#comfort to see one of the most iconic and famous heros ever struggle the same way we do/require the same care

[martyrbat]

[ID: the uncoloured drawing for page 4 of the comic Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #192 next to the publicized page. In them, Alfred is in a room in the Wayne Manor and is drawing back the curtains to let in the sunlight. The narration reads, ‘In the morning, it's like nothing happened,’ despite Bruce almost bleeding out from a rough patrol last night. Bruce from off panel comments, “Ah, much better with the extra light. Thank you, Alfred.” Alfred looks over and dryly replies, “You know, anyone else would be doing pretty well just to be awake”

Bruce is shown to be in an electric hospital bed and has his head wrapped in bloodstained bandages, where little tufts of black hair stick out from it. He has a neck brace on and his arm is wrapped. There's a large bandage placed on his lower face, where his stubble is also overgrown due to neglecting his personal grooming in favour of focusing on Batman related duties. The revealed room is shown to be cluttered with several large, medical machines and carts full of medical supplies — which includes sponges, oxygen tanks and masks, pain relievers, syringes, bandages, and (inexplicably) a baster. Bruce sits up in bed and is chewing at the end of a pen as he looks down at a notepad and several papers that's on an overbed table.

Alfred brings him breakfast on a tray as he remarks, “I step out for twenty minutes and you're not only awake, you're already scribbling notes. Might I impose on you to set those aside long enough for some food, if not some actual rest?” Bruce instead asks where's the coffee, to which Alfred responds, “Actually, Sir, I think the last thing your overtaxed system needs right now is more stimulant.” Bruce challenges him, “‘Overtaxed’? Is that your professional opinion?” Alfred wryly replies, “As the one who found you riddled with holes last night, I can only speculate as to their cause. However... having discounted the possibility of suicidal intention, or gross incompetence, on your part...” Bruce immediately accuses, “You think I'm trying to do more than I can actually manage.” His butler calmly justifies, “Unless you've developed some new ability that you are hiding from me, I suspect you cannot be everywhere at once.”

In the original line art, there's two plushies (a round bunny and a bat) drawn amongst all the medical supplies. Sadly, it wasn't included in the publicized version. The third photo is a description of the drawing from the artist's (Seth Fisher) website. It reads: This is one of the delightful pages in which Seth put some amusements for himself which were censored and excised by the editors, in order to retain Batman's image as a serious superhero. In this page both the bunny and the bat in the lower right frame failed to make the final cut.]

[marveloustrauma]

so, I'm clearly seeing things that aren't there

okay...

I am truly ill prepared for the next MCU phase. why you ask? well, when the MCU first launched their debate film IRON MAN in 2008 I was but 10 years old. I grew up along side many of these characters, some I love more than others it's true, many who were not treated well by the writers/producers and some who have come to pass. while watching a video essay the creator pointed out how the MCU's titular hero and villian are both fathers. Thanos sacrifices his daughter in exchange for the soul stone and the 'greater good'. that's because in Thanos' mind wiping out half of all living creatures is considered a 'correction', a 'balance' must be kept and Thanos' is willing to sacrifice his own daughter in order to do so. in Gamora's (2018) famous last words "no. this isn't love". Thanos is toxic he claims to love his children but he tortures them, destroys them, harms them and kills them (both directly and indirectly).

Tony doesn't become a father until after the events of Infinity War, yet throughout all 3 phases of the MCU Tony Stark/RDJ is considered the 'father' of the MCU. In IRON MAN 3 Tony all but adopts young Harley, in CIVIL WAR & HOMECOMING this motif is pushed even further with Tony mentoring Peter Parker. seeing Tony being a positive father figure for so many young characters is clearly a well thought out part of Tony's character arch. this is even more important to think about when you consider how Tony didn't grow up with the best dad around (granted Howard/Tony's relationship needs to be discussed in a different post cause there's a lot to cover there). it's made clear to the audience that Tony had a difficult relationship with his father (in the comics it's flat out abusive, the MCU's writers treated Howard Stark kindly being more of dismissive and passive-aggressive towards his son). in the first 2 Iron Man movies Tony works to move out of his father's shadow, this is somewhat achieved in CIVIL WAR when Tony creates B.A.R.F. which allows him to work though the emotional trauma of dealing with his parents passing (as well as other things too probably this man has serious mental health issues). this progress is hindered towards the end of CIVIL WAR but Tony still manages to reconcile with his demons enough so that when he meets his father again in ENDGAME he now understands Howard a lot better. at this point Tony himself is a father to Morgan, he knows he can't be the perfect father (Tony has struggled in the past with doing the 'right thing' AVENGERS: AOU is a good example for this). if Tony wants to build a brighter future for his daughter and avenge the fallen he has to sacrifice his own life. and he does. Tony lays his own life on the line and is finally able to rest...

-- EXCUSE ME WHILE I FUCKING SOB REAL QUICK CAUSE FUCK I'M NOT OVER HIS DEATH --

unlike Thanos Tony makes the sacrifice play if Tony truly wants to correct what has been wronged he has to take on the full repercussions. yes it means never seeing his daughter again but Morgan gets to live, his daughter gets to live her life vs. Thanos' choices which lead to the death of many of his children even his most precious Gamora (who he murdered). Thanos is an abusive and selfish father. Thanos is very similar to the father Tony grew up with, the core of Tony's demons and insecurities and when faces them, faces Thanos Tony is brave, he is resilient, he is the protector. Tony does not give up to the bitter end telling Thanos the truth, "I am Iron Man". Tony knows who he is. He is the man who will make the sacrifice play for his friends, his comrades, for all living creatures and for his daughter. Tony is a good father, damnit his the best

-- HOLD ON THESE FUCKING TEARS --

for 11 years I called Tony my father. sure I had my ups and downs with the character no one ever has a perfect relationship with their parents and yeah, he is fictional. however, I'm an introverted kid with no father who will claim me and here is this amazing and wonderful character who is shaping my youth. idealizing Tony as my father is no different to someone else claiming their favorite character is their best friend or closest companion. your comfort character as they would say.

this is why I appreciate WANDAVISION so much! besides being pure perfection for a great number of reasons the Disney+ show captures all the many stages and feelings associated with grief. it makes sense for this show to be the sequel to ENDGAME (the show takes place roughly 3/4 weeks after the events of ENDGAME). Wanda is helping us all move forward and accept the death of the characters who were slain so that the story could have a 'happy ending', a win for the heroes and death to the enemy.

now sadly, I am still recovering. and that's okay. I know that even after their gone these characters are still a part of me, just like Vision is the part of the Mind Stone that resides in Wanda. they are eternally connected and bonded.

FAR FROM HOME deserves a mention ofc. The film focuses on many things so for me the time given on Tony/Peter's relationship doesn't go into full depth, personally. yes we discuss Tony's legacy within the film however FAR FROM HOME doesn't have the same gut wrenching stomach twisting effect as WANDAVISION (these are all personal opinions. mine might not be the same as yours). still it's worth mentioning as Tony's much darker past makes an appearance, a darkness in the form of Mysterio who comes rushing straight for Peter. a son bearing the sins of his father. in the beginning of the film this weight is crushing Peter, he is unsure, grieving and far too young for all of this. yet by the end, Peter knows who he is. he knows the truth and Mysterio "can't trick... [him] anymore". Tony trusted him, Tony beieved in him and for Peter that's enough.

where was I going with this...? oh right!

I'm sad and depressed as fuck. I am eternally grateful to Robert Downey Jr.'s for his portrayal of Tony Stark. I'm so incredibly impressed with this character's arch and I love the idea of two father figures battling it out with the loving, kind and supportive father like Tony Stark winning over an abusive nut sack like Thanos.

the MCU has this strange line that they walk. on one hand there are themes, motifs and stories that feel incomplete, not yet fully realized. just short of greatness. then there are these well thought out methodical almost philosophical at times stories that are being written right before our very eyes. I suppose this is what 'family entertainment' is. as a kid I looked up to my heroes believing nothing could harm them, because the hero would always win and get to go home. as a young adult I know that the greatest heroes makes the greatest sacrifices which means... they don't always get to go home. and... that's okay because I know that Tony can finally rest knowing that his family (Pepper, Morgan, Peter, the Avengers, everyone tbh) are finally safe. the recurring nightmare has finally reached it's 'happy end'.

on a side note...

shout out to Josh Brolin! Thanos might be a saggy sack of nuts but Brolin is a an amazing actor and should not be hated for his portrayal of such an iconic villian. remember, you can hate the character but you should also appreciate the actor for their performance!

[bestnoncannonship]

Alright..I'mma get in on this VC fancasting debate.

As a director, I often have a LOT of opinions on people's casting decisions. A LOT. (Someday, I'll write a novella on Ken Brannaugh's casting.) So as I see a LOT of fancasts casts based on how people look and few based on whether or not the actor can likely handle the role, I'mma throw my hat in the ring. (Warning....the more I write the less technical and more shitposty this is gonna get!) So here you go! The Vampire Chronicles series if I got to cast and direct it!!

The Brat Prince:

Most importantly....we gotta get us a Lestat. And the choice is clear:

Evan Williams: this fabulous shitposting aesthetic trash is as close to the one and only Vampire Lestat as we are gonna get on this plane of existance. He is all charm and quite light in his loafers and a complete mess.......but most importantly, he has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is able to play a character that does inexplicable and morally reprehensible things while still being read as highly sympathetic, likable, and even a hero. That's what I worry about most with Lestat. He really is a very terrible person who doesn't learn or face too many consequences. And he has to be very very very sympathetic. Not just "Oh I Stan that villain" likeable.....but a true hero. And it takes a very. Special. Actor. To pull that shit off. And this is it. This is the guy. He was hired to play an Iago-esque gay villain type in Versailles, STOLE THE SHOW OUT FROM UNDER GEORGE BLAGDEN (no mean feat as Blaggy was giving a hell of a performance) and made his character a beloved icon. Yeah....I trust him to lead a show. I trust him to be Lestat.

Nicholas L'enfant:

Okay not gonna lie I struggled with this one. There was someone else I wanted to see in this role....but I decided he was better employed elsewhere. And this is who I ended up with:

Yep. George Blagden. See...in the grand scheme of things Nikki is a very low-screentime role that has a LOT of impact on the story. And who better to trust with low screentime that the god of grantaires, who took a few small shots and lines and GAVE US A FULLY CHARACTERIZED GRANTAIRE in the Les Mis film. He is very sweet faced, and easy to like, can make being an on screen depressive fascinating instead of dull and has proven time and time again that he is the master of the complete mental breakdown, complete with horrifying but tragic crazy eyes. Also.....he bears a strong enough physical resembles to.....

Louis!!!!:

Our beautiful depressed dark angel with a vampire eating disorder who has no self esteem and is still in love with his abuser needs nuance. He needs soul. And he needs a sweet and delicate beauty. And so:

Alexaner Vlahos!!! The soulful eyes!! The delicate bone structure!!! The slight tones of simmering resentment!!! The ability to play a character that could have become VERY one note VERY quickly with goregeous amounts of nuance and sympathy!!! Vlavla has quite the varied resume. Mordred. Phillipe. Romeo. Captain Hook. To put it lightly he has a LOT of range and the one through line is he is NEVER boring. He plays a lot of roles that could very quickly become boring and one note (Romeo? Captian snooze right there!). But every second he's on screen or stage he is so completely alive in whatever he is feeling. I TRUST him to keep the entirety of Louis's brooding nuanced and fascinating for an audience and to physically and facially convey Louis's very important internal monologue that we will not be able to hear because this version is going to be from Lestat's point of veiw. I toggled with the idea of making him Nikki for a while....but ended up with Louis for 2 reasons. 1) he doesn't need the scripted plot drama Nikki has written in to make a compelling character and 2) he and Williams share such beautiful chemistry. Whenever they're together, even off screen, their focus shifts so that they orbit each other like bianary stars and any director can see that that's something that should be explored and exploited to add demension to the Louis/Lestat relationship and justify why they keep coming back to each other.

(And so ends the Men of Versailles segment of my fancast. So sue me. There's some incredible actors there.)

Let's return with

Gabrielle De Lioncourt:

The incomparable Alex Kingston, lately of River Song fame, though I met her as Elizabeth Corday, and Doctor Corday is driving this casting choice. I wanted an actor who was an appropriate age to play Williams's mother cause we don't fuck with that women are "old" at 30 shit in this house. And she can carry off the kind of "I will not hesitate to kill a man" BDE that Gabrielle requires without trying, but she's also proven herself comfortable and competent with the level of CAMP that VC requires. I can see her easily showing up on set for a few scattered episodes, slipping easily into the verse, and nailing the kind of woman who can put Lestat in his place then run back off to the jungle. Also....that De Lioncourt hair!!!!!

Marius "Daddy" Romanus:

Yep. This fuck. I can hear it now.... "Why isn't he lessssaaaat??? He's so blonde and prettttyyyyy????" Well....mainly because....I ain't sure this lil fuck can run a show as a very despicable but likeable hero yet. He's admirable. A good actor. A great villain. But not a hero and not heroically likeable. Personally, I'm of the opinion that in 10 or 15 years he will have grown into the ability to play something as complex as Lestat with likability....but for now.....DAMN is he a creepy imperial thing. He's got that "My house, my rules" vibe down. He's preditory. He's distinguished. He is Marius. And he's go the best Roman coin profile I've ever seen.

Armand:

N/A

Ok. Controversial decision....but I want to see a complete unknown as Armand. Send casting out to cast a wide net, scour the world for the Botticelli death machine. But definitely don't pull him from the pool of already famous younguns. Because your Armand needs to be deep. Skilled. And primarily UNSPOILED by the school of child acting that is forced upon child actors. (I was a commercial kid and child stage actor. It was terrible.) Go out and get some twinky fresh faced raw talent so you get depth.

Claudia:

N/A

Big old ditto on what I said above about child actors. A nice doe eyed unknown, preferably without a stage mom.

AKASHA:

Yikes. So many amazing choices!!! How do you follow Aliyah??

With literal human perfection Gina Torres of course!!! Again....I wanted to go with an older woman. Someone who would be seen as an authority to all vampires. Someone god damnned goregeous. And someone who I find intimidating. Also, since I'm skewing a little tall with this cast (at least as TV actors go) I wanted someone who comfortably stands among and above most of them! She's a seasond tested actor, and certified badass. And we know she can steal a scene. Besides if she can look regal as a queen in that weirdass dress they gave her in the serenity movie she can pull off whatever monstrosity costumes comes up with to follow the Aliyah getup.

Khayman:

Don't @ me but....I have a LOT of feelings about Khayman. I love his particularly breed of immortal insanity. I love the way immortality drove him mad into a childlike enjoyment and curiosity. And I knew exactly who has to be casted to play that combination of intimidating ancient and innocent curiosity:

This is Howard Charles. He is capable of playing both an intimidating giant and a sweet soulful cinnamon roll at the same time. I cannot sing this man's praises enough. Am I scared of him? Do I want to hug him? Both? He's also one of the best scene SHARERS I've seen on screen in a long time and that's very important in a supporting role.

Maharet:

Just because Anne Rice doesn't know shit about Mesopotamia doesn't mean we have to follow her in that. I wanted to pull from Middle Eastern or Indian populations for her to best reflect the look of the region in a time that's roughly in line with the pre-dynastic Egyptian mish-mosh associated with Akasha.

So I'm gunning for Indira Varma. When I say this woman has timeless beauty.....I mean timeless. She's as prehistorically hot as she is today. And she's such a strong actress, I want to give her a role that isn't 50% sex scenes. She's got both the warmth and the commanding strength to play Maharet. I would ideally like to get a dancer to play Mekare....someone who can handle the physical interp of the role. Probably an Indian dancer to match Indira Varma.

David Talbot:

In the newly declared tradition of Doctors playing Talbot:

This is the only current Gif I could find of Sylvester McCoy. Known to many as the Seventh Doctor. And to many as Ratagast the Brown. He embodies that sort of huffy aging britishness that David projects, but has the over the top personality that can give us those hints of the vitality of David's youth. Basically I can see this man telling stories about hunting tigers in India. Then when he gets the hot young Raglan James Body:

Luke Pasqualino. Swarthy young troublemaker. But for all the youthful good looks, he proved that he was able to play grace and gravitas as D'artagnion in the final season of the BBC Musketeers. I'd love to give him a chance to explore that deeper part. I also trust his ability to match the energy of a cast, which he did repeatedly on musketeers, and portray both the impulsive self aggrandizing Lestat in the Raglan James body and to play the DarkAU Musketeer type that is Raglan James himself.

That's literally all the Gifs I can put in a post. I know I skipped Daniel......but that's because I have surprisingly few opinions on Daniel.......he's very much a vanilla audience connecting character. I'd almost like to see an unknown in that role....just to see what we a new face could make.

And thus ends my casting of the Vampire Chronicles!!

[aerialsquid]

Noodling Part VI: Tsukuda Gets Schooled

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Note: One more chapter to go after this unless something unthinkable happens - I’ll eventually be popping it up all up on AO3 as well, once someone’s had a chance to take a look at it for betaing.

--

Aizawa waited inside the dark supply closet for one of Might Agency's many conference rooms. Yagi was huddled next to him, hunched with his face turned away, a gesture Aizawa recognized as 'trying to hide emotion unsuitable for my public image'.

Through the crack of the door hinge he could see the main conference room door open, and a young man in a Might Agency namebadge and polo shirt escorted in Tsukuda Jidai. The man was slender, much like his daughter, and wore a suit that was as expensive as it was completely boring.

"Even with the recent setbacks, All Might's still one of our favorite clients," Tsukuda was saying with a bright but not overly amused customer-service smile. "It's always an honor to come down here and see what he's built."

The young man escorting Tsukuda chuckled. "Really, that's so kind of you to say. I'll make sure he hears that you mentioned that."

Aizawa's hand found Yagi's long fingers and briefly intertwined with them. He didn't look down, but he felt the taller man's muscles untense ever so slightly at his touch.

"I always think it's important to have heroes who show strong moral fiber and set an example for the populace. It doesn't just protect us, it inspires us to be better people."

"I couldn't agree more, Mr. Tsukuda. Would you please take a seat?"

You're making marketing deals with All Might's agency with your right hand and jerking it to him with your left hand. Nice life you've got set up for yourself, asshole.

Aizawa met Yagi's piercing blue eyes, two points of shimmering sapphire light glinting in the darkness, and gave a nod.Yagi took in as deep a breath as possible, squeezed Aizawa's hand once more, and then released it.

He twisted open the door and stepped out, bending his head slightly to get through the doorway. "Then your actions are particularly puzzling, Mr. Tsukuda!" he boomed, with all the booming he could get out of his tight chest.

"Um. What." Tsukuda's eyes drifted from Yagi's sharp, impossible to miss face to the sullen-eyed black-clad man beside him. This time, Aizawa felt no shame in basking in the panic his appearance brought.

"Creating material intended as blackmail for myself and my colleague. That's quite a villain move! Perhaps I have not been setting a good example if I led you to feel that was acceptable."

"Or perhaps he's just a very poor student," chirped the third person to emerge from the storage closet. Principal Nezu hopped up onto one of the conference room chairs and used it as leverage to clamber onto the table. He was dressed in one of his nicer sweater vests and a tasteful red tie. The soles of his loafers made little squeaks as he crossed the span of the conference table.

Tsukuda jerked back from Nezu into his plush rolling office chair, hands clamping on the armrests. "I...I have no idea what you're talking about. Ha ha! Blackmail, what? That's ridiculous. Who would blackmail you? Do you have any proof of it?"

"Not just proof, but a witness."

"What? Witness? How?"

"I think you might recognize me better like this." The young man who'd escorted Tsukuda in stood up. His fingers dug into his face and ran over his slicked-back blonde scalp, tugging flesh and hair upward until they formed All Might's shining facade and iconic antennae.

"Watashi ga kita, bitch," said Samejima with a thousand-watt grin.

"Please don't say that with my face."

"Sorry, All Might."

Mr. Tsukuda went pale. One arm wrapped around himself as he struggled for breath, surrounded by people who were experts at the glare of shame. (And Nezu, who had his own brand of 'disappointed dad' expression that was all the more painful for being on such a cute face.)

"I...I don't…" He bowed low in his seat, hugging himself tightly. "I'm so sorry, I never...I had no intention of injuring your reputation, All Might! It was a mistake, an impulse!"

"Would you offer that same apology to Aizawa?" Yagi rumbled.

"I--" He looked at Aizawa, who looked like he'd bite the man's fingers off for trying it. "It was...I had no other option! He's doing a terrible job and they wouldn't fire him! He ruined my daughter's life! There was no other way to make him pay, to make him stop before he ruined someone else."

Aizawa snorted. He stayed in place, arms folded, derisive. "Oh, don't pretend this is charity. When was the last time you even spoke to your daughter, Tsukuda?"

Tsukuda pointed accusingly at him and rolled the office chair back further. "She could have been a great hero, a famous hero, and you ruined her!"

"Do you know what the mortality rate is for heroes under thirty, Mr. Tsukuda? The suicide rate? The rate of career ending injuries? The percentage currently experiencing untreated PTSD?"

Tsukuda paused, taken aback. Aizawa didn't give him time to get in another jab.

"My job as a teacher is to make my students into functional pro heroes. Your job is to make your child into a happy, healthy adult. If I had succeeded at my job with Jiodo, you'd have failed at yours. You put the prestige of being a hero over what would make her content in life, and then you threw a hissy fit when I wasn't an accessory to it."

"She could have done it," Tsukuda hissed through gritted teeth.

"She could have. And she didn't. Deal with it like a damn adult - she's managed to."

A tiny soft paw rested on Aizawa's forearm, quieting him. Nezu, all pleasant smiles and soft edges, took another step forward. His hands came to rest behind his back.

"Do you know what I am, Mr. Tsukuda?"

Tsukuda stared at him, and rolled his chair over to put more of the table between him and Aizawa's glower. "Um. You're the principal of UA?" he offered weakly, looking Nezu up and down.

"Haha! Technically correct but no! I mean, do you know my species?"

"Your. Um. Your what?"

Nezu laughed, resting his hands on his hips. "Honestly, I'm not sure myself. There's a few different strains in me, and genetically speaking I'm really an entirely new species. Fascinating, isn't it?"

"Um. Uh. Yes, sir?"

"There was a long period where I opted to pass as a heteromorphic human, for the sake of easing my path in the world, but I have since come to a greater comfort in expressing what I am." He patted his chest with confidence. "As you might expect, dealing with people who are very concerned about their societal standing and preferred to avoid dealing even with a human who was short and furry has brought me a lot of trouble over the years.  And I do somewhat understand. I've been in your place, I've also had significant concerns with UA's curriculum and strategy in the past. Do you know what I did about it?"

"N...no?" Tsukuda clearly had no idea where this conversation was going, but was helpless to pull himself out of its flow. The teachers under his rule had learned a long time ago that it was helpless to resist when he got into a monologue.

Nezu laughed again and struck a small pose, arms raised like a company mascot. "I became the principal. Ha ha, how about that?" His arms dropped again, and he moved forward until he was nearly nose to adorable nose with Tsukuda.

"There is only so much I can do. Pro hero is a dangerous, violent job, and by necessity the training for it is rigorous. And I am, if not human, only mortal. I make mistakes, and not small ones either. But I want UA above all to be a place where our students can feel wanted and safe - because they are going to graduate into a world that is becoming more dangerous every day, and they're going to do it in a career that puts a massive target on each of their backs. For that, what I care about are teachers who have been where those students will one day be, and who can bring that wisdom to bear. Teachers who are intelligent, driven, and kind but still strict--and teachers who know when the kindest thing to do for a student is cut them down before a villain cuts them down in the field. Or worse."

Aizawa faintly remembered Nezu joking, during a staff excursion to a bar, that running UA was part of his secret long-term world domination scheme. Teach the children up right, the children become adults, the adults run the world as they were taught to do as children. Perhaps it had been meant as a joke, but there was some underlying truth to it. Nezu was dissatisfied with the world he had been birthed into and largely distrusted the humans who controlled it. Being a teacher let him, in some small way, begin to change it.

"The only reputation I'm concerned about," Nezu continued. "Is our reputation as a competent educational facility. Even if it were real footage, and even if you had made it public, there was nothing on that recording you sent us that compromises their integrity as teachers. "

That's not somehow a ringing endorsement of your porn, Samejima, thought Aizawa, shooting a brief glance at the pornographer. Stop looking proud of that statement.

"Not that you will be making it public," Yagi broke in. "If you do, our mutual acquaintance has promised to in turn make public the payments you've made to him, and the saved records of all messages sent between you. It seems you didn't stumble over a person who made this type of video by accident. A very naughty habit for a married man, Mr. Tsukuda."

Tsukuda's eyes bulged in horror. "But...he'd be exposed too! The world would know his secret!" He grabbed at his chest, as if experiencing a heart attack at the very thought of it. "He'd never be able to work again!"

"Unlike you, Mr. 'All Most' has moral standards that go beyond his need to maintain his career. He is willing to take that penalty in exchange for ensuring that truth and justice are maintained." He patted Samejima on the shoulder. Samejima's grin widened so far that the ends of it nearly met around the back of his head.

"And in exchange for such kindness, any legal repercussions for Mr. All Most due to his courageous actions will be handled by my personal legal team. I'm no expert, but I am told they are the best money can hire."

Tsukuda cowered down into himself. "I'm so, so sorry. I have always had the highest of respect for--"

"Please, no more lies. You objectified and fetishized the body that I had, but used this body to humiliate me and my coworker for petty revenge. You thought someone loving me would be humiliating for both of us. That someone loving this body would be seen as disgusting."

"I prefer skinnier men anyway. Not into the muscle look." Almost immediately, Aizawa regretted opening his mouth. He'd hoped that Tsukuda's panicked mind wouldn't be able to grasp the deeper meaning, but no such luck. Tsukda gaped at the both of them, fingers digging into his arms.

"Wait. Wait, you are. Wait. No. What?"

Eh, screw it. Aizawa kept his eyes off Yagi as he spoke, rage simmering under his veins. The horror on Tsukuda's face was like sweet, sweet necter of the gods. "You really had no idea, did you? The most terrible, shameful fate you could come up with was the truth. What a small, petty man you are. I can't imagine such a life, focused on rigid societal goals...if I gave a damn about that, I wouldn't be where I am now."

Tsukuda looked to Nezu for support, expecting the principal to share his horror, but found no solace. In desperation he looked to Samejima (why he thought there'd be sympathy there was anyone's guess) but saw only giddy glee on the man's rubbery face. Then, reluctantly, he looked to Yagi.

Yagi was smiling. Not with that big, All Might trademarked grin that was plastered on at least one poster in every room of the building, but a gentle, nostalgic smile that softened his angular features. For a moment, he was looking at Aizawa as if Aizawa was the only man in the room who could see him.

"And I count myself lucky that he didn't."

[shintorikhazumi]

Snippet #5: "Shiny Chariot, Dreamy Diana!"

Snippet!! It’s been a while… And I am sooo guilty about this… Sorry @lizanime3

Snippet #5: “Shiny Chariot, Dreamy Diana!”

“A&B are watching TV and after a while, A closes their eyes. Thinking they are asleep, B starts watching their favorite animated movie from when they were a kid, not knowing A is wide awake and trying hard not to laugh at how adorable it is that B still likes kiddie movies.”

I thought of placing Akko as B, but with her character, she pretty much IS a fawning-over-kidstuff kind of person. Plus I wanna see cute Diana… Sooooo… Y'know what I’m trying to say here?

Also, would it be alright if it were a series instead of a movie? @lizanime3

Set after they are married ^~^ *-*-*-*-*-*-*

“-And that was the latest report related to witches this evening. Next up, a new brand of ramen is bor-” A loud yawn sounded throughout the room as the click of the remote signalled the changing of the channels.

“Soooo boriiinnggg!!!” Akko drawled, eyes barely open as she slumped against her wife, feeling heavier by the minute. “Diana, why do we have to watch this?” She asked, lips seeking the skin of her wife’s collar, peppering tickling kisses there as Diana let out a breathy sigh, the arm wrapped around Akko’s shoulders, tightening their hold.

“Because it’s work-related.” She pressed her lips to her wife’s forehead, feeling the other woman’s weight rest more fully against her. “Lately, Luna Nova and witches in general have been getting much more attention, so as the headmistress, I must see to it that I am well informed of these affairs.”

The blonde giggled, hugging Akko tighter after a rather tired yawn, eyes fluttering, struggling and failing to stay awake.

“But it’s borriiinnngg… It makes me sleepy.” Diana chuckled, hands roaming in search of Akko’s to entwine them.

“Says the most famous lecturer and professor of witches. And can you settle down even for a while? You are always so busy, dealing with world issues and such, being a hero and a mentor. Isn’t this the same?”

The brunette snorted, shifting a bit so that she was tucked in Diana’s collar, lips dancing along the slope of her neck. “I’ll have you know my lectures are exciting and fun. Not like…. These."She pointed at the drone of the news on the screen. "Boring little things.”

Diana couldn’t keep another laugh as she nuzzles her head against her wife’s, before leaning it on the hero’s shoulder.

They stayed that way a while, enjoying the silent ambience and warmth- til Diana felt the pace of Akko’s heart and breathing drop, steadier, fuller and slower, more relaxed.

Akko had fallen asleep.

Knowing, but wanting to actually confirm this, Diana sneaked a peek at the shorter woman’s face, seeing her eyelids shut, twitching from time to time, a flutter of her breath producing gentle snoring- contrary to popular belief, Akko was a very quiet sleeper, surprisingly enough.

With a loving smile, Diana planted a kiss atop her head, brushing a few of her now longer bangs from her face.

“Sleep well.” She murmured against Akko’s lips before a bubbly, childish excitement overtook her at seeing the digits on their clock on the wall.

‘12:30am’

She had never admitted to anyone, not even her own partner, that she had this large secret, one that should never see the light of day.

Airing at this time, was a show… A poor low-budget, low-quality series that would probably get cut soon, and Diana had always wondered why this horribly animated and poor portrayal of one iconic and “disdainful” witch character had yet to be done away with after so many years.

As the theme song played, the soft glow from the television casting it’s light on Akko, Diana lowered the volume, eyes bright in contrast to the dimly lit room.

In bold, flashy letters, the words- “Adventures of Shiny Chariot” were read across the screen.

It killed Diana that she was far too invested in this trashy, childish… Whatever this was. And it didn’t help that she had that few bits of pride that she did deserve to have, but still. This was far too compromising a secret to be found out.

Yet here she was, starry eyed as she watched her hero dance on stage, fight crime to some disarray the creators of the show referred to as “music”.

She sighed, both in bliss and in exasperation, though that twinkle in her eye never ceased to exist.

Every move Chariot did, well her cartoon counterpart did, every flick and toss of her wand, every step her feet tapped reminded Diana of the days she would beg her maids and mother for a custom set of Chariot wear so that she too might be able to waltz the stage.

Unbeknownst to her, in her silent, secretive admiration, another lass, eyes filled with mirth, could not take back the attention Diana stole, trying not to make even a squeak or giggle.

Ruby reds laughed mutely, watching every twitch of the corner of the blonde’s lips, every flutter of her long, thick lashes, and every restrained chuckle, giggle, laugh she let out. Akko almost made a sound when Diana snorted, horrified at the realization that she could not slap a hand over her mouth lest her motions alert her wife to her being awake. They were close enough to one another that one movement from Akko would jeopardize her viewing.

Silence wasn’t too golden at times.

But Akko would endure this silence if only to enjoy the child-like enjoyment if her other half. It was endearing and adorable to see that sparkle in bright diamonds, that wide, informal and unrestrained grin of ecstasy, Akko loved it.

She would stay silent a bit longe-

Diana’s sudden intense fit of giggling and laughter was too much for Akko, coupled with the tiny sneeze she made before laughing at her own silliness, it was irresistable and Akko just HAD to love her a million times more.

“Cute!” She exclaimed, squeezing her wife tightly while peppering kisses all over the now petrified woman.

“A-Akko?! S-since when?!”

The brunette laughed. “Since when what? Since when have I loved you? Since forever~” She sang, rocking them back and forth. “So adorable.. So even Diana Cavendish-” Akko said while the heiress blushed hard.

“-Kagari.” Her wife added

“Still has the heart of a child.”

“Th-there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?! Hmph!” She said, turning from the smirking professor. “And since when have you been awake?! Don’t tell me you haven’t been in dreamland at all!”

“I have.” Akko said, poking Diana’s cheek, trying to get her to face Akko.

“Then do share what it was about. What do you dream about?” Diana said, still pouting.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Akko spoke, wrapping her arms around Diana to hug her from behind.

“?”

“You are my dream. My dreamy Diana. The dreamy lady who runs the goshdarn best magic school ever and is the GREATEST witch in the world! Who tries to cook my favorite meals and gives me hugs and kisses… And work…” Diana giggled a bit, giving in to Akko as she leaned back into the embrace.

“At least you get work.”

“Who is so, so beautiful… Mature. Dependable, responsible but can also be so adorably childish, fawning over Shiny Chariot, My Dreamy Diana.”

Despite being seen in this embarrassing state, Diana decided it wasn’t so bad if it were Akko. A secret for one was now shared by two.

Planting a kiss on her wife’s lips, growing ever sleepy as the show came to a close, in the comfort of her wife’s warm embrace and soft kisses, Diana mumbled her I love you’s and good nights.

“You are also my dream.”

“I love you too.” Akko responded, tucking Diana under her arm and letting her rest on the brunette’s chest. “My dreamy Diana, sweet dreams…”

You are my dream… My dream come true...

[zidanesleftfoot]

Like many kids before, of, and after my generation my love of football came from my father. I remember he had a collection of so many great football video tapes. Growing up in the 90′s the Liverpool one’s consisted of season reviews that saw Robbie Fowler and Steve Mcmanamann tearing it up and just winning one trophy. One video was a bit more special than the rest, it had “PELE” printed on the side and it was about the footballing life of the player who, at the time, was considered the greatest of all time. This journey of a Black man that started in Greyscale and ended in technicolour glory, racism didn’t exist to this child.

You grow up a bit, go to school, someone calls you a paki, start buying your own music, discover hip-hop and you realise that maybe what you saw in that video wasn’t the full story. About the same time, another Brazilian is breaking the ceiling of what we thought was possible as footballer. Ronaldo another idol, another player you love as a football fan. Another Black man. 

You start secondary school, the education system consider you someone they can start challenging and so do your family, telling you the history of your ancestors. Your history teacher tells you about the enslavement of Black people, Public Enemy explain the emancipation never happened and your family say they were never considered citizens. Luckily at school we Black, Brown and White kids realised our strength lay in togetherness. 

You’re edging towards being an adult, Ronaldinho is the latest great to light up the world, Brazilian and utterly untouchable. You’re a bit older, listening to the way pundits describe players, I even heard someone describe Ronaldinho as an incredible athlete, no utterance of him also being possibly the most skilful player to ever play the game. Oh and let’s not forget the greatest African player of all time, Samuel E’too, the clinical edge of the fantasy Ronaldinho and their greatness on the pitch realised by a cerebral and legendary player turned coach, Frank Rijkaard. Three black men from three continents showing the globe the best football in the most competitive industry in the world. Imagine thinking people were less than you based on the colour of their skin.

At this point in life you listen back to albums you were told are legendary and suddenly have the ability to start understanding them beyond the banging beats. I went back to the golden era of hip-hop; 36 chambers, The Infamous, Low End Theory, 3 Feet High and Rising, Ready to Die, All Eyez on Me, Aquemini, ATLiens and of course Illmatic. At the same time we had the first real generation of Black stars in the English league. Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Patrice Evra, Patrick Viera, Gilberto Silva, Jay Jay Okocha and the greatest Premier League player of all time, Thierry Henry. 

My Dad took me to my first Liverpool game in 1997, a 1-0 home loss to Barnsley, how times have changed both on and off the pitch. Little did I know that my Dad had found it hard to go to games in his lifetime. The stardom of the Black players I've listed above signaled a change in times. Being black and playing in England, let alone playing for England, was now acceptable but before my time it was a contentious issue. The brilliance of the players of my teenage years was allowed because Black players from the 70′s and 80′s (John Barnes being one of my dad’s favourite players) defied the racist chants, bananas thrown on the pitch, to dazzle the crowds with their brilliance. So the overt racism had largely evaporated but the subtle tones of Black players being different never left the airways.

Leave school and now at University, young man in the big city, think I know it all and also exposed to more ideas, cultures and music than I could ever wish for. This period of fulfilment met with the most successful national football team of all time starting their success with Marcos Senna being the calming elder head of a midfield and also the only black man in the Spanish team. At the same time the greatest team of all time started their story by beating Manchester United in the Champions League Final. Barcelona had an injury crisis in defence that night in Rome so their manager decided that the best solution was to put Ivory Coast Midfielder, Yaya Toure, in the heart of the defence. A demonstration that the best manager of our generation saw that he had the intelligence and ability to play an unfamiliar position in the biggest match in club football. A commanding performance and then a transfer to England. 

Yaya is an important story, he came to England primarily playing as a defensive midfielder, just turned out his most iconic performance in defence and ended up being one of the most beautiful players to play in England. It shouldn’t be denied that the first thing you saw was that he was an incredibly imposing figure, but so was Branislav Ivanovic, as soon as the match started you realised he was also probably the best footballer on the pitch. He controlled midfield with intelligence, assuredness and striking the ball in such a caressing way. So that’s why it was questionable to see pundits, old and young, describe him primarily as “powerful”, “a specimen” and “a beast”. Sure he was famous for some rampaging runs through midfield but let’s be honest, he saw a picture unfold in front of him before it happened and I'm sure Lionel Messi will tell you that dribbling the ball 30 or 40 yards is more about immense technique than it is about being fast and strong. He is one of an incredibly small group of midfielders to score 20 league goals in a season, hardly just an athlete. Yaya saw it as much and even came out saying that African players aren’t respected as players because of underlying prejudice. 

At the time the story wasn’t picked up much, just another black man complaining? And why should we really worry? Yaya is African, our society is past these things in Britain (sound like empire much). Unfortunately for people of this mindset, things were about to hit a little closer to home, Kendrick released To Pimp a Butterfly, a revolution in Hip-Hop, an empowering record and a few years later Raheem Sterling turned the mirror on British society by slamming newspapers for fuelling the racial hatred of the social media age. 

Kendrick released that album towards the end of the Obama presidency, before the Orange Man decided to start his racist rhetoric, it spoke of the destructive power of fame, his feeling of worthlessness as a black man in modern America, his pride in the roots of his community, policy brutality, depression, hope, the importance of family, the importance of understanding yourself. All this whilst America was being run by a Black President. Nothing changed. 8th of December 2018 and Raheem Sterling was racially abused by a couple of Chelsea fans as he went to take a corner during a league game, his face actually dropped as he heard them but he stoically continued. A few months earlier England had just reached the Semi-Final of the World Cup. All of the players put in a valiant effort, I get home and Raheem Sterling had apparently played poorly, my friends say he was good but the team just didn’t work out. Why is he being hated on? Are people still raging about the gun tattoo he got which actually had its provenance in denouncing gun violence? Probably not, as Raheem pointed out in an Instagram post, media stories about his personal life and that of other Black players, contrasted wildly to that of their White counterparts. Raheem buys him Mom a house, what an extravagant purchase. White Manchester City youth player being a house for his family, “a family man”. England Hero but nothing changed. 

Raheem will always go down as an important part of English football and societal culture for me because of this. He sat in a position of power, saw that some things were worth the blow back and decided to risk his own comfort for those that come after him. This last weekend Jadon Sancho, the next star of the England team, had one of the best days of his career to date by scoring his first hat-trick but he decided to put the focus on George Floyd by displaying a message of support after he scored. So if you love football and struggle to understand why the events of the last week should bother you, or even worse, why you shouldn’t be opposed to them, then I hope I've given you an insight as to why our community is built and relies on the gifts of Black people.

Peace.