#don’t get me wrong i rate raya

[ricegaard]

RAMBO DROPPED????

[whatdoeseverybodywant]

All Falls Down - Chapter 8

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Series Masterlist

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Kiyana sighed as she hung up the phone with Joe. He had called to see if she was okay after he said Josh seemed down and depressed at the arena. She had told him about Shanté coming to their house and he suggested for her to fly to California and told her he would help her and Josh with their relationship like he used to in highschool to which she laughed at and agreed to fly out to California. 

It seemed like a good idea to fly out and work on her issues with Josh face to face but that whole ordeal with that bitch the other day put a sour taste in her mouth about Josh. But Joe was right, they needed to actually work on their marriage instead of her ignoring Josh when he was home off of the road.  So she sent Joe a text telling him that she was on her way to the airport. 

Kiyana packed a bag for herself before calling her mother and asking if she could come watch the boys for a couple of days, which she happily agreed to. Kiyana had a weird feeling in her stomach, not a bad one just… she knew something was going to hit the fan. 

“Are you sure this is the right decision?” Her mom asked Kiyana who shrugged. 

“I honestly have no idea. I mean I don’t even want to fix our relationship but something in my gut is telling me to get on this flight to California.” Kiyana’s mom nodded and gave her daughter a tight hug before saying goodbye as Kiyana’s Uber drove away. 

The ride to the Chase Center was nerve-wracking. If Kiyana was being completely honest she wasn’t even sure why she was going to the arena. Josh had an affair.  And the woman who had an affair with, thought it would be a good idea to show up to her front door. Honestly Kiyana should’ve been at her divorce attorney’s first thing in the morning but she couldn’t work up the courage to actually do it. 

She sent Joe a text saying she was outside and he replied immediately saying he was on his way. She only had to wait outside by the security entrance before the door opened and Joe walked out. Her heart rate spiking as her eyes fell on him. Odd, she thought. 

“Damn KiKi .Who you tryna impress?” Kiyana rolled her eyes at Joe’s somewhat compliment and opened her arms up for a hug. She closed her eyes and melted into the hug and inhaled his scent. She bit her bottom lip and took another deep inhale of his scent before he pulled away from the hug.  Yup this was a bad idea.  She thought especially since she couldn’t stop thinking about him since the moment they shared in the club. 

Joe pulled out of the hug and smiled. “I’ll have my driver come get your bag.” She nodded as he pulled out his phone to text the driver, who showed up two minutes later to take her suitcase back to Joe’s travel bus.  “You ready to go inside?” She nodded and started to walk with him into the arena but stopped and grabbed his hand so he could stop walking too.  “What's wrong? Having second thoughts?” 

“What's your motive?” Joe his head back reared back as if she had slapped him. 

“Whatchu’ mean KiKi?” Kiyana sighed and shifted on her feet then looked around to make sure they were still alone. 

“I mean like a week ago, you know at the club.” She shifted again uncomfortably.  “And now you’re paying for my flight and saying I should make up with him.” Kiyana shrugged. “I don’t get it.” 

Joe nodded and stroked his beard. “I mean you know how I feel about you KiKi, ain’t shit change since high school,” Kiyana’s jaw dropped open a bit  “But Josh is my family and if I can help y’all out I will.” Joe lied, If he could have his way, Kiyana would’ve been in his bed last weekend after he made her cum in the club. He didn’t want to help Josh, not one fuckin’ bit. 

Kiyana stared at him before nodding and walking around him into the arena. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt disappointed. She knew about his crush on her in high school, everybody did  “He just went out to his match against Reed, but we can wait for him in catering, you hungry?” Kiyana nodded and followed him to catering, saying Hi to WWE superstars she had met before when she had come to shows with Josh.  

Joe had walked her over to a table at the back of the room and told her he would be right back as he went to make them both a plate of food.  It was obvious the majority of Josh’s coworkers knew about his affair from how some of them kept looking over at her and whispering to each other.

“Don’t worry about them.” Joe said as he came back over with their plates. “It’s basically high school all over again.” Kiyana nodded but still looked over at the table where a handful of women were still whispering and glancing over at her. 

“It seems like everyone knew but me.” 

“I mean to be honest KiKi, they were being kinda obvious.” Kiyana narrowed her eyes. “I only found out a couple days before he told you. Someone came up to me and asked if he divorced you and said they seen her comin’ out his hotel room at like two in the morning. She also walks around here wearing his shit.” 

“Oh.” Kiyana said, looking down at the table. Hearing that he wasn’t even trying to hide his affair hurt. This was such a bad idea. Should’ve just went to the lawyers office like I planned.  She rolled her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek. She was tired of crying over Josh. She thanked Joe when he handed her a napkin to wipe her tears. 

Josh let out a groan as he came back into the Gorilla Position and saw Shanté waiting for him with a smile on her face. She started clapping as soon as she saw him. “Yay! You won.” She tried to give him a hug but he pushed her off of him.  “Josh, what’s the problem?” 

“How many times I gotta say that I'm done with this shit Shanté? Whatever we had is done aight?!” He brushed past her and started walking towards the locker room. 

“But I love you!” She cried out after him. Josh stopped walking and turned towards Shanté

“No, don’t do that shit. You knew what this was. It wasn’t supposed to go on as long as it did. I’m sorry but I love my wife and I'm not giving her up for nothing.” 

“Yeah, well your precious wife is in catering with Roman right now.” 

“What?” Josh asked, confused. Kiyana was not in California, she was definitely in Florida. “No she not.” 

“Why I gotta lie for Josh. I heard them talking earlier too. You might not be the only one who stepped out on your marriage.” Josh frowned his face up and turned away from Shanté and started making his way towards catering. You might not be the only one who stepped out on your marriage. What the fuck is that suppose to mean?  

Josh was shocked once he entered catering and saw Kiyana sitting at one of the back tables with Joe. He started to walk over to them but stopped as he actually got a good look at them. They were sitting way too close for his liking. , Kiyana was damn near on Joe’s lap and for some reason Joe had his hand on Kiyana’s thigh. Josh felt his anger rise and he stormed over to where they were. 

“The fuck is this?” He asked gruffly, growing irritated as neither one of them moved away from each other. “What is this?” He asked again, gesturing to Joe’s hand that was on Kiyana’s thigh. 

“See told you.” Shante said, smugly as she seemed to materialize out of thin air. “Told you she cheated too.”  Kiyana rolled her eyes and look annoyed but her heart was pounding a furious tattoo. She glanced over at Joe who had a smirk on his face. 

“Tell him what happened at the club.” Shanté said, now talking directly to Kiyana. Kiyana looked around catering and was glad to see that it was almost empty and the few superstars who were still there weren’t paying them any mind. 

“Nothing happened - “ Kiyana started but was cut off by Joe. 

“What we did ain’t nothing worse than what y’all two did.”  What. The. Actual. Fuck?!

Another cliffhanger I'm sorry 😭 (no i'm not)

Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated ❤ 

[shy-peacock]

"let's just kiss to see what it's like" for preteen rayaari xD

like when they're at school and they hear classmates talk about their first kisses, and the girls are clueless cos they haven't had theirs.

This is such a fucking cute idea and I want more kissy prompts from y'all XD

and yet- here is my lame attempt <3 Enjoy rated...G???? I mean if cursing/fighting is T-ish then maybe that. No edit-just enjoyed writing this nonsense.

Raya was in middle school a whole two seconds before she caught wind of it. The tradition of having your first kiss before entering the halls of Kumandra high.  It was a stupid, and sexist, tradition in which girls had from sixth grade till eighth to have their very first kiss with someone before they were deemed a complete ‘loser’ upon entering the ninth grade. 

Okay- maybe not the last part. But it certainly felt that way, considering how everyone acted as though it was the end of the world if you didn’t lock lips with someone before the time was up. It may not have been a spoken thing, but it was well known that if you hadn’t kissed someone before the end of middle school that you’d feel like a reject of some kind. Kids making up stories of being ‘forever alone’ if you so dared to enter the high school halls before someone mashed their face against yours, words of curses and century long spots on your family history that awaited you.

And all because of a kiss?

Raya hated it.

Not because she didn’t think she could find someone before then, but because of how it made everyone so…crazy? 

At the end of the year, there were sixth through eight graders alike rushing around to find someone to kiss. The halls of Kumandra Middle more like hookup central as kids walked off in pairs to kiss behind bleachers or hidden away in a classroom or, much to Raya’s annoyance, right in the middle of the hallway. Only to be shooed off by a teacher who had caught them or knocked into by their peers who congratulated them. The summers were no different as everyone was in a last ditch effort to find the ‘one’.

It was stupid.

All of it was so stupid.

“Don’t disrespect the Middle school Gods, Raya!” her best friend Sisu warned, first week of sixth grade, “you don’t wanna be a crazy cat lady, do you?”

“What’s wrong with cats?” Namaari, her other best friend since childhood, piped in as they ventured down the halls.

Sisu rolled her eyes, “Nothing, so long as you are okay with living alone with a hundred cats!”

Namaari shrugged as she nudged Raya, “ sounds good to me, honestly…”

“Me too.” Raya laughed, causing Sisu to huff in annoyance.

“Fine, don’t come crying to me when you get the curse!” she grumbled, “but I will be kissing someone this year so I don’t have to worry about finding someone last minute like you two will.”

Both Raya and Namaari looked from Sisu to each other, rolling their eyes as she held her head high. Quite pleased with that statement, Raya wanting nothing more than to wipe that smirk off her face then. Prompting her to say-...

“If it comes to that and the curse is real, I’ll just kiss…” she thought, eyes lighting up as she got an idea, “Namaari-!”

“Wha-?” Namaari began, cut short by Sisu.

“THAT’S CHEATING!” 

“No it’s not!” Raya laughed, “is it Namaari?”

She shrugged, “I-...ah….maybe..…ah-”

“You have to kiss someone you like-!” Sisu argued, “it can’t be a friend!”

“Says who?” Raya scoffed, arguing back, “the Gods of Middle school?”

“Probably!” Sisu shouted, unable to come up with a better comeback than that.

“I mean-..” Namaari began, finally seeming to find her voice, “it didn’t say any specifics…just that it had to be someone?”

“Exactly!” Raya chirped, giving Sisu a smart look, “so there-...we have our plan, now lets see how long it takes you to find someone to kiss.”

Sisu rolled her eyes, “Yeah- yeah…how clever of you both-...I’m still gonna believe it has to be someone you like!”

“Well then that’s perfect cause I like Namaari anyways.” Raya laughed, tugging her friend closer for a hug.

“As a friend.” Sisu sang, shrieking as Raya tried to tackle her. The two chasing each other down the hall, Namaari following slowly after.

~~~~~~~

Sixth grade went by in a flash. Raya had completely forgotten about the entire ‘curse’ fiasco or her deal with Namaari until it was a few weeks before summer and all the eighth graders and seventh were busy finding people to kiss. The ‘lovers’ brigaid coming in strong and the PDA absolutely unrelenting, making it the talk around school nothing but that. Especially from Sisu, who made a point to bring Atitaya into the conversation to prove her side right.

As if being in the seventh grade automatically makes you right???

“Sorry, nerds..I agree with Sisu.” Atitaya sighed, “reluctantly…but the curse is real.”

“Ha!” Sisu cheered, “suck it!”

“That’s still two against two, Sisu-” Raya snapped, “and plus it doesn’t matter cause the curse isn’t real!” 

“Yes it is!” Sisu argued, still all smiles, “so if I were you two-...I’d follow my plan and find someone you like instead of kissing friends just to avoid the curse!”

“I think I’ll take my chances with the curse.” Namaari joked, earning a look from her cousin.

“Aw, come on…you’re not even gonna try?” Ati teased her, throwing an arm around her shoulder, “I’m sure someone would love to kissssss youuuu”. 

Namaari made a face, “Ugh…stop…”

“WHY? It’s true!” Atitaya cooed, “my baby cousin is so cuuuuute.”

“Baby?” Namaari scoffed, “I’m one year younger than you-”

“Awww, kissy, kissyyyyyy!”

As she emphasized the last words, she dramatically began to pucker her lips and kiss her cousin on the face numerous times. Namaari fighting back by shoving her head away, the two toppling in a heap on the school lawn as they fought. Namaari trying to be free as she cursed and punched her cousin, while Ati kept teasing her. Nothing short of unusual for these two, who wrestled or fought on the daily.

Both Sisu and Raya ignoring them as they continued on.

“You do what you want, Sisu..” Raya stated, “I’ll take my chances-”

Sisu raised her hands in defeat, giving up hope on her.

“Alright-...but if you change your mind, I'll help you find someone good!”

~~~~~~~

Seventh grade was worse than sixth. 

Raya didn’t believe in any of the nonsense that this so-called ‘traditional curse’ put on. But she couldn’t deny the tension that came with this year that definitely wasn’t there in last. Kids who had blown it off as nothing had changed tune midway through the year and were now, very desperately, trying to kiss someone. A few kids had made their way to Raya once or twice, asking her if she wanted to or if she knew of someone else who did. Each and every time she’d deny the request, growing more and more annoyed with it on the daily.

Ati, of course, took it upon herself to kiss someone in the sixth grade and was good for her last year at Kumandra middle while Sisu had not only made it her mission to be kissed before High school but to also kiss as many people as she possibly could. Which was even worse than the normal lip-lockers as every day it seemed she was kissing someone new.

Monday some girl from her science class.

Yesterday it was an eighth grader.

Today it was some smelly boy from gym class who looked like he had more grease in his hair than any of their pizza slices. Raya losing her appetite pretty quickly with this one.

“Sisu, you’re gonna get mono.” Raya pointed out, opting then for the bag of chips she had leftover, grimacing as the boy finally left their lunch table. “And- how is it possible that Mr.Spine NEVER catches you kissing all these people?!”

Speaking of, their diligent Teacher and officer of the no-kissing patrol squad was making his way across the lunch room to break up two eighth graders who had thought they were in the clear. The two lovebirds hardly getting a tiny smooch before the man was pulling them apart and letting them have an earful.

Doing the Lord’s work.

“Nah, don’t worry-” Sisu said, wiping the back of her hand against her lips, “I take my vitamins-”

“That’s…not how Mono works Sisu..” Namaari pointed out, “but I guess…that’s good you’re taking them regardless?”

Sisu shrugged as she stood and walked away further into the cafeteria, “don’t hate the player- hate the game!”

“I do hate the game!” Raya called after her, before turning her attention to Namaari, “but the players annoy me too sometimes.”

Namaari bit back a laugh, giving Raya a long look before saying, “have you kissed anyone?”

“Psssh…no?” Raya laughed, “you-?”

“Definitely not.” Namaari replied and then jokingly said, “looks like we still have a deal, huh?”

Raya laughed again, releasing a sigh of relief she didn’t even realize she was holding.

~~~~~~~

Atitaya graduated and was shipped off to High school.

Sisu kept right on kissing people.

Before Raya knew it- eight grade was midway through the year.

It was a strange year. Raya knew she had changed a lot that year, the obvious changes of her body, specifically the way she grew at least two inches in height. More aware, more-....everything really. Namaari and Sisu did too, even Atitaya as she entered high school at last and reported back that it was ‘nothing special and that we should stay at Middle as long as we could’.

Fat chance.

Raya was ready for high school. 

Ready to be done with this stupid middle school and it’s stupid curse. The real curse being that they spent three years panicking over absolutely nothing. Making it into an issue when there was none to be had, some eight graders now being on the verge of a panic attack just because they feared the whole ‘doomed to be alone’ thing was for real. 

I mean-...Raya couldn’t be too judgy about it, for she even felt at times that it could be true.

Which is why it was good she had Namaari. 

Lots had changed, but Namaari hadn't. Yeah she got taller, older, and prettier each day but she hadn't changed-changed. She was still her best friend, still her fellow dragon nerd, their relationship growing stronger throughout middle school instead of withering away like some did. From weekend sleepovers to walk homes from school, playing video games in Namaari's room or hanging out back in Raya's pool during the hotter months. Namaari was there and Raya was with her any chance she could, missing her every moment she wasn't.

While others panicked about their first kiss, Raya felt so much peace knowing Namaari would be the one she was going to share it with. Out of all the people in the school, she’d rather kiss Namaari than any boy or girl alike. She couldn’t picture it with anyone else, especially not a boy. It had to be Namaari or no one, making that deal those few years ago. They’d kiss each other or succumb to the curse. 

But whereas Raya felt more and more elated by the arriving end of the school year, Namaari seemed to be anything but. What started off as a playful joke between them, was slowly dissipating into something else.

The last month of eighth grade had their relationship changing, dramatically, seemingly out of the blue. Namaari became quiet, she started to become distant, and even agitated at times with both Raya and their shared friends. Especially whenever the kiss was brought up or graduation or anything in relation to high school. Wanting to avoid the topics altogether, making up excuses to leave if they couldn't get past it.

Avoiding the talk about the future as if she didn’t want it to happen.

Raya didn’t press it. There were plenty of kids anxious for High school, worried about fitting in and all the stress that came with it. Not just emotionally or physically but academically too. Things would be different, whether they liked it or not, and this was a huge last year for them. So Raya assumed that Namaari’s distance would fix itself in due time, summer right around the corner, hoping the absence of school made her feel better.

But, as she quickly found out, the problem ran deeper than Raya ever expected. Something she had never noticed (not entirely) until it was practically smacking her in the face. The last day of school, where Namaari pulled out the rug from under her.

“I…don’t think we should kiss..” she admitted, the words digging deep into Raya’s heart like that of a knife. It was just the two of them, wandering the halls as people cleared their lockers and made for the doors one last time. 

Raya hadn’t even brought up the kiss, but she had certainly been thinking about it all day.

Excited for it.

Waiting for it.

And now-?

“Oh…” Raya breathed out, disappointment in her voice that she could not mask.

Namaari nodded, swallowing thickly as she chose her next words.

“I think you should kiss someone you like-...it’s your first kiss, it’s special.” she pointed out, “I don’t think you should waste it on someone like me.”. She swung her bookbag over her shoulder as she tried to sound positive, “If you’re still worried about the curse, you do have all summer to find someone you really like too..”

Raya nodded, far too in her head then to do much else. The denial stinging, hurting, but she couldn't even understand why.

“Yeah..I guess…”

Namaari hesitated, as if she was waiting for her to say more, silence enveloping them until she put on a smile for her.

“You’ll have to let me know when you do-” she finished, “and I’ll let you know if the curse is real or not.”

Raya forced a laugh, pushing the conversation forward.

Better to let it go, better to move past it.

“-and how many cats you get.” Raya added, causing Namaari to laugh.

“Definitely a lot, curse or no curse.”

They parted ways at the path where they typically would follow one or the other to their house, a needed split as Raya couldn't seem to get over Namaari's words. Her denial of the kiss they were meant to share. Raya took the long way home from school in an effort to clear her body of the way it was exploding with so many questions. Everything piling on then, the weight of something she had never really felt before. An ache settling in her chest, a sensation of tears welling in her eyes, Namaari’s face and her words unable to leave that brain of hers alone. Wondering how or why she went back on everything.

That was supposed to be their deal.

That was supposed to be the agreement.

And what made it worse is that Namaari clearly had been having second thoughts about it for awhile, sitting on it all month instead of approaching Raya about it. Choosing the last day of school of all days to present her with this dilemma. 

Yes, she didn't owe it to Raya, she didn't have to kiss her, but why wait like this? Why not just tell her before? Raya tracing back memories of Namaari and her, trying to find a time where she may have wanted to tell her but Raya had possibly missed it. Unable to think about anything else but their last exchange-

“I think you should kiss someone you like-”

“I think you shouldn’t waste it on me”

Stupid.

How was it a waste? How was she a waste? Raya wanted her first kiss to be Namaari. How could she honestly think she didn’t! Wasn't it obvious that Raya liked her-?

And there it was.

Raya stopped dead in her tracks, realizing it then.

Raya liked Namaari.

And not only that-

She realized Namaari’s words, her distance, and the look upon her face. Their last conversation opening up in her mind, taking notice then not how Raya had felt in the moment but how Namaari had looked. How sad she was, how she had emphasized the point of Raya kissing someone she liked.

Liked.

She was-...she had asked her that…cause-...

God-...Raya was so stupid.

She turned on her heels, running back to where they had split off. Raya racing down the path that she knew Namaari took nearly every single day to and from school, trying to find her, knowing she couldn’t possibly have gotten too far. Spotting her bookbag first, then herself as she leaned over the Kumandran bridge. Hands resting on the gate, staring down in it’s waters deep in thought, her head lifting as she heard Raya’s thundering pace approach her. Confusion, followed with a small smile as she saw how out of breath Raya looked then.

“Raya, what’s-?” she started to say, only Raya cut her off.

“I do like you!” she blurted out, practically heaving the words out then, breathless as she shouted them.

Namaari froze, like her brain had seriously shut down.

So, Raya said it again.

“I like you-...a lot and I know I said in sixth grade that I’d kiss you and acted like it’d only be as a friend or whatever-...” Raya stated, “but now-..I’d like to cause I’d actually like to…or I mean-..I want to kiss you because I like you..and not just like-... I like, like you....like- more than a friend.”. “I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings or if I’m totally making no sense right now and you have no idea what I mean-...but I really think somewhere along now and then I was happy it was going to be you because it’s you…not just my friend but someone I want to be more than just friends with-...” 

By this point, Raya knew her face was all sorts of red. 

Even worse, she couldn’t stop rambling. Her brain struggling to configure the words correctly as they came out of her mouth. Wanting Namaari to understand that she liked her the whole time, that she just didn’t really get it till now. Till quite literally five minutes ago! Being dense or unsure or whatever you wanna call it. Now knowing that all along this is what she wanted to happen, that she wanted to have Namaari out of everyone she ever would know or did know to be her first kiss.

If-...that is..Namaari wanted the same.

Judging by the smile that wouldn’t leave her lips, Raya expected she most-definitely felt the same.

“Are you sure..?” she said when Raya finally halted her spastic words onslaught to allow Namaari to finally speak, “Like-..it’s okay if you-”

“No, I really do!” Raya yelled, insisting, “I’m being serious!”

“I- I just wanted to make sure cause you said back then-”

”That was like- two years ago…I was being stupid!” Raya groaned, “and-...I’m also not saying this just to avoid the curse-...and if you don't like me back, you don't have to-”

"I do like you-" Namaari said as she stepped forward, silencing her. 

She didn’t kiss her yet, she didn’t even touch her, but the gentle movement of her step caused Raya’s words to fall away mid-sentence. The air changing, the moment arising as she carefully moved into Raya’s space. Taking her hands in her own, the pair standing inches apart as they watched one another. Frozen, Raya’s stomach feeling more like it was going to eject itself up through her throat. Praying that when Namaari dove in, she wouldn’t think she was gross or smelled weird or that her hands felt far too sweaty or that she opened her eyes too soon or too late or-...anything! Wanting to be a decent first kiss, to not permanently scar Namaari from ever talking to her again.

However, it wasn’t any like that.

It wasn’t awkward, it wasn’t bad or made Raya’s body flinch away. One moment she saw her move in, the next her eyes were closed and she felt the press of her soft lips on her own. Gentle, chaste, yet it sent a spark through Raya’s brain and body that had her blinking like an idiot when she moved back. Not even much of a second long, the two taking a moment to stare at the other before Raya leaned up and kissed her again. A second longer, that same charge floating through her skin and it was done.

Done.

.....and....was it really that simple?

Was it really that easy?

Or-...nice?

Raya pressed her lips together, wondering why everyone made it out to be so nerve-wrecking only for Namaari’s snort to cut through her thoughts. She came down from the heavens to see she was laughing, hiding her smile behind her hand. Raya, without much warning, started to laugh too. The pair, erupting into it, finding the moment so…funny...for some reason and yet it made their feet light and their head’s spin too as if it were perfect and sweet. Laughing at how they had made this all into such a big deal, acting as if this was such a dreaded experience, only to see that it was actually really...good.

Maybe it was so only because it was them? 

Either way Raya felt good to laugh then, good to see the way Namaari’s cheeks turned red and her smile grow wide and how when they moved apart their hands stayed interlocked. Happy, giggly, like two stupid kids finally figuring it all out then.

Yeah-...it was simple and good and easy because it was Namaari, someone she liked a whole lot. Which is exactly who Raya wanted her first kiss to be with.

[everyonesfavoritelesbowrites]

@miabellaholtz

Hello, @miabellaholtz! Sorry this took so long but I hope you enjoy!

Protecting you

Rayamaari - RATLD

Rated: T

Ao3

They’ve been doing this for months now. Sneaking around, careful to not get caught. Fortunate but also concerning how the palace guards have yet to notice a pirate sneaking into the castle every week or so.

At least the princess was able to protect herself��not that she needed to with this 'intruder'. In fact, she often lets her guard down when the pirate is with her, and her pants.

However, it seemed their luck ran out.

Namaari hadn’t seen Raya for almost a month now but she didn’t worry—too much—because the seas were rough this time of year, so she figured Raya’s ship and crew needed her.

Their relationship is strange, seeing each other but not officially, saying they love the other but then pretending there was nothing happening, having sex but not talking about what they were. So, Namaari thought it silly to worry, they technically weren’t committed to each other, and none of them ever said anything or asked. Well, Namaari brought it up once while drunk but she didn’t count Raya’s answer as truthful because she didn’t quite trust her memory.

Besides, what really could have gone wrong?

Namaari was right, the seas were harsh and the Sisudatu needed its captain, but nothing wrong happened there. What really went wrong didn’t even happen until Raya was on land, in the castle—or on the castle.

Namaari was enjoying dinner with her mother, the Queen, when she heard heavy footsteps and the sound of someone straining. The heavy footsteps were obviously caused by the heavy armor of the guards but the straining—that sounded so familiar, Namaari knew who it was, but it couldn’t be. Could it?

Namaari stood, curious and worried, ignoring the awful gut feeling and her mother’s voice as she walked over to the sound. Outside the dining hall is where she finds the guards and the exact person she was hoping to see, but never like this.

“Raya?” Namaari couldn’t stop herself from saying, the woman in question twisting her head to look behind her, the guards also turning—both of them having a tight hold on Raya’s biceps, her hands tied behind her back.

“Namaari…”

“Your Highness,” one of the guards greets her, both of them bowing their heads in respect.

“What are you doing?” She glances between the guards, holding back her anger and fear.

“We found this pirate climbing the walls of the castle, heading straight towards your room, Princess Namaari.”

Raya looks at Namaari with a look that is both ashamed and worried but she doesn't say anything, and Namaari doesn’t like it one bit, knowing that Raya knows she’ll be convinced and sentenced to death.

“Release her.” The princess demands.

The guards hesitate, confused. “Are you sure, your Highness? She’s a pirate.”

“I said, release her. Now.”

They reluctantly obey, letting go of their grip on Raya but she doesn’t move, not wanting to have the guards jump on her again if she makes any advances toward Namaari. Namaari, understanding this, walks forward and gently grabs her bicep. She pulls her closer to her before removing the binds around her hands, discarding the rope as she starts to lead Raya away.

“Don’t tell my mother about this.” She orders the guards right before turning around and freezing in her spot.

“Don’t tell me about what, morning mist?”

Standing right in front of them is the woman in question.

“Mother-.”

“Who is this?”

Namaari doesn’t speak, looking at her mother as if she was a child who just got caught stealing sweets before dinner.

“Do you know this pirate?”

“I- uh,” Namaari stutters, "yes, I do-."

Her hand absentmindedly grabs onto Raya's, squeezing tightly. Unintentionally giving away exactly what was going on between them.

Virana glances between the two of them and their joint hands, expression unreadable as always.

"Care to explain what is going on?" The queen asks even though she probably already knew the situation.

Despite the question being directed towards Namaari, one of the guards behind her decided to answer. “We found the pirate scaling the side of the palace, heading straight towards Princess Namaari’s room, Your Majesty.”

Virana doesn’t say anything, instead, she gives Namaari a look that tells the latter that she needs to answer.

“I invited her.” Namaari explains, not entirely a lie, “I didn’t expect her to come today.”

“Invited her to climb into your room?”

“She can’t just walk in, she’ll be shot on sight,” Namaari says sharply.

“Pirates are illegal," Virana explains, “it’s for our safety.”

“I don’t need to be protected from her, if anything I need to protect her. She will be executed if I don’t stand up for her.”

“You are making an emotional decision, morning mist. You can not go inviting and standing up for anyone you want into the palace, especially a pirate."

"This isn’t an emotional decision-."

"We have to set an example for our people. You can’t break a law and expect your citizens to not do the same.”

"We need to change that law." Namaari states sternly, confidently. "If anything I am setting an example for our people to stand up for their rights and fix what is unjust."

Virana seems slightly taken back by what Namaari has said, looking down at her daughter and the pirate with an unreadable expression.

"Someone who is a pirate shouldn't be illegal just because they are born that way or choose that lifestyle, the waters are not owned by anyone. If anything, they own the waters and they should not be tried unless they are given a reason besides just existing."

Namaari pauses for a second, squeezing Raya's hand. Virana didn't go to say anything, only looking at her daughter with the unreadable expression she seems to always bear, so Namaari continues.

"I will not let innocent people be punished for existing, what example is that setting for our people? Telling them that people who are different deserve to die? This isn't an emotional decision just because I love her, there's pirates out there that aren't the Druun. If we can treat them as equals, perhaps they'll help us to defeat the Druun."

Virana doesn't say anything, her expression unchanged. Namaari gives her little time to say anything if she wishes, but she doesn't.

“She’s staying with me.”

Namaari walks past her mother, pulling Raya along by her hand.

They didn't say a word on their way to Namaari's room. Even once inside they stayed quiet, the air still tense even in the safety of the Princess's 'well gaurded' room.

Namaari is the one to shut the door, leaving her hand on the handle for a moment longer to try to regain herself, taking in a steady breath.

Then she turns around to face Raya, walking over to her to take her hands into her own.

"Are you hurt?"

Raya shakes her head, "no."

"Good."

Namaari brushes her thumbs over the back of her hands in a simple, sweet gesture.

"I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

"Still," Namaari sighs, "you shouldn't have to experience it."

Raya adverts her gaze downwards, her breathing shaky and so is her voice when she speaks, “I was scared.”

Namaari doesn't say anything, letting Raya have a chance to speak. She continues to rub her thumbs across her hands, encouraging her to continue.

"I… I wasn't sure if you would do anything. I hoped you would stand up for me but I thought… that maybe you wouldn't. You have a title to keep and I… I don't know, I just really thought I was going to be executed."

Hearing that felt like a knife to her chest, her heart dropping into her stomach. She had made Raya feel as if she would just sit by and watch Raya be executed. It hurt but Namaari knows she hadn't done anything to prove to her that she would do anything for her. All of her actions have been more like she was only in it for the sex and if it was true, why would she save her?

"Raya…" Namaari starts after a moment of silence, raising her hands to cup her face and bring her gaze to fix onto hers. "You're more important to me than my title. I could never just let that happen to you, I just couldn't. I'm sorry I made you think that I wouldn't step in, that I wouldn't save you even if something else is at risk. I would do anything for you."

Raya's cheeks turn a slight shade of pink, barely noticeable if they weren't so close.

"So you did mean it?"

“Mean what?”

“That you love me?”

"I said that?" Namaari flushes, trying to remember when she had said that. When she let that slip from her lips. Slowly realizing when she did, to her mother. "I… did say that, didn't I?"

Raya nods.

"I did mean it. It's true." Namaari explains, her thumbs brushing over Raya's cheekbones, wiping off some tears that fell. "Although I wish I said it to you first before telling my mother."

Raya silently laughs, her hands running down Namaari's biceps to her forearms and finally to rest atop of Namaari's hands that cradle her face.

"I don't know if you remember, but that one time when you were drunk, you said you wanted for us to be in a committed relationship and do not hide it." Raya explains, "I thought it was just the alcohol talking, so I didn't say anything but I'm starting to think it was true."

Namaari nods. "It is true. I have been wanting more than just sex with you, which is wonderful, don't get me wrong but I want to be in a relationship. Do things couples do, I want to court you because I love you and I don't see myself doing this with anyone else."

"It's going to be difficult." Raya says. "I'm a pirate, you're a princess. I'm still illegal and we can't always be together. People won't like it if they find out."

"I rather have to deal with all of that and be with you than not be with you," Namaari says, leaning forward to press her forehead against Raya's. "I'll do anything to be with you, as long as you'll have me."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

Raya smiles. "Well then, I guess I have a confession."

"What is it?"

Raya leans forward to press her lips against Namaari's. A long, passionate but chaste kiss that makes Namaari's heart soar. When Raya pulls away Namaari follows to try to continue the kiss, being stopped by Raya who waits for her to open her eyes before speaking.

"I love you."

Namaari smiles brightly, leaning in to kiss her but not before saying against her lips, "I love you too.”

[lumity-rights]

Rating Raya and the Last Dragon characters by how much I would trust them to hold my drink at a party

raya: first up of course is my main girl raya. she would definitely watch my drink and being the absolute feral gremlin she is after six years in the wild, spit at anyone who tries to come near. 9/10 i like the creativity. #pleasespitinmymouthtoo

sisu: my absolute favorite webkinz worm on a string looking ass. the dragon of the hour. a living legend. sisu would ABSOLUTELY do everything in her power to keep my drink safe. except she would probably end up forgetting it somewhere or spilling it. 7/10

noi (+the ongies): the reason it’s getting spilled. 0/10

boun: my SON. my CHILD. WHAT are you doing at this party. there are alcoholic drinks around :/ go home. but anyway 12/10 even tho he’ll probably spill it cuz he’s pulling a sick dance move

namaari: oh homegirl is watching the absolute SHIT out of my drink. namaari is gonna spend the entire party, one hand mf clenched around that drink and the other on top of it while prowling for any signs of any sleezeballs drugging it right up until the very moment she passes it back to me. on god someone is getting their ass beat if they so much as BREATHE at my drink wrong. and have you SEEN those muscles?? 839478275818/10 those motherfuckers don’t stand a chance. namaari my beloved ily

tuk tuk: he is so so baby but also he would definitely knock it over or drink it then spit it back into the cup -2/10 that’s kinda disgusting bro

chief benja: i mean LOOK at him 10/10

tong: same thing i said for namaari but with 32% more baby. infinity/10

chief virana: yeah. that drink is getting watched alright. very solid drink watcher. absolutely no tomfoolery or feralness. but i ask, where’s the flair?? :/ i give her a respectable 8/10

chief of tail: i mean. she’s a heap of bones. like literally. she’s ded. what is she gonna do. -14/10

chief of talon: -3257387584/10 i’m getting drugged

[faithfulwarrior-og]

Drunken Confessions

Rating: T | Word Count: 1,449 | Warnings: swearing, mild suggestive content

Raya has a little too much fun at a party and gets drunk. Namaari takes her back to her room and long story short: drunk Raya is a handful.

Raya is drunk off her ass. She had gotten a little too into the dance party and lost count of how many drinks she’d had. Now Namaari is carrying Raya bridal style up a freaking flight of steps in Heart castle to get her to her room.

Raya is giggling and swatting Namaari’s ear cuff so it swings back and forth.

Namaari sighs. “Please don’t yank that out of my ear.”

“Pfffft you’re so *hiccup* silly…”

“You’re going to be so fun to be around tomorrow,” Namaari mumbles, shaking her head.

“HELL YEAH I AM!!”

Namaari practically drops her. “Dragons! Can you not flail like that?”

Raya wraps her arms around Namaari’s neck and snuggles into her. “This better?”

Namaari swallows. “Sure.”

Raya sighs. “Mmmm you smell so good. Do you *hiccup* like snuggles? Cuz I do.”

Namaari rounds the corner leading to Raya’s quarters. “That’s nice,” she says.

Raya nuzzles her face into Namaari’s hair. “It’s wayyy better than nice,” she adds, hiccuping again.

Namaari is unable to keep from chuckling at how funny Raya is behaving. “Oh yeah?”

Raya tosses her hand into the air. “FuCk yeah dude!”

Namaari laughs despite herself. “Raya, there’s people trying to sleep.”

Raya wipes her nose. “That’s cool. I’m gonna go sleep.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.”

Raya starts tracing Namaari’s collarbone with her finger. Namaari tries not to blush but fails miserably.

“‘Maari, one time Snisu suggled with me and that was so cool.”

Namaari nods. “Mmhm.”

“She is the fluffiest Sisu ever,” Raya says.

Namaari chuckles. “Oh really.”

Raya hiccups, “Uh-huh,” then begins counting on her fingers. “She snuggles me, Tuk Tuk snuggles me…” Raya pokes Namaari’s nose. “Boop! Do you like snuggles?”

Namaari blinks. “Umm sure.”

Raya giggles drunkenly. “Fang princess likes snuggles.”

Namaari frowns at her. “I will drop you.”

Raya gasps and clings to her. “No!”

Namaari coughs. “Okay, stop. You’re choking.”

Raya loosens her grip. “Hehe you like it.”

“Raya.” Namaari goes beet red while Raya just giggles.

Then Raya bursts into tears.

Namaari stops at Raya’s door and sets her down. “What? What’s wrong, dep la?”

Raya collapses against her and Namaari caresses her back, hoping she’s offering some comfort.

Raya sniffles. “You snuggle.”

Namaari squints. “Is that... bad?”

Raya nods into the crook of Namaari’s neck. “Mmhm. No. But yeah.”

Namaari gently pulls her back so she can see her face. “Dep la, I don’t know what you mean, how about we go get you tucked in.”

Raya slumps against Namaari as she is practically carried into the room and over to her bed.

Raya hiccups. “How come you teld— didn’t tell me you had a human?”

Namaari looks down at her. “A human? What—”

Raya flails her arms up. “A human. Y’know. To snuggle!”

Namaari watches as Raya flops onto the bed face first. “Raya.”

“What,” she says, her voice muffled.

“I snuggle with my serlot, okay? Now let’s get you into bed—”

Raya starts crying again, flipping over onto her back and wiping her eyes.

Namaari crosses to the bed. “What??”

Raya whimpers. “That’s so precious…”

Namaari sighs and takes Raya’s cape off for her. “Come on, lightweight. Sleep time.”

Raya smirks and sidles up to Namaari. “Taking my clothes off and *hiccup* everything, dep la?”

Namaari flushes. “Raya, you’re drunk.”

“Pffft. Not.. drunk.”

“Raya—”

Raya begins to unwrap her top. “You missed a couples layers dep la—”

Namaari grabs her wrists and puts the loose part of the shirt back. “No no no, let’s—why don’t you just sleep in your clothes?”

Raya pulls Namaari against her and brings her lips within inches of hers. “But I don’t want to…”

Namaari clears her throat and gently pushes Raya away. “O-okay, well, let’s change into your night clothes over there then.” She inclines her head toward the changing shade.

Raya slumps against Namaari and exhales. “You’re no fun, binturi!”

Namaari rolls her eyes. “I know. So cruel of me.”

Raya looks up at her suddenly. “We should dance.”

“No.”

Raya pulls Namaari close and starts swaying. “C’monnn jus a lil dance?”

Namaari gently pushes her back. “Raya, you need to rest. We just finished dancing.”

Raya pouts. “I knowww but I wanna dance moreee…”

Namaari shakes her head. “Maybe tomorrow.”

Raya scowls. “Yer NO FUN!” She then proceeds to mumble all manners of expletives.

Namaari rolls her eyes again. “Okay, bed time.”

Raya swats her hand away. “But I didn’t change!”

Namaari sighs. “Okay. Fine. Go change.”

Raya shuffles to her changing screen and nearly topples over halfway there. Namaari pinches her nose as Raya finds the fall incredibly funny.

Namaari waits as clothes are thrown all over the place—Raya also seems to find this hilarious—and then Raya says, “Ok ready?”

Namaari squints. “Ready for wha—”

Raya steps out with a smirk from behind the screen in very provocative sleep-ware and Namaari would swear her neck cracked with how fast she stared at the opposite wall.

“Damn it Raya!” she exclaims, her face a deep red. “What are you doing?? And where the hell did you even...” Namaari shakes her head at that. “Never mind. Just..get into bed okay?”

And then Raya is behind her, wrapping her arms around her abdomen. “What’s the matter, dep la?”

Raya’s breath tickles the back of her neck.

Namaari gulps and makes to gently pry her hands away when she feels soft lips press where Raya’s breath was a moment before.

Namaari manages to turn in Raya’s arms. “Raya, no. We can’t. You are drunk. It’s time for bed.”

Namaari goes to push her back but the look Raya gives her then makes her heart constrict.

“You don’t want me?” she asks, clumsily caressing Namaari’s cheek.

Namaari huffs. “No I—” She stops. “I— it’s not that…” She huffs again. “You’re drunk. I’ll be happy to talk about this with you later. Another time. When you’re not drunk. Okay?”

Raya is softly crying again. Namaari pulls her into a hug and murmurs, “Hey, hey, it’s okay. It’s not that I don’t want you, dep la. Don’t think that.”

“Just wanna kiss you…” she slurs against Namaari’s neck. “I keep telling me.. to tell you that. And I never do.”

Namaari freezes, telling herself over and over that everything Raya is saying and doing means absolutely nothing.

The Heart princess snuggles her head against Namaari. “Please don’t leave. Stay and snuggle, please?”

“Raya…”

“Please?”

Namaari sighs. Why does she have to give those damned puppy-dog eyes? “Okay, but just for a minute.”

Raya grins and sprints to the bed to dive onto it. Namaari can’t believe she doesn’t fall on her way there with how wobbly she was.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wear something more comfy, dep la?” Namaari asks. She doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea when she wakes up. The last thing she wants is for Raya to not be able to trust her again.

Raya is already burrowing into the covers. “Nah I’m too sleepy.” *hiccup*

Namaari shakes her head, smirking despite herself. “Okay.”

Raya pokes her arms out and beckons Namaari over. The latter chuckles and climes in beside her. Raya immediately puts her arm over Namaari’s torso and snuggles into her neck. Namaari reminds herself to breathe. She gently brushes Raya’s hair out of her face and her hand lingers, softly combing through silken locks.

“Thet fels nice,” Raya mumbles, barely awake.

“Good,” Namaari whispers back. “Sleep well, dep la.”

“You too binturi,” Raya whispers.

Namaari laughs softly then stops altogether as Raya kisses her cheek.

“I love you,” she says.

Namaari’s eyes well with tears as Raya drifts to sleep. She continues to massage her scalp until her breathing evens out and she begins to snore lightly.

“I love you too,” Namaari whispers.

The Fang warrior slowly worms her way out of Raya’s embrace, careful not to wake her as she replaces the covers and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.

She smiles at how peaceful Raya looks, still breathtaking even with a little trail of drool pooling onto the pillow. Namaari scoffs in amusement. That woman is going to have the worst hangover in the morning and be a literal gremlin. Namaari wouldn’t have it any other way, though. She loves that gremlin.

She retrieves a blanket from the end of the bed and curls up on the little seating area that Raya has in the corner of her room. It’s surprisingly comfy due to the millions of pillows that all smell like the soap Raya uses on her hair. Namaari falls asleep quickly, trying not to worry about what today might mean for their friendship.

[sapphic-yearning-lesbian]

Kitchen Light

So I heard Xana’s, Kitchen Light song and became obsessed, believing it could be perfect for Namaari and Raya.

This is SMUT. Have a glass of water nearby…I never intended to make it long or distributive, BUT I did. So enjoy :)

Be easy on me as this is the first time I write SMUT!

Word count: 2296

-A festival held at the outskirts of Heart after the reunification of Kumandra-

Namaari carefully wanders through several groups of crowds, trying to find her way back to Sisu, Noi, Boun, Tong, Tuk Tuk, the Ongies, and most importantly, Raya. 

She was holding two wine glasses in her hands, being careful not to let any of the rice wine spill. Once she spots Sisu, she knows she's a moment away from seeing Raya yet again. She begins to walk faster, looking through all the familiar faces but not spotting the one person she wanted to see. 

She stops a few feet away from the group, unsure what to do next, when she feels a light tap on her shoulder. She turns around, and there stands the person she was looking for. Her lips pressed together, and her right eyebrow lifted. Namaari's gut is overwhelmed with this flame that she cannot describe. "Hello, Princess Undercut! Are one of those for me" Raya says, almost purring with a massive grin on her face.

Namaari bites on her lower lip, extending one of the wine glasses "actually, yes," Raya quickly grabs the glass, and within seconds she's drowning the glass. Once she's finished the wine, she scrunches her nose, reacting to the bitterness of the drink. Namaari chuckles before bringing the glass to her lips. "I can't be wrong to be craving you," Namaari unintentionally whispers. Namaari begins to feel her heartbeat at 100 beats per minute as Raya's eyes widen.

"Wanna take me home?" Raya blurts out before smiling, looking around them, wondering if anyone heard her question. Namaari hums as a response before smiling and drowning the glass of wine herself. The bitterness causing her to slightly squint her eyes after she was finished.

"Of course," Namaari says, grabbing Raya's empty glass with the same hand holding her glass. She turns to let the group know they were leaving the festival early, but Raya quickly grabs her free hand, pulling her through the crowds.

"Don't mind them. They'll be fine," Raya says almost in a whisper as she guides Namaari. Namaari chuckles as she leaves the empty glasses at a random table.

"Raya! Are you ditching your own party" Namaari asks Raya, who answers by slightly turning to look at her with a mischievous smile on her lips.

~~~

Namaari had her serlot take herself and Raya to the Heart palace. Once they arrived, Namaari didn't move from the serlot, and too much of her surprise, neither did Raya. Who was currently sitting behind Namaari, holding her tightly by her waist. Namaari could feel Raya's breath travel down her neck, sending pleasurable shivers down to her spine. Raya lightly rested her head on Namaari's shoulder before placing her lips far too close to her ear. "I didn't mean my home," she whispered.

Namaari felt her body pulse with excitement, knowing what the princess of Heart really wanted. Without responding, Namaari has her serlot begin the journey to Fang.

-At Fang-

Once the princess got off the serlot, they quickly run hand in hand through the Fang square laughing and giggling. Once they passed the Fang palace entrance, Namaari quickly turned to Raya, pressing her lips onto hers. This resulted in Raya gasping as she promptly wrapped Namaari in a tight embrace. Both beginning to stumble with the sudden tension and lust looming in the air; Once regaining their postures, their gentle, loving kissing were replaced by lustful ones. 

The kisses were passionate, with both the princesses fighting for dominance with their tongues. The wet and warm exchange of their kisses quickly escalated.

Namaari quickly pressed Raya's body against the first wall she saw. Raya moaned as Namaaris hands tenderly separated her inner tighs before quickly placing her hands on her ass picking her up in seconds. Raya quite aggressively bites on the others princess's bottom lip as she was carried into the first room with a lockable door. Namaari groaned in pleasure-loving the sensation of pain throbbing from her bottom lip.

Raya was soon placed onto a counter as Namaari broke their kisses to lightly leaves kisses up to her ear, nibbling on her earlobe. "I should lock the door," Namaari whispers in Raya's ear, starting to pull away. Raya quickly pulls Namaari back to her by grappling her shirt.

Raya quickly scans the room, realizing she's in the Fang kitchen.

"Maybe don't," she says as she returns her eyes onto Namaaris chocolate brown eyes. The longer she looks into her eyes, the more lust and passion begin to pool in the other princess's eyes. Raya licks her lips, feeling the heat starting to pool in her core.

Namaari nods in agreement, and she begins kissing Raya's jawline tenderly. Soon after, her lips found their way to the guardian's neck, wanting to savory the next few minutes: She began by pressing soft kisses on her neck; before beginning to suck on other's neck. Soon the sucking becoming bites causing Rayas moans to amplify throughout the kitchen.

Raya was sitting on the counter with her legs tightly closed. She was rubbing her inner thighs together, trying to control the sensations continuing to stir in her core. She wanted more, NO she needed more.

Namaari noticed the squirming occurring in Raya's legs. So she pulled away from nibbling at the princess's neck, glancing at the purple beginning to appear. A smile forms on her lips, being proud of her markings. If she looked close enough, she could also see the indentations of her teeth. Namaari quickly pressed a gentle kiss on Raya's lips before pulling away. With one hand, she managed to rid herself of her own top.

Namaari watched as Raya's eyes widen while looking at her bare chest. Her coffee-colored eyes full of desire and want. She also noticed as Raya's legs began squirming at a faster rate. Seeing the younger princess undo herself got the princess of Fang off. Namaari wanted Raya to squirm: She wanted her to be far gone before her fingers even brushed upon her core. 

Namaari quickly pulled down her pants and underwear simultaneously. As Raya bites her bottom lip, running her own hands down her body. Resulting in a smirk from Namaari as she approached the other princess.

Raya reached her arms out, trying to grab Namaaris neck; to pull her back into a kiss.

But Namaari had other plans as she instead reached for Raya's throat. This resulted in a loud moan from the unexpected princess. 

Namaari was not pressing on Raya's trachea but rather her carotid arteries. By doing this, she wasn't restricting Raya's breathing. This method is ideal as it still allows endorphins to travel up to the recipient's head: The pleasure hormone in being choked.

As Raya's eyes rolled to the back of her head in pure pleasure. She could feel Namaaris's free hand slowly making its way to her left breast. Which she gripped before beginning to massage it. "Maari…" Raya said, gasping in her pleasure.

Hearing this nickname causes Namaari to let go of Raya's throat as both her hands find their way to Raya's thighs. Where she slowly runs her fingers across her upper thighs before resting her hands in her lower thighs, pushing them apart. Namaari then closes the space between Raya's thighs with her hips. The hands that once were on Raya's lower thighs found their way up to the rim of Raya's dress. Once she had the dress her grasps, she quickly tore it off her lover's body. Where she was greeted by plump breasts.

The next thing Raya knows, Namaaris's hands are massaging her exposed breasts before she lowers her face to one of her breasts. She kisses and nibbles on the skin surrounding her areola. Once Namaari's tongue meets her areola, she runs her tongue in circular motions. 

Soon the fang princess is nibbling and sucking on the other's nipple. However, this wasn't enough for the greedy princess as she moves her lips to the other breast, filling her mouth with it; before rolling it in her mouth.

All the while, Raya is biting her bottom lip aggressively, trying to quiet her moans. She can feel herself begin to shake the anticipation. "Please…" Raya let out, knowing she was coming undone and unsure how long she would last. All she knew was that she wanted to feel Namaari inside her.

Namaari chuckled with Rayas breast in her mouth before releasing it, pressing a gentle kiss upon it before slowly kissing her way up to Raya's lips. Her left hand was still massaging Raya's left breast while her right hand slowly removed the last piece of fabric covering Raya's core.

Namaari lips found themself on Raya's earlobe, gently biting it. She had succeeded in removing her underwear. 

Namaari's left hand stopped massaging Raya's breast and made its way to her hair. Her right hand was now gently hovering over Raya's core. Without even touching Raya, she could feel the wetness and the warmth of it. This gave Namaari a high as she began to run her fingers through the other's folds. 

She wanted to savor Raya's core; by enjoying and taking in every inch of it. BUT she knew Raya was close and had to get her through it. So with her left hand, she gently pulled on Raya's hair while the other entered two fingers into Raya's core.

Raya gasped out in pleasure; she was not expecting it. However, she began to roll her hips into Namaari's fingers. 

Namaari's first pumps were slow as to ease the other into the feeling. Yet soon enough, she began to pump faster. Her left hand finally letting go of the handful of hair, slowly caressing every crevice on Raya's stomach.

Raya stopped functioning, unable to bite her own lip, which was containing her moans. Her moans echoing throughout the kitchen, possibly the connecting hallway.

Listening to the sweet music escaping Raya's lips, Namaari began pumping faster: Sometimes, she pumped in and out. Other times she pumped in and up. Namaari was waiting to push Raya close to the edge. 

So she began separating her fingers within Raya, filling all the available space. Other times she curled her fingers. No matter what Namaari's fingers did, the wetness of Raya's core was intoxicating her, and all she wanted to do was taste her.

Raya knew she sounded like a broken record as she couldn't stop moaning. But how could she not when the Fang princess was fucking her senselessly. 

Raya's back arched as Namaari pumped and curled her fingers within her hitting her spot. Raya knew she was about to crash. In a matter of pumps. Her thighs starting to tremble. "Fuckk…" she groaned as she was reaching her peak, but Namaari stopped. Before Raya could say something, she was pulled by her ankles up. Her legs were now draped over Namaaris shoulders.

Raya looked into Namaaris eyes: She looked hungry as she was about to devour her prey. The look of pure lust in her eyes could have pushed her off the edge, but she took several deep breathes; Edging herself, knowing that her peak and fall would be that much sweeter.

Namaari positioned Raya to where her core was an inch away from her face. "Better hold on to the counter Dep La," she said before lightly licking the Raya's folds.

Raya did as she was told, gripping the edge of the counter. She didn't believe this was necessary as Namaari had a tight grip on her hips; however, she would follow her orders. Soon she felt Namaari's flat tongue gently licking her clit. Her vision began to blurry. But before things did, she looked up, spotting the noticing the kitchen light.

Namaari was consumed by the smell and taste that was Raya. She couldn't describe the smell or taste if she wanted to, but god was it her new favorite. She noticed as Raya's back arched again when she pointed her tongue, penetrating the other princess.

Raya had no more strength to breathe as Namaari's tongue entered her. She saw stars as her body's overconsumption of endorphins was causing a tingling feeling all over. Raya was at her peak when Namaari stopped pumping her tongue.

Namaari knew Raya was at her peak, so she inserted two fingers back into her as her flat tongue gently stimulated Raya's clit. Raya looked exhausted, but when she came crashing down, she vocalized with several moans. Namaari slowed her pace with both her fingers and her tongue wanting to guide Raya through her waves. Once Rayas back wasn't arched, Namaari began to lick up all of Raya's juices. Leaving her fingers for last. She looked down at Raya, whose torso was painted with purple bruises and bite marks. She was glistening in her sweat. Namaari chuckled as she gently pulled her fingers out of Raya, still holding her firmly with her other hand.

Raya watched as Namaari licked her own juices off her fingers. Raya could feel the blood rushing to her head. She hadn't noticed before as she was so consumed by her desire.

Namaaris, now cleaned hand, made its way to Raya's waist. Resulting in Raya letting go of the counter. Namaari noticed the scratch marks where Raya once was gripping. But no one would ever expect it had been them to do it.

With both hands on Raya's waist, Namaari sat her back upon the counter. "Did you purposely edge me on Maari?" Raya asked between breaths causing Namaari to chuckle as she leaned down to kiss Raya's lips.

"Are you complaining?" Namaari answered as she raised an eyebrow at Raya. Who in returned pressed her lips together. 

Both princesses overwhelmed with love and affection for each other. 

~~~

Well, wow....let me know what you all think. :D

Edging: getting seconds away from climaxing and stopping. (By doing this several times, the tension keeps building; making the orgasm that much more powerful ;)

[the-i-in-lie]

Vietnamese Moana: A Raya And The Last Dragon Review (Spoilers)*

I get what they were going for. I really do.

Here's the thing, on concept alone, this movie's really good. As I implied in the title, it feels like Moana with a Vietnamese (I think) coat of paint, but:

Moana wasn't the most original thing in the world either, it was just really good at executing relatively tired tropes.

Raya And The Last Dragon has a much more vibrant, alive world than Moana, although I could be misremembering.

Speaking of that world, it might be my favorite part of the movie. From the lively markets of Talon, to Fang subverting the evil empire cliche by being expansionist out of need, to even the elaborate prayer Raya makes towards the beginning, it truly feels like this isn't a world just made for a ninety minute movie.**

The animation's really cool too. I mean, 3D has come a long way since the original Toy Story. The textures, like hair, skin, cloth, metal and fur, are downright beautiful. I also love the paper-like 2D animation at the beginning. The human designs are really nice as well, although about as expected for modern Disney.

Note that I said "human", because the dragons honestly look more like colorful ferrets than reptiles (them being mustelids explains the odor comment...). Anyways, this is a good transition to my first major problem with the movie: the dragons. Well, the one specific dragon we see throughout the movie (too tired to look up how to spell her name).

Anyways, I'm very sick and tired of the hyped up magical creature is a comic relief thing. Her jokes are anachronistic (school projects??? really??? as that asshole who never contributes to group projects i am offended), they come fast and don't stop, and her raspy as hell voice doesn't help matters. When she's being serious, she's fine, but in her first scene I was convinced I was gonna hate this movie based on her alone.

And that's just one example of a pretty serious tone problem. Hunchback of Notre Dame bad? No, but in terms of how much it ruins the goddamn movie, not that far behind. The con baby from Talon is another great example. I get what the joke is, the city's so crime ridden even the babies are scammers. It's all so...Penguins of Madagascar-y. Ugh.

Speaking of Talon and crime, Raya's assumptions about that nation are never truly proven wrong, and to me that was a missed opportunity. They did it for Fang, why not have Talon's representative (btw I really like how Raya picks up companions from each nation, clever) be an honest, down on their luck market stall owner? They go to buy something, Raya's convinced she's ripping her off, and she somehow proves her honesty.

Why this tangent? Well, the movie's actual theme (trust, apparently) is very, very poorly implemented. The scene where the antagonist (antagonist is strictly the character opposed to the protagonist, which is why there are villain protagonists but never villain heroes) is trusted with the gem pieces is really nice, but trust is the wrong word for the concept.

Raya trusting her is what made this happen in the first place! Maybe it could've been about forgiveness, or belief (and actually been able to communicate that without icky implications). Maybe, like I described in the alternate Talon, it could've been about how prejudice breeds mistrust.

After Mulan 2020 though, I don't think Disney wants to take a stand against racism, lest it upset Winnie the Pooh.

Some other points I'd go in depth on if I wasn't heccin tired

Raya and the antagonist girl (again, idk her name) had a really strong rivalry that was enjoyable to watch.

Despite an annoying introduction, the shrimp kid was great

I want whatever that dog/armadillo hybrid is

The mom says to her daughter towards the end (don't remember exactly when) that what happens is "out of her control" and I thought she was legit gonna try and murder Raya and crew but she just turns to stone???

I saw this trailer before the movie of a 3D remake/sequel/midquel to Spirit: Stallion if the Cimarron and fuck you Dreamworks for doing that

Shout out to Raya's dad for actually being a good dad in animation. Low bar, but still, dads deserve better.

The short film before the movie was cute

Also I want a straw hat now

tl;dr: You know how Emperor's New Groove was originally gonna be this epic called Kingdome of the Sun? I feel like some executive saw the draft for Raya and the Last Dragon, decided "hey, it worked for Emperor's New Groove, let's do it here because kids don't like epic fantasy!". Kuzco still reigns supreme.

Rating: wasted potential/10

(I know I already posted a mini review, however I got home from the theater and talked to my dad about it on the way there, so I have more detailed thoughts now)

**and the inevitable TV series/sequel/short film

[f9-teljes-film-2021]

Halálos iramban 9 Teljes Film Magyarul - HD 2021

Halálos iramban 9 Teljes Film Magyarul - HD 2021

F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021 á n teljes film Ingyenes online próba. F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án [BlUrAy] | Nézd meg F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án Online Film 1933 HD ingyenes HD.720Px | Nézd meg F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án Online Film 1933 HD HD HD !! F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án 1933 angol felirattal letöltésre kész, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án 1933 720p, 1080p, BrRip, DvdRip, Youtube, Reddit, Multilanguage és kiváló minoségu. F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án (1933) teljes film magyarul

🔴 HD Minőség Letöltése »»»»»»»  https://pemburudollar.starmovieseries.com/movie/385128/f9.html 🔴 Ingyenes Online Streaming »»»»»»»  https://tinyurl.com/5fkk5epm

        Halálos iramban 9 2021         8.2/10 által 95 felhasználók Dom Toretto visszahúzódva él egy félreeső helyen Lettyvel és fiával, a kis Briannel, de tudják, hogy a veszély állandóan ott les rájuk a békés horizonton. Ezúttal ez a veszély arra kényszeríti Domot, hogy szembenézzen múltbéli bűneivel, ha meg akarja menteni azokat, akiket a legjobban szeret. Összehozza csapatát, hogy megakadályozzanak egy olyan tervet, amely megrengeti a világot. A terv kiötlője a legképzettebb bérgyilkos és legprofibb sofőr, akivel valaha találkoztak – és aki történetesen Dom elveszett öccse, Jakob

felszabadított: 2021-05-19 Runtime: 145 percek Műfaj: Dráma, Akció, Kaland Csillag: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Charlize Theron Rendező: Sanja Milkovic Hays, Clayton Townsend, Gary Scott Thompson, Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel

Letöltés : MP4 360pLetöltés F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021 [ 5,184 Kb/s ] 480pLetöltés F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021 [ 7,682 Kb/s ] MP4HDLetöltés F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021 [ 8,647 Kb/s ] FULLHDLetöltés F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021 [ 9,692 Kb/s ]

Letöltés : MP4 360pLetöltés Raya és az utolsó sárkány 2021 [ 5,184 Kb/s ] 480pLetöltés Raya és az utolsó sárkány 2021 [ 7,682 Kb/s ] MP4HDLetöltés Raya és az utolsó sárkány 2021 [ 8,647 Kb/s ] FULLHDLetöltés Raya és az utolsó sárkány 2021 [ 9,692 Kb/s ]

Kulcsszavak : F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nelőzetes magyarul, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á ningyen letöltés, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nnetmozi, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nmagyar premier, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nfilm online, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nteljes film, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nteljes film videa, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nindavideo, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nmagyarul online, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nteljes film magyarul indavideo, F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nonline filmek ingyen F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nonline 2021 filmek magyarul F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nfilmek magyarul F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nonline videa 720p 1080p F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nfilm letöltés F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á n2021 teljes filmek magyarul videa F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nonline sorozatok F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á ningyen filmek F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á n2021 film letöltés ingyen F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nfilmek online magyarul F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021   á nmagyar filmek online

Its somewhat ironic that a movie about time travel can’t be reviewed properly until your future self rewatches the movie. It’s bold of Nolan to make such a thoroughly dense blockbuster. He assumes people will actually want to see ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án more than once so they can understand it properly, which some may not. This movie makes the chronology of Inception look as simplistic as tic-tac-toe. Ergo, it’s hard for me to give an accurate rating, without having seen it twice, as I’m still trying to figure out whether everything does indeed make sense. If it does, this movie is easily a 9 or 10. If it doesn’t, it’s a 6. It’s further not helped by the fact that the dialogue in the first 15 minutes of the movie is painfully hard to understand / hear. Either they were behind masks; they were practically mumbling; the sound effects were too loud; or all of the above. The exposition scenes are also waayyy too brief for something this complex — a problem also shared with Interstellar actually. (Interstellar had this minimalist exposition problem explaining Blight, where if you weren’t careful, you’d miss this one sentence / scene in the entire movie explaining that Blight was a viral bacteria: “Earth’s atmosphere is 80% nitrogen, we don’t even breathe nitrogen. Blight does, and as it thrives, our air gets less and less oxygen”). I guess it’s a Nolan quirk. Hopefully, a revision of the film audio sorts the sound mixing out. I do like the soundtrack, but it’s too loud initially. I liked all the actors. You think John Washington can’t act at first, but he can, and he grows on you as the film progresses. And Pattinson is his usual charming self. Elizabeth is a surprise treat. And so on. Its worth a watch either way. See it with subtitles if you can. And definitely don’t expect to fully understand whats going on the first time around. Its one hell of a complicated film. It will be very hard for an average viewer to gather all the information provided by this movie at the first watch. But the more you watch it, more hidden elements will come to light. And when you are able to put these hidden elements together. You will realize that this movie is just a “masterpiece” which takes the legacy of Christopher Nolan Forward If I talk about acting, Then I have to say that Robert Pattinson has really proved himself as a very good actor in these recent years. And I am sure his acting skills will increase with time. His performance is charming and very smooth. Whenever he is on the camera, he steals the focus John David Washington is also fantastic in this movie. His performance is electrifying, I hope to see more from him in the future. Other characters such as Kenneth Branagh, Elizabeth, Himesh Patel, Dimple Kapadia, Clémence Poésy have also done quite well. And I dont think there is a need to talk about Michael Caine Talking about Music, its awesome. I dont think you will miss Hans Zimmer’s score. Ludwig has done a sufficient job. There is no lack of good score in the movie Gotta love the editing and post production which has been put into this movie. I think its fair to say this Nolan film has focused more in its post production. The main problem in the movie is the sound mixing. Plot is already complex and some dialogues are very soft due to the high music score. It makes it harder to realize what is going on in the movie. Other Nolan movies had loud BGM too. But Audio and dialogues weren’t a problem My humble request to everyone is to please let the movie sink in your thoughts. Let your mind grasp all the elements of this movie. I am sure more people will find it better. Even those who think they got the plot. I can bet they are wrong. ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án is the long awaited new movie from Christopher Nolan. The movie that’s set to reboot the multiplexes post-Covid. It’s a manic, extremely loud, extremely baffling sci-fi cum spy rollercoaster that will please a lot of Nolan fan-boys but which left me with very mixed views. John David Washington (Denzel’s lad) plays “The Protagonist” — a crack-CIA field operative who is an unstoppable one-man army in the style of Hobbs or Shaw. Recruited into an even more shadowy organisation, he’s on the trail of an international arms dealer, Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh in full villain mode). Sator is bullying his estranged wife Kat (Elizabeth Debicki) over custody of their son (and the film unusually has a BBFC warning about “Domestic Abuse”). Our hero jets the world to try to prevent a very particular kind of Armageddon while also keeping the vulnerable and attractive Kat alive. This is cinema at its biggest and boldest. Nolan has taken a cinema ‘splurge’ gun, filled it with money, set it on rapid fire, removed the safety and let rip at the screen. Given that Nolan is famous for doing all of his ‘effects’ for real and ‘in camera’, some of what you see performed is almost unbelievable. You thought crashing a train through rush-hour traffic in “Inception” was crazy? You ain’t seen nothing yet with the airport scene! And for lovers of Chinooks (I must admit I am one and rush out of the house to see one if I hear it coming!) there is positively Chinook-p*rn on offer in the film’s ridiculously huge finale. The ‘inversion’ aspects of the story also lends itself to some fight scenes — one in particular in an airport ‘freeport’ — which are both bizarre to watch and, I imagine, technically extremely challenging to pull off. In this regard John David Washington is an acrobatic and talented stunt performer in his own right, and must have trained for months for this role. Nolan’s crew also certainly racked up their air miles pre-lockdown, since the locations range far and wide across the world. The locations encompassed Denmark, Estonia, India, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, and United States. Hoyte Van Hoytema’s cinematography is lush in introducing these, especially the beautiful Italian coast scenes. Although I did miss the David Arnold strings that would typically introduce these in a Bond movie: it felt like that was missing. The ‘timey-wimey’ aspects of the plot are also intriguing and very cleverly done. There are numerous points at which you think “Oh, that’s a sloppy continuity error” or “Shame the production design team missed that cracked wing mirror”. Then later in the movie, you get at least a dozen “Aha!” moments. Some of them (no spoilers) are jaw-droppingly spectacular. Perhaps the best twist is hidden in the final line of the movie. I only processed it on the way home. And so to the first of my significant gripes with ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án. The sound mix in the movie is all over the place. I’d go stronger than that… it’s truly awful (expletive deleted)! Nolan often implements Shakespeare’s trick of having characters in the play provide exposition of the plot to aid comprehension. But unfortunately, all of this exposition dialogue was largely incomprehensible. This was due to: the ear-splitting volume of the sound: 2021 movie audiences are going to be suffering from ‘~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  ánis’! (LOL); the dialogue is poorly mixed with the thumping music by Ludwig Göransson (Wot? No Hans Zimmer?); a large proportion of the dialogue was through masks of varying description (#covid-appropriate). Aaron Taylor-Johnson was particularly unintelligible to my ears. Overall, watching this with subtitles at a special showing might be advisable! OK, so I only have a PhD in Physics… but at times I was completely lost as to the intricacies of the plot. It made “Inception” look like “The Tiger Who Came to Tea”. There was an obvious ‘McGuffin’ in “Inception” — — (“These ‘dream levels’… how exactly are they architected??”…. “Don’t worry… they’ll never notice”. And we didn’t!) In “~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án” there are McGuffins nested in McGuffins. So much of this is casually waved away as “future stuff… you’re not qualified” that it feels vaguely condescending to the audience. At one point Sator says to Kat “You don’t know what’s going on, do you?” and she shakes her head blankly. We’re right with you there luv! There are also gaps in the storyline that jar. The word “~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án”? What does it mean. Is it just a password? I’m none the wiser. The manic pace of ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án and the constant din means that the movie gallops along like a series of disconnected (albeit brilliant) action set pieces. For me, it has none of the emotional heart of the Cobb’s marriage problems from “Inception” or the father/daughter separation of “Interstellar”. In fact, you barely care for anyone in the movie, perhaps with the exception of Kat. It’s a talented cast. As mentioned above, John David Washington is muscular and athletic in the role. It’s a big load for the actor to carry in such a tent-pole movie, given his only significant starring role before was in the excellent BlacKkKlansman. But he carries it off well. A worthy successor to Gerard Butler and Jason Statham for action roles in the next 10 years. This is also a great performance by Robert Pattinson, in his most high-profile film in a long time, playing the vaguely alcoholic and Carré-esque support guy. Pattinson’s Potter co-star Clemence Poésy also pops up — rather more un-glam that usual — as the scientist plot-expositor early in the movie. Nolan’s regular Michael Caine also pops up. although the 87-year old legend is starting to show his age: His speech was obviously affected at the time of filming (though nice try Mr Nolan in trying to disguise that with a mouth full of food!). But in my book, any amount of Caine in a movie is a plus. He also gets to deliver the best killer line in the film about snobbery! However, it’s Kenneth Branagh and Elizabeth Debicki that really stand out. They were both fabulous, especially when they were bouncing off each other in their marital battle royale. So, given this was my most anticipated movie of the year, it’s a bit of a curate’s egg for me. A mixture of being awe-struck at times and slightly disappointed at others. It’s a movie which needs a second watch, so I’m heading back today to give my ear drums another bashing! And this is one where I reserve the right to revisit my rating after that second watch… it’s not likely to go down… but it might go up. (For the full graphical review, check out One Mann’s Movies on t’interweb and Facebook. Thanks.) As this will be non-spoiler, I can’t say too much about the story. However, what I can is this: ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án’s story is quite dynamic in the sense that you won’t understand it till it wants you to. So, for the first half, your brain is fighting for hints and pieces to puzzle together the story. It isn’t until halfway through the movie that ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án invites you to the fantastic storytelling by Christopher Nolan. Acting is beyond phenomenal, and I’d be genuinely surprised if neither Robert Pattinson nor John David Washington doesn’t receive an Oscar nomination for best actor. It’s also hard not to mention how good Elizabeth Debicki and Aaron Johnson both are. All around, great acting, and the dialogue amps up the quality of the movie. The idea of this movie is damn fascinating, and while there are films that explore time-travelling, there’s never been anything quite like this. It has such a beautiful charm and for the most part, explains everything thoroughly. It feels so much more complex than any form of time-travelling we’ve seen, and no less could’ve been expected from Nolan. Oh my lord, the score for this film fits so perfectly. Every scene that’s meant to feel intense was amped by a hundred because of how good the score was. Let me just say though, none of them will be found iconic, but they fit the story and scenes so well. In the end, I walked out, feeling very satisfied. Nevertheless, I do have issues with the film that I cannot really express without spoiling bits of the story. There are definitely little inconsistencies that I found myself uncovering as the story progressed. However, I only had one issue that I found impacted my enjoyment. That issue was understanding some of the dialogue. No, not in the sense that the movie is too complicated, but more that it was hard to make out was being said at times. It felt like the movie required subtitles, but that probably was because, at a time in the film, there was far too much exposition. Nevertheless, I loved this film, I’ll be watching it at least two more times, and I think most of you in this group will enjoy it. I definitely suggest watching it in theatres if possible, just so you can get that excitement. (4/5) & (8.5/10) for those that care about number scores. At first, I want to ask Christopher Nolan one question, HOW THE HELL YOU DID THIS? Seriously I want to have an answer, How did he write such as this masterpiece! How did he get this complicated, fabulous and creative idea? What is going on in his mind? The story is written and directed perfectly, the narration style was absolutely unique. I have no idea how can anyone direct such as this story, that was a huge challenge, and as usual Nolan gave us a masterpiece that we’ll put beside (Memento), (Inception) and (Interstellar) The movie is so fast-paced in a good way, there was no boring moment. The chemistry between John David Washington and Robert Pattinson was great and funny and both of their performance was really good. Elizabeth Debicki performance was the best in the movie because she had the chance to show her acting abilities and she cached up that chance and showed us an A level acting. The music wasn’t unique and distinct as the music of Interstellar for example and I think this movie needed the touch of Hans Zimmer, I’m not saying that Ludwig Göransson failed but Hans Zimmer in another level. If there was something I’d say that I didn’t like it in the movie would it be that Nolan discarded any set up or characters backgrounds except Elizabeth Debicki dramatic story but it wasn’t that bad for me, I didn’t care about that, the exciting story didn’t give me the chance to focus on it. But the actual problem was the third act, it was really complicated and I got lost and I convinced myself to discard the questions that were in my head and enjoy the well-made action sequences and Elizabeth Debicki performance. I think this kind of movie that gets better with a second and third watch. I honestly don’t quite know where to begin with ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án. I love Christopher Nolan’s work but I have never seen a more complicated film (and I understood Memento). ~After nearly three hours, I came away from ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án not knowing myself, my mind reduced to nothing more than piles of ash. Was there time travel involved? Hmm, there was definitely something about time inversion. I mean, does Nolan even understand what he wrote? Look, I give credit to the director because he’s one of the few directors left who knows how to create a compelling and intelligent blockbuster. ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án is full of Nolan trademarks — the gratuitous Michael Caine cameo, a loud, really loud score, complete with stunning cinematography and slickly inventive action set-pieces. This time around however, Nolan has finally managed to ‘out-Nolan’ himself: the palindromic plot, whilst creatively ambitious, is simply far too complicated for its own good. ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án is overlong, overstuffed, pretentious and too exhausting to comprehend in its entirety — it makes Inception and Interstellar look like Peppa Pig by comparison. I’m aware of the technical wizardry and creative mastery in this film and lord knows I’ll have to watch this again. For those who want a puzzle, ~F9: The Fast Saga  [ Halálos iramban 9 ] 2021  án at least provides a unique cinematic experience. But to actually enjoy solving it Nolan wants you to work very very hard

[jamandtheanagrams]

Halloween Hijinks

Companion piece to part one of @jemandthesingalongs ‘s Stingers fic! (link: https://allinthestyle.tumblr.com/post/188735887086/lovesick-for-you-part-1 )

Characters:  Minx, Rapture, guest Holograms (+friend)

Word Count:  2,077

Rating:  G

Summary:  While Riot attends a charity event with Jem, Minx and Rapture find their own way to stay entertained.

________________________________________________________________

As the Stingers reached the venue for the “Ghouls Night Out” fundraiser, Rapture dropped back a few steps behind Riot and held out an arm, motioning for Minx to halt.  Riot continued through the doors, unaware that his entourage was no longer by his side.

Now that they were alone, Minx could finally express her displeasure.  “Rapture, how could you?” she moaned.  “We watched Jem perform just last night.  I cannot hear ‘It’s Fun to be Scared’ two days in a row.  I think I’ll scream.”

Rapture waved her hand dismissively.  “Jem isn’t here, I only said that to get Riot to come.  We’re here for a different reason.”  Her eyes glittered with barely-contained malice - a look that was only amplified by her horrific makeup.  “Come on.”

Despite herself, her curiosity was aroused. Minx followed Rapture through the doors.  Rapture impatiently shoved forty dollars at the miserable looking fellow collecting admissions while wearing an unfortunate bat costume.  The poor fellow glanced up and made eye contact with Rapture, almost immediately averting his gaze upon seeing her costume.  “Thank you, have a bat-tastic evening,” he droned, thrusting a printed map of the night’s attractions towards Minx.

“Thanks!” Rapture chirped, snatching the map instead.

“You could at least wear your mask,” Minx pointed out as they walked further into the building.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

________________________________________________________________

Minx knew from the way the corner of Rapture’s lips quirked upwards (she could still tell, even with that horrible prosthetic makeup she was wearing) that she had something in mind. An actual reason to be at this horrible fundraiser. 

Normally, she wouldn’t mind.  She was more than willing to play along with her girlfriend’s schemes if it made her happy.  But tonight, she was bored, there was nothing here that interested her in the least, and Rapture was being infuriatingly mysterious. She told herself she wasn’t going to ask, wasn’t going to give Rapture the satisfaction.  

But, as Rapture led them past the apple bobbing tub, past the fortune-teller and the refreshments, even past the stage (she swore she saw one of those dreadful Holograms setting up, she never bothered to remember their names), past everything that even remotely resembled anything Rapture would want to do, she finally heaved a sigh.

“Why are we here?”

Rapture waved her arms in a way she probably thought made her look spooky and mysterious.  Minx thought it looked silly.  “As you know, I consulted with the spirits on the ride here--”  Minx rolled her eyes.  She’d watched Rapture chant something that had sounded suspiciously like movie quotes over an unlit tapered candlestick she’d swiped from god-knows-where.   

“Get to the point.”

“Look!”  Rapture whipped the flyer out of her pocket, unfolding it and stabbing her finger on something near the bottom.  Minx leaned in to see what she was going on about, and immediately groaned.

“Oh no--” “Oh, yes.  Maeve is here.  Headlining tonight’s performance.”

Minx knew it was pointless trying to argue with Rapture when she was in one of her moods, especially when Astral was involved.  It was much easier to settle back and enjoy the ride.  At least now the night was going to be interesting after all.  “What’s the plan?”

“Well Minxy, I’m so glad you asked…”

________________________________________________________________

Something was wrong.  Astral could sense it.  It wasn’t anything to do with the event.  The fundraiser was going perfectly, from what she could tell.  It was more… intuition.  Something had changed.

“What’s wrong?” Kimber asked.  “Why’d you stop? You can’t pick the lock after all?” The flower in her hair was dangerously close to falling out.

“I still don’t see why you wanted to try this trick again,”  Raya sighed, trying her best to hold still  for Astral.  “As funny as I think it is to be handcuffed in these costumes, it’s a little much, don’t you think?  Sorry.”  She moved her toy saxophone out of Astral’s way. 

“I really thought I had it this time!”  Kimber wailed, shaking their shared handcuffs for emphasis. Her hair flower finally drifted to the ground.

Whatever was going on, it would have to wait.  “Please hold still, Kimber.”  Astral leaned back over the cuffs, deftly working on the lock.  “How did you come up with your costumes, anyway?”

Kimber’s face lit up.  “Well, we were all arguing over what we wanted Shana to make for us when Raya pointed out that we didn’t have to fight, we could just go as the scariest things we knew -- the Misfits!  So then I asked Stormer if she could help us figure out what to wear, and she found us some outfits the others only wore once, so they wouldn’t realize they were missing right away.  Poor Shana got stuck being Pizzazz.”  She beamed at Astral as the handcuffs fell away with a clatter.

“And Jem?”  Astral had noticed earlier that Jem’s costume hadn’t matched the rest of the Holograms.

Raya and Kimber shared a look.  “Jem already had her outfit planned,” Raya said carefully.  

Astral narrowed her eyes, but didn’t press the subject.  She had other things to worry about - that sense of wrongness was only increasing, for starters.  “Have you seen Jerrica?”

Raya and Kimber shared another look.  “I’ll go find her and let her know you’re looking for her!” Kimber offered quickly -- a little too quickly, Astral thought.

“Don’t bother,” Astral sighed.  “I’ll find her myself.  Thanks, though.  See you both at the concert.”

“See you!” Kimber chirped brightly, before grabbing Raya’s hand and rushing off.

Shaking her head, Astral began her search for Jerrica.

________________________________________________________________

As she walked, the sense of wrong-ness only grew.  The background chatter had dimmed somewhat, and Astral swore she saw fewer people around the main attractions.  It concerned her a little.  Were people leaving before the Holograms concert?  She had a hard time believing that would be the case, considering they were the main draw for this fundraiser.  They’d even had folks from out of state donate entrance fee costs without being unable to attend, just because they heard Jem was raising money for a good cause and they wanted to help out.

“Astral, there you are!  Kimber said you were looking for me.”  Jerrica looked a little flushed, as if she’d hurried on her way over.  

Astral glanced over her costume and snorted.  “Clash, really?”

“It was Kimber’s idea,” Jerrica sighed, adjusting her wig to keep it from sliding off of her head.  “I wasn’t going to dress up, but she already got the outfit from Stormer and everyone else had picked out their costumes while I was in the office…”

“Hang on, Jerrica.”  In front of them, hastily taped to the wall, was a poster advertising “Frau Verzückung’s Palm Readings - Only $10!”.  “When did we hire a palm reader?”

Jerrica looked confused. “We didn’t.”

All of a sudden, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicked into place.  “I’m going to kill her.”

________________________________________________________________

“Please, wait your turns!  Frau Verzückung will see you all,” came an unfortunately familiar voice from nearby.  Astral grit her teeth as she rounded the corner, Jerrica hot on her heels, and stopped short at the sight of the line in front of her.  The line stretched across the room to stop in front of a blue cloth tent hastily pinned up in the corner.  If she didn’t know better, Astral would swear it was made out of Rapture’s favorite “mystical” robes.

“Minx, what is this?” she called out. Minx ignored her.

The woman in front of Astral turned around to shush her.  “You have to wait your turn like the rest of us,” she complained.  “I’ve been here for twenty minutes already!  This lady better be good!”

Astral could feel her cheeks flushing with annoyance.  Jerrica leaned in close to whisper in her ear, laying her hand on Astral’s shoulder so lightly that Astral wasn’t even sure she was touching her.  “Should we call security?”

“No, don’t bother.  I want to deal with them myself.”  Astral was sick of the Stingers (Rapture, mostly) turning up in her life to cause trouble.  “Maybe we can come to an agreement.”  Which she honestly doubted.  She did like the thought of being able to say she tried, at least.

The line inched forward.  “Are you sure?  The concert starts in-” Jerrica checked her watch, her brow crinkling with worry, “-thirty minutes.”

Astral left the line, ignoring the complaints of the other attendees.  She marched up to Minx, who held out an arm to stop her.

“You have to wait your turn like everyone else,” Minx said airily, flipping her hair over her shoulder and making a show out of turning away to peer into the tent.

“Ingrid.”

“Is that Maeve?” came a voice from within.  Her German accent was faker than her usual blonde hair.  “Let her in, mi querida, Frau Verzückung will tell all.”

“Meine liebste,” Minx corrected under her breath.

“...Let her in, meine liebste.”  

Astral fought hard not to roll her eyes as she moved to enter the tent.  Minx held an arm out to stop her again.  “That’ll be ten dollars.”

“You have got to be kidding me!”

“She is right, ten dollars please,” Rapture piped up from within the tent.  “The spirits require a small donation to support our services.  Advertising isn’t cheap, you know.”

“Astral?”  Jerrica was by her side all of a sudden.  “Are you sure you don’t want me to--”

“It’s fine.  It’ll only take a minute.”  Astral shoved a crumpled ten dollar bill at Minx and pushed past her into the tent.

She recoiled almost instantly at the sight of Rapture’s makeup.  “Lon Chaney?” she guessed. “Very good.”  Rapture looked Astral up and down.  “Your Dracula costume needs work,” she sniffed, grabbing Astral by the hand and yanking her down into the folding chair across from her.  “What a poser.” “Actually, I’m supposed to be Carmilla.  You always did underestimate me.”

Caught off guard, Rapture looked at her, really looked at her.  She searched Astral’s face for a moment, trying to find a witty response.  She lowered her gaze after a moment. “Guess you got me there.”  She reached for Astral’s hand.

“I sure did.”  Click!  Rapture instinctively yanked her hand away, but the handcuff stopped her short.  

“Get your hands off of me!” Minx snapped from outside the tent.  Aja poked her head inside.  “Hey Astral.  Jerrica told me you needed a bit of help.”

“That was fast.”  Astral wasn’t going to complain, though.  She could use another set of hands.  She held out the other end of the handcuff to Aja, who grabbed it and locked it in place around Minx’s wrist.

“Ready to go?  The show starts soon.”  Aja bent down to scoop up the Stingers, one over each shoulder.

“Just a minute.  Rapture scammed a lot of money out of our friends tonight.”  Astral ignored Rapture’s protests, digging around underneath the tablecloth until she came up with a duffel bag stuffed full of bills.  “I think we can put it to much better use.”

“I like the way you think,” Aja smiled.  

“I don’t!” Rapture exploded, trying to reach for the bag.  Astral quickly stepped backwards out of her reach.

“Aja, let’s go.  We have a performance to catch.”

________________________________________________________________

“This is so humiliating!” Minx groused.

“You’re telling me.”

“Quiet,” Aja said sternly, “or I’ll drop you both.”  She paused for a moment to get a better grip on the two women, hiking them up higher on her shoulders.  “Stop squirming.”

Rapture scowled at Astral, who trailed behind them to make sure they didn’t try any funny business.  Astral only smiled sweetly back at her.  “Thank you for the donation,” she said, shaking the duffel bag full of money.  

As Aja hauled them backstage, Rapture and Minx caught a glimpse of Riot talking to that dreadful Jem.  “No point in calling for help,” Rapture sulked, “he won’t even notice.”

“He completely brushed me off earlier!” Minx agreed glumly.

“All right you two, stay right here.”  Aja unceremoniously dumped the Stingers into folding chairs in the wings of the stage.

“What do you expect us to do here?!” Rapture exclaimed, practically vibrating with annoyance.  She started to get up, but one look from Aja sent her sitting right back down in a hurry.

“You can read Minx’s palm while you wait for the performance to end,” Astral said sweetly.  The Holograms filed past her to take their places on stage.

Rapture groaned and sank even lower in her chair.

[lovehugsandcandy]

Hold Me Like  a Grudge (Colt x MC)

A/N: Chapter 11 had me shook! This is Colt x MC  5+1 story and I have no idea how this happened. This is in a different universe than It’s Only a Game, which I am still working on the next part, promise. Title from Weak by AJR, though I binge the Halloran & Kate/May Raya version. You will also probably recognize a lot of the dialogue from the actual Choices story. 

Pairing: Colt x MC

Rating: PG-13 (swearing and kissing)

Length: 4250 words (how did this happen?!?)

Summary: 5 times Ellie couldn’t kiss Colt and 1 time she couldn’t not.

Tags (LMK if you want to if you want me to add or remove you, tag lists are not my forte): @deimosensblog @alegria1580  @choicesarehard @thefarrari @client-327 @moonlit-girl-wonder @going-down-downtown

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is only for fun.

I

“Me? Jealous of Logan? That’s a good one. You should try stand-up comedy if college doesn’t work for you.” Colt rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

Ellie stared at his profile. “I think you’ve been jealous since the first time you saw us together.”

Colt turned, catching her eye. “Just....” Ellie waited. “Keep your eyes on the road, will ya?”

Ellie rolled her eyes and focused on the cones as he talked her thought the mechanics of drifting, but her first attempt did not go well. She got the wheels to break traction, sliding across the pavement, but it felt so counter intuitive that she pulled up in the turn; after the car spun out and they were surrounded by the smell of burnt rubber, she sighed, banging her head against the headrest.

“You got in your own head. You didn't trust yourself.”

"It’s hard when everything you’re doing feels wrong. Turn right to go left?” She leaned back and shut her eyes. 

“Drifting takes fearlessness. Total confidence. Even when you think you’re going the wrong way, you gotta stay the course.”

Ellie shot him a glare. “Easier said than done.”

He raised an eyebrow right back at her. “What isn’t?”

At Ellie’s sigh, he continued. “There is a trick some drivers use.....” She listened carefully as he talked about punching the clutch to increase the RPMs and then quick releasing. Of course, then he continued, “You’re right. You’re not ready. Come on, let’s get you back to your test...”

She strewed in the driver’s seat. Screw him. She started again, back towards the cones, glaring at the pavement. Colt glanced at her, “You’re just gonna embarrass yourself.” Looking at the RPMs, she bit her lip and dove in, hearing the tires squeal underneath her. She bit her lip. Come on...come on....and the car shot out of the turn.

Ellie’s mouth dropped. “Ok, that was awesome!″

��Knew you could do it.” Colt was smiling at her and Ellie felt her chest clench. He was always so bitter or angry or sarcastic, but she had rarely seen him smile. To see it bloom on his face, directed at her, was too much; she had to duck her head.

“Yeah right. You just said I was gonna embarrass myself.”

“Doesn’t matter who else believes in you. You gotta believe in yourself.” Ellie looked up to see him staring at her, intense

“Oh I get it. You were messing with me.” Ellie raised an eyebrow at him. “Well, you should take your own advice.”

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t matter if your dad believes in you or not.”

Colt let out a chuckle. “Sorry if I’m not convinced by family advice coming from you but you’re probably right.” He glanced out the windshield. “Easier said than done, though.”

“What isn’t?” Ellie watched as he turned back to her and considered her for a long while. Time seemed to stretch as they watched each other. Ellie felt her eyes drift down his face; he was attractive, so attractive, when he wasn’t spewing aggression and scorn. She found herself staring at his lips and had to stop herself from thinking some dangerous thoughts..

She knew she definitely shouldn't be thinking about Colt this way. When she told Riya that she wanted to find love, she meant that she wanted someone to put her first for once; she didn’t think Colt could ever put anyone above himself.

“...I thought I had you pegged.”

Ellie blinked to clear the haze in her mind. “What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing.” And just like that, the moment was over. “Let’s get you to your test.”

They switched seats and Ellie slid into the passenger’s side, trying to stop her mind from spinning. But all the way back to the RMV, Ellie found herself sneaking glances at Colt as he drove, confident and sure, through the busy LA streets. 

And after she learned she finally had her license and was jumping up and down next to the car, she definitely didn’t think about hugging Colt. Not even once.

II

She ran out of the shadows behind Colt, eyes fixed on Kaneko’s still form. “Kaneko! Are you ok?”

He looked up at them from the ground, leg splayed awkwardly. “Ellie? Colt? What the hell are you doing here?

"We tailed you, Pop. We were protecting you.” Colt’s mouth was a thin line as he put his arm out to help his dad to his feet, eyes flashing angrily.

“So...you heard everything.” Kaneko’s eyes dropped.

Ellie frowned, glancing between the two. “This last job. They don’t mean it, do they?”

“I’m afraid not,” Kaneko looked at the warehouse, eyes distant. “They have no intention of letting us go.”

“No one is playing games with us. We’ll find a way out of this, I promise.” Colt’s resolve reminded her, again, that this was in his blood. 

She took a breath. “I’ve got your back, Colt. Whatever happens, I’m ready to fight dirty.” 

Ellie watched the shock on his face fade into an honest smile. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard you say.” He turned to his father, determined. “I promise you, Pop. I can help you solve this.”

“We will,” Kaneko said as he put his hand on Colt’s shoulder, “together.”

Ellie watched, uneasy, as Colt and Kaneko headed towards the Aylesbury and Colt helped his dad in the car. 

Ellie watched Kaneko drive off until his taillights disappeared into the night. Letting out a sigh, she turned to see Colt biting his lip and staring at her.

“What?” It came out meaner than she meant it. It was an intense night and she was on edge.

Colt shrugged. “Nothing. I just didn’t expect you of all people to be all-in on a plan to take out a rival crew.”

She looked at him incredulously. “Take out? I’m sorry, you’re not the mob. And we need to do something or they will never let go.” She was on edge; the adrenaline was starting to wear off and she just wanted to crawl into bed, into her pajamas, and sleep.

“Well, we have to do something. We can’t just let them push us around!”

She shook her head, grabbing her keys from her pocket and turning towards the car. “I know. I mean....they hurt your dad. I get it.”

Colt grabbed her arm, turning so he could look into her eyes. The shadows played over his face as he moved and she stopped, watching them dance over his eyes. After a pause, he spoke. “Thank you.” He stopped again, biting his lip. “Just....thank you.”

“Of course.” Ellie looked at him. He was still holding on to her arm. The moment stretched on but she couldn’t look away. Her stomach lurched, butterflies fluttering. He was still holding her arm, wholly intent, staring at her. The butteries in her stomach intensified, made her feel like she was falling, gravity pulling her down. Hitting rock bottom would hurt.

She subconsciously licked her lips and saw Colt follow the movement. The butterflies got worse, as if they had morphed into a full-on army staging an attack on her senses. Crap.

“Keys!” Ellie raised her arm, displaying her car keys in her hands.

Colt dropped her arm, taking a step back. “Yes, those are keys. Very good.”

“I mean....” Ellie flushed. “We should get back to the shop.”

Colt nodded, silent, and turned to the car.

Crap.

III

Ellie grinned. "Well...we didn’t just come up here to stare, right?” Before she could talk herself out of it, she had stripped down to her underwear, clothes in pile on the ground. 

“You wanna jump? Seriously?” Colt turned and caught sight of her; she saw his eyes widen, but he swallowed hard and quickly looked away before she could process it.

“Seriously!” 

“Okay! Okay! You’ve made your point!” He took off his jacket and shirt; Ellie couldn’t help but glance down his chest. How in the world? Ellie flushed. He had no right to have abs like that. Guiltily, she looked away; who knew what he was hiding under that jacket?

Was this what playing with fire was like?

Colt looked over at the cliff. “I know what I’m in for. Do you?”

“Nope! On the count of three...”

Colt looked over at her, cocking an eyebrow as if he expected her to back down. When she only looked at him expectantly, he grinned. “One, two....three!”

Together, they sprinted to the edge and, at the last minute, Ellie’s hand found Colt’s as they flew into the air.

“Aaaaaah!” She screamed and Colt squeezed her hand as they began to plummet, seemingly forever, until they splashed into the ocean. When Ellie surfaced, beaming and shaking water from her face, she was still clutching Colt’s hand.

“Man, I’d almost forgotten what it felt like.” Colt grinned at her.

“See? Are you done downplaying everything?”

Ellie looked at him and was shocked by the intensity in his eyes as he stared back at her. “....Maybe I am.”

They floated together, face to face, and Ellie had no idea when they had gotten so close. She could see the droplets of water in his eyebrows, on his cheeks, edging to his jaw. She watched his gaze, moving from her eyes down her face to settle on her lips.

Crap, when did they get so close?

Ellie let herself float away from him, releasing his hand, needing space before she did something ridiculously dumb.

Colt turned away, ears red. “Sorry, that was stupid. I know you’re with Logan.”

“I’m not with Logan.” Ellie was so confused. It felt like her brain was not keeping up. “Logan and I are just friends.”

“What, like us?”

Ellie just shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, me either.” Colt just shot her a wounded look and started heading for shore.

Ellie shivered in the cool water.

IV

When Ellie pictured breaking away from her old life, this rave was exactly what she had been picturing. Lights, colors, drinks, dancing. She was so far from her old life that she almost couldn’t recognize herself...especially not in Mona’s outfit, the colors lighting her body as if she glowed from within. 

She can't help but love it, bouncing and jumping with Toby and laughing as Salazar creates some dance move that looks like it requires him to be triple-jointed. She finally feels free, a freedom here that she never knew she was missing until she had it.

When Toby went off to dance with the handsome stranger eyeing him, Ellie realized that she too could ask someone to dance too. She feebly looked around the room, but she already knows who she wants to dance with .

“Come on, Colt.” She slid over to him, gesturing to the dance floor.

He looked at her and then glanced back at the crew. “I...don’t really dance.”

“Me neither!” She grinned wide, grabbing his hand and lacing their fingers together. “Now, come on!” She dragged him deeper onto the dance floor, not stopping until she knew they were out of sight of the others.

Colt grinned and she saw his shoulders relax. “Been waiting to get you to myself all day.” She bit her lips as he pulled her closer, into his arms. Tilting her chin up to look into her eyes, he started guiding her hips. “Like this. Follow me.”

Ellie smiled, butterflies back in her stomach. “I’m starting to think you might like me.” Her unspoken I’m starting to think I might like you hung in the back of her throat.

Colt shook his head. “I don’t like anybody.” However, he smiled as he said it; it is so strange to see him so happy. Ellie started to worry she might like it a little too much but she ignored her voice of reason, wrapping her hands around his neck as he grabbed her waist. 

They are so close, inches from each other. “Is Logan watching?”

Ellie frowned. “You don’t want him to see us?”

“Is it bad that part of me does?”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’m not a possession for you two to fight over, Colt. I’m a person.” Not a pawn, she thought bitterly.

“You’re far more than that, Ellie.”

Ellie looked at him for a beat. “So your plan worked. I think you really impressed your dad today.” She was happy for him, she was. She knew how important his dad’s approval was to him.

“Did I impress you?” Colt stared so intently at her that she started to blush; she couldn’t look away.

“It takes more than that to impress me.”

Colt grinned, ducking his head and freeing her from his gaze. “Good.”

Ellie felt his arms tighten around her waist and she responded in kind, almost automatically, grinding her hips against him, sending shock waves though her body.

“I thought you didn’t know how to dance.”

Ellie had never danced like this before. “It’s like Ximena said. I’m doing what feels good.” His arms around her, hips meeting in slow circles. It felt really good.

He leaned in closer, so close she could feel the air from his lungs as he spoke, making her lips tingle. “Then you should keep doing what feels good.”

Ellie froze, feeling like she was caught in a net. Any move forward would mean their lips would meet and she felt it, the almost irresistible desire to fall forward into him. She hung in the moment for a second, maybe longer, but then just pulled him closer, grazing his cheek with hers as their bodies melded together.

“You know I’d kill for the people I care about, right? But that’s a very short list.” He spoke in her ear and she could again feel his breath against her skin; she felt oversensitive, every nerve lighting up.

Ellie pulled back to look into his eyes and was stunned by the intensity in his gaze. “Are you saying I’m on it?”

He said nothing and Ellie stared, looking from his eyes, piercing through her, traveling down his face to watch his lips. The moment was electric and Ellie swallowed, hard. She forced herself to look away and Colt just pulled her tighter, moving her in time with the music with gentle hands around her waist.

They returned to the crew together and Colt was by her side all night. More than once, Ellie watched him, staring at his profile. She had basically run away from home to live her life her way, take chances, make mistakes.

Why were there some chances she was still terrified to take?

V

Ellie stared out the window and shook her head. Some of her original fury had worn off and now she just felt tired, sad, and alone.

“You belong with someone who knows how much you’re capable of.” Colt stared at her, clutching the steering wheel of her car. He understood her more than anyone, more than Riya, more than her dad, and still....

She didn’t know if she could do this. After all that had happened, she didn’t know if she could combine both of these parts of her life.

She shook her head. “That’s a nice fantasy, Colt, But it’s just a fantasy. It's time I get back to the real world. I need to clean up the mess I’ve made of my life.”

“Yeah....I get that.” Colt frowned at her.

“I wish....” Ellie sighed, trailing off. “Well, it doesn’t matter what I wish.”

Colt leaned over, across the console, and put a gentle hand on her cheek. She leaned into it and prayed that the tears wouldn’t make their way down her cheeks. Colt looked sad, wrecked, and said, softly, “It does to me.”

Ellie could almost feel her heart break in her chest. “It doesn’t do us any good to talk about that now.”

“I’ve never been interested in doing any good.”

Ellie turned to look out at Riya’s house. Crap. The tears were starting to roll down her cheeks. She roughly swiped at them, trying to hide motion from Colt. She knew he saw but, thankfully, chose not to say anything. She watched the morning wind rustle the trees, the light reflecting off Riya’s windows. 

Finally, she turned back to him. He was still looking at her, a crease between his eyes, lips down-turned. She ached to reach out, smooth the creases on his forehead, finally find out how soft his lips were....

She had to stop. It was time to go back. With a noise in between a sigh and a sob, she grabbed the handle of the car door and pushed it open. 

The morning air felt cool on her face. Refreshing. Someone was starting their car down the street, probably heading to work. Even that routine noise seemed surreal given her last few days.

Colt closed his door, snapping her out of her thoughts. He tossed her the keys, her keys. “Take the car, will ya? Toby never’d forgive me if I didn’t make you keep it.”

“How will you get back?”

“Don’t worry about me.” She frowned. It was a little late for that. She couldn’t help but worry about the boy who was constantly trying to take on the world.

Ellie nodded. “See you around, Colt. Maybe.”

She watched his back as he walked down the street, smaller and smaller still until he vanished into the distance. She wondered if she would ever see him again.

1

Colt's eyes were furious, absolutely furious, and, if Ellie didn’t understand him as well as she did, she would have been terrified. He was glaring at her, eyes a blaze of anger, and she could see his arms vibrating, shaking with the energy it took to hold himself back.

Ellie could not, would not back down. "Colt.....we can't do this."

His nostrils were flaring as he sucked in heavy breaths.

"You know we can't do this." She held his glare, refusing to look away.

Finally, Colt turned to his dad. "Fine. Plan's off. Get the stuff out of here." With one last glare at Ellie, he turned and bent to grab a rock from the ground. Ellie watched him throw it, far, through the window of The Brotherhood’s warehouse hideout. Crap. Hopefully they couldn’t trace that bit of property damage back to the crew.

Colt kicked another rock, sending it scattering across the warehouse, and stormed over to his bike. Ellie took a few steps forward. “Colt....”

He turned with a snarl, dark eyes barely visible. “Don’t talk to me.” He slammed the visor down, revved the bike, and sped off.

Ellie felt tears fill her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She could only hope that she had done the right thing.

~~~~~

Colt didn’t return to the shop for hours, hours. Ellie sat, watching the minutes click by on her phone. One by one, the crew had gone to bed after a draining night but Ellie could not sleep. With a sigh, she threw herself into her driver’s side door and backed out into the dark street. She knew Colt would not be happy to see her, but she also knew she couldn’t leave him to his demons right now.

The off-ramp was dark. She parked far away and walked, avoiding branches and stones, until the path opened up and she was looking out over the cliff and the Pacific Ocean. A lone figure sat, arms crossed over his knees, staring out in to the horizon. Ellie sighed and walked closer.

“I told you to leave me alone.” He hadn’t even turned his back.

“I know.” Ellie looked at her hands. “And, if you really want me to go, I will. But I don’t want you to be alone right now.”

Colt stood up, unfurling, dark against the night sky. “We had them, Ellie. We had them. Why the hell...”

“Colt, what you had was enough explosives to take out a city block. You were going too far and, if you did that, you would have never been safe. They would have hunted you, hunted your dad. Not to mention you could have been killed-”

He cut her off with a sharp shake of his head. “We’re not safe now, Ellie. This doesn’t make us any safer-”

“This wasn’t about your freedom!” Ellie’s voice, louder now, harsher, echoed around the cliff. “This wasn't about getting out from under their thumb. This was about revenge.”

Colt stalked closer. His eyes had lost some of the fire but they were still burning, flaring. She was the moth and he was the flame and his fire was going to consume her. “Wouldn’t you? Wouldn’t you, if it was your dad? If it was someone you cared about?”

Ellie stared back. She knew he was right. She would. For all that she rebelled against her father, she could understand Colt’s anger. She would.

Colt shook his head, looking into the distance. “This was our shot. And we threw it away.”

“There will be another shot, Colt. We can think of another plan. One that gets us freedom and not a turf war.”

“We? We? No, you took off to go back to your real life.” Colt laughed bitterly. “There’s no we. It’s me. I will need to think of something. Again.” He turned his back on her, looking back at the ocean. He was all sharp movements and pain, shoulders rigid.

Ellie stood, waited. The silence stretched so long she swore she could see the moon traveling though the sky. She was about to give up and turn back to the car when she had a thought. “....Colt? Why did you listen to me?”

He turned, hallway, profile sharp. A light wind started blowing and Ellie shivered. Finally, he turned around to face her, considering her. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, shrugging and looking down. “You’re smart. I always listen to you.”

“That is not tru-”

“It is and I do. You know you’re smart.” Colt paused, considering. “I trust you, My dad hates it. But I trust you.”

“Ha. I don't think your dad is going to be happy about this.”

Colt rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but he wasn’t happy when I fought for you to drive in the stadium tunnels or when I told you how Logan tricked you. He’ll get over it.”

Ellie took a few steps closer, mind racing. “Colt, you don’t need to choose me over your dad.”

“You chose.” She was close enough that she could see him clearly now, even in the dark. His hair was mussed, t-shirt wrinkled. 

Ellie’s heart hurt. “I need to fix my life, see my dad, my friends. But maybe I don’t want it to be all or nothing, either.” Colt looked at her, brow raised questioningly. “Maybe I can help fix this too.” Colt still said nothing so she took a step closer. “You’re not on your own here, Colt. I want to help.”

Colt looked away, back towards the road, and shook his head. “It doesn’t work like-”

Ellie cut him off with her lips, closing the distance and pressing her lips to his, chastely. It was an apology, a question, and a wish all thrown together in one last-ditch effort to fix what had shattered.

Colt froze and didn’t move an inch. When she pulled back, he was staring at her, almost gaping. She could hear her heart pounding, blood rushing in her ears, but he didn’t speak. 

She dropped her eyes and nodded. He didn’t kiss her back. No answer was definitely an answer. Stuffing her hands in her pockets, she turned and headed back to the car. 

The walk back from the cliff seemed infinitely longer than the walk out and she had to blink back tears every few steps so she could follow the path. Sometimes you can’t fix broken things...or broken people.

She had just pulled out her car keys, desperate to slide back into the driver’s seat and put some distance between them, when she heard rapid footsteps coming up the path. She spun as Colt emerged, breathless and staring at her.

“Did you mean it?”

“What?” Ellie wasn’t keeping up.

“Did you mean it?” Colt repeated. “Are you in?”

Ellie took a deep breath. “If you still want.”

Colt closed the distance between them. “I still want.” She caught sight of his grin as he pulled her into his arms and his lips met hers. This, this was more than a one-sided meeting of lips. Colt kissed her like did everything, full-throttle, intense. She felt his hands circle her waist and back her into the car door, trapping her between the cool metal and his warm chest, a comforting weight against her. He pulled back to look at her and she was sure that he could see her amazement reflected in his eyes. Colt grinned down at her, eyes shining in the moonlight.

Ellie grinned up right back, threading her fingers though his hair for one last kiss. “Let’s go back to the shop. We have a plan to make.” She held his smile for a beat more before turning to get into her car. She didn’t know what would happen next but she knew she wouldn’t leave Colt to get out of this mess alone. Even when you think you’re going the wrong way, sometimes, you gotta stay the course.

[rantsatam]

RAMADHAN RANTS–GOALS & HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT DURING RAMADHAN blahblah

One fine morning–specifically today after Sahur I was screaming in my small apartment, witnessed by my husband – "I'm back blogging!" and he seemed nonchalant andddd I don't know if that's a good idea 😂 

Honestly I have sooo many things to say and I want it recorded in any writing–cewah macam artis hiks. But then I have sooo little time. Also, no one blogs anymore today. So "bebel" myself alone here sounds like a good idea. Anyway, I have been planning (trying) to blog for the past two years darling and my mission always failed! Haha. 

But then I'll try :) Since it's ramadhan, all of a sudden getting all the motivation thingy–lah happened to me. So typical me *yawn! 

Well, I have been blogging since 2007–2008 (can't remember anymore) back then, blogging thingy was hype. And honestly I still do love blogging until today. 

I don’t know if you noticed but the vibe when you expose your life in social media vs blogs is different. When you post your daily thoughts or routines on social media, you kinda feel like you are being judged and the next day you are bombarded with questions by those who happen to see your post in ig/fb. I actually find it very uncomfortable. I feel like there are no freedom, you're not allowed to say anything. You are obliged to please people.

But blogging–well, I donno lah everyone who read blogs are educated enough am I rite? Anyway that's my small thoughts on social media. I think that’s why depression rates are rising through social media. 

Okay enough these rants! I told you rants at am is real. You feel like saying whatever you want and you don’t want to stop! 

It's 8th Ramadhan as of today, so Ramadhan Kareem everyone ;) This year ramadhan I have few goals.

1. Give (Sadaqah)

2. Khatam Quran & Beribadah

3. Lose weight – hehehehehe

Yes right. No don't get me wrong I am not using ramadhan as a platform to lose weight 😌 but I really do need to lose some weight! Not that I obsessed with weights haha but since my weight went up to 5kg, I'm easily fatigued and become very demanding. Too lazy to pray, emotional–jeez! I slowly turned into a monster if I don't do something about it :(

So this ramadhan is my only way untuk betulkan kembali gaya pemakanan yang telah terpesong lulz. Because frankly speaking, I really haven’t taken a healthy food in the last few years. Usually my husband and I will just eat what comes to mind–you know what it is; junk food, chicken wings, buntut chicken, sausages and nuggets. Newlywed life biasalah, don't judge ya haha.

SO HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT DURING RAMADHAN? 

I read other blogs and I emulate a few of them and my own way. Let's go.

1. Iftar: Let's start with iftar. This Ramadan, my husband and I decided not to buy too much food at the bazar. We only berbuka with some kueh-mueh, and kurma (a must! this fruit will balance your body from gastric etc) and pekena hot coffee pergh nikmat... And that's it. Well it makes your tummy full, just nice. Few years back when I berbuka with rice, it made my body rasa "lemas" and I couldn’t focus on my taraweeh after that. After discussing and examining our simple iftar routine with the husband, we seemed more comfortable with this way. Thus, I have to say no to Ramadhan buffet this year. Because I know I am going to eat a lot of rendang this raya. Make sense tak.

2. Sahur:

I will have 3–7 dates for Sahur, crackers or something to bite, if you prefer to eat rice please go ahead it is totally fine, as long as you know and track your own calories. You may light up the meal with a hot cup of coffee, or just mineral water. Sometimes I will make susu kurma (which we sell during ramadhan 💖) the drink kept me full all day without any side effects. 

That's about it. Very simple huh yet need focus and discipline haha. ANDDDD for the record, I just lost 3kg *after I checked today. Meaning I lost 3kg in 8 days? So I have another 3kg to go to get my ideal weight. Not only that, I managed to read the Quran-10 pages per day with energy alhamdulillah. Khatam quran goals!

Wish me luck and wish you luck x

[shy-peacock]

“Your not going out in that outfit” prompt with Rayaari fandom, maybe turns into some kind of argument? Insecureness? Whatever you conjur up will be magic.

Only do this if your feeling it tho✨

Let's sayyyy Rated T for mild stuff (no proof read)

“Wait-....you’re not going out in that outfit…are you?”

Raya smirked as she heard these words, knowing she got the exact reaction that she wanted out of her girlfriend. The tone, the hesitance, saying it all. Namaari clearly startled to see her wearing something so…revealing out to meet friends.

She turned, adjusting the the skin tight dress as she did, pulling it down as it just barely covered her ass. Hugging her curves tightly, the strapless top, the dip at her cleavage. Putting on a show without even trying as she walked further into their apartment, giving Namaari a look that quite literally said “what?”

Namaari, sitting on the couch, just stared back at her. Confused, yet clearly enjoying the view as Raya rarely dressed like this. Not for the public eye at least, this sort of outfit being reserved for Namaari alone. Reason why she had stopped her, this being completely out of character for them both. Moreso Raya, which is exactly what she wanted. Namaari’s attention, her reaction to this outfit. Now..let’s see if she got on board?

“What’s wrong with it?” Raya asked, purposefully cocking her head to the side in a playful manner.

“Ah-..I mean…nothing but-” Namaari stammered, putting her work laptop aside as she stood to come around the couch to speak with her, “it’s just..you’re going out with friends-”

“Yes..?”

“And that’s a really..um..”

“A what?”

“That’s not really a ‘drinks with friends’ dress…?”

“I thought it looked nice?”

“It does!” Namaari quickly said, her face growing all the more redder, nearly causing Raya to break character then at how flustered her girlfriend was getting. Seeing that she was obviously uncomfortable with Raya going out without her in this sort of outfit, however, not wanting to say it outright and be the reason Raya felt the need to change. Not wanting to be the person who made her feel bad for dressing this way.

God, she’s adorable.

“I just-..” she began, and then sighed, “maybe I can drive you then…so I know you’re safe..”

Oop…well that changed the plans of what Raya was going to say next. Totally expecting Namaari to tell her to change in which-...well, now she had to pivot this conversation!

“If you want me to change, just tell me Maari!” Raya insisted, watching as her girlfriend gave her a sheepish smile.

“I-...no..you should be able to wear what you want.” Namaari said, smiling then, “I’m sorry-..I think I got a little insecure and worried about someone hitting on you while you look this good, but I should trust you and-”

“No-...Namaari-..” Raya interjected, laughing, “just tell me to change…!”

“It’s okay Raya, you don’t have to!” Namaari repeated, eyebrows knitting in confusion then.

Well-...so much for being slick.

This plan was pretty much blowing up in Raya’s face.

The thing was, Namaari had been working all day. Raya had tried to catch her attention or pull her away from her computer, but her girlfriend was ever insistent on finishing her work. When the afternoon began to crawl by, Raya conjured up an idea in her boredom to get what she wanted. She announced that she’d be hanging out with friends soon, which was a lie, got dressed in this outfit, which she wasn’t going to wear, and proceeded out to the living room where she expected Namaari to tell her that she couldn’t go out in that outfit and demanded her to change out of it.

In response, Raya would have said “If you don’t want me wearing this, I guess you’ll have to take it off me?”

But no.

Namaari had to be all understanding and accepting instead of pushing her insecurities to force Raya to change. It was kind of like…Raya won? But she didn’t really win? Explaining this all to her continually confused girlfriend now as the whole plan didn’t go at all like she expected.

“Oh..!” Namaari said, at last, getting it.

“Yeah-..I was just messing around.” Raya said with an eyeroll and a wave of her hand, “I just wanted some attention…I guess.”

“Why didn’t you ask?” Namaari laughed.

“Cause you were busy!” Raya scoffed, pouting, “you said you had to work!”

“I guess…I did, didn’t I?” Namaari acknowledged, shrugging some, “but I-...can take a break now?”

“Really…?” Raya asked, “..for how long?”

Namaari looked at her computer and then sighed, smiling, her hands raised in mock defeat.

“I can be yours for the whole rest of the evening...I'm basically done so work can wait.”

"Really?!"

"Yes, really."

Raya jumped then into her arms, eager to FINALLY have her girlfriend then. Namaari hugging her back just as fiercely before pressing a kiss into her lips. Parting but still close, hands interlocked until Raya released her.

“Okay-...I should probably actually change though-.” Raya laughed as she made to leave towards their bedroom, “this is so uncom-

Namaari quickly stopped her, hoisting her up into her arms before walking them to the hall and into their bedroom.

“Ah-ah…” she said with a smirk, “you said you wanted me to take it off you, so I’m going to do just that.”

Okay-...so maybe Raya did win in the end.

[weekendwarriorblog]

The Weekend Warrior 7/9/21 - BLACK WIDOW, SUMMERTIME, THE LONELIEST WHALE and More

Well, well... It certainly looks like I’ve been given a bit of a “bye week” to recuperate and recover from all the insanity of June, huh? The 4th of July weekend saw a nice boon for Universal Pictures with the top 3, although The Boss Baby: Family Business ended up doing better than The Forever Purge despite the former also being on Peacock. But neither of them really got great reviews, so I’m not sure either of them will have much impact on this week’s big release…

BLACK WIDOW (Marvel Studios/Disney)!

Yes, after nearly two years, Marvel Studios is back in theaters with the long-awaited solo movie for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, who has appeared in the movies going back to Iron Man 2, also played a key role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as well as three of the Avengers movies. The Black Widow movie goes back in time to after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before (SPOILER!) Romanoff was killed in Avengers: Infinity War. This one reunites her with her family including Florence Pugh as her sister Yelena, as the two of them want to take down the Red Room where they were trained to be killers. It also stars David Harbour as the Red Guardian and Rachel Weisz as their maternal figure, and honestly, you probably don’t even need that much to know that you probably already want to see it, because IT’S MARVEL!

It’s actually hard to believe that Black Widow is Marvel’s first theatrical release since 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, and obviously, that wasn’t supposed to be how things went. Marvel’s original release date for the movie was kicking off the summer of 2020, but when COVID hit and theaters were closed, it was delayed, first until the end of the year and then until the summer of 2021. It must have been difficult because Marvel had already planned a series of television series that led into the movies, including Wandavision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and the currently-airing Loki.

Marvel’s first theatrical release in two years currently has a relatively decent 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, which for comparison’s sake is a better rating than Captain Marvel and Avengers: Age of Ultron, but that’s about it. I mean, at least it’s not stinking up Marvel’s track record like Iron Fist and The Inhumans did, so there’s that. I’ve already reviewed the movie, so you can read what I thought about it here.

More important than any other factor, there’s the Disney+ in the room, because Disney decided to offer Black Widow for a Premium on its streaming service this Friday, basically for $30, which I’m not sure if that’s for a certain amount of time or to own (which would make more sense). That’s a pretty sweet deal if you have a family and a nice home theater, because taking them all to the movies might cost $100 or more with concessions, etc. But for a lot of people, it’s long past time to get back to theaters, and despite the success of the Disney+ shows, many will want to see this on the big screen. At least that’s my theory, and I’m gonna stick with it until I’m proven wrong when numbers come in on Friday or Saturday.

It’s very hard to determine how many of the millions of people who went to see Avengers: Endgame over two years ago are ready to get back into theaters, but one benefit that Black Widow has over other upcoming Marvel movies (okay, well, Shang-Chi) is that Johansson’s character is a known commodity from previous movies, which certainly could have helped Tom Holland’s solo Spider-Man movies, although you would think that Spider-Man: Far from Home would have opened bigger following Endgame. To be fair, the Spider-Man movies were opening with over $100 million WELL before the MCU, showing the popularity of the character, although we also could see a bump with the second Captain America and Thor movies after their appearance in 2012’s The Avengers. Oddly, 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp didn’t see nearly as big an opening bump following Avengers: Infinity War from the first movie, but Ant-Man hadn’t been as big a player as Natasha/Black Widow. Oddly, the Spider-Man and Ant-Man movies have something in common -- they both opened in July vs. May.

The other factor, of course, is COVID and whether a movie can open even bigger than the $70 million opening weekend of F9, currently the biggest post-pandemic opener. If anything is going to do it, then it’s going to be a Marvel movie, especially one that should be as big a draw for women as for men. No, we don’t subscribe to the myth that female-led action movies don’t do as well as males ones. The MCU is all about the characters and the universe, and those factors should help Black Widow should be good for somewhere around $80 to 85 million over the weekend, which will make it the new barometer for the post-pandemic. (Incidentally, this is only about $11 million less than my original prediction from last March, and that didn’t have the COVID or streaming factor in play.)

Hey, you know what I haven’t done in a long time but probably should resume?

MY TOP 10 BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS!

1. Black Widow (Marvel/Disney) - $84.3 million N/A

2. F9 (Universal) - $9.6 million -58%

3. The Boss Baby: Family Business (Universal/DreamWorks Animation) - $9 million -45%

4. The Forever Purge (Universal) - $5.7 million -54%

5. A Quiet Place Part II (Paramount) - $2.2 million -45%

6. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (Lionsgate) - $1.4 million -55%

7. Cruella (Disney) - $1.3 million -47%

8. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Sony) - $1.2 million -42%

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (New Line/WB) - $600k -57%

10. In the Heights (New Line/WB) - $550k -43%

Although one can expect big drops all around, this should be another weekend where the top 10 domestic grosses $100 million, but that’s kind of a given with Black Widow likely to make much of that itself.

I guess this week’s “Chosen One” is SUMMERTIME (Good Deed Entertainment), directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada (Blindspotting, Raya and the Last Dragon), which is a pseudo-doc, pseudo-narrative that follows 27 Angelino poets in a typical day in Los Angeles. I’m not really a poetry or spoken word fan so much, but the way that these talented poets are showcased, each in their own compelling segment. While having some kind of interconnecting story might not have been necessary, it’s actually what keeps you invested as you go from one situation and style of poetry onto the next. You can tell that there are some real stars of the future in this that will likely appear elsewhere. There are just so many great numbers from Tyris Winter complaining abut the price of food at a restaurant, Mila Cuda expressing her sexuality on the bus to an obvious homophobe, a couple at a marriage counselor relaying their issues through song and rap, an amazing dance number, and so much more. My favorite running storyline was the one involving street rappers Anewbys (Bryce Banks) and Rah (Austin Antoine), who are trying to make it. The incidental music is great, and the performances are embellished with cinema verité style shots of L.A. that really helps enhance the mood and set the environment for the story being told. It’s hard to call Summertime a musical, but there’s so much great rhymes and music that it just has a great youthful energy that seems so perfect for this time of the year.

You can read my interview with Estrada over at Below the Line later today.

Streaming now on Disney+ is the first episode of the new Pixar series Monsters at Work, based on the characters from one of my favorite Pixar movies, Monsters Inc., with new episodes airing every Wednesday.

Joshua (Cropsy) Zeman’s doc THE LONELIEST WHALE: THE SEARCH FOR 52 (Bleecker Street), exec. produced by Leonardo DiCaprio hits theaters on Friday and then will be on digital July 16. Oddly, it’s the second movie in the last month about whales. This one is about the search for the 52 Hertz Whale that was discovered in 1989 and has become a global sensation as it lives in solitude, emitting a different frequency from other whales and therefore unable to communicate.

I have to admit that I was quite cynical about this movie, mainly because it looked like it could potentially be boring, as we watch and listen to a bunch of oceanographers talking about whales, and I was mostly right. Zeman himself is not the most interesting subject or narrator for his own doc, so that doesn’t help much either. Essentially, the entire movie is this group of rag-tag oceanographers (as well as a musician who plays clarinet with the whales -- yeah, he should be thrown overboard first, I’m thinking) looking for this elusive whale that no one has seen since 1989. As you can imagine, it’s a fairly fruitless expedition that makes you miss the excitement of Ron Howard’s whale movie, but if you’re just watching this to see beautiful whales in their natural habitat, the movie does deliver. I’m sure the less cynical than myself will find more interesting aspects of the film to enjoy, and yes, this is a far superior film to the recent Fathom, but it also shares lots of potentially interesting facts about whales and their history, which doesn’t make it a complete loss.

I have to imagine that The Loneliest Whale should be appreciated as a fine nature doc if you’re into this sort of thing, but if you’re looking for something particularly groundbreaking or moving, you’ll have to search elsewhere.

Judd Ehrlich’s doc THE PRICE OF FREEDOM (Tribeca Studios) takes on the gun debate and how the National Rifle Association has divided the nation and cost countless lives along the way. The movie features the likes of President Bill Clinton, activist (and Parkland survivor) X Gonzalez, Senator Chris Murphy, Representatives Jason Crow and Lucy McBath, and many more on both sides of the gun debate.

Also opening on Friday in theaters and virtual cinema is the Tunisian horror film DACHRA (Dekanalog), written and directed by Abdelhamid Bouchnak, which follows three journalism students as they investigate a cold case which takes them deep into the woods.

Netflix launched its “Fear Street” franchise last week based on the book series by R.L. Stine, and this week, the second movie, FEAR STREET PART 2: 1978 (Netflix), debuts on the streamer. I’ve actually seen Fear Street Part 1: 1994, and it’s a fun little slasher set in the town of Shadyside, the “Killer Capitol of the USA.” I honestly had no idea these were Rated R, since I thought it was more of a young adult type thing, but it’s really straight-up Wes Craven Scream. I might have to check out some of these books, but the first movie was quite enjoyable even if they generally seem derivative of other slashers.

Also, Eytan Fox’s Sublet, which has been playing in select theaters will now be available to Watch At Home via Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, FandangoNOW, Google Play, YouTube and DIRECTV. Also, Ivan Kavanagh’s horror film, Son, will be on Shudder this Thursday so if you missed it in theaters and VOD, now’s your chance to see it, and you can read my interview with Mr. Kavanagh over at Below the Line.

Oh, and TONIGHT at the Metrograph, as part of their Live Screening Series, they’ll be showing Rashaad Ernesto Green’s Gun Hill Road (2011) as part of their FIrst Film Series with the Green Brothers, which will be followed next week by the first film from his brother, Reinaldo Marcus Green.

And that, my friends, is it for this week! Next week, we have SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY from Warner Bros., and that’s about it! (Well, there will be a lot more limited releases, as well a Emmy nominations, so back to the grind!)

[kylekozmikdeluxo]

The Mitchells’ Rumble with Dragons...

Just some quick thoughts on some recent animation developments...

1) I absolutely love that Sony Pictures Animation is going back to the original title of their upcoming Mike Rianda-Jeff Rowe sci-fi road trip adventure picture. THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES is what it was first known as, before a last-minute title change to the adjective CONNECTED in early 2020. When it was still intended to be a theatrical release, we got promo materials and a trailer bearing that (in my opinion) bland new title... Coming to Netflix sometime this year, it’ll be THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES once more. Great title, and I’d rather see animated movies like these keep such titles, instead of having them watered down for “marketing purposes”. (I get it, a title is merely a title, and it’s the movie that ultimately matters most. There are bigger issues, yes, but this little switch-back makes me pretty happy... There’s also nothing wrong with one-word titles, but I think there’s a tendency in mainstream feature animation to go for vague or adjective words because someone else did it and now everyone’s gotta do it.)

2) So many release date changes. But it’s necessary, the ever-so-horribly-handled worldwide pandemic wasn’t going to just end, magically, after our new president took office. Skydance Animation’s LUCK and SPELLBOUND were going to be theatrical releases - complete with concrete release dates, 2/18/2022 and 11/11/2022 - from Paramount, until Apple TV+ got them, now they are both off of the schedule. Paramount Animation subsequently delayed their adaptation of MONSTER ON A HILL - bearing the title RUMBLE, to emphasize the WWE’s involvement I suppose - to the former. Previously, it was set to open in mid-2020, then in Q1 2021, then in May... Now we have to wait till early 2022. This is probably because Paramount is relaunching CBS All Access as Paramount+, and I don’t think that service is as big as Disney+, HBO Max, et al.... So they want to launch that in theaters when the time is right. Disney/20th Century Studios also pushed back Locksmith Animation’s debut feature RON’S GONE WRONG to 10/22/2021, the latest in many delays for what was once a fall 2020 release. BOB’S BURGERS: THE MOVIE is without a date, another film that would’ve debuted in mid-2020 in a pandemic-less world. Lastly, we had the announcement that Sony Animation’s Chinese co-production WISH DRAGON will be a Netflix release some time this year. Their next theatrical release is set to be VIVO on 6/4/2021, but that is sure to change some time soon...

3) I’m not really into GAME OF THRONES, but the idea of an animated “drama” series based on the George R. R. Martin multi-media franchise made for HBO Max does very much intrigue me... Because Western animation needs more kinds of adult animation, other than just “hah hah cartoon characters swearing”. I mean, we have Netflix’s CASTLEVANIA, but it’s always good to have more. GAME OF THRONES, I feel, is a potentially good step. Now, whatever happened to Warner Animation Group’s planned feature adaptation of Martin’s THE ICE DRAGON? Speaking of dragons...

4) Disney Animation’s RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON’s latest trailer is very impressive. The picture is being sold as a straight up action-packed adventure, though the trailer doesn’t spare the funny bits, mostly the scenes with Awkwafina’s Sisu character. (I just want to hear her say “bawk bawk, bitch!” from CRAZY RICH ASIANS, hehe.) One of its filmmakers even remarked that it could’ve gotten an R-rating, that’s how intense the action is going to be in this film. It seems to be Walt Disney Animation Studios channeling ATLANTIS and TREASURE PLANET, and it’s also not dissimilar to recent non-musical adventures of theirs like WRECK-IT RALPH, BIG HERO 6, and ZOOTOPIA. They keep going strong. If I’m vaccinated by then, I may just make that one my comeback theater movie. Pixar’s ONWARD was my last theater visit before this is all broke out, which was a March 6th release. This is aiming for March 5th... Would be one hell of a circle.

[francesthetraveller]

Are there any upcoming movies that you are excited for?

YES THERE IS ALOT. Especially since I am a big fan of the Animation Industry.

So First there’s Soul, and basically, I am a big sucker for this movie. If I see anything new about this movie, I get too overeccentric and my heart pulse rate gets faster. Also (Confession), Joe makes me kinda uncomfortable for some reason, BUT I STILL LOVE HIM AOPHSOFHSSHF THIS MAN, I TELL YA. SUCH A GOOD AND EXPRESSIVE CHARACTER. Also I’m okay with the Soul realm, I mean-It’s cool and but like eh- And Next up we have Connected, hoo. This movie is something. Katie Mitchell is A big mood ya”ll, also, SHE SHOULD’VE TALK WITH HER FATHER, THEY HAVE TO BOND MAN, OR ELSE ONE OF THEM WILL DIE (oh wait-) Speaking of death, yes, The CIS AU comics are kinda the reason why I’m so hyped for these movies. Now for movies that haven’t even got Trailers, yet I’m hyped for them. So there’s Raya And The Last Dragon, which yea, some of ya”ll heard from, and I’m still  wondering when a  Trailer will come out. Then there’s another movie some of you haven’t even heard of named:

So if you might be wondering what the synopsis is, here it is: Ron's Gone Wrong tells the story of the wonderful walking, talking, digitally connected bot that sweeps the world becoming every kid's new Best Friend. But when an 13-year-old boy ends up with one that doesn't work, his attempts to teach it become a hilarious, heart-warming exploration of what real friendship means in a world of algorithms and social media. So basically this is giving me Connected Vibes. I might add this is The Gaystiverse Multiverse eventually. I LOVE THIS IDEA SO MUCH. But I’m still waiting for the concept arts tho. (Please don’t delay this to december, Please don’t delay this to december, PLEASE DON’T DELAY THIS TO DECEMBER-)