#karl saying it’s all about him when the song the doctor is talking about is fitzs. it was all about fitz it’s always been about fitz

[eightdoctor]

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i think i hauve covid

[lazyrants]

Dr. Rottenstein (prod 116)

Original airdate: September 27, 2004

Story by Rocky Garibaldi, Tom K. Mason, Dan Danko, Magnus Scheving

Written by Noah Zachary, Cole Louie, Magnus Scheving

Directed by Magnus Scheving

Executive producers - Magnus Scheving, Ragnheidur Melsted, Raymond P. Le Gue, Mark Read, Brown Johnson, Kay Wilson Stallings

Starring Magnus Scheving, Stefan Karl Steffanson, Julianna Rose Mauriello

Puppeteers - Ronald Binion, Gudmondor Thor Karason, Jodi Eichelberger, David Matthew Feldman, Julie Westwood, Amanda Maddock

Rottenstein is one of the most recognized episodes of the show. So today I'm going to be revisiting it.

The episode begins with an awesome Sportacus move that was taken from the pilot in 2003 - he throws a watermelon in the air, does a cartwheel, jumps in the air and does a handstand on the watermelon. Then he stands up, kicks the watermelon and then does the power jump. Then he eats the watermelon. Not only is it the best trick he's ever done but the melon doesn't break!

The episode begins with the LazyTown kids growing some sports candy in their.. well.. gardening clothes. Stingy has marked everything he's grown with a sign that says 'Mine' (A lil bit excessive) Ziggy attempts to carry a box full of tomatoes because he's the world's strongest hero.

However he manages to carry it.. actually Sportacus does. Ziggy ponders about how Sportacus is so strong and then he says he gets it from Sports Candy (a carrot). But Robbie is eavesdropping. We all know where this'll go, right..?

He then does a cool flip to demonstrate. However, his crystal beeps and he frontflips over Robbie out of the screen. Robbie then asks himself about 'HOW HE DOES THAT?!?!' when Sportacus literally just explained it. Everyone tells Ziggy to EAT THE CARROT but Robbie stops him.

Robbie asks Ziggy how Sportacus gets his strength and Ziggy says 'this'. Robbie mistakes the carrot for a box. LOL! Might be the funniest moment in the episode. Ziggy starts talking about how he is going to eat them for the rest of his life, then Robbie leaves. Ziggy then forgets everything he just said and decides to have it later.

Meanwhile in his lair, Robbie Rotten, the man that despises health, fruits, vegetables, exercise and sports-candy, is examining his very own sports candy. A carrot. He then realises that if anyone has sports-candy that they will be moving around and healthy, like a sickness.

Then he has the great idea to make Sportscandy sound like a sickness, which will mean the kids won't eat Sports Candy. He decides it is disguise time and he walks through the wardrobe, shaking his head and blubbering (LOL) until he gets a doctor outfit.

So, anyways, they sing 'Good Stuff' (I used to be obsessed with this song) and in between moves Robbie is seen sprinkling dots onto the food that the kids are growing. Ziggy gets some spots on his 'sick' lollipop and him too. Everyone has some spots and they don't know. Once again a really smart plan (but didn't last long)

Dr. Rottenstein "examines" them and he says that it is a rare case off the spotty vegititius - the rarest disease in the entire world. Then he announces that to cure it they must eat junk food.

He also says that the person whose name starts with S and flippity flops around a lot (it took them about 6 guesses, even when Robbie said 'a name starting with S', someone guessed Pixel) must stay away from LazyTown forever.

Everyone is devastated (I would be too) but Sportacus knows something is wrong. He writes letters to Stephanie, Ziggy and Pixel. Meanwhile, Stephanie is lazing around in bed while Milford has given her a tray full of.. peanut butter, marshmallows, chocolate, fries, burgers, butterscotch, chocolate syrup, soda and shakes. I am just surprised nothing fell off. Props to the producers.

Sportacus does his usual routine to send letters (he sends Stephanie's first.. hinty hint?), but Ziggy is the only one who actually knows he got a letter (he was also super excited to dig in until he realized the dots were fake). Maybe it's just me, or does Ziggy progressively become a better character over episode? But at the start of a new season he's back to square one.

Meanwhile, Robbie is enjoying his life. Junk food and television. He couldn't be happier! Ya do realize where this is going, right? He's the villian, he will never ever ever EVER EVER EVER!! catch a break.

Anyways, during a ridiculous use of metaphors (It's not like sports candy just comes from the air!), he realizes Sportacus has a bunch of sportscandy and sports equipment in his airship. He has a plan to make a small visit to the airship once Sportacus leaves.

Sportacus has still left his ladder up while meeting Ziggy. Ziggy tells Sportacus about how the disease was fake and that they were actually getting worse from their junk food. Meanwhile, Sportacus' airship flies away and he has to go get it back.

Robbie is in the airship and this is just so shocking to me. I'm just used to seeing Robbie in dark places with inventions and gadgets, but now he is in his worst enemies' airship. The following sequence is pretty funny. He messes with buttons and manages to get himself hurt.

Anyways, he messes with this pedal looking thing and the airship goes cuckoo thanks to Sportacus fighting the ladder. He looks completely crazy while doing it, but it's kinda cool he can basically carry an entire airship.

Ziggy is going to his friends' houses and begging for their help but they are too weak and lazy thanks to the junk food. So Ziggy decides to finally eat that carrot he was supposed to and he throws some carrots through his friend's windows. Character development is awesome!

He becomes determined and cool in a circling shot and acts like a ninja throwing stars. Everyone takes a bite of the carrots he gave them and they all become strong enough to help Sportacus. They hold the ladder for him while he goes to save Rottenstein.

So anyways, Sportacus connects Rottenstein to a rope and pushes him off that little piece of floor that comes with the pole (what is that CALLED?!). He makes it safe. Then comes an awesome sequence when Sportacus stops the ship from crashing into Milford's house.

Milford didn't really care about potentially dying, but more about his new paint job nearly being ruined. Anyways, they all sing Bing Bang and the episode ends with Robbie sitting on that carrot he was examining. He throws it, but it bounces off the walls and woulda hit his face if he didn't block it with a plate (the carrot was actually already on the plate).

This ending scene wouldn't be as funny without Stefan Karl's hilarious acting.

In all honestly - good morale, good song, good climax, and episode.

8.5/10

[hewsos-from-lesbos]

Name? Alicia.

Pronouns and gender? She/her, female.

Sexuality? Lesbian, if you couldn’t guess.

Country? UK, England specifically, but of Welsh ancestry.

Top 5 fandoms? Doctor Who, Dumbing of Age, Civilization, Guilty Gear, Hermitcraft.

What is your most forbidden snack? The vinegar from the bottom of a cone of chips.

Would you pet a bug? If it’s big enough to pet, it deserves a pet.

Share a weird fact/story about yourself with the class. I’m pretty uneventful, don’t know if I have one.

What does the colour blue taste like? Like cold water, but sweeter.

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? Either my girlfriend’s eyes, or the sun setting behind the Isle of Wight, both are pretty good.

What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? I once had a shit so large I passed out from the pain, that was rather stupid.

Stupidest thing you’ve seen/heard someone else do/say? I once had a debate with someone about whether the USSR was socialist or communist, and wether or not modern China is capitalist, and he was convinced he was right despite not knowing any of the actual definitions of those words. So I asked him if he’d ever read any Marx, and he responded ‘who’s that?�� And I just think if you’re going to talk about this stuff, it’s pretty stupid to do so without having heard of Karl Marx.

Hyperfixation song? Any Queen song and/or Perfection Can’t Please Me from the Guilty Gear Strive soundtrack.

Is there any meaning behind your profile picture and/or username? My username takes the reconstructed name of the hypothetical Proto-Indo-European goddess of the dawn, H2éwsōs, which both makes reference to my linguistic passion and is a pretty cool trans metaphor I think, and adds ‘from Lesbos’ as a reference to my intense lesbianism. The pfp is Becky from Dumbing of Age, because she is the lesbian icon I strive to be.

Dream career as a child? Palaeontology, I was big time into dinosaurs back then.

Dream career as an adult? Anything involving languages really.

Thoughts on cilantro? One of the flavourings of all time.

Have you ever been banned from a location and if so, why? Not as far as I can recall, although it is possible.

What is your cursed food combination? Cereal and nothing, people always freak out when I tell them I have plain cereal with no milk or anything.

Trans rights? Well they’re my rights, so, like, fuck yeah!

Those of y’all that I’m dragging in to this are: @sapphictechwitch @homosexualasstransbian @artemis-the-catgrill @viola-canadensis @phlegm985

I know it’s not ten, but my first five followers is good enough.

“I just came from r/196” ask game

Saw another post. I think I should invite y'all to one of our longstanding traditions. Answer the questions then tag 10 (or more) people. I'll go first.

Name? Frankie

Pronouns and gender? he/they/it, transmasc

Sexuality? Lesbian

Country? USA

Top 5 fandoms? Bungou Stray Dogs, Cosmere, All for the Game, Fundiesnark (not a series but I'm too deep in it to not consider it a fandom), .....the tornado fandom? (they're my special interest)

What is your Most forbidden snack? The preserved bones at the Atlanta Bodies Exhibition. They looked so crunchy...

Would you pet a bug? If it's big enough, it is pettable.

Share a weird fact/story about yourself with the class. I like to drive around rural areas and photograph old, sometimes abandoned locations in the dead of night. I have been literally chased out of towns by foot and by car on two separate occasions. The second time this happened, "See You Again" by Miley Cyrus came up on shuffle and that's the soundtrack my friend and I tore out of town to. Also every "guy" I've dated except for my most recent ex (who has big egg energy) is a lesbian now.

What does the color blue taste like? Creme brulee

What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? The appalachian mountains of Tennessee in the middle of summer. There's kudzu everywhere. On the backroads, there were several old, dilapidated Baptist churches barely hanging to the side of the mountain. I wonder how many of them were still in use.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done? Short version: my friend's house almost got broken into by this dude who'd been stalking us for months while we were home alone. Instead of calling the cops, we decided to confront him with a bow and arrow (me), a hatchet, and a baseball bat (him). The plan was that if it went badly, we would simply throw his corpse into one of the many lakes in the neighborhood and let the alligators eat his remains (this was Florida). Why? Because we were afraid of having our home-alone privileges revoked. Luckily for us all, the guy fucked off and we never saw him again.

Stupidest thing you've seen/heard someone else do/say? My ex thought that Jackalopes were real. Also, a nurse I was doing rotations with apparently thought that "Witness Protection" was for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hyperfixation song? Young Enough + Bleach by Charly Bliss

Is there any meaning behind your profile picture and/or username? Profile pic; I'm transmasc and I'm currently obsessed with TriStamp. Username; It was my fake internet name when I was like 13. I won't change it because I want my mutuals to recognize me, and because I do have a viral post associated with this name.

Dream career as a child? Doctor (funnily enough I'm now in nursing school)

Dream career as an adult? Professional Jester. Not a comedian. I just want to be some weird little guy who dresses silly and you can hire me to roast your boss at work parties.

Thoughts on cilantro? Delicious

Have you ever been banned from a location and if so, why? I honestly can't remember? Probably... but in recent memory I've mainly banned people from places.

What is your cursed food combination? Pineapple on a hotdog with grilled onions. It Slaps.

Trans rights? TRANS RIGHTS

Tagging: @rocket-mankoi @mostlymarco @atleast8courics @jazzlike39 @gemsweater72 @limbobilbo @ameliaaltare @redcrane112 @theoneofwhomisblue @twinkenjoyer @theultimatecarp and anyone else who wants to jump on

[6mommymilkers9]

If your comfortable with this, how would the four lords react to fem!reader being pregnant?

As soon as I read this, I knew I had to write it! Thanks for the request :)

The Four Lord's With A Pregnant S/O Headcannons

Alcina Dimitrescu

° Alcina is extremely ecstatic. Considering you both...lacked the necessary equipment to have a child of your own, it was planned, so it was nothing but happiness for the Lord and yourself.

° Lady Dimitrescu, having daughters of her own, knew nothing of how to care for an infant or child no more than the size of her calf. Her daughters were born from Cadou; this was something new. She won't say she was nervous, but her eyes told her lies.

° The pregnancy was a very 'on the fence' type. Life in the small village wasn't as boring as everyone thinks, so the constant excitement was a bit of a problem. Thankfully your daughters let their antics subside (The mom look Lady Dimitrescu gave them scared the shit outta them).

° With that, there were maids, of the highest order per Alcina's request, that took care of you. They had helped you walk around when your baby bump grew heavy, making you wobble. As well as with getting up the stairs and such. You never touched a single broom or dusk cleaner during this time.

° Alcina took care of you in the more intimate ways. Putting away her books and drama with Mother Miranda, she gave you her iconic smile as she helped you bathe or rub your back when it was a testing day. She always made sure you wore a face around her.

° Over all, she may be nervous, but absolutely in love with her unborn child, ready to see them any moment to spoil the hell out of them. It's mother instinct you know.

Salvatore Moreau

° Moreau, as soon as he heard the news, was scared AS SHIT! Before his mutations, he was a doctor, the birthing wasn't what bothered him. It was the part of "I'm a dad?"

° Only Mother Miranda knows how he landed you as a partner, but you carrying his child? Oh boy that was something new. Him being insecure, this made it worse, but at the same time made him happier than ever. All he ever wanted was a family, and looks like he was getting it, even if he had the personality of a wet towel.

° He would stalk up on books about parenting and pregnancy to help you at any point he physically or mentally could. Since he is physically disabled from his reactions to the Cadou, he isn't that much of help with walking around or such things of that sort. He is more than happy to help you talk your head off. Even if he can't speak well, he musters the longest conversations he could with you to get things off your mind.

° He gives you tons of offerings and gifts. If you mentioned you liked something, he would get it for you. Though, he found you much preferred to be wrapped in his coat on the large bed you two shared in the mines. He would smile everytime he walks in on you napping in his coat, his pride shows through.

° With his happiness, he worries about his child's conditions. Would they be the same as him? Would they have his same complications? With the little technology he had, he couldn't know the answer and that scared him.

° What he suffers from was preventable, he doesn't want his child to suffer from something they were born with. To him, he saw it as cruel. This ends up with you having to comfort him until you convinced him that whatever happened, your child would be loved the same. Things will be alright.

Donna Beneviento

° Well, it's the same concept with Lady Dimitrescu. It was planned with some help. Now, in contrast to Alcina, Donna had dealt with a small child, bearing her own. Do to an accident, her child passed away, which made her dive into her work as a doll maker.

° She was extremely scared. Not for you, but your baby. Her failure to protect her child in the past projected to her child now. What if she couldn't protect the baby? What would she do in an emergency? In summary, she is a big worrier.

° All the corners in the houses and sharp objects were child protected, and you were only in your first trimester! That's not the worst of it, she was always by your side. It sounds nice, but she was way too clingy. After some talking, she gave you room to breathe.

° As a doll maker, she also had a hobby of knitting clothes, making outfits for your child. They arranged from dinosaurs, to dolls, to even herbs. You watched as she knit and even tried it out for yourself. Let's just say you ended up with a deformed sleeve. You let Donna handle the clothing from then on.

°She is always there to comfort you in any way possible. If she is off for a meeting, she makes sure Angie stays with you to keep you company and help with anything you need. Angie sees you as her mother and treats you as such. She can't wait to see her new sibling.

° When you are in pain, you bet Donna is on her way to make some tea with special herbs to help with it. Her green thumb is something special in that garden of hers. You couldn't thank her enough. Better than a prescription from a doctor anyways.

°She and Angie take great care of you and make sure your needs and wants are met. You have two amazing people..and dolls by your side. Just wait until the little one arrives!

Karl Heisenberg

° He is on the fence about it, really. It's not like he doesn't want the child, but he doesn't have the best parental figures. He doesn't know if he would be a good father or not.

° Over time, he would ease up, listening to your encouraging words about your future family and events. Though he still has moments of doubt when he wanders around the factory to tend to the Soldats that were malfunctioning.

° He ain't soft and he ain't a sissy, but that facade is thrown down the drain when he would curl up behind you to wrap his arms around your baby bump and whisper to his unborn child. He isn't much of a singer, but he hums songs from his childhood against your bump, thinking the baby could hear him.

° Karl absolutely gushes over you and the baby when he can feel a kick. He can sense the strength the little one has already. "Atta champ! Just like your old man." He is going to drag for days to his machines about the strength of his child and how they will grow to be a great leader someday.

° He is overprotective as anyone could think. Especially when Mother Miranda is around. Her, thinking it's her grandchild, decided one day to pay a visit. Karl wouldn't have that, nearly tripping over his own feet to drag her ass to the bottom of hell's tunnel.

° No one is going to mess with you and he makes sure to everyone that is clear. The Soldats don't even try to bother you. In a factory of killing machines, you are the being they are most afraid to even look at. Just wait until your child is born. Those poor machines.

[infernalrevenge]

Okay, so this is a spur of the moment sort of idea, but is it possible to have a headcanon of the four lords with a s/o who has terrible memory loss. And I don't mean forgetful, think more along the lines of Fifty first dates, like she greets one of the lords and they get talking, lords end up coming back cuz they liked their positive attitude, but when they come to visit again, s/o greets them like they've never met. Does that make sense?

Yeah I think I get what you're saying, though I never really watched the full movie HAHAHA I've only seen half of it but I know how it goes down. Hopefully, whatever I've come up with satisfies your idea :P

To stay true to the idea, reader here has anterograde amnesia -- characterized by not being able to retain short-term memories. They're aware of their own condition.

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Alcina Dimitrescu

Understandably, she'd be confused, caught off guard that you didn't remember the time you spent with her.

Honestly she might be so confused that she'll forget to be offended -- not that it would have ever occurred to her that she was bad company in the first place. You were so pleasant to be with too, so... what went wrong?

When you explain it all to her, you might actually be surprised at how quickly she gets it. Definitely isn't the strangest thing she's ever heard of. She knows too what it's like to be around someone with terrible memory -- her patience with Moreau is astounding and one she doesn't extend to just anyone.

(But you aren't "just anyone" to her. You were a warm presence, a ray of sunshine in that time you spent together, however short. She wanted to get to know you better, and if that meant putting much more effort into maintaining that connection with you, then it's nothing she can't do.)

She'll creep her way into your mind (and heart) through song. She'll invite you to the castle and teach you serenades and classical pieces, you sing while she plays the piano. It doesn't matter to her if you sing off-key or add your own silly lyrics -- if she's being honest, sometimes she even prefers your versions.

Every now and then, you do forget the notes and the words, but Alcina doesn't have a problem with going over them again if you hear a "new tune" you found interesting. It's a good thing too that she loves music so much.

One day, she might even catch you humming them while you sit with her in a comfortable silence. You may not be sure exactly how you know the song, but you're glad you're able to make the Lady smile by doing so. Maybe you'll try to learn the words next time.

Donna Beneviento

...was she really so unpleasant that you already forgot about her and the day you spent together?

She'll be so embarrassed if you don't remember who she is, thinking that the other day was a mistake and that she was just imagining the connection you two had. Not to be dramatic but she'll definitely run away in tears.

The best way to remedy the situation is to go after her right away and try to explain the situation. She might not even believe you at first, her anxiety initially convincing her that you made all this up as a way of rejecting her, or that this was all a mean prank. But if you're patient enough, she might come to understand it.

In the process of becoming part of your life, she'll definitely make something that will eventually remind you of her, or someone like her. She just wants something that would stick with you, ideally something tangible.

One day she'd gift you with a doll in your likeness, complete with its own clothes and accessories. She might even include a very small doll in Angie's likeness to go with it, to serve as that reminder.

Once you do get close enough, she says that she would rather have you call her "Donna" than by her formal title. Though this frequently slips your mind, it's no trouble at all for her to remind you. Besides, it's quite cute to see you say her name like you're trying it out for the first time, even if it may have been the eleventh. She loves the way you say her name.

And when it finally sticks to you after enough repetition and you greet her like that without prompting? Her heart just flutters.

Salvatore Moreau

Moreau has always known that he has terrible memory, but after meeting you? He's starting to doubt exactly how bad he could really have it.

As a former doctor, he might recognize the diagnosis you give him after explaining it and he goes "Oh.... Oh!"

He'll be so relieved it's not because you wanted to let him down gently by feigning forgetting the memory of what was literally yesterday (but also he'd understand if you did, he almost threw up on you in excitement. Come to think of it, maybe it was best you didn't remember that part.)

Still, he'd be determined to spend a lot of time with you and become a part of your working memory somehow. Though he knows there's no cure for such an affliction, he'll want to make an effort to include some aspect of himself into your routine.

He'll write you little notes and letters, about how wonderful you are and how you make him feel whenever you two are together. He'll give you a journal so you can write about all the cool things you want to remember later on (and part of him hopes you write about him too.)

(And of course you write about him, who would ever want to forget about the sweet doctor fish man who just wants to be loved and a part of your world.)

One day, he catches a glimpse of one such diary entry -- and he only knew that because he saw the cute little doodle you made of him, along with a small heart next to it. He swears he never meant to pry, but he thinks about it for days and days. He's never been happier.

Karl Heisenberg

Oh he'll be mad at first, for sure. He's likely the type to express first and ask questions later when it comes to these matters, but the anger is more out of confusion than genuine offense.

If you try to explain it, he may just think you're lying at first. "If you wanted me to leave you alone, you could just say so," he'd say. But at the same time, there'd be such a sincerity in your voice that it would be hard for him to keep denying it. Fine... maybe you're not pulling his leg then.

You can't tell me that this man doesn't make trinkets in his spare time. He can be a big mean metal worker all he wants but I can also picture him having made a keychain or two in his life. Maybe even a necklace. They're not perfect or polished by any means, but he just likes making little things with scraps left over from bigger projects.

That said, he'll give you some without much of a second thought. He probably ask you first if you want to keep any the first time you stumble upon his messy workstation at the factory. They looked pretty neat, so you took some of them home.

You might find yourself fidgeting with the moving parts of it, trying to rack your head and remember exactly where you got them and how. Was it on a trip? Did you get these as souvenirs? Why did one of them look like an electric fan with legs?

Sometimes you'll show him all this stuff and talk about how cool they looked. Your favorite might be the one that looks like a hammer, but the fan with legs was a close second. You tell him to be careful of the sharper parts though (wouldn't want him to get tetanus.)

He may or may not get a little embarrassed as you gush about your "new" trinkets. You might offer to give some to him that he likes but he insists you keep them, especially since you like them so much.

[fandomracket]

SPOILERS Tales from the SMP | The Wild West

Warning: Cursing

Very few deaths this one. The blood lust have eased up a bit. Also, the accents/voices in this one. Oooooh boi. This is the same time as the Masquerade. So it's in the past of the Dream SMP.

Ok. Characters. Are:

Of course, our Karl. Twitch.tv/karljacobs is his full name. We got a shitton to talk about this man's character and such. I will save it for maybe the end bit.

TOWNSPEOPLE

John John (Ranboo) is a bartender. Has fingers?. Suspiciously looks like a minor that just works at a saloon and only sells beere. Hands a lot of drinks. He dies by the hands of Mason. I don't know the reason why but he did. The only one to die in the "right side." He believes the devil are usually the reason of "strange" occurrences. Held a stack of milk, pretty sure.

There's a priest Reveren? I think was the name that died and was supposed to come back in 3 days.

Percy (Tubbo) is a banker. If he had a last name, I didn't get it. Has a G R E A T S H O T. Also, had a banking bee that died because of Michael's fireworks. Plays go fish while in the middle of a blackjack match. Likes snap and to match the pictures. John owes him a lot. (They gave that skin to someone that is likely the youngest in that group)

Sheriff Sherman Thompson (Technoblade) is a Sheriff that has about a week before retirement. He is the sheriff and he saw it. Has a G R E A T S H O T. Forgets the number five. The only one who initially owns a gun. Has one Horse power.

Crops (Corpse Husband) is a cannibal prisoner. Ate the priest and the orphan. Ate the doctor last week. Deep voice. Didn't understand the terms of the duel. He was just hungry.

Ron Ronson, son of Ron, obviously son of his dad, Ron Ronson, who yet again is the son of Ron Ronson. But he is just called Michael. (Fundy ffs) Mails people things of people. Either he stutters a lot or he is some robot or both or there was a weird transition in the middle (maybe due to the injury or a nervousness thing). Eats Japanese lanterns and has a frozen (not the cold type) chicken wife. He killed it.

William Williamson (BadBoyHalo) offers muffins. Has nice pants. Has a G R E A T S H O T when drunk. You touch anything you buy it. Drinks a lot.

THE bullies BANDITS. (I love this) Democrat haters. They were never at all jailed despite their crimes and only Crops was and that's because he is a cannibal. Although the group also seem to be cannibals.

Jack Kanoff (Quackity) is the leader? of the bandits. Weak to Thorns. A "good guy" Cannibal. Killed by the hand of Crops.

Mason (Sapnap) is Jack's right hand man/best friend. Muted. Killed by Karl. He didn't have much info.

Just Connor/Flint Michigan (Connoreatspants) Fastest Thief alive. Why is he wearing a onesie in a west side town under what seems to be an extremely hot climate. Disappears. Killed by Sheriff Sherman.

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Other comments:

CHURCH OF PRIME

The map looked so awesome. They never visited the inn tho.

Also that song from and the beginning was so catchy and I literally listened to it earlier just before the stream started. It's by derivakat on youtube and the songs she made are so catchy.

Billiam used to be from this this town. He took most of the town's money.

G R E A T S H O T

Who let the cows out? Who who who who who?

Percy volunteered but was not really chosen for the duel. So did, Michael but Michael is... ehhh. I mean we already know whyy he wasn't fit for that.

Why John tho? That was just unclear to me. Is it so Karl can do his revenge thing? The man was shaking when they chose him.

I think Michael would've been hilarious choice to send in to the duel. But I chose Percy because he already volunteered.

O H N O

IT'S HIGH NOON.

Bandit Language includes LMAO, LOL, LMFAO, XD, :P, :3, OwO, and UwU

Congrats for Qucakity not dying first. He died second. New record

Jack, Crops, and Karl love triangle?

Milk drinking contest.. Also just because of the milk thing and how they both have similar jobs and actor, I think Butler and John John could be related. Billiam could have took Butler from John or smth like that.

Karl declares he's the new sheriff in town then suddenly walks away saying he wasn't even from there. I mean Yeh. But the confusion of the townspeople... it was funny to say the least. They just got dragged into a weird fight by someone they do not even know. That gives me an idea.

John was the first to meet Karl and defended him from the Sheriff due to being indebted to Karl saving him from the bandits early on. But Karl chooses John to fight the last bandit despite being "incapable" and was led to his death. I feel like there is some type of manipulation here tbh or I might just be trying to over analyze it.

Ok now about the Inbetween. It is really beautiful. And the multiple Karls. It makes sense! Since it is his safe haven on time travels and apparently he will time travel a lot more. The Inbetween has no time or dimension and I can see why there were many Karls.

Also Don't Stray Off the Path ? That has 87 pages. What's that about?

Good enough ending, lets go! I mean John John died but Lets Go!

I really love how it is a plot-following chaos. Yeh there might be an outline of what should happen but other than that it's chaos compared to the main lore where it would be a more "organized chaos."

[ilovefinncole]

Series 6 Episode 4: Sapphire 

The Shelby`s and the Peaky Blinders gather for Ruby`s funeral after she died from TB, her coffin is in a beautiful carriage. Tommy asks Arthur to read some words for Ruby, as he cant, Arthur says that he cant do it, he`s sobbing at the funeral so Tommy reads the words out instead. 

After he reads them he asks Jeremiah to light the flame and burn her, as he used to make her laugh as him and Charlie, the Shelby sibling`s biological uncle, light it, Lizzie tries to stop them from burning her, they go to see her. Once the flames are lit, Tommy, Lizzie and Charlie hug, and Tommy walks away from them and Lizzie is reaching out to him, wanting him to come back to them. 

After the funeral, Tommy shows up in the woods at a camp, which is where Evadne Barwell and her family live, he says that he is there on behalf of the blue sapphire, he shoots her and shoots three men, he ends up killing all four of them. He breaks down by a tree after the killings. 

As he sits in his car ready to drive off, Esme opens the car door and gets in, he tells her to get out of the car but he hands her over the gold, she tells him that he has a secret child, a son he calls himself Duke, Tommy wasn`t aware of this before but he is aware of it now. She tells him how he is his son, he slept with a girl called Zelda, his mother died and Esme says she`ll send the boy to him. 

After heading back home, Lizzie shouts at Tommy for killing a woman that had children. He doesn't want to hear anymore of it so he heads down to the basement where he finds Arthur sitting on the floor drinking, he admits he is messed up, despite for being sober for nearly five years Tommy decides to have a drink. Now he isn`t sober, he`s back on the drink. Tommy tells Arthur the story of when he attacked him when they were just young boys, Arthur was 12 and Tommy was 9 

As Oswald, Diana, Jack and Laura all come for a meeting at the house, the sit down and drink, Charles sees the cars and tells Tommy that he sees Ruby when he shuts his eyes to go to sleep and that he can`t sleep, she holds onto him. Tommy tells him to let her hold onto him, he says that he needs to go to bed. 

As the meeting begins, Jack asks Laura to sing a song and she doesn't think it is suitable to sing a song in a house of grief and mourning, Oswald asks Diana if Laura should sing her rebel song, as he calls it. So Diana tells talks to them about a new world. 

At Ada`s house, she looks out of the window and Karl comes in, she tells him to go to bed and he says that the brick that people have thrown through there window is going to get them killed, he says that they will take Elizabeth away from her and send her to Africa. Ada asks Karl where they`ll send him, she suggests Egypt. She tells him that his dad, Freddie was Jewish but he changed his name to Thorne so that people wouldn`t find out that he is Jewish and so that there will be no bricks thrown through his window. 

As Tommy joins the meeting, he doesn't want anyone's sympathy they discuss there plans for the new world, but Tommy can`t hold it together, he leaves after saying “Perish Judah” to Oswald. Lizzie can sense that something isn't right with Tommy, he uses her typewriter to write. Lizzie sees that Tommy burnt Ruby`s chair, it is burnt in some parts in the fire place, she tries to comfort him as she can see that he is still in mourning and grieving over Ruby, he pushes her away.

In London, Gina and Oswald have sex it is revealed that they are having an affair, Oswald soon leaves and Tommy watches Oswald leave from his car which is parked on the streets opposite the house where Gina is, he visits her and asks her to be a spy for him. Tommy wants Gina to reveal what Michael is up to, she says that Michael thinks that he is the devil and she thinks that he might be right, Tommy leaves. 

At Arrow House, Tommy is visited by Dr. Holford and he says that they wrote to him but he never replied and went back to the hospital, the doctor confirms that Tommy has tuberculoma, he may have picked it up from Ruby when she was ill, when he had tests done after he brought Ruby in, they found it on the tests. 

He says that the whole family are at risk now, he needs his loved ones around him, his seizures, visions, hallucinations and erratic behavior are all linked to tuberculoma, they are all symptoms. He gives him 18 months to live before it takes him. The doctor leaves and he calls out to Polly. 

[jadelotusflower]

July 2021 Roundup

Discussed this month: The Once and Future King, The Good People, The Secret of Kells/Wolfwalkers/Song of the Sea (aka "Irish Folklore" Trilogy), The Matrix Trilogy, the John Wick Trilogy, Space Jam: A New Legacy

Reading

The Once and Future King (T.H. White) - I've actually read this before, but it was a long time ago and I remembered very little of it so it seemed time for a revisit. Written between 1936 and 1942, this is a surprisingly meta retelling of Arthur and Camelot, very obviously and heavily influenced by WWII, with much academic pondering on the concept of humanity and war and ongoing conflict against Might=Right - looking to the past to try and understand the present. Some familiarity with the legends is assumed, White occasionally making reference to Malory, and there is a strange anachronistic feel - Merlin lives time backwards and talks of Hitler and other 20th Century references, White frequently refers to Old England and the way things were "back then", but also calls Arthur's country Gramarye, the narrative taking place an a kind of alternate history/mythology where Uther was the Norman conqueror of 1066, and yet reference is also made to the Plantagenet kings.

Comprising five volumes (the first four published separately at the time, and the final posthumously), it struck me on this read how each of the first four are structured around the childhood of a major player -Arthur (The Sword in the Stone), Gawain and his brothers (The Witch in the Wood), Lancelot (The Ill-Made Knight), and Mordred (The Candle in the Wind), and how their upbringing played a part in the inevitable tragedy of Camelot. In the final volume, The Book of Merlyn, it comes full circle as Arthur on the eve of his death is taken to revisit the animals of his childhood for much philosophising (at one point Merlyn argues at length with a badger about Karl Marx and communism.)

The Sword in the Stone is the most engaging, with young Arthur (known as "the Wart") and his tutelage under Merlin, being turned into various animals like an ant, a goose, and a hawk to learn about each of their societies (political allegories), and meeting with Robin Wood (Hood) and Maid Marian to battle Morgan le Fay, and the climactic pulling of the sword from the stone. This was of course the source material for the Disney film, although missing the wizards duel with Madam Mim (appearing in the original publication, but removed for the revised version).

The Ill-Made Knight is the longest volume and was honestly a slog to get through, because honestly Lancelot is pretty dull/terrible, and the Lancelot/Guenever love affair less than compelling. Ultimately it's Lancelot's hubris that dooms them - he is warned that Mordred intends to catch him out in Guenever's room, but he goes anyway, and doesn't leave when he tells her to, because he is stupid.

It’s no surprise that the female characters are given the short shrift, but there’s an uncomfortable vein of misogyny running through the book. To wit:

Elaine had done the ungraceful thing as usual. Guenever, in similar circumstances, would have been sure to grow pale and interesting - but Elaine had only grown plump.

And then later:

Guenever had overdressed for the occasion. She had put on makeup which she did not need, and put it on badly. She was forty-two.

Morgause (the eponymous witch in the wood/queen of air and darkness) is a negligent mother whose sole motivation is revenge, Elaine rapes Lancelot by deception, Guenever is hypocritical and shrill (but achieves a sliver of nuance in Candle), Nimueh is a nonentity, and Morgan le Fey is a monstrous fairy. If only White had turned his academic pondering inward and in order to examine the role of women in his worldview other than as damsels or instigators.

But Arthur also gets the short shrift - after all the focus in his childhood, he becomes almost a peripheral figure in the rest of the story until the very end, and we're not actually given much to show why he is the once and future king, other than that he tries to institute a slightly less brutal system.

Ultimately, White is more interested in philosophy than character, and so Camelot's inevitable tragedy feels more clinical than visceral.

The Good People (Hannah Kent) - If the Irish Folklore Trilogy (discussed below) is the beauty and wonder of Irish myths and legends interacting with the human world, this book is the cold danger of superstition and the devastating affect of folklore used as an explanation for life's ills. Set in 1820's rural Ireland, Nora is widowed and left with the care of her young disabled grandson Michael, believed to be a changeling. The local wise woman Nance, who feels the touch of "the good people" sets about to drive out the fairy from the child, believing that the "real" Michael will return, much to the growing dread of Mary, the teenage girl Nora has hired to care for him.

Here fairies are seen as a malevolent force, "sweeping" away women and children, causing bad harvests, and bringing death to the village - to be respected and feared. And then there's Nance, bartering traditional cures for ailments and troubles - some work, some do not, and some pose great danger. On the other hand, this is a remote village where a doctor must be fetched from Killarney, and only one priest who is less than charitable. Neither provide any help or support to Nora.

SPOILERS It's an upsetting read dealing with dark subject matter - grief trauma, child abuse and accidental infanticide, a kind of slow burn horror. If it takes a village to to raise a child, it also takes one to kill a child, as mounting fear and superstition moves through the population like a contagion, heightening Nora's desperation for the "return" of her grandson, and Nance's to prove her knowledge. It's an impeccably researched novel (based in part on a true event) but very unsettling - poor Michael is never really given humanity, and I feel this book would be hugely triggering in its depiction of disability and neurodivergence.

Watching

The Secret of Kells/Song of the Sea/Wolfwalkers (dir. Tom Moore) - I've been meaning to watch these films for absolutely ages, and I finally got to them this month. I’m pleased to say that the many people who recommended them to me were absolutely correct, because they appear to have been made to specifically cater to my interests. Some mild spoilers ahead.

I watched these in internal chronological order as suggested by @ravenya003, starting with The Secret of Kells, set in 9th Century Ireland where the young monk Brendan helps illuminate the to-be famous manuscript and befriends a forest sprite Aisling, under the threat of a Viking raid. Next was Wolfwalkers, jumping forward to 1650 Kilkenny where the English girl Robyn, daughter of a hunter, is drawn into the world of the forest and Mebh, who turns into a wolf when she sleeps. And finally we go all the way to 1980's in Song of the Sea for the story of Ben, who must help his younger sister Saoirse (a selkie) find her voice and bring back the faeries who have been turned to stone by the owl witch Macha.

Although the stories are completely separate, they've been described as Moore's "Irish Folklore" trilogy, and it’s easy to read a through line from Kells to Wolfwalkers in particular - both deal with fae of the forest, and Aisling appears as a white wolf at the end of the film (having lost her ability to appear in human form). I like to think that Aisling is in some way the progenitor of the wolfwalkers - after all, Kells and Kilkenny are less than 200 kms apart.

Song of the Sea is distant from the other two in both time and subject matter, dealing with selkies, creatures of the water. In many ways, Kells and Wolfwalkers feels like a duology, with Song more its own thing. On the other hand, an argument could be made for common fae spirit/s in different forms across all three films - Aisling is a white sprite, Robyn takes the form of a white/grey wolf, and Saoirse a white seal.

The strength of these films other than the folklore is the visual style - I really love 2D animation, and while I appreciate the beauty of cg animation, I often find in the latter’s focus on hyper-realism the artistry can be left by the wayside. These films not just aesthetically beautiful, but the art is used to tell the story - from the sharp angles that represent the darker or harmful elements (Crom, Vikings, the Town), to the circles and rings that represent safety and harmony (the Abbey, the forest, Mebh and her mother/the wolves healing circle, the holy well). The exception is probably the home of Macha, the owl witch, where circles are also prominent and represent magic, and this is often the case in folklore (fairy rings, fairy forts, etc).

Kells is the most stylised, resembling tapestries or pages and triptychs from medieval manuscripts, playing with perspective. I actually saw pages from the real Book of Kells years ago in Dublin, and remember them being very beautiful. We only get glimpses of the Book and the stunning Chi Rho page at the very end of the film, but the style of art is present throughout the film and particularly in the forest where Brendan finds inspiration for his illumination, and on the flipside his encounter in the dark with Crom Cruach, represented as a chalk-drawn primordial serpent.

This style is also present in Wolfwalkers, particularly stark in the way the birds-eye grid of the town often looms over Robyn in the background and in her work at the castle. The depiction of the forest has more of a storybook quality however, as does Song, where almost every frame resembles a painting, particularly the sequences of Saoirse's selkie trip through the sea and Ben's fall through the holy well.

Rav points out in her review that there is the ebbing away of myth and magic in each successive film, contrasted with the rise of Christianity/modernity. But there's circles and rings again, because while the ultimate power of the faerie world is fading away, the interaction between our human protagonists and faerie actually increases with each film. In Kells, we have only Aisling and Crom, in Wolkwalkers, we have Mebh and her mother whose ranks grow to include Robyn and her father, and finally in Song we have Saoirse, Bronagh, Macha, the Na Daoine Sídhe, and the Great Seanachaí.

Watching in the order I did, it does give the impression of the mythological world opening up to the viewer, gaining a deeper understanding and exposure as time progressed. On the other hand, that is also because the human world is gradually encroaching on the world of Faerie, from isolated settlements like the Abbey of Kells, to growing town of Kilkenny and the logging of the surrounding forest, to a modern Ireland of motorways and power lines, and industrialised Dublin where the remaining fairies have moved underground. It makes the climax of Song, with the fairies restored but returning to the land of Tír na nÓg, rather bittersweet.

I also credit the strength of the voice acting - the adult roles are minor but with greats including the dulcet tones of Brendan Gleeson and Sean Bean, and the ethereal Maria Doyle Kennedy (who I wish had gotten to do more). But the child roles are all performed so well, particularly Honor Kneafsey as Robyn, whose growing desperation and distress is just heartbreakingly palpable.

The Matrix Trilogy (dir. The Wachowskis) - I usually don't post rewatches in the Roundup, but I really, really love these movies. I will never forget seeing The Matrix at the cinema as a young teen, knowing nothing other than the tease of the enigmatic trailers, and just being completely blown away by it, and then becoming completely obsessed a few years later in the leadup to Reloaded.

It wasn’t my first fandom, but it was probably the first time I took fandom seriously. I was very invested in Neo/Trinity in particular as well as all the mythological/literary references that fed directly into my interests. I haven’t however gone back and read the fic I wrote, for fear that it is very, very cringe. I know where is is though, so maybe one day before the ff.net is purged.

This is Keanu Reeves at his most handsome, and while he doesn't have the greatest range (as many actors don't, although they don't get as much grief for it), when he's in the zone there's no one else who could do it better. He just has a Presence, you know? A vibe, and it compels me.

This is particularly present in Neo, a character whose conflict is almost entirely internal, burdened by the weight of his responsibility and destiny, both before and after he learns it is a false prophesy. He’s not your typical quippy macho action hero, but much like my other fave Luke Skywalker, is a character who is ultimately driven by love and self-sacrifice. I definitely have a Type of male hero I adore, and Neo fits right in there.

I also really love the sequels, flaws and all, because you know what, the Wachowskis had Ideas and they weren't going to deliver Matrix 2: Electric Boogaloo. Each film goes in an unexpected direction, and not in a subverted expectations ha ha silly rabbits way, but one that does have an internal logic and pulls together a cohesive trilogy as a whole, and how often does that happen these days?

The sequels are so…earnest, with none of the cynical cool detachment perhaps some would have preferred - at its core a trilogy exploring philosophy and the nature of prophesy vs choice, determinism vs free will, and the power of love. Maybe it can be hokey, and some of the dialogue a bit overwritten, but I don't care, there's so much I still enjoy even having seen the trilogy many times over the years.

Not to mention the great female characters - while I'm not sure any of the three strictly passes the Bechdel Test, we have Trinity and Niobe in particular who I love with all my heart. It does kind of annoy me that the Trinity Syndrome is so named, because it only applies in the most reductive reading possible, and Trinity expresses agency (and badassery) every step of the way, saving Neo just as much as he saves her. I mean..."dodge this"/"in five minutes I'll tear that whole goddamn building down"/"believe it"? Niobe piloting the Hammer through the mechanical line in Revolutions? Iconic. There are criticisms that can be made, sure, but the trilogy ultimately loves, respects, and appreciates its female characters (and important to note that the avatars of The System, the Architect and the Agents, are all white men).

Then we have the Oracle, who ultimately holds the most power and is the victor of the human/machine war. There's so much going on with the Oracle I could talk about it all day. It's that fate vs free will question again (“if you already know, how can I make a choice?”), but with the wrinkle of manipulation (“would you still have broken it if I hadn’t said anything?”). Choice is the foundation the Matrix is built on, the unconscious choice for humans to accept the system or reject it - the Architect can't control that, he can only manage it, and the Oracle can't force Neo onto the path she has set out for him, only predict the choices he will make based on her study of the human psyche ("did you always know?"/"No...but I believed"). But she plays with the concept of fate in a complicated web of prophesies for outcome she wants and trusting the nature of Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo to bring it about.

And then there's the visual storytelling - there is so much meaning in almost every frame and line of dialogue. The mirroring and ring cycles not only in the constant presence of reflective surfaces and central metaphor of the Matrix as a simulacrum, but the androgyny of Neo and Trinity, bringing each other back from the dead in successive films (and ultimately both ultimately dying in the third), Neo and Morpheus’ first and last meetings, Smith who is ultimately Neo’s dark mirror, the Oracle/the Architect, just to name a few. I just…really really love these movies? Maybe I’ll do a full post rewatch sometime.

I am however reserving judgement on the Matrix 4 - already there are a few things making me uneasy. Lana is the sole director for this one (Lilly is not involved), and Laurence Fishburne apparently wasn't even asked back, even though Morpheus actually survives the trilogy (as opposed to Neo and Trinity). But I’m interested, and don’t want to go in with any expectations, but rather ready to be surprised again like I was when I watched the first film (and hope I can stay away from spoilers).

John Wick Trilogy (dir. Chad Stahelski) - It was a trilogy kind of month! This genre is generally not my thing, as I don’t have a high tolerance for graphic violence and pure action bores me after a while, but I was in a Keanu kind of mood and I'm always hearing people go on about John Wick so I wanted to know what (if anything) I was missing. While still a bit too violent for my tastes, if nothing else I could appreciate the dance-like fight choreography, even if the worldbuulding is absolutely ridiculous - I mean, literally thousands of assassins across the world chilling in sanctuary hotels, supported by a vast network of weapon suppliers, tailors, surgeons, spy networks, etc? It’s silly, but hey, I was happy to go along with it.

What I do appreciate about Keanu Reeves, and this seems to be a common thread, is that even when in action hero mode (Matrix, Point Break, John Wick, and to a lesser extent Speed), he consistently plays a man who is completely in love with his partner/wife - like, completely, unapologetically devoted to them, and I think that is a big part of the appeal - it's that Keanu energy that is often the antithesis of toxic masculinity, even when in roles that would ordinarily rely on those tropes.

Wick is in many ways the spiritual successor to Neo - insular, taciturn, and even as he's dispatching death with clinical precision. Much like Neo, Wick is a character who is somehow Soft (tm) despite all the violence. I once listened to a podcast where they amusingly discussed the Reeves oeuvre as simulations of Neo still trapped in the Matrix, and it’s very easy to make the case here and imagine John Wick as Neo plugged back in after Revolutions, mourning Trinity and set on mission after mission to keep his mind active (and it would certainly explain why the guy hasn’t dropped dead after being stabbed, beaten up, strangled, hit by a car, shot, and falling off a building). It’s a fun little theory.

Stahelski was Reeves' stunt double and a stunt coordinator on The Matrix and there's plenty of homages in the visual style and reuniting Reeves with costars Laurence Fishburne and Randall Duk Kim (who played the Keymaker).

I did also find it amusing that Wick is also often referred to as babayaga (equated in the film to the bogeyman). Well, Wick is in many ways a witch who lives in the woods, just wanting to be left alone with his dog, and there is a supernatural energy to the character, so...I guess?

Space Jam: A New Legacy (dir. Malcolm D Lee) - I took my niece to see this at the cinema and it was…pretty much what you would expect. I thought it was fine for what it was, even if a bit slow in parts (it takes a looong time for the looneys to show up) and I wonder if they have the same cultural pull they had in the nineties (the age of Tweety Bird supremacy). But the kids seemed into it (my niece liked porky pig) and that's what counts I guess.

This time, the toon battle royale takes place on the WB servers, where evil A.I. Don Cheadle (having the time of his life chewing the cg scenery) wants to capture Lebron James for...reasons, idk. James and Bugs have to find the rest of the looneys scattered across the server-verse, a chance for WB to desperately remind people that they too, have media properties and a multiverse including DC comics world, Harry Potter world, Matrix world, Mad Max world, Casablanca world etc. Some of it feels very dated - there is I kid you not an Austin Powers reference, although it did make me smile that Trinity was on James’ list of most wanted players (skill: agility).

Unfortunately, nothing it really done with this multiverse concept except “hey, remember this movie? Now with looneys” six times, and the crowd for the game populated by WB denizens including the Iron Giant, Pennywise, the monkeys from the Wizard of Oz, Scooby Doo and the gang, etc. But still, it's fun, and hardly the tarnishing of a legacy or whatever nonsense is driving youtube clicks these days.

Writing

The Lady of the Lake - 2335 words.

Against the Dying of the Light - 2927 words, Chapter 13 posted.

Total: 5272 this month, 38,488 this year.

[fuckingthefictional]

All I want- (part one)

Michael Gray x reader

Written version of this gifset that I made, bonus points for anyone who can find the lyrics to a certain song that inspired this.

Next Chapter is found —> here

For @finallyforgotten who wanted more of this :)

Henry used to be Y/N’s knight in shining armour. He was always there, he was perfect and filled her up with all the love that she could possibly want or need.

He used to tell Y/N that she was a star in his eyes, he’d hold the door open for her and hold her hand in the dark.

He was just always there.

And Y/N felt as if she was never alone. Until one day she was.

When Henry suddenly left, it caused a brewing storm to swirl inside of the pit of the young woman’s stomach.

But when Y/N brought it up with her mother, the only claim was that “men like Henry were perfect on paper, but they lie to the face.”

It frustrated her- did Henry think she was the kind of girl who needed to be saved. Is that why he took such interest in her? Because she was an easy target?

All of these questions just created more stress and sadness to strike Y/N’s body. She didn’t know who to trust or believe anymore.

It didn’t matter what she conjured up in her mind- All that stood was that Henry had left and with him he took Y/N’s heart.

But he’d left something with her, something that he didn’t know about. And that was his child- the same child that grew within Y/N.

“Ticket ma’am?”

Y/N looked up from her book to see a portly looking train conductor stood in front of her.

“Yes, sorry.” She reached down to her pocket and pulled out the slip of paper, handing it to the gentleman.

He inspected it for a moment, before puncturing a hole into the side, “Are you sure you’re meant to be taking a single to London miss?”

Y/N’s heart leapt up into her throat, “Yes, my mother purchased the ticket for me, I’m to meet my cousin at the station.” She rambled on.

The train conductor passed the slip of paper back, “if you say so.” He mumbled before walking away.

It was only half true, Y/N mused, she was meeting her cousin at the station and her mother did purchase the ticket for her. But she was going to London indefinitely, to have her baby out of the prying eyes of her neighbours.

As her father said before she left, ‘she and her cousin could be the family disgraces together’.

Y/N watched as the world went past, flashes of green melted into a drab mix of greys.

Her new life was moments away, as the train pulled into King’s cross station.

Taking a deep breath, Y/N heaved down her luggage (careful to avoid her stomach region) and began to disembark off the steam engine.

She scanned around frantically, praying that she hadn’t been stood up by her cousin.

“Y/N!”

Whipping around at the sound of her name, she came face to face with her older cousin.

James, wasn’t much older than she was. He was a few years older than she (but he took great pride in bragging about it and holding it over her head).

In fact it had been a good few years since Y/N had even seen James, as he was banned from the family when he was 17.

After he was caught in bed with another male- it meant nothing to Y/N then and nothing to her now.

He was happy, if he found love in the arms of a man then who was she to judge? - she was 17, pregnant and unmarried.

“James!” The pair embraced, swaying as the did so.

“Come on,” the man exclaimed, “we can talk more when we get home.” And with that he picked up the luggage and guided her through the station.

~

“So how come you’ve suddenly decided to come and live with me hmm?”

Y/N paused, debating on what to say but ultimately deciding that there was no point in hiding it at this point.

“I’m pregnant.” She spoke, “and father is ready to disown me so, they sent me to you.”

“Jesus Y/N/N you’re 17,” he rubbed his face with his hands, “You’re practically a child yourself.”

Y/N felt her body shake, “you know if I had a bobbin for every time someone has said that to me, I’d be a fucking millionaire,” she laughed without humour, “I’m going to be a mother james, and every single time someone says what you said, I become more determined to be a good mum.”

“Y/N sit down for a second and stop ranting.” James pointed opposite to the chair she’d previously been occupying, “What I was going to say was that you’re young, so you’re going to need all the support you can get. Which is why I’m going to be here for you every step of the way.”

-

Months later, Y/N was nearing the last month of her pregnancy.

It wasn’t an overreaction to say that she was big. She felt like a bloated whale.

But the young mother found herself getting support from both James and Ada.

God, Y/N was so thankful for Ada. She was the most genuine, caring and hardworking woman that Y/N had ever met.

They’d become great friends ever since they had first met.

The older woman was understanding, but not disconcerting. Loving, but not in a smothering sort of way. Supportive and just damn genuine.

Ada became like the older sister she never had growing up, and the latter was but all happy to take on that role.

She was the one that Y/N could confide in- even about Henry.

“What about the father?”

Y/N looked down, tears already pooling in her eyes, “He’s a boy from my past.” She sniffled,”We fell in love but it didn’t last.”

Ada looked sympathetic, “What happened?”

Y/N found herself shrugging, “It was just like- the second I figured it out he pushed me away,” she steadied her voice, “And I won’t fight for love if he won’t meet me half way- I won’t do it Ada. And I say that I’m through with him, but here I am talking and crying over him.”

Y/N looked at her friend who seemed to be waiting for her to carry on, “All I want it a good guy,” she stated, “Are my expectations far to high? Is there something wrong with me for wanting that?”

Ada just leant forwards, placing her hands on top of Y/N’s shaking ones, “Look- I’ve been through all of these questions. There’s nothing wrong with you okay- I mean look at you Y/N,” she pointed at the other girl’s body, “You’re trying your best at the end of the day, you’re not alone, you have me, Karl, James and Your own child and that is enough for me. You should be proud.”

It was through Ada that Y/N met Thomas Shelby for the first time- which at the time she hadn’t known but would become her future employer.

What was there to say about Thomas Shelby. He was intimidating, he demanded the power of the room. And his eyes- God his eyes. They were piercing blue and just made you cold by looking at them.

The first time Y/N had met the man, she swore she could feel her child squirm inside her, almost as if they were turning away in comfort.

But Ada soon set the record straight, reassuring her brother that Y/N was trusted by her and that the younger girl was a close friend.

The second time that Tommy and Y/N ran into each other was quite literally so. Y/N had been going out for walks (something recommended by her doctor), she was due any day at that point.

She’d been walking in her own little world, fantasising about what her child would look like. Whether they would have Henry’s unruly curls or her eyes.

And then she walked into a wall. A rather tall, slim wall. That spoke with a Brummie accent...and wore a pocket watch.

It was by then that Y/N had realised that it wasn’t actually a brick wall she’d stumbled into. But in fact Thomas Shelby.

Immediately you had stuttered an apology, explaining why you had been so out of it.

He took one look at you. A quick up and down. Before he spoke, “When’re you due?”

The answer caught Y/N completely off guard, she had been expecting a threat for scuffing up his shoes.

“Um, actually I’m due any day now.” She stammered, rubbing her belly lovingly. It was strange really- just how quick she’d grown to love the life inside of her.

The Brummie hummed in understanding, “I remember when Ada was that far along with Karl- a right bloody firecracker she was.”

Y/N smiled slightly, it sure sounded like Ada.

“Listen- Ada would ‘ave my bollocks on a silver platter if I didn’t walk you back to the ‘ouse,” Tommy licked his lips, “So.” He gestured to the arm he was holding out.

“Thank you Mr Shelby.” Y/N said, holding on his arm as they walked the last few streets.

“Tommy- call me Tommy.”

-

Matthew James Johnson was born kicking and screaming on the 14th of February at exactly 2 o’clock in the morning.

He weighed in at 6 pounds and 4 ounces and was everything Y/N could’ve ever imagined or hoped for.

As predicted Matthew held a head full of soft, blonde curls (just like his father) and his eyes were her own Y/E/C. He was just the perfect little mix of her and Henry.

And even though it broke her heart at first, she eventually began to see it as a blessing. Her baby was someone who she would love forever, who she would never let down.

-

A months later Y/N strolled into the apartment angrily. She was turned out of a job, yet again. It felt like it was becoming an impossible feat.

She was simply just unemployable, which angered her hugely.

Y/N was a mother for Christ’s sake, she had a baby who depended on her. How on earth was she supposed to do that for someone if she couldn’t even get a steady stream of income coming through the door.

Matthew was around 8 months old now, he was a troublemaker- but still managed to capture his mother’s heart at every glance. He made Y/N’s life worth it, he really did.

Slamming the large door behind her, she shrugged off her coat and hung it up on the coat rack. There was another that had been added to the normal pile.

Ada’s family must’ve been visiting again. She quietly crept through the hallway, attempting to stay out of the eyes of the Shelby family.

It would’ve worked mind you- if Matthew hadn’t spotted you through the crack in the doorway.

“Ma-ma-ma.” He babbled happily from the floor.

Y/N walked in almost guiltily, scooping up her baby boy from the carpet and planting a soft kiss on his rosy red cheeks.

Ada stopped mid conversation and looked up at Y/N hopefully, “So?”

“Turned away.” The young mother answered frustratedly, “It getting tiring now Ada, I-“

“Ada love, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” The voice came from a stern looking woman.

“Pol,” Ada turned the woman, “This is Y/N- James’ cousin and a close friend of mine.” She turned to the girl who was still holding the wriggling baby, “And this is Matthew, Y/N’s baby boy and my godson.”

Polly was stared intently at the boy in Y/N’s arms. The stare itself was calculating and judgemental but Y/N felt...oddly safe around the woman.

“He’s a beautiful boy,” She spoke softly, “reminds me of my Michael when he was this size.”

Y/N just smiled awkwardly, she had no clue who Michael was, she cleared her throat, asking timidly “Would you like to hold him?”

The older woman opened her arms for the child, and when Matthew was safe in them he gurgled happily.

The door creaked open again, this time Tommy walked through the frame.

The pair had actually become quite good friends of the past months. There was nothing romantic, or remotely sexual about their relationship. It was just a friendship.

Tommy was an the older brother, he kept and eye out and looked out for the girl and her son.

“Y/N.” He nodded to the girl, “When did you get in?”

“Just now,” she replied, “Job interview ran over.”

“And?” He prompted, hand digging in his blazer pocket for a cigarette.

“No smoking around the children Tommy- you know the rules,” Y/N reminded him, “And it didn’t go well- they turned me away.”

Tommy appeared to be deep in thought, “My fiancé is due to have a baby in May.” He paused again, “If you’d accept- I’d be happy to hire you as the baby’s nanny.”

“But Matthew-“

“Can stay with you while you work, it’s only a matter of balancing your family life and work life.”

“Has your fiancé agreed with this arrangement?” Y/N folded her arms.

“She will, she trusts me- and I trust you.” Tommy looked deeply at you, “So?”

“Okay.” The young woman looked at Ada, “I’ll do it.”

[baekchelor]

ａｓｈｏｒｅ[x]

pairing: bodevan cash x reader genre: Doctor! AU, Romance, Angst summary: After a fall out with your fianceé, and an opportunity to chase your dreams, you embark into a medical mission trip to Namibia where you run into self-taught doctor Bodevan Cash. Love ensues. word count: 1.7k a/n: Hello, hello! Let’s pretend we’re all hugging while I thank you all fro reading this story. I’m so sorry it took me so long to finally end it, but i really struggled with the outcome. Yes, she staying with Ethan was considered.🤭🤭 I hope you like the outcome. All the love, boos. ❤️❤️

❝I  am  longing  to  be  with  you,  and  by  the  sea,  where  we  can  talk  together  freely  and  build  our  castles  in  the  air.❞                                                                                               ― bram stoker

EPILOGUE

ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｅｎｄｌｅｓｓ ｄａｙｓ ◄ ｐｒｅｖ Bodevan wrote, "If you know I'm dying, and I know you still love me. Come back to me..." He wasn't dying; obviously, the only person inhabiting Bo's teepee whose days were numbered —unless a medical miracle occurred, was Danny. Although nobody was exempt on an accident or to suddenly drown in the sea, pushed by the strong winds at the Skeleton Coast, Danny's health was Bodevan's biggest concern. It grew worse each passing day, he barely had the strength to keep his lids open, and a despaired Peera held onto his fingertips with blood-shooted eyes. With careful words, and in response to your frantic call at 4am, Rellian explained the intended purpose between the lines in Bodevan's email. He was a professional, no doubt, he valued saving lives more than anything in the world, and that included you. Danny was his priority at the moment. Nevertheless, your absence had stolen further the already restless nights, it had triggered a loss of appetite in his rare lunch breaks. Bo's hunger for life started to fade away, he felt like dying each passing day you woke up across the world instead of wrapped around his limbs. It broke your heart because you knew —he confided in you—, it was a nightmare that haunted him at nights. To experience the same pain his father dealt with when Bo's mother left and later committed suicide, frightening him, and you've induced it to him. He feared the undying love you shared in Namibia was purely circumstantial, and the more days you spent in New York, the more the odds were against him and on Ethan's favour.  Bodevan was wrong.

Because all the time you spent with him, left a thread knitted inside your soul. Bo's face never failed to taunt you in dreamland or drifted you into memories about África and its morning skies. You haven't stopped thinking about him either, not for a second, despite the lies you told yourself. Bendel's and Butter lost their attraction. The sole deeds you appeared to enjoy were Maoism books, Yo-Yo Ma and Glen Gloud's music —anything related to the boy with long hair and a mustard jacket. But Bodevan was right to an extent. When you saw Ethan's face amongst the crowd at JFK, your first instinct was to deny it all, settled to forget Namibia and the eccentric doctor that spent his nights restlessly sleeping in a sofá of a combi-turned-reception. So you found yourself in Manhattan, wanting to convert the shores in the city, mixing the sky with the Atlantic sea, letting Bo escape as you agreed to lose him. Problem was, despite your efforts, Ethan's caresses couldn't erase the trace of Bodevan. Inside Ethan's bed, wrapped underneath Ethan's sheets and Ethan's arms, your heart still belong to Bodevan. You started drowning in photos, dreams, songs, memories that connected you to him, and even though you couldn't understand it, you began to feel insane. How could you deceive your soul? It was evident, Bodevan Cash held it under his possession. No matter how many times, how many people said you were drowning in an empty glass because there was no comparison between Ethan Gandy and some unknown, weird-named joke of a Doctor [in their exact words], you couldn't forget the night he kissed you and laid you down on the sand. Both them and Ethan, and your family, and even your own subconscious —you wanted to shut them all up, arguing you've forgotten him, that Bodevan was meaningless to your life and to your heart. The thing is, he wasn't... He taught you to stole the seconds away from time, to admire the sky, to say little white lies if it meant to spend more time with him, and to replace words with stares. You learnt more than a thousand ways to kiss, thanks to Bo, and it was because of him that you discovered what is to truly love. He forgot one final instruction though because you still didn't know how to live without him. Your mouth dreamed it kissed him, coffee tasted like sorrow and you couldn't gulp a single sip without recalling the mornings in your cabin, writing words into Bodevan's skin. Yet, it took you, eight more Sundays to finally break things off with Ethan. He didn't yell, you didn't cry, neither even mentioned Bodevan. Deep in your soul, though, you knew you've finally managed to let go of his hand due to an email you got from Namibia, where Bodevan stated that if you still thought about him, be assured that he still waited for you. Bo's words didn't push you out of Ethan to come running back to África, but they hit you the strong enough to make you realize, you were hurting people you loved and cared about. To finally be able to be with any of them, first, you needed to be with yourself, and let go of Namibia's rendezvouses and Ethan's divorce. You kissed Ethan one last time, you made love to him till the early hours of the morning, and after he said, "I'll love you forever, even when we're not together." And you responded, "Me too." You left. 

Today, almost six months later, you're about to start a new chapter in your life. You left New York, only this time you weren't running away from a lie, or trying to figure yourself out. You are where you stand, to follow the dreams you've finally discovered. There's no ring around your finger, there is no remorse of what you left behind at your studio in Dumbo, neither on the apartment at the Upper East Side, where you seemed to spend more nights than in your own. The sky complains above you, roaring and ready to let free all the tears condensed inside black clouds. You're facing what —hopefully— will be the rest of your life, the future you are sure to desire. Instead of feeling nervous, you're overwhelmed by happiness. This time you are confident. It took you a long time, but now you can firmly express what you want, what you need, what you believe. You don't believe the sea will ever lose the taste of salt. You don't believe in luck, or in miracles. You don't believe in Karl Marx's ideas. You don't believe in the principles of Maoism. You don't believe in God.And certainly, you don't believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason. So be it. With a deep breath, you walk into your future. You pass by the Australian boy who just had a heart transplant and the happy nurse feeding him breakfast. A smile curves your lips when a blue-eyed doctor nods in the direction of the beach, encouraging you to follow the path of shells and seaweed. You take off your sandals and allow your toes to relish in the sensation of the wet sand beneath. But the joy turns mundane when your eyes spot your very own belief. Yes, you believe in medicine. Moreover, you believe in his shy smile, in the kisses he gifts you, in everything he says. And in his morning-sky gaze. Bodevan hasn't seen you yet, he is standing at the shore, eyes closed and slowly breathing in and out. You try not to make noise, but you hurry because he's waiting there and you genuinely hope he's waiting for you. Once you're close enough to touch him, you hesitate, fearful that he will vanish at your touch because you've ached for him so long that it just hit you this might be a dream. And you're not in Namibia, and he's not here, and you're still laying down in Ethan's bed. But he is breathing, and he smells like vanilla and pinecones, and when your trembling fingertips write a greeting over the skin of his back, he turns around immediately. You're not dreaming anymore, he is real, but who's thinking the contrary seems to be him. Bodevan's ocean eyes are decorated with purple bags under it, and around his irises, sadness traces can be tracked easily. It takes one look at this boy to realize wherever he is, you'll go. He is your home. Your happy place. He is spring, a stairway straight to heaven, and you want to walk with him forever. He has given you so much, and you wanna give him so many more in return. You wanna be his ray of sunshine, the chords on his guitar, the cub of sugar in his coffee. The reason for his smile, not his heartache. "Please, I beg you, tell me you're real," Bo whispers in a very careful thread of words. "I haven't slept in days." A timorous hand reaches out to rest over his face, tenderly, "I am. I am here, Bo." "I believed you weren't coming back. That what we were, time left it behind." "I was an idiot," you answer. "I wrote to you emails that I never sent." Bodevan shakes his head, incredulous and almost giggling, "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter, really. If you're here to stay."He is afraid of your answer, you know it, and you want to ease it all away with pampering kisses all over his face. But you know he needs the reassurance od promises and words. "Are you? Truthfully?" "I am. Truthfully." "One last thing," he says, his usual shy eyes facing you in bravery. "You love me. Truth or Untruth?" "Truth," you whisper, no hesitation in your voice. You could live without Ethan, you could live without New York, hell, you could even live without medicine. As long as you have Bodevan, and the haven that is his arms around your waist, and his kisses... Yes, you depend on him. And if you still have him left, then you have life. "More than anything and anyone. Above everything." Water starts to pour, and you bless the rains down in Africa, for always being a witness, as Bodevan cups your face to bring your lips together, and never let you go.

[imagine-fanfics]

Request: Imagine it's Joanna's wedding day, and Bones's an emotional wreck and you prove to be a support to him during the ceremony. Word Count: 1,939 Warnings:  Author’s Note: Requested by anon. I am sorry for being gone for a few days, I needed a writing break and I was binge watching the FUCK out of The Boys. Karl Urban is just amazing, and I am in love with Billy.

Bones paced back and forth, that crease in his forehead let you know what he was thinking. It was Joanna's wedding day, and as most were very happy for her, like any good father, he worried. You both were in a room that was specifically for the parents, but Joanna's mother was with her helping her get ready, and the groom's parents were still on their way. Why were you in there? Because if you didn't keep an eye on the good doctor, he would surely drink himself to next year. Your eyes followed him back and forth as he mumbled to himself.

"Len.." You spoke out, capturing his attention for a split second before he went back to talking to himself, only this time it was loud enough for you to hear. "She's only 19, she's too young to get married." He groaned out, like he was trying to convince himself to stop the ceremony. "You were only 22 when you had her. What is three years? They've been together since she was 15." You informed him, trying your best to calm his nerves--only failing. "That's different. I was in my twenties at least!" He called out, not realizing he was nearing you each time he paced.

"Len, it's fine. I already did a background check on him, he isn't a bad guy and he treats your daughter with love and respect." You finally admitted, getting him to stop right in front of you, eyes slightly widened at your confession. "You what?" He questioned, trying to wrap his head around your words. A small chuckle escaped your lips as you grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the couch you were sitting at. He plopped down with a weak bounce, eyes staying locked on yours. "Len, you need to calm down. Your blood pressure is probably skyrocketing."

He sighed, bringing his hand up to his forehead as he leaned his head on his hand. You reached out and touched his back, gently rubbing your hand in circles. He stayed quiet for a long time, but you were content just being there for him. Uhura's words coming into your mind for a brief moment--'Just tell him how you feel'. You swallowed the lump in your throat, now wasn't the right time. He had more pressing matters to think about, not you. This was Joanna's day. He glanced up and looked at the clock, it wouldn't be too long before the ceremony would start.

You followed his gaze, a small smile on your face. "You ready to walk her down the aisle?" He shook his head. "Is any father ready to give their daughter away to someone else?" His eyes shifted to you, and you finally realized how close he was to you. Shifting a little in your seat, you looked at the floor, your hand still drawing circles on his back. "I suppose not." You could feel his stare burning a hole right through you, assuming he was just lost in thought.

The door to the room opened, causing you to jump--taking your hand off his back--as you stared at Jim. "His parents are here, it's time." It was a simple statement, but you could feel Bones' body tense up. You nodded at Jim as he closed the door, glancing over at Bones. "Come on, if you aren't there she will get second thoughts. Your approval means everything to her." You stood up, heading toward the exit when you felt a strong grip on your hand--stopping you in your tracks. Looking back at him, his head was down, his arm extended until it connected with your hand.

"Y/N, can I do this?" His voice broke, and you felt your heart shatter. You leaned down, elbows resting on his legs as you took his hand in both of yours. You looked deep into his eyes, which were wet--tears threatening to fall. "Leonard, you can do this, and let me tell you why. You love your daughter, you want her happy. This guy makes her happy. So, I know you will do this, for her." He stared at you for an instant, like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He nodded his head and stood up, picking you up with him. "You're right, Y/N."

A smile formed on your facial features, "I'm always here for you, Len." You told him, and you could have sworn you seen a flash of a smile before he left go of your hand, heading for the door. Your smile fell, taking in the cold air that touched your skin where his hand used to be. Clearing your throat, you shook the feeling off and followed him out the door, closing it behind you as you both made your way to the ceremony. Side by side.

---

Bones walked Joanna down the aisle, your eyes on Joanna--she looked absolutely beautiful, bringing a tear to your eye. Shifting your gaze to the groom, you noticed how happy he looked--how the love in his eyes spoke volumes. You hoped Bones noticed, too. The seat in front of you was reserved for him, but when he released his daughter, he made a beeline to the seat that was empty, right beside you. "Len, what are you doing?" You leaned over and whispered, his eyes were locked on Joanna. "I need you, Y/N. I can't sit without you." He spoke softly, almost like a whisper as his hand immediately grabbed onto yours.

Looking down at your hands, he picked it up and placed it in your lap. Your heart fluttered. Pulse quickened when he entwined your fingers together. You had to take a deep breath to steady yourself, focusing on the wedding and not the love of your life holding your hand throughout it. You could have sworn you seen Joanna's smirk when she laid her eyes on you both. The ceremony went on, Bones holding onto your hand with a death grip, but you got him to loosen slightly when you started to massage his hand with your thumb.

Joanna and her husband walked down the aisle, everyone clapping as they made their exit. Bones kept hold of your hand, no sign of letting go. When Joanna was no longer in sight, Bones turned his attention to you. "Thank you, Y/N." You gave him a reassuring smile. "This was all you, Len. You did great." He nodded, standing up and pulling you with him as he walked toward the exit. You were slightly confused as he still had not let go of your hand. "Len?" You immediately regretted calling out to him, because you knew you would hate it when he let go of you.

"Don't let go." You heard him whisper, causing you to look up to his face, his ears were red but he stayed looking forward. You tightened your grip on his hand, feeling your face heat up. "Okay."

You drove with him to the reception, where there were assigned seats. You knew you were sitting at the same table with Jim, but surprise crossed your face when Bones refused to let go of your hand--along with your name tag being now next to Bones' at the head table. You glanced over at Joanna, who was staring at you and her father, a simple wink from her was all it took for you to know she was the one who made the switch.

Bones finally let go of your hand when he announced he was going to get you both a drink. Joanna snuck up to you during his absence. "Has he told you?" Her face held excitement as he grabbed onto your arm, her dress hitting your leg as you stared at her with minute confusion. "Told me what?" You questioned, a small gasp escaping her lips as she glanced at her father making his way back to you with two drink in his hands. "Uh, nevermind." She smiled innocently as she let go of your arm. Bones approached you both, handing you a drink as he eyed his daughter.

"What were you two talking about?" The look Bones gave Joanna was that of pure panic, which only deepened your confusion. "Nothing, daddy, just the father-daughter dance coming up." She played it off as if she didn't just lie to his face. She gave you a quick wink before she went back to her husband, starting the first dance they would share as husband and wife. It was a beautiful dance with a lovely song. You sipped on your drink throughout the dance, and the father-daughter dance. A few guys walking up to you and asking you to dance, a simple shake of the head told him no.

You could have sworn you seen a scowl on Bones' face as he looked away from you as he was dancing with Joanna. They shared words, he gave her his signature eye roll. You wanted to chuckle, but held it in. Another guy approached you at the start of the next song, holding his hand out to you. You were hesitant, thinking you should probably dance with someone and not look like a bump on a log. Reaching your hand out, it connected with another hand that moved the other out of the way. Your eyes shifted up to meet the eyes of Bones. Your heart skipped a beat.

"May I have this dance?" As if he had to even ask, you nodded your head. He walked with you onto the dance floor--placing his hand on your hip as the other wrapped around your hand like a warm blanket. You held his hand, your other hand snaking around his neck, a smile plastered on your face. "Y/N, have I told you how much I appreciate you?" His eyes stared into yours and you could have sworn your heart leapt out of your chest. "No, but I know." You smiled up at him, your face heating up at the close proximity you both shared.

"I know I've been saying it a lot today, but thank you again." You could feel his hot breath against your skin, sending a shiver down your spine. His hand pulled your waist closer to him, his hand leaving yours as it cupped your face. You took in a deep breath, your heart pounding. His face inched closer to yours until his eyes were closed and his lips pressed gently against yours. It took your breath away. The sweet sensation of his lips locked on yours, your wildest dreams coming true. You ran your fingers through his hair, standing on your tiptoes to deepen the kiss.

You could feel fireworks. In that moment it was just the two of you, until the kiss broke. You remained quiet, releasing the breath you held trapped inside you. "I love you, Y/N." His words were sweet, everything you hoped for. This was turning out to be your favorite day in existence. He rubbed a thumb over your cheek, a smile on your face.

A hand was slapped on Bones' shoulder, making you jump, startled. "It's about time, Bones." Jim's voice interrupted your moment--pressing your lips together, you held back a laugh as Bones turned to glare at Jim. If looks could kill, Jim would surely be on the floor. "Shut up, Jim." Bones' tone held venom as he turned to look at his best friend. It was then your eyes shifted to Joanna, who was looking at you with the most goofiest grin on her face and two thumbs in the air.

You couldn't hold back the laughter anymore.

[artificialqueens]

Beneath the Amber Moon, Part 7 (Galactica AU Group Fic) – TheDane & Veronica

Heyyy!! Welcome to Part 7 of “Beneath the Amber Moon,” a group fic set in the Galactica Universe. Click here for previous chapters.

We hope you’re enjoying it! Let us know what you think!

Summary: Violet gets a check-up, Fame gets birthday shots, and Courtney gets a visit.

/////

“Violet.”

Violet recognised the voice, the baritone the only reason she wasn’t fully freaking out as a hand oh so gently touching her cheek.

“Violet, wake up darling.”

Violet opened her eyes, only catching a glimpse of blue before she had to close them again, wincing in pain. The sun was too bright, the light almost white with it’s blinding.

“Don’t move too much.” Violet felt Sutan move her head slightly, a shirt getting shoved under her to give her support, Violet briefly trying to remember what brand Sutan had worn. “You just fainted.” She really hoped it wasn’t his vintage Ralph Lauren.

“Are we still on the yacht?”

“Yes.”

Violet swallowed, her throat painfully dry.

“How long was I out?”

“Only for a minute or two.” Sutan was still holding Violet’s face, the man quickly calling for someone to bring some water.

Violet really hoped everyone wasn’t looking. That would be beyond embarrassing, her stomach still curling with shame whenever she remembered that Adore had seen her throw up the day before. Courtney was somewhat okay, and for a minute Violet almost hoped the blonde was near. They had seen each other in so many degrading and frankly horrible positions that Courtney was one of the few people Violet rarely felt ashamed around.

“How are you feeling? Did you hit your head?”

Violet shook her head slightly, holding her breath for a moment as she waited, but thankfully nothing hurt. Violet heard voices, someone, maybe Fame, giving Sutan a glass of water.

“Try to sit up, sweetheart.”

Violet nodded, opening her eyes, her cheeks instantly going red as she saw that she was surrounded not only by Sutan and Fame, but also Raja, Juju, Alaska, Courtney, and worst of all. Bianca. Sutan helped her up, his hand on her back keeping her secure as she took the water, slowly sipping at it.

“Anything hurt?”

Violet took a deep breath, slowly focusing on each part of her body, one limb at a time like she had learned at the Academy whenever she had taken a nasty fall. Start from the top, and work your way done.

“I’m fine.”

“What happened?” Alaska looked worried, the blonde often being so much kinder than Violet felt like she deserved.

“I think...” If Violet was honest, she had no idea. “It must be heat stroke...” It was the only thing she could think of. It had happened once before, in Indonesia, Sutan, Raja, Raven and her caught in a jeep for almost an hour because a Komodo Dragon had blocked the road.

“Let’s get you to our room, okay?”

Violet nodded, beyond thankful that Sutan was going to take her away from it all.

What she didn’t notice however, was Fame, who was walking away decisively, making a beeline for the crew for the number to the nearest hospital.

/////

Sutan sat up, surprised when he heard a knock on the door. He wasn’t expecting anyone, though Raja had sent him a look when he had walked off with Violet, Sutan quickly but resolutely declining his twin’s offer for help. He knew Violet, and he knew that what she needed most of all right now was rest and to be alone, though he desperately wished he could smoke, Violet laying on the lounge chair of their balcony, slowly drinking the water had forced on her.

He squeezed Violet’s thigh, getting up and walking over to the door, opening it with a puzzled expression.

Fame pushed inside, followed by Bianca and a man that Sutan didn’t recognize.

“Where is she?”

“What the hell is going on?” Sutan asked, relieved that he’d closed to door to the balcony to protect Violet from this onslaught.

“This is Doctor Dias.” Fame gestured vaguely. “I had him helicoptered in. He’s going to check on your girlfriend.”

“Why?”

“Because something is obviously wrong, Sutan.”

“Violet already told us it was a heat stroke-”

“It’s 75 degrees! It wasn’t heat stroke!”

“She probably knows her body better than you do, Fame.”

“You are such an idiot sometimes,” Fame said. “Just let the doctor check her over.”

“Fine.” Sutan threw up his hands. “He can talk to her, but you both need to leave. Especially you-” he pointed at Bianca. “What are you even doing here?”

Bianca shrugged, sitting down on the bed. “Blondie asked me.”

“She speaks Spanish,” Fame explained, and Sutan realised Fame probably expected Bianca to translate for the doctor.

“Bianca?” Sutan rolled his eyes. “I’d say barely.” Sutan was growing more and more tired, a headache threatening to break through. Fame had a tendency to oversell Bianca, attributing more skills to their shared friend than she deserved, and normally he didn’t mind, but right now it was just.. bad. “You do realise that this is Brazil, right? They don’t even speak Spanish here.”

“Potato, potahto,” Fame waved her hand. “Where is Violet?”

“Sir, if I could just see the patient,” Dr. Dias ventured kindly. In perfect English, Sutan was sure to note.

“Yes, sorry about that, I just need to-”

“This is a nice room, Tan.” Bianca lay down on the bed, stretching languidly. Sutan wanted to punch her, her smug satisfaction for once not as endlessly amusing as he usually found it, but instead infuriatingly annoying. “Not as nice as my room upstairs, but pretty good. Have you tried the-”  

“Get out! Both of you, now!”

Fame opened her mouth, aghast, a hand pressed dramatically to her heart.

“Sutan!”

“You both know how uncomfortable Violet will be with this entire situation.” Sutan didn’t normally raise his voice, especially not at these women, but they were dancing on his very last nerve. “This isn’t the time for either of you to be petty bitches.” Sutan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Thank you for calling the doctor, I’m sure he’ll do his job just fine without your supervision. So please leave. Now.”

“Come on, blondie,” Bianca said, pulling Fame to the door. “Party’s over. Tan found his balls.”

“Did you hear him shout at me?” Fame asked her, indigent, and Bianca laughed.

“Yeah, we kinda deserved it…”  

Sutan let out a relieved sigh as the door shut behind them.

“Sorry about that, doctor. Do you mind waiting a moment while I talk to my girlfriend? I want to make sure she’s okay with all this.”

/////

“How are you feeling?”

“Okay...” Violet sighed. The doctor had taken her vitals, drawing blood, asking routine questions and noting down her answers, and for the first time, Violet was genuinely scared. She had heard the entire argument through the door, Sutan standing up for her so fiercely she was sure she would have jumped him if they had been alone. She had wanted to believe it was a heatstroke, but no matter how little she liked it, Fame was right. It wasn’t normal for her body to act like this.

“Come lie with me?” Sutan obliged straight away, Violet curling into his arms in the fresh linen on their bed, his hand running up and down her back, broad strokes and the sound of his heartbeat calming her down.

“I’m sure you’ll be just fine lovely eyes.” Sutan kissed her hair.

/////

Adore found the room first. A fully-stocked bar tucked away on one of the lower decks, with a dance floor, epic sound system, strobe lights and a fabulous disco ball. So she and Courtney began to blast pop songs from their college days, those long ago times of the early 2010s.

Karl arrived next, attracted by the delicate melody of Britney’s “Work Bitch,” immediately taking over as DJ, followed by Jinkx and Alaska, who seemed like they were in the mood to just let go and have some fun after the stress of chasing Adore down all day. Raven, never one to be left out, came soon after, dragging Juju along with her. Detox and Raja joined as soon as their kids were asleep, quickly getting into the festive spirit, shouting out song recommendations to Karl.

By the time Bianca and Fame walked in, the party was in full swing. Drinks flowing, dancing, shrieking laughter. Fame was just about to scold her friends for the raucousness - there were people trying to sleep, she was sure - but then Karl spotted her and screamed, “BIRTHDAY GIRL!”

The entire room erupted into cheers, pulling Fame onto the dance floor, giving her drinks and lavishing her with all the attention she could ever dream of. She laughed and let Raja spin her, supposing that the lecture could wait awhile.

What was the harm of a little noise, anyway?

Bianca watched her friend twirl and dance, smiling. She was glad that Fame was having a good time. Firstly, because it was her birthday and she deserved to have fun and second, because then the rest of them could relax. As Patrick always said, happy wife, happy life, and things were simply easier and better when Fame was happy.

“Hey! Need a refill?” Adore held up a bottle of tequila, giggling.

“I’m still working on this one, thanks.” Bianca grinned at her sister. “Come here.”

Adore basked in the affection, letting Bianca put her arms around her waist, lean a head on her shoulder.

“I love you, kiddo.”

“Are you drunk?” Adore asked, grinning down at her big sister. “Or dying? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, I just love you. Do I need a fucking reason to say that?”

Adore laughed, hugging her back.

“Absolutely not. I’m very lovable.”

“That you are. Little shit.”

Adore giggled again, taking a swig directly from the tequila bottle.

“Classy.”

“Always!” she agreed, then realized that Bianca’s attention had been diverted. She followed her eyes, landing quickly on Courtney on the dance floor.

The blonde was currently engaged in a very provocative dance with Raven to Rihanna’s “S&M.” Adore turned back to her sister, saw the way her eyes were glazing over, glued Courtney’s every move. She kissed the top of Bianca’s head, making a secret wish for those two to get their shit together once and for all.

/////

Courtney tossed and turned in her bed, drifting in and out of a fitful sleep. The humidity was making it impossible for her to relax. Well, the humidity and the tension that had been building for days, now coiled in her abdomen like a spring.

A sharp knock on her door sounded, making her sit up straight. She stumbled out of bed, grabbing a blanket from the chair on her way, both confused by the middle of the night interruption and not at all confused.

As she opened the door, her stomach filled with butterflies. Bianca stood in the hall, hair loose and blowing in the ocean breeze, in bare feet and a flimsy nightgown.

They stared at each other for a long, heated moment, eyes locked, barely breathing.

Then, it all seemed to happen at once. Courtney took a step backwards, dropping her blanket to the floor. Bianca lunged forward to grab her face, crashing their lips together in a desperate, heated kiss - unleashing the passion she’d been holding back all week, a moan leaving the back of her throat.

Courtney’s hands were everywhere. Sliding over Bianca’s full tits, down the sides of her torso, cupping her ass. She pulled at the nightie, ripping it up over Bianca’s head, hands moving back to her smooth, heated skin.

She gripped the back of Bianca’s thighs and lifted her up, smiling at the little yelp that left Bianca’s throat as she tightened her legs around Courtney’s waist.

“I got you,” Courtney said, gazing up at her.

Fuck, she was even stronger than she looked. Bianca relaxed a little, realizing that she wasn’t going to fall. Courtney then turned around, walking towards the bed and tossing Bianca down, eyes still locked on hers. Bianca’s heart raced, lips and thighs both parting instinctually, chest heaving with desire.

Courtney crawled forward, hovering over her on all fours, sliding a hand up her thigh, looking into her eyes, pupils so dilated that they looked nearly black in the moonlight. She brushed a teasing kiss over Bianca’s mouth and started to lift her head away, when Bianca grasped a handful of her hair and pulled her down for another, deep and messy, relaxing into it as Courtney’s body pressed her into the mattress.

Their legs now tangled together, Bianca arched up against Courtney’s thigh, gripping her hips so tightly that she was sure to leave marks. When Courtney flexed against her, Bianca let out a hoarse whimper. Courtney began to trail a row of teasing kisses down her neck, grinding harder against her, feeling how wet she was getting. She inched her fingers down, when Bianca’s eyes flew open.

“Get away from my pussy with those claws, ma’am.”

The nails. Courtney stifled a laugh.

“Shit, sorry.”

Courtney pushed her legs open wider and crawled down to kneel between them. She could see how glistening wet she was, arching up, demanding attention. Courtney raked the tips of her nails lightly down her stomach, making her shiver.

“Those things are terrifying,” Bianca said, watching her through half-lidded eyes.

Courtney flashed a smirk up at her, placing a tender kiss just below her bellybutton, then lower, and lower.

“This better?”

“Much.” Bianca’s voice was low and husky, heart racing as Courtney continued her slow journey down. When she couldn’t stand it one second longer, she threaded her hands into her hair and pushed her head down.

The second Courtney’s tongue came in contact with Bianca’s clit, her head fell back against the pillows, a relieved groan falling from her lips. God, it had been so long. Those bicurious trophy wives were perfectly fun for casual encounters, but they had nothing on a real lesbian. Bianca gasped as Courtney’s tongue swirled around, slowly and carefully bringing her to the brink.

Courtney wrapped her arms around Bianca’s thighs, looking up at her face, head thrown back, lips parted, eyes shut.

“Is this why you came tonight, B?” She placed a soft kiss on Bianca’s tender inner thigh. “Is this what you wanted?”

A breathy “yeah” was all Bianca could manage. Courtney smiled and licked her lips, relishing the taste of her, before returning to the task at hand, paying close attention to the changes in her breathing, the way her body arched, sense memory reminding her of exactly what Bianca liked as she flicked a tongue over her clit.

Her first orgasm was quiet, blissful sighs and breathy whimpers, fingers tangled in Courtney’s hair, as Courtney lapped her up like dessert, tongue soft against her. She waited patiently for Bianca’s body to slow down before going in for more, sucking on her clit, one hand reaching up to toy with her nipple. She knew what Bianca really wanted, and had half a mind to chew off a couple of those awful nails, but unfortunately, they weren’t budging.

She slid to the side of the bed, smiling at Bianca’s whine, reaching over into her open suitcase and coming up with exactly what she was looking for: a Magic Wand.

Bianca lifted herself up on her elbows, dark eyes hooded with lust.

“Wow, you’re not messing around.”

“Nope.” Courtney twirled the Wand in her hand, giggling. “You ready?”

“Uh huh...”

Courtney laid down beside Bianca, turning her face and licking her mouth open, plunging a tongue inside. She flipped the Magic Wand on, letting it rest lightly against Bianca’s clit.

Bianca arched against the vibrator, vision going blurry as Courtney began to swirl a tongue around her nipple. Her fingers dug deep into Courtney arm, a string of whimpers and then curses falling from her lips. Every time she got close, Courtney changed the speed, keeping her on the edge, driving her crazy until she couldn’t take it anymore.

She moaned, pulling hard on Courtney’s hair, suddenly not satisfied with this passive role. She flipped them over, pushing Courtney’s legs open with her thigh, grinding down against her, rolling her hips faster and faster. She pulled the vibrator out from between them, turning it off and then tossing it aside, bearing down.

Sparks raced through her body as their wet pussies rubbed against each other. Courtney was fingering her nipples, arching up into her, and Bianca bit down hard on her shoulder, sucked bruises into her skin. Branding her. Mine.

“Fuck,” Bianca groaned as she came once again, slowing her movements to the pace of her throbbing cunt, sticky wetness mixing as she rutted against her.

She rode out the last aftershocks, then collapsed on top of Courtney, a sweaty mess, face buried in a cloud of blonde hair. Courtney trailed her nails up her back, round and round, making circles on her damp skin.

As if by instinct, Bianca’s mouth moved to Courtney’s neck, sucking on her pulse point, bruising the tender flesh, a hand snaking down to find her core, warm and wet.

“Oh, god, B…” Courtney whined as Bianca began to stroke her slowly, toy with her in that devilish way she had.

Whimpering with increased urgency now, Courtney arched up, pulse beating frantically as she begged for more friction, more pressure, more heat.

But Bianca’s movements were languid. Intentionally taking her sweet time, a soft tongue chasing her biting kisses, keeping Courtney wracked with pleasure, toes curled. She didn’t even mind those fucking nails digging into her shoulders, every scratch showing her the effect she was having on Courtney’s body as made her way down. Her tongue trailed lazy circles over her golden skin, still salty from the ocean.

She brushed her lips gently over Courtney’s clit, blowing hot air against her, holding her hips down as she strained and arched.

Suddenly, Courtney summoned all of her strength and flipped them over using just her thighs. She knelt above Bianca’s face, the look of surprise on her face almost as good as the feeling of her hot, plush mouth, the triumph of being in control.

Bianca’s arms circled her thighs, holding them open, mouth open and ready, a thrill rushing through her as Courtney’s hips rolled against her, grinding against her tongue, hot and messy and dripping wet. Her frantic movements set the pace, and Bianca kept up, tongue seeking her out, enthusiastically devouring her.

One of Bianca’s hands slid up, thumb brushing against Courtney’s nipple, and she groaned in pleasure, hips moving faster, her own hand moving to her other breast, pinching her nipple as she rode Bianca’s face.

Before long, Courtney’s thighs were shaking. As strong as she was, she was having trouble supporting her own weight in this state, whimpers bubbling up from the back of her throat, close to the edge, biting down on her lip so hard that she tasted blood.

All it took was a gentle push to get her onto her back, so that Bianca could take back the reins, finishing her off slowly, leisurely. Swirling her tongue, unbearably soft, as Courtney bucked and moaned, begging for more. Bianca lifted her head, just one finger toying with her as she looked at her face, eyes rolled back, mouth open in a silent scream. Bianca smiled, still watching as her tongue caressed Courtney’s swollen clit, eliciting a guttural moan, another gush of wetness that Bianca licked up greedily.

“Please B...oh god...I…” Courtney let out another broken moan, knuckles white from her tight grip on the sheets.

“I lied,” Bianca murmured against her, breathing her in deeply. “This is the reason I came here.”

She sucked harder, tongue circling faster, coaxing Courtney through wave after wave, passion engulfing her like a tsunami, leaving her gasping for breath, wrung out, her whole body unravelling as she melted into the bed.

It didn’t matter how much time had gone by. In that moment, Bianca knew that Courtney was hers entirely. She inhaled the scent of sweet victory, lips brushing against her, before rolling off, curled on her side, watching Courtney slowly regain her composure.

“Fuck.”

Bianca chuckled, sliding a hand across her abdomen, the newly formed 6-pack that had been taunting her all week.

“Your body is just…”

Courtney turned a head toward her, a smile tugging at her lips, eyes still half-closed with exhaustion.

“You like it?”

“Hell yeah,” Bianca replied.

“I thought you’d like me better dainty.”

“I thought so too, but...shit.”

Courtney giggled, lacing their fingers together.

“These, on the other hand?” Bianca lifted her hand, scowling at those dreaded nails. “These are a hate crime.”

“They were supposed to keep me from misbehaving,” Courtney explained.

“Oops.”

Courtney laughed again, turning to the side to face her, eyes soft and shining. They didn’t speak for awhile, simply enjoyed the quiet intimacy of the moment, naked and spent, curled together.

“B?”

“Yeah?” Bianca brushed another kiss against Courtney’s lips, pulling her closer by the waist.

Courtney allowed herself a few more moments of gentle affection before clearing her throat and sitting up slightly, propped against the pillows. She carded her scandalous nails through Bianca’s hair, watching her long lashes flutter.

“Um…”

“Yeah? What��s up?” Bianca asked again.

“Should we...talk about what this means?”

“Why, you moving back to New York?” Bianca retorted. Courtney’s hand stopped moving in her hair and she immediately regretted the sarcastic tone. Shit.

There was a long pause, and then Courtney muttered, “Forget it,” withdrawing her hand.

Bianca couldn’t bear to look up, to see the hurt that she knew would be in her eyes. What the fuck was wrong with her? Why did she have to destroy this moment?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Okay.”

“I just...didn’t think anything had changed for you, so-”

“You’re right. It hasn’t.”

Bianca felt like she was swallowing a mouthful of sawdust as the reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. Courtney wasn’t hers anymore. She had her own life, her own career. This was just a fling. And as much as Bianca wanted to get on her knees and beg her to come back, she knew that wasn’t the answer.

Courtney finally managed to catch her eye, saw how sorry she really was. She swallowed down her own pain, her own spoiled fantasies of what this was going to be, and offered her hand, palm up.

“Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.”

“Right.” Bianca took her hand, tried to be grateful for what they had, instead of angry about what she was losing, once again. Tried to pretend, for a little while, that things were different. That this was a new beginning instead of the same old tune.

She held onto Courtney’s hand, thumb rubbing her palm, until she heard Courtney’s breathing even out, and then gave her one final squeeze. One last kiss, soft, against her cheek.

It would be better if they woke up alone.

[weresilver]

Head Cannon Bones can sing really well. Him and Jim used to do kareoke nights 😂

Okay so I was unironically thinking “But what if Karl was in a musical??” earlier today. And I kind of want it real badly. Sorry this is so shitty, I’m at work and all XD

I like the idea that something in the planet’s atmosphere makes everyone sound like they are singing, so most of the away team tries not to talk. (Spock is infinitely more silent than usual but he secretly also has an amazing voice).

Everyone minus Jim and Bones stay quiet, and the two just seem to be having fun like they haven’t in a while. Everyone expected this from Jim, but defintely not from the usually cranky doctor.

Jim just stands with a smug expression as Bones explains (while singing) that singing has always been a hobby, and that he and Jim used to go to karaoke whenever they had time off in the academy.

Jim and Bones carry the mission to success, and the away team is just in awe at Bones’ singing voice.

When Uhura, who stayed on the ship, learns of this, she demands that he sings with her at some point. He’s extremely embarrassed about this whole thing now that it’s over, but he doesn’t say no.

And from that point on, he can be seen humming to some song or another while in medbay.

Edit: Jim may or may not have convinced Bones to just… Not warn people about the atmosphere effects. Those two definitely knew what they were doing going down there.

[nuttersincorporated]

Thoughts on ‘Rosa’ the third episode of new Doctor Who

Holy fuck. I think this might be my favourite episode of the series so far. Spoiler under the Keep Reading.

This series is fantastic! I am LOVING every second of it! I hope it continues to be this awesome.

I knew it was a good sign when the opening said that Malorie Blackman was one of the writers for this episode. Did you know that from 2009 to 2015 there were no episodes of Doctor Who written by female writers? For those of you that don’t know, Malorie Blackman is critically acclaimed British writer who writes books for children and young adults. Her stories explore themes of racism and social issues. In other words, she was the perfect person to write this episode.

EDIT: So apparently Malorie Blackman is the first writer of colour on Doctor Who ever. I didn’t even think to google that because I just assumed there most have been more. How has it taken us this long to get a writer of colour? This is so overdue! That said, Malorie Blackman was a great choice.

‘Rosa’ was hard to watch at times because it did not shy away from the racism of 1950’s Alabama and that’s a good thing! It’s something we need to talk about and should never try to sugar coat or pretend didn’t happen. It was wrong then and it’s wrong now. To pretend it didn’t happen would be an injustice.

Not only that but they talked about how, although things have got better, racism isn’t gone. It’s something that still happens. In the current political climate and with Brexit, it is more important than ever to make sure we stand up for what is right and to speak out when other people make racist comments (as long as it’s safe to do so, do not put yourself in danger if you can avoid it!).

Every white person, myself included, will benefit from white privilege from time to time and we won’t always see it. It can be a simple as two people going for a job interview but the black person gets pulled over by the police while they check their license, leading to them being late to the interview and the white person getting the job. Like Ryan said, “It’s not like Rose Parks wiped out racism forever. Otherwise, why do I get stopped by the police way more than my white mates?”

I love that they actually got the history right for this episode. Rosa Parks wasn’t just tired when she refused to give up her seat. She knew what she was doing and yes, she was friends with Martin Luther King. Not only that but they went into detail about how it all happened.

This is the sort of historical episode that I feel New Who has sorely been missing. Classic Who used to have episodes that were set in the past where absolutely nothing sci-fi would happen, other than the Doctor and companions arriving in the TARDIS. They were there to teach people about history. This was almost that, with the slight exception that they had to make sure history happened the way it was supposed to.

I like that the Doctor gave everyone the chance to stay in the TARDIS and let her deal with things so that they wouldn’t have to face the blatant racism.

It was good to see Graham and Ryan bonding more in this episode. Ryan finally seems to be warming to Graham a bit more, though he’s not ready to call him grandad yet. Graham is ready to throw down when someone hurts Ryan.

I’m glad Grace is still a presence in the show even though she died. People don’t just move on and stop talking about someone who’s passed away. She was a big part of Graham and Ryan’s lives. She helped shaped them into the people they are.

I finally feel like I know Yas better! Her conversation with Ryan about how she still faces racism and microaggressions felt a lot more natural than her few lines about her family in the last episode. She’s calm and level headed, tries not to let things get to her and be positive, a Muslim (this episode also very briefly touched on Islamophobia), wants to be in charge (which fits with the first episode where she didn’t imminently let the Doctor take over without questioning things) and has dated some people who Ryan thinks she’s better than. It looks like we’ll get to know here better next episode too cos we’re going to meet her mum.

I’m a little surprised that the Doctor didn’t say anything about how Ryan sent Krasko back in time like that. Don’t get me wrong, he was an asshole who deserved it but she told Karl he “Had no right,” to kick Tzim-Sha off the crane even though he could and did teleport home. Sending Krasko as far back in time as he could probably killed him, unless it has a safety setting that it that drops people somewhere safe but Ryan couldn’t have known that.

Final thoughts, this was a great episode. I love it!

If I ever say or reblog anything that is discriminatory in any way, it doesn’t have to be racism, please tell me, anonymously or not. I will thank you for telling me, delete the post and try to learn from it to become a better person.

I leave you with the Horrible History song about Rosa Parks

[reekierevelator]

The Time Has Come

John Maclean (1879 – 1923) reviews his life as he prepares to address the horde of a hundred thousand people which has gathered on Glasgow Green to hear him speak after his release from Peterhead Prison.

            So here I am again.  Back on the speakers’ platform; fingers twitching and mind racing.

In a few minutes I’m expected to give a rabble-rousing speech to the thousands upon thousands of people staring up at me, despite the fact that until yesterday I was languishing in the sewer called Peterhead Jail, despite the fact I’d been on hunger strike for eight months.  But I’ll manage it.  I will do it, just as I did it after prison the last time, 1916. For even now that the war is over there are still too many who don’t understand, who aren’t yet class conscious, who can’t see through the fog of capitalism. I will do it because however weak I am today, I am no longer being force-fed twice daily through rubber tubes.

I can hardly believe it’s only 1919.  The trial seems such a long time ago.  But it was really only a year ago.  I was fit and robust then.  I conducted my own defence.  I spoke from the dock for an hour and a half, logically rebutting in turn each of the trumped up charges they laid against me. Defence of the Realm Act indeed. Then as now I said I wished no harm to any human being; that all my actions were entirely humanitarian in nature.  But they insisted I was a threat to society, that I should be keen to kill my fellow workers in other countries, that I should be more patriotic. Patriotism - the last refuge of those scoundrels; Dr Johnson was right.  And maybe it’s true that I did try to undermine their war effort, their drive to slaughter millions. I tried, just as my friends Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg did in Germany.  I was convicted of sedition, of trying to bring down the state, and sentenced to five years in the Peterhead hellhole. But now that the war has ended, I’m not such a threat, and in response to public clamour they set me free.     

 Was it all worth it?  I suppose I should be grateful to have avoided the fate of my Edinburgh friend. James wanted to bring trade unionism and socialism to another part of the United Kingdom, the Ireland of his father and forefathers. Connolly was brought up among those Irish immigrants crammed into the caves under the arches of the city’s South Bridge. After fighting for workers’ rights against the Dublin lock-out he founded his Citizens’ Army. And in 1916, for his trouble, he ended up severely wounded, dragged up against a wall in Dublin Castle, and shot dead by soldiers. But I’m sure this country will find that’s not the end of the Irish story. Maybe that’s something Maybe that’s what I should tell them.

I still have my friends in Glasgow - Jimmy Maxton, Guy Aldred, and Willie Gallacher Jimmy’s the clever one.  One day someone will probably write a doctoral thesis on Maxton’s thinking and end up as Prime Minister.  And Guy, like me, he’s seen his fair share of courtrooms.  America saw its way to amend its constitution with a Bill of Rights in 1791. But poor old Britain had to wait for Guy to be repeatedly arrested on this very Glasgow Green, for making speeches and gathering crowds, before the courts eventually agreed that public free speech, public meetings, and public processions really ought to be part of everyone’s civil liberties.  And Willie, he’s seen the inside of prisons too, Willie still guides the unions, leading the Shop Stewards Movement on the Clyde. But he’s left his syndicalism behind, thrown in his lot with Lenin and Trotsky and founded the Communist Party of Great Britain.  One of these days I can see him in Parliament, a Communist MP.

Looking at this huge crowd of people eagerly waiting to hear me speak I know many campaigned relentlessly for my release from prison.  And now they expect a victorious call to arms, a vibrant, revolutionary speech, all fire and brimstone. They want to greet a Scottish Lenin at the Central Station rather than the Finland Station. But the prison regime has exhausted me and destroyed my body.  And it wasn’t as if I hadn’t known hardship before, growing up in the poverty in Pollockshaws where my Gaelic speaking parents had landed up after being forced off their Highland land.  In school they called me a lad o’ pairts, a clever wee boy. The Free Kirk arranged for me to be trained as a teacher.  And after that I went on to Glasgow University and took my MA in Economics. But it was the terrible housing, poverty, and illness I saw all around me that drove me to a proper understanding of economics from a socialist perspective. It’s seventy years since Engels, in Manchester but writing in German, found himself forced to describe the awful condition of the working class. And fifty since Marx wrote about the Highland Clearances.  Yet sometimes it’s hard to see that very much has changed.

Of course, when I started to speak in public about the need for reform, the need to redress the terrible ills of society, I was sacked from my teaching job. Then they barred me from teaching in schools altogether.  Nothing daunted, I founded the Scottish Labour College to teach people about socialist economics. I espoused the co-operative movement. I got the Renfrewshire Co-op to push local school boards into providing facilities for adult education, economics education. During the war I did what I could to support Mary Barbour and the women’s fight against the rent increases, imposed by absentee landlords while their conscripted husbands were away fighting in France.  Aye, one of these days they’ll put up a statue to that wonderful woman.

And now Willie Gallacher and the Clydeside workers have decided they have to strike again. Trying to reduce working hours to a forty hour week.  And it’s not that they want the same pay for fewer hours. They’ll take a bit less pay.  All they want is to make some room in the yards to give jobs to all the unemployed demobbed soldiers. But in Parliament they fear an uprising, a Glasgow Soviet, a Soviet Scotland. Churchill’s tanks are even now being marshalled in the Gallowgate. Thousands of English troops are arriving by train. Meanwhile, the Scottish troops are confined to barracks in Maryhill.  And if Willie speaks to them at Maryhill he knows the troops will come out for him. Revolution is in the air.  But I’ve told him, that kind of battle – workers in khaki killing other workers in khaki – that’s not for me, not what I want to see. If there are to be tanks on Sauchiehall Street they must be faced down without bloodshed. But can I convince this heaving crowd of that?

Like me, most of the people here couldn’t see what the so-called ‘war to end wars’ was all about, why everyone had to starve or die because of it.  Just one imperial power slaughtering the workers of another imperial power as they tried to gain a bigger slice of the cake, the wealth of the exploited colonies, for the benefit of their own capitalist classes.

The Russian workers couldn’t understand it either.  We all cheered when they abandoned the war in 1917 and overthrew their government.  I well remember chairing the Third All-Russian Congress of Soviets.  And then Lenin appointed me Bolshevik Consul in Scotland.  I hear they’ve even named a street after me in St Petersburg, or Leningrad as they’re calling it nowadays.  There’s even been talk of carving my name on the Kremlin’s walls. But what do those things matter – his ribbon, star, and a’ that?

I’m thirty-nine and feeling nearer ninety.  The force-feeding when I went on hunger strike in prison didn’t help. Some even say they tried to poison me. Now they tell me pneumonia is setting in – that I’ll probably be dead in a year or two.  People might remember me for a while, before I’m eclipsed by others; Scottish people better able to fight for socialism and independence, people who understand the true nature of Scotland.  If my funeral attracts as big a crowd as the one before me now it will be the biggest funeral Glasgow has ever seen.  Maybe I’ll be a footnote in some socialist history of Scotland, or someone might write a song, a poem, or a play about me.  My dear wee daughter Nan says she’ll write a book about me.  A hundred years from now will anyone read that passionate speech I made from the dock? Will that speech’s prediction – of another world war twenty years from now - prove true or false?  Will the egalitarian principles I've lived and fought for ever really be able to establish themselves in an independent Scotland?  Marx said capitalism forces companies to compete, to exploit resources and labour, and the devil take the hindmost. The losers are taken over, merged, or eliminated altogether, whatever the cost to the workers. Eventually there will be huge companies, but there won’t be many. I suspect, as Marx predicted, that companies will become global, capitalists billionaires, and the gap between rich and poor will only widen. Could an independent socialist Scotland really stand in their way?

Ach, so I lost my safe middle-class teaching career, I lost my health. I gained a prison record. Have all those things really been for nothing? - But good grief, what kind of self-serving question is that for me to be asking myself?

Oh dear, the Convener is nodding towards me now.   It’s time to get up on the old hind legs and give this multitude some eloquent words to chew over.  Maybe their reaction will provide the answer to some of the questions tickling my brain.

[twh-news]

[aka Taika being, well, Taika]

The argument that Marvel’s Cinematic Universe isn’t open to unique voices in the director’s chair is officially DOA with the arrival of Thor: Ragnarok as Taika Waititi smears his personality all up on the film from its surface shine down into its numerous nooks and crannies. The director of What We Do In the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople has a particular sensibility that in retrospect is perfect for this character and the worlds he inhabits.

The film hits Blu-ray/DVD on March 6th, but for now why not keep reading and see what I heard on the commentary track for…

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Commentator: Taika Waititi (director)

1. Waititi introduces himself on the commentary by way of this opening logo narration.

2. The opening scene is meant to be disorienting as he wanted audiences to feel immediately off-kilter and unsure of this world.

3. Surtur is voiced by Clancy Brown but his motion-capture was performed by “one of the greatest actors in the world, not just New Zealand but the world, Taika Waititi.”

4. He wants to make sure you notice the “little demon guy” just waking up in the corner of the screen at the 3:54 mark.

5. Waititi feels Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” is just perfect for the film. “As a young Taika growing up in New Zealand in the 80s, if you were to say to me ‘One day you’re going to use one of the greatest songs ever in the history of everness in a movie about Thor the god of thunder that you’ll be directing’ I would have said ‘My friend, I know it because I can see the future.‘”

6. All of Surtur’s fiery power moves into the skull at 6:04.

7. Uh, Karl Urban is from New Zealand? Am I the last person on the planet to learn this?

8. He hates guns, but he gave Skurge (Urban) the pair of M-16s because they’re well-known as part of his character in the comic books.

9. Waititi’s next film is going to be Manchester By the Sea Part Two.

10. Skurge’s Shake Weight is actually Waititi’s. He bought it via an infomercial while in Atlanta filming Green Lantern. I’m not sure which part of this factoid is more surprising — that it’s his Shake Weight, or that I completely forgot he had a role in Green Lantern.

11. He told Anthony Hopkins that in his introductory scene he’d “be playing Tom Hiddleston playing you. And he said ‘Oh okay, good,’ and he turned up in blue eyeliner.”

12. Luke Hemsworth (Westworld) is playing Thor in the little play for Odin/Loki.

13. The New York City-set scenes were shot in Brisbane, “which is the closest you’ll get to New York in Australia both geographically and with how it looks.”

14. The scene with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) was shot nearly a year before principal photography began on this film as they visited the set of Doctor Strange to film it.

15. The Norway scene was filmed in Atlanta “where they do not have cliffs like that.”

16. The design of planet Sakaar, from its architecture and costumes to ships and shapes, is intentionally and obviously inspired by the work of Jack Kirby. One of Kirby’s space station designs was even re-purposed into a gun.

17. Zoe Bell was Cate Blanchett‘s stunt double for much of the film.

18. The little circle that Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) secures to Thor’s neck is an “obedience disc” and originated in the Planet Hulk story line.

19. The instrumentation was changed for the film itself, but Jeff Goldblum is actually playing a keyboard during the scene where the Grandmaster makes music.

20. The Grandmaster is blue in the comics, “but one of the fears about making Jeff Goldblum blue would be that people might think he was resurrecting his character from Earth Girls Are Easy.” So they gave him a little blue strip instead.

21. Korg is “played by Taika Waititi who is one of the great, great New Zealand actors.”

22. The reveal that Asgard has a darker, more violent history is one of Waititi’s favorite scenes in the film.

23. The gauntlet that Hela knocks to the ground at 44:24 first appeared in Thor issue #1.

25. Valkyrie’s method of opening the alcohol bottle with a knife at 49:49 is an homage to Once Were Warriors which features a character opening beer bottles with a fish slicer.

26. The Beerbot 5000 is a motion capture performance.

27. The wall mural in the box where Loki and the Grandmaster watch the Thor vs Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) fight is an actual piece of Kirby art.

28. There’s what looks like an N and a Z shaved into opposite sides of Thor’s head after the haircut, and Waititi points out that it stands for New Zealand. “It’s like Chris did a little homage to me. That’s how much he loves me.”

29. The alien with three heads who’s glimpsed a few times on Sakaar features Waititi’s face on head #3.

30. Thor’s line that Hulk is “a friend from work” came from a child visiting the set during production.

31. Waititi’s second daughter, Matewa Kiritapu, joins the commentary during the Thor vs Hulk fight. “Uh oh. Oh my gosh.” She quickly loses interest and decides to go see something else.

32. Two of the four women nursing Thor back to health in Hulk’s pad are played by Waititi’s and Hemsworth’s wives Chelsea and Elsa, respectively.

33. Hemsworth had no plans for a shirtless scene in the film, but Waititi, “as a representative of the audience” said he had to do one. “I would like to acknowledge myself and Chris’ body for those extra ticket sales.”

34. In preparing for the film Waititi had talks with Marvel about how Thor needed something of an overhaul. “He needed to be that kind of fun hero that we wanted to follow on the journey, and you can’t do that when your hero is super earnest and serious.”

35. He wanted a Withnail & I vibe between Thor and Banner, and he’s thrilled that Hemsworth and Ruffalo delivered.

36. The reflective walking shot starting at 1:17:30 is “obviously the greatest shot in the history of cinema” and was designed by storyboard artist Todd Harris.

37. The lighting effect used for the first time ever during Valkyrie’s flashback was designed by two of Waititi’s friends — one of whom you may know better as Stu (Rutherford) from What We Do In the Shadows — for Satellite Lab. He compares it The Matrix‘s “bullet time” but with strobe lights encircling the action instead of cameras. The sequence is gorgeous so congrats to Stu and friend.

38. He notices his daughter trying to steal the recording booth technician’s phone and suggests that “someone needs to supervise that child.”

39. Much of the artwork and banners for the Hulk parade were made by interns from the local Aboriginal community. He wanted to offer them the opportunity to experience a film set and possibly find inspiration.

40. The Commodore ship’s color design is based on the Aboriginal flag. “Let’s make the hero’s spaceship in this movie the color of the original people from Australia, the color of their flag.” Valkyrie’s ship is colored after the Maori flag. “You know, nothing political, just cool.”

41. The ships are all named after classic (“70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s”) cars from New Zealand and Australia including Commodore, Escort, Kingswood, and more.

42. Waititi calls out the obvious flaw in Thor’s nickname as the God of Thunder and suggests that either he should change it to God of Lightning “or should we change it so that he just has the power of some really loud rumbling. I think I’m gonna write to Stan Lee and ask him what he thinks.”

43. They knew they wanted to bring about Ragnarok — the destruction of Asgard — but they weren’t initially sure how to justify destroying an entire planet. Attaching Hela’s power source to Asgard the place and then recognizing that Asgard is where the people are solved that problem.

Best in Context-Free Commentary

“Good lord, it’s Joel Edgerton!”

“For all you people who love fun facts, I’ve got lots of them.”

“I did all of the motion capture for [Chris Hemsworth] in the movie as well, so any time you see him walking around or talking that’s also me. I basically did all of the characters in the film.”

“How are you guys enjoying this director’s commentary by the way?”

“I’m not sure if I’ll watch this movie again after this director’s commentary. I’ve seen it quite a few times.”

“Oh look there’s Keith Urban, famous country singer.”

“No Earth animals were harmed making this movie, but yeah, we did kill a lot of dragons.”

“Matt Damon. I don’t know if you guys recognize him from We Bought a Zoo. That’s him. A little crossover there, a little Marvel/We Bought a Zoo crossover.”

“If you’re a fan of Doctor Strange, which I am not, you’ll know that that is Doctor Strange’s address.”

“Who would have thought we’d make a movie with the devil’s anus in it?”

“I want to watch Moana.”

Final Thoughts

This movie is a goddamn blast and exactly the re-imagining that Thor needed, and Waititi’s sense of humor is as evident on the commentary as it is in the film. It’s more of an entertaining track than an informative one — something Waititi warns about early on — but fun is fun.