#i didn't make a difference but it was very satisfying because i'd never seen him ashamed before or since

[whodoyouthinkithinkiam]

Ugh.

My daughter, at age five, noticed a Let's Play in the sidebar of her music video and clicked on it.

Immediately, half the recommended videos, were things like "[Name Redacted] DESTROYS Feminist in Debate".

Going back to music didn't help. Waiting a couple of months calmed it down a little. Now, over a year later, the Youtube front page on her browser only has one video of a Hollywood celebrity "destroying woke culture".

She never even clicked on a single one of those videos. (I was prepared to explain to her exactly why not, but she never even tried.) But video games are a Right Wing thing enough for Youtube to think this is a good idea despite it having never had a single hit in over a year.

(The game wasn't right-wing, one of those games people are known to throw slurs on, or even multiplayer, by the way. It was a Mario game.)

Youtube was the only social-media-esque thing we let her use, and it was a mistake. No more for years.

To get back to the original post, a link to something political won't turn their phone into a doomscrolling machine, but it might turn their brain into one. That would probably be a morally good thing (assuming they don't hit the conspiracy BS), but they would be less happy. Knowing what the world is like can do that.

i have a thought percolating about, like. engagement. the concept of engagement. and how i think it's a flawed concept in part because there's a significant segment of the population that's just... not going to do that. for whatever reason they are only really interested in consuming things passively. art, news, whatever. they are not interested in engaging. they will only ever get the surface-read on anything. if something demands engagement and doesn't allow for surface-level readings it's not for them. they will use whatever app or social network or website that allows them to use it as passively as possible.

mostly i am thinking about this in the context of engagement hacking and 'the algorithm'. posts designed to be infuriating to maximize engagement. headlines crafted to upset you for engagement. and for the right subset of people, it works. but for the passive people, i think they move on. instead of getting them to like and share or whatever it chases them off. the post made them feel bad, so they don't like it. they're going to find posts that don't make them feel bad, instead.

i am thinking about this in the context of living in deeply republican bumfuck nowhere, surrounded by trump supporters who have no idea who mitch mcconnell is. they are unclear on what the supreme court does or who is on it. they do not know the difference between the house and the senate. if you try to talk to them about politics or the news - not even a serious discussion, just trying to explain facts - they will say something like, "oh, i don't follow politics. i don't watch the news. it's all so bad. it just makes me upset. i avoid all of that." and if you keep trying to explain basic facts despite that, they will respond like you're trying to describe the graphic details of a snuff video. there are people who come into our office who my coworkers avoid by pretending to be on the phone, because if they don't, they might try to talk about the news.

the only news or politics they ever see is something that gets enough engagement from the people who care that it makes it onto their feed of funny animal videos and 5 minute crafts. they extrapolate that there's a whole world of nightmares out there that they can safely avoid by never looking. they don't know in any conscious way what it means to curate your feed, but they'll treat a link to anything 'political' like a virus that will turn their phone into a doomscrolling machine that makes you crazy.

i don't know if i'm expressing anything coherent here, i don't have a thesis statement or a hypothetical solution to whatever you would call this. i'm just tired.

[kangmoon27]

Womanizer | Jungkook oneshot

Pairing: Womanizer Phycho Fboy Jungkook x Yn

Summary: He's known for being a womanizer who always go around with different girls and apparently you became one of those girls that he only see as one nightstand.

He's a very successful mostly handsome womanizer in his generation. He's known for his crazy charm that always make girl growing over him.

He's young, handsome, rich but arrogant. He couldn't stay with the same woman even for a whole week. He easily get bored. It will be lucky if a girl stayed with him for 3 days.

Well that's just how he is. He used womans to satisfy his needs at the same time making them his toys that if he gets bored then throw it away. He mostly only do one nightstand and he never believes that he would even fall or even capable of doing that cause for him it will be a miracle.

But can you change that? Can you change him? Well definitely not but you wanted to. Yes he already meet you. You're supposed to be his one nightstand just like the other but unfortunately after a week you guys meet again and as you expected the moment you woke up he's no longer next to you and already seen him with other girls.

You're dumb, literally dumb mostly because you made yourself a fool for him. Totally a fool that you always follow him around everywhere he goes. You became his creepy stalker but what can you do. You can't just tell your heart to not love him cause it's impossible. He's Jeon Jungkook everyone likes him including you.

Even tho you knew he doesn't like the way you're following him around you still wanted him to give you a chance to prove yourself even tho you're already making yourself look like a crazy fool lovesick girl.

He pin you on the wall, eyes burning in anger, those dark odds he owns wanted to eat you alive. It's scary, yes but for the sake of your heart and love for him you're ready to be eaten alive mostly if he's the one who's going to eat you.

"How many times do I have to tell you huh? Stay fcking away from me!! Do this one more time then I'll make sure you will roatin jail!!" As he was about to leave you grab his hand again and get down on your knees.

"Please just give me a week then if you really didn't want me then I'll step aside and let you have your peace, just please." You're on your knees crying, begging him to accept you. You're a highly paid model but you don't care about your reputation anymore as long as you will have him in the end of the day.

Jungkook really think you're crazy. You're literally embarrassing yourself Infront of everyone by trying to get his attention and now even kneeling Infront of him. He surly is enjoying his moment right now while you're begging him to accept you.

This is truly fun and he's liking it but as much as he wanted to embarrass you more he just can't let you ruined his night while he's literally having fun with a pretty chick he was with earlier before you came.

"You're shameless, look at you. You're looking like a pathetic fool, go on continue embarrassing yourself but don't include me" he pushed your hand making you sat on the ground crying mess.

With your crystals eye cause by your tears you watch his figure walking away from you. All you want is for him to give you a chance why I'd it so hard for him?.

Someone hug you from the back and made you stand up. You look at him and saw your manager standing there looking at you with worried expression.

"Yn~ please don't do this, stop yourself just embarrassing yourself, please let's go now." You tried to free yourself from him but failed. You're shouting Jungkook's name while your manager picked you up out of the club.

1 year later

"You're so good" The man couldn't help but to keep on praising her on how good she feels like. He feels like heaven even tho devils like him doesn't even belong there. He really really is enjoying every inch of her as he thrust hard. Tears escape from her eyes because of too much pleasure but she surly wants more. She wants more from him.

"Faster sir. Need more. Give me more"  she moaned, she groan, she sob while feeling him deep in her. She feels so filled up and she is totally enjoying his touch that he's giving her. He pulled her hips to the sky and fcked her hard. Pounding on her like a beast he is.

"I am coming too fck! YN! Fck!" As he held you tight he released himself inside your warmth "Gosh baby stop I can't stop cumming ugh fck!" He keeps on groaning while feeling himself getting bigger and harder.

"That was so good" the man said before laying down on the floor together with the woman while breathing heavily.

"Yes it is good but seems like you're thinking about someone else while fcking me." The girl softly chuckles before getting up and started wearing her clothes.

"Wth! Impossible! I'm literally complimenting you alot Jade!!" The boy couldn't understand what's happening he also stood up as he picked up his boxer and pants on the couch. Jade came towards him and peak his cheek before shaking her head and chuckles.

"Think clearly. It wasn't my name that you're m'aning earlier Kook. Bye." After that she left him. Jungkook groan out of frustration after realizing what's happening.

"Sh't sh't sh't get her out of your head Jungkook she's gone!! Totally gone!!" He keep on hitting his head while pulling his hair hard.

"Ughhh!! Why are you doing this to me!!! I hate you!! Why are you so cruel!!." He fell on the ground crying. How can you be so cruel and left him being all miserable.

"Finally you're here!!, Sorry Kook I couldn't stay here for tonight I have important thing to fix. Naeun is in her room sleeping okay. I really really have to go now."

Jungkook sigh watching his sister leaving the house. He immediately fell on the couch closing his eyes tight. "I knew it's really a bad decision agreeing with you. Now look at me. You left me all alone."

Yes Jungkook accepted you. The week being together turned weeks and the weeks turned month. He never admitted that he likes you nor you trying to stop him from being a womanizer but you just need each other's company.

You will came home to each other after a long day till you actually get pregnant. It was one of the unexpectedly thing that happened but that just made Jungkook realize that he loves you. And even planned on marrying you after you give birth to your child but things don't go as planned.

Jungkook finds out you're cheating on him. Not totally cheating cause both of you are like in a open relationship. You can be with anyone that you wanted while same goes to him but when Jungkook finds out you're going out with someone else he was furious.

That turned into a huge argument that lead you both from falling apart with you actually decided to leave him but sadly you got into a car accident. It was tragic. You did not survive and now Jungkook is missing you so bad. He keeps on blaming himself. He shouldn't have bring that fight if only he knew he would lose you.

He sigh and walk to his daughters room. He's amaze by her beauty. He always see you in her and because of that he made a promise to himself that he would do anything and everything just to keep Naeun stay with him and never leave his side.

"I love you baby" he smiled and peak his daughter's forehead before walking out and went inside his room. He grab a book from the shelves as he press the button. The secret door open up while he went inside.

"Ugh I meet this girl, her name is Jade. She's pretty, hot, everything but I didn't realize that even tho how good she made me feels I still keep on looking for your touch and feels." He laughed while looking at your photo. Pocking his inner cheek before turning around and took the glass of alcohol from the night stand.

He stared at you who's shaking in fear. You look so beautiful that he just couldn't help but to fall in love again. He never said he's in love with you but he will make you feel that and he will make sure that you will stay with him for the rest of your life and to be able to do that he took something from you that will prevent you from leaving him.

"Baby. I gooddamn miss your legs. Those milky legs. Too bad I took them off but at least you can never run away again right. We will be happy family. You, me and naeun. A complete family just like what we both wanted."

He smile while caressing your cheek. You tried to shout for help but you just couldn't. He removed the cloth on your mouth and you started shouting. He got furious and slap you.

"Don't stop you're irritating me!!" He grab you hair and smashed his l'ps on yours.

Idk why I made this:( it's a trash but I just really wanted to upload something so forgive me 😭

[morsesnotes]

I found this interview from when Shaun Evans was promoting S3 of Endeavour in 2016 and thought it was one of the more interesting ones as he gets asked some different questions. I particularly liked seeing him talk a bit about his peers and how he views his career.

Shaun Evans talks Endeavour series three, Hollywood and whether he'd star in Doctor Who

As Morse returns, the star of the hit ITV drama reveals what's next for his career By David Brown - Radio Times

Falsely accused Endeavour Morse was last seen languishing in a prison cell after being framed for murder. But fans of the hit ITV drama needn't despair - Shaun Evans is back on the case for a third series beginning this evening. Here, the actor talks about life as the Oxford detective, why Morse has endured for four decades and what the future holds...

So what has brought you back to Endeavour for a third series? I didn't feel like we should have left it where we did last time. It would have been odd. As a viewer, I would have been dissatisfied to have left it there because you'd have only been telling half the story. Luckily enough, we had the opportunity to come back to do some more and I think the stories are really good - particularly the final one. It goes along at a lick. It's a bank heist but it's also a love story. And it's heartbreaking. I think it's great and it ends in a really satisfying way.

The character of Morse has now been around for 40 years - why has he endured? A good story well told will stand the test of time. And if you throw in an unusual character - someone who is in a world but not of that world - then that's intriguing.

The original series of Inspector Morse did episodes in Australia and Italy - would you like to do an overseas Endeavour? Well, they keep telling me that the character is going to Spain. But I can take myself to Malaga. I'm joking, but I'm being honest too. There is a Spanish idea, but I'd want it to be right. I don't want this job to be a jolly or something that we take for granted and phone in. There are so many variables to that kind of thing: would the locations be as good? Or the actors? Granted, it would be a laugh to go away with Roger Allam, but would it serve the show?

Does Endeavour Morse become more like you as the series goes on? I think that’s a danger, definitely. The more comfortable and confident you get with something, the easier it could be to be less diligent about creating a character. But then you’d be taking shortcuts that you might not have done three years ago. So I try not to be complacent about it. I want to be even more diligent than I was when I started. But I admit that it's a tricky one.

Having a two-hour slot for a drama seems like a privilege these days - do you worry that viewers' attention spans could be too short to cope? I don’t worry about it at all. I feel like the work we’ve done so far has been very good. Some have been better than others - as would be the case. But I feel pleased with it. Now if audiences change and they feel that the episodes are too long, boring or complicated, then we’ll just stop. That’s OK. But I've seen some crime dramas that try to tell the story in an hour and, for me, it just doesn't work.You’re tyring to set up a killer, set up a world, solve it in an interesting or dynamic way and put in some character stuff as well. It’s nigh on impossible to do in an hour. I don’t think you can do it in a satisfying way. That’s my impression as an audience member.

Fans would be up in arms if you decided to stop Endeavour! No. I don't think that'd happen. It's just work. And they'd just fill it with something else. There'll be another brilliant show.

I think you'd make an ideal Doctor Who - would you like to play that role one day? I’ve never seen it! I think Matt Smith is a brilliant actor. And David Tennant also. But it just wasn’t my thing growing up and I feel like I’ve missed it now. I was in Moscow a few months ago and someone asked me about Doctor Who. And she thought I'd make a good Master. So if you’re offering me a part, then I’ll play the Master.

What about playing James Bond? Well, everyone wants to play James Bond, right? He always gets the girl at the end. And in the middle. And at the beginning, come to think of it. But I think that Daniel Craig would be a tough act to follow. He brings something really interesting to it.

Do you ever look at contemporaries like Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne and think, 'I'd like top billing in a Hollywood movie'? I know both those lads and I like them. But I never really think of my career like that. Of course, you want people to see your work, but I'm not interested in being the next so-and-so. It doesn't attract me. Mainly because it's short lived. It's better to keep working and do interesting stuff.

So being a big Hollywood star isn't all it's cracked up to be? I don't know. I suppose if you had enough clout to guarantee finance for a story you wanted to tell, then that would be a good thing. From a business point of view. But I don't spend my time being envious. There are so many variables in all that bollocks! When you desire fame or fortune - which are ephemeral things - you're building your house on sand, aren't you?

Do you have a dream project that you'd like to do? I'd love to do something about poets or photographers who have done interesting things and left an impression on their portion of the world. Someone like the American photographer Walker Evans. Or the French poet Arthur Rimbaud. 

So what's next for you? I'm purposefully having some time off. I've been busy and I'd like a bit of time to read some books and just study. I want to educate myself on writers, photography, filmmaking and poetry. I'm very lucky that I've now got enough money to have a bit of time to myself and study. I'm very lucky to be in that position.

[rising-ph0enix]

Spn x mlp crossover.

(Keep in mind that I haven't watched this show in years, but I love the idea of a spn x mlp crossover).

Most hunters are earth pony's but some more adept at magic were unicorns.

Demons are changelings.

Angels are ailcorns.

Pegasus, much like unicorns, were rare and often not trusted by hunters.

Alright, first, Sam!

Sam, unlike the rest of his family, is a unicorn.

but his horn was broke off when he was somewhat young(I'd say around 12 years old).

Now I can't decide why it broke off, but I have a few ideas

1. John broke it off as hunters don't like to work with unicorns and sometimes even try to kill them as some believed unicorns were witches.

2. It was broken off during a hunt.

3. Sam broke it off as a way to stop being the black sheep in his family.

When Sam exercises demons, his horn becomes complete again for those few moments having a translucent or spectral look to it.

Later in the series, due to Sams any possession from different supernatural beings, the fur on the side of his torso has a permanent indent of wings, much like the ones left behind by dead angels.

his cutiemark is a bloody book with horns above it.

The meaning behind his cutie mark;

The horns represent the demon blood and being Lucifers vessel.

The book represents being a researcher.

And the blood represents all the blood on his hands.

And the writing on the book first with the stuff that isn't covered in blood is in latin(I know I drew it in gibberish) 'puer cum dæmonio sanguine qui mortuus fuerit ut impius , et consurget quasi princeps mendacii' that hopefully translates to a 'child with demon blood who died as a wicked man, and will rise again as a prince of lies' but the part covered in blood says 'sed pugnabit tenebris

et vincet'

That translates to 'but he will fight against the darkness

and he will win'

(My drawing isn't great, but at some point, I want to draw spn as ponys).

On to Dean!

Dean, much like his father, is an earth pony, but when he was younger, he'd regularly put a cone on his head to resemble a horn as to make his brother not feel left out.

His cutie mark is a knife with dark blue wings pertruding from the sides.

The knife represents him being the fighter.

The wings represent him being the righteous man and Michael’s vessel.

The blood is of all the innocent people he's killed.

Dean and his brother often theorised why his cutie mark had wings.

1. Dean thought it was because when he saved people, thought people would see him covered in monster goo and blood and still see an angel(keep in mind he's 10 years old when he said that).

2. Sam thought it was because when Dean died, he'd become an angel and continue saving people.

On to castiel!

Like every other angel. he was a ailcorn.

But before castiel possessed his vessel. Jimmy was an earth pony, so both castiels wings and horn are spectral to anyone he deems trustworthy enough to see his wings/horns, but most of the time, he is seen as a earth pony.

His cutiemark is a blue heart with an angel blade pertruding out the top with blood dripping down the heart.

The blue heart represents his own heart, and the blade is making it bleed for humanity. The blue specks in the blood are his grace.

Last but not least, Jack!

He believes castiel, Sam, Kelly, and Dean are his parents, but he very obviously has favourites(Cas and Sam) so as a way to resemble his parents more when he got his cutiemark he manipulated it to have parts of all three(he never knew what Kelly's cutiemark was) of them.

So he got Sams book, Castiels knife, and Dean's wings.

The book represents Sam teaching him most of what he knew.

The black and white wings represent Dean keeping him him in the middle of both evil and good.

And the angel blade represents castiel teaching him about heaven and his angelic heritage.

But mixing their cutiemarks together didn't satisfy his urge to resemble his family, and soon he saw Sams horn light up with magic and broke off his own horn. he was still able to use magic as his horn, unlike most, not a conduit for his magic.

After seeing Jack's broken horn, Sam became absolutely devastated and quickly taught Jack that it wasn't a good idea to ever do that, but Jack never regretted it as it made him look more like Sam(this was probably before castiel got revived).

So I'm done with these four! Next will be John, Bobby, Crowley, and Rowena!

As I said earlier, I'm learning to draw pony's(and hair), so hopefully, at some point, I'll be able to draw them as pony's and not just their cutiemarks!

[venjras]

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT - GOJO.

˗ˏˋ Nsfw, tw: F!Reader, fingering, oral ( F!Receiving ), possessiveness, hair pulling, unprotected sex.

The tension between you two could have been cut with a knife.

Every time he enters a room you feel an unmistakable knot in your stomach, your heart pounding inside your ribcage and the difficulty in doing even the easiest moves. You hate the effect he has on you, it makes you feel completely powerless.

Plus, you know you shouldn't feel this way, especially when we talk about your brother's best friend. You try to avoid him as if he were some sort of disease because in his presence you find it hard even to breathe.

It's like everything about you is burning, like he burns you to the bone demanding for more.

That night was making no difference, Itadori organized a party and you decided to stay locked in your room, opting for a movie night instead.

You end up falling asleep halfway, until you hear the door click. You frown, still half asleep, thinking you've imagined it given the mess they are making downstairs.

« Y/N, are you awake? »

His voice makes your heart skip a beat, bringing you back to reality and making you squint.

« What do you want, Satoru? »

You say in a sleepy tone, sitting up to face his direction and instantly regretting it. He’s wearing a black shirt and some jeans that left very little to the imagination.

The sight makes you swallow, squeezing your thighs because of that familiar sensation.

« I didn't see you at the party and thought I'd stop by and check if everything was okay. »

He murmurs without taking his eyes off your figure, not even for a second, letting his gaze run well beyond those blankets that wrapped you around. Making your mouth go completely dry.

« Oh, how sweet. Now that you've seen me you can go back downstairs. »

Your voice come out less firm than you wanted and he don’t seem to be interested in leaving, on the contrary, he's getting closer and closer until his knees touch the edge of the mattress. Piercing you with his eyes.

« Do you really think I haven't noticed how you look at me? » He asks with a smirk painting his lips, running his tongue on the lower one.

« I don't know what are you talking about. How much have you drunk? » This statement of yours only increases his satisfied expression. Putting one knee on the soft bed, starting to crawl in your direction.

« So you don't know anything even when you devour me with your eyes only? Even when you squeeze your thighs at my simple sight? »

Those words take you by surprise and he gets close to the point where you flinch, until you touch the cold mattress with your back. He is now on top of you and his body is touching yours, his face a few millimeters and his lips dangerously close, so close that you feel his heavy breathing against your cheeks.

« Or do you wanna talk about when you touch yourself thinking about me? Calling my name so desperately that only God's knows what take me to not come and fuck you right away. And trust me I'd never leave you unsatisfied. »

Your face starts burning and your core aching for some type of friction, cursing yourself because you shouldn't find his words arousing. Watching as his gaze travels up and down your legs, smirking at the reaction he got. Bringing a hand to caress one of your cheeks, brushing your bottom lip with his thumb.

Fuck.

« What's up? Has the cat eaten your tongue? Maybe I should help you find it. »

He whispered dangerously close before you could rise up on your elbows and press a kiss against Gojo’s lips. It's meant to be a small one but he doesn't let you go. One of his hands wraps around your ponytail and tugs while the other grips onto your hips as he deepens the kiss. And then you moan, giving him better access to your mouth. Tongues clash together and blood pounds from your heart to your ears. Gojo’s lips don't break away from yours as he pushes the covers off your body and push his body between your legs.

He kisses you like he wants to brand you with his tongue. One of his hands slides down your body while his lips find yours again and again, kissing you until you are breathless. He slowly latches onto the band of you sweatpants and underwear at once, pulling away from your lips only to pull them down. Your skin covered in shiver as his clothes soon find their way to the floor as well.

« So fucking gorgeous. » He traces the sensitive flesh on the inside of your thigh, making you feel needy, extremely needy. Satoru leaves no area of skin untouched or unkissed. It’s like he wants to memorize the shape of your whole body by using his lips only.

You cup his growing erection and as soon as you do so he shudders above you. His head rolls to the side when you trace your thumb across the tip of pre-cum and use it to help your hand slide easier across his shaft.

« I see I'm not the only one affected here. » You let out a small laugh as you see me him sliding down some more until his mouth lines up with the area desperate for him. Shoving your legs apart and trailing kisses up your thighs before devouring you like a starved man. Your arousal coating his tongue while his eyes roll into the back of his head. You can feel him run the tip of his tongue in a straight line from your pussy to your clit. Leaving out a silent scream while your back bow off the bed.

Sparks light up like fireworks inside of you and your hands grab onto his thick locks. He chuckles against you, making the best vibration against your clit. And as soon as his lips find it he starts sucking while one of his fingers slides into you. Being granted no reprieve as Gojo propels another into you. He chases your orgasm with a kiss, muffling up your moans like he wants to own them. Leaving you trembling by the time you come down from the high.

Gojo’s shows no signs of calming down as you see him towering over you, finding yourself always craving for more. He kisses you again until you can’t even form a proper sentence. Until blood returns to his cock and pre-cum trickles down your stomach, leaving a path of his arousal.

« Mine. All mine. »

He slams into you so hard you can only respond with a moan as he slides out of you to do the same thing all over again.

« Say it. » He slides out to the very tip, so you feel all but empty. Making you desperate because of how much you need him right now.

« I'm yours. » You cry out and as a reward he gives you another rough thrust of his hips, even tho this time he brushes against your sensitive spot. The tingling starts at the top of your spine and reaches all the way to your toes. One of his hands grips onto your waist while the other tugs on your hair, forcing you to look him straight in the eyes.

He wasn't willing to miss a single one of your expressions.

The hand gripping your waist moves onto your clit as his thumb presses against the sensitive flesh, shoving you into the best climax you’ve ever had. Moaning loudly when you felt him come undone. Closing your eyes as you try and catch your breath.

What the hell just happened?

Part 2.

©️ venjras.

[andromeda4004]

Thoughts about Season 3 (and why Season 2 exists at all)

That makes it sound like i didn't enjoy S2 - I did, even the ending, once I'd recovered. But I had some thoughts which might be interesting for people who haven't read the original GO book, or who read it after seeing S1, because I think some of the differences might be easier to miss like that. [Spoilers below, obviously]

Neil said when he started talking about S2 that it would exist to bridge the gap between where GO the book ended and the sequel would have begun, had they ever written it. And this is interesting, because why would the TV series need to tell 6 episodes worth of bridging story when the books didn't? Certainly there are story details that can be told better or more efficiently in narrative or on screen, because they're very different media, but I don't think that accounts for a whole series.

The thing is, the book and S1 end in very different places. In S1, we get the dramatic trials, the triumphant reunion, the confidence that our boys are on their own side now. In the book, our boys never quit their jobs. The whole exchange from the book (which Neil replaced with the trials for dramatic effect) reads like this:

Crowley gave him a sideways look.

‘Your people been in touch?’ he said.

‘No. Yours?’

‘No.’

‘I think they’re pretending it didn’t happen.’

‘Mine too, I suppose. That’s bureaucracy for you.’

That's it; the boys suffer no consequences for their actions (possibly because their actions were a bit less effective in the book, they show up to try to avert the apocalypse and put together one distracting conversation, but Adam and the humans do the actual work). More importantly, they haven't quit and they haven't been fired; there's no reason to think they won't continue to receive assignments once Heaven and Hell get to grips with the continued existence of the world. There is no "our side". So if S3 is to follow what the book's sequel was going to cover, S2 had to get us back to where the book left off, with our boys on opposite sides, so that Aziraphale can be tasked with organising the Second Coming (and hopefully screw it up as badly as Crowley did the baby swap).

So my view is that, in giving us the trials as a very satisfying ending to a stand-alone series, Neil actually painted himself into an awkward corner when it came to the sequel, and had to use S2 to get the characters back where they needed to be.

All that said, here are some things I'm hoping for in S3. Some of these might be mutually exclusive but that's fine, any assortment is good:

Crowley reads some Jane Austen, and learns how humans work through arguments (i.e. through meaningful apology and personal growth, not by sleeping for 80 years).

Aziraphale has a series of increasingly disappointing experiences in Heaven, which lead him to finally resolve his persistent difficulty with the concept of "good" not lining up with his personal morality of what is "right". Perhaps he has a chat with Jesus about it, I'm guessing he would have an interesting perspective on this.

Metatron had to get Aziraphale back on side because he is the angel Israfil, who in Islamic tradition is the one who sounds the final trumpet (there's a fantastic meta post about this somewhere on here and I would love that to be true).

Crowley goes back to Hell. I know this one's controversial, but we've never seen Crowley actually lean into his demonic nature, and there's a vacancy Below too, right? And it would really add some weight to the inevitable love confession if Aziraphale has to admit that he loves Crowley warts and scales and horns and all, not because he's clinging to the memory of an angel who doesn't exist.

One of the residents of Soho is revealed as having been an undercover demon watching the bookshop. There's just too many slightly odd moments in S2 that feel like they're foreshadowing something.

Anyway, there's my assorted thoughts; I'd love to hear yours.

[variousqueerthings]

Should I watch spartacus? I've tried a few times but always lapse after a few eps bc the characters didn't really connect for me

listen, I don't usually rec spartacus to people, because it's - quite frankly - not for everyone. the language is crass, there's a ton of toxic masculinity, a whole bunch of graphic violence of (most) kinds, and it's got this super stylised environment building to it that can be hard for people to get used to

that being said I've seen it three times now and it makes me very emotional each time. so, if you're thinking of giving it another whirl, here's what I will say:

it definitely does take a little bit to get into the characters beyond the hur-dur big muscle men who all hate each other and make comments about who has the biggest dick (and like, this never totally goes away, but it's filtered through a different lens as the story goes along and the characters do start caring for one another) and here's more tits and undulating oiled women (I must stress though that everyone is oiled up and naked in this show, it's equality), but once you get into the meat of the story, I'd say rouuughly halfway-ish through s1, they really really start growing on you, like fungus. fungi -- especially crixus and agron (whom you may not have reached depending on where you stopped), I'd say for me especially crixus, who is always annoying to me for a fair bit in s1 and then you realise what sort of a character he is and where his arc is going and you're like ohhh ok. ok ok, got it, and there's a scene in the... second last episode of s1 I think where he is sobbing and unable to hold the woman he loves (naevia) as she's dragged away from him and they swear to see one another again... well, let's just say it made me feel things

the political drama of the show is *chefs kiss* it just builds and builds and builds across the whole show, with the second season being a prequel that adds context (it was made out of necessity -- the main actor was very sick, but it also adds to the story, both in terms of backstory and a new important character)

speaking of story -- some of my favourite pacing of all time! it sets up some premises and it continuously moves towards fulfilling those narrative arcs, it is a Very Satisfying Show Pacing-wise

some gay people in this show do die, because a lot of people on this show die (some very sad stuff happens to... well, everyone), but also this is a "the main gays are immortal" show, in which a beautiful m/m couple just fuckn. Cannot Die (they survive some stuff lemme tell you) and it was the first show I really saw that sentiment in

there are some very cool women in this show -- I think there should have been even more and it definitely is male-skewed, but the women on this show have their own really neat arcs and skill-sets, and it manages to not do the misstep of "the only women worth anything are the ones who aren't traditionally feminine/can fight and the rest are lesser," (with characters like diona, sybil, seppia and many minor characters mattering to the plot) while also giving us some gorgeous fighty-anger ladies (naevia, saxa), pragmatic leadership women (mira, laeta, gaia), a whole bunch who fit into difficult-to-categorise spaces (kore, aurelia, melitta) and ofc evil and scheme-y (lucretia, ilythia). I think for the most part the show is also very good at navigating ideas around power and womanhood, with characters like lucretia being both oppressor (owns slaves, can order crixus to have sex with her, is callus towards their humanity), while also at times suffering from lack of power, because she is only as worthwhile as who she is married to (same goes for ilythia and other roman women, and there's an interesting arc in s4 about how easily citizenship/personhood can be entirely stripped from you)

there's a very beautiful ethos beneath it all -- yes beneath all the hyper-violence and graphic sex and horrible dehumanisation (this is a show in which many of the main characters are slaves after all) it's got a strong core about protecting those who cannot protect themselves and it mourns the deaths of innocents (pietros, diona, aurelia, kore, etc)/isn't just about the Fighter Types, it's about fighting to overthrow systems even when it seems hopeless in order to build a better future, about loyalty, about community, about building cross-cultural bridges, about beautiful oiled up peo- wait hold on...

I think -- vs some other shows that I could mention - GoT - that's what's so strong about it. it has an arc, it has a point to it, and it like. wants to give its characters purpose, narratively

there's a couple of missteps, and I think part of that is the time the show was written in, but considering it's 2010 + its main actor died after s1 unfortunately it's miles ahead of many of its peers and most shows that came out in the 2010s that I'd argue tried to catch some of its rizz. flair. pizzazz

I think the right state of mind to go into it with is:

obvs ask yourself first if the sheer amount of sex and violence onscreen is a dealbreaker. you can also ask me what kind of violence if you want to prepare, because for me it was the not-knowing that was stressful the first time around, the next times I could step away during a few scenes that were too much for me, but on the whole was okay

we good on sex and violence? ok then, next step is: the language is gonna be super idiosyncratic. a mix of giving old (?) grammar (the word "the" no longer exists for the most part), kiwi accents (this was filmed in aotearoa/new zealand), names you're not used to hearing, and swearing in every sentence. let that seep into your bones, it becomes very fun after awhile (or it did for me)

give yourself a little shake and then go: "this is a Very Cool Show. not as a negative, it genuinely is Very Cool. other shows wish they were this Cool. it'll take half a second to immerse myself in just how Cool everything is, but once I'm used to it, it'll be awe-striking music, amazing stunt/fight-work in nearly every episode, beautiful -- and I mean beautiful -- character relationship arcs, and a vibe that's giving Mythological the whole way through," my friend it is unreal how Cool this show is, the pay-offs for its various setups make me punch the air when I get to them, every time, and by the final season you're screaming for the Roman Empire to fall beneath the heels of these beautiful oily people, while a majestic choir soars in the background

believe that the final episode of this show is gonna be so worth it -- not because it was a slog to get there, but because we're all so used to being let down in the final hour, but the ending of spartacus? chef's kiss. made me cry the last two times, which is why I'm putting it off this time.

in conclusion: this is not a show for everyone. it's definitely giving sexy boobs angry men at times. it is also a show with a quite similar set of ideas to things like black sails and sense8, which is what is so good about it. it's about how people matter and deserve humanity and it's very cathartic for me in this current day and age to watch these characters navigate the ideas of what a "revolution" looks like. it's a tragedy though, although there's joy along the way, and this is one of those stories where it was worth the trying no matter the cost

it's like. a good story. so many sexy bosom shots though (I mean, this may be the opposite of a deal-breaker now I write it out). but you've gotta gaze through the bosoms to see the plot. or something. yeah that makes sense

I've got a more detailed draft post of all my pros and cons of the show that I'll put out as well -- that was is full of spoilers that may be somewhat incomprehensible if one hasn't watched the show, but hey. it's out there

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.53 New digs

Sophia gently grasped my hand and led me into my new residence: our home. As I looked around, I couldn't help but smile as I recalled my earlier thoughts about her during dinner: simple and elegant. The naked walls and bare essentials confirmed the theme yet again. Was there room for me in this tiny house? I didn't have much, but how could I live here without disrupting the flow? That was a thought for some other time because she stole my attention as she emerged from the bedroom, dressed for bed, beckoning for me to join her in the dimly lit room. I followed cautiously, minding my desires and not wanting to presume anything. She slipped under the covers, so I spun into my PJs and nestled beside her.

"Hold me," she whispered softly.

I obeyed and refused to let go. How symbolic. The first time we hung out, I refused to hug her because I knew if I ever got her in my arms, I'd never let go. And now, there I was, laying there with her in my arms, promising I'd never let her go again. At that moment, I had everything I needed and fell asleep content and satisfied, experiencing the most restful sleep in a while.

In the morning, I woke up, and she was gone. I got a chuckle out of thinking about how she escaped the vice grip I had her in while managing not to wake me. That took talent. I checked my messages, hoping to find one from her but not intentionally looking for one. I knew she went to work, but I just loved hearing from her. Sure enough, a message had arrived two hours prior stating she had left for work, would return around 3:00, and that I should make myself at home. Not that I expected anything different, but I loved how eager she was to make me feel welcome. I replied saying I'd go home to get some stuff but would be back before she got home.

With that out of the way, I surveyed my new home to gauge its vibe and figure out how we can merge our lives in this cramped space. Despite being the most decorated room, the bedroom still fell in line with the minimalist theme. At least it had curtains. The patio door left us exposed, but the massive boulders behind the house shielded us against potential peepers. Anyone who was desperate enough to climb up there to see us deserved a show.

She didn't have many clothes, so I could put a few items on the racks. The empty nightstand was a perfect place for toiletries and small personal items. She used the second room as her office. Despite its limited space, it had the best potential to not only put some of my things but to create a space that was ours.

I'd already seen the living/dining/kitchen space, but now I could get a good look at it. The kitchen was perfect. Almost too perfect, as if it never got used. I guess she was right about not cooking much. The idea of cooking for her regularly excited me. I wanted to take care of her without disrupting her autonomy, and that was the perfect way to do it.

After my self-guided tour, I took a shower and was glad to see her bathroom was nicer than the ones at Dad's house. Once I was ready, I headed to San Sequoia to break this crazy news to him. He was watching TV and smirking at me when I walked through the door.

"Another night of fun?" he joked.

"Yes, but not how you think."

"Ohhh. Well, that sounds promising."

"Uhhh...yeah, maybe..."

His eyes were laser locked on me, blinking rapidly and waiting for clarification.

"Okay, so... This is gonna sound really crazy, and you might be disappointed, but here goes... I kinda agreed to move in with Sophia."

"Dad? What do you think?"

"Are you sure about this?"

"Honestly? I don't really know. But what I do know is I've been too afraid to take risks. I feel like I can't grow as a man being afraid of what might happen. Plus, I really really like her."

Dad grinned from ear to ear.

"I think you more than like her. I'm so proud of you. That's a very big thing you've realized about yourself. It takes maturity to get there. You've always been thoughtful and have good judgement, so if this is something you feel you need to do, I support it. I'm happy for you."

That went waaaaaay better than I imagined. Dad wasn't someone who got upset much, but I imagined him being triggered by his own experience and being dead-set against it.

"So...I guess you're here to get your things, then?" he asked.

"Just the essentials. Her house is super tiny. Like...Copperdale tiny."

"Oh. Yikes. You gonna be alright with that?"

I shrugged.

"I guess we'll see."

"Alright. Well, don't let me keep you."

"Hey, Dad? Thank you...for everything. I don't think I could have made it here without your guidance."

He nodded.

"That's the job, son."

"I know, but... I don't know. You've been, like, really cool about it. You make sharing things really easy. I've enjoyed being here with you. I mean...I knew I needed you when I decided to move in with you, but I didn't know how much. And I... Well, forget it. I don't really know what I'm trying to say, heh."

"Come here," he said and stood. "I love you. You're always welcome here. You and Sophia."

"Thanks, Dad... Oh, and if you tell Mama about any of this, The Book of Luca will be closed. I know you two still talk about me."

He laughed.

"My lips are sealed."

[jgnico]

I liked your reply to the Gojo ask and I'm not the same anon but I think I kind of see where those people are coming from if I may squeeze myself into the conversation. I think there's two ways people can interpret what going north means - same as detaching from your past self -, you can either use it to refer to the fate of jujutsu sorcerers as a whole or you can take it as a personal matter in regards to a specific characters fate. You focused on the former with your reply which I think makes sense, obviously, and in that sense both Gojo and Nanami choose the north path because they cared to foster the younger generations and try to guide them towards a different future. But I think the way people who believe Gojo might come back look at the situation is more in the sense of Gojo's persona and his own individual journey being focused on his strength and him not being able to move on from his youth. Like the quote "are you the strongest because you're Gojo Satoru or are you Gojo Satoru because you're the strongest?", I think that maybe those theories are meant to signify him stepping aside as the strongest and becoming just Satoru. Not the Six Eyes holder, not the strongest sorcerer, not a special grade but someone who steps aside from that. That's why some people believe he will lose his powers, hence not being part of the generation that will bring change to the jujutsu world. I came here a bit as the devil's advocate, I'm not saying this necessarily makes sense or that you're wrong, just sharing a few ideas I've seen around. There's also the theory that JJK is the type of story that mirrors itself (I don't remember the name) so the same way Gojo died and had his "rebirth" during Hidden Inventory, people believe he might go through another rebirth moment. There are moments paralleling each other in the manga so that doesn't seem too out of reach but I have no idea. I personally believe Gojo coming back could make sense if executed in a very specific way but my wish is honestly for him to stay in the grave since I think his story had a satisfying conclusion for the type of plot JJK has but I'm a bit of an idot I have no idea what I'm saying haha I hope you don't mind this ask. Have a good day!

Oooh, thank you for the ask and different perspective, Anon.

To the point of going North being interpreted to mean Gojo starting anew as simply Satoru, not the strongest, I'd ask, "Isn't he doing exactly that in the afterlife?"

I touched on it in passing in a previous meta answer, but Gojo had a positive outlook on his own death because it would mean him finally putting down the burden of the strongest and getting to return to a time in his life and the people within it that knew him as a person, rather than an ideal. Going back to a world where that isn't the case would undermine that for him. Even if we expand further and raise the idea that he returns without his techniques -- including, ya know, his eyes -- he'd still be going back as someone that held that position before, someone that acted as the head of his clan, someone that the others look to for guidance and knowledge in concerns to Jujutsu.

Gojo's technique alone didn't make him the strongest. He didn't reach that status off of the abilities he was born with by themselves, but by his innovation and implementation of them when it was required of him. His mindset and personality made him the strongest just as much as his techniques did; something that's further reinforced by Geto stagnating when he shouldn't have because his core way of thinking when it came to his technique never changed. Losing the Six Eyes + Limitless doesn't take that or the burden of strength away from Gojo. Jujutsu society quite literally hasn't changed enough for that to be a possibility.

Or, to answer the Geto question: He's the strongest because he's Gojo Satoru, not the other way around.

Additionally, his strength wasn't the root of his unhappiness. Gojo enjoyed being strong as an adult as much as he did when he was a teenager. And we know this because every time he's ever been pushed to a point where he gets to show that strength --Hidden Inventory, Shibuya, the Sukuna Fight, he enjoys it.

The problem that Gojo had with being strong wasn't that he was, but rather that it made him lonely. That for all that it gave him, it demanded so much more in return. Taking his technique away and putting him back into a world where he still isn't understood as a person like he is with his friends in the afterlife doesn't fix that issue.

But couldn't people learn to understand him? I genuinely don't think so, and neither did Gojo.

Too many people over too long of a time never saw him as a person or even cared to. And eventually, Gojo gave up on them ever doing so to make that easier for him to accept. Spending your entire life as a thing, as an ideal, to other people is a tragic reality. One that led Gojo to separate himself from those around them, not as one person being wilfully alienated from a group of people by the majority, but as a being so different from others that it made no sense to ask to be understood.

Is this a healthy mentality to have? Well, no, but that doesn't mean he wasn't pushed there regardless.

Taking him from a place where he's finally free from that, where he's back with the people that see him as a person, and putting him back into a world where only the opposite is true in the hopes that the world will change to accept him when it never has before, isn't the solution.

Believe me, I understand wanting him to be alive, but I don't think that that would do anything positive for his character when it would only make him just as miserable as he was before.

[obsidiancreates]

Out Of The Shadows and Into The Neon (Part 3)

Donnie Jr chews on an old sparkplug as Donald talks with Draxum.

"Say that four times fast," Leon jokes, laying on Donald's cot to the side and holding his son above him. Leo Jr giggles, waving his stubby little arms and legs. Leon chuckles at the baby noises. "You can try it when you're older."

"But what do you mean they aren't yokai or mutants?" Donald says to Draxum, gesturing at Leon to shut up.

"They are mutants, but it wasn't my ooze that made them."

"So what did?"

"I don't know. It's a chemical composition I've never seen before."

"That means you guys are really special," Angelo gushes, setting Mikey Jr down by Donnie Jr. Mikey immediately goes to grab Donnie's sparkplug, and Donnie cries as it's knocked out of his grasp. Donald doesn't look, engrossed in glaring at Draxum over the lack of satisfying answers but one of his mechanical arms comes out and grabs the plug before it falls and gives it back to the tot. Donnie laughs-squeals happily as the arm pats him on the head.

"Maybe someone found an oozesquito and messed with it," Raphie suggests, dangling a bit of string in front of Raph Jr's face as the tot tries to grab and eat it. "Or uh, four of them."

Draxum sighs, rubbing his eyes. "The tests all suggest they were born this way."

"Oh, so just one then!"

"That's not good either, Raph." Donald picks up Donnie and cradles him. "And why would they be abandoned in an alley? I thought mutant sanctuaries were getting more common."

"We can make something to track down their birth parent," Draxum says, frowning, "But that might mean giving them up. If you guys want to continue with the whole 'heroes' thing, anyway. I say we just keep them no matter what."

The four new dads share a look. Leon's and Raphie's eyes go white with a faint glow for a second, a quick mind-meld discussion-

Leon sighs. "We owe it to them to check, don't we?" He looks up at Leo Jr and smiles softly. "But either way, I promise you boys will have a family. Okay?"

Leo Jr babbles, reaching for Leon. The baby smiles, all gums and love.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So..." Raphie blinks as they all stare into the apartment a week later. "I guess we're keeping them?"

It's really a rhetorical question, because the mystic DNA tracker has lead them to a human's apartment with a single, completely normal, turtle. And with one DNA test in the tracker's built-in tester... it's a confirmation. That normal turtle, somehow, is their tots' mother.

"Well, unmarked cardboard box, left in an alley, no food or water left with them," Donald lists off, putting up a finger for each item, "Yup, I'd say that human didn't want them."

"But-but how?" Leon holds the sides of his head. "That's not- I thought-"

"Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth," Splints says happily, already shimmying his way back up to the roof. "We get to keep my grandsons!"

"But-!" Leon looks to his twin, throwing his arms out to the window. "Come on! This is weird even for our lives!"

"I agree completely, my dear brother," Donald says with a nod, "Which is why I'll be taking a sample of DNA from that turtle to give to Draxum. But I have a feeling we won't be getting many answers from it. And in that case, there's only one thing to do."

Leon and Donald share a serious look, and then both nod. They speak in unison.

"We get those tots some toys."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Donald scoops Donnie Jr up with one hand, the tiny tot's shell easily fitting into his palm. True, as he's gotten older he's gotten rather large, to put it mildly, but still. His son is small.

His son, and his sons brothers, look very different to him and his own brothers. Draxum wasn't able to tell what species they are, though their mother looked to be some sort of terrapin. Donnie Jr's shell is completely rounded, no curve in towards the bottom of the spine. His hands and feet are large, much more reminiscent of a regular turtle's in terms of proportion. His little feet are completely circular, which while adorable, is probably going to make sneaking around a lot harder. And making shoes an impossibility.

He tickles the bottom of Donnie Jr's foot and Donnie Jr squeals with laughter. Well, the nerves work as they should. And that laugh melts his heart, so that also works as it should.

Donald pulls the baby holder out of it's box and clips it on. Donnie is surprisingly good as Donald gets him into the little holder, and the tot just laughs again as he hangs from Donald's chest. Perfect.

"This-" Donald says, holding up some blueprints, "-is going to be your brother someday. I was finally able to patch the corrupted code from the recovered drives."

The prints show a little turtle-shaped drone, and a second set show a small, stout body with the same head design. "Any preference for his main form? I'm partial to the drone-"

Donnie screams and reaches out, so Donald leans closer, and the tot slaps one little hand on the stout body design. And-

And whimpers.

"Hey." Donald straightens back up, trying to keep his voice soft. "Why does Shelldon upset you?"

Donnie whines again and kicks his little legs, taking in a big breath-

"Oh, no-"

And wails.

"Ah! Please, stop making that noise!" Donald quickly takes his son out of the holder and holds him up to examine him. "No injuries, diaper is clean, we just fed you-"

Donnie wails and sobs some more, and Donald hears an echoing fit start up from Angelo's room. Then from Raphie's, and then from Leon's.

"You've caused a chain reaction!" Donald cradles his son close and bounces a little, patting his son's back as gently as he can while internally panicking. "Um, will a lullaby help? Rock-a-bye Donnie, at the lair's top, when the sub cars ride the whole lair will rock-"

Angelo bursts into the room, eyes bloodshot and a wailing Mikey held in one arm. "Doooonie?" Angelo says, eye twitching and smile forced, "Can you make your boy quiet down already?!"

"Yelling will only make him more upset!" Donald nods at his blueprints. "Hide those, they're what set him off!"

"What?!" Angelo stalks over and sets Mikey down on the desk, looking at the plans and flipping them over. "Your Shelldon plans made him cry?!"

"I don't know why, but yes!"

Mikey keeps wailing, Donnie keeps wailing, Mikey makes grabby-hands and his little all-pupil eyes focus on-

Donald quickly shifts his hold. "Give me Mikey!"

"Wh-"

"Do it!"

Angelo hands Mikey over, and Mikey immediately wiggles closer to Donnie and snuggles against him. After a few moments the sobbing and screaming beings to calm, and calm, down to whimpers and them gasps and then...

Soft breathing. They're asleep.

"As adorable as this is," Angelo says, snapping a picture quickly, "I am tired, man!"

"I'll be awake longer." Clearly, the Shelldon plans are... delayed, so he'll have to find something new to work on with Donnie. Maybe something more basic... Leo Jr did drool all over their toaster earlier, so maybe they can build a new one together.

He'll... probably make Shelldon the drone again. Hopefully that will... sit better with his son.

"You drop Mikey off back in my room before you fall asleep, got it?" Angelo pats Donnie on the shoulder as he leaves. Leo Jr and Raph Jr have quieted down out there, so at least it's quiet again.

Donnie uses his robotic arms for the rest of the night, cradling the tiny close close to his chest.

For such little things... they're full of a lot of mysteries.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, that's how we got these two to calm down!" Raphie is mindful of not talking with his hands as Raph determinedly sucks down his bottle. Any disturbance to his meal and he'll throw a massive tantrum, so Raphie must stay very still.

"As soon as we put them together they calmed down." Leon hands Leo a little tongue depressor, and Leo begins waving it around with wide eyes. His lack of coordinator is adorable enough to make Leon tear up a little. It's been less than a month and he would die for this little guy. For all four of them.

"Awww, they really do take after their dads," April teases. "Lemme guess, Raph Jr was the big spoon?"

"Actually, Leo was." Raphie relaxes in relief when Raph Jr finally releases the bottle. He burps the baby carefully, and then sets him on his lap and start bouncing him up and down.

"Because my son is bigger," Leon points out with a smug smirk. "Because he's a champion."

"Speaking of," Cass says, tilting her glass of wine at Leo (and not caring one bit that it's morning, she is committed to being a wine aunt), "Are you planning on training them to follow in your footsteps as powerful warriors?"

"No duh." Leon rolls his eyes. "They're mutants and our kids, it'd be neglect if we didn't train them at least a little."

"I will supervise," Splinter says happily, playing peek-a-boo with Mikey Jr. "But I am not helping in training until they are older. I could barely keep up the first time!"

"Not your fault, Papa," Donald assures, going through his favorite textbooks to make a Bedtime Reading pile. "We were simply too dope, even as toddlers."

"Mmm, that's one way to put it." Splinter laughs as Mikey, without fail, squeals in delight with every reveal of his face.

"I brought pizza," Casey declares as he enters. He sets the boxes down and opens them up.

Everyone leans over the pizza and stares.

"Is that... jellybeans?" Angelo looks caught between being ill and being violently offended. Splinter picks up a slice and takes a cautious bite. He stiffens, and then his whole body shudders.

"I asked for pepper things on the phone!" Casey looks through the other boxes and sighs in relief. "The rest are fine."

"Pepper things?"

"Those yellow sort of spicy ones?"

"... You mean pepperoncinis?"

"Those! Yes! ... May we go over some of the names of foods again, Master Michelangelo?"

"Oh, I wasn't about to let you leave not knowing every single pizza topping after this." Angelo gives Casey a friendly punch to the shoulder, and they both laugh. As they do, though, Angelo sees Mikey crawl closer to Splinter, to his hand, his little baby mouth open and showing some tiny baby teeth-

"NO!"

It's too late.

But Mikey doesn't choke, or throw up, or spit it out.

He... chews and swallows. And he smiles.

And he goes back for more.

Everyone watches in horror at the enthusiasm Mikey has for the monstrosity of pizza.

"He... he'll grow out of that." Angelo nods to himself. "He'll grow out of that."

[silverfoxstole]

Paul McGann: The latest twist in his tale

He's spent his career thinking on his feet, so it made sense to improvise his latest role, he tells James Mottram

Published: 20 October 2006 in The Independent

Every autumn, Paul McGann is given an annual reminder of his greatest role. Living in a university town like Bristol, "you can set your calendar by it," he says. "The new student intake has just come in, and they've drunk their first grant cheque and seen Withnail and I... and I know when they've seen it. They usually holler across the street." While Richard E Grant's flamboyant drunk Withnail was the character blessed with the lion's share of memorable quotes, McGann's more introspective "I" still had his moments. He grins at a recent reminder. "The other day, some kid had chalked on the pavement outside my house, 'Perfumed Ponce', with an arrow pointing to my front door!"

Now 46, it's refreshing to see McGann is not precious about the fact that his finest hour has just been commemorated this month with a 20th anniversary DVD. "It's actually very satisfying," he admits. "I can safely say, 'If I'd never done another movie, it would've been all right.'" Still handsome, with his Byronic brown curls, there's a sense of genuine gratitude in his soft Scouse accent. The son of a factory worker and a nursery school teacher, perhaps it's in the knowledge that a working-class childhood in Liverpool does not always lead to such a grand career as acting. The Catholic-raised McGann knows he's been fortunate: accepted into Rada, he got his big break in 1982 alongside his three brothers - Joe, Mark and Stephen - in the West End rock'n'roll musical Yakkety Yak.

"We all wanted to be movie stars," he recalls of his youthful days. "When I was a kid, about 11 or 12, we used to try and bunk into local cinemas to see X movies. Who doesn't do that at that age? This would've been 1972. Maybe an older kid would buy a ticket, then go and open the fire door and we'd watch this film until we were all thrown out. You'd see some hammy old thing, but now and again you'd see a great film - like Klute or Five Easy Pieces. I remember watching Jack Nicholson, maybe not understanding what he's up to but thinking I'd love to do that. He was engaging, charismatic - I was rapt!"

McGann was never going to be the next Nicholson, even if winning the lead in Alan Bleasdale's 1986 BBC drama The Monocled Mutineer boosted his profile. Unlike Grant, he never really made it in Hollywood. "What do they say? It's better to regret the things you have done than the things you haven't," he notes. When he did get cast in major productions, he spent most of his time on the cutting room floor. Almost entirely excised from Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, he saw his part for David Fincher's Alien3 truncated to an almost unintelligible degree and then he was unfortunate enough to appear in Queen of the Damned, the ill-fated follow-up to Interview with a Vampire. "Careers are what they are," he shrugs. "They don't make any sense at all when you look back. We're not in charge of them."

Fate certainly seems to have had a hand in McGann's CV. A knee injury in 1994 forced him to cede the lead in ITV's Sharpe to Sean Bean. Two years later came his one-off turn as Doctor Who, following on from Sylvester McCoy in a US pilot that was set to resurrect the series but ultimately never picked up because the ratings weren't high enough. "We made a pilot that didn't work," he says. "And it didn't work because it wasn't good enough." But given the success of the current revamped show, does he have regrets that he's likely to be remembered - in his own words - as the "George Lazenby of Doctor Who"? "It's impossible to regret. It could've been very different. I would've been there for five or six years... and I'd have earned a shit-load of dough. Life wouldn't have been the same but it didn't happen."

If there's a suspicion that McGann is not ruthless enough to play the Hollywood game, not least because Withnail and I anointed him with a cuddly image, he has set about changing that with his latest film, Gypo. An entirely improvised piece about immigration, he plays Paul, a racist father-of-three living in Margate. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Paul is the vilest character of McGann's career, beginning the film by violently objecting to his daughter bringing home a classmate who, it emerges, is a Romany Czech refugee. "I had to be prepared for him to be irredeemable," says McGann. "He is unremittingly miserable."

Fed on a diet of tabloids and Talk Sport, McGann says his character belongs with the "huge majority of these little Englanders with their easy assumptions. At one point, he talks about Africa being a big county - that's about the level of him." He adds that he didn't want to make him like some "Alf Garnett cartoon" and he doesn't - though he confesses to the fact that director Jan Dunn only came to the set with "broad notions" for the scenes. The rest was up to him. "There wasn't a script to discuss," he says. "That brought me out in a rash, to be honest. That was one of the reasons I thought I had to do this. I couldn't think of any proper, intelligent excuse to turn this kind of challenge down."

Telling the same basic story from three separate perspectives, Gypo is officially the first British film to be registered as a Dogme movie. Given that this manifesto, devised by the Danish director Lars von Trier to purify the film-making process by using only original locations, natural light and so on, is over a decade old, it might seem rather after the fact. McGann nods. "I entered it with a mixture of open-mindedness and healthy cynicism. I mean, they're having us on aren't they? Some of that stuff... c'mon! The more dubious claims for the process about truth and nebulous ideas about authenticity. I mean, what's that about? Films are artifice. We're telling stories on film. At the same time, when it works, there is a real tough immediacy and spontaneity to it, and a punch."

Both frank and funny, McGann is the perfect pub-mate - not least because he is so self-deprecating. Noting that his short-lived time playing Doctor Who has nevertheless given him a place in the show's pantheon, he recalls meeting legendary Time Lord Tom Baker. "We were in opposite voice over studios," he says. "This guy in the sound studio told me he was in, so I went and met him. He didn't have a clue who I was! I found it rather refreshing. He was very charming. He just thought I was some kid off the street. So I thought, 'Let's just leave it at that.'"

Yet as chummy as McGann is, it's doubtful if he'd ever fully open up - at least in interview. Dubbing himself "a miserable bastard at the best of times", laying bare his soul is unlikely to make him happy. Of his brothers, he says, "We get on OK. We get on fine." The last time he worked with them was in 1995's Irish famine saga The Hanging Gale, which the quartet conceived themselves. "The biggest obstacle is getting us all together," he grunts, when asked if he'd consider working with them again. He's better on his sons: 17-year-old Joseph is musically gifted, "one of those swines that can play any instrument", while 15-year-old Jake "has been making funny noises" about following his father into acting.

Such reticence can be easily traced back to the mid-1990s, when McGann had his one uncomfortable brush with the limelight. Caught in the street kissing Catherine Zeta-Jones, his co-star from period piece Catherine the Great, by a photographer, it caused a minor scandal and the press descended upon him and his family. While Joseph and Jake "were really spooked by it" - to the point that they now hate having their photograph taken - McGann admits the gossip "rattled" his relationship with his wife Annie, a former assistant stage manager turned interior designer. "I felt like a kid who was being bullied," reflects McGann.

Since Gypo, McGann has done what he's always done, and worked steadily. He recently completed the lead in Poppies, a film about a playwright who becomes obsessed with the fact his grandfather and two great uncles were killed in the Battle of the Somme that will receive its premiere in November at the Imperial War Museum. And he is currently filming a short produced by Zoë Ball entitled Always Crashing In The Same Car, reuniting with Grant for the first time since Withnail and I. "It's good when we're together," says McGann. "We're still mates. Our kids know each other. Very occasionally we're together in the same place - and then it's difficult to pay for a drink. I like that."

'Gypo' opens today

[blackbackedjackal]

In comparison to other GSDs, is Lobo's energy level any different? The only ones I've known have been high-strung and very, very driven (tho probably due to poor breeding)

Lobo is a little freak (affectionate). He's nothing like I planned for when I started looking into GSDs and nothing like any of the ones I've seen or interacted with.

Both his parents were Euro working lines. I met his mom and she was super jumpy and hyper and loud (very sweet tho). His brother is apparently a big rough and tough guard dog, don't know much about his sister or his dad.

But Lobo is basically the opposite of any GSD you'll meet. He is SUPER mellow, absolute couch potato. He hardly barks and basically makes a series of 'ooo' sounds. He does that thing where dogs mimic thier owners words and that's the main way he communicates, by making those sounds then running to the front door or kitchen depending if he wants food or wants to go out. I walk him a lot but anytime I'm sick or busy I can just let him out to go to the bathroom and substitute exercise with something for him to chew on and he's pretty satisfied. He's really good with other animals, especially cats. His owner told me he was very gentle with his puppies when they were born and 100% believe that seeing him interact with the baby goats.

He's perma nervous but not like in a bad way. I've worked with him a lot to build his confidence so he's really good with most strangers and enjoys attention from other people. There was this one time this woman was in the same aisle as us and he kinda crept up to her and made and 'ooo' noise to get her attention. He startled her because she wasn't paying attention but she fell in love with him immediately because of how polite he was being (she had GSDs as well just not with her).

He has some drive and knows how to do basic herding tasks but it's not his thing or the only thing he wants to do. He'd honestly make a better cadaver dog then anything because he's really good at scenting out things and finding dead animals on our property, including tiny stuff I would miss otherwise. He's also the kind of dog where like, say if he accidentally knocks over a piece of paper, he will run away and then turn around to check and make sure the paper is OK. He picks up on changes super well too! My dad had a stoke earlier this year and he LOVES my dad. They used to chase eachother around to play but now he can't run or be as active anymore, and Lobo completely changed when he noticed that and is now very gentle and calmer with him. Even let's my dad lean on him while he walks. We didn't teach him that, I just told him to 'be gentle with Grandpaw' and he was and has been since ;-:

He's just not normal in the slightest lol. I'd compare him more to like, a rough collie in personality, and a border collie in intelligence. He's insanely smart. He knows at least 60 words now, probably more because I've never counted, and is constantly picking up on my behaviors so I have to change things up a lot to keep him guessing 😭

I got a GSD because I wanted a guard dog when I moved out here but instead I got the smartest and sweetest dog I could have asked for ❤️

[thesilverlady]

Omg you ship book rhaegon and lucemond before the show? One of the rare few (sorry i just saw your prev ask while browsing those two tags). Because of that i would love to know your thoughts seeing these two ships pop off because of the show (especially lucemond since its top 3 popular ship in hotd fandom). What does it feel like seeing these crack ship before in your head to suddenly gain sm popularity now? Also i really want to know the difference between the book ships and the show ships and why the book ship attracted you initially? Thanks in advance if you ever answer!

hi! no need to apologize 🥰 Yeah I shipped both of these pre-show and it was definitely an experience. There were 0 lucemond fics and only 2 rhaegon ones to which I still have them bookmarked out of nostalgia 🙈

about the first question: my thoughts upon seeing these two ships pop off are kinda contradictory. For rhaegon, I'm glad people see the potential but due to hotd portrayal lots of the fics are smut (which I have no problem with ofc but I generally prefer plot fics) or some characterizations are entirely based on the show (like Aegon being an airhead and only a toy with 0 ambition /Rhaenyra being manipulative and always in control etc) So i leave a kudo for support and hope I'll find what I'm looking for later.

With lucemond I have a better luck because the community is much bigger, and there's so much variety to choose from. I'm very satisfied with them rising to top 3, and I hope they stay there.

So I'd say overall a mixed of bittersweet and smugness. Trust me, if I had a coin for the amount of times I've been called delulu for shipping these ships pre-show I'd be rich by now. There's also a certain amount of validation that comes with finally being able to actually speak about these pairs without worrying too much that a mob will start throwing you tomatoes. And all fanarts are absolutely a treat. 😊

in regards of the differences between book ships vs the show ships, keep in mind i don't speak for the entire rhaegon/lucemond community and I know a big bunch will even disagree with this:

for lucemond, I admit the show did more for them in certain aspects. Like growing up together, certain camera angle choices etc The big difference is again the characterization - which the show ignores a lot. Basically what hotd does is change traits but keep the results the same. So for example, Aemond in the show is supposed to be this calm/in control guy who is into philosophy and history and is more "suitable" to be king compared to his elder brother, but then you have his canon actions (insulting/challenging/chasing an envoy) coming up and that hardly makes sense. In f&b the antagonism is built more properly and you can see why the characters do what they do.

for rhaegon, we didn't even have any scene of the two together (a crime truly) but lots of people find the actors attractive and others love the people-from-opposite-side that goes on with team black/green. So I'd say show rhaegon is mostly vibes while in the book i found things to grab onto.

In f&b we already get seeds to plant the idea from the moment Aegon is born. Otto constantly brought up the succession order so many times he was fired because of it.

Then there's the entire post-daemyra drama when Rhaneyra is still looking for a husband and Alicent kept suggesting for Aegon to be betrothed to Rhaenyra. We learn from that paragraph that "the two half-siblings had never gotten on well" which let's be for real, already sets for an interesting drama if the marriage was to happen.

We also have Aegon's first refusal of the throne before Cole added preasure. “My sister is the heir, not me. What sort of brother steals his sister’s birthright?” I've seen some people (usually antis) believing that perhaps he never said this and the Septon lied to make him look good. Well, I say that's bs because I always believe the truth in f&b is somewhere in between so this moment definitely happened and given how we knew the two didn't even get along in childhood, I find it a very interesting development.

And of course I can't forget Rhaenyra's iconic death - which is by Aegon's dragon and I can delude myself into getting some crimes of passion ™ vibes

As for lucemond, I don't really have anything deep to say. 😅. The fight that costed Aemond his eye + the quote "Prince Lucerys might have been able to outfly his pursuer, [...] but the day was as black as Prince Aemond’s heart" were kinda enough for me to go 👀 oh he truly hates him..... You see, the fight that made Aemond lose his eye was kinda more brutal; he had 3 kids to deal with, not 5. And they were all so young in comparison. Jace was 6, Luke 5 and Joffrey 3 while Aemond was 10. He was able to beat them all until Lucerys slashed him across the face and I imagine he took such a huge hit on his pride because of it.

When they all have the family dinner years later we're told that "Aemond had become a dangerous swordsman [...] but remained a wild and willful child, hot-tempered and unforgiving." So I thought those scenes + lucerys death kinda serve the obsessed trope™ which I'm very into

I hope my reply was intelligible ♥ it's 3 am as I'm writing this so I imagine i may have not explained some stuff properly. Either way let me know and thank you for the ask.

[justatalkingface]

What are your thoughts about One For All?

By that, I mean the power itself, the story surrounding it, the connections to All For One, the person, all of it. You spoke extensively about Izuku and now I'd like to hear your thoughts about his quirk. Yoichi Shigaraki seemed very suspicious, and his quirk being a death curse at first seemed like it was setting up for a really morally ambiguous OFA. But it turns out the guy's a saint and he's trying to take down the devil. As far as I can tell, One For All kills people just to justify Izuku being the current holder and to make him special. We also got the typical shōnen power escalation of Izuku ending up with a bunch of new powers out of nowhere. Many of which seemed to exist just to have him surpass All Might quickly enough so he could handle fights against super powerful foes, because this series takes places within a year. The story rushed this dude's development, so his powers had to rush him to where he could handle things. And he also became a genius who could master a bunch of new quirks in a very short amount of time. Many of the abilities felt very redundant with his power set or go mostly unused, such as smokescreen. Float and Black Whip were cool and added a lot to Izuku's kit. The OFA vs AFO plot line eventually took over the series. I prefer the battles against AFO's forces in comparison to the earlier parts of the series, where the kids fought each other in battles with no stakes. The academia part of MHA was always the weakest part, but some people preferred it. What do you think?

One For All... well, let me get this almost mandatory part out of the way: he suffers for being introducing during The War Arc, and by dint of it means we'll probably never have a satisfying amount of information on him.

Quirk wise... it actually tracks? If family Quirks are similar, both AFO and OFA both, then, have a Quirk that is based around 'transfering Quirks', the same way that Asu's family all have Quirks based around frogs, yet they are all expressed in different ways.

I've seen people argue that the mysterious door he's helping hide is AFO, since the stockpiling Quirk passed through AFO himself first.

I just, let me.... alright. Honestly? I could see it. I really wouldn't be that surprised at this point if they did that. Logically? That makes no sense. The power stockpiling Quirk was just that, stockpiling power. It was only special when it got fused with OFA's nameless Quirk, and they fused into something more, a Quirk that is apparently specialized to act as a mental arc, in his body. Moreover, it should mean that AFO would have a Vestige there, and I just... really hope they don't do that, because I can't see a way it ends well, you know?

More recently, I'm wondering if that BIg Mystery they're clearly hiding has to do with why AFO was crying when he was killing(?) the Second; did The Second kill OFA? Was that a revenge kill? Did OFA plan that? Did he go, 'My brother is too powerful to stop, so we must sacrifice ourselves until someone is strong enough to do so, and act as fertilizer for their eventual rise' and that's why the first couple of generations are edgy and the later ones, who didn't get that memo, or who were thought to be that theoretic final product, are more open?

I... could see that. It's not something I think would be done well, with MHA as it is now, but I could see that.

Really though, when you think about it the fact that each of them have suicidally went up against AFO in his prime means that there's no way that OFA should have been able to be transferred throughout the generations, because AFO has so much stacked in his favor that he should have easily been able to hunt them down and kill them (and when does he even realize they have that Quirk? Early on, especially, it couldn't have been easy, with how weak it was; it'd probably be easier to identify it based off behavior more than power).

The thing I've realized about OFA is that the early lore for it is really kind of questionable, just because they explicitly went up against AFO with barely any power ups, which is basiclly suicide. Even if AFO wanted them alive to keep the Quirk alive (and why? Before his 'development' you could argue it's because he wanted his brother back, and thus his Vestige in it, and later it's a strong Quirk, but there's a good period where it was a Quirk with potential, not power, and AFO has been developed into a two dimensional caricature who would kill for the lulz, who has no depth or moral attachment to anything. Before his 'development' you could argue that he wanted even a small part of his brother back, and it would explain things, but now? Was he just... letting it live to refine it so he could steal it when it was strong? It'd fit with how everything is AFO's fault these days), it would be dead ass easy for him to capture the current Holder and then keep them imprisoned, maybe after crippling them, until he can get what he wants from them.

The fact it's kind of incompatible with a person with a Quirk... kind of tracks, since, you know, Nomu, but if this was always a thing, under that logic everyone who wasn't Quirkless with this thing should have rendered brain damaged like, you know, the Nomu. The fact that they kind of... fall apart? That feels like bullshit. It has the energy of trying to make Izuku a True Destined Hero in a True Shonen by making him the only one who could use it safely, instead of, you know, just being chosen on his heroic merits, and goes blatantly against the themes the manga was talking about from the start, that everyone can be a hero. Because 'men aren't born equal' is wrong, and even a Quirkless kid can be heroic, can save someone. But, you know... Everything Changed When The War Arc Attacked. I'm not surprised it got fucked up.

May be a little off topic, but I'll point out since AFO has vestiges now (suddenly), that that's going to be important for whatever end game there is, and, you know, that's going to be bullshit, since OFA only has those from a Quirk that was specialized in making them, and even then they only started communicating with him at the War Arc, after generations of that one Quirk being powered up to allow it to happen. Meanwhile, AFO just takes the Quirks, and even if Quirks keep, well, a vestige of their former owner, why did it take so long to happen if it was just a thing that happened when you moved Quirks? Why didn't any OFA user before Izuku have this happen? Why aren't the Nomu filled with the traumatic impulses of their parts; not the main body, but the minds of however many extra Quirks are stuffed inside them? There's no reason for that logic to apply to AFO, since he just takes them, but... yeah. ECWTWAA.

....So, is the reason he's such a two-dimensional character is that he can't get a good night's sleep because god knows how many people are just constantly screaming at him, in a ironic own goal on their part that is making him more and more evil as he slowly loses his mind over the years, doing more and more terrible things they don't want him to? Or is that just me putting more work in AFO's characterization that Hori has actually done?

You want to know my prediction? That was introduced as the way to beat him, in the end: Izuku and OFA are going to lead a revolution in AFO's body/mind and purge him, or... something stupid to beat his mind once and for all, since AFO is apparently studying Orochimaru style immortality and we're reaching a point where killing any one body, and maybe even both, won't be enough to kill him, so they have to go deeper to finish him!

Which totally makes sense.

SIgh.

On the Vestiges, and the powers? In theory, I'm fine with it, Hori clearly was hinting about them way back when, but in practice the way that's been handled is ass. Either A, these guys all have buttons to unlock their Quirks, in which case there should have been a Team Meeting with Izuku rather than him randomly shooting out combat tentacles out of nowhere, when he could have killed someone with them, just like... you're in a fight; surprise super powers! What could go wrong, or B, it just happens, in which case them making noises about proving himself or whatever sounds... dumb when what they think about the situation has nothing to do with it.

More than that, though, the way they're being used to power up Izuku? The way that they're just his Stands now, more than actual characters? Only showing up behind him to show how serious Izuku is? The sheer fucking disrespect of it irks me; Hori, if you're going to introduce actual characters who are people, then treat them like people. If you just want to give Izuku powers, don't give him a mindscape full of people with opinions, just give him powers. One or the other Hori; you can just give Izuku a weird Animus style flashback without a personality you actually need to manage being attached.

On the powers themselves, it's clearly something that got dropped on the wayside. Black Whip, obviously, is Hori's favored child, lovingly used at every possible chance and drawn out in great detail (I hear he really likes Spiderman?) but after that? The first couple were utility skills, chosen to give Izuku some soft support while he wandered on his own without readily available support tech, beyond those.... Hori just used them as crutches to skip over all the development Izuku never had the time to do to master AFO itself. No matter how they phrase it, no matter how complicated they make the explanation, they're just there so he can punch harder.

As a person, it's hard to tell much about OFA. He has morals, he opposes his brother, he's keeping secrets from Izuku.... let's be honest here, he's more of a plot device than a human being at this point, and I have zero faith in his future development. It's kind of frustrating since there's a lot of interesting potential there (is he a Good Guy(TM)? Did AFO just go too far, and before that he was fine with his brother the warlord? Was he cowardly like Izuku, but also went through character development once he gained the ability to stand up for himself? There's a lot of ways his characterization could be spun, but that has more to do with his lack of characterization than anything) that I'm sure he'll never live up to than anything.

Beyond that... there's this symbolism with hands that keeps coming up. Shigaraki has it, of course, that's mostly his trauma being expressed with his hand based Quirk (and strengthened by AFO using hands to condition him, actually...), to the point where it became his theme. Later on, though, when they started expanding on AFO and OFA mentally, there's thing where both of them are reaching out to people, with this focus on their hands. Both of them do it, and it's always drawn in this ominous sort of way, even for OFA, the apparent good guy. Sometimes, usually (or only?) for AFO (who also has a Quirk focused around his hands; it's not surprising his mind would orient around that to some extent) it's even the only thing we see of their mental silhouettes. It's... very interesting to me, and makes me think there was probably going to be more to him at some point, that there was going to be some, any, depth to his character.

On the academia part, here's the thing: compared to later on, the early stuff was better, not on the merits of school vs fighting, but because early on, even with its flaws, it's clearly something Hori put a lot thought into, had a plan. The later stuff? Well, there's some sort of plan, but the later we get in the timeline, the more it feels like Hori is backpedaling from some original concept, and changing it to something else as we go along. And in itself, his ideas changing isn't a bad thing, but those changes are still built off the foundation of his older plans, and it leaves more and more plot points hanging out in the wind, without proper support. If this manga was a house, the higher Hori built it, the more floors he added, the more he started shifting the house to one side, while everything he had already built stayed where it was. That's not how you get a solid house, and no matter how much fancier those higher floor may look, it doesn't make up for the fact that it's only barely staying in place.

At the same time though, it's clear that, for all that this series is called My Hero Academia, the actual school part of it is something Hori doesn't seem to be all that interested in, or have put thought into. UA, narratively, isn't a school, it's an excuse, and the times when Hori puts in things like class presidents, or normal, actually academic tests and the like, it's because he has to put them in, and so it's understandable when you look at the actual school parts of this 'school', it feels awkward and out of place.

When people talk about liking it, it was probably less, 'Man, Izuku and friends in school, doing school things, was great' (though, there are are probably plenty of those as well, to be fair; again, My Hero Academia; it's not surprising to see interest in that school setting promised in the actual title) and more that, 'Wow, it was nice to focus on Izuku and the main cast we were introduced to from the beginning, and watch them actually talk to each other and interact!', since the farther we got into the actual hero stuff, the less we had of all that, and of all the characters we got attached to originally, when we first started the story.

[prophecydungeon]

year in fic: 2022

cross-post from dreamwidth.

word count for posted works: 19,092 words word count for unposted works (incl. wip): 21,457 words total word count: 40,549 words

pretty writing-light year for me, not entirely sure why; so it goes, though, i guess. i wrote a lot in both 2020 and 2021 so i suppose it's natural to have a bit of a fallow year. and what a way to end the year too — S11 au sequel cooking in the oven. i may never actually be free of that goddamn show.

works posted to AO3 in 2022:

steam, fill shape, share haikyuu!!, 1,806 words, rated G — posted 2/27/22

this was a castoff from plate tectonics that had enough chutzpah to stand on its own. this (and plate tectonics, too) was really kind of a meditation on loneliness.

plate tectonics haikyuu!!, 14,631 words, rated T — posted 4/30/22

this fic fought me every god damn inch of the way. when i was tallying up my unposted word count, i found 3,121 words in my deleted fragments doc from this fic. i'm happy with how it turned out!

ontologies bleach, grimmjow/ichigo, ichigo & kon, rated G — posted 11/5/22

TYBW's release pulled this one out of me. the TYBW anime has been absolutely incredible so far and i can't wait to lose my whole ass when our beloved Catte makes his dramatic re-entrance.

---

i realized as i was writing out the list of published works that i published two G-rated fics this year (one of which was genfic), which feels so unusual. my stuff generally hovers around teen. oh well! i also didn't write any destiny fic this year for the first time since 2018, i think. that feels strange. but this year has been tumultuous, i haven't spent a lot of time playing the game, and there's been some lore i feel :| about too. so it goes.

in any case, the usual meme!

1) What’s your personal favourite thing you wrote this year?

ooh, this is a difficult one. i feel like i generally tend to be most excited about the newest thing i've worked on, and right now that's what i'm feeling — writing in the S11 AU version of chorus just feels like coming home at this point.

wait, no, i have a better answer: this one goes to a fic that i wrote with the intention of not posting it. it's unfinished and will remain unfinished. it veers wildly around everywhere. it was very, very fun and satisfying to write.

2) What’s your least favourite thing you wrote this year?

hmm. i don't know. i started and stopped a few things around summertime when i felt the "oh god i should be writing" feeling and they all felt... not good. so i guess that, as a category, is my least favorite thing.

3) Which of your fics was most different from what you usually write?

aforementioned "i plan on not posting this" fic was pretty different, both in the plan to not post it and the contents of it. it's a pretty silly and superficial fic; i'm not really Saying Anything with it. that's fine. that's why i liked it a lot.

4) Which of your fics this year was most successful?

i think this has to go to the Not Posted fic again. it got me writing when i'd been in a long drought for a few months.

5) Which of your fics do you wish was more successful?

this is sidestepping the question slightly, but i wish that plate tectonics hadn't fought me so hard. when i was tallying up my word count, i scrolled through the doc where i'd shoved all my cut fragments and there was some really good stuff in there. i wish i'd been able to incorporate that all successfully.

6) What’s your favourite piece of dialogue you wrote this year? 7) What’s your favourite piece of description or narration?

combining these two answers because it's the same snippet for both this year:

“You’re not him,” Grimmjow repeats, his voice pitched lower as he crowds close. Kon knew, in some part of his mind, that this might happen somehow; he’s seen Grimmjow and Nel at the Kurosakis’ front door, unmasked and boxed in by their fake bodies, but the possibility stumbling into one of them on the street like one of Ichigo’s old high school classmates had only ever existed as something distant and vague. Kon inhales a pinched breath and feels his vision waver as he stares up. Ichigo isn’t short; maybe Kon is just too used to viewing the world from a height of about six inches, maybe he’s just shrinking back into the hedge like a bird before a fox, maybe Grimmjow is just too tall and too strong and— “You’re not alive.”

Fury erupts in Kon’s borrowed chest. He’s alive. He’s alive. He’s alive because of Ichigo. And he knows for a fact that the same is true for the being that stands before him.

“I’m more alive than you,” Kon spits back, and shoves uselessly at the fist holding him in place. Grimmjow’s arm is like iron.

8) Which fic this year was most fun to write?

i am having a BLAST working on this sequel to S11 AU (or maybe this is finally the year that i start calling the fic by its title). it feels like coming home in so many ways: not just because this fandom has been part of me for so long and refuses to let me let go, but also because i get to sink back into halo at the same time. hey, maybe this'll get me to finally play infinite.

9) If you could go back and change something about one of the fics you wrote this year, what would it be?

this is much more vague and much less actionable than the way i've answered this in the past, but i wish that plate tectonics hadn't been so difficult for me to write. i wish i could snap my fingers and change the amount of energy it sucked out of me.

10) What, if anything, are you going to try to do differently in your writing in the new year?

this question is getting harder to answer. there's a particular structure i want to try for S11 AU sequel and wrangling that has made for an interesting week of planning, so maybe once i finish this project i'll try being more intentional with structure for the next one, too.

---

as i was getting this crosspost into shape for tungle, it occurred to me that i do, actually, want to document just how it is that i got myself into this S11 AU (i need to stop doing this) P vs NP hole again in the first place because it's both kinda funny and also a pretty interesting reflection of where S1- P VERSUS NP has been over the years.

on christmas eve i watched glass onion. loved it! super fun movie. this immediately made me want to watch knives out again, but it's not on netflix and i don't subscribe to anything else. in lieu of this, i decided to watch casino royale on christmas day because the only bond i'd ever watched up till that point was, well, skyfall. at this moment, several things happened all at once: i got the urge to draw some wash/maine art to cap off the year, i was looking up which of the other daniel craig bondses came in which order, and i was thinking, of course, about skyfall and how much i liked it. powder keg meets spark.

the funny part is that i got hit with the urge to write more S11 auFUCKING P VS NP like i'd been brained by a 2x4, but it wasn't till i was an hour into half-watching casino royale that i realized this whole urge (and the whole crux of the plo, too) was specifically because skyfall was a massive source of drive and inspiration for S11 oh my fucking god. P vs NP. i am not doing this on purpose. and i mean, obviously, right? P vs NP's epigraph is specifically from skyfall. it's there because of skyfall.

skyfall and P vs NP are not, actually, very similar. there are a handful of threads that are sort of similar, but they're really not one-to-one reflective of each other. i guess that's what makes a good source of inspiration? i went back through some old stuff to see if i ever Poasted about why and how skyfall inspired me so deeply and there wasn't really... anything specific. it was just a movie that i saw at the right time to amplify my urge to write this fic.

that being said, i did watch skyfall in my little danny boy marathon, this time while trying to figure out what it was that hit me so hard, and there were some fun similarities:

moneypenny "kills" bond; bond comes back; moneypenny helps bond

bond's re-entry into service; wash in season 8

bond: everybody needs a hobby. silva: so what's yours? bond: resurrection.

"look upon your work, mother"; silva and bond as same-but-opposite, not quite reflecting wash and maine (in P vs NP or in canon) but there are some threads there

...huh, okay, maybe there was a bit more there than i thought. anyways, now i'm here. again. i am hoping this sequel contains itself to like, 20k words. i am not optimistic about this. we will see.

here's to 2023!

[girltomboy]

70 horrible questions answer game

Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

I'm on good terms with my mom rn, but my dad and I are estranged. I haven't seen him in like 4 years and he doesn't really answer my messages anymore. My overall relationship with my family in general is usually fine but sometimes strained because of... well, generational trauma. I'm not particularly close with anyone in my family, not in a family way at least

2. Who did you last say "I love you" to?

My partner

3. Do you regret anything?

I don't, I rarely feel regret per se, I don't wish anything had happened differently simply because I think it's a waste of time. I mean, I probably have minor/petty gripes with how certain things went for me, but I don't dwell

4. Are you insecure?

I used to be very insecure, but I've grown a lot in my mid 20s. I'm way past that phase of my life, obviously I recognize I still have to work on myself regarding certain aspects, but I'm also aware and proud of my progress

5. What is your relationship status?

Sorry but saying "I'm taken" makes me feel like a high school student, whereas "partnered" makes me feel 50. There has to be a middle ground in the English language

6. How do you want to die?

I dunno, old age probably.

7. What did you last eat?

A clementine

8. Played any sports?

I used to play volleyball in middle + high school, and after that there hasn't been a single opportunity for me to play an organized sport as an adult. I miss playing team sports, but idk how to go about that now :(

9. Do you bite your nails?

My nails have always been rock hard, and trying to bite them is really hard and a bit painful for my teeth, so that's a habit I've thankfully just never been able to pick up. But I do eat the skin around them, for my daily protein intake

10. When was your last physical fight?

Probably middle school, feels a little sad to think that one day I had my last physical fight and didn't know I wasn't gonna do that anymore

11. Do you like someone?

Well, my boyfriend and I are my favorite people

12. Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

No, I don't think I've ever made it that long. I think I did stay up 24 hours though, probably in college, but barely

13. Do you hate anyone at the moment?

Not really a specific person, maybe some upper management at my job but I think that pertains more to capitalism in general rather than an individual

14. Do you miss someone?

I miss A LOT of people all the time! My boyfriend, my grandma, my late grandma, my best friend, my college friends, my college professors, my high school teachers, my high school classmates, my middle school classmates, my primary school teachers- I could sit here and write paragraphs about all of them individually.

15. Have any pets?

Not where I currently live, but my grandma and I share joint custody with a dog of 9 years <3

16. How exactly are you feeling at the moment?

I have a headache, I'm thirsty, and I can't wait to go to bed. But I'm relaxed and feeling satisfied after a super productive gaming night

17. Ever made out in the bathroom?

Which bathroom? I've definitely made out with my bf in my bathroom lol but not any other bathrooms as far as I can remember right now

18. Are you scared of spiders?

Not really, but I do squash them sometimes

19. Would you go back in time if given the chance?

Temporarily yes, but I wouldn't want to teleport back in time and relive years or decades all over again. Maybe hang out in the past for a few days and then go back to my current life, because I'm sure I'd want to come back eventually

20. Where was the last place you snogged someone?

My hallway, saying goodbye to my bf

21. What are your plans for this weekend?

Just like every weekend: absolutely nothing :) sleep in (but not too much), make breakfast (or lunch), clean around my apartment, play video games, get stoned, read, just stuff I usually do at home. The options are endless

22. Do you want to have kids? How many?

No, I don't want any. In another life perhaps, I'd want a daughter

23. Do you have piercings? How many?

No 😭 I'm such a coward, I was seriously considering getting a nose piercing, but I chickened out & gave up on the idea when I googled what it looks like without the actual piercing in, and realized the hole is too visible and it's just permanently there forever! Even if it closes. So now I feel like a septum is the only viable option for me, but it's gonna take at least another year until I gather the courage to even start considering it lol, in conclusion: zero

24. What were your best subjects?

In high school I was a linguistics nerd and absurdly good at geography. I also had fun in P.E.

25. Do you miss anyone from your past?

See answer number 14 😭 I probably miss my late grandma the most out of everyone who isn't in my life anymore. Cause I feel like we didn't spend enough time together even though she raised me for years, and she just knew nothing about me as a young adult, as the woman she raised.

26. What are you craving right now?

A room temperature glass of water and some crisp seedless grapes

27. Have you ever broken someone's heart?

No idea if it was ever that serious, I did "reject"? Some people in my life lol but I don't know if they suffered over it and resent me or if it was a shrug and move on type of situation

28. Have you ever been cheated on?

I had some iffy moments when I was in a long-distance relationship with an American girl as a teenager, like really questionable and odd. But I think I was too naive to make a big deal out of them, or I didn't have the words to speak up

29. Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

Unfortunately I think yes, same girl from the previous answer. I'll never know though.

30. What's irritating you right now?

Right now as in right now now nothing lol but right now as in nowadays I think I'm put off by insecurity and excessive self pity. Like wallowing and stuff. Not to say I never do that, but the place I'm in currently just doesn't have enough space for that. It denotes too much self absorption and not enough self awareness and thinking beyond yourself. Though when I encounter people who struggle with that I'm sympathetic and patient, it's just something I used to see in myself a lot and now that I've moved past that phase I see it more clearly

31. Does somebody love you?

A lot of people do in many different ways

32. What is your favorite color?

It changes often, but right now I'm drawn to browns and nudes.

33. Do you have trust issues?

I think I was born with them, but I've been working on myself and improving. I think a certain level of skepticism is necessary and healthy, though

34. Who/what was your last dream about?

Last night I had a really weird chain of dreams, like my yard at home looked different, it was as if I was actually living in my neighbor's home and had their yard. And then there was this chain-link fence that separated my yard from the neighbors', and in the dream it freaked me out a little that they could just see us through the fence, but some voice reassured me that they were nice and harmless. Then I started being more confident walking around my yard, and there was so much green, like trees and climbing plants all over the fence, and grass, and so much shade. Then it was like I was living elsewhere, and like my parents house had this long winding staircase that went up into some kind of tower, where I have a faint idea that there were human remnants? Or something like that. And it was kinda freaking me out, and I think something about the couch in my grandma's room. And my bf was there too, maybe we were talking on a bench in the forest about all this. I've been trying to piece back together a clear image of this dream, but not very successfully.

35. Who was the last person you cried in front of?

It's probably my boyfriend, although that hasn't happened in a long time. I wanna say it's been too long for it to be my boyfriend, maybe it was my work friend? I remember getting emotional when she was telling me about this other coworker's personal problems one time when we went out for wine, like I had no idea she had stuff weighing her down.

36. Do you give out second chances too easily?

Second yes, probably too easily. Third, maybe not. It really depends, but usually not. Second chances I do give out shamelessly

37. Is it easier to forgive or forget?

Oh, it's definitely easier to forgive. You forgive someone for them or for yourself, it's a choice to make. You have no choice in forgetting

38. Is this year the best year of your life?

It's only been a week of it, can I give it some more time? 😭 So far, not really, but it's an unfair assessment to make rn. It still has time to become that! Hopefully it can become the best year of my life so far, not of my entire life, I'm not even 30 yet.

39. How old were you when you had your first kiss?

22 years old

40. Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

Outside in the world, on the street, no. Not even at the beach. I did use to walk in my yard with no clothes on when I was little. It was my way of unwinding after kindergarten. I used to pee standing up 😭

51. <- the questions actually go from 40 to 51 and then continue like that?? 😭 I only just noticed omg Favorite food?

This is sending me lmaooo UM I've been craving my grandma's meatballs and sauce for days now (I was on a walk and literally smelled it in the air randomly) probably not my #1 favorite food ever, but it's a food I'm never not in the mood for.

52. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

I never know what people mean when they say that. Does it mean for a reason, as in part of a big plan? Like the biblical Plan that god has for us? I don't believe people are given their own cross to carry from birth to death

53. What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night.

I did go to bed last night eventually, and before sleeping I put on moisturizer, said goodnight to my bf and put on an asmr video from this girl I found on youtube who actually understands asmr (there are very very few asmr creators that really understand it)

54. Is cheating ever okay?

I think being the victim of cheating is what ultimately fucks up an overwhelming lot of people, so I can't give it any justification

55. Are you mean?

Probably sometimes, I never try to be though

56. How many people have you fist fought?

A regular bunch, maybe less than 5 in total, if we're not counting fist fighting the same person several times

57. Do you believe in true love?

Sure I do, if I'm capable of it then someone else has to be too, right?

58. Favorite weather?

Whatever the hell there's in the air during spring months, crisp air, warm breeze, sunlight fresh like the skin after a scab falls off.

59. Do you like the snow?

I grew up with heavy winters and shoveling/sweeping the snow off the sidewalk and in our yard, and I've experienced too much of its cold powers to "like" it. But I can't deny there's something magical about it. As I grow older I fear it less, it's a bit incredible that this is happening to me.

60. Do you wanna get married?

Not legally, but I wouldn't be opposed to a symbolic, unofficial ceremony. Just some vows and rings and a pretty place, and some close friends. Maybe the official part can happen when I'm older, like a formality like writing your will or something.

61. Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?

I mean if we're dating sure, my bf and I call each other baby all the time. Huge no for strangers though lol

62. What makes you happy?

And that orange, it made me so happy, As ordinary things often do Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park. This is peace and contentment. It’s new.

63. Would you change your name?

I like my name, and am attached to it, having been assigned it by my mother, grown up with it and everything. I've always had this modest list in the back of my head of names I wished I'd been given. Never wrote it down or anything, but it's there and not stagnant lol. But I don't think I'd ever change it for real

64. Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

My bf is easy to kiss, I'd be having a great time

65. Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

I have been in this situation many times, but not with best friends. It probably depends on our dynamic, but if I like them back then I'd seize the opportunity to confess as well. I'm open to love, friends to lovers is how I got into my relationship

66. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around?

Most of my male friends, yeah. Most of my friends, actually. I don't tend to hold myself back if I know the people I'm with don't either.

67. Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

These opposite sex questions are sendingg meee 😭😭😭 my bf before he went to take a bath

68. Who's the last person you had a deep conversation with?

My friends on discord probably, or my boyfriend. I actually can't wait to reunite with my work friend and have some talks with her, just about stuff.

69. Do you believe in soulmates?

Sure yeah, I know anyone can connect with anyone, but I think for every person there's a few people that they connect with on a different level. Like I think some people can really see inside you, and the other way round.

70. Is there anyone you would die for?

I honestly don't think anyone's life is more precious than mine (or the other way round). I think that would be too painful