#at least on melvins side

[creatingblackcharacters]

(Asking on behalf of a friend who doesn't have Tumblr)

Do you (or your followers) have any recommendations on books for elementary-middle school aged kids specifically that feature positive Black dads? My friend's kiddo is mixed, and his dad passed away when he was very small. He's had some pretty gross things said to him about Black men being absent fathers, and he's mentioned he wishes there were more books with Black dads (he's a big reader in general, genre doesn't really matter).

The problem my friend's been having is that a lot of books for that age range, the parents are not super involved in the story, because that leaves room for the child characters to have adventures where a reasonable parent IRL would say "hell no you're not solving crimes/fighting monsters/whatever, you're ten years old."

I'm sure books with Black dads are out there, it's just been hard to find because that's not something you can plug into the library search catalog and get any results.

Well first, it breaks my heart that they're already treating him like that at ten. It's not surprising, but still hurtful. He can't help that his dad is damn dead, like wow.

My first piece of advice is actually not on the books, but on the kid himself. Does your friend take him to visit his father's family? Is he involved in any programs led by Black men, like the Alpha Esquires or something? The presence of positive Black men in his life, while not making up for the loss of his father, will give him a community that understands him. Will give him that reinforcement that no, Black men are not neglectful parents (actually, it's been studied that Black American fathers spend more time with their kids on average than White ones. Oop!) Even if it's just spending more time with that side of the family to share in his father's memory, culture and community, would help strengthen his bonds and make him feel less alone.

As for the list of books, obviously you can go to the library for them but here are some i found. Try searching "elementary books about Black fatherhood". I also tossed in a couple littler aged books about Black boyhood because tbh I think if he can't remember much, he could reminisce about the times when he was little with his dad.

As Brave As You- Jason Reynolds

Black Boy Magic- Tex Stanly

100 Things Black Boys Should Do and Know- Jason Huey

Daddy's Arms- Fabian Robinson

I wish I could find more for you right now. A lot of the books are approaching from the Dad's side of things, and even with kids it focuses more on the daughters, so I'm seeing. I hope I could at least point you in the right direction!

[canisbrutus]

Pleaaaseeee write about Earnest and Melvin!! I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts about them on their own and together !!! Kind of like a supercut …if you don’t mind!!!

Hi.

these two are so fucked up but they amuse me so. im sick im ill i have way too many thoughts on the matter etc etc.

CWs include but may not be limited to emotional abuse neglect mentions of child abuse homophobia etc etc

ahems.

Earnest and Melvin 🍃🍯

How it Started:

these two go back... decently far, let's say. maybe as early as 5th grade in elementary.

Melvin had just moved into town after fleeing some shitass situations i wont be elaborating on here, and guess who informed him on threats to avoid and ways to prank them?

Earnest comes from a rather neglectful household. so he's bound to latch onto whoever he can (some being more tolerable than others).

Melvin on the other hand... well we know he's a disappointment in his father's eyes. likewise he needed somebody in his life.

for better or for worse they have some kinda codependency going on. Earnest more than his aloof companion, of course.

admittedly it's difficult to tell where their relationship began, or if it's anything official at all, due to the obscene amount of homophobia oozing out of that sad repressed muskrat.

they sure do banter like an old married couple though.

How it's Going:

More than anything else, Earnest needs Melvin to get anywhere with anything whatsoever.

At least, without shooting himself in the foot and throwing god knows how many people under the bus.

Earnest may be the voice and face 'representing' the nerd clique, yes, but Melvin's the one smoothing over inner workings and plotting out their survival in Bullworth.

As such, Melvin is one of only two people allowed to backtalk Earnest, and the only one Earnest actively listens to without shrugging him off, at least most of the time.

Honestly Melvin tends to tone down any insane ideas Earnest comes up with; Paparazzi only happened because he wasn't around.

Why wasn't he around? Had another nasty spat with Earnest, something about feeling taken for granted, that had him packing his bags for a minute; fully left the clique.

(Beatrice wasn't far behind him and Donald was competing against Thad to fill the roll of second in command in his absence, but I digress)

He came back, of course, the others needed him, said Earnest. Melvin raised holy hell shouting and pulling Earnest's ear anyway, but things devolved from there.

Is it any surprise why Earnest cited Gary's lack of morals as to why he'd be a great partner for him?

Their divorce arc was crazy fr.

Honestly they'd be like. Fine. if Earnest wasn't swept up in the megalomania of the social hierarchy at Bullworth. Or any position of power.

They'd likely rekindle things when Earnest is nobody special anymore and he's not leveraging others' needs over Melvin's head.

Misc. Dynamics:

onto more lighthearted shit believe it or not they match eachother's freak damn near perfectly.

Horror nuts. Very little can actually phase Melvin, partially because he is the horror, though the mask seldom slips.

happy mask salesman vibe having ass.

he's killed before on that note. animals, mind you, on a hunting trip or two. point being melvin knows his way around a carcass and isnt particularly squeamish.

regardless this often leads to Earnest handing him the controller when silent hill gets too nerve wracking for him.

movies are generally better in present time, though Earnest is still rather jumpy/clingy with him (with a handful of 'no-homo's sprinkled in for clarification).

just goes to show how much unwavering faith he puts in the guy.

he's practically guaranteed to come running ready to throw hands whenever Earnest shrieks his name anyway.

something else to note: while i've joked about the laptop in dragon's wing belonging to Earnest and it's... uses. there's actually two computers down there. the desktop monitor is Melvin's.

tech ownership aside, the pair often retreat into that side room whenever they need to plot and scheme alone together, or just study in the relative peace and quiet.

many, many of their plots unfurled in that room, hence the corkboard over the bed. (note: its not literally just a bare mattress, its a futon. more lore on that in a future post)

Earnest needs to feel superior over people because he thinks he's owed it after his upbringing depriving him of anything good. meanwhile Melvin generally doesn't give a fuck he's just kinda mirthful, sometimes sadistic.

the two simultaneously enable eachother and keep eachother grounded.

while also stepping on eachothers last nerves.

tldr they're fucked yeah but they're better together. as long as literally nobody else gets involved.

i could probably keep going. but i wont 🦠 hope this summarized em good enough for now. they make me sick

oh also in case you missed it i wrote: a letter. from earnest to melvin. as a warmup for this. read it here.

[writing masterpost]

[savemeafruitjuice]

Wanted to make a Captain Underpants fic... Super self-indulgent but this idea was a daydream of mine a couple months ago and I think it's cute. This is set pre-season 2 finale, hope you enjoy! 😁👍

Also if someone is apart of the cu fandom and wants me to tag them when I make tickle content like this, just tell me! (Also I would love to interact in general, as long as you're sfw and not a creep ofc)

Speaking of which, tags for moots!: @sunsetsandsunshine (especially you 🥰🥰), @hypermoonlover, @rice-cake-teen10

Lee: Melvin

Ler: Melvinborg

TW!: Light angst!

Word count: 2,143 (literally my longest fic yet omg?!?!)

THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR THE END OF SEASON 1, AND LITERALLY ALL OF SEASON 2 BTW!!

BY THE WAY- THIS IS NOT A SHIP, OR IN ANY WAY ANYTHING LESS THAN PLATONIC!!

-----

"No, no. I've already tried submitting that."

Melvinborg sighed, tossing his blueprint to the side for the umpteenth time. He continued racking his brain for some of his more impressive inventions. "What about the Pump-it-Upinator...?"

You see, for the past hour, Melvin and his future self had been discussing possible ways to help the former get accepted into his dream school.

Despite the obvious intellectual qualifications the ginger-haired boy had, Eliteanati Academy just didn't seem to grasp his true potential as a student.

At least, that's the only thing he could think of that was keeping him from his dream.

One of the ways they decided would help boost his reputation with the school was to present some of the inventions he had made in order to impress the staff. Although Melvin had already tried using the majority of his creations when applying, the two were beginning to get desperate. Plus, there were bound to be a couple that he had overlooked, right?

The pre-teen shook his head. "It was destroyed, remember? And even if I were to rebuild it, I'm not so sure that I want to risk another.. Flabulous incident."

Melvinborg bit back a chuckle. In retrospect, that entire situation had been pretty funny. For a machine with such potential, the disaster could have gone a lot worse than a teacher getting a huge butt.

"Oh, I bet the Time Toad 2000 would get me enrolled in an instant!" The boy rummaged through the stack of papers on the desk before finding one with a detailed drawing of the design, along with notes about how the time-travelling invention worked.

As soon as the stationary found its way into the younger's hand, it was promptly snatched up from the elder. "Nope, terrible idea."

"lt could totally work!" Melvin rolled his eyes, attempting to reach for his paper.

"Wouldn't."

"Uhm, would!"

The cyborg scooted back in his chair, forcing his younger self to lean awkwardly from his spot on the office desk to grasp at the blueprint. Beyond annoyed, he swatted at Melvin's hands as they got just a little too close to their desired prize. "I'm from the future, you unlit candle. And that means-

The older man scoffed as he was swatted right back. In a moment of petty ignorance, he scooted his chair back abruptly, fighting off the child who was now clumsily toppling into his lap.

"I know better than you do."

"That's a terrible explanation. Why don't you at least try and think of a good reason as to why I'm wrong?"

"I don't need one. It's obvious that using the Time Toad is a bad idea!"

Their swatting turned to pushing, and Melvinborg grunted as an arm was pressed into his face. Melvin was attempting to climb over him now, showing absolutely no remorse as he smushed his palm into the taller's face.

"Teaming up with you in the first place was a bad idea! You just want to do things your own waaHAHAY!-"

"..."

The both of them froze. Melvin's eyes shot down to the hand that had grasped at his side, then back to the surprised face of his future self.

You could practically see the gears turning in the cyborg's head, as he finally realized why the uncanny noise had left the other's mouth. Before he could open his mouth to speak, Melvin quickly snatched his paper back, jumped from the chair, and made a break for the door.

Melvinborg looked stunned for a brief moment, before getting to his feet and following suit.

"Get over here!"

"Never!"

The shorter grabbed for the door handle, squeaking as arms wrapped around his torso at the same moment that he made contact. He thrashed, desperately holding onto the door with all his might, but it did little to prevent the stronger man from yanking him up into the air.

"Let me go!" Melvin squirmed desperately in his grip, clutching the paper in his hand tightly, and held it as far from himself as possible. There was no way that his future self would be jeopardizing his future because of this dumb argument.

Melvinborg just rolled his eyes. "Then you give me the paper." His fingers dug slightly into his side, a smug grin growing on his face as his younger self yelped, clearly fighting back a smile.

"There's.. Thehere's no reason toho! Ahack- stop ihihit!" He squeaked as his sides were suddenly pinched, strained giggles forcing their way past his defenses.

The young scientist kicked, trying in vain to free himself from his future-self's arms, but it was hopeless. He shoved frantically at the cyborg, but his jelly-like limbs only succeeded in flailing tactlessly about.

"There's no reason to?" Melvinborg asked with feign interest, readjusting his hold on the child so that he could support his weight with one arm, the other reaching around the squirming mess to poke under his arm. "You wouldn't say this is reason enough to give me what you stole?"

A squeaky shriek pierced the office as Melvin's squirming increased ten-fold. He desperately fended off the digits that were attacking his armpit, simultaneously fighting the urge to clamp his arm down. Bringing the blueprint any closer to his body would result in it being snatched away, and every stubborn bone in his body was screaming at him to just hold. onto. that. paper.

After a few more pokes, Melvinborg understood that he needed to up his game. He huffed, digging into the younger's armpit with intent this time, completely set on getting the ginger to yield.

"StahAHAP! Stop ihit, I SWEHEHEAR! SNRK-"

In spite of the infuriatingly ticklish sensations shooting through his torso, Melvin kept his arm up. He threw his legs around once more, successfully landing a few smacks to the monster that had him in its clutches.

"You know what I want!" the robot snapped, "But since you're so insistent on making this difficult.."

Melvin squeaked as he was suddenly lowered to the ground, wrestling with the hands that were once again attempting to reach for him. He however quickly deciding on just hugging the sheet to himself in an attempt to keep it out of the other's possession. It may have been a less than ideal position to put himself into- but at that point Melvin figured that anything was better than throwing in the towel now.

"Ugh, just let go already!"

"Ihi- I refuse! It's my creation!"

As was expected, Borg tried to pry the boy's arms away, only succeeding in getting a couple frantic kicks to his arms in the process.

"Your logic doesn't make any sense! It's my invention too, you misaligned tire."

He shot a glare at his past-self when a particularly hard kick forced him to pull away. The preteen only gave him an indignant "humph" in response, forcing his tickle-induced smile away to really sell his attitude.

The elder rolled his eyes, sitting back on his legs. His patience was wearing thin, and he wondered internally if he'd always been as stubborn as this.

Who was he kidding.. if anything, he's even moreso now.

His eyes drifted to the legs that had gone back to kicking at him. They were admittedly weak blows for someone of his age, but persistent ones nonetheless.

"That is it. I didn't want to have to do this," Melvinborg caught one of the limbs right before it collided with his arm. "But I think it will help in convincing your underdeveloped mind to see this my way."

"WAIT! Noho, no! Don't you even dare!" Melvin positively shrieked, because he knew what was coming next.

As of late, the student had discovered- via two unbearably annoying friends (cough George and Harold cough cough..)- that his entire lower half was very ticklish. Espeeecially his knees.

How would the two know this, you may ask?

Well, it turns out that refusing to help one of the simple-twins with.. an admittedly tough math problem in their homework is not the way to inspire self-sufficiency in their minds. What it did inspire, however, was a certain child with a t-shirt and a bad haircut to try and get his attention again by spreading his fingers over one of his knees.

When that earned a jolt that shook his entire desk from Melvin, he and George decided to repeat the motion over and over and over again until he finally agreed to help them. By the end of it, the bespectacled preteen had lost the energy to fight, slumped out of his chair and out of breath.

Which is exactly why he's so anxious now. Borg was most certainly aware of this weakness- probably moreso than he was if he was being realistic; and very likely was planning on leveraging himself on that to get Melvin to give in.

What he was most worried about was that he knew it would work. And his future self knew he knew.

In short- he was screwed.

"Normally, I wouldn't. But as of now you're risking a time paradox that I don't have the exuberance for, the body for, nor the time for.." Melvinborg's free hand came up, and the younger tugged desperately at his entrapped limb. "So I'm willing to do what it takes to prevent that from happening."

Down on the floor, Melvin took to slapping profusely at his attacker's hands, eyes scrunched with giddy panic at the threat of being tickled again.

"Plehease! Juhust let me up!"

The half-robot held his hand out to give Melvin one last chance at escape. "Are you gonna give it to me?"

There was a hesitation, then paper was clutched tighter to the boy's chest; and so, Borg's hand returned to its place at his knee and squeezed.

"AH! Haah- SNRK! NOHOHO!" he screamed, head thrown back in hysterics. "IHI NEEHEHED- SNRK! IHIHIHIT!"

"No, you really don't."

Melvin's laughter jumped in pitch as a little more pressure was added to the tickling, surrendering internally as he tossed an arm over his eyes. Unable to withstand any more torment, he blindly chucked the accursed map towards the cyborg, ripping his limb out of the robotic grasp as soon as the grip was lessened.

The boy sucked in a huge breath, feet scrambling to scoot him further away as his other arm came up to shield his eyes.

After a few moments had passed; and Melvinborg still hadn't said anything, Melvin peeked through his arms, only to burst into giggles all over again at the incredulous look he was being given.

The man crossed his arms slowly, eyes wide as he collected himself enough to speak.

"..Why on Earth would you choose to throw it at me?"

Melvin brought his arms back down, propping himself into a sitting position with a smile. "Duhunno." he shrugged, watching as the other grabbed the blueprint from the floor and reached to set it back in its rightful spot on the desk.

"Hey," Melvin looked up to meet the eyes of the other. "I'm still going to get you into Eliteanati. You're aware of that, right?"

The younger's eyes shot down, residual smile fading away as he remembered what they were arguing about in the first place. "..I know you're trying."

The cyborg's face fell a little. "No- No, not just trying. You're going to get into that school, and you won't waste your years struggling for something that you just are not going to reach." He sat back down across from his younger self, speaking deliberately, as if he could force his words into fruition if he just.. tried hard enough. "I don't want to watch you end up like me."

For once, Melvin felt like he couldn't formulate the right words. The real weight of what he was saying sunk in. He conceived the fact that this version of himself had just.. given up on whatever timeline he had existed in, just to give his nine-year old self an opportunity to do what he couldn't.

"Uhm.." he started, fixing his glasses before starting to fiddle with the hem of his shirt. "For the record, I don't think you turned out to be the worst person in the world. You're working really hard to help me, and- I don't know.. it's just a pretty cool thing to do. I mean, you became the principal of the school in barely a week's time."

Borg laughed quietly. "Yeah, but that wasn't very difficult- Krupp is an idiot."

Melvin shook his head with a smile. "I guess. But still, I mean it about what you've done for me. I think there are worse fates for my life than getting rejected again."

The young ginger caught a shift in the other's gaze, but just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone; replaced with a look of newfound determination.

"..Don't worry. I'll get you into that school."

----

[waywardmillennial]

Puppet History Trailer Breakdown

The PH season seven trailer dropped on Watcher TV today and I'm going to try to break it down New Rockstars style - so settle in because this is a long one!

disclaimer: I am an oxymoron of a human who notices lots of details and misses other clues - so I might not have caught everything but I tried!

[s7 trailer easter eggs and spoiler-y thoughts under the cut]

The trailer opens with the Professor looking at the billboard for Phorgedytol, the tagline of which reads "(something) WITH YOUR BRAIN"

[note: this is different to the Phorgedytol billboard we see at the end of the trailer that reads "FRENCH THE VOID!"]

the first shot of Ryan in the trailer is from the episode with Aria Inthavong

behind them on the bookshelf you can see what I think is a brachiosaurus (from the late Jurassic era), a pair of alpacas, and the Genie lamp very prominently displayed!

then we cut to this interaction Ryan: How long has it been since we've been in class? to which the Professor gives a very non-committal "Uhhhh...."

[Interesting, no? Possible side-effect of the Professor taking Phorgedytol maybe?]

then we cut to guest Alex Song-Xia with a possibly foreboding comment

[this probably has no lore implications but I like that there's a framed copy of this photo that Ryan tweeted in 2021 on the set]

the trailer continues with the Professor talking to the guests

then the trailer cuts to what could be a major lore drop with Ryan saying, "You keep my wife's name out of your god damn mouth!" as he marches to the theater to slap the Professor

[notice how this is in black and white -that's the trailer edit not mine- so perhaps this is a flashback of some kind? Maybe to something that happened to make the Professor want to take Phorgedytol?]

Remember in s6 Ryan and the Professor were friends (see: the JC Penney photoshoot) so seeing a moment like this in the trailer is, for lack of a better phrase, a slap in the face

Based on what all the guests are wearing in the trailer it looks like The Slap will happen in Claudia's episode, based on the shot right before Ryan gets out of the chair (their reaction face is gorgeous btw)

we get a great out of context line from Sara Rubin

and the Professor talking about his anatomy with Brennan

Then the Lore Drop Hits

[yeah the rest of this was just a drop in the bucket in this trailer tbh]

The cuts happen fairly fast with overlapping VO - I posted most of the main shots earlier and there are some shots of the history skits that I skipped to focus on the Lore. These shots also have some alt descriptions in this post of things I noticed on the rewatch

VO Script Mysterious Puppet: No, you louse. You sops. You absolute men. Ryan: Well, this is collusion. They clearly- Professor: That's not collusion. Ryan: It's collusion! You guys fucking figured it out before this. Brennan: Just get on his wavelength, man. Professor: Get on my level! Ryan: You're just not ready for the truth!

[First reactions: The Professor is wearing a party hat for a lot of this trailer, and so is the new puppet. So they must have been at the same party. Also, the Professor is standing in front of a sign that reads "Six Nasty Seasons" even though this is the trailer for season seven. Is that from the season six wrap party? Could it also point to Phorgedytol symptoms that we're 'missing' a season?

The horse puppet looking through the door has a moustache, so is very likely not Dorothy Ruth or Stanley Melvin Murphy. Maybe DR's fiancé? This same moustachio'd horse is in the pasta scene

Hard to say which horse is walking towards The Brown Derby but fun to note that was a real chain of restaurants in LA starting in 1926]

Then the Professor meets with the new Shane character - shall we call them Patch for now?

and that's the trailer in a nutshell!

*Roll End Credits*

Other reactions:

Delighted that we get canon confirmation that the Professor goes by Connie McNasty, at least some of the time

Love that Joyce and Garrett are back this season!

The noir, old Hollywood vibes of this trailer are gorgeous and overall it looks really well-made!

I hope we get some explanation for the slap that's not Ryan and the Professor becoming enemies again

the Liza Minelli* of it all

Not too sure on many theories at this point, but I'm sure it's going to be a great (but maybe nail-biting) season!

[thewisewill80sbyers]

I'm a byler obviously but why do so many people deny that mike and el ever had any cute moments together in season one and two? Their snowball date for example was so cute but as soon as you bring it up it's immediately nope mike never liked her he only ever saw her platonically!!!!! Is it really that important that he never liked anyone other than will? I don't agree with people who say bylers are delusional duh but when it comes to this. Well.

We should not call people delusional for a theory, especially others in our own fandom, it's not okay, and it would not be even if they were wrong, plus you don't know that yet and it's just disrespectful in general anyway, it's just a tv show at the end of the day so let's be (relatively) normal about it and be better than mlevens - there's no need for this, make your own posts in the byler tag and just block who bothers you

I think each person has their own interpretation, we can't be 100% sure that our is the right one, as melvins can't be sure that theirs of ''straight Mike'' is the correct one, or as gay Mike believers can't be sure either - at least until we have the last season, and we have an explanation from the writers!

Personally, I agree with you that he did have a crush on her and that it's not even that much important if he did or didn't, and I know for sure that for some people that are gay mike believers it's just about wanting that specific representation + interpreting the subtext in the show in that way and I think that's perfectly fair

There are also some people who think that it would be less meaningful if he was bi compared to if he was gay, and I don't agree with that because I find it dismissive of bisexual identities, our own discovery journey, and our own fight against heteronormativity and internalized homophobia (yes, bisexual people have that too)

I just block those people because they are usually very hostile to others that have a different opinion and want to go on trying to change your mind or use ''reasons'' to explain their pov that are biphobic thought processes whether they know it or not, if you're talking with one of them you will notice it easily because they start being offensive randomly instead of just minding their business and keep making their own posts in their own blog as they should lmao

but thankfully the majority of my interactions in the fandom have been positive and lots of people are normal about that possibility and don't really care that much even if they have a different preference for the story in their mind, they have stated that it would be okay anyway, surround yourself with them and you'll have a nice stay here, because even if you talk about your pov they're not going to be assholes about it even if they disagree

but also make sure to do the same on the other side of it, don't act like they're delusional for thinking that Mike is gay, he might be, and it's perfectly possible to insert that storyline in the finale too if the writers wanted to

[heathensimmer]

Roaring Heights 3T2 - A Little ... err ... A LOT Less Glamorous

So yes, my Roaring Heights is glitzy and glam as ever.

But I thought to myself: Wouldn't a beach city like this have a bit of a rougher crowd SOMEWHERE amongst the rays of sun and flowery dresses?

I mean, the mayor (He's a Judge (Lvl 8 of Politics) in Sims 2 rendition) of Roaring Heights is a Kleptomaniac for Simoleon's sake!

I wanted a bit more seediness.

And of course, this character just HAD to live in the crappiest rattiest house in Roaring Heights. A premade house that was already there when you load Roaring Heights in the Sims 3! A house much different from the ones I just showed you.

Consort Capp's mother is literally ruining my shot ... technically she dies soon in the timeline so you know what, have a nice long walk, girl. She is FAR from home.

I made a man named Melvin Presley from my own mind. Not from Sims 3. This is an unoccupied house in Sims 3.

The residents have started just referring to him by a simple phrase ... "I suppose every city or town needs its crazy old men..."

And yes, Roaring Heights definitely needs it! Another technophobe, but much more bitter and caustic.

Melvin's 3t2 traits are Grumpy, Neurotic, Technophobe, Mooch and Eccentric.

His personality I set to generally match his 3t2 traits. I do this so they behave like the traits just a little bit more.

His bio reads: (And yes, I put a grumpy neurotic Technophobe right next to the amusement park XD)

Well, Melvin, as your Creator and guide here, and as, essentially, the manager/caretaker of your scrambled Sim mind, I personally suggest getting out of the house. Lots of Sims in Roaring Heights feel just like you!

I mean WOW y'all ... I recreated this house as faithfully as I could from the Sims 3, and ... lol EA said "let's make a bunch of elegant multi-story mansions in Roaring Heights, and then one clown-car sized trailer" ... I mean ... guys just look at this

Dude can't breathe. I had to squeeze in counter space on the other side of the fridge but that's weird for the living room door. It's cool, I think it's funny when Sims's routes fail. Besides, judging from Melvin's current relationships (he's been in my hood since the beginning) he won't be having people over all that often ...

Melvin is furious with an NPC cop and I don't even remember how or why, and it's H I L A R I O U S

At least he has room for the clothing rack thing. He also is thinking about his rage at the cop.

Melvin has the "Neurotic" trait so I give him 4 fears instead of 3 with SimBlender. All of my adult/elders get default 5 want slots, unless they are Genius/Perceptive or Absent Minded.

Um... he wants violence currently. He's a technophobe, also, I didn't give him PickNMix's driver's license because I feel like he would be afraid of driving. Let's literally just have him wander around town all day and all night like the kooky dude he is! Nope, we ain't staying at home and mindlessly keeping up our needs, cleaning, paying bills, watching tons of TV, nope.

This back room is about all the fun he has in his house anyway :P

I have a mod (link here) where the Mooch trait from Sims 3 allows your Sim in the Sims 2 to be able to "Beg for Money" ! I believe the Interaction also happens when Fortune Sims go into aspiration failure.

OK, I just heard the "Crush Developed" sound effect and got excited, but it's just Consort and Contessa Capp lol they fell out of love at the pool the other day :(

gravelly voice* Well...*incoherent grumbling* thank ya... thank ya very much for your kind contribution ...

Oh wow! He's getting lots of help!

Fifteen dollars? All three of those Sims that you see gave him money, and it evidently added up to 15 dollars??!! Melvin is absolutely LIVID.

Melvin has the Grumpy Sims 3 trait, so he can "Nag" Sims, which is one of the autonomous parent lecture animations. I directed him to nag each of the three donors individually for their pitiful contributions!

He nagged mostly about Crime, Money, and Work lol

I took Melvin to the diner nearby. This is the "Clean Your Plate Diner", the more affordable of the two main restaraunts in town.

This is a rabbithole in Sims 3, pretty much the same size in the Sims 2, or at least I tried my best to recreate it and just winged it with the interior.

It's pretty cramped lol but surprisingly it works. And definitely not because it's, ya know, a relatively well-routed game for the characters. (Ok, you can argue me on this, but Sims in the Sims 2 can actually fare pretty well with rooms as tiny and seemingly hopeless as a 3 tiles wide 5 tiles long dining room (3 tile table, barely enough room for two end chairs to slide in) I've seen it happen. They just route around the other side of the table if they're blocked off) or maybe I am thinking of four tiles wide with setquartertileplacement on....Idk never mind

Well, Melvin is seated. And clearly, he won't be able to skip out on paying the bill because the hostess stand is right near his table! If he had only been seated by the back door...

Oh, look there's Consort's dad on the left. So many icons out today!

There's the woman who barely gave us any money. We should nag her again.

Also, the three Sims that you see besides the waitress were literally moseying around and loitering in the staff's kitchen.

I used Simlogical's targetable doors to keep them out!

Nighttime fell, and Melvin made a few bucks tending the bar after I directed him to chat about "Work" with the NPC bartender and the chat succeeded.

Then, I had him Beg for Money again. The Same woman tipped us ... again...

She literally gave him 5 Simoleons.

Who does she think she is?

Melvin, I think, has a new enemy.... What will become of him?!

Do you create any ... unusual characters?

[hiskillingjar]

nobody else but you

Relationship: Strade/OC Rating: Explicit Contains: Forced Feminisation, Misgendering, Vaginal Sex, Choking Length: 1750+ words

another wonderful request from @snuffk1t for his OC, melvin, thanks so much again, spencer! <3

if you'd like a commission of your own, feel free to check out my post and shoot me a message!

"You haven't been keeping a close eye on your testosterone, have you?"

Melvin looked up from his space on the bed, as Strade lazily unbuttoned his overshirt, revealing inch after inch of hot, tan skin, warmed by the setting, summer sun outside the window. 

It has been a hard day of surviving for him, and he was in the mood to just live, if he could.

"Why do you say that?" Melvin asked, a pierced tongue idly running over his lips as Strade tossed aside his shirt, revealing a roll of hair-fuzzed fat that pooled over the waistband of his khakis, and planted his knee at the end of the bed.

He had a way of making him feel small, making him feel like prey, like the animals he used to torture and pull apart a lifetime ago.

He had the good sense that Strade would have liked to pull him apart, too, and he didn't hate that idea nearly as much as he should have.

"Ah, I'm just making an observation…” Strade replied with a shrug, before looking towards the younger man with a smile, casual and absent-minded as ever, always the innocent party when he so rarely actually was. “But, ah,” He cut himself off with a chuckle and shook his head, his casual smile broadening into one more teasing and malicious - a familiar expression on his handsome face. “You really haven't noticed anything new? Anything…changing? Anything developing?"

"Noticed...what? You're, heh,” Melvin laughed too, trying to be as casual as his captor (and rarely managing it), as Strade crawled towards him at the bed’s headboard, before placing a hand on his shoulder and forcing him down the mattress, pinning the younger man in place with the authority that he was used to. "You're kind of freaking me out, here..."

"Mm, don't worry. There's no reason to be freaked out!” Strade replied, looming over him and using his knees to nudge his legs apart, opening him up, ripe and ready for the taking (like an animal skin about to be stuffed with cotton and wire). “You've got me looking after you, after all, don't you, meine liebe?"

Melvin took in a slow inhale as Strade raised his knee and pressed it to the front of his shorts, torn between the desire to keen up against it and chase the forbidden pleasure, or shy away from it. 

He knew enough German to know what that meant. 

And while he might have known that pulling away was the smarter option of the two, especially when Strade was in one of his playful moods, he didn’t always make the smartest of decisions. 

At least, when those decisions concerned Strade, anyway.

"Ngh…” He groaned lowly, pale eyes fluttering with lust as Strade ground his knees against the warmth of his shorts, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “W-what have you done?"

"You know how easy it is to get your medication online?” Strade then asked, looking down at the younger man, speaking casually (always so fucking casual), as if he was discussing dinner plans that evening. “It's almost...concerning how easy it is, you know, when you have the right supplier, the right links, know who to talk to."

"Mmf..." Melvin bit his lip, covering his trembling lips with a tight fist and feeling heat gather in his cheeks, as Strade’s hands descended to the waistband of his shorts and tugged them down his legs. 

"Well, maybe not completely right.” He then added with another laugh, canting his head to the side, his golden eyes narrowing with amusement and poorly concealed lust, before he flung Melvin’s shorts to the side and forced his legs wider to accommodate his broad body. “After all, they slipped up so easily, didn't they?"

"D-Did they?" Melvin asked, his voice starting to stutter with nerves and arousal.

"Mmhmm.” Strade nodded with a shit-eating smirk, in on a joke that he would never share with anyone else. “I actually noticed it when it first came in. They sent six months of estrogen-”

Melvin’s hazy eyes immediately widened as Strade spoke, each word slurring until it was barely audible under the ringing in his ears.

“Instead of the six months of testosterone injections that I ordered.” Strade kept speaking, though his voice sounded as if it was underwater. 

Like Melvin was floundering, suffocating, drowning on dry land, and Strade was continuing to make conversation, like nothing was happening at all, like nothing was wrong.

“Easy mistake to make though, ja? It could happen to anyone, really…" 

"...What?" Melvin then said, after a beat of pregnant silence.

Strade grinned, showing off wet, cannibal teeth.

"You reeeeally need to pay more attention to what you're doing, Melina~"

Melvin swallowed hard, feeling a sudden dryness in his throat that feltl like he was trying to swallow a golf ball.

"You're kidding. You're…heh…haha,” Melvin tried to laugh again, his giggles sounding almost hysterical (so typical of a woman, wasn't it?), trying to make Strade give up and admit the falsehood of the prank (knowing he wouldn’t). “Y-You're just pulling a sick joke on me, right? Aren't you?”

"I don't think so,” Strade replied, his grin shifting into his ever-casual smirk and his dark brows raised in a silent question, all while strong hands stroked up and down Melvin’s full hips and sides, and to his front. “I mean, haven't you noticed your body changing? You've gained more weight around your hips, your thighs…” His hands then forced the front of the younger man’s tank up to his stubbly chin, eliciting a short yelp from him. “Even your chest has filled out again. It's been pretty nice to watch, I have to admit." 

Strade then let out a bark of a laugh, before palming one of Melvin’s breasts roughly. 

“Who'd have known a greasy, little creepster like you would have a killer rack?!”

"N-No, that's not-” Melvin yelped again as Strade pinched a wide areola, rubbing the bud of his nipple to a perky point, all while grinding his knee down against his crotch, eliciting even more unwanted arousal. “That's just weight gain, it’s t-totally normal, NGH-!"

Melvin found his words cut short, as they so often were, though,. as Strade forced him against the bed, boxing in his wriggling body between solid biceps and thighs (made of pure, thick muscle), and pushing his crotch against his, so close that he could feel the swell of an erection through his khakis.

What wasn't this guy turned on by?

"Ah, it's a shame, isn’t it? You've undone aaaall your hard work, silly girl.” Strade drawled with another sick grin (clearly pleased by how much he was getting under the younger man’s skin), bringing his face down to Melvin’s, their bodies so close that Melvin could smell the sweat on his skin, (always so much thicker than his own, so much more masculine). “Yeah, it's a real shame. But there's nothing you can do about it now, is there? Best not to worry about it too much, hm?

"Ghhh, no, stop..." Melvin protested, taking in a shivering groan as Strade unbuckled his belt with one hand (he’d had plenty of practice, after all) and freed his erection from the confines of his trousers and boxers. “Stop, stop, stop, you can't be serious-”

"Who knows,” Strade continued, keening his hips forward and brushing the weeping head of his cock against Melvin’s cunt, the warmth of his length making the younger man instantly tremble and writhe, inadvertently causing more friction between them. “Maybe if you keep taking your meds like a good girl-”

Melvin felt his cheeks flush at Strade’s filthy words, his insides twisting with incredibly dubious pleasure.

“I'll finally be able to knock you up for real. That would be a lot of fun, wouldn't it?~"

"Nnnnooo, no, that wouldn't be fun, gh," Melvin grimaced with poorly concealed discomfort as he felt Strade’s cock breach the entrance of his cunt, shamed at the easy access the older man found in his unrelenting slick. “S-Stopppuh…”

"Ah, ah, ah, I think the lady doth protest too much! I mean, just look how wet you're getting over this. You like it!” 

Strade laughed, cruel and gloating (as a captor should be), one hand holding Melvin’s soft hip tightly (tight enough to cause bruises), as the other reached up and pushed his hair out of his flushed face, sweat from his forehead and temples making the fried, dyed strands curl and soften. 

“Come on, don't lie to me and say you wouldn't enjoy being my little housewife…” Strade took in a low groan through his teeth, easing into the younger man even deeper, feeling his body tighten fantastically around his hard cock as he began to thrust. “Taking care of things around the house while I provide for you…like a good husband should, ja?”

"Hhhh..." Melvin exhaled shakily, feeling his body sink into the mattress and succumb to each of Strade’s firm thrusts, soft flesh meeting flesh in brutal, wet slaps. “No…hh…yes…” Melvin’s lips parted with a high, keening moan, before his teeth sank into his bottom lip. “God, k-keep going…”

"Yeah, that's what I thought.” Strade mumbled with a smile, looking almost triumphant (like a hunter kneeling over his fresh kill), his hand trailing down Melvin’s cheek and to his gasping throat. 

He then wrapped a strong grip around it and pinned his head down to the mattress, giving himself a lax body to easily fuck into, like a sex toy, like a real wife. 

“I think you'd like it a lot, Melina. I think you’re really, really like it."

"Fffuhh..." Melvin’s dry throat constricted even tighter, making the heat in his flushed face feel even hotter. His eyes grew hazy and unfocused, drifting from Strade’s face and to the banging headboard as the older man fucked into him with even more rigour. 

"That's it.” Strade praised, putting a little more pressure on his throat, his own lip between his teeth and his thrusts becoming a little faster and harder. “Just stay nice and blissed out on my cock, like a good girl does, and I'll take care of everything."

“Mm,” Melvin moaned before a shaking hand reached up to the one around his throat, claws digging into the thick meat of Strade’s wrist, (knowing he wouldn’t be able to push him away). “I’m a…I’m a good girl, hhh…”

“That’s it. Just give up.”

Melvin’s thighs tightened around Strade’s hips then, as he ran out of air to speak or to protest.

“Just give up~”

[anthurak]

Okay here’s a fun bit of off-the-cuff, unhinged rambling:

So I’ve been playing some Yugioh Duel Links lately, specifically the current Arc-V event focused on Rin and Lulu. And I noticed that Rin has some rather interesting dialogue when summoning both Clear Wing and Crystal Wing Synchro Dragons (for context, the ace-monsters of one of Arc-V’s Shonen-Protags; Yugo. For whom Rin is the plot-designated love-interest).

Stuff like; "I know you'd rather fight by my side than with Yugo!” for Clear Wing Dragon and “A monster this awesome is wasted on Yugo!” for Crystal Wing Dragon.

And not only is it rather interesting and frankly fun for a designated-shonen love-interest to be making comments like that, but she’s also not exactly wrong either…

For one, mechanically-speaking the Clear Wing dragons slot EXTREMELY well into Rin’s Windwitch archetype, which is very effective at getting out Level 7/8+ WIND Synchro monsters. To the point of even being a bit better at it, or at least a bit more reliable/consistent, than Yugo’s own Speedroid archetype.

And aesthetics-wise, the Windwitch’s whole motif is that of Icy Wind. And well…

Clear Wing Dragon, Crystal Wing Dragon, Crystal Clear Wing Dragon…

Sounds like something what would go quite well with an ICE motif, no? Certainly just as well as the ‘speed’ motif of Yugo’s Speedroids. Heck, those crystals on Crystal Wing Dragon look quite a bit like ice crystals, don’t they?

So! With all that in mind, combined with both the fact that Rin frankly deserves another badass ace monster after all the disrespectful shit her series put her through AND how the idea of a designated shonen love-interest making off with the protag’s best cards and possibly even making better use of them is frankly EXTREMELY FUN…

Yeah as far as I’m concerned, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon is Rin’s monster now whenever I play Duel Links and will have a permanent place in all of her decks.

And heck, while we’re at it let’s take this idea of Rin using Clear Wing Dragon a bit further and envision the story potential of this.

Consider if you will: An alternate version of Arc-V where Yugo is the one who gets damsel’ed and/or fridged, and RIN comes into possession of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. To the point of even eventually becoming/revealed to be that dragon’s TRUE partner.

Sounds ludicrous, right? After all, Rin is one of the fragments/incarnations of Ray Akaba, who is basically the nemesis of the four Dimension Dragons.

But consider also: This would have made for a way more INTERESTING STORY for Arc-V!

Imagine a version of Arc-V where multiple character, mostly villains/antagonists, spend the show hyping up how the four Yu-boys are ‘destined’ to become one and recreate the terrible Zarc, and that the four bracelet girls are likewise ‘destined’ to become one and recreate Ray in order to stop him.

Only for multiple characters and events across the show to subvert and DEFY this so-called ‘destiny’.

Like say, some of both the ‘Zarc’ and ‘Ray’ fragments rejecting merging together on such a fundamental level that they CANNOT merge like what we saw in the anime?

Or one of the Yu-boys learning a summoning method that perhaps Zarc himself originally rejected? As in, RITUAL summoning.

Or one of Ray’s incarnations defying all conventional expectations and actually bonding with one of Zarc’s Dimensional Dragons, to the point of said dragon rejecting Zarc himself.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds WAY more interesting.

Also, because Clear Wing Dragon seems to be a girl dragon, I am definitely shipping her with Rin for the sake of underappreciated Yugioh yuri*. Heck, it’s a fragment of Ray in love with one of Zarc’s dragons so it’s basically an ‘enemies-to-lovers via reincarnation’ thing XD

--

*NO, not the smug Melvin-wannabe who SHOULD have gotten his ass kicked by Alexis Rhodes.

[diapydemon]

Classified: Punk Rock Little

Chapter 3

Read chapter 2 here

Name: Miles Miller

DOB: 06/01/2002

CIN: E25S6832

Citizen Lifestyle Assignment Sorting and Sectioning

(CLASS)

Result: Little

Miles tightened his grip around the letter to the point of almost tearing the parchment. Tears welled in his eyes as all the muscles in his body locked up with tension.

“Is that your CLASS result?” Lindsay looked up from her book across the room, “What does it say?”

“It– it… uhhh”

“What?”

Miles, tears welling in his eyes, had no idea what to say or what to do. He did the only reasonable thing he could think to do. He crumpled up the letter into his fist and bolted into his room, slamming and locking his door behind him.

“Miles,” Lindsay knocked on the door, “Come on out. It's just Dylan and I out here anyway.”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” Miles shouted from the other side of the door.

“Oh stop being a baby,” Lindsay retorted.

“SHUT UP,” the distress was obvious in his voice.

“Did he…” Dylan stuttered with uncertainty from the hallway, “Is he… you know… a Little?”

“He’s certainly acting like one,” Lindsay rolled her eyes before fishing her phone out of her pocket.

“What are you doing?” Dylan asked.

“Calling Ryley,” Lindsay explained, “Miles is like a brother to me –albeit an annoying brother– but still. I’m not a Caregiver, but maybe Ryley can help him more than we can.”

“Lindsay?” Riley answered, “What’s up? Practice isn’t for a couple hours.”

“I know. Listen Ryley, Miles got his CLASS results back today and…”

“What’d he get?”

“We don’t know,” Lindsay sighed, “Well not officially anyway. He took the results and locked himself in his room, so I think it’s relatively safe to assume…”

“I’ll be right over. I have an Emergency Littles Kit I can bring too.”

“That’d be great. Thanks Ryley.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PRL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miles paced back and forth in his room. He looked at Melvin, his watermelon-penguin stuffie with a vengeance. Melvin, who had been his closest friend for who knows how long, now felt like he had somehow betrayed him.

Miles looked at the haphazard piles of dirty clothes on the floor. His room was a mess. He was a mess.

His clothes! Miles started hyperventilating. The vast majority of his t-shirts had all manners of expletives and inappropriate slogans on them. No way he was getting to keep his old wardrobe.

Miles’s chest started thumping as he continued to hyperventilate. Clothes were the least of his worries. How could he be a rockstar if he was a Little? Hell, that might not even be his biggest concern. What if… what if his friends didn’t want to hangout with him anymore because he wasn’t punk rock enough for them? What if they sent him to an assignment center!?

“Miles?” He heard Ryley’s voice from the other side of the door, “Can you open up the door for me please?”

“N-no,” Miles managed to squeak out.

“Miles,” Ryley sighed like she was about to be forced to do something she didn’t want to do, “I’m going to count to three, alright? When I get to three, that door better be open. Then we're going to sort this all out together, okay?”

Miles didn’t have it in him to respond. Everything was too much. Tears finally fell from his eyes and began rolling down his cheeks.

“One,” Riley started counting.

Miles stood paralyzed with anxiety and fear. Sure, he was more than a little distraught about being a Little, but something about Ryley’s tone scared him in a newly compelling way.

“Two.”

Miles still couldn’t move. To his horror, his face wasn’t the only thing that was wet; he began to feel a wetness slowly spread over his crotch and began to soak his black jeans. Miles felt snot helplessly run down his nose as he ugly cried. MY LIFE IS OVER, he thought.

“Three~,” Ryley drew the last syllable out to give Miles a chance, and Miles wasn’t going to waste that chance.

For whatever reason, the prospect of Ryley’s count ending terrified him into action, and he dashed towards his door, momentarily forgetting about his messy appearance.

He unlocked the door and opened it to see Ryley’s face. She looked genuinely concerned for his well being, and he felt a pang of guilt for worrying her.

“Oh Miles,” Ryley wrapped her arms around him, “Shhh it’s okay. I’m here now. Shhh”

Ryley lovingly stroked his hair as Lindsay wordlessly watched, and Dylan left to give the pair their privacy.

Miles felt his shame and anxiety melt away in Ryley’s embrace. His full on face-flood was now reduced to a string of sniffles.

“Sweetie,” Ryley eyed Miles’s wet pants but neglected to say anything, “How about we run a bath for you and get you all cleaned up? Does that sound good?”

Miles nodded without saying a word. It was all he could manage without breaking down into tears again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PRL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So you’re a Little,” Ryley used a cup to rinse shampoo out of Miles’s hair, “That’s a big adjustment, but I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to do it alone. I’ll help you along the way as best I can, I promise.”

“T-thanks,” Miles nodded from within the bathtub. It was strange; he felt the cleanest he had felt in a long time with Ryley washing him, and parts of it were even enjoyable. But he still felt uncertain and scared. In this small moment, he was thankful for Ryley’s presence.

“All clean!” Ryley borderline sang.

“T-thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie. You behaved so well for me, and I’m so proud! But there’s one more teensy thing I need your help with, okay?”

Miles didn’t know how to feel about the petnames and gentle praise he was receiving, but he eventually decided that –for at least tonight– he needed Ryley’s comforting presence and decided to let it slide.

“O-okay.”

“Great,” Ryley produced a small kit from the floor next to the bath and opened it to reveal four differently colored candies that were each shaped like lifesavers, “I need you to try each of these candies for me. One should taste the best, and I need to know which one that is. You can spit out the rest.”

Miles reached out into the kit and sampled the candies one by one. The first three ranged from horrible tasting to mediocre, but he didn’t quite enjoy any of them. Then he tried the purple. The purple tasted delicious. Before Miles knew it, he swallowed it.

“The purple one tasted the best,” Miles told Ryley.

“Ok, Thank you little one.”

Miles squinted in annoyance. Ryley really was pushing it with the pet names, but he didn’t want to push her away, so he didn’t say anything.

“R-ryley,” Miles stared at the porcelain floor of the bathtub, “Can I have another purple candy please?”

“Sorry cutie,” Ryley stroked a stray strand of hair behind Miles’s ear, “but I dont have another one. I also don’t think that’s a good idea anyway; those candies were to help us figure some stuff out about your new classification.”

“Oh… so what does liking purple mean?”

“Well for one, that means you're an L-2 Little. And it will help us know what to look for when we go to the Little Supply store tomorrow.”

“Oh…” Miles didn’t quite remember the specifics of what that meant, but he didn’t want to sound stupid in front of Ryley, so he kept his mouth shut. It wasn’t his fault he dropped out of college before they had a refresher on all the intricacies of the CLASS system.

“C’mon,” Ryley began to dry him off with a towel. Under other circumstances, Miles would’ve probably found this situation hot, but there were just too many new emotions to deal with.

“So I was thinking,” Ryley bent down to dry off his legs, “I could get you dressed and then you might want to come over to my place and have a sleepover?”

“A sleepover?”

“Yeah it’ll be fun!” Ryley beamed, “and that way I can keep an eye on you. Just in case.”

“Yeah okay.”

“Great!” Ryley dropped the towel and warped him in a tight hug. Miles hugged back with a tension that suggested that he never wanted to let her go.

“Okay, now I need to get you dressed, and I need you to be mature for me and not freak out, okay?”

Before Miles had the chance to respond, Ryley reached for the box that the candies came from and pulled out a fluffy white square. A diaper, Miles realized in horror.

“Ryley, no! You are NOT putting that on me!”

“Miles. Behave,” there was a certain sternness in Ryley’s voice that Miles wasn’t accustomed to.

“NO!” Miles shouted, “Ryley I can’t think of anything less punk rock than that!”

“Miles,” Ryley sighed, “Remember how you had an accident before bath time?”

“Wha– I didn’t–”

“Don’t.” Ryley’s eyebrows furrowed, “lie to me, Miles.”

“F-fine. But it was a one time thing, okay?”

“I’m sure it was, but it would make me feel better if you let me put this on you. After all, I can definitely think of one thing less punk rock than wearing a diaper: wetting your pants in front of everyone. Again.”

Miles clenched his fists and puffed out his cheeks in frustration. Ryley hated to admit it, but she thought he looked adorable.

“Fine.” Miles begrudgingly accepted, unable to find a flaw in her logic.

Ryley laid him down on top of the outfolded diaper, sprinkled his most sensitive areas with baby powder, and then taped the diaper over him. Miles felt like his fate was sealed with this diaper.

“Ahww you look cute with your thumb in your mouth like that,” Ryley cooed.

Miles quickly yanked his thumb out of his mouth, basically unconscious of it until Ryley commented.

“C’mon,” Ryley giggled, “Let’s go find you some clothes to wear.”

Ryley held Miles’s hand the entire way to his room. It took Ryley a good five minutes to find clothes that were “appropriate”, but she eventually settled on a basic Metallica t-shirt and blue jeans. Of course, Ryley helped Miles get dressed, but Miles was starting to feel too tired to really object to Ryley’s pampering. Turns out ugly crying like a toddler takes a lot out of you.

Ryley grabbed Miles’s hand and led him out into the living room where Lindsay and Dylan were talking.

“Hey Miles,” Dylan smiled at him, “how you feeling buddy?”

“Fine,” Miles grumbled.

“Great!” Lindsay interjected, “Now who’s ready to rock!? It’s almost time for practice.”

“Sorry guys,” Ryley sighed, “But Miles here has had a really big day, so I want to take him home and get him to bed at a reasonable hour.”

“I’m not even tired,” Miles yawned, “I can do this!”

“Miles you just yawned,” Dylan pointed out, “it’s okay if you need to get some rest.”

“Plus it’s already pretty late for you,” Ryley interjected.

“It’s only nine!” Miles whined.

“Miles, you need your sleep.”

“W-wait,” Miles’s head suddenly dropped, “H-how am I going to be a rockstar if I have a bedtime…”

“Ryley!” Miles grabbed desperately at the loose fabric of her blouse as he regarded her with glistening eyes, “I’M NOT GOING TO HAVE A BEDTIME, RIGHT!!?”

Ryley sighed, “I didn’t want to talk about this until tomorrow, but yes sweetie, you will need a bedtime, along with a whole lot of other changes to your lifestyle. But change isn’t always a bad thing Miles, I promise.”

Tears once again began rolling, but this time it was a slower roll.

“How is this not a bad thing?” Miles sniffled, “W-what am I gonna do?”

“Welp,” Lindsay tried to lighten the mood, “You could always make music for Kidz Bop.”

Miles looked up at her with clenched fists and glassy eyes, “Lindsay stop being such a… such a BITCH!!”

“MILES,” Ryley grabbed him by the ear and led him into the corner, “That language is unacceptable young man, do you hear me?”

“B-but Lindsay said–” Miles stammered.

“I know what Lindsay said,” Ryley briefly glared at Lindsay, “but that gives you no right to cuss at her. You will apologize to her, understand?”

“Y-yes ma’am.”

“Good. Now what do you have to say to Lindsay?”

Miles walked over to Lindsay with his eyes glued to the floor the entire time.

“Sorry Lindsay for calling you a–” Miles looked back to see Ryley’s stern face and decided not to repeat his previous mistake, “a bad word.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Lindsay tried to stifle her giggling.

“And Lindsay,” Ryley’s ire had found a new target and her voice was prickly, “Don’t you ever –I mean EVER– make fun of Miles again. He’s had a long day, and he especially doesn’t need your antics right now.”

“O-okay,” It was Lindsay’s turn to memorize the carpet.

“Now do you have anything to say to Miles,” Ryley continued her reprimand.

“S-sorry Miles,” Lindsay muttered.

“Don’t worry about it,” Miles parroted.

“Good job guys!” Ryley’s icy tone had completely melted away into a cheery disposition that made Miles feel all warm inside. Miles silently swore he’d get emotional hypothermia from such a rapid change if that even existed…

“Now,” Ryley grabbed Miles’s hand, “We’re going to head home, and I’m going to get this little guy to bed.”

Miles passed out in the car before they even made it to Ryley’s.

[disconnectedkid]

this is a tjing i did for a friend but its a lyric analysis of our word for Melvin/Borg

Ok so the somg could either be about melvin after killing Borg or it could be an au where he kills George and harold. Im going with borg for now but the other one is a possibility.

The start of the song describes the perspective character lying to an authority figure with help from another. Personally, since both of melvins parents are scientists as well, i figure this applies to them, and their generally unhealthy parenting style.

We also get the line "i hid screw ups from my father/ made up school awards to please my mom" which is incredibly reminiscent of melvins desperate attempts to be "perfect" or at least seen as perfect.

"As i got older i got dumber" now melvins nine. BUT melvinBORG is in his thirties. And despite the fact that theure the same person, Borg is repeatedly shown to be less intelligent than Melvin, with melvin saying things like "i can't believe we're the same person" 

Now the three times he almost wrecks his life could be a lot of things, but to me its 1) failing to get into elitinati 2) using the "tattle trials doom dome" and 3) killing Borg. 

"Our word against theirs" to me, refers to him, george, and harold, having to lie abt what happened to Borg

Now the bridge ("Somebody was paid to make it go away

Everyone was paid to make the problems go away

Doesn't matter who gets screwed, or who is blamed

Or what you need to do to clear your name

An inconvenient truth can be easily erased") to me, is about them shifting the blame to krupp

Back to Borg, because i can.

When he's talking about being older and living in new york, it's obviously borg. I imagine that the "fun habits" arent actually drugs (or at least not regular drugs) but instead self experimentation with his cyborg side (he can breathe fire!!)

The bath scene i image is a malfunction in his cyborg half, possibly doing damage to his heart.

Now we get to him remembering his parents.

Things like "hes always been so goddamn independent/the years go by and now we barely see him" are incredibly accurate, but due to their consistent neglect, they don't actually know him that well.

"Itd be only their word on its own" shows his horrible fear of not having a legacy of his own, only being seen theough other lense and not as himself

Anyways. Im cool.

[cherrydipp]

Melvin and Trip post rumble

Getting punched in the face fucking hurts. Is this how that greaser kid—what's his name? Johnny Cade—felt? Melvin learned that fact during the dreadful, nightmare stoking rumble.

The air in Tulsa felt heavy that night, the kind of air that sticks to your skin, clinging with the remnants of sweat and washed-out adrenaline from fighting. The sound of pained yells and grunts engrained deep in everyone’s mind the same way blood permanently leaves crimson red stains on clothes. Heavy rain smacked against the ground, the thud of fists against flesh and wailing echoed in his ears. The fight had been brutal.

Everyone involved knew it would be.

With losses on each side of town, tensions were at an all-time high. The Socs had their leader flat-out torn away from them, and the Greasers? They were hungry for victory; hungry for revenge in the name of their fallen.

Melvin could feel the sting of the night’s events all around his body and through achey joints. His head throbbed, the feeling of a migraine threatening to catch up with him, made itself painfully known. That Greaser girl threw a good slug at him, leaving his forehead all beat up and bruised. What soon will become a scar of shame, laid a jagged line stretched across his face from the corner of his eyebrow up. Sallow-toned marks were beginning to bloom a dim purple color along his arms and ribs, and he could feel every one of them as if they were blatant reminders of his failure.

But that was nothing compared to the anger building inside him now as he sat on the edge of the cool bathtub tile in the small, dimly lit bathroom of their grandmother’s house. Anger directed at his brother: Trip.

He followed the older boy’s every movement, watching intently as he soaked a cotton pad in peroxide. Whenever their eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze to the floor. Trip wasn’t the kind of guy who showed his worry. No — he kept it all inside, a stoic expression on his face, but Melvin knew him well enough to read between the lines.

Understood the softened upset expression all too well.

Melvin was jolted awake in the middle of the night by the sound of someone walking down the old, creaky stairs of the Dipp household. In a daze of confusion, his sleep-addled mind compelled him to follow the sound. In the dim glow of a small plug-in nightlight, he saw a figure standing in the hallway. If he squinted closely enough, Melvin could make out the person's features: heavy-lidded brown eyes that stared longingly at a portrait of their mother holding her firstborn son. It was Trip.

The younger made the mistake of inching closer, and an obnoxious creak echoed from beneath his feet as he took a step forward. In an instant, he was discovered. When Trip turned to face him, the other has already darted back upstairs and into his bedroom.

Tonight, his brother had been worried the whole time, eyeing him during the rumble like a hawk. He never took his eyes off him for a second.

And Melvin had hated it. He hated being treated like he was fragile, like he was some little kid who couldn’t take care of himself. It’s not like it was his first fight. His first rumble—sure, but both involved the same range. The only difference was that a rumble had one rule in place: it was skin-to-skin only.

“You should’ve just stayed home like I fucking told you to,” Trip muttered, his voice low and sharp. Melvin didn’t even have to look up to know his brother was agitated. He could hear it in the way his words cut through the silent air like a switchblade.

The same weapon which was used against Bob.

“I’m fine,” Melvin replied, his voice laced with bitterness as he fought to mask the tremor that contradicted his words. He clenched his fists on the rim of the tub, determined not to appear vulnerable. He was not a baby, and he sure as hell did not enjoy being babied; he didn’t need help from anyone, least of all from Trip, who always seemed to find a way to peel away Melvin’s own hard-headed surface and uncover the truth lying beneath.

Trip’s rough hand gripped the back of his head, holding him in place, while the other carefully dabbed at the cut with a soaked pad. The sting shot through Melvin’s skin, causing him to reel back with a sharp hiss much like a cat.

“You’re not fine, Melvin,” Trip’s voice was gruff, but there was a tenderness to it that he refused to acknowledge. His mind was too shrewd to even register what the other said. “You think you’re all tough, huh?” He blatantly ignored him. “Look at you — see what happens when you run into things you ain’t belong in?”

Melvin’s jaw clenched.

He wanted to swat away the brown-haired boy's hand, to push Trip off of him and tell him to just quit it. The agonizing pain in his skull was becoming unbearable, and with every jolt of discomfort trailing down his back came along a shiver from the viscous liquid pressing against his open wound. He needed to push Trip away so he couldn’t see the moisture building up around his waterline.

He couldn’t bring himself to do it, yet.

Instead, he kept his head down, feeling the peroxide burn against his flesh as Trip cleaned the wound.

“You didn’t hafta fight, y’know.” I didn’t want you to fight — didn’t want you to get hurt; is what he wanted to say, but the words get caught in the back of his throat as he opens his mouth. Rather, he continues as if the phrase had already fleed his mind, voice a blend of frustration and worry. “This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. Glory, Gramma’s gonna tear me to shreds when she gets a good look at you.”

“Quit—“ Melvin winced through gritted teeth after a particularly rough swipe at the dried blood, the deep red creating a sickly contrast with his skin. He ducked his head further away from Trip’s hands before being pulled back in place. “If you held still for more than a minute it won’t hurt so bad.” He reprimanded the boy who in return simply rolled his eyes.

“I’s not like I need you t’baby me,” he muttered, his voice meek, but firm speaking with whatever confidence he could muster up. “I can handle myself.”

“Clearly, you can’t handle yourself too well when you’re bleedin’ all over the damn place,” Trip retorted, his tone of voice rising with the frustration boiling up inside him. Christ Almighty, why wouldn’t Melvin just let him do this one thing for him? Why is the little shit so stubborn?

He supposes he inherited that trait from Gramma.

Calloused fingers pressed harder into his brother’s skull to keep the flinching boy in place, and for a moment, Melvin almost wished he had just stayed home too.

But he wouldn’t admit that aloud. He wouldn’t admit that he regretted a single moment of that night.

“Jesus, Trip — I’m fine!” Melvin repeated, clutching at his brother’s arms as they tussled for a moment, doing his best to just get him the fuck off. He was no match for the older’s brute strength earned from playing football all throughout highschool, yet he made an effort nonetheless, grunting in frustration while shoving him away. It didn’t matter how hard he tried anyways, because Trip had him sitting still in no time. He was completely fed up with himself his brother.

Melvin could feel salty tears the same ones he wished away earlier welling at the corners of his eyes, a direct result of the cleanser burning his skin. Well — at least that’s what he attributed it to, as his vision became a hazy blur through heavy tears. Maybe that was part of it, but he knew what the he main reason was. Embarrassment; shame.

The Socs lost. Lost against their long-time rivals after preparing to win. Lost against the people who slash their tires and steal hubcaps with a shit-eating grin plastered on their faces.

Lost against the ones who murdered Bob.

Who left the boys without their commander in battle, the “golden boy” quarterback of the football team, the set of green eyes that always held a subtle glint of mischief — but above all else, their brother.

It was all his fault—Melvin thought was certain of that now. If he had just stayed in bed where he belonged, he wouldn’t have found himself perched awkwardly on the rim of the bathtub with his older brother fussing over him as if he were a child in need of a bandage for a scraped knee. Trip, was more focused on looking after Melvin than focusing on the Greaser he was slugging. Each time the brunette glanced over his shoulder, he checked to make sure his brother wasn’t lying face down in the gravel — the same way Bob was found in that fountain.

There was that feeling — guilt twisting and tying his stomach into one giant knot.

It was supposed to be the Soc’s grand win for control over Pershing Park, and yet here the brothers were, the aftermath of the rumble hanging heavily above their heads. If he had just kept his distance, maybe Trip wouldn’t have found himself with that busted lip, the angry swelling a reminder of what could have been avoided.

He kept his head down.

Trip’s calm demeanor seemed to break down at the edges — clear irritation seeping through the cracks, and for a moment, Melvin was sure his older brother was going to shout at him. But instead, Trip’s look softened, his tight grip in his hair loosening. He didn’t say anything for a long time.

The older tossed the bloodied cotton into a nearby garbage, silently peeling open a bandaid. His presence was overwhelming, yet it was the cold shoulder that got to Melvin. Trip wasn’t the type to hold his tongue, and this complete quiet? Being a person who constantly fills the silences — it was the worst kind of punishment.

“I ain’t—…” He began. “I ain’t mad at you, Melv,” Trip spoke up finally, his voice melting with every word. “Jus’ pissed off at myself is all.”

And that was all Melvin needed to hear to understand why he was being so serious about the situation. He couldn’t protect him; his kid brother. The blond’s stomach dropped, but he didn’t dare tilt his head upward. He didn’t need to hear it, not from Trip. He didn’t need to hear that he was worried about him, didn’t need to hear that he cared.

The silence stretched between them again as Melvin scrubbed harshly at his eyes, leaving tear-stained streaks along his forearm — the only audible sounds being the ruffle of his Madras shirt and a low shaky huff of breath escaping from his lips.

“You’re too young to be gettin’ mixed up in all this,” Trip added, knowing he was Melvin’s age when he started jumping greasers and smoking cancersticks. He wanted to do everything he could to protect Melvin from the unforgiving streets of Tulsa — protect him from being hardened. His tone was thick with something the other couldn’t quite place. “But you’re still my brother; my kid brother. ‘Nd I don’t know what I’d do if I see you end up in the newspaper, or— face down lyin’ in some ditch. Don’t wanna see you end up like Bob.”

Melvin swallowed hard, the lump in his throat growing more prominent. He bit down on his tongue, knowing the state he would find Trip in if he looked up.

Hunched over with the same dreadful expression as that late night in the hallway.

Trip’s hand landed gently atop the shorter’s head, his touch tender despite the subtle frustration still simmering beneath his outward visage. “I’m gonna protect you, no matter what. There ain’t nothin’ you can do about it. It’s what I’ve gotta do, y’hear?”

Melvin nodded finally letting himself exhale the breath he didn’t even realize he was holding, his shoulders slumping simultaneously. He knew how he probably looked — pathetic with furrowed brows and a quivering lip. He hated how much his brother’s words had gotten to him. Hated how they slugged him in the gut and forced tears out of his eyes, but he could not bring himself to force Trip any farther away. He understands he needs him.

The throbbing headache, the sting from the peroxide—none of it mattered anymore. They didn’t need to speak for Melvin to comprehend that Trip will forever be there for him, even though the younger would never in a million years ask for it.

They were all each other really had.

The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable for Melvin, but it was familiar. They are the only ones who have stayed in each other’s lives longer than anyone ever has. No matter what happens, they will always still be brothers.

“C’mon,” Trip patted Melvin on the back. “Head up to bed ‘fore Gramma wakes up ‘nd has a stroke just lookin’ at you.”

And in the end, that was enough.

[very-super-silly]

melvin dipp headcanons

Melvin has one-sided beef with ponyboy. pony only knows him as that one kid from his science class

“That kid copied my hairstyle man, i swear to god” - melvin, 1967

He’s fifteen years old, about to turn 16

trips younger step-brother

has a weird obsession with sharks (thank you melody for the idea)

is failing most of his classes. He feels like he’s not up to par with all the other socs and feel like he’s doing his mother wrong by not doing well in school.

steals and uses his moms perfume and pretends it’s cologne (bc trip def uses cologne but melvin doesn’t know where to get any)

he doesn't smoke often, but he does drink quite a lot for a 15 year old. trips dad usually has beer in the fridge, and at those soc parties he sometimes goes to, he takes advantage of the free beer.

overall a pretty angry person, he'd like the idea of fighting people, but wouldn't actually fight that many people because he likes his hands to stay nice and manicured :3

when he's older he's a super senior (canon) "where's my hug at" and "did it hurt when you fell from heaven 😼" (both unironically said, and canon)

trips mom passed away a couple years ago, and since then his (kind of shit) father has been looking for a new broad. He stumbled across a kind country lady at the store one day, and the next thing trip knew, he had a step brother named melvin. melvins dad died a couple years back, and that’s when his mom decided to pack up from their house in the countryside and drag him into town. He grew up on the farm, but hates to think about it. He’s a regular city soc just like trip. At least thats what he insists on telling everyone. 

he and sergei walk past the dx all the time, just killing time or walking home from school, and wherever they do, they make sure to laugh loudly or make a loud comment if they see a greaser. when the laugh’s just escaped his lips and things seem to be moving real slow while he’s looking across the street at the run-down gas station, watching as steve and soda embrace each other, as two bit cracks a sly joke, and how they all head into the building, grins plastered across their faces, melvin has to force that smile to stay on his face and for himself to laugh a little bit louder. If only he could laugh loud enough to drown out his jealousy. 

he and sergei are closer than melvin is with anyone (but trip). they’re not exactly best friends, but all they have is each other, so they tend to spend most of their time with each other. 

A lot of the socs don’t know how old he and sergei are, because he and melvin aren’t usually hanging out at the soc gatherings. they aren’t usually invited. they tend to get roped into a bunch of random 17-19 year old soc’s shenanigans. melvin can act way older than he actually is anyway, and can pass as a 17 year old when he wants to. sergei has a harder time with that, being freshly 15, other people just assume that because he’s with melvin he’s old enough.

he keeps coins in his pockets because he likes to hear them jingle when he walks 

[ofsnarkandmagic]

Cont. From here @essentiamortis

He'd not only known about the sprig of mistletoe hanging in The English Garden, but he'd been the one to hang it. Being taller came in handy sometimes, though his twin wasn't one to milk that notion. For what it's worth, it is a rather good tradition, one of which Melvin himself has taken part in many times. Yet he didn't take Elizabeth as one that would partake in such a thing, to say the least.

Which explains why his eyes go a tad wide when she quite literally grabs him by his shirt collar and presses her lips to his; well, brushes against his at first. It takes him a moment to register what is even happening, pushing whatever thoughts that crop up to the side. It's just a kiss with a slightly close friend, is all. A kiss that she's deepened rather quickly, yet with a shrug he relaxes, closes his eyes and kisses her back.

Taking a chance, he brings his hands up to either side of her face.

[hawkinsunderground]

every time i start to feel like i'm deluding myself about byler happening, i give myself a reality check using the classic 'if they were all straight' scenario, and then i stop doubting. if everything remained the same--same relationships, same dynamics with friends--with the only difference in the show being that Will was a girl, it's almost painfully obvious. And because all a m/f couple has to do is be in the vicinity of each other to get shipped, byler probably would have been more popular even in the earlier seasons.

Mike spending an entire season right by his girl best friend's side, desperate to help and fighting to stay near her as she slowly gets possessed. Then at the end of it all he gives her a whole speech crying and saying that choosing to be friends with her was the best thing he's ever done? I guarantee you even with milkvan developing a bunch of people would have jumped on the byler train, and more others would be thinking that Mike and Willow or whatever would eventually get together later on, with warring opinions on who the better ship is.

Mike neglecting his girl best friend who is now hinted to have a crush on him in s3 while trying to get over being kidnapped and everything she went through? Spending all his time with Eleven even though byler had just been so close the season prior. There's no way at least some ppl wouldn't be thinking romance. The whole 'Mike's probably repressing his feelings and pushing Will away because he's scared' idea that a lot of bylers believe suddenly wouldn't be a reach anymore if it was a straight pairing.

Sectioning the two of them off to have their little cali romance all the while hinting at serious relationship troubles and conflicting character arcs for Mike and Eleven. Meanwhile the shrouded love confession from 'Willow', the obvious flirting. You can't look me in the eyes and tell me that people wouldn't be losing their shit during the entire apology scene if Will was a girl. The flirty smiles, the "I didn't say it." "You didn't have to.", the intimacy of his apology to 'Willow' in comparison to the apology from Mike to Lucas in s1. Along with all of the other scenes where Mike is clearly different with 'Willow' compared to the rest of his friends, he's always near her, etc.

Atp I feel like the general consensus would be that they're setting up a Melvin breakup and Byler endgame. Mike putting his hand on Willow's shoulder and promising they'll get through this together while literally showing Midleven crashing and burning in the same scene? In one of the final scenes? You're gonna tell me that people wouldn't be thinking along the lines of romance, with the love triangle pointing in byler's favor?

Mike's 'love' confession would come across as the lie that it was and a lot of people would probably be saying that Mike is not confronting his true feelings. They would be drawing the same comaprisons we are--that it didn't even work and the gates opened, that his (girl) best friend had to tell him and guide him to confess to Eleven, with them finally as close as they were around s2 again and Melvin not even really getting back together, with clear issues still present in the finale. The direction they are going to take things in s5 would become obvious without the straight goggles blinding people to some of the most obvious character and relationship arcs that have been done a million times.

The only difference would be the lack of struggle due to homophobia and would probably be more centered on Mike's inability to confront his feelings due to a fear of messing things up between himself and Will, along with losing el because he doesn't love her the way she wants him to, keeping to the core of his character in either scenario

You're gonna tell me that if people saw this and it was mike's girl best friend sitting next to him, they wouldn't be jumping at a romance arc between the two of them?

or his reaction to them being friends again, a smile and voice we've never seen used with any other character, noticably different?

the physical proximity, the fact that they seem equally flirtatious and affected by the other despite Will being the only one with confirmed feelings atp it's too obvious--if it were a girl sitting next to mike people would definitely be drawing some conclusions Anyway, byler endgame

[faafi]

do you have a favorite loonatics unleashed episode?

Yes, I do!

Of course, it's a common answer, but my personal favorite episode is The Family Business. This episode is my favorite since it explores such an interesting part of the canon (the relations within Rev's family & the relations between roadrunners and coyotes). And, of course, I love Rev! And Tech, too! But Rev needs all of the love!!!

Besides The Family Business, my two other personal favorites are The Menace of Mastermind and It Came from Outer Space. These two episodes are the strongest in terms of their pacing, and there is a lot of great interactions between most of the characters (I say most because Slam doesn't interact much; but then again, Slam barely talks with the other Loonatics in most episodes, so whatever).

It Came from Outer Space

Personally, It Came from Outer Space is one of the funniest episodes of the show. Or at the very least, it is one of the stronger episodes in terms of comedy. Each character is fun to watch. Additionally, I love the inclusion of the classic Looney Tunes reference and how this gag is tied into the plot (picture above). This joke is very tastefully done (at least in comparison to the references that were made in Loonatics on Ice).

As a side rant, I love Rev here. This scene (shown above) is brief, but there is a lot to dissect ("Say, remember what Lexi said about feeling like Helen of Troy? Maybe we could make her really feel that way!").

For earlier context, when Melvin threatens to the Loonatics that he will blow up Acmetropolis if he can't abduct Lexi, Lexi comments that she feels like Helen of Troy. After saying this, everyone is confused, including Tech and Rev. Rev even looks behind himself and softly shakes his head side to side (shown below).

In the next few scenes, Rev is nowhere to be seen.

Later on, Rev doesn't show up until everyone is seated at the circular mission table except for Lexi.

It is revealed that Lexi went onto Melvin's ship for the sake of saving the city. Then, Tech & Ace talk about getting her back. Tech establishes that Melvin's spacecraft is impenetrable. Here, Rev proposes that they infiltrate Melvin's ship via a Trojan Horse. Sure, this scene is brief, but it really speaks a lot on Rev's character.

I am going to incorporate this idea into a later fic, but I love the premise that Rev is a huge book junkie who will read up on any subject. In my head, I think that Rev read a lot about Helen of Troy and learned about the Trojan Horse. This would explain why Rev wasn't present in that section of the episode.

This would also explain why Rev was confused when he heard Helen of Troy earlier and then proposed the Trojan Horse idea later.

As an aside, this moment is one of the few times when Tech is genuinely confused about something, and it is SO funny (picture below).

The Menace of Mastermind

This episode is a really entertaining episode overall.

The Menace of Mastermind: I loved the premise of this episode (where Mastermind infiltrates the Loonatics HQ). In terms of characterization, Mastermind is one of the best Loonatics villains.

There are a lot of one-liners here, too ("What?! Now is exactly the time to panic!", "My brilliant inventions. What has that ghastly woman done to my babies?!", etc.).

Like I said, this episode is fun to watch.

I especially like this scene when the Loonatics realize that their spare weapons were modified by Mastermind. Here (in the image below), Tech's spare weapons were altered so that they would wrap around each person's hands. And so each character has to break the ropes around their hands.

Of course, each character has their own way of getting out of their restraints (brute force, laser vision, teleportation, etc.).

In this part, Rev aims the weapon in front of himself.

HE FIRES AND USES HIS SPEED TO GO IN FRONT OF THE PROJECTILE

AND THE PROJECTILE STRIKES HIS OWN WEAPON

AND HE IS NO LONGER STUCK TO THE WEAPON

LIKE WHAT

MY CHILD IS SO SMART <3

Also, this episode has one of the most underrated TechRev moments of all time. There is an earlier scene in the episode where the Loonatics are hiding inside of the vents from Mastermind. Rev, Lexi, and Slam go to shut off the EMP.

When Lexi asks about where the EMP is located, Tech says, "It's hidden right in plain sight, and comes with simple instructions."

Later on, Rev, Lexi, and Slam find the EMP. Lexi says, "Aww, Tech said they'd come with simple instructions. Simple my lucky foot."

Then, Rev says, "I got this. Step 1: Arm primary ignition sequence using standard alphanumeric code calculations. Step 2: Insert electron overdrive..."

I LOVE this scene. It is perfect. This scene shows not only shows Rev's intelligence, but it also shows how familiar Rev is with Tech's thinking. It shows how Tech and Rev are comfortable with each other, even when they are not physically together. It's great.

I also love this shot (shown below) when Rev casually looks away from the screen while he is still talking at the same quick speed. Meanwhile, Lexi is beyond confused. It's a comical riot.

Also, this is really subtle, but I adore this detail: the next scene with Rev & Lexi shows that Rev is the person who is holding the EMP device (shown below). It's funny to think that Lexi just handed Rev the device so that he could deal with it.

Overall, my favorite episode of this show is The Family Business, but I also really enjoyed The Menace of Mastermind & It Came from Outer Space, too.

edit: updated the pictures for The Menace of Mastermind with ones that were higher quality

[decadeofjoy-au]

Azure Nilson Side Story

Title: Looking Upwards.

Set a week before the original story happens

(Usher and Aether belong to Stallia Abiarts. Zack, Melvin and Caleb belong to Icanexplainwhythisnameisbad.)

She sat quietly in the playhouse watching all the other orphans interact and have fun with eachother. Usher was with Aether. Zack isn’t here right now…he’s with Bobby. Melvin, he’s….she doesn’t wanna think about what HES doing. Caleb is busy trying to scare Maury.. a bunch of other orphans are doing their completely own thing. She sighed, pulling out her mini notebook and writing her thoughts in it. Bobby and Crafty recommended to her that she did that for whenever she was feeling a certain way about things. Slowly, her thoughts wandered off as she thought about crafting something. Oooo…Maybe a mini robot? Hm…

She was so deep into her thoughts that she barely even noticed Maria walking by. Maria gave her a glance but…walked away. She was more fixated on trying to leave Playcare and…Azure didn’t seem to be doing TOO bad… so she simply walked away instead of making time to talk to her. Azure looked up just as she was leaving and frowned. She’s been realll busy for a while…maybe TOO busy. Azure WOULD ask her why she hasn’t been talking to her but in her eyes, that would be pushy and rude. And besides, she’s probably just really busy! She’ll be back to hanging out with her in no time!

She hopes.

Anyways! Enough of those stupid mopey feelings and her “random episodes”. She got up and let out a shaky sigh before making her way out of the playhouse, though before she could leave, she was stopped by Maury. She looked over at him in surprise, a bit thankful that he never touched her in the process of stopping her. She gently held her book closer before turning to face him fully.

Azure: “oh- uh..hi Maury, you need something?”

Her voice was filled with shyness but he could tell that she was forcing herself to steady it out, trying not to stutter. She didn’t wanna embarrass herself or anything. He replied in a casual yet honest tone, crossing his arms casually

Maury: “oh, nothing much! I just noticed the way you were watching Maria and wanted to check up on you. You seemed a little upset, you know.”

Azure: “oh- that? No. I’m not upset. Just a bit…mm…agitated, to say the least.”

Maury: “oh, well..do you wanna talk about it? I’m all ears.”

Azure: “No…no. It’s fine. It’s perfectly fine! Yes.”

Maury: “Really? You 100% sure?”

Azure: “I’m sure. Thank you for checking though.”

Maury: “yeah, no problem! See ya.”

Azure waved a goodbye to him as he walked deeper into the playhouse. Announcing a game for him and everyone to play, leaving her alone. She turned and began to walk back to where she was headed. Home Sweet Home. Her favorite place in playcare. It was quiet, usually dark, all her favorite things. She stepped inside then walked over to her room. She had just out her hand on the handle when she noticed Kissy behind her. She jolted when she saw the toy but quickly calmed down.

Azure: “sorry- sorry, you scared me.”

Kissy gave her an apologetic look then handed her a piece of paper. The hand writing was a bit sloppy…but she could make it out.

Azure: “Me and Maria? No! No! We’re fine! She’s just a bit…busy at the moment. Yeah. And uh…she doesn’t like being called Lucky”

Kissy have her a skeptical look and quickly wrote something down before handing the paper to Azure. Azure read it before her voice suddenly went flat, serious.

Azure: “No. no, I d- I would not like to talk about it. Thank you..”

Kissy offered to take the paper back, to which Azure gladly handed it to her. She wrote down one last thing and handed the paper back to Azure one last time. Azure read it before putting her hands together and letting out a deep breath. She cannot believe she has to explain this to an adult.. but hey, she won’t judge. Besides, she knows a lot about stuff like this anyways!

Azure: “Because not everyone has the time or energy to listen to my opinion on things that aren’t relevant to them and yes while you DID offer, I’m not just gonna go and spew everything that’s on my mind as I really have to think about how that would make someone else FEEL before I actually do or say it. I’m not just gonna say the first thing that pops up in my brain because that could possibly offend you or make you feel a certain type of way and even then when I DO say or do something that could possibly offend someone else, I have to at the very least know how to apologize without seeming desperate for their approval while also being respectful about their reaction and understanding what I did. And yes, this goes the other way around too in my opinion. In other words, I need to think about what I’ll say before I’ll say it. Is that alright, ma’am?”

Kissy stared at her in shock, her eyes widened as she just replayed everything that she had just listened to in her head. What the..? Isn’t this kid like- 16? Most 16 year olds around here are usually listening to hard rock music and are attempting to learn to dye their hair…not being prepared to spew life lessons in their head... After a few moments of awkward silence, Kissy slowly nodded, gave a thumbs up and began to walk away, thinking about everything she had just heard. Azure watched silently as she left before smiling and waving to her

Azure: “goodbye! Have a nice day!”

Kissy smiled and nodded as she made her way out of home sweet home. Azure instead finally walked into her room the collapsed onto her bed. Finallyyy, somewhere comfortable..she looked over at her Snugglebug and grabbed into it before sighing. This is nice.