#commander fox gives advice

[st4r-t3ars]

Sir, this is the Coruscant Guard

[thestarwarslesbian]

Bail: Obi. I can't BELIEVE Breha suggested asking you of all people for help with this, but I need your help. Obi-wan, confused and offended: What the kriff for? Bail: Well, me and Breha… Like Fox and we don't know how else to hint it to him.

Obi-wan, internally: *This is my chance. But I can't outright tell Bail that Fox also likes them, because he asked me specifically not to tell anyone, especially Bail and Breha.* Obi-wan, internally: *so just act dumb*

Obi-wan: Who's Fox? Obi-wan: internally screaming: *NOT THAT DUMB*

[stealthetrees]

Cody and Obi-wan are tryna figure out how do do something one day and Cody sudjests they call Fox for advice cause he’s got a talent for finding loopholes and hidden paths so they call him up and he’s very professional and gives exelent advice.

So the call him again some time later for a different problem and his advice is a bit unorthodox but hey, it works.

So Commander Fox is the go to for advice when you can’t figure a way out but he does get stranger. Coruscant has changed him. His ideas and plans become less like strategy and would be better called cons. Shit like “prove his wine collection is counterfeit to make him loose credibility” and “get his hockey team into the big leagues so the war profiteering is uncovered in the audit”. His plans become better, but Fox himself becomes increasingly unhinged, like wandering the comm while he’s meeting with the chancellor or in the middle of a fire fight, hacking their ship to get the briefing to save time, awnsering in a fake accent cause he’s expecting someone else.

[comicaurora]

Hey Red, sorry if this was asked already, but do you have any advice on writing a trickster hero? And do you have any favorites yourself?

Huh! This is something I've never really thought too hard about before, but I do have some loose and unformed thoughts!

So the trickster archetype is, broadly, a character who wins by being cunning and tricking the people around them. Typically this is because they are an underdog facing a powerful opponent, and if they face that opponent on the terms that opponent defines, they'll lose. For instance, a physically strong opponent might want to make everything into a contest of raw force; a politically powerful opponent might want to make things a legal battle; a commander of a large army might want to battle on a flat terrain-less battlefield and overpower the smaller enemy force through raw numbers; etc etc.

A trickster doesn't have the raw power to make a scenario happen. Instead, they achieve that scenario by making other characters make it happen, usually by misleading them into thinking it'll have some other outcome they want.

A classic example of this is found in a Brer Rabbit story where Brer Rabbit has been snatched by Brer Fox, and Brer Rabbit begs and pleads with him to not throw him into that briar patch, oh the torment he would experience in that briar patch would be unimaginable, drowning or burning would be bad but still better than that briar patch. Brer Fox naturally throws him into the briar patch, at which point Brer Rabbit vanishes into the underbrush and helpfully clarifies that he was born and bred in a briar patch. He was unable to escape through his own power, so instead he convinced Brer Fox that yeeting him into the briar patch would give Brer Fox something he wanted (Brer Rabbit's unimaginable torment) when in actuality it gave Brer Rabbit exactly the cover he needed to escape. It only worked because Brer Rabbit understood that Brer Fox was fundamentally not just hungry, he was cruel.

Tricksters usually achieve victory through lying, stealing, sneaking around and generally being dishonest. These are usually not seen as heroic traits, but the trickster hero is an archetype of character who is broadly heroic - and uses trickster tactics to win. It's an interesting suite of character traits to balance. In order to make a trickster heroic, them being the underdog usually needs to be played up. It's not really easy to root for someone with power to manipulate people for their own ends, but it's easy to root for someone scrappy and underleveled to manage to gumption their way to a victory over a broadly superior opponent.

A sympathetic trickster usually isn't someone who picks fights. Trouble comes to them, and then they need to find a way to escape or stop it. This is the paradigm that makes Bugs Bunny work as a trickster hero - he starts off basically every adventure minding his own business, and when someone comes around with a blunderbuss and a hankering for rabbit stew, their actions are what prompts him to unleash absolute hell on them by using toon physics and trapping them in ironclad social conventions to completely unbalance them until they're eventually defeated.

If we see a big, loud, powerful jerk try to stomp on someone small and innocuous, we're inclined to root for the small and innocuous person. This setup makes us very eager to see the small and innocuous person use tricks and shenanigans to make a fool of the powerful jerk, and it automatically makes us more okay with the sympathetic character doing on-paper unheroic things like lies and manipulation as long as they're doing them to someone we're primed to dislike.

So trickster heroes are usually fundamentally reactive characters. Something bad happens and they respond by unleashing hell. Another easy way to make a character instantly more heroic is to give them an even weaker, even more sympathetic character to protect or assist. Thus, many trickster heroes have a suite of supporting characters they're protecting who are not tricksters by nature, and are instead just there to be endangered or bullied by Nasty Mean Powerful People. Our trickster heroes stepping in to aid and protect other people thus gives their actions an even more heroic cast, because not only are they reactive to an outside threat, they're selflessly reactive.

This is the framing that's used in Leverage, where every episode has a victim of the week being cruelly taken advantage of by a jerkass of the week, at which point our team of liars, grifters and thieves roll up to ply their trade on the jerkass and award the spoils of war to the victim of the week. Because the person they're tricking is proven unequivocally to be truly awful and completely insulated from legal consequence a solid 98% of the time, we don't feel particularly bad seeing our team of heroes manipulate, gaslight and eventually absolutely destroy them over the course of a crisp 40 minutes. The vileness of the villain combos with the innocent powerlessness of the person they're advocating for, and thus their assorted unheroic qualities become reframed as absolutely heroic due to the circumstances under which they use them.

Crucial to the formula is the horrendous nastiness of the villain of the week, because if we were even kind of sympathetic to them, the schemes of the protagonists would be kinda scary. They are very good at quickly getting the bad guy to trust them and then taking apart everything they've built, and that's only fun to watch if the audience is 100% sure the villain deserves it and is not going to spend too much time thinking "wow, it would be terrifying if that happened to me." The fact that our heroes almost always take them down simply by leveraging (heh) the bad guy's badness is a big part of what makes the formula work. Almost every episode is functionally similar to a Briar Patch scenario - "oh gosh I sure hope no SOULLESS CAPITALIST VAMPIRES take advantage of how MANIPULABLE I am to try and get my MONEY and/or VALUABLES", and then the villain's own established cruelty cascades into their downfall when it runs into the dominos our heroes have set up to expose them. And that does a lot to make the audience sympathize with a crew of four self-admitted terrible people (and Hardison, who's an angel and we're delighted to have him)

Another way to get the audience to root for a potentially nonstandard protagonist is to set them up against a villain who is smug. Smugness is a very dangerous trait for any character to have, because it primes the audience to want to see them break. A villain who thinks they are too powerful or too strong or too smart to be defeated has the audience immediately rooting for them to be proven wrong just so they can watch the expression on their face. This is the strat they use in Columbo.

Every Columbo villain is rich and powerful and very insulated from legal consequences, and we start every episode seeing them arrange and execute an attempt at a perfect murder. We know from the start how they did it and usually why, and because they are smug - they are almost never regretful or reluctant - we become invested in seeing how Columbo figures out what they did, how they did it, and how he can prove it and get them arrested. Columbo is a nonstandard kind of trickster hero, because he is deeply and fundamentally a Lawful Good archetype, but he is also a very casual liar. The only time the audience sees Columbo almost certainly telling the truth is when he's dealing with background characters, his fellow policemen or his dog, or when he's by himself silently putting the pieces together; at all other points in the episode he will typically conceal how much he knows, how he knows what he knows and why he's asking specific probing questions. The audience has a tremendous amount of dramatic irony in terms of information about the perfect murder Columbo has to disassemble; we'll see Columbo zero in on exactly the one small detail that pokes a hole in the supposed airtight alibi, but instead of saying "I think you killed them and I am determined to prove it" he'll dance around why he's focusing on those details - just curiosity, just a desire for completeness, his superiors told him to continue the case and he doesn't know why, his wife is just such a big fan of their work, etc etc.

As a rule, the first time in any given episode that Columbo admits he's suspicious of the villain is the beginning of the last scene of the episode when he proves that they did it and they subsequently surrender. When Columbo is dealing with the villain, absolutely nothing he says can be trusted until that final scene - and it's a rare treat to get a glimpse of Columbo showing an honest emotion, especially something like genuine fury. Most of the time he maintains a very harmless and affable attitude, but sometimes when the villains are very smug and they know he's suspicious of them but can't prove anything yet, his righteous anger peeks through and we see why he does this.

He's a trickster hero because he can't unravel the case, the villain's motivation and the shape of the crime if the villain knows everything he knows and can correspondingly keep up with him. But he is 100% committed to exposing the truth of the situation and making the murderer face justice. Their perfect alibi is supposed to protect them from everything, but it's their confidence and certainty that they could never be caught that Columbo leverages to win. They never know entirely what to make of him, and he's never wholly honest with them - and with the audience - until the very end of the episode. It's good, cathartic payoff to an episode's worth of lies and manipulation from both main players, and it's always fun to see the non-smug party on the side of justice come out on top.

Some trickster heroes are more like standard heroes with trickster tendencies that occasionally surface. These guys are usually pretty straightforward, but in a pinch they can bust out a surprisingly cunning scheme or two - one such moment hits at the climax of Across the Spider-Verse, and it's a great moment of characterization for Miles, who has thus far been a pretty typically heroic guy who has unfortunately spent the entire movie thus far being lied to by people he trusted. It kicks off an enormously long and complicated chase sequence that takes the entire spider-community out of the home base chasing him through an absolutely massive complex and eventually onto a space elevator. It's such a fluid scene, you kind of just accept that it's a desperate chase sequence - Miles is just running. It doesn't occur to the other spider-people that Miles might have a plan beyond running until he basically tells Miguel that, hey, he did just get every other spider-person out of the facility that has the portal to get him home. He wasn't just running away, he was luring everybody away so he can leave.

And this moment is fantastic on a meta-level, because Spider-Man is traditionally a bit of a trickster hero. Most of his enemies are able to physically outpace him, and he needs to use mobility and strategy to take them down, often luring them into environments that work against them - like a fun moment in Spectacular Spider-Man where Spidey defeats the Rhino by luring him into a steam tunnel and basically giving him heatstroke through his armor plating. But because the entire core theme of this movie is "Miles isn't a real Spider-Man," it literally doesn't seem to occur to the other spider-people that Miles's seemingly panicked running might be him pulling a Spider-Man on them. We're so used to being in Miles's head and knowing when he's got a plan or a ploy that this is a very fun moment to watch. He's successfully deceived an entire army of spider-people, and the audience is just as blindsided as Miguel - and a little less electrocuted, so it's a lot more fun for us.

So yea, trickster heroes are a fun little space of character, but you gotta be careful to put them in the right kind of situation, lest their fundamental dishonesty come across as alarming rather than extremely rad.

[rooksunday]

fluffcember day fourteen: winter soup

It wasn't precisely unusual to find Fox in the galley of the Coruscant Guard headquarters, but until that moment, Stone hadn't realised Fox knew the function of anything apart from the caf machine. Yet there Fox stood, his curls and face still creased from sleep, bare-footed in his undersuit and glowering at a large pot as if it were late to turn in an incident report.

Stone sidled into the galley and helped himself to a mug of caf from the station by the door, where it had been arranged to prevent the commanders from bothering hardworking troopers while they were doing real work.

(That Fox had copied the phrasing word for word spoke loudly about his respect for the self-proclaimed Corrie head chef, Sergeant Chop. Chop had stalked into the galley on their first day on Coruscant and declared it hers, so everyone else should kindly kriff off and leave her to it. Recognising her claim, off they had all duly kriffed.)

Sipping his caf, Stone looked a question at Chop, who stood at the stove tending a giant pot of her own. Chop shook her head, indicating that she didn't know what Fox was doing, either. Presumably he'd been permitted to invade the sacred culinary space as it was early enough that Fox wouldn't get in anyone's way, since there were only him, Chop, and Stone in the room, and thus his nonsense could continue. Whatever said nonsense involved.

Well, that's why Stone was a commander. To brave asking such questions of his feral tooka superior officer.

And also because he lost the coin toss to Thire.

He walked over. "Fox—"

"Does this need more?" Fox thrust a spoon toward Stone's face. The spoon contained a steaming lumpy light brown liquid that smelled pleasantly herbaceous.

Stone looked blankly at Fox. "What?"

"More! Does it need?" Fox let out an exasperated noise and gently shook the spoon. "Taste it!"

"There was a seminar on eating unknown substances. You were there. You made Shiv host it."

"That was about drugs and glowing things—"

"And the talk prior to that about accepting gifts from strange men?" Stone asked.

"Strange beings," Fox corrected, then narrowed his eyes. "Hey! Just try the blasted soup, will you? I'll make it an order if I have to—"

Chop interrupted. "Not in my kitchen you won't! Uh, sir."

Gaze sliding sideways before returning to Stone, Fox amended, "I won't disrupt the harmony of Sergeant Chop's kitchen but I will make life difficult for you in numerous petty and untraceable ways if you don't try this soup, Commander Stone."

"Why, Commander Fox, do you kiss your tube with that mouth?"

"Stone—"

Stone sighed and reached out. He was always going to reach out, but it was important to provide the occasional example of insubordination to remind Fox how such things were done. Just for future reference.

"Give me the spoon before you hurt yourself."

Stone tried the soup. He handed back the spoon.

"Well?" Fox asked. The bags under his eyes were well over the weight allowance; he needed to sleep, not be attempting to cook.

He wouldn't hear such sensible advice, of course. Stone stuck to what Fox would hear, instead.

"Maybe some more pepper? Not too much." That sounded reasonable. "The soup is good, Fox. Sir. Might I enquire as to what prompted your sudden foray into the culinary arts?"

Fox grunted, his back to Stone, already grinding pepper into the pot. His shoulders were in a stiff line. He didn't look around as he spoke.

"Thorn came back from that escort trip yesterday. He said the planet had been deep in a snowy winter."

"Yes, I think I heard that from the others that went. Haven't seen Thorn yet, though."

"...He started sneezing."

Abruptly, absolutely everything made sense. Somewhere, Thire was laughing and didn't know why. From the corner of his eye, Stone saw Chop grin and duck her head, as understanding became clear to her, too. If Thorn was experiencing a discomfort that Fox thought it was in his power to fix, the galaxy could go hang, never mind rules about who could do what in the Corrie galley.

"The holonet says soup is good for colds," Fox muttered. His stirring had slowed. His shoulders had crept towards his ears.

Stone had been born to loyalty, but he'd chosen to give it to Fox. In the battlefield, in the stinking streets of Coruscant, and now in the kitchen. Smiling slightly, Stone clapped the other clone on the shoulder and pushed in close, giving the soup another consideration with his new perspective on the purpose of it.

"Put in some more pepper, you know Thorn likes things spicy, then let's get some of this into a container. If we catch Hound before he takes Grizzer out, he can bring fresh bread from the bakery on the corner. Thorn'll feel better in no time."

Fox mumbled something unintelligible, then asked, "You're sure?"

Like a wet tooka.

"If he doesn't, we'll go raid that Black Sun pharmacy two levels down. How about that?"

"Thorn does like shooting things." Fox added more pepper with a flourish, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. "If he stops sneezing, I'll even let him bring Hammer."

That hadn't quite been what Stone intended by the offer—he'd more been thinking about the healing power of the pharmaceutical products—but Fox had brightened at the prospect, and Stone wouldn't puncture that brightness. He nodded instead.

"Bread, soup, and blasters. Who wouldn't feel better after that?" Stone asked.

Stone himself felt better already.

He was going to get Thire to write the incident report.

[1-800-crscnt]

-jobs I think some clones would have in a post-war “clones are legally seen as people” universe-

Cody: plant + animal farmer. sees it as both a new experience/challenge (land, terrestrial plants and animals) but also slightly similar to what he was used to as a marshal commander. likes the hard work & care required for this lifestyle but cares more about the payoff of it all. will underestimate mint at some point.

Rex: fisherman of some kind. i don’t really have a reason for this, it just seems very likely to me. probably enjoys the peace and solitude it can bring after years of being in the situations he’s been in, but likes the learning aspect and self-sufficient parts of knowing how to fish. could also like the thrill of wrestling large fish that have bodycounts and going to competitions about it, maybe all of these options at once. possibly worries a lot about everyone else and is always sending them photos of him fishing so they respond with their own thing.

Fox: nice try. stays unemployed in a comfortable cabin in some isolated town and loves it. if he needs money, he’ll cash in on favors or do small favors for his brothers.

Wolffe: also tempted to stay unemployed, but gets restless + depressed, becomes a woodworker. doesn’t care about it at first since it’s just a way to get money and stay busy, but develops a liking towards the methodical work and the feeling of creating something very meaningful and/or beautiful with his own hands. ends up liking to create furniture for his brothers getting settled down as a hobby, but creates gothic decorations to sell as his main thing. possibly gets less depressed.

Bly: security guard, would quit, then become a geologist. liked how similar being a security guard was to being a marshal commander at times, but overall hated being reminded of how a lot of people saw/see clones. found more peace in geology bc of how delicate/patient/focused he had to be (helps reinforce his belief that he’s not a violent machine capable of nothing else), also loves learning and sharing knowledge in general. doesn’t really like working with other geologists, tends to not communicate being angry since he’s used to shutting up to get a job done. but he’s dealing. sort of.

Doom: would probably also be unemployed but because he keeps quitting any job after about a month. just can’t find anything that calls to him or keeps him happy, but knows his end goal is to have a life involving lots of plants. doesn’t enjoy being unemployed because he tends to see it as a personal failing on his part, ends up very stressed. Wolffe tries to give advice on just jumping right into plant stuff and making money off it, but Doom is hesitant to make something he loves into a job he might end up hating and quitting again.

Bacara: part-time piercer, part-time bounty hunter. likes to call them both his “piercing jobs” to the discomfort of nearly everyone else. prefers bounty hunting since he thinks it’s more necessary + familiar, but would give it up first if he was forced to only choose one (more stable pay + might live longer). backup plan is to fake his death (unnecessary & regardless of situation) and become a librarian or historian with a fake accent. sort of a nerd anyway, so this isn’t the end of the world for him, and likes how he can get away with dissociating more than he used to.

Neyo: surprisingly, professional racer. refuses to explain how he got this idea, his motives, and where the next event will be, but likes it when his brothers somehow show up. loves the exhilaration, risk (huge adrenaline junkie) and how his outfit looks. also likes the bragging rights. backup plan is to fake his death (again, unnecessary & regardless of situation) and secretly live with Bacara, becoming a chef because he likes working with knives + feeding hungry people fulfills his desire to be useful in some way. has yet to tell Bacara any of this, actually finds not saying anything about it really funny.

[gemsofgreece]

speaking of greek films, do you have any recommendations? maybe even of the romcom variety? i've only seen zorba

And here's me whose ass still hasn't watched Zorba and even more embarrassingly I kinda thought it was a fully American movie adapting the Greek novel with some Greeks contributing, like actress Irene Papas and the music score by Mikis Theodorakis. It turns out you're right though, the film was directed, written and produced by the Greek filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis but then it was distributed by 20th Century Fox so it was a Greece - USA production.

I don't know if you can speak or are learning Greek though because Zorba was a co-production and it was mostly in English but a fully Greek production is in Greek and most don't get subtitled for international audiences. I will give you some personal recs but I can't guarantee you will find subtitles easily or you will have to do some severe digging. I have made the recs in an older answer so I am linking that post:

I will give a more updated rec list too:

Faves of mine:

From the link above the ones I would advice one to not miss are:

Η Κάλπικη Λίρα (The Counterfeit Coin, 1955). It's not only my favourite Greek movie but it's also in the All Time Top 100 Best Movies of International Cinema list of some very legit major institution that I am forgetting now XD It's a social dramedy with top tier comedians and drama actors co-starring and it's basically four different life stories connected through the same counterfeit coin.

Αχ, αυτή η γυναίκα μου! (Oh, that wife of mine!, 1967) It's a situational comedy. It's hilarious but if you don't know Greek, I don't know how well it translates to a different language. Man desperately wanting a promotion gets in a chaotic situation when his playboy boss first gets outraged and then obsessed with his wife, without knowing her true identity.

 5 λεπτά ακόμα (5 minutes more, 2006) I still think this movie is very underrated. It's a metaphysical philosophical dark dramedy with a great understated score. You can find it on youtube, obviously without English subtitles and with bad quality but hey at least it's on youtube! A morally neutral man with jealousy issues dies and is given five more minutes in the mortal world, which will determine his afterlife.

Το Τανγκό των Χριστουγέννων (Christmas Tango, 2011). Romantic drama. A soldier gets unintentionally entagled in the unrequited / forbidden romance of his mysterious aloof commander. Now this movie has a queer element. It does not have a queer happy end but it has both straight and queer themes and honestly it's a beautiful movie. You can find it on youtube.

Ρεμπέτικο (Rembetiko, 1983). Drama. The tragic life of a female singer of the then underground Rembetiko music scene, the music genre the Greeks of Asia Minor brought along after the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the population exchange between Turkey and Greece in the first half of the 20th century. Personally, I am not crazy about this movie but this doesn't mean necessarily anything because it gets good reviews in imdb even outside Greece. But I personally recommend it for its INSANE score and songs. These songs have become emblematic in the Greek music scene. The composer, Stavros Xarhakos, makes a cameo in the movie.

I still recommend the other recs in the old list too, especially the comedies. Also, like I have said, you can't go too wrong with Greek comedies of the 50s-60s in general. Since I said that, here's a list of faves and critics' choices of Greek movies from the 50s-70s.

Some other faves not in the old lists:

Το χώμα βάφτηκε κόκκινο (Blood on the Land, 1966). A Greek Western! Who would have thought but it is good! When I say western, I don't mean Cowboys vs Natives of course, but I mean land property disputes, rural, animosity gets out of hand, social class inequality etc etc and it is actually linked to Greek social history of the 20th century. And finally a Greek movie that takes good advantage of the Meteora. The movie was a nominee for best foreign film in the Oscars .

Strella, 2009. This is a strictly 18+ movie. It is a queer movie BUT it is also a very edgy movie, like, it can be perceived as extremely edgy no matter if you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or not. It's not the imagery that makes it edgy but the plot at some point takes a serious left turn. So, only watch if you're into weird cinema territory. I have warned you. Personally I am not into weird cinema but I liked this one. Man gets out of prison after years of incarceration for committing a murder. He befriends and soon gets into a relationship with a trans female sex worker. The protagonist, Mina Orfanou, is actually a trans woman and she was really praised for her performance in this.

Ιφιγένεια (Iphigenia, 1977). Directed by Michael Cacoyannis like Zorbas, this is a movie about the myth of the sacrifice of Iphigenia, Agamemnon's daugher, with an all-Greek cast. It is kind of those theater-to-movie films so don't expect Troy level of production. It has very minimal sets. Also, it's the 70s, the bible and sandal era, so the costumes are really anachronistic and inaccurate but other than that it is a good movie. It was nominated for the Oscar for foreign language film. And it's on youtube with English subtitles.

A few other recs:

Antigone (1961). Even more than Iphigenia, this is almost pure theatre filmed. The acting is theatrical, the staging is theatrical, it's all just theatre really. This is a very loyal adaptation of Euripides' Antigone. The acting is very good.

America America (1963). A movie by Greek American filmmaker Elia Kazan that I haven't watched yet but it is very famous. Biographical historical drama, inspired by Kazan's uncle. The struggles and feats of a Greek of Anatolia, Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) trying to secure a passage to America in the late 19th - early 20th century. It is an Academy Awards winner.

Πολίτικη Κουζίνα (A Touch of Spice, 2003). The life of a boy and his relationship to his beloved grandfather, who instilled in him the love for cooking and astronomy, as they part ways when the boy and his parents are deported from Turkey after the ongoing tensions started from the incidents of the Istanbul pogrom in 1955, while the grandfather is able to legally stay behind. I wouldn't put this movie in my faves but it is very aesthetically pleasing and has a wonderful score. It is also an introduction to the special historical bond Greeks have with Constantinople / Istanbul and the tragic story of it all.

Έτερος Εγώ (Heteros Ego / The Other Me, 2016). Crime Mystery. This movie is very popular. I think it's overrated but you can judge for yourself. It is on youtube. I personally liked more the TV series that was its continuation (the first two seasons only, because the third was horrible). It is suitable for 17+ audiences. An eccentric criminology professor is summoned to investigate murder cases where the murderer cites quotes by Pythagoras.

Man of God, 2021. If you are a Christian / religious, watch it. I would like this movie more if the director had not forced all the cast to perform in English in order to make an international screening. It takes away from their performance because it is so unnatural and illogical. But otherwise it is an interesting topic and the actors try their best despite that massive handicap. This is the true story of Saint Nektarios of Aegina island and his unfair defamation by the rest of the clergy.

�� Φόνισσα (The Murderess, 2023). Unfortunately this movie does not hold a candle to the original novel of Alexandros Papadiamantis written in 1903 - quite possibly the first feminist literary work written by a man - but it is your next best alternative unless you can read the book or a translation of it. In this case, totally skip the movie and read the book, which is excellent and my favourite Greek novel. But if you watch the movie, just know it took many liberties for the worse. It has good acting and cinematography though. The story explores the life and mind of Frankoyannou, a hardened peasant woman, as more and more female infants and young girls are found murdered in her village, including her own grand-daughter.

Miss Violence, 2013. This movie is incredibly disturbing and I wish I could forget what I saw. If you like disturbing cinema, obviously 18+, watch it. It sickens you to the core though. An ordinary 11 year old girl commits suicide the day her ordinary family celebrates her birthday. Minute by minute we learn more about the family though and minute by minute we realise this is not a regular family AT ALL.

More weirdness. If you actually do like weird cinema, then you can also explore Yorgos Lanthimos' old Greek movies. These are easier to find since Lanthimos is globally famous now. Dogtooth was his Greek movie that was a nominee in the Oscars. But he has a couple more. (By the way, Miss Violence makes Dogtooth seem like a My Little Pony episode.)

More length. Theo Angelopoulos was an acclaimed Greek director, famous for his slow lengthy movies that explore philosophical and other themes. Several movies of his are acclaimed internationally. His most awarded ones are Ο Θίασος (The Travelling Players, 1975), Ταξίδι στα Κύθηρα (Voyage to Cythera, 1984), Το βλέμμα του Οδυσσέα (Ulysses' Gaze, 1995), Μια Αιωνιότητα και μια Μέρα (Eternity and a Day, 1998), Τοπίο στην Ομίχλη (Landscape in the Mist, 1988).

More Kazantzakis. Since you have watched Zorba the Greek, a film based on the novel Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas by Nikos Kazantzakis, perhaps you will be interested in two more movies based on other novels of his, even if they are not purely Greek or Greek productions. The first one is the very famous The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) starring Willem Dafoe, directed by Martin Scorsese. The problem is that this movie is often very misunderstood as edgy / anti-Christian / atheist whereas Kazantzakis' intent with his book was kinda the exact opposite so he probably rolls nonstop in his grave with some readings I have seen being made of the movie, even here on tumblr. Scorcese obviously focused more on the edgy factor than Kazantzakis did, further encouraging such misinterpretations but you could still be able to understand the meaning of Kazantzakis' book through the movie, now that I told you that Kazantzakis was essentially a secular theological / Christian philosopher. The other one is Ο Χριστός Ξανασταυρώνεται (Christ Recrucified / He Who Must Die, 1957). A French / Italian production, also featuring the Greek actress Melina Mercuri. A Greek village in Anatolia in 1920 (Modern day Turkey) stages a Passion Play for Easter. Staging the play leads to them rebelling against their Turkish rulers in a way that mirrors Jesus's story. There is also a Greek TV series adapting the novel in 1975 - 1976, which is closer to the book and gets better reviews and you can watch it in the streaming platform I recommend below.

ERTFLIX. Ertflix is the state TV's OTT platform and it is entirely for free, while also available internationally. It has both desktop and app formats and you can also add it to several TV boxes, Chromecast, Roku etc For the free service that it is, it has an abundance of series, movies and documentaries so I can never stop praising it...! There you can find numerous Greek movies / series / documentaries to watch, plus even more foreign stuff with Greek subtitles if you're learning Greek and need to practice. Plus it has interviews, the invaulable archives of the state TV and so much more. In Greece it is not necessary but for using the platform abroad you will have to register as a user but it is entirely for free. Ertflix I love you. Below is a screenshot with some Greek movies available now:

Scroll to the Greek cinema option (or to the Greek series). The site is built in both Greek and English.

Where you can find ERTFLIX:

The aforementioned TV series based on Kazantzakis' novel.

Upcoming movies of Greek interest:

Maria. The biopic of Maria Callas, rather her last years, starring Angelina Jolie. Is Jolie a good casting choice for Callas? Well, no. People say she does a good job in it however. I don't know about that and I am going to be sceptical because I love Maria Callas and I don't think she can be easily (at all) imitated. I 'll watch it though. From the trailer I see Jolie did a very legit job with Callas' speaking manner and accent, this is hopeful. Part of the movie was filmed in Greece too.

The Return. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, this is a retelling of the last part of the Odyssey, once Odysseus has returned to Ithaca and has to reclaim his rule and home from Penelope's suitors. It is a realistic retelling, not featuring the gods, based on the trailer I saw. I had my reservations for this casting but Fiennes looks good as old Odysseus IMO and Binoche is a brunette French, of course she can pass easily as a Greek. They are also both good and serious actors and I am sure they give their best in the movie. The drawback is that it's like we return to the 70s with these poor and anachronistic costumes and sets. And also aside from the protagonists, who would have thought there was so much diversity in Ithaca / s, a REAL, TINY and REMOTE Greek island. Telemachus looks like the blondest of Swedes and then the Ithacians have apparently descent from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia to central Africa. Amazing. Ithaca, the New York of Bronze Age. At least Fiennes (in this) and Binoche do pass as Greeks... What makes the movie a little promising for me is the amazing physique Fiennes achieved for it: the parts half dead old beggar and parts godly warrior king. He nailed it. The scene with the bow, I know already I will get the chills.

From this alone I know Fiennes is doing a terrific job in this. He is always invested very seriously in his movies.

Anyway, one third of the movie is shot in Greece and ERT (the Greek State TV) is actually a co-producer (a rarity with international movies of Greek mythological interest nowadays), so once it's done from movie theaters, it is going to be available for free on ERTFLIX... apparently globally. I so hope this movie does not disappoint me.

A lot of these can be found in links in greek-movies.com but you didn't hear it from me.

[yoitsjay]

Hi!! I ador your writing, Especially your male reader ones! There's not enough clone x male reader fanfics out there. So im requesting a Commander Fox x male reader with no specifications. You can do whatever you want with this. And if you don't feel comfortable or you just don't want to, that's fine too I hope you have an amazing day!

Thank you! I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with this so- I hope this is okay!

New and Relieving

Pairings: Fox x male senator! Reader

Summary: You were an up and coming senator within the republic, from a planet nobody has even heard of until now. Fox is tasked in protecting you along with the rest of his squad, and though it's a reprieve from the chancellor he can't stand you. You're snarky, kind to others but blunt to those who oppose you. Your kind to Fox and his brothers but he just can't understand why... well, he will soon find out.

Warnings: some fluff, not many warnings.

Word count: 1,559

After a vicious battle on the planet of Cryt,

General’s Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi are tasked with bringing the Senator of Cryt to Coruscant for added protection against separatist assassins trying to take his life.

The Republic Senate places Senator Y/n under the protection of the Coruscant guard until further notice.

Now Senator Y/n must face the harsh realities of true politics in wartime, as well as battling the growing tension between him and his protector, Commander Fox…

Will the Senator persevere?

-

Two days, half a current rotation. One large celebratory dinner, half eaten rations. You kept track of the number of hours you had been on Coruscant, you tried to eat more than just one dinner and some rations, but the near loss of your home planet had been a lot to carry on your shoulders.

So many good soldiers lost their lives to save your little back water trade route, but they assured you it was essential for the Republic to set up a care center and base of operations there.

You didn’t argue back.

You now had to face the threat of hundred’s, maybe even thousand’s of Senators, arguing on whether or not you- or your contribution is worth having within the senate.

You quickly realized that there were two sides in the Senate, the vindictive, cruel, money driven senators who often side with the banking clan, and the kind hearted, caring senators who always try to fight for the right thing.

You picked your side pretty quickly.

Senator Organa, Amidala, and Chuchi all became good friends of yours, helping you with some of that burden you carried on your shoulders, offering help and advice which definitely had lightened your load a bit.

You were currently sitting in your office, one hand in your hair as the other was scribbling on paper, writing signatures on bills for your friends in the Senate. You heard the door to your office open but you didn’t even bat an eye to who entered, just giving them a curt wave as you moved onto the next stack of papers.

You had a small guard squad assigned to you, but you had been so busy these last couple of days so you just didn’t have the time to greet them or ask for their names. “I need an assistant.” You muttered to yourself as you pushed the stack of papers away, leaning back to look at the ceiling.

“Anything I can help with? Senator?” A voice called up, and you jolted in your seat, turning your head in the direction of the voice, seeing one of the guards standing beside your desk. You let out a sigh of relief, offering the armored man a gentle smile. “perhaps… thank you for the offer…” You trailed off, silently asking for the clone's name.

“I’m Commander Thorn.” He introduced, and you smiled a bit brighter, standing as you offered a handshake to him, which he took politely. “Y/n L/n- though- i guess you already knew that.” You chuckled, placing your hands on your hips.

“I apologize if I've seemed unfriendly to you and your brothers, I've just had so much on my plate.” You sighed, glancing at your work before shaking your head.

“It’s no problem at all, Senator. We understand.” Thorn stated, giving you some consolation on your quiet behavior. “Right, well I think it’s time I get to know your squad some more, hm?” You suggested, grabbing your commlink and your jacket, walking out of your office with Thorn right behind you.

There were a few clones guarding your door, and as you walked the hallways beside the commander, they stayed guarding your office. Thorn took you to the main mess hall in the GAR, knowing that it would be where his Marshall Commander and other brothers would be.

He also gave you a small tour around the GAR per your request, and you had some friendly short chats with a couple other clones before entering the mess hall.

It was packed with hundreds of clones, the room went silent when they noticed you, a fancily dressed Senator, but regardless Thorn helped you get some food from the line up. He told you to skip the line but you were adamant on waiting your turn.

Once you had your tray of food Thorn led you over to one of the tables already filled with clones wearing red armor. One of them caught your eye, he had dark short hair, but there was a silver streak running through the left side of his hair. He stared at you before standing in greeting.

“Senator. I didn’t know you’d be joining us.” The man stated, and you offered a light smile. “I decided I needed to get to know the men protecting me. Thorn has been very helpful so far but I'd like to know the rest of you too.” You explained as you sat down at the table, Thorn sitting beside you.

“Right… Well these are Commanders Thire and Stone. Beside Stone is Sergeant Hound.” The clone introduced, and each clone waved or saluted. You waved in response, turning your head to look at the man who was already staring at you.

“So you must be Marshall Commander Fox.” You mused, and the man nodded. “Well it’s wonderful to meet you all, I hope you don’t mind me joining you.” You stated, readying your meal to be eaten.

“Not at all, Senator. You're welcome to join us.” Commander Thire spoke up, and you sent him a thankful look before biting into your sandwich.

Fox narrowed his eyes at you slightly, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched you talk with his brothers. Eventually you felt your commlink going off and you started cursing as you fumbled to get up an answer. “Shit! i forgot I had a stupid meeting.” You hissed, grabbing your tray as you smiled at the men.

“Excuse me, I must go. It was very nice meeting you all.” You expressed, throwing out the food from your tray before setting the tray to the side. Fox then stood up, it being his turn to escort you places, following you out in a brisk walk as you hurried from the GAR back to the senate building to get there in time for your meeting.

When you got to the room you turned to Fox, offering him a smile. “Thank you for escorting me, you are free to do as you please.” You started quickly before entering the room.

However Fox didn’t leave. Even as your meeting went on for hours he stood outside until you were the last to leave. He noticed how exhausted you looked, and sighed. “To your quarters?” He asked, however you shook your head.

“No, I am done for the day, I will return back to my apartment.” You stated. Fox nodded and led you to the building where many senator’s resided, already knowing your apartment number even if you didn’t.

Once you got to the door that led to your chambers you turned to Fox, and spoke.

“I’m sorry if I've offended you in the past couple of days. Being a Senator of such a small planet- it's hard work that I'm not used to.” You breathed out, running your hand through your hair as you stared up at him. He noticed something shining in your eyes, and he wouldn’t lie…

You’ve piqued his interest, more than anyone else ever has.

“I was raised on a farm, I led my community since I was a teenager… They voted for me to become Senator when we sided with the republic. If I'm honest I should have said no.” You joked, opening your apartment door before turning to Fox again, biting your bottom lip.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” You asked, and Fox thought for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, I'll be here in the morning. You’ll have guards stationed outside if you need anything however. Keep your Com on.” He instructed, and you nodded, giving him another look before finally shutting the door.

After that, little walk breaks with Fox became a regular thing, along with the fact that he always brought you home, and was always there in the morning to pick you up. You didn’t see him much in the afternoon, so you looked forward to the evening’s with the Commander.

You and Fox grew closer, and to think he despised you at first- or at least was very untrusting. But now he trusted you alot, he learned all about you, personality wise and… otherwise. Though even as the Republic… rebranded… Fox stayed by your side, permanently transferring as your bodyguard, giving orders when he needed too.

But you helped him lose faith in the republic he had worked so hard to keep peaceful. You resigned as Senator, and withdrew your planet’s support from the Empire, despite their resistance. However you had the backing of millions of people on your home planet…

You and Fox started a rebel alliance cell on your planet, and explored the feelings that had bloomed between you. Fox was gay as fuck, that he found out pretty fast after leaving the Empire with you.

And you were… open to anything he threw your way.

You were perfect for him.

And you knew it.

➺

Tag lists:

Fox

Tcw:

All:

@moomoog017

[kartaylirnaak]

Hi there !! So can you share about the care and feeding of your Marshal Commander for the WIP game ? 👀

Oh, this one! This is an older WIP that grew out of an idea and chat with a few others in a discord server. The opening lines of this fic pretty much explain what it is.

The following document is the manual on the care and feeding of Marshal Commander Cody of the Third Systems Army, 7th Sky Corps, 212th Attack Battalion, and Ghost Company. Collated within are various strategies, recommendations, and advice on how to look after our favourite droid punching, antenna hoarding, lightsaber retrieving, tactical genius of a vod.

The idea is that it's full of all sorts of information, context, and stories about Cody. I had hoped to post the first chapter for Cody Day (2/2/24) but IRL stuff got in the way and like everything I write, it ended up growing much, much larger than I had originally planned. Here's a few different sections from what I have written.

Part of the Introduction

Cody is aware of the existence of this manual but is barred from viewing it or knowing any of its contents. He will still try to get the information out of you. Do not let him.  

Part of the general section in the Batchmates chapter

Apart from the Corries (see the section on Fox below), whenever the 212th works with any of these units, make sure Cody gets time to spend with his respective batchmate. This should happen anyway as they’ll usually end up double bunking and sharing quarters but try to keep distractions to a minimum. Time spent grumbling over flimsiwork together is still better than being comm’d to come and deal with a prank that has gone disastrously wrong. Good luck trying to explain to your very grumpy Marshal Commander and his equally grumpy batchmate (who is also a Commander or Marshal Commander) why the bunks in Barracks 6C are on fire and every visible surface in Barracks 8E is covered in a fine powdery glitter. You’ll be on sanitation duty for so long that you might as well live in the freshers and become one with the mouse droids. 

Wolffe's section in the Batchmates chapter

After Rex (see section below), the batchmate that Cody is more likely to see is Wolffe. Unfortunately, these instances will probably be fleeting and unscheduled, as the 104th spends most of its days bouncing around the universe conducting search and rescue operations. So if they’ve turned up, then something has probably gone very wrong. This does have a tendency to happen as, much to Cody’s chagrin, his Jedi has a particularly bad habit of hurling himself into dangerous situations because it’s “the will of the Force, my dear”. The 212th also works with the 501st quite often and something always goes off the rails when Skywalker is involved. When it all goes spectacularly badly wrong, expect to see the 104th turn up and laugh. (You mean save the day – Wolffe). This doesn’t give Wolffe many opportunities for down time with vode from other battalions as he’s either pulling people out of the fire, coordinating the aftermath, or debriefing on where it all went wrong before flying off to save the next bunch of sorry bastards. Your best chance of finding time for Cody and Wolffe to catch up is by suggesting to their Jedi that they should take the opportunity to meditate together. Both of them are fully aware that this is absolute bullshit and will willingly indulge it as they’re both far too fond of their respective commanders. Sadly, the situation won’t always allow for this. For the times when everything is even more chaotic than usual, the best you’re going to manage is for Cody and Wolffe to be working together and perhaps get a few words together before Wolffe disappears again. While not optimal, it at least gives both of them the chance to visually confirm the other is still alive and hasn’t added to their facial scar collection. They’re currently both at 1-1 and are not allowed to add to it. Wolffe also brings out a particular kind of feral in Cody. Don’t be surprised to see scratches, bruises or bite marks that have been hastily smeared with bacta after they’ve spent time together. This is either from them beating the crap out of each other for fun or railing each other into the floor. Or both. Just continue on like you haven’t seen a giant hickey on your CO’s neck and politely suggest to Cody that he might want to pull up the collar of his blacks. You should hopefully avoid being eviscerated by his glare. Hopefully.     

I'm rather fond of this WIP, keep forgetting about it, and intimidated by it. This is another one that I'm not sure will ever see the light of day, even though I've written most of the Introduction, Batchmates chapter and an entire section on what to do when Cody gets in The Fighty Mood™

[t3mpest98]

Thire comes back to the Commanders office with the most dreamy look on his face after he first actually meets Riyo for the first time time, face to face instead of just the soft words exchanged in their heads. Fox and Thorn immediately try to work out if they can increase the time the two could be around each other, while Stone would much rather not hear of his brother’s love lives. He is glad Thire is so happy though. Stone does give some of the best advice funnily enough

[elthadriel]

(predictable request) codyfox? ❤️

There are cams all over Kamino, but not everywhere. Learning where the blind spots are is as valuable as any skill Seventeen teaches them.

Cody gets to latemeal before Tens. He sits with Bly, who doesn't apologise for his role in Tens sabotage during the training sim, but also doesn’t comment when Cody mostly ignores him, watching Tens arrive, collect his tray and sit on the edge of another group of command cadets. Cody will find a way to even the score with Bly later. Tens is the more pressing concern.

 Tens looks up once, catches Cody watching, sneers , and deliberately doesn’t look back at him. It’s an increasingly familiar sort of anger that Tens ignoring him pulls out of Cody. It’s hot and squirming and overwhelms all the steady consideration that makes him one of the best.

The best.

Or he would be if Tens would stop screwing him over.

He clenches his jaw, his face hot, his fist clenched.

He knows where the blind spots are between here and their pods, he’ll take care of this.

Tens eats slowly, acting like he’s listening to the conversation going on around him, pushing food around his tray, and rarely actually putting anything in his mouth. As though Cody can’t be patient.

Oh-Six and Blitz join Cody and Bly, eat, and leave. Bly finishes his own food and puts down his fork, but waits silently until Tens finally stands. Bly looks over his shoulder and follows suit, picking up both his and Cody’s trays.

“I’ll cover for you both,” he says. “Don’t leave marks where Seventeen will see.”

Cody clicks his tongue. He doesn’t need the advice—none of them are unfamiliar with unsanctioned fighting. Cody is on his feet the moment Tens is out of the room. He moves quickly to catch up, but he already knows it won’t be necessary. Tens is a slippery maggot, but he’s not a coward.

Cody catches up with him just a corridor out from the mess hall. Tens does turn then, glancing once over his shoulder and ducks into a fresher.

“Out,” he snaps to the room. Cody doesn’t recognise the cadet that dashes out past him, still tucking himself away. He’s got some survival instincts at least.

There’s cams in the fresher, but they don’t cover the back corner. It’s a small space to fight in—they’ll need to be careful—but that just plays to Cody’s advantage.

“Always such a sore loser, Twenty-Four,” Tens says, backing up into that blind corner. Cody wasn’t expecting regret, but Tens’ self-satisfaction makes Cody’s face heat and his heart pound furiously behind his ribs.

“I’m not the one who had to cry to Bly for help,” Cody snaps. One more step and he’s out of sight of the cams and firmly within arms reach of Tens.

Tens’ nostrils flare. “What makes you think I went to him? I’m not the only one sick of your shit.”

Best to avoid the face—Seventeen will notice a split lip.

Cody steps forward. Tens lashes out before Cody is totally out of line of sight. Cody blocks, and it degrades from there. There’s no space to back up, now they’re grappling they’re trapped until one of them gives up.

Cody catches Tens in the side, Tens twists him into a hold that makes Cody’s shoulder burn to slip out of. Cody shoves Tens back against the wall. Tens’ hands bury themselves in Cody’s shirt to shove him back, his mouth twists in a snarl.

Tens mouth is as much teeth as lips under Cody��s  mouth. The hands in his shirt pull him closer. Cody has the advantage, he has Tens pinned. Tens’ back is to the wall, Cody trapping him there with his own body. He could really hurt Tens.

Tens’ mouth is wetter than Cody would have expected, and their lips make loud smacking sounds. Cody’s heard hammers and Fox’s pulse flutters under Cody’s hand.

Cody brings his knee up between Tens’ legs.

Ten makes a very satisfying wheeze and Cody pulls away.

“You got off easy,” Cody tells him. “Pull that again and I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Tens demands, sneering through his grimace, hands cupped between his legs. “Kiss me harder?”

Cody scoffs—Tens had kissed him.

Cody turns, wiping at his mouth. He got the little shit good at least, and Seventeen won’t be interested in checking down there.

He runs his tongue over his lips and swears he can still taste Tens.

[vicky82gargoylesfan]

My Thoughts on Gargoyles Quest Issue 4 Unequivocal Success

Finally after being delayed a few months and the digital release get's pushed back a week, I finally get issue 4 and it was worth the wait.

Spoilers

Demona starts to prepare her plan using the new 3 keys to power to control humans to obey to Gargoyles. So any Gargoyle can command all humans that are under mind control. Yeah!!! I don't think you thought this through Demona.

The spell doesn't work on Antoinette as she is already loyal to Demona. I love to know why she is so loyal to Demona. Maybe she was a Gargoyle part of the Wyvern clan in a previous life, maybe she was Hyppolyta or Antiope.

Cut to November 27th, Thanksgiving. Pretty cool to see them celebrate a different holiday,

Broadway and Angela doing the food. Broadway going to dunk the turkey!! What he's going to do, boil it or something??

Lex, Gnash and Alex are in the tv room watching news on the Parade.

Jeffrey Robbins arrives, Hudson invited him.

Brooklyn and Katana are in Rookery talking about that the egg will have the whole clan to raise her. Which raises red flags as there is a possibility of death coming. At first it look like it could be Hudson, as he was talking to the egg in Quest Issue 1. but now ,maybe it might be Brooklyn, which could be a bit controversial for some people. but even if dies, his story doesn't end, as we still got Timedancer and 2198.

Jade and Turquesa are still in New York!!! They decided to stay to help find Demona. I guess if they did leave earlier, then Avalon would have probably sent them back again. They are planning to go back to Avalon and hopefully get back home, Zafiro and Obsidiana are probably worried sick. They have to get home soon, they got over 20 eggs hatching in a few months.

Goliath and Coldfire are on patrol searching for Demona, glad to see a bit more interaction between them. Coldfire feels that she's lost her spiritualism because she's a robot but Goliath gives her some advice that she should use her heart and soul.

Wasn't surprised to hear that there are cracks starting to appear in her relationship with Coldstone. Coldfire thinks he's out looking for Demona night and day but as we all know he's been siding with her all this time. So it looks like a 2nd Gargoyle "divorce" is going to happen when Coldstone is revealed to be a traitor.

Demona starts to use her mind control spell on the humans, the first are the Jogger and William Greene and apparently they are brothers

Goliath leaves to meet Elisa at the clock tower and they have a good snog. Apparently the GTF are searching for Demona too, I wonder how much they know about her.

Demona arrives at the police station and it's obviously she's going to use her mind control spell on Elisa.

Coldfire takes Goliaths advice and she manages to use her spiritualism, which seems to work. she ends up in Time square, where the humans are already under Demona's spell.

Coldstone, who had already appeared, just stands there smirking!!! so that's it for him. As soon as everyone finds out he's a traitor, he's gone. Even if he admits to making a big mistake by siding with Demona, he's gone. He will probably end up being banished from the clan or maybe they should just switch him off and left to rust in a storage room or something. I'm done with him.

Demona and Antoinette arrive at the castle and uses the mind control spell on David, Fox and Owen and she tells Owen not to turn into Puck. Erm!!! I hope Gnash is still keeping a eye on Alex, this could be the perfect opportunity for Raven to kidnap Alex.

Lex is on the computer talking to Amp

Due to being blind, Jeffery Robbins, is not affected by Demona's spell.

Goliath arrives back at the castle, being greeted by Brooklyn and Katana but then Demona shows up with Elisa,under her spell.

Issue 5 is going to be pretty tense. I sort of excited an nervous at same time, with Angela finally confronting her Mother.

It's still scheduled to come out on December 4th, so cross fingers it won't be delayed.

[masha-nikita]

How strong is his Mars?- Erwin Rommel

This is a episode 3 of my series on the Wehrmacht- “How strong is his Mars?” to test a theory in Astrology community- you’ve got to have a strong Mars to be competent in the military.

Let’s see how Rommel fares.

It is a very artistic-minded chart, and because of that, he's a beautiful mess. Let’s get Rommel’s Mars out of the way first, because the whirlwind of sparks and troubles appears with his Mercury.

Mars is in detriment under Libra. Libras are known to be peacemakers, hence this sign clashes HARD with Mars’ nature; the net result is that its natives are very passive-aggressive—our Fox wants to fight his colleagues, but not really. This Mars likes to prove itself right among peers, spends too much energy on what path is the right path, where consequences should matter most.

It is either a score 3 lousy Mars or 10/10 best thing ever; this Mars is very difficult to rate. It receives beneficial influences from the Neptune-Pluto aspect, but the influence is softer compared to Walter Model’s. A Libra Mars seeks inner balance from fundamentally imbalance strong forward thrusts. Libra Mars are not peace-loving folks.

Rommel’s Mars placement is in his 8th house, this HOUSE OF DEATH AND SEX doesn’t mitigate anything at all. He may act almost suicidal on the field, but in truth, his Mars seeks unattainable balances like living through death while not really dying, and love in enemies while this love is not possible.

Manstein’s Sun opposite Neptune may blow his self-evaluations out of proportions, but when Mercury opposite Neptune, our little fox is quite good at finding rhetorics to lie to himself, in short, a master rationalizer.

True, Neptune endows magical touches for these generals, but I would choose Model’s Neptune sextile Mars over Rommel’s Neptune opposite Mercury.

Because this Mercury is a Russian roulette with a huge lottery prize attached to it— Rommel’s mind could rationalize situations in such awesome way that dumbfounds his colleagues. When his rationalization works, his enemy just fucks off and never recovers from his attacks. But maybe 1/3 of a time it is his rationalization for the sake of it and thus he’s bullshitting himself. Thankfully a well-aspected Saturn somewhat tone down the bullshit part of it.

It is very hard to tell how his Venus influences his Mercury in terms of military prowess, but Venus-Mercury conjunct natives are IG models, very eager to appear pretty. Rommel has a tendency to regard his operations as his artistic handiwork and likes to take souvenirs from them.

Yeah, that one in the middle is Rommel (circa 1912)

and yeah, that is pretty. I don't know what to tell you.

Astrologers hold the opinion that Venus-Mercury native are generally refined and well-mannered, on the ground that these natives love art; but historians comment that Rommel took advice very roughly, and would rather go straight to Hitler for what he wanted. Rommel’s Venus is not that hard to understand, like—NO ARTIST ON TUMBLR LIKES TO TAKE UNWARRANTED ART ADVICE FROM RANDOS.

Diametrically different from Model, who is a war-realist, Rommel is a war-artist. Shove him under Gerd Von Rundstedt, he would under-perform; but give him a Bernard Montgomery, he does that immensely lovely and mesmerizing dance upon the ocean of sand. Much like an artist, Rommel’s performance depends on what enemy he gets. Around 1944, Von Rundstedt justifiably complained that Rommel is perpetually stuck in the mindset of a small commander and never really “grows up” to be a general.

Rommel is either too overrated or wildly underrated; modern historians support the idea that the British had their own post-war agenda to prop up a German Virgin Mary of some sort, so Rommel’s good image was an exaggeration.

Well, Manstein could bluff here and there with his Lost Victory, and Liddell Hart bluffs with him, but Erich’s accomplishments (and blunders) are still visible. The problem with Rommel is that you simply can’t rate an artwork.

Rommel heavily relies on this Mercury for artistic expression; a Sagittarius Mercury is fanciful and likes to touch every little gadget under the sun, gets distracted by mechanical toys easily. Rommel would probably get a broken cattle equipment from a nomad goat herder at the desert, then tries to figure out if this piece of garbage could stop tanks.

But an oppositional Pluto would make this Mercury too suspicious, secretive and sensitive. His commanders would hear him clinking-clunking away with garbage in his tent, but Rommel wouldn’t tell them what the hell this is- he certainly doesn’t like to be told “but marshal, we don’t have time for garbage.”

In conclusion, instead of worshiping the God of War for masculine killing power, our little hot-headed desert fox prayed to the fairy godmother—and it turned out well. His power lies in beauty, and he is truly, immensely powerful.

[written-mishaps]

alright I’m back, what’s ur process behind characterization and concept making? (also thanks for the congratulations for ao3 pfffff)

HOOO BOY IM VERY GLAD YOU ASKED ok, ill talk about characterisation and then lead into concept making. I'll mostly be talking about 'It Was Only A Matter Of Time' cause obviously it's quick fresh on the mind in terms of what I did but if you're looking for advice, this can be applied more generally. Also I ended up rambling A LOT so I've put it under a read more. Hope this answers your question!

SO, in the case of the clones, characterisation is far more mealeable than with other fandoms where you have a lot more evidence and material to build up your understanding of a characters personality. With the clones, particualrly those like Thorn, Thire, Stone and of course Fox, theres very little canon basis, so for bulding up their characters, it was just a case of taking what fanon I liked and also constructing the personalities that would work best for the story I wanted to tell. Quick note, since this story ultimately ended up revolving around Fox, a lot of the characterisation for other characters was heaviliy informed by the questuon of "what personlity would best reveal a specific detail or invoking a specifoc reaction or relaisation in Fox" but of course as the story grew, the characters all grew into their own charactisation beyond that. That's the overview, To give you a lil more a concrete example behind this process, I'll use the Corrie Commanders.

So with the Corrie Commanders (Thorn, Thire, Stone, excluding Fox for now since he's a different story) I knew that, since they would most commonly be encountered as a trio, that they each have to have very disctinct Characterisations so it would be easy to differentiate them. So I started by assigning them a key characteristic. Eg.

Thorn: sarcastic and blunt, Thire: logical and practical, Stone: level headed.

Of course there would be other factors, but anytime i wrote them I would keep this key element in mind whenever i had them do anything. Then, something which was super fun to do, I assigned them very specific and individual 'character quirks' as I like to call them, which are essebtially just a couple other things that differntiate them and makes them unique as characters. Eg.

Thorn: he has a speech quirk which im VERY fond of wherin he doesnt pronounce the 'g' in any '-ing' which in my mind i interpret as a kind of drawl to his voice (you'll notice this in his dialogue, where Thorn will say stuff like "goin' to see" "instead of "going to see" etc) it makes me very happy to write, and ut jelps me figure out his specific 'voice' in my mind

Another example is Stone: His characteristic quirk is that he speaks very infrequently, but when he does, he always says something important. Again this is to refelect his character as someone who only speaks whne he feels like he has something worthwhile to say.

All of these tiny little considerations help build up a 'fully fledged character' so to speak, and it helps (hopefully lmao) them feel like distinct characters.

I've talked a lot but just another thing that helps characterisation (which ive mentioned before) is considering what 'role' they play within the larger story, and I do that ny mentally attaching little epithet to specific characters. For exmaple, Wolffes characater exists specifically to illuminate Fox's repressed violent tendencies, and also exists to wrench out the stuff that Fox refuses to confront or admit to himself. So to that measure, Wolffe himself is a very violent and very blunt character. He needs to be, to function for that purpose. Another example is Cody, who is 'The helpless older brother' Cody throughout the story has always been assocaited with reaching out and protecting Fox and trying to be there, but of course hes severly limited by how much help he can actually give. This ties into his character as a very earnest and protective character.

This is getting long so i might stop there for characterisation lmao, but in short, the process involves a bunch of decisons that cinsider "how does this character function within the story? How have their past experinces effected them? Where and What does this manifest as in their personality?"

OK ONTO CONCEPT.

I have a lot less to say abt this one lmao. Id already read a couple fics which dealt with the "what if Fox killed the Chancellor?" And i thought ut was interesting. Ill admit though, the concept of introducing Fives into it all mostly stemmed from frustration lmaoo. It all really started cause I got kind of frustrated with the fics that either demonised Fox or tried to downplay the significance of Fives' deaths. One of the reasons i decided to centre Fives and Foxs relationship as the focal point of the story was because I wanted to hit a medium that sufficiently acknowledged that Fives death was a tragedy which had a huge impact on those who loved him, but also that Fox's decision to kill him maybe wasn't done with pure malice.

That was the initial thinking, but the funny thing abt writing any story of any kind is that it inevitably develops a mind of its own. I didn't initially think sibling relationships and love was going to be such a core part of the story I was writing but sometimes the concept starts to mould itself into creation without you even being aware it's happening.

SO, in short: fun concepts come from finding something you don't like and going 'Why don't I like this? Can I make a story where I DO like this?'

But yeah! That's some thoughts about characterisation and concepts behind IWOAMOT specifically lmao but of course the stuff mentioned here can easily be applied to anything.

If you have any follow up Questions/unanswered areas of Concept making and characterisation, lemme know! As demonstrated, I can talk for ages.

[katewalker]

oc smash or pass

got tagged by @camelliagwerm (thank you 💟) to do the smash or pass : oc edition

tagging (no pressure) : @hylfystt ; @cryptcombat ; @zahra-hydris ; @seance ; @fantasmagoriam ;

@sloubs ; @thanekrios and everyone else wanting to do it ✌️

*click for better quality footage of my girl*

BASICS:

pernille beaujont

1m96

31 years old (during endwalker)

she/her

bisexual

duskwight elezen

adventurer/summoner/warrior of light

PROS:

long ears even for an elezen

big book collection (just please don't touch the ones with runes inside)

has a ton of funny pompous titles you can jokingly call her

can summon a small cute yellow fox-like creature for you to pet (she can turn it blue/green or red too)

will help you even with the most mundane problems and will protect you from literally anything you can think of... yeah even gods (she beat several of those already)

her aura magnetises people and commands so much respect and admiration she comes off as aloof at first, but she really is all soft spoken, delicate gestures, shy tender smiles within five minutes of talking to her

will listen to all your hopes and fears and concerns and vents just so you can get it off your chest and feel better

will really just patiently listen and won't give you unwanted advice if you don't want it or dote on you if you prefer

she's a talented weaver and will repair the small holes in your socks, can also makes you cool and pretty clothes for free

overall she's genuiely a good crafter and can totally equip you for battle

loves going out for a stroll in a various landscapes, keeps a sketching book to study the fauna, flora and rocks

for history lovers, she can have cool visions of the past

CONS:

but there's a 95% chance she'll have visions of your past

also she doesn't control when it happens so you'll probably have to watch out for her so she doesn't get killed, yeah it happened in battle before...

often lost in her own thoughts (not the vision of the past kind) so she'll have you repeat your words once or twice

thirst traps, but will most likely never act on it

is being courted by a lot of people (including a litteral murderous sociopath) and everyone is consistantly asking for her attention and she will listen to as many as she can (it's in her nature of service)

might have some romantic tension with her alter-ago who fusioned his soul with hers

has two adopted teenagers (twins) who can and will interrogate you for hours to see if you're worthy of her (at best you'll be a debatable case)

you might have an entire ngo to go through as well

will disappear without a word to go on an adventure

literally never rest or listen to her body to the point of passing out

she might not be done grieving her dead boyfriend nor her dead friend/crush

bought an appartment in a freezing cold city to have a resting place close to her boyfriend's grave and her kinda in-laws

said appartment is more like an unkempt bedroom full of books and parchments, she doesn't spent much time in it

[purpleqilinwrites]

the whore-son.

a/n: if soushirou is my baby girl, souichirou is my chew toy!!! i have a fairly complicated relationship with the hoshina brothers, as you can see hahaha.

fandom: kaiju no. 8

character: hoshina souichirou

genre: angst

info: high fantasy au; souichirou is a crown prince; you are a military commander

warnings: social and relational inequality; omegaverse anatomy (sharp teeth, all genders capable of causing and giving birth)

synopsis: crown prince souichirou finally bared his teeth in the face of you, who has been a thorn in his flesh.

word count: 1.1k

Hoshina Souichirou

The crown prince's face retained that small, placid smile. You were certain he's perfected it over all the years he was required to play the part of the emperor's docile successor. He had to. Someone like him had no place in the court if he wasn't an important man's possession.

Prince Souichirou adorned himself with that mask of a smile in front of you, even in his private bedchambers where it was only him and only you. Something inside you couldn't help but thrill at the display. He might as well have thrown himself over the richly embroidered carpet – a war trophy. One of the many your father had won for the emperor when he retook the cities along the quarrelsome northern border. This one in particular had been part of a dowry to the lord of the northernmost city when she took a wife from a tribe who lived in the tundras beyond the reach of the empire. – beneath your feet and bared his belly to you.

You gleefully took note of how the cushioned armrest where his right hand lay was creased from the dig of his fingernails into the plush material of it. Firelight reflected a fiery orange-gold off the signet ring's proud though ill-deserved roost on his index finger, and you were reminded again of your predicament.

"No matter what your opinion, I am still your prince—" You scoffed, making no attempt to hide your scorn. He continued to speak despite your interruption, but your ears were keen enough to pick up the barely discernible waver in his voice. "—and I trust you will do good in remembering that, retainer."

"'Retainer'?" A mock elation coloured your tone. It wasn't the privilege it ought to be, to be styled as retainer by the crown prince. "I would have Prince Soushirou for my lord, and no one else."

If it had been Prince Soushirou, there would have been a never-ending line of people waiting for their name to be called so that they might enter his service. Alas, Prince Soushirou was ordained as high priest by the emperor upon coming into adulthood and could no longer maintain a personal faction of retainers. Your blood began to heat at the thought. The emperor was intentionally excluding his one legitimate son from the line of succession to the throne.

"Soushirou will never marry, not when he has accepted a holy undertaking. I advise you to cut your losses and—"

You bristled, speaking through gritted teeth. "Keep his good name out of that mouth, prince. And don't presume that you may give me advice for the taking."

The goblet of hammered silver on the side table looked extremely enticing all of a sudden. Your hand absolutely itched to swat at it and empty its contents of mulled wine over the crown prince's floor, but you refrained. The wine would stain the lovely white fox pelt where the whore-son prince was resting his feet. You received an extremely generous boon from the emperor when you begrudgingly offered yourself as a suitor in the summers prior, subsequently bringing the crown prince that fox pelt as a courtship gift. The crown prince's insistence on keeping the pelt in one of the most visible spots in his chambers surely was his method of reminding you what you have cost his father.

If not for Prince Soushirou's pleading, you wouldn't have bothered to go out in that godforsaken bollocks-freezing winter to hunt for it. It took you no time at all and your hunting party was scarcely inconvenienced, but your distaste for cold weather was a known fact.

The crown prince gave a tired exhale. You paid him no mind. This conversation was far more taxing for you than it was for him. You undertook an arduous journey through the mountain passes teeming with bandits and lowlifes to come to the capital province on his account and by the emperor's petition. What's worse was that upon your arrival at the crown prince's primary residence, your outermost coat was taken before you were immediately ushered up many flights of stairs to have an audience with him. "I will make you a gracious and biddable husband. That is my promise to you. I will do everything in my power—"

"Hardly any of it, is there? Don't make me laugh, prince," you said, coming as close as you could to spitting without performing the act. "What power you have is entirely dependent on if I'll permit you to access mine."

Prince Souichirou's mask began to crack. The cushioned armrest beneath his signet ring-bearing right hand ripped at the points where his fingernails cut into the fabric, chafed by the many occasions on which you have appeared to him and been a persistent thorn in his flesh.

You stifled the smile that threatened to split your face in half, barely.

"If you so require it, I will birth you an heir for your house. A proud, robust son," he said, choking on his words. It was impossible for you to keep your lips pressed shut, a derisive laugh trickling out despite yourself. You watched his nostrils flare as the sound echoed about his chambers, his upper lip beginning to pull back to reveal his sharp teeth that proved the emperor's parentage.

What pride could a whore-son possibly be in possession of that being the child-bearing partner would be a source of humiliation? Unlike him, your blood was pure and you were unmistakably born of the noblest pedigree. It would be an even higher honour for him to give you an heir than it was to be his father's son. You, if you allowed Prince Souichirou to become full with your child, would be utterly debased in the eyes of your house and of the court and of the people.

There would never be enough wars to end that you might regain some fragment of your present dignity across multiple lifetimes after the fact. Even if you managed the miraculous feat of forging treaties of peace with the ungovernable tribes of the north and the war-mongering nations to the west and to the south and the unknowable peoples scattered across the seas to the east, your good name would forever be sullied beyond salvation by having known the whore-son prince. The crown prince he might be, but he was entirely beneath the privilege of being known by you, let alone bearing a child to add to your house.

In the face of the imperfect, shattered mask of Prince Souichirou, you laughed and you laughed and you laughed.