#justin tripp

[eludin-realm]

Character Name Ideas (Male)

So I've been browsing through BehindTheName (great resource!) recently and have compiled several name lists. Here are some names, A-Z, that I like. NOTE: If you want to use any of these please verify sources, meanings etc, I just used BehindTheName to browse and find all of these. Under the cut:

A: Austin, Aiden, Adam, Alex, Angus, Anthony, Archie, Argo, Ari, Aric, Arno, Atlas, August, Aurelius, Alexei, Archer, Angelo, Adric, Acarius, Achilou, Alphard, Amelian, Archander B: Bodhi, Bastian, Baz, Beau, Beck, Buck, Basil, Benny, Bentley, Blake, Bowie, Brad, Brady, Brody, Brennan, Brent, Brett, Brycen C: Cab, Cal, Caden, Cáel, Caelan, Caleb, Cameron, Chase, Carlos, Cooper, Carter, Cas, Cash, Cassian, Castiel, Cedric, Cenric, Chance, Chandler, Chaz, Chad, Chester, Chet, Chip, Christian, Cillian, Claude, Cicero, Clint, Cody, Cory, Coy, Cole, Colt, Colton, Colin, Colorado, Colum, Conan, Conrad, Conway, Connor, Cornelius, Creed, Cyneric, Cynric, Cyrano, Cyril, Cyrus, Crestian, Ceric D: Dallas, Damien, Daniel, Darach, Dash, Dax, Dayton, Denver, Derek, Des, Desmond, Devin, Dewey, Dexter, Dietrich, Dion, Dmitri, Dominic, Dorian, Douglas, Draco, Drake, Drew, Dudley, Dustin, Dusty, Dylan, Danièu E: Eadric, Evan, Ethan, Easton, Eddie, Eddy, Einar, Eli, Eilas, Eiljah, Elliott, Elton, Emanuel, Emile, Emmett, Enzo, Erik, Evander, Everett, Ezio F: Faolán, Faron, Ferlin, Felix, Fenrir, Fergus, Finley, Finlay, Finn, Finnian, Finnegan, Flint, Flip, Flynn, Florian, Forrest, Fritz G: Gage, Gabe, Grady, Grant, Gray, Grayson, Gunnar, Gunther, Galahad H: Hale, Harley, Harper, Harvey, Harry, Huey, Hugh, Hunter, Huxley I: Ian, Ianto, Ike, Inigo, Isaac, Isaias, Ivan, Ísak J: Jack, Jacob, Jake, Jason, Jasper, Jax, Jay, Jensen, Jed, Jeremy, Jeremiah, Jesse, Jett, Jimmie, Jonas, Jonas, Jonathan, Jordan, Josh, Julien, Jovian, Jun, Justin, Joseph, Joni, K: Kaden, Kai, Kale, Kane, Kaz, Keane, Keaton, Keith, Kenji, Kenneth, Kent, Kevin, Kieran, Kip, Knox, Kris, Kristian, Kyle, Kay, Kristján, Kristófer L: Lamont, Lance, Landon, Lane, Lars, László, Laurent, Layton, Leander, Leif, Leo, Leonidas, Leopold, Levi, Lewis, Louie, Liam, Liberty, Lincoln, Linc, Linus, Lionel, Logan, Loki, Lucas, Lucian, Lucio, Lucky, Luke, Luther, Lyall, Lycus, Lykos, Lyle, Lyndon, Llewellyn, Landri, Laurian, Lionç M: Major, Manny, Manuel, Marcus, Mason, Matt, Matthew, Matthias, Maverick, Maxim, Memphis, Midas, Mikko, Miles, Mitch, Mordecai, Mordred, Morgan, Macari, Maïus, Maxenci, Micolau, Miro N: Nate, Nathan, Nathaniel, Niall, Nico, Niels, Nik, Noah, Nolan, Niilo, Nikander, Novak, O: Oakley, Octavian, Odin, Orlando, Orrick, Ǫrvar, Othello, Otis, Otto, Ovid, Owain, Owen, Øyvind, Ozzie, Ollie, Oliver, Onni P: Paisley, Palmer, Percival, Percy, Perry, Peyton, Phelan, Phineas, Phoenix, Piers, Pierce, Porter, Presley, Preston, Pacian Q: Quinn, Quincy, Quintin R: Ragnar, Raiden, Ren, Rain, Rainier, Ramos, Ramsey, Ransom, Raul, Ray, Roy, Reagan, Redd, Reese, Rhys, Rhett, Reginald, Remiel, Remy, Ridge, Ridley, Ripley, Rigby, Riggs, Riley, River, Robert, Rocky, Rokas, Roman, Ronan, Ronin, Romeo, Rory, Ross, Ruairí, Rufus, Rusty, Ryder, Ryker, Rylan, Riku, Roni S: Sammie, Sammy, Samuel, Samson, Sanford, Sawyer, Scout, Seán, Seth, Sebastian, Seymour, Shane, Shaun, Shawn, Sheldon, Shiloh, Shun, Sid, Sidney, Silas, Skip, Skipper, Skyler, Slade, Spencer, Spike, Stan, Stanford, Sterling, Stevie, Stijn, Suni, Sylvan, Sylvester T: Tab, Tad, Tanner, Tate, Tennessee, Tero, Terrance, Tevin, Thatcher, Tierno, Tino, Titus, Tobias, Tony, Torin, Trace, Trent, Trenton, Trev, Trevor, Trey, Troy, Tripp, Tristan, Tucker, Turner, Tyler, Ty, Teemu U: Ulric V: Valerius, Valor, Van, Vernon, Vespasian, Vic, Victor, Vico, Vince, Vinny, Vincent W: Wade, Walker, Wallis, Wally, Walt, Wardell, Warwick, Watson, Waylon, Wayne, Wes, Wesley, Weston, Whitley, Wilder, Wiley, William, Wolfe, Wolfgang, Woody, Wulfric, Wyatt, Wynn X: Xander, Xavier Z: Zachary, Zach, Zane, Zeb, Zebediah, Zed, Zeke, Zeph, Zaccai

[queersrus]

Looking for edgy/demonic names for an OC. Maybe also names that have to do with duality. You can ignore this ask if u want but ty!

edgy/demonic names:

abel, abaddon, aamon, abraxas, asmodeus, azezel blade, blaze, blair/blaire, bael, belail cane/cain diablo, dagr/dager/dagger/daggar

hendrix, hades, hel/hell, hela/hella kai, knave, keres, kore lucien, leon, lilith, loke/loki, luci, lucifer

malak, maeve nix/nyx, nox riven, raven

saber/sabre, salem, satanus trip/tripp, than, thana, thanatos venom, vlad

xaphan zero, zeno, zenon

names meaning duality:

Ayodeji, arcadia, armonia, Aristotle balance/ballance concord, concordia dove

equinox, equilibria harmony/harmonee/harmonie, harmonia isorropia

justice, justin, justine, justina, janus, jemimah moderatica, moderatus, moderato newton order, olive

polarity, paradox saldo, serenity, symmety/symmerti, symmetra, sophrosnia, sophrosyne tranquil, tranquility, themis wynstan

[cyberdragoninfinity]

I just remembered the post you made about the GX kids in an American public school, and it immediately made me think "what if Zexal kids but in an American public school in the early 2010s" since Zexal first began airing in 2011.

YES. YESSSSS. I THINK SO MUCH ABOUT THIS ive wanted. to draw zexal kids in 2010s middle school fashion for Ages but ive only managed to get around to drawing cathy

i know in my heart of hearts she would be The warrior cats lore specialist and roleplayer and girl wearing fake tail and cat ears in the hallway. she came like that.

idk if i'll ever get to drawing the other Number Club kids & co., but, some notes specific to this beautiful period piece concept:

you know theyre All wearing and trading 4385283945 silly bands. i want to carry this over to my regular yuma design actually; very endeared by the idea of him giving silly bands to others as he befriends them...

Flip definitely Kid in a Minecraft Creeper Shirt and/or Triforce Shirt and/or both. And probably also a fedora. i love him

it was a little before the 2010s when they were peak popular but I think Bronk would absolutely wear tripp pants. Just have the entire grungy skater vibe. AND SNAPBACKS. HE CAME LIKE THAT.

cathy tori and rio all feel like Uggs girls. i feel like they collectively own like eight pairs of Uggs

i KNOW shark is rolling up to math class with wrists covered in rubber emo band bracelets and a folder with a photo of a great white on it.

yuma absolutely hollering "YOLO" about as much as he hollers kattubingu

i feel like. Tori would go through a justin beiber phase. just a little bit. slash pos. said with love

this was early 2013ish but i Know quattro would be reading the dangan ronpa translations on somethingawful (quinton is not terribly happy about this. these games are so..gory :/)

ok also it would be Extremely funny if the Barians were a friend group having a collective Homestuck Phase. were kids reading homestuck at 13?? i cant imagine they werent (<--*was reading homestuck at 15-16ish*)

[cynsualc829]

Happy Friday! Enjoy the rebroadcast of the Cool Jazz Café show with host Dave Oz. Quench your musical thirst for 2 hours of cool smooth jazz with a touch of classic R&B musical delights beginning at 3PM EST and 9PM UK time.

🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇮🇹 🇬🇷 🇸🇩 🇿🇦 🇨🇦 🇧🇶

𝐖𝐏𝐔𝐑-𝐃𝐁 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓'𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐎

www.pulseintlradio.com

#DaveOz #cooljazz #cooljazzcafe #contemporaryjazz #rnbmusic #summervibes #smoothjazzmusic #newmusic #Arizona #radioshow

The Cool Playlist 😎

Hour I

In Your Arms (ft. B. Thompson) / Bryard Huggins, You Complete Me / MELVIN RILEY, The Way You Sway / Blake Aaron, Metamorphosis (ft. @Phil Davis) / James 'PJ' Spraggins, Flyin' High / Yulara, Since I Lost My Baby / The Temptations, Dance (ft. Justin T Young & Honoré) / Sy Baldwin, Brother To Brother / Greg Manning, Rather Be / Kat Hawley, Secrets / Nick Stefanacci Music, Coastal Waters / Michael St. Clair, The Big Parlay / Fahrenheit 702, Where Did My Heart Go? / James Ingram, Phantom Sense / Rei Narita

Hour II

City Night / Charles A. Kelly, Your Tender Kiss (ft Marquel Jordan) / Geneva Renee, Reflection / Lowell Hopper, Party Time (ft. Ragan Whiteside) / Mark Adams, Getaway / Spyro Gyra, Tasting Sunshine (ft. Gerald Albright & Mark Kibble), Kimberly Brewer/ Kimberlily, Runnin' Hot / Elan Trotman, People Gotta Move / Keith Eatmon, Urban Renaissance / Cord Martin, 7th & Main / Jason Tripp, UPGRADE / Jazmin Ghent, Hot Fun In The Summertime / Sly & The Family Stone, Ready To Move (ft. Arno Haas) / Michael Amandus Quast), Razzle Dazzle / Terry Disley

[bellalampwickrossi]

Disney Descendants : Meet Julieanna Foulfellow

Mood Board by @hannahhook7744

Nicknames: Julie , Julie Fox and Jewels Height: 6,0 Eye Color: Green Place Of Birth: Isle of The Lost Hobbies:tap dancing , Singing ,and coning people out of their money

Likes: Hanging out with her 2 dads , Poker , Conning People out of their money , singing and Dancing Dislikes: People who are smarter than her and Authority Figures Favorite musicians: Lesley Gore and Helen Kane Physical Quirks/Scars: Freckles and scar on her left cheek

Family: J. Worthington Foulfellow and Gideon The cat (Adoptive dads ) Friends: Sabina Daughter of Stromboli Occupation: Con Artist and Pick Pocket Favorite Animal: Fox and Cat Favorite Color: spring green Favorite Book: Happy Birthday Kit by Valerie Tripp Favorite Food: green apples Favorite Drink: Root Beer Favorite Movie/TV Show: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Cuphead Show Background: Once Upon a Time J. Worthington Foulfellow and his boyfriend/ partner in crime Gideon The cat were off conning and someone left them Baby Julieanna as a debt. They were like 'Uhhhhh....'okay? Well, it works for Bill Sykes. and they've been a trio ever since . ~~Playlist~~

Turnin' Up The Charm by The Cuphead Show

Looking Out For Number One by The Cuphead Show

The Other Side by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Counting stars by OneRepublic

I Wanna Be Loved By You by Helen Kane

If we have eachother by Alec Benjamin

Tonight we are victorious by Panic! at the Disco

Devil town by Melanie Martinez

[daysofourlivesrecaps]

The players

In the interest of providing some context for this incredibly ill-informed venture, here are the 50+ main characters currently appearing on this show:

Abe Carver  

Abe has been on the show since the early 80s and he's managed to keep more of his Billy Dee Williams looks and charm than Billy Actual Dee Williams Hisownself has. Currently mayor of Salem and married to Paulina "It's All The Time With Her" Price.

Abigail DiMera

Deceased wife of Chad, sister of Gwen and easily this show's greatest "you love to hate them" character until the performer decided she wanted to go off and do movies. Last seen as the actual angel atop her family's Christmas tree, she briefly came to life to tell Dead Wife Chad to fucking move on with his life already.

Alex Kiriakis

Extremely handsome and surprisingly enlightened member of the Kiriakis clan. Alex showed up a week after Ben Weston stopped appearing on the show, which is fortunate since they're played by the same actor but not in the fun "wigs and fake teeth" way that Kristen and Susan Banks are. Alex seems at first glance to be a douche-bro but has always been extremely respectful of women, conscious of the importance of consent and is now actually going to therapy.

André DiMera

Allegedly dead twin of Tony (last seen briefly resurrected by Satan in the DiMera family crypt). Included here because I read a spoiler that he might be coming back really soon. (Turns out that spoiler was wrong, actually. But I'm leaving him on the list, if nothing else, for the phrase "resurrected by Satan," which absolutely did happen.)

Andrew Donovan

Secret agent with the totally-real ISA. Related to a bunch of these people in ways I don't feel like looking up right now. Currently half of the only gay couple on the show (along with Paul Narita). For this reason alone, we're really hoping he moves to Salem with Paul because they just shipped the last gay couple off to New Zealand & we need some boys kissing on this show.

Anna DiMera

Wife of Tony & in a show filled with interloping, entitled Karens, easily the most interloping entitled Karen in all of Salem.

Ava Vitali

The other half of "Kara Squad" (see: Gwen Rizczech). Ava was a former mob boss who tried to go legit but she recently lost her damn mind and did a bunch of crazy shit that culminated in her driving a car off a cliff & possibly killing Susan Banks (our cat's namesake). She (Ava, not our cat) is currently in an off-camera mental institution & is regularly visited by her son, Tripp.

Belle Black

Daughter of Marlena & John, wife of Sad Eyes Shawn and one of the only three lawyers in town.

Ben Weston

A former serial killer who is now supposed to be sympathetic somehow. Is in love with Ciara, whom he refers to as "babe" about every fifteen seconds. And this is the entirety of his character. Ben left the show in favor of Alex (played by the same guy) and things improved substantially when this happened. They're threatening to bring Ben back again and I really wish they wouldn't because he sucks.

Bo Brady

With Hope, one of the great "supercouples" of the show's history. Died quite some time ago. A recent miniseries actually focused on him in heaven, watching the events on earth as though they were a soap opera (GET IT?!) Bo has recently been brought back to life by Megan Hathaway, but escaped her custody and ran off, only to be shot by his son Shawn. Is currently in a coma.

Bonnie Lockhart

Tacky, outspoken southern wife of Justin (once referred to by Victor as a "dime store Dolly Parton.")

Brady Black

Son of John, ex-husband of Kristen. Brady and Kristen have a daughter together. Her name is Rachel, and thanks to Kristen's not-so-subtle maneuvering, Brady was recently forced to break up with his girlfriend Chloe because Rachel openly despises her.

Chad DiMera

also known (by me) as Dead Wife Chad. Chad was married to Abigail, until she was murdered in the first complete plot line I saw when I started watching the show (ie, everyone else has long forgotten about it, but it will loom large for me indefinitely). Chad spent most of last year drunkenly threatening people, assuming they were the ones who MURDERED HIS WIFE!!! He eventually calmed down a little and is now dating Stephanie.

Chanel Dupree

Daughter of Paulina Price and owner of Sweet Bits, a popular bakery that recently served poisoned biscuits to a bunch of people in Salem. Chanel was great for the first couple of months she was on the show, but then they abruptly switched performers and now she's like a ten year old who looks 25.

Chloe Lane

Apparently a pretty interesting goth girl when she was introduced on the show as a teenager in the late 90s, the most interesting thing about Chloe now is that her arch-nemesis is an 8 year old girl.

Clyde Weston

Living embodiment of the word sleazy. Imagine a dollar store version of Twin Peaks' Bob and he's from, like, Alabama or something.

Colin Petersen

Brand-new (as of last week) character and immediately a detestable piece of shit. Brother of Sloane, currently manipulating his girlfriend, Talia, to seduce Chanel (Talia isn't even into girls and it's all really gross) so she can then break her heart. British. But not in a hot way.

Doug Williams

The guy who plays Doug is literally 98 years old and we often joke that he only has enough mental capacity left to say I'M DOUG! every now and then. But honestly, he recently played the devil and he kinda fucking nailed it.

Duke

A bear.

EJ DiMera

British (in a hot way) co-CEO of DiMera Enterprises. Everyone talks about EJ like he's a villain but in almost two full years of storylines (since this performer took over in the role) we haven't seen him do anything remotely evil apart from very occasionally retaliating when someone wrongs him first.

Eric Brady

Son of Roman. Former priest. Currently dating Sloane. Eric was orignally played by Jensen Ackles, which is why we were able to locate copies of every episode he originally appeared in from 1999-2001.

Gabi Hernandez    Sister of Rafe, currently dating Stefan. I do not wish to overly objectify anyone on this show, but EJ once referred to Gabi's "platonic ideal of an ass" and he was 100% correct.

Gwen Rizczech

Gwen is my precious cinnamon roll and she can do no wrong. The first week I started watching this show, she was in prison. Her sister, Abigail, came to visit, saw the horrible coffee mug that Gwen had made for their dad, and smashed it on the ground. Gwen didn't deserve that. Or anything else bad. She's British, and she's one of two characters who looks a lot like my friend Kara (who voice acts for my projects and plays, among others, Naomi on Endeavor).

Harris Michaels

Former Navy SEAL who was brainwashed to do Megan Hathaway's bidding. Harris has since recovered and dated Hope for about 30 seconds until she discovered Bo was still alive.

Hope Williams Brady

With Bo, the other half of one of the show's great "supercouples." Hope has been working for the definitely-real ISA, but is currently stuck in a hospital waiting for her recently-resurrected lover to come out of his coma.

Jack Deveraux

Father of Gwen and Abigail. Has apparently left town after Gwen (along with Xander and Leo) extorted control of the town newspaper away from him.

Jada Hunter

Detective serving under Rafe, and also apparently romantically interested in him (gross). Jada's sister Talia recently moved to town and Jada strongly suspects that Talia is behind the poisoned biscuits served at Sweet Bits bakery.

Jan Spears

The extremely delusional woman obsessed with living happily ever after with Sad Eyes Shawn. Has been in four different comas. Last seen attempting to escape apprehension in the harbor, but they never found her body. Come on guys, I've read comics. She's still out there somewhere. Jan is Amanda's favorite character.

Joey Johnson

Tripp's extremely lame brother with an extremely lame little mustache. Joey lives in Seattle, and if I ever ran into him, I would point right at him and laugh at how bad his mustache is.

John Black

John is played by Drake Hogestyn, who has apparently only ever had one acting job: this one. And... what an eccentric performance it is. John is ostensibly a private eye (with Steve) and is married to Marlena. (They are another of the show's "supercouples.") He's not very bright but kind of lovable despite this, like if Mister Peanutbutter was played by a knockoff of Clint Eastwood.

Johnny DiMera

The worst character on the show by far. Johnny claims to be a filmmaker, but the only film he attempted to make (a fictionalization of his grandmother Marlena's satanic possession) failed spectacularly and he hasn't done a goddamn thing since. Mostly spends his time judging the sex lives of the people he's close to (particularly his father) and whining.

Julie Olson Williams

Wife of Doug (and the performers are actually married in real life too, which is pretty cute). Julie's job, as far as I can tell, is to invite herself into people's homes and ask extremely personal questions when she doesn't think the plot is moving along fast enough.

Justin Kiriakis

Dad of Alex and Sonny. Justin is a lawyer. I don't know a whole lot else about him, actually. I guess I'd hire him if Sloan or Belle weren't available.

Kate Roberts

Tough old broad who is currently being held captive at sea for some reason. I have a big coffee table book about this show that divides the characters up into families (Brady, DiMera, etc.) and there's a whole section called Kate's Brood, because she has apparently been married to half the significant male characters in this show and I think did at least hand stuff with the other half. Is ostensibly the partner of Roman, but despite them being extremely well-established legacy characters, I do not buy their supercouple status at ALL.

Kayla Brady Johnson

Chief surgeon at the hospital, wife to Steve (now THERE'S a fucking supercouple) and Dr. Marlena Evans' actual best friend.  Was recently dead, but returned to her job at the hospital last week.

Kristen DiMera

My initial read on Kristen was that she was a glamorous, scheming supervillain-type... and she still has the potential to be. But she used up all her energy trying to (and succeeding at) breaking up Brady and Chloe. Has tried to kidnap her own daugter seven or eight times since I started watching.

Leo Stark

A character so gay that they might as well have gotten Charles Nelson Reilly to play him. Leo has actually grown on me as I spend more time with him, and he currently writes a gossip column under the name Lady Whistleblower. This has proven to be an outstanding narrative excuse for characters to know each other's business.

Li Shin

Li was formerly Gabi's husband, formerly a top executive at DiMera Enterprises and was never a good actor. Seriously, he just stares forward like David Puddy and reads all his lines really fast with no inflection. The only time he ever played a believable emotion was at Thanksgiving when he thought there would be pie but then there was no pie.

Lucas Horton

Lucas is a real piece of work (shit). He kidnapped Sami, the love of his life, but then (by his own admission) had no idea what to do next so just kind of... held on to her for awhile. Then he pretended to rescue her and almost married her. He's currently in jail. I hope they let him out soon because he's one of those characters that you love to watch fail over and over again.

Maggie Horton Kiriakis

Matriarch of the Kiriakis AND Horton families and current CEO of Titan. Married to Victor, who is definitely still alive oh hey that's him on the phone right now sorry I need to take this hi Victor I'm so happy you're definitely alive

Marlena Evans

The obvious hero of this entire 65 year spectacle. Marlena has been possessed by the actual devil; she died and went to heaven; she woke up from being dead and discovered that she was in a cryo tube in a lab someplace; and she's the only psychiatrist in Salem, who regularly hypnotizes hard-to-access plot points from people's memories. All of this has happened since I started watching the show about a year ago. She and John are a supercouple and despite the fact that John is... like that, it kind of works because Marlena is fucking amazing.

Megan Hathaway

This character died IN NINETEEN EIGHTY FIVE and they recently brought her back to life. NINETEEN. EIGHTY. FIVE. Almost forty years ago. Apparently a DiMera child, and every bit the supervillain Kristen should have been. Megan used her considerable resources to resurrect Bo, a guy she dated in high school LIKE FIFTY YEARS AGO. I cannot get over this. She's currently in jail but there's no chance she'll be there for long.

Melinda Trask

Hard-assed district attorney of Salem and the recent victim of the infamous poisoned biscuits. Melinda was only a plot device for a long time, but I guess the producers got the letters I forgot to write because now she's getting actual storylines complete with love interests and she's every bit as great as I expected her to be.

Nicole Walker

Nicole is currently dating EJ, but she never stays with anyone for very long. Mostly she keeps hooking up with Eric, who should fucking know better by now.

Orpheus

Yes, Orpheus. An actual evil genius who recently poisoned (and killed!) Marlena, Kate and Kayla. Best voice on the show, by far.

Paul Narita

Son of John. Currently dating Andrew. This is all I know about Paul, but I'm hoping he moves to Salem so I can get to know him better. He was involved in one of the show's greatest moments, in which his extremely doting father came to visit him and celebrate Pride. (see picture below.)

Paulina Price

Wife of Abe, mother of Chanel. Paulina is played by Jackeé, who was best known for sitcoms and quite honestly really works best on this show when she's playing comedy.

Rafe Hernandez

Brother of Gabi. Commissioner of Salem PD. Side note: this is a fictional world where it's best to pretend cops aren't horrible. That said, Rafe hasn't been particularly great for most of my time with him... but he's finally starting to grow on me a little bit.

Roman Brady

Owner of the Brady Pub and apparently maker of decent clam chowder. They keep trying to convince me that this nobody is the love of Kate's life but I remain unconvinced. The performer who plays Roman kinda sounds like he had a stroke.  I really don't feel comfortable making fun of that but I also find him very hard to understand, which just makes me uncomfortable any time he's on screen. (This is definitely more my problem than it is his.)

Sami Brady

Daughter of John, sister of Belle, apparently the love of both EJ and Lucas' lives. Sami is a fucking mess —one of those delightful messes that we wish was on the show more. But she also has better things to do than be on this show, so she only shows up about once a year for a couple of weeks.

Sarah Horton

Love of Xander's life who recently departed the show. But she was pregnant when she did, so she's absolutely coming back with that baby at some point.

Shawn-Douglas Brady

aka Sad Eyes Shawn. Most recently, Shawn learned that his father, Bo, was back from the dead and thought it would be a good idea to shoot him (?!) Now Bo is in a coma. If nothing else, Shawn has finally earned those sad eyes.

Sloan Petersen

A cutthroat lawyer obsessed with getting revenge on Chanel and Paulina for some drama involving her dead parents. Is dating Eric and, for some reason, has the name of Ferris Bueller's girlfriend (not the first time this show has cribbed character names from John Hughes, either).

Stefan DiMera

Boyfriend of Gabi and brother of EJ, with whom he is currently involved in a bitter rivalry over who controls DiMera Enterprises. (They currently share CEO status.) Was brought back from the dead like... 6 months ago, but only recently shook off a bunch of brainwashing that convinced him that he didn't love Gabi but actually loved Chloe (which should have been his first clue that something was amiss because... really? Her?)

Stefano DiMera    

Long-dead patriarch of the DiMera family. Stefano looms large over the show and his children, and his portrait hangs in their living room, where they monologue to it regularly. (A replica of said portrait is also hanging in our living room.)

Stephanie Johnson

Son of Steve and Kayla, currently dating Dead Wife Chad. Stephanie runs her own PR firm, and inexplicably has as many work-related storylines as her mother, WHO IS A SURGEON.

Steve Johnson

The show's requisite Handsome Eyepatch Guy. Longtime love of Kayla. Private eye. Good dad. Good dude. I like Steve. It's hard not to like Steve.

Susan Banks

A full-on southern fruitcake and actual psychic. When Dr. Marlena Evans (whom Susan refers to as her "best friend," though Marlena doesn't seem to agree with this assessment) was possessed by the devil, she turned Susan into "a li'l kittycat," which is why we named our li'l kittycat after her. Susan is (was?) played by the same performer who plays Kristen, and this is often mlked for (pretty effective) laughs. Susan plummetted to her apparent death in some stock footage swiped from an old "Toonces" sketch.

Talia Hunter

Sister of Jada, apparently romantically involved with Colin (gross). Talia used to be a doctor, but quit so she could bake. And then it turned out this was all a cover for the sinister plots that Colin is putting her up to. She clearly knows better though. And she's going to stop doing what that creep tells her to do any day now. Right?

Tony DiMera

Brother of EJ, Stefan and Chad; husband of Anna. The consigliere to EJ's mob boss. Tony's like if Richard Dawson were still alive but not quite as handsome or charming.

Tripp Johnson

Son of Steve and Ava. Handsome, charming, a good dude. TLo has a little song she sings when Tripp shows up. It goes TRIPP! TRIPP TRIPP TRIPP TRIPP! It's pretty adorable.

Victor Kiriakis

Patriarch of the Kiriakis family. Victor was an absolute delight to watch, as he was openly hostile to every character on the show except for Maggie, whom he obviously cared for a great deal. Victor was played by John Aniston (Jennifer's dad), who died last fall. The show persists in informing us that Victor is "just over there, off-camera," despite this.

Wei Shen

Owner or board member or something of DiMera Enterprises. We've never been able to determine what DiMera actually does, so Wei Shin's role there is also a bit of a mystery. Father to Li and Wendy, and usually pretty disappointed in both of them.

Wendy Shin

Daughter of Wei, sister of Li. Wendy works in IT at DiMera and keeps threatening to date Johnny, which makes absolutely no sense. She is now dating Tripp, which makes a lot more sense because seriously, Johnny's the worst.

Wilhelm Rolf

Actual mad scientist who once worked for Stefano DiMera. Has brought so many people back from the dead that people actually refer to it as "being Rolfed." Recently seen trying to undo Stefan's brainwashing with ad hoc equipment built out of a crock pot, and eggbeater and other assorted kitchen props. Even more amazing than I'm making him sound.

Xander Kiriakis

British (Scottish actually, but sounds British) himbo who keeps ending up with amazing women (Sarah, Gwen) and then completely fucking it up. Xander is currently part-owner of the town newspaper for some reason, and is currently getting an apartment with Chloe for seriously what the fuck I have absolutely no idea.

[triviareads]

Historical romance with American heroes?

The Taming of the Scandal by Kathleen Ayers: I feel like everything about Morgan Stewart was tailor-made for me: he grew up in Five Points (the slums), became a railway mogul, he keeps piano wire on him at all times for garroting purposes, he's hellbent upon *revenge*, and obviously that *revenge* involves seduction and then spectacularly falls apart when Feelings get involved.

The other American hero in this series is Ben Cooke from The Making of a Gentleman but he ended up annoying me after he didn't follow through on his dastardly promise.

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins: if there ever was a comfort hero it's Captain Drake LeVeq— Civil War veteran, builder, rescuer of damsels in distress and also, HE'S SO SMOOTH it's insane, between the "cheri's" and sex lesson offers and building the heroine who's a teacher a schoolhouse. This book is set in Reconstruction-era New Orleans. I will definitely be reading about this man's entire family at some point.

The following Joanna Shupe books I'm perpetually recommending, all set in Gilded Age NYC:

The Rogue of Fifth Avenue: Frank Tripp is a lawyer/fixer for the upper-class heroine's dad so a part of his job is chasing after Mamie when she's going into the tenements to help people. Standout moment is when Mamie waltzes into his office and teases him into bending her over his desk while he's still like I'M GOING TO HELL.

The Prince of Broadway: Clay Madden is one of my favorite gambling hell heroes whose immortal line "I'm not one of your pampered uptown gentlemen" followed by him BITING Florence lives rent-free in my head. He also basically tells Flo he's going to ruin her family because *revenge* and yet-

The Devil of Downtown: Gentleman gangster Jack Mulligan falls for do-gooder/wannabe cop Justine, and also has the dubious distinction of being the only HR hero to successfully seduce someone in a bowling alley.

The Lady Gets Lucky: Kit is such a soft hero but a really well-done one; his big thing is feeling like he's a vapid airhead thanks to his shitty dead dad so now he's trying to create a supper club and he's WORKING ON VACATION (bless him); which is how he agrees to tutor Alice on how to attract a man (sex lessons) in exchange for her giving him recipes for the club.

The Bride Goes Rogue: Preston is another Shupe hero with a vendetta against the heroine's dad except he's going to take him down through Business Stuff while having a no-strings affair with the daughter Katherine, which begins when they meet at an orgy in Madison Square Garden and he's dressed as Louis XV and she's dressed as Madame Pompadour. What could go wrong 🤷���‍♀️

[christophe76460]

Sa Parole Pour Aujourd'hui du Samedi le 23 Mars 2024

Réflections sur la doctrine biblique

“ainsi en est-il de Ma parole qui sort de Ma bouche : elle ne revient pas à Moi sans effet...” Es 55. 11

Paul Tripp raconte : “C’était un jour où ma femme et moi avions tenté d’expliquer à notre petit garçon que Dieu était le créateur de l’univers et de tout ce qu’il contenait. Une heure après, alors que nous roulions sur une route bordée de poteaux téléphoniques, notre petit Justin, le front collé à la vitre, sans doute réfléchissant à la doctrine sur la création que nous lui avions énoncée plus tôt, demanda : “Papa, est-ce que Dieu a aussi créé les poteaux téléphoniques ?” Pourquoi pensait-il à cela ? Parce que son esprit faisait ce pour quoi Dieu l’avait créé : il réfléchissait. Notre petit philosophe agissait comme n’importe quel être humain et sa question avait quelque chose de théologique!”

Nous avons tous reçu ce don de Dieu : penser, réfléchir, nous servir de notre cerveau pour appréhender le monde. Descartes a énoncé cette vérité avec les mots fameux : “Je pense donc je suis”. Qui que nous soyons nous jouissons de ce privilège et cela nous amène à la question de doctrine. La Bible énonce bien des doctrines essentielles pour notre compréhension du monde qui nous entoure, de notre rôle ici-bas, du sens de notre vie, de l’importance de découvrir Dieu et Son amour pour l’humanité.

L’instinct guide les activités des animaux, mais les êtres humains ont seuls la capacité de réfléchir mais ont besoin d’une trame pour guider leurs pensées. Seule la Bible fournit cette trame qui nous permet de distinguer le bien du mal ou la justice de l’injustice et nous dévoile les plans divins concernant notre salut, notre avenir et nos relations avec Lui.

Il y a beaucoup de questions que nous ne pouvons résoudre, mais l’important est de comprendre la grandeur de Dieu et d’avancer dans la connaissance de Son caractère. Comment ? En approfondissant notre étude des doctrines bibliques car chaque mot, chaque phrase ont été écrits pour une raison, puisque Sa parole ne revient jamais à Lui sans porter ses fruits.

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Sunday, 7 January, 2024

It was a chilly, sometimes sunny, afternoon at the Barn.

Warmup #1

Armando led us in one of his patented mobility sessions. Everyone participated except Robert who maintained a loud conversation disturbing Ed for the entire warmup. Elite athletes are always in a pre-warmed up state because they exist Games Ready.

5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 Of Each

Pull-Ups

Push-Ups

Squats

Armando started got those of us interested in this brief warmup . A Grand Total of 15 Reps each of 3 bodyweight exercises.

Strength

Military Press: 5 / 3 / 2

Push Press: 2 / 2 / 2 / 2

MP / PP

Bernie/Armando=155/195 WG=135/175 Ed=125/175 Robert=125/165 Tim=105/135 Dyer=105/115 Dana=85/115 Coach=75/95 Cheri=65/75 Linda/Sandy/Kayla/Shannon=55/55 Lew=45/45 Sabrina=40/45 Faith (The Kid)=27/27 WA=PJ Tripp/Alicia=participated

WOD

( 155 / 115 / 85 )

Run 200 / Row-Ski 250 / Bike 500m

12 Ground To Overheads

Run 800 / Row-Ski 1000 / Bike 2000m

9 Ground To Overheads

Run 800 / Row-Ski 1000 / Bike 2000m

6 Ground To Overheads

Run 200 / Row-Ski 250 / Bike 500m

Robert=13:33 Bernie=14:46 Faith (The Kid)=15:06 Ed=16:03 Armando=16:05 Sabrina=16:18 Tim=18:00 Dana=18:06 Sandy=18:45 Linda=18:51 Shannon=19:14 Cheri=20:14 Kayla=20:15 WG/WA/Dyer/Tripp/Alicia/Coach/Lew/and others=did it.

Notes:

Faith (The Kid) is industriously taking orders for Girl Scout Cookies. She already has an impressive list of orders, but see a Goodrich about placing your order. You don't have to pay until you get them (I Think). Great cookies for a greater cause.

World's Fittest CrossFitter Justin Medeiros came in 2nd in a USAPL (POWERLIFT) in his 90 kg Body-Weight Class. They score by adding the 3 contested lifts (Squat/Bench Press/Deadlift), and he totaled 1416 lbs. This was especially impressive since it was a "RAW" event...no Bench Shirts or Squat Suits, and no grip assistance devices...and there were 3 judges on every lift to make certain there were "No Reps" if applicable. I assume he wasn't on any PED's.

There has been discussions at the Barn suggesting that we only have 1 workout on Saturday, and 1 workout on Sunday. Please be thinking and talking amongst yourselves. We will vote at 6:30 PM this Thursday.

Tuesday at 4 PM.

[blairsreddress]

A sneak peek at some of the action that will take place on DAYS during the week of September 11, 2023. Be sure to tune in to DAYS every weekday to see how everything plays out.

Several schemes sizzle in Salem, while things get hot for two fugitives! Plus, shots fired, and families grow

Though the truth about Sarah's baby remains under wraps, the family welcomes the newborn wholeheartedly

A distressed Sarah's loved ones receive some troubling news, while there's a breakthrough with Salem's troubled mystery man

The not-a-mystery-anymore man is eagerly embraced and warmly welcomed into the Evans-Black family

Brady and Belle are shocked to meet their new grandfather, and Paul's homecoming is perfectly timed to meet him, too

Having arrived with Paul, Andrew's eager to get all the latest on his sister's complicated life, though tricky Theresa might not be totally truthful.

Kayla and Stephanie are thrilled to reunite with Theresa, while others in Salem still aren't rolling out the welcome mat.

Brady best beware, as even a short time in town is enough for Theresa to stir up trouble, and the seasoned schemer's already se

Theresa tries to turn up answers by tracking her ex, though the Greece-bound Brady and Alex's big break may go bust

Believing Brady and Theresa's breakup is truly water under the bridge, Alex hopes to pursue his cousin's ex

Brady doesn't believe there will be a problem if Alex and Theresa date, but he does believe his ex is likely to cause problems for his cousin

As Alex and Theresa agree to a date, in the wake of Victor's death, the house of Kiriakis has a deluge of difficulties -- and one Vivian-sized predicament

An infuriated Julie jumps to Maggie's defense after Vivian proclaims the former Mrs. Mickey Horton wasn't legally married to former mobster Victor

Though in disbelief, Maggie's quick to jump to her own defense, too, and claps back at Madame Alamain (possibly Madame Kiriakis)

seeking truths.

Madame Alamain's proclamation continues to rattle Maggie and clan, so Justin takes aim at solving the family's Vivian problem

No stranger to causing chaos, Vivian becomes problematic for son Stefan, too, and for his new bride, Gabi

Leo attempts to do damage control, but newlywed Gwen's no novice when it comes to scheming, and her suspicions are certainly on the rise

A bombshell from his bestie, Gwen, lands on Leo, and a wowed Lady Whistleblower is unlikely to love what he hears

Johnny loves what he hears from Chanel when the conflicted baker breaks the news that she's finally decided who she wants to be with

Chanel's choice isn't so terrific for Talia, who ends up drinking her blues away, and she gets some sympathetic company

Shawn hits the bottle again, which bothers Belle, and he ends up in conflict with his worried wife once again

The town's once again shocked when a Salemite falls from gunfire, and Bayview buddies Ava and Harris continue to bolt

Injured hitwoman Joyce is hit up for answers by Jada, while Rafe rushes to wrangle fugitives Ava and Harris

A rushed E.J. may have made a rookie mistake that could cost him everything, and he may have to resort to drastic measures.

A sneak peek at next week

Watch out, Salem, when Kristen and Gwen put their sneaky heads together to scheme

Schemer extraordinaire Vivian certainly rubs CEO Maggie the wrong way, and they're headed for a Titan-sized throwdown.

Scheming might become a whole lot easier for Theresa when she becomes privy to a powerful secret

Both Brady and Alex hope that Greece holds the answers they're seeking, while a steamed Nicole has plenty of questions for her groom-to-be

Rafe tries to rattle the truth out of Tripp, as Ava and Harris are across the pond on their perilous pursuit

Belle is beside herself when she can't seem to find Shawn, while a bombshell awaits Philip.

Down the Road: Summer Preview

Outside of Nicole's ongoing "Who's the daddy?" drama -- that she doesn't know is still ongoing, thanks to Sloan -- she still struggles with the possibility of being unable to carry a baby to term

Though Sloan believes her savage duplicity saved her relationship with Eric, she struggles to secure the next step with him

Just as Kate and Roman bask in their reunion, their contrary moral compasses may cause conflict

In fact, a familiar face returning to Salem could cause Kate's compass to shift again and stir up strife at the already tumultuous Titan

Even after Alex is fired from Titan, things get even more heated between him and Maggie once he begins working with the enemy

Alex and Chad might both be the odd men out of Stephanie's heart when an old flame returns to Salem

Even when Abe finds his way home, that doesn't exactly mean that he's out of the woods

Now that Wendy believes she's chosen between Johnny and Tripp, someone else enters the picture that could change everything

Shawn and Belle's relationship faces a serious test when a struggling Shawn starts pushing Belle away after shooting his father

Shawn and Belle's hardships couldn't come at a worse time, as a long-standing sore spot resurfaces

Things turn deadly in Salem this summer, and not everyone will live to see the fall

Seasoned Salem troublemaker Madame Alamain's return to the scene will certainly create chaos

[rpmtrish]

RPM Mag May Issue 2023 is Released

The RPM Mag May 2023 issue is released!  Subscribe to get yours today!  Click here to read the preview of the magazine. Stories in this issue include: FEATURE SUPRA MAN - 6 Cylinders, 1 turbo, 6 seconds! Ryan Sammut is making his dream a reality. Ryan Sammut’s 1996 Toyota Supra Turbo is a legit right hand drive RZ model from Japan. After 10 years of adding parts to achieve various levels of power, he has gone all-in with a full tube chassis / big turbo combination producing well over 2,300 wheel horsepower. IT'S A GAS - This nitrous'd big block Fox Body wins races, sets records and has fun doing it! After watching the high energy world of heads-up doorslammer drags, the Dirienzo brothers took a leap from the stands into the pits. A short time after putting the word out on the streets that they were looking for a clean Fox Body Stang, the Brothers came across a solid GT... THE GOOSE - A twin turbo no-prep S15 that flies! Justin Gossard and his crew started with a Honda Civic in the import scene, specifically in the front-wheel drive world. Justin was interested in cars growing up; the hobby intensified when he became a body man for Neill AutoBody. QUICK TRIPP - Gary Tripp's supercharged 1st Gen Camaro SS is a street legal 4-second headturner! Gary started his life in hot rods from about 18 years old and can’t recall a time when he didn’t own some type of cool fast muscle car. Mostly racing on the streets to start, once a few friends got faster cars they eventually took the action to the local drag strip, which At the time, was Gateway Motorsports Park. HIDDEN GEMS Charles Leake's 1966 Chevy II Nova is a true triple threat. Steve Neimantas' 2004 Bentley Continental QT will blow your mind.   Read the full article

[thesunlounge]

Reviews 302: Georgia

Georgia, the duo of Brian Close and Justin Tripp, are seemingly at the height of their powers, having already graced 2019 with two incredible works: the mutant future rhythms and splattered fractal psychedelics of Time, released through Firecracker Recordings, and the more bucolic mysticisms, new age atmospherics, and ethno-jazz spiritualisms of Immute on Ekster (though this album is not without its own sharp corners, featuring as it does a spectacular devolution into chaotic bass music). And in a refusal to slow down, Tripp and Close have now released Side Tracks on Métron Records. As told on the label’s Bandcamp, the album finds its genesis in sample banks recorded independently by the two artists…audial snapshots ranging from ”field recordings of roosters in New Mexico to sculpted synthetic sounds,” which were then shared, manipulated, and layered into a pair of immersive and surreal sonic environments each occupying a full side of tape, with the B-side featuring a heady voice performance from multi-disciplinary artist Tauba Auerbach. As ever with Georgia, the visual aspects of Side Tracks are as arresting as the sounds, with illustrations from New York artist Gravé mesmerically layered across all facets of the cassette, obi, and case…an expressive, enigmatic, and multi-dimensional landscape echoing well the music’s abstracted fourth world textures and dream logic mutations. 

Georgia - Side Tracks (Métron Records, 2019) The A-side is given over to “Hassan”…a cubist jungle constantly in flux and blown through by granulated currents of white noise. Synthesizers quiver on the verge of orgasm and virtual string plucks generate abstracted elevator musak, with everything anchored by pads that wash in like ocean waves before fading into sudden silence. Insect mating calls proceed within breaths of static as the mind is circled around by outer-dimensional typewriter fx and cyborg approximations of doorbells and windchimes. New age starlight smears into an impressionist blur, glass-toned fusion pads squiggle through exotica patterns, and watery jazz spiritualisms flutter like clouds while bass pulses swell beneath a rain of gemstones. Mermaids sing deep sea lullabies awash in child-like curiosity and play harps constructed from spaceage crystals, with each string pluck creating ocean motion flutters. There are momentary flashes into silence and each time, as the track resumes, it has evolved into something stranger, with Tripp and Close increasingly favoring polyrhythmic harmonies, weird descending note clusters, and maddening sequential multi-layers that seem to fall over themselves. Diamond-toned melodies waver like a psychotropic mirage above flower fields made of emeralds, with abstracted angels singing through spacetime rifts. Elsewhere, we find ourselves afloat on a river made of liquified light, one that flows through hypergeometric rainforest growth, with birds chittering and monkeys laughing. Electronics mimick robotically bowed cellos or tremolo guitar psychedelics, which come together with blissed out chord riffs for some semblance of a floating groove. And near the end, insect wings beat against giant gong-like structures while instruments of glowing stone resonate within cavernous fractal chambers. 

On the B-side, “Prime Aire” comes to life on jet engine drones, atonal feedback bursts, and tectonic murmurations. Tones of metal stretch out and sickly drops of liquid hit glass surfaces…their echoes decaying across the spectrum…while pounding reverberations and aquatic contrabass shadows generate a bebop body pulse. Rainbow gases escape from sea-floor vents and then develop into ambient house chord progressions while gongs vibrate amidst the underwater sound layers. Elsewhere, sub-bass liquids reverse in time and slowly evolving polyrhythms sourced from modulating church bells intertwine with temple chants as a three note xylophone arp spreads out across the length of the keyboard. Tauba Auerbach’s anodyne phrases occasional loop…”the energy will make its way through”…all while sampled breaths cycle in time with the dream jazz narcotics. Mermaid voices are pulled towards the sky via UFO tractor beams, conch shell horns bend into currents of darkness, waves of sunlight refract through crystalline blue waters, and glitchy tambourines are sprinkled through the mix until all rhythmic elements vaporize, being eventually replaced by a mutant kick drum. We then find ourselves in some strange stretch of Throbbing Gristle-style darkness, all smeared out industrial psychedelia and cold vocal sexuality. The shadowy atmosphere are countered by warm chord blasts and synthesizers that scat like elephants and as we leave behind the corridors of galactic murk, Close and Tripp return us to their future jazz synth-bass bop and its glowing cloudforms of insterstellar gas. And as Auerbach’s intonations of “slightly hotter / slightly cooler” repeat over oceanic crystal chords and harmonious dissonances, dub delays descend from the sky like a meteor shower.

(images from my personal copy)

[washyourdamnhands]

Can’t believe it’s already been two years since that legendary game

[nofatclips]

Eyes by Jherek Bischoff featuring David Byrne from the album Composed - Video by Georgia

[ericsonclan]

The Lure of Adventure

Summary: The lure of adventure and treasure has drawn many a man to their doom. Now Mitch has fallen for the temptation, creating a path filled with memories both bitter and happy.

Word Count: 2967

Read on AO3:

“So, when were you going to tell me that you had found a clue to the treasure?” The mercenary looked up with annoyance at Mitch.

“I was planning to tell you once lunch was over. I was fucking hungry so I guess it slipped my mind,” He cautiously moved closer towards his younger brother, trying to block him from the gun.

“Just put the gun down, Tomas,” Justin stepped forward with his hands raised. “We’ll come up with a new agreement, right here, right now,”

Tomas studied his supposed ally with a wary eye then slowly placed the gun back in the holster. “Half,”

“Excuse me?”

“Half of the treasure. That's what Mary and I get,” Tomas’ eyes challenged the three of them.

“That’s not fai-” Willy was cut short by Mitch who glanced back at his younger brother.

“Ten percent,” Justin spoke calmly as he kept moving closer to Tomas. His sudden movement made the mercenary rest his hand on his holster,

“Forty percent,”

“Twenty five,” Mitch looked at Tomas. “That’s fair. Split it four ways,”

“Yeah, four hundred million gets split up pretty well four ways,” Willy gave a toothy grin.

Tomas silently thought on the matter. “Alright, I’ll talk this deal over with Mary,”

“Sounds good to me,” Justin smiled and leaned against the table right next to Tomas. Tomas frowned over at Justin, his eyes studying him carefully.

“You better not pull any shit again or else-” Tomas froze, his words caught in his throat as the cold taste of metal pierced his side. Glazing down he noticed that Justin had plunged a shiv into his side. Tomas blinked in confusion for a moment then tried to get his gun but Justin quickly stabbed him again and again. In a desperate last ditch effort the mercenary sent out a warning shot before collapsing to the ground. Justin smirked, spitting on Tomas for a moment while Mitch shielded Willy.

“Justin! What the fuck was that for?! We had it handled!” Mitch growled at his ally; he was beginning to doubt it was ever a good idea to pull him in as a partner for this treasure hunt.

“No, Mary wouldn’t have agreed to that. But now it's handled. All we have to do is-”

Suddenly the booming sound of footsteps appeared nearby followed by the voices of mercenary grunts. Moments later the door was opened up with two armed grunts.

“Shit!” Mitch sprinted forward, taking on the grunt on the left while Justin took the one on the right. “You fuck everything up!” He threw a punch at the enemy’s gut then uppercutted his jaw. The grunt groaned as he fell backwards, his gun flying through the air. With a well-timed catch Mitch reloaded the gun.

“I just made us all richer, so you’re welcome!” Justin heartlessly stabbed the grunt repeatedly until a pool of blood gathered around his limp form. Motioning for the two brothers to follow, Justin led the way down the hall. “Don’t be pissy with me because you brought your twelve year old brother along,”

“This job was fucking safe until you brought in these mercenary assholes!” Mitch snapped back, pushing through the hallway.

Justin seemed annoyed at those words. “Stop your bitching and focus on surviving!”

Mitch grew quiet. As much as he was pissed at Justin at this moment he was right. So he worked to clear a path to a hopeful safe escape. Sprinting through the courtyard, Willy took down a mercenary after some close calls then caught up to Mitch who had shot a grunt through the hand, disarming him before knocking him out. Justin, meanwhile, was the most lethal of the trio, gunning down any mercenaries that got in his way then stabbing those he could when in close range.

“This way!” Justin yelled, gesturing over to a wall. Mitch followed closely behind, vaulting over a collection of crates before positioning himself by the wall. Justin placed his foot in Mitch’s hands and got up to the top of the wall. Reaching out his hand, he helped Willy then Mitch.

There was no time to rest though as more gunfire filled the area. Bobbing and weaving, Mitch and Willy made sure to keep each other safe at all costs while Justin led the way. It was a crazy escape from this potential deadly encounter when suddenly Justin spotted the exit. Sprinting forward on the rooftop, he leapt over a large gap and rolled onto the grassy hill that held promises of safety.

“Hurry up! Move your asses!” Justin motioned with his hands, his eyes impatient. Mitch ducked his head from a hail of bullets and with a war cry vaulted himself through the air and onto the other side.

“Jump, Willy! I’ll catch you!” Mitch held out his arm for his brother who nodded and dashed forward. With a deep jump Willy launched himself through the air, his limbs flailing about before his hand snatched onto Mitch’s. “I got you. We did it!” Mitch smiled down at Willy then noticed the shocked pained expression on his brother’s face. Looking down, he saw that he had been shot.

“No! Hold on, Willy! We’re gonna get out of here!” Mitch tried to encourage his brother who spat up blood. Willy’s hand was slipping through Mitch’s despite how desperately he was holding on. “No, fuck, stay with me!” Mitch begged but Willy’s hand went limp and he fell down, back into the mercenaries’ camp. “No! Willy!” Mitch tried to move to search for where his brother had landed but the copious amount of gunfire stopped him from doing so.

Suddenly Justin’s hands gripped his shoulders. “We have to leave!”

“Fuck that! Willy-”

“Is dead and you will be too if you don’t move!”

Mitch gritted his teeth and spun round, punching Justin square in the jaw. “He’s fucking dead because of you!”

Justin frowned deeply as he brushed blood from his nose and threw a punch of his own. The two soon broke out into a fight until the gunfire made it impossible to stay there. Reluctantly Mitch ran away, the guilt in his heart tearing through his body as his eyes blurred with tears. In just one moment he had lost everything.

Mitch’s eyes stared at the golden coin in his hand, a trinket that he had made with Willy all those years ago when they had foolishly hoped to find pirate gold. His heart stung with memories as he looked at the fake pirate coin in his hand. The matching trinket was now bloody and gone, just like his brother. Mitch angrily tucked away the coin then downed his drink in one swallow. Placing the empty glass on the table, he was about to head outside to meet up with Tripp on the potential latest lead he had for treasure when suddenly a conversation happening a few tables down caught his attention.

“Listen, lady, I’m not letting you in on this hunt. I’ve focused too many years on tracking it down; I’m not gonna let some uptight reporter get her mitts on it,” a man grumbled as he finished a drink, his body swaying a bit to the side afterwards. He had clearly had too much to drink. That didn’t seem to stop the auburn though.

“I’m not trying to steal your treasure. I just want to document it. The tales that surround it-”

The auburn reporter was cut short when the man slammed his glass down on the table, causing a hairline crack to appear on it.

“Back off. Now,” He stood up. “Or I’ll make you,” His hand reached out towards the auburn who flinched.

“Leave her alone,”

Mitch’s voice caused the man to look back at the treasure hunter.

“What did you say?”

“I’m saying to walk away. You’re being an asshole. If you don’t want her to stick her nose in your business, then just fuck off out of here,” Mitch picked up on the man’s anger radiating off of him.

“I can do whatever I want. If I wanted to pick a fight here I could,” The man strolled over towards Mitch. “In fact, I think I will.” He grinned as he curled his fist and threw it at Mitch. Mitch dodged the attack then grabbed the man’s arm. With a small grunt he used the man’s weight to throw him over his shoulder, causing him to crash into the floor.

“You piece of shit!” The man coughed and tried to attack again. Mitch sidestepped another attack but got hit with the next. Soon both of them were exchanging blows until Mitch finally got the upperhand and with a sharp punch to the jaw knocked the man out. With a shaky breath Mitch turned around to look at the reporter. “You okay?” “Yeah,” She reached into her glass, picking up the ice cubes, and held them up the bruised side of Mitch’s face. “Sorry you got dragged into that,”

“Heh, it's no big deal - he was begging for a fight. Better it be with me than you,” Mitch winced at the cold sensation on the side of his face.

“Brody Anderson, reporter who will follow any interesting adventure or story she can find,” She smiled and held out her hand.

Mitch returned the smile and grasped her hand. “Mitch Baker, treasure hunter and badass,”

“A treasure hunter,” Brody’s eyes grew large. “Then I want to hire you!”

“Hire me?” Mitch quirked an eyebrow. “That’s right. I’m trying to find this lost city supposedly hidden in the mountains not far from here. So how about it? Up for an adventure?” Brody’s eyes danced with anticipated excitement; she had a good feeling about this treasure hunter.

“Sure, why not. You better get ready though. When it comes to me, everything is a hell of an adventure,” MItch smirked confidently.

Brody challenged that smirk. “Oh yeah? Well then I’ll hold you to it,”

“You weren’t kidding!” Brody gasped for air as she sprinted down the mountainside, the sounds of angry mercenaries growing louder behind them.

“Nope, there’s two things I never bullshit about,” Mitch caught up to Brody as the two were desperately trying to escape from their enemies. After months of searching for this lost city they had finally found it only to learn that a group of mercenaries had been following them in hopes of stealing the treasure for themselves.

“Oh yeah? What are those two things?” Brody looked over at Mitch and noticed his mischievous smile.

“One, my adventures always turn out like this,” Mitch ducked when he heard the sound of gunfire.

“And what's the second one?’ Brody asked as she weaved left and right. “That I’m really, really good at blowing shit up!” Mitch grinned and held out an explosive. Brody’s eyes looked at it then back at their enemies before she noticed the snowy mountainside.

“Mitch…”

“Let’s get this fucking started!” Mitch lit the explosive and threw it at the snowy mountain.

“Mitch-” Brody’s voice was getting tenser when suddenly the explosive went off, causing a small avalanche that swallowed up the mercenaries that were following them. But it didn’t stop there; the snow was barreling down towards them.

“Hold on,” Mitch took out his rope and tossed it at a tree stump with a sturdy looking branch. The rope curled around the branch and the hook at the end of the rope locked it securely in place. Without warning Mitch wrapped his arm around Brody’s waist and pulled her closer to him as he jumped off the cliff.

“Miiiiiiiiitttttccch!” Brody’s voice rang throughout the mountainside as the pair swung on the rope. Mitch guided their direction and aimed for a small cave that stood on the side of the mountain. With a rough landing Brody stumbled about, her back hitting the wall while Mitch couldn’t get his footing right and ended up slamming his hands by either side of Brody’s face. The two of them stood there, frozen, their lips inches apart as each of them felt the romantic tension they had with each other overwhelm their sense. Brody stared at Mitch’s lips for a second before her eyes wandered up to his. A moment passed like this then another until Mitch broke the silence.

“Fuck, sorry,” He took a step back and sat on the cold stone floor.

“It’s okay,” Brody soon sat beside him. “How the hell are we going to get out of here though?” Her eyes searched round them for anything to start a fire so they could get warmer.

“Tripp will come through. Just gotta get a signal with this fucking thing and we’ll be set,” Mitch whacked the walkie talkie and tried to turn it on again but it was no use.

“Guess we're stuck here for a while then,” Brody sighed and let her head rest on her knees. “That city was so amazing - all those artifacts, all the buildings. If I could just have gotten my hand on some of the items then I could convince Aasim to get his museum team up here,” Brody gave another sigh; this one sounded more defeated.

“Well guess you better call him when we get out of here then,” Mitch had a confident smile on his face as he emptied his pockets, revealing a few small trinkets from the lost city. “”Because I was able to snag up some shit,”

“Mitch,” Brody whispered, then tackled him with a hug. “This is amazing! I’m so happy right now I could kiss you!” Her statement made the auburn’s cheeks grow a bright red and she immediately pulled back, noticing that Mitch’s were just as red. An awkward moment passed between the two of them before Brody cleared her throat and tried to switch the focus. “You  definitely got some cool stuff, like this coin,” Brody held up the coin with a smile.

Mitch’s eyes grew dimmer for a moment and he immediately grabbed the coin back.

The sudden movement alarmed Brody, making her wonder if she had done something wrong. “Sorry,” The auburn mumbled. Based on how tense Mitch’s body had become she had accidentally struck a nerve.

Mitch was quiet for a minute. “I didn’t find this in the city. It's mine,” He wondered if he should say any more. After a moment he went for it.  “My brother used to have a coin that matched it,”

“Used to?” Brody’s curiosity caused Mitch’s eyes to shimmer with painful memories.

“He died a few years ago because of me. I trusted the wrong person and-” Mitch’s voice caught in his throat and he changed his sentence. “This is one of the few things I have left of him,” Mitch felt his eyes sting with unshed tears. He tried to swallow away the sorrow but it was no use. He focused his gaze on the ground, trying to get away from his emotions when all of a sudden he felt Brody’s hand on his shoulder.

“I’m really sorry to hear that. No on should have to got though that loss,”

Her kind words made tears slip down Mitch’s face. Immediately he worked to brush them away, not wanting to let his emotions overwhelm him but he soon stopped as Brody hugged him. The gesture made more tears stream down his face and in that moment Mitch threw away all cares about how he appeared. His arms wrapped around Brody tightly and the two allowed themselves to become lost in that moment. Mitch felt his shoulders relax, his exhaustion quickly consuming him. With how much running and fighting they’d done in these past days no wonder he was tired. Soon Mitch felt his adrenaline slipping away and within moments his eyes closed.

He wasn’t sure how long it had been since he had fallen asleep but he quickly realized that Brody was fast asleep in his arms. Mitch’s heart pounded in his ears and he felt his face heat up as she stirred slightly. It didn't take long for her to realize the position she was in and the two instantly moved apart. The awkwardness stood in the air, neither of them knowing what to say when they heard Tripp’s voice appear on the walkie talkie.

“Hey! Mitch! Mitch! Kid, pick up if you can hear me,”

Mitch pressed the button on the walkie talkie and held it close to his mouth. “I’m here,”

He heard Tripp sigh in relief. “That’s good, I was about to start shitting my pants if I didn’t hear from you in the next half hour. I’ve been trying for ages. How about the lady, she alright?”

“Yeah, she is,” Mitch smiled over at Brody who returned it although hers was somewhat more shy.

“Well, just tell me where to pick you up and I’ll be there,”

“You better have some wings then because we’re pretty fucking high up, stuck in some cave in the mountainside,” Mitch peeked outside while he heard Tripp sigh deeply.

“Luckily I do have wings, I’ll be there soon so sit tight,” Tripp’s voice disappeared from the other side of the walkie talkie and left the cave in silence again. “He should be here soon,” Mitch looked over at Brody who nodded.

“Okay,”

Another long pause was created between them when suddenly Mitch heard a few footsteps and felt Brody’s pinky twist around his. With large eyes he looked over at her to see that her face was just as red as he was sure his was.

“How about you tell me some of your adventure stories while we wait,” Brody suggested and noticed Mitch’s smile grow at that.

“”Okay!” His pinky held on tighter to hers. “I’m gonna start with a classic. So it all started when I found the coffin of Sir Francis Drake….”

[carolinahurricanes]