody violence this movie delivers in its fight scenes is nothing short of hilariously beautiful. Special mention has to go to the demon attack sequence at the end, which is like a highlight reel of blood and guts.

The movie definitely crammed a lot in to try and build up the world for a sequel, which is a risky thing for these big comic book universe films, and ultimately I don’t think it truly paid off well for it, sadly. I did like a lot of the backstory given to us, but a lot of the time it felt like it was bogging down the pacing. It’s like every time we have a new character, they have to spend five minutes detailing this time Hellboy pissed in their Cheerios and that’s why they hate monsters or whatever. Heck, even in a flashback a character kind of pauses to kind of explain what they’re about. It adds to the silliness, sure, but I feel like they should have slowed down and kind of eased into the worldbuilding instead of getting overexcited and blowing their load so quick.

The characters are mostly okay. Ian McShane is literally incapable of being bad, and getting to hear him say “fuck” with alarming regularity is great, and David Harbour is definitely a worthy succesor to Perlman in taking up the big red fist. The rest of the cast, though? They’re mostly just okay, and even the better ones like Hellboy’s sidekicks for the journey Alice and Ben are kind of thrown at us, show off their powers, and then get sidelined for a lot of the movie so Hellboy can punch everything, though Ben at least gets to help in the climactic fight and everyone shares a cool action scene at the end. Speaking of the climactic battle though, the climax as a whole is simultaneously cool and underwhelming, with Milla Jovovich’s big bad Nimue going down like a Milla Jovobitch. Nimue is not an awful protagonist, and she does have some good backstory to her, but ultimately she’s a bit underwhelming as an antagonist, though this is pretty standard for Hellboy movies after the first one. If nothing else, she gets defeated with the most amazingly bad pun imaginable, so she’s not on my shit list.

Frankly it’s really hard to quantify why I like this film; most would argue my criticism of the film would make it bad at worst, “so bad it’s good” at best, but I don’t think either criteria fits it, I think it’s a genuinely good film, just not a great one. It’s fun, it’s goofy, it’s cheesy, it’s gory, and even if it is a little dumb it has lot of good lore and absurd amounts of backstory for every character. This will be a weird comparison, but I feel like the comic book movie I’d say it most reminds me of is Suicide Squad, mainly because both films are dumb plots filled with interesting characters and lore, but where Suicide Squad is an entertaining hot mess, Hellboy is more akin to a very gory cheesy 80s/90s fantasy film.

I’d recommend this movie. It’s the sort of film you want to watch if you don’t want to think to hard and just want to have some gory fun. I think more open minded Hellboy fans will like it, and anyone who just likes big dumb action movies or cheesy dark fantasy films will get a kick out of this. It’s really not a completely bad movie by any means, but it certainly is a bit more bloated and less polished than it could have been, kind of like a Pirates of the Caribbean sequel.

I’m no oracle or anything, but I kind of see this film eventually developing a cult following, a sentiment Milla Jovovovich shares. It certainly has the makings of one – bad box office, critical revilement, rejection by audiences at first, lots of cheese, good ideas buried under the lack of polish, great ideas sticking out in the mix – but only time will tell. Frankly I don’t think it’s any worse than the other Hellboy films, and is an enjoyable take on the character in its own right. I hope it manages to finds its audience eventually, and while I don’t think it will ever be as big or beloved as fellow critically reviled campy superhero film Venom, I think it deserves at least a fraction of the respect that movie got.

[draco-draco-draco-draco]

4th year-secret admirer

One shot with an OC reader

Author: Jess

Word Count: 2389

“You can be really stupid sometimes, you know that, right?” I asked Ron and Harry as they competed against each other in a contest of their own creation in which they shove the most amount of roast potatoes into their mouths as they can. “I mean, for starters, you’re burning your tongues-“ I began, watching as they breathed out repeatedly like  dragons breathing fire, “secondly, it’s disgusting to look at while I’m eating- and no Ron, I can’t ‘not look’ because you’re right in front of me!- and finally, YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS!” I finished, cringing at the amount of potato falling out of their mouths. 

“Sorry” they both mumbled, causing even more potato to fall from their mouths, which resulted in a disapproving glare from both me and Hermione. 

“Honestly you two, you should be studying! Exams are only five months away and-“

”Calm down ‘mione, we’ve got plenty of time” Ron interrupted her, and Hermione was about to speak again but stopped herself when she saw the look on my face, a look that said ‘it’s pointless, there’s no reasoning with them’. She clearly seemed to agree. 

When Harry and Ron had eventually managed to swallow the remaining food in their mouths, an origami butterfly fluttered over to me and rested on my shoulder. I smiled at the beauty of the creation, but curiosity was clear in my eyes. I could feel Harry, Hermione and Ron’s eyes all on me and the piece of gorgeously folded paper, so I reached up for it and began unravelling it. It read:

‘To Y/N,

I’m glad at least you could get Potter and Weasley to stop their little contest, they’ve been doing it for days now with different foods and I haven’t been able to eat properly for weeks. I must say though, it was much more pleasant when they did it with brussel sprouts and carrots, despite Weasley’s constant gagging. 

However, I’m not just writing to you to thank you for stopping the revolting antics of your friends, but to admit to you that I like you. And no, before your eyes dart down to the sender, this letter will remain anonymous as I believe that if you knew my identity, you wouldn’t be very happy. Although, I’d love to be able to talk to you. What would you say to corresponding now and again? All you have to do is write a letter and then tap your wand on the parchment while saying ‘complicare‘. Then your message will drift off to me, or a room in which I’ll collect the message-I really don’t want you knowing who I am. 

I hope you get the chance to write back.

For now,

Anonymous.’

I stared at the parchment in shock-someone likes me? I allowed the guys to read my letter then immediately scrambled to find a quill and roll of parchment.

’To my secret admirer,

although ‘Anonymous’ has a nice ring to it, I’m not too sure that that’s good enough for me. Does Mr Anonymous have a last name? A year group? A Hogwarts house? I wouldn’t be surprised if you were in Ravenclaw, they’re always so damn cryptic.

And yes, I’d like to get to know you, despite it only being through writing. I do have one question though: will I ever know who you are?

Im not sure I can deal with too much mystery.

-Y/N

PS: sorry about Harry and Ron, they can be real gits at times.’

Once I finished writing, I tapped the parchment with my wand and muttered ‘complicare’. It immediately took shape of an origami robin and flew out of the great hall. Hermione advised me against correspondence, but I, for once, did what Harry and Ron told me to do-write them back and find out things that’ll eventually help me distinguish who they are.

It had been months since I received my first mystery letter, and I still had no idea who they were written by. However, we did have really good conversations about pretty much anything- I’ve learnt that he shares some classes with me, comes from a wealthy family and that his mother has been mysteriously widowed several times over- that conversation was particularly deep. I felt like I truly knew him and that we were really close, so what if I didn’t know his name? But Hermione has been very quick to criticise me, and even Ron and Harry have started to look concerned by how much we’ve spoken to each other without me ever getting the chance to know his name. I was curious, of course, but I don’t really care, I love talking to him, and if him telling me his name is going to stop our communication, I’d rather not know. 

“Honestly, Y/N, how many times do I have to tell you, it could be dangerous and-“ Hermione began as I quickly unravelled an origami swan that just floated to me, smiling at the familiar handwriting. 

“Honestly, Hermione,” I mimicked, “I don’t care. It’s not dangerous, and nothing that you say is going to stop me from talking to him. He’s one of my best friends, after you three of course.” Harry, Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, and I didn’t know why, but it annoyed me greatly. “You know what, guys? Screw you! I actually can’t deal with your judgment and your criticism,” I shot a pointed glare at Hermione, “and you’re all pissing me off, to be honest. Just leave me alone for now, yeah?!” I shouted, standing up from the table and storming off, not looking back to see my friends shocked faces and to be overwhelmed by the silence of the great hall and the confused looks I was receiving. 

‘To Anonymous,

I know you were there in the great hall today, or you probably would have heard about what happened, so before you ask me about it, I’m just going to tell you what it was- well, actually, I don’t even know. I just sort of exploded. The guys have been on my back for a while now about still not knowing who you are and they’ve been desperately trying to get me to stop writing to you, but I don’t want to. I know your personality, and to me, that’s everything. There’s no judgement about families or predjudice-whether it be about blood status or Hogwarts houses. I think it’s better that I get to know your personality and what you’re like before judgment based on appearances creeps into the way, but the thing is, I already know what you’re like, so keeping your identity from me is just pointless now, I won’t let your name ruin this. 

If I’m honest with you, I’ve started developing feelings for you too. In every letter you always mention how much you like me and I just thank you for it, but honestly, it was because I’m scared. You know my name, you know everything about me, but for all I know, you could be an annoying older-year playing a dumb prank on me. I can almost hear it now-“Ha ha! You thought someone actually likes you?! How stupid can you get?” 

I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want to see you. I want to know who you are. So please, respond to this letter and tell me that you agree that we should meet. How are we supposed to....progress if all we are doing is writing to each other?

-Y/N’

I was in the Gryffindor common room and I had just sent my origami message when Harry, Hermione and Ron walked in. They looked at me, as if debating about whether to talk to me or to give me the space that I requested, but I pointedly diverted my gaze and picked up the nearest book. I heard Hermione sigh and walk up to the boy’s dormitory with them. We always did that-the four of us- because sometimes we wanted to talk to each other in private and the common room wasn’t the best place to do so, and when curfew came(8:45, which is incredibly early if you ask me), we couldn’t leave the common room, unless we used Harry’s cloak, but it was beginning to get a bit crowded under there. As boys can’t enter girl’s dormitories, the boy’s was the only solution. 

It had been about two hours before an origami bee came buzzing towards me. I smiled in hope and anticipation of what the reply would include, but it immediately vanished as my eyes moved further along the page. 

‘To Y/N,

I’d absolutely love to talk to you in person, but I just can’t. I’m sorry. Trust me when I say that you wouldn’t want to be talking to me-you’d be too disappointed in whom you’ve been corresponding. I’m a selfish person and I want our communication to continue, and if that means you not knowing who I am, then maybe that’s for the best. Again, I’m sorry. 

From, Anonymous.

P.S How could you honestly think that no one would ever like you? You’re incredible!’

Tears sprang to my eyes as all of my hope vanished. I just wanted to see him, to hug him, to hear his voice instead of having to read his neat, cursive handwriting. Suddenly, a wave of anger washed over me, completely replacing my sadness. I don’t need him! There are loads of hot Durmstrang boys at Hogwarts due to the triwizard tournament taking place, maybe spending a bit of time with a few of them would take my mind off of whomever I’d been talking to....

It was the next day, and I woke up determined. I’d completely forget about my origami extraordinaire and talk to new people-people who I would actually know the name of. I got in the shower, changed into my uniform and applied a little bit of makeup, which drastically changed my appearance due to the fact that I almost never wore makeup. I passed Hermione, Harry and Ron on my way out of the common room and they all gawked at me as I passed, but I didn’t spare them a glance. I’d talk to them again soon enough, but for now, I had some Durmstrang boys to befriend. 

I saw a group of Durmstrang boys sat at the Gryffindor table, so I made my way over to them, and politely asked if I could join them. “Of course!” One of them said, beckoning me over and making room in the bench next to him. I sat next to him-I found out his name was Oliver- and another guy called Alexander. I made a point of learning all of their names, but the other three boys that I sat with had quite traditional Bulgarian names that I couldn’t say, let alone remember. It didn’t really matter though because I grew particularly close to Alexander and Oliver. Just as I had said something to make everyone in the group laugh, the other members of the ‘golden quartet’ walked in and exchanged surprised looks at who I was sat with. I didn’t pay it any mind though. 

It had been a few days since that morning and I hadn’t written to ‘Anonymous’ since, despite the floods of letters that he sent me, all begging for me to reply. I had made up with Harry, Ron and Hermione though, although I was being a bit more distant with them than before. I could tell that it bothered them slightly, but it seemed like they were walking on eggshells around me so I didn’t go off on another tangent. I’m guessing they thought that baby steps would work with me. 

I was walking down one of the Hogwarts corridors with Oliver when we passed the infamous Slytherin trio: Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini. I was rather startled to see them sending death glares at Oliver, but we continued walking, until I stopped short when I felt Oliver reach for my hand. I pulled it away but he made to grab for it again, which I once again avoided. “What are you doing?” I asked him, walking with a slightly wider gap between us than before. He made a grab for my hand again and I pulled it out of his reach, “Oliver, stop!” I loudly shouted. I whipped around when I heard a growl erupt from none other than Blaise Zabini’s throat, and he growled at Oliver. 

“Leave her alone!” Oliver just smiled and shook his head, almost condescendingly. 

“Why should I? She clearly wants it,” he said. 

“She clearly doesn’t!” Blaise spat back. I moved away from Oliver and stepped tentatively over to Blaise, Draco and Pansy. The last two friends were smiling at me comfortingly and protectively standing in front of me. Blaise, however, did not move his vision from Oliver. “How dare you treat her like that?”

I stared at Blaise in awe, and asked Pansy and Draco “why does he care about me?”

They just chuckled slightly, and then Draco whispered back “Who do you thinks been writing to you?” I gaped at him, then moved my eyes towards Blaise who was now threatening Oliver to stay away. Oliver eventually left, and when he did, Blaise turned to me. “Y/N, I’m so sorry about not telling you who I am, I just-“ he began but was interrupted as I slammed my lips onto his. He immediately responded and wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck. Our lips moulded together perfectly and I never wanted the moment to end, but alas, Blaise broke away from the kiss. “You don’t care? About me being a Zabini? You know what my family’s been....involved with in the past”

I just smiled at him. “Of course I don’t care, you’re not them. I know you, and you would never include yourself in that if you had a choice. I told you I wouldn’t judge you” I said. Blaise smiled back at me before reconnecting our lips again.

 A Y/L/N and a Zabini? Unheard of, until at least Pansy gossiped to everyone about her best friend finding love, and, to confirm the rumours that she’d created, we were forced to walk into the great hall hand in hand, not that we really minded though.

[hillnerd]

and if Hermione had been muggle and Ron wizard? How would they have met? How would Ron tell Hermione that he does magic?

There are are a few scenarios I could see panning out. Like, just a regular coffeeshop meet-cute, he’s in an accident and she’s the doctor at the hospital he was taken to, she was a friend of Harry’s before Hogwarts and they see eachother and catch up and she meets Ron through him etc.

A favorite premise is Auror!Ron meeting Muggle!Hermione. This can go down a few different ways, of course! :) SO many possibilities! (hospital meetup, he’s on lookout and she’s a witness/target etc)

Hermione is working for the Prime Minister as some sort of policy adviser, when there’s the new guy Ron Weasley. (let’s pretend it’s a new made up prime minister we all like.) She has been in this line of work for over a decade now, and she’s never heard of him- so is automatically suspicious for some unknown like him to suddenly be filling a vacancy so high up the food chain.

She has to admit Ron does have good input at times, and is quick on his feet- but he’s also very casual and seems to be flummoxed by simple things like typing and is slow on his political references. He has the air of someone struggling to keep up, and Hermione fails to see how he got to his position. A few of the other women on staff have taken an interest in him, which made Hermione roll her eyes. Everyone seems to automatically like him, which she also does not care for. No one is even a LITTLE bit weirded out by this bloke being here? She’s the only one? She gets very quickly dismissed and they think she’s just being prickly.  

Ron seems a nice enough fellow, so she finally accepts that he might just very well be nervous and she’s gotten it wrong. He gets all his work done on time, and sometimes is even faster than she is. She starts to warm up to him, and asks him to have lunch with her. He seems surprised, as she had made it fairly clear she didn’t like him, but he says yes. At lunch Hermione apologizes for having been dismissive of him at first; she’s just wary of outsiders and is very passionate about her job. He notes how very sharp she is and how it threw him for a loop, but he likes it.

They start having meals together more regularly, and she finds she’s starting to harbor a bit of a crush on him. He love his family, and is always talking about his best friend and little sister and nieces. It’s rare to see someone their age be so kind and dedicated. She asks him to get dinner with her, and he seems hesitant, but makes up his mind and says yes. It ends up turning a bit romantic, which Hermione had never intended! It was just dinner between work colleagues, but their ‘date that was never called a date’ goes very well, and they end up kissing.

They’re dating, even though Ron seems a little odd about it. He’s very very private, and never lets her over to his place. She meets his best friend Harry and some of his family- the little sister, the jokester brother who is really great at magic tricks (which Ron didn’t seem pleased by).

Then little things stop adding up about Ron. She knows which school he went to and other details of his life- it’s on his CV they gave them after all- yet when she asks about something, he’ll get vague or mix up details. She looks him up and it’s like he doesn’t exist at any of the places. He must’ve lied on his CV.  She doesn’t care how nice or handsome he might be, she worked hard to get where she did and doesn’t need some white male coming in taking jobs that should have gone to ACTUALLY QUALIFIED people.

She follows him after work to confront him with the fact that none of his institutions have ever heard of him- and wants to give him a chance to quit instead of her going to higher ups–when he shouts at her ‘get down!’ and practically tackles her to the ground.

"What are you doing!? Get off me!"

He’s pointing a stick and light is emitting from it as he wields it like a short rapier and there are explosive noises and bright lights coming at them. At the end of it, one of the people is frozen on the ground and the other two disappeared with a giant crack. She’s shaking from head to toe. He’s asking if she’s ok and she supposes so but she is so confused.

He quickly explains he’s a magical wizard- and he is an Auror- ‘Sort of like a cop or secret agent?’ Those bad guys have been trying to infiltrate the government and he’s been assigned to stop them- and he needs to get backup here to deal with the mess left behind.  He seems to be wrestling over something with himself, then says, "Don’t let anyone get you alone or point a wand at you."

A lot of other wizards show up, and Ron is talking to them so seriously and is clearly seen as important in their ranks. His friend Harry shows up- he’s also an Auror. Some unknown Aurors pull Hermione aside to ask a load of questions, just like in the tv cop shows- and when they’re done another person comes forward to point their wand right at Hermione, like Ron said- she doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do to stop them! They are talking very calmly and saying ‘we’re just going to wipe your memory’ when Ron intervenes, saying he’ll take care of it. ‘But sir–’ and he gives them a hard look and they don’t intervene.

He says he’ll take her home and she dazedly agrees. That’s where he sits her down and tells her all about the Wizarding World, what his job entails, and the secrecy needed, and how they normally wipe the winds of ‘Muggles’ like her. He needs to know how she figured out he wasn’t who he said on his CV, and she tells him. He tells her he has to wipe her mind- and she doesn’t want him to. He really likes her, and doesn’t want to wipe her mind either.

So yeah- that’s sort of the scenario I like- there’d be drama of clashing worlds, whatever the conspiracy was to infiltrate the govt, maybe him having to pull out of his job with Hermione or wiping the memories of him at the govt job -  But eventually they’d work it out and it’d be super adorable

[darisu-chan]

Wait, why do you think Kim/Ron was better handled that Starco? They seem very similar if anything Starco has had more shippy moments

Oh boy.

I swore I wasn’t going to write an analysis for Kim Possible ever, but were we go!

Kim and Ron were friends for many, many years. They met in preschool and, ever since, they were extremely close. And, although the show portrays Ron as being just Kim’s sidekick, it’s clear he means so much more to her, in which is eventually reveald to be true during the movie special “A Sitch in Time” when Shego realizes the best way to win against Kim is if she separates her from Ron. During that movie we also catch glimpses of their relationship through the years, and how strong it really is. Note that though they’re super close, neither says that they’re like siblings. They just say they’re best friends. In fact, in one of the Christmas episodes, Kim kisses Ron’s cheek since they’re both under the mistletoe, and honestly Kim gave him a flirty look and Ron seemed to enjoy the kiss.

Kim and Ron had crushes throughout the show, with Ron having way more than Kim. The only two real love interests they had were Josh Mankey (Ron made fun of his name all the time), Zita and Yori. It’s never really clear if Kim and Josh actually dated, although Josh seemed interested. The same can be said of Zita and Ron. It kinda looked like they were going somewhere, and then nothing. However, let’s note that in season 3 only Yori makes an appeareance, showing clear interest in Ron, who remained pretty much oblivious lol.

Anyway. So, season 3 pretty much was a game changer. This is when the show actually starts exploring the nature of their feelings. In “Emotion Sickness” there’s a device that controls emotions which happens to make Kim fall in love with Ron. In this episode they also kiss for the first time. Ron thought about dating Kim, since he really thought she’d fallen for him for real. He realizes he’s not ready to date her. He breaks up with Kim, who gets really sad, until the device is removed. However, later on in the season they seem flirty with each other, different than before. Things that wouldn’t have needed explanation before, like Kim taking Ron as her plus one for her cousin’s wedding, and so on implied that there was something going on there. It didn’t need to be explicit for the audience to notice. I mean, guys, ten year old me noticed. I’m sure if you guys rewatch as adults, you too will get it.

Anyway, so “So the Drama” aired at the end of season 3, and this is the movie special which made them canon. What happened here? Kim wanted to finally date someone, and she happened to meet a guy by the name Eric, who was suave, cool, confident and straightforward, so she jumped into the opportunity of dating him. She wasn’t in love with him as much as she was infatuated. And because she was so hung up on Eric, she started ignoring Ron. Now, as for Ron, he was the one which rejected the idea of being with Kim earlier that season, or school year in show time. However, the moment Kim met Eric, he started getting incredibly jealous, specially when he was getting ignored by his best friend. It actually took a while for Ron to understand why he was jealous, and later one he comes to the conclusion that he does have feelings for Kim. And it isn’t anything new. They were always there inside of him, but they weren’t clear until he saw Kim apparently fall for someone else. Anyway, Ron’s despair actually is the reason why he noticed there was trouble. He goes to prom to get Kim. Eric is very dismissing with him, but Kim believes Ron, which is to show she still held Ron’s opinion higher than the new boy. The movie goes on, turns out Drakken was the one behind all the chaos, and Eric was actually a synthodrone created by Drakken. Kim and Ron get captured and Kim’s upset after realizing Eric was deceiving her all along. Ron attempts to cheer her up, saying they still can defeat Drakken, and that she will find the right guy. Kim asks him if there’s a guy for her out there, and Ron replies that there might be one out there. Then, he pauses and adds “or in here.” And since he indirectly confessed to her, Kim finally notices Ron. It’s done in a subtle way but it’s very telling. This gives Kim the confidence to break free and take down Drakken. After defeating Drakken, it is Kim who asks Ron to return to the prom, and they enter while holding hands. The other students look at them and Bonnie, who had been saying since season 1 they were probably dating, exclaims “Ha! It finally happened! Kim’s dating that loser!” (I’m paraphrasing here but I’m pretty sure she said something along these lines). They all cheer, meaning they had been shipping them for forever. A slow dance song starts (“Could It Be”), and Rufus pushes them to dance. As they dance, they progressively get closer until they stop dancing, they look at each other with lovesick expressions, their foreheads touch, and they kiss. Their expressions are very important, because you see all that they’re feeling at the moment. It’s a very beautiful scene. Also the lyrics of the song, sang by Christy Carlson, Kim’s VA fit them perfectly. 

So, they kiss and that’s the end of the special.

“So the Drama” was supposed to be the finale, but Disney gave us a final season. And I believe season 4 is the game changer for me in terms of other pairings. In season 4 we actually get to see Kim and Ron in a romantic relationship and what that entails. Hell, the first episode is about Ron being insecure because he’s dating the Kim Possible and he doesn’t compare. He lies to join the football team, only to discover he’s actually very good at running and he earns the position as running-back. Other instances are Kim discussing with Ron that now that they’re dating they should go out on real dates and not keep going to Bueno Nacho all the time. Ron in one episode tells Kim she can be a model because she’s so beautiful. Kim helps Ron when his parents just decide to adopt a baby out of the blue, which greatly upsets him. In that same episode, Kim gets jealous that Yori seems interested in Ron and has to make it clear she’s his girlfriend. And so on. We see them kissing more than once. During the final special, which is about them graduating high school, Ron expresses that he’s afraid something will change in their relationship if they go to different universities. I really liked their development during the special, and at the end they both know they’ll be alright, no matter what happens.

Let’s compare them to Starco.

First of all, the only relationship drama they faced was on the special “So the Drama” and it was used as a device to get them together. They had crushes. Ron more than Kim, actually, but even then, it was obvious their friendship was more important. Besides, they were supportive of each other’s crushes (unless it was Ron liking Bonnie that one episode). When Ron faced jealousy it was honestly after a whole season of development. It was only natural they would date, honestly.

Secondly, Kim and Ron being together was always shown as a positive thing. They never brought pain to each other. Just Ron being jealous during the movie, and that was quickly resolved. And although they claimed they wouldn’t date, after rewatching you get it was just denial lol. But, it was fine, because again, even if they had other friends, other relationships, they were shown to be very important to one another.

Thirdly, they got a whole season to show how their relationship had progressed from friendship to romance. I’m not saying their friendship wasn’t important, but it was definitely very interesting to see that development, and it gave us loads of shipping moments that Starco won’t get. True, KP as a show got very lucky to be renewed for one more season, and if that hadn’t happened, this series would’ve joined the many, many others in which the characters end up together until the very end. However, it goes to show how great the reception was of that finale, which left people wanting for more, and Disney delivered. Doubt it’s gonna happen in SVtFoE. I mean, I’d love it if it got renewed, but it’s very unlikely. Specially since it is the fourth season. KP only had 3, so it was far easier to make another one.

Also, this whole dramatic tension was accompanied with the plot. Granted, KP didn’t have much lore and plot points to tie down, except for Ron’s monkey powers, which without the final season, they would’ve never been fully explained. But it was still nice how this romantic aspect was as important as Drakken’s domination plans. In SVtFoE, it’s honestly felt lately that the opposite is true. With so much lore and plot points to take care of, the romantic aspect of the show seems as if it’s only stalling what truly matters. It hinders the story instead of elevating it, and fans are getting tired of it. 

As you can see, the couples might be similar in terms of “best friends who fall in love” but are actually very different.

If Starco becomes canon at the end, instead of being a satisfying moment as it was in KP, it’s gonna be a tired “this pairing really did get drag down until the end, huh”

The show has of yet to show Starco as a positive pairing compared to Tomstar and Kellco, since all they bring to each other is heartbreak when it comes to romance. Kim and Ron were good for each other, because their relationship was freaking strong. Time and time again we were shown why they worked great together. And that there was nothing that could come between their bond. When it comes to Starco, yeah, things have gotten in the way of their relationship. Marco, instead of working as the male lead like Ron did, has been reduced to secondary character for most of season 3 and what we’ve seen of season 4, being replaced by Tom, who’s had way more development than Marco. Star seems to be taking one step forward and two steps backward. Instead of growing organically, they just keep hurting each other, and keep blaming other factors for their growing feelings. Notice Ron didn’t run from his feelings once he discovered them. Neither did Kim in the end. Marco and Star have. Multiple times. 

And yeah, Star and Marco are younger than Kim and Ron. By “So the Drama”, they were 17, and Star and Marco are 15. There’s still much left for them to mature. But I just feel that their feelings, the curse, and them dating other people could have been handled much differently.

Tell me what’s the point of making Marco date another girl on the last season?

Or what’s the point of dragging those relationships until the very end?

No matter when Tomstar and Kellco break up, it’s still going to feel as if Star and Marco got together too soon, given the state of things, no matter if they get together during the final minute or so of the show. Which, let’s be honest, the final episode is called “Cleaved”, they’re gonna kiss during the final few seconds as a way of showing them getting together. I have absolutely no expectations of Starco becoming canon anytime sooner.

At this point, I’m tired of all the romance. I’m tired of the shippy episodes. I’m tired of the writers of the show making their relationship more of a mess than it was before. I’m hoping Marco returns to Earth or whatever for a while just so that the boy can finally get the development he needs, away from Star. As for Star, well, there are many things going on for her, let’s hope she solves them.

Hope this long analysis cleared things up for you, anon.

[ladyknightleyisundercover]

Hello! I love the way you write the Weasley dynamic, your family fics really are so lovely, so thank you for writing them! I'll read anything you write but I'd really love it if you were to write something about Arthur and Percy, post-war, like them reconciling? It's such an interesting relationship and I'd love to see your interpretation of it :)

Thank you so much, you’re very kind :) I hope this nonsense meets with your approval! [read on AO3]

“Who’sthat coming now?”

It’s sortof a rhetorical question: everyone they’re expecting for Sunday lunch hasalready arrived, barring Percy and Audrey. And, given that The Burrow hassecurity wards which prevent anyone who isn’t on a pre-approved list crossingthe boundary (courtesy of some family connections to the Auror Department), itcould only really be the two of them.

Well,three, technically. Audrey is carrying baby Molly, who is wrapped up in ahand-knitted blanket (courtesy of her namesake), and beams at them as she walksup the garden path. She looks the picture of maternal bliss, even more so whenshe’s implored to take a seat, no, honestly, right there, and would she like adrink? Something to snack on? Would she like to put her feet up, rest a while?Everyone else will look after her gorgeous daughter for her, it’s fine (clearlythe namesake wins this battle, taking baby Molly from her and immediatelysnuggling her into her arms with a long-practised sigh of contentment).

“I said, who’s that?” George repeats, undeterredby the lack of enthusiasm for his set up. “Is it Percy, or is it a packhorse?”

If hiswife’s load is simply the baby, Percy has: two enormous, overstuffed bags, outof the top of one is flowing several spare babygrows; a carrycot; two towels; achanging mat; a packet of nappies; three stuffed animals; two rattles; whatappears to be some kind of mobile, which he’s slung around his neck like it’s apiece of avant-garde jewellery; another handknitted blanket; a muslin clothover his shoulder, and Audrey’s handbag.

Red facedand sweating, he deposits all of this on the kitchen table. It takes a while,and his brothers watch in grave silence as he does it. When everything is linedup, he nods in satisfaction and turns back to them. “Ah, Harry!” he says,spotting him among the sea of gingers. “Just the man. Did you manage to getthat report to Kingsley on Friday?”

“You’ve…um…you’vegot…” Harry gestures to his own left shoulder, and Percy mirrors him.

“Ah, yes,”he says, the pink flush on his cheeks intensifying. “I was wondering where thatone had got to.” He removes the muslin cloth and sets it down on top of one ofthe overstuffed bags, which immediately topples over, spilling its entirecontents of baby paraphernalia all over the kitchen floor. There’s a cough, whichmight be a laugh, from Charlie, and Percy mutters something which just might bea curse word very quietly.

He flickshis wand at it, and everything flies back inside—neatly folded—and the bagrights itself. “So, Harry,” he says, dusting down his trousers. “That report?Only, the Minister wanted to be able to give a full and frank report to thePeruvian embassy by Tuesday, which will only be possible if—”

“I’msorry, are you planning on moving in?” Ron asks, staring at the pile now coveringthe kitchen table in horrified fascination.

“Of coursenot,” Percy says stiffly. “I just like to be prepared. As I was saying, by Tuesday,and then he wants to arrange a meeting with—”

“For what,the apocalypse?” asks George.

Percytakes a deep breath. “For any eventuality,” he says, teeth clearly gritted.“Now, the report must—”

“Yes, Igot it to him,” Harry says quickly. “Everything’s all sorted, don’t you worry. So…anyonesee the match yesterday? How ’bout them Tornados?!”

Whateveranyone might have thought about the Tornados is lost as one of the bags—the onethat hadn’t fallen on the floor—suddenly starts moving from side to side, withwhat sounds like muffled groaning coming from within. “Uh…guys…” says Charlie,who was closest. “Anyone checked on the Ghoul lately?”

“Bagsie Iget to use the highly trained Auror as a shield!” George says, pushing Ron infront of him.

“Oi, Harry’sone as well, you know!” he says indignantly.

“You’re onyour own there, mate,” says Harry, eying the bag—which is slowly moving itselfto the edge of the table—with some alarm.

“Yes, andbesides, I’m less scared of what Hermione’d do to me if I injured you in theline of duty than what Ginny’d do if I injured him in the line of duty,” explainsGeorge.

“That’s…prettyreasonable,” puts in Charlie, eying the two of them (and looking like he’sgetting ready to dive into the pantry if the bag does start heading in hisdirection).

Percy digsinside the bag, extracts what is apparently some musical, moving toy (“Who didthey get to do the singing, Auntie Muriel?” asks George) and switches it off. Hisbrothers silently watch as he stuffs it back inside the bag (along with threeextra babygrows and two books on raising a newborn which had to come out tomake room for it).

That done,he dusts off his hands, and turns back to Harry. “So. The Peruvian delegation. The Minister and I have discussedthis, and we agree that—”

“That’sit,” Bill says, finally getting to his feet. “We’re staging an intervention.”

“Excellentidea,” says Ron, and he and Charlie grab one of Percy’s arms each and push himinto the chair Bill has just vacated.

“Percy,old chap,” says Bill. “Look.” Hegestures to the small mountain of stuff Percy has placed on the table. “Really look at all of this.”

“Yes,”Percy says, with as much dignity as a man can muster when two of his brothersare pinning him down in a chair. “I see. There are one or two things there. However,as a father yourself, I’m sure you of all people understand that it isnecessary to always be prepared for any eventuality, especially when—”

“Get himup, lads,” Bill says, then gestures for Ron and Charlie to frogmarch him overto the window. “Look.”

Out in thegarden, the Weasley women are still sitting with Audrey and baby Molly. “Lookat my wife,” Bill continues. He has his back to George, but still manages tosense that he has opened his mouth at this. “Don’t. Now, on her lap you will see a child. Our child.” Fleurdoes, it is true, have a firm grip on Victoire, who is absolutely fascinated bythe new toy that is her baby cousin. “You will note that, by her feet, there isa bag.” This, too, is true. “A bag that is at least half the size of that onethere.”

“A third,I’d say,” Ron puts in.

“In thatbag,” Bill says, “there is one spare of everything our daughter wearing.”

“And Mr Flamey,”adds Charlie.

“Who?”asks George.

“Dragon,”says Charlie. “She was showing me, before you got here.”

“Ah.”

“And MrFlamey the stuffed dragon,” Bill allows. “Now, that is more than I would’vecarried around in my young, unwed days, to be sure. It is not, however, halfthe contents of our house. We have a toddler: she is capable of running veryfast when she wants to, usually into enormous messes. Molly, delightful as she is,cannot even sit up on her own accord. We are all here for Sunday lunch. Atmost, we will be here for four hours. Why is it, therefore, that you need tobring so much stuff that you could feasibly survive for six months on the moonwith no other human contact?”

Percy glares.“Each item has a specific purpose!”

“And theyare?”

“Would youlike me to go alphabetically, or strategically?”

They’reinterrupted, then, by the arrival of Arthur.

“Ah, helloboys,” he says, surveying the scene. “What’s going on here, then?” His cheerfultone is unchanging, but his sons start shifting around awkwardly anyway.

“We’restaging an intervention,” says George as Ron and Charlie quickly drop Percy’s arms.

“Anintervention! Excellent. Into what?” their father asks, smiling politely.

“This!”say at least four voices, gesturing at the kitchen table.

“Oh, Isee,” he says, affecting to have only just seen the enormous pile. “What isthis all for then?”

Percyturns puce. Harry makes himself recite the Aurors Code of Practise, backwards,to keep his face poker straight, but Percy’s brothers are not that kind, andlaughter rings out through the kitchen.

“Seriously, Perce,” says George. “Havesome faith in yourself. At most, you’d only get through three babygrows in anhour, and that’s if we have a repeat of The Incident.”

“What’sThe Incident?”

“The onewhere I was babysitting Vic when she was six months old, and I had to changeher, only there wasn’t any spare clothes I could find, so I had to wrap her in myshirt, but then—”

“I really don’tthink we need to hear this story again, especially when we’re going to beeating in about half an hour.”

“How come I haven’t heard this story?! I’m herfather!”

“Okay, butdid Audrey ask you to bring all of this?”

“No,really, what’s The Incident? I think I have a right to know”

“…becausewhen she came to Victoire’s birthday party a couple of weeks ago, I saw her—shehad a bag smaller than the one Fleur’s got now, and I don’t think—”

“TheIncident, guys!”

“Fatherhood,”Percy shouts, “is a very important job and I am going to do it right! And if that means beingoverprepared, then it means being overprepared! If I say we need all of this,we need all of this! And you can all…be quiet!”

Everyoneis immediately quiet. This allows for Audrey’s voice to drift through thewindow, talking about how happy and lucky she feels that, so far, everythinghas been so straightforward, and that Molly is such a good, easy baby.

Arthur looksat the dark circles under his son’s eyes. He sees his jumper, with itssuspicious stain on the left side. He recalls how, at work, Percy’s once plain,totally unadorned office now has photos of baby Molly on every possible surface.And he takes in the mountain of stuffthat is currently all over his kitchen table.

“Boys,” hesays, “go out there and ask your mother if she needs anything done for dinner. Ithink we must be nearly ready to think about serving up.” His tone is cheerfuland upbeat still, but there is a firmness to it which makes everyone obey, andthey shuffle out of the kitchen.

“Not you, Percy,” he adds quietly. “Come on,”he says, once they’re gone. He picks up two of the bags and tries not to winceat their weight. “Pick this lot up and follow me.” Even with his father’s help,Percy’s still staggering under all the items, but he dutifully follows hisfather round the side of the garden to his shed.

“Come on,”Arthur says, seeing Percy hesitate. He pushes open the door and gestures to himto follow him inside.

The shedhas always been Dad’s space, all of the Weasley children knew that almost frombirth. You did not go inside without express permission—and once you were inside,no matter how tempted you were, you did not touch anything. As far back as any of them could remember, every singleshelf was covered with incredibly tempting stuff—mostlymuggle items, a few of them useful, many of them not. From his prized possession(a working car battery) to the tiniest trinkets, everything had its place.

And it wasn’tjust Dad’s junk, either—genuinely useful things (the toilet plunger, forty-sixdifferent screwdrivers, instruction manuals for devices long broken, theChristmas decorations) were kept in there, but woe betide anyone who went ineven in the most genuine emergency to get something without permission. Theshed was overstuffed (magic, Percy allowed, probably helped here) and everysurface was always covered with something, but Dad could always lay his hands onthe most esoteric items in a heartbeat.

Today isno different, except for the fact that one shelf, on the far wall, iscompletely empty. In this always packed room, it stands out like a sore thumb. “Nowthen,” says Dad, “I’ve cleared a space.” He nods towards the empty shelf as thoughit’s perfectly normal, and not the first time in Percy’s life he’s seen the barewood.

“What for?”

“I assumeyou have doubles of everything at home?” Dad asks, gesturing towards Percy’s manybags.

He nods.

“Excellent,”Dad says, smiling. “So, what I suggest is that you leave everything here. Thatway, whenever you come here, you don’t have to worry about packing everythingup, you can just bring the baby and go. You don’t need to worry about bringing thekitchen sink, eh? All your bits and bobs already here, and a load of your mind,yes?”

“But…”

“Come on,look, I’ve cleared you a shelf! Let’s see, if we put that carrycot at the farend, then we can stack some of the smaller items inside of it. How does thatsound?”

“Thatsounds…good,” Percy says. He gives his father a tentative smile. “And…andmaybe just three changes of outfit will be enough to keep here. I’ll take therest back with me.”

“Bettermake it four, just to be on the safe side,” Dad says cheerfully.

They setto, getting everything stacked up on the shelf and leaving a small pile over bythe door for Percy to take back home with him. It’s the work of mere moments,and everything is neatly placed almost before he realises. The shelf is fullagain, only this time with baby things, and not hardware.

“Excellent,”Dad says, slapping him on the back. “All done. Now, d’you reckon we can go andchivvy the others into producing some food? I’m quite hungry after all that.”

“Okaythen,” Percy says. “Wait…Dad…the shelf…how did…?”

“Oh, Icleared it off when I say you coming,” says Dad. “I thought you might need aspace for little Molly’s stuff, so I got it ready for you. What was it yousaid? Being a good father is about being prepared, right?”

“Dad…”Percy says, sounding a little choked up. “You don’t need to take lessons from anyone on being a good father, least ofall me.”

“Who saidanything about any lessons?” Dad says mildly. “It’s just being practical. Andprepared.”

“Two keyDad skills,” Percy acknowledges.

“Well,yes,” says Arthur. “And ones you have in spades! Isn’t little Molly lucky?”

Percygrins. “She is,” he says. He steers his Dad towards the door. “Me, too.”