#apart from the hot factor he is excellent in this

[kennethbrangh]

SAM WATERSTON as Sydney Schanberg in The Killing Fields (1984)

[wrathofrats]

I've been seeing the Swiss grabbing his crotch gifset going around again and the Swussy thoughts you posted and my brain can't help but try to combine those two ideas like I'm smashing two action figures together to make them kiss so here it is--

Swiss being in heat (or just being feral as usual) and unable to help himself and reaching down to press his fingers against his throbbing clit, feeling how wet he is. With how much he wiggles and moves during a Ritual his folds and puffy lips slip and slide together and he just can't help it after a while, just needs to touch and it's not like he forgets that he's literally in the middle of a Ritual, it's that he doesn't care.

And also because I can't help myself with Swissalps--Mountain seeing it and smelling him and it makes him break a pair of his sticks with how hard he grips them, especially when Swiss is all but humping the stage during Watcher in the Sky. He's gonna wreck that Swussy at the first opportunity he gets.

In hindsight Swiss should’ve known better.

The signs were there. Waking up in a cold sweat with his cheeks burning, a tugging feeling in his gut that could only be quelled by a hand roughly palming himself on top of his hotel comforter early in the morning. He chocked it up to the shitty hotel ac, barely blew into the room and during the dead of August the small breeze didn’t help much.

The main sign was when the feeling didn’t stop once he was packed up and back on the tour bus. Swiss sat in front of the vents with his face in the air, legs drawn up to his chest in a feeble attempt to stop the ache between his thighs. Too hot and too much. He elected to ignore it anyways.

Swiss should have thought ahead more when he had to change his underwear to put on his uniform. His own heady scent filling his nostrils as he pulled off his sweats, dragging the damp fabric down his legs. It should have been the main factor in trying to just breathe through the show, go through the motions without incident and once he was off the stage he could fall at mountain or rains feet and beg them for help, even if he was ignoring his own heat.

Heat clouded his mind, fingers slipping down and between his folds as he pulled off his underwear to change. In his brain the excuse was to clean up, to just see how wet he truly was, but the excuse falls apart as he brings his own fingers to his lips with a whimper.

Swiss was much too sensitive like this, just the act of sliding his fingers between himself with the intent of innocence had him bucking and his thighs shaking with want. He could feel his clit pulse as he reluctantly pulled his hand away from himself.

He just had to get through one show, and someone would help him.

The beginning of the show goes smoother than he thought, even if his head was clouded it served as a good distraction from how much he needed to be touched. Swiss went through the motions, some shimmies and shakes when he realized he had been lost in space for too long.

It only got worse the more he performed, the mic stand now being realized as an excellent form of friction along with his guitar. He could see a small darker outline on his stand as he pulled away from a particularly pointed thrust against it, his own slick seeping through his pants and leaving a damp spot on the metal.

He needs to touch, he needs something. He knows where he is, he knows he’s in the middle of a ritual but swiss can’t bring his foggy brain to care.

Mountain is the first to notice. Out of the corner of rain or dews eyes Swiss looked like he was acting normally, his usual antics that would get him a joke talking to by copia or another band member about being a whore. But this time? Mountain can see his mic stand shine in the light from behind him. Slick from where he grinded on it like he just couldn’t help himself.

He watches his hands move down his body, pretending like he’s performing even as the heel of his palm digs right into his cunt, no doubt adding pressure to his clit. It’s obscene, mountain has no clue how he gets away with it but god he’s glad he’s so far back behind his drums, any closer and the audience could probably hear him growling from underneath his mask.

The drumsticks in his hands crack, part of one going flying behind him as mountain continues to stare.

He’s going to ruin him.

[jovenshires]

capernoited from ask game for spommy! i just thought tipsy tommy or spencer pre relationship would be cute while the other takes care of them

Capernoited - Slightly intoxicated or tipsy.

i put a little under the cut bc this got away from me a lil but i hope you enjoy!! (btw if you like this concept you can go check out spencer vs. gay panic by soupy for a different but excellent take!!)

send me a word and a character/pairing!

The way that Tommy laughs reverberates all the way through Spencer's body. It starts where Tommy's mouth meets the junction of his neck; it echoes through his collarbone and down his chest. He feels it everywhere. He aches with it.

"Alright," he says, "up and at 'em."

With the shoulder under Tommy's arm, he nudges him 'til he's standing upright again. Sure, he's still leaning on Spencer, but at least he's not fully draped across him now. Spencer can finally see as he guides them both down the hallway of Tommy's apartment building. Still, Tommy whines. "But you smell nice," he says.

He knows that Tommy's drunk; he doesn't know what he's saying, but Spencer feels his face heat up anyway. Later, when he recalls this story, he'll blame it on anything else - Tommy's body heat rolling off of him in waves, the apartment being stiflingly hot, or his sweater being too heavy for the LA weather. He won't blame it on a nice compliment from a beautiful boy.

"Thanks," he says, ignoring how pink his ears have probably gone. "I'd say the same, but you smell a lot like tequila."

Tommy laughs, because he's drunk, and he laughs at everything when he's drunk. Spencer's seen him like this before; they've gone out drinking plenty of times. Well, Tommy drinks, and Spencer watches from afar. He yearns and says nothing and drinks his sad, overpriced Sprite. He finds it works best that way - when Tommy just exists and Spencer just pines. Like Tommy's a comet and he's wishing from the ground. But tonight, for some reason, he'd volunteered to take Tommy home.

"You're funny," Tommy says suddenly. "And pretty."

This is why he's better off on the ground, he remembers suddenly. Tommy is a giddy drunk, a clingy drunk, and a flirty drunk. And Spencer is halfway in love with him. The combination of those factors leads to borderline torture - wonderful, yet excruciating torture.

Without another way to respond, Spencer snorts. "And you're drunk."

At that, Tommy sighs, like Spencer had just spoken an irrefutable truth. "Yeah," he says loftily. "But I'm just drunk now. You're always pretty."

Like he said: torture. Spencer doesn't have anything to say to that, and luckily, they've made it to Tommy's front door, so instead of saying anything, he just reaches for the keys stuffed into his back pocket. With a click, the door opens, and he lets them inside. "C'mon," he says. He flicks on the light, thankful he's hung out at Tommy's apartment enough to know the layout. For his part, Tommy just stumbles in beside him, laughing at nothing as Spencer closes the door. His arm feels heavy on Spencer's shoulders, but it's a weight he's glad to share.

"You're so nice to me," Tommy says as they shuffle together towards his bedroom. "You're, like, the best."

Actually, Spencer's far from the best. He's selfish - he volunteered to take Tommy home, even though Damien could have done it just as easily. For once, he'd gotten the courage to get a little closer, to keep Tommy's brilliant light to himself. But he doesn't say as much. He just opens the bedroom door, flips the switch to the overhead light, and leads Tommy to bed. "Easy, dude," he mutters, supporting Tommy's weight as he climbs in. He doesn't even bother sliding under the covers. Spencer sighs and looks around for another blanket to drape over him instead.

He spots one in the corner of the room and moves to grab it when suddenly he hears Tommy whine again. "Don't go," he says petulantly. "Stay."

Spencer freezes and looks over his shoulder. Tommy's looking at him with a furrowed brow and wide eyes, like he's afraid that Spencer's going to leave. It makes Spencer frown. "I won't, dude," he says. "Promise."

This time, when he goes for the blanket, Tommy says nothing, though Spencer can see him pouting out of the corner of his eye. What a baby, Spencer thinks, but he doesn't mean it. He's pretty sure Tommy could ask him for anything right now and he'd do it, no questions asked. He brings it back and drapes it over Tommy's lanky frame, covering him up. Tommy sighs happily and lets himself fall deeper into the bed, comfortable and warm. "I'm gonna go get you a glass of water, okay?" Spencer asks, and Tommy furrows his brows. "I'll be back in, like, two minutes, tops."

Tommy sighs but doesn't object. He lets Spencer leave the bedroom and head down the hallway to Tommy's kitchen. He roots around but finds the glasses easily enough, and on second thought, hunts down some aspirin, too. When he comes back, he's surprised to find that Tommy's still awake, raising his head a little as Spencer's feet find a creaky floorboard. "Here," he says. He hands Tommy the water and puts the aspirin down on the bedside table. He watches as Tommy takes a few long, thirsty sips, his Adam's apple bobbing with it, and Spencer tries not to focus on that too much. "Good, now you can't hate me in the morning."

Tommy stops drinking and puts the glass down on the table, glaring at Spencer as he does so. "Couldn't hate you," he says sincerely, and Spencer tries not to focus on that, either.

"Right," he says, awkward even to his own ears. "Well, now that you're all good, I - I should really get going, Tommy."

"No," Tommy whines again. He reaches out and grabs Spencer by the wrist. "Stay, please?"

Spencer is trying his damn best not to cave. Not without a fight, at least. "It's late, man, and I don't want this to be weird."

Tommy shakes his head emphatically. "Please. Just stay, just for tonight. I just need to like..." He gestures with the hand that's not holding onto Spencer, waving at the room around them. "Remember this was real. Remember you like this. Okay?"

It's like he said - he'd do anything, no questions asked. So he sighs and relents: "Fine. I'll be on the couch, alright?" Tommy pouts again, but Spencer shakes his head. "Absolutely not budging on that. Promise, I'll be here all night." At Tommy's doubtful look, he adds, "I wouldn't lie to you, would I?"

Tommy sighs again, like Spencer's said something that makes so much sense. "No," he says. He squeezes Spencer's wrist and curls deeper into his pillow. "Okay. See you tomorrow, Spencer."

When Tommy lets go, he knows he feels a little colder, but he refuses to examine why. "Night, Tommy," he says. He waits for a moment to listen to Tommy's breathing even out before he goes. He finds a notepad in one of the kitchen drawers, writes a warning to Tommy for the morning, and sticks it on the nightstand with the aspirin. Then he heads for the couch, kicking off his shoes and settling in for the night. He's a lot of things - selfish, yeah. An idiot, maybe. But he's not a liar. Not even if Tommy probably won't remember the whole thing in the morning.

He drifts to sleep on Tommy's couch, the long night finally taking its toll on him, and dreams of comets and beautiful boys.

[sultanaislammow]

Oriental Selection still has a long way to go

In Yu Minhong's plan, Oriental HE Tuber Selection "will build an excellent agricultural and life industry chain." He mentioned the need to establish a three-dimensional sales platform to serve more Chinese merchants. In addition to Douyin, this three-dimensional sales platform will also consider other platforms and even build its own platform.

But what is the result? At the end of February this year, Oriental Selection also disclosed its first performance report after the name change. In addition to revenue growth, during the six months of the reporting period, Oriental Selection's GMV (gross merchandise transactions) reached 4.8 billion yuan, of which self-operated products contributed Sales revenue of 1.089 billion yuan, and third-party products generated commission service revenue of 677 million yuan. The two incomes accounted for 85% of the total revenue, while the revenue of the traditional education sector was only 295 million yuan, and the proportion shrank to 14%. The revenue and profits disclosed in the report were lower than market expectations.

At the same time, Oriental Screening CEO Sun Dongxu and CFO Yin Qiang successively reduced their holdings by nearly 5 million shares, cashing out at a high level of nearly HK$280 million. This unexpected reduction directly caused Oriental Screening's stock price to plummet 20% that day.

Tianfeng Securities analyzed this in a research report and stated that the decline in GMV was one of the main reasons for the correction in Oriental Selection’s stock price. In addition, the reduction of holdings by Oriental Selection executives was also the reason for the decline in the stock price. "Recently, Oriental Selection's GMV has averaged between 20 million and 30 million yuan per day, which has dropped significantly from the 40 million to 50 million yuan before the Spring Festival. On the one hand, the reason is due to the off-peak consumption season and offline recovery; on the other hand, On the other hand, due to the impact of the epidemic two years ago, the pace of launching new self-operated products after the new year will be slow.”

In terms of goods, in March this year, Oriental Selection was included in the hot search for "the wild white shrimps sold in Ecuador are actually farmed." Last year, there were precedents of high-priced corn incidents and moldy peaches growing hairy incidents. The control of the supply chain Obviously, Eastern Selection requires continuous improvement. As a company that makes a living by selling agricultural products, apart from the anchor halo and conceptual packaging, only "product power" is the key factor that can help it go further.

Looking back at the stock price of Oriental Selection, it has fallen by about half from its high point in January this year. This reminds Oriental Selection to a certain extent: the temporary hype will eventually pass, and we should continue to think about the possibilities and solutions for our own business development. It is an eternal proposition.

At present, "Oriental Selection Beautiful Life" has undoubtedly supported the performance growth of Oriental Selection, but is this phenomenon sustainable? Where is the next "Oriental Selection Beautiful Life"? How to increase profits while improving product capabilities? Dongfang Selection obviously still has a long way to go in the future.

[fogsrollingin]

this post convinced me to create a multifandom monster fucker/romance reclist on my neocities 😆🥰

Happy readings! 📚🖤

And No Birds Sing by anti-kate. Explicit, 24k, ineffable husbands. Summary: There was something in the shadows. Something coiled there, the light gleaming on dark scales. Something misbegotten and monstrous. No, not a monster. Crowley. https://archiveofourown.org/works/23136616 I adored how monstrous and feral Crowley was in this, and how in turn Aziraphale never stopped being gentle and loving in the ((grotesque)) face of him. Features a charming epilogue referencing the end of S2. Also I just gotta say the sex scenes were soooo good in this fic - I loved them. Monster sex is the best sex. No leaving space for jesus in this fic yaaaaas. This fic is also in my Good Omens fic recs under Summoning Crowley

Deluge by Macx. Rated R, 100k. Summary: Weapon X chose Wade Wilson because of several factors in his life. He was a preternatural. He had extraordinary abilities that could be expanded upon. The cancer just made him desperate enough to agree to whatever they wanted to do with him. They didn't just turn him immortal. They destroyed his very soul, tearing him apart and shaping him into something new and never seen before. They took everything he had been and left him with ashes and bones. Soulless. He killed his creators and went on with his life. Then he met Spider-Man. Things started to change. Something inside him, something that had come out of the ashes and was a nightmarish, terrible thing, sat up and took notice. An intense, single-minded notice. ao3.org/works/6685201 my thoughts: I read through this one quickly for how fun & interesting this altered universe was: with hellhounds and then however the new 'creature' inside Wade (kind of like Peter's symbiote from the fic 'highway to hell') develops with Wade - a really deep soulmatey connection to Peter Parker that even gives* him *powers. It's a really entertaining read :) This fic is included in my spideypool recs

My Boyfriend's a Murderbot by Fredegund. Spideypool, Explicit, 55k words. Summary: Wade Winston Wilson is ugly. His skin's inside out. It ripples and moves every second of every day, at constant war with the cancer. Vanessa put on a brave face for him when she first saw the changes, but it turns out even she can't stomach the sight for long. He's ugly and alone and nothing will ever be good in life again - If only that were his only problem. But Weapon X is at it again, under crisp new management, turning orphans into super slaves and bringing out the big guns to make sure nobody interferes this go around (namely one Pool comma Dead). So now, not only is Wade alone and ugly forever, but he's got a bit of a pest problem in the form of a black-clad murder-happy man spider with a collar around his neck and an unhealthy obsession with tying Deadpool up. So maybe it's not all bad... https://archiveofourown.org/works/23388652 My thoughts: Excellent fic! I LOVED the buildup of Wade meeting Spidey. I loved the edge of vulnerable and feral the author kept Spidey on for awhile. I also appreciated how Spidey was more *Spidery*! He has extra limbs & googly black reflecting spider eyes?! F yeah that's so gnarly it's 100% awesome!!! This fic is included in my spideypool recs

The Passenger by roxymissrose. Explicit, Sam/Dean, 68k words. Summary: This is a post-plague curtain fic. Dean Winchester, an MoL errand boy and a bit of a rogue, meets Sam, a hot-tempered and mouthy skinwalker—and illegal slave. Of course, Dean can't let that stand, so cue the rescue, over the mountains and away. They find themselves trapped in a cabin over the long, long season of climate-changed winter. One handsome hunter, one angry 'walker. However will they survive? https://archiveofourown.org/works/25123861 Just devoured this fic inside of one night. AMAZING. It ticked so many of my boxes, specifically slave!Sam with that fascinating engaging personality dichotomy between vicious and vulnerable, then Sam and animal transformation - I was so thrilled to find out what his skinwalker beast turned out to be. This was a brilliant fic, and also excellent world-building. Also added to my SPN slavery reclist and SPN animal transformation reclist

hello my dear monsterfuckers, please send recs/links if you can help my friend (and his friends) with the above request

[laocommunity]

Unbelievable Luck or Master Strategy? The Story Behind the Golden Knights' Incredible Run to the Stanley Cup Finals

Unbelievable Luck or Master Strategy? The Story Behind the Golden Knights' Incredible Run to the Stanley Cup Finals Unbelievable Luck or Master Strategy? The Story Behind the Golden Knights' Incredible Run to the Stanley Cup Finals The Las Vegas Golden Knights had a historic run to the Stanley Cup Finals during their inaugural season in 2017-2018, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to reach the championship series. Many were left wondering if their success was due to sheer luck or a master strategy. In this article, we explore the journey of the Golden Knights and dissect the factors that led to their unprecedented success. The Birth of the Golden Knights The NHL's announcement of a new expansion team in Las Vegas was met with skepticism in 2017. Many believed that a city known for its hot desert climate and not hockey was not a suitable location for a new team. However, the Golden Knights defied all odds and quickly became a fan favorite in the city. The Expansion Draft One factor that contributed to the Golden Knights' success was the expansion draft. Each NHL team was allowed to protect only a limited number of players from the draft, leaving a pool of quality players for the Golden Knights to choose from. General Manager George McPhee and Head Coach Gerard Gallant made bold selections, picking up players that other teams had undervalued. The Impact of Marc-Andre Fleury One of the key players selected by the Golden Knights was veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Despite being left unprotected by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury was still considered one of the top goalies in the league. He proved his worth by posting incredible numbers throughout the playoffs and was a major factor in the team's success. The Impact of Coaching Another factor that contributed to the success of the Golden Knights was the coaching staff. Head Coach Gerard Gallant led the team with a hands-on approach and instilled a winning mentality within the team from the outset. His strategy of focusing on team chemistry and camaraderie paid dividends, leading the team to record-breaking success. The Commitment to Excellence One of the things that set the Golden Knights apart was their commitment to excellence. From management to players, everyone was dedicated to achieving the highest level of success possible. This dedication was reflected in the team's impressive work ethic, attention to detail, and relentless pursuit of victory. The Fierce Competitive Spirit While the Golden Knights were largely seen as underdogs, they never let this perception hinder their competitive spirit. Every game was approached with the same level of intensity and determination, and this attitude paid off in a big way. The Community Connection The Golden Knights quickly became a source of pride for the Las Vegas community. The team's commitment to giving back to the city that welcomed them with open arms was evident in their active involvement in the community, both on and off the ice. This connection helped to foster a sense of unity and loyalty among fans, who rallied behind the team throughout its incredible journey. The Legacy of the Golden Knights The impact of the Golden Knights' success will be felt for years to come. The team's incredible journey has become an inspiration to sports fans worldwide, shining a light on the power of determination, commitment, and teamwork. Whether their run was due to luck or master strategy, the Golden Knights have carved out a place in NHL history that cannot be denied. The Future is Bright Despite falling just short of the ultimate prize in the 2017-2018 season, the Golden Knights have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. With a solid foundation of dedicated players and a winning mentality, the team is poised for continued success in the future. FAQs 1. Was the Golden Knights' success a fluke? - While luck may have played a role in the team's run, the Golden Knights' success was primarily due to a combination of skill, strategy, and dedication. 2. How did the expansion draft impact the Golden Knights' success? - The expansion draft provided the Golden Knights with a pool of quality players to choose from, which helped to fill gaps in the team's roster and create a winning team chemistry. 3. What was the coaching philosophy behind the Golden Knights' success? - Head Coach Gerard Gallant focused on building team chemistry and instilling a winning mentality within the team. His hands-on approach and commitment to excellence were instrumental in the team's success. 4. How did the Golden Knights connect with the Las Vegas community? - The team's commitment to giving back to the community helped to foster a sense of unity and pride among fans. Their active involvement in the community both on and off the ice played a crucial role in the team's popularity and success. 5. What does the future hold for the Golden Knights? - With a solid foundation of dedicated players and a winning mentality, the Golden Knights are poised for continued success in the future. The team's impressive run in their inaugural season has set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come. #NEWS Read the full article

[mikeanzivino]

Discovering the Qualities That Make Mike Anzivino Stand Out Among Fort Myers Realtors

Looking for a trustworthy and experienced Best Realtors in Fort Myers? Look no further than Mike Anzivino! With his exceptional qualities, he has become one of the most sought-after real estate agents in the area. Whether you're buying or selling your home, Mike's top-notch skills will help you achieve your goals. So let's dive into what makes him stand out among other Fort Myers Realtors!

What makes Mike Anzivino stand out?

If you're looking for the Best Realtors in Fort Myers, look no further than Mike Anzivino. Here's what sets him apart from the rest:

1. He's knowledgeable about the local market.

2. He has a proven track record of success.

3. He's a great communicator and always puts his clients' needs first.

4. He's responsive and always available when you need him.

5. He's honest and trustworthy - you can be confident that he has your best interests at heart.

6. He has a strong network of connections in the Fort Myers area, which can benefit you when buying or selling a home.

Mike’s experience in the real estate market

When it comes to finding the Best Realtors in Fort Myers, there are many factors to consider. For Mike Anzivino, his experience in the real estate market is one of the many qualities that make him stand out among Fort Myers Realtors.

Mike has been working in the real estate industry for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to offer his clients. He has helped hundreds of people buy and sell homes in the Fort Myers area, and he knows what it takes to get the best possible deal.

Mike is also a native of Fort Myers, so he knows the ins and outs of the local market. He can help you find the right neighborhood for your needs and budget, and he can also give you insights into which areas are hot right now.

If you're looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond to help you buy or sell your home, Mike Anzivino is the perfect choice. Contact him today to learn more about his services or to start searching for your dream home in Fort Myers.

His understanding of customer needs and preferences

Anzivino’s ability to put himself in his client’s shoes and understand their needs and preferences has resulted in him becoming one of the most sought-after Realtors in Fort Myers.

He takes the time to get to know his clients on a personal level and finds out what their dream home looks like. He then uses his vast knowledge of the Fort Myers real estate market to find properties that match his client’s criteria.

Anzivino’s dedication to his clients doesn’t stop once he finds them their perfect home. He continues to provide support and advice even after the sale is complete. His goal is to ensure that his clients are happy with their purchase for years to come.

His commitment to customer satisfaction

Anzivino's commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in every interaction he has with clients. He takes the time to listen to their needs and concerns, and works tirelessly to find the perfect property for them. He is always available to answer questions and address any concerns that may arise, making sure his clients are fully informed throughout the process. This level of dedication is what sets Anzivino apart from other Fort Myers realtors.

Conclusion

Mike Anzivino stands out among the many real estate professionals in Fort Myers due to his commitment to providing superior customer service and expertise. His hard work ethic and dedication to helping customers find their dream home is admirable and makes him one of the best options when it comes to buying or selling a property in the area. Whether you are looking for someone who understands your needs or wants an experienced professional that can guide you through the process, Mike Anzivino is an excellent choice for those seeking quality real estate services in Fort Myers.

[imaginearyparties]

🌬 rant starter: biases aside - which Avenger is the best and why?

okay, best is a subjective term, so there’s a couple different takes for this. also, “avenger” is increasingly hard to define so, for the sake of argument, we’re only talking about the original six.

thor is easily the most powerful. if “the best” is simply who wins in a battle of strength, thor is the best avenger. however, thor isn’t super relevant. the avengers function perfectly fine without thor, to a point where i kind of forget he’s part of the gang. if you weren’t in civil war, you’re not the best avenger.

when it comes to the most useful skill set, i think it’s a toss up between nat and tony. natasha is both brilliant and has excellent combat skills. she’s covert (which nobody’s ever accused tony of) and she’s got a surprising amount of sway over team morale. i’d say that natasha is the most versatile member of the team. tony on the other hand has his genius level mind and a shit ton of money, which provides the team with some really valuable resources. tony loses points for creating half the villains they have to deal with and also for civil war.

clint is a just a human person and there’s a lot of value in that for a team full of superhumans. that being said, he’s not really a contender here.

bruce is a walking hot mess. his biology expertise is helpful somewhat, but that’s massively detracted from by the fact that the hulk isn’t super useful and is actively an obstacle when banner can’t control him.

so, so far, we’ve concluded that it’s not tony, clint, bruce, or thor, and it that could be nat.

but we’re missing someone, aren’t we?

(oh c’mon. even with biases aside, we knew we’d end up here.)

steve is for most purposes the leader of the team, which i think factors into this discussion. i also think he’s the most moral of the team (though, bruce is up there). but what i think really sets steve apart is that he’s the most inspirational. the point of the avengers within their world is to stop threats beyond human capacity. the point of them in our world is to inspire us to be better. superheroes can represent the best impulses of humanity, and that kind of makes steve the best of the best. i think that, beyond strength and leadership skills, is what makes steve the best avenger.

then again, i could argue that natasha is equally inspirational in a completely different way. and she’s got skills steve doesn’t (lying). then again, steve has that moral compass, the one that made natasha better. and they both brought in a fan favorite bestie character, and-

romanogers. romanogers is the best avenger.

[adobe-outdesign]

TIOL LIVEBLOG: PART 4

holy shit, game-canon character time

Note: I’m busy tomorrow, but I should be able to finish up the liveblog on Wednesday.

Spoilers under the cut:

Part 4, Chapter 1

I like how Joey is still into old-fasioneds like in DCTL

Part 4, Chapter 2

Joey Drew discovers how packaging design works

Part 4, Chapter 3

"we didn’t need Henry. he was holding us back. did I mention how much I didn’t need Henry oh god please take me back”

Joey: “I wasn’t gay for Henry” *NateA: “yes he was”

I like the contrast with Nathan considering Joey humble for not holding a grudge with Henry, but in reality he just stole all his shit and Henry left due to poor work environment

BATIM AU where Henry enters Joey’s apartment at the end and starts smacking him with a copy of this book

Henry is so bland that Joey instantly forgot his face rip

Apparently Abby is only the interim head of the art department. Not the impression I got from DCTL but whatever

not even sure if the archives are canon (probably not) but I wonder if Joey’s habit of visiting art shows factor into it

Assuming he’s not lying (which is a pretty big assumption) Joey made the BG rather than Henry. Makes sense, I don’t think they debuted until after Henry left

Henry: give me credit Joey: anyway Abby was my inspiration

“I half expected that you would be an animated character, not an actual human being” this is either more Joey-is-story-Bendy stuff, or foreshadowing for BATDR

bruh if you think people want an honest-sounding lie instead of a critique you’re not a very good art director

“a small man with a surprisingly low voice came over to talk to him” is a weirdly specific description but I don’t think it’s anyone or else Joey would’ve mentioned it

“I might even argue I don’t even have a subconscious anymore” Joey walks into his board meeting calls everyone a bitch and leaves

I feel like Joey’s reaction to Abby’s sketch is exactly how he reacts to the deformed ink creatures whenever they’re made

Abby’s like me in the “can draw realistically but can’t draw cartoons” corner

Part 4, Chapter 4

"I have excellent control over my emotions” is like, fucking hysterical

Joey spends so much of this book just dragging Henry into the dirt aljfd. we get it you had a bad breakup

“Boris was special” wondering what the hell that means

“Boris came to me in a dream, Alice was a pain in the ass, the Butcher Gang were a mistake”

“Something that wasn’t Bendy. I will never understand that drive” is a pretty clear nod to Henry wanting to be with Linda, which makes for a nice contrast with Joey regretting not having a family of his own

It’s weird, because Joey keeps saying he made Bendy, yet the scene in which he was made clearly shows Henry doing it. Like he didn’t even try to hide it

Part 4, Chapter 5

"I did make a mistake once. I fixed it” the only time Joey has done that in his life, ever

Part 4, Chapter 6

I’m assuming the chapter title is an intentional reference, given that this is a well-known song (not this remix specially, just in general

honestly I kind of love Sammy’s backstory

he blatantly says it wasn’t his birthday a page after he said it was

Jack just like, radiates Good Vibes(TM)

I can see why they’re friends. Jack takes all the attention off of Sammy who really doesn’t want it

see I knew Jack was gay. no straight person dresses like that

Joey has like, a major issue with having the urge to shove people off of high places

no one: Jack:

I’d also like to point out that this is canonically the first time they’ve been confirmed to be friends. This does imply some tension between them, probably because Jack’s need for attention rubs Sammy the wrong way sometimes

Sammy just walked up and made Joey his bitch. iconic

Part 4, Chapter 7

I like how Joey shows them the little animation of Bendy dancing from Chapter 1, nice touch

I have no idea how to take Sammy’s “you need a girl” other than he’s been drinking his respect women juice

Sammy: “maybe I’ll worship a God if you make a good enough one” Joey: “is that a challenge motherfucker”

In terms of characterization:

Henry seems right, nothing else to say there

I know some people have said Jack being an attention whore doesn’t fit with canon, but he mentions needing a quiet place to compose here, so I think he’s just the type of creative who can’t focus with noise and not someone who doesn’t want to be around other people by default. Him brushing off Joey getting their award is a bit more questionable, but I also noticed here that Sammy was the one who dictated if they both took the job (Jack obvs. wanted it but still). I don’t think him wanting attention and him being a pushover are two incompatible ideas.

Sammy is much better here than in DCTL (he’s not being an open bigot, for starters). I do question if he’s being a bit too much of an asshole though. Don’t get me wrong, he is, but I got the impression from BATIM (and the Hot Topic Q&A) that he can be an asshole sometimes, but isn’t 24/7. Seems a hair too aggressive here, especially as he doesn’t have a reason to be pissy. He’s not openly mean like he was in DCTL though, so like I said, it’s better.

[revchainsaw]

The Crow (1994)

Alright Cult of Cult. Do I really need to introduce this one? Let's get all 90s and gothy and maybe brace ourselves for a bit of cringe, but like in a fun way. It's the Holy Grail of Hot Topic, 1994's the Crow Starring Brandon Lee.

Sermon

Apparently before the auto industry totally crashed Detroit was already a total fucked to death pile of burning shit, or at least that's what the crow would have you believe. Sorry Bruce Campbell, and other people from Detroit, but mostly Bruce Campbell. According to the Crow the city of Detroit is the kind of place where gangs of warlock anarchist arsonists will bomb buildings, and murder and rape whoever they feel like and then walk around bragging about it the next day with absolutely zero consequences. Funny then that if Detroit was so bad they had to go to film this movie in Wilmington North Carolina which is definitely a fucked to death pile of burning shit. I can say that, I'm from there and I got the fuck out. My brother is going to kill me if he ever reads this. (It's okay, these are all jokes people). Did you know they also filmed the Super Mario Bros movie there ... also cuz they needed a really shitty looking distopia. Moving on ...

The ludicrous criminality of the Crow's Detroit is particularly on display on Halloween. In Detroit (apparently) Halloween is known as Devils Night and it's legitimately just a night of pure lawlessness and chaos and kids aren't even safe to get candy, except later when we do see trick or treaters. Eric Draven, hunky goth rocker who sort of looks like he could be Bruce Lee's Kid and his fiance are murdered by a gang of vicious criminals. One year hence, Eric is resurrected by a mystical crow (that is actually a Raven), to exact his revenge on the gang that murdered him.

He paints his face like sad Alice Cooper and refuses to listen to Joy Division, just covers. He murders Tin Tin (a knife guy) just for his long gothy duster, he murders Fun Boy and forcibly ejects heroine from her arms and tells her "Go be a good mom now" which actually works. (have I told you about our Lord and Savior Sting? He gave me the strength to get off drugs), he blows T Bird up dick first, and then comes for Skab? Scraap? Scooby? in a meeting of all of Detroits villains and just about kills them all.

He is supported by the most 90s little girl to have ever graced the screen, and I am here for it, and Officer Albrecht, who's played by Ernie Hudson but I like to call him Zeddemore: The Most Underrated Ghostbuster. The leader of the bad guys, who I cannot beleive wasn't played by Brad Dourif or Tom Waits, is pretty interested in the occult. He keeps his witchy girlfriend around and she makes him fun dishes like smoked eyeballs, and her main use is that she knows that the Crow is the Crows weakness. They set Tony Fucking Todd on the bird, and I guess you just have to hurt the bird and not kill it, and Eric loses his healing factor and other macabre undead powers.

The Crow, Jimmy the Raven, pecks out Dr. Girlfriends eyeballs, I honestly forget how Tony Todd gets offed, and Top Dollar gets Gargoyled (that is impaled on a gargoyle). Funnily enough that is more Gargoyle related impaling on screen then in the actual movie Gargoyle: Wings of Darkness where a Gargoyle is supposed to have impaled a guy.

The Benediction

Best Feature: Injustice League

In the Crow we have not only a set of super memorable villains but they are played by the bad guy all stars. John Polito as the most lowly of the bad guys as a kind of sleazy pawn shop owner who buys ill gotten gains. Tony Todd, who's size is really on display here, the freaking Candy Man is in this movie. T Bird is the head of Top Dollars goons and is played by David Patrick Kelly, you might know as the "Warriors Come Out and Play!!" bottle guy from the Warriors, or as Jimmy Horne from Twin Peaks, and of course Top Dollar himself is played by Michael Wincott. Wincott is not a particularly celebrated actor but has played villains effectively in Robin Hood, the Three Musketeers, and Dead Man.

Best Set Piece: Detroit Style Hot Dogs

The Set design of the Crow is perhaps one of it's most fantastic features. It's very moody and ethereal. It's just real enough to not take you out of the film, but fantastic enough to set mood and theme above realism. From Eric Draven's apartment, to the church where the final battle occurs they are all fantastic. I think that's why I really wanted to shine the spot light on a very minor set piece that would get nary a mention but just as effectively represents the qualities I was just talking about and that is the Maxi Doggs Hot Dog Stand, where a lot of the films exposition for audience surrogates takes place.

Worst Effect: Freeze Frame

At a few points in the movie the film makers made a strange decision to do these freeze frame transitions. I only noticed it twice in the movie where it was particularly stupid. I'm sure the film makers at the time thought it was a moody and atmospheric choice that highlighted the suffering that Eric Draven was going through, but it didn't age well. If you don't have the sensibilities of a goth girl from 1994 then it's very very hard not to laugh at just how self involved the movie is about it's super sadness.

Worst Feature: Tragic Accident

Solely based on the film itself, it is that very gothic and dated sensibility that hurts the Crow. The little sarcastic dance he does when he flees the police, quoting Edgar Allen Poe, and bowing to Albrecht. These affected behaviors that I'm sure seemed snarky and right on to the target audience only serve to make Eric Draven seem like an unbearable neck beard edgelord and not the troubled dark soul he's supposed to be. I'm sure at the time it seemed unique and gothy but that shit went out of style for good reason, people could see through it. It's a shame that the Crow himself was some of the cringiest parts of this movie now that I'm seeing it as an adult and not a 13 year old middle class boy with no real problems.

This however is not the low point of the movie. It's not news now and if you're reading some dudes review of The Crow on Tumblr then you probably already know the story. The worst thing about The Crow is that Brandon Lee was horrifically killed on set while filming this movie due to some negligible prop malfunctions. A series of unfortunate events that lead to the actor spending 6 hours in surgery fighting for his life before eventually passing. It was not a quick or painless death and it's really impossible to watch the movie without an appreciation for the fact that this kind of fun dark adventure was going to be a vehicle for Brandon Lee's career wound up taking his life. He was 28. I really wish I could have just bitched about the goofy goth stuff and moved on, but that's not the world we live in.

Best Effect: The Gargoyling

Maybe I should have called this best kill. But I'm not sure which it is. The slaying of Top Dollar at the Climax of the film was just super effective. The pointed wings impaling his chest and that horn coming out of his mouth, it was morbid and excellent and just fit the tone of the movie perfectly. I mean how many other movies can you say Cause of Death: Impaled on a Gargoyle.

Best Bird: The Raven

I tried very hard to look up the name of the bird that primarily performed in this movie and could not find anything. There was a Raven once upon a time called Jimmy the Raven, but that was in the 50s and I don't think birds live that long. There was a team of Ravens performing as the crow, they were chosen over crows for their larger size, and more imposing silhouettes. I just think it's so wonderful to see these often maligned birds get a chance to show off their talents. Corvids of all kinds are incredibly intelligent creatures. Im a sucker for animals, if you haven't already figured that out. I really liked seeing the ravens hit their marks, particularly the one whos job it was to drop the wedding ring into Sarah's hand at the end of the film. You can see that greedy little bastard do his trick and then look of camera at his trainer like "treat please!". It's very cute.

Best Actor: Top Dollar Performance

I'd love to take this opportunity to just put praise upon Brandon Lee, he truly gave everything for this role, but unfortunately with what was put to film we actually have very few character moments with Eric Draven. Stuff happens to him, and he does killings and fights. There's definitely some personality, but I felt like I walked away knowing almost nothing about who Eric Draven was. He was clearly a good dude but that and a few hobbies and a relationship and you don't really have a character yet. He's unfortunately not given a lot of acting to do, instead just relegated to stunts and action sequences. That were notably cool.

The bad guys in the Crow have a lot more character and among this who's who of character actors, Michael Wincott takes the cake. Hell he was standing next to Candyman himself, Tony Todd and still stealing the scenes.

Best Character: A Few Good Apples

Is the best character in The Crow really going to be the cop? The commissioner Gordon stand in? yeah, it is. Not to be political, but I don't like cops, but I guess in a world with magical birds and eyeball smoking I can suspend my disbelief and let Ernie Hudson be #1 cop dad. His character is really the heart of the film, since all Eric can do is brood and fight, we have to care about someone in this movie.

Best Sequence: Halloween Party

The best sequence of the movie is of course the scene where Eric Draven busts in on the Devil's Night party planning commission. I think Top Dollar brought Scrappy Doo there just so he could lure out the crow, knowing the baddest assholes in all of Detroit would be gathered it was likely that somebody was going to kill the beast, or if they couldn't at least Top Dollar could get a feel for his enemy. It's a bullet flying action sequence with a ton of weight. I can't put my finger on this all to common weightless third act problem that big budget super hero and action flicks have nowadays, but whatever that issue is, the Crow does not have that issue. From this point on the Climax feels earned and I am invested. For that reason, The Crow is honestly better in spite of its awkwardness, than many of the super hero movies out today.

Worst Sequence: My Guitar Gently Weeps

Speaking of brooding or fighting. The best sequence was fighting, the worst is brooding. I get that Eric was in a band or something, but didn't he have shit to do. It seemed like it was a cool idea for a shot, but for like a whole seen, watching somebody play an 80s guitar solo, that stood out so brazenly from the choices of music in the rest of the movie was extra corny. It felt like someone's( dad trying to relate to their kid. Oh you like Music. The Dresden Dolls eh? Oh man, then you're going to love Slash's Snake Pit!

Summary

The Crow is dated. It is iconic but I wonder how many of the people that hang that poster on the wall have watched that movie since they were kids. It's interesting how what i've liked and disliked about this film have changed so much sense I was a kid. It's a cheeseball fiesta. If you have matured at all beyond thinking that being sad is the same as being deep then you're going to like it a little less than you did when you were younger, but it is still solid. There's not much to hate on. I'd watch it over and over again. I was really afraid it would not hold up at all, but returning to The Crow was a completely positive experience.

Overall Grade: B

[djemsostylist]

Thoughts on Episode 26 of SCK

In short--I loved it. 

There is a lot I could say about it, and I’m sure most of it has already been said by people far more eloquent than I.  But I haven’t written down my thoughts about an episode in while and if ever there was an episode to talk about, well, this one was certainly it.  

There was a post I saw going around a few weeks ago about how sometimes enjoying a piece of media means viewing it with a measure of grace.  As a critical person by nature, I thought a lot about what that means, and I’ve decided that it means that sometimes, a piece of media may not be perfect, but if the soul is there, that is the only thing that matters. 

So, I think one of the major issues I’ve seen talked about with 26 is that it felt too good.  And to some degree, that makes sense.  Let’s be honest, 22-25 were not very good.  They had great singular moments, but taken as a whole, they were a bit of a mess.  20-21 gave us beautiful set up and direction and forward movement with not only Serkan and Eda as a couple, but as individuals, and that’s even with the contract mess.  But then 22 and 23 came along and we have Eda acting like a brat, intimate scenes that were cute and hot but ultimately a let down since the end result was always an “I love you” from Serkan followed by an -_- face from Eda, and basically no real forward movement with their relationship or character at all.  Add the introduction of one of the worst characters in television, and you kind of had a mess.  And while 24 was better, it still felt weird.  Serkan is acting distant, Eda is acting married, and again, no going anywhere until the last 5 minutes of the episode.  Plus the long awaited BA shows up and it turns out she’s a Disney villain with even thinner motives.  Then there was 25, which I think left most of the fandom feeling empty.  Serkan and Eda are at their very lowest possible point, and all their friends and family don’t seem to care and the amount of Edser scenes was too low to give us enough to not want to rage at the final scene. Plus, dubbed Prince showed up attempting to recreate a plot from Vampire Diaries and welp.  

So in 26, we start with what should be a devastated Eda and Serkan who have no path back to each other.  We were fully expecting another few weeks of breakup and Eda having to chase Serkan and more moping and more sadness and we didn’t get that.  Instead, we start with an Eda who is ready to do whatever it takes to spend as little time away from Serkan as possible and a Serkan who isn’t going to let go.  His plan is brilliant, and it works.  He knows something fishy is going on--despite her words the night before, which certainly hurt, she was also literally in tears and had been for the whole day.  And he knows she loves him.  In a way, his actions at the start of 26 are another brilliant parallel to the beginning of 19--Serkan breaks and decides to tell Eda everything the moment it becomes clear that she might actually move on with her life and he will lose her forever.  Eda breaks at the beginning of 26 when it’s clear Serkan is going to be a cool cucumber about everything and stop chasing her.  (I’m saying they could have probably solved all their issues in 15 if Eda had asked Efe on a date-Serkan would have been on his knees confessing and proposing in 10 min. flat, but I digress.)

No, they don’t have a ton of conversation in this.  There aren’t heartfelt, long dialogs about the wrongs they’ve done and the things they feel.  Frankly, they aren’t necessary.  Serkan has, at this point, said all he needs to say and he couldn’t be clearer.  And while we still haven’t heard Eda say “I love you”, her actions this episode show it, and he knows it, and well, if that end scene isn’t the biggest “I love you” idk what is.   

I was talking with @lolo-deli about the episode and she made an excellent point.  I’ll quote here “Their conversation in hall was short in dialogue but heavy in meaning and implication. In very few words they established: last night was real (and implied to be meaningful), she needs time to work out some complications (he understands what this means, she loves him and the break up was what was not real) and he will both trust her and wait for her without pressuring her AND he's still worried about her (in this case over Seyman which turns out to be a non-factor ama neyse!). That's a lot of important conversation wrapped up in a a 90 sec convo but it fits them because they understand one another very well.”

This is true of their conversation in the conference room after.  They almost go back down the jealousy fight spiral we’ve seen 100 times, but instead, Eda stops herself, Serkan stops himself, and instead of fighting, they talk and both agree they were wrong and acting silly and reaffirm their love and trust for each other.  In fact, both of them verbalize to their friends that they are 100% sure of the other and their feelings--they aren’t threatened by the Prince and B because of their fear of losing the other, but because both of those characters are creepy and dangerous and unhinged.  

I was okay with this episode because we spent 21 episodes watching them grow apart and together--sure the previous episodes were rough, but it was a transitional period.  I’m giving grace--and to quote lolo-deli again  “They trust each other, it's really that simple. We didn't need to have a half hour of conversation to establish that. Just like we don't need to see Eda chasing Serkan for two more episodes to prove she loves him because she does. Also simple. We know and he knows it. He deserved affirmation and he got it, she bloody well proposed marriage.”

And this is how I feel.  26 wasn’t perfect--I still didn’t care for the AAA plot, Thor and Barf need to be gone fast, and BA is kind of a one dimensional villain I want to like more than I do.  Engin and the rest of the friends were better this episode--Serkan and Engin talked for the first time in what feels like forever, Melo and Ceren were excellent support for Eda, and Serkan and Ferit are still on track to becoming the besties I want them to be.  I’m not 100% sure what Eda’s plan is to get around BA, although maybe she decided to take Serkan’s advice from 13 and just let it all burn down around them and they will be stronger together for it.  Honestly, Serkan was back and on fire this episode (and hotter than ever as a result) so maybe she knows that together, it doesn’t matter what BA is gonna do. 

We don’t know what is coming in the next few weeks, or what is left in front of us.  We’ve had a string of disappointing episodes.  But Serkan and Eda have been apart for 11 episodes and they are finally back together and on the same page at the same time for the first time ever in their relationship.  

In closing, I’ll leave you with this.  Regardless of how you feel about 26, Eda Yılız, chronic “leaper before looker” took the time to steal back Serkan’s ring, get together that look, find the world’s most extra ring box, sneak onto Serkan’s private plane, and then recreate their first real moment together (which we were oh so recently reminded of) in order to ask the love of her life to marry her.  And that is beautiful, no matter how many subplots get lost or editing goes bad.  Eda Yıldız asked Serkan Bolat to marry her with a ring with her name inside it on a plane where they first went from “nothing to something”.  Poetry and  parallels and I loved it.  

[yeah-klave]

Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

Summary: Klaus and Dave visit the happiest place on earth.

A/N: Dave-didn’t-die!AU. Pure fluff.

Word length: 1.2k

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything.

*******************************************

“So, what’s the plan then?”

“What makes you think I have a plan?” Dave said lightly, turning to Klaus who was practically vibrating with excitement on the purple plastic seat next to him.

Klaus huffed an exhalation of disbelief, rolling his eyes. “Oh, please, don’t play coy,” he grinned. “I’ve seen you with your charts and your spreadsheets and your maps. Of course you’ve made us a plan. Come on, give it up buttercup!”

Dave grinned. “Okay, yeah,” he admitted, “I have made us a plan.” Dave paused, his eyes flicking over Klaus’ face. “Would it be unforgivable nerdy of me to admit I have a screenshot of an Excel itinerary saved on my phone?”

Klaus looked back at Dave fondly, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth and affection. “Nope,” he said firmly. “Totally on brand. I’m down. Now, come on, let’s see!”

Dave pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up an image of a color-coded grid with times and notes highlighted.

“Well,” he said. “I’ve come up with a rough outline that factors in showtimes, FastPasses and dining reservations, you can see I’ve highlighted these yellow here,” he pointed at the screen. “I’ve also planned a route” he pulled a colorful map out of his pocket, unfolded it in his lap and pointed out a roughly clockwise route, “which is as much of a complete circuit as possible, without too much zipping from one side of the park to the other. It doesn’t look like these places are designed so you can get anywhere quickly!” He paused and referred back to the image on his phone. “I thought we could start by grabbing some breakfast from Main Street Bakery, which is here,” he pointed at the map, “and then head off in this direction and hit up the classics Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain and then I’ve got us FastPasses to ride Splash Mountain mid-morning. Then I think we should head over to Liberty Square, here,” his finger indicated the position on the map, “and go on the Haunted Mansion and the Liberty Square Riverboat. It’s probably going to be about lunchtime by then, so I suggest getting something to eat in Columbia Harbour House – I’ve read their salmon and couscous is great – and then that leaves us all afternoon to do Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. I’ve got us FastPasses for Peter Pan and –”

“Hang on,” Klaus interrupted, “you’ve got us queue jumps for a kid’s ride?”

“Firstly, it’s not a kid’s ride just because it’s slow,” Dave said. “And secondly, I’ve heard the wait time for that ride gets ridiculously long. So yeah, I have.”

“Oh, okay,” Klaus nodded. “So what next?”

“Well, depending on wait times, there’s Barnstormer, Mine Train, it’s a small world… and I’d love to see Mickey’s PhilharMagic, which is this cute, multi-sensory show.”

“That sounds cool,” Klaus agreed, “Yeah, let’s do that.”

“And then in Tomorrowland there’s Space Mountain – I’ve got us FastPasses for that. And Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is an absolute must! Then I’ve got us a reservation at Be Our Guest for dinner, the photos online for that place look spectacular – you can eat in the Beast’s ballroom or even the West Wing. You order your food in one place, take a seat somewhere and then the food gets brought to you as if by magic! Although I think they track you with some kind of GPS rose. Then in the evening there’s the Happily Ever After fireworks – I think we should get a spot in front of the castle to watch them. I mean,” he paused, “there’s also loads more we could do too, and it’s going to depend on wait times and things, but I thought this was a good starting point at least…” He trailed off, pouring again over the map and his itinerary.

Klaus studied Dave’s face. “Hey Dave,” he said gently, taking hold of Dave’s hand, “I’m so lucky to have you.” Dave looked up, smiled and squeezed Klaus’ fingers. For a moment they just gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Just think,” Klaus laughed, “without you I’d have just been pinballing all over the place randomly and probably missing loads!”

“Yeah,” Dave smiled, “but I’m sure you’d still have had a chaotically wonderful time.”

“Only if I was with you,” Klaus said simply, reaching out and booping Dave gently on the nose.

Suddenly overhead a fanfare started playing through the speakers and Klaus twisted in his seat quickly, peering out of the window and desperately trying to catch a first glimpse.

The bus finally pulled up. “Thank you,” they both said as they stepped through the front doors.

“Have a magical day,” they heard, as the doors closed behind them.

As they stepped out of the air conditioning, a wall of hot air hit them.

“How can it be this hot, this early?” Dave pulled at the collar of his tee.

“Dave, we survived the wet heat of the Vietnamese jungle,” Klaus grinned. “We can handle Florida!”

“Yeah,” Dave said, “but I hate to think what this humidity is going to do to our curls.”

“That I’ll give you,” Klaus nodded, scrunching his nose and pulling a face. “Come on,” he took hold of Dave hand again and eagerly pulled him in the direction the other guests were walking.

“Woah,” Dave whistled, “this looks as intense as airport security!”

After having their bags checked, they scanned their MagicBands and fingerprints at the turnstiles and entered the Magic Kingdom park for the very first time.

Hand in hand, they walked under the train station and out into Mainstreet USA. Klaus was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. After another few steps they both stopped and stood in awestruck wonder.

“Woah,” Klaus breathed.

“Yeah,” Dave agreed. “Just, yeah... wow.”

“There it is” Klaus said. He tore his eyes away from Cinderella’s Castle and turned to Dave, his huge, dark-rimmed eyes twinkling. “We’re actually here, Dave. Finally!”

“Yeah,” Dave breathed, looking back at Klaus with pure affection. “It’s even more wonderful than I imagined.”

Their faces split into matching grins. Dave reached out, gently cupped Klaus’ cheek in his large hand and – at eight o’clock in the morning, at the bottom of Main Street USA, looking up towards Cinderella’s Castle, in the Magic Kingdom, the happiest place on earth – Dave leaned forwards and kissed the love of his life.

“What was that for?” Klaus murmured into the space between them.

“Oh, you know,” Dave said quietly, supressing a smile, “all princesses deserve a True Love’s kiss.”

“Oh, you Disney geek!” Klaus grinned, rolling his eyes. “I suppose you think that makes you Prince Charming?” But he pulled Dave towards him and grasped him in a fierce hug, pressing his cheek into Dave’s neck.

When they pulled apart, Dave could see Klaus’ eyes were shining a little.

“Right,” Dave said, his voice firm and determined, “are you ready to have the most magical day of your life?”

Klaus smiled and leaned forwards to rub the tips of their noses together briefly. “Every day with you is magical,” he said, “but let’s have this one in Disney World.”

Then, hand in hand, they turned, took a deep breath that smelled like jasmine and butter popcorn and happiness, and stepped into a magical kingdom of possibilities. Their very own great big beautiful tomorrow.

[dance-your-vision]

DWTS Week 9 - Semifinals

Round 1

Cody & Cheryl

Misstep aside, I actually really appreciated seeing a traditional salsa on the show, since I feel like they’re usually transformed into a character dance based on the theme of the week. Cody seemed to lose some energy towards the end and I was very concerned that his leg wouldn’t catch Cheryl at that last drop because he put it up so late. Over scored again but I did see *some* hip improvement.

Melora & Artem

I knew she would get a deduction for that foot lift immediately, but this was such a lovely performance from Melora. The footwork looked good and I was impressed by the fluidity of her hips and arms. Another solid addition to her dance repertoire.

Suni & Sasha

Wow I really want Suni’s dress, that is a stunning color on her! It makes me so happy to finally see her performing, she’s finally learned to express herself on the dance floor! The performance was full of joy and I continue to be wowed by her gorgeous arms. I didn’t notice any footwork missteps but honestly the joy on her face was where my attention was mostly drawn to.

JoJo & Jenna

Excuse me but that was hot. Like, extremely hot. Fabulous technique aside, my eyes could not be pulled away from the screen. JoJo has an electric performance quality about her that can’t be competed with and I love that for her.

Iman & Daniella

The presentation for this dance was truly stunning. Iman’s frame has absolutely improved and is using his size to properly fill the room. He’s one of the weakest two dancers left, but there’s a likability about him when he dances that I can’t quite put my finger on so I can understand why he’s getting so many votes.

Amanda & Alan

Great technique as usual from her with plenty of attack. She was so close to not getting that lift point deducted too if it weren’t for that last second.

Round 2

Melora & Artem

This was not my favorite of hers in the slightest, I think it had to do with the song. Thunder is a strange choice for a contemporary. Melora is a terrific dancer but this didn’t have the flow or wow factor that’s needed at this point in the competition.

Cody & Cheryl

After JoJo’s Argentine Tango there was no way anyone, much less Cody, could follow. I realize the women generally do more dancing in this style than the men but it really felt like he was being danced around. Not a good look for the semifinals. There were also moments of pause that didn’t connect the dance together well and I truly do not understand why the judges are scoring him so high.

Suni & Sasha

Suni stuns again with her emotions on the dance floor, she’s really come into her own. A typical Sasha contemporary with flips and tricks but I really enjoyed it. That being said, even though I understand the story it’s meant to emulate, I would have liked to see more of them actually dancing together than constantly moving apart.

JoJo & Jenna

If there was any dance style JoJo would excel at, it’s this one, and she did not disappoint. No Derek, it was not the best in the show’s history, but it was nonetheless excellent. There was emotion, power, and excellent storytelling which fully deserved those perfect scores.

Iman & Daniella

Daniella knows her audience very well, if it’s lifts they want it’s lifts they shall receive! I did see a slight stumble like two of the judges did but that performance was still captivating. I do not think it should have received the same score as Suni, but I am still glad Iman is doing well and clearly improving.

Amanda & Alan

I was crying before the performance even started, but that just goes to show what a high functioning empath I am. A stunning performance from Amanda once again, I especially liked the beginning where she danced around Alan trying to get him to join her. Some pros could learn from Alan on how to put more focus on their celebrity partner.

Elimination

I legitimately groaned when Cody was announced as safe, he should not be in the finals!!! My favorite last week went home and my favorite this week went home; I don’t know that I have a preference for the winner anymore as long as it’s not Cody. Lots of love to Melora and Suni, you were both excellent and a joy to watch grow on the dance floor.

[sultanaislammow]

Oriental Selection still has a long way to go

In Yu Minhong's plan, Oriental Selection "will build an excellent agricultural and life industry chain." He mentioned the need to establish a three-dimensional sales platform to serve more Chinese merchants. In addition to HE Tuber  Douyin, this three-dimensional sales platform will also consider other platforms and even build its own platform.

But what is the result? At the end of February this year, Oriental Selection also disclosed its first performance report after the name change. In addition to revenue growth, during the six months of the reporting period, Oriental Selection's GMV (gross merchandise transactions) reached 4.8 billion yuan, of which self-operated products contributed Sales revenue of 1.089 billion yuan, and third-party products generated commission service revenue of 677 million yuan. The two incomes accounted for 85% of the total revenue, while the revenue of the traditional education sector was only 295 million yuan, and the proportion shrank to 14%. The revenue and profits disclosed in the report were lower than market expectations.

At the same time, Oriental Screening CEO Sun Dongxu and CFO Yin Qiang successively reduced their holdings by nearly 5 million shares, cashing out at a high level of nearly HK$280 million. This unexpected reduction directly caused Oriental Screening's stock price to plummet 20% that day.

Tianfeng Securities analyzed this in a research report and stated that the decline in GMV was one of the main reasons for the correction in Oriental Selection’s stock price. In addition, the reduction of holdings by Oriental Selection executives was also the reason for the decline in the stock price. "Recently, Oriental Selection's GMV has averaged between 20 million and 30 million yuan per day, which has dropped significantly from the 40 million to 50 million yuan before the Spring Festival. On the one hand, the reason is due to the off-peak consumption season and offline recovery; on the other hand, On the other hand, due to the impact of the epidemic two years ago, the pace of launching new self-operated products after the new year will be slow.”

In terms of goods, in March this year, Oriental Selection was included in the hot search for "the wild white shrimps sold in Ecuador are actually farmed." Last year, there were precedents of high-priced corn incidents and moldy peaches growing hairy incidents. The control of the supply chain Obviously, Eastern Selection requires continuous improvement. As a company that makes a living by selling agricultural products, apart from the anchor halo and conceptual packaging, only "product power" is the key factor that can help it go further.

Looking back at the stock price of Oriental Selection, it has fallen by about half from its high point in January this year. This reminds Oriental Selection to a certain extent: the temporary hype will eventually pass, and we should continue to think about the possibilities and solutions for our own business development. It is an eternal proposition.

At present, "Oriental Selection Beautiful Life" has undoubtedly supported the performance growth of Oriental Selection, but is this phenomenon sustainable? Where is the next "Oriental Selection Beautiful Life"? How to increase profits while improving product capabilities? Dongfang Selection obviously still has a long way to go in the future.

Oriental Selection has actually understood this, so it has gone further and further on the road of "diversification". On the one hand, it has opened two accounts, "Oriental Selection Official Account" and "Oriental Selection Member", on the WeChat video account, and launched the Oriental Selection Selection WeChat mini program; on the other hand, there are also Oriental Selection flagship stores on Tmall and JD.com. In September last year, Oriental Selection also launched an independent e-commerce APP.

As for Dong Yuhui, his work focus is actually much more than just carrying goods on the main account of "Oriental Selection". Since the beginning of this year, Oriental Selection has launched a new live broadcast format of "live broadcast + cultural tourism" through its matrix account "Oriental Selection Views the World". Dong Yuhui has become the resident anchor. In addition to bringing goods, he has found a new working status. Perhaps, it is not that Dongfang Selection "does not rely on Dong Yuhui", but that Dong Yuhui's personal value is no longer limited to a single field.

Source: Guosen Securities

An excessively high influence weight increases the probability of uncontrollable events. On the one hand, judging from the gender and age distribution data of Oriental Selection fans, there are more women among them, and 24 to 40 years old account for 70% of the total number. Many of them are the well-known "mother-in-law" of Dong Yuhui. The main fan group, their "love" for Dong Yuhui can be seen.

On the other hand, in the past few years, the issue of "head-oriented" anchors has been the focus of the industry, and the de-celebrification of head anchors has also become an industry trend. With the development of Oriental Selection, it is only time to gradually "de-celebrify Dong Yuhui" question.

There are also specific actions to follow. Starting from November last year, Dong Yuhui’s live broadcast time was adjusted from 7-10pm to 7-9pm every night. At the same time, Dong Yuhui’s personal cartoon image was previously on the packaging of Oriental Selection’s self-operated brand Sirloin Steak, but the new packaging has removed the image.

A cruel reality is that no live broadcast room can continue to be popular with one style. By creating an artistic conception of "life is not only about the present, but also poetry and the distance", Dong Yuhui captured the idealistic feelings of the public, but a kind of Audiences will inevitably feel tired after listening to the content for a long time. The recent difficulty in maintaining the 100,000 traffic mark in the Oriental Selection live broadcast room is a side proof.

[grimmseye]

Expectations

Read on Ao3: here!

Fandom: She-ra and the Princesses of Power

Pairings: Entrapta/Hordak

Characters: Entrapta, Hordak, others mentioned

Tags/Warnings: Post-Finale, Hurt/Comfort, Protective Hordak

Prompt from @spiderlondon: "Entrapta starting to feel so much pressure from everyone in her kingdom that she breaks down crying. I could see hordak snarling at her subject and/or hug her to his chest until she calms down some"

Politics had never been Entrapta’s thing. Way back when, her parents programmed a pair of AIs to mimic their own decision making process, and the small nation of Dryl was left to it after their demise. Princess Entrapta had never learned their laws, or the law-making process, or the judiciary system, or really anything that princesses were allegedly supposed to do. There were the bots and there was probably a council of living people to account for those they represented, and Entrapta had never been informed if there was a problem with that. 

Apparently, sometime after joining with the Horde, the AIs had been dismantled. A part of her grieved them, the last pieces of her biological parents. The ones she’d constructed were destroyed in a lab accident years ago, at an age where she’d realized she didn’t need robots to read her stories or carry her to bed and tuck her in at night. At a certain point, their doting had become counterproductive to her projects, and just being able to pace herself as she pleased was best.

That was unrelated to the situation at hand. Extraneous data, things that didn’t need to be considered for this particular conundrum. The problem was that at the end of the almost-end of the world, Princess Entrapta was meant to become the Queen of Dryl. 

Her return from Beast Island came sooner than she appreciated, frankly. She and Hordak had been doing important work in determining what could be salvaged and what needed to be completely and mercilessly destroyed. They had fun, competing to design the most effective form of annihilation, factoring in environmental impact and showmanship. When the others came to visit, they’d take them up to the best viewpoint to watch as a pile of First Ones’ tech was dissolved in flashing, multicolored flames and spiraling rockets that burst in the sky.

And then the message from Dryl arrived.

Hordak was granted temporary leave from his duties, as Entrapta required her lab partner’s presence, no matter how much people grumbled about his tyranny. And besides, he’d never actually seen her original lab. She was sure he’d appreciate the complexity of the Crypto Castle, though perhaps not the inability to navigate it. The Fright Zone, by contrast, had an efficient layout despite its daunting appearance. 

Their ship, reconstructed from salvaged materials and her understanding of Darla, shot over the restored lands of Etheria. Biology wasn’t really her field of interest, but she just may have to take a step into it as she gawked at the creatures below. So many new beasties had woken up with the restoration of magic. The First Ones’ designs especially made her eyes shine, as they were a fascinating splice between the biological and mechanical, which provided all kinds of resources to study with regards to neural integration that could revolutionize prosthetics — 

“ — and it’s really a shame that all of Horde Prime’s data got trashed in the final battle but between you and Kadroh I’m sure I can figure out how you integrated ports into your central nervous system.” As she spoke, Entrapta poked Hordak in the back, in the space between those ports. The skin surrounding them was sensitive, according to him.

Hordak’s brow scrunched. He just tended to do that, whenever Kadroh came up. The whole Wrong Hordak thing hadn’t exactly been well received, but she propped herself up on her pigtails to smooth out the crease with her thumb. “Can I? Study you?” she asked, giving him an enormous grin.

Hordak stared at her, his expression flat but his silence telling. From him, the lack of a no meant that — “I suppose that would be fine. Though I would have thought with as much poking around as you do, you would have already figured that out.” 

“Not at all!” She gushed. “I’ve only collected sufficient data on how they integrate with your armor, but I haven’t even scratched the surface of what it does with your body. Once I figure that out I could make further improvements to your exoskeleton to boost its sensitivity — I really am going to have to start picking up biology at this rate, hmmm.” She drew her feet up, hair forming a cushion under her legs. 

Hordak gave a huff, but she knew he would say something if it actually upset him. 

As the first peaks of Dryl’s mountains came into view, their conversation quieted. Most of the nation was formed from spread-out mining operations, the towns reliant on their dig sites. She vaguely remembered issuing money out wherever a dig produced something new and interesting to study, skimming the details to skip right to the good part before authorizing the transfer. Her bots took care of the rest. 

Her bots had taken care of most things, before she joined the Horde. It had been a rougher transition than she liked to let on, moving into those sprawling halls. 

Entrapta felt Hordak come up beside her at the window, peering down as well. His presence helped soothe her nerves. The Fright Zone had been a home to her, but it only really became that once they started working together. “Tell me about this place,” he said. 

Entrapta faltered. “It’s — well Dryl is one of the smallest kingdoms in Etheria, but we built it right on top of a First Ones’ hot zone! Most of it is ore mining — iron and adamantine and such, but on occasion we’d pull up First Ones’ tech, like that chip that infected Adora’s sword!” 

A smile crossed his face. “That’s why you were so familiar with First Ones’ technology,” he observed. 

“Yep!” She plastered on a smile of her own without real enthusiasm.

The silence stretched out, longer than she thought it was supposed to. Or maybe he was just thinking. It was nothing, probably. She was just getting into a tizzy over nothing. 

Hordak cleared his throat. “What was… growing up here like? I know that the Horde did not take interest in your kingdom until you… fell into our grasp. A critical error on my part, though perhaps one made for the best.” 

Entrapta could recognize his attempt to compliment her and apologize all at once. Hordak was weird like that, but at least he didn’t act other than how he felt. People would say they weren’t upset when they were, and seemed to expect her to figure out the truth. It was nice, having someone who meant what they said, even if she had to dig a bit to find its meaning. 

“Entrapta?”

“Huh?” She blinked, tearing her gaze from the window. 

Hordak was frowning at her. “You didn’t answer the question.” 

“Uhhhh.” As he opened his mouth to repeat himself, she burst out, “Oh right! Yeah, it was great!” And she got to launch into all the intricacies she’d installed in the Crypto Castle, uncertain why he was frowning through it. As the castle itself came into view she squealed her excitement, tugging on Hordak’s arm and pointing, shouting, “There it is, see!” 

She watched him from the corner of her vision, how his frown lingered on her before he slowly turned his gaze to the window. 

The ship banked down, landing rougher than she would like, but all things had their quirks. They were in one piece and that meant flight was a success. She hopped down the ramp, taking in a lungful of the air, the scent of metal and dust tasting of home. 

They’d landed upon the cliffs above her old castle, and Hordak strolled to the edge to look down upon it. “This is an impressive fortress,” he commented, smiling. “Sturdy walls, even from above its navigational system is unintuitive. Excellent design. Where is the way down?”

“Right here!” Entrapta scooped him up with her hair pulling him over the edge of the cliff. He shouted as she cackled, her hair catching in rungs she’d bolted into the cliff, too far apart for any humanoid arm span but perfect for the length of her pigtails. She pushed off the rock to land on the bridge that connected her tower, only to drop again and corkscrew down its support and onto a rooftop. 

She spun Hordak into her arms, dancing him around as she laughed. “That was fun! I haven’t ever brought another person with me!” 

His ears were waggling in the way they did when he was dizzy — recalibrating the bit of the inner ear that handled balance, she was sure. “Warn me, next time,” he snapped. Even when he got short with her, he didn’t shout and roar like he used to. Softening, Hordak looked aside and added, “But yes. It was. Fun.” 

She cackled and took his hand. “Let me show you around!” Her hair grabbed a hatch in the roof to pull it open and swing them inside, another lock grabbing her pad to pull up a map of the labyrinth. There was so much he had to see. 

Her old lab was in a sorry state. Entrapta had almost completely cleaned it out when she was moving into the Fright Zone, and now she had to frown at the disconcerting sight of an uncluttered workbench. 

“This is way more disappointing than I thought,” she stated, hands on her hips. Her voice rose into a loud groan, lamenting, “I wanted to show you my cool lab!” 

When she sighed and looked at him, she found his eyebrows raised. Entrapta gave a bashful laugh. “When I heard your lab was called your sanctum, I thought it was classy.” She rubs the toe of her boot on the ground, smiling up at him with a blush. Truth be told, she’d gotten a little bit of a crush on him the same day she’d entered his lab. He called it a sanctum and hoarded tech and knowledge of the likes she’d never dreamed of, it was impossible not to get the butterflies. 

It makes him smile, a hand lifting. “I am certain that —” 

A sharp blip! Interrupts him. The smile vanishes, turning to glower at her pad. Entrapta taps the notification, pulling up a video of a balding man in a spiffy-looking suit. 

“Your highness!” The man exclaimed. She saw his eyes flit, how he gave a start when he noticed Hordak at her side. “And — and — o-oh my.” 

Hordak growled until Entrapta pushed him away with her hair. “Hello!” She chirped. “Who are you?”

“I — you don’t —?” He frowned, then shook his head. “Nevermind. I am councilman Wren!” 

“Uh-huh.”

“I… am the head of the Council of Dryl?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I and the other council members are meant to have a meeting with you, today.”

“Uh-huh.” 

“... Could you tell us how to get inside?”

Entrapta gasped. “Oh!” She clapped her hands, squeaking in delight when one of the dusty bots animated. “Go show them inside. Bring them here! No! Bring them to the dining room! Do we have a dining room?” The bot nodded. “Bring them to the dining room! And then bring tiny snacks! From the ship!” 

“Your Highness —” 

She closed the video feed.

For a long moment, Entrapta stared at the black screen. Then she realized she was being stared at, and looked up to see Hordak’s red eyes fixed on her. 

Feeling self-conscious, she hunched her shoulders up. “What?”

Hordak blinked. “Nothing,” he claimed. Then, pausing, corrected, “It is strange to hear them address you in that way.” When Entrapta only cocked her head, he said, “Your Highness. At times I forget…” 

“That I’m a princess?” Her mood plummeted. “I’m not, really. It’s just a title.” 

She hugged herself with one arm, holding onto her own bicep as she shuffled out of the room, the pad guiding them to the dining room she apparently had. Behind her, Hordak stammered through several false starts, never getting more than a word out. 

Entrapta didn’t recognize any of these people. Not their faces, not their names. They all bowed and offered a hand, and only stared at her when she gave them a lock of hair. Bow had kissed it, she remembered, with a pang of first intense fondness and then disappointment. She wished her friends were here. Not because Hordak wasn’t enough, but because the others made it better. 

They sat around a rectangular dining table, as the bots brought out the tiny cupcakes and fizzy drinks she’d stored in the ship. Not a single member of the council touched their food, and even though she had no qualms with popping the sweets into her mouth and lounging in her seat, she couldn’t shake the distinct sensation that she was doing something wrong. 

They’d been droning on about something for way too long. She’d broken out her tool kit to start fixing up the bot’s blinky eye, mask snapped over her face and hair bristling with tools. These old things were charmingly dated compared to what she’d been working with. Not obsolete, she only scrapped things when they could no longer go on, just adorably simple in their design. Hordak had introduced her to a world of new ideas, one that was only expanding with each day — 

“Princess Entrapta!” 

The sudden snap made her jerk upwards, yelping as she rapped her knuckles against the metal eye socket. 

She looked up, searching for the speaker but only finding Hordak glaring across the table. “Lower. Your. Voice,” He growled, and Entrapta found Councilman Spanner shrinking in his chair. In a steadier tone, Hordak looked to her, asking, “Princess Entrapta, what are your thoughts regarding the deconstruction of Horde Prime’s spire in Dryl?”

The title gave her pause. He never used her title that way. A derogatory princess at times — though these days it was teasing — but the sound Princess Entrapta was alien in his voice. She kind of liked it. And she really liked him. 

She curled a lock of hair around his ankle, squeezing it in thanks. “The spire, right!” She chirped. “We are absolutely gonna salvage everything we can. First Ones’ tech is advanced but what Prime was using exceeds even their sophisticated designs. The code they were working with was practically a living creature, it was constantly adapting itself, building and breaking its defenses to an almost unpredictable degree, but as you know true randomness cannot be achieved by —” 

“Anyway,” Councilwoman — Bradawl? — Bradawl cut her off, leaving Entrapta to deflate. “Who are you placing in charge of this project? Who are they hiring? How will they be paid? What precautions should they be taking?” 

“Uh — uhm,” Entrapta raised a hand, but another voice piped up. 

“In addition to that,” Councilwoman Pliyer stood up, hands planted on the table, “What of the towns that were destroyed in Prime’s attack? The refugees in the cities? All of our most critical mines were commandeered in the attack and may be too dangerous to allow citizens to return to work, how do you intend to restore them to functionality?”

“I’m — hold on —” 

“We cannot hold on, Your Highness.” It was Councilman Wren again, voice nervous as he wrung his hands. “I understand you are not suited to this job but the unfortunate fact remains that you are the only heir to the throne of Dryl and without the programs the former king and queen left behind, their responsibilities fall to you.” 

A cold chill poured under her skin. Entrapta hugged herself, hands rubbing up and down her own arms. 

“Your Highness,” Bradawl said, “If I may be frank?” She stared at Entrapta, waiting until she got a nod. “You have not made the best decisions for Dryl in the past —” Her eyes spanned to Hordak, “ — and your citizens lack faith in you. I believe that you must focus on rebuilding your image, while we make sure the cogs are turning smoothly.” She let the words settle.

Entrapta didn’t know what she’d expected to get out of this. She slumped into her seat, staring at her knees. Her nails bit into her skin, dragging scratches up and down her biceps. 

“With all due respect, Princess, I would recommend that you cede these decision-making promises to us — your council — and that you fulfill your duty as the figurehead of Dryl.” Bradawl was smiling, now, voice smooth as silk. “After all, it is hardly as though you were their ruler in the past. There is no need for us to throw Dryl into further turmoil —” 

“That is enough!” 

Hordak was on his feet, slamming his hands down on the table. The council silenced, all eyes on him. Even Entrapta stared. His image was blurred by tears she was barely holding back, but she could see him shaking, the snarl of his teeth, ears pinned back in fury. “Shut your pathetic mouths at once,” he spat. “If I hear another word from you I just may elect to put your tongues to better use as slop for the worms! You. Will. Not disrespect Princess Entrapta in this way. Now be silent, and remove yourselves from her castle at once.” 

There was quiet. Then, Spanner squeaked, “But what of Dryl —” 

Hordak roared and smashed his hand into the table. His claws tore through its cloth and into the wood, splintering around his fingers. The man went pale as the others scrambled to their feet, making a hasty exit without so much as a bot to guide them. 

“Send your requests by message. I see no need for Her Highness to endure the sickness of hearing your voice.” Looming over Spanner, Hordak sent him one scampering for the door. He remained poised over the table — over her — breathing hard and growling with every breath. 

Entrapta burst into tears. 

It welled up too quickly for her to stop, the tears pouring down her face and sobs hitching in her throat. Hordak was there in an instant, snarling violence replaced with a gentle yet faltering voice. “En… Entrapta.” 

Embarrassment flushed her skin, and she reached up to pull her mask over her face. Delicate fingers stopped her, before Hordak spoke again, sounding more certain: “May I hold you?” 

She had to consider it before nodding. Touch was good today. He lifted her into his arms and sank into the chair, holding her in his lap. His claws combed through her hair, awkward at first but gaining a smoother rhythm. 

“Do you…” He trailed off. “Want soup?” 

It caught her so off guard that Entrapta started snort-laughing through her tears. His face went red, ears leveling, his face caught in such goofy embarrassment that she could only laugh harder. 

“You said it makes you feel better!” He growled, defensive. Even the fingers in her hair felt petulant. 

Entrapta sniffed, then pressed a kiss to his cheek. “It does, thank you,” she smiled. It crumpled in an instant, the good feelings draining away. “I’m just — they’re right, though.” 

“How are they right?” Hordak glowered at the door they’d run through. “Nothing they said indicated they possessed the brain cells required for critical thought.”

“I’m really not meant for this,” she said. Entrapta arranged herself more comfortably, sitting sideways across his lap, her temple leaned into his shoulder. “I didn’t learn how to be a princess. I’m just going to mess everything up if I try. And I don’t —!” She sat upright, stopped, and slumped against him again. Quieter, she finished, “I don’t even want to do this. I don’t know why I’m all in a tizzy about it.” 

“They were disrespectful,” Hordak insisted. “If ruling is not a position you want, we can figure it out together. Perhaps with… the other princesses.” It came out begrudgingly, and she had to smile. She knew he still felt strange around them. Hordak sighed, then nuzzled into her hair. “We will figure it out. But anyone who attempts to undermine you will be crushed. … In a nonlethal manner.” 

The disappointment in his voice made her break into giggles. She slid her arms around his shoulders, content to just be held for a little while longer. They would figure it out together in time. That was what lab partners were for. 

[tysukis]

Hi, first(?) AU anon here. I will absolutely dive down this rabbit hole with you. I went a little overboard (sorry?). I absolutely agree with you on your Zuko take. I think we all kind of land there naturally. But I also think that Zuko would latch onto stability the moment he realized he had it. So this is kind of how I see it going down:

I think the band Sokka is part of would be solid. Just a local hit, right? But Sokka is the plans guy, and the aspirations guy, and they can do *so much better*. I 100% do not know how real life musicians work so add a pinch of salt here, but he would absolutely land them a gig as openers to a mediocre niche headliner just by sheer power of phone calls and charm. (He scripted it as much as possible, we all remember how that canon speech went when he winged it, but he knows how to put words together when he has time).

And yeah I love the idea of Zuko being an academic. I'm assuming Ozai is out of the picture for this, and the boy gets to pursue his passions instead of an expectation. Unfortunately, you mix in passion and the general anxiety of a kid who lived under intense scrutiny and you get an adult who gets tunnel vision during spring finals/prep for a conference/etc. So he doesn't quite rise to the occasion when his boyfriend drops this life changing news, he's proud but distracted, and he's already so bad at words in comparison to Sokka that it's just. Lackluster. And he probably meant to meet them at the bar/house party to celebrate after he got home but he's sleep deprived and his phone is dead because he's a disaster sometimes.

So now you've got Sokka stewing on immediate events, and being a little heartbroken because he went all out every time Zuko accomplished *anything*, even if it wasn't super impressive to Zuko himself. And maybe there's a bit of Zuko assuming Sokka doesn't need that reciprocated. He just doesn't vocalize his important needs, so Zuko assumes they're being met, you know? I like the drama of a blown up confrontation but also the idea that Sokka just confronts him sounding hurt and so damn tired of being the emotional one for that long.

But on the other side you have Zuko with his internalized plan that this is his forever person, and he does go to almost every performance even if they don't play his preferred music. And he assumes Sokka is satisfied with this. Maybe because Zuko can't imagine being happier than near his family - the good ones anyway - or because he genuinely thinks Sokka and the band are happy with being local celebrities and leaving it at that. So he plans for permanence. Because he is still a disaster, Zuko probably never vocalized this beyond doing window shopping for apartments or something. Vague jokes about a wedding that Sokka laughs at/agrees with and Zuko interprets as, "Yes I am also thinking about being here with you forever." He's not the wordsmith, he's the pragmatist and love means house shopping and snuggling over takeout and planning trips to visit their distant family together, right? Sokka's confrontation blindsided him, because he thought they were on the same page, and Sokka didn't have to leave to keep playing music, why is that even a thing??

They're both justified in being jaded because they're dumb as hell (affectionate). This isn't an AU for two grown ass men who have put in therapy time, they're both young and full of their own understanding with poor communication skills.

musician au anon!!! hello welcome back thank you so much for this incredible ask, let’s GO

(I’m gonna pop this one under a read more because otherwise this post will be eight miles long lmao)

Honestly I’m wracking my brain with what I can possibly add to this because you’ve got like. A fully fledged outline here my dude and it’s a good one. Do you write? Because you should, if you don’t. I still love the alternative take of Sokka being the one to leave and honestly this pretty much cements how much potential it has. I absolutely adore how you’ve thought about just how the communication would break down between them - and you’re completely bang on the money with it as well. Zuko is fully a hot disaster and would completely just assume Sokka’s needs are being met if he isn’t vocalising them, and we know Sokka, he’s a complainer but when it really comes down to those he loves - he’s known for being pretty selfless and for putting up brave faces. I can totally see Sokka perhaps almost feeling a bit self conscious about how hurt he is by Zuko’s lack of enthusiasm. Because Zuko loves him, right? And it’s just one show, right? So maybe he’s just overreacting, right? Or maybe he’s actually not even that good. Oh no, maybe Zuko hates his music and is just waiting for the right time to break it to him gently. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I think I might have already said it at some point tonight but Sokka would absolutely spiral until he convinces himself that him leaving would be nothing more than simply just leaving before he gets left. And like you said: Zuko  is out here planning a whole future assuming that they’re on the same page, meanwhile he has no idea.

I totally buy Sokka winging his way into a supporting act spot using his charm and charisma, and yeah his speech in canon didn’t go too well but this could likely be over the phone to only one person which would probably make it easier. I was thinking about how Sokka performing would work in conjuncture with his canon almost stage fright/fear of public speaking - and I’m leaning towards the hc that he embodies a sort of persona in front of large crowds and he’s able to let that take over and act casually and confidently no matter the audience.  (source: I am someone who studied acting and excelled in public speaking most of her life despite having a chronic anxiety disorder - playing parts and speaking on stage didn’t feel like ‘me’ because I was always channeling a character either fictional or an alternative version of myself. It works, folks.)

Are we thinking he broke away from the band and went on to succeed in a solo career? As in, he felt being local heroes was a limited pathway? Or did they all go together? Who else would be in it I wonder.

I LOVE your interpretation of Zuko and how the factors under which he was raised would shape him, especially in a modern setting. He would absolutely go into tunnel vision and that perfectionist mindset he was essentially forced into as a kid would probably be alive and well into adulthood. (And yeah, these aren’t men who have been to therapy - yet! - so we’re probably gonna assume that Zuko views this as a Perfectly Normal And Healthy Way To Live And Not At All A Trauma/Survival Response.)

I’m assuming this confrontation is what leads to their break up and then Sokka going off to pursue music further? I wonder, even all their other issues aside, what Zuko thinks about him travelling so far? As you said, we’re operating under the assumption that he doesn’t understand why Sokka couldn’t continue music and stay local. Even if things were perfect between the two, I imagine they still might not see eye to eye on that, which of course would just be another breaking point for them to tack onto the list.

As for their eventual reconciliation, Kaleigh @zukkau with her gigantic brain, said earlier that Sokka being the one to leave could also tie into a whole ‘I couldn’t ask you to uproot your whole life for me’ anxiety (especially if we’re painting zuko as a bit of a homebody here; hates change, likes routine) and that sets up perfectly for a “I would go anywhere for/with you” moment. All this to say that I think that would slot into this (^) narrative nicely.

If you have (or anyone has) anything more to add or touch on I would absolutely love to hear it, I am now fully in love with this AU and all messages and mentions of it are permanently welcome in my inbox and DMs <3