#competent ruthless brutality

[5ummit]

I am your only future and my path your only path! Who among you dare say otherwise?

[sathone]

High school sports officially ruined my ability to compete in a healthy manner.

[brucewaynehater101]

Can I ask for a littlebit sibling bonding dami-tim? 🥺 I've looked a lot and can't find anything I haven't already read 😢

Hmm.... I'm assuming you'd like a little piece of writing? It's not fluffy in the slightest, but here ya go!

Tw: auditory descriptions of torture, blood, pain, violence

Hurt/comfort, BAMF Tim, angst

----

Damian's family is full of fools. They are competent, skilled fighters and master tacticians. Each one is a superior detective and powerful leader in their own right.

Yet, they are, undoubtedly, fools.

If each of them were asked who of the family is the largest threat, they would answer wrong. They would praise Cass's unfathomable combat prowess, the unending reach of Oracle, the terror Red Hood brings, Batman's plethora of contingency plans, or the charismatic destruction of Dick. To them, these members would be the top contenders.

Damian is not indicating that these family members wouldn't be formidable. He's not even saying they are unworthy to be wary of. No. Only a fucking idiot would dismiss the very real peril of these vigilantes.

The issue lies in how obvious they are. Everyone knows to especially prepare defenses against them. They are terrifying as opponents and ruthless when provoked. All Bats are.

However, Damian knows, as he has always known, that none of them are a threat in the way that Timothy Drake is.

Drake isn't physically imposing nor is he well-known for his ability to decimate his enemies from afar. He's a Bat and he's competent, but he usually upholds a supporting role. He fades to the background and hides in the shadows of his predecessors. He doesn't alarm people nor automatically register as the most dangerous person of the Bats. He can completely decimate his opponents, but he's overlooked in comparison to the others.

It's why he terrifies Damian.

Red Robin is a disregarded, unseen hazard. He meticulously and carefully hides his culpability and capabilities even from allies. He's vicious and cruel, a liar, a con man, and a thief.

And yet he's selfless and kind. He's caring.

He's a complicated headache of a man.

It's been... rough trying to ignore Damian's initial assertion of Drake. The problem lies in the fact that it's not wrong. Red Robin is conniving. Drake could easily make Damian disappear without a single Bat suspecting otherwise.

Trusting Drake is the same as handing Red a sword and knowingly turning his back to him. It's idiotic. And it's expected of the youngest brother.

For years, neither Damian nor Tim could get past this hurdle, this mutual distrust. It simmered between them as they recognized the monster of themselves in the other's eyes. They were similar enough to know better than their family members. To know better than to put aside their fued.

But it started to shift.

Damian can't point to when he stopped wearing weapons around Drake's presence, only that Drake lacked his as well.

Red became a bit more brutal against the goons who hurt Robin, and Robin was callous to those who managed a hit on Red.

One by one, the children who used to bother Damian at school either became passive or they moved. One by one, fewer Gotham socialites whispered scandalous rumors about Timothy Drake.

Titus and Alfred the Cat received gifts and treats left in Damian's room. Drake's apartment walls received a mural.

Damian became Dames. Drake became Timothy.

They still snarled and snipped and wrestled and attacked each other. They couldn't hold a conversation without either one blowing up in anger. They never acknowledged the changes. They didn't seek out each other's presence.

But it continued. Damian now only grumbles when Timothy ruffles his hair. Tim moved an extra desk into his office if Damian wanted to work on WE or school. Tim finds truly abhorrent charcoal portraits of himself, and Damian finds his gifted drawing in picture frames.

They don't like each other and they won't admit to caring about their brother. They just, maybe quite possibly, don't hate the other anymore.

While the Waynes are disappointed the two don't get along, they have noticed the shift. It's enough for the family that the two no longer wish each other harm. After everything, that's fine.

This is why Damian's scream comes as such a shock to everyone but Tim.

It's been an hour. An hour since Robin was captured, his GPS was scrambled, and his com was left untouched. An hour of the entire family desperately scouring the city for their youngest bat.

Thirty-seven minutes ago, Damian woke up.

The Bats were forced to listen to him acknowledge his kidnappers and the sound of flesh being hit as of thirty-four minutes ago.

Damian's ability to muffle his own grunts of pain broke down seventeen minutes prior. He started screaming twelve minutes ago.

Eleven seconds ago, with a voice gritty from the hollering and blood, Damian allowed those who captured him to know they left his com in place. He finally addressed one of the Bats while in the kidnappers' presence.

With a tone threaded with pain, with a slight sob, Damian begs, "Timothy. Please."

All of the Bats but one turn to each other in confusion. In their momentary bewilderment, Red Robin disappears.

Tim was barely holding onto his control. He was trying to continuously remind himself why he operates the way Batman prefers. His grip on his restraint was slipping with every whimper, cry, and shout from his baby brother. Tim was going to function Bruce's way. He was.

Swallowing down his wrath, his uselessness, his grief, and his frustration is a well-known habit. Red knows how to choke down his own feelings and desires in his pursuit of "the greater good." He's aware that Bruce's path, as flawed as it is, is better than the one Tim instinctively knows. The Batman way prevents the type of future that Red is constantly trying to prevent of himself.

So, even though the sounds of Damian's torment is riping into Tim's own mind, Red was going to go about it Bruce's way.

But then Damian asked.

There's nothing in this world, in this fuckkng universe, that could prevent Tim from answering his baby brother.

The Bats couldn't hear the threads snapping from Tim's control, but Tim could. Damian, from wherever he was, could as well.

Between the blood pouring from Robin's nose and forehead, a cruel and wicked smile carved into his face.

Timothy, not Red Robin, was coming for those who harmed his brother. They will not escape. They will not survive past today.

[mya-valentine]

Headcanon: Sukuna With a Sadistic Curse User S/O

A/N: I wanna lick him🤤

Sukuna would relish having an S/O who is as sadistic and bloodthirsty as he is. You both find pleasure in pain, destruction, and chaos, feeding off each other's darkness. Your shared love of violence and cruelty would make your connection disturbingly strong, with Sukuna often encouraging your most twisted impulses.

Together, you and Sukuna would be a force of absolute destruction. Wherever you go, chaos follows, and the two of you would revel in the mayhem you cause. Whether it’s in battle or torturing those beneath you, your teamwork would be seamless, and your enjoyment of others' suffering would only fuel each other further.

Sukuna would love playing mind games with you, testing the limits of your sadism and pushing you to go further. He’d challenge you to outdo him in cruelty, always curious to see just how dark you can go. The games wouldn’t end at violence; he’d also play mental games, teasing you with taunts or provoking your darker side just to see your reaction.

Sukuna doesn’t respect just anyone, but your ruthlessness and strength would earn his admiration. He wouldn’t be interested in an S/O who’s weak or unwilling to embrace the darker sides of life. Seeing you crush your enemies and enjoy every moment would spark his interest, making him respect and desire you more.

Your relationship would be full of twisted banter and dark humor. Sukuna would constantly provoke and tease you, knowing that you thrive off the tension and excitement. Your responses would be equally cutting, sometimes bordering on cruel, but that’s what makes the dynamic so intoxicating for both of you.

Despite both of your sadistic tendencies, there would be a strange loyalty between you. Sukuna would see you as a reflection of his own darkness and wouldn’t tolerate anyone trying to harm you or undermine your bond. You, too, would be fiercely protective in your own way, knowing that Sukuna is your equal in both power and cruelty.

You and Sukuna would revel in the fear you inspire in others. Whether it's the cursed spirits or humans who cower in your presence, you'd take great pleasure in the terror that follows you both. The two of you would almost compete to see who can strike more fear into your enemies, enjoying the reactions as much as the violence.

Your relationship would be built on violence, not in a toxic way but more as a shared love for combat and destruction. The two of you would often spar or engage in brutal fights with enemies, getting stronger and more ruthless together. The more bloodshed, the closer you feel to one another.

Sukuna would constantly test your limits, trying to see just how far your sadistic nature can go. He’d push you into situations that bring out your darkest side, whether it’s through torture, battle, or manipulation. You’d match his energy, never backing down from the challenge and even surprising him with your ruthlessness.

In your more private moments, there would still be an underlying intensity. Sukuna wouldn’t be one for soft romance, and you wouldn’t expect it either. Your connection would be based on power, dominance, and the thrill of controlling and challenging one another, making your bond electrifying and dangerous.

Both you and Sukuna would find amusement in corrupting or manipulating others, especially if it leads to chaos. You’d enjoy playing with people’s emotions, leading them to despair or fear just for fun. Sukuna would take pleasure in watching you toy with your victims, admiring your cruel tactics.

You and Sukuna would see each other as perfect partners in crime. While you may not always show affection traditionally, you’d constantly team up to take down enemies, eliminate weaklings, and rule over others with iron fists. Your synergy would make you a terrifying duo in the cursed world.

There’d be a constant push and pull between you two. Sukuna loves control and dominance, but you wouldn’t be easily dominated. This back-and-forth power struggle would be a key part of your dynamic, keeping things thrilling and intense between you. He’d respect your willfulness and enjoy the challenge you present.

Neither of you would tolerate weakness in yourselves or each other. Sukuna would constantly push you to be stronger, faster, and more brutal, and you’d do the same for him. If either of you showed any signs of softness or mercy, the other would call it out immediately. You thrive on your ruthless power and expect nothing less.

Sukuna and you would feed into each other’s darkest tendencies. If Sukuna has an especially cruel or violent idea, you’d encourage him, and vice versa. Your relationship would be one where there’s no moral compass—only a shared thirst for power, bloodshed, and dominance.

You would find Sukuna’s savagery attractive, and he would be equally drawn to your cruel and cunning nature. While others may fear or despise your cruelty, Sukuna would celebrate it, and you’d admire his relentless pursuit of power. There’s a mutual admiration for each other’s dark strengths.

You’d bond over the chaos you cause together, finding excitement in the destruction you unleash on the world. Whether it’s taking down cursed users or sowing discord, your relationship would thrive in an atmosphere of mayhem. For the two of you, peace would be boring—chaos is where you truly connect.

While your relationship may not be traditionally affectionate, there would be moments where your loyalty to one another shows through in small, cold ways. Sukuna may save you from a dangerous situation, not because he’s being sentimental, but because he respects you too much to let someone else end you. You’d do the same, knowing that you are both the strongest when together.

You and Sukuna would constantly push each other to grow more powerful and more sadistic. There would be no room for stagnation in your relationship—both of you are always seeking ways to evolve, learn new techniques, or hone your cruelty. You’d challenge and motivate each other to become more formidable.

Despite the darkness and cruelty in your relationship, there would be a strong, twisted connection between you. You’d understand each other’s sadistic tendencies in a way no one else could. This would create an unbreakable bond that goes beyond love—it’s a partnership in chaos, power, and destruction, where you both find your true selves.

.

.

.

Masterlist

[wordstome]

the very first night (ntwdt pt 2)

tell me that you hate it hate that i'm no longer in your reach if i can't hear you say it maybe you can't change it, but if you never if you never put it on the line how am i gonna sign for it?

alpha colonel König x beta ex-lover reader

2nd person, no y/n, she/her pronouns, reader's callsign is Eden, reader speaks French, omegaverse, exes to lovers, fraternization, fantasy version of military protocol, probable incorrect use of "copy"

2.2k words

tw: mentions of dead bodies and vague violence, dirty talk, könig is in rut but no actual sex happens, mention of grinding

Do you guys still even remember this au??? 😅 I'm back to writing this fic with this specific format just like the last time I had bad writer's block. I'm sorry that I basically made you guys take a poll and then immediately disregarded the results :( metalhead König is going to be the next one published, and then kosovo maiden. Anyway, this is less of a foray into the omegaverse as it is into exploring a married couple's dynamic. Forgive me if it's inaccurate, I've never been married. (Several of the people who will probably read this are married so...I might be really embarrassing myself here lol)

“Two on your six, O’Conor.”

König watches as his colleague takes down his pursuants with practiced ease. “Good to have someone watching over me, Eden.” the man roughs into his comms.

“It was my pleasure, Declan.”

“Can you two keep the flirting off the main comms?” Fender huffs. König hears O’Conor snort before the line goes quiet.

“Steady,” Horangi says next to him.

“What?” König says.

“You’re breathing like an angry bull. It’s unnerving.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s obvious you’re mad O’Conor’s flirting with your ex-wife.”

“She’s not—“ König lets out a sigh of defeat and tips his head away from the scope. “She can do whatever she wants. I’m not her keeper.”

“Right, which is why you’re white-knuckling your rifle and giving off the most furious pheromones I've ever felt."

König gives his friend a deadly side eye. “Can I help you?”

“Nah. Just confirming what I already know”, Horangi answers, unbearably smug.

König rolls his eyes and returns to the task at hand.

The two of you avoid each other, mostly.

When you’re forced to interact, it's with stiff professionalism. Cold and distant. The way it was when it was really, really bad.

You spend your time becoming closer to the other operators. O'Conor, for one, is someone you find yourself growing close to. In your line of work, it's usually not a good idea to get too attached to someone who may not see the next day, but it's part of your job to know these people now.

They're so competent that you can ignore the obvious, anyway.

König's always been competent, but watching him work nowadays is strange, like watching a remake of a nostalgic childhood film.

His movements are the same. He flicks his wrist the same way, with a heartbeat's worth of pause before the movement. Him taking cover, leaning with that awful posture you always got on his case about.

But everything about him is more ruthless, more efficient. The unrefined brutality of his youth is replaced with a honed precision that is foreign to you.

It stings, though you know the feeling has no right to exist.

You can't keep yourself from reminiscing about the past, when everything about him was familiar. When you knew him so well, it was enough to save both your lives.

"We've lost comms with König."

Your heart drops into your throat. You've been on several ops with him at this point, but this has never happened before.

"What do you mean you've lost comms?"

"He's not responding."

"What?" Fear grips your heart at everything that implies.

"He's in your building, Eden. Find him and extract. Copy."

You move slowly, like ice is flowing through your veins. "Copy."

You will yourself to calm down. Lost communications doesn't mean anything but lost communications. Panicking that you're going to encounter his body will only ensure you end up as a corpse as well. Besides, who could ever take down a man like that, tall like a giant and quick like a viper as he is?

If you had lost comms, what would you do? Re-establish them, of course. Pick your way out of the building and do everything in your power to reconnect with your team. From where König entered, he'd be exiting the building on the east side. You turn to head that way, then hesitate.

König's not you, though. He's not like any other member of the team. Proud, arrogant, vicious König, far more so than other alphas. You used to be afraid of him while he was at work, but eventually you came to realize that was simply how he was in his element—a different persona he wore to battle. As much as you wished he would be sensible and take the safe route, König would never take the safe route. He'd be carrying on the mission on his own, moving towards the target at the center of the building.

But he's a professional. No matter how good he is at what he does, he's not a one-man army, and he knows the right thing to do would be to extract. It's a gamble. If you head towards the east exit and he's not there, you could be losing precious time to find him. But if you head towards the center, you could be walking right into a fight you can't win and become overwhelmed.

You let out a shaky breath and attempt to calm your mind. What would he do? What is he thinking? If you make the wrong call, if you don't know your lover as well as you think you do, one of you won't be walking out of here. You close your eyes and think.

You open them with newfound determination and turn towards the center of the building.

You'd been right, of course, judging by the fallen enemies you find as you move through the hallways. But you don't allow yourself to feel sure until the moment you lay eyes on him, securing the target—a hard drive containing sensitive information.

"König!" you hiss, just as he whips towards you, gun drawn. He relaxes when he sees it's only you. Despite the fraught situation you're in, you can't help yourself from dashing towards him and burying your face into his chest in a hug.

"Eden," he says, his relief evident.

"You stupid motherfucker," you hiss. "You should have extracted the moment your comms cut out."

His eyes crinkle up behind his mask the way they always do when he smiles. "You knew I wouldn't."

"Yes, because I am burdened with being one of the few people on this earth who knows you like the back of my hand. Atlas holding up the sky," you grumble.

"I know you're relieved to see me," he responds, joy evident in his tone.

You let out a sigh. "Can we just get out of here?"

"Aye-aye, captain."

You could do without those memories, you think whenever the two of you trade clipped exchanges during ops now.

König still has traces of the arrogance of his youth, but it shows through less now. He's wiser, more patient and far less reckless.

You catch yourself admiring how good of a leader he's become. His connection with his teammates is like muscles flexing a hand.

You're no longer a part of that nervous system.

In fact, he's always catching you off guard now.

The energy in the common area is weird today.

You can’t quite put your finger on it. It’s like everyone’s walking on eggshells, but at the same time, nobody’s mood seems to be that affected. It’s like you’re all mice living in someone’s walls: going about business as usual, but with some looming threat casting a pall over everything.

“Is it just me or does the energy on base feel off today?” you ask Calisto.

“Oh. Yeah, that. Don’t worry about it,” she says. She swings open the refrigerator and pulls out coffee creamer. “No need for concern. König’s in rut.”

You do a double take. “He is?”

“Yeah.” She’s casual about it as she dumps cream and sugar into her coffee. “Usually he has a pretty light rut—he just gets testy and irritated. But for some reason this time is bad.” She offers you the cream, but you shake your head. “Don’t know what’s up with him, but he had to barricade himself in his room. His scent is driving people up the wall.”

You stare at the table in front of you. It can’t be a coincidence that König’s rut gets worse as soon as you’re near him again, can it?

When you look up, Horangi is staring at you from across the room. Slowly, he raises his mug to his lips, never once taking his eyes off of you.

You swallow the lump in your throat.

Calisto was right. The scent is overwhelming, but it's also familiar. You can't blame the others for avoiding the area. If you'd never dealt with him in this state before, you'd be hightailing it out of there too. Which is why you're doing this despite...everything.

You hover outside his door, trying to gather yourself, or work up the nerve to knock, or anything. It doesn’t matter in the end, though.

“I can smell you, liebling,” comes his voice, deep and growling and verging on feral. A shiver runs up your spine. You haven’t been called that in a long, long time.

“I only came here to bring you things. Water and…snacks.” you stammer, instantly hating yourself for how weak you sound.

“All these years later…and you still smell the same.” He blows right past your feeble little excuse, not even dignifying it with a response.

“I’m just here to check on you,” you murmur.

“Is that so.” You gasp as you hear a loud thud against the door from the other side. Oh God, it’s him, his body heat almost burning through the wood, pressed so close that you can hear his heaving breaths. “How kind of you.”

“It’s the least I can do, considering…”

“Considering it’s your fault I’m like this in the first place?”

Your legs feel weak. “Yes.”

His voice is silky, dangerous despite the barely restrained lust behind it. “Good girl.”

“That’s not fair,” you whisper.

“That’s a shame. You used to like it when I called you that. Still do, according to my nose.”

You wish he wasn’t right, but he is. You’re so slick that you’re soaking your underwear.

“Do you want the water or not?”

“Are you going to come with it?”

“I—”

“Because I promise you, if you’re still standing there when I open this door, you will get fucked against it.” He sounds like a savage animal snapping his jaws in hunger, and fuck, your body feels hot and weak in response. Every cell in your body is screaming out for you to throw open that door and let him fuck you limp. If you told him to break down the door, you’re sure that he would.

“You can’t say that anymore,” you whisper, hating the words as they leave you.

That seems to bring König back to rationality. You can picture him now on the other side of the door, shoulders slumping as he withdraws back into himself. "I...I'm sorry."

You slide down to sit on the ground with your back to the door, gripping a water bottle in a clenched fist. "It's like no time has passed at all, huh?"

You hear him let out a shaky breath, clearly trying to collect himself and bite back words he can't say. "Yeah."

That's the thing, isn't it? Your biology and his got the two of you into this situation in the first place. Very little of that has changed. Even though you've grown distanced in your minds, your bodies haven't forgotten the connection.

You're still struggling with how to feel about that. So much of your life has been dictated by what your body needs and wants. You've spent just as much time bucking against those needs and wants, so much that it feels like second nature.

"All of this...it takes me back. Do you remember the first night I spent with you during a rut?" you say. For a while you don't think he's heard you, but then he responds.

"How could I forget? It's my most embarrassing memory."

"Still?"

"I swore I would never let something like that happen again."

You giggle a little. "It was cute, for what it's worth." That first time, you'd come prepared with water and food, just like you had tonight, prepared for a long night full of...strenuous exercise. Instead, König had gotten so overwhelmed at his first rut with a partner that he came by just grinding on your leg and immediately fell into a 12-hour sleep.

"Yeah, you've said that. Doesn't make me cringe any less."

"And I'll say it again, it wasn't as bad as you think it is." You idly trace the cap of the water bottle with a fingertip. "There's no shame between us."

Another long pause before he responds. "Was."

A dull, throbbing pain nestles itself below your sternum.

"It...doesn't have to be past tense," you put forth tentatively.

"Doesn't it? We've gone right back to being strangers. You're still on the other side of the door."

You bite your lip. You can't deny that, nor the distance that's grown between the two of you.

This is all happening too fast. You don't know if you want to close the gap. You don't know if you're ready to make amends, after what happened.

"You're in no condition to have this conversation," you say, to distract both him and yourself.

"Conversation with you is hard to come by nowadays."

"Well...let's change that. Starting when your rut's over. Let's try talking like normal people again." This time, you don't know if you can blame your stupid biology for the relief you feel saying that. Maybe this time it's nothing but you and your treacherous heart.

You hear a thump against the door, but not an aggressive one. More like he's leaned his head against it. "I guess we have to start somewhere."

More silence. Then he speaks again, his voice tremulous.

"Can you stay? It's easier when you're here."

You swallow, your mouth gone dry like a desert. You can barely manage your next two words. "Of course."

The rest of the night is quiet, but you know he's there. At one point, you can even hear his steady, even breathing. Somewhere along the way, you notice that your breathing has synced with his.

The two of you fall asleep like that, propped up next to each other with a single layer of wood between you.

I miss you like it was the very first night...

I only revised this once while exhausted out of my fucking mind at 3am, so forgive me if anything's awkward or clunky. I'll probably go through it again in the morning (and die of cringe). But there we go! I hope you guys enjoy. As always, I would love to see your thoughts and comments <3

Regarding my tag lists: I've had to leave out a few people, so if you see your url missing from this, please let me know and I'll add you back. Also, apologies if you're here despite not asking to be tagged for this particular story. I haven't gotten around to sorting out fic-specific taglists yet 🥲

@kneelingshadowsalome @danibee33 @crowbird @poohkie90 @cumikering @iytatsworld @papaver-decervicatus @anxietyrain @cookiepie111 @no1runawaymilkdad @chthonian-spectre @backwards-readings @yxllowtxpe @hexqueensupreme @violetstyless @her-majesty-theking @vegan-peppermint @peonytarian @ghostslittlegf @deaddainish @teehee-47 @catluvwr @keiva1000 @waves-against-a-cliff @channelsoph @cutiecusp @itsagrimm @dins-riduur-anthe @mantishymns @lexuria @complexivelovely @black-moon-bunny @kit-williams @shebibtedmypepnis @mafer383

[bad268]

can you do an arvid lindblad x reader story where reader gets alot of hate for being a female driver and arvid comforts her?

love you stories btw

+Pls could u do an Arvid Linblad and reader where reader is in the paddock and its super busy and they get overwhelmed and he calms her down

+could u do smth with arvid or paul where they just announced that you guys are dating and the media is being really mean but they comfort you?

Deserve the World (Arvid Lindblad X Fem VCARB! Reader)

Fandom: RPF/F2/F3

Requested: Clearly (I LOVE THIS <3)

Warnings: Aged up Arvid, sexist comments, hateful fans

POV: Second Person (You/your/She/her)

W.C. 1227

Summary: The fans and reporters are brutal when a female joins the grid.

As always, my requests are OPEN

MASTERLIST // HITLIST

~~(^Pinterest)

Red Bull was known to be ruthless, and they rarely moved up their junior drivers. That did not stop you from joining their junior program. You loved the team, the benefits, and the knowledge you could learn from them.

Well, when the news hit that Red Bull was promoting not one but two junior drivers to VCARB for the 2026 season, shit hit the fan. Then, when people realized that one of those drivers was a girl, shit really came crashing down.

You knew this would happen. It happened when you first joined Hitech in F2, and you expected it when you eventually moved up to F1. Most of the haters dwindled down when you and Arvid pulled a 2021 like season in F2 since it kept everyone interested, but ultimately, they came flooding back when you won by a singular point. You had grown since the start of the season, so you took their criticism with a grain of salt and moved on.

At least you did on the outside.

Sometimes, you couldn’t stop yourself from falling down the rabbit hole that is Twitter (X) and Instagram comments. You would rather know everything they said than work yourself up over what they could be saying. Call it one of your red flags, but you did not want to remain unaware of their backlash.

Arvid had caught you in that rabbit hole on more occasions than he wanted to admit, and yeah, he got his fair share of hate. His was nowhere near the amount you got. He tried convincing you to get someone else to manage your social media accounts, but you always declined. Who else would post the not-so professional pictures you take during the weekend? Certainly not a professional staff who is in charge of making you look professional. 

The first race of the season was already off to a shitty start. You were a few minutes late to the media pin, and everyone started speculating that you were sleeping with Red Bull or VCARB staff for your seat. In reality, you were meeting with the staff to discuss how to go about addressing the hate.

You tried to clear it up with the first interviewer, but he was one of the haters. He immediately started poking at how there’s no way a girl like you could get a seat based on pure talent on track. When you asked what he meant by that, he chuckled and said, “Clearly, you have talents behind closed doors.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back as you immediately turned and left the pin, trying to get back to your garage before you had a full breakdown. You heard the main reporter and a few nearby interviewers laugh as you made your hasty exit, and that made the situation worse as nearby fans heard the commotion and pulled out their phones. The way the pitlane was set up, you had to walk past all of the fans to get back to your garage. Just the thought made your heart rate quicken if that was even possible. 

It did not take long for Arvid to notice your lack of presence next to him or in the media pin at all. Usually, you two stuck together since you were on the same team, but you both also found comfort in being next to each other. Many people thought it would have caused a rift in your relationship competing against each other but given that you were together for almost a year before you started your F2 campaigns, you were up for the challenge. Plus, you were naturally competitive to begin with, so it made your bond stronger. 

He looked around for you, confused, before he briefly spotted your back retreating out the back of the pin. He gently excused himself, but even the interviewer could tell Arvid’s attention was elsewhere. It looked like Arvid was on autopilot, and he was as he felt gravity pulling him toward you. 

It did not take him long to be right up behind you, and that’s when he realized the “fans” had practically caged you in as they shouted at you. Profanities and derogatory terms were being thrown at you left and right in any language, and Arvid knew he had to get you out of there. 

He quickly wrapped an arm over your shoulders as he pulled you into his chest, shielding you from the chaos, and began backing out of the center to find a way out. Thankfully, there was no one blocking behind him, so he was able to just go back the way he came and take the back way around to the VCARB garage.

The garage wasn’t too far, but it felt like an eternity for you. Your heart was racing, and despite knowing it was Arvid taking you to safety, it didn’t help calm you down. You didn’t even register that he had gotten you all the way to his driver’s room until he pushed you to sit on his couch while he kneeled in front of you. He moved one of your hands to rest against his neck as he kept the other in his.

“You’re doing great,” He said quietly as he used his thumb to rub across your knuckles while taking deeper breaths, “Can you breathe with me?”

It took him repeating it a few times, but soon enough, you caught on and began to take struggled breaths in time with him. You finally started to register the noise (or lack thereof) around you. There were no screaming fans or condescending reporters. No camera clicking or shouts of displeasure. 

It was silent for once. You were finally able to hear your own thoughts and think clearly for the first time this whole weekend. Your eyes cleared as you made eye contact with your concerned boyfriend who was still grounding you in the way he had learned a long time ago, causing you to smile.

“Thank you, Arvid,” You whispered as he moved the hand still entwined with your hand up to rest against your cheek. “You always know what to do.”

“I’m always here to pick you back up, and I’m always here to tell you that everybody else is stupid,” He said with a chuckle as he started in the routine speech he gives you wherever the hate gets too much. “What have these people done? Nothing but shit on your parade. You are the first female F2 winner. You are the first female in an F1 since the 90s or something. I am confident you will be the first female on an F1 podium and definitely the first female to win an F1 race. Maybe both in one go, but we’ll see when we get there.”

“Stop blowing my nonexistent horn here,” You tried to dismiss as you gently pushed at his shoulder. “You’re giving me more credit than I deserve.”

“Absolutely not!” Arvid interrupted before moving to cup your face between his hands as he squished your cheeks and shook your head. “You deserve the world, and it’s my job to build you up. I won’t stop until you finally believe it.”

“And what if I never do?” You chuckled but it came out a little weird since he was still squishing your face.

“Then I guess I’ll never stop.”

~~~~~

© BAD268 2024. DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT PERMISSION.

[paganminiskirt]

haii gooseberry number one fan here. whats yr thoughts on phylis ... i lov lov lov yr posts abt picking apart coyles character and lore hehe

“You're too delicate! You're too precious! You can't go!”

Well first of all, I love that she’s fat, in part because you can bet your ass that if she wasn’t, she’d be overeroticized and made the object of those shallow copy-pasted “awoooooooga step on me mommy” screeds that fandom regurgitates to avoid having to put coherent thought into female characters. Much like queerness and the role it plays in Coyle’s storyline, fat characters that are conceptualized to act as fonts of horror have traditionally reinforced fatphobic social norms. And because of the gory, grotesque conventions of horror as a genre, these cases are often distinctly more damaging and offensive than, say, a fatphobic character in a sitcom. (You can read more about this topic here and here.)

The voice acting carries all of her appearances, too. Her now infamous cocaine song is the first example to come to mind; that overwrought, wavering tone she adopts makes it sound like she’s always on the brink of breaking down entirely. The sustained anxiety created a harsh juxtaposition between her tone and the lewd lines share’s parroting (“fucking and fighting.”) The quote that I highlighted at the top of the post also shines. Gooseberry’s great vocal performance is cool not least of all because the last major fat antagonist in the series, Chris Walker, didn’t get a lot of lines. I’m midway through replaying the first Outlast, and I think the game treats Chris Walker with a lot more pathos and significance than many games treat fat characters of his kind, although that assessment falls apart once you get to The Murkoff Account.

Chris is the main villain of Outlast. He’s portrayed as brutal but also competent and deliberately ruthless, which implies that he’s capable of complex thought in spite of the dehumanization he endured as a variant. The contradiction there underscores the game’s main theme & the overarching tragedy and atrocity of Mount Massive. In the end, Chris is brutally murdered on screen, and you could argue that the imagery incorporated in his death scene - that of expanding and blowing up - has fatphobic undertones. But unlike Rick Traeger and Eddie Gluskin, who meet similarly grizzly fates, the audience surrogate Miles directly suggests that the viewer should sympathize with Chris after his death. Somehow, Chris emerges as the least monstrous of the three, no matter how much abuse was piled onto his body and mind, and no matter what crimes he committed under that duress. Overall, Outlast presents him as a relevant, memorable, and fully autonomous character. Not bad, for a game that came out while The Biggest Loser was still airing on NBC.

But the comics have a lot less time to develop Chris than the game did. In The Murkoff Account, his main purpose is to act as a human example of broader institutional cruelty, much like Billy Hope did in Outlast. That position naturally invites the audience to view Chris as victimized and, to an extent, sympathetic, but his only notable characteristic outside of that victimization is a childish inability to control his aggression or prevent himself from being bullied. Those two details seem to form a paradox, right? Chris is a former military police officer, he brags about knowing judo, he should be able to get his coworkers to shut up and stop making fun of him. But he lacks the drive, conviction and strength of will necessary to do that. He’s basically a big baby, characterization which is reinforced by the comics’ art style.

Compared to the thin characters, Chris isn’t allowed to act with nearly as much autonomy as he did in the game. What happens to him in the comics could happen to anyone, and the only distinctions relevant to him as a person are crass stereotypes revolving around his body. The cost of expanding on the game’s lore was that the main villain got whittled down to the latent antifat tropes which had always lingered just below the surface - Chris doesn’t get to be a mad doctor like Trager or an abhorrent admirer like Gluskin. Instead, he’s the stout strength trope, he’s the fat idiot trope, and he expands on the pig imagery. Not great times.

And Gooseberry was probably influenced by Chris. She’s fat, she’s strong, she’s associated with an animal, and to an extent, she’s infantile! Although I think that her characterization as hysterical and not fully in control of herself is less a manifestation of fatphobia, as it was with Chris, and more a direct allusion to antiquated perceptions of mentally ill women. “Goose” is itself old-world slang for a silly or witless person. If one thing has emerged from my thoughts on Coyle, it would be that the writers of Trials are a lot more conscientious of social perceptions and stereotyping than the writers of Outlast were. It’s natural for a series that’s been going on for this long to begin to develop redundancy, but Trials’ 1950s setting and new game mechanics help gloss over that. Phyllis’ asserted sexual relationships with in-game characters struck me as unnecessary, but fat women (like dark skin women) are often depicted as masculine and drained of eroticism, so. You win some, you lose some.

You can read Gooseberry as a sort of a combination between Chris and Eddie, with her body and maturity interconnected to present her as disturbingly naive and immature in contrast with the great violence she enacts. This is a concept also explored with Eddie Gluskin: his hand-wringing need to preserve his would-be victim’s “chastity” becomes bizarre and unsettling when pushed up against the graphic, vindictive misogyny. Similarly, one reason the chases with Chris are so unbearably scary is because the sound of his clinking chains gets louder and louder as he gains on you, but he also does this laborious breathing when he runs which emphasizes his weight. When Phyllis chases you, you hear Futterman’s drill and the sound of her mindless shrieking - it’s terrifying in a way that doesn’t incorporate her fatness into the fear factor. Love that. The same unfortunately can’t be said for her implied DID, a demonization which is unfortunately very common, very old and very damaging all at once. (You can read more about that here, and in tons of other places.)

Michel Foucault used a two-pronged framework to examine popular narratives about The Plague and pandemics in general. Within this framework, there is one “political” story model which is defined by a controlling environment and another “literary” dimension which is defined by a collectivized, frenzied environment. Perhaps because Outlast: Trials was developed amidst a pandemic, I think Foucault’s framework translates nicely to examining Trials’ narrative about the cold war and the red scare. Some common themes include mass hysteria, xenophobia, heightened interpersonal suspicion and a seemingly unprecedented increase in government control.

On the surface, Coyle would represent the “political” dimension of Trials’ horror, acting as an exaggerated, kinda ridiculous extension of the extreme social control that white supremacy & patriarchy enforce. Within this dichotomy, Gooseberry would represent the “literary” dimension of the game’s horror, acting as a chaotic dissolver of all social barriers rather than an enforcer of them and creating a frenzied, carnival-like effect within anyone who comes under her spell. The children who watched her old show and took to violence and drug consumption come to mind; regardless of background, parenting or culture, Phyllis changed them. She didn’t even have to see them in person. She did it over the TV.

Gooseberry [hosted] a children's variety show known as 'The Mother Gooseberry Hour” [produced by Futterland Studios] which started airing in 1951. Following Dr. Futterman's death, the cause of which is still unknown, she had a hysterical episode and began experiencing dissociation. The tone of the Mother Gooseberry Hour shifted accordingly. Throughout her tenure on the show, she used her television platform and mail-order "dental drops" business to get children addicted to narcotics, violence, theft, and possibly murder. Over the years, the children watching her show became cult-like, engaging in immoral behavior, drug use, and other shenanigans, leading to larceny and assault. In 1955, Futterland Studios was raided by the police, after which she was charged with racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder. The raid left two police officers dead and five others injured, as she escaped into the tunnels beneath the set to attack them with drills. It is unclear exactly what was inside Futterland Studios, but police captain Stanley Hoad described the contents of the studios as "The most grotesque architectural perversion since H.H. Holmes’ Chicago Murder Castle.”

Trials is the first Outlast game to allow us to have character customization, and unlike the previous protagonists (who both get stand out from the other characters by being in some way Special within the setting,) the Reagents are intended to act as an endless supply of nameless, faceless grunts, the vast majority of which will die gruesome deaths during the guinea pig stage. In this game, we play as the people who would’ve been those nameless, faceless heads we see on the shelves in Outlast, or hanging from a tree branch in Outlast 2. The game’s customization elements are justified in-universe by the notion that they’re so addled that they can’t even establish a stable perception of their own features: an example of the collectivizing, depersonalizing nature of the literary dimension if I’ve ever seen one. As the popularity of the customizable character feature ebbs and flows, other franchises pull it out just out of laziness in the creative department. With that in mind, I’m really glad Trials did something cool and innovative with the concept instead of just dumping in RPG elements for no reason.

Phyllis’ multiple personas mimic the changeable qualities of the Reagents themselves, though they’re grounded in her stated backstory: there is the doll, the dead abuser, and there is her, the child-turned-woman reenacting that trauma seemingly without fully grasping what’s doing. We’re left with this character who’s genuineness we’re always unsure about, in hard contrast to Coyle’s blunt, undisguised self-servingness and complete lack of conscious guile or shame. The first time the player gets up close with Phyllis will be in the kill animation, where she nods at the puppet she thinks is her father before slaughtering you unceremoniously. Who can say for sure, if Phyllis is more malicious or misguided? Not us, not the other Reagents, not Murkoff, and least of all herself. I’m glad she was included.

[sweettjrose]

Came up with a Disney Comic Villains Teacher AU this is what I have:

Peg Leg Pete (Mr. Pete) - P.E. Teacher

Also works as the Coach for the Wrestling and Football Teams

Doesn't put much effort in teaching but cares a lot about getting his teams to win through ruthless practices or any other means cheating

Married to the Art Teacher

Trudy Van Tubb (Mrs. Van Tubb) - Art Teacher

The most beloved teacher at the school

Expanded the art program to also include fashion design and jewelry making

Does not allow anyone to hurt or insult her students

Works with the Drama Teacher to keep the arts department alive and funded, despite constant threats of closure

Sylvester Shyster (Mr. Shyster) - Civics Teacher

A good teacher who is able to make what could easily be a boring class entertaining

Part of this is that he often shows the shady side of the politics and slips in loopholes and ways to get around the laws he teaches

Knows all the school codes, rules, and statutes by heart as well as how to get around them.

Spends a lot of time with the P.E. and Arts teacher

Portis Egmont (Mr. Egmont) - Chemistry Teacher

One of the many science teachers at the school

Can be seen as a bit boring, but grabs the kids attention by showing off cool inventions and experiments he works on in his free time

Constantly feels like he is competing and proving himself against the other science teachers (Ecks, Doublex, Triplex, etc.)

Is related to the P.E. Teacher and is visited by the Drama Teacher a lot

The Phantom Blot (Mr. Blot) - Drama / Music Teacher

Has very high standards and can be very strict and intimidating

Has bigger plans for his career (Principal, Head of the School Board, Taking over the entire Department of Education) but is working as a teacher for now

Only teaches music to find the best musicians and singers for his plays

But his students still like him as he can be very charming on his better days, clearly knows what he's doing, and is partially why the arts department is still alive

Sponsors many of the clubs including the drama, track, and robotics club

Scuttle - Janitor / Bus Driver / Cook / Etc.

Not a teacher but still a well known and well loved member of the staff

Usually tasked with random odd jobs throughout the school outside of his typical duties

The students love him for all the silly and entertaining shenanigans he gets into

Spends a lot of time with the P.E., Chemistry, Arts, and Drama Teacher

Dr. Vulter (Dr. Vulter) - JROTC (Military Prep) / Environmental Science Teacher

The kids in his JROTC program are extremely loyal and obedient to him

Even his science students know not to mess with him

It is mystery on whether his kids are actually doing a normal JROTC program or something a bit more, but people are too scared to try and find out

His past is also a mystery, though he does have a lot of aquatic memorabilia

The Rhyming Man (Mr. Rhyme) - Creative Writing / Language Arts Teacher

Talks in rhyme as he teaches

Pretty good at teaching, though is known for brutal grading, having erratic temperamental behavior at times, and in general just being scary

Nobody really knows anything about him as he usually keeps to himself and focuses only on teaching his class.

The only person he really talks to is Dr. Vulter, though he does seems to strongly dislike the Drama Teacher

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

Annabelle Doll is 8 years old--and has been for over 100 years. Nothing much has changed in the dollhouse during that time, except for the fact that 45 years ago, Annabelle's Auntie Sarah disappeared from the dollhouse without a trace. After all this time, restless Annabelle is becoming more and more curious about her aunt's fate. And when she discovers Auntie Sarah's old diary, she becomes positively driven. Her cautious family tries to discourage her, but Annabelle won't be stopped, even though she risks Permanent Doll State, in which she could turn into a regular, nonliving doll. And when the "Real Pink Plastic" Funcraft family moves in next door, the Doll family's world is turned upside down--in more ways than one!

Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows

The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickly, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to Ivy and Bean.

Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge

For youngsters of the Dutch village, the time is especially exciting. But Hans and Gretel Brinker, with their hand-carved wooden blades, can hardly expect to compete against their well-trained young friends who own costly steel skates. Raff Brinker, their father, is seriously ill, and the desperately poor family is struggling to survive. To win the race, the siblings will need a miracle — and a helping hand.

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

The year is A.D. 793; Jack and his sister have been kidnapped by Vikings and taken to the court of Ivar the Boneless and his terrifying half-troll wife; but things get even worse when Jack finds himself on a dangerous quest to find the magical Mimir's Well in a far-off land, with his sister's life forfeit if he fails.

A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin

Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world, facing humans both gentle and brutal, busy highways, other animals, and the changing seasons. When Bone and Squirrel become separated, Squirrel must fend for herself, and in the process makes two friends who in very different ways define her fate.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good oldfashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too.

H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden

Otto Malpense may only be thirteen years old, but so far he has managed to run the orphanage where he lives, and he has come up with a plan clever enough to trick the most powerful man in the country. He is the perfect candidate to become the world's next supervillain.

That is why he ends up at H.I.V.E., handpicked to become a member of the incoming class. The students have been kidnapped and brought to a secluded island inside a seemingly active volcano, where the school has resided for decades. All the kids are elite; they are the most athletic, the most technically advanced, and the smartest in the country. Inside the cavernous marble rooms, floodlit hangars, and steel doors, the students are enrolled in Villainy Studies and Stealth and Evasion 101. But what Otto soon comes to realize is that this is a six-year program, and leaving is not an option.

With the help of his new friends: an athletic martial-arts expert; a world-famous, beautiful diamond thief; and a spunky computer genius -- the only other people who seem to want to leave -- can Otto achieve what has never been done before and break out of H.I.V.E.?

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

Sent in 1910 to live with distant relatives who own a rubber plantation along the Amazon River, English orphan Maia is excited. She believes she is in for brightly colored macaws, enormous butterflies, and "curtains of sweetly scented orchids trailing from the trees." Her British classmates warn her of man-eating alligators and wild, murderous Indians. Unfortunately, no one cautions Maia about her nasty, xenophobic cousins, who douse the house in bug spray and forbid her from venturing beyond their coiffed compound. Maia, however, is resourceful enough to find herself smack in the middle of more excitement than she ever imagined, from a mysterious "Indian" with an inheritance, to an itinerant actor dreading his impending adolescence, to a remarkable journey down the Amazon in search of the legendary giant sloth.

Babe the Sheep-Pig by Christ Grant-Bear

When Babe arrives at Hogget Farm, Mrs. Hogget’s thoughts turn to sizzling bacon and juicy pork chops—until he reveals a surprising talent for sheepherding, that is. Before long, Babe is handling Farmer Hogget’s flock better than any sheepdog ever could. Babe is so good, in fact, that the farmer enters him into the Grand Challenge Sheepdog Trials. Will it take a miracle for Babe to win?

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones

Cat doesn't mind living in the shadow of his sister, Gwendolen, the most promising young witch ever seen on Coven Street. But trouble starts brewing the moment the two orphans are summoned to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Frustrated that the witches of the castle refuse to acknowledge her talents, Gwendolen conjures up a scheme that could throw whole worlds out of whack.

[fancoloredglasses]

Xena: Warrior Princess (Somehow more popular than a demigod)

[All images are owned by Renaissance Pictures and Universal. Please don’t sue me]

(Thanks to iTs- Abubakardurrani)

Xena started as a recurring character on Hercules, first as a brutal warlord, but slowly coming around to become a hero of the downtrodden. She was popular enough for Sam Raimi to green light a spin-off after her third appearance!

The series follows the former warlord Xena (played by Lucy Lawless) as she roams ancient Greece (and sometimes beyond) as she atones for her past by helping those in need, using the skills she’s forged to protect rather than conquer.

However, do not think her change in attitude makes her weak. She’s perfectly capable of being ruthless and dealing death to those who oppose her, such as the time she took on the Persian army single-handedly (well, she had a bit of help)

(Thanks to All Action)

Xena’s constant companion is Gabrielle the Bard. While she does pick up some competence in combat, she’s still not a warrior. And I’ve made my views on bards clear in an earlier review.

(Thanks to Mary Bones)

However, she does prove to be a loyal companion and a reminder that there are good people in this world that need her protection. Over time, the fandom shipped them as a couple (eventually becoming canon) and they became not only feminist icons, but heroes among the LGBTQ community.

Like Hercules, Xena has a number of recurring characters (some of which followed her from Hercules), but the one that appears more than any is…

Joxer (played by Sam Raimi’s brother Ted), the black sheep of a warrior clan who absolutely sucks at combat. Joxer more often than not is the comic relief on the show.

When Xena was first introduced, she was a champion for what is now one of the primary antagonists…

…the God of War, Ares

…only he now has a new champion, Callisto.

The series ran for 6 seasons, with the final seeing Xena and Gabrielle being frozen for decades, then travelling to set right a world (beyond Greece) gone mad!

If you wish to watch the series, it’s available on Amazon Prime or behind your favorite paywall.

[assistant-of-drama]

How Heather, Noah and Alejandro got together...

She saw his clever ways since the first day.

Noah, the aloof bookish one, hiding a sharp, crafty mind behind a wall of sarcasm. Heather knew she needed that kind of intelligence to dominate the game, and that’s how their alliance formed.

"I know that you're using me to get further ahead," Noah stated, his voice devoid of emotion, "But that's fine. Because I'm also using you until the merge."

Heather smirked coldly. "Fair enough."

The deal was sealed: Noah's intellect would guide their team through challenges, while Heather, the natural leader, would manipulate the votes and ensure their survival.

Lindsay the fashionista also fell into Heather's grasp.

Heather recognized her as a perfect pawn, someone easily swayed by friendship and oblivious to the true nature of their bond.

The days blurred into a whirlwind of competition and backstabbing. Heather and Noah navigated the game with ruthless precision, their alliance proving deadly. Lindsay remained Heather's loyal and clueless sidekick.

The merge arrived, and with it, Noah severed his alliance as promised.

“The merge has finally arrived.” he declared, his smile smug.

Heather felt a flicker of annoyance but knew the alliance had served its purpose and surprisingly respected Noah's choice.

Lindsay's eventual elimination was a predictable yet brutal act.

Before she left on the boat, she gives Noah a hug, still seeing him as her friend.

Noah hugged back, having gained a soft spot for the blonde.

As the final five descended upon them, Noah became the victim of another unexpected elimination. Apparently, the eliminated contestants voted him off by accident. They could've easily defeated the vicious and ruthless Heather, but instead they wasted it on him.

It almost amuses the schemer.

Heather, against her own expectations, felt a strange sense of regret at his departure. She extended her hand and he regarded it with an amused tilt of his head before shaking it. They both smiled silently at each other.

When Heather herself was eliminated, it was Noah who, in a surprising turn of events, reached out to her.

He even gave her a wig to hide her shaved head.

He did not expect a kiss on the cheek from her.

They found a strange frenemy dynamic, a shared respect born from mutual manipulation and understanding the game as well as each other.

After Owen wins the money, Chris McLean was tossed into the ocean by the vengeful cast.

Noah turned to Heather, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Come on, you gotta be a little bit happy about him being thrown in the water."

Heather paused, her expression a mixture of amusement and disdain. "No... yeah... a bit."

~~~

(During the finale...)

They both ran towards the case, the queen bee and the only one that can still put up with her. As they reached the million dollars, Heather, in a sudden burst of enthusiasm, grabbed Noah and kissed him. It was a quick peck, but it was enough to send shockwaves through the both of them.

"Let me guess," Noah chuckled, his voice laced with amusement, "You wanna act like it never happened?"

"Oh, what the hell?" Heather countered, her usual cool façade cracking. "If I'm gonna get together with someone, it might as well be the most competent boy on the island."

She picked him up, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and kissed him again, this time longer, deeper. Noah's breath hitched. He was surprised by the intensity of the kiss, the sudden rush of heat that coursed through him.

"But," Heather added, pulling back, "I keep most of the money. You only get 100,000 dollars."

Noah raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Wow, that's generous by your standards."

They both burst out laughing.

It was a strange, unexpected feeling - this shared sense of humor, this undeniable spark between them. As they raced towards the finish line, hand in hand, they couldn't help but wonder if this unexpected alliance might, just might, blossom into something more. After all, what was more captivating in a game of survival than the thrill of an unexpected romance?

~~~

On the set of season 2, Heather had Noah in her lap.

He became Chris Mclean's assistant, to spend more time with Heather.

He couldn't help her of course, because he would get in trouble, like Chef did with DJ.

But he's willing to sneak out delicious food for Heather sometimes.

After the finale, Heather created viral videos where she roasted the show Total Drama Seasons. However, Noah was still an assistant. And he was helping Chris create the future season 3.

On the set, Noah meets Alejandro. With a captivating smile and silver tongue, was the antithesis of Noah's deadpan sarcasm. But it was Noah's indifference to Alejandro's advances that piqued the Spaniard's interest. He had never encountered someone immune to his charm. The challenge ignited a spark in Alejandro, a desire to conquer this unyielding fort.

Alejandro, unable to resist the urge, leaned in towards Noah, his voice laced with a seductive whisper, "You have beautiful chocolate eyes."

Noah, unfazed by the flirtatious remark, merely raised an eyebrow and replied, "My girlfriend wouldn't appreciate the compliment, Alejandro."

Alejandro's smirk faltered momentarily. The revelation that Noah had a girlfriend was a surprise.

The next day, Heather walked straight towards Noah, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss. They were oblivious to Alejandro's presence, their world revolving around each other.

Alejandro, however, watched the scene unfold with a glint in his eye. He had never been rejected, not by anyone. This newfound challenge, this impenetrable wall between him and Noah, fueled his desire. He couldn't help but be drawn to the enigmatic Noah, and to the woman who dared to claim him.

He started flirting with both Heather and Noah, his charm a relentless wave against their unwavering resolve. They found his antics amusing, their mutual affection a shield against his advances. But ironically Alejandro found himself falling for the ones immune to him.

One evening, Alejandro confessed his feelings to Heather and Noah. His confession was met with laughter, which wounded his pride.

Until they both said that they felt the same.

(Heather + Noah + Alejandro)

[factsilike]

I don't know if people talk about this, but these next few episodes are really making me appreciate how insanely intelligent and extremely competent Ash is. And he's just seventeen! It boggles my mind, and breaks my heart at the same time.

Oh nvm. I get why he's called 'overpowered'. Although I saw someone saying he's a 'Mary Sue' for that (Gary Stu, actually, which is honestly equally stupid), and I'm like seriously do you even know what a Mary Sue is, or are you criticising based on a flawed misconception of this concept?

"A character that is free from flaws and weaknesses, and seems effortlessly perfect and talented at everything, and universally loved by people in their universe, and seems to go through trials and tribulations with ease."

Now you're telling me you watched the show where the main character goes through horrendous situations from childhood, is traumatized to no end by said situations, has expressed fear of his own many negative qualities, has expressed how hopeless and terrified he feels all the time, has faced insurmountable odds in situations and lost accordingly, has been helplessly losing loved one after loved one in quick fashion, has been brutally beaten and assaulted by his many ruthless enemies multiple times, and you somehow still thought he's a 'Mary Sue'?

Come on. A highly intelligent and badass character does not automatically equal 'Mary Sue'. They go through conflicts and fights in the story just the same as any other character, only on high difficulty mode.

[welp-back-on-my-bs]

I should do something with my fucking insane family known as the Guillotine... welp- tome to send them on a mission with someone from the crown!

Rohdes and Victor:

The dads are doing paperwork. The tension is thick in the air. Smiles are on both of their faces, but it's clear that they are competing. It's not recommended to interrupt them unless you want to die or are their golden boy (IE William or Vulcan).

Morgan and Harrison:

The job gets done quickly and efficiently. They go out for sweets afterward.

"You're paying frenchie."

"This is literally the worst thing you could do to me."

They ended up paying for themselves, returning to the castle and separating.

Freya and Alfons:

These two needed supervisors to not kill eachother or out whore eachother.

"Make it an illusion that you're a woman so I can at least tolerate your existence."

"Well, i find yours to be rather distasteful as well."

Does the job get done? Yes. Brutally, in fact. These two get some pleasure in killing and trying to get more kills than the other.

Lesbain vs Gay violence.

Edward and Elbert:

There to keep Freya and Alfons from killing each other. Literally the most quiet duo ever. Edward even steps between Elbert and people so that they leave the man alone.

Alfons is absolutely jealious, but he won't say anything. After all, he has a weed he needs to pull.

Vulcan and Jude:

These two have actually worked together before, so they are quite ruthless and terrifying. Literally good cop, bad cop, but with men who won't hesitate to murder you, then talk to your spirit afterward. Absolutely terrifying, have a nice day.

[phoenix-king-ozai]

The avatar fandom when Iroh has committed war crimes and likely was just like Ozai but less outwardly unpleasant until Lu Ten got bodied: I don't see it.

Bro if there was an Iroh prequel it'd be ugly as hell.

Crown Fire Prince Iroh systemically starved Ba Sing Se for nearly two years straight non-stop while slaughtering Earth Kingdom soldiers trying to defend and protect their wives, children, family and fellow citizens from the ruthless, brutal and cruel invading Fire Nation army to protect and defend Ba Sing Se.

I’m pretty sure Iroh during his prime years such as during his thirties and before Lu Ten was born was pretty ruthless and savagely competent as Grand General in the Fire Nation’s Army. My headcanon is that Iroh and Ozai have a fifteen year age gap difference. Meaning that in canon at the end of ATLA, Ozai is forty-five then Iroh has to be sixty. When Iroh was thirty during his prime years, Ozai was a fifteen-year-old teenager.

I think both Iroh and Ozai were viciously ruthless commanders and fighters on the battlefield during Fire Lord Azulon’s reign. However, Ozai probably was far more crueler, aggressive, and merciless than his older brother and more like their father Fire Lord Azulon instead. This ruthlessness, brutality, and aggression is what fire nation imperialism and aggressive firebending is based on and what Ozai wants Zuko to inherit and embody as his son and Crown Prince.

This is because in my headcanon Fire Lady Ilah has a much more kinder, gentler, compassionate, and sympathetic personality than her husband Fire Lord Azulon toward other nations suffering in the Hundred Year War due to her having more of a spiritual connection and having her life saved and spared by a Earth Kingdom Princess. This challenged her Fire Supremacist views of people from the Earth Kingdom and other nations made her contextualize their pain and suffering from nearly a century of nonstop war and violence.

Despite both Ilah and Iroh still being staunch imperialists. Ilah made sure to teach Iroh the values of compassion, mercy, and kindness. These values weren't taught and passed down to Azulon and Ozai in comparison. Nor have Azulon or Ozai ever had their Fire Supremacist views challenge and are heavily impacted by decades of propaganda and hatred created by Fire Lord Sozin.

Another headcanon theory of mine is that Fire Lady Ilah died in childbirth while giving birth to Fire Prince Ozai. Iroh was a fifteen-year-old teenager at the time as well. Fire Lord Azulon probably wanted a second child in case of Crown Fire Prince Iroh's possible death on the battlefield along with the return of Sozin’s comet nearly fifty years in the future. However, Ilah probably was in her forties and childbirth was more risky. My dark headcanon is that Baby Ozai burned his mother Ilah from the inside out and the Fire Sages had to perform a lethal C-section on the dying Fire Lady. Fire Lord Azulon loathes his second-born son for being the cause of his beloved wife’s death but this is a coping mechanism due to the fact that Azulon pushed and forced Ilah to have another child.

This is the main reason Ozai is more ruthless, brutal, and vicious than his older brother Iroh. Iroh had and took after Ilah's influence and parenting style whereas Ozai had and took after Azulon’s influence and parenting style. Iroh probably is brainwashed and naivete to believe that the Fire Nation truly cares about the prosperity of the other elemental nations whereas as Ozai is extremely realistic and pessimistic regarding the so-called “benevolent” plans for the other nations.

A good comparison between Iroh and Ozai would be Bjorn and Ivar from the Vikings series. Along with the immorality standards of the German Wehrmacht soldiers and SS-loyal nazi soldiers that are completely brainwashed by the ideology of nazism and imperialism.

[dailycharacteroption]

Prestige Class Spotlight 14: Crimson Templar

(art by AdmiraWijaya on DeviantArt)

While the forces of good normally extoll the virtues of mercy and kindness, most concede that offering such benevolence to most fiends at best allows such monstrous beings a chance to get away and bring about more evil, and at worse, also puts you in direct danger of them taking advantage of this perceived weakness to also kill the agent of good as well.

Few understand the ruthlessness of fiends better than a being that was raised in part by one. I of course speak of Ragathiel, the empyreal lord whose father is none other than Dispater, archdevil and lord of the Second Layer of Hell.

As such, many of Ragathiel’s followers firmly believe that one must be as ruthless as the wicked, destroying them without any mercy beyond the promise of a quick and clean kill. To them, redemption is reserved for those capable of accepting it, which precludes the vast majority of fiends.

The path of the Crimson Templar is a thankless one, for their brutal methods against evil give many of their allies pause, but they soldier on, content to let others accept praise, knowing that the warriors of other divinities are not sullied by the necessary evil of their path.

The prerequisites for this class involve being a righteous worshipper of Ragathiel, being a competent warrior, and knowing how to use a bastard sword as well as several techniques related to hitting foes hard. Naturally, this makes non-barbarian/bloodrager/skald martial classes the preferred option, particularly paladin, but magus, warpriest, fighter, and others are also quite valid options, with only full casters being super iffy. Additionally, we’ll see that ranger and slayer are surprisingly good options here due to synergy with certain abilities.

It should come as no surprise that these warriors know more about fiends than most. As such, they can quickly study such creatures to gain an advantage against them, which stacks with similar training from rangers and slayers.

They also gain deific obedience with Ragathiel if they did not already have it.

Reflecting the five wings of Ragathiel, these warriors are wrapped in a ethereal ward against flame, which only increases with mastery. However, they can forgo this protection for a while to unfurl the wings and make them manifest, granting them flight.

Well-practiced in the art of finishing off foes with their swords, these warriors can quickly deliver finishing blows to vulnerable foes and move on.

While many would not consider it honorable, these warriors learn the art of targeting weak points against distracted foes, bringing them down more quickly.

They also receive additional combat training, picking up a few more techniques.

Much like less-focused obedience-themed prestige classes, these warriors gain the boons of Ragathiel at an accelerated rate, granting various powerful defensive and offensive buffs.

As agents of Ragathiel’s wrath, these warriors can charge their underhanded blows with his wrath, manifesting as holy flame that sears even diabolic flesh with holy power.

Finally, they can unleash this power into slain evil foes to totally obliterate their foes, preventing the allies of such wicked beings from healing or resurrecting them.

Looking for a bit of lethal edge with your holy power? This prestige class can certainly offer that, letting you destroy your foes with raw holy power. The exact class you pick to go with this is up to you, but it certainly lends itself to hitting hard, so build accordingly. That being said, be careful not to be indiscriminate or overzealous in your fiend-slaying, for a goodly alignment and the discretion to not put innocents in harm’s way are required to maintain these powers.

This prestige class is pretty heavily focused on devotion to Ragathiel or a similar entity in your own homebrew games, but it also presents a fun precedent where one can design prestige classes based on devotion to the ideals of a specific deity in addition to granting obedience boons at a much faster rate. Food for thought for the would-be homebrewer.

Ever since he charged off into the fiendish horde, Redmond the Silver Edge hasn’t been seen sense, and is assumed to be dead. However, a scouting patrol discovered a recent mark etched with the symbol of the templar order, suggesting that possibly somewhere, he still yet lives.

Gnolls are a pragmatic people, and they understand better than most that some enemies cannot be reasoned with or offered mercy, lest it find ways to fester in the hearts of the people and bring untold suffering. Thus, when they were allowed to join the order, they brought that belief with them.

They say that in the earliest days, all names were known, including those of the spirits that would one day fall to corruption and become fiends. Crimson Templar Varidos has come up with a daring, some day suicidal plan. In order to gain an advantage over the fiends, he suggests they retrieve those names from the memory of one of the oldest beings, the legendary Leviathan itself

[generic-whumperz]

Waylon (Character sheet)

Picrew

Playlist | Masterlist | Character Info

Wyatt’s older brother and Eleanor’s and Waylon Sr.’s crowned golden child, Waylon Jr. (Lon), is a cunning businessman with a folksy “cowboy Don” exterior who has climbed his way to the top of Apocamerica's underworld. Masking behind a stoic demeanor lies a ruthless opportunist who will stop at nothing to maintain power and control, sight set on building an empire through tactical manipulation and calculated brutality. A master of playing all sides, he uses his charm and wit to get what he wants. Waylon's loyalty and protection are renowned but conditional, and he'll discard anyone who becomes a liability. Nevertheless, he has a deep sense of fidelity to his close circle of those he cares about, but good luck on peeling back his multi-layered façade to reveal his complex web of allegiances that crown him as leader of the remaining free world. His bond with his younger cousin Vinny is unbreakable–Vinny selflessly often acts as the mediator between Waylon and Wyatt.

Meanwhile, Waylon's circumstantial partnership with The Aid—whom he sees as a vital asset in his quest for power—has been a double-edged sword. The Aid’s insights grant him an unparalleled advantage but ensnare him in a cycle of violence, deceit, and jealousy with his business associates. His relationship with Wyatt has been fraught with tension since childhood. He struggles to reconcile their glaring differences–made all the worse by Wyatt’s persistent abuse of Waylon’s most coveted advisor–The Aid.

Full name: Waylon Hugo Weston Sullivan Jr. (Lon)

Role: tertiary antagonist, Whumper, Wyatt's foil character

Date of Birth & sign: January 18, 1972 (60), Capricorn (story takes place in the year 2032)

Gender: cis-male

Sexuality: hetero

Height: 6'4"

Weight/body type/build: 60-year-old dad bod, tall, board-shouldered, barrel-chested, built like a linebacker. Don’t make me guess weight…idk, like 280lbs-ish?

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Family Members: Sullivan family tree. Devoted husband and family man and has four children. Oldest sibling out of the Sullivan trio, the only brother with a relationship with his and Wyatt’s younger sister, Winny. Lives with his wife and two youngest kids—Emma (13) and Waylon Ⅲ (AKA Lonnie) (11). Eldest daughter, Rachel (29), is his protégé groomed to take over the business and engaged to the Governor’s son. Second eldest daughter, Taylor (24), is in and out of rehab.

Left/right handed: right

Fav genre of music & anthem: oldies, especially classic country. Doggone Cowboy by Marty Robbins

Occupation: head of the family-owned livestock farm, Oasis Farms, and the Sullivan and Bellmont fortune beneficiary. While Wyatt received The Aid after Eleanor's passing, Waylon received more responsibility and Eleanor's running business contracts. Although he runs a legitimate business, he also deals in illegal, black market slave trade and labor and business racketeering. He is part of a cabal of business associates that have taken over the resource and trade markets of Apocamerica. He's become politically and professionally advantageous despite his desire for retirement to maintain his family's standing. He attributes a fair amount of his success to The Aid's involvement and cooperation in weeding out untrustworthy and scheming (ex)partners that were out for the Sullivans’ spot as top distributors of meat and produce. He's in the trenches of organized crime and has taken on the role of something akin to a Mafia boss or Don. While he enjoys the power and status, deep down, he just wishes he was out on the ranch competing in rodeo events. Valedictorian, Harvard Alumni, business and economics major.

Ethnicity (+ American): Italian, French, Greek, North and West European, English

Hair color & length: silver fox. Was a dirty blonde when he was younger, but now he's sporting a full head of gray. Cut short, longer on the top, and brushed to the side. Facial hair: has a full, nicely groomed beard. Body hair: on the hairier side with chest hair.

Hygiene: excellent hygiene. Meticulously groomed. Skincare king who is not afraid to pamper himself. You will not catch him looking sloppy or underdressed. He lives to impress his wife and be the best-dressed and best-smelling man in every room he enters.

Eye color: deep-set, almond-shaped, sapphire blue eyes. Wears contacts and readers. Has a severe, unflinching stare that can turn into a scowl just as quickly as a smile.

Skin tone: peachy, neutral undertones. Moisturizing king, skin is glowing.

Facial features: rectangle-shaped head with a high dome. Thin, bow-shaped lips. Fleshy nose. Bushy but well-manicured and sculpted arched brows. Ears. Heavy jaw, rounded protruding chin. Regularly gets "natural looking" Botox injections to erase his face lines and fill in any sagging. Broad-lobed ears.

Mannerisms: he keeps his cards close to his chest and doesn't reveal much. He's a very still and impassive guy with minimal mannerisms and only makes calculated moves. One could argue that's a mannerism of its own right. Moves with an air of confidence. Employs slower and more fluid movements to convey that things happen on his terms when he wants them to. Steeples hands when thinking. Maintains eye contact. Holds head high. He walks with confidence and determination, his arms either fixed at his side or clasped behind his back. Maintains a stoic expression with little to no smiling; most you get is a smirk. Doesn't laugh a lot. Has a dry sense of humor that is easily missed. Figure-4 leg cross when seated. Generally unapproachable. Very hard person to read and gauge.

Nervous ticks: doesn't get nervous

Posture: relaxed and straight in a way that lets you know he's comfortable and in control.

Style: old-school gentleman vibes. Lots of dry-cleaned Dior suits, imported cashmere and vicuña wool sweaters, and diamond-encrusted cufflinks. He looks forward to events where he gets to pull out a Dolce & Gabbana 3-piece suit. He is very concerned with looks and first impressions. Lets his wife dress him. (Spent too much time picking out The Aid’s wardrobe with Eleanor and was very hands-on with The Aid’s introduction into the family…had to sus him out, as any good son would, of course).

Health: very healthy with no ailments or allergies. Eats well-balanced meals and exercises regularly (easier when you have personal chefs and a personal trainer). Doesn't drink or smoke often but will partake socially and will enjoy a cigar from time to time. Doesn't do hard drugs and is anti-junk food. Takes a shit ton of vitamins. Says living a mostly stress-free life is the secret (again, easy to say when you have a whole house staff and a whole team under you doing the leg work). Started to get arthritis but changed over to an anti-inflammatory diet and eating edibles to manage the pain.

Piercings/tattoos: nada

Birthmarks/scars: has a birthmark on his left shoulder blade but has gotten every scar lasered off with dermal regenerator treatments.

Language(s): English, some Italian, some Spanish, some Russian, some German, some French

Personality: controlling. Intelligent. Natural leader. Paternal. Subtly condescending (but obviously patronizing to Wyatt). Responsible. Prideful. Vain. Disciplined. Judgmental. Provider. Classy. Vengeful. Greedy. Possessive and protective. Organized. Narcissistic. Careful. Considerate. Calm and collected. Focused. Thoughtful. Educated. Charismatic. Confident. Honest. Efficient. Fearless. Logical. Polite, respectful, and mannered (and expects to be treated the same back). Observant. Comes across as emotionless and cold-hearted as he’s not expressive (tough shell to crack and a hard person to read). Sociable. Wise. Sincere. Decisive. Devoted. Conscientious. Independent. Perfectionist. Direct. Reserved. Rivals regard him as arrogant and smug. Well-read.

Vices: shooting practice, spending time with his horses, and taking his kids to the family ranch (he just wants to decompress with his family). Date night with his wife. Drinks occasionally. Enjoys a pipe of packed weed.

Voice: speaks with authority, voice rings modulated and smoky. Everything he says has more than one meaning. Tends to talk in riddles and rhymes but is still straight to the point. He is a man of few words when he's not ranting to Vinny or spewing aphorisms at Wyatt.

Smells like: CLEAN. Signature scent—Sauvage Dior cologne (fragrance profile below for other weirdos like me who are way too into scents). Black tourmaline and musk vibes.

Face claim(s): Bill Pullman

Character inspiration: Tywin Lannister (GOT), Detective Harry Ambrose (The Sinner), Kingpin/Wilson Fisk (Daredevil—TV series), most villain roles played by Harvey Keitel and Christoph Waltz

Other: Admittedly, Waylon is my favorite Sullivan, despite Wyatt taking center stage as The Aid's antagonist and rival. Don't let his lack of trigger warnings fool you—Lon is just as deadly, if not more so, than his younger brother. Waylon is a force to be reckoned with, making cold and calculated kills without breaking a sweat or getting a speck of blood on his suit. Cross him or his family, and he'll make you dig your own grave while confessing your sins—all while he watches emotionless with a solemn glare, executioner-style. And if you're lucky, your family might survive...but don't count on it. In typical Sullivan fashion, Waylon has a perverse relationship with The Aid, taking advantage of The Aid's desire to serve a greater purpose and gain the respect and admiration of Eleanor's favorite son in exchange for his psychic abilities.

Moodboards: where he is ~vs~ where he wants to be