#captain ralph crewe

[thebarroomortheboy]

"I know you by heart. You are inside my heart."

THE LITTLE PRINCESS (1939) | dir. Walter Lang and William A. Seiter

[louwhose]

Queen Ambi & Captain Skully <3

[ltwilliammowett]

The Tombigbee River Phantom

The Eliza Battle was a sidewheel steamer, launched in New Albany, Indiana in 1852, which travelled regularly on the Tombigbee River between Columbus, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama in the United States in the 1850s. She did the same in February 1858.

Advertising for the Eliza Battle

Captained by S. Graham Stone and piloted by Daniel Epps, the Eliza Battle left Columbus with a crew of 45. The ship was only able to travel so far north on the Tombigbee when the river was regularly flooded in the winter months, and made stops at Pickensville, Gainesville, Demopolis and numerous small piers on its way downstream. When the ship left Demopolis on 28 February 1858, it was fully loaded with 60 passengers and more than 1200 bales of cotton. A strong northerly wind set in during the already cold night, and the air temperature dropped into the minus range in the two hours after dark.

At about 2 a.m. on 1 March 1858, about 32 miles (51 km) downriver from Demopolis, near Beckley's Landing, the watch noticed that some of the cotton bales stored between the main deck had caught fire due to being too tight and were now burning. The fire, which was partly due to the strong wind, soon got out of control. The boat drifted further downstream and got out of control. Cut off from the lifeboat by the flames, the passengers, some of whom were clad only in their nightwear, were forced to go into the river to escape the flames. Some survived by floating on bales of cotton, hoping not to freeze in the sub-zero temperatures, but for many this was not the case. The Eliza Battle eventually came to rest above Kemp's Landing and sank to a depth of 8.5 metres. The few survivors were rescued by local residents, 33 or 45 of whom lost their lives in the freezing temperatures.

Eliza battle Tombigbee River 1858, by Ralph Richards

Now the Eliza Battle is no ordinary shipwreck, on the contrary she is said to surface regularly in February as a burning phantom trying to finish her route. But she often fails. She is also supposed to try to lure unsuspecting people who see her and want to help, because she is obviously in distress, and drag them down with her.

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Mission over Tokyo

On this day in 1944, a United States Army Air Forces crew conducts a solitary reconnaissance mission over the skies of Tokyo. It was the first time an American crew had flown over the Japanese mainland since Jimmy Doolittle’s raid in April 1942.

The story of Captain Ralph D. Steakley and his crew is nearly lost to history, yet it was critical to the Allied effort in the Pacific.

These brave men had no idea what they were flying into.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-steakley-tokyo-rose

[episodicnostalgia]

Star Trek: The Next Generation, 125 (May 16, 1988) - “The Neutral Zone”

Teleplay by: Maurice Hurley Story by: Deborah McIntyre & Mona Clee Directed by: James L. Conway

The Breakdown

This is one of those “multiple story lines going on at the same time” episodes, so first let’s deal with…

Plotline  #1 – After the Enterprise scanners pick up an old earth space capsule that piques Data’s interest, he and Worf decide to hop over and take a look. There they find three preserved bodies in cryonic chambers, which are beamed over to sick bay.  Turns out these three bodies have been sitting out in space since the late 20th century, y’know, from 25 years ago when people began the common practice of preserving their deceased loved ones (it was like Tamagotchi’s, everyone was doing it) in the hope of reviving them when medical science had advanced far enough.  That’s right, I said deceased.  These three people were frozen at the exact moment of their death (that’s gotta be tricky to pull off), and now revived 300 years by Dr. Beverly Crusher herself; their company is comprised of a Rich Guy who played the stock market, A mother of two, and a drug addicted musician. 

The episode follows the newly resurrected boomers, as they grapple with the fact that they’ve jumped 300+ years into the future, and that their loved ones are all dead, etc. The Rich dude (Ralph ) has a particularly hard time coping with the fact that his fortune is both nonexistent and (even if it weren’t) meaningless, since the pursuit of wealth and power no longer holds any sway in the post-scarcity 24th century. The mother (Clare) understandably spends most of the runtime being depressed, until Troi points out that she has a great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson, who will undoubtedly welcome his displaced ancient ancestor with open arms. Lastly, the musician (Sonny) pretty much stays a lecherous, sexist, alcoholic, but he’s mostly having a good time enjoying the replicators and hanging out with his new guitar. At various points they inconvenience Picard (who’s dealing with more important things in the other plotline), but mostly they kind of sit around as the Enterprise crew smugly judge them for being ignorant and confused, until they’re transferred to another ship that will take them back to earth and become someone else’s problem.

Plotline #2 -  Starfleet outposts along the Neutral Zone (the established border between the Federation and the Romulan Empire) are being destroyed, and Picard has been ordered to check out if the Romulans are to blame.  Most of the Episode deals with Picard getting the bridge crew to study the Romulans so they can form a strategy, but that’s easier said than done, since it’s been decades since anyone has heard from them.

Anyways, when they finally arrive along the edge of ‘the zone’, Worf makes a shocking revelation that their outposts aren’t destroyed, but rather completely missing, since there would be some sign of debris otherwise.  Shortly thereafter a Romulan ship decloaks, and their captain explains to Picard that their outposts are also missing, and figured it was the Federation’s doing, but now realize it must have been someone-or-something else. Thankfully cooler heads prevail, and both sides agree to collaborate on solving this mystery later on, and then leave, but not before making a thinly-veiled threat that they’ll be back to cause more trouble down the road.

So, on that disconcerting note, the Enterprise optimistically heads back to its regular business because this is the finale, and we need to wrap things up until next season!

The Verdict

The thing is, both plot outlines have plenty of potential, in their own right.  A story about displaced-wealthy-20th-century-folk struggling to fit into a society that has no place for their ideologies, is a perfect theme for Star Trek. And I’ll admit, there’s every chance that the execution of such a story would come off as pretentious and out-of-touch as anything else the show put out during this season, but even a failed attempt would be interesting to watch… provided of course that it was the primary focus of the episode.  My biggest issue wasn’t how hilariously proud of itself the Hurley's script is for criticizing capitalism (while we’re at it, did you know slavery and genocide are also bad? Follow me, for more deep insights!), but rather that the story doesn’t really go anywhere, or do anything with the subject matter.

Ralph (the survivor with the most screen time) is arrogant and demeaning to the crew because he’s used to getting his own way, and we are made to understand that his love of money is directly tied to his character flaws, which is fine, but then what? At one point there’s a scene where he disregards Picard’s orders (to calm the fuck down and stay out of the way), and chooses to intrude on bridge just in time to see the Romulans being space-jerks, but there are no real consequences or thematic correlation, rendering the moment pointless. In the end Ralph seemingly resigns himself to accepting his new lot in life, but has nothing in the way of a meaningful epiphany to help him reach that point. Clare and Sonny both have similarly meandering “journeys” as well. Clare ultimately takes comfort in knowing she has living a descendant (who doesn’t know her, or share any cultural values), while Sonny just happily concludes that since everyone he knows is dead, he doesn’t need to worry about facing any accountability for his past (and seemingly hurtful) life choices.  Remember kids, the secret to finding inner peace is in outliving everyone you've ever wronged!

Meanwhile, the “Romulans-are-back” story line is conceptually more exciting, but it takes almost the entire episode for anything to happen. The most intriguing development is the revelation that some other unknown entity may pose a threat big enough to challenge both the Federation and Romulan empire simultaneously, but then it’s quickly tossed away in favour of a generalized tease about the Romulans stepping up as the show’s primary antagonist. It’s not so much that it’s bad, but like the “boomers-in-space” story, it doesn’t really go anywhere, leaving us with what is essentially a promise that more interesting episodes will continue the story “some other time.”

Now before anyone gets up in arms, yes I am aware that this episode was originally intended as the first in a multi-episode arc, before the writers strike forced them to rework their plan [more on this below].  Be that as it may, even if part 2 had both A) existed, and B) rocked hard, this is still a weakly structured episode.  That’s not to say I hated ‘the neutral zone’ altogether, but I certainly can’t say I thought it was good. 

Nice try guys, maybe next time.

1.5 stars (out of 5)

Parting Thoughts

Apathetic utopia: One thing that doesn’t sit right with me is the sheer disregard that Picard and many of his crew show for the space-boomer’s safety and well being. For starters, Riker was barely willing to let Data check out the capsule to begin with (even after Data points out that it could have historical value, if nothing else), but even after Data and Worf discover the bodies, Riker seems put out by Data’s insistence that they be preserved.  Then, to make matters worse, when Picard hears that the SB’s have been revived he’s downright irritable with Data, arguing that he should have left the survivors behind because “they WERE dead at the time.”  But like… here’s the thing, Dr. Crusher examined their bodies and discovered that all of them could be revived with relative ease, which suggests they were only clinically dead, and it’s commonly accepted that the window of revival in the Trek universe is significantly larger than our present day reality.  So yeah, they were technically dead, I suppose, but not irretrievably, which I would argue comes with a clear moral responsibility. The context for Picard’s ambivalence toward the situation is that he’s stressed about the upcoming Romulan mission, but that’s still an oddly callous stance for a man who professes the sanctity of life.

Silly things I find interesting: Introducing, the Borg! …kinda.  I can’t remember if the missing outposts are ever mentioned again in the show, but the intended continuation of this story was originally meant to serve as an introduction to the Borg, who would have been revealed as the true culprits. Obviously that didn’t pan out, but it’s interesting to think what might have been.

In fairness to the writers, a big part of why the script was so lacklustre is, once again, due to the strike. Basically, once a writers strike is underway, productions aren’t allowed to make any changes to a script until the union signs an agreement. Knowing the strike was imminent, it seems Maurice Hurley had no choice but to whip up a completed script based on the first draft, in only a couple days time.  Needless to say, the results speak for themselves.  Ultimately, I think it would have made more sense for the studio to keep the script for the following season; ‘Conspiracy’ was already a much more exciting episode, and would have served as a stronger season finale.

Did you know that... in Canada (where I'm from) our "Universal health coverage" still doesn't cover cryogenic suspension. So reach out to your MP and let them know we demand better comprehensive coverage before the next federal election! [All kidding aside, we should be doing that anyway. Seriously, how is dental not inherently included in that?]

[thatwasuzi]

49 years ago today

SS Arthur M Anderson: "Fitzgerald, this is the Anderson. Have you checked down?"

SS Edmund Fitzgerald: "Yes we have."

Anderson: "Fitzgerald, we are about 10 miles behind you, and gaining about 1 1/2 miles per hour. Fitzgerald, there is a target 19 miles ahead of us. So the target would be 9 miles on ahead of you."

Fitzgerald: "Well, am I going to clear?"

A: "Yes. He is going to pass to the west of you."

F: "Well, fine."

A: "By the way, Fitzgerald, how are you making out with your problem?"

F: "We are holding our own."

A: "Okay, fine. I'll be talking to you later."

The crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald would never speak to anyone outside of the ship again. After the Fitzgerald entered a squall and was obscured from the Anderson's radar. Some time shortly thereafter the Edmund Fitzgerald sank with all hands aboard.

Michael E. Armagost, 37, Third Mate, from Iron River, Wisconsin

Frederick J. Beetcher, 56, Porter, from Superior, Wisconsin

Thomas D. Bentsen, 23, Oiler, from St. Joseph, Michigan

Edward F. Bindon, 47, First Assistant Engineer, from Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Thomas D. Borgeson, 41, Maintenance Man, from Duluth, Minnesota

Oliver J. Champeau, 41, Third Assistant Engineer, from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Nolan S. Church, 55, Porter, from Silver Bay, Minnesota

Ransom E. Cundy, 53, Watchman, from Superior, Wisconsin

Thomas E. Edwards, 50, Second Assistant Engineer, from Oregon, Ohio

Russell G. Haskell, 40, Second Assistant Engineer, from Millbury, Ohio

George J. Holl, 60, Chief Engineer, from Cabot, Pennsylvania

Bruce L. Hudson, 22, Deck Hand, from North Olmsted, Ohio

Allen G. Kalmon, 43, Second Cook, from Washburn, Wisconsin

Gordon F. MacLellan, 30, Wiper, from Clearwater, Florida

Joseph W. Mazes, 59, Special Maintenance Man, from Ashland, Wisconsin

John H. McCarthy, 62, First Mate, from Bay Village, Ohio

Ernest M. McSorley, 63, Captain, from Toledo, Ohio

Eugene W. O’Brien, 50, Wheelsman, from Toledo, Ohio

Karl A. Peckol, 20, Watchman, from Ashtabula, Ohio

John J. Poviach, 59, Wheelsman, from Bradenton, Florida

James A. Pratt, 44, Second Mate, from Lakewood, Ohio

Robert C. Rafferty, 62, Steward, from Toledo, Ohio

Paul M. Riippa, 22, Deck Hand, from Ashtabula, Ohio

John D. Simmons, 63, Wheelsman, from Ashland, Wisconsin

William J. Spengler, 59, Watchman, from Toledo, Ohio

Mark A. Thomas, 21, Deck Hand, from Richmond Heights, Ohio

Ralph G. Walton, 58, Oiler, from Fremont, Ohio

David E. Weiss, 22, Cadet, from Agoura, California

Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, Oiler, from Moquah, Wisconsin

[jujumin-translates]

Event | 5th Anniversary: The Way Back Home | Chapter 5 - Autumn Planet Story

*Contains spoilers for Act 12 - eternal moment*

Izumi: Is everyone ready?

Juza: Yea.

Azami: Everyone’s hair and makeup is perfect too.

Omi: Wearing these costumes is always exciting, isn’t it?

Taichi: Ah! Mi-chan and Ma-kun are here!

Sakuya: We’ll have to show them how cool we are!

Sakyo: It’s not just those two, we need to show the entire audience the best play possible.

Banri: Damn right.

Banri: …Aight, let’s do this thing!

Autumn Troupe & Sakuya: Yeah!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: (A few years before Saku leaves the ANIMS ship… This takes place before Dee received his code name “Doug”.)

Izumi: (Out of these crew members, only Dee and the oddball Saku don’t have code names.)

Izumi: (Ted, a childhood friend of Dee’s, was one of the first to receive his name, “Tig”, out of the crew members. This makes Dee even more impatient.)

Izumi: (Dee, frustrated with this, has an outburst at Tig’s father, the captain of the ship, Bear.)

Dee: “Why the hell do Rat and Bat get names, but not me!?”

Rat: “Sorry, Dee. We’re just ahead of you~.”

Bear: “Until you figure out the reason, you’ll always be half a man.”

Bat: “I mean, what’s the point of the code names anyway?”

Rat: “As part of ANIMS, getting your animal code name is a sign that you’re independent. I think you broke the record for being the youngest, Bat.”

Bat: “Huh.”

Rat: “That was the weakest reaction ever! Well, you are a certified communicator. No wonder you’re so sought after.”

Bat: “I mean, you got your code name almost as soon as you boarded the ship, didn’t you, Rat?”

Rat: “‘Cause I’m just that good~.”

Dee: “I could get certified if I wanted…”

Bear: “We already have enough communicators. If you want to be one, look elsewhere for work.”

Dee: “Tch.”

Tig: “Dee, you haven’t cleaned the decks yet. Don’t make Saku do it all by himself.”

Dee: “Fuck off, I know!”

Dan: “Dee, I think you’re just snappin’ at Bear again.”

Dee: “Shut up. And if I am?”

Woll: “Bull’s-eye.”

Dan: “Guess I won that bet.”

Woll: “No helpin’ it. That’s a big win for you.”

Dee: “I ain’t a horse for you to bet on.”

Dee: “All of you treat me like I’m stupid. Pretty sure Saku and I are the only ones on the ship who don’t have code names.”

Saku: “What’s that about me?”

Dee: “Doesn’t it make you feel pathetic that we’re always just treated like we’re not really pirates?”

Saku: “I’ve never really thought about it… I guess I’m not necessarily unhappy with my current position or anything…”

Dee: “Tch, stop fucking joking about me bein’ on the same level as someone unreliable like that.”

Dee: “If none of you are gonna admit it, then I’ll make you admit it. I’ll make you admit that I’m a man worthy of ANIMS.”

Tig: “Dee, clean the decks.”

Dee: “Just fuck off, I’m doin’ it now!”

Tig: “Haah, what the hell?”

Bear: “He’s been like that ever since his father died. You’d better keep an eye on him.”

Tig: “Why me?”

Bear: “You already know why.”

Izumi: (Dee is getting increasingly frustrated with Woll and Dan teasing him. He’s much more childish and brazen than in the original.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Dan: “That’s our target this time, Ralph’s ship.”

Bear: “Way to go, Dan. You’ve got us in a good position.”

Dee: “But I’ve got no clue what kinda things rich people like. Are we really goin’ to war with that ship?”

Tig: “It just for appearances. They don’t even have any weapons.”

Bear: “Alright, for our scouts--.”

Dee: “I’ll go.”

Bear: “Tig.”

Tig: “Roger that.”

Bear: “Dee, you’ll be with me.”

Dee: “The fuck!? Why!?”

Tig: “Shut up. Obey the captain’s orders.”

Bear: “Rat, provide logistical support. Bat, stay with the ship and jam any rescue signals.”

Rat: “Aye aye, Sir.”

Bat: “Understood.”

Bear: “Everyone else, rush in as soon as Tig attacks.”

Woll: “Aye aye, Captain.”

Tig: “Don’t do anythin’ uncalled for, Dee.”

Dee: “Shut the fuck up.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: (Dee, impatient to be successful, is the first to board the ship without listening to what the others are saying…)

Tig: “I’ll be goin’ soon.”

Rat: “Unit One is ready to-- wait, huh?”

Woll: “It’s already gone?”

Dan: “Huh, who’s on board?”

Tig: “That bastard-- Can I take Unit Two?”

Rat: “Uhm, yeah, probably.”

Dan: “Unit Three will be on standby, just in case.”

Tig: “Thanks.”

Tig: “Unit Two, launchin’ in three, two, one--.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Beeping*

Tig: “Dee! Stop actin’ so selfishly!”

Dee: “Just shut up! I’m way better at handlin’ these guys than you are! Stay outta my way!”

Tig: “That ain’t the point! This is why you’ll always be half a man!”

Dee: “Who you callin’ half a man!? Just shut up and watch me!”

*Lazers firing*

Ralph: “!? W-What was that!?”

Subordinate: “Pirates!”

*Explosion*

Ralph: “H-Hurry up and do something quickly!”

Dee: “Hah! Perfect. Nowhere to run. Now all I’ve gotta do is get in and--.”

Tig: “Dee! Three planes incomin’ at two o’clock!”

Dee: “The hell? I thought they didn’t have any weapons. I never heard anythin’ about there bein’ an escort.”

Dee: “Whatever, I’ll deal with the three planes myself.”

*Lazers firing*

Tig: “Dee, don’t go alone!”

Dee: “I’ve got it under control.”

*Explosion*

Dee: “Aight, one down. Now for the rest--.”

*Explosion*

Tig: “Dee!”

Dee: “--Gh.”

*Beeping*

Dan: “Coming in on Unit Three for backup.”

Dee: “Dan!? What are you doin’--?”

*Beeping*

Rat: “Likewise, I’ll cover you, please rescue Dee, Tig!”

Tig: “Roger that.”

Dee: “--Shit, now everyone’s involved, this is bad.”

Izumi: (And as a result, ANIMS is forced to withdraw…)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Bear: “Let’s regroup and take off at once.”

Bat: “Aye aye, Sir.”

Woll: “Glad you’re safe, Dee.”

Tig: “How’s the condition of Unit One?”

Rat: “Dee did a good job of doging, so I don’t think it’s in too bad condition.”

Bear: “Dee, your selfish actions put the whole crew in danger. Are you aware of that?”

Dee: “--Yes.”

Bear: “Your father, Bull, was honestly one of the worst leaders I’ve ever seen.”

Bear: “He was the first to jump into danger, and his first priority was always protecting his comrades by bringing up the rear.”

Bear: “‘After I’m gone, you’ll still be here, Bear. Dee will have you, so I don’t have to worry.’ That’s what he used to say.”

Bear: “Every day I stood next to him as his second-in-command made my anxious as all hell, but I was proud to be there.”

Bear: “Dee, think it over again as to why you’re not recognized as a full man.”

Bear: “You have to be aware and responsible if you ever want to lead ANIMS as captain one day.”

Dee: “Me…?”

Tig: “Why are you surprised? Hasn’t this always been your plan? You’ve been sayin’ that you wanted to be captain ever since we were kids.”

Rat: “Well, but you’re still just half a man right now!”

Dan: “At this rate, you won’t get your code name and become captain until you’re an old man.”

Bat: “And no one wants a captain like that.”

Woll: “Haha. You’re gonna have to really work at it.”

Dee: “Guys… I’m really sorry.”

Dan: “He apologized. Seems like I’ve lost.”

Woll: “And I guess that means I’ve won this time.”

Dee: “You place bets on shit like that too!?”

Izumi: (Dee’s comrades follow after him. Their tone is joking, but you can feel their belief in Dee and their encouragement.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Rat: “Huh? What about Saku?”

Bat: “He said he had stuff to carry. They brought him along to the captains’ drinking party or something.”

Rat: “I’m so jealous. I wish I could’ve gone too.”

Dan: “Well, there’s no helpin’ it. We can’t celebrate the spoils of war right at this moment.”

Rat: “That’s dumb.”

Dee: “He said he was sorry.”

Rat: “He wasn’t trying to be disagreeable or anything.”

Dan: “Stop pouting.”

Dee: “I ain’t poutin’.”

Bat: “Huh? Isn’t that Ralph’s ship over there?”

Dan: “I didn’t see anythin’ about them comin’ into port around here, though.”

Woll: “Maybe it’s because of the incident the other day.”

Dee: “‘Bout damn time.”

Tig: “Oi, you’re not plannin’ on boardin’ again, are you?”

Dee: “They came from way far away. Can’t pass up that kinda opportunity. If they come into port, we’ve got ourselves an openin’. We’ll be able to pull it off no problem.”

Tig: “You haven’t learned your lesson at all.”

Rat: “That’s our Dee!”

Dan: “It’s true, we’ve got a chance. I’m in.”

Woll: “Same here. Not like I’ve got anything better to do.”

Bat: “Ralph and his crew are gonna be comin’ in soon. If you want your chance, go as soon as they do.”

Dee: “Ya already intercepted ‘em? That was fast work.”

Rat: “I’m gettin’ hella hyped!”

Dee: “We go at 22:00. I’ll board first.”

Tig: “I’ll go too. We learned out lesson last time.”

Dee: “Permitted. When we give the signal, the rest of y’all board too. Rat will be in charge of logistical support and diversion.”

Rat: “Aye aye, Sir!”

Izumi: (The members of ANIMS are filled with excitement. Their tone of voice and facial expressions really show off their nature as pirates, as if they’re enjoying the roughness of the plan.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Dee: “Looks like they’re short of hands. Perfect.”

Tig: “You haven’t reflected at all, have you, Dee?”

Dee: “I have. That’s why I brought you along.”

Tig: “Haah. How the hell am I supposed to support somethin’ like this…”

Dee: “It’s time. Let’s go.”

Tig: “Understood.”

Dee: “Pardon us!”

Guard: “Who the hell are you!?”

Dee: “We had to leave early the other day, so we’d thought we’d pop in to say hello again.”

Guard: “Oi, someone, come here! There’s pirates!”

Dee: “Tig, the signal.”

Rat: “Oh, it’s time, it’s time.”

Woll: “We’re gonna have to kick it up a notch from last time.”

Dan: “We’ll have this over with before the captain can even find out.”

*Lazers firing*

Izumi: (ANIMS acts as violently as they want. It really shows off the true spirit of Autumn Troupe.)

Izumi: (Banri-kun’s leadership skills are put to good use for Dee’s performance, plus the action scenes with everyone are also very impressive.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Bear: “So, what’s the meaning of this?”

Dee: “As future captain, I’ve gotta make sure I finish the job I messed up on.”

Dee: “Just so you know, this was my decision, so the other guys ain’t responsible.”

Bear: “God… Dee, from this day on, you’ll be known as Doug.”

Doug: “Huh?”

Bear: “And you’re not a future captain. From today on, you’re the captain. So pull yourself together.”

Doug: “Are you for real?”

Bear: “Tig, you’ll support Doug as second in command.”

Tig: “No avoidin’ it, I guess.”

Bear: “That’s a weight off my shoulders.”

Bat: “Oi, the Space Police are headed this way.”

Dan: “If we don’t hurry, the port will be put into lockdown.”

Doug: “Aight, y’all, get ready now. We’re gettin’ the hell outta here!”

Rat: “Aye aye, Sir!”

Izumi: (Now given his code name, his determination to live as Captain Doug of ANIMS is reaffirmed…)

Izumi: (The universe of the space performance was further expanded by seeing the past stories of ANIMS.)

Izumi: (The audience seems to be thrilled to get to know the activities and the growth of Doug and the others, which differs from the main story.)

Izumi: (Autumn Troupe’s spin off performance was a huge success!)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Applause*

Sakuya: Thank you very much!

Omi: Thank you.

Juza: Thanks.

Azami: Thanks so much.

Sakyo: Thank you very much.

Taichi: Thank you!

Banri: Thank you so much!

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] • [ Next Part ⇢ ]

[carpe-mamilia]

You know what show I really hope the ghosts put on while they were all together? HMS Pinafore. Everyone from Fanny onwards most likely knew it reasonably well already, either by cultural osmosis or from being a theatre gay, and for the rest it's probably the easiest operetta to pick up that's ever existed.

I imagine it would have gone down something like this:

Josephine Corcoran- Kitty

Ralph Rackstraw - Thomas

Absolute no-brainers for the lead soprano and tenor. Ralph scores extra points for being one of the most dramatic and flouncy tenors Gilbert ever wrote. At one point he has a speech that's so flowery it's genuinely incomprehensible. Unfortunately his big aria is terribly dull (still in-character tbh) but both of Josephine's are brilliant. Especially "The hours creep on apace", where, having secretly accepted Ralph's proposal, she does waver a bit since, after all, he is a bit of a pleb.

Captain Corcoran - The Captain

Keeps the Pinafore ship-shape and Bristol-fashion. Would have a lovely father-daughter relationship with Josephine. Gets to be in lots of bangin' numbers, especially "I am the Captain of the Pinafore".

Captain: I do my best to satisfy you all -

Crew: And with you we're quite content!

Captain: You're exceedingly polite and I think it's only right to return the compliment.

Sir Joseph Porter - Julian

Marvellously smug and superior patter baritone who got to his lofty position via flattery and luck rather than merit. No direction needed.

Little Buttercup - Fanny

I think she would struggle playing someone who's meant to be lowly, but on the other hand she'd probably really get into every other aspect of the character, especially when she gets to drop mysterious hints all the way through, and dramatically reveal the twist at the end. (She also really reminds me of the mature student who played Little Buttercup for my university's Light Opera Society once, who was very definitely another repressed middle-aged horndog. Get it, girl.)

Cousin Hebe - Mary

Not much of a part, but I suspect getting Mary to concentrate on something like this for any length of time without going off on a tangent would be... tricky. Would be enthusiastic about helping Josephine and might have to be held back from headbutting Captain Corcoran when he tries to stop the elopement.

Dick Deadeye - Robin

Hunched, triangular bass Dick Deadeye growls his way through the opera causing chaos just... 'cos. Is far more perceptive than the Captain and has to really spell out that Josephine and Ralph are planning on running away together.

Bosun's Mate - Humphrey's head

Carpenter's mate and director - Pat

This probably required slightly delicate handling, since Pat is the better singer (and He is an Englishman is harder than it looks), but a) keeping rehearsals from descending into anarchy probably took all his energy and b) Humphrey might have been slightly grumpy being relegated to a really tiny role again. At least they both get to be in A British Tar is a Soaring Soul.

Chorus of sisters, cousins, and aunts - Humphrey's body

Carries the whole show on his back.

[comfort-clubhouse]

Disney Comfort Characters (Waves 1-9)

Hades (Hercules)

Jafar (Aladdin)

Iago (Aladdin)

Jack Skellington (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Lilo (Lilo & Stitch)

Mickey Mouse

Minnie Mouse

XR (Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

King Candy (Wreck It Ralph)

Angel (Lilo & Stitch)

Faline (Bambi)

Claude Frollo (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Snow White (Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs)

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)

Mirabel Madrigal (Encanto)

Pepa Madrigal (Encanto)

NOS-4-A2 (Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

Felix (Wreck It Ralph)

Melody (Little Mermaid)

Captain Hook (Peter Pan)

Clarabelle Cow

Figaro (Pinocchio)

Pinocchio

Jack Sparrow (Pirates Of The Caribbean)

Hector Barbossa (Pirates Of The Caribbean)

Davy Jones (Pirates Of The Caribbean)

Hugo, Victor & Laverne (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Djali (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Gideon (Pinocchio)

Goofy

Daisy Duck

Lumiere (Beauty & The Beast)

Kronk (Emperor's New Groove)

Quasimodo (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Geppetto (Pinocchio)

Tigger (Winnie The Pooh)

Oswald The Lucky Rabbit

King (Owl House)

Esmeralda (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Genie (Aladdin)

Clopin Trouillefou (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls)

Marinette Dupain-Cheng (Miraculous Ladybug)

Alya (Miraculous Ladybug)

Della Duck (Ducktales)

Eda Clawthorne (Owl House)

Yzma (Emperor's New Groove)

Drakken (Kim Possible)

Antonio Madrigal (Encanto)

Bruno Madrigal (Encanto)

Doofenshmirtz (Phineas & Ferb)

Evil Emperor Zurg (Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

Willow (Owl House)

Gabriel Agreste (Miraculous Ladybug)

Bambi

Thumper (Bambi)

Zero (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Kuzco (Emperor's New Groove)

Tutter (Bear In The Big Blue House)

Ursula (Little Mermaid)

Winnie The Pooh

Piglet (Winnie The Pooh)

Eeyore (Winnie The Pooh)

Kanga (Winnie The Pooh)

Roo (Winnie The Pooh)

Rabbit (Winnie The Pooh)

Nathalie (Miraculous Ladybug)

Archdeacon (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Phoebus (Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Evil Queen (Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs)

Lucky (101 Dalmatians)

Smee (Peter Pan)

Dr Facilier (Princess & The Frog)

Pluto

Ortensia The Cat

Gus (Cinderella)

Luz Noceda (Owl House)

Manny (Ducktales)

Donald Duck

Shellsea (Fish Hooks)

Lambie (Doc McStuffins)

Scrooge McDuck (Ducktales)

Dewey Duck (Ducktales)

Sebastian (Little Mermaid)

Chip (Beauty & The Beast)

Fifi (Beauty & The Beast)

Honest John (Pinocchio)

Mushu (Mulan)

Jaq (Cinderella)

Oscar Proud (Proud Family)

King Andrias (Amphibia)

Baymax (Big Hero 6)

Swampy (Where's My Water/Swampy's Underground Adventures)

Pleakley (Lilo & Stitch)

Goliath (Gargoyles)

Zooster (Jungle Junction)

Wander (Wander Over Yonder)

Molly McGee (Ghost & Molly McGee)

Otto (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go)

Antauri (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go)

Collector (Owl House)

Scratch (Ghost & Molly McGee)

Dumbo

Raine (Owl House)

Circus Of Ooze Crew (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go)

Anne (Amphibia)

Sprig (Amphibia)

Tilly (Big City Greens)

Cricket (Big City Greens)

Marcy (Amphibia)

Penny Proud (Proud Family)

Suga Mama (Proud Family)

Sasha (Amphibia)

Brandy (Brandy & Mr Whiskers)

Berry (Palace Pets)

Miss Featherbon (Palace Pets: Whisker Haven)

Daisy (Palace Pets)

Dreamy (Palace Pets)

Bill (Big City Greens)

Lena (Ducktales)

Mr Whiskers (Brandy & Mr Whiskers)

Lily (Palace Pets)

Tiana (Princess & The Frog)

Alice (Big City Greens)

[darkhorse-javert]

Fuff-tober Day 4 'Cinderella Moment'

The near-finale scenes of a Victorian Era Foyle's War/ A Little Princess crossover I haven't written yet. (oops) Going on the idea 'the "ugly duckling" gets their moment to shine'- for our beloved Sam's a bit of an Ugly Duckling at Lyminster.

A/N the dashes '-th Regiment' for example, are intended, ala Jane Austen.

Ram Das and Carrisford are particularly drawn from the excellent 1987 BBC version. (Can be found on YouTube)

Sam had settled herself on a discreet chair in the small drawing room of Lyminster House hands folded neatly and demurely on her lap, and for want of anything better to do, observed the new occupier of the moment.

'A gentleman', her father had disclosed before he brought her in company, 'well travelled, but who had been very ill, and who had rented the house for it's good air and quiet location to aid his recuperation.' He looked unwell still, the bones standing out on his face and hands, a sallow pale colour on his skin, in spite of the fire and the blanket tucked around his shoulders by the Sikh servant-man.

Sick at heart or soul too, it appeared, the haunted echo in his eyes. She listened as Catholic-esque, he softly unburdened his troubles onto her fathers listening ears. "- my old school friend, he gave me the money, more than he should have," he gave a rueful cough of black laughter "and I ruined him, with those diamonds. Ruined and killed the best kindest man I ever knew, they should have locked me up for it."

"Were a man locked up for every little mistake, condemned for every sin, there would be only innocent babes left in the world." Her father soothes "And you did not kill your friend..."

"The shock brought on the illness which killed him, which is much the same thing." The man looks away from her father, face twisting, in pain or bitterness. "And after all that, the mines come good, more than I could ever have dreamed for. But what good is it?"

Her father opens his mouth, but the man cuts him off with a wave of his hand, "Don't talk of charity, I'd give my half of the fortune just to find Crewe's daughter. Looked all over Europe, all the way to Russia in schools, but I can't find her." His eyes are bleaker still, "Poor little Sarah."

He says the last more to himself than to them, but her ears catch it.

Diamonds, Crewe, Daughter, Sarah, well, Sara. "How do you spell Crewe, Sir? C-R-E-W?" Sam asks, pressing her folded hands into each other. Do not get his hopes up, do not get mine up either

Her father turns to look reprovingly at her, shaking his head ever so slightly.

But Mr Carmichael only lifts his head slightly from where he has slumped in his chair, "C-R-E-W-E." He emphasises the last letter "Captain Ralph Crewe. -th Regiment." It all has the monotone of words said over and over, or in a dream or a fever. His chest heaves

The right spelling, the same story.

"I know where she is!" She barely holds herself sitting in the chair, and fails.

"Samantha!" Her father barks, "it is not decourous to interrupt. Is that what they taught you at the Seminary?"

But she had eyes only for Mr. Carrisford as she goes towards him, he's pushing himself violently upright in his chair, eyes lighting up, "You know where she is? You're sure?"

"She's at Miss Minchin's Seminary for Young Ladies on - Square in London. She came there when she was seven and I was eleven. She grew up in India, she speaks Hindustani," "Sam stared about the room, what else can I tell him "She told me about Shiva, and Ganesh, and Buhdda.." She whirls abot, pointing to each of the statues in turn. "Her mother was French, but died before she knew her, Sara speaks it as well as a Frenchwoman herself." She runs out of breath, gasps inelegently for more

"Yes," Carrisford says, a bright, near wild flush on his face "I remember Crewe married a French lady- Isabelle, her name was." He looks only at Sam "She's at this Seminary, you say?"

"Yes." Now the hard bit, Sam draws closer to the man "When her -Sara's- father - that is, Captain Crewe - died, Miss Minchin kept her on as a servant, to 'cover the debts' she said." Carrisford's face plunges in agony and she hears even her unshockable father gasp.

"A Servant Crewe's little Sara?" Then Carrisford is shouting towards a door "Ram Das... Ram Das! Ram Das!" He reaches forwards and grabs at Sam's hands, his grip surprisingly strong for the frailness of her hands. Ram Das rushes in, a flash of gold in the corner of her vision.

She drops to her knees in front of Mr Carrisford, putting them on the same level, and sees tears brimming in the man's eyes. "Thank You." He wheezes, "Thank you." Now words fly out from him in a rushing torrent, one arm reaching to push off the covering blanket, "Ram Das, we go to London, order the carriage ready to the station. Jaladi, Jaladi!" But the torrent ends in a gasp and a fit of coughing, shaking the man through.

Sam glances at Ram Das as the Sikh steps closer, pulls the blanket back around, a hand on his master's shoulder to keep him down "No Sahib, no London for you. See, you are not yet well enough."

"You don't understand," Carrisford half snaps, half pleads, staring at the other man, "Sara's there - Miss Crewe."

Sam watches as Ram Das nods, "I understand this, Sahib. But I also know you will put youself back in bed, being like this. You will not go to London. Doctor Sahib said Rest."

Sam bites her lip, it is far too true that Carrisford is in no fit state to travel to London. And even he seems to accept this, stopping his efforts to move from the chair. Instead he looks to where their hands are still folded together, to her, and then over her shoulder to where her father must be. His eyes are burning bright.

"Reverend, would you go? You and your daughter? Go and bring her back? I'll give you a letter for the Mistress of the Seminary, giving you authority to do so- I've seen Crewe's papers, I'm Sara's guardian-in-law. If she won't take that, my lawyer Carmichael lives nearby, go to him"

Sam twists, heedless of any damage to her dress, hating the stiff bodice, to look at her father. His face is a little stunned, but he slowly nods. "If you have the proof of this Mr Carrisford, and you, Samantha," His eyes come to rest on her "can identify the girl..."

Sam nods quickly, Please, please.

Her father dips his chin "Then I would be happy to help."

"Excellent." Carrisford beams, years of pain falling away from his face

[hyperjerk]

I did a sketch that ballooned into an entire scene featuring every character of my "The Cosmic Cruise" project. And because many of the characters had yet to be fully coloured, I took this opportunity to get that done and have a large situational piece at the same time.

The concepts are still early days, so names, appearances and character traits are likely to change.

On board the Cosmic Cruise Ship "Levi", Captain Zane and First Mate Aria return, carrying cannisters of some kind, and are greeted immediately by the rest of the crew.

Sat on the center podium is June. Not a member of the ship's crew, but a regular celebrity figure.

To the bottom left is Joe, a coms and transport operative. Essentially logging arrivals and departures.

To the right of June is Pondi, an engineering officer.

Resting against the wall is Tyan, physical activities officer.

To her side is Debit (pronounced Debbie), who is an accountant appointed to the ship to make sure its finances are in check. A one-track mind and a party-pooper.

In the bottom right is Ralph.

In the background to the left of June is Ik. He's on the engineering team and has a strange presence about him.

Above Zane and Aria is one of many Levi screens where the ship's assistant AI is able to communicate with passengers.

Sat atop the Levi screen is the nefarious Nibly. He's a hacker with ill intentions.

In the background to the right of June is a poster featuring the evil Blue Lazue, master conman who frequents the casinos to prey on unlucky souls and imprison them with crippling debt.

[hesbuckcompton-baby]

Band of Brothers - The Terror AU, Continued

A continuation of this post

Tagging people who were interested in this - if you want to be added or removed just let me know!

@fearlessjones @kaikai1324 @antoniaminor @runn0ft

Denver 'Bull' Randleman and John Martin serve as Ice Masters on the HMS Erebus and Terror respectively. They are both experienced, having been on multiple Arctic expeditions before, often alongside each other, and as a result are held in high esteem by the rest of the crew. The pair trust each other more than they will ever trust a commander, as only they fully understand how dangerous the ice can be. Martin holds the ear of Captain Winters, who faithfully follows his advice. In contrast, Randleman finds Captain Sobel to be often dismissive of his knowledge. Still, he finds an eager audience in young Royal Marine Privates Garcia, Miller, and Hashey, who are all experiencing their first Naval posting and have never seen how badly an expedition such as this can turn.

Aboard the Terror, the Royal Marines are commanded by Sergeant Bill Guarnere, who - alongside Corporal Chuck Grant and Private Edward Heffron - keeps largely to himself. The Marines are somewhat isolated from the rest of the crew, as they are the only men on board permitted to arm themselves, and lack the naval experience boasted of by the others. However, as it becomes more and more evident that the Terror and Erebus will not be unstuck from the ice any time soon, with more and more men lost to the mysterious Tuunbaq with each passing day, the marines find themselves thrust into the limelight by the rest of the crew, who view them as key to their survival.

On the HMS Erebus, Sergeant Darrell Powers and Corporal Donald Hoobler find their loyalty to their commanders jeopardised as their chances of salvation grow ever slimmer. Shifty struggles to come to terms with his shifting allegiances as Sobel's ineffective leadership and Nixon's declining health put them at a disadvantage, and the Royal Marines begin to ally themselves across the two ships, both bringing together the crews and setting them further apart than ever before.

Roy Cobb does not believe in his leaders. He is here because he had no option, driven by a lack of wealth and education - caulking was never supposed to be his life's work, and he won't pretend to be happy about his position. When the crew find themselves stranded in the ice, he grows ever more bitter at the state of affairs, and as the rest of the crew begin to realise the severity of their situation, people begin to listen to Cobb's complaints - they let him speak his discontent where they once dismissed it with a roll of the eyes. He finds himself holding more influence than he has ever had before, and will use this newfound power to his advantage no matter what damage it could do to others.

Other crewmates:

Robert 'Popeye' Wynn - Boatswain, HMS Terror

Floyd Talbert - Carpenter, HMS Terror

Donald Malarkey - Engineer, HMS Terror

Pat Christenson - Quartermaster, HMS Terror

Frank Perconte - Blacksmith, HMS Terror

Joe Toye - Leading Stoker, HMS Terror

Alex Penkala - Ship's Cook, HMS Terror

Albert Blithe - Seaman, HMS Terror - Found infirm and returned to England from the Whalefish Islands

John Hall -Seaman, HMS Terror - One of the sailors who died and was buried on Beechey Island on the way to the Passage

Ralph Spina - Head surgeon, HMS Erebus

Warren 'Skip' Muck - Carpenter, HMS Erebus

Joseph Liebgott - Engineer, HMS Erebus

Walter 'Smokey' Gordon - Caulker, HMS Erebus

George Luz - Leading Stoker, HMS Erebus

(When assigning characters' roles among each ship, I tried to consider the pre- and post-war professions of the real-life veterans, applying these skills as best I could to the positions aboard each ship - for example, Alex Penakala worked as a cook before the war, and Joe Toye worked in a coal mine, hence his position stoking the steam engines.)

[acetechne]

part 1/? of iammatthewian / tng era trek au thing where i assign them roles mostly based on their flag colours or something

- ralph is a science officer who specializes in geology and causes a lot of problems by messing with things he shouldnt. sask is an engineer who is usually stuck trying to rig a solution to said problems.

- have not trio are the chaotic bridge crew - captain stanley and first officer commander tremblay usually disagree on everything and then lieutenant commander mani needs to step in and advise.

- chief of security cheung is constantly flexing while communications officer mccain is just trying to get back to work on a translation

[primepast]

task   zero  + character introduction.

⌕   . ˚   ⅋.   「   pedro pascal. forty six. cis man. he/him.  」 luca reyes  was recruited as a  captain’s crew  for the libertalia  twenty six years ago  and was given the codename:  dionysus  for their  carefree  but  spiteful  behavior, typical for  the sagittarius. while preparing for a heist they listen to  back in black  by  acdc  and don’t dare to leave without their most trusted item:  engraved pocket knife.

part one: statistics.

basic information:

full name: josé lucas reyes espinoza luca reyes.

nickname(s): lu, whatever insult is being thrown his way.

age: 46.

date of birth: december 2nd, 1976.

place of birth: santiago, chile.

nationality: chilean american.

gender: cis man.

pronouns: he / him.

orientation:  bisexual.

language(s) spoken: fluent in english, spanish & portuguese, familiar with russian, asl, & french.

accent: used to have a slight new yorker accent, not so much anymore.

family ties:

mother: maría espinoza, deceased.

father: juan reyes herrera, deceased.

siblings: has five siblings, three younger and two older.

spouse / partner: widower, currently single.

children: has a daughter named mia, in her mid twenties.

pets: has a ball python snake named ralph.

occupational information:

codename: dionysus.

meaning behind codename: dionysus, the greek god of wine ( also bestower of ecstasy / god of the drama ... fittingly enough ).

position: captain's crew.

skillset: scoped firearms / long range weapons / quick thinking under pressure / expert hand eye coordination / lockpicking / anything that allows him to stay still.

weapon of choice:  prefers a sniper rifle, currently carries a m1903 springfield.

physical appearance:

face claim: pedro pascal.

hair color:  dark brown.

eye color: dark brown.

height: 5'11"

weight: 165 lbs.

build: athletic.

tattoos: has a small clown fish tattoo on his left shoulder for his daughter.

piercings: none.

clothing style: whatever's still in his closet from the past decade, mostly old shirts with the occasional hole or stain and jeans. sometimes wears a leather jacket he found at a thrift store ... he doesn't really have a "style" just if it fits and isn't too fancy... comfortable dad attire.

distinguishing characteristics: salt & pepper hair, dimpled smile, square jawline.

personality:

mbti: estp.

element:  fire.

western zodiac: sagittarius.

chinese zodiac: dragon.

positive traits: carefree, charming, adaptable, perceptive, bold.

negative traits: spiteful, impatient, impulsive, defiant, insensitive.

hobbies: drinking, fishing, woodworking, reading, doing nothing.

character inspiration:  seth gecko ( fdtd ), the ten seconds of screentime dionysus gets in the pj movies, ron swanson ( parks & rec, this is strictly only vibes ), jim hopper ( stranger things but not the cop part acab ).

part two: questionnaire. 

001.  the professor provides every member of libertalia a unique codename that reflects their personality. each codename is derived from various forms of mythology, folklore, or literature. why do you think the professor chose that name for you? do you agree or disagree with his decision? 

the professor has always been an idol of luca's and joining within libertalia's first year is something he looooves to brag about. he was codenamed dionysus and though a bit stumped at first, he realized that the professor must have known about his sticky fingers expensive alcohol bottle collection ... or maybe he just has a sense of humor and was already well aware of luca's drinking problem. there's much more to the name than luca understands - a man of intense passion, both known for his excitable attitude and anger. either way, luca has never really cared to know, especially since he likes to imagine the professor does have a sense of humor... and for that reason, he loves the decision.

002.  gaining an invitation into libertalia isn’t an easy feat. what do you think made you special enough to get handpicked by the professor? 

luca usually chalks it up to being young and lucky enough to be on libertalia's radar early on. he hadn't planned much at the beginning and had been reckless on his heists, going into hiding after a bank robbery went wrong and he was separated from his partners. for whatever reason, he was given a second chance when it seemed like his life was over and for that, he'll always be grateful.

003.  the captain’s crew is the highest position at libertalia. do you desire to graduate to this level? if you’re already a member of the captain’s crew what motivated you to change your position? 

as a current captain's crew member, the position has been on his mind since he learned it was a possibility. he has no desire to be in a true position of leadership like the professor, but luca owes everything to libertalia and his allegiance has only strengthened over the twenty plus years with the group. he used to love joining on adventures but as he's gotten older and faced injury after injury, his focus began to shift to the potential of heist planning - whatever he needed to do to remain useful to the organization. he fears that his intelligence isn't as good as his physical skills but is doing his best to make sure no one notices.

004.  although many members of libertalia don’t know each other’s personal lives, it’s rumored that many members came from suspicious backgrounds. who were you before joining and what was your life like prior?

joining libertalia was an impulsive decision, one made without the knowledge of his wife. she was always in the dark about his thievery and criminal background, some he even completed while they were married. they'd known each other since high school and she only discovered his extracurriculars once he was already in libertalia. luca had grown up having to make his own way in the world and refused to change for anyone, but it cost him the opportunity of having the family he'd always wanted. libertalia was his purpose after that and he's refuses to think about the past anymore.

005.  what was your primary motivation for joining libertalia? was it for the riches or for the thrill of adventure? or is there something else motivating you to continue working for the group? what do you hope to achieve? 

the primary motivation had always been to see what the world had to offer. a simple curiosity of what else there could be and a desire to scratch an itch of thievery. he hadn't expected much, truthfully, as far as profits go - but once the money started showing on paper, that helped too. now that he's lost the other side of the life he had, libertalia has essentially become everything to him and he hopes to help it flourish with the years he has left. he loves the idea of passing on all the wisdom and experience he's learned, a main reason he's apart of the captain's crew.

006.  how would the other members describe you? would you consider yourself to be a team-player or do you prefer to work independently? 

never serious, always joking, mouth never not open. not usually seen without a drink in his hand. he's got a contagious laugh and that can either soften the view some people have toward luca or infuriate them. always loves to be the life of the party and at every single funeral, he's made the "i put the fun in funeral" joke to someone. doesn't know how to read a room very well but he's got the best of intentions. works well with others... but usually gives them a headache at some point.

007.  libertalia is anonymous, therefore necessitates secrecy outside of the group. how do you balance your personal life outside of this, granted you have one? is there a clear separation between libertalia and your personal life? 

luca used to be able to balance everything perfectly within the first few years of libertalia - after his wife discovered he'd been lying about a business trip and knew he couldn't lie to her anymore, it went downhill from there. after a messy separation, luca's personal life became more or less existent. his thirties were spent jumping from mission to mission, becoming almost obsessed with his work until a bad back injury made him replan his future. now he's just focused on remaining valuable.

008.  henry avery’s treasure has been lost since 1695. even with the brightest minds on the case, all leads to find the treasure haven’t turned up. avery’s treasure is the professor’s white whale and after several years of searching, many believe the treasure ceases to exist. do you believe the treasure exists? 

luca is certainly skeptical but leans toward hopeful.

009.  do you trust the professor? do you trust the libertalia? 

yes and yes - with his life.

[ronaldanthony4]

Once again, I found myself immersed in the world of digital art, breathing life into a beloved character. The subject of this new artwork is Sara Crewe, the heroine of "A Little Princess," a children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. But my inspiration for this piece comes from a particular adaptation that holds a special place in my heart—the 1985 anime "Princess Sarah", which is not only nostalgic for me but also for many others in my country, the Philippines. It’s such a well-known series here that a Filipino-casted live-action remake was made, further deepening its influence on our culture.

This piece shows Sara in her birthday gown, a look that has always stood out to me from both the novel and the anime. I wanted to capture her in that moment of elegance and youth when life still seemed so filled with possibilities before her world crumbled around her. The gown itself is a soft, pale pink, a colour that exudes warmth, innocence, and subtle sophistication—perfect for a young girl of privilege who hasn’t yet faced the challenges to come. The dress flows gracefully, its soft ruffles cascading in layers that look delicate yet regal.

Her gloves are a pristine white, extending just past her wrists in a style that adds a touch of refinement. I imagined how they would feel—smooth, soft, and cool to the touch, the kind of gloves a young lady would wear to a formal event like her own birthday party. On her head, she wears a simple pearl hairband. The pearls reflect the same sophistication as the rest of her ensemble, but they are not overdone. Sara has always been a character of quiet grace, and I wanted her appearance to reflect that.

When you look into her eyes—large, bright green eyes full of depth—you see more than just a pretty young girl. You see kindness, compassion, and an enduring optimism. That’s one of the most striking things about Sara Crewe. Despite all the hardships she faces throughout her story, she never loses her innate goodness. In many ways, this artwork is my tribute to those qualities in her that inspire people, even decades after the book was first written and after countless adaptations of the story have been made.

I didn’t want to create just any fan art; I wanted to embody who Sara Crewe is at her core. She’s kind, caring, and compassionate. Even when she is treated poorly, she remains generous and polite to everyone around her. She doesn't boast about her wealth, nor does she look down on anyone. Her humility is what makes her so endearing. Her intelligence also plays a significant role in her character. She reads extensively and speaks several languages, including French and Hindi. I kept this intellectual aspect in mind as I depicted her thoughtful, serene expression.

But it’s her imagination that truly sets Sara apart. Throughout the story, Sara makes up fairy tales to entertain her classmates at Miss Minchin's school. I could just imagine how her creative spirit would radiate through her posture and the soft smile on her lips. In this artwork, her smile is not broad; it’s delicate and gentle, the kind of smile that hints at stories hidden in her mind, stories she’s too humble to share without being asked. Her optimism is perhaps her most defining trait. No matter what happens to her, she never loses hope. Even in the darkest of times, Sara believes in the goodness of the world, and I tried to convey this unwavering positivity in her facial features and soft, pastel surroundings.

Of course, creating fan art like this requires a deep understanding of the character’s background. Born in India to Captain Ralph Crewe and his wife, Sara was showered with love and attention from her father, especially after her mother’s passing. Captain Crewe spared no expense when he sent his beloved daughter to Miss Minchin's seminary in London. The novel makes it clear how lavish Sara’s life was at the time—her room, extravagant furniture, a wardrobe full of beautiful dresses, a servant, a parrot, and even a pony.

That’s one of the most fascinating aspects of her character. Miss Minchin, the strict headmistress of the school, sees Sara’s wealth and assumes she’s a spoiled, selfish child. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sara’s kindness and grace win over her classmates, and even those who are initially envious or indifferent towards her can’t help but be drawn in by her sincerity. Through this fan art, I wanted to show the world what Miss Minchin couldn’t see—Sara’s inner strength and beauty.

But, as those who are familiar with the story know, Sara’s life takes a devastating turn on her birthday. She receives the news that her father has passed away, and with him, her entire fortune is lost. In a matter of moments, Sara goes from being the wealthiest girl at Miss Minchin’s school to having nothing. Miss Minchin, showing her true nature, forces Sara to become a servant, banishing her to a cold, desolate attic room shared with Becky, another servant. The once-grand life Sara had known disappears in an instant. She is made to cook, clean, and endure daily cruelty from not only Miss Minchin but also other students like Lavinia, who are all too eager to see Sara suffer.

Despite all this, Sara never loses her grace. Even in rags, she continues to imagine herself as a princess at heart, a princess not because of wealth or status but because of how she treats others. It’s this enduring sense of dignity that I wanted to capture in my artwork. Sara in my fan art still wears the beautiful birthday gown, but her posture and expression convey a deep inner strength—a strength that will carry her through the dark times ahead. I wanted to capture the essence of Sara's resilience and grace.

One of the most poignant aspects of Sara’s story is how she refuses to let the cruelty of others change her. Even when she’s at her lowest point, when she’s cold, hungry, and exhausted from endless chores, she finds ways to be kind and compassionate. She shares her food with Becky when they’re both starving. She uses her vivid imagination to transport herself and others away from their miserable surroundings, telling stories that bring hope and light into the darkest corners of their lives.

For me, that’s what makes Sara such a powerful character. She doesn’t need material wealth to be a princess. Her royalty comes from her heart. That’s why I chose to depict her in this elegant gown, as a reminder that no matter what happens to her externally, she remains a princess internally. Eventually, Sara’s fortunes change once again. She is discovered by Mr. Tom Carrisford, her father’s friend who has been searching for her ever since her father’s death. He restores Sara to her former wealth and adopts her, giving her the happy ending she so richly deserves. But even when she regains her status as a princess, Sara remains humble, kind, and generous.

This artwork is my way of paying homage to that resilience and inner beauty. It’s not just a portrait of a girl in a pretty dress. It’s a reflection of who Sara Crewe is at her core—a girl who faces unimaginable hardship with grace and dignity, a girl who never loses hope, and a girl who remains a princess, not because of her wealth, but because of her character. She remains a princess because she believes in the power of kindness and love to overcome any obstacle and she knows that true beauty comes from within.

In conclusion, creating this fan art was more than just an artistic endeavour for me. It was a way to reconnect with a character who has long inspired me and countless others. Sara Crewe’s story is one of hope, kindness, and the enduring power of imagination. Through this piece, I wanted to capture not just her physical appearance but also the essence of who she is—a true princess, in every sense of the word. In doing so, I hope to convey the magic that Sara Crewe's character exudes on the page of the book.

[ulkaralakbarova]

While planet Earth poises on the brink of nuclear self-destruction, a team of Russian and American scientists aboard the Leonov hurtles to a rendezvous with the still-orbiting Discovery spacecraft and its sole known survivor, the homicidal computer HAL. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Dr. Heywood Floyd: Roy Scheider Dr. Walter Curnow: John Lithgow Tanya Kirbuk: Helen Mirren Dr. R. Chandra: Bob Balaban Dr. David Bowman: Keir Dullea HAL 9000 (voice): Douglas Rain Caroline Floyd: Madolyn Smith Osborne Dr. Vladimir Rudenko: Savely Kramarov Christopher Floyd: Taliesin Jaffe Victor Milson: James McEachin Betty Fernandez: Mary Jo Deschanel Maxim Brailovsky: Elya Baskin Dimitri Moisevitch: Dana Elcar Dr. Vasili Orlov: Oleg Rudnik Irina Yakunina: Natasha Shneider Yuri Svetlanov: Vladimir Skomarovsky Nikolaj Ternovsky: Victor Steinbach SAL 9000: Candice Bergen Commercial Announcer: Gene McGarr Jessie Bowman: Herta Ware Film Crew: Director of Photography: Peter Hyams Production Design: Albert Brenner Costume Design: Patricia Norris Novel: Arthur C. Clarke Set Decoration: Rick Simpson Original Music Composer: David Shire Costume Supervisor: Bruce Walkup Editor: Mia Goldman Costume Supervisor: Nancy McArdle Casting: Penny Perry Editor: James Mitchell Visual Effects Supervisor: Gregory L. McMurry Set Designer: Greg Papalia Sound Designer: Dale Strumpell Stunt Coordinator: M. James Arnett Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Ray O’Reilly Camera Operator: Ralph Gerling Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Michael J. Kohut Transportation Coordinator: Randy Peters Supervising Sound Editor: Richard L. Anderson Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Aaron Rochin Music Editor: William Saracino Still Photographer: Bruce McBroom Location Manager: Mario Iscovich Set Designer: Gregory Pickrell Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Carlos Delarios Conceptual Design: Paul Huston Property Master: Marty Wunderlich Makeup Supervisor: Michael Westmore Chief Lighting Technician: John Baron Hairstylist: Vivian McAteer Script Supervisor: Marshall Schlom First Assistant Director: William S. Beasley Stunts: John C. Meier Stunts: Mic Rodgers Movie Reviews: Wuchak: _**Another trip to Jupiter to find answers**_ After the mysterious failure of the Discovery One mission to Jupiter in 2001, Dr. Heywood Floyd (Roy Scheider) resigned his position as head of the National Council for Astronautics. Several years later, the Soviets send the spacecraft Leonov & crew to Jupiter along with three Americans, including Floyd, to help investigate Discovery and the malfunction of the vessel’s sentient computer, HAL 9000. Keir Dullea returns as the missing astronaut David Bowman while Helen Mirren plays the captain of the Leonov. Bob Balaban and John Lithgow also appear as the other two American astronauts. “2010: The Year We Make Contact” (1984) is realistic science-fiction that’s less artsy and more dramatically compelling compared to its predecessor, “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968). That doesn’t make it better, of course, just different. “2001” raised questions while this one provides answers, which some people inevitably won’t like. The questions include: Why did HAL malfunction? What was the real reason for Discovery’s original mission, unknown to Floyd? What happened to Bowman? What is the purpose of the colossal monolith orbiting Jupiter? Both films compliment and counterbalance each other. This one’s more of a straightforward space adventure in the near future. Unlike Star Wars, which is space fantasy, “2010” is space-oriented adult science-fiction. Star Trek is too, but “2010” is far more realistic, which I appreciate. In other words, don’t expect any Klingons or spacecraft dogfights. This is more along the lines of “Mission to Mars” (2000) and “The Martian” (2015). The film runs 1 hours, 56 minutes. GRADE: B r96sk: A much more standard affair compared to its predecessor. Given that’s the case, I honestly enjoyed this more than ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ – if only because it’s more closer to what I’d personally want from a film than what that 1968 ...