#book and film globe

[mischas]

.

[onlycosmere]

*In response to a meme about a tv show adaptation of a book being written by a writer who had not read the book*

Brandon Sanderson: I have a fun story here. Early in my career, someone optioned the rights to make one of my stories (the Emperor's Soul) into a film. I was ecstatic, as it's not a story that at the time had gotten a lot of attention from Hollywood.

I met with the writer, who had a good pedigree, and who seemed extremely excited about the project; turned out, he'd been the one to persuade the production company to go for the option. All seemed really promising.

A year or so later, I read his script and it was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life. The character names were, largely, the same, though nothing that happened to them was remotely similar to the story. Emperor's Soul is a small-scale character drama that takes place largely in one room, with discussions of the nature of art between two characters who approach the idea differently.

The screenplay detailed an expansive fantasy epic with a new love interest for the main character (a pirate captain.) They globe-trotted, they fought monsters, they explored a world largely unrelated to mine, save for a few words here and there. It was then that I realized what was going on.

Hollywood doesn't buy spec scripts (original ideas) from screenwriters very often, and they NEVER buy spec scripts that are epic fantasy. Those are too big, too expensive, and too daunting: they are the sorts of stories where the producers and executives need the proof of an established book series to justify the production.

So this writer never had a chance to tell his own epic fantasy story, though he wanted to. Instead, he found a popularish story that nobody had snatched up, and used it as a means to tell the story he'd always wanted to tell, because he'd never otherwise have a chance of getting it made.

I'm convinced this is part of the issue with some of these adaptations; screenwriters and directors are creative, and want to tell their own stories, but it's almost impossible to get those made in things like the fantasy genre unless you're a huge established name like Cameron. I'm not saying they all do this deliberately, as that screenwriter did for my work, but I think it's an unconscious influence. They want to tell their stories, and this is the allowed method, so when given the chance at freedom they go off the rails, and the execs don't know the genre or property well enough to understand why this can lead to disaster.

Anyway, sorry for the novel length post in a meme thread. I just find the entire situation to be fascinating.

[makingqueerhistory]

Transgender Books For Your Libraries

I have said this before, but right now requesting and reading queer books from your local library is important. I want to take a second to say there is a direct attack against the transgender community around the globe, and it's worth your time to request and read transgender books. So, here are some transgender books to request:

(Some links are affiliate links and the money goes to Making Queer History's research fund)

People Change, Vivek Shraya

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity, Judith Butler

The Salt Grows Heavy, Cassandra Khaw

Transland: Consent, Kink, and Pleasure, MX Sly

Freshwater, Akwaeke Emezi

Amateur: A Reckoning with Gender, Identity, and Masculinity, Thomas Page McBee

The Subtweet, Vivek Shraya

Dark and Deepest Red, A. M. McLemore

A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Becky Chambers

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Fantabulous Memoir, Kai Cheng Thom

Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir, Akwaeke Emezi

Dead Collections, Isaac Fellman

Disintegrate/Dissociate, Arielle Twist

Tell Me I'm Worthless, Alison Rumfitt

How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life, Jeffrey Marsh

A Lady for a Duke, Alexis Hall

Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, Sarah McBride

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower, Erica Ridley

I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl's Notes from the End of the World, Kai Cheng Thom

We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film, Tre'vell Anderson

Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok Vaid-Menon

[jackoshadows]

Brandon Sanderson on why TV adaptations of fantasy works end up being so different to the source material:

I have a fun story here. Early in my career, someone optioned the rights to make one of my stories (the Emperor's Soul) into a film. I was ecstatic, as it's not a story that at the time had gotten a lot of attention from Hollywood. I met with the writer, who had a good pedigree, and who seemed extremely excited about the project; turned out, he'd been the one to persuade the production company to go for the option. All seemed really promising. A year or so later, I read his script and it was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life. The character names were, largely, the same, though nothing that happened to them was remotely similar to the story. Emperor's Soul is a small-scale character drama that takes place largely in one room, with discussions of the nature of art between two characters who approach the idea differently. The screenplay detailed an expansive fantasy epic with a new love interest for the main character (a pirate captain.) They globe-trotted, they fought monsters, they explored a world largely unrelated to mine, save for a few words here and there. It was then that I realized what was going on. Hollywood doesn't buy spec scripts (original ideas) from screenwriters very often, and they NEVER buy spec scripts that are epic fantasy. Those are too big, too expensive, and too daunting: they are the sorts of stories where the producers and executives need the proof of an established book series to justify the production. So this writer never had a chance to tell his own epic fantasy story, though he wanted to. Instead, he found a popularish story that nobody had snatched up, and used it as a means to tell the story he'd always wanted to tell, because he'd never otherwise have a chance of getting it made. I'm convinced this is part of the issue with some of these adaptations; screenwriters and directors are creative, and want to tell their own stories, but it's almost impossible to get those made in things like the fantasy genre unless you're a huge established name like Cameron. I'm not saying they all do this deliberately, as that screenwriter did for my work, but I think it's an unconscious influence. They want to tell their stories, and this is the allowed method, so when given the chance at freedom they go off the rails, and the execs don't know the genre or property well enough to understand why this can lead to disaster. Anyway, sorry for the novel length post in a meme thread. I just find the entire situation to be fascinating.

[cassandraclare]

New publishing announcement!

Hi guys!

I know it’s been a long time since there’s been news about The Wicked Powers. I’ve actually been sitting on information for a long time because I was not allowed to talk about it. It was making me pull out all my hair, so I am super glad to be able to share the following announcement with you: The Wicked Powers is scheduled for publication, and will be published by Walker Books in the UK and Random House in the US.

There’s a bunch more about this announcement, including the announcement of a brand-new YA romantasy series I’ll be doing called In Fire Foretold. That will be published by Pan Macmillan in the UK (same people who published Sword Catcher) and by Random House in the US.

I know there will be a lot of questions about what my schedule is, why things are coming out when they are, whether I have anything coming out next year (Yes, The Ragpicker King, the sequel to Sword Catcher, and also for those who participated in the Kickstarter, those four books) and the overall future of everything Shadowhunter-related. So I will be doing followup announcements to address all that stuff, but first, here are both press release from my publishers in the US and then in the UK with all the info!

GLOBALLY BESTSELLING FANTASY PHENOMENON CASSANDRA CLARE TO PUBLISH  FINAL TRILOGY IN THE ‘SHADOWHUNTER CHRONICLES’  AND NEW DUOLOGY WITH ALFRED A. KNOPF BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS  First book in THE WICKED POWERS to release in Spring 2026

(New York, NY, April 5, 2024)—Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, will publish five new books from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Clare, whose novels have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, been translated into 43 languages, and published in more than 60 countries. The new publications will begin in Spring 2026 with the first book in THE WICKED POWERS trilogy, the sixth and final series in Clare’s 23-book, young adult fantasy franchise The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Also slated for publication with Knopf is a brand-new YA romantasy duology, IN FIRE FORETOLD. The news was announced today by Melanie Nolan, VP and Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, who acquired North American rights from Suzie Townsend and Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media in a highly competitive auction. Michelle Frey, Senior Executive Editor, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, will edit both series. 

Cassandra Clare mesmerized readers across the globe with the publication of City of Bones (2007), the first book in the Mortal Instruments series, and was quickly dubbed the “New Queen of Fantasy” by the Wall Street Journal. The Mortal Instruments became the basis for the far-reaching Shadowhunter Chronicles, an intricately drawn world that has seen global success and has been adapted into both a feature film and television show. The books follow the Shadowhunters, a secretive race of humans born with angel blood, whose mission is to eliminate the demons that plague the Earth. Knopf’s first publishing collaboration with Clare, THE WICKED POWERS (Spring 2026), will follow Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn, and Drusilla Blackthorn from The Dark Artifices series as they are drawn into the final massive conflict between the demons and the angels. 

IN FIRE FORETOLD is a pulse-pounding YA romantasy duology set in a new world with entirely new characters. The story centers a young woman who must learn to control her dangerous magical abilities in order to save her kingdom, all while finding herself torn between two brothers—the kingdom's princes, born to a cursed royal bloodline. The publication date for IN FIRE FORETOLD, as well as news of additional books to come from Cassandra Clare and Knopf, will be announced. 

Says Cassandra Clare: "I am delighted to have Knopf and Penguin Random House as my publishers for this last trilogy in the Shadowhunters world. They truly understand what it means—both for the story and for my readers—to wrap up such an epic tale that has been told over so many years. I'm also excited to be launching my next YA series — a kickass portal fantasy that contains a ton of things I love, from a bold and reckless heroine to a magical wasteland filled with terrifying monsters that must be fought, to a love triangle with two very unusual cursed princes. I can't wait for us to bring these stories to the world."

Says Michelle Frey: “Cassandra Clare is a beloved author whose work has a massive following for good reason: she sucks you into a fully imagined world and never lets go until the last, satisfying page. I have long admired Cassie and am thrilled to be working with her on both the delectable final trilogy in the Shadowhunter Chronicles and the heart-stopping new love triangle she has dreamed up with IN FIRE FORETOLD.”

Random House Children’s Books (rhcbooks.com) is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

UK/AUS/NZ:

Walker Books will publish three new books, the final trilogy in Shadowhunter Chronicles, the first coming in Spring 2026.

Separately, First Ink will publish a brand new YA duology, introducing readers to a fantastical new world of Clare’s creation, filled with enticing new characters and heart-racing action. With sales figures for Cassandra’s novels exceeding 40 million copies worldwide, translated into 43 languages and published in more than 60 countries, these are exciting and major acquisitions for both publishing houses.

Walker will launch THE WICKED POWERS in Spring 2026 with the first book in the trilogy, The Last King of Faerie. THE WICKED POWERS is the final instalment of Clare’s 23-book, young adult fantasy series, Shadowhunter Chronicles.

THE WICKED POWERS (Spring 2026), will follow Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn, and Drusilla Blackthorn from The Dark Artifices series as they are drawn into the final massive conflict between the demons and the angels. The novel marks the beginning of the final trilogy in Clare’s globally beloved series.

Cassandra Clare Says about THE WICKED POWERS: "I’m thrilled to be taking this momentous step in the Shadowhunter chronicles with Walker! They published City of Bones in 2007 and now we will be bringing this huge epic to a close together. With their creativity and dedication, I know they’ll do it justice."

Denise Johnstone Burt says: “We at Walker are immensely proud to have been Cassie’s publishers from the very beginning, when City of Bones launched the Shadowhunters into the world. Since then Cassie has become one of the most beloved writers in YA fantasy all over the world, and with very good reason. Her world-building and character portrayal are absolutely second to none and her books never fail to mesmerise her fans. I am delighted that we will be returning to the world of Shadowhunters once again in THE WICKED POWERS, and know Cassie will bring the Chronicles to a conclusion with her trademark brilliance and consummate style.”

First Ink will publish IN FIRE FORETOLD, a pulse-pounding YA romantasy duology set to delight all fans of Cassie Clare. UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Samantha Smith, Publisher of First Ink and Macmillan Children’s Books’ Fiction, Non Fiction and Picture Book List, from Danny Baror and Heather Baror-Shapiro at Baror International.  The duology will be a super lead title for First Ink and will launch with a significant multi-channel communications campaign including national media, influencer and fan events [HBS1] and multimedia advertising.

IN FIRE FORETOLD sees the launch of a brand new world and set of entirely new characters for Clare. The story centres on a young woman who must learn to control her dangerous magical abilities in order to save her kingdom, all while finding herself torn between two brothers - the kingdom's princes - born to a cursed royal bloodline.

Cassandra Clare says about IN FIRE FORETOLD: “I’m so excited to be publishing IN FIRE FORETOLD with First Ink. This story contains so many things I love- it’s a portal fantasy that swings between worlds, where the gritty LA streets exist alongside a dangerous magical world filled with deadly monsters - and a uniquely tough heroine who’s ready to do battle on all sides. Not to mention some gorgeous princes with shady pasts. I know how much Pan Macmillan loves fantasy and how well they publish it so I’m thrilled for this partnership."

Samantha Smith, Publisher at First Ink, says: “Cassandra Clare is a phenomenon author who has delighted and surprised her millions of readers across the world for decades now. As a huge fan of both her YA Mortal Instruments series and latest adult fantasy Sword Catcher, I cannot wait for her to turn her formidable pen to a new, heart-stopping series in In the Fire Foretold and could not be more excited to welcome her onto the First Ink list”

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, Managing Director at Macmillan Children’s Books, says: “ Welcoming Cassandra Clare to First Ink with a brand new fantasy world is very exciting - both for us and her fans.  Her storytelling is second to none and her new duology on our list is the perfect partner series to her brilliant publishing that sits on our Tor list at Pan Macmillan.”

About Walker Books

Home to books for all ages, Walker Books publishes many award-winning authors, illustrators, and literary franchisesincluding Anthony Horowitz, Angie Thomas, Cassandra Clare, Lucy Cousins, Anthony Browne, Patrick Ness, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, and Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford. Walker Books is part of the vibrant international Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia; Candlewick Press and Walker Books US in America and Walker Productions.

About Pan Macmillan

At Pan Macmillan we publish a broad and vibrant range of books for audiences of all ages, from dazzling bestsellers to influential prize-winners; books to inspire lifelong readers and listeners to enduring classics for generations to come. The fourth largest UK publisher, we pride ourselves on publishing successfully and sustainably and are committed to working together to positively impact culture and society at large.

[art]

Meet the Artist: @zandraart

Hiii! I'm @zandraart, a full time freelance illustrator & animator from the US! I love telling stories and creating worlds that you can get lost in. I've been posting my art on tumblr for years (a decade???) and love being able to share my art and connect with those who like it! After graduating art school, I've had the joy of working with companies and individuals from all over the globe to try and bring their visions to life. I've created animations from gifs to short films, art for feature films, worked on games, merch, illustrated books and magazine covers, webcomics, crafted up art for phone apps and even painted custom gaming systems! The world is so much better with more art in it, and I love being able to share mine with you! Feel free to check out my website to see what I've been up to!

Nice to meet you, Alex! She has shared some of their work below for you all.

For more of Alex's art, be sure to check out their Tumblr, @zandraart!

[maevstar]

| Introducing myself in my fame dr ᯓᡣ𐭩

ᝰ. My name is Maeve Amelie Solace, but people usually call me by “Mae”.

ᝰ. I’m 26yo and I’m an A-list american actress and singer. (I was born in 1997 but I didn’t turned 27 yet).

ᝰ. I started my way on acting when I was 16 when my older brother was doing a play on high school and begged me to participate. I did, and since then I’ve been in love with acting.

ᝰ. When I graduated from high school i moved out from my hometown — Austin, Texas — to LA and entered to UCLA School of Theater.

ᝰ. My first big project in Hollywood was “The Edge of Seventeen” when I was 19-20yo, before that I just worked with small projects, mostly from my uni.

ᝰ. That project gave me more visibility in the industry and I became more well known.

ᝰ. Some of my films: The Edge of Seventeen, The School for Good and Evil (adaptation of the books), Lady bird, Scream 4 (2018), Little Woman, Causeway, We Live in a Time, Challengers, Me Before You, Glass Onion 2, Duna, Anyone but You, Don’t look up, No hard feelings, Don’t worry darling, The outrun, and etc.

ᝰ. Some of my shows: Supernatural (Claire Novak), Looking for Alasca, YOU, outer banks (season 4).

ᝰ. I’ve been nominated for the Oscar 4 times as the best Actress in a Leading Role, but I’m just gonna win the award in the 4th time (2024). Futhermore, i’ve won a lot of awards and nominations like Emmy’s and Golden Globes. In 2022, I entered the list of The Most Influential People by Time Magazine.

Now, my singer career:

ᝰ. My mom is a country singer — not much known — in Texas, so I’ve grew up loving music, and I’ve been writing songs since I was 15, but these never turned into real songs, until 2019-2020, when I recorded my EP’s.

ᝰ. My first EP is called “Minor” and it has 7 songs. I released it in 2019 just for fun, was some songs that I’ve been writing during the years. In 2020 I released more 2 EPs, called “Bittersweet” and “Good Riddance”, with 7 and 10 songs respectively, again, just for fun.

ᝰ. Now, my new coming up project on music is my first Album, called “The Secret Of Us”, it has 13 songs (+ 7 from deluxe) and all of them will have a music video, cause my objective is making a visual album.

ᝰ. With my new album, I intend to go on my first tour.

Fun facts about me:

ᝰ. I know ballet and gymnastics cause when my sister was 8 years old she wanted to learn but was scared to do it alone, so I used to go to classes with her.

ᝰ. I have 3 siblings, Will, Kayla and Austin. Will is 2 years older than me, Kayla is younger than me 4 years and Austin is 8 years younger than me. (Another fun fact is that Austin is adopted).

ᝰ. My s/o is Drew Starkey, I met him in a party at Maddie Cline’s house (2021). Also, Madelyn is my best friend and I’m very close to the cast of the outer banks too.

ᝰ. I’m in fact brazilian. I was born there but my family moved to the US when I was 8 — my father is brazilian but my mom is from us, she was in a trip when met my dad in brazil and blablabla — so I have dual nationality. (latinas are better lol). But when I was 14, I moved again to Brazil and lived there for almost 2 years with my aunt before I came back to US.

ᝰ. When I was 16, I made a YouTube channel with my brother Will and we used to talk about the most random things ever (btw it was a flop lol, this channel just came up when we became famous). (another fun fact is that he is also a well known actor, but more on theater plays than on screen).

ᝰ. When I was in high school, I was planning on going to med school — mostly because of my dad, he’s a doctor (my obsession with greys anatomy might got me inclined to that too🤭) — but then I fell in love with acting (when I was 16, like i said) and never quit. Besides that, I’m still very interested with things related to science and human body, stuff like that; most of things that I know are bc of my dad tho.

ᝰ. I’m polyglot. I speak Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish and a bit of French and Latin. I also know ASL.

ᝰ. I still don’t know how to ride bikes without training wheels cause no one ever taught me (😭).

ᝰ. I love the sea, beaches, everything related to that, it’s one of my favorite places in the world.

mood boards; mood boards details;

─────── ୨ৎ ───────

[bifntastic]

I hate that Jews have to be actively murdered/genocided before we are ever taken seriously about antisemitism. And that no amount of atrocity committed against us goes without some sort of twisted justification by our oppressors. And even when the worst and most inexcusable happens, when our assaulters and murderers and rapists film their crimes to laude as trophies, glorifying their acts of Jew hatred, it still isn’t enough for you.

If we dare to sound the alarm on this shift in culture we are seeing with our own damn eyes, likening it to pre-holocauset Germany, you call us hyperbolic. “Alarmist.” We’re just over exaggerating. Over reacting. Or worse, you tut and condemn us for selfishly belittling the “true” suffering of Jews during the Holocaust for our own (((nefarious))) political goals. Because you surely know better on this then we do.

Even when Jews are literally having wanted posters of them posted in the halls of Rochester University, being chased through the streets of Amsterdam, threatened with knives in Berlin, raped in France, and murdered and assaulted in random cities across the globe, thats still not enough for you is it?

But how could we be so naive? If October 7th itself wasn’t enough for you then what possibly could ever be?

Will nothing short of the literal Nazis rising from their rotting graves to march us to our deaths by the millions one again, serve to convince you that what is happening to us in this moment is real?

In this grotesque fantasy of yours where we are once again slaughtered en masse, will you look back and sob your performative, self-comforting tears of gentile guilt over having not done enough, having not listened, having not learned from the sins of your forefathers?

Perhaps you will wax poetic in your history books about how you were merely “occupied” by an oppressive ideology, held “hostage” as the Polish claimed to be, as they gleefully handed off their inconvenient Jewish pests to be slaughtered. You will wail that you couldn’t possibly have known any better. And you will find a way to make it our fault. To absolve yourself of your own guilt and responsibility.

We have lived this same tired song and dance for thousands of years. We have watched you and your forefathers weep with self pitying remorse time and time again before going right back to killing us once the horror of your crimes fade in your memory.

But the children of Israel live, and our memories do not so easily fade. We have never forgotten and we never will. Never Again will we allow ourselves to be at the mercy of our enemies. For we have a nation now. We finally have a home. And we will never let you take it from us again.

[eand47]

Chapter I | The word of a Goddess

Summary: The Book of Peace - an ancient book which protects the twelve cities. Stored in the highest tower in the city of Syracuse, the book stands untouched as Prince Sabo brought it home. The prosperity it brings to humanity made it a target to the Goddess of discord Eris, who intends to bring chaos to the people of the twelve cities by making a deal with the famous pirate Portgas D Ace to steal it.

“You're not thinking big enough, Ace. Steal the book for ransom and you can be rich enough to lounge on the beach of a tropical island. Steal it for me, and you can buy the beach. And the island. And the world.” Said Eris, her voice sultry as she passed by Ace, fingers brushing his face.

Main characters: Portgas D Ace x Reader (female) & Eris - Goddess of Discord

Supporting characters: Luffy, Sabo, Marco, Thatch, Izo, Kiku, Whitebeard

Description: This story is entirely based on 'Sinbad: The Legend of the Seven Seas'! Of course I will add my own touch to it and things that are not part of the film, but still it will be following the animation storyline. A lot of lines that I liked from the movie will be included in the dialogue as well.

WARNINGS: explicit language, descriptions of violence, 16+ only, implied injury, illegal activities, physical violence, fighting, mentions of monsters.

Word Count: 6,5K

story masterlist | main masterlist | next chapter ->

NOTE: Here is the first chapter, I'm posting it earlier as I got sick and I couldn't go to work today ♡ Thank you all for supporting me as always ♡ I hope I get to meet your expectations in writing this story in the best way possible especially if you are big fan of the movie as much as I am. I'm definitely having so much fun writing Ace as Simbad so I cannot wait for the story to unfold further especially with the ideas I want to add to it ♡ Enjoy the first chapter and for those of you who are new here - English is not my first language so please if you see any mistakes let me know ♡

Tartarus – The Realm of Chaos. A place covered by ruins of empires and greedy kings; a place almost identical to Hell. Ruled by Eris – the Goddess of Discord, daughter of the primordial night goddess Nyx, she was the pure embodiment of chaos and destruction. She fuels competition and leaves discord in her wake, encouraging both sides of a battle, supporting both sides in an argument and bringing out the worst in people. Nothing good has ever come from her arrival and every time she would appear people will tremble in fear. Eris represents the true malevolence and deviance - she has no morals of good nor nobility, her heart was made of pure evil. She is spiteful, manipulative and passioned about world destruction waiting for the day when the mortal world will crumble in the ruins of her chaos.

Temples and myths portrayed her with wings, highlighting her nature traveling between her realm and the real world. But Eris has no wings, she doesn’t need ones. Her body is not as of a human, even though it appears as one. Tall and slender, eyes bloody red with a yellow background cornea, and a long black hair that flies all over the place with any movement she makes, her shape and form can shift and change. Her forms come from both how she wishes to appear and how her emotions emanate.  Eris can control the darkness and merge with it, becoming a shadow herself as her mother Nyx. Yet as a Goddess her face is something every sailor, every king and many gods have fallen for. Her beauty is as destructive as her powers.

The realm of chaos was inhabited by her children – the godly monsters made into constellations. Calling upon them the Goddess entered her realm of constellations looking down upon her globe of Earth.

“Wake up my beauties. Rise and shine.” She called and her children assembled around her. “It’s a new day in the mortal world. Ah, what a beautiful day it’s in there. So peaceful... so boring.” Taking a good look at the Earth, Eris attention got caught by a noble ship in the southern sea. “Just look at them. I pull one tiny thread and their whole world unravels into chaos. Glorious chaos.” Pulling a string out of the globe she chuckled to herself. What a day, not only the ship was led by a noble prince, but he was also carrying a valuable treasure for the humanity on it. Something Eris was looking for some time now – The Book of Peace. “A noble price, a priceless treasure and a black-hearted thief. This couldn’t have been more perfect.” The pirate-ship pursuing the prince’s one didn’t escape her sight. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” Turning around she reached with her hand to one of her children – Cetus, a large Krake-like monster. His body was long eel-ed with eight tentacles, a long tail and a head crown shaped like a fish frill with eyes as yellow as his mother’s. “Cetus?” The monster came closer to his mother once it heard her calling it. “You know what to do.” She purred. “Let the games begin.”

****

Lit by the sun the calm waves of the sea were sparkling, making the endless sight of water on the horizon look mesmerizing. Drifted by the breeze, the massive sleek mahogany color ship was cutting the waves with ease, chasing after the noble royal blue ship in front of it. Pristine and well-maintained, the ship gleamed in the sunlight. The ship had three tall masts with sails in a beautiful burnt orange colour with lighter colour flames embroidered on them. On the deck the small crew of six people was standing in a line listening to their captain’s orders.

“Gentlemen, this is what we have been waiting for.” The captain announced, while taking steady steps towards the bow of the ship, a dog by his side – Spike was following him. “The world’s most valuable object it’s on it’s way to Syracuse – or in other words – our ticket to paradise.” Standing on the bow of the ship and taking a good look at the massive blue royal ship in front of him, he turned to his crew with a big grin on his face. “It’s a shame it’ll never get there.” He said with a confident cocky voice. Laughter from the crew and barks from Spike cheered loudly on the deck. “After today, we retire to Fiji.” His announce made his crew cheer once more as they were ready to fight. Guns shots, swords and matchets were ready to be used as everyone have been waiting for this moment for so long. “Marco.” The captain called for the tall blond man, who was his right hand.

“Aye, Captain.” He responded to his captain, taking a stance next to the helm.

“Spike.” The captain yelled from the bow at his dog giving it a command to pull the lever which activated the ship’s sides blades. Once they were out, Marco manoeuvred the ship getting it as close as possible next to the royal one, and the moment they caught on them he turned the helm in the direction of it and strike it. “Let’s get rich.” Screamed their captain as he grabbed on one of the ropes from the sails and swing with it. He hopped on the royal ship with swift moves declaring his attack on his opponents. His crew and dog followed him immediately. Marco was fast to tear apart a piece of wood from the royal ship and knocked with it at least five men with a single move. Thatch wasted no time and pulled his machetes fast getting into the fight knocking down guards left and right. Even Spike, who was a very smart dog, has knocked two of the guards down, though for him it was like a game not realising the danger he or his owner were in. Speaking of his owner, the black-haired captain, who was surrounded by guards attacking him from all sides, instead of being scared or in distress because of the situation he was in, he was having quite the fun. Kicking and knocking guards left and right, easily taking their swords and handling them with swift moves, it all was like a children’s game to him. With more guards running towards him, he spiked the two swords he had in his hands on the deck’s floor and in one smooth motion, he turned his body clockwise with his hands on the swords and knocked down all the guards.

“Yo, Marco.” He turned to his right-hand man, who was busy on choking a guy between his armpit and forearm. “Did you catch this last move? Pretty cool, hu?” The cocky captain chuckled.

“I thought you overworked it.” Marco responded unimpressed. “Just a pit.” He gestured with his fingers how ‘little’ his captain overworked himself and then landed his fist on the guard knocking him off completely.

“Overworked it?” The captain sighed in disbelief. He didn’t, he was sure he looked pretty cool while fighting the guards. Another guard ran towards them with his sword raised high in the air, only for Marco to caught it with his teeth and threw him off the deck with one move. “Oh, and I was overworking it?” His captain exclaimed as he looked at him over his shoulder. Turning around the captain’s eyes widened, and cocky smile disappeared. On the upper deck he saw no other but the Prince of Syracuse himself. “Sabo.” He said to himself. There on the deck was the prince – a tall, blonde man dressed in his noble blue clothes that represents Syracuse.

“Hm, didn’t expect this? How long has it been since you last saw each other?” Marco asked as he saw the way his captain’s shoulders sagged at the sight of his childhood best friend.

“About a lifetime ago.” Was the only response he got. Walking towards the upper deck, the dark-haired man observed the way the prince was taking down two of his crewmates. “I see you are still fighting like a price.” Chuckled the pirate as he stood behind the prince’s back with his arms crossed and a smug smirk on his face.

“Ace?” A smile appeared on the prince’s lips as he immediately recognised the voice, but the guy he knocked down has jumped back on his feet and pushed the price to the ground. Ace’s crew took a hold of Sabo, but he pushed them away. The prince couldn’t believe his eyes – his long-time lost childhood best friend, who he once considered a brother, was standing right in front of him. Now not as a child or teenager anymore, but as a grown man. With his broad muscular chest on display as only a pair of dark knee-length pants were hanged around his hips and a yellow unbuttoned shirt covered his back with an orange cowboy hat on top of his head, he hasn’t changed that much. His cocky smile was the same, his dark brown eyes were still full of mischief and his face was still covered in freckles. The only difference was that now Ace has gotten taller and much more muscular than before. “What are you doing here?” Sabo was still in disbelief.

“Working.” Ace raised his eyebrows as he mischievously smirked at Sabo and pulled out his dagger from the back of his belt. With one swift move he pierced the door handle with the it and broke it. Taking a look over his shoulder at Sabo, he chuckled. “What about you?”

“What happened to you? Where have you been all this time?” Sabo couldn’t believe how ignorant his friend was being. All these years, ten to be exact, Ace was gone. One day he just disappeared, and Sabo never heard of him again, until today. “Also where is Luffy? I’m sure he came with you.”

“I would love to catch up man, but I have stuffs to do, you know?” Ace turned to look at him once more. “Places to be, things to steal, the usual. And Luffy should be somewhere around here.” He clicked with his tongue and opened the door, not planning on paying any more attention to Sabo. His crew started laughing but Sabo wasn’t having it, instead he followed Ace inside the cabin. Taking a step in Ace whistled once his eyes landed on the treasure in front of him – the Book of Peace. The infamous book, which was known to bring peace among the twelve cities, protecting them from misfortune and chaos. The book was known to be lost but that was only a rumour. If the book was lost or stolen the twelve cities would collapse immediately. It was known that this rumour was created only for pirates and criminals to not go after it – but thanks to Sabo, Ace was aware about this. So now, nothing could stop him from stealing it. He didn’t give a single damn about the people of the twelve cities, so he didn’t care what would happen to them once he has it. Before he can take another step in, Sabo stepped in and placed his hands on Ace’s shoulders stopping him from moving any further into the room.

“Ace, we need to talk.” Sabo’s voice and face were stern as his eyes shifted between Ace and the book.

“Heard about it, read about it, never actually seen it.” Ace jerked away Sabo’s hands and walked into the cabin. Laying open, the book was standing in the middle of the room in all its glory. An ancient priceless treasure. Its blue glow was reflecting on Ace’s face, where his smile was growing bigger with every second. “The Book of Peace.” He breathed out.

“Don’t you even think about it, Ace.” Sabo was quick to warn him as he stood right next to him. “It’s my job to bring it back safety to Syracuse.” He glanced at Ace, with his pierced blue eyes.

“Oh, shit man. Really?” Ace hissed mockingly as he slapped his thigh on the side. “Now, I will feel bad, because you will get fired.” He said as he patted Sabo on the shoulder. Mesmerised by the book Ace started circling around it taking a better look from all its sides. Oh, the amount of money and gold he was going to get for this book. He could see himself and his crew already living in the paradise of Fiji.

“Ace, you can’t be serious.” Sabo’s brows frown as he couldn’t believe what he just heard. Has Ace really turned this heartless? “You disappeared for ten years, on top of it took Luffy away with you, and now you are showing up and you plan to rob me?” He half raised his hands in the air, waiting for an explanation from the man once he called his brother.

“First of all, I didn’t make Luffy come with me, okay? He followed me without me knowing.” Ace pointed his finger to Sabo as he wanted to be clear about why and how ‘their’ little brother ended up disappearing with him. “And I really am sorry, man. I really wish it wasn’t you I was stealing the book from, but...” Ace half shrugged as he stood next to Sabo once again.

“But it’s me Ace.” Sabo’s voice was filled with a lot of mix emotions right now – disbelief, anger, regret but also hope and happiness. The fact that he was seeing Ace after ten years was still unreal to him, also knowing that Luffy was somewhere close by was making his heart filled with excitement. At the end, till this day he was considering these two boys for his blood brothers even thought they weren’t, but the packed they made as kids was something he was panning on honouring till his last day on Earth.

“Sabo...” Ace exhaled before he looked at his long-time friend. “We might of share a glass of sake and fought next to each other as kids, but you see this is the key word – kids. Yea, it was fun, but again – kids.” Ace said as his cockiness and mockery didn’t even drop with one notch.

“We were brothers.” Sabo took a step closer to Ace as he couldn’t listen to his nonsense anymore. “Ace, you are not stealing the book. Not from me.” He shook his head and pointed at the book with the palm of his hand. “And what would you do with the book anyway? This book protects hundreds of thousands of people.”

“Exactly.” Ace exclaimed excitedly. “Now imagine how much you would pay to get it back.” He raised his brows and nudged Sabo on the sides with his elbow. Sabo took a stance in front of Ace and the book and raised his finger warningly at him.

“Let me say this one more time, as it seems you that you don’t get it Ace.” He snapped. “A long time ago – Luffy, you and I were brothers. And if that ever meant anything for you, you would leave now, and I will pretend that this attack on my ship has never happened.”

“Ah, you are right.” Ace shrugged and turned around taking a step away from Sabo. “That was a long time ago.” Taking his sword out, him and Sabo clashed their blades at the same time. With a smooth swift move with his leg Sabo tried to bring Ace down but Ace dodged it by jumping and taking a step back.

“Come on, Sabo. Don’t play all heroic with me. I know deep down you still want to be a pirate.” Ace smirked as he fidgeted the sword easily with his hand. Before Sabo had the time to react Ace attacked him once again. He wasn’t planning on giving up, even if it meant stabbing his childhood friend. Their blades crashed once more as they stood face to face.

“I’ve grown up, Ace. Now if you want the book you will have to go through m-” A loud bang and impact shook the ship as the wooden wall broke and a tentacle broke apart the once so-called brothers. Shaking their heads from the shock of the scene in front of them Ace and Sabo shared a confused look.

“What the hell?” Ace exclaimed and run outside as he heard yelling from his crew and guards. Sabo followed after him and stopped once he saw Ace freezing for a second. The scene in front of them was out of a mythical legend. At the bow of the ship a Kraken-like monster was attacking everyone. Guards were trying to protect the ship, but the monster was ten times stronger than any of them. Taking a quick glance at his ship, Ace smiled as he saw his crew was safe on it. While the guards were fighting the sea monster, Spike unable to understand the danger, ran after one of the monster’s tentacles and bit on it. Ace chuckled at the sight. “Go, Spike.” The monster easily threw the dog in the air sending it flying towards his owner’s ship. Ace laughed as he saw his dog enjoying himself as he landed securely in the arms of the old man in his crew – Whitebeard. For an old guy in his late sixties, he was quite strong and well built.

“Ace.” A loud scream echoed around. Turning his head to where the sound came from Ace’s smile grew bigger. Sabo followed his gaze, and a big grin appeared in his face as well.

“God, he has grown so much.” Sabo couldn’t believe his eyes once again today. There wrapped around the ropes, hopping on them like a monkey on a vine, was the guy he has considered as a little brother – Luffy. Now, that he has grown up even more, his resemblance with Ace was even scarier, considering the fact that the two of them weren’t biological brothers. Yet, till this day Sabo was sure that they shared at least one parent, but they would never know as both were orphans. “You two look alike even more now.” Sabo nudged Ace with his elbow. A makeshift puff of laugher left Ace’s nose as he put his sword back and started to walk away. “Wait, where are you going?” Sabo grabbed his shoulder and turned Ace around.

“I see you are busy, and my crew is waiting. So, uh, we stay in touch.” Ace bumped him on the shoulder and walked towards the railing of the ship ready to jump to his own.

“Sabo is that you?” Luffy screamed as he landed on his feet on the deck of Ace’s ship. “Oh my God, Sabo it’s you.” His eyes sparkled with excitement as he saw the guy who once was his second big brother.

“Luffy, long time no see.” Sabo said. It was like the three once’s brothers forgot that there was a big sea monster destroying the royal ship and swallowing alive half of Sabo’s crew.

“We catch up some other time with him, Luffy.” Ace interrupted them as he was ready to go back to his ship, but Sabo pulled him by the shoulder once more.

“You are just going to run away?”

“Uh, yea.” Ace snorted and just before he takes another step the Kraken-like monster raised his tail from the water, breaking the spikes off Ace’s ship that were holding the ships bridged and almost knocked him in the water.

“Ace.” Luffy screamed as he saw his brother almost falling from the railing. Getting his balance back, Ace frowned his brows now furious at the monster, if it wanted to destroy any ship it should focus on the royal one, not his.

“You fucking bastard. My ship.” He yelled at the monster, as he saw it hitting and breaking the right-side railings on his ship.

Meanwhile Sabo has joined the fight with the Kraken with his men. He wasn’t planning on giving up but when the monster knocked him on the ground for a third time now, for a second he was hopeless. The sea monster opened its mouth and a sharp like a blade tongue almost struck him but one of the guards jumped just in time to protect Sabo and the monster caught the guard instead. Sabo’s eyes widen in both despair and terror as he saw another of his men being swallowed into the monster’s mouth.

“Head’s up.” Turning from where the warning came from, Sabo saw Ace standing next to the cannon as he lit it up and then jumped on it, directing the lit cannon ball in the air. The monster caught it mid air with its tongue and ate it. Standing next to Sabo and helping him to get on his feet, Ace smirked. “Now, stand by for sushi.”

The monster rumbled in pain as the cannon ball exploded in its stomach, which led to it throwing up some kind of stomach juices covering both Ace and Sabo with it. Both whined grossed out by the phlegm that covered them as they tried cleaning the sticky juices from their bodies. Not only this, but it also threw up the last man it swallowed who fell in front of the brothers’ feet. Not wasting even, a second the guard picked up his sword and with a loud scream went to attack the monster again. “This one has balls. You better give him a raise.” Ace said as he followed the ballsy guard with his eyes. To their surprise the cannon ball didn’t do much damage to the monster, in fact it only angered it more. It started trashing the ship even more.

“Come on, Ace. We need to leave the ship.” Sabo yelled and grabbed Ace’s arm ready to run to safe their lives, but Ace stopped him.

“Stay your ground, man.” Ace smirked as he came up with a plan. Placing his thumb and index finger in his mouth he whistled loudly trying to grab the monster’s attention.

“What are you doing?” Sabo knew it was pointless to ask especially if Ace has already set his mind on something. Not paying attention to Sabo, Ace screamed after the monster.

“Hey! Hey, you! Lobster boy, over here!” It was a success. The monster pierced yellow eyes focused on him and Sabo and its sharp like a blade tongue quickly strike. Ace and Sabo jumped back, and it missed them, but the black-haired pirate was quick to take his dagger and pierced the monster’s tonged with it. The monster left a loud roar of pain as it couldn’t move with its tongue pierced to the deck’s floor. “Now, run.” Ace looked at Sabo and grabbed him by the shoulder to run.

“Pull back!” The prince called out for his men as he didn’t want anyone else to get hurt by the raged monster. In that moment one of the broken masts caught Ace’s attention and without wasting any time he grabbed the first rope he saw on the floor and took it in his hands.

“Sabo.” Ace yelled. “Grab hold and let’s go.” He threw one of the ends of the rope around the main mast and Sabo grabbed it immediately. Reaching with his hand to Sabo, Ace gave him a look that said: ‘for the good old times, trust me’ and his once brother grabbed on his hand without any doubt in mind. Both in tack, started climbing the massive mast as Ace stopped for a second and pulled with his teeth a dagger, that was stuck in the middle of it, as he would need more than the one he had for the sake of his plan to work. Once they got on top of the mast and balanced themself Sabo looked at Ace waiting for him to share the plan with him.

“And the plan is?”

“Very simple – try not to get killed.” Ace big cocky grin was placed once again on his face as he cut the rope which was holding the left end of the horizontal mast. Sabo was quick to catch one of the ropes by his side as the mast sharp left edge leaned and pointed at the monster’s head. “Here, you will need this.” Ace said as he handed the dagger to Sabo to catch it.

“Where are you going?” Sabo grunted as Ace jumped to hold himself on one of the ropes that was connected to the bow’s mast.

“Fishing.” Ace replied, which caused Sabo to grunt once more as right now was not the best time for jokes. With one swift move Ace jumped on the rope and balanced himself as he started walking to the other mast. “Left, right, left, right.” He was talking to himself as he was almost twenty meters high in the sky and the last thing he wanted was to fall on top of the monster, serving himself as a meal. Just a second before he jumps on the mast one of the monster’s long tentacles raised in the air and tore the rope, but it didn’t matter as Ace successfully landed on the mast. Balancing himself on it he looked at Sabo, who was carefully following his movement. Ace smiled at him as he pulled another sharp dagger from his belt and cut the right-side ropes which were holding this horizontal mast. Looking down Sabo finally understood Ace’s plan, now with both sharp edges pointing at the monster’s head. Rasing his dagger in the air Ace waited for Sabo to do the same before he screamed at him. “Sabo, now.” Cutting the ropes which were barely holding the masts, the two old friends screamed as they jumped off them and held strong on the ropes as they hung in the air. The sharp edges pierced through the monster’s head, and it fell defeated. Both – Ace and Sabo cheered, and so did everyone around them once they hopped back on the deck’s floor. “You, okay?”

“Yes, I am. Thank you for sticking around, Ace.” Sabo patted his shoulder as his heart filled with joy. He had missed this. All these years he couldn’t stop thinking and missing his two brothers who disappeared one day out of nowhere. But today was his lucky day as finally after ten years he got to see them both.

“Just like old time, man.” Ace would have lied if he said he didn’t enjoy it as well. He did miss his old friend which once he called his brother. As he placed his hand on Sabo’s shoulder his attention caught one of the monster’s tentacles moving in their direction “Look out.” Ace yelled but it was too late. Before Sabo could react for himself, Ace pushed him on the ground. The monster hit the pirate instead, dragging him in the water with itself.

“Ace.” Both Sabo and Luffy screamed as they saw their brother falling into the water. Sabo was ready to jump but the guards were quick to stop him, and so did Ace’s crew stop Luffy as he was an awful swimmer, and he couldn’t survive the vast sea.

*******

Holding him in a strong hold one of the monster’s tentacles was wrapped around Ace’s body dragging him to the deepest of waters. Ace was fighting with all his power, but it was pointless as in the water the monster was even stronger than in the surface. He wasn’t sure how much air was left in his lungs as they were going deeper and deeper until a big shadow-like figure appeared in the water. Ace’s eyes widen as in front of him was standing a stunning goddess like woman. Just before he could pass out from the lack of oxygen, she blowed him a kiss which turned into a big bubble in the middle of the deep-sea water creating an air bubble where Ace could breathe. Gasping for air and on his knees, he was sure he had died and was already in his personal hell. Trying to stand up, the woman’s voice echoed around.

“This day began with such promise and now look.” The voice was sultry and very alluring, a voice for which any man would do any crime just to satisfy its owner. Ace moved his eyes in all directions, but they were so deep in the water barely any light was reaching them, so he could see nothing. Until the goddess like woman showed herself. Her big form appeared like a shadow in front of him. This woman was breathtaking beautiful – with a long black hair, eyes bloody red as her lips and just a long purple dress covering her body. If this was the devil, then Ace was happy for committing all these crimes and that he had died and ended in hell. “My sea monster child is deadly hurt, and I still don’t have the Book of Peace... all because of you Ace.” She shifted her form and now appeared even bigger in front of him, but still beautiful. And she did seem pissed with him. Taking a deep breath Ace finally spoke up.

“And you are?” He extended his hand in a gesture for her to introduce herself, with his cocky tone as aways.

“Eris, the Goddess of Discord.” She shifted her form again as her voice became suaver. “I’m sure you have seen my face on a temple walls.” Shifting her form again she stood in a goddess like form too display all her glory. Ace cursed himself, he was definitely in a trouble.

“You know, they don’t do you justice.” He chuckled at her with a charming smile. After all, there was no woman who had ever not melt into his charm. The Goddess just huffed and rolled her eyes.

“Huh-hu. Now - ” She pushed him on the chest with her giant finger as she was still in her gracious giant form. “About my sea monster.” She was pissed and Ace had to work his charm overtime now.

“Right. I’m sorry about that, Eris. If I knew he was one of yours I would have never.” He tried to be smooth with her, as he was quick to understand that she wasn’t the type to mess up with. “I doubt a heartfelt apology would do.” He played with his fingers as he was tiptoeing around her, careful to not get on her nerves. To his surprise her laughter echoed around them as her eyes pierced him.

“Heartfelt? From you?” She laughed arrogantly once again. “Ace, you don’t have a heart.” Her form shifted again and finally she appeared in a human size in front of Ace. He couldn’t help but lick his bottom lip as he saw her. Yes, he was in trouble. But seeing a Goddess like Eris appearing in front of him was worth the trouble... maybe. She started swaying her hips left to right and placed one hand on her waist as she was slowly and graciously walking towards him. “That’s what I like about you, Ace. Don’t worry, I will let you live.” Once Eris stood in front of him, she placed her hand on his cheek as she caressed it. Ace was in a trance; his eyes widen and mouth slightly gapped. “But there is this little thing you must do for me.” A smug and very luring smile spread across her face. “Steal the Book of Peace and bring it to me.” Placing her hands seducingly on her body she waited for Ace’s respond which didn’t take long.

“Sure, but you see - ” Ace scratched his chin as he gave her a wink. “I have my own plans for the book. Uh, ransom, like... get rich, um some ‘me’ stuff, you know.” He slowly walked away from her but just as he turned Eris was standing in front of him again, which startled Ace.

“You're not thinking big enough, Ace.” Eris started circling around him as she pulled a dragger out of the thin air and waved it in front of Ace’s face. “Steal the book for ransom and you can be rich enough to lounge on the beach of a tropical island.” She pointed the dragger at Ace and then with a smug smile and challenging eyes she pointed it at her. “Steal it for me, and you can buy the beach. And the island. And the world.” Her voice sultry, she passed by Ace now her fingers brushing his face. He crossed his hands and thought about it for a moment. He wasn’t stupid – a deal with the Goddess of Discord meant only one thing – a trap.

“Hm, so you let me live, you make me rich, and I retire to paradise.” He smirked to himself as he thought out loud. “So far so good, no downfalls. If there is no trap and you keep your word.” Now his tone became serious. There must be a trap, it sounded too good to be true.

“Ace, when a goddess gives her word, she is bound for all eternity.” With the dragger in her hand, she made a cross mark with it on her shoulder which didn’t bleed or left any scar it just lit and disappeared. Ace glanced at her and after a moment nodded his head; he would deal with the consequences of his decision later.

“Deal.” He said and Eris came closer to him, brushing his body with hers.

“I knew you would see my way.” Shifting to her goddess like size she made a cut with the dagger in the air opening a portal. “So, when you’ve stolen the Book, you will bring it to me in Tartarus, my realm of chaos. Follow the brightest star beyond the horizon and you will find yourself there.” Ace squinted his eyes a little as the portal and the star itself were too bright, but he made sure to take a good look at them.

“I guess I will see you there Eris.” He chuckled with a smirk once she closed the portal.

“It’s a date then, Ace.” She came closer to him with the dagger in her hand pointing it at his throat, making him gulped. With this move she was making herself clear that he shouldn’t even think of tricking her and that he must kept his word as well. With one swift move she made the dagger disappeared and chuckled. “So, where were we? Oh, yes, you were supposed to hold your breath.” Eris ran her finger across his full lips and pushed him as the air bubble they were in popped. The space around them filled with water and Ace found himself once again in the deepest part of the sea. With the lack of oxygen he quickly made his way to the surface. A sly smile spread across Eris lips. “He is so cute.” She said without moving her eyes from Ace to her sea monster child which appeared behind her in its outline constellation spirit form. “And so gullible.” Everything was going exactly according to her plan. All thanks to Ace. “Cetus, well done.” She finally turned to her child, now her tone sweet and gentle. The monster rumbled a purr as its mother praised him.

*****

Coming on to the surface Ace took a deep gasp once his head was out of the water. Before he had any time to react a hand grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and easily lifted him up. With one swift swing he was on the floor on his ship’s deck. Luffy was quick to jump on him, caging him in a hug.

“Ace, you are alive. I was so worried, and these assholes didn’t let me come after you.” Luffy pulled away as he observed his brother to see if he had hurt himself.

“I’m okay Luffy, I’m not dying anytime soon.” Ace ruffled his brother’s hair as he stood up still unable to breath properly.

“Glad you made it, brother.” Izo, a tall slender man, who had a twin brother Kiku, came behind Ace and patted his shoulder.

“Pay up, he lived.” Kiku called after his twin as they were always betting for anything. It was the same coin going around between one pocket to the other all these years. Ace laughed as he heard what their bet was about this time.

“What happened down there?” Marco took a step closer to Ace.

“Yes, Ace. What happened you were gone for like ten minutes, never do this again.” Luffy scolded his brother as he really thought he had lost Ace. Still trying to fill his lungs with air Ace inhaled and exhaled before he started speaking.

“First – I’m not going anywhere Luffy. And second you wouldn’t believe me even if I tell you.” Ace said out of breath as talking seemed to be like an impossible task right now.

“Try me.” Marco crossed his arms across his chest waiting for Ace to explain. Shifting his eyes between Luffy and Marco he sighed and rolled them.

“So, I met the Goddess of Chaos - Eris down there, and she has a major crush on me, by the way and we made a deal that our first date is at her place after I steal the Book of Peace and bring it to her.” He said in one breath. Marco and Luffy looked at each other and burst out laughing and so did the rest of the crew as they heard the story.

“Ha, that was a good one. I guess we need to stop your access to oxygen more often.” Said Marco as he turned around to walk to the upper deck where the rudder was.

“Oh, I’m writing that down. Goddess of Chaos, haha, my ass.” Thatch laughed loudly as he followed Marco.

“So, no Book, no retirement. What do we do now, Ace?” Luffy, who he had already climbed on some ropes, asked as he hanged next to Ace.

“A little patience, Luffy.” Ace chuckled at his little brother. Always in a hurry this kid, now a grown man but still a kid in Ace’s eyes, he never mastered the power of patience. “Plus, we know where it’s going.” Ace pointed with his eyes towards Sabo’s royal ship which had taken quite lot of damage, but they were still going to make it to Syracuse without a problem. Luffy followed Ace’s gaze and smiled as he locked his eyes with Sabo who was looking at them both. Making sure that his brothers would hear him, Sabo shouted as loud as possible.

“Men, all sails to Syracuse.”

END NOTE: Describing a battle, fighting moves, a monster and a Goddess is so, so hard Imao. I really hope I manage to describe it in a way you guys could imagine it easily. But it was also fun, I really hope you enjoyed it. Reader is appearing in the next chapter so have patients (don't be like Luffy hihih). Thank you for reading my stories and ideas ♡ From the next chapter there will be more things that I have come up with to add, but still don't forget I'm following the movie storyline and that story is entirely based on it! Please comment you opinion as it's always very important to me ♡ Feel free to like and reblog as this way the story will reach more people ♡

writing, format & dividers © eand47 ©eand47, do not copy or plagiarise my work.

[insomniac4000]

ChrisMD- Charity Match

The sun was shining bright over Wembley stadium, and the electric buzz of excitement filled the air. It was the annual Sidemen Charity Match, and this year, it was bigger than ever. The teams were set, as usual the Sidemen were taking on the YouTube Allstars, a collection of the best creators from around the globe. Among them were ChrisMD and Y/N, two creators known for their humour, skill, and years of camaraderie.

What no one knew besides a select few close friends in their content creator circle was that Chris and Y/N had recently taken their friendship to the next level. After years of banter-filled collaborations and shared late-night editing sessions, they’d finally admitted their feelings two months ago. Since then, they’d been navigating the thrill of their new relationship while keeping it private. Chris had done the whole relationship in public thing before and it hadn’t worked out so he was revealing in keeping something just for him. It wasn’t that surprising to people who knew the pair, their friendship had developed in a big way after Chris and Shannon broke up it just happened to coincide with Y/N’s rise in popularity and moving into the same office building as Chris, Will and some others. It got to the point where Chris was knocking on Y/N’s door borrowing things constantly, bringing tea and coffee and sometimes lunch. That then developed into going out for drinks after a long day editing, his mind blew when she had told him she had never seen Lord of The Rings so he turned up at her flat with the films, food and neither of them were sure if it was the tiredness or the fact they both ended up cuddled up on the sofa but they shared a very soft, and sweet kiss. Neither of them looked back ever since.

Due to her rise in fame Y/N had booked her ticket in the Youtube All Stars team, it was the first time a female was playing in the match so the pressure was in a little bit, most of the people in the game knew about the relationship but it was still a big event with many eyes watching and she first of all had to act casual around Chris but also she felt pressure to perform well and reverse the stereotype that women didn’t know anything about ball. Now she wasn’t an expert by any means, especially compared to some other players like Chris or Theo but she understood the rules and had an okay aim, she just hoped she wouldn’t sieze up in front of thousands upon thousands of people.

Having dozens of content creators in one place meant that cameras were constantly on. In order to try and stop anyone from catching and posting any footage they didn’t want anyone else to see the couple seated themselves separately on the bus, Chris sitting next to Will with Y/N behind next to George who was also making his charity match debut.

“Please tell mw you’re as nervous as me,” Y/N breathed out to George as she leaned her head on the window.

“It’ll be fine. I’m used to making a complete tit out of myself anyway and absolutely nothing can be worse than that bloody dating video I did,” George replied with a smile. Y/N sent half a smile back before nodding and looking at her phone. It wasn’t like she was purposely being anti-social but in anxious times it really helped her to play with something with her hands to calm her down. George noticed and elbowed her a little, their friendship had blossomed somewhat since Y/N’s relationship with Chris had started and the two had got to know each other quite well.

“Look you’ll be fine. You’ll be safe in the knowledge that you can’t possibly do worse than the year Chris legged it from Noah Beck and missed a penalty,” George said with a cheeky smile earning an honest laugh.

“Yeah that helps, thanks a lot.”

It was the day of the match and in the bustling dressing room of the YouTube Allstars, Y/N adjusted her jersey, her name emblazoned proudly on the back. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her face, although it was deliberate now it would probably be fizz later on in the match. Despite her confident appearance, she was nervous, Chris could tell.

"You good?" Chris asked, leaning casually against the lockers, his cheeky grin instantly calming her nerves. His smile had almost a cheeky boyish charm about it and it was one of her favourite things about him.

"Just pre-match jitters," Y/N admitted, lacing up her boots. "It’s not every day you play in front of thousands of people, and millions online."

"You’ll smash it, people seemed to like you in my videos,” Chris said, his voice soft but steady. Y/N had indeed appeared in two of Chris’s videos over the past three months to try and ease her into the whole football thing. It was actually the first video that sparked the rumours she was going to be in the charity match, luckily there were no other rumours centred around the relationship. Chris was very careful with the edit but this time there would be no edit. It was playing on both of their minds but as ever Chris was the one who was acting calm. He was the epitome of a swan, all calm and even confident on the surface but what you never saw was the feet kicking wildly under the surface. Still he had the smile on his face as he spoke again "Plus I’ve seen you in training. They won’t know what hit them."

Y/N smiled. Chris always knew exactly what to say. "Thanks, coach."

"Anytime," he replied, winking, he looked around before placing a small kiss on Y/N’s cheek before scarpering, leaving a small blush creeping up Y/N’s face.

The stadium erupted in cheers as the players walked out onto the pitch. Y/N couldn’t help but soak in the atmosphere, her heart pounding as she waved at the crowd. The YouTube Allstars lineup was strong, but the Sidemen were formidable opponents. Y/N knew they had their work cut out for them. As was custom they all walked out holding the hands of kids and Y/N tried to stop her mind from wandering about Chris as a father.

The teams lined up and everyone shook hands, before everyone knew it the whistle blew, and the game began at a blistering pace. The Sidemen scored early, of course it was Simon it was always Simon and it sent the crowd into a frenzy. Y/N, playing as a winger, was determined to make an impact. She sprinted up and down the pitch, linking up with Chris who was in midfield. Y/N felt comfortable playing with Chris obviously, she hoped a pass to him would be safe, and a couple of times the pass meant the ball was then played down the other end but the Sidemen defence was strong and each time the ball ended up back on the other side of the field.

By the 23rd minute, the score was still 1-0 to the Sidemen. The YouTube Allstars were pressing hard for an equalizer, and Y/N found herself in a promising position. Chris intercepted a pass in midfield and looked up to see her sprinting down the left flank.

"Y/N!" he called, launching the ball in her direction with pinpoint accuracy.

Y/N controlled it expertly, darting past JJ and faking out Vik. She was now one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Billy Wingrove. Time seemed to slow as she steadied herself, drew back her leg, and struck the ball with as much power as she had in her legs. Time then felt like it stood still as she watched the black and white ball rise towards the goal, just skimming past Billy’s fingers.

The net rippled. Goal.

The stadium erupted. Fans jumped to their feet, cheering wildly as Y/N ran toward the corner flag, her hands in the air. Her teammates swarmed her in celebration, but Chris was the first to reach her his face in the biggest smile. Without thinking, he threw his arms around her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"You did it!" he exclaimed, his eyes alight with pride.

Y/N laughed, her cheeks flushing not just from the exertion but from the kiss. She gave him a playful shove. "All your assist." The conversation ended as Will, George, and Theo started piling on the couple with the other team mates slowly adding to the celebration.

The moment was over in seconds, but it didn’t escape the eagle-eyed viewers watching the livestream. Social media and the chat lit up instantly.

 “DID CHRIS JUST KISS Y/N?!” “Wait, what’s going on??” “That wasn’t just a friendly kiss, was it?” “I SHIP THIS SO HARD.” “OMG THEY LOOK SO CUTE TOGETHER.”

Clips of the moment were already being shared on Twitter and TikTok, with fans analyzing every frame. Speculation ran rampant, and hashtags like #ChrisAndY/N and #YouTubeCoupleGoals began trending.

Back in the dressing room, Y/N could feel the weight of the moment sinking in. Chris sat beside her, handing her a water bottle.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice low so the others wouldn’t hear.

"Yeah," Y/N said, though her mind was racing. "I just... I think people might have noticed the kiss."

Chris rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "Sorry, I didn’t think. I was just excited for you."

Y/N smiled, her nerves easing. "It’s okay. It was sweet. But... what do we do if people ask?"

Chris hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe it’s not such a bad thing if they know?"

Y/N blinked, surprised. They’d agreed to keep their relationship private for now, but the way Chris was looking at her—like he didn’t care what the world thought—made her heart swell.

"We’ll figure it out," she said finally, giving his hand a quick squeeze.

The second half was just as intense as the first. Y/N and Chris continued to have a blinding game, both of the, their connection on the field was matching their connection in real life. By the final whistle, the score was tied at 5-4 to the Youtube Allstars with Chris scoring a free kick, as proud as Y/N was of him she knew this was not going to help his better than most premier league footballers comment.

As the teams lined up for the handshake at the end of the match, fans in the stands chanted both their names, a testament to their standout performances.

As the players left the pitch, they were bombarded by cameras and interviewers. Y/N and Chris managed to slip away to the YouTube Allstars’ private area, where they were met by their friends George, Will, and Theo as well as Harry.

“Well let’s hope your little spectacle of love went unnoticed,” Theo joked as Y/N went red with Chris putting an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

“I just hope Stephen didn’t mention it in the commentary,” Y/N replied.

He didn’t, to Stephen’s credit but meanwhile, the internet was ablaze. Fans flooded Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok with clips, memes, and theories. Some dug up old videos of Chris and Y/N, pointing out moments that seemed suspiciously flirty in hindsight. Others were simply thrilled, declaring them the new power couple of YouTube.

Chris and Y/N decided to address it that evening with a joint Instagram post. It was a candid photo of them laughing together, taken during the match. The caption read:

"Well, the secret’s out. ❤️ Thanks for all the love today. It means the world to us."

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Fans flooded the comments with support, and fellow creators chimed in with congratulatory messages. Chris and Y/N spent the rest of the evening scrolling through their phones, laughing at memes and feeling relieved that their secret was finally out.

"Well," Y/N said, leaning her head on Chris’s shoulder, "I guess this means no more sneaking around."

Chris grinned, wrapping an arm around her. "Good. I was getting tired of pretending you weren’t the best thing that ever happened to me."

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes shining. "You’re pretty alright too."

They laughed, the chaos of the day melting away as they basked in the glow of their new chapter—together, and finally free to share it with the world.

[mrs-stans]

Golden Globe Reactions

Jeremy Strong

It felt like much of Hollywood wouldn’t touch this film with a 10-foot pole. Were you surprised to see your name and Sebastian’s included today?

A 100-foot pole! I was incredibly surprised and gratified. I found it thrilling, especially Sebastian. You know, his work in this film is as good as any performance I’ve ever seen in a film – and I worked on “Lincoln.” I think it’s that good. For whatever reason, this moment that we’re in, of a reticence in our culture to go to places that are difficult or uncomfortable, or to touch the third rail — people just didn’t want to support this movie. It’s been a battle. Studios didn’t want to touch it. The streamers wouldn’t touch it. Even in the lead up to the election, I reached out to someone who runs one of the studios and said, “What do you think? Can we do this now that Trump has come out against the film and called us human scum?”

I think this film has a lot to say about this historical moment. I think it is capable of moving the needle, in an even infinitesimally small way. It can at least offer insight beyond a Wikipedia page or the way we get our information now. I was told, “It’s too hot.” It’s been dismaying. I was prepared for the movie to be left out of this part of the conversation, so today’s news was just really amazing. For the Globes to recognize this work, just on the grounds of its artistry, that’s been the real hard thing. Ali Abbasi is a visionary filmmaker, and he made a really fearless piece of art. I think this movie has as much in common with “Barry Lyndon” and “Boogie Nights” and “Midnight Cowboy” and “Mean Streets” and a Shakespeare play than it does with any kind of political diatribe. I think a lot of people still haven’t seen the film, because they have a preconception of what kind of film it is. It’s really not what you expect. I think it’s a very bold, an exciting film that also puts its finger on the pulse of where we are right now.

It’s certainly been talked about far more in a political light than in an artistic one. Of course, a Trump story is inherently political in this climate, but the film is really a character study.

We’ve been trying to get people to see the film. We don’t have a studio behind us. We don’t have a budget for any of these things. We can’t participate in some of these bellwether events that you have to pay to participate in. We’ve been excluded from awards things because the publications have not wanted to “support anything to do with Trump.” I feel a bit stupefied by it, because the truth is, if we’re talking about the art form of acting, this kind of stuff is the highest level of difficulty. What Sebastian did in this movie, the challenge that we both had, the size of the limb to go out on … this film exists in this moment that is difficult for people. Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter and Hitler, as well as Picasso and C.S. Lewis. For some reason, this film has been declared a no-fly zone.

It’s clear how much admiration you have for Sebastian and his work on this film. Have you spoken with him today?

We texted a bit. I’m just so happy for him. I mean, he was nominated twice today! He’s a heavyweight actor. My greatest hope is that today we’ll invite more people to see the film. If both of the lead performances are nominated for Globes, then surely it’s worth watching or just paying attention to. Maybe that will help reframe the conversation around the film, which has been slightly overlooked. If the role of storytelling is to hold a mirror up to nature, as he says in Hamlet, “to show the very age and body of the time its form and pressures,” I can’t think of something that does that more than this film. This is what we’re living through right now, and it is the past as prologue. Kai Bird wrote the “Oppenheimer” biography, and his next book is about Cohn. That alone speaks to how influential he is on this moment that we’re in. Sean Penn hosted a screening for Sebastian and I two weeks ago. Sean said, “Just wait, you’ll see, this film will have a second life.” I hope that’s the case.

[scotianostra]

Thomas Sean Connery was born in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh on 25th August, 1930.

Big Tam, as he was affectionately known around Fountainbridge in his youth, well he was Tommy until his teens, when he shot up in height and stature, at one point he entered a bodybuilding contest, he was 6'2″ at the time, weighed around 14 stone, had a 48-inch chest, 25-inch thigh, and his arms were 15.25 inches.

His first job was as a milkman with the St Cuthbert’s Co-Operative Society in Edinburgh. I would think he would have delivered the milk on a horse drawn carriage, the stables for these horses was in the are he grew up, were in Grove Street, where I used to live the main offices for St Cuthbert’s still stands round the corner on Fountainbridge.

Connery also played football at junior level for Bonnyrigg Rose, my cousin played for them too for several years.

A few more facts about Sean are he has a tattoo on his arm that state “Scotland Forever” he got when he enrolled in the Merchant Navy, he was discharged from that job due to stomach ulcers, between jobs he was a nude model for art students at Edinburgh College of art, again not to far from Fountainbridge. Other jobs he took up were, a lorry driver, a lifeguard at Portobello swimming baths,a labourer and a coffin polisher!

I think it is interesting Connery never strayed far from Fountainbridge in his younger days, indeed when he decided that acting was a career he was going to pursue, it was the nearby Kings Theatre he got a job helping backstage, he was also competing in bodybuilding competitions at this time and while at an event in London he learned that there were auditions being held for South Pacific, he was picked to appear on the chorus line but as the production toured the country he was making his way up the ladder.

By the time it hit Edinburgh he had the part of Marine Cpl Hamilton Steeves and was understudying two of the juvenile leads, and his salary was raised from £12 to £14–10s a week, when the production was reprised the following year he had the lead role on the tour, taking over from the actor Larry Hagman, who played the part in London’s West End.

Connery never looked back from there and of course the role of James Bond catapulted him to international stardom, Ian Fleming though was against him getting the part initially, he said Sean was “unrefined” and not what he had in mind, Sean soon won him over though and Fleming later admitted he was an “ideal” Bond.

A few of the parts Sean either didn’t get or turned down are Gandalf, in the Lord of the Rings series of films, he said he never understood the books and also wasn’t keen on 18 months of filming in New Zealand. He also turned down the chance to play the role of the Architect in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Sean was asked to portray King Edward I in Braveheart, but was too busy working on Another film at the time, Patrick McGoohan took the role instead, I’m sort of glad he never played Longshanks.

His 93rd and last film was 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentleman - although he officially retired in 2006, although he was temporarily tempted back to do the voice of Sir Billi in the animated adventure comedy of the same name.

Sir Sean Connery passed away in his sleep on 31st October 2020 at his home in the Bahamas, his son said he had been unwell for some time. The official cause of death was pneumonia, heart failure and old age, his death certificate revealed.

In a career spanning over 50 years, Connery earned an Academy Award, multiple Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille and Henrietta Awards, as well as two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) awards.

I've posted more pics than I normally would, firstly to show that Sean was much more than the first Bond, but also because the Scottish public, had and still have a big connection and love for the big guy.

Sean Connery 25th August 1930 – 31st October 2020.

[wip]

just how many official tumblr blogs are there? i just recently found out that this one and changes exists which seems less than ideal

Hey, @limelocked!

Great question! We have, we hope, a great answer for you. First up is a comprehensive list of all of current active staff blogs.

You can find ’em by simply searching each name, + @, in the search bar. (i.e., @action)

@action: Highlighting Tumblr’s long-standing social justice priorities of racial justice, mental health, equality, and beyond.

@art Exploring and featuring original artists on Tumblr.

@artistalley: Supporting local artists on Tumblr by buying directly from their storefronts.

@artistpicks: Monthly curated experience by artists and creators on Tumblr.

@best-of-reblogs: A curated collection of some of the best reblog threads on Tumblr.

@bigweekon: Tumblr’s beloved podcast highlighting recent trends, memes, and more.

@blackexcellence: A showcase of things all Black, all excellent, past and present—literature, fashion, music, historical spotlights, and beyond.

@books: Exclusive interviews and curated content from authors, publishers, and book fans.

@changes: Your go-to for new Tumblr launches, bug fixes, and updates on platform.

@creatrs: A network that connects artists, makers, and builders with brands.

@emporium: The Official Blog of the Tumblr Shop™, run by Brick Whartley back from the Island.

@entertainment: Exclusive content and features from across TV, film, and streaming.

@engineering: Behind-the-scenes work on how Tumblr engineers build Tumblr.

@fandom: Home of Fandometrics, Tumblr’s weekly ranking of entertainment properties.

@fashion: Runways to streetwear and every style in between.

@featured: Featuring exclusive content from Tumblr’s many good, good blogs.

@gaming: Exclusive and curated content across mainstream and indie games.

@getloudr An in-kind ad donation program dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices.

@happytuesday: A blog dedicated to all our Tumblr Tuesdays, posts featuring users based on a weekly theme.

@humans: A blog we use so we can reply in the notes of various posts.

@kpop: Exclusive content and a curated experience of K-Pop on Tumblr.

@labs: A way for engineers at Tumblr to experiment in public.

@music: Exclusive content and features on all your favorite musical artists.

@postitforward: Supporting the community with resources for mental health, self-care, and wellness.

@prideplus: Your home for all things LGBTQIA+ on Tumblr.

@radar: Sharing four pieces of original posts from Tumblr artists per day, hand-curated by our team from across the globe.

@staff: The ultimate source for big news, platform updates, and everything that makes Tumblr, Tumblr.

@support: News, tips, and nerdy details from Tumblr Support.

@tee: A blog from your friendly neighborhood Tumblr user, Tee.

@todayontumblr: Daily curated content around trending topics on Tumblr.

@wip: Dedicated to feedback and questions from Tumblr users to Tumblr staff.

There’s more. For our global audiences, you can find all the localized Staff blogs. They’re linked here!

We also have a carousel in the feed somewhere called “Official Blogs,” but it might be that we need to make that more obvious or provide a dedicated feed or page somewhere.

Leave that last point with us, but we hope that helps! Thanks for your question, and have a good day.

(And a tip of the hat to you, @lizzieonka! Consider them tagged)

Best,

—Caragh, Cates, and Cyle

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

Disability in Non-Fiction #1: Plain Text Edition

A plain text version of this post. Here you will find detailed image descriptions and easier-to-read versions of each book summary. If you think that any image descriptions/summaries need to be updated, please let me know!

================================================

‘How to Live Free in a Dangerous World’- Lawson, Shayla

[ID: A book cover. The background is a pale orange colour. In the centre, a large photograph of a person with brown skin standing in front a desert under a blue sky. They have short braided brown hair swept over their left eye, and have their arms crossed over their chest, with one hand resting on the side of their face. The title “How to Live Free in a Dangerous World” is around them in large orange writing that covers the length of the photo. The subtitle “A Decolonial Memoir” is to the right their head in very small white writing. The author’s name “Shayla Lawson” is below the title, at the bottom of the photograph, in smaller yellow writing. Black text at the bottom of the cover reads, under the author’s name, reads “author of ‘this is major’, a national book critics circle award finalist”. /end]

Summary:

Poet and journalist Shayla Lawson follows their National Book Critics Circle finalist This Is Major with these daring and exquisitely crafted essays, where Lawson journeys across the globe, finds beauty in tumultuous times, and powerfully disrupts the constraints of race, gender, and disability.

With their signature prose, at turns bold, muscular, and luminous, Shayla Lawson travels the world to explore deeper meanings held within love, time, and the self.

Through encounters with a gorgeous gondolier in Venice, an ex-husband in the Netherlands, and a lost love on New Year’s Eve in Mexico City, Lawson’s travels bring unexpected wisdom about life in and out of love. They learn the strength of friendships and the dangers of beauty during a narrow escape in Egypt. They examine Blackness in post-dictatorship Zimbabwe, then take us on a secretive tour of Black freedom movements in Portugal.

Through a deeply insightful journey, Lawson leads readers from a castle in France to a hula hoop competition in Jamaica to a traditional theater in Tokyo to a Prince concert in Minnesota and, finally, to finding liberation on a beach in Bermuda, exploring each location—and their deepest emotions—to the fullest. In the end, they discover how the trials of marriage, grief, and missed connections can lead to self-transformation and unimagined new freedoms.

‘Being Seen’- Sjunneson, Elsa

[ID: A book cover. It is a dark black with faint, grey, writing over it. The writing, from top to bottom, reads: “Elsa Sjunneson” “Being Seen” “One Deafblind Woman’s Fight to End Ableism” All in capitals. The “I” in “Being Seen” is designed to look like an opening of sorts, with a ray of light coming through. /end]

Summary:

A deafblind writer and professor explores how the misrepresentation of disability in books, movies, and TV harms both the disabled community and everyone else.

As a deafblind woman with partial vision in one eye and bilateral hearing aids, Elsa Sjunneson lives at the crossroads of blindness and sight, hearing and deafness—much to the confusion of the world around her. While she cannot see well enough to operate without a guide dog or cane, she can see enough to know when someone is reacting to the visible signs of her blindness and can hear when they’re whispering behind her back. And she certainly knows how wrong our one-size-fits-all definitions of disability can be.

As a media studies professor, she’s also seen the full range of blind and deaf portrayals on film, and here she deconstructs their impact, following common tropes through horror, romance, and everything in between. Part memoir, part cultural criticism, part history of the deafblind experience, Being Seen explores how our cultural concept of disability is more myth than fact, and the damage it does to us all.

‘Disability Pride’- Mattlin, Ben

[ID: A book cover. The background is made of simple, colourful red, cream, white, yellow and teal shapes. Large text reads, from top to bottom: “Disability Pride” in large, black capitals, “Dispatches from a Post-ADA World”in smaller, black capitals, “Ben Mattlin”, in slightly bigger red capitals. /end]

Summary:

An eye-opening portrait of the diverse disability community as it is today and how attitudes, activism, and representation have evolved since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In Disability Pride, disabled journalist Ben Mattlin weaves together interviews and reportage to introduce a cavalcade of individuals, ideas, and events in engaging, fast-paced prose. He traces the generation that came of age after the ADA reshaped America, and how it is influencing the future. He documents how autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement upended views of those whose brains work differently. He lifts the veil on a thriving disability culture—from social media to high fashion, Hollywood to Broadway—showing how the politics of beauty for those with marginalized body types and facial features is sparking widespread change.

He also explores the movement’s shortcomings, particularly the erasure of nonwhite and LGBTQIA+ people that helped give rise to Disability Justice. He delves into systemic ableism in health care, the right-to-die movement, institutionalization, and the scourge of subminimum-wage labor that some call legalized slavery. And he finds glimmers of hope in how disabled people never give up their fight for parity and fair play.

Beautifully written, without anger or pity, Disability Pride is a revealing account of an often misunderstood movement and identity, an inclusive reexamination of society’s treatment of those it deems different.

‘Crip Kinship’- Kafai, Shayda

[ID: A book cover. The background is light blue, with colourful pictures of butterflies, flowers and a house setting featured in the centre. Lower right centre of the image, a black figure in a long sleeved, billowing dress, holding a curved black walking stick in their right hand. Behind them, a drawing of a room with a table, chair, pink wall with a window, and a blank wall with an orange picture. Text on the book cover, from top to bottom, reads: The title “Crip Kinship” in large black font at the top of the image, The subtitle “The Disability Justice & Art Activism of Sins Invalid” in smaller black capitals, in the upper right corner of the image, The authors name “Shayda Kafai” in medium black capitals in the lower right of the image, partially overlapping the figure in the dress. /end]

Summary:

The remarkable story of Sins Invalid, a performance project that centres queer disability justice.

In recent years, disability activism has come into its own as a vital and necessary means to acknowledge the power and resilience of the disabled community, and to call out ableist culture wherever it appears.

Crip Kinship explores the art activism of Sins Invalid, a San Francisco Bay Area-based performance project, and its radical imaginings of what disabled, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming bodyminds of colour can do: how they can rewrite oppression, and how they can gift us with transformational lessons for our collective survival.

Grounded in the disability justice framework, Crip Kinship investigates the revolutionary survival teachings that disabled, queer of colour community offers to all our bodyminds. From their focus on crip beauty and sexuality to manifesting digital kinship networks and crip-centric liberated zones, Sins Invalid empowers and moves us toward generating our collective liberation from our bodyminds outward.

‘Sounds Like Home’- Wright, Mary Herring

[ID: A book cover. The background is yellow. A black and white photograph in the centre shows two young black children and a dog in front of a car. The title “Sounds Like Home” is at the tope in large, curvy black writing. The subtitle “Growing Up Black and Deaf in the South” is written in small orange writing, on three black bars on the right side of the cover. The author’s name “Mary Herring Wright” is written in curvy black writing, slightly smaller than the title, at the bottom of the cover. /end]

Summary:

Mary Herring Wright’s memoir adds an important dimension to the current literature in that it is a story by and about an African American deaf child. The author recounts her experiences growing up as a deaf person in Iron Mine, North Carolina, from the 1920s through the 1940s. Her story is unique and historically significant because it provides valuable descriptive information about the faculty and staff of the North Carolina school for Black deaf and blind students from the perspective of a student as well as a student teacher. In addition, this engrossing narrative contains details about the curriculum, which included a week-long Black History celebration where students learned about important Blacks such as Madame Walker, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and George Washington Carver. It also describes the physical facilities as well as the changes in those facilities over the years. In addition, Sounds Like Home occurs over a period of time that covers two major events in American history, the Depression and World War II.

Wright’s account is one of enduring faith, perseverance, and optimism. Her keen observations will serve as a source of inspiration for others who are challenged in their own ways by life’s obstacles.

‘The Right to Maim’- Puar, Jasbir K.

[ID: A book cover. The background is white. A painting stretches from the bottom of the cover to bottom of top quarter. In the upper quarter of the cover, text reads: The author’s name “Jasbir K. Puar” is at the top in black writing. The title “The Right to Maim” is immediately below this in red caps. The subtitle “Debility, Capacity, Disability” is immediately below this in smaller, yellow caps. The painting is immediately below this. The background is a dark cream. It appears to show a humanoid figure climbing a mound. Two other figures appear to be falling off the mound. There are splashes of red paint around the mound and the figure on it. /end]

Summary:

In The Right to Maim Jasbir K. Puar brings her pathbreaking work on the liberal state, sexuality, and biopolitics to bear on our understanding of disability. Drawing on a stunning array of theoretical and methodological frameworks, Puar uses the concept of “debility”—bodily injury and social exclusion brought on by economic and political factors—to disrupt the category of disability. She shows how debility, disability, and capacity together constitute an assemblage that states use to control populations. Puar’s analysis culminates in an interrogation of Israel’s policies toward Palestine, in which she outlines how Israel brings Palestinians into biopolitical being by designating them available for injury. Supplementing its right to kill with what Puar calls the right to maim, the Israeli state relies on liberal frameworks of disability to obscure and enable the mass debilitation of Palestinian bodies. Tracing disability’s interaction with debility and capacity, Puar offers a brilliant rethinking of Foucauldian biopolitics while showing how disability functions at the intersection of imperialism and racialized capital.

‘Uncomfortable Labels’- Dale, Laura Kate

[ID: A book cover. The background is a close photograph of some kind of knitted garment, and its label. The garment is blue. The label is in the centre. Text on the label reads: The title “Uncomfortable Labels” in large black caps The subtitle “My Life as a Gay Autistic Trans Woman” in smaller black caps, lower left of this The author’s name “Laura Kate Dale” at the bottom of the label in black writing. A smaller label attached to the bottom has a single, black capitalised “M” written on it. /end]

Summary:

“So while the assumption when I was born was that I was or would grow up to be a neurotypical heterosexual boy, that whole idea didn’t really pan out long term.”

In this candid, first-of-its-kind memoir, Laura Kate Dale recounts what life is like growing up as a gay trans woman on the autism spectrum. From struggling with sensory processing, managing socially demanding situations and learning social cues and feminine presentation, through to coming out as trans during an autistic meltdown, Laura draws on her personal experiences from life prior to transition and diagnosis, and moving on to the years of self-discovery, to give a unique insight into the nuances of sexuality, gender and autism, and how they intersect.

Charting the ups and downs of being autistic and on the LGBT spectrum with searing honesty and humour, this is an empowering, life-affirming read for anyone who’s felt they don’t fit in.

'Brilliant Imperfections'- Clare, Eli

[ID: A book cover. A photograph of stones can be seen. Over it, a dark box stretching from left to right at the top of the image. Text in the box reads: “Brilliant Imperfection”, in large caps. “Brilliant” is in green, “Imperfection is in white. “Grappling With Cure”, in small, green caps. “Eli Clare”, in white caps. /end]

Summary:

In Brilliant Imperfection Eli Clare uses memoir, history, and critical analysis to explore cure—the deeply held belief that body-minds considered broken need to be fixed.

Cure serves many purposes. It saves lives, manipulates lives, and prioritizes some lives over others. It provides comfort, makes profits, justifies violence, and promises resolution to body-mind loss. Clare grapples with this knot of contradictions, maintaining that neither an anti-cure politics nor a pro-cure worldview can account for the messy, complex relationships we have with our body-minds.

The stories he tells range widely, stretching from disability stereotypes to weight loss surgery, gender transition to skin lightening creams. At each turn, Clare weaves race, disability, sexuality, class, and gender together, insisting on the nonnegotiable value of body-mind difference. Into this mix, he adds environmental politics, thinking about ecosystem loss and restoration as a way of delving more deeply into cure.

Ultimately Brilliant Imperfection reveals cure to be an ideology grounded in the twin notions of normal and natural, slippery and powerful, necessary and damaging all at the same time.

================================================

A short list of 8 non-fiction books featuring and/or discussing disability!

I don't highlight the non-fiction section of the archive enough, so I think this is a perfect opportunity.

A plain text version of this post exists here, featuring more detailed image descriptions of each book cover and easier-to-read versions of every summary.

Books on this list:

‘How to Live Free in a Dangerous World’- Lawson, Shayla

‘Being Seen’- Sjunneson, Elsa

‘Disability Pride’- Mattlin, Ben

‘Crip Kinship’- Kafai, Shayda

‘Sounds Like Home’- Wright, Mary Herring

‘The Right to Maim’- Puar, Jasbir K.

‘Uncomfortable Labels’- Dale, Laura Kate

'Brilliant Imperfections'- Clare, Eli

All of these books and more can be found on the Disability Book Archive.

Happy Disability Pride Month!

[buffyfan145]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charlie Vickers Fan Page (@charliewvickers.unofficial)

Just saw that Charlie was at a Golden Globes event last night in London and like other fans we've noticed that he seems to be growing out both his hair and beard. It is being rumored that season 3 of "Rings of Power" will film after the holidays in the new year, so lots of speculation wondering if this might be part of Sauron's new look for s3 as I do believe in the theory that he's going to take on the King of Men persona he made in the books to recruit the men to his side and choose the 9. If this does end up being the case, realized too this is looking like how a lot of the kings of men do look with full beards and long hair, including Aragorn at the end of ROTK. 😀