#i'm just so excited by her!!! i love guts!! i can't wait to watch her career!!

[raylangivins]

this olivia rodrigo profile.....i just love her!

[kingofspadescos]

Ajax Petropolus x Reader

Miscommunication

There is a mention of Wenclair in this, if you don't like the ship skip past it.

—————————————

You knew, oh fuck you knew, you should've listened to your gut, stayed away, but you couldn't. So here you were, sat across from the guy of your dreams at the weather vane, talking about his crush Enid Sinclair.

"I mean she's honestly just…adorable," Ajax said, a lopsided grin on his face. He was staring at you but you could tell he was daydreaming. It was something you admired about him, but right now you would have rather been anywhere else.

You faked laugh "you sound lovesick, snake boy," you said, surprising yourself with how easily you could keep your voice even.

Ajax sighed, head falling onto his palm "I am, but I'm too nervous to ask her out, I'm just too awkward" he complained, hands reaching up to pull his beanie down further on his head "that's why I wanted to meet you here, to ask for advice."

Your heart fell with every word, you were hoping that his invite was something else. "I'm not exactly the best person for that," you said, hoping to get out of having to give your crush advice to ask out someone else.

Ajax let out a drawn-out whine, dramatically falling onto the table you two sat at "please, I know you don't talk to her much, but you've been asked out on dates. What would make you say yes to a date?" He asked.

You gulped, hands clenched under the table "I don't know…" you trailed off trying to think "I would have to like the person first, then I would like it to be sweet, special, know that the person put thought into it."

Ajax nodded sitting up, both elbows on the table and hands planted on his face "I should be able to pull that off" he said, head tilting as his eyes got that far-away look again.

You sighed, you about had it with this conversation and didn't think you could stomach much more. You stood up from the table, shouldering your backpack "you have fun with figuring it out, Ajax" you said, before hurrying out of the coffee shop.

Ajax's eyes widened before he quickly stood up stumbling out of his chair and following you. "Y/n wait!" He called out, running to catch up with you and grabbing your hand "what's up with you? You rarely call me Ajax, what's wrong?" 

You snapped, ripping your arm out of his grasp and turning around. "What's wrong? What's wrong is that I have to endure countless conversations with gushing about some girl that you can't even talk to!" You yelled, causing Ajax to flinch a hurt expression crossing his eyes "what's wrong is that I've had to sit and watch the guy I like slowly fall in love with someone else!"

Ajax stood there stunned mouth agape as he stared at you "I don't- I mean- I didn't-" he tried to sputter out, cheeks growing red with embarrassment. Your head dropped, anger turning into shame "Ajax, just go find Enid, you got something to ask her" you said, tears brimming your eyes.

You took no time in turning back around and running as fast as you could away from the gorgon. You didn't stop, not until you made it back to Nevermore. Your pace slowed to a brisk walk as you made your way up to your dorm. You were so close, so close to being able to curl up in a ball and stay like that for as long as you wanted, but your path was intercepted.

Enid stood in front of you, bouncing up in down a smile on her face "sooo did he ask you?" She asked, eyes bright.

You frowned "what do you mean? What are you talking about?" You asked, confusion setting in.

Enid didn't lose her excited attitude "you know! Ajax! Did he ask you out? To be his partner?" She asked.

You couldn't do anything except stand there in utter disbelief "I don't have any idea what you're talking about" you said "Ajax- he- he likes you."

Only then did Enid stop bouncing, confusion settling on her face "what? No he doesn't, he likes you, he was going to ask you out today at the Weather Vale" she replied.

As if hit by a brick, you stumbled back, your heart rate picking up "but- but- he wanted advice to ask you out" you sputtered.

"That was a cover-up! He was too awkward so he was gonna start off with that and ease into it later. Besides, he knows Wednesday and I have been dating for about a month now"

You could've sworn you would have fallen over if it wasn't for the tight grip you had on the railing next to you that was turning your knuckles white. The puzzle pieces that you thought you had together were slowly falling apart and reconnecting to form another image. "He likes me? And I just left him there…" you murmured under your breath.

"I was going to try and explain everything, but you kinda ran away" a voice spoke up from behind you, causing you to turn around, coming face to face with the subject of the conversation.

Enid took her leave happily, and Ajax smiled softly at you. "You freaked out on me, but I guess that was kinda my fault. I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm just too awkward for my own good" he said sheepishly "but since it's in the open now, mind if I try again?"

You simply nodded, your heart speeding up and your cheeks flushing. Ajax stepped closer to you, his eyes meeting yours, and you realized his cheeks were the same shade as yours.

"Ever since we became friends, I knew I liked you. You never were scared of me stoning you, even helped me out when I accidentally stoned myself" he said chuckling a bit "truth is, when I'm with you everything just seems right."

Ajax stopped his little monologue to cup your face with his hand closing the remaining distance between the two of you "I guess what I'm trying to say is, will you be mine?" He asked, his voice quieting to be barely above a whisper.

Your breath hitched and you nodded "thought you'd never ask, snake boy"

[meredith-harper81]

I’ve Always Loved You💔

He Broke Us ...💔

Chapter 2

Paring : Chris Evans x Lana Parker

Word Count: 3.5k

‼️More Chapters are uploaded on Wattpad.. link in my bio :)‼️

Lana Pov

Aria is babbling some baby nonsense while standing next to my legs as I'm locking up my front door. We are headed to the park to have a late lunch today. All of a sudden I have a feeling like someone is watching me, and I turn around and grab my chest, trying to calm my breathing as if it's just Steven.

"Steven, you scared me; don't ever do that again," I say, grabbing my chest and looking down towards Aria.

"Mommy is scward. Swtevn bad.." Aria babbles, and I can't help but smile. I take her little hand in mine, and my other hand grabs the picnic basket.

"Steven is bad, Aria," I say, picking her up and placing her on my hip, shooting Steven a wink.

"So Lana, you guys are headed to the park, I assume?" he says as he fiddles with his keys.

"Yes, we are; would you like to come along, Steven?" I asked him, already knowing his answer, and trusting my gut, I packed some extra sandwiches.

"Are you kidding me? I would love to," he says as he backs up to let us pass by.

Great, we will meet you there," I say, taking Aria's hand and waving back to Steven as he waves back.

I walk down the stairs of my apartment complex and walk towards my car. I put Aria in her car seat and kiss her little hands, and she giggles. I place our picnic basket next to her and walk around to the driver's side.

"Ready baby?" I ask her as I put my seat belt on and turn the AC on.

"Yeah, mommy," she says.

I smile and turn some music on. I play some Disney songs and pull out, driving towards the park.

Steven was our neighbor in the apartment complex I live in; he moved in when Aria was about seven months old and has been trying to take me out on a date since. I don't think I'm ready to date again, but he is good company and cares for Aria, and I like to think Aria likes him, so I friend-zoned him, but that doesn't stop him from trying.

Once we arrive at the park, I help Aria out of her car seat, he grabs her Mickey Mouse, and I grab the basket. While we wait for Steven, I apply some sunscreen to her arms and her adorable chubby face. After we see Steven pull in, we walk towards one of the play structures and sit down as we watch Aria play. After Aria is done playing on the playground and swings, we walk over to a shaded area.

This is a big park and has three sides. A huge dog park, a kid's park, and a hill where you could have a picnic and hang out with your families.

Okay, my sweet girl, here is your jelly sandwich, crackers, and apple juice," I say as I hand her some napkins and tuck them on under the overalls she's wearing, and we start eating. Steven and I fall back into a conversation about my next book release.

I'm a children's book writer (for the Lucky Dog series), and I stopped writing after having Aria, but recently something inspired me to start writing again. I'm almost finished and waiting to hear from my publishing company. I'm excited to start publishing again. It was the one thing that could shut me out of the real world and help me focus on having a little me time while Aria would nap.

..

Steven, could you please watch her as I throw away this trash? I say, getting up after we finished eating and Aria insisted on walking around to look at the little flowers around the park.

"Sure thing," he says, grabbing Aria and throwing her up in the sky as she giggles. I pick up everything and place it in the trash bag I brought with me.

"Okay, thank you; I'll be right back," I say, walking away from them. I'm walking towards our car, where I saw some trash cans earlier.

Surprisingly, today the park isn't too crowded, and there are only maybe five families out, which is shocking. I throw away my trash and walk back toward where I left them.

I walk over to Steven, who is sitting on a bench while he is talking on the phone, but I can't see Aria anywhere. I run towards him.

"Steven! Where is Aria? "I'm panicking, looking behind and around him, but I can't see her anywhere.

"Oh, yeah, she was right here looking at the flowers, I swear. I am so sorry," he says as he puts the phone down. He gets up and looks for her, calling her name.

"MOVE!" I yell at him as my blood is boiling and I'm getting scared. Maybe she was taken or ran towards the oncoming traffic... I ran back to where we had lunch.

My heart is panicking, and I'm about ready to cry when I can't see her anywhere.

"ARIA!!! ARIA!!!" I yelled, running around trying to find her.

Where are you, damn it. Aria? Please come back.

I run across the park while Steven runs to the other one, and I'm running around when I hear her giggling... I run faster, and I see her near a tree, under a dog, and a man kneeling near her.

"ARIA, OH MY GOD, ARIA!!!! I yell, running towards them, and I see the dog get up and be pulled again. I run closer, and the man on the ground gets up, and I freeze in the spot.

"NOO! It can't be. Chris! What is he doing here? Why is he here?" I mumble to myself.

I lock eyes with him, and he has the same look as me. I see Dodger, and he runs towards me, almost knocking me down. I push my emotions aside and run over to Aria to pick her up.

"Mommy lowk doggy," she says. I pick her up from Dodger as he licks my leg.

Aria is babbling, and I see her jeans are a little ripped, so I'm guessing she fell down.

I look back at Chris, and he was about to say something when Steven runs up and stands next to us, and before Chris can say anything, I speak up and stop him from saying anything.

"Thank you. Have a nice day, Mr.," I say and walk off with Steven.

"Bye bye, doggy. Mawa Iowe doggy," Aria says as I kiss her cheeks, walking off, not daring to look back.

I walk off, and the tears are falling down fast. Steven seems to notice, and he tries to take Aria from me, and I just hold her tighter. I walk over to my car and unlock it.

I buckle Aria in her car seat as she is babbling about Dodger and trying to tell Steven, and I kiss her head while handing her a cardboard book, and Mickey and I shut the door.

"I'm so sorry, Lana," Steven tries to say something, but I wipe my tears and tell him I will see him soon and talk later. I get in the car and drive off, pushing the emotions aside for Aria. I cannot break down right now.

...

I'm rocking Aria in her bedroom, putting her down for bed after I've given her a shower and cleaned up her cut, and my thoughts are all over the place.

What if he knows and is here to take her away from me?

Why is he back now?

Has he moved on?

After two years, why is he back?

"Mawa..." I hear Aria say, tucking on my shirt, taking me out of my thoughts as I rock her.

"Yes, baby..." I whisper.

"Twat was daddy, with doggie in pawk? Aria asks me, and my eyes are holding on to the tears, not allowing them to escape just yet.

"Yes, yes, baby.. daddy was in the park.. he is back from work.." I say this as I put her in her crib or toddler bed.

"When he comes to live with us..." Aria whispers as her eyes get heavy and her breathing slows down as she falls into a slumber.

I kiss her forehead, turn on the sound machine, grab the baby monitor, and walk out, leaving the door a little open.

...

I walk into the kitchen and grab some water and Tylenol, then walk into the living room and place the baby monitor on the coffee table.

After taking two Tylenols, I chug the water and break down in the living room. Why was he back in Boston, and why didn't Lisa say anything this afternoon when she came by?

I will not let him take my baby away. After all, he did. And the fact that the Dodgers recognized Aria breaks my heart. He always knew before I could even find out.

I met Chris when I used to volunteer at Miles Elementary School's clubs program. My first book series was coming out, and I would come out to the children's library and read my books to the after-school kids in clubs, where Chris walked into my life and stole my heart and made me feel like the luckiest woman alive until he fucked up and threw it all away, while taking my heart with him.

Flashback (2017)

"Carly, which one is he in again? I ask my sister.

"Chris is in room 2b next to the library; just walk in and you will see him." Okay, thanks. I think I can figure it out. Bye, Carly.

"Again, thank you, Chris," she says, and I can hear Stella and Ethan arguing about something in the background.

"Any time," I say, hanging up and getting out of my car.

I hang up the phone and walk into the school office. Carly had an appointment with the big kids, and I need to pick up Miles from after-school clubs. The lady in front has me sign in to a log sheet. She hands me a sticker to put on, and I back up and bump into someone. I hear a thump, and I look down, and I see all her things on the floor. "Oh my," she says in the sweetest voice.

"I'm so sorry," I say and help her up, picking up her folder and book. I get a good look at her, and she is just drop-dead gorgeous.

"It's okay," she says. Before I can say anything, she walks over behind the counter, grabs a patch, and walks by.

I shake my head and walk towards the door of the office to walk onto campus. I look for the library. I spot it on the other side of me, and I run over, and I see most parents inside lined up along the glass wall looking at other children. I walk into the room and see all the kids on the floor waiting quietly. Just then she walks in with a book and introduces herself as Miss. Parker. She starts to read her book, and I can't help but actually listen to the whole children's book.

After she finishes, I can't help but start clapping, breaking the silence, and all eyes are on me as if I needed that. I smile and fidget with my baseball cap and thank God for Miles as he and the other kids start to clap, breaking the awkward silence, and I just smile and kick my feet.

Miles is clapping on the floor with his kindergarten buddies, up to me with his copy of the book.

"Uncle Chwis," he says, catching everyone's attention yet again, and Miss. Parker smiles.

Everyone soon leaves the room as the kids go to grab their belongings from the gym, and I'm left alone with Miss. Parker.

"So Uncle Chwis, you crash all of Miles's afternoon clubs; am I just the lucky one today?" she says mockingly while she grabs her things and walks up to me.

Uh, no, actually, your voice is just so soothing, and I loved your book...and well, um, this is my first time crashing anything," I say, reaching behind my neck and rubbing my hair, and she just laughs.

"Well, thank you, and I'm honored," she says.

"Um, hi, my name is Chris," I say, reaching for her hands, which she takes and are so soft and smooth as she shakes my hand.

"Miss. Parker, nice to meet you, Chris," she says, smiling, and lets go of my hand.

"So, Miss. Parker, do you have a name?" I say I'm trying to shoot my shot, and I smile back at her, and I can see her cheeks brighten as she blushes.

"I do, Captain America, but you're going to have to excuse me; someone there is calling me. See you around," she says as she leaves me stunned, so she knows who I am. I walk out behind her, and Miles runs up to me, and I grab his backpack, leaning it over my shoulder. I grab his hand, and we walk out towards the parking lot over to my car. As we reach the car, I open his door, place his backpack down, and help him in. I see he is holding a copy of The Lucky Dog. I snatched it from him.

"Hey, twats mine," he says as I grab his little hand, shoo it away, and run my fingers through his hair.

"I know I'm just looking after it." I say, and I buckle Miles in and flip to the back of the book.

Ahhh "Alana Parker".

... A few days later

Chris ended up picking Miles up the next Monday in hopes of seeing Lana again, and to his luck, she was there in the library. He smiled and entered and sat through the whole reading again, and this time he tried to be more subtle than last week.

After Lana was done and the kids went to grab their belongings, Chris took the chance and walked over to Lana.

"So, Miss. Parker, or should I say Alana,"  you have a beautiful name? I'm walking up to her.

"Ahhh yes, Chris. Thank you. My grandparents named me," she says, and he hands me a signed copy of her book.

"So you don't come every Monday and can read at home now?" she snickers while handing me a brand-new copy of her book.

I smile and take it.

Chris ends up asking Lana on a date, and by the second date, he falls in love with her, and he falls hard.

End of Flashback

...

Lana pov

I cannot believe he is back. It's all a big shock to me.

Chris and I hit off pretty quickly after our first and second dates. Five months into dating, I moved in with Chris and put my apartment or home out to lease for someone. A year later, he had to go back to work to promote the last Avengers, and I stayed back in Boston to finish my last book for series one of The Lucky Dog.

We couldn't live without each other and would always call when we weren't working. After 6 months, he came back after the premiere of Endgame. I met his family and friends, and he met my grandparents, and I loved my life.

In late 2017, after just dating for a couple of months, Chris proposed, and I said yes. We told everyone the news in February 2018 that Chris was taking a break from acting, and we agreed to get married in 2019. We had a date and everything. Everyone was so happy for us.

That night it was one of Chris's friends, Tara's birthday, and I wasn't feeling to go, so Chris went to celebrate and I stayed home with Dodger. I hadn't been feeling well for two weeks at the time, and I had placed an Amazon order for some pregnancy tests that just happened to be delivered the same night.

I remember wasting no time and taking a test, and when it came back as pregnant, I jumped up and down. I was with Dodger when I found out, and he was nudging my leg when I found out he was barking along. He had been extra clingy and lying on my tummy the whole week, so that explained that.

I was in our bedroom at the time when I heard the front door open, and I hid the test in my back pocket. I wanted to surprise Chris in a cute way, but that went out the window when I heard his footsteps, and I wanted to tell him right away that he was about to become a dad. We would often daydream about having a little family of our own, and I couldn't believe it was happening.

As soon as Chris walked in the room, he was super drunk—more drunk than I've ever seen him—and he was so angry that night.

Flashback (2019)

"Dodger looks like Daddy is back. Let's surprise him with your little brother or sister. I coo to Dodger, and Dodger barks back. I get up from the ottoman in front of our bed.

I can hear Chris come up the stairs, and out of nowhere I hear glass breaking.

I run out of the room, and I see Chris standing on the stairs, pulling the picture frames of us from the walls and dropping them on the floor, breaking them.

Chris, what are you doing? I say as he stops and looks my way, He looks mad; he is super drunk and can barely walk in a straight line. He walks past me into the room, and I follow behind him as Dodger is behind me whining.

Chris walks over to the bed and falls down, and Dodger runs up to him. I'm still standing by the door, shocked at Chris's behavior. I've seen and been around him when he was drunk in the past, but he's always super cuddly and soft. I've never seen him this annoyed or angry. Dodger gets on the bed and starts to bark and lick his face, which leads Chris to jump up and take Dodger and walk him towards the door and push him outside, and he looks at the door and looks my way.

"Chris, you're scaring me? I say as he walks over.

"SHUT UP!" He yells and I jump. He's never screamed at me.

"Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris... do you ever shut up, Lana? You're so annoying and ugh," he spits out, walking towards me and taking my hand in his.

"Baby.. I-,"

"Don't call me that," he spits out.

I don't have the words for what's happening, and Dodger is barking outside the door.

Chris cages me in, takes my left hand, pulls my ring off, and waves it around in my face.

"You're the mistake, Lana," he slurs.

"GET OUT! I don't want you here," he says as he throws the ring somewhere in the room.

"Get out before you ruin my life." He screams and pushes me out of the room, locking it behind him, and I hear him throwing stuff around.

End of Flashback

I remember him pushing me out, and I stayed out all night long, crying for Chris to open the door, but he didn't. The next morning I woke up on the couch and looked around. It was quiet, and the time was 6:30 in the morning. I went to the gym to check on Chris, and when I didn't see him, I ran upstairs and into the bedroom, and to my surprise, he wasn't there. I thought he and Dodger went on a morning run until I went to use the bathroom and most of Chris's things were gone and so was Dodger, but there was a note on the bed.

Lana Parker

I can't do this; you are in the way between me and my career. I need to go back to LA and try to save my career after Captain America and land some films, and you are in the way. I realized I do not want the same things as you right now, so please leave and never contact me or my family again.

Chris Evans.

I cried and cried that day and remembered I was pregnant with his baby—our baby—baby Aria.

I left Chris's family alone, emptied out his house, and moved back into my old apartment. I ended up blocking everyone I knew of his I went to the doctor when my morning sickness started kicking in, and I found out I was at least 14 weeks pregnant. I was only 5 months old when my grandparents passed away. My only family left wasMy parents were both killed in a car accident, and my grandparents raised me. They were both very successful and had a lot of money left for me and my baby. Grandma eventually found out I was pregnant, and I lied to them and said Chris was away filming. I still regret not telling them the truth; it sometimes haunts me in my sleep. I sold some land they owned in Europe, and I and Aria are good for a lifetime.

When I was nine months pregnant, Lisa ran into me at the supermarket and found out I was pregnant with Chris's baby, and eventually, all the Evans found out. Now Lisa comes over every Friday for lunch or breakfast, and Aria meets her aunts and uncles for holidays, but now that Chris is back, I don't know anymore.

I gather myself off the floor and walk towards my bedroom and into the bathroom. I wash my face and get in the shower.

"You will not let him win Aria," I tell myself in the mirror as I dry my hair.

I walk into my bedroom, place the baby monitor on the nightstand, get into bed, and think of ways to explain to Aria now that her father is back and she's seen him.

[echowithpain]

FIRST THINGS FIRST!!!!

-2 points for how much Tonsillitis was in the episode 🤮

It was gonna be one point, but he just kept popping up, and even when I thought we'd get a break from him, NOPE he's back in the next scene 😮‍💨

And you know that those fans were happy, but I'm not one of those fans. Quite the opposite actually. So much so that it kept taking away from my enjoyment of the episode, and I enjoyed this episode quite a lot actually. So yeah, -2 points.

Other than that, I fucking LOVED this episode 🤩💖🤩💖🤩💖🤩💖🤩💖🤩

The Wilson's and the Buckley-Han's dressing like Wizard Of Oz characters 😍😍😍, the firehouse being a haunted house✨🤩✨, Bobby being a goofy CAP Dracula 😂🧛😂, Eddie being a Wolf Man that NO ONE was scared of 😂🐺😂, Buck realizing the "fake" dummy was actually a corpse and possibly traumatizing multiple children for life while ALSO getting cursed 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, the very real drama of Karen being upset that Hen was missing out on parts of their kids growing up (that thankfully they were able to talk about in this episode instead of dragging it out) 🥺🥺🥺, Athena trying to be hip with the kids 😂😂😂, the two girls who weren't paying attention in the CARE class finally getting some sense knocked into them ����👏👏

Also the incredible build up of Chim recognizing Jee-Yun when she ran over to him excited, seeing Mara with her, realizing they went trick or treating together with Karen and Denny, not seeing Karen OR Denny with them, to Hen noticing Karen is on the scene of the accident but doesn't look hurt, to freaking the fuck out when she realizes Denny is the one pinned by the car!!!! *Chef's Kiss* *Chef's Kiss* *Chef's Kiss* *Chef's Kiss* *Chef's Kiss*

(though I will say I don't like how the promo spoiled it being Denny. I mean the whole thing was still amazing don't get me wrong, but I feel like it would've hit harder if we didn't know beforehand and were making assumptions that would just so happen to be correct. But again, that's a promo thing not an episode thing)

Also finding out that Denny pushed Mara out of the way and saved her life 🥺💖🥺💖🥺💖🥺💖🥺💖🥺 And I even like how the show had Chim bring up the fact that you're not supposed to work on people who you're close with, ie Hen trying to save her son's life, and they gave us the excuse for why they were doing it with Bobby saying "You wanna be the one to pull her away from him?" That's 👏 How 👏 You 👏 Fucking 👏 Do 👏 It 👏

Ugh, this episode was so fucking good. I had so much fun watching it, and it felt like I hadn't had that much fun in a long time with this show. I can't really remember but I don't think we had any "fun" episodes last season. We've had episodes with fun moments, but no true "fun" episodes like the Ocean's 9-1-1 episode, or the Treasure Hunt episode, or the Karma episode (minus the cheating storyline), or the Jinx episode, so honestly this was a VERY welcome and pleasant surprise 💖💖💖

.

.

.

Is that it? I think that's it 🥰 so yeah!

Episode Rating: 🎃8/10🎃

I was thinking about taking off at least a half point for the dad who got the pumpkin stuck on his head cause why not cut it off and why not fully empty it before putting it on, but decided not to cause they did end up cutting it off, and having the pumpkin guts falling around his neck might've been part of the thing he did with his kids, idk. So that gets a pass ✨

The only problem I had with this episode was Temu, and if that's it then it was a damn good episode. Can't wait to see what's next!!! See y'all next week 😘✌️✨

[aro-culture-is]

Romance repulsed aro culture is watching a movie and getting invested in a cute friendship between the male and female main characters with banter, and dancing, and really sweet moments!

Then getting hit in the face with ye olde "ahhh noo I'm a guy who has fallen for my female best friendddd" subplot comlplete with a friendzone joke y'know, because men and women can't actually stay just friends without inevitably developing attraction for each other. /s

But you keep watching anyway because the rest of the movie is good, like, really enjoyable and pretty well written! But the romance subplot keeps rearing its ugly head, and my gosh, is it ugly..

And the confession scene happens after so few pining moments on the girl's side, making you wonder if the "I love you" was platonic because the guy never outright told her he had feelings for her besides like a throwaway line of like "why do I care about you the most in the world" or something after their fight.

There's one moment at the end where they're holding hands and lovingly smiling at each other and it's really cute but again you're left wondering "so are they together or not???"

So you wait a year or so after the next movie is announced, excited to see it anyway regardless of your romance repulsion because bright colors, adorable designs, pretty okay writing! You watch the series in the meantime, and read some books, finding them super cute together as best friends.

And then the day comes, the synopsis is released, you're so hyped to learn what the movie is because you adore the franchise! And then you're punched in the gut with confirmation that yes, they are indeed dating now, and there was.. "relentless flirting"..?

So, um, moral of the story. To quote our queen Avril Lavigne- If he's a boy, and she's a girl, they won't make it anymore obvious. And if you're like me you're going to fall for it.

EVERY. DAMN. TIME.

[TLDR: Romance repulsed aro culture is asking yourself why you keep falling for the m/f friendship every time knowing damn well heteronormativity exists]

.

[gyllenhaalstories]

i loved your thoughts on presumed innocence and i share all of the same sentiments!!! i also loved your recent rusty fic as well 🤭 it was such a hard watch for me because i despise cheaters with a passion but i had to calm myself down after the first two episodes and your fic smoothed things over in my brain lol. i also had some thoughts i wanted to share if that’s ok!! as hot as jake was seeing all those sex scenes pissed me off so bad 😭 like justice for barbra seriously she’s stronger than me. seeing rusty cry was low key satisfying i won’t lie and YES carolyn is sooo shady like tampering with evidence or whatever tf she did….

anyways sorry for coming into ur inbox with this lol i just had so many thoughts and no one else who was excited about this to talk to. i hope you didn’t mind <33

hiiii! good job on reading through me just screaming into the void! in my defence, rusty. yeah, everything is rusty's fault 🥰 thank you so much!!! i'm so happy you liked it! oof yeah, i can imagine it was ROUGH. i hate cheating but........ but...... he's so pathetic. i can't fix him, there's no fixing him. there's only making him worse. i'm super glad the fic helped a bit, i'm sorry he's still cheating.

of course it's okay to share your thoughts! don't be sorry at all and feel free to come back and share as many thoughts as you want. i'm here to listen, so hey now you have me to be as excited as you about about the show! 💖 we stan barbara in this house (even if i'm still convinced she did it). i love her. rusty can't take care of her but i will! i will make her feel so loved and important and appreciated and i will not cheat! oh yeah, carolyn is shadyyy. i just... yeah, i'm so suspicious. "she's a compartmentalized person" no she is CREEPY. i don't like her. rusty is too dumb to know she is way too good to be true. i'm so curious to know more about her in the next episodes, i hope my gut feeling is right and that she is one questionable person! 🤨 i can't believe we have to wait a whole week between episodes. jake didn't get us used to such a torture! thank you for stopping by, anon!

[brandogenius]

eating up the content as per usual ‼️👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 i'm so excited ur getting into muna i got into them a few months ago and they're just so chaotic and funny, id say another way to get good insight in their personalities and speech patterns and whatnot is by listening to gayotic (their podcast!) i literally listen to gayotic to fall asleep sometimes LMFAOAO

okay now time for my thoughts on more barista!reader x jb:

question, what do you think the drink actually is that jb orders? like, in my opinion, i feel like its just one of those really popular sweet ice coffees that most people like but its bc they don't actually like coffee and julien is like about to eat a spoonful of salt to cut the sweetness bc how dare she not drink every drop of this ice coffee her pretty gorgeous cool amazing barista girl crush made for her

THE ANGST i love, that's so something that i would do ngl, i can imagine julien being like gutted that reader would think they were coming off weird and stopped doodling on her cup and reader like blushing and smiling at her reaction

speaking of angst can you imagine the dramatics of when reader finds out that jb doesn't actually like her order...in my mind it's not even something reader loves it's just popular and they overhears phoebe or lucy with julien making fun of her getting a drink she doesn't even like and reader doesn't mention it until like a week later because they've been analyzing jb getting her drink

im picturing julien coming in and being like "same as usual ☺️" and reader is like "are you sure?" and julien is confused like "uhh yeah i always get that wdym hahah" and reader explains what she overheard and julien is internally panicking like 'okay this is it she found out and she's gonna hate me and think im a pathological liar'

omg what if from then on reader makes her something new EVERY time until jb finds something that she really likes

julien coming in during a rush and reader frantically ranting to her about how stressed they are but julien is sitting there listening to them like this 😍 and reader can't help but notice and then they're like "sorry i didn't mean to ramble on like that..." and all embarrassed

one last thought, julien coming in and getting her drink but then sitting on the couch or window seat and reading a book or doing work on her laptop and reader is checking on her every 0.5 seconds and they keep making accidental eye contact and smiling but neither will actually talk to each other (classic wlw yearning from afar)

OKAY rant over 😊😊

-🪷

tysm :D i’m definitely getting into muna!! funny enough i’ve gotten a few asks but i’m waiting to get more into them before i write them up!!

i’ve been watching their gayotic podcasts, i started by watching lucy’s then julien’s and lemme tell you i love it. i’m someone who loves to take note of speech patterns and how people word things so it was interesting to learn more about them individually

as for barista! reader

hmmm. i feel like jb isn’t someone to order overly sweet things. like say fraps or something. black coffee or something 😭 a little bit of sugar like maybe a teaspoon is fine but overly sickening sweet nooo. she takes it though and doesn’t complain because at the end of the day reader made it and there was cute doodles on it and she doesn’t want to be like “aha hey… so i don’t actually like this”

she either chugs it down or splits it in half with one of the boys so she has less to drink. she wouldn’t put your hard work down the drain

reader finding out jb doesn’t even like the orders they make and they are like “YOU COULDVE TOLD ME”AND JBS LJKE “that’s true”

omg reader handing jb a new cup everydsy like “so this is peach ice tea” and the next day it’s like “so this is matcha tea” and maybe julien’s just extremely picky on her drinks but she’s yet to find something she likes

reader literally watching julien sit down and write lyrics or type away at her laptop and they make eye contact every so often but both are too scared to say anything so queue reader coming over with a slice of chocolate cake like “here you go” and jbs like “oh i didn’t offer it” and readers like “it’s on the house” and jbs like “oh.. thank you-“ and you stick your hand out like “i’m [name]” and she’s like “julien. i can’t believe we didn’t ask for each others names yet”

[tomatoteddy]

Thoughts while watching Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure Episode 18:

Cure Butterfly debut let's gooo!!!!! Spoilers ahead, but thought I would chronicle my thoughts here as I'm watching it on my tablet!!

btw I just finished my exams this is the best way to celebrate it perhaps

NEW SUMMER OUTFITS!? I LOVE THEIR OUTFITS SO MUCH MAN MASHIRO AND AGEHA LOOK SO CUTE!!!!

Seeing how small these kids are reminds me of what small I used to be oh my god

"I'm not a Precure" *stares at the episode title skeptically*

Tsubasa enforcing the fact that things could get dangerous if their identities are revealed meanwhile Sky and Prism reveal themselves to an old lady to help her get to the airport (no shade tho love that episode)

Also him trying to be serious while in bird form <3

Also his little orange v-neck sweater is so cute need me one of those for the trans vibes

Also also love Ageha's bouncy and excited animation hope they hold that up for her transformation

Love that Ageha gets to stay over with them! Pretty Cure sleepover!!

Love that little dance Ageha does with the girls.

Takeru, punching your classmates for cutting in line isn't the same thing as punching sentient robot magic beings that can kill and might destroy the universe

Ageha I love you I love you I love you so much allfhkrbekhskfbn (⁠●⁠♡⁠∀⁠♡⁠)

Tsubasa I know you want Elle to see what's happening but it's gonna be pretty obvious if you're holding a purple-nette baby above your head

BATTAMONDA NOT THE ELEPHANT WATERING CANS NOOOOOOO

Also just saying Butterfly joining the team means we'll have a new eyecatch and opening!! So excited!!

Battamonda is such a pathetic loser (/both affectionate and hostile)

Also also I can't wait for them to add her to the pose screen of the transformation

YOU LEFT THE BABY BEHIND!?!? YOU LEFT THE INTERGALATIC SKY PRINCESS WHO'S CURRENTLY BEING CHASED BY MONSTERS BEHIND!?!?!?!?!?!!

"I don't like picking on weaklings, but I will" Me when I tease my little sister

NOT THE DARK BLAST OF ENERY NOOOOOOOO

"Now you're birds in a cage-" Shut up you fucking grasshopper I could literally kill you with a shoe

He is such a sore loser you're a full grown adult (assumedly) beating up teenagers for a living

I miss Kabaton btw

I love you Ageha 🦋🩷💖

Go run girl!!!!!

Battamonda's shocked face when his Ranborg faints from a girl running around it <3

Also also I really love her ponytail (it must be annoying for me to point out every little detail but this is what happens when I hyperfixate on stuff)

True true- nursery school teachers really do have guts, especially if they willingly agree to just be around children all the time. Can't imagine it's easy, I was a bit of a rascal as a kid I would know

Takeru finding connections between Wing and Ageha just strengthens my "Tsubasa and Ageha are siblings" heart

Tsubasa enforcing the fact that things could get dangerous if their identities are revealed meanwhile Ageha transforms in front of a child

IT'S ALMOST TIME LET'S GET EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also the lesbian colours on that Sky Tone do not go unnoticed

CURE BUTTERFLY TRANSFORMATION LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My thoughts on her transformation it's like- it's so different but in a good way from the others?? It's not as fluid as Sky's or Wing's or as strangely stiff as Prism's. It's like jittery and energetic in her own unique way? Like obviously her hop step jump screens don't like pan out like Sky and Wing's, they're more like Prism's. But I feel like the absolute energeticness of the transformation makes up for it?????? Also can I just say I love all the butterfly shapes in her transformation, gives me early 2000's Barbie movies vibes.

ngl kinda dissappointed the sky in her pose scene isn't pink or purple like how wing's is orange and prism's has a rainbow, but I'll give it a pass since I'm a simple fan who just really wants Ageha content

I'm really here for Battamonda and Cure Butterfly bug rivalry 🦋🦗 fight fight fight fight

We really doing the Coral X-Shield now but with the butterfly let's gooooo!!

SHE JUST EXPLODED AN ELEPHANT WITH A KISS AKFHDOBSNHAGAKNAVOAGDNRBGIDH

Her stealing an entire building blanket (is that what they're called) while Battamonda is standing on it

SHE STRAIGHT UP NAPPY WRAPS THE ELEPHANT DKSHDKFHKDIJEN

Love that literally she gets to crush the enemy to purification 💖💖 Closest thing we'll get to her hitting someone with a bat me-thinks

My feet are going staticky right now wtf I don't wanna get up though

Yesss giiirllll go threaten the twink stick-ass bugman 💖💖

Takeru being a Cure Wing and Cure Butterfly fan just strengthens my "Tsubasa and Ageha are siblings" heart

throwback to her debut ep where she jumps onto Sora at the door + Sora somehow carrying an entire eighteen year old woman carrying a suitcase on her back (what sort of training do they do in Skyland???? I'm older than Sora by a year and I'm weak as hell!!)

YAYYYYY PRETTY CURE SLEEPOVER!!!!!!!

Also can I just say her hair looks so tasty?????? Like the yellow looks so appealing???

AGEHA AND TSUBASA GET THEIR OWN DUO ATTACK NEXT EPISODE I'M SO FUCKING EZCITED DKSJKABDOSGWBBWOZHXB

Overall, I really loved this episode!! I'm usually not one for making reviews as my thoughts usually add up to "omg magical girls!! Skehoeishaohjeidohagjajh" but they really did my girl Butterfly justice!!

[veefuls]

2024-04-05 16:40

I have for almost 3 weeks been putting off finishing my English assignment for no real reason, I'm just for some reason not doing it. It's easter break so it can wait.

I've been meaning to watch "Tell Me That You Love Me" which is a South Korean remake of the Japanese show "Say That You Love Me". I made it through about 2 and a half episodes, but it started buffering and I couldn't bother reconnecting to the internet so, that's where I've ended up. I usually don't really enjoy shows about adults adulting, but this one seems good and emotionally loaded to the point where I'm partaking in it.

I have literally nothing scheduled for a while, but I'm excited for Japan's GP on Sunday. Will have to wake up at 7 in the morning, but it's fine I guess...

ALSO on Monday next week "선재 업고 뒤어" (Lovely Runner is the English title I think they've settled on) is premiering the first episode and I'm stoked. It's based on a WebToon that I would like to read, but I'm saving it for afterward to spare myself from any dissapointment while watching the show. Byeon Wooseok is in it (damaged Russian-Korean drug smuggler CEO in Strong Girl Nam-soon (shit show btw)) and my bff Kim Hyeyoon (of Extraordinary You fame). They have a 30 cm height difference though... for some reason Hyeyoon is always casted with guys five times her height. Anyway it's about this girl whose favorite singer dies, she goes back in time and has to find a way to reroute his path. Seems promising, will be watching because my favorite actors are in it lol.

Speaking of Byeon Wooseok, he has caused me grave emotional distress due to that gut wrenching movie "Soulmate" from 2023. You know, I was genuinely excited as he was getting more work after 20th Century Girl, but the actual heartbreak Soulmate caused me is unexplainable. I think about it all the time, anyway never ask me to watch a movie about two girls being friends I can't take it. I will not ever discuss 20th Century Girl so don't even bring it up.

On the 11th, the second season of Heartbreak High is coming out. I don't honestly know what I thought about the first season, it was too messy and not messy enough at the same time. Will be tuning in for this season though!

I've been thinking that I need to buy stuff. I've become too stingy. I put stuff in my cart and leave it there until it's gone out of stock. It's horrible I need to spend money. Either a vinyl or like an album of sorts, maybe a pair of jeans idk. RIIZE aren't releasing a physical album until June I think, so I have nothing to do on that front. Might check out Beyoncé's vinyls though...

Anyway, to wrap up, I'd like to recommend "Better Days" (2019), one of my favorite movies ever. I've watched it so many times, and each time I finish it I've learned something new. Music wise... Hikaru Utada's One Last Kiss. No reason just good song :) Will be having Chinese food for dinner.

Take care~~

[golden--doodler]

I SAW ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.

This is my official warning for extreme spoilers because I want to give my full, uncensored thoughts.

However, before getting into all of that, I wanted to say beforehand that this movie is a part one. It ends in a cliffhanger which caught me completely off-guard, and I just want to tell people who haven't seen it yet that this is only the beginning of this particular story. If anyone wants to watch this movie at home when it comes out on video/streaming and just catch the conclusion in theaters (or at least I hope it's the conclusion) because that would be more satisfying to them, I want them to have that ability, and be aware of this.

Okay, now getting into the actual movie, oh my god it was freaking incredible 🥳. I want this movie's art style more than anything. Somehow they improved upon the magnificent, ground-breaking animation style of the first, and made it even better! Gwen's universe has this super cool, almost painterly art style (which is the best way I can describe it) and everyone moves in such a fluid, distinct way.

And speaking of Gwen, I love how the movie opens with her and briefly shows what her relationship was like with her dad and Peter. It makes it all the more sadder knowing what Peter's inevitable fate is. However, the moment Gwen reveals herself as Spider-Woman to her dad is even sadder because despite everything, he's still afraid of her and everything that's happened, and it's absolutely gut-wrenching. I really want to give the girl a hug.

Not only that, but the fact that they used a joke that wasn't even originally going to be in the first movie (the whole bagel joke was just something made off-the-cuff that ended up making it into the final cut because it made everyone laugh so much) and turned the person that said joke happened to into a genuinely tragic character and menacing supervillain is nothing short of massively impressive. I adore the villain in this movie because of how genuinely terrifying he ends up being after being shown in the beginning to seem like just another sad bank robber. By the way, that entire scene is freaking hilarious. And the way that his entire life was "ruined" by Miles and the reactor, so he in turn wants to ruin Miles' life, is so awful, yet one can definitely understand where he's coming from. I can't wait to see what they do with him in part two, and what that final battle's going to be like.

I love how they reintroduced Peter B. Parker, and they gave him a daughter who is the cutest little girl, oh my gosh. The way he's such a proud, excited dad, showing off photos of her on his phone, is the most wholesome thing ever. And his whole heart-to-heart with Miles was really sweet, too. I can't believe meeting Miles is what caused him to want to actually be a father after originally divorcing MJ because he was too afraid to be one 🥺

Miguel is also an interesting character, and this exchange was fascinating:

Gwen: We're supposed to be the good guys!

Miguel: We are the good guys.

I don't want him to become a villain, exactly, but it's clear he's misguided, and I'm sure he'll continue making rash decisions and hunting down Miles in part two. I think his reasoning for wanting to sacrifice one person to save a ton more gave me Infinity War vibes and I'm wondering what they'll do with him next.

Oh yes, and I loved Pavitr Prabhakar, the Indian Spider-Man variant. He was effortlessly talented and also just a genuinely nice guy. I always love it when effortlessly talented people are also genuinely nice. They could've made him a jerk so easily, but they didn't, and I appreciate that.

I also want to praise this movie for the fact that it gave Miles' mother more to do. I adore her speech to Miles about wanting what's best for him, and that there will be people in the future who don't believe in him like his parents do, so he needs to look out for himself and "that little boy". She's such a fun character and a wonderful mother.

This is usually the spot where I'd put any criticisms, but honestly, the only thing I could really say in that regard is because it's a part one, there is definitely a lot of setup. But all in all, I think it's great even on its own, and it leaves you wanting more.

Okay, okay, and the ending. I can't believe a variant of Miles is the Prowler, and I have no idea what that means for the next movie, but I'm so intrigued to find out. God, they really got me, hook, line, and sinker.

There's a lot more I could say about this movie, and I might make another post to add more thoughts that I forgot to add here, but I cannot emphasize enough or put into enough words how much I love it. If you don't mind cliffhangers, go see it in theaters to support it.

[anotherwvba]

An Origin Story pt. 7

Gabby Jay led the group of new and prospective fighters into the WVBA Boxing Academy Gym, the last stop on their tour. The gym was a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility, buzzing with activity. Fighters and trainees were everywhere, some practicing their craft in hopes of getting signed one day, others preparing for their next bouts.

"Mes amis, this is where the magic happens," Gabby Jay announced, his voice tinged with a thick French accent. "Here, you'll find everything you need to become the next WVBA champion."

Mika and Skye, who had become fast friends during the orientation, looked around in awe. "This place is incredible," Mika whispered to Skye.

"I know, right? It's like a boxer's dream come true," Skye replied, her eyes wide with excitement.

Gabby Jay led them through the different sections of the gym, showcasing the strength training area, the cardio machines, the boxing bags, and the eight rings designated for classes and sparring. "I look forward to seeing you all at 6 am in the cafeteria for breakfast. Make yourselves at home, and welcome to the WVBA," Gabby concluded, dismissing the group.

Mika's eyes caught sight of Niki Binary in one of the rings, shadowboxing under the watchful eye of her coach, Von Kaiser. "Come on, Skye, let's go say hi," Mika said, grabbing Skye's arm and leading her toward the ring.

Von Kaiser was intently focused on Niki, his thick German accent filling the air. "Gut, Niki, focus on your footwork. Remember, a strong foundation is key. Wenig Stahl, show me what you've got."

Niki moved gracefully around the ring, her feet gliding over the canvas as she threw a series of jabs and hooks into the air. Her concentration was palpable.

"Hey, Niki!" Mika called up to her.

Niki looked over and nodded, finishing her drill with a swift one-two combo. "Alright, let's take a quick break," Von Kaiser announced.

Niki jogged over to the ropes and sat down, her eyes meeting Mika's. "Hey, Mika! How's orientation going?"

"Great! Oh, this is Skye. We're roommates at the Campus Lodge," Mika introduced.

Niki extended her glove to fist-bump Skye. "Nice to meet you, Skye."

"Wow, you're Niki Binary, right? I saw your fight with Cutie a couple of days ago. You were amazing," Skye exclaimed.

"Thanks, it was a tough fight. So, how's orientation treating you both?" Niki asked.

Mika and Skye launched into a detailed account of their day, from the physicals to the tour of the campus. "The facilities are amazing, and the people seem really nice," Mika said.

"Yeah, and the gym is like something out of a movie. I can't wait to start training," Skye added.

Just then, Glass Joe approached, dressed in his workout gear. "Pardon, mesdemoiselles, but may I have a moment with Niki?"

"Of course, what's up, Joe?" Niki responded.

"My sparring partner couldn't make it today. Would you be able to help me out?" Glass Joe asked.

"I'd love to, but I'm training with Von Kaiser for the rest of the afternoon and sparring with Cutie later," Niki explained.

"We can spar with you!" Mika and Skye blurted out in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.

Niki chuckled. "Joe, meet Mika and Skye. They're here for orientation."

"Ah, bonjour, mesdemoiselles," Glass Joe greeted, his French accent lending charm to his words.

"Hi, Glass Joe! We're really excited to be here," Skye said.

"Yeah, we can't wait to start training," Mika added.

Glass Joe looked thoughtful. "Normally, we don't allow sparring with new boxers during orientation."

Both girls' faces fell, disappointment clouding their eyes.

"But," Glass Joe continued, "I'll go ask Hoy if we can make an exception."

Mika and Skye's faces lit up again. "That would be awesome," Mika said.

"Yeah, really awesome," Skye echoed.

Glass Joe nodded and headed off to find Hoy, leaving Mika, Skye, and Niki excitedly chatting about the possibilities that lay ahead. The WVBA was proving to be everything they'd hoped for, and they couldn't wait to dive in.

[foreverrandomwritings]

@laracrofted started a rockin awesome Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) tag game!💜✨

Thank you @sylviebell and @wkndwlff for the tag in this amazing game. Sorry it’s taken me so long to complete it. Adhd is so fucking fun yay! Okay now let’s get started💜✨

Claim a speak now (Taylor’s Version) song for your fic pairings💜✨

Tagging: Anyone that would like to participate💜✨

Enchanted- Natasha "Phoenix" Trace and Controversially Young Girlfriend

They were both so unbelievably unequivocally enchanted with each other the first time they met. They both walked out of the store with excitement and hope in their chest. Natasha regretted not saying more, not expressing her attraction to CYG as well. But you best know that the next time she saw her she spilled her guts like lava out of an erupting volcano.

This is me praying that This was the very first page Not where the storyline ends My thoughts will echo your name Until I see you again These are the words I held back As I was leaving too soon I was enchanted to meet you

I Can See You- John "Ramble" De Luca and Mystery Man

So Ramble and Mystery Man obviously work together so they have to keep it professional. They have both been watching each other but neither of them have noticed yet. They both desperately want to be together yet fears are holding them both back. Mystery Man has yet to come out to any of the team and Ramble is afraid to make a move for that very reason. Also when they do eventually get together things are kept under wraps for a while.

’Cause I can see you waitin' down the hall from me And I could see you up against the wall with me And what would you do? Baby, if you only knew That I can see you Uh-uh, uh, uh And we kept everything professional But something's changed, it's somethin' I, I like They keep watchful eyes on us So it's best that we move fast and keep quiet You won't believe half the things I see inside my head Wait 'til you see half the things that haven’t happened yet

Foolish One- Jane "Mute" Hall and Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia

Even the title screams them I mean come on now. They both are head over heels for each other. But neither of them have said anything because Fanboy thought that Mute was with Ramble then he thought Mute was gonna go after Hangman. Then Fanboy goes on a date with someone else and Mute gets discouraged. One day they will laugh over the fact that they were so foolish with each other. The only exception to this song is that they actually end up together.

You know how to keep me waitin' I know how to act like I'm fine Don't know what to call this situation But I know I can't call you mine And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof 'Cause when my head is on your shoulder It starts thinkin' you'll come around And maybe, someday, when we're older This is something we'll laugh about Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news

Timeless- Jake "Hangman" Seresin and Plus Sized S/O

They were meant to be and no one will ever change their mind. They love each other more than anything. I could put this whole fucking song in here because it fits so well. Even if they were in a different century they would be together. Plus the fucking photos come on guys that's literally Jake's favortie thing to do. I think it's 100% possible that Plus Sized S/O would stumble into an antique shop and find books and books of photos and be blinded by the similarity to her and Jake. Jake also definitely writes her love letters. Now to pick out what exactly to put down for this. I picked a tiny chorus even though this whole song is so them coded.

In a crowded room a few short years ago And sometimes there's no proof, you just know You're always gonna be mine We're gonna be I'm gonna love you when our hair is turnin' gray We'll have a cardboard box of photos of the life we've made And you'll say, "Oh my, we really were timeless"

[edgeofpanic]

the obligatory 2022 anime roundup

2022 has been one of the strongest years for anime that I can remember. Nearly every season had its one Big Show with Fall slam-dunking its way into the history books with 4 or 5 hits airing at once. You couldn't ask for a better slate of shows to distract you from...everything.

I've watched a ton of anime this year, both new and old. There are 5 that left a big impression on me that I want to talk about, but here are some honorable mentions:

Birdie Wing: how can you say no to underground mafia golf tournaments with a heavy dollop of lesbianism

Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-: it should be illegal to be this consistently good after three seasons and I can't wait for the movie

The Executioner and Her Way of Life: this show is good, yall are just mean

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: what I wish the video game had been in every way

Do it Yourself!!: how can you say no to cute girls doing cute DIY projects with a heavy dollop of lesbianism

Urusei Yatsura All Stars: now I know why people have been in love with Lum for 40 years

Dirty Pair: Project Eden: the platonic ideal of Dirty Pair

I'm issuing a blanket spoiler warning for any of the anime covered in this. With that out of the way, let's get to it.

King of Braves GaoGaiGar + King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final

GaoGaiGar is the series that doesn't know how to end. There are 3 distinct endings between these two shows: one in episode 33 of GaoGaiGar, another with the finale of GaoGaiGar in episode 49, and yet another with the end of episode 8 of GaoGaiGar Final. The stakes get bigger and bigger with each subsequent ending until the fate of the universe itself is on the line. Remarkably, none of these endings ever feel cheap or unearned. Yes, there's some unexpected turns--episode 49's ending in nearly had me on my feet and yelling at my computer--yet they're firmly rooted in the larger than life personalities of our protagonists at the Gutsy Geoid Guard. There's a warmth to them even when yelling attack names at the top of their lungs. None of them could have possibly known GGG and GGG Final would be the last of the Brave series, but each heartfelt speech about heroism makes you wonder if they were giving their all because they felt it was coming. Particular credit goes to Nobuyuki Hiyama and Tomoe Hanba for getting me invested in Guy and Mikoto's relationship, stop and start as it is. Sometimes hets have rights.

Then again, it's got the room to end more than once. Capping out at 49 TV episodes and 8 OVA episodes, the GGG saga is a beast of a saga. We don't see see these kind of episode counts anymore unless you're a legacy show like the Urusei Yatsura All Stars or whatever that new adaptation of The Legend of Galactic Heroes is called. It's a shame, too, because certain genres really benefit from longer runs. GGG thrives on the ability to simultaneously elicit chest-thumping excitement and slow burn drama week-to-week. As you adjust to the world running on Rule of Cool, you come to expect that the heroes can overcome any odds with the power of Bravery and Friendship. It's always worked before.

Until it doesn't.

As the OVA approaches its end, after over 50 episodes with our heroes, Guy's dad dies. An actual, real death that can't be walked back with Guts and Heroism. Everyone overcomes their grief to defeat the antagonists threatening the fate of the universe, but encounter a greater source of despair: there's only enough time to send one or two people away from the collapsing pocket universe they're currently trapped in. The majority of them can't return to the Earth they fought so hard to save. They will never go home again.

I can't remember exactly what I said when this was revealed, but I'm sure it was something close to, "No! They can't do this now!" No one is supposed to die in GaoGaiGar. No one is supposed to realize they may not be able to reap the rewards of their hard work. No one is supposed to realize that the hardships of this world fall on the shoulders of the next generation despite their best efforts.

Yet that's what happens. In the end, the decision is made to send Mamoru and Kaidou back to Earth in the brief window of time the adults have. Only they are allowed to pick up where the GGG left off and continue on in to the future.

While the OP for both GaoGaiGar and GaoGaiGar Final is this big, bombastic affair on being a hero and shouting attack names--DIVIDING DRIVER! BROKEN PHANTOM! GOLDION HAAAAMMMMMMERRRRRRRR!--the ending is much more subdued song named "Someday, In the Sea of Stars". My friend and I usually skipped it because tone shift was too jarring. There's no time for this boring song! We gotta get to the next episode! When the third and final ending of the series uses a rendition sang by all the VAs...it hits. At the end of oaths of bravery, the people you love are waiting for you. And when they're gone, they aren't forgotten. You'll meet them again. Some day, some where.

Serial Experiments Lain

It's been a weird year.

Objectively, I'm doing well. I got a promotion at work, I'm seeing positive momentum in therapy, my friendships are strong. In return, less time and less motivation make engaging with my hobbies harder than ever. Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. I've been having full-blown panic attacks that leave me figuratively and literally shaken. Most of my time has been spent wondering if I'm stuck coming to the same conclusion of choosing myself when I can't even define who "myself" is, never fully enjoying my life. For fuck's sake, there's a literal dip in my mattress from where I've been laying in place and feeling sad for the last three years. My therapist and friends keep telling me that I need to live in the now, but how are you supposed to stay in the present when it feels like a kaleidoscope of horror? Why would you ever want to?

And in the midst of a weird year in a series of weird years, nearly every episode of Serial Experiments Lain slapped me in the face with the opening dialogue of, "Present day! Present time!"

I've seen critics use terms like "prescient" and "visionary" for describing the show, and it is. Sort of. I feel that it's too steeped in conspiracy theory for those descriptors to be entirely accurate. It shouldn't surprise you to learn its writer would fall face first into QAnon and have the Digimon Tamers kids fight Cancel Culture so. You know. There's that. (For the record, Perfect Blue is my go-to for "on the cutting edge" anime. It does a far better job of describing the terrifying consequences of having your identity stripped away by the ever-grinding internet content machine without being weird about it.)

What the show does predict is the vibe of the Internet 24 years after its release. The bleak, conspiracy-laden conversations from every corner of the Wired feel like doomscrolling through Twitter or Reddit. It's an arresting experience that is obtuse to the point of being annoying and so painfully topical that I paused several times during some episodes to catch my breath. As Lain loses her sense of self to the constant noise of the Wired, she, and we the audience, are trapped between a nightmare of a present that never came to pass and a paranoid future that's all too real.

SEL wears its thesis statement on its sleeve: all people, no matter who they are and where they go, are connected. These unspoken connections are what make us human. The lyrics to the insert song for episode 13 put it plainly, "I try to be connected by something to someone, anyone/In the wandering night, you keep waiting; a signal of loneliness". All she needs is someone who sees her as more than a tool for their own ends or a god to be praised. At Lain's lowest point, her reality-bending powers aren't what rescue her from a liminal hell. Love is what pulls her up to her feet and so, so much more. I can only hope love saves me, too.

I took notes as I watched SEL. Yes, I know that's not best practice for engaging with a piece of media for the first time, but it felt essential to capture my thoughts as they happened. In total, there are around 10 pages (handwritten!) of them. Here's a selection for your enjoyment:

big emphasis on light and shadow. all shadows have this paint splats texture in them. Sometimes the textures move, but mostly they look like blood. Darkness feels so deep as if the characters will fall into them. in contrast, much of the real world is blank white.

that shit where Lain sees the faces of people (willingly?) trapped in the Wired that are constantly cycling through terror and ecstasy is kinda fucked up! is she seeing them? is she hallucinating them?

"we saw someone die and we can't take it seriously. i think there's something wrong with us." prescient.

it's striking how barren Lain's real life is. washed out, barely real. sterile. but the Wired is color, noise. cacophony. the madness and chaos of the human existence. constant connectedness. Instrumentality-esque.

Alice feels like the only person who knows what kind of show this is.

holy fuck Lain's room isn't even a room anymore. at least it isn't one where humans live. but it is one perfectly made for the new God of the Wired.

now THERE'S the anime bullshit!

oh god, everyone staring at you. primal fear unlocked.

"I'm the only me." said while under shifting lights in the dark

Lain is doing NORMAL and FINE

it's all men who say they love Lain. older men, too. 2. it's an abstract kind of love. love of the ideal of normalcy, love from a follower to a god, love from a god to a follower. it's all big concept "love." intangible. contractual in the case of the last two. but not "I called to see how you were" or "left you some food" or "saw this funny picture and thought of you" love. destructive vs transformative. one-sided.

…also score some of the more traumatic moments to this jazzy [music] piece.

Alice is real. and because Alice can remember Lain, Alice who is kind and good and is loved by Lain, this makes Lain real, too. FUCK.

ALL RESET. RETURN.

Gay people truly do it all!

Sonny Boy

Full disclosure, I haven't finished this anime yet and I'm not sure when I will. Binging it is an option, but that feels...wrong. This isn't a show you sit through and then dump from your brain.

Honestly, Sonny Boy is intimidating. It's the only anime I've ever seen that doesn't have an OP or ED sequence nor an eyecatch to break the ever mounting tension. What should be a run of the mill coming of age story becomes a supernatural thriller as the students leap from one confusing dimension to the next. The influence of the manga The Drifting Classroom is obvious in nearly every way.

If you're able to keep up with the emotional toll it demands, you're rewarded with one of the most beautiful shows you've ever seen. Bright colors and incredible layouts ease you into its complex visual allegories. I already know there'll be plenty of new visual clues I'll notice in future viewings. This includes watching how each character reacts to the weird situations their thrown into. The cast is an entire graduating class worth of students, yet every one of them feels like a distinct and unique person. The core cast especially stand out as they're all, and I say this lovingly, weirdos. Now that their school is hopping between realities, these ostracized, lonely kids must now choose between groups of classmates who now violently demand their loyalty. In these unprecedented, unforeseen, extraordinary times, who do you trust? Why?

I've got 6 episodes left of Sonny Boy. I can't wait to see where it goes.

Mobile Police Patlabor 2 the Movie

I'm a self-proclaimed oldhead when it comes to anime. Yes, there are many excellent current anime (more on that in a bit) and yes, I'm grateful new generations of animators willing to push the boundaries of the medium. However, the feeling that most anime created post-2010 are created by committee is impossible to shake. Look at how many isekai and light novel adaptations are pumped out every year. There aren't many shows that where directors' intents and philosophies are blatant anymore.

Mamoru Oshii has a reputation for using a well-established series to explore whatever topic is on his mind. Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer swaps out its usual zany humor for reflections on the march of time and nature of reality. Fans of the time were not pleased their hot alien wife was nearly non-existent in the movie. Regardless of how fan criticism then and now, it's an uncompromising Oshii production. You'd think the fan letters with razor blades he received after Beautiful Dreamer would deter him from experimenting with the formula of a well-loved franchise, but he would do it again with Patlabor. Originally an OVA and manga started in 1988, the show is generally a light-hearted affair following a police squadron of goofballs who shouldn't be trusted with giant robots armed with giant-robot sized magnums but they are anyway. Their cases run the gamut from defusing a bomb set by eco-terrorsists to solving a Scooby-Doo mystery to stopping a potential coup by the JGSDF. They'll always get the job done--even if a few buildings and roads get blown away in the process.

None of that fun atmosphere can be found in Patlabor the Movie. Instead of a fun romp, it's a quiet, moody reflection on how those in power abandon those who need the most help in the dogged pursuit of capital and the fluid nature of our reality. With the first signs of the fragility of the economy by the time of the movie's release in July 1989, it's a poignant look at a country on the edge.

Patlabor the Movie 2 is about what happens after the music stops.

You can practically feel Oshii shaking you by the shoulders with each new development, demanding that you ask yourself who must be subjugated by state violence to keep your streets safe and prosperous. Just watch this sequence and tell me you don't feel his righteous fury:

Or watch this sequence and say you don't notice Oshii's contempt for a nation and military willing to oppress their neighbors to ensure "safety":

Neither of these moments have left my head since I first watched it. I doubt they ever will.

This movie is so incredibly Oshii that it would not be the same without him. Hell, I doubt it would even exist. No one else has the skill to make a movie so staunchly anti-capitalist and anti-military while making its cop protagonists relatable.

It is a movie suited not just for 1993, but for every moment spent living under capitalism. This isn't one of my favorite anime movies, it's one of my favorite movies, period. Whether or not you have any prior knowledge of Patlabor, I cannot recommend it enough.

Bocchi the Rock!

Fall 2022 was a barn burner of an anime season. Chainsaw Man. Gundam: Witch from Mercury. Mob Psycho 100 season 3. Spy x Family cour 2. MOTHERFUCKIN' BLEACH. Any of these could easily be anime of the season or anime of the year. For me, the clear winner of both these accolades is….

An anime where a girl gets beat up by birds because she's so pathetic and is left in a Yamcha-style crater in the ground.

You've likely seen 6 videos and 4 essays by now on how BTR is an underappreciated gem. Seeing how it's set the anime world on fire, this status is distinctly untrue by now. Still, it's hard to understate how much of a surprise Bocchi is. My friend threw it on during a session of our longstanding anime nights for fun and both of us were blown away by its quality. Every joke is funny. Every shot is composed for maximum effectiveness. Every VA is giving it their all. Bocchi's VA is learning how to play guitar! Everyone on the animation staff sounds thrilled to be working on this. It is the epitome of a show firing on all cylinders with the creative energy to match.

What elevates a run of the mill "girls make a band" premise is our titular protagonist Hitori "Bocchi" "My Daughter With Every Disease" Gotoh. Her social anxiety isn't a small, cute part of her personality but a disability that constantly gets in the way of her life. Entering a public space becomes an all-consuming fear she'll be perceived as weird or unlikable by total strangers. Asking her friends if they want to hang out becomes a months-long ordeal that's only resolved when they realize what she's been too afraid to ask on the last day of summer vacation.

And yet, she allows herself to try even when at rock bottom. Yes, she plays the entirety of Kessoku Band's first show from inside a cardboard box, but she still gets on stage. The people in her life are happy to help her move forward in any way they can. Bocchi learns--slowly and with many setbacks--that her gloomy personality is accepted by those who care about her. She may not easily make friends, but for those who stick around, they'll be friends for life. She has no enemies.

Personally, that's a hard pill to swallow. As someone with social anxiety, depression, and general anxiety, I've had the same spiraling "god, what if everyone decides they hate me" thoughts before entering a restaurant or grocery store. It's a constant voice that makes it difficult to take walks, message my friends. My life can be a shitty place to be multiple months out of the year. I'd like to say I've made progress, but the Serial Experiments Lain section should tell you everything about how that's going. Each week spent with Bocchi as she strives toward her goals only reiterated what I already knew: the only way forward is through.

And Bocchi does, indeed, go through it. Hell, she literally climbs into a trashcan in the third to last episode. You've seen the tumblr post by now. However, she allows herself space to grow and be a comfort to others, if need be. Everyone in Kessoku Band benefits, as well: Ryo gains a place to belong although she's a loner by choice; Kita fully devotes herself to developing a skill rather than going after several half-heartedly; Nijika finds others she can share her dream of hitting the big time with. They make each other a better band and even better people. While the band finds some success after two successful public gigs, their anxieties don't disappear. Rather, it gets easier for each of them to bear. However long it may take and how many trash cans Bocchi may climb into, they'll be able to shoulder those burdens together.

"This show deserves a second season" is such a cliche at this point, but I mean it for this one. Bocchi the Rock deserves that and more. The anime world, and myself, is made better with Bocchi's uncompromising rock.

[critical-chris]

65 (2023)

Holy shit, I demand a documentary of how this movie was made.

Good 'noon everyone, nice to talk to you again. I took a week long break from the blog due to a few factors including long hours at work, a random and inexplicable desire to start watching Succession for the first time ahead of the upcoming new season, and most importantly a complete and total lack of movies coming out that I had interest in.

There was one exception, Cocaine Bear, which I still do want to see. However, every time I had a reservation with my AMC membership and the time would come to leave the house and head to the theater, the lackluster reviews would crawl into my brain and I couldn't justify the 2 hour trek outside. I would crawl back in bed and dive into an episode of The Mandalorian, 1923, The Boys, or piecemealing the slog of a movie I find The Aviator to be. Lots of TV, not so many movies, but I'm back with a vengeance, baby.

Let's kick things off with why I wanted to see this movie in the first place. Have you seen the trailer? Exactly. The trailer sells you on a futuristic soldier played by Adam Driver finding himself stranded on a strange world that turns out to be Earth, 65 million years ago. This badass is strapped up with crazy weapons and about to fight some dinosaurs for survival. I'm all the way in.

I love science fiction movies when the creators that be get them right. Star Wars is my clear cut favorite sci-fi franchise, although Disney (not including Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni) has done whatever they can to create more shit properties under the umbrella than good ones. I love a good one-off sci-fi movie too, the most recent hit for me being Dune, what I felt to be a great epic adaptation of the book. Can't wait for that sequel and the talking baby, which better be in the film.

I love Adam Driver, too. I was not one of the early watchers of Girls (or a watcher at all, frankly), so my first introduction to him was Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the only film from the trilogy I loved and have since dampened my feelings on. I like him in the movies, despite my major beefs and issues with the plotting and directing, and continued to be excited by his more traditional dramatic work.

If you need some fantastic recommendations, check out my favorite Spike Lee joint BlacKkKlansman, a great paced marital drama Marriage Story, a creative crime dramedy Logan Lucky, and the period piece The Last Duel. A lot of people liked House of Gucci, and I thought it was decent although I'm not sure why Driver is now being tapped as Hollywood's "It Guy" for biographic films of Italian businessman with him portraying Enzo Ferrari next. With all of these great movies in his back pocket, I was sure that Adam Driver could not lose and would be coming in with another banger with replay value out the buttocks. I have to use clean language at some point in this blog for how explicit I am in my feelings on finally seeing 65.

When I saw that this movie came out to just over 90 minutes, I got that old fashioned bad feeling in my gut that maybe I was in for some trouble instead of some good dino-fighting. It's not very typical you get a slapstick comedy runtime out of an expensive science fiction film, and when you do it's a sign that perhaps there were some big problems with the longer cut and someone had to make a watchable storyline out of the scraps. And boy, does this movie feel exactly like that.

I have problems with almost every part of this disaster, so why not tick them off chronologically. 65 opens with some film school level text on screen letting the cat out of the bag right away. It explains that before mankind existed on Earth, there were other beings in other galaxies traveling the universe. Then we go to Planet Who Cares where Adam Driver is sitting on a beach with his wife and child. They quickly and briefly mention the daughter is suffering from some unknown illness and Driver must go on a 2-year journey to get paid enough to "cure her". LMAO CURE HER? Like the pharmaceutical company is withholding life-saving medicine because you can't afford it? Actually.... I guess that is realistic. Anyways, he teaches her to whistle with her hands and they showcase absolutely 0 familial chemistry that you care nothing about.

Smash cut immediately to Driver on a spaceship carrying a dozen or so passengers who are in cryo-sleep pods. The ship is suddenly hit by an asteroid, Driver attempts to control it, but they crash through the atmosphere of a strange planet and all of the cryo-pods get sucked out of the ship and are presumed dead. Adam Driver stumbles out of the ship, wades his way through some mud (where a creature lurks around him but then just never does anything so you wonder why even show there being a creature in the mud??), and discovers the bodies of the passengers who were tossed out of their cryo-pods.

Adam Driver stumbles back onto the ship and records a message asking for someone to come and rescue them, but deletes it before sending and re-records the message. In the second message, he tells anyone listening to abandon them and not to send a rescue ship because he's going to kill himself..... Why would he do that? We know his entire goal is to get back to his daughter, why would he not just ask for help and see if someone actually comes? Anyways, he decides not to kill himself, AND THEN THE TITLE CARD FOR THE MOVIE COMES UP. AT 20 MINUTES IN, THE TITLE OF THE MOVIE COMES UP AND READS:

65

Million Years Ago

A Visitor Came To

Earth

..... Seriously. All of that text comes on screen for the title card. Pardon my Portuguese, but what the fuck.

Driver is moping around when he sees an alert come up in his ship that one of the cryo-pods was not damaged and the girl inside survived, played by Ariana Greenblatt. He drags her out of the pod and while she rests he ventures out to a geyser field which is clearly included as foreshadowing for later in the film. He realizes that far away one of the escape pods from the ship also survived the crash and is a viable means of escape.

I felt the plot device included in this film of the girl speaking a different language than Adam Driver was unnecessary and forced. Besides the quick minute they spend in the final act of the girl being upset with Driver for lying about her parents being alive, there really is no reason for them not to be able to communicate. They try to force a couple laughs from their misunderstanding, but come across as generic and recycled gags. The part where Driver smushes a bug, and playfully chases the girl with his gooky hand is embarrassing.

Then there are the actual dinosaurs, which don't get incorporated until about 45 minutes in. The first dino the duo comes across is a baby stuck in a little tar pit, which is immediately killed by whatever those miniature predators from the opening of Lost World are, an attempt at a gut-wrenching moment that I found eye-rolling and stupid.

The other main predators featured are lizards mixed with raptors? They sulk low to the ground with their tails raised high and chase our protagonists around the trees and a beach, quickly dispatched by Adam Driver's futuristic assault rifle and grenades. There is a moment where one lizard seems to have gotten hold of Ariana, but Driver saves the day right at the last moment as is typical in every movie ever ever ever.

There were two scenes in the movie that I actually found entertaining and twinkled with potential of what this movie could have been. The first occurs after Driver and Ariana are driven into a cave by a modified T-Rex, and Ariana is able to crawl out of the cave before a cave-in traps Driver. He shimmies around in the dark and is stalked by an unseen dino, which creates some good tension and anticipation for when the creature finally emerges. The dino doesn't end up being scary or that menacing, but the lead up was decent enough.

The other part I enjoyed were the T-Rex's. I found the final minutes of the two T-Rex's trying to finish off Adam Driver and Ariana's ship with them inside, and even the moment where the last T-Rex chases Driver into the geyser field only to be stabbed and scalded to death very well done. The whole movie should have been scenes like this showing danger instead of pretending the main two characters have any chemistry or relationship worth watching.

All in all, this is a derivative sci-fi "thriller" reliant on jump scares, overused tropes, and it's budget for making dinosaurs seem sort of real. I would never, will never, and can never recommend anyone spend even the short 90 minutes to watch this movie. If you're suffering pure boredom I would recommend sitting on a porch and imagining dinosaurs in your front yard instead of sitting through this. In today's world, there is always something better to watch somewhere else instead of 65.

I do have one conspiracy theory related to this movie that I think holds weight. I read an article online that mentioned this film had a budget of $95 million, and after witnessing what I did play out on the screen, I have to assume a majority of that went to Adam Driver. Otherwise, why would he put his name at the top of the cast list for this pile of dinosaur shit? I'll take it one further, how much do I think he got paid out of the total budget? Wait for it, $65 million. Following that logic, I have to assume he asked that the name of the movie then represent how much it takes to get a big name actor to star in a film that is destined to fail and ensure its director never works again.

In conclusion, THIS MOVIE SUCKS.

65 - 2.0/10

[bunchezofroze]

I Have Decided to Start Posting My Short Stories, So here's the First One

"Haunted Computer"

By Rozetta Stone (Prompt from GeneralBug)

Alright, this is getting tiring. I have been watching this girl attempt, and fail, to ask out her crush for like two weeks now. I'm here because I was just passing through her apartment when I saw her giggling at the computer and decided to let my curiosity get the better of me.

I found out from the other person's messages that this girl's name was apparently Carmen, and I learned from Carmen's messages that her correspondent's name is Trea. Now something I know about Carmen, that Trea doesn't, is that Carmen really likes them, like way more than is reasonably expected from "platonic" feelings.

At first, I was really quite amused, watching the girl write out a long winded confession of her oh so eternal love, only for her to fumble with the backspace key as she deleted any trace of it. But after two weeks of it, it's honestly just a bit sad at this point. I mean, she clearly finds this person very dear to her, but just can't get over the hurdle of actually expressing those feelings.

Today she and Trea were talking and joking about some show about paramedics or firefighters or something, and some ship called "Beckie,"or whatever that was never going to happen. I wasn't too worried about it. Then her expression changed in a way I was familiar with at this point, and typed out a string. "we could totally be like them, but like... actually set sail haha. but only if you really want too cause li..." And then she deleted it all while shaking her head.

I'm done. I can only watch this for so long. I decided a bright idea would be to try and help her. Of course, the whole wandering spirit thing makes helping her a bit challenging. Wait, did I mention that? Oh well, suffice to say I needed a way to get her attention. So, I decided that the best plan of action... was to possess her computer and try to talk to her... yeah, not my smartest move.

It was decided though, so I did a couple stretches, and then dove head first into greatness. Of course, saying that you're going to possess and communicate with the living through a computer is one thing, while actually doing it is another. But I was determined, so I decided to take control of the mouse. She seemed a bit startled when all of a sudden her mouse had a mind of its own beneath her hand, but I mean, rightfully so. I went down and opened her sticky notes app - yes people actually use sticky notes don't question me - and started typing.

I've seen enough

I can only take so much of this!!

So now, I'M GOING TO HELP YOU!!!

Adding exclamation marks will surely get my point across. She sat there for a while with her mouth agape, and then finally moved it, "Wh.. who... who are you? An.. and what?" Ah yeah, I should probably explain myself a bit better huh?

My name is Mirriad; I am what they call a ghooooost

Spooky, I know

But honestly, I may or may not have been spying on you for the past two weeks

"Excuse me, YOU WHAT??" Whoops, that was way too forward.

Don't take it like that

Look, I've been watching you chat with Trea, and I think it's all really cute

But you are completely hopeless girl

So I wanted to try and help you out is all

She sat there for quite awhile in thought, hands in her crossed legs, before finally speaking, "I really wanna tell them, but I just can't. Every time I get excited that I'm finally gonna do it, and then... Then I get this gut wrenching feeling that it'll all go wrong, and I chicken out." She turned her head, as if I was actually there looking at her, and then added, "I'm sorry."

Carmen...

You don't have to apologize for being scared

You just have to overcome that fear and do what you know your heart wants

Look, I'm gonna be your wing ghost

With my help, everything will be a-okay

She looked back over, "Alright, but what do I say?"

Tell Trea the truth

What you want them to know

I would say the worst that can happen is a no

But let's be honest, there are way worse things she can say

So good luck!! *thumbs up*

And now she looked mortified, "That doesn't help! What if they think I'm weird? Or gross? Or overwhelming?!" At this point she had her head in her hands and was very clearly panicking.

Listen

Or read I guess, I don't know...

Doesn't matter!

My point is that it'll be okay as long as you're yourself, I promise

"A.. alright, but what do I say, like, specifically? Can you like, type up a love letter or something?"

Sorry, but I'm not a computer

So I can't write anything for you

But just try and keep it simple, alright?

She looked down at the keyboard, "Okay, then here goes nothing I guess." She tentatively moved the mouse over to her chat with Trea, and started typing,

UselessLesbian: |

UselessLesbian:

UselessLesbian: |

UselessLesbian:

UselessLesbian: Do you wanna go out sometime? Like on a date? Like a date-date?|

She looked over it, shook her head, and went for the backspace key. But before she could even reach it... *enter*. Sorry Carmen, but it's for your own good. She let out a little eep, and sat there startled, waiting for something. And then...

BuckIsBae: is typing...

BuckIsBae: Oh... That was unexpected.

BuckIsBae: But yeah! I'd totally be up for that. Just let me know when.

Carmen's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She then launched out of her chair and started jumping up and down, cheering, "Yes! Yes! Eeeeee!"

It seemed that my job was done, so I went ahead and vacated the computer. After calming down, she went back to her computer and started frantically typing, making plans for her newly acquired date.

When the weekend rolled around, Carmen was quickly getting ready. Her and Trea were going to some fancy schmancy cafe in town that seemed nice. She was rushing to the door when she stopped and turned on a dime. She looked around the room a bit before saying, "I don't know if you're still here, but thank you Mirriad." And with that, she turned and left through the door, ready for what was sure to be a time of wonder.

Why did I do it? I mean, I could say I did it because I was sick of seeing her struggle, but if that was really the case, I guess I could've just left. So I don't know. Maybe I did it because I have some pent up emotions about being hurt and losing out, so I did this to hopefully free my soul from this mortal plane. Or, ya know, maybe I'm just a fan of sappy romance.

[notebookmusical]

I totally agree about the vinyl colors being so pretty! I was waiting for pink and green cuz those are my fav colors and they are my favorite covers too! I like how the yellow doesn't have her face which is kinda similar to the original that had her face cut off..and I liked that color and cover too, and I have never seen a yellow vinyl either. Then the pink was like the rolling stone shoot she did during the era kinda, and I love pink vinyls. I have the pink lover one. I like the green one too, but just realized she wasn't exactly on the beach in this one so it made it a little different. I guess I see how she could have done two covers like the city and two like the beach. The blue is like her looking out in the sky and kinda reminds me of the city a bit I guess, or at least the original album but I do agree the album is somehow both. I think the blue was the best choice for the cover. What were your favorites? I'm excited for the Polaroids too but didn't order any CDs. She's at the VMAS tonight and I love her look!

My favorites on Guts were Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl, Making the Bed, Pretty isnt Pretty and Teenage Dream and I'm sure it will grow on me. I haven't seen her perform much or anything but I'm sure that's true..but she can always improve. I agree Billie probably has more experience performing and she seems awesome at it. But the main comparisons have to do with being the same age and how their fame happened quickly. I don't actually think their music is that similar though, but I'd still recommend her music. Her second album is more similar to What Was I Made For so you might like it.

You made me more interested in Marie Dancing Still now and I'm glad you have a smaller musical to love. That's a lot of times to see the same show haha. I'm totally the same with cast albums recently but I'll probably make time for it since it's a favorite..at some point. I'd love to discuss it with someone not as familiar with the show and I just love all the music anyway..even without the plot. I did not know there was a new production of Bonnie and Clyde. That's so cool cuz the musical didn't last very long on Broadway. I'll have to add it to my long list since I haven't actually heard any of the songs in a long time. But I am a big fan of the original cast too so I wonder how different it will be. I honestly can't remember the last cast album I heard and that might be cuz they are very long lol. But I am planning to watch the new Little Mermaid movie tonight or tomorrow to get my movie musical fix. I'll let you know how it is!

I haven't had time to look into some of your reading recs yet to fill in some more categories so I guess I'll just work on ones I've already decided/started on. Ya it says in the beginning it was September and might even go to December which is for sure an autumn romance. Weirdly I was struggling with that category even though romance is my favorite genre so it works out perfectly. It's so cool that your book club is reading the Night Circus and you'll get to reread it. I will also read it too! Do you think it works for any other category since I already filled in the autumn romance one? I have heard good things about the Ex Hex and seems like something I would like and that's good to know about Arsenic and Adobo too.

I am going to try to stick more of a reading schedule for the rest of the month and probably pair a few books together which is what I usually do anyway, but actually finishing them hopefully. I totally get that with reading even a little bit when you have some time..that's something I should do more, but usually I say no cuz i'd rather read more when I have more time. I also have a hard time switching between reading on my phone or the physical books I own cuz I usually read on my phone. Yes you answered all my questions and I will look at all your recs later. But I'm sorry if I didn't respond to all of yours. Aw Im sorry about health issues and I hope everything is okay! Don't feel pressure to respond if you're not feeling well. I hope you enjoy your day tomorrow and your reading if you do any!

hi friend! i cancelled my original order (pink cd + blue vinyl), since a friend got me the yellow vinyl & i ordered the pink one myself, and then just got the pink target CD! but now i'm intrigued about the tangerine vinyl with the vinyl exclusive track... so we'll see if i end up getting that one. i'm definitely running out of room for vinyls though. i also have the pink lover one (and the pink lover live from paris one), and i have a couple other pink vinyls, but they're all different shades of pink so i'm really excited! doing two covers (some city, some beach) would've been cool too! my favorite cover i think is the pink but i also really like the blue! i usually order one cd since i like listening to CD's in my car! i really loved her VMA afterparty look — i think it's really cute that sabrina also wears a similar dress on tour too!

guts is definitely growing on me the more i listen to it! but i think my favorites haven't changed since my first listen — making the bed, logical, pretty isn't pretty and teenage dream. i actually just bought tickets to see olivia on tour today! i'm going to go with one of my friends, so i'm really excited. i'll give billie a try soon! i've been very behind with new releases — only just remembered to listen to the new laufey album today (which i also really like).

i really miss being into musical theatre! i was reminded by a friend that today is ride the cyclone day — which is another teeny tiny show that i love! i think i'm going to watch the little mermaid live action this weekend — i keep meaning to and things just keep happening over here! i'm super excited though, i have a lot of friends who loved it.

i feel like the night circus could fit for a couple categories for example: a book that takes place in september, an autumnal romance, a cozy(ish) fantasy! but i'm mostly counting it for reread an autumnal favorite! i've been majorly slacking on my readathon, honestly — health issues and such, but i'm hoping to make more progress this week and next!! i think i listened to the ex hex on audiobook and liked the narrator a lot! i'm currently audiobooking serpent and dove and am really enjoying the narrator for that one too. i feel like audiobook narrators can make or break a reading experience!

and you're totally okay!!! things will hopefully be better health wise soon, you're very sweet 🤍 i have an appointment tomorrow that is a bit scary and i think i will reward myself with a book (or two) which i'm very excited about! i've mostly been reading the seven year slip by ashley poston, and i've been debating on changing my url to something bookish for a bit!!!! just a heads up for you! hope you're having a wonderful week and have a good friday/weekend!!