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[marvelsgirl616]

👀😏

[archeryicons]

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[notebookqueenofnarnia]

Okay Demigods

now that Season 2 has been confirmed (!!!!!!!!!!) I am here to make my official appeal that you ALL read the books. and yes...i mean ALL the books. Because here is what you are missing if you don't:

(mostly spoiler free. mostly vibes and chaotic no context)

OG PERCY JACKSON

Percy's INCREDIBLE sarcasm

Lots of chaotic Mr. D moments

Percy's unending absolute obliviousness when it comes to: his own abilities/powers, his own feelings towards a certain daughter of Athena, and EVERYONE'S feelings towards him

the full list of Percy's felonies (it's longer than you think!)

how much Percy thinks about Annabeth, especially in the third book

The Hunters of Artemis (everyone's like 'which godly parent would you have?' but im like ??? who cares??? I'm running off with the girls to immortal to hunt men i mean monsters)

soooooooooo much Sally Jackson is the Best Mom (to everyone who walks through her door) content

BLACKJACK. TRANS ICON BLACKJACK THE PEGASUS.

Rachel. Elizabeth. Dare. (this is how the audiobook says her name every single time)

Paul Blofis

Sally Jackson, author

Poseidon: Blowfish?

HEROES OF OLYMPUS

If you don't read these books you are missing out on some of the coolest female characters Rick has created: PIPER (an iconic), HAZEL (unintentionally hilarious), REYNA (beautiful character arc), and ANNABETH's point of view will have you loving her on a whole other level, trust me

Also: COACH HEDGE

Leo

All The Ladies Love Leo

the audiobooks are INSANE. It felt like a full cast read the book, but no. it was just one insanely talented narrator.

FESTUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (im a dragon girlie)

Personally, I spent a lot of time reading the OG 5 wondering about how Roman mythology plays into Percy's world. Uncle Rick answered my questions and answered them SO WELL

Hazel the horse girl

Frank the horsebirddolphinman

Frank, gentle himbo, my beloved son

MY FAVORITE SCENE WHICH INVOLVES PERCY NOT KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE, A HARPY, FRANK, AND HAZEL AND THEYRE ALL SCREAMING AND IM PRETTY SURE STUFF IS ON FIRE

Forced Proximity for 7 teenagers and one chaotically violent satyr (that's Coach Hedge)

Eros/Cupid being one the most genius things Rick's ever written

Percy's hate of Ares transcending god magic

(also his love of Annabeth, but that's like obvious)

PercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabe

weird barely gnome things

this one giant whose name is definitely not pronounced like female anatomy

everyone thinking Percy and Annabeth are constantly getting up to the hanky panky

a statue made me cry

Gay Grumpy/Sunshine (or should that be Death/Sunshine) origins!!

TRIALS OF APOLLO

Apollo, vain himbo of godly proportions is forced to live as Lester Papadopoulos

Percy: why

a very chaotic twelve year old daughter of Demeter

she commands Apollo around

plant magic

terrible great haikus at the start of every chapter

Sally Jackson being the best mom to everyone who comes to her door

magic shoes

a sassy magic prophetic arrow that talks in Shakespearean English

so much gay grumpydeath/sunshine content

also yes sunshine's dad is Apollo

Apollo sings

Grover! Piper! Reyna! Hazel! All the friends! Everyone

Jason! (also im sorry)

what if there were some trees who were an elite squad of warriors who also answer to the chaotic twelve year old

gay moms of the midwest

unicorns

in the last book, chiron takes the campers on a 'field trip' to help take down the big baddie and he shows up dressed as a warrior soccer mom with granola bars, water bottles, and extra swords attached to his fanny pack

a different chaotic twelve year old while fighting to the death in a building that's on fire: "CAN WE GO ON FIELD TRIPS EVERY WEEK?"

chiron: "ROSE DEAR RAISE YOUR SWORD A LITTLE HIGHER!"

okay im not going to spoil it but in the last book there is also this extremely horrifyingly violent moment that Uncle Rick somehow turns into one of the most hilarious things i've ever read

Piper in the epilogue

CHALICE OF THE GODS

more insanely funny percy first person narration

Grover, Percy, Annabeth reunite ("the gang is back together!" "The three musketeers!" "Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey!" "Excuse me?")

have you met the god of himbos? (Percy has)

SO

MANY

EASTER

EGGS

for Season one. you can totally see how Uncle Rick worked on the script and chalice together

if you liked Annabeth shoving Percy into the water....this one is for you

Percy, supreme god of snakes

the cutest cutest cutest cutest Percabeth content you will ever read

hippie gods (yes more than one)

Percy is literally obsessed with Annabeth

Annabeth already being the Jackson daughter in law

Sally Jackson and Paul and

For the record: You CAN read Chalice of the Gods without reading the other series, but please please please read all these books. The audiobooks are phenomenal.

[blueiscoool]

Restored 'Apollo Belvedere' Marble Statue Back in the Vatican

The Vatican Museums on Tuesday unveiled the restoration of the celebrated second-century "Apollo Belvedere" sculpture following five years of work.

Once considered to epitomise classical Western ideals of beauty, the 2.24-metre-high (seven-feet-tall) marble statue shows the Greek god of medicine and poetry in motion, his left arm having just let fly an arrow from his bow.

Its around 260,000-euro ($280,000) restoration aimed to fix serious structural defects detected late in 2019, the restorers said.

Those notably included fragilities in the legs and an overall lack of balance in the structure, they told a press conference.

Thanks to the introduction of a carbon-fibre rod fixed to the back of the base, the "Apollo Belvedere" was successfully stabilised and presented to public applause at the Vatican's Pio-Clementine Museum.

The most difficult thing was "not to touch anything on the sculpture" and avoid having to move and dismantle it, the restoration workshop's head Guy Devreux told AFP.

"We found this new system, which is a dynamic structural system based on the use of carbon fibre… and which, used in the right way, can give extraordinary results," he added.

For the Vatican Museums' director Barbara Jatta, "the main challenge was to have the courage to close access to such an important icon for our museums".

Discovered in 1489 among the ruins of an ancient Roman house, the "Apollo Belvedere" was brought to the Vatican by Pope Julius II.

Besides the carbon-fibre rod, the restorers also replaced the statue's left hand with a cast taken from a fragment of a plaster copy of the original Greek statue made in Roman times.

The "Apollo Belvedere" is in fact considered to be a marble copy of a bronze from around 330 BC attributed to Leochares, one of the foremost sculptors of his time.

[aangarchy]

Alright. I've rewatched the trailer like 20 times by now and i've been processing it.

First things first: anyone that's gonna talk shit about Gordon Cormier is gonna have to go through me first. I've only had Gordon!Aang for a day and a half and if anything happens to him i'll kill everyone here and then myself got it?

Just look at him! This is the exact big eared cute little kid i wanted them to cast for Aang. He looks adorable and honestly his outfit is growing on me.

The glowing arrow looked cool as hell. I like that the light spread through his tattoo almost like veins. I'm still curious on how the full avatar state is gonna look, how they're gonna get the glowing eye effect. Please don't let it look goofy.

Y'know what does look goofy?

Is it better than the m night shyamalan appa? I guess. Does that mean it looks good? Well.... at least momo sort of looks cute instead of some folklore nightmare like in shyamalan's version. But also you can tell in this shot in particular that it's very green screen-y

Then we go over to the bending, the limited shots we have of it. Mainly firebending was shown (a little airbending too but kinda hard to get a stillframe for that one)

Idk how to feel about it. In screenshots it looks alright but the shots while they were moving looked a bit off, especially the one where zuko's kicking. We only got very limited shots and that's intentional. I feel like the bigger cgi fails are gonna show up once we get the full show. If the bending looked good all the time i feel like they'd be showing it off by now.

What i don't like, is how apparently they're gonna SHOW Zuko getting burned. Like sure in atla they didn't bc kids show and Nickelodeon wouldn't allow it, and netflix can take darker turns if they so please. But i personally always felt that scene made so much impact because we didn't see it. Iroh is telling it from his memory and he didn't look when it happened, so we don't see it either. It's like a courtesy the show extends to both Zuko and the audience. We just hear the harrowing scream, and that's enough to know how devastating it is. I don't need a dramatic overlook so we can see the whole thing in detail, netflix.

Another thing is the hair in some scenes.

Daniel dae kim looked better in that promo photo, bc here you can just see how the bulky goatie was glued on. And then Sokka's hair..... where's the ponytail? It's laying completely flat against his head... why? Is it bc that's Ian's hair and they didn't know what to do with it? Literally get a comb and tease that bitch. This is like the complete opposite of Jackson Rathbone's hair in the shyamalan version, and somehow that full maybelline ponytail makes more sense than this sad excuse of a tail. Either way at least Suki looked dope.

Another thing i found weird about the trailer is the narration. I think it's either Iroh's voice or maybe Gyatso's? (I haven't heard Iroh's actor talk yet so idk, but it felt like it was being said TO either Aang or Zuko) but the lines they gave him... it felt like some weird mumbo jumbo tbh. Something something about the past and present being the same and it's up to us to know the difference and be the difference? It's saying everything and nothing at the same time and it felt kind of out of place. They're probably saving the iconic opening narration done by Katara for the full trailer (i hope???) but still they could have just gone with music, or maybe just a few iconic existing lines?

The music? Fire. Nothing needs to be added there. Was i kind of hoping for a different soundtrack? Maybe a bit. But am i mad? Not at all. They clearly took the nostalgia route with the more epic version of the avatar theme, and i can only respect them for that.

So far, very mixed reviews for me. I'm morbidly curious and very nosy by nature though, so i'm absolutely watching.

[youngfcs]

— Poppy Drayton | The Rising Hawk gif pack.

By clicking the source link or [ THIS LINK ], you’ll find #117 gifs of Poppy Drayton (1991) in the movie The Rising Hawk (2019). Poppy was born in England, UK and is of English descent, so please cast accordingly. All made by me from scratch, so please, don’t repost or claim them as your own! You can use them in editions, or crackships, but please credit me (@youngfcs). If using, like or reblog ❗

[ ! ] TW: arrow, archery, wounds, bruises, sword, war, fight, blood, hatchet, food, kissing, death.

[ Don’t include them in any gif hunt, don’t crop these into gif icons without my permission, don’t use them in any smut threads/rps or for taboo roleplays and don’t use to rp the celebrity itself ]

[batmannotes]

The Epic Saga Concludes with Part Three of the Highly Anticipated Trilogy!

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three   

Based on DC’s iconic comic book limited series ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, join DC Super Heroes from across the multiverse in the action-packed conclusion of the three-part DC animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three. The eagerly awaited film brings to a close the thrilling trilogy that marks the end to the Tomorrowverse story arc.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the all-new, action-packed DC animated film features some of DC’s most famous Super Heroes from multiple universes including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, who come together to stop an impending threat of doom and destruction. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available to purchase exclusively on digital on July 16 and on 4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray on July 23.

Fans of this superhero adventure will also be able to indulge in a range of bonus features including interviews with the filmmakers on how they created a comprehensive universe across seven films.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two are currently available on Digital, 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three features returning popular voice cast members: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Boys, The Winchesters) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Emmy winner Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Glee) as Superman & Earth-2 Superman, Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, Black Adam) as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Meg Donnelly (Legion of Super-Heroes, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,) as Supergirl & Harbinger, and Stana Katic (Castle, Absentia) as Wonder Woman & Superwoman, along with Corey Stoll (Ant-Man, Black Mass) as Lex Luthor.

The star-studded ensemble voice cast also includes Gideon Adlon as Batgirl, Ike Amadi as Martian Manhunter/J’Onn J’Onzz, Geoffrey Arend as Psycho Pirate/Charles Halstead, Troy Baker as The Joker & Spider Guild Lantern, Brian Bloom as Adam Strange & Sidewinder, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Ashly Burch as Nightshade & Queen Mera, Zach Callison as Earth-2 Robin & Robin/Damian Wayne, Kevin Conroy as Earth-12 Batman, Alexandra Daddario as Lois Lane, Brett Dalton as Bat Lash & Captain Atom, John Dimaggio as Lobo, Ato Essandoh as Mr. Terrific, Keith Ferguson as Doctor Fate & Two-Face, Will Friedle as Batman Beyond & Kamandi, Jennifer Hale as Hippolyta & Green Lantern Aya, Mark Hamill as Earth-12 The Joker, Jamie Gray Hyder as Hawkgirl & Young Diana, Erika Ishii as Doctor Light/Dr. Hoshi & Huntress, David Kaye as The Question & Cardonian Lantern, Matt Lanter as Blue Beetle, Liam McIntryre as Aquaman, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Dr. Beth Chapel & The Cheetah, Lou Diamond Phillips as The Spectre, Elysia Rotaru as Black Canary & Black Canary II, Matt Ryan as Constantine, Katee Sackhoff as Poison Ivy, Keesha Sharp as Vixen, Jimmi Simpson as Green Arrow, Jason Spisak as Blue Lantern Razer & Hayseed, Armen Taylor as The Flash/Jay Garrick, Gas Soldier & Executioner, and Dean Winters as Captain Storm.

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three is produced by Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau and executive produced by Butch Lukic, Sam Register, and Michael Uslan. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester from a script by Jim Krieg. Casting and voice direction is by Wes Gleason. The film is based on characters from DC and the graphic novel “Crisis on Infinite Earths” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. On July 23 the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray Discs online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.

Additionally, the Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more, and features an exclusive special feature - An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation.

SYNOPSIS:

Now fully revealed as the ultimate threat to existence, the ANTI-MONITOR wages an unrelenting attack on the surviving Earths that struggle for survival in a pocket universe. One-by-one, these worlds and all their inhabitants are vaporized! On the planets that remain, even time itself is shattered and heroes from the past join the Justice League and their rag-tag allies against the epitome of evil. But as they make their last stand, will the sacrifice of the superheroes be enough to save us all?​

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three - Physical and Digital

A Multiverse of Inspiration

Jon and John: Stewart and Constantine

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy (Digital only)

An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation

Running Time: 98:06

Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.

*Digital version not available in Canada

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray arriving on July 23

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy Also      

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

Preorder at Amazon.

[cosmiiqueer]

replaying mcsm!

i havent touched this game in about 3 years and now im going back through it because i have terrible terrible brainrot

ep 1

-i still had the opening narration memorized oh my god

-THE OLD MINECRAFT TEXTURES DISTRACTED ME SO MUCH absdfkhsh i kept being like :0 old cobblestone texture! when i was supposed to be making choices

-the original oots are all so goofy

-REUBEN, ,, ,, gently holds. baby. protect baby at all costs.

-petra and lukas and their whole thing still make me so insane

-the animation has some really nice little details that i don't remember ever paying attention to before, like jesse's wooden sword breaking in half before poofing. it's a nice blend of minecraft logic and irl logic i think.

-also girl i KNOW you have the materials for a stone sword! you cannot convince me that wooden sword is your best option

-i played mcsm on a tablet in ye olde days, and even though i have played it on a computer before, im not fucking good at it !!! kept almost missing or fully missing arrows and embarrassing myself lmao

-i forgot how unnecessarily STACKED the va cast is like. matt mercer how did you get here

-i love ivor i love ivor so much he is so dramatic

-"ashley johnson sounds like she's trying really hard to sound cool" -my partner. ohhhh he's right. she does.

-i don't actually ship jesstra (kind of over shipping in general) but jesse having a huge dumbass crush on petra is a headcanon i still enjoy. she's silly.

-yes i always play as fem jesse i simply cannot handle oswald's voice for long stretches of time

-I LOVE THE MUSIC SO MUCH, ,, I REALLY MISSED IT. it's so GOOD. i love how many characters and things have their distinct themes, i love how it sounds similar to minecraft music, i'm just literally obsessed with it. ep 1 alone doesn't really have tracks that i go specifically insane over (thats more in s2) but boy does it have some iconic ones. like look me in the eyes and tell me ivor's theme isn't iconic. you can't.

-like i forgot how melancholic the order's temple track is?? that one gave me the most intense 'im still fourteen playing this game for the first time' feeling that i really wasn't expecting

-who in the ocelots had the legit redstone knowledge to make a working rainbow beacon. which one. i need to know.

-truly love the moment of lukas being like "if you're cool with petra, you're cool with us :D" while the other three are standing behind him, VISIBLY not cool with you. peak comedy.

-axel and olivia are the funniest bitches here. some of the jokes fall pretty flat but they definitely have the most lines that do make me laugh

-lukas and axel are such highschool mean girls to each other. calm down.

-heading to Boomtown because i literally don't remember a thing about it lmao

-i still love this game a lot. i stopped hyperfixating on it around 2019-2020, and replaying it back in 2021 didn't rekindle the intense interest i used to have in it. but god, i missed it a lot. i think it's really fun to rediscover something you used to love so much and i'm looking forward to continuing when i have time

[tparker48]

(Got a lengthy one for ya. This one took a lot longer than expected, but wanted to make it extra special for you all. I hope you all enjoy ^w^)

It's been almost a year since James was freed from the bonds of graduating from his community college. After walking upon the stage with his diploma in hand, he thought that would be the end of his educating adventures. But he couldn't be more wrong, finding himself sidelined by his dream job due to lack of experience. A college degree in arts was one thing he had under his belt, and to get more he needed funds to keep him afloat for the upcoming year in the fall. He scoured the web for scholarships, eyeballing the postal pillars for opportunities to award money. But everywhere he turned there was none in sight, stress beginning to boil within himself. That until he took to his phone.

He scrolled to the top of the screen, pausing when he looked at the title. 'The Big Game' it said, printed in bold red letters. "Come one, come all to the greatest game show of your life.." He read its description. "Participate in our games and win the grand prize!"

A grand prize? This may be the chance he was looking for. If he won those games, he'd be set for the rest of the rest of the fall, maybe even the school year. He scrolled down the screen to the images, a prompt showing itself above. Those who dared to receive riches were offered the chance to choose their side. Become a Giant, and get paid by the forefront of participation, or be a tiny, who's task will be more challenging but will bring higher reward.

He pondered at the thought. Being giant showed promise, being bigger than the competition, they'd be mere stepping stones for his victory to a better education. He hovered over the giant Icon, his finger itching to take his ticket to fortune. But he paused when he looked at the Micro icon, a thought lingering in his mind. Was taking the route the best idea? It would be easier, but he couldn't help but think it'd be pitty change compared to them. He wasn't going to settle for less. No, he was going to go all the way.

He pressed at the Micro Icon, a loading sign encircling around it. A bright flash came from his phone, a small window opening with a prompt. "Thank you for participating. Please follow these coordinates."

His Gps turned on, an address typing in the screen as the location marked zoomed to the corner of the map. The structure looked familiar to him, but couldn't tell how exactly. but if that was his destination, he best get cracking at it. He wasn't gonna be a winner just standing here, he had a competition to get to.

He followed the coordinates to an alleyway downtown, following the sewer lines to the end of the street where cars waited at the stoplight. The night was still young, the moon casting its glow upon the black streets as he opened into a clearing. He eased his way to the end of the block, his gps pointing to the right as he turned the corner.

A university rested ahead, pearly gates surrounding its perimeter as they stretched to the far street. He gazed upon a symbol castingover the gateway, A Sabertooth lunging in place. That symbol, he remembered seeing that all too well. He looked to a football field behind trees in the distance, a mathematics wing hiding behind a restaurant building. It was all the confirmation he needed, before he knew where he was. His old university, in the flesh.

His phone pinged, a text message appearing ahead. "Move forward." It simply said, his gps updating as an arrow hovered above.

He followed the arrow to the science wing, turning to the dormitories resting along the side. All those memories, he recalled them as if it were yesterday. The booming music upstairs, the chatting with his roommates moving through the halls, and the obnoxious laughter of his bully, Rich. He shuttered at all the wedgies he endured, let alone his meatheaded antiques. But that was a year ago, if at all, he'd be off making a living as a dumpster diver. Heh, even a burger maker.

He traversed toward the gym, the arrow transforming as a circle resided in the middle. He looked through the clear glass to the lighting around the lobby, not a person in sight as the lights cast to the far hallway. "Where is everyone? This better not be a wild goose chase." He tapped at his phone.

A bright flash erupted from the ceiling, blinding him as others showered into the mix. A silhouette soon formed, a woman dressed in black as she held a pamphlet in hand. "Greeting participant, we have been expecting you."

"I can see that.." He shielded his eyes. "Am I the only one who's here"

"There are more inside, they are gathered in the lockers. Come," she stepped to the side. "We must not delay, the games begin momentarily."

He wiped the tears leaking from his eyes, following her through the entrance. They moved deeper into the gym, moving through the stretching hallway to paneled doors. He peeked through the windows to dark rooms staring back, but the woman tapped at his shoulder, holding one of the doors. "This way.." She said. James followed her as they entered the lockers, chattering slowly resonating. They came into a larger space, players nearly piling over each other for the chance to let their shoulders breathe.

"Geez, it's like a chicken farm in here, there’s so many of them."

"Yes, many from across the city have heard word of the Giant and tiny competition." She slapped a sticky note upon his chest, its force nearly knocking him over. "Your nametag, you'll find it easier to find your group."

"A little warning next time, why don't ya?" He rubbed at his chest, moving further into the crowd. the participants filled the room like a giant pond, many of varying in size as he maneuvered over them. He ushered behind the broad shoulder of one participant, moving the head of the another's to a seat along the wall, grabbing one of the pamphlets resting on a table. He's been in this gym far too many times than he could count, the gym had limits to how many people they had at a time. This crowd far exceeded that, how do they even think they're going to participate when they're all butting heads.

"Move it..out of my way!" A deeper voice pierced the rowdy crowd, heads tumbling further in the distance. Grunts ensued beyond the participants in front of him, players tumbling sideways like trees being cut down. A hand split between two ahead of him, forced from their feet to the others resting upon the floor before a mass stepped out from the toppled players. "Ah that's much better, all these wimps were starting to make me cramped."

James knew that raspy voice from anywhere, gazing upon the nametag, that jiggled along his pectorals. It was there he read it, the cursed name of the bully that brought nothing but chaos, Rich.

"What's a guy gotta do to get a soda around here.." He scratched at his neck, looking to the crowd swimming past his lower torso. He eyed a bottle hanging from one of the participants' backpack, yanking it from they're chain and between his fingers. "Ah, that's the stuff."

"Hey! That's my drink, you bastard!" they shouted, raising their arms to retrieve their beverage, but were held back by a hand. They fanned at the air as he popped the metal lid with a squeeze, sending the fluid into mouth like a waterfall. He took it all in one gulp, belching before tossing the husk of the bottle toward them.

"Ugh, sugar free. Give me a break." He scoffed at the bland taste. He looked up and toward the bleachers off to the wall, he and James locking eyes before he held his pamphlet over his face. A crooked smile ran on his face, stepping toward him. "Is that who I think it is?"

The player behind him blocked his path. "Hold it! You can't just drink my drink and-"

He shoved a meaty palm into his face, thrusting him to the crowd. "Cram it, guppy, I'm busy." He marched over to the bleachers, his smile growing wider as his shadow toppled the bleachers. "Is that termite I’m gawking at?" He said in a playful tone.

God not now. He raised his pamphlet higher, hoping for it to shield him from his senseless antiques. The crowd sitting next to him scooted away, fingers snatching the paper away to Rich's grinning face. "Ah..Rich."

"Ahah! I thought that was you! I know that scrawny body from anywhere!"

"Likewise..” he got to his feet. “If you don't mind, I was just getting ready-" a palm crashed at his shoulder, thrusting him back to the bleachers.

"Aww don't be off in such a hurry, this a reunion of my favorite cushion afterall. Still keeping those lungs strong? I've been aching to let loose a bomb i got cooking up." He reached a finger for him, but he dodged as they collided against the glass window.

He slip between his thighs, stumbling to the space behind him. "Hell no! I'm not enduring any of your gassing."

"Don't be like that, I promise I-"

"Participants please stand in your designated lanes. We shall begin the process for your roles in the events." a voice came on the intercom.

"Thank god." He sighed. "Unfortunately, Rich, we won't be seeing each other, good luck finding a partner." He stormed off, the brutes banters falling on deaf ears as he vanished into the crowd.

He flocked to the participants towards the two slanters, one going through the left as the others went toward the right. He spotted those to the left of him had the same marking name tag, huddling into the line as he followed them through a slim corridor. The marble floor turned to plastic, shades blocking the window. The gym was known to have a lot of corridors, but never one like this, he thought. He eyed the other contenders, each of them chatting amongst themselves along the lime.

"Wonder what kind of partner I'll get, I bet it'll be someone quick for the event." One said.

"What good is quick when you have class. Brains is where it's at." One tapped at their forehead.

"You're kidding, what good is thinking if you don't have the speed to perform."

"The same way your mouth does at a blubbering speed."

James eyed the two as they bickered further up the line, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. They're talking nonsense when it comes to which is better, but there was one thing that did get his head spinning, who to partner with. He never thought a competition of being on top would come with baggage. If he was going to succeed, he had to receive one like-minded as him. If not more coordinated.

They entered into an open area, the group spreading out to tiled lines. He floated around the player's to a checkered tally mark, looking around for anything going on. Was this where the games were going to be? It's too crowded to do any activities. A speaker screeched through the room, a female voice presenting themselves.

"All players, please hold still while the process is proceeding."

Odd, they hardly started with the events yet, he thought to himself. Maybe they were playing, Simon says. Yeah..yeah that has to be it. Keep to the tiled lines and he’d be good for the next round.

A static hum pierced the room, the ceiling shifting as rods lowered toward them. A spark ran through the tiled floor, his feet locking in place. "This is one weird game of Simon says!" He struggled to free himself.

"What the hell is this?!" A shout came from a player, Jmaes looking towards the front row. They bucked at their legs, his socks dragging to their ankles, but still remained stuck.. The knob above illuminated an orange glow, a bolt striking them as they vanished into a pile of clothes..

James' eyes widened, the other players sharing the same gaze. "What the hell?"

A barrage of bolts erupted from the ceiling, clothes flying in waves as player's vanished from sight. He looked to the players tugging at their shoes, himself doing the same as the bolts grew closer. Scowls and yells filled his ears, orange flashes drawing closer with each blink he'd take. He looked to the ceiling, the knob above glowing brighter before a bright flash engulfed him. Electricity erupted through his body, his limbs shriveling as if gravity itself was squeezing upon him.

The room, the very players around him expanded with the ceiling, clumps of his own tank top toppling over him as he struggled to get free. "What the hell is going on?!” he struggled from the net of his own clothes, floundering in efforts to escape from beneath.

Yells continued from behind him, growing more faint as the flashing bolts above drowned them out. As if on cue, the last bolt struck the back of the room, an eerie quietness filling the air. James managed to find an opening in the fabric shoving it away to gaze at the hills of clothes resting around him, the knobs still simmering as smoke flowed over them..

"What the..why's the room so big?" He asked, looking at the clumps of clothes around him. Movement stirred from the pile before him, grunts and moans resonating.

Players rose from their clothes like zombies coming back to life, their body not even the size of a tac compared to their full size. Commotion stirred around them, wondering what had happened, and why it happened. But they fell short, when an alarm rung from the end of the room, a metal door opening.

"Process complete, please proceed to the other room." The announcer spoke, players still confused as they looked amongst each other. With little choice, they moved through the door to the dark hallway, James included as they moved to another room.

There was another line next to them, the other players who traversed through the other door. Their forms were like titans compared to them, casting shadows over their smaller counterparts. Chatting ensued amongst the groups, but were interrupted when staff moved to the two doors off to the wall.

"You will be assigned based on two capsules, you will be assigned based on the syllables you chose for your name." One of them said.

The floors glew as it flashed toward the doors, the staff escorting the lines inside as they capsules took them individually through the walls. Their partners were chosen by their syllables, he ran through his mind. Easy enough, he just had to pick one. When his turn arrived, the capsule opened before him as a screen lit up along the side. He sat down as the capsule closed, gears turning around him as he looked towards the screen.

Two syllables popped up before him. 'RK' rested along the left side of the screen, flashy with a gold lighting. "That better not be who I think it is.." He groaned, tapping the screen for more info. Not a profile picture to be found, only a description of their hobbies. Football? Wrestling? Definitely sounds like Rich to him. That meathead always did like sports that dominated others. He wasn't going to make that mistake.

He moved over to the syllables on the other side, 'SC'. This one was competitive, does whatever it takes to win. He could use that to his advantage. Having a mind like that would give him just the boost he needs to get that prize. Without haste, he clicked at the syllables, the capsule moving as he rocked in place. After moments of shifting, it opened to two rooms resting along the walls. A staff member waiting for them.

"Welcome contender, your assigned partner will be arriving momentarily." They said.

They haven't came yet?, must've taken longer to choose than he did.

He walked over to one of the benches along the door, waiting with the staff as they watched the door. Moments later, two panels arrived from the walls, the smaller capsule opening first as a tiny stepped out. They shared greetings with one another, before waiting at their assigned doors. The second capsule opened, a slender giant walking out as he made his way to the staff.

"Is this the rooms?" He asked, the staff nodding in confirmation.

This must be his partner. Average build, tall, he fits the description perfectly. "Hello there!” he approached the giant,extending a hand toward him. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you!”

The giant looked below, smiling as he bent a knee. “Hello there, little guy, it's a pleasure to meet you too.” He extended a finger, James shaking it by the finger nail. I take it you’re part in these rooms too?”

“Definitely! And it’s even better now that you're here.”I’m James, and I tell you and I are going to be great partners.” "James huh? I can tell you got some motivation in you." he said. "But I don't think we're partners in these games."

"You're not? But your syllables are 'SC' right?"

He tapped at his nametag, tilting it from his sticker. RC was under the name. "No, I’m Ryan Corcher. RC for short."

His heart sunk into his stomach, knocking into the chair. "No way..If your syllables are that, then that means…"

Another capsule came from the wall, bangs lingering inside as the hinges creaked to support its weight. It hissed open, a meaty foot stepping from the steam before the rest came out. It was Rich, his body glistening as if it was bathed in oil. "Finally out of this stupid thing."

“Ah, you must be Skull Crusher.” the staff member said.

“Might as well be after sitting in your soup can," he replied. “Damn thing’s worse than the lobby.”

James widened his eyes at the sight of his bully "Rich?"

"Hmm?..Well, if it isn't Termite." He stomped over. "This is certainly a surprise."

"Now that the contenders are here, you are free to explore your assigned rooms." The staff said, the doors opening behind them. Bowing, they took their leave to doors beside the walls.

James tugged their cloak. "Switch me! I refuse to be paired with the likes of him!"

"There will be no switches, once partners are selected, they will continue to be. All who do not have a partner, will be eliminated." They yanked their cloak from his grasp, disappearing behind the door.

"But..but.." The ground shook beneath him, toes peering into his peripheral. He turned around the brute’s beaming face, hands wiggling from his waist as he plucked him into the air.

“So you’re my partner? Hah, this must be my lucky day.”

“No!..I didn’t mean.. I-”

"Guess you're seeing me again after all, Termite. In fact, you're going to be a lot of me from now on." He shoved the door open, taking the two of them inside. His hand swung through the air, thrashing James like a ragdoll as he made his way to a bed resting against the wall. "Nice digs, could do without all the flowers though." he stepped along the side of the bed, noticing a smaller one next to the wall. “Oh, and it comes with a bed for little squirts.” He loomed closer to it, flattening the mattress underfoot. ”You won’t be needing that. You’re going to be sleeping with me.”

He tossed James to the pillow, his legs stumbling against its soft form before he tumbled to the rest of the bed. "Easy will ya, I'm not exactly.." The space grew dark as the giant's backside hurtled toward him, jumping to the foot of the bed as he bounced onto one of his thighs. "Squishy.."

Rich chuckled as he got himself comfortable, peeling the flattened mattress off his foot. "Okay Termite, here's how things are going to go. Rule number one, what I say goes, no exceptions. Two, your space is my space. Follow those, and I'll make sure you at least keep a pint of your share. Got it?

And here it goes, taking over the place like he always does. He wanted to high tail and just forget about the prize, but then he'd be back to square one. There's no telling wherelese he could go for the money, let alone a stable income. He had to sit this through, at least until the games were done.

The brute’s sausage fingers snapped together. "Oi! You listenin'!"

He took a breath, standing atop of his thick thigh. "Yes, I heard you."

"Good, now that that's out of the way" he rocked his thigh, sending James between his legs. He scooped his scrotum in one hand, lifting them to the air as the moist bag of skin dropped to the bed. Any inches further and it would've flattened. "Being cooped up in that capsule made me all itchy. Make yourself useful and give my balls a good scratch."

"Oh for the love of-" a palm reached behind him, scooping him into the bulk of the brutes testicles. Its skin was as worse than it looked, slime secreting into his as if the very skin itself was melting. He shuddered at the moist sensation, flailing against Rich's grasp.

"No point in being shy, termite, take in all of it."

"Alright alright!" He pushed himself off, sticky strands of the substance peeling from him. He looked to the greasy genitals that flexed in front of him, holding his breath as he massaged over the clammed skin. He winced as his palm glided over its surface, like watered down dough as it secreted more sweat into his palms.

His moans reverberated through his body, his legs spreading wider as his cock drooled over James. "Yeah that's it, both hands now. I don't want no slack."

"Ugh, why does it have to feel so soggy.."

"Hah, if you think that's soggy just what til I blow my-"

"Not the information I want to hear!"

It had only been a night since he stayed with Rich, and it was already proving to be a living nightmare. The amount of sweat the man brewed and phenomenal, no amount of soap he applied would wash away the ever lingering stench soaking his hands. Throughout, Rich’s demands grew worse. Teeth cleaning, foot massages, It was maddening. It was only when midnight arrived that the brute grew drowsy, James slipping away to the outskirts of the kitchen. The pantry worked for a few hours, but was ineffective when it came to the brute's hungering stomach. his heart nearly skipped a beat as gorilla arms raided the cans stacked inside, almost taking him with it if not for the safety provided by the staff.

He thought he’d have time to make an escape to the other side of the room, but barely hit the carpet of the living room before he was wrapped by a fist, his world blinded by frowsty flesh as the world went dark. The rest of the night was a blur, by the time he knew it was morning, the bells of the speaker ringing through the room..

"Mmm..wha?" He groggily rubbed at his eyes, a stinging sensation lingering in them. He reached off to the side for a blanket, his palm meeting warm damp skin as he yanked it back. He squinted an eye to scan his environment, a valley of flesh spreading to a dimmed lighting above. And behind him, puckered flesh as it winked in place. "Ah…right."

The bell grew louder, its blares now riveling a tornado siren. He stumbled along the flesh bed, struggling to flip himself to crawl himself out. "Of all the places to put me, it just had to be here." He pressed his foot into a meat pocket, its flesh plonking as he kicked against it, snores echoing through the chamber. "Hey! Wake up!"

"Mmm.." A groan replied, the muscle around squeezing into him. His face reached his knees, his back aching as he shoved the tender muscle away. Spreading a gap for himself, bubbling lingered beneath him, the star of muscle quivering in place.

a smaug of gas heated his body, pressurized air dragging him forward before it bursted into the opening of the flesh. "Ah gross!" He cursed, squirming from the fowl smell. Another blast erupted, the walls squeezing him to his belly. He crawled against the damp flesh, climbing to the dimming lighting as he fanned at the bushes of hair shielding it. Gas hissed from below, the hairs absorbing its heat as his nostrils flared..

He punched a patch of the bushed hairs, sticking his head out from as he gasped at the open air. The ceiling welcomed his sight, the hills of hairy muscle climbing to the horizon of Rich’s back.. He scoffed at the sight, the bastard’s still sleeping, typical. He wrestled the strands of hair wrapping his neck, shaking himself around. "Hey! Wake up already! Hello?"

The snores became disgruntled, the mass of flesh moving in a wave. "Wha?..Who turned on the alarm?" Rich rubbed the slobber from his lips, the massive backside tilting to the bed sheets.

"No no, wait don't-!" it crashed on top of him, wedging him back between into the mounds embrace.

"Morning already? I thought the events weren't til later." He questioned, bubbling lingering in his stomach. "Nah, all this gas is getting me irritated. Where the hell did I place that termite?" He squeezed in on himself, the sheets beneath him warming as carbon met his nose. Wiggling soon caught him attention, resonating within his crack before it climbed to his balls. A small lump appeared between his testicles, Jame's small head popping out from beneath its weight. "Oh heh, Right, that's where I put you."

"Would it kill you to lay off the fibers?"

"Fibers is what separates the alphas from the betas." He lowered a hand to one of the orbs, squishing James between them. "You know, you don't look so bad from up here. Like a third testicle."

The bell rung from the speaker, a microphone blaring through it. "Attention contenders, we will begin our games shortly. Our first game will be a foot race. Please head to your doors, your equipment shall be awaiting for you.

"Equipment huh? This should be good." He got from the bed, walking through the living space toward the door.

"Hey-grh! I'm not looking to be tenderized here."

"Quit, your complainin', I’m barely squishing you!" He opened the door to a box sitting along the front, bringing it inside.

James wheezed as the giant stood in place, wiggling between the furry taint as he tumbled to the floor behind him. "Finally.."

"Wonder what's in it." He shook the box, a light shuffle answering inside. Opening the box, he became puzzled. A single string would reside inside, tape resting along with it. "What is this art and crafts? This barely counts as equipment."

"Leave it to you to judge things by their size."

"What you say?" He growled.

The speaker rung once more. "By now you've seen what's inside the box. For today’s challenge, you are tasked with racing with your little partners. You are free to place th wherever, once ready, report to the track."

"A foot race? with a piece of string? What idiot would decide to go along with.." Giggling lingered from above, Rick plucking the string from the box. "Rich?"

"Anywhere we want huh? Oh that's an opportunity I just can't pass up."

"Rich? Don't even think about it."

"You heard the announcer, we gotta get you ready." He ringed the string between his fingers, straightening its thread. "Come here."

"Wait a sec! Can't we talk about-ah! Hey!.Grh!..easy!"

-

Along the outskirts of the campus, participants waited for the staff to prepare the event for the day. talking amongst themselves, cheering came from the bleachers behind them, Rich marching toward the crowd. "Alright! Let's get this win streak on the road!"

He approached the crowd, marching his way toward the of the line. Swinging between his legs, his balls tossed around, crashing into his thighs with each stride he'd take. And tied to them, would be James, his feet bound to the bulky sack as his hands wrapped around the head of the cock. "This is so embarrassing.."

"Hey, you should be thankful for getting the honor of being this close to me." Rich fondled at the string. "Most wimps would drool at being a cock ornament for yours truly.

James groaned at the response, swaying from one thigh to the other as Rich looked to the groups around him. As he looked at the surrounding competition, James looked to to tines secured to their bodies. He spotted a few wrapped the giant’s arm, wrapped around their necks like a bracelet. He was somewhat jealous of their position, He’d take being a necklace than being strapped to the source of Rich's jewels.

A whistle blew from one of the staff members. Meanwhile, others herded the other players and gathered them to the starting line.. "Welcome contestants to the foot race. You will be tasked to finish one lap around the track. Those who cross the finish line will move onto the next rounds." The announcer said. " However, if you lose your partner along the way, you will be eliminated, and sent home."

The crowd looked amongst each, chatting as some tugged at the restraints of their tiny partners. James looked to Rich, who eyed the other contestants. He could almost sense the fire burning inside from his wide stare, his smile growing wider by the second. No doubt fantasizing how he can decimate his competitors. At the most, at least he had the muscle to carry the two of them. And the sooner he could get away from his cock the better.

The contenders aligned at the starting line, readying themselves for the race ahead. He watched as the thighs bulged up, Rich's toes pressing into the rubbery track.

"Remember, our goal is to reach that finish line with both of us intact." He spoke to Rich.

"Yeah yeah, Termite I got it. This competition is as good as mine."

"Ours."

"That's what I said."

James rolled his eyes, looking to the corner of the track as a staff member held up a white flag. They raised it to the air, the other giant's responding as most took a track star's stance. Whipping the flag, the players were off.

Richrushed with a burst of strength, knocking into the shoulders of other players as he advanced through the crowd. Gravity yanked against the restraints, forcing James to cling against the clammy as the sack thrashed around. It was like riding an aggressive bull, sending the world into a blender as the ground and sky tossed around. The crowd turned around the end of the track, Rich turning with them as they ran to the opposite side.

Tinies tumbled from the side of giant's next to him, rolling like tumbleweeds to the back of the crowd as their partners slowed down. He looked to the cock above, a greasy substance drenching his back. Sweat secreted from Rich’s skin, eroding the thin fabric holding James up. "Rich, you might want to slow down, the string’s starting to slip!"

"Slow down?! Fat chance, this competition is all mine." He increased his speed, bulldozing his way through two racers in front of him. They grinded shoulders, the tinies secured to the arms smothered by their biceps.

"Get your own lane!" The racer to the left of him yelled, shoving into Rich's body.

"Nah, I like this one better." Rich replied.

James couldn't see their faces from the cockhead cushioning his head, their rocks thrashing more aggressive than the very thighs grinding together. The sweat at his back grew thicker, the tangy taste of salt meeting his lips. his left arm came undone, his feet shaken off from his balls as they swayed. With another thrash, he was dropped from the cock, clinging to the string tied to the head of the cock as he flew behind the brute like a flag carried by a plane.

"Rich! A little hand here!" He shouted, twirling in the wind.

He and the other player continued to bicker, palms clutching at the other in efforts to gain the advantage. Rich managed to land a palm to the racer's face, clipping the string of his partner's restraints. "Looks like you got important things to worry about." He shoved his arm away, the tiny smothered between them cast to the wind.

The racer stopped in a panic, bumping into the racers behind. "You bastard!"

"Sucker!" He responded, trucking through the rest of the crowd. He came neck and neck with the one next to him, crossing the finish as he pranced around the props. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about baby!"

His cock flung forward, James yelping as he splatted against his pecs. "Are you out of your mind?! I could've fell!"

"Oh yeah, forgot you were down there."

"What part of intact did not understand?"

"Oh don't get pissy, you're still tied to me aren't you?"

The speaker rung, the announcer speaking through it. "Congratulations to the winners of the event, those that managed to cross the line, shall move to the next rounds."

James sighed in relief. Thank goodness, he still had a shot in all of this.

"This concludes the first event, please return to your cabins and await for the next rounds." The crowd dispersed into their own separate pathways, taking to the doors entering the east wing of campus. Rich followed them back to his cabin, other players scolding the two of them as he paraded his victory. "That's right, wimps. Hang those tears high and dry."

"Speaking of hang, would you mind putting me down?" James interrupted, clinging to the chest hairs. "Oh..I feel like I'm gonna hurl."

"Ugh, well don't do it on me." He flicked James from his chest, watching the tiny fly through the air before he swung between his legs. "Ah, that's better."

"This is completely worse!"

"More complaining, why don't you swing for a while. Catch some air" he snorted.

The aftermath of the first game dragged on for the two of them, Rich returning to the cabin. A prize waited for them along the table, a dish of ice cream with sweets toppled along the frosted dessert. It was a token for their efforts, but to Rich, it was just his light snack. James watched as he wolfed down the ice cream in the blink of an eye, only receiving tiny droplets of the vanilla that managed to evade his lips. Its sugar dosing over his taste buds was enough to satisfy him, anything to get the sour taste of sweat from his mouth. But it proved short lived, when Rich demanded his tribute from his partner.

The following was more active compared to the first event, the staff ushering the members around the campus like a herd of sheep for the public to catch a glimpse of their wondrous contenders.Throughout most of the week, the staff had them do Q&As with fans, but the games soon commenced once more, as they were gathered a spot on campus.

Find the flag, was Thursday's game. The giants had to stash a tiny flag in a spot where their opponents couldn't find them. The tinies of the group, himself included, were tasked with finding the flag somewhere along the other giant’s body. It was a simpler task than what they prescribed, most of the giants hid them in common spots behind their ear or in their hair. At least that’s what it was for the giant he was assigned to search. He felt sorry for the ones paired with Rich, each of them searching from toe to ear lobe for the flags. But they weren’t finding those, less they want a wrestling match with his asshole. He could still feel the slime on the corners of his fingered, he prayed no one would have to endure that kind of stress. By the time the game was up, 40 contestants were left after the game, he and Rich included as they returned back to the cabin.

Battleship. He winced at the very thought of it as he saw through the campus's swimming pool. Giants were assigned inflatable tubes, tasked with knocking tinies off of their floaties. It was a shark’s game, that much he could tell. Rich was over the moon for it, bulldozing the sides of his own float as the contestants were tossed or flipped over. The brute nearly took him with it if he stayed near the edge. By that time it ended, 20 were left in the pool, soggy and tired as they floated to the stairs. But not Rich, he barely had his fill during the match, and wanted some quality time with his partner. The little guy would never look at cannon balls the same after dodging his attempts to land on him.

The remaining rounds of that week were trivial, guessing games to say the least aside from your basic jeopardy. It was a strong suit that Jqameses held so highly, his education in the arts of science were mere cake walks compared to his fellow contestants. At least to those except Rich. He got an earful of his protests in him taking up the spotlight. Leave it to him to heckle over using your brain rather than muscle.

Before the two of them knew it, the final week was upon them, four contestants including themselves were left to participate. It's been hours since they played the last games, let alone announced anything. What were they planning?

A loud scoff pierced the air, Rich slouching over the couch. "All this sitting around is so lame. Come on, I want to smash some heads!"

"They said to be patient, Rich. They're probably preparing."

"Preparing my boredom more like it. Those pinheads are lucky they weren't stomped on like those losers in the rounds." He tossed his weight along the sides of the arm, his feet lifting off the edge to the counters. "Speaking of, rubs. Now!"

He rolled his eyes at the demand, stumbling toward the massive stompers. He rubbed his hands into the center, its meaty flesh squishing beneath his palms. They flexed eagerly, their weight almost spilling on top of him. "Ooo, that's better. All this running around has got me beat. The big prize better be worth it."

That makes two of us, James thought silently. He continued to massage against the tender feet, adjusting to its weight as he shoved them back to the air. But he stopped when a knock came from the door, drawing their attention.

"Huh, who's that?" Rich moved to his feet off the edge, sweeping James along with it as he stamped him into a foggy footprint on the tiled floor. He answered the door to one of the staff members waiting for them. "About time, I was about to trash this place. What's the next round, wrestling? Tackling?" He rubbed his hands together.

"Not yet, preparations are currently underway. But I bring news of your current arrangement."

"Oh really?" James said from the floor, cracking his back. "And what might that be?"

They pulled a document from their cloak. "For the final game, you two shall face off for the prize. Only one of you can succeed."

There was a moment of silence, James and Rich looking at each other. Not a moment later, a smile creeped along Rich's mouth, cackling out loud at the news. "Wait! Wait!..you want me..t..to compete with him? Like this? Ahah! What is he going to wrestle my pinky or something."

"The details will be discussed when the time comes. For now, you have been assigned for a separate room while we prepare." They ushered a hand toward the hallway.

He snickered before marching behind him. "And here I thought this day couldn't get any better. So long, termite, I enjoyed the pampering while it lasted." he and the staff member vanished into the hallway, leaving James alone at the front door of his room.

He was on his own, just as he was before he joined the event. his heart raced at the thought of it all, facing off Rich in this small form? it was suicide. How do they expect him to even pull it off? He fanned at the air, his body heat rising by the second. he had to head outside, he couldn't think straight in the conditions he was currently in. He ran to the outside crosswalk, Rich's words ringing through his mind. He gasped in the cool air, hyperventilating at the very thought of what It would mean if he'd lost, what it'd mean for his future.

He followed along the crosswalk to a bench resting beneath a tree, sitting on a used cup resting at its leg. He stared at the moon in the night sky, hoping its beauty would wisp him away from this unfortunate predicament. "What am I gonna do now?" he muttered into the air.

"Hey there." a louder voice came from the side, it was Ryan, a water bottle in hand as he sipped at its straw. "What are you doing out here so late?"

He wiped the sweat from his brow, turning to the buildings behind him. "Oh uh..nothing. Just needed some fresh air."

He nodded softly, lowering the straw from his mouth. "I see, so you're in the slumps too."

"Is it that easy to tell?"

"I know that phrase anywhere, it's one I often find using myself." he moved toward the bench. "Mind if I join you?"

he paused at the thought, looking to the cement before looking to the sky. With a light sigh, he nodded softly, Ryan sitting along the bench as the two of them stared into the sky. Silence lingered between the two of them, the giant’s gaze shifting from the sky to the little guy.

"So what's on your mind."

"It's..a long story."

"I'm all ears, we've got plenty of time before we go anywhere. Most of my time is usually with my..: he paused for a moment, tapping at his shoulder. "Partner."

"So you're separated from your partner too. I'm in the same boat." James rolled onto the cup. "MIne left me the second they announced it." he looked to the sky, letting out a deep sigh. "How am I gonna get through the final challenge when I'm barely bigger than his toe? I might as well forget about the funds for my degree."

"Don’t say that" a palm brushed against the side of the cup. "You may not have the muscle compared to giants, But you don't seem to see how strong you are.

He wiggled a finger for James to hop on. Puzzled, he obliged as he moved to the middle of his palm, watching it hover him toward the smooth chest, walking along the crosswalk back to the dorms. "I am?"

Ryan simply smiled. "I think so, just look around you. you managed to get this far without the use of muscle. your wits, your determination, I saw it all when it came to the last few rounds. "

James looked to his palms, reminiscing on the games he participated in. Rich's brute force filled most of his thoughts, but the more he listened to Ryan, he highlighted the moments he shined best. Trivia, find the flag, it was all on him to pull it through. "Yeah but..what if this next round I fail? what will happen then?"

"I don't know, we'll just have to see." he arrived at his dorm room, lowering James to the opposite door. "Afterall, if we're both gonna have a shot at getting into careers, we might as well endure to the end right?" he held a fist to the air, lowering it in front of James.

he was looking for a higher education too, he thought to himself. He looked to his palm, balling his fist as he tapped it against his. "Right."

Ryan nodded, getting back to his feet before he moved to his door. "Good. then whatever lies ahead, just know we'll give it our all." he pumped his arm, heading into his room as the door shut.

James returned to his room, his mind still processing the conversation. Ryan was right, he managed to get this far because of his endurance to persevere. Being Rich's plaything blinded him of that realization. He let him walk all over him in the past, but no more. He was going to win this thing, or go down swinging.

It took hours before the finals were prepared, lights shining from the gym as staff members worked along the pillars. After a night's work, they were finally ready as they fetched the final contenders. James followed the members to the entrance of the stadium, crowds of people lined up for their tickets, cameras flashing from photographers as he moved inside. It reminded him of their old basketball games. The booming music from the speakers, the heckles from people in the background, it was refreshing to the least.

He made his way backstage, peeking from the curtains to the wave of people in the stands.. "There's so many here? "How many people were watching us?"

"Don't be so surprised, these mooks eat up these things for breakfast." the tiny next to him said. "they can watch for all I care, it'll make it all the sweeter when I win the prize."

"I wouldn't get too confident, pal. it's all about endurance."

"Whatever, I’ll dish out whatever those chumps throw out. I didn't come this far just to go home with nothing."

Chattering came from one of the staff member’s earpiece, music beginning to play as they ushered James and the other tiny toward the curtain.. "We've got a special show for you all tonight!” the announcer said. ‘You’ve seen the many hardships of our valiant contenders. Each have given it their all this past week, but now, only four remain. Are you ready to see who shall come out on top?!" Roars came from the crowd, sending a force toward the announcer. “That’s what I like to hear! Then without a further ado, let’s give it for our contenders!”

the curtains drawed, James and the other tiny following the red strip that connected to a boxed dome in the center of the stadium. From the other side, another set of curtains drawed, Ryan walking through them as he waved to the crowd. And the other, Rich, roaring to the surrounding as he basked in their cheers. The way they eat up his praises, it was beyond excruciating with how much they fed his ego. But he wasn't going to let him bask in it for long.They made their way into the ring, the two of them coming to their feet.

"Well well, surprised you haven't chickened out yet.” Rich said. “ I bet those little legs of yours are just shaking to run away."

"Oh they're shaking alright, shaking to leave you in the dust."

"Oh ho, you got some balls thinking you can play with the big boys."

the announcer road toward them, a pamphlet in hand. "Save the banter for the crowd gentlemen, the games are about to start!" he took a lap around the stadium, gathering cheers from the surrounding crowd. making his way to the other side, he rode onto a stage set near the exit doors. "Hold onto your butts folks, we’re venturing into treacherous waters. For our final game, it will be..truth or dare!"

Truth or dare? how is that a competition? the stage dimmed around the four of them, a panel opening from the top of the dome. it's colorful flashes illuminated the area like a disco ball, symbols dancing along its squares as it lowered half way.

"We got a special one for you ,contenders, our fans love watching you face off in the games, that they've come up with a few games of their own." the panels of the box lowered to the four of them, a pocket of letters handed down to them. James looked inside his own, tossing the papers flipping through the paper.. He recognized a few of the writings from his old classmates, this could give him something to use, but most of them were based on truths rather than dares. giggling came from Rich, his face digging into his bag like a kid with a sack of candy.

"What's got you all giddy?" James asked him.

"Oh you'll see."

the announcer took to the console, the light dimming as the spotlight danced around them. "let's kick things off, you are to eliminate the other players. they either have to give up, or not meet the requirements of the chosen tasks. With this, we shall receive a selection from.." the spotlight slowed down landing one of the giant’s. "Ryan!"

He nodded as he dug into his box, pulling a slip from inside. "Okay then. I have a truth for you all. 'Have you ever said something nice without hesitation?"

"Yes"

"Definitely yes."

Rich rolled his eyes at the thought. "Oh please, of course I did."

The lighting turned red, a tally marking on the scoreboard beneath Rich's name. "Ooo, sorry Rich, but it seems that was false." the announcer said.

"What? you're kidding me!"

Not surprised at the slightest, James thought to himself, he wouldn't know a kind word if it bit him in the ass. The lighting swirled once more, flashing overhead. it slowed down its speed, hovering over Rich. He grinned from ear to ear, marching toward his box. He plucked one into his palm, his gaze never leaving James.

"I've got just the dare you, termite. I recognize this handwriting from the boys. I dare you, to be a fart tester!"

damn it, not that one, he and his goons were relentless in the after meals back in the day. He barely had time to before he snapped a fingers, a staff member pushing a tray of balloons into the arena. He looked to Ryan who winced at the sight of them, before moving toward the table.

"A peculiar choice folks. What will the contender do with this, ‘termite’?"

"I’m glad you ask." he grabbed James from the floor, plucking a balloon in the other as he took to one of the chairs.

He wrestled between the meaty fingers, rolled into a ball before he was jammed through the rubbery opening. Rich guided the struggling tiny down the balloon’s neck, watching bounce as he flailed against the rubber walls. He presented his struggles to the crowd, before lowering it beneath him. "I owe my boys a thank you, all that cheese last night was just about to make its exit."

He pulled open his crack, jamming the rubbery end inside as the ring clamped upon it. The crowd grew silent as microphone hovered against his abdomen, bubbles filling the void as his stomach jiggled. the hole busted open, the balloon swelling as they eyed the dark spot beyond its red walls. The camera panned to shadow's dancing along the surfacing, a silhouette of James banging against the wall..

"Ah! it's egregious!" He yelled, coughing on its sulfuric scent.

"Don't let that nose burn out just yet. Dessert was about to say hello." the speaker shook as his stomach roared, widening his stance before pitching at the stem. Its exit sent droplets along the corners of the balloon, its form shaking as the inside became visible. It reverberated through the speakers as the crowd themselves winced at the sound, Ryan included as he looked away. The balloon expanded to its max, exploding as James catapulted to the other side of the dome. Rich arched proudly, tossing the torn balloon to the side. "tsk, can't even handle my own farts. might as well give up while you can."

James pawed at the floor, stumbling onto his knees before standing back up. "I'm not..giving up that easily Rich!" The chime rung through the arena, the tally mark updating as a point aligned beneath his name.

Rich balled his fist. "You're gonna wish you did."

The two were called back to the center of the ring, the light spinning around for the next contenders. This cycle went of for hours, each of them upping the stakes the longer it drawed on. James was managing by a few points, Rich closing behind him as the rounds went on. His arsenal were riddles with dares, all pointed toward him specifically before targeting the others. He looked to the clock as it ticked over the basketball hoop. 20 minutes, 20 minutes to get one of us to cave. It was a number’s game from here on out, he just needed to endure long enough to have the lead. A few minutes passed as another tally mark was added to the board, a shout coming from the other tiny..

"Nah! I can't take anymore of this crap!" The tiny said. "The hell are these fans even sending me? Secret hobbies? Dating life? This isn't a sim!"

"You are to use the fans' truth or dares, nothing more." the announcer said.

"To hell with that, these choices are almost worse than there's"

James placed a hand along his shoulder. “We’re all trying our best with the options we have, but we-” a hand swatted his away, the tiny facing toward him.

“Don’t try and be buddy buddy, you’re already up in the talley. If all else, I should try eliminating you!”

The light flashed as the tallies were updated, skipping over the tiny before landing on the other players circled. This time, it landed on Rich, who grinned at the opportunity. "God I hate it when shrimps bark up the wrong tree. But I’ll be damned if I let a punk like you rob me of the chance to crush him." He plucked a note from his box. “I’m taking a chapter out of the book boys, I’m taking this lint ball to the trenches.."

The trenches?! He won't survive a minute! He wanted to jump in to derail the brute’s path, but he brushed against his heel as he marched toward the tiny, Plucked from the ground, and toward his chest. “No Rich, not that!”

He only smiled. “Oh yes, that.”

He raised his arm as steam escaped from beneath, the bushes of hair ripe with sweat as they glistened like wet grass. With an assured wink, he jammed the tiny inside, slammed his arm back down with a messy squelch. The very sound made James shutter, a sense of remorse drawing for the tiny trapped inside those musky meats Rich called arms.

He grinded his shoulder against his side, muffled yells escaping from beneath as his arm squished on top of him. It was like he was being chewed upon, sweat oozing from the loose gaps like drool as it feasted upon its play. The bell soon rung for the timer, Rich giving the one last clench to feel the struggles before flexing his arm.

The tiny was spat to the floor, green fluid coating them as they gagged at the scent. "Please, you don't know the first thing of worse." Rich stood over them, watching as the little guy stumbled to his feet.

"I'm done." the tiny said. "This game is too crazy for me. You can keep the money, I'm out of here!" he flicked the sweat from their body, taking from the dome. The crowd booed, throwing cups at their small form as they climbed the ramp to the entrance.

"Folks, folks, there's no need to be in outrage, " the announcer rode around the stadium. "We still got plenty of action with three of our contenders. Let's turn those boos into cheers, and let's get on with the show!"

James watched as the tiny disappeared behind the curtain, before salty droplets trickled over him. “One nuisance down, and one more to go.”

The stage lights dimmed down, the lights flickering before to it's next chooser. it paused as it light shined upon the ring, casting its glow upon Ryan. James watched as he took a soft breath, taking to his box. Thanks to Rich's dare, he was at equal points to him. What was he going to choose to topple that brute's? He took his hand out from the box, turning toward Rich.

"I have a dare for you, Rich" he said.

"Oh, and just what might that be?"

"you're so keen on being top dog, let's see how you feel about being the underdog for once. I dare you to follow Jame's command."

James blinked at the thought, looking at Ryan in confusion. He shared a wink towards the little, before looking to Rich who's face twisted in place.

“You’ve gotta be shittin’ me, listen to the beckon call of a termite.”

He clenched his fist. “Not termite! My name is james! And you will follow my command, or say goodbye to your ‘prize’.”

He was caught aback, his fist raising to smash the little guy for his insolence. But he looked to the scoreboard, shaking his fist to his side before taking a knee. "You've got some nerve putting me in this situation."

James rubbed his hands together at the giant's submission. "I beg to differ, I think it's time for a get back for the little guy you forced to quit. Rich, I want you to jam your fingers into your ass."

the giant scoffed at the command, but obliged as he pulled the meaty cheeks apart. "Is that it? I've fingered my own hole before, termite."

"I wasn't finished. you are to shove your finger in your ass, and shove it up your nose."

his eyes widened before squinting. "Oh you've got some-"

"ah-ah, my command."

Rich growled at the response, a fire of rage lighting through his eyes. He removed his fingers from his cheeks, and brought them to his nose. to see his face scrunch at his own scent was a sight to behold, and it only grew better. He shoved his fingers into both nostrils, scoffing at the deed.

"good boy." James mocked the display. "Now give those a little twist."

he grunted in protest, but did as he said. His face scrunched, twisted his fingers deeper into his nostrils. Laughter from the crowd, watching as his legs quaked in place, his body swaying from side to side. interesting, it was like he was sniffing an ether rag, guess he wasn't as used to sniffing his own stink as he thought. The giant became drunk upon his smell, stumbling around the ring in a daze. James crossed his arms as Rich leaned on his back leg, tapping at the foot in the air as he crashed to the ground.

"Aww, I didn't say lie down, not a very good boy after all." he looked at the score as two points added to his name, a minute left along the clock.

"that was an interesting choice, way to handle it" Ryan lowered a fist to James.

He smiled as he tapped his own fist against his. "Wasn't expecting for him to fall over at the smell of himself, but I suppose that's a bonus. and we're tied too, if we play our cards right we can-"

chuckling came from the toppled brute. "So that's how it is, huh? You two are working together." he got up from the ground, his nostrils still flared from his backside. "That's just peachy, then I got just the dare for you Ryan.." the light shined upon him as he made his way toward his box, jamming his fist inside as the machine's arm jolted down. He took out a note, green stains marking it. "I dare you to join me in a good old fashion foot play, against James.”

the round began, the machine moving from between them to the air. James was taken aback by the response, he and Ryan sharing glances at the thought. The floor shook upon Rich's approach, two pairs of feet coming to either side of him.

"Don’t get cold feet now, teddy bear, aren't you going to team up with me in a stompfest?" he smirked toward him.. Ryan's gaze shifted from him to James, before laying his gaze to the floor. He took a step back, the light flashing red as his points depleted and were added to Rich's name. "hah, I knew it! you'd be way too soft to pummel such a defenseless tiny. unfortunately I don't share that sentiment."

his foot peeled from the floor, its skin glistening with sweat and grime as it hovered over James. he shared a glance towards the little guy, bloodlust filling his eyes before the foot came down. James turned the opposite direction, but he didn't get far before he was stamped into the ground. Rich lifted his foot to his heel, the camera panning to his stuck predicament against the pallet of his foot."Still think I'm a good boy now, Termite?"

He groaned as he peeled his face from the skin. "Among..other things."

"Still huh? then how's we go for a little walkie."

He placed his foot back on the ground, adding a little twist before he marched around the dome. stomp after stomp, he left footprints along the floor, Jame's muffled grunts lingering beneath every step. The crowd watched silently as he raised his arms toward them, the camera's lowering to catch a glimpse at the display. But the frames couldn’t pick up the slightest hint of his presence, tucked beneath the toes before they were covered by the floor. After moments of walking, Rich moved back to the chair where the balloons still rested, relaxing upon it as if he were at home.

he tilted his foot sideways to get a glimpse of James, smirking as he leaned on a knee. "How about now?" he wiggled his toes.

"y..ye.."

"Oh come on, you were so talkative a few minutes ago," he clasped his feet together, rolling him around like jam between his toes. "Come on, show the crowd just how much of a 'good boy' I really am." he listened to his feet rubbing together, focusing on the soft whimpers vibrating between them. After a moments of rubbing, he relented as James tumbled to the space between them, dropping to his knees. "Well?" he learned in closer.

James couldn't muster the words, choking upon them in efforts to balance himself, his head spun as the very crowd became blurred. Taking a step forward, he fell to the ground, the bell ringing around the dome. He looked to the scoreboard, the zeros replacing the time.”No, it can’t..end like this.”

Toes stepped into his vision, a heavy chuckle ringing in his mind. “Aww, and you were so strong. I guess once a loser, always a loser.”

The crowd cheered as the game came to its conclusion, the announcer cheering them on as they circled around the room. “What a game ay folks?! Our valiant contenders gave their all to the bitter end. But now, only one remains. And now, it is time to announce the grand prize!” flashing lights came from the stage set, a panel opening from the floor as a metal box stood from it. “Come on down, champion of the game show!”

“It feels so good to be a winner.” He stepped over James, dandriff flaking upon him as he left the dome. James turned weakly as Rich climbed to the stage, crawling along the floor to follow behind.

A palm reached for him, picking him up from the floor and close to their chest. He looked up to see Ryan’s, concern and anger lingering on his face. “You did your best.” he said.

“Yeag, but enough.” James said, wincing at the thought. “ I guess we both aren’t getting that achievement.”

Music played from the speakers, the lights dimming to the stage as Rich approached the box. His grin grew wider the closer he got toward it, his fingers wiggling with anticipation as he grabbed the box. He pulled the lid apart, a golden glow shining from within. “Oh it’s glorious, it’s phenomenal! It’s..It’s!..” the light dimmed down, the inside of the box coming to view. The camera panned upon it, two slips of paper resting inside. “Paper?!”

James and Ryan stared at each other, before looking back to the screen. All this time, all this work, was for two slips of paper? Were they checks? A money orders?

“Not just any slips," the announcer assured. “These slips are endorsements for your efforts. They’re honorary scholarship tags for-”

“What kind of bull crap is that?! These things aren’t worth to get me a good blowjob! Where’s the mula! The cash!” he started to puff, looking at the box holding the said prize. His muscles tightened before he shoved it to the ground. “Can’t believe I wasted my time with this stupid thing! I'm going somewhere that has real cash.” he stormed off the stage toward the exit, the crowd booing at him from the stands. “Oh boo yourselves!”

“What just happened?” James asked.

“I have no idea.” Ryan said.

The announcer approached the fallen box, wiping his forehead with a tissue. “Well folks, that was an interesting turn.” they laughed, their palms still shaking. “But since first place didn’t accept the award, then it goes to second place. Give it up for…James!” the lights flashed upon the two of them, the two still confused about the whole debacle.

“Well, it looks like you won after all, little bud.”Ryan said, carrying him to the stage. He got to the steps, placing him upon the top. “I uh..I should probably get out of here.”

He made his way off the steps, but James clinged to his finger. “Where do you think you're going?”

“I.. well I-”

“I couldn’t have gotten this far without your encouragement. And I owe ya i bunch for that get back during the game. Come on, let’s get this prize together. winner”

Ryan paused for a moment, smiling as he walked along the steps. He guided the two of them upon the stage, the crowd cheering them as they approached the announcer.

“Let’s give it up for our winners!” the announcer said, holding the slips in hand as cameras flashed from the stands.

That following Monday, The event of the game had ceased as everyone returned back to their normal lives. It was good to finally have his size back again, being ground to earth was starting to get tedious in the long run. But he couldn't help but think of the merits that came along with it. He managed to scavenge enough money for an orientation at a university, to think they'd be a fan of the event, thank goodness he added that into his profile. He heard Ryan found a spot for himself somewhere up south, an academy where he could train for being on night patrol. He’ll have to give him a call to see how things are going sometime. With Rich, well, he wasn't so keen on getting biffed on the grand prize, but he's still prospering at his own job, or at least so he’s been barking about on social media . Nonetheless, the journey he went through was a rocky one, but in the end, it was surely worth it.

[i-am-electric]

I saw StEx London 2024 and I have opinions

Putting read more in case people have yet to see it themselves.

First of all, the cast went above and beyond to make this show what it is, and they have been absolutely amazing. This is their professional debut for quite a few of the cast so they deserve all the love and respect. 👏👏

To start off, the costume designs are mixed. It was going for a sci-fi futuristic style (the backgrounds had planets with train tracks for rings, really cute) Rusty, Pearl, Dinah, GB and the coaches fit really well. Electra and their entourage felt.... very bland and samey?? Electra's shades at the start were iconic and them handing it to Pearl was great but we never see it again? ????

I miss the Freight gang and CB. Freight song is now shorter because of the change. I guess Webber wanted to have a more modern take with an "environmental message" making Slick (Oil Freight) the CB, wanting money to stop Rusty. "Wide Smile, High Style" is there, had a slight lyric change, but she takes responsibility for the River Kwai incident. She even took some of Flat Top's lines (e.g. "Oil Oil Oil!").

Hydra(gen) replaces Dustin. I was a bit hesitant at first, but he grew on me and became a new fav character. He's fun, brings a new use for Rusty to help make steam with his number, and I need more of him in my life. 🥺

Changing Nationals to colours (hi Green Arrow from DC Comics) was an obvious choice as they don't want to cause stereotyping/appropriation (specifically Japanese engine), but I saw more personality with Nationals.... (I mean, why did I make a Welsh Engine OC??)

Right Place Right Time is gone. We went straight to "Guess they're right" and I Am The Starlight after the crash and beat Rusty up sequence. Not really surprised they made this change.

Control is physically on stage now (played by a child, my show was a girl and she was great!!), interacts with the characters and they respect Control more (no more shut it!).

With all these changes in mind, it has similar beats to the current Bochum production. So there will be familiarity to those who have watched previous renditions.

Personally, I had fun. The cast were great, and I'm fucking lucky to see a production of the show in my country. I'm most likely going to see it again either later this year or early next year. If you get the chance, go see it. I know this version won't satisfy some, but at least Bochum's has theirs (for now...)

I can finally cross it off my list, now to see Bochum asap.

[annimator]

I know I’m more than 2 months late to the party, but I REALLY wanna gush about how much I loved All Stars’ finale.

It’s honestly my favourite Disventure Camp episode as of right now, because I have a good feeling Carnival of Chaos will be really great considering how much I’m rooting for a good majority of the cast

(Spoilers for the episode below [obviously] but I also mention smth from the TomJake’s spinoff’s last episode)

• Tom sounds like the kind of guy to practice confessing to his crush by talking to a photo of said crush lmao. Ashley’s being as great as always by being Tom’s wingwoman

• Awwww Hunter’s trying to cheer up Ally by showing a drawing of her :D (do you take commissions bro /j)

• Huntally kiss! :D Also Tess is there too lol

• NOBODY WANTED TO BE ON RIYA’S TEAM LMAO. ELLIE ONLY JOINED BECAUSE OF THE CHANCE TO GET 100K, AND ALEC WAS PICKED RANDOMLY AND WAS LIKE “yeah ok whatever”

• Everyone that was sitting in Jake’s stand was starring at Tom (Except James & Aiden) when he was choosing his first teammate before Ally volunteered lol

• Tom we’re not glossing over the fact that you got WATERBOARDED. Also him saying that confessing to Jake is the most stressful thing he’s ever done is a mood.

• Dat scene of the thumbnail tho. ALSO THEY WERE BLUSHING >:DDDDDD

• “Get up guys! You can have your yaoi moment later!” LMAO BEST ALLY QUOTE RIGHT THERE

• Ally’s cartwheels were so fucking cool to watch, and I hope whoever animated that was paid well. I remember hearing in a greeting that acrobatics and gymnastics are a side hobby of hers but I can’t find the link to it :(

• BRO I WAS SO FUCKING HAPPY TO SEE FIORE CALL OUT FOR ALEC AND JUMP OFF THE STANDS TO HELP HIM OUT. SHE FINALLY SHOWED THAT SHE CARES FOR HIM AND HE RETURNED THE FAVOUR BY PROTECTING HER FROM THE PAINT ARROWS AND THE HORE CARRIAGE.

• Also speaking of, when it panned to show all the contestants reacting to Alec getting shot, everybody had concern on their face besides Yul’s bitchass having a shit-eating grin. Guess he called Alec an insufferable nerd for a reason lol

• Seeing Alec forfeit being Riya’s helper was rlly great. Icing on top was Fiore flipping her off lol

• LMAO GABBY DIDN’T EVEN WANNA HELP OUT RIYA, SHE JUST JOINED TO PROTECT ELLIE

• “Awwww! What a cute kitty!” GABBY THAT IS A WHOLE ASS TIGER WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

• The slow-mo moment of Tom shielding Jake from the paint arrow was pretty cool and funny at the same time lol

• RIYA WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT

• THE WAY ELLIE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HELP OUT GABBY BY TRYING TO PULL HER ARM OFF OF THE TIGER MY GOD I LOVE THEM SM

• Tom managed to fight off that tiger, what a madlad

• “What the hell was that Riya?!” “What? We won!” “You hurt my girlfriend you piece of shit!” YEAH TELL HER ELLIE

• Ellie would’ve beat the shit out of Riya if this finale wasn’t televised and I would watch every second of that. And good on Ellie for realizing that some things are more important that money

• speaking of, I WAS GENUINELY NOT EXPECTING A GABELLIE KISS IN THE FINALE, BUT I LOVE THAT IT CAME AFTER ELLIE SAYING THAT SOME THINGS (LIKE GABBY) ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY

• Ngl I didn’t really gaf about the staff plot this season, but Derek & Trevor are rlly cute together! Carnival of Chaos will be more interesting now that they’re canon and hosting it together >:D

• “Kick Riya’s ass for me!” YEAAAAAAAAA

• Seeing James & Aiden root for Jake was really wholesome considering the fact that Jake had beef with both of them throughout the game before making amends. Aiden actually has the my favourite elimination because of his convo with Jake before leaving. Yul’s is a close second because his monologue after getting eliminated is ICONIC

• I also like that even though you don’t hear anyone else loudly root/cheer for Jake (Besides James, Aiden, and Miriam). You can tell that everyone (besides Yul lol) is rooting for him.

• TOM HELPED TO PUSH JAKE BACK UP ONTO THE PLATFORM AFTER RIYA KNOCKED HIM OFF

• Seeing Fiore by Alec’s side as all of the finale’s helpers were in a separate stand was so nice to see :DDDD

• Tom’s not beating the “physical touch as a love language” allegations. LOOK AT THE WAY HIS HANDS ARE ON JAKE’ SHOULDERS WITH A CUTE SMILE ON HIS FACE.

• Jeez Riya’s gone off the deep end considering what she said to Connor even though she’s supposedly “PrETeNdiNg”. I personally think she’s a really interesting character considering her entire character arc, but at the same time, I think she’s a bitch lol

• “Well! You just watch! Your leg will look like a SCRAP after what I do to him.” JESUS FUCK SHE WAS NOT JOKING SHE FUCKING HIT JAKE IN THE FUCKING THROAT WITH HER SWORD AND KICKED HIM OFF THE PLATFORM.

• I WAS WAITING SINCE LAST FUCKING MAY FOR JAKE AND TOM TO FINALLY TALK OUT THEIR ISSUES AND FOR THEM TO GET BACK TOGETHER AND THEIR CONFESSION SCENE WAS SO FUCKING WORTH THE WAIT BECAUSE OF WHAT TOM SAID TO JAKE.

• “Whenever you called, I just stared at the phone. I was haunted by my past and I was so scared of making another mistake. But you reminded me that I’m so much more than my setbacks. Jake, I… I care about you so much!” I NEED TO BE FUCKING SEDATED

• THEY KISSEDDDDDDD

• Tom rlly said “If there’s any chance you feel the same way” as if Jake wasn’t blushing earlier after Tom saved him. And Jake kissed him to shut him up omg

EDIT: Idk how I didn’t mention this (or forget for that matter), but the background crowd can basically be heard throughout a majority of the episode, and their cheers get louder during Gabellie’s kiss and Tomjake’s first kiss which is such a great detail that I noticed when I first watched the episode.

• “I know you’re just coping Riya. Being alone must stink. It’s how I felt for a long time.” I did not relish this quote when I first watched this scene but OH MY GOD I FEEL LIKE THIS QUOTE IS A GOOD BOOK END FOR JAKE’S ALL STARS ARC. HE STARTED ALL STARS BY BASICALLY BEING ALL ON HIS OWN SINCE MIRIAM WAS ON A DIFFERENT TEAM BUT HE NOW HAS A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE ON HIS SIDE. AND KEEP NOTE OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND JAKE WHEN HE SAYS THIS. ASHLEY’S BEEN A GOOD FRIEND FOR JAKE THROUGH THICK AND THIN, JAMES, AIDEN, AND ALLY ALL BEEFED WITH JAKE DURING MOST OF THEIR TIME IN ALL STARS, BUT MANAGED TO PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE BEFORE (or after in James’ case) THEY GOT ELIMINATED. AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON JAKE AND TOM’S WHOLE RELATIONSHIP.

• RIYA WON?! NO FUCKING WAY

• I loved how the episode panned to all the eliminated contestants’ reactions to Jake getting knocked off, especially the pan to Ashley, James, Aiden, Tom, and Ally, their faces were hilarious lol

• Ngl that scene of Jake being congratulated despite losing was kinda cheesy to me at first, but I think it’s pretty neat, AND I AM NOT COMPLAINING OVER ANOTHER TOMJAKE KISS >:D

• “I guess, as they say in fairy tales, the prince fails to beat the dragon, but at least he gets the knight in the end!” That’s so wholesome omggggg

• I LOVE HOW NOBODY (EXCEPT YUL BECAUSE HES GETTING MONEY) IS HAPPY OVER RIYA’S VICTORY LMAOOOOO.

• “Hope it was worth it. Money can’t buy friends.” Bro it’s just like that one yt comment said, “Damn, even Krystal didn’t want her to win” lol

• Seeing everyone happy on the bus ride to the airport was so wholesome; Ally, Hunter, & Tess happily playing switch together, Ashley getting a call from Will, Alec smiling as Fiore slept on his arm while he was reading, Ellie & Gabby holding each other with smiles on their face, AAAAA I LOVE IT SO MUCH

• The transition to Riya holding the money briefcase on her own was literally all I needed to know that the Tumblr blog that posted art of Riya winning but getting ignored by everyone had the gift of prophecy lol

• BRO THE WAY JAMES & AIDEN ARE HOLDING EACH OTHER GENUINELY ADDED HALF A DECADE TO MY LIFESPAN, ITS TGAT WHOLESOME

• “Oh we’re gonna spend so much overdue time together.” I WAS CHEERING SO HARD WHEN JAKE SAID THAT. I LOVE HOW EVERY WHOLESOME TOMJAKE SCENE HITS DIFFERENT KNOWING THAT THEY’RE CANONICALLY ENGAGED BY THE END OF THE TOMJAKE SPINOFF’S FIRST SEASON

• I love how Tom also invited Miriam to spend time with him and Jake since he knows that she and Jake had a great bond, only for Miriam to deny it since she knows Tom owes Jake time for themselves and themselves alone.

• I haven’t seen anyone point this out, but in the scene where the contestants go their separate ways at the airport, the people from season two exit the screen on the LEFT, while people from season one exit the screen on the RIGHT, with the only exceptions being Great exiting on the left, and Yul exiting in on the right. Alec also had Fiore on his shoulders, Jaiden, Tomjake, & Gabellie were holding hands as they exited the screen, and Ashley waved her hat in the air to wave goodbye.

• “The cameras are gone right?” “What difference does it make?” “It’s over. I can finally stop pretending!” I genuinely saw this coming from a mile away when I first watched this ep

• OKAY I HAVE WORDS TO SAY FOR CONNOR & RIYA’S LAST SCENE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH IT PARALLELS WHAT ROSA SAID TO RIYA AFTER SHE GOT ELIMINATED BESIDES BOTH CONVOS ENDING WITH CONNOR AND ROSA SAYING THE SAME EXACT THING. SOMEONE ON TWT ALREADY SAID THIS, AND WHEN I SAW THAT POST IT MADE ME APPRECIATE THIS SCENE EVEN MORE.

• Ok I turned caps back off for this moment, In S2, Rosa monologues about how she’s disappointed in Riya for letting the game change her, and in All Stars, Connor says he’s disappointed in Riya because of how everyone EXCEPT Riya changed throughout their time in All Stars. LIKE THAT CANT BE A COINCIDENCE, I HAVE A GOOD FEELING THAT THE WRITERS INTENTIONALLY MADE THAT SCENE FROM ALL STARS PARALLEL THE ONE FROM S2 ONCE THEY DECIDED TO MAKE RIYA THE WINNER.

• Also pretty bold of Riya to assume her and Connor could continue whatever they had going on after oh, I don’t know, BREAKING HIS FUCKING LEG AND CONSTANTLY FUCKING WITH HIS MIND (also off-topic, but I think aleconnor’s pretty neat :D Apparently they could’ve hugged during Alec’s elimination, but that scene ended up getting deleted, would’ve made the scene more gayer lol)

• Yeah, uh, still don’t really care about the staff even though I think they’re all pretty neat. I remember being so happy after Krystal said that she had a certain duo in mind to take care of DC whilst she, Oliver, Marcus, & Nina took a vacation since it implied Trevek will return to host s4

• That scene of Riya looking at all the happy lives of the other contestants whilst she’s on her own was so bittersweet considering that this scene was the last scene for most of these characters since most of them didn’t make an appearance in the spin-offs (at least James got namedropped lol) .

• And this all once again goes back to what Rosa said to Riya back in S2, telling her that she’d win but will be alone. Everyone’s managed to get a happy ending except Riya; Tom & Jake finally went out to eat Chinese food like they promised back in S1(and ended up getting engaged), James & Aiden are still happily together and are visiting Germany with Lake & Rosa, Ellie & Gabby are still together with Ellie & Tess also having graduated, Alec & Fiore are back on good terms, Grett & Yul are separately living their best lives, Ashley, Will, Nick, & Lill all went out for drinks, and Connor ended up getting married. Meanwhile, Riya’s basically all by herself, only having the 3 million dollars, her miscellaneous acting awards, and her sister as company, ultimately suffering from success. (L)

• So yeah TL;DR, All Stars’ finale was FUCKING AMAZING! Sure the season as a whole has its flaws, but I still mostly loved it nonetheless. I started watching around episode 8’s release and caught up by watching the previous seasons to get a good understanding of all the characters. This show would’ve done WONDERS for me back when I was still figuring out my sexuality back in 2021-2022 with all its LGBT rep, but better late than never! And this series also kinda helped me heal from all the angst QSMP threw my way with how most of the ships ended up getting happy endings :D (*cough* Tomjake)

[marvelsgirl616]

Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow.

[natsuki208]

Here’s my top 5 favourite AOT moments!

I tried to help my friend come up with a list of their own, it was turning out a little tricky for them. So I decided to do on of my own. Maybe it might help, who knows. 🙂

———

5.) The drunk night in Marley

This is the only season 4 scene you’ll see on this list, for good reasons if you know me by now. The one time I actually enjoyed seeing the main cast this season was when they all could be happy together during hard times like the good ol’ days.

If only Eren had a sudden realisation during this night that maybe future plans were really s**t.

~

4.) Reiner and Bertholdt reveal

At first I thought this scene was overrated, but looking back at it, I can see where everyone is coming from. From the superior animation to the stellar voice acting (taking about English), this really brings out the emotions everyone was feeling during the iconic betrayal.

Oh, and the music? Being a rearrangement of the song that played during Carla’s death heavily symbolises and makes it hit much harder. I can definitely sense Eren’s sadness and anger here.

But I still love my Berty who didn’t want it to be this way.

~

3.) Sasha rescuing Kaya

Thanks to a friend of mine, I’ve come to appreciate this scene much more than I originally did. The time when the usual comic relief character finally takes the spotlight to show just how capable they are in combat should certainly be a thrill to watch.

Sasha goes out of her way to overcome her fear of the titans, using nothing but a bow and arrow, all to save a traumatised girl shows a lot about her character. It leaves us as satisfied as her own father.

Until she got tossed aside and reduced back to comic relief right after this that is.

~

2.) Marco’s encouragement

You should know me well enough to know that my boys will be here sooner or later. And this moment right here is the pinnacle of both character’s traits here. Jean being in denial of Marco’s belief that he’d be a great leader, and Marco informing him on why he thinks so.

This scene isn’t just ship fodder (it kinda is), it’s the starting point of Jean’s character development and how it’ll help finalise his decision of what is the right path to take in this cruel world.

Now if only Marco could’ve made that decision as well. 🥺

~

1.) The Trost battle finale

Everything about this scene peaks over the entire last battle in season 4! Because Eren did right here!

It just screams iconic and triumph. Eren pulls through his titan instincts to carry the giant boulder to the gate, pure titans are everywhere and the cadets and garrison soldiers have to protect him at all costs, all while Eren inner monologues about freedom and having to fight for it.

The animation is great, the voice acting is great, Call Your Name setting the emotions, it’s just represents what AOT use to be about - last of humanity taking the chance to risk their lives if it means fighting for a better world outside the walls.

☺️💖💖

[littlesparklight]

Some general observations about archery in the epics in specific, and Greek myth more generally;

-archery/bow and arrow was never a particularly favoured weapon and could straight up be one signifier (among several) of a coward -at the same time, you do have culture hero characters like Heracles wielding bow and arrows! But, his most iconic representations are with the club, not as an archer, even when he has a couple myths where the bow and arrows are important (one very notably after Heracles has left the bow and arrows behind).

In the Iliad, here's the characters who actually use archery in battle; -Paris -Helenus, once -unnamed, general Locrians, though I believe these are also said to be armed with slings at another point? -Teucer (-general Trojans? I forget if they're specifically mentioned as such, but it's very probable) Meriones, once

Here's the characters who use/carry bow and arrow outside of battle; -Odysseus (night raid; he does not use it once despite Meriones giving him his own bow and arrows to bring along, not even to stop Dolon) -Dolon (on the night raid, presumably he also uses it in battle, however) -Teucer (funeral games) -Meriones (funeral games, again)

Odysseus is an interesting case, since both by how he takes (someone else's!) bow and arrows with him on the night raid, and the whole ~special bow~ subplot in the Odyssey we know he should be known as an archer. But despite this, he hasn't brought his own, special in some way, bow to the situation where it would be most useful (the war at Troy). In fact, as far as we know he seems to either not have/use bows of his own at all in the war, and specifically in the Iliad, having to borrow from Meriones when he does take one! (Though we have to give that for some reason neither Diomedes nor Odysseus had weapons with them to the night council and had to borrow others, who had brought weapons along.) Shrödinger's archer, in a way.

Tecuer does use archery in battle. However, while he's Achaean and closer to a "big name", is also very specifically not fully Achaean. He's half-Trojan. Half-barbarian, if you will, someone who "of course" would use such a weapon. He gets to be effective at it and gets no flak for it. But this is probably because he's technically Achaean, so he's partially "protected" from the more negative views of archery, while, as half-Trojan, he's a "safe" character to make a combat archer.

The unnamed Locrians are tertiary Achaean forces at best. Little Ajax, as their leader, is someone who also commits a specific sacrilege at the sack that gets both himself and the rest of the Achaeans in trouble afterwards.

Meriones only uses his bow and arrows outside a war situation (in which he only uses sword and spears, like a "proper" warrior). So this is similar to Odysseus' (non-)use of archery while still nominally being an archer. Edited to amend (11/12/2023): since I stumbled upon it while skimming for something else in the Iliad, Meriones does use bow and arrow, once, in his several appearances and multiples of attempted and succeeded kills. It doesn't, in the end, change much of anything in terms of the body of the text. Meriones' one kill with bow and arrow is passed over extremely quickly and he's very obviously not actually cast as an archer in combat like either Teucer or Paris.

Paris' use of bow and arrow, despite that he's effective with it, is basically our parade example of "using this weapon makes you less manly/less of a proper warrior". If some of the Achaeans present use of archery in an as "acceptable" form as possible, which is still treated as something secondary compared to other weapons, then Paris is on the other extreme. Diomedes shows us with sharp clarity how an archer is seen, despite that the weapon is clearly capable of getting any warrior off the battlefield.

[readthephible]

i've seen people talk about shaymien drifting apart and missing their dynamic- since i know you love them both dearly, what are your thoughts on this?

oh dear anon, idk if you know what you’ve signed up for letting me ramble about them. hiding this under a cut bc it will probably be very long and also like tw speculation

so i’m basically rewording what i sent in an emotional, pms-infused series of messages to my bestie arrow @feral-teeth. i have been making connections and conclusions in my head where i’m having to step back and realizing they’re so parasocial, but i think i just emotionally connect to both shayne and damien so much that it “all” has a deeper meaning to me. keep in mind that this all just thoughts i’ve had as a viewer, it’s not me trying to say that any of this is factual or encouraging anyone to pry. don’t do that please (i, avery smoshpvnk, do not endorse the act of harassing real people with my speculative thoughts of them)

my over-emotional Shaymien Thoughts™️ have progressed with my obsession, mainly looking at the wavelengths over the course of their friendship how they’ve been close, then a little more distant, close, then a little more distant. i don’t have a set in stone timeline for it ofc, especially compared to like dan and phil where we have very solid chronological factors to make sense of things, but a rough outline: so random, they become best friends. they eventually become roommates for a little while. damien moves in with an ex and they drift for a bit while shayne gets miscellaneous roles and eventually books with smosh. shayne opens the door for damien at smosh.

from the get go they’re already a solid duo like in show with no name episodes, we see them closer with the damien and shayne show - so many good moments!!!, smosh pit weekly, then into the mythical era still with a good dynamic like in tntls and stuff. eventually we get hacking off mini series (iconic and under appreciated) that starts in 2019. then they seem to still have a good, standout dynamic through the pandemic videos. hacking off comes back for a bit about 2021. there’s also some GREAT moments from like twitch / heavy baf era (basically the time when saige is there) about them seeming really close, chaotic, having fun (ex. quelf, uno, game of life) there was also a stream damien did (12/14/21) where shayne came to his apartment (that i didn’t know about until recently??? i would die for the vod)

we get closer to the renaissance aka anthony’s back era with stuff like baf legacy series (where damien is touchy with shayne as expected, and also i know at the end of the series he is proud of everyone for the commitment and character work but the way he looks at shayne, kill me) ⬇️

[Image ID: baf legacy betrayal set. the main focus is damien in the middle dressed as mr. grub, smiling up at shayne who is standing to the right of the image and posing with a katana as the chosen. angela is on the left, jaw dropped. End ID]

then, the damien and shayne show revival! that’s where damien unintentionally clears up their timeline in a sense, and it’s cute how he gives a sappy monologue about him and shayne’s friendship. it’s really sweet even though damien did make a joke at the end to deflect from it.

i watched the video when it released, and admittedly i haven’t been a recent (as in last 5 years) smosh watcher since about august, but after this, i have just noticed a bit more of a decline in “joint content” with them. the space in which we have had videos with them together since then and especially this year has been admittedly lengthy. i have respect for my fellow rarepair shippers like how we all experienced the spommy drought, but i feel like with shaymien we have an extensive history of “canon” content rather than more consistent, current content, compared to like ianthony for example where we get to see their dynamic all the time. or anyone + the frequent cast members like shayne, ian, courtney. (i don’t really count shour/tney as a ship bc it’s real and like, not to be touched how i see it. but you do you.) even the ones we’ve got, they haven’t been seated together. (except for smosh mouth, but like, that’s the guest chair.)

could this be because damien is just busy outside of smosh? of course it could. in streams and through social media posts, you can see/tell/hear that he has been traveling, auditioning and working a LOT. i feel like with smosh videos though, besides maybe through the delay of sword af, there wasn’t a huge, monumental difference that oh, damien isn’t in videos as much. like it seems a bit more balanced i guess or less noticeable. but also, shayne has been in a ton of videos this year already, so why haven’t they been casted together with how frequently we see them in videos normally??

we get the we found our so random scripts smosh mouth episode. hallelujah shaymien is reborn. right?

idk, this could be me just totally misinterpreting, but i feel like ever since about the “decline” after the d&s show returns video, i feel like there’s a bit of a disconnect. and now this is me being incredibly parasocial and self projecting, but because i relate to damien so much, i can kind of tell that he is the kind of friend that puts in the majority of the work when it comes to upholding a relationship. is this true for all of his relationships? i have no fucking clue. but it’s something i’ve noticed with shaymien specifically. how they just don’t interact the same or bounce off each other as much as they used to.

i got a comment on one of my compilations that started more of a spiral for me:

[image ID: A YouTube comment saying “The fact that Damien wasn't at Shayne's wedding can be something so shocking and sad to me personally.”End ID]

is this true? who knows, i’m not gonna try to look into it too much, but from what i’ve seen, it makes sense. extremely speculative: surely we would have gotten photos? unless it was actually really small and limited, but why would shelby young post about it then? same with renfaire. you’re telling me they both went but didn’t even meet up?

anyway, it breaks my heart. not just in a shipper sense. at the end of the day, i really just want what’s best for them, i love their friendship and i can admire a relationship being only platonic but so strong. i have a thing for duos and always have because my lack of having a best friend throughout my life. anyway

from what i’ve seen as a viewer: you can tell damien ADORES shayne. ofc in our little alternate universes we take it a step further for fictional fantasy fun purposes, but on camera, you can tell he loves shayne so much. they both have seemingly gone through some rough shit, been very vulnerable, and grew up from being 20 and 21 together - so young and figuring out the world. i believe damien’s dad died around the so random time, and being a young adult moving to la to become an actor, mental health, neurodivergence and therapy, weight issues (me coded!! damien is me!!), relationships, etc. and through 13 years, shayne has been a constant.

you can tell how grateful damien is that shayne has been there, proud of how far he’s come, and what they’ve done together. (again, he kind of summarizes it in the d&s show revival.)

how can you tell?

1.) because of how he looks at shayne when shayne isn’t looking back. the way damien looks at shayne in the smosh mouth episode makes me want to BAWL.

the heart eyes haas is INTENSE. it’s just so tender, loving, sappy, sentimental and sweet—the intimacy of getting to be nostalgic with someone about a very niche, specific time of your life is such a concept to me. only damien and shayne know what it was like to constantly be asked “where’s demi?” then have that moved to “where’s anthony?” from so random to smosh. only they (okay, and maybe some other so random cast members) know what it was like to be a “special guest” for all the episodes and never have a solidified position on a goddamn disney channel show, or what the on set pranks were like, or who the makeup artist was that made you look dead.

damien is the one to mention the “metaphysical soulmate radar”. damien is the one to say it was their big break, just not in the way they thought “for friendship and good connections”. if you are Unwell like me about them, there is still the lowkey amanda playing the third wheel bc they’ve known each other for so long dynamic, but it’s different compared to like, bad 2 sentence horror stories.

2.) how he makes references and talks about shayne when he isn’t even there (recently, jackbox video with smosh theme where he did shayne’s bananas on monday joke). a semi recent stream where a character’s name was shane and he said there was no correlation and got all 🥰 (https://www.tumblr.com/queenofcaradelle/741683580962521088/hellers-brothers)

and this:

[Image ID: A tweet from Trevor saying “shayne blocked me” with a meme image of baby Peter Griffin. Damien’s reply: “The hell did you do? I’ve been antagonizing him for 13 years, and never got so much as a shady subtweet.” End ID]

no one asked bro /lh

3.) scroll back on damien’s instagram a bit and see how much shayne appears. here’s a link: https://www.tumblr.com/smoshpvnk/735024614400524288 but to summarize that post it is THIRTY. PHOTOS. where the focus is just the two of them. the vidcon post from last year where damien shared the text exchange “WE are awful 😌”.

AND DAMIEN’S POST ABOUT SHAYNE’S FUCKING BIRTHDAY. HELLO???

also, i stalked damien’s instagram (not promoting to do that, but i did it) and he is a very, like, proud and happy lover of people! like he wants to shout about them from rooftops! i wasn’t in this fandom for saige era, and damien has deleted those public photos from his instagram, but the photos come up on pinterest for me - they’re very cute, sweet and proud.

(took out the @ name of his ex - not about saige bc of date)

4.) even how he touches shayne: damien is a VERY touchy feely person and usually ghosts his hands or gives very light touches to others, but with shayne, it’s a full grab, it’s a grip on the shoulder, it’s an initiated hug. it’s “heart of the cards” with a bro handshake that shayne thinks is gonna be a high five but damien holds his hand and forces it still. even when he knows a touch wouldn’t necessarily be appropriate, with shayne, damien’s inner thoughts just seem to win so he ghosts it (ex. hacking off where shayne has oreo on his mouth and damien pretends like he’s gonna wipe it off)

— end of examples

damien just loves him so hard and so genuinely. and again, this is only speculation, but especially as of lately, it does not seem that shayne reciprocates that much admiration.

i know exactly how it feels to be damien. to need a person in your life that you can be 100% yourself with, without holding yourself back, because otherwise you feel like you’re going crazy. how you can love and appreciate someone so much it becomes obsessive. that person, that relationship, becomes a core part of your identity. how even if it’s not necessarily romantic, you can develop strong crushes on people that feel so intense and overbearing. how you want to spend so much time with them, envision the two of you becoming so close, jealousy making you really hard on yourself.

i know, and maybe damien does too, what it’s like to be the one who gives 75% in the relationship when the other person is giving 25%. the 75% person is trying so hard to keep it alive when it doesn’t seem like the other one is giving the same amount of effort, and disappointingly, unceremoniously, and ultimately — it fades away or crashes and burns.

i feel like the smosh mouth episode, as beautiful as it is, is a great example. how there is some good back and forth between them, but i feel like it’s heavily dependent on only so random nostalgia, which is great, but it’s not a lot of new information. we know they became friends from being on so random. it’s like finding one common thing you and a coworker have and being forced to work together on it to produce a result. again, i love that episode, i watched it the second it came out and blocked the world out to watch it. and maybe i need to watch it back to squash the little voice in the back of my head saying their dynamic is different now, or maybe i need to watch it again to make that voice louder, or maybe i shouldn’t even touch it bc it will break my heart to analyze.

ofc this is only based on what we see. maybe shayne just isn’t a pda person at all (not just touch, i mean other methods too like the 5 love languages. see: my edit of shaymien x everything i know about love by laufey) or damien’s is so strong it makes his look like nothing (again about the 75/25 though.)

maybe their friendship is absolutely blossoming privately and we don’t see it. maybe they will drift apart for a bit but come back together in an amazing way. maybe their friendship is so strong that it can overcome a (presumed) not speaking period like ianthony. or maybe it isn’t. maybe their friendship isn't as strong anymore because of them being busy with other things, or being on different walks of life (ex. shayne just got married which is presumably taking up a lot of time)

i don't mean that to negate any of damien's accomplishments ofc like boi is successful, but it must be hard in a way to have your best friend hitting such a huge milestone when you're just... with 2 cats. not getting to be with him as much anymore. drifting away from a relationship you thought would last forever. stuck caring so much more than the other person does. understanding that life must go on and so do people but it’s a sad event.

i know that, for me, staying busy and forcibly mindful and in the moment/present (working WAY too much) where you don't even have a choice to stop and think and be in your head sometimes just numbs it and makes you forget, and damien has seemed so busy lately. i’m glad he said in his tuesday 4/23 stream that he plans on taking a break soon and that it doesn’t feel bad to be busy. he’s an adult, he can handle his own life, i’m not trying to baby him.

also, i don’t mean to blame shayne or anyone else for my (admittedly silly) little perceptions of some guys from a youtube channel i love. this is, again, all entirely speculative.

my heart hurts thinking about the potential of them not being best friends anymore, of the lack of content we have seen with both of them recently, of my own perception of how much shayne means to damien. don’t listen to mitski (especially francis forever) and think about shaymien at the same time. but if you do, you better meet me in my dms. don’t think about how we’ve gotten, what, 4 videos with them both this year and it’s already almost may. don’t think about how we haven’t seen anything from shayne to damien lately and how it’s all been damien /about/ shayne, mostly indirectly.

who knows what’s going on. but either way, shayne is a big part of damien’s life. thanks for letting me get on my shaymien soapbox 🫡

[alwaysahiccupandastrid]

I watched TBOSAS today (Sunday) and I’m sadly not very well (bad cold or flu), but I wanted to try and make a little post to appreciate the film/give my thoughts.

I saw the first three Hunger Games movies on opening weekend during my teens - the only one I didn’t watch at the cinema was Mockingjay Part 2, because it coincided with my GCSE mocks and some other stuff I had going on. I saw the first one twice at the cinema, once on opening weekend with one friend and then a second time with my then-best friend a few weeks later; I saw CF and MJP1 with my younger sister on opening weekend because it’s one of the few series we both love and so it’s one of the few things we can both enjoy together. My point is that I’m a huge THG fan, have been since I read the first book in late 2011 when I was 13 - I even still have my Mockingjay pin that I bought in March 2012 from Waterstones that I still wear!

Anyway, I read TBOSAS during lockdown, my sister bought the book and let me read it after she did, so this has been one of my most anticipated movies of the year!

!Spoilers below!

I was ill when I watched it and I’m even iller now but I’ll try to remember as much as I can

I LOVED IT

I’m glad they made Coriolanus Snow hot because I felt so conflicted watching him and that’s EXACTLY what was needed for the character, he’s got this beautiful exterior but he is POISON inside

Rachel Zegler was AMAZING by the way, I’m not her biggest fan by any means but I say fuck the haters

Hunter Schafer as Tigris was AMAZING casting, she really needs to shine away from Euphoria because damn she was so good in this film

Just in general casting ATE in this movie; Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman etc

Tigris was spot on: “I wouldn’t sing a note for you” and pointing out that Coryo needed to get Lucy Gray’s trust in order to help her win

Arachne Crane deserved death, idc 🤷‍♀️

NO ARACHNE FUNERAL LIKE THE BOOK?!?

The fact that the tributes were just dumped in a zoo and put on display like animals?!? Compared to six and a half decades later where the tributes are glammed up and treated like royalty, even allowed to train before entering the arena??? I love how starkly different it is

I won’t lie, Lucky Flickerman stole the film whenever he was in the scene 😭😅 absolute scene stealer?!?

Lucky trying to cancel his dinner reservations on night 1 of the games because “this is taking longer than I expected” 💀

Also telling one of the mentors not to puke on the floor after their tribute was killed?!?! Iconic really

“Those drones really are not very good” - PLEASE 😭

You can definitely tell Lucky is an ancestor of Caesar lol

The bow and arrow when Coryo enters the arena?!?! 👀🏹

Coryo killing Bobbin was BRUTAL. He could have stopped after the first hit, that was self defence - but he carried on and kept hitting him. It was definitely a huge moment

I obviously knew Wovey wasn’t going to survive, but god DAMN it 😭 DID THEY HAVE TO MAKE HER SO SWEET AND LIKEABLE?!? She just wanted to go home, and those were her last words before she was killed by the snakes 😭

Coryo really cheated just so Lucy Gray could survive, and it still has me questioning whether he cares for her or if it is just to do with the Plinth prize? 🤔

“What are the Hunger Games for, Mister Snow?” And all I can think about was him explaining in the original HG movie why there’s a Victor, why they don’t just kill 24 kids at random:

THE SNAKE SCENE IN THE ARENA WHERE LUCY GRAY SINGS?!? ASDFGHJKL THIS IS CINEMA

The Games felt so much more primal and sad, like you could tell all of them were just trying to survive, even Coral who seemed to target Lucy Gray ruthlessly but then before her death made the comment that it can’t have all been for nothing…

The fact that Gaul didn’t want to call an end to the games even though Lucy Gray was the final survivor, and it was only when the other mentors were chanting to let her out, to call it, that she finally did it…

I nearly lost my shit during the first hanging scene because I suddenly remembered that THIS was what the Hanging Tree song was based on; “they strung up a man they say who murdered three” “dead man called out for his love to flee” etc. And that is EXACTLY what happened, right to a tee: the man protesting his innocence, calling for his love to go…

Listen I may be REALLY off, but the meadow where Coryo and Lucy Gray met up again… is it the same meadow from the final scene in Mockingjay P2 with Everlark and their kids?!?

It probably isn’t but it reminded me of it idk

THE KATNISS PLANT - FORESHADOWING 😭 “it’s not ready yet” “things change fast” ASDFGHJKL

SEJANUS PLINTH YOU HAVE ALWAYS DESERVED BETTER 😭 knew it was coming but I was so sad

The scene where they hang Sejanus was so chilling, because the birds (i think they were Jabberjays and not Mockingjays but I could be wrong?) repeated his blood curdling calls for help as he was hung, like I was so haunted by it afterwards

No wonder Coriolanus Snow hates the fucking birds, Jesus Christ

THE CABIN AND WOODS SCENES?!?

The absolute tonal shift when he finds the guns, when Lucy Gray remarks that she’s the only loose end as if it’s a taunt, a challenge etc.

Coriolanus running through the woods, screaming “AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE FOR YOU?!?” - it just SCREAMS toxic relationship quite frankly, like whether you believe there was any genuine love at all or not, it just screams how toxic the relationship was between them. It was doomed from the start frankly

I was so concerned that the film would make it clear whether or not he killed Lucy Gray, but thankfully they left it ambiguous just like the book. Did one of his bullets hit her? Did she fly free?

It’s so interesting that Lucy Gray and her games were completely and utterly wiped, there was no trace of them - but her songs, her art, survived even after she disappeared. Songs like the Meadow song and the Hanging Tree survived and were passed on through District 12, becoming part of their culture - Snow couldn’t destroy that, no matter how hard he might have tried

Someone on Twitter made this comment and I agree:

Also YES, I noticed that Tigris called him “Coryo” until their last scene together, and then it was “Coriolanus” 😭 and also the fact that she warned him not to turn into his father, his father had hate in his eyes… and then at the end, she sadly tells him “you look like your father, Coriolanus” 😭

The small little hints of the man Coriolanus Snow is in the original series though??? The roses, the Katniss plant Easter egg, etc. And then there’s the fact we see glimpses of what later became his preferred method of killing his enemies - poison. He put poison in the compact and gave it to Lucy Gray, and then he poisoned Casca Highbottom… it’s just so fascinating to think of who this young 18 year old becomes later on, the way he changed over the course of the next 64 years and how those changes came directly from what happened in this story.

Ending the film with Donald Sutherland’s delivery of “It’s the things we love the most that destroy us” from the original movies?!?! FUCK YEAH I WAS THIS CLOSE TO SCREAMING

Honestly it’s got to be VERY hard to play a younger version of a Donald Sutherland character, but especially this one because that man KILLED the part in the films, but I think Tom Blyth did a really good job and I could definitely see hints of the older Snow being included in his performance, like I could genuinely believe it was the same character?

The fact that 64 years later a dark haired girl from District 12 wearing a mockingjay pin and singing songs once sung by a girl he thought dead absolutely fucked his life up?!? We love to see it. It’s like Lucy Gray gave him a middle finger lol

I’ll be honest, as soon as we left the cinema I said to my sister “the only thing is now I want to watch the original four Hunger Games movies” 😭

That’s all I can think of right now because I’m very feverish, I’ve got work in the morning and it was also a long film so there was a LOT going on, but I absolutely LOVED IT. The Hunger Games has truly been the only franchise that has a prequel that has been nearly universally loved and accepted by the fans, Suzanne Collins is truly amazing.