#in preparation for going to see gladiator 2

[mearchy]

you know i guess the other thing is that normally the navarro scene where djarin finds that most of his covert has been wiped out by imperials would be the opening of a vengeance rampage arc or him losing his morals or his gentleness or his mercy in a haze of grief or something. but they’re very careful to show us that din isn’t that person. he’s not going to lose himself like that, he’s not going to snap and tap into some buried well of extreme violence. he lives violence every day of his life and has learned how to build and hold moral walls despite all of it and they refuse to dismantle that part of his character and i really love that and him

[softiedingo]

rip poor me

[star-girl69]

As much as I love overprotective Clarisse which believe me I DO😍😍 am I the only one who kinda wants to see a protective reader if something happens to Clarisse or even Ivy?!

I feel like Clarisse may just sit back and be Yh that’s my girl 🤭

Literally kicking my feet and giggling while writing this

Also I love your writing so much it’s so goodddd I check my phone for any new posts all the time and scream when you do

TYSMMMMM BAE ILY!!!!!! been in a writing slump recently. someone else please write a mind bogglingly good clarisse fic to inspire me again. lord give me strength…

forget the fact this is 2 days late. thank y’all 🙏🙏

anyways officially adding danny to the perfect family bc I DO WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!!!!!

ok so imagine this

clarisse is participating in some sort of contest

like

idk roman gladiators LMAOOOO

but basically it’s like a big tournament? and yk she’s destroying eating it up cooking, whatever you will

finally she gets to like the semi-finals and atp everyone kinda knows she has it in the bag

her opponents are scared

(trust an underground betting ring was formed. everyone who bet on clarisse is thanking the gods and everyone who didn’t is shaking in their boots)

clarisse is happy bc you and the twins (danny and ivy)

are sitting right in the front row cheering her on

and she got a wonderful good luck kiss from you

so not only is she happy and thinking about that but also she’s convinced that she’ll win just bc she got a kiss from you

so the fight starts, ivy is genuinely SCREECHING at the top of her lungs she’s so me she can’t be normal about anything ever

and you and danny are just regularly cheering for her 😭

eventually someone behind you tells ivy to shut up

YOU WHIP AROUND BC WTF???

harshest death glare in the universe. like even zeus would be a little scared.

ivy doesn’t even notice she’s chill

the other person quickly shuts the fuck up.

then you turn back to watch clarisse and the fights just starting, the other dude is scared and knows his ass barely stands a chance

she’s having fun pummeling him

ugh fight scenes are hard to write

so eventually she tosses his ass to the floor

“GO MOM GO GO GO BEAT HIS ASS MOM BEAT. HIS. ASS.”

“IVY STOP FUCKING SWEARING”

and this dude, who’s laid on the ground, who knows he’s cooked, decides the best option is to grab some dirt and throw it in clarisse’s face

and no one was prepared for this

like clarisse was standing over him with her spear at his throat, smile on her face, everyone knew he was done for- THEN HE DECIDES TO PLAY DIRTY AND DO THIS???

like everyone thought clarisse had it in the bag

the rules for this competition were that you’re not allowed to use anything but your person and/or pre-approved weapon(s)

NOT EVEN CLARISSE WAS EXPECTING IT

SO SHES DISTRACTED BY THE FREAKING DIRT IN HER FACE

SO WHEN THIS BITCH KICKS HER SHE GOES DOWN

DEAD SILENT!!!!!!!

EVERYONE GASPS!!!!!!!

whispers in the crowd… “oh bro is cooked…”

(sorry i’m obsessed w saying cooked rn)

and he is cooked

but by someone unexpected.

clarisse is wiping the dirt off of her face swallowing her shame she can’t believe she got distracted and let herself fall she should have saw it coming but suddenly she hears someone screaming

she opens her eyes and sees you menacingly walking towards this dude, who’s still on the ground and scrambling away

and what’s funny it you’re yelling at him like a mother would

the crowd is giggling…

“THAT IS AGAINST THE RULES. WERE YOU NEVER TAUGHT MANNERS??? WERE YOU NEVER TAUGHT DECENCY??? SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOUR PARENTS SHAME SHAME SHAME”

clarisse is literally sitting there mouth dropped open when you grab his ear and he HOWLS

dragging him back towards clarisse, he’s kicking and screaming and literally CRYING

“HELP HELP HELP ME HELP SHE CANT SO THIS SHE CANT I DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG”

“YES THE FUCK I CAN YOU BROKE THE FUCKING RULES NOW APOLOGIZE YOU LAWLESS SWINE”

“I DIDNT DO ANYTHING PLEASE I DIDNT”

one of the apollo kids who organized the event is looking around (kinda enjoying it) but mostly very scared

“technically you did break the rules… sorry pal…”

“PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME”

obviously, this is the hottest thing clarisse has ever seen in her life.

she’s sitting back on her palms, watching in utter amazement, trying not to bite her lip

someone loving clarisse… that gets her going

someone loving clarisse enough to PROTECT HER??? she’s about to explode. EXPLODE. she’s never needed you so bad in her life LMAOOOO 😭

and this bitch is STILL refusing to apologize

like damn it’s not that hard… it’s not like you have any pride left to speak of you just got dragged around by the ear 😭😭 bro you’re cooked just apologize and get out while you can

AND YOU’RE GETTING FED UP WITH IT TOO

“hey, dumbass, why don’t you look at the stands?”

you point, and everyone follows your finger.

ivy is a literal cartoonish whirl of her pink t-shirt and the white shorts with the little trees on them

danny is holding her back (with ease, might i add he’s strong as fuck 💪)

“i’ll let her out.”

“I DIDNT DO ANYTHING-”

“LET HER OUT”

he barely escapes that attack.

when you finally call ivy off of her attack, she stands next to clarisse, literally growls at the dude, before hugging clarisse

clarisse is still on the ground in utter shock.

she can’t keep her eyes away from you and ivy. she can’t get rid of the GLOWING feeling in her chest

is this… what it’s like… to be loved?

WAHHHHHH WAHHHHHHHH BITCH NOW IM THE ONE CRYING NOOOOOOOO 😭😭😭

danny eventually walks over and helps her up

then they all watch as you smile sweetly at this very traumatized dude and ask if he’s ready to apologize

“IMMSORRUOHGOEE IMSORHR ESEBIMS YORUUE”

(i’m sorry oh gods im sorry i’m sorry”

then you walk over to clarisse, rolling your eyes and mumbling about bad parenting, girl she pounces on you.

kisses you so hard in front of everyone

ivy and danny are hugging each other and shielding each other’s eyes, screaming, begging for you two to stop

“y/n” she breathes as she pulls away “you are… the most amazing mother, the most amazing girlfriend, and literally the love of my fucking life.”

literally twirling your hair “omg baeeeee you’re too sweet 🤭”

(y’all don’t end up leaving her cabin for a LONG time.)

after this clarisse definitely sort of realizes a whole new side of your relationship. seeing you publicly defend her like that, publicly care about her, love her, omg she is going crazy for you!!!

after this incident she definitely stops calling you her gf.

gives you a really pretty ring she got one of the hephaestus kids to make, starts calling you her wife

and nobody better have a problem w that lol or else they got two ares killing machines, one feral attack dog, and a literal mother who is not afraid to drag you by your ear.

—-

taglist:

@lvrue @t-wylia @laughingcheese037 @kroumi @urdeadpoet @colezb @rey26 @harmzilla @elliewilliamsbae @amberfreemansburntface @kyuupidwrites @neverwaakeme-up @shark1008 @liballer @heyimadison @nvirskies @pnsteblnme @mar2ss @restellsss @ravisinghs-wife @marsconer @evangelinexo @randomhoex @luvrrish @rebecca37 @saltair-and-palemoonlight @ace-spades-1

[ampresandian]

I know Rick is like master of creating and ignoring plot holes but like I had serious questions about the botl timeline so I sat down and tried to map it out:

Percy's orientation is on "Monday morning, the first week of June." This is the day he arrives at camp, and the day of Grover's hearing where the council gives him one more week to find Pan. This is probably also the longest day ever??? Percy goes to orientation, takes a taxi to camp, and then the council meeting, cabin inspection, the forges, canoeing, and sword practice all before dinner? I've worked at summer camp that's insane. That night, he gets his first IM about Nico.

Day 2, they have the conversation about the labyrinth, Percy goes to see Blackjack, and they have the war game where Percy and Annabeth find the labyrinth entrance.

Chiron sends them to get sleep. In the morning, they discuss the quest and Annabeth gets her prophecy. They agree to enter the labyrinth tomorrow. Percy gets his second Nico IM that night.

Day 4 they enter the labyrinth. This is at least 3 days into Grover's week already, depending on when the council chooses to start counting from.

At the ranch, Grover sees on TV that "It's June thirteenth. Seven days since we left camp." (This is ten days since the first day of the book, so it must have started on the third of June.) They then go to see Hephaestus and get sent to Mount St Helens, splitting up on the way but still traveling through the labyrinth (so while they feel like it's only a few hours, it's probably closer to a full day).

Percy blows up Mount St Helens and lands himself on Calypso's island, where he stays to recover until Hephaestus comes to visit. He then sails back to camp.

Walking into his funeral, Percy has been gone for "two weeks," which isn't necessarily an exact time but since that's what we're given we'll assume another 14 days, so my guess would be that it's around June 28th now?

They spend that day on camp, and leave for NYC in the morning (June 29th) to get Rachel, stopping to talk to Percy's mom on the way. They reenter the labyrinth, and enter Antaeus' gladiator arena, where they are briefly held up before escaping and making camp for the night.

In the morning, they make it to Deadalus's workshop, where they fight and escape into Colorado Springs. They reenter the labyrinth, stop by San Francisco to see Kronos take over Luke's body, and then go find Grover and Tyson to witness Pan's death in Carlsbad Caverns. They make it back to New York and Blackjack & co pick them up to take them back to camp. Immediately, the Battle of the Labyrinth occurs. Grover lets out the call of panic and Daedalus dies. That night, they hold the funeral for those lost in the battle.

The next day, the council meets to hear Grover's story. Briares leaves for the cyclopes forges, and Nico leaves camp too.

My best guess would be that time moves about twice as fast in the labyrinth, but there's a lot that goes on when they're back in with Rachel--I feel like between Deadalus's workshop and getting back to camp it should be at least a full day? So anyway my guess is that the actual Battle of the Labyrinth happens on like July 1st?

Which I guess fits with "July passed, with fireworks on the beach on the Fourth." But that's like two-three days later, so it seems very very fast to me that they would be prepared with celebratory fireworks? I don't know. But also (again, I've worked at a summer camp) sometimes camp is just like that, and chaos happens and you have to keep going and trying to keep it normal for the campers.

Anyway so technically it works but like it feels awkward to me.

[useless19]

+2 originally had a different ending. I'm happier with the ending I have now, but I thought that some people would like to see how it could have gone if I'd managed to wrangle the characters properly. Behold, one of my rare deleted scenes.

(The first paragraph is still the same to show where it splits).

----

Dry — dry enough at least — Optimus returned to the berthroom. The smell of acid cleaner was strong. It had obliterated the lingering scents of lubricant and energon, but there was a comforting warm oily scent layered over the top. Megatron laid a tarp over the stained and scratched sheet metal, it glistened invitingly.

"I do not wish to impose," Optimus found himself saying.

"I have no qualms about dropping you down the elevator shaft should I feel you've imposed upon me," Megatron said. "You should recharge, Optimus."

Optimus sat on the edge of the berth and was delighted to find that the tarp was as oiled as it looked and it appeared to be made up of the same circuitry that lay beneath the surface of a berth. It was warm with charge and already threatened to shut down his systems.

"Scoot over," Knock Out said, finally finished with his drying process and looking remarkably streak-free for it. "Megatron has a thing about being trapped in a corner."

"Knock Out still has his car alarm from Earth," Megatron said, as Optimus obligingly moved further onto the berth towards the wall. "If you bump him too hard during recharge it'll go off."

"I have been told that I talk during my recharge fluxes," Optimus said before they could devolve into further pettiness. He really hoped it wasn't his presence increasing friction where they would normally be civil.

Knock Out got onto the berth and transformed. He shifted his wheels so his undercarriage was lying fully on the tarp. The charge running through the circuitry connected with a snap and he gave a satisfied hum, snuggling down into it.

Optimus hadn't recharged in the same berth as someone else — let alone two someone elses — for at least a few centuries. He took the time to manually disengage his battle protocols so that he wouldn't automatically do something he'd regret upon being nudged during the night. It was a foreign, the thought of friendly (potentially more than friendly) touch during recharge. Optimus still couldn't quite shake the surreal feeling of it all.

"Sweet dreams," Knock Out said.

Megatron sat on the edge of the berth but didn't lie down. His optics flicked between Knock Out, Optimus, and Optimus's leg. Optimus pushed himself back up to put a hand on Megatron's shoulder between sharp curves.

"Would you like to talk about something?" Optimus asked.

Megatron shook his helm. "No, Optimus, I'm merely distracted."

"I can recharge in another room," Optimus offered. "Or return to my own hab. This is your berth, Megatron. I would like for you to be comfortable here."

"I'm fine," Megatron said, pushing Optimus's hand away.

"Then will you recharge? With us?" Until the words left Opitmus's voice box, he hadn't realised how much he wanted this. Interface was an intimate experience and the soft warmth of being cleaned and having a berth prepared would be too much to bear without also knowing that the mechs responsible were also comfortable in any way Optimus could make them. To enjoy the mutual vulnerability of close recharge.

Megatron looked like he dearly wanted to shout something and storm away or, more likely, put his sword through Optimus's spark, but he only ex-vented slowly. He glanced at Optimus's leg again with its bare rims.

"Very well." Megatron lay down stiffly. "Do you have any more demands?"

Optimus settled himself on the berth. The tarp was wonderfully live, even with two other mechs draining its power. "No."

"Run a proper defrag for once," Knock Out said.

Megatron's engine grumbled, however, he didn't sound truly annoyed. Optimus reached over to grip Megatron's hand. Megatron ex-vented, armour settling down somewhat. He twisted his hand around, rough gladiator claws threading between flat archivist digits.

"Goodnight, Optimus." Megatron laughed quietly when Knock Out revved. "And to you as well, Knock Out."

"Thank you both for letting me experience this," Optimus said. "Goodnight, Megatron. Knock Out."

"If neither of you start recharging I'm going to plug in and force the issue," Knock Out threatened. "Goodnight."

Optimus squeezed Megatron's hand and was pleased when Megatron squeezed back. He ran a venting cycle and then set his shutdown routine going. Between the spent charge and the warm electric tarp, he would hopefully have a good rest.

[anathemaloren]

Meeting the god

:) -> What can I say apart from that he was robbed, that he is so stupidely handsome and that you should go right now to listen to his songs. Oh yeah, thanks to Carol for beta reading this, I know you loved it you whore. Also... pt.2?

DISCLAIMERS AND WARNINGS: English is not my fisrt language, mentions of alcohol, it is obvious that characters had sex but nothing explicit. Also, this was written all morning in class and transcribed at 12am so sorry if some things don't make THAT much sense. Word count -> 1.8k Summary -> Y/n helps organize an event in a museum in Warsaw in which she meets a certain polish who connects with her.

Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have been so reluctant to go and talk to the blonde man when I fist met him. Yeah, he looked intimidating, wrapped in leather and with those eyes which seemed to stare straight into your soul. But the moment he looked at someone he recognized, those eyes shined and an unexpectedly beautiful and charming smile made its way into everyone's minds. No one could believe, if he was smiling, that that was the same boy who sang about pretty scandalous things in his songs.

I hadn't really known who he was when I arrived to the event. The gathering in question was an event in a fashion museum in Poland about androgyny in fashion, an event which you had helped organize. Obviously, the organization had chosen the perfect artist to perform in that kind of theme: the local Jann. In the polish airport I had searched for who that boy was, and the conclussions were the same as in my London flat; a good-looking singer with a great amount of talent. But the pictures (and music videos, and edits... I had been a fair amount of time looking him up online) didn't prepare you to how handsome he was in real life.

I had to go and meet him. Not because I had the biggest crush on him, or because I feared that if I didn't approach the dazingly beautiful man I would regret it for as long as I lived, but because I organized the event and had to meet the artist. Yeah, strictly proffessional.

So, after one bravery drink and a lot of my own courage, I made my way to him. He was talking to my boss and the responsible of the exposition in Poland, so I knew it would be easy to talk my way to him. Gathering all the courage I managed to have, I said hi to the older man and woman who were my supervisors, who very kindly introduced him to me. As I shook his hand he showed me that brilliantly precious smile, which made me stop thinking about anything that wasn't him, his smile, his eyes, how he smelled and how soft his touch in my hand was. I told him my name and it sounded better when he said it than I ever would've thought. I spent some time making small talk with my bosses amd the dirty-blonde man, until another organizer told the singer that he had to go prepare. He would sing 3 songs and then he would have to go back to mingle.

While the performance was being prepared, I wandered through the big room, watching all the work I had put into this exhibition turned into a reality, feeling even prouder every time somebody congratulated me.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity to see the singer again, Jan appeared on stage after being presented. The first song he performed, "Look At Me" was more politically correct. But the correctness didn't las a lot, as the second song was "Gladiator". I knew the song was provocative as well as the performance, maybe because I had seen the video from the preselection for Eurovision near to 60 times. But I didn't expect it to be THAT provocative. The way he sang, and dances, and moved around the stage was enough to make my knees a little.

But what I definitely wasn't expecting was to see him lock eyes with me during the part of the song that went I can get you dressed, wrap your body in excess, give them something to obsess over. The polish didn't separate his eyes from mine during what was left of the song. After finishing, and while all the people where clapping, I ran to the bathroom not even waiting for the next song to start.

There, I washed my hands and refreshed my face. Then I looked at the mirror repeating to myself that I would be okay. I heard people clapping once again, which meant that the performance was already over. After being there for another few minutes I felt prepared to leave the restroom once and for all. But again in the room I saw the polish approaching me slowly, which would've given me time to run again, but I chose to stay and face Jan.

The blonde was finally in front of me, and he said a shy hello. I said hello back, and the told him that he had been amazing. He answered with his thick polish accent; 'I had a good reason to perform well tonight'. I jockingly answered; 'A lot of pressure, huh?', but without missing a beat he replied; 'Just a beeautiful girl to impress. I don't know if I did a good job though'. I inmedialty blushed. He kindly smiled at me and spoke again 'I guess I did impress her'. That truly didn't help, and I blushed even more. He just laughed softly seeing me blush at his words. 'May I invite you to a drink?'. How could I even say no to that polish accent, those now soft eyes that were pleading me to agree and the smile that at the same time calmed me so I could say yes without pressure. So I did exactly that; 'I would love that'. His smile made it already worth it.

So there we were. A few drinks later I was feeling a bit dizzy but also happier than ever. We were almost alone as the room had been getting emptier and emptier, but I couldn't care less. Jan was practically perfect. His polish accent had been getting thicker over time and drinks, and his eyes shined even more with a curiosity that had been focused on one thing: me. Us. Our conversation. A conversation in which I had foud out that the man was intelligent, kind, funny, humble, incredibly talented and oh so dreamy. It came to a point in which we were kicked out of the museum, but we didn't stop walking while wandering the streets of Warsaw.

I never wanted that night to end, but luckily neither did he. We came to a halt in front of a brick building I didn't recognize. However, he did. 'Look at that, isn't this my apartment'. I laughed at the jokinlgy surprise of the beautiful blonde man. 'Isn't that a surprise' I replied, cocking my eyebrow. He smiled like a child and spoke again. 'As we're here, would you like to come upstairs and have, I don't know... water or coffe or hot chocolate or-' he started to rumble, and that was when I realized that he was nervous and I decided to step in. So, helped by the courage that the drinks had given me, I grabbed his face and kissed him.

The kiss deepened as he also put his hands in my cheeks, and it came to a hot point when I put my hands in the back of his neck, and he placed one of his hands in my waist and the other one got tangled in my hair. His tongue graced mine and the hotness of the kiss was getting to my head. When he separeted himself from me, probably in search of air, we were both smililng at each other. Jan spoke once again; 'sooooo... you're coming upstairs'. I kissed him again and it was all the confirmation he needed.

When I woke up the next day I was in a foreign room. I didn't recognize the wallpaper, and it was too decorated with posters and candles to be a hotel room. I turned around and came face to face with a blonde man. I almost screamed, when all the memories from the previous night came flooding to me. I softly smiled and brushed a few strains of hair out of his face. He woke up from the touch, and he seemed to remember me much quicker. He smiled at me and brought me into his arm. I melted into the hug, never wanting to get up.

But the bubble had to burst sometime, and that happened when my phone rang. I grunted while getting out of Jan's hold to get my phone, which was in my purse, somewhere on the floor. When I found it I picked up without looking at the caller, just to be greeted by the voice of my boss. After telling me that the previous day had been a success, I kindly told her that, as it was Saturday, I would like to rest. She understood and told me that she would formally congratulate me on Monday. I bid my goodbyes and turned around after hanging up, just to meet with Jan's sweet eyes and big smile. 'What got you smiling like that?' I asked, getting into bed again. He scooped his way over and put his head on my chest. Playing with my fingers , he answered me 'I just had a good view'. I blushed as he laughed and kissed my bare chest. He calmed again and rested his head on my chest again, giving me an opportunity to run my fingers through his blonde curly hair. I sighed and he catched it. 'What is it?'. His morning voice, slurred and with an even more prominent accent, sounded genuinelly concerned. 'I have to leave' I said, saddened '. My plane leaves in 5 hours'. The polish boy squished me, not wanting to let me go. 'Can't you stay?' He asked. 'I'm sorry Jan, but I have to go to work on Monday'. He sighed and slowly let me go. I got up and went to the bathroom of the bedroom to get ready and be able to leave.

Once again I saw myself get prepared in the mirror to face Jan. I got to the bethroom and saw him in the same position I had left in, looking at the ceililng with his lips curled downwards. I got next to him and kissed his cheek. He spoke 'I don't want you to go'. I replied; 'I don't want to go, but I have to'. I left a note with my phone numbre in his bedside table and spoke again 'Call me if you ever come to London'. He seemed to brighten up a little 'Another reason to go to London now I guess' I couldn't help but chuckle.

I sadly made my way out of the apartment, not without bathing him with kisses and promises of seeing one another again first. Already in the airport, we started texting until I had to get on my plane. Feeling how I was leaving Poland and Jan behind felt like I also was leaving a part of me behind. However, once in London, the first message I read was one of his:

My mouth hasn't shut up about you kissed it. The idea that you may kiss it again is stuck in my brain, which hasn't stopped thinking about you since, well, before any kiss.

[novankenn]

Chp 2 - King of Kings

Yang returned to Beacon without confronting her fellow blond. Too many questions rolled about in her head. Too many inconsistencies between what she knew, thought she knew, and now knew threatening to give her a splitting headache. She said nothing as she returned to her dorm. She made some noncommittal responses to her teammates inquiries about where she had been, before climbing into the shower and then her bed. Pulling out her ear buds, she set up her scroll in her lap, and began a new search, or searches. She needed to find out more about Jaune, and she openly admitted to herself; in her mind that she was hooked. She had willing dove headfirst into the rabbit hole. The spectacle of what she had just experienced drew her in. She needed more and once she slated her desires, she would corner him.

/=/

Time quickly passed, and soon it was almost two weeks since Yang made her discovery, and now she was nearly a literal encyclopedia of Jaune related wrestling trivia; not that she had anyone to share that knowledge with. She had scoured the CCT-Net and watched years of matches, of not only Jaune but also his family. The Arc family was huge, and popular. Jaune was actually a third generation wrestler, which surprised Yang to find out that his family was so rooted in the sport, no sorry, she mentally corrected herself; Sports Entertainment. The Arcs were an actual a pillar of the industry not only with they themselves being in the sport, but also training many of the current stars.

It was almost mind melting the amount of information Yang was processing. Of course none of it had a lick to do with combating grimm, but she couldn't stop. She had forum sites bookmarked for daily visits. She used some of her Bumblebee maintenance funds to purchase a subscription to a streaming service. One that she would binge-watch all things Arc related. She had seen Jaune as a young teen. When he barely had any meat on his bones, up to now. She had seen him at ringside, supporting his father and then his sisters; before moving to actually also performing in the ring.

She knew all his moves, and trademark spots. She had seen his evolution from a high flying baby-face, to his most recent incarnation as a brutal hardcore gladiator. The extreme matches really got to her. The added violence, the hints of blood, the pure chaos of the matches. It seemed almost more akin to a real fight, just with more artistic elements. She had avoided the “real vs fake” era, and was educated enough to know that there was more going on with what happened in the ring than most fans realized. But despite that, she was impressed with Jaune. Even if everything wasn't one hundred percent real, he still needed to be hardy enough to handle the punishment. He still need to be conditioned enough to perform full tilt for upwards of twenty to thirty minutes, every couple of nights. Then of course there was the pure physical strength he had.

She had been awed, watching as he body slammed another man who supposedly weighed in at over three hundred pounds. If Yang could remember correctly, at the time, Jaune was weighing in at a buck seventy. The blond noodle had held in the air and manipulated twice his body-weight in living flesh. No one she knew had ever done something like that. She was smitten with the world and the fantasy. She was ready to face him, and get more specific answers from him. Answers she couldn't get from watching videos and reading blogs.

But first there was a pay-per-view coming up, and she needed to see what the card was going to be like. If it was more worth her while to attend in person, or watch online. She already knew Jaune was in the line-up. Apparently there was some big mixed promotional Hardcore event going to happen in Mistral a month before the Vytal Festival. His match would be a warm-up to prepare for the big night, a month and a half away.

/=/

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed as she noticed Yang close in on her partner as he waited in the lunch line. Something about the energy she was giving off as she approached him was making her wonder. Pyrrha had learned to read body language; it was a part of her training, and served her well both in and out of the combat ring. She could tell Yang was up to something, she just wasn't sure what. She shivered as a thought passed through her mind. Yang wasn't really good at hiding things, especially from her sister Ruby. It was through Ruby that everyone was warned to avoid mentioning anything about professional wrestling. Apparently Yang had become a rabid fan of the “fake sport” recently, and was devoting all her spare time to her new obsession. Pyrrha hoped that Yang wasn't trying to rope Jaune into becoming a fan of that farce.

Thinking about the possibility caused her to wince. Jaune was too nice to become involved in something so lowbrow. Wrestling was an ageless sport. A tradition in many combat art schools, yet what Yang was a fan of. What she was digesting religiously was not that valued practice. It was cheap theatrics and bad stories. Tits and Ass for the sake of Tits and Ass. She had been turned away form even watching the nonsense when she was still testing the waters of a tournament career. She had wanted to expose herself to other combat sports, but was roundly told that Professional Wrestling was not a combat sport.

Pyrrha sighed, and returned her attention to the meal before her. Even with her training Jaune, she was still struggling to reach out to him. To let her feelings be known. If only she had more in common with him. He did like his comics. Maybe she could tempt fate and reach out to him for guidance in taking up that hobby. The clatter of a metal tray crashing to the tiled floor, caused her to jump. Her emerald eyes quickly scanned the cafeteria to find the source, for them only to go wide in shock as she watched Jaune, actually physically drag Yang out of the expansive room.

/=/

Jaune: How much to keep you shut-up about it ALL?

Jaune hissed after he had dragged Yang far enough away from any potential students in a position capable of overhearing.

Yang: Hey! (Snapping at him in disbelief) I'm not after your money!

Jaune: Keep your voice down, and tell me what this is all about. If you're not looking for a handout, then what is it?

Yang: I wanted to talk. Just talk.

Jaune: Why now? After all this time, why now?

Yang: I followed you a few weeks ago, after you had one of your less stellar spars. I was going to try and cheer you up, but...

Jaune: What did you see?

Yang: You're Hardcore debut, Mr. Crown Prince.

Jaune: Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Yang: Whoa, whoa Jaune, What's the problem?

Jaune: I didn't want anyone to know, nor do I want anyone finding out.

Yang: Why?

Jaune: I'm tired of being part of a legacy. I've grown up in the industry. I lived the industry, now I want something for myself. Something different, and if people find out about that other stuff...

Yang: You think your chances would be ruined.

Jaune: Exactly.

Yang: You do realize there are others here at Beacon that think you look like someone famous. It was sort of why I started looking into you, though, until that night... I just thought you looked like him.

Jaune: Fuck!

Yang: I don't understand Jaune. You have talent, you have skill...

Jaune: I severely doubt any grimm will tap out to a Boston crab.

Yang: But Cardin would.

Jaune: Yang, what I've spent my life learning isn't going to help...

Yang: Then why? I mean, you have a life outside of this. A good life. A supportive family. You're basically royalty.

Jaune: I want to be more.

Yang: More?

Jaune: I want to do more than just entertain. I want to really help. Like my Great-Grandfather did during the War, and I can't do that running ropes and throwing clotheslines.

Yang's eyes narrowed. She was getting what Jaune was saying, but he was missing something important. Something he couldn't see because he was in the middle of it all. It was a little factoid she had stumbled on, and followed through on.

Yang: What attracts grimm?

Jaune: Negative emotions. Why?

Yang: What types of emotions do you feel when you're taking part in an event?

Jaune: Why are you asking this, Yang?

Yang: Just humour me. What types of emotions?

Jaune: Excitement, joy...

Yang: Simple answer would be positive ones.

Jaune: So?

Yang: (Sighing) You're not following. You say you want to do more, but you're not noticing or realizing you are doing more. In fact, from the short amount of time in which I've become a fan, I KNOW you're doing a better job of keeping people safe, than a huntress can.

Jaune: Huntsmen fight the grimm, how does me performing before groups...

Yang: Huntresses fight grimm, when grimm show up. We show up when things are at the worst. Yes, some are stationed in settlements, but still we are only there when things have become the worst possible result.

Jaune: But you still...

Yang: Yes, we do. But I've found out something, and I figure seeing as you are in the middle of it, you wouldn't.

Jaune: And what would that be?

Yang: So, as you know, I'm a sort of punch first kinda of gal, and I'm not an expert on grimm behaviour, yet for whatever reason I did some looking, and reading.

Jaune: Okay.

Yang: Grimm numbers drop after an event.

Jaune: Huh?

Yang: I know right? But there are studies, and records.

Yang pulled out her scroll and pulled up one of her bookmarked sites, and moved to a pinned post.

Yang: The positive energies that such numerous people radiate drive the grimm off. Even with the supposed good versus bad story lines, the joy of being a part of the spectacle is what does it.

Jaune: I never...

Yang: Neither had I, until I saw what you do; and Jaune you are good. Real good.

Jaune: Thanks. But still...

Yang: I understand. I do, and I can't say if I was in your position I wouldn't be making the same choices, but I know I would do one thing very much differently.

Jaune: And what would that be?

Yang: Put Cardin in his place.

Jaune: And how....

Yang: A Headlock is a headlock, Jaune. A hip throw is a hip throw. Yours might be more flamboyant, but in the end they can do the same thing.

Jaune: Are you trying to tell me to...

Yang: (Smirking) Yes. No one would expect you to dropkick Cardin in the face, or for you to toss him out of the combat ring like a toddler.

Jaune: But...

Yang: Jaune you have the skills, and I know you have the strength to do it. I've watched just about everything I can find on you and your family. I'm a fan...

She paused, giving him a soft smile;

Yang: and a friend.

--== Table of Contents ==--

[kigozula]

300th Chapter Celebration Weekend

All readers!!

We prepared a new fun event for Gladiator.

17th - 18th June

After 10 years we officially reach the 300th chapter. This event is not only to celebrate the 300th chapter, but also for appreciating and revisiting the second part of the story. The other two events from the past took place before part 2 even ended.

Below (under the cut) are different kind of questions. Most of them are part 2 focused.

If you want to partake in this event, all you have to do is answering the questions, choose and guess. The last part contains a guessing game and a quiz, which is new. This event is more expanded than the previous ones.

Feel free to reach my askbox or message me if you do have any questions. I will be posting my answers early that day or even one day prior. You can take a look if it might help you with ideas.

CHANGE: The correct answers of the quiz will be posted on Sunday before the event ends!

Doesn’t matter if you have a Tumblr account or not. Everybody can participate. You can post it on your blogs or submit it to me here. I will post it then.

Another change:

A friend just brought to my attention that tumblr does not allow people without an account to send asks or submissions anymore. I didn’t know that.

If anyone wants to take part, feel free to send your entries to my fanfiction account if you have an account there, I am also Kigozula there.

My account on FF. Net

If I had known this new policy I would have thought about something else... sorry guys. If you see this after this weekend, you can still send your entries ;)

Don’t forget to tag us @kigozula & @seyaryminamoto and use the tags #sokkla & #gladiator300thchapter (and any more you feel like). We can find the posts and try to reblog everyone’s entries.

We wish you fun and hope for many participants!

Important note: I am making something nice here. I talked with Seyary before starting this event. I made it for her, for readers to have a chance to share their favorite stuff and because I love Gladiator. Nobody has to take part. Please be respectful, careful and have fun! =) As mentioned above (askbox/pm), if there are questions.

FAVORITE…:

OC

Guard

Gladiator

Sponsor

Pair/Couple (besides Sokkla)

Friendship

Villain/Antagonist/Opponent

Suitor for Azula

Place (any houses/island/cities…)

Event (weddings/festivals…)

FAVORITE TOP THREE…:

Sokkla Kisses in Part 2 when they become finally a couple

Sokkla Love Making

THIS OR THAT:

Part 2, or Part 3 (so far)

Zuki Family or Mai Jian Family

Festivals Arc or Anniversary Arc

Captain Rui Shi or Captain Fei Li

Ozai or Zhao

Gladiator Brawl, Sponsor Race, Pairs Tournament or Scavenger Hunt

Xin Long or Appa

Azula’s Squad or Sokka’s Squad

Ty Lee or Mai

Shoji or Kino

Ruon Jian or Haru

OTHERS:

A Place you would like to visit or live

If you could give Part 2 a title it would be

Something you look forward to

Best Arc(s) in Part 3 (so far)

Favorite Sokkla Artwork from Part 2

GUESSING TIME:

Future Ships you think will happen

Azula and Zhao will divorce when/because of …

When Hakoda meets Azula and Hotaru for the first time …

When Ozai and Ursa see each other …

I think Ozai's future looks like...

When Azula finally visits the south pole, I hope/wish/think …

First things Azula and Sokka will do after their reunion

QUIZ: (The correct answers can be found in my post on June 16th)

Name of the first Gladiator Sokka fought against?

How many years are Azula and Sokka a couple now?

Which character found out about Azula and Sokka’s secret relationship first?

Which character felt something might be going on/will be going on between Sokka and Azula from the beginning?

What’s the name of Ozai’s first love?

What was the first Gladiator event Azula and Sokka took part in?

How often did the Blue Wolf fight in the Slate?

Who would have almost been the potential future prince?

How old was Aang when he was forced to freeze himself and Appa?

SOME NICE WORDS TO OUR DEAR AUTHOR SEYARYMINAMOTO:

[agiroflee98]

Questions that I would ask Pedro Pascal if I ever got to Meet Him ✨🇨🇱☀️

I know that this will be INCREDIBLY unlikely (if not impossible), but if I ever met Pedro here is a list of things that I would ask him (because I'm very curious).

What is your favorite dance move?

And could you please show me?

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Do you have a favorite season?

Aside from Aries, what is your favorite zodiac sign?

*whispers* pleasebegeminipleasebegeminipleasebegemini.

What is your favorite Prince song to dance to?

How is your fox stuffy doing? Did you give him a name? Where is he now?

If he's sitting on his bed, I may cry.

Would you ever consider getting a Letterboxd account?

I would love to see him make lists like "Movies that made me cry" or read his reviews about every single Nic Cage movie.

Do you prefer showering in the morning or at night?

This is an important question that can reveal a lot about a person. (I personally prefer the latter).

Is it true that NYC pizza is super good? Where is your favorite place to get a slice?

I've never really been to NYC (just one of the airports), & I have heard legends of their pizza & have always wanted to try it. I figured that someone who has lived there for 20+ years (& has a deep love of pizza) would have a good list of places to go to.

If you had time, would you ever want to do another play? (Romeo & Juliet, perhaps? Or another Shakespeare play?)

The SASS he would bring if he was in Much Ado About Nothing.

What is the comfiest costume that you've EVER worn as an actor?

We all know the dude values comfiness. I wanna know which costume felt SO GOOD on his body that he still thinks about it to this day (or whenever he's stuck wearing one that's hot/tight/itchy/etc.).

Let's say that a CERTAIN character dies in Gladiator 2 (or TLOU S2 either one). Would you consider that death to be more gruesome than Oberyn Martell's?

I'm on the edge of my seat.

Speaking of Oberyn, would you ever consider getting a replica of Oberyn's yellow robe to wear around the house?

A robe like THAT is too good to be worn once. Maybe it could be a fuzzy fall/winter version of the robe?

What is your process for developing a character/getting into character?

I read somewhere that when he was preparing to play Maxwell Lord, he made a little scrapbook of things about the character & his internal thoughts. I would LOVE to know if he does things like that for every character he plays.

I noticed that you have a shirt that has a picture of Gene Wilder from Young Frankenstein on it. Have you ever seen that movie & do you share my opinion that it is one of the best films ever made?

If he does, I will be SO happy.

Who's your favorite drag queen?

What's your favorite color to paint your nails with?

And can we do a nail show-and-tell?

What kind of TikToks do you like to watch? Do you have any favorite accounts?

How old were you when you started wearing glasses?

Do you think he's near-sighted or far-sighted?

The doctor says that you're dying & you only have enough time left to watch ONE more film: What film is it & why?

He probably won't answer this 'cause he's super indecisive, but it would be interesting to see what he says.

Finally, do you know how wonderful & loved you are & how proud we all are of you?

Here's me reminding you, Pedrito. <3 <3 <3

[edupunkn00b]

Progression, Chapter 2: Gladiator

Photo by edupunkn00b

Prev - Gladiator - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Janus helps Remus prepare for a training session. Written for Day 2 of @imnotgrimimjustagrumpyreaper's @dukeceit-week-2024, prompt: Road Trip. This chapter takes place immediately before an upcoming chapter in Meus ex Machina, Chapter 13: Secrets. You do not need to read the other story to understand this chapter.

Butterflies danced around Janus even before he’d stepped inside the twins’, well… Re’s room.

It had been at least a year and a half since Ro slept more than a few nights in the room the youngest Mad Lads had once shared. It had started small, with Ro knocking on Patton or Virge’s door in the middle of the night. Or with Janus finding him curled up on a pile of blankets near the window of an unconverted room at the other end of the old house. After a while, though, their nights together had taken on the celebratory flavor of a sleepover.

With all the planning that entailed.

Their training excursions with Patton or with Lucas had recently begun to function the same way.

Re pulled him into his room, shoulders shimmying to a beat Janus now shared with him. “They’re still here, right? Ro and Lucas haven’t left yet, have they? I’m not ready yet but I won’t take that long. I already shaved and I’m feeling really—”

“Yes, Re, they’ll wait for you.” Janus soothed, brushing back his hair as he let the truth of his words flow through his thoughts. “Everything is alright.”

Re melted into his arms and nodded. “Mmm…” A wave of wordless anxiety crashed into Janus, belying the outward calm of the moment. “Jannie?” he asked in a warbly voice.

He hid his request behind a flurry of sensations in the room, the weight of his new boots, the scritch where he’d missed a spot shaving with the new bladeless device Virge had crafted. Janus held him tighter and smiled with his mouth and his thoughts. “What do you need, Re?”

“Will you call me ‘Muse?’” He pulled back but pushed the shared sensation of their embrace into his mind, giving him the dual sense of seeing his own eyes staring back into Re’s and the twitch in the younger Mad Lad’s jaw. Like he feared his request was… too much. “It feels good,” he said simply. The wave of warmth and ease Re, well, The Muse sent to him revealed the many facets the single word ‘good’ could mean.

Janus smiled again and stroked his hair. “Of course, Muse.”

~

Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse 

The name tromped and skipped and danced through The Muse’s brain, bouncing against his skull until he thought his head might pop. Or just scatter into a million billions bits like a giant dandelion in the wind.

MUSE

It sounded right in Jannie’s voice and the electric buzz of unspoken thoughts sloughed away his worry at asking.

MUSE

The others called him Re. Well, and Papa Bear liked to call him Kiddo, too. The name rolled from their tongues fuzzy and soft and warm, pulling him close and safe even when he was alone in his room and everyone’s words started to meld and blend into a slurry in his mind and—

-“Muse!”-

The Muse’s eyes snapped open. Jannie was cradling his face between his palms, gold and brown eyes staring into his, worry spilling out from his touch, his face, his thoughts. -“Muse, are you alright?”-

The Muse grinned and patted his hands. Jannie had taken off those awful gloves and The Muse traced the even awfuller scars under his fingertips. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, his fingers spoke, pressing his eternal apologies into Janus’ skin.

-“I’m alright, Jannie,”- he nodded, fear choking out his voice. If Jannie thought he wasn’t in control, he might not get to go to train. Lucas had promised a road trip out to the deserted coast. The drowned cities had long since been abandoned and with the lead acid and PCB ashes in the air, even the garbage pickers stayed away. It left him and Ro a perfect playground, new smells and textures and sounds to fill their banks. 

Lucas had even caught capo chatter on his comm feeds, the ones no-one was supposed to know about. There might be some rentacops snooping around the wreckage he and Ro could get some extra practice on.

They weren’t supposed to tell Jannie that part and he cut away the thought like a bit of charred meat. Or rancid cheese.  -“I’m okay, Jannie, I swear. Just… excited!”-

He didn’t need powers to read the doubt behind Jannie’s eyes. “Look, look, look…” He forced his throat and tongue and teeth to behave and push his silent words into spoken ones. He released one of Jannie’s hands and grew a tiny cactus in his palm. “I really am! Full control, Feel… Feel the spines—they look sharp but they’re really soft, aren’t they? Try it!” he urged, petting the tiny potted succulent in his hand.

Lowering the hand that had cupped his cheek, Jannie brushed delicate fingers over the tiny spines along the edge of the plant. They flexed with his touch, like his—

“They feel like your mustache,” Jannie smiled, burning away a bit of the churning worry from his gaze. The Muse wasn’t really sure who thought it first, but the words bloomed under his skin, following the heat and and light in his chest the way the books say flowers would turn to the sun. 

“Do you like it?” The Muse laughed, letting the cactus dissolve and bringing Jannie’s hand up to trace the soft growth on his upper lip. “I can’t wait to show Ro for real!”

Jannie stroked his mustache and laughed, low and rumbly. Bubbles in deep water. “I’m sure he’ll like it, too.”

[destinyc1020]

About Paul Mescal: I personally didn’t like how and when exactly he spoke about such a problem as increasing fame. He himself is not so well known now, only those who follow cinema and actors know him, and just his next project - Gladiator 2 can make him known to the general public. But this film has not yet been released, there is always a possibility that the project may fail, there is already information that the film’s budget has been exceeded, so I am not sure that it will be able to collect normal box office receipts. Such statements about the influence of fame always cause people to have a strange attitude towards it; as an actor, you may be perceived as ungrateful and arrogant. Even when Tom spoke about this, many people also treated it strangely, although it is a fact that Tom is very popular. After his words about the influence of fame, how he doesn’t want it, some wrote - why did he agree to the role of Spider-Man, forgetting that it was literally the role of his dreams and he was 18-19 years old at the time of casting. Moreover, Tom confirms his words with his actions - he really almost never attends award ceremonies, left social networks, took a break, he doesn’t attend events like the Met Gala (and it’s unlikely that he ever will), and now he’s going to take part in a play . I think choosing the theater was a definite step as a challenge to myself, a new experience and again choosing a project that will attract a strong influence (how ironic that this play attracted too much attention - first with sales, and then with the casting of actors). Honestly, at some point, because of these words about fame, I thought that Tom would really move away from acting, but I think that in the coming years he will definitely not participate in a new project like remakes or like Unchanged.

Paul needed to wait a little, see how Gladiator 2 would affect his career and level of fame, and express his feelings about this in a different way - and so he wants to show himself as an actor who wants to act, and not be famous, but for such statements you need specific time and actions

Wait.... I'm trying to figure out your logic Anon, because I'm not understanding.... And then one minute you're talking about Paul, and then, the next minute, you're talking about Tom... 🤔

Paul was speaking in the context of what might happen once his Gladiator 2 film comes out.

It's no secret that "Gladiator 2" will be the biggest film in his career (thus far), and will more than likely catapult him into a different fame level bracket, whether his film does huge box office numbers or NOT. (I predict that it will)

This was literally all that Paul said:

X

I don't see the big deal?? 🤷🏾‍♀️ I think ANY actor would be feeling the pressure when it's their first lead role in a large film such as this.

It sounds like he's trying to prepare himself for what's to come once the film starts getting promo, a press tour, various premieres, and finally comes out to theaters.

I don't think it's so farfetched to think that his life MIGHT change fairly significantly (like most actor's do) when he's in a lead role for a pretty HUGE film, with actors such as Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal also on the roster. 🤔

He was being honest about how he feels about that possibility. He reiterates also in the interview that he is still very much an indie film type of guy. But this was a great opportunity for him, so I'm glad that he took it on, but having your life be more scrutinized with higher fame isn't smthg that most actors enjoy.😕

Even Tom has talked about this downside himself as well.

No doubt, Paul has either seen for himself, or ppl have told him how an increase in fame can affect your private life. So I think he's just bracing for that. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I didn't view it as arrogance?

[italiangothicwriteblr]

15 Questions Tag

I was tagged by @memento-morri-writes @the-void-writes and @bloodlessheirbyjacques! 

Tagging @ink-fireplace-coffee @rose-bookblood @faithfire and @writersandpoetsunited

3 tags means I’m going to do three characters, so here’s Nova, Livia, and Adrasteia 

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nova: I’m named for Novellia Ventura, a soldier who served under my father in the Southern army. She was a spy who did so well that Cosimo honored her with the name of his child. There’s a reason I don’t talk about it.

Livia: My first name is for Imperatrice Lavinia, who’s an ancestor of mine. And my middle name is Domitilla, for my grandmother’s aunt--she was a great stateswoman who’s been mostly erased from the history books. (If you’re curious why)

Adrasteia: Nope. Naming people after someone isn’t as common in Bellamagna, we aim to name children something they can grow into. For example, my name means “not inclined to run away”, meant to ward off cowardice in battle.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Nova: That last night at home. If I see Ottavio again I’m hunting him for sport.

Livia: I don’t cry

Adrasteia: On the anniversary of my parents’ and siblings’ death. They don’t have an actual grave I can visit, but I try and do as much of the mourning rites as I can from here.

3. Do you have kids?

Nova: Nope! And I’m not sure I want them, considering the world right now

Livia: Not yet, but I’m expected to have some eventually

Adrasteia: No, and I don't want them

4. Do you use sarcasm?

Nova: Yes. Cloelia thinks it’s too much. 

Livia: Depends who I’m talking to

Adrasteia: Not a lot

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Nova: Their expression--if they’re smiling, or angry. I try to know how to behave going into an interaction

Livia: Their eyes--I can tell an ulterior motive from a mile away, and it’s all in the eyes--smiles can be faked

Adrasteia: Whether they have a weapon

6. What’s your eye color?

Nova: Black, unless I’m doing...let’s just say they sometimes turn gold

Livia: Violet

Adrasteia: Silver, like my arrows

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Nova: Happy endings. It’s nice to see them happen for someone

Livia: Scary movies! It’s good to prepare for bad things that may happen

Adrasteia: Scary movies. Happy endings are boring

8. Any special talents?

Nova: ...nothing I can share

Livia: I’ve been told I’m a pretty persuasive writer

Adrasteia: I’m a highly trained soldier who can use both swords and arrows

9. Where were you born?

Nova: The Palazzo de Rege, South Circi

Livia: Tradizza Palace, North Circi

Adrasteia: The Agora of Khrysos, Bellamagna

10. What are your hobbies?

Nova: Reading, and sometimes I like to draw or paint

Livia: I don’t have time for hobbies, I’m dealing with the court all day. I guess I have some fun with...recreational activities, even if I usually have an ulterior motive.

Adrasteia: Stargazing. I love astronomy, and figuring out how to read the stars.

11. Have you any pets?

Nova: Yes! A little dragon I adopted while we were in the South!

Livia: My girlfriend brought home a fucking dragon.

Adrasteia: No, I don’t trust myself to keep things alive

12. What sports do you play/have played?

Nova: I did a bit of swordfighting as a child, and me and my siblings used to play something we called Magical Gladiator

Livia: Horseback, fencing, chariot racing. 

Adrasteia: Archery, basic army and navy training

13. How tall are you?

Nova: 5′2″

Livia: 5′9″

Adrasteia: 5′5″

14. Favorite subject in school?

Nova: History. It’s fun how we never learn from mistakes

Livia: Rhetoric, mostly because I was good at it

Adrasteia: I didn’t love my schooling, but I did enjoy my theology classes

15. Dream job?

Nova: I don’t really have one, I just know I don’t want to work for my family

Livia: I’m going to be head of the family one day, and I’m happy with that

Adrasteia: I don't think about it much

[welcometomybraincomics]

Gladiator [Cross culture]

The moment the timer went off —-‘s patience snapped, but so did his opponent’s spine. He watched in mute horror as the bot who was too small to be anything but an Autobot practically folded in half. The spine snapped backwards and he knew that couldn’t be part of the bot’s transformation sequence from the sheer number of pipes and pistons pulling against it. Despite this, his opponent’s face wasn’t frightened, it was confident, dare he say manic. The tiny mech grinned up at him, all teeth, no humor, and it would have been plenty disterbing on it’s own if the little mech hadn’t turn his head to stare straight in to —-‘s eyes as he braces his hands on the arena floor and his insides became his outsides and moved.

—- nearly gagged. He was a soldier, war hardened and tough, but this was something out of a nightmare. Before his eyes, what he thought could have only been an Autobot— but now is sure it could only be some kind of monster— practically gutted itself before his eyes and he would have completely forgotten they even had an audience if it weren’t for the white-noise-cheering of the spectators as the small mech’s body broke itself to open up like some twisted blooming flower. —- wasn’t sure what sickened him more, the crowd’s seeming elation at seeing the exposed innards of one of his kind, or the fact that his opponent stared straight into his eyes and with every crack, snap, and click of its body as it broke and reshaped itself, energon running everywhere, the tiny mech smile seemed to grow wider.

Trapped in his horror as he was, —- wasn’t prepared for the first strike. It was like a whip, small and fast, but sharp as a knife. It cut across his face and got disturbingly close to his jugular before he realized just how close his opponent had jumped and scrambled back to a safer range.

The mech’s head still grinned up at him, eyes manic, grin unnaturally wide, and helm almost scraping the floor. He could see, moving down its face, was a slow drip of energon as his midsection continued to bleed freely. —- looked at what used to be his opponent’s stomach and stuttered. Some fucking how, in some fucking way, the mech had rearranged its organs so that they were protected under what used to be its back. Wires and tubes spilled across its front and led down under its back and what was left of its legs had somehow split into 2 pairs instead of 1 like some kind of weird insect. This all would’ve left his opponent’s front open to attack, with all the tubing and delicate wires out in the open if it weren’t for one thing: the mech’s fucking spine. —- has been mistaken, his opponent’s spine hadn’t broken, it has just moved and now it was poised over its owners stomach like some kind of twisted scorpion tail. —- noticed some fresh energon on its tip, dripping, but clearly not emanating from the bot in front of him. —- touched his cheek. There was energon running down his face from where his opponent’s weapon had cut him, and his eyes blew wide. Not its weapon, he corrected, its fucking spine. —- was too out of his depth here. There was something seriously wrong with this mech. There was something seriously wrong with this audience. Strike that, there was something seriously wrong with this galaxy!

He didn’t know what he expected from an area known as the Bloody Nebula (change to something else?), but it sure as hell wasn’t this.  The bot in front of him was Cybertronian, or had been at some point, and seeing that break itself for a little entertainment? —- was just about ready to throw in the towel. But he didn’t. His pride wouldn’t let him. —- was a Decepticon, proud and strong. If he was going down, he was going down fighting. He couldn’t set a bad example by whimping out and forfeiting, no matter how much he wanted to. His boss would kill him. Literally.

—-

For a little more context look at Robits, The Epic Train Wreck Dumpsterfire of a Transformers sidestory AU

[firsttarotreader]

On your last reading there's a part where you wrote "anxiety and fear of disappointing the other" and I just want to get something off my chest here: add an S to "other" and that could be a potential second reason why Pedro didn't went to Cannes 🤷🏻‍♀️ I haven't see anyone coming up with this possibility and am truly surprise given how most of his fans knows how he has anxiety and is insecure. Yes, doing Almodovar was his dream but one thing is filming it, another is seeing it at a big screen, surrounded by movie critics, at the biggest movie festival in the world, and Pedro being a cinephile like he is he knows how big Cannes is, he knows how gigantic that moment would be, so was he psychologically prepared to handle all that? I wouldnt be surprise to found out that he had literal nightmares of being booed at the end of the screening 😔 it's complicated... and I might be alone with this theory of mine but I'm seeing all these people being malicious when trying to find out the "real reason", people being pissed at Pedro for him not fullfilling THEIR "plans"(a.k.a. fanfiction) like, where is the compassion??? insecurity is one heavy load to carry! anxiety... dude's smoking like a chimney even while doing gym everyday, that's a sign of high-level anxiety! "With great powers comes great responsibilities", remember? I'm sure he's got where he always wished to be but that doesnt mean it's been easy. Let's be compassionate with the man and vibrate good vibes to him, instead of seeing him as a freakin' Sims doll who should obey our wishes 😒

Anon, I get the anxiety issue, I don’t disagree, but people (not you) keep sending me anons saying “we don’t know why Pedro didn’t go” and we DO. It was stated since day one that he didn’t because of the prep for Gladiator 2. People just really need to let that sink in and accept it because THAT was the reason.

[stumblingthoughts]

Teachers, and the space between.

I wasn’t going to write today, but I find my energy has returned to me now at 8pm so I may as well clock in.

In my life I have been blessed with some extraordinary teachers. I often wonder whether I have been especially blessed in this regard, or whether I lie roughly in the average but that I value my teachers more. I have always had a strangely strong bond with teachers, going back to about 3 or 4 years old. For whatever reason, I seemed to be a favourite of those early teachers, and rightly or wrongly they made that known. Subsequently as I’ve met my next teachers, all the way up to the present, I seem to look at them with wide eyes, foreseeing a potentially two-way relationship where perhaps some of my peers simply saw “authority” or “discipline”.

This predisposition benefits me greatly to this day. Even if I look back to early adolescence I have seen exceptional reward from coaches, teachers and older students who look to take me under their wing in one small way or another. Every time as this relationship flowers, I feel as if a small hidden truth is being mystically revealed to me and only me. It really is a privileged position, one which I am not sure that I deserve, but one that I nonetheless cannot pass up.

When I was about 16 years old, I began to assistant coach in the sport I played as an adolescent. I was exceptionally meek and quiet for months, terrified to project my voice to a small group of 11 or 12 year olds. Once again, I was blessed with patient and sincere mentors who guided me through these early days.

A few months into this journey, our team went to a tournament. We travelled off to a town about an hour away to play a few teams. There were only 2 games, and in the break in between another game was to take place. I discovered that from our club, another team was present. Ever the workaholic, I went over to the coach of that team and asked if I could help out. To my surprise, he immediately told me to lead them in the warmup, and then to coach the game. This coach, we’ll call him Tom, dropped me immediately in the deep end. After this, he became my coaching mentor. I stopped going to the other team’s trainings and began going only to Tom’s team’s. Instead of being guided along like a toddler learning to walk, I was being thrown in like a gladiator in the colosseum. It was an exhilarating feeling.

After only a couple weeks, Tom challenged me to make a coaching plan for half of the training session. For that 45 minutes, he just watched, and didn’t interrupt.

I probably sucked. In fact, I definitely sucked. But on that day I learned more about coaching than I had learned in months with the other team.

I’ll attempt to draw us back to some kind of conclusion, because I could genuinely talk about this for a long time.

I haven’t coached for years, and I do miss it. It’s an itch that I can never quite scratch. Even the idea of becoming socially confident wouldn’t get close, because at no time in our day to day lives is there the opportunity to instruct and lead and demonstrate and explain in the same way.

Recently, however, an opportunity to teach at the institution I work at has revealed itself. As my mind has predictably digested every potential scenario, I have realised that I have a real passion for teaching. Maybe in a few weeks or months or years I’ll be over it, but if my coaching career is anything to go by, maybe I won’t. What’s important to note, however, is that had I gone back to coaching, I would not have the time or space to take this on. A good friend of mine once counselled me to take what I had learned from that time in my life, and use it constructively to push ahead in a new direction. My temptation had always been to go back, and I feel many people may relate to this.

Perhaps, looking back in a few years, I may see that the years between my coaching days ending and my teaching days starting were an important time to reset and prepare me for the new path ahead. It has certainly reset the hunger I can now feel, the hunger that drives me now to jump in head first and make this happen. If I were coaching now, maybe I would let this opportunity slide, or wouldn’t quite grab it by the horns in the same way.

If I could dare to try to extract some kind of lesson (definitely not counting my chickens here), perhaps all periods of “not having” are vital for the success of the periods of “having”. Perhaps the void prepares you for the universe in a way that the universe can’t. Would we live as boldly if we knew we’d be living forever?

[joe-moi]

https://screenrant.com/actors-multiple-major-movies-releasing-2024/

I was absolutely NOT prepared to see jq in this ranking and with all these big names but daaamn! It makes me even more excited for AQP and Gladiator 2! All this future content, we will be fed! 🥹

yeah he getting famous famous famous!

honestly those are such big movies and he's going to have such a big year.