#honorable mentions: superstar and style

[whenthegoldrays]

Taylor Swift x my favorite ships • Part 14

Im Sol x Ryu Sun Jae (Lovely Runner)

So High School

“And in the blink of a crinkling eye, I’m sinking, our fingers entwined / Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights / Tell me ‘bout the first time you saw me” // “It’s true, swear, scout’s honor, you knew what you wanted and, boy, you got her”

Not only did Sol literally go back to high school and fall in love with Sun Jae there, but even their relationship as adults is the sweetest fluffiest thing. They both get to make up for years of loneliness and grief with just being happy together like a couple of teenagers (or college kids).

Timeless

“And somehow I know that you and I would’ve found each other / In another life, you still would’ve turned my head” // “Story of a romance torn apart by fate / Hundreds of years ago, they fell in love like we did / And I’d die for you in the same way”

Sun Jae falling head over heels for Sol in every timeline! On impact! Even when Sol tries to rewrite it to save his life, he doesn’t care! He just wants her! He’ll die for her if necessary! (But thankfully, in the end, it isn’t.) They really were supposed to find this.

[jsluvtzu]

location

im nayeon x fem!reader

summary: there’s no point in hiding, she already knows.

cw: hs!au, smuttt, mentions of killing, cursing, nayeon is soso jealous, men dni

wc: 2.7k

a/n: this took forever to come out i’m sorry!! but jealous/possessive/toxic nayeon.. i need you…

“wait, so you’ve never gone anywhere without letting her know first?”, your friend was appalled at hearing how nayeon kept tabs on you at all times.

“no, never. i always have to call her first and tell her exactly where i’m going and when i’m gonna be back home. it’s fucking ridiculous.”

you were beyond frustrated with your girlfriend’s possessive nature and borderline stalking.

“well.. except for today.”

“holy shit?? she doesn’t know you’re here? what if she kills you..” your friend’s eyes widen at her sudden realization, “what if she kills me??”, she points at herself and watches as you smack your forehead and lean back against her couch, cackling at her ridiculous question.

“mia, she’s not gonna kill you, relax. she’s just a little protective.”

honestly you were trying to convince both her and yourself. there was always a small possibility that your girlfriend could actually kill somebody.

you knew how carried away she got when it came to you.

—

nayeon was the captain of the cheer team. the popular superstar who ran the social scene at school. she was always getting hit on by random boys and no matter how many times she rejected them, they always came back desperate for more.

people basically kissed the ground she walked on, willing to do anything to please her and make her fall for them. it was an honor to get even a second of im nayeon’s attention.

you however, couldn’t care less even if she was in the same class as you.

in your 6th period physics class, being able to have nayeon as a lab partner was like a dream come true. boys would swarm her desk like bees immediately at the mention of a partner lab, but you never understood the big deal behind it.

of course you thought nayeon was pretty.

her daily pinked-out outfits, perfectly styled hair, not too heavy makeup, and the skin-tight cheer uniform she wore every friday. everything she wore accentuated her proportions insanely.

she was beautiful, but losing your mind over her like everyone else was just pointless to you.

you had one person you were willing to be friends with out of the whole class. mia.

she was just like you. normal and not nayeon obsessed. the two of you always stayed towards the back of the room and kept to yourselves. nayeon noticed that.

well more specifically, nayeon noticed you.

she noticed the way your hair was always a little messy, your oversized shirts always had a little wrinkle to them, your pants were always too baggy, and your worn out converse were caked in with dirt and childhood memories.

she could fix you.

when nayeon first approached you about her overdue homework in the halls, you acted as if she was bothering you instead of granting you the privilege of her presence. it wasn’t the usual interaction she would have with somebody.

unlike the rest of the school, you were the only one able to make eye contact with her and not fold in half.

for the first time, nayeon could have a genuine conversation with someone without being treated like a celebrity.

you were special to her. and she wanted you all to herself.

when you two started dating, word spread around like wildfire. everyone wanted you dead.

the football team threatened you everyday, calling you a lowlife loser and confidently describing the ways they would steal nayeon away from you.

it’s not like you were worried about nayeon being “stolen” from you. it was bound to happen given her popularity. but nobody knew that it was actually nayeon who was worried about you being stolen from her.

she was terrified of losing the one person who could actually love her for who she is and not just what she looks like.

nayeon was worried about one person in particular. your friend, mia. you were always oblivious to the fact that she had a slight thing for you.

the subtle touches here and there, the way she complimented you, the way she looked at you. it was all just platonic to you, but to nayeon, she was a threat.

now imagine how she feels when she finds out you’re suddenly at mia’s house. alone with her.

—

there was a random movie playing in the background while you both sat on the couch sharing a blanket, talking about your girl problems.

mia listened to you with a heavy heart, knowing she could definitely treat you better than nayeon can.

“is she just protective or is she crazy..? i mean you deserve to go places without her knowing your whereabouts 24/7 right? it’s your life, you can do whatever you want. if i was your girlfriend, i wouldn’t be so fucking insane.”, mia was disappointed at how long you’ve had to put up with this.

“hey, she’s not insane okay, it’s all just new to her.. the whole authenticity thing with another person. she doesn’t know how to handle it yet.”

you were slightly offended at mia’s harsh words about your girlfriend, but you agreed with her nonetheless. it was draining having to constantly tell nayeon where you were all the time.

a sudden buzz on your phone made you jump and freeze at the fear of facing your reality.

nayeonie 🎀 1m ago i’m outside.

“what is it, y/n?” mia asked with a hint of concern in her tone, seeing how your demeanor changed.

“she’s.. outside.”, your heart dropped reading your girlfriend’s text, scrambling your brain together to figure out how she tracked you down.

“what do you mean she’s outside??”

“i don’t fucking know, mia. okay?! she just found out somehow, and now she’s fucking here.”, you didn’t mean to yell at her, but your anxiety overtook you.

“i have to go.”

you threw the knitted blanket off your legs and grabbed your bag, racing out the door without saying another word.

nayeon’s car was parked along the curb and her almost illegally tinted windows blocked you from seeing her face.

you slowly walked towards her car, clutching your belongings tightly. a weak attempt at stopping your heart from beating out of your chest.

when nayeon was angry, it was like a flipped switch. she became explosive and aggressive.

but surprisingly, when you opened the door, nayeon kept her eyes straight ahead. she didn’t say a word to you. she had her left arm hanging loosely over the top of the steering wheel, and her right hand gripping the gearshift, fingers tapping a frantic beat.

you were afraid to break the silence. the atmosphere was suffocating and filled with nayeon’s concealed, but obvious irritation.

“how.. how did you know where i was?”, your leg bouncing restlessly and your voice hoarse from nervousness.

nayeon didn’t respond and that only worried you even more. usually she would be screaming in your face about something like this, but today? pure silence.

“nay.. answer me? please?”, you turned to look at your girlfriend and saw her stoic expression. you hated this. you would rather just hear her go off on you instead.

“i’m sorry for not telling you, okay? i just needed some space.”

nayeon slammed down on the brakes and your whole body jerked forward. your mouth fell open, shocked and unable to form any words. you were just glad it was a secluded road with no cars behind.

“space? you just needed some fucking space?”

nayeon stared daggers into your soul, her eyes darkened by her jealousy.

she pulled over to the gravelly side of the road, taking her key out and clicking off her seatbelt.

somehow she appeared on your right side in the blink of an eye, yanking the door open and forcefully grasping your arm.

nayeon peeled you out of the seat, simultaneously opening the backseat door with one hand. she guided you forward until you reached the perfect spot for her to shove you down into the hard leather.

you winced at her roughness and caressed your head in pain, composing yourself enough to sit up and scoot yourself back against the window.

“thought you could just go to some other bitch’s house and i wouldn’t find out hm?” nayeon slid into the seat behind the passenger’s and slammed her car door shut.

she was smiling like an absolute psychopath. her face contrasted her words drastically between her soft tone and bared teeth.

“was the ‘space’ you needed in her bed? huh? needed some space between your fucking legs?”

nayeon surveyed the skimpy clothes you wore, messing with the thin fabric of your skirt.

“you even dressed up all nice and pretty for her baby. you were tempting her weren’t you? hm? just wanted her to see all your pretty parts?”

nayeon rubbed her warm hands along the length of your legs to the insides of your thighs, squeezing them lightly on the way up.

“please can we just talk about this, nay. i don’t wanna fuck right now.”, you were trying so hard to fight back the urge to give in when you felt your girlfriend’s hand get dangerously close to your clit.

nayeon hummed and moved her hands up to your waist, rubbing her thumbs over whatever was exposed from your tight crop top.

“but there’s nothing to talk about, is there, pretty girl? you knew this would happen. you knew i would find you.”

nayeon moved to the middle of the seat and grabbed your legs, pulling you over to straddle her lap. her hands flew to your ass, rubbing and grabbing at your flesh under your skirt, making you whine.

“nayeon, i’m serious. i’ve never told you mia’s address before, you’re fucking scaring me.”, your hands wrapped freely around her neck, feeling her warmth radiating against your fingertips. your faces were impossibly close together in her cramped car and your lips grazed each other faintly.

she smiled at you again. “i have my ways, sweetheart.”, nayeon leaned in to kiss you, but you pulled away.

“i’m not giving you anything until you talk to me.”

you weren’t going to deny the fact that you were unbelievably horny right now, you just wanted to clear the air beforehand.

“i don’t think you have much of a choice in this position, angel.”

throwing your head back in annoyance was a bad idea.

nayeon took that opportunity to attack your pulse point with her soft lips and wet tongue.

her arms held your body tight against her, locking you in with no escape.

your whiny moans only gave nayeon the primal urge to nip and suck on your perfume soaked skin.

she kissed her way down your throat to bite the point of your shoulder and ran her tongue back up to your ear, whispering in a deep, raspy voice that sent chills down your spine.

“g’na mark you all up for that desperate little bitch to see exactly who you belong to.”

bruises and bite marks immediately formed on every inch of your neck, evidence of your girlfriend’s sadistic message to mia.

nayeon shifted her hand underneath your skirt and palmed your pussy through the damp fabric of your cotton panties, cooing and mocking you for being turned on by her teasing.

she kept one arm wrapped around your lower back, her middle finger tracing circles lightly around your clothed clit.

soft moans escaped your lips and you found yourself subconsciously grinding against nayeon’s hand.

“aw, is my pretty baby getting all needy for me? does she need me to fuck her that bad?”

you nodded your head and whined in nayeon’s ear, trying your best to sound as sweet as possible.

nayeon’s lips made contact with your neck again, sinking her teeth into your flesh, driving you absolutely crazy.

she quickly moved your panties to the side, giving herself free reign to make you feel good.

she ran her fingers through your slit a couple times before inserting herself inside you slowly.

nayeon’s fingers were long. everytime you compared hand sizes, the length of them next to yours triggered the most sinful thoughts in your mind. the way she could palm your full asscheek with one grab drove you crazy with need.

the tips of her two fingers kissed the deepest part of your cervix when she bottomed out inside of you. she kept her movements still and allowed you some time to adjust to her length.

you let out a drawn out moan and brought your own hand down to grab at nayeon’s wrist.

nayeon pulled out of you slowly, staring at you with nothing but lust in her eyes.

when she left your pussy feeling empty, you mewled and gave her your best puppy eyes, pleading for her to continue fucking you with her stupidly long fingers.

“please.. just fuck me already, please baby, ‘need you..”, your hips chased her fingers in search of your own pleasure, but to no avail. nayeon just tsked at you and gripped your hip to stop you from squirming.

“you know what i want, sweet girl.”

it took you a moment to realize what she was asking for, but you quickly remembered how much nayeon liked to watch you fuck yourself on her fingers.

you nodded and sank yourself down slowly onto nayeon’s digits, keeping eye contact with her the whole time. you forced your eyes to stay open, letting out short, breathy moans.

“that’s it baby, that’s my girl.”, nayeon praised you as you moved your hips in a rhythm, riding her fingers and pressing your forehead against hers.

“just keep looking pretty like this for me. fuck.. all for me. you’re all mine, right baby?”

your eyes were squeezed shut, but you could tell that nayeon’s gaze never left yours. her tongue running across her lips, licking them to keep herself together.

she helped you out by thrusting her fingers in sync with your movements, matching your pace. your clit landed perfectly on her flexed palm every time you lowered your core back down.

“yes, fuck- ‘m all yours nay- only yours.”

nayeon could tell you were getting close when she felt your walls tightening around her and your pace getting sloppier.

“yeah? you mean that?”

“mhm, fuck- nobody else can fuck me like this. god, you feel too good-“

you were so, so close to cumming. the built up pleasure in you was ready to release, but nayeon had a different idea in mind.

hearing you reaffirm that you were hers made it incredibly hard for her to control the urge to just fuck you senseless, but she didn’t want you to have that sweet release. not after the stunt you pulled. you were just lucky she was even touching you right now.

nayeon snatched her fingers out just when you were at the edge of your high, steadying you with both hands back at your waist.

“aw, did my dumb little baby really think she was gonna cum after she tried to be sneaky like that? poor thing..”, she was taunting you now by slapping your clit harshly, knowing it would make you finish anyways.

you gripped at nayeon’s shoulders, bunching up the sleeves of her shirt in your hands and hiding your face in the crook of her neck, mumbling out small apologies in between choked whimpers.

nayeon heard another alert ring on your phone. you were too fucked out and tired to be aware of it, so she hugged you with one arm and leaned forward to reach for your phone in the cup holder up front.

she typed in your password and went to your messages to see a text from her.

mia 🧸 2m ago u good?? hope ur gf didn’t get jealous or wtv lmao

your “gf” laughed at mia’s audacity, tapping the camera icon next to the message bar.

“smile for the camera, baby.”

nayeon lifted your head off her shoulder and adjusted the strands of hair that stuck to your forehead with sweat, angling the phone to capture every freshly purple mark she left on your neck and your cutely flushed face.

you heard the sound of the photo being sent and looked down to see nayeon with a big smile on her face, typing something along with it.

“ 'd you really have to do that, nay?”, you shook your head at her while wiping the sweat off your top lip.

“it’s either this, or i kill her and her whole family.”

and she meant every word.

[summerclementine27]

Ever Since New York 💫

Summer 2038

Summary: Harry is Y/N’s family friend, in particular, her father’s best and closest friend. The two have known each other all her life, but were never close, Harry always busy with his music career and y/n always too young to hang out with the adults when he was back in London for holiday.

Inspired by: Richard and Monica from “Friends”

Ages: Harry is 44 and y/n is 21 (she was born in 2017 when Harry was 23)

Warnings: smut, age difference

- I’m not good at writing smut yet, bear with me

Wordcount: 3.9k

You've always admired Harry Styles. Not as the global superstar everyone else sees, but as the charming, intelligent man who’s been a close friend of your father for years. There's something undeniably magnetic about him, something that draws you in every time he's around.

Of course, you have known him all your life. In fact, he was there before your own grandparents at your birth, having driven your father to the hospital. However, you two didn’t always have the close knit relationship everyone – including the media – thought you did, despite what you let on to your friends when you were bragging about being family friends with THE Harry Styles. After all, it was ever so easy to show up with signed copies of his album or to get a VIP ticket to a show, no one had to know how hard it was to talk to the pop star himself.

Your parents had you young, at twenty-three, which forced them into adulthood quickly. Meanwhile, Harry was on the verge of starting his solo career, so perhaps he just didn’t understand kids very well. He was always nice to you, Y/N, but he treated you more like an acquaintance than anything else. Even when you were seventeen, outsmarting all the kids your age and listening to old music that surprised everyone, including Harry, he remained distant.

There was that one time your parents mentioned at a dinner party that you had chosen the record to spin. Harry's surprise was evident, a moment that should have felt like a victory but only solidified the distance between you. He mostly talked to you about school and his work, but only when you asked. His responses were always polite, professional, and a little distant, as if he was talking to a child, not a young woman who admired him deeply.

You remember the embarrassment vividly from the time you asked him to sign a CD for your friend's birthday. It was a last-minute gift, and while he did it graciously, it left you feeling foolish and childish, as if you were just a little girl in his eyes, not someone he could see as an equal or a friend.

It wasn't until your 19th birthday that you started feeling more. Harry had gifted you tickets to see him in New York, and the gesture left you honored and feeling special. The idea of seeing him perform in such a romantic city seemed liberating and thrilling. You could hardly believe it when you opened the envelope to find the tickets, your heart racing with excitement and a sense of being seen, truly seen, by Harry.

However, the excitement was dampened somewhat when no one else could make it to America, and you ended up going with your dad. While you loved your father dearly, traveling with him turned what could have been an exhilarating adventure into something more mundane and familiar. The trip, which had initially promised a sense of independence and glamour, now felt like a family vacation. The presence of your dad, with his protective demeanor and constant dad jokes, kind of ruined any aspect of it feeling liberating.

After the concert, which was nothing short of spectacular, the three of you had dinner at Harry's hotel. The setting was intimate, the ambiance perfect for something special. Throughout dinner, Harry kept mentioning how grown up you looked. "You really have blossomed, Y/N," he'd said more than once, his eyes lingering on you in a way that sent shivers down your spine.

Your dad, ever the workaholic, left the dinner early, needing to catch a red-eye flight to make it back to the office by midday the next day. You had extended your trip to do some touristic things in New York, planning to visit galleries and museums.

With your dad gone, the atmosphere changed subtly. You stayed a couple more hours with Harry, feeling a shift in the dynamic. He seemed to be seeing you properly for the first time—not as a kid he occasionally babysat for a few hours or an angsty teenager, but as a young woman on the brink of adulthood. There was a shyness in his demeanor, a hesitation that was both endearing and exciting.

You found yourself sitting closer to him, the conversation flowing more freely. The fleeting touches, the lingering looks, the way his eyes softened when he looked at you—it all became more pronounced. These moments, though few and far between, fueled your admiration for him, making you yearn for a deeper connection

At one point, you made a comment that unintentionally shattered the delicate mood. "You know," you said with a playful smile, "I'm as old as your song 'Sign of the Times.' I was born the day after its release."

Harry chuckled, but the mention of your age seemed to remind him of the gap between you. The mood, which had been charged with a palpable tension, shifted back to something more reserved. The fleeting touches became less frequent, the lingering looks more cautious.

Despite this, the evening left an indelible mark on you. For the first time, you felt that Harry saw you as more than just his friend’s daughter. There was a connection, a spark that hinted at something more profound, something that could grow if given the chance.

Now a university graduate, you could hardly contain your excitement as you prepared to see Harry again at the summer party your dad had planned. The weather was uncharacteristically warm for London, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze that made the day perfect for an outdoor gathering.

You chose your outfit carefully, wanting to make an impression. You slipped into a light, flowing sundress in a soft shade of blue that accentuated your eyes. Your hair was styled in loose waves, cascading down your shoulders, and you wore a delicate silver necklace that caught the sunlight just right. The house was decorated festively, with colorful lanterns hanging in the garden, fairy lights twinkling, and tables adorned with fresh flowers and elegant place settings.

You were standing by the door, welcoming guests, when you saw Harry's car pull up. Your heart skipped a beat as you watched him step out, looking effortlessly handsome in a white linen shirt and tailored pants. As he approached, your excitement grew, and you took a deep breath to steady yourself.

You opened the door, and there he was, standing right in front of you with that signature smile that made your knees weak. "Y/N," he greeted warmly, his eyes scanning you from head to toe. "You look absolutely stunning."

You felt a blush creep up your cheeks. "Thank you, Harry. It's so good to see you again."

Harry stepped inside, his gaze lingering on you. "It's been too long. Congratulations on graduating, by the way. You must be thrilled."

"I am," you replied, closing the door behind him. "It's been quite a journey, but I'm excited for what's next."

He nodded, his eyes twinkling with something more than just friendliness. "Your dad's really outdone himself with this party. The place looks amazing."

You smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "He loves hosting these things. Would you like a drink?"

"Sure," he said, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "But first, do you mind showing me where the bathroom is? I could use a moment to freshen up."

Your pulse quickened at his proximity, and you gestured down the hallway. "Of course. It's just up the stairs, first door on the right."

Harry gave you a playful grin. "The bedrooms are up there too, right? Might need a quick lie-down if things get too wild."

You laughed, the suggestive undertone of his comment not lost on you. "Yes, they are. But try to behave yourself, Styles."

He winked, stepping closer so that his arm brushed yours. "No promises, Y/N."

You couldn’t believe what had just happened. Harry Styles, the man you had admired for so long, had not only complimented you but had also made a flirtatious remark that left you feeling exhilarated and... aroused. You replayed the encounter in your mind, the way his eyes had scanned your body, lingering on your neck and the curves accentuated by your dress. The way his gaze had followed you, filled with something more than just friendly interest.

You needed a moment to collect yourself, so you decided to test the waters. Spotting a group of guys chatting near the garden, you made your way over and joined their conversation, laughing and engaging in animated discussion. You kept an eye on the staircase, and sure enough, you saw Harry descending, his eyes locking onto you with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, you noticed his gaze lingering on the group of guys you were talking to. He seemed focused, almost possessive, as he made his way over. Your heart raced with anticipation, wondering how he would react.

“Mind if I sneak you away for a moment, Y/N?” Harry asked, his voice smooth and confident as he approached the group.

You smiled, feeling a rush of excitement. “Sure, Harry. Excuse me, guys,” you said to the group, who all nodded understandingly.

As you and Harry walked off together, you turned to him, curiosity piqued. “Is something wrong?” you asked, searching his face for answers.

He shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. “No, you just promised me a drink, remember?”

You raised an eyebrow, teasingly. “Was that all? You could have gotten that yourself.”

“Yes, but,” he paused, his eyes meeting yours with a mischievous glint, “it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun without your company.”

You felt a thrill run through you at his words, and a smile tugged at the corners of your lips. “Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that logic,” you replied, leading him toward the bar set up in the corner of the garden.

As you poured drinks, you felt the tension between you grow. Every brush of his hand against yours, every shared glance, seemed to crackle with an electric charge. You handed him his drink, your fingers lingering on his for a moment longer than necessary.

“Cheers,” Harry said, raising his glass to yours, his eyes never leaving your face.

“To what?” you asked, clinking your glass against his.

“To new beginnings,” he replied, his voice low and filled with meaning.

“Hm” you murmured “Does this mean you’re making new music”

Harry chuckled. “No, silly. It’s because you graduated and all that.”

“Well, maybe new music too,” he added with a wink.

You laughed. “So, are you finally going to make a rock album?”

“I wouldn’t be capable of that, plus no one would like it,” he said, shaking his head.

“Oh, come on,” you teased. “Remember ‘Kiwi’? ‘Only Angel’? ‘Medicine’? You’ve got the rock star in you.”

“How do you know those songs?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “They must be older than you are.”

“Just as old,” you corrected him. “And I have access to the internet. You make good music.”

“Harry,” you said softly, looking up into his eyes. “I’ve always admired you, I hope you know. Not just as a musician, but as a person.”

His eyes softened, and he smiled. “That means a lot to me, Y/N. More than you know.

You felt a surge of courage, emboldened by the intimacy of the moment. “You know, I’ve always wanted to be closer to you, but I never knew how.”

Harry’s grip on you tightened slightly, and he leaned down, his lips brushing your ear. “Maybe now’s the time to change that,” he whispered, his voice sending shivers down your spine.

You thought he was talking about your recent conversations and how you’d been sharing more. “Yeah, we do talk more now, but I still get the feeling you’re holding out on me, like I’m too young to talk about certain things.”

“You’re not a little girl anymore, Y/N,” he said softly. “I see you.”

The words sent a thrill through you, and you leaned into his touch. “I see you too, Harry,” you whispered.

“I know you see me,” he said, “but I’m not sure I like how.”

You looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I feel like you see me as this intimidating, distant guy who’s uninterested,” he explained. “That might have been the case when I was in my 20s, but now I’m more invested in knowing more about you guys, about the family… my best friend’s daughter.”

The reminder of your situation made it a bit awkward. “Is that all?” you asked.

“And, of course, I couldn’t miss one of your dad’s famous parties,” Harry said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Of course,” you said, a playful smile on your lips. “Wouldn’t want to miss out on the free food and drinks, right?”

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s not just that, Y/N. There are always certain... attractions at these parties that I look forward to.”

Your heart skipped a beat, and you felt your cheeks flush. “Oh really? And what might those be?”

He took a step closer, his eyes darkening with a hint of desire. “Well, there’s usually one person who catches my eye,” he said softly, his voice like velvet.

You swallowed hard, your pulse racing. “And who might that be?”

Harry’s gaze traveled down your body, taking in every curve before meeting your eyes again. “I think you know.”

Before you could respond, a friend of your mom’s came up and told you to dance with her because all the girls were dancing to “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. You noticed Harry still looking at you as you joined the dance, but you didn’t talk to him again until later when people started to leave.

As you were fixing up the drinks station, you felt someone’s eyes on you. Turning, you found Harry leaning against the doorframe, a playful smirk on his lips.

“Having fun?” he asked, stepping into the room, his eyes never leaving yours.

“Trying to,” you replied, a little breathless from his proximity. “These parties can get a bit tedious after a while.”

“Maybe I can help with that,” he said, his voice low and suggestive.

You raised an eyebrow, feeling a thrill of anticipation. “Oh? How do you plan to do that?”

Harry stepped closer, his gaze intense. “I have a few ideas. Care to join me for a walk? Maybe we can finish off our conversation.”

“Is there any more to say?”

“There is always more to say, especially with me and you.”

You hesitated for a moment, your heart pounding in your chest. Then, with a small nod, you agreed. “Alright, let’s go.”

You followed Harry out of the kitchen, slipping into the shadows of the garden. The night air was cool and filled with the distant hum of the party, but you led him to a hidden corner where your dad had abandoned the project of fixing the old tree house when you left for university. This forgotten part of the garden was shrouded in darkness, a secluded haven where no one would think to venture.

The night air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the house. The garden was beautifully lit with fairy lights, casting a soft glow over the flowers and trees. You walked in silence for a few minutes, the tension between you growing with each step.

Finally, Harry stopped near a secluded bench and turned to face you. “Y/N, I want you to know something,” he began, his voice serious.

“What is it?” you asked, your curiosity piqued.

“I’ve always seen you as a remarkable person,” he said, his eyes locking onto yours. “Not just as my friend’s daughter, but as someone truly special.”

You felt a warmth spread through you at his words. “Thank you, Harry. That means a lot to me.”

He took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. “But ever since New York, I’ve been seeing you in a different light. You’re not a little girl anymore. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman, and it’s hard for me to ignore that.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “Harry…”

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from your face. “I don’t want to scare you or make you uncomfortable, but I can’t pretend I don’t feel something for you.”

You swallowed hard, your mind racing. “I’ve felt it too,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “But I didn’t think you saw me that way.”

“I do,” he said firmly. “And I want to explore this, if you’re willing.”

You nodded, unable to find the words to express how you felt. Instead, you leaned into him, your bodies close, the electricity between you palpable.

Harry’s hand cupped your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin gently. “You’re so beautiful, Y/N,” he murmured, his lips dangerously close to yours.

Your breath hitched, and you felt a surge of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation. “Harry, I…”

Before you could finish, his lips met yours in a soft, tentative kiss. The world seemed to stand still as you melted into his embrace, your hands finding their way to his shoulders.

The kiss deepened, growing more passionate as the minutes passed. Harry’s hands roamed over your back, pulling you closer, and you responded in kind, your fingers tangling in his hair.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavily. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” Harry confessed, his forehead resting against yours.

“Me too,” you whispered, your heart racing.

He smiled, his eyes full of warmth and affection. “Let’s not waste any more time, then.”

Harry took your hand and led you through the garden, sneaking past the remaining guests. The soft hum of the party faded into the background as you made your way to the front of the house. Your heart pounded in your chest, a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside you.

Once you reached his car, Harry opened the passenger door for you. “Get in,” he said with a mischievous smile.

You slid into the seat and quickly pulled out your phone, sending a quick message to your mom. Left with Elizabeth; couldn’t find you. See you later! It wasn’t a complete lie, just a small omission of the truth. You figured you’d have to tell your parents eventually, but tonight wasn’t the night for that conversation.

Harry started the engine, and you felt a surge of adrenaline as he placed his hand on your thigh. The touch was electrifying, sending shivers up your spine. He drove with a purpose, the car moving swiftly through the London streets. The tension between you was palpable, each passing moment heightening your anticipation.

“Are you okay?” Harry asked, his eyes glancing over at you, his hand giving your thigh a gentle squeeze.

You nodded, your breath catching in your throat. “More than okay,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper.

Harry smiled, his focus returning to the road. His hand remained on your thigh, the warmth of his touch seeping through the fabric of your dress. The city lights blurred as he navigated through the streets, the car’s speed adding to the thrill of the night.

The journey to Hampstead Heath felt both endless and too short. You were acutely aware of every turn, every stop, and go, the anticipation building with each passing second. Harry’s hand occasionally moved, his fingers tracing patterns on your skin, driving you wild with desire.

When you finally arrived at his house, Harry parked the car and turned to you, his eyes dark with intent. “Ready?”

You nodded, unable to speak, your heart pounding in your chest. He leaned over and kissed you, his lips capturing yours in a moment that felt like a promise of what was to come.

He got out of the car and quickly moved to your side, opening the door for you. You stepped out, your legs feeling a bit shaky from the excitement. Harry took your hand and led you to the front door, unlocking it swiftly.

Once inside, he closed the door behind you and turned to face you, his eyes filled with desire. “Come here,” he whispered, pulling you into his arms.

You felt a surge of courage as you wrapped your arms around his neck, your body pressing against his. “Harry, I’ve wanted this for so long,” you confessed, your voice trembling with emotion.

“I know,” he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear. “Me too.”

With that, he lifted you into his arms, carrying you through the house. You wrapped your legs around his waist, your fingers tangling in his hair as he kissed you deeply, his tongue exploring your mouth with a hunger that matched your own.

He carried you up the stairs and into his bedroom, gently laying you down on the bed. The room was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere that made your heart race even faster.

Harry stood at the edge of the bed, looking down at you with a gaze that was both tender and filled with desire. “You’re so beautiful, Y/N,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

You reached for him, your fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. “I want you, Harry,” you whispered, your voice trembling with need.

He helped you, shedding his clothes quickly before pulling you close again. The feel of his bare skin against yours was intoxicating, every touch sending waves of heat through you.

He led you to the bedroom, the journey a blur of heated kisses and wandering hands. When you reached the bed, he gently laid you down, positioning himself above you. His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he confessed, his voice a low growl.

“Me too,” you admitted, your voice barely more than a whisper.

He kissed you again, his mouth trailing down your body, leaving a path of fire in its wake. His lips found your breasts, teasing your nipples until you were arching into him, desperate for more. He moved lower, his mouth worshiping your skin, until he reached the apex of your thighs.

You gasped as he spread your legs, his breath hot against your most sensitive area. His tongue flicked out, tasting you, and you cried out at the sensation. He took his time, exploring every inch of you with his mouth, driving you to the brink of madness with his skillful ministrations.

When he finally entered you, it was slow and deliberate, every inch of him filling you completely. The pleasure was overwhelming, and you clung to him, your nails digging into his back as he moved inside you. His rhythm was perfect, each thrust sending you higher and higher until you were both lost in a haze of ecstasy.

As you came together, the world seemed to explode around you, every sensation amplified. You held each other close, riding the waves of pleasure until they finally subsided, leaving you both breathless and sated.

Harry collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms. You lay there, tangled together, the afterglow of your lovemaking wrapping around you like a warm blanket. In that moment, everything felt perfect, and you knew that this was just the beginning of something incredible.

————————————————————————————

hope you enjoyed reading :)

[theactualsunshinechild]

Can I just say the straight line style polycule that is Hu Tao x Furina x Neuvillette x Zhongli never stops being top tier comedy to me and it feels like no one talks about it.

Like, come on guys, it's got everything you could possibly ask for!

Newly mortal girl finally getting to live her own life after centuries of playing a role meets super chill and supportive funeral parlor director who can ease any worries she may have about death as a concept and also play pranks on her, drag her fun places, and help her make up with her long term situationship Dragon Sovereign who is deeply devoted to making her happy.

Honestly this is already fantastic; Neuvillette gets Gremlin (beloved) and Gremlin (mischievous) in his life! He brings Furina flowers after her performances and has a collection of autographed photos from each in his room. Hu Tao comes by to hang out in his office and bother him about marketing her funeral parlor, and he has to explain advertisement laws in Fontaine and how several of her ideas would get her arrested and that this would make Lady Furina quite upset. She teases him for "being a simp" and it slides off him like water.

Furina has a collection of pressed flowers from each of Neuvillete's bouquets in her room. Hu Tao taught her how to press and preserve flowers after her sopping wet meowmeow of a girlfriend cried in her arms about that first bouquet starting to wither.

Hu Tao drags both of them into playing TCG with her any time she can, and is always putting in word with local and visiting theater troupes about her girlfriend's acting talent and excellent director services. She loves seeing Furina squeal at the sight of a ghost, but usually shoos them away unless she's trying to spook her on purpose. Sometimes she runs her poetry by Neuvillette before going to recite it to Furina because she finds he has a good eye for it, and sometimes is able to convince him to put his own feelings into words through poetry as well.

Fontaine is full of tabloids arguing about who Fontaine's superstar is Actually Dating, and no one is certain! She is seen on the beach walking hand in hand with the Iudex merely two days after having publicly ordering the couple's special at a renowned coffeeshop with a strange Liyue girl. She has not denied dating either of them, nor has there been any indication of a breakup??? The two suitors have been spotted out purchasing her favorite sweets together, so they don't appear to be on bad terms??? The papers have no idea what to do with this and it is hilarious.

And then Zhongli enters the picture. Mysteriously absent any time Neuvillette comes by with Furina, but always there to chat and provide wild trivia when it's just the girls hanging out. And the girls have caught on. Hu Tao has a pretty good idea of what's up, but Furina?

Furina convenes with her girlfriend and is like "I think that employee of yours, Mr. Zhongli, might have a thing for Neuvillette? I've seen many dramas in my lifetime, but this is still the most obvious crush I've seen in centuries. Any time I mention Neuvillette he gets stiff as a board, turns seven different colors, and starts avoiding eye contact like the plague! It's like he thinks someone is going to bite his head off if he so much as thinks about the man! A shame too, they seem like they'd get along so well..."

Hu Tao, fighting for her life to not fall into fits of laughter: "We should set them up on a date"

Furina gets super excited about it! This is just like in one of her favorite plays!! Hu Tao adds fuel to the fire by teasing Zhongli about his "crush" in front of Furina one time, and he politely denies having any such thoughts about the reputable and honorable Iudex. Furina just becomes further convinced she's correctly judged the situation. Hu Tao knows exactly what she is doing and is reveling in the situation she is putting her consultant into.

Furina has all the details meticulously planned out, she is vibrating with excitement to matchmake her partner with someone so well suited for him. Hu Tao helps her find a suitable location in Chenyu, (near Fontaine, excellent tea, the perfect place to set a trap- sorry, date) They talk to the staff and the staff is excited to help.

Neuvillette keeps hearing from Furina about this charming man he simply must meet and how "he's exactly your type" and "is totally crushing on you" and he's a little nervous, but agrees to try and attend this blind date because he trusts Lady Furina's judgement, and he can't deny he IS curious to meet someone who can allegedly distinguish where an ore comes from on sight and taste minute differences in the mineral concentration of the tea water the way Furina claims this man can. Neuvillette arrives to the teahouse knowing only that he is going on a date with someone who is "secretly harboring feeling for him".

As for Zhongli? He knows something is up, but can't quite tell What exactly Director Hu is planning. When he's given some pocket money and told to attend a very important meeting in her stead at the teahouse, he goes, if only out of curiosity. (And of course, who would miss out on such quality tea?)

When the Iudex of Fontaine walks in and zeroes in on him and his table with slitted eyes, Zhongli seriously considers whether or not he can get away with faking his own death a second time on such short notice.

The answer of course is No, but he discovers he doesn't Have To, at least not yet. The Hydro Dragon Sovereign power walks up to the table, looking to be on the verge of attempting to drag Morax back to Fontaine for judgement by the scruff of his neck if necessary, but then seems to pause to properly look at the other man and consider the spread of tea and appetizers peacefully sitting in front of him. He throws a glance around the room, catching the interested looks the staff is poorly hiding, then catches and holds Zhongli's gaze as if searching for something in it. Celestia only knows what he's trying to decipher, and Zhongli can only clench his teacup and pray that whatever he finds is enough to convince him to let this go for the moment. He can feel the heat climbing up the back of his neck, his tie feeling a bit too tight for comfort, but he swallows down the nerves and tries for a pacifying smile.

(He's pretty sure it comes out a bit more tense than intended)

((He's also pretty sure the Hydro Dragon Sovereign can hear the pounding of the blood rushing in his veins, probably even sense the sweat building up under his collar))

(((The way his eyes flicked to watch his throat as he swallowed gives the impression of a creature considering the ease with which that throat can be torn out with its teeth)))

"You've come all this way; would you care to try the tea, Monsieur Neuvillette? It is a local specialty of this region, meticulously hand picked and dried using traditional methods passed down for generations. I am quite confident you may find it to your liking, though the local water is also quite distinctive, and I'm sure we can get you a glass if that is what you prefer. Had I known to expect your presence I would have requested one already," He keeps his speech calm and measured, even as his heart tries to climb out of his chest from the tension. No need to worry. If it comes down to it, he's has seen his fair share of war and battle. He can take him. Or at least could have taken him... a fully fledged Dragon Sovereign is a battle he would much rather simply not engage in. There is wisdom, after all, in not picking fights where mediation and contractual obligation can suffice. And social contract is as much a form of contract as any other. Surely the esteemed Iudex understands this...

Neuvillette relieves Zhongli of his intense stare and sits down without so much as a threat. The tension leaks out of Zhongli's posture ever so slightly as Neuvillette picks up the cup of freshly brewed tea that had been presented to him. Seems whatever he found sufficed to stay his hand for now.

Neuvillette is too busy reeling, trying to come to terms with the notion that an Usurper he is determined to judge for his sins has apparently developed some kind of romantic interest in him. He will still be judged, of course, it is only right. But... that doesn't mean that such tender feelings must be cruelly rejected without even having been given a chance. Furina believes in this man's suitability, after all, whether she knows his archon nature or not. And he would be remiss to overlook her opinion. She had always held deep insights into people's natures that Neuvillette himself never could quite grasp as thoroughly. Her incredible humanity and understanding is something he values dearly, and she was technically an Archon herself at one point after all, and yet, he loves her all the same. The cup wafts with a pleasant warmth and the taste of tea infused mountain spring water lingers on his tongue, as gold eyes observe him attentively, looking for his reaction. Yes, it is only fair. He will make an honest attempt to view this man before him as more than just an Usurper, and judge his eligibility as a romantic partner as a separate case.

For the entire rest of the "date" Zhongli is stressed, making conversation like his life depends on it, throwing in some flattering comments here and there to feed the air of polite goodwill he's trying to foster, and trying his best to read Neuvillette, who remains remarkably inscrutable. In the meantime, Neuvillette is just politely allowing himself to be rizzed up.

Neuvillette goes home pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Neuvillette: "You were quite right about him Lady Furina, Mr. Zhongli is indeed a terribly charming and intelligent man with refined tastes and a dignified manner. I'm afraid you have accurately predicted that I could indeed become quite fond of him. A shame I will have to judge him someday, but as you've experienced, I do not allow myself to be biased in formally judging individuals I have feelings for. Nevertheless, it really is quite insightful of you to have me get to know the Geo Archon outside of a courtroom setting."

Furina: "...............the who"

Zhongli is dragging himself home worn out from the encounter, feeling his age in his bones and wanting nothing more than to lie down and not think about the Next Time he was assured he would be contacted about.

Hu Tao, standing at the door, grinning: "soooooooo.... how was your hot date with the Iudex?"

Zhongli: "...............my what"

Hu Tao: "Ayah~ Surely you realized it was a date? Furina has been so excited to set this up for you since you seemed like you were going to avoid it forever! She told her boyfriend aaaaall about your little crush on him and told him to give you a shot! Surely you didn't fumble him that bad?"

Zhongli, suddenly reevaluating every single thing that happened during dinner in a brand new light: "I am not sure what the best term to describe what occurred is, but he did ask to see me again."

Hu Tao: "My my, who knew my consultant could be such a rizzler! A bet lost/ A prize won/ A love found/ A heart surrendered!"

Zhongli: ".....You bet against me?"

Hu Tao smoothly avoids answering that by handing him some paperwork, leaving some instructions and skipping off to go about her business.

[jovenshires]

endless au edits: smosh theatre's seasonal lineup (1/4)

SMOSH'S SEASONAL LINEUP: A COMPLETE GUIDE by mac kahey smosh theatre, a musical theater company known for its diverse and inclusive productions, has just announced its show lineup for the year, and it is safe to say that fans are far from disappointed. starting off strong, the company kicked off its announcement with its winter showcase: a production of hadestown, led by stars damien haas and jacklyn uweh, and directed by none other than returning smosh co-founder, anthony padilla. padilla made his comeback to smosh a little over six months ago to collaborate with his fellow co-owner on their spring and summer musicals. this will be padilla's first solo show at the playhouse in nearly six years - and what a show to start off on. coupling this tragic tale of love lost with padilla's edgy direction style is a bold move, and fans are, rightfully, excited. the casting choices are also impeccable. the star-studded lineup includes previously-mentioned damien haas, an openly neurodivergent and queer actor making waves for representation everywhere. he'll be taking on the role of orpheus, a hopeless romantic, poet, and musician, and as someone who had the pleasure of sitting down with him for an interview last spring, all of these qualities describe haas to a t. this will be his first time leading a show with smosh in his near-six-year run at the company, and his first time working with padilla as a director. the actor shared the show to his instagram and expressed his excitement for the production, saying, "anthony is such a great director. it's been an honor to work with him and my amazing castmates." speaking of his castmates - his leading lady is none other than superstar jacklyn uweh. returning from her recent stint touring with the cast of spring awakening, she has rejoined the smosh cast for another performance that's sure to be amazing. the actress is known for advocating for women of color in theater spaces and never being afraid to speak her mind. she also, notably, has one of the most incredible singing voices of our generation. taking on the mysterious yet powerful role of eurydice will be no easy feat, but somehow, i think she has the power to manage it. just with this one casting, smosh has shown that when the perfect cast falls into their lap, they aren't foolish enough not to utilize it. the stacked cast doesn't stop there, though. playing hermes, the play's narrator and father figure to young orpheus, is ify nwadiwe, a booming comedic actor who has been known to feature in smosh productions. his fun-loving demeanor and natural swagger are sure to bring a natural carefree energy to this rendition of hadestown. he, too, spoke of the production fondly on social media, posting on x: "this is one of the greatest things i've ever been a part of. come see us next december to february at the smosh playhouse for one of the most incredible, f***ed up things we've ever done." long-time smosh player keith leak jr is taking on the role of hades, the rich, powerful, and egotistical king of the underworld, and his friend and partner in all things theater, olivia sui, will be beside him once more as persephone, hades's free-spirited yet suffering wife. watching these two together is always a delight, and i cannot wait for their dynamic to shine through the characters that they play. as far as the winter production is concerned, the community's shared high hopes for padilla's return may very well turn out to be grounded in reality. with an all-star cast and an incredible crew, such as returning stage head erin dougal, it is easy to see that padilla knows what he's doing. though only time will tell, i am confident that this production will be a huge success, and very well may be my favorite show of the year - although, i must mention the other productions first - because they all have incredible potential.

[cold-fire-yo]

whats your favorite sonic game and why

My personal favorites are Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Generations and Sonic Mania. One Adventure, one boost, one classic.

Sonic Adventure 2 is because I played it recently and I came to realize how great it feels to control most of the characters. I also like how the treasure hunting stages make me use my brain without it coming off as condescending, rude or snarky. The Sonic and Shadow stages are super fun too. The mechs are okay.

Sonic Generations is because I really like boost to win but ONLY if it controls well and the levels are super engaging. I'm not so sure about Sonic X Shadow Generations tho.

Sonic Mania is because like SA2 is for 3D Sonic, it feels great to control the characters. And I prefer this game to Superstars bc I don't like the boss fights in the latter's case and plus, Mania has the Mean bean machine boss and had it not been for Sonic Mania, we most likely would not be receiving Puyo Puyo games in the west, so Mania has that going for it. Plus I actually like the special stages in Mania as well. In fact, Mania 's Special stages are the ONLY special stages I actually like.

Honorable mention goes to Sonic Rush because it is a boost game without any extra gimmicks. If you think about it, every single boost game had SOMETHING to distract from the core gameplay. Rush Adventure had the sailing, Unleashed had the werehog, Colors had the wisps, Generations had Classic Sonic, and Forces had the Avatar and Classic Sonic . I can appreciate Sonic Rush for being a boost game from start to finish. Not that I have anything against alternate gameplay styles tho. Plus, it is one of the few Sonic games that I actually 100 percent too.

[darkdragon768]

My Top 5 of new games I've played in 2023!

1st Place: Mother 3 (GBA (Emulator))

Amazing story. I've never played a game that made me cry THAT hard. I had a lot of fun playing it. Battles are fun and not too easy nor too hard. Sure, I had to farm some exp at some point but it wasn't that awful (as other games I've played). The characters are lovely, all have their own backstory and baggage to carry. I've binge played through the whole Mother Series at once and was immensely positively surprised. Definitely a hidden gem I can recommend to anyone. Bonus points for becoming a hyperfixation. 5/5

2nd Place: Pikmin 4 (Switch)

A loooong while ago I started Pik3dx but never finished it. This year as they were announcing the fourth game I at first wasn't that interesting but somehow the switch clicked and I binge played through the whole series too. Being made very easily as every game (except Hey! but that seems like a game everyone pretends doesn't exist. It can't be that bad, can it?) is available on Switch now. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Compared to the other games it was sadly a tad bit too easy for me (even tho I wasn't using some features they added that'd help you through it (rewinding time, calling Dingo for help)) but mostly the lovely characters and collecting all the treasures made it for me. Bonus points for becoming a hyperfixation. 4.5/5

3rd Place: WarioWare: Move It! (Switch)

I only own this game for like a month by now but boy do I and my mom have fun with this one! A really nice change to constant mario karting. It was my first WarioWare game so I was really impressed by the game having an amazing art style, animations and especially voice acting in so many languages! I'm loving all the different controller poses (except one perhaps...) and the microgames. All the different characters are so lovely and unique and special in their own way, they've already grown dear to me. Seeking out the other titles because I'm invested now. Bonus points for becoming a hyperfixation. 4.9/5

4th Place: Super Paper Mario (Wii)

It may not have got me gameplay wise because jumping on 2d enemies in a 3d world is kinda... shit, as an example, but the story made it for me. The third game that made me cry this year so of course I had to include it. The story was stretched quite long but it never felt rushed or boring or not important. So amazing storytelling here! I loved that a lot! 3.5/5

5th Place: Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Remake, 3DS)

My first M&L game and I, here too, was positively surprised by its amazingness. The game felt so warm because of their brotherly love, it got silly humor here and there, a neat battle system, some tough bosses but an enjoyable time all together. Looking out for more M&L games! 4.6/5

Honorable mentions:

Luigi's Mansion (GCN) 4/5

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS) 4/5

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA) 4/5

Super Mario RPG (Remake, Switch) 4.9/5

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch) 3.8/5

My resolutions for 2024:

Main goal is to grow my collection. I hope I can find some more Wario Land games, so that I can binge play through this whole series. Omori will be released on Switch soon so I want to try that one out too. Maybe I'll take a look at the Kid Icarus, Bayonetta or Donkey Kong series. And whatever new things Nintendo comes up with this year. And maybe get an NES. The only main Nintendo console I'm missing.

[radar-of-the-stars]

rapidly approaching September, my Games of the Year seem pretty set in stone, with only a few upcoming games even possibly getting on the list

in first place is Hi-Fi Rush, it's always a fun tike to play a rhythm game with more depth than whack-a-mole and the style dripping off this game is infectious

In second place is Polybridge 3, it is literally just polybrifge 2 but better, I think the game has way more interesting levels this time around

in third place is The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. This one is obvious and you've already played it

and last but certainly not least is Paquerette Down the Bunburrows, an absolutely charming and mind melting puzzle game in the same vain as Baba is You, this one is heavily underrated

honorable mentions: Viewfinder, Marble it Up Ultra, Pikmin 4, 30XX, and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Interesting games still upcoming: Super Mario Wonder, Persona 5 Tactica, Sonic Superstars, and House Flipper 2

[wyrmwould-star]

In no particular order of awfulness,

I'm the Queen in This Life

Tricked into Becoming the Heroines Stepmother

The Tyrant Wants to Be Good

The Dungeon Cleaning Life of a Once Genius Hunter

The Advanced Player of the Tutorial Tower

My Roommate is a Gumiho

Reincarnated as an Unruly Heir

+99 Reinforced Wooden Stick Note: I actually read this one, it's one of my favs, but I digress.

Leveling Up My Husband to the Max

Auto Hunting With My Clones

I Get Stronger the More I Eat

I'm the Max-Level Newbie

I'm the Grim Reaper

Resigning and Healing in Another World

The Matchmaking Baby Princess

(Dis)honorable Mentions

The Lazy Lord Masters the Sword this one rhymes, so I kinda like it

My Husband Changes Every Night

My Far Too Tumultuous Marriage

Charming the Duke of the North

Surviving a Fantasy Adventure Comic

The Producers Second Life

Philia Rosé: The Prophecy of the Crown of Thorns

Enrolling in the Transcendent Academy

66,666 Years: Advent of the Dark Mage

Superstar Associate Manager

The Academy's Undercover Professor

Monster Duke's Daughter

My In-Laws are Obsessed with Me this title makes me feel icky

Reloading into Another World

Divorcing My Tyrant Husband

All of these are Originals on Webtoon, still updating/paused, and I could not point out the difference in their art style (except for possible the colour choices)

I fucking hate webcomics that are named way too literally.

shit like "I've been Stuck in a Tower for 100 Years" or "My Brother is Secretly a Mob Boss" Neither of these are actually titles (as far as I know) but yk what I'm talking about

[born-to-eng-sub]

2022.11.18 Seo Eunkwang Theatre+ Interview English Translation

Original Korean article here. Interviewer's questions in bold. 

Please credit Born To Eng Sub if you post excerpts anywhere. 

[COVER STORY] Never Ending Story: Actor Seo Eunkwang

As the leader of an idol group, as a vocalist who gets recognition, as a 10-year musical actor, Seo Eunkwang never treats any dream recklessly and shines today.

editor: Son Jeongeun; photographer: Kim Taewoo; stylist: Park Hyejeong, Jeon Sohyeon; Hair: Taehyeon (Mijangwon by Taehyeon); makeup: Hana (Mijangwon by Taehyeon)

In the defining number 'A Musical' from musical "Something Rotten," famous musical numbers are wittily melded together. You may wonder why we're bringing up a past work, but the start of this story was 2 years ago. Back then, in a video interview with Theatre Plus, we asked if there was a musical parodied in that number that Seo Eunkwang would want to participate in, and without hesitation he answered "Jesus Christ Superstar." "It would be so great if I could do that musical with Michael (Lee)," he said and in two years that has become reality.

The musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" was created fifty years ago by the musical world's virtuoso composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. It interprets the story of the seven days before the death of Jesus from an unconventional perspective, and became a topic as it stood at the center of several controversies. It was a work so ahead of its time that even now, a long time later, you can still feel how unconventional it is. One wonders what kind of message it will throw to the audiences of 2022. We asked Seo Eunkwang, playing the role of Judas, to tell us about this work which is being performed again in Korea after 7 years.

You mentioned that your dream work was "Jesus Christ Superstar" in a number of interviews. How does it feel to have that dream come true?

Like I've said, this is one of the works I wanted to try doing the most, so it makes me want to do a really good job. While I've been doing musicals, I think this is the first one that's made me feel this much pressure. And the thing that adds even more pressure is that this is the 50th anniversary performance. It's even the first time it's been performed (in Korea) in 7 years. Since I know that so many people have so much interest, I'm working very hard to prepare. It's such an honor to be able to participate. I'm very happy.

You mentioned that your dream role was Jesus, but this time you ended up with the role of Judas.

I wondered what kind of feeling it would be to stand onstage as Jesus, and that kind of expectation led me to say I wanted to play Jesus. I'm still not good enough for that role, so I think I'll have to build up more years of experience first. And Judas is very impressive and has a lot of charm, so I'm really into him. The Judas numbers are very intense, so on one hand it's very difficult.

Like you said, this work has a reputation for having very difficult musical numbers. You're famous yourself for being good at singing, but it must feel very different to be engaged in this work.

Since the Judas numbers "Heaven on their Minds" and "Superstar" are so famous, a lot of people probably know them, but as I've actually been starting work on the show, there are also a lot of other difficult songs. I was shocked the first time I started practicing. The number "Judas' Death" which he sings just before dying is incredible. And besides that all the other songs are hard, too. Three or four songs are in the range of the top of the second octave, even playing into the third octave, which is just ridiculous for a male role. It makes me wonder what the composer was thinking when he composed them.

And also all the different Judas actors have interpreted the songs in their own different ways.

That's why practice was so hard. The work itself is very free. The melody line is set, but everyone has sung it with their own style. So after absorbing the sheet music, changing it to fit my own style was really extremely hard. It was my first time doing such a free work, so it was very new for me.

Recently on a livestream you showed yourself practicing "Heaven on their Minds." It was like getting a taste of Seo Eunkwang's Judas.

Now I'd like to delete the video. At the time, after practicing a few songs including Western ones, I started livestreaming because I wanted to show that, but I really regret showing this song in advance. Since I was just practicing, there were a lot of parts that were lacking. It's a relief that the fans like it, but next time I'll have to be more thorough.

Even though it was practice, that in itself makes you feel like it was lacking, I guess.

When singing, I want to show a perfect side of myself. Compared to the past, I've let go a lot. When I was young, I felt that way strongly, but lately I've thought that I wanted to show my growth through even the imperfect side of myself. That's why I showed myself practicing, but afterwards as time has gone on I've felt regretful about it. "I could have done it better," I think.

There are a lot of videos where your fellow BTOB member and musical theater actor Lee Changsub sings the number "Gethsemane." It makes me wonder if the two of you might do this work together someday.

We tend to sing for fun, and we both really like that song. If someday Changsub could play Judas and I could play Jesus and we could stand on stage together, that would be a dream come true. Wow, just imagining it is amazing.

Judas is a person who's remembered as a betrayer. But in this work, he's drawn as a revolutionary, which became a hot topic.

I also only knew Judas as a betrayer. But while preparing for this work, the other day I asked my mom while we were eating. My mom is an elder and is very devout. I asked, "What do you think about Judas?" and what she told me is very similar to how I'm interpreting Judas now. Most people think of him as a betrayer, but how much must he have worried and thought over his decision up until he sold Jesus out, and what kinds of thoughts must he have had when he heard Jesus predict that he would betray him. She told me that must not have been an easy decision, and that put part of my mind at ease. I thought that I could express Judas as much as I wanted and the people watching would fully accept that. I had a lot of worries, but thanks to that I became a bit freer.

What kinds of things were you worrying about?

The hardest part was that the character of Judas isn't explained very well. In the Bible, he's mostly portrayed as a traitor, so most of the audience will come in with only that background for him. You can't help but come in with those biases. But within this work, rather than being a betrayer, he loves Jesus so much and reveals his own beliefs so strongly, and those beliefs are so clear. So my homework was to portray that well. Also my own image tends to be strongly of someone very bright and happy, on top of my build being on the small side, so I worried about how best to capture the character in order to explain him well.

In the role of Jesus, actors Michael Lee and Im Taegyeong have returned. What is the difference between the two Jesuses?

We're still in the practice stage, but I feel like Michael Lee sunbaenim's Jesus feels more like a friend. He mentioned that this season he wanted to show a more human side. So when we practice, I feel those parts and there's a closeness to it. I think Im Taegyeong sunbaenim's Jesus feels a little more divine. Rather than a friend, he feels like a teacher or a father.

It's been 50 years since this work was shown to the world for the first time. Yet the modifier of "unconventional" always seems to follow it even now.

Actually, I had never seen this musical before, myself. It's being performed in Korea for the first time in 7 years, and there aren't a lot of videos. I had only heard of it indirectly, and the reviews of audiences who saw it in the past were quite cutting. People say it's very serious and can be very polarizing, and due to the fact that it's all sung-through people could get bored, and as a rock musical the songs can be unfamiliar. I was also very nervous when practices started, but everything was a lot more fun than I expected.

In particular, I think there are a lot of reviews that say it can be polarizing.

I saw a lot of those reviews, too. But when it actually came down to doing it, it was very fun. Is that because I'm on the "liking it" side of the polarizing divide? (laughs)

Then please appeal to the audiences and tell them why you ended up liking it.

First of all, the development is very clear so the storyline progresses well on its own. The musical numbers are very convincing, as well. Seeing Jesus' more human side is very fresh and shocking, so it's not boring and has a lot of new charm to it. At first when people I knew told me they were going to see this musical, I, too, responded by saying "It's so polarizing, and it can be unfamiliar because it's sung-through." But now I say "Guys, this is so fun! You can expect good things from it," to people. It's a work that's snappy and full of charm.

Have you ever felt, like your character, that you are being led by a fate you can't refuse?

With my personality, I tend to accept things rather than try to refuse them. Even when I'm exhausted, I tend to think that if I can just get through this time then things will get better later. So I don't think I've had very many times when I feel like things are so hard that I break down. I live happily and enjoyably. I like living.

Just because you say you're happy, I'm sure you've still had hard times. How do you get through those times?

Of course I have hard times, too. When that happens, I try to work things out in a good direction, and I think that someday things will get better.

You must have what they call a good mentality about things.

I do think that I do. I've never doubted it.

This year BTOB reached their 10th anniversary. And you're also in your tenth year of doing musicals.

My debut in the group and my debut in musicals were just about a year apart. I've been doing musicals since I was 23, and back then there were a lot of things that were hard. Because I was young and an idol, I got a lot of various attention, and because of that I felt a lot of pressure to do a better job. Now I'm finally in the hyung line! [Someone with relatively more experience who is relatively older.] As I've been consistently working, now there are more people junior to me, so I'm a lot more comfortable now. I've always been the style to be less reserved with people younger than me. And now that I can work again with actors and staff I've already worked with, the practice room has also become more comfortable and I feel like I can try doing more new things.

When you look back, what is the most memorable period for you?

The thing that comes to mind the most is the practice room for my first musical, "Monte Cristo." I remember being so nervous I was shaking like a leaf. Back then I played Albert and Im Taegyeong sunbaenim played the Monte Cristo role with me, so I was so happy to see him again this time. It had been a long time, but I was so thankful that he greeted me so happily.

You've been consistently appearing on the musical stage. What kinds of charms do musicals have that they keep leading you to the stage?

I think the best thing is that through a musical work, you can live as various different people. I don't think I could really perceive it clearly until now, but this time thanks to this work I could strongly feel it. I thought "Wow, the works I've done up until now were really amazing." The thing that played the greatest part in leading me to realize that was Director Hong Seunghui, who is directing this time. The director always tells me to do things the way I want to, and asks me how I feel about each scene. The director tells me to follow my emotions and move the way I feel. I think I was able to immerse myself more in the role when I practiced because I was able to fully become Judas. So with this musical, I think I felt the good points of musicals even more.

So when you approach your character, what point do you start from?

Of course with each character you have to show a different side of yourself, but at first I work hard to find things that go well with me. When I look at myself, the nice way of saying it is that I have a strong identity, and the not-so-nice way of saying it is that I am a person who sticks out a lot. Because Seo Eunkwang is that kind of person, I think that if I only try to match things generally without melding more thoroughly, then I can't blend with the character well. So I try to find and bring out the most Seo Eunkwang-like parts of myself.

So then of the characters you've played so far, who was the most Seo Eunkwang-like one?

The character who fit me best was Nick Bottom from "Something Rotten." I barely had to add anything. I didn't need to immerse myself, he was just me so it was very easy. However, the tap dancing and other dancing, as well as the large amount of lines I had to memorize did make things harder, but when I think of the character it was so much fun. I think it might have been the only work I've done that was that comfortable for me.

With this work, you've achieved a dream of yours. What's your next goal?

I want to try something really shocking. Like Lola in "Kinky Boots."

You always have precise goals. And it seems like your goals are designed to challenge yourself.

I think you should always make goals for yourself. You need to have goals in order to prepare thoroughly and make progress. It's not just for musicals, I can only grow as a vocalist and singer when I make goals for myself, as well. And I always like a challenge. That's more fun, and I think I'm more proud of the result, as well.

Is that the reason that you appear on so many singing competition shows, too?

I went on a lot of them for that reason, but to tell the truth because of that I've been considering things a lot. I feel like I've been showing myself too much lately, and now maybe it's time to take a break for a bit. I asked my vocal teacher about these worries, but my teacher said "Eunkwang, you need to do these in order to grow." A person like me has to make goals and run towards them, as my teacher also knows. In order to even reach the general ballpark, I have to set clear goals and move towards them.

You're the kind of person who whips yourself into shape, I guess.

That's right, that's how I live. That can be my driving force. When I hear compliments, it feels nice, but it doesn't really help me to improve. So I also seek out negative comments. It lets me know what I need to work on. If it's not a helpful comment, I do pass it by, but for some negative comments I feel like if I can take them in, then I can make it so that I won't hear those comments anymore. I try to use them in a positive direction. When I do musicals, I look for a lot of audience reviews. I really look at everything. Be careful, everyone. (laughs)

You'll reach your 10th year anniversary of being a musical actor next year. What kind of musical actor do you want to be remembered as to audiences?

I want to be a truthful actor. An actor whose sincerity can be felt on every stage. And I want to continue to show my growth in the future. Of course I will continue to work hard and do my best. Since I'll continue to stand on stage and pour my heart into it, please continue to support me. And I'd like it if a lot of people could get good energy from me. As someone who is living through this time, I want to show that I'm living my life to the fullest. Let's all live the best we can.

[darlingbudsofrae]

Neil Josten Appreciation Post

Foxes Appreciation Series : 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9 || 10 ||

Alright, let’s just start this by addressing the big elephant in the room: everyone loves Neil Josten. EVERYONE.

If you don’t, you’re lying. 

Okay, first up- I’m glad this is getting addressed more on AFTG tumblr but Neil is literally so much smarter than the fandom gives him credit for.

Like yes, he’s a little dumdum on the social aspect of things (you could argue he kind of has a low EQ but also not really, I would argue that later)

but that doesn’t dismiss that he is smart af and that he can kill you and make it look natural if he wants.

For example, he literally outrun and hid from the mafia for years. Like, that in itself is an obvious point but we often forget that he did this at a very young age.

Like, he was presumably what? 16?? (when Mary kicked the bucket?) And kid was already playing hide and seek pretty well with a freaking mafia.

He does not get enough credit for this.

The survival skills it takes- the mental strength to survive as a runaway and technically he’s also homeless- at freaking 16, that’s just insane.

Also, let’s not mention the fact that it takes skills to forge official papers and all that.

We also do not talk enough about Neil and how he freaking have to relearn an entirely new position just to play exy.

I don’t think most remember that he’s actually a backliner, but have to play as a striker because it was the only available position in that local high school he attended in Millport, and that was how Kevin saw him so he was recruited as a striker.

We also additionally do not talk enough about how Kevin “literal and figurative Son of Exy” Day found potential for court in Neil “I’m a backliner but I’m playing striker because it’s the only thing available and I’m an exy junkie” Josten who only played it for like a year or less. 

Like yeah, Kevin said he needs more training but it’s not even Neil’s official position. 

The talent on this man- I cannot, he is such an icon. 

Aside from his great survival skills and being literally great at picking things up- he’s also like freaking academically smart.

Like that also doesn’t get enough credit- I mean, he does math for fun.

Frankly, I think if you did Kumon or if you had an awesome teacher you could also do math for fun (I know I did) but this should be noted with the fact that he didn’t have proper schooling.

He went on a run at a really young age so there is no way he received formal education.

Which means he is naturally like really smart.

He’s also a polyglot. And the languages he has under his belt are all freaking difficult to learn- like, no kidding: French, German, and he can assumingly speak intermediate Spanish, and we don’t even have an idea if this is all the languages he can speak.

Also, he and Andrew learns how to speak Russian, right? Like, that’s crazy.

The brain on this man and the power that he has- my son, I am so proud.

I mean, for all we know- there’s more than that and the fact that he’s like 18 at TFC screams supremacy.

This is where I argue about his EQ but Neil is crazy perceptive.

It took him like freaking 3 seconds to figure out the team dynamics the foxes have, and how to work against it.

He later figured out how to make it all mesh together.

Like the way he do things isn’t conventional but reading him analyze his team despite his lack of empathy really makes me shudder.

Like, this kid is so freaking smart. I remember reading his thought process for the very first time and being like, okay- I definitely did not think about that.

The main problem with his EQ though is that he doesn’t know how to process positive stuff when he’s involved, but when he’s the outsider- his perspective is so amazing.

Like again, he kind of lacks empathy but the way he understands things and is just so sharp is just noteworthy.

I’d argue he doesn’t understand social cues and “modern teen things” but he isn’t so completely clueless on the social aspect in general as to not manipulate an entire team of misfits with issues to work together.

He’s literally the key to unity in AFTG. Even Dan says so.

Also, the way he puts things into play- like he’s a master manipulator, and I love that for him.

We do not talk enough about manipulative Neil, like I just really love manipulative characters in general so much- especially if they’re just owning it. 

I mean, he freaking manipulated Andrew and Aaron into therapy. Kind of evil but also wow. (just a sidenote, please don’t force people into therapy lol)

Going completely dark for a second, Neil also has a freaking high pain tolerance.

The amount of horrible things he went through in the books were just so sad and the fact that he just kind of moves on from it? That’s just completely oh my gods.

My poor summer child, even if you can kill me at any given time, let me just hug you for a second with consent.

Everyone also gives shit about Neil’s fashion choices and granted it is said he kind of bags the homeless looks but the fact that he values utility above all else-

Yes, we stan a resourceful king. 

Lowkey though, am I the only one who appreciate Neil’s average style?

Speaking of style- I love the way Neil narrates. Like, the way he doesn’t give much attention to how the character looks- it’s just so realistic?

Because if I’m talking to a person in real life, there is no way I am noting how his blue polo makes him kind of casual but clean-cut and how his brown eyes is as warm as my morning coffee. Like, who even does that?

The thing with Neil’s narration is that it’s just so authentic- like it easily engages the readers and the way he gives importance to every thing the same way, it really makes it easier for the reader to discern things objectively, y’know what I mean?

He just has that quality in a main character and narrator- he’s laidback and sarcastic but not trying too hard, and he’s just really easy to love.

Like, I normally don’t like narrators/main characters in books because I favor a side character more or just because they’re annoying, but Neil Josten is legit lovable. 

At the same time, he’s also a really well-written character. Like, for all the technicalities I point out in AFTG, Neil is an asshole. He’s not perfect and I don’t 100% love everything that he does and I love that.

He’s a flawed character but he gives you something to root for- and I just really want to appreciate his characterization for a second. Most books make their characters’ flaws not even their fault to put a check to the flawed character but at the same time still have that perfect character. Eeww, no- give me real flaws to work with.

He’s one of the realest protagonists I ever read.

Like people give him shit for wanting to hide but also choosing to play a nationwide-discerned sport on an infamous collegiate team but for me it’s kind of realistic.

Because I think we, as human beings, also do things we love too much regardless of logic. I don’t know, like it’s kind of funny the way Neil is written but I honestly didn’t see him joining Palmetto as a loophole.

Like, just think of all those successful people who hid their identities via pseudonym or other necessary means to do things they weren’t expected to do or weren’t allowed to do.

For me, his character was really just looking for excuses to play his favorite sport a second longer and if anything, that’s just kind of sad.

But also, his dedication and love to exy is really admirable- like I never understood it but the way he literally does everything to stay on the court for a second longer just makes me want to root for him.

On a random note, Neil may not have an eidetic memory like Andrew’s but the way he memorize most phone numbers by heart? 

Bruh, I don’t even have my phone number memorized and I freaking have it for two years now. 

He also memorizes every twists and turns at every trip, every exits at a room he enters, and most people’s tics upon the first meeting, and other things and that’s just crazy perceptive but also really crazy on another level.

Also, we don’t get much ace/demi representation and out of the few I’ve consumed, demi Neil Josten validates me. He’s legit my favorite character that belongs in the ace spec in books.

I just really love Neil’s character so much- he’s just so amazing.

One thing I always appreciate about Neil Josten is that while he’s not a total angel (sadly), the way he loves the foxes- like he legit tried to mend the team and make sure everyone is going to be okay before walking straight to his death- like I’m with Andrew on this one, what a fucking martyr. Why are you like this and why am I crying?

Neil Josten is by all means not soft, that much is established, but the way he’s just still as precious and must be protected at all costs-

"You know, I get it," Neil said. "Being raised as a superstar must be really, really difficult for you. Always a commodity, never a human being, not a single person in your family thinking you're worth a damn off the court—yeah, sounds rough. Kevin and I talk about your intricate and endless daddy issues all the time."

I love him, your honor- where can I file this adoption papers and do I have anything else to sign?

[jellyfishinc]

Day 14 Midnight Posting

S5E1 Back in Style Honorable Mention

Let me just start this off by saying I had to rewrite this post because it somehow vanished while it was posting, so I'm going to try my best to remember as much as I can.

First off: this episode does not have any sibling moments, instead it's getting it's own post because it succeeded in making me mad in a way few shows ever have.

And in case you mistake this as me bashing the show: anytime a cartoon makes me feel emotional is a GOOD thing.

The basic premise of the segment is it's talking about how when the animation department shut down after sinking all their money into a huge blockbuster flop, the studio decides to loan out the Warners to other studios for money.

Quick fun fact: Apparently this is a reference to the fact that it actually did shut down in 1963, and loaned out the looney toons cartoons for the ABC Saturday Superstar Movie.

Anyway, the big blockbuster in question did so horribly because the main actor in it turned out to be Chicken Boo, so loaning out the Warners was their best bet.

And right as we see the Warners shipped off, we get to see THIS.

The first two cartoons they're loaned out for turn out to be spoofs of Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo.

Another fun fact: the guy that voices Fred in Scooby Doo was in the spoof!

After they were shipped back to the studio, they attempt to break free, only to get caught again, and we see THIS.

Not heartbreaking enough for you? How about THIS?

But Plotz doesn't care, because now that he's making money, he sees no reason to stop, and starts calling other studios to lend them out to.

We're treated to two more spoofs, this time of Underdog and Fat Albert.

By then, Plotz has succeeded in getting the business back on track, but stupidly decides to not tell them and keep loaning them out.

Did that make you sick just reading it? It should. Replace "loaning them out to other studios" with "trafficking" and that's essentially what he's doing to them. Remember folks, sex trafficking is not the only type out there.

Eventually, while the Warners are on yet another show as guest stars, they see a newspaper that shows a headline that essentially tells them Plotz actually doesn't need them to keep being loaned out, and has just been trying to make more money at their expense.

They of course are rightfully pissed, and go to the studio to have words with him over it.

The Warners make it clear they don't care about getting a cut of the money, they just don't want to be loaned out anymore.

Plotz then makes Stupid Mistake #2 and tells them that he's sinking all the money into a sequel starring Chicken Boo, and that's the last straw for the Warners.

But really quick: It's been long established that when the Warners look at you a certain way, that's how you know you fucked up big time, right? This isn't a new thing?

That being said, allow me to add THIS to the list of "You done fucked up" looks.

They proceed to rip up their contract and voluntarily go back to the water tower on their own, but not before we ge a moment that can only be described as foreshadowing.

Don't believe me? See for yourself.

Now I know the context is supposed to be that this happened in the 60s, but given that a) this is the first episode of the last season and b) this is a show that breaks the 4th wall constantly like it wronged them, I can't help but wonder if that was the creators telling the audience about their hopes of one day coming back.

Which make me wonder. How did that turn out again?

Oh yeah.

So since this is an honorable mention post, I want to use it to take a moment to give everyone who makes the Animaniacs, and the Warner siblings, possible, one of these.

Feel free to reblog with your own message for anyone that had a part in putting their time and effort to give us the most Animany, totally insan-ey, singing in the rain-y, siblings we could've asked for.

(video upload credit goes to @e-mirus)

[maxwell-grant]

Your Top Five Pulp Heroes that you wish were better known? By Pulp Hero fans, I mean. Since pretty much all of them except Conan and Tarzan are fairly unknown.

It’s actually quite hard for me to narrow it down to just five, because I’m having to choose between characters that are my favorites that I wish were more well-known and appreciated (which is all of them), and characters that aren’t quite my favorites but I very much think should have achieved great popularity for a myriad of reasons. So instead I’m going to pick some of each. These are not necessarily ranked by their importance or my personal taste, just 5 characters I felt like highlighting in particular. 

Honorable mentions goes to characters I already talked about prior and don’t want to repeat myself on. These aren’t “lesser” picks, just ones that I already talked about: Imaro (who in particular definitely feels like he could, and should be, a pop culture superstar if he was only more well-known), Kapitan Mors (who’s got a lot in common with one of my favorite fictional characters, Captain Nemo, but also has a lot of interesting things going on for him as his own character). Sar Dubnotal (a character that appeals a lot to me and I think should be included much more often in pulp hero team-ups). The Golden Amazon (again, definitely a character that feels like it’s just begging to have a pop culture breakout, even comic books rarely if ever have female supervillains this ruthless and over-the-top), The Mexican Fantomas (who absolutely deserves a better name than what I’m calling him here, because he’s incredibly awesome and leagues ahead of just being a knock-off). And of course my homeboy, The Grey Claw, whom I would consider Number One of the list if it wasn’t for the fact that his obscurity has left him untouched by copyright and I got plans of my own for the character that wouldn’t be possible if he was more well-known, so I guess I’m ultimately glad he’s obscure (even if I’m still bothered by how little he’s known). 

Allright let’s go:

Number 5: Sheridan Doome

Sheridan Doome appeared in fifty-four stories and three novels from 1935 to 1943. As chief detective for U.S. Naval Intelligence, Lieutenant Commander Sheridan Doome’s job was a grim one. Whenever an extraordinary mystery or crime occurred in the fleet, on a naval base, or anywhere the navy worked to protect American interests, Doome was immediately dispatched to investigate it. Fear and dread would always precede Doome’s arrival in his special black airplane. For, in an explosion during WWI, he had been monstrously disfigured. 

He was six feet two inches tall; had a chalk-white face and head. It appeared as though it had once been seared or burned. For eyes, he had only black blotches; glittering optics, that looked like small chunks of coal. His nose was long, the end of it squared off rudely. He had no lips, just a slit that was his mouth. His neck was long, as white and as bony as his face…. Sheridan Doome looked more like a robot than a human being. He was tall and ghastly; his uniform fitted him in a loose manner. Long arms hung at his sides; his face was a perfect blank. He had no control of his facial muscles; consequently, his countenance was always without expression, chalky and bony.

But behind the ugliness was a brilliant mind. Sheridan Doome always got his man. Before Sheridan Doome became a staple in the pages of The Shadow magazine, two Doome hardcover mysteries were written in the mid-1930’s by acclaimed hard-boiled author Steve Fisher (I Wake Up Screaming) and edited by his wife Edythe Seims (Dime Detective, G-8 and His Battle Aces). Age of Aces now brings you both books in one huge double novel, presented in a retro “flip book” style. This book is currently Out of Print.

I sadly don’t have any more information on the character other than this. The book is unavailable for me to acquire in any capacity, and the text above is taken from the Age of Aces website as well as Jess Nevins’s personal profile for the character. I’m not even sure if any of those 54 stories even exist anymore, since although he was published as a backup in Shadow Magazine, there doesn’t seem to be reprints of them anywhere, at least as far as I can find, and the original Shadow magazines have largely turned to dust by now. 

A character who combines aspects of The Phantom of the Opera and The Shadow, whose adventures are set in a backdrop that can easily lead to ocean adventures? That’s like, what, three of my favorite things in the world combined. I really, really wish I could at least read the stories this character stars in, but as is, this description is all I can provide. Again, time really has been cruel to the pulp heroes. 

Number 4: Harlan Dyce

This is another character I’ve only been able to learn about through Jess Nevins’s archives and have not been able to attain any further information on, which is sadly the case with a lot of pulp heroes that nowadays only seem to exist as footnotes in his Encyclopedia or records in libraries. I don’t post more about these characters because I really would just be copying the stuff he wrote without much to justify me quoting him verbatim, and I hate the idea of doing that.

I especially hate that in Harlan Dyce’s case though. Here’s his description

“Dyce had brains, taste, money, ambition, and a total lack of physical or spiritual fear. But—

“Dyce was thirty-three inches tall and weighed sixty pounds.

“That was all the world could ever hold against him. That was what had made the world, most of it, in all the countries of the world, stare at Harlan Dyce, billed in the big show as “General Midge.””

Harlan Dyce is a misanthropic and venomous private detective. He has an “amazingly handsome face,” and the aforementioned brains. But all anyone sees is his stature, and he hates that and turns his cold eyes and acid tongue on them. 

The only person Dyce likes and gets along with (besides his dwarf wife, a former client) is his assistant, Nick Melchem, a six-foot tall former p.i.’s assistant with bleak eyes and a strong body. Melchem ignores Dyce’s stature and treats Dyce normally, which Dyce responds warmly to.

Dwarfs may be the single most maligned group of people depicted in pulp magazines, even more so than the Japanese in the war years or the Chinese during the peak of the Yellow Peril’s popularity. Evil dwarfs, murderous dwarfs, sexually depraved dwarfs, they are all loathsome, ugly cliches that are, sadly, the only instances you see of dwarf characters being represented at all, with the only ones who are awarded any measure of sympathy are doomed henchmen or tragic villains.  Even outside of the pulps, the only other examples of heroic, protagonist dwarfs I can think off the top of my head are Puck from Marvel Comics and Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones.

I’m not gonna say Harlan Dyce is great representation because I’m not a little person and can never make that kind of claim for a group I’m not a part of, but Harlan Dyce may be the first time I’ve ever seen a dwarf character in pulp fiction who was not a villain or a murderous goon or a victim, but an actual person and a heroic protagonist, and that definitely counts for something. I’m not sure how popular this character was or could be if someone picked up the concept and ran with it (and I’m pretty sure he’s public domain), but I definitely think this is a character that should exist and should be popular. 

Hell, this character has Peter Dinklage written all over it, give it to him. Maybe then he will get to play a smart, fearless, cynical, misanthropic but good-natured and heroic character in something where he actually gets to keep these traits until the show ends.

Number 3: Audaz, O Demolidor

Audaz is a Brazilian character who was created and published by Gazetinha, the same publishers of Grey Claw as well as properties exported from elsewhere like Superman and Popeye, and much like The Grey Claw, he is also completely unknown even here. I’ll get to Audaz more in-depth sometime but here I’m going to provide a quick summary: 

Audaz, The Demolisher is a gigantic crime-fighting robot controlled and piloted by the brilliant scientist Dr. Blum, his close friend Gregor and the child prodigy Jacques Ennes, who pilot the giant robot from a massive laboratory inside it's head rather than a cockpit. He takes on a variety of ordinary human criminals, mad scientists, supervillains and invading armies, towering over skyscrapers and grappling with jets.

Audaz was created in 1939 by illustrator Messias de Melo, a year before Quality Comics's Bozo the Iron Man and 5 years before Ryuichi Yokoyama's Kagaku Senshi, and decades before the debut of Mazinger Z. Although he is not the first giant robot of science fiction, he is the first heroic giant robot piloted by human pilots, and thus the first true example of "mecha" fiction.

Number 2: Emilia the Ragdoll

This is another Brazilian character, although nowhere near as obscure as Audaz as even a cursory Google search can show. Although Brazil did not have a “pulp era” in the same way the US had, we’ve long gotten past the point of sticking to it as a definitive rule, and I’m including Emilia as a pulp hero because she’s a 1920s fantasy literature character who was created under a publishing company that released pulp stories, because she doesn’t quite belong in the mold of fantasy literature characters she takes after, and because I like her and if I was putting a bunch of pulp heroes together in the same story, I would definitely include Emilia in it. It’s not like she really has anywhere else to go, now that she’s public domain and she’s outlasted her franchise.

As you can tell by the above image, Emilia’s had a lot of variations over the years and that’s because the work she was created for, Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (Yellow Woodpecker Ranch/Farm), has become a major bedrock of Brazilian fantasy literature, one of the only works created here that you can find substantial information about in English if you go looking for it. Here’s some descriptions of Emilia’s character:

Emília is a rag doll described as "clumsy" or "ugly", resembling a "witch" that was handmade by Aunt Nastácia, the ranch's cook, for the little girl Lúcia, out of an old skirt. After Lucia takes her on an adventure and the doll is given a dose of magic pills, Emília suddenly started talking, and would never stop henceforth.

Emilia has a rough, antagonistic personality, and an independent, free-spirited and anarchist behaviour. She is rogue, rebellious, stubborn, rough and intensely determined at anything she sets her mind on, eager to take off on just about any adventure. She is often immature and behaves like a curious and arrogant child, always wanting to be the center of attention.

She is extremely opinionated even when she constantly and confidently mispronounces words and expressions. Her attitude often gets her into trouble, and she very often has to fight against the villains who attack her home on the Yellow Woodpecker Farm and mistreat her friends.

In the stories, Emilia often takes the role of a heroine who travels through different realms and dimensions, as the books include not only figures from Brazilian and worldwide folklore, but also several characters both real and fictional, such as Hercules, King Arthur, Don Quixote, Thumbelina, Da Vinci, Shirley Temple, Captain Hook, Santos Dumont and Baron von Munchausen.

She's fought scorpions and martians and nymph hordes, her arch-enemy is an alligator witch, she rescued an angel from the Milky Way and tried to teach it how to become a human, and once shrunk the entire population of Earth to try and talk the president of the United States into ending war forever.

To little surprise, she has become the most popular character and the series’s mascot.

It’s a little strange to consider Emilia underrated considering she is one of the most famous original characters of Brazilian literature, but hardly anyone outside of Brazil even knows who she is, and regardless of the quality of the original stories (and Monteiro Lobato’s views on race that tar much of his reputation), Emilia definitely feels to me like a character that should be a lot more popular globally. 

She is the only character from Yellow Woodpecker Ranch that has transcended the original stories, since she was always the most popular character and there’s been a couple of stories written about her that usually separate her from the ranch and just set her out on the world by herself. The latest story about this character has been a series called The Return of Emilia, that’s about her stepping out of the books in 2050 and discovering a Brazil that’s been ruined by social and ecological devastation, and traveling back in time via a flying scooter in order to try and prevent this calamity. 

Now that she’s public domain, I definitely think there’s some great stories that can be told with the character that just about anyone could get to, and I definitely think she’s a character that deserves more appreciation. Anything goes in stories starring her and it’s that kind of free-for-all freedom that I think can benefit future takes on pulp heroes. I would be very happy to place Emilia among them.

Oh yeah, and there was one time she kicked Popeye's ass by tricking him with a can of mouldy cabbage instead of spinach, making him sick and then beating him, which possibly puts her as one of the all-time badasses of fiction, except she would be pissed at not being number one and likely embark on a quest to beat everyone else just to prove she could, because that’s how Emilia rolls.

Number 1: Luna Bartendale, from The Undying Monster (1922)

Not necessarily my favorite of the bunch, but one who sort of epitomizes what you asked, a character who is both incredibly obscure and incredibly underrated in every sense. Despite the book being somewhat known, mainly thanks to the movie, the character is so obscure that I don’t even have an illustration of her to display here, not even fan art, just one of the book’s covers that I think best conveys it. Luckily, the book is also available freely online, so you can all go check it out here. The movie adaptation does not feature the character of Luna Bartendale which makes it pointless to talk about.

To not spoil it too much, The Undying Monster is a very fascinating book, ahead of it’s time in quite a few ways. You expect it to just be a detective story centered around a werewolf cursed, except the subtitle of the book is “The Fifth Dimension” and then it goes to talk about dimensions of thought and post-WWI trauma and love and hypnotic regression that travels through time and ancient runes and Norse mythology. It’s not exactly an easy book to get through in one setting, but I’d recommend it much the same if only because it’s got supersensitive psychic sleuth Luna Bartendale, literature’s first female occult detective, and she’s an incredible character who absolutely feels like she should have become a literary icon. 

She lives in London but is world-renowned for her many good deeds. She is a small, pretty woman, with curly blonde hair, dark eyebrows and a high-bridged nose, and a slight build. She has a voice described as a light soprano that "does not make much noise but carries a long way". 

Petite, bedimpled and golden curled, Luna is completely in charge of events, dominating every scene that she appears in with her welcoming disposition and cleverness. 

Bartendale has various psychic powers, including mind reading. She is well-versed in psychic and occult lore, is a “supersensitive” psychic, and has a “Sixth Sense” which allows her to trace things and people through both the Fourth and the Fifth Dimension. (The Fifth Dimension is “the Dimension that surrounds and pervades the Fourth–known as the Supernatural”).

Her extensive knowledge of occult rites and practices puts John Silence, Carnacki and Miles Pennoyer to shame, and she beats them all with her "super-sensitive" gift of being able to psychically connect with troubled souls and hypnotize them.

She uses a divining rod for various tasks, including psychic detection and tracking, and distinguishing between benevolent and malevolent forces. She has various (undefined) powerful psychic defenses, can carry on seances, and can even cure a person of “wehrwolfism.” And she can always rely on her massive, intelligent dog Roska for help.

Luna sadly doesn’t show up in the book as often as I’d hoped, but everything about this character is so delightful. In a lot od ways she hardly feels like a pulp hero, at least the ones I usually talk about. She feels like a lost protagonist from an incredibly successful kid’s adventure series where a kind and eccentric detective witch and her giant dog go around solving occult mysteries and encountering all sorts of weird supernatural beings while counseling and helping people, like Ms Frizzle meets Hilda. Like this character is just waiting for Cartoon Saloon to make a film about her.

Its not so much “this character should/could be popular but it’s clear why that didn’t pan out”, it’s more me being confused as “why the hell isn’t she super popular? This character should have had a franchise ages ago, holy shit put her in everything””

[aliveandfullofjoy]

It’s the first day of 2021, which calls (yet again!) for my ten favorite new-to-me movies I watched in 2020!

The rules are the same as always: no movies from this past year (2020) or the year before (2019). Every other year is free game.

All ten of these movies are fascinating and beautiful and well worth your time, so consider this a strong endorsement for all of them. I’ve also included ways to watch all of the films (as of this writing, Jan. 1, 2021). 

01. Two for the Road (dir. Stanley Donen, 1967; USA) Donen takes the ideas of romantic cinema and celebrates it while injecting a healthy dose of painful reality. He chooses two of the English language's most attractive movie stars, Albert Finney (in full himbo mode!) and Audrey Hepburn, and follows their ten-year marriage as seen on their various road trips across Europe. It's a memory piece more than anything else, but the arc of their relationship is clear and their palpable connection burns through the screen. These are two beautiful, intelligent adults who love each other deeply, who are still physically attracted to each other, who are able to hurl verbal jabs and insults at each other with the best of them. Finney is magnificent, but Hepburn sort of steals the show. In what is probably her finest onscreen performance, she gets to grow from a virginal bride to a fully fleshed out adult, living beautifully in different shades of sexy and goofy and bitter. They make a screen couple for the ages. The script is funny without losing its honesty, it's tragic without leaning too far into artifice, it's romantic without being treacly. It's a remarkable balancing act and makes for a masterpiece. (Two for the Road is available to rent online or viewed at this link.)

02. Stop Making Sense (dir. Jonathan Demme, 1984; USA) Stop Making Sense feels like a miracle. It hints at a narrative arc, but that part is unimportant. It’s a live performance recorded and packaged specifically for consumption as a film. In its brief runtime, it becomes a living, breathing, sweating testament to David Byrne’s skill as a performer, as a songwriter, as a storyteller, and to the remarkable talents of everyone in Talking Heads. It’s a breathtakingly joyous experience. I can’t remember the last time I watched a recording of a live performance that captured the same brand of energy, of buoyancy, that you feel as you’re leaving a great communal experience. This is a masterpiece that proclaims as loudly as possible that there is no joy greater than making art with people you love. (Stop Making Sense is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.)

03. Scattered Clouds (dir. Mikio Naruse, 1967; Japan) Filled to the brim with unspoken turmoil and emotional devastation, Naruse's final film chronicles the rough terrain of a relationship between a widow and the man responsible for her husband's death. Spanning years and exploring just how deeply these wounds can go, much of the Scattered Cloud’s success rests on the performances from Yuzo Kayama and Yoko Tsukasa. Kayama is a handsome, likable screen presence who beautifully lives in his own cloud of grief. Tsukasa gets a bit more to chew on, as this really is her story: her arc and her inability to move forward, despite the best intentions, is one of the film's most lasting ideas. Brutally sad but incredibly beautiful. The work of a master filmmaker. (Scattered Clouds is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

04. L’Atalante (dir. Jean Vigo, 1934; France) My only regret with L’Atalante is that I didn’t see it sooner. The final (and only feature-length) film from Jean Vigo before his untimely death at 29, this film is a technical marvel and a humanist miracle. Featuring spirited performances from Dita Parlo, Jean Dasté, and the great character actor Michel Simon, and intoxicating dreamlike imagery, as well as a relentlessly romantic score from Maurice Jaubert, this film looks and feels like no other film from its era. (L’Atalante is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

05. Daisies (dir. Věra Chytilová, 1966; Czechoslovakia) Věra Chytilová's iconic masterpiece of anarchic cinema more than lives up to its reputation. Operating on its own chaotic wavelength, Daisies follows the exploits of Marie I (Jitka Cerhová) and Marie II (Ivana Karbanová) who seek to spoil themselves after realizing how spoiled the world is. They begin to live extravagantly and rip off older men and cause general mischief. Over less than 80 minutes, Daisies upends a whole slew of cultural norms. Beautiful, ambiguous, funny, cynical, and truly visionary. (Daisies is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

06. The Hero (dir. Satyajit Ray, 1966; India) The Hero sort of feels like Satyajit Ray's answer to 8½ in its meditation of fame and regret. Uttam Kumar is fantastic as Arindam Mukherjee, a superstar actor who works through his career and his loss of values in an interview with a reporter played by Sharmila Tagore, who is also fantastic. Under Ray's sleek direction, gracefully opening up the world of the train, and with his intelligent and human script, the cast uniformly sinks their teeth into this film. Kumar is the MVP out of necessity -- without him, the whole film would fall apart -- but the whole ensemble is remarkable, peppering the background of the train scenes and in Arindam's flashbacks. This also has one of the all-time great nightmare sequences. Easily one of the master director’s best films. (The Hero is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

07. Malcolm X (dir. Spike Lee, 1992; USA) Malcolm X is a truly massive film housing an even bigger performance from the great Denzel Washington. Tracing Malcolm X’s life and career while juggling numerous tones and visual styles and spanning across decades and continents, this is surely Spike Lee’s most ambitious film up to this point in his career. Washington is onscreen for virtually all of its long runtime, from the early exuberant days before his imprisonment all the way up to that fateful day in the Audubon Ballroom, and he is, of course, tremendous. All that classic Denzel charisma and magnetism is on full display, whether in his impassioned speeches or in his more intimate scenes. Lee’s direction is top notch, making this full story about a life with an incalculably profound impact feel richly and deeply intimate. This is one of the essential American epics. (Malcolm X is available to rent online.)

08. Beau Travail (dir. Claire Denis, 1999; France) Beau Travail’s place in the modern canon of world cinema is assured, and Denis is rightfully seen as a master, but it really can’t be overstated just how much of a gem this film is. Pepper with sparse dialogue (though always packed with meaning), the film lives in one of two modes: muscular, suntanned men doing slow, precise choreographed exercises in the heat of the day and those same muscular men dancing and gyrating with attractive young women in some ethereal nightclub. Between these poles lies Denis’ almost cosmic meditation on masculine ego, homoerotic obsession, and regret. A fascinating, enigmatic, devastating beauty. (Beau Travail is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

09. Only Angels Have Wings (dir. Howard Hawks, 1939; USA) Only Angels Have Wings might be Howard Hawks' crowning directorial achievement. The aerial work, the rainy nights, the beautiful atmosphere of the bars, the palpable camaraderie of the characters, the tragic loss of life and yet the persistence to move forward. Cary Grant leads a terrific cast, including a quietly moving Richard Barthelmess and a rarely-more-likable Thomas Mitchell, and his chemistry with both Jean Arthur (the most charming) and Rita Hayworth is a joy to watch. This film seems to dabble in multiple genres at once, subverting the cliches of the Hollywood formula while still embracing the melodrama and the artifice within. In that way, the film feels very strange, but if the viewer lets themselves be carried along with Hawks' unique rhythm, the reward is one of the most fascinating and exciting films in Hollywood's fabled 1939 output. (Only Angels Have Wings is available to rent online or viewed at this link.)

10. Closely Watched Trains (dir. Jiří Menzel, 1966; Czechoslovakia) Between the precise composition of the shots and the young narrator-protagonist, Closely Watched Trains feels like a spiritual predecessor to Wes Anderson's work. This comparison extends to the thematic content of the film as well, as the story of a young man coming-of-age against the backdrop of the Nazi regime is definitely cut from the same cloth as The Grand Budapest Hotel. Lucky for me, I love Anderson's work, and Grand Budapest is my favorite of his, so Menzel's stylistic flourishes immediately endeared me to the film.Menzel maintains a skillful tonal balancing act throughout Closely Watched Trains. Even under the wry, almost self-deprecating humor, the film never loses track of preciousness of life and the horrific tragedy of war. Beautiful cinematography, strong performances across the board, a memorable score, and a clever script make this a gem of the Czech New Wave and a moving, delightful, and accessible coming-of-age tale. (Closely Watched Trains is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

Honorable mentions (in alphabetical order): Ace in the Hole (Billy Wilder, 1951), The Band’s Visit (Eran Kolirin, 2007), But I’m a Cheerleader (Jamie Babbit, 1999), Carnival of Souls (Herk Harvey, 1962), A Cottage on Dartmoor (Anthony Asquith, 1929), Crossing Delancey (Joan Micklin Silver, 1988), Divorce Italian Style (Pietro Germi, 1961); Eat Drink Man Woman (Ang Lee, 1994), Fireworks (Kenneth Anger, 1947), The Freshman (Fred C. Newmeyer & Sam Taylor, 1925), The Hitch-Hiker (Ida Lupino, 1953), Kuroneko (Kaneto Shindo, 1968), Le Bonheur (Agnès Varda, 1965), Le Notti Bianche (Luchino Visconti, 1957), Like Father, Like Son (Hirokazu Kore-eda, 2013), Local Hero (Bill Forsyth, 1983), Love & Basketball (Gina Prince-Bythewood, 2000), Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (George Miller, 1981), Monsoon Wedding (Mira Nair, 2001), One Sings, the Other Doesn’t (Agnès Varda, 1977), Pennies from Heaven (Herbert Ross, 1981), Pickup on South Street (Samuel Fuller, 1953), Rushmore (Wes Anderson, 1998), Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954), Sleepless in Seattle (Nora Ephron, 1993), Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One (William Greaves, 1968), Tea and Sympathy (Vincente Minnelli, 1956), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (Sydney Pollack, 1969), Tomboy (Céline Sciamma, 2011), Wendy & Lucy (Kelly Reichardt, 2008), Within Our Gates (Oscar Micheaux, 1920), Whisper of the Heart (Yoshifumi Kondo, 1995), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Robert Zemeckis, 1988).

And some miscellaneous viewing stats:

First movie watched in 2020: A Fantastic Woman (Sebastián Lelio, 2017)

Final movie watched in 2020: Holiday (George Cukor, 1938)

Worst movie watched: The Notebook (Nick Cassavetes, 2004)

Oldest movie watched: Ten films by the Lumière Brothers (Louis Lumière, 1895)

Longest movie watched: Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954; 207 minutes)

Month with most amount of movies watched: December (58 movies, including shorts)

Month with least amount of movies watched: February (11 movies) (pre-COVID, naturally)

First movie from 2020 seen: Birds of Prey (Cathy Yan, 2020)

Total movies watched: 455

[malewifehenrycooldown]

Finally the Wrestling in 2022 bingo card has been made. Lets see if I get any predictions right or wrong this year.

There was some other stuff I couldn’t really fit onto here so some honorable mentions:

Keith Lee goes All Elite

Christian Cage Face-Heel Turn

ROH (Ring of Honor) has a slow start due to hiatus.

Conversation regarding Unionization in wrestling becomes more serious.

Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker Rematch. It’s very close but Thunder Rosa Wins. Hayter-Baker Feud ensues.

WWE buys up... more contracts of Wrestlers...

Shotzi Blackheart or Rhea Ripley wins the Women’s Royal Rumble

Note that some of these predictions are not my own, some them come from the predictions made by the WrestleTalk Podcast. That episode is here.

Image Description is Below the Keep Reading tab! (because it can’t fit on the image link...)

[ID: A 25 panel Bingo card with the heading of "Wrestling in 2022", underneath in big bold black text is the word 'BINGO' with each letter sitting above a squared panel.

First row from top left corner and across to the right corner, the panels read as follows:

"More WWE Releases...” This square is highlighted in green.

"WWE/Netflix Docu series becomes the next Tiger King. Scandals Resurge."

"Trailer for Bray Wyatt's movie drops. Breaks the Internet and the Wrestling World"

"Becky Lynch has a slow build self-rediscovery character arc."

"WWE Superstar goes off script on live TV. Like. Pipebomb Style. Also becomes a huge deal in the media".

Second row from top left corner and across to the right corner, the panels read as follows:

"Shane McMahon goes All Elite"

"Hangman Page successfully defends his title from all challengers"

"WWE 2K22 turns out to be a decent and fun game"

"Wardlow betrays MJF & turns Face"

"Wave 205 Live Shuts Down".

Third row from top left corner and across to the right corner, the panels read as follows:

"NXT UK Somehow still survives budget cuts"

"Triple H or Tony Khan buys ROH (ring of honor)"

"Vince steps down or kicks the bucket. Power Struggle w/ Nick Khan (no relation to Tony Khan), Triple H & McMahon Siblings"

"HBO & AEW collaborate to host AEW's Library on HBO MAX"

"Liv Morgan becomes RAW Women's Champion".

Fourth row from top left corner and across to the right corner, the panels read as follows:

"AEW Finally get a TV Deal in Australia"

"WWE Heavyweight Championship is won by a woman"

"Brock Lesnar Retirement run, puts over new talent"

"Impact and Game Changer Wrestling have a good year"

"AEW gets a shoutout on a popular show."

Fifth and final row from top left corner and across to the right corner, the panels read as follows:

"A Wrestler gets cast in a big movie or tv show (let's be honest it's probably Marvel or DC)"

"VICE greenlights Season 4 of Dark Side of the Ring"

"WWE Tries to start up a Cinematic Universe & Revives WWE Studios"

"Someone makes a big comeback or return. Can be literally anyone."

"WWE Starts its own Cryptocurrency...".

End of ID.]

[jackredfieldwasmyjacob]

OT 2017 TOP 3 GALA 8

Here's gala 7 :)

This was the first gala I saw live!!! After it, I became obsessed with the show so yeah, this was the first time I completely engaged with it! And oh my god, this gala had sooo many good songs, holy shit.

Anyways, here's the honorable mentions:

Sax - Ana Guerra: The first time Ana refers to herself as Ana War!!! Also, this is another of those songs that would be played at clubs and stuff long after OT had ended lol. Also also, my sister has a pic of her recreating Ana's ending posture and now i can't unsee it sjdjsdj

Superstar - Nerea: Not only the song itself is a BOP, Nerea perfected it with that stage presence!! And her charisma, off the charts!! No wonder she decided to do theater afterwards, she's got what it takes!!!

Me Conformo - Amaia: Can we talk about how she sung a Marisol song during OT, and a couple of years later she went on to sing a song for Marisol's homage AT THE GOYA AWARDS??? Anyways, these old style classical Spanish songs were done for Amaia's voice, I think it's the style that suits her best and she owns it so much.

3. CHASING PAVEMENTS - AITANA:

Here's the original song, by Adele :)

Just like with Amaia's song, I believe this is the style that suits Aitana the best, and she was literally perfect in this performance, just impeccable. After this performance everyone and their mothers knew that Aitana had to be a finalist. Just amazing, honestly.

2. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE - RAOUL

Here's the original song, by The Police :)

Yes, another last song of a contestant is up to the top 3, I already warned you. BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT RAOUL HERE THO. THE FUCKING PASSION AND EMOTION. Off the fucking charts, like holy shit. He went out with a fucking bang, just spectacular, got me teary-eyed and all.

1. I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY - MIRIAM

Here's the original song, by Whitney Houston :)

NO WONDER SHE BECAME MY INSTANT FAVOURITE. JUST LOOK AT HER. Her charisma is off the charts here, also her stage presence and even dance skills!!!! No one does it like her honestly, what a queen. Also, in case you were wondering, the guy she dances with for a moment is Roberto Leal, the host of the galas! (and for me the best host in Spain tbh)