#at one point it just becomes a one-man show as he plays every already established character

[imjustavenuxwithaboomerang]

no stop bc if milo gets his way, the zombies franchise is literally going to continue until the day he dies

[bibibbon]

MHA chapter 426

4 more chapters until MHA ends and wow!!!

Honestly this chapter was mainly the conclusion of the todoroki family arc which I still hate how it played out and ended. The whole todoroki family NOT INCLUDING ENJI deserves so much better than what horikoshi gave them.

Hawks is the new HPSC leader?!?! I feel like the system should of just been destroyed considering how much it hurt everyone and hawks by no means has any proper character development to take this role. Hawks hasn't really broken down his flawed beliefs or truly developed from his mentality that ended up getting one of the most redeemable league of villains members aka twice killed. Also he barely reflects on his actions and all of this feels so underwhelming and unprepared for.

Todoroki family deserves better. The ABSLOUTELY vile ending the todoroki family received is horrible like I really feel like they should just runaway and live in a house without endeavour and actually take up on endeavours attornment bs. Like the only one who gets it is natsou who has every right to live with his girlfriend and keep her far away from that environment and oh my Rei deserves so much better both narratively and by the fandom.

Enji still sucks. Yeah I can't lie nothing this man can do can make me like him and it doesn't help that hori has written all of those retcons to humanise him and make him pitiful. I feel like when it came to the todoroki family arc enji took on a whole lot of screentime WHICH HE SHOULDNT OF!!! That should of gone to shoto and the rest of the family and an easy way to fix it is to simply have killed enji in the first war arc (as was initially planned but hori changed it later on) ALSO I SAY LET TOUYA REST AT THIS POINT!!! having him just mechanically alive and stuck is horrible honestly I think that death is much more of a merciful fate for him at this point.

So lady nagant chose to go to jail?!?! Her reasoning for it is actually so sad though and it really shows how much hero society traumatised her. Like the woman didn't want to be free so she can't be used by anyone and would rather spend time in prison over it. I wish that she was hawk's mentor from the begining because the vibe those two give is absolutely amazing and it would enhance the parallels and relationship they have if they were. Honestly I hope hawks actually does a good job but Iam still all for the destruction of hero society and I doubt hawks is actually going to reform it properly also the hero society is so deeply flawed that I don't think there is a proper way to reform more like just scratch everything out and start fresh.

Spinner is back. I hope I don't see him have a breakdown when he realises what happend to the league because I can't handle that. Also that begs the question I thought that spinner had become somewhat brain dead after all he's been through so how did he turn back from being a giant nomu?

I can't handle the sibling angst too bad that touya and shoto didn't have a better arc. The whole shoto trying to know touya better and him revealing that soba is also his favourite food softens my heart. In another universe where enji doesn't get a redemption touya gets one while justice is served to the todoroki family.

Gentle criminal and la brava getting justice. (The only good part of the chapter fr)

in conclusion this chapter was horrible if we look at it from a story perspective due to how badly MHAs already established plot points and themes are handled!!!

Also what happend to the random character in the last chapter!!! I hope we get closure on that soon

[mutfruit-salad]

i find the way fans are already shipping cooper with lucy over her black love interest very telling of the clueless white supremacy and media illiteracy in the fandom. coop and lucy are obviously being setup as a father-daughter duo who need to learn caution/kindness from each other to survive, but these weirdos can’t have their white-man fave without a self-insert stand-in for 1 season. and the way people are glorifying cooper’s character is a load of bs - a morally greg white guy who realises he endorsed and was sympathetic to a massive war crime/political injustice… so he goes on to indiscriminately kill/hurt more people who have no idea of, nor say in the bigger picture that he was complicit in… is sooo boring and nothing new. also, giving him a biracial daughter as an accessory to show he’s Not Racist isn’t something we’ve seen half of a million fuckin times before 🤪 the way the show back-tracked on fallout’s message of blind american nationalism and militarism being a problem to It’s All Capitalism’s Fault, seemingly in reaction to the US currently endorsing and aiding in foreign war crimes, and past ones becoming common-knowledge, is horseshit on a platter.

I find the complete lack of a character for his daughter really horrifying- how she only exists to die dramatically for the sake of his sadness. It's odd because his wife is a well-established important character, yet their daughter is not allowed to be a person.

Fallout, in general, has had a habit of completely ignoring racism- presenting the prewar world as some fully integrated post racism utopia. Which is weird when the games regularly display overt anti Chinese (and broader anti Asian) sentiments in prewar logs and ads. This is a problem both the classic games AND the bethesda games have- racism has always been a touchy subject to the devs of the series and it seems like every game they've been content to ignore it, occasionally invoking it for horror or stumbling headlong into depicting it without realizing.

The way Ghoulgins regrets his past and just takes it out on everyone around him is absurd and plays into a lot of very hostile ideas the character peddles.

People shipping Ghoulgins with Lucy is baffling to me also considering he spends the entire series physically abusing her. People just don't want to acknowledge Max's existence, I have noticed. I know her and Ghoulgins get closer by the end, but it's after he's done just unspeakably cruel things to her- and you're right that it is absolutely framed as a father/daughter relationship.

I would also like to point out that the series has always criticized capitalism as well- but would generally frame it as sort of tangled up in American imperial ambition- with one feeding into the other. They were two halves of the same coin.

Vault Tec's entire existence in the classic games was selling smoke- profiting off of the extreme tension and stress of US military buildup- a process which would always inevitably end in disaster: either with Vault Tec going under or brinksmanship coming to its inevitable end.

Vault Tec (and the entire idea of luxury bunkers as a whole) WAS a critique of capitalism, and how it goes hand-in-hand with the American military industrial complex. It was selling the fear of annihilation to the populace. They didn't need to be some secretive controlling force to achieve any of this.

Making Vault Tec the sole antagonist, and the driving force of the apocalypse, is both deeply conspiratorial AND undermines the Cold War roots the series has always had- replacing the fear of American military buildup with a sort of hateful simplicity.

[rubra-wav]

Why So Blue? Vox x Reader

[ Part 2 - Never Gonna Give It Up ]

A/N Listen man, I don't know jackshit about code or hacking, and that's probably gonna become glaringly obvious throughout this fic 💀

Cw: SFW, gn!reader, intimidation and manipulation, slight mention of blood.

<< [ Part 1 ]

A month went by since the attack on his social media and hijacking of his camera systems had taken place.

The paranoid anticipation of a second attack was deeply present to Vox, but it faded at about the 2 week mark.

Surely, whatever imperfections there were had been mended! Someone would be thrown on the chopping block if not.

All his employees were on edge and were eager not to irritate him even a little bit after last time. Even more than usual. It was excellent to the TV demon, stroking his sadistic power complex even more than it already was.

Every blow done to his ego with the Sinstagram hacking had fallen away, and he was once again power tripping on everything around him. As expected, the home surveillance systems had made him a killing, and he could see places he'd never been able to make it to now.

All of these things put him in a rare string of a genuinely good mood. Everything seemed to be working out.

On the other hand, you worked hard on your next attack that'd far solidify your threat to him, that's for damn sure.

You'd given it a few weeks before you began to really step into your next plot, wanted to lure him into a false sense of security so he'd fall harder off his high horse.

You laid on your stomach in the middle of your living room surrounded by your collection of monitors, clicking away with one hand and typing code out with the other.

The next stage of you trolling him was just gonna be meme material alongside establishing your persona to properly establish your presence in hell.

The more serious pranks up your sleeve would be showing up later down the line. For now, you were just playing games with him for entertainment.

You were barely able to leave home nowadays, opting to befriending people or talking to those you knew before becoming a recluse online.

One of these friends of yours being a certain inventor who ironically very much wanted to be positively noticed by the object of your somewhat despise.

At first, it was because you took pity upon Sir Pentious, having helped to patch him up after he (literally) exploded through the wall of your apartment, however, you came to enjoy his presence.

He was power-hungry, of course. However, he also just wasn't much of a threat at all. He wasn't charming or manipulative - god, was he an awful liar - just good with making things. Pen was a glorified, awkward, and overly goofy fanboy more than anything.

You kept trying to encourage him to work on a business of his own rather than just trying displays of power against Cherri Bomb for the sake of trying to get attention from the Vees, but he just wouldn't listen.

The sound of you receiving a notification from said inventor snapped you out of spacing out at your reflection in the monitor in front of you.

I got the codes you asked for, (Name). 🫡

*Pen included attachments*

Do be careful with these, though. I had to talk to one of my acquaintances in league with lady Velvette's people for these, and they said that it seemed like bad news to have these on you!

Just what are you planning on using them for?

You hummed as you looked at the codes sent, thinking of how you would answer exactly, your eyes wandering absentmindedly to the slightly peeling painting of tree branches on the wall you had done many years ago at this point.

Your eyes snapped back to your monitor as you typed back simply.

Thank you very much! 🧡

And let's just say... tomfoolery.

....

Should I be worried?

You snorted.

Probablyyyyyy~~~

You laughed at the barrage of texts with extremely poor spelling sent to you one after the other half jokingly fretting about you. In the beginning, it was genuine panic from him, but he'd come to know you were smart enough to not kill yourself via being a menace.

Chill out, MUM. I'll be good.

I mean, you most assuredly wouldn't be good, but he didn't need to know that.

You weren't exactly going to reveal you were the one harassing Vox to anyone, even if you were friends. Doing so would be endangering you but also them as well.

You logged the access codes you had gotten from Pentious - ones you couldn't attain normally because they were physically kept in real life - humming and kicking your legs as you cleaned the attack up to make sure there wasn't some missed quotation or something which would fuck the whole thing up.

As you worked hard, a certain someone was about to wake up to the cemented vision of the series of unfortunate events you had in store for him.

-

This time, Vox woke up in a very unconventional way unlike the prior attack.

One of his main maintenance team members booted him up before his scheduled time.

He looked at the employee with confusion, which quickly turned to anger as he realised that this asshole had intruded into his sleeping quarters, he was very confident, without permission.

The embarrassment about his sleep attire of course underlying. It was hardly the same impression as what he wished to show to the world.

He instantly went to start yelling at the obviously shit scared man in front of him, but he was stopped short as he heard familiar lyrics that didn't yet fully register for him.

"What. What the fuck is that?" He asked, Vox looked at the employee who seemed to be grappling to try and explain.

"We're.. o.. angers.. o love.. u.. ow the rules, and...o do I!"

Vox's eyebrow furrowed in disbelief, mouth parting as he fought to comprehend what was going on, straining to hear what the song was.

"A.. ull.. commitments.. -at.. m.. inking of. O.. ouldn't get this.. om any other.. uy."

Seeing as the employee was useless next to him, Vox got out of bed and quickly raced to his bedroom window, ripping the blinds apart and opening the window.

"I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling, gotta make you understand."

Vox looked absolutely dumbfounded out at the scene of hell before him as his still tired brain fully comprehended what he was hearing and seeing.

"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you!"

Who in the fuck was rickrolling hell.

It was on every single billboard and screen that Vox could see out the window of the tall building he lived in, the image of Rick Astley singing 'Never Gonna Give You Up' with a small message Vox could barely make out at the bottom of the faraway billboard.

"S-sir, it's been playing since 6am, we haven't been able to turn it off! It's everywhere! This hacker- 'U' they call themselves, its the same person as last time it seems!" The frightened employee standing behind the hunched over and now trembling figure of Vox finally found his voice.

Vox let out a cold bark of laughter, slamming his hands against the windowsill as he jerkily moved to face the employee. "What the fuck," Vox began to approach the young man, him shrinking back from the clearly furious overlord. "Do you mean that this has been p-p-playing," Vox glitched as he gripped both hands on the techie's shoulders. "Since 6 in the fucking morning!" He yelled.

His claws dug into his shoulders hard. He was about to go fully apeshit, but the sane part of his brain won over that at the last second.

This was not one of his lowest earners, and he had far more pressing things to do then prey on the refuse lest his image be messed up any more then it already had.

He stiffly unhanded the employee, eyes admiring the way blood had started beading where his claws had dug in before taking a deep breath, composing himself and then forcing a strained smile.

"My apologies," a lie, of course. "I will deal with this accordingly myself since it seems like you and your team are un-a-able to yourselves." He spat the last part out, before striding out of his bedroom with one last 'get out.' directed at the employee shaking like a leaf in a strong breeze.

It was all over the internet and Vox knew he had no chance of dealing away with it like last time.

He could do away with a stupid Sinstagram post pretty easily. It was moreso from one source - the branches from that easily clipped and made to be forgotten about nearly completely with a carefully placed broadcast that was succinct and to the point with his hypnosis ability, and constant content moderation.

This though was a completely different story.

Even after kicking you from his system (he hoped), he found himself unable to even begin to try moderate everything as he did last time. He couldn't escape 'U' becoming a viral meme overnight.

Someone with obviously incredible hacking skills using said skills not to attack or harm Vox or anyone, but to instead Rick Roll the entirety of hell?

Vox became a victim of the meme culture him and Velvette had cultivated to keep eyes on them, and he hated it.

He was terrified, which of course manifested as red hot anger. Anger which grew even worse as something was discovered the afternoon of him finally managing to remove the video loop being broadcasted.

An account on one of the many social media applications he owned. An account he somehow couldn't touch with one single post going absolutely viral - the same as the text that was displayed across the bottom of video you had infected all of his screens with which he couldn't quite see from out of his window the prior morning.

'Never gonna give it up, never gonna let you go. Never gonna let you run away and avoid me~ - U'

If anyone wants to be added to a taglist for when I update this fic lmk - I was unsure if the people I @ last time still wanted to be (sorry)

[ Why So Blue masterlist ]

[lovelykhaleesiii]

Angel of My Dreams.

PAIRING: Chubby!Aegon ii Targaryen x fem!Reader

WORDS: 1,410.

SUMMARY: Aegon ii finds himself doubting his worthiness for your love and devotion, and yet you prove him otherwise. 

WARNINGS: fatphiobic comments, low self-esteem, degradation, swearing, angst, fluff.

A/N - surely you knew this was coming lmao, I am obsessed and will die by the hill that chubby!aegon is in fact real. Siri play SZA Big Boyyyy. p.s let’s just pretend they’re all one big happy fam, and that Aegon ii is the one to inherit the throne. 

Aegon, your dearest beloved, was perfection in your eyes. You’d both grown acquainted with one another mutually, and shared a mutual fondness and understanding with one another. Despite Aegon’s status in the realm, he was very much to himself, and unfortunately was known for having a notorious reputation amongst the ladies of the realm. What you’d heard through whispers and gossip, you found skeptical to believe, as Aegon showed a side to himself that you believed no other being saw. He was quite shy upon talking to you, after building the courage to introduce himself, and realising how warm you were, he opened up to you naturally. 

You’d come to realise, that was never an easy case for Aegon. The expectations not only his family, however the entirety of the realm held on him was beyond fair. From the moment of his birth to the man he'd become today, he was criticised for absolutely everything, down to the last minute thing. Much to your dismay, even his appearance. 

Most people had widely disapproved of how Aegon would present himself. Many agreed, that looking at Aegon’s physicality, no one would believe he'd be fit nor considered suitable to reign as King. Especially, when his younger brother, Aemond, had proved otherwise. When comparing the two sons, Aemond was favoured by the council. 

Regardless, most of the time, comments like this often encouraged Aegon to look how he did. 

“People have convinced themselves already that I am incompetent, why the need to disprove their claims?” He would succumb to. It took you what felt like a lifetime, for him to fight this battle, and yet you did the impossible.

For this, his mother, Alicent had noticed and took a great appreciation for your achievement. 

Before you'd met Aegon, he sought and often bought the lust and attention from elsewhere, a frequenter to the Streets of Silk and the brothel houses that established themselves in the region. Much to your satisfaction, your existence also put an end to these needless trips. 

Aegon would always exclaim how lucky he was to have found you, the angel of my dreams, he'd whisper into your ear late at night, as you wandered off to sleep in his strong, soft arms. He was aware of the terrible things he’d succumbed to since his youth, and having met you, you were the awakening of his regret. 

“I do not deserve you, not in the slightest, but the Gods work in mysterious ways,” Aegon would proclaim. 

And no matter the countless of times, you’d try to persuade him otherwise, that he saved you, it did not matter. His thoughts were set in stone, for he succumbed to pessimism since he could understand the meaning of words, as he was moulded to be the ‘perfect king’. 

It was impossible, you’d believed. For everyone had flaws, you knew this and yet so much weighed on his shoulders regardless. 

During the initial stages of your relationship with Aegon, he was weary of the nature of your affections. He struggled to decipher himself if they were genuine or had some hidden agenda, although you asked nothing of him ever. When he’d confront you of your love and intention with him, many a times you threatened to leave him if that's what it took, to the point where he stopped. At one point you held a grudge and offered silence, in return he followed you around every where pleading for forgiveness, as means to show that you did not care for any prize being with Aegon... Only that the love you as you did him.

In comparison, you’d questioned whether he merely saw you as a faint object of sex, not wanting anymore than a night of pleasure at his beckoning call. 

It was hard to believe, the future King of Westeros would want you, and yet here you laid by his side from night to night, in return he never left nor neglected you. 

Although, people allowed for their imagination to roam free, and had their own narratives created in their fickle minds of your relationship. 

“Mayhaps the young prince has impregnanted her, trapped her with his godforsaken child. Gods be good, they spare us from another Aegon. Terrible, he did not inherit the good qualities of his predecessor who bears the same name.” 

“It seems most likely, he has forced the poor girl’s hand in marriage, having taken her maidenhood without proper practice.” 

Regardless, of the gossip whispered, the most agonising of it all, was how many commented how ill it seemed that a beauty such as yourself be seen with Aegon.

Over the years, Aegon much like his father to his resentment, was a larger man. Growing up spoilt and royal, he was offered the finest delicacies across the 7 Kingdoms, and he found indulgence as an escape. He had a terrible habit of being gluttonous with most things, whether it be food, wine or women, from his previous bachelor days. These habits had been hard to overcome, before he had stumbled upon the gratifying reason of you. 

He found that, during the relentless and agonising dinners and feasts held, eating kept him busy, avoiding conversing with others both strange and familiar. Growing from child to a boy to now a young man, it was inevitable that his appetite grew to accustom his natural development. 

Much to his distaste, he would continue to combat train, and much preferred riding Sunfyre for he was in his own company (still persistent in convincing you to join him), he remained fit and strong. Although, his edges were soft and tender, and you did not mind it one bit. It never even occurred to you, that there would be any matter in question, regarding how you both appeared to the general public. Their opinions meant absolutely nothing to you, and you remained ignorant to it all, although Aegon struggled as he always did. He was only ever accustomed to hearing criticism and scrutiny, and struggled to block it. 

He had a subtle double chin that you would adorn with kisses, his arms muscular although hidden beneath a layer of fat, and his stomach plump and stout, protruded just a generous amount over the waistline, it was evident beneath his clothes. Although your favourite, was his legs, in particular his thighs. The way he'd prop you up, cradling you as you sat atop his solid build, his appearance was never questioned by you, and he knew that, no matter how much he’d deny it. 

And yet, he found himself the hot topic of countless, discrete conversations, especially with the young knights and men of the realm. Many found your warmth and welcome compelling, and became infatuated with your beauty. You had gentle, soft features, your mother a renowned beauty herself in her youth, many found it no doubt you inherited her vision. 

“I bet he’s somehow forced her into this godforsaken union. Needs a knight in shining armour to save her from that horrid, drunk beast.” 

“He doesn't even try to stop himself nor fix his pathetic ways, have you seen the way he gorges himself? The poor girl must suffocate with him.”

“Mayhaps Y/N is smarter than we think, and is not actually in love with Aegon, for who could love a fat bastard like him, and to think in a few years he’ll be King.”

It infuriated him hearing such words, words from some men he’d thought he could entrust as friends. Once they'd come face to face, they would act as though no dishonesty was committed. 

Treason, Aegon thought to himself. He'd made mental note of it all, and knew when the time was right, justice would be served by his own wroth. 

Often at times, as means to retaliate, he’d appear with you publicly, whether it was kissing you in public, or merely holding hands, or insisting you feed him grapes or cakes to him as you sat ontop, he relished the bitter looks on their smug faces. 

Ever since Aegon had met you, his confidence had grown, and he was eternally thankful. You’d become such a light for him, that he saw himself in a manner, most people denied him.

��You, you my sweet girl-”

Aegon would softly whisper, as he embraced you tightly in his large, tender arms, before releasing you. His hand reaching over to your face, placing a misplaced strand behind your ear, his thumb then gently tracing your lips. 

“You are everything to me, I love you.”

[gotham25052]

Dark Waters

Part 2

Summary (all parts):

"'I've been here a long time, playing with your hair. You must have been thinking about something… important,' he said, his voice sounding strangely familiar.

He leaned in closer, his scarf falling down and exposing his scarred lips. He spoke as if he was telling her a secret that was only between the two of them. 'You know, people will think we're lovers, here on the rocks, watching the water.'"

As the social fabric of Gotham begins to fray and the Joker's intrusion into her life escalates, Anna struggles to maintain control. But is she threatened by the Joker or by something within herself?

Contents: Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Notes: I'll be posting new chapters each week. [Edit 12/8 - going to have to go for a 2-week posting schedule instead of every week]. The story diverges from the movie during the ballroom scene in part 1. In part 2, the newspaper article helps explain how changes have rippled out onto the political scene in Gotham.

TW: Some violence, drug use

Dark Waters, Part 2

From a distance, it looked like fireworks. Since it was early July, those further away thought it was exactly that and dismissed the flashes and pops. Those living closer, however, could see how low the explosions were and how unlike the colorful whirls they usually saw this time of year. The shower of sparks rained down to the ground under the high voltage power lines, some of them beginning their own fires below.

The transformers on the power lines leading into Gotham were exploding, unpredictably bursting into flame. The show was quickly becoming more visible as the buildings in the city went black and the only light came from the fizzling remains of the transformers and the fires they had sparked.

The Gotham Gazette Vol LXVII, No. 226 July 12, 2008

The man of the hour is certainly Harvey Dent, who wed his long-time girlfriend, prosecutor Rachel Dawes, today. Dent surprised the establishment in Gotham with his quick rise to power this summer, beating his opponents in the special election for mayor after the sudden disappearance of former mayor Anthony Garcia. The wedding was a sight to behold, an outdoor gala followed by a formal dinner and reception at Wayne Manor, hosted by the eccentric billionaire himself. Rachel was stunning in her elegant designer gown and a simple tiara of flowers, while Dent was dashing as usual, sporting a tailored suit and his signature mop of blond hair. The couple postponed their honeymoon, as Dent lost no time returning to work in the city center. He cited the pursuit of the Joker as the city's top priority, pointing out the destruction caused by his large-scale attack on the power grid. It's no surprise Dent has labelled the Joker as a danger to the city. The criminal mastermind has consolidated power among the city's mob bosses and seems to draw from an endless store of cash to fund his attacks.

"Gotham won't be safe until the Joker is in Arkham… or in the ground," Dent said on the steps of the capital building as he returned to his duties as mayor.

Annie was standing at the counter in the early afternoon, with bread, meat and cheese carefully arranged in front of her. She was making sandwiches for the next few days in this rare peaceful moment. Cars drove by erratically and she heard snippets of shouted conversations from the open window, but that was nothing unusual for a Saturday afternoon. She wrapped the sandwiches in foil with an experienced hand, carefully tearing off just enough to carefully cover each one, with the edges barely overlapping. She would need to make it last - she was usually able to hold off for months before having to buy more.

She had already taken precious money away from her paycheck to buy a gas hot plate and a flashlight to help her get by during the frequent power outages that now plagued Gotham. The most vital artery of the power grid that fueled the city with its bright lights and climate-controlled buildings had been destroyed in so many locations that it would take the city months to repair. According to the news, a massive cyberattack sponsored by the Joker had rerouted power systematically, overloading the transformers. Rolling blackouts to ration the power supply were becoming a regular occurrence.

Whenever she caught a news broadcast on the bus or at work, interviews with Mayor Dent highlighted his efforts to restore power to both sides of Gotham. But she noticed that every time she staffed a party in Upper Gotham, the lights were on, whereas the closer she came to her home in Lower Gotham, riding on the bus, the more likely it was for her to see the streetlights go black and the hum of the city suddenly become silent. The outages, though, were not the concern at the forefront of her mind.

It had been a month since she heard the Joker's chilling words broadcast on the news at work. "Did you know, there are over 16 thousand people named Anna in Gotham?" he had said. Did he intend for her to see it? Was it a threat? Or was it some strange coincidence, and he had now forgotten about her? She hoped for the latter, but as little as she knew of him, she felt that his words were not likely to be insignificant.

And then there was the problem of whether or not she should go to the police. The sparkling ruby necklace in her closet weighed on her conscience. Every day, she wished it would disappear, but it was always still there, hidden inside the small bag she had used to conceal it. What would they think of her story? Would they believe her?

Her focus quickly shifted to the door. She thought she heard the lock click. She froze immediately, not knowing whether to hide or stay where she was. The door opened and she knew it was him - his purple jacket appeared like a nightmare materializing, his back to her, appearing to be giving some kind of order to others in the hallway. He turned and entered the apartment, closing the door carefully. The Joker dropped the clown mask he had been wearing over his painted face on the floor. Her feeling of safety in her home, her last shred of security, simply evaporated.

She moved away from the counter in fear as he stepped in to the room nonchalantly, as if he was a neighbor casually dropping in for a chat. If he seemed imposing in the ballroom, he looked a hundred times more menacing in this small apartment. Somehow his strange attire and odd manner fit the ballroom with its high ceilings and theatrical decor - like he was an actor on an elaborate stage. Here in the dingy studio apartment, he loomed over the small space.

He turned his head from side to side, regarding the barren room. No photos of family and friends adorned the walls, and no personal touches seemed to make the apartment her own. The bed stood near the far wall of the open room and one solitary chair was pulled up to the counter. "I like what you've done with the place," he said, ending his survey of the room and turning toward her.

Time seemed to stop. She felt as if he had walked directly from her memory into her apartment - he had the same face paint and layered jackets. He had appeared so quicky and silently she questioned the soundness of her mind and wondered if perhaps this was an image that her imagination, overwhelmed by her experiences, was creating for her.

All the dread of the last two weeks formed into words. "Why did you come after me?" escaped from her lips before she could silence them, and she immediately regretted speaking.

He crossed the room in four long steps and was suddenly so close she could feel his breath. She didn't dare to move.

"To finish what I started," he said, his manner suddenly intense.

She was filled with fear but also bewildered. "To kill me?" she asked.

"What?" he said with exaggerated surprise, lightening his tone. "To save you, of course." He stepped away and moved to the counter, where he picked up an apple and took a messy bite.

"Please continue… whatever you're doing," he mumbled, his mouth full. She recognized that she should simply obey, though she had to fight her instinct to panic and run. He pulled the chair out into the main room and sat down, bringing out his cell. She forced her arms to continue ripping off sections of foil and wrapping the sandwiches. She worked slowly and deliberately, not daring to glance up at what he was doing.

He had been looking at his phone but his eyes soon found her again, carefully studying her motions on the counter from across the room. He shifted slightly for a better view, and then slipped his phone into a pocket and got up. She sensed the movement and froze immediately.

"Want some help?" he said with feigned normality. She remained still, hardly breathing. All she could do was watch. He glanced at her, licked his lips, and sloppily grabbed the foil. He pulled out a section, a bit more than she would have, and looking at her quizzically instead of at what he was doing, wrapped the next sandwich with very little care. Continuing to regard her expression, a mix of fear and confusion, he went for the foil again, this time pulling out an extravagantly long piece, more than she would have used in a week. He threw a sandwich in and wrapped the shining mass a needless number of times around the small meal.

Before she knew what was happening, he pulled the roll out of the box and let it fall to the floor, gliding across the room until there was a dazzling stripe of silver in front of them, reflecting the light in a surprising contrast to the otherwise dim environment. Their eyes lingered on it for a moment. He put his hand out and laid it on the foil, drawing his fingers inward to slowly crinkle one section. In the next moment, he had crushed the entire sheet into a messy ball and dropped it in front of her.

She looked up at him in confusion, wondering what he would do next. He glared back, sneering, "You know why I didn't kill you? You can't kill someone who's already dead." He turned on his heel and briskly left the apartment.

He was gone? She collapsed to the floor in relief, holding her head in her hands, sobbing with pent up emotion. After she was exhausted from crying and felt he was truly gone, she looked at the clock and realized she would be going to work in only an hour. She committed to herself that she would go to the police the next morning - there was no way around it now.

She rose to see the mess on the counter. Her fingers tried to unfurl the crinkled mass of silver.

She gritted her teeth as she walked the rest of the way to the police station. It was a bad habit that contributed to her headaches.

She felt that it was a necessity to come here after the Joker had actually shown up in her apartment, but it was a harder decision than it would have been for the average person. She knew from her long legal struggles to leave the radical religious group she grew up in that the law was not always just and unbiased. The local authorities upstate where she was from were terrified of the Church, and afraid to do anything that would push them too far. In the end, there was a deal with the group that allowed her to have her freedom. They had let one of the Church's members out of prison, almost as if it was a prisoner exchange with a terrorist group. Her experience with local law enforcement had been far from positive, and now she was in Gotham. The liquid of corruption throughout the state all flowed to this central beating heart, where it circulated and pumped out again, rejuvenated and refreshed.

She took a deep breath and climbed the pockmarked concrete steps to the large doors. She had to try twice to open them, but as soon as she did, a motley group exited, almost knocking her over. They ignored her completely and continued down the steps. From her experience in the city, she would guess that they were from one of the well-known crime families of the city.

She regained her composure and stepped into the police department. Gotham City PD was always busy, and the people she saw seemed to know exactly what they were doing and where they were going. She hesitated, wondering about whether her appearance would undermine her believability. She had large circles under her eyes that she had tried to disguise, for the most part, unsuccessfully. After the Joker's visit, she often woke up more tired than when she went to sleep, despite her exhaustion from work. She sighed, knowing it would have to do. She had to try.

She found an officer, who looked like he was in perhaps slightly less of a hurry than the others.

"Where can I find someone - I can talk to about… a break in?" she asked hesitantly.

"A break in?" The officer hardly glanced at her. "Yeah, just go up the stairs and to the left."

Somewhat calmed by having directions to follow, she made her way to the door he had pointed to. She realized it was a large waiting room with benches, and she went to the desk to check in. She sat down, looking over the strange collection of humanity in the GCPD today.

There was an older man in tattered clothes and a military jacket, his eyes darting around the room. Next to him was a nervous young couple, the man's leg incessantly tapping the floor, both looking extremely uncomfortable. The last person in front of her was a quiet woman sitting very still, with a jacket pulled up close around her face, despite the hot weather. Even with the collar pulled up, the blue and purple bruises were easy to see around her eye and cheek. Annie drew a deep breath. She had seen all of this before, but something about these people being shuffled through this office like so many rejected products at a factory made their plight seem much more disheartening.

After what must have been an hour, her turn came, and she walked into the small office. The walls were blank, giving her nothing that she could distract herself with to help calm her nerves. The officer behind the desk looked calm but impatient in the way he was rearranging the papers and reports in front of him. He seemed to be looking forward to whatever was coming next in a way that made her feel as if her complaint had already been dismissed.

"Good morning, please have a seat," he said without looking up from the papers on his desk. She sat down awkwardly in the wooden chair.

"Ok," he said, finally looking up at her. "You said at the front desk that you had a break-in?"

"Yes." she began. Her voice was unsteady - she never felt very comfortable trying to speak with officers, and knowing how far-fetched her story was made her want to get up and leave immediately. "That's right. But I should go back and tell you about what happened at the fundraiser first…"

The officer waited for her to continue, pen in hand and seemingly disappointed that it wasn't going to be a simple break-in he could file away.

"I work for… Gotham Culinary. I was staffing the fundraiser that Bruce Wayne sponsored, for Harvey Dent. The Joker, he came to the party with his men. It was in the news."

"Yes. We interviewed everyone who escaped before the fire, but I don't remember seeing your name on that list," he said skeptically.

"Well, I wasn't with the others who might have gotten out," she said. She tried to explain the strange events that had happened in the ballroom. Her speech was alternately halting and rushed, and she knew it didn't sound convincing. She flushed with embarrassment.

"We had reports of the Joker leaving carrying a woman - you're telling me that was you?"

"Yes."

He looked down at his papers again, and she thought she caught a look of amusement on his face. "Um, ok. Would you like to tell me about the break in now?"

She tried to shift gears into explaining the visit from the Joker.

"Well, he just opened my apartment door. I don't know how he did it without a key - can he pick locks? I don't know. But he came in and… he spoke to me and um…" She realized that saying he had stepped in to wrap sandwiches sounded ridiculous. "He just spoke to me and left. But, I thought that he had come to kill me. I don't feel safe anymore."

"He didn't take anything, he didn't harm you?"

"No."

"Uh huh. Do you have a date for the break-in?"

"Yes, it was yesterday, July… 15th."

He wrote it down on the report and looked up slowly.

"Is that all?"

"No, I also - I have this necklace. From the fundraiser, I mean. He, or his men, they must have left it with me, I found it in my pocket." She pulled out the heavy necklace and set it on the desk. For the first time, the officer had a genuinely concerned look.

"I'll take this into evidence," he said, bringing out a plastic bag and quickly enveloping the necklace there, setting it aside.

"I know it all sounds a little crazy," she said, smiling awkwardly, trying to show that she was a normal person who had been drawn up into this strange situation.

The officer got up, seeming to shake off the veneer of professionality he had been projecting. He came around to stand beside her chair, towering over her, crossing his arms and leaning back on the desk.

"Now miss, you expect me to believe that the Joker," he said with emphasis, "kidnapped you from the fundraiser, only to leave you outside in an ally. Then, the Joker, the criminal mastermind, the biggest gangster in Gotham, bothered to come to your place, miraculously undid the locks. And then he just spoke a few words to you? Why would the Joker be interested in someone like you?

"We have yahoos a dime a dozen coming in here, saying they have seen the Joker. You take the cake with this ridiculous story though. But what really gets me, is how you managed to get that necklace. Did you pull it off of a body in the ballroom? Did you find it on the street? What kind of a lunatic are you? I should book you right now and recommend psychiatric evaluation. My guess, they'd send you straight to Arkham. But I'll be honest, that's a lot of paperwork for me, and you look pretty harmless. Why don't you get back to your apartment in Lower Gotham, and don't waste any more of the GCPD's time? If we find out you stole this necklace, we know where to find you."

She sat shocked, almost paralyzed. She realized her best option was to leave as soon as possible. "Ok, I'll.. go." She stood up and walked out of the station in a daze.

She stood outside, trying to process what had just happened. She had worked so hard to escape the captivity of the Church. Even the hand to mouth existence she had in Gotham was worlds above her trapped existence in the closed world of the cult group. To go into an even more tightly controlled environment like Arkham was her worst nightmare. Like most residents of Gotham, she had heard stories of the long solitary confinements, the medication, the violently insane inmates kept there. She would have to hope that perhaps the owner of the necklace wouldn't be found, and they would simply forget about her visit. One thing was certain, she couldn't return to the police.

And what if the Joker came back? She felt completely powerless - there was no one she could appeal to. She started running from the police station, as if somehow she could escape from her fate by simply running down the street. She brushed past bystanders, unconcerned about their surprised glances. She ran until she reached the shoreline. This wasn't the place she usually came to watch the dark waves roll onto the unforgiving rocks, but she felt some sense of freedom in seeing the open horizon before her, knowing she had put some distance between herself and the police station.

All of the stress of the Joker's intrusion into her life and now the new threat of incarceration came into her throat and fought its way out in her screams. She didn't know she could scream so loud - the sound came out effortlessly. She screamed at Gotham, at fate, at this upside down world where she was trapped on all sides.

Luckily, there were few people around. With no shortage of homeless wanderers in the city, anyone who heard her would chalk it up to another unfortunate Gothamite whose mind had turned on them in the lonely streets.

She was finally done, her voice hoarse. She felt somehow relieved, empty. She looked at the time on her phone. She only had 30 minutes to get to work, on the other side of the city. She knew that she would be late.

It was the kind of day she dreaded. She would be working the kitchen at a large catered event, where the customers had required all the courses be made from scratch. It doubled her workload, and she knew she would be ready to drop by the end of the night.

She was making her coffee and realized she was almost out. It was the one luxury she allowed herself, and she looked forward to the plain black brew each day.

She returned to the bathroom, taking a shower to put herself together before work. Since the visit from the Joker, she had felt distracted and insecure. She hadn't been very good about keeping the apartment clean or taking care of herself, and the effort just to get to work seemed like an enormous task. She was always fearful, awaiting another inevitable visit. She felt a little refreshed after her shower and retold herself the words of the police officer, "Why would the Joker be interested in someone like you?" Despite the malevolence of the officer's words at the time, it was comforting to think that it made no sense for the Joker to seek her out.

She went back to the kitchen, nearly ready for work and taking her time to sip on the coffee. She sighed and wished she could just return to bed instead of embarking on what promised to be a difficult day. She adjusted her uniform, carefully buttoned but always seemingly slightly askew, never quite sitting on her shoulders correctly.

Suddenly something startled her out of her quiet reverie and she looked toward the door. It began to open, and she stood up in disbelief. The extra lock she had installed above the doorknob was undone. Had she forgotten to lock it?

She didn't have long to wonder, as the tall figure of the Joker entered the room. He looked rushed today, as if he was in the midst of some important project. He closed the door behind him and put away his phone. She realized that he was not wearing his usual purple jacket but instead had on a simple gray suit. She could see more of his face as he turned toward her. It looked like he hadn't had time to refresh the makeup and a good amount of it was completely rubbed off. She took a quick breath in surprise as she realized from his broad shoulders and more exposed face that he wasn't nearly as old as he had seemed on her first impressions of him - he looked to be in his early 30s, likely only slightly older than her. The thought was not comforting. She did not have much hope of fighting with him if there was a struggle before, but now that reality seemed inescapable as she realized how easily he could overpower her.

"Good morning," he said cheerily, but his face remained blank, as if his words had no connection to his emotions. Her eyes were wide with fear and her mind was racing to make some kind of plan for escape. He came closer to the counter, absentmindedly looking into the nearly empty cup, then pushing around her to look at the bag beside the coffee pot.

"Almost out!" he exclaimed. "You must like coffee." He shook the bag, as if emphasizing how empty it was. "You know, why don't you try real drugs?" He turned toward her and she realized how very close he was. The crackling energy of his demeanor today seemed almost palpable. He looked over and noticed the folded aluminum foil on the counter, the pieces she had managed to save from his last visit. He raised his eyebrows, amused.

"Here." He reached into an interior pocket on his jacket and pulled out a clear bag with white powder inside. He set it on the counter. "Go ahead, have some."

She didn't move, frozen. This was outside of the realm of anything she had expected.

"Try it, you'll like it," he said with an edge to his voice. He stooped down slightly so that he could look her in the eye, regarding her carefully. "I don't have a lot of time today."

He stood up and slowly opened the bag. She could see upcoming danger in his eyes and turned to make an attempt to run. He stepped forward and his arm was around her neck and shoulders immediately.

"Let's see what you do. How will you fight?" he said, his voice a mixture of anger and amusement. She made an effort to push his arm away with her hands but it was like a vice grip around her, solid and unmoving. She shook her body violently from side to side, trying to break away with all her might. He had to put in some effort to hold her, but it was obviously child's play for him.

"That was really good, you're stronger than you look. Probably all those dishes you wash," he said with an admiring tone. "But I can tell no one ever taught you how to fight." She started to scream, but even she knew that would do no good in some of the worst apartments in Lower Gotham. Even if someone noticed the sounds, they wouldn't intervene for fear of crossing the wrong people. She stopped to catch her breath. He tilted his head to quietly murmur in her ear. "No one's coming, kitten." Her mind reeled with the bizarre nickname. Had he said "kitten"? The thought quickly left her as she began to struggle against him again.

He resumed opening the bag with one hand calmly, still easily securing her with the arm he had wrapped around her.

"Here we go," he said, lifting the bag with his fingers so that it poured into his open palm. "This stuff is great. You can sniff it, breath it, eat it, anything works." She turned her head away as far as possible and closed her eyes and mouth.

"I guess we'll try all three." He suddenly placed his palm with the powder over her face, covering her nose and mouth. She refused to breath. "That's ok, I'll wait," he said calmly.

She couldn't resist for long, and her body forced her to draw a breath, involuntarily gasping for air. He took the opportunity and forced part of his hand into her mouth, wiping the powder off on the inside of her cheek. He withdrew it quickly and she began to cough and sputter, spitting out what she could. He let go and moved away. The powder covered the lower half of her face, and she continued her coughing fit, doubled over.

He waited until she began taking regular breaths again, helping her to sit down. She leaned on the counter for support. Her head was spinning, and it seemed everything in the room was shifting.

"It should be taking effect now, it's a little delayed. You may not want to drink any more right now, it could be too much," he said, picking up her cup and pouring the remainder into the sink, and then emptying the coffee pot as well, as if it was something he did every day. She moved her head from side to side, trying to bring his face back into focus.

"It was in the coffee, kitten, in case you didn't figure that out yet. The white stuff is just powder, it's harmless."

He walked away and turned to leave, opening the door. "Have a nice trip, see you next fall" he said lightly. Outside, he gave his man instructions. "Watch her, make sure she doesn't walk out a window or something." The man nodded obediently and went inside to stand watch by the door. She was still clutching the counter, but it was clear that her mind was no longer present, her eyes focusing on some far away world.

She felt that she was floating at first, gradually letting go of her thoughts, her burdens, escaping from the oppressive heat of summertime in Gotham. Suddenly she was back in the ballroom again, holding the tray of tableware. This time she felt different, light, like she could travel anywhere without being noticed or seen.

She saw him enter the ballroom from a distance. The colors struck her as they had before, but this time his red lips seemed to be leaving a trial of paint in the air. With every turn of his head, the color bled from his lips and stayed there, sitting in the empty space like a liquid, floating in irregular lines and curves. She tried to focus more carefully and found the red designs he left as he strode through the ballroom did not fade away but became even more clear and distinct.

She knew no one could see her today, so she made her way toward the floating swirls of red. She couldn't help herself - she reached out with her fingers to touch the magical streaks of color. They seemed to melt like waxy paint on her hands, staining them a bright red. She found that she could move the lines of color, and make new swirls with her stained fingers as she ran them through the empty space, as if the air was somehow water… She found herself dipping and spinning in the red hanging there, staining her clothes with bright whirls of color. She closed her eyes, lost in the sudden music that arose.

A moment of logical thought interrupted her enjoyment. Why would the band be playing when the whole ballroom was held hostage by the Joker? She opened her eyes and suddenly found herself in a sea of purple, the rough texture of the jacket scratching her face - she was suffocating again, his body crushing her against the wall - how could she be here? She had thought she was invisible… She looked up to see his white face and cold eyes, the paint seeming to flake off like powder in a white flurry around her, and she screamed, again and again, terrified.

The man at the door answered a call on his cell. "Update me, I'm bored," the boss demanded. "What is she doing?"

Her screaming was certainly audible on the other end of the line, but wanting to answer the question, he said, "Uh… she's screaming."

"Is that all?" he asked, unsatisfied.

"Well, earlier she was… maybe… dancing… I guess. She was smiling."

The Joker started to laugh, first a little, then uncontrollably. The man waited on the other end of the line, knowing that he shouldn't hang up yet.

He abruptly stopped his laughter and said, "Don't let her hurt herself. Give her another few hours and then leave once she's sleeping."

"You got it, Boss" the man replied unquestioningly, unfazed by the bizarre events.

Additional notes: This is fanfic, so of course I don't own any characters from The Dark Knight (Joker, Batman, etc.). The main female character is original.

[tortugatalks]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗞 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗦/𝗢𝘀!|ᴴᶜˢ

a.n. the birds of paradise episode has become one of my all time favs! new comfort ep unlocked. like?!?! its seriously so wholesome :')

𓆉 gender neutral reader

𓆉 established romantic relationship

𓆉 no warnings! just fluff

Martin Kratt

━ literally dances every dance known to man more like attempts to and when i say he goes ham, he goes HAM.

━ his confidence is super contagious, so even if you're not that strong of a dancer, it will. not. MATTER. he will pull you in for a funky dance and you'll both lose yourselves in it, music booming. you guys receive some noise complaints here and there, but it's not like you can actually hear the rest of the gang sooo (unless the crew turns off the music to get your guys' attention, but more often than not, they cave in and end up joining you two instead <3)

━ ever seen those movie bits where ppl dance in their pjs and slide across the floor? yeah, thats the vibe! doesn't matter where you two are, if you're itching for a good dance, consider it done! many moments of you two trying to crack each other up included. it always involves some form of laughter and lots of tugging each other by the arms.

━ very affectionate in the way he dances and loves picking you up and and swinging you around to the rhythm. try to break free all you want, mans gets all chuckly and squeezes you tight!

━ dancing with him is an experience and he'll do anything to have you enjoy yourself!! won't hesitate to be overly cheesy in his advances if it means he gets to see you have fun.

Chris Kratt

━ gets so so sooo into it! he busts some moves so earnestly that he ends up tripping over his own feet more than 90% of the time and drags you down to the ground with him.

━ encourages you to let loose and does this thing where he tries to imitate your own dance moves. you've impressed him with your own moves that he can't help but want to replicate em! it derails into a competition of who can do the most impressive dance.

━ if there's room for it, mans will swing, leap and do all these flips that have him crashing literally everywhere. he gets a little shy about it—he was trying to stun you with his super cool moves after all—but he's quick to pick himself up and get back on his feet!

━ the nerd just adores it when you two dance similarly to creatures you've encountered in your adventures. blue footed boobies? peacock spiders? grebes? you've done it all!

━ makes jokes about "courting" you despite already being in a relationship with you, but c'mon, nobody can resist playing along with his shenanigans! it's not everyday you get to see him shimmy like this, so take full advantage of it!

Aviva Corcovado

━ admits with a light chortle that she isn't the most confident or talented dancer and to not expect much from her in the field of choreography, but literally no one cares about how "good" she can dance—she deserves to let her hair down and have herself a jammy jam!

━ if you're like her, prepare for lots of giggles as you two try to learn how to dance. eventually, the aspect of actually "learning" some moves is long gone as you two end up doing whatever comes to mind and just roll with it!

━ she feels very comfortable in her skin around you, so if you do happen to know how to dance, encourage her maximum level! it makes her feel so relieved that you wholeheartedly accept this quirk of hers that she gradually learns to not take herself so seriously! she loves showing off, so there'll definitely be moments where she'll exclaim "watch this!" before performing her own little dance move.

━ put on music like cumbias, urbano latino, tropipop or pop romanticona and she gets all giddy inside! she absolutely loves spinning, so please do take her by the hand and give her as many twirls as she'd like!

━ once shes reached the point where she's become sure of herself, she does this cute little thing where she pretends she's only met you now for the first time in forever as she asks for your hand to dance <3

Koki

━ the ultimate dancing queen!! enjoys making up her own dance moves on the spot and it's always the most sensational thing ever. the execution is so smooth that all her moves seem legit!

━ if you two were to dance a song made for two, you better believe she'll be the one taking the lead! very cheeky in the way she dips you out of nowhere. she thrives off being spontaneous on the dance floor and shaking her groove thing!

━ cheers you on as you dance to the sound of your own beat. she claps, whistles, woo's—the whole shabang! she's extremely adamant on making you feel goated with the sauce <3

━ the type to get a hold of absolutely anything, use it as a microphone and belt out the lyrics with you. she goes full throttle with it as if it were a real performance and for a while you two believe it to be true!

━ it's a heavy workout every time that whenever you're both done with dancing, you two just lean on each other's backs as you slowly fall to the ground, heavy breaths and all. compliment her; tease her about how she's got quite the happy feet and she'll chuckle out an airy "shut up" <3

Jimmy Z

━ chair dancing! chair dancing!! chair dancing!!!

━ it usually starts out with him listening to some bops on his headphones and telling you to take a listen. all it takes is you tapping your feet or bopping your head for him to disconnect his headset and blast the music out loud for the both of you to hear!

━ before you know it, you two are swirling in your own chairs—hovering literally everywhere and anywhere. a mixture of "whoas!" and laughter boom from wall to wall as you shimmy and wiggle in your respective seats.

━ loves doing this thing where you meet each other half way, outstretch your hands to each other and lunge yourselves around hq! sometimes your hands slip from each other and you're practically squealing like little kids, excitedly trying to come into contact again.

━ sure, you may bump into some walls and tech, but it's never enough to actually hurt you. mercy to anyone who happens to need something 'cause they'll literally have to zoom in zig zags to avoid a collision with either of you.

[popcornforone]

The Cabin

A Dave York Fan Fic

Happy Dave York Saturday my besties. We good? Well you won’t be… I’ve written this & I know it’s good it’s too good. I’ve had moments writing this at points. But I am my main audience so that’s surely a good thing right. So I hope you adore this pure smut like I do. Also this is part of my autumnal vibe.

Synopsis:- Dave has a cabin where he takes the family for trips, but this weekend it’s all about you & how he is going to enjoy every single second of you.

Word count: 5400

Warnings: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! DAVE YORK AS ALWAYS COMES WOTH HIS OWN WARNING! Unprotected PIV&A Sex, oral & fingering, cum play, tasing, drinking, swearing, affair & adultery, established pleasure relationships, fuck buddys, talk of masterbating, tie & choking, Dom & controlling vibes for Dave, recording your exploits but just for the two of you. It’s full on smut. Daddy is used but I only ever write about Dave as Daddy no other Pedro character gets that treatment.

Thanks as always for the read peoples. If this is too much my bad but I had fun writing it. All feed back is welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

As the taxi pulls up the drive, the leaves fall, the rain pours & you slowly realise what you are doing & who the person is that you’ve become, as the driver gets your two weekend bags into the cabin. Your own week has been crazy. What you actually could do with is a weekend at home with no distractions. But after the last few weeks of carnage at work you do need 3 days of complete nothing because even at home there’s still adulting stuff to do. Just loving yourself & your man. His flights already been delayed due to the weather, but you know when he arrives you’ll be inseparable & the way he will take you in every room, will be incredible. That’s what he promised on Wednesday after an impromptu visit.

The bath is large & so inviting so once you’ve unpacked everything into the master bedroom, you throw your bath bomb in & soak. You instant feel it soothe your soul. A large glass of red wine in hand you sip away & slowly feel a little more normal. The bath is you time though, a more personal experience. Time to endulge. He won’t like that you have seen to yourself without him, he likes to watch. He likes it when you put on a show for him, be it your fingers or any toy you have, the way he eyes dilate as he watches you touch yourself, how he licks his lips. That turns you on even more, seeing him beg for you.

That’s kind of how Wednesday happened. He FaceTimed you to check your flight details for the weekend & you were getting ready for bed as he called. His “late shift” over. He watched on his phone as you took off your dress & bra & put on your nightdress. How the silk made your nipples hard & the gasp he made when you bent over to take your knickers off afterwards had him begging. He was around in 10minutes. Into your apartment without hesitation. Clothes discarded across the floor, slamming hard into you, he movements relentless as he fucked you like a whore. Your body quivering watching your man be desperate to touch you. The way he took your knickers you’d taken off on the face time & stuffed them in your mouth to keep you quiet so you didn’t scream his name.

“You did that on purpose baby” he panted. He’s gripping your wrist hard above your head. “You knew I couldn’t resist, you know I’d have to scratch my itch. You’re a brat, but damn you wear it well” he growls. His penis thrusting inside you, & the way he nips at your bottom lip.

Buzz Buzz. Your phone goes as you remember wednesday & almost go to touch yourself in the Bath. The noise stops you. There it is in black & white on the phone.

*landed, be with you in 30mins, D is on route

You smile & slowly get out of the bath & dry off. The D could stand for Dick, Desire, Desperation, Daddy, or a Dominant. He knows you’ve at least thought about him once with one of those names. But it’s also for Dave & damn that man gets what he wants.

Once dry & in the master bedroom you wonder what to wear for the perfect first impression for the weekend. Should you just be naked laying in bed for him, holding your new vibrator asking him if he wants a show? No that’s too slutty even for you. You never meant to get into a relationship with a married man, not that he’s happily married, but there’s just something about Dave & his job that makes it seem alright. You know you’re not the first dalliance, or his last but this has been going on for 6 months now & this is the first time you’ve been to the cabin. The one where, he in his office, has picture of his family at thanks givings gone by. But for this 3 day weekend, the kids are at home, his wife’s not here. He’s got you & he’s going to enjoy being Dave who gets sex on tap when he wants.

You are in your towel & go to find blankets when you open a draw & realise Dave already has some clothes here. The perfect idea fills your mind, what a fantastic cozy idea you have for your lover. One you hope will turn him on. Provide the desire he needs & take you to the height of pleasure. No one makes you cum like Dave does, not that you’d ever tell him that. It’s bad enough that you are sleeping with a married man.

Dave arrives. He’s brought a small backpack. He has a few essentials in there. He told Carol he was On a special job this weekend. One where he wouldn’t be able to contact anyone, & he’d be so preoccupied he wouldn’t get a time to FaceTime the girls good night, for his own safety. He’s good at lying it’s his job. He’s eaten earlier, which you’d both agreed to do. So when he’s arrived at the cabin, & the front door is locked, the bag drops to the floor. He can hear that fire crackle & the soft music coming from the lounge. He doesn’t just want to charge in like he did on Wednesday. He enjoyed it on Wednesday, but he knew that was going further than he should do with his affair. It’s just sex. That’s what he always tells himself. Be it hes doing it on a mission or it’s a one night stand to let off steam if carols not around or it’s a fuck buddy like you. He keeps the wedding ring on, to remind you both this isn’t forever. He always does that. He hopes that when he sees it, as he fingers or chokes you that it will make him stop, but it’s actually a turn on for him because Dave York always gets exactly what he wants. He takes his shoes off & jacket & then checks himself out in the mirror. He took the tie off on the plane but he knows you like to wear it when you intimate with each other. It’s even Moss green today, the colour that goes best with your hazel eyes. He then heads into the living room. He stops in the door frame, & leans, & trys not to moan at the sight in front of him.

You’re on the large family sofa. Feet bare overhanging the edge furthest away from him. Your legs look cleanly shaven, your long luscious pins. He can just about see the grey from his boxers on your thighs, but it’s covered up from his Boston university hoodie which is which is navy. He’s pretty sure you have no underwear on. Your hair is frizzy & still slightly damp from your bath, your lips pouting as you sip your red wine & read your book. A bowl of m & ms sit on the side, which you lean in to pick up & lick the outer coating off first before sucking the chocolate. Two blankets are in the arm chair which is about a foot away from you, along with the bottle of wine & an empty glass in the table.

You heard a soft gasp but haven’t looked up. You want him to suffer to start with because the more Dave is pent up, the more passionate he will be when he fucks you. You rub your knees together & let out a shallow giggle at the book you are reading. It’s not actually a funny book but you know that always makes his groin twitch. Makes him want to be in between your thighs. Dave stares for a bit too long at the view of you completely in a trance. Your relationship is all about sex & lust it really is an affair for the two of you & if your going to sleep with a married man it may as well be the best sex you ever are going to have in your life.

Eventually Dave slips properly into the room. Already hot & flustered & not just from the fire roaring.

“Evening” he says & you finally look at him & acknowledge him.

“Mr York you made it” you only call him Dave when you have sex. He kisses your forehead as he leans over the sofa & then picks up the wine & glass from the table & pours himself a large glass but only after he tops yours up. You lick your lips as you watch over the top of your book as he gulps it down. Those crimson lips now a deeper shade & now will taste even more delicious than they already do.

“Every room?” He asks based on your previous messages.

“Depends how many rooms you have?” You still try to read the book even though you’ve been on page 38 for the last 4mins. You push your reading glasses up your nose slightly. The smirk is undeniable from him. He wants you.

“Are we counting the boat house?”

“You have a boat house?”

“Yes”

“What?” You actually give him attention now. “Well let’s start with a more standard room & then work up to more.” You finish your sentence & see Dave undoing the top button of his shirt. “When would you like to start?”

“About 3mins ago” Daves firm in’s his answer as he sits down at the other end of the sofa & pulls your feet into his lap.

“Ooooh” the feel of those large deadly hands massaging your feet, getting the knots out the balls of your feet, pushing your pressure spots. Ooh it feels good. Those hands were made for more than killing. They can be tender too. You put the book down on the side & take your wine. “What a way to start the weekend” you say admiring his side profile. He’s freshly shaven for you. He’s even had a hair cut. Who even is this man?

“Enjoying this?” He asks his eyes dart at you, undressing you in his mind instantly, wondering how wet you already are. If he saw the state of his boxer already at this stage, he’d discover they were a little sticky & moist.

“Yes”

“Enjoying the wine”

“Yes”

“& the hoodie?” He raises a bratty eyebrow at you knowing that you’re about to do that to him. You giggle.

“It smelt of you after my bath, & you weren’t here yet” you reply put your wine down on the table & suck on your thumb. You’re doing that to not cum at just him touching your feet. You’re completely at peace & so relaxed, but also feral, stupidly feral.

“Well let’s make sure your whole body smells of me, not just some hoodie” he winks & you rub your legs together again. He holds you by your feet & drags you nearer to him on the sofa now lying down. His boxers go up your arse & give you a wedgie. It feels good.

“This was what you wanted?” He asks just to make sure.

“Dave…” you whimper as your hand rubs his cheek”why would I be here if I didn’t want this” you bite your bottom lip & see the seductive smirk on his face.

“Good girl, that’s my good girl”He leans down & takes your glasses off, putting them on the side. “Now do as I say” before you can agree his lips find yours. Your head rises to keep the kiss going. It’s full of life. Maybe all assassins have to go to a make out school because the way in which Daves kisses make the world stop everytime, is a remarkable feet. His hand has made its way under the hoodie & is already fumbling your breasts. “Does the bottom match the top?” He asks to make sure you have no underwear on at all. You nod. Your hands are dealing with his buttons on his pale blue shirt. “Oooh baby then let’s not waste anymore time” his hands reach the bottom of the hoodie. “I have to see”.

Dave tuts at the state of you. He can see a dampening patch on his Hugo boss boxers from your arousal. He always coos when he sees you topless. You do wonder if he does this with his wife & other partners too. But the way he licks his lips before he latches on to your right nipple is a sight.

“Fuck Dave” you groan. You’re not sure how you’ve not cum yet. You’re so turned on & aroused. Maybe removing his shirt is what’s keeping you sane as his mouth moves onto your left breast. “So good oh fuck”

“& I’ve not even got going, we’ve got 3 days of this” his head poped up to say. Your hand is now trailing down his bare back, going inside his trousers & boxers to try & squeeze his arse. He moans at that sensation & then lifts his head up. “You’ve got far too many clothes on” he whispers before he then does his usually kisses treck.

Forehead, nose, lips, chin, neck, shoulders, both breasts, ribs, belly button, lower tummy. Each kiss a simple peck but you’re squirming at them & when they mean will follow. He doesn’t ask permission. His teeth sink into the waist band of his boxers that you are wearing & he drags them off your body. You lock your legs together when you’re free of them, you know what he will want. Your eyes also light up when Dave turns the boxers inside out & he sucks the damp patch, which was very white a sticky.

“This tastes better than that wine” he says before he throws them behind him & sits next to your face as you’re still lying down he’s on the floor. He kisses you & then spits what he just licked off into your mouth. The tang instantly recognisable as your own. The number of times you’ve cum & sucked Dave off straight afterwards & licked a toy clean, you know what you taste like & the spit, well it just adds to the whole dirty nature of the man. Dave then moves after seeing your swallow stands up & removes his trousers. This is also usually the point where he gets a condom out but you can’t see one anywhere. He moves back to the other end of the sofa, palming himself inside his own boxers as he sits down.

“I want you, I want to see you” you giggle as he says this menacingly. “All of you” that’s your key words. You lower your knees & spread your legs. You use your fingers & he blushes as little but you can see the want in his eyes. Dave York wants you in this state all weekend. A small amount already oozing from your cunt, he also sees that you are trying so hard not to start touching yourself.

“This is all for you Dave”

“So it bloody should be” He then grabs his phone that he put on the table earlier. “We’re going to try something this weekend okay” you nod & coo. “I can’t hear you” his hand is then around your throat.

“Yes Dave” you love it when he chokes you. That’s also the exact moment he lets go & slips his tie around your neck, it’s loose to start with.

“You see…” Dave says inquisitively”I know you can take my three fingers, but your pussy is so tight, I’m intrigued how.” Dave click the record button” can I record this, I can delete it before we leave but I want to watch it back with you in the morning, I want you to see how feral you make me & how much you gush, & how much of a cum hungry slut you are.” You jaw drops your mouth dry.

“David” you never say his name like that. His eyebrow raises & you try to look shocked but those brown eyes as having you clamping at nothing. “I thought you’d never ask”

“There she is, my special spoilt brat” & he moves the phone near your face along with his other hand. “Suck” your mouth deals with bigger than his fingers so you sloppily suck them. Saliva escaping, you throw in a gagging noise. “Look at you so desperate to make me happy.” The pop the fingers leaving your mouth make is loud. But the squelch as he records them going inside you is louder. Not that you can hear it as you moan Daves name. He’s starting with 2 while he strokes your clit.

“Fuck”

“Fuck in deed girl, you have no idea, How beautiful this looks.” Daves not taken his eyes off his fingers. “Tell me, does it feel as good as it looks? What’s it like feeling my fat long fingers inside you? Does it make you feral, plead for more? You Want my leaking cock?” Dave loves to get you wound up but you’re sure this is more on purpose that normal for just wearing his clothes & being so seductive without even trying.

“Yyyyeee…yeaaaa” it’s drawn out. You’re growling slightly. You feel so full as his fingers curl inside you. “I want you, so bad”

“Time babygirl, all in good time” the fingers almost draw out of you entirely. The video will show them already damp. He sighs “perfect.”

The third finger has your body convulsing a few minutes later, desperate to let go. To drench your lover, you know he likes it but Daves up to his usual tricks.

“Not until I say so sweetheart”

“But…” you lift your head & then pause before you really get the sentence out. He’s no longer using his thumb on your clit. Daves tongue is masterful & his mouth is now taking that ever so sensitive spot & it’s making you go all unnecessary. Wet long stokes flicking away at it. Your quivers & gasp. He is the best lover & his fingers are pumping you like you’ve never felt before. Over stimulation is an understatement. & this is only the beginning of the weekend.

“Cum baby, let me taste….” Dave then feels the change in your body. It tenses so much that every muscle contracts before releasing in pleasure. The added wetness. the new sensation on his mouth. You’ve cum hard, almost feeling your soul leave your cunt.”that’s my girl, my naughty girl” he laps away at the slick escaping & starts to suck. Slowly withdrawing his fingers as you come down. He grabs the tie around your neck & pulls it so you jolt up & gasp. “No rest for the wicked” he says. He slowly sticks his fingers into your mouth & you suck & lick away as he talks to you. “Look at you, licking my fingers, sucking them clean, wanting more, do you want more, do you want my cock?” Your eyes are wide & you nod. Desperate to be filled. His fingers are good but nothing beats his penis pulsing away, making you flutter.

He pulls the tie a little more your almost sat up. Still panting from your exquisite high you just had. The way he rubs your lips with his thumb once his fingers are freed from your mouth has you wanting to suck that. He looks frenzied.

“You want to suck more.”

“Yes Dave” he jolts you again with the tie.

“Come” he says & he takes the 5 or so paces to the fire place. You sit on your knees & look up at him towering over you. God the man is broad buff & handsome. He’s leaking you can see the stain on his boxers.

“May I?” Your reach up to his waist band.

“Am I gonna say no?” You shuffle onto the fluffy blue rug & see Dave put his phone which is still recoding on the table. It’s in line with his groin. His length springs free & you lick your lips.

“It’s always a pleasure Dave…” you say as your hands grip his length & start to stroke it. He kicks away his own boxers. “…to suck any part of you.” You don’t want him to cum while you give him head, but you want him to no longer cope & fling his penis inside you. Your spit & his precum will be the perfect lube. You gobble him up & you look up at him as you bob on your knees taking him past your reflex point & suck him.

“Fuck. Oh fuck fuck” Daves eyes roll in the back of his head. His hips already finding their own rhythm. “God girl, you know how to do this” looking down at you as you look up at him makes you both go faster. It’s more than the fire place heat that’s making you both red. After only a few minutes, he has his hand on your head, pushing himself further into your mouth. You are gagging, saliva trickles out of your mouth. It has no where else to go as he keeps pushing you down on to him. “Fuck, balls deep girl, take all me” he’s almost using the same pace as when he fingered you. Your eyes stream with tears. This is vigorous but damn your aroused. He is using you as an outlet, for everything.

“Jesus fucking Christ” he says knowing he likely to cum soon & quickly with draws his cock. You splutter everywhere looking a complete mess. “All 4s” he screeches & you turn around drop down as he instructs. He licks his hand to add extra lube to you & then scream yourself.

“Fuck Dave” you were not expecting him to go for your arse, but here you were. You’re rocking back onto his cock on all fours as he slaps your arse.

“Pucker oh fuck oh fucking hell. It’s tight heaven” & he withdraws after only about a minute & cums across your arse cheeks. “Fuckkkk yessssss” it’s deep & low as his lashings of cum cover your bum. It doesn’t make you cum but damn you feel sexy that your mouth & a few thrusts inside your arse can have such a controlled & meticulous man cumming in seconds. Imagine how good he’s gonna feel inside your pussy.

“Wow” He mumbles as he gets his breath back. “& that… that” as he reaches for the phone to turn off the recording he’s already got more than he expected. “… was just the warm up, now we can have a real private show”

“You sure Dave?” You go to turn around but a large hand grabs your shoulder, keeping you facing away.

“Oooh im sure, I’m more than sure. Do you trust me?” He says & you raise a bratty eyebrow over your shoulder. “Take it that’s a yes” he leans over your shoulder & kisses you fierily on the lips. Your face a glow form your exploits & the heat from the flames. He trails a hand around your face as his kisses continue. But with Dave there is always an alternative motive. You gasp as he pulls the tie around your neck. “Face the fire, on your knees, spread.” He admires you as you get In this position. Looking at how peachy your naked bum is. How smooth your skin is, how your hair slightly moves. You have a tattoo of a line of stars just above your bum. He can see the base of your feet & he can also see his cum splattered over you. “The best sight ever is you like this” he gulps his words before another tug in the tie.

“Dave” you moan. You can feel how aroused you are. Your thighs & flaps are sticky & moist desperate for Dave to fully take you. Your hand starts to trail down your body. Your skin already shiny from the exploits so far.

“Yea I know baby” he sees where you hand is moving. “Did you have pleasure in the Bath earlier” you shake your head but there’s no auditable answer as your breath is already shallow. A quick jolt of the tie again has you whimpering & replying.

“No”

“You sure?”

“I thought about it & then you told me you were on your way”

“Wow such self restraint” Dave says. “ if I had as soft a pleasure, I’d be rubbing that clit furiously all the time. I’d have naughty panties that would increase pleasure. It’s almost a shame that you can’t do that all the time” his hand grabs yours & moves it to your clit. “Play baby, get all worked up, drip & then I’ll see to you” & so he takes your hand & looks down as he makes you touch yourself. Friction quickly starts to build & you whines echo more.

“Dave… fuck oh yes yes yesssss” your head rolls into his that’s resting on your shoulder as he looks down & removes his hand from yours. You continue stroking.

“That’s it baby, my girl, being all slutty, happy to touch herself just for me” his damp hand that’s not clutching the tie leisurely strokes his length, before he slides it through your slick. “Oooh this is gonna be good… ahhhhh” his sigh & your gasp combine as he fills you in a slow thrust. Opening you up. Filling you as always. You feel exquisite.

“Dave”

“Baby”

He sees you lean forward a bit so takes the length of the tie & pulls it behind you to make sure you stay up right.”let’s get this moving baby”

Every kiss as he thrusts deeper inside you has you wishing for more than this. Yes it’s an affair but when it feels this good, as you furiously rub your clit, & his hand grips your hip, you can’t help but wonder. Does his wife get this or are you his outlet of passion? Is he a different man at home? Maybe domestic Dave isn’t a man you’d like. Maybe keeping him as sex on tap is exactly what you both need. But as you grind around his cock, clamping, each movement having you feel so full you don’t care that you’re a home wrecker. He is large, he might show well but he’s also a grower & the girth is always a pinch as it rubs against you. It amazes you how he fits inside you every time. & he is always so complimentary of your body especially your cunt.

“Keep going girl, look at you taking me all” he’s purring.” You like the feel don’t you, you’re so tight yet Damn, you take me so well” he’s into dirty mode now he’s going to get all derogatory as he pulls the tie. “What would your parents say huh?” He’s tugging on the tie every few thrusts what has you m gasping as it gets tighter “imagine you going home, your parents knowing exactly what you spend your spare time doing. Fucking a married man. Letting him fuck your arse. The gagging noises you make. Yea imagine If your father knew how his sweet & innocent little girl turned out. He’d be so disappointed.” He’s ramped up the pace as you whimper no longer in control of your hips they rock & roll around him. “Well I’m your daddy now girl, you answer to me.”

“Dave…” he tugs hard, it’s almost completely tight now the tie”Daddy”

“Say it again” he growls & thrusts & pulls harder.

“Daddy”

“Louder”

“Daddy oooh daddy”

“God it sounds erotic as you moan it” you look Dave straight in the eye as you turn your head.

“Oooh fuck me Daddy oooh fuckkkkk” You really moan it & your lips engulf each others. Tongues exploring where they want. Your hand in his hair keeping him in place as your body’s move in sync. Your sweet spot is being pummelled & it won’t be soon before this rug is covered in your slick. The sweat from the vigorous sex & the warmth of the fire is oozing from your naked bodies which are fucking away at each other. If anyone walked in on you, it would be the most sensual sexual erotic sight. Two people full of lust & desire, fucking each other to oblivion. A sexy sweaty mess which is so perfect. Your freshly washed hair sticking to your face. You don’t care. You’re in paradise & Dave knows he’s gonna cum as well soon.

“No need to wait baby, let go if you have to, all permission is out of the window.” He whispers before he once again finds your tonsils with his tongue. He slowly let his grip on the tie slide, one hand now flicking your nipple, the other is attending your clit as you grasp his thigh behind you & hold his mouth in place.

“Mmmmmmm”

“Don’t be shy baby”

“Dave”

“Yes”

“Oooh fuck Dave fuck fuck oh fuck” it’s like a grenade has just gone off. You experience such an intense high as you clamp & gush around his penis. You bite his bottom lip & pur & he needs no more encouragement.

“Fucking fuck oh shit” always amazed with the size of him there’s enough room for his cum to spill inside you. He licks the side of your face as he pants desperate for air in this hot & sticky room. His eyes close in euphoria, as yours flutter open. You love looking at Dave’s blissed our face when he cums. His neck always so long. That little dimple appears. How his lips pout. It’s enough to get you ready for another round. Looking at your lover, seeing him experience such a high which you helped happen. It’s the perfect come down for you.

The tie slides off your neck as you turn to face Dave, slowly removing his still hard cock from inside you. He throws his arms around you before you do with him.

“Incredible” he whispers in your ear.

“Phenomenal” you reply & smile. That little cute smile he adores. He kisses your nose & you rest your foreheads together as you hold each other close & smile. Small pecks helping you calm down.

“So…”

“So…”

“Every room huh?” Daves still asking you from earlier.

“Have you got the stamina baby” you ask Dave as your hand caresses his chest.

“Well not to do it all tonight…” he’s smirking “but considering what we just did we can definitely do each room in the cabin” he winks.

You lie in bed the next morning. Your body aches but it’s one you enjoy. Dave had continued to fuck you in front of the fire last night until you were both exhausted. You are guessing one of you extinguished it before making your way to bed. As you stretch your arms up with a big yawn you hear Dave.

“Ouch” he says rubbing his face from where you caught him. He’s sat in the bed straight looking at his phone.”morning beautiful”a small kiss finds your lips. “Well rested?”

“Yes Mr York” your sit up & wrap your arms around him & sigh. Your eyes then widen. Dave is watching you back from last night. He’s at the point where you’re just about to cum on his fingers & mouth. You turn bright red & go to look away & then you hear the noise you make & that turns you on. Dave can see the glint in your eyes. His hand is under the sheets pumping away at your exploits.

“See you look good, baby, so sexy” he kisses your forehead.

“I guess I do”

“& we’re not even upto the point where I fuck your arse.” You then hit pause on the video & look up at Dave.

“I don’t need to watch that, I want to experience that again…” you bite your bottom lip”… right now”

“You sure?” You nod in reply

“yes daddy”

“Well who am I to deny such a pretty innocent girl” he smiles & put his phone down. “Especially when you pucker & moan so well”

“Oooh Daddy” it’s a deep moan you make as your lips collide before he slowly turns you over for the next round of passion. This Cabin weekend will be one you both always remember.

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 1x17 The Forsaken: More Feelings about the Augmented Abilities of Julian Bashir

(Apologies, shutting up about Julian is not within my capabilities.)

In The Forsaken, Bashir is charged with looking after three Federation ambassadors while the entire station is having a meltdown. At one point, he and the ambassadors are walking along a corridor when suddenly: FIRE

The bulkheads close, Julian tries to open the door and finds it locked... the scene ends.

We're then left in suspense for the rest of the episode; we only see Sisko and Kira's side of things, who are assuming the worst, not knowing how badly they all got hurt.

Eventually they get in and find Julian and the ambassadors, who immediately start heaping praise on Julian:

BASHIR: Here, take my hand, Madam Ambassador. Watch your head. TAXCO: Please, Julian. Call me Taxco. SISKO: Ambassador, are you all right? VADOSIA: Yes, thanks to Julian. LOJAL: The doctor was remarkably calm and logical for a man of his years under such severe conditions. VADOSIA: We'll be putting him in for a commendation.

Sisko congratulates him ("Nice work, Doctor Bashir." "Just in the right place at the right time, sir.") and that's the end of that.

But I couldn't stop thinking about how different Julian is to how we've seen him so far in season 1.

It's pretty well established that Julian in the early seasons (and some might say, all of them) is often smug and insufferable. In Season 1, we've seen him boast about the most minor things (becoming salutatorian, Q-Less) to how good a doctor he is ("I was very impressed, Doctor." "And well you should have been." The Passenger).

But at the end of The Forsaken, he seems positively startled to be praised. In complete contrast to The Passenger, in which he takes Kira's compliment and adds to it himself, here he doesn't even take the praise, but dismisses it as luck. What's changed?

Well, I think there are a few things in play here. For one, he's shaken up, he really hasn't been in that many life-or-death situations - maybe the boasts come out later. For another, he usually boasts about his medical expertise, which he knows is good; he might not have felt he did anythign special here. But most importantly, I believe - this is the first situation he's been in where he's had to choose between revealing his augmented abilities or potentially letting people die.

We don't see much of what he does, admittedly, but we do see him trying to unlock a door: first he tries the access codes, when that doesn't work he strains to rip the cover off to get the the lever underneath, which he tries to pull until one of the ambassadors touches him, when he appears to give up. I find it pretty easy to read that touch as having reminded Julian that he's not alone, he has to act normally.

(sorry for the poor quality)

Yes, we really don't know if he could have got them out using his augmented abilities, or how "superhuman" he had to be to get them into the vents. But I think it's very possible that he did have to find a balance between getting people to safety, and not showing an above-average ability in the methods he used.

And keep in mind these are Federation Ambassadors. Julian's already stated in this episode - though it's unsure how seriously - that spending time with the ambassadors could "destroy his career". How much more aware will he be of keeping his secret around them, when they already appear to dislike him and would have the power to investigate if anything did slip?

Other people have hypothesised that his boasting is a way to hide his abilities in plain sight, as it were - and this makes enough sense to be at least part-way true. I think his boasting is a mix of genuine pride in his work; being, in brutal honesty, a young, naïve idiot; badly misjudging how to make himself likable; and attempting to normalise how good he is by showing off at every opportunity.

But this event is one he wants to downplay - he doesn't want a reputation for being good at anything else. He can't afford people to question how a doctor forced entry into the vents, or whatever he needed to do to get in there. While the ambassadors are coming out, he sticks to his job and doesn't respond to their praise - in fact you could say he looks concerned or worried. After they've gone, and Sisko congratulates him, he's startled out of his thoughts for a second, before responding: "Just in the right place at the right time, sir" - a throwback to their earlier conversation, and a dismissal that he did anything particularly special.

(again, awful quality, I've never made GIFs before!)

[scrumptiousstuffs]

Only Friends Episode 3 - Who am I to you?

Of which Boston essentially ruins everything 😮‍💨🙅🏾‍♀️

Nick & Boston

We start with a montage of Nick and Boston having countless highly charged encounters. And while Boston is happy to maintain the status quo, we see Nick starting to question things, unsatisfied with the FWB/f*#k buddy label.

He asked the internet (and good on P’Jojo and P’Ninew to make a cameo!!!) and did not like the answers he was given. He also found TopBoston photos in their hook up room.

Not surprisingly, he starts becoming suspicious of Boston even while still being in love with Boston (urgh, I guess we cannot choose who we have feelings for, even if it’s someone as narcissistic and selfish as Boston 😮‍💨)

Boston/Nick relationship is on the verge of imploding (well more to do with Nick side, as Boston is currently unaware of it, and even if he does - I don’t think he cares, cause he has always treated Nick as hookup friend and nothing more).

Not to say Nick is an altogether innocent individual - remember he masturbated on Boston's selffie (while looking through a client phone plus putting his own topless picture in said phone), followed by snooping on Boston/Top social media and putting a spyware device in Boston's car (Nick, dearest - we call this stalking 🙅🏾‍♀️ And you can get into big trouble with the authority with this!!)

However, Boston definitely takes the award for being a shitty friend, his ego and pride is bruised when Top decline him, and just to get an up over Top - he used Ray's crush on Mew, putting doubt on both Ray and Top's feelings, trailing havoc and carnage to basically Ray, Mew, Top AND Nick's emotions.

I have the gut feeling the photo/video of Ray/Mew (of course I may be proven wrong with episode 4!) do not tell the whole picture - but the suggestive way he framed it to Top, well...we all know what happened next.

Again, I will reiterate, how creepy Boston is - taking pictures and videos without consent (I bet RayMew did not know their pictures/videos were taken on that day!).

Top & Mew

These 2 were adorable together when they went on the silent DJ date - I thought listening to your own kind of music with headphones and just jamming together is a fun idea!

But we start seeing cracks - Top had been so patient with Mew (acting all gentlemanly, playing nice with Mew's friends etc). And we can see he had refrained from going out on his usual hunts (I think the scene of him running in his old hook up buddy (with Mew!), where the ex basically insinuating Top has been missing from the scene and ignoring his msg/calls means to highlight this) - You can see Top appears uncomfortable with that scene, and while Mew is all smiley (and acting all oblivious), I suspect he clocks on this (but whether he chose to act on it, well, it's a different matter altogether).

And so, when Boston showed the RayMew picture, it hits on his vulnerability. Boston knows this - and he has always been good at exploiting on people's weakness. Do I think Top should have given in? Of course not (I mean, why can't he called Mew and asked for an explanation???, urgh...). But, this is a man who up until a few months ago, was having regular sex, using this as a substitute for insomnia and loneliness. Paired with the thought he may be the only one holding the end of his bargain, thinking Mew lied to him - well, in a moment of weakness, Boston pounced (and aptly the reason why he is call The Hunter on the first episode).

I'm sure this moment will bring regret to Top almost immediately after he has done the deed, and knowing Boston he will used this to further emotionally blackmail Top.

Sand & Ray

Look, these 2 are my babes. Not gonna lie. Every time they come on screen, I smile. Their banters are a joy to watch. Ray is a charming flirt (also I love his wardrobe, and so kudos to whoever styled Khaotung in those jackets, jeans, tops), and Sand sarcastic responses are always on point.

We already established Ray is lonely, even within his close circle of friends (who I don't think know him very well at all). And so, to find someone with the same taste of music, don't seem to be faze by his money and as a bonus, attractive and someone he finds sexually compatible, well, that's like a jackpot for him.

The way their friendship/relationship blossoms is great to watch - Sand is clearly struggling to keep his boundary with Ray, who is persistent and keeps pushing the right buttons on him. I don't think he ever stood a chance, especially after Sand told him in episode 2 "I can be you friend, you don't have to pay me." I think Ray basically took it as green light to do well, everything and anything - oh, both of them may want to keep it as "friends who had sex once" - but well, it doesn't seem to go very well from both end.

I have no doubt we are heading towards painville with this as well. Especially with Ray's alcoholism still on the horizon and Mew being in the picture - do I think Ray still love Mew? Yes - but I think he is slowly moving from looking at Mew as an unattainable bf/lover to just close friend. Mew has made it clear to Ray many times in episode 2/3 he sees Ray as a friend. And Ray (no matter how dysfunctional he is), has always respected Mew's decision. However, if Ray keeps dropping Sand for Mew each time, that's going to get old very fast for Sand.

(Also, I need to know what’s the beef between TopSand asap!! The middle finger 🖕 by Sand???? Classic 😂)

Namchuem and April

I wish we get more of this side couple. We barely heard April talk in the last 2 episodes. They seem so sweet together. But also Namchuem, we need to talk how oblivious you are with the other 3 boys in your circle of friends. I don't know whether she knows and just choose to ignore what's happening or she genuinely is oblivious.

Alright, now that I finished ranting, I am ready for episode 4 - is it Saturday yet?

27/08/2023

[twistedtummies2]

Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes - Number 20

Welcome to A Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes! During this month-long event, I’ll be counting my Top 31 Favorite Fictional Detectives, from movies, television, literature, video games, and more! Today, the countdown enters the Top 20!

SLEUTH-OF-THE-DAY’S QUOTE: “Kill me if you can!”

Number 20 is…L, from Death Note.

So far, all of the detectives on this list have been protagonist figures. Not all of them have been the MAIN protagonists (although the grand majority have been), but the focus in every situation up till now has been on the detectives trying to solve the cases. This, of course, is not always the case: not every protagonist is a hero, not every antagonist is a villain, and there are two sides to every story. While antagonistic detectives are somewhat rare, they do exist, and in various forms. Most I didn’t feel deserved placement on this countdown, however, due to one or more of the rules I established at the start. This character, however, is an exception.

“Death Note” is a highly-acclaimed anime and manga franchise, which sort of toes the line between crime/mystery drama and supernatural horror. The plot focuses on a Villain Protagonist: Light Yagami, a.k.a. Kira. Light is a precocious young man with a lot of high ideals: he sees the world as a corrupt place, and wishes there was a way to right the wrongs and bring true justice to the people. This desire gets twisted and warped when he comes into possession of the titular Death Note: a notebook with a very dark and dangerous magical ability. Whenever someone’s name is written in the Death Note…they die. And the person who writes the name down can even choose how and when they die, if they so wish. Light realizes the book has the power to grant him the justice he craves so much; consumed by the Death Note’s power, he goes mad and becomes the serial killer “Kira,” using its power to destroy anybody he deems unfit of living in the world he wants to create…or just anybody who gets in his way.

Light does not go unchallenged in the series, and this is where our contender for today comes into play: a mysterious private investigator known simply as “L.” This young fellow is a foil to Light, in a lot of ways: Light is seemingly normal, well-spoken, clean-cut, and conventionally attractive. L, in contrast, is a reclusive little hobgoblin obsessed with computers and candy. What both share is the fact they are each geniuses, both wiser and more clever than their youthful years would indicate. L becomes determined to solve the case of Kira, and it’s his actions and choices that create much of the conflict Light must face on his self-righteous and deadly quest.

Much of the show revolves around the concept of a single word I’ve used here already: “justice.” All of the major characters have their own philosophies and outlooks on what “true justice” really is. Light believes justice is as simple as punishing the guilty; as he is corrupted by the power the Death Note brings to him, he comes to think that the only way one can achieve true justice is to eliminate all of one’s enemies, so that those you care about can be rewarded and saved. L believes much the same, but he sees it from a different point of view: he believes Kira should be punished for his crimes, because that is what “true justice” is, regardless of his motivations. However, L is not a pure and simple hero in this story; he does things that are legally and ethically questionable in his pursuit of putting Kira behind bars. His ideal of justice is set up by the precedent that murder is wrong, and therefore catching murderers is just; how one actually goes about doing that is not something he really cares about on the whole.

Another thing that makes L interesting is his relationship with Light: while the two are dead serious about destroying one another, each comes to see the other as probably the closest thing either has ever had to a real, true friend. Indeed, there are, one could argue, subtle implications of romance between the pair. This makes what happens to L later in the manga and the anime even more tragic, because – SPOILER ALERT – in both, L does not survive the entire series. However, even after he dies, he’s far from done with Light Yagami, as things L did before his destruction ultimately do lead to Kira’s downfall. In the words of a different story, “Neither can live while the other survives.” Their twin paths ultimately result in mutual destruction, which is wonderfully poetic. I would argue the musical of Death Note (yes, there IS a musical, and it’s actually pretty good) does this even better than either the anime OR the manga…but that’s another story for another time.

Tomorrow, the countdown continues with Number 19!

CLUE: “Everyone has thought about killing someone, one way or another.”

[mylittleredgirl]

i'm having a time of it where i couldn't look at screens very much, so i haven't been watching or posting as much about m*a*s*h, but you'd better believe that has left me even more time to THINK about m*a*s*h!!!

buckle up: update for season four disc one!

(after welcome to korea, that is, which was another post)

headline: LOVE the new characters!!

bj has somehow already committed arson?? hawkeye, you are SUCH a bad example for your little brother

at some point down the line i'm sure i will stop infantilizing this grown ass man but for now literally everything bj does i'm like. that's a Baby.

especially when he participates in a bit where they're going after frank or margaret, who he literally just met

you know when there's like a ten-year-old with a strong opinion about something, like "that [toy, tv show, video game] SUCKS!" with all the rage and feeling in their world-weary heart

... and then one step behind them is the five-year-old who chimes in "yeah that REALLY sucks!" but with this innocent delight in their eyes, like they have no idea what's going on but they're getting a really good grade in Big Kid

that's BJ, is what i'm saying

and colonel potter! he's regular army!! but it's ok: he drinks

it's soooo perfect that he and bj share their first o.r. scene. the sweet calming mentor energy... i'm luv him.

and then HE SHOOTS THE DEAD JEEP. i'm still laughing about that. if colonel potter never does one more funny thing again he's still the funniest man alive.

meanwhile! we join our established characters already in progress

frank and hawkeye's relationship gets genuinely hostile there for a while. uncomfortably so, even.

and during the week i was too dizzy to sit up and make this post i spent a LOT of time thinking about this!!!

each of them are spinning out for their own reasons, which play out all over this season so far. frank gained and lost the power he wanted so badly. hawkeye lost both his besties at the same time, and the support structure and identity that went along with that.

but also trapper's absence on its own radically changed the swamp boys dynamic!!

frank has always been justifiably hateable, but there was a SPORT to it, you know? hawkeye and trapper were tormenting him largely to entertain each other, which means they did it a lot but only to the point where it was funny

and think about the "but there's no real hate, right?" in O.R., like in frank's mind, they torture him but they're all still buddies!!! (and the occasional peek into frank's sad childhood could explain this perception)

it quickly becomes clear in season 4 that trapper was a tempering influence between hawkeye and frank, who end up in a full on BRAWL

LIKE A DRAWN OUT PHYSICAL FIGHT

also hard to watch: frank wrecking margaret's tent. hmm. mm-mmm. don't like this.

on the other hand, i loved the "i'm here but we're not doing anything!" scene in the next episode when they're playing cards in her tent. they're always slapping or kissing or scheming -- i feel like this is the first time we ever see them just hanging out like friends

… with anyone, actually. like this thirty seconds of a card game just unlocked an unseen part of both their personalities

something subtle is shifting in this relationship. by the end of "the kids," even sober-margaret is getting in on the joke that frank sucks. i await future developments.

THE KIIIIIIIIIIDS

oh god it's so sweet and harmless. it's healing. i love it. i want to roll around in that episode.

i hope "frank scams a purple heart and hawkeye steals it" continues to happen every season, like the mail episodes

i learned that alan alda directed this ep, which means that he made the decision both in front of and behind the camera for hawkeye to make this face as bj tells a bedtime story:

hawkeye!!!! don't fall in love with straight boys!!!!!

other things:

I'M STILL GRIEVING BY THE WAY

THEY CROPPED MY BOY OUT OF THE OPENING SEQUENCE

THEY CROPPED HIMMMMMM

henry blake memorial bar we hardly knew ye 😢

the moment when hawkeye is like yeah bj, just to get you up to speed: henry was basically radar's dad

any time they mention henry or trapper i have feelings but ALSO i have feelings whenever i think maybe they could have mentioned them but didn't. mentioned them IN MY HEART.

i'm a little fixated on the choice to replace henry and trapper, notorious philanderers, with characters who are immediately identified as Wife Guys

genuinely if y'all hadn't told me that mclean stevenson and wayne rogers wanted out, i would have assumed the character shakeup happened specifically for that reason!

totally other topic but i'm definitely missing some kind of joke here and it's driving me nuts: every time a british character shows up they're heavily spray-tanned. what does it meeeeaaaan??

and lastly. best part of "the bus" is the knowledge that somewhere off-screen, margaret, klinger, and the nurses are running the camp.

[giddlygoat]

How do you think LP an DW comfort each other ? Your characterizations seems super accurate so I’m curious 👍

[i wrote this with dt17 drakepad in mind but i would be more than happy to write my thoughts on the classic duo as well!]

i just need to take this opportunity to say that considering launchpad’s comfort character is darkwing duck, drake is spoiling him rotten lol. but it’s a little more nuanced than that and i have SO many thoughts about this it’s actually ridiculous. 

like, drake on his own is so important to LP. he adores drake and wants nothing but to lift him up and remain by him, and while drake takes the title and the inspiration from the cartoon character, it’s obvious he’s actively forging his own personal version of darkwing. and launchpad not only knows this well but loves him all the more for it. 

that being said. 

drake knows how much he loves darkwing of the ‘91 cartoon. if there’s one thing they have in common, it’s a love for the goofy classic. so i think sometimes, when launchpad gets tied up in his anxiety or looks weary from exhaustion, drake does this bit where he Becomes the nineties cartoon and makes launchpad laugh. 

drake lets his theatre kid run loose and turns up the ego to 11, making sure to really get in the spirit of it. launchpad can ALWAYS tell when he’s about to do it before he does, too. the tiny changes in body language and mannerisms as he gets into character before he actually opens his mouth. it NEVER fails to make launchpad laugh. 

and it’s not big and elaborate, it’s just a good impersonation and some silly improv to entertain launchpad. maybe a ridiculous monologue on the coffee table or a heartfelt pep talk that tirelessly redirects to darkwing’s own amazingness to the point of incomprehensibility. though i like to think that he would revive the bit even during a serious conversation, if appropriate. anything to make LP smile. 

launchpad, on the other hand, is just. SO emotionally present. like, drake is struggling with something, having a tough day, festering in his worry. and launchpad always shows up with his signature hand on shoulder, because he knows that drake likes the physical reassurance. sometimes he plays up his own goofiness or says something dumb just to catch drake off guard enough to pull him back in the moment. 

most importantly, he listens. when drake needs to spill his emotions out somewhere, launchpad offers relief. he can relate to a lot of drake’s worries, too, so discussing them comes easy. he makes sure drake isn’t beating himself up, and smiles when drake relents and acknowledges that he is, and rubs his shoulder affectionately if drake starts to get worked up again. drake always burns up with shame at the thought of his self sufficient and responsible ass needing some reassurance every now and then, but launchpad shows him the strength in allowing oneself to be built up. 

he learns to take launchpad’s help, and accept help more often, and launchpad always smiles in that way that makes drake’s heart swell. also, drake loves physical contact. it’s a good thing launchpad loves to give hugs! 

this is so long already but i have so much freedom with this ask so i’m running with it. as an established and comfortable couple, i think their methods would remain basically the same but there’s a few things i’d like to sprinkle in. 

launchpad would take drake on aimless drives while he talks in the passenger seat. something about spilling your guts with your eyes glued emotionlessly on the road just hits different man 

drake’s cartoon DW bit now includes plenty of kisses! something about the way that launchpad always bubbles up laughing and grins like an idiot makes drake feel so warm and fuzzy. 

if one of them is feeling particularly awful, i think long, warm hugs is a go to. sometimes there’s not much to be said and a guy just needs to be held by his supportive bf. launchpad is used to being drake’s personal pillow by this point. 

when they’re both low energy, they definitely watch darkwing duck and fall asleep together. drake loves to wrap around LP’s giant arm and make it impossible for him to move LAWL 

on the occasions that drake has panic attacks, launchpad keeps himself close by for when drake is ready for a hug. drake focuses on launchpad’s soft reassurances and the petting hand on his head until he calms down again. 

when launchpad gets overstimulated he typically rocks and taps his feet quickly in an effort to excess nervous energy. drake offers his services in the form of combing hands through his hair, rubbing his hands or some other repetitive motion that launchpad can focus on to reorient himself and calm down. when he’s overwhelmed it often gets harder to articulate himself, and when he can’t talk drake does. he just talks about anything in a gentle voice and launchpad finds it soothing. 

also, i like to think that both LP and drake love weighted blankets, and it’s not uncommon for either to ask to be laid on. drake might get a few broken bones or crushed lungs but it’s totally worth it. LP however is like the equivalent of a big smooth rock and drake is simply a sunbathing lizard. do you see my vision !!

i think i could keep writing forever but i have to stop because i need to get ready for work lawl. thank you SO much for the ask though, and anon i really need you to know that it made me squeal and kick my feet and stim for like 5 minutes straight knowing that you appreciate my characterizations this much. EEEEE!!!! 

i hope this satisfies your curiosity for now! have an amazing day <3

[silver-wield]

Yeah, you heard it here first, Cloud Strife is apparently English and somebody summoning KotR in their gameplay is a "secret ultimate ending" and not just somebody using the materia in the game.

Sorry not sorry but I just gotta blow holes in this shit one insane tweet at a time.

Kingdom Hearts is not canon to ffvii. It just isn't. It's not the "canon game for a summon" and are you out of your fucking mind for thinking Kingdom Hearts is making some canonical link between a summon and Disney's Sword in the Stone?! Jfc this is already sounding crazy af 🤦‍♀️

No. There's no "secret ending" to ffvii. You chose a playthrough with a player summoning KotR. Literally every player can do that. Unless they're like you and never played the damn game, you insane carrot. I'm gonna assume you think ffxv's ending where Noctis calls up the kings of yore to defeat Ardyn, which has been confirmed as a callback to ffvii's KotR but at no point did anybody say the endings were identical or that KotR is a mandatory or secret speshul ending appearance. Cloud, at no point in KH, is ever intending to or looking for king Arthur. He is always searching for Sephiroth so they can settle their shit. He never becomes a KotR. Again, you're confusing ffxv with other games. Noctis's father becomes a King of Yore at the end of ffxv and helps defeat Ardyn. I mean, if you can't keep basic plotlines straight why are you even talking in the first place?

Show me where Cloud's an "Englishman"? Show me where England and Germany are on the map of the planet. He's no more English than he is German and you need to stop listening to that nutbar Calli and her made up garbage based on her own HC fap material. King Arthur wasn't a real person, dumdum. Plz don't talk about English history if you haven't ever learned it in school.

Strife isn't a last name. It's a bloody noun. And Strauss is the German word for ostrich.

He's the fucking player character. He doesn't know how to get the materia. You know how to get the materia.

Kh isn't canon to ffvii or the KotR. Kh1 and 2 leaned heavily on squareenix to grab a player base and build its following. Once kh became established in its own right they began to phase out the FF cameos because the characters aren't needed to keep real players interested in the plot. You aren't a real player, so shut up.

You're an idiot who can't accept an in game email talking about things characters have seen and done isn't canon compared to WoFF, another game that isn't canon to ffvii.

Again: WoFF is not canon to ffvii. Serah isn't married at the point her character appears. Zack isn't with Aerith. He's a soldier 2nd class. I know it's hard for your small brain to comprehend but SE takes characters from different points in their own lives to mix and match in cameos for fanservice. Cloud appears in multiple titles as OG soldier Cloud and post AC Cloud. Tifa appears in WoFF as cowgirl Tifa at age 15 before she's traumatized. Get a fucking clue.

Again: Zack is single at that point in his life.

Aerith is lying and sucking as much copium as y'all do. The translation is also shit in OG because she doesn't call him a ladies man in JP, she says he's a friendly guy.

Idky you think kh, WoFF and KotR are some weird ass "canon" link that proves your garbage ship or disproves Zack is a decent guy, but you need to shut up.

That's all. Don't bother trying to educate yourself, just shut up. We don't want to hear from you. At all.

Shut up.

[gallfawn]

SPOILERS FOR PUSS IN BOOTS THE LAST WISH!!!

I'm putting this here cause there's no way I'm putting this on twt(again...twt had nuff of my bullshit) or anything but I consider this a rant just because I can't, won't and do not want to spoil my friends about the movie but I'm too fixated on how well constructed it was.

First off, I was watching the first few scenes and oh my god. They brought in so many memorable takes from the first one which was so sweet!

My favorite was the "Ooh" cat popping up in the cat shelter.

I just realized that the sleeping giant seemed to be an example to amplify how big of a threat death was. The sleeping giant was a possible ploy, as it poses a great threat to the lands. However, Pib is met with someone who's able to fit in the same room as him. Someone that resembles himself, someone he couldn't possibly be, because it's someone we'll always end up meeting in the end, staring at it. It stares at us with its red beady eyes. Death himself.

The design for death. man. Man.

The scene where Pib(Puss in Boots) felt genuine fear from bleeding from his head. The red piercing eyes and the fucking strength he shows. From first glance I kinda knew he was death already, since his presence alone said a lot. I love how you don't even need so much to tell the audience what a character is meant to be perceived as. Giving them a few lines, visuals and subtle movements and cues are enough for the audience to pick up on it.

And of course, who could forget the portrayal of panic attacks. That one gets one of the stars for me. I love how they framed it as something that basically gets you in a way where you feel like you need to leave. You have to escape. You have to survive and live.

Each scene of the panic attacks occurring played important roles that constantly concern Pib and the viewers. We first become aware of the threat, how we know this threat could appear at any time. Now that–that's terrifying to think about. Which is true, death can come for us at any time which we least expect, which I really like how they were able to represent that as well.

The scene where Pib was worried about someone coming for him, aka Death, where he stares at the front door and sees a snout sniffing near it. I knew it couldn't be death at his door since it was well established that he was being hunted by the Goldi and the Three Bears. I like the detail where he's literally concerned that he constantly has to keep his eyes peeled twice now for something that's larger than life.

The first of the main characters that were introduced were Goldilocks and the three bears. First thing I thought, "she's hiding something isn't she. Oh she wants the wish, oh she wants to find her family again doesn't she?"

Then the second one was Perrito, love that lil guy. This dude breaks my heart honestly. I mean. Fuck man, something this innocent (well partly) gets hurt in every way and still does his best to forgive... I honestly like how he was introduced to Pib just cause they have contrasting personalities. I love how he's determined to be a therapy dog one day! Aaaaahhh

And then the third was Jack horner, yeah no. I got nothing else to say other than the fact that he looks like the guy from the lorax with dyed hair and power hungry issues. No need for me to predict shit at all. I hate that guy and his Mary Poppins, Doraemon ass bag. (They made a good villain, good job, I hate him👍)

And then the last if I'm not mistaken was Kitty Softpaws, so glad she was back around. But oof, damn exes unite huh. Thought about her wishing she could trust someone from the get-go. Of course, she was wishing for Pib, obviously.

I was honestly thinking throughout the movie, like what's the point? Right? You have one wish, but you have these people around you already. What could be so great that could potentially be a wish come true to them?

Except there was me hoping that Pib would at least get his lives back MAN. I WAS SOBBING.

To be fair, some areas were predictable where others weren't but I don't care. I loved it. I loved the hell out of it. I don't care about the cliche. I care about the story telling. What I could not predict was QUALITY AND WHOLE. And oh my goodness, don't get me started on that, the DESIGNS THE LIGHTING THE ANIMATION, THE FIGHT SCENES WERE SO WELL MADE SO WAS THE MUSIC ACCOMPANYING THE SCENES HEEEELL YEEEEEEAH.

THEY DELIVERED A CONCEPT THAT WORKED SO DAMN GOOOOOD!!

In the scene where the characters stood for the corners of the fucking star my god that was so smart. I was like "THEY PLANNED THIS ALL WAY TOO INTRICATELY I LOVE HOW EVERYTHING CONNECTS!"

I really like how the scenes weren't common. Like the fight scenes and everything. Where they take place and what kinds of combat could be possible with the equipment they're available with. I always love those kinds of combat.

We got like two found families except the other guy was just thirsty for world domination I guess. Yes I am insulting you, jack horner. Edna mode would kick your ass tbh. (Sorry I'm salty, I hate him, he was mean to Mr. Grasshopper cricket thing who I assume we might see again so that he gets united with Pinocchio, cause that was the first thing I thought)

The references are pretty good too. The jokes, the one liners were fantastic. I love how some of the humor transcends old style humor and some of the common ones today.

I was sobbing for almost the entire film cause of how well written and made it was. Jeez.

Wait, I think I've already done this before...huh deja vu.

Anyhow if I remember anything else I'll probably add it but whatever!

[renapomissing]

Comic Sonic Study 4

Issue 12 hits, and

The buckle is gone again. However, it seems like the artists are now consistently drawing Sonic's quills correctly.

As someone who mostly just played the games for most of my life, one thing I do like about the Freedom Fighters is that they're allowed to get things done on their own more often than the non-Sonic characters in the games.

Admittedly, this was mostly off-camera, but it's an early instance of exactly what I'm talking about. It also happens in the girl power issue, but I can't remember which one that was, and it didn't occur to me to screencap it.

It's worth noting that there was a time in the games when this wasn't a problem. Then, people complained about characters who weren't Sonic, and we're only just now getting out of that era where Sonic was the only one allowed to be competent.

And now, for important note

There is a Jack Kirby dedication in the opening credits for Sonic 13. And that's just nice.

Imagine being a Sonic fan who only reads the comics, and you've never played the games, and that shield comes up. Tht's gonna make no sense. Especially since they didn't actually show Sonic getting it in the first pl--

Wait, did Tails just make an alcohol reference?

The problem with the first story of this issue is that aside from Snively and the SWAT bots, every character is from the games. Again, I mostly played the games for years, but when it comes to the comics, I'm also here to see those characters. Now, if this only happens every once in a while, I'll be fine with it, but I've been informed that by the time of the post-Super Genesis Wave era, I should get ready for a lot of that.

By contrast, in the second story, the Freedom Fighters are back, and they steal Robotnik's space ship that he's going to use to roboticize the planet from a distance, and they end up in a space chase with him. At the end of it, they fight him on one of the hundred moons that orbits planet Mobius.

...

What? I'm not sure when we got from fighting for the environment to this, but there's something I really love about this kind of balls-to-the-wall bizarre storytelling. The type of stuff where when you say it out loud, it sounds ridiculous, but in the story itself, it seemed normal, until you took the time to analyze it.

Issue 14 establishes that Sonic is the leader of the Freedom Fighters.

This is odd, considering that the Freedom Fighters were already established as existing before Sonic joined. Pretty sure this gets ignored later on, from what I saw while I was preparing to read all of this.

While reading issue 15, it occurs to me that nobody has made a weight joke to Robotnik for a while, so I guess that's gone.

After this, we'll be moving into the era where things are a bit more solidified, so I'll have fewer things to mention, until we get to the point of ongoing narratives besides Freedom Fighters vs. Robotnik/Eggman. I have vague memories of how the switch from Robotnik to Eggman played out, and man, I didn't expect that, but I guess they had to do SOMETHING. Still on the lookout for when Tails becomes smart, cuz that's gotta happen at some point.