#episode tag: Precious Cargo

[star-trek-fandom-confessions]

#223

"I don't really care for Kaitaama that much. The actress, Padma Lakshmi, is gorgeous and believable as an alien princess, but I found Kaitaama herself to be bland compared to other one episode love interest characters in the Star Trek franchise."

[decaying-words]

Lapdog

All chapters Edward Nigma x Reader • 18+ Explicit • 4.4k words TW & tags: Pet play, spit play, oral sex, leg humping AO3 • All my stories

"You are still here", he notes in quasi disbelief, an unreadable expression on his face. He must have been expecting that I had left hours ago, I am sure, and yet I have no explanation to give, not even to myself. Why did I stay here, I wonder, waiting patiently for him to come back home and comfort my raw nerves, like a lover would; yet a lover I am not. Not quite anyway.

Lapdog

Painted hands of a similarly stained clock move painfully slowly, the face glaring at me mockingly. The night is cruel in its loneliness, progressing at an agonizing pace and taunting my uninteresting tasks; collecting the misplaced tools with unnecessary care and caution, gathering the wandering paper notes and organizing them in a neat pile that I know will be thoroughly demolished in an infantile desire to illustrate my incompetence and ignorance, and, finally, removing the comical amount of empty coffee mugs abandoned on various and, at times, frankly bizarre and unexpected places. 

Ever since my last fruitless experiment that ended in a copious string of creative insults resembling a degrading rosary in his ridiculing tone, the Riddler does not let me forge new projects, not until I “find the required brain cells to not waste his most precious time”, as he said. What little frustration and heartache I felt in my demotion died in a strangled whimper under his uninterested gaze, interrupting any protest I might have by demanding to leave the premises immediately. That time, I spent my sleepless night crying heavy tears, fingers grabbing my hair and tugging until my scalp felt sore.

The Riddler is absent tonight, and there is only so much to do once my mediocre tasks done. Pacing around the warehouse, my light footsteps echo in the green inferno; hand crafted machineries engulfed in a toxic hue stare at me with profound limpness, buzzing ominously in the otherwise aphonic place. Crudely painted symbols, equations and riddles adorn the fatigued floors and, more curiously, the impossibly tall walls. My interested gaze following the cryptic logorrhea ornamenting the area, my mind wanders in places I do not belong to. 

I have always wondered what Edward felt during one of these manic episodes, of which I’ve witnessed quite a few times before, always quietly and with empathy, furiously writing incomprehensible thoughts, mysterious threats and other obscure formulas; did it feel like a lifeline at the time, cautiously grounding him when his mind grew foggy ? 

I have never doubted for an instant that underneath the intricate layers of his great intelligence was a gravely sick man; beyond the burning pride and arrogance in his demeanor is hiding the weak ghost of a deeply confused man, a man profoundly afraid of the glacial emptiness of neglect, who at times struggles to recognize even himself. It is cathartic for him, I believe, when he frantically scribbles his thoughts, face perverted in anguish, eyes wide open akin to an animal, skin glistening in sweat; entire body aquiver as if terrified of forgetting who he is beyond the Riddler. Of course, he never notices my balmy gaze on him when I catch a glimpse of his broken soul; nor does he know of my intimate desire to heal him. He would find it inappropriate, I am sure, grotesque even. Foolish girl.

He did catch my gaze tonight, however, sharply dressed up for an important meeting with his peers, one I am not invited to, obviously –why would I be? He looks like a different man entirely when he abandons his filth covered shirt, sweat caked beater and stained cargo pants; his demeanor metamorphosed also, standing straight like a bow, chest swelling proudly, his gloved hands flattening his decorated tie. His tailored suit fits him beautifully, the color matching the green bowler hat that is tucked underneath his arm. 

Edward is handsome, the most handsome man I have ever seen, and while his sunken cheeks and fatigued eyes are the only remainders of his declining mental state, he conceals his insecurities with a renewed, and perhaps slightly fabricated, confidence. The crimson tip of his tongue darts past his lips in the way it always does when he’s lost in his thoughts, and my heart opens and sings inappropriate songs that flush my cheeks a ruby tint. 

This is when his eyes lay on me, cocking an amused brow at my flustered face, silently expecting a flattering comment, though he would never voice it. My mouth opens and closes, carefully picking my words so as to not upset him. You look magnificent, I confess; he seems pleased, a toothy grin spreading on his glowing face. Naively, I wish I could come with him, the insinuation of proximity, emotional or otherwise, public and absurd; the childish dream of being introduced as his assistant – his lover, a little voice in my head whispers.

You know, you remind me of a dog, is what he says; the words are meant to humiliate, a demeaning inflection in his voice, though there is no bite to them. I do not mind them; in fact, I find myself agreeing with him, smiling at him tenderly, face flushed. Edward cocks a surprised brow, as if not expecting this reaction, honest and quasi vulgar . He exhales a chuckle, a subtle twinkle in his eyes, pupils dilating slightly. I recognize this gaze, filled with a still unfamiliar arousal; he looked at me in a similar manner the last time we were intimate, when I lapped his body with a burning hunger until he came undone on my face, eventually fleeing the scene as if ashamed of his own desires. We haven’t talked about this event since, nor the one preceding it, a painful habit of his I’m afraid.

Edward shakes his head, the tip of his tongue licking his chapped lips, thinking of something indecent, I believe. To my great dismay, he will not act on these thoughts, instead putting on his bowler hat and smirking at me, bidding me goodnight, leaving me to my menial tasks.

Hours pass and undesired thoughts pile and overflow in my bored mind, cruel and anxiety inducing. I wonder, wholeheartedly embarrassed, if someone else will collect the fruits of his short-lived desire, if this will mark the end, then, of what did not even have the time to mature in this closed space. Inappropriate jealousy turns to dread and sorrow as I curl in an emotional ball, slumped in the worn-out couch, tears growing in front of my glassy eyes. 

Despite the light tremor of my bottom lip and the cruel knot building in my closed throat, I remain still with the perfect inertia of a corpse, mind turning absolutely blank, drained and hopeless, as if I ceased to exist the moment Edward left; and perhaps it is the case, the grandiose emptiness inside of me begging for him to come back. 

Suddenly, the mechanical noises reverberating in the metallic Hell become inescapable, spiteful and intolerable; the aggressive lights turn caustic, loud and vicious; all I can hear are the agonizing thoughts, the barbarous internal monologue, chest heaving as my breathing turns erratic, broken sobs strangling in my throat, body aquiver with what seems like a fatal panic attack. This place, once perceived as an embracing and loving cocoon morphs grotesquely into a diabolic pit for which I feel only hatred and disgust. My tortured mind screams in horror, heart beating furiously in my chest, and as I feel the crushing weight of time passing, I wonder when will Edward come back, and why did he leave me alone in the first place.

My body jolts in a whimper when I hear the colossal metal doors of the elevator creak, spitting a dusty cloud on the ground as it lands heavily. My weak frame contorts, alert and hopeful, craning my head to stare at the iron cage; I imagine my face being twisted in desperate relief, brow knitted tightly, eyes wide open like a traumatized animal, panting as I emerge laboriously from my panicked state. Edward quirks a brow, a perplexed frown on his closed face, considering me for a minute; he must find me disgraceful, I suppose, viciously gripping the leathery arms of the couch, the flayed expression on my face morphing into one of profound happiness.

Edward reeks of cigarette smoke, a filthy habit that conceals his natural scent. He seems surprised to see me, glancing at the watch on his wrist then at me with a questioning look, yet I offer him no answer. You are still here , he notes in quasi disbelief, an unreadable expression on his face. He must have been expecting that I had left hours ago, I am sure, and yet I have no explanation to give, not even to myself. Why did I stay here, I wonder, waiting patiently for him to come back home and comfort my raw nerves, like a lover would; yet a lover I am not. Not quite anyway.

I swallow meekly, and answer the only way I know how; with a smile, genuine and kind, happiness glowing on my face, while a dumbfounded expression shadows his. Through his round glasses, his eyes contemplate me for an instant, an impossibly green ocean licking the shores of my mind. There is a storm hiding in the horizon, even I can tell, and so I offer him an excuse, sheepishly. I missed you . It is the truth.

His reaction is immediate and what I sense nervous, barking a laugh; not quite cruel, not quite amused, but instead coming from a place of insecurity, disdain and indecision. His expression contorts, pupils dilating enough to obscure the emerald of his irises, and I feel my guts twisting. Carefully putting his bowler hat on the nearest surface, revealing his now slightly sweaty hair, Edward turns his back at me, looking in the distance, gears grinding in his mind. He reaches for his leather gloves next, long fingers fiddling with the pressure buttons, and then stops. He does not remove his gloves. 

“You truly are a dog, aren’t you?”

My entire body shivers, a burning pit gnawing at my stomach with confusing feelings, all of them caustic, perverted and exquisite. I mouth aphonic words of which I ignore the intent. There was a playful element in the inflection of his voice, and when he turns his proud silhouette to face me, there is an indecent smile on his face; one that reeks of contempt and desire. I stare at his grandiose form, lips parted and cheeks flushed from a somewhat familiar hunger; he appreciates seeing me so submissive and needy, I am sure, for he tilts his head on the side and grins wider, the question, unanswered, floating in the air still. “Well?”

There is so much left unsaid, so much left for him to create and define as he sees fit, when I realize that he looks at me expecting an answer that comes quickly, as if foolishly obvious, and yet one that sounds like a permission. “Maybe I am.”

Edward bites his bottom lip frankly, doing a particularly poor job at suppressing his wolfish smile; his gaze holds the power of a storm, breathing heavily through his flared nostrils. When he walks in my direction, each one of his steps sends a spasm to my cunt, shamefully awake and interested, until he stands in front of me, my eyes at the level of his stomach, the memory of the coarse hair hidden under his neatly tucked shirt making me salivate.

“Oh, I know you are. With how easily and quickly you were to drop on your knees, indulging in rather vulgar activities with this obscene tongue of yours.”

His voice is low and dark, the tone dripping with disdain and arousal, his words carefully crafted and picked; he takes great pleasure in seeing me squirm on the couch, muffling soft gasps when his eyes look down on me with a carnal appetite. My expression is one of false shame bordering on inappropriate satisfaction, silently confirming my crude desires. Edward’s voice is husky, shivering with an unconcealed, unmistakable thrill when he asks a question laced with all the neglected lust he once buried deeply in the graveyard of his humanity.

“And what does that make me, then?”

He wants to hear it from me . He wants to feel powerful, wants to dominate me. Taking immense pleasure in my submissive nature, breath hitching even more as his darkened gaze drills burning holes in the back of my skull, a delicate vein on his neck throbbing expectantly. Under his perfectly cut suit pants, I am certain he is hard. I hardly recognize the man who ran away from me after his uncontrolled orgasm; I wonder how much of him is still treading carefully, inexperienced and hesitant, discovering his limits, toying with mines. There is nothing less than adoration in my eyes, hoping to give him the silent reassurance and comfort he seems to seek, heart beating frantically in my chest when I mouth the desired words.

The master.

His shoulders twitch in response, a delicate flush tinting his cheeks, flustered, uncomfortable but positively euphoric . Long seconds pass before he emerges from his enchanted inertia, contemplating the possibilities, evaluating his desires; he looks beautiful in this bemused state, getting acquainted with his most intimate cravings. A part of me wants to guide him, encourage him, reassure him that I will not break easily, though I know how quickly his ego can get bruised; instead, I watch him intently, obediently, lips slightly parted. I believe he needs to be treated with patience and care, more than he needs the control; although it might be wishful thinking from a lovesick deviant.

I follow the gesture of his hand immediately as he snaps his finger and points to the ground. Of course. A dog doesn’t sit on the couch. I cannot help but notice the light tremor in his thighs when he takes my place, spreading his legs wide enough that I can crawl and kneel in between them, hands folded on my lap devotedly. 

The profound exhalation is probably louder than he expected; as if releasing an unknown tension, his body slumps in the couch, contemplating my weaker position. It takes him a few most necessary seconds to collect himself, towering his frame above mine with the glory and poise of a panther. Flexing his still gloved hands a couple of times, visibly debating his next move, he decides to lay his elbows on his thighs, bringing his hands towards and cupping my face, the tender touch eliciting a needy whimper. Under his delicate and short chuckle, I lean my face against the warm leather, embracing his hold with closed eyes, focusing on the complex sensations, all of them delicious and dripping with liquid desire. His thumb draws circles on my cheek, fingers experimenting with the softness of my flesh for a blissful instant in a quasi silence. Elbows securely laying on his thighs, body slightly lurched, his voice is a whisper, a caress against my face.

“Will you be a good dog for me?”

I nod.

“Will you be loyal to me, will you wag your tail for me?”

I nod more frankly, a rush of blood pumping in my system, tinting my cheeks a delicate shade of rose and making my core throb; my hips jerk once, reflexively, as if every single atom constituting my being was yearning for him. Then, said so softly I almost didn’t hear it despite our close proximity. Good girl.

The strangled sob in my throat comes immediately, a built-up feeling that makes my heart ache and swell as I sink my half-lidded eyes in his, desperately searching for approval, squirming on the ground uncomfortably. His thumb brushes against my parted lips gingerly, the intent clear as I open my mouth wider to invite his gloved digit in the warm cavity. A stifled groan shakes in his throat when he caresses my fleshy gums, teasing my crimson appendage. Greedily, I close my mouth around his thumb and suck crudely, bobbing my head along the length of his digit under his mesmerized and lustful gaze. His languorous hums are quasi pornographic, hissing through his teeth when he forcefully removes his thumb in a wet noise, brutally shoving instead his index and middle fingers inside my welcoming mouth.

The sucking noises I make are obscene and vulgar, licking the trembling leather digits, penetrating eagerly and hungrily the space between them with my appendage. His moans are low and choked, a single strand of hair dropping on his forehead, glasses slightly askew, and oh does he look beautiful with his face distorted with a shameful lust that he is just now allowing himself to discover and explore. I feel his fingers thrust inside my throat in wet gagging noises, a foamy pool of saliva accumulating on my pink lips; I do not miss how his hips buck involuntarily, my hands then reaching for his clothed thighs, muscles tense like a bow. When my fingers brush against the outlines of his hardened bulge, Edward removes his fingers from my mouth in a drenched noise and grabs my face with a renewed vigor, the both of us panting in unison, a lewd blend of labored effort and burning arousal.

“You’re so eager, so… hungry . You would take anything from me.”

His voice is low and coarse, akin to a groan, dangerous and feral, and shooting tremors in my thighs, my sex pulsating as I whimper and nod positively, face flushed and beaming. He chuckles nervously, beautifully , looking down at me before working the inside of his mouth with a clear intent, one that makes me sob and weep, opening my mouth wide and sticking my tongue out expectantly, obediently.

Edward spits a big, heavy glob of saliva on my welcoming tongue, watching me with bewildered eyes when I swallow it greedily before opening my mouth again, excitedly presenting him the glistening cushion of my tongue, eager and prepared. He chokes a flustered chuckle, face flushed with quasi embarrassment, his voice trembling and laced with lust. “Incredible.”

His fingers release the soft skin of my face and migrate to my hair, grabbing it enough to feel held in place but not enough to hurt. His flush spreads from his cheeks to his neck giving him an almost bashful look; I see him work his throat again, collecting as much saliva as he can produce, while I pant under him, squirming on the ground like a starving animal. 

When he releases another generous glob of spit that lands perfectly on my tongue, the offering promptly and greedily swallowed, he moans lewdly, emerald eyes clouded by a thick arousal. He pants loudly near my face, his breath smelling of coffee and cigarettes, and I wonder if his lips taste the same, if I will ever be able to know. 

My body squirm uncomfortably on the ground, desperately searching for friction, and perhaps even release. My curious dance does not get lost on him, as he smirks at me with a renewed confidence, fingers grabbing and tugging viciously at my hair, eliciting a mean grunt out of my used throat.

“Are you still hungry, pet? Do you want more?” His voice is a taunting snarl, an amused inflection in his tone, and I whine stupidly, unable to move my head still tightly held in his unforgiving grip. He wants an answer, I understand, cocking his head to the side with an exhausted grin; I believe he too wants, needs release.

“Yes, please. More, I want more.”

My scalp is sore when he releases my hair, looking at his gloved hands with a quasi hypnotic interest when they are unbuckling his belt with trembling fingers, quickly untucking his beautiful, perfect cock; the tip angry red, length flushed in a delicate shade of rose, delicious veins rolling under the flesh. Generous beads of glistening precum drip from the glans in an obscene invitation; one I answer with the crude spectacle of my tongue licking the lips of my already open mouth. Before I can even taste his heavenly flesh, I feel his hand grabbing fistfuls of my hair, preventing any further movement. My frustrated whimpers make him bark a cruel laugh then coo at me, taunting me and mocking me. He is taking great pleasure in my vulgar despair; pumping his cock with his free hand, Edward smiles smugly, humming lowly.

“Beg for it.” It’s almost a murmur with how breathy his voice is, panting loudly as if he were the one begging for release really, and I humor him; of course I do, for I want him with a desire I had never felt before, certain I will die if I don’t immediately swallow his cock.

“Please, please I want you, I need you.” A truth, on more levels than one, but I do not believe he can see all the subtleties of this confession when he presses the back of my head, guiding it towards his hardened sex; or when he cries out in pleasure when I take his entire length down my throat, gagging loudly at the sudden, yet delicious pain. I am quick to work my jaw and bob my head up and down his glory; he tastes just as good as I remember, perhaps cleaner than last time. I do not mind. For a little while, he allows me to swallow his shaft, swirling my tongue over the underside of his cock, passionately sucking at his rosy glans, at the measure of his most indecent moans, loud and primal.

A ferocious groan is all the warning I get before I feel his hands at either side of my head, locking it immobile before his hips start thrusting at a punishing pace, fucking my throat mercilessly. I let him use my fleshy hole wholeheartedly, one hand finding purchase on his clothed thigh, gagging and choking every time the glans hits the back of my throat, foamy spit and precum pooling down my chin; a sight he finds most alluring, I believe, as I feel him throb fiercely.

My other hand snakes down my body, unbuttoning my pants, fingers sinking in my wooly curls until I reach my drenched core and my swollen bud. Edward then snarls and releases my assaulted mouth, maneuvering a booted foot to lay it right between my legs, making me straddle the cold hard leather with his shin pressed against my chest.

“Go on then, dog.”

A broken moan dies on my lips, fingers grabbing at his strong thigh, positioning my clothed cunt perfectly right on his boot, the ankle brushing against my swollen clit. His fist is pumping himself earnestly in a crude and wet noise, his breath labored and quasi pained. There is a pang of hesitation in my chest, one quickly erased when I lift my eyes and find his gaze; there is arousal there, and something akin to tenderness.

And then, I start thrusting.

The friction is electric, his body warmth pressed tightly against my core as my hands clench around his thigh. I feel the rough fabric of his pants rubbing against my cunt as I hump his leg, shattered moans and heavy cries echoing in the warehouse. We maintain eye contact, his face red and glistening with a thin veil of sweat while he’s fucking his hand, panting like a feral beast, chest heaving under his now uncomfortably tight shirt; he is beautiful.

My hips rock more earnestly, his shin rubbing against my throbbing clitoris while the buttons and laces of his leather boot bump and stroke my fluttering cunt; the mixed sensations are otherworldly, experimenting with angles and pace until I find the right combination, the right amount of friction, under his entranced gaze. I do not recognize my voice when I sob stupidly, my cunt clenching and tensing as I near my orgasm, eyes still on his, always on his, never leaving his. He seems to pick up how close I am, for his voice is a fractured murmur. 

“Come for me, and I will reward you.” A promise.

A particular stitch of his boot is what ruins me. Or perhaps is it the way he looks at me, with a carnal adoration when I am fucking his leg. Either way, I feel myself clench, the orgasm devastating, unexpected and exhausting. Every nerve, every muscle tense and burn, stomach flipping painfully as I ride the last waves of this intimate climax.

Pressing my cheek against his knee, almost drooling on the green fabric of pants, breathing heavily, I search his eyes for approval, with the pure desire to become his property, to belong in the most intimate way he can offer.

Edward is nearly there, his fist pumping his angry cock at a frantic pace until all I hear is a strangled sob, a cue I immediately identify as I prop myself on my knees and swallow his cock tenderly, sucking him until I feel him spurt heavy strings of semen down my throat. He cries out, hips bucking as much as he can, fucking the last of his orgasm in my mouth, emptying his seeds in my stomach. He tugs at my hair gently once he feels so overstimulated it begins to hurt, and I remove myself graciously, wiping the remainder of our body fluids with the back of my hand. 

I brace myself for the possibility of him leaving the premises again, leaving me empty and emotionally flayed, but am surprised when he does not. Slumping on the couch, head tilted back against the seat, his hand lays flat on the top of my head, caressing my hair aimlessly. Closing my eyes, I lean against his touch, almost purring, a profound feeling of happiness pooling inside of me. I wonder if dogs feel as elated and content from the simple pleasure of sitting next to their master; I wonder if they too feel an unconditional love, as long as they can lay their heavy head on their master’s lap. In the stillness of the night, life seems perfect as long as I am near him.

Sitting back on the couch and buttoning his pants, Edward looks at me, his face adorning a somewhat torn expression; something between exhaustion, insecurity and doubt. His fingers trace shapeless lines on my face, slipping down my neck where the fingertips stay for a while, a contemplative and pensive look on his face. I offer him a smile, tender and mild, and for a fraction of second I see the corner of his mouth twitch upwards. My heart sings. He inspires deeply, collecting himself and working his throat until he finds the right words, ones that come in his naturally detached tone.

“It’s getting really late, I think you should go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod, running my fingers through my hair and massaging where my scalp feels sore. When I stand up, my knees burn from the uncomfortable position, my inner thighs feel sticky from my orgasm. Collecting my last belongings, I nod at him politely, bidding him goodnight. His smile is tired but genuine.

Goodnight, dear.

[tildeathiwillwrite]

The Flight into the Swamps

The Watcher and the Thief, Chapter 2 Scene 3

Whumptober Day 16: NECROSIS | Swamp | Wound Cleaning | "No, I can't feel anything."

Whumptober Prompts List | Masterpost

Tales from Valaria Masterpost

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Fandom: Original Work

Words: 1500

Tag List: @fourwingedsnake @whumperofworlds @pigeonwhumps @mr-orion @scaewolf

@the-ellia-west

CW: concussion, burns, running, escape, paranoia, wound cleaning, shoulder wound, getting lost, swearing

A/N: Can our intrepid thief escape with his cargo? Will his wounds slow him down? Will Tumblr execute him for causing a library fire (not entirely on purpose)? Find out in this latest episode of The Watcher and the Thief "The Consequences of Rift's Actions!"

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Rift's head and shoulder throbbed with every step he took. His heart was hammering in his ears, beating too fast, far too fast, and every breath stung like he was still inhaling smoke.

But he still ran as fast as his legs could carry him, sprinting through the double doors of the archives and through the Draigo stronghold. Nobody stopped him. The guards he'd passed before had all run to the original blast, at the Council Chambers, and left the nearest exit completely unguarded. He'd known this would happen, planned on it.

But it still felt too easy.

The back of his neck prickled as he passed through the outer wall and entered the swamps proper, as if unseen eyes were tracking his every move. Or perhaps that was the burns on his back from the explosion. He didn't know for certain, and he sure as the depths were deep wasn't going to stop and check. Every second that he spent still was a second wasted, a second for the Draigo to gain ground, to catch him.

Rift's feet pounded on the worn path through the swamps, one of the only known safe ways to travel in this area. People have vanished in the swamps. Trailblazers, nobles, hunters. Thieves.

He needed to get off this path. He needed to disappear, and soon.

How much longer before the Draigo recovered themselves enough to come after him? Surely not too much longer. Damn, he wasn't even out of the swamps yet, he couldn't afford to stop. He vaguely recalled rumors of vicious beasts who answered to the Draigo, monstrous things resembling normal Valarian creatures but larger, stronger, more intelligent, and more deadly.

How long would he last, on the run? A day? Two days? A week? A month?

He needed to get out of his disguise. He needed to get to Valdove and pass off the gem as soon as possible. And maybe sell the gauntlet and mask to his employer as well. It wasn't part of the contract, but if one fabled artifact was worth a king's ransom, surely three would land him enough gold to buy himself a private island.

If the Draigo didn't get to him first.

Rift finally slowed his pace, acknowledging his body's need to rest. Stitches had formed on both sides, and he took a few precious moments to stow the two extra artifacts in his pack, padding them with the clothes he'd worn on much of the journey to the stronghold. Hands now freed, Rift shrugged off the charred coat, gritting his teeth as the tattered cloth irritated his burned skin.

"Aw, depths," he muttered, holding the coat out at arm's length, "you were such a beauty." He'd been quite proud of that find, a luxurious velvet coat with black satin lining and embroidery. Fit for a traveling Draigo. And now it was ruined.

Carefully folding it, he cast it into the brush, hoping it wouldn't help the Draigo too much in their search for him. He couldn't afford to keep it with him, in case when he reached Valdove someone started asking too many questions. His burns would raise enough suspicion, he didn't need a possibly stolen coat further complicating things.

Rift's employer had better be at their meeting point. If he wasn't.... 

Well, Rift had three Draigo artifacts at his disposal and nothing left to lose.

The reminder of the Draigo spurred him to pick up his pace. He'd idled for too long already.

The rhythmic pounding of his feet on the path and the fear coiling in his stomach like a venomous snake distracted Rift from the pain for a long time. He quickly lost track of the day, until the sun set behind the trees and he was forced to pause and consider continuing or risk resting through the night.

He chose to continue. He doubted he could sleep anyway.

The night was clear, thank the celestials, and the light from the stars and sliver of moon was enough to guide him. Not that Rift couldn't more or less navigate in complete darkness as long as he could feel the firm path beneath his feet. But he was glad for even the small amount of light cast by the sky.

It was about halfway through the night when he turned off the path, the surrounding ground now firm enough that he was confident he wouldn't be easily tracked by footprints. Even so, he moved about erratically, first heading east, then southeast, then meandering north in a way that he hoped would confuse his pursuers and grant him more time.

And still, Rift couldn't shake the notion that he was wasting his time, that no matter what he did, he would be found eventually. And no amount of running and hiding and distraction could stop it.

"You're being paranoid," he muttered as he paused to catch his breath. "Paranoia keeps you alive. Keeps you out of prison. You've taken all the necessary precautions, and even some unnecessary ones. You got away with robbing the damned Draigo."

Didn't get away scot-free, but that's beside the point.

Unfortunately, when dawn finally arrived, Rift was forced to conclude that he had gotten himself lost. Sure, to go north was to eventually leave the swamp, but he was no longer certain how much further north he needed to go. Or if he had gone too far east and overshot Valdove.

He elected to stop for no longer than an hour to finally tend to his injuries and change out of his charred clothes. The latter would raise questions, and the former even more so. He could probably bluff the shoulder wound as an attack by a wild animal, but the burns were another story. Happened during the animal attack, perhaps?

It really didn't matter at the moment. What mattered was getting the wounds cleaned and covered at the very least so they wouldn't get infected. He only had a couple ounces left of augri, he would just have to make them count.

Rift hissed as he pulled off his shirt, no doubt pulling off dead skin along with it, not to mention the movement jarring his shoulder. Like the coat, his shirt had been burned badly by the explosion, practically useless as a garment now. But it would suffice as a makeshift bandage, at least until he could get his hands on something better.

He gritted his teeth in anticipation, holding the tiny bottle of augri over the wounds on his shoulder. The creature had sank long claws into his flesh, leaving deep puncture wounds made worse when it was torn away from the blast. He certainly needed to seek a professional's care, a doctor or magician, as soon as possible to tend to this. But for now...

The alcohol was like fire on the open wound. He cried out, nearly dropping the bottle, tears springing to his eyes. The cuts stung in a haze of agony, and all he could do was wait as what felt to him like a second burn formed on his shoulder until finally, the pain subsided to the original throbbing.

Wrapping a shoulder with only one hand was more difficult than he'd anticipated, and took a lot more time than he liked, but eventually, he managed to tie the cloth in place. The worst injury dealt with, Rift hesitantly probed at the skin of his back, trying to gauge the extent of the injury. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt as much as he would've expected, though he did find some blisters on his upper back that did. The skin around it was dry under his fingers, and almost leathery, which wasn't great, but he guessed the burn wasn't as serious as he'd initially assumed.

When he finally found someone to look at his shoulder, he would have to ask about the burn, as long as they didn't ask too many questions. A risky proposition, that, as he would first need to figure out if they were the type to not ask prying questions. The animal attack and campfire story would probably cover both bases.

That wouldn't happen until he found his way out of the swamp, but still, it was good to have a contingency plan just in case---

Movement from the corner of his eye startled him out of his thoughts. Rift glanced around wildly, trying to find the source, hoping it was just a branch moving in the wind. Hoping it wasn't the---

A man stepped out from behind the cover of the trees. He was human, older than Rift if he had to guess, with dark skin and long black hair pulled into tight, ropelike locks. He wore a long cloak dyed in shades of green and brown, and he held a loaded crossbow pointed to the ground. He was trailed by a younger woman with lighter skin and brown curly hair who wore a similarly-colored cloak in a different cut, and a teenager who had the same dark skin and hair, albeit a shorter style, as the older man and a similar face shape, suggesting they were related.

Rift exhaled slowly, but not in relief.

He had been found, not by Draigo, but by someone almost worse.

A Watcher.

Three of them.

[renegadeknight]

Fic Writer Tag

Tagged by the lovely @oliviassunrise, thank you ❤️

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

11... for now

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

473,874

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mainly TLOU right now! But I have a lot of unpublished L&O: SVU and Dramione fics collecting dust too

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Stubborn Love - tlou; modern au

Precious Cargo - tlou; Ellie sick fic; Joel pov

So Much For Cargo - tlou; Ellie sick fic; Ellie pov of Precious Cargo

Bitter - tlou; Ellie pov drabble from episode 6

Rooftop Rendezvous - tlou; canon verse alternate meet; Joel pov

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes, always! I usually wait until I have the next chapter ready if it's on the most recent chapter of a long fic tho, cause I feel compelled to have something to offer in return

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't like writing angsty endings these days, all about the happy endings recently but probably the first installment of my OG hp fic where the main OC is taken to prison at the end.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Maybe this is cheating cause it's not published yet but it's gonna be Stubborn Love when we get there.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not so far and if I ever do I'll just tell them to come back with a warrant.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Not so much.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Not currently, maybe someday if the right idea hit me.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of and I'm not sure I'd want to know. I have had illustrations stolen and it's not a fun feeling.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No but I would be honored to have that happen.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes but nothing that's published.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

How does anyone pick a favorite all time ship? I guess the one I've obsessed over the longest is Elliot x Olivia

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Probably the hp trilogy I started when I was like 13 lol. It's my first fic so I'd love to finish it but the hp vibes are not what they once were.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I love planting little details of foreshadowing and landing emotional gut punches.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I have to go through about 4 drafts of anything before I'm happy enough with it to publish it. Which means I am sloooooow at updating.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I'm no where near fluent enough in any other languages to include it in my fic without substantial support and I am too shy to ask for that so probably not happening for me. I do enjoy it when other writers include it tho.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

I have an ~84 page hand written Power Rangers fic from when I was like 10, specifically the In Space cast meets the Time Force cast if I remember right.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Stubborn Love, hands down. It's been such a joy to plot and write and I've just put so much into it and there's still a lot left but I'm already planning to bind myself a physical copy of it when it's done because I love it so dang much.

I shall tag: @captainredspade @ameerawrites and @becomethesun if you feel like it ofc, no pressure! ❤️

[hereforaus]

Now Breathe

pairing: jeon jungkook x reader

genre: bodyguard!jungkook , rebel!reader , numb!reader, smut, angst

“people invading your personal space is one of the top most annoying thing to ever exist on earth and your overprotective politician mother hiring a personal bodyguard for you didn’t help at all”

wordcount: 2k+

WARNINGS! : 18+ , foul languages, smut and violence on future episodes

A/N: this is my first fic and i hope yall like it. This is completely unedited but i want to post it now. This part is just an introduction to reader’s pesonality. Literally all the happenings is to describe her as a person. The plot is so so far from unfolding so yeah,,,message me if you want to be tagged for the next episodes : )

part 2

“Mom please!!!! just this once okay? I promise i’ll come home all in one piece”

You’re practically giving your all with your little show of being in so much pain in front of your mom just so she can let you go to the concert you’ve been dreading to attend eversince forever with no company from her baggy shabby body guards.

“Im telling you I’ll be okay without those unnecessary bouncer looking body guards of yours. Just this once please? huh? huh?”

“First of all those body guards are skilled okay? don’t underestimate them.” Oh yeah here she is again. You have to remind yourself to not roll your eyes in front of her for you to not lose your last hope of getting a peaceful concert experience without some random guys boring holes at the back of your head the whole time. “And second, what makes you think I’m letting you get outta this house without those body guards when that concert is practically a 3 hour drive from here?”

Sigh. You already know where this is leading.

“Take it or don’t attend sweet pea, no more argument and go to bed please it’s close to midnight you still have classes tomorrow.”

What else can you do? Oh yeah nothing.

That said night, you have to climb down your way out of your room so you can have a peaceful time with yourself on the seaside. You like being alone most of the time to get things done with your art and music but sometimes the silence in your room is becoming too much for you to the point that it suffocates you and the only thing that can really help you is a fresh air and the cold but soothing sea breeze. Environment is a medicine, you don’t know if that works for other people but for you it surely does.

~

“I don’t know but he just told me he wants space for now and that we both have to cool down for a while.”

Lea. She’s been your friend eversince primary school. How she managed to endure you through out these years is still a mistery for you but you love her nonetheless. She’s one of the most precious things in this world that you can’t afford to lose. She’s like a treasure that you so luckily found under the sea and you don’t understand why of all people who is deserving of her, you’re the luckiest one who found her.

“Maybe he needs time to breathe? You know sometimes things become too stuffy for us and all we need is to breathe?” he doesn’t feel thrilled anymore. His heart doesn’t beat fast the way it did like before. He’s not happy anymore.

“You know we can talk about it. He doesn’t have to go through it alone. We can fix everything that’s wrong together” You hate to see her like this, completely helpless and vulnerable in front of you. The before sparkly now glassy eyes, a true indication of pain, confusion and frustration

“You know there are times when you need to help each other to find the way out of the misery but there are times where you need to find yourself first in order to do it right and for that to happen a person needs to spend time with their self alone” he doesn’t want to figure it out with you because he already knows the answer

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe he needed time to think and find himself first.”

I wish that’s really the case.

“But it hurts that I have to wait for him to fix something that I don’t know what is. He’ll have to find himself while leaving me alone in this misery, waiting for him to fix it without knowing if he will comeback after he find the answer.”

“Time can fix anything you know.” but not everything. “so give him that” cause you don’t have any choice but to.

The shiny glass covering her eyes has now broke into tears and sobs. You really hate this. You wanted to tell everything that’s in your mind without hurting her further but how could you tell someone that you don’t believe in love? that there’s no such thing as falling in love and falling out of love because you believe that falling in love in the first place is just all made up by some weird ass part of the body called brain and nothing more. How could you tell her that a person’s feelings can never be the same overtime and that the only constant thing that she could hold into is change alone.

No you can’t tell her. You don’t wanna be the reason for her tears and as much as possible you don’t want her to feel numb. You don’t need another person like you. You want her to feel different things other than not feel anything at all. Numbness will save you from the pain but feeling is a strange thing that can make a person happy, something that you lost a long time ago.

You let her lean on your shoulders until your shirt is soggy and waited until her sobs turned into small whimpers and hiccups. When it does you spoke: “Tell me something funny”. For a normal person, that small statement could have been strange (cause she’s supposed to be the one asking that) but somehow for the two of you, those words are the only ones that was able to put a small smile on your bestfriend’s face. She’s now lifting her head while wiping her tears using the back of her hands, a small smile imprinted on her lips.

“Never in a million years have I thought that me sobbing in front of you is the only way for you to tolerate my dad jokes. I should’ve known sooner”

“Don’t be too touched. Im giving this one for you because you look ugly crying like that and I can’t afford to wet my shirt further” You rolled your eyes, your right hand making its way to your pillow to throw it on her way.

“Hey!!! Just say you have a soft spot for me, no need to be aggressive for nothing” She’s practically grinning right now. You swear to god you wish you can shut her up already.

“If I knew you will be acting like this I should’ve just let you sob there until your eyeballs fell out”.

“If that’s what helps you sleep well at night, I’ll just bury the fact that you don’t want your dearest friend crying because it hurts you too. Who would’ve thought that Y/N has a kryptonite and that so luckily turned out to be me”

“Oh please your nacisissm suffocates me. Get out of my room now!” You said voice stern but not too much to actually hurt her.

“Goodnight love” she said seemingly happy as if she didn’t pour a whole bunch of tears just now. Just like that, she grab her bag and left with the biggest grin on her face that week but you know it’s not going to last because the moment she step foot on her constricted bedroom, the tears won’t help but fall and the sobs won’t have to ask for permission to come out relentlessly.

-

The following day you’re dressed in an extra large shirt partnered up with sane cargo pants and reebok sneakers. Coming out from your bedroom, you saw your mom downstairs talking to a tall man dressed in normal white tees and ripped jeans, your mom seemingly spewing words you can only assume to be reminders on how to take care of you during the concert and some precautionary measures on how to not lose you in the process. You rolled your eyes, purposely letting your stomp on the wood floor be heard to signal them to hurry up whatnot is left to be talked about. By the time you reached the door, the said man you don’t know the name (and is not planning to anyway) is already behind you. He smelled of vanilla soap and you noticed that he’s much taller than you, probably 178 to 180 cm. In no time, the both of you are already seated on the car. You took the passenger seat cause you like taking care of the music and that is most definitely your favorite spot while mister body guard took the driver’s seat. So he’s not just the body guard for the day but also the driver. This is going to be too easy.

“You know what let’s have a deal” The easiest way to get what you want is through talk and you know more than anyone else how to get the thing that you want from someone through words.

“Nice to meet you too miss Y/N. Your mother clearly is right. She warned me that you’ll have to ask me for a deal through out this whole drive in order to lose me and watch the concert alone. She knows you really well.”

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. This won’t do. You didn’t see that coming.

“Do you really think that i’m going to pay you or something for you to let me go to the concert alone?” You fake smile towards him. The first time you see his features clearly and god is he ethereal for a body guard but that’s none of your business because clearly you have other things to fix.

“Maybe not pay? I don’t know, you seem more capable and smart than that, your mother told me”

Oh yeah your mother. You wouldn’t be surprised if she told him your whole life story.

“You’re taking your job too seriously, I was just gonna ask if I can suck your dick or something because you’re pretty hot but I guess you really are not into that kind of things.”

It’s his turn to be caught off guard. You will not back out to this, you are more capable on controlling a person just like what he says and that exactly is what you’re going to do now.

You almost missed the shade of pink on her cheeks because soon it’s gone and back to its normal shade. This person is something else, you know it. You need to step up your game in order to win it.

“I dont know your plan but i know that you’re up to something. Miss Y/N that’s not gonna work with me.”

This is harder than you thought it would be.

“Yadda yadda. Believe what you want sir” If you can’t get him with a talk, then there’s a whole other plan lined up just for him, you dont know until to what extent you can go but you surely know one thing, you’ll have the last laugh.

Two and a half drive. Thirty minutes before you reach the arena. There’s no sounds but The 1975 playing on the speaker of the car connected to your phone. Your bodyguard spent most of the hours concentrated on the road in front of him while you are lazily nodding your head to every song from your playlist, your head leaned on the window most of the time while you look at the trees and houses you pass by.

“Pull over. I need to pee” You said pointing to your right where variety of drive thru fastfoods can be found.

“Sure miss”

Sure my ass.

You’re walking in front of the restroom seperated from the restaurants when you notice your body guard suddenly came to a stop.

“Aren’t you going to come with me inside? I mean I might slip out?” You said voice mocking.

“No need miss, I’m just going to wait for you here” His voice is never not stable and you wonder just how some people can’t be like him. You like how confident he is and unflappable almost.

“You know what my offer from earlier is still up.”

He seems confused at first but in no time, he came into the realization and there comes his wide eyes and rosy cheeks on full display for you.

“You act like a virgin” And then you smirked and left. Teasing him is fun and you decided you’re up for that.

-

It’s not like you to throw out things just carelessly because you treasure everything under your property but you don’t have any choice now. Wrapping up all your colorful clothes together, you throw it to the bin. You’re now in your black fitted shirt and denim shorts. You decided to remove your bun too. The only reason you wore those huge ass t shirt and cargo pants is in order to have another pair of clothes inside for the sole reason of disguising and you’re pretty much sure that this time it will work. Holding your wallet containing money and two of your tickets (one from your mother and one you bought for yourself because sure as hell the ones from your mom has the seat next to your body guard), you leave the bathroom acting so casually as if your bodyguard isn’t just standing there outside the restroom.

When you reach the nearest cafe without a body following behind you, you let a smirk make its way to your face. Bingo. Now you wait for your uber driver.

-

You can’t be more happy. You’re going to see your favorite artist and will be able to dance like crazy without a single soul caring. Holding your ticket, you hand it to the person standing on the entrance and eventually you’re inside the venue. You chose to buy a standing ticket because you’re pretty sure that this concert will turn to a party in the middle and you want the best experience to enjoy the music that you waited for so long to hear live while your body act on its own.

Three hours and it’s almost past midnight. The band is playing their last song. You’re physically exhausted for spending the whole time singing the lyrics on the top of your lungs, screaming and dancing nonchalantly. You can feel the energy being drained out of your body. It’s a good thing that the band decided to end the whole concert with a soft melody song about heartbreak (or is it first love? you don’t know. you don’t really care since it’s your least favorite). You close your eyes listening to the song while swaying your whole body. You feel peace while listening to the soft melody and you can’t help but continue doing that until 30 seconds before the song would finish. The moment you open your eyes, you see him. His eyes, was it like this earlier? As if it holds the dust in the universe in it? His mole under his mouth, was it there earlier? Everything looks so real and clear and for a moment you thought it was real when suddenly.

“Did you enjoy the concert miss?”

-

“How exactly did you find me” You allowed yourself to look at him for a second before bringing your eyes back to your phone to scroll for music while again leaning your head on the window just like earlier.

“Let’s say I waited just a couple of distance from the entrance and I saw you there.”

“You’re impossible” He smiled. Oh he smiled? “So you saw all of that?”

“All of that miss”

Fuck.

“You’re a creep”

“You dance well”

At that you hiss.

“Fuck you”

He’s annoying.

“You lost in this one”

“You did your job pretty well. Let’s not see each other again. Yeah?”

“Im afraid that can’t happen”

Now you’re utterly confused. “What? Why?”

“Your mom just hired me to be your personal body guard from now on and not just for today. It’s a pleasure to serve you Miss Y/N. I’m Jeon Jungkook”

~

[steve0discusses]

Yugioh S3 Ep 43: Tea Can Just Knock Over Joey Wheeler With Her Index Finger

Guys guys guys, my favorite Character is back. That’s right--the storyboarder!

So this episode looked helllla nice for a Yugioh episode (again, this is Yugioh, it will win no awards.) It wasn’t as nice and fluid as the episode where they temporarily killed off Joey Wheeler, but I give it a good 2nd place.

You can tell we’re getting to the climax of the season because they’re throwing down their most entertaining art people onto the screen, giving us about 5 zillion dutch angle fashion close-ups of Marik’s cabbage face, and a whole lot of zany and hard to very hard to draw fish-eye lens angles of Pharaoh.

Also, everyone wears flared bell-bottom pants now. New stylistic decision, as decided just now. Everyone in pants now has flares. Even if their pants are cargo pants. How very 00′s. (my pants were flares from like birth until 2006, it was a good trend, super comfy, bring it back.)

(read more under the cut)

First off, Evil Marik decided to rewrite Marik history a little bit with some hilarious retconning that only the most evil Marik would think is legit.

I mean I was there when Marik was introduced and was a complete asshole all of S2. I remember when Odion considered murdering the hell out of his little brother because this Marik guy was such freakin tool and his Dad was an evil cultist bastard. I...I’m gonna go on a limb and assume that calling Marik a “loyal servant” is a freakin stretch. Marik made his choices. Yes, his bad side killed his Dad, but they have made sure to indicate that yes, this is the evil inside of Marik, something that he himself caused--but most of the things that Marik has done (with the exception of killing his own Dad) is still Marik. He did that.

The fact that his evil side can’t quite connect that his good side and evil side are at all the same however, is fitting for an evil Marik to think. More and more, Marik and Marik are becoming 2 different people, and this game is the deciding factor to finally give this guy full autonomy of his other half.

We’ve seen this type of contrast before with Bakura and Ryou--where Ryou and Bakura don’t really get along but have always been clearly different people, so the culpability of what they do tends to fall on Bakura. (which is a pretty GRAND assumption, I still think Ryou is a precious but absolutely still shady little bastard) So, it’s a little different that Marik considers himself two completely different people when it’s just...not the same. Marik’s alter ego is just an ego. More like how Yami was in Season Zero but a little bit more evil. Both Marik’s have the same upbringing and the same source.

It’s been kind of an interesting progression now I can look back on it, where slowly the two have been clashing to the point that they are in fact different, disparate people now. The fact that Marik points out how his situation similar to Yugi and Pharaoh being a host is almost like “well yeah, it would have been nice to see how the whole Season Zero Yami evolved into more of a separate person over time, I’m glad you inferred that, and I’ll never get to see it, thanks” But again, all that is inferred. Whether Yami Yugi eventually became Pharaoh over time or whether Pharaoh is a big retcon of Yami Yugi for the new series in order to keep the culpability for what he does off of Yugi Muto was never directly spoken in the show so it’ll be left to your fanfictions.

Meanwhile, Yugi has decided that they’re going to try and purify the Marik situation and save the good side. This is sort of the Yugioh thing, to dispel the bad forces from people and leave behind hollow husks, so yeah...it tracks. I mean...there’s very little Marik left to save, but it’s better than a husk, amiright? Better than what happened to freakin PaniK, RIP. I’m sure erasing over half of your identity will go over real well for Marik and be absolutely painless.

And then we had a lovely scene that, for those people doing scene redraws from anime, as has been a popular trend on art blogs lately--this is your episode for Yugioh. This episode’s got moody lighting, we’ve subdued all our weird ass colors into one concrete palate (remember how green the carpet used to be?) we got interesting elements of Marik being here despite being chopped into pieces. We got so many ellipses drawn in perspective (y’all I could write an entire posts just about ellipses but I’ll spare you). It’s like Yugioh gave itself a redraw.

I can’t believe this shot came out of freakin Yugioh.

Also, this guy was an ASSHOLE for the past 2 seasons but the show was like “time to make him likeable” and so they dropped some good ass cinematography and sung that sad backstory tune on the trumpet and you know what? It works.

+++++++++++++++RANT ABOUT REDEMPTION ARCS FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS MASSIVE WALL OF TEXT++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now I think the arc of Marik is pretty simple and people are pretty chill with it. But, I’m gonna talk about villain redemption arcs just in general--gonna sidetrack a little from Yugioh for a moment. Partly because I watched 6 seasons of Once Upon a Time, which is basically Villain Redemption Arc Controversy: The Show.

It bothers a hell ton of people when TV shows have to make a villain redeemable, but there’s only one episode left so they put their hands up and say “but I swear the good side of him was always good” But, does that mean Marik’s going to make up for all the murder and sending people to the shadow realm? No. He never will. Even if Marik was completely his bad half the whole time, it still wouldn’t make up for the damage done. Dead people are...DEAD.

Marik can’t actually make any choices right now to redeem his character. All he’s doing is accepting he will never be a full person ever again. Hence why he is in slices and pieces, and in several shots is trapped either in an empty glass or a window. The choice to redeem him is entirely on other people.

And that’s the thing about redemption arcs that I want to bring up--how much of a character’s redemption relies on what the villains do to “Make up for what they did”, and how much relies on everyone else to redeem them. I think the tendency is for people to assume that the villains should be doing 90-100% of the redeeming, but unless they have a time machine--they can’t do any. Even if they freakin die to sacrifice themselves it’s still like “that character was basically little Stalin, right?

I’ve seen like a million ways to write a redemption arc, but none of them, not a single one that I can think of, can ever truly make up for the things the villian has done. There’s no way that Darth Vadar was suddenly going to become a good Dad, no matter how many Palpatines he can toss into a...whatever that was at the end of that movie. That’s the riddle behind what makes redemption arcs so engaging--By all cultural standards these villains should always be tagged a “bad guy” but, we, the audience, are being challenged to ignore those standards.

And I know a lot of people see redemption arcs as a quasi-religious sort of adventure into atonement, where we’re supposed to see ourselves as the villain searching for some type of forgiveness from a higher, most-likely-a-reference-to-Jesus-power, but I don’t really see them that way. Maybe it’s because, I dunno, I haven’t killed anyone recently or possessed other people’s minds or strung them up to anchors and dropped them into the ocean. But if you see yourself as a Marik, then go for it, I won’t stop you.

But, to me, a redemption arc is more of a question posed for us as viewers. Since it is impossible for the writers to ever fully redeem a character, the only ones doing the redeeming are the people watching it, who’s reaction will differ wildly from person to person, and that’s what makes it fascinating.

And like, that’s my thesis here at the very last paragraph of this long meandering rant. Redemption arcs aren’t about “hey is this person good enough to be redeemed (because that will never happen)” it’s “are you too good to redeem that person?” It’s a large scale experiment on the viewers watching and that’s why it makes people so freakin pissed and uncomfortable. Every redemption arc calls them out directly, and for some people it’s just like--the world ends or something. I have seen actual internet mobs develop over...a villain redemption arc. Which is weird.

And so I’ll leave it with my other spicy take that...you don’t have to redeem every villain when the question is asked. I mean these aren’t real people. The questions of “would you redeem this person” is asked entirely hypothetically. And that’s what makes up stories, not just the interaction of the people inside the stories, but when it affects the moral structure of the readers directly, and seeing how for some people, that can be a very intense and deep reflection. (which usually leads to a hell ton of either retconning fanfiction or a hell ton of really, really angry posts)

bro’s just told me that Yugioh is just a redemption arc for season 0 Yami Yugi. Bro and his spicy headcanons. This one holds some water though, lol.

++++++++++++END OF A SUPER LONG RANT ABOUT VILLAINS THAT I HELD IN FOR THE ENTIRE 6 SEASONS OF ONCE UPON A TIME, WOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD OPINIONS ABOUT CERTAIN CHARACTERS THAT THEY JUST EXPECTED EVERYONE ELSE TO HAVE, AMIRIGHT????+++++++++++

Anyway, back to jokes.

Again, Storyboarder just...nailing these weird ass shoes that are somewhere between a dress shoe and a boot. Shoes are hard to draw, y’all. This storyboarder. And they even made sure that the shoes looked very small and precious the way Yugi shoes would be. Little Cinderella size 5 Yugi shoes.

Oh finally.

So it was only a matter of time before the people who actually care about being possessed noticed this situation, it just took like...a season longer than I thought it would. I’ll be honest it was quite cathartic for them to actually address for the first time in what feels like a long time “SHOOT, GHOSTS!?!?”

Although it was kind of funny that the biggest reaction to all of this came straight from Joey. Yugi still doesn’t care, Tristan’s decided to just accept this, and Duke is just slowly backing away. But Joey’s going to try and do the work that Yugi should have done last episode.

HOT DAMN.

So, lets go over the Yugioh power chart here. Tristan can punch out Bakura. Tristan can also defeat Seto Kaiba with a broomstick. Joey can kick Tristan, even when Tristan is armed with a broomstick, so hard that Tristan flew through a metal door and bent it completely over backwards. Tea, however, can knock Joey completely over with one single index finger.

How has this girl ever been abducted? Was she just bored?

Bro wants to bring up that she once incapacitated a man with her butt. Just falling on top of a guy and hitting him with her butt of steel. Was she even in danger from the shipping container when she could just bat it away? She once choked out Season 0 Yugi Muto. She was always fine.

Credit to Joey, he keeps trying, and it gives us, for the first time, a sneak peek into what it must be like for Yugi and Joey to hang out on the offtimes that Yugi switches over and Pharaoh hasn’t quite gotten the memo.

This is in fact, the second time that she’s done this.

(meanwhile, sitting next to Odion, is one single cargo pocket floating in the air, gently smoking a purple haze like incense)

Welcome back Odion! I only now just realized how freakin jacked your neck is.

Like y’all his neck is wider than his head, hot damn.

Anyway, this show is secretly all about the power of big brothers, so I assume he’s going to start the mile long crawl to the top of the tower and then just...walk in...just walk right into a shadow game...?

...no one thought to stay with Odion? Like not even Serenity? Or at least leave him a weelchair? what the hell?

Odion always gets the worst wrap, this poor guy.

Anyway if you just got here, this is a link to read these recaps in chrono order from the beginning and watch my progression of knowing nothing about Yugioh to knowing a lot about random facts about Yugioh but still knowing absolutely nothing at all just like Socrates.

And here’s that shot of Marik for y’alls anime scene redraws, knock yourself out.

[allie1804-fan]

Kerensa Part 2

This is a continuation of Kerensa Part 1 which you can find here

Kerensa (Part 1)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 , Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13

Kerensa (Part 2)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9

Chapter 10

New Beginnings

The new home in Monterey was a haven for them in many ways but as Kerry entered her 19th week, Keanu’s mood seemed to slump and he began having regular nightmares.

He’d wake up, dripping in sweat and wild-eyed, trying not to disturb Kerry. Sometimes it was a memory of Ava, others it was Kerry experiencing the stillbirth or he’d be plagued by horrific scenes of Kerry screaming covered in blood. He didn’t share what was going on, not wanting to scare her, but one night, he flailed about so much that she woke and had to shake him awake to stop it.

After fetching him a herbal tea for his frayed nerves, she addressed the issue.

“Keanu, I know there’s something you’re not telling me. It’s like when I didn’t come to Florida, you bottled up whatever was bothering you and I couldn’t reach you but you can tell me anything. If you’re scared about the baby, about losing them, please don’t think that I’m not, don’t think you can’t share that”

He drew in a sharp breath and she knew she’d landed on the truth

“But”

“But nothing, I’m here and I’m scared too. Every day I feel that fear and I give myself a stern talking to at the start of the day but it never fully goes away. We should share our fears, or we can talk to someone, a counselor - remember the midwife said that was available when we first registered with them. Or you said you saw a therapist a while back, would that be better? Someone you already have a relationship with? And come with me tomorrow to see the midwife, you can hear the heartbeat, that always makes me feel better”

He hugged her close.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I just didn’t want to burden you with my demons”

“A problem shared….” She offered

“Is a problem halved” he replied.

“Exactly” she said giving him a gentle kiss.

Keanu couldn’t quite shake the nightmares, but things did get easier from then on. They would joke about tag-teaming on being O for optimistic versus SS for shit scared trying to not both hit SS mode at the same time.

And as they hit new milestones like the 20-week scan and feeling the baby move, at last they had regular reassurances that all was well. There were some panicky moments, first with Kerry developing anemia which caused her to faint a couple of times before they figured out the cause. Fortunately, she’d just fallen onto the bed and the sofa so there was no harm done. The second panic, however, was rather more serious.

Kerry was 37 weeks along, feeling like a beached whale but still managing to walk Scout each day. Their home had stone steps leading down to the shore and on this day, she’d set off alone with Scout. Keanu had forgotten his shades and had popped back inside to fetch them.

What he found as he made his way down the steps to join her was Kerry sitting on one of the steps in tears, grazes on her knee and elbow, and a very sore behind and wrist.

“Shit shit shit, what happened?”

“lost my balance” she sniffed “and went down like a sack of spuds, but I didn’t fall on bump, put my hand out, owww”

Keanu had to go into calm mode, swallowing down his rising panic and do his utmost to reassure her.

“Can you stand? Let’s get you up and over to the ER, get you checked out”

He helped her to stand, trying to avoid bashing the sore wrist which he feared could be broken, and slowly they got back up to the house with Scout whining his concern all the way there.

Having got her a drink, he quickly found the hospital bag and got her settled in the car before setting off, repressing the instinct to drive as fast as possible. He had precious cargo on board.

When Kerry was examined, they found that the fall had indeed started things off and she was already 3 cm dilated.

“No turning back now” he said smiling, still trying to be the calm one.

Kerry had a heart monitor strapped around her belly at this point and they could hear the rapid but steady beat of the baby’s heart.

She took his face in her hands and kissed him, feeling a great sense of calm come over her, enough for the both of them.

“Keanu, it’s going to be OK, do you hear that? That’s our baby and they are coming, don’t worry. They are coming.”

Her head fell back on the pillow then as a contraction hit. He held her hand feeling both the power of new life battling to be set free and her power in helping it come to fruition. That’s when he let all the fear go, all the awful images and memories of his nightmares floated away and finally, he was in the moment, helping his son come into the world.

It would be 6 long hours of sweat, screams and pain but baby Jago Alexander Reeves came into the world, screaming bloody murder to the delight of his parents and the staff looking after them. It was a tad earlier than expected but there had been no harm done from Kerry’s tumble and luckily her wrist was just sprained, not broken. She’d need some help with feeding at first, but Dad was on hand to do whatever was required.

They were home 2 days later and despite their mature years, still felt that same sense of shock that all parents feel, that the medics had actually let them come home to be in sole charge of this tiny infant. They plonked him in his car seat on the floor and sat beside him on the sofa, just staring down at him, in awe of his tiny fingers and fingernails, tiny everything.

Kerry’s phone pinged and she saw there was a notification of a new Griefcast episode. She had sent Cariad a picture of Jago the day before and decided to hit play on instinct. They both listened as the podcast began.

“Hey Griefsters, hope you’re having an OK week, I know it can be a tough time with dark nights and Christmas around the corner. Before we get to this week’s guest, I just wanted to share a truly lovely, uplifting story that just filled me with joy yesterday. You may remember that I interviewed Keanu Reeves, about a year ago now about the death of his daughter many years ago when she was stillborn. Well, Keanu met a lady last year and she, clever woman, introduced him to this little show and persuaded him to come on. Well turns out, he fell in love with her and now they’re together and 2 days ago they had the most beautiful baby boy, Jago. So I just wanted to say a big congratulations to the three of them and wish them all the happiness in the world with their new family.”

Kerry looked over at Keanu, tears in her eyes, only to see Keanu had given up the battle. He pulled her close and held her in his arm until Jago stirred and their parenting journey truly began.

THE END

@fortheloveoffanfic @kindainlovewithkeanu @omg-imagine @keanureevesisbae @penwieldingdreamer @paperplanesandwallflowers @witty-wallflower @karlee1225 @bitchyslut99 @toomanystoriessolittletime @ladyreapermc @kissmyromanticquote @tacticalchics @utterlynuts @kylosbitch @thebigbubowski @thelightnessofthebeing @gatsbynouvel @keanuficfiles @fanficsrusz @jardaniswife @cheezbort @mazzylana97 @maggiemoo1892 @girlfriday007 @siriussnape07 @yomnaislame @soarocks @fadingkideclipseempath @franny-banks-world @keanulowe @babylovejongin @lucky134ever @jasmindaughteroftheworld @tomorrowsanotherday @fokinqueen @littlefreya @leftyreea @wheretheriversrunintothesea @iworshipkeanureeves @fics-not-tragedies @ficsnroses @fickenstein @popacherryvisitalibrary @aah8903 @thethirstyarchive @cynic-spirit @australianpsychos @meetmeinthematinee

[thatginchygal]

Fangirl/Fandom Questions

I was tagged by three wonderful people!! 

From @my-little-yellowbird

1. How has fangirling made an impact in your life?

First and foremost:  friends.  All the friends. When I think of my *best* friends several of them are from fandoms.  I’ve been so lucky to meet so many amazing women through fandoms.  Secondly, it’s my hobby.  I didn’t write much as a child or early teen.  I didn’t think I could!  Now it’s my hobby and something that I find so fun (if frustrating at times!).  Fangirling has also made me travel.  I have met online friends in different states and gone places that I never would have gone without having met them from fandom.  I’ve learned so much and met so many wonderful people--all through fandom.

2. What makes fangirling most worthwhile to you?

Well, as I mentioned above: the friends and the writing.  There’s something so freeing and FUN about finding people who love what I love and to the degree I love it.  I can be ‘myself’ online more so than I feel I can be in RL sometimes.  I’m often accused of being too bubbly or excitable but online, that’s a plus.  (Usually).  My life is fairly chaotic now. I work a full-time job, am in graduate school part-time, and have my daughter and family to care for.  What makes fandom the most worthwhile to me is that I can escape into it, daydream about it, and give my cares up for just a little while.

3. What have you learned about yourself by being a part of a fandom?

Wow, this one is tough. I found fandoms so early. I was barely 18 when I found my first online fandom.  I’m not sure in  how many ways fandoms have shaped me.  That said, I will say that I think fandoms have given me confidence in myself. I never believed I could write a fanfic, but I did.  Then I did not believe that I could write a novel-length fanfic, but I did.  I would never have believed that I could fly to Florida by myself to meet fellow fans, but I did.  Being in such welcoming and encouraging communities have really allowed me to grow in confidence and to try new things.  

From @cooldoyouhaveaflag

1. If you’ve written fanfiction, do people in your real life read it? Would you want them to if they don’t? 

My husband and my cousin have both read one fanfic each.  Otherwise I don’t talk about fandom or fanfic with people that I know in RL.  My husband read my ‘epic’ fic ‘Echoes of Always’ and tried to get me to turn it into an actual novel to sell.  I told him no thanks.  My cousin read a fic because at one point we were tossing around the idea of writing a novel together. It never panned out (though not because she disliked the fic--I think.  LOL!).

 2. Are you usually active in your fandoms? If yes, how long before you join in, if no, why not? (No right or wrong answer, I just think it’s interesting!)

I have written fanfic in so many fandoms. I lurk sometimes but after awhile I just have to jump in and discuss or write.  Before searching out the CtM fandom I tried to get some RL friends to watch the show, thinking that if I could talk to them about it that I wouldn’t need to go in search of fandom. But no one would watch and those Turnadette feelings just bubbled up like crazy!

 3. What is your dream fic about your OTP? (no restrictions, it can be anything from a cannon one-shot to a 200,000 word multi chap space alien AU)

I want more ‘how the Nonnatuns found out about Turnadette fics’. And more smut (always).  And perhaps a fic of Shelagh just playing with Patrick’s hair.  I’m easy to please. Hahahahaha (Someone write all of these.  Or maybe all 3 in one fic??  Hmmmm…. )

From @simone020896

1. If you could marry one CTM character, who would you choose?

Y’all know.  

2. What is your all time favorite song/soundtrack from CTM?

I am obsessed with the song ‘Love and Devotion’ by The Vocaleers that plays over the end scenes of episode 4x6.  I bought the song and now even my daughter can sing along with it.  I love that song.

 3. If you had to choose between being Patrick’s new intern or working as a midwife at Nonnatus, what would you choose? (I’m just curious, haha!)

Hmmm.  I think I’d be too nervous to deliver babies--they’re such precious cargo.  I’d be a much better intern and I’d get the bonus of hanging around handsome Dr. Turner all day, of course!!  

My questions:

If you write fanfic, which of your own fics are you the most proud of?  

Have you ever visited a set or met an actor (or author/other type of creator) from a fandom you’ve been in?

Tell us any random headcanon that you have for your OTP.

I’ll tag @nunonabun; @kaguyahime1224; and @alice1nwond3rland  -y’all can answer my attempt at questions or any of the others above!  

[maychorian]

Weekly Voltron Fic Recs #54

A little shorter this week. I took some vacation days and did a lot of other stuff besides reading fanfiction, because yeah, ironically, I read the most fanfiction when I’m at work.

Rules: You can find past weekly rec lists here, and non-list recs in my general fic rec tag. Also follow @maychorianrecs for individually tagged posts, the easier to search and reblog. This is stuff I like, and I have a huge bias toward Lance, hurt/comfort, and general fluff, in that order. Gen unless otherwise noted. Please comment on the fics if you read and enjoy them!

Know Yourself by exclamation Words: 28,139 Author’s Summary: In trying to reconnect to the black lion, Shiro makes a worrying discovery: he might not really be Shiro. Suspecting that he might be a clone, Shiro decides to go on a mission back to the Galra science base where he was held captive. He’s not ready to tell the others what he suspects yet, but when Matt catches him sneaking out of the castle, it’s clear he’s not going on this mission alone. Shiro has to find out what was done to him, and if there is another version of him out there in need of saving. My Comments: Excellent exploration of the Shiro clone theory with some awesome plot twists, great characterization, and powerful action scenes. I really enjoyed this a lot.

The Christmas Episode by FunkyWashingMachine Words: 1,422 Author’s Summary: It’s Christmas on the castle ship, and no one loves it more than Lance. To his slight dismay. My Comments: Sweet and funny and just a little angsty. Lance deserves a happy Christmas, for sure.

Precious Cargo by LightPinkTheColorOfMyAura Words: 5,315 Author’s Summary: The team is tasked with rescuing an alien princess. Pidge and the others are not very excited to watch Lance fall all over himself for a pretty girl, so they decide to keep him…busy. When their plan falls through and they find someone unexpected, Lance pulls through like they should have expected. My Comments: Sweet, a little angsty, very cute. I don’t wanna spoil the twist, but it’s good. I enjoyed this very much.

Beacon by glitteringconstellations Words: 21,863 (6/?) Author’s Summary: An emergency mission to answer a distress call wasn’t unusual. The urgency in Allura’s voice wasn’t necessarily unusual, either—she was very much of the mind that Voltron was obligated to answer every single distress callbrought to their attention. Being the defender of the known universe came with a certain number of responsibilities, after all. But seeing the pinched, pale look on both Allura and Coran’s faces when they converged on the bridge was unusual. “The universe is vast even in terms of those planets still yet beyond the grips of the Galra. But…. the distress call came from the Terra Firma Quadrant.” Earth. My Comments: This story is absolutely harrowing, evoking all kinds of horrific things from Earth’s past, but on a global scale. Really, really, amazingly good. Very suspenseful and exciting, and it’s very cool to find a story not quite like any other Voltron fanfic I’ve read. Highly recommended if you can stand some pain.

Breathe by SuperKat Words: 2,192 Author’s Summary: The first wave of panic hits Keith out of nowhere. One second, Lance is “catching him up” on everything that’s happened since he left Voltron, and the next second Keith has a flash of memory – the two of them, walking through this hall, talking and bantering, just like this – and suddenly his breath leaves him. My Comments: I have a soft spot for someone having a panic attack and someone else talking them through, as anyone who has read my stuff will know. This was a great one.

Christmas on the Castleship by slowbronite Words: 1,939 Author’s Summary: The team raids the Space Mall’s Earth store for Christmas decor and subsequently freaks Coran out with the concept of Santa Claus. My Comments: Very cute fic with a slight focus on Coran that I really enjoyed. Happy paladins are always good to see.

War Games by FunkyWashingMachine Words: 2,160 Author’s Summary: The paladins build opposing pillow forts and declare war. Shiro is both liaison and collateral. My Comments: So cute and funny, gah, it’s wonderful to see the kids enjoying themselves. I’m pretty sure Shiro was pretending to be neutral just play off both sides, though, sneaky.

fight in the ring by ebonynightwriter Words: 2,605 Author’s Summary: When a rescue mission goes south, Allura and the team find themselves in a hard situation. // “Wait, Shiro’s the Champion?! Since when?” My Comments: Very cool little action fic.

Geslorp’s House of Terrors by AmnesiaticRoses Words: 6,815 Author’s Summary: Lance is excited when Hunk agrees to visit a carnival-style space haunted house with him. The haunted house should be fun, and Hunk’s reactions should be funny. But Lance forgot to account for the power of technological curiosity… My Comments: Cute fic with my favorite boys having an adventure together. It kind of backfires on Lance, haha.

Plundered Plumage by Quiddity Words: 5,374 Author’s Summary: Something odd crashes to the deck of the ship during a sudden storm. An avian. More common than their siren cousins, but stil rarely seen and never captured. Until now. Captain Sendak wastes no time in securing the exhausted avian, Shiro, intent on handing him over to the Pirate King Zarkon for his own gain. However, Keith, sold to Zarkon as a slave as a child and forced into a life of piracy, just might have trouble sitting back and allowing that to happen. My Comments: Really fun Pirate AU with Keith taking a big, big risk to save Shiro. The fic is short, but the world feels fully realized, and I loved the cameos from the other characters.

Rebuild all your Ruins by BossToaster (ChaoticReactions) Words: 6,074 Author’s Summary: There are consequences to Shiro’s refusal to kill. Pain hasn’t worked on him so far, but another tactic might. My Comments: This is hurt with no comfort, so know what you’re getting into. Awful stuff, but very well-written, as always.

Where the Heart Is by SmolGooDragon Words: 5,153 Author’s Summary: Lance has graduated from the Garrison at the top of his class, and will be leaving for a mission to space in a few weeks. He’s happy to be with his family and everything is going perfectly, but he feels like there’s something he can’t quite remember… like something’s missing. My Comments: Starts out as Lance going home to see his family, but there’s a twist! A good one! I don’t wanna spoil it. Just read the fic. If you like the hurt!Lance recs I typically post here, you will love this story.

Don’t Forget to Call Home by isabeau25 Words: 8,827 Author’s Summary: Just because Keith has decided to join the Blades of Marmora, doesn’t mean the team is going to let him disappear from their lives. My Comments: Absolutely beautiful fic about the other paladins keeping in contact with Keith while he’s away in Season Four. I especially loved Lance here; isabeau25 always writes Lance so very, very well. But everyone else was wonderful too. The end scene, after Keith’s nearly disastrous decision, is especially warm and comforting. So, so good.

Burning Bright by IcyPanther Words: 9,693 Author’s Summary: Last chance, they told him. If this family didn’t work out then it was back to the group home for him. And as much as Keith disliked the foster system, he hated the group home. He’d endure anything life threw at him to avoid going back. But when he meets Shiro, Keith realizes that, perhaps, there’s more to life than just enduring. His world is about to become a whole lot brighter. My Comments: Heartbreaking and heartwarming backstory for Keith and Shiro that matches up with my personal headcanons very nicely. I really felt everything Keith was going through, from the despair to the pain to the dawning pleasure and ultimate joy. So good, so satisfying, I just love it.

Seven Vargas by VelkynKarma for buttered_onions Words: 18,006 Author’s Summary: Shiro has a bad habit of disappearing unexpectedly. But the team really should have anticipated it this time, with him being the most wanted person on the planet. My Comments: This is a thrilling read of the action/adventure type, but with a healthy dollop of pathos, too. Shiro has a really rough time of it, but it was great to see him constantly fighting to get himself free by whatever means he could, and of course the others’ frantic need to find him and rescue was lovely.

Signals From Space by Eastofthemoon Words: 3,814 Author’s Summary: Fame spreads farther than anyone could have known. My Comments: Lance’s family is sweet and funny and perfect, and this is a delightful way for them to find out that Lance is alive. The final chapter was especially heartwarming.

reprise, refrain by obstinateRixatrix Words: 8,180 Author’s Summary: When the castle picks up an Altean distress signal, Allura desperately hopes to find surviving Alteans. She does - just not in the way she was expecting. My Comments: I like the canon version of this episode just fine, but this is also a very fun alternate take, and much easier on Allura’s heart, I think. All of the OCs are delightful.

What Happens Under a Full Moon by imperiality Words: 9,136 Author’s Summary: When Lance accidentally partakes in a new planet’s ritual under their greatest full moon, the paladins have to find out how to reverse his spell. Or, he could have just taken off the mask to begin with. My Comments: Fantastic worldbuilding here, very immersive and enjoyable to read. It’s like taking a journey, traveling with Lance through this exciting festival he enjoys so much. And the solution to the trouble he finds himself in made me very, very happy.

Previously Recced Fics That Updated:

The Purity of Sin (22254 words) Home and a Half (109291 words) As Color Fades Away (217819 words) Gate Keeper (119177 words) Why it sucks to be a snake in space(59933 words)

[daleisgreat]

20 Years of PS2: Flashback Special

October 26th this year marked the 20th anniversary of the North American launch of the PlayStation 2 (PS2) and I am ready to commemorate it with another flashback special recounting my highlighted highs and lows with the system since its launch. Like with my previous console retrospectives I have un-vaulted a few of my older podcast episodes focused on the PS2 and uploaded them to YouTube that you can check out embedded at the bottom of this piece for your listening pleasure. One of those episodes was recorded around the then-10th anniversary of the PS2 in 2010 where we brought on two hosts from the PSnation podcast and we waxed nostalgic for three hours about our favorite PS2 games and memories. The episode proved to be our most downloaded ever to the point we had to purchase more web server space to handle the downloads. Now I think the best way to start off this special on the PS2 would be to remember that leading up to its October 26th, 2000 launch, that it was impossible to ignore….. ….The Hype The PS2 was the first Sony console I purchased. I never owned a PSone because our family opted with the N64 (of which I have no regrets and many great memories of), and by the time I got my first job a decent way into 1999 where I could afford a system with my own income, it was either heavily speculated at that point or confirmed the PS2 would be backwards compatible with PSone games. This was a big deal learning of this in 1999. Up until that point in America, backwards compatibility only hit consoles (excluding handhelds) in small waves with the limited Master System library working on the Genesis with an adaptor, and the under-performing Atari 7800 having back-compat built inside the hardware so it could play 2600 games. So for having the mega-successful PSone library being guaranteed to work on the PS2 on launch day sold me on saving my money on a PSone system and waiting for the PS2.

The other big selling point for the PS2 was that it would be the first game console in America to support DVD movies. DVD players first started hitting in America in 1997, but it was a very slow growth process for them because they remained at a high price point their first few years on the market, and VHS tapes were exponentially cheaper. For you younger kids growing up with streaming tech, I feel obligated to say how big a deal was that PS2 was able to play DVDs. When I first saw what DVDs could do in 1999 at a friend’s place I was blown away with no longer having to rewind tapes, being able to pick certain scenes to jump to, interactive menus, extra bonus features and the big jump in picture quality. This is also why Dominic Toretto and his motley crew were hijacking semis in the first Fast & Furious film in 2001 for their precious DVD player cargo. With the PS2 being able to play PSone games, having guaranteed third party support from most of the PSone game publishers, being able to play audio CDs (which were still a major seller in 2000) and DVDs all for the launch price of $299 made the system garner mammoth hype leading up to the October 26, 2000 launch. The Launch After instantly getting sold on DVDs at my friend’s place in 1999, I started to collect some of my favorite movies on DVD leading up to the PS2’s launch and by launch day I believe I had roughly a dozen movies already with some of my then-recent favorite films at the time like Fight Club, Go and Detroit Rock City being early DVD favorites. The console was the first game product I remember our local Software Etc. offering to pre-order, and I was able to pre-order early enough to confirm a system for me at launch, which was a relief after hearing how Sony announced shortly before the launch they would be reducing the amount of systems available at launch by half from one million to 500,000. I pestered a co-worker at the time, Troy, a couple months before launch if he would be able give me a ride to the store that day to pick it up since the store was opening early before school started and he gave me his word. I thought it was not going to happen when he quit where I worked a few weeks before the launch, but somehow I was able to figure out where his next job was at and called him up at his other job a couple days before the PS2 launch to see if he would still honor his word and he assured me so. I showed Troy many thanks by covering breakfast for him that morning!

22 games launched with the PS2, and despite the variety, there was never a ‘killer app’ on the PS2’s launch. Despite Sony being a powerhouse of a first party publisher on the PSone, they only had one game available for the PS2 at launch with the puzzle game, Fantavision. I have always felt the PS2 launch got an unfair look over the years, as indicated in this AV Club piece. While there was never one end-all-be-all game, there were still plenty of solid ‘fans of the genre’ titles in my opinion. Racing game fans were covered with Ridge Racer V, the original Midnight Club and MotoGP. Over the years I became a fan of the three launch PS2 tag-focused fighting games Street Fighter EX3, Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore and especially putting a ton of time into the first Tekken Tag Tournament. FPS fans had a solid port of Unreal Tournament, and the heavily anticipated TimeSplitters with the gaming press at the time hyping it up to be the GoldenEye-killer since a fair amount of the development team worked on that hit FPS title. EA Sports had their latest NHL and Madden entries at launch, and the first game under their “EA Sports BIG” label with the original SSX. I think it is forgotten at that time the gaming mags and early online gaming press outlets heralding SSX as the surprise best original game out of the PS2 launch. For myself all I wanted was TimeSplitters and Madden NFL 2001. I knew my friend and former podcast co-host, Chris would be picking up TimeSplitters, so I stuck with Madden and a memory card for my pre-orders. Troy and I got there an hour before the store opened, and only one other person was ahead of us in line, so we were in and out of there in a breeze….only after the store manager jipped me out of a memory card I pre-ordered because there was a shortage on those too, but apparently the manager got first priority on the several she pre-ordered and offered to sell me one outside the store. I asked if it would be for MSRP, and she just gave me a knowing grin, and I was not having any of that and said no thanks and was fine waiting for their call when their next shipment of memory cards arrived (which was only about a week later, and for Madden it was not that much to get worked up over).

Those first few months of the PS2 launch from late 2000 into early 2001 were a memorable time during my senior year of high school. I played a plethora of Madden NFL 2001 against my neighbor friend Rich, and my brother-in-law, Shawn. I watched the hell out of those first dozen DVDs and threw in a few random PSone games I picked up too. Chris picked up several PS2 games at launch and for about two weekends a month I met up with him and the two primary games we played were TimeSplitters and Tekken Tag. The original TimeSplitters blew us away with its customization options for FPS multiplayer with being able to play against a huge variety of bots and in-depth level creation editors. We would create a map where we started in a room with all the ammo and weapon pickups, and a sea of mindless bots would march down a lengthy hallway to enter a room where we would be anticipating their entrance so they could rush into a hasty demise. I totally devoured Tekken Tag with Chris and got into its roster of characters and tag-style fighting, and especially its five star bowling mini-game, Tekken Bowl. Chris’s family had access to purchase bulk boxes of those rectangular bricks of school cafeteria pizza, and I have nostalgic memories putting away that delicious pizza while consuming the PS2 launch window games. Early-through-Summer 2001: My First Apartment Three Blocks Away From a Blockbuster Video As the months wore on after the launch window, the only early 2001 game I really enjoyed was the PS2 port of Quake III, even with its ridiculous loading times! For not having a powerhouse PC at that time, it was a fun alternative to experience the deathmatch chaos that was dominating the PC scene at the time. In the spring I got Onimusha: Warlords, and while I was digging the samurai/zombie action, the Capcom tank controls eventually got the best of me and I had to step away from it after a few hours. It was not until well into the summer of 2001 that I started experimenting more with the PS2 library when I got my first apartment with my friend Matt. We lived a few blocks away from a Blockbuster Video and so we made frequent trips there on weekends chancing random games that popped out to us. We did not have a computer at our place, and the high-speed Internet era was about another year or two from catching on, so that was one of the last years you could really just chance a game by going by the box and from whatever was available in print at the time.

Capcom debuted two classic single player franchises in the first year of the PS2 in the forms of Devil May Cry (left) and Onimusha: Warlords (right) We rented plenty of stuff throughout the remainder of 2001. Some titles like the quirky action/adventure game, Okage, was decent, but nothing remarkable. Others we ate up like Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, where it perfectly encapsulated the addicting hack ‘n slash, action-RPG loot-fest gameplay of the acclaimed PC Diablo series on console. We took turns passing the controller progressing away at the stylistic action title Devil May Cry, which blew us away back then. Speaking of stylistic Capcom titles, we re-busted out Onimusha and I witnessed Matt get past my hang-ups and go on to blitz through it. It recently got remastered on PS4/Xbox One and worth checking out if you have yet not. Summoner was a so-so fantasy themed action game, but we were looking at the options screen for that game and for whatever reason we decided to check out the credits from the options. After a minute of that we realized this was a waste of time and pressed the X button to proceed on out of there, and instead were bamboozled at the following bonus cinematic it unlocked. We must have watched it at least four or five times throughout the day, because we got more out of that sketch than Summoner itself. It was a radio skit that was CG animated for this game and kind of went on to have some notoriety in gaming circles, but if you are unaware than I will encourage you to click or press here to experience it for yourself. Holiday 2001: A Flurry of All-Time Classics Arrive

The fall of 2001 was a big quarter for PS2. Several classic exclusives hit that holiday season for it. Metal Gear Solid 2 was the first entry in the series I played. Matt and I rented it, but its stealth-focused gameplay was too much for us at the time and both us kept messing up sneaking through the speech scene near the end of the opening boat mission. It would be over a decade before I revisited it and finally played through it in its entirety off the PS3 HD collection of the PS2 and PSP games. I loved both Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater, but I would have to give the nudge in favor to Snake Eater with its superb origin story, nonstop 007-homages, an extraordinary ladder climb like no other, one of the best theme songs in videogame history and one of the best final boss battles in videogame history too. The first of many yearly WWF/WWE games hit in fall of 2001 with WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It. We had the multi-tap, and for that game it greatly benefitted because it became a hit with our neighbor friends where we would play a seemingly infinite amount of Royal Rumbles and Survival elimination matches. I threw it in again a few days ago to prep up for this and to relive the dozen zany created wrestlers that still lived on in my save file. The graphics have come a long way I can say for sure! Twisted Metal: Black was a big deal for Matt and I at the time. The gritty, M-rated cutscenes for each character’s opening, middle and ending cinemas that were unlocked from their story mode completions inspired Matt and I to play through the story mode in co-op with every single character. Thankfully the game saved the cinemas unlocked, because Matt and I were so impressed by how they stood out at the time that we forced them upon several friends that stopped by over the coming weeks. Gameplay-wise, it was a well-refined, straightforward Twisted Metal car combat game, but its M-rated makeover from the T-rated PSone entries struck a chord with us.

Speaking of M-rated games that were huge for us that year, that was when Grand Theft Auto III released and changed the gaming landscape as we know it. I was vaguely familiar with the first two games, but with the third one having 3D gameplay and a more expansive open world, it seemed like it would be a surefire hit, and boy was it ever. I loved SimCopter on PC (an early 3D open world game), and the gaming mag previews gave me the impression that it would be SimCopter, but with guns and violence, and it delivered on that front in spades. I dug its primary narrative for it too, but I think it is safe to say that I was like nearly everyone else and eventually wound up having more fun getting lost and immersed in Liberty City’s world and eventually causing so much mayhem just to see how long I could hold up against a five star wanted rating. 2002: Highs and Lows The early months of 2002 I recall was when I kept going back to those same fall 2001 games I just broke down, but later came around on going all in on those aforementioned PS2 fighting games. I picked up a copy of Tekken Tag for myself around this time and invested a lot of time into it. I took a chance on Street Fighter EX3 and after getting over the initial awkwardness of a 3D-based Street Fighter game I got crazy into EX3 with its devastating meteor attacks, optional tag team fighting and its colorful cast of characters such as the affable Skull-o-Mania! This was right when Guilty Gear X released too and I absolutely ate up that title with it upping the WTF quotient like no other fighter before it. Its unique roster performed all kinds of bizarre attacks, and learning its intricate control systems with complex mechanics like instant kill maneuvers and ‘roman cancels’ had me studying its manual for days!

In late spring of 2002 I moved out of my first apartment so my renting marathons with Matt were over, but shortly-thereafter I landed my first sort-of major gaming press gig. I was independently submitting reviews to GameFAQs for a few years at this point, and the management at the website Game 2 Extreme (G2X) contacted me to coming on board and said while they would not pay me, they would offer me free review copies of games. As a freshly turned 19 year-old, I looked at this as an opportunity to bigger and better things and jumped on it. I will never forget the very first review copy I received for the so-so monster truck driving game, Monster Jam: Maximum Destruction. I spent the rest of the decade jumping to different websites to write for every couple years and lost track of all the titles I got to review. I can attest for the PS2 there was a wide range in quality of titles I received to review. For some of the higher performing games like SOCOM III, Hitman 2 and Star Wars: Battlefront I was able to review, there were bottom of the barrel licensed titles like Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly and Hard Rock Casino to balance things out. Also around this time of mid-2002 my PS2 became my first console to brick on me. Worst of all, it was a gradual, painful death. First, it stopped reading blue-disc games on CD-ROMs, and then it started getting sketchy performance out of certain silver-disc games on DVD-ROMs. My brother at this time had his own PS2 that he won in a local grocery store contest a few months earlier. The PS2 network adaptor coincidentally came out in mid-2002 as well and he was freaking addicted to playing the original SOCOM online all the time. I did not want to shell out $300 for another system so I believe after testing that SOCOM still worked fine on my degrading PS2 I offered to trade my breaking-down PS2, for his newer model for $100 and the condition that if my system I was trading to him would stop playing SOCOM that I would go back on the trade. Thank goodness that never came to be, and as an impressionable 19-year-old at the time I became kind of bitter to the PS2 for a few years with it being the first system I purchased to break down on me. A few years later though after having a couple 360s and my PS3 also all brick on me, I later came to accept that sometimes these systems go bad, especially when getting the first wave of systems rushed through manufacturing in time for launch. For the last two game console generations I have since waited a couple years after each system launch to purchase it in hopes of the console’s manufacturing process being less prone to producing faulty hardware. Sports-ball Love There was a ton of sports games on PS2 and I was lucky to review a lot of them. The football titles in particular I had to plead with editors not to trim down on 3000+ word counts because I exclaimed how the readers wanted to know each and every little detail of what was improved and added in the latest game. I had fun reviewing some of Midway’s arcade sports offerings that generation with NFL Blitz 20-02 and MLB Slugfest: Loaded. Another quirky arcade baseball game was 2K endorsing Konami to release MLB Power Pros in North America. It was a cartoony, cel-shaded baseball game that saw adorable pint-sized versions of MLB players duking it out, but fleshed out with in-depth single player modes. On the PSone I was happy to see Arena Football finally receive its own videogame, and on the PS2, EA acquired the license and released two AFL games that were faithful renditions of the sport, especially the second game that added both AFL divisions. They were sadly the last games released to get the AFL branding as the long running indoor football league finally folded operations last year after a 30-year run.

Two under-the-radar sports series I recommend tracking down on the PS2 are the Power Pros and Arena Football games. I played almost all of the 2K games on Xbox, but as I mentioned above I played a lot of Madden and NCAA Football on PS2 because the PS2 versions had exclusive online support for a couple years, and additionally because of my rivalry with my brother-in-law, Shawn. This generation saw both of EA’s football games explode in popularity and it was no longer apparent the NCAA game was the NFL title slapped with college teams and rules over it. Shawn and I played a lot of Madden at first, but eventually shifted over to the NCAA games more, with the 2003 and 2004 editions we especially played to death. I liked the variety of teams and unique playbooks, and found myself picking Navy a lot because of their unorthodox playbook that focused on fullback running plays. Shawn only played the football games to the point where I could hardly compete with him. One priceless memory of mine was having an awful game full of turnovers and pick-6s, and I swear to god I am not embellishing this: we were playing five minute quarters and it got to the point I wanted a moral victory to avoid a shutout and make one score, and somehow luck struck on one play where I connected on a deep throw in the final minutes of the game and proceeded infuriate my brother-in-law as I celebrated as if I won the game. I understood his frustrations because I will forever remember the final score of that game: 100-6. A Terrific Twilight The PS2 sold so well into the 360/PS3/Wii generation that its cross-gen viability lead to a regular slate of games releasing through 2009-ish, and a handful of sports titles sneaking out after that with the final PS2 game, Pro Evolution Soccer 2013, being released in North America in 2012. If you were keeping up with release schedules, you will notice that two types of games dominated the PS2 in its cross-gen years. One were ports of PSP games from Sony, with titles like Motorstorm: Arctic Edge and the pair of Syphon Filter games getting ported up to the PS2. The Wii was technologically not that far advanced from the PS2, so a lot of cash-cow licensed games on Wii also got ported to PS2 with titles like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Ghostbusters being completely different playing games by other developers when compared to the bigger budget versions on the 360 and PS3. Some PS2 exclusives also snuck out in this timeframe like the first two Katamari titles and the first two Guitar Hero games. I was a big fan of both games and invested serious time into both series. There are many fond holiday 2005 moments of passing the guitar around to family members trying to best each other’s high scores.

I recall being stoked that the PS2 became the first home console in North America to get an official FirePro Wrestling game with 2007’s FirePro Wrestling Returns. I remember speaking to some of the people working for its publisher, Agetec, at E3 and how excited they were that they finally got Sony to loosen up on its restrictions of releasing 2D games on the system now that the PS2 was in its waning years. Another hit stealth PS2 release from this time was Silent Hill: Shattered Memories that hit America in early 2010. I had a friend visiting from out of town that was huge into the series, but was unaware of this PS2 entry and so we stayed up all night deep diving into that unique take on the series. The first two Yakuza games hit late in the PS2’s lifecycle and I was especially eager to play them because they were being hyped as spiritual successor’s to the Shenmue games that I ranked so high. I played a good ways into the first Yakuza, but recall getting stuck at a funeral escape stage in that game, and unfortunately never got back to it. Yakuza 3 on PS3 is the only title in the series I finished, and now with the Kiwami remakes of the first two games I need to one day just dedicate a year to only playing the many Yakuza games that have since released. MISC Memories -I never got too invested into the online PS2 scene. Usually that was because my brother was always using the PS2 to play SOCOM online a lot. I would use it from time to time to test out online play for games I was reviewing, with Star Wars: Battlefront and SOCOM 3’s online play standing out the most of what I reviewed. I do recall taking up Sony on its mail-in offer for a free copy of Twisted Metal: Black – Online with purchase of the PS2 network adaptor and having fun online in that for a couple weeks. My brother got the PS2 version of Final Fantasy XI, and I briefly dabbled in that for a couple hours, and it was interesting at that time playing an MMO on a console with a controller. The original Xbox had a significantly better online interface with Xbox Live, so that became my preferred console online play option. Only exception to this was for the 2003/2004 installments of Madden and NCAA Football because EA Sports held off on implementing online play for their Xbox games for a couple years, and that was key for me opting in on their PS2 versions when both of those football titles were surging in popularity and lead to the most consistent online play I did with PS2.

-There were so many PS2 games being released in its heyday from 2001-2006 that I would take random payday visits to Best Buy when they had gargantuan videogame aisles in hopes of discovering games I never heard of from smaller label publishers. This worked out both ways in learning of little known ‘hidden gems’ of that era, and eventually finding utter trash. -One odd peripheral I received for review was the PS2 ‘Clash Pads.’ It was a pair of controllers that were connected together with a little accessory box that had switches to give your gaming partner/opponent advantages and disadvantages for gameplay. The controller was a mess to operate, and the added perks and penalties it implemented were mind-boggling. I will instead recommend Namco’s light gun for the Time Crisis games….but only if you still have a standard-def TV. -Popular in the retro gaming scene lately is HDMI cables for retro game consoles to up-convert a system’s signal to HD and provide a much improved looking display than the muddy, watered down graphics that would result when plugging in composite cables into an HDTV. I picked up the HDMI PS2 cables from Pound last year, and they worked nicely on my slim PS2. I understand there are more expensive alternatives out there that yield noticeably better results, but for $30, the Pound cables provided enough of a bump up in quality for me.

-I busted out several games over the past week to prep up for this flashback special. I was finally able to play my copy of the BMX title, Downhill Domination and regretted not trying it out sooner. I had a blast revisiting a couple old favorites in Rumble Racing and Motorstrom: Arctic Edge. Wish I could have tried out more games, but the PS2 was giving me ‘read disc errors’ with half of my attempts and I could not determine if it was the HD cables causing this or if it was the PS2 itself simply aging out. -I touched on a couple wrestling games on the PS2 already, but as a whole I would give the slate of wrestling games for the PS2 in America a hearty thumbs up. I believe I played the entirety and unlocked everything from all the first-run SmackDown games on PS2. When firing up Just Bring It again, I cracked a smile because I completely forgot Fred Durst was a playable character, complete with “Rollin’” for his entrance theme. FirePro Wrestling Returns was a long anticipated console debut for the franchise in America. Multi-platform games I played on other systems like the car-combat spinoff, WWE Crush Hour and the pair of Backyard Wrestling games were fun alternative wrestling games to take a break from the annual core WWE game. Yes, there was a car combat WWE game, and it is surprisingly halfway-decent. I picked up the PS2 version of TNA Impact, but it was a victim of the ‘disc read error’ from the past week. Ditto with the Ultimate MUSCLE-licensed Galactic Wrestling. I picked that one up long ago, but never played it all these years and was stoked to sit down with it on a couple occasions this past week to play it, but alas it was not meant to be.

-A game that was able to load on the PS2 this past week was Namco Bandai’s The Fast and the Furious. It turned out to be an ok-open world street racing game, much like Need for Speed: Underground on the PS2, but with more of a focus on drag races. Odd memory of the day I picked up this game I will never forget: I was out of town for a hockey game killing time at a pawn shop a couple hours beforehand with a buddy where I randomly bought this with a handful of other games. In a gut-punch of irony, it was later after the game while re-fueling on gas, I was catching up on my timelines when I found out earlier that day was when Paul Walker perished. -Another game I was hoping to throw in this past week was 24: The Game. I am a huge fan of the show, and I remember playing a demo of it at E3 2005 and thinking it was surprisingly alright for a licensed-based game. Sadly, that disc was also a victim of the ‘disc read error’ message, so instead I will point everyone to this highly entertaining spoof video review you can see by click or pressing here from then-GameSpot staff member, Alex Navarro.

-Speaking of PS2 games based off licensed TV properties, I want to shout out The Shield: The Game. It was a very by-the-numbers third person action game, and featured unremarkable gameplay, but having the show’s cast well represented visually and aurally in the form of voiceovers was enough to quench my fandom for that show. Despite the five out of ten I gave it in my review at the time, if you were a ardent fan of The Shield, then it was just something you had to play. -I am a big fan of the PS2 slim, but it is worth mentioning a major caveat of the slim: it does not support the PS2 multi-tap for reasons perplexing me to this very day!

-It is almost a prerequisite that I purchase faithful videogame conversions of my favorite board games and TV game shows every console generation and the PS2 was no exception. It had an adequate version of Risk with multi-tap support which was a semi-worthy substitute when we were not up for setting up the board game. Its versions of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune had a bountiful amount of hosting video clips from Trebek and Vanna, respectively, to perfectly capture the look and feel of the show. The PS2’s version of Family Feud however is easily the worst version I have ever played. Insanely short entry response times, unresponsive button inputs and overall clunky design forever marred the Family Feud brand! Looking back at my review I am guffawed that I scored this a six out of ten. -The last fighting game I was really into on PS2 than the others previously mentioned was Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. I first played it at Chris’s place like how he introduced me to most other fighting games, and Chris would school me at it nonstop. A short while later, I was staying over at my sister and brother-in-law’s place where they also had that game. I stayed up late after they went to bed and spent hours mastering Wolf since he was the sole pro-wrestler of the roster. Next time I met up with Chris I finally won ONE match against him, but after that he refused to play me again!

-Now while I gushed earlier of my adoration for TimeSplitters during the launch window of PS2, I would be remiss if I did not give some well-earned props to the third game in the series, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect. In the past several years, that game has remained in the rotation of go-to couch multiplayer game with my friends Derek, Brooke and Ryan. It retains the same style of FPS gameplay and creation options as the first game, but now with a ton of extra characters, weapons and levels available. My preferred playlist would be rocking the disco level with its appropriate theme music, and playing as a big bear (complete with bear claw strike!) and whamming everyone with gigantic bananas on the dance floor. Classic times! One of the Best Systems Ever? That is what hardware sales and overall critical reception trend to be when looking back at the PS2. While I now look back fondly at the PS2 as a whole, especially my first two years owning the system, I cannot deny for a few years in the system’s heyday I was not too keen on the system due to it bricking on me and preferred playing games on Xbox and GameCube instead. Like I stated above, I came around on this a few years later and had a blast with the PS2 in its cross-gen sunset years, and revisited its vast library numerous times over the years. While I cannot say it is my personal, all-time favorite console, I can safely rank it among my top tier of favorite systems.

If you want even more PS2 nostalgia coverage from me, then check out the three PS2-centric episodes of my podcast I have un-vaulted from my personal archives and embedded below. Right now I have my general all-encompassing PS2 retrospective I recorded on its 10th anniversary and the PS2/Xbox/Wii installment of the history of comic book videogames episode uploaded. Finishing it off is the PS2 installment in our history of RPG videogames series.

This episode has special guest hosts from the PSnation podcast where we deep dive for three hours of nostalgic memories of the PS2.

Matt and I spare no expense at elucidating on every major and minor comic book game on the PS2.

Just over three hours we spend breaking down nearly every RPG to hit the PS2! My Other Gaming Flashbacks Dreamcast 20th Anniversary GameBoy 30th Anniversary Genesis 30th Anniversary NES 35th Anniversary PSone 25th Anniversary PSP 15th Anniversary and Neo-Geo 30th Anniversary Saturn and Virtual Boy 25th Anniversaries TurboGrafX-16 30th Anniversary and 32-X 25th Anniversary

You’re Still Here!?

Somehow you still made it to the end of another tome of a flashback special from me, so that means I must reward you with an oddball PS2 anecdote of my past! I referenced in past specials how I attended several retro videogame conventions that took place every year in Milwaukee - The Midwest Gaming Classic. At the time the podcast known as Team Fremont Live would always host Jeopardy-style game show each year. My brother and I were picked to be contestants that year! To spice things up for the crowd and get them involved, after every few questions of trivia there would be a quick videogame challenge for extra points and prizes for the crowd and/or contestant. I got picked to play a single stage of the space shooter/shmup, Castle Shikigami 2. Two incredibly loud kids got picked from the crowd got selected to only verbally trash talk and distract me, and if I lost one life then the kids would get a game, but if I somehow overcame the odds and finished a level on a single life then I would win. Now I enjoy playing an occasional shmup, especially in March (it is intergalactic Shmuppreaction month, ya’know!), but I nowhere consider myself legitimately good at the genre and usually lose at least a couple lives a level for almost any shooter I play. Somehow the shmup gods were on my side that day, because even with one of those kids unleashing maximum effort with trash talk directly against my ear, I somehow zoned them out and unbelievably managed to finish the stage and beat the boss with one life. I was at zenith-level of goosebumps during that boss battle and had a cool-down moment of emotions as soon as let go of the arcade stick. My prize? Metal Gear Solid 2, which I would eventually give a serious effort to and finish several years later! That moment, along with the 100-6 loss in NCAA Football 2004, are my two most cherished PS2 moments I will forever remember….and now you can too, because the MGC staff record my attempt and posted it on YouTube. I have embedded it below, or you can click or press here to see it yourself.

[countessofsnark]

Snarky Recap - Thunderbirds Are Go: ‘Bolt From The Blue’

The One Where The Boys Head Out To Save A Cuddly Panda (And Some People Too.)

Lady Penelope and Parker are being guided around a high tech facility by what appears to be the TAG version of Dolores Umbridge. *shudders* 

Parker, meanwhile, is doing best Sherlock Holmes impression, which is all kinds of precious.

Boss Lady to Insecure Employee: ‘FULL POWER. Let’s show Lady Penelope what this station is capable of.’ Have you not learned from a certain nautical disaster anno 1912 where a certain boss person wanted to show the world what ‘his’ ship was capable of? Hmmm?

Miss Edmunds: ‘We have some safety overrides to ensure that nothing could possibly go wrong.’ Filed under: Shit People Say Just Before Everything Goes Horribly Wrong.

Yeah, don’t you just love the sound of inevitable disaster in the morning.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone on Tracy Island is excited about saving a rare giant panda. 

But there’s excited and then there’s Squid Boy Levels of Excitement.

Gordon: ‘Yes! I’ve always wanted to see a giant panda up close!’

Brains: ‘That’s not likely to happen.’

Look at that face. That is the face of crushing disappointment. Brains, you party pooper you.

Brains: BUT IT’S IN A SEALED ENVIRONMENT.

Gordon: *covers ears while walking up the stairs* LALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU.

Have no fear, Lady P is (already here). Also, that ever so subtle eyebrow wiggle John does when he realizes Lady Penelope is up there. Guess the Lady P ‘appreciation’ isn’t limited to one Tracy. *grins*

Emma: ‘Don’t worry, mum, I’m strapped in tight.’ Always wear your seatbelt, kids. Especially during a vicious plasma bolt attack that has basically fried your plane’s controls.

‘I’m a sales director, not an engineer!’ I think we have found the female version of Langstrom Fischer, folks. *facepalm*

‘I may lose my job over this but I am not gonna lose my life.’ I have no words - well, I do but none of them are fit for children’s ears.

You know what they say about rats and sinking ships…

Meanwhile, just above the ocean, Thunderbird 1 and 2 are struggling to keep the cargo plane from crashing. Cue to a suited up Virgil being airlifted in to the plane by Gordon who is now in control of Thunderbird 2. 

Virgil: ‘Try to keep up us in the air.’

Gordon: ‘Relax, if more plasma bolts hit, I’ll use your hairdryer trick again.’

Virgil: ‘One time! One time that happened.’ Yes, Virgil, and one time is enough for Gordon to remind you until the end of days. *cackles*

Automated lock is automatically locked.

Virgil: ‘That’s okay. I’ll let myself in.’ *proceeds to pound the lock until it bursts* 

Me: *pauses episode to scrape ovaries off the walls*

Super!Scott at your service - again. I’m detecting a theme here and I. Like. It.

Good thinking out of the box, Parker. And nice shot, Penny. Seeing these two cooperate to get out of a tricky situation makes me wish for more Penny & Parker adventures. 

Back up in the cargo plane, it’s just Virgil and the panda. Guess the poor panda is going to have to bear with. *pause* I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. 

‘Virgil! There’s no escape hatch in the back of that plane!’

‘Not yet there isn’t.’ 

Me: *fans self* Ohhh Virgil, you savvy lumberjack. You can engineer your way into my heart anytime.

That time Parker channelled his inner Tom Cruise as he tried to imitate that scene from the first Mission Impossible movie.

Good job, Parker! You did it, you saved the plane! Also, the station is about to disintegrate. Oops.

Last minute escape is last minute, both on Earth and above it. 

Back on Thunderbird 2, the look on Gordon’s face when Virgil tells him about the panda munching on bamboo is the same look I get when I’m binge watching panda videos on YouTube. 

Virgil sits down only to notice Gordon is still in control of Thunderbird 2.

Virgil: *stern cough*

Gordon: *reluctantly lets go* Nice try, Squid Boy. Nice try.

Gordon: ‘Can I go see Mr Panda now?’

Emma: ‘I think he’ll like you.’

Gordon: ‘REALLY?’ *awkwardly composes himself* ‘I mean, that’s cool.’

Gordon, stop. I can’t handle this preciousness overdose, please.

Last but not least, our charming Miss Edmunds lands safe and sound on a GDF carrier. 

GDF Officer: ‘Uh do you thinks she realizes we’re here to arrest her?’ No, I don’t think she does. She’s a sales director, not a horribly narrow-minded woman whose actions might land her in jail.

This episode seemed to be over in the blink of an eye but man what a fun little ride it was. You could even make a drinking game out of this: take a swig every time Gordon squishes over Mr Panda and/or Miss Edmunds blatantly disregards safety regulations in favour of impressing her hosts or saving her selfish ass. (Am I the only one who wishes we could’ve gotten at least one glimpse of the elusive Mr Panda, though? Like, pretty please?)

[ao3feed--kylux]

Moth to a Flame

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2lpRkEN

by Limirence

Ben Solo was never entranced by the dark, but instead finished his training under his uncle and joined the resistance to fight the budding First Order.

Several years later, the First Order gets notified that the Resistance is sending 'precious cargo,' from one system to another. In the hopes to intercept it, General Hux orders for every passing ship to be reviewed. One smuggler cruiser stands out from all the rest.

Words: 710, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: M/M

Characters: General Armitage Hux, Ben Solo, Rey, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Finn, Poe

Relationships: General Hux/Ben Solo, Hux/Kylo Ren

Additional Tags: Jedi Ben, Au - what if story, canon shit will still happen, just not Ben's story, Intellectual Games, i think, im not the smartest person, intellectual flirting

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2lpRkEN

[bellabooks]

Cat Grant is here to save us all in this week’s “Supergirl”

Where do I even begin with the penultimate episode of this season’s Supergirl? It was a wonder, wrapped in a Balenciaga scarf, tossed in a light dressing of our current political issues, and unrelenting badassery. CAT GRANT CAME BACK! And so did President Wonder Woman, who revealed a hell of a secret. It was magical. I will do my best to not make this recap mostly screaming and gurgles sof happiness. So, when we left Supergirl and the crew, Rhea had kidnapped Lena and brought her Daxam army to invade National City. They even have the nerve to attack the DEO. So while Maggie is battling Daxamite soldiers on the ground… via idanversalex.tumblr.com   Alex is jumping out of buildings, doing this: via mzhyde48.tumblr.com Don’t worry, Alex is safe. Supergirl caught her. Now that’s some trust right there. Meanwhile on Rhea’s ship, Lena wakes up from one nightmare to find out she’s stuck in another one. Rhea wants her to marry Mon El. Same, Lena. via tmh-gloucester.tumblr.com Back at the local alien bar, the gang reunites to try and come up with a plan, and kiss. via dailysanvers.tumblr.com Lillian Luther strolls in offering a plan to help get Lena and Mon El back. She may be the worst, but she does love her daughter. No one wants to hear what Lillian has to say, but Supergirl’s heart tells her to keep her options open. Before you can say, “Those glasses aren’t fooling anyone, Kara,” President Marsdin infiltrates all the airwaves to tell Rhea she can suck it. She’s one Air Force One, jetting to National City and she has precious cargo. CAT GRANT! via tunneys.tumblr.com She tosses a few choice zingers Rhea’s way, but between that and the President’s demands, Rhea isn’t having it. She orders her soldiers to attack the plane. (It’s at this point, the Invisible Jet would have been a better choice.) CAT GRANT gets sucked out, and instead of fear on her face, she has a look like, “I can’t believe she disrespected me!” As CAT GRANT hurtles through the sky, she’s rescued by Supergirl. As they land at the crash site, they think all is lost until President Wonder Woman busts out of a piece of wreckage with a special surprise. via itberice.tumblr.com I’m with her. Back at the bar, while CAT GRANT chats with Madeline Albright and roasts Bill O’Reilly, President Wonder Woman explains herself. She is a refugee from Durla, whose family escaped enslavement by coming to Earth. And right now, she’s here to stop another maniac from doing the same thing to her adopted planet. She orders Alex to bust into the DEO and destroy Rhea’s ship with a positron cannon. Kara is freaking out because as she says, two people she loves are still on board. Alex plays it tough and acts like if Maggie were on board, she’d have to make the same call. Please, Alex, you are a marshmallow. You’d do anything to save your girl. Kara goes outside to take a breather and finds CAT GRANT, sitting near the dumpsters, which is the most unlike CAT GRANT thing ever. They catch up on what CAT GRANT’s been doing (living unhappily in a yurt) and CAT GRANT tells Kara that she went seeking happiness and a break from her loneliness, but she soon realized that it only followed her there. Love is where happiness lies, so it’s time to fly off and rescue the woman Kara loves… and Mon El. Kara zooms off, and Cat watches her like it never gets old. via ainokiseki.tumblr.com Naturally, Kara flies off to meet with Lillian Luthor and bust into the Rhea’s ship using some old Fortress of Solitude equipment. When Kara returns to share her plans, Alex runs to her and admits that she’d do the exact same thing if Alex was the one trapped on the ship. Because Alex has only a small window to get into the DEO and use the cannon, she begs her sister to do her part and do it quickly. via morepopcornplease.tumblr.com As Lillian, Hank Henshaw and Kara use the portal at the Fortress, Rhea is forcing Mon El and Lena to get hitched. How’d she do it? By threatening a Children’s Hospital. You are cold as ice, Rhea. Meanwhile, Alex and Maggie break into the DEO… via smolsawyer.tumblr.com while CAT GRANT reclaims her rightful position at CatCo. Sorry, James, I’m sure your new office will be super nice once they clean up all the wreckage. Winn tags along and they plan a diversionary tactic to throw Rhea off. If anyone can reach the American people in their time of need, it’s CAT GRANT. She delivers a rousing speech, which don’t tell me isn’t directly inspired by current events. It not only inspires the humans to fight back, it interrupts Lena and Mon El’s nuptials. via itberice.tumblr.com *shiver* I LOVE YOU CAT GRANT! Even Winn is like, daaaamn. Their moment is interrupted when Rhea sends Daxamite troops to kill CAT GRANT. Luckily, Guardian is nearby to bust a few heads. CAT GRANT is like, “thanks James,” much to James’ chagrin. James is all, how? And CAT GRANT responds, “I’d recognize those kind, thoughtful eyes anywhere.” Or something like that. I think this is a direct hint that CAT GRANT knows that Kara is Supergirl as well. A ponytail and some Warby Parkers aren’t enough to fool CAT GRANT. As Mon El and Lena fight back against the soldiers bringing them back to their cells, they run into Kara, Lillian and Hank. Lena runs straight for her mother, and Kara and Mon El have their moment. While that’s happening, Lena, Lillian and Hank bust out of there, leaving Kara and Mon El behind. Lillian gives Alex the word that all are safe, and surprisingly, Alex believes her and readies the cannon. Kara, being the Supergirl she is, already prepared for this and has remote access. She sends Mon El back, while she confronts Rhea with a chance to surrender with honor. Oh, Kara. As Alex gets ready to fire the cannon, Mon El breaks through and tells her that Kara is still on the ship. She’s horrified with the choice she has to make, and begs the insistent President Wonder Woman that she needs more time. Turns out they won’t need it because something destroys the cannon. What could it be? It’s the same something that punches Kara right in her pretty jaw when she tries to reason with Rhea. This guy. via tylerhoechlingifs.tumblr.com I haven’t trusted that dude since Batman v Superman. Obviously he’s under some sort of min manipulation, but we’ll have to wait until next week’s finale to find out how the heck! Wow, what an episode, right? CAT GRANT is back! No lesbians were killed! Why does this show make it so easy to ship everyone? What did you think of the episode? Tell us in the comments. http://dlvr.it/P8yS41

[ao3feed--reylo]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Rey/Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Rey/Ben Solo Characters: Rey (Star Wars), Ben Solo | Kylo Ren, Ben Solo Additional Tags: Smuggler Ben Solo, bounty hunter rey, Reylo - Freeform, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Force Ships It, Tumblr: reylofanfictionanthology Summary:

Ben Solo, Jedi dropout, gets roped into a mission for the Resistance, but his cargo may be just as precious to fellow dropout, bounty hunter Rey.