#but the sheer audacity is all her dads

[aotearoa20]

Melian: And if some asks ‘are you nice?’ you say, ‘yes I’m very sweet’

Lil’ Lúthien : Yes I’m very sweet

Thingol: And if someone says something you don’t like you say, ‘throw yourself into the void’

Lil’ Lúthien: (way too excited) throw yourself into the void!

[simpforrooster]

actually, it’s captain.

Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x f!reader

summary: request for @kpopgirlbtssvt. rooster’s girl is hit on by Top Gun students.

t/w: touch her, you d i e trope. cursing. mentions of alcohol.

Rooster leans against the bar, laughing at something Penny tells him. His jeans hang low on his hips, and he’s wearing the Hawaiian shirt you bought him for his birthday.

Rooster’s hand slaps the bar as he continues to howl. Penny and Mav exchange a look. Maverick murmurs something to Penny. Your guess would be “it wasn’t that funny.”

You throw back the rest of your drink. As your glass returns to the table, a group of men circle you, all clad in khaki. Must be new Top Gun recruits.

“What’s a pretty little gal like you sittin’ here alone for?” one of them asks you, his accent very similar to Hangman’s.

“Mind if we join ya?” the second asks. Before you can reply, two of the slide in across from you, while the one who spoke first sits next to you. His burly arm comes up around your shoulder. You stiffen under him, feeling small.

And not in the way you feel with Rooster. He makes you feel small, protected, but also empowered. This guy has a hold on you like he’s claiming you. Telling every other guy in the bar he plans on taking you home.

“This here’s Crane and Sorry,” he points to the two in front of you. “And you can call me Pleasure. As in, it’s a pleasure to meet you. As in, the way all ladies feel after a night with me.” He winks. He actually winks.

Your brain is so shocked, you can’t form words. You should take this guy’s arm and bend it behind your back, the way your dad taught you. You should give him on of your grade-a verbal lashings.

But you don’t. The sheer audacity of this man has you frozen.

You try to make eye contact with Rooster, but Pleasure’s frame blocks your view.

“Get your hands off my girlfriend, asshole.” Rooster’s voice makes a relieved breath come from your mouth. His tone of voice would make anyone run for the hills, but it leaves you full of wanting.

Pleasure chuckles, meeting Rooster’s gaze. “Actually, it’s Lieutenant.”

Crane and Sorry exchange an amused look. Rooster’s face is set in a hard line. He reaches for Pleasure’s bicep, ripping him from the booth.

“I said to get your hands off my girlfriend, asshole.” Rooster is a whole head taller than the aviator that just had himself draped on you.

“Shouldn’t leave your girl all alone, dick.” Pleasure tells him, bowing up. Rooster’s mouth pulls up on the left, giving him one of his infamous cocky smirks. Second only to Hangman’s.

“Actually, it’s Captain. And I hope to God you’re in one of my classes. Lieutenant.”

At this, you see Pleasure audibly gulp, knowing he’s fucked up. Rooster still has a death grip on his arm.

“Come on, man. Make my day,” the words come out laced with venom.

Before things can get out of hand, you hop out of the booth and high tail it to Penny. Quickly giving her a synopsis, she rings the bell, signaling these guys need to be thrown out. Hangman, Omaha, and Coyote each grab one of the guys and drag them to the exit.

Rooster joins you at the bar, taking your face in his hands. Those brown eyes roam over you, searching.

Your hands come up to cradle his face, “Roos, I’m fine.”

“When I saw him draped over you, I saw red. Nobody touches my girl.” He leans down to place a kiss against your temple. Rooster’s words have your toes curling in your shoes. You’ve never seen this side of him.

You lower your hands to his shoulders, threading one of them in his curly hair that’s definitely longer than Military regulation.

“You’re the only one I want touching me,” you murmur in his ear, your face flushing.

“Yeah?” he murmurs back.

Not trusting your voice to not come out completely needy, you nod.

“Come on, guys. Quit being disgusting,” Maverick says to the two of you, feigning gagging.

Penny pops his hand over the bar, eliciting a laugh from him.

Rooster ignores him, placing a deep kiss onto your mouth.

“Take me home, baby,” you say, taking in those brown eyes.

“I don’t know, pretty girl, I don’t think I can get further than the Bronco,” he winks.

masterlist.

[seeking-elsewhither]

GUESS WHO GOT IMPROMPTU INVITED TO OUR HOME TODAY

Every time I miss a social cue, it keeps startling me just how clueless I am at socializing.

My sister had a friend coming over to our house. Except, she was meant to come a few days back and she didn't.

So she turns up today, when I'm home alone and my parents and sister have gone out.

I look through the peephole, open the door and, without preamble but with a sheepish grin, address her, "[Sister's Name] isn't here, actually."

Maybe she nods her head imperceptibly and I don't notice, but she doesn't say anything to that. She just stares, kind of blankly and insistently.

And I, socially inept as I am, start racking my brain for what I said wrong. Ah, I wasn't clear enough. "She's gone out with her parents," I try again, hoping to clear the confusion.

She still lingers in front of me, her eyes shining, with an indecipherable look. I just force the smile on my face to stay even if she doesn't return it.

Eventually, reluctantly, she turns away after a shared awkward nod of understanding.

It's only after my family gets back home that I realize: Oh, she wanted to be invited in.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Change of Heart - 1 | Bucky

Character: Bucky x Female! Reader

Theme: Angst, tragedy, romance.

Summary: The interviewer asked her a provocative question:

“If you were offered a million dollars, would you leave your partner?”

Without hesitation, she replied with a smirk, “Give me one dollar, and I’ll leave him this second.”

True to her word, she walked away, leaving the man stunned and searching for answers. Now, he’s desperately trying to find her, grappling with the haunting question—why would she leave him so easily?

And is there more to her departure than a single dollar could ever explain?

Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , -

Main Masterlist || If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi 🙏🏻

By the way, I publish my book Arrogant Ex-Husband and Dad, I Can't Let You Go by Alina C. Bing on Kindle.

Thank you to everyone who has read this chapter. Leave a comment and Reblog, please. I'd love to hear your thoughts. ❤️

Time changes everything. Interviews used to take place indoors, in studios, or in booked hotel rooms. The questions were serious—focused on economics, politics, or other weighty topics. Back then, only experts or public figures were deemed worthy of being interviewed.

But now, thanks to social media, interviews can happen anywhere. They’re no longer the domain of reporters or TV stations. Instead, anyone with a phone, a camera, and a microphone can conduct an impromptu interview in random places.

These spontaneous interviews often gain far more attention than their polished, scripted counterparts on TV. On the streets, people are asked silly, lighthearted questions, and their candid, often hilarious answers resonate more with viewers. They feel authentic and relatable, unlike the carefully curated responses of experts.

Some people never imagine their offhand comments will make them go viral. Take the girl who became famous overnight for her absurd response to a random question—she jokingly told someone to spit. It was ridiculous, but human nature is unpredictable. The absurdity drew millions of viewers, and just like that, she became an internet sensation.

Today, another viral moment is taking over the internet. The current trend? A simple, loaded question:

“If you were offered 1 million dollars, would you leave your partner?”

Many people, interviewed alongside their partners, responded with sweet or heartfelt answers. But one woman gave a response that stopped everyone in their tracks:

“Give me 1 dollar. I’ll leave him this second.”

And the interviewer handed her the one dollar.

Her comment sparked chaos online. Most people laughed, seeing it as a joke and sharing it for its sheer absurdity:

“LMAO, this girl is my spirit animal!”

“She’s not wrong, though. 😂 Relationships are overrated!”

“The audacity! 😂😂😂”

However, not everyone found it funny:

“This is what’s wrong with society—no loyalty anymore.”

“Imagine being her partner and seeing this. Yikes.”

“If this is how people think these days, I’ll stay single forever.”

But there was one man who didn’t find it amusing at all.

He replayed the video, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his anger. The room was silent except for the faint hum of his phone’s speaker. His piercing gaze flicked to the woman sitting across from him as the video looped again.

Bucky Barnes hadn’t paid attention to what was happening online. As the CEO of the Lena Group, a leader in car and chip manufacturing, his schedule left little time for distractions. It wasn’t until his secretary and his mother mentioned the viral uproar that he decided to investigate.

Watching the clip now, he felt a surge of disbelief. Shock. Anger. He had worked tirelessly to build his empire, and yet here she was, casually dismissing him with a joke to a stranger.

“So,” he said, his voice cold as he set the phone down on the table, “you think I’m worth one dollar?”

She didn’t flinch under his icy glare. Instead, she calmly lifted her teacup, taking a slow sip before setting it back down. Her movements were measured, deliberate, as if his words carried no weight.

Meeting his gaze, she tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Now that I think about it,” she said, her tone casual, “70% discount sounds fair.”

His grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded, leaning forward, his voice sharper now.

Her expression didn’t waver. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m tired, Bucky. I’ve had enough.”

The room felt heavier, the unspoken words between them thickening the air.

His jaw clenched as he let out a heavy sigh. “You’ve got to be joking.”

His eyes searched your face for any hint of humor, anything to suggest you didn’t mean it. But there was none. Only calm resolve.

He looked at you—the woman he had married two years ago. The truth was, this wasn’t an ordinary marriage. It was what people called a contract marriage. But to Bucky, it was just business. Marriages forged to benefit two businesses had existed for ages, after all.

The so-called marriage contract was simply a guideline—a formal agreement to ensure both parties understood the terms, what was acceptable and what wasn’t. Many people chose contract durations of three or six years before going their separate ways. But Bucky had kept it simpler: a one-year contract, renewable if his wife agreed.

The reason he opted for this arrangement was to avoid the casualties of love. He’d seen it firsthand—his parents, who had started with love, had eventually torn each other apart, not literally, but close enough to leave scars on everyone involved. It was enough to make Bucky swear off traditional marriage altogether.

But his grandfather had other plans. “If you don’t marry, you’ll never inherit the company,” his grandfather had declared, determined to ensure his legacy stayed within the family. Having watched his son—a serial adulterer—destroy the family’s reputation, the old man had become obsessed with the idea of keeping his grandson grounded.

Bucky, however, had no interest in marriage. He had no desire for emotional entanglements or the drama that came with them. Yet his grandfather’s ultimatum left him with no choice. If he wanted to lead the company, he had to marry.

That was when he turned to a matchmaker agency, one well-known among his wealthy peers. It wasn’t cheap, but the agency had stellar testimonials, and they assured him they could find the perfect partner.

And they did.

That’s where he met you. You, too, were looking for something unconventional. You weren’t interested in traditional marriage and came from a good family background, which made introducing you to his parents remarkably easy. Despite his parents’ separation, you navigated the introductions with grace, impressing his mother and, surprisingly, his father.

The wedding happened quickly. You were the ideal partner—easygoing, understanding, and undemanding. When the first year of the contract ended, Bucky asked if you wanted to continue. You had simply smiled and said, “Yes.”

To him, that was enough.

Two years had passed since then, and he thought everything was fine. You never complained, never asked for anything more than the life you had agreed upon. He thought you were content. He thought you were okay.

But now, standing before you on the last day of the contract, he couldn’t reconcile the image he had of your quiet satisfaction with your answer in that viral video.

He stared at you, confused and hurt. “Why did you say it?” he asked, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. “Why give that answer? I thought everything was fine.”

You didn’t flinch. Instead, you glanced at your watch, casually checking the time. “I’m not,” you said, your voice calm, almost detached. “At 12 a.m., our marriage contract will be over. By tomorrow morning, I won’t be here.”

His mouth opened as if to protest, but no words came out. He reached for the black tea you had placed in front of him earlier, taking a sip. It had gone lukewarm—neither hot nor cold, a temperature he despised. It mirrored the hollow, uncomfortable feeling gnawing at his chest.

Finally, he set the cup down with a dull clink. “We’ll talk tomorrow,” he said, his voice firmer now, though tinged with weariness.

You said nothing in return, merely turned and walked away.

🌸🌸🌸🌸

The next morning, when he woke up, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains. His eyes flicked to the clock on his nightstand—10 a.m. He sat up abruptly, his head spinning slightly from the sudden movement.

He rarely ever slept this late. For years, he had trained himself to wake by 5 a.m., no matter how little sleep he’d had the night before. Even on his most exhausting days, he never overslept. At most, he might sleep in until 6 or 7 a.m., but 10? Never.

Rubbing his temples, he tried to piece it together. What had made him sleep like this? He thought back to the night before, to your calm words, to the tea…

His hands froze mid-motion. The tea.

A surge of realization hit him. You drugged him.

He swung his legs out of bed, his movements sharp and full of urgency. Throwing on a robe, he stormed out of the bedroom, his voice cutting through the quiet house. “Where is she?”

The housemaid appeared, her expression hesitant and unsure. “She left, sir. Early this morning.”

His jaw tightened as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “And she didn’t say anything? Not a word?”

The maid paused, then held out a small item. “She left this, sir.”

He grabbed the velvet box from her hand, his chest tightening as he opened it. His breath caught at the sight of your wedding ring nestled inside.

For two years, he had worn his own wedding ring daily, thinking of it as nothing more than a piece of jewelry. But now, staring at your ring, it felt heavier than it should, as though it carried the weight of your departure.

Inside the ring box, you left the same crumpled dollar bill. It sat there like a cruel punchline, mocking everything he thought both of you had built together—a final, silent reminder of just how little she thought he was worth.

He set the box down on the table, his eyes scanning the room. When they landed on the wardrobe, he froze. It was still full. You hadn’t taken a single thing.

His mind raced. Where could you have gone? How did you vanish so quickly?

He reached for his phone, dialing his security team with shaky fingers. After two rings, someone picked up.

“Where is she?” he barked, his voice tight with frustration, the tension unmistakable.

The security officer on the other end hesitated. “Mrs. told us… madam wanted to meet her.”

His brows furrowed. “My mother?”

“Yes, sir. She’s in another state.”

That meant only one thing. You had gone to the airport.

“Did she take the private jet or a commercial plane?” he demanded.

“Commercial, sir. It was a last-minute trip, and we hadn’t prepared the jet.”

Bucky’s grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles whitening. His jaw clenched as frustration surged within him. He wanted to scream, to lash out at the sheer incompetence of his team. You fucking idiot. The words pounded in his mind, but he bit them back, forcing himself to stay composed.

“Who bought the ticket?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

“It was Mrs. who purchased the ticket herself.”

Bucky exhaled sharply through his nose, his patience wearing thin. He wanted nothing more than to explode, but he kept his voice steady. “Find out where she went.” Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.

Immediately, he dialed his mother. The line connected after a single ring.

“Hello.”

“I’m glad you called,” she said briskly. “Do you know what’s going on right now?”

His grip on the phone tightened. “Did you ask her to meet you?”

“Me? No, I—”

He ended the call before she could finish. That ruled out her involvement.

His mind raced as he considered the possibilities. If you had boarded a plane, he could easily track your destination. But the other option loomed: that the airport was a decoy. You had used his mother’s name as an excuse, ensuring your movements would go undetected by his security team, who clearly hadn’t been following you as closely as they did him.

Bucky’s phone buzzed. The confirmation from his team came through, and the news made his blood boil.

“Mrs. bought a plane ticket but didn’t get on the plane,” the head of security reported.

“Did you check the surveillance cameras?” he snapped.

“Yes, sir. We’ve reviewed the footage. There’s a woman with a similar appearance to madam who rented a car at the airport.”

Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration mounting. He sucked in a breath, exhaling slowly to keep his temper in check. So, it’s option two. You’re still in the same state.

“Great,” he muttered under his breath, pacing the room. He could feel the tension radiating through his body. “At least you didn’t go far.”

Without wasting another second, he barked into the phone, “Chase the car. Check every schedule she might have left behind, and contact her friends. I want updates—fast.”

Ending the call, he threw the phone onto his desk with a sharp clatter. Running a hand through his hair, he leaned against the desk, staring out the window as the weight of the situation pressed down on him. For someone who always had the upper hand, this was new territory. And he hated it.

Bucky sat in his office chair, staring at the empty ring box on his desk. His mind swirled with unanswered questions. Why had you suddenly left without a word? Both of you had been such a good team—practical, efficient, and untroubled by the complications that plagued most marriages. At least, that’s what he thought.

If he could, he would turn back time and relive the past few months, examining every moment you’d spent together. Had he missed something? Made a mistake? Or had something happened that he was completely unaware of? The uncertainty gnawed at him, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“We found her. But…”

“What?!” he barked, standing abruptly.

“It’s not Mrs.,” the security team clarified hesitantly.

A chill ran down his spine. “Then who is it?”

“It’s her friend, sir.”

His stomach tightened, and for the first time in years, Bucky felt a flicker of fear. He thought he was closing in, that you were still within his reach. But now, you were out of his watch, slipping further away with every passing second.

“Secure her. I’m going to meet her,” he ordered, his voice cold and sharp.

“Yes, sir.”

"Prepare the car," Bucky ordered, his voice cold and demanding.

"But, sir, you have a meeting at 2 p.m", his assistant replied, hesitant.

Bucky shot him a sharp glare, his jaw tightening.

The assistant quicklu nodded. "I'll reschedule it, sir," he muttered avoiding Bucky's piercing gaze.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Minutes later, Bucky arrived at a quiet café where Grace was waiting under the watchful eye of his security team. The moment he saw her, he recognized her immediately—your friend, the one who had attended your wedding. Grace was the only person you had trusted with the details of this marriage contract.

Bucky approached the table, his expression unreadable, but his clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing inside him.

“Where is she?” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of desperation he couldn’t fully mask.

Grace avoided his gaze, staring down at the steaming cup of coffee in front of her.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I could raise my voice at you, but I won’t. Grace, please. Tell me where she is.”

Grace finally looked up, her expression guarded. “As far as I know, last night was the last day of your marriage. Today, she’s a free woman.”

Her words hit him harder than he expected, and for a moment, Bucky’s mask slipped. He stared at her, bewildered, the weight of everything sinking in. What had he done to make you leave? Had he overlooked something so significant? And why did Grace seem to despise him so much?

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed again. He stepped aside to take the call, his jaw tightening as he listened.

“Sir, we’ve reviewed additional footage. Mrs. used Grace’s ID to purchase another ticket. She’s already on the plane.”

Bucky’s grip on the phone tightened. His gaze snapped back to Grace, who was now watching him warily.

“Grace,” he began, his voice sharper this time. “I’m asking you again. Where is she?”

Grace shook her head, her tone calm but firm. “I don’t know.”

His frustration boiled over. He leaned forward, his palms flat on the table as he stared her down. “Don’t lie to me, Grace.”

She didn’t flinch. “I’m not lying. You don’t know anything about her.”

Her words struck a nerve, leaving him momentarily speechless. He straightened, trying to collect himself, but his mind was racing. Don’t know anything about her? He hated the implication.

“She trusted you,” he said, his voice low. “You were the only one who knew about the arrangement, the only one she confided in.”

“And that’s why I won’t betray her trust now,” Grace replied evenly.

Author Note: Do you found this interesting? Would you like it to be continued?

[rollinouttahere-writes]

I rewatched opla, and I just have to say... Dove in opla would be so fucking funny

After the Straw Hats get attacked by Garp and Nami is loudly complaining about Luffy hiding being related to someone so powerful, Dove is just off to the side sweating bullets like, "Haha yeah that's so messed up who would ever do such a thing?" And then just aggressively avoids eye contact for the rest of the day

Then they get to the Baratie and poor Dove is trying to relax after all that only to spit out her drink (all over Zoro) when she looks over and sees Ussop brought over her fucking dad.

After Mihawk agrees to the duel, she's begging Zoro to reconsider and run away because she knows that he will not win that, and he has the audacity to tell her that she doesn't know that as if that isn't her father that he's fighting.

This might be the best version of Dove purely for the sheer amount of sass between her and opla Mihawk. They're (affectionately) at each other's throats constantly.

I also just love the dynamic of this ultra serious swordsman having a bright-eyed goth teenager following him around like a duckling and just being like okay I guess this is my life now

[bananaactivity]

My Kickin it AU redesigns... NOW IN FULL COLOR >:D

Obviously they’re all in a garage band together… obviously look at them… LOOK AT KAI. He obviously plays bass guitar and has a huge collection of guitars in his room. look at him and tell me I’m wrong.

Here are the singles and some AU updates I’ve been toying with ( They are all 17 to 18 here, seniors in high school)

Kai...my boy... my lad... Leader of the Black Dragons or wtv they're called, though he didnt want to be. His parents are lowkey trash so he had to move in with Jack and Jacks parents in Seaford starting the summer Jack and Milton were at "Swarthmore Academy" and he spent the summer working at an auto shop with Jerry. The Black Dragons weren't on his radar but Jacks's mom wanted him to make friends so she recommended him to maybe try out a dojo in Seaford. He wasn't interested but the Black Dragons basically begged him to join like Rudy did to Jack. He has resigned himself to just causing problems for his cousin tbh. Hater type shit

Brodes is also my guy. He's definitely an electric guitar player. He is honestly obsessed with Kai, but it's the chill kind. They're best friends and partners in crime so when Kai says jump Brody will do fifteen backflips. hes second best in the Dojo and was the main guy tryna convince Kai to join them. I dunno i feel like he should serve y2k cunt just to distinguish him more from Chase Davenport who gives Chidi Anagonye honestly... Buff nerds lmao. Brodes is a silly guy and very confident in himself bro is NOT Chase okay?

Yikes... Carson. Uhm he's not my fav if I'm being honest. His wrongdoings in the show were not nearly as iconic as Kai's for me personally. This condiment ahh fit is making me love him tho. Why is bro dressed like a hot dog vendor lmao. So im thinking that while Jack was off doin spy shit he didnt have time to keep in touch with his girl Kim and Kim deserves better highkey. So she breaks up with him and then Carson swoops in again and they have a whole thing while Jack is crying about it. I have a scene in mind of Jack crying to his cousin about it after a dance and Kais just like " I don't care bro get outta my face omfg" and Jack just ignores that and keeps on. Anyhoo Carson is also very confeident but hes lowkey a cheater cheater pumpkin eater ( in karate) so hes over confideint

Ohhhh the rich boyyyyy... Arther is another fave of mine. Like he was such a crazy asshole omg. I think he and Kai are on the same level of sheer audacity in the show. Not only did Arther cause all his own problems he had the gall to attempt kill a group of innocent people over being thrown in a wall. He wasnt even injured from that so wtf was his problem?? Arty bought himself into the Black Dragons despite his lack of skill because obviously, Ty would take a bribe. His dads dead in my AU so his sister : Geiveine Paullus Charlie-Barret Turner or as he calls her Genie did most the bribing or wtv. At first everyone was pissed but hes a crazy ass dude so he got some respect and he was good friends with everyone before Kai showed up. Hes so out of touch though... he moves from his fancy private school to the public one to be with his freinds and... that causes some crazy issues ngl. he is not a chill dude. You could probably thrift something close to his fit for less then 100 smackaroons but i garentee you just his hair cut alone probably cost 500 from some fancy hair stylist.

Frank... Frank... Frank... hes same age as everyone now like ive said. hes over Kim atp and he has a secret girlfriend. Its Sloan the secret gf is Sloan. They met while she was hiding from her manager and made it a habit of frequenting places that Frank was and then things jsut happend from there. Imagine the way that Frank treated Kim ,in THE BEST EPISODE OF THE SHOW aka the last appearance of my boy Kai, but its consensual and genuine. Other then that He's mostly the same as the og in personality. A little stupid and silly. he can be nice though... probably the nicest next to Brodes but honestly sometimes Brody can be mockingly nice depending on the day fr.

These boys have been spinning around in my head alongside the Wasabi Crew and I like the current direction the AU is going now. Its chill and feels more Kickin It sitcom-y and less Cobra Kai melodrama-y which i massively prefer. Sorry to my Cobra Kai fanatics i just cant take things seriousy bro, thats probably why Ugly betty and Santa Clarita Diet are my favorite shows... Things can get dramatic but its overall a campy fun time in ways my heart loves

[ravingsockmonkey]

My top 24 screenshots for 2024

I got tagged by @changingplumbob for this, and woo I've got my work cut out for me! Genuinely, it was tough coming up with ONLY 24 screenshots. I could have kept on going until I hit the 30 cap.

To help make things feel a bit less chaotic (at least for me), I'll put SF1, SF2, and MISC to distinguish between save file 1 and save file 2 (which function as semi-connected AUs) and screenshots from miscellaneous saves that don't see as much consistent gameplay (like ones used to test patches and mods). Don't feel bad if none of that makes sense, lol.

Stuffing all the screenshotty goodness under the cut so folks can scroll on by if they would like.

1 - OK, I know this is not quite in the spirit of things mayhaps, but every time I look at this I want to scream. It's the only one that actually has a number ranking because of the sheer audacity of it all. Mr. Darrel Fucking Charm, a man with two toddlers in the other room (from two other sims I might add), actively taking care of a newborn who is one of a set of twins, that the man himself sired from an autonomous try for baby interaction in a pre-LS save that only had the Open Love Life mod installed at the time with his partner, Johnny, who he had only known for less than a full in game day, has assessed the situation at hand and is like "I want to do it again." - SF1

2 - Werewolf toddlers are great, and Rachael Charm was the cutest toddler! - SF1

3 - Darrel Charm being absolutely fed up with Casey Goth breaking into his house and stealing his tomes. - SF1

4 - "I want to be like dad!" Stephen and Malcolm Landgraab (don't worry, this Malcolm's actually a good dad) - SF2

5 - I made a basement pool for Caleb and Don - MISC

6 - Johnny Zest not-so-subtly sending a message to his parents. - MISC

7 - "STOP CALLING MY SISTER" - Robin Charm confronts her sister's dead-beat bio mom after she did one of those guilt trippy "when are you coming to visit?" calls. - SF2

8 - Finding your ex in the trash where you left him. - SF2

9 - Azure Goth finds Max Villareal's (they/them) Duplicato clone, Valentino (they/them) wandering around Willow Creek near her home. For some reason they refused to despawn. She took them home, lol. - SF2

10 - Speaking of Max, a copy of them got sucked into SF1 whenever Casey Goth tried to Necrocall the actual SF1!Max. So technically two Maxs exist in SF1: this one (shown with Lucas Munch [they/them]) and the actual world's Max (he/him) who is a ghost. - SF1

11 - That time whenever I got jumpscared by a vampire sim I made myself and put in a Racoon costume because it was funny at the time. - SF1

12 - Eileen Spurlock, mother of Bo Cash, claiming his death was a loss of no one of any importance. - MISC

13 - "Is there someone you forgot to ask?" - MISC

14 - Hector, can you please fuck off? - MISC

15 - A revived Bo Cash reunites with his sister, Meghan Spurlock, after years of no contact. - MISC

16 - Johnny Zest wearing the shortest shorts known to sim and humankind. - MISC

17 - Dusty Charm sitting with Grandma Charm's rocket missing her. - MISC

18 - Jeb's love and regret. - SF1

19 - Max Villareal, evil horse girl. - MISC

20 - TFW you fumble your Watcher-made relationship so badly that you practically hand him to your little brother (featuring Max Villareal [they/them], Erich Villareal, and Orlando Villareal). - SF2

21 - Best girl, Allie, giving smooches to Joshua Landgraab. - SF2

22 - Two brothers, each bound by the night in their own way, meet together under the moon to reconcile and reconnect. - SF1

23 - Toe in Mouth milestone! Harry Charm is a cutie~ - SF1

24 - Noah. Fucking. Harris. Enough said. - SF2

[theloveoffootball10]

sᴛɪᴄᴋᴡɪᴛᴜ- ᴛ ʜ ɪ ʀ ᴛ ʏ ᴏ ɴ ᴇ

s e r i e s m a s t e r l i s t / c o m p l e t e m a s t e r l i s t

ᴛ ʜ ɪ ʀ ᴛ ʏ ᴏ ɴ ᴇ

I cry throughout my flight to Amsterdam, the minimal times I stop something ends up setting me off again. The flight attendants must think I'm completely insane. I don't get much better on the connecting flight from Amsterdam to Bristol, maybe it's knowing I have to face someone from Lando's family to get my car. I always knew it would be a bad idea leaving my car at their house when I went to Monaco.

I'm truly devastated at what has happened. I never in a million years thought Lando would do this to me. Everything about him was a green flag except it turns out he's the biggest red flag walking.

I've got countless missed calls and texts from Lando but truthfully he's the last person I want to speak to. If my phone didn't need to be turned on for my boarding pass, it would be off and no one would be able to contact me. Being honest my dad is the only person I'm happy to hear from right now.

I know it's early in Austin but my dad has already text to see how I'm feeling. He knows me well enough to know that a phone call isn't what I need right now but I know he's at the other end of the phone when I need him. I have no doubt in my mind that he's told my mum what happened, in fact the whole world probably knows. As I wait for my taxi to Lando's parents house I do the worst thing I could do, I open instagram. The first thing I see is a gossip page with a photo showing clear as day that I slapped Lando across the face with the caption detailing my anger at Lando and the fact the slap silenced the paddock. I can see the rage on my face in one of the photos shared and it's terrifying.

I was in shock when I done it but now I'm over that I fully think he deserved it. The sheer audacity of him to not only behave the way he did but to then stand in the paddock laughing like nothing happened. Watching the world pass me by I almost don't want to get out of the car the closer I get to Lando's parents house. I can't sit in the taxi forever but I know I have to do it. Letting out a deep breath to steady myself I knock on the door unsure of the reaction I'll get. I'm under no illusion that everyone will know what happened but I just want my car from the garage so I can leave.

"Hey how you feeling? Come in" Flo says as she opens the door to me. Seeing Lando's sister stood in front of me my eyes fill with tears again. His full family are such nice people and they've welcomed me with open arms.

It's hard to imagine not having these people in my life even after only meeting them a handful of times. Seeing Lando's mum walk into the hallway is all it takes for me to break down. Again. I've cried more tears over this man in the last 12 hours than I have ever have over a man.

"Lucía you're going to be okay" Cisca says wrapping her arms around me "my son is an idiot"

"I could kill him. He's such an idiot. You're the best thing to ever happen to him, I'm tempted to get on a flight to Austin to slap the other side of his face" hearing Flo so angry with her brother hurts me. This is between me and Lando, I don't want his family turn against him.

"Flo that's enough, Lucía doesn't need this"

"Mum are you joking! He's embarrassed himself and ruined the best thing in his life. No brother of mine would ever treat a girl so badly! He's been taught better than that"

"I don't blame any of you for what Lando has done. He's responsible for his own actions, it isn't a reflection on you or the way he's been brought up" I say through my tears not wanting a family fallout on my hands "I'm sorry I don't want to be rude but I really just need to go. I think you're all amazing but I need to be away from all things Lando at the minute"

"We get it but please call if you need us. Lando might be my brother but I'm more than on your side Lucía" hugging Flo and Cisca once more I thank them before walking out to my car. I need to get away and back home where I belong.

The road back to Cheshire feels like it goes on forever, I keep the radio on as a distraction until Kelly Clarkson's Behind These Hazel Eyes starts to play and I lose it once again. I have to pull over onto the hard shoulder as I can't see through my tears. This man has broken me.

Eventually I'm able to start driving again and all I can think of is being back in my own bed hiding from the world. I haven't checked the results of qualifying, I don't want to know and I certainly don't want to watch the race. I feel bad knowing I'm not watching my dad but let's be honest Sky Sports show very little of him racing anyway. Pulling up at home I can see the light on and I know my mum will be waiting for me. I haven't told her I'm coming home early but I know my dad will have phoned to tell her. Walking into the living room the second I see my mum I burst into tears for what feels like the millionth time.

"It's okay baby. You're home" my mum says pulling me into her arms rubbing my back "cry as much as you want my girl. Your dad told me everything"

"Mum why did he do this?"

"I can't answer that for you but I can be here for you and rub your back as you cry. You're my daughter and you're my only concern" sitting with my mum on the couch I lay my head across her lap and cry as she strokes my hair "I'm sorry this happened Lucía. I was heartbroken for you when your papá phoned me"

"Mum I thought he was the one. It might have only been a few months but I saw a real future with him"

"It might not seem like it now but that could still happen. You're upset and angry right now but when you're ready talk to Lando"

"I want nothing more to do with him mum. I'm done with him. I don't think I can go back to him knowing he kissed her. I never once doubted whether I could trust him or not but now I won't be able to trust him at all" at this point I don't ever see myself with Lando again. He's ruined anything we could have had.

"Do what's best for you Lucía. I'm always on your side and I'm always fighting your corner"

"I love you mum. Thank you for everything" I say before I fall into an unsettle sleep on my mums knee. I'm exhausted and physically drained. I want to block the whole world out and isolate myself from everyone and everything.

• • •

Sorry this is a short chapter, I go to London for a few days in the morning and wanted to post before I go.

[emmedoesntdomath]

reasons why one should join the top gun fandom

(this is totally not a post aimed directly at a specific person, such as @needtobemedicated. definitely not. me? pfff- never.)

I want to preface this post with a disclaimer: these movies and this fandom are NOT just movies and a fandom that are for american military enthusiasts and veterans. while, of course, they are and can be to an extent, they are also for other groups of people who appreciate it for very different reasons. namely, the girls and gays who watch it for the ✨plot✨.

today, I will be selling these movies and fandom to said girls and gays with the ✨plot✨ and literally nothing else because nothing else is important.

reason #1- maverick and goose friendship

look, who doesn’t need a young, smirking, snarky tom cruise in their life? AND a cackling anthony edwards in the back, providing his best friend with absolutely no help whatsoever? sign me up.

reason #2- kelly mcgillis in 1986

look at her. just look at her.

#3: ICEMAN AND MAVERICK BANTERRRR

oh my god, the bantering. there are insults, subtle innuendoes, lil’ comments thrown here and there. *sniffs* it’s such a beautiful enemies to lovers I mean, friendship.

#4. training exercises

they’re playing a big game of tag with really expensive planes. I see no downsides here.

#5. YOUNG BRADLEYYYY

goodness gracious, great balls of fire

#6. volleyball

ha. (-coming from someone who’s not that attracted to anyone in the scene.)

#7. ICE AND MAV

because there’s no forced heterosexual relationship that makes me uncomfortable to speak of. nope. instead, there’s a lovely locker scene. yes, you read that right. I’ll just…leave that there.

#8. uh…a reason to cry?

I- yeah.

#9. MORE ICE AND MAV

tom cruise does his pilot thingie with the dots and plays tag with the other planes, and saves val kilmer. it’s enemies to lovers for a reason, people.

***casually skips ahead by more than thirty years***

#10. HANGMAN

glen powell is the captain of this fandom, and any other opinion is just wrong. sorry.

#11. PHOENIX

LOOK AT HERRRRRRR

#12. BOB

anyone named bob deserves love, okay?

#13. PAYBACK

his name is rueben.

#14. FANBOY

just yes.

#15. BRADLEYYYYYYYYYYYYY

miles teller saying “you look good” absolutely destroys me

#16. pool table

also yes. (thank you miles and glen)

#17. daddy issues

what’s a good story without a healthy dose of daddy issues? (nothing. that’s what it is.)

#18. parallels

ENEMIES TO LOVERS, ANYBODY? EXES VIBES, ANYBODY??

#19. ICE AND MAVVVVVV

my jaw was ON THE GROUND THE ENTIRE TIME

#20. football

ha. (pt. 2)

#21. pov: you’re crying. again.

…

#22. miracles one AND two

trust me, you will be rolling on the ground at the sheer audacity.

#23. talk to me, dad

THE DADDY ISSUESSSSS ARE A’COMIN

#24. PARALLELS PARALLELS PARALLELS

look, glen knows what he’s doing, ok? sir knows what he’s doing with that smirk and drawl. (and by what knows what he’s doing, I mean he is gleefully dumping fuel onto the fires of hangster media while miles is standing beside him laughing) (I adore them both)

#25. and then they all lived happily ever after

…they did, ok, shut up.

there’s a full list of reasons. you’re welcome.

[tqmies]

Can I request Mark + College or Fake dating + prompt 42?

Rush | Mark Lee

Part of Tqmies 1K Event!

college & fake dating au, 42. “Who’s laughing now?” “…Clearly not you. You’re crying, dear God.”  wc: 1k Note: why choose an AU when we can have both ?!

"I want to piss off my parents - Which isn't illogical, by the way - so what better way than to drag you into it?!"

"Is this supposed to make me agree?" You quirk a brow, tapping a nail on the desk in front of you. And your wearing a frown, taken aback by the sheer audacity of the male in front of you, who you haven't spoken to in years, asking you for help.

"It'll only be for a bit! I'll parade you around for a bit, make my mom blow up in her chair, and then we'll fake break up!"

"I'm missing the part where I benefit from this.. And why me anyways?" You loll your head to the side, its not like you were a particularly bad influence or anything. You were nice, hard working, and a good student. If anything, you were a mothers dream for their son.

"My mom hates your mom."

Ah there it was, the moment of truth. You and Mark's mom had attended high school together, and from what you know, the two weren't fond of each other at all.

But your mom held no ill intent towards Mark, would Mark's mom hate you? How immature, doesn't sound too far off of what your mom would say.

"Still don't see what I get from it." You shrug, going back to your book.

"You'll get to date me." He points at himself, eye brows raised as he's dead serious. He thought of himself as a catch, why weren't you jumping at him?

You want to laugh in his face.

"And I'll pay you."

"Now we're talking." You nod, not one above being payed off. Hey, you'd done far more questionable things for as little as twenty dollars.

But being faced with someone as affluent as Mark, you're sure you'd get a check out of this.

Which is why you're now standing beside him as he shoves his hands in his pockets, waiting for his parents to get the doorbell. You had to admit it, you were kind of nervous.

Not that you really liked Mark or anything, but you weirdly felt pressured to win over his parents.

The door opens and you're met with Mark's dad, and he offers his a son a curt nod before he turns towards you. "Oh, will you be joining us for dinner tonight?"

The smile is wiped off your face. "He didn't tell you?"

Mark's dad shakes his head, and Mark avoids any direct eye contact with you. Oh you were going to piss Mark's parents off, that's for sure. Mark's dad just turns and heads inside, the two of you following after.

You enter behind him into the kitchen, where Mark's mom is. Her eyes widen among seeing you, "Mark, honey, I didn't know you were bringing a guest."

"Ma, this is my girlfriend."

You expect steam to blow out of her head, for her to angrily rage and demand you leave, to even start cursing out her son.

But she does none of that, instead offering you a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you. Mark didn't tell me we were having guests, or else I would've cooked up something special."

You shake your head, unable to stop yourself from returning the kindness. "The food smells amazing."

Why'd Mark want to piss off such nice people anyways?

The evening goes pretty well, and Mark thinks that he's not getting his moneys worth. He had bet by this time at night that you'd be getting ran out of the house as he got berated for dating you.

But none of that is happening, in fact his mom looks happy as ever. She doesn't mind your mother either, she had to know by now, you had even given her the names of your parents when she asked. So why was she keeping it together so well? Didn't they hate each other?

You tell Mark's mom your major and she jumps up. "Oh wow, so pretty and smart. How did my son manage to snag you?"

You just nervously laugh, shrugging playfully. "I don't know either."

"Mark usually brings home such trouble makers." She shakes her head as she cuts into her food. "It's a relief to see he found someone so good for him."

..

Mark slams the door as he climbs into the drivers seat, and you can tell he's mad. And really, you can't blame him, seeing as his parent's didn't seem pissed off at all.

"Well, guess your genius plan didn't work out after all, guess I'm just too likable." You make a snark comment, crossing your arms.

Mark leans his head against his steering wheel as you continue.

"Tried to use me to piss off those sweet people! Jokes on you, Who's laughing now?" You mock, facing Mark when he doesn't respond.

Instead you notice wet tears fall off his face, the sound of sniffling as well. You grow confused at that. ".. Clearly not you. You're crying, dear God."

He wipes as his face aggressively as he sits back up. He looks at you as he scoffs. "My parents don't like anyone, okay? Even if they didn't care about your mom, I knew they'd find something to pick at you for. They always comment on my date's outfit or their manners."

"Oh wow, I'm sorry Mark. That's really shitty." You respond.

"But the one time I try and piss them off, they like you?" He says, bewildered. "Not a single bad thing to say? And it's all for a girl that I'm not even dating. God, I'm such a loser, why did I think this was a good idea? How am I going to explain that I let the one good thing I had go?"

You assume he's referring to you not showing up anymore, and for as little as you know the boy, you find yourself sympathizing. "I can always show up again, if that helps."

He nods a little, "Sorry I dragged you into this."

You can't believe you ever agreed to this fake dating thing, but something you tells you that you'll be sticking around longer that you intended.

[wickedsrest-rp]

Name: Raul Moreno Martín Species: Spellcaster Occupation: Surveyor Age: 27 Years Old Played By: Tapir Face Claim: Miguel Bernardeau

"Miss one sigil and you’ll transmute yourself into flesh furniture. No pressure, initiate."

Raul had been destroying evidence and dodging questions from other local covens for a year since the Pacto Áurico’s grand experiment unleashed a shockwave in Toledo’s astral plane like an earthquake thundering through an ocean trench. Yet, Raul hadn’t gotten better at answering those questions for himself, He couldn't even be sure if the ritual had failed, or if sheer audacity had left them unprepared for the consequences of actually succeeding. 

Within the gilded and hushed halls of the Pacto Áurico, or Auric Covenant, Raul had learned what the masses called ‘magic’ was just chaotic energy humans could force in useful patterns through equivalent sacrifice and ritualized formulas the ignorant called ‘spells.’ Raul initially didn’t find it weird that his mother visited distant worlds in her dreams or that dad and grandpa never met an ominous artifact they didn’t immediately adore.   

But the divide between the occult and outside eventually hit as he tried to divide time between, school, friends, sports, parties, hobbies, love, and his parent’s arts. Each deeper circle of thaumaturgy required exponentially more time to decipher, experiment, and refine. Some rites even required Raul to offer up parts of his inner self. Raul loved his friends and day life, but each new intoxicating rush of unnatural power seemed to sweep him farther out to sea.   

Years later, Raul had descended with his squad of the ritual teams beneath the arches of San Ginés and into the Caves of Hercules and the forbidden Casa de los Candados beneath Toledo. The Auric Covenant’s path of shaping chaos through rites and sacrifice had forged Raul into a formidable sorcerer, but demanded such all-consuming focus that Raul had been more concerned on proving himself than questioning whether the coven’s latest grand ritual had gone too far. It was only after archeological layers of Castilian, Almohad Caliphate, Visigoth, Roman, and ancient Iberian ruins gave way to alien architecture that was already ancient in humanity’s stone age that Raul began to realize the enormity of what the Auric Covenant’s inner circle intended. But by then, reality was already bleeding.   

All Raul knew for certain was that the cascading vortex left more than just physical wounds on those who’d survived a desperate attempt to stabilize that massive imbalance of energy. As they’d all picked up the pieces and tried to remake the wards and magical reservoirs that’d been destroyed by the ritual’s backlash, Raul slowly realized something leeching his lifeforce after each invocation or transmutation. It was tiny at first, but like internal bleeding, seemed to rip deeper the more power he wielded. None of his family and friends seemed to be faring any better, each with their own individual scars and consequences. Raul chose to focus on helping his family and coven rebuild to avoid the deepening questions. A long trail of false leads and failed cures eventually lead to a magically rich locus on America’s east coast, just one more short stop before everything went back to normal.

Character Facts:

Personality: Bold, loyal, ambitious, ingenious, cagey, grasping, warped, disillusioned

Raul rarely drops his guise as a cheekily clueless civilian fixated on maps, swimming, and evil buildings.

Raul tends to have cycles of intense hyper-achievement followed by crashing and burning.    

Pop culture references and social subtlety tends to bounce off Raul’s skull.   

Raul doesn’t care about the species or morality of business associates. Only the mission matters.     

Raul excels at the precise geometric patterns needed for occult diagrams, but is otherwise a terrible artist whose class presentations gained infamy for being unintentionally surreal.   

Raul received a wound to the soul during a ritual.  

[darklydeliciousdesires]

A Demand for Shakie Shakies - A Dad!Guero Fluff Short.

For my Guero girls (ENABLERS) who have done nothing but encourage this man to take up residence within my brain. Damn you all to hell. Love you really, though :D 

Words - 856

Warnings - None, just cute (annoying!) dad!Guero fluff!

“Daddy!”  

That yell. Jesus, she’s loud. Even from where she’s playing within your eye line in the living room across the hallway, her decibels rival that of a pneumatic drill.  

“What up, button?”

“Need snacks!”

“Alright, chill, tiny girl. I’m making that happen as fast as I can.”  

“Faster!”

He pauses, attracting your attention, pointing at you with the knife he’s holding. “She gets all this mouth from you, mamacita.”

Turning to him, your eyes widen at the sheer audacity of him to even suggest such a falsehood. “Says the man with the mouth the size of Manhattan, and twice as loud.”

Guero grins broadly, bobbing his tongue between his teeth just as the patter of tiny feet signals her arrival in the kitchen.  

With little hands clasped to her hips, she opens her mouth to draw a big breath. “DADDY!”

“GRACIE!” Yeah, he matches her in volume. Or she matches him, you’re unsure which way around it is since she started talking.

“Need my snacks!”

He raises his eyebrows at her demands, finishing chopping up the cucumber and pepper slices she’s requested. “What’s the magic word, baby cakes?”

“Now!”

Yep. Two very loud, demanding peas in a pod. It would be completely fair to say that Gracie is his tiny female equivalent. Apart from the fact she looks just like him, nobody could deny she was his from the noise and the sass alone.

He can’t help but hiss out a laugh, shaking his head. “Wasn’t the one I was after. Try again.”

“Please!”

He scoops her up, seating her on the side of the counter. “Here you go, duchess.”

“Fankoo, daddy. But I not duchess. I princess!”

He kisses her head as she begins to chomp through her cucumber. “You’re for sure regal, kid.” She grins, all tiny teeth, holding out a piece of gnawed on cucumber and feeding it to him.  

“Daddy where shakie shakies?”

She means her maracas, a word that at eighteen months old, she hasn’t quite grasped yet. “Over there on the table, but you ain’t playing with ‘em right now. Snack first.”  

“Wanna do shakie shakies! Now!”  

How very like her dad, refusing to take anything but complete compliance to her wishes. “Eat your snacks first, baby. Do as daddy says.”  

A snort emanates from your boyfriend, Guero raising an eyebrow. “Ain’t like you ever do.”  

You turn away from where you’re stirring the pot upon the stove, kissing the side of his neck. “There is one place I do.”  

“And even then it ain’t enough for my liking.”  

“You said you liked me to have a little bite,” you protest, using a little more force to prevent the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pot, turning the heat right down.  

He comes up behind you, moving your hair to place a kiss upon your cheek. “I said I like it when you bite.” He gives your butt a little slap before moving back to mind Gracie, pulling ridiculous faces at her as she eats. As soon as she’s done, her hands are thrust in the direction of the table.

“Shakie shakies now, daddy!”

“What, right now?”

“Yes!”

A soft burst of laughter exits his nose, looking between the table and his baby a few times. “And what do I get out of it?”

“Get ‘em now, daddy. NOW!” The delight of being at her service. That’s what he gets out of it.

“Damn, she fierce!” he laughs in a voice designed to entertain. She giggles, even though she is currently frustrated with his reluctance to proffer the desired shakie shakies. “You totally sure you want ‘em now, button?”

“Yes!”

His amused grin grows ever wider. “Totally sure?”

“DADDY BAD MAN!”  

You point at her with the spoon you’re stirring with. “True, Gracie. Daddy is a bad man.” Turning, you wink at him, Guero licking his top lip at you, mouthing ‘and you love it’ with a returned wink. Yeah, he’s got you there.  

“What, these? Are these what you want?” he asks, moving to the kitchen table and picking up the maracas.

“Gimme!”

“Say please.”

She’s all but puce in the face by this point, her father quickly whittling her down to her last nerve. He has a flair for it with everyone in his life, if nothing else. “PLEASE!”

“Hmm, nah.” He’s snorting with laughter at her utter indignance, Gracie turning to you for support.  

“Mommy, get the shakie shakies! Mommy do shakie shakies, then give to Gracie!”  

Guero snorts, beginning to grin. “It was from yo mama doin’ the skakie shakie that we ended up with you in the first place.” he mutters, cracking you up completely as you turn and grab the maracas, giving them a little shake before handing them to your expectant daughter.  

“Stop teasing the tiny beast, or mentioning my shakie shakie in front of her,” you chide, shaking your head softly as you turn back to the stove.

“Alright,” he sniffs, looking you up and down. “Just as long as I get to see it later.”  

As soon as Gracie is in bed, he does. No maracas are involved, either.  

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Legendary

First chapter of Wisdom!!

@sombrathedragon @myfairkatiecat @ham-cheese-toastie @justalunaticfangirl @thesfromhms

@bookwormgirl123

The view from the palace of Ithaca was beautiful, as always, with people milling around and the distant sound of the ocean. Marella sighed, and moved away from the window.

It all seemed so boring, nothing excitable at all. Of course, the suitors made things more lively—but they were also creepy and trying to get with her mom, so… That made everything a little weird.

Marella was just existing in her father’s world. Or, what he’d left of it. She was sure her father’s life was way more exciting if he’d been gone for twenty years. That, or he was dead. The thought should have bothered her more.

“If I could just get one chance,” she muttered, making her way to her bedroom door. “If I fought a monster, would I find you?”

As she stepped out of her room, Marella glanced back at the window longingly.

"Give me a siren or a cyclops, I bet I could take them," Marella mused. "I could be legendary." Like her dad. All the servants and the citizens and her mom had told her thousands of stories about her amazing father.

Her dad used to tell her himself with his telepathy, though he hadn't reached out in over a decade.

A roar of laughter echoed through the halls, and Marella grimaced. Speaking of monsters...

Her dad needed to be alive if only to get these men out of her home. And to get them away from her mom. She'd only be able to hold them off for so long, and they were getting impatient. And deadly.

If she'd only manifested, Marella would have forced them out ages ago.

Unfortunately, the suitors didn't view a girl as much of a threat.

"Where is he, Sophie? Where is your husband?" Jeers came from the room the men were gathered in. "It's been twenty years, and you're still saying he isn't dead?"

One man yelled out, "Denial isn't a good look on you!" Another round of laughter sounded, and Marella sighed. They were so annoying. She continued making her way through the halls, going to her mother's room.

"Girl--" A deep voice stopped her in her tracks. Not again. "When's your tramp of a mother going to choose a new husband?"

Marella straightened in anger. "Fintan—"

A sinister grin curled through his pale face, blond waves of hair framing it. "Why don't you let us have some fun with your mother?" The sheer audacity of a man barely older than her, trying to get with her mom.

Marella stepped forward, eyes set in a glare that she hoped shot daggers. "Don't you ever dare call my mother a tramp!" She didn't seem to deter him, though, because he let out a sharp laugh, blue eyes narrowed in a challenge.

"I just did. What're you going to do about it, Mare?" Fintan growled.

She hated that nickname. No one called her Mare and got away with it.

Plus, it sounded like a horse, which had some... interesting connotations.

Marella stared straight back at him, internally praying to the gods for help to knock him down. Somebody help me... or come give me a sign. If I fight this monster, is it you I'll find?

[vergess]

sorry if this is an odd ask to send out of nowhere but i thought your mlp post was really interesting! could you go further into detail about what you think the show does wrong in later seasons? you don't have to, i'm just curious since i really like the show and it's been one of my hyperfixations for a very long time & you have really interesting takes/meta on things in general

thank you for your time!! :3

It very much gets "less about girls" as it progresses. People's background friends/family are suddenly almost always male, for example, with Fluttershy getting a brother, Rainbow Dash's other school friends being male, her dad being more prominently played than her mom, things like that.

This isn't even a bad thing!

While I would argue, and have before, that a show almost exclusively about women is an important thing for the media landscape compared to the glut of All About Men shows?

The reality is that any artistic lens that focuses exclusively on a single gender is going to be worse for it, if for no reason other than where are the trans people.

A truly "gender neutral gaze" would be the ideal, but to be honest I don't even know what that might look like. I can at least conceptualize the female gaze out from existing, limited examples of female led production for a female audience.

But in terms of, IDK, a trans-led production for a genderqueer/neutral audience, I don't even know it that kind of thing exists. It must, because well, trans people are everywhere in the indie arts, but I have never seen it.

Certainly I've never seen it around a kid's show. And one of the things that makes kid media so easy to analyze is, the "allowed" topics are fairly limited. When sex is off the table, you can devote that time to deepening friendships. When men are off the table, you can spend that time deepening female characterization. etc etc.

So anyway, while I would say a female gaze is preferable to a male one in this male dominated society, both have their deep shortcomings. The way MLP handled male characters in S1 by either not having them, or having them be kind of the butt of the joke (Spike) isn't actually a good thing, just a very different one than is common. And there are plenty of ways that the show mistreated Spike particularly for Being A Boy that would make me hesitate to suggest season 1 to, say, trans masc viewers.

But then there are some ways that I can safely say later seasons are just worse.

The fat jokes, for example, were Not A Thing in S1 and as a fat viewer that was a huge relief at first, which became a sharp slap in the face as characters began making fun of heavy eating or using obese background ponies as gross out gags, etc.

On the other hand, the racism very much was present from the beginning, as evidenced by Over A Barrel's portrayal of native americans as literally another species. And that's before we get into the sheer racism of pony colonialism in the first place. Also Zecora the Zebra's... situation. Which was okay as a one off bit in S1, trying if not succeeding at the message of "different=/=bad."

But, like many of these early flaws, the later seasons magnify the problem, especially when the show tries to approach real world issues. Just off the top:

Zecora becomes the magical negro whose mystic knowledge transcends that of the pony gods.

Gryphons become antisemitic stereotypes, obsessed with cash hoarding and isolationism.

Yaks live in technologically inferior wastelands of Yakyakistan, where they are loud, rowdy, and even dangerous.

Dragons are... just... really fucking bad, like by nature, with rare "good ones" going to live among ponies to become civilized.

The fucking saddle arabians apparently just Not Having Perfomance Art and needing to be taught by Trixie.

The kirin being very literally silent to show how zen they are, needing Westerners to give them back their voices.

The sheer audacity to bring Little Strongheart back in the fucking finale and "assign" her as Applejack's token buffalo friend (not even RD???) after AJ and her family nearly wiped the buffalo out and fully never fucking apologized

There's definitely more. Basically every single non-pony species shown to be sapient ends up some kind of a racist mess. At least cows are just like... white people from wisconsin so there's less racism inherent to their depiction but even then...

There are also ways in which the attempts to cater to a male audience weaken the show's overall presentation. Ponies with adult men's human meme images as cutie marks started popping up, for example, which is again not a bad thing, but weakens the overall fantastical world building.

Likewise, the attempts to modernize the setting are... um. Let's go with uneven.

In S1 technology is firmly pre-industrial Euro-Fantasy. I'd put it around 1770-1800 in the human western world.

By S2 there is an electrical grid even in "small" towns like ponyville, something which in the human world didn't take place until about150 years later, with another 50 years to roll out things like video games, which also start appearing.

But only for ponies.

Never for the other species.

I get why they did that. It's a "have your cake and eat it too" scenario where they can keep the pre-industrial fantasy tech level sometimes, but use a modern tech level at other times. It opens up more storytelling options. And it's not like the magical horse universe needs to obey our physics and timelines.

But then why only ponies.

All that does is deepen the racial division between ponies and other species. Which the later seasons LOVe to do. Deepen racial divieds.

After all, in S1 most other species (cows, gryphons, etc) were shown to live in equestria too. But in later seasons, are revealed to live in cloistered ethnostates nominally self ruling but in practical terms subservient to the equestrian state if they want basic rights like the fucking sun.

Which acts to retcon Spike's hatching and adoption from something very heartwarming into something very horrific.

Honestly, the "male gaze" is not the issue I have with late seasons of MLPFIM. It very much comes down to "this show got SO fucking racist SO fucking fast what the FUCK."

And that probably would have happened with all female writers and directors, too, if they were mostly white.

This all makes me sound like I hate MLP, but I promise you, all of this criticism comes from a place of utmost love. This show is really, REALLY good. It is charming, beautifully animated, excellently directed, with passion poured into every aspect of the visuals, the audio, the stories, the characters...

That's what makes these constant missteps so painful to encounter.

Because the highs are so high!

I mean, the movie easily constitutes the best 2D animation out of the western world in DECADES and every track on the album is a banger, and that's just the movie. Cartoon movies aren't exactly noted for their stunning quality, but MLPFIM sure as fuck stuns.

And when the highs are that high, oh man, the lows look lower by comparison.

[sshbpodcast]

Character Spotlight: Gul Dukat

By Ames

Last week we expanded our spotlight series to include villains, and like our focus character Kai Winn, this week’s villain is so compelling he deserves his own post. It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Dukat (both my favorite Cardassian and my favorite DS9 villain), but what is it about him that’s just so entrancing? Is it the swaggering charisma he exudes? Is it all the justifications he makes for his clearly villainous actions? Clearly it’s the mile-long neck, right? Well A Star to Steer Her By is going to get to the bottom of how such a bad man makes such a great character.

Did Dukat do nothing wrong? Of course not; he’s a monster, after all. But as a character, he gets so much right, and his performance by Marc Alaimo is so devoted that, every so often, you let your guard slip and root for the guy. He has the sheer audacity to pull off some of the schemes we’ve highlighted below, so scroll on down, listen to us whispering in your ear on this week’s podcast (jump to 1:15:10), and swagger up the place.

[Images © CBS/Paramount]

Favorite moments

Won’t someone please think of the children? One of the most impressive things about Cardassians is their ability to scheme for the long term. And Dukat is particularly skilled at scheming. His war orphans plot in “Cardassians” to undermine Gul Pa’dar sat dormant for eight years before it emerged! How many other schemes is he sitting on, waiting for them to hatch into something nefarious?

I spent the last few years building up an immunity to mind melds When Sarkonna tries to mind meld Dukat to extract information, she learns the hard way that Dukat’s mental discipline somehow surpasses hers. And she’s a freakin’ Vulcan! And then Dukat spends the rest of the scene in “The Maquis” sassing at his Maquis captors about how terrible they are at handling their prisoners and how the Cardassians are so much better at it.

Attention Bajoran workers It is downright badass for Dukat to beam in during “Civil Defense” and snark at the crew in Ops about how naive they were to set off the counterinsurgency program… all while standing in front of a ball shooting lasers! We also see more layers of trademark Cardassian scheming when even Dukat’s program is supplanted by yet another directive from Central Command!

I thought the Obsidian Order didn’t have any ships I find it amusing that, while normal Romulans acquiesce to the Tal Shiar in “Face of the Enemy,” the Cardassian Central Command and the Obsidian Order seem to loathe each other. In “Defiant,” Dukat has teamed up with Sisko to get the Defiant back from Tom Riker, and he manages to gleefully expose the Obsidian Order’s illegal ship-building plans on the way!

Cue the fireworks! Cardassians are nothing if not petty. When the Siskos have proven it possible for Bajoran lightships to have traveled to Cardassian space in “Explorers,” Dukat is there to congratulate them. Turns out the Cardassians have beaten Sisko the punch by “discovering” wreckage of a Bajoran lightship right before Sisko arrived. Coincidence? I think not.

You’re my number one dad, give or take Okay, so Dukat was fully planning on killing Ziyal in “Indiscretion,” and it’s the lowest bar for a man to not murder his progeny, but he manages to clear it! Leaving his bastard daughter alive ends up ruining his position and his marriage, but Dukat can’t bring himself to harm his daughter when he finally confronts her. And damn does he look good in a Breen uniform.

The first Klingon Bird-of-Prey ever to be captured by Cardassia Marauding Dukat may be my favorite Dukat. Sure, he lost his status after the news about Ziyal spread, but in “Return to Grace,” he just goes with it! He uses his dinky little freighter the Groumall to actually capture a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, which is all kinds of impressive. And he even has a good rapport with Kira this episode, trying to tempt her over to the privateer life.

Remember to rate your Uber driver While Sisko, Odo, and O’Brien are dressing up like Klingons to infiltrate the Order of the Bat’leth ceremony in “Apocalypse Rising,” Dukat is flying around with his stolen Klingon Bird-of-Prey. He’s even magnanimous enough to bring our DS9 friends to the ceremony, likely as an excuse to show off his spoils and how damn great he looks in a Klingon baldric.

The enemy of my enemy, twice removed If there’s a theme to many of these favorite Dukat moments, it’s the sheer audacity he displays. If nothing else, he always picks the ballsiest moves, which makes for the most entertaining developments. And it’s nothing short of audacious when he reveals that he has allied Cardassia with the Dominion in “By Inferno’s Light” while the DS9 crew picks their jaws up off the deck.

A graveyard the likes of which the galaxy had never seen! Just everything about “Waltz” is spellbinding, which is a testament to Dukat’s character because a majority of the episode is watching him go slowly (and then quickly) absolutely insane. He reveals to Sisko with relish how he believes he was right in how he treated the Bajorans and how he deplores that they never so much as said “thank you.” Ingrates.

Yo Momma jokes, Bajoran edition Is it contrived that “Wrongs Darker than Death or Night” establishes that Gul Dukat took Kira’s mom as a comfort woman during the Occupation? Yeah, a little. And I’ve already given both Sisko and Kira guff for their actions this episode. But you’ve got to appreciate the gall of Dukat, ringing Kira in the middle of the night to drop this bombshell on her for no damn reason.

How do you fight a god? Dukat turns a new leaf when he gets really into Bajoran religion. And sure, all his leaves are evil, but this one is still new! In “Tears of the Prophets” he lets himself get possessed by Kosst Amojen so he could take on the Prophets, and subsequently hit the Bajoran people where it hurts: right in the religion. Sadly it results in Jadzia’s death, but Dukat was just that committed.

Don’t drink the Kool-Aid Another “Oh the audacity” moment from Dukat comes in “Covenant” when he establishes the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. Rather successfully too, I might add! He’s got a decent and devoted little cult going, so brainwashed that they don’t bat an eye when he knocks up [at least] one woman, and even convinces them to go full Jonestown to cover his ass.

A little more than a neck lift If other Cardassians thought it was audacious to jump feet first into bed with the Dominion in “By Inferno’s Light” or watch a Pah-wraith possess him for reasons in “Tears of the Prophets,” imagine how Damar feels when he finds Dukat has gotten cosmetic surgery to try to infiltrate the Bajorans’ ranks in “Penumbra.” This guy. Always upping the ante, he is.

I’m just a simple man of the land By the top of the next episode, “‘Til Death Do Us Part,” Dukat has weaseled his way into the good graces of Kai Winn. And an episode after that in “Strange Bedfellows,” he’s weaseled into her bed. We covered all this in the Winn Adami spotlight, but Dukat’s skill at deception and persuasion are rivaled by none. He plays Winn like a fiddle and she loves it!

Feel our love: the love of the Pah-wraiths Okay, the Prophet stuff at the end of the series treads too far into fantasy for me, but what’s perfectly on the nose is both Dukat’s and Winn’s characterization. Dukat so seamlessly plays Winn into the hands of the Pah-wraiths by “Strange Bedfellows” that it is a work of art. And he gets her to read from the Book of the Kosst Amojen in “The Changing Face of Evil,” sealing their fates and bringing the whole series toward its conclusion. Praise be!

—

What a truly audacious journey! That’s everyone from Deep Space Nine I felt like covering in these spotlights, so next week we start revisiting some of our friends from Voyager! Boy, are we missing them during our watchthrough of Enterprise, for which I hope you’re humoring us by following along on SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. Summon the Pah-wraiths with us over on Facebook and Twitter, and see what schemes transpire!

[liri-sims]

Test of Time summary, part 2: Brigid, agent of chaos

When I left off, Brigid Moss had moved into the Pond home to raise the orphaned daughters of Lir and Limat. She gave birth to a son while there, then I sent him back to live with his dad and siblings; Brigid had nothing to do but focus on the Pond daughters, the Pond crops, and practicing her basket-weaving, because I'd downloaded the Sun&Moon set for that.

Oh, and she did finally woohoo Geb and bear a daughter named Inanna. Inanna's story gets interesting much later, in adulthood, but before that, Brigid and the Pond girls had more hell to raise.

Brigid, in particular. She and Esus were actually still married, and he was a bit of an emotional mess about the whole ordeal; he'd have a want panel like "talk to Brigid, give Brigid a backrub, woohoo in bed," and I'd be like, okay, I get the hint, so I'd have one of the kids invite her over, or hail her when she walked by. He'd heartfart her and then slap her.

This was really upsetting for their kids, especially their sensitive second son, Grannus:

Grannus and his older brother Pan rolled virtually identical personalities that displayed differently - throughout their lives, Pan would react to their melodrama with rage and frustration while Grannus would run away, cry, or hide his eyes when there was a fight.

Brigid and Esus eventually reconciled, around the time Luna Pond reached adolescence, and Brigid moved back in with her husband. This may have been traumatic for Luna, because she ended up being a major troublemaker later in life.

But not as much as her foster mom.

Another one of my "photos taken moments after disaster" shots. I was controlling Luna Pond here. In the background, you see Esus slapping Brigid again, because once again she decided it was a good idea to slow-dance with Geb in front of the entire village. In the foreground, you see the sunburned young man that Luna was about to smooch - Grannus Moss, Brigid's son - hiding his eyes and about to cry because once again his family is falling apart. In the middle of his first date.

(Also, his would-be girlfriend is doing the "damn he fine" thing about the eldest son of the Stone family, totally ignoring the fact his life is crashing down around him, but that's a romance sim for you. He did get his first kiss in the end!)

Esus and Brigid were not on the best of terms after this.

Really, really not on the best of terms. You can see Pan (sunburnt, with slightly shorter hair) cheering for his dad, while Grannus, once again, is having a meltdown over all the drama and conflict.

It did not end well for Esus. He made it to old age, but only just, and then got killed by Brigid, who at this point has looped back around from "why are you LIKE THIS" to being one of my favorites just for her sheer audacity.

But I don't think she was a very good influence.

Her foster-daughter, Luna, had dated Grannus and actually agreed to go steady with him (his want, not hers.) I kind of forgot about this when I was next playing the Stone household, where the eldest son, Amon, had also rolled romance. So I sent Amon off to the springs to look for ladies, and he found Luna, and Luna was very happy about that. One person who wasn't so happy about it was Grannus's little sister, Egeria.

She kept poking and slapping Luna while Amon tried to romance her, and I couldn't figure out why until I was back at the Moss house later.

I had to go back to the Moss house because Luna attacked her, and won the fight, and I needed to kill Egeria.

So now Luna, too, had developed a taste for blood and cheating, just like her role model.

And her little sister Lethe, not to be outdone, decided to channel her own trauma into rage. This was also my fault; Lir and Limat's graves went missing, so I created a crypt-keeper sim to handle the process of relocating the graves, and I ended up resurrecting and re-killing them. Lethe, a family sim, went into an aspiration tailspin, and ended up fighting and killing the Burn family's eldest son. I lost all my screencaps of it because, again, it happened while she wasn't playable and I didn't even see what brought the fight on.

So at this point, five sims have died by violence, including three of my 10 founders. I wasn't worried about population, just marveling at the death toll. Things did calm down a bit after that, at least until everyone reached adulthood - but I'll get to that part, where people not connected to Brigid start having affairs and murders, in my next post.