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antiloreolympus · 3 years ago

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7 Anti LO Asks

1. Do you know what really gets my blood boiling about this comic? Persephone and Demeter's relationship.

In the myths, Demeter and Persephone loved each other more than anything. Their reunion is so important - it marked the coming of spring and growth. A whole cult was dedicated to this for crying out loud. Yes, the myths were far from perfect, but the Persephone and Demeter myth showed the strength of a loving mother-daughter relationship with Demeter searching endlessly to find her child that was ripped away and had her innocence forcibly taken.

Now, RS is not the only author to make Demeter this over-bearing mother type in order to put more positivity onto the Hades-Persephone relationship. However, RS takes this trend to a whole new level - to the point where I would even consider it misogyny.

How is it, she takes this beautiful mother-daughter relationship and makes it out to be an abusive and controlling one, and then takes the Hades-Persephone relationship from a forceful one to a loving, perfect relationship with no problems? How is it ok to ruin one relationship to elevate another?

I understand that many versions of the myth try to downplay Hades' actions, and even make it so Persephone actually falls in love with him and there is no rape. But it doesn't change that this relationship was problematic, and meant to represent the loss of innocence.

Then fans have the gall to claim this comic is feminist and then claim on top of that that Demeter and Persephone's relationship was the same in the myth? These fans clearly don't know the myths, and neither does RS.

Making Hades a good person is fine. Changing it up a bit to make Persephone's loss of innocence something else is also fine. But ruining Demeter and Persephone's relationship? Especially when Persephone has to spend half the year with her? So horrible.

2. im sorry, but rachel cant introduce KRONOS coming back and then dropping it for several episodes to focus on a stake-less trail and persephone not knowing what lingerie to seduce hades in. like thats too much of an earth shaking development and huge stake plot point to just ignore for months to focus instead on something as minor as hxp's relationship, which only points out a huge flaw: why is hxp's relationship so minor in this? isnt the whole point supposed to be about them?

3. I think LO completely dropped the ball over Hades’ characterization.

From the first ep I thought ok, this is good, we have some bones to see he’s not that lucky in love and is just tired and lonely, and while ignoring the creepy actions towards Persephone, I thought ok, Artemis hates him, Hestia hates, even Ares hates him, maybe once Persephone finally sees the underworld and probably gets to know him it’ll be a clever twist and they’ll be proven wrong. The underworld will turn out to be fair and just, the citizens will love Hades, he’ll be revealed to be a good leader and king and not like his brothers, it’ll be like everyone saying Hades of myth isn’t actually that bad, and it’ll help reinforce why this sweet and bubbly Persephone wants him, she sees the real him, not the mean rumors and assumptions, this is perfect.

And then it just didn’t happen. The exact opposite happened, actually.

We’re shown the LO underworld is cruel and unjust, where the poor dead are forced into slavery and Hades created a harsh class divide with him and him only on top, the citizens hate him, the underworld gods don’t trust him and openly seem ok if he’s taken out of power, he’s not a good leader and king and doesn’t even want the job yet keeps it for his own ego and grip of power m, and on top of it all he is just like his brothers, if not worse. He loves to get violent over any little slight against him, he hoards wealth and resources to enrich himself while his citizens starve and struggle to survive, he’s corrupt, he controls all the media and laws to bend to his will, sleeps with his brothers wife for centuries behind his back while claiming to be holier than thou, he has sex with his secretaries who are made dependent on him for any way to survive, and now he lusts after his barely legal intern who is also now dependent on him for her way to survive, and that’s only what I remember off the top of my head.

LO perfectly set up to prove Hades isn’t the devil or the false pop culture assumption that he’s evil and to show some actual facts from myth, and yet Rachel only ended up reinforcing exactly that and even making him even worse with her made up ideas, all while thinking having Persephone ignore or excuse it somehow makes it not bad or even a good thing. It’s honestly kind of impressive just how bad of writing that actually is.

4. Chapter 172 is not that interesting. It’s setup had me excited to see Hephaestus and Hera and learning more about echo, but it’s cut so short. Because again the story can’t leave HXP out for 2 seconds.

I can also see why Zeus is gonna go insane.

5. i agree w/ other anon. LO should have pulled a PJO or a BoZ and just made up OCs and have them interact with the gods than whatever Rachel thinks shes doing, which is lying she's being accurate and faithful while completely changing all of it, removing what is needed, and adding what isnt so that it lines up with no actual myth besides like, various 50 shades fanfic she read in 2015 and some popular tumblr text posts.

6 . the animation studio behind blood of zeus literally can only draw one face for the men and one face for the women and they were still able to make the gods all look distinct and hot while LO can't even bother to use more than 6 colors and can only have the women look as tiny as possible with the biggest boobs while the men are all just lego men.

7. ////FP SPOILERS////

Okay so like I stopped reading LO way back before season 1 ended, and a majority of my knowledge of the series comes from what I read here on your blog which is enough for me lol and I decided to read the latest 5 chapters just to see what's up (on zahard. I refuse to give the actual series any views)

And I just. Could not take the whole scene with Daphne running from Apollo seriously? The anatomy and art inconsistency was so distracting that i genuinely could not find it serious. Even when Thanatos discovers her hibernated body I couldn't take it seriously because of how she looked?

And when Hades had that call (??? Was it a call? Or his inner dialogue? I couldn't really tell ngl) with Zeus and said he's causing Persephone unnecessary distress, and that she didn't pose any threat. B!tch??? She killed a ton of mortals??? She has no control over her powers???? She's literally a fugitive for the aforementioned things??? She apparently woke Kronos up? (Idk if anyone knows about that, again my knowledge only spans to whatever I read here) Hello????

And I have a lot to say about the chapters starting the trial but I'll only mention one thing; Hades saying "I don't think blindly supporting my little brother would be doing him any favours (as a ruler)" had me cackling. This is coming from a guy blindly supporting a girl he's literally only known for a few weeks, who's like what, only recently turned 20? Sit tf down Hades you're not cool, you creepy ass overgrown smurf.

Overall I still hate this series lmao. Regarding art though I feel like I wouldn't be so miffed about the anatomy much if the character designs were consistent and the story was compelling. They literally change hairstyles and body types frame by frame, and it's distracting.

The timeline from what I read here is laughable. 4 years in publication with almost 200 chapters and you're telling me only like a month has passed canonically. That's wild and such poor writing.

And as someone who literally will sympathise with any lead character pretty quickly, the story makes me hate them. It makes me want to root against them. I also hate the fact this trash is somehow top ranked on webtoons when so many other stories are far better then it.

Anyway, many thanks to this blog for existing and allowing me to dump so much text here to vent out my hate for this series lmao. You the mvp fam, hope you're having a good day 🥂🥂🥂

#anti lo #anti lore olympus #lore olympus critical #lo critical

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smol-and-grumpy · 4 years ago

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EUPHORIA - Chapter 12

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: He’s Dean Winchester, owner of a shady night club. She’s a journalist who has been asked to write an article to expose the indecency and debauchery that’s going on behind closed doors. But he’s also Dean Winchester, the boy who sat next to her in class. The boy who was too cocky for his own good.

Chapter Warning: Flangst, NSFW

WC: 4922

A/N: This chapter fills my ‘dom/sub’ square for @spnkinkbingo Please share your thoughts with me, I’d love to hear your feedback.

Beta’d by @deanwanddamons <3

This series is more than two weeks ahead on patreon!

Series Masterlist ~ SPN Masterlist

Become a Patron ~ Buy me a coffee

Her cheeks burn up from Dean’s promise. Tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, she nods at Dean and he places a kiss on her forehead before he extends his hand for her to take, helping her down the bar stool, “Come on, I gotta say hello to some people. I wanna get this over with,”

“Okay,” She agrees, and lays her hand in his.

Dean introduces her to so many people, she can’t keep up with all their names. While he makes small talk, she scans the room.She doesn’t really know what to expect, but maybe she was hoping to see a familiar face. She spots Claire walking around, wearing a beautiful gown and carrying trays of champagne flutes. Tonight she’s really just waitressing, then.

When Dean’s finished, he guides her through the dance floor where people are mingling. Cas was standing with people she didn’t recognize. One of them she does though. It's Carmen from the boutique.

Before she can dwell on it, someone comes around to greet Dean and they talk about things she has no clue about so she excuses herself to go to the bathroom.

Two women come out and Y/N stands off to the side to make way for them before she gets in. She stands by the sink, checks her own reflection in the mirror. She actually didn’t have to pee, but she just needed a break.

Washing her hands in the sink, she hears the flush of the toilet, and then the door to a stall opens to a tall beautiful woman strutting out.

Carmen.

Ugh.

She doesn’t really want to meet her and there’s no place for her to hide or run away. She doubts that the floor will open up and swallow her, so she has to do what she thinks she should — smile and nod.

“Hey,” Carmen greets her with a wide and white smile. The woman walks forward to wash her hands in the sink next to her, and Carmen looks up, “The dress suits you. Cas was right,”

“Thank you,” Y/N answers politely, “You look good, too.”

Carmen smirks, “I know,” She tucks her hair behind her ear, “It matches the earrings Dean bought me for my birthday,” Carmen tilts her head, shows them into the mirror and their gaze meets.

Y/N’s heart thumps in her chest. She feels like throwing up but she keeps herself together. She smiles but she doesn’t know how convincing it looks, “They look lovely,”

“Thanks,” The other woman dries off her hands and walks out, leaving Y/N standing there perplexed.

She locks herself into a stall and sits on the closed lid, trying to calm herself down. There’s really no reason for her to have all these feelings. She’s being very unreasonable, and she knows it. It’s just— she can’t fucking help it.

After a long while, she gathers herself together enough to face the crowd again. She walks out onto the dance floor, and sees Dean talking to Carmen. The woman has her hand on his arm, laughs at a joke he probably told her.

Dean’s eyes are on her when he notices her walking out onto the dance floor. He pulls his arm away from Carmen’s hand, walks towards her to meet her.

There’s a frown on his face and she knows that it’s maybe because she looks like she does not want to be here anymore, “You okay?”

“Fine,” She answers short and she looks at Carmen who has a smug grin on her face.

He bends down a little, whispering in her ear, “Seriously, what is it?”

“Uh,” She starts to say, doesn’t really know why it matters, “I got this dress from the boutique Cas took me to. Carmen was there and she was visibly upset that you weren’t the one with Cas. I just met her in the bathroom, is all.”

Y/N sees him looking back to Carmen, notices Carmen smiling and waving at Dean. Clearly not at her.

Dean presses his lips into a thin line but he’s grinning, while he raises one eyebrow, “Yeah, she’s our seamstress. We always go to her if we need new clothes for employees,” He explains, and then he adds, “Are you jealous by any chance?”

Is she jealous? Well, she doesn’t know? It’s just, Carmen was clearly expecting Dean and she looked so upset which makes Y/N think that maybe Dean had something going on with her? And why did the woman have to rub the gift in her face?

“She told me that you bought her the earrings that match her dress,”

Dean’s eyes widen before he starts to laugh, “Honestly, she gets presents from us every year. Cas usually organizes it. I have no idea what she got.”

Oh.

He pushes his thumb and forefinger underneath her chin, tilts her head up and bends down to kiss her lips, “You’re jealous,”

“Nah,” She says, shaking her head.

He’s laughing as he kisses her again, “You’re cute.”

“She’s wearing the dress she wanted me to wear at first.”

Dean takes another glance over and he has to grin, “Well, I’m glad you didn’t. You look much better in this dress.”

“She looks good too, though,” She says, because it’s true. Carmen accentuated her cleavage perfectly. Her legs are long and to die for. They are wearing the same colored dress, which should be weird but she doesn’t really mind about these things anyway. It’s just seeing the dress on Carmen, she thinks that maybe she should have shown some more cleavage as well? Maybe Dean does really like that? Her dress is very modest, compared to Carmen’s.

“Eh,” Dean’s arm sneaks around her waist. His hand drops lower, squeezes at her ass cheek and she looks around perplexed, hoping nobody notices, “I prefer you like this, don’t need people to see what’s mine,”

To Dean, the evening feels like it’s dragging on. He’s anticipating the moment that he’s going to be able to slip out and take her upstairs.

She’s cute when she’s jealous, though. He never thought she would be, and now that she is, it makes him kind of proud. Maybe he’s not the only one who feels the things he feels after all? Maybe she just needs more time to realize it.

However, she really doesn’t have to worry about Carmen. It’s true that he once took her out but that was before he even opened up the club. Since then, he kept their relationship strictly business, but he can’t deny that he knows Carmen wants more. And he’s sure that she can get more. Sure that Carmen deserves someone who pays her attention and cultivates her hunger for fame and status. It’s just… that someone is definitely and absolutely not him.

They are sitting together on the couch and Dean has an arm draped around Y/N’s shoulder. She leans into him, and they face the dance floor. Occasionally, Dean would whisper to her, would tell her about the guests secrets that he knows of. They would laugh and joke around and it seems easy. Cas is doing the majority of the work anyway, like they agreed to in the beginning of their arrangement.

After a short while of silent people watching, Dean leans closer to her and nuzzles his nose against her temple, “Hey, you ready?”

And he likes that, likes how she looks back at him with knowing eyes. Likes the smile on her face and then she nods, her cheeks seem to pick up color.

Dean doesn’t say anything, grins a little but other than that, he tries to keep his cool and fishes out his phone to text Cas. He quickly places his phone back and stands up, jerks his head to the back door, to let her know where he’s going. He goes first, waits by the door until she joins him.

They take the staircase up to the VIP part of the club, their heels echoing off the walls.

All the lights above the rooms are red, as they should be because it signals that they’re not to be used tonight.

“Okay, what do you feel like?” Dean asks her but instead of answering, she tugs her lips between her teeth. Fucking cutest little thing, really. How can she even think that he would have eyes for someone else?

He decides to take the lead and takes her to the nearest door that he’s sure she hasn’t been in yet.

The room opens to a setting of a dirty bathroom with holes in the walls of the stalls and everything.

“Ewww,” Her nose wrinkles and Dean has to chuckle, “This is really someone's fantasy?”

“Oh, sweetheart, more than you think.” Dean tugs at her arm, pulling her out, knowing that this is not what she wants. To be fair, it’s also not really on his list either, it doesn’t even make his list.

She walks ahead and takes a couple of steps to the next room. Dean decides to let her open them up herself, “Go on, you can take a look at every room you like.”

Y/N smiles, her hand reaches out to turn the knob on the door. Dean knows not to go closer because he knows what’s in there. She closes it immediately, her eyes wide before her face settles on a grimace. Dean has to keep himself from laughing too loud.

“Before you ask, yes. That is something people pay for.”

“Tentacles? Really?” She hisses in disgust.

“Go on, try another one. We’re not going anywhere until we find something you like.”

She chuckles, “It’s like playing the lottery here.”

He watches her walk to another room and she lets out a “Oh,” in surprise as soon as she has the door open.

Dean walks up beside her, “I mean, it really looks inviting but I wouldn’t go anywhere near that water.”

He means the hot tub in the middle of the room. Off to the wall is a steam room as well. Even though the room gets a major clean and the water is exchanged every day, still Dean doesn’t trust it.

“Yeah, no. Not that I want to.” Y/N says, her nose wrinkling. Another thing that he thinks is awfully cute.

They walk along the hallway and she’s playing eeny, meeny, miny, moe until she comes to a halt. She turns the door knob and opens up to a dark room.

There’s minimal lighting. The ones in the corners glowing red.

There’s a black leather examination table in the middle. There’s also a big bed off to the side. The table and the bed are both equipped with restraining cuffs on their ends. She goes in and Dean watches her opening up the closet next to the door. There’s a lot of sex toys on the hangers and a mini fridge which Dean knows contains ice. He closes the door behind him, sensing that she wants to stay.

He watches her toying with the retraining cuffs at the table, her fingertips gliding over the leather.

“You want to stay or try another door?” He asks just to be on the safe side, and follows her further into the room.

Y/N takes her time in answering him, looks around like she’s deep in thought. After a while, she turns, and there’s a weak smile on her face, “You’ve never done anything in those rooms?”

“No,” It comes out instantly, he doesn’t even need to think about it.

She nods, “You said in the beginning that I’m allowed to try everything in the rooms, right?”

Dean swallows. He can guess where she wants to go with it, “Correct,”

Her fingers trail along the leather of the table and she looks down, watching the path of her finger.

After a while she starts to talk but she doesn’t look up at him, “So,” She says.

He has to bite back a grin.

“Would it be weird if you try it with me?” She finally says and squints her eyes close.

Dean acts surprised but he can’t hide the smirk on his face. She asks him if it’s okay for him to try something with her. It’s like she doesn’t know him at all. Which, to be fair, she probably doesn’t — yet. Of course he would like to try things with her. Of fucking course he wants to see her limits. He wants to know every fucking inch of her body, wants to know what makes her shiver and tremble. He wants her. Period.

“Would you want me to?” He asks instead and tries to show his best poker face.

She looks up, her eyes find his, and she smiles, bright and wide, “Yes.”

Quickly, he strides over to her, picks her up to sit her on the table before he crashes his mouth on hers. It feels like fireworks, Dean thinks. He feels little sparks exploding inside of him, his heart is beating faster, his kisses grow hungrier. God, he’s been hard thinking about doing things to her since she woke up in his bed this morning. And it’s hard, so hard not to suffocate her with all the want he has in him.

Their tongues slide together and her taste intoxicates his brain. Her hands work on his suit jacket, shrugging it off for him before her hands work on the button of his dress shirt. His hands are in her hair, around her neck, on her back. Fingertips pressing into her flesh, drawing her closer, even though they are close already but it’s not enough for him. It’s never enough.

His hands find the zipper of her dress, pulling it down but it gets stuck. Dean doesn’t care, tears the fabric from her body and she yelps into his mouth. He breaks the kiss to chuckle, “It was in the way,”

Y/N frowns, but Dean quickly kisses her again, making her forget as he pulls his shirt out of his pants to drop it onto the floor.

Dean steps back to let her get out of her torn dress and she’s only wearing a pair of fucking string panties that might as well not be there. She however skipped the bra and Dean thinks it’s good because he doesn’t know if he would have the patience to get her out of it without ripping it off. He hooks his hand into her panties, pulling them down and lowers himself to place a kiss on her clit. She moans and even though Dean only wanted to place a quick kiss there, he couldn’t help himself. Couldn’t hold his own tongue back from licking at her folds, eager for a taste. Her hand finds his head, pulling him closer and Dean chuckles against her wet cunt. He pushes himself up after a while because they need to get on with what he has in mind.

“Hop back onto the table and lie on your back,” Dean says, his voice a little strained, can’t help it. It needs everything in him not to just whip out his dick and pound into her senseless.

Dean turns his back on her and walks over to the closet. His hands work swiftly, rummaging through the things and finding the item he needs.

“Look at this,” He holds up a harness, “It goes around your neck down to your thighs, holding them up and spread. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” Her voice is broken but it’s there. Dean grins, leans down to kiss her. His hand grabs her tit, kneads it and lets go of it with a pull of her nipple. She arches her back and whimpers softly.

“Good girl,” He praises, “Move up close to the edge with your head,”

She does, moves up on the table until her head’s almost hanging off the edge. Dean secures the harness on the back of her neck and it goes around her shoulders down to her thighs. He puts the cuffs below her knees, so they would be pulled up when he tightens the harness.

He takes a step back to admire his work, and fuck, he’s so fucking hard at the sight of her all spread out, pussy wet and shining.

Dean bends down, kisses her forehead, lingers there with his lips, “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want, okay? So, I want to make sure that you still know what to say,”

“Tomato,” The word jumps out of her mouth like a bullet.

Grinning, he pecks her forehead, “Good girl,” He stands up a little straighter, “Do you trust me, Y/N?”

Her eyes are dark, lids heavy. She nods but remembers instantly that she has to give a verbal answer, “Yes, I trust you, Dean.”

His heart takes a leap and he smirks with a nod. Standing up straight, Dean walks to where her head almost hangs off the table and positions himself there. His hands picking her up, one of his arms weaving through both her arms on her back, locking her in place. He nibbles and licks at her face, his free hand roams around her body, feeling her muscle flex, his hand rough on her delicate skin.

Dean works his hand lower, alternates between both of her beautiful tits, fingers twerking her nipples, pulling at them, making her moan next to his face and he moves his face on hers until he captures her lips with his, kisses her rough and deep.

His hands go even lower, until he cups her pussy in his palm, making her gasps into his open mouth. Dean sinks his teeth into her bottom lip, tugs at it before parting from her. His thick fingers threads through her slick folds.

“Jesus, look at you, you’re soaked, baby,” He kisses her temple as his fingers rub against her clit. She squirms and writhes and he tightens his hold on her. Dean slides a finger into her pussy, “God, you’re so tight,” His finger moves in and out and she lets out the cutest of sounds, “Can you take another finger, huh?”

Y/N nods almost frantically, “Uh-huh,”

“Yeah?” Dean takes his finger out and smacks her pussy twice. She yelps up, sinks her own teeth into her bottom lip to stifle her own voice, “Use your words, Y/N,”

“Y—yes,” It comes out throaty and the color rises in her face. The color traveled down to her cleavage. Dean’s sure it’s not only from the red light in the room.

“Good girl,” He whispers next to her ear, licks up the shell of it before he plunges two fingers inside of her, hooks them up just right to feel her writhe in his grip and the sound she makes goes straight to his straining cock.

He fucks his fingers into her deep and hard, rubs the pad of his fingers against her wall, hits her sweet spot that makes her want to trash around but she can’t because she’s bound. The heel of his hand rubs at her clit at the movement of his hand.

“Dean, I—” She groans, “Fuck—“

“Come, baby, come for me,” He whispers low, licks at her jawline.

Her hands wants to grab at something, because he feels her fingers scratching at his dress pants so Dean lets her go. Instead, he locks his arm around her chest and cradles her face with his hand, “Come,” He says again, and there it is, he feels her squeezing around his fingers. Her hands come up, fingers scratching at his bare arms.

Jesus, he almost creams his own pants picturing his cock inside instead of his fingers.

“Shitshitshitfuck,” She mumbles as her whole body quivers and convulses. She comes with the arching of her back.

“That’s it,” He whispers, “Good girl, such a good girl,” He takes his fingers out of her, smacks her sensitive wet cunt and she jolts at the touch. Dean chuckles, “Taste yourself,” He trails a wet trail up her body with his fingers that’s been inside of her, and holds it to her mouth. She eagerly takes his fingers in, sucking at them, and moans around them. Dean has to bite back a growl. She’s absolutely nasty about it and it turns him on — so fucking much.

Dean sprays kisses along the side of her face and lets her down gently so she’s lying flat on her back again. He watches her chest move up and down. Her eyes are closed, she’s panting hard, trying harder to catch a breath.

Leaning down, he places a kiss on the tip of her nose and then she opens up her eyes, she sees him and starts to laugh. He chuckles with her.

“Now you,” She says playfully, her hands shoot up to play with his belt.

Jesus, she’s insatiable. Dean absolutely does not mind.

Her hands brush against his cock while she toys with his zipper and he jerks up a little which prompts her to giggle. He’s so jumpy around her, it’s almost embarrassing.

Dean takes a step back and lets his pants pool around his ankle, toes off his shoes and steps out of them. Next he takes his underwear off. His dick slaps wetly against his stomach and he can see her watching him, sees that she’s trying to turn around but that’s pretty hard when she’s still bound like that. After a while she stops trying and Dean chuckles when he takes his socks off.

He’s standing up straight again. He spits into his palm and begins to work his cock, moaning low at the relief he feels. Dean watches her licking her lips when she looks at him, her neck craning to the maximum and she sees him upside down.

Walking up to her, he bends down to kiss her. The upside down kiss feels different, it’s not bad. Not bad at all.

“Do you want my cock, huh?” His one hand goes down her body, smacks her pussy and her whole body trembles.

“Fuck! Yes,”

“Say it,” He smacks her pussy again. It sounds wet, she’s soaked, her juice drips down onto the leather. It’s the fucking hottest thing, “I want you to say it,”

“God,” She groans at another smack to her cunt, “I want your cock, Dean. Please?”

Chuckling, he grabs her around her shoulder, moves her down so her head is hanging off the edge of the table.

“Good girls say please and thank you, Y/N. You’re so fucking good, ain’t you?” He says, all cocky and bravado while he grabs his dick by the base of his shaft and rubs his cock over her sinful lips. God, those lips that look so fucking good wrapped around his dick. Her tongue darts out, eager for a taste.

Jesus, she looks so goddamn beautiful when she’s so desperate for his dick.

“Open up your pretty mouth for me, baby,” Dean coos. His hand is around the base of his shaft, applying pressure so as not to fucking come all over her face by just the sight of what lays before him.

“Stick your tongue out,” He commands, and taps his dick on her tongue as soon as she does. She’s moaning below him at the feel of his heavy dick on the tip of her tongue.

Dean slides it up and down her tongue, “You won’t be able to say the word but if you want me to stop, at any time, tap out, okay? Tap on my thighs, my stomach, tap on the table, just tap.”

“Yes,” She swallows the drool accumulated in her mouth and Dean grins.

“‘K,” He manages to say before sliding the tip into her open mouth and she immediately seals her lips around his girth, making him groan out loudly.

It’s wet and hot and it feels so fucking right. Dean’s heart is beating heavily in his chest, his cock twitches inside of her mouth.

“I’ll go in further, okay?” He’s almost out of breath already, has to fucking compose himself.

Y/N can’t really answer with his dick in her mouth, he knows that, he just wants her to know what he’s doing and she knows that she can tap out anytime so he dares it. Dares to go in deeper. The angle with her head upside down is right for both of them, her throat opens up to him more easily.

His hands are now on both her tits, squeezing and kneading as he starts to thrust his hips into her awaiting mouth, going in half an inch, out a quarter, deeper and deeper until he feels resistant. He stays there for a fraction of a second longer, has to groan out at the tight squeeze before he pulls his dick out and she gasps for air, a string of her thick spit connects the tip of his cock to her lips. He rubs the slick around his dick, jerks himself while he gives her time to recover.

He lets her cough and catch a breath before he asks, “You okay to continue?”

She blinks her tears away, nodding with enthusiasm, “Yes, please,”

Dean chuckles. Such a fucking good girl indeed.

Sliding in again, he can feel that she slowly gets used to it. Used to his cock hitting the back of her throat and she still can’t take it too deep, because he knows that it could go deeper, but that’s not the point of all this. It’s perfect the way it is and Dean wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

He leans forward, plays with her sensitive clit while he thrusts his hips a little faster and she squirms, moaning while his cock fucks into her mouth. The vibrations on her tonsils tickles him and Dean smacks down on her clit, making her shriek as he pulls his hips back and his dick out again.

Y/N begins to licks at his balls, swirling her tongue around it and sucks like she fucking means it. It’s a hard tug, the right side of painful, something that makes him want more, while Dean plunges two fingers into her soaking cunt, fucks her deep and hard with it, his other hand plays with her sensitive clit. And sure enough, she’s coming around his fingers again while she has one of his balls sucked in her mouth.

“Christ, you’re so fucking perfect,” He coos and works his own fist around the tip of his dick, waiting for her to be ready again.

When Dean slides in the next time, he concentrates on the image of the bulge that’s forming on her throat. He goes in deeper, sees it bulging some more and he lays his hand on it, feeling his own dick and goddamnit, he’s so close.

Pulling out abruptly, he releases the strap on her thighs and yanks the harness off of her. Dean pulls her up into a sitting position and jerks her forward so her ass balances on the edge of the table. He positions his dick to her entrance and slides home in one smooth motion.

They both groan in unison, her hands are on his shoulder and arm, holding herself up while he has one hand pulling at her hair making her expose her throat to him before he sucks and licks at her skin.

He soon let's go, places his hand steady at the back of her neck. His other hand thumbs at her clit, making her moan and writhe.

“Dean,” She gasps, “I don’t know if I can come again,”

“Shhhh,” He claims her mouth, kissing her as hard as he fucks her, tasting himself on her, “You can do it, baby, come for me,”

“Oh god,” She moans, lets go off him and braces her hand on the table and leans back a little. He quickly kisses her, fucking her with wild abandon and then he feels it, feels her pussy constricting around his cock, feels her gushing and it’s getting wetter.

He leaves his forehead on hers while she has her eyes closed and as she squirms, her face twists in beautiful agony.

“Fuck,” Y/N breathes out when the moment passes and Dean chuckles, kisses her gentle, soft. A wild contrast to how he fucks her.

“Love it when you come on my cock,” He whispers. His voice is broken, he knows.

She’s still so tight around him, and he still rubs at her clit. She’s already getting tired, he feels it, knows that he has to hurry but that’s not really a challenge because fuck, if he’s going explode any second now.

“Can you come again? Come with me?” He asks, leaning forward to kiss her nose, her cheek.

“I dunno,” She says, her eyelids are heavy when she blinks.

“You can do it, baby. Be a good girl, come with me,”

She nods, which prompts him to kiss her harder. God, he’s never going to get enough of this.

“Come on,” Dean urges, rubs his fingers just right around her nub and he changes the angle of his thrust slightly, making his cock rub differently inside of her wall. Her thighs are trembling and she gets tighter, “Fuck, I’m—”

Y/N comes before him, and he follows suit, pushes himself inside as deep as he can go and she wraps her arms around his shoulder, nails clawing into his back as he groans into the crook of her neck.

Chapter 13

#euphoria #spnkinkbingo #dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester x you #dean winchester fic #dean winchester fan fic #dean winchester fan fiction #nathalie writes

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shimmershae · 3 years ago

Text

My thoughts on Episode 3--Hunted.

Most of you lovelies already realize this, but my thoughts tend to zig and zag quite a bit, lol. So. To save some of you the headache and spare you from seeing spoilers you’d rather not see yet, I’m again placing them behind a cut.

First things first. I have totally turned into Yvette Nicole Brown with her TWD notebooks, lol, and I’m not even sorry. I just felt like it would be fun to go back when the final episode is in the books and see how well my thoughts from these early episodes line up with what I’m feeling when we say our (not-so) final goodbyes.

But that’s enough about that. Let’s get to this thing.

It really is insane how very much I love Melissa McBride. Just hearing her doing the previously on TWD recap voiceover makes me ridiculously happy.

Cole! Dude! We hardly knew ya.

Not gonna lie. That first shot of Maggie in all the chaos reminded of a shirt I’ve seen. It says--”Well, well, well. If it isn’t the consequences of my actions.”

I have to hand it to Angela and the rest of her team. These opening scenes--on all 3 episodes--have been BOMB so far. They really hook you in right away. At least IMHO.

I realize I’m behind the game on this little tidbit, but how much do I adore the fact that Dog is now in the opening credits?

Okay. Alexandria might look like it’s been on some kind of post-apocalyptic bender but all our girls are looking beautiful as ever. Maybe it’s Maybelline, lol.

I love to see Kelly and Carol still gravitating toward each other. It really speaks to each woman’s heart. Carol wants to make amends so badly and Kelly just has the most lovely, warm, forgiving heart.

Carol’s point about Alexandria still needing the horses to help with the heavy lifting and pointing out the walls and rebuilding won’t matter quite as much if they’re limited by their hunger and what they can physically lift on their own isn’t wrong. But I’m sure the same viewers that were okay with Daryl and Co. going out on Maggie’s suicide mission (using the same reasoning) and saying it made sense for the bigger picture will pretend not to recognize that the same element is there in Carol’s desire to go out there and look for the horses. You know. Because it was Carol’s idea and not that of their fave(s).

Aaron, Man. Or maybe I should say Angela. You just had to put a pit of dread in my belly mentioning Buttons like that. RIP, Buttons. You deserved better. I’m still traumatized.

Look at all the babies bonding. Look at RJ getting to sit at the big kid table.

“My mom always comes back.” She damn well better. Those babies need her. Until she does, though, Uncle Daryl and Aunt Carol (and Aunt Rosita and everybody else) are going to be there.

Anyway. Poor RJ. He barely ever gets any lines, lol.

Hershel and Judith are obviously the mini-adults in this group and baby Rhee is already more cynical and jaded than his sweet daddy was until they reached Alexandria and the wheels started to come off.

So. Does Maggie just think everybody’s already dead here or what? Hmm.

You know. Any building can be creepy AF when the lights are off and it’s dark, lol. Any building.

So much darkness so far this season. I’m going to have to invest in some blackout curtains. I just know it.

Where are all those stairs leading? Why am I thinking of Hitchcock? Am I mixing up my scary, suspenseful movies? Probably.

Of fucking course, Maggie dropped her flashlight. Thank goodness she had that lighter at the ready just before Ghost Face Reaper took a swipe at her.

Is that Father G with a screwdriver impaled in his thigh? Listen. These people deserve a Mega Bottle of pain killers and a week just vegging out in a soft, luxurious bed.

All these horror movie tropes. Some of them are cheesy, yes. But I’m totally here for it.

LMAO. That’s it, Maggie. A good old punch in the nuts works every time.

Alden really is having a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.

Negan is still Negan. Self-serving and looking out for number one. But I believe the man really does feel the group is his group too. He’s like that long lost, sketchy uncle nobody wants to acknowledge much less invite to the dinner table, but that bond? However thin? Is there.

I am both hating that Maggie is being forced to work with the man that murdered her husband (my baby Glenn) and finding it fascinating the lengths she’s willing to go to survive. This your plan, Angela?

Rosita and Carol! How sad is it that the last really significant scene I can remember the two of these women sharing was way back? Before Rick and Co. attacked Negan’s outpost and Maggie and Carol were subsequently taken? If only the show had done more of these kind of scenes.

How much do I love all the girls working together? Gimps would never. They’d all be stuck back at Alexandria minding the kids and the community.

Shallow aside--Rosita is so pretty in this scene.

Rosita being worried about Carol honestly makes my heart hurt, because it’s about damn time more of them actually did. Her saying Abraham is trying to tell her something in her dreams is interesting. Angela sure loves her dreams, doesn’t she?

Where are Daryl’s dreams, hmm? No. Seriously. I guess they want to give some viewers plausible deniability until the bitter end.

“Really? We’re just gonna go toward the screaming? Cool.” Hahaha. You know. Even the smart people in horror movies sometimes bite it, Negan. Just saying. Maggie really does need to “stop running up the staircase” when she could just run out the front door though, lol.

Poor Duncan. I think you could have been another Tyreese, Jerry type for me.

WTF does this show have against horses? Those poor creatures.

Kelly is totally me right now. I’d be freaking inconsolable.

Carol needed that hug. Thank you, Magna. From the bottom of this tired fangirl’s heart, thank you.

Why give us that beautiful, golden shot with the horses when you’re planning to stab us through the heart later and twist the knife. Oh. Yeah. That’s exactly why.

Oh snap! Father G’s delivery when he tells that Reaper “I’m not. God isn’t here anymore.” Cold as ice.

Judas. That the Reapers’ work. Or. Damn. Either way, that’s harsh.

Back to what Alden was saying. All these oprhaned children. Who’s going to take on Adam if he dies? That poor kid has had a rough go of it. Knowing that, makes you wonder what Alden was thinking volunteering for the suicide mission.

Omigosh. There went Agatha. Terrible way to go. Right, Beatrice?

I’m sobbing. Carol with the horse. That hurt my baby so much but she hurt herself for her family the same way she has been doing since the Prison. Melissa Mcbride? When she cries, I cry. Every effin’ time. Aaron being there just made it hurt more. But at least someone was there to see how and really take in how she continues to break pieces of herself off to keep her family as whole and safe and happy as she can.

Rewinding a minute--that Magna and Carol conversation. I get Magna’s reasoning too. I do. But Angela is just making everything so dire right now so that the sun when Connie is ultimate found shines a ltitle brighter.

Those babies know they’re eating horse. I could never.

That’s got to be a different Coco. She’s even smaller. But she’s gorgeous.

Fucking finally. Angela having the other characters notice after an eternity of being blind to it, just how much Carol sacrifices of herself for them. It’s so long overdue and I imagine Rosita��s even more worried for Carol now. It’s a shame it’s taken 11 seasons. My baby’s had blood on her hands trying to keep her family safe and whole and happy and fed for a long damn time. So heartbreaking watching her try to scrub the blood away.

Sweet, sweet hug that Kelly gave Magna. She’s such a sweetheart kid sis to all of them, isn’t she?

Interesting place of refuge. A gutted church. A visual symbol, Angela, of where Maggie and the rest of our people are now perhaps?

“It’s easy for you, isn’t it? Being reckless with sombody’s life...” Maggie. Maggie. Those words would have hit so much harder if we hadn’t spent the majority of the last 2.5 episodes watching you ignore sound advice just because it came out of the mouth of somebody you (justifiably) hate.

But will Alden be there when Maggie and Negan get back? That is the question. Or will he eventually Lucille himself?

That little bit of lineup Negan music to remind the audience of Negan lovers and sympathizers that he once took great pleasure in murderously swinging a bag at people’s heads was a nice, subtle touch there. Like agree with her or not, Maggie is literally left to rely on the hope, however small it is, that Negan has changed just enough that he won’t try to finish a job he taken on years before--killing what’s left of her.

Oh lawd. Next episode sees the return of a character literally nobody asked for. How excited am I not?

Dog better not be harmed or so help me.

Now for Angela’s weekly explanations of WTF she/there were thinking because they been doing this plausible deniability thing so long some people out there watching with biased, muddy stan glasses can no longer separate head canon from canon.

Is Maggie worried at all about Daryl or does she just assume his superhero powers are in full effect in this episode?

“You can’t really say it wasn’t going to happen anyway.” Not Angela pointing out that simply laying the blame for literally everything bad that ever happens at Carol’s feet isn’t the answer. Say it louder for those in the back. Alpha was going to do what Alpha wanted to do.

“There is love there. There is respect there. However, there’s also frustration...” You damn skippy. Friendships and human relationships are complex AF. Like Carol. She’s honestly one of the most complicated characters on this show and any show, IMHO. That’s what makes her so memorable and such a lightning rod for discussion.

I know I might be in a minority, but I really feel like they need more of those little scenes between the kids to keep things real.

Kang saying she always feels like she’s going to get murdered in a staircase or parking lot is relatable, funny, and sad all at the same time. It’s a girl thing.

Why is Carol’s story giving me Dark Knight vibes? Like I feel like she’ll gladly shoulder the burden of their distrust, their hate, or their judgment as long as the hard choices she makes keeps them safe. And she’s still ultimately going to come back to save their asses even when they forsake her. Just like Bruce Wayne/Batman. Am I reaching too far, lol? Because sometimes I do that.

Anyway. This is the third episode of the season and the third episode in a row that I mostly enjoyed. I don’t know if I’m just so relieved and happy to have all the characters and my show back or what, but overall? I’ve been pleased with the episodes and found something to love in all of them.

There’s a much stronger horror vibe woven throughout Season 11 so far. I feel like it’s a return to the roots of the show and I like that. Literally none of the characters are making perfect choices and this viewer is here for it. My only complaint so far is there hasn’t been enough Carol but what we’ve been given has felt like a gift and significant in a way that Gimps’ version was not. Also? I really hope the trend of the ladies working together and supporting each other continues because they rule the TWD world, lol.

Hope you enjoyed at least some of my TWD word vomit.

Until next episode.

#The Walking Dead #Season 11 #TWD spoilers #things that make me smile and cry #for reasons #my heart

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crystalstar8 · 4 years ago

Text

Knights of the Night (ch 17)

Chapter 17

Ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, ch 7, ch 8, ch 9, ch 10, ch 11, ch 12, ch 13, ch 14, ch 15, ch 16, ch 17

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139240/chapters/71536491

pairing: Jungkook x oc

genre: vampire au, college au, twilight, romance

word count: 3,171

warnings: blood (obviously), kidnapping, child kidnapping, needles, France, human trafficking

notes: vampires, vampire au, college, college au, so many twilight references, blood, needles, kidnapping, children, homelessness, dance, ballet, flashbacks, romance, slow burn, probably no smut, idk yet tho, France, French things, attempted genocide, inaccurate French history, bisexual main character, @strawberriewithchocolate-blog @mozy-j @daechwitad-2 @zobadak @fallenstar-7

summary: Catalina starts college in a small town all the way across the country. She doesn’t know anyone and isn’t exactly looking for friends. She just wants to focus on dance. But when she meets fellow dance major, Jimin, and adventurous, fellow freshman, Jungkook, Catalina ends up discovering a whole new side to the small college town; one that is dangerous but oh so enticing…

(I am sorry this is late in the day. Enjoy🙂)

(also, give this a listen: “To my Hope” (Spotify))

The dance studio was empty, as expected this time of day. Hoseok stepped inside and set his boombox down at the back of the room. The cassette tape he pulled out of his coat pocket had a strip of tape on the front, the words “To my Hope” written on it in marker. In his other pocket was a cassette with “To my Sunshine” written on it, which he zipped closed. Hoseok smiled and loaded the tape into the deck, pressing play before standing up. “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure filled the studio. He warmed up in front of the mirror, stretching his arms over his head and rolling his neck. He quickly stretched his legs and ankles, then started dancing. He let the music move him, popping and gliding across the floor. “P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson came on next.

This one was much more suited to Hoseok’s style. He smiled as his freestyle adjusted to the more upbeat funk. She was supposed to get out of class any minute, but there was no harm in warming up before she arrived.

Hoseok tried to jump into a flip he saw once in a music video, but rolled out of it. He tried again. He knew he could do it. With his next jump, he nailed the flip, landing with a giddy cheer.

“Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe came on next. Hoseok nailed the flip a few more times, letting his experimental dance flow into “Let the Beat Hit ‘Em” by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.

The studio door opened and Hoseok stopped dancing. With a glance at the door, he let a smile take over his face. She was wearing a short floral dress, a black choker, and his oversized flannel shirt. Her strawberry blonde locks looked windswept and tangled. She smiled back at him when she heard what was playing.

“You’re late,” said Hoseok.

“Class let out late,” she said. “I see you found your gift.”

Hoseok smiled even wider, his cheeks hurting. “Yeah, and what a coincidence, because I just so happen to have something for you too.”

He pulled the other tape out of his pocket and handed it to her. She bit her lip as she looked down at it.

“I’m listening to it before I go to bed tonight,” she said.

“And you’ll call me after?” he asked.

“No,” she laughed, shaking her head. “Because tomorrow is Friday, and I know you don’t work, and I don’t work, so I was thinking I could just show what I think of it then.”

Hoseok pulled her close by the waist and said, “I can’t wait.”

“Well, are we gonna dance or what?” she asked.

“Doo Wap” by Ms. Lauryn Hill was playing now, so they mostly just jammed to the beat. This was how he met Sunny. They were both regulars in the empty studio, loving the space for freestyle sessions. This thing they had going on only just started over the summer.

They danced and showed off new moves for another hour until they were sweaty and tired. They laid side by side on the floor, listening to “Waterfalls” by TLC. The song ended with a click, and the studio was only filled with the sound of their heavy breathing.

“I know a lot of those songs aren’t the best to dance to but-“ Sunny began.

“No, it’s perfect,” Hoseok said. “I love everything on here.”

She smiled and stood up. Hoseok took the hand that was offered to him and stood up as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“I heard you made her a mixtape and everything,” Drew said. Hoseok took a seat at their picnic table and opened his notebook. It was still sunny and warm in L.A., despite being well into autumn.

“Well, she made one for me first,” he said.

“Dude, she’s totally into you,” Drew said, leaning forward. “When are you gonna ask her be your girlfriend?”

“I don’t think…I mean,” Hoseok struggled.

“Oh, come on,” said Drew.

“I just don’t want to rush things,” said Hoseok.

“I don’t understand what you- oh hey Sunny!” Drew said, waving to someone behind Hoseok.

Hoseok turned around to see Sunny approaching, three McDonalds bags in her hands. Hoseok’s stomach growled at the sight. He hadn’t eaten for a day or so and it was really getting to him. She dropped herself into the seat next to Hoseok and set the bags onto the table.

“I brought sustenance,” she said.

“Oh! Thank you, Sunny!” Hoseok exclaimed as they all dug in. “You’re the best.”

“Yes, you’re the best Sunny!” Drew said. “You’re just sooo amazing and so sexy!”

She kicked him under the table, making him yelp. Hoseok almost fell off the seat laughing.

“So, I was thinking we could all go out tonight,” Sunny said with a mouthful of fries.

“Go out as in…” Drew said.

“There’s a new club downtown,” she said. “What do you say boys?”

“Yes! I miss going out to dance!” said Hoseok. “I’ve been needing a break.”

“A club is a break?” Drew asked.

“Yes, Andrew,” Sunny snarked. “It’s fun to let loose once in a while.”

“You damn extroverts,” Drew said with a wave of a hand. “But yeah, I’ll go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The music was so loud that Hoseok could feel the beat in his chest; just how he liked it. Drew had settled at the bar, unmoving. After a few shots, Hoseok followed Sunny to the dance floor, which was packed with the bouncing crowd. They pushed their way into the mix, pressing close and letting the music move them. Sunny was in a short tube top under his flannel, her pants hanging low on her hips. She knew she looked good, she moved like she knew. Hoseok looked good too, he was wearing his leather pants tonight, which he knew Sunny was a fan of. She turned around and pressed her back to him, he put his hands on her hips and swayed with her.

They danced until they were sweaty, then joined Drew at the bar to drink some more.

“I wanna go home!” Drew shouted over the music.

“We just got here!” Hoseok said.

“Come dance with us!” Sunny said. Drew shook his head and held up his drink with a grin on his face.

Hoseok felt a hand on his back. He turned around to see a beautiful woman with big hair and dark skin. Her full lips pulled into a smile as she sidled closer.

“Dance with me?” she asked.

Sunny nudged him and grinned. He let the woman lead him out onto the dance floor. Once they were closer and under the flashing lights of the dance floor, Hoseok noticed that her eyes were red. “Contacts?” he asked. She nodded. “That’s so cool!”

“Come with me!” she said, pulling on his hand. She led him off the dancefloor and into a backroom through a bead curtain. It was a little lounge, a pink sectional couch around the walls and matching chairs. A man and two women sat on the couch, greeting the pair as they came in.

“Have a seat,” the man said, an easygoing smile on his face. He and the two women sitting with him continued their conversation.

Hoseok sat down and the woman he danced with took a seat beside him. She grabbed his face and planted a deep kiss onto his lips. He made a sound of surprise and pushed her off.

“I’m not…I’m really not looking for anyone tonight,” he said.

“Oooh that cute girl out there?” she asked. “The one you were dancing with before?”

Hoseok’s drunk brain caught up with him and he wondered if she was watching him for a while. He nodded.

“Do you guys come here often?” she asked.

“Isn’t this place new?” he asked.

“New management,” she said. “Same place though. I’d like to see you again.”

“I should probably get back to my friends,” he said.

“Sure. I’ll see you around,” she said, watching him leave the lounge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoseok walked back to the dorms from work, headphones on, mixtape in his Walkman. “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners filled his head as he danced across the sidewalk. He actually got tipped today so he stopped by the little bodega just outside campus to pick up a few cups of ramen. By the time he made it back to his dorm, “Loser” by Beck was just finishing its last notes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Monday, after classes, Hoseok went to the studio. Summer was already there.

“Hobi! Check it out,” she said. She turned the music up on the boombox and performed the flip he had taught her last week, perfectly.

“Whoa!” he exclaimed, giving her an applause. “That was perfect! Were you working on that before I got here?”

“Yeah, I just got it like, a few minutes before you came in,” she said.

Hoseok took off his coat and joined her on the dancefloor. He felt exhausted two songs in, which was bad. He knew it was because he wasn’t eating enough.

He pushed through it anyway until he felt lightheaded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The club was just as packed as it was last time. Sunny pulled him onto the dancefloor. The crowd pushed them together as they swayed to the beat. Drew wasn’t there with them this time. A few drinks in and they were back on the dance floor. Sunny pulled him down for a kiss and Hoseok’s heart beat louder than the music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’re way too skinny,” said Sunny. She was in his dorm, hands up his shirt as he was trying to do his homework.

“Well, you’re too handsy,” he said. The words on the page he was reading were blurring together. He didn’t feel good today and all of his concentration was being stolen.

“Oh please,” she said. “You love it.”

“Well, yes. Usually,” he said. “But I’m trying to do my homework.”

“What are you working on?” she asked, peeking over his shoulder.

“English,” he said.

“Ew,” she said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The lounge at the back of the bar was stifling. Usually, the loud music and dancing was calming, but today, Hoseok felt like he wanted to crawl out of his skin. Everything was too much. The woman from last time, Jamie as he learned, was sitting across from him.

“So, if what you’re saying is true, why are you here?” she said.

Hoseok bit back a grimace as he let out a sigh. “I…I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry that happened,” she said. “That must have been painful.”

He didn’t say anything. The image wouldn’t stop popping up in his mind. He had never even seen that guy before. How long was Sunny seeing him? Hoseok thought…

Well, he’s not sure what he thought. He’s not sure if this year with her meant anything. He’s not sure if anything she did with him over this year meant anything. If anything she’s said meant anything. If he meant anything to her.

What was he doing here? He supposed he wanted to let off some steam but he ended up just spending all his money at the bar. Looks like he won’t be eating until his next paycheck. Again. Pretty soon, he wouldn’t be able to dance like this.

“Do you want me to buy you a drink?” Jamie asked.

“You don’t have to,” he said. “I should probably stop drinking anyway.”

“I’ll get you a water then,” she said.

~~~~~~~~~~

His head felt like was going to split open and his stomach felt like it was eating itself. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t even open his eyes. The ground was cold and hard, but he couldn’t remember where he was the night before.

Eventually, he could move his arms, but if he moved them too much, a wave of nausea washed over him. Panic hit him when he opened his eyes. The room was cement. It was dark but Hoseok could hear water dripping somewhere behind him.

It took him a long time before he was able to move properly and sit up. There was a mat on the floor beside him and a bucket beside that. He lunged for the bucket just in time. Barely anything came out though, he ended up dry heaving for several minutes.

Hoseok felt weak, his limbs were heavy and shaking, but he forced himself to drag his body to the wall where he sat with the bucket between his legs. There were pipes running along one wall, one of them dripping into a small puddle below. Next to the pipes was a heavy looking metal door. Besides that, the room was bare.

He tried to control his breathing before he passed out again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You need to eat,” the woman said to him. She was pretty, with blonde hair and red lips, but her eyes were red and mean.

“I can’t,” said Hoseok.

“You need to,” she said. “We will force feed you if we have to, but I really don’t want to. You don’t want me to either.”

“I think I’m sick,” he said.

“Then we’ll get you medicine. You need to eat. You’re too underweight.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Just hook him up,” the large man said. “We’ll take a little bit at a time for now-“

“It’ll kill him,” the blonde woman said.

It’s been days. Hoseok didn’t know what they were talking about, but he was too weak to protest anything.

“Why isn’t he eating?” the man asked.

“I think he had a bad reaction to the drugs,” the woman said. The man sighed.

“Fine, at least get him to eat something for now, we can wait for the drugs to get out of his system,” he said.

They both left again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoseok supposed he was finally at a healthy weight, since he was now hooked up to the IV a few times a week. Or at least it felt like that. Hoseok wasn’t sure what day it was, or what time it was in any given moment. He did know that every time they took his blood, he felt weaker and it took longer to recover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a while, all thoughts of escape flew out the nonexistent window. He was just too tired. All the time. Some days, he could barely move. Those days became more and more frequent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes, people would come in and drink from his blood bags. Sometimes they would discuss prices. Hoseok didn’t like when they talked about prices, but he didn’t have the energy to do anything about it.

Everyone who came in always had red eyes. He wasn’t sure if that was a figment of his imagination or not, but it was terrifying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then one day, he got out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Someone fucking catch him already!”

The screaming outside his door made him open his eyes. There seemed to be a lot going on out there; loud crashes and bangs, lots of screaming. His door flew open and a man with crazed, bright red eyes stumbled in. He scurried over to Hoseok and frantically bit into his neck. Hoseok used what little energy he had to try to push the man off, but it was no use. He couldn’t feel his body anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“If he finds out about this, he’s going to be pissed.”

“Well, he won’t find out. We’ll replace them.”

“Five? We’ll replace five people in two weeks?”

“We have to. He’ll kill us if we don’t.”

Hoseok’s body was on fire. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was in the bed of a moving van, four other bodies laying around him. Some were twitching, some were writhing, one wasn’t moving at all. Hoseok couldn’t move. The pain was too much. It felt like his veins were on fire and his face was being stretched.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he woke up again, he was still in pain but no longer in the van. He was in the woods, the four other people from the van lying around him. It took a while, but they all eventually regained their movement around the same time.

Two of them ran off immediately. The third wandered off in a daze hours later. Hoseok stayed, wondering what the pain was in the back of his throat and in his stomach. He wanted to run and find help, now that he was out, but he didn’t know where he was, how deep in the woods he was. It was cold, colder than it usually got in L.A.. There was even some snow on the ground.

He was still disoriented. One person was still there with him. She was crying.

Once the nausea passed and his head stopped spinning, the thirst doubled and his hands started shaking. He was getting frantic, but he didn’t know how to stop it.

Standing up, he took a look around and picked a direction.

“Wait, where are you going?” the crying woman asked.

“I don’t know,” Hoseok said. His voice was rough, foreign to his ears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He wandered for what felt like forever.

The little town he ended up in only made things worse. Everyone smelled way too good. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what it was he was craving, and it was getting harder and harder to resist. There were people everywhere, even in the alleys Hoseok mostly clung to.

He needed to drink soon. He was getting sicker and sicker and it was getting harder and harder to control himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first person he drank from, he ended up killing. She was homeless, living in the same alley he stayed in.

He was sick about it for weeks, but there wasn’t anything to throw up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hoseok found the hospital, he thought himself a genius. That is, until he had to actually sneak in. There were always people walking around. The hospital never slept, but between two to four am, it was as quiet as it could be.

Sneaking in was difficult, but it wasn’t something he would have been able to do before. He was stronger and faster than he remembered, and more graceful as a result. Some days, when he wasn’t having constant flashbacks of his cement cell, he felt like he was in a spy movie.

Taking blood from a blood bank was not ideal, but it was saintly compared to hurting people on the street.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He missed his mom and sister.

He missed school.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A janitor caught him and called the police. He ran away before the police showed up but he was still hungry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Taehyung found him behind the hospital in the next town over, Hoseok thought he was an angel. He was so unearthly beautiful, so kind and gentle. His red eyes were startling, but he offered a place to stay, and a reliable food source of food.

During the car ride to the mansion, Taehyung turned the radio on. “Waterfalls” by TLC was playing.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nm0tRz73YzcTPl8plRsbS?si=37672afb915348b8

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razorblade180 · 4 years ago

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The NaruSaku post

@perfectkidalienpatrol asked me a two questions a couple weeks ago one about restructuring Kingdom Hearts DDD and 3 to be more emotional which you find right here < [it took time, please read. Also leave a reply on this one because it also took way too much time. Thank you 😅]

The second question is about how I would write NaruSaku, which is this post. [I rewatched 60 percent of Naruto Shippuden for this. I’m not playing games here.]

I’m gonna follow the same rules I did for KH more or less. I’m not changing 90% of any major events just certain people surrounding it and I’ll add stuff that’s not unreasonable. Most of the things I’m about to say is gonna be from Sakura’s perspective since Naruto is already in love with her and have a good of his feelings towards her. I’d also like to take a moment and say I’m a person who doesn’t believe Sakura is weak or useless, but she’s sorely underused. What makes this bad is her screen time is almost always to make others around her have more of an effect or her doing something stupid because plot. Okay, let’s get the big stuff out of the way first that lays the ground work.

Part 1 of Naruto is unchanged. (Rip Sakura, she’s still of no use here.)

The start of Shippuden, all the way up to Pain is basically the same. The thing about NaruSaku is there’s plenty of ground work in the show. The series definitely shows Sakura warming up and caring about Naruto in a variety of ways. The entire blueprint is there, Kishimoto just decided to go with Hinata.

During the Rasenshuriken training, Kakashi grabs the food pill basket from Sakura and tells her stay. Since Naruto’s training is more trial by fire and repetition, Kakashi uses his free time to train Sakura. Combat, a little ninjitsu, even tricks about genjutsu and things he’s learned about sharingan. (You know, sensei stuff)

Neji will live for obvious reasons.

Okay, so my whole thought process really starts at the point in the show where Sakura falsely tells Naruto that she loves him. At this point, the show has given tons of scenes of Sakura healing Naruto, defending the way he is, acknowledged his growth, and has him as a strong motivator do whatever she can whenever she can. All while being emotionally torn because of her love for Saskue and being faced with the reality that Naruto has been in love with her forever. The scene plays out the same with Naruto not believing her and the Saskue murder team leaving. Sakura doesn’t let it show she is deeply conflicted about telling that lie. Was it a lie? It certainly wasn’t completely truthfully. Her thoughts and feelings on Naruto had been rapidly changing and confusing her little by little since he returned to the village. All she was certain of was that Naruto was a person that had become very important to her and she didn’t want to cause him any more suffering.

Fast forwarding to Sakura encountering Saskue, the encounter is only different by Sakura confessing her honest feelings to him right on the iron bridge, telling him how she’ll join his side if he can’t find it in himself to stop being a criminal. She’s unknowingly under a genjutsu that’s letting Sakura see him in front of her, pretending to care about this conversation while he’s actually about to chidori her from behind. Sakura catches on to the trick a bit too late but was fortunately saved by Kakashi. Naruto eventually shows up, the fight happens, and we get the scene where Naruto tells Saskue that they well both die the next time they fight. Two very important things come out of this entire event. The first is Sakura’s feelings for Saskue are now shattered after he tried to kill her twice, while the other thing is Sakura’s fear of Naruto’s prediction coming true.

We get back to the village and everyone starts going their separate ways except for Naruto and Sakura, because she tells him to stay back for a moment. She takes this moment to apologize to him for what she said. The guilt about the entire thing builds more and more as she continues her apology until Sakura gets so frustrated with her own actions, or lack of action. Naruto interrupts her apology before she got too far gone into self loathing and sorrow and tells her that it’s okay. Yes, his promise is a big reason for motivating him but Naruto is also in it for himself and tries to lift some of the guilt Sakura has for all of this. In the process he ends up mentioning just how much she actually does for everyone, especially him; which only makes her feel more conflicted about everything since all of his feelings are on the table clearly for her. Sakura mentally decides she having such a kind person like him always supporting her was something she wasn’t close to being worthy of, so she would strive to be that person. Sakura decides to do one more selfish act though, she asks Naruto to stay alive through all of this. Naruto simply looks at the girl that is clearly concerned about all of this and says yes, despite not knowing just how sure he can keep this promise.

At this point in the anime there’s a lot of war preparations. In one scene there’s Sakura looking at photos of the gruesome tragedies that she should expect to see as a medical ninja. A head nurse also explains how sometimes you have to prioritize who to save. Sakura then thinks to herself in a crazy circumstance where both Naruto and Saskue are fatally wounded, who would she rush to? I’m keeping this scene but giving it new context. This thought plagues her mind not because of love, but because desire. Sakura hates to admit it but she still very much hates the idea of Saskue dying. Like Naruto, she very much wants him to come back, regardless of the heartache she feels whenever she thinks about the boy who barely gave a damn. But Sakura also has made the goal to do all she can to support Naruto the right way and the thought of leaving him to die is ludicrous. Sakura shakes off the crazy thought and focuses on the task at hand. None of those ideas matter if she can’t get stronger. I like the idea of her hitting a rut someone like Ino or Shizune coming to her aid since Tsunade is busy. One of the women reinvigorates her drive by telling Sakura how Naruto is probably pushing himself to the limit as they speak. [Nine tails is beating him up] Not just for his friends, but for the world. Sakura takes that to heart, protecting everyone is the bar, not just Naruto and her friends. Sakura decides now would be a good time and take a step back, going off to train by herself until it was actually time to head into war. Kakashi would personally be the one to get her when that time came, surprised to see a very specific part of their previous training had gotten much better along with her chakra control.

On the Naruto side of things, all the same events happen. The only thing I would add for my own personal amusement would be Naruto mentioning Sakura to his mom and how they’re similar, but Sakura has no interest in him. Kushina laughs and tells him if Sakura really is anything like herself then Naruto can’t be too sure of anything until it happens. He doesn’t understand that all but nods anyways.

War starts! All the cool fights happen and the filler. All of this is same obviously because so much is going on, including injuries. Naruto eventually joins the war and sends his clones to help everywhere. The location where Sakura is stationed is under severe condition, to the point it’s about to fall apart. Injured ninja and attacks have relentlessly assaulted the place in one form or another and the medics are running on fumes. Sakura herself is barely hanging on as another wave of injured people are in desperate need of healing. Supplies are diminished to almost nothing, staff has gotten hurt, and more white zetsu were said to be headed their way. Sakura took a moment to look at the chaos of war. The overwhelming feeling of it, the pain, how everything just kept going until something gave out. She was about to give out. Her body exhausted from being up for days treating people was finally catching up with her mind in thinking about shutting down, until she thought about Naruto. She wasn’t sure why she did, but he popped into her head, as well as the numerous times he’s pushed passed the breaking point to the finish line. Then she remembered his praise about her and her vow to catch up with him. Not yet, she couldn’t be done yet. Not while there was still everyone to protect. Sakura rallied the people she could to both attack and defend what they had left. Somehow, through all the madness, the injured had been treated and another wave was taken out. More had to be done and all who were able to move were more than willing to help the ninja that had saved their life. Unfortunately, a zetsu had snuck into the ranks and was heading right for Sakura who was far to tired to defend herself from the attack she saw coming. If she got hurt then it was game over for this unit and her, now that they had basically nothing. Sakura should’ve died on the spot but a Naruto clone had finally arrived in the nick of time, beating the zetsu in an instant. Sakura couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her body gives out and Naruto catches her in a similar way Minato catches Kushina. Naruto tells everyone how awesome it was that they held out so long and they rightfully give Sakura a majority of the credit. Naruto starts to tell her how amazing that is but she passes out. He simply chuckles and tells all of them to follow her lead. He’ll step in now and let them rest. It’s his turn to protect everyone.

The next time the show cuts back to this location is when reports of Naruto clones suddenly vanishing after many tremors and explosions have happened, giving Sakura an uneasy feeling. Minutes later word reaches them that the real Naruto is fighting the masked man and Madara. Many ninja from everywhere go ready to race off to this final battle. Sakura’s had the chance to rest and is ready to give her all in any way she can, along with so many others.

[Cool shit happens! The allied shinobi force appears!]

Neji gets injured protecting Hinata and Naruto, bringing him right to deaths door and nobody is around to help him. Naruto looks around to see all the death and destruction that leads to Obito into giving his speech. So basically I just changed this scene from Neji being dead, to Neji dying and having to be left there; causing everyone to simply accept that they have to press on and that Neji isn’t going to make it. We still get the moment of Hinata snapping Naruto out of despair and Kakashi’s elaboratetion on his meaning behind the statement “I will not allow my comrades to die.” That way we still get Kurama motivating Naruto, causing Naruto to snap Lee out of his despair and then outcome plays out like it usually does; the people rallying to attack the ten tails again with the Nine Tails Power given to them. Naruto spends up all his chakra protecting everyone and gets badly injured. I had forgotten Sakura literally gave a speech to motivate ninja to do their best protecting him while she healed him, so that was nice to see.

The Hokage show up. People are hyped. Minato asks Naruto if that’s his girlfriend, to which Naruto says yes like the goofy fool he is. Sakura still hits him for it, but blushes. Minato clearly sees a lot of Kushina in Sakura, but says vocally, instead of in his head. Naruto thinks about his conversation with his mom. Sakura just tries to stay focus.

Tiny Rant-I can’t wrap my head around why this scene actually exists. This happens after Neji’s death, a cornerstone event that pushes NaruHina greatly. Why would Kishimoto almost immediately swing back in the exact opposite direction! It paints the picture that while Naruto is extremely grateful for Hinata’s actions, Sakura is still the only girl he is interested in! Neji died for NaruHina like five minutes ago!

Saskue shows up like a cool guy. We get the moment of Naruto telling Sakura to stay back after he’s fully healed; to which Sakura tells both of them how that’s not gonna happen. Team 7 is back! Another moment I don’t have to change because the show flat out shows how happy Sakura is to be standing next to the two most important men her life. She’s by their side and fighting, they don’t feel out of reach. Sakura has her team back for once and is protecting everyone thanks to Tsunade’s training. Finally, things feet right. Until they don’t.

The battle progresses naturally. Eventually the Kagoshima show up, Obito becomes a Jinjuriki, Madara is being terrible, etc. Things are spiraling out of hand pretty quickly but everyone keeps pushing as hard as they can. Then the worst happens, the crazy scenario Sakura didn’t think was possible has suddenly became reality. She feels both Naruto and Saskue’s chakra fade away, they’re down. Madara has taken both of them down. However, now isn’t time to despair on that fact. Every second matters. Two people, fatally injured, only enough time save one. The one she promised to protect to protect, or the one she desired to come back home. Time feels like it’s come to a stand still. Sakura didn’t want to imagine a world without either of them, then it hits her instantly. Sakura has been living in a world without Saskue for years now, but Naruto, the agony of a world without him gives her an immense sorrow in her heart she refused to ever feel again. It was the same sorrow she felt when Saskue left that night years ago. The sorrow of the one you love leaving you. Sakura realizes that she does in fact love Naruto, and she isn’t about to let it fade. She will keep her promise. Sakura rushes to go save him, fearing she’s wasted enough time as it is. In actually, Sakura had made that decision in less than second. She had been running his way the moment his chakra stopped.

With the help of Gaara and Minato, Sakura is managed to save Naruto. Minato has been watching the worry the girl tried to hide and stared again how much she was like Kushina. He then thanks her for looking after his son. Sakura corrects him, giving Minato thanks for bringing someone who cares so much about her and support her into this world, despite the many slip ups and pain she has inflicted on Naruto. Minato tells her that he didn’t have to be around long to know his son must feel same sentiment towards her, if not greater. They get informed that Saskue has been recovered and receiving medical aid. Sakura feels a weight lift from her shoulders. Both of them, she still in a world with both of them.

[More craziness happens! Night Guy!!!!!! All the hype stuff!]

Naruto and Saskue are back in action! Naruto save Guy, then he gives Kakashi an eye. Everyone is impressed, but not as impressed as the moment he senses that Neji isn’t dead yet and heals him to the point he’ll live; Neji is still completely out of commission though, but it’ll be quite the surprise for Hinata, her father, and Team Guy.

More of the same stuff happens all the way up and through Kaguya. Sakura gets a little bit of emotional whiplash by Saskues actions. One minute he’s looking out for himself, the next he’s actually saves her from a threat. It’s a very confusing couple of minutes. It’s welcomed though, it’s like old times. Things just might get back to some since of it in Sakura’s eyes.

[He is so rude! Still love him though.]

Now we’re gonna skip to after Kaguya is beaten. Team 7 has saved the world. Now they just have to release the people, except Saskue is still on his nonsense. Naruto confronts Saskue about his plan to kill the Kage. Sakura could feel her heart sink. They were going to fight again. If that happened then Naruto’s prediction might come true, they would die. Naruto would die. Sakura couldn’t stand still and ran in between the two unexpectedly. Sakura pleaded to Saskue to just stop for once in his life. That if he ever cared about her and Naruto in any form, then the fighting would stop here; reminding him of what Naruto said about dying. Saskue takes a step closer and Sakura’s tearfully eyes hardened. This wasn’t going to be like last time. Sakura wasn’t going to hesitate to use force and Saskue could tell. “You really are annoying.” He says before activating a genjutsu, but it doesn’t work on her. This was it, the exact thing her training with Kakashi and by herself had been about. Constant days of intense chakra control and being trapped in various visual genjutsu that Sakura had to learn resist/breakout of. Saskue had made his answer clear, but Sakura refused to let him dismiss her like that and charged at him. She knew she was outmatched. She knew that there was only so much she could actually do against him, but that wasn’t going to stop her from trying. Sakura was going to stand up properly to Saskue and give everything she had to prevent an unavoidable fight. The fire in her was immense, but the fight was over in no time, ending with Saskue knocking her out from behind like when he first left her behind. Naruto was pissed and Kakashi rushed to her. All that effort and pleading from someone who wanted nothing more than to be by her comrades, tossed to the side like a leaf in the wind. The final confrontation had begun. Naruto vs Saskue.

[One exceptional fight 10/10 fight later]

Sakura has woken up and is racing to the Final Valley in absolute terror, along with Kakashi behind her. He didn’t show it but he was fearing the worst as well. He could see tears fly off of Sakura as she took off. Her mind was flooding and rejecting thoughts all at once the whole way there. All she wanted was the reality of the outcome. Whatever it was, she’d have to face it. What she faced was a miracle. The ability to save both of her friends who were definitely battered and broken, but alive. The fighting was finally over. Saskue apologized to her, noticing just how angry she stil was through her tearfully relieved expression. Sakura told him to shut up. The emotional rollercoaster she was dealing with was crazy enough as it is.

Fast forward to Team 7 at the Hidden Leaf Gate to see Saskue leave. Instead of Sakura asking to join, she walks up to him with confidence, giving both a playful and serious attitude. She holds her fist out and taps his chest. “Get into trouble and I’ll stand in your way again to knock the sense back into you.” Naruto’s jaw drops hearing that. Saskue smile then flicks her forehead. “Still annoying, thank you.” Sakura can’t help but smile back. Naruto gives Saskue his old headband and then the man sets off.

Naruto lets out a huge sigh as he walks back into the village with Sakura. He feels exhausted from the whole legal experience but there was more things to be done, but first, he was starving. He started waving goodbye to Sakura until she asks to go too, offering to pay. Naruto was shocked. His ears had to be playing tricks. He turned back around to see Sakura not directly looking at his face but she clearly talking to him. He could tell her face was a little pink too. “You know, like a date...” Sakura said, walking past him. Naruto stood motionless for a couple of seconds before catching up with her. “How about we go halfies?” Naruto asked. He had asked this same question when he asked her on a ramen date so long ago. Sakura remembers this and can’t help but giggle. The fact that she had rejected such a gesture before was embarrassing to say the least, now it was too her benefit and it was still dumb. The more things change, the more they stay the same. “It’s a date.”

The the tail end of the show where time skips gives us how they continued to grow closer and do these little dates until the moment Sakura tells Naruto that she loves him one moonlit night by the training field or academy swing. This time those words are real, and Naruto gets emotional because he finally gets to say those words back, their promises fulfilled. The final episode is their marriage. The start of their new and strongest promise to each other.

There, I’m done. In summary, what if Sakura stopped liking a person because they tried killing her and everyone she cared about. You know, sane people stuff. She’s a smart girl with critical thinking skills and able to blossom in many areas in her life, and yet the series didn’t let her fully exlpore or evolve it in the one area that arguably mattered the most. How her relationships with Naruto and Saskue. They left it one note even though many scenes and articles point into the direction of her affection towards Naruto was growing. They even paralleled her with Kushina. It’s so weird to lay all that ground if that isn’t the route. Those moments of romantic growth could’ve gone to Hinata, the one with nearly zero interaction throughout the series. I can only think of four scenes, two of them being in part 1 of Naruto. It’s weird.

Side note:If anyone is having a hard time believing Sakura could learn a way to resist genjutsu, Deidara did it with one of his eyes to deal with Itachi, and also didn’t fall of Saskue’s. You can not convince me Sakura wouldn’t learn a way, someone with far more control and an affinity for that kind of thing. Especially with the help of Kakashi. Also it’s just very thematic that the two people Saskue wanted to push away the most, could see right through him and render one of his major things useless.

#naruto uzumaki #naruto ships #naruto shippuden #narusaku #naruto talk #ask me stuff #anime #sakura haruno #saskue uchiha #naruto

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introvertguide · 4 years ago

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The Life of Roman Polanski

The director of our current movie under review, Roman Polanski, is a man that has been surrounded by sadness and controversy. I think that he is a great director and an amazing creator of the visual arts, but he has a major flaw that makes me very glad he is nowhere near me. I think a statement like that deserves some explanation, but know that a lot of my take is based on opinion. I was not alive when a lot of his issues occurred so I base my opinion on news and official record statements. I will try and rely on recorded facts as much as possible and make a point to mention if something is not proven. I also encourage anyone who is interested to find out more because it is a fascinating story.

Polanski started off the in a pretty bad way as he was born in 1933 in Paris during the height of Nazi reign in Europe. He was moved to Krakow in 1937 right before the German invasion and his parents were taken in raids. He was kept alive in foster homes under an assumed identity and was lucky to survive. His mother died in Auschwitz, but he was reunited with his father after the war in 1946. Roman had quite the artistic eye and used it for both photography and filming. He attended the National Film School in Lodz, Poland and started directing short films that gained recognition. One film in particular was called Bicycle. It was a true story of a thief that tricked Polanski out of his money when purchasing a bicycle and instead beat Polanski around the head with the butt of a gun. The thief was found and eventually executed for past crimes including 3 murders.

After graduating in 1959, Polanski went to France and continued to make short films. He reported that there was a problem with xenophobia at the time since so many Polish people had dispersed around Europe after the war. He went to England and made three movies between 1965 and 1968 that gained recognition in America: Repulsion, Cul-de-sac, and Dance of the Vampires. A young woman named Sharon Tate played a role in Dance of the Vampires and Polanski fell in love. He married her in 1968 in England, and they moved to the U.S. so he could make movies in Hollywood. His first film in the states was a horror film entitled Rosemary’s Baby, one of the highest rated horror films of all time. Polanski had a beautiful young wife, a son on the way, a hit movie with more work coming, and great prospects for life in the United States.

As horrific as his formative years were, I am surprised to find myself writing that this is when Polanski’s life really went out of control. On August 9th, 1969, cult members who followed a man named Charles Manson broke into the Polanski home in Los Angeles and murdered the 8 month pregnant Sharon Tate and four friends that were at the home. Polanski had been working in London on a new film and wasn’t there that night. He says to this day that it is by far the greatest regret of his life. Remember this. It seems that some wires got crossed as far as Roman’s thinking process because his behavior really took a turn.

His films had been dark and violent in the past, but they started to have sexual undertones with more graphic nudity. His first movie back after the loss of his wife was Macbeth, a movie that was rated X at the time for graphic nudity and violence. Polanski later said that he was in a dark place, but the media would find things in his movies always looking for a story. He hated the media after the sensationalism and lack of privacy involved with the loss of his wife and son. Next came an extremely odd road trip sex comedy that was appropriately called What?. And then came his last work filmed in the United States and the film he was probably best known for, Chinatown. I don’t want to go over the film too much since it is the film currently under review for the group, but it is very dark and has an extremely down beat ending.

And then another crime was committed in Polanski’s life that would haunt while simultaneously erasing any good will the American public had for him. He was charged for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl who modeled for him during a Vogue photoshoot. It was recorded as occurring at the Bel Air estate of Jack Nicholson. There is no question about this encounter as Polanski was arrested and confessed to the charges. He thought he was going to receive probation and timed served for a guilty plea, but the judge was reported to have changed his mind and was planning to reject the plea and give Polanski prison time for all charges. This would result in up to 50 years in jail and what amounted to life in prison. Polanski would not serve this sentence so he fled the country to France where he would not be extradited.

The charges are still pending and there is no statute of limitations on rape in the United States, so Polanski is on a list of people that if found outside of certain countries will be immediately sent back to the U.S. to face charges. He has dual citizenship in France and Poland; both countries do not extradite citizens. He went on to make one of his best works, a film called Tess, while in Europe. It was a great success and Polanski was nominated for Best Director. The film ended up winning three Academy Awards (none for Polanski). So it seemed that this acclaimed director would live in France and hope that things would blow over. He settled a civil suit in court with the girl and she went on to marry and says she forgives Polanski. But it didn’t end...

Because the woman was in the U.S. and Polanski was not, she was harassed by the press to speak out and tell her story. She reported that the media did much more harm to her and her family than Polanski did. That is a very strong statement considering the charges. Things finally cooled down somewhat when Polanski married an actress from one of his films, Emmanuelle Seignor in 1989. The couple have two kids together and things were apparently going fine in France.

Things remained well through the 90s although nothing Polanski did got much attention. It seemed he would simply live out his life quietly in France. Then in 1999, he came out with a film called The Ninth Gate that garnered attention since it starred the very popular Johnny Depp. Polanski was back on his game and he directed and produced a film called The Pianist. It stars Adrian Brody and told the story of a Polish-Jewish composer who survived the concentration camps because of goodwill received from German officers that appreciated his work. It is a masterpiece and earned Polanski the award for Best Director. He could not accept the award in person because he would be arrested, so Harrison Ford accepted it on his behalf and took it to him in France. A strange little detail about this is that The Pianist was also up for best picture, but stirrings about Polanski’s past were brought up by a competing producer to throw the award. There is no real proof of this, but the man said to have done this was quite powerful in Hollywood at the time. Ironically, that man who was said to remind people of old rape charges was none other than Harvey Weinstein. I don’t have proof of this, but it is an interesting story. One of those “I heard it is said that” kind of things from TMZ.

Anyway, these reminders had people trying to interview Polanski and his wife about the past and he basically said that people needed to move past it. This does not tend to go over very well with the American public or the legal system and Polanski was arrested while in Switzerland and held in Zurich. Public sentiment in America, France, and Poland leaned towards Polanski being sent to America to face trial. The Swiss judge denied extradition and Polanski was sent back to France. There were requests in 2014 by US courts that Poland send Polanski to stand trial since there was question concerning the conduct of the original judge in Polanski’s case. It was believed that Polanski would be given some form of probation, but it also meant he could travel. Polish courts ruled that Polanski had served his punishment and should not have to face U.S. courts again. In 2016, it was presented by Polish officials that no amount of time could account for the crime of rape, but the decision of the lower court was held.

In 2018, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences removed Polanski as a member. Strangely, that same year, they offered a membership to his wife (who loudly said no).

So the final say about how to feel about Polanski and his works lies firmly on the individual. Here is all the information about the trial that can keep it nice and ambiguous for you. The judge, the lead prosecutor, and the LA County Deputy DA at the time all admitted bias against Polanski. He would not have gotten a fair trial and would likely have ended up in prison for life. The prosecutor said later in an interview for a documentary that he was not surprised at all that Polanski left and it would have been a media circus. Polanski paid the victim almost a million dollars in civil settlement money and she said she doesn’t want to see any further prosecution. Okay. In 2017, a website run by Matan Uziel was sued by Polanski for libel when it was posted that 5 other women had come forward and accused Polanski of sexual assault. Polanski did not show up in court so Uziel was dismissed of charges. Uziel requested specifically that the cases not be dropped so that Polanski could not try and sue him at a future date. It is true that, in 2010, an English actress accused Polanski of “forcing himself” on her during filming of the movie Pirates. In 2017, a Swiss woman accused Polanski of raping her in the 70s when she was only 15. The same month, another woman accused him of assaulting her in 1975 when she was only 10. Finally, in 2019, a former actress model from France said that Polanski violently raped her at a Swiss chalet in 1975.

So what can you say about the man? His early life was tragedy and misery. The loss of his wife and child was horrific. He seemed like he was in a very bad place in the 70s. I don’t want to give credence to accusation without proof, but it can be sure that he committed at least one sexual assault of an under aged girl. He ran from his trial because he knew it would not be fair, but he was still never held accountable in a court of law for what he did. He has been forced to stay in Poland and France, but he is wealthy with a wife and kids, never seeing the jail time for what he did. And if it is true that he has committed other crimes like this, then he needs to be in jail. But could he ever get a fair day in court at this point? The man is 87 and will likely die soon, likely before any sentencing could occur. Also, how reliable is testimony from any parties about things that happened between 40-50 years ago? Everything he is accused of seems to have happened after the death of Sharon Tate and before his marriage to his current wife, so it seems like his behavior was linked to his state of mind and he is no longer in that state. That may explain things but it does not forgive them.

I don’t know. This is probably why I chose psychology instead of law enforcement or criminal justice. Trying to decide if someone has adequately paid for crimes they have committed is not my specialty. It will be a moot point soon enough because he will be dead. So what do we do with the guy? He has encountered both great suffering and great joy in his life. He as also caused great suffering and great joy. I guess it is more about how he will be remembered at this point. I would be curious to hear what others think.

#roman polanski #sharon tate #chinatown #rosemary's baby #film director #extradition #court charges #life and times #assault #70s #media coverage #introvert #introverts

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westershiresauce · 4 years ago

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Headcanon: Deus Ex Scuba Gear

Note: Spoilers for Bly Manor.

So, here is my Bly Manor/Supergirl crossover crackfic headcanon where Kara is Dani and her ex Mike gets killed by a truck when he walks into traffic after Kara comes out to him and breaks off their relationship.

“Mike, I think I’m gay,” the blonde whispers, too ashamed to speak any louder. The man next to her tenses slightly before a look of relief washes over him.

“Oh thank God,” he says, and smiles at a confused Kara.

“What? You’re okay with this?” Mike shrugs and shoots the woman his frustratingly disarming grin.

“I mean, am I glad I’m being dumped? No. Am I relieved that the reason is you aren’t into guys? Kind of.” Kara wrinkles her brows in confusion and he continues.

“I mean, I know I’m hot.” Mike grins again and winks at the blonde who purses her lips at his peacocking, “I thought maybe you were just frigid or something.”

“Mike!” Kara looks around to make sure no one is listening. Mike laughs and she shoots him a glare.

“Hey, you’re the one that decided to break my heart at the corner of a major intersection.”

He winks at her and she advances on the man, trying to shut him up. He skips away from her, ignoring the fact that he is now in the crosswalk of the intersection.

“Mike! Stop fooling around!” the blonde pleads but the man ignores her.

“Hey, were you checking out chicks while we were together?” He waggles his eyebrows and Kara balls her fists at her sides. She refuses to take the bait. The man just laughs at her silence. “Dude, you totally did. What’s your type?”

He goes quiet suddenly and his face lights up. Kara shakes her head. It is seldom a good thing when the man gets a light bulb moment.

“Hey Kara,” his face gets lecherous and Kara readies herself for some horrifying comment, “Would you let me watch?”

Kara’s face blooms red with embarrassment and anger. She steps closer to jab her finger against the man’s face and get her point across. However, Mike anticipates this and he takes another step back, grin still in place even as a truck barrels into his body. Kara stares in shock, midstep and with her finger still in the air as Mike is flung at least twenty feet down the street. The smell of burning rubber as the truck attempts to stop and the blaring sound of a horn being pressed much too late fill her senses.

Kara: “No, Mike, not gay as in happy. Good lord, dude!”

Kara is at the hospital when Mike is pronounced dead. Rhea never really liked her so she leaves for her apartment, still shaken but confused about how she feels about what happened. On the one hand she feels responsible for what happened, but on the other hand, she almost feels relieved. Until, that is, she goes to wash her hands in the bathroom and sees Mike standing behind her. She screams and when she turns around, he is gone. It isn’t until a few days later that she hears someone walking around her apartment that she realizes what happened. She grabs her trusty bat and walks out, expecting some coke addict rifling through her bookshelves but instead sees Mike, pawing at her bookcase. He grunts in frustration when his hand goes through a book but cheers when he manages to knock one onto the floor. Kara drops the bat in shock and Mike turns around, grins wide and puts a hand up in a peace sign, just like when he was alive.

Mike: “I’m still here, bro!”

Turns out Mike is tethered to Kara and it is a horrible, cruel curse. He is both the best and worst wingman and Kara is still not convinced he doesn’t try to peek when she is getting dressed or showering but he also helps her learn to be more confident. All his shameless arrogance makes him a great cheerleader, at least once they talk about some ground rules.

1. No creeping on Kara in the bathroom or when she is changing. Mike scoffs at this and mutters about being able to creep on hotter ladies.

2. No unsolicited advice or comments about women that Kara is not interested in pursuing a relationship with. This is added after a week of Mike making comments about women that had Kara blushing constantly, even at work.

3. No watching when Kara has a lady over. She wasn’t sure where Mike disappeared off to when she did manage to have a date come back to her place but he would always leave after shooting Kara another peace sign and telling her to “do the circle thing I showed you.”

It all hits the fan when Rhea gets wind of Kara dating women and she packs up and leaves. She does not want to deal with that fallout and she would rather get a fresh start somewhere else. Where is that where else? London, Bly Manor, American au pair, you know the rest.

Kara: “Yeah, I’m gonna take a one way and gtfo of here.”

Who are our players at Bly?

Our cook Owen Sharma is good old Jack Spheer because sometimes these things write themselves. And who is our beloved Hannah Grose? Why, Lucy Lane. Because she was too good and I always want to see more of her. Plus she can be a stern little spitfire with the kids and ghosties (The kids refer to her to as Major). She takes her fine self and daydreams about the moment that charming Jack came over to get the job as a cook, not dead, just as a useless hetero (is that a thing? It is now...) that can’t fathom for some reason that Jack is totally in love with her.

As for Rebecca Jessel and Peter Quint? Kelly Olsen (the only character with any brain cells half the time) and Andrea Rojas, our muy caliente Scotsman. Is that racist? No, but her horrendous accent might be a crime. This version has none of the controlling assholeroy of Peter and no secretly killing Rebecca. Just good old bad luck in a horror series. Andrea gets drunk and tries to dive into the lake to find the chest of loot she is convinced is down there so her and Kelly can run away to America.

Andrea: “This is a file on all the reasons you should run away from this haunted ass creepy mansion and come with me to America. Also, there is a map I drew of the lake with an X where the loot most definitely is.”

Kelly: “This is just a picture of you in lingerie and a sheet of paper you colored blue with a big red X in the middle.”

Kelly dies trying to save her when Andrea starts to get hypothermia and they both drown in the freezing lake. Because why bury your gays when you can drown them? Amiright? Who finds their bodies the next day? This leads to the following section: Next slide, please!

Who is standing in for Miles and Flora Wingrave? Why, Ruby and a tiny Nia, of course. Nia is a sweet baby angel and I want to meet her as a little sister, totally doted on by her big sister, Ruby. Nia sees Andrea and Kelly arguing like lesbians (so much hand waving and crying and angry whispering) on the far end of the lake while their blue popsicle bodies float around. Ruby and Lucy drag little Nia away from the scene.

Nia: “My giant scarf is perfectly splendid! Also, I am baby.”

Things get really spicy when Kara shows up, ghost!Mike and all. He complains about not being able to haunt the “hot chick from apartment 314” any more, but he perks up at the thought of “British broads.” Kara had hoped he was tethered to National City or something, but it appears he is linked to her. Mike is ecstatic when he finds out Bly is full of ghosts. He is always off somewhere exploring the mansion and only pops in to tell Kara snippets of Bly’s history and its many inhabitants.

Meanwhile, we get to the real star of this indulgent charade. Lena as the wonderfully fit Irish (let her have the accent!) gardener, Jaime. She is convinced Kara is a corn-fed straighty from America until Kara throws herself at her in the greenhouse because flowers turn on lesbians (see Imagine You and Me and Georgia O'Keeffe��s many works. This is sapphic lore, kids.) She opens up about Mike and Lena smooches her so she doesn’t have to listen to the hot blonde’s delusions.

Lena: “What do you mean it is too bright? What book? This is a watering can for my gardening activities. So is my fashionable, appropriately sized hat.”

Kara: *OMG she is so hot and cool, what do I do?* “Hey, do you guys do the circle thing in the UK?”

Meanwhile, things are getting interesting with Mike and the ghosts: Kelly and Andrea, newly minted Bly ghosts, explain that they are stuck on the grounds. Mike, who believes in having the freedom of “you do you,” vows to break the curse. He strikes a heroic pose that makes Andrea roll her eyes but Kelly agrees they need to find out more about the origins of the Bly Manor curse.

Flashback episode in a horrid b/w tone because I want to show this is old, okay. It’s not like we could figure it out by the clothes. Or the set dressing. Or the fact that the one of the characters died of “the lung.”

Anyway, we have our sisters, Viola and the other one. Their names don’t really matter because they are going to be the brunette one and the blonde one, played by the queen of period series: Katie McGrath.

Anger-y brunette Katie, getting her smacking hand ready.

And blonde, sad (but also evil? plot twist!) Katie, lusting after her brother in law.

And they fight over none other than Daddy Cullen, Maxwell Lorde, because look at that hair, look at all those buttons, look at that big hand! Who could resist?

The child is baby Lena being twirled by Anger-y Katie pre-“the lung” because let’s just have this turn into a black hole that destroys itself.

Baby Lena: “Swing me, mummy. Swing me with your good lungs!”

Anger-y Smack-You-Every-Time Katie: “I swung too close to the sky and now this is happening to me.”

So while Kara and Lena are christening all sorts of places at Bly (yes, even the master wing because, of course, the master wing), Mike, Andrea, and Kelly are incepting themselves into all sorts of memories and whatnot. Cue that montage!

404 ERROR. MONTAGE NOT FOUND.

Whoops, looks like we blew our budget on that black and white filter. Sorry about that.

Once the ghost trio realizes the chest in the lake doesn’t in fact hold some dragon’s hoard of gold, but the key to ending this madness, Mike pops in on Lena and Kara to bring them up to speed. Kara screams at him about the third rule while Lena tries to accept the fact that her girlfriend (yes, they are girlfriends by now, keep up) has a ghost for a best friend.

Kara makes Mike look away while her and Lena get dressed and after quite a bit of exposition, they decide to pull the chest up from the lake. Lucy and Jack have been off playing hide the croissant or whatever the straights do during their leisure time, but they quickly hop on the “break the Bly manor curse” train.

There is a fun B (C?) plot where Ruby and Nia steal Jack’s car and drive into town. No one in town cares because they are rich and all the adults at Bly are busy romancing each other and assume the girls are being odd rich kids playing somewhere in the manor.

The adults are planning how to get down to the chest without suffering Andrea and Kelly’s fate, when they find some scuba gear the kids bought on their last trip to town. It is wholly impractical but the adults shrug and accept the plot hole so they can hurry this along.

They draw straws and Kara has to dive down and tie some chains around the sunken chest. Lena jumps in front of limited edition Scuba Gear Kara to stop her but the American has to America so she dives into the freezing lake after a swoon inducing “I’ll be right back” kiss. Like, gifable on tumblr, twitter, and whatever new platform there is a hundred years from now.

Scuba Gear Kara: “Guys, I can’t see anything through this helmet. Guys?“

After a few tense moments where Anger-y Olden Time™ Katie tries to stop Kara, Mike, Andrea, and Kelly step in and use their ghost powers to keep her away from Kara. Jack uses his car to pull up the haunted chest and they pry it open with a crowbar and plenty of moxie. The screams of slap happy Katie of the past ring out around the heroes as the curse is broken. The ghosts cheer, everyone laughs nervously (they know the end is never the end in a horror story) and Kara shivers from the cold until she is next to the fire, dry and cuddled up with Lena.

As her final act of revenge, Anger-y Katie gives Kara the Lung(!) but thanks to the power of Science, our spunky American pulls through after properly completing the full course of treatment and antibiotics. This includes Lena taking sexy care of her girlfriend. *wink*

***** westershiresauce is not a medical professional and their thoughts regarding the health benefits/healing powers of a sexy nurse!Lena are not verified. Don’t take srsly. *****

Cut to, one more garden and I can retire, Lena, sitting next to an immaculate shrub, waiting for her wife Kara to bring out the tea and biscuits.

THE END!

Lena: “I swear to all that is holy, if that tea is shite, I am leaving her. It’s been like thirty years!”

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zabrak-show · 4 years ago

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The Magnificent Twin Suns

A/N: Hello, omg this is my ObiMaul Magnificent Seven Crossover Fic. what have I done?!! Please do not hate me for this. I actually worked hard on it and honestly wanted to do more character work with all of the “seven” but ultimately, only ever wanted this to be a short one shot.

This is an AU of AU’s which if you know the history of Magnificent Seven is fitting. (it’s a remake of a remake of a remake) Which is also fitting of Star Wars being that it is essentially a remake of western films that were remakes of samurai films LOL anyway, expect much OOC weirdness and just whatever I felt like, OK! There is an OC, but she is mostly just filler as are the rest of the characters beyond Kenobi and Maul.

This was heavily inspired by one of my favorite artists on here @savagesleftarm Cowboy Art of ObiMaul this art broke my brain and the aforementioned fic ensued. I hope you enjoy it and if not, go easy on me cowpokes. I am but a simple fic writer tryin to get by.

Also, because I obsessed over this for a week, here’s a playlist I made while I wrote this 😆 I made it to play on shuffle, but I’m not the boss of you, play it how you like if you like!

Warnings: Violence, Blood, Death (no major character death, but still), Curse Words, Alcohol consumption, Cigarette smoking, Angst, specifically ObiMaul Angst

Word Count: 5.7K

gif from tombstone another western gem

The desert suns blazed unrelenting into the face of a crimson zabrak with intricate obsidian tattoos accenting his hardened and chiseled features including a crown of small horns. He brought his Colt Paterson revolver over his shoulder, still hot from the kill shot performed. Another bounty successfully tracked down and bagged. A half smoked cigarette hung from the zabrak’s lips, his face scowled from the smoke and the sun. Gunpowder, cigarette smoke, and death permeated the hot air. The zabrak took one last drag from his cigarette before throwing it down into the sand next to the dead body, the butt still slowly burning until finally it ran out of tobacco and paper to ignite, puffing out into a dusty pile of ash.

The zabrak holstered his gun and roughly wrapped the dead body in a canvas tarp and strapped it to the back of his pale grey horse, Scimitar. He mounted the horse and took off down the dusty path, hoping to get to Mos Eisley before sundown. The zabrak rode fast atop Scimitar, his black leather boots digging into the horse’s sides. His black jeans and black vest collected dust and sand that flew up from the horse’s galloping.

They rode for hours, until finally the zabrak pulled back on the reigns signaling Scimitar to slow down as they entered the Mos Eisley city limits. The city was still growing, with several buildings under construction around the edge of town. The main street area was bustling with different galactic species. Some native jawas and tusken raiders milled about amongst, rodians, weequays, twi’leks, and humans. Many turned to stare at the strange zabrak. His bright golden eyes staring straight ahead, not giving any mind to the civilians around him. He rode Scimitar up to a red brick building, dismounted and tied her to the hitching rail at the front of the building.

He slung the body over his left shoulder and entered the brick building with a calm authority to his every movement, a slight limp to his gait. He dropped the body at the feet of a weequay, leather brown skin matching his long leather overcoat. The weequay’s off-white shirt unbuttoned to show much of his chest; dark dirty jeans and mud covered boots, told their own story of hard work and life on Tatooine.

“Maul!” the Weequay exclaimed with jovial comraderiere, reaching out to grab the zabrak’s shoulder.

“Hondo.” Maul responded flatly.

“Eh, Money for blood’s a peculiar business wouldn’t you say?” Hondo pressed as he peeked inside the tarp and quickly obtained the credits for Maul’s bounty. Maul grunted in response as he stashed the credits inside his vest, and made his way for the door.

Nighttime was approaching, the sky a painted medley of pinks, oranges and yellows as the suns dipped down past the horizon. Maul headed for the Mos Eisley saloon for a well needed drink and to look for his next job. He stepped into the saloon doors and headed straight for the bar.

The saloon was lively and most paid no mind to the ruby red zabrak as he sauntered into the establishment. A red Nikto sat at the piano playing a twangy melody, while animated voices and glasses clanging together filled up the saloon’s auditive atmosphere. The smell of old beer, must, and disappointment assaulted the zabrak’s nasal cavities.

“Whiskey. Neat.” Maul ordered the blue Twi’lek at the bar. She eyed Maul suspiciously and slowly made his drink and slid it down the bar to him. He took out a few credits and dropped them on the bar as he walked away to find a place to sit.

Maul limped to the back of the bar to sit in a small table by himself in the shadows. A light skinned bearded man with a brown cowboy hat, brown poncho, tan shirt and pants burst through the saloon doors, drawing the attention of most people in the saloon with his dramatic entrance. He walked up to a rodian at the bar and they had a quiet conversation, the rodian clearly uncomfortable by the man’s presence. In a flash, the rodian’s head slid off his body as a beam of blue light cut through his flesh. The man was wielding a lightsaber and the show stopping stunt had all but silenced the bar as the patrons all looked on in horror and shock.

“Jedi scum.” Maul growled quietly to himself.

The man having everyone’s attention, now spoke to the crowd.

“Greetings. I am Kenobi, a warrant officer in 3 systems and a licensed Jedi Peace Officer in 10. This rodian was a wanted criminal,” he held up a worn piece of paper with the rodian’s likeness on it. Maul squinted his bloodshot amber eyes at the man and slowly recognized who he said he was. It had been almost ten years and he almost didn’t recognize his old nemesis.

“Jedi. I have been waiting for you,” Maul spoke in a deep commanding voice as he stood and walked over to the man.

“I’m not sure I’ve made your acquaintance.” Kenobi said, barely acknowledging the zabrak.

“I am surprised you could have forgotten me so easily after I killed your boss and you left me for dead on Naboo.” Maul spat out at him.

“It is you.” Kenobi replied in astonishment now looking directly at Maul.

“You may have forgotten me, but I will NEVER forget you.” Maul bared his teeth practically growling at Kenobi, before he stopped in his tracks, hand hovering over his holstered gun. Kenobi stared into Maul’s bloodshot amber eyes with his own ice blue eyes studying the movements of the zabrak.

“I have defeated you before and I can defeat you again!” Kenobi declared, his hand on his lightsaber hilt. Kenobi ignited the lightsaber as Maul drew his gun and took several shots, Kenobi blocking each one with fast as lightning reflexes. Several patrons yelled in terror at the commotion, but the dueling men paid no mind.

“I almost didn’t recognize you, but you’re still half the man in my eyes.” Kenobi leered at the zabrak. At once, Maul jumped towards Kenobi, firing his revolver until he was out of bullets. The Jedi grabbed the zabrak mid air and threw him to the ground, straddled his chest and held his lightsaber to his neck. Maul hissed and Kenobi put his full weight on the zabrak and turned his lightsaber off. To everyone’s shock and amazement, especially Maul’s, Kenobi began laughing hysterically.

“Can I buy you a drink, old friend?” Kenobi stood up over Maul, extending his hand to help the zabrak up.

“You realize I still hate you with every fiber of my being.” Maul snarled at Kenobi as he rose back to his feet.

“Ah yes, ever dramatic as always.” Kenobi replied, putting his hand on Maul’s back and leading him to the bar. Maul growled quietly and drank with the Jedi despite his distaste for the devilishly handsome man.

“Excuse me are you bounty hunters?” a strong feminine voice rang out from behind them. Both men turned to look at the short slender human woman speaking to them. Her brown hair was pulled back into a braided bun and she wore a plain light blue dress that hugged her torso in a worn-in way.

“No, we are not for hire. Move along.” Kenobi brushed off the woman.

“I have money. It’s everything I have.” the woman pleaded her brown eyes searching both men for some acknowledgement.

“It’s not enough.” Maul grumbled and turned back to his drink.

“I’m willing to give you everything I have. Don’t you want to at least hear what the job is?” the woman rang out attempting to appeal to the two rugged men.

“There’s a village. Not far from here. Peaceful folk. Moisture farmers, just trying to get by. The Hutts are trying to take our land out from under us. Killing innocent men, women, and children in cold blood in the streets.” she stated firmly, throwing a satchel into Kenobi’s hands. He opened it and peeked inside at the credits.

“Miss, you don’t need a bounty hunter. You need an army.” Kenobi responded as he threw the bag back into the woman’s arms.

“Missus. My husband was shot dead in the street by Jabba along with several other innocent civilians.”

“So it is revenge you seek?” Maul inquired piqued with interest now.

“I seek righteousness as should we all, but I’ll take revenge.” she responded cool and stern.

“The Hutts you say?” Kenobi perked up a bit, “What’s your name Missus?��

“I’m Jade Abernathy.”

“How many folks are still at your village?” Kenobi inquired, leaning back onto the bar with his arms crossed.

“60 or so. These folks are farmers. Not fighters.” she clarified.

“And how long until Jabba returns to your village?” Maul questioned.

“He said he’d be back in 3 weeks 8 days ago.” Jade stared at them both as she spoke. Maul let out a chuckle and downed a shot of whiskey.

“Well we best get started then.” Kenobi declared. Maul almost spit out his drink at this declaration. Kenobi slapped his back,

“Relax, old friend. We will recruit some help along the way.”

“I am NOT your friend.” Maul shot back with a glare.

The next day the 3 of them rode towards a settlement to which Kenobi was privy, where an old friend would be camped out. They came up to an old sand hut and each dismounted their horses to have a look around. The smell inside the hut was putrefying and large flii buzzed around, fat from whatever death they’d been feeding on. Jade walked into a room where a decomposing body of a tusken raider slumped on the floor. She covered her face and ran out of the room gagging. A figure of a man appeared from the darkness of the hut.

“He was dead before I got here.” a deep booming voice reached out from the shadows.

“Mace is that you?” Kenobi questioned walking further into the room to try and see.

“Obi Wan?” The strange man stepped forward into the dim light. He was a tall, bald, dark skinned man wearing a tan shirt, brown vest and brown pants. The two men embraced without thought of the decomposing body next to them.

“How did you find me?” Mace questioned Kenobi.

“I acquired a tip at Mos Eisley.” the jubilant Kenobi responded. Maul stood back and rolled his eyes at the reunion.

“Jedi scum,” he mumbled under his breath.

“What’s the job?” Mace stepped back, taking a serious tone.

“Going against the Hutts to help out a farming community. Paying us everything they got.” Kenobi replied matter-of-factly.

“What are our odds?”

“It’s suicide.”

The team of three plus Jade made their way now to recruit their next team member. Another friend of Kenobi’s, who went by the name of Anakin. They entered into a small town, where a congregation of people surrounded a young togruta woman giving a show throwing knives at burlap sack dummies. She had orange skin with white markings on her face, blue and white Lekku instead of hair, and wore a maroon vest and pants. A drunk kel dor man stepped out into the area where the togruta woman was performing.

“Yes, you can hit a dummy. Where’s the real show? Hit something live.” he slurred and stumbled towards the togruta.

“Keep talking and I’ll show everyone how easy it is to take someone down.” she threatened.

“oooh I’m sure they’d all love to see it!” he declared raising his arms in a mocking gesture turning his back to her to try and gain favor from the crowd. The togruta reached for the knives stowed at her back and threw them with clean precision into the kel dor’s back immediately taking him down into a pathetic slump. The crowd gasped and cheered.

A man dressed in all black, a scar running down his fair skinned face over one eye, walked around to the crowd with a hat extended taking payment for the show.

“Anakin?” Kenobi asked as the black clad man made his way around to them.

“KENOBI?!!” the man’s blue eyes lit up and reached out to hug Kenobi, nearly spilling his hat of money, “What are you doing here? How’d you find me?”

“Well we are recruiting for a job. Who is your companion? I’m surprised to see you relinquish yourself to the sidelines like this.” Kenobi asked with a concerned look on his face.

“Oh that’s Snips, er Ahsoka. She saved my life. And I help her navigate the wild terrain of Tatooine. She goes anywhere I go.” Anakin explained.

“Well we’d be happy to have you both. We’ll need both of your skills for this job.” Kenobi smiled.

They camped out that night outside the small town where they found Anakin and Ahsoka. The night air was crisp and cool, insects buzzing while Mace built a small campfire. Maul laid out his makeshift version of a bed and propped himself up to attempt resting. Kenobi walked over to his spot and sat down next to Maul.

“I already question why I have agreed to work with the likes of you. Do not try to make it worse with meaningless banter.” Maul scoffed barely looking over at Kenobi.

“I mean no harm. I only wish to bury our past and attempt to start over.” Kenobi spoke softly and sincerely.

“Start over?” Maul ridiculed, “are you going to grow my legs back? Am I to bring Qui Gon back from the dead? We have a past Kenobi. We will never have a future. And I mean never.”

“Such a Sith.” Obi Wan laughed, “it doesn’t need to be like this. We both did what we needed to survive at the time. The war is over. Let it go.” he started to stand as he spoke and walked away from Maul, who growled at the Jedi.

“You are such a pain in my ass.” Kenobi finished while shaking his head and walking to the other side of the campfire. Maul’s eyebrow ridges furrowed in anger as he stared at the dancing firelight in front of him. His body filled with rage and wanted nothing more than to kill the despicable Jedi, consequences be damned. He could not bring himself to do it, frozen to his small patch of desert. He hated the Jedi. He hated Kenobi more than anything. Yet, he respected the Jedi’s skills and combat techniques. The handsome and charming Jedi somehow infiltrated his way into Maul’s impermeable heart and that was what really drove him mad.

Jade sat to the side of both of them and watched the whole thing go down curiously. She gnawed on a dried piece of meat, before finally lying down on the hard rocky terrain to attempt getting some rest. The fire crackled and the soft hum of voices around the fire slowly died down as everyone decided to get some rest. Obi Wan took the first watch of the night, sitting atop a ledge and looking out into the darkness.

They packed up their belongings at first light to set out to find another old acquaintance of Obi Wan’s. Jade rode next to Maul and asked him about the Sith.

“Why don’t the Sith like Jedis? It seems like ya’ll are pretty similar.” she asked innocently enough, but it made Maul gnash his teeth together before responding.

“We are nothing alike. Jedi are fools and liars. They brainwash everyone into admiring them, and for what? For the power they claim they do not desire.” He scowled and spat the words out in his deep theatrical voice. Anakin over hearing this, let out a big laugh and Maul whipped his head around to glare at the smiling young man.

“I would be careful to make too much noise, Anakin.” Maul shot back at him and looked over to Jade, “This man took out an entire tribe of Tusken Raiders.”

“They were enslaving good folks, I did what I had to do to bring justice.” Anakin shouted back.

“There were innocent women and children that died at your hand. Was that for the good of everyone? Justice is merely the construct of the current power base.” Maul’s response was cut short by Obi Wan stopping the team with a fist up in the air.

“We are being followed.” Kenobi voiced quietly while everyone reached for their weapons. They were on a path surrounded by tall rock ridges on either side of them, everyone’s eyes darting around to watch for who was following them. A slender bald pale woman walked out beyond an outcropping guiding her horse on the rocky terrain. She carried a bow and arrow, wore tattered black and red form fitting clothes and had tattoos around her eyes and mouth.

“Quite a mix of strays I see.” She declared as she sauntered over, all eyes on her.

“Ventress,” Kenobi almost sighed out the words, “What are you doing out here?”

“I should ask the lot of you the same thing.” she suggested as she looked around at everyone.

“We are on a mission to drive the Hutts out of a peaceful farming community. Care to join?” Obi Wan asked the pale woman.

“Like you even had to ask.” she smirked.

“When did you become one of the good guys?” Kenobi questioned with a look of surprise on his face.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Kenobi. I’ll take any chance I can get at tormenting you.” she winked and mounted her horse now next to Kenobi. He rolled his eyes and they rode on down the dusty path.

They arrived at an old hut tucked away off the trail and Kenobi dismounted his horse to walk up to the two Jawas milling about outside the front door. They had a short conversation in Jawaese.

“You killed the old man who lived here?!” Kenobi asked them in astonishment. Suddenly, a green lightsaber flew through the air at the 2 jawas, cutting them down where they stood and then flying back into the hand of a short wrinkled green creature wearing torn furs and leathers.

“Left me for dead, those two Jawas did.” The old creature announced as he slowly walked towards Kenobi, dried blood covering the side of his face.

“Yoda, we are assembling a crew to take down the Hutts.” Kenobi cut to the chase and explained the mission to the small wizened creature.

Once Yoda was on board, they planned their initial attack into the town. Jabba was not currently there, but he had several of his cronies watching over the town so they’d need to carefully infiltrate at first. Then it would be a matter of days to train everyone there to fight back once Jabba did show up. The dangerous appeal of the mission was now starting to set into feelings of daunt and apprehension for everyone.

The team rode toward the town with everyone’s mind full of what their mission was as soon as they got there. It was late afternoon and the suns blazed onto the team of misfits. The air was arid and smelled of horses and nervous body odor. Kenobi and Maul rode side by side leading the group. Much to Maul’s bedevilment, as his body and face tensed up at the Jedi’s presence next to him.

“Kenobi.” Maul acknowledged him finally through grit teeth.

“Maul, don’t you think this is childish to still hold onto such a grudge?” Kenobi scrutinized the zabrak.

“I am unlike you foolish Jedi, sequestering your emotions. I was cast aside, I was forgotten, but I survived. Fueled by my singular hatred for you. ” Maul snarled at the Jedi.

“And yet here you are tagging along with us; some former and current Jedis and me, the bane of your existence.” Kenobi pointed out.

“I have my reasons.” he quietly retorted back and they rode on in silence for some time.

As they neared the town, the team split up and everyone besides Obi Wan took the back way into town led by Jade who knew the shortcuts and where Jabba’s infiltrators would not be monitoring. Obi Wan rode his horse directly into the town, it felt like a ghost town. Windows shuttered and barely anyone out and about. Finally, he reached the main drag and several armed beings; humans, twi’leks, and many gamorreans stood in a line on the street. The tall blue twi’lek spoke first,

“We don’t allow weapons in town. Check them in and we’ll return them after you leave.” he stretched his hand out, his long nails glinting in the sunlight.

“Of course. I wonder why it is such fine folks as you should be armed to the teeth when no one else is?” he asked as he reached for his lightsaber to hand over.

“We are this town’s protection against any outside force that wishes to bring harm to these townspeople.” the twi’lek responded looking agitated and spitting out a wad of tobacco as he finished. Obi Wan saw Ventress signal to him from on top of the building behind the men without letting them see his acknowledgement.

“That is not the story I am told. And not the story my friends believe.” Kenobi looked past the line of armed beings and they all slowly turned around to see they were surrounded. Kenobi ignited his lightsaber and cut down the twi’lek while Ventress shot several more from the rooftop with her bow and arrow. More Gamorrean guards rushed out into the street at hearing the commotion. Mace and Anakin shot several down narrowly missing getting shot themselves by a couple guards coming in from the sides. Ahsoka threw her knives at the guards in an instant hitting them in the throats and killing them on impact. Yoda and Maul stood on opposite sides of the street taking down the rest of the guards with calculated precision. As fast as it started, it was over, the warm air overcome with gunpowder, blood, and smoke.

Jade rode in on her horse, yelling for the townsfolk to come out of hiding.

“Everyone! Come out! They are here to help us!” her voice rang out as she rode her galloping horse through town. The townsfolk cautiously came out of hiding, looking around like scurriers expecting to see a rancor or other predator. Kenobi started to walk towards the congregation of people forming when he sensed a hidden Gamorrean under the wooden stairs to the bank building. He reached down and forcefully grabbed the Gamorrean by the arm to drag him out of hiding.

“You work for Jabba?” Kenobi shook the gamorrean in his hands and he squealed in response.

“You tell your boss if he wants this town, come see me. Tell him Kenobi sent you.” He instructed the Gamorrean who grunted in response and ran off with a squeal.

“These folks have assembled to help our town.” Jade’s voice rang out to the small crowd.

“The Hutts will be back in two weeks. How can we go up against them? We are simple farmers not warriors.” a distressed voice called out from the crowd.

“We are going to train you. Sleep well tonight. It may be the last good sleep you’ll see for awhile.” Kenobi answered the disembodied voice and a murmur of nervous voices rose in the air like steam.

The townspeople assembled at dawn to start training with the team of strange warriors. Kenobi had asked them to bring all their weapons and while many showed up wielding guns, axes, and knives, some only carried shovels.

“Oh good they brought shovels. I was worried about our chances otherwise.” Maul snarked at Kenobi, who tried to ignore the zabrak, but had to turn his head and hide his soft chuckle at the jeer.

The days were split up into different lessons. Tactical planning with Kenobi, short range shooting with Anakin and Mace, long range shooting with Maul, bomb building With Yoda, bow and arrow lessons with Ventress, and finally knife wielding with Ahsoka.

The days were long and grueling. The townsfolk were not lying about not being fighters. Everyone’s patience was thin, but Kenobi couldn’t help but notice Maul’s steadfastness with the townsfolk. He was patient and kind, but not afraid to motivate them through controlled aggression.

“You have to hate what you’re shooting at!” Maul yelled out behind the line of townsfolk armed to shoot dummies.

“Maul you have quite the knack for this.” Kenobi later remarked to the zabrak.

“A knack for survival? Yes. I care nothing for these simple minded people. You must know that about me by now.” he scoffed.

“Yes, I think I am getting to know you quite well.” Kenobi raised an eyebrow and moseyed away. Maul’s already hot internal temperature went up and he felt flushed and frustrated from the small interaction.

The week went by in a flash. a day like any other, Mace rode back to town after his watch to alert everyone the Hutts were a few hours away. It was go-time. The children and others unable to fight were hidden in the basement of the general store. The shovels had proven useful after all and many of the fighters hid in trenches that had been dug to camouflage their location. There were mines and bombs set along the path to town to take down as many of the Hutt soldiers as possible before they were able to enter town. Ventress and anyone who excelled at bow and arrow or Maul’s long range shooting course were perched atop different buildings in town.

The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Kenobi swallowed his spit and it ran slowly down his esophagus seemingly snowballing into a hardened knot of anxiety until it settled into his empty stomach like a stone. He pulled the brim of his hat down to shade his face from the sun, and looked over at Maul. The zabrak’s golden eyes soothed him in an unexpected way, a calmness washing over him like drinking a warm shot of whiskey. A little intoxicating, but just the one did not dull him too much to think and respond clearly.

Maul nodded at Kenobi as he rode Scimitar down to the trenches, a smile creeping along his face for no one to see. He thrived in the chaos and sensing Kenobi’s nervous energy brought him a small amount of joy. He checked in with the trenches and made sure they understood their directions and to wait for the signal.

Jabba and his soldiers stood off in the horizon. Even from a great distance one could see the enormous slug-like nature of Jabba, laid out onto a big floating sled. He gave the signal and a line of soldiers on horseback ran towards the town.

“Steady, Steady.” Yoda’s voice rang out into the trenches. At last, Yoda gave the signal and shots were fired at the incoming soldiers. Once they reached the marked line of bombs Yoda pressed the lever and a giant boom deafened everyone. Horses and soldiers flew into the air in a cloud of dust and body parts. The survivors broke through the dust and ran forward into town. There was no time for anyone to think. Bullets whizzed past ears and into body parts. More bombs were set off taking down several clusters of soldiers at once.

The surviving soldiers made it into town, firefights ensuing all around. Ventress and the others on top of the building taking down soldier after soldier from their vantage point. Mace, Anakin, and Ahsoka all on foot on the street below shooting down anyone in sight. Kenobi and Maul, still on horseback, rode through the town shooting down their assailants at every chance they got. Yoda and the others from the trenches ran back into town to keep fighting as well.

If there had been only one or two waves of soldiers from Jabba, things would have been looking pretty good. Unfortunately, someone as rich as Jabba had an endless resource for anything they desired in life, including soldiers and weapons. More and more soldiers descended onto the small town. Already, many townsfolk had sacrificed their life for the cause. The foul stench of death and direness infiltrated the air of the town, quickly taken over by the smell of fire.

The General Store was set ablaze and the children were all trapped under the building. Without thinking, Maul shot his way through to the store. Inside, smoke filled his lungs and burned his eyes. The trap door to the basement had a burning beam on top of it, trapping anyone underneath it. A swift, force-ful kick and the beam was slid across the floor. Maul crouched down to lift the door and help pull up the children out of the basement. Jade had now made her way to the store to help and her and Maul led the children and others to safety outside of the burning building. They shot down several soldiers on their way as they protected their helpless herd.

Once the children were safe with Jade, Maul mounted Scimitar and rode over to Kenobi.

“We have to take down Jabba. These soldiers only fight because he pays them, if he is gone they stop fighting.” Maul did not even let Kenobi respond as he reached down and grabbed a stack of TNT from the stockpile, and galloped off on his horse.

“Maul, wait!” Kenobi finally yelled after the zabrak, now disappearing into a cloud of dust.

“You chaotic ass!” Kenobi huffed and rode after Maul. As far as Kenobi could tell, Maul’s mission was suicide and he rode to catch up with an urgency never quite felt before. His jaw was clenched, hands formed tight fists around his horse’s reins, and heels dug into the sides of his horse signaling the beast to go FAST.

Maul already had practically made it to Jabba and narrowly avoided being shot too many times to count. The bullets whistled past his ears but he was running on too much adrenaline to be stopped. He dismounted Scimitar about 50 meters from where Jabba lay out on his sled surrounded by his fiercest guards.

Maul held his hands up in the air in an act of surrender, and slowly walked towards the evil slug. Before he got halfway there, one of the overzealous guards shot Maul in the stomach. The impact of the shot stopped him in his tracks and he fell down to his knees in shock clutching his stomach. He pushed the pain aside to stick a cigarette in his mouth and fumbled with his matches. His hands wet with blood and sweat and shaking found it impossible to light the damned cigarette. Several guns were still pointed at him, but Jabba instructed them to hold off, and one of the guards was sent to light his cigarette for him as Jabba laughed at this foolish zabrak dying in front of their eyes.

Once Maul got his cigarette lit, a feverish smile curved his lips. He reached for the dynamite strapped to his back and fell face down ass up into the ground. The guards all laughed at his death and turned away from the pathetic slump of a corpse. Maul sensed when they weren’t looking, lit the end of the dynamite fuse, and threw it at Jabba’s sled before anyone had time to register what was happening.

As soon as the dynamite left his hand Maul was ripped off the ground and on top of a horse fiercely galloping away. The explosion set off narrowly behind them deafening them both.

The fight was over. The remainder of the guards and soldiers left alive ran off now that Jabba had been destroyed in the explosion. Kenobi slowed his horse’s pace and eventually stopped to assess the situation of Maul’s injuries. He gently carried Maul off the horse and into a soft patch of dried grass. Blood was spilling out of the zabrak’s midsection at an alarming rate. Kenobi ripped his shirt off to apply pressure to the wound. Maul groaned fighting off the urge to pass out from the pain and exhaustion.

“You almost got yourself killed, you fool.” Kenobi exasperated holding down on the wound.

“You know first hand how hard it is to kill me.” Maul coughed out.

“Yes, very well, you are incredibly lucky to have survived that just now.”

“Of course I survived.” Maul reached up to touch Kenobi’s face tenderly. Kenobi took his hand in his own and pressed it into his face, blood dripping down from his hand, his eyes filled with tears.

And so they saved the little town. Jade Abernathy gave them all the payment as promised and they stayed to help clean up the town and give burials to those lost in the battle. Kenobi never left Maul’s side as he recovered in the small doctor’s office in town. Eventually, the rest of the team headed out for their own separate next adventures.

Maul slipped in and out of consciousness for several days. Kenobi figured it was the first time the zabrak had actually rested in his whole troubled life. Eventually, Maul’s strength was enough to fully wake up. He immediately saw Kenobi in the corner of the room napping. Kenobi was sitting in a wooden chair, his legs propped up on a footstool and his hat covering his face.

“Kenobi!” Maul growled. The cowboy in the corner of the room slowly reached up for his hat and a relieved grin spread across his handsome face.

“Maul, I am so happy to see you have your strength back enough to be angry again!” Kenobi laughed.

Maul got out of the small bed and limped over to Kenobi with a menacing look. Kenobi stood tall to meet Maul’s fiery amber eyes attempting to cut through his watery blue gaze. Maul, now close enough to touch Kenobi, slowly leaned in to kiss Kenobi on the lips. Initially, Kenobi slightly flinched so taken aback by the act of affection. He couldn’t help the swelling of his heart, wrapped his arms around Maul’s waist and passionately kissed him back. The moment so pure and beautiful, Kenobi finally softly pushed Maul back.

“Maul, I care deeply for you. But you have got to brush your teeth.”

-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

once again thankee sai for reading my humble writing! Please do leave a comment or heart, it warms my soul.

Tag list: @brilliantbutbatty , @maulieber , @botherbother-blog , @emissarydecksetter , @marvel-starwarsfangirl , @wolfpack-arts-industries99 , @formerly-darth-now-just-maul @mayday1284 , @justalittlecloud ,

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arjsstuff · 3 years ago

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Long post overdue: Jdrama Spree

It’s been so long since I’ve gone on a Jdrama spree. In the last month I’ve completed 3 Jdramas continuously which is sort of a great achievement for me and now I’m watching the 4h Jdrama for which I would be dedicating a separate post. Now this means two things, either I had too much time and neglected other important works or every drama that I watched was good enough that I continued watching it. So moving on to the three dramas I watched and my take on them:

1. From 5 to 9: I have mixed feelings after watching this drama. Until like the very end all I could think was how can she fall in love with someone who literally ruined her dreams, I mean if some random guy falls for me and stops me from achieving my dreams, I don’t think no matter what he does or how good he is I will never be able to forgive him. And also how selfish was Yamapi’s character, I love Yamapi’s characters generally and Aizawa Sensei and Kurosagi according to me were his coolest characters and this was just opposite of that.

Had the ending been different from the one that was showed, I swear I would go on a rampage about how unfair everything is towards women, she had to quit her job for “love”, her lifestyle, the kind of dresses she wore and her personality was reduced to cleaning and looking after the temple like *eye rolls*. There were definitely loopholes in the plot, for instance, Satomi Ishihara's character not pursuing her boss after knowing the truth about his marriage, Satomi not reciprocating to her best friend although she knew he had a crush on her etc but they tied the loose ends by the end of the series making it a satisfactory watch. I was surprised to see how well Zettai Kareshi's Night spoke English but his acting is sort of the same. The major take away from this drama for me was Yuki Furukawa who didn’t have many scenes, had me crushing on him the entire time. I mean he was that representative cool Japanese corporate employee probably from a top B-School. But I have to say the chemistry between Yamapi and Satomi is so natural but the plot was really bad. If I were the director and I were to caste Satomi and YamaP I would definitely choose a better script to maximaze their full potential

2. Mischievous Kss Love in TOKYO: Since I previously mentioned how I found Yuki soo damn cute I checked out what drams he was in and to my surprise he acted in Mischievous Kiss. I had deliberately not watched this drama for all these years because I had watched Playful Kiss and it was awful. I did not know what better Japanese could do with such a bad plot. Anyway I decided to give it a watch and the true showstealer was Yahagi Honoka. She is naturally cute unlike other girls who force Kawaiiness or aegyo and Yuki has this mischievous side to him, which makes them a perfect pair. Unlike the Korean version there weren’t too many surprise kisses, the whole series was mostly about Aihara's one side quest and Irei occasionally reciprocating it. And like one million other dramas, the hero realises he does not want to lose the heroine only when she starts dating some other guy. I felt bad for Kotoko that she had to go through so much but I also felt bad for Irei towards the end after his dad fell sick. Overall it was definitely a cute watch but I don’t think I would be watching Love in Okinawa or Season 2 as I feel season 1 was complete in itself. Also the last scene of the wedding was weird with no guests, just 10 characters of the drama and I definitely felt they looked like teens when they got married.

3. Liar Game 2008: The number of times I have told myself that I’m going to watch this but never found time. This time I decided no matter what I’m going to sit through and watch this. And Oh! My! God! What a ride this drama has been. If I had to say one word about this drama it would be ‘Masterpiece’ I can gladly place this among the best Jdramas I have watched in my life. Except for episodes 11 and 12 which was unnecessary the whole drama was such a gripping watch. It was almost always so hard to predict what happened next which kept me at the edge of my seat. Although Toda Erika doesn’t fit the anime description of dumb girl I think since she’s a seasoned actress she manages to do a great job as Kanzakai Nao (but also her face is scary at times even though she was supposed to be scared and surprised most of the times). And coming to the highlight of this drama *drum rolls* Matsuda Shota.

This drama wouldn’t have been what it is without him. I couldn’t believe he is such a good actor who’s so convincing in his role as Akiyama. That cunning demeanour and genuine concern for Nao along with his genius brains had me swooning over him. Also not to forget how HOT he looked. I kinda shipped Erika and Shota but there was nothing actually going on between the characters except this one scene where he intensely started at her, I thought he would kiss her or something because even her expressions were as though she expected a kiss but anyway nothing happened. Hmph.

But isn’t the best part about Jdramas? if the genre isn’t romance we hardly see any romance between the leads which is also why I prefer Jdramas over almost all Kdramas that add random lovelines and kiss scenes to get trp high *cough vincenzo*. This post will be incomplete if I dont mention the amazing antagonists of the drama especially Fukunaga who was simply despicable even more than Yokoya in my opinion, but had they kept Fukunaga as a trans instead of making him a man in the series, it would have been so much more fun. My mom who barely watches Jdrama was gripped when I narrated the first two episodes to her. I am definitely going to watch season 2 within this year but for now I just want to be hung-over with the memories of watching the first season and thinking how PERFECT it was.

#jdrama #mischievous kiss: love in tokyo #yukifurukawa #honokayahagi #Liargame #shotamatsuda #todaerika #from5to9 #5jikara9jimade #yamashitatomohisa #yamapi #satomiishihara

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nona-gay-simus-main · 5 years ago

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Top 10 Worst Tropes in Romance - Part 2

Disclaimer: This is MY opinion, you do you.

Part 1: Here

1. The Child Partner

I’m not talking about literal children, because duh. What I mean is the a person who needs their partner to emotionally parent them.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the whole point of a romantic relationship is to be with an equal. You’re supposed to be teammates, best friends, and lovers.

Of course, I'm not including cases where one partner is disabled or chronically/mentally ill and needs the other to take care of them - that’s an entirely separate thing.

I'm referring to people (usually cishet men), who constantly need their partner to manage their moods and emotions. They always have some ~trauma~ to manipulate the partner into staying in the relationship in order to keep reassuring them, confirming their self-esteem, and even doing their cooking and cleaning, as if they aren't abled adults with two functioning hands.

That shit sucks!

Imagine doing that for someone all the time and then also trying to have a kid (or multiple kids) with that person. Not only will you be taking care of your actual child; but also - your partner-child. Stop normalizing lazy, emotionally stunted men. That shit ain't cut no matter how hard his abs are or how big his dick is.

2. “I’ve been in love with you since the first moment we met.”

I don’t know what it is about this trope, but it shows up in many romances and it always makes me uncomfortable. How the hell are you supposed to react to that?

Oh, you’ve been in love with me since the first time we met? Yikes, my dude.

You can’t even fall in love with someone that fast anyway. You're not in love with the person, you’re in love with your idea of them!

The only acceptable version of this is the one where it’s more along the lines “I thought I might fall in love with you if I spent any more time with you.” But other than that, I really don't understand why this is a thing?

3. Lust = Love

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a prude. I’m perfectly fine with couples who have loads and loads of sex. I’m also perfectly fine with casual sex and friends-with-benefits and any other consensual arrangement between adults.

I just get tripped up when pretty much all a couple does is have sex. They have little in common outside of sex, spend little time together when not having sex, and don’t share any hobbies, interests or even conversation topics. Or worse, when they aren’t having sex, they’re fighting.

If you want your characters to get laid, that’s cool. But if you want me to believe they are also falling in love - you’re gonna have to try a little harder.

4. BDSM = Abuse

Yes, abuse happens under the pretense of BDSM, but BDSM is NOT inherently abusive. It only happens within pre-established boundaries and safe words and with explicit consent. The only people who claim it's abuse, are people who have a vested interest in controlling what women and queer people do with our bodies.

So I really, really hate it when people use “It’s just BDSM, don’t be so uptight” to justify their rapey, abusive love interest’s actions. If the submissive has not already consented, or their consent was obtained through manipulation or intoxication - it’s not meaningful consent.

BDSM is a lot more complex than some of the simplistic catchphrases we use to explain it to the vanillas, and we can discuss those complexities for hours, but at the one thing is definitely true - the Dominant only has as much power as the submissive is willing to give. If they (knowingly) cross a boundary or take power without the consent of the submissive, it’s not power exchange, it’s abuse, pure and simple.

5. "All women want him. All men want to be him"

Really? ALL women? Are you sure?

I hate to tell you this, but some women are exclusively attracted to other women. And some women aren’t attracted to anyone. Some women have low libidos, and some women just don’t prioritize sex and relationships for whatever reason. And some women are in happy, fulfilling monogamous relationships already.

And all men want to BE him? Did you know that some men are attracted to other men? They might want a piece of that too. Or perhaps, they just don’t value being some alpha douchebag and are happy to be their much better-adjusted self. That's a thing.

Can we let this cliché die already? Please?

6. Giving up your dreams for ~love~.

Oh man, this is the worst! And why is it nearly always the woman, who has to make a choice between her career and ~~~LoVe~~?

So many books/movies etc. start with this powerful career woman and then by the end reduce her to nothing but a trophy to her man. That’s not feminist, it just keeps perpetuating the same tired gender roles.

And I can’t help but think about the future of this relationship. What if it doesn’t work out? Then the partner who the dreams were given up for looks like a jerk, even if they never asked for this.

And even if it works out, the partner who gave up their dream job, or opportunity, or whatever, will always have this “what if” at the back of their mind. Over time, they may even end up resenting their SO, especially if things don’t work out for them career-wise.

Just such a bad trope all around. It’s not romantic, it’s toxic, and co-dependant and I want it to stop.

7. He treats everyone like crap ***but you***.

You know the limitus test to see if someone’s a good person? Look at how they treat people who are “beneath” them. Their servers, the cleaning lady, etc.

If this guy treats servers like crap, treats his friends and family like crap, treats everyone like crap, except for the person whose pants he wants to get in (or wants to keep getting in for the foreseeable future), why are we romanticizing him? He’s a selfish jackass.

You can have a grumpy (but ultimately caring and good-natured) character, that's fine. But if he only treats people like humans when it benefits him - that's not sexy, that's sociopathic.

8. Love Cures All

Ahhh, the worst of them all. Truly, having a character who suffers from mental illness or has a major trauma, but oh look, they got some cuddles from the love interest and now they are all good!

Just stop, please. It’s so damaging to the people who are going through this, to tell them that all they need to feel better is ~~~LoVe~~~. And if they aren’t getting better? Well, they just haven’t gotten enough ~~~LoVe~~~!

It’s also damaging to the partner - no one should have this much responsibility on their shoulders.

Obviously, the love of a partner, friends, and family can HELP with the healing process, but it’s not enough by itself. Get them some goddamn therapy, please.

9. Accidental Pregnancy

I don’t know about you, but for most people I know, myself included, accidental pregnancy would be an absolute nightmare, not something romantic.

Do you know how bad my entire generation is doing financially? And people use this as a plot device to strengthen the relationship?

Also, relationships get weaker after having a child, not stronger. Babies are cute when they are sleeping, the rest of the time they are crying, screaming messes. Yeah, why wouldn’t sleep deprivation and constantly hurting everywhere strengthen your relationship? 🙄🙄🙄

10. Violent Men

IRL, violent men are scary, not sexy. Even if the violence is never directed at the love interest, chances are that over time it will be. But even if it’s not, why would you ever want to date someone who has the emotional maturity of a pre-schooler?

Because after pre-school, kids tend to learn to solve their problems with their words. But I guess your love interest hasn’t matured past the age of 6, which coincidentally also leads back to the first trope on this list. Charming.

#write #writer #writing #writing tips #tropes #bad romance #bad romance tropes #top 10 #top 10 list #writeblr #writblr #mine

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spaceorphan18 · 4 years ago

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SO’s Guide to JAM (The Office)

And no, I don’t mean preservatives. ;) For @redheadgleek - because she wanted to know.

So - the thing about the Office is that, unlike lots of sitcoms where you can jump right in during the middle, The Office (at least at the beginning) benefits from character development - and a lot of things later on don’t resonate as well if you don’t have the context and backstory to set them up. There are plenty of things to skip, but it’s worth sitting through some of the uncomfortable things to appreciate the story. That said - hopefully, this guide will help you decide if you want to pass or not.

I am going to use a ** to designate episodes I think you should watch.

Season 1

I think Season 1 is the hardest for people to get through. They were very much trying to model the British version, but the British version is very dark at times, and the American version just won’t allow itself to get that way, so season 1 feels really weird tonally -- and honestly different than the rest of the series. Plenty of people skip it all together, but there are some things worth watching.

Pilot - They used the script from the British pilot, and even that was kind of bland. I find this episode boring, and while it introduces Jim and Pam, it’s entirely skippable.

Diversity Day - So, there’s a lot of cringe here, but this is what made me really enjoy Jim and Pam, because Jim’s entire day sucks, and then at the very end, he and Pam have a special, sweet moment. This worked for me, but I can understand wanting to move past all the Michael.

Health Care - There are some fun Jim/Pam hijinx against Dwight in this one. The Michael plot is entirely skippable if that’s too much. But not huge in the Jam story.

**The Alliance - I would recommend this one, if only because the show comes back to it a lot. Jim and Dwight form an alliance, which is really Jim messing with Dwight. Again - the Michael portion of this episode is entirely skippable - so you can fastforward through that if you don’t want to endure it.

Basketball - Everyone plays basketball. It’s not really that interesting - but there are some flirty moments between Jim and Pam.

Hot Girl - I think this is the funniest of Season 1. Amy Adams shows up to sell purses at the office. There are great little Jam moments, but the only thing to really take away from this one is that Jim ends up asking Amy Adams out, which sets up season 2.

Season 2

Season 2 gets rid of a lot of the cringiest stuff from season 1, and lets the show be itself. While there are definitely Jam heavy/focused episodes, a lot of why the story line works is that there are little moments that build up in each episode that make it worthwhile.

**The Dundies - This is a great introduction to the show. Michael is more tolerable than he usually is. A ton of great Jam stuff in this one. Really a must see.

Sexual Harassment - There is a lot of cringe in this one. However, Pam’s mom shows up, and there are a few smaller Jam moments.

**Office Olympics - Michael (and Dwight) are out of the office and everyone goofs off. It’s a fun episode, and the Michael subplot is entirely skippable (though it’s not really that bad)

The Fire - There’s a fire in the office, so everyone goes outside and they play games. Lots of fun Jam stuff, though nothing life changing. The Michael/Ryan stuff is a little awkward. But the episode is good at expanding all the side characters so it’s recommended, even if it’s not a must see.

Halloween - Michael has to fire someone, so it is cringy in that regard. Jim and Pam have a subplot of getting Dwight to go to another job, which leads to some delicious angst.

The Fight - Michael and Dwight physically fight. Jim and Pam kind of parallel with a mini-fight of their own. The episode as a whole I’m a little meh on, but if you just watch the Jam scenes, you’ll get what you need.

**The Client - Michael goes on a sales call - and is actually a good salesman. Meanwhile, the office reads a script Michael wrote. It’s great, classic Jam stuff in this one.

Performance Review - I personally find this one funny because it’s fallout from The Client, but not Jim/Pam heavy. They have a minor subplot where they prank Dwight.

**Email Surveillance - Not entirely essential, but Jim throws a BBQ at his house, and there’s some good development here. The Michael plot at improv can be completely fastforwarded through.

**Christmas Party - I actually used to find this episode difficult (until I became really desensitized to it), but it is sitting through the terrible Michael stuff to get to the Jam stuff that will be relevant for years to come.

**Booze Cruise - The office goes on a Booze Cruise. Yes - watch this, feel angst, feel joy, feel all the things.

The Injury - there’s really zero Jam in this, however, it is incredibly funny and Pam and Dwight become friends, and I love that. Oh, the plot is Michael cooks his foot. I do recommend it, even if it’s not essential.

**The Secret - Jim tells Michael his feelings for Pam. Yes, lots of Jam-y stuff in this.

The Carpet - Someone puts weird stuff on Michael’s carpet forcing Michael to work in the office. I like it - there’s a lot of good Jim stuff (and a lot of angst) but not a lot of Jam. The ending is classic, though.

Boys and Girls - Jan throws a women in the workplace seminar. There’s some good Pam development in this one, so I recommend at least watching the women scenes.

Valentine’s Day - There is zero Jam stuff in it, but that’s the point. I think it’s really cool what they do with this - but not essential. However, it does have one of my favorite Pam/Dwight scenes.

Dwight’s Speech - Dwight wins salesman of the year. I’m a little meh on this one, too, tbh. Jim decides he’s not going to Pam’s wedding, but that’s the only Jam stuff in the episode.

Take Your Daughter to Work Day - People bring their kids to work. There’s some tiny bits of Jam in this one, but another I’m slightly ‘meh’ on.

Michael’s Birthday - No one pays attention to Michael on his birthday. Jim and Pam take a shopping trip that’s kinda cute, but there’s a lot of Michael pouting in this episode that makes it difficult.

**Drug Testing - Dwight finds a joint and grills the office. Has one of the best Jam subplots of the show.

**Conflict Resolution - Michael decides to resolve all the office conflicts. Of course this goes over well. Not a ton of Jam, but some relevant stuff, and some fantastic Jim stuff.

**Casino Night -- Yes, watch this. Enjoy this. One of the best Jam episodes, and one of the best episodes in the series hands down.

Season 3

The thing about Season 3 is -- while Season 2 was kind of Jim’s story, Season 3 is Pam’s story - and it’s one of my favorite arcs of any TV show. Again, while not all the episodes are essential, Pam (and Jam) get developed in every single episode - so I do recommend seeing all of Seasons 2 and 3, but it’s not required.

Gay Witch Hunt - Michael finds out Oscar is gay. Jim and Pam miss each other. Not essential, and does contain one of the most cringy moments of the show, but it does show the resolution of Casino Night, and you’ll probably end up watching it anyway, even if I don’t mark it as essential.

The Convention - Michael and Dwight meet up with Jim at a convention. Pam goes on a date. Good episode, little things sprinkled throughout.

The Coup - Dwight tries to get Michael fired. This one is dark. Pam gets new clothes, Jim plays Call of Duty. It’s well written, but again, very dark.

Grief Counseling - Michael is upset that his former boss has died, and so Pam helps him grieve. Great Pam development in this one.

**The Initiation - Dwight takes Ryan to his beet farm. I love this episode, it’s hilarious. There’s also a huge Jim/Pam thing at the end, worth watching.

Diwali - Kelly invites the office to her Diwali celebration. This one is a bit cringy. Some good bits, though, with Pam coming out of her shell a bit.

**Branch Closing & The Merger - kind of a two parter. I recommend both of them, because they’re both good episodes (though The Merger has some high cringe) and some good Jam development going on.

The Convict - Michael finds out one of the employees has been to prison. I don’t think it’s as cringy as it might seem. Jim gets Andy to hit on Pam by using all the things she hates - it’s classic, and the main plot can be skipped if you only want to see the Jam stuff.

**A Benihana Christmas - It’s hard to explain - lots of Xmas things going on - and possibly the best Xmas special they do, so I do recommend it.

Back from Vacation - Mostly about Michael trying to cover up the fact that he sent a nude photo of his gf to the company. It’s not that bad. There is an essential Pam moment where she breaks down and is comforted by Dwight, but the rest of the episode isn’t essential at all.

**Traveling Salesman & The Return - All the salesmen pair up to go on sales calls, and Oscar returns to the office. Another 2 parter of sorts. Andy gets a bit much, but otherwise, they’re really solid and entertaining episodes across the board, with a bit of Jam development.

**Ben Franklin - Michael throws a bachelor party in the office, and to even it out, throws a bachelorette party for the girls. Their stripper is Ben Franklin. Some cringy stuff here, but not too bad - and I think the Pam story line is worth it.

Phyllis’s Wedding - this has some of the most cringy stuff in the show. However, if you skip the wedding and go to the reception, there’s some great stuff -- including some delicious angst for Jam.

Business School - A majority of this is Michael going to Ryan’s business school, and Jim convincing Dwight he turned into a vampire. Not a lot here - but the ending with Pam’s art show is great in Pam’s arc.

Cocktails - Michael, Dwight, and Jim go out to a corporate party while Pam and the rest of the office go out for drinks. I’m a bit meh on the episode, but some good Pam development in this one.

The Negotiation - A lot of it is focused on Darryl wanting a raise, and therefor Michael asking for a raise. This ties up some Pam story loose threads so worth it for that.

Safety Training - Like the Injury, this is not essential at all, but I think it’s one of the funniest episodes, and I do recommend it on that merit alone.

Product Recall - the office deals with having to recall a product. There is really zero Jam stuff in it. This is really the only one of seasons 1-3 that I have a tendency to skip when I’m just wanting to watch for Jam related stuff. But it’s not that bad (comparatively to stuff later on).

**Women’s Appreciation - Phyllis is flashed, so this leads to Michael wanting to appreciate women more. It’s actually very good, and a great Pam story line.

**Beach Games -- Yes, watch this episode, it’s amazing, and possibly one of my favorites -- plus one of the best Pam moments on the show.

**The Job -- also yes, watch this, it’s kind of the conclusion of the original Jam arc.

I can’t stress it enough, though, in order for The Job to land, I really, really recommend watching all of seasons 2 and 3.

Okay, so because there are a lot of episodes here, and seasons 4+ are a little different, I’m gonna change up this guide a little.

Season 4

Season 4 is shorter because the writer’s strike happened then. There are a lot of delicious Jam moments, and the show is still functioning pretty well as a sitcom (though it steers into more cartoonish when Michael drives literally into a lake). I recommend watching the whole season, but highlight episodes are ---

Fun Run (not the best - but great Jam stuff, and resolution to The Job); Money (Jam visits Dwight’s farm); Local Ad (it’s just a fun episode); Dinner Party (Michael and Jan host a dinner party - considered one of the best episodes of the show, but I think that hinges on knowing the characters, so don’t start here, lol); Chair Model (Michael is annoying but great Jam stuff); Goodbye Toby (season finale, lots of good Jam stuff.

Season 5

Season 5 I also recommend watching all of. Jam stuff in pretty much every episode, and it’s still a funny and solid show. However, highlight episodes include --

Weight Loss; Crime Aid; Customer Surveys; Business Trip; Frame Toby; The Surplus; Stress Relief; Lecture Circuit; The Michael Scott Paper Company Arc (Eps 5x20-5x25); Cafe Disco (one of my favorites), and Company Picnic.

Season 6

I feel like if you reach Season 6, you know whether or not you want to keep going. This the first season where I think you can really see a decline in quality. It’s also the first season that doesn’t heavily feature Jim and Pam as earlier seasons, (they are still main characters, so they do get things in every episode, even if it’s not much) and while there are some great episodes, a lot of this season (to me) feels a little meh and boring. However - essential episodes --

Gossip; Niagara; Murder, Sabre (if you want to understand what’s going on in the rest of the show); The Delivery.

Okay, I guess that’s not a whole lot. However -- this season also features an episode I do not go back and watch -- that is the infamous Scott’s Tots. The less said, the better.

Season 7

I like Season 7 a lot better than season 6 - the episodes are better all around, and it’s Steve Carell’s last season. There’s not a ton of Jam stuff here, but more than season 6. (I also like Jim and Pam’s dynamic in this season more than season 6′s). Essential episodes --

Nepotism; Andy’s Play (it’s a musical!); The Sting; Costume Contest; Viewing Party (for the Glee!); Classy Christmas; The Search (if you want to know where my URL comes from); PDA; Threat Level Midnight; Garage Sale; Goodbye Michael (minus the subplots). I don’t really recommend the season finale - Search Committee - but it does set up season 8.

Season 8

Season 8 isn’t very good. It’s not that Steve Carell left, it’s that the show didn’t know what to do because he left -- and despite having some great characters to work with, they end up focusing on Ed Helms and James Spader, too much. You can probably skip to season 9 without missing much, however, there are a few half-way decent things. I wouldn’t call these essential, but in case you want a taste of season 8

The List; Pam’s Replacement (which is really the only Jam stuff this season); Special Projects, Test the Store.

Yeah, that’s kinda it. The post Florida episodes are really terrible (Get the Girl-Fundraiser), and are possibly the worst episodes of the show, so I recommend burying them in the sand and not thinking of them.

Season 9

I think season 9 is a little underrated, and while a far cry from its heyday (and still way too much Andy), I think overall it’s rather enjoyable. Also, Jim and Pam get a story line spanning the entire season for the first time since, maybe, season 5 - which is a nice change. It’s a little hit and miss but it’s nice to see them treated as main characters again. Honestly, it’s hard to recommend just a handful - so, really, just watch all of it and skip the Andy stuff.

#the office #okay so it's late and i got tired

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lilyhoshikawa · 5 years ago

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Henlo I saw you mention something about uuhhhhh passionate Aoi Zaizen rant, could I get one of those please

I’m so upset. I’m so angry. I have so many emotions. SO many times they did this girl dirty, so many times!!

This was widely talked abt right after it happened but I just got done rewatching the blue angel vs specter duel and I am filled with a renewed anger the likes of which has never been known. The absolute atrocity of that duel’s ending

Just to clarify, everything in that duel supported Aoi winning. It was the natural progression of her character arc, from her initial weakness allowing specter to brainwash her into Hanoi’s weapon, she eventually grew out of her days of simply being an idol to seek the attention her brother didn’t give her, something the Vrains writers consistently frame as inherently selfish and not a completely natural reaction for a teenager in her situation to have. But regardless, she’s a “selfish” idol seeking attention, she ends up being used by bad people, she gets saved by Playmaker, she learns more about him, fights by his side and decides she wants to start fighting for a cause. She defeats Vaira in the ultimate moment symbolizing her character growth. She’s no longer just an idol being fawned over by her fans, she is a hero who protects Link Vrains

Cue specter duel. The start is fine. This shitty, arrogant dickwad who already hurt Aoi goads her into a duel. He’s a jackass to her all the way through. But as the duel progresses, she learns about him- like her, he was lonely, struggling with no friends and no one to give him warmth and attention. Like her, he simply needs to be set on the right path. Suddenly her anger toward him shifts to empathy as she declares she is fighting to save him, which he mocks of course. She ends up in the typical Yugioh hero predicament of “how do I get out of this”, and pulls out a new ace monster that FINALLY causes specter to act SURPRISED for once in the duel, for once not somehow just predicting all her strategies. She turns the duel around and strikes the killing blow.

Only… that doesn’t happen. Specter pulls some bullshit, turns it around, and wins, making sure to burn up the book that symbolized Aoi’s decision to fight in the first place. And to rub it in even MORE, he calls her “the pathetic girl who couldn’t become a blue angel”, declaring he will “take everything from her”.

And then, suddenly… the context of all of that changes. The mockery specter has been giving her the whole duel goes from becoming the typical villainous arrogance to a much more cruel situation, the person already determined by the writers to win the duel taking all the time he has to rub in how superior he is to the girl who actually bothered to grow as a person. It’s as if specter is some self-insert of a misogynistic male anime fan who knows no girl can stand against him no matter how much better written she is, because he has the power of writers’ bias on his side.

Aoi is slammed into a building and lands face-first on the ground completely decimated. The next couple shots feature specter standing over her grinning and smirking as he makes comments about how pathetic and weak she is. She is clearly unconscious and can’t hear them. This is for the audience.

So alright, I hear you saying, maybe that’s just meant as a “kick the dog” moment; show us how evil specter really is and why it’s the wrong idea to try to sympathize with him. Aoi tried that and she couldn’t do it, so it means some people are beyond saving. Now I’d still have a problem with throwing Aoi under the bus to make that point, but whatever, narratively it’s sound reasoning. Only what’s the next thing that happens? He duels Playmaker, and we learn he’s a Lost Incident victim. We hear his backstory and are shown him as a sad child, motivating us to sympathize with him.

It doesn’t stop there. Specter doesn’t mock Playmaker like he did Blue Angel, naturally, because Playmaker is cool and respectable. So what does he do instead? Mocks Aoi some more! He draws constant reference to how Aoi fell for his various strategies. Now he does later start mocking Playmaker, and I get that, but that leads into another point: it’s not because Playmaker is “weak” but because he’s “too heroic”. Yusaku is able to quickly disarm Specter’s deck and is ready to finish him off before he pulls out his hostage, Akira, who ALSO gets to die a reasonable death. Everyone who dies in the Tower of Hanoi arc, with the exception of Aoi and perhaps Ema (another girl, funny that) are treated with respect as they die. Yusaku easily beats the person who gave Aoi so much trouble.

Revolver, right before his duel with Go, notes Aoi’s fate, saying “my subordinate, Specter, defeated her”. His subordinate. Not even the main bad guy. She doesn’t get the level of respect of Go, the guy who would go on to become an antagonist while she remained (on paper anyway) one of the main trio.

Nobody watched Aoi’s duel with Specter, no one commented on her courage or bravery or how hard she fought or cried when she was defeated, not like with Go. She didn’t get to reveal some big strategy of a major villain and disappear giving Playmaker one last cool remark. No, she got completely outsmarted and knocked unconscious on her face so that a man could stand over her body and insult her.

In season 2 it is obvious no one knows what to do with Aoi. She’s thrown in 800 directions to serve whatever role she’s needed for, most often losing for some reason or another. She keeps having these moments of determination and character growth where she makes a “big decision” and resolves to fight, but it never really works out for her, no matter the cause. Whenever they need someone to lose, she’s there. The Blue Angel avatar, based on her childhood hero, which represents her desire to bring people together? Gone, tossed away, replaced by Ghost Girl’s Apprentice. Now that that’s done though, now we need her for something else, you see, we’ve got a Girl Ignis and we don’t wanna write another girl, we already overdid ourselves writing the two we do have. Let’s just use Aoi instead and shoehorn in a relationship with a barely existent character who just happens to be part of her backstory as her oldest and most important friend, a thing that may contradict her entire character’s driving motivation from season one, but hey, fuck season one.

In season 3 she is glued to her brother’s side. She does less than nothing. She is fodder to be defeated by Ai and nothing more. They don’t want to bother giving her a duel of her own (if they did I’m sure she’d lose to Roboppi and not even Ai himself) so she duels with Akira. Akira sucks shit and his deck is trash so Aoi, with her Marincess deck, carries him. Akira is praised for being strong and cool. Aoi loses to Ai due to an incredibly situational counter. I’m so tired.

Every character Ai kills is treated with some respect by him. He mourns the loss of Go, who murdered one of the Ignis he’s fighting to avenge. Meanwhile? He repeatedly mocks Aoi during the duel. She starts out fighting Ai with all her might, but eventually comes to realize his sadness and loneliness after losing his Ignis friends. She tries to empathize with him, telling him she can relate, because she too lost Aqua. Ai gets angry that she thinks her loneliness is the same as his. When she announces her desire to protect her brother, Ai begins repeatedly mocking her using this. He ignores Akira entirely, zeroing in completely on Aoi and continuously mocking her about her chances of winning, acting superior, knowing he’ll be able to take her bother from her, take everything from her, and leave her all alone.

Say… does this sound familiar to anyone?

Ai erases Akira but “spares” Aoi, standing over her as she lays collapsed and soaked on the floor, mocking her by telling her how she now has to live with herself after failing to save her brother.

No, seriously… is this familiar to anyone?

It’s almost as though… aggressive, patronizing misogyny is built intrinsically into Aoi’s character, and she’s used as a vessel for toxic and abusive ideas about men who are “hurting” and how “soft, immature” women who profess to understand them or have empathy for them are naive idiots deserving to be beaten and mocked

Misogyny isn’t just a part of Aoi’s arc, it is built into the very philosophy that drives her treatment in the show. And it makes me really sick trying to engage with Vrains after having this realization

#rambles #long post #yugioh vrains #aoi zaizen #ask to tag #alexis red dragon

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howtotrainyouragents · 5 years ago

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Agent H’s AOS Rewatch

Season 3 Pro’s and Con’s

We’re done with the season 4 rewatch, and I’m over here still trying to process season 3. First time watching, it was my least favorite season and I nearly stopped watching the show because of it. Second time watching…it’s still probably my least favorite just by comparison, but I have infinite more respect for it. Anyway, I needed to sort out my thoughts on this, so it’s all under “keep reading” and don’t get mad at me.

Cons (because let’s get the bad stuff out of the way)

-I really dislike revenge stories, so all the revenge stuff with Hunter and Coulson and Ward and all did not sit well with me and felt even OOC.

-Speaking of, from the S2 finale through most of this season, there’s this theme of the men protecting and revenging their wounded or fridged girlfriends. It’s not super fun because this is a show where the women are clearly just as, if not more, competent than the men, but they’re not given the same opportunity to protect/revenge the men, much less given the same importance even in their own stories. I’m blanking on what MCU movies were going on around the time of this season, but I remember seeing this even in the movies. If I remember correctly there was a head of MCU who was later removed, but was apparently responsible.

-The use of Ward is muddled. I’m cool with his takeover of HYDRA, that seemed natural. But you expect it to lead to a huge standoff with SHIELD because he, their worst enemy, is now head of their worst enemy organization. Instead, he gets converted to the HYDRA religion and literally becomes a vessel. Which is fine, but the transition was really hurriedly and poorly done. This is a man who has complex views of loyalty (Garrett not HYDRA. Skye and Coulson but not SHIELD), so I’m gonna need a lot more convincing that he’d believe Gideon’s HYDRA.

-This will be on both lists: I’m disappointed about how after three seasons HYDRA is taken out so quietly and quickly.

-I don’t know where to put this, but: I didn’t actually hate the space boyfriend arc as much the second time around, but the potential overall got squandered and I dislike that.

-Rosalind’s death and possibly her whole arc was pointless. She was literally created and killed to serve Coulson’s character. Gross. And it’s a shame because it would have been really cool to use her as an actual foe-turned-friend for SHIELD throughout the season; she could have easily taken Mace’s place in S4 and that way at least would have been important for two seasons

-Okay, this is ABC’s fault not AOS’s. But like I remember how hard they advertised for Secret Warriors. Like that was the name of the arc. And. Then. They were a team FOR AN EPISODE. Imagine my disappointment. Also, there really weren’t enough Inhumans this season to suit me.

-Bobbi and Hunter leave for a failed spinoff and I will never forgive Marvel for doing that.

-I mean…I appreciate that they give Andrew a noble death, but like…was it really necessary to have him turn and later die? Really? It gives Ming Na Wen and Blair Underwood opportunities to do extraordinary acting and they nail it, but like maybe don’t kill a guy to solve your inevitable ship? Don’t kill off your second black actor?

-The time jump in the season finale is too sudden. Like we barely get to grieve over Lincoln and they hit us with a time jump and Daisy on the run and new director in charge. Uncool.

-This was the season I started to dislike Fitzsimmons. Don’t hate me. To me there’s an undercurrent in the writing that seems to favor Fitz over Simmons. FS’s subject to the same sexism that I mentioned in the first bullet. Like the story post-Simmons’ return focuses a lot more on Fitz’s feelings than on hers. He’s the one who has to stop her from getting tortured. He’s the one who saves Will, when it makes way more sense for her to go. He’s the one they all turn to for answers, when it should be both of them combined. And Simmons just gets a little pushed aside in her own story arc, but she just goes along with it anyway.

-I had to write this last because this is the thing that hurts the season the most for me: Lincoln’s treatment. Okay, first, he’s a great character who got a major personality change between seasons. I don’t like the personality change, but I’d be okay with it if they didn’t do worse. For starters, we barely know him. His life and backstory are so vague, the guy he visits in 3x03 is just “a friend”, and like we get zero information on how they know each other. They spend the entire season having everyone in SHIELD (except Daisy) be against him, dislike him, belittle him, and mistrust him WHEN HE DESERVED NONE OF IT. Like they make it really obvious that Coulson dislikes him father-style because of his relationship with Daisy. They make him petulant and act out to prove that Mack and May are right to mistrust him when really given the fact that he was an Inhuman guide and a medical doctor and a recovered addict, he’d be a lot more under control. They make Fitzsimmons talk down to him just because no one can be smart except Fitzsimmons, when clearly he would know more about Inhuman biology and medicine in general THAN THE BIOCHEM PHD (sorry that one will always bug me). Like they make some work on him with Coulson and May, and that’s good, but overall he is not allowed to have a solid relationship with anyone but Daisy. I think the writers 1) knew he was gonna die and decided not to invest in him or his relationships. 2) were trying to get a moody bad boy in the cast, and decided to cast him as it when it didn’t really make sense. Also, while talking about Lincoln, I really wish they did some more interesting things with his powers than lightning blasts. He has electric powers!! There’s so much you can do!!

-Okay, this one is just real personal. LINCOLN IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR. Or at least a medical student or resident or fellow (I mean, he’s in the hospital doing rounds). TREAT HIM AS SUCH. HE WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE, LET HIM HELP PEOPLE. LET HIM DO THE SURGERIES AND KNOW THE STUFF ABOUT BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE. LET HIM RETURN TO HIS OLD LIFE AS A DOCTOR. You had such a good character who turned himself around from addiction, dedicated his life to saving lives, got thrown multiple curve balls, and now has to decide how will he continue to serve others. Yes, he’s a hero in the end. But all that in between time, he could have been saving lives too.

Pros (because there is good stuff, I promise)

-Someone mentioned that this is the first season to have a unified storyline throughout, and that’s so true and it’s so well done!

-There’s a good natural continuation of the HYDRA and Inhuman storylines from S1 and S2. I think we can look at AOS as two large arcs: S1-S3 is about powered people and HYDRA. S4-S7 is about bending the limits of reality with Ghost Rider, LMDs, Framework, Space, and Time Travel,. S1 was about introducing us to powered people and HYDRA, S2 was about developing the history and politics of them respectively and how they relate to SHIELD. S3 is when Inhumans get involved with SHIELD and with the world directly and the fallout from that. For HYDRA it’s when we get the history and reasoning of the group, and even if it’s a retcon, I appreciate that it introduces the background of HYDRA as a way to end this arc

-Overall, I really do appreciate how this season fills out a lot of worldbuilding. We get a complete history on HYDRA, and we get way more info on Inhumans, but we also get to see how the human world is reacting to and divided on Inhumans, which carries over into the net season

-On both lists: It’s good that they take HYDRA out so quickly and quietly. That plotline had run its course, and it was so bittersweet because they finally had defeated their biggest enemy, but now they had even bigger problems to deal with it. That scene of Coulson and May watching HYDRA fall is one of my favorites because it mirrors that S1 scene of watching HYDRA takeover, but it’s so quiet and not celebratory like it should be.

-Like I said, I hate revenge arcs, but I do appreciate how it came full circle at the end with Coulson admitting his mistake and regret in seeking revenge. That’s much more on brand with Coulson and MCU even I had to sit through a painful arc just to get to that point.

-Episode 1, Daisy’s entrance and, for that matter, Fitz’s entrance. HOT DAMN.

-One of my favorite things about AOS is the way that they mix up pairings and everyone feels like friends and family. This season did a fantastic job on that with like Fitz/Bobbi, Mack/Daisy, Hunter/May, and way more.

-I complain that there wasn’t enough Inhumans to suit me, but also I really enjoyed the ones we got. I expected them to do Inhumans with basic powers like water, fire, plants, shrinking. But AoS writers were like nah, how about a guy who melts metal?? How about Medusa eyes?? How about a guy who can predict deaths? Like they just went straight to the extremes and I respect that. And yes, we have our typical speedster and fire guy, but the sheer joy that comes from those characters makes up for the predictability of their powers.

-We get Joey and Yoyo who are the effin’ best and deserve the world. And with Lincoln and Daisy we got SECRET WARRIORS!!!!

-First time, we get introduced to Charles and Robin and manipulating time, which obviously becomes important later, so I like that they introduce it so early in the show.

-I also love the way things come full circle with Lash. I wish he didn’t die, but the reveal of his true purpose was amazing

-THE FITZSIMMONS KISS. THE FITZSIMMONS SEX SCENE. Do I really need to say more?

-THAT FITZ vs MONOLITH SCENE. That is top like five moments of the show for me, and I’m gonna need the Emmys to give Iain de Castecker his belated Best Actor award any day now.

-4722 Hours was a work of art, and Elizabeth Henstridge, I will be getting you that Best Actress Emmy one way or another.

-Brett Dalton’s acting. This rewatch served to highlight how brilliantly he developed Ward’s evilness over the course of the three seasons and then the way he flipped the switch and played a completely different character as Hydra. You can feel it in his voice and mannerisms, it’s a totally different person even if it’s still technically Ward’s body. And to top it off, that finale where he pulls of a brilliant two-minute psychotic breakdown and a kickass fight scene. Standing ovation, good sir. I miss you.

-After S2 fridged three women of color, I do appreciate how this season chooses to take out four of its white characters even if I’m sad that they had to go.

-The Star Wars references were so effin’ funny

-Spy’s Goodbye. I will never be okay about this.

#idk if should tag this #but i want it in my tags #hope no one hates me #aos #aos s3 #aos rewatch #agent aos rewatch #aos s3 rewatch #aos season 3 rewatch #agent h #agent report

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quietduckpond · 4 years ago

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2020, January-July in Review

If you'd have told me what 2020 was gonna be last year I woulda been like what??? The hell kind of drugs are you on??? This stuff is so far out that it'd be considered a completely unrealistic plot for a tv show or book or anything, really. Like, especially recently, it’s almost (but not quite) comical.

I thought I’d just start listing stuff I knew about, but then I did some research, and, well . . . Sources are at the bottom :) . I’ve tried to keep it to the weird or just plain cool stuff that’s happened, because most of what I hear about is the bad stuff, but I may have gone a liiiiiiitle overboard. Anyway, here's a list of stuff that's happened this year (feel free to add to it, as I couldn’t possibly include everything in a single post).

First off, we have January. Looooooot of stuff went down in January. And we thought that that’d be the worst of it. Ha! Anyway, here it is:

Australia was, like, on fire, with tens of millions of acres burned. (Last source has a visual guide for this. Australia is roughly the same size of the US, for those unaware)

WWIII threatened to break out when Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed on orders from Trump

Iran's retaliation strike involved the launch of missiles at two American military bases (further WWIII fears)

Ukrainian plane carrying 176 civilians was shot down by Iran, after mistaking it as a threat

Covid-19's outbreak in China being officially reported to the WHO (despite being reported to Chinese officials as early as Nov. 2019)

China records the first death due to Coronavirus

Wuhan, China, goes under lockdown, impacting 11 million people in terms of travel restrictions, with food shortages ensuing.

Trump's impeachment trial begins

UK withdraws from the European Union (tbh I don't fully understand the deal with this as I don't live in Europe, but oh well)

Next, we have February. Not too much happened in February tbh:

Trump is acquitted by the Senate on both articles of impeachment

Antarctica reaches a record high of 18.2 °C (64.9 °F) as recorded by an Argentinian research station (Global Warming!!!!)

India grants equal rights to women (but only within the armed forces)

Then we get to March:

Italy implements a country-wide lockdown, and is the first nation to do so

COVID-19 is officially declared a world-wide pandemic, after cases were recorded in more than 100 countries

Summer Olympics postponed until 2021

Trump declares a national emergency, freeing up $50 billion to help with the Covid-19

And April:

New York alone receives the highest number of COVID cases than any country in the world.

By this stage there are now more than 1 million COVID-19 cases world-wide

Bernie Sanders endorses former rival Joe Biden for US President

Trump freezes WHO funding

Canada experiences its worst modern mass-shooting, with 18 people dead, leads to ban of 1500 types of assault-style weapons (technically the banning happened in May, but anyway)

Trump suggests to injecting disinfectant or UV light (honestly, how would that even work??? Glow sticks? Swallowing torches???) into the body. (But seriously, DO NOT DO THIS!!!!!!!!!)

Trump claims that COVID-19 originated in a Wuhan Laboratory. (This is not supported by ANY facts, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence even said that the virus wasn’t man-made)

Green house gas emissions drop by a massive 17% world-wide, relating to the COVID-19 pandemic

And May:

World leaders pledge $8 billion to fund COVID-19 vaccination research. The US and Russia choose not to contribute.

11-year-old Brazilian skateboarder, Gui Khury, becomes holds the world record for the 1st 1080° turn on a vertical ramp (tbh I only included this one because I thought it was cool, and I needed something happy to write about)

George Floyd is killed by police in the US, sparks international racial protests and a resurgence of BLM marches

Twitter adds a warning label about the inaccuracies of Trumps tweets

USA surpasses 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19

National guard is brought into Minnesota to quell George Floyd and BLM protests, as well as a curfew

Further protests ensue, well into July, both in the US and internationally.

But wait! There’s more in June! A lot more:

Locusts swarm the Horn of Africa, damaging crops and spreading disease. BILLIONS of locusts

Trump threatens to use Military force against civilians in order to quell protests sparked by George Floyd’s death

Trump orders the tear-gassing and dispersal of peaceful protesters using riot gear and rubber bullets, without warning, for a photo-op outside St John’s Episcopal Church. This was without permission of the bishop, Reverend Mariann Budde. She has said she was "outraged” and that the church was used, “as a backdrop . . . without permission”, and that members of the clergy had even joined the protests the day before.

UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 50,000

3 Former Police Officers charged with second-degree murder over George Floyd’s death

Former defence secretary speaks out against Trump saying, "Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us."

First major breakthrough in treating coronavirus COVID-19 using steroid dexamethasone announced by Oxford University

US Supreme Court rules the Obama-era Dreamers Program (DACA), enabling undocumented migrant children ability to study and work, can stay (Yay!!!!!!)

Trump holds his first re-election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before being COMPLETELY derailed by TikTok users and K-Pop stars to purposefully orchestrate a low turn-out by reserving seats and then not attending (Honestly, this was so on-brand for Gen Z, absolutely brilliant!!!)

US government data shows African Americans four times more likely than white Americans to be hospitalized due to COVID-19, highlighting racial disparities during the pandemic

The WHO declares the Ebola outbreak in the Congo over, which killed 2,280 people over 2 years

New York Times says Russia secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked forces to kill US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, meanwhile Trump did nothing

Locust invasion labelled 'Swarmageddon' by The Times of India as it reaches Delhi (Yup, the very same one form before, now in India)

Global death toll due to COVID-19 passes 500,000, more than doubling in less than two months.

Arizona reports 20% of tests returning as positive

And finally, July. This has been an absolute trip so far, but here we go:

Australian state Victoria re-imposes coronavirus lockdown on 36 Melbourne (which is in Victoria) suburbs, affecting 300,000 people

The US confirms more than 50,000 new COVID cases in one day

Texas Governor Greg Abbott makes wearing face masks mandatory as cases of coronavirus soar in the state

Over 160 people die after a landslide at a jade mine in northern Hpakant area of Myanmar

The US officially begins withdrawing from the WHO

Trump Administration issues directive that more than 1 million international students will be stripped of their visas if their courses are entirely online

Kanye West has said he’s now running as an independent for President???? Like, what???

So. Rappers are running for president amid a world-wide pandemic. There was an almost-revolution, a locust plague, the UK just decided to just quit Europe, and TikTok partially derailed a presidential campaign.

This has been a (just-over) half-year review. Might do another one at the end of the year, we’ll see. Sorry for the long post, but I hope you can appreciate with me just how bonkers this year has been so far.

Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source

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