#if they had him being that cruel to ras... ugh

[30-mokke-in-a-trenchcoat]

Q&A, Estelio Edition

Messages and questions for the princess' attendant

Messages of love

Keep at it, Estelio! I don't want you to give up on Neige, if possible. I want you to be happy.

I want to tell Leo and Ras that it's okay to be happy. I love them too much, like they're my sons.

Leo's monologue in ED 1, where he remains devoted even as he gives up on Neige, tugged at my heartstrings. The way he occasionally loses his composure is adorable.

Look at me with contempt, Estelio!

Hang in there!!

Estelio is too cool. I'm in trouble, he's too much. There should be an Estelio in every home. Come to my house!

There are a lot of things about his feelings for the princess and his feelings about Ras that Leo keeps shut away inside him, but I love how kind and caring he can be toward the two of them! And how he can be a bit of a bully, too!

I love Estelio!!!!! I wanted him to have a bigger part in the story!!

I don't not think that Estelio should be a little more honest, lol.

(Note: One of the messages was repeated on the original site, so I skipped it.)

Leo: Thank you. You praise me much too highly.

Messages

Be more open with other people, lol!

You should be more affectionate. Leo: I'm always honest. Ras: They said open, not honest… N-never mind.

What a complete yandere. You are, without a doubt, the king of all yanderes in this work.

I want Estelio to either be happy or be more of a yandere!

His yandere turn had me shivering, lol. And to think, at the beginning, I kept thinking, "Oh, he's so cute" and grinning… But still, I think it would be nice if the brothers could have a better relationship. ^^ Yeah!

How could Leo do something so awful!! He was so nice in Ending 1 and 2!! Neige: Yeah, it really was scary. Ras: In an older version of Ending 5, Leo kicked me in the head… Though they changed it after the playtesters kept saying it was frightening. Neige: Even I think that's scarier than Ending 6… Leo: …

To Rasphard and Estelio: I really liked "The Two Brothers" - it was so heartwarming to see them get along with each other. When I thought about how they'll probably be able to gradually become more like brothers, it swept away all the sadness I felt at the other endings. Be happy with Princess Neige forever! And I would be thrilled if Princess Nocsia is at their side, too… Leo: Thank you. Brothers… Ras: Brothers… Neige: Why the doubtful looks?

(Note: "The Two Brothers" - or more literally, "The Older Brother and the Younger Brother" - is the title of the final ending.)

It's a waste for Leo to stay single! Come be my bride. Leo: Thank you. Unworthy as I am, I appreciate the sentiment. Neige: A… bride?

I pray that the day will come when Ras can be a big brother for you. Leo: I wonder if it will ever happen.

Leo could learn a thing or two from Ras, lol. Leo: … What could I learn from him? Ras: You don't need to think about it that seriously…

You made Princess Neige cry, you jerk! Leo: I'm sorry. Neige: Hey! Why are you grinning? Give me a serious apology!! Leo: You don't think I look serious? Neige: Not in the slightest, ugh!!

You should get embarrassed more often! … You should get embarrassed more often!! (again for emphasis) Ras: Okay, let's embarrass him. All the time. Neige: I don't think that would be easy to pull off. And more importantly, it would be creepy if he went around blushing constantly. Ras: You have no filter, princess… seriously.

You… can't you be honest about your feelings every once in a while…? T_T Though it's not like I don't get why you like making the princess cry or get angry, lol. Leo: No, I absolutely do not want to make the princess cry or get angry… Nocsia: Oh, Estelio. You really are such a liar to everyone other than Neige. Leo: No, I really-- Nocsia: Just don't take your bullying too far. Leo: All… right...?

Princess Neige said she likes Ras more than Leo. Leo: Congratulations, I'm happy for you. Ras: (The look in his eyes! Is not the least bit happy! And the expression on his face isn't either!!) Leo: … I'm kidding.

Questions for the attendant!

I'm curious about what kind of pictures Estelio draws. Is he good at it? Or bad? Neige: He was good at it, for a little kid, but if there was anything he didn't like about a picture, he'd throw it away immediately. That's the problem with perfectionism. Leo: I don't like drawing, because it's like having my lack of talent shoved in my face. Nocsia: You're perfectionistic about the oddest things.

How long has he loved the princess? And how did it start? Leo: How long… I can't give a precise answer, because I've always loved her. As for how it started… it's not quite the same thing, but I started to feel that I would never love anyone but her after I moved to the castle.

List the people you love, romantic and platonic, in order. Leo: I always put the princess first, and I don't particularly care about anyone else.

Was the drug he used on the princess in Ending 6 one he made himself? Or did it come from the Ambrose home? How long had he been dosing her with it? … Don't tell me he wasn't actually drugging her? Leo: … I made it. If I had gotten it from my home, I would have been found out in no time, no matter how much my family trusts me. I may not be as good as Ras, but I know roughly as much about toxicology as the princess. Ras: Wow, you didn't even hesitate to answer. Leo: There's no avoiding it. We have to answer whatever we're asked. Ras: Oh, by the way, the poison that Leo used is a neurotoxin with immediate effects, so he was probably giving it to her periodically starting with the day she lost the ability to move around. It's not the type of poison that leaves a person with permanent aftereffects, but it still kind of worries me that it could cause addiction or something like that.

Why did he end up drinking the poison in Ending 1? The princess lied and told the attendants who went with her to the city that it was flavoring, so I was surprised that he actually drank that… Leo: I didn't drink it directly from the bottle, I drank tea with the poison added to it. There are flavorings that you add directly to tea, you know. Ras: Yeah, I made it so that it would work with just one drop, so if the princess had gotten it, she would have been in danger. Neige: You have a lot of nerve showing up when we're talking about this. Ras: Oh crap. I wasn't even thinking, and you were talking about poison, so… Uhh, okay then! I died in that ending, so that kinda makes us even? Leo: Shut up. Ras: …

Leo's appearance as a child has a different vibe to it than when he's older. Was he more timid, calmer, or cuter as a child?' Neige: He was much cuter! He was constantly falling down and forgetting important things, and he was in poor health and not much use as an attendant… but he certainly was cute. Leo: … Well, that was a long time ago.

Why did you hold Ras' hand for so long in one of the routes? Leo: It was an order from the princess. There was originally an explanation - "I did it because Princess Neige told me 'If you don't do it, he won't come back.'" But because the creators accidentally removed the line somehow, it seemed like something I chose to do on my own. Ras: Oh, you didn't? Aww…

What's your happiest memory? Leo: My happiest… If I have to pick something, I suppose it would be back when I lived in the Ambrose home. It's not like I want to go back to those days, though, since I was completely ignorant then.

Why is Neige so cute? (lol) Leo: … I've never really thought about it. Neige: You should give it some serious thought.

What's your favorite flower? Leo: I'm not sure, since I don't know much about flowers… If I have to pick something, I suppose I like red flowers. Neige: Oh, red flowers? That's surprisingly passionate. Leo: … Neige: Wh-what? If you've got something to say, say it. Nocsia: (It's because Princess Neige looks good in red…)

Say something loving to Princess Neige, lol! Leo: … I am your servant. Neige: You've already told me that. Leo: You keep forgetting. Neige: H-hey! I won't ever forget again.

[samgirl98]

Cain and Abel Wept 6/?

Prev | Next

Danny watched the sunrise on the safe house’s roof. He didn’t move even as the sun got higher in the sky. His parents and Jazz were fast asleep, but Danny couldn’t relax enough to go unconscious. It was a good thing he didn’t need as much sleep as a regular human.

Danny fiddled with the card and cell phone that Batman Bruce had given him.

Once upon a time, Danny had dreamt of meeting his birth father.

Once upon a time, Danny had imagined Batman would appear like a demon in the night against Ra’s Al Ghul and save both Danny and Damian.

Once upon a time, Danny dreamt of being a family with the Detective and his little brother.

Those dreams had been crushed when his little brother thrust a sword through Danny’s chest.

Danny thought he had long since let go of the sadness and anger he felt every time he thought of Damian’s betrayal, but seeing his baby brother again brought those feelings to the forefront of his mind and a new feeling, guilt.

Danny could still see every sad look, every unshed tear from Damian every time Danny flinched away from his brother.

“Ugh, this is so unfair,” Danny yelled at the sky.

He had wanted to be a normal kid with a normal loving family. He had wanted to play with his baby brother without fearing punishment. Now, he was the fucking Ghost King running from the US government.

Danny brought his legs up to his chest and cried for the first time in a long time.

____

Batman entered the Watch Tower’s meeting room in his usual cool, collected manner. Clark would’ve fallen for Bruce’s feigned nonchalance if it weren't for his super hearing. As it was, Bruce’s heartbeat had been fluctuating from his normal speed to heart-stopping fast.

“Oi, Batsy, this better be important. I was in the middle of a game of poker.”

Bruce ignored Constantine and set up his presentation. He looked at everyone in the room and turned on the PowerPoint.

Clark almost threw up when he saw the dismembered body of a five-year-old glowing girl oozing some type of green blood. Batman showed more and more pictures before stopping on a slide that read in big, bold letters: The Anti-Ecto Act Laws.

To say it would be a long day was an understatement.

____

John Constantine had seen a lot of fucked up shit in his lifetime; hell, he’d done a lot of those fucked up shit, but what he was seeing today made him want to crawl into the House of Mysteries and forget he even existed by drowning himself in alcohol.

Batman had not pulled the punches. He showed slide after slide of dismembered body parts, cruel experiments, and cages full of ghosts from the bloody Infinite Realms! How had the fucking US government gotten ahold of such powerful beings? Even the weakest blob ghost was stronger than the average ghost.

Batman’s following words made John want to curse his very existence, “They’re also hunting the ruler of the Infinite Realms.”

Every magic user in the room cursed out loud. John took out a cigarette, uncaring who it pissed off that he was smoking in the Watch Tower. News like this warranted a little rule-breaking.  

Batman kept talking and brainstorming with the colorful brigade about how they would repeal the laws the stupid Americans had, in all their wisdom, deemed a good idea to write. John swore Lex being president had been the worst thing to happen to the country. Yeah, they got him out, but only after he had done a substantial amount of damage.

John took his last drag and asked, “So, Bats, why has the new King of the Infinite Realm looked toward you for help instead of one of us magic users?”

That’s what got to John; Bats was notorious for trying to avoid magic and anything that didn’t fit his logic. Why would a powerful being like that go to Batman instead of John or Captain Marvel?

“He was running from the government when he ended up in Gotham. He noticed that Red Hood was also considered an ecto-being and warned me about it. I decided to help immediately after the laws were brought to my attention.”

John squinted at Batman.

It seemed to make sense, but there was something else, something more. John could feel it deep in his guts. And his guts had never steered him wrong (whether he listened or not was another thing.)

They spent the rest of the day going over logistics and strategies.

Wonder Woman wanted to go straight to the GIW’s HQ and destroy it; she got vetoed. The destruction could cause a backlash from the general public and make them fear ghosts. Only Amity Parkers were aware of the spirits and had mixed feelings about them.

It was decided that Lois Lane and Clark Kent would bring attention to the laws and write about them in such a way that they were a danger to the Meta-Human Protection Laws.

Not a bad idea, to be honest.

“And you’re sure the King is all right with his kind being exposed to the world,” John couldn’t help but ask.

It was one thing for them to exist in legends and superstitions and another completely different thing for there to be concrete evidence of the existence of things that go bump in the night.

“He is,” Batman answered in his gravelly voice. Jesus, it made John think the man smoked but didn’t want to admit it.

“All right, if you say so.”

The meeting was adjourned, and John was happy to leave when he heard Batman, “Constantine, Superman, Wonder Woman, there’s something else I’d like to talk to you about.”

Great, he got singled out.

“Make it quick, Bats; I want to research and see if I can’t find anything on our mystery king.”

Batman waited until they were alone before talking.

“I am telling you this in confidence; it doesn’t leave this room, and you don’t tell anyone else.”

Batman glared at them, and Constantine felt he would have more shit added to his plate.

John sighed, “What now, Bats? What could possibly have to say that already didn’t fuck up my worldview?”

“The Ghost King is my biological son I didn’t know existed.”

John waited for Batman to scream out ‘psych’ because the man had to be pulling their legs.

Batman stared at them with a somber look in his eyes.

“For fuck’s sake, Bats, it’s called a fucking condom!”

____

Agent K and Agent O had isolated the ghost child’s ectosignature to somewhere in New Jersey. It had been hard.

The Fentons were great inventors and since they decided to betray the human race, they had used their inventions to hide the abomination.

But they were closing in. Soon, they would have the Ghost King and the Ghost Zone would be no more.

Wow, writing Constantine's POV was hard cuz I don't know British Slang that well, lol. Surprise, the GIW is close.

@spectralstardustandphantomnights @avelnfear @idfk-man10 @blackroserelina @candeartist422 @luer-mirin @mur-ururu @insufferablecrab @skulld3mort-1fan @meira-3919 @aethernorwood @mimilikey @marshmelloe @latheevening226 @ahyesanerd @lexdamo @chrysanthemum9484 @spooky-fm

[yiskahrabbit]

SPOILERS OF EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO!

This episode was my favorite so far (well, i say this every week but whatever):

First, the conflict of this episode was so interesting to me, as a civil engineer grad I can say that the feud and differences among architects and civil engineers is SO TRUE, even though most of the time we work together sometimes our way of approaching some problems are COMPLETELY different. This case, especially dealing with paving/roads construction (I think that's the term in english), I can see both arguments as a straight line among the city can be seem ridiculous but can be the cheapest and easiest way as well, and also the impact of the traffic/people traveling can increase the town's financially but also damage the green area and people's homes too. So complicated! Can't wait for next episode tomorrow

I missed Geu-ra-mi and I thought she would appear more, but ep. 7 was so packed already and one thing is that her and Young woo's relationship is already well established so I'm really happy seeing Suyeon growing as our second bestie. She basically confronted everybody! Said to Junho to not confuse our Young woo's feeling and other people (she straight up confessed, what a ✨ QUEEN✨) and pushed both of them to have a conversation not just miscommunicate or assume. Young woo saying that Junho avoided answering her directly is just showing how, again, perceptive she is. I don't really think they're going to kiss as is well known that our baby whale doesn't like to be touched but I'm curious to see what happens next.

Minwoo being that prick he is, what's new? I love that Suyeon said he's just after Young woo to bully her and him showing his inferiority complex. I really hope they address that in later episodes and we can understand a little bit about him, but for now I can't really root for his character :(

Young woo's dad and the Hanbada' CEO conversation just reminded me how the worlds still cruel AGAIN. She had the best grades and was the no.1 in everything, and she worked hard for that, but people are just... argh! When she said that she didn't like his father mingling on her discouragements and disappoints is so true but you can see both sides so clear, she wants to navigate life as her own, making her decisions, but as a dad he just just wants her to not face hardships UGH I'M GONNA CRY BYE~

[pennamesmith]

Skeletor Lends a Hand

The support group acts out. Wrong Hordak gets a taste of his own medicine. More ‘Skeletor’ stories. Also, thank you to @ineffablelabpartners for the idea of “Princess Theatre feat. Wrong Hordak as Horde Prime.” See art for the opening scene by @cosmiquealiene here!

*

“I am Hordak!” Catra shouted. “And I defy your stupid face!”

She opened her hand. Wrong Hordak, wearing a mop on his head and with two extra eyes drawn haphazardly on his face, slumped to the ground.

“Oh! I am falling!” he wailed from the floor. “I have fallen! I am dead! Woe be to Horde Prime!” He splayed his limbs and stuck out his tongue for extra emphasis, making a few more death rattles as he did so.

It was drama therapy day in Wrong Hordak’s Ex-Horde support group.

Hordak, watching from the back of the small audience, hid his face in his hands and slouched as far down as he could in his chair. “This is the worst torture I have ever endured,” he whispered.

“Oh, but this is the best part!” Entrapta squeaked. She squeezed his arm and leaned into his shoulder.

The stage, such as it was, consisted of a marked-off portion of the floor, faced by the other group members, who mostly consisted of Entrapta and Hordak and about two dozen enraptured clones. Scorpia and Perfuma were by the door, working the lights.

Catra-as-Hordak continued to yell at her defeated enemy. “Ha! Serves you right, you creepy evil jerk! I bet you didn’t ‘see all’ that coming!”

“Catra! That’s not the line!” Adora hissed. She was kneeling on the ground a few feet away, pretending to be tied up. Her hair was bunched into two ponytails, and she had borrowed Entrapta’s welding mask.

“Ugh. Fine. Have it your way. I turned against my brother! What have I done?”

“Ca— I mean, Hordak!” Adora cried, standing up. Her acting was as wooden as ever, but she played the role seriously, holding Catra’s face tenderly in her hands. “It’s okay. You’re free now. You can be whoever you want to be.”

They kissed, passionately.

Hordak choked. “That did not happen!” he insisted, mortified.

“It would’ve been cute if it did, though,” Entrapta mused beside him.

The room erupted into applause. “Bravo!” one of the clones cried, wiping away a tear. “Bra-vah!”

The lights came up. Wrong Hordak jumped to his feet and bowed to the group. “Thank you, brothers! Thank you!” He straightened. “Now, consider this thought experiment: what would you have said to yourselves if you were the one to cast the villainous Horde Prime to his doom?”

The clones looked stricken. “I would have called myself a traitor!” one gasped.

“Worse than a traitor!” a second clone agreed. “A monster!”

“An abomination!”

“And yet,” Wrong Hordak said, still smiling, “Would you call the great Hordak any of these cruel things today?”

“Of course not!” a clone blurted. “He is a hero!”

“He turned against the false ruler! For love,” another added.

“He knows some things!”

A hushed murmur fell over the clones as realization dawned.

“So you see,” Wrong Hordak explained patiently, “Even though Horde Prime is dead, his lies can still live within us. We must learn to recognize Prime’s evil voice, and replace it with our own! Only then will he truly be defeated.”

As the clones discussed this new idea with excitement, practicing saying positive things to one another, Catra worked her way around to the back of the group and leaned on Hordak and Entrapta’s chairs.

“Enjoying the show?” she asked, smirking. “I think I make a pretty good you, Hordak.”

Hordak sank even further in his seat. “I fail to see the practical side of all this,” he grumbled.

“It’s very practical!” Entrapta protested. “Data shows that acting out roles can help us embrace new perspectives of ourselves and others.”

“Yeah,” Catra teased. “I find this exercise to be cathartic and entertaining, don’t you?”

“Attention, everyone!” Wrong Hordak announced, from the front of the room. “Next, Princesses Perfuma and Scorpia will perform their reenactment of ‘She-Ra and Her True Love Save the Heart of Etheria’!”

“You know what,” Catra said, “I just realized I have to go to the bathroom right now immediately.” She spun on her heel and speed-walked out of the room with a look of panic in her eyes.

“Perhaps I spoke too soon. This could be most amusing after all,” Hordak chuckled. He put his arm around Entrapta, and they settled in to watch the show.

*

Later, when the meeting had ended, Wrong Hordak busied himself with tidying up the room. Most of the attendees were still there, talking amongst themselves as they gradually filtered out the door. Entrapta and Hordak were chatting amiably with Catra and Adora by the snack table. Scorpia and Perfuma giggled to each other by the window and danced a few halting steps to music only they could hear. Wrong Hordak smiled.

“I am so proud of my brothers,” Wrong Hordak sighed happily. “They have learned so much!”

“Wonderfully horrible creatures!” his assistant piped up.

Wrong Hordak’s assistant was a robot, one of Horde Prime’s former drones that Entrapta had reprogrammed and given a voice. She called it ‘Skeletor.’

“We will form an alliance, but only until our task is complete!” Skeletor said.

“Indeed. Now then, my exalted brother, I have an important mission for you!” Wrong Hordak held out a broom and dustpan to Skeletor. The robot groused but took them and went to work anyway. As he did so, Wrong Hordak felt a hand tap him on the shoulder.

“Excuse me?”

Wrong Hordak turned around to find one of the other clones staring at him. “Oh! Greetings, brother.”

“Today was wonderful!” the clone complimented. “Your acting skills are marvelous. But I noticed you did not get a chance to berate Prime yourself.”

“No, of course not!” Wrong Hordak responded, smiling. “My purpose in this group is to help the others with their emotional journeys. Also, this exercise is about more than expressing anger. It is about self-actualization!”

“Well then, all the more reason for you to try it! You must find your own voice as well.” The clone pulled Skeletor away from sweeping the floor. “Here, practice on this drone! Drone, say something Horde Prime would say.”

“Er… You boob!” Skeletor tried.

The clone was unimpressed. “Something else.”

“The first one didn’t count,” Skeletor griped. “It was just practice. I was teasing the poor fool!”

“Then what would Horde Prime say? If he saw us making our own choices and thinking our own thoughts.”

Skeletor pondered this. After a moment, he shook his fists and shouted, “Get in line! I see you need a lesson in obedience!”

“Better,” the clone nodded, and then looked to Wrong Hordak. “And what would you say to that?”

Wrong Hordak hesitated. “I... I would say, I am no longer obedient to a tyrant!”

“Fool! You will serve my purposes!” Skeletor pressed.

“I will not!” Wrong Hordak pushed back, more confidently this time. “I serve only my friends.”

“Your friends only keep you around because it amuses them to have a pet!” Skeletor wheedled. “Be honest. Wouldn’t everyone be much better off if you had never come here?”

“That is not true!” Wrong Hordak said. “And, and even if it were, I am better for coming here! I want to be here! I am happy here! The light of this world is more fulfilling than Prime’s sickly light could ever hope to be!”

“Bravo!” the other clone applauded. “That’s the spirit!”

“Take a bow!” Skeletor cheered.

“Oh my,” Wrong Hordak breathed. “You were right, that was an exhilarating experience!”

“Exhilaration is my specialty,” the other clone boasted, proudly.

Wrong Hordak looked at the clone a bit more closely. “Are you new to our group?” he asked, curiously.

“Ah… Sort of? I’ve been coming for the past couple weeks, actually,” the clone admitted, and blinked. Sideways.

“Well, you will always be welcome and among friends here!” Wrong Hordak beamed. He gave a wink, and the air appeared to sparkle around him.

“O— Of course,” the clone stammered, seemingly taken off guard. “Excuse me, I must go now.” They turned and rushed away, hiding their face and making a noise that sounded a bit like an overheating radiator.

“What a nice person!” Wrong Hordak remarked, watching them go.

“Someone I could almost respect!” Skeletor agreed. “Meheheheheh.”

*

The next day, while Entrapta was working in her Bright Moon lab, a knock came on the door. She paused in her welding and went to open it, expecting Catra or Scorpia dropping by for a visit. Instead, she found a nervously fidgeting clone looking back at her.

“Oh. Hello. Can I help you?” Entrapta asked.

The clone quickly stepped inside, and then in a flash of dark light they weren’t a clone any more, but a lithe, svelte lizard person.

“I am having a crisis,” Double Trouble lamented, grabbing Entrapta by the shoulders. “And you’re the only one who can save me!”

“Oh! I see. You’re that shapeshifter!” Entrapta said. She blithely brushed Double Trouble’s hands away and sat back on her hair, looking contemplative. “Catra and Hordak told me about you.”

Double Trouble cringed. “They did? Well, that’s awkward.”

“...So, what can I do you for?” Entrapta pulled a pen and notepad out of her pocket and smiled expectantly.

“I— Really?” Double Trouble sat down on a piece of unused machinery. “Okay. In that case, it’s just… now that all the clones have discovered individuality, I think I’m beginning to see where you were coming from,” they admitted.

“I come from Dryl,” Entrapta supplied helpfully.

“That’s not what I...” Double Trouble sighed. “Look, can you just tell me what sort of things Wrong Hordak likes?”

Entrapta shrugged. “Cooking. Being dramatic. Rebelling. Why are you asking me?”

“I think I might actually be able to work with that,” Double Trouble muttered. “And I have to ask you because— because you’re the only person on the planet who knows how to romance one of these space bats.” They leaned forward. “Now dish.”

“What an unexpected pleasure!” Skeletor said. “I’ve waited a long time for this!”

[universal-kitty]

   Here he is! My Xaela Au Ra character... One I’ve had planned for a good few months, but didn’t quite have the motivation or ability to create until recently. Thanks, Benchmark~!

  Anyways, meet Altan Olkund, a warrior from the Azim Steppe...and training to be a Black Mage.

[tw for abuse/abusive relationship mentions]

   His story begins back at the steppe, where he found his footing among his clan...mostly in height. His prowess as a warrior wasn’t far behind, however, all too proud to gloat and mess around with his tribemates. Getting into plenty of playful fights; some of them resulting in injuries he was once all too happy to display.

   But that was before he really listened to the stories of Nhaama and Azim. Of the long-held belief among many of the Xaela, that there was a person out there for each person. Before he became desperate to find his own, and so got himself in a relationship with someone who was not at all kind to him. Well... She was kind enough at first, if a bit hard-headed and forceful. But not at all bad! Altan had been quite enamored with her for some time after meeting, after all...

   It was too soon that her words became cruel, however. So pushy and demanding that her words could curb him to hunch his form over, terrified of her raising voice. What was once amusing as a “heeled man” didn’t stay funny for long...and even other tribe members of his own, the Olkund, told him to get out. No real Nhaama would treat him in such a way.

   So he left. In the middle of the night, he did leave, setting off for Ul’dah despite his proficiencies written all over in warrior.

   Altan after the fact is...a bit of a mess. Equally seeking out a partner as much as he doesn’t want to find/have one again. Because it’s a terrifying thought, to be feeling “locked” in such a toxic, unhappy relationship. But seeing other couples around does make him...envious.

   Which is why bumping into Rhela was a gift of sorts. Their endless kindness puts him at ease and both can relate to wanting a relationship, but having bad foundations to go off of. (Rhela being raised around that “ugh, men” mindset of the Keeper tribe they’d once lived among.) It definitely gives them both of a better baseline of taking it slow until they can feel comfortable and ready to try something.

   Until that point, he’s like an overeager puppy; showing off his moves, more than happy to help Rhela with anything, protecting them to the best of his ability, and being occasionally protective when it comes to dungeon trawling...or bar trawling! (Not usually so adventurous, since neither really drink...but other people? Altan hesitates to trust “outsiders” that aren’t Rhela or the members of the Olkund tribe. Occasionally other Xaela, depending on who.)

   In short? Tall man can kick ass, but usually does training, protects healer, ‘nd bares teeth. In a smile? As a threat? Depends! He’s a good boy, though, really.

[dottie-wan-kenobi]

Hippy Melisande and Ra's meeting her at Woodstock is one of the best things dc has given us lmao! The idea of Ra's going from really sweet to closed off is really interesting and i love it! Nyssa being there from afar is amazing! Dusan being an older sibling closer is age is an awesome feature because they'res never any content for him and seeing him do that would be adorable lmao. hell yeah shes got chubby cheeks and an attitude lol!

yes!!!! like obviously v little is known abt Melisande but the fact that she’s a hippy is so interesting! and Ra’s meeting her at Woodstock kills me like kdsjfhdsjhkajh what, did he get tired of running his empire and decided to go to Woodstock, of all places? and why? was it to relax, to recruit ig, to have fun??? so many possibilities!

and yeah! I’m not actually a huge fan of Ra’s but he kind of flip flops between Okay and Evil in my mind but, I like the thought that maybe he was...well, not a good person lmao but less cruel, and that Melisande being a good person rubbed off on him. I mean, she was killed by their foster son, which I find v interesting re: parallels but NOT THE POINT. Ra’s must’ve been a better guy before she died. and I wonder if that didn’t feel like the beginning of the end, where everyone leaves or betrays him

Yesss idk how Nyssa’s story fits into this idea but I don’t think she’d be too close. I just don’t want them to have a rivalry until they’re older kdjfhdsjkfha makes it more fun when Talia can think back and think like, I wanted to be her. and is Dusan older?? oh I love that. his jealousy would be off the CHARTS. bc before Talia was born, it was like he had an older brother and a mom who probably didn’t hate him AND he was the baby. after, brother and mom are gone, dad still hates him, and now dad loves the screaming baby (or toddler, whatever) more. I could def see him trying to like...run away or something, and being caught/punished/maybe told if he stays loyal he’ll be loved? bc this family is fucked up like that

and YESSSSS ugh she’d be the cutest baby ever

[rokayas]

I just finished YJ season 3 and...

Holy shiiiiit

It was A M A Z I N G! (SPOILERS INCOMING)

They brought in so many characters! So, so many characters that they could go on with the show for so long if they just have the right tools. Like... Jason (I asSUME) is with Ra’s al Ghul and... DAMIAN. Also Harper, CASSANDRA, holy cow, the whole BATFAM is evolving! I   WANT   TO   KNOW   MORE   AND I KNOW I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE!

Also... Two words: WALLY   WEST. They DARED to show his death scene again. There were also a couple of more references to him (Dick calling Will “Wall” and not noticing it himself, this man NEEDS HIS BEST FRIEND BACK, HIS DEATH WAS THE MAIN REASON HE “QUIT”).

One thing I’m not happy about... Tara being a fckn spy AGAIN. Like for god’s sake DC, you had the Judas Contract already, ISN’T THAT ENOUGH!? Now I just hope with my whole heart that they don’t make Tara and Slade... ugh, I don’t even want to think about it.

But anyways, I’m so fricking happy this show is back! It was a bit cruel in some parts, which was not YJ’s style back then (I think we saw “blood” only in one episode??? Tell me if I’m wrong). It went a bit on to the DC’s-New-52-stylish-movie style but it was still Young Justice in my opinion. I don’t know if any of the writers changed or anything sooo... Yeah.

I hope they are working on more episodes, I’m not on track really cause I thought I wouldn’t be able to watch the episodes so I was like naaah even though I cared but I didn’t memorize all the schedules they published so yeah... If you want to talk more about the new season or the whole show in general, please hit me up!

A quick note:

WHAT IS UP WITH GL CORPS. Vandall Savage talked about them with Dark(fckn)seid, something about the corps fighting against something I can’t remember now AND THEN HAL SHOWS UP TO BRING THE FATHERBOX TO SILAS AND HIS HAIR IS HALF GRAY. PLEASE EXPLAIN. And also, now that YJ is back, GLTAS should be brought back too! Just stating facts, that’s all. (alsoletkyleraynerappearandaddhimtotheteampleaseilovehimhehasnorepresentationintheanimation)

[thedemonconstantine]

adventurepunks​:

“—-” Talia opted to stare at her husband’s insistence on being hospitable.

No no by all means John roll out the carpet, get the fancy cheese board out too while you’re at it!

“Ugh” Talia groaned slapping the door shut of if the wooden construction failed to behave with honor in her presence.

“I brought you a gift” Ra’s did in fact bring a gift, a piece of paper that was wrapped in a red ribbon and a box of Talia’s honeyed dates that she enjoyed from a specific vendor in Turkey.

Talia took the box and piece of paper with a little bow of head for no matter how unwelcome a guest was..Karam would be observed. The only gentleness she ever learned from him was that your guests were to be treated like royalty.

How easily the Demon swayed even her…for she nearly teared up looking at the piece of paper and handed it to John, a pencil drawing of John kissing her forehead. Simple silhouettes for it wasn’t the artistry that struck the chord in her heart but the personal touch. 

“You made this?” she asked and her voice almost cracked as what John called her iron veil would drop, she still was a girl that yearned for his love, the love she never gotten.

“You should so surprised. You are a difficult woman to impress and please little sparrow” her father answered her and waved a refusal on a beer. “And I never forget a face”

Talia was too distracted looking at the simple sketch.

“Since our beloved Talia is too distracted” Ra’s stood up and found the rose water and a bowl handing it to John. “It is a badawī tradition to wash your guest’s hands to welcome them.” How his voice could be gentle when he wanted to, the greatest trick the devil could ever pull was to convince you he didn’t exist.

“You give your guest coffee traditionally, a full cup to sign you wish them to rush or a half cup if you welcome them to stay a while” he instructed and Talia would return to John’s side pushing discomfort aside.

“If you had called we would have welcomed you. I do not like to be ambushed in my home”

“You my child are always welcome to come visit me. You are the only family I have left, am I to behave like a stranger you entertain and present your home to? You yourself said John does not like pretending and putting airs and graces” he remarked and looked at John. “Would you not agree John that family needs not impress you? Ought my daughter hoover and hide all the signs of life in her home just to host me?” he asked putting his hands on Talia’s shoulders and she tensed from reflex and then relaxed.

John had to hold back a snort from the abhorring look that Talia shot him, putting on instead a face of feigned innocence, lashes fluttering and all. She did say she loved them!

No point showing their disgruntlement since the old fart was already here. John wasn’t going to let Ra’s get a kick out of that, at least. 

“Oho Ser, yeh made me too ‘andsome!” Said John upon sneaking a glance at the sketch in Talia’s hands and then to her face where he would see her open and vulnerable once again. Just a single gesture. How cruel could this man be?

“Yeh look ravishin’,” He’d kiss her hair, “Aye, I’ll go put th’ ket’le on, wiff th’ gud beans,” Some 100% Arabica or whatever. Details, right?

John left the two in the kitchen as he put together a tray of coffee cups, a serving pot of the stuff and a small dish with pieces of aish el-saraya that Talia made the day before. He’d serve it by the coffee table and deliberately kept the cups empty.

“Aye well I’m nah much o’ a traditional bloke so ‘ere yeh go, ‘elp yehself. ‘ere’s more in th’ kitchun if yeh wants,” Obviously not Ra’s al Ghul’s point but fuck that! Heh!

John was too busy gloating over the fact that Talia called his flat her home. That was most definitely a win for him no matter how this day ended!

“Is alrite, Tal. Well Ser, is only polite if th’ in-laws call afore droppin’ in on th’ unsuspectin’ couple innit? Woh if we’re shaggin’ on th’ couch rite ‘ere? I mean...it could ‘appen!”

Poor Talia, she was so strung up in front of her father. John kept his grin despite it all.

“Fancy watchin’ th’ game?” Who knows, maybe the man just needed a good old dose of proper domesticity! John switched on the tube and settled down on the carpet cross-legged and pouring himself and Talia some coffee.

“Yeh daughter’s awful gud at cookin’ by th’ way. Mebbe if yeh call afore yeh next visit we kin plan a dinna roast.”

Anything to diffuse the tension and remind Talia not to be so affected by this one man.

[justanothercinemaniac]

Epic Movie (Re)Watch #138 - Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Spoilers below

Have I seen it before: Yes

Did I like it then: Yes.

Do I remember it: Yes.

Did I see it in theaters: Yes.

Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: Yes, #284.

Format: Blu-ray

Shoutout to @im-this-kind-of-girl, who’s blog I found while looking for GIFs to use in this recap and apparently loves this film. If you chose to read this I hope you like it as much as I like your GIFs. You’re tagged about a hundred times in this because I credit each of your GIFs to you.

1) The Dreamworks deal that allows them to make the “Voltron” TV show on Netflix right now also gives them ownership of the Mr. Peabody & Sherman brand. They had licensed the characters to make the film but by the time of release had bought them (and others) outright.

2) If there are any fans of the original “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” cartoons I’m going to let you know now: I never watched those so they bear no weight on my attitudes towards this film.

3) Ty Burrell as Mr. Peabody.

Burrell is honestly the perfect voice for the role. Robert Downey Jr. was attached for a time but I don’t think anyone could have topped Burrell’s work. The best voice over work is marked by forgetting that you’re listening to an actor and just accepting they are the character, and every time I think of the fact that this is Ty Burrell and not just Mr. Peabody I am in awe. He has the most perfect balance of humor, intellect, and heart which makes the character what he is. He comes off as funny and like a genuine dad (even playing the dad jokes/puns straight). Burrell is able to make the character in this film and I am so grateful that he was cast.

4) The prologue for the film works quite well. It sets the fun and whimsical tone as well as a sense of humor. We also get an early sense of Peabody and Sherman as characters. Peabody as narrator is most easily established, but the filmmakers are able to make Sherman feel like a genuine kid. Not an annoying child, not an adult acting like a child, but a real kid. All in the opening minutes too.

5) I find it interesting how the film calls out the story of George Washington cutting down a cherry tree as not being true, but still claims Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake!” when (if I’m not mistaken) the historical accuracy of that is at best questionable.

6) I really like this film’s sense of humor.

Mr. Peabody: “...the people of France were exceedingly poor.”

[Cut to two peasants lying in the streets]

Peasant 1: “Got any bread?���

Peasant 2: “NO! I’m exceedingly poor!”

7) Right before the film’s release, I had heard that it was going to be rated PG-13 but an appeal from the filmmakers made it PG. I was confused by this at first, but after seeing the movie I understand why. Here are a few reasons for my understanding:

Mr. Peabody is almost killed by a guillotine

We see paintings which depict mummification in vivid detail

Sherman fights in the Trojan war; it’s not as watered down as you may expect

Sherman and Peabody both bite people at two different points

I’m not saying it’s enough to warrant the film ACTUALLY being rated PG-13, but I can understand why it may have almost been.

8) The early sewer chase through Paris is a good showcase of the film’s imaginative action which is to come. It is both captivating to the eye but definitely uses the benefits of animation. I don’t know that something like lighting the methane gas in a sewer to be projected to safety would work as well in live action as it does in animation.

9) Penny (the female lead and trio to Peabody’s/Sherman’s adventure) is never really given an explanation as to why she is such a MASSIVE bully. Like, she’s really awful. She mocks Sherman for being smart, calls him a dog, holds him in a chokehold, she’s downright cruel! And while she develops overtime in a way which is organic and believable, her initial characterization is never explained.

Ariel Winter does quite well in the role though.

10) Ugh, this crap.

Principal [to Mr. Peabody]: “Sherman got in a fight today!”

No, he was bullied and had to defend himself AFTER BEING PUT IN A CHOKEHOLD!

Ms. Grunion: “It’s normal for children to tease...”

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

I know Grunion is an antagonist and this situation is used to set up conflict in the show, but it paints the unfortunately real picture of how there are adults and people in power who normalize bullying. And it needs to stop in the real world.

11) Allison Janney is a treat as Ms. Grunion though. Janney is one of my favorite actresses ever and has shown her skilled voice over chops in projects like Finding Nemo. Ms. Grunion isn’t in the movie much but when she is (very much like Ty Burrell does as Peabody) Janney is stellar in the role.

12) One of the nice thing this film does that I don’t think the television show did (and again, I never watched, so I don’t know for sure) is examine the father/son relationship between Mr. Peabody and Sherman. The flashback scene where Mr. Peabody is making his case for why he should adopt Sherman in front of a judge (how no one wanted him as a child either) is particularly telling of their connection. It is a nice relationship to carry us throughout the film.

13) I always felt like this was as much a nod to The Prince of Egypt as it was to history in Mr. Peabody’s flashbacks.

(GIF originally posted by @somehow-you-will)

14) Stephen Colbert and Leslie Mann playing characters who like...almost exactly like Stephen Colbert and Leslie Mann.

15) One of my favorite character actors around is Steve Valentine, most memorable for his leading turn in “I’m in the Band” on Disney XD, his voice over work in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and his performance in Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk. He is in this film as Ay, royal vizier to King Tut.

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

16) There are so. Many. PUNS!!!!!

Mr. Peabody [after Sherman knocks off a mummy arm]: “That’s disarming.”

I’m just sharing the one because I don’t want to overload you guys but damn there’s a lot!

17) So...why does Sherman like Penny? She has literally done nothing but cruel and condescending to him this entire film. She humiliated him in front of school, she’s shoved him off, pushed him around, called him a liar multiple times, been a total jerk, and he...likes her?

18) It is important to remember that Sherman is smart. Not Mr. Peabody smart, but smart. When in Egypt, he gets like 99% of the booby trapped floor puzzle right when he was only sort of paying attention to Mr. Peabody before. That shows brains.

19) I really like the humor in this film. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again.

Mr. Peabody, Masquerading as Anubis [after Ay says the sun god Ra demand Penny’s marriage to Tut]: “That’s so funny. I was talking to the sun god Ra just the other day...”

20) Stanley Tucci is fun as Da Vinci. Stanley Tucci is one of the most consistently talented actors around. He ALWAYS devotes himself to a role fully and is often times the best parts in a movie. That same passion shows in his voice over work here. I really enjoy it.

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

21) Have I mentioned how I like the humor of this film before?

DaVinci [about how children are not machines]: “I tried to build one once. It WAS creepy.”

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

22) The way the time stream is animated during the time travel sequences (bet seen when the trio almost is trapped by a black hole) is very well done. It is a fun and interesting way of visually showing the concept of time as the group hurdles through it.

This is just concept art above but the final representation is pretty close to this.

23) The conflict between Peabody and Sherman is at its highest when Sherman exclaims this to his adoptive father:

Sherman: “I said I’m not a dog!”

It shows a real conflict between the two. Peabody has become concerned about being able to raise Sherman right recently, and Sherman has been questioning who he is outside of his relationship with his dad. It will be resolved wonderfully by the film’s end, however.

24) I’m a sucker for Patrick Warburton in anything, but Patrick Warburton in a voice over role is particularly wonderful.

25.1) Honestly the entire Trojan horse scene has some of my favorite jokes in the film. To start with, the fact that they made Odysseus - the great heroic character in the Odyssey - into this little pimple of a guy:

And I know you’re not supposed to judge people by appearances, but in animation characters are designed the way they are for a reason and the reason here is to play against the standard idea of Odysseus.

25.2) Not to mention the fact that Peabody and Penny get into the Trojan horse LITERALLY by using their own Trojan horse.

25.3) And then, my favorite joke of the entire film, comes at the end of this mini monologue:

Agamemnon: FYI, a lot of heroes have father issues. My old man is a minotaur. Half man, half bull, all judgement. Ajax, here, strongest guy in the world, but his father never accepted that his real dream was to sing.

Ajax: [in falsetto] I wanted to be in the Greek Chorus.

Agamemnon: Uh, yeah, and don't even get me started about Oedipus. Let's just say you do *not* want to be at his house over the holidays. It's awkward.

Honorable mention to the “Greek Chorus” joke too.

26) My aching heart.

Sherman [shouting over a cliff, after he thinks Mr. Peabody died]: “Mr. Peabody! Mr. Peabody! [Beat] Dad!”

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

27) Probably could’ve worded this better (although it was probably written for that very reason).

28) STOP! NORMALIZING! BULLYING! GRUNION!

Ms. Grunion [after Penny apologize for being a bully]: “You have nothing to apologize for Penny...”

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

29) The climax for this film is SO much fun! I just love it to pieces! It is fast paced, has some great humor in bringing all the historical figures to the present, and brings together every character we’ve met so far in a fast paced and wild ride. It is just SO much fun watching literally EVERYONE chase after Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

30) Mel Brooks has probably three lines total as Einstein but it’s totally worth it.

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

31) This. Freaking. Movie.

I lied before. This is probably my favorite joke in the film.

32) Remember how I said the conflict between Sherman and Peabody is resolved wonderfully?

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

It shows Sherman making peace with who he is and supporting his dad, and convincing everyone else to do the same as they all exclaim, “I’m a dog too!” It’s surprisingly sweet and moving, perhaps one of my favorite parts of the film.

33) I will say, the first time I saw this film I thought to myself, “I’m Spartacus.” And then, of course, who should show up...

34) This. Freaking. Movie.

George Washington: “I hereby award Mr. Peabody a presidential pardon.”

Abe Lincoln: “Me too.”

(GIF originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

Bill Clinton is still alive, which begs the question: is he there as a historical figure or was he just in New York and wanted to see what was going on? Since it’s Bill Clinton it’s probably the latter.

35) This is sweet. A nice emotional conclusion as Mr. Peabody couldn’t say, “I love you,” too Sherman earlier in the film.

(GIFs originally posted by @im-this-kind-of-girl)

Mr. Peabody and Sherman is a wonderful film that unfortunately was not exactly Dreamworks most watched movie at the time of release. It has a unique and fun sense of humor, fun animation, but also an emotional arc and characters you truly get invested in. The voice acting is very on point, and it is just a fun ride. If you’re a fan of animation, Dreamworks, or just moviemaking in general and haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it.