#if we need a alia love interest we have one right here!!!!!!

[wulfhalls]

FLORENCE AND ANYA AT THE LONDON PREMIERE!! IT’S GIVING ALIA AND IRULAN <33 THE CONTRASTING BLACK AND WHITE HOODS!! THE JOINT SLAY. we won so bad

irulalia real confirmed. to me. here is how they can win messiah and liberate us from that fucking duncan idaho ghola thru lesbian love and their maximised joint slay

[heroes-among-us-all]

INFATUATION - Yandere!Chisaki Kai x Quirkless!Reader 

Sickness was inescapable. No matter where Chisaki looked, it was there. Thanks to the disgusting malady known as Quirks, the whole world was practically teeming with it. 

I shouldn’t be here. 

Chisaki scrunched up his nose as he waited in line, putting as much distance possible between himself and the other customers. He had a splitting headache and was in desperate need of coffee, but it was starting to feel like it wasn’t worth it. If only he’d been closer to home, then he wouldn’t have even thought to expose himself to all this chatter and filth. 

Thankfully, the mask he wore was enough to intimidate most of the other customers, and they were wary of giving him his space. He’d also been glaring at them with visible murderous intent, which probably helped. 

He eventually made it to the front counter, where a young woman with a pretty smile greeted him. 

“Hello,” you beamed. “What can I get for you today?” 

You were beautiful, no question about it, but that alone wasn’t enough to break through Chisaki’s mysophobia. The thought of being touched by anyone other than Pops made him shudder in revulsion. Every person he met was sick. Just because you were rather easy on the eyes didn’t make that any less true. 

“A small coffee,” Chisaki muttered. “Make it black. I don’t care for sugary things.” 

You nodded happily. “Sure thing. And what name can I put down for your order?” 

For a moment, he considered giving you the alias he’d taken on since becoming the leader of the Shie Hassaikai —Overhaul—but he supposed using his villain name so carelessly might arouse some suspicion.

“Just Chisaki is fine.” 

It was a name he’d discarded of for the most part, and when he uttered the syllables, he couldn’t help but feel they sounded a bit foreign. 

Perhaps he had made the right choice though, because your pleasant smile grew even wider after the fact. 

“That’s a lovely name,” you complimented, then rung the order in and accepted his payment. “It’ll be ready soon. Thank you!” 

Chisaki couldn’t deny that he was attracted to you, which is why is was such a shame. A shame that you were just as diseased as everyone else. 

Or so he’d thought. 

“Damn, [Name], you’re still working here?” an arrogant voice chuckled cruelly. “I thought they would’ve fired your Quirkless ass by now.” 

Quirkless...? 

Chisaki felt his brows lift. Instinctively, he turned back towards the counter and found that a group of people appeared to be heckling you—if your bitter expression was any indication. 

Your beautiful smile was nowhere to be found. “Can I please take your order?” you frowned. “There are other customers still waiting.” 

Needless to say, the people bullying you didn’t relent, not for a single moment. They made a big show of uttering all sorts of vile insults, and Chisaki could see the way your shoulders were trembling as you desperately tried to retain your composure. 

They’re a bunch of idiots. She’s the normal one, not them. I can’t believe they would take pride in being diseased. 

Chisaki felt as if he’d just found a goldmine. He’d finally met someone who struck his fancy, and not only that, but you were Quirkless. You were free of the malady that plagued the vast majority of the population. 

He would be an idiot not to act.

“You’re making a fool of yourselves,” he sneered, stepping closer to them. He normally hated to get near anyone, but in the interest of intimidating these assholes, he supposed he had no choice. “I suggest you walk away before you embarrass yourselves any further. You’re holding up the line and getting on everyone’s nerves. Disease-ridden scum.” 

“Huh?” the ringleader of the crew scoffed. “What’s your deal, douchebag? We can say whatever the hell we want. It’s a free country.” 

As much as Chisaki hated Quirks, his Quirk was entirely necessary if he wanted to purge this world and rid it of its filth. If he so desired, he could kill these morons on the spot, but that would hardly be a smart move. Besides, he didn’t want to risk scaring you off. 

He was still going to kill them, though. Just not right now. 

As it turned out, they were the type to talk a big game, but didn’t have the guts to follow through with their words. All it took was one violent glare from Chisaki’s golden eyes, and they seemed to buckle under the pressure. 

“Leave,” he demanded. “Get the hell out of here before I make you regret it.” 

They exchanged nervous glances before letting out a series of huffs and storming out of the store. What a bunch of cowards. He could have killed them all with his eyes closed. 

Once they were gone, he turned back towards you. 

“Are you alright?” he asked. “It sounded like they knew you. Does this sort of thing happen regularly?” 

You strained a smile. “Just some people I used to go to school with. It’s okay. I know they’re just trying to get a rise out of me. But thank you for speaking up. That was really nice of you. Oh, and... your order’s ready, by the way.” 

You slid the coffee over to him, and Chisaki wasn’t exactly sure what possessed him, but he went out of his way to ensure that his gloved fingers brushed against yours as he grabbed the cup. You didn’t have a Quirk, after all, which meant that you weren’t sick like the others. 

Even though I touched her, I don’t have any hives. 

You couldn’t see it because of his mask, but Chisaki was smiling. His spur-of-the-moment decision to come here had really paid off. 

“I realize you’re working right now, but would you be willing to give me your number?” he asked. “I find you to be incredibly beautiful, and the fact that you’re Quirkless doesn’t bother me. In fact, I prefer it that way.” 

Red hues burst across your cheeks, and you timidly bowed your head. “Oh, um... thank you,” you said with a shy smile. “I’m very flattered that you think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not really supposed to give out my number while I’m at work, but my shift is close to being over. If you’d like, maybe we could talk for a little while once I’m done?” 

Chisaki nodded, feeling his chest swell with excitement. “Yes, that would be perfect, thank you. I’m more than happy to wait.” 

True to your word, it didn’t take much longer for your shift to finish. You ended up taking a walk together outside, and Chisaki was so fixated on you that he hardly took any sips of his coffee, which was surely getting cold. He could tell that you were very friendly and open-minded, considering the fact that you’d so readily given him a chance. Perhaps you appreciated that he’d stood up for you. The thought of you being grateful and indebted to him thrilled Chisaki more than he could even put into words. 

“This was really nice, but I should probably head home soon,” you admitted. “I need to get some studying done. I have exams coming up soon. But I had a lot of fun! You’re such a nice person, Chisaki. I’m a bit curious, though. Why do you say you’d prefer for someone to be Quirkless?” 

“Quirks are a disease,” Chisaki immediately replied. “They are a mutation. Humans didn’t used to possess such powers in the past. What happened to the human species was a massive and detrimental genetic shift. Our bodies are no longer the way they once used to be, natural and unblemished. Quirks are a plague upon humanity.”

“I suppose they are a mutation, but...” You paused, then gave him a puzzled look. “It’s strange. Most people go crazy over Quirks, especially since it’s allowed for so many heroes to surface. To be honest, I’m used to being harassed over the fact that I don’t have a Quirk. It’s my first time meeting someone with a mindset like yours, and I have to admit, it’s really refreshing. You don’t look down on me, and... it means more than I can express.” 

She already considers me to be special.

The way you gazed at him with pure adoration in your eyes... Chisaki decided right then and there that he had to make you his. 

The first thing he did after you gave him your contact information was to look up anything and everything he could possibly find out about you. He had some of his underlings do some digging on their own end. You let a few details slip while you texted back and forth with him—the name of the university you attended, for instance—and slowly but surely, he was able to piece together the various aspects of your life. 

Even though you’d only just met, Chisaki was already infatuated with you. He had never had a such a strong desire to claim someone. He’d never yearned to be touched before, but ever since he’d met you, all he could think of was roaming his hands over every inch of your body, and letting you do the very same to him. 

His morality had long since gone out the window ever since he began experimenting on Eri to develop the anti-Quirk bullets, so he didn’t even bat an eye when he started stalking you all the way back to your apartment. 

The more you talked, and the more research he did on his own time, the more he learned about you—and good lord, every part of you really was perfect. He could hardly stand this anymore. You’d only just recently become acquaintances, and your relationship surely wasn’t developed enough for you to see him in a romantic light, but Chisaki was tired of waiting. He’d already waited his entire adult life to find someone he was interested in. Enough was enough. 

That evening, he broke into your apartment, and you found yourself pinned to the floor by him. 

“C-Chisaki?” you stammered nervously. Your eyes were wide and trembling as you gazed up at him. “What’s happening? How... how did you get in? I don’t even think I told you where I lived...”  

Instead of gracing you with a response, Chisaki did the thing he’d been yearning to do ever since you’d first met.

He removed his gloves and allowed his bare fingers to sink into your soft flesh.

“You’re so beautiful,” he groaned. His lower half was throbbing with arousal; it already felt like he was about to burst. “You’re perfect, [Name]. Just perfect. All for me.” 

He ran his fingers across every curve of your body, and by now you were already kicking and screaming, begging for him to release you. Tears blurred your vision. You couldn’t seem to understand why he was acting so differently all of a sudden, but you didn’t realize that this was nothing out of the ordinary. These were his true feelings for you, and he was a far more deranged man than you could have possibly known.

Chisaki gripped your wrists with one hand to hold you in place, then used his other hand to remove his mask. You were finally able to see his face in full for the first time. He’d always known he was objectively handsome, so he supposed you must have been quite thrilled with this turn-out. 

But you only cried harder. 

“Chisaki, please,” you sobbed. “I-I’m really scared. I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I liked you. We were getting to know each other... weren’t we? I promise I won’t cut you out of my life as long as you stop this right now.” 

She’s so adorable.

Chisaki couldn’t help but crack a little grin. You were gorgeous when you smiled, but the sight of your pretty face drenched in tears wasn’t half-bad either. He understood why you were a bit surprised, but you would come to terms with things quickly enough. You were interested in him too. That much was obvious. All he was doing was accelerating the process a bit, that’s all. 

“You’re exactly the kind of person I’ve been waiting for,” he breathed, cradling your cheek with one hand. He let the weight of his body keep you pressed to the ground, and you squeezed your eyes shut when his face drew closer to yours. “We’re going to be very happy together,” he insisted. “Now that I have you, everything is falling into place. The Shie Hassaikai will rise to its former glory again, and I’ll have the perfect bride through it all.” 

Chisaki paused for just a moment, reveling in how utterly helpless you were, then smashed his lips against yours. It was his first kiss, and he was sharing it with the most perfect person. Your lips were so soft and inviting. The way they trembled furiously as your tears fell just turned him on even more. 

He groaned into your mouth, plunging his tongue down your throat and forcing you to accept his twisted love. You choked from how forceful he was being. In between your whimpers and uncontrollable shaking, you didn’t have the strength or lucidity to put up a proper fight. 

Chisaki eventually broke away from the sloppy kiss, strings of saliva rolling down his chin as he gasped for breath. For a man deprived of touch for so long, it was almost too much stimulation for him to bear. 

“Perfect,” he mumbled again. “You’re so perfect, [Name]. I won’t let you get away. You’ll see that we’re meant to be together.” 

He grabbed your hand, which was limp and barely able to hold itself up, then pressed your palm down against his boner.

“Now, then,” he said, licking his lips. “How about we make each other feel really good?”

[bryce-bucher]

Basidia Post #4

Vintage CGI:

Modus Interactive and I have been spending the last week or so learning how to use Alias Power Animator 9 which is essentially an old version of maya. It was used on sgi workstations back in the day on games like ff7 and mario64 for all the pre-rendered stuff. For a long time Modus and I have been pretty invested in learning how to replicate the look of old pre-rendered stuff, and, as it turns out, the best way was just to do it how they did it. For so long I tried to wrap my head around how old cgi stuff was modeled because the sorts of shapes that were often created seemed like they'd be unnecessarily hard to create with polygons. The thing that specifically stumped me for a while was how they handled wrinkles in clothing and organic shapes. As it turns out, the answer was hidden right under my nose the whole time. They weren't using polygons at all! Instead they were modeling with NURBS! It seems very obvious in hindsight, but I feel like I deleted the memory of NURBS once I exited highschool, and nobody ever seems to talk about or use them these days. If you don't know what they are, it's basically a style of modeling that involves making a bunch of bezier curves and using them to define surfaces. It's a totally different style of modeling from polygons with a lot of pros and cons, but it achieves that smooth look we're after extremely well.

Scout Rifle Render:

As shown in the pics above, I decided to make a model of the scout rifle in Basidia so that we could use it for an item icon. The process was definitely a learning experience, and one of the things I learned is that modeling like this is super fun. It's like creating each shape is a puzzle where you need to theorize what is the best approach to take, and following through is always a multi-step process of defining a surface and slicing it up. I find it super satisfying to pull off, and making slapping materials on it is always fun as well. Moving forward we are probably gonna use this program and/or older versions of maya to create any pre-rendered item icons or backgrounds that we'll be needing. Modus actually made new versions of the vials in it as well which I will put right here \/

Wow there it is would u look at that. Power Animator just has an amazing way of outputting some unique, rich colors that are hard to get in modern software. I mean, just look at that cork. How do you make a cork have such interesting colors? Amazing. Fuck it, I'm gonna show off a little guy I made in power animator that has nothing to do with Basidia. I've been hyperfixating on this program since I downloaded it so I owe this to myself.

Here he is! Power animator has this amazing glow effect you can put on any shader that adds this bloom as a post processing layer. I used it on the head in this one, and I think it achieves a particular dreamlike effect really well. The sorts of shapes I can get for cloth out of NURBS is also super fun and rewarding, as shown with the cape here. Character modeling is something I'm always really excited about, and I'll definitely be modeling some Basidia characters in this thing.

Conclusion:

I am loving this program and I cannot stop thinking about it. Anyway, I have some commissions to take care of before switching back to midwest lost development, so I may or may not be posting about that game next week. I'm trying to buy an old sgi workstation with the commission money, and, if I can pull that off, then I will have access to all the old software they used back then (including the IRIX version of poweranimator). If you want to check out power animator yourself then here is a link to the program, and here is a helpful tutorial. Oke bye take care!

[aziraphales-library]

Hi!! Do you have any good streamer AU recs? I'm a sucker for a good streamer AU. Preferably one where Crowley and Beelzebub are friends. Thank you!!

We have youtuber fics here on our #social media tag, so check those out. Here are a few more...

Of Love and Loss (RIP Ms Beakman) by lucky_spike (T)

Crowley is a little bored now that he is no longer on Hell's payroll. He finds something else to do. Aziraphale is supportive.

My Love to Keep Me Warm by slateblueflowers (T)

The January after the apocalypse doesn't happen, Aziraphale and Crowley get a little restless and decide to challenge each other to a contest: who can take the other on the best human (winter-time) date? To the victor go the bragging rights! Watch the dates on Aziraphale's YouTube channel. Who do you think wins? ------ Date #1: An Old Favourite. Channel: Aziraphale Fell’s YouTube Channel. Views: 8 • January 3 Likes: 7 Dislikes: 1 Share | Save | Report [A man withdraws hands from the camera lens and crouches over, revealing a shock of unruly blond hair, a gleeful smile, and rosy cheeks. He steps back and turns to face a man leaning insouciantly against a kitchen countertop.]

i am just the (new invention) by littlesnowpea (T)

A list of hobbies Crowley has picked up over the past 6000 years: -gardening -cooking -fashion -pining for Aziraphale -making YouTube videos A list of hobbies Aziraphale has picked up over the past 6000 years: -reading -book restoration -music -pining for Crowley -commenting on Crowley’s YouTube videos When Aziraphale starts giving Crowley flowers, Crowley takes to his YouTube channel to discuss the meaning behind it, where Aziraphale comments encouragement to confess his feelings – under an alias, of course. There is absolutely no way any of this could ever go wrong.

The Tenant by MarisFerasi (E)

They Were Roommates Human AU Trope set during Lockdown 2020: Crowley got kicked out by an ex a few months ago and has couch surfed his last wave of his few friends' benevolence. He finds a listing for a bedsit in Soho and goes to check out the place, and finds the fussy little angel of a landlord quite charming indeed. He moves in and they quickly become friends, but both desire more and pining ensues. The real issues begin when Crowley loses his main job during major cutbacks because of the pandemic, and has to rely on his side hustle of online sex work to pay the rent, and Zira finds out. What will happen? Will the two part ways? Will Zira ask Crowley to leave when he finds out his "dirty little secret"?

Changing of the Seasons by AppleSeeds (T)

Confined to his bookshop, Aziraphale joins a virtual training session about urban foraging led by botanist and natural wellbeing practitioner Anthony Crowley, and feels some relief from his anxiety for the first time since lockdown began. After that, he watches every video Crowley has posted online, but will he ever get up the courage to actually interact with him? After all, Crowley keeps giving him opportunities to do so... Perhaps once the lockdown is over, some one-to-one nature-based relaxation therapy might be just what Aziraphale needs?

Talk about the weather by nightbloomingcereus (M)

Television meteorologist Aziraphale Fell and Youtube storm chaser A. J. Crowley have nothing in common aside from a purely professional interest in the weather and a mutually beneficial arrangement to lend a hand when needed. So what if they bicker and flirt more than your typical professional acquaintances, or if their arrangement inevitably veers into more personal territory? It's not as if they're in love or anything. Absolutely not.

- Mod D

[coquitokisses]

Trusting Again | chapter 006: ghost from the past

Word count: 3519

Warnings: language, some violence, blood, Bucky being a sweetheart and helping Cat with a wound

a/n: there’s a part where Cat talks in spanish and bulgarian, i obviously don’t know bulgarian, i used google translate lmao i do know spanish tho, anyways everything will be translated, also, Cat has an alias (sort of???) when she was in Bulgaria, they used to call her Crimson Angel, HOWEVER, i don’t really like that name, but i never found another one to replace it so it just stayed Crimson Angel 🤡 (anyways, she doesn’t really uses that name anymore, is just something more from her past)

series masterlist • previous chapter • next chapter

— 5 months later —

“I'm going to the store.” I told Sam as I grabbed my purse “You want anything?”

“No, I'm good.” He responded from the couch “Although, if you could bring that really moist cake you bought the other day.” He raised his eyebrows

“Tres leches?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“I’ll buy it.” I chuckled “I’ll be right back.”

I got out of the apartment and then walked over to the store that was literally just 5 minutes from us.

These last 5 months haven't been so bad, we've been good actually. Sam loves Cuba, as expected.

I got to the store, bought what we needed and then I headed back to the apartment. It's Friday and for the last three months maybe, I’ve been going to this bar with a girl I met like two weeks after we got here, her name is Maricela. Sam comes with us too sometimes.. whenever I drag him with me tho.

“I'm back.” I said closing the door, Sam was on the living room watching tv

“Got the cake?” He asked

“Got the cake” I nodded putting the bags on the kitchen counter “And I also bought a few snacks since you decided to eat them all.”

“Right, me.” He rolled his eyes

“Hey, so you know today’s Friday and I’m going out with Maricela.” I said to him as I started to put out the few things I bought “Wanna come?”

“Sure.”

“Wait, really?” I looked at him

“Yeah.” He nodded

“Huh” I turned back to the bags “Interesting.”

I usually have to beg him to come.

I finished putting out the rest of the things and then I went to take a shower. After I was finished, I went to my room and then I heard Sam going to the bathroom. I got dressed and when I was ready, I waited for Sam in the living room.

“Let’s go.” He said grabbing the keys

“You’re pretty pumped.” I said as we walked out of the apartment

“I’m chilling, bro.” He replied as we started walking

“Is it a girl?” I looked at him

“Nuh uh.” He rolled his eyes

“Are you sure? Because the other day I saw you talking to that blonde bartender.” I tilted my head

“She’s nice, but nah.” He shook his head “Right now, I would really want a beer.”

“Yeah, me too.” I nodded

+ + +

{ a/n: this is narrated in 3rd person lol }

“How do you know they’re here?” Bucky asked Steve as they walked towards the bar, which from afar you could already tell how crowded it was and also could hear how loud the music was

“Sam told me earlier.” He replied “Keep both eyes open for anything strange.”

“Of course.”

Both men entered the bar and Sam was sitting on a chair at the bar talking to a girl.

“Hey, y’all are here!” He said when he saw them

“We are.” Steve nodded “Where’s Cat?”

“Probably dancing.” He shrugged “Hey, I’ll find you later, okay?” He told the girl and she nodded before walking away

“Who was that?” Steve asked

“Some girl that sells handmade jewelry and Cat bought some from her.” He answered “How was Russia?”

“It’s not so bad when you have a translator.” Steve looked at his best friend

“It was okay.” Bucky shrugged, Sam chuckled “How’s Cuba been?”

“Amazing, Cat loves it, she says it reminds her of her home a little bit.”

“How’s she’s been?”

“She’s been great, actually.” He replied “She’s living her best life.”

Steve let out a chuckle. “Yeah, I figured.”

“Oh there she is.” Sam said

The three of them turned around and they saw Cat walking towards them with a beer on her hand, but she was looking to the side and when she turned her head, her eyes lit up as she saw Steve.

“Oh my god!” She squealed running over to him and she jumped onto him hugging him

“Jesus Christ.” Steve wrapped his arms around her holding her so she wouldn't fall

“What are you doing here?!” She asked when he put her down

“Well I think five months is a long time.” He said “I needed to see you guys.”

“It is a long time.” She nodded “I missed you.”

Steve smiled. “I did too, not gonna lie.”

“How was Russia?”

“Not bad, how’s Cuba? Sam told us you love it.”

“I do, it’s been kinda great.” She shrugged

She took a few steps back accidentally bumping into Bucky, so she immediately turned around.

“Hey, stranger.” She smiled

“Hey, you.” He gave her a small smirk

“Hey, what is this? What are you wearing?” Steve asked her as he pinched her back

“Ouch!” She turned to look at him “It's called an outfit, look it up.”

“You let her wear this?” He looked over at Sam

“I can't exactly tell her not to.” He said “And besides even if I tell her, she won't listen to me.”

“Exactly.” Cat spoke

“You're not even wearing a bra!” Steve looked at her again

“No I'm not, I can't use a bra with this top” she replied sitting on one of the chairs in front of the bar “And stop looking at my boobs.”

“I am definitely not looking at your boobs.” He rolled his eyes

“Well I think you look good.” Bucky shrugged looking at Cat

Steve immediately gave him a look and Bucky could just feel his eyes on him.

She did look good tho.

“Why thank you!” She said

“It looks fine to me too.” Sam added

She then looked back at Steve. “See? You're the only one who doesn't like it.”

“I never said I didn't like it” Steve said “But it's a little revealing.”

“Okay, grandpa.” She rolled her eyes

“You’re not old enough to be drinking.” He looked at the beer bottle in her hand

“Legal drinking age here is 18.. so yes I am.” She smiled

“Are you drunk?”

“What? No, this is my second beer and probably the last.”

“She's telling the truth.” Sam said

“Are y'all staying?” She asked us

“Well the plan was to just pass by and see you guys.” Steve answered

“Aww, you wanted to see us?” She pouted

Steve rolled his eyes laughing. “Of course, bub.”

“Well that’s very nice of you.. but the quinjet isn't going anywhere, so y’all can stay a little longer.”

“But where are you going?” Sam grabbed her by the arm to stop her from walking away

“To dance!” She pushed his hand away “I’ll be with Maricela a few more minutes and then we can go, okay?”

“Just a few minutes.” Steve repeated making sure she would listen and come back

“Yes, promise.” She nodded

All three of the guys just watched her go until she disappeared into the crowd.

“How old is she?” Bucky asked Steve, he was genuinely curious about her age

“20.” He replied

“She’s 20?!”

Steve nodded. “I know, a lot of people say she doesn’t seem that age.”

“No, not at all.” Bucky shook his head “She’s young, she shouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Well she’s been in worse ones.” He sighed “She kinda had to learn the hard way how to get used to them.”

That really surprised Bucky, he did know she was young just by her looks and her manners and just by the way she expresses herself, but he didn’t really think she was this young.

(...)

*a few hours later*

~ C A T ' S   P O V ~

“Hey, what do you say you guys come with us?” Steve said

“You’re not going back to Russia?” I looked at them

“Well no, we figured it might not be great to stay in the same place for too long.” Bucky replied

“So you want us to leave with you?” I looked back at Steve

“It doesn’t sound too bad.” He said “What do you guys say?”

“Well fine by me.” Sam spoke

“But where are we gonna go?” I asked

Steve shrugged. “We can figure that out after.”

“Aw, you miss us?”

“I don’t.”

“You’re lying.” I chuckled “If it’s something, I miss you.”

He smiled a little. “I miss you too, lovey.”

“Such a softie.” I rolled my eyes laughing

“Would you like to leave?” Sam looked at me

“I don’t know.” I sighed “I like it here.”

“I do too.”

“Let me think about it.” I said

“Well it’s late so you better think about it fast.” Steve spoke

It is late. It’s been like three hours since Steve said “just a few minutes” so we really should go.

“Alright, fuck it, let’s leave.” I shrugged

“Are you sure?” Sam looked at me

“Are you?”

“I’m sure.” He nodded

“I am too.” I replied “Besides, I think Bucky’s right, we shouldn’t stay in the same place for too long.”

“Okay, then we’re leaving.”

“Well let’s go.” Steve said

“Can I at least go look for my things and say goodbye to my friend?” I said putting my half empty beer on the counter

“Yeah, of course.” He nodded

“What if I head home now to prepare our things?” Sam said

“Sounds good.” I nodded “I’ll catch up with you guys.”

“No, what do you mean you’ll catch up? One of us can stay with you.” Steve intervened

“Steve, I’ve been living here for five months, I’ll be fine.”

“No, one of us is staying.”

“Well I can stay.” Bucky spoke and both, me and Steve, looked at him

“Perfect, then let's go” Sam nudged Steve “I'm getting tired.”

Both of them exited the club and I was left just there with Bucky.

“Wait for me here?” I looked at him “She's literally right there.” I pointed at some tables where Maricela was

“Sure.” He nodded “Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.”

I managed to get into the crowd and made my way to where Maricela was, and also where my things were.

“Hey, girl.” I said once I was there

“Hey!” She smiled “Oh, you got lucky tonight, finally! ¡Ya era hora!”

(About damn time!)

“¿De qué estás hablando?” I furrowed my brows confused

(What are you talking about?)

“¿Cómo que de qué? About that hottie waiting for you at the bar.”

(What do you mean what I’m talking about?)

“Oh! Uh, no, we're not..” I started saying but she looked at me smirking “Whatever, never mind” I shook my head chuckling “Listen, I'm leaving.”

“Already?!” She pouted and I nodded

“And I think I’m really leaving tho.” I said “Gotta take care of some things.. uh, work stuff.”

The good thing about not being a recognized avenger is that nobody really knows who you are, especially outside of the United States. Which is great.

“Ugh, te voy a extrañar.” She immediately hugged me “Don’t be a stranger.”

(I’m gonna miss you)

I chuckled. “I won’t.” I pulled away “Cuídate.”

(Take care)

“Tú también, muñeca.” She smiled

(You too, doll)

I picked up my bag and my jacket from the booth and then I put it on as I walked back to Bucky.

“We can leave now.” I said to him

We started walking towards the exit, but I felt someone bumping into me.

“Ay, disculpe.” She apologized

(I’m so sorry)

“No se preocupe, está bien.” I gave her a small smile

(No worries, it’s okay)

I was ready to walk away, but she grabbed me by the wrist pretty tight.

“Creí que no iba a encontrarte nunca.” She said

(I thought I would never find you)

I looked at her confused because I’ve never seen her in my life. “Creo que tiene a la persona equivocada.” I tried to let go of her grip, but she was holding me pretty tight

(I think you got the wrong person)

“No, yo creo que no.” She shook her head with a little “Tŭrsikhme te, purpuren angel.”

(No, I don’t think so) (We’ve been looking for you, crimson angel)

When she said those words, my whole body tensed and I think Bucky noticed that something was happening because I felt his hand on my free arm trying to slowly pull me away.

“Who are you?” I asked in a low voice

“It doesn’t really matter who I am.” She shrugged “You need to come with me.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” I managed to finally get off her grip

I grabbed a bottle from the bar and I slammed it on her head as hard as I could making her fall on the ground. Did I knocked her out? I don’t know. Hopefully.

“Why the fuck would you do that?!” Bucky grabbed my wrist

“Shut up! Come on, there’s another exit.” I pushed him and we both ran towards the other exit

We got out of the bar and we started running in direction to the apartment. Once we were kinda far, we decided to stop running.

“Who the fuck was that?” Bucky asked

“I’m not in the mood for a story time.” I said as I kept walking

“You just slammed a glass bottle on her head! Are you insane?”

“She’s a bad guy, okay? I think that’s all that needs to be said.” I moved the hair out of my face and I felt a sting on my hand “Ah, fuck.” I looked at my hand and I was bleeding, probably had a piece of glass stuck there

“Let me see your hand.”

“I’m okay, let’s just get to the apartment.” I said

We heard a gunshot and I fell to the ground feeling a sharp pain on my shoulder. This bitch really just shot me.

“Go!” Bucky helped me get up and he put his hand on my back pushing me

We started running, again and my shoulder was starting to burn a little. Bucky pulled me into an alley and we kinda stayed there trying to catch our breaths a little.

“Come here.” He grabbed me by the arm, which by the way, was already covered in blood

“Please tell me the bullet’s out.”

“I don’t think it is.”

“We have to go.”

“Wait! You’re bleeding too much.” He said

“I’ll be fine.” I let go of his grip

I had just walked out of the alley and the only thing I saw was the same girl pushing me onto the ground before she put her foot on my neck, but she wasn’t putting pressure yet so I could breathe still.

“Stay back.” She pointed a gun at Bucky when he tried to come closer “I only want her.”

“Who are you?” I asked her

“That doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.” My hands grabbed her leg trying to push her away but she started to apply a little pressure

“You’re gonna come with me without putting up a fight, you understand?”

“You even know who I am at least?” I frowned “Not that I’m famous or anything.. but I’m genuinely curious.”

“Znam koĭ si, purpuren angel.”

(I know who you are, crimson angel.)

“Of course.” I muttered

I slowly moved one of my hands to my shorts and I grabbed the pocket knife I had.

“Who sent you?”

“Look kid, you’re in no position to ask questions.” She said

Oh, kid?! That’s it.

“Why’d they sent you alone?”

“I’m not alone.”

“I don’t really see anyone else with you.” I said “They at least tell you why they call me that?”

“I don’t really ask questions, I just get the job done.”

“Well..” I took the knife out “You should’ve asked.”

I stabbed her on the leg making her take her foot off me and I immediately kicked her making her fall on the ground. I kicked the gun away and I got on top of her pressing the knife to her neck.

“I’m gonna ask one last time, who sent you?” I spoke

She scoffed. “You really think I’m just gonna answer you?”

“Well that’s your choice, really.” I shrugged “But nothing good comes out of not telling me.. but I think you already know that.” I whispered that last sentence “Don’t make me ask again.”

“… Danika.”

“That’s funny, last time I saw her she was trying to kill me.”

“I don’t know anything else, they refuse to share everything with us.”

“Of course they do.” I sighed “Well next time you see Danika, tell her she can come get me herself.. malkoto ĭ angelche bi se radvalo da ya vidi otnovo.”

(Her little angel would love to see her again.)

That was the last thing I said before I slammed her head on the concrete knocking her out.

“You’re bleeding too much.” Bucky said helping me get up “How far is the apartment?”

“We’re almost there.”

“What if she follow us?”

I scoffed.” Then we’ll be okay because we can defend ourselves.”

“It’s not funny, I’m serious.”

“Just shut up and keep walking, we’re almost there.” I sighed “She’s not waking up anytime soon, trust me.”

We walked for like 5 more minutes until we finally arrived at the apartment. When we got in, Sam already had our bags in the living room, which weren’t a lot, we only had like four.

“Why are you so sweaty?” Steve asked looking at us both “Wait, you’re bleeding.” He grabbed me by the arm stopping me “You’re shot, Cat, what the hell happened?”

“We need to go now.” I said “I think they found me and I’m not talking about the law.”

“What?!” He looked at me “What are you talking about? How?”

“I don’t fucking know, but we need to go now.” I said opening one of my bags

I took out one of my bandanas and kinda wrapped it around the wound to make some pressure on it to stop the bleeding. I went into my room and I looked around making sure there was nothing else left and then I walked out to the living room again.

“You sure you got everything?” I looked at Sam as he handed me one of the bags

“Yes.”

“Passports?” I asked

“Yes, they’re inside, everything’s inside.” He nodded “You can relax.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Everything’s gonna be okay, don’t think about it.”

I let out a sigh. “I just.. I thought it was over.”

“It is.” He said as we walked out of the apartment

“It’s not.” I looked at him

“Then it will be, don’t worry, you’re not alone.”

We got outside and walked over to the jet. Once we were in, I sat on the floor. I was starting to feel kinda dizzy, but just a little bit, I think is because the adrenaline already left my body and I’m starting to feel the effects of being shot. I haven’t even checked my hand yet and I know I have a little piece of glass stuck there cause I feel it and it’s hurting like crazy. And also my hand is kinda bloody.

“Cat, we need to clean that wound.” Steve said

“I’m fine.” I rested my head on the wall

“No you’re not.” Bucky sat in front of me “Turn around.”

I just did what he asked and took the bandana off me.

“Is there some rubbing alcohol or something to clean that wound by any chance?” He asked

“There should be a small first aid kit in that compartment.” I pointed at the wall in front of us

He walked there for the kit, once he found it he brought it to where I was. He first poured some alcohol on his hands, then grabbed mine and took out that little piece of glass that was there, he cleaned my hand and then put a bandaid on it.

“You have high pain tolerance?” He asked, he was behind me now

I shrugged. “Kinda.”

“Good.” He said and before I could even say another word, I felt his finger on the wound

“You motherf.. oh my god!” I bit my lip trying not to scream

“It’s out.” He said showing me the bullet “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“It fucking hurts really bad.” I winced

“Well from what I’ve seen, I think you can handle it.” He looked at me “You’re a big girl.”

And without even warning me, I felt how he wiped the wound with a gauze with alcohol. More like he cleaned around it, but still, it hurt.

“Fuck..” I groaned really wanting to punch him in the face “I really hate you.”

“That’s debatable.” He tilted his head

“Just.. shut up and finish before I punch you in that perfect face of yours.” I took a deep breath and rested my head back on the wall

Bucky finished cleaning the wound and he covered it up with some bandages.

“You hate me now?” He looked at me

“What if I do?” I tilted my head

“Well I can make you change your mind.” he shrugged

“I’m not very easy to persuade so I don’t think you’ll be able to.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Not really.”

“Oh so you do think I can make you change your mind?”

“I never said that.” I shook my head

“You don’t need to say it.” He gave me a small smirk

This man.

“Where are we going?” Steve asked

“To see Nick.” I replied

“Denmark?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Likes and reblogs will be appreciated!

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[andmaybegayer]

Saw Dune 2, it's amazing that you can cut a solid 60% of Dune and still get pretty much all of Dune in there.

I do get the feeling that in part one someone was like "we can cut Feyd right we don't need Feyd" and then they came around on part two like "Goddamit we're going to need Feyd."

Extremely evil Jessica is great! I love how much scheming she does, it really sells the whole "I would do anything to protect Paul" vibe including giving him the Terrible Purpose. It's a shame that we don't get Alia yet. They delay Paul understanding Terrible Purpose until pretty late and also don't explain the Terrible Purpose at all which is a bold choice. To be fair the books also don't explain Terrible Purpose in detail until Messiah, and only really gets into it with Children.

I don't see a better way you could have tweaked Chani's relationship with Paul here without just doing what the book does. Which like. Okay I am something of a defender of the whole concubine thing on the principle of bizarre space politics. But I do get why they did this.

Pretty much all the changes fall into the "yeah I get why they did this" camp. I'm glad they got Lady Fenring in here but absolutely devastated that they couldn't get her weird little husband in. Count Fenring my beloved you're so unimportant to everything. They did get rid of Paul winning a coffee service, two children, and a concubine from killing Jamis. Once again, yeah I get why they did this. Didn't need to further complicate the deadly space feudalism political marriage triangle into a perplexing desert tetrahedron with stepchildren. Cutting Leto II's existence was a little odd, I feel like they could have done this but I guess if they had they would have had to put Alia in.

They don't do the Sietch Orgy! In general the Water of Life is very rushed. It's a huge slow build up in the books, like, you hear about it from really early on and it looms over Paul a lot more.

They didn't do enough spectacularly weird outfits but they did go hard with the outfits. Big fan of everything Irulan wears in the back half, especially the weird wraparound head pieces. Some good background characters orbiting around Jessica and the other Reverend Mother.

Christopher Walken is such a good choice for the emperor. He looks so tired. Just an absolutely done old man. Jumpscared by Future!Alia being Anya Taylor-Joy. We need more slightly unsettling Hollywood actresses, her schedule must be so busy.

It was interesting seeing this with Czech subtitles because I had to rapidly switch from ignoring the subtitles for English speech to trying to understand Czech with my very limited vocabulary whenever it went into one of the like seven other languages at play in this story.

[winvyre]

OC-tober But I Have No Prompts And Just Do Whatever I Want: Day 16

SUPER LONG POST!!!!

Originally my version of a Glitter Force series (that show altered my brain chemistry), a combination of three total generations and various artistic outputs of general magical girl brainrot has produced [Magical Girl Show].

From left to right (Name/Alias): Elodie/Peony, Adita/Cirque, Megha/Sukha, Imani/Lemondrop.

Each girl's design is based on her insecurities and interests (it goes with the whole "magic comes from the heart lore). All the good stuff is under the cut!

Protagonists:

Elodie had to grow up too fast and she likes gardening so her theme is flower. She was placed in a caregiver role when she was pretty young because her mother fell ill, her father isn't very paternal (he's always away on business, only ever dropping in occassionally to buy back his kids' affection with gifts or mailing in a check to cover expenses. He also cheated on his wife after she got sick and has a secret second family he prefers), and she has two younger siblings who need to be taken care of. The outfit also takes inspiration from classic ballerinas because she used to love ballet but had to quit to have more time so she started gardening as a close-to-home way of coping. Elodie chooses the name Peony because her mom had a prized peony bush in the front yard that sparked her love for gardening.

At first Elodie only participates because Adita begged her (Adita was once one of Elodie's bullies) but she realizes she feels empowered being a magical girl and a genuine friendship starts blossoming between them (but beware the lingering resentment). Her weapon is a rake that she uses like a combat staff and flies on like a witch would with a broom.

-=+=-

Megha was always the happy-go-lucky, bubbly, optimist type. When her parents divorced and she had to move away from her community, she kept a smile on her face even as she was consumed by depression and crippling loneliness. The more she overcompensates the worse she feels but she can't face her darkness or she'll fall apart. She'll pop like a bubble (her theme!) Megha chooses the name Sukha as a nod to her Hindu culture and as a wish to feel all right again.

Being a magical girl distracts Megha from her bad thoughts and gives her a friend group to hang out with. She may be on good terms with pretty much everyone but she isn't really close with anyone until she bonds with her team but then we get to have "are we really friends or do we just hang out because we're forced to" angst. She does gain a girlfriend in Elodie by the end. Her weapon is a giant bubble wand that summons giant bubbles for capture/containment or she can sit/stand and float on them (only Megha can touch them without becoming trapped).

-=+=-

Shamefully, Imani is not as developed as the other characters. I can't even seem to get her transformed design right. Here's what I do have: Imani has self worth issues and struggles with feelings of envy. She's "sour," like her theme of lemon, after living in her older sister's shadow. She was Adita's best friend when they were little. Her reason for accepting magical girl duty? Partially Imani wants to reconnect and partially being told she's special makes her feel good. Her weapon is the soda cans attached to the belt on her dress which she can pull the tab off of and throw and they'll explode like a grenade but it's more like a shockwave than fire and death. The tabs can then be used as throwing stars.

-=+=-

Adita is the main character.

Groundbreaker (the mallet) chooses Adita to carry on Blanc's legacy then won't let her discard it, reappearing nearby every time she tries to get rid of it. The bad guys won't leave Dita alone because she has Groundbreaker. Unless she's chill with dying, she kinda has to fight back. Even though she's resistant at first, eventually, being the "chosen one" goes to her head so she gets unchosen until she stops being a jerk.

Adita feels the need to perform for others so her theme is circus/carnival. She has to do well in school and activities and act strong through her chronic pain so she doesn't bother anyone with her "neediness." Her parents put a lot of pressure on her and they don't understand yet that her pain just won't go away. It's constant.

"But who is Blanc?"

I'm glad you asked! But first, the magic system and other internal logic because I'm an info-dumping fiend!

Setting & Magic System:

Transformations are done via sticker.

In the original pilot, this is only used on the Demises (bad guys' monster of the week that replaced Bafoons. They were inanimate objects turned evil and when they activated they created an arena with invisible walls to hide the destruction from onlookers and a magic time loop to reset the damage when that arena disappeared) and the magical girl transformation is done via Glitter Pact (because I was writing a Glitter Force series).

In [Magical Girl Show], the Demises work a bit differently and the sticker catalyst applies to everyone.

-=+=-

In the unnamed Magical Girl Realm, technology was developed that allowed people to enhance their magical abilities with a sticker stuck over their heart. Because magic comes from the heart.

The sticker merely collects the magic in the world to a single spot where it can be drawn upon. The manifestation is based on the user's personality and the normally gray circle sticker changes its appearance to reflect that.

Without this sticker, magic is limited in the MG Realm and impossible on Earth.

The unnamed Big Bad modifies and abuses this technology to channel magic into unwilling participants and thus create the Demises. This kind of exploitation is why only a chosen few in the MG Realm get to be magical warriors.

-=+=-

At first, the magical warriors were general law enforcement, emergency responders, etcetera. When BBEG started manufacturing his own stickers and dishing them out to his followers (like the goons who are in a perma-transformed state) and started his takeover, they became actual warriors who fought the darkness. The war was long and destructive but Blanc was able to defeat the BBEG and seal the darkness away using Groundbreaker.

When, centuries later, the war restarted and the MG Realm fell to the BBEG, some of the people fled to Earth which is how three stickers ended up there. The immigrants settled down, started families, and now, fifty years later, they must pass on their knowledge to a new generation of magical girls so that their stickers can be used to end the war once and for all.

A warrior can relinquish their sticker and set it back to a neutral state wherein it is no longer connected to their heart (after being activated for the first time, the stickers are connected to the user no matter how far apart they are as long as that user has magical girl potential).

Blanc never relinquished her sticker, so it never went back to neutral. This is why Adita cannot transform for most of the story. (Blanc is not wholly dead either and death counts as a form of relinquishment)

A part of Blanc's soul is in Groundbreaker, which is how a mallet can choose a holder, so Adita is using Blanc's magic when she fights. This is until some milestone happens and Blanc is finally put to rest (you can stop trying to please everyone now, sweetie) and Groundbreaker changes appearance to coincide with Adita's new alias as Cirque. (The hammer becomes the sticker because the transformation is no longer active but the hammer comes back once Adita transforms because the reason why she was chosen in the first place is because of how similar she and Blanc are.)

And now we can get into who Blanc is!

Blanc:

Blanc was one of the first of the ancient magical girls who were a part of the warrior generation. And she was by far the most powerful. She was the one who sealed away the BBEG with Groundbreaker which is why the goons want it: because they think the only weapon that can free their master is the same one that defeated him.

Blanc's costume takes more inspiration from old French mimes rather than Cirque's colorful Carnival vibe. This ties the two together through a common theme as well as distinguishes them. Blanc is more of the strong, silent type, whereas Cirque is a bit more flashy.

Blanc's signature move was called "Cirque du Blanc." This is the origin of Adita's magical girl alias name. The move involved a mass duplication of Blanc, the copies of which would run about doing acrobatics. But not just for show, the copies would also work to take down the enemy. It symbolizes Blanc's feelings of wishing for assistance but not trusting anyone except herself to do the job.

Adita hears Blanc's voice in her head or hallucinates her ghost occassionally as she guides her down the path she wants for her. We get to play around with the chosen one trope, too! Blanc choses Adita but Adita doesn't want to be chosen, then Adita choses herself but Blanc unchoses her, how will it end? Does being "chosen" really matter? What does that even mean? Find out next time on Dragon-

Plot:

Adita goes over to Emily (her best friend)'s place for a sleepover. Emily's grandmother owns an antique store. The girls sneak into the shop at midnight and Adita finds a black and white strongman mallet. Picking it up, she hears a disembodied laugh and decides that's a problem for someone else to deal with.

The next day the two go to the park and are ambushed by a goon who summons a Demise. People die, property is destroyed, and two women in sparkly dresses kick down the proverbial door to evacuate the civilians and curb stomp the Demise. Adita runs back to the antique shop to grab the mallet because the spooky laugh is making her ears ring.

The sparkly fighters instruct Adita on how to defeat the Demise and she does. They then pull her off to the side to exposition dump just enough for the audience to follow what happened and to spur on the next plot point of collecting teammates with the three remaining transformation stickers. Once alone, Adita rejects the magical girl responsibility and abandons the mallet but when she makes it home it's in her bedroom. This continues all weekend.

Fed up but realizing there's no escape, Adita tells Emily everything and Emily immediately begs to be a teammate. Unfortunately, she does not have magical girl potential, just like the sparkly women who helped them at the park. Still, one willing participant is better than no one even if they're comically weak. But Emily's enthusiasm and Adita's avoidance spark tension between them that will only continue to grow despite their attempts to be healthy communicators.

The next day at school, Adita thinks she finds the perfect candidates for the team so when the next attack comes she bestows two of the stickers upon them. But they were secretly goons in disguise! Adita just lost two stickers!

She demands Emily give back the sticker she lent her for safe keeping and emergencies right after Emily helped her defeat the Demise and calmed her down after her mistake. Adita says he needs a "real teammate." Emily is upset but complies.

The only other person Blanc sensed had potential was Elodie. But they don't exactly have the... best... relationship. Adita begs Elodie to join her when she uses Groundbreaker to bust open a portal to the MG Realm to get the stickers back and Elodie agrees on the basis of "I was in the park that day and if this stops the end of the world I guess I'll come along."

They steal the stickers back and Elodie asks to keep hers when they return to Earth which Adita is more than fine with but when Emily finds out she's super salty. She still hangs out with Dita though.

Megha is the new girl and people really seem to like her. They keep calling her "Megan" which she doesn't appreciate but it's whatever. Adita has been trying to figure out how to tell her that she's one of the few people capable of saving the world but that's a weird way to introduce yourself.

-=+=-

That's all I've got for now. I have some plot points that need to happen as well as a few reveals under my belt but [MGS] is still incomplete. It'd be great if I could make this into a visual novel (an animated series is likely impossible but that would be so cool) someday. Oh well. Back into the box you go, [MGS].

I once again apologize for my long, disordered, possibly crucially unfinished infodump. My need to share the stories that won't leave my brain possesses me and I am but a vessel for its yapping.

[muwitch]

oh god I want to ask all the questions for the veilguard asks lol but can you please answer 2, 3, 16, 17, and 20? 🩷

Ayyy, no, is fine! I love answering STUFFS, send em over soijsejfo

2. most & least favorite: location

I personally and PROBABLY didn't open all of the locations (there could be smaller ones still locked under personal quests), jaoever. Locations do differ in their quality or how big they are, or how much is happening there, so it’ll be a hard pick. I think the most disappointing location for me would be Rivain, as, unlike other places, it is mostly…uninhabited? Yes, we love ourselves ruins, but even location with little npc presence still had a vibe and an atmosphere to them. All the rivaini npc’s are in the hall of glory, and honestly, I was hoping to have more peeks at the culture, especially if that comes up in Taash’s quest partially. Or there are interesting talks in the Hall of Glory, but all in all – very disconnected. My Rook has some Rivaini roots and it always had stricken me as a very culturally diverse place, so that was a letdown.

I was quite hoping to see more of Minrathos (SD play, you dig), but I’ll take what I can.

As for top picks I’d say well, it’s definitely also hard. Antiva is very beautiful, like legitimately I spent some time just doing architecture shots (the only grievance we only see a small part of it), Anderfels for the authentic Grey Warden experience and all that, followed by Grand Necropolis, bc it’s a VIBE.

3. most & least favorite: banter

This is a hard pick as well, like… I don’t like many of Taash’s banters, but I know they’re JUST LIKE THAT. Some of Lucanis banter just doesn’t make me feel anything in its delivery, sorry, if I am offending the stans, just, personally not really clicking with my Rook. He’s ok and all but just, eh.

Bellara and Neve discussing Tevinter’s light novel serialization, so much good Davrin banter, Emmrich also is quite funny and diverse depending on who he’s with. Neve too.

16. what animal would your rook be?

Surprise, surprise, but Luc has long adopted the alias of “Mongoose” as a shadow dragon! So, he’s one. Local snakes beware* (with exceptions).

17. very serious question, what type of pony would your rook be? what's their cutiemark?

He’s a mage so I gather…a unicorn? Let this hoe be normal for a moment, wait, I forgot he’s from Tevinter.

His cutiemark would be either something akin to a lightning-bolt, since he’s mainly electricity focused mage…I will avoid saying mongoose, right, but also might be something light related??? You know, his name, Lucius? And “bring light” line from Viper? Do you feel?! Light/shadow dichotomy, beloved.

20. is rook best friends with any of the companions? if yes, who?

Luc has relatively good relationship with anyone, since he’s a dumpster on fire, but I’d say Davrin? The buddy, the guy! It would seem that Luc would be more inclined to be bbf with someone from the mage part of the party (which is partially true), but honestly?

Davrin is such a fresh breath of air. They bond almost instantly on this alienation from their respective cultures (in a sense), partially healthy self-esteem, push and pull banter, admiration for Assan and later on? Survivor’s guilt? Trying to figure why the heck both are here, reflect on their choices, what do their lives mean? Being the tool with no purpose? Tis a good soup my liege.

Luc does see Davrin in a better light than himself (and he’s not wrong), in many cases Davrin’s willpower to push through and to do the right thing is the lever Luc needs (since *coughs* SD related spoilers *coughs*) to not roll back to his own devices and vices following it?

They can pull each other out of misery if needed, and all in all, I’d say it’s a friendship I didn’t expect to form initially but it is there.

[freezegirl]

Hi! Deadpool here, call me Wade. What's it like at the increeeeedibly secular Sky U? My step-daughter (she doesn't know she's my step-daughter) is entertaining the totally style-crampin' Xavier's for her mutant future which-- okay, I get it, best school for well off white folk, but come on.

If any minor character can have a brand new life at this university, it's gotta be the bomb-dot-com, right?

new money, revelled, reviled / @disneybucks

"sky high as well as sky u was founded by theodore stronghold and his wife ann-marie but nowadays, principal penthesilea powers runs the show - you may or may not know her as powerhouse. turns into a comet. turns into a lot of other astronomical objects, too. each with their own innate power set. hence, powerhouse. she's kind of like our wonder woman." and easily khione's favorite person.

"my parents actually wanted to send me to xavier's, believe it or not. i had to sell them on sky high and sky u. don't ask me how i did it. to this day, i still don't know. i'm glad i managed, though."

actually, she does. she did it by appearing on her mom's reality tv show: the famous lives of superhero wives, now streaming on netflix and paramount plus and hulu and a plethora of other streaming services (that do not delete their ip off of said platforms)!

he's actually her favorite and everyone is always so surprised when she reveals that. he's right up there, right next to cloak and dagger because she loves a good duo with contrasting powers, as well as rogue because, well, she knows what it's like when you hurt people when you touch them. and storm because she's storm. khione doesn't trust anyone who doesn't like storm. it's just on principle, you know?

"i would ask how it's possible that she's unaware about being your stepdaughter when she's your stepdaughter, but i'll finish the sales pitch first before we dive into that: so, our p.e. teacher is named tommy boomowski, alias sonic boom. everyone just calls him boomer, though, 'cause that's what he is. his voice is loud but other than that, he's pretty harmless. a bit of a himbo, really. um, we've got professor jeannie elast - stretches herself too thin all the time." is that a power pun? yes. "rumor has it she's got a crush on boomer but she hasn't given us a yes or a no so i'd have to get back to you on that."

maybe she should have drawn him a flow-chart. "then there's mister medulla, he's basically our xavier. except he does mad science. i don't think mister xavier does mad science. mad science is really fun, actually. it's just the lessons on telepathy that trip me up all the time." that is to say, khione's good at making sure her environment doesn't get turned into a winter wonderland but keeping out telepaths? (even when it's an exercise in class?) that's something else entirely, and what it is is headache inducing.

her friends will probably not believe her when she tells them this. which reminds her that she's gotta ask for a selfie before this conversation's over. (not an autograph, those can be faked. though, these days, there's a whole bunch of things people can fake. selfies included.)

"there's this one youtuber i follow - not a figure skater, for once, just one of those uplift-y people - and she was like: we're all major characters of our own life or something like that and i know that's a cheese-fest and a half but i also don't think she's wrong about that. not really." which is the warmest, gentlest and the most pointed way of saying: hey, don't be like that, calling someone a minor character is not the compliment you think it is. that's a lot, coming from this hydro-cryokinetic.

"in the interest of being totally honest because i think that your stepdaughter who doesn't know she's your stepdaughter needs to know the ins and outs before she commits - not every student will be cool." case in point: gwen grayson. "just last week, i turned one of my classmates into an icicle on the school lawn. again. he was being inappropriate. also, they're still working on updating the mental health part of the curriculum so you're screwed if you get, say, kidnapped by barron battle---" ethan bank. "---or katie baxter." khione herself. "so she's gotta have a good support system in place."

then, the coldest girl in maxville gives the merc with the mouth a warm smile and says, sincerely: "i think she's got that covered, though."

[monarachel-974]

Hi! I hesitate to post a thread but... I have been thinking for a month and I decide to do it... Even if I will receive problems but I am courageous enough to bear them...

It's about San. Alias: Teachiisan...

I have loved her arts for a very long time. And the one that I appreciate the most is her Minecraft fanarts which she had done. She did a magnificent job and I am honest in what I say.

But a few weeks later she said that she stopped drawing Minecraft because she didn't want to anymore and she was losing interest in this game in general. I was disappointed to learn about it at the time and unsubscribed because she wasn't drawing anymore. Even fans (the majority) want to see some Minecraft drawings. Well honestly I can understand that it's really boring to draw the same thing.

Then a day later, she starts drawing Minecraft but not in the usual way. Well I say great she had taken up the story but with hindsight I asked myself a few questions...

Before she said that she no longer drew Minecraft... Why did she start like that again?

I thought again and again and realized that this was pure hypocrisy.

And since then she began to post distressing images about Palestine: children in poor nutrition and bleeding, people in agony, etc.

I know it's horrible what's happening there and I'm aware and my heart hurt when I saw it... But San posts way, way too much. Suddenly his blog is bombarded with these images so gory and I'm a little sensitive about real and awful photos, I hate it...

I think she's doing this to be in a camp and to seek attention and to say: Look at me, I support Palestine too! I find it hypocritical and it hurts me this behavior...

I also support Palestine but I'm not looking for a camp or anything like that. I don't like hatred towards Israel at all, I find it unhealthy too.

And then I'm not an expert in politics so... I prefer to pray for those who really need it than to follow a person and pretend that they are always right. I have no argument about this.

Let's come back to our current subject, San draws a little more realistic Fanart and that's good in itself but here I'll let you see her fanart and I'll let you judge for yourself... That's how to put it... I don't judge those who have a fetish so I have them too (a lot in fact) but... Muscular women... I can't be into it... I don't mean that I don't want to but I can't. Just too much muscle... I'm sorry it's not my fantasy... Afterwards I don't blame her. Just to each their own. But what I can't stand is her hypocrisy. How many people have been manipulated because of hypocrites... And I think we live in a world full of hypocrisy. When I draw, I draw what I want but I don't want to force myself to draw what I don't like in order to get attention. It's very toxic and I've experienced this before too. Before I only drew herosteve fanarts and I'm starting to get bored because it no longer interests me and I'm not a hypocrite. But during the poll to see if anyone is interested in other ship fanarts, obviously Herosteve wins. So I have to draw, even though I'm not basic I had to do this survey but I was lost in inspiration (basically I had no idea for drawing)

Basically when I draw it should be a pleasure, not an obligation. San had taken her way and I took mine.

Why choose a group when you can follow your own way? If it's for attention, you're missing the point. Think before you do anything. Ask the question why you are doing this and not others and etc...

Why do you want to be like the others?

This is my thread about San and me. (Why add me in passing 👀✨)

Please be respectful with her, just because I made a thread about her doesn't mean you're going to bother her, you're educated anyway.

Well... Je vous souhaite une bonne journée/soirée !

👋🏼👀✨ Bye!

[bullet-prooflove]

Choices!Series Part One: Diamonds Vostanik Sabatino x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @novamariestark @words-and-seeds @thiashazzywriting @whateversomethingbruh

It’s the undercover op that makes Sabatino ask the question. He’s back in LA on the trail of a stolen painting that’s being used as currency in exchange for nukes. It ties into a terrorist organisation he’s been hunting in Syria. NCIS have been working the case from the other end. It seems these days that your working lives seem to converge more often than not. He isn’t complaining, it means that he can be around a little more.

It becomes a joint op, the painting is being sold as part of an underground auction, you have connections to that world through an alias way back. The cover story you’d used to explain getting out of the game was that you’d gotten married, moved to New York.

It’s realistic enough. Sabatino has the accent and the attitude to pull it off. At heart he’s still a boy from Yonkers. The perfect man to play your husband.

It’s in wardrobe that he puts the rings on your finger. A platinum wedding band, and an engagement ring with a diamond the size of a moonrock. You’re playing the role of extravagant art dealer, everything about the two of you has to scream rich. It’s gaudy as fuck, he sees the face you pull, and he finds himself smiling. He knows you prefer silver, more meaningful pieces. Sapphires instead of diamonds.

“Would you do me the honour of being my fake wife?” He teases, clasping the delicate jewellery between his fingertips as he takes your hand. “We can share bullets, a pair of handcuffs.”

“When you put it like that how can I refuse?” You smile as he slides the ring onto your finger.

It’s when he looks up, his dark eyes meeting yours that he feels something shift. He has a glimpse into his future, the one he wants with you. He envisions marrying you, somewhere intimate, surrounded by the people that love you as much as he does.

“Do you…” He trails off looking down at the platanium wedding band, his thumb chasing over it lovingly. “Do you ever think about doing this for real?”

“Yea.” You say quietly and he detects the sadness in your voice.

His eyebrows furrow into a frown as he tilts his head up to meet your gaze, a questioning look in his eyes.

“Marriage takes commitment…” You tell him and it feels like you’ve punched him in the chest.

“You don’t think I’m committed to this?” He asks you, his voice lowering an octave, becoming more rough, more gravelly. “To us?”

“I think your job allows you to have one foot out the door. It’s been working for us the last few years but marriage…” You swallow hard against the ache in your chest as you force the words out. “For me it represents security, stability.”

“And you need that.” He says resolutely, pursing his lips together grimly before he pulls away, your hand slipping from his. He picks up the matching suit jacket from the hanger before he pulls it on over his shoulders. “I gotta go update my people.”

“Nik…” You say and he holds his hand up to wave you off.

“Don’t worry about it.” He tells you as he starts to walk away. “We had to get it out in the open at some point right?”

Love Nik? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[angelwithnightmares]

WARNING: LONG RANT AND EXPLANATION

I feel like I have to stand up for myself now when I’ve seen the way some of the people in this fandom have been spreading rumors about me on Twitter.

I’m going to take this from the beginning.

//

In November, I was kinda new on Twitter. I remember seeing a tweet in my feed, it said “Let Robin say lesbian in season 5” and to me, who lives in Sweden, the word lesbian isn’t a very “bad” word. It’s actually a very common and normal word here, and we have a bunch of movies and tv-shows when lesbian girls and women simply say: I’m lesbian! So to me, I had NO IDEA that in the US, it’s seen as a “bad” word and that’s why the fans wanted her to verbally say it. I totally get that now, but I wasn’t aware back then. Silly me then made a comment, because a very cute and funny little moment popped up in my head and I felt like: AH I need to write this. It was something along with:

“Or gay, because imagine how cute it would be if Will came out as gay, and Robin would say “I’m gay too”, and then a stunned Dustin (or someone) would say “Okay, so while we’re at it - does anyone else want to come out of the closet?” And then Mike slowly raises his hand.”

I didn’t think much more about it, and the next time I logged into Twitter I had gotten like 50 qrts with: LOADS of death threats, gifs with people murdering people, people calling me lesbophobe, people mocking my grammar, my age, people saying weird things to me about Will etc. I was in such shock, I deleted the tweet right away and had a panic attack. What the hell just happened? How did that made me a lesbophobe? I’m bisexual myself, and I LOVE lesbians. I have also a bunch of wlw ships that I love. But all that shit just because I didn’t know that the word lesbian was very uncommon for americans to say in American media and how they wanted to change that.

Anyways, I deactivated my Twitter because all these horrible rumors about me triggered my suicidal thoughts (I suffer from depression), I made a new one and people figured me out right away so I changed alias and pfp/header but people still figured out it was me.

I blocked every single toxic person I came across, a few months passed and one day I was on Twitter again. This time, it was about an analysis of a scene in Stranger Things. Me and an iconic Byler here on tumblr were analysing the scene when everyone says goodbye at the end of season 3. First, Mike looked uncomfortable af when El kissed him, and later on he looked uncomfortable when she was close to him, hugging and touching and making a forehead touch. In one of the gifs, to ME it looked like the hand movement from El was kinda harsh when they made that forehead touch and I just couldn’t understand how people thought it was cute. It was a personal opinion and just a harmless analysis. Both me and this other person were also saying “Nothing against El though, she’s a kid, but I guess if the roles were reversed - if Mike would be the one to kiss El with her not kissing back, with open eyes, looking uncomfortable and shocked, I guess people would have accused him for SA or something. Not that we did, but we know that it would look a lot more bad if Mike was the one who kissed her and not vice versa simply because of the statistics. WE NEVER ACCUSED EL FOR SA. We both love her and she’s my favorite female character in the show. I just don’t like the SHIP Mlvn and I didn’t get how people thought that scene was cute. It was simply an analysis, nothing more. Not an accusation. Not a hate post. That post had over 200 likes and LOADS of reblogs with people who thought the same. But still only me and my friend were attacked. That also lead to ANOTHER accusation: of me being antisemitic. Why?

In year 2006, I first started my YouTube channel. I was very interested in learning how to edit, so thanks to tutorials I learned by myself how to edit. I was 14 years old when I read Anne Frank’s diary for the first time and I saw so much of myself in her. I also loved the way she described her relationship with Peter in the diary, so I watched “Anne Frank: The Whole Story” from 2001 and thanks to my family I could get that movie on my computer so I could make tribute videos of her since she inspired me so much, to never give up on my dreams and to ALWAYS follow my heart and believe that every person is truly good at heart. I made my own trailer for the movie, because there was none to be found on YouTube. My edits became very popular for being back in 2007, and soon loads of people found them. 90% was so happy I made these tributes, that I let the memory of her and all the people who tragically was murdered by the nazi’s back in the 30/40’s live on. But there was also a bunch of REAL antisemitics who called Anne a bunch of horrible stuff in the comments, people who claimed the holocaust never happened etc and I was defending her and the other victims for dear life. I was so proud of my edits, like I said: I was 14 years old and she was my biggest inspiration. My parents also watched these and they didn’t think they were problematic in any way so of course I trusted them and their moral.

And yes, I also made two tribute edits of her and Peter (I didn’t even knew about the term “shipping” back then) but this person on Twitter said I was making “ship edits” about Anne Frank. I have made all of my old videos private now, mostly because of the bad quality but also because of this person who now made me embarrassed of them instead. I wouldn’t make these edits today. Here’s a glimpse of one of them:

Is this antisemitic in any way?

Anyways, because of this person + a lot of others, this made me and my friend to eventually deactivate our tumblr accounts. I hade SO much going on in my personal life back then too, so this was just too much. They found out things about my family situation and that made me freak out, I was threatening them with the cops just because they were attacking and stalking me and my family on a personal level. They were harassing me on TikTok. On DM. On Twitter. People were leaving me and I felt like shit. Luckily there was a bunch who still were standing by my side through all of this and I am SO grateful for you all. Never forget that, you guys made me come back here.

Also, now when one of my tweets became popular on Twitter, of COURSE these people found me and started spreading these rumors again. I found that out from some of my friends here, sending me ss.

I just can’t fucking believe these people. All because of a silly little tweet which ended up in a total DISASTER.

End of rant. I hope at lease some of you understand.

[megsironthrone]

Rules

It's time for our celebration! You all voted for the Characters Guessing Game! Here's how it will work:

*We will play for 10 days!

*Every day, I will choose 2 Game of Thrones characters for you to try and guess. I will begin giving you clues for both characters, one clue for each at a time. Each clue will make guessing a bit easier. I will post new clues every couple of hours.

*Guesses should be sent via the ask box, but I will NOT be answering the asks publicly in order to be fair. If you are not on anon, I will answer your asks privately. If you are on anon, you will have to wait until the end of the day.

*Correct guesses will earn a point (first person to correctly guess gets 2 points). You do NOT have to guess both correctly to earn points. If you only guess one right, you still get the point(s) and can come back later to guess the other character again.

*You may guess as many times as you wish throughout the day.

*You do not have to turn off anon to play, but if you wish to play on anon, I'll need you to choose an alias/emoji to use so I can keep track of your points.

*I will reveal the correct answers and the point totals at the end of the day.

*The top 3 winners will get "prizes". If there are any ties, then the wheel of fate will decide!

3rd place winner: Gets a Ship Aesthetic made for them

2nd place winner: Gets a Ship Aesthetic and a ship-fic based on that aesthetic written for them

1st place winner: Ship Aesthetic, ship-fic, AND will get to go through my WIP and pick the very next fic that will be written and posted by me.

*If you aren't interested, feel free to filter #gameofcharacters

Are you lovelies, ready?! We start Monday December 11th, 2023!

[writerswhy]

On Alicent and religion

So, I came across this Midnight Mass gifset and these two quotes:

He doesn't understand yet that guilt comes to you not from the things you've done, but from the things that others have done to you. -Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace

I would like to be found. I would like to see. Or to be seen. I wonder if, in the eye of God, it amounts to the same thing. As it says in the Bible, For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. If it is face to face, there must be two looking. -Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace

And since then, I’ve been mulling over Alicent’s relationship with religion for the past few days because if there’s one thing that irks my soul, is when (western) writers write religious women as tradcath bitchy hypocrites (as opposed to religious men who use their religion as some sort of selfless sacrifice), especially when said woman is a victim of abuse. 

Instead of exploring Alicent’s religiousness as a way to cope with the abuse she endures, as part of her socialization and the community and culture she comes from, as a way to validate her innate kindness in a world where she’s surrounded by Machiavellians and careless people who can get away with things she cannot, the show manages to victim blame her by the way they frame her religiousness. That it’s another chain in this patriarchy without ever engaging with the actual patriarchs who actively abuse her on-screen. 

Something else that I want to highlight is that these systems that Alicent faces are faceless and abstract which makes the grief and anger and helplessness nearly impossible to work through. As a result, she ends up internalizing these roles - daughter, wife, mother - and when they contradict each other, or when external forces push and pull her, she ends up blaming and sacrificing herself. (As opposed to a man in Westeros like Aegon - her mirror - who can whore and drink and fight with little consequence, he may even be praised.) 

One day I’m gonna sit down and actually take my time to write these thoughts down, but here are some quick notes that I’m trying to sort through. (Note that it’s difficult for me to reconcile some of these with the Alicent(s) we see onscreen. Cooke is one of the best actors on the show but the writing for her has not been my favorite. I feel like Carey’s Alicent was more cohesive and consistent, so some these points apply more to ep 1-5 Alicent than later on.):

1. The first instance we see of her religiousness comes from a place of love. She visits the sept to feel closer to her mother and shares this with Rhaenyra to help her grieve. She uses her religion to comfort herself and connect with loved ones - living and dead. (Aegon does the same when he hides in the sept under the mother. Did he learn this from her? Did he learn this while studying the Faith of the Seven?)

2. If this greater being meant to comfort her and guide her tells her through its teachings that the very behavior she’s punished for is actually holy and human (that’s it’s right), does it help Alicent feel less alone? And if she has someone to share this belief with, like Criston? 

3. Does she channel the gods when she needs to compromise with who she is and who she needs to be? For example, Alicent was compassionate and loyal to Rhaneyra when defending her claim early on. After Rhaenyra’s betrayal, fearing for her children and honestly, it’s okay if she was offended and felt played by Rhaenyra, when she shows up to the wedding dressed in green, as a Hightower (no longer a dutiful wife), did she draw strength from the mother and father to seek justice for her and her children and to protect her family? 

This third point is so interesting to me because that’s what many real people do in real life everyday. We have to find ways to cope with life and learn how to understand ourselves, our wants, and how we can make them fit in this world. Obviously you don’t need religion to do this, but many do and in my community, religion is what keeps us grounded yet hopeful. Some of us live lives where if it were not for their religion, they’d feel less human under the systems that dehumanize them.

[rueitae]

Season 3, episode 1: the Luchadora Tango Caper

Liveblog for @csweekly

Ahhhhh each time I watch this episode i don’t remember at the beginning how utterly fun it is. And then by the end I’m grinning so hard.

VILE has their new hq! Scotland! Maelstrom head over heels to have a LITERAL castle. Dare I say he’s giddy.

WHAT even are the Cleaners. Drama enjoyers and costume enthusiasts. Always dressing for the occasion. Clearly shows that you can look apathetic but love your job. (Including actually cleaning like I legit think they enjoy it and that’s what gives them zen)

The Cleaners deserved to be in Milan. They got the shaft.

Brunt you JUST bought the place don’t destroy anything.

Cleo’s levels of petty here are unparalleled. She is so not pleased 😂

“Way to go new guy” 😂😂😂😂 Brunt has to once again deal with a new colleague she’s not really fond of. Lol

And yet Carmen is fine! We as the audience know that but it’s cute the Faculty think they’ve won for once.

VILE is actively searching for Carmen? Interesting there. Before this it’s been fairly passive. But now they seem to want confirmation of her demise? Or to off her once and for all.

Awww Carmen’s cute the way she lands on top of the metal detectors.

Player brings up a very good point. It DOES belong to her whatever’s in there (a line she later uses on Chief).

THIS SCENE

The way Carmen IMMEDIATELY goes soft she didn’t even know what her father looked like until now. She HAS HIS EYES. The emotion of this 😭😭

This is the banter of best friends. Player IMMEDIATELY jumps at the chance to coo over baby Carmen as is his right. And Carmen already had her moment looking at the passport photo so her mind is already on the next step. She acknowledges that YES she was a cute baby but we are in caper mode and Player immediately snap to like “image analysis. On it” one of my favorite interactions. Actually reminds me a lot of their conversations in the first two episodes during the Eye of Vishnu caper. Gives off the same vibes.

Okay but the box is under “Vera Cruz”, the Alias given to Carmen’s mother. I’m…actually really curious just how involved she was. Could then she OR Dexter have access to that box? Did she do it for him? Honestly I’m having the most amusing time thinking that the box was easy for Carmen to open because Dexter would also enter the bank like a thief and store his things. He would not have needed to, but I enjoy thinking about like father like daughter.

Ivy and Zack familiar enough with dancing to make comparisons. Interesting. Noted.

Hello Spinkick. I do love his intro tho. “May I have this dance” “who may I have the pleasure of declining” your lessons with Cleo are showing, Carmen.

Hi Flytrap. Not as good of an intro but high points for getting the line “it takes two to tango”

SHADOWSAN BEST intro. The way the light splits his face light/dark and he QUIPS that they couldn’t take his class and that he can STILL TEACH THEM A VALUABLE LESSON. He’s learning to banter and was probably tailing at least Flytrap this entire time. I’m so proud of him.

THE FIGHT ENDS SO FAST. And omg whose IDEA was it to tie them up on the flagpole. Under normal circumstances I would say Carmen but I think Shadowsan is gaining a mischievous streak.

I love the softness when Shadowsan takes the tracking mark off of Carmen.

Awww of course it’s the city name 🥹 it’s such a beautiful code name because as we are about to discover, Carmen was likely born there.

Brunt is so angry but I’m more amused at Maelstrom’s disbelief. I don’t think he’s ever this perplexed or distressed in the entire series.

SHADOWSAN AND IVY ONE ON ONE. VERY RARE INTERACTION. All concern about Carmen 😭 such a short scene but it shows us the long way that Shadowsan’s come with the siblings. He acknowledges them, likely endeared after the events of Stockholm. He knows they care fiercely for Carmen and will be there for her as friends. It’s SUCH a beautiful moment i could cry. Shadowsan’s got no idea who Carmen’s mother is, and knows it could cause her further heartache. If a thief, what kind? Pure thief flows through her veins. If civilian…then how much does Carmen tell her? How much did she know about Dexter? (A Spy chasing Dexter is my theory, willing to be wrong).

But also a neat idea to sort of sideline Shadowsan in a way? Being the decoy because he can handle both operatives. He’s still very present in the story, but contributes in other ways (until the second half of s3 I’m vibrating in excitement)

Okay but you did not give Shadowsan this talk when he decided to do fieldwork? I appreciate the foreshadowing though. Thanks Maelstrom.

Carmen meets her mother’s neighbor and GETS A NAME. Fully aware Carlotta could also be a code name but it’s better than nothing. Gosh the neighbor is so sweet. The way Carmen’s eyes go WIDE at being recognized as someone else and her face when she realizes she takes so much after her mother but she can’t be emotional right now fhghcbvhcvc going insane. It’s so good for Carmen that she’s actually getting somewhere.

LOL Chase. And Julia being all stiff about it when JUST last season she was the one practicing quips in the mirror. Julia does NOT look happy AT all after what went down last season. She’s at her metaphorical lowest. She knows she’s right about Carmen being good but can’t prove it. Again and again Carmen strikes out for unknown reasons and it has to be SO frustrating for Julia. Meanwhile Chase gets everything he wants now. I’d be sore and petty and looking for a new job too. (While doing your current job? For shame Julia)

The flashback of the photo being taken PLEASE. It’s tooth rotting cute.

Every season, Player gets one wallop of a zinger. This season, it’s “I’m sorry, did you not attend a school for thieves?” I am HOWLING. It’s even better with the unimpressed look on his face. I’ll say it again. Carmen is the moral compass on this team 😂 this little exchange exudes the best friend sleepover gossip vibe. Including Carmen’s disgusted sigh of giving in.

Imagine if Lupe Peligro actually was Carmen’s mom. 😂 this intro 😂 Ivy and Zack are ride or dies here just attacking at the knees and it doing nothing.

Color theory! She’s wearing a yellow shirt and has a blue/yellow mask. So definitely Carmen friendly.

THE WAY IVY SLIDES AWAY.

I LOVE the way Lupe Peligro indulges Zack. A little bit of danger, but also the pure delight on the sibs faces when she acknowledges that they are fans. Even Ivy trying to be grown up responsible big sis cannot resist.

So sweet that she offers Carmen a good time at the match 😭 this is why Carmen loves the world. Everywhere she goes, she meets the kindest people 🥹 Lupe did not have to go that hard, but she did for complete strangers who broke into her home.

Devineaux’s swagger 😂😂😂 also!!! Chief will never let him live down those car crashes.

Awww everyone is looking for Carmen. She’s going to the match, but all eyes are on her. (I see Brunt’s taxi arriving the same time as the ACME car)

IT IS SCRIPTED THAT WAY. But the way Lupe wants to keep it secret from Zack is so precious. She may not be Carmen’s mother but I think she adopted all three anyway.

Ahh poor Carmen is ready to relax, having NO idea that Brunt is just next door. Seeing ACME ruins it all. I love Zacks mild complaint vs Ivy’s quick to be on the job.

The way Chase gestures to the trophies 😂😂😂😂 poor Julia just wants to UNDERSTAND.

The way Carmen recognizes that track suit right away and CANT RUN. She TRIES. The absolute FEAR in Carmen’s eyes. There is no mistake how much danger that Carmen is in. Brunt already tried to kill her, already tried to turn her against Shadowsan. There’s only one thing she’s here for. Totally blindsided Carmen. I LIVE for it.

Carmen is so brave but Brunt and the audience know her true feelings.

Lupe just TAKES Brunt!!!! I Love this fight!!!!! So much!!! The “mi casa my fight” MHM

This is fantastic. Because Brunt goes up against someone who CAN take her. That hasn’t happened before. Carmen has always evaded. Brunt has been this immovable and undefeatable force since the beginning of the series. Now, this is a crescendo.

It began with Shadowsan. Protecting Carmen from Brunt in the basement in Poitiers. Player did his part by telling Carmen to stall.

Player, Zack, and Ivy protected her from Brunt in South Africa, by keeping red drone secret and tackling Tigress before she radioed for help.

Now, a civilian physically got in between Carmen and Brunt. Lupe totally takes Brunt to task here. We see Carmen’s shocked and bewildered face through Devineaux’s pov. She’s extremely concerned for Lupe here. Carmen knows what Brunt can do.

(And Shadowsan will bookend it later in s4)

I just. I love Carmen understanding that she can be the protected one. It��s okay. She does so much for others.

The ref all “oh the crowd likes it whatever!”

Carmen’s distraction gets her cuffed by Devineaux. He actually gets a win for 2 seconds 😂 the way “not a good time, Devineaux” becomes Carmen’s mantra for him 😂

She just DRAGS him with. PERPETUATING VILEs assumption that Chase and Carmen are working together.

The way Carmen briefly looks at Chase in disbelief when he takes Brunt’s not-compliment. Carmen is just in a constant state of “really” when it comes to Devineaux and it’s so funny.

OUCH

Carmen’s so lucky that the cuffs are push button activated.

The subtitles say he’s whimpering 😂😂

And now that Carmen has her wits about her, the tag team against Brunt is spectacular.

Bellum is so chaotic while Maelstrom and Cleo are legit concerned 😂😂 they couldn’t say butt dial because kids tv

The way Maelstrom says “Coach Brunt! Noo” is just SO funny to me coming from him.

Do…do the Faculty sit at that table like 24/7? It’s night in Mexico. Scotland is 6 hours ahead, it's like 2AM. Or do they pull all nighters on big risk capers? Imagine, the rest of the Faculty angry because Brunt leaves and that means they have to sit at the table until she returns or something.

Awww Carmen’s so nice to get Chase to a quieter place. To which he immediately wakes and the comedy of the century continues. What an EXCELLENT way to shake up the car gag.

!!!!!!! Carmen tells Lupe everything! I love this because after everything, Lupe definitely deserves an explanation. And immediately picks up on why. Lupe has proven she can handle herself in a fight. If VILE comes back for her, she’ll be okay. Ish. Knowing Carmen’s story at least allows her to be prepared. But Carmen doesn’t know if her mother can or not. To find her would put her in danger, as this not-caper proved. It’s also good for Carmen because she’s putting her trust out there. Lupe quite literally saved Carmen’s life that night.

SONIA’s COMING

“If I had a daughter, I’d want her to be just like you” SCREAMING. Carmen needs these people in her life 😭 Brunt wanted a daughter but clearly isn’t proud of Carmen now. Lupe's old enough. She knows that is exactly what Carmen needs to hear.

It is SO chilling to see Brunt humbled before the Faculty, not being able to take her seat back right away.

And then Maelstrom goes into Halloween mode dhcgcccfv. Like legit that’s SUCH a great fade out for the episode but also so silly!!!! Like we go from super serious implications of Brunts face being seen to Halloween costumes!

I’ll take it because we get the Viking episode in s4

Such a heartwarming episode!!!!

[kudosmyhero]

Legends of the Dark Knight (vol. 1) #140: Terror, part 4: Horror House

Read Date: January 25, 2023 Cover Date: April 2001 ● Writer: Doug Moench ● Penciler: Paul Gulacy ● Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti ● Colorist: James Sinclair ● Letterer: Kurt Hathaway ● Editor: Andrew Hefler ◦ Harvey Richards ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

Reactions As I Read: ● Batman regains consciousness to Catwoman on top of him, playing with his mask; he grabs her hand before she gets any ideas about removing it ● interesting perspective--looking up Catwoman's nostrils… ● is Hugo Strange dead? I honestly don't know enough about the character to hazard a guess. But it's a comic book. People rarely stay dead. ● Ah, "Absonus" is Latin for Strange. That was the alias Strange used at Arkham Asylum. ● ooo, Batman almost let slip to Gordon that "the alley" has significance to him. Heh, and Gordon actually saw Batman leave this time. ● love that car

● yes, yes, solemn vow. we know. move on. ● huh. interesting that in his talk at his parents' grave, Bruce admits that even now he feels lost. he's usually a paragon of confidence, so it's nice when a little vulnerability creeps in like this ● Alfred 💜 ● cut to a woman waking up on a wooden floor (probably at the old mansion). there's a man near her, unconscious. ● woman's name is Charlene Connors, and the guy is Brad Simmons. they're surprised to see each other, but they know each other because they went to high school together ● yikes!

● that's fear toxin spewing from the eyes of a portrait hanging in the mansion ● ah, Jonathan Crane went to high school with them, too. they bullied him. ● (don't be a bully, kids, or the Scarecrow might get you!) ● cut to GCPD. Gordon is in his office with Batman. Beheading victim in the alley was Jason Bludhorn, also one of Crane's bullies ● on the roof, they alter the Bat Signal so that it summons Catwoman

● Catwoman gives info to Batman to help him try to find Scarecrow ● what she tells him doesn't actually help him… at least until she reveals she left a tracking device at the mansion

● back to Brad and Charlene, who are not having a swell time ● Batman arrives to the mansion… and Scarecrow knew about Catwoman's tracking device all along ● Batman enters, and bars drop down to cover the windows and doors ● Scarecrow doesn't use gas because he knows about Batman's nose filters, so he uses a dart… that gets Batman right in the face 😂 ● 👏👏👏

Synopsis: In the alley where his parents got killed, Batman lies on his back after Catwoman nearly knocked him out. Lasciviously, Catwoman sits on top of Batman and tells him that she had no choice to help Scarecrow but she is not Batman's enemy. Before she swings away, Catwoman also briefly mentions that Hugo Strange is dead.

Batman immediately meets with Captain Gordon who confirms that it was Hugo Strange who got Scarecrow out of Arkham Asylum. Batman wants to Gordon to contact him when he knows the identity of the young man whom Scarecrow decapitated.

After visiting the grave of his parents, Bruce Wayne orders Alfred to use more of his money to fund the Wayne Foundation which is helping crime victims.

Meanwhile, Charlene Connors and Brad Simmons both find themselves trapped in the house Scarecrow is using as a hideout. Both have been classmates of Jonathan Crane and have taunted him during his years in high-school. Now Scarecrow uses his fear toxin against them to finally get revenge.

Gordon tells Batman that Scarecrow's victim was connected to Crane's past and two other persons fitting this criteria have been abducted last night. To prevent another murder, Batman needs the help of Catwoman. Reluctantly, Gordon uses the Bat-Signal to contact her. Catwoman confesses that Scarecrow blackmailed her after discovering her secret identity. Batman offers a truce between them and because Catwoman left a tracer she is able to tell him where to find Scarecrow. But Crane did find the tracer and is already waiting for Batman to arrive. As soon as Batman enters the house, Scarecrow seals all exits and then he pierces Batman with a dart which probably is poisoned …

(https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman:_Legends_of_the_Dark_Knight_Vol_1_140)

Fan Art: the scarecrow by helioart

Accompanying Podcast: ● Batbooks for Beginners - episode10