#god exploiters are so funny most of the time

[o-i-w-u]

OH WAIT WHAT IVE NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN WITH A RODGER BEFORE LMAOOO

Dandy's World Gameplay: The Badly-edited Supercut (Not gameplay!?)

@librarian-computer

@o-i-w-u

@gerbilbat

@valenmakesthings

[gold0venice]

Oh my god I have so many thoughts, but I am running on four hours of sleep, so here we fucking go *screaming, sobbing, crying*

1. Determination vs Desperation

I know that Ivan made a very big and impactful decision in the previous round, and honestly I can see that through Till’s expressions during the video. Mizi might have been a symbol of salvation to Till, but Ivan (and his death) was his reason to go ahead, fierce and determined and powerful. However, Ivan’s death is also a testament of momentum as well as desperation. Till is determined and desperate to survive and live. But this is made also absolutely obvious by the appearance of Mizi, which I will get into soon. Anyways, also in sense of colour scheme, Till switches from green to yellow/orange. We have also noticed the pattern of red, orange and yellow with Ivan’s and Ivan vs Till rounds. It’s as much as a homage but also a haunting, “the fiery thrill blazes out to the sky”. It’s like Till’s and Ivan’s memories and their lost future haunt him, and have left him “(leave no) regrets”. Perhaps not leaving with Till? These regrets and memories are both his strength and weakness, but Ivan gave him the will and reason to fight back. In this way, Till also seems to be wearing a branded armband of his segyen (sorry if it’s misspelt 😭). In a way he is literally playing the game like Ivan did.

At the same time, these are very bright, memorable and fierce colours that stand out, which made me (sadly) believe he would survive. This is also a contrast to the blues and violets of Luka, which are more mellow, but we soon see it is a growing determined movement. It is mellow because it is unassuming, and this sneaks up on Till twice, when Luka imitates Ivan. In a way this is sadly ironic, as Ivan never thought he would be a traumatic point for Till (lmao babe said what to Sua???), but that pain was exploited anyways by Luka 😭👋🤧

2. Musician’s choice

Till playing the guitar in this video made me blush (please don’t judge me, I love him so much), but more than that I love the implications of the instruments here. Firstly, both Till and Luka play strings instruments. The violin is classical, the guitar here is electric. They are already in juxtaposition with genres (and personalities lol), but they are still strings (singers for the competition), and fit together very well. You could say that the instruments resemble and are metaphors for Luka and Till. What I most like about this scene is that it is more like a battle between music prodigies, which was very exciting, because we have never seen these two interact before.

While both Luka and Till are amazing and well recognised artists, you can see the differences that separate them. Luka is all out confident, in control and powerful vocalist. Till is the same, but there is sense of desperation and a crippling anxiety, even as he plays the guitar. It looks like a fake confidence as much as a hidden fear. Both instruments work well together but the musicians are in different positions. I also have an inkling that Luka picked the violin on purpose. It is a contrast to Till’s already seen powered playing with his guitar in his round, but we have never seen Luka playing the violin, which gives the element of surprise, and a first step to shake up Till.

3. Grief on Stage

Alien Stage is merciless. Luka himself is a result of this system as a merciless manipulator. Luka imitating Ivan is terrible, and also turns on Till’s not fully registered trauma from Ivan’s death. Ivan is haunting Till, even after his death, and it has been clear for quite a while that Till actually cares for Ivan quite a lot. About haunting, figuratively and literally, Ivan’s red pupils resembles the red glare of the camera that follows Till in all his moments, his strength and weaknesses. The same red is reflected in Till’s pupils, which is so funny (I am in tears) because it really emphasises the pressure, stress and panic, but also letting go because it’s overwhelming him. Till’s pain and grief is an open wound that he tried to patch up too fast, and now it’s bleeding out and over the bandage.

The song title and lyrics also play into this idea as “in a blink gone” is quite literate. Till blinks and Ivan is shot. Till blinks and Ivan dies. It’s the shock of his death, and adrenaline that makes his body language so interesting in this round. Here in this scene Till is hunching over in pain and grief and haunting, and Ivan (masqueraded by Luka) acts into this. A well imitated Ivan with no look of love or adoration or even obsession, an empty shell, that Till falls into, relaxing for a second into the touch, just a for a second, “don’t miss the moment” . Till falls into a cobweb that he can’t get out of (maybe he doesn’t want to)

4. Death on Stage

Now to the part that made my heart blow up. In Alien Stage there are only winners, losers and those who manage to get away. The thing about Till’s death that made our hearts stop and my legs to give out is that Till was actually close to be one of those who got away. Till sees Mizi in the audience (also noticed the detail of the red glare becoming pink?) and he immediately jumps back into focus. He was almost there, just for one second. It is tragic and unfair and depressing. Till becomes a loser in the game on stage, one among the countless victims and dead in Alien Stage. Mizi actually had a chance to be his incarnate salvation, his saviour, but time gets away from them, “the clock goes tick tock tick tock blink, gone”. Mizi was there to catch him, she was reaching out to him, ready to get him away. It’s too late, in a blink he is gone in front of her like Sua.

5. Time and Winners in Alien Stage

Now, there are clear winners in the rounds, but in the long term of it, there are no winners. You can’t win. Mizi tries to win the game by saving Till, but Alien Stage wins, because it needs a winner and a loser. His death is like an afterimage of Sua’s death. Mizi getting saved by the rebels is out of luck and element of surprise. Till not getting out was intentional and foreseen by Alien Stage. In our case it as foreshadowed by All-in,covered by Till. The green splatter of paint (or should I say blood?) was a clear indication as well as the red taped name on his neck.

Till does not get freedom until after death. Till, Ivan, and Sua manage to escape the system only in death. None of them had enough time to actually live, they have always been on borrowed time. The “leave no regrets” also heart wrenching. So yeah the title ‘Blink gone’ plays into the idea of death and morals very well. Mizi is left last standing. Mizi’s friends are dead, they are gone in a blink.

[ckret2]

So last night, after reading the newest chapter and then writing my fanfic² until too late, I had a lot of dreams about Bill. Most of them were him being disturbingly tormented because my dreams are always on some joker shit at some point.

But I do remember a funny part with Goldie! Most of this part was basically the beach episode, but bill was more integrated into the teen friend group. All the teens were dressed up in Bill paraphernalia.

There were cops there, and it felt a little more 70s in vibe, where like, the Bill-Satanism thing was widespread around all the teens and there was a big satanic panic around it. Which was actually valid because it was more of a real cult.

Most of my dreams are a bunch of sort of separate dreams with a thread connecting them, and the thread in this one was that Bill was being hunted down by... authorities. And for some reason regular human cops were part of it.

So the cops come up to the group of teens, Bill among them, and they've been tipped off that the REAL Bill (currently goldie) is hiding among the bill-decorated teens.

So the cops go through all the teens, doing some (facist-y) body checks. Bill is very nervous by the time they get to him. It's this gruff lady officer, and she's checking him over, getting more and more suspicious.

Then someone makes some comment about "that's not Bill cipher, that's a woman".

And bill snags this chance for a distraction.

"And why shouldn't Bill Cipher be a woman?! I believe she is! Is it because Bill Cipher is powerful? A God? I believe God is a woman!"

He stands on a picnic table at some point. This is still on the beach. (He actually climbs a tree, dream logic whatever) He's raised his voice and he's speaking from the chest like this is gospel.

"Why shouldn't God be a woman?! Why shouldn't she be gay, or transexual? God is power! God is a woman!" People on the beach are clapping.

The female cop is in tears, a sad smile. She helps Bill down from the table and, with a teary but powerful voice, she comes out as a lesbian. She thanks Bill for his bravery. Everyone on the beach is clapping.

The and Bill share an embrace. Bill pets her hair "shh...I got you. You're so brave..."

They shake hands. "You're alright! We're gonna let you of the hook. Take care!"

Bill is the mouthpiece of feminism.

Yeah this is the exact kind of bullshit Bill would do and get away with.

Also, here 🔴 your dodgeball for predicting in a dream that while hanging out with the teens Bill nearly gets found out by the cops and says something that sounds like he's about to stupidly blow his cover but he swings it around to getting out of trouble completely by exploiting the fact that Gravity Falls has the gayest police force in the nation

[moony-2001]

The real-world impact of Lore Olympus

i.e. do your research Rachel

Trigger warning: racism, fetishization, appropriation, mentions of SA

Long post ahead

A while ago, someone told me that Lore Olympus was just a silly little comic written out of boredom. That it was made to be "funny". They told me that "[I] can't hope [for] an extremely [well-written] story when it was just made with the intention to make something goofy" and that if Rachel actually wanted to make something serious like I had, she would write a book and not a comic.

At the time of this exchange, it was past 1 a.m. and I was exhausted. I did not want to argue with this person and it simply wasn't worth my time or energy in the moment.

But looking back at that (mostly one-sided) interaction, I can't help but think that there is so much wrong with that point of view. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion about Lore Olympus, whether good or bad. But Lore Olympus isn't just some silly little nothing comic about nothing important. It is a comic that actively appropriates and erases Greek Culture. It is a comic that has no respect for the actual stories that have been passed down over thousands of years whether by word of mouth or written text. It is a comic that perpetuates a false narrative and harmful stereotypes about characters or certain groups of people. So, no, it's not just a silly little comic.

Incorrect information

Here’s an example of what I mean:

When I was doing research for my post about the 10 year time skip, I looked up Leuce to reconfirm the little information I knew about her. Wanna guess the first thing that popped up about her?

A Lore Olympus Wiki article.

Okay. How about Minthe? Hundreds of pictures of her from Lore Olympus and a LO Wiki article as one of the top 3 results. Both character are horribly represented in LO and unfortunately there isn’t really any documented stories or records that can refute how LO paints them. Because of this, other characters in Greek Mythology like Leuce and Minthe, whose stories have little to no documentation, stand to suffer the most harm from deliberate misrepresentation on Rachel’s part.

Of course well-known and better documented figures in Greek mythology face slander as well. What about Thetis or Leto? How about Apollo? All of their portrayals in LO are HORRIBLE. I have seen people online absolutely drag them to filth not because they're upset about how the character is portrayed compared to their mythological counterpart, but because they have no knowledge of how they are actually portrayed outside of LO. They just assume that's how the characters are. Similarly, people who have either very little or no prior knowledge of Greek Mythology and Culture would look at the comic and go "Yep, sounds legit. It must be true." and go about thinking that what is portrayed in LO is accurate to what was transcribed thousands of years ago.

Creative interpretations and racism/fetishization within LO

Don’t get me wrong. Creative interpretations and artistic liberties can be great. When they’re done tastefully. I personally think if done correctly, a Greek myth spun in a modern way has the potential be very good. But that's not what we were given.

Characters like Minthe, Leuce, and Thetis (all nymphs btw) are portrayed as trashy tramps who put out and are used as a foil sabotage Persephone and/or her relationship with Hades. Compare that to Greek Mythology where in the Iliad, Thetis is very well-respected by the gods, particularly Hera. Unfortunately, other similar characters like satrys (and basically any character that isn’t a god) are usually portrayed as a low-class POC that can be easily exploited, manipulated, or used as a temporary villain/lover/pawn to “get back” at Persephone, our white-coded protagonist who can do no wrong.

Additionally, there is a clear race/class bias against characters like nymphs in LO. We see many cases scattered throughout the comic of gods like Hera or Aphrodite referring to nymphs as "trash" or "low class" or the idea that nymphs do not belong with gods being heavily implied if not outright said. I cannot tell you how often I've seen Minthe be called some variant of "cheap" by the readers of LO. Even Persephone (who created the flower nymphs) treats them with such disrespect. She frequently calls them some variant of "stupid" or "simple" like saying how they're not the sharpest crayons in the box even though she's the one WHO MADE THEM. However, it's so odd not really to note that nymphs like Echo, Amphitrite, or Psyche (who was previously disguised as a nymph) are not discriminated against. This is because they are liked or trusted by the gods they are around and ergo are often portrayed as the "good ones", which is a disgusting mindset to have.

We also see the fetishization of nymphs in the comic that is disturbingly similar to the fetishization of women who are Black, Asian, or Latina. It is a known fact that Hades has a flower nymph fetish. Not only is this implied in the comic, but Rachel stated it outright in an old Patreon post. Nymphs are also generally treated as sex-symbols, disposable, and as a lesser-than. Zeus frequently displays this behavior by abandoning nymphs he knocked up in the mortal realm.

For example, when Persephone finds out Apollo is dating Daphne, she isn't upset he's dating her friend. She's upset he's dating a flower nymph, beings that are generally considered to be "rare", "dumb", and objects of sexual desire. Ew.

Even on the Lore Olympus website (loreolympians.com) nymphs are regarded as "beautiful", "desirable", and "very exotic". And when they're not described in a sexual manner they're say it with me now regarded as "low class" or "workers" for some kind of god/goddess.

Final thoughts

So not only is the characterization of characters like Minthe or Thetis harmful to Greek culture and the stories that are so ingrained in their society, but it is also perpetuating harmful stereotypes about people of color and women who are confident in their sexuality.

Of course, the characters within Greek Mythology had their own issues. Zeus was a serial rapist, many of the goddesses deemed to be "feminist" by today's standards were actually horribly misogynistic looking at you Athena. But 1. that's just how things were back then (but that does not make it right) and 2. all of the good, the bad, and the ugly is still there in Greek Mythology. They're not denying how fucked up it is, but they're also not changing their history to better fit their own narrative or the narrative of the modern world. It exists, it happened, but now it is studied and called out by historians.

Rachel, on the other hand, is doing exactly that. She is actively changing the Greek's cultural history to better fit her fic's narrative. She is constantly sweeping things under the rug or going "No this is how it ACTUALLY happened". Lore Olympus is marketed as a "feminist retelling" yet somehow, it takes allllll the ugly parts from Greek Mythology (rape, incest, problematic age gaps, dubious consent, etc.), mixes it with a majority of the issues we have in the modern world (white feminism, rape-apologists/rape culture, grooming, fetishization of certain minority groups, etc.) and then amplifies the concoction to 20. Lore Olympus cannot be a "progressive, feminist, retelling" and also have characters that are morally apprehensive/come straight from the ancient myths. It does not work. In fact, IMO it makes all the problems from both eras worse.

News flash: actual cultures that are still thriving today are not your toys. They are not "made up". They matter. Do better.

[pookietv]

online embarrassment (part two!) | arthurtv

a dedication to @casualvanilla into bullying me to write a part two :3

being curious about arthur and his seemingly strange occupation choice, in your eyes at least, of commentating 90 day fiance, you decided that you may as well watch a little of the show, seeing if you could see what made it so interesting.

especially since you and him had been talking much more frequently, playing a couple of games of chess together most evenings, over discord calls and instagram messages

and your curiosity had definitely been quashed once you had watched as much as you could stomach of insanely dysfunctional relationships, exploitation and men going for women far too young for them.

so, with your newfound knowledge, you decided to text arthur again.

youruser: why is literally every couple on 90 day fiance either insanely malfunctioning or borderline exploitative

arthurtv: ah, i see you have exposed yourself to the world of discovery+

arthurtv: and in all honesty, that is kind of the grim premise of the show, a kind of strangely twisted curiosity makes us all watch them fall apart

youruser: grim is definitely the word for it

arthurtv: so are you doing anything tonight?

youruser: unfortunately, i have little plans that don't involve reading so many academic journals until my eyeballs fall out :(

arthurtv: i never even asked you what you study?

youruser: oh, i study politics with a focus on international law right now :)

arthurtv: no way! i studied law when i was at uni

youruser: when was that, fifteen years ago?

arthurtv: ha ha very funny i am twenty eight

arthurtv: ps, you're almost as dedicated to your uni work as you are to your outrageous bishop sacrifices

youruser: anyway, are you doing anything tonight?

arthurtv: going round to some of my friends house cause he's forcing us to rewatch the lord of the rings series

arthurtv: though that is fair enough because i have forced him to watch harry potter so many times

youruser: i've never even seen harry potter

arthurtv: WHAT

youruser: oopsie

youruser: just never got round to it

arthurtv: you need to watch it!!!!

youruser: it just doesn't seem like my kind of thing!

arthurtv: we can't be friends anymore smh

youruser: that sounds great! blocking you rn

arthurtv: shut up you

arthurtv: anyway, i had an idea, if you're down

youruser: and what would that idea be

arthurtv: i think we should meet up and play actual chess on an actual chessboard (and maybe drink a few bevs)

youruser: well, i mean, i don't even know if i should be meeting you, after all you are the Insane Chess Killer Man >:)

youruser: and if i didn't know any better, sounds like you're describing a date

arthurtv: hm that's a good point, i was looking for a new victim

youruser: are you referencing the insane chess killing or the date as the victim?

arthurtv: you can't see me but i am rolling my eyes so hard right now

youruser: okay, a truce on the serial killer jokes

arthurtv: thank god. what about tomorrow night?

youruser: drunk chess and a takeaway sounds good to me

youruser: the classiest first date

so that was that, he had texted you his address and to come round at seven so he could, in his words, destroy you in chess.

after a long day at uni and a slight worry, though you didn't know why, about meeting him, you started to get ready to go to his house.

since you were just going to his house, you settled on some flared leggings and a soft blue jumper, tying your hair into a somewhat tamed ponytail before looking in the mirror, making sure your light makeup hadn't smudged too much after a day of back to back lectures and discussion groups.

he didn't live too far from you, surprisingly, just a couple tube stops away, so you decided to walk, about twenty five minutes to his apartment, in a block of flats facing the river thames, and as you arrived at the building and pressed the button in the elevator for his floor, slightly picking at your nails with nerves.

what if it was insanely awkward in person? or what if he is a weird catfish looking for victims on chess websites? that seemed insane, right?

but your mind was working overtime as the buttons lit up and the elevator door opened, and you tried to unfurrow your eyebrows and look for his door number, finding it towards the end of the hall.

you waited a moment before knocking, bringing your hand up and timidly rapping it against the dark wood of the door.

when it swung open, and you saw that he was indeed who he said he was, or at least who he was on his instagram pictures, you smiled a little in relief.

"arthur! hi, it's nice to meet you, well, in person, you know..." you giggled a slight bit quietly as he gave you a friendly hug.

"you too! didn't know if i was just being catfished or something," he joked a little awkwardly back.

"me a catfish? i figured you would be a catfish, what would i even be catfishing you for?" you joked back, and he shrugged.

"i don't know, i don't get many pretty girls randomly texting me cause we played chess together so i wasn't sure," he said a little embarrassed, and your cheeks went slightly pink when he called you pretty.

"well, who knew that the insane chess killer had a hidden talent for flattery," i laughed slightly as he welcomed me in, shutting the door behind me.

he rolled his eyes jokingly, "hey, based on the way you insulted me with no remorse during chess games i was expecting you to be terrifying, so you can't blame me for being surprised at how easy you are on the eyes," he grinned a little, and it was your turn to roll your eyes in return.

"anyway, come in, honestly just make yourself at home... unless you're worried about losing to me on my own turf," he joked.

"i mean, i'm kind of impressed by your 'turf'," you giggled, "it's nice for a guy that exploits reality tv for views," you teased and he laughed a little as he led you to his living room, a chessboard set up on his coffee table, pillows on either side on the floor to sit on.

"hey, low blow," he mockingly warned, "i'd watch it otherwise i'll conveniently lose your queen piece," he said before quickly standing to go to his kitchen, "i have southern comfort and lemonade, if that's okay with you? it's kind of my weird speciality drink," he smiled.

"well, i suppose i'll have to try the arthurtv special then," i nodded in return, and after a few moments, he returned with two glasses, placing them at either side of the table as he sat himself down on the side of the board playing black pieces.

"so we're going straight for the intellectual torture of chess?" you grinned as you sat opposite him, "the girls must find it so charming when you sit straight at the chess board on a date, hm?" you teased in retaliation.

"oh shut up you, and prepare to lose, again," he smiled as you moved your first piece, "at least my view will be nice when i crush you,"

as the game progressed, there was joking smack-talk thrown between you and arthur, neither of you focusing too much on the game but more on the subtle flirting between each move.

"that rook sacrifice was not your best work," he laughed, but you raised your eyebrow at him as you moved another piece,

"or maybe i was setting a trap that you didn't see, hm, mr. television?"

as he captured one of your pieces in return, his fingers gently brushed against yours and you grinned, before swatting his hand jokingly, "hey, focus on the game!" you giggled out as he laughed in return and nodded.

about half way through the game, the focus had shifted slightly from both being heartset on winning to enjoying one another's company, nattering on about arthur's job and your degree.

at one particular point, you stopped, looking down at the board, tongue slightly poking out of your mouth in concentration as your brain worked as quickly as it could, trying to analyse the best move.

"what're you thinking?" he asked as he shuffled slightly closer, and you could smell his cologne, a kind of vanilla and cedarwood scent as you tried your best to ignore it.

"i'm trying to strategise, unlike some of us who rely on distracting the other to win," you teased slightly, and you could hear him chuckle a little.

"i'm plenty distracted myself, hard not to be when you look cute like that when you concentrate so hard."

you paused a little at the flirting, trying not to let your cheeks flush bright red, "stop trying to put me off my game, arthur," you playfully smiled.

once a couple more moves had been played, arthur missed what was seemingly an obvious capture he could have made, which would have put you at a disadvantage, and once you quickly realised and made sure your piece was defended, you tilted your head a little - arthur didn't often make mistakes like that.

"i completely missed that, fuck sake!" he mumbled to himself with a small smile on his face.

after a while longer of playing, and a few moves you didn't think arthur would normally make, you had him in checkmate, a grin on your face.

"looks like we're gonna have to have a rematch at some point," he looked at the board and shrugged his shoulders a little.

you narrowed your eyes at him a little with a small smile, "did you throw the game so we could have a rematch?"

"i think i may use the lawyer lingo here and announce that i refuse to answer on the basis that i may implicate myself," he laughed a little to himself.

[cynthiav06]

With Percy, we know that he hates going to school and his goals don’t really line up with Annabeth’s, but Annabeth is kind of forcing him to do it with her because he can’t say no to her. Say Rick didn’t make Annabeth Percy’s entire personality, what do you think he would’ve done in the mortal world rather than go to university?

I was checking my drafts cause I am trying to catch up on all the asks in my inbox ( as I said in one of my earlier posts I was in middle of a medical situation so I have at least a month of backlog) and found this draft.

The funny thing is I had already written most of the post in the draft version, and this ask wasn't even being displayed in my inbox, so I was very confused as to when it was from.

But it's such a good prompt and a sort of controversial question in the fandom, so I wanted to post it asap.

Percy doesn't like studies, but he knows the importance of it, so I am sure he will finish his initial college, probably either in the science or arts section. We know at one point he got better grades than Annabeth at one point so he certainly isn't quitting studies and doing way better than what people expect. He also wouldn't like just staying at home and doing nothing (I am looking at certain Percabeth stans here), so he definitely would be doing one job or another.

1.

I don't think he would study marine biology like most believe. After a conversation I had with someone who had taken the course, I am convinced Percy wouldn't like it. It's heavily based on chemistry, and we know how much Percy is affected by sea creatures being mistreated or caged, so having to study marine biology wouldn't really be something he would choose.

2.

An interesting twist would be if he chose to be a writer like his mother.

We all know that Percy writes or at least dictates and narrates the first five books, which are written and narrated entirely from his perspective. Moreover, there are books on Percy just narrating his own sarcastic takes on Greek gods and Greek heroes. What if he did actually catalogue his own adventures in those books as a sort of manual for other demigods on how to deal with certain monsters and gods and such.

Through Percy's thoughts, even as 12 years old, we can certainly say he has advanced vocabulary despite being dyslexic and given how much he admires Sally, why wouldn't he be interested in following her footsteps. Sure, he has trouble reading, but that's not to say he wouldn't love expressing his thoughts through humorous retelling of his own adventures which he can pass as fiction to normal readers but actual experiences in demigod world. Who doesn't want to know the exploits of Percy Jackson?

Plus, it's a good money hack. And don't for a second tell me he wouldn't. Sally petrified Gabe, and then they sold his statute to a museum as a sculpture and earned money off of that. So Sally would definitely encourage it, and Percy would even follow through on it just for shits and giggles and the added benefit of helping demigods and earning money.

[I literally want this to happen just for the Godly reactions. I am all for god slander, especially Zeus slander. Poseidon would be half laughing at the book and half worried cause of the sheer catastrophes his son seems to fall into almost on a daily basis.

Apollo would be having a grand time, and Hermes will be half depressed and half impressed throughout. Overall, it would be hilarious all around, and it might finally make the gods feel a bit more accountable . It's literally the Reading Percy Jackson Series trope, and that's always fun.]

3.

One other option is that Percy will get into environmental preservation, specifically the protection of Rivers and Seas from pollution by actively involving himself and others in its cleanliness and purification. He would also run Beach cleanliness programs.

I think he and Grover would become environmental activists and would definitely get into preserving forest areas and other places where nature spirits dwell frequently. I can see them doing it a lot, long-term wise, too.

4.

I think he would kind of like marine explorations, but that might cause his powers to be somewhat exposed, so he might not do that, but it's a possibility.

That's all I can think of. I would like to hear everyone else's opinions on this.

[kandadze]

Ep 29 loose thoughts

Oof, Li Lun's really on his last legs, eh? I do feel sorry for him, but I feel even worse for Bai Jiu - locked up inside his own body, poisoned, forced to ingest human livers, coughing up blood and dying. Can this kid get a break, please.

It's funny to me how ZYC might have figured out ZYZ's ruse because of his top-tier observation skills... or it might have been because he pays *that* much attention to the demon. I guess we'll never know 😅

It's heartbreaking in a way how well ZYZ knows LL, still, after all, and trusts him not to hurt Ying Lei, trusts LL to honor an emotional debt. Also, interesting how even while pointing a sword to ZYZ's throat, ZYC trusts him not to go to certain lengths for his goals... I keep saying this, but- the bonds in this drama! 😭

Is this really the time to walk away without saying anything, ZYZ? (I know, I know. It's so that they can break our hearts more thoroughly real soon.)

Oh okay. So even Wen Xiao doesn't know what exactly is wrong with her - don't you think that's kind of vital info you should've shared, Bai Yan daren? Ngl, I guffawed when ZYZ said, "I searched Wen Xiao's body etc," not sure if it's the translation that's lacking or what, but I'm pretty sure we all had the same thought about how thorough that search was 😝 On a more serious note though, is poison always the most powerful weapon of destruction in cdramas? Like ZYZ has the power to heal stab wounds and vein cuts that would otherwise be lethal, but he can't do shit about poison?

Thanks for explaining why she wasn't there when the gang came back with the scale, I thought it was so weird for Bai Yan to just leave like that when she was supposedly the one to tell them how it works. (Still not sure why it had to be her and not Ying Long or even the princess Longyu herself, but oh well.)

Yes, that's why ZYZ stole the scale. The never ending variations on the trolley problem in this drama (I think I saw someone mention it re the Bingyi cave and then it happened again in ep 28, and now it's happening again)!

"It's hard." And? That doesn't mean it's impossible, right? Bai Yan, *please* speak plainly and in full sentences, because instead of raising tension you're raising my blood pressure.

Ah, of course she would withhold that info if it meant saving her son. ZYC, going straight for jugular lol (gotta love the man, for him restoring the sword means not only getting Bai Jiu back but also saving his own life, and he still would choose not to go through with it if it meant losing ZYZ or, as he just found out, WX.) As a mother, she might have thought of letting her son know who she was when she still had a chance; she might have thought of a contigency plan in case something happened to her. They might have not been in this particular mess now, had *someone* made sure the kid didn't have to resort to making wild guesses, ultimately leading him to be lied to and exploited.

Wow, yeah, okay. I officially dislike both of Bai Jiu's parents now. Also, Bai Yan's words once again reinforce the difference between humans and demons/gods and how they think about time and bonds. ZYC might be a demon now, so technically his lifespan is way longer than human's, and still he might not live long enough to see the next incarnation of the Baize goddess; and even if he could, at this point his concern is the *current* incarnation, thank you very much, whereas BY's looking at the situation from a much wider perspective. Because of course both worlds will be involved. And I'm still with ZYC on this. (Unrelated, but I love Bai Yan's voice. It's not often we get to hear that low of a voice from a woman, and especially not in cdramas, as far as I can tell.)

Oh, fuck off. The fatalism rubs me the wrong way always, and coming from such a supposedly powerful being it's even more grating. (Not for the first time while watching this drama I get a flashback to reading Clamp's "X-1999," the set-up and tone is eerily similar.)

Well I guess I got my wish. Li Lun, you sad little demon possessing a dying child's body, I feel for you and your longing. The white petals around them (white, for death and mourning), oh my heart. The fact that they kept switching the actors throughout his reflections made it even more painful. And then he goes and (indirectly) quotes ZYC, the bit about the lamp kept on for travellers... while Ying Lei can only listen and cry. Oof. Can't help but notice that he still focuses mostly on his own suffering, though... I guess it's fair, for all intents and purposes he still has a mentality of a hurt teenager.

The whiplash I got when he switched to, "if I die, I have to find someone to die with," ouch 🤣 Once a drama queen, always a drama queen, right, LL? Gotta find yourself the grandest stage for your final exit... am I ready to see that? (I adore his character song, btw, even though when I first heard it, it gave me a completely different image of what his character's going to be. Hmm.)

Again, fuck right off, Bai Yan. I kinda wish they showed us more of WX in that scene, but hey, I'll take ZYC's memories, too (probably the first time with a time stamp!). "You must live well." It's like a refrain at this point that they seem to cling to, the worse the circumstances get. And the care between them, I'll never be over the bonds we're being shown in this drama.

I relate to WX so much. Like I get the idea that some things are worth dying for and no one in the gang would hesitate to put their lives on the line. And still, WX wants to live. Staying alive is just as, if not more, difficult as dying. Staying alive while others leave is difficult. Only when you stay alive can you really change the narrative. (Also, can we please *stop* sitting on that goddamn bridge. Why are you even there when ZYC was clearly shown back at the Mount Kunlun? Come to think of it, I just realized that they seem to have completely forgotten about Ying Lei??? And where did PSJ go?)

"How is wanting to live not the right choice?" Funny, coming from you of all people, ZYZ. Will you make the right choice for yourself, then? Thank you, WX. Make him sit on that for a bit... Ngl, I cheered when she tore up that goddamned contract. I don't care if they get to kiss now or no, but I care that he won't have to experience a mild heart attack every time he focuses on his affection towards her. (Because I've never seen him look at her as you would a colleague, so technically his heart should've been acting up nonstop, unless the emphasis was on conscious intent on his part. I'd have to rewatch that ep to see if they actually mention the exact wording.)

Awww look at her boys going "I'll find a way" at the same time! I just hope I'm not gonna cry when their way turns out to be yet another self-sacrificial mission. Interesting, there's a bottle of wine and two cups sitting by ZYC, even though he seems to have been sitting there by himself for quite a while... is it going to be one of those tiny details that become relevant later? (I love how this drama makes me pay attention!)

Oh dear gods, I really hope this isn't what I think it is. ZYC!!!

GODDAMNIT IT IS, HE WENT TO SEE WZY BY HIMSELF, FUCKKKKKK

At this point in the story my sincere wish is that, if nothing else, we *will* get to see WZY dying a slow and horrible death. If *he* survives, I'm throwing this whole drama in the garbage. (Also, somehow I'm not in the slightest concerned about what ZYC's choice might be. I trust him this much.)

Lol the moment Bai Yan mentioned that the fire of the mortal world is not enough to forge ZYC's sword I totally went, "it has to be taken to the Mount Dooooooom!" 🤣

Huh, okay, I didn't expect the ever-burning wood to be necessary for this. That's how we know that we're close to the final boss battle, folks, the quests are getting more and more complex.

"Take it"??? Wait, is it that easy? Oh no, of course not. How did it *not* burn him up after all this time though, was it just chilling in his body without actually doing anything? Other than accidentally hurting LL with it, I don't think we've ever seen ZYZ use it in any way, either �� Okay, so he needs the creation stone as well, okay-

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

That's the live reaction of yours truly at *that* visual of golden light blasting from ZYC's sword as he grasps it. Holyyyyyy shit, Guo Jingming, Silmarillion adaptation when????

Oh gods, their hands on that stone. Like in ZYZ's vision. I'm scared again. The image of ZYC morphing into LL and then back again!!! If you want ZYC to promise that he'd protect the Wilderness with you, then *you* better promise not to die, ZYZ! Also, could they be any more queer coded at this point? (Aww, WX, I want to give her a hug so badly. Where the hell is PSJ when you need her???)

I take that back, they can and currently are even more queer coded. ZYZ's face when ZYC prepares his drink for him with yet another jade pendant!!! This whole scene, starting with one of my favorite songs from the OST playing in the background, the soft focus, warm lights, close-ups of their faces, the way they gaze at each other... so beautiful. Of course there had to be some theatrics (ZYZ) and fond exasperation (ZYC) involved, too, that's just how they roll, and I'm eating it alllll up.

Did they *have* to go and draw the parallel to last drink and meal though? 😭 also, also, ZYC doing his best to emphasise that their "blood feud" is in the past! In how many ways does he have to tell you that he wants you to live before you get it, ZYZ?

I also remembered their conversation in ep 15, when ZYC asked how ZYZ could live with contradictions, and boy, is ZYC a walking paradox himself. His feelings seem so tangled and complex, but at the same time he's so clear eyed about them, and able to express them, even while saying that they're ineffable. And ZYZ's response! His face! ::head in hands::

The toasts broke me a bit. The way ZYZ hesitated for the longest time before downing his cup for the first toast. The goddamn *poetry* in ZYC's words, the goddamn eye contact throughout, the goddamn tension, HMH's goddamn face!  So good! 😭

!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay you know what? I think I'm getting better at this. There *was* the slight pause before the camera cut to WX and then back to our soulmates (they said it more than once now, I feel justified in using the word for them 😁), I'm gonna wait and see first!

Aw but they're both just so stunning with their hair flying around them lke that. I could watch them forever.

Loved the slow-mo before ZYZ collapsed. Poor WX! That quick shot of her wiping the blood off of ZYZ's chin was so satisfying somehow...

Ahhh I was right, they were in agreement and trying something dangerous together, not against each other! Yay for removing that godawful thing from his inner core, but now what? Are they gonna give it to WZY in exchange for the antidote? Do they actually believe that after all he's done he will play nice??? I love WX, scolding them both like a pair of unruly children 😂

Okay this is getting a little too convenient that they can get eavesdropped on so easily. And not to repeat myself, but where the hell are Ying Lei and PSJ?

I certainly didn't expect to get my wish so quickly lol I guess now we're really down to business when it comes to death countdowns... What did I just say? There is no goddamn antidote! What the fuck did WZY use to create that poison in the first place? The only solution is for someone to use their demonic power to absorb the poison into their own body??? Don't tell me that that's how ZYZ is gonna cure WX. And then ZYC will kill him so that he doesn't suffer. Looking at ZYC, he's about ready to sacrifice himself, though... ::incoherent pterodactyl screeching::

I keep repeating myself, but how is this kid 12. And finally the missing members of the squad reappear! (Just to get the front row, of course.) Oh, oh no. Even though I kinda knew that Ao Yin was going to do this... (I wonder if the poison worked way faster on her because she's a lesser demon?) I can't believe they made me cry over the human livers dealer!

I feel like I said it after every episode so far, but what an episode. I also find it more and more difficult to watch without being tempted to read other folks' commentary first, since I'm so anxious about what's going to happen next; so on one hand, I'd want to be prepared for the worst (so I should spoil myself), on the other though, I want to see what happens with my own eyes first... ah, decisions, decisions.

[sequence-trotter]

my old feverish sunday megapost popped back up in my notifs and got me thinking about his trailer in light of it.

the thing about sunday is that he is so, so, unbelievably mad at god (well, the gods). and wouldn't you be? he's the protege of the dreammaster of paradise; his sister is a famous pop star; he's charismatic and popular and privileged. he lives an unimaginably charmed life because he is a spiritual leader who professes a faith in and loyalty to xipe the harmony. and he spends every single day of his life listening to people share their worst sins and most painful suffering, and he knows god will do nothing. nothing.

living in the HSR universe has got to be insane. gods are real! they are incredibly powerful! one time a computer became one! if they like you, you get for-real actual real-life superpowers!

and not a single one of them is benevolent.

save for THEIR involvement in the swarm disaster, qlipoth the preservation, perhaps the single most obviously influential aeon in the modern HSR era, appears to be utterly silent and uncaring, and THEIR primary devotees have the goal of "accumulate endless, unceasing wealth to literally no practical purpose." xipe the harmony regularly sends THEIR personal emanators to celebrate at penacony, a place that is basically "what if disneyland was also las vegas and could steal your soul and was pretty much premised on disaster and exploitation from day one and was also a literal former prison and current metaphorical prison." lan's pathstriders include actual straight-up superheroes (the galaxy rangers) and nonetheless lan THEMSELF is regularly depicted as cold and uncaring with a tendency to create massive collateral damage that kills THEIR own devotees.

so. gods are real. they will only give you power if you give your life over to their ideals (or happened to share them already). they will never aid you without conditions. they will seemingly never stoop to aid an individual except for their personal favorites. the only thing they care about is their own weird internal battles. and the people to whom they personally grant their power are generally even worse!

and THEY could fix so much. THEIR power appears to be more or less limitless. as far as anyone knows, THEY simply don't care to. unknowable domain suggests nous the erudition is actively preventing humanity's advancement for Reasons. aha the elation appears to have gotten universal power from being better at finding tragedy funny than anyone else in the cosmos could hope to be. THEY are, pretty much to an aeon, just dicks.

if you thought you had the power to make a world without them, why wouldn't you take it? "not everyone would agree to it" okay thanks great i guess we will make "building a better world" permanently off-limits, then.

fuck that. that's stupid! the aeons obviously suck! if someone has to be in charge, if someone has to have godlike power, as someone will inevitably be under the current system, it may as well be someone who doesn't demand fealty or submission! who lets you live a peaceful and happy life before your death, rather than treating humanity like so many ants!

and if that won't work...well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? time to hit the road and find out what's next.

[sophieabigail2021]

I am in a good mood so let's salt on this interview because why not

"Sébastien explains that they always plan the scenarios well in advance. For example, what happens in season 6 was already planned when season 3 was written. They've already written two pages of ideas for the Season 7 finale."

Considering these are the same people that admitted that the whole "Adrien doesn't confront his dad or know anything about his villain persona" was planned since the beginning of the goddamn show..........yeah expect the worst from them

"Thomas says they have ideas to go to a season 12 but it will all depend on the success of the series."

And then decades later when season 68 is in the work they will be like "Oh well we really need 40 more seasons to expand our ideas because they're just so many"

"Miraculous will never evolve into an adult series, it will remain a children's series. But they will always try to satisfy the fans who have been following the series for years."

Oh yes the same fans that Thomas complained for years about how they don't get his "amazing" and "masterpiece" of a show and kids understand it better (Sure Jan) to the point of having an episode about that, which wow really meta of you Asstruck /s

"Sébastian teased us that there will be a song in season 6"

If Cristina Vee isn't the one singing it y'all will hear from my lawyers

"Thomas sincerely believes that season 6 is better than season 5, which was off to a bad start because he wondered how they were going to do better than season 5."

"Buckle up because Season 3 is going to be better than Season 2" and then Season 3 turns out to be underwhelming

"Be excited for Season 4 because it will be more amazing than Season 3" and then Season 4 turns out to be a giant waste of time and potentials

"Y'all taught Season 4 was amazing, well prepare yourself for Season 5 because it's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions" and then Season 5 turns out to be the most painfully unwatchable season of a show known to man

Stuff like this doesn't make me hyped for the upcoming season, it's instead making me scared for what bullshit these writers are going to do next

Also it will be really funny and embarrassing for the writers if Season 6 turns to be worst than Season 5

"As season 6 begins a new arc, they consider it a season 1."

So more pointless and boring filler episodes got it 👍

"Sebastien says we'll appreciate season 6 even more when season 7 comes out."

Stop just........STOP!!!!

"Thomas hints that he didn't write the Shadybug and Claw noir universe to exploit it in a single special. But he remains very vague."

Bet you 10$ they will only show up in the Season 6 finally just like Lady dragon and the American heroes

"Thomas explains that there are many details in previous seasons that fans didn't understand, but which will make sense in later seasons."

Making sense has never been this show's strongest suit so why even bother

"There's a reason why Lila is a mythomaniac, and they'll tell it one day in the series. Thomas even says they've already told it in the series, but we haven't figured it out yet."

You mean her being born evil yeah we already knew that

"Thomas says that Chloe will remain an important character in the coming seasons, as she has always been in the series."

BITCH WHERE???!!!, Chloe is the biggest waste of time so what even is the point in bringing her back?????, Thomas we all know you have a deep hatred for this girl but for the love of god stop, you're just beating a dead horse that has already been dead for years just let this shit go

"They will soon be meeting to decide whether Miraculous will be made into a live-action series or not. It will be different from the series. Thomas mentions kwamis in particular, which are complicated to integrate into live action. Thomas has already written the concept. For the series to see the light of day, it will mainly be a question of budget."

OH GOD NO, I will be nice to you Hawkdaddy just please don't make a Miraculous live action series

Also raise your hand if you think Thomas made that decision to rival Zag's Miraculous Awakening movie ✋✋✋

[futureplayboibunnie]

‘Sincere’

Dr Strange x fem! reader

- OH MY FUCKING GOD. this is the longest smut fic i’ve ever done and i think it’ll remain my fav forevermore. dom!Stephen has me feral no joke. enemies to lovers is my niche. it’s my baby and i’m feeding y’all bc i spent so damn long on this one. enjoy u sluts x

he’s so fine i just wanna bake for him

Who's fault was it?

No one really knew.

It was simply one of those things the universe designed even though it was completely manufactured by you and Stephen alone. Resentment is a funny thing, it was a hilarious thing when you and Doctor fucking Strange were involved - how can two people who work together hate each other on such a cellular level? You weren't even sure how he even had the grounds to hate you, to be so sure of something when you couldn't even place how he even got to this conclusion. Well...that's a lie. It was something that you couldn't even get into. It wasn't even about petty insults or arguments anymore. Stephen was seriously messing with your head in ways you simply didn't have the time to comprehend.

Stephen was always so fast. Obnoxious. Relentless and an aphrodesiac.

He honestly thinks he has the skill set to fuck every woman he sees, it wasn't unheard of. Stephen Strange believed himself to be this sauve master of pulling women, knowing what makes them tick, knowing how to get them down and dirty for him. Prince fucking Charming...well…without the sunny personality and gentlemanly persona. Did he even know what object permanence was? Stephen was never one for relationships, this was something everyone knew and believed. His work, his duties always came first but he was prone to entertaining sometimes. Everyone knew he wasn’t one for relationships.

He literally believed that himself. Relationships were never really on the cards for a guy like him. But now, you were the card counter, skewing his game, cheating the game he himself made up.

You were stubborn. A tick under his skin. Born to hang on, born to win, born to never give up or change your opinion and the one he's come to expect the most from you- you were born to never finish an argument. Arguments between you and Stephen can brew out of lot of things, stupid things, casual things- anything. Mission plans. Choice of weapon. Coffee. Fucking laundry. You would bicker like an old married couple and it was becoming distracting to the point where it would make people talk- at Kamar Taj, the Sanctum and the Avengers Compound. You both weren't safe anywhere. The last time he fucked you over it had gone too far, he exploited his photographic memory to point out every single thing you did wrong on the battlefield. Stephen can mock you, judge you for your rotten personality but he could never ever insult the way you carried out your work- he couldn't take that away from you. What made it worse is that he literally did it infront of everyone, your friends, peers and the people you respected.

The whole situation made you frustrated. And when the frustration builds and you think you could explode- you take a deep breath. You want to shout at his face, have a tantrum and beat your hands on the ground like a spoiled brat or rich kid that always get what they want. You want to vent, find the softest parts of him and just twist the knife. But do you really want to stoop to his level? It's just so easy to be cruel in the moment and then after that the damage is done- but that's the pussy way out, something someone with better judgement would obviously do. You weren't feeling warm and fuzzy about him at all, it was time to turn the tables on Stephen.

It was your turn to do your own sleuthing. It was more than he deserved.

Stephen was out of the Sanctum and you had nothing better to do...so you decided to do some snooping. A man always hides his secrets in his room and Stephen was no ordinary man so whatever he's hiding will defintely be worth your while.

Angry isn't a rational look on Stephen. He felt that there was a ghostly cord hanging upon his spine and pulling him back like a puppet on a string. You were the puppetmaster. As with most primitive emotions, when anger is directed by the logic, empathy and creativity of the higher brain, it becomes an element of the hero personality. Stephen often questioned if he was a hero sometimes, he definitely wasn't the hero in your story...he couldn't be after everything you've both been through. Women weren't a mystery to him. You weren't a mystery, you were a whole goddamn conspiracy. It's weird and it's like you took a small bite out of his brain and it sent him in a permanent zombie state. Stephen was at his wits end.

The Sanctum was like a barren landscape, no one was there and a sigh of relief escaped you. You were at Stephen's bedroom door and you actually felt a twinge of anxiety sever your nerve endings. He was so cunning, you were sure he could jump out at you at any moment.

The door was fucking solid, etched in ancient oak and runic markings. You were surprised when you tried for the door handle and it opened, creaking it open you were happy to see that he wasn't there. Your first thought when you viewed his room that it was so fucking Stephen. Perhaps you had paid a little more attention to him than you had realised. The thought was startling. Spellbooks were strewn all over the room, did he even take care of his sacred relics? They were priceless. The walls were artifact adorned and priceless paintings were hung and championed like trophies, you couldn't stifle your eye rolling at his pompous nature. It was like he was dedicated to being pretentious. Other than his books, his room was immaculate. He was such a clean freak and it obviously it had to come out in a place that he was supposed to be the most comfortable in. Stephen's bed was massive, it was so regal and royal. You wondered how many women he fucked in this very bed. The kind of positions he put them in, how many times he made them cum. You frowned at the thought.

Why should you even care?

Your legs instantly gravitated towards his bedside table. Men hide all sorts of things in their bedside table. You had to be quick, you had a mission briefing in like twenty minutes and you were sure the rest wouldn't be happy if you showed up late. Stephen's bedside was neat but it was freakishly neat, too neat- you knew he was hiding something. You opened it up and you damn near stopped breathing.

Your heart stopped. Full throttle.

The drawer was full of sex toys? You scoffed, eyes paling at the sight. Your fingers traced over the velveteen and you had to bite your lip to conceal your shit eating grin- now this was interesting. You pulled out and examined the silk blindfold. Blindfold? Jesus Christ. Stephen was into kink? Of course he was, it was glaring, clear as day but you couldn't really contain the extent of your surprise. Why was this pleasing you so goddamn much?

It's so telling.

What really caught your attention was these silver metal balls that were strung together by a thick woven string. Oh? You were curious as to what these did...how did Stephen- what did he….? Absolved in your own thoughts that you simply couldn't bridle, you couldn't even hear that Stephen was at the door.

He was stood there, bewildered at first to see you in his space, in his room. Stephen should've been mad- seething actually especially at you but he just let you do your snooping. You were such a curious little thing, curiosity was your on button and he honestly thought it could get you killed. But in this case he'd allow it, considering that look. He was pleased.

Very pleased indeed.

Why isn't he angry with you right now? Why isn't he screaming and yelling at you to get out? He was gawking at you like a fool but he was enjoying it, seeing you come to so many new revelations about him and what he was really like and what he really wanted.

‘’What are you looking for?’’ Stephen finally cracked through the silence with a condescending question. He knew what you were doing and you felt like you were being scolded by the principle for cheating.

‘’Uhm…dirt.’’ You said with a fake plastic dazzling smile.

‘’You find anything?’’ He raised a quizzical brow, already knowing what you were looking at.

‘’I'm finding out things about you that you'd rather go unseen.’’

‘’Are you blackmailing me?’’ Stephen asked as he was treading over to you, hoping to intimidate you slightly but you weren't backing down.

‘’No. I'm threatening you.’’

‘’Oh you're cold.’’ He smirked down at you, attempting to pysche you out to make you feel off your game but you were at your wits end, you were simply not prone to his mind games anymore.

‘’And you're a masochist. You get off on this?’’ You smirked at him as you dangle the silver balls inbetween your faces.

Stephen scoffed. ‘’You're probing on my private life and now you're morally policing me?’’

You had a puzzled look on your face and Stephen revelled in it. He took the time to look at you in this resolve and he simply couldn't resist applying a label on you- stunning- when you weren't pelting him with insults and ransacking his room, but it did build his adrenaline when you finally saw the real him. Passionate. Rageful. Intimate. You had a pretty face, a banging body...why not make you squirm and have fun in the process.

‘’What even are these?’’ You recoiled as you held them, genuinely confused as to what they did. How did you even wear them? What did they even do?

A devious idea was mentally forming in his head, although he wasn't sure if you'd agree to it, especially considering your feud. But you were here, peacefully discussing the use of sex toys. You'd definitely leave if you didn't want to be here. You were smirking up at him and he let a sly smile form on his face. God. He wanted to fuck that stupid smirk off of you. It'll happen soon enough.

‘’What, you want me to give you a crash course or something?'’ Stephen stared down at your glassy eyes, so unclear of what you were thinking.

Come on, you needed to give him some sort of direction, you were awfully distracting. He didn't have the time to bend you over now.

Your mouth was running itself before your brain could even check it.

‘’Yes. Actually.’’ You confirmed and Stephen couldn't really fathom you saying those words. Yes! ‘’Surprise me.’’ You chided, you seemed way too chipper about this idea.

Fucking hell. You felt the density of the air changed immintently, it thrummed against your brainwaves. Flirting? With Stephen Strange? Now he was going to show you...whatever those balls do.

Shit. He could make or break you right now.

‘’Open your mouth.’’ Stephen ordered softly. Your face paralysed in shock at his request and you found yourself mindlessly obeying his command-your curiosity outwon you again.

Your mouth popped open and Stephen was satisfied that you actually did what you were told for once.

Fuck, that mouth of yours. Your lips. Your body. He had blinders on it before but now you were flaunting yourself off for him, only him- even if you were disguising it at as an educational opportunity.

Stephen thought that you were as dirty a he was. He slipped the balls in that sweet wet mouth.

‘’We need to get them wet. Suck.’’ Stephen hummed, completely satisfied with himself. Although that was shaken when your eyes just widened and you weren't actually doing anything.

‘’I'm not gonna ask again.’’ His head tilted down, eyes darkening as he warned you again. He didn't have time to. You actually took his warning though, wich he was equally as surprised by.

You began suckling on it, they were smooth and cool and your mouth had a bizarre reaction to it. Jesus Christ. Images of you down on your knees sucking him off, choking and gagging around him made his dick twitch in his pants. What was he, fourteen? You flashed him a brazen look, giving him those fuck-me eyes, batting your lashes as if you were this innocent little thing- all lies. Sweet lies. Stephen dragged them out of your mouth and you let them go with a pop, letting out a shaky exhale afterwards.

‘’What was that for?’’ You asked and blinked up at him dumbly. You didn't even realise how pathetic you sounded.

‘’You'll see.’’ He quipped and that just made you even more nervous. ‘’Now turn. Bend over.’’ He said under his breath, attempting to conceal his obvious smile. You tensed yourself when he thought of you as that breakable. You were not breakable. Hell no.

Stephen Strange asked you to bend over. Fucking bend over. What was he going to do? What did he want to do? You never once imagined yourself doing what he asked, but once again you did. Lust can be fun, not trustworthy, but you didn't have time to think it through properly, no time under that dark deceptive gaze.

You bit your lip and perched yourself on his bed, arms holding you up. Wiggling your ass too to show that you can flirt. You shot him a teasing look and Stephen just wanted to take you now but you both had a mission briefing in about ten minutes.

Watching in pure disbelief, Stephen lowered to his knees and it was such an unexpected sight- you were sure you were dreaming. He had this stupid smug look on his face and it was so irritating, the anticipation and suspense was killing you. It was driving you mad. You shivered when Stephen pulled down your pants, it was fairly easy- you had no objections. He was face to face with your sweet ass, your underwear was cute, black, simple. Stephen wondered what you would look like in fine lingerie and sky scraper Louboutins. Nothing but Louboutins.

"Stephen... what-?’’ You were shaking, you couldn't even get out what you were trying to say without stammering like a jittering fool.

‘’Shh…Keep still for me.'’He cooed at you as he brought the balls up against your skin and it made goosebumps break out in hives.

Stephen pulled your underwear to the side with one finger and positioned the balls on your clit. You let out a breathy gasp as you felt him put them there, it was such a different sensation. It felt so heavy. So good. Your eyes widened at the feeling, mouth agape like a pathetic idiot. Any other day you would've reprimanded yourself for acting like this...but today was different. He was basking in the glory of the sounds you made, whimpering and whining even though you were trying to bite them back.

Stephen smiled when you let out a dry chuckle, he planted a kiss on your asscheek to show his appreciation. He pulled your pants back up and you were honestly feeling faint, the sensation of those metal balls on you finally showing up.

‘’Stand and turn around.’’ He demanded again.

You swallowed as you picked yourself back up and turned around. The look painted on his face told all, sly smile, bright eyes- he was up to no good. He hasn't even told you what they do yet. You let out a shaky exhale as the proximity between you was growing smaller and smaller.

"So Dr Masochist...floor me.’’ You teased.

‘’Oh just you wait and see.’’ He taunted and you frowned.

What the fuck? Was he seriously about to hold out on you? You had a fucking mission briefing in five minutes.

‘’Are you kidding?’’

‘’Let's see how you feel after the meeting's over.’’ You wanted to bash his face in.

You let the words settle in you and even then it never fully registered. this had to be some sort of practical joke, just another way to embarrass you. Now that was something he got off on. When you stared back into his eyes, it only confirmed he was deadly serious- but then again when was he not serious? Even when he was trying to flirt he was all serious and hard features.

There's no way this could end well...but you wouldn't be you without taking a few risks.

‘’Stephen, you can be so obtuse sometimes but I didn't think you'd be actually fucking crazy. For all I know, maybe this thing you put on my pussy is actually a fucking bomb or something.’’ You said breathlessly, contemplating whether or not this toy was actually a secret torture device- it would just twist the knife within you and you wouldn't be able to live it down.

Stephen would be able to hold this against you forever.

‘’A bomb? I haven't reached that level of kink yet but I'm sure we'll get there eventually.’’ He bit his lip as his eyes thinned down on you, completely enjoying himself and how these events may actually unfold.

Stephen grabbed your arm after conjuring a portal to the Compound and his touch made you shiver, your body had a viceral reaction to his touch and it honestly just left you confused as he pushed you through the portal alongside him.

‘’We?’’ You questioned as you raised an intense brow. The gall. The cheek he had to say we. It surprised you- in the best way.

‘’Mhm. Let's see how you fare.’’ Stephen muttered as the balls of your feet hit the Compound marble, trodding your way to the meeting room to be briefed for tomorrow.

‘’You really have no faith in me and I think that's the main reason why we don't get along.‘’

‘’That confidence is going to shatter soon. See, I'm being nice and I'm warning you about it.’’ He scoffed and you honestly felt everything within you shaken up.

Stephen couldn't wait to see the look of excrutiating arousal on your face during this whole debacle; he'd simply treasure the moment and taunt you for it later but for now he just wanted an outline of what your beautiful face looked like when you came. Just a morsel of what's to come, this switch in dynamic was...different. Heavier than hate. He liked it. A lot. When other people and other agents in the Compound saw that you and Stephen were walking together. You weren't arguing or having a screaming match you were both just walking. Their mouths were agape in shock and any other day you would have been joining them in their disbelief, he was smirking and smiling at you like an idiot and that was more than enough to make other people think and question.

‘’Stop smiling at me. You look like a psycho.’’ You mumbled at him under your breath but you couldn't say anything either, you were smiling too. You let out a giggle and your pussy started clenching, a gasp fell through when you felt the balls actually on you. You swallowed and Stephen obviously caught onto it.

You entered the room and you were met with Tony's incredibly unsatisfied frown- you were both late and you felt like you were being scolded at by the principle for your tardy behaviour but Stephen didn't find it in himself to care. However, Tony's frown dropped and his mouth popped open in shock: you and Stephen were sitting next to each other. Like, actually next to each other without clawing each other's faces off. How fucking high are you two right now? Tony had a rule for this shit- no drugs before meetings, get high later preferably with him. He wondered if you had been smoking a fat blunt or took some shrooms or something- there's no way this could possibly be happening, it was simply one of these things that shouldn't be happening.

‘’Oh thank you for finally showing those cheery faces, we all missed you. Now pay attention: this is important.’’ Tony reprimanded but you genuinely couldn't pay attention. Perhaps you had underestimated Stephen's word, the thought was startling.

Throught the meeting, you were just in this zombie like trance, all hypnotized, you couldn't pay attention to any word uttered by Tony or Steve, Natasha or whoever. Your eyes were just fixated on the plain beige wall, lips parted as you gazed off into the distance like you've just been hit in the head with a baseball bat. Stephen stole a few glances at you, you were finally beginning to crack and he had to pretend to be devastated even though it was something he was expectant of. He could barely contain his delight; Stephen was right, he was always right and this was just another example of that- he didn't like the way you always doubted him, he'd show you soon enough. He just had to keep a straight face, but he let himself slip up a little: the corners of his mouth were tugging up slightly and he was trying his hardest to surpress it. You looked so whistful, so pretty, so restless and he was enjoying every second of it; Stephen had never felt himself be lazer focused on any woman but it was always different with you. Always. His eyes widened slightly when your perfect lips parted and you let out a shaky exhale, your breathing was becoming heavier and you obviously tried to hide it by the way your head was darting off to the side, your palm met with the back of your neck and it was heating up so quickly, so rapidly.

Stephen watched intently as you ran your hands along your thighs, he didn't think you'd break apart so quickly. What really did him in though was when you bit your lip to conceal your shallow breaths. It pleased him to an immeasurable degree, although he could read your body, he wished he could read your mind.

You couldn't hide your shaking. You were actually giving in and you hated it, you couldn't embarrass yourself like this. Especially infront of everyone.

You were so damn horny. So fucking wet and tense. Aching for a release.

What exasterbated things though was the way Stephen was looking at you, it was like he was waiting for you to slip up, to catch you out and prove that you were weak. Impatient wasn't even in the ballpark of what you were feeling, so many emotions and sensations were coursing through you, thighs clamped and feet thrumming on the ground. Your leg was jolting up and down and you couldn't control the way your body was reacting.

So that's what those silver balls did.

Washes of arousal throbbed at your pussy and all you could think about was Stephen fucking Strange. You couldn't lie to yourself any longer, you'd be cheating yourself if didn't want him so bad right now. So so impossibly bad. Pain stakingly bad. So bad it's good.

You knew you were done for when Stephen put his large hand on yout jittering leg. His hands were actually on you. In that moment that's when you knew you wanted him to fuck you dumb. Fuck you dizzy. Fast. Hot. Rough. Intimate. Crazy. You were seriously about to lose your mind.

Shooting Stephen a startled look, he knew he got through you and with that in mind he clamped onto your thigh harder. You darted your face away and then you met Natasha's cool and inquisitive expression. Shit. She was onto you. You stifled an agreeable smile but it made her raise an eyebrow, though she finally looked away. Stephen was amused by it all, mostly with the fact he got you like this. So uptight. So tense.

Stephen leaned into your ear and mumbled at you. ‘’Relax. You're going to give yourself away.’’

You wanted to scream a very needed 'Fuck you! I know!' but you couldn't.

When you looked at the clock, only seven minutes have passed. Seven measly minutes. Fucking seven. This fucking meeting was fourty-five fucking minutes fucking long.

It was like fucking was the only word in your vocabulary. You couldn't help yourself, all you could think about was fucking. Preferably fucking Stephen.

Time went on. Time ticked by, it's clicking becoming louder and louder as it pounded through your eardrums. Focus wasn't on the cards for you, but that was a good thing- you didn't realise that the meeting was over. You were thanking the God you didn't even believe in, praising the lucky stars above you for this heavenly moment of mercy. You were about to explode. It wasn't healthy. Heart hammering beneath your heated skin.

Everybody scattered out and now you had Stephen all to yourself, you'll deal with the confused looks and the tangled web of outside judgement later, needing him was the only thing you felt. Stephen made you hang back from the others when you exited the room, his hand on your forearm as he gave you a cunning calculated look. Tingles electrified your body and your heat pulsated at the minor touch- God you felt so pathetic but it was all his fault.

You sighed in relief when he twirled his fingers and made a portal back to his room; Lord, the yearning was impenetrable, unbreakable. It was all so secretive and provacative. Sexy and desperate. Stephen tugged you through the portal as if to hide you away from the rest of the world, shield you from wandering eyes and gazes from men who didn't deserve to even look at you. After finally getting you through safely and closing the portal back up, Stephen loosened his grip on you and let you stand alone as he leaned on his bed frame.

Now. What to say to you? What to do to you? Stephen had you all to himself now and he felt like a kid at Christmas. What a shame, you were so confident you could get through this but yet again he proved you wrong.

He always wondered what you looked like all fucked out and desperate and on days like this, he was so goddamn grateful to have a photographic memory. You stood there, breath shallow and heavy all at once and you were waiting for him to do anything but Stephen's eyes bore into yours intently. Waiting. Watching. Observing. Imagining the array of things he simply could do to make you cum- which wouldn't be too hard to do after what you were experiencing. Stephen got the hard bit out of the way, getting you all horny for him but now he was overthinking the easiest bit: what to actually do.

‘’So. How'd you feel?’’ Stephen's face brightened and you weren't happy. He was just pandering now and you were way too impatient for that- it was clear enough.

‘’Restless.’’

‘’Expected.’’

‘’Impatient.’’

‘’Getting closer.’’

‘’Hot.’’

‘’And?’’

‘’Wet.’’

You gave in, you gave him what he wanted: the cracking, the breaking, the realisation that he shattered you, Stephen was trying to draw this out and it finally dawned on you. Although, you began to question that fact when he made his way over to you, you beat him to it however when you charged at him like a raging bull and just wanting to feel his hands on you. Stephen smirked when he caught onto your wrist in your trajectory and tugged you into him. Your breathless gasp was palpable.

‘’Very determined to fuck aren't you?’’ Stephen pointed out the obvious and it made you roll your eyes.

He gripped onto your jaw to make you realise how serious he was. What kind of man would that make him if he tolerated such rude behaviour! Absolutely not.

‘’Don't be dumb. You're smarter than that. Being dumb won't get you anywhere. So if you want me to put you out of your misery don't be callous and hard-hearted.’’

‘’Are you hard?’’ You asked sensually, already knowing the answer, eyes big and wide and so desperate.

Stephen scoffed down at you.

‘’I said don't be dumb. You're asking the obvious.’’

‘’Don't patronize me.’’

‘’Don't make me punish you for that snotty little attitude’’

‘’I'm not impressed.’’ You scolded even though you were simply on no grounds to.

‘’You're not impressed? Really?’’ You were shocked to see that he was offended.

You nodded at him and it made Stephen's jaw tick, you could hear the bones crunching and grinding together like grit and sandpaper.

‘’Your body tells me otherwise.’’ His voice was low and husky- as if he had never been sure of anything else in his entire life.

‘’You cheated that's why.’’ You stepped closer to him and his grip on your wrist tightened.

‘’Touche.’’ A keen and entirely true obsevation, disarming as always and but he couldn't even care. ‘’You want me to take those balls off or keep them on and edge you?’’

The latter scared you. Him fucking you with them on would make you hornier than ever and to edge you as well? Out of the question- you weren't in the mood for glute jokes.

Your mouth shattered into his, lips capturing lips to capture each other's essence and to say it was bliding and heady was an understatement- you tasted bountiful, fruitful and excessive. There was too much of you, too much sweetness to comprehend, too much sweetness to taste. You were rotting his teeth beautifully. Your distinct taste was making him drunk and it only reinforced that when your tongue tangled with his. Stephen's arm loopholed and travelled around your body when he let go of your wrist, you smirked against his lips when his hands were wandering down the planes of your back to the curve of you ass. You fit his hand perfectly it was insane, like you were designed just for him.

‘’I wanna know what kind of torture you've been going through this evening. You really held your own during the meeting.’’ Stephen was mocking you when you ripped your lips away from his.

‘’You know exactly what.’’ You breathed tirelessly.

‘’Tell me or I'll go slow.’’ Stephen's threat made you pout slightly. ‘’I don't think that'll be fun for either of us.’’ He smiled and you just had to give into his incessant requests.

‘’You. Stuffing me full. Making me leak for you.’’ You exhaled before you leaned in and bit his lower lip and tugged it back. Hard. Stephen was surprised by your gall, you were so desperate to get in his pants you were actually doing what you're told. ‘’ That explicit enough?’’

Fuck this.

Stephen thew you on the bed careless of where you landed, so rough and hasty with his movements; like the need outweighed the practicalities. His body dominated against yours as he fawned over you, he looked like a God. He quite literally felt like a God: omnipotent and omnipresent in his stance. His mouth instantly went to your jaw and he bit down on it so hard you were sure he left teeth marks on you, it made wildfire zip down your core. Fucking hell. This man.

Now… what to do with you.

Stephen grabbed at your shirt and ripped it in two, the fabric tearing apart in both hands and he was happy to see you weren't wearing a bra. Your tits spilled from your top and he threw the discarded remanents to the other side of the room. You clawed and barbed at his back to get his shirt off and for once, he took you by law and did as you motioned. You relentless, tireless thing. Unyielding. Remorseless. He pinned your arms above your head and he ducked down to ghost at your lips.

You were at his beck and call. Under his mercy.

‘’You know what? I never really got the chance to scold you for rummaging through my things. Going into this very room, being perspicacious and then having the gall to threaten me.’ ‘

‘’If it get's you like this then maybe I should do it more often.’’ You bit your lip as you whispered against him.

Stephen didn't like that. At all.

No, no baby.

He had to put you in your place.

Stephen let go of one of your arms and his thick fingers clamped around your neck.

‘’You do not disrespect me, okay? I've been lenient today but you were actually being very impolite. I can't have that.’’ His voice was heavy, gruff and severe.

‘’An astute observation.’’ You sneered up at him. ‘’So you expect me to be under your thumb?’’

‘’Yes.’’ Stephen stated simply, so casually.

‘’You're so brainy Stephen. You're right all the time. I'll wake you up with breakfast and a blowjob. But right now I need you to fuck me. Hard.’’ You vilified and it made time stop in his palm. How dare you? He was livid. He was indignant. Stephen clamped onto your waist and he suddenly flipped you onto your stomach and spanked you.

‘’I don't think that was very sincere.’’ Stephen rebuked as he straddled your ass, his dick pressing into you and it made those silver balls act up again. ‘’You wanna try again?’’ He gave you the chance to redeem yourself and be polite.

You turned your head and looked him dead in the eye as you mouthed the words that would set your course. ‘’No.’’

Stephen's face contorted into an exasperated scowl, you bit your lip trying to be cute and flirt but he simply wasn't in the mood anymore. As a response he just shoved your face back into the pillow as he worked your pants off and discarded them to the floor. Your skin was flawless. Not a single fault on that perfect body.

‘’Stephen…’’You whined as you wiggled your ass against his clothed crotch.

He didn't respond, he just ripped your underwear off and you gasped at the feeling.

Fucking hell, the feel of his hands on you were too much to bare; your brows tensed when he finally pulled those silver balls off of you, your sigh of relief wasn't even one of relief- it was of pure freedom and unbridled bliss. The amount of wetness he had to work with was making him so insanely happy, you were soaked and so ready for him. He smacked your ass again and it was becoming difficult to control the direction of your whimpers and whines- you didn't even know what you were begging for.

The sound of him undoing his zipper made an absurd amount of electricity fall through you, like a number of concrete blocks falling upon you. The air was so heavy and dense- all you could do was wait for him.

‘’You look...pretty almost...like this.’’ Stephen chuckled to himself and head around and you shot him and angry glare.

‘’Fuck you!’ You screamed, voice going hoarse in the process of forming

‘’Isn't that what you've wanted me to do all day?’’ He cocked his head to the side as you smirked at his depravity. You opened your mouth to speak but you genuinely couldn't get the words out.

Stephen registered your silence as a response and he couldn't help but laugh down at you. How cute. He shoved your face back down again and it made you whine into the pillow.

He tugged his cock out and you felt him slap against you...and...uhm. Wow. You didn't even have to look at it to feel how big he was, you were actually worried he would split you in half with something like that and you wondered how you'd be able to walk after he was done with you. Stephen was pleased with your reaction: it was clear you were excited.

‘’Show me how much you missed something you never had.’’ You lifted yourself up again to challenge him and he was more than willing to oblige.

‘’You're dangerous.’’ He whistled and you honestly took that as a compliment. It made you blush.

Stephen was rock solid and he slid into your pussy with an ease he was hoping and striving for. You clenched around him so perfectly, so tight, so well fitted. You felt as good as you looked. He grabbed a fistful of your hair, moaning as he tugged you back into his torso- it was like he was a wall of pure muscle. He liked that you squirmed beneath him, to make you clench around him harder he bite down on your shoulder blade and peppered delicious kisses on that unimpaired skin.

He rutted into you relentlessly, with passion, with a hunger and ferocity you'd only wish other men would have. You were feral for him, a wild cat under him as you arched against him, he clenched his teeth as he saw beads of sweat fall down your back. A symphony of sounds erupted in the dense air surrounding you both, you felt so lewd and naughty- you could only imagine what the others would think if they walked in on you like this. You smirked at the insane thought.

The hopeless amount of pleasure you were feeling was insurmountable and overwhelming, a cyclone of desire began building within you and it was idomitable to bear. Unconquerable. Stephen felt invincible, of course all this hate had to lead to this- fucking you crazy. It was such an intense realisation. With that thought, he pinned your arms behind your back. Shit. He was going faster, brutal, he was unbeatable and it made you whine like a lunatic. How did he do that? How could he do that?

‘’Come on, baby. Be sincere, no one else can see you break...just me.’’ He cooed.

‘’S-Stephen…..Please...I can't h-hold on any longer.’’ You stammered like a jittering fool.

‘’Oh, you can't? Didn't think that was in your vocabulary.’’

"You're w-wrong! Just shut up!'’

‘’Come on rocks, buy my silence. Cum for me.’’ The baritones of his voice sent you into overdrive- his voice alone could make you cum.

The sheer grip in which he held you was enough to drag you to the edge, you couldn't keep it in anymore, your body had given out. Stephen felt your warmth coat him entirely, you were so wet and slick and it made him so happy that he was the cause of that- well, with the help of those balls of course. And with that delighful sound you made as you came undone, he filled you up entirely in thick white ribbons. Jesus Christ, this was the fastest he'd ever came; he was embarrassed by the way he felt like a teenager- he was really questioning his stamina, you wore him out and he wasn't sure if it was for good.

He panted as he rolled off of you and tumbled next to you, completely spent and done for in a matter of sheer moments. You went limp as your body lay flat against the bed, trying to bridle the thoughts swirling in your head.

‘’Did I buy your silence? Was that sincere enough for you?’’ Your mouth was running itself a whole goddamn marathon, honestly just trying to keep up with the brutal pace he set beforehand.

‘’Yes. But be snippy with me like that again and I'll keep those silver balls on you for months.’’ Although he was completely serious of his threat, he did have to admit, he loved your smart mouth- it was so disarming and incredibly charming. He liked this flirtatious banter, he wanted it to continue.

‘’They did all the work for you it seems.’’ You insulted with a bashful smile and a blushed face, already going against his threat.

‘’Oh…that mouth. What am I going to do with that?’’

[the-cat-and-the-birdie]

It's easy to think that Diane annoys Hobie. She's nearly always at his side, talking his ear off about something or the other, laughing at all his jokes as if they were the funniest thing ever.

With Hobie being Mr.'Cool This Whole Time', it was easy to the get the impression.

Usually that's because people don't see what happens when she doesn't pay attention to him.

Hobie's an attention whore.

DiscoPunk: Hobie x OC!Diane

He's DYING for her Attention

Miguel gives her a particularly paperwork heavy task that she needs to focus on, and suddenly it's

'You're ignoring me?' (she isn't, if anything she's looking right at him.)

It's 'What, you don't like me no more?' or 'I'm dying of boredom. If you even care-' or 'torture, this is.'

It's him poking her side, or making kissy noises at her, or singing out of tune songs about the horrors of Boredom and Loneliness

It's like suddenly he has NOTHING BETTER TO DO other than annoying her in anyway possible.

She tries to get any work done -

He'll pester her, asking her to play games like 21 questions, then he'll purposely mess with the game to see if she notices.

He asks her stuff like 'Would you love me if I were a worm?' then acts like he's taking it personal

If she's not looking DIRECTLY at him he starts stealing shit. He's not quiet about it either.

'Put it back.' - 'Put what back where?'

Everyone on campus: 'Ugh, Diane can be so annoying, all she does is bug Hobie-'

HE'S THE ANNOYING ONE

Hobie Brown is a self-employed PROFESSIONAL NUISANCE

It's the LGS (lead guitarist syndrome)

He acts like if he doesn't get the attention he's going to literally explode as in physically combust 'kablooie' into dust right now.

Diane hasn't told him he's adorable in the last twenty minutes. Do you know what that does to a man? The world has forsaken him

The girl can't get any peace.

Margo has heard Diane say "Hobie, for the love of God'-" at least once every shift.

Margo is like 'tell him to go away'

She does, but all he does is leave her line of sight but stand close enough for her to hear his dramatic 'dejected' sighs like a puppy waiting outside the bathroom

If she tells him 'I really need to do this. I'll be off in 45 minutes, can you not die until then?'

All of a sudden Mr.'I don't believe in punctuality' is hanging out in the doorway EXACTLY 45 minutes later like-

'45 minutes, Di. You said 45, right?'

Oh NOW he can tell time. Okay, okay. Yeah.

She's like 'You see me doing this right? You see this work in my hands. The work in doing?'

It's the most frustrating thing in the world.

'You think this is funny?' - 'I really do.'

'I really hate you.' - 'You really don't.'

Unlike SOME people she tries to do her job and suddenly he's like 'I can't believe I lost you to capitalism'

'Look at this, they've got my girl slaving away for The Man. Sad, this is. The exploitation of labor here and now-' (he's being dramatic. she tells him this. he says 'I'll show you dramatic' and flops on her, pretending to die)

And Diane's like 'It's not capitalism. Miguel doesn't even pay me money'

And Hobies like 'DIANE THAT'S INFINITELY WORSE'

She gives him attention because he dies Romeo and Juliet style the second she doesn't 😭😭

She's a second away from being like

'brotha I've about had it with you'

She even goes to Miguel.

She begs him to do something about Hobie. 'Give him ANYTHING to do.' she begs 'Anything at all. There's no way I can do my job with his mind games-'

Miguel's like 'actually that IS your job. If he's bugging you he's not blowing something up. Plus it's the only way to get him to actually comes to campus.'

Hobie annoying her IS her job 😭😭 If he's messing with her he's not messing with Miguel so she has to take one for the team

Diane's like 'but he's SO ANNOYING'

'Glad you finally realized that, Diane.'

'*dejected Hobie sigh from the doorway*'

'GO AWAY.'

[litapeanut]

Netflix's Alexander the making of a god: pretty rad actually

My judgement: 8/10

While I'm not a history professional but a humble Alexander-the-great enthusiast, and I must admit I cannot judge the historical accuracy of all bits of information presented in the documentary either, I'm still impressed by the overall production as well as the producers' intention.

Firstly, I appreciate the presentation of a "non-Europe-centric" world at the time of ATG (which is objective since this was a pre-colonialism era, where multiple powerful nations outside of Europe existed, such as ancient Persia, ancient India and ancient China) and ancient Persia is portrayed as a strong rival instead of an uncivilised foreign hostile (I laughed every time the Greeks or Persians refer to each other as "barbarians" because this was how almost every ancient kingdom viewed the others, which is funny from a modern perspective). In the same respect, Darius is given a rationale for his motivation and shown as a worthy opponent.

In regards to acting, to me this series has the most accurate casting choices so far, and even if Buck Braithwaite (the actor portraying Alexander) doesn't deliver the sort of grandiose performance one would expect to be suitable for a figure like ATG, I'm moved by how human and nuanced his version of Alexander feels.

I'm definitely pleased with how truthful the relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion is portrayed, it's probably the very first time in human cinematic history that we see a portrayal like this (confettis!).

Regarding the low ratings, I'm aware that there are primarily two concerns resulting in this: 1) conservatives being deeply upset about Alexander being explicitly bisexual. I disregard such opinion completely since I know it is decidedly conservative which I don't agree with; 2) a neutral concern about the show not offering enough historical facts / not being accurate enough. As mentioned above I'm not a history professional, so as a common viewer I can only "blindly" trust the scholars being consulted.

In fact, I found the ratings of nearly all the ATG cinematic productions to be relatively low, from the 1963 Alexander, to the 2004 Alexander, and to this Netflix production. I understand that people throughout the ages have had mountainous expectation for any portrayal of ATG since he was not only a truly competent ruler but also a cultural legacy. And there's also another layer: even though he had accomplished monumental success as a conquerer, nonetheless his conquering brought wars and suffering to the civilians. Although the geopolitical dynamic then was different from that of now, meaning the countries he conquered were not considered "less developed", still you CANNOT tell the contemporary audience, some of whom are descendants from those conquered countries, who are people of colour, that Alexander's conquering of their countries was a natural result of social Darwinism, that these countries deserved to be conquered and casualty didn't matter – it's insensitive. As a POC myself, in my eyes Alexander was very much a hero of his time who had some greatness that all people can aspire to, but his military exploits are morally debatable according to modern standards (I don't hate him, I almost named my cat after him, I only want to view him as dialectically as possible). In sum, positioning the moral of his story for the post-colonial modern audience is tricky. Therefore, this Netflix documentary is the best reimagination of him, at least in my personal opinion.

[agirlwithachakram]

The gods asking Marc if Khonshu is abusing him is so fucking funny. Can you imagine the Olympians saying something like that?

Hathor says "This is a safe space for you to tell us if you feel exploited by Khonshu."

He's an ancient god! i mean hey. good on y'all for caring. But be real, please.

"Do you feel exploited by Poseidon? This is a safe space. Psych! Snake hair time!"

I guess it's not that different, since it was all bullshit anyway. Because Marc says yeah I'm sick, I'm mentally ill, and I do need help, and there are some concerned looks, but the second he says my feelings are not on trial, the guy trying to murder millions is, the gods are like well that sounds like a you problem.

Safe space my ass. Such a safe space that they don't even realize one of their own "acting out" for attention is doing it FOR A REASON. They use gentle therapy terms and turn around and say the moon is throwing tantrums because he's a little brat not because there might actually be an issue. It's so corporate HR. Right language, absolutely useless when someone needs help or action must be taken. They demand the avatar confess his mental health issues like it's any of their damn business, pretending they care, and then proceed to completely ignore him the second they can use his disorder against Khonshu. They were only looking for an excuse to shit talk baby bro. At least he's a real person, unlike his pet human. They make no move to free Marc from the god they believe is exploiting him!

it's ironic that the scene where Khonshu is explicitly called an abuser is the scene that makes him the most sympathetic.

[canmom]

silt verses episode 23 holy shit

so this is the episode where we start seeing them develop some kind of thematic answer to the problem of sacrifice laid out throughout the story so far: the problem that everything is built on bodies. the discussion they have of creating a god us a compelling metaphor for the problem of a political movement right. the requirement that an idea must be simple, communicable, local and universal at once, and also impossible to corrupt - when they are talking about the past gods of strikers and so on getting coopted and feeding the same as all the others, inevitably you start to to think of like ossified unions, ML states breaking strikes and rebellions and making a cult of productivity and creating new systems of penal slave labour, socdems getting elected only to impose austerity measures, or even on the smaller scale, the activist orgs that exploit their members or turn into petty little cults... so many ways that the desperate wish for a better world can turn into just more of that world, because of the demands of power.

but the answer they find is sort of tied up in the mechanics of this universe, it's hard to see how the idea of 'god of the unjustly sacrificed', one that steals the sacrifices out from under the other gods, could translate back from the metaphor. still, this show can tell stories of social violence so well. Paige's dad's story of the indifference of the prisoners as Walter is dragged away is especially striking. I think that's the most effective and chilling part of these stories: every episode gives us some grisly death in a variety of creative formats, and you can find the impact of that waning - but it's the ones where the survivors find reasons to excuse it, to mock and write off the victims or say there's nothing they can do, that cut closest to the bone for me.

also Paige is quietly confirmed trans in a passing comment! there's something darkly funny in how her dad, while holding supporting her transition over her head, doesn't misgender her, even when they have a big fight here - this is a world powered by comically routine, grisly human sacrifice and yet somehow it's way more accepting of trans people than ours. (i saw a post from the official @thesiltverses tumblr about how the Parish may be using provision of hormones etc as a way to lovebomb and therefore control trans members like Faulkner - something not directly addressed in the story itself so far but very fitting to their general MO.)

i can't wait to see where the develop this 'god of the sacrificed' plot, since it seems to be aiming right at the core of what the show is talking about. every episode is so sharply written, and just as something starts to repeat (you kind of start to anticipate every episode is going to have some grisly death or body horror and wait to see how it will manifest this time), it brings in something new and tasty.

episode 21, where we see politician Shrue on the campaign trail, is also very strong. Shrue could easily be a very one note character, the 'empty suit' vapid power-at-all-costs politician, but their sincere opposition to war as a point of principle, and how evidently they ends up out of their depth, adds so much to both them as a character and the sense of awful inevitability surrounding the events so far.

safe to say this has become a firm favourite already, and I'm only halfway through...

[nanomooselet]

Episode Five: Child of Blessing

Roberto telling Meryl a spooky story is the most dad moment he gets, I think. It's both funny and endearing. He sounds so much fonder than he did in the first episode and it echoes Wolfwood trying to make Meryl eat dinner in the previous episode. He obviously finds it amusing to see her irritated, but if she's telling him off she's no longer focused on the heat.

It's good the episode starts with that, because up until [redacted] this is the possibly the roughest watch in the series.

From what I can tell, Stampede is broken roughly into four sections - three episodes for Vash meeting Meryl, four to give us the essence of Wolfwood, two about Knives (though arguably Bright Light counts as his, or maybe you could say he hijacked it) and the finale. But these categories aren't absolute. I believe all four sections reflect the conflict at the show's heart - what I think the producer called "the song of the brothers". This is an episode about the past, and it begins in the past, but it's also about the present, and about Wolfwood, and about Knives.

I love the soft, very faintly sepia-toned filter for the flashbacks. They feel warm and a little faded, like an old blanket that's still comfortable. So of course the story they tell is horrible. Rollo's mother didn't want to sacrifice her son, but in the world as her belief system had conceptualised it, it's his blessing upon the town, a wonderful thing. The other women all went through the same. And all of them have been lied to, manipulated, exploited - they are no more than expendable resources. Their god never appeared to them and gave nothing back to them. Every one of the children before Rollo died in pain, and despite the ostensible "success" Rollo represented, the first thing he does (it's implied) is attack and kill his mother. Twenty years later the town is deserted. And though Roberto's explanation of the sand's colour cannot possibly be true - it was already red when Rollo was still a normal boy - the picture painted with every other detail isn't one I really want think about.

This is a Wolfwood episode - the first time, I think, he has to act of his own volition for the sake of his goal. The first time Vash sees him assume the mantle of the Punisher. And Vash hates it. It hurts to see Rollo dead, to know that he can do nothing to save him now. But even more, it hurts to know that Wolfwood has no faith that Rollo could have returned when Vash is so eager to have that faith in Wolfwood. It's fairly clear that Wolfwood saw himself in Rollo - Wolfwood sees the drugs, we see his vials, they're the same colour and they do the same thing. The shot of Wolfwood coming to the realisation of what's been done to this poor kid is haunting. And the only solution he has is to put him down - the only solution he himself sees to what’s been done to him.

But… I feel like Vash's reaction, along with the tone of how the episode concludes, isn't just about losing Rollo and seeing his ideals torn down. It isn't just about Wolfwood showing Vash what he's had to become. Yes, this is in part an episode revealing the depths of Knives's cruelty, and they sure as hell aren't done yet. But it's not just that.

Rollo took on a different name. Rollo became a living weapon. Rollo was consumed by hate. Rollo murdered his mother, ruined his home. And Vash promises Rollo that he'll stay, that he won't abandon him to be all alone again, only for Wolfwood to dispense his “mercy” and put him beyond helping forever.

I think if there's anything Vash fears more than he fears what Knives will do, it's that his brother is beyond receiving any other mercy.

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Odd Squad UK -- "A Dicey Situation" Episode Followup, Part 1

Captain O origins episode! "Totally Odd Squad" Mk. II! Call it what you like, I'm just hoping this is good. After the hell that was "Mission O Possible", I like to be prepared. Almost anything could surpass that, really.

Let's dive in below the break! (Pun unintended.)

...It's another Tasha episode.

I can hear that stupid "oh no" TikTok song playing as I fucking type this. I'm not confident after "The Triangle Sisters". I'm praying to Don't-Fuck-This-Up-God.

Hey. Hey. You guys remember when Otis threw a fit because Rebecca was exploiting Odd Squad for moving services?

This is just as egregious and yet will go entirely undetected. You don't need two pseudo-government agents to pull up Google Maps and punch in the location of the nearest Aldi's, for God sakes.

I see this milk came from the same cow that the Town Baker's milk came from.

I'd go investigate that cow, really.

You guys also remember Otis giving therapy to a plant?

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS BUT IT'S MILK. And it's just as amusing here as it was there.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"

Thank you, edutainment overlords, for this obligatory healthy eating message.

Asshole cereal box is making up lies for himself, methinks. Dude just tipped over on his own the second his owner picked up the milk pitcher.

hhhhheeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY THIS AIN'T MY SWAMPS 'N GATORS. WHERE'S MY SWAMPS 'N GATORS YOU CHUCKWADS.

...No but seriously what is this game and why does it look like Odd Squad Risk to me.

I remember when there was a brief shot of Oona failing at chess and Oprah telling her that's not how the game is played.

That was fun.

This is fun too, and nice to see, but it doesn't hit the same.

Good segue. Not as good as Oprah calling everyone out on their RPS strategies.

(You will see me make a lot of TOS cracks and references. I will not regret a single one of 'em.)

Hot damn, she can dim the lights with her mind! That's craaaaaaaaaaaazeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

So that would make her ship the Odd Squad Odd Squad.

Instead of Screw Steamer Odd Squad, or Steam Ship Odd Squad, both of which sound much better.

And are actually canon in the franchise.

(No, really. Go listen to the Squadcast. The S.S. Odd Squad is a 100% canon ship.)

Honestly, if you had told me about a year ago that that sailor in that promo picture SSE put out was a chef named Osgood, I'd have laughed at you.

RIP to the days when I thought that sailor was an assistant of Captain O's and not her first mate.

Ohhhh, a wavy flashback effect! Standard in a ton of shows, but Odd Squad has never really employed it as far as I'm aware. Nice to see they're going to effect basics!

Aside from that, wow that is...a tiny ship. Tinier than I was expecting. I was expecting something huge and not...y'know...a little BB thing.

I'm sorry, I just did an entire fuck-ass wheeze at her saying SHE KNEW OSGOOD SINCE NURSERY SCHOOL.

These two ARE FUCKING CHILDHOOD FRIENDS.

Genuinely fucking flabbergasted, because it's rare that we get childhood friends who were main characters in this franchise and joined Odd Squad together. Not even Olive and Otto can attest to that! Or Olympia and Otis!

Best bit in the entire episode so far bar nearly none.

I mean...on the plus side, at least he only has two mouths to feed.

That being said, I will once again raise the issue of there being couch cushions in a ship like that.

...Goldfish.

Huge-ass Goldfish.

You can't fool me.

They're Goldfish.

If there is one thing I utterly despise about Captain O as a character, it's the stupid euphemisms.

They're not amusing. They're not funny. I've heard better from other characters.

Okay, a shell phone is actually pretty clever. One point to Tasha, and don't make me revoke it as quickly as I did last time.

(Choosing to overlook the fact that there's an Admiral because...I mean...pretty standard sailor stuff. And me and other fans can work with the lore.)

Definitely not the intent, but I can't stop reading this line as utterly sarcastic since Captain O did a hard aversion off the "Newhart Phone Call" cliff.

"So this look isn't a fashion choice?"

Osgood, you poor Ohlm-like sonuvagun.

No, sir, actually those are holes. They got depth to 'em. Swiss cheese is not made with polka dots.

"See? You're a fashion trendsetter."

Ohhhhh it's like...the woman in "Double O Trouble"...but 's...fuckin' polka dots...

Great, I hate it, thanks.

*squints*

*more*

*even more*

...Bitch that is a cluster of fucking trees. That is not an island. Now how and why would you spend pounds on a fucking CLUSTER OF TRE-

THIS IS HOW THEY CHOOSE TO REMIND US THAT ORLI AND OZZIE ARE STILL HERE?????? WITH THE OBLIGATORY MATH LESSON?!?!?!?!?!?

Oh piss ALL the fuckin' way off.

If this is gonna have a lesson at the end, like in "The Weight of the World Depends on Orla", I'm going to lose my fuckin' mind.

Because, for all that Season 3 sucks, that episode was actually pretty solid.

it was just her and osgood

this guy shows up

not even the two canon characters from the odd squadcast they could've used

...I get it. You need someone to steer the ship. Fine. But for the love of God, just include the one driving the boat in your roll call!

I'm...I'm so tired. We are halfway into this episode. I am tired.

I honestly can't be bothered to ask why this woman has a rotary phone and how the fuck it can get service out here where there would, in most other instances, be no phone lines. Or electricity. OR FUCKING SPEAKERPHONE.

I do like the pirate getup Dottie here has going on, though.

Well, the last time a villain alleged to not have a pattern...they had a pattern.

I don't expect Dottie to be much different in that regard.

ohhhhhh oodelallyoohdelally it's the chekhov's gun wheeeeeeeeeeeeee-

She spun in the chair for all of time, bored out of her wits.

(On to Part 2!)