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tarryloesinne · 2 years ago

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OMNITRANYL - 14. Behind the walls

“You, the redhead, step forward and introduce yourself!”

“Phillip, my lord,” said Kevin. “Pageboy and future eternal knight.”

“An ambitious young man, I must say,” Sir William, in his silver armor and red cloak, stared at Kevin, I mean, Philip. He smiled and continued “That's good, without ambition you can't achieve anything! You, the tall one, step forward and introduce yourself!”

Kevin invaded the castle of the Forever Knights. Using an ID mask, he adopted the identity of Philip, a young red-haired man with freckles, a broad nose, and a great dream of one day becoming an Forever Sir. But for this, it would take a long journey as a page, to one day become a squire and, after much dedication, rise to the rank of knight. How he would earn the title of Sir was already something that his imagination did not allow him to think about when creating the lie.

At this moment Kevin was standing in a line with nineteen other young pageboys, with their backs to the main gate of the castle. Sir William walked briskly from one side to the other, his judgmental gaze wandering over the fearful expressions of the new recruits. Beside the knight, a squire with a clipboard took notes on the new members of the order and walked at the same pace as his lord.

Of the twenty young men, who at this moment were struggling to keep their urinary bladder functioning, only two besides Kevin (Phillip) are relevant to the story: Theodore and George. And why? Because they were the only ones that Kevin addressed. Actually, no. They were the ones who brought up Kevin, but after three grunts, two snorts with their nostrils and six disapproving looks, the Osmosian finally responded with words.

“... and should one of you be caught breaking any of these rules, gentlemen, expect no pity or mercy,” Sir William concluded his instructions to the new recruits.

Sorry not to put the instructions at the beginning for you to follow, dear readers, but it is enough that the poor pages are forced to listen to several minutes of blah-blah-blah; “you can do this, you can't do that”; “you will be beheaded” and a bunch of other nonsense.

Finally, the knight concluded:

“Are we clear?”

“Yes, my lord!” they all replied at the same time.

“My Squire will show you to your quarters. Dismissed!”

The row of pageboys opened a space between their members to allow the knight, in his flowing red cape, to pass, as he went outside the castle. Then the Squire ― a young man a little older than the pageboys, with curly black hair and wearing a ridiculous red and white outfit ― asked for everyone's attention and began:

“I would say 'good day' if it was a good day, but having to deal with their nasty faces first thing in the morning is bound to kill the 'good' side of any day.”

The stewards looked at each other, confused. Was this a great example of Small Power Syndrome?

The Squire continued:

“If you have any questions, keep them to yourselves. If you have any complaints, keep them to yourself. If you have any compliments, keep them to yourself too, because I don't care what you like or don't like. Are we in agreement?”

“Yes, sir...” they all answered at the same time.

“Great, keep up with me” And he followed through the row, bumping into the arm of one of the recruits.

Theodore tilted his head toward Kevin (Phillip) and whispered:

“Nice guy, huh?”

Kevin answered nothing and continued walking quietly.

“Please tell me that all this “friendliness” is not contagious?” said Theodore.

◇───────◇───────◇

“You three will be responsible for sweeping the yard.” The other page boys were also divided into tasks, but Phillip, Theodore and George were left with the task of cleaning the huge area of the courtyard. The upside is that it would be a large amount of time to be allocated to just one task, which would allow Kevin to concentrate on his next steps now that he was inside the castle. The downside is that Theodore and George were the talkative types and wouldn't shut up for a second, preventing Kevin from thinking.

“My father said that my name was inspired by the Knight-Founder of the Order,” said George. The young man with curly hair and glasses held his broomstick like a sword pointing to the sky.

“Really? I thought Jorge was the name of the Founder?” said Theodore. His physical features of Asian descent allied to his height, tall for his age, made him stand out among the other pageboys. At the moment he had his head resting on his hands that held the top of the broom and kept it upright.

“This depends on where you hear the story. In my case, it was inspired by the British version.”

“Cool. My name was not inspired by anything, I guess.” Theodore turned to Kevin and said: “And you, Phillip? Is your name a tribute too?”

Kevin answered with a frown and continued sweeping.

“Are you going to continue to be the quiet one? Then fine...” said Theodore.

“You should be sweeping instead of wasting time chattering,” said Kevin finally. “If Sir William shows up...”

“You've decided to talk at last!” said George.

“He's right, George,” said Theodore, “let's get back to work before Sir or his annoying Squire shows up.”

The quiet movement of the courtyard was suddenly changed by the arrival of the truck. As soon as the gate opened, the yard was lined with knight-soldiers: some to escort and secure the cargo, others to unload the truck and some just to satisfy curiosity. The fact is that in a matter of moments, all the attention in the castle turned to the vehicle and its mysterious cargo.

“What's going on?” asked Theodore.

Kevin approached his colleagues. He could not continue sweeping, as the crowd and his curiosity would not let him.

“Won't tell anyone,” George whispered, “but it seems that they discovered some mysterious technology in the west castle and are transferring it to ours for safekeeping.”

A square container reinforced with seals was taken from inside the truck and carried through the courtyard, with a sort of floating platform, into the castle. Riders escorted the cargo with guns at the ready.

“What did they found?” Kevin asked George.

“I don't know much. But from what I found out by snooping around my father's office.”

“Your father?” Kevin interrupted.

“My father is one of the Sirs of this castle. Responsible for tactical planning. Sir Gustav, have you ever heard of him?”

Kevin remembered punching a chief knight in the face a few months ago, if his name is Gustav he couldn't tell. George continued:

“He has a flaw in his right eyebrow and a patch of gray hair on the sides.”

Yeah, he's the one I punched in the face indeed.... he thought.

“I don't know him.” said Kevin.

“Anyway, they were after an ancient object called Chaotic, which according to them possesses a technology still unknown on planet Earth.”

“And what does it do?” asked Theodore.

“I don't know, man, but it must do a lot of damage. Otherwise they wouldn't be so careful...”

Kevin kept his gaze fixed on the reinforced doors that closed soon after this Chaotic entered the castle.

I'm sure that's what Albedo is after? He thought. The question now is how to stop him from getting...

“Hey, you useless!” the Squire's voice coming from one of the castle windows was still annoying no matter if heard from near or far. “Stop wasting your time and get back to work before I put you to work cleaning all the windows in the castle too!”

“Come on, guys,” said George, “we don't want to annoy the little king any more...”

Kevin went back to sweeping, both the floor and his thoughts. With a new objective in view, he had to rework his plans from the beginning...

#ben 10 ultimate alien #ben10 #ben 10 uaf #ben 10 alien force #ben 10 #writing #fiction #fanfic

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dreamerwriternstargazer · 5 years ago

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In Defence of Team Purple Lion

Voltron: Legendary Defender and its final season remains as one of the most poorly received children’s shows in the past decade. The show was a reboot from DreamWorks of the popular Voltron franchise owned by WEP LLC (World Event Productions) who were responsible for the first version of the show Voltron: Defender Of The Universe (1984), an adaptation of the anime show GoLion by Toei Animation. It initially started strong when released in 2016, with a premise that of a typical mech-centric kids’ show; 5 pilots of 5 robot lions coming together to form one big robot (Voltron) to fight against a big bad alien villain in space, however despite the formulaic appearance it proved to be a captivating watch with detailed and beautiful animation as well as surprisingly deep subject matter. The themes and messages of the show touched on darker topics such as racism and genocide with the backdrop of a complex portayal of war while still balancing it with the light-hearted and goofy dynamics of the diverse main characters, played by a diverse cast. Produced by Lauren Montgomery and Joaquim Dos Santos, both of whom had worked on the acclaimed Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend Of Korra, the story set up promised an equally deep and intricate story for VLD as had been the case for ATLA and LoK, as a result the show attracted a large and varied fan base beyond just children, many fans adults eager to see how the story and darker themes would be resolved as well as how the minority representations would be treated.

The final season released on Dec 14th 2018 came as a great shock to fans, not only were they intensely dissatisfied with the ending, virtually no one from any area or sub fandom was happy with the season as a whole and at the time of this article’s writing it has lower than a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show and its producers faced massive criticism over insensitive representations of minorities, an unsympathetic and condemning end for an abuse victim despite redemption for their abusers and a disempowering arc for the main woman of colour character in which she was sidelined and dismissed by her male counterparts up until her sacrifice. The core themes and messages of love, forgiveness and acceptance regardless of race were completely subverted, instead conveying to an impressionable Y-7 and above audience the opposite; heritage and race define a person rather than their own actions. As well as fans, many parents of kids who watched the show expressed unhappiness with the final season due to the toxic and regressive messages it sent. Soon after the season dropped a petition emerged to “free the original season 8 of Voltron” due to the belief that the final season was in fact an edited product of what the creators originally planned. This belief was sparked by visual inconsistencies in the season itself, the audio description not lining up with the action on screen (now fixed), one character not being played by her voice actor but her voice actually another character’s with the pitch turned up as well as comments from the cast and animators, now deleted. The strongest claims of edits were made by Tumblr user Leaking Hate in her initial meta Chasing The Ghosts Of Season 8 and the follow up, a more detailed breakdown, Seek Truth In Darkness in which she presented an alternative story that had been edited and cut down for reasons then unknown, with narrative and visual evidence from the season itself to support her argument. She and a few other fans officially came together in February 2019 to form Team Purple Lion, a team of analysts dedicated to finding the truth behind the disaster of the final season. However, since the fandom had had a poor history of harassing the show’s creators over ships (romantic relationships between characters) most attributed the poor story and resolve to an attempt to keep things neutral romantically between characters in a poor bid to please everyone. As a result the petition and campaign were merely linked to lack of shipping satisfaction for the fandom and dismissed as more toxic fandom behaviour that had been displayed previously by many fans.

Petitions and campaigns like these are not uncommon after a show or film’s ending, similar situations might be the HIMYM backlash in which fans were so unhappy with the ending of the show that there was a petition for an alternative ending, as well as the petition to Warner Bros regarding the Snyder Cut of Justice League. Both of these have actually succeeded with the Snyder cut of Justice League set to release in 2021 and the HIMYM DVD box sets containing the alternative ending, however what makes the Free VLD s8 campaign now led by Team Purple Lion unique is its claim that there’s an original finished product that the creators intended for release but was edited after completion to produce the poor final season that was released on Netflix. Often corporate meddling in creative works is common but it has not been documented before as a post production occurrence changing the finished work, it’s always taken place pre-production as was the case with Disney and Colin Trevorrow’s original script for ep. IX or during production, in the case of Justice League and Zak Snyder.

Since the start of the campaign in Dec 2018 there’s been continuous investigation and action taken by TPL to provide proof for their claims and the movement has evolved into a fight for creators’ rights, still active now a year and a half on. Their investigation early on resulted in discovering the IP holder (those who own the trademark) WEP as the ones with control over the show and therefore responsible for the released edited season 8. They’ve since defended DreamWorks and the showrunners from criticism in favour of requesting WEP and specifically President Robert Koplar, self proclaimed “steward of the property” for the original season 8 by the showrunners that was not released. There’s also been strong advocation from TPL to keep the protest against WEP’s interference with the creative team’s work peaceful to avoid dismissal and belittlement due to prior instances of the VLD fandom’s toxic behaviour that often included harassment of showrunners and toxic fan behaviour ranging from abusive remarks online to death threats, after the final season rumours were flying and the EPs faced abuse from upset fans so there was an active effort to stay civil on TPL’s part.

TPL and the #FreeVLDS8 movement has continuously faced criticism and backlash since its start regardless, the response from fellow fans ranging from supportive to downright disbelief and even the showrunners stating publicly [March 28th 2019 Let’s Voltron podcast] that there’s no “alternate cut of Voltron” branding the idea as a “conspiracy theory”. Claims of harassment have been attributed to TPL and the legitimacy of their allegations questioned, one fan questioning the possibility of the edits’ execution as well as others categorizing them as fans creating a theory based on shipping fulfillment. The controversy and consistent campaign a year and a half on interested me greatly, therefore after being led back to the movement by the very comments discrediting them I approached Team Purple Lion for comment on the aforementioned claims as well as conducting my own research and investigation into them. 3 members of the team, Crystal Rebellion, Dragon Of Yang and Leaking Hate spoke to me openly about their campaign and my own research produced some interesting results as well.

The basis of their argument is set on the show’s final season being an edited product, when I asked about what pushed her to this conclusion and writing her initial meta Leaking Hate explained that a mutual friend of Crystal and her’s drew their attention to it through the story saying:

“It’s interesting, nearly ALL of the episodes had a moment or two in them where Lotor [male villain] COULD have reappeared, and didn’t. Do you think he was written in to be the savior all along, and it was the higher ups that said no, good boy Lance [one of the main characters]? It seems like, given the narrative, and even given this season, it should have been Lotura [Lotor and Allura ship name], and all that wasn’t just feels… off. And not as a Lotura stan, I mean in general.”

“And YES I had. There was a narrative gap where Lotor should have fit, but for some reason wasn’t.” Hate said, “The initial conclusion we jumped to was that Lotor had been removed in the writing stage.”

It wasn’t until another friend mentioned a key scene out of place in the story and she went back to view it that she started to suspect the season had been changed from its original state. The scene in question was one in which Lotor says “Follow me!” at the end of Allura’s dream sequence in s8 ep8 Clear Day, despite his death being established before and after this point in the story. “There was no reason for that Follow Me shot to be there,” Hate explained, “unless the action of the viewer following Lotor had been removed.” Having studied a Fine Art degree and therefore well versed in animation and visual art she was able to recognise scenes that had been edited unusually throughout the season once she actively searched for other visual evidence. The Follow Me scene as well as others she found are displayed in her Ghosts meta, all indicating a different story from the one told in the show, along with the evidence Leaking Hate presented some initial ideas on what the story was (a redemption arc for Lotor and several sub arcs for the main characters that resolved their stories and previously set up story beats).

[Image Description: A close up of Prince Lotor’s face from season 8 on Netflix, staring directly out of the picture at the viewer. There are subtitles showing his speech at the bottom of the image, saying “Follow me!” End ID]

After Team Purple Lion’s formation Leaking Hate went on to publish a part two to her initial Ghosts meta, a 21k word meta entitled Seek Truth In Darkness which contained all visual evidence of edits found in the season as well as an extrapolation of the initial story indicated by said edits. The original story appeared to resolve unfinished narratives and arcs that the released s8 dismissed and the treatment of the representations in the show better, from respect towards minorities to an empowering arc for Allura, the main female character. Despite the original season having a more positive story, negative feedback from fans has been more common than positive. When I questioned the team members on it Leaking Hate mentioned “most people who believe we’re wrong tend to think we’re wrong in our premise” Dragon of Yang confirming that “it’s usually the premise of “VLD was edited after completion” that people disagree with”. However the screenshots they present as visual evidence hint at some truth in their argument, the first screen cap shown below indicative of some poor edits made to the animation since 3 characters are essentially cropped out of the picture.

Likewise this screen cap shows a split screen visually unbalanced with 2 characters at the bottom partially cropped out as well as the character on the left side with a much larger screen space than the other characters.

[Image description: A split screen from season 8 on Netflix, featuring from left to right: top left Shiro, below him is Keith in a larger section and Allura in a small triangular section below and to the right of Keith’s section. In the middle is a section showing Honerva’s mech stabbing the Voltron-Atlas mech with purple lightning shooting out. On the top right is Hunk, below him is Pidge, and below her the top half of Lance’s face. End ID]

Seasons prior to the final had always had visually balanced split screens with each character centred in their frames appropriately, indicating these and other s8 shots like them as an anomaly.

Hate reconstructed both screencaps based on what she believed they were originally:

[Image description: A split-screen from season 8 on Netflix, featuring from left to right: an Altean pilot, Merla, Keith, Hunk’s shoulder, Pidge, the top half of Allura’s face, and the top half of Lance’s face. On the top, right, and bottom of this screencap is dark pink background with the black lines of the split-screen extending to the edges of the colors, marking out where the rest of Hunk, Allura, and Lance should be visible if the view had not been cropped. With the lines extending out, Keith’s portion of the screen is also extended, leaving a completely removed section of the split-screen remaining, which is highlighted purple in this image. End ID]

[Image description: A split-screen from season 8 on Netflix, featuring from left to right: top left Shiro, below him is Keith, below and to the right of Keith is Allura in a small triangle section, the bottom of her face slightly cut off. In the middle is a section showing Honerva’s mech stabbing the Voltron-Atlas mech with purple lightning shooting out. On the top right is Hunk, below him is Pidge, and below her the top half of Lance’s face. On the left, right and bottom of the screencap is a dark pink background with the black lines of the split-screen extending to the edge of the colours, marking out where the rest of Lance and Allura should be visible if the view had not been cropped. Keith’s portion of the screen is smaller and a small dark pink section to the right separates his portion from the middle. Below him where his portion originally extended to is a section coloured dark purple that extends a little further to the left of Allura’s portion. End ID]

Other noticeable examples include scenes with the female lead Allura where her proportions do not match with any prior drawings of herself indicating that she was another character redrawn, Leaking Hate suggested Lotor as his proportions fit each instance.

[Image description: 2 pictures of Allura in the Blue Lion from a front and centre angle side by side. On the left Allura has her eyes closed and her arms stretched out holding onto the controls, the entire cockpit is glowing blue. On the right Allura’s eyes are open with a determined look on her face, she’s slightly hunched with her arms gripping the controls, the cockpit is coloured normally. End ID]

The image on the left is of Allura from s8 ep13 and the one on the right from the same episode a few minutes later, scaled so the interiors (which are unchanging 3D models) are the same size. She is notably taller in the one on the right with her head reaching above the seat and her frame bigger, with wider shoulders and thighs.

These are just a few out of the many examples of edits made that Leaking Hate presents in her metas along with her reconstruction of the original season based on what each edit indicates. While the reconstruction is to some point subjective, the visual inconsistencies are clear and can be easily checked by watching the show at each point said to be edited.

The timeframe and possibility for the edits’ execution, called into question by a fan on a twitter thread (now deleted) stating “it’s not physically possible to make that many edits in 2 months and with leftover budget”, was also addressed by the team and their work. Leaking Hate clarified that “it wasn’t 2 months” that they took place in, “it was 6. The edits began in mid July”, a fact determined by voice actor Jeremy Shada mentioning in an interview released on July 23rd that he had gone in to record new lines at the time. Hate also said, “It’s less of a question of would they have time than it is, well. They did do it. It was nearly impossible. But the fact that it is done shows that they did.” She went on, “I think people misunderstand when we claim it was ‘edited’. They hear “it was reanimated”, but it wasn’t reanimated. There is NO new animation in the edited s8 at all. As far as I can tell, 99% of the edits are composed of tracing, clever cuts and sleight of hand.” This is backed up by all the visual evidence they present as well as their work, claiming absence of animation (making the story disjointed and incoherent in places) rather than new, additional animation changing it.

Crystal Rebellion added, “One thing that strikes us (I feel pretty confident speaking for everyone in this case) is that Studio Mir [responsible for animating the show] is impeccably flawless with their work. Their previous work before Voltron: Legendary Defender, and even Seasons 1-6 and most of 7 are beautifully animated. Stunning. Season 8... is not. Studio Mir also had a viewing party for VLD: S8 - and they reported that they loved the final product; so the animators saw Season 8 after it was completed. The season, however, that aired, was really shoddy animation, rough transitions, music mistakes, and what appear to be alterations to still images - it isn't their usual quality of work, and moreover, the animators have stated that they don't recognize what aired. Often we've been asked something like 'Maybe they just didn't know what scenes they were animating' or 'Didn't know the intended finished product' but in this case, it is documented that they saw the final season and that it's different from what was aired. The poor workmanship in what we see from S8 - all the edits Hate goes through to find and explain, coupled with Mir's disbelief, is indicative that the animation studio had no idea this happened. That means it 1) Happened post-production and 2) It wasn't the Studio that changed anything. Dos Santos mentions in an interview [March 4th ABTV] that they were cut and pasting mouths and moving frames around - no time, no budget, and no staff left. It was all them, after it had been completed - after Mir had seen the original rendition and loved it, that all this happened. The parallel point to that to further support it is, had this been written in the script from the beginning, we would've seen a flawlessly animated season with a painful storyline. We don't see that.”

Although Mir’s reaction to the season they viewed in October (before its official drop) has since been deleted, one animator’s response to the season 8 that was released on Netflix is still online, comparing the show to a house and stating that “every single brick of the last season is very upsetting” but “everything else is good” (translation can be found here), making it clear he was not pleased with the final product. Joaquim Dos Santos does also mention in the interview Crystal references that changes were made to season 8 after season 7 dropped, stating, “You can probably see it in the animation. If you really pay attention it’s like, it’s literally our editor cutting out mouths and puppeting different dialogue.” It’s documented that the epilogue was added to s8 late after s7 dropped however it does not have any dialogue, this statement paired with Shada’s about “still recording on Voltron” begs the question, what change was made besides the epilogue? Hate shows in her Darkness meta that Shada’s character Lance was used to replace Lotor as well as Allura in key scenes, if Shada was still recording lines (unusual since audio recording is done very early in animation production) then it would have been for these moments.

Not all criticism has been based on the editing premise however; the story they present as the original has garnered negative comments as well since it featured Lotor, a divisive character due to his moral ambiguity and previous condemnation as a killer, and predominantly focused on his redemption as well as relationship with Allura. The narrative makes it clear that Lance, the blue paladin and one of the main characters popular with fans, would not have been the focus as he was in the released season and would have been replaced by Lotor as Allura’s partner. When I brought up the claims of bias in their reconstruction Leaking Hate pondered on it.

“Do I love the story because it is Lotura, or do I love Lotura because the story makes me love it?” she mused, “I think it's all the same. I was able to pick out the original story because of my bias in favour of Lotor, Allura, and Lotura. Had I not been invested in those characters, and that ship, I would have had no reason to look. I am not reconstructing based on wish fulfillment, or what I want to see,” she asserted, “but the story I am finding happens to be a story that I love.” In regards to Lance and her analysis on him she stated bluntly, “I HATE Lance. Were I reconstructing based on wish fulfillment I would have him alone and miserable. But that is not a good story. The real story of OGS8 has Lance coming to love himself and to learn to accept Allura's friendship as equally worthy as her romantic affection. It has him grow into a good man, and it has him become Allura's right hand when he helps her save the man she loves. It is an uplifting and wholesome message for little boys and grown men alike. And I think it is equally important that we save S8 for Lance as it is that we save it for Lotor and Allura.” When I mentioned that some would find her dislike of Lance an argument against her she also added that “they are right to.”

“I would not trust someone claiming to have found the 'real' story if I knew they hated Lotor or Allura.” However she admitted, “I don't hate him all the time. I think, if the Lance we get in OGS8 is the Lance I believe is there, then I will find him tolerable, if irritating.”

While it’s true that Hate is critical of Lance and his character, the reconstructed story she presents in Seek Truth does reflect her words, giving him an empowering and sympathetic arc growing from his previous immature and womanising character into a selfless, respectful friend. The team have also put their efforts into creating and realising the story in their reconstruction of the original s8, Rise and Atone, and so far it has stayed true to what they’ve promised, addressing characters and their arcs, the only deviation made being a romance free conclusion in a bid to stay ship-neutral. Dragon of Yang explained the narrative decisions they made with R&A stating clearly, “If this was wish fulfillment, we would have stopped at one detail or another. Every character’s arc was halted and destroyed beyond reconciliation or catharsis. Every character deserves their story to be done justice, and open-endings give that catharsis VLD originally had while remaining respectful to everyone’s shipping preferences. VLD is a story of hope and growth, to deny that a character has grown since day 1 is to deny that there is a story there to be told, and that in turn denies a person out there - who likely identifies with that character - the feeling of being seen. The best thing we can do as scholars and as activists,” she concluded, “is try to recreate the vision the staff had originally made and do so with care and attention to the work they put into every line.”

As for the harassment claims attributed to Team Purple Lion by both fans and The Voltron Store on twitter, there’s not much to support them, and in fact a great deal to disprove them. The team has maintained a level of professionalism in both their work and in their conduct online, consistently citing sources and providing proof for claims as well as campaigning respectfully. Hate commented, “they seem to be conflating our protest with the general hatred being thrown around in the fandom. We've made a point to emphasize polite but firm protest and advocate reaching out through official channels.” While there is a lot of anger and hate from fans towards the show and the producers, none of it has been from Team Purple Lion. Their protest has continuously avoided and often defended the producers and voice actors, who have been regularly attacked by other fans during the show’s airing and since due to the poor conclusion, all of whom TPL have made clear are under NDAs and cannot comment freely (although it’s worth noting, they stopped actively promoting the show on their social media after the season 8 release). Instead their questioning has focused on WEP, the company who own the Voltron trademark, after discovering through a meta analysis of a VLD episode signs that they were meddling with the creators’ vision of the show and ordered them to change it against the producers’ wishes. While it was only a speculative piece, WEP’s quick reaction to the release of said meta by claiming through their Voltron Store twitter that they “do not have any influence over the creative direction of the show” despite ignoring fans for months after the season release suggests some truth to it. Twitter user Eros compiled all evidence of their involvement since then in a Twitter thread and the majority of it is damning, their denial directly contradicting statements from the voice actors and producers prior to and after s8 that confirmed they were the controlling party and had creative input, as well as the creators’ desire to tell a progressive and empowering story however not being able to because of “other controlling parties” outside of DreamWorks. WEP have also made contradictory statements to fans about the season, saying that “nothing was edited” yet agreeing with a fan that a lot was left out and a director’s cut would sell well, as well as mocking another who left a Facebook review (March 16th 2019) complaining of being hung up on, replying to them that an “imposter” answered their phones:

[Image description: A facebook review of The Voltron Store. Text from the top reads as:

Reviewer (name coloured out) doesn’t recommend The Voltron Store.

Review reads: Terrible customer service. They literally hung up on me mid sentence and it was clearly not a case of a call accidentally being dropped. Extremely disappointed by the lack of professionalism!

The Voltron Store’s reply to the reviewer: if you actually talked to us you would find we are very nice people! And we never hang up on anybody EVER - unless they make outrageous claims like Power Rangers is better than Voltron!

The reviewer’s reply: The Voltron Store I did speak to a woman who identified herself Stephanie briefly, but I will never speak to your company again. Thank you for the response but I don't appreciate being called a liar. Please see the attached screenshot for proof of my abruptly ended call back in January. I desire to have no further communication with your company now, I simply decided finally other people deserved to know my personal experience.

Below is a screenshot showing the reviewer called The Voltron Store’s number.

The Voltron Store replied: We do not have a Stephanie here. That must be the issue: you dealt with an imposter! We would review the security cam footage but it does not go back 2 months. End ID.]

In stark contrast to WEP, Team Purple Lion has responded to criticism and addressed it, as well as reaching out to media outlets to clarify and correct poorly sourced claims, however have been faced with no response. Their questioning of WEP and their requests for the original season 8 on social media have been civil; their replies to the Voltron Store posts on Twitter containing no insults or cruel remarks, the harshest only critiques on the company’s lack of tact promoting a show and its merchandise that many considered offensive and toxic due to the last season. “At no point did we set out as some kind of campaign to “attack WEP” or “demand a new season”,” Crystal Rebellion said. “We were a handful of people looking at what amounted to, to use a metaphor, a puzzle that had technically been assembled but most of the pieces didn’t match up properly. We eventually decided to take the pieces that didn’t line up and look at what the picture was supposed to be. There was no ulterior motive - we just wanted the truth. When we realised the truth and it became obvious early on that Mir had seen the original season, we became convinced there was an unedited s8, perhaps in Mir’s backup drives. People saw it, which means it was a completed product, so it became a campaign to ask for it, it’s what the fandom wants, it’s what is profitable.”

In the face of all the negative response and disbelief, Team Purple Lion have gathered an overwhelming amount of evidence to support their case, not only from the show itself but also corroborating statements from the production team and cast as well as WEP’s conduct in response to the campaign. As a result TPL have gained a great amount of support and followers from the Voltron fandom, and are still gaining more a year and a half later. “I gotta give a shout out to Cosmic Royalty,” Leaking Hate said, “a group of Russian fans who reached out to us asking if they could do translations of our work. We host their translations on our website now and there’s apparently a group 500 strong on the Russian social media site VK that supports the work we do together!” Violet Howler on Tumblr has also been a big supporter as well as new fans, recently revealing themselves in the wake of good news, the fight to get the original season seemingly won as Leaking Hate displayed in her most recent meta. In it Hate outlines evidence for the franchise’s ownership changing hands from WEP to DreamWorks and therefore the release of the original season, based on the recent repromotion of the show through articles, new merchandise from the store and the new store designs that all suggest the release, since there would be no other reason to promote a show that was a PR disaster, so universally hated. Regardless of all the opposition and discredit they have faced, confirmation of the truth of Voltron’s original season 8’s fate is expected this summer before the official art book is made available, in the form of the season’s release itself. Whether the fans will be happy with it is another story, however Leaking Hate emphasised firmly that fan satisfaction was not the point, or at least not entirely. “Nothing is perfect, and nothing will please everyone. Especially a show like VLD, with almost 35 years of legacy and fans behind it. There are people who will not like the original season, there are even some who will prefer the edited one - I’m sure the WEP executives are some of them. But it will be the season it was supposed to be, the one that was a labour of love. There is so much love and care poured into every frame of VLD, this was a story that the people working on it wanted to tell; it was more than just a job to them. It was created with love, and it was with love that we fought for it, and when it comes down to it that’s what VLD’s meta narrative was about: love.”

#articles #fandom #fandom culture #team purple lion #voltron #voltron legendary defender #vld fandom #freevlds8 #dreamworks

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jrenvs3000 · 4 years ago

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Personal Ethic as a Nature Interpreter

Here we are, delving into our last blog posts of the semester! I have truly appreciated this course for so many reasons. Sharing perspectives and ideas about nature interpretation and the beauty of this marvelous planet with my classmates has really inspired me. It has been exciting to read about all of our unique experiences and I do feel as though it has allowed me to view aspects of nature in new ways.

In order to describe my personal ethic as a nature interpreter, I must start out by stating my core personal ethics that I carry with me in my daily life. These are as follows: compassion, empathy, kindness, honesty, dedication, respect, responsibility and fairness. These are the values I actively strive to live by every day, and certainly try to bring forth into my role as a nature interpreter. As a wildlife biology and conservation major at the University of Guelph, some of my greatest love and passion is found within nature. I have a strong desire to learn all I can about the animals and plants with whom we share this planet, and in doing so I hope to play a significant role in environmental sustainability and education.

I believe that we as humans have a profound responsibility of preserving and honouring the creatures we share the earth with. Nature is their home, and though we all enjoy its beauty, it is essential that we take our knowledge as nature interpreters to do our absolute best to care for it. I have always had a great deal of empathy for wildlife, from little bugs to majestic eagles. I also love plants, and I feel connected to nature each time I am out in the world and take the time to look around at the world of greenery around me. I love using plant identification apps on my phone to learn about new species and share this information on the apps so more people can learn of the whereabouts of these species! It is so incredible to bring people together through a love of nature. The same goes for birdwatching, which is another activity I really love. I love tagging the location of birds I see in nature so it can provide data for others to share. In case anyone is interested, I really enjoy “Seek” by iNaturalist for plant identification, and Merlin Bird ID from Cornell Lab of Ornithology for birdwatching. It is always exciting to hear a familiar call of a favourite bird when out enjoying nature, and sharing this information with people who are with you.

The Black-Capped Chickadee (30 seconds)

(A 30 sec clip of a black-capped chickadee from Hinterland Who’s Who- you can learn so much in half a minute!)

Reviewing the main questions continually asked throughout this course, I believe it is relevant now to answer them on a personal note.

Who am I as an interpreter?

I am an advocate for wildlife, their habitats and trying to bridge a connection between nature and humans in order to create a better world.

2. Who is my audience?

My audience is people of all ages who can contribute in a meaningful way to wildlife and their environment. As mentioned in the course, kids always seem like the most impactful audience because the influence we can have when they are young and learning about the world can stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“Whether you introduce a child to a pileated woodpecker, you provide tools to allow them to make safe decisions when on a hike with friends, or something else, you are offering a spark to be fanned and developed” (Hooykaas, A., 2021

3. How can I make this experience meaningful?

My experience as a nature interpreter, as a steward of the earth, can be made meaningful by making connections with others. In forming connections with other people and educating each other, holding each other accountable, and speaking for the voiceless (ie; nature), this experience can be extraordinarily meaningful.

I feel a great deal of responsibility in my role as a nature interpreter. As a young woman who is incredibly passionate about our natural world, I know my education is a privilege and a tool in my belt that can be used to connect people to nature. It is a circle, the importance of wildlife to people and vice versa. Humans take comfort in nature in order to recharge, whether that be out birdwatching, hiking, or canoeing. On some level, we all take comfort in nature and amongst our beautiful wildlife. However, wildlife really depend on us to ensure their survival based on how we value them and their habitats, which we coexist in. Wild animals are so important to us, not only on an emotional level, but their wellbeing is also a direct correlation to the health of our ecosystems and even our economy (Hinterland, n.d). Education is power, and the responsibility of teaching fellow Canadians about our natural world is one I am more than happy to take on.

Hinterland Who’s Who from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada has an incredibly informative website regarding the importance of wildlife, and I will include it in my citations for anyone who is interested to read!

Some statistics from this particular page made me a little bit emotional. As we all know, working and studying in the field of nature interpretation, can be very daunting and sometimes feel hopeless. When we are constantly bombarded with news of environmental destruction and loss, it feels like we are fighting a losing battle. However, I will share these statistics in this blog post so at a glance it may lift your spirits a bit to see just how many Canadians truly care about our natural world!

-14.5 million Canadians (70 percent of the population) participated in wildlife-related activities around their residence or cottage. These activities included feeding, watching, studying, or photographing wildlife. Some 6.6 million people put out special feed for wildlife.

-3.9 million people made trips or outings whose primary purpose was to enjoy wildlife.

-1.9 million Canadians belonged or contributed to wildlife organizations.

-17.7 million Canadians (85 percent of the population) took part in activities such as watching wildlife films or television programs, reading wildlife books or magazines, visiting game farms, zoos, aquariums, or natural history museums, or purchasing wildlife art, crafts, or posters.

(Statistics Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Wildlife Federation)

As I have come to realize, the approaches to nature interpretation that are most suitable to me are those that are hands on and directly helpful to nature. Throughout my hopefully very long career in wildlife research and conservation, I plan on learning more about our beautiful natural world and making it a better place.

A final note, I want to thank everyone so much for a great course! I feel like I have learned so much about myself and others and my perspective of nature interpretation has broadened so much.

Citations

1. Seek by inaturalist · inaturalist. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

2. Hinterland who's who - benefits of wildlife. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.hww.ca/en/issues-and-topics/benefits-of-wildlife.html#:~:text=Wildlife%20is%20important%20to%20natural%20processes&text=These%20ecological%20processes%20are%20essential,and%20by%20preventing%20waste%20accumulation.

3. Merlin Bird ID. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

4. HinterlandWW. (2010, March 23). The Black-Capped chickadee (30 seconds). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjl9MUojYzY&t=30s

#final blog post!

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dopescotlandwarrior · 5 years ago

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Bluegrass-Chapter Ten

My thanks to @statell for your help and wisdom

Previous chapters on AO3

Chapter Ten

The track stewards were unmoving in their decision to disqualify Midnight Runner. Track officials made a public announcement, and then it was over. The final word was that Runner had bumped the second-place horse in his rapid advance late in the race. The bump was hard enough to knock the horse's stride off thereby eliminating any chance to win.

Michael, Claire, and Jamie studied the race video repeatedly to see what happened and decided there was little that could have prevented it, unless Claire was doing her part as a jockey.

“It’s a big part of what the jockey does, you watch for openings and potential problems Claire. It’s time for you to become his jockey.”

Claire looked at Michael, “It’s about God damn time.”

They had two weeks before the next race in Kentucky and Claire would learn as fast as she could to prevent further bumps. She would have a long mental talk with Runner, so he understood the consequences of bumping another horse.

Jamie and Michael made sure Runner was safely boarded on the plane and rode back with the handler who brought them. Claire had everything packed and ready when Jamie returned, but she was too quiet. Jamie hugged her and asked for some honest talk time before they left. Sitting across from each other he asked what was on her mind.

“If something goes catastrophically wrong in a race, like yesterday, I wouldn’t be responsible for it up until now, because I wasn’t guiding him. Now I’m nervous that I won’t be a very good jockey and my direction to Runner will be wrong and cause a real mess.”

“It sounds like you trust Runner more than yerself lass. Can ye not see how much yer needed now? The races get harder from here because the weaker horses are gettin pulled from the stakes races. He will be runnin against better horses and he needs yer guidance.”

“I have two weeks to learn how to guide a twelve- hundred- pound speeding bullet with other horses all around us, and I’m terrified at the thought.”

“Ye said ye rode hunter-jumpers until two years ago but ye did more than that, didn’t ye lass?”

She threw him a questioning look.

“Forgive me Sassenach, I checked because I had to know everything about ye. This was back when my crush first started before I kissed ye the first time. It was the only thing I could do when I was missin ye.”

“I’m not sure I follow where this is going, Jamie.”

“Ye did more than just ride. Ye showed them competitively, even through vet school. Ye won yer class at the Hampton Classic did ye not? I watched your jump off and almost had a heart attack at the height and size of the jumps, the tight corners and angles, and the speed! Have ye forgotten that Sassenach? What ye will do in the race doesn’t even compare to that level of control.”

Claire blushed and looked at her hands. “That seems like another lifetime ago Jamie,” she said quietly.

“Well, it wasn’t, love, and it’s time to channel the competitor Claire and learn to race. I haven’t a single doubt about yer ability to learn, and ride him straight through undefeated.”

Jamie pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the love and passion he felt. The colt was still proving he was one in a million with each race he won so they had to keep going. Now that they were going back to Kentucky, there were other issues they would have to deal with. He needed to see her strength, now more than ever.

It was decided that Michael would bunk with Jamie until he found somewhere to live and purchased a car. Jamie hoped Isobel would be cordial and accept the new roommate for the short time he was there.

Rupert pulled up to Claire’s house and waited for Jamie to walk her inside. She clung to him and kissed him before he was out the door, leaving her with all her doubts.

Jamie had explained his living situation and the presence of Isobel to Michael the best he could. The men stopped at the compound to look at the new quarantine wing where Runner and Porcelain Love would stay safe from outside threats. Jamie looked at the new multiplexer and thirty-two cameras that were displayed across two large screens in his office. Tomorrow he would get the doors online and provide pass codes for all the borders and staff. Isobel would not be getting a password and if she walked into the compound she would be followed closely by Rupert or Angus.

Michael appreciated the high tech facility and the improvements Jamie had made while they were in New York. He wasn’t a stupid man. There was more to the story than Jamie had shared and it piqued his interest, not only for Runner’s safety but for the wellbeing of his new friends. He would keep his eyes open and melt into the background for now.

Finding the house empty of one irritating Isobel, Jamie showed Michael to a guest room and went to bed. He sent a text message to Isobel telling her they had a guest so she wouldn’t shoot him when she came home. He laid in his bed and dialed Claire. He missed her already.

“Beauchamp.”

“My love, ye have caller ID do ye not?”

“I never remember to look. How is the most handsome man in the world?”

“What in God’s name is going on over there?”

“Sorry.” Claire closed herself into her room and the giggling girls were no longer heard. “That is Molly and Lulu and some boy that stopped by. I haven’t figured out why they are so happy. They talk so fast I can’t understand a thing they say. They make me feel old.”

“I’ll miss ye tonight mo chridhe. Runner has another two days of rest and I will lose my mind by then. Can I come over tomorrow night?”

“Anytime, day or night, Jamie. I’ll miss you too. Goodnight love.”

“Goodnight.”

The weight of the world became too heavy for Jamie to bear so he gave in to sleep and let the blackness carry him away.

Michael struggled with insomnia and tonight it was next to impossible to fall asleep. He decided to take a walk and stop sheet boxing. Once on the road, he naturally walked toward the compound enjoying the lovely evening. Large floodlights made it easy to find his way into the stall area and he walked the aisles looking at beautiful horses tucked in for the night. He found Runner’s wing and slipped in to give him some love when he was jumped from behind and almost strangled in the process.

“My name is Michael, I’m a guest of Jamie’s!”

Suddenly the weight on his back was gone and Rupert was sputtering his apology. Once Michael could breathe again, he asked why he was attacked. Rupert explained they were taking turns sleeping near Runner for his protection.

“Jamie will activate the new locks tomorrow, so we won’t have to do this anymore.”

“What are you protecting him from?”

“Well, two years ago someone tried to poison Jamie’s horses. Several died but Claire was able to save the others, including Runner. She cut him right out of the dead dam. So lately, there’s talk of someone comin into the stall area, late at night. Jamie and Claire got worried the same person was tryin to kill them again. Or steal them. That’s why we have all this new equipment and this quarantine wing. Just an excuse to fortify the walls, purify the air, and keep the feed separate. They never found the guy that tried to kill them so he’s still out there.”

Michael couldn’t believe his ears but now he understood all the new security. It seemed a bit over-reactive, but he never had someone try to kill his horses before.

“This person who came to the stalls recently, who saw him and did they ask why the guy was here?”

“No, Claire heard about it from Runner who was scared shitless about it, and it was a woman.”

“Come again?”

“It was a woman he said.”

“Who said?”

“Runner.” Michael was trying to keep his composure as he backed away from Rupert. He wanted to get out of the compound and back to the sane people right away.

“I see. Well, goodnight, sorry I bothered you.”

Rupert watched the man walk swiftly to the outside door thinking he was a bit odd. The horses were sound asleep again, so Rupert jumped back into his blankets and joined them.

Michael was replaying the scene with Rupert on his way back to the house, convinced Rupert was challenged in some way and Jamie gave him a job out of the kindness of his heart. That must be it, he told himself. Before he got to the house his cell phone was vibrating with a message from Claire. It was only ten o’clock so he called her back.

“Beauchamp.”

“Claire, hello, just got your text as I was walking back to Jamie’s. I went down to the compound to walk off some stress and ran into Rupert.”

“Oh, okay, now you’re walking back. I see.”

“Rupert told me about the woman who was coming to the stalls late at night. I was wondering, who found her?”

“No one found her.”

”How do you know she was here then?”

“Runner told me.”

Michael heard the bomb go off in his mind and he staggered to get his legs under him so he didn’t fall. His heart was pounding, and his hand pushed sweat off his forehead.

“Well, goodnight Michael. I will see you in a couple of days.”

“Yes, goodnight Claire.”

Michael felt like he was in the twilight zone where people seemed normal until they had you on a breeding farm in the middle of nowhere and then revealed they were all crazy. He couldn’t walk himself out of here if he tried. It had to be many miles to the nearest store or gas station, and he had no idea which way to go. He had no choice except lock himself in his room until morning then ask for a ride to town.

Jamie was pulling wire into his office the next morning when Michael came in. He looked a bit under the weather and Jamie asked if he was well. Michael was fidgeting and looking at the ground while Jamie was distracted by running the wire.

“I came down here last night when I couldn’t sleep. I spoke to Rupert after he nearly choked me to death. We had a nice talk about things.”

Jamie looked at Michael, “what kind of things?”

“Well, the woman who visits the stalls late at night. He said Runner told you.”

“Nah, he doesna talk to me, only Claire.”

Michael was positive now, they were all crazy. “Do you think I could get a ride into town, right now?”

“Of course, Rupert can drive ye.”

“Is there anyone else available?”

Jamie put down the wire and looked at the trainer.

“What’s goin on Michael, yer acting very strange and why don’t ye come in and take a seat?”

“I need to get on my way actually, right now, and I can’t wait.”

Jamie could see the man was terrified and wondered what happened to him.

“Michael, ye mean a lot to us and I hate to see ye go. What’s happened to ye?”

He described what happened the night before and his brief conversation with Claire.

Jamie dialed Claire and told her they were coming over so she could talk to Michael about talking to animals. On the way, he had plenty of time to explain what happened the first time Claire came to Highland Brothers to do yearling checks and instead, walked into a mass poisoning.

“She held their head and started calling out drugs to mix into a cocktail. No way she could have assessed the poisoning so precisely but in the end, she saved all but five. My prized dam died and Claire cut the colt out of her. I bottle raised him which is why he had to be taught to run, I think. I dinna think he knew he was a horse. Claire taught him by racing him like he was a kid. It worked, now he only wants to race. When I saw him really run, I was stunned by his speed. He wouldn’t accept a rider until Claire held his head and told him something. She is the only one who can ride him.”

Michael looked like he wanted to open the door and run. Anywhere, it didn’t matter, as long as it was away from Jamie. The story he just heard was pure fiction, that was obvious, but who was such a master to perpetuate such a tail. Claire. She must truly be gifted to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, he thought. He felt a bit sorry for gullible Jamie, but it wasn’t his business. He had one task in front of him, get away from these people and find a way back to New York.

Claire clicked off feeling a deep worry about Michael leaving them. She asked Molly to please stick around to add her testimony and rushed to get dressed.

Claire welcomed them all to sit on the patio and went inside for a pitcher of lemon aid. Jamie followed her and told Molly to make sure Michael didn’t bolt for the stairs.

“Give me yer mouth Sassenach,”

Jamie kissed her several times before carrying the pitcher outside, followed by Claire who sat down and waited for Michael’s questions. The neighbor's cat was a regular visitor to her porch and jumped into Claire’s lap, purring with happiness at being stroked.

Claire could see Michael was not open-minded now and her answers fell on deaf ears. She told the cat to lick the face of the man near the stairs and sent a mental image.

“Michael, do be kind and let the kitty lick your face, don’t scare him.”

Michael looked at Claire like she was crazy because cats didn’t like him and never gave him a second look. The cat jumped in his lap and got up on hind legs to lick his cheek. Then it went back to Claire’s lap and curled up in the sun.

The silence was deafening as Michael struggled to accept what he just saw with his own eyes.

“Michael, it’s not important that you believe me, those closest to me had a very hard time with it. I understand that and do not force the issue. We can all coexist for the sake of Runner and hold our own beliefs. We are not a group of crazy people that believes we can talk to animals. Only me.”

That seemed to snap Michael out of his fear-based silence and he looked at Jamie.

“You don’t hear animals talking?”

“Never have, only Claire.”

“As long as I don’t offend you believing animals can’t talk to any human, I’m in.”

“It will not offend me, Michael, and I am very relieved to hear you are still with us.”

Jamie gave Claire a long look as they were leaving. It seemed she was always alone, starting with her parent's death and now a special gift that no one believed in. He wondered how she could be so level-headed, so compassionate, and not hate the world. He could hardly wait to get back here after work. He needed to hold her and tell her what was in his heart.

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the-house-of-the-nine · 5 years ago

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In Mind of Misery: Reflections, Part 1

[Forward: Since the end of “In Depths Below” the Nine have been busy trying to reclaim Lazarius’ family fortune, rebuilding, and forging new allies. We are current in the WoW Timeline with this entry, NZoth has risen, the world is in chaos, and now, the Council of Nine are at a disadvantage. New Readers, please note each of the roleplayers as the following...

[ L.K ] - Lazarius Kashebahl, Algus Kross, Doctor Whistletorque, Marseille

[ V.D ] Verzatea Duskflame , Pame

[ S.K ] Siida-Ray Kashebahl

[ K.A ] Koltun Ancientveil

[ J ] Jursol (AND JIMBA!)

And as always, thank you so much for continued support, posting, reblogs, likes and friendly messages! Please enjoy! ]

[ L.K ] The Bastille. Several months had passed since the botched bank heist on the goblin city of Undermine. Despite its success in freeing the capital of the families estate, Lazarius had cost himself several good captains within his order, as well as potentially risking so much more.

Though it did seem like it would have been a catastrophic end to the organization, with the help of Siida and Marseille; the Kashebahl estate was reinstated back into Quel’thalas and the Magistrate. The family earned its titles and lands back; but also received compensation from the Horde and now Alliance for the loss of Tirisfal. Because of what Sylvanis had done; they were given a large sum of funding to compensate for the loss of their estate.

Siida was fully in charge of the running of the house; because for now Lazarius was busy in Stormwind. Also the fact that she was a surviving victim of Dawnseeker and his plan; the fact that she was a strong independent woman, not to mention an eligible heiress, she was the perfect choice to be the face of the legitimacy of their house.

When the public learned of what the rogue Magister had done, as well as how she survived, she was brandished a hero for her efforts. It was a true rags to riches story and the public devoured it up.

That particular evening; the quiet organization had grown smaller. Many who were still devoted to Nzoth and sought to join the old one in its madness had left. The operation of Azerite that was being mined in Silithus was all but shut down with the end of the war, thusly Krazzlowe had begun moving most of those workers to his own mine and abandoned the order, goblins after all were known for looking out for themselves.

The little green scum bag had been filtering out resources to fund his own works for some time, and they knew. Another loose end. But, he had no idea what was actually coming, and the truth that lay in the sands at this very moment. What had already transpired there which remained a mystery even until now.

Lazarius sat at the massive drafting table in the library with his eyes tracing over the losses and names of those who had been sent away. Their several thousand strong; now dwindled to a mere handful of hundreds. He’d already sent agents to deal with stragglers and deserters; and Marseille had filled his quota for blood lust in quelling the possible dangers.

Kross was tending to books within the library; cleaning up possible students work and things that were no longer being used. And Lazarius pressed his fingers against his eyes while thinking. What plagued him? What was it that drew on his mind? Perhaps the resurgence of Nzoth was causing him pain.

[ J ] Jursol was walking the halls of the Bastille as she used her tail to amuse Jimba, who had grown since they arrived. Her scaled clawed hands curled around a book that seemed to have her attention. Lots had gone on over this time. She like others had grown over time. Learning all she could from her time with her new friends.

Nearing the library she spotted the elf who seemed deep in thought. Closing the book in her hands as she smiled approaching him.

“Ya seem ta be lost in thought. I know dat look of being plagued by ya own mind.” She glanced at Kross as Jimba ran over to him for attention.

“Perhaps speaking about what be troubling you be helpful, hmm? Ole Jursol is a good listener.”

[ S.K ] Siida had grown so quickly in what felt like such a short period of time. Protecting her family's name and getting it reinstated had possessed her waking moments and now that it was complete she finally found time to rest.

Being the face of House Kash'ebahl was tiring, but it was a task she'd been born for. Her gentle smile and kind demeanor made her easy to trust and people often seemed charmed by her. The Matron at the moment found herself wandering, unable to sleep as her mind seemed full to the point of bursting.

[ L.K ] Lazarius gazed upward when the sound of the trolls feet padded across the room and she spoke. Jursol knew his condition well; his sunken black eyes were heavy as he peered toward her.

“My dear Jursol...”. He reached his withered mummified hand toward her; void wrappings covering his badly mangled flesh.

If she’d taken his hand; he would pay it the respect of his forehead pressed against it; a gentle kiss against the top of her scales and his other hand patting it, to hold her three fingered hand.

“It always eases my mind to have you near...”

Lazarius sensed Siida nearby and peered back at Kross. The old steward vanishing from his games with the raptor to tend to Siida. Such an unspoken way they had with one another.

Lazarius glanced back at Jursol. “The tides are calling Jursol. The eyes of the black empire... it is the moment id hoped to avoid...NZoth is reborn...and now..”.

He sighed and shook his head. “I...have a fear that I understand my purpose now...why my Mistress chose me...”

Kross had moved into the halls and appeared beside Siida; walking through the shadows and into being.

“Miss Kashebahl. Your brother is in the library. It is good to have you home for a bit. Please come for a moment to see him.”

[ S.K ] "Good evening Kross....of course, I'd planned on taking some time and it seems fate answered before me."

Siida smoothed a hand through her hair and moved towards the library, knowing the way better than most people, likely able to find it with her eyes closed if she tried hard enough.

As she entered the library she kept her steps soft, not wanting to create too much noise in the temple that she cherished.

[ J ] Jursol gently took his hand in hers as she glanced at it sighing softly. She could tell it was in bad condition, but it was not due to reasons she fully understood. The void she knew some about, but as much as others. She listened to him as he spoke. Nodding some as she spoke softly.

“Ya know I nevea ask why you be chosen by her. What ya purpose is in da end. Felt it be better ta let you discuss it when ya be ready.”

Jursol knew full well that the Old God was back. This meant they all had a part to play in the upcoming events of the world. What part she would play, she could only guess.

Hearing Siida nearing in the halls caused her ears to twitch. A smile forming on her lips. She seemed to find Siida interesting, as she did others of The Nine. One day she hoped to speak to the others more to get to know them better.

[ L.K. ] Lazarius has brought his attention full circle when his youngest sister entered the room. Another soft pat would be offered to Jursols hand as he calmly released her.

“Though it is not my intention to keep anything from you all...it seems the truth of my origin is even more mysterious than I had wagered.”

Lazarius made a motion toward Siida as she entered. “Flower.” he said as warmly as he could, despite the pain in his voice that lingered.

The golden haired vision was the light that brought him back. She was his world. With Vari and Koltun both dealing with Silithus, Lazarius leaned desperately on his younger sister for that bond of affection.

“You are a sight for these tired eyes...join us please.”. He smiled and motioned her over.

[ S.K ] "I could never refuse an invitation. Jursol, it is always lovely to see you." Siida offered a polite bow and moved towards her brothers side and gave him a gentle touch.

"Hello Lazarius, it is nice to see you again." Siida did everything she could to make things easier for him, so that he didn't worry. She felt the weight of her responsibilities, but see Lazarius made them all feather light.

[ L.K ] “These halls are quiet. So much more quiet than before. Our dominance in the sun seems to be waning...losing numbers as we did was a difficult blow. ..” Lazarius nodded into her touch; however it was given.

“Those who abandon us in our greatest hour do not deserve such sympathy Master.”. The voice of the ever present shade appeared in full form.

Marseille stood beside Siida. The withered ancient elf had been running ragged between helping deal with the loose ends and staying by the young sisters side at all times in Silvermoon. He also looked exhausted but would not show it as he hid it well behind his cloth mask.

[ S.K ] "We have dealt with much, taking time to mend and repair is not weakness. We will regain our numbers for the times that are coming."

Siida looked to Marseille and offered him the faintest of smiles, that small touch of puppy love was still there, but she knew there was a time and place for everything. Her duties were to her family first and foremost, her hearts wants and desires could wait.

[ J ] Jursol nodded in agreement with Siida. She knew others were out there, hiding, laying in wait till it was time to come forward to offer their help. For now was the time to plan, heal, prepare for what lays ahead.

“Ya sister be right. We can not be rushing into anything before it be time. Be prepared for times ahead, mentally and physically. Ya be lucky to have so many who be caring for ya. Don’t be taking it for granted my friend.”

[ L.K ] “I never take anything for granted. Not now...not since.”. He trailed off and shook his head.

They would all remember the loss of nearly being crushed beneath the Magisters. Lazarius gave them both a glance as he moved his fingers toward his tunic. He wore a loose fitting black shirt which was slowly being untucked at the waist.

“...we do not have the luxury of time I am afraid...” Lazarius stood before the group of them, his shirt rolled up and showing off his abdomen.

He turned to the side and allowed them the most horrible sight of his wounds and lashings of his youth. But in the center of his rib cage on the side of his body was the tattoo. One that he always assumed was for his mistress and her madness. It was an eye, massive in size with its lids drawn closed.

“It is seeking...”. He whispered softly, and in that same voice the eye would open and reveal to them a very bloodshot and corrupted looking eye which darted around looking in all directions. The folds of his flesh that served as the lid would blink open and closer as Lazarius held it available for them to see.

“Even in death Raelyndia continues to curse me...I had no idea what she’d done with this mark until now...why she always kept me close...like I was her crown jewel...” He sighed and shook his head. “I suspect it was her way of knowing Nzoth returns...”

[ S.K ] Siida had seen such horrid things since coming to this house, since aligning herself to the Nine, but this, it gave her pause. Her poor brother had been through so much and even the past had it's hooks dug so deeply into his flesh that he never seemed able to escape.

Sitting down she looked at the eye before lifting her gaze to Lazarius.

"With Nzoth's return...the balance of the scales are going to topple even further...how...what are we going to do?"

Siida was very much accepting of her role as Matron, she would protect her family and those still loyal to the Nine. "The old ones...endless hunger and limitless reach..." She seemed to say that last part to herself, her lips stuck together in a thin line.

[ J ] Jursol scanned the mans broke body as she frowned. Such pain she saw on his body. As he lifts the shirt more, her eyes rest on the tattoo. Her eyes grew wide as she peered closer at it. Ever the curious troll she was. As she reached to try and touch it, she saw it open. This caused her to leap back from him.

“Dis be bad juju.”

Her eyes still locked into the large blood shot eye. Hearing about the risk of balance being tipped, she calmed herself and stood up straight.

“She clearly be haven her own motivates, your old Mistress. I never seen anything like dis before.”

[ V.D ] There was very little that unnerved Verzatea. She was a devoted woman, unshakeable in faith and stalwart to the temptations trying to veer off the course of the Nine. She followed her people blindly, advocating for her fellow devotees ans protecting them with her very life. That was before she returned to the state of the Nine now, the halls emptier and much lonelier than usual after a great many students and practitioners of the dark crafts had abandoned the Bastille in pursuit for more power.

This had left Tea feeling hollow and empty... Friends and students alike had disappeared without a goodbye, before she could wish the great fortune... She thought often of the people who had left, wondering if they were happy. She sure as fel wasn't. But she wouldn't complain. She couldn't fathom what led Lazarius to his decision, but she wouldn't question it. No matter how deeply the sudden change frightened her.

In truth, Verzatea followed Lazarius. He was their Inquisitor, he was her guiding light when she first joined as a young naive elf seeking purpose, he was the wisest of the lot who guided them and connected them to the other side of the thin veil separating the living world from the realm of the supernatural-- of the Gods which they worship. Or rather... Worshiped. So his sudden change in allegiance was... Startling. In the least to say.

Verzatea walked the halls as if on eggshells, desperate to not disturb the Bastille in fear she'd chew everyone up and spit them out like the traitor heathens Tea felt they'd become.

Desperate to not bring attention to herself, an overly cautious measure she practiced to try and ease her anxiety since her return. She even have gone as far as keeping her daughter in her arms or in her sight as Tea worked. She would not risk losing her precious child-- her miracle baby... Her sweet Brinys.

Tea feared that if somehow she drew attention to the young child the Gods would rip her straight from Teas arms... And Tea would be helpless in saving her babe.

Currently the mother daughter duo walked hand in hand, Brinys's quick growth resulting in the black haired babe having found her ability to walk during Verzateas four month long voyage across the great sea to visit her mother and father. Another major event of which Verzatea had to miss, thus setting the first time mother in a sour mood as she wished desperately to have been present for such a feat... Although, Tea was not shy about dotting on Brinys ever-still.

Quickly the mother had become happy acquainting herself with the joy of dressing her child up fashionably. Tea had a knack for her usual pastel colors and modernized, appealing vintage fashion, of which was a far cry from her current darker toned modest (though chic) gown.

In truth, this was the style Tea had changed to after she returned from her journey. Surely it was just a coincidence? After all, the layered fabric which hung loosely off the woman's thinner frame, was a stylish set that also gave her daughter a girly vibe.

For Tea, the dress billowed in an elegant fall, the layer of dress beneath the second layer clung to her waist and hugged the woman's thin, narrow pear shaped figure (in which her bust is smaller in comparison to her slightly larger hips). The dress stopped just at her ankles, feet wearing a matching color pair of open toed ankle strappies (unlike Brinys's sandals). Over all the greenish-blue fabric still managed to stand in contrast to the partially matching duo, Tea and Brinys sharing in their fair skin tone.

The sunken of Teas cheeks and the heavy bags of exhaustion beneath her eyes expertly hidden beneath a carefully applied layer of makeup meant to contour her face-- all in the effort of softening the devastating state of her emaciation.

Along with wearing makeup, the woman also wore a polite smile as she guides Brin toward the library, encouraging the girl to open the library for them, eager to help Brinys work on her motor skills, strength and coordination. After all, Tea had her hands full with one hand clinging to her daughters whilst her other arm had clasped her larger journal beneath the limb, too with writing supplies in her hand.

As they'd enter the library Tea pauses to acknowledge the other entities of the room, her eyes alight with a wave of peace. She felt less vulnerable with her beloveds close by.

"Blessings," she murmurs, her tone lacking a significant amount of confidence,

"I wasnt expecting seeing nearly everyone in one place tonight. Are you all conspiring without the others present for an official meeting?" She aims to tease, though her dry laugh would only make it awkward.

Another unusual far cry from the often perky and charming Confessor. Brinys stares up in wonderment at her mother, her free hand moving to pat Teas hand before releasing her mother all together. With a playful giggle the child bounces forward toward Siida before sweeping the woman's legs up into a hug as she clings to her favorite chosen-aunt.

And just outside of the library doors stood a hesitating Pame. She had been offered the decision to go, or stay by Lazarius... And she fought long and hard with herself over the decision, despite how easy you'd think the choice to be.

Especially after the mental and physical torture she endured as both prisoner and slave to the Nine. But there was... Something here. Purpose, Pame had come to assume, especially so after Lazarius denounced the Old Ones. She felt more at peace with joining ranks.

Although... She was quite hesitant meeting others that had remained, no matter how much she respected their devotion to one another as a group. In truth it had nothing to do with the individuals themselves. It was all due to the fact that she was just... A very socially awkward woman.

She meant well, but often came off as aggressive and even hostile-- It’d be no secret by now that Pame had made one girl cry after what Pame assumed was a friendly argument over a game of chess they were playing... Of course, as Pame later reflected, she came to understand and make note of how "I'll rip your heart from your chest and devour it before your eyes prior to my slurping those from your skull, you dense fool!" was not an appropriate way to substitute "Check mate".

After that experience she'd become a real wall flower, trying to fit in but failing miserably. Now that she'd watched so many pour into the library to mingle and work, Pame was fighting with her decision to enter and join in an exercise of her socializing.

Her doubt was winning out, evident given how she nervously picked at her more casual attire-- Having found comfort in a fresh, long sleeved brown tunic partially tucked beneath her ripped work trousers(ones often paired with her armor), though against her very nature Pame opted to wear shoes (her armor boots). Her long, dark green hair tied up into a messy bun, few strands hanging freely all around.

Her muscular and broad figure cast quite the intimidating shadow against the doorway, likely peeking from beneath the doors, her arms folding beneath her moderate sized breasts, a massive thoughtful frown weighing her thick lips, silver eyes practically burning holes against the door with such intensity.

[ J ] Jursol seemed a bit more at ease when the mother and daughter walked in. Her smile came off as warm as to not frighten the child. With a bow of her head she greeted them. However her eyes caught the shadow of another who was not yet in the room.

Jimba noticed right away and was in mid leap before she stopped him. Grabbing him up into her arms, Jursol walked over to the doorway. Her usual scent of herbs linger on her body.

“Ah, I see someone be hesitant.” She said softly as she eyed Pame up and down.

“Come now I be sure no one gonna bite ya for entering. If dey not be wanting ya here they tell ya.” Reaching a scaly clawed hand out to Pame as she smiled.

“Come, we can enter together.” Jimba struggled to get free from the trolls strong arm. Clearly he wanted to play with Pame, but now was not the time.

To Be Continued: In Mind of Misery: Reflections, Part 2

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howardpotts · 6 years ago

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I love you 500, 1000, 3000.

The very best of friendships are built on a solid foundation of sinning and secrets. So when the three of us reached our respective milestones, we decided it was time to host the Sinful Secrets Challenge.

Every single prompt here is based on sins we and our friends have committed. Some are sexy and some are downright filthy. We hope they’ll inspire you to write something with our favourite characters. All you have to do is send an ask requesting to write your chosen prompt.

And because we want to have even more fun, we want you to try and guess who the sinful secret belongs to. Send us an anonymous ask with your guesses...

Rules

You can only request a prompt from whoever’s list it falls under.

Send an ask to request your prompt.

You must be following the person you request the prompt from (but it sure would be nice if you followed all three of us!).

Please reblog this post if you take part.

You must be at least 18.

You can write about any MCU character.

AUs are most welcome.

No underage ships/ smut, no incest, no noncon, no dubcon.

Include any necessary warnings.

Add a Read More for anything over 500 words.

Tag the person you requested the prompt from and #sinfulsecretschallenge.

Deadline : 31st July

Prompts

Emily’s List: request your prompt from @tranquil--heart

1. “Good job, soldier.” 2. “My parents walked into my room and found a used condom from my one night stand.” 3. “I gave him a blowjob in an alleyway.” 4. “He fingered me while my friend was sleeping in the same room.” 5. “I went out for dinner with him wearing a trenchcoat and nothing on underneath.” 6. “We had Skype sex.” 7. “I slept with someone my best friend told me not to.” 8. “Father, forgive me for I’m about to sin.” 9. “We work together so we found a spot to make out in where there are no cameras.” 10. “I woke up naked with five other people and we were too drunk to remember what happened last night.” 11. “I need you.” “Now? Here?” “Right here, right now.” 12. “We matched on Tinder. We hooked up and then left.”

Steeb’s List: request your prompt from @themarvelwriter

13. “We took a group picture in our underwear and sent it to our teacher.” 14. “I had to sneak down the hall naked.” @idiotwithabowandarrow 15. “I met him in a hotel just for sex. And then we both left.” @abovethesmokestacks 16. “We messed around in the confessional booth.” @propertyofpoeandbucky 17. “I made out with an air steward whilst waiting for my flight.” 18. “Do you want something better? Here’s my number.” @msruchita 19. “I partied with Police Academy graduates.” 20. “I’ve given road head.” @brazen88brat 21. “My professor was so hot he used to make all the girls and gays swoon during lectures.” @captain-rogers-beard 22. “We shouldn’t do this… but I’m going to keep kissing you anyway.” @littledarlinwrites 23. “Your fingers are magic.” 24. “We used to meet up and make out in the church basement.” @littledarlinwrites

Fizz’s List: request your prompt from @cametobuyplums

25. “I posed naked for an older politician whose hobby is photography.” 26. “My friend walked in on me naked and tied to his roommate’s bed.” 27. “We used to sneak around and we almost got caught.” 28. “I took nudes in the church bathroom.” 29. “The guys had to put their IDs in a hat and whoever’s ID you pulled out, you were duct taped to them for the rest of the night.” 30. “Where did you sleep?” “Downstairs in the twin bed.” “And where did he sleep?” “Downstairs… in the twin bed…” 31. “We used to turn drinking games into dirty ones.” 32. “On a movie night with friends, he fingered me under the blanket.” 33. “He taught me how to give a blowjob.” 34. “We got caught doing the dirty in his car.” 35. “He is the first and only man to ever fist me.” 36. “I had sex with a band member in their band van.”

Tagging some mutuals who might be interested under the cut!

@idiotwithabowandarrow @thamuddagirl @antthonys @carol-damn-vers @fvckingavengers @golddaggers @sherrybaby14 @isthiswhattheycallwriting @evanstanwrites @petersshirts

#sinfulsecretschallenge #writing challenge

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discyours · 6 years ago

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do you have any ftm radfem blogs you could recommend? i'm just starting to delve into the world of radical feminism as an ftm myself, but i find that many radfem blogs reblog posts that end up triggering my dysphoria, which makes me sad since id love to see their views without such a roadblock. plus, i just like seeing other ftm opinions on things going on in this community, and i figured id ask you if you knew any since youre my fav ftm radfem rn

Yes! Thank you for sending this ask because I’d been neglecting the trans radfem list I made and this finally got me to update it. Here’s a link, though I should warn you I only updated the first part of the list since the second takes much more energy to keep up with, more than I currently have.

I think the small community of trans radfems is absolutely wonderful, but if you genuinely want to learn about radical feminism then staying in that bubble isn’t the best. There’s a huge variety of perspectives within radical feminism and such a small group of people can’t possibly represent them all. I understand that dysphoria can be a roadblock but at least also following detransitioned/dysphoric women (who have empathy for dysphoria but still a different perspective on it) will greatly expand your horizon. I don’t have a dedicated list for them but off the top of my head, @ryptoll, @destroyyourbinder, @crashchaoscats, @tejuina, @bone-jar and @fox-steward are all wonderful blogs run by detransitioned or detransitioning women.

#anon #radfem #blog recs

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huffle-puppy · 6 years ago

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@drew-winchester So I made another thing... And you may be wondering what this link above is, but please read this all first to the end! It’s apples and oranges which of the two I’ve written hits harder, but it’s in very different ways so it’s hard to tell, I guess. Ajelee and Chún are my own (won’t get to see them in my fic for a few years yet sadly) and I had to take a little bit of liberty imagining for future, older Khadgrin... Hopefully everyone is still in character! Enjoy! Sorry if it’s hard to get through (and please excuse my voice in song; I’m not a beautiful Night Elf lass--just a lad getting over a cold trying to sing into a Voice Memos app ^w^;)

The Silent Rainfall:

She noticed it far too late. It wasn’t a big thing; it wasn’t the end of the world, but it was, and she realized that when it was long, long past.

Khadgar decided to stay in bed.

It was perfectly fine; their picnic date had been interrupted by the sudden onslaught of a mass of grey above. The clouds were soft and dark, rippling over Karazhan’s towers, quiet and purposeful. The downpour slicked the stones and thrust against the mortar, but the structure was solid, and the magic within it was too powerful to die with the oversight of faulty walls.

It was true--their home did not usually get sunshine. They took their picnics out in Elwynn forest, and while she laughed and flew off as she always had, a large druidic bird of pink feathers, a small voice in her mind murmured that Khadgar hadn’t used Atiesh’s flying form in a few months. Perhaps it had been years, now? He smiled and chased after her, but it was on the back of one of their gryphons, sent off to graze and chase doe as they ate.

Gryphons, he’d often griped, gave him saddle-sores, which she had always laughed at and remarked something about kissing wounds that still managed to cast a blush over his features, despite their increasing lines.

“Mm--!” She stretched up from their bed, the covers falling down to her legs. The shirt beneath was soft and loose, and she yawned as the bliss of sleep faded back. Her white hair fell in a mess, and she hummed an old tune as she collected herself and braided it into a thick tail to lay over her shoulder and down her chest. The hum paused abruptly when she realized that she couldn’t remember the name of the song, or anyone else who might’ve heard it, so she looked out the paned window to the rain instead and listened to its soft tapping.

Her gaze drifted down lovingly to her husband, bundled up nice and neat so that only his white hair and the start of his face could be seen. Against his eyes there were crow’s feet now, and his cheeks had drawn in some, despite her best attempts to feed him well. He was far from gaunt--ooh, how he still could make her weak in the knees, casting a dashing gaze her way--but it was a noticeable difference in their portraits.

He shifted about and settled again, taking a long breath. “Morning.”

She leaned down, kissing his cheek. The light from outside cast shadows through the rain along his face, looking like the ghosts of tears. “Morning.”

She shifted about again, turning and lighting the candle at the bedside table, letting it shine through their apartment. Despite his stature, his achievements, and his complete ownership of Karazhan, he had chosen one of the smaller bedrooms for theirs, those many decades ago. Painted views adorned the walls of things long lost; Teldrassil’s beauty, Turalyon and Alleria, the childhood faces of Arator, Avalon, and Anaël.

“It’s raining?” he mumbled, voice still amassed in sleep.

“Mhm!” She nestled back down against his back, kissing his ear. “Clouds above as far as the eye can see--maybe even going into Elwynn.”

“Ah, they probably are--” with a grunt and a strong push, he finally made it over onto his back, looking up at her with a worn smile. Those blue eyes had never lost their tender sparkle.

“Hi.”

She giggled, putting a hand over his cheek to cover the rainfall. “Hi.”

He pulled her down into a kiss, and nothing in the world was wrong.

The hours passed by uneventfully, in bliss and warmth and comfort, without responsibility or anyone else at all. They stayed huddled in the rain, close, pleasing themselves with their company. Lunchtime came and went, and finally when the grey clouds started to get darker as the sun fell behind them, there was a timid knock on the door from one of the stewards they’d kept in their employment to tend to the vast reaches of their home.

Perry called back that everything was fine, and the steward replied that dinner was set for them downstairs. She thanked him, and they heard him wander away through the halls.

“Dinner time,” she said, kissing him once more before sitting up again and stretching. “C’mon~!”

She started out of bed and was to the doorway before she realized he hadn’t followed. She glanced back along the dark room to him, his face lit against the dark blue blankets by candlelight.

“C’mon, Bubbly~ We need to eat.”

“Hm.”

She blinked, blinked again, and her smile slowly faded against her cheeks.

“Are you all right, love?”

“M’fine; I’m fine,” he said, voice softer than she remembered it being in recent years. “Just-- don’t-- I don’t much feel like getting up, is all.”

Perry giggled, sauntering back over to the bedside. “I see, so you want dinner in bed and to be pampered, dearest?”

A bemused, wistful smile played along his mouth in the candlelight. She giggled again and leaned down, teasing, stopping inches from him.

“Dinner in bed, then, and I’ll see what I can manage about pampering.”

He laughed and stuck out his tongue. She stuck her own out back at him, licking the end of his, then darted back with a squeak and a peal of laughter, overdramatically pawing at her mouth. “Ewwww!”

Khadgar heaved out a sigh and rolled his eyes, grinning.

Perry grinned back, moving out the door, thinking nothing of her husband staying in bed until the next day came and went without any change in his position. He was still cordial, but he was low-energy; the days of youth spent asking adventurers for exactly 2,500 Nethershards--IT HAD TO BE EXACTLY 2,500! were gone. He was mature.

He was slowing down.

The rain beat softly against the window, and she tried in vain to lift him from the bed. She laughed, making it a game, trying to hide the pit of dread growing in her stomach. She stepped out of his reach, sultry and teasing, biting her lip and waiting for him to follow--but all he could do was watch after her with a dramatic pout that faded slowly into a wistful gaze, and something caught in the edge of his eyes she couldn’t identify. She didn’t want to identify.

Fear.

Acceptance.

She threw the thoughts aside, clambering back into the bed with him and submitting that he wouldn’t chase after her anymore, making them both forget with momentary kisses and conversations of other things. Old reminisces were brought back; long-lost adventures, musings about where acquaintances had gone off to, what their foolish children had gotten themselves up to and how many grandchildren would come to visit next Winter’s Veil.

And all the while, the sick, cold pit lodged in her chest sat and festered, coming back to twist her nerves when he said again he’d prefer dinner in bed. She smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek, getting it, unable to shake off the feeling that she shouldn’t tarry along the way.

The third day came and went.

The fourth.

The fifth.

Khadgar had grown quieter. The rain had stayed all throughout, and Perry wished it would go away and cast the brilliant sunlight back into their home; that the stars would light up the night sky again and they could rush outside and onto a hill, lying down side by side with nothing but the wide vaults of the heavens above. She brought up memory after memory, and he listened and smiled and added on sometimes, but the days were overwhelmingly full of her voice and his love of it.

On the sixth day, she instructed the stewards to bring two old friends, the best healers she knew in Azeroth, and her children as soon as was possible, then hurried back to her husband’s side, afraid to miss a moment with him.

Word was brought back that both of her children and their families were in the midst of important work for the factions, and that they would come as soon as possible. A few hours later, Ajelee and Chún Moonleaf came, quickly joining her in the grand, empty ballroom downstairs. She had known Lee far longer; he was an Archdruid, as she was, a druid of balance as well as restoration. He was imposing and quite a bit taller than her, but he had always done his best to treat her and Khadgar with respect. She hadn’t seen much of him, though; he worked as an ambassador most times, and the factions took up much of his time.

Chún on the other hand, remained a lovely mystery. A pandaren priestess, she had studied extensively at Darnassus’s temple and was blessed by Elune. Perry didn’t put much faith into that--or that she had white dove’s wings, as many priests mumbled in awe--but she knew that she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful holy priestesses in the Alliance.

They greeted her with smiles, but the happiness was forced, and their eyes shed worry that made Perry’s heart thud heavily against her ribs. She had detailed Khadgar’s condition in her brief letter to them. They wasted no time asking to go up and see him.

Khadgar was looking out the window as they all came in. The greetings were cordial, and pleasant chatter filled the room while they found an easy way to break the ice on the subject. Perry clambered into bed next to him, sitting and smiling, hand finding his and squeezing a little too tight. The conversation lulled.

He knew, just as well as his healers.

“Do either of you want anything?” Perry said, voice bright and loud, filling the gap in their silence. “You both must have come a long way.”

Lee shook his head politely in silence. Chún just watched her patient, soft hands folded over her robe.

“Bubbly?” She turned to him. “Do you?”

Khadgar was looking out the window again. Her smile twitched and faltered, and her throat felt tighter. He took a breath, turning his head to see her with those wondrous blue eyes, getting wearier and wearier by the hour, and smiled. It was light, and did not stay long before his muscles relaxed again on his face.

“Perry,” he murmured. His voice filled the room, and she let out a shuddering breath, face drawn taut. The word was feeble and weak. Old. Unable to cast more than a few wishes.

His fingers moved gently against hers, interlacing, caressing. He’d held in his hands the power of gods. The skin was wrinkled and pockmarked. His fingers were thin and tired.

His thumb moved over hers, squeezing. It was light, but she realized with a tremble that it was all he could manage.

“Khadgar,” she murmured back, brow starting to tremble and press together, heat burning under her eyes as tears threatened to take away her gaze over him.

“How long left, do you feel?” Lee asked. The words barely registered in Perry’s ears, but they were crisp and clear.

Khadgar stroked his wife’s hand, glancing out the window again.

“Until the rain stops. One last storm to weather through.”

He turned back to Perry with a calming smile. It stayed as her lip trembled; it stayed when her sorrow fell against his face like the rain. He winced, pulling an arm out, trying in vain to reach up and brush her cheek--but his arm trembled, and his teeth pressed firm together to keep it up. She laid down next to him, curling up, and his hand moved easier, finding the tears along her face and brushing them away.

“We’ll bring your children as fast as possible,” Lee said, bowing. As he left, Chún tucked Perry in, and under the warm covers the elf curled up against her human husband.

“Perry,” Khadgar murmured gently, and the heat came to her eyes again. She blinked them away furiously, taking a shuddering breath. She wouldn’t let him leave her sight.

The pandaren moved back gracefully, tending to the food trays in the room. Perry glanced at her, lips trembling then pressed together firmly.

“You’re the best there is, Chún. Is there--” She gulped, catching her breath. “Is there something?”

Chún paused, turning back to them. “Milady Peregrïn, I can treat any wound. Any ailment. Even-- Even raise the dead, when the body can still support life. But neither I nor-- nor Lee, can prevent, alter, or stop the effects of aging. He’s lived-- He’s lived long past any normal point of life for a human. Age is inevitable. I’m sorry.”

Chún turned away again, and before Perry could reply, Khadgar gently tugged her back down against him. She looked to him, fierce and determined and scared beyond anything else, but she was met with the same quiet smile he’d had when he’d first saw her. That old absent-minded stare. The quiet look of tenderness. His eyes were a home for her heart.

And where would it be without them?

She curled in tight against him, praying to Elune the rain never ended. She held him tight throughout the night, barely sleeping, listening to the soft downpour, slender fingers covering his heart to feel its beat.

Avalon and Anaël and their families came sometime towards dawn. She had fallen asleep finally, and woke when they came in. Lee escorted them, silent, and they stayed back, unsure, looking on. Perry blinked at them, then at the window.

The rain was lighter. The first rays of sun broke through the grey cover.

She looked to Khadgar, wide-eyed.

His eyes opened slow and heavy, as if the weight of the world was trying to press them back. Everything he had to give was to catch a glimpse of her, and against the pressure and heaviness of each muscle, he still managed that tender smile her visage brought.

“The kids are here,” she murmured, a crystal tear shining in the daylight and dropping against his chin.

“Please say hello to them.” The words were little more than a ragged whisper. His face was pale. Mortal. Ancient.

“He says hi,” she said, casting a glance and a pained smile quickly at them then turning back, afraid of looking away. They murmured their love, moving around to be next to their father. She felt them, but couldn’t turn away. She wouldn’t miss this. If she could hold him there, in her eyes, he’d never go.

Khadgar took a breath. She heard the air drawn in, wheezing like it was moving through a dusty flute, then press out again and rest. He blinked, and didn’t open his eyes nearly as far.

“Khadgar?” Her voice was quiet, shivering. A second stream glistened down her face.

“Perry.” There was all the love in the world in that word. All the tenderness of centuries. All the joy and hope and brilliance of the sunrise. It lit up his blue eyes one last time.

“I love you,” she said, blinking hard to try and keep him in her gaze as it filled up opaque.

He smiled wider, blissful, blinking again slowly. He breathed out with a murmur. “Love y…”

The word trailed off. The breath was gone to the air, unable to pull back. The room was silent as the rain ceased, and the sun crept forth from the grey above. His blue eyes were shut. His heart was still.

The world was still.

She broke. Tears tumbled wildly, breath jagged in her chest, and her head fell against his. Their white hair wove together, and time unwound. Sometimes there was an empty sun in the sky; sometimes cold stars and the bitter face of Elune. Her family gathered around her, and weakly she noticed that there were many more now; kings and rulers he’d helped standing in the ballroom whose names she couldn’t recall--that they were at the crypt now, his coffin being carried down coarse stone into the depths of the earth--that they were gone again, until her children around her bid her goodnight and Chún gently tucked her in an empty bed.

The cliffside was beautiful.

“But it’s not as beautiful as you,” he said.

Perry laughed, the long braid along her chest bouncing along gaily. “Khadgar, has line that ever worked on anyone living?”

Khadgar grinned, pearly white teeth shining in the sunlight under a well-kept brown beard. His white and brown mane was tied back neatly--she’d prided herself on it looking incredible--and a single bang of white hair crept down over his forehead. His robes billowed out in the wind, and his strong hand took hers.

“Well, you stayed with me, and I have lines far worse than that, I assure you, darling…”

She giggled, rolling her eyes and squeezing his hand tight. His grin faded into a loving smile. She looked out at the ocean ahead, then at him, then at him, smile fading slightly. She blinked, brows furrowing slowly.

“Khadgar?”

“Perry.”

She gulped. Logic and reason came flooding in, and the winds blew cold against her legs. She managed a shy smile.

“Since when did you start dying your hair brown? Since when did you get a beard?” She smirked. “It looks… scratchy.”

He scoffed. “I think it looks nice!”

She grinned. “Oh, I never said it didn’t look very, very nice, dear; just might be scratchy against my skin.”

He made a show of huffing. “Well then I shall keep it extremely nicely kept so it doesn’t scratch your tender skin!”

She giggled, and he laughed along. It faded a little too fast. She squeezed his hand tighter.

“Perry,” he said again, voice tender and strong.

“Tell me I’m awake,” she murmured. “Please, Khadgar, tell me I’m awake and that everything else was a dream.”

He smiled, eyes tinged in sorrow. “I can’t. One of my wedding vows, which I’ve been very dutiful to keep, my love, was that I would never lie to you.”

A tremor ran through her, and he tightened his grip on her hand, steadying her.

“I don’t want to wake up, then,” she said.

“You have to,” he said simply.

“No.” She shook her head, frowning slowly. “The world without you--I can’t describe it, Khadgar. The colors are raw, and hard. The birdsong is nothing but lamentation. The food is ash; the wine is tasteless. I can’t see where I’m going, anymore; I just look around and realize where I’ve drifted.”

Khadgar brushed her cheek, and she realized a tear had lingered there.

“I will wait for you. And some nights, you may dream of me; every day, I will watch over you with every being of Light there is by my side to keep you safe.”

She held his hand tighter. “I may live for centuries more, alone. Every day would be an aching wish that the night might bring you back to me.”

“You’re never going to be alone, Perry,” he said, palm resting along her cheek. “Centuries or not, there is nothing that will keep me from being at your side. Even if you can’t see me; can’t hear me; can’t feel me holding you, nothing will change in all those small affections I’d give you.”

Another tear fell against his thumb, and he brushed it away with a reassuring smile.

“I’m going to try and not be an annoying haunt; I promise.”

She laughed, moving in and resting her head to his shoulder. The laughter turned to shivers, and he soothed them away.

“Don’t you worry about how long I might wait. Time is of such little concern: all that matters to me is being with you, and seeing you happy. And if-- if that means you find someone else, then don’t worry about that--”

She wrapped her arms around him tight, fierce. “No one else. No one else would ever replace you.”

He paused, then hugged her tight, petting along her back.

“I don’t want to wake up. I don’t want you to leave again.” She trembled against him, and he nuzzled against her.

“You have to, my love,” he murmured. “Because this world would be a much colder place without the warmth of your smile.”

Chún prepared breakfast with the stewards. Lee helped, seating Perry’s children and making sure they were being well cared-for. The distress of their mother being distant so soon after Khadgar’s passing--

A light footfall came to their ears, and everyone paused.

Down the curve of one of the many staircases, Peregrïn stepped gracefully, a soft smile along her features, white hair long and braided, pink slender form tucked away in a blue robe that sparkled like her husband’s eyes. She set her feet down along the rug at the base of the steps, glancing up pleasantly at them all.

“Mom?” Avalon murmured, getting up slowly. Her brother followed suit, worried, hopeful.

Perry cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry--” she paused and cleared her throat again, starting louder. “I’m sorry if I gave anyone trouble. I feel much better now--I’m sure, of course, Lee, you’ll want to verify that.”

Ajelee blinked then nodded slowly.

Perry chuckled. “Well. Either way, I say we all have a wonderful breakfast and a good day from then on.”

She walked gracefully to the table. As she approached, the group noted a paper, rolled up in her hand. Anaël asked gently what it was.

Perry laughed and sat down. “Oh, Elune--it’s something I’m realizing I’m actually rather timid to confess.”

Avalon frowned quickly. “Mom--”

Perry held up a hand, for once perfectly calm. Avalon relaxed slightly, perplexed. Perry set the paper down, opening it and folding her hands.

“It’s the first song I’ve written in a good fifty years, or so. I used to write them all the time, thinking I could sing them to Khadgar, or as lullabies--and every time, I squirreled them away instead.” She grinned, an impish lustre in her eyes. “But I suppose I should try and actually present this one?”

The party clamored that yes, yes, please, she should.

Perry smiled, looking down to the paper:

Softly along the winds above/ A darling bird descends / And on its wings there is a prayer / Of which I’ll comprehend

On a tree outside my window / This raven stops and sings / The gentle tune I start up now / With joy I’ll try and bring

“Come” says he, this Raven fair / “Come listen for awhile / To tales long gone within my song / And cast to me your smile.”

Says I, “My dear pretty bird, / I’ll thank you for such gifts” / And on he sang of brilliant things / And darkness ‘round me lifts

So on he sang, this Raven fair / And I his captive one / And through the dawn his feathers bloomed / Until his song was done

Says I, “My dear pretty bird, / I’m blessed that this you shared, / But why, pray tell, did you choose me / To give such tender care?”

The Raven laughed upon its perch / And stared me in the eye / And without word he flew away / Towards the autumn sky

But as he flew a feather fell / And landed in the earth / Upon the tomb of one I loved / Who bid me live with mirth

So on along my days I’ll tread / And dance whene’er I can / And drink and love and merrily / ‘Til I see him once again.

Perry ended her verses and looked up sweetly to them all. They were silent, and along their faces she could see awe. She glanced over to Khadgar’s seat, where he normally dined. The blue velvet across from her was faded and empty--and yet, she could almost see the outline of his shoulders, facing her.

She could almost feel his smile. So she put on hers, and faced the day anew with all she could give.

#world of warcraft #fanfic #Khadgar #peregrïn #khadgrin #song #my own work #why is it in both fics i've done i've killed one half of the otp?#hope you enjoy #drew winchester

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frankensteined · 6 years ago

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Pec: 9 10 12 13 16 39; Jules: 5 7 24 25 41 44.

PEC:

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

oh my god yes. now, he’s the thane of multiple cities across skyrim and he owns like five houses currently and he’s the arch-mage of the college o winterhold and he’s a member of the thieves guild and and and…!!

when he was growing up he had very little that was just his, and now he’s got all of that and a family to boot. he’s doing very well for himself :’)

10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

i’ve been keeping him in light armor/thieves guild armor, and before that i had him in robes for the early parts of his journey, so i think i’d say that he feels comfortable in less clothing in terms of armor, but he does like to be fully clothed as often as possible. he’s shy.

12. In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

after he got married (he’s married now! to sylgja!) and adopted his son (he’s got a son now! named blaise!), and he was able to come to his home at winstad manor, after dealing with all the quests in solstheim. he was away from home for a very, very long time while he was over there, and he worried a lot about leaving his daughter, lucia, home alone, even if she had the dog, meeko, and the house steward, valdimar, there to keep her company. he decided that that meant that it was a good time to actually get married, and the first person who came to mind, as i slogged through all these quests, was sylgja, so i reasoned that that meant that she was the one he was really in love with. SO! i went to talk to her, and after being gone from skyrim for aaaaaages, the first thing she said to him was the standard “it’s a fine day with you around” greeting, but that was just the amount of kindness needed to make that choice the right one! and then, pec ended up upon the farm that blaise was working at one night, and saw the kid sleeping on the floor of the stables, and went “NOPE” and woke him up to adopt him right there.

so, coming home to a full house after being away for so long, was a really nice, very peaceful feeling, especially after feeling out of place during pretty much the entire time away.

if he could give valdimar a raise for taking care of lucia while he was away, pec would have done that already. but he’s gonna hire a pretty bard to play at the house and keep val company instead.

13. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

nah, he’s an orc. blood doesn’t bother him unless it’s his and he’s seeing too much of it all at once.

16. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

happiness, in his heart. the success that he’s accumulating as he goes is consequential to this duty that he has to save the world….and once he does that, he gets to just settle and relax with his family. so he’s idealizing his future happiness for sure.

all the other orcs shake their heads at him for being a big dumb squishbaby

39. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

YES HE GETS BITTEN BY ANIMALS ALL THE TIME. he’ll just be walking along and then get absolutely mauled by skeevers/wolves/bears/giant spiders/sabrecats/fucking DRAGONS etc etc.

at first it was really jarring and upsetting to him (and me, cuz i used to get startled by them), but by now he’s just gotten so used to it that it’s like this “*SIGH* okay, here we go again…” kind of reaction on his end. though, even with his “been there, done that” attitude, he still occasionally contracts diseases like ataxia and rockjoint, so he can never really shrug off the attacks, cuz he’ll need to pop by a shrine to get rid of them before everyone he talks to worries about him looking sick.

JULES:

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

her phone, her keys, her ID, a few folded up bills (all under $20), some loose change in her jean pockets (probably under $3), 3-5 forgotten hair elastics, and several receipts in the back pockets of her jeans that she meant to throw out but keeps forgetting about

and, if she’s lucky, a few hard candies or sticks of gum

it’s noteworthy that she doesn’t keep weapons in her pockets!

7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

mhm mhm she still has bad dreams about her sister dying, or, more generally, being in hospitals with no way of getting out (jules was ten when her sister got sick, and she literally got lost in the hospital a few times and it was all very traumatic and scary for her). hospitals are her big no-go zone and make her uncomfortable even when she’s awake, so in nightmares they become ten times worse.

24. How quick is your character to trust someone else?

superficially, she’s pretty quick to trust, if only in the sense that she doesn’t just assume that anybody and everybody is out to get her, or that they even gaf about her. if someone isn’t acting shady, she’ll be fairly pleasant towards them. but in terms of Getting To Know Her, she’s a fair bit more guarded and rarely gives more than she needs to, so there’s definitely walls up as well. she keeps her personal life very separated from her professional life, so if someone tries to dip into one from the other she’ll hustle them back to where she thinks they belong pretty quickly. and once someone’s proven to be shady or unreliable she’ll close up on them almost immediately. i’ve compared her compartmentalizing to “stacking boxes on top of boxes” before, and that’s still really true.

but, on the other hand, if someone does prove to be trustworthy, she kinda opens up really suddenly and eagerly, because she does want to have close bonds with people, it’s just that People Are Tough. this tends to happen accidentally, though. like, one day when she’s not paying attention, someone scurries into her heart and she’s like “crap. well. guess i care about you now! *protects with life*”

sometimes those boxes fall over and the contents spills out and it’s hard to sort back to where they originally belonged, y’know?

25. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

this is definitely a follow up to that last part of my previous answer: it definitely changes if she’s close to someone acting shady. jules will absolutely not believe that someone she trusts has betrayed her until they have literally shot at her, and even then…y’know…sometimes that’s just what happens, y’know? no hard feelings when it’s for a good reason, right?

for example: if, and this is not a scenario that’s ever happened, but, if it was revealed that there was a mole who was feeding information to the enemy, and someone suggested that it was newt because of a huge pile of pretty convincing looking evidence? she would still be like “nope. nope. it’s not him, you’re wrong.” and get very defensive, in part because her trust in someone really does just turn into deep faith in them as a person, but also because if someone she’s close to could break her trust, then anyone and everyone could (!!!) and she…doesn’t want to have to think about that. she isn’t equipped to handle that kind of thing.

but, if it’s someone she doesn’t like, she’s almost gleeful if they get revealed to be suspicious. she feels vindicated and kind of smugly wants to go deal with them just for the satisfaction of feeling right not to trust them. she’d be a fun rival or nemesis just for that reason alone.

41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

honestly, she doesn’t really know what she wants for herself. she devotes so much of her energy to just doing her job that if you were to ask her “what do you actually want, though?” she wouldn’t have an answer for you. and that’d make her feel really bad and uncomfortable and she’d get grumpy and leave.

BUT. she would definitely feel like she would need to earn anything good that was coming her way, regardless, lol. she’s very “oh, you don’t deserve bad things/you deserve better” to everyone else, but “not me tho lol” about herself. not even in a self-loathing way, either, she’s just bad at applying the things she says to herself, for better or worse.

44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

i don’t think she’d say it if she didn’t mean it, unless it was a case where the person she was saying it to knew that it wasn’t for real (ie: if they were undercover or something). but she says it very easily to the people that she does love!! it isn’t easy for her to really reach that point with people, but jules is very all-in once she does care about others, so she has no hang ups about telling people that she loves them! she’s a tootsie-roll pop: hard outside shell, mushy sweet inside.

character development questions meme!

#long post #my characters #dragonborn: pec #jules #greenhairedtomato

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frontproofmedia · 3 years ago

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JAKE PAUL VS. TOMMY FURY LAS VEGAS AND TAMPA MEDIA EVENTS QUOTES AND PHOTOS

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Published: November 18, 2021

TAMPA – International superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul met with the media at a press event Monday at AMALIE Arena in Tampa ahead of his showdown with U.K. reality TV star Tommy “TNT” Fury. The two professional boxers will put their undefeated records on the line in the main event of a SHOWTIME PPV event live from AMALIE Arena on Saturday, December 18.

Also appearing at Monday’s event was seven-division world champion and current unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, who will face 135-pound titleholder Miriam Gutiérrez in the co-feature of the SHOWTIME PPV event. Tommy Fury and his older brother, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson, appeared virtually at Monday’s event.

Paul also met with the media on Saturday at RedTail Resorts World Las Vegas to preview the sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight main event bout that was made after months of heated back-and-forth between the two men. Fury’s trainer, the highly accomplished SugarHill Steward, represented Team Fury at Saturday’s event. Paul was joined on stage by “Coach D,” also known as the viral internet comedian Druski.

At Saturday’s event, Paul spoke of his true passion for the sport of boxing and how it gave him a purpose in life at a time he desperately needed it most. “Boxing is my true home,” he said.

Tickets for the live event, titled #PaulFury: One Will Fall, will be available for purchase on Wednesday, November 10, at www.amaliearena.com.

Below are quotes from Paul, Tommy Fury, Serrano, Steward and Tyson Fury.

Jake Paul

“I was a young kid in Los Angeles just getting caught up in the wrong things and surrounded by the wrong group of people and boxing gave me the chance to take my life back and the follow a routine and to have a purpose. It gave me something to fight for. I wasn’t meant for L.A., although I thought I was.

“Tommy claims to have been doing this his whole life and he’s had this amateur career, and he’s been around it and that is true, but has hasn’t worked as hard as me. I see a green guy who hasn’t sparred enough times and who has only been put in there with opponents that were meant to lose. This is his first real test where his opponent just doesn’t flop over. You’re going to see that. You’re going to see a fighter who is a virgin, in my opinion. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into. This is his first time under the big lights and on the big stage, and he’s going to crack under the pressure.

“Just the fact that Amanda Serrano is the G-W-O-A-T, the greatest woman of all time. There’s no debating that. I like to work with people who are cool and Amanda and I just clicked from Day 1. She needs to be put on a bigger platform and that’s where Most Valuable Promotions comes in. She’s a star and she’s got the record and all the accolades. You hear it all the time, the best boxer in the world who isn’t getting paid or isn’t as big a star as they should be. So that’s the formula that I’ve figured out and I’ve developed. The marketing, the content, the branding, the entertainment side. And that’s what we hope to give to Amanda Serrano and other boxers alike. We want to elevate this sport as much as possible and bring more eyeballs to the best, and that’s exactly what Amanda Serrano is. The potential is huge. We are already eyeing, in 2022, the biggest women’s boxing match of all time with Amanda Serrano versus Katie Taylor and we’ve been working with Eddie Hearn to get that done.

“Tommy Fury hasn’t been tested. We will see how he responds and I think that’s the beautiful thing about this fight, It’s the unknown. Is he actually a Fury, or will we find out if he’s just a half-Fury? Does he have the heart like his brother or is he just living in the shadow of his brother? This is also my first time fighting a real quote-unquote boxer. Whatever that means. He’s undefeated, same height, same weight so it’s really a perfect matchup and we’re really going to see who worked harder, who wants it more and who has that dog inside of him.

“I will TKO him in the later rounds. He hasn’t had a fight past four rounds so I think he’ll be gassed. I think this will be the first time he’s getting punched in the face by someone who can actually hit and is the same weight as him. He’s always fought smaller guys with losing records. So I think he’s going to fade. I know he’s going to fade. It’s just what round? Fifth? Sixth? Seventh? Maybe I knock him out in the last 10 seconds of the eighth. But he’s not hearing that eighth bell ring. I’ve got $500,000 on the line, and when he loses, he has to change his name to Tommy Fumbles. He accepted it, so we’ll see what happens.

“It was my first real test that I passed. A UFC Champion who dominated the UFC with his big overhand right. He hit me with a shot in the fourth round that was nothing. I ate it very easily and kept moving. I found a way to win and passed my first test in my fourth professional fight. Nobody from Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson to Floyd Mayweather was testing themselves as much as I was in my fourth fight. I learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of and performing under pressure. I look forward to bringing that experience to my next fight.

“With every fight, I’m giving the people what they want. What they wanted was for me to fight a real boxer. That’s what everybody kept saying. So here is a real boxer who is the same height, same age, same reach, a better record than me and who has been boxing his entire life. His brother is the heavyweight champion of the world. He has a legendary name, he has the following, he has the star power. It’s the perfect fight. When I knock out Tommy Fury on December 18 right here at AMALIE Arena, there will be nothing left to say. All the media, all the people who have constantly doubted me and said I’m bad for boxing, I’m going to shut you all up and you will put respect on my name after I beat this kid.

“Tyron Woodley was an unorthodox fighter. MMA guys come in with different types of striking. When I fight a boxer, it’s going to be more of a chess match. More strategic. We’re going to be thinking a lot more in the ring. Woodley just came out throwing overhand rights. We have a gameplan and we’ll be sticking to it. But I see a guy that’s green. He doesn’t have head movement. He can’t fight going backwards. He’s stiff. He’s rigid. He has fast hands and he has good combinations but we’re taking all of that away and there’s not going to be anything left for him to do.

“This kid’s chin has never been tested. He’s only been put in with opponents that were meant to lose. I’ve never done that. All my fights were stepping into the unknown. For him, this is the first fight where the opponent isn’t just put in there to lose. On the biggest stage possible, in front of all these people, this young man will crack. He’s not battle-tested like me. He hasn’t lived the life that I have. He’s had a silver spoon in his mouth his whole entire life. He’s doing this because his brother does it. Because his dad told him to do it. This isn’t something he wants to do. If it was up to him, he’d be an Abercrombie & Fitch model.”

Tommy Fury

“You fought a 40-year-old guy in your last fight. He hit you with one proper punch and you fell through the ropes. When I come for you, I’m knocking you spark out. You fought retired UFC people, a basketball player and that’s it. When you fight me December 18, you’re getting knocked spark out. This is a step too far for you. Stick to YouTube because that’s all you’re good for. I’m going to show you what losing feels like.

“I feel like I’ve won the lottery. You’re asking me to fight on a massive world stage, you’re going to pay me nicely, and all I’ve got to do is fight Jake Paul. A YouTuber. I’m going to splatter him December 18. I’ve won the lottery. I’m begging Jake Paul, please do not pull out. Because normally, when we get to this stage in boxing, you’ve got to fight for a world title. But I’m fighting a YouTuber! Sign me up.

“I took this away from his fight with Tyron Woodley. The man got a split-decision win. That means you only just won against a 40-year-old retired UFC fighter. My god, well done. Good job, mate. You just about beat a 40-year-old man. When you get in there with a fresh 22-year-old whose been doing this all his life, you’re going to wish you stuck to paying UFC fighters off and basketball players. You should have gone and fought Tiger Woods, not somebody who has done it his whole life because you’re in for a big shock. You’re the one who is going to crumble.

“When you’re getting hit all over the face and your nose and ears are busted, you’re going to look at BJ Flores and think, ‘What have I done here? I shouldn’t have called him out. Pull me out!’ I’m begging you, please don’t retire on the stool. Come out and fight like a man. I wish the fight was tomorrow.

“Everybody keeps talking about the pressure. All the people in the arena. I don’t care about that. There’s only one man I care about that night. I’m not taking in the crowd or any of that. I’m coming over to Tampa Bay to do a demolition job and please the whole wide world. It doesn’t matter how much pressure is on me. There’s been pressure on me from the start and just because there are a few more people there and a few more lights, I won’t crack. Believe you me. It’s in my blood and I’m going to go out there and shut this guy up for everybody in the world that’s asking for it. This was a step too far and I’m going to prove that on December 18.”

Amanda Serrano

“Hard work, dedication and sacrifice is what has gotten me to this point. Greatness requires sacrifice and I’ve sacrificed my whole life from 18 years old until now. It’s just been boxing, boxing, boxing. Nothing can happen without a great team behind you and that’s what I have.

“I’m the featherweight champion and I’m taking a risk by moving up in weight. In women’s boxing, we have to go to where the opportunities are and I want to be able to do things that not every girl can do. And that’s win multiple divisions in different ways from 140 all the way down to 115. I know that if my record is ever broken, which I don’t think it will, it won’t be done the way that I did it.

“It feels awesome to be fighting in Tampa. Why not fight in the city of champions? We have the Lightning and the Buccaneers so I’m super honored to be here and fighting in Tampa. I just have to live up the name ‘The City of Champions’ and that’s what I’m going to do.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME PPV is always a great opportunity. I just want to go out and prove that females can fight. No matter where you put us, we’re going to put on a show and we’re going to look good doing it.

“My career has definitely changed since signing with Jake Paul. I’ve gotten a lot more fans. A lot more followers, due to Jake Paul. It’s just something different. I’m so into boxing and I’ve never really done anything outside of boxing. I’ve dedicated my whole life to it so being under the lights and on social media is something different for me but I’m continuing to learn about it and I can learn a lot from Jake Paul. He’s done a lot of amazing things with his platform and I hope one day I can be half as good as he is.”

SugarHill Steward

“Tommy’s very athletic, very determined and he learns fast. It’s exciting to me to be able to work with somebody like that because that’s what makes me get up and go a lot more – somebody that wants to learn and is excited about it.

“He’s taking this fight very seriously and boxing is in his blood. It’s in his culture. The whole family boxes.

“I think there’s a certain amount of pressure on Tommy being Tyson’s younger brother, but that’s just something that comes with it. Being the younger brother of the heavyweight champion of the world and always looking up to Tyson and wanting to be like him and do the things that he’s done – there’s always been pressure. But now there’s even more because this is a big stage. This is not just sparring in the gym or being amateur. The longer he’s in boxing, it’s going to be more of a challenge.

“Jake is very creative in the ring. I’m watching him. I hear bad talk about him but I have to give him a lot of credit for what he’s doing and how he’s learning. He doesn’t look like a beginner how everybody is talking about because of the things he’s doing in terms of thinking and making adjustments and creating opportunities to land punches. I think he’s coming along just fine – just as well as anybody who is just starting boxing.

“I think it’s going to be fast progress for Tommy because some of the things I’ve showed him, he’s grabbed hold of it so quickly it reminds me a bit of Tyson. It’s just that Tyson has been boxing his whole life and in the gym training, whereas Tommy hasn’t. It’s going to be interesting to watch how fast he really grows and that’s exciting to me because I enjoy teaching and watching somebody learn.”

Tyson Fury

“I think this is really good fight for everybody who is going to be watching around the world. There’s going to be a lot of people watching. A lot of people are interested in this fight. You’ve got two young, undefeated guys. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be an excellent night.

“I think Tommy will knock him out. No disrespect to Jake Paul, but like I said to Tommy, if he can’t knock Jake Paul out, fly to a foreign country and stay there because he ain’t coming home.”

(Featured Photo: Matt May/SHOWTIME)

#HF #Jake Paul #Tommy Fury #Showtime Boxing

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themillsmansion · 4 years ago

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How to Create a Customer Loyalty Program

1. Pick a great name.

The initial step to rolling out a fruitful customer loyalty program is choosing a great name. The name of the program needs to incite interest and interest to encourage customers to participate, and it should be distinguished from the myriad other loyalty programs they are probably already a part of.

>> Article source: loyalty program for business

The name should go beyond explaining that the customer will get a markdown, or will get rewards — it needs to make customers feel eager to be a part of it. A portion of my favorite customer loyalty program names include beauty brand Sephora's Beauty INSIDER program and vegan supplement brand Vega's Rad(ish) Rewards. These shrewd, exceptional names hint at benefits however don't part with them — making customers inquisitive to learn more and join.

2. Create a more profound meaning.

Customers are cynical about customer loyalty programs and think they're simply a cunning ploy to get them to go through additional with businesses.

Regardless of whether that's the goal of your customer loyalty program (because that's the goal of most businesses, to make cash), you must make it about more than the cash — and to make it about the values — to get your customers amped up for it.

Tap into the "why" behind your item or administration to make your customer loyalty program as compelling as conceivable.

Amazon Prime expenses almost $100 every year to join, yet the value suggestion of paying more cash isn't just about the free two-day shipping. Amazon offers its members a huge load of other helpful rewards — like free TV show and film streaming, and free basic food item conveyance from popular supermarkets — that speak to the value for the customer (quick conveyance) in a broader setting.

3. Reward a variety of customer actions.

Another way to demonstrate your duty to customer loyalty beyond purchases? Reward other customer actions.

Customers watching item recordings, engaging in your versatile app, following and sharing social media substance, and subscribing to your blog are as yet valuable signs that a customer is engaging with your brand — so reward them for it. It's what 75% of customers involved in loyalty programs want.

HubSpot's customer advocacy program, HubStars, lets customers earn points for a variety of different actions each week — like reading and replying to a blog entry, or engaging with a video on Facebook — with more pointed earned for higher-effort actions on their part, that they can turn in for the rewards they want.

4. Offer a variety of rewards.

Another way to offer more benefit to your loyal customers than just limits is to offer different rewards.

Customers who spend at a certain edge or earn enough loyalty points could hand them over for free passes to occasions and entertainment, free memberships to additional items and benefits, or even donations in their name to their preferred charity.

Lyft makes a fantastic showing of this with its Round Up and Donate program. Riders can gather together to the following dollar of the expense of their ride and donate their preferred change to the charitable organization — making it easy and rewarding for them to make an impact while using their administration as they normally do.

5. Make "points" valuable.

If you're asking customers to make the effort to try out your customer loyalty program, make it worth their time and energy — points-wise. Much the same as with inbound marketing, if you're asking for a greater amount of your customers' cash, you need to offer them something valuable consequently to make sure the reward matches the effort consumed.

For example, if you're offering cashback rewards as part of your customer loyalty program, assign a monetary value to your points so customers can visualize what they can earn (and spend) by continuing to purchase from you.

Mastercards work superbly of this by illuminating dollar-for-dollar how points can be utilized — simply watch any commercial offering points in exchange for dollars, airline miles, goods, or gas.

6. Structure non-monetary benefits around your customers' values.

Values are important to customers — in fact, 66% of customers are all the more willing to go through cash with brands that take stances on social and political issues they care about.

So make sure you tap into those values as part of your rewards program, as well.

TOMS Shoes donate a pair of shoes to a kid deprived for each purchase their customers make. Knowing that providing assets to the developing scene is important to their customers, TOMS takes it above and beyond by launching new items that help other important causes — like animal welfare, maternal health, clean water access, and eye care — to get customers amped up for helping in other ways.

7. Give numerous occasions to customers to select.

Whenever you've launched your customer loyalty program, make sure you're hammering it home at whatever point conceivable how to join — and the benefits of joining.

If customers get rewards from purchasing from your online store, close to the value, share the points they could earn from spending that much.

You may have encountered this when flying on an airline that offers a loyalty rewards charge card. The airline stewards may announce that you could earn 30,000 miles toward your next flight — if you apply for the airline's Visa.

Other ways to do this include promoting the program on social media channels and adding nearby message pop-ups when customers complete an activity that earns them points.

8. Investigate partnerships to give much additionally compelling offers.

What's better than one reward? Two rewards, obviously.

Co-branding customer rewards program is a great way to open your brand to new potential customers and to offer considerably more benefit to your own loyal customers.

Brands may offer loyal customers free access to co-branded partnerships they've launched — like T-Mobile's offer of a Netflix membership with the purchase of at least two telephone lines by their customers.

9. Make it a game.

Everybody loves games and rivalry — so utilize that winning soul to get your customers interacting with your brand all the more oftentimes.

Loads of brands gamify their customer loyalty programs to earn valuable engagements within an app, site, or at point-of-purchase.

Points are easily translatable for gamification. Take Treehouse, which teaches coding and app advancement, and rewards engaged clients with an ever increasing number of points leading up to a badge — which clients can then display on their sites and social profiles to intrigue colleagues and potential managers with their aptitudes.

>> Our Apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loyalosystem.business

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