#but THAT particular leak/rumor isn't one of them

[jjoelswatch]

I think the people instantly hating on the one particular Ahsoka show leak just don’t know how to have fun.

[dcxdpdabbles]

Red Yummy

Based on the post by @spacedace. Basically it's a joke that Red Robin (the restaurant with the little jingle: Reeed Robin: Yummm.) Isn't a thing in the DC world but is one in the Phantom world.

The rip in the multiverse was an issue the Justice League was not at all prepared for. Sure they had incidents where visitors from an alternate universe have crossed over to their side or they have gone to one. There are times when they meet doubles of themselves, both as allies and as enemies.

They have been to different Earths, with different histories, different countries, and that one particular time, even different beings that ruled the planet.

It's always been an adventure where at the end of it, the doorway to both worlds is sealed shut, with little or no chance of it opening again. The friends they made. The sights they saw. All gone. Fine. Over.

That was, until a villain from a different world, attempted to attack Clockwork's Tower. The Justice League was not aware of Clockwork- Master of Time, Weaver of Realms, The Concept of Between- but they noticed that he had been attacked when other worlds started spilling into theirs.

People were falling through glowing green portals, stumbling into buildings that weren't there before. People who were just going out for walks would be zapped away and replaced with their confused counterparts.

Parts of the sky glitch into others, replacing the soft blue with brown or black, little patches scattering around the world. Cities vanish for a few hours, sometimes replaced by others sometimes not, and animals never before seen running amok.

It was a mess.

The League did everything it could to help, but it was hard to stretch their reach to the help then world when all reality was being thrown into a mixer and set on chaos.

A lot like busted pipes, the Leaugers would run to cover a leaking pipe only to have the water build up in another and burst there and then scramble to cover that one before the rising water drowned them all.

Thankfully the Justice League Dark was able to use magic and find the source of the leak. The Infinite Realms known as the web that linked all universes, are usually only accessible by the dead, or in Constantine's case having friends in high places.

"Ghost Writer owes me a favor," Constantine said while the rest of the Leauge watched a flouting green book descend from the sky. It flipped open, expanding into a gateway. The smoke of the book curled into little missy hearts.

"Ghost Writer?" Zatanna gawked "How did you get such a powerful, and notoriously recluse, being to owe you anything?"

"Let's just say, we both appreciate the finer things in life and that ghost has a rather fine ass" Constantine leered. No one had asked for any more detail, although Zatanna had the expression of someone who had bitten something sour the whole time.

Ghost Writer had given Constantine a warning that his power would only be able to protect five living souls. Any more would be at the mercy of the Infinite Realms'.

Humans that wandered into the Realms were more often than not driven into madness, became hopelessly lost, or had their souls swindled by beings that dwelled there. Not that it wasn't surprising.

After all, the living did not belong there, so of course they were a danger to the Realms' structure. Hell, there were rumors that a living being could produce fresh uncorrupted ectoplasm when killed or even kept like livestock.

Constantine did not want to find out if the rumors had any truth to them.

To be able to travel safely they had to fall under a powerful ghost's protection and Ghost Writers let them know to pick their five best.

It was decided that Constantine would go as their expert, Batman as their strategist, Wonder Woman as their diplomat and protection, Superman as second protection, and Zatanna as another magic user that could combat the dead.

The rest of the league remained, doing their best to hold their universe together as the team of five rushed off to put everything to right. It was agonizing not knowing what was happening or how the mission was going but they did what they could and placed their trust in the five.

Many of the Justice League didn't say it, but it was the remaining Bats that sort of kept everything afloat in their father's absence. Each one leads a group of young heroes, easily countering and controlling their self-appointed sectors of the world.

Nightwing and Titians.

Red Robin and Young Justice.

Red Hood and the Outlaws.

Oracle and the Birds of Prey

Robin and the Blades.

All five groups agree to use the Watch Tower as a central base to coordinate their defenses against the world falling apart. Trading information with each other quickly and efficiently, and using this new information to prepare for more ripples of universes, showcasing that Batman had taught them well.

Following their example, the rest of the Justice League did what they could to minimize the damage. It was on the second day of constant relief efforts that everything was snapped back to normal.

A giant wave of sound- the noise sounding a lot like a grandfather clock strick repeating over and over again- as things that were not meant to be in their world vanished and their own people and things returned.

The shy's patches were removed and the right color returned.

Even property damages that were caused by the incident were reversed as if reality falling apart was nothing but a dream. No wreckages to clean up, no people had gone missing, and best of all, no casualties had been taken.

The Leauge gathered around Ghost Writer's book watching it open as the five returned, cheering and screaming, giving them the proper hero's welcome. Then right behind their teammates, a second group followed through.

Three glowing figures, all dressed in the same black and white outfits, and a ship carrying four humans. Batman introduced them as the allies who helped defend Clockwork's Tower and keep the multi-universe from collapsing.

He did admit that just because it was no longer falling apart, it did not mean that the rip had been closed. In fact, it was the only thing left to do but it was proving to be difficult due to Clockwork himself not understanding why their world wasn't healing.

Clockwork couldn't leave the Realms for too long- if no one was there to keep Time running the same thing would happen all over again- but he did give them equipment that could in theory patch things up on their side.

They just needed someone who understood the equipment.

Team Phantom, led by Danny Phantom, one of the flowing figures was happy to volunteer. They would be staying for three years, to strengthen and rebuild their Universe structure.

Team Phantom consisted of Dan Phantom, Danielle Phantom, Jasmin Fenton, Tucker Foley, Samantha Manson, and Westley Weston. All young, kind, strong- Batman vouched for the non-powered members claiming they could go toe to toe with his kids- and all much to the joy of many young heroes- attractive. They played an essential role on the team, doing whatever their people and kind did to help Clockwork, staying out of the League's way.

They all seemed happy to live as close to civilians as possible and despite their strength and combat training, Team Phantom was more like a research party instead of a hero.

Since they would be there for three years- more depending on the Speed Force's effect on the timeline grumbles Tucker- the seven had chosen to set down some roots within their dimension.

The three Phantoms needed Ectoplasim to live- a rare substance in the Justice League's universe- so they chose Gotham as their new home. Batman was more than willing to allow them into his city, as long as they knew not to interfere with his work.

Things settled, The Justice League moved on to other missions and other issues while Team Phantom ran tests, gathered information, and worked on the timeline.

The only real issue Bruce had with Team Phantom, was that a majority of his kids were romanticly interested in them.

Dick's love-struck sigh, whenever Dan wandered by, would often lead to useless backflips in an ill-fated attempt to impress him.

Jason would conventionally be lifting weights shirtless whenever Jazz came by with an update report. Then he would mention some novel or other that had the girl's attention far better than his abs.

Steph had taken a very large interest in gardening and at the same time, started wearing shorter shorts and tighter tops because Sam seemed to adore flowers.

Cass meanwhile found every excuse there was to be dressed in the prettiest dresses she owned whenever Wes was anywhere near her. She even wore light makeup- a real sign of how much she was interested in the conspiracy theorist.

Duke seemed over the moon whenever Tucker asked for his personal help on anything technical-related. It did his son wonders that someone thought of him first when it came to tech- Duke has always been a bit self-conscious of his place among geniuses- would be all but speaking in poems to the bemused teenager.

Damian's crush on Ellie did melt Bruce's heart a little. It was his baby's first after all, but he wasn't sure if Damian's approach was doing anything. Put him on the battlefield and Damian could lead to victory. Put him next to a pretty young girl and all his son was capable of doing was stare and babble.

The only one that didn't seem to have a crush on Team Phantom was Tim. Which should have given him reassurance except for the small little detail.

"Red Robin" Danny sings upon Tim's arrival at the cave. Officially tonight they are all going over the results of the latest tests on the universe's structure. Unofficially Team Phantom had been invited over for dinner by Alfred and they were looking over the Batcave as their butler finished preparing the main course.

At once every member of Team Phantom raises their head, turning away from his love-struck children to his flustered son and singing "Yum" with wide smiles.

Tim's face goes bright red.

Apparently, Tim was their universe version of Adonis and Team Phantom had no issue with expressing how yummy they found Tim. Now Bruce isn't saying that he would be against Tim having more than one romantic partner- he has made sure to look up proper healthy poly relationships and given Tim a PowerPoint version of it.

It's just that he isn't sure how he's going to handle supporting one of his children while breaking the heart of another. Tim seems unsure how to handle so much romantic attention- he's had plenty of relationships before- but said attention is picking him before any of his siblings is a first.

Bruce knows that deep down Tim still struggles with thinking he's not as good as the others. That he really is just a placeholder in the long run.

Then there is the fact he isn't sure how their culture works. Is the singing like a mating call? Was there a chance they would earn the irk of Clockwork himself if Tim accidentally accepted their advances? Why was it always Red Robin and not just Tim himself that made Team Phantom go yummmm?

"Hi guys" Tim greets at least and Danny grins wider.

"Reeeeed Robbbbbin" " The ghost boy says throwing an arm over Tim's shoulders. Sam and Tucker surround them, making their voices sound strange as all three start singing, rocking Tim back and forth in a strange little dance.

"Yummmmm!"

From the corner of his eyes, Bruce makes out Dick's protective Older Brother's face, as his eldest starts marching towards the group with the intent of breaking them apart. He's been very vocal about putting an end to Team Phantom's flirtations if he saw so much as a hint of Tim's unease.

Except that Tim looked utterly bliss being pressed up against Danny. Maybe he should rethink Tim's disinterest in Team Phantom. The rest of his children looked murderous as more members of Team Phantom gathered around Tim also singing.

Bruce had to deal with this for three whole years. He can physically feel his hair turning greyer.

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Thoughts about the supposed direction Rhaena's storyline is going in Hotd and the apparent Nettles erasure? Disappointing but... I can sort of see where they could take it? Idk... looking at grrm's posts in hindsight kinda makes me even more disappointed if he is as well (he just can't get his adaptations right atp but idk)

Well. Pre-ep7, we're still pending any Rhaena-Sheepstealer bonding, but I'm basically 😑🫠 about the rumors. (I dislike borrowing trouble, I'm not even sure how many of the rumors are true -- actually I'm pretty sure many of these supposed "leaks" are straight up lies -- and yet. Still *disgruntled meh* and *"we're all fine-everyone's fine here" dread*.) Rhaena is one of my more beloved F&B characters (it's the Sansa parallels, I can't help myself), and Nettles has been a super fave since TPATQ and TWOIAF. (Particularly TWOIAF, since the Burned Men fire-witch reveal; heck, I think my little dollmaker is still one of the few fanarts of Nettles in the mountains.)

I mean, sure, I understand that Rhaena's book storyline during the Dance, where she's offpage from basically the start of the war until nearly the end of it, socializing in the Vale and waiting for her egg to hatch, would be difficult to adapt in an action-oriented visuals-oriented television show. (Like Rhaenyra this season sure isn't just catatonically crying from Luke's death until Jace's.) And I'm glad Rhaena's getting more to do, and I'm glad it's directly addressing her feeling slighted and ignored by her family since she doesn't have a dragon. However...

I do not want Rhaena merged into one character with Nettles! I do not want Rhaena to have Sheepstealer and not her hope-for-the-future (doomed hope, and yet) baby dragon Morning, that hatched for her. Also note how pink Morning, worn as a fashion accessory, so suited Rhaena's coquette personality vs her sporty, adventurous twin sister... I mean, I've said before, I understand adaptations can be different, this still wouldn't make HOTD even close to a "loose adaptation".* But I do not want this adaptation to lose Rhaena's personality that I loved.

Or for that matter, to lose Nettles's character, and her importance to the themes and worldbuilding of ASOIAF. (See also.) And her importance to the plot -- but god knows, they're doing all sorts of things with Daemon and Rhaenyra on this show, toxic romance or what have you, who knows if once Daemon reaches his emotional breakthrough or whatever at Harrenhal this season, if they want to backslide him into a cheating plot in S3 while Daemon is again stuck in a castle for months.** Nevertheless, I'd be deeply disappointed to lose scenes like "as well as her dragon, the girl had taken to riding Daemon", or the last morning in Maidenpool scene... and um, you can't really fit Rhaena in there, or if you did, it would certainly put the lie to the ship denialists' "he just treated her like a father, platonically bathing naked together!" (Also the pretty blatant fake S3 leaks including one where Rhaenyra decides Rhaena has betrayed her... are pretty blatantly fake, sorry.)

And then there would be the frankly racist erasure of the one book black character. "Oh but the show made the Velaryons black, so it's not erasing, it's adding more!" No, sorry. (1) I was and am all for adding more racial diversity to the show and especially to Valyrians, but face it, when you take the book's secondary character Velaryons, two who get killed off early and are portrayed as lesser to the "true" Daemon/Rhaenyra marriage, and make them black, you've already done a lot of hinky damage there. (2) What, it's that hard to write three distinct black girls with very different personalities and one from an incredibly different background? I don't see Addam and Alyn getting merged. I don't see Aemond and Daeron getting merged. I don't see Hugh and Ulf getting merged. But I'm not really one to speak here, for this particular discussion I'd point you to @ride-thedragon and @venusintheblindspots-blog and @chrkrose, among others, they have many many posts on this subject in far greater detail and better argued than mine.

OK, so. I still have hope that Nettles -- even if not cast for this season (sorry y'all, that extra is an extra) -- may appear next season, and all this worry will turn out to be a tempest in a teapot. Per last report from the HOTD panel at SDCC, the rumor of Rhaena and Sheepstealer definitely doesn't happen in ep 7, though, yes, there's one episode after. And if it does happen... I'll be strongly disappointed. Deeply, deeply disappointed, and probably far more suspicious of future adaptational changes. But, for me at least, it's not a dealbreaker like GOT S5 was.*** I won't be happy at all about the storyline, but I would like to think the show will remain high quality re themes and character and all. Time will tell, though. Time will definitely tell.

As for GRRM, when his complaints seem to be "wild dragons shouldn't be in the Vale" and "the heraldry with four legs is wrong", well, I struggle to see that he's that disappointed in the adaptational changes. Believe me, I am well used to reading between the lines re GRRM and adaptations, something like the fact that he's not visiting the HOTD writers' room when he's in the UK is nothing. Catch me if at Worldcon or his Oxford lecture in August, GRRM again says that he could write a whole novel about Nettles, or if actually says something about non-Valyrian dragonriders, ok?

*I was just reading up on The Beast (2023) vs Henry James's “The Beast in the Jungle”. lol HOTD doesn't compare. Don't even think it, man.

**You know, this reminds me of how the Dance in F&B is not paced very well for individual characters, they keep going offscreen for months at a time. From shortly after Rhaenyra's crowning to the Fall of KL, Daemon just sits at Harrenhal and occasionally ventures out into the riverlands. From shortly after the Fall of KL until the Battle Above the Gods Eye, Daemon just... sits at Maidenpool and occasionally ventures out into the riverlands (with Nettles). Yeah, obviously a show would need to write more for him to do, he's a main character.

***Thank god HOTD isn't the sort of exploitative shitshow that GOT was. All y'all thinking it was a better adaptation because of your nostalgia goggles (and/or shitty memory) need to actually reread the books (especially AFFC/ADWD) and then submit yourself to the real-world misogynist and homophobic nonsense of S5-6 again, ugh.

[sapphim]

just from the wiki banter page, varric referring to the other characters by his preferred nickname for them

Anders (Blondie - 14 hits)

Varric: Of course I am. We come to the surface with the skills our ancestors had, Blondie.

Varric: You could have just stopped me, Blondie.

Varric: Blondie, I don't mean to sound critical, but have you considered a new line of work?

Varric: Oh, cheer up, Blondie. You're making me cry just looking at you.

Varric: You feeling all right, Blondie? You're always in the mood for templar jokes.

Varric: If you could see it from this angle, Blondie, it'd be at least a close second on your priority list.

Varric: Come on, Blondie. You're strong enough to overcome this.

Varric: Hang in there, Blondie! We're going to get you out of this!

Varric: As it happens, I haven't said a word about you and Blondie. I'd look at that, uh, uncle of yours for this particular rumor.

Varric: Because I like trouble, and you think Hawke is cute. That wasn't a serious question, was it, Blondie?

Varric: This isn't so bad, Blondie. You could be losing more coin to the elf in a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: Well, I'd probably say something like... "Then around the corner, we caught the sight of an entirely new type of darkspawn." You had to ask, Blondie.

Varric: Seriously, Blondie? No one ever invites you anywhere?

Varric: Blondie, I hate to say this, but I'm pretty sure we've been here before.

Varric: Hold on, Sunshine, I'm coming!

Aveline (N/A)

Bethany (Sunshine - 10 hits)

Varric: Sunshine, I'm a dwarf. In case you missed that detail.

Varric: Sunshine, nobility is just an expensive lifestyle. I've already got one of those.

Varric: So... Milady Sunshine, what's your first act as a noblewoman going to be?

Varric: Insist that they're blatantly copying you, and demand royalties. A good noble always has a complaint ready, Sunshine.

Varric: Sunshine! What's wrong? Not feeling well?

Varric: Good to be out and about, Sunshine?

Varric: You're not looking so sunny, Sunshine.

Varric: What's the matter, Sunshine? Thought you'd be enjoying the whole "fancy Orlesian estate" thing more.

Varric: There's my Sunshine. Let's go!

Carver (Junior - 7 hits)

Varric: Hang on, Junior, help's on the way!

Varric: You know, Junior, it's eerie how much of a resemblance there is between you two.

Varric: You know, Junior, you're looking at this all wrong.

Varric: What's the matter Junior? Three assassination attempts! You're the centre of attention! I thought you'd be happier.

Varric: You've been away too long, Junior.

Varric: It's not that hard, Junior. He's my brother.

Varric: (laughs) Fair comment, Junior. All right, let's get this done.

Fenris (elf, I swear to god, it's elf - 12 hits)

Varric: The tame elf is down!

Varric: Oh-ho! The broody elf tells a joke!

Varric: So where's your beard, elf?

Varric: So, elf. That thing you do with your hand...

Varric: You really ought to take that offer, elf. It would keep the Coterie off your back pretty much permanently.

Varric: You know you still owe me five sovereigns, elf.

Varric: Every little bit helps, elf.

Varric: I haven't told anyone about you and that, uh, angsty Tevinter elf. Try looking closer to home for that intelligence leak.

Varric: This isn't so bad, Blondie. You could be losing more coin to the elf in a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: You, elf, are one lucky son-of-a-bitch.

Varric: So, elf, what's this I've been hearing about you and the Rivaini?

Varric: Dwarves don't do prisons, elf. This is a trash heap. They threw something away here and hoped it wouldn't come back.

Isabela (Rivaini - 13 hits)

Varric: Don't die on me, Rivaini, you still owe me a pint!

Varric: I shit you not, Rivaini, it was this big.

Varric: Rivaini, stop looking at my chest. My eyes are up here.

Varric: You know, Rivaini, you promised me you'd tell me how your ship wrecked.

Varric: You have got to tell me what was in that box, Rivaini.

Varric: I like the way you think, Rivaini, but one doesn't just ask to be made a Paragon.

Varric: Keep dreaming, Rivaini.

Varric: No fun in calling her Rivaini if she's not here to be annoyed by it.

Varric: I'm not spreading any tales about you and the Rivaini. Although she asks me every other week to start some.

Varric: So, elf, what's this I've been hearing about you and the Rivaini?

Varric: That's true. Rivaini.

Varric: Our little Hawke is growing up, Rivaini.

Varric: Or we've been through the same twenty feet of this place about a dozen times. It's hard to tell, Rivaini.

Merrill (Daisy - 23 hits)

Varric: Blast it! Daisy got herself knocked out!

Varric: So, Hawke and Daisy.

Varric: That's because you spend too much time frolicking in the woods, Daisy. Dwarves don't frolic.

Varric: Bring it next time, Daisy. Just in case.

Varric: Daisy, for my sake, please quit cutting through the alleys in Lowtown alone at night.

Varric: So, I hear you've been visiting the viscount's garden, Daisy.

Varric: I'll tell her you said so, Daisy.

Varric: (Snorts) I have family like a rat has fleas, Daisy.

Varric: Don't worry Daisy, the chantry keeps a lot of water on hand.

Varric: Keep it, Daisy.

Varric: There's a story behind everything, Daisy.

Varric: That was the idea, Daisy.

Varric: No offense Daisy, but I could live without telling anyone that we murdered you on some mountain side, it's little hard to made that one sound good.

Varric: I fought my own brother, Daisy. Nobody said this was going to be happy story.

Varric: Which story, Daisy?

Varric: You have to stick with us if you want to find out how it turns out, Daisy.

Varric: I haven't breathed a word to anyone about you and Daisy. Maybe you better have a talk with uh, uncle greasy?

Varric: Daisy, haven't you heard? Swooping is bad.

Varric: Daisy, everyone is fair game for my stories.

Varric: Daisy, I could never make that stuff up. Nobody would believe it.

Varric: I wish I hadn't given that ball of twine to Daisy.

Varric: We're not that kind of merchant, Daisy.

Varric: Right now? I don't think we have time, Daisy.

Sebastian (Choir Boy - 6 hits)

Varric: So, Choir Boy, this usurper of yours is... twenty feet tall?

Varric: Tell us about Starkhaven, Choir Boy. I'm sure we're all burning with curiosity about your far-away land.

Varric: You know, Choir Boy, I wouldn't normally say this, but—the shiny white armor? It works for you.

Varric: Choir boy! What are you doing?

Varric: Choir Boy, suddenly your life makes much more sense to me.

Varric: That depends entirely on the audience, Choir Boy.

Tallis (Shivs - 1 hit)

Varric: All right, Shivs, I'll admit it: I'm surprised the Qunari employ thieves. They never struck me as the subtle type.

Tallis: That's because you've only met the antaam. Armies aren't usually celebrated for their sneakiness. Also, "Shivs?"

Varric: Yes, "Shivs." So, how does stealing valuables from a pompous Orlesian noble fit in with your Qun?

Related nickname banter #1

Aveline: Blondie, Sunshine, Daisy, Rivaini... What am I?

Varric: Beg your pardon?

Aveline: You don't call anyone by name except for me. Where's my nickname?

Varric: That's not true. There's Hawke. And Bianca.

Aveline: "Hawke" is a family name and Bianca is a crossbow. Don't change the subject.

Varric: Haven't thought of a good one yet. What do you think of "Red?"

Aveline: Too common.

Varric: Well, when you think of one, let me know.

Related nickname banter #2

Isabela: You've a nickname for everyone.

Varric: That's true. Rivaini.

Isabela: But everyone just calls you Varric. That's hardly fair.

Varric: Well, it's my story.

Isabela: What?

Varric: Nothing.

Related nickname banter #3

Hawke: Varric.

Varric: You called?

Hawke: I notice you don't have a nickname for me.

Varric: I call you Hawke. You've probably heard it once or twice.

Hawke: But that's my name. It's not like Daisy or Blondie.

Varric: All right, Waffles. You really want a nickname, I can hook you up.

Hawke: Waffles? That's... unexpected.

Varric: Sure, Chuckles. You want a nickname, I'll be happy to fix you up.

Hawke: Chuckles? That works.

Varric: If you really want a nickname, I can oblige. I'm thinking about going with Killer.

Hawke: How creative.

[emblazons]

the whole "anyone claiming to have spoilers right now might be right bc the writers could want to leak it for the strikes" is so stupid when applied to ST, you're right. like. that show is their baby. this isn't an HBO show or a serialized TV production. the ST writers team is pretty tight and has included the same writers for years with only a few new additions. ST is going as far as delaying film production to properly partake in the writers strike, none of them are going to turn on their show for the final season, and not only risk their job but also the way their final work for the show will hit

writers have always been the LEAST likely to give us real leaks or spoilers for ST. everything we know about them shows how much of a tight-knit and dedicated writing room they are. leaks for ST almost always come from on set workers who see scenes getting shot/take bts pics (with the exception of extras sometimes also sliding info out)

being in fandom for a long time, it's crazy to me how serious people take anyone who says they have leaks without any way to legitimize their leaks. i think it's in part because there's so many young people and it's the baby's first fandom effect where they don't know how many fake leaks pop up during a 2 year production process and take all of them equally serious. there's only been 2 leak claims yet (pre filming mind you so they don't even have the flare of edited blurry bts shots) and they've caused uproar both times. i really appreciate how level headed you always are and i seriously hope the wider fans here will also get used to leaks soon because we'll be getting a whole bunch of them in the next year and if every single one of them, with 0 proof attached, is going to cause this much panic it will be a ROUGH 2 years

I’m not gonna lie: the “baby’s first fandom” comment here in context made me laugh out loud lmao

But real! Like I hate to be so brutally honest about it given the fact that fandom is meant to be a fun escape place, but people believing every which rumor with absolutely no evidence (probably because they’re so used to being queerbaited, at least in this particular corner) is insane to me as the youngest of the “fandom olds.” The inability stop and think before a whole swath of the fandom loses it…over someone making an unverifiable claim via tweet? You’re gonna give yourself a panic disorder before the season even airs fr.

Sure, there will probably be leaks and images that come around as we get into actual production—and maybe a plot point will get leaked as we wait, as it did for things like Game of Thrones and the last Star Wars movie (though people probably leaked those to prep fans as an act of mercy lmao). Still…believing anyone and everyone before production has even started—and in the middle of a writers strike? 😭 keep your head on lmao

Thanks for the ask! 🥰

[kimberlyannharts]

Since it was mentioned…it wasn’t a whole lot but what were your thoughts on the Mutant Mayhem trailer?

a) obviously art direction/animation looks incredible. we're gonna have TWO animated TMNT films in a row with top tier stylized animation and I couldn't be happier

b) all of the designs and voices for the Turts are great but Donnie in particular, my sweet boy, my tiniest son. i want to pinch his cheeks (also in general I think them touting around the fact that they cast actual teens to play the Turtles funny. like. good for you?)

c) April's design is also great though her age seems a little ambiguous so far. She seems young but I heard rumors/leaks that she's actually a schoolteacher, which I kind of hope isn't the case? Obviously April is most known for being an adult with a job but I generally prefer younger Aprils and Caseys, to give the Turtles friends around their age

d) Based on the cast list there are going to be SO MANY MUTANTS and I'm so excited!!! I know people seem kind of mixed at the possibility of no Shredder but the mutants were always my favorite part of TMNT (to no one's shock) so it's fine with me. Bebop and Rocksteady look great, and Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko and Leatherhead being a woman in particular seem targeted towards me

[elementalturnip]

Ever since I heard that Disney was co-producing new seasons of Doctor Who with the BBC I can't stop thinking about how neat it would be to get that particular IP in the parks somehow.

I know, I know, IPs in parks bad. But hear me out: if for any reason they have to rebrand the Tower of Terror because of licensing issues, then Who is a perfect fit. Five people mysteriously disappear in an elevator in 1939? Fantastic, the Doctor's on the case. Even just a meet and greet/photo op with the Doctor or the Tardis would be cool. Maybe set them up in the UK pavilion at Epcot. Or if they ever bring back character interactions at WDW, just having the Doctor run around the different lands would be fun.

Because of the very nature of the show, Who could pretty much fit anywhere in most Disney parks. Any castle park? He's exploring the worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy. Epcot? The Daleks have invaded and you have to help him out in World Showcase. DCA/Hollywood Studios/Studios Paris? Fits because it's a TV show. Animal Kingdom? Admittedly that one might not work.

By the way, in case this post somehow ends up on one of those park news sites, I'm just dreaming up ideas. I don't work for Imagineering and this isn't a rumor or leak or anything. Just some fun ideas I'm throwing into the void.

[karlie-what-you-want]

Anonymous said:

A few reasons why, as an established entity, you wouldn't want to break a big story like, for example, a coming out.

1. If it involves someone(s) big, you will make a BIG enemy. Maybe, if you already have a few, they will gang up on you, HARD. (Gawker, what's up?)

2. In the particular case of outting someone, a large chunk of your potential readership will be scandalized... with your actions. Not only might you be rejected and shunned, as a publication, but there's a good argument for a legal case here.

3. In that particular case, you would make Big Enemies. With Big Connections. With Big Allies. Forget about any exclusive, actual quote, tip from a publicist from them... or any of their friends. And potentially anyone else who's just grossed out by you. You go from an annoying part of the system (thus an annoying part of the job) to public enemy.

But let's be real. The truth of the industry is this: if you have that money shot, it is far more profitable not to publish it. And it is, in fact, planned for.

Say I'm MagZ. One of my people just got a shot of you and your secret. I come to you. You may just... buy the exclusive rights to everything and the distribution and everything for an exorbitant amount of money.

But what's actually a lot more likely is that you'll say something like "Hey. How about you don't publish that, and you get the exclusive look at my next three 'secret getaways' with my so very real current showmance?".

Or perhaps, you might even have a few 'candid' shots of your own, that you have taken over the past few years, just for them to be a bargaining chip. Like. A couple of you, cuddling with members of your family. How cute. How authentic. Aw, isn't that also your ex very real showmance partner? What a cute family vacation on a yacht on which you took pictures so very randomly for an hour and went home because you knew it might come in handy someday.

And, I mean, if they age out of being useful as bargaining chip with a tabloid, they could just... randomly... leak... one day. From a there-then-gone social media account. Just for that extra touch of verisimilitude to your totally not made up back story. Perhaps, even, it could leak at a strategic time to obfuscate another, real, leak happening at the same time. Or create a buzz louder than a specific rumor that was picking up a liiiittle too much speed for your liking.

I'd say it's a constant game of Chess, but you may call it a new round of Mastermind everyday.

Ok, so why hasn’t someone already broken this Gaylor/Kaylor story? Or some asshole with a camera selling a picture? Sure a piece here and there but I think this is huge and barely anything? I mean they were living together in NY and still crickets…The world just can’t listen/doesn’t want to hear?

Well first of all, I’d say look up KissGate because it already happened and the majority of the world chose not to acknowledge it. Secondly there are dozens and dozens of articles about Gaylor and Kaylor written every single year—most people (Swifties) don’t acknowledge the points and evidence because they don’t WANT to acknowledge that fact that Taylor has been screaming that she’s queer for over a decade

Also, up until fairly recently, we didn’t acknowledge lesbians openly in society. Gal Pals forever and a day! Never more than that even if they were throwing it in our faces (and they were) Remember Gay marriage was only codified into law in fucking 2022!!! And that was to protect it from being dismantled like Roe!!

[volot]

👤+ Sarana!!

›   ❝   character opinions.

PRE:

"ah, miss sarana! she's quite the character; a most interesting woman to cross paths with!" there's that false pep in his tone, all smiles and summer's warmth, hand curled delicately beneath his chin in thought. "you know, she has quite the reputation: they say she's cold, a ghost in some regards, eerie... tell me, how fair do you wager that assessment? my vote would go against it, if you ask me; rather, i imagine it to be judging a book too closely by it's cover. never a practice to condone, mind you; think of what you'll miss lying within if you do!"

"now, certainly, i can attest to her being a woman of little words... perhaps a bit off-putting, if you've met under the wrong circumstances. but... surely she has a reason, don't you think?"

his eyes flutter closed, the smile on his lips tugging at the edges, curving just so. he can feel it: the slow build within him, clawing further and further. his skin itches. burns. he bites the insides of his cheeks to keep his expression at a true neutral of pleasantry and paltry.

"i'm rather curious about her myself... rumor has it she's on the hunt for a particular pokemon. a deity, they say."

his voice has become a whisper now, true intentions beginning to leak through, unable to be contained; the thoughts leave his head swimming, heart pounding in his chest. what deity did her people seek? is there a reason it, too, avoids their people? in a world of gods and overseers, of deities and beings of great power, what heart is there in ignoring the pleading calls of those who worshipped and sought them so desperately?

"isn't that exciting?! now, i may be little more than a mere admirer of ruins... but my wonder is insatiable! i do hope our paths cross again," he laughs breezily, smile hiding away the promise that they would, no matter the circumstances. "there's much i'd like to ask her! and, well... i believe i've a deal to run by her, as well. those teas of her are an amazement in the making, and i'd be a poor merchant if i were to squander a mutually-beneficial opportunity!"

POST:

"..." the flare of his nostrils is soured, equal parts bitter and snide as his aging pocket knife is twined between slender fingers, the greenery dusting the blade wiped off. the herbs come apart in his hands, flicked away.

"i wonder..." his voice trails off, weak in his throat from lack of use, spoken to no one but his shadow and the arcanine asleep against his calf. "in a world as cruel as this, do all higher beings scorn their most devoted? that dream of hers... will it be crushed underfoot? what place does it have when they’ve been refused?"

his wrist flicks, loose in its movements, the blade cleaned. his smile is cold and hollow, reflecting in the steel, glinted by the burning sun.

"well... what a pity it will be, if so. i imagine her a woman of strong conviction: willing to search just as endlessly as i have!"

he's rambling, he realizes, to no one but himself; running on an emotional tangent, winding himself in tighter knots than before. his stomach burns, though he's uncertain with what; emotions are fleeting these days, barely there in the dying embers of his heart. his eyes flick off elsewhere, to the blooming hilltop, nature's call on the floral-scented winds. it makes his mouth dry, makes his stomach lurch, hair tousled. 

it is a conflicting feeling, teetering and swaying, that eats at him from the inside-out. a self-induced parasite. destruction cracks the foundation of his bones. there is envy if she is destined to; rage at how another is favored, while he's cast out of god's light. but in the throes of it, excitement bleeds through; that if she can meet this deity she covets, then nothing will stand in his way of climbing the heavens to meet god, sink his nails into ichor-stained skin and drag them down, down, down to earth with him, where he can keep an iron grip and demand control--

"tell me, sarana, if you hear my words... surely you can understand, can't you? what we do must be done; no obstacles should stand in our way! you, of all people... you know that burning desire just as i do!"

( but had she understood? betrayal will strike him like a cracked dam if not, the question unanswered by the will of fate; bitterness will come like oozing waves, suffocating him so. like the gods, she will not hear what he breathes to the heavens, his laugh wiry and dry. )

"you will meet your deity. and i will meet god."

[angeloncewas]

my hot take with real people and queerbaiting is that real people can definitely gain fame from being ambiguous in their sexuality/relationships with others (i know many ppl that got into dnf’s content because of the ship, or people who are obsessed with taylor swift specifically because they think she’s secretly gay, same for harry styles) but it’s a very different thing from fictional queerbaiting. there probably should be a different word for it. the biggest difference is that with real people, sexuality truthing will eventually make real people’s lives shitty and often ruins friendships.

I get what you're saying, and I won't argue that it's not ever a thing (+ I agree with the last bit about truthing), but I also don't think it's exactly how you describe.

1 - With Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, I don't think that their want for privacy combined with the fans' assumptions equals "queerbaiting" (I'm only using that word because we don't have another one, but I'm referring to your definition). From what I've seen, "Larry" was a nightmare for all parties involved, and while I have heard the rumors about Taylor Swift, I'm not exactly inclined to believe them when the proof is a hyper-analysis of her songs (where she sings about a girl from the perspective of a 17-year-old boy) and paparazzi photos where she walks out of a building with a woman she's friends with. Maybe I'm missing some of the juicy details, but I don't feel like the fact that people think they're gay is intentional. With Harry Styles in particular, the notion that he has to be gay just because he wears feminine clothing (for example - not saying you said this) is incredibly counter-productive to everything a lot of us hope for regarding gender/gender expression/sexuality. Even if his identity IS purposefully ambiguous, maybe he just doesn't want to give that part of himself to the general public. We're not owed that disclaimer, regardless of if it makes him more appealing to an audience or not.

2 - With DNF, there honestly isn't really any ambiguity. They aren't dating and don't plan to. George has said he's straight. Dream has said his sexuality is none of our business. Altogether, that's not a will-they-won't-they that keeps people on the hook, that's a pretty blatant "they won't" that fans either refuse to accept (truthers) or just ignore for the fun of it (which I'm not saying negatively). I understand that their flirting has been a draw for some viewers, but people are allowed to flirt with their friends and I don't think sexuality is relevant to that. Like I said, Dream and George are as platonic (disclaimer: from what we know) as me and my best friend, but we'd be unlikely to be accused of queerbaiting like them - both because we're both women (well I'm not really but that's an aside) and because we're both queer. And that kind of thinking sort of implies that as long as two peoples' sexualities line up, there's no true platonic-ness there - which I hate.

I'm not saying Dream and George don't profit from the nature of their relationship. They play off of their dynamic because it's fun and people like it - that's why they leaked their texts for fundraising. But I just don't think it's comparable to queerbaiting at all, even with the distinction that it's different from how it manifests itself in fiction. Real people are too complicated and independent to be categorized like that, especially when the relationships portrayed are genuine.

[infriga]

Now that I'm finished at work I can finally formulate some more coherent thoughts about the promo.

Ok so there's 1 important question that I think would change how I interpret the promo. Is the promo made from scenes from just the 2 upcoming episodes, or from the rest of the series? Because that makes a difference.

If it's from the 2 episodes:

There seems to be some sort of dream sequence thing going on with the floating house imagery, and we see Steven in his pajamas in multiple scenes.

And then we have the scene that had audio leaked, confirming that the leak is real.

Now if these are from 2 episodes then I'm thinking that the canoe scene and possibly the picnic scene are also dreams? Mainly because they don't seem to fit in anywhere else, and they occur in isolation without any repeated glances at each scene, unlike most of the other scenes in the promo.

And the hospital scene could either be another dream sequence, or, I'm thinking it might be related to the incident that was referred to in the leaked audio, though it isn't mentioned in the promo itself. I'm thinking the incident might happen (I won't state what it is to avoid spoilers), and even though everyone involved is alright they're taken to the hospital just in case, something sets Steven off while he's there, and that causes him to go pink and maybe he takes off into the woods instead of going home and tries to unpinkify himself or let off some steam?

He comes home the next day after finally turning back to normal, and his absence mixed with what had happened are why the gem's are so worried and agitated, which sets him off again leading to the "leave me alone" scene? Alternatively if the hospital scene is part of the dream issues then the scene with him fighting trees in the forest could come after the leak confrontation with him again trying to unpinkify or letting out some anger at inanimate objects instead of people. But the way he's remembering stuff from the main series finale seems out of place for a dream so I'm on the fence on that one. Plus it's the only scene where he's wearing clothes that aren't made up partially from his usual outfit or his pajamas. Even the picnic scene has his jeans and sandals which look a bit weird with his fancy shirt? That just leaves the ominous scene with him coming in from the rain while hiding his hand (there's the popular corruption theory but it could also be that his hand is now permanently pink or he's injured himself and can't heal for some reason because his powers are going haywire, or maybe he's just hiding something in his pocket honestly who knows??) which could occur later in that same episode or could happen at any time tbh. It could be part of the dream episode but it doesn't really fit that so I'm not sure... He's not wet during the scene that had the audio leaked with the gem's confronting him plus the weather is nice in that scene, so I don't think it's part of that either.

If these aren't from the same 2 upcoming episodes and are instead a bunch of random scenes from all 10 episodes then I have no idea what each scene could be related to. So at the moment I'm going to speculate that they're from 2 episodes for the sake of convenience in theorizing. The scene where he seems to be suffering from a flashback in a hospital is the one that's got me the most worried tbh.

At most my guess is that the picnic scene is a date set up by Steven that gets interrupted or ruined before Connie can get there. (I'll laugh if this is where wormy boy shows up as a random monster ngl sorry it'd just be too funny, though I doubt it)

Another thing that's worth noting is that in most of these scenes Steven is alone, like he seems very isolated with no other characters in frame, and the only time the gem's show up is as a group in 2 scenes, and in both Steven is seemingly trying to get away from them, and Connie only shows up on the phone. That's another reason why so many of the more random scenes strike me as parts of a series of dreams... Idk it's just got a very strange feeling to it.

Anyways, back to freaking out and waiting nervously for the episodes to come out.

Edit: The main reason I think that these are possibly the first 2 episodes is because 1) an episode about dream issues could account for the seemingly random assortment of scenes and all the screaming pretty well. The canoe scene in particular strikes me as like a mundane scene in a dream that gets interrupted with the terror of being pink for no reason hence his horrified reaction, and I could see a dream scene where Steven is nervous about a date with Connie and suddenly shenanigans ruin it, and he's shown waking up without his pajamas being ruined so I'm thinking an escalating series of dreams that get worse as they go and eventually affect him physically? Like maybe they start out more silly like going pink while camping, then a monster attacking mid-date, then his house gets suspended in space and he falls into the void, etc. And 2) nothing related to White Diamond or the worm monster is shown or even seemingly hinted at despite them being quite prominent in the intro, and I don't see how anything from the promo could be related to them without referencing them more directly, or how they could individually be relevant to what's going on with Steven’s mental deterioration. I could however see building stress causing Steven’s powers to go haywire, and when it starts to get dangerous maybe he turns to the diamonds for help figuring out how to control it in later episodes, leading to the pink white diamond, the rumored Spinel episode, and other stuff? Idk. That's all I have at the moment theory-wise, I guess we'll see what happens.

[esotericdescent]

   An actual laugh escaped her and, while she knew he was joking, it didn't seem too far off. ❝What exhausting work, ❞ Nina said upon an exhale. She tilted her head, offering an exaggerated pitying expression. However, she scoffed quietly as he went on to address her comment about the keftas, casting Kaz a sideways glance whilst pursuing her lips. She let her eyes sweep over him before they lifted again to settle on his profile, the gesture no doubt intended to blatantly convey her disbelief. Once he met her gaze, she pointedly glanced at his cane that he had leaned against his chair and back to his eyes. ❝Oh, don't flatter yourself too much. I think that has more to do with the rumors about what you've done to people with that cane then your wardrobe, Kaz.❞

   ❝As for your theory about ease,❞ Nina went on, decidedly not distracted enough to let that particular subject drop, alas. ❝You talk about it like you have to choose between one or the other. There is such a thing as letting it be easy when it is ... but being prepared for when it isn't. What do you suppose all of this training is for, performing in carnivals?❞ She set her fork down and reached to snatch a bread roll from the basket in front of them; then she began to tear pieces off with her fingers and plop them into her mouth.

   ❝I mean, I learned how to crush someone's lungs with a flick of my wrist—that doesn't strike me as living the rest of our lives in comfort and safety.❞ Nina's tone was far less accusatory than one would expect, given her words, but—despite how good Kaz was at shrouding what he felt from others, with such a drastic change, it was difficult to staunch a leak like that, regardless of who you were.

   The language of the body spoke volumes long before someone could open their mouths and Nina had always been gifted at hearing it loud and clear. She saw it in the way he moved; the distance at which he kept himself when he passed people wherever he went, the way he'd tense when someone moved too fast and too close to him, the way he always seemed to be seeking a way out in case he needed it. It was in the way he held himself, in the way he spoke and the way he avoided even the slightest hint of touch.

   Nina could see that he was struggling to adjust. Kaz often drove Nina to the brink of maddness, but somehow, she still found things to like about him. Watching him struggle for some kind of control when he'd previously had an abundance of it was a touch painful. Maybe it even worried her. Not that she'd ever tell him that, but ...

   ❝So ... you need to find ways to lighten up a little, maybe even have some fun,❞ Nina glanced over at him and quirked her eyebrows, the shoulder facing him lifting in a casual shrug. ❝And lucky for you, I know how to do that.❞ They hadn't explicitly agreed upon the fact that they might be friends, and frankly, she wouldn't be surprised if he never said it out loud.

Kaz may not have come here in search of a friend, but Nina thought he certainly needed one.

It is, when you don't know how to deal with it. When you had to fight for survival every single day, it wasn't something you could just shake and leave behind. It became ingrained in your very being, in everything you thought and did. So when there was an abrupt absence of any and all danger, it put you more on edge than any knife to your throat ever could. Everything just simply felt wrong and off, and you saw threats where there were none. Up until now he'd managed not to stab someone by accident, but he'd come frighteningly close on more than one occasion. "I don't know," he finally answered with far more honesty than he would've liked. 

Clearing his throat, he stopped playing around with his powers and dropped his hand to stuff some food into his own mouth as well. Mostly to distract himself. Then, in an attempt to distract her, he added: "Easy makes you lazy. Comfortable. And you'll have a harder time adjusting once it gets taken away from you. Easy will always be the beginning of your downfall." Perhaps a sentiment he was banking on with Pekka Rollins; he let all his men do the heavy lifting, which left him rusty. And, eventually, Kaz would take his cane and his powers and smash that rusted piece of metal into bits and pieces until nothing was left of it.

Having just taken another bite, Kaz nearly choked on it when Nina suggested he stop being so miserable. Making sure to swallow first, he glanced over at her and offered a shrug of his shoulders. "Do you think this scowl is easy to maintain? No, of course not. It requires strict misery and absence of happiness to look this convincing." Although he had to admit, watching the way she was capable of fully enjoying something as simple as food had him a little jealous. And for a moment he thought of hot chocolate, of laughter, and of savoring every single sip as if it was the greatest thing he'd ever tasted. 

The thoughts of a past long gone were quickly buried deep down again and Kaz leaned back in his chair only to lean over to Nina a few seconds later. "Is it, though?" His gaze swept across the room one more time, a small grin creeping on his features. "Then how come the other Grisha move out of my way when I come down the hallway, but will walk around with Corporalki students all day long? How come they'll barely talk to me unless absolutely necessary, and will barely even look at me. How come they're too scared to train spar the cripple and his cane? Black is scarier than red will ever be."

[0aurelion-sol0]

The worst examples to use. XD

Spider-Man: No Way Home and Game Of Thrones S7-8 was (for GOT) and is (for NWH) literally hyper popular around the world.

Spider-Man: No Way Home has had tons of fake leaks and rumors during it's marketing campaign. One person even made a deepfake of Andrew Garfield in the BTS of the movie. And those fake blurry dark CGI clips that spoils the movie but actually doesn't.

And like it's the "nostalgia movie" where the multiverse happens and old antagonists from movies outside the MCU come back. Of course people are going to wonder about certain things and try to leak as many informations as possible.

And the true leaks of the movie are soundtracks and things we already knew. And the things that are now getting revealed are happening because the movie is being given to theaters and streaming services including the soundtrack because...

...it's going to release soon.

Same for GOT, the two seasons and especially the last one had tons, TONS of fake leaks. Especially about Cersei's fate. These are also the worst seasons of the show, when the showrunners barely even cared about the story anymore and the security of the show. It's also the two seasons who had like... I don't know... THOUSANDS OF EXTRAS ON SET!

And again the leaks came out a short time before the season was going to be released. When people started receiving the episodes of the show so they could be ready to be aired.

And the leaks aligned with the reaction of the actors too so...

The ST4 leaks doesn't fit with the interviews of the cast, the movies on the ST4 list and the main content that we got itself. The ST crew has never lied before, they've always misdirected.

Context is key here.

Also those so called leakers claim to have evidence but don't want to show it, the versions of the leak change everytime they bring it up and it blurs the line between theories, interpretations and leaks of said leakers. (Some of it are also given by random that come out of nowhere with such information.)

(And certain people make sure to ignore or to not make too much noise when some of their leaks got revealed to be false lately (you know which place I'm talking about.))

We have COVID and they have apparently reinforced the security on set. It would just make them look bad if the most important plots got leaked especially if they were filmed in the studios.

Nothing of that magnitude has ever happened before with ST and the leaks seems to always be about particular things that the fandom will clearly talk about.

For example, we know jackshit about Hopper's storyline but somehow we know everything about the Cali and Hawkins storyline ? If this isn't suspicious, I don't know what is.

I think some on here are being a bit naive about the possibility of leaks TBH. Game of Thrones was one of the most guarded productions ever done and it's last two seasons got leaked in their entirety. And there have been huge leaks for the new Spider-Man too, and Disney is very protective of their projects. The leakers have been proven correct on more than one occasion now.

I just don’t trust them. Pretty much every leak from ST that has been correct was stuff that was obvious to guess (Max being depressed what a shocker lol) or was right on the surface and the specifics were really off. I’m sure those ones have. These ones not so much. And referencing back to leaks that were confirmed not to be true (Mileven airport reunion) does not really do that person any favours as far as credibility. 😂 What that person said in regards to Byler also does not mesh with what we have seen in the teaser. Noah said there will be Byler and that seems to check out. We saw them together in the teaser. Finn was spotted filming with Noah, Charlie, and Argyle’s actor with Millie not in sight. El seems to be involved with lab stuff . Why should we trust random ass people on the internet?