#hes a showman he can appreciate a show

[ratatatastic]

maffhew who should be building up the USvCAN rivarly for 4 nations (the most we've gotten is him staunchly refusing to represent canada)

but instead choosing to fanboy over the FINvsSWE rivarly because heddy and patty are headlining it right now and the thought of his teammates involved in said rivarly is very exciting to him personally...

shouldve seen that one coming....

florida panthers @ la kings | 1.22.25 (x)(x)

[voxofthevoid]

Yuuji's also extremely comfortable with violence, whether that's lethal violence toward curses or training/sparring with peers and mentors. The little we know of his pre-canon backstory features him beating up bullies, and he may not have been as dramatic about it as Megumi was, but the look on his face was sure something else.

LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK 🗣🗣🗣

Those who think Yuji is a uwu sunshine and rainbows baby seem to forget that he got the "Tiger of West Junior High" moniker because he used to beat up bullies (also that name goes SO hard and I love it deeply) and that doesn't happen if you only do it once or twice... He probably did it on the regular, or at least did it enough time to warrant the name! (Also in Japan junior high is between 12 and 15 y/o, so like... he was a menace long before getting pulled into the world of jujutsu)

I need more people to accurately portrait how truly feral and insane my son Yuji can be

YEAH

Though if I say it any louder, I'll start crawling out of people's devices "It's Me, I'm the PS5" style.

He was absolutely a menace well before jujutsu entered his life. Even before we see his fun afterschool activity of beating people up, we see him admit that he's always been good at fighting and later express beaming pride at his physical capabilities.

Honestly, pre-canon Yuuji fascinates me. The few glimpses we see of him at 14 show he's pretty much the same kid in terms of values, but he's also more subdued and stony, depending on whether he's with friendly classmates or random bullies. His more overt cheer in canon proper seems to have come later, and given his life circumstances, I wonder how much of it is a committed choice to being bright and positive. We also see it fade to reveal his quieter, introspective, and perceptive side at many critical points.

Another facet that fascinates me is the sheer control he has over his physical strength. Being that controlled at fifteen speaks of long practice and exacting care: He can't "turn off" his strength by controlling his CE because he's inhumanly strong because of Kenjaku's wombtecnics, not CE, and unlike Maki or Toji, it's not like he'd have had any idea why he's so strong, fast, etc. Yet, he can still touch people gently with the same hands that can casually punch through concrete. Makes you wonder how his strenth developed, whether the control is largely instinctive or painstakingly learned, and how many mistakes he made in the process of wrangling it. He doesn't hide his power, clearly, and we mostly see people appreciate it in sporty/showman contexts, but that kind of thing can also very easily be isolating, especially when you're a kid.

...Half of this has barely anything to do with your ask, but I am prone to yammering when Yuuji's brought up. But yes, he's insane and feral. The adaptability alone is downright unhinged, and it only escalates throughout the series. Gojou clocks him as crazy a few days into meeting him, and Yuuji sure earns that.

I Love This Kid A Normal Amount.

[nameismizuki]

I told myself that if i reached 300 followers then I'll post a proper introduction here, so yes— here it is ✨

BLOG INTRODUCTION / ABOUT ME ☆

Hello everyone, welcomee ~ and thank you for those who followed me! I really appreciate it 🤍

» You can call me Mizuki, or Rei(which is my irl nickname), whichever is comfortable for you i don't mind

» 🇵🇭 | 20↑ year old Artist, March 23rd | Aries ♈

» Pansexual. He/She/They, any pronouns really, if you see me as a guy or a girl, i'm totally fine with that

» I LOVE LOVEE Legend of Zelda, and that includes Linked Universe as well! I love Dark Link and Fierce Deity, they're my best boys 🤲💞 I love all Zelda games, but Skyward Sword will always be my number one 🫶

•────────────⋅ ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅────────────•

• MY CURRENT FAVORITES / OBSESSIONS —

» games : Legend of Zelda, Sky: COTL, God of War, God Eater, Danganronpa, Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, Undertale, Tales series, Soul Calibur, Mouthwashing

» music artists : JVLA, AURORA, Sleep Token, Odetari, BTS, Bad Omens, Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons, Yaelokre, Vocaloid

» tv shows/movies : Stranger Things, Umbrella Academy, School of Rock, Interstellar, The Greatest Showman, Murder Drones, Helluvaboss, Hazbin Hotel, The Amazing World of Gumball

» anime : Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Kimetsu no Yaiba, HunterxHunter, Lovely Complex, Death Note, Sket Dance and a lot more tbh

•────────────⋅ ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅────────────•

ABOUT THIS BLOG ✨

☆ English is not my first language, so I apologize if there will be some misunderstandings, or grammatical errors

☆ I wanna keep this blog as a safe space for everyone, so NO HATE SPEECH OR ANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS/TAGS please. I understand we all have different opinions/preferences, but please if you are not a fan of a certain character i drew then i suggest you keep it to yourself instead of spreading hate. Remember to always be kind to everyone 🙏

☆ And of course, as some of you may already know, there will be a lot of Legend of Zelda fanarts in here, but I might also draw fanarts from other fandoms

☆ If anyone is interested, my art commissions are still open! 💌

click HERE 👈 for my commission sheet

That's all for now. I think i've made this intro quite long lol so if you made it all the way here, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS! ʕ⁠´⁠•��ᴥ⁠•⁠`⁠ʔ ♡

Have a great day/night! HUGSSS 🫂❤️

[duelinthesun]

hi! what about phil ochs makes you love phil ochs? why is he so great? oh, and have a wonderful week!

hi! i know i post about phil so much, but i'm actually terrible at gathering my thoughts and writing anything coherent. but i'll try

i love the humour and wit in his songs, writings and interactions with the audience, he would often introduce songs (like Cannons of Christianity, Ringing of Revolution) in a very funny and entertaining way and you can just see how much he loved music, writing and getting the right message across. everyone that knew him said that he was a very genuine and honest person, i've read a ton of comments from older fans that said they managed to meet and talk to him after the shows, because he would just sit by the bar to grab a drink and was very "available" to the people, yk? i remember reading memories of a guy that was a student in the 70s, whose flatmate approached phil after one of the shows to invite him over to watch an episode of the midnight special, in which phil performed. he said yes to these random kids, went to their flat and sat there, watching the tv and talking to them. i love this story so much. also, like jerry rubin once said, phil was simultaneously very shy and vulnerable, but also a great, angry showman. he did have these two, seemingly very contrary, sides, but at the same time somehow it always felt like he was true to himself and that's very, idk, admirable? actually, i'm gonna put the whole jerry quote here, because it's great and i really relate to him haha: "[...] and Phil was amazing, because he had this very sensitive side of his personality that's almost feminine, and then in a second he would turn into the most incredible male show-business angry person, and then he'll go right back to being so sensitive and shy you wanted just embrace him like a little child"

and obviously i love this angry-activist side too. him writing all those protest songs, organizing the benefit for chile concert, the war is over rallies, conducting interviews with politicians - he really was taking action, not just talking about it. He would sometimes even cancel commercial shows overnight to fly out to perform at a protest on the other side of the country. idk if this sounds lame? corny? but his music made me care more and taught me more about history and politics, esp of the united states, but also something new about chile, china. anytime i listened to one of his political songs, i had to google the names and events mentioned (which made me terrified at how little i knew ngl), but it's a very enriching experience. i appreciate not only the message, wittiness and sensibility(?) of his lyrics, but the melodies and his quite unique voice too. and like, i honestly love listening to his live recordings/demos and hear him get raspy or not hitting the right notes sometimes, it's just so human and endearing (not post 1973 though, he was mugged in tanzania and his vocal chords - and spirits in result - were crushed. so, listening to him after that incident is often saddening)

i often see people complain, that phil only knew how to make one type of music and didn't evolve as an artist at all. this is baffling to me, because i'd say that half of his albums are totally different from what people associate him with (protest). he wrote so many experimental, retrospective, and even country songs! his career was short, but actually very diverse. those more retrospective and personal songs, like "i'm tired" and "alone" are some of my favourites. They're sad, but relatable, and relating to someone's sadness is more powerful than relating to one's happiness, yk? now i don't want to write a whole paragraph about phil's struggles, because conversations about him often focus too much on this aspect of his life imo, but i'll just say that they hit very close to home.

the last thing i'm going to mention, so this whole post isn't 200k words long, is his fangirlism! the same way we love him, he loved elvis, buddy and john wayne, and would be happy as a cloud watching them on screen or on stage. which is, once again, very relatable and cute. he was a nerd haha

this is incredibly long, but at the same time very, very superficial. i hope it's readable though and answers your questions. have a great week too<3 (and excuse my english)

[cineflections]

You know, if there was one manga that would be adapted to live action and succeed, I never would have guessed it to be this one.

I'm ofc talking about the One Piece Live Action on Netflix

A whole day binge right after release, I was READY, and thankfully, I was not disappointed. There are cuts and streamlining of the story, characters coming in earlier than in the manga/anime, and some of the emotional bits don't hit as hard as in the original. Still, I can feel the love the production team has of One Piece. The characters are goofy and lovable, but they are also serious and straight-faced.

One thing that I noticed throughout was the constant close up to faces and sometimes straight on, as if almost breaking the 4th wall. The very first scene with Luffy is like this, but there he DOES look into the camera directly, but the pov of the camera is revealed to be a newsbird. It's like a statement that they know this is a silly pirate romp, they know that some people will not take this seriously, but they will not do 4th wall breaks silly, but in-universe silly. Does that make sense?

I laughed at several points in the show, big and wide smile on my face and pointing at the screen several times...

But I do wonder how much of my laugh was on the show's on merit or if I was only calling back on the the source material. At times I did feel the straw hat crew not being as iconic as in the manga/anime. The extreme reactions, the over the top noises and actions, at the same time I realize that real people generally don't act like that.

I appreciate the show runners attention to details. Putting stuff in to tease future arcs, adapting some cover stories, some of the complete unhinged behaviors of characters (Garp I'm looking at you!).

This show adapted Romance Dawn, orange town, syrup village, baratie, and arlong park.

There are so many moments that are almost scene by scene taken from the manga. Luffy in the barrel and meeting Koby. Alvida with her giant spike club. We got to see some pre-captured Zoro moments (particularly him killing a baroque works agent!), Nami being a sneak.

Then we meet the one and only clown Buggy! They hammed him up, they made him a showman and a real clown (with a real bulgy nose as well, props!). I loved Buggy. Goddamn what a show stealer. Excellent casting, his devil fruit was show cased so well and it looked good!

Usopp's introduction is the most changed. The kids are gone and the Black Cat pirates never call in the entire crew or Jango. Instead of the fight on the slope by the beach it's instead in Kaya's house from which they cannot escape. The actor for Kuro nailing the mannerism and hand movements, altho his "teleporting" looks a bit wonky.

With Baratie we are finally introduced to Sanji! Who's British now 😆. And Mihawk's introduction tho! Badass and just so over the top and goofy. I love him so much! This is where we got the biggest change where we instead get Arlong and crew coming in smashing the place up (a tiny bit). Arlong may not be as tall as he should be but I love the practical approach instead of CGI, which means he actually feels present! All the fishmen we see are guys in costume and prosthetics!

Arlong Park felt a bit more rushed than the earlier parts, but I do think they nailed *that* scene tho.

If the bar for live action adaptation was below the ground, I would say now there's a new bar, which is on the ground 😅. I think it's a solid show but it might be my bias talking. I do have some gripes tho.

One thing that was constant in East Blue Saga was how much village people hate or are scared of pirates. I think they got the marines right, and the pirates, but they failed to really have the village people be a character in their own right. In the manga and anime the villagers are mostly a monolith who will think and act alike in situations and be part of the happenings either by watching or fighting. We got just about none of it here, except a mention in Arlong Park. They did some really good and cool world building with lots of people populating the sets in the background - but that's it, they're just extras to fill out the screen. There are ofc a few exceptions but I felt it was not enough.

I wish they had Luffy be more agile when using his gum-gum powers. Whenever he springs a pistol or a whip is stands in place, which I found boring (and they did so well with Zoro's fights!). I do think the explanation is that they decided for Luffy to be coming into his powers as we go. That we will learn with him all the things he can do (him not knowing he can blow himself up like a balloon proves this). I hope that in season 2 (please netflix!) they show the growth in his fighting!

But to end this long post. I just wanna say how much I fucking love the dude playing Mihawk. Goddamn he's so fun. MVP.

For the straw hats, I would say that Usopp feels the closest to manga version, and Luffy feels the most distant from it. But I don't dislike this, and I think the actor for Luffy has so much potential to really make the role his own.

It will never be "just like" the manga and anime, but that's ok! It's a new adaptation (in live action) made by people you can tell loves the source material and really really tried to make it work! I respect that, and I respect this show. Please watch it on Netflix! It's a fun and silly time, just like it should be!

[kitzatara]

My full Zatanna Bring Down The House Review!

(spoiler filled, you have been warned!)

First of all I really enjoyed it, it is a very good characterization of Zatanna. We see her heroism and her innate desire to help people, even strangers, and people she doesn’t trust. Helping the magic users, and seeing her desire to do what’s right. She was determined and doesn’t hesitate to help, just like the hero she is.

She had a dry sense of humor, a showman personality and love of performing, her stubborn will and her temper as well. These are all traits that I have seen and consider to be consistent in Zee over the years. So seeing them be core to her in this book was very much appreciated.

I do have a couple narrative nitpicks, 1) she’s never killed anyone, ever. So the decision to have her accidentally kill a kid in the story was a shame to me. I don’t like the breaking of that 60 year record. My only comfort is that it technically isn’t canon. So technically her record is still intact.

2) is the casters doing logomancy. I think that should be something only Zataras can do. It’s such a unique style of spellcasting, and having other magic users be able to do it sort’ve undermines this unique concept. The original reason the Zataras spoke backwards was because they were descendants of Da Vinci. So others should find it extremely difficult to do if they can do it at all.

I’ve mixed opinions about the casters & bunnies in general. They remind me of the Homo Magi, And I couldn’t help but feel that making Zatara part of a secret magic group was just taking from Sindella’s origin. Which has already happened by making Zatara a Homo Magi, I think the casters easily could’ve been swapped for the Homo Magi. But they were interesting, warring factions of magic is always a fun concept.

One problem I have, that isn’t exclusive to this book, was having her not use magic much until the end. It’s very common for magic users to have this trope of powerlessness. Especially at the start of a hero’s journey. So, I recognize the story format but I’m tired of seeing it.

We’ve now have had 6 stories follow a similar route (7 soldiers, come together, Mystik U, Jewel of gravesend, mystery of the meanest teacher) also absolute power, and technically both JLD runs also begin similarly. Seeing Zatanna constantly at square one no longer serves her character, her story, and discards her history. We should move past stories centered on her not using magic and start moving on to stories of her being a fully realized sorceress.

My final big problem with the story is constantine’s inclusion. I’ve made posts on other platforms about how poorly he treats her and will eventually post one here. But in Bring Down The House he is once again made a part of her origin and revealed to be manipulating things behind the scenes, keeping secrets from her, and even lying to her because he knows better and is trying to “keep her safe.” It’s just an example of sexist tropes like him manipulating and infantilizing her. Which I am also sick of seeing.

That all being said the conclusion is the crown jewel of the story. It’s immensely satisfying. We got to see her transfiguring an army of demons easily. A powerful ability in her tool kit that I feel isn’t utilized as much as it used to be. The bunnies as allies was also fun, and having magical bunnies as allies and a part of her show is a fun and whimsical addition to her lore that I’ve wanted to see.

It was dare I say almost worth the typical and repetitive hero’s journey. While the decision to make Zatara the villain of this story was interesting, albeit not one I would have made. His defeat was wonderful and spectacular. It was emotional, impactful and bad ass. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally, it must be said and cannot be understated how beautiful the art was. It was colorful, whimsical, and just perfect for her story. It wove with the narrative seamlessly. I loved the artwork in this book. Truly blew me away.

So even though I have my criticisms and nitpicks, it was still a really fun and beautiful read, with a perfect ending. I wish the series was an ongoing, or led to a solo title for her because reading this showed how fun her story could be. All in all to me it was a 4/5.

Thank you for reading

Eht dne!

[blacklegsanjiii]

Clown!Sanji probably gets really creative with everyone’s meals and such … in canon he’s already the sort of person to carve flower shapes out of carrot slices and etc but I think he’d go even crazier in this AU.

Meal prep probably becomes the sort of thing crewmates will stick around to look at on occasion bc Sanji absolutely makes a performance out of it. He’s out here juggling ingredients and making a spectacle out of slicing this or whisking that— stuff that Zeff would ABSOLUTELY have his head over if he did it with him, but damnit if he doesn’t take after his dad! Besides, it’s his galley, so he can get as flashy with it as he wants, especially since it’s got an audience that appreciates it .

It probably extends to presentation as well, like him making little “confetti” poppers that chopper can use to put sprinkles on his deserts and things like that. Mealtimes are fun with the strawhats .

- Wine

Clown!Sanji is definitely a showman and definitely goes over the top with presentation, the crew loves it though. Robin is probably the first one to actually sit through meal prep with him, just looking for some quiet on the Merry to read her book but is pulled in by Sanji just making a show out of his prep. Chopper definitely gets sprinkle poppers and he watches Sanji form cotton candy into fun shapes and he watches the cook's dexterous hands cut intricate shapes into fruit and vegetables. He juggles plates and bowls and obviously he's also flexible so he can contort his body into weird shapes and inhuman poses that only Luffy could also do. Eventually a lot of the crew will be around to watch, lingering in the galley after meals to help clean and watch the blond pull weird stunts like catching dishes Luffy's dropping his feet or twisting unnaturally to yell at the swordsman. He's constantly over the top and flashy and he just gets more extra after the time skip. Everyone is glad to still see the cook do over the top performances and be more extravagant with his presentation and gimmicks the crew do so love.

But damn if after WCI and Wano it gets to an extreme because even though he's so well adjusted because he was just shown so much love and care by so many people who weren't in and out of his life and didn't mince their words or were gruff in training, he still has a lot of guilt for leaving the crew and asking for the death pact and putting those burdens on the crew. He somehow goes more over the top as a way to make up for it and he knows he's not being rational, he does, but he just feels like he has to make it up to them somehow. Whether the crew remembers he's Buggy's kid or not depends on the member, but when they team up with the guild and watch him with the Buggy Pirates and see just where he came from it kind of clicks anyway. They're all over the top and performative and trying to outdo each other. Chopper shows Buggy the sprinkle poppers Sanji has for him and he makes bigger ones just to fuck with his kid. That's how the crew finds out he knows how to build bombs, the poppers should have been a clear indication but they weren't.

[alexanderwales]

Concert Review: Weezer's Blue Planet Tour

I'm not a music guy. I blame my dad for that: he was an orchestra conductor and music professor, and obviously I needed to set myself in opposition to him by not listening to music or learning to play an instrument despite the prodding of my parents.

There were only a few exceptions to my general abstention from music when I was growing up, and one of those exceptions was Weezer's Blue Album. So I still would not consider myself a music guy, but I did go to this concert, since it's one of my favorite albums of all time. Top five, definitely. It's only the second concert I've ever been to, unless you count classical music, in which case it's the 213th (number not exact).

The first opening act was Dinosaur Jr., who I had not even heard of until the day of. I had no idea what their music was going to be like, and decided that maybe I would become a fan after hearing them live.

Look, I don't normally like to talk bad about things that I can tell aren't for me.

Dinosaur Jr. made me question whether I had ever actually enjoyed music. The guitar sections sounded like a cat yowling, in a bad way. I was far enough away that I began to wonder whether they were playing an angry cat rather than a guitar. I hated every song they played, and one of us misunderstood some of the fundamentals of what makes a good song — which I will freely admit might be me. I thought that maybe live concerts were just like that, and I had made a horrible mistake. I feel obligated to go seek out some of their very best songs and listen to what they sound like professionally recorded outside of the arena, for the sake of fairness, but I actually just want to never hear anything from them again. I wondered whether warm-up acts were like the first pancake, a sacrifice necessary for what follows to be good. I might say "not for me" but what I feel in my heart is "I despised listening to this".

Then the Flaming Lips came on and made me realize that I do, in fact, like music. I'm not a huge fan of the Flaming Lips, but they do have a dozen songs I like, and I must have good taste, because all the songs they played were my favorites. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Do You Realize, the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, She Don't Use Jelly ... it made me want to listen to more of their discography to see whether there's more there I've overlooked, even if I've listened to a lot of the Flaming Lips. And all the songs came with cool lighting that added to the experience, sweeping shafts of light that swept over us, timed to the music, and none of that seemed like it was all that difficult, but I did appreciate the vibe. There were also props, which I loved: when they played Yoshimi there were two giant inflatable pink robots that swayed back and forth to the music, and during the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song there were two inflatable eyeballs standing on either side of Wayne Coyne, who had inflatable lips. The dancing eyeballs turned from side to side, making it look like they were following the crowd, it was great. Wayne Coyne is great at all the showman stuff, though I think he asked me to make some noise one too many times. I obliged him, and howled like a wolf.

As much as I enjoyed the Flaming Lips, it was Weezer is was there for, specifically the promise that they would be playing the Blue Album from start to finish. This was their very first concert of this tour, so I didn't know what to expect, but they emerged from a spaceship that rose up into the ceiling, and had a charmingly dorky space theme going on, with visuals behind them showing the journey to the blue planet. They played mostly the hits, though a few songs from deeper in their catalog too, and I sang along to all of them. Pork and Beans, Beverly Hills, Island in the Sun, Pink Triangle ... there was a whole Pinkerton section, which I appreciated, because I'm fond of Pinkerton. There were a few references to this space theme they had going, and it was dorky, because Rivers Cuomo is a dork, but I liked it, because I too am a dork.

But when they started the Blue Album it was like the real concert had begun. The crowd got louder, there was more energy in the arena, and the Blue Album is one of those rare albums that's just all great songs, one after the other. The performances were very close to what was on the album, and I do wonder about that, because it's been thirty years since it's come out, and ... does Weezer feel beholden to it? Does it not feel suffocating to feel compelled to go with the choices you made when you were in your 20s? Do your tastes not drift? But of course the fans want what they remember, and though the music is live, the band is playing music that's long since crystalized. Whatever my thoughts on the thirty year gap of time, the Blue Album is still just full of songs I love and deeply relate to.

My one problem with the Blue Album has always been Only in Dreams, which is eight minutes long, and that's just too long. It feels eight minutes long. By contrast, Bohemian Rhapsody is six minutes long, and really earns that six minutes. Here though, as the final song of the concert, I thought it worked. The extended song felt like it's supposed to feel, like the album doesn't want to end, and by extension, like the concert doesn't want to end.

The big takeaway for me is that I should go to more concerts. There's something hard to put into words about what it feels like to sing along to a song with ten thousand other people, what it feels like to have the bass thumping through your body and have the full sensory experience of the light show in a dark room.

The small takeaway is that I really hate Dinosaur Jr.

[acaplaya-musings]

A random assortment of Geoff Castellucci pictures - Part 3

Y'all seemed to enjoy part 1 and part 2, so here, have a part 3! Featuring pics of Geoff from videos where I haven't already saved any screencaps from (not counting Voiceplay Visuals posts), but where he still looks really good anyway. And so because this one involves me going back and rewatching certain videos for the purpose of screenshot grabs (always nice to have another excuse! <3), these pictures are going chronologically by video, oldest to newest, rather than alphabetical by title. And again, featuring little bits of thoughts/commentary from yours truly. This one ended up being longer than part 2 as well, so enjoy!

(Everything below the cut as like the previous posts!)

Starting off strong my fam!!

I said as much in my VoicePlay Visuals post I think but this is honestly one of Geoff's best "shorter (or at least shorter-ish) hair" looks imo. Like look at those waves and curls! To! Die! For!

Also the open shirt with the popped collar is such a look and I kinda wanna see Geoff with a popped collar more often tbh

Also on the Panic Medlry Part 2 video someone commented "Is it just me or is Geoff extra hot in these last two vids". VoicePlay replied with "It's not just you. There was no air conditioning. ;)" XD

I forgot how hard it is to get decent pics of Geoff from this video, rip. I couldn't not include anything from it though! I mean come on!

Sir excuse me who gave you the right (and can they give you the right more often please)

I don't even know what it is in particular about this look that's so good but dear god everything just works and like, y'know, as I very frequently say: He's! So! Pretty!!!

Actually I do know one key component: his smile!!! <3

Well hello there good sir! 👀

Yet another video where Geoff smiles a lot and it's so lovely and nice but goddang is it hard to get a clear pic of him!

Yes a good portion of these pics is honestly just me showing some of my favourite Geoff smiles from different videos, and I apologise for nothing <3

Look, I love Geoff as a Disney villain, of course I do, he slays it absolutely every single time, but goddamn, I would love for more Disney Prince Geoff, in vibes/aesthetic if not any actual Disney song.

Also shoutout to one bit during Eli's When I'm Older section, where Geoff is looking off to the side and smiling <3 (smiling at Kathy? Maybe?)

(Oh and actually, between Sh-Boom and this video, I'm realising I kinda sorta wanna make a picture collection post for Layne as well - he does have some good looks sometimes! Nothing Else Matters, Hellfire, Warriors, y'know?)

Jumping ahead 1.5 years now!

Butter is such a fun video - everyone looked like they had such a great time!

If I Were A Rich Man/Girl MY ABSOLUTE BELOVED

The fluff in the hair, the visible bit of white/grey, the shirt, the smile!!! This video has me so weak y'all <3

Honestly Geoff looks phenomenal in almost every single medley video in particular and I love it (almost every medley - Greatest Showman Medley isn't in this photoset for the same reason that Kidnap The Sandy Claws and Hide And Seek aren't, lol)

(Also appreciation for the long-sleeve shirt behind rolled up to the elbows 👀)

Geoff from like 2022 onwards was "I'm going to find a hundred different black outfits to wear in videos and I'm going to look good every time" /j

Couldn't help but include a pic from We Don't Talk About Bruno in this - he's so silly (affectionate) <3

Not including any pics of Disney Princess Geoff(tm) only because it makes me laugh too much XD (seriously even as soon as Ashley starts singing Isabela's part I already start giggling, and it does in fact get me every time, but you can find a couple of pics of it in my VoicePlay Visuals post for this video HERE

I haven't rewatched this video in a while, so I wasn't exactly sure what kinda quality of screencaps I was gonna be able to grab from it, but well... it delivered!!!

I said this in a comment on the video as well but whoever had the idea to have that little bit of breeze/wind blowing Geoff's (and Adriana's) hair back, you're a genius and I love you

Also DJ_410 has occasionally referred to Geoff having "puppy dog eyes" or something along those lines, and man, he ain't wrong!

Someone said in the comments of this video that "Geoff is slowly turning into a silver fox" and honestly so true bestie <3 (ages! like! fine! wine!)

Also love how you can see the full necklace in this one (fun fact: Geoff's wearing a white singlet underneath, but he actually deliberately ripped it open a little bit at the neckline, which is how we end up with this 👀)

Plus this is the closest we've come to Geoff wearing a upturned/popped collar since the Panic Medley!

I Love Drunken Sailor A Normal Amount

Okay so obviously I already had one image from this video already saved to my folder - my profile pic - but nothing otherwise, and man is this video a goldmine. The arms! The hair! The eyeliner!!!

We really were absolutely spoiled when it came to Sleeveless Geoff in 2023 quite honestly

And what better way to end this post than with the god-tier all around stunningness that is Geoff in Hellfire?

I mean come on he literally looks like a goddamn painting!

So that's all for now! I might at some point do a part 4 or something dedicated to Minis and/or Shorts, but I do have a couple of other post ideas in mind for later down the line, so we shall see!

[draclula]

”Magic and Desserts”

lyney x f!reader

chapter 2

Author’s note: This chapter got very delayed for which I am very sorry. A lot of things have happened in my personal life and some technical problems popped up in the process of editing the second part. Also just started working on the 3rd chapter!

word count: 2.2k

“‘Lyney, the..’ no way.. THAT WAS LYNEY ‘THE’ MAGICIAN??” you try to keep your voice down but the surprises just keep coming. Your brother hanging his had in disappointment but still smiling. “You are a lost cause. How can you forget his face?” he asks, looking at you under his brows. “I have only seen him ONCE. But he DID look familiar.” you taunted yourself with the image of his face while getting the coffees on the serving tray. “He invited me to go and see their show this Saturday. Can I go?” you asked quietly. “Well, their shows are a big deal and a lot of people will most likely be there to watch it. Hm, it’s too early to say, let’s wait some more, okay?” his ‘deep-in-thought’ face was on display, turning around so he can see the customers. “Okay.”

Thru the remaining week, your mind was occupied with the show and it’s needless to say your spacing out caused you some burns here and there while making new desserts. It was obvious to, your older brother, Arouet that you wanted to go and what else would he do besides leg you go and watch it. Once again, it’s needless to say your face lit up. The only thing he did is ask for your instructions of how to serve your sweets to the customers. “And there should always be a flower on the right side facing you, remember?” you were teaching you older brother the right way to decorate them with  dry edible flowers. “Is it that important?” he asked a bit confused with a sweat drop on his left cheek. “Well, the presentation is very important. It makes the customer more intrigued and-“ “Yea, yea I get it, it’s all manipulation of the mind and blah blah blah. Oh, look at the time, shouldn’t you be waiting for the Aqua bus already?” he cut you off and looked down at his watch. “Ah, you are right! Don’t forget how to tuck in the napkins!” you remind after taking your basked beside the inside counter and coat from the installed hanger near the door. “I won’t, now sho!” he yelled at you while crossing his arms and smiling warmly.

As Lyney peaked out behind the red velvety curtains to spy on his audience he noticed your place was still empty. A little sigh escaped his lips, but the show had to start soon and even if he wanted to - he couldn’t wait for you to show up much longer. 

“Greetings, ladies and gentleman! This evening we are here to appreciate the great show that Lynye and Lynette have prepared for us!” the showman introduced the young twins and the curtains were going upstairs. Him and his sister were holding their arms together up in the air, chests puffed out and hands holding together in a lock. People were cheering and clapping loudly getting up from their seat, impatient as to what was awaiting them! And just then, in the middle of that chaos, your figure appeared on top of the staircase that was too, covered in a red coloured carpet. Even if nobody noticed, his eyes softened with relief. As you walked down, you were also looking around to find your seat. It was just right next to the steps. Quite convenient as you needn’t go through people’s seats and bother them with going right in-front of their view. 

“Thank you, thank you! It’s our pleasure to have such pleasant people here to watch our magic show!” the audience died down now seated and waiting for what Lynye has to say. “I am sure you all know that a magician’s most recognisable feature is his hat.” he says, lifting his own hat up from his head “So I could like to start with showing you what a magician can fit..” he pats it on it’s bottom in attempt to make something fall from it “..into this tiny space. But first, so you can believe the reality of all this I will be needing an assistant that will be one of you” kids and adults started waving their hands and yell ‘Me! Me!’ to signal him that they wanted to participate. Lyney mimicked a ‘thinking hard’ face with his hand on his chin, squinted eyes and a pout, walking in circles around the stage. “Hmmmm, who should I choose? All of you look like worthy candidates!” he said thoughtfully and then his eyes landed on you, who was quietly sat. “Ah, why such a young lady not raising her hand! Aren’t you exited?” the magician questioned. Now all eyes of the auditorium were on you. “What do you all say, why don’t we show this young lady what a magic show is about?” he turned to the rest of the audience. Screams of excitement started to echo between the wall of Opera Epiclese, hyping you to go and take part in the show. You were nervous, but thought it could be rude to you refused so you got up from your seat and started making your way to the podium. “Everybody, please, let’s encourage her with applause!” and clap sounds filled the air. All of this made you more nervous and just as you started to walk up the stairs you tripped on the next step. Blush from embarrassment appearing on your cheeks, Lyney crouched down as to make sure you didn’t hit yourself, lending you a hand. “Now, now! We don’t want for you to get hurt!” he smiled softly, looking up, you grabbed his hand and he helped you up. “Why don’t you introduce yourself?” he smiles at you, leading you to the centre of the podium “My name is [name].” you say quietly, smiling and facing him. “Alright [name], hold my hat.” he hands you his hat “Now look inside. Tell us, do you see anything inside?” you looked inside and it was empty “There is nothing in here.”. In the crowd there were people saying ‘Show us!’ so they were sure you weren’t lying. “Now Miss [name], show it to the audience so they can make sure too.” as he instructed you clasped it on the bottom and started to show the crowd turning it from the left to right and back to left. “Was there anything?” he asks again and everyone yells out a ‘NO!’ “Heh, sounds like I can show you the first trick then! Please hold the hat upside down.” you do as you are told. While you and everyone else were waiting he somehow managed to summon a magic wand in this hand by simply shaking it, he then bends down a little bit and gently did circles around the hat’s hole with it. “Hmm what were the magic words again?” he hums out, hand rubbing his chin, looking like he was in deep thought. Everyone started to laugh at his word, you cracked up a bit and laughed out loud too. “Shouldn’t a magician practice his magic before a show?” you ask him lightheartedly, still smiling, to which he responds with “Oh I did so many times but your beauty suddenly made me forget every single magic trick I know!” he winks a bit and cocks his head on the side. You blushed, wide eyed, not expecting this response.

While you were in shock he loudly remarked “Hmmm, ah yes! Alta Vola!” and suddenly 7 white doves flew out of his hat. One of them accidentally hit you with it’s wing on your face, which caused you to drop the hat to hold where the dove had hit you. When his cylinder hat hit the floor a rabbit came crawling out of it! Lynette started to run after it to catch the fluffy animal. The whole audience started to laugh not expecting this to happen. “Oh no, Miss [name], are you alright? Here have a napkin!” he theatrically said and started to go thru his pockets, all of a sudden, he started to pull out a tin rope from one of them. One, two, tree pulls and still no napkin was found but only rope came out. “Uhh, could you mind to help me?” Lyney looked at you with a pleading look on his face, “Of course.” you took the rope in one hand and still held your face with the other. You tugged on it as he started to walk backwards. Then the rope has finally come out completely, there was something tied on it. He picked it up, untied it and neatly showed it to the audience. It was a napkin and on it was his face with the tongue out. Laughter erupted again in the air, even you’ve forgot about the hit that dove have you. He then folded it, clasped your hand and put it in yours “Here. Take it as a gift, no need to bring it back to me.” Lyney smiled sweetly, it almost made you blush from his gentle touch on your hand. “You may now take your seat, thank you for participating in these tricks!”

After the magic show you were waiting for a meet up for them. It took them a while to showed up. “Hey, Lynette ‘n’ Lyney!” you greeted, happily and a bit nervous to see them face to face. “I am sorry if I caused you some trouble during them show.” you clutched your basket’s handle. “Don’t worry, there was nothing wrong you did.” Lynette reassured, “If anything, I think you made the show even better! I just hope the dove didn’t hit you in your eye, did it do so?” worry could be heard in her brother’s voice. “Ah, no it didn’t hit me in the eye, just below it.” you even pointed where exactly and if they looked really hard there would be seen a little red spot. Now trying to gather some courage to keep the conversation going you started to play with the handle of your basket. “And also..” putting it down on the table, you started to rummage thru it and held out to them two things in your palms “I have made you some desserts. It’s Lynette’s favourite type of mousse, but I hope you like it too, Lyney.” you handed it to them carefully and with a little awkward smile. “Thank you, [name].” Lynette said now fascinated by your thoughtfulness and carefully observing the dessert. “Oh, [name], thank you! You shouldn’t have, really.” Lyney looked surprised at your gift, not really expecting it. “Maybe I shouldn’t have but I couldn’t help myself. I really hope you like it.” you said, embarrassed a little if it was really uncalled for to bring them dessert. Now it will be even more embarrassing to ask them to return the complex design, crystal-glass, dessert bowls whenever they could. But as per always, the male twin observed them and asked you right after “These bowls look very beautiful. I suppose you use them at the caffe?”. Honestly his sharpness made you question if he read your mind but answer the question “Yes I did them yesterday after we closed. We rarely use them and I decided that it would be nice to put them at use.” gentle smile appeared on your face thinking of it. Lynette, while the two of you were talking, actually have already started her mousse (she pulled out a little spoon she always carries around for special occasions like this one) and enjoying it quite a lot as she listed to you. 

Some time has gone by. You and Lyney were talking about different topics and simply didn’t notice how late it have gotten. During one of your sentences, you happened to yawn and when your eyes were finally not looking at him, you noticed how the sky got dark blue. Your stunned expression shifted to one of worry really fast after realising you might have missed your Aqua Bus. Lyney noticed that but before he could speak, you were looking at your pocket watch “Oh no, I am going to miss the Aqua Bus!”. In panic, you jumped up all of a sudden, looking around to gather your things. Lyney also arose from his seat, looking around to help you with something but you were ready and started to run towards the big doors at the Opera Epicles. Already out and about to get on the bus, Lyney shouted for you from the entrance of the Opera “[name]!”. Your head snapped back and looked at him, his gaze now was softer “Thank you for today.”. His warm smile made you calm down. “Today was wonderful..” you said, smiling widely, now that you recall everything from today. Quickly, you began to climb up the stairs of the Aqua bus. The boy stared at you, as if he was in a trance. The bus started to move and you looked back to check if he was still there and surely he just stood there. You raised your hand to wave him goodbye, the force of the wind behind you, making your hair gently fly around. Lyney raised his and waved back. He stood there, his arm slowly falling down to rest. Lynette was standing far behind him and observed everything, but now she was slowly making her way to her brother. Standing on his left she eyed him to see his expression. Just as she expected- he was blushing, eyes big and lips slightly parted. A little huff left her and after a second she spoke “You are a lost cause.”

Tag list (open): @swivy123

[justsomekpopstuff]

monsta x as d&d characters

NOTE: Remember, these are just my opinion and how I would classify them in D&D. You can have your own perspective, just don't be a hater about it. I also know that my D&D knowledge isn't perfect. Don't judge me.

Shoutout to @vesvosmozhno who encouraged and awaited this post! You are awesome, and thank you for all your support!

current masterlist | fic recs

Shownu: Half-Orc Barbarian

Shownu was born and raised into a communal clan of half-orcs, living in isolation from the rest of the world. While he did have parents, he really was raised by the entire group, with each member teaching him every skill they could. As he grew, he eventually became a proficient blacksmith, becoming the official apprentice for the clan. Everything was peaceful - until it wasn't. One day, the village was attacked by a group of raiders who had a particular hatred for half-orcs, wanting them to suffer. The raiders were destroying everything in their path, taking anyone and anything they could get their hands on. Shownu, who happened to be finishing his shift at the blacksmith's, ran out to the commotion, newly forged and sharpened axes in his hands. After witnessing the terror for himself, Shownu's rage became too much to handle. Despite his typically peaceful nature, he blazed through the raiders, as if the axes were made to be in his hands. When the raiders realized there was no stopping him, they ran, never to be seen again. While the village stood silent, marveling in Shownu's show of strength and fury, all he could care about was going back and fixing the damage to the shop, as well as what he was going to eat for lunch. That day, without him knowing, his people deemed him the town protector, knowing that his love for his village and his might would protect them from any danger - even with his peaceful demeanor.

Wonho: Human Druid

Wonho doesn’t have any memory of where he really came from. All he knew was that as a small child, he wandered into the feywild and was adopted by the people there. They showed him all sorts of magic, but quickly learned that he loved animal magic the most. As he grew, they focused more on teaching him the lessons of animal magic, and Wonho quickly became a druid prodigy. Befitting for his gentle temperament, the feywild people bestowed upon him the power to transform into a small lop-eared rabbit, with a nature as gentle as himself. After bestowing this gift upon him, the feywild people gave Wonho a mission: go into the human world, and show the power of love and kindness to those who are most in need of it. Each village he approached, he approached with kindness and curiosity, which was off putting to most of the locals. However, those who saw his genuineness and appreciation for learning welcomed him. Wonho quickly learned he had a soft spot for the orphanages of the villages, seeing how much in-need the young children were of love and kindness. Wonho became a regular presence, often showing up in his rabbit form to greet the children as they played. He rarely showed his human form to them until one night, when he was caught sneaking in extra food rations by the head of the orphanage. The head of the orphanage watched as Wonho got so spooked by his presence that he accidentally shifted into his rabbit form, exposing himself as a druid - and the one that was giving comfort to the children. The orphanage owner, instead of kicking Wonho out, allowed Wonho to stay and work at the orphanage as a caretaker for the children. Needless to say, the children were incredibly overjoyed at his presence, both animal and human. Wonho knew from then on, his mission would always be complete.

Minhyuk: Tiefling Rogue

From the time he was born, Minhyuk knew that he was meant to be a showman. As a small child he would regularly pretend to be different characters, creating new stories of people and things from far-off lands. However, because of his appearance and infernal nature, his theatricality was often seen as a threat by the other children. Being a tiefling was seen as a curse. Despite those who tried to make him feel ashamed for who he was, Minhyuk never gave up on his dream. However, as much as he put on a brave face, he could never deny that the words of the ignorant cut him to his core. One day, it became all too much. He saw the horrible paintings on his home, depicting him as nothing more than an awful monster, a creature never to be respected. That night, he packed his things and ran, never to return to his hometown again. Every village he wandered into, he found the outcasts, the odd-ones-out, and the rejected. To each of them, he gave kindness and respect, and shared his dream of creating a show where no one would have to be ashamed of who they were. Eventually, he had a whole group of followers, and their dream began to take shape. Every talent, magic, look, and style were welcome in Minhyuk’s show. He would make sure they were all introduced with respect and lauded with praise. Anyone who dared try to ridicule his fellow performers would quickly be met with Minhyuk’s legendary infernal wrath. While his show was still met with the usual group of detractors and protestors, Minhyuk knew that he was doing what he was meant to. His dream of showmanship, and showing the world what those who are rejected are capable of, all came together. No matter what, he never let the hatred get to him anymore.

Kihyun: Half-Siren Bard

Kihyun was born on a boat to a sea-faring family, but ships are not friendly places to small children. There was a massive storm that tossed him overboard, and because of his age, he began to drown. That was, until he felt two arms scoop him up and the air returned to his lungs. He would learn that he was saved by a siren queen who had taken pity on him and bestowed him with some of the powers of the sirens. Kihyun was raised with the pod, never really questioning why he was the only one without a tail, scales, or gills. To him, they were the only family he actually knew. He grew up singing, his voice becoming a unique and alluring power that benefited him greatly; and, because of his mostly human origins, he would learn that he is the only “siren” that could walk between sea and land. When Kihyun reached adulthood, he decided to leave the pod and venture onto land full time, promising his mother the siren queen to never forget his true self. He wandered onto the shores and began his new life, humming his way through local villages. Because of the alluring tone of his singing, he quickly drew crowds. Local taverns tripped over each other to try and get him to perform, and Kihyun found himself obliging all of them, bouncing to a different one each night. However, this quickly became too much for Kihyun. He decided to become an apprentice at a local bakery, where his skill with baked goods nearly outshone his talents for music. Every now and again, the owner of the bakery would open the door to the shop to let the locals hear Kihyun’s humming as he worked. One day, an elderly member of the village came into the bakery, and Kihyun recognized them as the owner of one of the oldest, smallest taverns in the village. Kihyun felt it was fate as the tavern owner lamented over how few patrons came through their doors. Kihyun volunteered to help, scheduling a performance for that night at the old tavern that brought in nearly the entire village. Seeing the smile on the tavern owner’s face as he sang brought so much joy to Kihyun’s heart that he announced to the village that this would be the only tavern he would perform in. From then on, Kihyun was a baker’s assistant by day, and a tavern singer by night. He finally felt whole both of his worlds finally at peace with each other.

Hyungwon: Human Ranger

From his earliest memories, the only human person that Hyungwon ever knew was his grandfather. Living in the middle of nowhere, on the outskirts of society, Hyungwon was raised to trust and respect the land around him, and was taught how to survive in the harshest of conditions. Despite his disdain for exerting extreme amounts of energy, Hyungwon became a skilled survivalist. Eventually, his grandfather passed away, and Hyungwon was driven to live out in the wild on his own. Because he didn’t really have anyone else, Hyungwon found himself connecting more with the wild, especially with the animals. This led to him discovering his ability to summon an animal companion to keep him company. This animal companion, or companions, became a hoard of rats he accumulated while on the road, with their leader, whom Hyungwon named Ratrick. Every now and again, whenever he realized that he was running low on supplies that he couldn’t make or find himself, Hyungwon (having a small existential crisis) forced himself to wander into local villages to restock. He would use Ratrick and his hoard rats to gather what they could before he had to step in and do it himself. Anything he could do to avoid people, he’d do it. The only person who ever made the effort to become friends with Hyungwon and give him one small connection to society was Shownu. The only reason that this happened was because Shownu almost killed Hyungwon by accident after he found Hyungwon sneaking large amounts of snacks out of the community pantry. Shownu saw that despite Hyungwon's incredible reflexes and skill, that all Hyungwon really wanted was to be. Just be. So, Shownu gave Hyungwon the supplies he needed and told Hyungwon that if he ever wanted a place to return to, that he would always have one in Shownu's village. That one connection was all Hyungwon needed in the world - that and Ratrick.

Jooheon: Human Sorcerer

Even though he would deny it, the village where he was born called Jooheon a miracle. For many generations, the village had been plagued by a militant occupation of power and money-hungry warlords. These warlords would regularly steal children as young as infants to raise them to be pieces of their military machine. Jooheon’s family did everything they could to keep his birth a secret, but his presence was felt all the way to the Feywild. The Fae decided to bless Jooheon with magic abilities - a jack-of-all-trades magic that would help him on his quest to freedom. Despite his blessing, Jooheon grew up hidden and isolated. His parents told him stories passed down from those before them of how the village used to be free until the warmongers had taken over. Every story fueled Jooheon to want to take action, and so he grew his magic to one day bring that liberation to his village. As an adult, with his Fae blessing fully charged, he made his presence known with explosions, taking out many of the warmonger’s bases. Cultivating all of his power, he blew through the warmonger’s encampments. By the time dawn began to break, not a single leader was left. The village was finally free - but, what now? Jooheon spent days in the village, ensuring everyone that he was force of good, and working with the other villagers to liberate all of the lost children that had been stolen from them. As more weeks passed, Jooheon began to feel more like there was something more left for him to do. As the village got back on its feet, free of their militant oppressors, Jooheon felt more and more useless, and his family could sense it. And so, they knew to let him go. They knew, with his Fae blessing, he would become a powerful freedom fighter that would bring liberation to countless people - just as he was born to do.

Chankgyun: Half-Elf Bard

Changkyun was born into a family of bardic singers, beloved by the humans and elvish. Everyone born into the family was blessed with a beautiful voice, and joined in the family choir once they came of age. That was, until Changkyun came along. When he became old enough to start his training to join the family, they learned something quite jarring - Changkyun couldn’t sing at all. No matter what they tried, he just could not sing to their standards; and so, they gave up on him. Every time they would travel to a new town to perform, Chankgyun’s family would sit him in the very back of the tavern while they performed. One night when he was a tween, and they saw him scribbling away on some paper. When they snatched the paper away from him, they saw that this whole time he had been writing lyrics -lyrics for him to perform. At first they laughed, reminding Changkyun that he was tone-deaf, but then he opened his mouth and began to rap the lyrics to perfection. His musicality, despite not singing, rendered his family speechless, as they never realized that talent could look different than what they expected. And so, Changkyun’s family gave him permission to join the family choir - an offer that he quickly refused. Chankgyun knew he was meant for more, and the fact that it took them until now to realize it never sat well for him. He walked off into the night, lyrics and a small drum in tow. On Chankgyun’s travels, he grew his skills of rhythm and rap. His unique musical stylings (and sporadic d*ck jokes) enthralled every village and town he came across. Despite being more shy and quiet when not performing, his stage persona was goofy, flirtatious, and a little bit of a menace. Every now and again, when he would have to interact with fans on the road, he’d break out the persona - an act that would regularly get him into trouble. There was an incident where he accidentally got engaged to a half-orc that he sweet-talked…he doesn’t like to talk about it. But, with every adventure and every song, he felt more and more free. He was no longer the “tone-deaf outcast”, but a creative spirit in his own right - one that he was meant to be all along. His talents helped him connect to so many on the outskirts, including Minhyuk, Jooheon and the others. Changkyun knew from then on that he would never be tossed aside again.

[rosetyler42]

Back on my Secrets of the Machine posting again. This game needs more love. Little bit more positivity for Ragtime Guffie. I figure Ericka and he would get along quite well despite their differences, and she's probably run into him either at the hotel or on visits to the game. Ericka's a friendly soul who's been isolated on her own much of her life and is actually a good boss and showman. So I could see her being a much needed ray of light for Guffie. And Guffie...he's proper but not strict. He's not in the game much but he seems a harmless, friendly soul. Definitely deserves a break and a chance to get out of The Drawing Room sometimes. Which Ericka can definitely relate to.

So here's a lil bit of fluff inspired by the scene with Stan at the end of HT3. Ericka showing off a bit of dramatic flair welcoming Guffie to the hotel in a parrallel of HIS greeting to the Old Time Theater in game, much to his appreciation. Bonus: Little Simon and Lucy behind the desk, "helping" their mom greet the guests. (It's a family business, and Ericka definitely seems to the type to bring her kids to work to be close to them.) Lucy nicknames Guffie "Beans" here as I've heard many players do in Commentary Playthroughs since he wears a bean can on his head. I think Guffie would kinda like it. Lucy and Simon's clothes I referenced from Monster's Inc and Nightmare Before Christmas clothes I saw at Walmart earlier that day.

Another bonus: Ragtime Guffie probably paid in Slugs and faded away after turning around with the key, much like in the game.

@black-ak9 @hotelt-resurrection @lovelylivelyv @wingingfromthezing @heartsong1994 @howling-nightmare @sammy-lawrence-my-beloved @inkiedraws @inkhyaena @inkspottie @inkdrenchedsmile-archived @inkwelldevil @thedopedemon @thedobermutt @thedemonsurfer @kittyball23

[cartoon-buffoon]

Random HC time: I don't think any actual toon would like Bendy, or at least not the normal ones.

Bendy is a character that parodies old animation characters, I don't think any normal toon would like him. Like in the crack up comics there's moments where Bendy is just a menace and although toons are known for their mischief Bendy is a straight up imp from hell, I feel like most will have a negative view towards him. The only ones who I think will actually take a liking to him are the screwball toons yet that really isn't much considering the screwballs are ya know, looney/zany. Like he'd get along with the Warners, Woody Woodpecker, maybe Daffy, all the ones who aren't just right in the head would love him. More normal ones like Mickey, Felix, Betty, Koko, Bosko, Popeye, yeah I don't think they'd really appreciate him and his antics as they aren't really endearing, they're more just troublesome. Honestly I'd go a step further and say Mickey and Oswald would specifically be disturbed by Bendy as a toon if they acknowledge the whole meta thing between his creators.

If you are uninformed in BATIM Joey Drew's and Henry Stein's relationship is a direct reference and parallel to Walt Disney's and Ub Iwerk's relationship and their entire history. Ya know, business and showman gets all the praise for making the cartoon whilst the hard working man effectively gets left in the background. Like imagine meeting some sorta alternate universe version of yourself that didn't have any of your virtuous traits as you and was just a nuisance. Not only that but his creators are also a parody of your own. Yeah I feel like Mickey would TRY to get along with Bendy yet still be borderline disturbed at the fact that there's a cruel joke of him prancing about, and I don't think Oswald would want anything to do with at all. Taking it one step further: if you brought up the ink demon aspect of Bendy's character and the whole "abandoned by creator" thing Oswald would downright DESPISE Bendy. Oswald still holds Walt close to him, he's mad and bitter about Mickey replacing him yet the statue in Epic Mickey clearly shows oh no he definitely still loves his creator, meanwhile Bendy was ya know locked up and grew to despise his creator and although granted the ink demon kinda had a valid reason to grow hateful and evil—I still feel like Ozzie wouldn't/couldn't fathom the idea of hating the person who created you.

This isn't a diss at toon Bendy either btw. The character strikes me as the type to only have few close friends because only a select few can put up with him. For the uninitiated Bendy would be absolutely annoying and most would hate him however obviously Boris and Alice already know his deal and it's why they're close friends with him because they already know what to expect and are used to it. Those who aren't used to him would absolutely hate him though and that's my firm belief.

[grimowled]

'...are the goetia always so beautiful? or is it just you your highness? ' / hi slides at you.

THE NOTORIOUSLY BELOVED performer's charm doesn't catch him off guard - quite the opposite; the demon prince raises a taloned hand to his chest, his own performance of coy modesty unfolding.

"hoo hoo, how utterly delightful - you are making me blush beneath my feathers. fizzarolli, is it?"

(of course it is. but now he's on the prince's inescapable radar.)

the imp's brazenness amuses stolas - is this mere flattery, a showman��s instinct for SURVIVAL? or a hint of something more daring - more reckless?

"--you see, beauty among the goetia is rather… common - it's rare for one of us not to dazzle. I'm actually considered rather plain, as far as avian looks go. can you imagine? but oh, darling …"

his amiable smile sharpens at the edges, the thespian act melting into something far more sinister as he takes a measured step closer, talons clicking ominously against the floor; his tone dips into something silkier, far too smooth to be trusted, laced with menace and seduction. the energy in the room thickens, his towering form casting a heaving shadow that stretches far too long for the dim lighting, as four half-lidded eyes bear into mammon's former protégé;

"…I'm so very glad you find me exceptional; and you seem to have a talent for putting on a show - but be careful, little showman - if you mean to make me your audience, I might not be satisfied to simply watch."

(the cost of catching his attention is far greater than one bargained for.)

he reaches out, talons brushing the air between them - not touching, but close enough to feel the predatory power humming just beneath the surface, before he retreats and tilts his head back with a faux-innocent smile that barely masks the wickedness beneath, letting his crimson gaze linger just a little too long, balancing on the line between enchanting and unnerving.

"--but I do appreciate the compliment - few have the gall to attempt it, let alone with such style. do keep that charming tongue of yours sharp, my dear.

[olive-garden-hoe]

The Showman has arrived!!!

Very tentative ref sheet atm and doesn’t have all my ideas, but a good start methinks. Figured I get her out there before the semester starts and I go radio silent 😭

Anyways she’s a silly girl by nature from sunken New Zealand! She just kinda showed up to a battle and started killing mercs on both sides, evading death from the confused mercs often enough that the Admin was like “eh what the hell.” Whether or not she knew the mercs she was killing would be respawned is yet to be known.

Her main mechanic is basically making ppl fall prone lmao, which can be super helpful for snipers and Pyros, as well as Engie to give him time to repair a sentry or to keep the enemy in the line of fire to kill them. She isnt as fast as Scout but has a consistent speed due to being an acrobat, yet has lower health (might lower it further to even out with her speed). She is susceptible to Demo and Soldier’s ability to have AOE attacks and Heavy’s big enough to just break through her balloon animal wall with a machine gun that kills her very VERY quickly. I personally subscribe to the belief that the BLU mercs are clones of RED mercs with some personality changes, and I think Shows here would avoid her counterpart as much as possible since she is vulnerable to her own attacks!

Personality-wise, she’s constantly causing concern among her fellow mercs (apparently Sniper and Spy are fucking TERRIFIED of clowns, Heavy and Scout LOVE clowns, and everyone else is mostly equally perturbed by clowns but not necessarily scared). She constantly pulls pranks, especially on those that are afraid of her (also a bit with Sniper bc his dad fucking sunk her country two years before she was born) .

She’s got big feral cat energy, but likes performing for Heavy since he actually appreciates her juggling and slapstick. She���s also constantly mistaken for a little boy, esp by Heavy (at first out of genuine confusion, then just bc it became normal despite knowing better)

Also to be clear, she is NOT a mime, she can talk and does so pretty frequently, but always keeps up a performer demeanor, speaking loudly in an announcer like voice and literally never dropping it. No one has seen her without her makeup, a nod to the fact that the European whiteface’s iconic makeup is meant to signify a distinction between the performer and the person!

Anyways she’s very fun to throw around like a doll I hate her

+old ass doodles with her old design and when I wanted Scout to be afraid of clowns but show off her personality a bit:

[marmolady]

Never Had A Friend Like Me: Part One

Hey, @mauvecatfic... some Diego for you!

Summary: Endless Ending timeline. Elderly Diego and Taylor reflect on a lifelong friendship. Part one of two.

Word Count: 3741

Tagging: @saivilo, @edgydepressedchoicesthot, @sceptilemasterr, ​@mauvecatfic @rhemenway888

Thanks for reading!

__________________________

La Huerta, 2090

“Hey--” Taylor said as she settled down amongst the soft cushions of her favourite chair, knowing full well she’d be needing to call in assistance when the time came to haul her old body up from them, “I came up with the perfect idea for our next marathon.”

“’Marathon’? Between the two of us, we’re lucky to get through one movie without someone dozing off.” Diego grinned at his friend. His best friend of seventy years.

“That’s what makes it a marathon, because it takes so damn long. We take our time, savouring the laughs, the tears, and appreciating the artform.” A glass of wine, some cheeses, to break it up. And the two of them would reminisce, and Diego would point out his favourites of the crew’s filmmaking choices… or those that were notably bad.

“How about ‘the Zac Efron trifecta’?” Taylor suggested, showing her age. “High School Musical, followed by Hairspray, followed by The Greatest Showman.”

“Let’s just see if we can get through ‘Julie Andrews Fest’ first, okay?”

They did this fairly often. Just chilling out to the tune of films meeting their assigned theme. At the age they were, ‘just chilling out’ was pretty much requisite. Taylor’s arthritis had worsened considerably in the last year, and Diego’s respiratory issues were easily triggered by any amount of exertion. They were reasonably healthy nonogenerians… but they were nonogenerians.

You got to an age where you didn’t know when your best-friend-movie-weekend would be your last one. Naturally, a lot of the choices were deeply nostalgic old comforts. Created from nothing into a white American woman with a built-in noughties childhood and adolescence, the lyrics to all the songs in High School Musical-- and some of the dance routines too-- were something innate to Taylor. She’d been born with it. Later, she’d discovered that Quinn had been obsessed with the series as a kid and had found it a comfort as she shared it with her mom during long months housebound. When Vaanu was piecing together what ‘human’ looked like, something from Quinn’s consciousness must have been picked up. So many of those little things made up Taylor, and now that so many of her friends had passed on, they meant all the more.

There weren’t many of them left now. Quinn, who’d fought so valiantly to even survive adolescence, was still hanging on, the youngest of the group at coming up to ninety-four. Estela was still there, rather more mobile than the others, but then she was stubborn, gritting her teeth through the aches and pains and soldiering on. Aleister was… struggling. Taking one day at a time since the loss of his beloved Grace some months before. But he got up in the morning, and found his inner strength when needed to chide his sister for being a pig-headed idiot pushing her shrinking limits too far. Zahra had long been a respected figure among the Vaanti, and she was still the go-to person for technological know-how, even though anyone seeking her help was advised to do so only with an armoured layer of thick skin. She did ‘cantankerous and acerbic old woman’ to perfection, and her mind remained just as sharp as her tongue.

Taylor leaned back in her chair, feet up on an ottoman and wearing a well-worn pair of slippers.

“We’re going to have to become more selective,” she admitted. “And I know we traditionally do movies, but one last Doctor Who binge?”

Everything was getting to be ‘the last time’. Diego had put off their re-watch of The Lord of the Rings trilogy time and time again for that very reason; saying goodbye needed to be given the weight it deserved. Soon, he’d brave it, but for that one, Varyyn would need to join them.

“You couldn’t have picked a longer running series, Tay?” Diego teased. “We’ve got decades of life left in us to watch this stuff, you know….”

“Oh, ha-ha. You know I’m a David Tennant era girl. The rest I’ll take or leave. Like I said, we should be selective.”

Diego grunted a chuckle, and readied the next movie in their Julie-Andrews-a-thon, The Sound of Music, pausing before pressing ‘play’.

“Hey, I said ‘selective’, not that we couldn’t watch this-- you know I love--”

“Yeah, but think of the big old family sing-along we could make out of this,” he said, eyes twinkling. “We could even drag Zahra up here, keep her heckling muscles strong.”

Taylor’s grin broadened. Her family and Diego’s family were one and the same. Liv and her spouse, Jeimy, had lived on La Huerta a few years now-- and Rosa had lived there for a few decades. Their family was human, and Vaanti, with grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and nephews and nieces, and in-laws. It was their weird little family they’d made at the end of the world, and then everything that had grown from there.

“All right, I’ll share my bestie… this time. But we’re telling the hordes to bring their own snacks.”

“You’re on.”

They waited together in companiable quiet for the others to arrive. Taylor found herself studying the peaceful profile of her old friend as he began to doze. No doubt, he still felt a young twenty-something on the inside, just as she did. She could almost still see that young man, somewhere beneath the grey hair and the wrinkles that told a lifetime of stories.

Their stories.

___________________________

La Huerta, 2078

“Here you go,” Taylor said, a smile in her voice as she pushed the door open with her hip. “Breakfast in bed. You can’t say we don’t treat our guests right!”

With a soft moan, Diego propped himself higher against his pillow. “Pancakes? Who’d have thought recovering from heart surgery could be so sweet? I’ll never want to leave this bed if you keep this up. The usual pain aside, I feel pretty lucky.”

It was fortunate indeed that he’d had somewhere to go to for help just a short hop from La Huerta. And it was fortunate indeed that Taylor and Estela’s old home had enough room for them to care for him there-- and enough space that Varyyn could exist there comfortably in secret for the necessary recovery period. It was Liv’s home now, shared with her spouse and elder daughter, though the latter had temporarily moved in with her brother at the old Montoya place to make room. Still, with six people and three bedrooms, it was a very full house.

Diego met his old friend’s eye. “Thank you. Really.”

The reply was quiet and sincere. “It’s no problem.”

Taylor helped Diego with his breakfast tray. “It looked like Varyyn was enjoying his morning stroll around the big yard. I worried about him feeling trapped here, but I guess at our pace it takes a good while even to do one lap of it all.”

“He quite likes it,” Diego said. “Which is a relief-- I feel guilty enough taking him from his home. Varyyn doesn’t like the invisibility suit much anyway, but even if he did, I don’t think he’d so much as leave the property while I’m like this.”

“You’re very loved, you know.”

“I feel it right now,” he said softly. “Sore, and scared at being faced with my own mortality, and definitely very loved.”

The company was good. Liv was something between a niece and a daughter to him, and he loved her dearly. He never saw as much of her as Taylor’s other daughter, Rosa, who now lived on La Huerta, so the opportunity to catch up was welcome. Liv’s spouse, Jeimy, was a gentle presence, quietly seeing to it that their recuperating guest could want for nothing. Like Taylor, Estela had remained close to Diego’s bedside during the frightening days in hospital, and now put her considerable will-power into ensuring he took care of himself through the next phase and offering a shoulder to Varyyn should he need it. She didn’t tend to say a whole lot, but never left it unsaid that she cared. Even those few words weren’t really needed though… Diego knew.  

Taylor’s voice cracked as she spoke again. “I’m just relieved to have home from hospital. God, actually, I’m just relieved to have you out the other side of going under,” she said. “We’ve lost too much… I’ve lost too much, and I couldn’t bear it if you….”

Diego put a bony hand on hers. He felt his own eyes welling as those dark days, not so far in the back-view mirror, came flooding back. Of Jake and Craig, and the gaping holes they’d torn with their departures, one after the other. Everyone must have been bricking it, as he’d have been if any of them had been taken into hospital for heart valve replacement surgery, a vulnerable old man of eighty-two, whose body could so easily have given up the ghost.

Taylor sniffed. “But with your ticker sorted, you’ve no excuse to bail out on me anytime soon.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Except home to La Huerta-- and maybe one last go round Disney World. I still can’t believe we got kicked out that time….”

“Ha. I blame that crowd of people wanting a picture with Varyyn-- way to get us unwanted attention!” Taylor chuckled, heartened by her friend’s ability to see beyond the recovery period. Maybe they should go and do something fun, a last hurrah. “It’s not far to Florida. I’m sure we can pull that one off… but we’ll get you healed up and recovered first. Deal? I need you to be okay.”

Diego met her eye and nodded. He’d never not take her fears for him seriously.

“No more scares. I don’t think Varyyn could take it either.”

It was strange to be in this place. Less and less he’d leave La Huerta… less and less there’d been a need to. There was no blood family left. He was contentedly retired, living the life of a revered old storyteller in Elyys’tel. And much of his chosen family-- Taylor and Estela, Grace and Aleister, and more recently Zahra, Sean and Raj-- had taken up residence back on La Huerta, choosing to spend their twilight years, well, home. The younger generation did most of the running around, visiting frequently, while the bulk of the ageing Catalyst gang remained settled in the place that had changed everything. More accustomed to life in a Vaanti village than he was the world he’d been born into, Diego had long lost the desire to go back, even to visit.

“No,” Taylor said quietly. “He’s been worried sick.”

This would probably be the last time Diego and Varyyn would visit the extended Montoya family in San Trobida. Diego had been a frequent guest at old Tio Nicolas’ place whenever Taylor and Estela were staying with him, and later was a frequent guest in this house as his friends put down their own roots. All the photographs on the dresser he’d looked at a thousand times before; Taylor and Estela on their second wedding day, young Liv with a broad grin and a gymnastics medal, a middle-aged couple he knew to be Estela’s grandparents, and one of the many, many group photos taken on a Catalyst reunion-- he’d guess the date to be sometime in the 2040s. And there was one of him and Taylor, arms around one another and grinning; he was pretty sure it had been taken at a party to celebrate the launch of his second book. It had been a pretty tipsy night, so neither remembered it being taken, but he’d always loved how damn happy he looked in that picture. Taylor had once told Diego he ‘represented her side of the family’. He felt it. This room was more home than any other off La Huerta had ever been.

“Hey?” Taylor broke the long silence. “I’m gonna go grab a slice or two of toast, but I’ll come back. If you don’t mind, can I sit up on the bed with you? I think… I’m having a clingy day.”

There was no question at all.

____________________________

La Huerta, 2070

Taylor took a deep breath as she stepped off the plane. This was it. They were home for good.

“Grandma!” came the holler of little Aurora, nine years old, soon to be wrapped in a cuddle.

“We’re here! All in one piece, thanks to Captain Georgie,” Taylor announced. It had been a few years since Georgiana and Benny took over from their father as La Huerta’s go-to pilots, and she’d been tasked the very important job of bringing two of the Catalysts back to the island.

“Can we go on the plane?” twelve-year-old Leo clamoured, peering past his grandmother.

“Why, you’re going somewhere?” Estela asked, stepping down onto the dirt and taking in the familiar scents of La Huerta.

Leo shook his head. “I’ve just never checked out the cockpit,” he said. “But I swear I’m happy to see you too!”

They all did the rounds of hugs; Taylor and Estela’s younger daughter, Rosa, lived on the island with her Vaanti husband, and the reunion was always emotional. Sean and Jake’s youngest, Georgie, also lived here-- like Diego, she was almost as culturally Vaanti as she was anything else-- and her little family had also come down to the airstrip to greet the newcomers.

Diego held back patiently, dying though he was to throw his arms around his old friend and welcome her to the rest of their lives. He wasn’t about to get between those kids and their grandmas-- both Leo and Aurora had been talking about little else for weeks.

With tears in her eyes, Taylor squeezed little Aurora as she came in for hug after hug, only letting anyone else get a look in when she latched on to Estela for a few seconds before switching again. Of Taylor and Estela’s five grandchilren, Aurora was the youngest, the only blonde of the bunch, and the one who most resembled Grandma Tay-- and not just physically. Their bond was especially tight; Aurora had been in floods of tears last time they’d said goodbye. There’d be less of that now. Of course, the trade-off was that Liv’s clan in San Trobida would become the family they’d have to fly to visit…. There was really no winning once one’s children spread their wings and put down roots away from the maternal nest; she and Estela could not be with all of them all of the time, however much they wanted to be.

“Hey, G’ma!” Leo took an opportunity to get a look in, putting an arm around his grandmother. He was as tall as her now-- how and when did that happen?

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Taylor asked, and she had to crane her neck to kiss his head. Goddamnit, kid, stop growing so fast! “Have you been up to much while we were gone?”

“Mostly just school and stuff,” he said with a shrug. “Dad’s been giving me some guitar lessons, though.”

“You’re giving the drums a rest?”

Leo grinned, his dark eyes alight with the mischief of a kid with a penchant for making a lot of noise. “For now.”

With Leo soon back to the important business of kicking a ball up and down the beach with Georgie’s children, Niraea and Rauan, and Estela being shown the jewellery Aurora had made, Taylor exchanged hugs and greetings with Rosa and Homori. She found herself choking up as she looked over her daughter’s shoulder and into the world that had been the making of her… where she was truly home.

There was nowhere else I was ever going to wind up in the end, was there?

And there, meeting her eye, was Diego. What she didn’t owe that man…. Her smile broadened to match his, and with a kiss to Rosa’s hair, she stepped away.

“Where’s my hug, Diego? You finally got your way-- we’re here, and we’re here to stay!”

Diego laughed. “It was only ever a matter of time. I know you… and this is your happy place.”

She embraced him, then took his hand and squeezed, before raising their joined fingers to her face to wipe away those pesky tears.

“It’s really good to be home, you know? It’s really good to be home.”

________________________

La Huerta, 2060

With a grunt, Diego sat down upon the sand. They hadn’t walked far from Elyys’tel. He was tired, the toll of the past few days being felt all over.

“I’m sorry,” Taylor said heavily. “I really am sorry. For your loss, and for being a pushy jerk when you plainly told me to give you space.”

Diego gave her a soft nudge with his shoulder. He’d needed to hear it, that apology. Things had been hard, as though every part of him was in conflict, and he’d been helpless but to let it all blow up inside him. He’d needed his best friend, but mostly he’d needed her to leave him the hell alone to work out his own head.

 “Hey, you got the message eventually. Took you long enough, but… I think I can forgive you. I know Varyyn has too.”

 A fall-out with Taylor had been the last thing he’d needed, but it was just that kind of a week. Of course, his father dying had to coincide with the most vital phase of Varyyn’s handing over the title of Elyyshar to Taari, and of course Taylor in full ‘fix everyone’s problems’ mode would come in all overbearing just when he needed to be left to process. Looking back, he could see how Taylor needed to feel as though she could help, to overcompensate for the helplessness she’d been battling over her daughter’s struggles back home.

Things had been rocky between them for a few days, but space had done its job. Sitting out there in the place where they each felt most themselves, feelings and fears could come tumbling out, for he was ready for it now.

“So, now it’s just Mama,” Diego was saying. “I have even less reason to go back-- I know she wouldn’t recognise me anyway. What would I say if she did? There’s nothing more I’m willing to apologise for; I’m not��apologising for being me.”

“And you shouldn’t. Not ever.”

Diego looked into his friend’s face, desperately seeking comfort as he’d done countless times before. Any anger over how she’d behaved was gone; now he was ready to talk, and he just wanted that same old honest and loving support he trusted her to give… even when the conversation itself scared him half to death. What it could say about himself… the very man he was…. When he spoke again, the words came out rushed and fearful.

“My cousins will keep visiting… I know they will. But Mama’s going to be one of those tragic dementia patients sitting abandoned in a nursing home, her only kid having wiped his hands of her. It makes me feel just sick with guilt.”

“Hey,” Taylor said gently. She  tenderly brushed a lock of her behind Diego’s ear. Her heart ached for him. It was so damn unfair, but that, it seemed, was life sometimes. All she could do was listen. And actually listen this time. “You’re getting eaten up over someone who’s betrayed your trust, who’s had every chance to put the work in and heal things but chose not to. You still love your mom, but you love yourself more. That’s not abandonment by my reckoning.”

A tear rolled down Diego’s cheek. “Just… just feels different now. The roles are reversed, and she’s the one who needs looking after.”

Taylor frowned thoughtfully. “I wish I had the answers. I really do. A big part of me wants to tell you ‘screw that asshole, she made her bed and has to lie in it’, but you’re the one who’s going to have to be able to live with yourself. If living with yourself means spending some time with her, even just one visit to get closure, it doesn’t mean you’re just bowing down to the pressure she put on you all those years. Whatever you decide, do it for you.”

They quietly watched the waves roll in.

Diego found himself envying his friend. Taylor didn’t have a family, so they couldn’t hurt her. She’d never felt rejection-- certainly not from anyone who’d promised a lifetime of love. He always came back to Taylor, it just came naturally, but the flickerings of resentment reared their heads, even as the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder on the beach. How could she possibly have a clue?

He brushed away his tears. Of all the times he’d wished he was in Taylor’s shoes instead, it always came back to truth that he was proud of the man he’d become… and that man had been shaped by the life he’d lived and the people he’d loved-- whether they returned it or not.

And Taylor… cared for him. She loved him. So, he’d take her as the wonderful, flawed person she was and appreciate her presence in his corner, even when she botched the execution. At least she screwed up and then made amends, she wasn’t too proud to be wrong. In contrast, he didn’t think he could recall an instance of his mother owning up and apologising even once in his life….

Diego sighed loudly. No one else could decide this one for him. His decision… well, he’d already decided. He just had to find a way to forgive himself.

Getting to his feet, he held out a hand to pull Taylor to hers. Then, they continued their walk. They walked the well-trodden and yet constantly-changing strip between Elyys’tel and Catalyst’tel, bare feet in the shallows, the water pleasantly cool as the sun neared the horizon.

“I know who I am,” Diego said, after another long stretch of comfortable, if emotional, hush. I’m not a cruel person.”

“Cruel is the last thing you are,” Taylor said, soft but full of conviction.

Diego’s chin trembled. Sorry, Mama. This is me knowing what I’m worth.  “My head knows I can’t give Mama any more. My heart’s just going to need to learn to let go.”

They fell quiet once more.

“Sunset’s really pretty tonight….” Diego said quietly after a while. “Guess it’s not all doom and gloom.”

And in the morning… the sun would rise again.

_______________________

La Huerta, 2042

“I wanted to put something to you,” Taylor said nervously. “It’ll need you and Varyyn to sit with it a bit, so don’t worry about giving me an answer now.”

“That sounds… pretty ominous to be honest.”

This was supposed to be just a relaxing stroll along the beach before dinner, but Diego was immediately on alert for something big. Admittedly, Taylor had dropped some pretty gargantuan bombs on him in the past.

Taylor chuckled and shook her head. “Before you freak out-- we’d like you to be Rosa’s godfather. Or the agnostic equivalent anyway. Basically, if anything were to happen to ‘Stel and me, you and Liv would share custody of Rosa and take care of her together-- whether it’s here or back in San Trobida.”

Diego took it in with a nod, turning it over in his head. She was asking the world and giving the world… but was it her heart talking over her head?

“You don’t think-- I mean, I’m sure you’ve thought of this-- that in a worst-case scenario she’d do better with some of the guys in San Trobida who she’s got to know a bit more?”

Diego watched as his friend’s face crumpled before him. “I’m sorry-- I didn’t mean--”

Taylor turned away, wrestling with herself as emotion overcame her. “God, you don’t have to be sorry. It’s… it’s what Estela said initially too.” She looked back to Diego, her eyes rimmed with red. “It’s just different with you. What we have is special; I’ll never have a connection like that with another person. You’re my other home.”

“Is one not enough for you? Greedy cow,” Diego teased gently, but he wrapped Taylor in his arms as he did so, bringing her in so they were forehead-to-forehead. He got it. His deep sense of belonging with Varyyn didn’t take away the warmth and security he gleaned from the tight bond he had with Taylor. It was more like… a familial bond. They’d each grown and gone their separate ways, but a piece of their hearts resided with one another and always would.

“I would always, always be there for your girls,” he said.

“I know….” Taylor said shakily. “You’ve just been such an amazing ‘special uncle’ to Liv; it would be wonderful for Rosa, you know? She needs all the support systems we can give her.” She sighed, and gave a weak laugh. “It goes without saying, doesn’t it. I guess… I guess….”

As she trailed off, Diego considered her quietly. Taylor’s past year had been intense, and the distance between them had made it difficult for him to be the shoulder he wanted to be her. The bags under her eyes were telling, and the way she so clearly longed for closeness with him.

“It’s hardly a surprise… mortality being on your mind. What with the anniversary just been,” he said quietly.

Twelve months prior, Estela had been grievously injured in an attack by a young and brash admirer of the late General Salazar. Vastly more experienced in fighting as she was, Estela had managed to stave off mortal harm, but it had been far too close a shave for comfort. Miles and miles away, Diego had been there with Taylor, talking her through the terror and despair down a phone line. Of course, Jake flew a plane to bring him back to San Trobida as soon as he could, but he felt his isolation from the rest of the world in a way he rarely had before or since. His best friend had him now, though.

Taylor nodded, sniffing. “I thought I’d moved on from it. ‘Stel’s going strong. We actually needed a jolt to make us stop and really consider how we wanted the rest of our lives to look-- maybe we wouldn’t even have Rosi now if it wasn’t for the wake-up call. But it scared the absolute shit out of me.

“Obviously, I don’t think either of us are going anywhere, or we wouldn’t have even thought about adopting. It just sneaks up on me with how close we came. Life’s pretty fragile.”

“How are things going with Rosa?” Diego ventured gently. “Smooth sailing since we last talked?”

“She seems pretty happy, doesn’t she?” Taylor replied, fully aware of just how obvious her deflection was. But this was Diego, so she relented and shared. “I think security will come in time for her. Right now the threshold for meltdowns is really low-- the slightest hint of either of us using a stern tone with her or being disapproving in any way, and she goes to pieces.” She gave a dry little laugh. “Obviously I feel a complete asshole for ragging on Estela that first time it happened. Rosa barely gives us a reason to reprimand her in any way, she’s so desperate to please, but we’re human beings and we get frustrated.”

“Bet it makes you feel like absolute shit, though! Only human or not.”

Taylor met his eye and nodded again. “It’s a lot. I’m with her all day-- though we’re confident she’ll be ready to go to a real school next year-- and I’m hyper-aware of how she’s perceiving me. I’m pretty sure she is happy for the most part; her speaking’s come on in leaps and bounds, and there’s so much affection between us.” She gave a sad shrug. “I just wish so badly that she didn’t have that fear, that she knew with total certainty that she’s ours unconditionally. She doesn’t deserve to be scared like she is.”

“It’s just time, you know?” Diego said gently. “You did a pretty good job of convincing me you were unconditional, and I had even more years of baggage collected than Rosi does. Just… time.”

“Yeah….” Taylor’s shoulders slumped. There was no magic shortcut.

“I’ll come and pay you another visit-- soon. I want to stay with you a while; if what’s holding me back from saying yes is that Rosa doesn’t know me well enough, then we fix that. She’s basically my niece, and I already love her; we’re on catch-up compared to Liv at that age, but I’ll work on it ‘til we get there.”

A smile came to Taylor’s face, growing ever-broader.

“What?” said Diego, “I take it you’re on board with that? I don’t need to Airbnb it?”

Taylor couldn’t help but laugh. “Buddy, how long have you been out here? Airbnb went down the tubes years ago! And you know full well, if you come to San Trobida and stay anywhere other than the Casa Montoya, I will be mortally wounded.”

“Heh, well, I can’t have that.”