#but also demand better from blue because america can be something other than the murdering ogre other countries fear

[victusinveritas]

Meanwhile slipping into the DNC like it's Farmer Maggot's orchards or Mordor (whichever is worse)...

Samwise/Rudy, for some reason. With the rarely victorious crowd of Indiana Democrats.

[cloudninetonine]

Past Trauma

Pairing: Adam Ruzek x Reader

Summary: Something bad happens at work and you finally spill about your past trauma to your boyfriend

A/N: This fic is kinda self projecting, so it’s gonna be kind of specific. Don’t worry, I’m fine, I just needed a way to vent and well, this was my way. Also, I’ve only really watched clips and seen odd episodes of Chicago P.D so sorry if Adam seems a pic OOC. He’s my fav and I really wanted to write something for him for so long and I just got impatient XD

I DO NOT OWN CHICAGO P.D OR MED THIS IS MERELY FANFICTION

Warnings: Abuse, graphic writing (Kinda?), thoughts of suicide, I think PTSD? (I would say PTSD just in case) Self-hatred (It’s a pretty dark fic, but it takes a more wholesome turn at the end)

(This gif seemed appropriate)

You and Adam had started dating a little over three years ago.

You had travelled from beyond the great blue to America for a new experience after medical school then ended up working in Chicago Med because you had “fallen in love with the windy city”

You had caught Adam’s attention straight away and after about three months of trying to get your attention, you finally agreed to go on a date with him. You were new to the whole scene, dating, flirting- everything, as you had been busy trying to get your life together before even thinking about bringing someone else into it and well, he was happy to help you into it. You were a great character, friendly, smart, considerate of those around you, playful and Adam had thought himself a lucky guy when he had finally bagged you.

Though he knew you were hiding things from him, no, not that you were cheating or had fallen out of love, much deeper things. You didn’t like to talk about your family life, you had mentioned your mother (A wonderful woman who he had met when she visited for Christmas) your closest friends, a chaotic but loving bunch, others here and there, but you didn’t go farther than that. You deliberately skipped moments in your life, you had bad days where you didn’t contact anyone and when he tried to get closer, you dodged him about the subject.

He understood everyone had their demons, but yours almost seemed to consume you and he always worried, it was a surprise your secrecy hadn’t caused any damage to the relationship but you had a way with your words and he loved you so much (something he admitted after a year of dating, the morning of your anniversary when he had stumbled in on you eating Oreos at 3 in the morning before he had slipped and told you that he loved you which resulted in you choking on a cookie)

He had hoped that one day, you would tell him about the thoughts in your head and well, the day had finally come.

There had been a brawl in the emergency bay at Chicago Med and he and Kevin had been sent over to investigate the disturbance. The scene hadn’t been too chaotic, but he would be lying if he said that there wasn’t a mess there. The suspect, a 19-year-old Lucia Carter, had been dragged out of the place in handcuffs, kicking and screeching loudly while blood dripped out of her nose accompanied with marks of an obvious scuffle on her face. Kevin had let out a low whistle at the damage as they walked by.

The detectives had approached the closest officer to ask about the details.

“Miss Carter is being apprehended for abuse, threats of murder and for assaulting a bystander” The young man had started “She came in when she found out her father had brought his son for a checkup after she had deliberately broken his arm, she started to get violent towards her parent and sibling, a doctor tried to interfere and it ended with them fighting. Security split them up eventually but it’s obvious that Miss Carter provoked the fight and that the doctor was protecting the victims so they won’t be charged”

“Alright, thank you”

Kevin had already begun talking with the father and the son, while Adam glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of your figure when only moments later, Sharon Goodwin had approached him, her face showing concern as she softly called for his attention. “Adam, please if you could come with me for a moment”

“Is there something wrong?” Adam asked, Kevin, glancing over at the sound of his partner’s voice.

“It’s about (Name)”

Adam’s eyes widened and he glanced back at Kevin, who promptly nodded in understanding before the detective and chief departed from the scene quietly to where you were being held.

“What happened?”

“Well, when Miss Carter began to get violent, (Name) decided to try and stop it but, from what I heard, Miss Carter slapped her and that’s what started the fight” Sharon started “It took two men to pry her off of Miss Carter and now, she’s not responding to anyone. Dr Charles is talking with her at the moment, well, trying, but he’s not getting very far, so we thought that it would be a good idea if you tried to talk with her”

The door to an employee lounge was pushed open to you and Dr Charles sitting opposite from one another. The older man was talking, his eyes only glancing towards Goodwin and Adam before settling back on you. You were deadly silent, staring ahead, straight through Dr Charles and your leg was bouncing with obvious tension. 

It made Adam nervous, especially when he could see some blood on the cuff of your coat.

“(Name)” Charles’ voice was soft as he settled a hand on your knee, “Adam’s here to see you”

You still didn’t react.

“(Name)?”

Your leg movement stopped for a moment, before continuing, much faster now.

“We’ll give you two a moment” Charles and Goodwin closed the door behind them quietly while Adam settled next to you silently, his hand coming to rest on your arm before slowly sliding down to grip your hand. You didn’t resist, but you didn’t really respond either, just limply held his hand in your own.

“Hey,” he greeted, enclosing your hand with both of his and placing a small kiss onto on fingers. “I heard what happened-”

Now that he was closer, he could see the damage. You had your glasses on, the left lens was cracked and under, your eye was bruised and bloody, your lip was busted and there was a small laceration on your face with blood slowly dripping onto your coat. You didn’t pay any mind to it, you didn’t really seem to care, but Adam’s heart squeezed painfully at the sight. You were in a better state than Lucia Carter, but that didn’t matter.

“Is that what she did to you?” His hand moved to grab your chin, hoping to inspect your injuries further but you immediately jumped up, catching his wrist firmly in your hand, nails digging into the skin while still holding his other hand loosely. Your eyes were frantic, your breathing had picked up and you were shaking violently as you glared at him.”Woah, woah, it’s okay, you’re okay, it’s just me, it’s just Adam”

He was shocked, understandably so, but his eyes held a softness to them, one that was slowly helping you bring you back to reality.

Pained guilt flashed on your face and your hold on his wrist relaxed until it became limp and fell to your side “....I’m sorry…”

With a soft squeeze to your intertwined fingers, Adam tugged you back next to him “It’s okay”

“It’s not-” You tried to argue, but he shushed to gently before pressing a kiss into your hair.

“Can I hold you?”

“...Please”

His arm wrapped around your waist and tugged your closer, hugging you close to his figure as the two of you rocked back and forth gently, the man pressing soft kisses to where he could reach as he waited. Did he know what he was waiting for? No, but he knew you needed time and it would come out eventually.

And it did.

“I didn’t want it to turn out like that”

Adam glanced down at you “The fight?”

You hummed. “I didn’t want to make it any crazier than it was, but then she slapped me and I...I lost it”

“Why?” He couldn’t help but ask “You’re one of the most patient people I know”

“...She reminded me of my brother”

Adam stopped rocking and pulled back to look at you, watching as the look in your eyes twisted into something more, something dark and your lip curled in disgust.

“Brother? You’ve never mentioned you had a brother…”

“That’s because he isn’t” You growled, “He’s just a fucker that I’m related to”

It was then that Adam realised that this was what you had been keeping from him for so long, this was what he had been waiting for. He could see the tension that was building up in your system, the obvious hatred in your words and he decided that his curiosity could wait another day “You don’t have to explain-”

“I’ve kept this from you for three years, Adam” You looked him in the eye “You deserve an explanation and I can handle it, don’t worry”

He pulled your hand to his lips and kissed it gently “Okay, take your time”

A few moments, quiet, tense moments, but eventually, you took a deep breath, closed your eyes and squeezed his hand.

“My brother was an abusive arsehole that used to torment me and my mum. It wasn’t always like that, I can still remember the good days, but he changed when we got older; he became more narcissistic, more demanding, rougher- like his father, might I add” You spat the words with venom, pupils shrinking in hatred “That fucker wasn’t around either, he hurt my mum before she kicked his arse out, but oh boy, did I get the experience of him from my brother; like father like son, am I right?”

You had said it in a joking way, but he could hear that rage behind it. You continued “My brother got worse when my gran died, he got more physical, wasn’t afraid to throw me or my mum around and I fucking hated it. I fought back for a while, we both did, but it only ended with aches for the next day and bruised self-esteem, so I gave up, but my mother didn’t, she was- is, way too strong for that, shame I can’t say the same about me”

Tears gathered in your eyes “Once again, it got more shitty when he got a job. Called me and my mum lazy bitches, constantly complained, blamed us for anything and everything, it was a fucking nightmare. Mum couldn’t work because of health problems, which he thought were bullshit, and me, I was way too scared to interact with people to get a job”

With a whimper, you brushed away the tear that fell down your cheek. “I was scared, he made me scared, I used to be so open and happy, but he ruined that. My mental health declined, I was constantly sad, I hated myself, I still hate myself and it’s because of him!”

You were starting to sob, it was quiet at first, but the more you talked, the louder it became “I hated him so much, I still hate him! But he made me hate myself more! It wasn’t fair! Why was I the worthless one? When he treated us like that? Why did I have to become sad and angry and scared!? It’s not fair, Adam! I deserved to be happy! But he didn’t let me! I was a wreck in what was supposed to be the best years of my life, because of him!”

You were choking on your tears and Adam had tried to console you, but you weren’t finished “S-So when that boy came in with his father, I knew, I could tell. He looked so sad, so broken and so did the father. The man was terrified when I confronted him! He tried to defend her, he said that their mother had died and she was acting out! I told him that was no excuse, that both of them deserved better! And you know what he did? He fucking cried! He said he was ashamed of himself, letting his daughter become this monster, his own daughter beat him and he was more ashamed at that than the fact that he was getting hurt, that he was scared, that he needed to protect his son from his fucking sister. He said he wasn’t a good father, but he was trying. My mum said the same thing, that I deserved better, but I didn’t! She was the best! And so was this guy! He was kind, supportive, loved his children but he got fucked over by a stupid bitch that couldn’t keep her hands to her fucking SELF!”

You stood, kicking over the table in front of you two and Adam jumped up. He wanted to do something, to calm you down, to tell you he loved you, but you needed to get this out, you need to say this, so he waited. 

“That boy is fucking ten! TEN-YEARS-OLD! AND HIS SISTER WAS DOING THAT TO HIM!? MOTHER FUCKING BITCH!” You kicked the table again and punched the wall “HE BLAMED HIMSELF, HE SAID THAT HE CAUSED IT, BUT IT WASN’T HIS FAULT, IT WAS HER FUCKING FAULT! And you know what else? HE SAID HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD! A TEN-YEAR-OLD, WANTED TO BE DEAD! SHE MADE HIM THINK THIS, SHE MADE HATE HIMSELF, MADE HIM WANNA KILL HIMSELF JUST LIKE- just like my brother had done to me”

You wrapped your arms around yourself, shaking violently as you stared at the floor “I wanted to kill myself, just like that little boy had, sometimes, I still do and-…. And so when she slapped me...I lost it, I wanted to kill her, right there and then, because at that moment, she wasn’t Lucia Carter, she was my older brother, so I didn’t hold back…”

You were crying hysterically, holding yourself tightly as you tried to calm yourself down, a keep the oncoming panic attack down. God, you didn’t dare face Adam, you didn’t want to see the expression he wore, you were already ashamed, of the outburst, of yourself, everything and one of the only good things going in your life had heard you go off like a demented bitch. You wanted so badly to melt into the floor, but you were merely reduced to hiding behind closed eyes and a mess of tears.

Then arms wrapped around you and your face was pressed against a shoulder.

“I love you” Adam declared, tightening his hold as you began to wail against his shoulder, wrapping your arms around him tightly as you did so “I love you, and I’m so sorry that you had to keep this to yourself for so long”

He pressed a kiss against your forehead, being wary of the wound.

“I’m sorry” You sobbed, “I’m sorry I kept this from you, I didn’t want you to see me differently, you’re one of the only good things going in my life, I didn’t want to lose you”

“I would never see you differently and you will never lose me” He whispered, “You’re strong, you’re smart, you’re so talented and you’re hot”

You laughed wetly against his shoulder “This just proves to me how amazing you are, and how lucky I am to have you. You’re so amazing and I am punching above my weight with you. I’m so glad to have you in my life and that’s never gonna change, babe, do you understand?”

You nodded against his shoulder, burying your face and inhaling his scent.

“So here’s what we’re gonna do” He raked his hand gently through your hair “We’re gonna get you checked out and patched up, talk to Dr Charles about these thoughts you’ve been having, head home, then order in some Chinese and just relax, okay?”

“Okay,” You pulled back a bit, eyes staring into his before leaning up and pressing a kiss against his lips. He kissed back softly, hand coming to hold the side of your jaw gently then pulling away and smiling at you “I love you so much”

“I love you too”

“Thank you for not thinking different of me”

He laughed and placed his forehead against yours “Never”

You smiled and intertwined your fingers.

You were lucky to have each other.

[shy-violet-soul]

The Hunting Incident

Summary: Alpine brings home a gift. It doesn’t go over well, with anyone - including the ‘gift’.  Characters: Alpine the cat, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanov, Tony Stark Rating: E for everyone Warnings: allusions to injury to animal; bad language words; snort-inducing giggles

A/N: I have watched this video no less than 6 times, and each time, I laugh until my tummy hurts. Then, I wondered - what would Bucky do in this situation? (already cackling as I turn to the keyboard…)

Beta’d by the incomparable @pinknerdpanda​ & the stupendous @thesassywallflower​. Thank you, darlings!

This is a work of fiction based upon characters owned by the MCU. Please do not copy without my written permission.

((A/N 2: you need to watch this video first!))

When 5:00am had glared at him with red, beady eyes from the clock on his night stand, Bucky refused. Nope. Run with Steve was cancelled. The punk could damn well run by himself. Or get Sam. Yeah, please wake up Sam. Memories of Steve coming to wake him up were hazy, and must have involved a dagger because his third favorite was currently embedded in the bedroom door frame. However, he had a sparring appointment at 7:00am with Natasha - she wouldn’t wait, and her coming to wake him up would involve creative forms of punishment. So much NOPE. At 6:45am, Bucky shuffled his way into the common area kitchen, still rubbing his eyes, when a cheerful little mert caught his attention. He blinked sleepily at the scene before him.

Nat. Natasha Romanov. Black Widow. Natalia Romanova. Assassin. Decked out in her black, weaponized glory.

Alpine. The Cat. Pain in His Ass. Ignorer of Expensive Cat Food. Shedder upon Stark Suits. Sitting proudly in his fluffy white innocence.

Blue-eyed gazes stared back at the other, and Bucky didn’t know what the hell was going on.

“What the hell is going on?”

Nat didn’t so much as blink.

“Your cat.”

“Yeah, he’s my cat.” A beat passed. “Wait - what did he do, first? He might be Sam’s cat.”

One eyebrow arched primly at him as Natasha pointed to the floor just passed Alpine and a bit beyond Bucky’s line of sight. He leaned to the right, peering around the feline, and tried to catch his jaw before it hit the floor.

A brown, limp, slightly damp but very dead duck lay on Tony’s clean kitchen floor. 

While the two assassins watched, Alpine sauntered over and lolled out luxuriously beside his kill, the tip of his tail twitching happily.

“Oh, my...oh, my God,” Bucky croaked out, his hand coming up to cover his mouth. “Oh, shit!”

“Mmmhmm.”

“I mean - seriously?!” he hissed at the cat, who simply blinked impassively. “Alpine, you stupid cat!” His heart thudded sickly with dread. “How did he kill it?”

“I don’t know.” Natasha hadn’t moved, just stood there with crossed arms, one eyebrow still raised, gaze clearly unimpressed.

“How did he get it IN here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is it...is it really dead?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, hell, Nat, what do you know?” Bucky demanded as he craned a lean closer to try and see if the bird was breathing.

“I know you better get that thing out of here before Tony shows up.”

“Mert.”

“Shut up, Alpine!” Bucky barked, dragging his hands through his hair. Down the hall, the elevator dinged, echoes of star-spangled voices echoing their way. Bucky felt his throat sticky-squeeze shut as Steve and Sam appeared, sweaty and wheezing. Well, Sam was wheezing. Wimp.

Both soldiers came to a halt as Bucky snapped to attention, trying and failing to look innocent.

“You okay, Buck?” 

“Uuuhhh…”

Ding. Shuffle, shuffle, and Clint appeared. The other four watched him slog to the coffee maker, pull a silly straw out of thin air, and claim the nearly-full pot as his own. After four long drags on his straw, he finally noticed everyone staring at Bucky.

“What’s up, Buck?”

“Meow.” Steve just barely kept himself from flinching. 

“What’s he doing up here?”

“Uuuhhh…” Bucky couldn’t come up with anything else to say.

Sam clapped a hand on Steve’s shoulder, grinning at him. “Captain America. Afraid of a cat.”

“I’m not afraid,” Steve was quick to assert. “He just...hates me. With his claws.” 

“Why’s there a dead duck on the floor?” Heads swiveled at Clint’s query, staring at the vanquished fowl in question. Sam and Steve immediately stepped closer, and Bucky’s eyes closed as he waited…

“Did Alpine kill that bird?” Steve whispered, horrified.

Sam cackled, bent over and hands propped on his knees. “Your cat’s an assassin, man!”

“Shut up, birdbrain! Steve, get me a blanket,” Bucky implored as he also turned to look at the poor critter. Steve turned huge eyes to his friend.

“Where?”

“I don’t know, get a towel or something so I can cover it up!”

Steve strangled out another question. Bucky hissed out another answer. Sam kept on cackling. Clint sat on the counter with his feet in a bar stool, still slurping his coffee, and Nat leaned against the counter near him, watching the scene with a near-bored expression.

And then the dead duck woke up.

With a frantic flap of his wings, he floundered his way off the floor. Alpine leaped after him with abandon, claws outstretched gleefully. Steve screamed like a little girl when the duck flailed in his direction, bouncing off of Sam before diving to the floor. Bucky zigzagged after the bird, then after Alpine, then back after the bird before he tripped tail over tea kettle over super soldier legs. Alpine, great hunter extraordinaire, was not about to be denied - he somersaulted into Clint’s lap in a vain attempt to recapture his prey. Clint, unprepared for the attack, tried to dodge out of the way and dodged himself right off the counter in a tidal wave of coffee.

Natasha simply blinked.

The resurrected fowl took shelter on the other side of the couch, and Bucky scrambled after him.

“Somebody hold onto that stupid cat!” Silently, the Winter Soldier skulked onto the couch and peered over the edge.

“Quack.”

“I know, man. Bad day. Sorry my cat tried to kill you.” He looked over his shoulder. Sam was snickering his way to him, Clint was cussing about the coffee, and Steve was hiding behind a loveseat. Punk. End of the line, my ass.

“Sam, help me out here.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Speak bird to him. You’re family.”

Sam’s eyes rolled so hard, Bucky was convinced the man saw the inside of his own skull.

“Still with the bird jokes. Ha ha.”

“Quack quack.” 

“Yeah, yeah, quack quack yourself. Hang onto your tail feathers, dude, we’re trying,” Sam groused. “We need to catch him first.”

Bucky mulled that over before Clint chimed in.

“We’ve still got that electrified net in the armory.”

Murder Glare arrowed onto the archer. “Jesus, Barton, we’re trying to free him, not flambe him!”

“Get a laundry basket,” Nat suggested blandly. The duck waddled nervously away from the voices, quacking as he went before he flapped his way onto the arm of Tony’s recliner closest to the window.

“Oh, God, get it off Tony’s chair!” Bucky begged. Sam snorted, snagging a nearby throw pillow and stepping closer to wave it in the duck’s direction.

“Come on, Donald. Off the furniture, man. Thank you, I knew you were a gentleman,” he praised when the bird hopped off in alarm at the motion. Bucky’s head hurt, his gears were spinning so frantically. His gaze hurried around the room and landed on Clint; the fool was using his straw to try and sip the spilled coffee off the tile.

“Barton! Why aren’t you over here helping? You’re part bird!”

Straw gurgling sadly, Clint tossed it away with a curse. “Hawkeye, Barnes. Hawk. I’m up high, not some puddle dweller.”

Ding. The familiar sound of an Iron Man suit came clomping down the hall. Tony appeared, battle-ready, and raised one hand, repulsor firing up, and Bucky knew he was truly screwed.

“Where’s the unfriendly?!”

“Quackquackquack!” 

The formerly-dead duck, freshly frightened by the sound of the repulsor, rushed desperately at the window, crashing into the glass. Iron Man didn’t hesitate and fired, sending shards exploding in all directions. Wind from outside the tower gusted inward, swirling papers and other sundry items up and away. Formerly-dead duck fled the chaos happily, kamikaze-diving out the now open window.

Sam belly laughed at the poor bird’s relieved quacking, waving a cheerful good-bye after him. “You go, duck! Go find you a pretty lady, hatch you a bunch of babies, and watch out for Alpine the Assassin!”

The face plate on Tony’s suit opened up, his harassed gaze taking in the carnage. Bucky sprawled face down on the floor, liberally sprinkled with bits of glass. Steve peeking out from behind a loveseat. Clint laying in a puddle of coffee clutching an empty pot. And that stupid cat was sitting on the Weiner Soldier’s ass. 

Natasha just looked at him, leaning casually against the counter.

“What the hell was Darkwing Duck doing here? FRIDAY said there was an attack.”

A sad, pathetic little groan croaked from Bucky, blending with a pleased little meow from Satan’s hairball. Natasha smirked as she strolled over to Bucky, scratching behind Alpine’s ears as she cooed to him like a proud mama.

“A hunting incident, Tony. Just a hunting incident.”

[girlwiththealligatortattoo]

Another sad day, and a stain on humanity, as Republican governor Brad Little, of Idaho, has signed a bill to allow the killing of up to 90% of Idaho's wolves. Even pro-hunting groups were against this bill, as it flies in the face of all science, promotes myths and lies, and lines the pockets of cattle ranchers.

I, for one, am SO WEARY, of animals, including wolves, wild horses, cougars, bears, coyotes, sage grouse, and many more, suffering because of the demand for cattle grazing land.

I've worked decades to pay my way daily for my education and the costs that it took to get where I am. And yet my tax dollars, against my will and ethical choice, go to pay for cattle to graze on public lands, and they pay for the murder of all of these animals. I find this to be an egregious abuse of my hard earned money. Let cattle ranchers fund their operations with their own lands and money - not mine.

Most Americans don't realize that they fund cattle grazing on public lands (because hey, that sounds harmless...in theory), but in turn, they also fund the demand of cattle ranchers to round up wild horses, the killing of wolves (as this horrible bill allows), and the removal of other species, along with the secondary deleterious environmental impacts. Most Americans that I know would be appalled to know that they pay to kill so many animals.

I'll continue to fight these horrific practices, through spreading my message of the importance of other animals, through my active writing to political leaders, and through my support of good animal conservation organizations. I think it's very important to emphasize, that we too, are an animal, and EVERY ANIMAL has limited resources. Please consider that if you have a meal tonight, and a roof, you are fortunate, not entitled.

The notion of entitlement in nature is a farce. We live behind a façade of "civilization" full of concrete and grocery stores, and we are far removed from actual survival skills. The human animal has become more of a consumer than a producer. More of a parasite.

Nearly half of our adults in America have metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease, and the diseases of modernity such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's are directly tied to our consumption. I'm just not sure that our "progress" has truly been what it claims to be.

And I'm sure that an animal that practices this horrific killing for money is decidedly NOT civilized.

No animal outlasts its resources, and that will include us. Every animal is "checked" by nature. COVID should have been a wake up call, but I'm not sure that it has been. I'm very uncertain of our supposed "intelligence."

I sure hope we can turn our legacy around. Let us make our legacy not one of pathetic, greedy consumption. Let us make our legacy one in which we understand our place in this absolute MIRACLE that we call LIFE. Let us cherish, rather than destroy. Let us find balance. Let us walk in beauty upon this earth, rather than take, take, take, take, take...

There are wonderful people out there, who care about other humans, and they care about other animals. To you, I salute you. I honor you. My spirit bows to your spirit. And thank you for being who you are. You are who and what gives me hope.

Shame on you, Idaho. What a great reason for me to stay the hell away when I'm considering where I might want to spend my dollars. I'm utterly appalled. And my soul is devastated. And yet I'm fortified; I'm determined. I will fight these blatantly unethical practices tooth and nail, until my last breath.

Beautiful people. Please stop leaving choices to politicians. Can't you see the blatant corruption in every political party and every corner? The back door deals and not allowing citizens to make the call? These folks are largely bought and paid for by one industry or another. It's disgusting and shameful. But you have power, my fellow American citizen. You have the power of choice. Because it is obviously the almighty dollar that we collectively worship.

One of the absolute most effective things you can do, that would help with so many issues, is to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS. Remember, whether consciously or not, you are making a choice every time you purchase something. If you quit buying it, the demand will drop.

It will be better for the environment, and better for your health. Every dollar you spend on food, whether it is meat or some processed packaged food, ultimately winds up, defining so much of the outcome of your metabolic health. Ultimately, that impacts our healthcare system.

And frankly, to me, a nation of unhealthy people, is a national security risk. And yet we buy their products, make ourselves sick, destroy other species and environments in the process, and then we buy their medications to treat the symptoms. We live long lives, but often not quality lives. Why not just treat the cause? Why not try to ensure your health rather than indulge your taste buds to the tune of "Oh I love this so much and I could never give this up..."

Believe me, I was raised in a family that owned steak houses and churned out good Southern food. I get it. I have a sweet tooth like nobody's business. But let me be clear: when I see, and saw, what goes on, you'd better be damn sure that I can, and will give it up. I will not allow my taste buds and preferences to remain static and override my empathy and my knowledge of healthy choices for myself, other animals, our healthcare system, and for sustainable human life on this planet.

You won't catch me purchasing cattle for consumption. Why?

Because this is no small family raising and consuming their own. Most folks wouldn't know the first thing about gardening or animal husbandry for survival. Purchase of foods in plastic from containers in grocery stores, where everything seems so abundant, has contributed to us becoming a very sick animal indeed, mentally, emotionally, and physically, because we are SO OUT OF TOUCH.

This is big business, with unethical acts involved, that is subsidized against my will, as a taxpayer. And I will take a stand by refusing to purchase their products.

Remember, this is a chain of events that brings them to your plate. The slaughterhouse is horrific, and yet it is only one step in the many, that are casualties of the demand for beef.

Please think about it.

This is a sad, sad mark on humanity.

This bill was about MONEY, not elk, and not other lies they toss at us, most of which we consume eagerly. We turn off our minds, let our eyes glaze over, and eat our Oreos, while binge-watching Netflix. We like to keep these issues out of sight and out of mind. As if they don't concern us. They don't pay our bills, so why worry. I hope we can do better than that. I know we can, if we just try. We can be an amazing and ethical animal.

Let's say no to the blue pill they like to give us. Let's red pill it, folks. Once again, our politicians fail us, while lining their pockets, and big business.

Come on, America. We can do better than this.

[my-brothers-corrupted]

My Brothers, Corrupted

Chapter Three : Section Ten : The Sunbird Prince

Chapter One l Chapter Two l Chapter Three

Trigger warnings for death of a character, fire/house burning, intense fight scenes, graphic violence, and death threats.

Trick is excited to hear that Blue’s doctor says he’s ready to travel. It means they’ll finally be able to go back to Peru and find their missing brothers! Blue isn’t as excited at the thought of Anti getting his hands on the rest of his family again – but as it turns out, they may have bigger things to worry about.

The Sunbird Prince

“I thought you’d be happier.”

Blue shakes his head slowly, pressed against Trick’s chest as it is.

“Why not? Blue. You’re going to make it through this.”

Blue sighs and looks up at him, running his fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, making Trick close his eyes.

“Yeah,” whispers Blue. “I guess we’ll figure it out.”

They’re on a dock on the river, a quiet part far from the bustle of the city, closer to the poorer part of town where they live. Still, there are trees in magenta and green and flowers to make the air sweet. Far off in the distance, there is the turning body of a ferris wheel and the loud beauty of modern architecture stretching for the sky, coated in silver and green. Trick’s feet are in the water off the dock, kicking gently as he lets Blue rest against him and shares a couple boxes of potstickers with him. For a moment, his addled mind remembers someone who looks just like him standing at the beach with his pants rolled up, walking around in the water, but he isn’t supposed to dwell on that for long, so he doesn’t. Blue is what matters right now anyway.

“It’s good news,” murmurs Trick, pressing their heads together. “I’m proud of you.”

Blue holds gently to his shirt and says nothing.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: What's the good news, Blue?

Blue rubs his face. “The doctor said I could most likely be cleared for travel.”

She said it while Trick was in the room too. No lying to get out of this one.

“I’m really proud of you,” says Trick, rubbing his shoulder, trying to cheer him up. “I’m so glad you’re here, Blue.”

“Yeah, I am too, Trick. Wouldn’t leave you behind.”

Trick’s face brightens with a wide smile. His eyes are calm and happy. He wraps both arms around Blue and hums.

Anonymous asked: How's it going, Trick? Are you two doing alright?

“It’s going, it’s going. We’re doing good, right, Blue?”

“Medically,” mumbles Blue.

She said he could be cleared for travel. Preferably, he’d have another month of good rest, but Blue doesn’t expect to get it, or at least not in this country.

“Come on, finish up your potstickers,” Trick encourages him, patting his back and passing him a box. His little brother has not lost the slightly glazed look in his eyes in days. Blue doesn’t feel hungry.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Travel, huh? That's...good! Where would you go? Maybe staying put a little longer might be good for everyone?

“Anti said as soon as Blue’s well enough, we can finally go back to South America and find our other brothers.” Trick is practically glowing from the news, nodding up and down to himself, kicking his feet in the water. “We can find Dok again and make sure he’s okay. I haven’t seen him in… in… oh, how long have we - ?”

“A couple weeks, Trick,” murmurs Blue, frowning at him.

“A couple weeks.”

Anonymous asked: He’s going to move you soon then?

“I think he will as soon as he can.” Blue drags his hands down his face. “He gets more and more stressed every day, far as I can tell. He wants Dapper again more than anything else in the world. I think he’d shatter planets to have him back again.”

“I miss Dap,” says Trick cheerfully. “I want to bring everyone back here and get them all my favorite noodles. You think Anti will let us come back here once we’ve got them? I love this place.”

He takes his turn to put his head down against Blue’s chest, smiling warmly out at that rushing white river. Nothing bad has ever happened to him in this country, not since he got Blue out of the hospital, not that he’s aware of anymore.

hurricael asked: Blue, do you think you're ready to travel there?

Blue shakes his head slowly, but Trick doesn’t even seem to notice, maybe pressed too close to his chest, getting a little sleepy on a full stomach. Blue looks at him and his gaze softens, but sorrowfully, painfully, and he threads his fingers through that green grass hair.

“I still feel terrible all the time,” he sighs. “I don’t know how else to describe it. I’ve been told to accept that my eyes won’t work any better than this. They’ve diagnosed me with an immune disorder so I probably shouldn’t be on planes anyway right now. Fuck, and you know what, even if I did feel well, I just wish - I just wanted - I wish I could buy my brothers more time.”

Trick lets him ramble, accustomed to Blue’s slightly off-kilter concerns. As long as Anti isn’t bothered, he isn’t either, and he loves Blue enough to listen to him for hours no matter how much he confuses his brain.

“You’ve told me they’re okay. Maybe better than okay. They’re not with Anti. They’re having their own recovery time, and maybe they need it even more than I do. I mean, they’ve been with him for so, so long. They deserve a chance away.”

“You’re still mad at Anti for whatever happened the other night,” points out Trick, lightly scolding. “You two hold the worst grudges. But we still shouldn’t be late getting back to him, okay? Finish your lunch and let’s get going.”

Trick pushes the box to him again, demanding that he eat. Blue gazes at him. He’s been his caretaker all this time no matter how deep Anti’s wormed into his head.

Blue is tired of being sick, but he’s more tired of seeing his family hurt.

“Okay. We can go in a minute. But give me a minute longer, Trick. A minute longer.”

One more minute of just him and Trick. One more minute of feeling alright, here in the waters of a river that has never hurt him. One more minute of Red and Dok and Dapper safe on the other side of the world. Blue stares down at his white hands.

Anonymous asked: Whatcha thinkin’ Blue?

“Just… thinking about buying them some time,” mumbles Blue, staring down at his hands. Looking up, you can find the dark scar that Anti carved into his arm that night he stole his magic from him. “Ways to buy time. Slow recovery. I don’t know. Might be worth it.”

He glances over at Trick. “Got all my prescriptions, right, bud?”

Trick shakes a bag of medicine bottles. “You know it. Enough to last you a month.”

Blue smiles weakly.

spicydanhowell asked: trick, do you know that you're not you right now?

Trick gives you a slightly petulant frown, glancing between you and Blue, who raises his eyebrows as if to leave him to his own devices. Trick shrugs, throwing his hands up.

“I don’t even know what that means, cameras. Of course I’m me. Blue, this isn’t what you were going on about the other day, is it?”

“Try to listen to people other than Anti,” Blue urges him gently. Trick huffs and picks up their trash, tossing it away on the beach and coming back to hold Blue’s cane out to him.

Anonymous asked: Trick, what do you think of a future with just you and Blue and Red and Dapper and Dok? Just the five of you and Noodle?

“Hey, why just the five of us?” cries Trick. “What happened to Anti? Blue, let’s go home. I want to see him!”

“Anti’s fine, sweetie,” soothes Blue, getting shakily to his feet, his brother’s arm around his waist to settle him a moment later. “They’re probably just playing hypotheticals, okay?”

“Hypotheticals. Well, I think we’d be completely aimless and totally broken up, and we’d probably all get locked up or killed by magicians or cops or something because he wouldn’t be there to cover our tracks, that’s what I think about a future without Anti.’

Anonymous asked: You wouldn’t need to hide if Anti wasn’t there Trick. This might be useless to tell you, but the only reason you’re running is because of Anti. You’d be just fine by yourselves.

“Okay, newsflash, guys - Red alone is wanted for like, twelve counts of murder in about five different countries, and that’s just the murder, so I don’t think that’s going to just go away. Also, the reason we haven’t been harassed by fucking magicians in this country is because Anti handled them for us.”

Trick looks proud. He doesn’t know exactly what this means, but he knows Anti said he handled it, and that’s all that matters.

“Besides, my baby brother is a fucking time traveler. If people caught wind of that - fuck. We’re going to spend the whole rest of our lives in hiding so no one comes after him. Anti says people could catch him and sell him like a weapon. He’s so powerful. It’s not his fault, we just have to keep him safe. Staying hidden is important and it’s the only way to stay safe! Anti makes sure we can do that.”

Blue opens his mouth, thinking about saying something, but he’s been with Trick for a long time now and his energy is too low to fight.

“Here, give me your hand,” Trick urges gently, seeing the exhaustion in his face. “I’ll help you, come on. There’s the MRT. I’ll get you a seat in the back and we’ll rest.”

spicydanhowell asked: marv, don't let chase look but... you're not gonna make yourself sick are you?

“I don’t know,” admits Blue in a low croak. “I… I almost want to. Just to buy them some more time.”

He’s staring down at his hands again by the time they reach the subway, sitting side to side in the back. Luckily, it’s not too busy at this time of day. Lately, he struggles with hands touching him, but the only one close is Trick, and his palms are warm and familiar, set gently on his knee, a clear attempt to soothe and protect him. Blue appreciates it.

“It would be easy, you know? Horrible, the things I’ve considered. I’m already so sick that getting back in the hospital… I think I could do it. Then would Anti leave me behind? Or punish me terribly? Or go anyway and just let me suffer on the plane ride?”

He stares out at the city zipping by. Trick is right. It is lovely. Blue wishes it could be just the five of them, living in that little house, eating from the cheap stalker stands and exploring the whole island, recovering together.

“I’m scared,” he admits. “I don’t want to be worse than I already am again. I don’t want to be punished. But I also don’t want him to catch them. Or at least not yet. Not yet. Why can’t I ever save any of them from anything? I feel so passive. I’m always surrendering.”

Anonymous asked: Then don’t surrender this time. There has to be a better way to give them time without putting you in harms way. But at this point I think Anti is so desperate that a small scrape on the knee isn’t going to do anything. Do you have any other ideas?

“Killing him in his sleep,” mumbles Blue, eyes flashing. “But I’m not sure how to go about that. And Trick would hate me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing, baby.”

“If you say so.”

Trick hasn’t questioned much lately.

bupine asked: blue, marvin, i am so sorry you have to go through this. the situation sucks so bad. if you have to get sick, then do it, k? be careful though. i can guarantee you that your brothers are ok. red and dapper especially. i won't say much more because last time i did i fucked up pretty bad but i swear they're alright and i know you're doing your best. good luck :D

“Haha, oh my goodness, I remember that, poor thing,” laughs Blue. “You were just trying to help, my friend. Oh, fuck. I’m glad they’re alright. If I could, I’d distract him from them forever.”

Anonymous asked: Trick, how do you feel?

“Good! Good. Really excited to see everyone again, glad Blue is better, Anti’s letting me sleep in his room again, everything’s great. I do want to make sure Blue is doing okay with mental health stuff, though.”

He squeezes his brother’s shoulder, drawing Blue out of his distraction and leaning down to help him up gently.

“Cause I love him!” he adds, grinning as Blue reaches his level, and this, at last, is enough to draw a real snort of laughter out of Blue. Something about the way he says it.

“Dumb-ass,” growls Blue without heat, smiling and shoving Trick’s shoulder. “I love you too.”

“Yay, there he is!” Trick wraps his arm around him and leads him off the subway, down the pavement that leads back to their little house.

Anonymous asked: Trick, do you even remember what you had yesterday for breakfast?

“Jokes on you. We had no breakfast!”

“I thought you finished off the last of the chicken?”

“Uh - that was early lunch!”

“Sure, sure. Such a dork.”

“No, you!”

“No, you.”

“You.”

“You, fucker.”

“Ass.”

“Airhead.”

“Idiot.”

This continues for much of the MRT ride.

Anonymous asked: Hey. Blue. If Anti can see these, then we shouldn't mention where your brothers are, right? That went badly last time?

“Yeah, it would be best to keep that quiet,” says Blue, knowing that he’ll probably be punished later just for telling you so. “I don’t know how much he knows about where they are right now - he’s been doing some fairly careful searching around and I don’t think he’s exactly clueless about what they’ve been up to - but yes, if you can keep it quiet, keep it quiet.”

Anonymous asked: So...we shouldn't tell you that they've moved locations— o o p s

“Lol,” says Trick out loud, voice dry, shooting you a look. “I don’t know if you’re trying to be clever or if you’re actually trying to help us find them, but it doesn’t matter. Anti will find them. The only reason he hasn’t been able to is because his usual ability to communicate with technology wherever he focuses his mind is limited by the new magic. Once he’s in South America, he should be able to get all the information he needs within a couple hours. From this location, he has access to most of the fucking Asian continent, so I don’t expect any problems finding them once we’re back to Peru. I’ll get to see my brothers again!”

Blue blinks at him, startled. Is this what he and Anti talk about? Does he know Anti’s power that well?

Trick sees him staring and winks, a shy smile playing across his mouth. “Just observant,” he says, leaning back in his seat.

spicydanhowell asked: trick, you're worried about blue's mental well being, but he's upset because he's so worried about you and everyone else. anti has made changes in your brain, made you forget people that you love, even a friend you knew just a few days ago. blue wants you to be happy for real, not this fake happiness that anti is feeding you. before this, you tried to kill yourself... do you even remember that?

Trick’s face whitens.

“My - look, I - there’s a reason I didn’t want to talk to you guys for so long!” he cries, drawing attention from the volume of his voice. Blue grabs his arm and hushes him quickly. “My attempt was - my attempt was - sometimes it doesn’t matter how much anybody loves you, you just feel like you can’t - don’t act like it’s Anti’s fault!”

Tears are stinging in his eyes and Blue clings to his shoulders, holding him close. “They’re just trying to check that you’re okay, Trick, sh, sh.”

“Anti is finally treating me like something worth his time and all of you act like it’s fake,” sobs Trick. “None of you think anybody could really love me. He loves me! If Anti changed my head, he was trying to stop what happened from happening again. I don’t want to be suicidal! I feel happy! Leave me alone!”

“Trick, Trick,” soothes Blue. “They’re on your side. We’re all on your side. We’re just worried.”

“When Dapper acts different because of his Haldol no one calls it fake,” says Trick, shaking his head. “Well, I’m messed up too. And Anti’s my Haldol.”

“Fuck’s sake,” groans Blue. “Don’t say that of all things, love, please, you’re killing me. That’s horrible on a hundred different levels. If you need antidepressants - ”

“I don’t want to talk about this!” snaps Trick, turning away from him, his arms across his chest and his face red with the effort of not crying. “Let’s just go home! This ride is taking for fucking ever!”

Blue covers his face with his hands and slumps over himself, pain groaning in his chest, in his heart, across the whole of his exhausted brother.

How does he get Trick away from this? How does he get him out of a mess this fucked up?

bupine asked: you should realize people can't be or act as drugs, trick. i don't want to upset you. but people do love you apart from anti. your brothers love you. there was once a woman and some children who loved you. you even had a youtube channel with an audience that loved you. no matter what anti thinks of you, his opinion is not the be-all-end-all of your life.

“I’m sorry for blowing up. I’m sorry, Blue, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad at me, I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, buddy, it’s okay, just - Trick, sh, sh, come here, you’re shaking. They’re right, there are so many people who love you just how you are.”

“I don’t want other people,” chokes Trick. “I want Anti. Why does everyone act like I can’t have my own brother’s attention for two weeks? What’s wrong with me?”

“It’s not about you, Trick, it’s about Anti.”

“Well, I like Anti even if no one else does. That’s what love is.”

“Not if he hurts you,” whispers Marvin, holding his face in his hands. “Not if he makes you feel like you’re nothing without him. Trick… can’t you tell that you’re acting just a little strangely? Memory loss? Random suddenly being upset? Not missing Dok hardly at all?”

Trick’s eyes flicker.

He pulls away from Blue and doesn’t answer, turned away, shaking his tired head.

“Soon I’ll see him again,” says Trick, very soft. “And Dok makes everything make sense.”

Anonymous asked: You think no one can love you because that’s what Anti made you believe. Did he tell you the reason all your brothers left is because they didn’t care enough? He’s wrong. He’s taken so many people away from you that if given the change could have loved you or did. That girl at the noodle shop?...look Trick, you might not trust us anymore, but you trust Blue don’t you? Do you even see how he feels? You might be able to hide behind the mask Anti made for you, but don’t you dare mask Blue’s hurt

“We’re going to get in trouble for talking about this,” whispers Trick, refusing to look back at you or Blue.

Blue sits looking at him. Nothing left to say.

Trick knows he’s hurting, he does. And he’d like it to stop, but it’s just - it’s not Anti’s fault! It can’t be! Because that would make Anti cruel and that isn’t what Trick knows him to be.

“I’ll turn you off,” he warns belatedly. “I will.”

Blue brushes at his eyes, silent beside him.

Anonymous asked: Trick there are a lot of people that love you. And even on medicine things aren’t always great, they don’t turn out the way they are supposed to. We’re sorry for being so upfront about this stuff, but we really are worried about you. We do care, we care so much for you guys and that won’t ever change no matter what happens. But please at least hear what we, or even Blue for that matter, have to say- sometimes hearing the hard stuff is important to moving forward.

“I do love you,” says Blue. “I am just worried. You never listen to me when I’m afraid for you. No one ever does.”

“Last time someone listened to you when you were afraid,” says Trick, and suddenly there is a bitter note to his voice you haven’t heard in a long time. “You burned half the mountain down and alerted a flock of magicians who stole my twin from me.”

“That,” croaks Blue, his heart pulsing achingly in his chest. “Was Anti’s fault. You don’t get to blame me for that. You don’t get to. I was the one who got hurt.”

“Not the only one,” mumbles back Trick.

“Maybe you should think less about your own pain,” Blue heaves, his eyes stinging, “and more about the reasons Anti is trying to turn you against me and everyone else in the world but him. Two days ago a girl kissed you and you don’t even remember, a girl who was your friend, who brought me poetry from the library and gave you food when you were hungry and afraid the first day you came here. She didn’t want to hurt you and Anti still decided he wouldn’t share you with her, so he took her away. Call that love if you want.”

Anonymous asked: You already know what’s the truth and what’s a lie. Turning us off won’t do anything. I’m sorry, Trick. I really, really am. We don’t want to see you hurt anymore, any of you.

“You do know the truth,” says Marvin, eyes downcast. “It’s killing me - it kills us -to see you buy into a lie because you don’t believe you could be happy without it. And Dok, Trick… Dok’s going to be so heart-broken to see you like this.”

“Don’t say that,” whispers Trick. “Don’t say that. You can question anybody else’s love but not Dok’s.”

“He’d be upset because he loves you,” says Blue. “The real you.”

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Guys, maybe set this aside for now... especially if you're going home. You don't want Anti catching wind of this, do you?

“That’s a good idea,” says Trick. “You can’t take another… um…”

“Beating?” suggests Blue bitterly.

Trick nods slowly, unable to meet his eyes.

“Yes. Punishment.”

“Fine.”

bupine asked: trick, dok's already realized what's true and what's a lie. we've seen him. i know he'd want the same for you, but i also know how hard that will be, and i'm sorry.

Trick shoots you a bizarre look, maybe alarmed, maybe just confused. Then he shakes it off.

“Nothing going to come between me and Dok! I’ll see him again soon and everything will be fine. And if he takes a little re-orientation, that’s the magicians’ faults for fucking with his head! I’ll look after him. I’ll…”

His eyes drift. He blinks at Blue, dazed.

“Trick?”

“We were talking about something important,” mumbles Trick, rubbing at his forehead.

“Just come here, buddy,” sighs Blue, pulling him under his arm.

bupine asked: we're sorry, trick. it hurts to see you like this. i'm just glad you're at least happy.

“Yeah… happy.”

Trick stares at the window across from him. Down at his hands. At you, at Blue.

“I’m happy?” he says.

Blue hugs him tighter.

“I love you,” he says.

“I’m happy,” repeats Trick, smiling now, certain, running his fingers through his brother’s beard. “I love you too.”

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Marvin, can you help him remember Dok at all??? For longer than he does...?

“It makes him cry every time,” says Blue. “I mean, it kind of makes him have like… he freaks out. I could try, though, if you wanted. Just let us get home first. Come on, amata, here’s our stop.”

“Okay, Blue.”

Anonymous asked: I don’t think sending Trick into a panic attack about his twin is a good idea. He’s pretty freaked out as it is and we don’t want...a repeat. So instead just keep talking to him and be honest about how you feel.

Blue sighs through his nose. “I’m sorry, I’m… kind of tired of talking. You’re like a brick wall sometimes, Trickster, and we’ve been at it for days.”

“I’m sorry…”

“No, I - just teasing a little. I mean… it’s just… it’s complicated, huh, bud? It’s not really your fault. Don’t be sorry. We’ll talk again when you’re not so worked up.”

Anonymous asked: Hey Blue, that side of the mountain that you burned? It’s grown back with all these plants and it’s absolutely beautiful now. It goes to show that it gets worse before it gets better y’know? Don’t give up just yet.

“Oh,” says Blue, stopping short on the pathway. Trick stops with him, looking back at him.

“Everything okay?” asks Trick.

Blue looks up at him. “What? Oh. Yes. Yes. That’s good news. That’s… really good to hear.”

At least he can know that the last thing he used his magic for was something beautiful.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: So what's the plan for now, Marvin? Keep Trick happy and safe? Maybe get him away from Anti? He can't track you guys, realistically...

Blue laughs wearily, rubbing at Trick’s back as they walk. With no other way to look after him, his protectiveness manifests in constant touching and a constant eye on him. Trick’s weary and he keeps leaning back in to Blue’s touch, looking up at him like he’s expecting him to catch him when he falls.

“I don’t know,” says Blue. “I think he could find a way to track just about anyone, no matter how off the grid you try to be.”

“He found you once,” pipes up Trick, swinging their hands as they walk. “When you were still the old master’s. We hunted you for months, Blue.”

“Right… well. I don’t know. Maybe it will be easier when I have the others here, to see what needs to be done. I really, really been missing Red.”

Trick squeezes his palm sympathetically. Blue glances up to see the house in front of them.

“At least someone got rid of that weird cloth,” says Blue. “It was freaking me out, lying across the hummingbird feeder. It looked like a person in the dark.”

“What cloth?”

“This big swath of colorful fabric just hanging over the bird feeder. Someone must have forgotten and then remembered it.”

“I didn’t see it.”

“I was surprised Anti didn’t do anything about it. He can be kind of territorial.”

“Maybe he didn’t see it either. He hasn’t been leaving the house. Should I tell him about it?”

“I don’t know. It’s gone now, isn’t it?”

Anonymous asked: Um wasn’t that cloth used as like a marking? Maybe to tell other people something, like a message? If it’s gone then whatever it was there for has probably been taken care of. Just be careful when you go inside alright?

Trick and Blue exchange glances.

“Hm. Okay,” says Blue.

“Blue, if someone found us and knew we were the sort of people to leave a marking for… that’s trouble.”

“Come on, Trick, Anti’s making you paranoid. Let’s go, love. Got the keys?”

Trick steps up to the porch and unlocks the door.

“Ow!” says Blue before he can get it open, nearly dropping you.

“What?”

“The camera, like, shocked me,” Blue hisses, shaking his hand out.

“What? Bad?”

“No, no, it just surprised me.”

“Maybe you should get Anti to take a look at it. If it’s breaking then - no!”

“Trick?”

He’s opened the door.

There is a tall figure standing in the back of the living space. On the floor, Anti is writhing, breathless and trembling, as electricity courses and crackles across his body, through his coding and his blood, making him jolt and jerk and vomit down his chin, his eyes squeezed tightly shut and small gasps falling from his mouth.

Blue whispers some curse or prayer behind him, but Trick does not understand it. His eyes are fixed on his master, in agony on the floor of their home, sick sliding onto the carpet as the man stands over him and watches.

The figure’s head turns at the sight of them.

His hands glow with green power. His eyes shine brighter than Trick’s hair. His mouth is curled into a snarl.

He wears the colorful fabric, the colorful cloak you’ve seen before, the colorful wings of the sunbird magicians of Singapore.

“Good,” he says, very clearly. “You’re home, lah. Come in.”

Anonymous asked: I’m not sure if you boys are aware but Anti went on a mad killing spree and killed a bunch of magicians when Blue first woke up and I think...I think that person is here to give Anti a piece of his own medicine. I don’t know if he see you boys as enemies tho so please please be careful.

“Well,” breathes Blue, the air knocked out of him completely. “That would explain it. Thank you, Anti, for your many well-thought-out and harmless plans.”

“I said,” enunciates the magician, turning his body to them, and for a moment Anti is able to groan and slump down against the floor. “Come in.”

Violent green electricity lights up beneath their feet and you hear them both scream, Trick crashing into the entryway while Blue tumbles back onto the porch. No matter how far he goes, though, the electricity is following him, back, back -

The magician has him by the collar. He drags him into the house and throws him on top of Blue, slamming the door shut behind them. Their electricity dies out and Blue, twitching, leaps to his feet and reaches back towards the door, just in time for the handle to begin cackling with power. Blue screams and draws his shocked hand away, tripping back down to Trick’s level. The walls burn with the magician’s power. He turns his attention back to Anti and he begins to jerk again, gasping on the pain, unable to bring his own power to bear. Electricity is painful for a human, but for something like Anti?

He cannot breathe or think or move except to shudder with the power and the pain. Agony courses through him. He wishes for Red. He cannot open his eyes.

“Murderers!” screams the sunbird. “Killers, bloodhounds!”

spicydanhowell asked: uhhh dope? this is dope right? marv, maybe hold onto trick so he doesn't... idk. this seems pretty dope

“This is not dope,” whispers Trick, shell-shocked for a second, staring at the figure leaning over Anti. “This - this is not…”

“Leave him alone!” screams Trick, leaping to his feet and throwing himself at the sunbird, ignoring Blue’s cry for him to stop. “Stop it, don’t touch him! I’ll fucking kill you!”

The magician grabs Trick by the throat and sends power coursing through him, lifting him onto his toes as he spasms.

“No!” howls Blue, racing forward to help him. “He’s innocent, stop, stop!”

bupine asked: wait, magicians, stop! the two brothers that just came in, they're not at fault! they're brainwashed, hypnotized by anti, the demon you caught first. leave them be, please calm down!

“Oh, you’re innocent, you don’t deserve to die, it’s not your fault, you’re innocent? So was my fucking family!”

He fires a bolt of pure heat at Blue, making him cry out and fall back, his shirt smoldering.

“I’m going to burn you all down to blackened bones for what you did! I don’t care which one of you it was! I don’t care! I don’t care!”

“Please, listen to me!” begs Blue. “We’re prisoners here!”

“Coward!” spits Trick, choking on the hand around his throat. “That’s our brother! If he came after you than you deserved it!”

The magician howls and throws him to the ground, bringing the heel of his boot down directly on Trick’s nose. Blue wails like he’s the one being beaten, staggering back to his feet again, his hands out-stretched.

Anonymous asked: Marvin show them your raven tattoo and explain that you both didn’t kill anyone!

“I’m a magician, I’m a magician,” babbles Blue, trying to reach Trick, ignoring Anti writhing on the floor nearby. “Or I was, he stole my power from me, he’s the one who beat these bruises into my face, he’s a hypnotist and a memory-thief, I’m a magician, look, look - ”

The lapwing tattoo gleams darkly on his skin as he pulls his shirt back. The sunbird’s eyes flicker, his teeth gritted hatefully, but over Blue’s begging he is pulling handcuffs out of his backpack. Blue sees in his cloak the outline of a gun.

Anonymous asked: Sunbird magician, do you know anything about stolen magic? Like if it can be returned to the person it was taken from, anything like that?

“How do you return a heart once it has been ripped out of the chest and stolen away?” spits the magician, turning his dark eyes to you for the first time. “How do you give a parent back to their child after they have come home to find their body eviscerated on the floor of their home? You do not. You just die.”

He grabs Blue by the throat and collars him in rope, tugging it tight and tying him to the fireplace as he gasps.

hurricael asked: Sunbird magician please don't kill them, it makes sense you want revenge and I'm not saying you can't have it, but please take it out on the demon who did it instead of other victims of him

“I’ll be sure to kill the demon, don’t you worry about that!” he snarls. “Whichever one of them it is does not matter to me. And you! I know what you are! This magician is an electronics manipulator. He sends messages through cameras, then. Shut the hell up. You killed my family, my father.”

pixie-in-trebleland asked: WAIT! SUNBIRD DUDE, MAGICO! Those two had nothing to do with it! One was in the hospital!!

“We were in the hospital!” cries Blue, desperate now. “I was ill and he was with me! We had nothing to do with it!”

“You live with a monster,” growls the sunbird. “You should have killed it when you were given the chance. I watched you last night, little lapwing. Sleeping sound. You’re not a fighter. You’re not a prisoner. Don’t try to trick me.”

Sudden fury lights up in Blue’s blood. He grits his teeth hard, his eyes watering.

“You don’t know anything about me,” he hisses. “About the things I’ve had to do to survive. I’ve been fighting every day for months now. Sleeping is a victory. That I’m alive is a victory. Don’t you dare pretend I’m something evil just because I’ve survived evil things. At least I haven’t let them turn me into something as hateful and violent as you.”

Anonymous asked: No no no! He’s not lying! They are prisoners! The one who you just stomped on has been brainwashed the worst which is why he’s defending him! Please just hold on okay? Let’s talk this out for a minute alright?

“Don’t hurt him,” cries Blue. “You can hurt me but not him, he’s out of his mind on the monster’s control, he barely knows who he is anymore, he doesn’t know what’s happening…”

“Shut up!”

bupine asked: magicians! it wasn't them, we can vouch for them! we swear they didn't hurt your family, and i am so, so sorry for what anti did to them. we couldn't stop him. don't listen to what trickshot says, he's extremely out of it and it's not his fault. please hear them out!

“Anti,” breathes the magician, leaning over him to grab his wrists and handcuff him too. Anti manages to open his eyes, staring up at him with bloodshot blue and green, and the sunbird knows that this one is the killer by the antlers that are pressing out of its skull in defense, same as the antlers he found broken on the floor of his home. “Is that your name, you fucking parasite? Is that what they call you? Look at you now, little Anti writhing underneath my power. Little boy, aw. You’re a shape-shifter and this is the form you choose to take? A neon green twink with a monster-fucker complex? Do you think Satan will even let an animal like you into hell? I fucking hope so. I bet he’s got circles just for things like you, you pathetic excuse for a demon, for a faery, for whatever the fuck you are.”

Anti’s eyes burn with hatred while his body shakes.

“I,” he whispers, his voice glitching and rising and falling and spasming worse than you’ve ever heard it. “Am - nothing - except - for what he made me. Do you - do you - do you know what that means, little sunbird?”

“What does it mean, you writhing bitch?”

“Nothing you can do will kill me,” hisses Anti, and his eyes shine black. “You don’t even know what I am.”

The magician drops him, handcuffed to the other side of the fireplace, leaving him splayed out at Blue’s side, his eyes rolling back again as the electricity consumes him once more. He’s glitching so badly Blue can barely see his face, and he’s stuck staring in horror at the mess of coding and his own image that Anti has become.

“You can burn for eternity, then, for all I care. I’m not in a hurry.”

Anonymous asked: If you kill them, you are no different than the monster that took your family away. This might feel right now, feel good even, to find the one who took everything away from you to begin with, but in the end it will do nothing for you. You are a magician, aren’t you supposed to protect people? Isn’t that what the order is for? You are in control of the situation so will you just take a second to look around? To see how scared out of their minds they are? Is that what ur family would have wanted?

“Let me be a monster, then,” answers the sunbird, stepping on Anti’s wrist beneath the handcuff, wondering if he can shatter it. “Doesn’t matter what they would have wanted. They’re dead.”

Anonymous asked: Magician, please let the ones who just came here go. They've been hypnotized and brainwashed by the one with two magics, the one you had before those two came in, don't hurt them please.

“Please,” croaks Blue. “I’m sorry for what happened to your family. Trick and I weren’t involved. We didn’t know. Please. What’s your name?”

“My name,” he spits. “Same as my father’s. Did you know what it was before you killed him, Anti? Did you know my father’s name? The name of the sunbird king? Did you know anything? He was a musician. His power was beautiful music. If he wasn’t speaking, he was singing. If he wasn’t sleeping, he was dancing. My name is Caleb. I’m killing you for Caleb. You can die for Caleb.”

hurricael asked: He can manipulate electronics, yes, but right now he's on the floor writhing in pain, I would highly doubt that he's able to even THINK right now. These other two have been hurt by him so much and for so long, and they've been hypnotized and completely broken for a long time. It's a wonder that Blue, the one with white hair, even knows that the demon is bad through all those layers of mental reshaping. Plus they didn't even know, did you hear what Blue said when they came in? They didn't know.

“Maybe he gets power from you,” reasons Caleb, ignoring the message, and he shatters you against the ground. You have other cameras in the room, luckily, but it’s a dick move and you see Blue’s eyes grieve.

bupine asked: please don't break the cameras, you'll regret it later, please. we've been through this same thing before, and trust us, revenge never makes anything better. it doesn't. we are genuinely sorry about your family. but we swear on our lives that these other two men are innocent.

“Don’t you get it,” snarls Caleb. “I don’t care if they’re innocent. I don’t care if they’re brainwashed. I wouldn’t care if they’re prisoners! I’ve been watching.”

He kicks Anti in the skull, eyes wild when he groans. “He sleeps with the little one half the nights. His room is covered in pictures of them. He makes plans to kill women just for kissing them. Obsessive little bastard. Do you love them, Anti? Do you love them? Now you can lose your family like I lost mine.”

Anti’s eyes gleam, but not with anger now. You’ve seen this look in his eyes some rare times before - leading cops away from a house in Norway, trying to rise from bed on Christmas Eve while Red was nearly stolen away, tearing open Christofer’s throat to make him drop Trick.

His family. His family.

“I’ll burn them down to ashes,” hisses Caleb. Blood drizzles out of Anti’s mouth as he grows weaker and weaker, but his eyes are glittering like terrible stars.

Anonymous asked: Blue, blue, he’s hurt and that makes him dangerous. If you can’t reason with him than you and Trick need to find a way to GET OUT

Get out. Get out. Blue needs to find a way to get himself and Trick out. Anti can die but he won’t let his little brother. He won’t, he won’t. His eyes scan around the room, but nothing comes to help him. He grits his teeth and tries to bring his power to bear, but nothing answers. He chokes on a sob and yanks against the fireplace to bring Caleb’s attention back to him before he can handcuff Trick, still holding his bleeding nose and squirming with pain closer to the door. Get up and go, Trick! But his little brother doesn’t. Blue can see him staring at the two of them and knows that he won’t go without them both.

Desperate, he turns his head and finds Anti’s eyes looking back at him, blue as oceans and rivers. Blue hates him. Anti hates him too. But neither are willing to die like this. Neither are willing to watch Trick die.

Blue’s eyes move. Anti blinks and coughs. Blue takes in a deep breath.

There is a conversation happening between them.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Trick, stay quiet, hun. You need to survive this to see Dok!

Trick takes advantage of the sunbird’s distraction, crawling towards his door and shoving inside, throwing himself onto his things and searching desperately for Dok’s handgun.

“Hey!” hollers the magician, turning to administer a burst of shock throughout the floor of the room. Trick screams, but so does another little voice.

The sunbird stops immediately, startled by Noodle’s yowling, calling the electricity back to himself before he shocks the cat any further and unwittingly giving Trick time to search. Noodle throws himself at Trick, terrified, and Trick scoops him up in shaking arms before rising to his feet with Dok’s gun clutched in his trickshot hands.

bupine asked: caleb. he's going to kill you. get out of there while you can. please. we can't watch more magicians, more people, die at his hand. once again, i'm so fucking sorry for what happened. you're not the first person who's life has been ruined by anti.

Caleb had believed that he was willing to die before he came in here, that it would be a noble death, that he would go to it happily for the sake of his revenge.

But looking down the barrel of Trick’s gun makes it very real and very close.

You see him frozen, staring, stuck, the electricity binding Anti dying down.

Anonymous asked: Trick don’t shoot!

“Don’t - shoot?” spits Trick. “Don’t - shoot this - this - h-him? Don’t - d-d-d-don’t - don’t - ”

He’s outraged at you for the suggestion.

But you can hear from his stammer that he’s terrified too, tripping so hard over the consonants that his head dips with the effort to try and speak, the hard edge of the letter trembling from his mouth again and again and again, a flurry of uncertainty.

“Don’t - don’t - don’t - don’t - don’t sh - sh - sh - ”

“Trick!”  cries Blue. “They’re right! Don’t shoot! Caleb, let’s talk this through!”

Maybe he’d tell Trick to tie him down or knock him out if he could, but Caleb still has a gun of his own in his pocket, and Blue doesn’t know how long the protection from electricity that Noodle is currently offering will hold any sway over him. He can’t watch Trick get shot.

“Marvin,” he hears Anti whisper. “Marvin.”

Anonymous asked: Trick! Please listen to blue, don’t kill the magician try to distract him instead

Trick swallows, his eyes flickering to you. Noodle mewls in his arms, still shaking from the shock. He deserves to die for hurting Noodle, but he also doesn’t want him to have to see the blood. He could cover his little cat eyes -

Focus, Trick!

“Drop the gun!” shouts Trick, cocking his own. Caleb flinches but reaches for his gun. Trick feels a thrill of fear and Blue whimpers in the corner, his body consumed by trembling.

Caleb could put the gun down. Or he could shoot Trick. Or he could shoot Anti. Two acceptable options. One impossible. Blue can’t just watch it happen. He feels Anti’s energy, the mix of his own and Blue’s, burning beside him, and he knows that Anti is not willing to leave it to chance either.

But he doesn’t want - he doesn’t want -

Anti is looking at him. Blue shakes his head. No, no. Too much. Too terrifying. I do not belong to you.

Anti’s mouth curves into a hateful smiles, coated in blood.

Like you’ve ever had a fucking choice.

And Anti possesses Blue.

Anonymous asked: For these in need of mercy, For these who are in pain, Quiet your sparking fury, Sunbird. Deal justice to the one who harmed you. Be clement to those who have not. Your battle is won, your quarry caught. Step with intent, with caution, with care. Know your enemies. Know your allies. Know yourself, and what you can do, and what you will do. And Act.

Oh, it reads like poetry, it reads like poetry, and Anti’s consciousness is rushing into Blue, and power with it, power with it, power like a flood, like a blood pact, like a death and a life and a morbidity.

Anti breathes in deep, nearly choking, freed at last from the electricity, but this - oh, this is not the best of it, this is not the best of it.

This is the tangibility the magic has longed for.

This is everything the magic has longed for.

And Anti feels whole, feels complete, feels perfected in a way he has not felt - fuck, since he was a child, since he was a child waking up in the back of his creator’s head, when the body was shared, and Jack wasn’t scared of him, and everything was well.

And Anti feels powerful.

Better than the moment he stole Marvin’s power.

This is what he should have been doing all along. The perfect mix of magic and incarnation. The perfect mix of power and control. The perfect balance, the perfect stance.

The magic belongs to him and the magic longs for the body and the body is controlled by him and everything is well. He could never control powers within somebody else’s flesh before, but this - oh, this he stole, fair and square, on the banks of the Rio Puturnayo.

He closes his eyes and everything comes easy. He’s weak, yes, and so is Blue’s body, but the magic - the magic answers so swift and so painlessly.

Small green vines bloom proudly along their body, curling their way up to the handcuffs, wrapping warmly around them and squeezing til they shatter.

It reads like poetry. You meant it for Caleb. Anti can feel the way the rhythm moves his magic. Anti remembers the poem Blue whispered to him, hateful, as he came awake in that hospital bed all those weeks ago.

“I will show you fear,” they whisper, their body rising to its feet, shaking without the cane, blue magic wisping from their eyes and open palms. “I will show you fear in a handful of dust.”

It reads like poetry. It moves like magic.

bupine asked: caleb! anti can possess people, he's taking over blue, the magician with the white hair! don't shoot him, please! shock him again, knock him unconscious, but do not kill him!

It takes about a half-second.

It takes about a half-second and Dapper isn’t there to slow it for you, and this is all you get to say. To warn him, like you warned him - Caleb, he will kill you.

Caleb realizes that his enemy is freed, grabs the gun, and turns to shoot him.

He never gets the hit off. A bullet is buried in his chest.

Trickshot - clean. Point-blank. Trick could shoot a quarter out of the air. Piercing Caleb’s heart is not a challenge.

Anti stands in Blue’s body, staring as Caleb collapses. Trick is behind him. You can hear him breathing.

Low and shaky.

Dok’s gun.

Don’t shoot, Blue told him.

You can hear him breathing.

Anonymous asked: Do anything you want to Anti, he deserves it. But please don't harm Blue or Trick, they're victims of him too. They've had people they love hurt by him, they've been hurt by him, they've been broken and manipulated and brainwashed and hypnotized and possessed by him and they didn't know he had even done anything until you came in. Please give them a chance to heal. And I think that taking them away from him would hurt him as much as killing them. More even, because he has no closure.

Trick sinks to his knees. Shaking too hard to hold Noodle. His cat hides in his lap.

Anti falls down to his knees too. Putting his mouth close to Caleb’s ear.

“Look how nicely they asked you,” he whispers, his voice layered and glitching. “How many messages did they send begging you not to hurt them, and you didn’t listen. They warned you. Look how nicely they begged you. Poor Caleb… they gave you a chance.”

Caleb spasms. His brown eyes are opened, his face against the floor. He stares up at Anti.

“If only he hadn’t given you a mortal wound,” whispers Anti. “We could have had so much fun together… maybe there’s still a little time…”

“No, Anti,” begs Trick, and then sobs are bursting from his throat, so stressed and broken they’re almost more like coughs. “No, he’s had enough. I didn’t mean to.”

Anonymous asked: Caleb Anti had electronic manipulation powers as well as fire and plants that he stole from Blue, and Blue casts through poetry so watch out for that

“Shall I show him?” coos Anti, flowers blooming around Caleb’s body, lovely at first and then thorned so thickly. Fire breathes into life in one palm. Anti leans down low, to touch his face -

Trick falls down beside him, wrapping his arms around Blue’s neck, and he begins to cry.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Anti. Back off. Let the guy die in peace. What's done is done.

“He should pay,” hisses Anti. “For hurting you - ”

“He has,” sobs Trick, holding him. “He did. I don’t want him to hurt. I just want you. And Blue. Please. I’m scared.”

Anti rises back onto his feet, bringing Trick with him. He takes his hand and pulls him into Trick’s bedroom, and all three of them collapse onto the bed.

Noodle leaps on top of them and curls his shaking body in between theirs.

Anonymous asked: Okay. This is a long shot. But Dapper. Dapper. Is it possible for you to rewind 40 minutes back? I don't completely know how your time powers work, but if it's possible can you try? And I'm sorry for scaring you, buddy, I know this is out of the blue.

Dapper’s in a car.

The sun is gold and the country is rushing past him. He’s in the backseat, buckled safely in, staring peacefully out at the world.

“I hate your fucking music, man.”

“You - hey!”

“Sorry, I do.”

“You’re a sour Juice Box today. Green apple. Okay, get my phone, pull up Dermot Kennedy, he’s the only artist we could ever agree on. For the record, your taste in music is shit too.”

“Oh, I highly doubt that.”

“No, I’m telling you.”

“Fuck you, Max.”

Laughter and jostling from the front seat. Max and Ro side by side, headed back to Peru.

Dapper takes you into his lap.

“It’s very difficult for me to time travel without my medication, and sometimes the side effects can be really nasty,” he says. “But I trust you. If you need me - if you really need me - to go back in time forty minutes, I can try. Make sure you’ve thought carefully through what could happen. Know what your outcome is and what it could be. In our lives, many options can be bad, but some are worse than others.”

“What are you talking about?” asks Red happily, leaning back to pat his knee.

“No worries, Ro,” says Dapper, trying to smile, though you see he looks weary and downcast. But he trusts you if you can come to a consensus. If you want to do this over again. If you think it could end another way.

bupine asked: caleb, we're sorry. we're so fucking sorry.

Blue’s flowers are around him.

He smells aster and begonia.

He dies.

bupine asked: dapper, anti's hurt someone. someone who didn't deserve it. we need to try and help them, if that's ok. it might not work, but i feel we have to try.

Dapper stares down at his hands. You see he’s holding a little picture.

Max gave it to him. Three siblings, dark-haired and dark-skinned, and him in the middle of all of them, their arms wrapped around him, and him smiling.

Or the him he used to be.

“Anti’s hurt a lot of people who didn’t deserve it,” he says softly, and he takes his clock out of his pocket and turns b

---------------

“You protected me,” whispers Anti, holding Trick to his chest.

His little brother is crying, crying. Anti doesn’t really understand why. He’s made him kill people before, and then all he had to do was send him to Dok and he’d be fine the next morning. Ah, he must be missing him.

“Poor thing.” Anti snuggles closer to him, rubbing his back, and reaches over him to find the music box Dok gave him beside the mattress. He winds it carefully and lets it go, and Trick is instantly quieted by the sound of the familiar music, and by Anti’s darkening eyes.

“There you go,” purrs Anti. “Stop crying.”

Trick cuts himself off with a sniffle, hiding in Anti’s chest. Anti allows it. For a moment, he is almost overwhelmed by his fondness for him.

It isn’t like with Dapper. Dapper was just… a pet. Cute and funny and entertaining and nice to hold. But Trick is… Trick is almost like Jack.

Trick is almost like a person to Anti, like… a friend, almost. He doesn’t find it entertaining, anymore, watching Trick cry, not like he thinks it’s funny when Dapper cries. Trick just needs him so much, so desperately. There was so much less force used. So much less training. And oh, oh, but he does look just like Jack…

“I suppose I could teach you that that was your name,” mumbles Anti, stroking his green hair, the thought flickering darkly across his mind. “Trickshot hardly means anything. I could make you believe your name was Jack is I wanted to.”

Trick blinks slowly up at him and nods, rubbing at exhausted, glazed over eyes.

“You did well,” whispers Anti.

“I did really well.” Trick burrows himself back in his chest again.

“You proved yourself to me, Trick. You made up for the girl in the shed. I know you didn’t kill her. You regretted that, didn’t you? You should have killed Genesis. She was the one who took your twin from you. Stole him away.”

“I should have killed her,” mumbles Trick, sounding angry at himself. “Should have protected Dok… done what you told me to do.”

“But you’ve made up for it now.” Anti entangles his fingers lovingly in his bright hair. “Forget Xin Yi, we won’t hunt her down. We don’t have time and you’ve made up for it. You’re ready mentally. Blue’s ready physically. And me, like this - I’m ready for anything.”

Trick nods again, pulled flush against his body, his blue eyes drifting wearily closed.

“Have a nap with your cat,” murmurs Anti. “An hour or two.”

“Will you stay with me, Anti?”

“Later we can rest together. For now - I have to find us a ride to Peru. We’ll be gone before midnight. Leave nothing behind. Sleep.”

Trick closes his eyes and obeys, Dok’s music box singing to him and Noodle on his chest, Anti’s fingers running through his hair.

Or he would -

But this is all undone.

---------------------------

As is usual when Dapper rewinds time, I reblogged an older post with an addition:

“At least someone got rid of that weird cloth,” says Blue. “It was freaking me out, lying across the hummingbird feeder. It looked like a person in the dark.”

“What cloth?”

“This big swath of colorful fabric just hanging over the bird feeder. Someone must have forgotten and then remembered it.”

“I didn’t see it.”

“I was surprised Anti didn’t do anything about it. He can be kind of territorial.”

“Maybe he didn’t see it either. He hasn’t been leaving the house. Should I tell him about it?”

“I don’t know. It’s gone now, isn’t it?”

Added:

Dapper opens his eyes, staring at you.

Anonymous asked: BLUE TRICK DO NOT GO INTO THE HOUSE

“Motherfuck.” Blue half-laughs, suddenly nervous. “Okay, geez.”

“You know something, Blue?”

“What?”

“I think they really don’t want us to go in the house.”

They look at each other laughing and confused, shaking their heads.

“Well,” says Trick. “Here I go - ”

“Trick, no!”

“Kidding! Hahaha, dumb-ass, that was a joke.”

“Oh, thank God,” says Blue, grabbing his hand nonetheless. “Idiot.”

bupine asked: trick. blue. don't go inside. there's a magician in there who wants to kill you. dapper turned back time because the magician died and he didn't deserve it. anti killed his family and he wants revenge. don't go inside, please trust us, please. we only get one chance to fix this.

The laughter falls out of their faces.

“There’s a magician in there?” says Trick. “What - with Anti?”

He stares at the door, his mouth drying. Blue squeezes his hand tighter.

“Bluel, we have to get in there and - ”

“No. No.”

“They could hurt him!”

“They could hurt you,” frets Blue. “Please.”

Trick looks over at him, seeing his brother standing on his cane, pale-faced and glassy-eyed, with exhaustion in every line of him, and he stays.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Whyyy don't you go for a walk around the block or something?

“Come on,” murmurs Trick, squeezing Blue’s hand in return. “I’ll take you to that park a couple blocks down and you can wait there for me.”

“I’m not going anywhere if you’re going to do something stupid,” answers Blue hotly.

bupine asked: anti, can you hear us? caleb? can anyone inside hear?

You can see inside the house from the cameras around the room, but they seem a little pre-occupied.

Caleb is stepping on Anti’s throat. Anti spasms with electricity just like he did last time, choking and thrashing, gasping and squeezing his eyes shut, feeling like his powers are cut-off from him by this horrible lightning, frying both his physical and intangible form.

Anonymous asked: Yeah haha funny but this is really serious, we had dapper reverse because if you guys go in there it will be a very bad time. You need to leave and go far away and you need to do it now.

“Blue, you should go.”

“I’m not going without you.”

“Don’t think I won’t carry you and steal your cane, asshole.”

Anonymous asked: Stay together and stay away from the house, guys, please

“If you guys really think I’m leaving Anti to be motherfucking tortured, you can think the fuck again!” shouts Trick, whirling on you with venom in his eyes. “Sorry I’m the only one around here that gives a fuck but that’s my brother!”

hurricael sked: Guys please. Last time someone died. Stay away from the house.

“No,” Trick is saying before he’s even finished the messages. “No, I won’t leave Anti to this alone. He doesn’t have Red, he doesn’t have Dap, he just has me. You’re insulting me! You’re insulting me, you think I’m a coward and that I’d leave somebody I love behind to maybe get hurt!”

Anonymous asked: Trick if you go into that house there is a possibility that you will kill someone. You will walk out with blood on your hands. Listen to us, for once, and leave with Blue.

“If all you guys have is stupid suggestions where I live Anti behind I don’t have to listen to you!” snarls Trick.

Anonymous asked: Whatever you do, don't separate. The sunbird magician know about you two, and if he gets bored with anti, he may come looking. We can't get him to listen to reason but we can't let it come down to a fight either.

“I’ll stay with you,” whispers Blue.

This, at least, makes Trick look conflicted. He can’t watch Blue get hurt. Not again.

bupine asked: trick, anti can't save you this time. please listen to us for fucking once. are you forgetting we know what happens?

“Are you forgetting that I know you guys don’t give a fuck what happens to Anti? That you keep trying to tear me away from him? For all I know, he could be dying right now, and you would tell me to leave him behind!”

bupine asked: caleb! we need to speak to you! can you listen to us for just a minute, please?

Caleb stares up at the little beeping of the camera. If he were still struggling with Anti, he wouldn’t bother, but he feels coolly in control now, Anti struggling on the floor beneath him. He steps a little closer to the camera, cocking his head.

spicydanhowell asked: trick, there is nothing you can do. what happened last time is you were beat up and knocked out and anti was still in trouble. anti can fight off a magician on his own, and if you go back in there and get hurt again, all that will happen is dap will have to exhaust himself turning back time again and he's not healthy right now. you need to take care of blue right now. don't give him anything else to worry about.

“Well, guess what? Getting knocked out protecting him is better than not going in there and getting punished for running away later. He can see these cameras, remember?”

“Trick, if he knows we thought he was able to handle himself - ”

“I don’t believe them well enough for that.”

Mod posted:

“Stop, stop, stop!” shouts Trick, waving his hands. “Stop saying the same thing, be quiet, let me think! Too many ‘Anti can handle himself’ messages and I’m not buying it!”

bupine asked: caleb, hi. we know your name, and we know what happened to your family. we're sorry. can you hear us out? the man you have on the floor there is a terrible man. he's abused people, tortured people. but i know you're here for something else. please, get out of here while you can. leave anti. you can't kill him anyway.

Caleb blinks.

He looks between Anti and the camera, mouth twisted with confusion.

“This is what of your tricks, meh.”

Anti grits his teeth, but cannot answer. Despite his statement, Caleb seems curious still, drifting a little closer to you.

“He is terrible,” he agrees, frowning. “You have that much right.”

Anonymous asked: Trick before you do anything THINK. We don't control you or your choices but make sure this is a choice you WANT first. Ambush if you must, It's not just about you killing someone who hurt anti, anti may hurt and possess blue in an attempt to fight back. Remember possession? Do you really want to wish that on blue, as injured as he is already?

“Blue - possessed?” whispers Trick, turning to his brother, and his own fear of possession transfers quite cleanly over to his friend, and Trick looks even more terrified than Blue does.

hurricael asked: Caleb, you have to be careful. He recovers quickly from the electricity, keep an eye on him while you're here.

Caleb scowls and turns back to Anti, upping the power. Anti gives a short shriek, his skull thudding against the floor.

bupine asked: this isn't a trick. we hate anti too - he's a vile being. but if you don't get out of here - you'll die. don't ask how we know. please, save yourself. this is the last chance we'll get to save you, and i believe you deserve a second chance.

Caleb sets his mouth.

“Some things are worth dying for. I decided that before I even came here. I will pour every ounce of suffering I can out on him before he sinks his fucking claws in like he did to my father.”

pixie-in-trebleland asked: What ARE you here for, Caleb?

Caleb lets out a short, bitter laugh.

“Hell… revenge, I suppose, but the word is so dramatic. What would anybody want if they came home for spring break to find their whole family murdered? I want him dead. I want his family dead. His little henchman, the sick one and the gunman. I’ll kill them for what they did to my family.”

Anonymous asked: Trick, if you do go in there be careful and maybe get Noodle out of the way first? Noodle got a bit hurt and a lot scared last time... Anti is being shocked within the inch of his life right now. Don't exactly know how he'll get away this time, though.

“Noodle,” chokes Trick, and such a silly word becomes desperation on his mouth. “Oh, no, my kitten.”

Anonymous asked: It wasn't Anti that died, you don't have to worry about that

“Anti’s not going to die?” squeaks Trick desperately, trying to cull his own rising panic.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: But the others had nothing to do with the murders. Please, keep them out of this!

“He deserves to lose his family the way I did,” spits Caleb.

hurricael asked: Caleb. I am in no way trying to doubt your dedication, but this isn't worth dying for. As far as we know, he can't die. But your electricity has been the best at subduing him of anything we've seen. You can help most by living, and preparing, in case he goes after people you care about again.

“Then I guess we need to try some different tactics,” snarls Caleb, and he steps into Anti’s room, and takes out a great silver knife, turning back towards Anti. Anti’s eyes flicker. As his own form of threat or intimidation, he lets his throat open and spill blood out. Caleb wavers, eyes huge.

Anonymous asked: Caleb, if you want to destroy his family, you'll have to hurt way more than the other two guys you saw at the hospital. Are you prepared to go to South America and hunt down their three brothers just so you can kill them in front of Anti too? Where does it end? I'd tell you revenge is empty but I know you couldn't care less.

“South America, huh? Where in South America? I’ve never been and I have nothing else to live for.” He smiles coldly at you.

Anonymous asked: I mean, Anti might need someone to distract Caleb if you really want him to get free but you'd have to be careful Trick. Maybe plan out how you're going to ambush the man. He's very much revenge-driven right now and I'm pretty sure that he'll keep Anti alive just to kill you and Blue in front of him. Maybe he'd start with Blue first since he's currently the sicker one so if you want to protect Blue you should probably take the initiative. But like a reasonable and planned initiative.

“Distract Caleb,” murmurs Trick, turning back to the house, thinking. “Okay. Okay. How do I get in there, then? The window in my room is always locked, but sometimes Anti leaves his open…”

Anonymous asked: If you barge in there, Anti will distracted and he will get hurt for certain!!!

Trick hears Anti’s cry of pain as the electricity increases and his heart begins pounding harder in his chest. “Sounds like he’s already getting hurt.”

Anonymous asked: Trickshot, last time, the magician nearly killed you. Anti and Blue both agreed that they could not let that happen, under any circumstances, and that's what led Anti to possess Blue. Anti will honestly be happier that you are not in danger. If you can try to help without putting yourself or Blue in harm's way, maybe try that, but just think it through. Trust us, you guys have the time.

“I already told you several times I’m not leaving Anti alone with this.”

Anonymous asked: Caleb, the demon deserves everything you can do to him, but he very, very careful about how you proceed. He can possess people, hypnotize people, stole nature magic told through poetry, and he has two puppets under his control that we're trying to manage and keep out of your way. Keep an eye on the door - lock it out if you can. If you have a way to kill Anti, do it fast. Otherwise, you need to leave and regroup before the puppets come to kill you.

This is good information for Caleb, actually, and when he looks at you his eyes are less accusatory than they were before. He looks around and decides to lock the front door.

Trick hears it click on the other side and jumps, alarmed.

Anonymous asked: caleb you dense motherfucker. you survive for what you can do in the future, don't give up because of what you've already lost. don't you want to warn other magicians so more massacres don't happen? don't you want to pass on the memory of the sunbirds so they won't have died in vain?

“I think if I have a chance to at least try to kill this thing, I should,” says Caleb quietly, approaching Anti with the knife. “It’s not just revenge. This is a dangerous magical creature. It’s a magician’s job to destroy such things when they become violent towards humans.”

He kneels down at Anti’s side, shoving him onto his back and holding the knife over him, examining the deep cut in his throat with the blade.

“If this doesn’t work, we’ll try a couple exorcisms, salt, silver… I’ll think of more.”

Anonymous asked: And you'll have to be quiet while you're moving. Maybe shoot him in some non-lethal area? Just to disarm him and get him distracted.

“I can do that. I’m a good shot. But I’ll need my gun.”

bupine asked: caleb, anti's hurt many, many people. we've seen him take lives, seen their families crumble. we can never stop him. but we can try and talk to you. will you listen?

Caleb’s face crumples with grief.

Families destroyed and lives taken. For no reason. He still doesn’t know the reason. He still doesn’t have the first idea why. He just came home. He just wanted to come home to his dad.

“What can you say?” he spits, tears rising in his eyes. “What can anyone?”

hurricael asked: Trick, Anti can't die. We're trying to talk the magician into leaving, so no one dies and no one gets any more hurt. What would happen if you go in is bloodshed, best case scenario someone gets hurt, worse case you or Blue or both die. I know you're worried for Anti, but the best thing you can do for you and Blue is to wait.

“I’m not leaving Anti alone. I’ve seen him plenty hurt before even if he can’t die. I don’t know how many times I have to say that.”

spicydanhowell asked: caleb, the other two men are very sick because of anti, physically, mentally, and they're trapped with him. these men are absolutely harmless without anti around and they deserve to be free from him. please don't go after them, okay? it won't even hurt anti if you hurt them. he doesn't love them. he doesn't feel love.

Caleb sighs, long and shuddering. “Look, I guess this is the one who I was looking for - I can tell by these antlers - so if the other two really aren’t killers and are just prisoners, I won’t go after them if they don’t come.”

Anonymous asked: While the others are distracting the guy, Trick can you crawl towards your room or stuff without making any noise?

Trick hurries around the other side of the house, Blue following fretfully behind, but Anti’s window isn’t open like he had hoped. He growls with frustration, trying to look through the windows, but all he can see is a dark figure in a colorful cloak, his back turned to him.

Anonymous asked: Poor Anti, he was practically spitting out blood while he was being tortured by the revenge driven magician...

“He what?” screams Trick. He looks wildly around, ignoring Blue’s shouting, and sees that pole where the sunbird cloak had hung, the one meant, perhaps to be a bird feeder. He grabs it between his hands and yank, yank, yanks it out of the earth. Blue has had to sit down, looking overwhelmed by the stress and his own weakness - or worse, his own helplessness as all this happens.

Trick grunts and pulls the pole out of the earth, hefting it in his palms, feeling like Red with his fighting staff. He’ll smash in the window to his room, grab his gun, and kill him.

Anonymous asked: Uhhhh Anti? Trick's trying to get in... you might want to knock him out for a bit..

Anti stares up at you from the floor, and apparently his sheer outrage is enough to give him a little strength, because he manages to shriek, “What the FUCK am I supposed to do?” loud enough to make Caleb jump.

spicydanhowell asked: blue, we just got the word that you both will be completely spared if you stay clear. so.... do whatever you have to do to keep trick out of there. i know you're sick but... anything in your power

Blue’s mouth dries.

Unlike Trick, he believes you. He’s always been on your side. You’re wise to speak to him.

Anything he can to keep Trick out of there.

He staggers back to his feet and grabs Trick by the shoulders, pushing him back from the window before he can smash it in.

“You’ll - you’ll get glass on Noodle,” he manages.

It’s a weak excuse, but it makes Trick pause, and Blue continues rapidly, all but babbling, anything to keep Trick out of there.

“Listen, my love, do you remember the magicians in Peru?”

“I - yeah?”

“Who was the one who stopped them from stealing Red away?”

Trick blinks. “Dapper.”

“Okay, yes. And it sounds like Dapper already unwound today once, right? And he told them what to do to make the best possible outcome happen. Don’t trust them, Trick, trust Dap. This is like every other time we hear him faint and we know he’s told Anti what has to change to keep him safe. Dapper is keeping us all safe.”

“No, I can’t just leave Anti to suffer! I won’t!”

“Amata, it sounds like he’ll suffer less if you don’t go in there. Besides, I’m your big brother, and I’m ordering you.”

Something clears in Trick’s gaze. This has always been a saving grace for him, at least in regards to punishment. He’s never been punished for following an older brother’s order even if he knew it was against Anti’s orders, like when Red and Blue would give him permission to eat peanut butter and say Anti had allowed it even if, in the back of his head, he knew Anti had not. Blue is offering to cover for him. And Anti, in Trick’s mind, would never punish Blue severely enough to do any real damage.

He stares into the house, still beneath Blue’s hands, trying to think.

bupine asked: caleb. if we told you you could save the life of another person today, would you? an innocent woman who might die if you don't help? there's a woman named xin yi who works at a hawker near the hospital. you've seen her before - the one who kissed trick. anti is going to kill her. is there any chance you could help to protect her? please, one of anti's boys is going to be forced to murder her if you can't help.

Caleb blinks.

He doesn’t know the name, but he doesn’t want anyone else to get hurt. The girl hadn’t looked like she was a part of any of this - she had been giggling about Minecraft and America, for fuck’s sake. And now she’s in trouble.

“I’m calling the cops,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I already had to tell them about my family. I’ll tell them the same person is after her. What’s her last name?”

Anonymous asked: Blue, i don't know if there's anything else we can say, the magician said he won't hurt you two of you stay out of it but I don't know if he'll hold true to that. Can you grab Trick? Anything? If he does make it in, will you follow? If he goes in alone, I don't think he'll make it out, so to speak. I'm sorry we can't redirect people who already have their minds made up no matter how much of the future we know.

“I don’t want Anti to get hurt,” says Trick, shaking his head, making up his mind. “For all we know, Dap expected me to help him. I’ll burst in, get my gun, and - ”

Blue’s cane connects with the back of his head and Trick crumples like a leaf in Autumn.

spicydanhowell asked: it's "koh"

Caleb calls the cops and warns them. They’ll look into it and set up an armed guard.

Anonymous asked: Caleb, keep an eye on Anti. He had partially recovered after this long, last time.

“Was he being repeatedly filled with as much electricity as I can muster, ‘last time?’” asks Caleb coolly. “I bet whoever shocked him last time didn’t have power like mine. But you’re right. Why don’t we try something new?”

He puts the blade down in Anti’s chest.

Anti screams, his entire body glitching horribly, but no matter how much of his own electricity he’s losing, Caleb is immune to it, watching the power surge up his hands with interest. He jolts away when Anti begins losing control of his form, though - Anti is a deer, a black dog, a rabbit, a cat, a songbird, a man again, all bleeding swiftly from the chest. He looks down at himself in a panic, grappling desperately at the wound as more blood than he’s ever seen himself simulate comes pouring out of his chest.

Except this blood isn’t simulated.

“Dok!” he hears himself sobbing. “Henrik!”

Maybe he can die after all, now that Blue’s magic is changing him.

Maybe he was bluffing.

bupine asked: we don't know her last name, and the cops can't help. do you know how many cops anti's killed? many. get out of there. save her, if you can, and it you can't, just get away. neither you nor her wanted to be involved in this. once again, i'm sorry about your family. so, so sorry. i don't know anything about them, but i think they'd like to know that you saved a life in their honour. or saved yourself, at the very least.

bupine added: oh I didn’t know we knew her last name

“If I kill him, she won’t be in danger anymore,” says Caleb, stepping away from Anti as he writhes. He’s startled by a soft mewl beside him and turns his head to see a little golden cat staring up at him.

“Sorry, kitty,” says Caleb, leaning down to scratch him. “Did I wake you up from a nap?”

Anonymous asked: Well that’s one way to do that blue

“I guess so,” says Blue, his eyes very wide.

Then he begins to giggle weakly, tears springing to his eyes, and he has to sit down again to steady himself.

Anonymous asked: Trick oh my god please calm down. You're stressing Anti out since SOMEONE told him about you trying to break in. You'll get hurt then Anti'll get even more stressed and you'll get stressed and everyone will get stressed. Calm down please

“Guess he’s calm now,” says Blue, drawing him into his lap, looking apologetically down at his still face. He strokes Trick’s hair, and then he begins to cry.

He won’t even have his little brother’s comfort soon enough. Trick will hate him for this.

Anonymous asked: Blue, whatever you're going to do you should probably do now. I don't quite remember, but I think I read that being knocked out like that doesn't last long?

“Well, what do you want me to do?” chokes Blue, brushing his tears away. “It’ll last a while! I’ll find his pressure point and knock him out again if I have to, I don’t know what the fuck is happening anymore.”

Anonymous asked: Trick, please don't kill him. Anti went after those magicians first. Please don't help the circle of revenge continue. This one had his family killed; you're ready to kill for Anti, just like the magician was ready to fight for his family. Shoot him, or hurt him, if you have to, but we're trying to avoid more death (no one has died while we're talking to you, don't worry).

“You should be careful,” sniffles Blue, putting his head down against his little brother’s. “I don’t know what’s happening, but it doesn’t really matter. Anti’s powerful. I doubt he needs Trick’s help to kill that guy. And fuck but he’s creative in his violence. He’ll find a way.”

Anonymous asked: Caleb, I know this sounds wild and random, but don't let the cat get too close to Anti. He's possessed animals before, and he might be desperate enough now to try again to get away. Its name is Noodle. Can you try to nudge it to another room? Don't hurt it please.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Caleb scoops Noodle up and lets him carefully out of the house, opening the front door again.

Anonymous asked: CALEB FORTIFY THE WINDOWS

Caleb glances at you quizzically, but checks that all the windows are locked.

Anti isn’t doing well, slumped across the floor, bleeding heavy from the chest. He stares up at Caleb with hateful eyes, and then he closes them, and focuses.

Anonymous asked: Caleb, I think we should maybe explain ourselves as far as our messages. These people Anti has with him are not his real family, he stole them away and has been brainwashing and hurting then for months. We, the cameras, are a way for him to taunt us by showing off that he's won and all we can do is watch. If you need to hurt anti, by all means: give us a show, but please spare our boys. We can only help so much and they need so much more help than we can give.

“This is all messed up,” mumbles Caleb, staring up at you. “What the fuck. Okay, well… fine, okay, fine. I won’t hurt the others.”

Anonymous asked: your ͞f͢aţh̸er͟ ͝di҉èd̷ like ́a̛ do͘g

Caleb’s eyes widen.

He stares up at you for a second and then whirls around, panting, to look at Anti.

Anti stares back at him, teeth gritted hatefully. His mouth glitches.

Anonymous asked: c̶òwa̶rd͘ bo̡ý. ͘s̨n̵u͡c̸k up ̶on me. d̶o̕ ̷yo͟u fe͘el like a ͞m͝an? y̴ou d͞id̛n't beat m̷e.̸ ͢y̛o͢u̶ sh͡o͡ck͜ed m͢e̛.̢ your ̢fa͏the̷r w̨o͟ul̢d b́e a҉s̛ha̧med

“Shut up,” whispers Caleb. “Shut up. You deserve this.”

Anti manages to laugh, rolling onto his back, his face very white, though his eyes, hateful and burning, never leaves Caleb.

Caleb looks right into them, trying to communicate his hatred. Black eyes. Deep black eyes.

bupine asked: caleb, he's sending you messages through the cameras. don't listen. do not listen. if you have any fucking sense, if you care for yourself at all, get the hell out of there. you're giving him what he wants.

Anti grits his teeth tight, and then, on your screens:

T̶hes̵e ar̴e my ̕cam̧e͠r̛as͠. You won’t ̧beat m̕e͢ wit͢h҉ them.

And your messages fizzle away.

bupine asked: blue, get away from the house. as far as trick will go. just do it, please. i don't know what's happening inside.

“I’m sorry,” says Blue, very weary. “I can barely carry myself, let alone him.”

Anonymous asked: Caleb, watch Anti, I think he's doing something! It might be a good idea to shock him again

Whether or not he gets your message, Caleb’s hatred is focused directly on Anti now. He stares down at him, getting closer, closer, looking right into his powerful eyes, and all Anti has to do - all Anti has to do -

He lets out a noise you’ve never heard him make before.

A whimper, maybe.

He doesn’t have the strength to possess Caleb.

“Look at you,” hisses Caleb, getting down and straddling his waist, shoving him to the ground, putting the blade back on his already weeping throat. “Trying to taunt me with your last pathetic words. You little monster. How does it feel to know that everyone you’ve ever met will be better off without you around?”

Anti stares up at him with mismatched eyes, lying there in the living den where he has sat so many times with Trick, listening to him talk, watching him play his games. Green hair, blue eyes. A smile on his face. A familiarity between them.

No. He’s not leaving Trick behind. He wants to go back to Trick.

He thinks maybe he’s finally found someone who really makes him happy.

“You’re a leech,” growls Caleb, even as his tears fall down on Anti’s face. “You’re a leech on the world, on these prisoners you keep, on everyone around you. No one will miss you. I hope your sleep is restless and your nightmares terrible. There is nothing you can do now. Nothing you can offer. My father is dead and you cannot bring him back.”

Shape-shift. Flickering between forms. This Anti can do. If he tries. If he concentrates. If he musters the last of his strength.

If he searches the electronics around the house… a control panel… never used… if he turns something on…

One last plan.

Caleb raises his hand. Electricity cackles and snaps between his fingers, green as emerald, ready to kill him.

Anti shape-shifts into the Sunbird King - Caleb Senior, his father, the man you saw just once, dancing around his room in his feathered robes, singing.

Caleb hesitates, a gasp on his mouth.

Anti throws him off him, into the fireplace, where the gas is turned on.

Anonymous asked: oh... blue, i'm so sorry you had to do that. rest in the knowledge that you did good, okay? you did your best to protect your brother. it's an awful, terrible, fucked up situation, but trick won't shoot someone or get shot, and anti will be weak. hang in there. you did your best, and trick will be safer for it

“I did what I had to,” mumbles Blue, stroking his little brother’s hair. “I’ve always done what I had to. I kept him safe.”

Anonymous asked: Blue I know this'll sound,,, absolutely nuts, but. Lie down and pretend you were knocked out too? Anti might win this round. He really, really might. And you're already so weak and tired, it's just- preserve what you can. If Trick and Anti think the both of you were ambushed, or maybe the magician cast on both of you to keep you out of the way, you both might get in less trouble?

Blue looks confused, but he trusts you. He lies down there in the dirt and grass, and holds Trick to his chest, quiet.

Anonymous asked: I don't know what to do either. There's a magician in there; he won't hurt you if you don't hurt him, I think. Maybe you can ask him to help get the two of you out of there? You don't have to, though, but maybe he'll help.

Blue nods slowly. He won’t hurt them if they don’t hurt him. Maybe he’ll even help them… yeah. That would be really nice. They could go away somewhere… hide together…

Blue stiffens, blinking.

Why does he smell smoke?

hurricael asked: CALEB SHOCK HIM NOW. I'm sorry. I know he looks like your father. But Anti killed him, and now he's taunting you, manipulating your decisions by wearing his face. You have to shock him now.

This is a good idea.

But Caleb is on fucking fire.

He screams aloud as his hand sparks with the gas and an explosion of flame surrounds him. His sunbird cloak is instantly on fire - and so is the wall and floor of the house. Anti chokes and drags himself away, managing to make it to the kitchen before collapsing again. Caleb writhes as the flame spreads, burns spreading up his body. You can hear him screaming wildly, trying to run while the fire spreads across him.

Anonymous asked: I think Anti just killed the magician. Play unconscious.

“Oh, oh, oh,” Blue is gasping, curling tighter around Trick, fear making him stiff. He didn’t want the magician to die. He didn’t want one more person to die at Anti’s hands. This is horrible. Tears fill his eyes.

Anonymous asked: Blue you could to wake up Trick so you can run

“I - I - ”

Blue stares at the house as the fire spreads.

“Is the magician still inside?”

Trick is out cold in his arms.

“And - oh, fuck, Noodle.”

Anonymous asked: Noodle has been evicted from the premises just around front! He's okay!

Blue makes it to his feet and hurries to the front of the house, but he doesn’t see Noodle.

hurricael asked: Blue Noodle's outside out front

“Are you guys sure?” asks Blue, looking around. “We have another problem if he ran off. He - oh, my fucking - ”

In through the window of the front door, he can see a little golden cat, stretched out on its side, bleeding from the heart.

“No!” screams Blue, and he does not hesitate, he does not pause - he races back around the side of the house, picks up the pole that Trick yanked out of the ground, and shatters the window to their room in one blow.

Glass cuts into him as he drags himself, panting hard, into the room, but even as dizziness reaches his head he’s moving into the kitchen. Blue scoops up the little golden cat in his arms, holding its panting body to his chest.

“It’s okay, pumpkin, it’s okay,” sobs Blue, stroking his head. “I’ll get you out, I’ll get you out. I’m so sorry, baby, I’ll get you back to Trick.”

He looks around the house as it begins to burn, panting hard, and though he does not see Anti, there, there, struggling in the living room, is the magician, aflame.

Anonymous asked: Caleb get out, get out now

He struggles to his feet, trying to throw his father’s cloak off, sobbing as the fire burns at his skin. He can’t get it off. He can’t get up. He’s going to die.

Then Blue is there, tearing at his clothes, helping him, and Caleb weeps as the cloak leaves his skin, as he is shoved to the earth, as white hands suffocate fiercely the fire that has reached his shirt, as he is pulled up onto someone’s shoulder and dragged to his feet -

“Come on!” cries Blue, tugging him along. “We have to get out!”

Caleb chokes up smoke and staggers on his feet, managing to step forward, and then the two of them are racing towards the door, their hands scrabbling together at the lock, and they tumble out onto the porch together, heaving for air.

The neighbors have come out of the house across the way and already Blue can see one with his phone to his ear. But it doesn’t much matter, he supposes. The house is already doomed.

But the magician is alive, choking and coughing and burned beside him, staring up at him with shocked, exhausted, grateful eyes. Their arms are locked together. Blue feels Caleb’s hands trace the Lapwing tattoo.

Anonymous asked: Blue the magician put noodle outside!

 “Wait - what?” mumbles Blue, exhausted. “I’ve got him, it’s okay…”

Noodle’s green and blue eyes stare at you.

hurricael asked: THAT IS NOT NOODLE. THAT IS ANTI. ANTI WAS STABBED IN THE CHEST ABD NOODLE WAS ALREADY OUSTIDE. Several other people added similar messages.

Terror fills up Blue’s face. He drops the cat and staggers away, but too late - Anti is already shifting back into himself, his eyes gleaming, blood weeping out of his mouth, and he does not have the strength to be alone, he does not have the vitality -

He throws himself at Blue and both collapse as one, crashing down the porch.

Anonymous asked: Caleb. Anti possessed Blue, and in that form he can use fire and plant magic. You need to run, now. With or without Trick, the unconscious one, but you need to go RIGHT NOW. Another anon added a similar message.

Caleb is heaving on the earth beneath the porch. Burns coat his chest and arms. His breaths come in struggling gasps.

The neighbors from across the street rush over to help him and distantly you hear sirens, but he can’t run, not now.

Anonymous asked: Oh no... please tell me noodle is okay

Anti staggers to Blue’s feet.

Oh, weakness. His own essence is tattered horribly, pain echoing through the whole of his form, and Blue’s body is weak, smoke in the lungs, exhaustion in the muscles.

But he’s here. He’s alive.

And there is a… completion to it.

He feels whole for the first time in a long time.

Trick - he needs to get to his Trick.

Anti staggers around the house. Trick is laid out in the dirt, unconscious, but alive. A golden cat is darting out of the trees towards him. Anti falls to his knees next to them, heaving, as Noodle mewls and begins licking Trick’s face, settling down on his chest. He’s fine. Trick and Noodle both. Anti grips his brother’s hand and breathes.

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Oooh gosh...wake trick up! Maybe Noodle will respond to his voice if you guys look and call for him!

“Trick,” mumbles Anti, shaking him gently. “Trick.”

He stirs with a groan, his eyes still shut.

Anti leans down and summons his power.

“Trick,” he whispers. “Obey me, wake up.”

Trick shocks awake, gasping, and grabs Anti’s shirt in alarm, staring up at him for a second. And then -

“Asshole!” he screams, swinging for Blue’s face.

Anti intercepts him, shoving his fist down. “Trick, it’s me, Anti,” he snaps. “See?”

He lets his right eye change to green. Trick looks up at him, shell-shocked.

“Anti… you’re okay. I tried to - ”

“I know you did,” whispers Anti, putting their foreheads together. “No matter what anyone else told you. You did well. Trick… I’m glad you’re alive.”

Trick throws his arms around him, hugging him to his chest. Anti allows it, feeling his hands shake as they embrace him.

“Don’t be scared, Anti,” says Trick, very soft. “I got you.”

“I love you,” mumbles Anti, knocking their heads together. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Come on. We have to go.”

“What? Where?”

“I’ll hack tickets for us at the airport. I think we better get out of this country.”

“Wasn’t there someone you wanted to kill?”

“Too much hassle now. Besides, I know you’re mine.”

Trick smiles at him, the light coming back to his eyes.

“We’re going to go find Dok, huh?” he asks.

“Yes,” promises Anti, helping him to his feet. “Let’s go get the rest of our brothers back.”

“I should get my stuff. I just need - ”

The realization hits Trick too late. His head whips over to stare at the house as it burns.

All his things going up in flames. His clothes, his Switch, Noodle’s toys. More importantly, Dok’s things, Dok’s gifts to him - his music box. His - oh, no. He’s wearing his polar bear sweatshirt, at least, and his crinkle paper is in his pocket. But that’s it. He stares up at Anti in terror, but his brother just stares softly back at him, his eyes apologizing.

“All our stuff,” manages Trick weakly.

“I’ll get you new things,” answers Anti softly, wiping water from his little brother’s face and taking Blue’s cane in his hand. “It’ll be okay. Come on. We have to go.”

They get to their feet and hurry away together, ignoring the worried calls of the neighbors afterwards. They need to be gone before the firemen come.

Anti casts one look back at Caleb.

The Sunbird Prince stares at him. Eyes like dying stars.

Anti shakes his head and takes Trick’s hand, moving down the pavement beside him.

It’s time to put things back in order.

Anonymous asked: Don't forget Noodle! He's just vibing around, somewhere.

“I’ve got him!” promises Trick, hefting him in his arms. Noodle just looks relieved to be with him again. “I don’t think he liked the great outdoors. He’s never been outside since I got him! We’ll take him on the plane, right, Anti?”

“Yes, amata, I’ll get him a carrier.”

pixie-in-trebleland asked: Since when do you call him Amata, Anti? Isn't that Blue's thing?

Anti smiles coldly at you.

“I like it. Is that so wrong? Sorry, does Blue have a monopoly on ‘sweetheart’ and ‘love,’ too? I think it’s funny. Blue can hear me.”

He smiles over at Trick, picking out snacks in an airport store.

“But I’ll have to turn you off before we go through security. See you soon, amatae. On the other side of the world.”

whydoilovesomanyvillians asked: Well thanks anyway dap

“Dap! What were you thinking!”

Max has pulled the car over. Red is in the back with Dap and the door open, holding his little brother’s head to his shoulder. Dapper blinks wearily around the car, blood dripping into the tissue Red holds to his nose, but he still manages to glance over and give you a woozy smile and a thumbs up.

“Did something happen?” asks Red, fretting over him. “Do I need to change something? Are we safe?”

“Don’t know,” says Dapper, frowning. “Really, really disoriented…”

Red sighs and gets into the car beside him, buckling up and shutting the door. “We better just get you to a hotel for the night,” he murmurs. “You don’t mind driving still, Max?”

“Like I’m going to let your lead-foot up here,” teases Max gently, though he’s looking worried for Dapper.

Red shoves his shoulder in revenge and pulls Dapper close to his chest. “Everything’s okay, bud. I’m going to look after you.”

“Thank you, Anti,” mumbles Dap, putting his head down on his shoulders.

End Section Ten of Chapter Three: The Sunbird Prince

[tessatechaitea]

The Invisibles #4

Is this how idiotic social beliefs are purged from assholes?

I don't understand the people who want less politics in comic books. We need more politics in comic books! Except what I don't really understand is using the word "politics" when they're actually angry about discussing social ills. Except I really do understand what they mean when they refer to social issues as politics. Certain people refer to being compassionate and kind and inclusive as "political correctness" because they can't imagine being compassionate or kind or inclusive until the cost of not being those things adversely affects them. So they think people only believe in being that way if it confers some kind of selfish advantage, usually in the political arena. And thus actually being a compassionate human being becomes political to them. Also, can we just stop arguing about how comic books used to be when they've always been about making the world a better place and there have always been comic book fans who found that political because they were terrible people? A terrible person reading a comic book where Batman stops some bank robbers can feel good about the story because they know they'll never rob a bank. But when Batman deals with some social ill, the terrible reader might see themselves reflected back at them in the villain of the story. Suddenly, to them, the story has become political. How dare the comic book company choose the other side which is just a political difference and not a basic human decency issue! And they never think, "Maybe, like Batman, I should also try to do better?" No, instead they send a letter to the publisher demanding that the publisher change the stories they tell so that they don't have to take a long, hard look at themselves. Ideas are political. If you think a story about Batman breaking the bones of The Joker's henchmen because The Joker is robbing banks isn't political, you're kidding yourself. You're just not looking deeply enough into the story and the systemic problems in Gotham that creates a demand for henchmen that are desperate enough to work for a maniac who could murder them at any moment while also having to worry about a man in a bat suit nearly killing them for working for the maniac. How is a billionaire going out at night dressed as a flying rodent to beat up poor and mentally ill people not political? How is any Superman story not political when it's about an immigrant to America embracing his new country and trying to make it a better place for everybody? If you actually think you want comic books to not be political, you're telling on yourself. You're just saying that you're the type of person who doesn't want to read criticism's about our world that might make you feel guilty about your selfish attitude. The Invisibles is an old comic book which came out 26 years ago and it couldn't be more political. But then it's dealing with magic and the irreality of reality, so if you're dumb enough, you can probably pretend it's not political at all.

This issue begins with a Books of Magic trading card.

At the end of the last issue, Tom told Dane they were going to climb to the top of the skyscraper with the magic pyramid on top and leap off. It was going to teach Dane about the finality of life and not really kill him. But when this issue begins, they seem to have put that off for the moment. Instead, they've stolen a sports car, driven it out to some sleepy little UK pasture, and begun a game of catch with a Frisbee. Tom starts rambling on about how his time is up and he's going to die because he's a warrior sorcerer and his time is up and he can see the shape of his life and it's super small and everything sucks but it also doesn't, you know? Dane barely listens to him because he's now full of life again and he just wants to do the things people who feel alive do. I don't know what those things are because I just sit in barely lit rooms reading terrible books from my youth and finding reasons not to begin writing my second module for my role playing game, Places & Predators. I should take a break and call my mother! I'm back! I also ate and watched an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and an episode of Community and lay on the couch with Gravy.

Gravy's head is behind mine and not inside mine because we don't own a teleportation device and, if we did, we wouldn't be so careless with it.

The next day, Tom and Dane head off to jump off of a skyscraper. Tom will presumably be doing it for real because he's tired and he's done his part and he thinks Dylan Thomas is a fucking asshole who can't just let a person die in peace when they're ready to go. I mean, lay off me, Dylan! I'm fucking dying here! This isn't about you and your fear of death (which, ironically, is probably why you drink so much and why you'll be dead at 39). Dane smokes some blue mold which will probably allow him to fly or bounce or something. Sometimes I think about the angst of youth and then I think about how optimistic and embracing Quiet Riot was of the youth and youth culture and it just makes me fucking smile, man. That wasn't supposed to be a non sequitur. That was just a reaction I had to Tom telling some bystanders witnessing Dane's drug induced realizations, "It's drugs. Dope. They're all on it nowadays. With their computer games and violent videos and swear words. We had The Bible and a nice apple when I was his age." Tom is being smarmy and telling the adults what they want to hear. And, especially with reference to their video games, it made me think of Quiet Riot who didn't care what adults wanted to hear. They knew what the kids needed to hear. And it wasn't just "Being a teenager sucks and we get it and the world is garbage!" Their message was often "We see how things are different for you and how you cope differently than we did and we fucking get it man and we approve and you're going to be all right. Your doing good, kids." Most of you probably only know "Metal Health" and "Cum on Feel the Noize" so you're thinking, "What the fuck are you talking about?" But some of you also know "Winners Take All" and "The Wild and the Young" so you fucking know what I'm talking about.

This reminds me of The Last Temptation of Christ.

The problem with books that revolve around Jesus is that I truly can't tell if they're making a statement about secular life or if they're truly reinforcing the opinion that Jesus was the son of God and the only truth you need to know about Jesus is that he was resurrected. Was Jesus preaching about being good on Earth because it was the salvation of your soul and your way into heaven? Or was Jesus literally trying to tell everybody to give unto Caesar what is Caesar's because this shit don't matter, bro. Fuck Earth and Earthly conceits. Should every action taken on Earth be concerned with your spiritual self and your relationship with God and getting into heaven? Because I'm tempted to see The Last Temptation of Christ as a parable for secular life. Are we all Christ in the desert being tempted by the devil away from our true calling? But if all the regular trappings of society are illusions and lures away from whatever it is we should do, what is there really? What would a person do if they didn't have a career? Or a spouse? Or a mortgage? Or a child? Not falling for those temptations isn't enough, right? So what's the next step? Sacrificing your own desires for the common good of the world? But what common good would that be if people aren't supposed to fall for any material temptations?! What are we striving for if we aren't striving for everybody to equally fall for the same societal illusions?! What is the magic asking of us?! To just burn it all down to prove that we weren't fooled by any of it?! How is waking up outside of The Matrix better than living within it?! Show me my fucking cards before you ask me to jump off the top of a skyscraper is what I'm saying! You know what? I think that's what Jesus asked God the night of the Last Supper! Jumping off of a skyscraper to get Dane to pierce the illusion of reality and see what lies beneath is way better than giving him a red or blue pill. The Matrix pussed out, even though it had this scene from The Invisibles as a perfect example of what it was doing. Dane survives the leap and finds himself in a four color comic sci-fi pulp novel cover. The world has changed and he's not sure what to do. So he goes to the address of the Invisible College that Tom gave him. He's finally ready to report for duty. Dane meets the other Invisibles: King Mob, Ragged Robin, Boy, and Lord Fanny (which would have gone right over my head in 1994 and possibly only made it into the comic book because the editors didn't know quite enough British slang). As far as drag names go, Lord Fanny is proper good. Meanwhile, some shadowy guy answers a phone call from Orlando (probably exactly the Orlando you're thinking of because why not? He/she was good enough for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). They discuss raiding an Invisibles safe house they've discovered. But the non-Orlando guy on the phone can't direct it because he's got British politics to do.

Back in 1994, I also wouldn't have understood what this door with the 10 on it was telling me about the person on the phone.

Dane decides to stick with The Invisibles as Jack Frost and they make their getaway before Orlando and the Prime Minister's Myrmidons break into the safe house. All they find is a chalkboard that reads, "Big Brother is watching you. Learn to become invisible," and a pink grenade with the word "smile" printed on it in ransom letter letters. And that's the end of the first story arc. The Invisibles #4 Rating: A. I'm seriously getting angry at my 23 year old self for not continuing to purchase this series. It's hard to remember exactly where I was at that time in my life that caused me to stop reading it. I'm sure I liked it. Maybe I just had trouble remembering it from month to month. Or maybe I just missed Issue #6 at the comic book store (I never had anything put on hold. I'd just show up on Wednesdays (unless it was Thursday back then? I can't even remember that!) and pick up my books (I didn't even ask the store to hold a copy of the Death of Superman for me. The clerk, Jeff, just happened to hold one for me anyway. He probably thought I was super cool or something)) and so just forgot about the series. Maybe I'll pick up the collected edition whenever my local comic book store reopens. Although if I show my face in there, they may try to get me to buy comics that were placed in my pull box after I cancelled my pull box. See, they weren't getting comics from Diamond for over a month and I just decided it was as good a time as any to stop buying new comics. So I cancelled my pull box. But what if, in their mind, I was still on the hook to buy all the comics for the weeks that Diamond didn't ship?! That would be fucked up and, knowing me, I'd instantly cave and say, "Oh yeah! Okay! Sorry! Sorry! I'll purchase all of this shit I don't want anymore just so we don't continue this awkward conversation!"

[myfangirllists]

Fanfiction List (USUK)

A compilation of my favorite USUK works!

Completed and uncompleted

Dead Ringer by Fire_Bear

Arthur is having lunch with a co-worker when a couple pass by and tell him he looks exactly like the man an entire art exhibition is based on. Dragged to the gallery, he finds not only some amazing art but also someone he has not seen in years...

Type: One shot

-

Keep Quiet by AkaiShinda (orphan_account)

Starting from a prompt. After being saved by a stranger, Arthur is waken by his savior; a young man with an unusual mission in the evenings and who protects him even from himself in a surprisingly natural, tender way. They don't know each other, but Alfred is determined to help him in recovery. After getting to know him slightly better Arthur is dazed to realize, Alfred's personality is the unification of enigmas and on the other side, pure and clear intentions. He can't help but stick around and carefully mend the pieces together... only to find entirely new purposes to live for.

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Incomplete

-

The Languages of Love by merakily (fengbi)

Arthur and Alfred first meet as university students in a coffee shop. This is how they came to spend their lives together.

Type: One shot 

-

From Me To You by a_forgotten_note

After going through three several years of schooling, Alfred comes to the startling realization that he had no plans after college. Without much else to go for, he enrolls in the military for four years of initial deployment. But Afghanistan becomes very lonely very quick... In hopes of rekindling an old friendship, Alfred writes to his old college roommate. The only question is: will their letters relieve his homesickness, or will it only become worse?

Type: One shot

-

A Week in a Hotel by bluekujira

This is a fanfiction I wrote for my friend (zombiepurplefox on tumblr) based off a prompt she sent me!

I apologize for any errors I did go back an edit this but I still might have missed stuff!

Also I changed the prompt slightly. Instead of living together they stay in a hotel together.

The Prompt: 'You live in the apartment above me and your water pipes burst and is flooding into my apartment and you can hear me yelling so you come down to my apartment to see what's going on and witness me standing in my kitchen/bathroom/whatever, holding an umbrella, screaming at the water pouring out of my ceiling and crying because I have no idea what to do and we both just kinda stand there in shock as my stuff gets ruined and you let me crash at your place til my place gets fixed cause you feel bad' (CREDIT TO shittemore on tumblr for this prompt)

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Complete

-

Forever Mine by anon posted at hetalia_kink

Dating a serial killer!AU. Arthur was attacked by a serial killer on the bus on his way home.

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Complicated Shadow by Ellarose C  

The US government's witness protection program has never had a witness die while under its protection. After innocent civilian Arthur Kirkland witnesses a murder ordered by the Vargas mob, will a hero's protection be enough to keep the record clean?

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

♡ Cuckoo in the Nest by PennyLane

Human AU. Arthur is a famous novelist in hiding from the paparazzi after he is publicly humiliated when he is left standing at the altar. Alfred is the very competent personal assistant hired by Arthur’s agent to keep him hidden and safe while he completes his newest novel, the novel that just might change all their lives. [Previous Spain/England relationship.]

Type: One Shot

-

American in America by Ferrero13 

America, being America, says something he should've known better than to say in his own airport, whereupon he is taken in for questioning and finds it very difficult to explain why this particular nineteen-year-old seems to be as politically active as the President himself.

Type: One Shot

-

Work Your Magic by PixieDust291

Arthur is a wizard who's being forced into an arranged marriage despite his protests. Though, it seems he is saved by a magical Scottish fold named Iggy. With Iggy as his familiar Arthur finds himself not only falling in love with a human but also surrounded by a sea of lies and deception. When nothing else makes sense, what can one believe to be the truth?

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Divination's Greatest Flaw by rae1112

Arthur Kirkland, master of Divination, fancied himself a prophetic matchmaker. His best friends would agree...if only he could make a prophetic match for himself.

Pottertalia.

Type: Two Shot

-

Day One by mandathegreat

“Day One: My name is Arthur Kirkland, and I am currently in Atlanta, Georgia. I am recording myself, and my experiences, because—well, I don’t know. I think it’s the end of the world—“

Arthur and Alfred meet at the end of the world. They are going to have to learn to survive.

USUK Walking Dead AU

Type: One Shot

-

A Proof of Diplomacy by orphan_account 

“If you leave me, I’ll kill you. I could kill you here and now.”

After the war, in his most vulnerable years, Arthur, or Great Britain, is at his most dishonest. He lies to himself more than anyone. Apart from Alfred, the United States, perhaps. He lies when he says that he doesn't believe Alfred's lies and hopes, his beautiful, beautiful lies.

Type: One Shot

-

Standing In Your Heart by amine  

"Arthur had gone from spending the afternoons with his friend to having his magical training increased tenfold. Warlocks would be needed to ensure that Spades maintained the upper hand in the war, and the Kirkland family had a long tradition of powerful magic. Arthur hadn’t complained and had instead thrown himself into his studies so as to be an asset to the new king. His love for the kingdom of his birth demanded it.

More than that, his love for Alfred demanded it."

Type: One Shot

-

Communication is Key by inkwells_writing

Arthur had good friends he supposed.

But right now, Arthur hated them. They were just trying to be nice, but really. They thought he was single, and that he had been single for a very long time. And yes, he had been single for two years before he started dating Alfred, but he was now in a three month-long relationship. A three-month long happy relationship. A three-month long happy, and sadly, secret relationship.

They just had to go and set him up on a bloody blind date. Arthur just had no idea how he was going to tell his boyfriend.

Type: One Shot

-

Hospital Flowers by hoshiko2kokoro  

A firefighter has done more than just save Arthur's life. He's giving him a whole new perspective on life.

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Where The Most Beautiful Roses Grow by fakiagirl  

Arthur moves into a quiet American suburb with the intention of starting a new, calmer chapter of his life. It doesn't take long for him to meet Alfred, one of his new neighbors. Little does he know that this is a place where romance can bloom.

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

A Distance of 3000 Miles by fakiagirl  

5000 kilometers; the distance between their two closest shores. A safe distance, close enough that they can see each other occasionally, but far enough away that neither of them will ever get hurt again. Then, one summer, Alfred visits. 

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

♡ Starships by PixieDust291  

Blind and held prisoner, Arthur finds himself at the mercy of Alfred, a space pirate with a truly curious crew. Alfred is determined to seduce Arthur, and Arthur fears his resolve won't last. His duty is clear, but so is his desire. As the days tick by Arthur begins to question what loyalty means. He begins to realize that being a prisoner may actually set him free. 

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Look to the Future Now, It's Only Just Begun by Teenage Mouse  

Pottertalia. Arthur and Alfred are paired up to read each other's love fortunes in Divination class. Naturally, they're both too obvlious to realise that the signs are pointing to each other. 

Type: One Shot

-

♡ We'll Meet Again by George deValier  

WW2 AU. London pub owner Arthur Kirkland is driven to distraction by loud, brash American fighter pilot Alfred Jones. Unable to stop it, Arthur finds himself falling for Alfred's charms... just as the pilot is preparing to leave for war. 

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Keep Smiling Through by George deValier   

'We'll Meet Again' mini-sequel. Keep smiling through, just like you always do; 'til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away! USUK

Type: One Shot

-

♡ Pointblank by worldaccordingtofangirls  

WWII AU: Arthur is a gifted volunteer doctor. Alfred is a bomber pilot. Love strikes us pointblank, right between the eyes, in the most inconvenient of places. The battlefield is no exception.

Type: Multi chapters

Status: Completed

-

Man's Best Friends by Inkblooded Witch  

Monty doesn't consider himself a needy sort of cat. He and his human have an understanding of how things work, and Monty was under the impression that part of this understanding included a 'No Dogs' rule. So he's not best pleased when his human finds a mate that has one of the beasts.

Mostly pet POV, USUK on the side. Experimental slice-of-life style, be nice! :)

Type: One Shot

-

Smart Pranks by SillyKwado  

Alfred and Arthur were famous throughout the school for not getting along. Even though the two history teachers and had to set an example for the students, they still ended up resorting to petty pranks and arguments. For some reason, the two always found something to argue about or a new way to rile the other up. But perhaps there's a deeper meaning to the pranks and insults…

Type: One Shot

[thebibliomancer]

Essential Avengers: Avengers #192: Steel City Nightmare!

February, 1980

Weirdly my first thought was that this could be a Superman cover. Because Wonder Man is very red and blue and I somehow overlooked Iron Man at first. And punching a big glowy guy full of kirby krackle is just the kind of nonsense Superman would get up to.

And later in this issue, Wonder Man ends up in a situation that reminds him of “an old Max Fleisher cartoon” and takes a page from the unnamed hero thereof.

So I wonder (ha!) if its a coincidence or if I’m picking up on an intentional homage.

Anyway.

Last time: the Avengers won their freedom from Agent Gyrich’s restrictions by ditching their senatorial hearing to go fight Grey Gargoyle. There’s more to it then that but basically the very short time when Gyrich had much sway on the Avengers is over.

This time: A steel city nightmare.

We actually start with Wonder Man and Tony Stark touring a steel factory.

And the narration reminds us of the easily forgotten fact that Wonder Man aka Simon Williams and Tony Stark were once competitors. Until Simon Williams got in huge amounts of trouble for embezzling money and then agreed to let a Nazi scientist experiment on him and then died.

But this steel factory belonged to Wonder Man back before all of that and Tony Stark asked him to come on the inspection to help him decide whether or not to add the factory to the holdings of Stark International.

I might be a kind of insensitive gesture if Wonder Man gave a crap about his life as a businessman, which he doesn’t. He just seems kind of amused by the blast from his past.

Meanwhile nearby, some of the workers ooh and ahh over getting to see a real superhero like Wonder Man from so close.

The foreman, Joseph Conroy, brags about seeing Thor use this very factory to repair Mjolnir a couple years back. Conroy even found a chip of Uru afterward and made a good luck charm/keychain out of it.

One of the other workers says something weirdly threatening though.

One of the other workers: “Maybe you’d better switch to rabbit’s feet, Conroy. That lucky charm don’t seem to be workin’ too good lately... does it?”

Conroy nervously excuses himself to get Wonder Man’s autograph for his daughter.

Aww, Wonder Man actually has fans. Children fans.

But later as Conroy returns from getting said autograph, another worker jumps out of concealment and smacks him with an ore spoon.

Knocking him over the railing and sending him falling right into the furnace.

Where he just. Vaporizes. Eesh.

Alas Conroy. You cameo from a Thor comic, you.

Unfortunately, in addition to the tragedy of a man being murdered, him falling into the vat of molten metal also spilled some molten metal on the cauldron operator.

Who obviously runs off screaming, suffering terrifying injuries.

But the cauldron continues on its automated way, operating on a pre-set rate of flow which pours molten metal all over the manufactory floor.

Less than good.

There’s no time to get all the workers to safety so the crucible has to be stopped.

Tony tries to slip away to become Iron Man but Wonder Man grabs his briefcase from him and throws it across the factory to hit the control panel.

Leaving Tony Stark just sadly watching and thinking “Aw, geez. My armor...!”

Its like a brief but effective example of how secret identities can backfire. I love it.

And the gambit works. The crucible stops pouring.

But the already spilled metal is still flowing towards workers so Wonder Man jumps off the catwalk to go save the day.

Wonder Man: “Somebody’s got to stop that molten steel! And since I’m the only Avenger around, it looks like I’m elected!”

I do like Wonder Man sometimes. Despite his insecurity and self-doubt, when the moment comes he almost always steps up.

Anyway, this is the moment where Wonder Man takes some inspiration from not-named-but-totally-Superman cartoons, grabs some I-beams, bends them into U-beams, and dams up the molten flow.

And it works! You’re two for two on good ideas, Wonder Man!

Then he hears someone calling for help and he rushes in.

One of the workers tripped and someone got his fool ankle stuck in the stamp press.

He begs Wonder Man to turn off the press but Wonder Man doesn’t know how to do that.

Despite once being an inventor businessman, he thinks best with his muscles. So he decides to muscle this problem.

So he jumps under the press and holds it up, gloating that he once fought Thor to a standstill!

A steelworker: “But no one can hold a stamp press back! It’s set for fifty thousand tons!”

Wonder Man: “Don’t worry, friend -- I’m Wonder Man! I once fought Thor to a standstill! And if I can *ung* do that... s-surely I can *ghk* ... can *urf* f-fifty thousand, huh? HHEELLPP!”

Thankfully Tony Stark shows up, a sentiment some would say they never thought would be expressed.

He pulls the worker free and tells Wonder Man to jump clear.

Buuuuuuuuut.... Wonder Man accidentally.... stripped the threads on the thing.

If he jumps out head first, he’ll get a flattened bottom. If he jumps out feet first, a flattened head.

Tony Stark thinks of a third option though.

Grabbing Wonder Man by the belt and pulling him out in all one go so he clears the press.

Good job, Tony Stark.

Yet another sentiment that blah blah et cetera.

So here is part of why I find Wonder Man so endearing I guess. He sure does goof up a lot, often related directly to him bragging about how strong and cool he is. He’s a very human character for a character that’s no longer strictly human.

Wonder Man: “*Whew* That’s what I get for being cocky. Guess I still haven’t had enough experience as a super hero to anticipate all the angles. Thanks, Tony.”

MEANWHILE, AT THE MANSION OF AVENGE

A man approaches Avengers Mansion and tries to gain access with a card.

REJECTED

The security tentacles grab him and then a net is dropped on him, and then laser cannons activate.

So I guess the security system is working.

Agent Gyrich bursts out of the mansion and demands to know who this guy is and why he’s skulking about.

Sid Bloat: “I-I’m Sid Bloat, sir. I-I live down the street an’ I got this neighbor who’s been playin’ his stereo real loud, y’know? My landlord won’t do nothin’ about it, but since the Avengers are good-guys, I thought, well...”

Henry Peter Gyrich: “You mean you’ve attempted to breach a top security installation to solicit some of the most powerful beings on this continent... for a noise complaint?!”

Also the card he tried to use to gain access when prompted for a clearance card was a credit card.

I’m just flabbergasted by that.

I don’t know whether the line of thought was trying to unlock the high tech front door lock like you could with a less advanced lock using a credit card. Or whether he was trying to pay an entry fee. Good lord.

The Avengers all come out to see what the fuss is and Captain America tells the guy that the Avengers are a specialized organization and don’t reeeeeeeeally handle problems like noise complaints.

Gyrich tells the guy to go to the police.

Vision floats out through the wall and says he’s heard that the huu-man method in this situation is hitting a broomstick against one’s ceiling “can be an effective mode of communication in cases such as yours.”

Sid Bloat leaves to maybe take some of these suggestions into consideration but really is thinking he should have gone to the Fantastic Four.

I’m not going to look it up because I don’t want to be disappointed but if the concurrent Fantastic Four comic this month or the following month didn’t have Sid Bloat show up with his noise complaint then comics are a failed medium.

With that little nonsense over, Gyrich is satisfied that the security on the Avengers Mansion is adequate and that some random asshole off the street can’t just walk into the place like he did that one time.

He doesn’t like their newly won autonomy but orders are orders and he’ll be checking up on them from time to time. But for now, GOOD BYE.

And the instant he’s gone, the Avengers go ‘welp time to expand our roster just because we can.’

To be fair, they’re only going to ask Hawkeye and Yellowjacket. Two additional people plus I think Ms Marvel is sticking around because Scarlet Witch is still planning to take some ‘me time.’

Falcon actually suggests Hawkeye because he thinks it might ease the bad blood between Hawkeye and himself which-

Look, Falcon. I appreciate that you’re a nice guy who would think of Hawkeye when this opportunity came up. But the ‘bad blood’ is entirely on Hawkeye’s shoulders.

He’s blaming you for a thing you didn’t want to do but were emotionally blackmailed into by Cap to fulfill restrictions set up by Agent Gyrich. But Hawkeye took the brunt of his anger out on you, the Falcon.

Fuck ‘im is what I say.

Not that it matters. The contact number that Hawkeye left with the Avengers is out of service now that Hawkeye has a better gig and better digs working at Cross Technological Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Janet calls Hank “Giant Ant-Man Yellowjacket” Pym and lets him know that he can rejoin the team as a full-time Avenger but he’s enjoying having time to do pure research.

Also some chemicals are boiling over and he doesn’t want to be the jackass that spills chemicals on himself and gains superpowers. Nope, he’s the jackass that tested chemicals on himself on purpose without doing any kind of other testing on living matter first.

But me calling back to Grey Gargoyle and also throwing my hands up in defeat at the lack of safety protocols in comic book science aside, Hank hangs up on Jan to go deal with some chemicals that are boiling over.

Janet van Dyne, aka the Wasp: “Hank! What do you -- Hank? Hello? Ooo, Henry Pym, you’re infuriating! Just wait’ll I get home! I’ll show you! Or worse, I won’t show you!

Given what I know is coming, her trying to get him to rejoin the team has a foreboding feel to it. Geez.

Its true what they say. Not all of wisdom brings joy.

Later, after Wasp has gotten out of her superhero outfit to put on a nightgown to make a phone call to Hank and then gotten back into her superhero outfit to have a house meeting, uh, there’s a kind of house meeting.

Captain America: “Terrific. When we can’t add Avengers, they’re running out of our ears. But when we can add Avengers, everyone’s busy. Makes sense.”

Hah. A common problem to many in different permutations.

Beast suggests re-inducting Wonder Man. And I’m surprised it took so long for someone to make the suggestion. He was very recently with the team and verbally regretting that he’d have to leave it soon.

I guess they didn’t want to add too many people all at once and they wanted to soothe Hawkeye’s crybaby feelings and also wanted to let Jan hang out with her husband during superhero stuff.

But after that fell through, I’m surprised someone didn’t go ‘oh hey Wonder Man’ before Beast did.

But then, they’re besties. And I hope the X-Men never takes Beast back. Only bad things happen to him there. Or happened by him. I don’t think Beast would have broken the space-time continuum just to be a petty dick if he stuck with the Avengers.

Anyway, as we’ve seen, Wonder Man is in Pittsburgh with Tony Stark so why not bop over and surprise him with the offer?

But Vision notes that not all of them would be able to make the trip, seeing that Scarlet Wanda has her bags packed for her vacation time.

Vision: “Are you certain you must leave, Wanda?”

Scarlet Witch: “Yes, Vision. There are things I have to sort out. Things I’ve got to settle... on my own. Please try to understand.”

Vision: “Your decision is perplexing, my wife, and very human. I do not understand -- but I do accept.”

Vison + Scarlet Witch: “I love you.” -kiss-

Aww.

Geez. I’m really angry at John Byrne all of a sudden for no reason. Huh. Weird.

MEANWHILE, Pittsburgh.

The steelworkers set up a memorial for Joseph Conroy.

Since there’s nothing left of anyone who falls into molten slag, its tradition that the last ingot poured from the steel someone died in is set up on the grounds as a kind of tombstone. Tombsteel. Non-grave marker.

But the steel mill owner Vince Paretta is quick to reassure prospective buyer Tony Stark that this doesn’t happen often, swearsies! This plant has an A-1 safety rating! He then drags Tony off to finalize negotiations.

As the workers and executives leave the yard, the sky fills with dark roiling clouds. The recently placed ingot begins to quake and smoke and finally

OH YEAH

A giant naked flame man bursts out from within it.

Obviously, this kind of pyrotechnic makes some noise and inside the office, Stark, Paretta, and Wonder Man have heard it and see the fire man heading towards them.

Wonder Man tells Paretta to get his security team scrambled while Wonder Man goes to slow the thing down. But he tells Tony to stay right where he is, in the soon to be abandoned office.

Which conveniently gives Tony the opening to change into his armor.

Outside, this monster gets named in the most logical way possible. Some random thing that someone shouts at it, yelling "H-holy Hannah! That thing looks like a living inferno!” and thus we will call this creature Inferno. As the caption box lampshades “The description fits.”

Wonder Man rushes forward to fight the shambling mass of man-shaped slag. He just runs right up and puts all his strength behind one mighty THRAM of a punch.

“But Inferno takes that punch, and -- almost politely -- returns it!”

FWOBOMM and also a SKABASH as Wonder Man smashes through a wall, headfirst.

Iron Man flies up from behind the creature and attempts to take it down with a blast of repulsor. But the creature shoots some of its own molten slag substance at the armored Avenger.

He’s protected from the heat by the refractory coating on the armor but the extra weight from the cooling slag throws off his balance and he SPUTCHs to the ground.

And now that both he and Iron Man have been made fools, Wonder Man concludes that this Inferno is big trouble. He decides to activate the emergency beacon he was given when he became a backup Avenger.

But as he does, Inferno ominously looms over him.

IN THE RECENT PAST AT AVENGERS MANSION.

Jarvis is happy that the loosened restrictions on the Avengers means that he is allowed to perform monitor duty now. That way the Avengers are free to do the Avengersy stuff.

Makes sense.

You don’t have CEOs personally manning call centers. You probably don’t need a superhero to watch a bunch of monitors.

But maybe we should and do.

Anyway.

Just as Jarvis has said all of that, the emergency beacon goes off. Shortly, Ms. Marvel reports to Captain America that Wonder Man has activated his top priority emergency beacon.

Captain America: “But what could possibly be in Pittsburgh that could threaten Wonder Man?”

He was knocked out by a stone man once. Hell, he was knocked out by Beast once. Lets not act like Wonder Man’s durability isn’t highly arbitrary.

But here’s an additional thing. The beacon was designed to keep pleeping until shut off at the mansion OR if the beacon itself is totally destroyed.

And Wonder Man’s signal just stopped.

DUN DUN DUN!

Next issue: Battleground: Pittsburgh!

This is a two-parter and we’re only half done so I’ll have more to say when we finish that other parter.

One thing though: if the Avengers were going to end up going to Pittsburgh because of Wonder Man’s emergency beacon then why set up the plot point that they were considering visiting him to offer him membership on the team?

One or the other would have sufficed, comic!

Either they go visit and coincidentally end up there just when he needs help with a living inferno or they decide to offer him membership when he gets back from his trip.

I don’t know why this bothered me enough to comment on but that’s the world we live in now.

Hey, follow @essential-avengers. Not only for great content like this but older. BUT ALSO: I just remembered that I’d promised to cover some alternate Avengers if I hit 20 followers and we’re at 13. Which is more than half of 20 by at least three. If we hit 20 followers you can ask that I look at one of these significant alternate Avengerses. You could even ask me to take a peep at the Mangaverse Avengers or United They Stand Avengers, you bastards.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week - 34

It dawned on me last night, that watching films and writing these short reviews is somethings I truly enjoy. I thought to myself: If I could do that as a job, it would be ideal. I see up to 4 films and more per day, anyway. So now I am going to embrace it, and make it my job.

✴️                

(2 + 1) by my new favorite Polish director, Paweł Pawlikowski:

✳️✳️✳️ Cold War, starts with a group of ethnomusicologists searching the countryside for old traditional folk sounds before they are lost forever, and ends 15 surprising years later at the most intense heartbreak. An absolute masterpiece - 10/10.

Here’s a short trailer that shocked me, since I didn’t realize what a disastrous love story it was until the end. (Photo Above).

✳️✳️✳️ Ida, the first Polish Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film (2012). In 1962, a 17 year old novice nun, before taking her final vows, discovers that her parents, who were murdered in the war, were Jewish.

A featured snippet from John Coltrane’s Naima represents the mood of the story.

Stark and austere black & white compositions, a journey into Poland’s darkest soul. Best film of the week.

✳️✳️✳️ However, The woman in the fifth, Paweł’s previous film, was forgettable and listless. It’s hard to imagine that the director of this standard fair will rise to produce the magical lyricism of his two later films. Even Joanna Kulig (Zula from ‘Cold War’) doesn’t elevate it and make it worthwhile.

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Ida’s visual style was inspired by The Passion of Joan of Arc, and Paweł’s framing often evokes Maria Falconetti’s tortured face. Carl Dryer’s haunting 1928 film is still fresh and extremely modern. Even more than the radical close ups, I was struck by the gender imbalance of the play: One frightened 19 year old girl, against a full battery of grotesque, powerful and menacing old men, who demand complete fealty from her. 9/10.

The film had its world premiere at the local Palads Teatret. Apparently, the original models for the film's set are stored at the Danish Film Institute Archives - Maybe I’ll get a chance to see them one day.

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Abbas Kiarostami’s slow-moving Iranian film Taste of Cherry, about a man driving on the outskirts of Tehran, looking to pay somebody to cover him with dirt, after he commits suicide. Probably the inspiration to Ramin Bahrani’s ‘Goodbye Solo’. It ends with Louis Armstrong's "St. James Infirmary Blues." 8/10.

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Costa-Gavras’s 1972 State of Siege was a searing indictment of the brutal US meddling in Latin America, and the shameful, deadly repression of leftist regimes. So many atrocities committed in the name of the Imperialistic Yankee dollar: Death squads, torture, mass assassinations, deadly coups - The same playbook for 70 years.

Chaotic opening scene of the army sweeping the street. The whole movie was terrifying. 7+ / 10

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Peter Jackson’s They Shall Not Grow Old. The Uncanny Valley effects created by using colorized footage from the trenches of WW1, corrected for speed, and laid with voice-overs of actual British servicemen, talking about their war memories. The moment when the soldiers reach the battlefield, and the film shifts from the black and white to color is breathtaking. 8/10

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A Fantastic Woman, a 2017 sensitive Chilean movie about a trans woman, whose older lover suddenly dies, leaving her to confront his estranged family and to deal with ugly problems of identity, respect and dignity. It’s compassionate and eventually hopeful, though not necessarily fantastic.

✴️                 

Thelma, an atmospheric Norwegian thriller about a young student with psychokinetic powers who falls in love with another girl, while losing her mind. Very slow burning and moody. Reminds me that I want to re-watch Polanski’s Repulsion.

✴️               

Aretha Franklin X 2: 

✳️✳️✳️ Respect, the new, terrific, slick Aretha Franklin bio, which is also a solid feature directorial debut for the director Liesl Tommy. The small girl part was best, but the whole story was well-made. Recommended.

✳️✳️✳️ ... And the final gospel concert from ‘Respect’ was recorded by Sydney Pollack in 1972, and just-recently released as Amazing Grace. With glimpses in the background of Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger (at 0:51).

✴️                

Woodstock, the documentary of the festival at  Max Yasgur's farm. Unfortunately, this is only 1/2 of the original film. Re-watch.

✴️

Carey Mulligan X 3:    

✳️✳️✳️ An education, a beautiful story about a naive 16 year old girl in 1961 London who is being seduced by a charming and sophisticated conman twice her age. The title can be understood in two different ways. 7+/10.

✳️✳️✳️ Never let me go - A British filming of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel didn’t get me. Part subtle science fiction story about compulsory body donors, and part love story with the always-aweful Andrew Garfield in a boarding school setting, its appeal just flew past me.

✳️✳️✳️ Drive - a perfect arthouse thriller by Nicolas Winding Refn. The action scenes are similar to Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver and many other LA-At-Night  action films, but the romance is tight and constrained. The motivation of laconic hero Ryan Goslin is being commented on in the 4-5 songs that puncture the action, with the last one calling him “A real hero - a real human being”, however he is not a real human being, but a replica of the Steve McQueen / Clint Eastwood mold.

Re-watch.

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I haven’t seen the great American saga Days of Heaven for many years. Through the gorgeous cinematography of Néstor Almendros, the score by Ennio Morricone, and especially the voice over story telling by the little girl Linda Manz as she saw it, it’s still as perfect as it was years ago. 10/10

✴️          

Brazil, Terry Gilliam’s 1985 satiric version of George Orwell’s 1984. Dystopia! Bureaucracy! Ducts! With young Jonathan Pryce as a dreamy glam rock flying Phoenix.

Too bad that Gilliam never got to film Hieronymus Bosch, for example his Garden of Earthly Delights!

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I’ve never seen a Bob Ross painting show or knew much about him except that he had a landscape painting program on PBS, so the new documentary Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed was all news to me.

✴️              

First watch, and only because the highlights always looked somehow ‘funny’ - Fletch. But American comedies of the 80′s and 90′s were so uncharitably lame. 1/10.

Maybe it would have been better if they used their first choice, Mick Jagger.

- - - - -

Throw-back to the art project:

La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc Adora.

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(My complete movie list is here)

[breakingmllc]

Women Veterans Back The Blue I've Got Your Six Colorful T Shirt

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All things kinematic think he’s gonna make you the vice president by will be doing the lid to a Women Veterans Back The Blue I've Got Your Six Colorful T Shirt media is until Thursday he’s taken for this campaign needs to let you know I you can run indisputable whatever the hell is you could run that the Democrats he got the fake is being used upon and yet they correct their own pot and then you have the rhinos in the rhinos have the van and a cigar rhinos that I’ve eaten so badly over the age of the rhinos of people to do the every one of those guys just about IP because they all represented a client in the primaries and is saying he did a good job is a smart guy like you but every one of those guys take God not smart people but he wants to terminate religious liberty destroy the suburbs of the strike and saving the suburbs I’m getting right of the right I’m getting rid of the regulation project see a beautiful house congratulations you like having a nice project next year has set up a cell and with it comes plenty of crime that’s why they keep saying we only think he’s. Ross also goes to stark industriesand purchases some sonic add ins to help against the hulk regattas some less heavy news that she’ll agent whose colson’s friend melinda may starts datingand when she marries this dude called andrew garner’s now heroesand weird more crazy stuff has been happening for a while so she’ll start up the idea of the avengers initiative this program is designed to bring together a group of remarkable people so when humanity has to face a threat that’s too intense for regular old shield in the military they can help defend the planet experiencing this up as the director of shieldand so is getting eyesand people of potential interest for starting with bruce banner he goes in undercoverand finds banner in a bar somewhere which to me doesn’t seem the patient should be if you’re trying to stay calm but whateverand since into shield agents with the most generic names possible petersonand johnson to get the context banner but it goes a little sidewaysand better hoax outand runs away meanwhile back at youand century afterlife human young child called catcher can control her powersand is causing a lot of damage she runs awayand ends up in the middle east were filled colsonand the women they are simply shield to take her down is forced to kill small child to save the day which is obviously a little upsetting so she retires from fieldworkand takes a desk joband also causes her marriage to kinda fall apart now there’s this fun michael keaton type guy called adrian toombs living a good life for the wifeand little daughter called lives family is everything to tombs to support his family he starts the tomb salvage company which cleans up messes left behind by big incidents which seems like a pretty good idea as the world is getting moreand more superhero eand where their superheroes there are classic cities okay this time I start to get a little muddled here I know there’s a bit of a debate over which year the original aromatics basin but for a number of reasons that don’t really want to get into company in 2009 some people say it’s only like movies released some people since 2010 I personally think it makes no sense if it’s in 2009 especially in relation to iron man twoand other future films I meant to his sickness afterwardsand it features the stark expo 2010 so anyway you should matter that much but it is worth mentioning is still being a billionaire playboy at one point he gets into a bar fight get some assistance from his best friend james rhodes rhody a little later he was in order for something but what I status get it for him because he’s too busy sleeping with reportersand you know doing tony start things despite his playboy in us he also has something of a relationship some kind of flirtatious thing going on with his assistant pepper potts also he’s got a bodyguard called happy to see you know to start industries is still in this morally great business of selling weaponsand tony doesn’t really care because billionaire life but no but I saying the strategies the company for less than legal means he starts equally sign weapons to a terrorist organization called the 10 rings inand also pays the 10 rings to kill tony when he goes to afghanistan because I know but I can when the company tony free however they only kidnap tony once they realize who he isand manny build them weapons to use in the whole process tony is mortally wounded but his life is saved by fellow captive hellionsand mental health ins inputs electromagnet in his chest which keeps the shrapnel in there from killing in which tony benson turns into his dental pet project the arc reactor 10 rings also demand more my for staying because of who they had to kidnap vocalsand sent by shield to go talk to stijnand lindsay is back to shield offers to god himselfand save stark button cure for whatever reason tells them not to start building the weapons that the terrace demanded over three months stark with the help against them as a weapon I suit of armor that he can use to escape which is powered by that arc reactorand is just over this time start also earns a bit more humanity while this is happening natasha romanoff now a great agent of shield is sent out on a mission to escort a scientist in a run hydra sends out the winter soldier to kill the scientist he does so by shooting through them enough after those few months stark uses the armored suit to bust out of prisonand kill some terrorists escapes but yes it is killed along the way start crashand the desertand picked up by the militaryand taken home tony’s a changed man now so people stuck industries on the weapons business which obadiah is pretty pissed about thatand also you know tony is not dead then he is running the company yet tony also get closer to pepper spray a new art directorand start continue to refine his armor make you much slicker matter more weaponsand doing a little hot rod written there eventually he turns into what becomes known as the iron man suit this does take a few months so while all this is happening a woman called colleen wing who is pretty proficient in martial arts comes to america from japan she needs the crew to one of those ancient hat membersand gets recruited as a member of the hand but she’s under the impression that the hand is a good organizationand doesn’t know about all the mass murder of kellyand now the sweet mullet is putting a takeover of the world the first he’s got to get this extreme misting perfectand he needs firebreathing henchmen so he finds a bunch of army veterans who suffered serious injuries to be his test subjects injects them with extremistsand some are successful they grow back last lensand their super grateful some are not successful thoughand explode in a very painful way also at some point here in asgard double click a guy called in near tries to overthrow dennis king but he stopped by thor just a typical day for those guys now back on earth the 10 rings find stocks first armor suit that he escaped with lying around in the desertand they start piecing it back together stijn shows upand sees itand thinks back use thisand so start building his own giant iron man suit all of this is happening continues to make a suit way better now can flyand she repulsed blasts in STUFF he also gets a fancy ad about the systemand into jarvis after his dental butler theory is still quite intrigued by the sole tony stark character solutions vocalsand into talk to stark about this whole situation but stuck ambos moss tony also finds out that some of his companies weapons are still terrorists in afghanistan certifiesand kills a bunch of them because he can is a little brush up in the militaryand canada has revealed his buddy rhody that yeah he’s ironman pepperand finds out that stijn’s been working with terrorists sustains like well that everyone knows a bag I now let us look at tony myself yells exceeds by tony so live closeand goes with pepper to discover stains own iron man suit turning it back to full strength puts in a suitand instead have a consistency punch up stark winsand stained eyes the next day at a big press conference stuck supposed to tell the world that iron man is some kind of robot bodyguard they built but he goes a little off script I am guessing is more in touch with shield while stark is getting this press conference at the manco that guy how stark screwed over all those years ago who is now out of prison dies while watching it is on I think of us take revenge on the stark familyand in a surprisingly short time uses his dad’s old art director blueprints to make his own arc reactorand uses that to make an even cooler iron man suit just kidding he makes some electric lips after the press conference nick fury approach to stark himself this time about the avengers initiative is a guy with a super high tech suit could be useful the time is like air now thanks as he’s leaving starks house cure and tells them don’t need natasha romanoff or this one goesand also helps train this random guy called hendrix to be an agent of shield unimportant detail but it happened all this time jesse don’t forget bruce banner still running the military ultimately ends up in rioand start working at a soda bottle factory all the while stirring to contact a scientist called samuel stearns was trying to find a cure for this whole whole thing is to keep a low profileand figure out how to return to a normal life so she was getting mighty busy these days not only to have the soul avengers thing planned but they also start a project tahiti shield still has that creek corpse just lying aroundand after testing it they discover some of its bodily fluids have a healing effect they can bring someone back from the dead fury orders this project we started with phil colson in charge to extract some these fluids in the event that an avenger is killed in action needs to be brought back to some of the sun dying shield employees but it doesn’t go super well because they start going insaneand drawing maps about underground cree city cyclesand like well this program sucks let’s shut it downand so they do stark stone during the life of being a billionaireand also superheroand starts helping establish world peace as iron man going aroundand being a terrorists he also tries to have a relationship with a woman called lena as you know playboy however the 10 rings find out about thisand kidnap lena’s son afterwards blackmailing her in his dealings ireland blueprints for them however to find out about this because of the situation thenand saves her sonand then stop seeing each other is like how you come back from that stark is like seeing his assistant pepper potts does well peace mission continues as he stops group of 10 rings dudesand hackers from selling as weapons in italy also recovered some stolen paintings because why not messages continues to fight the 10 rings especially in afghanistan as he doing this serializes the corpus arc reactor is slowly poisoning him so he start searching for a cure over in brazil bruce banner is working at soda bottle factoryand one day he asked because his hand so some of his super blood goes in one of the soda bottlesand kill stanley which gets the governmentand military write on the sent now back over to hydra they’re working on yet another super soldier program because that seems to be all they can do after rascal serumand making roma peopleand after their attention to making a superpowered army by combining the super soldier serum with gamma radiationand some of that sweet extremist tech that they somehow got their hands on basically taking every superpower giving thing the mcu entering it in a big melting pot it’s called the centipede program that’s led by john garrett from before you must use it for his own purposes since even with the parts his health is failing also with the program you can plan your either let’s hide or see everything you doand also can kill you if you start doing something wrong another very kinsman like almonds lena starts running the stark expo 2010 to shove a budget attackand relationsand whatnot shows up in the flash to really be the tony that the world knowsand loves my cousin all great for tonio as he also has to govern the senate some of whom are members of hydra is there like the government you have your suit because it’s really dangerousand tony’s like hello claims that no one is close to kings techand he’s created well peace so the government should shut up testifying against him is the somehow smug or induce your tony stark justin hammer is rival in the tech world get out of thereand make up about the ceo stark industries okay nothing start to get a bit more complicated because the three different plot lines all happening at once so hang on lake erie sends natasha romanoff to go undercoverand keep an eye on tony understand the 10 rings are pretty sick of our menacing at their livesand so they get anton blanco was completed his arc reactor based whips away into the monaco grand prix which tony will be attending back in brazil the army’s tract number spends locationand attacksand where he lives the command of a mobile on ski first comes the hulkand runs away waking up in guatemala the next morningand deciding he should go back to his old university to look for more data on finding a whole cure because he just can’t take this anymore roadie who is now also that she needs a strike in the study to work with the governmentand starting to get mildly heated between them romanoff arrives at tony’s place is of the pill in a woman’s coffee unstuck steam so she starts throwing up so natasha can deliver some files to stark yourself to natureand acts exactly how you inspect them to tell youand goes to the monaco grand prix as promisedand stripper places a guy in the race is a guess you do that when your superhero is having a fun time driving when ivan manco shows upand these car in half luckily tony’s gotten on the go armor with himand he defends himself later tongue the bank on prisonand getting really nothing out of it this public display of other art directors being out there though but the government even moreand tony’s ass justin hammer sees thisand breaks I got of prison when him to make iron man like machines for hammer tech so he can upstage tony stark thank you goes along with this but really dispels bunch drones so he can later on post some sweet sweet revenge tony starting poison buys arc reactor in the publics against in the government on his backand himand his best friend are on great terms tony’s life sucks right now is this it was a big drunken birthday party for himself which ultimately ends with himand roadie getting the students who fight roadie not being told the drunk guys off of the suitand gives it to justin hammer unaware of what hammers actually doing behind the scenes meanwhile agent jasper said well she’ll agentand another undercover hydrogen is ordered to keep track of bruce banner one exterior goes to help start with his are correct poisoning also there are big disturbances in the atmosphere on this time in the southwest us caused by some commotion away in asgard which will get you that this concerns some people including astrophysicist jane foster she get in touch with another astrophysicist called xl bigand go to new mexico to check it out she’ll discovers this is happeningand keeps an eye on them now way back across the universe in asgard authorities finally of the age where he gets to be the new king even though he’s areaand a spoiled bratand locus jealous but hay is getting corrugated it’s his big day but it gets interrupted by the frost giant sneakingand owns vaultand trying to take away that casket of ancient winters point is that was really upset that his days ruinedand also that the frost I spokeand we know so that is bossy consisting of f than the warriors interchangeable coffee oppenheim to fight the frost giants for what they did this is specifically against oden’s instructions but again thor is dumband arrogant a fight starts but only comes aroundand breaks it up is pretty mad at the door so takes away all his godly powersand his powerful hammer mule near creekside note the owner was made from the core of a dying starand helps to control his lighting powersand also only be lifted by whoever’s worthy of it store down to earth new mexico specifically is harold’s land somewhere nearby as well as activity theory since vocalsand down to new mexico to check out all the business on his way their closest oxen armed robbery at a convenience store because he’s just not good back to start tony’s hang on a big doughnutand has a talk with a fury who wants to help them also natasha romanoff reveals himself as black widow to them justin hammer starts upgrading the armor really gave themand changes it from this to this while that’s happening tony discovers a map of the old stark expo at secret formula for making a new element that his dad left him all of those years ago which is also the perfect replacement for his arc reactor somewhat conveniently so yeah that’s fixed tony’s no longer dying now you just worry about the crazy russianand the smarmy businessmen at this point bruce banner is also gone back to the old university hang out with an old friend of his now justin hammer showing off his ivan banker design drones at the stark expo but vanco goes for zone motives of killing starkand hijacks the dronesand sends them after tony also hijacks the war machine armor with roadieand it is chase during which tony says a little kid is a fan of his called peter parker come in to play more later eventually ready to control the soup back in himand tony team up to destroy all the drones while black widowand tony’s bodyguard happy fightsand I got henchmen eventually tonyand 35 vancoand a giant iron man type suitand blowing them upand killing him by combining the repulsive powers hammer gets arrested gets a kissand really gets the armor kind of soup from not okay when the question meanwhile back in new mexico jane foster xl bigand jane’s friend darcy find thor all powerless like in the desert daysand then set into the hospital she also started asking thor’s hammer mule near owner realizes how big business in the situation could be so also sends clint barton to help closeand with it the escape from the hospital using his asgard trainingand meets up with janeand they start having a little bit of a romance back in asgard loki discovers that he is not shielding sonand I frost giant which makes them pretty upsetand falls into a deep sleep that has to take once in a while called oden sleepand locus is playing a treacherous plan to get owns approval back which involves the frost giants to attack inand then saving his dad’s life is adopted that not his real dad back with banner bruce meets up with bettyand they get back together however in the process the military figure out he’s thereand have for the locationand the loss gets injected with a version of the super soldier serum things to ross tobin take on the whole which means he can survive this sort of thing seeing gen. Help ourselves otherwise all the chocolates would just end up sitting in his cupboards for a year and he wasn’t about to get kids year old suites come next Halloween we basically had the jackpot thinking we could just rinse the old fellow of the suites and make up for the paltry amount we collected over what had been an unusually fruitless trick or treating session only he said there was one small problem since he was getting on in years and then get out much his oldest grown up son had come by to drop off all the suites along with his usual weekly shopping then without having thought it through his son and put all the suites in the top cupboard of his back pantry one that was way too high for him to reach without doing is back in if a couple of us were willing to help them reach the cupboards and take a few tens of supreme in the process suites were ours all of them 90 you’re thinking God’s name is daft enough to just wander into a complete stranger’s house in the middle the night apparently we were and See Other related products: I Don't Understand Your Specific Kind Of Stupid But I Do Admire Your Total Commitment To It T-Shirt

[realcleargoodtimes]

the mother of an Ohio State basketball player grabbed her purse and keys and headed into the night.

“I didn’t know where I was going,” she said, “but I knew I needed to find my child.”

Melissa Smitherman learned her son might be in danger minutes earlier when she received a disturbing phone call. A friend spotted Seth Towns among the protesters standing their ground against police orders during a Black Lives Matter rally in Columbus.

When Smitherman FaceTimed her son to check on him, an unfamiliar man answered her call. The man told Smitherman that Columbus police had just arrested Towns and taken him away, leaving only his phone behind.

For Smitherman, the uneasiness of the next few hours was the scariest experience of her life. She said she “didn’t know what was going to happen” to her son and she was "afraid of what I might find.”

Smitherman started her search for Towns by placing a handful of calls in hopes of discovering where detained protesters were being held. When that proved a dead end, Smitherman drove to the downtown Columbus police station to seek answers in person.

Barricaded streets did not deter Smitherman, nor did the presence of a horde of police officers standing guard in tactical gear. Eyes red and cheeks tear-stained, Smitherman pulled over her car and approached the nearest cop.

A Columbus police sergeant eventually directed Smitherman to a downtown firehouse a few blocks removed from the protests. When she arrived, Smitherman peered through a chain-link fence at the rear of the station and spied a sight no mother ever wants to see.

“My son was sitting with his hands behind his back and I could see that they were zip-tied,” Smitherman said. “My heart broke into a million pieces to see him like that.”

It may have stung Smitherman to see her son in handcuffs, but it didn’t surprise her that he would make such a sacrifice. In many ways, this day was a long time coming for a kid who has always prided himself on being a leader, daring to be different and standing up for what was right.

An uncommon student There is hardly anything about Seth Towns that’s typical of a basketball player with dreams of making the NBA.

The sweet-shooting 6-foot-7 forward has long been as accomplished a student as he is a basketball prospect.

At Northland High School in Columbus, Towns earned all-state honors twice in basketball yet maintained a GPA of above 4.0. He tutored older students, read voraciously and competed for the school’s nationally renowned math team.

Instead of accepting scholarship offers from the likes of Michigan or Ohio State, Towns opted to take a less common path. He selected Harvard out of high school, gambling that he could fulfill his basketball potential in the Ivy League while also receiving an unparalleled education.

“A lot of people in the basketball world were like, ‘Why would you go there?’ ” Towns recalled. “I told them, “It’s a chance to go to the best school in the world. Why wouldn’t I consider it?’ ”

At first, Towns dreamed of becoming a computer software engineer and developing apps for Google. Then a series of events altered his focus, taught him the power of his own voice and caused him to embrace the fight for racial equality.

The son of a black father and a blonde-haired, green-eyed mother, Towns grew up in a family that was pragmatic about racism. James Towns and Melissa Smitherman taught their son to cherish all humans regardless of race or ethnicity yet to never forget that some strangers will view him differently because of his skin color.

That message didn’t fully resonate with Towns until he took a African-American studies class for college credit his junior year of high school. No longer did Towns underestimate racial injustice in America after studying the high-profile deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and other unarmed blacks during encounters with the police.

“It was late in my adolescence, I was starting to form my own thoughts and that was a very pivotal moment in history,” Towns said. “In many respects, it was an awakening for me.”

In December 2014, amidst a national reckoning on police brutality against minorities, Towns decided he wanted to play a role in fighting for meaningful change. He helped organize a protest that not only fostered discussion at his high school but also drew the national media’s attention.

Just before the end of one school day, Towns and his African-American studies classmates gathered in the school’s common area and laid down as though they were dead. Taped to each of their backs were pieces of paper with the words “I can’t breathe,” a slogan derived from Garner’s last words while in a police officer’s chokehold.

Miceli Peña @_MiceliRoyce Northland High School ✊ #Respect #ICantBreathe

View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter 153 3:44 PM - Dec 12, 2014 Twitter Ads info and privacy 155 people are talking about this “Seth was the kind of student that made you want to be a better educator,” said Kevin Tooson, Northland’s African-American studies teacher at the time. “He was hungry for knowledge, he possessed the intellectual bandwidth to take it all in and if he thought something was wrong, he was willing to stand up and say something about it.”

Seth Town’s inspiration If Towns learned to speak his mind during high school, it was Harvard where he developed his voice. He forged relationships with the kind of people that most college basketball players don’t have on their contact list.

Harvard coach Tommy Amaker organizes a monthly breakfast in Cambridge that exposes his players to leaders from the sports world and beyond. Among the invited guests who Towns now counts as mentors: Best-selling author Mitch Albom, former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and civil rights activist Dr. Harry Edwards.

It also influenced Towns seeing other high-profile athletes use their clout to further important causes. Towns described himself as “monumentally inspired” after Colin Kaepernick came to Harvard in 2018 and spoke about why he was willing to jeopardize his football career to keep fighting for racial justice.

Perhaps Towns’ biggest source of motivation was a tragedy that reminded him how rare it is for an inner-city kid like himself to have the opportunity to mingle with luminaries or to get a world-class education. On Oct. 19, 2018, close friend and former high school teammate Jordan “Kizzzy” Kinchen died in a double shooting in Columbus.

Kinchen’s murder led Towns to focus on creating more opportunities for underprivileged African-American kids. He researched ways to improve test scores, to offer internships and to provide college opportunities where they didn’t previously exist.

“Seth wanted everyone to believe that if he could do it, they could too,” Smitherman said.

Towns had more time than he wanted to focus on making a difference away from basketball at Harvard because injuries limited his impact on the court.

The Ivy League’s 2017-18 player of the year suffered a right knee injury late in a loss to Penn in that season’s conference title game. Lingering pain in both knees sidelined Towns for both the past two seasons and forced him to undergo surgery last December.

That injury history didn’t keep marquee programs from pursuing Towns when he announced his intent to leave Harvard as a graduate transfer this spring. Towns chose hometown Ohio State over a long list of suitors that included Duke, Kansas, Virginia and Syracuse.

On May 28, the day he graduated from Harvard with a sociology degree, Towns celebrated at a rooftop bar in downtown Columbus. He remembers experiencing a twinge of regret when he peered down at the street below and saw a throng of demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd without him.

“It made me upset that I wasn’t part of that,” Towns said, “so I decided that the next day  my voice was going to be heard.”

‘Say his name!’ Seth Towns continued to shout, "Say his name!" as Columbus police detained him. (Twitter) Seth Towns continued to shout, "Say his name!" as Columbus police detained him. (Twitter) The protest that ended with Towns in handcuffs began with him fighting back tears.

It was emotional for him to see his hometown come together to demand equal rights.

When Towns arrived, he joined dozens of protesters gathered in front of the Columbus police station calling for justice for Floyd. Once the crowd swelled to about 500, protesters marched up and down High and Broad streets while chanting Floyd’s name.

“Standing among them, I felt such deep solidarity and such deep pain from their voices,” Towns said. “It brought tears to my eyes hearing and feeling all that.”

The mood of the protest became more tense later that evening when police officers sought to clear the area. Columbus police allege that protesters were throwing bricks and rocks, setting off fireworks and breaking windows of downtown businesses.

Towns was among the protesters who chose to stand their ground despite verbal warnings. Police then began using their bikes or horses to push the crowd back by force.

Towns said he was standing with his arms around his throat screaming “I can’t breathe” when six police officers surrounded him and forced his hands behind his back. The Ohio State forward described the incident as “a surreal moment to say the least” and said the officers’ decision to detain him “seemed out of the blue.”

In a video that went viral on social media that night, Towns can be seen shouting, “Say his name!” while officers restrain him. “George Floyd!” a group of protesters yell back.

Seth 💤 @seth_towns17 SAY HIS NAME

Embedded video 2,480 4:01 PM - May 30, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 677 people are talking about this “I was standing up for what I believe in,” Towns said. “I wasn’t stopping whether I was being detained, arrested or beaten.”

A fellow protester who witnessed police take Towns confirmed that he did nothing to provoke them besides stand his ground.

“From what I saw, he was simply not moving from the road,” Eric Bailey said. “I'm not sure what he did that was different from what I had done that would make them detain him and not me. He had not acted aggressively. He had not thrown a bottle. He did not yell at the officers. He did nothing but exercise his first amendment [rights].”

Whatever the reason, Columbus police took Towns away by van and held him at the nearby firehouse with four other protesters arrested that night. There he remained until his mother spotted him through the chain-link fence a few hours later.

From Harvard graduation to the back of a police van If Towns was surprised to find himself in police custody, he was just as shocked to have his mother arrive out of nowhere.

Smitherman even talked her way into the firehouse, where police allowed her to sit alongside her son while he was detained.

“I’ll tell you what crossed my mind when I was sitting there,” Smitherman said. “If I was a black mother, would I have been afforded that same opportunity? Would a black mother have been given the same opportunity to keep her child safe?”

Columbus police eventually released Towns without arresting him. Then his mother drove him home and he got a few hours sleep.

By the time Towns awoke the next morning, his story was everywhere. Media outlets across the country picked up the story of a basketball player who graduated from Harvard one day and was detained by the police the next.

Rather than hide from the story, Towns recognized that he “had a unique opportunity to have people listen.” Later that day, he filmed himself reading a powerful statement that made it clear he had no remorse for his detainment.

Seth 💤 @seth_towns17 Embedded video 5,196 3:47 PM - May 30, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 1,427 people are talking about this “In a span of just 24 hours, I walked across a Harvard virtual graduation stage to the back of a police van, both of which I am equally proud of,” he said.

Towns reiterated that sentiment during an interview on SportsCenter that evening. He pledged to continue to use his voice to speak out for “people who are unheard.”

On May 31, two days after his detainment, Towns returned to downtown Columbus to protest again, this time armed with a megaphone. Towns delivered a passionate speech, telling fellow protesters, “We are here, we are peaceful, we are loud and we will do this every day until we get what we demand.”

Seth 💤 @seth_towns17 We will not be silenced https://twitter.com/_niaChanel/status/1267278174624366598 …

Chanel @_niaChanel Embedded video 1,579 10:12 PM - May 31, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 303 people are talking about this The way Towns sees it, this is a historic moment that the Black Lives Matter movement must seize. Americans are more cognizant of the systemic racism the movement insists persists in this country and more open to embracing change.

“This has been the most educational two weeks of my entire life,” he said. “I’ve learned a ton about how the system works and what steps we need to take going forward.

“My biggest takeaway is that having a few things change with police reform wouldn’t be enough. Now is the time that ending institutional racism needs to be pushed to the forefront of our nation’s efforts. Liberty is what this nation is founded on and right now there is a group of people that is not experiencing the same liberty as others.”

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Trump heads to Dallas for race relations talk, fundraiser Associated Press One of our best offers ever. Comcast Business Ad ... Preventing police brutality is this upstart law-enforcement equipment company's goal Yahoo Finance Microsoft joins rivals, bars police use of face recognition tech AFP 'Live PD' canceled after report reveals footage of a black man's death in 2019 was destroyed USA TODAY Entertainment Free business bank account w/ no fees or minimums Azlo Business Banking Ad ... Police chokeholds banned in Minneapolis, Houston, cities nationwide after protests USA TODAY Patrick Mahomes talks 'Black Lives Matter' video, George Floyd's death — and whether he'll kneel this season Yahoo Sports The Rush: NASCAR takes down the Confederate flag Yahoo Sports Videos

[tisfan]

All American Road Trip

Chapter One: Get out the Map | Chapter Two: (A Very Little) Leg Room | Chapter Three: (You’re) Gonna Sing the Words Wrong | Chapter Four: You Make Me Live

Chapter Five: Count Only Blue Cars

You're a diamond in the rough A brilliant ball of clay You could be a work of art If you just go all the way Now what would it take to break I believe that you can bend Not only do you have to fight But you have got to win

-- Kung Fu Fighting, Cee-Lo Green

Somewhere around Illinois, Steve was about ready to shove both his best friends out of the tiny car and make them walk a few miles. Buck and Sam bickered. It was never anything serious -- the merits of bacon over sausage as a breakfast protien. (bacon) Whether or not pineapple belonged on pizza. (no) Whether or not Natasha dyed her hair red or if it was naturally that color. (A gentleman didn’t speculate on a woman’s dress size, hair color, or age.)

And Steve couldn’t seem to help letting himself get drawn into their petty little disagreements. They didn’t agree on anything and it was driving Steve mad.

The argument of choice on that particular day started when Sam was reading out loud. They’d stopped at a book store two days ago and Sam had picked up a handful of things from random display tables. “Get an assortment,” Sam had said, “an’ we’ll see what we all wanna read more of, right?”

That day’s book, Beautiful Creatures, was a teenage romance, which Steve was actually rather enjoying. He’d never read anything like it before, and Steve found the burgeoning love affair to be kinda cute.

And then Buck had pointed out a factual error in the book. “Jubal Early ain’t buried in South Carolina,” Buck said, crossing his arms over his massive chest and glaring into the front seat like Sam, the book, and the world in general had personally offended him about the location of some obscure Civil War general’s gravesite.

Sam actually turned around in the passenger seat to raise an eyebrow in Bucky’s direction. “I don’t see what that’s got t’ do with anything.”

“It’s wrong.”

“We’re readin’ a book about a teenage witch and a magic library, and you’re bitchin’ about historical accuracy?” Sam sighed, turned back around. He licked his finger (ug, gross) and attempted to pick up where he’d left off.

Buck reached around the seat, snatched the book out of his hand -- Steve had a brief flashback to the first time they’d met the Winter Soldier, who’d indulged in a little Jesus Take the Wheel moment (okay, that wasn’t Steve’s joke, but when the whole thing had been over and done, he could admit that Sam was kinda funny. A little bit.) -- and then tossed the book out the window.

Steve slammed on the brakes, sending all of them jolting forward.

“Bucky, what the hell?”

Buck shrugged, unconcerned. “The book was wrong.”

More below the cut, or read the whole thing at A03 [x]

“It’s a made up book, not fifth grade flippin’ Civics class,” Sam protested.

Were they really doing this? Three grown men, squabbling like idiots, about a teenage romance novel?

A car behind them laid on the horn and Steve reluctantly pulled off to the side of the road. Yes, apparently they were going to squabble like idiots about a teenage romance novel, because Steve was deeply curious about what was going to happen. “Go get the book, Buck.”

Buck stared, like Steve had just asked him to throw a tank into a clock tower, or something.

“Stevie, it’s prob’ly three miles back at this point!” Buck protested.

“So you’d better get started.”

Even Sam was giving Steve the stink eye by that point. Steve shut the car down, tucked the keys in his pocket, and put his No, You Move expression on. Of course he chose to do that with the two people least likely to take him seriously.

Buck stared a little longer; almost like watching a computer reboot. “Fine,” he huffed. He jerked the door open hard enough that Steve worried that he might rip it off. A few minutes later, he was out of sight, jogging along the side of the road.

“What th’ hell was that about?” Sam got out of the car to watch Buck run off. He leaned against the car near the driver’s side window and while Steve could hear him, Sam probably wouldn’t be able to hear Steve if he didn’t roll the window down. Steve got out of the car. The plastic handle crackled under his hand and Steve had to remember to loosen up his grip.

“Acceptable behavior,” Steve said, shrugging one shoulder.

“Your murder hobo is doing his best to fit back into a life with us, back at th’ Tower. But he’s still feral, Steve. I don’t think you’re goan be able to civilize him all the way.”

“That’s no reason not to try,” Steve said. Bucky -- his Bucky, not this wild creature that Buck had become -- would have wanted that. Wouldn’t he?

He’s never going to be the man he was before.

Well, neither am I.

Sam was just looking at him, expectantly.

“Is there some compulsion of yours that you not only have to be right, you want to hear people say it?” Steve growsed.

Sam chuckled, that gap between his teeth in evidence. “I live on it, Rogers,” he said. “Just want to make sure you’re not setting your sights too high. I don’t think I can live through broken-hearted Captain America for much longer.”

Steve sighed. “Why don’t you take the shield for a while, Sam? It’s getting a little heavy for me.” That was the truth, and nothing but. He’d been carrying the shield for so long, he wasn’t sure what he wanted anymore. Even when Tony had cast his last words at him -- you don’t deserve it -- Steve wasn’t sad to let it go. He was frankly relieved. It was a burden and a responsibility and Tony might even have been right. Steve didn’t deserve it; he didn’t deserve the honor, he didn’t deserve all the shit that came with it.

Maybe Tony could stand wearing a mask all the time, being a public persona that had nothing to do with the very human person underneath, but Steve was sick to death of it.

“I already got a superhero gig, Cap,” Sam said. “Got back into the game for you. Don’t want to be you.”

“Yeah, I’m not too eager to continue to be me, either,” Steve admitted. “Might be nice to just be Steve Rogers for a while.”

Buck came back up; somewhere in there he’d moved out of his jog, which was about as fast as a normal human’s flat out sprint, and he’d sped up until he was moving about as far as a car. He had the book in one hand and a scowl on his face.

“Here.” He shoved the book directly into the center of Steve’s chest. It wasn’t until Steve curled his fingers around it that he realized it was covered in mud. Steve took a deep breath. He already knew he couldn’t take Buck in a straight-up fight when the stakes mattered. And it was probably best not to tempt the Winter Soldier instincts to come out by punching Buck in the face.

But oh, god, Steve wanted to.

He opened his eyes. Buck was smirking.

An honest-to-god, wicked little grin. The sort he used to use when he was getting his flirt on with a pretty dame. The one he saved up, during the war, for special moments with his captain.

Any desire to punch Buck was overridden with the intense need to kiss him stupid. If Sam hadn’t been standing right there, Steve might have. There was a sparkle in Buck’s eyes that hadn’t been there before.

The one that said I know you want me, you little shit.

***

He said, "Tell me all your thoughts on God And tell me am I very far?" Must have been late afternoon On our way the sun broke free of the clouds We count only blue cars, skip the cracks in the street And ask many questions like children often do --Counting Blue Cars, Dishwalla

Trying to play road games with two super soldiers who had eyesight at ridiculous levels was harder than it looked. Sam was 20/20 -- that was a requirement for the Falcon program, same as being a jet pilot. Truth, Sam had gotten the lasik surgery a few years back, because age did its thing without a care for the state of superheros trying to save the world.

And he knew what the numbers meant; twenty was considered “ideally, what you can see at twenty feet clearly” and then the other number indicated what that actually was. So, for someone who was a little nearsighted, like Sam had been pre-surgery, he had to be 20 feet close to see something that ideally could have been seen at 30 feet. Sam had a buddy at the VA one time whose vision was 20/1000, which meant that guy had to be twenty feet away from something that most people could see at a thousand. Like buildings.

But Steve and Barnes had something 20/-100 vision, meaning they saw things before shit even happened. Through hills and trees and around freaking corners, man. So unfair.

Which meant the alphabet game went fast, even after Sam outlawed license plates as an acceptable medium.

It also slowed their trip down some, as Sam absolutely demanded evidence. Barnes had called a V on a gas station that turned out to be two streets north of their current route, that he could barely glimpse reflected off the fucking bank building. Sam had to squint, and use a pair of binoculars that he insisted Steve buy from the local sporting goods shop before he’d believe that.

They’d tried moving on to I Spy, but Barnes refused to pick anything beyond “the back of y’all’s stupid heads, because that’s all I c’n see from here.”

Finally -- finally -- Sam hit on something that worked out. Both Steve and Barnes were unusually creative. Maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising, since they were both tactical specialists practically before Sam’s gramma was born, but Sam found himself surprised by the degree of thinking outside the box the two of them were capable of.

“Fortunately…” Sam said, thinking, “this’ll be the first time I’ve seen the Grand Canyon.”

“Unfortunately, it’s been invaded by aliens,” Steve said.

“What are you doin’, man, projecting?”

“It’s the way the world is, these days,” Steve responded with a shrug.

“Well, fortunately, I got experience shootin’ aliens,” Barnes took his turn. The scary thing is, that was probably true.

“Well, unfortunately,” Sam said, rolling his eyes expressively, “you didn’t pack your guns.”

“Fortunately,” Steve said, “I have Stark on speed dial, and he can just drone us in some.”

“Unfortunately, Stark don’t like you anymore, Stevie,” Barnes piped up.

“Fortunately, SHIELD managed to haul its head out of its collective ass and can give us some backup,” Sam said on his turn.

“Unfortunately, they’re still bound by the Slokovia accords, and I’m not sure we’ll get an acceptable use of force before the aliens have burned down most of the midwest.” That was sarcastic enough to qualify for a license to kill.

“Ow, Steve,” Sam said, pressing his hand to his chest. “That’s painful, man.”

“Fortunately, no one interesting lives in the midwest,” Barnes said, leaning back and linking his hands behind his neck. “So, it ain’t like we’re losing anything important.”

“Unfortunately, SHIELD’s current secure facility for storing weapons of unspeakable power is in Nebraska, so the aliens are actually after that, which is why they’re in the midwest to start with,” Sam said.

“Fortunately, the aliens are also looking for a good time, so we’ll just drop Sam off and everything’ll be fine.”

Barnes scoffed from the backseat. “Unfortunately,” he said, pointedly, “the aliens have good taste, and so Wilson isn’t on their list.”

“Oh, now you’re just gettin’ nasty,” Sam said. “Fortunately, we’ve got pretty-boy, all American grade A beef riding with us, so if my pretty face doesn’t do it for ‘em, Cap can take his shirt off. That’ll get anyone to stop an’ stare.”

“Are we still playing a game, or flirting like emotionally damaged fourth graders?” Steve wondered.

Barnes scowled. “Unfortunately, Steve’s already got a stick up his ass, so they’re not going to be able to do any probing work.”

“One, it’s not your turn,” Steve said, faintly horrified “and two, I fail to see how that’s unfortunate, Buck, really.”

“That’s ‘cause you ain’t gotta deal with the stick,” Barnes muttered, slumping back in his seat.

“When was the last time we ate anything?” Steve asked.

Sam had to think about it. “Um, maybe three hours ago?”

“We’re going to get ice cream,” Steve said, decisively. “You two are acting like cranky toddlers and I’m fed up with both of you.”

“Heh,” Barnes said. “Tell ya what, jerk. You sit in th’ back for a while an’ let one of us drive. See how cranky you get.”

“Flip you for it,” Sam challenged.

“I’m drivin,” Barnes said. “Or I will flip you, an’ I ain’t talkin’ about a coin toss.”

Sam could feel his sap rising, the part of himself that followed Cap into battle without a care for what they were doing. The kind of thing that kept him going with the Avengers. The part of himself that wanted to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and he’d left bubblegum behind a long time ago.

And then Steve’s hand came down on Sam’s knee. “Just… just let him drive this time, okay?”

Steve’s hand was on Sam’s knee. Not a pat on the shoulder or the occasional arm slung around Sam’s shoulder that he was used to. That was… flirting.

Cap was absolutely to blame for all of Sam’s poor life choices. But Steve flirting with him? That was a whole new realm of disastrous decision-making.

“Okay,” Sam said. He wondered if Steve would take it at all amiss if Sam put his hand over Steve’s.

***

Tomorrow we can drive around this town And let the cops chase us around The past is gone but something might be found To take its place... Hey jealousy And you can trust me not to think And not to sleep around If you don't expect too much from me You might not be let down --Hey Jealousy, Gin Blossoms

There was no possible way Wilson wasn’t doing that on purpose.

Wilson was fucking fellating that damn ice cream cone. He’d gotten vanilla, claiming that it was his favorite flavor and he was doing obscene goddamn things to it.

That could not be accidental.

Which meant he was trying to make a move on Steve.

Wilson was turned halfway in the passenger seat, talking with Steve and making love with that goddamn dessert.

Wilson stuck that pink tongue of his all the way out and slowly turned the cone in his hand, smoothing out the sides. Then he deep-throated it, hollowing in his cheeks and pulling back, letting the very top of the ice cream curl up and stretch a bit. He licked the top. Dripped some ice cream down the back of his hand and took his time licking the creamy residue off his skin.

He didn’t really need to keep his eyes on the road; he was a goddamn supersoldier and his reactions were damn fast; he barely flicked his gaze to the road ahead before watching Steve in the rearview mirror.

Hard to tell, with Steve, sometimes. Did he even notice that people were flirting with him? Back during the War, he hadn’t quite mastered the art. He turned red and spluttered whenever Carter had been around, and while he hadn’t been adverse to a little messing around in dark corners, Steve had never quite made a confession.

That had been a hard shadow living in, watching Steve fall in love with Carter.

And he sure as hell wasn’t going to do it a second time.

“Hey Sam.” Steve leaned forward, blue eyes intent and just a tiny bit amused. “You’ve… uh, got ice cream…” He ran his finger down the side of his mouth.

Ug. Steve. That is absolutely not an accident!

Sam had some sort of mystical sixth sense; he knew exactly where the ice cream smutz was, like a glistening pearl on his chin. Because he wiped his entire chin and it was still fucking there.

That’s a trap, Steve.

Steve licked his thumb and reached out.

Oh hell no.

Flick. He checked the road ahead.

Flick. He checked the following distance of the car behind them.

Slammed on the brakes.

Wilson and Steve, who were too busy paying attention to each other, like this was some sort of fucking blind date, jerked forward.

He’d timed it just right; Wilson’s ice cream was all over his chin, his throat, and down the front of his previously immaculate polo.

Hit the accelerator just as Wilson was dabbing at his shirt, which smeared more of the remains of his dessert on his hands and into his lap.

Score.

“Wh--”

“Buck, what the hell?”

“Road debris,” he said, gesturing with one hand toward the road behind them. “Wasn’t sure what it was.”

The look Wilson threw at him was utter and complete loathing. Wilson knew, knew for certain, that there was no road debris. Knew that he’d absolutely been flirt-blocked.

He’d have done a victory fist pump if he didn’t think Steve would be upset if Wilson threw an actual punch. There was no way that Wilson could actually cause an injury to anyone but himself, but it would upset Steve.

“You are a dick, Barnes,” Wilson said. He dug around in the glove box and found some napkins.

He was still debating internally if it would be more annoying and smug-ass of him to deny everything, or admit anything, when Steve put a hand on the back of his neck.

Warm, fingers gentle and comforting, the touch was everything that he’d been missing for decades. Better than a simple clap on the shoulder with a half-dozen layers between himself and Steve’s skin.

Every nerve in his body concentrated on that one patch of skin where Steve’s fingers rested.

He inhaled, barely audible, or it should have been with the engine purring and the road noise and Wilson’s continued rant about the size, shape, and pustulant growths…

Flick.

He glanced up in the rearview and caught Steve’s gaze. Steve’s blue eyes were soft, the pupils wide with sudden feeling.

Smiling, he turned back to the road.

Just in time to swerve around a piece of actual road debris.

“Fuck!”

The car shimmied ungracefully from one side of the lane to the other. A soft, but distinct sound, like a bullet moving through a silencer.

Thup. thup. thup.

He took a deep breath, let it out. Brought the car to an ungainly stop on the side of the road. “We’ve got a flat,” he said. “Hope there’s a spare.”

“What was that?”

“Road debris.”

“Really, Barnes? Really?”

Wilson got the full force of his puppy-eyed pout. Steve had frequently been susceptible. Dames had always melted under it.

Wilson squinched his mouth up to the side, tipped his head, and looked disgusted. “You. Are a dick.”

[newmayhem]

Characters: Vampires

Disclaimer: None of this is mine, everything was collected from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ old websites, the wiki, and the old message boards. Anything written in the first person is a direct quote from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. For all the entries in the The Den of Shadows Reference series, check the tag or this page.

Katama’s Line

Jeshickah

Before Silver ruled, Jeshickah did, through Midnight. Yes, she is a lunar vampire, and hence a Nyeusi. She is also tightly bound to a k'jait named Leshan. Jeshickah named Leshan when she was still human, several years before her death. She bound herself more tightly to him throughout Midnight's reign, gaining power for herself and for those descended from her. Though they are not consciously aware of it, and it is not their primary form of sustenance, all of Jeshickah's descendants feed through touch. Their k'jait power is also responsible for Jeshickah's line's ability to dreamwalk, which is not normally a vampiric ability.

More information can be found in the Katama’s Line entry.

Nathaniel Stevens

Nathaniel Stevens (Christian name, he doesn’t know his birth name) is one of Midnight’s few inhabitants who was actually brought to the Americas by the human triangle trade. This happened when he was very young, so he grew up a slave… by human standards, anyway. His Master was a man called Elliot Stevens (hence the last name).

Nathaniel fell in love with a girl named Ellen, Elliot’s only daughter. Obviously, this didn’t go over well once her father found out.

Jeshickah, with recently-changed Taro in tow, discovered Nathaniel tied to a post after Elliot had beaten him. For reasons Nathaniel doesn’t really know or understand (and certainly didn’t care about), she demanded Elliot sell him to her.

I haven’t finished writing this book, but I do know that Jeshickah intended Nathaniel to be a trainer, and he was the only one of the five men she chose over her career who outright refused her, in every way. Among the many tricks she pulled was giving him Ellen as a gift, after Jeshickah had broken her… one of the many reasons Nathaniel hates Jeshickah.

Long story short, he angered her so much she broke several of his ribs, crushed his windpipe, etc, without intending to. When Katama pointed out that a human man had bested her (gotten her to kill him before he broke, which had been his intent at that point), Jeshickah changed him instead. Unfortunately for her, fortunate for Nathaniel, he managed to claim freeblood status after his change (he’s a quick study, picked up on that law swiftly) since she had never broken him, and Katama backed him. He needed to stay connected with Midnight, since there was no other power for his kind (until, obviously, Mayhem’s rise), but he became a mercenary instead of a trainer… putting him into a good position to get the best information, etc.

As for personality—and again, if this doesn’t work with your story, don’t feel forced to stick to it, I’m just offering it in case you want something to play with— Old-Midnight Nathaniel considers himself a green-blooded mercenary with no loyalty to anyone, but at the same time is proud of the fact that he has more “rules” (too green-blooded to admit they’re morals) than the rest of Jeshickah’s brood. He won’t extend money or energy to save someone who’s worthless… he says… and usually it’s true… but he also doesn’t abuse people by nature the way the trainers will. He doesn’t lose sleep over Jeshickah’s slaves, mainly because when she says “slave” it’s a mindless creature and far too late for it to be saved. He picks his battles by those he can win.

Xeke Catene

Xeke Catene (not his real surname, Catene is just what he goes by) is technically a member of Katama's line, but he is powerful enough that many people will refer to him as if he led his own line. The third member of the Wild Cards, he focuses his attention on beauty, and the senses. His studio is currently in the pre-production stages of Apocrypha, which is based on the myths of the Dasi, and the story of the Obsidian Guild. 

According to a Q&A with Amelia Atwater Rhodes:

Q: How does Xeke not remember his creator? Didn't someone have to feed him blood when he awoke or tell him of how Nyeusigrube worked?  

A: Yeeeeh, you'd think he would remember it, wouldn?t he? He claims he was really, really drunk. I?m not sure I trust him. Q: Why doesn't anyone want to claim him?  A: Xeke is a rabble-rouser. He breaks the rules by following them. He irritated powerful people but has enough powerful allies that no one can get rid of him. Who would want to claim responsibility? Oh, and there's the fact that Jeshickah absolutely forbid her fledglings from creating their own. And there's the fact (this goes back to a previous question) that technically, as Jeshickah owns most of her fledglings and Xeke is descended from one of them, she owns him, everything he has worked for, and everyone he protects. When Jeshickah came to town, Xeke got out of the way. If he is lying and does remember his creator, Xeke doesn't want to claim that progenitor any more than that vampire wants to claim Xeke.

Kendra’s Line

Lord Daryl di'Birgetta & Lady Brina di’Birgetta

Birth Name: Lord Daryl di'Birgetta Birthplace: England DOB/DOD: b. 1630s CE d. 2002  Changed: After 1650 CE  Sire: Brina di'Birgetta Fledgling(s): Jerome

Birth Name: Lady Brina di'Birgetta Birthplace: England DOB/DOD: b. 1630s CE d. 2002  Changed: After 1650 CE  Sire: Kaleo Sonyar Fledgling(s): Daryl di’Birgetta

Affiliations: Allied with New Midnight and formerly allied with Midnight. Appearances: Midnight Predator

Lady Brina and Lord Daryl were born to a wealthy household in England in the early 1650s, with Daryl the older by three years. After their mother died in childbirth to Brina, their father pampered them- especially his youngest daughter. The siblings were provided with everything and anything they could possibly want, which was quite a lot.

More than anything, Brina loved rich colors and warmth. She adored painting, and her father brought in the best teachers he could find. Though the actual supposed instruction went to Daryl- as most of the best teachers refused to teach a woman- Brina was always there, on the other side of the room, listening and remembering to every word and every brush stroke, which she would promptly replicate after the lessons were done. Despite his only moderate interest in the arts, her brother indulged her absolutely, as he always had and always would.

In 1665, the plague broke out in London. The illness was brought into the household by a servant, after which the di’Birgetta home was quarantined. Brina contracted the plague, but recovered; her brother was never afflicted by the illness, but spent most of the family finances in bribes to the nurses who would bring food for a price, and finally for forged letters of health so he and Brina could escape and flee the country.

Impoverished and suffering badly in the aftermath of her family’s death, Brina did what she believed to be the logical thing, and promptly decided to dedicate herself to a church, preferring martyrdom to marriage. As you might imagine, the religious devotion did not last long, as Brina discovered that God wasn't quite on the top of the list of things she loved; painting and her brother came first, followed by naphual red and cobalt blue and a great many other hues and shades, with God somewhere near the middle to bottom of the list, just above cooking, cleaning, embroidery, strangers, and the plague.

After being caught in the arms of a man (some rumors say said man was her brother), Brina was expelled from the convent, and returned to a destitute home. With her reputation now in tatters, it was highly unlikely that she would ever make an honest and wealthy marriage, so she again did what by her standards seemed personally reasonable: she tried to become mistress to one of the famous painters in the area, so she could afford oils and pigment.

The affair might have ended when his wife objected to Brina posing the proposition in the drawing room during tea time, but it most certainly ended when Daryl (who had accompanied Brina on her insistence as a chaperone) killed the man in question.

At that point, Daryl swept his sister off to Italy, where for about a year they posed as man and wife in a small home about a mile outside of Rome. Brina began to sell her paintings, which quickly caught the attention of Kaleo Sonyar- noted painter, sculptor, and musician. He tried to get her to run away with him, and she in return invited him into a ménage e trios, which is just about the only time that Daryl or Kaleo have a) been in agreement and b) denied Brina anything at all.

For several months, Brina refused Kaleo's offers to change her, until he pointed out that she would be able to afford more and better paints if she didn't need to buy things like food... and until he told her about Midnight, a new empire, where she would be a noble eternally, surrounded by as many slaves as she wished.

In 1669, Brina was changed, and she, Daryl and Kaleo made their way to Midnight, where Brina was absolutely charmed by Jeshickah's recent creations- Varick, Taro, Gabriel and Jaguar. Over the next two years, Jeshickah repeatedly tried to buy Daryl from Brina, without much success. However, it wasn't until Daryl tried to murder all the trainers by hiring a Triste to spike their slaves' blood that Jeshickah put her foot down.

In response, Brina changed her brother, who soon became one of Kendra's unrequited favorites. Such grace ascended him into the vampiric aristocracy, and his rapidly-growing wealth (returning to him now, based on several good investments, and Brina's success as an artist) bought a great deal of lenience from Jeshickah's kin so long as he agreed to stop trying to kill them. Which he did, as soon as they agreed to stop trying to seduce Brina.

By 1804, Lady Brina and Lord Daryl were well established as incredibly wealthy supporters of Midnight. Their private estate was filled with slaves in various stages of training and health.

Brina had just finished a very successful series of paintings of lovers, the best of which was an intense homoerotic piece focusing on a dark-haired Italian and his ash-blond English lover. The piece, one of Jeshickah's personal favorites, hung on the Mistress of Midnight's wall for several years, and inexplicably made Varick go pale every single time he saw it.

Daryl meanwhile had discovered that, though he would never develop his sister's passion for painting, there were art forms he loved. He began to study sculpture, with a fixation on stone and glass; he would in a few more years, once it became more readily available, discover the benefits of ice sculpture. At the same time, he formed a fascination with the trainers' art, at which most of them agreed he was unaccountably bad, but which he refused to give up until his death at the hands of a badly-broken slave in 2002.

Kristopher

Birth Name: Christopher Ravena Birthplace: Southern United States Birth year/original time period: About 30 years before the American Civil War. Changed: 1850 Sire: Nikolas Ravena Fledgling(s): Sara Vida Affiliations: Member of Xeke's Circuit and of SingleEarth Appearances: Shattered Mirror, All Just Glass  Other Information: Kristopher has blue-cone monochromatism, a type of colorblindness which only affects males.

Lila Light

On December 8, 2009, a little over ten years after In the Forests of the Night was published, Atwater-Rhodes revealed background information about the characters and their world on her official site. She revealed that Risika, as well as Aubrey and Ather, is part of a line called the Silver Line and that her and Alexander's mother was known as Lila Light who originally resided in an unknown place that was taken over by the vampires who ran the empire of Midnight but before it was taken over she had fled to a town called Vieton where she met and married Rachel and Alexander's father. Before their birth, a vampire by the name of Kaleo had taken an interest in Lila and courted her for three years. After they were born Lila feared for her children's lives as Kaleo grew impatient waiting on her and feared he would kill them. To protect her children, she allowed him to transform her into a vampire and she changed her name to Charcoal. Because of his wife's unexplained disappearance, Rachel and Alexander's father left Vieton and took them to be raised in the town in which they had grown up before Rachel was transformed into a vampire, as well as protect them from Midnight. To explain their mother's disappearance their father told them she had died giving birth to them. When Risika had visited Mayhem after her transformation her mother saw her and knew what she had become and using her Light Line magic out of anger, she set Mayhem a-blaze, as fire is the specialty of those in the Light Line. Lila Light, although unknown to Risika that Charcoal is her mother, currently resides in New Mayhem.

Tizoc Theron

Theron was Aztec (genuine, not Azteka) poet; he is of Kendra's line, actually one of Kendra's direct fledglings. He and Kaleo are very close friends, such that where one goes, the other and pretty much the rest of Kendra's line tends to follow.

Theron does not like to lead, but neither does he follow. He works primarily as a mercenary and assassin, but also deals extensively in information of all types. He is very politically powerful, because (as previously stated) the side he chooses to support tends to get most of Kendra's line. He is one of the best-known vampiric assassins/mercenaries in the world and is among the few individuals powerful enough to manipulate SingleEarth. 

Tizoc Theron owns the line of establishments by the same name.

Tizoc Theron is referenced in Demon in My View, Midnight Predator and Persistence of Memory. He has yet to make any physical appearances in the published works.

Silver’s Line

Ather

Birth Name: Lameta Frektane Birthplace: Wolf shapeshifter -> Lunar Vampire Changed: 2720 years ago; shortly after Kiesha'ra’s end Sire: Silver

Fledglings:

Aubrey (432 BCE, Athens, Greece)

Aubrey was changed after he slit Ather's throat in a fight. 

Kala (1334 CE, Mesoamerica) 

Risika (1701 CE, American colonies)

"Rachel" first came to Ather's attention after her Triste student-in-training brother, Alexander, attacked Ather. Aubrey convinced Ather to change Rachel into Risika instead of killing her in order to cause Alexander more pain.

Aiden (1791 CE) 

Affiliations: Mayhem Appearances: In the Forests of the Night, Wolfcry (cameo as Lameta Frektane)

[tessatechaitea]

Justice League Spectacular #1 (1992)

Just off-panel: Bibbo's ice cream truck.

I probably shouldn't be reading this or Justice League Quarterly before I read the Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League but what can I do? That's the order they were placed in the short box! It would be a different story if free will were not an illusion but since it is, my hands are tied. It's either read this or, um, I don't know. Die from a temporal paradox? I won't risk it! I was looking through a bunch of my old writing and art last week and discovered a bunch of the kind of sentimental and sort of intellectual crap young people write. It's the kind of stuff you hide away and never show anybody ever and hope that when you die, it'll just get tossed in a dumpster with your old porn and Magic the Gathering cards. But it got me thinking about how brave I am! So brave! The kind of brave you wouldn't hesitate to call some jerk who signed up for the military because he couldn't live as a civilian. No, no. More braver than that! And being this super brave kind of person, I thought that maybe I should share some of this old poetry with everybody! But not yet! You have to work up to being truly brave! So instead, I'll share this piece of artwork I did that was supposed to be the first in a lengthy and disgusting series. It's of Lord Fondlerot, a character I created for the Dwarflover online comic I used to do. He was really into fucking things and I thought, "Hey! I should do a series of drawings where he fucks every creature in the monster manual!" But instead of doing an entire series, I drew one picture and grew either bored or disgusted with the concept. So here's that one picture:

Lord Fondlerot fucking an Axebeak.

Now you're probably wondering just how terrible my poetry must be if I'm opening with that! Well, you'll see soon enough! This issue begins with Sue Dibny still alive and visiting a Florida theme park with her husband, The Elasticated Man. Wow, remember when Sue Dibny was killed and all the heroes freaked out about their secret identities and considered doing intense brain damage to every single person who ever knew any of their identities until they found out that The Atom's ex-wife Jean Loring had gone cuckoo for Atom's cocoa puffs? She wanted them back so bad that she began threatening and murdering the loved ones of all the super heroes. It was the kind of story DC sometimes does where you read it and think, "Well, the twist at the end of that mystery was definitely worth the destruction of the most stable marriage in the DC Universe and also the death of Firestorm and Captain Boomerang! So good!" I mean it doesn't make you think that. It makes you think the exact opposite. Tom King would eventually do pretty much the same thing in Heroes in Crisis but instead of Jean Loring fucking up by accidentally killing Sue Dibny and murdering more people to cover her tracks, Wally West fucks up and kills Poison Ivy and some others and then tries to cover his tracks. But at least Tom King's had all of those entertaining scenes where the heroes are doing therapy and we get to see how much they're all suffering from PTSD. That's always a fun aspect of super heroes we never get to read enough about. Dammit! I keep doing it. I meant it was the opposite of fun! Although I still liked it because sometimes I just like seeing other people in pain. Not in a sick perverse way where I pop a boner or something! Just in that way where you sit around all day thinking, "My life is terrible and everything is wrong and I hate my parents for bringing me into this wretched existence and the only thing that might make me feel better is to learn that Superman sometimes feels the same way." Oh, remember when Tom King was writing Batman and he had that two issue Booster Gold arc where we got to see how fucking insane Booster Gold was from living through all of those horrible, wretched, dark alternate timelines? And the only way he can deal with the trauma and the PTSD is by making a joke out of everything? I'll have to think of that as the canon Booster Gold when I'm reading Giffen and DeMatteis's Justice League. Maybe it'll make all of Booster and Beetle's inappropriate joking more appropriate. Back to the story, Sue Dibny, alive and well, and her husband Ralph "The Elasticated Man" Dibny are busy showing a bunch of European diplomats around the non-Disney World theme park.

See? You can tell they're European because they're all smart and shit.

The first stop in the park is to Alice's Wonderland where the diplomats are attacked by the Royal Flush Gang. They are a gang whose theme is playing cards and not expensive toilets. Their powers are the ability to ride on gigantic cards and to make poker puns.

If looking good in tight fitting costumes is also a power, it's my new answer to the question of which super power would I choose..

Ten's outfit reminds me of the days when nipples were allowed to show through tops without being erased away through some kind of editing software. The 70s were a wild decade! Sure, there were also nips on television in the 80s but the 80s, generally speaking, sucked and were a huge contribution to the downfall of America.

The King of Spades mansplaining their entire concept to the Queen of Spades.

It's true that the royal flush beats any other poker hand but I doubt Superman is going to surrender after this concept is explained to him because, in the end, they're not fucking playing poker. It turns out Maxwell Lord paid the Royal Flush Gang to make a little trouble so the Justice League could beat them up and get some media attention. But the Justice League has apparently broken up and The Elasticated Man just isn't hero enough to save the European delegates all by himself. He might have been if the Royal Flush Gang had done what they were told and not really fight back. But why would they do that?! Wouldn't they still be in trouble with federal agents?! Booster Gold finds Blue Beetle busy pouting in the old Justice League cave headquarters. Booster has decided to try to cheer his old buddy up although why wouldn't Booster just travel to a timeline where Ted Kord is already cheered up? Is that how time travel works in the DCU? Or did Booster already try that, it went horribly sideways, and now he's a little more fucked up in the head when he returns to the "real" timeline?

For some reason, Ice and Fire have also come down to the cave. Probably to accidentally go on a double date with Booster and Beetle. Booster and Fire and Beetle and Ice hear a news report about the Royal Flush Gang and decide to go save Ralph. Superman also hears about the situation and heads to Florida where he's almost immediately defeated by The Royal Flush Gang. Not because they're dangerous and competent super villains but because some mysterious benefactor has give them weapons capable of knocking out Superman's powers. Maxwell Lord is not that benefactor so who could have done it? Certainly not Guy Gardner, right?! What would he want with getting the Justice League back together. Isn't he busy being Warrior or something by this point? Power Girl, Metamorpho, and Guy Gardner all join in on the fight. The guy behind it all is that Weapons Master dude who is desperate to get a new weapon for his arsenal: a Green Lantern ring. The attack on the Royal Flush Gang fails to get him the ring so he decides to attack directly. But not in this issue! He has to wait for a regular series issue. Ice uses Guy's ring to contact Hal Jordan because somebody finally decided this Justice League wasn't really a big league Justice League. Everybody reading it knew it for years. But I guess Dan Jurgens was assigned the task to get a new, more believably powerful League together. So Hal Jordan flies around to pick up some new members to save the day. He chooses The Flash and Aquaman which seems about right. But he also chooses Crimson Fox which seems like sliding backwards into goofy Justice League territory. Not that I totally approve of Aquaman but I have to admit he's a "serious" choice for the League.

Doctor Light also joins the party. Although why she'd keep the name of a pedo, I couldn't guess. Just become Lightwoman or something. But no! Once some jerk earns their doctorate, they just have to demand to be called Doctor.

I'm sorry. I was too distracted pointing out that Doctor Light joined the fight and how her namesake was a pervert to comment on Metamorpho acting like a huge fucking pig. Crimson Fox beats up some guys dressed as cards and admits that she's a boring idiot whose favorite part of the game is shuffling the cards. I understand the need to think up some kind of goofy one-liner when you go into battle but shouldn't you at least try to think up one that doesn't make yourself sound like a pathetic asshole? Weapons Master's plan failed but he figures he has enough information to get Green Lantern's ring next time. He'll then sell it to a Dominator for a few bucks and maybe some slaves. The big hitters talk it over and decide they should start a new Justice League without the approval of the United Nations. Yeah! Who needs some stupid Earthly authority when you've got an invulnerable Kryptonian, an all powerful space cop, and the king of the seven seas! All they need is a Greek Goddess and a mentally ill furry with a long history of violent behavior and they'll have the big team back together! Booyah! I mean, without that stupid Booyah shit because Cyborg is basically a toaster at this point. Maybe. I don't know! What am I, Johnni DC, Continuity Cop?! The heroes make one more decision: split the group into two Leagues. So once again, they're forming Justice League America and Justice League Europe. How come I don't remember this shit?! Did the comics get canceled in '92 and then immediately fired back up? I don't seem to remember two different incarnations of these teams. Maybe I should have stored my comic books in chronological order so it would all make sense. Justice League Spectacular #1 Rating: C. I just read the letters pages and it looks like this comic book takes place between JLA #60 and JLA #61! So editorial decided the teams needed to be shaken up and the best way to do it was to disband the League in the regular series, have a special one-shot comic that gets them back together but with a different roster, and then send them back to work in the next issue of the regular series. I guess I should just shove this comic book into the middle of the regular series so when I reread it all again in my 80s, it'll make more sense! Let's close with the worst drawing of Aquaman I've ever seen:

Actually, he looks a little bit like Grunion Guy.

[cywscross]

Fic Recs

For @bakatora​ who - to my interpretation - asked for some heartwarming, uplifting plotty fics you can sink your teeth into and come out feeling better because reality is hard right now, which I honestly really need myself. I’ve been so busy with exams and essays for the past three weeks, I haven’t even been writing fanfic, I think this is actually the longest I’ve ever gone without writing something, and I’m still not finished. Last exam is on Friday, and then I’m gonna crash.

But anyway, I’ll list these by fandom since you said any, and most of them are complete too, hope you enjoy :)

Boku no Hero Academia

but you gotta get up at least once more by simkjrs

Midoriya Izuku does not let his lack of a Quirk prevent him from being strong. Also known as that one AU where Izuku follows the ridiculous training regimen of Saitama from One Punch Man and becomes stronger than anyone ever imagined he could be.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Welcome to the Hellmouth! Part Deux by OffYourBird

Summary: It's been 20 years since the Hellmouth closed, and Buffy has realized that awakening the Potentials has had a vicious side effect. Or rather, several. Left with the choice to either lead or follow as the current present gets erased, Buffy risks everything to go back to the Hellmouth... and back to the one being she thought she'd never see again.

Her Way by dreamweaver

After Spike burns up in the Hellmouth, Buffy demands that the Oracles send her back in time.

Changes by dreamweaver

This is fluff, a sequel to "Her Way", a romp through all the changes everybody has to go through once Buffy and Spike claim each other.

Something Redux by dreamweaver

A year after Spike’s death in the Hellmouth, Buffy is flung back in time.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The Graves Identity by Mishafied

He doesn't remember who he is or how he ended up injured in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness; all he knows is his name is Percival, and he owes his life to the shy, redheaded zoologist who saved him. But unfortunately, just because he doesn't remember his past doesn't mean it can't come back to haunt him. This is the story of how Percival got his happily ever after, and then had to fight to keep it.

Final Fantasy VII

Company by esama

Cloud stopped planning a life in ShinRa and ShinRa definitely made no plans for him.

Rock Bottom by esama

In which Cloud is so not doing this again. Except then he is.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Reverti Ad Praeteritum by Batsutousai

Unwillingly forced to serve as a human trial for a crazy alchemist experimenting with time travel, Edward Elric finds himself standing across from Truth in the moment it takes his leg from him. Armed with the knowledge of what's to come and burdened with guilt for the choices he'd made as an adult, Ed sets out to fix every mistake he ever made and save every life they ever lost, no matter what it takes.

demon alchemist by metisket

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re doin’ your best. It’s just your best isn’t quite good enough, Colonel. So while you’re doing whatever the hell it is you do, I’ll be here cleaning up after you.”

Game of Thrones

if you try to break me, you will bleed by Dialux

It had been a slash across her chest from a White Walker’s sword that finally ended her life. Sansa’d landed in a puddle of her own blood, and she’d died quickly, quietly. And then she’d awoken with a gasp, trembling, in a bed that had burned under Theon’s betrayal.

Harry Potter

The Sum of Their Parts by holdmybeer

For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would become a Dark Lord. For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would take down the Ministry or die trying. He should have known that Hermione and Ron wouldn't let him do it alone.

Gelosaþ in Écnesse by Batsutousai

Caught in the backlash of Voldemort's Killing Curse, Harry is thrown through time to a world so very different from his own.

Hikaru no Go

Watch and Learn by Trial and Error by esama

When God gives Hikaru his wish, he begins his journey again with a new goal in life, to prevent Sai from fading.

a hundred year of memories by aimichan

Sai is reborn as Shindou Hikaru with all of his memories intact.

The Relative Value of Things by rageprufrock

Touya Akira isn't the only person who wants.

Jurassic World

Pushing Boundaries by Macx

Masrani Global recruited him to train raptors. It was an intriguing, novel idea, something only a crazy or insane person would attempt. Owen wasn't crazy or insane. He knew he could do this. He just didn't know how deep he would get into it, how strong the connection to the pack would become, how close... they, the four of them, would become to him. His grandfather had always warned him: don't get too close. Don't let them connect. Well, it was too late for that now.

Kingsman

Care and Custody by esama

Eggsy takes out the medal in slightly worse circumstances, asking for a miracle.

Marvel

Run 'Verse by themonkeycabal

Darcy's not quite sure what she'll do with another dad.

Nobody's heroes by boleyn13

“This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time... maybe nobody gets saved.” At the end of the day Steve did save everybody. He saved Bucky from Tony, his team from the government, the world from the Sokovia Accords. Some time would probably have to pass for things to blow over, and then everything would go back to normal. Couple of days. Tops. After all Team Cap saved everybody, showing the world how dangerous the accords were, how easily they could be abused. Even their supporters had to come to their senses now. Yet five days after Siberia nobody feels safe. Things don’t calm down and suddenly it’s again Steve against the rest of the world. Only now it’s not some international organisation or government but the people. The ones he had saved. Slowly Captain America must realize that they don’t feel saved but angry, hurt and scared. The people demand justice for those who were really trying to save them and paid the price for it.

Naruto

backslide by blackkat

Naruto’s friends are gone, his lover is dying, Konoha is destroyed, and Madara’s second return has pushed the entire world to the brink. Hunted and harried, Naruto is sent back in time to upend Madara’s plan before it even starts, and sets about changing everything. Butterfly effect nothing: the world is at stake, and Naruto is hardly about to let it fall to ruin once more. Not while he’s still breathing.

Stormborn by blackkat

(The soul of a city is a hard thing to kill. Uzushio is still aware, still waiting. And now, with the rebirth of her greatest Kage, it’s time to call her people home.)

An Invincible Summer by ShanaStoryteller

When Naruto is five, he's gutted by a drunken civilian and presumed dead. Six months later a girl with ash pale hair and dark blue eyes enters the Academy.

Star Wars

Letters... by flamethrower

When Jedi Master Tahl is murdered, Qui-Gon Jinn leaves the Order, and his Padawan. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't about to let him go that easily.

Re-Entry by flamethrower

Re-Entry is an alternate universe epic that spans time and possibility. Obi-Wan Kenobi, while still a young Padawan, suffers an injury and wakes up with all of the memories, experience, training, and Force-strength of Old Ben Kenobi. It isn't long before the Jedi discover that Anakin Skywalker, a five-year-old slave from the Outer Rim, has undergone the exact same change. Obi-Wan and Anakin bear the scars of harsh lessons learned; those who love them must learn those lessons quickly, before the mistakes of old are repeated.

Supernatural

I Melted Wax To Fix My Wings by TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel

After four torturous months Sam has his brother back, but Dean is accompanied by an angel with a terrible task for them both: help stop the impending apocalypse, or see the world destroyed. Sam has no idea what to do next when the Trickster turns up, blonde and female this time but as maddening as ever, promising assistance. As time passes Sam finds himself slowly coming to depend on the pagan Trickster god, but just when it looks like the apocalypse can be averted, the Winchester luck kicks in and threatens to ruin everything - including Sam's friendship with Loki.

The Laughter of Dead Tricksters by onthewaters

After Dean returns from Hell, the boys have an encounter with another Trickster and Gabriel ends up assisting. And then there is that whole Lilith thing.

Teen Wolf

Naughty Hookers (Swathed in Wool) by pprfaith

Stiles is happy with his store, his hobbies, his friends. Peter's just trying to figure out how to raise his nieces and nephew without fucking them up too badly. Paths cross.

All In A Spin by ShippersList

Stiles can't really talk anymore but, with Peter, he realizes he doesn't have to. Even if their spoken communication consists of one swear word and stuttered syllables, they understand each other. And that's what counts.

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out by mia6363

Commander Stilinski looked like he fell out of a propaganda video, his armor still smoking as he pulled off his helmet and handed it off to First Officer Argent. He had a few bruises down his neck but his smile was bright. “Glad to see you safe and sound, Mr. Hale. I’d hate for Derek to lose a member of his family.” “I told you,” Derek snapped at his superior, “he’s not worth this, Commander.”

Out Of The East, Never See The Sun Rise by ladypigswagon

In the beginning, there are three absolutes. One. Stiles is a god, forged of starlight and collapsing galaxies and he is eternal. Two. Peter is human, fragile bone and viscous blood and he is temporary. Three. Stiles and Peter are in love; love that claws its way inside one’s heart like fish hooks; all encompassing love that is beautiful but dangerous. Stiles is a god. Peter is human. They love each other. Three absolutes.

Save Me by DiscontentedWinter

Peter is the Alpha. He's nobody's savior. Not his pack's. Not his town's. And not that kid's. But sometimes salvation goes both ways.

Kitty Quintuplets by iCheat (short but hella fluffy if you need a pick-me-up)

Prompt: Imagine person A getting home really drunk one night and they tell person B that they're pregnant with kittens.

The Unexpected Marriage of Peter Hale by moonstalker24

This is the story of how Peter gets married without technically dating anyone. “You can bring your boyfriend with you,” Talia says. Peter stops giving Henry more bits of dried fruit to stare at his sister “Boyfriend?” “Of course!” Talia gestures at Stiles who looks around behind him with wide eyes. “I’m sure the whole family would be interested in meeting your young man.”

The Sphinx of Beacon Hills by Guede

Stiles is a sphinx, and he’s winging his way to visit his buddy Scott when a storm drops him in Beacon Hills, the craziest, crankiest, coldest place ever. And somehow, he ends up with a bunch of werewolves.

Proposing To Strangers by moonstalker24

At the end of a strained relationship, crime novelist Stiles chooses to hide from the world inside a bar with far too many motorcycles outside it for comfort. Here he'll meet the man of his dreams, eat food and propose marriage, all within the first five minutes. Peter doesn't know who this kid is, but he's cute and looks like he could use a break. So he feeds him. He's not expecting a marriage proposal, but with what comes after, he doesn't really mind.

it's not the color i came in by nezstorm

Stiles is a bit of an anomaly among the Omegas he knows, or everyone on the spectrum really. For him, heats are about comfort and safety, and not at all about sex.

Whiskey is My Kind of Lullaby by taylorpotato

Peter is a simple saloon owner on one of the outer planets between the Aaru Belt and the Olympus Galaxy. He’s done with trouble. Done with adventure. So fucking done with rustlers. That is, until a cute young outlaw named Stiles wanders into his bar. Peter has this problem where he can’t seem to resist charming narcissists (perhaps because they remind him of himself). And when said narcissists turn his life upside-down, the worst part is he’s not even that upset about it.

Crossovers

Whispers in Corners by esama (HPxSherlock)

Everything started with a stumble - his new life in a new world as well as his surprisingly successful career as a medium.

There May Be Some Collateral Damage by metisket (BleachxHP)

Ichigo’s been ordered to go undercover at a magic school to bodyguard a kid named Harry Potter, and this would be fine, except that he’s about as good at bodyguarding as he is at magic. And he considers it a good day, magic-wise, if he hasn’t set anything on fire.

Of Wizards and Heroes by littlelightsinourheart (storyforsomeone) (HPxMarvel)

Centuries after that fatal day of the battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter has fallen into legend, a bedtime story parents tell their children, a name whispered around campfires. He wanders the world alone and immortal, until one single reckless moment sends him hurtling into a parallel dimension of heroes and villains. A new enemy arises from an ancient power, and Harry must take a stand as the last wizard to protect this new world. If only SHIELD would stop trying to track him down...and someone could explain what the hell was an 'Avenger' was supposed to be. Honestly, muggles...

Cardcaptor Harry by LunaStorm (Cardcaptor SakuraxHP)

In which both Albus Dumbledore and Clow Reed would have done well to remember that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in any philosophy... or predicted by the most imprecise branch of magic...

i blinked (and there you were) by Della19 (Doctor WhoxKingsman)

The Weeping Angels, Eggsy reads on the stolen Torchwood intel. Aliens that pose as statues, and kill their victims by sending them back in time and feeding off their years not lived in the present. The politest psychopaths in the universe, a note reads, scrawled in what looks like a doctor’s chicken scratch on the edge of the page by someone who clearly had a perverse sense of humour. A one way trip, the report concludes; you get transported by the angels, and it’s the slow road back to the present for you. Eggsy lays his head back on the wall, takes stock of his situation. He’s lost 30 years - three years more than his entire lifespan up ’til now - in the blink of an eye, and now he’s stuck here, in 1988. Three years before he’s even born. Arthur, the prick, is sure to be heading up the Kingsmen, and Merlin, if he’s even there would be…20, maybe. Fuck, so fucking young. Shite, even Harry’d only be… Alive, Eggsy thinks, and finds himself sitting down hard from where his knees can’t hold him. This is 1988, and Harry’s 23, and alive. Suddenly, being stuck in 1988 doesn’t seem so bad. Or, the one where love means changing the future.

[andrewuttaro]

Same Humans, Different Worlds

This was initially going to be a thread of tweets but then I realized this deserved a full post if not a lot more. I’ve tweeted and posted my thoughts on the new set of eyes we seem to be acquiring as a country right now for racial issues. The murder of George Floyd set off millions of conversations just as it set off a world of protests. For black and brown people these conversations are part of everyday life. For those of us in white America these are the uncomfortable conversations you have a couple times in history class and a few times with your family if you’re lucky. We’ve never really completed the conversation. We prefer to point out we’re all the same humans while allowing others to live in different worlds.

Black Lives Matter. It is bizarre to me how this was ever a controversial statement. When I think back on the rise of the movement and my early encounters with it, I see why. The response among white friends and family moved toward the bastardization All Lives Matter. A statement, not a movement, really to silence others. Just like with Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest we privileged populations like to misdirect: Forget his message, make it about the flag. We silenced him with the flag. People I love would say these things, not out of racism, but out of ignorance. When a white person, especially a straight white male like myself, is confronted with racism and discrimination our first reaction is always some variation of “I’m not a bigot.” We just want to clear ourselves morally as a way to not need to educate ourselves any further.

It’s wrong. It’s counterproductive. We need to be done with that. My wife and I had an interesting conversation recently. We met as undergrads at Niagara University. Niagara is a college I’m proud to call my alma mater. It is also an institution with a history and many issues. My wife and I marvel at what appears to be a disconnect between our experience of this institution and friends of ours who see it in a completely different light. Some context here: my wife and I went to Niagara for Social Work. Our line of study and our participation in service projects through Campus Ministry and what not defined our time there. For us, Niagara was our education in diversity. It was our education in Black Lives Matter.

We came from very white communities with little exposure to the issues of people who look different from us. As Social Work undergrads we learned about structural inequality, empowerment, systemic racism, and internalized sexism among so many other things. Yes, I was among only a handful of men, white men at that, in the Social Work program but the diversity I learned there wasn’t a pill for me to swallow. It was a joy. For my wife and I we were excited to build a better world and fight for equality. We still are. I recall a particularly eye opening service trip to Camden, New Jersey that taught me a lot. This was not everyone’s experience of Niagara University; far from it in fact.

My Senior Year at Niagara saw a Black Lives Matter march and rally. It was quite controversial at the time and I recall black friends of mine experiencing pushback from fellow students and yes, even professors and staff. Though I made an effort to participate in that rally I felt, as I do today, that I didn’t do enough. Discrimination and bigotry ran deep at Niagara. On numerous occasions racist incidents would happen unprovoked. After the re-election of President Obama in 2012 there was racist vandalism. Just like with Kaepernick’s very educated kneeling protest the Black Lives Matter rally at Niagara was met with a defensive, misdirecting venom. Protestors demanding a black studies curriculum had their words perverted into asking for a separate institution, as if they were demanding a new segregation. The misdirection was overwhelming but painfully familiar. The privileged white world of Niagara was clashing with another world in its midst. All these people were as close together as classmates and colleagues on a college campus.

The women on campus who spearheaded greater accountability from the administration on the MeToo Movement were met with deeply sexist rebukes from their classmates, and yes faculty too. Sexual Assault on campus was underreported and silenced more often than not. One friend of mine became a vocal advocate because of trauma in her own life and the silence she saw from Niagara’s administration. As someone who had become accustomed to checking my privilege and not really taking issue with doing so I was shocked when other friends of mine were so hostile to these movements. A close classmate of mine was accused of sexual assault and confessed it to me one day as we played video games. He passed it off as more bitching and moaning of “those people” who just want to make life harder for others. When I reported this to University authorities they said they knew of the incidents in question and to not talk about it anymore. That was the small experience I had as a straight, white, male of what it means to not be heard. Something others experienced so much more frequently.

If you’re not familiar, Niagara University is a small, private school with a less than diverse student population and faculty to match. There was and remains an affluent part of the University population that is generationally connected to the school for better or for worse. It also happens to be founded by an order of Catholic Priests called the Vincentians whose whole charism is based on charity, fighting poverty and the systemic evils that oppress humanity. These two worlds were held in ironic contrast for me in my four years there as I received an education I feel was an awakening while seeing part of the same institution that was educating me fail to live up to the dream of its own founding. My wife and I lived in one world of Niagara while our black and brown friends, as well as many of our female friends, lived in a quite different world.

I look at these experiences in the context of our current moment and think about this nation as a whole. So many of us in the white community and the middle and upper classes prefer to say the comfortable thing over the right thing. We pander to the systemically oppressed by our brief education in racial history by quoting Martin Luther King Jr. We point to peaceful protesting in his message while conveniently forgetting this man was also murdered for his activism. Like with so many incidents in recent memory, MLK’s killers were never found or charged either.

Now, even to white America, it is plain as day that this kind of thing happens all the time. What black and brown people have always known, what women have faced since the dawn of time, is no longer hidden from anyone. Credit it to smart phone cameras, protest-minded Zoomers, or a large portion of the country unemployed because of the ongoing Pandemic: there will be no hiding institutionalized hatred anymore. At the very least we ought to be serious about it this time and not look for another misdirection.

There was once a time the political authorities dealt their way out of these protest movements by identifying a leader and working through or against them. Those days are done too. A leaderless movement now delivers us a generation of change, not just by affected populations anymore. No, this is everyone who wants to even pretend they’re social responsible now; everyone who wants to stick with societal progress. Police brutality isn’t going to be something we wave off with thin blue line flags because we don’t want to face the hard truths of an institution in desperate need of reform. My white male privilege isn’t blinding me anymore. And if there is a just soul at the heart of American Democracy it won’t blind our country anymore either. The time is ripe for wholehearted change from everyone.

Just like Niagara University I think our country is a collection of institutions that are deeply flawed in need of reform. Meaningful reform takes everyone, not just those affected by the issues. When we vote we can’t just vote for our own interests anymore. We also have to vote thinking about the same humans who live in a different world right here in the same country. We’re the same humans living in different worlds. To my fellow privileged Americans: the least you can do is recognize that. The least you can do is finally say Black Lives Matter without indulging our privileged desire to misdirect.

The next thing you can do is educate yourself, and then you can act. Action is made into this aloof hobby of activists, celebrities, and politicians. No more. In a truly functional democracy with the promise of the values this country has built in, built in deep in the circuitry of it all, everyone should be active in the process. Everyone. It works better that way.

Yes, action is voting. But its also not being a bystander. It’s speaking up. It’s knowing how to listen. A wise man once told me God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more than you talk. Act more than you react. Don’t silence the tough stuff because you can. Our country, it’s leaders, it’s institutions, right down to the small communities like Niagara University and all the little small towns who don’t know diversity. We have to be continuously learning, listening and acting not just for ourselves but for those same human beings who live in a different world right beside us.