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justcourttee · 5 years ago

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I Won’t Try Again- Pt 4

The day had started off rough, but Gotham’s beauty was making up more than enough for the morning. Marinette jotted down many notes and sketch ideas as inspiration flooded her mind. The architecture, the Gothic styles, was beyond stunning. They made their way through the streets, the mall, and had ended their tour in the gardens where Marinette took a moment to sketch out a few ideas for the Waynes based off their city.

Her friends had stepped into the greenhouse while she took a few moments for herself. They knew that once she started sketching, the world faded out of existence and no one could break that.

Alya leaned in to Nino’s side as they walked around the garden. Adrien glanced over longingly as he walked behind the couple. He knew that he and Marinette weren’t meant to be, but it didn’t stop him from pining over his former partner. He was in love with the idea of her for so long, so when he finally got the chance to date her, he pushed too far too fast. He knew their relationship dying out was his fault. He knew that. And when his 21st birthday hit, he couldn’t even admit to himself that he was disappointed when his soul phrase wasn’t the first thing out of Marinette’s mouth that night when he saw her.

He cleared his throat to catch the attention of the couple in front of him.

“Has Marinette shared with either of you what her soul phrase is? Her birthday was yesterday, but with everything happening, I never caught the chance to ask.”

The couple shared a look confirming that Marinette had found time to tell Alya, who definitely told Nino.

“It was mad harsh dude. She’s a little broken up about it.”

Adiren raised his eyebrows at Nino’s comment. Could Marinette's soulmate be a bad person? Would it mean that she would eventually want to try again?

Nino shook his head as he saw Adrien’s wheels start turning. He knew how his best friend felt about Marinette, but he also knew Marinette was a firm believer in soulmates. As long as Adrien had a chance to find his, she wouldn’t interfere.

“C’mon boys. Let’s go get our girl. Maybe we can convince her to let us take her out to dinner.”

They all turned to the exit but stopped in their tracks as all the doors around them slammed shut. Nino instinctively pulled Alya behind him as they all took defensive positions. Several ropes dropped from the ceiling as multiple men slid down, blocking every exit. People began screaming as they tried to run toward the elevator in the center only to find it broken down.

“No need to worry my beauties.”

Adrien’s head whipped up as a beautiful woman with red hair seemingly floated overhead. Her smile was intoxicating as vines grew from her and towards the people below. Realizing her intent, Adrien’s instinct kicked in as he ran forward knocking the closest person out the way as the vine wrapped around his arms yanking him into the air. He heard shouts from below, mostly from Alya as he was flung into the air to face the redhead from before.

“Sweet boy, if you wanted to volunteer to go first, you could’ve just asked.”

The woman grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss. He lost all of his senses as she pulled away with a smirk. All the feeling in his arms and legs had disappeared and he began to feel as though his entire body was shutting down. The vine released him as he fell into Nino and Alya’s arms.

“Attention GCPD, as I know you have the place surrounded. For every hour Bruce Wayne makes me wait, another person will fall victim to my intoxicating lips. But you have the power to save them! The boy has four hours until all of his internal organs shut down. My men have the remedy, but you must deliver me Bruce Wayne. Time is ticking.”

Adrien felt tears on his face as he looked up to meet Alya’s red eyes.

“It’s okay Adrien. Marinette will save us.”

He nodded as his vision began to darken. His lady always saves the day.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Damian landed in a tree near the entrance, Nightwing on the other side of the greenhouse.

“What do you see?”

He heard slight static in the com before Nightwing gave him an answer.

“8 men with guns. Ivy is in the middle, sitting on a large vine, filing her nails? There seems to be two victims so far. A boy with blonde hair and a young girl, maybe ten.”

Damian’s face hardened. Ivy typically left young girls alone. Something had to be dire for her to attack. Just what had his father done? He was about to make his move when he heard a slight rustle in the trees above him. Casting a glance upward, he saw a young woman observing the scene, her mouth moving as if she was talking to another person. He had never seen her before and he knew of every hero and antihero that ran Gotham’s streets.

He was about to speak up when he heard commotion from below.

“What’s happening Nightwing?”

“The bats. Dude, the bats you described. They’re attacking the guards!”

Damian growled as he swung onto the top of the greenhouse. Ivy was busy trying to capture the bats with her vines, as she seemed to miss him and Nightwing making their way inside. With a shared look, they both nodded and dropped into different sections. One by one, they took down the guards, freeing the exits for the hostages.

“I asked for Bruce Wayne, not Batman!”

Damian barely moved in time as a vine burst through the ground trying to wrap around him.

“Ivy. Stop this. What do you want?”

She threw back her head laughing. Vines bursting from multiple spots trying to pin him down.

“That is between me and Bruce, Bats.”

He heard a grunt as he spared a look to his right. The last of the guards was out, but not by Nightwing. No, instead, a woman in a deep red, almost maroon suit with slight black accents was standing over the guards body. She turned her attention to the nearest hostage using what looked like a yoyo? to cut through the vines holding them. Offering her hand, she ushered several of them out the door before vines blocked the exit.

“Who's your little friend Batman? She is positively annoying.”

Vines shot from the ground but the girl gracefully leapt out the way, landing in a defensive state as if ready to take on Ivy herself.

Damian turned his attention back to Ivy as he threw a batarang at her supporting vine. Ivy growled as she dropped to the ground. Her eyes darted behind Damian causing him to tense.

“No!,” she shouted as her hand shot out.

Damian raised her arms ready for an impact that never came. He risked a look behind him as Nightwing finished ushering the last hostage out before the vine slammed him into the wall.

“You Bats are ruining everything!”

Ivy’s normally pale face was turning red as she shot vines in every direction. Damian had a hard time dodging them as he tried to close the distance between him and Ivy. He ended up in a tree out of Ivy’s sight when he felt a presence land beside him. He looked beside him to spot the woman searching for an opening.

“Get out of here,” he growled the words at her, trying to scare her into submission, but it seemed as though he only shocked her.

“Move!”

Damian heard Nightwing’s cry as he tackled the woman out of the tree, both landing harshly on the ground below. The tree they were once in was split in two by a giant vine. She was still in shock as she stared at him with disbelief in her eyes.

“Nightwing, get her out of here.”

That seemed to snap her out of her trance as her face hardened. She pushed him to the side and swung her yoyo at Ivy, catching the woman off guard. Ivy fell backwards as the woman yanked forward sending Ivy flying straight into her fist, knocking her out.

A silence fell over the greenhouse. After a moment or two, Nightwing finally opened the door to let the police in. They immediately ran over and placed an inhibitor collar around Ivy’s neck. Damian turned to face the woman, only to see her swinging away.

“Dammit. Nightwing, finish this.”

Without waiting for his answer, Damaian swung after the girl, tackling her mid-air. They fell into a nearby bush, both rolling over until he had her pinned to the ground. Mustering all the anger he could, he glared at the woman beneath him. “Who. are. you?”

She looked at him with curiosity in his eyes before deciding to give him an answer that knocked him off guard.

“Your soulmate.”

With that, she kicked him hard and flipped backwards, before he had a chance to recover, she was gone.

Tag List:

@amayakans @maribat-is-lifeblood @throneoffirebreathingbitchqueen @moonlightstar64 @myazael @anonymously-odd @zebrabaker @crazylittlemunchkin @moonystars14 @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @mandy984 @mysupporthyperfixations @smolplantmum @cutechip @mochegato @messymessyml @emotionalsupportginger @jabalem @fusser90

#try again #maribat #daminette

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awaywithwords03 · 4 years ago

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The Last Interview with Peter Watson-Lea

ACCESS TO DOCUMENT PROHIBITTED

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ACCESS TO FILE “PETER WATSON-LEA” GRANTED

“Below is a transcript of the last recorded interview with Peter Watson-Lea. Recorded on the 24.2.22 at Chester County Medical Hospital by ERR. NAMES REMOVED. It is part of a series of testimonies to provide evidence for the existence and potential danger of the artifact known as the Evelyn Bones.”

For the tape, my name is Peter Francis Graeme Watson-Lea, I am 42 years old, unmarried, I served in the great war as an artillerist and until recently I worked as an investigative journalist. I have no family to speak of, I was raised by my aunt after my parents were killed in a house fire. Oh, it was freelance, I worked as a freelance journalist. I came to this hospital of my own volition, as what I beheld gave me such disturbance as to make me question my own sanity. Start at the beginning? Yes okay.

Pause.

It was about a month ago, the beginning of the new year, I received a tip off from an anonymous source. I can’t remember the words exactly, apart from the last line, but the tip off pointed me in the direction of a place called Burnes College in Yorkshire and told me that there were things there worth looking into, that would be of interest to me and my work. Naturally, I was skeptical… I’m sorry? Oh I did say that didn’t I. The last line of the letter was “Keep your own eyes open, let the truth in.” I just thought it was a strange sentence, “Your own eyes”, as if I was going to be seeing to anyone else’s or…

Pause.

The train ride was rather pleasant, as you’d expect for that part of the world. Beautiful rolling green vistas with the occasional blur of purple or black heather with the hills in the distance like the shoulders of grey giants. To my surprise I was met at the station by a man dressed like, I want to say a priest? Or some kind of monk? He wore a long smart coat, like a cassock, with a white silk scarf, embroidered with strange designs thrown over his shoulder. His head was completely shaven and his features were sharp enough to cut glass. He was pleasant to talk to, telling me his name was Prest and that he had been expecting me. When I asked him how he waved the question off with an amiable nature and bade me follow him, promising a hot meal and hospitality, and explaining that all would be clear once we were back at the college.

I did so, and soon found myself in the passenger seat of a well-kept Austin motor vehicle trundling down narrow country lanes and deep into the moorland. Prest talked freely about the location and where he had grown up, pointing out his old parish and a few pleasant landmarks, but he had precious little to say about the college, aside from the fact that he was a tutor of sorts there. Though in hindsight, tutor is far from the right word. He wasn’t at all uncomfortable with who or what I was and said if anything it was welcoming to have someone come and shed some light upon their little college. “Write all you can!” He declared with gusto, “Write till your lead wears to powder, your nib breaks and all the ink in Europe runs dry! Your insight Mr Watson-Lea is incredibly valuable to us. While you are in our care, every luxury shall be yours, be it food, drink, literature or any other pleasure. We want you at your best.”

I enquired as to Provost of the College and Prest told me that his name was Provost Penbrooke.

Pause

I’m sorry errm, the College? Yes, the College. It’s a funny shaped building, with a strange mix of gothic architecture, some Italian columns and, I dare say some domes. It’s as if the building has been assembled by a blend of multiple architects from multiple generations, all mixed up in a pot, and tipped into a valley. Of course, I was totally lost by the time we reached there, but I remembered the signpost to the nearest town, Tellingham. We pulled up in the drive to this large manor and a pair of strong looking lads, dressed in a similar way to my new companion came down the steps and helped me with my luggage. Of course, by this point you must realise that I could not believe my luck. I am not a wealthy man, and as a former soldier finding a job had been very challenging, especially a freelance one. So, to be treated as a well-to-do sort was extremely humbling.

“The provost would like to see you immediately.” My host insisted after a brief exchange of words with the two porters and I was escorted hastily up the stone steps and into Burnes College. Inside it was dimly lit by gas lamps and decorated with statues and effigies of strange gods and creatures I didn’t recognize. Creatures with humanoid and yet inhuman limbs with too many fingers and eyes a plenty. Strange fetishes and weapons etched with runes that made my eyes itch and Yhtog mylet. Tredgiy thethleikt…

TAPE CUTS

…orry again about that. I find it hard to think about what happened there.

Hmm? Oh yes it does make me frightened. I don’t think I knew what true fear was until this moment, now on the other side of that terrible venture. But I will brave it, I know that I need to tell you what happened there, and the consequences should I fail…. Doesn’t bare thinking on.

They led me up a labyrinth of stairs, past lecture halls and creaking shelves teaming with books, of which I had no hope of recognizing. Eventually we began ascending a spiral staircase, all made from carved stone like a castle and hung with portraits, like those one might encounter in rich ancestral homes. We immerged at the top of, what I can only call a tower, though I did not recall seeing one when I arrived. The room had a wonderful, panoramic view made possible by a single piece of curved glass that made the roof of the tower appear as if it was floating above us. It’s colour was tinted a toxic yellow, and it stank of ozone and sweat. Inside it was arranged like a study, with heaps of books on the floor, an ancient looking desk scattered with writing implements, notes and drawers. Lastly staring out of the great window was its lone occupant.

The provost was bound to a wheelchair and looking out to the distant yellow tinted hills. Well, when I say looking, he was faced toward the view of the outside. He wore a flowing discoloured white gown, that spilled over the wheels of his chair, and upon his head was, what I can only describe as, a bulbous be-jeweled crown. The crystals and shapes upon it, resembled growths like tumors more than decoration and it gave me a queasy feeling to look upon it. Then he looked at me. And the face, oh that face…

Pause

What manner of injury had occurred to that man I shall never know, and never want to know. He had sores and boils, that blistered and crusted his entire face from the base of his nose upward. His eyes were completely gone amidst the mass of these red pestilent growths, and yet despite this as his sightless face turned to me, he smiled as if greeting an old friend. “Mr Watson-Lea!” He proclaimed with a voice soured by untellable age and honeyed by false warmth. “My word, it has been a long while that we have been searching for you!” When I asked him what he wanted with me he turned his chair without using his hands and it wheeled toward me as if pushed by some phantom force. “Your heritage my boy.” He replied, “Don’t you recognize your ancestors upon the stairs?”

I suddenly began to feel very enclosed. Sweat prickled the back of my neck as the idea that I had been drawn into a trap began to close in on me. “The third from the top,” Penbrooke began, “Is Nathaniel Edward Francis Prendergast, born 1762 and died in 1884. The second from the top is James Michael Francis Prendergast, born 1854 died just 4 years ago. He died here in fact, in this very college.” I remind you, my parents were killed in a fire, or at least they were supposed to be. “Your surname, your true surname is Prendergast. The woman who raised you was no more your Aunt than any of us here. She was an abductor, denying you your true destiny.”

I was too…. Terrified… awestruck… spellbound to speak. So instead, he spoke for me, gliding forward in that sinister manner on that chair and reaching out with his warped gnarled hands. “I will show you the bones, and you will read of them just as your father did and his father before. The translations you will provide, rib by rib, vertebrae by vertebrae will reveal wonders to you.” And like that he produced before me a single white bone. I am no doctor, but I could tell that the bone he held out to me was not human. It was elongated, and twisted like an ancient tree branch, crooked at alien angles. But worst of all was the writing. Runes that were as far removed from letters as could be imagined, covering the bone from tip to haft like the image of dancing figures in some horrific festival.

And yet

Pause

Sorry… I could understand them. They came to life before me and made perfect sense, things aligned in my skull and my understanding of the world deepened, opening beneath me like a bottomless abyss. Black infinite and tarrying and I could feel myself falling. The terror. Oh, the terror was so much, my heart became water and washed my body with a quiver beyond description. I think I must have suffered a fit, for when I came to my senses I was in a bed. Opening my eyes, I was in a darkened room, of stone bricks and low wooden beams, covered with a thin sheet in a four- poster bed. A tiny arched window let a sliver of morning light in through my window and as I pushed myself to sit, I felt a searing agony in my hand and looked down to behold the ruin that you see before you.

Hmm? Oh yes. For the sake of the tape, my hand has become permanently fused with a quill. It appears to be melted and reshaped to only be able to hold this strange spike that constantly leaks an ink from it. The pain I confess is maddeningly toxic. It burns like a fire under my skin and at the same time, I crave it… I enjoy it…

Pause

I’m writing down everything, yes.

I’m doing it so that the ink doesn’t pool in the gland, for that only adds to the agony. I cannot stand to not be writing now. This is the cursed gift they have given to me, should I not be translating what was on those accursed bones I shpoyt julithyc myatholatrem brekrept yuklimpt a

THE TAPE MOMENTARILY CUTS BEFORE RESUMING

Are we recording again? I’m really sorry about…

THE TAPE CUTS

…ow much did I translate? I thought you would be more concerned with how I escaped that wretched place! Why do you even want to know what I… Oh God… It’s you… Please, please let me be. I’ll do anything I’ll… Please!!! *Screaming*

THE TAPE CUTS

THE FOLLOWING COULD BE HEARD IN THE WHITE NOISE THAT FOLLOWED THE TERMINATION OF THE INTERVIEW

They’re here…

They have come…

The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones, The bones.

End

END OF TRANSCRIPT

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#short stories #lovecraftian #horror #verbatim #evelyn bones

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nemetonisevilpassiton · 6 years ago

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Where we’re going we won’t need Eyes to see - a teen wolf meta

With Teen Wolf meta we have this tendency to name check Event Horizon (1997) and run off without explaining it - especially in regards to the episode “Ghosted” where they were in Canaan which uses a lot of the same techniques and tropes. But before I explain how Teen Wolf got there we have to explain Event Horizon.

A friend of mine once called Event Horizon the greatest horror movie almost made, and that sums it up nicely.

Following the success of Mortal Kombat [1995 starring Linden Ashby] the studio gave give the director Paul WS Anderson [the Resident Evil guy] a budget of 60 million dollars, the large soundstage at Pinewood and Carte Blanche to deliver an R rated horror. The film he delivered was 121 minutes long and X-rated. It was externally editted down to 91 minutes or 96 minutes depending on region and legend has it that most of the narrative exposition went out of the airlock. As gory as it is - and it IS - it was much much worse and it’s entirely possible that this studio inflicted hatchet job is the reason Event Horizon has the cult following that it does.

Anderson did not waste a dollar of the money he was given, everyone in the film is a noted character actor and most of the dialogue makes them feel real [with the exception of one distinct line which is just hilariously bad]. The ship was a set [there is minimal cg and it’s bad as you’d expect for 1997 but it’s things like a floating water bottle] based on actual gothic architecture specifically notre dame. The crew of the Lewis and Clark [the rescue ship] is seven people because they were meant to represent the seven sins - maybe in the longer version they did. The “stranger” in their midst is Doctor Weir, who following the suicide of his wife whilst he built the Event Horizon, became obsessed with the ship is the one who wants to bring it “home”. The shot of the rotating space station where Weir is based was a miniature. As most of the effects were practical, as opposed to CG, they stand up to modern scrutiny.

The film was a critical and commercial bust, but over the years since it’s release it’s been insanely influential on the field of Sci Fi being responsible for IPs such as Warhammer 40k, Deadspace and even the Alien franchise [which Anderson dipped his toe in with Alien vs Predator] and is considered one of the greatest Lovecraftian horrors ever made.

Event Horizon is not a great movie, it’s…. I’m one of the people who adore it, as scary movies go it never fails to make my skin crawl but let’s get into the plot.

The Event Horizon was an attempt at FTL travel, instead of going really fast it punched a hole through the universe creating a worm hole that would allow the ship to exit somewhere else with a device called “the gravity drive”. On its test flight it vanished. Seven years later it reappears where it should have with no crew and only a mild distress signal. Weir (Sam Neill), the original creator takes the crew of the Lewis and Clark, a rescue ship captained by Miller (Lawrence Fishburne), to bring it back.

On finding the ship the youngest member of the crew, Mr Justin (Jack Noseworthy), goes into the drive room in full EVA and is dragged into the black liquid at its heart. He is rescued by Cooper (Richard Jones), but when they confront Weir he denies it’s possible despite that they could not have known what to describe. Justin is comatose. They find a recording of screams which has a latin phrase which DJ (Jason Isaacs) translates as save me. The med tech Peters (Kathleen Quinlan) starts to see visions of her son covered in sores. Weir starts to see his dead wife as she was when he found her but with empty eye sockets. The ship starts to pull at their sanity damaging the Lewis and Clark, Smith (Sean Pertwee) refuses to leave the Lewis and Clark and in the middle of that Justin gets up and puts himself in the airlock, setting it to open.

All of the characters are shown to have a dark history but because of the editting we often don’t know what that is. We know Peters has left her terminally ill son because of her visions. Miller tells us about a crew member he had to leave to die in a burning ship. Weir has his guilt over his wife, but the rest was cut.

They find the ruins of the old crew with a tape showing them dismembering themselves and each other and it turns out the translation wasn’t save me but save yourself from hell. Fans have actually translated it more accurately as save yourself from the fire.

Miller comes to the conclusion the best thing to do is go home and blow the ship from orbit but Weir refuses to go. He takes one of the explosives from the nave hallway and blows up the Lewis and Clark and Smith, this sends Cooper into space [where he has the worst line in cinema, seriously https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUozFOlxVnM] and Miller and Starck [Joely Richardson] confront Weir on the bridge where he has ripped out his own eyes. DJ is found disembowelled over the medicine table. Distracted by Cooper’s return Weir fires a rivet gun at the ship’s window causing the decompression to suck him into space. Miller tries to use the explosives along the nave corridor to separate the ship from the gravity drive which he considers the source of his evil but he is separated from his crew by a burning man who turns into Weir. They fight, the corridor explodes and Miller is sucked into the black hole.

There is a gotcha ending where Starck sees one of their rescuers as Weir but wakes up screaming before the very ominous door closing.

So what happens? what is the one sentence synopsis?

See that’s where Event Horizon sort of wins. On its surface the ship went to hell and became alive and is now luring people in and trying to drag them into Hell. Except even within the movie that explanation doesn’t make sense. The characters talk about the lack of good air, that they are running out of air and it turns them on each other to an extent so did anoxia cause the hallucinations combined with the very gothic imagery to create a mass hysteria? Is it a pseudo Catholic vision of Hell where the characters unable to deal with their own guilt at ultimately tortured? Maybe? Was it all of the above? I don’t know. Other people have amazing explanations of what happened and here’s the reason why Event Horizon freaks some people out and others are meh, it’s not that easy.

It has holes and contradictions and huge chunks obviously missing. It has a narrow focus and it never lies to the audience, it misleads them by assumption but it’s consistent. Weir is the hook character we expect to be the hero, he is the outsider amidst the crew of the Lewis and Clark, he is the one with the answers and the refusal to see alternative answers. He has the most fleshed out back story but he turns into the human manifestation of whatever is going on with the ship yet he is the one who becomes the face of the villain. The ghost apparitions are genuinely disturbing. The quality of the acting could carry a much weaker script. The effects are excellent and the gore is astounding, and best shown briefly [although production stills are available if it was too quick for you]. The Lovecraftian questions are presented and NOT answered. They are isolated in a place where they are in constant danger and the hallucinations mean even their thoughts are unsafe.

Did the ship go to hell? Or was it an explanation Weir made up when he broke? Or is this a purgatorial nightmare where Weir is sent out to fetch more victims for the ship? Is he repeating this ad infinitum with this crew or is it a new crew every time? Is the she Weir speaks of the ship or the manifestation of his wife, Clare?

The film doesn’t answer any of these questions. They are all valid ways to see the movie. And based on Anderson’s filmography the reason that these all DO work is because the film was butchered like one of the ship’s crew.

Recently they found a copy of the uncut film in a salt mine in Transylvania so maybe we’ll see it.

But people who take it on surface value that the ship went to hell and is now evil wooo, generally just dismiss it as poor. It is clearly a mishmash of things Anderson thought was cool instead of deep, sets are so Alien inspired that the xenomorph could pop out of any of the lockers and no one would be surprised. The ship’s set is so gothic Dracula could be drinking tea in the med bay and it would make perfect sense. Yet it somehow, probably despite itself, works.

So back to Teen Wolf.

Event Horizon clearly had its shadows over the production and it’s in the ambiguity more than the cinematography [which owes its debts to Silent Hill]. What Event Horizon managed by accident [Anderson couldn’t have pulled it off deliberately] Teen Wolf tries.

Every character in Teen Wolf, no matter how minor, has a backstory but it is not one we are necessarily given. They have their own stories which intersect with the story we are being told. If we look at the chimera, for example, we saw Tracy’s complicated relationship with her father, we saw Lucas and his boyfriend, Corey, and Corey before we knew he was a chimera told us about Lucas. Caitlyn’s girlfriend Emily was taken by the Darach but she was nervous about her first time having sex so Caitlyn tried to make it special for her. This makes the characterisation rich and this one of the complaints about the show. We learn as much about someone who gets murdered five minutes later as we do about the show’s mains. Beacon Hills feels real because the people in it feel real.

Teen Wolf offers a surface answer which does not hold up to scrutiny - at all -ever and which is often ridiculous. @Sublimeglass refers to this as the show vs tell, Teen Wolf tells us one story and shows us quite another. Solutions to problems are often best guesses with the information that they have and are often contradicted seasons later as characters learn more.

The main character is presumed to be the hero but by the end is very clearly the agent of whatever it is that is going on that wants conflict - however defining that very clear presence in Teen Wolf is like getting rid of glitter, you know it’s there but you’re never going to get it out of the carpet.There is clearly an evil presence, and it is clearly in the water, specifically the lake beside Lydia’s lake house [which Lorraine set up a mountain ash barrier to protect her from] but the character’s don’t know it’s there. I am not saying that Scott is evil or villainous in this - that’s a very different meta - but instead that he is continuing the war that existed before him. He is recruiting a character like him to carry on the story. He is repeating the cycle like Weir sacrificing another crew to the ship.

One of the arguments with EH is that the ship is freeing them from “the fire” which is light and energy, which is complicated, basically that our universe with its physical reactions is Hell, and that by removing the flesh [I did mention Hellraiser was a huge influence, right, and the video game Doom 3] you could be “free”, and there is a similar idea in Teen Wolf where characters try to escape the detriments of flesh - Gerard looking for a cure for his cancer, the dread doctors extending their life, the attempts to build a better beast for their own immortality, the leonmensch trying to capture the Wild Hunt.

Yet if you reduce Event Horizon to “the ship went to hell and is now evil” the two do not match but both are phantasmagorical.

Phantasmagoria is where one or more reality might not be real but is instead a dream/hallucination that is indistinguishable from reality, and thus brings the “reality” in question.

In Event Horizon this is several dream sequences, Weir and Starck both have nightmares whilst in stasis. This means when Clare starts appearing to Weir and the child appears to Peters we are primed to know they are not real and this knowledge means we’re primed for a scare even when the subject is not scary, such as Peter’s visions of her sick son.

In Teen Wolf we have several sequences that are not “real”: Scott’s visions of the school bus attack; Stiles’ visions of the bandaged figure; Scott’s dreams of killing Liam with the mute. Then we have sequences where reality is much more loosely defined in Motel California - where the characters hallucinate - and Ghosted which is the most obvious point for the Event Horizon characters.

We also have flashbacks which are subject to the “Rashomon effect” where several variations of the same narrative are shown and the whole is unreliable [the Fox and the Wolf, Blitzkreig and Visionary] What we are shown in Teen Wolf is only slightly more reliable than what we are told, and the telling is from Scott’s point of view - although it is unclear if it is only the last episode, the last season half or the whole show which is narrated. Personally I think it’s the whole. Either way Scott is an unreliable narrator. We cannot trust the narrative as it is presented even if it didn’t openly contradict itself.

The Lovecraftian parallels have to be mentioned even if when it comes to writing Teen Wolf meta I find him popping up like a particularly obnoxious infestation. Combined with that is the heavy influence of Hellraiser [3 metas later I am quite confident that Hellraiser was involved] and the whole is unsettling if not disturbing or scary.

The visual language of Event Horizon is medieval gothic, with columns, long empty corridors, flourishes and twists and the ship itself is a cross based on Notre Dame. In Teen Wolf colours have meaning, characters have symbolic associations [although unlike the intent for Event Horizon they do not represent anything as overt as the seven sins. They reveal the characters but not general themes.] Each of the first five seasons has a symbol which is represented by Godai, Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Void [if six has one I haven’t cracked it yet but it is probably the ethereal or the other] and the cinematography is certainly as deliberate.

I can’t just end this meta because it’s one of those as soon as you see the movie you can see the parallels because they’re pretty much laid out on a plate but the two are so different that unless you sit down and think about it you’d never consider it.

I can’t say that Beacon Hills is a phantasmagorical town that exists outside space and is poisoned by its proximity to Hell - but I can’t say it’s not either because of the ambiguity and contradiction. I can’t say Weir is a victim driven mad by his own guilt or the ship possessed him because of the same contradictions.

Event Horizon managed what it did despite itself. Teen Wolf might have done the same.

#teen wolf meta #anti scott mccall #event horizon parallels

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charllieeldridge · 5 years ago

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How To Visit The Schengen Visa Countries: The Complete Guide

Before you plan your next trip to Europe, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Schengen visa countries. Many travellers don’t fully understand what the Schengen area is, or if they need a visa to visit one of the participating countries.

Without familiarizing yourself with the Schengen area, you might be putting your holiday and trip at risk.

That’s why I put together this tell-all guide for Schengen visa countries. In this article, I’ll discuss what the agreement means and how it could impact your travel plans. And to spark some travel inspiration for your trip, I’ll also explain a bit about the different countries and what there is to see and do in each.

What is the Schengen Agreement?

Created in 1985, the Schengen Agreement aims to abolish international borders between participating European countries. Essentially, this means that you don’t need to show your passport when travelling from one country to another.

When the treaty was initially signed, there were only five Schengen visa countries. But over the last few decades, it’s grown to become the most extensive free movement region in the world.

At the moment, there are 26 countries that participate in the Schengen agreement. Twenty-two of these countries are European Union member states, while the remaining four (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania) will join in the future. The Schengen area also consists of non-EU countries, including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Alternatively, the United Kingdom and Ireland are part of the EU but have opted-out of the Schengen agreement. This means passport control is required when travelling in and out of these countries.

Generally speaking, the rules of Schengen apply to locals as well as foreigners. However, non-EU citizens might need a pre-approved visa before travelling to one of the Schengen visa countries.

Schengen Visa Requirements

Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa before entering the Schengen area, even as a tourist.

Currently, if you are a citizen of the United States, Canadia, Australia, or the UK, then you are not required to obtain a visa before travelling to a country in the Schengen area. You can enter parts of Europe visa-free, and travel throughout the Schengen area without needing your passport for border control.

However, the latest news for 2021 states you will now need to be approved to travel in the Schengen Zone (read more below).

For UK citizens, it’s unclear how Brexit will impact the visa situation with Schengen countries. However, it’s believed that citizens will still be allowed to have visa-free travel to the rest of Europe.

Once you arrive in Europe, your passport will be stamped with the entry date, and you’ll be allowed to stay in any Schengen country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For example, you can arrive in France, travel through Germany, and leave from Italy for a maximum of three months.

After the 90 days is up, you must leave the Schengen area for 180 days. Once the clock has reset, you may re-enter Schengen for another 90 days maximum.

If you come from a country that requires a Schengen visa, then you will need to apply before entering Europe. This visa would allow you to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period as well.

On this visa, you are only allowed to stay as a tourist or visit family and friends. If you plan to work or study in Europe, you cannot enter on the Schengen visa. You must apply for a different kind of visa or work permit.

What is the 2021 ETIAS?

As a result of increased security threats, Europe will implement a new system to keep track of foreigners entering different countries within the EU. This process is known as ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

This is not a visa, but rather, a pre-approved security check, much like the United States ESTA application.

If you come from a country that does not currently require a Schengen visa, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK, then you will now need to be pre-authorised by ETIAS.

Since citizens from these countries do not go through a detailed security process for a visa, the ETIAS security check will review if they would be considered high-risk or dangerous.

Starting in January 2021, citizens from visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS online. The online application will ask for your background information, details about your intended stay in Europe, and other security-related questions.

If approved, you’ll be able to enter and travel to Europe for up to 90 days at a time.

However, if something in your record is flagged, then your application will need to be processed manually, which could take up to two weeks. There is a chance that your application could be rejected, which means visiting the Schengen zone is not possible.

Depending on your posed risked, your ETIAS will be valid for the duration of your trip, or up to three years. Similar to the previous visa-free travel situation, ETIAS holders will be allowed to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Keep in mind that citizens from countries that currently require a Schengen visa do not need to apply for ETIAS.

List of Schengen Countries

As I mentioned, there are currently 26 participating members in the Schengen area. Every country is located in continental Europe, but may or may not be part of the European Union. Likewise, there are some countries in the EU (UK and Ireland) that are not part of the Schengen agreement.

Here’s a list of the 26 countries that are a part of the Schengen Zone, plus a bit of information about each country, and what you can expect when visiting.

Austria

Known for stunning Baroque architecture, classical music, and the traditional waltz, Austria is brimming with culture. This German-speaking country is also home to famous traditional dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). Some of Austria’s most popular cities include Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzberg.

Belgium

With beautiful medieval towns and ornate Renaissance architecture, Belgium is a must-see country in Europe. Its capital city, Brussels, is also the headquarters of the European Union. During your trip to Belgium, you should also visit Bruges, a charming cobblestone city with dozens of picturesque canals.

Czech Republic

Although it’s considered one of Europe’s newest countries, the Czech Republic’s history actually goes back hundreds of years. Although most people come to the Czech Republic (Czechia) to visit the iconic city of Prague, there are still plenty of other amazing villages and towns to visit. For example, you could admire the Špilberk castle in Brno or relax in one of the many sprawling squares in Olomouc.

Denmark

Considered to be the happiest country in the world, Denmark is a clean and progressive country to add to your Schengen itinerary. In big cities like Copenhagen, you’ll find that people are extremely warm and inviting, especially to foreigners.

Estonia

With two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visiting Estonia is like stepping back in time. Make sure to visit Tallinn, one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Or stop by the seaside resort town of Pärnu or the architecturally diverse historic centre of Tartu.

Finland

Finland is a scenically diverse country located in the Nordics. In the south, you can soak in Finnish culture by going to one of the many famous saunas in Helsinki or Tampere. However, if you venture north to the Finnish Lapland, you might get the opportunity to see the dancing northern lights!

France

As one of the most popular destinations in Europe, France is teeming with beauty and culture around every corner. Whether you plan to sightsee in Paris, celebrate Mardi Gras in Nice, or sip champagne in the wine region of Reims, France has something for almost every type of traveller.

Germany

Home to free-flowing beer, fast cars, and fairytale-like castles, Germany is one of Europe’s most powerful countries. The alternative atmosphere of Berlin attracts millions of visitors each year. However, you should also venture to Cologne for its towering Gothic cathedral and Munich for the annual Oktoberfest festival.

Greece

Whether you’re interested in a beach escape or a city tour, Greece has it. Step back thousands of years by visiting the ancient ruins in Greece’s capital city, Athens. Or hop on a ferry and cruise around one of the many Greek Islands. Santorini, Rhodes, Cos, and Mykonos are a few islands that will make you feel as if you’re in paradise.

Hungary

If you’re an architecture lover, then you can’t miss a visit to Hungary. Beautifully mixing multiple cultures, the cities are filled with Roman remains, Romanesque churches, and even Gothic castles and houses. Some of our favourite cities in Hungary include Budapest, Pécs, and Debrecen.

Iceland

Over the last few years, Iceland has slowly started to become one of the busiest destinations in the Schengen Area. The capital, Reykjavik, is a bustling city full of gourmet restaurants and bars. But it’s Iceland’s landscapes(the Blue Lagoon and the Gullfoss waterfall) that really steal the show.

Italy

As one of the most culturally rich countries in Europe, Italy is a beloved destination for many tourists. In Italy, you can explore ruins in Rome, cruise the countryside in Tuscany, and float through the canals in Venice. But in my opinion, it’s worth going just for the food alone! You may love it so much you decide to live there…

Latvia

Situated on the Baltic Sea, Latvia is a unique blend of historic cities and stunning landscapes. The capital of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful nouveau architecture. And the beachside town of Jūrmala is the perfect escape for a relaxing weekend in the sun.

Liechtenstein

This tiny German-speaking country is one of the smallest regions in Europe. However, don’t let its size fool you! Liechtenstein is home to many medieval towns, ancient castles, and snow-capped mountains ideal for skiing and snowboarding.

Lithuania

Known as the gem of the Baltic, Lithuania has a rich heritage that spans hundreds of years. In Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, you’ll find over 60 churches in the historic old town. It’s also worth visiting Kaunas for the unique art deco and Romanticistic buildings.

Luxembourg

This landlocked microstate may be small, but its proximity to France, Germany, and Belgium gives Luxembourg a culturally diverse vibe. Although most of the land is a dense forest, there are also some amazingly beautiful cities. The architecture here is stunning — you’ll find unbelievable palaces, castles, and fortresses throughout the country.

Malta

Malta is a diverse country and has strong cultural ties to many different regions. The entire island is a mix of Arabic, Greek, and Italian influences. And since Malta was most recently a British colony, you’ll see the importance of Western and English cultures everywhere you go as well.

The Netherlands

With picturesque canals, spinning windmills, and colourful tulips, the Netherlands is a great stop on your Euro-trip. Travellers come from around the world to hang out in trendy Amsterdam, where they can stroll the banks of the canals and visit the infamous red-light district. The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are also worth seeing on your trip.

Norway

Whether you’re exploring the spectacular Geirangerfjord by train or marvelling at the vibrant northern lights, Norway is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It can be one of the most expensive countries in Europe, but its unparalleled scenic beauty makes it worthwhile. Travelling through Norway by train offers dramatic, sweeping views of the Norwegian countryside.

Poland

Located in Central Europe, Poland is full of beautiful cities and landmarks. Krakow’s Old Town looks like you’re back in the middle ages, and the Bialowieza Forest is home to some of the rarest animals in Europe. In Poland, you’ll have a mix of both city and countryside at your disposal.

Portugal

Home to the Iberian Peninsula Mountains and the Algarve Wine Region, Portugal is overflowing with culture. While Lisbon is a great city to explore, I also recommend travelling to other scenic cities on the coast. Tavira and Albufeira are two other seaside towns worth seeing.

Slovakia

In Slovakia, you should definitely check out the 18th-century city of Bratislava. However, you shouldn’t miss the chance to head outside the city to visit the Tatra Mountains. Surrounded by green forests, crystal clear lakes, and rocky peaks, the Tatras offer a remote escape from hectic city life.

Slovenia

Europe is home to magnificent natural wonders, and Slovenia is no exception! You’ll find almost every type of landscape here, from steep gorges and caves to the jagged cliffs of the Alps. You can also visit small villages and port-side towns if you drive down the Slovenian Adriatic coast.

Spain

Spain is one of Europe’s cultural epicentres. From mouthwatering tapas and Catalonian architecture to sun-soaked beaches and rugged mountains, you could easily spend months in Spain and barely scratch the surface. Check out the metropolitan cities of Barcelona and Madrid, or escape to the Basque country or Canary Islands.

Sweden

Don’t let Sweden’s harsh and freezing winters discourage you! This country boasts some of the most scenic views and landscapes in all of Europe. Home to over 200,000 islands, Sweden is also dotted with mountains, lakes, rivers, and flat plains. But if the city is calling you, then make sure to spend some time in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital.

Switzerland

Bordered by Germany, France, and Italy, Switzerland’s culture is a distinct blend of many European countries. Not to mention, they enjoy a high quality of life and the second-longest life expectancy in the world! Just be prepared to get your fill of delicious Swiss chocolates and cheese fondues while you’re there — but, you can burn off those extra calories by hiking in one of the many pristine mountains in the country.

Best Ways to Get Around the Schengen Zone

Europe is home to some of the most advanced transportation networks in the world. Fortunately for you, this means you’ll have lots of choices for navigating the Schengen zone during your holiday.

However, the type of transportation you choose will depend on several factors, including your destination and budget.

Visiting the Schengen Visa Countries by Plane

If you’re planning on travelling long distances, flying is probably your best option. Air travel is one of the fastest ways to get from point A to point B, especially if the Schengen countries you’re visiting are far away from each other. Despite what you may think, flying can also be relatively affordable!

Europe is home to a variety of low-budget airlines, including RyanAir, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and GermanWings. Depending on where you’re flying, you can find flights for as low as €10 each way.

On the other hand, there are some countries that are only accessible by plane. For example, you will need to fly if you plan to visit Iceland or Malta (unless you want to take a 27-hour ferry from Italy).

Visiting the Schengen Visa Countries by Train

Train travel is one of the most popular ways to get around Europe — and for a good reason! Many trains in Europe are fast, efficient, and affordable, especially compared to other methods of transportation.

And since you’re travelling through the Schengen zone, you can zip from country to country without needing to stop to have your passport checked.

For example, you can start in the south of Italy and make your way through Germany, France, and Spain all by train. Although long-distance train journeys may be more time consuming than flying, you’ll have the chance to see the country from a completely different perspective.

If you plan to take several trips, I recommend investing in a Eurail pass. You’ll get special discounts for multiple routes while you travel through Schengen.

There are some countries with more advanced rail systems than others.

Depending on which country you’re in, you might find that some cities are not connected by railway at all. Trains in Portugal, Hungary, and Slovenia are ranked among the worst in Europe. On the other hand, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland and Germany are considered to be the best.

Visiting the Schengen Visa Countries by Bus

If budget is a concern, then consider travelling through Europe by bus. It may take longer to reach your destination, but travelling by bus is by far the cheapest way to visit Schengen.

Fortunately, there are several bus companies that operate throughout the Schengen area. FlixBus is one of the biggest names in the business, with routes in Western Europe, Sweden, and Norway. BlaBlaBus is another company that’s growing quickly in Europe. Buses are comfortable, clean, and often have free wifi.

Best of all, bus tickets are extremely affordable. You might be able to find some routes for just €.99 a seat! The tradeoff is that the bus ride can take a long time, or get delayed due to traffic.

Visiting the Schengen Visa Countries by Car

If you would like to explore Europe at your leisure, then renting a car is the best option. You won’t be limited to train or bus routes, meaning you can visit smaller towns and villages.

Keep in mind that most rental companies do not allow you to take the car out of the country. If you plan to travel between countries, you might need to pay an extra fee or look for a rental company that operates internationally.

It’s also important to know international driving requirements where you plan on renting a car. Some countries will let you use your home country license, while others might request that you have an international driving permit.

Even if you are allowed to drive on your home license, you should always familiarise yourself with the local driving rules. The last thing you want is to get into an accident, or pulled over by the cops for not understanding the rules of the road!

Final Thoughts

From the tropical islands in Greece to the Arctic glaciers in Sweden, Europe is home to some of the most diverse countries on the planet. Between the scenic landscapes, vibrant cultures, and stunning architecture, it’s easy to see why so many travellers choose Europe as their favourite destination.

Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday, city escape, or wild adventure, you’re guaranteed to find a country in Europe that suits your tastes.

The Schengen region is incredibly diverse and extends from the northern Nordic countries all the way down to Mediterranean Malta. With over 26 countries in the Schengen Area to choose from, you could spend an eternity ticking each one off your bucket list.

Now that you know about the Schengen visa countries, you can start planning your ideal vacation. Pack your suitcase, book your train tickets, and get ready to enjoy Europe without borders.

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